Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 205

Tang Soso’s voice echoed, “Stop! Right there, I said!”

Chung Myung thought, annoyed, “Why is she still chasing me!” He ran even faster.

Tang Soso was like a whirlwind in silk. Her long skirt swirled around her legs as she sped after him, her many hair ornaments jingling with each step. She was surprisingly fast!

This was so strange. Really, really strange.

Tang Soso was the daughter of the Dang family’s head. Even if she hadn’t learned any special techniques, she would still be good at martial arts. So, it wasn’t surprising that she could move so quickly.

But something was weird.

‘How can she run so fast in that skirt!’

Chung Myung couldn’t even imagine running that fast while wearing such fancy clothes and hair decorations. He wouldn’t even try to run in those clothes, even if he was able to!

“Stop right there, I said!”

“…”

“You think you can get away by running? I’ll camp out in Hwasan!”

“Ggggrrrr!”

Chung Myung sighed and stopped. He turned to face Tang Soso.

“Finally stopped?”

Tang Soso stopped in front of Chung Myung, took a deep breath, and pulled something out of a small bag around her waist.

“Huh?”

It was a water bottle.

Tang Soso took out a water bottle and a cup, poured tea into the cup, and offered it to Chung Myung.

“Drink this.”

“…What is this?”

“It’s cool tea. You must be thirsty from running, so have a refreshing cup.”

Chung Myung blinked.

Does she always have this ready when she chases people?

…Is she really that strange?

“Hurry up.”

“Ah.”

Chung Myung took the tea from Tang Soso and drank it quickly.

“Kheuuh!”

It was refreshing.

Tang Soso smiled brightly.

“Refreshing, right?”

“Mmm.”

“Good. Now, let’s talk! Why do you dislike me so much that you keep running away?”

“…”

Chung Myung frowned.

‘It’s not that I’m scared of you. I’m scared of marriage!’

Usually, the woman cries and refuses when there are talks about arranged marriage! Why is she so eager!

It was making things difficult for him!

“Am I ugly?”

“Uh… no.”

“Do I seem to have a bad personality?”

“It doesn’t seem that way.”

“Then why do you keep running away? A marriage prospect like this is rare! Pretty face! Good personality! Very, very powerful family!”

That’s true. Too powerful.

Of course, it would be annoying if it were someone else, but the Dang family is the best family to marry into…

Aargh! Marriage? No way!

“Hey.”

“Yes.”

“I really don’t want to get married, okay?”

“Everyone says that. They change their minds.”

“I’m a Taoist, you know?”

“I heard marriage is allowed in Hwasan?”

“That’s true, but I don’t want to, okay?”

Chung Myung said firmly.

“We don’t even know each other, so don’t waste time and look for someone else. I don’t want to marry you.”

Then, Tang Soso looked at Chung Myung strangely.

“That’s not it, is it?”

“Huh?”

“You like someone else, the person from the accident, right?”

“…Huh?”

Tang Soso pointed at Chung Myung.

“That’s why you’re pushing me away, isn’t it?”

Wow.

Where did she get this idea?

“It’s obvious! That woman is pretty! No man can resist a beauty!”

Chung Myung sighed.

‘How old does she think I am!’

Beauty?

Ah, I like beauties!

But if I were married, my granddaughter would be about her grandmother’s age?

No matter what, it just looks like my granddaughter is acting cute.

What?

A beeeaaauutttyyy?

Chung Myung laughed.

Even if he told them, nobody would get it.

When Chung Myung didn’t answer, Tang Soso raised her chin as if to say, “See?”

“I’m right, aren’t I?”

“…I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Chung Myung sighed.

“Anyway, I don’t want to get married, so stop bothering me and look elsewhere.”

“Do you think I’ll give up if you say that?”

“…Huh?”

“I’m desperate too! I’ll make you see my charms!”

“…You’re so tiny.”

“I’m older than you, you know?”

Tang Soso glared.

Chung Myung sighed again.

‘I can’t just beat her up.’

He couldn’t hit someone just because they were annoying, could he?

‘Or maybe it is a valid reason….’

– You scoundrel!

“Ah! I won’t hit you! I won’t!”

“Yes?”

“…No. Nothing.”

Chung Myung waved his hand and stepped back.

“Anyway, I’m…”

“Don’t run away, come here. Let’s talk today. If we go to a nice teahouse in Seongdo and have tea, and watch the sunset, you might like me.”

No, I don’t want to!

I don’t need to like you!

Just then,

“…Sister.”

“Yes?”

Tang Soso turned her head. Dang Zhan was coming with an embarrassed face.

“The Lord wants to see Chung Myung.”

“Why now?”

Tang Soso frowned. It meant that unless it was urgent, he should bring him later. But Dang Zhan said firmly with a stiff face.

“It seems important.”

“Hmm.”

Tang Soso looked at Chung Myung with a sad face and licked her lips.

“Is it really urgent?”

“He said every moment counts.”

“Hmph, it can’t be helped. Zhan.”

“Yes, Sister.”

“Take Chung Myung to Father and make sure he doesn’t escape, then bring him to my room.”

“…”

“Understood?”

“Yes.”

Tang Soso nodded and moved out of Chung Myung’s way. And she added a warning.

“Don’t go anywhere else, you have to come!”

“…”

Chung Myung followed Dang Zhan, dazed. Dang Zhan looked at him sadly.

“Are you having a hard time?”

“…Yeah.”

“Yes?”

“…The Dang family are crazy.”

“…”

Dang Zhan was sad because he knew it was true.

Tang Soso watched them leave and bit her lip.

‘There’s no time.’

Chung Myung would leave the Dang family soon. If he didn’t like her now, he never would.

“I have to do something…”

“That won’t do.”

“Gasp!”

Tang Soso, surprised by the voice, turned and grabbed the ornament on her head.

But after seeing who it was, she sighed and lowered her hand.

“…What’s wrong?”

“We need to talk.”

“Yes?”

Yoo Iseol looked at Tang Soso and said firmly.

“Um… Does he seem a bit odd to you?” Tang Soso asked quietly.

A stone had fallen into the pond, creating ripples that spread across the water. Tang Soso watched them before continuing, “I know. It’s a bit pathetic, isn’t it?”

“But it’s not like I’m enjoying clinging to him. I feel bad for bothering your man, but still.”

“Sajil,” Yoo Iseol replied.

“Pardon?” Tang Soso asked.

“It means he is like a brother to me,” Yoo Iseol explained.

Tang Soso turned to look at Yoo Iseol. Yoo Iseol was breathtakingly beautiful, even in her simple clothes, but it was difficult to guess what she was thinking because of her expressionless face.

“You’re saying you have no relationship at all?” Tang Soso asked.

“That’s right,” Yoo Iseol confirmed.

“A woman as beautiful as you, and he shows no interest?” Tang Soso wondered.

“He is interested in whether my martial arts are improving,” Yoo Iseol said calmly.

“Good heavens,” Tang Soso muttered.

Was it really possible for him to not be interested in women at all, even if Chung Myung followed Taoist beliefs?

“Sigh. I’m doomed,” Tang Soso said.

If Yoo Iseol was right, Chung Myung had no interest in women to begin with. There was no way she could seduce him into marriage.

“It’s my fate,” Tang Soso sighed deeply.

Then, Yoo Iseol stared at her intently and said, “He feels the same way.”

“Isn’t that so?” Yoo Iseol added.

Tang Soso nodded slightly. “Just don’t misunderstand. I wasn’t trying to use him. I was really going to do my best if we got married.”

“It seems so,” Yoo Iseol nodded slowly.

“But now it’s all gone,” Tang Soso lamented.

Yoo Iseol quietly looked at Tang Soso and asked, “Why are you so fixated on it? Marriage.”

“Pardon?” Tang Soso asked, surprised.

“You are strong and capable. You don’t have to let marriage limit you,” Yoo Iseol stated.

Tang Soso chuckled. Certainly, that’s how it would look to outsiders.

“Do you know what the Dang family is like?” Tang Soso asked.

“The Dang family laws are very strict. They decide who I marry. That’s the only path for me. What I’m doing now is a minimal form of resistance. If I’m going to be forced into marriage anyway, I’ll choose my own husband. Someone the family will approve of.”

“Is there no other way…” Yoo Iseol wondered.

“There is no other way. This is the Sichuan Dang family. In the Sichuan Dang family, women are not seen as whole. They are not allowed to learn the family secrets or become warriors. This is especially true for the family head’s daughter,” Tang Soso explained.

Tang Soso shrugged. “It’s not like I’ve been living with some great dissatisfaction. Thanks to my status as the daughter of the family head, I’ve lived comfortably so far. If I think of this as the price, it’s a little easier on my mind. However…”

Tang Soso lifted her gaze from the pond and looked at the distant sky. “Just…” Her voice faded, and she sighed softly.

Yoo Iseol, who was watching Tang Soso’s face reddened by the sunset, said calmly, “There is a way.”

“Pardon?” Tang Soso asked, surprised again.

“There is always a way. Maybe you are afraid to take it,” Yoo Iseol replied.

Tang Soso bit her lip slightly. “Could you please stop talking as if you know everything? I don’t need empty comfort right now.”

“I’ll open it for you. That way,” Yoo Iseol stated firmly.

Tang Soso slightly widened her eyes and looked at Yoo Iseol. Open the way? Yoo Iseol?

She didn’t know if it was possible, but a bigger question came to her mind.

“Why are you trying to help me?” Tang Soso asked.

“Because I was the same,” Yoo Iseol’s voice was quiet, tinged with a memory of her own struggles.

There was no path in sight. No matter how hard she tried. No matter how much she struggled. But one day, her path suddenly rolled into Mount Hua on its own. The most eccentric path in the world, that is.

Now, at least, she no longer wanders in search of a path. So…

“It’s no different,” Yoo Iseol looked at Tang Soso with a resolute face. “At least you’ll be able to make a different choice.”

Tang Soso, who had been staring at Yoo Iseol, reached out her hand. Yoo Iseol grabbed her hand and pulled her up.

“I don’t trust you at all,” Tang Soso admitted.

“Nothing to lose,” Yoo Iseol replied simply.

“I suppose so,” Tang Soso shrugged, a small smile on her face.

“But can I ask you one thing?” Tang Soso asked.

“Ask,” Yoo Iseol permitted.

“Are you really not in any kind of relationship?” Tang Soso inquired.

Yoo Iseol sighed softly, turned around, and headed to her quarters.

“Really not? Truly?” Tang Soso called after her.

It seemed Tang Soso was someone who didn’t give up easily, no matter who she was talking to.

❀ ❀ ❀

Thwack!

Chung Myung, who had closed the door, stared intently at Tang Gunak.

“You seem busy,” Chung Myung observed.

“Thanks to someone,” Tang Gunak grumbled.

“I will never apologize,” Chung Myung retorted.

“Ggrrrr,” Tang Gunak growled.

Chung Myung sighed deeply and sat across from Tang Gunak. “What did you call me here for?”

Tang Gunak paused for a moment, sighed softly, and said in a heavy voice, “I need to ask you a favor.”

“Pardon? A favor?” Chung Myung narrowed his eyes.

“I only asked for one business deal! Do you want something in return already?” Chung Myung asked.

“It’s not like that,” Tang Gunak raised his hand and pressed his forehead. “Since the topic came up, let’s handle that first. I’ve secured the business deal. The Hwapyeong Trading Company in Chengdu is preparing a business trip to Yunnan. I’ve arranged for you to go with them.”

“When?” Chung Myung asked.

“It seems they’ll be departing around the day after tomorrow,” Tang Gunak replied.

“That’s faster than I thought. Thank you,” Chung Myung said.

Tang Gunak sighed. “And… about my favor.”

“Yes,” Chung Myung acknowledged.

“The thing is…” Tang Gunak began.

Tang Gunak explained the situation with the Council of Elders to Chung Myung. He left out some details and added others, but he couldn’t avoid mentioning the power struggle between him and the Elders.

‘It’ll be alright,’ Chung Myung said he wanted to be friends with the Dang family. If they were true friends, they should be able to accept each other’s flaws.

“That’s what happened,” Tang Gunak subtly watched Chung Myung’s expression.

If it was the Chung Myung he knew, he would cause a fuss demanding something else…

‘Hmm?’ Tang Gunak flinched for a moment and shuddered. An expression he had never seen before was on Chung Myung’s face.

“So,” a monotonous voice leaked from Chung Myung’s mouth.

“You’re saying the Supreme Elders of the Council are holding the Family Head back,” Chung Myung stated.

“In a manner of speaking, yes,” Tang Gunak confirmed.

“Holding back,” Chung Myung repeated.

The corner of Chung Myung’s lips twisted slightly.

– If I hadn’t criticized every little thing the family members said, and just trusted and supported them, wouldn’t the family be stronger? Then… then maybe we could have saved one more person…

– So, after the war, I want to help the Family Head. I am called a Supreme Elder, but I haven’t really helped them enough.

‘Of course, it wasn’t you who led me here.’ The dead are just dead. There is no such thing as the will of the dead.

Nevertheless, Chung Myung could not ignore Dang Bo’s will, which remained in his memory.

“You said it was a favor?” Chung Myung asked.

“That’s right,” Tang Gunak replied.

“I refuse that favor,” Chung Myung stated.

Tang Gunak nodded, looking a little disappointed. *I can’t force him to do it,* he thought.

“Instead!” Chung Myung exclaimed.

“Hmm?” Tang Gunak looked up, surprised.

Chung Myung’s eyes shone blue. “I’ll give you a gift.”

“A gift?” Tang Gunak asked.

“Yes,” Chung Myung nodded quietly.

However, this is not a gift from Chung Myung. He is just delivering it. This will be a gift from the Dark Lord Dang Bo, who was the Supreme Elder of the Dang family, to Tang Gunak, transcending a long time.

“Proceed with the martial arts competition as planned. And no matter what I do that day, don’t interfere,” Chung Myung instructed.

“What are you planning to do?” Tang Gunak asked, concerned.

“Well, it’s simple,” Chung Myung said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

“What I do best,” Chung Myung said.