Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 262

The news, carried on the early autumn breeze, set the Jianghu ablaze with excitement.

The Great Martial Arts Assembly is about to begin!

And it’s not just anywhere; Shaolin Temple is hosting it.

What is the Jianghu? It is the world of martial arts heroes and schools, a place of adventure and conflict outside of everyday life.

And what is Shaolin, you ask?

Isn’t it the most famous and respected school of martial arts in the Jianghu, known for its long history?

Numerous sects exist, but none can compare to Shaolin’s influence.

For a hundred years, Shaolin Temple had been quiet after the Demonic Cult became powerful. But now, Shaolin was speaking up again and acting like a powerful force.

The eyes of the Jianghu, having experienced no major events recently, were naturally drawn to Mount Song.

Wherever two or more Jianghu wanderers gathered, the story was sure to be told. If three or more gathered, they would chatter away late into the night.

The noisy Zhaoyue Inn in Luoyang buzzed with talk. The smell of spicy food hung in the air as two men sat hunched over a wooden table, arguing.

“Of course the Assembly is big news!” the rat-faced man said quickly, leaning forward. He was always eager to share his opinions, especially if it meant getting someone else to buy him drinks. “But the *real* excitement is the martial arts competition! Did you hear? They’re having a fight competition!”

The horse-faced man frowned, scratching his head. “A fight? Just for young people, right? What’s so special about that?” He seemed confused.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. You don’t know anything,” the rat-faced man replied. “Have you ever heard of a martial arts competition where the elders of each sect come out to fight?”

“Hmm. Now that you mention it…” The horse-faced man furrowed his brow. He had never heard of a martial arts competition where the leading figures of each sect tested their skills against each other.

The rat-faced man leaned back in his chair, acting as if he knew everything. “A martial arts competition is usually like that. Those who value their reputation more than their lives, how could they compete to see who is stronger in front of others? So, they compete instead on how well they have trained their disciples.”

“Is that meaningful?”

“Of course, it is!” the rat-faced man said, raising his voice. “This competition is important because it shows us who the *future* leaders of the Jianghu will be. These young fighters today will be the powerful masters tomorrow.”

“Ten years? Those participating in this martial arts competition are the younger generation under thirty years old. If they are thirty now, won’t they be close to forty in ten years?”

“Well, that’s obvious.”

“Forty is about the time when they will slowly become the backbone of their sects. In other words, those who appear in this competition will become the center of the Jianghu in ten years. So, this martial arts competition is an invaluable opportunity to gauge the future trends of the Jianghu in advance!”

“Indeed, that’s right!” The horse-faced man nodded repeatedly, seemingly impressed.

Even if one couldn’t know which was the top sect now, one could guess the top sect of later generations based on the results of the martial arts competition.

And even if they didn’t necessarily win, sects that achieved good results would undoubtedly see their reputation rise.

“So, who do you think will win this competition?”

“Hmm, that’s a difficult question.” The rat-faced man slyly grabbed the liquor bottle. Then, squinting, he shook the already light bottle back and forth.

“Ugh. I want to talk, but my throat is too dry, so…”

“Boy! Waiter! Bring me a cheap bottle of strong liquor, Huazhou, right away!”

“Huazhou, eh? Huazhou is good. But… if I drink that strong Huazhou, my throat will sting, and I won’t be able to speak properly.”

“Waiter! Not Huazhou, but a much more expensive and better-quality wine, Zhuyeqing!”

“Heh heh heh.” Only when Zhuyeqing, which was three times more expensive than Huazhou, was ordered did the rat-faced man grin.

“Who do I think will win? Of course, we’re talking about the results of the martial arts competition, right?”

“You’re stating the obvious.”

“It’s really difficult, you know. There aren’t just one or two outstanding members of the younger generation in the world, and there aren’t just one or two prestigious families, with a long history and strong traditions, you see.”

“I’m even buying you drinks, and you’re just a pushover! I can easily find the answer myself.”

“Oh? Tell me then.”

“Shouldn’t we pay attention to the Five Dragons, of course?”

“Heh heh heh heh.” The rat-faced man let out a deep sneer.

“That’s why you’re still not getting it.”

“Huh? Why is that?”

“What are the Five Dragons? It refers to the five who have shown the most outstanding achievements among the younger generation, doesn’t it?”

“That’s right! So, shouldn’t they be the favorites to win?”

“You don’t understand. What is the standard for evaluating these outstanding members of the younger generation?”

“Well…” The horse-faced man hesitated, unable to answer easily. Then the rat-faced man chuckled and said,

“The evaluation of the Jianghu is like that. In the end, that evaluation can only be based on what he has done in the Jianghu. In other words, the Five Dragons are those who have been particularly outstanding among those who have already ventured into the Jianghu.”

The rat-faced man paused for a moment, snatched the Zhuyeqing that the waiter brought, and gulped it down straight from the bottle. Only after emptying about half the bottle in one go did he continue speaking.

“Among those flocking to Mount Song now, there will be shining gems who have not yet ventured into the Jianghu. So, how can you say that only the Five Dragons will shine?”

“But isn’t there a saying that a needle in a bag will eventually be noticed? If they are so outstanding, rumors will inevitably spread, no matter how much they are hidden.”

“Yes, yes, that’s right. For example, Nangong Dowi, the Blade of Nangong, who is said to be a genius who appears once every hundred years in the Nangong family, and Neung Ha-woon, the Azure Cloud Sword, whom the leader of Qingcheng cherishes.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. You must be able to predict the winner by taking all those things into account to be called a true wise man, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Hmph. This guy is scratching at my pride. Alright, fine. If you put it that way, I can’t back down any further.”

The rat-faced man slammed the table hard with his hand. “If you asked me to bet money, I’d bet on Wudang!”

“Wudang?”

“That’s right. Wudang may have lost some momentum now, but the name of a prestigious family isn’t just for show. Perhaps the world will see Wudang again in this martial arts competition.”

“Hmm, Wudang. Wudang, huh… I wonder if Wudang has the strength for that? Didn’t they suffer a thorough disgrace at the hands of Mount Hua not long ago?”

“What? Are you perhaps believing that ridiculous rumor that Wudang’s Mu-jin was defeated by the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua?”

“It’s hard to call it a rumor…”

“Have I ever met someone so foolish?” The rat-faced man contorted his beady eyes.

“How can someone who has eaten a bit of Jianghu rice believe such nonsense? Do you think a master just falls from the sky? A rising master who defeats the masters of the Jianghu at a young age is just something that comes out of old stories.”

Then, as if his throat was dry, he drank the liquor in quick succession and continued. “Martial arts are like good liquor, the longer they age, the richer the aroma becomes. How much flavor can newly made liquor have? Moreover, good conditions are needed for the liquor to mature properly. A master coming out of a ruined Mount Hua? That’s impossible!”

But the horse-faced man still looked unconvinced. “But didn’t Mount Hua even defeat Jongnam?”

“I heard that only the third-generation disciples were defeated by Jongnam! You should know that the disciples of prestigious families spend their childhoods only honing their basics, right?”

“Hmm…”

“Isn’t the fact that all the third-generation disciples lost and all the second-generation disciples won proof of that? If those third-generation disciples fought again now, could Mount Hua win? Hmph! Impossible!”

“No… but the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua…”

“It’s the same! Mount Hua is too new. They don’t have the deep roots and history of the older sects! I guarantee it! I don’t know if Mount Hua will participate in this competition, but if they do, they will be greatly disgraced! How dare those without roots act up?”

“Hey, aren’t you being a bit harsh?”

“Heh heh! Harsh? Just watch! If there are any who will be greatly disgraced in this Great Martial Arts Assembly, it will definitely be Mount Hua! Well, I doubt a rootless and collapsing sect would even dare to show its face at the Great Martial Arts Assembly. Haha!” Even as the rat-faced man burst into laughter as if he found it amusing, the horse-faced man still looked a little uncomfortable.

It was then.

Suddenly, the inn doors crashed open with a loud BANG!

Startled, the two men turned their heads and fell silent at once.

A man marched inside, wearing black martial clothes, dusty from travel. The plum blossom on his chest was embroidered in bright red thread.

“⋯⋯.”

“⋯⋯.”

It was an outfit they had heard about far too often recently.

So that’s…

‘Mount Hua?’

‘N-No way.’

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

The warrior of Mount Hua, who had thrown open the doors, trudged towards them. Slightly lean, but with a physique that anyone could see was sturdy. And a face that even the same man could nod at as handsome. But what was even more impressive was the unavoidable annoyance that was plastered on his face.

“Waiter!”

“Yes, sir!” The waiter, who had been waiting, rushed to the warrior.

“Food!”

“⋯⋯Yes?”

“Food!”

“Ah, yes! What would you like?”

“One hundred and twenty servings of meat, full!”

“O-One hundred and twenty?” the waiter stammered.

“Forty people! Quickly!”

“Forty people, but one hundred and twenty servings? That’s a lot of food! What kind of calculation is that?” the waiter mumbled, scratching his head.

“Quickly!”

“Yes? Ah… Yes! Understood!” The waiter hurried to fulfill the order.

“And!”

The Mount Hua warrior grabbed the shoulder of the approaching waiter.

“Liquor! Anything will do, but bring me the coldest bottle in this establishment, now!”

“Yes! I’ll bring it right away!”

“Hurry!”

“Yes!”

As the waiter scurried towards the kitchen, the warrior cracked his neck loudly from side to side. With a loud thud, he plopped down heavily at the table next to the two men who had been conversing, the chairs shaking slightly from the impact.

“Here you are, sir!”

“Good!”

The Mount Hua warrior snatched the bottle and tilted it high, drinking deeply, the liquid disappearing quickly.

“Kroooooh!”

With a face of utter contentment, he slammed the bottle down, let out a loud, satisfied burp, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and declared,

“This is the life!”

Only then did the warrior’s expression soften. He paused, a thoughtful look on his face, then his head snapped to the side, eyes fixing on the two men. He stared at them, a slight twitch in his eye.

Waiting for the warrior to look away, the man with a thin, pointed face and darting eyes – known as Rat Face – cautiously opened his mouth.

“Well…”

“Yes?”

“…Is there something wrong?”

“No, nothing.”

Crack. Crack.

The Mount Hua warrior cracked his neck from side to side again, then grinned.

“Well, well, well. Sounds like you two were having a *very* interesting chat about Mount Hua. Care to share?”

“…”

Rat Face cleared his throat nervously.

“Ahem. Might you be a disciple of Mount Hua?”

“Yes. As it happens, I am a disciple of that Mount Hua.”

“…”

Rat Face’s eyes widened slightly. He exchanged a quick, nervous glance with Horse Face before speaking again, trying to sound casual.

“Ahem, there seems to have been a misunderstanding. I wasn’t trying to disparage your sect. I was merely suggesting that this so-called Divine Dragon of Mount Hua might be a tad overrated…” Rat Face continued, referring to the legendary title some used for the most skilled warrior of Mount Hua.

“Oh, really?”

“Indeed. A misunderstanding…”

The Mount Hua warrior suddenly picked up the liquor bottle and stood up.

Rat Face asked, a little flustered, “Why are you getting up?”

“Ah, just as I may have misunderstood something, it seems you’re under a misapprehension as well. I thought I’d set the record straight.”

“What do you mean?”

The Mount Hua warrior smiled faintly.

“Do you happen to know my name?”

“How would I know that?”

“Then you should remember it well. My name is Chung Myung.”

“Ah, Chung Myung. A fine name…”

Wait a moment…

Chung Myung?

Chung Myung, you say?

Rat Face’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

“T-Then, are you…?”

“Yes. I’m that overrated person.”

“…”

His cheeks twitched.

Cold sweat trickled down his back, and his legs trembled even as he sat.

But instead of succumbing to despair, Rat Face desperately racked his brains.

In the martial world, being caught badmouthing someone was an offense that could only be settled with a duel to the death. Any martial artist who valued their honor would never let it pass.

“Ha… Haha. To meet the renowned Divine Dragon of Mount Hua…” Rat Face forced a shaky laugh, his voice too high and false.

“Why are you trembling so much? It’s true, what you said. I haven’t really done anything, so I am a bit overrated. I haven’t even shown you what I can really do yet. Hee hee hee.”

“…”

Taken aback by this unexpected reaction, Rat Face narrowed his eyes.

Is he being sarcastic?

Doesn’t seem like it?

Then…

Chung Myung’s humble words were so unexpected. *Is he truly a Taoist?* Rat Face wondered. Taoists were known for their calm and humble nature, but this warrior’s earlier actions seemed anything but calm.

And he looked at Chung Myung with renewed interest.

How many people could hear themselves being belittled and still acknowledge it with such humility?

With a slightly flushed face, Rat Face said awkwardly, “Hearing the words of the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua fills me with shame. As a senior in the martial world, I’ve shown a disgraceful side of myself. I am Jo Mal-saeng, known in the martial world as Quick Rat. As an apology, I would like to offer the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua a drink. Please accept this unworthy one’s apology.”

“Ah, it’s alright. It’s the truth, so what’s the problem? There’s no need for apologies or anything. Don’t worry about it.”

Chung Myung smiled faintly, and Quick Rat Jo Mal-saeng was truly impressed.

‘Could it be that Mount Hua has truly been revived?’

Such confident and upright behavior from a disciple of a prestigious sect.

Just as the impressed Jo Mal-saeng was about to speak, Chung Myung said,

“However.”

“Hmm?”

“I shall overlook it… *this time*.”

“…”

Chung Myung tilted his head and looked at Jo Mal-saeng.

“What was that about lacking roots?”

“…”

In that instant, Jo Mal-saeng saw it.

The eyes of Chung Myung, which had been filled with the gentle smile of a Taoist just moments before, now gleamed with a murderous intent.

“D-Divine Dragon of Mount…”

*WHAM!*

The gentle smile vanished, replaced by a chilling glare. Jo Mal-saeng stammered, ‘D-Divine Dragon of Mount…’ *WHAM!* The sound echoed through the restaurant as Chung Myung brought the bottle crashing down on his forehead. Jo Mal-saeng gasped, a strangled ‘Gack!’ escaping his lips as he crumpled to the floor.

The strange thing was that even though the warrior had struck him hard enough to knock him unconscious, the liquor bottle didn’t even crack, let alone break. It was as if the bottle was made of iron, not glass.

The mouth of Horse Face, who had been watching the situation unfold, dropped open.

‘Even so, does a disciple of a prestigious sect usually just up and whack someone like that?’

Glug glug glug!

Chung Myung took another swig of liquor, then held the bottle upside down with a satisfied “Kroooooh!”

“This bastard dares to insult Mount Hua in front of me?”

The legs of the fallen Jo Mal-saeng twitched.

“You don’t seem to know what it means to lack roots. Very well! I’ll show you today just how far someone without roots can go. You better watch closely.”

“Hiiiik!”

“Roots? Roots? This is the root of Mount Hua, you bastard!”

“S-Save meeee!”

Meeting the least Taoist-like Taoist in the world was the greatest misfortune of Jo Mal-saeng’s life.