Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 173

Things moved fast with the Hunyuan Pill.

First, Hwasan asked the Eunha Merchant Guild to handle gathering all the ingredients for the Hunyuan Pill. They trusted the guild to keep things quiet, as Hwasan wanted.

Because of this, Hwang Jong-ui was called to Hwasan right away.

“Y-You mean *all* of this?”

Hwang Jong-ui’s eyes widened as he looked at the long list of ingredients. He almost dropped the paper.

“What on earth are you planning to use *these* for?” he asked, looking at Hyun Young, completely bewildered.

Hyun Young smiled gently.

“You don’t need to be so surprised, Young Head Hwang,” Hyun Young said. “Hwasan is getting stronger again, remember? We were just thinking of making some of our old elixirs again.”

“Elixirs, you say?”

“What else would there be besides the Jaso Pill?”

“Ah…!”

Hyun Young’s lips twisted slightly.

He didn’t see the Eunha Merchant Guild as complete outsiders, but he couldn’t treat them the same as the members of Hwasan.

‘What will happen if the name Hunyuan Pill gets out? I need to hide it as much as possible for now.’

Most people would just think they were going to the Sword Tomb for magic weapons. They wouldn’t know about the Hunyuan Pill. But if the Beggars’ Sect and Wudang found out, who knew how they would react?

So, it was best to keep it hidden.

“Then, you want me to get these items for you?”

“That’s right. And there’s one more favor I’d like to ask.”

“A favor, you say?”

Hyun Young spoke with a slightly serious tone.

“I would appreciate it if word didn’t get out that we are buying these items.”

“Yes? Why…?”

Hyun Young licked his lips slightly.

“The world is a tough place, isn’t it? Hwasan is getting attention from many sects. We already fought with Jongnam, and there was a small problem with Wudang this time, wasn’t there?”

“That is correct.”

Hwang Jong-ui nodded.

That was true. Hwasan’s reputation had grown after embarrassing Jongnam at the Hwajong Assembly, and it proved itself again in the Namyeong expedition.

The fact that Hwasan’s disciples had completely defeated Wudang’s disciples was, of course….

“Um… Can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“I was wondering if the rumors about Hwasan’s disciples going into the Sword Tomb and being heroes are true….”

“It is true.”

“Ah…!”

Hwang Jong-ui nodded.

‘If that’s true, then I understand.’

Rumors about Hwasan’s adventures in Namyeong had already reached Hwaeum.

The rumor that Hwasan’s disciples had saved people from the collapsing Sword Tomb, and that they had defeated famous fighters inside.

In particular, the name everyone was talking about was Hwasan’s Divine Dragon, Chung Myung.

Chung Myung, who had become known as the best of the younger generation at the Hwajong Assembly, had become less popular because he had been quiet for two years.

But with his actions in Namyeong, his reputation was growing again.

‘The rumor that he was as strong as a Wudang elder might be an exaggeration, but it means he showed amazing power to the point that people are saying such things.’

If that was the case, he understood why Hyun Young wanted to be careful. If Hwasan, which was already becoming famous, made the Jaso Pill again, how much stronger would they become?

Whether a sect liked Hwasan or not, they would be worried.

“Don’t worry, Elder. Trust is most important for a merchant, but I’ve also learned that understanding what the customer wants is just as important.”

“Hahaha. That’s why I trust you, Young Head.”

“But….”

“Hmm?”

Hwang Jong-ui looked a little worried.

“Getting all these items will cost a lot of money….”

Hwang Jong-ui knew Hwasan’s financial situation and was worried about this.

But Hyun Young’s reaction was not what he expected.

“Ah, the money… Ehehe!”

Startled, Hwang Jong-ui looked up. Hyun Young had already calmed down and looked away.

‘Did I hear wrong…?’

Hwang Jong-ui tilted his head and asked again.

“Uh, so about the money…?”

“Ahem! Money. Yes, you don’t have to worry about the money. We will pay right away… Cough! I will pay the money…!”

Hwang Jong-ui was stunned.

‘Upfront?’

He was going to pay upfront for these expensive items?

“Ah, no, where did you get so much money?”

“Haha. Hwasan’s money is greater than you know… Keuheuheup. Much… greater.”

Hyun Young tried to hide his laughter.

‘The sect has a god of wealth, so there’s no problem with money! Hehehe!’

He was trying to be serious, but he couldn’t stop his joy. His lips kept twitching, and he chuckled.

“Here.”

Hyun Young quietly handed Hwang Jong-ui a box next to him. Hwang Jong-ui took the box, confused, and tilted his head again.

“What is this?”

“Open it.”

Hwang Jong-ui carefully opened the box. A dazzling light shone from inside.

“T-This?!”

Hwang Jong-ui’s eyes widened.

“Isn’t this a night-shining pearl?”

“That is correct.”

Hwang Jong-ui’s mouth opened wide.

“No. How can there be so many night-shining pearls….”

Each one was more expensive than gemstones of the same size. And there were so many of these precious items.

Hwang Jong-ui had seen a lot of wealth, but he had never seen so many night-shining pearls.

‘And each one is top quality!’

Hyun Young smiled as he watched Hwang Jong-ui’s reaction.

“I thought you would know the value of these items. Please value them fairly. Will that be enough?”

Hwang Jong-ui flinched.

His instinct as a merchant and his duty as a merchant were fighting inside him.

‘I shouldn’t focus on small savings and miss out on a big opportunity!’

Hwang Jong-ui bit his lip and quickly calculated.

“It’s too much, Elder. I need to check it carefully, but even half of this would be enough to buy all the items you mentioned.”

“Is that so?”

Hyun Young smiled.

He already knew the value of the night-shining pearls. He just wanted to hear what Hwang Jong-ui would say.

‘I can still trust him.’

Hwang Jong-ui’s calculations were close to Hyun Young’s. He had even given a slightly higher estimate than Hyun Young expected.

“Then, please use these night-shining pearls to pay for the items, and give the rest back to Hwasan.”

“Y-You’re trusting me with such a big task?”

“Haha. Mount Hua and the Silver Sea Commerce Guild are like brothers. If I can’t trust the Silver Sea Commerce Guild, who can I trust?”

Hyun Young and Hwang Jong-i exchanged a subtle glance.

Behind the scenes, they might be thinking different things, but on the surface, their gazes were filled with mutual trust.

“Then, what about the commission fee…?”

“Conscientiously.”

“Seriously! I mean it! We will be very fair.”

He was a tough bargainer, that’s for sure!

“…Then, I will do as you wish. As soon as the detailed appraisal is complete, I will send you a message. And as soon as the disposal is finished, I will send the goods to Mount Hua. Would you prefer gold? Or a draft?”

“Gold would be preferable.”

“Yes, Elder!”

Hwang Jong-i, adjusting his silk hat nervously, quickly picked up the box and tucked it under his arm.

“Then, I will appraise this item as quickly as possible and find a sales route.”

“Heh. Won’t you have a cup of tea before you go?”

“Business first, then tea! That’s the merchant’s way, Elder!”

“Don’t forget what I asked of you.”

“Absolutely nothing will leak out. Of course, the origin of this jade will remain unknown to the public.”

Hwang Jong-i quickly understood Hyun Young’s intentions.

“Then, take care.”

“Farewell.”

As Hwang Jong-i hurried out, Hyun Young subtly covered his mouth.

His shoulders trembled slightly.

“Pfft!”

Laughter bubbled up from Hyun Young, shaking his whole body. He clapped his hands to his mouth, but the sound still burst out, loud and joyful.

“Khahaha! Thanks to that lucky rascal, I get to do something I’ve only dreamed of!”

Hyun Young had always dreamed of giving a merchant a lot of money and telling them to buy whatever Mount Hua needed.

And even that dream was being realized on a scale far beyond his imagination.

“Kheu, that lovely rascal! I feel like catching a dragon and grilling it for him.”

Since he couldn’t get a dragon, he would have to settle for beef.

A satisfied smile spread across Hyun Young’s face.

But as his laughter faded, a more serious look came over his face.

‘With this, Mount Hua will once again spread its wings.’

What Mount Hua lacked most right now was internal energy, no matter what anyone said.

They had quenched their immediate thirst for martial arts by retrieving the Seven Plum Blossom Swords, but internal energy was something that accumulated over time. Talent and training alone could not bridge the gap in internal strength.

From Mount Hua’s perspective, where the second and third-generation disciples had to be the core, the enormous internal energy possessed by the old masters of other sects was the most troublesome problem.

However, if they could manufacture and feed the disciples the Hongwon Pill, they could solve the problem to some extent, if not completely.

If that happened, Mount Hua would be able to leap forward once again.

Hyun Young, who had jumped up from his seat, headed to the head disciple’s quarters. He intended to report what had just happened.

“Are you there, Head Disciple!”

Hyun Young, who had opened the door and entered without waiting for an answer, suddenly flinched and stopped.

“Uh, uhm? Is that you?”

“…”

“…”

Hyun Jong slyly lowered the towel in his hand. In front of him was the Hongwon Pill box, polished so meticulously that it shone.

“…Are you that happy?”

“Keuheum.”

Hyun Young smiled without realizing it.

Hyun Jong, who always maintained his dignity in front of the disciples, never showed his joy even when he was happy, and never showed his sadness even when he was sad. But how happy must he be to be polishing that box like that?

“Hide it in a safe place! What if you lose it?”

“Isn’t my embrace the safest place in Mount Hua?”

“…Isn’t that Chung Myung’s embrace?”

Hyun Jong closed his mouth.

Come to think of it, that seemed to be the case.

“Anyway, things went well with the young head of the gang. It seems we can get the goods faster than expected.”

“Oh, really? Hehehehehe. I hope everything goes as smoothly as it does now. Hehehehehehehe.”

Tears welled up in the eyes of Hyun Jong and Hyun Young as they smiled at each other. They looked at each other, remembering the hard times they had faced together. This happiness was something they had worked so hard for.

It was a sight they could not have imagined just a few years ago. Back then, every time they sat face to face like this, they had no choice but to say things they didn’t want to hear to each other. They never dreamed that a day would come when they would look at each other like this and burst into hearty laughter.

Their situation had changed so much in just a few years.

“He’s a very strange fellow.”

“A person with great talent for our way of life.”

Hyun Young’s face turned sullen.

“Where can you find such a Taoist vessel? That Chung Myung… he’s always surprising me. I wonder what he’ll do next!”

“Hehehe. Don’t just look at the surface. The Tao doesn’t come just because you sincerely follow the path of a hermit. Sometimes, the Tao comes simply by protecting one’s innate nature.”

“Don’t talk nonsense! What are you going to give that rascal Chung Myung this time?”

“Uh… Uhm?”

“A reward! A reward! He’s done so much, how can you just pass it over without giving him a reward? Even a cow needs fodder to work! You have to give him a proper reward so that rascal Chung Myung will go out and earn more merit!”

“…”

“I remember clearly that it was glossed over last time. I will never let it go this time!”

Hyun Jong looked at Hyun Young with slightly troubled eyes.

“I’m not complaining, I’m just curious, but whose side are you on? Mine? Or that child’s?”

“Why are you asking such a thing? It’s obvious! I’m offended, Head Disciple!”

At Hyun Young’s vehement reaction, Hyun Jong’s face softened slightly, and he reflected.

“…I’m sorry. My joke went too far. We’ve been together for so long…”

“Of course, it’s Chung Myung! That child! Frankly, what has the Head Disciple ever done for me!”

“…”

Ah? Is that how it is?

“I entrusted my business to your sweet talk and ended up growing old without getting married! How can the Head Disciple even talk about sides! Because I couldn’t get married, I couldn’t have a daughter and take that Chung Myung rascal as my son-in-law!”

“Ah, no. You have to think about your age. If it were your daughter, she would already be…”

“Then I’d have a granddaughter!”

Hyun Young shouted and pointed his finger.

“Anyway, I’m never letting it go this time! Make it clear what kind of reward you’re going to give him! That Hongwon Pill originally belonged to Chung Myung! Why is the Head Disciple holding onto it like it’s his own! First, give him one pill! And then…”

Bang!

Hyun Sang, who had heard the noise and burst in, quickly dragged Hyun Young out.

“What! Why again! Let go! Head Disciple! Think carefully about what I said! Head Disciple! If you just gobble it up, I’ll smash your head… Mmph! Mmmph! Mmmph!”

Thud!

The wind that blew in as the door slammed shut slightly lifted Hyun Jong’s hair.

“Heh… Hehehe.”

Hyun Jong burst into a blank laugh.

“It’s a good thing. Yes, it’s a good thing.”

But strangely, it seems like my authority has disappeared a lot lately…

It must be my imagination?