Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 330

“Withdraw?” Chung Myung’s word hung in the air.

“…Withdraw now? Here?” Another voice echoed, filled with disbelief.

The leaders of the Nine Sects and the Five Great Families jumped to their feet. Chairs scraped loudly on the stone floor. Their faces were blank, like statues carved from stone, as they stared at the sparring stage. In the world of martial arts, powerful groups called the Nine Sects and Five Great Families held great influence.

*What is going on?* one leader thought, his mind racing.

*Good heavens,* another silently exclaimed. *This is too much!*

This was something that had never happened before.

They tried to remember, but no one could recall a finalist ever withdrawing from such an important tournament.

‘Shouldn’t they fight until they can’t anymore, even if they are badly injured?’

But to withdraw?

Especially when he was almost sure to win?

Even the experienced sect leaders could not understand what was happening.

“S-so, what happens now?”

Someone asked, and everyone looked at Heo Do-jin. The Abbot was not there, so Heo Do-jin, the leader of the Mount Hua Sect, was in charge.

Heo Do-jin looked confused. He glanced at the sect leaders and then at Chung Myung. He let out a dry laugh.

“What do you mean, what happens? Hye-yeon won, of course.”

“…No, everyone knows that…”

“Then what do you want me to do? He withdrew before we could say who won. Should I try to tell him that he actually won?”

“Hmph…”

Everyone looked at each other.

“But will the people who watched the match agree with that?”

“Of course not.”

“Then…”

But no one said anything else.

The leaders were not stupid. They just couldn’t understand the situation and wanted to know what others thought.

In the end, one thing was clear:

‘This is a disgrace.’

‘Shaolin’s reputation has crashed like a falling mountain.’

It was bad enough that the runner-up in their tournament was a disgrace. Other sects might try to hide it, but Shaolin was hosting, so it was a big problem. The runner-up alone could hurt their reputation.

But for the person who was going to win to refuse the victory Shaolin offered?

This made Shaolin look very bad.

Heo Do-jin looked at Chung Myung, confused.

‘Has anyone ever shamed Shaolin this much before?’

He couldn’t remember anything like it.

The person who made Shaolin’s reputation fall so low was not from Mount Hua, or even the Demonic Sect, but a young disciple of Mount Hua. It was hard to believe.

“Hahahahahahahahaha!”

Suddenly, Tang Gunak laughed loudly.

Heo Do-jin frowned and looked at him.

‘Tang Gunak?’

It was Tang Gunak, the head of the Sichuan Dang Family. He was holding his stomach and laughing.

Heo Do-jin’s face twisted.

Tang Gunak was usually serious. But now he was laughing like a child, almost crying.

“Ah, ah… I’m sorry. Haha.”

He wiped his eyes and stood up slowly.

“It’s not just Shaolin. Seeing the sect leaders confused makes me laugh.”

“…Ahem.”

“Ahem!”

The sect leaders all cleared their throats and looked away.

Tang Gunak’s words were sharp.

Shaolin was disgraced, but it wasn’t just Shaolin’s problem.

The Nine Sects had accepted Shaolin as their leader and shared its reputation. So, this was a disgrace for the Nine Sects and the Five Great Families.

They had been watching the competition from the platform, which meant they were supporting it.

By sitting on this platform, they were showing that they agreed with the martial arts competition.

In the end, the young disciple of Mount Hua was denying the authority of the Nine Sects and the Five Great Families, who had kept order in the world for so long.

Those who understood Tang Gunak’s words looked at Mount Hua with anger and embarrassment. Tang Gunak turned away quickly. He didn’t need to see the leaders’ reactions.

‘It will begin.’

The leaders thought Chung Myung was just an arrogant young genius. But Tang Gunak knew better. He knew that the boy had a plan.

Tang Gunak had been surprised by Chung Myung’s wisdom. He was quick to act, but he was also very wise.

“Tsk.”

Mount Hua would not stay in Shaanxi. If Mount Hua decided to take a different path from the Nine Sects, the world would be shaken. Could they handle that chaos?

Tang Gunak was curious.

‘The Dang Family must also get ready now.’

He looked at Chung Myung, who was standing with his martial siblings.

‘For the new order that the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua will create.’

He looked down, deep in thought.

Baek Cheon stared at Chung Myung, confused.

“You…”

“Huh?”

“Ha…”

He opened his mouth, but then closed it and shook his head.

“No…”

“Move it. This isn’t for you to deal with.”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung pushed Baek Cheon aside and walked to Hyun Jong, who was sitting with the Mount Hua disciples.

He walked with strong steps and scratched his head. Then, he bowed deeply.

“I’m sorry for doing what I wanted!”

He looked up, smiling.

“I will accept any punishment. But please don’t make me stay in the Meditation Cave. I don’t like the Wall Gazing Pill.”

Hyun Jong watched Chung Myung and then spoke.

“Chung Myung-ah.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Did you do what you wanted to do?”

Chung Myung stood up straight and looked at the sky.

Heart, huh…

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Chung Myung spoke softly. Hyun Jong smiled gently and nodded.

“Good. That is enough.”

He stood up and patted Chung Myung’s shoulder. Hyun Jong looked at Chung Myung. *This boy… he is truly special,* Hyun Jong thought, a warmth spreading in his chest.

Chung Myung’s eyes became serious. Hyun Jong said,

“I don’t think you act without thinking.”

“…”

“So, you don’t need to explain. Haven’t I said it before? Your will is the will of Mount Hua.”

“Sect Leader…”

“You have done well.”

Hyun Jong looked around.

The sect leaders and spectators were still shocked. They were staring in their direction. The Shaolin disciples looked lost, and Hye-yeon was sitting on the sparring stage, confused.

Hyun Jong looked at Chung Myung.

“Chung Myung-ah. You have shown them the sword of Mount Hua. That is enough.”

Chung Myung grinned and scratched his head.

“That’s right. Hehe.”

Hyun Jong felt relieved.

‘He is an amazing child.’

Everyone was watching Chung Myung. Even if he had won the championship, he wouldn’t have gotten more attention than this.

Baek Cheon, who was listening, couldn’t help but shout.

“No, Sect Leader, this is too much!”

He looked confused and angry.

Yoon Jong rarely complained, but he raised his voice.

“You shouldn’t praise him for this! You should be scolding him!”

“That’s right! I knew he would cause trouble, but this is too much trouble!”

Jo Gul pointed from behind Baek Cheon.

Yoo Iseol looked at Chung Myung, unhappy, and shook her head.

Before Hyun Jong could answer, Hyun Young scolded them.

“Quiet, you kids!”

“Elder!”

“If the Sect Leader says so, then that’s how it is. What are you doing, telling the Sect Leader what to do? Un-geom! Where is Un-geom!”

“Eek!”

“W-we were wrong!”

“We were short-sighted!”

The disciples were scared of Baek Maegwanju Un-geom and became quiet.

Chung Myung, who was hiding behind Hyun Young, chuckled.

‘I want to kill him.’

‘I just want to punch him once! Just once!’

*Baek Cheon thought,* “That damned rascal.”

*He sighed.* That hopeless fellow.

And…

Baek Cheon, who had been glaring at Chung Myung, could only manage a hollow laugh.

‘Yes, well. That’s just the kind of guy he is.’

Chung Myung didn’t care about winning the competition. From the start, it meant nothing to him. That rascal just wanted to show everyone that Hwasan had changed. He wanted to beat those Nine Great Sects badly.

“…He smashed them a bit too much, though.”

He glanced at Hye-yeon, who looked utterly dazed.

A genius.

A talent that Shaolin had nurtured with all their heart and soul.

The one who had seemed so great now looked utterly pathetic.

But it was as natural as could be.

What greater humiliation could there be for a martial artist?

Baek Cheon shook his head and looked at Chung Myung.

“You devilish bastard.”

“What now?”

“…Nothing.”

What was the point of saying anything?

Just then, Hyun Jong slowly stepped forward.

“Let’s go back.”

Hyun Sang asked, flustered, “Like this? But what about the awards ceremony?”

Hyun Jong gestured to the silent, stunned crowd around them. “I don’t think anyone is in the mood for celebrations, do you?”

“…No, Sect Leader.”

Hyun Jong reached out and gently grabbed the back of Chung Myung’s neck.

“Huh?”

“Come here, Chung Myung.”

“…Yes?”

He said with a gentle smile.

“Walk in front.”

“Ehhh.”

Chung Myung quickly shook his head.

“The Sect Leader should lead the way for the sect. I’ll follow from behind.”

“Then let’s walk together.”

“…What?”

Hyun Jong patted him on the shoulder a couple of times.

“You deserve it. No, you should.”

Chung Myung was quite taken aback. He had never imagined walking beside the Sect Leader. He flinched and tried to step back, but the moment he tried to move his foot, he felt something against his back.

“Huh?”

He turned around to see Baek Cheon and his group reaching out to stop him from retreating.

“Go.”

“Stand in front.”

“You can’t back down.”

“……”

‘Are these guys…?’

He tried to suppress them with a glare, but they pushed him even more resolutely. It was clear they wouldn’t back down easily.

In the end, Chung Myung sighed deeply and stepped forward to stand beside Hyun Jong. The elders stood behind them, and the remaining Hwasan disciples lined up.

“Let’s go.”

Hyun Jong took a step.

And the Hwasan disciples began to walk with him.

A path opened through the silent crowd, stretching out from the arena like a dark tunnel. Faces lined both sides, a sea of stunned expressions watching them pass.

When Hwasan had first walked into the arena, the cheers had been deafening, like a storm of sound. But now, everyone stared with wide eyes, their faces blank and confused, as if they had just seen something impossible, something magical and strange.

A small smile touched the lips of each Hwasan disciple, without them even realizing it. Seeing the stunned faces in the crowd made a warm feeling spread through their chests. It wasn’t just pride; it was something more exciting, something that made their hearts beat faster. It was exhilarating.

It was then, as they continued to move forward with powerful strides.

“Stop!”

The heads of the Hwasan disciples turned in unison.

“Cough!”

“Abbot!”

“You mustn’t overexert yourself!”

“Let go of me!”

The Abbot of Shaolin, Beop Jeong, who had collapsed as if the sky had fallen, was sending a furious glare in their direction. It was not the peaceful demeanor he usually wore.

His face was pale, and there were red stains on his beard and the front of his robes, showing how furious he was.

“Are you just going to leave like this?”

“……”

Hyun Jong shrugged and replied.

“Then what else should we do, Abbot?”

“How… How could you!”

Beop Jeong trembled and roared.

“Do you even realize what you are doing? This is an insult not only to Shaolin but to the entire world!”

“……”

“Hwasan, your arrogance is too much! Do you think the world will just accept this?”

Hyun Jong glanced at Chung Myung. Chung Myung, as if waiting for it, shrugged and said.

“Why do we need to be tolerated?”

“…What?”

His eyes, as he looked at Beop Jeong, were utterly indifferent.

“You seem to be mistaken, but it’s not a matter of being tolerated or anything. It’s not us who are arrogant, but Shaolin. Aren’t you saying that because you think even this kind of thing needs Shaolin’s permission?”

“Y-You…”

Chung Myung grinned and waved his hand at the old monk, who couldn’t speak.

“Take care of yourself. You suddenly coughed up blood, so you don’t look too healthy. It seems like taking care of your health should be your priority before pointing fingers at others. I’ll send you some leftover wild ginseng from Hwasan.”

“You… you awful brat! Cough!”

Beop Jeong coughed up blood again and curled up.

“Abbot!”

“What are you doing! Quickly, take the Abbot to the medical hall!”

‘How extreme must his frustration be to suffer internal injuries?’

Chung Myung shook his head.

“He’s really disqualified as a monk, even if not as a martial artist.”

At those words, Baek Cheon said very quietly.

“…Have you ever considered that your mouth is excessive?”

“Not at all?”

“…I see.”

Baek Cheon nodded in understanding. Hyun Jong gave a wry smile.

‘With this, we’ll inevitably be on truly bad terms with Shaolin.’

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t worried.

But…

Hyun Jong rather straightened his chest.

He didn’t want to tell those who wanted to walk the right path to look at reality.

‘I am the Sect Leader of Hwasan.’

What adults should do is to enable children to walk the right path. If the sword of reality stabs Hwasan, he, and the elders of Hwasan, would take the blow.

Until these children grow up upright and one day become the great trees of Hwasan.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

Everyone’s shoulders and backs straightened. Each step they took was filled with strength and pride.

Everyone knew.

That in times like these, they had to leave behind a dignified image.

The spectators couldn’t take their eyes off their figures as they left the arena without a trace of regret.

And at some point.

Clap. Clap clap. Clap clap clap clap!

As someone started clapping, one by one, people raised their hands and began to applaud.

And that applause soon turned into a sound so loud that it seemed to cover all of Shaolin.

It was different from the cheers they had received until now.

It was applause filled with ‘recognition,’ not just support.

Even with that sound, the Hwasan disciples did not look back.

Their shoulders rose on their own.

Their fists clenched tightly.

Their faces flushed.

Now, everyone in the world would know.

That the Plum Blossom Sword Manor, Hwasan Sect, had returned to the Jianghu.

“Oh, right! I need to go get my gambling money! Wait, can I go over there for a second?”

“……”

“Sect Leader?”

“…Aish, you damned mudfish!”

A little…

Though they had returned in a slightly peculiar way.

Plum Blossom Sword Manor. Hwasan Sect.

It was the moment when the prestigious Hwasan Sect, which had continued its history for hundreds of years, declared its return to the world.