Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 282

Life is not always fair.

“Head! Heeeeeead!” The shouts were loud.

Mount Hua was winning again and again. They were like a strong wave that kept going.

In the first round, they could beat enemies with just one hit sometimes. But now, it was harder. People were starting to be careful when they fought Mount Hua disciples. Only the strongest fighters were left in the competition.

But Mount Hua was lucky. They were still winning. They hadn’t lost a single fight yet, even on the last day of the first round. They kept beating their opponents one after another, quickly.

How exciting!

It felt like all the excitement he had been holding back was now bursting out.

Wi Lip-san, who was watching with a happy face, smacked his lips as if something was bothering him.

‘Everything is good.’

Really, everything is good.

Why…

“Is that what you call using a sword? You need to come to Mount Hua and climb some cliffs!”

“Try putting your head in front of me!”

“Waist! Waist! Waist! Waist! Ankle!”

“Did you dodge that? You dodged it? Alright, let’s see you die today!”

“⋯⋯.”

Why…

Why did everyone become like that? How did it come to this?

Wi Lip-san remembered Mount Hua from when he had visited it in the past.

The buildings were old, but the people there seemed calm and wise, like real Taoists. He had really admired that.

The reason he had continued the family ties with Mount Hua was not just to honor the wishes of those who came before. The image of Mount Hua he had seen as a child was still very clear in his mind.

But now, uh…

“Good job! Head! Head!”

“⋯⋯.”

Liking it like a child… No, he is still a child. He is a child!

In any case, seeing Wi So-haeng liking it so much, something…

‘I don’t know what to call this feeling.’

His head was worried, but his heart was excited.

He watched the disciples of Mount Hua easily beat the younger fighters from the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families, who he had been so afraid of. He wondered if this was a dream.

‘When did Mount Hua become so strong?’

Of course, Wi Lip-san had already seen Chung Myung and his group fight.

But this was different.

Sometimes, a sect will have a genius. These people make the sect more famous. They help it become a well-known family.

Someone like Chung Myung or Baek Cheon could appear anywhere without much effort.

It was a good thing, but that alone didn’t prove the sect’s strength.

But…

‘Why is everyone so strong?’

They don’t lose?

At that martial arts competition?

Wi Lip-san blinked.

This wasn’t just a small fight between local people. It was a martial arts competition where young fighters from famous families all over the world came to compete.

But even if it was just the first round, how could they not lose a single match?

Wi Lip-san looked around, confused.

What was even harder to understand was that only the disciples of Hwayoung Mun were excited about this amazing result.

The disciples of Mount Hua seemed to think this was normal. Or they just looked bored, as if they didn’t care about their friends fighting.

Thwaack!

Yoon Jong hit the opponent’s neck with the flat of his sword. He watched the opponent fall and said in a low voice,

“It was not bad, but you will need to try a little harder.”

Of course, it would not be easy to work as hard as the disciples of Mount Hua.

Yoon Jong came down from the stage as people cheered.

“Really… really cool!”

Wi So-haeng’s eyes were wide with excitement.

He had wanted to see this for so long.

The disciples of Mount Hua defeating many disciples from famous families and becoming well-known in the Jianghu (the world of martial arts fighters).

But now that he was seeing it, he was happy but also confused.

It didn’t feel real.

‘How can everyone be so strong?’

Chung Myung and his group were strong from the start. But he never thought that the other disciples of Mount Hua would be so strong.

Moreover…

‘This person also won?’

Wi So-haeng looked at Dang So-so, who was sitting next to him.

He had heard that she had not been a disciple of Mount Hua for long, but she was very skilled.

That gave Wi So-haeng hope.

‘Is it possible for me too?’

He stared at Dang So-so.

She had been tearing at jerky, but she turned her head sharply as if she felt his gaze.

“What?”

“Ah, no… It’s not that…”

Wi So-haeng hesitated and looked away.

Then, Dang So-so pulled the jerky basket away from Wi So-haeng and moved it to her side.

“Don’t stare at my jerky. You’ll get hurt.”

“⋯⋯.”

At that moment, Yoo I-seol, who had finished her match, returned. Dang So-so jumped up and ran over with a wet towel and water bottle she had ready.

“Sago! Sago, over here!”

“Thank you.”

“Hehe. You’re welcome.”

Wi So-haeng smiled as he watched Dang So-so, who looked completely different than when she looked at him.

‘Ah, she’s a Mount Hua person.’

Anyone could see she was a Mount Hua person. Anyone!

At that moment, Chung Myung, who had been sitting, got up, stretched slowly, and yawned.

“Ah, I’m bored. How much is left?”

“There’s only one match left.”

“Who is it?”

“Baek Sang.”

Chung Myung nodded.

“If it’s Uncle Baek Sang, he’ll win easily.”

“That’s right. He’s one of the strongest among the Baek Ja generation.”

Baek Cheon, Yoo I-seol, Yoon Jong, and Jo Gul were much stronger than the others in Mount Hua.

If those five were not included, Baek Sang was the best of the other disciples of Mount Hua.

It was hard to imagine Baek Sang losing when the others had won so easily.

“Tell him to finish quickly. What kind of martial arts competition is so boring?”

“⋯⋯.”

Baek Cheon’s lips twitched slightly.

He thought the martial arts competition was boring, and he said it out loud. It was clear that Chung Myung was a bit crazy.

“It’ll be over soon. It’s Baek Sang’s turn when the match on that stage is finished.”

“That stage?”

Chung Myung looked at the stage that Baek Cheon was pointing at.

“Hmm.”

Chung Myung smiled as he looked at the man with the greatsword on the stage.

“It’s Namgoong Something.”

“Yes. It’s Dan Ak-geom.”

Baek Cheon said quietly. Chung Myung felt the fighting spirit in Baek Cheon’s voice and looked at Dan Ak-geom with new interest.

‘He is strong.’

They do exist in this world.

The strong fighters who want to be the best with their talent and family background.

Dan Ak-geom was one of those people. If Chung Myung had not been there, Dan Ak-geom would have been one of the strongest in the world.

“How is it?”

“How is what?”

“Can you win?”

Baek Cheon smiled slightly.

“Of course, you never know until you fight…”

“However?”

“…There isn’t one.”

Chung Myung tilted his head.

What wasn’t there?

“I have no confidence in losing at all.”

“Oho? Our Dong-ryong…”

Baek Cheon drew his sword.

“No, Uncle Baek Cheon is full of confidence.”

Chung Myung quickly changed his words and laughed.

“But Uncle, there’s something I’m really curious about.”

“Huh?”

“Can I ask?”

Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung, a little annoyed. He had learned to be careful when Chung Myung acted like this.

“…What is it?”

“Uncle is Jin Dong-ryong, right?”

“It’s Baek Cheon!”

“My uncle’s son is Jin Geum-ryong,” Baek Cheon said, mentioning the name of a well-known fighter.

“…So?” Chung Myung asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Then is there also an Eun-ryong?” Chung Myung continued to tease.

“…Yes, there is. My second older brother,” Baek Cheon admitted, a little embarrassed.

“Really?” Chung Myung raised an eyebrow, pretending to be surprised.

“His martial arts skills weren’t amazing, so he probably wasn’t picked to represent them,” Baek Cheon explained.

*Good heavens,* Chung Myung thought, *there really is an Eun-ryong.* He looked towards the Jongnam group with a doubtful face.

“I don’t know your grandfather well, but I know one thing for sure. His naming sense is terrible, right?” Chung Myung said, trying not to laugh.

“…It’s embarrassing to agree with you,” Baek Cheon mumbled, squeezing his eyes shut.

“Anyway, Uncle, be careful,” Chung Myung said. “Don’t relax.”

“Huh? Why?” Baek Cheon asked, surprised by the sudden seriousness.

“That guy is strong.” Chung Myung’s voice was low as he looked at Dan Ak-geom.

“Geniuses can do amazing things. They can ignore normal training, sword skills, and experience, and still become incredibly powerful. It’s hard to believe, but it happens.”

“Are you saying that guy is a genius like that?” Baek Cheon asked, watching Dan Ak-geom.

“Maybe,” Chung Myung replied.

Baek Cheon’s eyes followed Dan Ak-geom on the stage. *Namgoong Dowi.* He repeated the name in his mind.

This was the first time Baek Cheon had heard Chung Myung speak so highly of someone. Chung Myung usually treated Jin Geum-ryong, the person Baek Cheon saw as unbeatable, like he was nothing special.

*A genius?* Baek Cheon thought, his jaw tightening. *This is annoying.* His eyes became cold and sharp. *I’ll beat him.*

Baek Cheon was filled with determination. Just then, Chung Myung leaned closer, his face right next to Baek Cheon’s.

“Worried about him?” Chung Myung asked with a grin.

“Of course I’m worried!” Baek Cheon replied.

“Hoo? You’re worried about Namgoong already? What about Jin Geum-ryong?” Chung Myung teased.

“My brother is not the main problem right now,” Baek Cheon said casually.

Chung Myung chuckled. “Oh! Our Baek Cheon Uncle is getting arrogant! Jin Geum-ryong is ‘not a problem’ now.”

“Huh? Did I say that?” Baek Cheon scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed. “No, I didn’t mean it like that…”

“Uncle,” Chung Myung said, his voice changing.

“Huh?”

“Don’t be arrogant.”

Baek Cheon blinked, surprised. Chung Myung’s eyes had become serious, losing their usual playful spark. They were now sharp and focused.

“It’s easy for a frog to forget it was once a tadpole,” Chung Myung said quietly. “People who become strong often forget what it was like to be weak. They look down on those who are still weaker.”

“…” Baek Cheon listened carefully.

“But the frogs that become truly great, the *golden frogs*, are the ones who remember being tadpoles.” Chung Myung finished, then his face relaxed again, and he shrugged.

“I know it feels good to get stronger. But if you only look up and not down, someone will grab your ankle from below. And if that happens, you’ll lose your ankle!”

Baek Cheon bit his lip, thinking hard. Chung Myung’s serious words always made him feel a strange pressure, tightening his chest.

*I really don’t understand this guy,* Baek Cheon thought. *It’s not just his strength. It’s like… a natural authority he has.*

“I’ll remember that,” Baek Cheon said.

“Good. You should. That way our Dong-ryong… Hey! Why are you reaching for your sword again!” Chung Myung exclaimed, jumping back.

Baek Cheon laughed and put his hand down. “So, are *you* saying you’re a golden frog because you’re so good at watching out for others?”

“Huh? What are you talking about? Not me!” Chung Myung said quickly, waving his hands.

“Huh?” Baek Cheon tilted his head, confused by this sudden modesty.

*Not him?*

Then, Chung Myung puffed out his chest and pointed at himself. “If you want to be exact, I’m a dragon or a phoenix! A dragon is born a dragon, even when it’s tiny.”

“…” Baek Cheon stared at him, speechless for a moment.

“Uncle is a frog. Get it?” Chung Myung said with a wide grin.

“…” Baek Cheon’s face darkened. “You…!”

Just as Baek Cheon was about to grab Chung Myung by the neck…

*Boom!*

A deafening explosion shook the martial arts stage, sending a cloud of dust billowing into the air. The crowd gasped and shielded their eyes. When the dust slowly settled, Namgoong Dowi was standing tall in the center, looking bored.

“The winner is Namgoong Dowi of the Namgoong Family!” the announcer shouted.

Namgoong Dowi walked off the stage with a face that showed no excitement, as if winning was the only possible outcome.

“He’s annoying,” Chung Myung muttered.

“Yeah, he acts like those old, arrogant masters,” Baek Cheon agreed.

“What about you?” Chung Myung asked, turning to Baek Cheon with a knowing look.

“…” Baek Cheon just groaned softly, avoiding Chung Myung’s eyes. He knew Chung Myung was right. He had been a bit like that himself in the past.

“He’ll learn humility when someone punches him in the face,” Chung Myung said, a hint of a smile in his voice.

“Hoo? Are you confident you can do that?” Baek Cheon challenged.

“I have to be!” Baek Cheon said, gritting his teeth. *I need to be stronger. I have to beat Chung Myung one day. I can’t lose here.*

“Good answer,” Chung Myung nodded, pleased. “But remember, it’s not just Namgoong. There are others who are also very strong.”

“Really?” Baek Cheon asked, surprised.

Chung Myung nodded seriously. “The main competition will depend on how you face those guys. We need as many of our people to get through as possible. Hmm…” Chung Myung scratched his cheek, thinking. “But the Shaolin are probably going to cheat.”

“Cheat? Shaolin would cheat?” Baek Cheon asked, his eyes widening.

“Are you really that innocent?” Chung Myung asked, raising an eyebrow. “Do you think they are feeding and housing all these fighters for free? If they can gain something by cheating, they will. That’s how the world works.”

Baek Cheon frowned, considering Chung Myung’s words. *It’s probably true,* he thought, feeling a little disappointed. He had hoped Shaolin would be more honorable.

“Anyway, let’s finish these preliminary rounds first. Is Baek-sang Uncle the last one?” Chung Myung asked, changing the subject.

“Yes, he’s going up now.”

Baek Cheon and Chung Myung watched as Baek-sang walked confidently to the stage, facing a Shaolin monk in a yellow robe.

*Am I the last one?* Baek-sang thought, drawing his sword smoothly. *Everyone else from Hwasan has won. I can’t be the only one to lose. I’ll win this and make it a perfect victory.*

*A perfect victory in the preliminaries.* This would be remembered as Hwasan’s greatest achievement in years. *The perfect ending to the first part,* he thought, feeling proud.

With the feeling of adding the final, most important touch to a masterpiece, Baek-sang faced his opponent.

*He doesn’t look very strong,* Baek-sang thought, observing the Shaolin monk. He looked young and slender, like someone who was just there to learn, not to win. *But he is from Shaolin. I can’t underestimate him.*

Baek-sang knew better than to judge by appearances. He had seen many fighters who looked weak but were incredibly dangerous. Chung Myung himself was a perfect example. If he had met Chung Myung somewhere else, he would never have guessed how strong he was.

*Don’t relax. Always fight your best,* Baek-sang reminded himself.

“Start!” the judge announced loudly.

Instantly, Baek-sang moved into the starting stance of the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword. “Here I come!” he shouted, ready to test his opponent with the Plum Blossom Powder move, and then follow up with the full Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

*Huh?*

Suddenly, Baek-sang saw it. The Shaolin monk’s fist shot out towards him, glowing with a brilliant, golden light. It was blindingly bright, like a miniature sun.

*Uh, oh?* Baek-sang’s eyes widened in alarm.

That was the last thing Baek-sang remembered clearly.

*WHAM!*

A massive explosion ripped through the air. Golden energy erupted from the Shaolin monk’s fist, slamming into Baek-sang with incredible force.

“AAAAAARGH!” Baek-sang screamed in pain and shock as he was thrown backwards. He flew across the stage, over the heads of the stunned audience, and crashed through the outer walls of Shaolin Temple, disappearing from sight.

“Wh-what was that!” someone in the crowd yelled.

“That crazy monk!” another voice shouted.

The audience, and even the Hwasan disciples, jumped to their feet in disbelief.

Chung Myung leaped up, his eyes wide with shock. “Baek… Baekbo Divine Fist? What in the world! That bastard!” Chung Myung stared at the Shaolin monk on stage, his eyes as round as dinner plates.