Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1441

Jongli Gok, having quickly looked away from Chung Myung, respectfully clasped his hands towards Hyun Jong.

“Well then.”

Hyun Jong, somewhat surprised, also clasped his hands. “We might see things differently, but we both want what’s best for Kangho, right? I wish your sect prosperity.”

“…I wish your sect prosperity,” Jongli Gok replied, clasping his hands towards Tang Gunak in the same manner before turning to leave. “Let’s go.”

“Yes, Sect Leader!” The Jongnam swordsmen glanced at the Hwasan disciples before turning away. As the Hwasan disciples frowned slightly, Lee Song-baek quietly spoke to Chung Myung and the Five Swords.

“The Sect Leader may say so, but I don’t necessarily think the same way.”

“Yes?”

“And I’m not the only one who thinks that way.” Lee Song-baek smiled at Chung Myung, implying that the upper and lower ranks of Jongnam held different views.

“There’s no reason we can’t work together even if we compete. In fact, competing might make us need each other even more. It’s already happening within Jongnam.”

Baek Cheon nodded, understanding Lee Song-baek’s words.

“So…”

“Lee Song-baek!” A cold voice interrupted him. Lee Song-baek flinched and turned to see Jin Geum-ryong glaring at him. “Keep it moderate.”

“I’m sorry, Senior Brother,” Lee Song-baek said, then added slyly, with an embarrassed look, “Of course, it will take some time.”

He shrugged and clasped his hands towards the Hwasan disciples. “Then, I’ll see you again. I think we’ll be seeing each other quite often now.”

“It was nice meeting you, Young Hero,” the Five Swords replied in kind. Lee Song-baek turned to Chung Myung.

“Chung Myung Dojang.”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you.” Lee Song-baek bowed deeply. This was a bow from one person to another, not just a martial arts formality.

“What’s with you all of a sudden?”

“Your teachings have awakened many things in me and in Jongnam. How can I ever repay this grace…”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Why would I bestow grace on Jongnam? Be careful! I’m going to set fire to Jongnam Mountain someday!”

Lee Song-baek chuckled. “I will repay that grace by diligently practicing as taught.”

“I never gave you any grace!”

“I hope I can show you my sword someday. It may be lacking, but you’ll see it has changed.”

Chung Myung looked up at the sky, dazed. Jo Gul, seeing him so weakened, whispered, “Sahyung… It seems there really is such a thing as a natural enemy in the world.”

“…Like two roads that will never meet. They just don’t understand each other.”

“Well then, see you again sometime.” Lee Song-baek clasped his hands precisely and turned to leave. While everyone else was leaving, Jin Geum-ryong remained.

“…Why aren’t you leaving?” Baek Cheon asked, looking annoyed.

Before Chung Myung arrived, Baek Cheon had lived under Jin Geum-ryong’s control. At one point, his only goal was to beat Jin Geum-ryong.

Now, he was sure he had surpassed Jin Geum-ryong in skill long ago. No matter how strong Jin Geum-ryong became, Baek Cheon knew he could win.

But the awkwardness remained.

Jin Geum-ryong stared intently at Baek Cheon, looking dissatisfied, and then spoke. “I didn’t know.”

“Yes?”

“I thought you were lacking, but not hopeless. Hanging out with strange fellows has made your manners worse.”

Baek Cheon’s face twisted in frustration, his eyebrows furrowing and his lips tightening.

“Don’t start a fight. Just go.”

“Your father is over there.” At Jin Geum-ryong’s words, Baek Cheon flinched.

“Even though you have a title, you’re still a Jin. Aren’t you going to greet your father, whom you haven’t seen in years?”

Baek Cheon looked past Jin Geum-ryong. Among the Jongnam elders and first-generation disciples, Jin Cho-baek was looking their way. Baek Cheon’s heart ached a little, but he knew now was not the right time.

“If that’s the case, take the Jin out of your name. I feel sorry for your father, who still thinks of you as family.”

“Even when they talk about family…” Baek Cheon glared at Jin Geum-ryong, his face twitching.

“Of course, I’m a Jin, and I’m not hopeless.”

The Five Swords whispered among themselves.

“Isn’t he hopeless?”

“He is.”

“Brothers see right through each other.”

“Shut up!” Baek Cheon shouted, then cleared his throat. “It’s just that going there right now wouldn’t be good for my father.”

“…”

“You’ve lifted the seal, so I’ll greet him formally sometime. Please tell him that.”

Jin Geum-ryong stared at Baek Cheon before scoffing. “You certainly have no manners. Using your own brother as a messenger.”

“Oh, what about it!” Baek Cheon snapped. Jin Geum-ryong, losing interest, turned to Chung Myung.

“Looking at your face, you’ve been living comfortably.”

“Oh, really? Your personality has gotten worse. Or is that a Jin family trait?”

“You little punk! I told you not to involve me! Let go!” Baek Cheon struggled as the Five Swords quickly grabbed and dragged him away. Jin Geum-ryong clicked his tongue and said, “I remember what you owe me.”

“Owe you? What are you talking about?” Chung Myung tilted his head, pretending to be confused. Then, he clapped his hands loudly, a grin spreading across his face. “Ah! Are you still upset about when Sasook beat you in the tournament? Is *that* the ‘debt’?”

“…”

“Why dwell on that like it’s a good memory? Forget it for your mental health.”

A blue aura poured out of Jin Geum-ryong for a moment, but Chung Myung smiled brightly. Jin Geum-ryong said through gritted teeth, “You haven’t changed. Good. I was worried what to do if you had. Now I can repay the debt to my heart’s content.”

Chung Myung picked at his ear. “Well, that’s up to you… But can you do it with just your heart? You need skill. And yours is still lacking?”

“Hmph.”

Jin Geum-ryong scoffed, glared at Chung Myung, and grabbed his sword.

As Baek Cheon tried to rush forward, Jin Geum-ryong drew his sword, unleashing a dazzling white sword aura towards Chung Myung.

Whoaaa!

The sword aura exploded outwards, drawing a dazzling white pattern in the air above Chung Myung, like a flash of lightning frozen in time. Chung Myung narrowed his eyes.

“…This is?”

“This is my new sword. No, Jongnam’s new sword.”

“That…” Chung Myung started to say something but stopped.

Snowflake Twelve Forms. A basic sword technique based on Hwasan’s Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Swordplay.

But Jin Geum-ryong’s sword was Snowflake Twelve Forms, yet it wasn’t. The snow-white aura was there, but the plum blossom traces were gone.

Chung Myung’s eyes twitched. He wanted to criticize it, but couldn’t. Even if it started from the Plum Blossom Swordplay, finding their own meaning made it Jongnam’s martial art. All martial arts developed that way.

“You tried hard, but… you still don’t understand. Jongnam’s sword is…”

“Why are you deciding that?”

“Huh?” Chung Myung looked bewildered. Jin Geum-ryong glanced at his fellow disciples. “Some are tempted by your ridiculous words. Jongnam must return to its roots. Everything is in the Thirty-Six Swords of the World.”

“…That’s not wrong.”

“No, it is wrong.” Jin Geum-ryong said to Chung Myung, who was frowning. “The Thirty-Six Swords are Jongnam’s root and foundation. But if we only master the past, Jongnam will stay in the past.”

“…”

“Jongnam will become stronger with the sword we’ve created.”

Jin Geum-ryong sheathed his sword and declared coldly, “Keep your neck clean until then.”

“Even a Demonic Sect wouldn’t say that these days.”

“Hmph.” Jin Geum-ryong turned resolutely. “Then I’ll go. Keep your promise, Jin Dong-ryong.”

“Don’t call me that!”

He moved away, leaving a cold wind. Everyone sighed as they watched Jongnam disappear.

“…It’s a good thing, though.”

“That’s right. We also received help.”

“Yeah. It’s a good thing, but…” Baek Cheon muttered, worried. “Now we really won’t have a day of peace.”

“I agree, Sasook Dong-ryong.” Baek Cheon’s fist landed on Jo Gul’s jaw.

As Jin Geum-ryong joined the others, a voice asked, “How was it?”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Weren’t you looking forward to seeing your brother?” It was Lee Song-baek. Jin Geum-ryong turned with angry eyes, but Lee Song-baek just smiled.

The others tensed. You can’t hit a smiling face, but Jin Geum-ryong might use his sword anyway.

“…Don’t spout nonsense.”

“Yes, Sahyung.” Fortunately, Jin Geum-ryong let it go, and some sighed in relief.

‘He has a good personality,’ some thought.

Lee Song-baek was probably the only one who could joke with Jin Geum-ryong like that, softening the atmosphere.

“What about you?” Jin Geum-ryong asked.

“Yes?”

“Weren’t you eagerly anticipating the meeting?”

Lee Song-baek nodded. “That’s true.”

“What do you think of the meeting?”

“Well…” Lee Song-baek smiled strangely, glancing back at Chung Myung, who was barely visible. “He was the same as ever.”

“How boring.”

Lee Song-baek chuckled. The same as ever.

It wasn’t just his personality. Chung Myung was still a huge mountain, an insurmountable sky. Even wounded and exhausted, he didn’t seem small.

So, Lee Song-baek was delighted, like a climber finding a mountain to climb endlessly.

“It’s a pity I couldn’t see Dojang’s sword. It would have been a great lesson.”

“You’ll be sick of seeing it soon enough.”

“I suppose so.” Lee Song-baek’s eyes darkened. ‘Jang Il-so.’

The Demonic Alliance’s easy retreat was unsettling, and the brief encounter with their power gave him goosebumps.

Now Jongnam would fight those people.

Lee Song-baek gripped his sword. They were fearsome enemies, but his path was set.

“I should start training again when I get back.”

“Aren’t you tired of it?”

“It’s something I have to do.”

Jin Geum-ryong shook his head. “I’m defeating the Hwasan Sword Saint. No poaching.”

“…We’ll see.”

“What did you say?”

“I’ll go first.” Lee Song-baek leaped forward, and Jin Geum-ryong briefly gritted his teeth. But he looked back. ‘Jin Dong-ryong.’

Baek Cheon, whom he had faced in the competition, had been childish. But the Baek Cheon he saw today was a true martial artist, more so than his brother.

“Tsk.” Jin Geum-ryong clicked his tongue and thought, ‘I need a training room when I get back.’