Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 22

Hwaeum County. The name itself whispered of mountains and ancient secrets. The village nestled at the foot of Mount Hwa, one of the legendary Five Great Mountains. It was a large village, sprawling across the valley in the region known as Seoseo.

Once, Hwaeum had pulsed with life. When Mount Hwa was famous across the land, merchants had flocked here, their carts and wagons clogging the roads. Pilgrims and sightseers came in endless streams, eager to witness the mountain’s majesty.

Back then, the people of Hwaeum had thrived. The very name of Mount Hwa was enough to bring prosperity. They barely had to lift a finger to earn a good living.

But nothing lasts forever. Like the moon that grows full and then shrinks away, Hwaeum’s golden age was fading. As Mount Hwa’s fame dimmed, so too did the vitality of the county. The bustling streets grew quieter, the shops less crowded.

The only restaurant that could still be said to represent Hwaeum was Taehwa Restaurant. And on its top floor, about a dozen merchants were gathered.

Hahaha!

A loud, hearty laugh burst out.

“The Sect Leader seemed very embarrassed. Did you see his face?”

“He had reason to be embarrassed. After all, we delivered a final demand.”

“Isn’t this too much? The gold they took alone is worth 100,000 nyang! With that money, you could buy several decent restaurants! We helped them because of our ancestors’ ties, but if they had any conscience, they should have paid us back already.”

“Of course. That’s the way of people.”

The owner of Taehwa Restaurant, Gong Mun-yeon, nodded quietly. Then, he put on a very friendly face.

“Although I am a merchant who chases profit, I don’t feel comfortable blaming a place that has been connected to us since our ancestors.”

“What are you talking about, Owner Gong! You’ve done enough. Didn’t you give them convenience even though they broke the repayment date several times?”

“That’s right. No one will blame you for that. Wouldn’t they rather praise your generosity?”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Owner Gong held back his words and tilted his glass. But in his heart, he sneered at those sitting in front of him.

‘How carefree.’

To be able to live thinking so simply.

‘Hwasan’s power is not to be underestimated.’

The true strength of Hwasan does not come from force. What should be most wary of Hwasan is the history they have built.

If such a great sect has existed for hundreds of years, people will form relationships whether they like it or not. At least within Seoseo, it is more difficult to find those who have no connection with Hwasan.

‘You don’t know when it’s there.’

Hwasan’s presence is now less than dust, so many people will not care much even if it disappears.

But the important thing is what comes next.

The moment they properly recognize that Hwasan has disappeared, more people will try to find the ‘reason.’ If they are not given a proper cause, Hwaeum County could be destroyed in an instant.

Most of those who have ties to Hwasan are not ignorant farmers, but people with status and position.

‘But this should be enough.’

He took his time, slowly, so that it wouldn’t be too much to handle.

If it has been simmered this long, it should be as tender as a duck whose flesh tears with just a touch of chopsticks.

“But, Owner Gong.”

“Yes.”

“What are you going to do with that Hwasan building?”

“Hmm.”

Owner Gong smiled lightly.

“That building has more meaning than you think. It may just look like an old building, but it’s a good sale.”

“I don’t quite understand?”

‘Stupid bastards.’

His expression almost changed, but Owner Gong managed to stop his face from distorting.

“The power that the name Hwasan holds still remains. Even if it’s just used as a tourist attraction, many people will try to visit Hwasan.”

“But…”

Yoo Jong-san, who sells silk in Hwaeum, looked displeased.

“How many people would go to that rough Mount Hwa? Wouldn’t it be better to receive something other than a building?”

“There’s nothing else to receive.”

“Hmm.”

Owner Gong curled his lips.

“Don’t worry too much. It’s hard to say it openly, but there are definitely places that will pay a high price to buy even that small building.”

“Are you saying there’s such a place? A place that has that much affection for Hwasan…”

“Wouldn’t it be the opposite?”

“Ah…”

Yoo Jong-san nodded as if he understood.

A sect that wants to erase the existence of Hwasan even if they have to buy the remaining building at a high price. There are at least two or three places that come to mind.

“So don’t worry about that. I will definitely recover your money.”

“Hahaha. Worry? We always trust Owner Gong.”

“Of course! The merchants of Hwaeum should naturally trust and follow Owner Gong, shouldn’t they?”

Owner Gong, that is, Gong Mun-yeon, nodded with a smile.

But his inner thoughts were completely different.

‘I can’t plan a major event with these kinds of people.’

Hwaeum is a dying land.

When Hwasan was famous throughout the world, it was a worthwhile place, but now there is nothing left in Hwaeum. Thanks to sucking Hwasan dry since their ancestors’ time, only the shell of Hwasan remains.

And that was strangling Hwaeum’s neck.

In the first place, Hwaeum is neither a strategic point nor a place with many people. Nevertheless, the only reason Hwaeum became famous and developed was because Hwasan was here.

If Hwasan completely disappears, Hwaeum will not be maintained either.

‘I have to settle things and leave before it’s too late.’

If he can get a huge amount of money by selling Hwasan’s building, it is not unreasonable to become a great merchant. First of all, in order to do that…

“Hmm?”

At that moment, Gong Mun-yeon turned his head sharply.

“Who’s there!”

As soon as he shouted, the bodyguards guarding the restaurant rushed out.

“Wh-who is there?”

“Who’s here?”

Gong Mun-yeon said nothing and quietly waited for the guards to return.

Soon, the guards opened the window and returned.

“There was no one.”

When Gong Mun-yeon did not answer immediately, Yoo Jong-san laughed and said.

“Owner Gong, isn’t this the top floor of Taehwa Restaurant? Who are you saying would come here?”

“That’s right. And if there was, they would have found them. They don’t have wings, so how could they hide here?”

Gong Mun-yeon nodded.

‘Was I too nervous?’

It was understandable. He didn’t have much time left to fulfill his long-cherished wish.

“I think I was tired. I want to enjoy it a little more, but I think it’s right to stop here today.”

At his words, everyone agreed and got up. Gong Mun-yeon gave them a somewhat tired smile.

But once his nerves were on edge, they did not calm down easily.

‘I need to rest a little.’

Ugh-heum!

Yoo Jong-san staggered down the street.

“Good!”

It seems he had a bit too much to drink. He hasn’t been able to stop getting excited since a while ago.

Why wouldn’t he?

‘It’s a huge amount of money.’

The money to be received from Hwasan is enormous. Interest has been accumulating on the interest for a long time, so the money initially lent has grown to the point where it is only a speck of dust.

If he can recover that money, living a life of leisure is nothing.

Owner Gong is not a trustworthy person, but he is accurate when it comes to money. Whether he is plotting something behind the scenes or not, Yoo Jong-san only needs to receive the money, right?

“The moon is bright… What? There’s no moon? Oh. It’s a new moon.”

Yoo Jong-san smirked and looked around. It’s dark and secluded, perfect for getting robbed. On days like this, you should be on the main road, not in a secluded place like this, but he came here because of the alcohol.

Heh heh.

He was short-sighted. If a knife-wielding robber appeared in front of him at this moment…

“Stop right there.”

Yoo Jong-san opened and closed his eyes.

Someone was blocking the dark alley. Black night clothes and a black mask. It was truly…

‘A robber out of a storybook.’

The robber was small, so he didn’t feel very intimidating, but his outfit clearly showed his intention.

No, but do robbers usually dress like that? Robbers should try to handle things as secretly as possible, but that outfit is clearly shouting,

‘I’m a robber!’

Yoo Jong-san let out a hollow laugh and opened his mouth.

“Are you perhaps a robber?”

“I’m not interested in money.”

The night person took a step forward.

“If you answer my questions well, I’ll let you go nicely.”

“Hoo?”

Yoo Jong-san smirked.

“It’s not that I don’t want to answer, but this has become a bit difficult.”

At his words, the night person raised his head slightly.

“I have quite a few dependents. I can’t even walk around alone as I please.”

Whoosh!

With a small sound cutting through the air, several groups appeared around Yoo Jong-san. Warriors with swords. They seemed to be the merchant group’s bodyguards.

“I want to answer, but it seems they don’t like me answering. Unfortunately.”

The night person silently stared at Yoo Jong-san.

Yoo Jong-san, his excitement gone, closed his mouth with a groan. Instead, the bodyguards opened their mouths.

“What should we do? Kill him?”

“Hmm.”

Yoo Jong-san stroked his beard.

“The fact that you’re wearing night clothes and blocking my path means that you didn’t just grab anyone to rob, but you came to me with a purpose, right?”

“That seems to be the case.”

“Then it’s only right to hear that purpose. Bring him here. Make sure he can talk.”

“Yes!”

It was the moment the bodyguards were about to rush forward.

“Wait.”

The night person raised his hand to stop them.

“Huh?”

“I don’t want to cause trouble if possible. I’ll say it again, just answer my questions and we can end this nicely. So…”

“How long are you going to listen to nonsense? Drag him away!”

“Yes!”

The bodyguards surrounded the night person with the momentum of a tiger.

‘Stupid bastards.’

Watching them, Yoo Jong-san turned his head. He doesn’t really like violent scenes.

They are people he contracted with a large sum of money. They are not the kind of people who would normally do this. That’s why they were more heavy-handed than ordinary bodyguards. So, this time too, it would be over in an instant…

Wham!

That’s right.

Wham!

Oh dear. That’s too much.

Wham!

Yoo Jong-san frowned. This was too heavy-handed.

“Didn’t I tell you to make sure he could talk?”

“Ah? Really?”

“Yes. I was definitely… Huh?”

Who answered just now?

Yoo Jong-san raised his head and looked forward.

His eyes saw the bodyguards foaming at the mouth and collapsing. And the night person, who must have crushed those bodyguards with one blow, was tilting his head and approaching him.

“People should understand what they’re told. Strangely, they never seem to understand.”

Yoo Jong-san approached the night person as if possessed.

“I’ll say it again, if you answer well, nothing will happen. Understand?”

“Yes!”

The answer came back sharply.

“Okay, then tell.”

“…Yes?”

‘What?’

“If you had answered in the first place, I would have just asked and left, but you tried to fight, so you have to get hit.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you can talk.”

It was the day darkness unfolded in Yoo Jong-san’s life. He had stumbled into something far more dangerous than a simple robbery. His life, as he knew it, was about to change forever.