Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 33

Silence fell like a heavy stone in the hall. No one dared to breathe.

Hyun Jong’s words were like a thunderclap. Those who understood him were frozen, mouths gaping open in disbelief. Others, still trying to understand, were silenced by the sudden, heavy atmosphere. The air crackled with tension.

“Sect Leader!” someone finally shouted, breaking the silence.

“What are you saying, Sect Leader?” another voice cried out, filled with panic.

The hall exploded with noise. Merchants’ faces turned bright red with anger. They screamed, their voices echoing like angry shouts in a market. But Hyun Jong’s face remained calm, cold. A coldness none of them had ever seen in him pressed down on them, silencing their protests.

“Just as I said.”

“But, but…!”

“We don’t understand what’s going on…”

Then, Gong Mun-yeon’s voice cut through the noise.

“Silence.”

Hyun Jong and Gong Mun-yeon stared at each other.

“Sect Leader.”

“Speak, Gong Ru-joo.”

Hyun Jong’s attitude had changed. He was no longer relaxed. The courtesy on Gong Mun-yeon’s face had vanished.

“I think the joke has gone too far.”

“Did you say joke?”

“Yes, I did.”

Their eyes locked. Hyun Jong didn’t back down.

“If you think being the Sect Leader of Mount Hua is a joke, I am very disappointed in you.”

Gong Mun-yeon pressed his lips tightly, his mouth twisting unnaturally.

“According to this ledger, most of the Hua-eum Merchant Union’s businesses are owned by Mount Hua. If we can’t prove we acquired them fairly, we have no excuse if our assets are seized.”

“You know it well.”

“However.”

Gong Mun-yeon smiled, but it was forced and awkward.

“That’s only if this ledger is real, isn’t it?”

Hyun Jong stared at him.

“How can you prove this ledger is genuine?”

“Are you saying…” Hyun Jong narrowed his eyes. “That Mount Hua has presented false evidence?”

“Mount Hua would never do that.”

Gong Mun-yeon took a step back, but his attitude remained unchanged.

“But could Mount Hua be deceived by a false ledger? Unless it’s verified, we can’t trust it.”

“That’s right!”

“That’s perfectly reasonable!”

The merchants supported Gong Mun-yeon.

Hyun Jong nodded slowly, then turned to Hyun Young.

“Chief of the Treasury Pavilion.”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

“What do you think?”

“There is some merit to their words,” Hyun Young replied calmly. The merchants cheered.

“Then what should we do?”

“Sect Leader, the discussion has gone astray,” Hyun Young said with a gentle smile. “Determining if the ledger is real isn’t our job, or theirs. Isn’t that the government’s role?”

“That’s right.”

Hyun Young clasped his hands.

“So, we already gave half of this ledger to the government in Hua-eum to check if it’s real. If it’s verified, they will seize their businesses.”

Gong Mun-yeon’s eyes widened.

“Y-you already entrusted it?”

“That’s right. Why? Is something wrong?” Hyun Young’s question made Gong Mun-yeon sweat. He realized he’d been outsmarted.

If they were in Hua-eum, they could have managed. But they were in Mount Hua. If government soldiers seized their businesses while they were away, the remaining people couldn’t handle it.

‘That bastard!’ Sparks flew in Gong Mun-yeon’s eyes as he glared at Hyun Jong. Hyun Jong had summoned them to Mount Hua for this. Showing the ledger was just a smokescreen to separate them from Hua-eum.

“When did you entrust the ledger to the government?”

“Two days ago.”

“…” Gong Mun-yeon gritted his teeth.

Two days was enough time to verify the ledger. Even though they said they entrusted half, the ledger in the chest had already been reviewed. Government troops were likely waiting to confiscate the businesses.

The Hua-eum government had always been friendly to Mount Hua. With pressure from above, the magistrate would act accordingly. It was probably already a mess.

“Sect Leader!” Gong Mun-yeon shouted angrily.

But Hyun Jong was no longer lenient.

“Lower your voice,” he said sternly. Gong Mun-yeon, rarely panicked, shrank back at Hyun Jong’s force.

It was hard to believe such an aura could come from someone bearing the name of Mount Hua.

“You have no right to speak.” Hyun Jong stared at the merchants coldly. Some lowered their heads, avoiding his gaze.

“A true friend helps in times of trouble. There’s no need to treat those who brandish a sword as friends. Go back. It will all be over when you reach Hua-eum. I should recover everything…” Hyun Jong sighed. “But I can’t ignore your efforts completely. So, I’ll allow each of you to take one cart’s worth of possessions.”

“Sect Leader!” Even the oblivious understood the situation.

“I have shown you the greatest favor.”

Then Hyun Young spoke.

“Sect Leader, these people insulted Mount Hua and embezzled its assets. They repaid kindness with enmity. Such favor is…”

“If I bare my teeth just because a beast tries to bite me, then I too become a beast,” Hyun Jong waved his hand. “I’ve decided. Chief of the Treasury Pavilion, say no more.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Hyun Young lowered his head.

“Go down and see for yourselves how things have turned out.”

Gong Mun-yeon’s face twisted. He glared at Hyun Jong as if he wanted to kill him.

“Sect Leader, you were hiding a venomous heart behind that gentle face.”

“A venomous heart…” Hyun Jong smiled gently. “If it’s venomous, then it is. Though I doubt it can compare to yours.”

“I will not forget this debt.”

“Very well. Un-am, escort these gentlemen out.”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

Gong Mun-yeon turned sharply and walked towards the main gate without waiting for Un-am.

The merchants, unsure, followed Gong Mun-yeon. They needed to get down the mountain quickly to see what had happened in Hua-eum.

Watching them leave, Hyun Jong sighed softly.

“Sect Leader! You’ve worked hard.”

“Indeed.” Hyun Jong gave Hyun Young a gentle smile.

“Now Mount Hua is saved! Truly saved!”

“Don’t get too carried away. We’ve only crossed one mountain.”

“Where was there a bigger mountain than this? Everything will be fine now.”

Hyun Jong smiled as he watched Hyun Young, overjoyed. It had been decades since he had seen him so happy. Everyone had been carrying heavy burdens.

‘It’s all thanks to that child.’ It was truly Mount Hua’s great fortune.

He had to give a great reward. He couldn’t stop smiling.

Hyun Jong’s gaze turned to Yoo Jong-san and the remaining merchants.

“And…” Those who met his eyes lowered their heads.

“You have not lost your sense of righteousness until the very end.” Hyun Jong’s attitude was gentler than before. He was still solemn, but definitely kinder.

“Sect Leader, we don’t know how this is all turning out…”

“The fact that your businesses belong to Mount Hua remains. Naturally, what belongs to Mount Hua must return. But I will allow you to continue operating the businesses and receive compensation.”

“…” Yoo Jong-san’s face became subtle.

Although their situation was better than the others, they were still losing their businesses. Yoo Jong-san was going from owner to agent.

“Then…” Just as Yoo Jong-san was about to protest, Hyun Young spoke.

“Excessive greed invites disaster.”

“…”

“You oppressed others with wealth that wasn’t yours, so this is also a sin. Mount Hua is giving you the opportunity to lessen that sin.”

A sigh escaped. If it all stemmed from a lie, then Hyun Young’s words were correct.

‘Grandfather, what on earth have you done?’ He felt ashamed.

“Chief of the Treasury Pavilion.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“But didn’t these people remain loyal to Mount Hua and help at the last moment?”

“You are absolutely right.”

“Discuss it together. See if there is a good solution. Mount Hua must still be a warm place for its friends, mustn’t it?”

“Yes, Sect Leader. I will follow your instructions.” Hyun Young stepped forward and gestured to the merchants. “Come this way. Let’s go to the Treasury Pavilion and discuss the future.”

“Yes.” The merchants followed Hyun Young, their faces showing complicated feelings.

As everyone moved away, Hyun Jong remained alone, looking around Mount Hua.

He looked at this sight every day. But today, Mount Hua looked different.

The desolate buildings seemed more vibrant.

‘Is everything in the mind?’ No. It doesn’t end there.

Mount Hua, which had only received bad news, had received good news for the first time in decades. The flow had changed, and it was not easy to reverse. Now that the water had been opened in a good direction, Mount Hua would be different. Hyun Jong believed so.

Perhaps, with today as an opportunity, the forgotten glory of Mount Hua might return.

‘It must be so.’ A clear smile bloomed on Hyun Jong’s wrinkled face.

“W-well, that…” And a clean face without any wrinkles twisted hideously.

“That sucker!” Sparks flew in Chung Myung’s eyes.

What? One cart’s worth?

Beasts this and beasts that?

“Alright. I’ll show you exactly what a beast is!” Hyun Jong had sent them away like that. Chung Myung did not send them away.