Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 261

Sunlight, soft and golden, streamed through the window, painting stripes of light across the wooden floor. *Chirp chirp!* The cheerful song of birds filled the quiet room, a happy sound echoing the start of a new day.

Hyun Jong slowly opened his eyes. Sunlight, bright and warm, filled the room from the window. He pushed back the white blanket and sat up, feeling the weight of the day ahead. ‘Today,’ he thought, ‘is the day.’ The morning of their journey to Mount Song had finally arrived. After washing his face quickly, Hyun Jong saw his clothes laid out.

It was a black robe, made for martial arts, with beautiful plum blossom designs stitched on it. The fabric looked rich and expensive in the morning light. Hyun Young had made it, saying they needed new clothes for this important trip. Hyun Jong smiled a little. ‘He really thinks this is a big deal.’

For the first time in many years, Mount Hua would show itself to the martial arts world. Hyun Jong knew why Hyun Young wanted them to look their best – they couldn’t be seen as weak. *Rustle.* He put on the robe, feeling more serious than usual. He tightened his belt firmly. Then, he closed his eyes for a moment. ‘Is everything ready?’ he wondered. Yes. Everything was prepared perfectly.

“Hmm,” Hyun Jong murmured, a small groan escaping his lips. For six months, he and the elders had worked harder than ever. He knew they were completely ready for the Great Martial Arts Assembly. But still… why did he feel this way?

“Uuuuhm.”

Hyun Jong looked at the door, his eyes not filled with excitement, but worry. He sighed quietly and walked slowly towards it, each step heavy. *Creak.* The door opened slowly, and he looked out at the clear sky. He sighed again.

“Sect Leader, you’re up?” Un Am asked, greeting him from where he stood by the door.

“Yes, I’m here,” Hyun Jong replied.

“The disciples are ready and waiting for you, Sect Leader.”

“Already?” Hyun Jong was surprised.

“They’re too excited to sleep, I think. It’s a big day for them,” Un Am chuckled softly.

Hyun Jong sighed, a small smile touching his lips. “They still have much to learn.” He knew rest was important before a journey, but he understood their excitement. He felt tired himself, his own worries keeping him awake.

“Let’s go then,” he said.

“Yes, Sect Leader,” Un Am replied, and started walking.

Hyun Jong followed quietly, glancing up at the sky again. ‘Perfect weather,’ he thought. Too perfect, maybe? The sky was a brilliant, cloudless blue, as if blessing their journey. Normally, he would feel light and hopeful on such a day. But…

“Kkeueung,” he groaned softly, without meaning to.

“Sect Leader?” Un Am turned back, noticing the sound.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Hyun Jong said quickly, waving his hand. ‘Ancestors, help me,’ he prayed silently. He reached the Grand Training Hall and took a deep breath, stepping onto the raised platform. The elders were already there, waiting. So far, everything looked right. Up to this point, it was all as it should be. But…

Standing in front of the platform were the White Plum and Blue Plum disciples, who had trained so hard for this day. He *should* have felt proud. They had endured tough training, even if there had been a *lot* of complaining. They had followed him, never giving up. Pride *should* be swelling in his chest. But as he walked slowly to the front and looked at the rows of disciples, Hyun Jong stopped and squeezed his eyes shut. ‘Is *that* what Taoist disciples are supposed to look like?’ he thought in disbelief.

He peeked open one eye. The disciples of Mount Hua were… well, *built*. Broad shoulders, strong arms that looked like they could break rocks, even under their robes. So far, so… concerning. Then he noticed the rest. Their chests were like barrels, muscles bulging. Their skin was tanned and rough. And their faces… they looked fierce, almost angry. And their eyes! Why did they have that glint of danger in their eyes? ‘No one would ever guess they are Taoist monks!’ Hyun Jong thought, horrified. If a stranger walked into Mount Hua now, they’d probably drop their money and run, begging for mercy. Or maybe they’d think they’d stumbled into a den of bandits. *Damn it… Oh, Heavenly Gods!*

Hyun Jong’s eyes landed on the real problem. Chung Myung was sitting at the back, in a chair! Completely relaxed. All the dignity Hyun Jong had tried to build up over the years seemed to crumble. “Kkeueueung,” he groaned again.

“Sect Leader, you look like you’ve seen a ghost!” Hyun Young said, a teasing smile on his face. “Cheer up! It’s a good day!”

“…” Hyun Jong just stared at him. *You’re the ghost! You’re the one who did this!* he thought angrily. Hyun Young’s sly smile made his stomach clench.

“Right,” Hyun Jong sighed heavily. “Is everything ready?”

“Yes, Sect Leader! Just waiting for your words!” Un Am replied quickly.

*Words?* What words could he possibly say? ‘Let’s win and then find a good butcher shop?’ ‘Let’s scare everyone so much they run away?’ “Kkeueueung.” Hyun Jong looked at his disciples. These were supposed to be the pride of Mount Hua? He spoke, his voice weak, almost tearful. The sky seemed to blur before his eyes. ‘Is this really happening? Is this really my Mount Hua?’

“Sect Leader?” Un Am prompted gently.

“Ahem, yes!” Hyun Jong cleared his throat loudly, trying to sound stronger. “Everyone has worked hard,” he began, his voice hoarse. They *had* worked hard. So hard they looked like they’d been fighting wars, not training to be peaceful Taoists.

“No, Sect Leader! It was nothing!” one disciple shouted.

“We’re ready to crush anyone who gets in our way!” yelled another.

And, of course, the one who shouted that wasn’t Chung Myung. Hyun Jong groaned inwardly. ‘This isn’t Mount Hua anymore. It’s Chung Myung’s Gang.’ If they were sent to any town, they’d probably take over the whole place in a week.

“This… this Great Martial Arts Assembly is about friendship,” Hyun Jong tried to say, his voice wavering. “We are going to meet other sects and…”

Hyun Young interrupted, still smiling. “Sect Leader.”

“What?” Hyun Jong asked, defeated.

“Don’t say things no one believes. They’ll laugh at you.”

“…” Hyun Jong was speechless. *You are a Taoist Elder! How can you say that?!*

“Let’s just get this over with,” Hyun Young said, stepping forward. “Everyone thinks the Sect Leader is staying behind! We’re all going together, right? So, let’s go!”

“Fine,” Hyun Jong mumbled. “You do it.”

“Alright!” Hyun Young grinned. He turned to the disciples, his voice booming. “Today, we go to Mount Song! Everyone ready?”

“YES!” the disciples roared. “Ready for anything, Elder!”

Hyun Young nodded, pleased. “Check your bags one last time. First generation disciples, chief disciples, check everyone’s luggage!”

“Yes, Elder!” The senior disciples moved quickly to check the others.

Hyun Young glanced around, then his voice turned sharp and serious. “Remember, we are going to a place where all the sects will be watching. Everything you do, everything you say, will reflect on Mount Hua. So, behave yourselves! Now, where are you all looking?”

Every head turned at once. And every eye, of course, was fixed on Chung Myung.

The training ground was busy with disciples packing. Hyun Jong, the Sect Leader, approached Chung Myung, who was leaning against a plum tree. “Chung Myung,” Hyun Jong began, then hesitated. “No, it’s nothing.”

Chung Myung chuckled.

“Come on, why are you like this? Where else would you find someone as well-behaved as me?”

“‘I want to shut his mouth!'” thought one disciple.

“‘I really want to bury him!'” thought another. Chung Myung had been giving them very hard training for six months, and the disciples glared at him with real anger. Even Tang Soso, who was new to Mount Hua, frowned at Chung Myung.

Hyun Young watched the slightly chaotic scene with a kind smile. He clapped his hands gently to get everyone’s attention. “Alright, everyone,” he said calmly. “If you are ready, we should leave.”

“Yes!”

“Safe travels!”

As the disciples at the front stepped forward, those behind them cheered in loud voices.

“Don’t even think about coming back if you lose.”

“Crawl all the way back here from Mount Song. Got it?”

“Just try losing. Just try it. I’ll chop off your heads and hang them on the plum tree!”

The disciples who were leaving smiled, even though the encouragement wasn’t very kind.

“What are you on about? You weaklings.”

“Just sweep the courtyard properly.”

Hyun Jong smiled kindly. *’Mount Hua is doomed,’* he thought to himself. *’This place is finished.’* How did things get so crazy in just six months? ‘How can I face our ancestors when I die?’ he wondered.

Hyun Young patted Hyun Jong’s shoulder. “Why are you so worried? Our ancestors will be proud of you.”

“Huh?” Hyun Jong looked surprised.

“Just look at the disciples,” Hyun Young said, gesturing to the group. “Don’t they look like true disciples from a great school?”

Hyun Jong looked at them, then back at Hyun Young, a little unsure. *’Hyun Young’s idea of a ‘great school’ must be different from mine,’* he thought, and sighed.

But Hyun Jong could still feel a little proud. *’They really do have strong spirit,’* he thought. He felt a surge of confidence. And it wasn’t just wishful thinking. They had a sharp, strong spirit. A spirit that showed they were real swordsmen, anywhere. This was something he couldn’t even imagine in the old days of Mount Hua.

Hyun Young continued, “When the other important martial arts schools, the Nine Great Sects, see our disciples, they will know that Mount Hua is strong again, not weak anymore.” Hyun Jong nodded seriously.

Hyun Jong said, “Everyone, step forward.” They had received a special invitation from Shaolin Temple, a golden invitation. It meant that forty people from Mount Hua could go to the martial arts tournament. But not everyone could go, so they had to choose who would represent them. Hyun Jong thought about it a lot. He decided to take as many of the younger disciples, the Baek and Cheong groups, as possible. This tournament wasn’t just about showing off Mount Hua’s skills. It was also a chance for the young disciples to see the world outside Mount Hua and learn from it. So, Hyun Jong filled almost all the spots with Baek and Cheong disciples, only taking a few older members to look after them.

Hyun Jong turned to Unam. “Unam.”

“Yes, Sect Leader?”

“I’m sorry,” Hyun Jong said.

“It’s alright, Sect Leader,” Un Am replied with a kind smile. “Going to Mount Song and showing everyone how strong Mount Hua is, is very important. But keeping Mount Hua safe is also important. Please don’t worry about Mount Hua. I will do my best to protect it.”

“Alright, Unam. I trust you.” Hyun Jong smiled, feeling relieved. But then he frowned and looked to the side. “You,” he said, looking at Hyun Young, “you old…”

Before he could finish, Hyun Young interrupted, “Where do you think you are going without me?!”

Hyun Jong sighed, shaking his head. Hyun Young was supposed to stay behind and take care of Mount Hua while Hyun Jong was gone. But Hyun Young had insisted on going to Mount Song, so Un Am had to stay behind instead.

Thus, the adults going to Shaolin were the three Hyeon disciples and Un Geom to manage the children, making a total of four. The rest were all Baek and Cheong disciples.

“Isn’t the number of people managing them too small?”

“Do you think managing them will even work?”

“That’s true.”

Hyun Jong smiled helplessly and looked at the children carrying their bundles.

*’Still…’*

Baek Cheon stood at the front. Hyun Jong looked at him. Baek Cheon was wearing the new Mount Hua uniform with plum blossom designs, and even a headband that made him look like a hero. Hyun Jong’s heart filled with warmth. *’This is exactly what a Mount Hua swordsman should look like,’* he thought. Yoon Jong and Jo Gul stood next to Baek Cheon, and they also looked very impressive. *’Okay,’* Hyun Jong thought. *’I need to focus on the good things. As Sect Leader, I should see my disciples in a positive light. First, I must trust these childr…’*

“Aren’t you leaving?” Hyun Jong asked.

*Of course, I can’t.* Then he saw Chung Myung poking his head out from behind the others. All the pride Hyun Jong had just felt disappeared instantly.

“Chung Myung,” Hyun Jong said, trying to stay calm.

“Yes?”

“Why aren’t you wearing the new uniform?”

“It’s new clothes, right?” Chung Myung replied.

“Yes… so?”

“It will get dusty on the way. I should wear the new clothes when we arrive,” Chung Myung grinned.

Hyun Jong just stared at him. *Smart,* he thought sarcastically. *Our Chung Myung is so smart. It would be nice if he was also considerate of others.* But Hyun Jong knew it was pointless to expect that from Chung Myung. He closed his eyes and turned away.

Hyun Jong cleared his throat. “Let’s go!”

“Yes!” He turned and walked towards the gates of Mount Hua. The Hyeon disciples, Un disciples, and the younger disciples led by Baek Cheon followed him. *Thud. Thud.* Hyun Jong walked with strong steps, but then he stopped at the gates. He looked out beyond the gates, in silence. Hyun Young and Hyun Sang also became quiet. They knew why the Sect Leader had stopped. Hyun Jong had been the Sect Leader of Mount Hua for many years. But he had never left Mount Hua for an official event as Sect Leader. The only times he had left were to ask for money or beg people to give him more time to pay debts. So, this felt very new to him. This was like Hyun Jong taking his first step out of Mount Hua as the real Sect Leader. Everyone understood this, so no one rushed him. A moment later, a quiet voice reached Hyun Jong’s ear as he continued to look out. “Sect Leader.”

Hyun Jong didn’t turn around. He knew it was Hyun Young.

“This is a very important step for Mount Hua,” Hyun Young said.

Hyun Jong smiled slightly. *That Hyun Young,* he thought.

“Let’s go,” he said, and finally stepped out of the gates, feeling no regrets.

Cheers burst out from the disciples watching them leave. “Come back as winners!”

“Sect Leader! Elders! Come back healthy!”

“Make Mount Hua famous everywhere!”

“Chung Myung! Bring back sweets!”

“Who said that just now?!” The Mount Hua disciples started walking down the mountain with confident steps. It was a small step for them. But it was the beginning of a big change for the world. They were going to Mount Song, to Shaolin Temple.