Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 280

Finally, they were here! Wi Sohaeng clenched his fist as he looked at the huge crowd.

Father! We have finally arrived.

Yes, it was indeed a long journey.

Wi Rip-san, hearing Wi Sohaeng’s words, took a deep breath.

The Sect Leader was a bit thoughtless. If he was coming to this event, he could have told us. We could have come sooner.

The Sect Leader must have been busy preparing for the assembly. This is no ordinary event, after all.

That’s right, that’s right. You are correct.

Wi Rip-san nodded emphatically.

The Great Martial Arts Assembly.

His heart trembled.

This event is called the Great Martial Arts Assembly, but it’s really a meeting for all the important martial arts groups. Only groups recognized by the fighters of the world, those who have proven they can lead, get invited by Shaolin to this meeting.

It means that group is seen as important and respected by all the fighters in the world.

That Mount Hua would participate in such a place.

Wi Rip-san’s heart began to burn hotly as he looked at the assembled warriors.

He remembered how frustrated he felt when people made fun of the Hwayoung Gate, the family group connected to Mount Hua.

How many people had sneered, asking just how ruined a fallen sect’s affiliated family could be?

No, that was almost a kindness.

Some people didn’t even know Mount Hua existed.

Thinking about those times, his eyes watered again.

I hope the main sect members perform well.

Sohaeng.

Yes! Father!

It’s good to be excited, but don’t expect too much.

Wi Rip-san spoke gravely.

It is a great thing just to be able to participate in a place where the important groups of the world compete. Of course, Mount Hua will one day become the greatest sect in the world, but there is still a gap between us and the top groups in the world.

Yes.

So, no matter what the result, do not be disappointed. We just need to cheer for them as much as we can.

I will keep that in mind!

Wi Rip-san smiled faintly as he watched Wi Sohaeng clench his fist tightly.

Mount Hua was growing quickly. To have even greater expectations would place a heavy burden on the main sect.

We can’t just depend on the main Mount Hua group. Our Hwayoung Gate needs to help Mount Hua become famous.

Wi Rip-san inwardly resolved as he opened his mouth.

Let us all go.

Yes!

His chief disciple, Yeop-pyeong, followed beside Wi Rip-san.

Shouldn’t we greet the elders of the main sect first?

It’s alright. They must be busy right now. They won’t be upset if we say hello later, after the fighting event today.

I understand.

They had arrived at the edge of the crowd, but the martial arts arena was not easily visible because it was so far away. In particular, the younger disciples of the Hwayoung Gate were still short and would likely have difficulty seeing the competition properly.

Hmm. Let’s go a little further inside.

Yes.

The disciples of the Hwayoung Gate pushed into the crowd. Immediately, people started complaining loudly.

Hey, don’t push!

These people! Coming late and trying to get ahead!

Sorry,

Wi Rip-san said quickly, bowing a little. “We just need to move forward a bit.”

But then, a big man with an angry face stepped in front of Wi Rip-san, blocking his way.

Hey!

Wi Rip-san looked up at him.

What group are you from, being so rude?

the man said, his voice loud. “Can’t you see we got here early and found our spots? Huh? Do I need to teach you some manners?”

I really am sorry,

Wi Rip-san repeated.

Sorry? Don’t talk about apologizing! I’ll hurt you badly!

the man threatened, clenching his fists.

The atmosphere turned hostile in an instant.

Everyone here was a martial artist, so the angry feeling was so strong it made you shake a little.

Wi Rip-san said in a polite voice.

We traveled a long way to get here, and I just wanted to help the young ones see the main Mount Hua fighters, and I made a mistake. I apologize.

Doesn’t everyone have a sect? So, which sect are you from?

We belong to the Hwayoung Gate of Namyoung. We are an affiliated family sect of Mount Hua.

Hwayoung Gate? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it…

The angry man stopped talking. He looked at Wi Rip-san strangely. His eyes widened.

So… which sect did you say you were from?

Hwayoung Gate.

No, not that… Which affiliated family are you from?

…Mount Hua.

Mount Hua?

Yes.

The… Mount Hua… Ah, no! Are you talking about the Mount Hua that participated in the assembly?

Huh? Why is he reacting like this?

And… Mount Hua?

Wi Rip-san looked at the man with puzzled eyes and nodded slightly awkwardly.

…Yes. Is there a problem?

The man who had been blocking the way glanced back. Then, he cleared his throat softly.

Ah… You were from Mount Hua. Mount Hua.

…

Huh?

Wi Rip-san narrowed his eyes at the man’s strange reaction.

What is this?

The man, who had been acting like he was going to attack, looked very awkward.

I, I didn’t realize you were from Mount Hua’s affiliated family. Th, this way. I’ll guide you.

…Yes?

The man turned to look behind him and shouted loudly.

The young affiliated family disciples of Mount Hua have arrived. Make way.

Mount Hua?

The young disciples of Mount Hua?

…That’s a scary thing to say.

Huh?

Scary?

Wi Rip-san tilted his head.

The others all had similar reactions.

They looked this way with interest, but when their eyes met Wi Rip-san’s, they quickly turned their heads away.

It was as if… well…

Isn’t this how one looks at thugs causing trouble in the marketplace?

But why were they looking at the Hwayoung Gate with such eyes?

Why?

Come on, come on. Make way quickly!

Make way! They are from Mount Hua!

Ah, move aside a little!

Mo, Mount Hua?

Wi Rip-san’s mouth hung open as he watched the strange thing happen, with people making way to the left and right.

What on earth is going on here?

Go this way.

If you go ahead, there is a place where the Mount Hua Sect is located.

Haha! An affiliated family of Mount Hua. You must be feeling quite proud, eh?

That’s right, that’s right! Haha!

Wi Rip-san was even more unsure of how to react to their reactions.

What on earth happened here?

But there was no time to find out.

Before he could even open his mouth, a loud call came from the front.

Next! Cheong-myeong of Mount Hua!

Cheong-myeong?

Wi Rip-san, hearing the combination of the familiar words Mount Hua and Cheong-myeong, was overjoyed and stretched his neck.

But he couldn’t see because the crowd pushed forward.

Waaaaaaaah!

Mount Hua Divine Dragon! It’s the Mount Hua Divine Dragon!

The Mount Hua Divine Dragon of the Mount Hua Sect has appeared!

As soon as the name Cheong-myeong was called, very loud shouts came from everywhere.

Wh, what is this!

Mount Hua Divine Dragon? Master Cheong-myeong?

The reaction was so enthusiastic that for a moment, Wirip-san was stunned.

Wirip-san looked around with a bewildered expression.

Wi Sohaeng, unable to hide his embarrassment, peeked his head up to look at the sparring stage.

He could see the back of someone striding up onto the sparring stage.

“It’s Dojang-nim!”

Of course, it wasn’t easy to recognize someone just from their back.

Anyone could recognize that annoyed back. It had to be Chung Myung.

“Victory to the Mount Hua Divine Dragon!”

“One hit! It’ll be one hit again this time!”

The cheers and shouts of support were deafening.

No new fight had begun. Chung Myung was just walking onto the stage. Fights were already happening on the other stages since the Hwayeong Sect arrived.

But the moment Chung Myung appeared, the entire atmosphere of the Shaolin changed.

The disciples of the Hwayeong Sect all looked around with wide, startled eyes.

“Ah, from now on…”

They didn’t know what was happening, but they had to watch that sparring match.

Wasn’t this the sparring match of Chung Myung, undeniably the best among the younger generation of Mount Hua?

If they didn’t see this, there was no reason for them to have come all this way.

However, the crowd, fired up by Chung Myung’s appearance, wouldn’t easily give up their spots. In the end, Wirip-san had no choice but to order the taller individuals to lift up the smaller children.

Wi Sohaeng watched Chung Myung step onto the sparring stage, impressed.

‘Chung Myung Dojang-nim!’

He had thought that Chung Myung would somehow become a great person, but he never imagined he would become someone receiving such great cheers in a place like this.

Wi Sohaeng’s heart swelled with pride. He felt like he was watching a hero, even though he barely knew Chung Myung.

‘I believe!’

He stared at Chung Myung, mesmerized, with eyes full of admiration.

Wirip-san’s smile stretched wide, almost splitting his face. He stood taller, chest out, as if he himself had won a great victory.

“Hahaha. To think that Mount Hua would become a sect receiving such cheers!”

Wirip-san’s eyes were strangely reddening.

However, strangely enough, something odd began to mix into the cheers.

“Smash their heads in!”

“Crush all those who act high and mighty just because they’re part of the Nine Great Sects!”

Listening to the cheers filled with a strange fervor, Wirip-san chuckled.

‘Is this going to be alright?’

…It’ll be fine somehow.

Chung Myung tried to look calm, despite the roaring cheers.

“No, I haven’t even done anything yet, and it’s already like this…”

“Waaaah! It’s the Mount Hua Divine Dragon!”

“Show us something again this time, Mount Hua Divine Dragon!”

“Victory! Victory! Mount Hua will win!”

The corners of Chung Myung’s lips twitched slightly.

“Hehe. It’s not like I feel good just because you’re praising me like that. Hehehehe.”

Chung Myung scratched the back of his head, grinning.

He needed to show a stoic appearance to leave a strong impression, but he kept grinning foolishly whenever he received praise.

‘It’s all because I grew up without receiving any praise!’

– You need to do something worthy of praise to receive it! You little rascal!

“Kkeueung.”

Chung Myung smacked his lips.

When he lived as the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, there were hardly any sparring tournaments worth mentioning in the Jianghu.

Actually, there were always sparring tournaments. But strangely, when Chung Myung was young, there were never any tournaments *he* could join.

When he was a rising star, the rising star sparring tournament wasn’t held, and when he came of age, only the rising star sparring tournament was held…

“Wait, these bastards? Now that I think about it, they did it on purpose!”

Thinking about it…

Unlike now, Chung Myung’s skills were widely known back then, so it was understandable that they would avoid sparring with him.

He clicked his tongue. ‘Pathetic,’ he thought.

– It wasn’t his skills but his infamy that was widely known, you rascal.

“I told you not to pop out when I’m not looking for you!”

– It’s my will.

“Kkeueueung.”

Chung Myung chuckled and lowered his head.

Well, that old man must want to see it too.

Even if Chung Myung had ascended to the Immortal Realm, he would have pushed the clouds aside to watch this tournament no matter what.

“So, I need to produce good results…”

Chung Myung sighed deeply.

He felt melancholic as he thought about it.

To be stuck sparring among these young ones at an age when he should be watching their antics and clapping.

Originally, his place was where the sect leaders were sitting now. No, if he had come in his original body, he would have made all those guys kneel on the floor and clean his shoes.

But now he was in a situation where he had to perform tricks in front of them.

That’s how unpredictable life is.

“Tsk.”

Chung Myung slightly raised his head and looked at his opponent.

‘Was his name Jin Song?’

A disciple of the Wudang.

A disciple of Wudang, a prestigious sect among prestigious sects. Among them, he was one of the twenty selected to represent the sect in the sparring tournament. So, what more needed to be said about his skills?

So, he should be confident…

Huh?

What’s wrong with him?

Chung Myung narrowed his eyes.

Jin Song, Chung Myung’s opponent, looked like he might faint. Sweat poured down his face, and he trembled like a leaf in a storm.

Chung Myung tilted his head, puzzled by the strange reaction, and asked.

“You.”

“Hiiiik!”

“……”

Chung Myung’s face became awkward. Jin Song was startled and stepped back, continuing to sweat profusely.

“Are you sick somewhere?”

“…N-no.”

“Why are you talking like that? Are you really not sick somewhere?”

“No! I’m really alright!”

“……”

Of course, Jin Song was not alright.

‘Why did he have to be Chung Myung’s opponent?’

‘How can I beat that monster! That monster is the one who beat Sajuk Mu-jin!’

Was it just Sajuk Mu-jin?

Elder Heo-san himself admitted that he was evenly matched with that monster for a short time.

Sajuk Mu-jin, who was among the top three of the first-generation disciples, and an elder.

Frankly speaking, if he were to fight Mu-jin, his legs would definitely be broken before three seconds passed. But how was he supposed to face a monster who had defeated such a Mu-jin?

If there weren’t so many eyes watching, he would have just run away, sparring or whatever.

‘That’s practically a monster!’

Chung Myung chuckled as he looked at Jin Song, who was terrified.

“Are you really alright? You look like you’re in a lot of pain.”

“I-I’m alright! Really! Just… very nervous, Dojang-nim.”

“Ah, is that so.”

“Yes! Yes! That’s right!”

Chung Myung chuckled as he looked at Jin Song. His actions were quite cute.

“It seems like you have an eye for people. Then why don’t you just give up without wasting each other’s energy?”

“Ah, no. I’ll try to challenge you.”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

“Definitely?”

“…Yes?”

Chung Myung slightly twitched his lips and drew his sword, sheath and all.

“I see. So, you’re saying you need to get beaten to understand?”

“……”

“I commend your spirit to challenge even though you know you’re no match, but from my perspective, it’s annoying to have to move my hands for something that’s already over. But you still insist on fighting?”

“Uh, that’s…”

“Alright. I’ll wholeheartedly face you as a reward for that spirit, so let’s have a proper fight!”

Jin Song smiled brightly as he looked at Chung Myung, whose eyes were gleaming with murderous intent.

‘Let’s just surrender.’

I need to live first.

Hehehe.