Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 298

A roar of cheers erupted!

“Senior Brother! Senior Brother!” Disciples jumped and laughed, calling out Baek Cheon’s name as he stepped down from the sparring stage.

“We did it! We won!” someone shouted.

“Unbelievable! He beat Jin Geum-ryong!”

Baek Sang pushed through the crowd and hugged Baek Cheon tightly. Tears streamed down Baek Sang’s face.

“Senior Brother… Senior Brother,” he sobbed, unable to stop crying.

Baek Sang knew. He knew better than anyone how much Baek Cheon had pushed himself for this fight. That’s why tears poured from his eyes.

“Hey, don’t cry,” Baek Cheon said gently, smiling weakly.

“Senior Brother…” Baek Sang sniffled.

“I came back a winner, happy and well. You should be cheering, not crying! Congratulate me!” Baek Cheon chuckled softly.

“Yes! I… I really congratulate you, Senior Brother!” Baek Sang said, his voice still shaky with emotion.

Baek Cheon nodded, a small, tired smile on his face. He reached out and gently ruffled Baek Sang’s hair.

“Thank you,” he murmured.

His wrist throbbed.

As the tension eased, the pain he had forgotten began to surge back. But Baek Cheon smiled.

‘Now, pain like this doesn’t matter.’

He had finally crossed the wall that had seemed eternally distant.

That fact was more important than anything else to Baek Cheon.

“We need to treat you.”

“Alright.”

Yoo Iseol, with surprising strength, gently but firmly took Baek Cheon’s arm and guided him away. Her face stayed calm, but those who knew her saw a tiny smile at the corner of her lips.

Baek Cheon had defeated Jin Geum-ryong.

This didn’t simply mean that the match between the two had been decided. It meant that Hwasan had finally completely surpassed Jongnam, not just because of Chung Myung.

“You really… you really worked hard, Senior Brother.”

“No.”

Baek Cheon quietly shook his head.

“If it weren’t for you all, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything alone. It’s all thanks to you.”

The disciples of Hwasan looked at each other and smiled.

The warm feeling in the air, the joy of victory… it all changed quickly.

“Are you smiling?”

The gazes of the Hwasan disciples turned to one side in unison. Chung Myung was walking over, tilting his head.

‘Why is he angry again?’

‘We won. Winning is all that matters.’

‘Sparks are going to fly. Step back! Step back!’

Chung Myung, who had approached within striking distance, glared at Baek Cheon.

“Are you smiling?”

“…”

“You’re smiling after getting your wrist cut off by an opponent you could have beaten without any damage if you had just fought properly? Huh?”

Baek Cheon’s face instantly contorted.

“Still, isn’t this winning without much damage…”

“No damage? Oh, my goodness! Your wrist is dangling, and you say there’s no damage? If there was a little damage, would your head be dangling?”

“…”

Baek Cheon looked around, desperately seeking help with his eyes. But the senior and junior brothers who met his gaze were all too busy avoiding his eyes.

‘These damn bastards.’

What?

Brotherly loyalty?

Warmth, what?

Bullshit!

The senior and junior brothers, who had been surrounding him, cheering and shedding tears just a moment ago, were all retreating as if they had seen something they shouldn’t have.

“I told you until my ears were burning that you need to maintain your composure, but what’s the point of talking! It’s like talking to a wall! Even a wall would understand better! Oh, what a fate. What am I going to do with these things!”

His ears felt like they were burning.

His ears felt more throbbing than his injured hand.

What?

Nagging leads the way?

Baek Cheon wanted to hit his past self for even thinking that for a moment.

He was seriously thinking about how to get away from this situation.

Chung Myung stopped nagging and stared at Baek Cheon.

“What…”

Then, he shrugged his shoulders and opened his mouth.

“Still, you did pretty well.”

“…Huh?”

“Anyway, the result is what matters. You did well to defeat that sword demon of Jongnam.”

“…Did you eat something wrong?”

“I’m going to go collect the money.”

Chung Myung waved his hand and strode towards the gambling den. Baek Cheon’s eyes widened as he watched his retreating figure.

‘Why is that bastard being so uncharacteristic…?’

If it were normal, once he started, he would have driven a person to the point of bleeding from their ears. He’s ending it here?

“Master Uncle!”

“Senior Brother!”

Baek Cheon nodded silently, receiving the cheers of his senior and junior brothers once again. But even amidst all this, his gaze was fixed on Chung Myung’s receding back.

– You did well.

That damn bastard.

He’s finally praising me after three years.

The platform where the sect leaders were gathered was silent. It was a heavy silence.

No one could easily speak.

It wasn’t just because of the result of the sparring match.

Of course, the fact that Hwasan’s Baek Cheon had defeated Jongnam’s Jin Geum-ryong was certainly surprising.

But the reason why the sect leaders had closed their mouths was not simply because of the victory or defeat.

‘That sword.’

Heo Do-jin looked at Baek Cheon, surrounded by his senior and junior brothers, with lowered eyes.

Of course, this wasn’t the first time they had seen Hwasan’s Plum Blossom Sword Technique. Hadn’t they already sent words of congratulations to the Hwasan Sect, which had regained its past martial arts?

But just learning the moves again was not enough. They had to understand the real meaning behind the moves. Now, Baek Cheon had proven that Hwasan had not only regained the shell of its past martial arts but had also regained its essence.

In other words…

‘It means that the Plum Blossom Sword Technique of Hwasan, which once dominated the world, has returned.’

It was something he couldn’t understand at all.

If it was so easy to understand old martial arts, why do we need teachers? Learning these skills is usually very hard.

Famous martial arts are very hard to learn. Even the most talented people cannot understand them easily.

‘So, did someone teach them the Plum Blossom Sword Technique?’

But how and who could pass on martial arts that had been lost for decades?

Heo Do-jin bit his lower lip slightly.

‘Anyway, one thing is certain.’

If it was certain that they had regained their martial arts, then no one in the world would be able to ignore the Hwasan Sect anymore. And perhaps…

‘The power structure of the world itself may be rewritten.’

A great sense of crisis washed over him.

It was because he felt that the competition for the title of the greatest Taoist sect, which he thought was completely over, was not over yet.

Heo Do-jin glanced at the expressions of the other sect leaders.

As if he wasn’t the only one thinking this, most of the sect leaders were staring at Baek Cheon with serious expressions.

Of course.

‘That side is almost completely out of it.’

Jongli-gok’s face was pale, his mouth hanging open in shock.

Well.

Jin Geum-ryong was the best of Jongnam’s younger generation and was certain to become the next sect leader of Jongnam. How could they bear the shock and aftermath of him being defeated by the Plum Blossom Sword and not the Hwasan Divine Dragon?

Especially since Hwasan and Jongnam were so close in distance and had such a close relationship between their sects that one had to die for the other to live.

Jin Geum-ryong’s defeat was a disaster for Jongnam. He lost to a Hwasan disciple in front of everyone – important people from all the great clans were watching. This was a terrible blow to Jongnam’s pride.

So it was no wonder they were so out of it.

On the other hand, Hyun Jong watched his disciples, tears welling up in his eyes, a wide smile spreading across his face.

‘Huh.’

Heo Do-jin let out a small chuckle.

‘He’s an interesting person.’

If Hyun Jong had been arrogant or showing off, Heo Do-jin would have easily disliked him. But seeing him so purely happy made it awkward to harbor ill intentions.

‘Hwasan. Hwasan, huh… Just how far will you go?’

“Yes?”

Yoon Jong and Jo Gul looked quickly between Hyun Sang and each other, their eyes wide with worry.

“Y-You can’t fight?” Yoon Jong asked loudly, his voice full of shock.

Hyun Sang nodded slowly, his face serious. “Your energy pathways in your body are not completely broken, but if you push yourself too hard, you could have problems that will last your whole life. So, you must give up the next fight.”

“No, that’s…” Jo Gul started, making a noise that showed he couldn’t believe it. He shook his head.

He had finally won against Jin Geum-ryong! He felt like he had broken down a wall in his training, and his skills were getting better and better. But now, he had to give up the tournament? What a shock! It felt so unfair.

“Isn’t there any other way?” Jo Gul asked, his voice full of hope.

“There are many ways,” Hyun Sang said.

“Then why…?”

Hyun Sang stopped Jo Gul before he could ask more questions. His voice was strong and left no room for argument. “But all of those ways will cause problems that will stay with you. What is so important about this tournament that you would risk your health like that?”

Jo Gul stopped talking, closing his mouth. He knew Hyun Sang was right. But he still couldn’t get rid of his regret.

“Teacher…” Jo Gul said, looking at Baek Cheon with worried eyes.

Baek Cheon spoke calmly. “Then I will give up my fight.”

“Teacher!” Jo Gul and Yoon Jong stared at him, shocked. But Baek Cheon just smiled softly.

“There’s nothing we can do about it,” Baek Cheon said.

“But…”

“There is nothing to regret,” Baek Cheon said. He shook his head gently. “What was our reason for coming here?” he asked.

“Well…” His students couldn’t answer right away.

Baek Cheon answered for them. “We didn’t come here just to win. We came here to show everyone the sword skills of Mount Hua and to let them know that we are still strong. So… I have done what I came to do.”

“Teacher…”

“You can handle the rest of the tournament,” Baek Cheon said. Seeing Baek Cheon smile as if he had no regrets at all, Yoon Jong and Jo Gul finally nodded silently. They felt like Baek Cheon seemed taller now, somehow stronger.

“Of course,” Baek Cheon continued, “if I wasn’t hurt, I would have tried to win a bit more. But there’s nothing I can do now.”

“That’s not possible,” a voice said suddenly.

“Huh?” Baek Cheon turned his head. Yoo Iseol was looking at him, her face showing no emotion.

“Junior Sister?” Baek Cheon asked.

“Even if you weren’t hurt, Teacher, you would only get to this point,” Yoo Iseol said.

Baek Cheon frowned a little at her unexpected words. “…Are you saying I’m not good enough yet?”

Yoo Iseol shook her head. “It’s not that.”

“Huh?”

“The person who wins the next fight will be the person you will fight next, Teacher.”

“Huh?”

“The person who wins the next fight will be the person you will fight next, Teacher.”

“”>”

Yoo Iseol said, pointing a little behind her. “That is the person who will be in the next fight.”

“”>”

She was pointing at Chung Myung, who was busy collecting the money on the betting table. He was laughing loudly and stuffing bags with coins.

“That guy?” Baek Cheon asked, his voice a little shaky.

“Yes. That guy,” Yoo Iseol said.

“”>”

Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung closely. Then, he looked back at Yoo Iseol and smiled a very relaxed smile. “…I have no regrets anymore,” he said, sighing in relief.

“I see,” Yoo Iseol said, her face still showing nothing.

“It wouldn’t have mattered anyway,” Baek Cheon mumbled.

No. He would much rather lose right now than fight *that monster* in the arena.

*– Hooh? You dare to point your sword at me?*

Baek Cheon’s body shook as he remembered Chung Myung’s voice, still echoing in his head. He imagined Chung Myung’s crazy eyes and wild grin.

“Maybe it’s a good thing after all,” Baek Cheon said, trying to convince himself.

“I think so too,” Yoo Iseol agreed, still emotionless.

“…It’s better to lose cleanly,” Baek Cheon whispered, wiping sweat from his forehead even though it was cold.

Just then, a loud voice boomed, “What are you all talking about?”

“Eek!” Yoon Jong jumped in surprise and spun around. *How did he get here so fast?*

Chung Myung was standing right behind them, holding a heavy bag of money. He was definitely just at the betting table, laughing and shouting.

“Ah, nothing,” Yoon Jong stammered. “We were just saying that you are fighting in the next match.”

“Ah, is that so?” Chung Myung nodded, putting the heavy money bag on the floor with a loud thump. “Watch this for me,” he said.

“…Okay,” Yoon Jong said, still a bit startled.

“So, who am I fighting?” Chung Myung asked.

“Lee Song-baek,” Baek Cheon said quietly.

“Hmm.” Chung Myung scratched his chin, looking thoughtful. “I thought I had beaten the Jongnam guys enough already, but they keep fighting me. Well, I guess that’s just what always happens between Mount Hua and Jongnam.”

“So, are you going to not fight him seriously?” Jo Gul asked, a little worried.

“I never take it easy!” Chung Myung shouted, glaring at Jo Gul. “If you want to lose easily, you shouldn’t even be here! Anyone who points a sword at me is going to be destroyed! I don’t care if they are men, women, or children!” His eyes burned with fierce energy.

Baek Cheon smiled happily as he watched Chung Myung, who was so full of fighting spirit. *For the first time, I’m thankful to Jin Geum-ryong,* Baek Cheon thought. He realized he almost got included in Chung Myung’s threat to beat up everyone. Baek Cheon looked sadly at the Jongnam group, feeling grateful to Jin Geum-ryong for his loss.

“…Senior Brother,” a Jongnam disciple whispered.

The faces of the Jongnam disciples carrying Jin Geum-ryong were all pale and shocked. Jin Geum-ryong had lost. Jin Geum-ryong, of all people! Jin Geum-ryong’s loss made the Jongnam disciples feel a strong feeling of despair, much stronger than the happiness the Mount Hua disciples felt when Baek Cheon won. Everyone agreed that Jin Geum-ryong was the best of the younger Jongnam disciples. Among all the Jongnam disciples, he was much better than everyone else. Jin Geum-ryong had become the best in Jongnam because of his amazing talent and hard work, making everyone else not even want to try to compete with him. But now, he had been beaten by Baek Cheon, not even Chung Myung! The shock was so big it made them forget their sadness and anger. All the Jongnam disciples there were almost in a state of panic.

Lee Song-baek felt like everything was falling apart around him. He closed his eyes. *It’s over,* he thought. *This cannot be changed.* Jin Geum-ryong’s loss was not just a simple loss. Now that their Snow Flower Twelve Forms fighting style had been defeated, the Jongnam disciples would not be able to be proud in front of Mount Hua anymore. The sadness Mount Hua disciples felt towards Jongnam before, now Jongnam would feel towards Mount Hua, but even stronger. They would be stuck with this feeling, with no way to escape.

*Then… what should we do now?*

Lee Song-baek opened his eyes and looked at the arena. He saw Chung Myung walking slowly towards the fighting stage. Lee Song-baek stared at him, his face showing many different feelings at once. Then, he spoke, his voice quiet but firm. “…I’ll be back,” he said.

The Jongnam disciples behind him looked at his back, their eyes filled with sadness and defeat. “Maybe it would be better to…” one of them started to say. He didn’t finish his sentence, but everyone knew what he meant. He probably wanted to say that it would be better to give up.

*I understand,* Lee Song-baek thought. Jin Geum-ryong lost to Baek Cheon, so there was no way Lee Song-baek could win against Chung Myung. Instead of showing Jongnam losing again in front of everyone and making things even worse, it would be better to give up.

*It makes sense. Definitely. But…*

Lee Song-baek just started walking again, his face calm. *Yes. Maybe it’s a foolish thing to do,* he thought. *But… if you don’t try, you can’t win.* He walked straight towards Chung Myung, his steps determined.