Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1449

Tang Gunak bowed deeply to Hyun Jong.

“Thank you for being patient and understanding with the Sichuan Tang Family, even though things are difficult right now,” Tang Gunak said.

Hyun Jong accepted the bow and shook his head.

“Of course. It’s the right thing to do,” Hyun Jong replied.

Hyun Jong was anxious, even though he didn’t want to admit it. Sichuan was no longer a place where they could feel safe.

Still, Hyun Jong waited silently.

Maybe others wouldn’t understand, but Hyun Jong did. He knew how important what was happening in the Tang Family was. He had been through similar hard times as the leader of Mount Hua, so he understood.

“Family Head, has the reorganization made any progress?” Hyun Jong asked.

Tang Gunak looked at Hyun Jong, his eyes deep and calm. For a moment, Hyun Jong felt a slight tension.

It’s not hard to see if a martial artist’s skills have improved. But seeing someone grow inside, as a person, is very rare.

But now, Hyun Jong could see it. He was watching something special happen. Even though it had only been half a day, Tang Gunak, the Poison King and Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Family, had clearly changed in a profound way.

Tang Gunak glanced back at his family.

“I wish that were the case, but…”

He saw his family watching him with steady eyes.

“This is just the beginning. It won’t be easy to get rid of all the old ways,” he said.

“Indeed. That’s true,” Hyun Jong agreed.

Mount Hua had nothing much. So, there wasn’t much to protect. It was sad, but it made it easier for Mount Hua to leave the past behind and move forward.

But the Tang Family was different. Even after losing Dokgo and the workshops, they were still the Sichuan Tang Family. Changing the family rules and traditions, which are very strong and old, is not easy. It’s harder than just talking about it.

Still, Tang Gunak nodded, looking at Hyun Jong with determination.

“But starting is enough,” he stated.

Hyun Jong was surprised. Just then, a voice interrupted them.

“Are we done here yet?”

Tang Gunak and Hyun Jong looked towards the voice. Chung Myung, looking annoyed, pointed at the sky.

“Look, it’s almost night. Please tell me we’re not sleeping on the ground again?”

“That won’t happen,” Tang Gunak said, chuckling and shaking his head.

“The Tang Family doesn’t cause trouble like that.”

“Seems like you’ve already caused plenty,” Chung Myung retorted.

“Shut your mouth!”

“Always that blasted mouth!”

“What? Did I say something wrong?”

Even as Oh Geom dragged him away, Chung Myung kept shouting. Hyun Jong sighed and apologized to Tang Gunak.

“I am sorry,” Hyun Jong said.

“It’s nothing. He’s right, after all,” Tang Gunak replied with a chuckle, looking south. For a moment, Tang Gunak looked sad, thinking about his old home. But then he left those feelings behind and looked north.

“Let’s go,” he said.

“Yes,” Hyun Jong agreed.

Tang Gunak led his family forward.

Leaving the past behind, towards their new home.

“…You said you would settle in Shaanxi completely?”

Baek Cheon looked completely confused. Tang Gunak noticed his surprise and asked.

Baek Cheon’s eyes showed nothing but shock.

“Wasn’t that already agreed upon?”

“W-Well, yes, but…”

“I know. You mean something a little different, right?”

“…Yes. That’s what I meant,” Baek Cheon said, worried he had said something wrong. Tang Gunak chuckled at his reaction.

“I just made a decision that had to be made,” Tang Gunak explained.

Tang Gunak turned to look at the people following him.

Over five hundred people were following. If they included relatives of the Tang Family who would join later, the number would be almost a thousand.

“Of course, I want to go back to Sichuan too. The thought of my home, Sichuan, being destroyed by those villains still makes me angry.”

“…I understand,” Baek Cheon replied.

What if Shaanxi, and Mount Hua, fell to the Four Seas Alliance? Even without Chung Myung’s anger, Baek Cheon would be furious.

Losing your home is more than just losing land. It’s like losing all the memories made in that place.

“But maybe this is better for now. We can’t just hold onto a piece of land while trying to rebuild our family. Now, we need to get ready to build a new life in a new place. For the sake of the family, and… for their sake too,” Tang Gunak said, looking at his family with warmth and concern.

Those who weren’t trained in martial arts were moving slowly, but they were all walking without complaining.

From now on, Tang Gunak’s job was to turn the despair in their eyes into hope.

“…I am sorry,” Tang Gunak said.

“W-What do you mean, Family Head!” Baek Cheon waved his hands quickly and strongly at Tang Gunak’s serious apology.

“Of course, my opinion might not matter much, but if the Tang Family comes to Shaanxi, we would be very grateful. What could be more reassuring than that?”

“To hear you say that…”

“Ahem!”

The warm feeling was suddenly stopped. Tang Gunak and Baek Cheon turned to look at the same place. Chung Myung, looking like he was against it, was standing there.

“Where?” Chung Myung asked.

“Shaanxi…” Baek Cheon answered.

“Where?” Chung Myung repeated.

“Mount… Hua,” Baek Cheon replied.

“Mount Hwa?”

Chung Myung’s eyes rolled back. Baek Cheon was used to Chung Myung’s sudden outbursts, so he didn’t react much. But Tang Gunak, who wasn’t used to it, was surprised and took a step back.

“Someone as smart as you, what? Settle in Mount Hua?”

“…That is…” Baek Cheon started to say.

“No, I didn’t think this guy was like this, but doesn’t he have any good sense! What is there to find anything good in that small place that the Tang Family would come to live there! We don’t even have enough to eat ourselves,” Chung Myung complained.

“Ahem. It’s not like we’re planning to stay for thousands of years…” Baek Cheon said.

“Hey, you! What are you talking about? We should be grateful that the Tang Family is coming at a time like this,” Yoon Jong said, unable to stay silent any longer. Chung Myung glared at him.

“Grateful? Did you just say grateful? Just the fact that those Jongnam bastards are in Shaanxi makes me feel sick, and I’m always thinking about burning down Jongnam Mountain!”

“We want to say that this statement is not the official position of Mount Hua,” Yoon Jong announced.

“…It’s scary that someone might actually hear that. That guy is a Taoist, everyone,” Jo Gul muttered.

The Five Swords covered their faces and mumbled to themselves, but Chung Myung didn’t care and kept talking.

“And if the Tang Family comes to live there too, huh? What are we supposed to eat, what are we!”

“No, that…” Baek Cheon tried to say.

“And how many people are there? We have to feed and house over five hundred people! Does money grow on trees?”

At those words, Jo Gul became angry.

“Hey, you! How dare you talk about money in front of the Tang Family! How rich do you think the Tang Family is!”

Chung Myung asked, eyes wide, “What?”

One of the Five Swords scoffed, “Compared to the Tang family’s wealth, this place is like a poor hut under a bridge! Do you even realize how rich you could be just by selling a few of their rare metals and poisons? They had mountains of it!”

“Oh, right. Good point. Expensive and rare poisons, jewels and metals that could buy an entire castle, and warehouses overflowing with riches,” Chung Myung said.

“Yeah, you got it!”

“So, well, where is all that money now?” Chung Myung asked.

“Huh?” Tang Gun-ak mumbled.

“Well… in Sichuan, um….”

“All burned to a crisp, wasn’t it?” Chung Myung said.

Tang Gun-ak sighed, “Fire destroys everything equally, you know. It’s fair in that way.”

“Yeah, fair. It was fair to Mount Hua, too,” Chung Myung retorted.

“Why bring that up!” Tang Gun-ak exclaimed.

The Tang family collected wealth for hundreds of years. But they couldn’t take it when they ran away. Most of it burned. Or maybe Jang Il-So stole it all.

“Oh, so what you’re saying is…” Chung Myung trailed off.

“Yeah. So, what I’m saying is…” Tang Gun-ak repeated, looking dejected.

The Five Swords seemed to ponder something, then simultaneously turned to look at Tang Gun-ak.

Tang Gun-ak felt cold sweat on his forehead. It trickled down his face like tiny, icy rivers. Their eyes were clearly saying, ‘What? A beggar?’

‘Huh? Soso? Why are even you looking at me like that…’ Tang Gun-ak thought, feeling betrayed.

“Not rich, but *was* rich!” Tang Gun-ak emphasized.

“Ahem.”

Baek Cheon cleared his throat and spoke up. “Of course, the situation is difficult now, but… isn’t Tang the Tang family? If we just help you a little, you’ll soon become strong again…”

“Oh, become strong again and steal away the kids who want to join Mount Hua. And we’ll share the business moderately, right? Just like those Jongnam bastards,” Chung Myung interrupted.

“…Oh no, did I really say that out loud? How about going to Henan?” Baek Cheon suggested awkwardly.

“S, Senior Uncle!” One of the Five Swords exclaimed.

“A slip of the tongue… I misspoke,” Baek Cheon said, quickly waving his hand. But he couldn’t take back his words, and cold glares rained down on him from the Five Swords.

“I don’t know if his personality has gotten worse, or if it was always this bad,” one of them muttered.

“I think it’s the latter. His blood is bad. Jongnam blood will always show, won’t it?” another replied.

“That makes sense,” a third agreed.

“…You sons of bitches,” Baek Cheon grumbled.

Tang Gun-ak sighed deeply as he watched the Five Swords bickering. “Even if nothing else, there won’t be any stealing of disciples. Rather, it seems we’re the ones who will be stolen from.”

“Yes? What do you mean by that?” Baek Cheon asked, confused.

“The daughters of the Tang family wish to enter Mount Hua,” Tang Gun-ak announced.

Chung Myung’s eyes widened. “…Actually, I’d like to pretend I didn’t hear it, but your voice is so loud that I couldn’t help but hear… Weren’t you supposed to teach the Tang family’s martial arts in return?”

“Of course, I will do so for those who want it. But as you all know, the Tang family’s martial arts are not easy for anyone to learn,” Tang Gun-ak explained.

“…That’s true,” Baek Cheon admitted.

Poison and hidden weapons are martial arts that are difficult to master even with a lifetime of practice. The Tang family is called great because they built their family with those martial arts.

“There’s no need to force them down a thorny path when they’re starting late. If they wish to enter Mount Hua, I will let them,” Tang Gun-ak said.

“No, listening to you is making me laugh? We’re the ones receiving disciples, so why are you the one allowing it? Does this guy not understand the situation he’s in…? Mmph! Mmmph!” Chung Myung protested, but Baek Cheon quickly covered Chung Myung’s mouth with his hand and shoved the Heroic Sword into Chung Myung’s mouth like a gag.

“…That thing has more uses than I thought,” one of the Five Swords commented.

“I know, right,” another agreed.

“Get that bastard out of here!” Baek Cheon ordered.

“Yes,” the others replied.

As Chung Myung was dragged away, Tang Gun-ak sighed and spoke again. “It’s not just the daughters. I also plan to allow the young children who have not yet properly experienced the Tang family’s martial arts to join Mount Hua.”

“Actually, from our perspective, there’s nothing more to be thankful for, but…” Baek Cheon said, turning his head with an awkward expression to look at Chung Myung.

There, tied up, was Chung Myung, emitting a glare that seemed to say, ‘Just let those Tang bastards try to crawl in here. I’ll personally give them a tour of hell.’

“…They’ll overcome it themselves,” Tang Gun-ak said with an unhappy face. Of course, he wasn’t okay with it, but…

“So, please take care of…”

Boooom!

The sword shot out of Chung Myung’s mouth with a loud *thwack* and clattered on the floor. At that moment, Chung Myung, who had cut the ropes binding his body in one swift motion, suddenly stood up and spat out Baek Cheon’s Heroic Sword, which had been lodged in his mouth, like a cannonball.

“No, disciples or whatever! So, what about the money! If you’re going to come into someone else’s land and settle down, you need to pay a land tax!” Chung Myung shouted.

“…Just become a Demonic Sect member,” one of the Five Swords suggested.

“Thinking about it, if this bastard had been born in Gangnam and become a Demonic Sect member, Jang Il-So wouldn’t have been able to run wild like that,” another mused.

Though a different kind of hell would have unfolded instead.

“Feed five hundred people who don’t even have money? What are we, a charity?” Chung Myung demanded.

“Yes,” Yoon Jong said calmly.

“Huh?” Chung Myung asked, turning to look at Yoon Jong.

“That’s right. We’re a Taoist temple. We do charity,” Yoon Jong explained.

“Oh? Really? Is that what Taoist temples are supposed to do?” Chung Myung asked, confused.

…Tears welled up in Yoon Jong’s eyes. Oh, Celestial Lord. Where did it all go wrong? Where, oh where…

“Ahem! Anyway, I absolutely can’t accept it! I’m already annoyed to death by the Beggars’ Sect bastards begging in Mount Hua, and now you’re adding more beggars…” Chung Myung complained.

“They do have money,” Tang Gun-ak interjected.

“…Yes?” Chung Myung asked, turning sharply to look at Tang Gun-ak.

“Did you bring it with you?” Chung Myung asked.

“As you can see, I couldn’t bring it,” Tang Gun-ak replied.

“Then what, do you usually carry a little extra with you?” Chung Myung asked sarcastically.

“Who takes money to the battlefield?” Tang Gun-ak retorted.

Chung Myung’s eyes, which had been about to soften, turned fierce again. “Then where is the money coming from!”

“Didn’t the Tang family once leave Sichuan temporarily because of the Demonic Sect in the past?” Tang Gun-ak asked.

“Yes? We d…did?” Chung Myung stammered, surprised.

“Since then, we have been storing about thirty percent of our assets in other regions and battlefields in preparation for any problems we didn’t expect,” Tang Gun-ak explained.

“How much?” Chung Myung asked, his eyes gleaming.

“Thirty percent,” Tang Gun-ak repeated.

“Oh… so that means…” Chung Myung trailed off, doing the mental math.

Thirty percent of the Tang family’s wealth, which had been sucking the blood of the people of Sichuan for hundreds of years… Oh…

Chung Myung glanced up at the sky and lowered his head. A wide, gleaming smile spread across his face as he looked at Tang Gun-ak.

“Welcome to Shaanxi. Hee hee. What’s the point of having friends? Feel free to rest as much as you want! From now on, we’ll protect you!” Chung Myung declared.

…Tang Gun-ak was seriously considering just going to Henan and relying on Shaolin.