Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 272

Shaolin Temple was vast, one of the largest in the world. It stood as a giant in the *Jianghu*, the world of martial arts societies in China, and held equal importance in the *Central Plains*, the historical heartland of the country. Centuries ago, the monk Bodhidharma had brought Zen Buddhism to this very place. Ever since, Shaolin had been a holy site for Buddhists and a temple famous across the globe.

Its size was like no other, buildings sprawling across the mountainside. But today, even this immense temple felt too small. It was utterly packed with people, a sea of faces and bodies pressed together so tightly there was barely room to breathe, let alone move.

“Ah! Don’t push!”

“I’m falling over, you lot!”

“Who brought a chair? Who brings a chair to a place this crowded? Are you mad?!”

The number of people who came to participate in the martial arts competition was not small, but it was insignificant compared to the number of people who flocked to watch.

“Do we really have to watch it like this?”

“Don’t be silly! There hasn’t been a tournament like this in a hundred years! If you don’t see it now, there’s no guarantee you’ll see it again in the next hundred years! I’ll watch it even if my neck breaks!”

From the first day of the martial arts competition, Shaolin was packed. Even with all one thousand Shaolin monks trying to keep order, it was hard to control the crowd.

“Wow, there are so many people.”

Jo Gul’s eyes widened as he looked around.

The area where the martial arts competition participants waited was separated from the spectator area by a red line. Because of this, the sects participating could stay comfortable without being pushed around by the crowd.

“Is the competition held in that martial arts arena over there?”

“Yes.”

At Yoon Jong’s answer, Jo Gul narrowed his eyes and looked at the martial arts arena.

“The arena is smaller than I thought. I thought Shaolin would be different.”

“Geol-ah.”

“Yes, Sasuk.”

“Look to the side.”

“Yes?”

Jo Gul looked to the side. He saw several more martial arts arenas, like the one in front of him, in front of the large crowd.

“…Are they using all of them?”

“Looks like it.”

“Why so many…”

Yoon Jong shrugged.

“Nearly twenty sects received the White Gold Invitation. That means there are four hundred participants from those sects alone. If you include the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Invitations, there will be well over a thousand junior disciples participating.”

“A thousand people?!”

Jo Gul’s mouth dropped open.

Yoon Jong nodded.

“That’s why the invitation is necessary. If they let everyone who wanted to participate, the preliminary rounds alone would take three months and fifteen days.”

“Wow…”

Jo Gul was once again realizing how big this competition was.

‘Still, a thousand participants.’

How long would it take for all those people to compete?

“It seems they’ll hold the preliminary rounds over two days. After the preliminaries, they’ll move to the main training ground in the center for the main rounds. About a hundred people will remain in the main rounds.”

“A hundred people.”

Jo Gul gripped the sword at his waist tightly.

‘I must be in the top hundred.’

The goal was to go as high as possible, but in a martial arts competition, the rankings are not always determined by skill.

What if you meet the winner in the first round, and your final result is just a first-round elimination? Isn’t that the flaw of this kind of competition?

What if you’re unlucky enough to be eliminated early?

‘I don’t even want to imagine it.’

That ravenous monster would be biting and tearing at him the whole time. Throughout the competition, all the way back to Mount Hua, and even after returning to Mount Hua!

“Ugh. If I lose, that bastard Chung Myung will try to grind me into dust…”

“Is that all you’re worried about?”

“Yes?”

“You’re about to fight the elites of other sects, and that’s not what you’re worried about?”

At Yoon Jong’s words, Jo Gul glanced around the martial arts arena.

The disciples of prestigious sects, emitting fierce glares, were all waiting with determined faces. Just from the aura they gave off, one could guess how hard they had trained under strict sect rules.

In the past, Jo Gul would have been scared by them. They were, after all, disciples of prestigious sects that he couldn’t compare himself to.

Has it changed now?

‘Not really.’

It was true that Mount Hua’s status had greatly increased, but Jo Gul had not truly felt that change yet.

No one looked at him with envy just because he was a disciple of Mount Hua, and no one gave him any special treatment.

And yet, there was something…

“Sasuk.”

“Yes?”

“This might sound a bit strange, but don’t they look incredibly easy to beat?”

Yoon Jong glanced at the other participants and chuckled.

“Of course, they’re going to look easy.”

“But they’re disciples of prestigious sects.”

“Do you think there’s even one guy like Chung Myung among them?”

“…There can’t be two of that kind of monster in the world.”

“That’s what I’m saying. We’re the ones who spend every day fighting with that Chung Myung. Who would we be afraid of? We’d be happy even if we saw a three-headed, six-armed monster, thinking we could break three heads.”

“Now that I think about it…”

The disciples of Mount Hua had lost their fear because of Chung Myung.

“So, when does the competition start?”

“There he is.”

Yoon Jong pointed forward.

Following his gesture, Jo Gul turned his gaze and saw a Shaolin monk walking onto the martial arts arena.

He made a half-bow with a reverent posture, then raised his head to look at the people gathered in front of the arena.

With just that one action, the noisy arena became quiet in an instant.

The Shaolin monk, gathering everyone’s attention, opened his mouth with a heavy voice.

“I would like to thank the disciples of each sect who have taken the time to participate in this martial arts competition, and everyone who has come to watch this Worldly Martial Arts Tournament. I am Kongcho of Shaolin.”

The arena buzzed at the mention of Kongcho.

“So that’s him?”

“The Immovable Fist, Kongcho!”

Even among the Kong generation of Shaolin, the one famous for his fist techniques was none other than the Immovable Fist, Kongcho. He was one of Shaolin’s leading masters, who had dealt with many villains with his outstanding martial arts and chivalry whenever he rarely went into the Jianghu.

Everyone couldn’t hide their excitement at the fact that such a person was hosting the competition.

“And I would also like to express my gratitude to the sect leaders of each faction who have graced us with their presence.”

Kongcho turned his body and made a half-bow towards the high platform prepared on one side of the martial arts arena.

The sect leaders of each faction participating in the martial arts competition were gathered and seated on the platform.

Thunderous cheers poured out for them.

Yoon Jong smiled as he watched the scene.

“The sect leader must be in a good mood.”

“No, Sasuk. He looks very uncomfortable, doesn’t he?”

“…Does he?”

Indeed. Hyun Jong would not be used to such a place.

“When you think about it, the sect leader of Jongnam is sitting next to him, and the sect leader of Wudang is sitting on the other side. He’ll probably get indigestion just from drinking water there.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“Then we should make that seat comfortable for him.”

“Yes.”

Just then, Kongcho shouted with a voice filled with internal energy.

“We will now begin the Worldly Martial Arts Tournament! Those whose names are called, please proceed to the designated martial arts arena. The bracket has been fairly drawn under the supervision of the sect leaders of each faction, so no complaints will be accepted!”

Baek Cheon raised his hand and tightened his hero’s headscarf.

‘It’s starting.’

Taking a slight deep breath, he looked at the martial arts arena with calm eyes.

Jongnam could be seen gathered in front of another martial arts arena in the distance. Jin Geum-ryong and his father would be there as well.

“Huff.”

Chung Myung glanced at Baek Cheon and asked.

“You seem to be trembling?”

“Of course, I’m trembling.”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung tilted his head at the unexpectedly calm admission. Baek Cheon said in a composed voice.

“How can I not tremble when I have been given the opportunity to show the world the sword of Mount Hua? My heart is so full right now that it’s hard to calm down.”

“Oh, really?”

He can say some pretty cool things too?

“Take it easy, take it easy. Don’t put too much strength into it and make a mistake.”

“Chung Myung-ah.”

“People like Sasuk tend to fall over when they try too hard.”

“Chung Myung-ah.”

“Don’t pretend you’re not, just be calm.”

“No, you little rascal!”

“Huh?”

Baek Cheon subtly pointed his chin behind Chung Myung.

“He’s calling you.”

“Huh?” Chung Myung turned around.

A Shaolin monk was helping at the arena. He shouted loudly. “Chung Myung of the Mount Hua Sect! Where are you? The match is starting!”

“Huh? Oh, me? I’m here!” Startled, Chung Myung quickly raised his hand. “I’m here! Over here!” He hurried and jumped onto the dusty arena.

The Shaolin monk frowned. “Get on the arena now! You’re late! Your opponent is waiting!”

“Yes, yes, sorry!” Chung Myung scurried to one side of the arena. His opponent was already in place, waiting for him.

“Hello… Huh?” Chung Myung tilted his head, recognizing his opponent. “I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before? Have we met?”

“…”

Guo Hwan-so, the best student from Hainan, was shaking and gritting his teeth. “That Mount Hua brat! There’s a limit to how much you can ignore someone! You did that to me two days ago, and you already forgot?”

“Ah…! It’s you. You got hit and flew away so quickly that I couldn’t quite remember your face.”

“You bastard!” Guo Hwan-so trembled violently, then took several deep breaths.

“Where did you sell your sword?”

“Huh?” Chung Myung looked down at his waist.

“Ah….” Confirming that his waist was empty, Chung Myung checked his previous spot. Baek Cheon was holding Chung Myung’s sword and sighing deeply.

“Here.” Baek Cheon sighed again and threw the sword to Chung Myung. He looked a little embarrassed for Chung Myung. Chung Myung quickly snatched it out of the air and fastened it to his waist.

Guo Hwan-so was completely shocked. He couldn’t say anything. “A swordsman wandering around without his sword. Don’t they teach you anything in Mount Hua?”

“You don’t seem important enough to meddle in another sect’s educational policies, do you?”

“What! You were the one who started it first⋯⋯!”

“Okay, okay, let’s start now.” Chung Myung cracked his neck from side to side. *Crack. Crack.* He hadn’t expected to be the one stepping up from the first match, but this wasn’t bad either.

Across from him, Guo Hwan-so gnashed his teeth and drew his sword.

*Shhhhing.*

“A reckless fool running wild without knowing his place. Well, this is good. I’ve been waiting for a chance to avenge myself on you Mount Hua bastards, and heaven is helping me. Now that I have a sword, I’ll show you that Mount Hua is no match for Hainan.”

“Ah, yes. Well, try your best. I’ll cheer you on.”

Guo Hwan-so, feeling a surge of anger, gritted his teeth.

But this time, he wouldn’t act rashly.

‘Calm down.’

Hadn’t he already experienced how great that guy’s mouth was? There was no point in getting caught up in it.

If he had something to show, he could show it with his sword.

Tense anticipation flowed from all ten arenas. But the eyes of the crowd were solely focused on Chung Myung and Guo Hwan-so.

Those who knew about the recent clash between Hainan and Mount Hua had no choice but to watch this match.

“Hainan will get their revenge, right?”

“Don’t be silly! That Taoist Chung Myung is the very Divine Dragon of Mount Hua! The Divine Dragon of Mount Hua! Don’t you know the peerless late-stage master, the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua?”

“Hmm? That guy is the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua? He doesn’t look that strong?”

“You can’t see if someone is a master just by looking at them.”

“Isn’t it just that the rumors were exaggerated?”

“Well, won’t we find out if we watch this match?”

Everyone watched the arena with similar expectations.

On one side was Chung Myung, the rising master of Mount Hua, the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua, who had suddenly returned to the Jianghu and stirred up a storm.

And on the other side was Guo Hwan-so, the chief disciple of the Hainan Sect, the Three Wave Sword, who had pushed Mount Hua aside and taken a place among the Nine Great Sects!

No matter how high the reputation of the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua was as the peerless late-stage master, the chief disciple of the Hainan Sect would definitely not be easy to deal with.

“Let the sparring match begin!” With a great shout, those who had ascended the arena began to move simultaneously.

‘I will restore the honor of Hainan!’

Guo Hwan-so calmly suppressed his excited heart.

He must never underestimate his opponent.

From that frivolous appearance, he couldn’t feel the slightest bit of a master’s aura, but if the evaluation of being the peerless late-stage master wasn’t just a fluke, then he must have something up his sleeve.

So, calm, calm⋯⋯.

‘Huh?’ Guo Hwan-so’s eyes widened.

Suddenly, the world turned dark.

‘Eung?’ Turning dark? The world?

‘Witchcraft?’

No.

Guo Hwan-so quickly realized.

That the world wasn’t turning dark, but something was blocking his vision.

Something smooth and black was filling his eyes.

‘This?’ Fortunately, he easily recognized what it was.

‘Looks like the bottom of a shoe⋯⋯?’

But unfortunately, it was too late.

*Kwaaaaaaang!*

Suddenly, Chung Myung moved like lightning. His foot shot out and slammed into Guo Hwan-so’s face. There was a sickening *thwack* sound. Guo Hwan-so’s eyes went wide with shock and pain.

“Kweeeeeeeek!” Guo Hwan-so screamed like a pig being slaughtered and was sent flying backwards in a straight line.

*Screeeeeech!*

“What, what!”

“Wow, damn!”

The martial artists in the other arenas, who were in the middle of their matches, were startled and dodged Guo Hwan-so.

Guo Hwan-so, who flew through the nine arenas lined up behind him, crashed straight into the wall at the end of the arena.

*Kuuuuuung!*

“⋯⋯.” Everyone stared blankly at Guo Hwan-so.

No, to be precise, they were staring at the hole in the wall that he had made with his entire body.

“⋯⋯.” The martial artists who were fighting in the other arenas also lowered their weapons and stared blankly at the large hole.

Soon, all those gazes slowly shifted to the arena where Guo Hwan-so had originally been. And finally, the attention focused on Chung Myung.

Chung Myung dusted off his hands and muttered.

“That guy still hasn’t come to his senses after getting beaten by Sasook. Daring to have other thoughts in front of me. He’s asking for death.”

Chung Myung clicked his tongue a couple of times, then turned his head to look at Gongcho.

“I won, right?”

“⋯⋯Huh?”

“It’s over, isn’t it? Can I go down?”

“⋯⋯Ah, ah!” Gongcho nodded his head greatly and shouted.

“The winner of the first match is Mount Hua Sect’s Chung Myung!”

At that moment, an enormous cheer erupted throughout the entire Shaolin Temple, which had been momentarily silent.

“Waaaaaah!”

“Good heavens! In a single blow!”

“Divine Dragon of Mount Hua! Divine Dragon of Mount Hua!”

“Hahaha! To think I would see such a match with my own eyes! The best! Divine Dragon of Mount Hua!”

Chung Myung walked off the arena, hearing the cheers all around him. He stood in front of the Mount Hua students.

“Saw that?”

“Huh?”

“See? Easy peasy. Just like *that*. Now you try to be that good,” Chung Myung said with a grin.

“⋯⋯.”

⋯⋯Very helpful.

I’m so tearfully grateful, Chung Myung.