Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 30

“Good heavens, what mountains!”

Yoo Jongsan groaned.

The mountain scenery of Hwasan was so dangerous that even the people of Hwaeum were surprised.

Only the guards helping with the climb made it possible to go up. An ordinary person wouldn’t even dream of reaching the top of Hwasan.

He had to climb this dangerous mountain again in less than a week. This made Yoo Jongsan feel bad, both in his body and mind.

“Ugh…”

“Shopkeeper Yoo, hang in there,” a guard said.

“I am! I’m already hanging in there!” Yoo Jongsan snapped back, his voice annoyed. Climbing this steep path was no easy task.

They had to climb a cliff so steep that no one could pass, using a rickety old rope. It’s no wonder Hwasan never became rich. Who would want to travel to such a difficult place to trade or visit?

‘Once I get the money, I’ll never climb this dangerous place again.’

He never wanted to see Hwasan again.

After barely climbing the cliff, they reached a slightly flatter area. Gongmunyeon, the head of Taehwa Merchant Guild, looked back to make sure everyone was there and then spoke.

“Let’s take a short break here.”

“Oh, Guild Leader Gong, good thinking. My legs are shaking…”

“Shopkeeper Yoo, you need to get some exercise.”

“Hahaha. I’m not one to be told I lack stamina, but this mountain never gets easier, no matter how many times I climb it.”

“That’s why it’s one of the Five Great Mountains, the most famous mountains in our land.”

Shopkeeper Yoo shook his head and sat down on a rock.

“But, Guild Leader Gong.”

Bangyeom, the head of Hwasan Branch, approached Gongmunyeon, carefully watching her.

“What is it?”

“Why did the Sect Leader suddenly tell us to come to Hwasan?”

Everyone stopped massaging their legs and looked at Gongmunyeon.

“Perhaps he’s managed to raise the money?”

Gongmunyeon smiled gently.

“How could that be? Ten thousand nyang is a huge amount of money.”

Gongmunyeon said firmly.

“But if he borrowed it…”

“There’s no one in the world who would lend ten thousand nyang to a failing Hwasan. If they were that kind, they wouldn’t be so rich.”

“Certainly…”

Yoo Jongsan shrugged.

“Then what do you think, Guild Leader Gong? Why do you think the Sect Leader called us here?”

“To beg, wouldn’t you think?”

“To beg?”

Gongmunyeon turned her head and looked towards the top of the mountain. Hwasan Sect was up there.

“There’s no way to get the money, and if he waits until the due date to say he doesn’t have it, it won’t work. So, he’s calling us in advance to try and figure out another way, don’t you think?”

“Heh.”

Yoo Jongsan clicked his tongue.

“So, you’re saying someone who can’t repay the debt is telling us to come and go as he pleases? Heh. I’ve never seen such a brazen debtor in all my life.”

“Even though they are troubled by money, he is still the Sect Leader of Great Hwasan. Don’t speak too harshly.”

“Guild Leader Gong, you’re too kind. Do you still want to think so well of someone who borrowed money and hasn’t repaid it for decades?”

Gongmunyeon smiled awkwardly.

“Let’s just pretend to be respectful. We don’t want to be completely rude, even if Hwasan is failing. Making them miserable until the end is too cruel, isn’t it?”

“The world will know of Guild Leader Gong’s generosity.”

“Your character is truly different.”

“It’s nothing,” Gongmunyeon said smoothly, but in her mind, she was already planning how to use this situation to her greatest advantage.

Gongmunyeon bowed.

Yoo Jongsan watched and clicked his tongue to himself.

‘Putting on airs.’

They were planning to take the buildings and kick them out anyway, so what was with all the courtesy? He doubted the victims would be grateful for the politeness.

‘Anyway…’

Yoo Jongsan looked up at the summit.

‘There’s no way I’ll lose the money, right?’

He always worried whether he could sell those buildings for a good price after taking them over. Gongmunyeon had spoken confidently, but wasn’t it a merchant’s job to worry when money was involved?

But now, Yoo Jongsan wasn’t worried.

‘The fact that someone from Jongnam came means they’re definitely interested, right?’

The whole world knew that Hwasan and Jongnam had been enemies.

Hwasan’s existence had been forgotten, and now that Jongnam was rising to importance, it had become a faded story. But the hatred that had lasted for hundreds of years wouldn’t easily disappear.

Moreover, weren’t the leaders now guiding Jongnam the very ones who remembered the days when Hwasan had suppressed Jongnam? If that anger remained, they wouldn’t leave those Hwasan buildings standing to prove that history.

‘Guild Leader Gong is probably planning to sell the buildings to Jongnam.’

Yoo Jongsan’s heart warmed.

Ten thousand nyang.

Of that, the money he was to receive amounted to a whopping five thousand nyang! That was a huge amount of money.

How much money was five thousand nyang! One silver coin was enough for an ordinary family to live on for a month. But this wasn’t silver; it was five thousand gold coins!

With that money, he wouldn’t even need to do business. He could spend it moderately and still have enough left over for generations.

Now, the long tug-of-war was coming to an end. The thought of finally getting the money made Yoo Jongsan’s heart flutter.

‘I wonder what kind of face the Sect Leader will make.’

He imagined the Sect Leader’s usually calm face turning red with anger, and a small, mean smile touched Yoo Jongsan’s lips. He felt a little bitter, but Yoo Jongsan suppressed the rising pity. In the face of money, there were no family or friends, right?

“Alright, let’s go up now.”

“Yes.”

Everyone looked exhausted, but no one said they wanted to rest longer.

The greedy merchants began to climb Hwasan again. They were like wolves smelling blood, eager for the money.

“Every time I see this place, it feels strange,” someone joked.

“It’s just a bunch of run-down buildings.”

His tone was uneasy.

The buildings were old and worn. Paint was peeling off the wooden walls, and the roofs sagged. The air smelled of dust and old wood. It was the image of a failing, or already failed, sect. Yet, there was something strangely captivating about it.

They felt the weight of Hwasan’s history pressing down on them, the stories of brave warriors and past glories, even in these crumbling buildings.

They didn’t say it, but everyone shared the same feeling.

But they ignored it.

They had come to cut off Hwasan’s breath. If they didn’t accept the Sect Leader’s proposal today, Hwasan wouldn’t last even seven days.

The lineage of Hwasan, which had protected Hwaeum for hundreds of years, would finally be severed.

“Ahem.”

“Ahem!”

Knowing how heavy a task it was, they all cleared their throats silently.

They didn’t want to ignore the reality of money, but for those born in Hwaeum, Hwasan held deep meaning in many ways. The situation of cutting off the breath of such a place with their own hands made them hesitate.

“Let’s go in.”

Only Gongmunyeon maintained a calm manner. As he took the lead, everyone hesitated before awkwardly following him.

“Have you arrived?”

Unam greeted them as they entered the main gate.

“Reverend Unam. It’s been a while.”

“Please, just call me Unam. Reverend is too much for me right now.”

“Then I shall call you Daoist. Is Daoist okay then?”

Unam smiled silently.

“The Sect Leader is waiting. This way.”

“Hmm.”

Gongmunyeon frowned slightly.

‘He seems relaxed?’

When they had come before, the Un characters had blocked them with desperate faces. But now, Un Am didn’t seem as urgent as before.

Even though the Sect Leader had called them and knew they would arrive around this time, shouldn’t there be some basic discomfort?

Gongmunyeon quietly watched Unam’s back and began to follow him.

‘Perhaps this is Hwasan’s true nature.’

Perhaps they had accepted that everything was coming to an end and let it go. So, instead of clinging to money and showing discomfort like before, they were showing the true nature of Hwasan’s Daoists.

‘I’ve become too worried.’

Perhaps it was because the moment when all his grudges would be fulfilled had finally arrived. Ordinary people tended to let their guard down when they reached their goal, but Gongmunyeon was the type to be even more vigilant at times like this.

As he quietly followed Unam, they arrived at the Sect Leader’s residence. And in front of it, Hwasan Sect Leader Hyun Jong was already out, waiting for them. Hyun Jong smiled gently, but there was a weariness in his eyes that suggested he knew exactly what was coming, and was ready for it.

“Greetings to the Sect Leader.”

Gongmunyeon bowed first, and those who followed him bowed their heads in unison.

They seemed to have taken his words to heart, that they should at least pretend to be respectful on their final journey.

“Welcome. Thank you for coming all this way on such a difficult path.”

Hwasan Sect Leader Hyun Jong smiled gently and greeted everyone.

“I apologize for taking your time despite your busy schedules. I hope you understand my rudeness in not coming down to greet you myself, as is proper.”

“It’s nothing. We may be busy, but surely not busier than the Sect Leader? Of course, we should come.”

Gongmunyeon also returned Hyun Jong’s words with a smile.

“More importantly, what brings us here…?”

“Haha. Is there such a rush? You must be tired from climbing the mountain, so how about a cup of tea…”

“Sect Leader.”

Gongmunyeon cut him off politely but firmly.

“Enjoying tea and conversation is a good thing. But we are lowly merchants. We would like to discuss business matters before relaxing.”

“Hmm.”

“Merchants are the kind of people who get a stomach ache even when eating rice, and choke even when drinking tea, if they have worries on their minds. I hope the Sect Leader will understand our narrow minds.”

“No, I was only thinking of myself.”

Hyun Jong laughed and quietly looked at the merchants.

“Let’s get straight to the point without wasting time.”

“Thank you.”

Gongmunyeon smiled lightly.

“The reason I have gathered you here today is to tell you Hwasan’s position.”

“Hwasan’s position, you say?”

Hyun Jong glanced slightly at Gongmunyeon.

From that small movement, Gongmunyeon could already tell what the next words would be.

“I have searched far and wide, but I could not find anyone to lend money to Hwasan. In other words, it seems impossible for us to repay the money within the due date, no matter what we do.”

“Ummm.”

Gongmunyeon frowned at Hyun Jong’s words.

“Sect Leader. We have given you ample time. We are also merchants who need to earn a living. We cannot postpone the due date any further.”

“That is what I am saying.”

Hyun Jong met everyone’s eyes and opened his mouth.

“I know that we cannot delay it any further. But it is impossible for Hwasan to repay all ten thousand nyang on the due date. So, I ask you.”

Hyun Jong bowed.

“We cannot repay all the money, but we can repay some of it. So, if there is anyone here who can personally postpone the due date, I ask you to help Hwasan.”

Everyone was surprised that the Sect Leader had bowed his head and could only stare blankly.

The atmosphere began to feel strange.