Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 183

Some time passed.

Finally, the carriage carrying the Mount Hua disciples arrived in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province.

“Whoa there.”

The four-horse carriage stopped right in front of the city gate, drawing the attention of the crowd. Anyone who could afford such a carriage must be someone important, so naturally, people were curious.

Yi Bo, who had been holding the reins, glanced back and announced, “We have arrived in Chengdu!”

A slight stirring came from inside the carriage.

Creak!

The carriage door opened, and the Mount Hua disciples slowly emerged.

“What’s going on?”

“Why do they look like that?”

“Did they come from a battlefield or something?”

The crowd began to murmur, because the Mount Hua disciples looked like they had been through a lot.

The carriage door opened, and the Mount Hua disciples slowly came out. Dust covered them from head to toe, making them look grey. Their clothes were wrinkled, and their eyes were dark and tired. They moved like they were very, very old. One disciple leaned heavily on his sword for support, and another stumbled as he stepped down.

“Ugh… I feel like I’m going to die,”

“They say leaving home means suffering,”

“Sichuan is only halfway there. How long will it take to get to Yunnan?”

The Mount Hua disciples looked like patients with hollow eyes, trembling legs, and slumped shoulders. Even Chung Myung looked much the same.

“That was truly a hellish journey,”

“I never want to do that again,”

“…Halfway there, half,”

The unfamiliar gate of Sichuan seemed like a gateway to paradise. The disciples felt like they could cry at the thought of escaping the endless training.

Chung Myung stretched his arms and grinned, “Ah, too bad we stopped! Just two more days of that carriage ride, and we would have all become super strong, right?” He winked, but no one else looked amused.

“You would have achieved it! Of course, you would have, you little rascal! I would have become a corpse!”

“Just kill me, kill me!”

“Don’t you have a human heart? Huh?”

Even Chung Myung flinched at the murderous aura.

“Ah, well, anyway, we arrived alive, so that’s good enough,”

“Ugh.”

While the Mount Hua disciples were bickering, Yi Bo got out of the carriage and approached them.

“What would you like to do? Shall we go to the Sichuan branch of the Eunha Merchant Guild together?”

“Hmm…” Baek Cheon narrowed his brow slightly. Seeing this, Yi Bo added, “I have instructed the Sichuan branch to gather information about Yunnan.”

“Will that be sufficient?”

“Hmm.”

Yi Bo rubbed his chin, his brow furrowed in thought. He sighed, a small puff of air escaping his lips. “To be honest, the Eunha Merchant Guild’s intelligence network doesn’t reach Yunnan. We used to handle goods from Yunnan, but it was mostly brokering goods brought in by smaller groups, not directly organizing trade caravans.”

“I see,”

“In other words, we can’t really help you find a way into Yunnan. From now on, this isn’t an area where we can assist you. However, we can offer you accommodation at the branch if you need a place to stay,”

“Thank you for the offer. We plan to look into the situation and then visit the Eunha Merchant Guild. We will rest for now to recover from our journey,”

“Understood. I’ll stay at the branch and repair the carriage. Please let me know when you’ve finished your investigation in Chengdu,”

“Yes, thank you.”

Baek Cheon clasped his hands in thanks, and Yi Bo bowed deeply before returning to the carriage. As he drove the carriage into Chengdu, Baek Cheon turned to his fellow disciples.

“Let’s go in too,”

“Yes,”

“But keep one thing in mind,”

He spoke with a serious face. “We’re here to find a way into Yunnan, not to cause trouble. Chengdu is the territory of the Sichuan Tang family. The Qingcheng Sect is nearby, so Qingcheng Taoists often come and go. And although it’s rare, we might see female Buddhist monks from the Emei Sect, so please, behave yourselves.”

“Don’t worry, Sasuk! The Sahyungs will understand,”

A vein popped out on Baek Cheon’s forehead. “I’m talking about you! You rascal! You! I’m not worried about anyone else! You’re the problem!”

“Have you ever seen me cause trouble?”

“I’ve never seen you *not* cause trouble!”

Baek Cheon took a long breath to try and cool his rising temper, and added in a serious tone. “Remember, we will leave as soon as we find a way into Yunnan. Please, don’t cause any trouble! The Sect Leader and the elders are very worried back at Mount Hua. We must get the Black Blood Grass as soon as possible and return.”

“You worry too much,”

Baek Cheon thought that if there was a medicine that could make someone mute, he would want to get one.

“We’ll visit the Chengdu branch of the Beggars’ Sect first. But it seems merchants are more likely to know about Yunnan than the Beggars’ Sect, so we should investigate that side too,”

“Let’s do that,”

Baek Cheon nodded at Yoo Iseol’s reply.

“Let’s go.”

As they entered Chengdu, the noise of the city hit them like a wave. Shouts of merchants, the clatter of carts, and music from somewhere nearby filled the air. The streets were packed with people, and the buildings seemed to lean over them, blocking out the sky.

The Mount Hua party entered Chengdu and diligently visited the Beggars’ Sect branches, asking about rumors regarding Yunnan.

Chung Myung grumbled that this was a waste of time, but Baek Cheon felt differently. Even a small piece of information could change everything. Since they were going to a land with severed ties, he wanted to get as much information as possible.

However…

“Haa…” The Mount Hua disciples sat around in the inn and sighed deeply.

“Even though Sichuan is right next to Yunnan, how can there be so little information?”

“The Beggars’ Sect was the most shocking,”

Yoon Jong looked bewildered. The words of the Chengdu branch leader of the Beggars’ Sect echoed in his head.

“- A way into Yunnan? Why are you asking us about that?”

When they asked if they could at least get some information, the Chengdu branch leader scoffed and replied.

“- There are no beggars in Yunnan, so how can the Beggars’ Sect get information?”

That statement left no room for argument. Because the land was so barren, there was no one to beg from, so the beggars couldn’t easily go to Yunnan. After all, they had to be able to get food to eat.

Moreover, the Chengdu branch leader explained that the Southern Savage Beast Palace didn’t like the Beggars’ Sect and rejected beggars, so they couldn’t influence Yunnan.

“The merchant guilds are the same,”

“There’s nothing we can do since they say there’s no way to go,”

“Ugh.”

Yoon Jong sighed and said, “There’s nothing we can do since they say there’s no information about Yunnan, let alone trade. So…”

“That’s probably not the case,”

“Huh?” Yoon Jong turned his head. Jo Gul spoke with a slightly sulky face. “The Beggars’ Sect may really have no information about Yunnan. But that’s not true for the merchants. They know, but they’re not giving us the information.”

“Why is that?”

“Because there’s no reason to give it to us. It’s not profitable, is it?”

“Didn’t we say we would pay enough for the information?”

“That’s not enough. To do that, we should have at least come without the plum blossom insignia,”

“…Ah.”

Baek Cheon exclaimed as if he finally understood what Jo Gul was saying. “You mean they’re rejecting us because we’re outsiders?”

Jo Gul nodded.

Baek Cheon frowned, looking around the busy streets of Chengdu. “Sichuan, this region in western China, isn’t always welcoming to people from outside,” he said, his voice a little quieter. “It’s far from the Central Plains, the heart of our country, and there are old reasons for this. People here are very proud and sometimes don’t easily trust strangers.”

Yoon Jong nodded slowly. “Hmm, that’s what I’ve heard too.”

“It’s almost like Sichuan is part of the country, but also separate,” Baek Cheon continued. “A place where outsiders are looked at differently. That’s just how Sichuan is.”

“The Sichuan Tang Family has a lot of influence here,” Baek Cheon said. “To make a living in Chengdu, you have to be mindful of the Tang Family. Do you think they’d welcome outsiders wearing martial robes with the symbols of other groups on them? They were wearing robes that showed they belonged to the Mount Hua Sect, a group of martial artists. In this world, different martial arts groups, or sects, are like famous schools, and their symbols are easily recognized. If the Tang Family knows we are from Mount Hua, they might not help us. There’s some old history between our sects…”

Quietly listening, Chung Myung’s face turned sour. He crossed his arms and his lips tightened into a pout.

“Then you should have said so sooner!” Chung Myung exclaimed.

“Oh, come on, seriously? You think telling me would have changed anything?” Baek Cheon retorted.

“That’s not the point. It’s not like I’m lacking anything!” Chung Myung stuck out his chest.

Hide that they were from Mount Hua? That was unthinkable. He’d rather face rejection!

“You went out wearing a mask just fine, though!” Baek Cheon pointed out.

“That’s different!” Chung Myung insisted.

“Anyway, we can’t go on like this. If we really want to get information, we need to get the cooperation of the Sichuan Tang Family, or at least hide the fact that we’re outsiders,” Baek Cheon said with a grave expression.

“Ummm. I understand what you’re saying. Then…” Just then, Yoon Jong looked at Jo Gul and asked, “But how do you know all this…? Wait. Are you from Sichuan?”

Jo Gul’s face became strange.

“Come to think of it, I think I heard you say your home is in Sichuan… Isn’t it?” Yoon Jong pressed.

“Ugh…” Jo Gul looked like he was about to die and finally sighed. “…That’s right.”

“Ah, so that’s why…” Baek Cheon exclaimed as if he finally understood. Someone not from Sichuan wouldn’t easily know these things. They felt like they were finally understanding something important.

Chung Myung’s eyes twinkled.

“Come to think of it, didn’t Jo Gul say he was from a merchant family? We could have just gone to Jo Gul’s house instead of wandering around!” Chung Myung said teasingly.

“Uh…” Jo Gul stammered.

“No! How bad is your personality that you make us wander around Chengdu because you don’t want to bring guests to your house?! Your character is beyond saving!” Chung Myung continued.

“I don’t want to hear that from you!” Jo Gul trembled as he spoke. In that moment, all the disciples of Mount Hua agreed with Jo Gul. Indeed, hearing those words from Chung Myung was the ultimate insult.

“It’s not that… Haa…” Jo Gul sighed deeply.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Chung Myung chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. “It’s all the same. You’re probably the black sheep of the family anyway. That’s why you didn’t want to go back home.”

Jo Gul thought to himself, ‘Here we go. This is going to be a disaster.’

“It’s alright, it’s alright. Baek Cheon, I am sure you understand how he feels,” Chung Myung continued to tease.

“I, I left on my own two feet! On my own!” Baek Cheon protested.

“Read the room, please, Master!” Yoon Jong interjected.

“Ugh.” Chung Myung grinned and poked Jo Gul in the side. “Anyway, since things have turned out this way, let’s visit your house, Senior Brother.”

Jo Gul sighed deeply and stood up. “Yes, we have to. It’s all for the sake of the sect.”

“Then let’s leave right away,” Chung Myung said.

“Yes, Master,” Jo Gul replied.

Everyone left the inn with slightly brighter faces and began to walk through Chengdu, following Jo Gul. The streets of Chengdu were busy and noisy. The smell of spicy food filled the air, and people hurried past, their voices loud in the crowded streets.

Chung Myung put his clasped hands behind his head and whistled. “How is it that there’s not a single person who’s loved in their family?”

Feeling as if needles were poking him in the back, Baek Cheon turned around with a vein throbbing in his forehead. “No, I’m not talking about you, Master. I’m just saying, in general.”

“⋯⋯Well, you’re not wrong,” Baek Cheon gritted his teeth.

“Why would someone who’s loved and successful in their family join Mount Hua!” Chung Myung exclaimed.

“Oh? I can’t let that go! Are you saying that if you weren’t twisted, you would have gone to Jongnam? The Sect Leader needs to hear this!” Chung Myung retorted.

“Ugh.” Baek Cheon shook his head at Chung Myung’s retort. “The important thing is that I’m a disciple of Mount Hua now.”

“That’s true. If you had gone to Jongnam, you’d still be taking care of your older brother,” Chung Myung said.

As Baek Cheon quietly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, Yoon Jong grabbed his master’s arm and shook his head. “Calm down.”

“⋯⋯Haa.” Block your ears. Block your ears and close your eyes. That damned mother-in-law.

Meanwhile, Jo Gul led them to a secluded part of Chengdu.

“Oh? Looks like it’s over there?” Chung Myung spotted a small merchant house.

Chengdu Merchant Group. It sounded like a hastily made-up name, but it certainly looked like a merchant group. The slightly worn-out building and modest size were rather charming.

“Kuh. The second son who joined Mount Hua with the expectations of his family,” Chung Myung chuckled.

“⋯⋯.” Jo Gul remained silent.

“Anyway, Jo Gul has a cute side to him. So, should we greet your parents?” As Chung Myung strode forward, Jo Gul sighed and called out to him.

“Where are you going?” Jo Gul asked.

“Huh? Aren’t you going first?” Chung Myung replied.

“Not that way, this way,” Jo Gul corrected.

“Huh? Where?” Chung Myung asked, confused.

“This way,” Jo Gul repeated.

Chung Myung’s gaze turned to where Jo Gul was pointing. ‘It’s a wall?’ All he could see was a wall. He felt like he had been turning his head for quite some time, but all he could see was a large, red-painted wall. Only after turning his neck almost to the breaking point was he able to find a large… an incredibly large gate.

Four Seas Merchant Association.

Chung Myung’s eyes widened. A wall so massive it seemed to touch the sky, and buildings like small mountains rose behind the wall. Chung Myung looked back and forth between the enormous sight and Jo Gul several times before opening his mouth with a slightly trembling voice.

“No way, right?” Chung Myung asked.

“Yes, way,” Jo Gul confirmed.

“This is it?” Chung Myung asked in disbelief.

“Yeah,” Jo Gul replied.

“This is Jo Gul’s house? This mansion that looks like it belongs to an emperor?” Chung Myung stammered.

“⋯⋯That’s right,” Jo Gul said.

Oh… Was he from a family with connections? Oh my goodness. What is going on.