Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 32

“What on earth?”

“Don’t look at me like that. I know I’m doing something idiotic.”

Yoo Jongsan waved his hand dismissively.

“Why are you asking about someone you know?”

“Listen here, Gong Ruiju.”

“⋯⋯.”

“You aren’t from Hwaum, are you?”

Gong Munyeon’s face went blank. What was he talking about?

“You wouldn’t understand. You married into Hwaum, so you wouldn’t know what Hwasan means to Hwaum.”

“No!” Gong Munyeon gaped. What utter nonsense was this? Why did it matter whether he was from Hwaum or not?

“Listen here, Shopkeeper Yoo.”

“Ah, enough. I know what you’re going to say.” Yoo Jongsan sighed deeply.

“I know it seems ridiculous to talk about Hwaum in a world where you’d sell your own country for money.”

Gong Munyeon stared at Yoo Jongsan, his mouth slightly open. What on earth would come out of his mouth?

“But I am from Hwaum.”

“⋯⋯So what if you are?”

“Those born and raised in Hwaum grow up hearing stories about Hwasan. As soon as they’re weaned, they’re told they should enter Hwasan and become the best martial artist in the world. Even after they realize they lack the talent to join Hwasan, they grow up hearing how Hwasan has protected the world and Seomseo.”

Gong Munyeon tilted his head. What was this sudden outburst?

“It’s not just me. My father and grandfather grew up the same way. Hwasan is the pride of Seomseo, the pride of Hwaum. And…” Yoo Jongsan scratched the back of his head vigorously.

“Even if it’s not my pride, it was the pride of my father and grandfather.”

“⋯⋯So what’s your point?”

“What if I tear down Hwasan just to make some money? If I go to the afterlife, do you think my father would leave me alone? I’d get beaten for days on end.”

A low chuckle escaped.

Gong Munyeon turned his head, his face stiff. Everyone quickly shut their mouths and lowered their heads slightly.

“So? You’re giving up a fortune for such a reason?”

“Giving up? What giving up? Didn’t you hear the Sect Leader say he’d pay me back?”

“You believe those words?”

“It’s not a matter of believing. Frankly, what would I do with that money?” Yoo Jongsan spat on the ground.

“Someone like you would take the money and run. You’d have plenty of uses for it. There are plenty of places to spend money if you go to a place like Hangzhou. But where would I go if I made money? I’ve spent my whole life digging in the dirt in Hwaum. Now I’m going to Hangzhou? Suzhou? Don’t be ridiculous.” Yoo Jongsan chuckled without realizing it.

It was a ridiculous situation. When he climbed Hwasan, he was only thinking about getting money and living a fancy life. But now, wasn’t he saying these words?

‘I’m crazy.’

It was something he couldn’t do if he was thinking straight. Yoo Jongsan knew very well how foolish he was being.

But…

“You’ll regret it.”

“Of course, I’ll regret it. Damn it! Do you think I’m doing this because I don’t know I’ll regret it! I know better than you! Of course, I’ll regret it!” Yoo Jongsan shouted.

“But it’ll be less unsettling than ruining Hwasan with my own hands!”

Gong Munyeon just stared, his mouth slightly open. He looked completely confused by Yoo Jongsan.

Yoo Jongsan was still breathing hard. He took a few deep breaths, then sighed loudly. “Listen, Gong Ruiju,” he said, his voice still a bit rough. “I’m doing okay. If I try to save Hwasan, yeah, I’ll lose money now. Maybe later I’ll be sad, thinking ‘I should have taken that cash.’ But if I wreck Hwasan myself, just for money? I’ll hate myself forever. I don’t want to live like that, always regretting it.”

Gong Munyeon glared at Yoo Jongsan, gritting his teeth.

‘Is he crazy?’ He couldn’t understand what Yoo Jongsan was saying at all. But…

‘There’s no need to understand.’

Why should he stop someone who’s willingly walking into a fire? It’s not like the situation would change if that one person left.

“Do as you please. It won’t change anything if you’re the only one missing.”

“Who said I was the only one?”

Gong Munyeon’s movements stopped. Then, he slowly turned his head. His slowly moving head showed how angry he was.

“Shopkeeper Seomun.”

Seomun Jong strode over and stood next to Yoo Jongsan.

“What are you doing?”

“Can’t you see?”

Gong Munyeon frowned. But Seomun Jong wasn’t the only one who stepped forward. As if Yoo Jongsan’s voice had triggered something, five of the twenty or so people who had come up together went to stand on Yoo Jongsan’s side.

“Heh, well, well.” Gong Munyeon shook his head.

‘Have you ever seen such pathetic fellows?’ How could those who called themselves merchants make such foolish choices? Well, that’s probably why they were stuck in this backwater, barely making a living.

‘No, that’s not it.’

Gong Munyeon had looked down on them. But now, his face became serious.

‘If the opponent wasn’t Hwasan, they would never have made such a choice. That means Hwasan’s influence in Hwaum is still strong.’

Being swayed by emotions would stop one from making good choices. A merchant should never underestimate the opponent. He was right to worry about Hwasan’s potential, which was now being unleashed.

Gong Munyeon quietly watched those who had crossed over to the other side. They all looked regretful, yet relieved.

‘Foolish things.’

Pride in not abandoning Hwasan until the very end?

That only mattered when Hwasan still existed. Even if they postponed the payment date, Hwasan didn’t have the money to pay back. They would end up losing a fortune because of a mistake.

Having made his judgment, Gong Munyeon asked calmly.

“Are there any others who have changed their minds?”

The remaining merchants glanced at Hyun Jong and Gong Munyeon, then quietly turned their heads away.

“Sect Leader.”

“⋯⋯.”

Gong Munyeon said with a gentle smile.

“I didn’t know Hwasan’s name was still so respected. But it seems this is the end. The remaining ones don’t want to postpone the payment date, so I hope you will now pay back the money we lent you.”

Hyun Jong laughed loudly. He was looking at the merchants behind him, not Gong Munyeon.

“Are there really no more people who will help Hwasan?”

“⋯⋯.”

When no one answered, Hyun Jong quietly nodded.

“Then there’s nothing we can do.”

“Sect Leader.”

“Don’t rush me, Gong Ruiju.” Gong Munyeon flinched.

Although it was a low voice, Hyun Jong’s voice had a power that could not be ignored.

Hyun Jong looked back at Yoo Jongsan and a few merchants who stood separately and smiled gently.

“It is enough to know that there are still those who believe in Hwasan. Doesn’t that mean the world hasn’t abandoned Hwasan yet?”

While Gong Munyeon couldn’t do anything, Hyun Jong raised his voice loudly.

“Unam!”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

“Bring it!”

“Yes.”

Unam bowed his head and walked away quickly. Gong Munyeon frowned slightly as he watched him.

‘Is he really ready?’

That couldn’t be.

It wasn’t as if Gong Munyeon had been doing nothing. If someone had lent that much money to Hwasan, Gong Munyeon would have heard about it.

Then was it a bluff?

No, that didn’t make sense either. You bluff when you have something to fall back on. But Hwasan had nothing to fall back on now. It wasn’t a situation that could be solved with a bluff.

Before Gong Munyeon could think clearly, Un Am returned. He had gone alone, but three people were returning.

‘The Hyunjae elders?’

Judging by their age, they seemed to be the elders of Hwasan. One of them was carrying a large chest.

“Sect Leader, I’ve brought it.”

Hyun Jong pointed forward with his chin.

“Put it down.”

“Yes.”

Thud.

The chest was placed on the floor.

Gong Munyeon stared at the chest, then raised his head.

“What is this…?”

“Inside are the valuables to pay you back, so please check.”

“⋯⋯Did you just say valuables?”

“That is correct.”

Gong Munyeon looked at the chest suspiciously.

‘Surely he’s not joking with me.’

The Hyun Jong he knew wasn’t someone who would joke in this situation. Then did that mean there were really valuables inside?

Many thoughts raced through his mind, but now wasn’t the time to think. What was the point of thinking when the chest was right in front of him?

Gong Munyeon walked to the chest as if he was drawn to it. He slowly opened the lid.

His eyes narrowed as he checked the contents.

“This is…”

Valuables?

These books couldn’t be valuables, could they?

“Sect Leader. Are you making fun of me right now?”

“Why would I do that? I clearly gave you what you wanted.”

“What is this?”

“You’ll know if you read it.”

Seeing Hyun Jong’s calm face, Gong Munyeon bit his lip and picked up one of the books from the chest. Then he began to check its contents.

Rustle.

Rustle.

The sound of turning pages filled the silent Hwasan. With each page he turned, Gong Munyeon’s face turned pale.

“Th-this is…”

Gong Munyeon’s face had completely changed. He looked at Hyun Jong, his hand holding the book shaking.

“Wh-what is this…”

When Gong Munyeon couldn’t continue speaking, the merchants, who had been watching Gong Munyeon’s expression, quietly came closer.

“What is it? Gong Ruiju?”

“Let us see too.”

“⋯⋯.”

When Gong Munyeon didn’t answer, the merchants glanced at the chest. After seeing that there were still several books left inside, they quietly reached out and took out the books.

“What on earth is this…”

The faces of those who checked the contents looked nervous at first, but soon they were filled with confusion.

“Isn’t this a ledger?”

“That is correct.” Hyun Jong nodded.

“It looks like an old ledger, but why suddenly this…?”

Hyun Jong smiled gently.

“The ledger you are looking at is a record made by Hwasan’s ancestors to manage their businesses.”

“⋯⋯Yes? What on earth does that mean?”

Hyun Jong’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Gong Ruiju. Have you seen enough?”

“⋯⋯.”

Hyun Jong’s voice rang out clearly.

“The ledger proves that Hwasan is the real owner of the Hwaum businesses that you are running now.”

“Yes?”

“Ah, no, what are you saying? Sect Leader?”

“Silence.” Hyun Jong cut them off firmly.

He spoke quietly to those who were still confused.

“Hwasan has been kind to you. But you have repaid that kindness with evil. Hwasan values virtue, but we are not foolish enough to favor rats who bite the hand that feeds them.”

Hyun Jong’s sharp words poured out.

“So, based on this ledger, Hwasan will take back not only the businesses you are running, but also all the money you have made from those businesses.”

It was a complete shock.