Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 179

Having descended the mountain and arrived in Hwaeum, Chung Myung and his party went straight to the Eunha Merchant Guild’s branch.

Hwang Jong-ui, who had been waiting, greeted them respectfully.

“Please, come in.”

Baek Cheon looked at the large carriage and smiled wryly.

“We’re riding this?”

Looking at the four horses harnessed to the carriage, he wondered if he deserved such luxury.

“This seems a bit excessive.”

Hwang Jong-ui added with an embarrassed expression, “It is not excessive. This is due to our shortcomings. We must do whatever we can to help.”

Hwang Jong-ui bowed again and again. He looked very sorry. The Merchant Guild had not finished the job Hwasan asked them to do, and he felt bad about it.

Of course, it wasn’t entirely the Eunha Merchant Guild’s fault, but Hwasan had helped them a lot, so they felt they had to help back.

Hwang Mun-yak had also told them to give support so that the Hwasan disciples would have no problems in their next task.

“Ooh, a four-horse carriage. You’ve spent some money,” Chung Myung said, shrugging.

“But I don’t think it’ll be very useful. We’re faster on foot.”

“What? What are you talking about!”

“How can a person be faster than a horse!”

His fellow disciples protested, but Chung Myung just smiled and ignored them.

“Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Don’t worry. You can do anything if you try hard enough!”

“No! You crazy bastard! You have to think logically!”

“Ahem. A true martial artist can overcome limits,” Chung Myung said with a grin. “We don’t have to be bound by what’s ‘logical’. If you run hard enough, you can be faster than a horse!”

“…Is he really crazy?”

Hwang Mun-yak chuckled at Chung Myung’s words. “Of course, Head Disciple Chung Myung would be capable of that. And it wouldn’t be too difficult for the other Hwasan disciples either. However, it would be best to save your strength along the way. We have taken that into consideration.”

“Oh?”

“Merchants from our guild will be stationed along the road to Sichuan, ready with fresh horses. You can switch horses as soon as one gets tired. If you can keep running without rest, you can greatly reduce the time it takes to reach Yunnan, can’t you?”

Baek Cheon, who had been listening quietly, asked in surprise, “Those valuable horses?”

“No matter how valuable they are, can they be more valuable than the work you Hwasan disciples are doing? Please, do not worry. Our guild has that much to spare.”

Baek Cheon quickly clasped his hands towards Hwang Jong-ui.

“We are truly grateful for the Eunha Merchant Guild’s kindness.”

He was genuinely grateful and impressed.

But he thanked them so quickly because he was afraid that Chung Myung would insist on running no matter what.

“Hmph.”

‘See? See? He’s already pouting as if he doesn’t like it. I should just shut that mouth!’

“It wouldn’t be polite to refuse the Eunha Merchant Guild’s kindness! We will accept your offer and ride along without reservation.”

“Are you sure?”

“Everyone, get in!”

Baek Cheon hurriedly took the lead and jumped into the carriage.

The other disciples followed without looking back. Chung Myung, as if he couldn’t help it, let out a slight groan and got into the carriage.

Soon, Chung Myung’s gaze swept over everyone.

Everyone looked down, avoiding Chung Myung’s eyes.

“What…”

Chung Myung nodded.

“Well, fine. This might be better anyway.”

“…”

‘He’s agreeing too easily…? What is that bastard planning?’

Everyone felt uneasy, but Hwang Jong-ui, unaware of the situation, simply smiled at the scene. To an outsider, it would just look like a friendly gathering between close relatives.

Hwang Jong-ui, standing right in front of the carriage door, said with regret, “Originally, I should have accompanied you, but it seems that getting items other than Jamokcho is not easy, so I will be unable to travel to Yunnan with you.”

“Oh, it’s fine. It’s not a big deal.”

Chung Myung waved his hand, and Hwang Jong-ui smiled as if he felt relieved.

“Instead, someone familiar with the trade route to Yunnan will drive the carriage and serve you. Manager Lee.”

“Yes!”

A man stepped forward and bowed slightly.

“I am Lee Bo of the Eunha Merchant Guild! I will be serving you on your journey to Yunnan.”

“Please, take care of us.”

“We appreciate your help.”

Lee Bo smiled as he looked at the Hwasan disciples politely greeting him.

‘Unlike what the Young Master said, they are very polite. Since they are from a Taoist sect with strict training, this might be natural. But why did the Young Master tell me to be careful of them? There is a clear difference between telling me to serve them well and telling me to be careful.’

“Then, we shall depart.”

Lee Bo carefully closed the carriage door and turned to Hwang Jong-ui.

“I will be back. Young Master.”

“I feel uneasy leaving such a heavy burden on Manager Lee. Consider this a matter of the guild’s survival and do your best.”

“Of course! Young Master!”

Lee Bo bowed deeply and got into the carriage. He pulled the reins and started the carriage without delay.

Hwang Jong-ui’s expression darkened slightly as he watched the carriage disappear into the distance.

‘Even if it is Head Disciple Chung Myung, the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace will not be an easy place.’

Hwang Jong-ui didn’t say anything out loud. He thought it would sound like he was complaining. But inside, he was still worried.

The carriage rumbled down the road, the wheels turning. Dust kicked up behind them, and the sound of the horses’ hooves beat a steady rhythm against the ground. Inside, the disciples were jostled with each bump in the road.

As Hwang Jong-ui had promised, new horses were already prepared on the main roads when the current ones began to tire. Because of this, they were able to quickly switch horses and continue on their way.

Of course, this meant they had to eat and sleep in the carriage, but no one complained. Everyone knew how important this trip to Yunnan was for Hwasan.

“Uncle-Master, what is the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace like?” Yoon Jong asked.

“Hmm.” Baek Cheon let out a low groan.

“To be honest, I don’t know much about the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace either. So, I think we should stop by the Beggars’ Sect branch in Sichuan on our way to Yunnan to get information.”

“The Beggars’ Sect branch?”

“That’s right. We became allies with the Beggars’ Sect during the Namyeong incident, so they should help us get information.”

“Ah.” He realized that being connected with the Beggars’ Sect was indeed a great help. In the past, they would have struggled to find a place to get information.

“But I’ve heard that even the Beggars’ Sect doesn’t have much information about the Beast Palace. It’s been a long time since they’ve had any contact with the Central Plains.”

“I suppose so.”

“I’ve heard that they mainly use external martial arts and control divine beasts… But this is also very old information.”

At that moment, Chung Myung, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, spoke up.

“It doesn’t really matter what kind of place the Beast Palace is.”

“Huh?”

“Whether they control animals or summon ghosts with money, what matters isn’t what kind of people they are, but how strong they are.”

“Hmm.” Baek Cheon nodded as if he couldn’t argue with that.

Jo Gul, cautiously observing Baek Cheon’s expression, carefully spoke.

“I’ve heard that each of the Five Outer Palaces is as powerful as one of the Nine Great Sects – the most powerful groups in the Central Plains.”

“I’ve heard that said many times as well.”

“Then, the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace as well…”

“Well…” Baek Cheon shook his head.

“That might have been true in the past, but it can’t be the same now. Didn’t the Demonic Sect crush all of the Five Outer Palaces during their rise to power?”

“Except for the Northern Ice Palace, that is.”

“That’s right.”

In the past, the Demonic Sect wasn’t focused on the Central Plains. They feared that the sects of the Central Plains and the Outer Lands would unite, so the Demonic Sect destroyed the Five Outer Palaces first.

Except for the Northern Ice Palace, which was located north of the Central Plains and beyond the Demonic Sect’s reach, all of them were crushed by the Demonic Sect and forced to surrender.

So many people died that they couldn’t have regained all of their former strength in just a hundred years.

“Then, the task might be a little easier.”

“That would be ideal, but…”

At that moment, Chung Myung, who had been listening to their conversation, opened the carriage window and peeked his head out.

“Manager Lee Bo!”

“Yes, Head Disciple Chung Myung!”

“Let’s eat! Let’s eat!”

“We’ll be arriving at a village soon. Wouldn’t it be better to rest there?”

“No. This place is fine.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Ibo stopped the carriage on the side of the dusty road.

The group stared at Chung Myung, looking utterly bewildered.

Why are you suddenly stopping the carriage like this?

I have something to do.

Chung Myung grinned.

Everyone, get out.

…

A knot of unease tightened in their stomachs. Yoon Jong’s mouth went dry, and he glanced at Jo Gul, who looked just as worried. But Chung Myung just grinned, a wide, almost too-bright smile that didn’t reach his eyes, and pointed towards the carriage door swinging open in the breeze. “Everyone out!”

What are you doing? Aren’t you getting out?

…

Unsettling.

Something felt seriously unsettling.

Everyone gathered their belongings and got out of the carriage. However, Jo Gul nervously pushed his luggage back into the carriage, his eyes darting towards Chung Myung.

Yoon Jong cautiously asked.

Why are you leaving your luggage behind?

What if that troublemaker just sends the carriage away? I have to leave my luggage behind so he can’t do that.

You think he won’t send the carriage away if your luggage is there?

…

Isn’t it more likely that only your luggage will disappear?

Jo Gul silently picked up his luggage again.

He had once again realized what kind of person Chung Myung was.

As all the disciples of Mount Hua got out of the carriage, Chung Myung tilted his head.

Why did you bring your luggage with you?

What are you trying to do, exactly?

Baek Cheon asked, looking bewildered, and Chung Myung shrugged.

I told you, I’m doing what I need to do.

So, what is that…

Senior Brother.

Chung Myung cut off Baek Cheon, his *Sasuk* (Senior Brother), and asked in return.

How helpful were you at the Sword Tomb, Senior Brother?

At the sudden question, Baek Cheon’s face stiffened.

I…

Help… you say? To Chung Myung?

Baek Cheon bit his lip. His pride was hurt, but the answer was already determined.

I was just a burden. The words were hard to say, like swallowing bitter medicine, but he forced them out.

That’s right.

It wasn’t that he was trying to humiliate his Senior Brother and *Sahyung*, but this was a clear truth.

Chung Myung was getting stronger too quickly, and the things he had to do were becoming increasingly dangerous. But those who moved with Chung Myung were not keeping up with his pace.

If it were the Chung Myung of the past, he would have left them behind and run off on his own, but not anymore.

Chung Myung experienced the Sword Tomb and saw Yakseon’s will, and he clearly recognized what he had to do. A path that didn’t include them had no meaning.

Yunnan could be a more dangerous place than the Sword Tomb. And if Senior Brother and Sahyung are at this level, even your lives will be in danger.

Baek Cheon bit his lip slightly.

It’s not that we don’t know that. But there’s no way to improve our martial arts in a short period of time.

Why not?

Huh…?

Chung Myung chuckled.

Senior Brother already ate the Honwon Pill, didn’t he? Just digesting that energy well will make you twice as strong as you are now.

Baek Cheon nodded blankly.

Certainly, the power of the Honwon Pill was beyond imagination. Thanks to that, he hadn’t even been able to absorb most of that energy and had kept it safely stored in his dantian, hadn’t he?

The problem is…

No matter how hard I try, it will take at least a few years to make this completely my own. That, too, would be a short period of time.

Ah, don’t worry. A month will be enough.

…A, a month?

Baek Cheon’s eyes widened.

Really?

Well… have I ever lied to you about training?

Yes.

…

…

A slightly awkward silence flowed.

W-well, that might be true. But not this time.

I wish that were the case. But how on earth are you going to absorb this energy so quickly? Could it be that you can help?

Clap!

Chung Myung clapped his hands.

Expectation flickered across Baek Cheon’s face.

Is that even possible?

If anyone else had said this, he would have scoffed. It wasn’t as if Baek Cheon didn’t know how difficult it was to interfere with another person’s inner strength.

But the Chung Myung he knew was a person without lies or bluff, at least when it came to martial arts.

If Chung Myung said it was possible, then it was possible. Hadn’t he experienced it countless times so far?

How? Are you going to help with the circulation of energy?

Well… not really. It’s a much simpler method.

An easier method than that!

That monstrous bastard!

Baek Cheon clenched his fist. If he could only melt the inner strength of the Honwon Pill that was gathered in his dantian, he could become twice as strong in an instant. What the disciples of Mount Hua lacked most was inner strength.

But unlike him, who was thrilled, Jo Gul and Yoon Jong were trembling with anxiety.

Senior Brother, that bastard is trying to sell us something again.

What is he trying to do this time? Look at that, look at that smile!

Jo Gul and Yoon Jong, who had suffered at the hands of Chung Myung for many years, couldn’t help but tremble with anxiety. They knew from experience that when that rascal spoke like that, similar results always occurred.

How are you going to do it?

Baek Cheon asked excitedly, completely unaware of their feelings.

It’s not that difficult. It’s just a little hard.

I can endure anything! As long as I can get stronger.

…Really?

Huh? What did you say?

Is that what you really think?

…

You’re really willing to do anything if it means you can get stronger?

Uh…

I think I might have made a slip of the tongue…?

Chung Myung grinned and walked towards Baek Cheon.

That’s right, that’s right. I really like that forward-looking attitude. I was a little hesitant to beat Senior Brother… but I feel relieved that Senior Brother is coming out like that.

I think there was something he mumbled just now?

Senior Brother.

Huh?

Have you ever heard of using force to help energy flow when it’s stuck?

How could I not know? When energy is gathered or blocked, you can release that energy by hitting or massaging it…

Uh…

Why are you suddenly asking about that?

No way? It’s not what I’m thinking, is it?

…Right?

Chung Myung tilted his neck as he approached Baek Cheon, who was unknowingly taking a step back.

Crack.

And he slowly clenched his fist.

Squeak.

Senior Brother.

…

This is definitely not because I have any personal feelings. No, no! I’m purely beating you with emotion! However!

Chung Myung’s eyes gleamed.

He raised his fist and shouted.

I hope you understand that only affection is contained in this fist!

…

Baek Cheon looked up at the sky with blurred eyes.

Oh, Primal Celestial Lord.

Please take that bastard away.