Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1440

“Uh… Um,” Lee Song-baek mumbled, looking down at his dusty shoes. His face turned bright red with embarrassment.

Chung Myung saw this and roared with laughter, his voice loud and echoing. “Hahaha! Why so serious, Song-baek? It’s just a joke! A joke!”

Hope flickered in everyone’s eyes again. They knew Chung Myung could be unreliable. He had disappointed them before. But still, maybe this time would be different?

“So, that name… was it… Lee Geum-Baek?” Chung Myung asked, pretending to think hard.

“…It’s Lee Song-baek,” Lee Song-baek said quietly.

“Hahaha! Just kidding again! A joke! Of course, I remember! Lee Jong-baek!” Chung Myung slapped Lee Song-baek on the back, as if a name was the least important thing.

Lee Song-baek just repeated, “Lee Song-baek.”

Watching this, everyone else from Jongnam lowered their heads, shoulders slumping. They wished the ground would open up and swallow them whole.

Yoon Jong felt sorry for Lee Song-baek. ‘Chung Myung is just teasing him,’ Yoon Jong thought. ‘He remembers everyone who is talented.’

He probably just can’t remember the name exactly.

With Jin Geum-ryong, Jin Eun-ryong, and Jin Dong-ryong around, it was easy to mix up a name like Lee Song-baek.

This was the fault of the Jin family… no, Jin Cho-baek, rather than Chung Myung.

“…You seem to be doing well. That’s a relief.”

“Huh?”

“Because the injuries were so deep.”

Lee Song-baek glanced at Chung Myung’s body as he patted his back. There wasn’t a single place that seemed unscathed. He felt foolish for even thinking he could greet someone like this with such composure.

But Chung Myung said with a nonchalant face.

“Well… don’t worry about it. It’s a common occurrence.”

“…Common?”

“Yeah, common.”

Lee Song-baek stared at Chung Myung. After examining his face, which held a strange smile, Lee Song-baek nodded heavily.

“I understand what you mean.”

“Huh?”

“In the past, it would have been unimaginable for evil groups to invade this place. But now, it’s the kind of world where that happens. Soon, it will be a world where it’s normal for martial artists to be injured.”

“Huh?”

“…You’re saying we have to endure such a world?”

Chung Myung slowly backed away from Lee Song-baek. Lee Song-baek spoke earnestly.

“Don’t worry, Sect Leader. If I didn’t have that much resolve, I wouldn’t have come out after breaking the seclusion.”

“I wasn’t worried? Why would I worry about a Jongnam bastard? I wish they’d all die in the war.”

It was almost a curse, a very strong wish for bad things to happen. But Lee Song-baek didn’t get angry; instead, he chuckled. Seeing that reaction, Chung Myung quickly turned to Baek Cheon, looking for support.

“Sasuk. What’s wrong with that bastard?”

“…”

“Maybe Jin Geum-ryong would be easier to talk to than you.”

“…I don’t want to do that.”

Chung Myung was a headache, and Jin Geum-ryong was a headache, but the two of them together? Just imagining it made his stomach hurt.

“He’s just preparing himself mentally, there’s no need to look at him so strangely.”

“If it could be done just by making up your mind, who would suffer?”

“That’s true, but…”

Baek Cheon glanced at Lee Song-baek and then opened his mouth again.

“It doesn’t seem like baseless confidence.”

Chung Myung closed his mouth for a moment. Chung Myung, who could normally rant about Jongnam for three days and nights without stopping, couldn’t argue with this.

“…The seclusion effect seems to be good.”

“What’s the difference between seclusion and closed-door training? Sasuk went into special training before the big meeting at Hwajong, but it didn’t seem to help much.”

“Why are you bringing that up now! And how do you know if it had an effect or not? You weren’t even in Mount Hua back then.”

“If that was the result of the effect, wouldn’t that be a bigger problem?”

“…You damned bastard.”

Chung Myung chuckled as Baek Cheon despaired with a reddened face. But even so, his eyes were watching Lee Song-baek carefully.

‘Certainly…’

He could feel a strong determination from Lee Song-baek.

If one could become stronger just by secluding themselves, which of the countless martial arts groups in the world, known as Jianghu, would refuse to do so? Even if they locked the doors, how much stronger they became inside depended entirely on their own efforts.

And now, Lee Song-baek was proving with his resolve that he had not wasted his time.

“That… um.”

At that moment, Lee Song-baek sighed deeply, as if he was about to say something but stopped.

“I feel a little embarrassed.”

“Huh?”

“Actually, I wanted to brag a little. I really trained hard.”

There was no need to say that. Even if he couldn’t feel that resolve, he could guess the effort he had put in just by looking at his hands, which were covered in scars.

“But… seeing the Mount Hua disciples like this, it doesn’t seem like something to brag about. I thought I had narrowed the gap a little.”

Lee Song-baek smiled bitterly. He wasn’t just talking about Chung Myung. Even Baek Cheon, who looked like he could barely stand due to his injuries, exuded an untouchable sharpness. He even wondered if he could have faced this man if he had been in normal condition.

‘And it’s not just this man.’

Jo Gul, who was looking at him with strangely dissatisfied eyes, and Yoon Jong, who was stopping him from behind, were also not to be underestimated.

‘I was definitely ahead of them even at the Jonghwa Assembly or the martial arts competition.’

He thought he had pushed himself as hard as he could during Jongnam’s seclusion, but instead of catching up, he felt like he was being caught up to.

The confidence that had swelled up when he blocked Red Tiger’s strike instantly returned to its original place.

Then Chung Myung said in a sulky voice.

“Tsk. Anyway, those Jongnam bastards are unlucky.”

“Yes?”

Chung Myung asked brusquely.

“Did you find your sword?”

At that question, Lee Song-baek’s eyes darkened slightly. After a moment of silence, he opened his mouth in a small but firm voice.

“It’s embarrassing to call it my sword, but I think I know what kind of sword I need to create.”

“Hoo.”

“And… don’t be too relieved, Sect Leader Chung Myung. I’m not the only one in Jongnam who has found his path.”

At those words, Chung Myung looked at the people standing behind Lee Song-baek. Certainly, they were still clumsy, but there were those who showed a similar resolve to Lee Song-baek.

No, to be exact… not Lee Song-baek’s resolve, but similar to the resolve of the old Jongnam that he knew. The corners of Chung Myung’s lips twisted slightly.

“Is that something to celebrate?”

“It’s all thanks to the Sect Leader…”

“Well, it’s just going back to square one. Jongnam couldn’t beat Mount Hua in the past, so what’s different now?”

“What?”

“What’s with that bastard?”

The Jongnam disciples who were listening from behind glared at Chung Myung, enraged. But Chung Myung only grinned at their gazes.

“Why? Want to fight?”

“Ugh…”

The Jongnam disciples gritted their teeth but couldn’t bring themselves to step forward.

Because they could see it now. The depth of Chung Myung that they hadn’t known when they were lacking. A power that their skills couldn’t yet fathom.

“It’s just Mount Hua…”

“That’s enough.”

At that moment, Jin Geum-ryong lightly raised his hand, silencing his disciples who were about to spew out insults.

“Nothing will change just by talking. Whether Mount Hua is above or Jongnam is above is something we will have to prove to each other from now on.”

“Yes, Senior Brother.”

Baek Cheon looked at Jin Geum-ryong with slightly surprised eyes.

Was this man someone who could mediate in this way? It seemed that they and Lee Song-baek weren’t the only ones who had changed during the seclusion.

“So, Mount Hua, you should feel honored. We now see you as worthy rivals.”

…I wish that mouth would change too…

“That bastard talks just like Sasuk, as if they weren’t brothers.”

“I’m not!”

“Blood is thicker than water, I guess.”

“I said I’m not!”

It was then, as Chung Myung was chuckling at Baek Cheon, who was horrified and flared up.

“Can’t you be quiet?”

“You guys!”

Jongri Gok and Hyun Jong shouted almost simultaneously. The disciples of the two groups, Mount Hua and Jongnam, flinched and lowered their gazes to the ground.

They had managed to save the remaining Dang family members, but in any case, the Dang family had suffered great sacrifices. In such a situation, it was unlikely that raising their voices carelessly would be seen favorably. Jongri Gok clicked his tongue slightly with a displeased expression. And he slightly bowed his head towards Tang Gunak.

“The children have been released from seclusion for the first time in a while, so they don’t seem to be able to control themselves. It’s my fault for not teaching them properly, so please blame me, Clan Leader.”

“Don’t worry about it. More than that, how did you know about the situation here?”

“The Beggars’ Sect sent word.”

“Ah… Then is Jongnam completely lifting the seclusion now?”

“That is so.”

Jongri Gok nodded.

“It is difficult to confidently say that we have properly regained the path of Jongnam, so I wanted to continue the seclusion for a few more years, but with the situation as it is, we cannot simply close our doors.”

He paused for a moment and then said firmly.

“In any case, we intend to help pacify the chaotic Jianghu (martial arts world).”

“Hmm.”

Hyun Jong nodded with a heavy expression.

Although they had an awkward relationship with Mount Hua, no one could deny Jongnam’s strength. Moreover, they had not secluded themselves because they were lacking, but to become stronger. If such Jongnam joined the front lines, it would be a great help in the current situation.

“Then will you return to Shaanxi now?”

“That is likely. What do you intend to do with the Dang family?”

“We…”

Tang Gunak glanced back. The Dang family’s retainers were still recovering the injured.

“We can no longer return to Sichuan, so we will have to find a place to stay.”

“If there is anything we can do to help, please tell us at any time.”

It was the moment when Jongri Gok, who had nodded, was about to lightly clasp his hands.

“Sect Leader.”

Hyun Jong’s call was heard. Jongri Gok turned to Hyun Jong without answering.

“Do you have something you want to say, Supreme Elder?”

“I know it’s a sudden request… but I would like to ask you one favor, even if it’s impolite.”

“A favor…”

Jongri Gok nodded as if to tell him to speak.

“Please speak.”

“Please… lend the strength of Jongnam.”

A strange light flickered across Jongri Gok’s face.

“Although the Myriad Man Chamber has temporarily retreated, they are not the only ones who have invaded Sichuan. Now, other evil groups are flocking to Jeomcang. If Jongnam lends its strength, we can help them…”

“Stop it, Supreme Elder.”

Jongri Gok’s sharp voice cut off Hyun Jong’s words. A look of embarrassment flashed across Hyun Jong’s face.

“Sect Leader. Currently, Jeomcang is…”

“Jongnam will not go to Jeomcang.”

It was a truly cold tone. Hyun Jong flinched without realizing it.

“I thought you had changed a lot, but it seems that the Supreme Elder is still the same as before.”

“…Yes?”

Jongri Gok’s sharp eyes pierced through Hyun Jong.

“Stop pretending to be a good person, Supreme Elder. And stop trying to benefit yourself at the expense of others.”

“…”

“It would be better to stop pretending to be kind. Since when have Jongnam and Mount Hua been in a relationship where they exchange favors?”

Hyun Jong’s shoulders trembled.

But Jongri Gok looked at him with ridicule instead.

“If you wanted to save Jeomcang so much, why didn’t you go to Jeomcang in the first place? Choosing the side you’re close to when you have to choose, and then pretending to be sorry after it’s over is just hypocrisy.”

Hyun Jong closed his eyes tightly. But Jongri Gok didn’t pity him; instead, he only let out a sneer.

“Ah, I don’t know. It seems that there are people who have been moved by the Supreme Elder’s virtue…”

Jongri Gok’s gaze, which had glanced at the Dang family, soon turned to Chung Myung.

“Jongnam will not do that. Never again.”

In that moment, Chung Myung and Jongri Gok’s gazes clashed fiercely in the air.