Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 279

Chung Myung’s eyes were very cold, shining in the dark like a hunter.

“Closer,” he whispered, sounding like he really wanted something.

“Do we need to get closer?” Yoon Jong asked quietly.

“I can hear them fine,” Jo Gul replied.

“Yeah, but that’s you!” Yoo Iseol pointed out.

“Fine, let’s go closer then,” Chung Myung said.

“But… what if they see us?” Yoon Jong worried.

Chung Myung clicked his tongue. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure they don’t.” He waved his hand, a faint energy swirling around them. “Okay, let’s move.”

“Are you sure we won’t get caught?” Yoon Jong asked again, still nervous.

“Trust me,” Chung Myung said with a grin. “We’re like shadows.”

Yoon Jong nodded slightly.

He didn’t know why, but if Chung Myung said they wouldn’t get caught, they wouldn’t. That rascal wouldn’t want to get caught either.

“Let’s go, Sahyung.”

“Alright.”

As Jo Gul urged him slightly, Yoon Jong advanced, keeping low to the ground.

In the distance, they could see three people standing face to face.

“This should be far enough….”

“Shhh.”

At the low warning, Yoon Jong quickly shut his mouth.

“Quiet.”

“Yes, Sago.”

He wore a strange expression as he looked at Yoo Iseol, who was crawling behind him.

Yoon Jong wondered, “Has Yoo Iseol always been one to sneak around like this? She looked just as excited as Chung Myung.”

‘Ah, well. That person has been influenced the most, after all.’

A sorrowful reality.

“Can you hear it?”

“I think I can hear it now.”

Then Chung Myung muttered regretfully.

“I should have brought jerky and some booze. Watching something like this with just my bare mouth is such a waste.”

“…Did you come here to play around?”

“Didn’t you?”

“…….”

Yoon Jong, unable to find any words to deny it, silently looked ahead and perked up his ears.

The three members of the Jin family were talking to each other up ahead.

“You’ve become stronger.”

At Jin Chobaek’s words, Baek Cheon lowered his head slightly.

What should he say in response?

“Thank you.”

In the end, all he could do was give an obvious answer.

He didn’t like the answer he had given, but he couldn’t find any other words.

He raised his head and looked at Jin Chobaek. A blank face that resembled his own came into view.

Baek Cheon let out a soft sigh.

In the past, he had been afraid even to look Jin Chobaek in the face.

Even though he was clearly his biological father, he had hardly ever felt a father’s affection from Jin Chobaek.

The father he remembered had always given him dissatisfied looks.

“I understand why you left home.”

Understand.

Understand, he says.

Baek Cheon almost laughed without realizing it.

What an irresponsible thing to say.

Understanding is meaningless if it is not accompanied by action. If Jin Chobaek had understood Baek Cheon, he should have put that understanding into action.

But Jin Chobaek didn’t even offer Baek Cheon any comfort. He had simply been displeased with Baek Cheon’s talent, which was inferior to that of his older brother, Jin Geumryong.

“It must have been a great burden for you as a child. I’m saying this just in case, but I never discriminated against you….”

“I know.”

Baek Cheon cut off Jin Chobaek’s words.

And he said in a calm tone.

“That it doesn’t matter whether I’m a legitimate son or not to Father. If my talent had been superior to Geumryong-hyung, Father would have cherished me more.”

“…….”

“I don’t particularly resent you. Father was just that kind of person. I know that now.”

Jin Chobaek frowned slightly.

It would have been easier to talk to him if he had poured out his resentment or expressed intense emotions. He had expected that much.

But now, Baek Cheon was simply calm.

It wasn’t as if he was consciously trying to treat him like a stranger. It was just….

‘He seems to have become detached.’

Perhaps it was because he had joined the Taoist sect and grown mentally, but he showed none of the childishness he had before.

Rather, Jin Geumryong, who was listening to their conversation, couldn’t hide his displeasure.

Jin Geumryong thought, ‘I was wrong. If I knew Baek Cheon would become this strong, I would have treated him better. Now it’s too late.’

“Dongryong-ah.”

“Baek Cheon.”

“…….”

Baek Cheon smiled slightly.

“I am not Jin Dongryong, but Baek Cheon.”

Chung Myung narrowed his brow.

“Ugh. He’s more composed than I thought?”

“What did you expect?”

“I thought they’d at least start fighting.”

“Hey, you crazy bastard, are you trying to turn your Sasook into a parricide?”

Chung Myung glared at Jo Gul’s rebuke.

“He already had a fight with his brother, so what does it matter?”

“…Sometimes, I have to stop myself from remembering that you’re a Taoist.”

“Same here.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

As even Yoon Jong and Yoo Iseol joined in, Chung Myung’s face crumpled.

“Who else in the world is as Taoist as I am!”

“In what way?”

“What is Tao? Isn’t it doing what your heart desires?”

“…Is that so?”

Chung Myung proudly stuck out his stomach while lying prone.

“Who else lives as freely as I do?”

“…….”

Uh….

That doesn’t seem to be what it means….

If Lao Tzu came back to life,

‘This is what Tao really means, you idiot!’

He would surely shout and hit Chung Myung with a book.

But despite all the opposition, Chung Myung only finished his boasting and perked up his ears to listen to the conversation between Baek Cheon and his father.

“Baek Cheon, is it.”

Jin Chobaek looked at Baek Cheon with sunken eyes.

“That must be the name Mount Hua gave you.”

“Yes.”

“So, you intend to be buried in Mount Hua in the end?”

“Yes.”

At the answer without the slightest hesitation, Jin Chobaek’s expression changed for the first time. With a face distorted by anger, he said.

“Come back.”

“…….”

“It’s not too late yet. No, it might already be a little late. But I will solve it for you. As you know, I have the power to do so.”

Baek Cheon looked at Jin Chobaek without answering.

“The head of Jongnam will not object either. People cannot live without abandoning their roots. You may not have any doubts in your mind now, but as time passes, you will eventually regret it. Make the right choice now.”

Baek Cheon, who had been listening quietly, smiled faintly.

It was Jin Chobaek who bit his lip as if he was anxious at the calm voice.

“There’s one thing I’m curious about….”

Baek Cheon opened his mouth, looking straight at Jin Chobaek.

“If I hadn’t become this strong in Mount Hua, would Father have looked for me?”

“…….”

Jin Chobaek did not answer.

He seemed to hesitate slightly, and after a while, he let out a soft sigh.

“Yes. You may be right. If you hadn’t shown this much ability, I might not have looked for you. But that’s because you’re still too young to understand. Even between a parent and child, what you can do matters,” Jin Chobaek said.

“That may be so.”

“Are you going to criticize your father?”

“No, Father. Please don’t misunderstand.”

“…Um?”

Baek Cheon said with a bright smile.

“I understand Father. And I don’t think Father’s words are wrong.”

“But?”

“I just don’t like it.”

“…….”

It was not a loud voice. But in that calm voice, there was a firm will.

“There’s no need to force something that doesn’t fit.”

“Are you saying you want to cut ties?”

Baek Cheon shook his head.

“It’s not me who wants to cut ties, but Father. You’re not going to treat me as your son if I don’t live according to Father’s will, are you?”

“I….”

“I’m not.”

Jin Chobaek’s eyes trembled slightly.

“I don’t have any resentment towards Father anymore. It was just meant to be. No matter where I am, Father is my father, and Hyung is my brother. We’re just walking different paths.”

Jin Chobaek, who was about to say something, eventually shut his mouth.

And then he let out a deep sigh.

“Dongryong-ah.”

“It’s Baek Cheon.”

“…Alright, Baek Cheon-ah. Think about it carefully. This is advice from your father and from a senior who has walked the path of a martial artist. If you continue to stay in Mount Hua like this, you will waste your talent.”

“…….”

“It may not be a problem now. But as you get older, Mount Hua will become a burden to you. It is too difficult to carry everything alone in a place where there is no one to pull you along and no one to protect you.”

Jin Chobaek looked straight at Baek Cheon.

“But Jongnam is different. If you come, Jongnam will actively support and push you. Then the position of the strongest person in the world is not just a dream….”

“Father.”

But Baek Cheon cut off Jin Chobaek’s words with a firm voice.

His face, which met his father’s gaze, showed no sign of wavering.

“I am the one who will become the head of Mount Hua.”

“…….”

“You said there is no one to pull me along and no one to protect me?”

Baek Cheon, who was speaking, suddenly laughed softly.

You really don’t know anything.

They were in Hwasan. The trees of Hwasan surrounded them, quiet and still.

In Hwasan, of all places. Baek Cheon thought, a small smile touching his lips. Here, with his friends, he felt safe.

With those who would always pull him forward and protect him, no matter what.

And… He took a deep breath, ready to speak.

“Even if that were the case, it wouldn’t change anything. Because…”

Baek Cheon smiled handsomely.

“The person I admire most has already walked that path. I can hardly start complaining now, can I?”

Jin Chobaek glared at Baek Cheon with cold, hard eyes.

“Are you really choosing that path? Even over your own father?”

“I am sorry, Father.”

Baek Cheon lowered his head slightly, but his face showed no guilt.

“But this is my path. The path I want to walk. Even if Jongnam could make me the best in the world, I wouldn’t want it. I don’t want to be the greatest. I want Hwasan to be the greatest sect.”

“…Truly foolish.”

Jin Chobaek’s teeth ground together, a harsh sound in the quiet air. He looked up at the sky.

And he spoke.

“Come out,” Jin Chobaek’s voice cut through the air.

Baek Cheon jumped, surprised by the sudden command. He looked around quickly. Who could his father be talking to?

Jin Chobaek spoke again, his voice cold as ice. “I said, come out now. Is Hwasan now a place for rats who hide and listen to private talks?”

“…So, you caught us.”

“Caught?”

“Caught.”

Chung Myung felt the accusing stares and winced.

‘This can’t be happening?’

Was Jin Chobaek even stronger than he thought?

‘Wow, just like Dong-ryong’s dad! He can even sense me through my soundproofing.’

Chung Myung felt a mix of admiration and embarrassment. He slowly tried to hide himself.

“What do we do?”

“What else? We’re caught, so we go out.”

Chung Myung sighed and stood up.

Just then, Jin Chobaek’s angry voice echoed again.

“Do you still plan to hide?”

Chung Myung snapped, annoyed.

“Okay, I’m coming out…”

“Come out now!”

“…Huh?”

Everyone tilted their heads, confused.

But Chung Myung was already standing and halfway out of the bushes. There was no going back.

Chung Myung’s eyes met the eyes of the group that popped out from the other side.

Chung Myung’s cheek twitched.

“Sect Leader?”

“Elders?”

Yoon Jong, Jo Gul, and Yu Yiseol followed Chung Myung out of the bushes and stopped short.

They stared at Hyun Jong, Hyun Young, and Hyun Sang, who were frozen as they jumped out of the opposite bushes.

“……”

“……”

The Sect Leader and the elders were also speechless, surprised.

“No, why are the Sect Leader and the elders here?”

“Why are you guys coming out from there?”

“We came to listen in.”

“Us too.”

“……”

“……”

Baek Cheon watched the two groups awkwardly facing each other and covered his red face.

“Please, just stop…”

“Ahem.”

“Ahem, ahem!”

It’s over.

This sect is doomed.

Jin Chobaek stood among them and sighed deeply.

“So, Hwasan people like to listen in on others? Not very polite, is it?”

Hyun Jong’s face turned red, like he was embarrassed.

He had been caught sneaking around like a thief and had no excuse.

“I am sorry. I have nothing to say.”

Jin Chobaek quietly looked at Hyun Jong and then greeted him formally.

“Jin Chobaek of Jongnam greets the Sect Leader of Hwasan.”

“Welcome, Elder Jin.”

Hyun Jong’s face showed his awkwardness as he accepted the greeting.

But Jin Chobaek wasn’t finished.

“However…”

He had already greeted Hyun Jong and seemed determined to say what he needed to. He started to press Hyun Jong.

“I never thought the Sect Leader would act like this. Don’t you think it’s not right for your position?”

“Of course, it’s not right. But…”

Hyun Jong smiled sadly and looked at Baek Cheon. His smile showed many feelings.

“Why should I worry about looking good when it’s about helping someone in my sect? If that means I have to be a bad person, I don’t care.”

“Hmph.”

Jin Chobaek stared at Hyun Jong, shocked.

Baek Cheon and Hyun Jong both felt that Jin Chobaek’s way of thinking was strange.

‘Is this the new Hwasan?’

Hwasan hadn’t been like this until recently. How had it changed so much?

“If the Sect Leader doesn’t act with honor, what will happen to the sect?”

“That’s true. It might not be good for the sect.”

Hyun Jong nodded.

“But Baek Cheon is ten times more important to me than the sect and my own reputation. Why should I care about what people think?”

“……”

His words were strong and sure.

Jin Chobaek had been quietly watching Hyun Jong. He bit his lip slightly.

“This is for the best, then. Since we’re here, I’ll ask you, Sect Leader. Do you really want Dong-ryong to leave his family and become a disciple of Hwasan?”

“Leaving family is not okay.”

“I thought you’d say that…”

“However.”

Hyun Jong shook his head.

“Baek Cheon becoming a Taoist of Hwasan doesn’t mean he’s leaving his family. Family is family, and being a Taoist is being a Taoist. They are different things.”

“……”

“And most of all, as the Sect Leader of Hwasan, I don’t want to lose someone as talented as Baek Cheon. This child will become a pillar of Hwasan.”

Jin Chobaek’s face twitched. His eyes widened with anger.

But Hyun Jong was firm.

“We won’t give Baek Cheon to Jongnam. If we have to fight, we will. Even if only one disciple of Hwasan is left, we’ll protect Baek Cheon. That’s Hwasan, and that’s what it means to be a fellow disciple.”

Hyun Jong’s words were full of love.

Baek Cheon was touched and about to speak when…

“No. I’m not so sure about that part…”

“Ah, shut up!”

“The Sect Leader is talking, you fool!”

“No, it’s just that the truth is…”

“Quiet!”

Baek Cheon sighed as he watched Chung Myung being scolded by the other disciples.

‘That rascal, as always.’

The area quickly became noisy.

Amidst the noise, Jin Chobaek closed his eyes.

‘So, this is it.’

In truth, Jin Chobaek didn’t care about Hyun Jong’s warnings.

What really hurt him was the way Baek Cheon looked at the disciples of Hwasan.

‘Your family is here.’

A small wave of regret washed over him. But Jin Chobaek didn’t let his emotions take over.

He looked at Baek Cheon and said.

“I understand what you want. In that case, I will now…”

“Don’t say anything about breaking ties between parent and child.”

“……”

“You can’t just break family ties because you want to. I learned that myself, the hard way.”

The corners of Jin Chobaek’s mouth trembled.

At this rate, people would think Chung Myung was the father, not the son.

“I understand.”

Jin Chobaek nodded and put his hands together in front of Hyun Jong.

“Sect Leader, I have been rude.”

“We were the ones being rude.”

“Then.”

Jin Chobaek bowed slightly and glanced at Baek Cheon.

“Come home sometime.”

“Yes, Father.”

“I’m leaving.”

He turned and walked away without looking back.

But Jin Geum-ryong didn’t follow his father. He stood still, glaring at Chung Myung and Baek Cheon.

“It would be nice to become the Sect Leader of Hwasan.”

A cold feeling came from him.

“That is, if Hwasan still exists by then.”

Baek Cheon sighed as he looked at Jin Geum-ryong.

“Brother, don’t lose yourself.”

“Rude fool.”

His eyes were bloodshot with anger.

“I’ll pay you back for the shame of the Jonghwa Assembly. Any disciple of Hwasan who meets me will not leave unharmed.”

“You talk too much.”

Jin Geum-ryong’s head whipped around towards Chung Myung.

“What? Want to fight?”

Jin Geum-ryong smiled coldly at Chung Myung, who was puffing out his chest.

“It would be pointless here. I’ll destroy Hwasan with my own hands, in front of everyone.”

With those words, Jin Geum-ryong turned and left.

Baek Cheon sighed deeply as he watched him disappear.

“Chung Myung, I…”

“There’s only one way to fix a twisted family.”

“…Huh?”

“Beat them up.”

“……”

“Good and proper. People only wake up when they get hit.”

Baek Cheon smiled slightly at that sincere advice.

“It’s a good thing you don’t have a family.”

I mean it.

Seriously.