Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1730

The sound of tea pouring broke the heavy silence. Dark, fragrant tea filled the empty teacup.

Hyun Jong stared intently at the swirling liquid, its rich color usually a comfort. But today, even the familiar sight felt different, tainted by worry. He pushed the cup across the low table towards Jongri Gok.

“Please, drink,” Hyun Jong said, his voice a little rough.

A moment of silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken tension. Jongri Gok respectfully took the teacup.

“Thank you, Supreme Elder.”

But he didn’t lift it. He placed it gently on the table, the steam rising in delicate wisps, a silent, futile offering between two men who held their words back like held breaths. Their mouths remained tightly shut, mirroring the closed doors of their hearts.

Hyun Jong opened his mouth, his voice heavy.

“First, it may be impolite, but is what you said really the truth…?”

“There’s no need to be polite, Supreme Elder.”

Jongri Gok shook his head.

“It may not be a grave matter, but it is a sensitive one. I understand you need to be sure.”

“Then…”

Jongri Gok nodded.

“Yes. It is possible.”

“……”

“I cannot dare to say ‘perfectly’… but I can make it possible for that child to wield a sword again and walk his path. With about a 70% chance.”

“Seventy percent…”

Hyun Jong’s eyelids trembled faintly. That was not a small chance.

“How can such a thing be possible? Even the Tang Clan Head said there was no possibility…”

A sad smile spread across Jongri Gok’s lips.

“How do you foresee the future of the Jianghu, Supreme Elder?”

“Yes?”

It was an irrelevant story to bring up in this situation.

Was he blaming himself for clinging to one disciple and groaning during these urgent times? Or did he truly wish to discuss the current state of affairs?

Hyun Jong tried to understand what Jongri Gok really meant, but then Jongri Gok changed the subject.

“I always think the Jianghu will disappear someday.”

“……What do you mean by that?”

“Because it cannot move forward. Martial arts have regressed rather than progressed. You know that too, don’t you, Supreme Elder?”

Hyun Jong’s eyes narrowed slightly. It was difficult to grasp why Jongri Gok was bringing up these words.

“The martial arts manuals of each sect are already filled with the profound knowledge of their ancestors, yet the current disciples struggle even to follow in their footsteps. If these things continue to happen repeatedly, martial arts will eventually become obsolete in this world.”

“Elder, that’s…”

Hyun Jong felt uncomfortable and wanted to interrupt, but Jongri Gok kept talking.

“I am saying that medicine is no different. Countless people in the world discuss medicine, but they still cannot reach the levels of the past masters like Hua Tuo or Bian Que. Eventually, the medicine of the Central Plains will also become obsolete and be replaced by something completely different. Such is the way of the world.”

Hyun Jong finally understood what Jongri Gok was trying to say.

“You mean the medicine of the past was far superior to the present?”

“That is correct.”

Hyun Jong didn’t care if Jongri Gok was right or wrong about the past.

In any case, the fact that he brought up those words meant that Jongri Gok had a means to heal Baek Cheon. Something made far in the past.

“It is something that has been passed down as a treasure in Jongnam. However, precisely because of that, there have been few opportunities to use it.”

“I see…”

Such a precious treasure would be difficult to use on ordinary disciples. At least the Sect Leader or someone of equal standing would have to be injured to use it.

It’s rare for leaders to be so badly hurt but not die.

“Are you saying you will give that treasure to Baek Cheon?”

“That is correct.”

Hyun Jong silently bit the inside of his cheek. Jongri Gok, who was watching him intently, spoke with a short sigh.

“Baek Cheon, or rather, Jin Dong-ryong, is a descendant of the Jin family, which is the backbone of Jongnam, and the younger brother of Jin Geum-ryong, who will one day become the Sect Leader of Jongnam. Furthermore, he is the famous Acting Sect Leader of Mount Hua, and the head of the renowned Mount Hua Five Swords.”

“……”

“And that’s not all. He is the irreplaceable friend of the future greatest martial artist, the Mount Hua Sword Demon, and has close relationships with the successors of each sect who will become the backbone of the Jianghu. If we remove the fancy titles, Jin Dong-ryong’s influence will surpass even that of the Sect Leader of Jongnam, myself.”

Jongri Gok’s voice was extremely calm. As if there was no personal motive in the evaluation he was giving.

“Therefore… the ancestors of Jongnam would not greatly fault us for giving the treasure to someone of his caliber. However.”

Jongri Gok sighed once more.

“As it is a treasure of Jongnam, its use is only permitted for disciples of Jongnam.”

Hyun Jong closed his eyes. Jongri Gok also let out a faint groan.

In the past, Jongri Gok would have felt proud saying these things. But not anymore. Now, his respect for Hyun Jong and Mount Hua was real.

But unfortunately, the position of the Sect Leader of Jongnam and Jongri Gok’s personal position could not be exactly the same. So, even while doing what he had to do, he could not feel at ease.

So, instead, he decided to lay everything out without hiding anything.

“I do not know the original name of the treasure. However, within Jongnam, it is simply called the Sangcheon Yaksu (上天藥水), the Heavenly Medicine Water.”

“Sangcheon Yaksu…”

The name ‘Heavenly Medicine Water’ sounded very proud.

“As far as I know, this medicinal liquid was passed down to Jongnam at least before the Yakseon. Personally, I think it might be the Daera Seongsu (大羅聖水) of the Seongsu Uiga (聖手醫家), the Holy Hand Medical Family, which was greatly renowned in the Jianghu in the past…”

“The Daera Seongsu of the Seongsu Family…!”

Hyun Jong’s eyes widened. He had heard of it as well.

Seongsu Family, or Seongsu Uiga.

A medical family that had greatly made a name for themselves in the Jianghu hundreds of years ago. Their medical skills were said to have reached the point where they could reattach severed limbs and even revive the dead.

The secret medicine that even the Seongsu Family cherished like a sacred object was the Daera Seongsu. He had heard it was lost when the Seongsu Family was destroyed.

“……Are you certain?”

“I do not know.”

Jongri Gok shook his head.

“There is no one left who can recognize the genuine Daera Seongsu now.”

“……That’s true.”

“However, Jongnam has already confirmed that the efficacy of this elixir is not much different from the legendary Daera Seongsu. It has been used twice so far, and each time it is said to have saved someone on the verge of death.”

Hyun Jong sighed heavily.

‘Daera Seongsu…’

If all of Jongri Gok’s words were true, it might really be possible to heal Baek Cheon’s body.

The Daera Seongsu of the Seongsu Family was different from elixirs aimed at enhancing internal energy. It was a vital liquid that literally aimed to save lives and heal injuries.

Perhaps it could even reattach Baek Cheon’s shattered and cracked body. He might be able to see the vigorous, young swordsman that existed in everyone’s memories again.

Not the tattered figure desperately fighting against illness as he was now. But…

A groan-like voice escaped from Hyun Jong’s lips. Hope and despair mixed inside Hyun Jong, making his throat tight.

“If he… becomes a disciple of Jongnam, you say.”

Jongri Gok did not answer. Because it was a situation that did not require an answer.

“How…”

An indescribably complex emotion appeared on Hyun Jong’s face.

He knew.

Even though the condition of becoming a disciple of Jongnam was attached, giving that precious treasure to Baek Cheon would be the best favor Jongri Gok could offer. Hyun Jong, who was in the same position as Sect Leader, could understand.

But how could that favor be so sweet and bitter at the same time?

“This matter… this is…”

Hyun Jong bit his lower lip without realizing it. Then, Jongri Gok resolved Hyun Jong’s worries for him.

“I am sorry, Supreme Elder.”

“Yes?”

“I made a mistake and this matter has already been conveyed to the Acting Sect Leader.”

Hyun Jong’s eyes widened in an instant.

“To Baek Cheon?”

“Yes. It seems his brother… could not bear his impatience.”

Hyun Jong’s shoulders trembled. Fear suddenly gripped him. He didn’t want to ask, but he had to know. He forced himself to speak.

“What… did that child decide to do?”

Jongri Gok heavily shook his head and fiddled with the teacup.

“I have not heard a definite answer, but it seems the Acting Sect Leader… has refused to become a disciple of Jongnam.”

“……”

“It seems he wants to live as a disciple of Mount Hua, even if he cannot regain his martial arts. Even… in that state.”

Hyun Jong recalled Baek Cheon, whom he had met a little while ago. The figure who was struggling to remain calm.

He had expected it. That deep anguish was settled within him.

But he could not have imagined that he would throw away even this opportunity and try to remain a disciple of Mount Hua.

‘Baek Cheon… you fool.’

Hyun Jong’s vision blurred.

What is Mount Hua that you are so…

Hyun Jong looked at Jongri Gok and asked again.

“If it is already over, why did you bother to tell me?”

Jongri Gok sighed briefly.

“Because it is something you should know.”

“……”

“Whether it was a mistake or not, we have caused great confusion to the Acting Sect Leader due to our fault. So, I thought it was only natural to inform you and offer our apology.”

Jongri Gok hesitated, then spoke slowly.

“And, Jin Dong-ryong. I will not deny that I also had the hope that Baek Cheon, such an outstanding person, would not be lost like this.”

“……”

“If Mount Hua would only give their consent, we can prevent losing Baek Cheon, that young swordsman. He is…”

Jongri Gok spoke like a sigh.

“Isn’t he too precious to lose his light like this?”

Hyun Jong did not answer. Jongri Gok did not expect an answer either.

“I was just trying to say these words, and I will leave all decisions to the Supreme Elder.”

Jongri Gok rose from his seat.

“I am sorry for weighing heavily on your mind. I’ll leave you now.”

Jongri Gok politely clasped his hands and turned his body. Hyun Jong did not stop him. He did not even have the words of farewell that he should have offered.

He simply stared blankly. At the teacup filled with tea that had gone cold.

‘Baek Cheon…’

He grabbed the teacup on the tea table with his trembling hands.

Baek Cheon could not do even this simple thing alone now. He might never be able to enjoy even a cup of tea with his own hands for the rest of his life.

As long as he remained a disciple of Mount Hua, forever.

Hyun Jong closed his eyes tightly.

Baek Cheon’s youthful face when he first came to Mount Hua was still vivid in his mind. Unlike now, he was a boy full of hope and confidence. His appearance was so radiant.

As much as that memory was dazzling, Hyun Jong’s heart ached even more. A pain that would not go away no matter how much he rubbed it wrapped around him, stinging.

Beyond the wall, where Hyun Jong’s faint sigh could not reach, a man was sitting down under the window. His face was endlessly hardened.

It was Baek Sang.

“Ah…”

He let out a voice without realizing it, and he covered his mouth as if Hyun Jong might hear him. Of course, he was still out of his mind.

‘What did I just hear?’

After staring blankly at the air for a moment, he slipped out from under the window as if he was crawling. After taking a few steps carefully, he soon began to run mindlessly.

‘My brother… my brother can get better?’

He had to go to Baek Cheon.

No, no. Baek Cheon would not meet him.

Then what should he do?

‘Who should I tell?’

He could not handle this matter. So, he had to tell someone, this fact.

He clutched his chest, which felt like it was about to burst, and ran.

And Jongri Gok, who was watching Baek Sang from afar, turned his body with a short sigh.

It would be a long night.