Return Of The Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 199

Tang Gunak gazed out at the training grounds, a thoughtful expression on his face. “That young man,” he began, his voice low, “he will surely become the greatest fighter in the world one day.”

Dang Zhan, standing respectfully behind him, agreed. “Indeed, Clan Leader.”

“His skill and potential are like nothing I have ever seen. He will be famous across the land, a truly great martial artist!” Tang Gunak’s voice rose with enthusiasm.

“Yes, Clan Leader!” Dang Zhan echoed, nodding firmly.

Tang Gunak paused, then muttered, almost to himself, “And yet… why does it have to be *that* kind of person?”

Dang Zhan blinked, leaning forward slightly. “…Pardon, Clan Leader?”

Dang Zhan sharply turned his head to look at Tang Gunak’s back. His hands were clasped behind him, and his back was trembling slightly.

“Ahem! Ahem!” Tang Gunak cleared his throat loudly.

…Did I mishear?

“Ahem!” Tang Gunak, having cleared his throat loudly, sighed and said, “The value of the greatest martial artist under the heavens transcends your imagination. The greatest martial artist under the heavens sometimes becomes a justification, sometimes a power, and sometimes a reason. There is a reason why all the martial arts clans in the world spare no funds or effort to produce the greatest martial artist under the heavens.”

“Yes, Clan Leader.”

“But why does such an important position have to be filled by such a…”

“…Yes?”

“Ah, never mind.”

Dang Zhan cleaned his ears. Did he keep hearing strange things since a while ago?

Tang Gunak gritted his teeth.

“If you cannot become the greatest martial artist under the heavens, you must become friends with the greatest martial artist under the heavens.”

Dang Zhan narrowed his eyes slightly.

It sounded right at first glance. But one thing was missing.

“One thing, Clan Leader.”

Dang Zhan asked with a slightly questioning voice.

“Of course, there is no doubt about the Mount Hua Divine Dragon’s abilities. But his origin from Mount Hua makes me uneasy. No matter how great the greatest martial artist under the heavens is, there is a limit to what he can do alone, isn’t there?”

“Foolish talk!” Tang Gunak said firmly.

“If he weren’t from Mount Hua, there would be no value in investing. If he had sufficient power and funds, would he bother trying to befriend us?”

“Ah…”

“Rather, it is because the current Mount Hua is not as good as in the past that we can extend our hand. We use him, and he relies on us. Then it can be a perfect relationship.”

Dang Zhan nodded.

“Think about it! What if the power of the grown Mount Hua Divine Dragon is combined with the power of our Dang Clan?”

Then it would truly be the greatest under the heavens!

“The greatest bastard under the heavens will be born. Damn it!”

“Yes?”

This time, Tang Gunak did not change his words.

“That thieving rascal… Even if I made a mistake, the Thousand Poison Pill… Now there are only a few Thousand Poison Pills left in the Dang Clan! Ugh!”

Tang Gunak’s body trembled.

From his violently shaking shoulders, it was clear how enraged he was.

“Dang Zhan!” Tang Gunak turned his head sharply.

Uh…

Clan Leader’s eyes seem a little red…

Surely not, right?

“Your brother will step down from the position of Young Clan Leader.”

Dang Zhan’s eyes widened.

“C-Clan Leader?”

“Think about it.”

“…About what?”

“If you were the Mount Hua Divine Dragon, would you want to join hands with the Dang Clan whose Clan Leader is Dang Pae?”

“Ah!” Dang Zhan nodded repeatedly.

There was no way that could happen. Dang Pae was the one who ambushed Chung Myung during the martial arts competition. No matter what punishment he received, the Mount Hua Divine Dragon’s anger would not be appeased.

“What’s important is the clan, not the person. If the benefit of making the Mount Hua Divine Dragon a member of the Dang Clan is greater than the benefit of Dang Pae becoming the Clan Leader, then we choose that. That is the law of the Dang Clan.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“And that petty bastard won’t forget this…”

“…”

Tang Gunak’s body trembled again.

Dang Zhan, who was seeing him like this for the first time in his life, could only shut his mouth.

Tang Gunak, who had barely calmed down, said, “The position of Young Clan Leader has become vacant.”

“…”

“You will have to compete with your brothers.”

“I will do my best.”

“I will entrust you with a mission.”

Dang Zhan raised his head and looked at Tang Gunak.

“Someone from the Dang Clan must cultivate a friendship with the Mount Hua Divine Dragon.”

“…”

“From what I see, the Mount Hua Divine Dragon is very generous to his people. If you can become one of his people, the Dang Clan will be able to gain more than just a simple contractual relationship.”

“Clan Leader.”

Dang Zhan looked at Tang Gunak with determined eyes.

“I am not very interested in the position of Young Clan Leader.”

“Hmm?”

“However!” Dang Zhan said firmly.

“If it is something that will help the clan, I will naturally do it.”

Tang Gunak smiled.

“Good.” He paused slightly and quietly added.

“However.”

“…Yes?”

“Be careful.”

“…”

“That fellow is not ordinary.”

When Tang Gunak slightly turned his head, it seemed like there was a slight glint of moisture in his eyes.

Huh?

Are you crying?

Dang Zhan vowed and vowed again. ‘I must win the heart of the Mount Hua Divine Dragon!’

It shouldn’t just stop at being an acquaintance. He had to become a friend of the Mount Hua Divine Dragon no matter what.

To do that, it was important to first share a friendship with him!

With constant effort!

However…

‘I don’t think that effort was supposed to be like this…’ Dang Zhan sighed deeply.

“Hey, your hands are idle.”

“…I’m sorry.” Dang Zhan snapped to his senses and vigorously waved his hand.

The fan in his hand began to create a cool breeze.

“Kuh. The Dang Clan is good at fanning too.”

“…”

I thought he said to become friends.

Isn’t this just being a lackey?

“Hmm.” Chung Myung, who was lying on a soft and large chair, briefly raised himself up, then whistled and picked up a piece of fruit placed in front of him.

Not just fruit.

All sorts of delicacies were lined up on the table in front of Chung Myung.

The essence of Sichuan cuisine, known as one of the four great cuisines of China, had met all sorts of precious ingredients and was elevated to the level of art.

Glug glug glug glug.

“Kroooooh!” Chung Myung, who had coolly gulped down Sichuan’s baijiu (white liquor), slumped back in his chair.

“Kroooooh. Good, good! This is paradise.”

But the evaluations of those watching were completely different.

“…It looks like a forest of meat and wine.”

“A Taoist with alcohol and meat.”

“It’s nothing new, but it’s still amazing.”

The disciples of Mount Hua shook their heads as they looked at Chung Myung.

“I must be crazy. I’m worried about that guy when there’s nothing to worry about.”

“No, how can a guy who got stabbed with a sword be so fine?”

“…He’s not human.”

Whether they said that or not, Chung Myung once again heartily drank the baijiu and tore off a duck leg to shove it into his mouth.

“Sasuk, Sahyung! Try some of this. It’s really amazing. And this, this alcohol is really expensive. It’s just so sweet!”

“…”

Baek Cheon stared blankly at Chung Myung.

‘Is this okay?’

No, well, of course, it’s strange not to accept it when they’re so eager to treat us. It’s not polite to refuse.

But this is…

Baek Cheon’s trembling gaze turned to Chung Myung, who was lying on the chair.

‘His house… No, he looks more comfortable than in his own house.’

And the person fanning Chung Myung next to him right now is none other than Tang Gunak’s son, Dang Zhan.

Is this even a plausible sight?

Dang Zhan, who received Baek Cheon’s gaze, blushed.

“T-The Sichuan Dang Clan treats guests with great respect. Please don’t feel burdened and rest comfortably.”

You’re the reason why I’m burdened?

Why are you doing that there?

But unlike everyone else’s thoughts, Chung Myung seemed to be very comfortable with this situation.

“Aigo. Good.”

Baek Cheon, unable to bear it any longer, quietly opened his mouth.

“Chung Myung-ah.”

“This is paradise…”

“Chung Myung-ah!”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung tilted his head slightly.

Baek Cheon, with veins popping on his forehead, said to Chung Myung,

“This is the Sichuan Tang Family.”

“Eyy, I know, Martial Uncle. Do you think I wouldn’t even know that?”

“Then at least sit down. That chair is big, but it’s for sitting, not lying down. If you come to someone’s house, you should at least show some manners.”

“Ah, of course, I don’t want to either.”

“But?”

Chung Myung suddenly contorted his face and stroked the white bandage with his hand.

“But what can I do if the place where I got stabbed throbs too much when I just sit down? I have to live like this until it heals.”

Baek Cheon shook his head as if there was no answer.

Yoon Jong quietly approached and said to Baek Cheon.

“Shall we stop him?”

He meant to deal with him while he was injured. But Baek Cheon just shook his head weakly.

“Just leave him be. He’ll come to his senses eventually.”

Of course, the probability of that day coming was even lower.

Baek Cheon sighed deeply.

‘I thought my heart was going to drop.’

Who would have thought he would be so lively in just three days? It’s truly an amazing recovery.

“Young Master Tangzan.”

“Yes, Young Master Baek Cheon.”

“Is the Tang Family Head not coming?”

“He is busy with official duties.”

“Is that so…”

He didn’t want to face Tang Gun-ak if possible, but seeing Chung Myung acting like that, he was starting to wish he would come quickly.

Was that wish granted?

Bang!

The door to the main hall burst open. Tang Gun-ak slowly walked in. The hall was a large room with tall wooden pillars and banners hanging from the ceiling.

He came inside, saw Chung Myung lying down, and flinched slightly.

It was none other than Tang Gun-ak who had given the order to treat the Hwasan Divine Dragon without any shortcomings.

But this was, well…

“Are you comfortable?”

“Yes, thanks to you. Cough, Sichuan cuisine is really delicious. It’s a bit spicy and numbing, though.”

“Once you get used to it, there’s no better taste.”

“Yes. So I’m going to try eating it until I get used to it.”

“Good idea.”

Tang Gun-ak smiled, but it was a strange smile. His face stayed still, only his mouth moved. Seeing that, everyone who was looking at Tang Gun-ak coughed lightly.

‘Is he smiling? Is he angry?’

‘Maybe both?’

Regardless, Tang Gun-ak didn’t take his eyes off Chung Myung and said.

“Are there any other inconveniences?”

“It’s a bit more humid and hotter than where I was, so it’s a little uncomfortable.”

Chung Myung turned his head slightly, and Tangzan started fanning him diligently again. The rustle of Tangzan’s fan filled the air.

Tangzan and Tang Gun-ak’s gazes crossed in the air.

“It seems my son likes you.”

“I guess so. He’s doing this without being told. How grateful.”

With a face that didn’t look grateful at all, Chung Myung poured down white wine. The strong smell of alcohol filled the air.

“Kheu. The alcohol is delicious, and the food is delicious! This is a really good place.”

“I suppose so.”

Watching that, Tang Gun-ak smiled sincerely for once.

He noticed the other Hwasan disciples looking restless. They probably thought Chung Myung was committing a great rudeness.

‘They don’t know.’

They didn’t know much about the Tang Family.

The best etiquette a guest could show in the Tang Family was to eat and drink comfortably like Chung Myung was doing now.

It might be rude in other sects. But only in the Tang Family was it the best etiquette.

This was a phenomenon that arose because the Tang Family mainly used poison and hidden weapons. No matter how brave someone was, they would hesitate to eat the food and drink the alcohol given by the Tang Family.

How many people would accept and drink alcohol from someone who uses poison without any hesitation?

Even those who boasted of their iron guts would reduce the amount of alcohol they drank by half and be careful about the food they ate in the Tang Family.

But now, Chung Myung was literally pouring and drinking, inhaling the food, and shoving the bottle of alcohol into his mouth.

‘I don’t know if he’s doing it knowingly…’

In any case, Tang Gun-ak couldn’t help but feel subtly pleased watching that. That behavior was a direct indication that Chung Myung trusted the Tang Family that much.

‘He’s a strange guy.’

He made people feel good and then made them tremble. Living with him, one’s liver and gallbladder wouldn’t be safe.

“But what’s the matter?”

“That is…”

Tang Gun-ak bit his lip. Originally, he was supposed to meet the Hwasan Divine Dragon not today, but a few days later. They were supposed to finalize the transaction between Hwasan and the Tang Family then.

Nevertheless, there was another reason why he came to find Chung Myung like this.

“That is…”

Tang Gun-ak trailed off and kept glancing behind him. He thought, ‘This is going to be awkward, but I have to do it.’

With a face that showed he was very displeased, he bit his lip tightly and opened his mouth in a slightly suppressed voice.

“It’s nothing! I just came to see you!”

It was at that moment.

Tap!

There was a sound of something being tapped from behind.

Peek.

“Huh?”

Something slightly popped out from next to the open door.

Oh, that… is that a person’s head?

“Keueung.”

Tang Gun-ak contorted his face and suddenly began to glare at Chung Myung with a ghostly expression.

Why is that guy like that?

Scary.

“I’m going to… introduce someone.”

“Yes? Introduce?”

“If young people get along well, wouldn’t that be… a good thing?”

“I suppose so.”

“That it has to be someone like you…”

“Yes?”

“No. It’s nothing.”

Tang Gun-ak shook his head. And then, unable to hide his annoyance, he sighed deeply.

“Come in.”

At that moment, a person revealed themselves through the wide-open door.

“Huh?”

“Uh-oh…”

“Uhh?”

The Hwasan disciples all widened their eyes.

Something to be surprised about?

No, it’s not really something to be surprised about, but it is surprising…

What first caught their eyes was the splendid palace attire. But those gazes soon turned to the face above the attire, and those who saw that face couldn’t help but gape.

‘What is it? She’s pretty?’

‘She’s an incredible beauty. Not inferior to Junior Sister.’

‘Wow. Did the Tang Family have someone like that?’

Baek Cheon, in his neat blue robes, Yoon Jong, and Jo Gul stared blankly at the woman who was walking in gracefully.

“Say hello.”

“I am Tang Soso of the Tang Family, and I greet the heroes of Hwasan.”

It wasn’t just her face, but her bright smile showed no pretense at all. Who could hate someone who smiled so brightly?

“Uh…”

Yoon Jong lowered his head with a blank face.

“Ah, hello.”

Jo Gul poked Yoon Jong’s side with his elbow. Yoon Jong flinched and quickly raised his head.

Seeing those reactions, Tang Gun-ak’s face became even more distorted.

“She is… my daughter. It seems that you are of similar age, so I thought you could become good friends… and that’s why I called her.”

Why is he going bald?

And…

“Does the Tang Family wear things like that at home?”

“It’s the first time she’s meeting a friend, so she must have put some thought… into it.”

That?

If she put that much thought into it twice, her neck would break? No, how many ornaments did she put in her hair?

Surely those aren’t all hidden weapons, are they?

Tang Gun-ak’s gaze was fixed on Chung Myung.

“I brought her here to introduce her because she wanted to meet you…. No, so you could have a good relationship…. No. I hope you two can get along well. Become friends, perhaps.”

Huh?

Eh?

Could it be…

Chung Myung looked around. All of his fellow disciples were looking at Chung Myung with strange eyes.

“Huh?”

Is this what they call a political marriage?

“Me?”

Tang Gun-ak nodded.

“Ah, no, I…”

I’m a Taoist?

“Uh…”

“Say hello.”