Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 323

Chung Myung spoke calmly.

“It sounds nice,” Chung Myung said, “but when you think about it, you want Mount Hua to bow down and come under Shaolin’s control. And in return, you’ll give us the title of one of the Nine Great Sects, isn’t that right?”

Beopjeong’s face tightened slightly.

That was a very bold statement. Even Beopjeong, who hid his feelings well, looked surprised.

It wasn’t the kind of thing a third-generation disciple would say to the elders.

“Shaolin hasn’t changed at all,” Chung Myung said.

“What do you mean?” Beopjeong asked.

Chung Myung just smirked instead of answering.

Harmony? A title?

Chung Myung knew they probably didn’t mean any harm. But that was the problem.

‘These guys still think they should lead the world,’ he thought.

It was the arrogance that Shaolin naturally had.

“Since there’s nothing else, please leave,” Chung Myung said.

Beopjeong’s face stiffened.

“Amitabha,” Beopjeong said. “I came as a guest and was willing to be patient. But a third-generation disciple can’t say such things. I am here to talk with your sect leader.”

“That’s not quite right,” Hyun Jong interrupted.

Beopjeong looked at him, a little surprised. Hyun Jong was smiling, but his expression was different than before.

“Anyone from Mount Hua can represent Mount Hua,” Hyun Jong said. “That child’s will is my will, and it is also the will of Mount Hua.”

“Sect Leader,” Beopjeong said, unsure what to say. He paused, and then Chung Myung spoke coldly.

“Shaolin always led the world, right? Fifty years ago, even a hundred years ago.”

Beopjeong’s face went cold when he heard “a hundred years ago.”

“So, when Mount Hua was falling apart, what did Shaolin do?” Chung Myung asked. “The Shaolin who thanked Mount Hua a hundred years ago – where were you then?”

“Amitabha,” Beopjeong murmured.

“Go back,” Chung Myung said.

A heavy feeling began to come from Chung Myung.

“Only those who have done their duty and are sincere can talk about harmony,” he continued. “Shaolin is not able to do that.”

“Little Benefactor!” Beopjeong exclaimed.

“What the Abbot wants is not world harmony, but a peaceful Jianghu where Shaolin stays in charge. I’m not saying that’s bad. As the Abbot of Shaolin, you should do that. But…”

A coldness flashed in Chung Myung’s eyes.

“I don’t care about harmony that’s just talk,” he said. “I don’t want to be used and thrown away again.”

The smile disappeared from Beopjeong’s face as he looked at Chung Myung.

“Does that mean Mount Hua won’t think about the world?” Beopjeong asked.

“Yes,” Chung Myung replied.

“How could you…?”

“What has the world ever done for Mount Hua, who gave everything for it?” Chung Myung demanded.

Beopjeong was silent.

“Did you think we would follow you again like good dogs if you gave us a title?” Chung Myung asked. “You’re naive.”

“Do you know what happens to those who fail to become one of the Nine Great Sects?” Beopjeong asked.

“They’ll be attacked, I guess,” Chung Myung said with a smirk.

“Why should I care?” he continued. “When Mount Hua was being beaten by Jongnam, did anyone try to stop them?”

“That is…” Beopjeong started.

“Remember this,” Chung Myung said coldly.

He spoke with hard lips. “When Mount Hua fell, the Nine Sects did nothing to help. When Mount Hua regained its strength, the Nine Sects did nothing to help either. So, when Mount Hua rises again, we won’t need the help of the Nine Sects.”

Beopjeong was silent.

“If you think Mount Hua wants that old title of the Nine Great Sects, you’re wrong,” Chung Myung said. “Mount Hua is just Mount Hua! That’s enough.”

His cold, clear eyes put pressure on Beopjeong.

‘Those dog-like bastards,’ he thought.

He had heard those words many times.

‘The Jianghu lives because of Mount Hua.’

‘Countless lives were saved because of Mount Hua.’

Righteousness.

Yes, righteousness.

What did Mount Hua suffer because of that righteousness?

When his senior brothers and sisters died on the summit of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, these dog-like things saved themselves and left hope for the future.

A hundred years later, Shaolin was still Shaolin, and the Nine Sects were still the Nine Sects. But Mount Hua had fallen so far that it almost disappeared.

And now what?

Harmony?

Chung Myung’s hands shook.

He wanted to rush at Beopjeong and tear his arrogant mouth.

Even after a hundred years, they still thought they could use Mount Hua as they wanted.

Back then, he allowed it, even though he knew it.

Because if no one led, the Jianghu would be in danger of collapsing.

Even if the sacrifice was great, he thought it was better than the Demonic Sect ruling the Jianghu.

“- I don’t expect you to understand. I’m just doing what needs to be done. Chung Myung-ah. Profit is important. But if you only care about profit, will you be able to face your disciples?”

‘Sect Leader was wrong,’ Chung Myung thought.

The immortals of Mount Hua could not face their disciples.

And those who were hypocrites were still living well.

Karma?

The net of heaven misses nothing?

What nonsense.

Heaven helps no one. People must create karma and punish the guilty.

Chung Myung did not wait for karma.

If anyone had wronged Mount Hua, he would punish them. If anyone had been kind, he would repay them.

If heaven wouldn’t do it, he would do it himself.

That was how Chung Myung protected Mount Hua.

“Does Little Benefactor know what your words will cause?” Beopjeong asked.

“Is that a threat?” Chung Myung asked.

Beopjeong sighed. He looked tired.

“It is not right to be mean to someone who came with good intentions,” Beopjeong said.

“Good intentions?” Chung Myung smirked.

“Abbot,” Chung Myung said.

Beopjeong was silent.

Chung Myung’s voice was like a growl. It was like a wounded wolf.

“If you wanted to show good intentions, you should have apologized instead of making a proposal,” he said.

Beopjeong was silent.

“Of course, you may feel wronged. It’s not your fault. But if you feel wronged, you should also give up what you have in the name of Shaolin now. Is it right for Shaolin to enjoy the glory while ignoring the wrongs?”

Beopjeong’s beard shook.

He had thought about it.

But I thought he would ignore it. Only strong groups can point out mistakes to others. Mount Hua is not strong enough to fight Shaolin.

Yet, this young Taoist showed his teeth. And they were frighteningly sharp.

Chung Myung spoke first, his voice cold. “Go back.”

Hye-yeon was silent for a moment.

Chung Myung continued, “Mount Hua will not join Shaolin’s new group. We will make our own way.”

Beopjeong’s face turned red, his eyes narrowed. “Mount Hua is not strong enough to do that.”

Chung Myung smirked, leaning back slightly in his chair. “That remains to be seen.”

Chung Myung’s face returned to its usual indifferent expression. He looked at Hye-yeon, who was sitting next to Beopjeong, and said,

“And tomorrow will be the day to prove that.”

Beopjeong’s trembling face flushed slightly. He turned his head sharply and looked at Hyun Jong.

“Sect Leader, does this young man really speak for Mount Hua?”

Hyun Jong smiled as if the question was quite difficult.

“Can that really be? What he said is childish, angry, and not smart.”

“Then⋯⋯.”

Just as Beopjeong was about to respond, Hyun Jong continued in a quiet voice.

“But is there anything wrong with what this child says?”

“⋯⋯.”

At those soft words, Beopjeong was left speechless.

“Of course, I want to stop him too. If we just bow our heads once and treat it as if nothing happened, there is so much to gain. Why wouldn’t I want to do as the Abbot wishes?”

Hyun Jong smiled gently, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

“However, Abbot, just as you are the Abbot of Shaolin, I am the Sect Leader of Mount Hua. As the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, can I suppress what is right for a young disciple and tell him to pursue profit?”

“⋯⋯.”

“Mount Hua is just Mount Hua. Whether it is included in the Nine Great Sects or not, Mount Hua is just Mount Hua. How important is such a title? Mount Hua will simply walk its own path.”

Beopjeong closed his trembling eyes tightly.

‘It is impossible to communicate with these people.’

‘To think they would be so frustrating.’

He thought they would at least understand practicality and grand schemes, but they are clinging to petty past grudges and rejecting the hand that Shaolin has extended.

“⋯⋯I understand the Sect Leader’s intentions.”

Beopjeong did not linger any longer and rose from his seat. Then, Hye-yeon, who had been silently listening to their conversation, also stood up quietly.

Beopjeong turned his body sharply and said,

“No need to see me off. There will be another opportunity to talk after the finals.”

“Abbot.”

“Then.”

And he suddenly left the room.

However, unlike Beopjeong, Hye-yeon did not move and stared intently at Chung Myung.

Chung Myung raised his head and met his gaze.

“What?”

“⋯⋯Benefactor.”

Hye-yeon finally opened his mouth softly, his gaze somewhat cold.

“I will not say that what Benefactor did was wrong. Everyone has their own will, and they can discuss that will. But.”

Hye-yeon made a small bow.

“In conveying that will, etiquette and consideration are necessary. And Benefactor lacked that etiquette just now.”

“⋯⋯So?”

“Being rude shows you are too proud. So, tomorrow, I will teach you to be humble.”

“Hoo?”

Is this a provocation to beat me like a dog tomorrow?

Chung Myung stared intently at Hye-yeon.

The anger that he had always hidden was revealed on Hye-yeon’s face, who had always lowered his gaze timidly. There was even clear animosity in his eyes.

Just as Mount Hua was to Chung Myung, Shaolin must be an extremely important place to Hye-yeon.

So, it was easy to guess what emotions Hye-yeon felt when the Abbot of that precious Shaolin was humiliated by a young third-generation disciple of Mount Hua.

Chung Myung chuckled.

“Try it.” Chung Myung smirked, leaning back slightly in his chair.

“Amitabha!”

Hye-yeon recited the Buddha’s name in a strong tone and bit his lip slightly.

Then, he turned his body sharply.

“You better be prepared.”

As Hye-yeon was about to leave the room after saying those words, Chung Myung called out in a cold voice.

“Hey.”

Then Hye-yeon turned around.

“Remember those words.”

“What words?”

“The words about suppressing my arrogance.”

“⋯⋯.”

“I will say those words back to you tomorrow.”

He then clenched his lips tightly and went outside.

The two people left alone in the room silently looked at each other’s faces.

“⋯⋯Um.”

Chung Myung glanced at Hyun Jong and scratched his head.

“Sect Leader, I⋯⋯.”

“It’s alright.”

“No, that’s⋯⋯ I got too heated.”

“Didn’t I say it’s alright?”

Hyun Jong smiled gently, stopping Chung Myung, who was belatedly trying to apologize with an embarrassed face.

“Chung Myung-ah.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“I felt one thing deeply while watching Mount Hua decline. Do you know what it is?”

“⋯⋯I’m not sure.”

“To make people listen to you, you need strength. Being right means nothing if you are weak.”

Chung Myung nodded silently.

Hyun Jong asked him seriously.

“Can you prove that power? Can you make our will known to everyone in the world and enforce it?”

Chung Myung raised the corner of his lips with a smirk.

“That’s my specialty.”

It was a truly confident face. Hyun Jong smiled quietly.

“Good. That’s enough. Let’s show them. That Mount Hua no longer needs anyone’s help.”

“Yes!”

Hyun Jong closed his eyes tightly, watching Chung Myung nod resolutely.

‘Chung Myung-ah.’

Hyun Jong’s smile faded slightly, and his eyes held a hint of sadness as he looked at Chung Myung. Where does this child’s sadness come from?

And where does this child’s anger come from?

The more I know, the less I understand this child.

‘Someday, he will tell me.’

Someday, the day will come when Chung Myung tells me about the sadness he holds inside.

When that day comes.

The scent of strong plum wine will fill Mount Hua.

Filled with a faint smile and a vague sadness.