Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 174

Spring had come to Mount Hua. But this was not the spring of warm weather and flowers. This was a spring of a different kind, a strange and unsettling spring.

“Hee hee hee hee hee hee.”

The softest smile was on Hyun Young’s face as he looked around with warm eyes.

If he had always been a gentle person, it would have been fine. However, this change in a man who usually went around with bloodshot eyes, looking for something to criticize, made the disciples of Mount Hua feel uneasy.

“Hee hee hee hee. That means there’s money left over. Then let’s replace this pavilion with a new one. Heh heh heh heh.”

He seemed to give off a gentle feeling.

It was as if plum blossoms were blooming wherever he passed. They worried he might suddenly attain enlightenment and ascend to immortality.

It wasn’t just them.

“Heh heh heh heh.”

“Haha ha ha ha ha!”

“Sect Leader! Isn’t the weather just wonderful?”

Rumble!

“Heh heh. Yes. Dark clouds are gathering as if a shower will come any minute. A beautiful sight. I wish the weather was like this every day.”

Hyun Jong and Hyun Sang burst into hearty laughter as they faced the raging wind.

And they, too, like Hyun Young, seemed very kind and happy as they strolled around Mount Hua.

What was even more terrifying was that they all gave the disciples they encountered gazes that were exceedingly warm. One could even see affection dripping from their eyes.

It seemed like something was wrong with all the elders of Mount Hua.

Even Un Am was said to be chuckling to himself, so everyone couldn’t help but worry about what was happening here.

‘Why are they all acting like this?’

‘I know something good must have happened, but how good could it be for them to be acting like this?’

The disciples of Mount Hua, unaware of the full story, had to continue to suffer from an inexplicable unease.

And the one who put the finishing touch on this was none other than Chung Myung.

Chung Myung leisurely roamed the mountain like a contented puppy.

That much was fine, but…

“Huh? You skipped training? It’s okay, it’s okay. It can happen. How can people work hard every day? Rest, rest. You need rest days too.”

“Huh? The ropes you installed on the Danjang Cliff broke while I was away, and you haven’t repaired them? Heh heh heh heh. Then you can just repair them. Take your time when you have time. Is anyone hurt?”

“Eeeeek!”

Chung Myung was being nice to everyone, like a gentle spirit.

However, the Second and Third Generation disciples who watched him could not afford to be as relaxed as Chung Myung.

“Why the hell is that bastard acting like that?”

“I don’t know. I just can’t understand it⋯⋯.”

It was even more unsettling.

“They say people do things they never used to do when they’re about to die. Did he catch some disease from somewhere?”

“Him getting a disease? Him? Even diseases are picky about who they infect. Chung Myung is more dangerous than any sickness.”

“That’s definitely a relatable statement.”

If it were the usual Chung Myung, he would have thrown a fit, saying he would smash their heads the moment they skipped training, and the moment he heard that the training facilities at Danjang Cliff hadn’t been repaired, he would have tied a rope around the speaker’s neck and thrown them off Danjang Cliff.

That Chung Myung was worried about whether anyone was hurt?

‘Is he out of his mind?’

‘That’s definitely a trick. I have to repair it today. Or my head might be smashed tomorrow!’

‘Just hit me instead, damn it!’

Unable to bear this terrifying change, the disciples of Mount Hua decided to press someone who might know the whole story.

“Senior Brother! Senior Brother Baek Cheon! What on earth did you do outside before coming back!”

Baek Cheon smiled bitterly at the visit from the Second Generation disciples, led by Baek Sang.

“What do you mean, ‘what on earth’?”

“Doesn’t it seem strange no matter how you look at it! No, this is beyond strange, it’s suspicious!”

“That Chung Myung was going around asking if anyone was hurt! That devil incarnate!”

“That is certainly surprising.”

Baek Cheon chuckled and said as if it were nothing.

“Isn’t it a good thing that everyone is in a good mood?”

“Yes, it is. But those of us watching can’t help but feel uneasy.”

“There’s no need to be uneasy.”

Baek Cheon said firmly.

“This is a good thing for everyone, and a good thing for you too. However, it’s still a secret, so I can’t tell you.”

“Senior Brother! I’m disappointed. Don’t you trust us?”

At the voices of discontent coming from here and there, Baek Cheon’s eyebrows twitched. The Second Generation disciples flinched.

“Do you have any complaints?”

Baek Sang’s face trembled.

‘No, what happened to him!’

‘Where did the gentle Senior Brother Baek Cheon of the past go!’

‘You should be like someone better! Someone better!’

Baek Cheon tilted his head.

“Anyone else have any complaints?”

“No.”

“Tsk.”

Baek Cheon clicked his tongue as if he was very displeased. Then he looked at his fellow disciples and said.

“I’ll let you know when the time comes. I know you’re curious, but for now, just stick to your duties and wait. Understand?”

“Yes, Senior Brother. But⋯⋯.”

“Hmm? What is it now?”

“How were the Wudang guys?”

At Baek Sang’s words, Baek Cheon slightly twisted the corners of his lips.

“I heard that Senior Brother defeated Wudang’s Jin Hyun!”

“Wudang’s Jin Hyun is the famous Sword Dragon! For Senior Brother to defeat such a person!”

Baek Cheon sighed lowly.

“The Sword Dragon was strong. But he wasn’t worthy of that title. Many of you would be able to face the Sword Dragon.”

“Come on, it’s only possible because it’s Senior Brother. How could we dare to dream of it?”

“I’m not just saying that.”

Baek Cheon looked at his junior brothers with a new look.

‘It’s strange even for me to say it.’

Mount Hua had become this strong. Mount Hua, which used to tremble at the mere mention of Jongnam, was now able to handle Wudang’s promising younger generation.

‘It’s all thanks to that damn bastard.’

“Then shouldn’t Senior Brother take the title of Sword Dragon now?”

Baek Cheon’s face slightly contorted.

“I don’t want that title.”

“Why not? How glorious is the title of Dragon?”

“Isn’t there the Mount Hua Divine Dragon above that?”

“Ah⋯⋯.”

Now that I hear it, that’s true.

It wouldn’t be a good look for a martial uncle and his nephew to be tied together. Even if that nephew was an inhuman bastard.

“Anyway, don’t dwell on such empty names and spur on your training. You need to become stronger than you are now.”

To completely make the Hongyuan Pill your own.

Baek Cheon didn’t bother to add the rest. The matter wasn’t ripe yet, so there was no need to get ahead of himself, and if the disciples got excited all at once, there was a risk of the word getting out.

Of course, where would the word leak out from the disciples who were only in this rugged Mount Hua, but now was the time to knock on even a stone bridge before crossing it.

“But, Senior Brother.”

“Hmm?”

“Is it true that Chung Myung fought against Wudang’s elder and whether it was a tie or not?”

“⋯⋯.”

Baek Cheon’s eyebrows twitched for a moment.

“I didn’t see it.”

“Ah, then it’s⋯⋯.”

Baek Cheon’s face slightly contorted. In fact, this was something he didn’t want to say himself. But it was more damaging to his pride to hide the truth like this.

“I don’t know if it was a tie or not, but when I went, it seemed like the two had clashed once, and it’s true that Chung Myung was unharmed.”

“⋯⋯.”

Everyone’s eyes were shaken.

“Then is it real⋯⋯?”

“Come on, even so.”

“Yeah. That doesn’t make sense.”

They said it didn’t make sense, but everyone was thinking something different inside.

That it might really be possible for that monster. Of course, it didn’t make sense logically⋯⋯.

Baek Sang tilted his head and said.

“That doesn’t make sense⋯⋯. No. Wait a minute⋯⋯. When I think about it, Senior Brother easily defeated the Sword Dragon⋯⋯.”

Why did ‘easily’ get added there?

“But Chung Myung makes fun of Great Senior Brother, so it seems possible⋯⋯.”

Grind.

Baek Sang realized his mistake after hearing the clear sound of teeth grinding.

He belatedly turned his head with a slightly pale face. To where the sound of grinding teeth came from.

And⋯⋯ of course, Baek Cheon was there.

Baek Cheon slowly rose from his seat, grinding his teeth.

“Plays with?”

“⋯⋯.”

“Hmm, I see. So that’s what you thought?”

“S, Senior Brother? First, calm down⋯⋯.”

“Calm down. That’s a good word. But right now, I want to try something else. It would be good for you to experience what it’s like to be played with!”

The next moment.

Baek Cheon drew his sword like lightning and rushed at his fellow disciples. The disciples were horrified and ran in all directions.

“No! Why does he have to act like that bastard!”

“You should be like someone better!”

“Aaaargh! Senior Brother! The sword! The sword! It’s really cutting!”

Yoo Iseol, who was watching the scene from afar, shook her head and sighed deeply.

As warmth (?) spread throughout Mount Hua.

An unexpected person visited Mount Hua.

“Chung Myung!”

“Huh?”

“The Sect Leader wants you to come right now!”

“Me?”

“Yes. You and Jo Gul too.”

Chung Myung tilted his head at Yoon Jong’s words. Was there a reason for the Sect Leader to find him so urgently?

“Let’s go.”

The reason would be known if he went. Chung Myung followed Yoon Jong without a word.

The three arrived at the Sect Leader’s residence at a quick pace. Yoon Jong opened his mouth.

“Sect Leader. It’s Yoon Jong. I’ve brought Chung Myung and Jo Gul.”

“Come in.”

“Yes!”

Yoon Jong carefully opened the door and went inside. Chung Myung, who followed him into the Sect Leader’s residence, quickly checked the people inside.

Nothing special, just the usual people.

Hyun Jong, Hyun Sang, Hyun Young, Un Am, and even Baek Cheon and Yoo Iseol.

If there was one other person⋯⋯.

“Oh?”

Hwang Mun-yak, the head of the Eunha Merchant Guild, smiled at Chung Myung.

“Little Taoist. How have you been?”

“Wow! It’s been a while! Has anything happened?”

“Haha. What could have happened? I’ve been living very comfortably thanks to Little Taoist’s help.”

“You really look like you are. You look much younger!”

Hwang Mun-yak smiled embarrassedly.

Indeed, he looked much younger than he had in the past. He had recovered his health after getting up from his sickbed, and his complexion was rosy, and even the hair around his ears was growing back dark.

The word rejuvenation was not an exaggeration.

“Sit down first.”

“Yes.”

All three sat down without asking questions. Only then did Hyun Jong open his mouth.

“As you said, I have called Chung Myung. What do you want to say? Head of the Eunha Merchant Guild?”

At Hyun Jong’s words, Hwang Mun-yak made a sound of contemplation.

“The reason I came to see the Sect Leader in person is because of the request that Mount Hua made to our Eunha Merchant Guild.”

“Is there a problem?”

“Rather than a problem⋯⋯.”

Hwang Mun-yak showed a face that seemed hesitant, then sighed deeply.

“Sect Leader.”

And he bowed his head as if he was ashamed.

“I’m sorry, but it seems that the Eunha Merchant Guild is not strong enough to do what Mount Hua asked.”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung’s eyes widened.

What is he talking about?

“Ah, no, the Eunha Merchant Guild cannot do what Mount Hua asked?”

Hwang Mun-yak raised his head and gave a bitter smile.

“To make an excuse, Mount Hua’s current request cannot be fulfilled by any merchant guild in the world, not just the Eunha Merchant Guild. It means it’s the same no matter which merchant guild you ask.”

Huh? It can’t be done?

Then my Hongyuan Pill?

Huh?

This can’t be happening?

“Ggrrrr⋯⋯.”

A blazing flame rose in Chung Myung’s eyes!