Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 200

“Ughhhh….” Chung Myung groaned loudly and fell onto Baek Cheon’s bed. The soft mattress was a small comfort to his aching body, but it did little to ease his frustration.

Baek Cheon and Yoon Jong watched him, shaking their heads with worry. “Are you alright?” Baek Cheon asked, his voice gentle.

“Ugh… that leech!” Chung Myung’s face was ashen, like he had seen a ghost. Sweat dotted his forehead, and his eyes were wide with exhaustion. “That Tang Soso… she’s like a leech, stuck to me!”

The Tang family’s house was supposed to be like paradise for Chung Myung. But it became terrible as soon as one thing changed: Tang Soso was determined to stick to Chung Myung like glue.

If he ate a meal, she was there, fussing over him. If he drank, she watched the bottle closely. Soon, she’d follow him to the toilet.

Chung Myung was very annoyed. He escaped and ran to Baek Cheon’s room.

“Why don’t you just go to your room?” Baek Cheon asked.

“Senior Brother…” Chung Myung said.

“Yes?”

“I’m genuinely scared, you know?”

Yoon Jong chuckled, listening to Chung Myung’s complaints.

“It seems alright to me. What’s wrong?” he asked.

But Baek Cheon didn’t agree.

“Stop talking nonsense. Be serious. This is too much,” Baek Cheon said.

“Indeed. She’s the only daughter of the Tang family head, isn’t she?” Yoon Jong added.

Chung Myung burst out, “Not only daughter, but poison daughter!”

“That’s also true,” Yoon Jong agreed.

“Marriage? No way! What marriage for a Taoist like me!” Chung Myung exclaimed.

“Hwasan Taoists can marry. No one’s stopping you,” Baek Cheon pointed out.

Yoon Jong nodded. “That’s right. Some of the elders in the sect are married.”

“Ughhhh….” Chung Myung sprawled out again.

‘Am I crazy to marry the Tang family head’s daughter?’ he thought.

‘Hey, you folks. Poison isn’t something separate. That’s poison. Once you swallow it, you can’t spit it out!’

‘That old man is supposed to be the Poison King, and he’s unleashing this kind of poison!’

‘If it were real poison, I could blow it away with internal energy or sweep it away with my sword, but this poison can’t be stopped with force.’

The thing Chung Myung found most difficult in the world was something that couldn’t be solved with strength. The Tang family head’s plan had struck Chung Myung’s weakness accurately.

“If it looks so good, why doesn’t Yoon Jong take her?” Chung Myung asked.

“I don’t think they’d want me,” Yoon Jong replied.

“At least you know that much,” Chung Myung said.

“What?” Yoon Jong asked.

Chung Myung lay down and pretended not to notice Yoon Jong’s strange expression. Then, with a slightly wicked look, Yoon Jong spoke to Baek Cheon.

“Senior Brother, when you think about it, it’s not a bad thing,” Yoon Jong said.

“Hmm?” Baek Cheon responded.

“It’s said that one matures after getting married. If he marries, wouldn’t he come to his senses a bit? Besides, it’s even better because Hwasan and the Tang family will be closely connected,” Yoon Jong explained.

“Yoon Jong,” Baek Cheon said.

“Yes?”

“I’ve never been so disappointed in you as I am today. This Senior Brother’s heart aches,” Baek Cheon said.

“Why is that?” Yoon Jong asked.

“Have you not considered the position of the woman who must marry and live with that rascal?” Baek Cheon asked.

“I was short-sighted. Please punish me, Senior Brother,” Yoon Jong said.

“What are you two doing?” Chung Myung glared at them. Yoon Jong and Baek Cheon looked away and cleared their throats.

‘It’s not wrong, though,’ Yoon Jong thought.

‘You should have some conscience,’ Baek Cheon thought.

At that moment, Jo Gul chuckled and said, “I heard that the daughter of the Sichuan Tang family head is a great beauty, and the Tang family head cherishes her. If he’s willing to send such a daughter out, he must like you.”

“Tell him I said no,” Chung Myung replied.

“Still, it means they have a good impression of us,” Jo Gul said.

“Does someone with a good impression throw poison? Is that the Tang family’s welcoming method?” Chung Myung asked.

Chung Myung sighed deeply at his situation.

“Ugh. That old man is a master manipulator!” Chung Myung said.

Or maybe he just acts without thinking.

Because of that, Chung Myung couldn’t even dream of going outside and was stuck inside the building.

“…Why isn’t he coming out?” Tang Soso chewed on her sleeve, her teeth worrying the silk fabric. Her eyes darted towards the door, impatient and restless.

Tang Zhan, who was watching her, sighed deeply. “Sister, shouldn’t you take it easy?”

“You stay out of it,” Tang Soso said, pursing her lips.

“It’s strange. He wouldn’t avoid me like this,” she said.

“…Why?” Tang Zhan asked.

“I’m pretty, aren’t I?” Tang Soso asked.

Tang Zhan’s face twisted.

‘It’s true, so I can’t say anything,’ Tang Zhan thought. He felt like he understood why people who spoke the truth died young.

“Is he blind because he’s a Taoist? Or does he not recognize beauty because he’s been living in the mountains? Why is he running away from me?” Tang Soso wondered.

“…Isn’t it possible that he’s not interested in women?” Tang Zhan suggested.

“Does such a man exist in the world?” Tang Soso asked.

Tang Zhan quietly sighed.

‘But it’s strange,’ he thought.

Tang Soso wasn’t desperate to get married. She usually avoided it. Why did she suddenly change her mind?

“Are you fond of the Hwasan Divine Dragon?” Tang Zhan asked.

“Zhan-ah,” Tang Soso said.

“Yes, Sister?”

“I met that person for the first time yesterday,” she said.

Tang Zhan was speechless.

“How can I like someone when I don’t even know him? It’s not like I can read minds,” Tang Soso said.

“No. Then why are you being so proactive?” Tang Zhan asked.

Tang Soso looked at Tang Zhan with a slightly flushed face and sighed deeply. “If I miss this chance, where do you think I’ll end up marrying?”

Tang Zhan closed his mouth, unable to say anything.

“Father loves me too much. But he’s the head of the Tang family. He thinks of the Tang family’s position before his own and mine. When he can’t delay it any longer, he’ll have to marry me off to a suitable place. Then I’ll have to marry into a powerful family in Sichuan,” Tang Soso explained.

“That’s right,” Tang Zhan agreed.

“I’ll suffocate and die in such a place. But what can I do? I accepted it as my fate. Since I was born as the daughter of the Tang family head, it’s unavoidable. But…”

“The Hwasan Divine Dragon is different?” Tang Zhan asked.

“I don’t like that he lives in the mountains, but anyway, he’s someone Father acknowledged. The future’s greatest martial artist, right?” Tang Soso said.

“If you’re going to marry anyway, you want to at least gain the honor of being the wife of the future’s greatest martial artist?” Tang Zhan asked.

Tang Soso glared at Tang Zhan with a serious face. “Are you crazy?”

“Yes?”

“What good is that? It’s not like I’m becoming the greatest martial artist,” she said.

Tang Soso stomped her foot. “Then why even bother?” she asked loudly.

“If you are supposed to be the best fighter in the world, you’ll always be away! You’ll be training, or too busy to come home! I’ll be left here, all alone and forgotten, like a flower that no one waters!”

Dang-jan just made a small sound, “Ah…” He thought, *She sounds so sad…*

Tang Soso continued, “Where else will I find someone who is such a perfect fit for me?”

Dang-jan stared at his sister, Tang Soso, his mouth slightly open. *Good? She thinks this is good?* He was completely confused.

He finally asked, “Sister, is that… a good thing?”

“It’s much, much better than having everyone control your life!” Tang Soso said, her voice rising.

“If you marry into a big, important family, you have to be polite and proper even when you are just drinking water! Could you live like that?”

Dang-jan knew she couldn’t. *No, I couldn’t,* he thought. *Definitely not.*

Tang Soso leaned forward, her eyes bright. “A marriage where I can be myself and be safe – that’s rare! I have to grab this chance! I must marry him, no matter what!” Her eyes sparkled with determination.

“Father is against it,” Tang Soso continued, “but it’s *my* life, not his! He’s not living it for me, is he?” She looked at Dang-jan, waiting for him to agree.

Dang-jan just blinked, still a little surprised. *My sister… she really has a plan,* He realized. *And it’s not about what’s best for the family. It’s about her own happiness!* He was almost impressed by her strong desire.

Dang-jan frowned. “But Sister,” he said, “the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua… he’s not someone you can just order around. Things might not go your way.”

Tang Soso tilted her head, looking confused. “Is he misunderstanding me again?” she muttered to herself.

“Huh?” Dang-jan asked.

Tang Soso turned back to him. “I don’t plan to control him,” she said firmly. “No, I couldn’t. Father respects him so much! I have to respect him too, and treat him well.”

Dang-jan hesitated. “But… what about love?” he asked.

Tang Soso shrugged. “Love? What’s so special about love? If we live together, and go through life together, friendship will grow. That’s love, isn’t it?”

Dang-jan was quiet. *She’s incredibly practical,* he thought, a little taken aback.

“Anyway,” Tang Soso continued, “there’s no one better for me than him. And,” she added, a slight smile playing on her lips, “he is quite handsome, isn’t he? I don’t like how he looks at me now, like I’m just a stone on the road, but that will change. I’m sure of it.”

Dang-jan watched his sister, her eyes shining with determination. He sighed softly. *She is so full of energy,* he thought.

Dang-jan didn’t want to be angry with his sister. He knew the difficult future that awaited all daughters in their family.

In the Dang family, daughters were not seen as true members. They were not taught the family’s important goals, or their powerful fighting styles. They only learned a few special skills passed down secretly among the women, skills that were not considered normal martial arts.

For daughters of the main family line, like Soso, it was even harder. Tang Soso had lived her whole life inside the family compound, barely seeing the outside world, just because she was the daughter of the family leader.

She was like a delicate flower grown in a greenhouse, protected but weak. And when the time came, she would be married off to someone, like a trade deal. How could anyone find happiness in a marriage like that?

Even Tang Gunak, their father and the head of the family, couldn’t change these old rules of the Dang family.

“Jan-ah!” Tang Soso called out suddenly.

“Yes, Sister!” Dang-jan replied quickly.

“You have to help me too!” Tang Soso said, her voice full of energy.

Dang-jan paused, unsure. “I will be happy, no matter what,” Tang Soso declared. “And the first step to my happiness is right there!” She pointed towards the main building. “I will marry that Taoist, no matter what it takes. So, you have to help me. And then, I’ll help you too!”

“Help me?” Dang-jan asked, confused. “How?”

Tang Soso grinned. “Surely, he won’t treat his wife’s younger brother badly, right? You’ll be the brother-in-law of the best fighter in the world!”

Dang-jan started to understand. “I’ll help you get ahead,” Tang Soso finished, winking.

Dang-jan slowly nodded, a small smile forming on his face. “I believe you, Sister,” he said.

They quickly clasped hands, a silent agreement made. Then, they both turned and stared intensely at the main building, their eyes fixed on the person inside.

Inside the building, Cheong-myeong suddenly shivered, feeling a strange, cold feeling run down his spine.

❀ ❀ ❀ High above, two eyes peeked over the edge of the roof. *Is anyone there?* Cheong-myeong carefully looked around.

Seeing no one, he sighed in relief and pulled himself up onto the roof tiles. *Oh, what terrible luck,* he thought, shaking his head.

In Mount Hua, he was always running away from Yoo Iseol’s strict training, and now, here in the Dang family, he was hiding from Tang Soso.

The great Plum Blossom Sword Saint, who used to fear nothing in the world, was now running away from young women who were barely half his age! *A voice in his head seemed to chuckle.* *Well, you deserve it, you troublemaker.*

“Ah, shut up, you old ghost!” Cheong-myeong muttered, pointing a finger at the sky. He then lay down on the sloping roof, his hand going to his bandaged stomach without thinking.

“Ugh…” His face twisted in pain.

A dull, throbbing ache spread through his body. *It really hurts.*

*I can’t show weakness to the Dang family leader,* Cheong-myeong thought. *If he thinks I’m strong, he’ll give me more of what I want.* And he definitely couldn’t let his fellow Mount Hua disciples see him weak. They would just worry and feel bad for him.

They might even feel useless because they couldn’t help him. *It’s strange,* he thought to himself. *Sect Leader.* He never used to act so proud and confident. But lately, he had been pretending to be strong more and more.

He used to hate people who showed off and lied about their strength. Cheong-myeong chuckled softly and took a drink of alcohol from his flask.

“Kheuuh.” He wiped his mouth and stared up at the moon, his expression becoming serious. *Weak. I’m so weak.*

*To get hurt in a fight with someone like the Dang family leader…* Cheong-myeong thought, feeling ashamed. *If it had been me in my past life, I would have defeated him easily.* *Dang-pae’s surprise attack? That’s just an excuse.* On the battlefield, which was always terrible and unfair, surprise attacks were normal.

If he had been truly strong, no surprise attack would have even touched him. “I’m so weak, it’s embarrassing,” he muttered to himself.

But then he thought about it. It had only been about three years since he woke up after dying. Three years by the calendar, but even less in real training time. It was actually amazing how strong he had become in such a short time.

Even though he had lived through it all once before, he couldn’t become as strong as he used to be in just three years. He knew this, but… “That’s still not good enough!” Cheong-myeong’s eyes hardened with determination.

He knew better than anyone how dangerous the world could be. It would be nice if he had time to get stronger slowly, in peace, but that was unlikely.

“I have to become stronger, faster.” He had to become even stronger than he was as the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, and reach a new level of power.

Strong enough to protect Mount Hua from any danger, no matter what!

Cheong-myeong reached into his pocket. He pulled out two small pills: the Thousand Poison Pill he had gotten from the Dang family, and the Honwon Pill he had brought with him. *Will this even work?* Cheong-myeong’s eyes narrowed slightly.

It was a very risky idea. But if his plan worked… *I could fix my internal energy problem completely, in one go.* Even if he couldn’t get back all his old power right away, he wouldn’t have to worry about running out of energy in a fight again.

“First, I need to let my body heal completely…” Just then, he froze. He heard a voice below.

“Cheong-myeong So-hyeop? Cheong-myeong So-hyeooop?” It was Tang Soso!

“That’s strange,” she said, her voice getting closer. “I checked his room, and he wasn’t there. Where did he go?”

Cheong-myeong held his breath instantly, flattening himself against the roof. Sweat dripped down his forehead. He even used the Turtle Breathing Technique, making himself as still as a stone.

Finally, after what felt like forever, he heard Tang Soso’s footsteps fading away. Only when he was sure she was gone, did Cheong-myeong let out a long breath and grin weakly.

*There are some battles even I can’t win,* he thought, shaking his head with a mix of fear and amusement. *And Tang Soso is definitely one of them.* He knew, with absolute certainty, that some things in this world were just too powerful to fight against, no matter how strong you were.