Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 331

A rumour travels a thousand miles, even without feet.

What human hands cannot stop is rumour itself. The news that the Mount Hua Sect had won the All-Under-Heaven Martial Competition spread like wildfire across the land.

Those who heard it first nodded.

“Of course, it’s Shaolin! I knew it.”

But those who heard the subsequent details couldn’t help but tilt their heads in confusion.

“Huh? The victory is practically Mount Hua’s? What does that even mean?”

And those who finally heard the whole story were astonished, their mouths agape.

“What? They gave up the championship themselves and just left?”

It was an utterly unbelievable tale.

“Good heavens, Shaolin has been utterly humiliated.”

“Just what sort of person is this Mount Hua Divine Dragon that he could do such a thing?”

“Hmph, Shaolin… Shaolin…”

People love rumours.

Especially the kind about someone’s scandal or the humiliation of those who used to be high and mighty.

Shaolin Temple had been the most respected place for martial arts and Buddhism for centuries. Now, a rumour spread that they were disgraced. This rumour travelled faster than any before.

In the process, the name of Mount Hua was mentioned countless times.

“But Mount Hua? Either way, doesn’t this mean Mount Hua made it to the finals?”

“Not only that. It’s said that Mount Hua achieved the best results in this competition. If we only consider the younger generation, there is no sect that can surpass Mount Hua.”

“Haha. I’m hearing the name Mount Hua for the first time, but to think it was such a strong sect.”

“In the past, Mount Hua was one of the Nine Great Sects. Hainan replaced them in that position. Anyway, now that Mount Hua is regaining its former glory, there will be interesting things happening in the future.”

“Wait! Wait! I can’t be the only one who knows about this! I need to spread the word quickly!”

“Hey! You’ll hurt yourself running like that. Hey, you!”

People in teahouses lowered their voices, leaning in to share the unbelievable news. Merchants in the market stopped their trades, gossiping with wide eyes. Messengers were sent racing between towns, carrying the tale of Mount Hua’s unexpected victory and Shaolin’s fall from grace.

Thanks to this, the rumours about Mount Hua spread across the land, fattened with extra details.

And the Mount Hua Sect, the sect everyone was talking about, left the uncomfortable Shaolin and set off for Shaanxi as quickly as possible…

Hyun Sang’s beard trembled at the sight before him.

‘Is this really alright?’

Of course, it wasn’t an unpleasant sight.

Even though they didn’t seize the championship, winning second place in the All-Under-Heaven Martial Competition was no small feat. Had they dared to expect such a result when they first participated in this competition?

Moreover, that second place was practically spitting out the candy they had almost swallowed. Perhaps it could be said that it was a second place more valuable than a championship.

Because they had shown their strength, but also their integrity by refusing to win in a way they didn’t believe was right. This earned them a different kind of respect.

Hyun Young cherished his disciples.

Although his tone was a bit sharp, no one in Mount Hua doubted that he genuinely cared for his disciples. So, he must have wanted to feed his hardworking disciples something delicious.

Of course, he understood that much. But…

“Um… Sect Leader.”

“Hmm?”

Hyun Jong, who was beside him, turned his head slightly. Hyun Sang spoke in a deliberately calm voice.

“I, of course… think that a celebratory feast is perfectly acceptable.”

“That’s right.”

“And I think that food is essential for a feast.”

“Then why?”

“But…”

Hyun Sang opened his mouth with a trembling voice.

“But isn’t this Shaolin? Is this really alright?”

Hyun Sang’s eyes could see a boisterous scene of feasting.

He could understand the disciples tearing at the meat hungrily. He had been trying to feed them meat somehow, but there were limits to how much he could sneak in.

Since they wouldn’t be coming back to Shaolin anyway, they could eat meat. However…

The bonfire lit outside the main hall and the whole pig roasting on it.

‘…Isn’t this going too far?’

Eating meat in a temple already felt like a departure from proper behavior, but a whole roasted pig? This felt like crossing a line that shouldn’t be crossed, exceeding the respect for Buddhism, and even crossing a line that a Taoist shouldn’t cross…

‘No, well, alright. Let’s say that’s fine.’

Meat is meat anyway. Whether they eat it pre-cooked or roast it here, what difference does it make?

The problem is?

“Kuh! Have a drink, Sahyung!”

“Good! Good! You have one too!”

“Gul! You worked hard to get to the Eight Trigrams!”

“Hee hee hee! I’ll pour for you, Sasook!”

Glug, glug, glug, glug.

“…”

Glug, glug, glug, glug.

“Kaaaah! This is amazing!”

“How long has it been since I had alcohol! Kruuuuh!”

Hyun Sang’s beard trembled again.

‘Is this really okay?’

To be so openly drinking alcohol and eating meat within the sacred grounds of Shaolin.

Didn’t everything in the world have a limit?

‘Whole roasted pig and liquor, even if this is a mountain, it’s still Mount Song.’

Anyone who saw this would point fingers and say that bandits had taken over Mount Song.

Feeling increasingly uneasy, Hyun Sang cautiously tried to persuade Hyun Jong.

“Sect Leader, I think this is a bit…”

But before he could say anything, Hyun Young cut him off.

“There you go again. Are you going to say something old-fashioned again!”

“…”

“I’m just trying to feed the kids who worked hard!”

“No, what I mean is… it’s not that the kids didn’t work hard, but…”

“Are you thinking of saving Shaolin’s face now? Do you think those guys will appreciate it if you do?”

“Kkeueueung.”

Hyun Sang knew it too.

Considering what Chung Myung had done at the martial arts competition, the relationship between Mount Hua and Shaolin was already beyond repair. Adding one more drinking session wouldn’t change anything.

Seeing Hyun Sang looking troubled, Hyun Jong smiled gently. His eyes held understanding and a deep affection for his disciples.

“Wouldn’t it be alright?”

“Sect Leader.”

“Those children have done so well until now. But that also means they competed in the competition without having time to relieve the fatigue accumulated from the long training they had been doing even before the competition.”

Hyun Sang nodded.

Competing in the competition was much harder than he had thought. Even Hyun Sang, who had never participated in a martial arts competition, felt a deep sense of fatigue as if his body was melting. How much more would those children feel?

“The road to Shaanxi is long. I want to let the children relax a little before we leave. Please understand.”

“My thoughts were short-sighted.”

As Hyun Sang bowed his head, Hyun Jong smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

“I know. A sect needs someone like you to speak up. But let’s put it down a little today.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Look. We can see those children looking so happy. How can we care about good manners?”

“That’s right…”

With a slightly pleased expression, Hyun Sang looked around.

He saw Chung Myung with a bottle of alcohol stuck in his mouth, tilting his head back.

“…”

Glug, glug, glug, glug, glug.

The alcohol quickly went down his throat. Chung Myung pulled the empty bottle from his mouth and immediately stuck a new bottle in his mouth without hesitation.

Glug, glug, glug, glug.

“…”

Won’t he die if he keeps doing that?

“Chung Myung seems to be in a very good mood.”

Excuse me?

He just looks like a drunkard in a stupor?

Sect Leader?

“Haha. Heroes naturally like alcohol.”

Huh?

Hero?

That guy?

Not easily agreeing with Hyun Young’s words, Hyun Sang glanced at Chung Myung again. Usually, there would definitely be someone nagging him by his side. There definitely would be…

“Ehehehehehe!”

“…”

But unfortunately, today seemed to be an exception. Yoon Jong and Jo Gul, who would usually stop Chung Myung, were instead making the situation worse, drinking like they were dying.

‘Even Yoon Jong is like that…?’

The one who tries to uphold the duties of a Taoist the most in Mount Hua is Yoon Jong, no matter what anyone says. As a martial artist, Baek Cheon might be more highly regarded, but as a Taoist who will uphold the Tao of Mount Hua, Yoon Jong was a more suitable vessel.

If it were usual Yoon Jong, he would have restrained himself appropriately and watched over the surroundings, regardless of whether others were drinking or not. But today, Yoon Jong had loosened his belt and was pouring alcohol into himself.

Jo Gul was twice as excited as Yoon Jong, constantly gulping down alcohol…

“Eung?”

Yoo Iseol was asleep in one corner, her head on the table. And Tang Soso was holding onto the sleeping person, rambling on and on.

“Hehe…”

The only one who seemed to be in his right mind was Baek Cheon, but he didn’t look particularly normal either. His face was flushed red, and he seemed busy receiving drinks from his fellow disciples.

The smell of roasting pork filled the air, mixing with the strong scent of alcohol. The fire crackled loudly, throwing sparks into the night sky above the silent Shaolin courtyards. Laughter and loud cheers echoed around the usually quiet temple.

They were feasting in the shadow of Shaolin’s grand halls, buildings that had stood for centuries, usually echoing with chants and the quiet rustle of robes. Tonight, however, the air vibrated with laughter and the clinking of cups.

The whole roasted pig, skin crackling and glistening with fat, was the centerpiece. Disciples tore off chunks of juicy meat with their hands. Bottles of strong liquor, smelling of rice and fire, were passed around freely.

“Hey, Chung Myung, slow down! Leave some for us!” Jo Gul shouted.

“This meat is amazing! Best celebration ever!” a nameless disciple exclaimed.

“To Mount Hua! To our victory!” they cheered together.

Hyun Sang sighed. He valued rules, tradition, and respect. But looking at the joyful faces of the disciples, he also felt a warmth in his chest. *Perhaps*, he thought, *sometimes rules can bend a little for happiness*.

“Huh… Heh heh.”

Hyun Sang was speechless. He looked at the chaos and laughed softly. Then, Hyun Jong spoke quietly.

“They must all have had a very hard time.”

“Of course…”

“How could those children not know that they worked very hard to rebuild Mount Hua?”

Hyun Sang fell silent.

Hyun Jong’s voice sounded sad.

“They’ve all just now stopped carrying the heavy burden for a moment. That’s why they can laugh and chatter so freely. Only now. Only now.”

Hyun Jong looked at his disciples with pity.

He felt uneasy, thinking that the innocent children were suffering because he couldn’t properly bear the burden.

Just then, someone interrupted his thoughts.

“Sect Leader, don’t think too much about your own thoughts.”

“Hmm?”

It was Hyun Young. He shook his head and said,

“A burden may be a pain usually, but it feels good once it’s set down. If the children hadn’t truly carried the weight, would they be able to be so happy now?”

“Hmm.”

“Of course, we made them suffer. But that doesn’t mean we should pity them. That would be like we don’t respect them. Aren’t they the proud children who achieved the best results in the Mount Hua Tournament?”

Hyun Jong quietly nodded.

“Yes. You are right.”

Proud.

Of course, they were proud.

Hyun Jong quietly wiped his eyes. Looking at those admirable fellows made his eyes feel hot and watery.

Those admirable…

“Eee hee hee hee hee!”

At that moment, Chung Myung jumped up from his seat and pushed a round bottle into Baek Sang’s mouth.

“Mph! Mph mph!”

“Drink! Drink! We’re drinking till we drop today!”

“Uuuuugh!”

Baek Sang struggled and resisted, but Chung Myung poured the liquor down his throat, laughing loudly and wildly as he looked for someone else to give drink to.

And finally, one person fell into Chung Myung’s clutches.

“Chung Myung?”

“……”

“Dong Ryong?”

“……”

Baek Cheon, his entire body already red from drink, stared at Chung Myung with trembling eyes.

“Ah, no. If I drink any more, I’ll d…”

But Chung Myung shoved the bottle into his mouth before he could finish speaking.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. You won’t die. You won’t die that easily.”

“Glug glug glug.”

Baek Cheon fell backward with the bottle still in his mouth.

At that moment, Yoo Iseol suddenly seemed to wake up, lifted her head sharply, and stared blankly at Chung Myung with unfocused eyes.

“Old fart.”

Thud.

Then she slammed her head back onto the table and fell very deeply asleep.

‘What a mess.’

Hyun Sang smiled faintly.

How could this be called a gathering of a Taoist sect? (A Taoist sect is like a school for martial arts.) Even a very famous drinker would turn away if he saw this sight.

‘Even if Sect Leader says something, I should stop them before it gets too out of hand…’

It was at that moment.

Chung Myung, who had been looking around with a red face, suddenly stopped.

“……”

“Hehe. Sect Leader?”

“……”

“Elder?”

The devil… No, Chung Myung began to approach slowly, holding bottles of liquor in both hands. The moment the brightest smile appeared on his lips, Hyun Sang squeezed his eyes shut.

❀ ❀ ❀

“Amitabha.”

A man stood in front of the pavilion and softly chanted the Buddha’s name. (Amitabha is a Buddhist chant.)

After hesitating for a few moments, he let out a deep sigh and knocked on the door with a heavy hand.

“Is anyone there?”

A small voice.

Perhaps that was why there was no answer.

He sighed even louder and knocked on the door a little harder.

“Is anyone there!”

But again, there was no response.

“Hmm?”

The man, Beopgye, tilted his head and listened intently.

‘Did they already leave?’

No. I can clearly sense people inside?

After thinking for a moment, he quietly pushed the door open. The door slowly creaked open, as if the latch wasn’t locked.

“Amitabha. I am Beopgye, a monk from Shaolin. Is the Sect Leader… What, what is this?”

Beopgye, who had peeked inside, recoiled in horror.

‘Did a war break out?’

The inside of the large pavilion was a complete mess. Bottles were rolling on the floor. Food was spilled everywhere. People were laughing loudly and falling over. Food plates and empty liquor bottles were scattered haphazardly on the tables, and Mount Hua’s disciples were sprawled on the floor as if they had been attacked.

‘T-This isn’t a real attack, is it?’

Seeing their chests move up and down, it seemed they weren’t dead, thankfully.

“Umm… Excuse me?”

Beopgye, who had been blankly surveying the situation, suddenly widened his eyes.

Now he could see the situation inside clearly.

“Liquor? And… meat?”

Come to think of it, weren’t those pig bones lying bare in the yard?

Beopgye, upon discovering the remnants of a bonfire in the yard, clutched the back of his neck.

“W-What on earth is this sect…!”

There’s a limit to how bad they are being, what on earth are they thinking?

He was about to shout with a red face, but hurriedly covered his mouth.

– Never clash with them. Never!

He barely managed to recall what Beopjeong had said before coming here.

Thinking that he should wake someone up first, he let out a deep sigh.

Just then.

Peep.

One of the things sprawled on the floor slightly raised its head. Then, it narrowed its eyes.

‘Is he in a bad mood?’

But the fellow soon began to rub his eyes wildly with his sleeve. It seemed he couldn’t see well because he wasn’t fully awake.

‘So what if he drank a little? A martial artist can’t see because of a hangover?’

He might as well boil soup with his inner strength!

What made Beopgye even more frustrated was that the fellow rubbing his eyes was ‘that’ Chung Myung. The guy who beat Hae Yeon was in such a state.

Chung Myung, still half-lying down, tilted his head and asked in a sleepy voice.

“Uh…”

“……”

“Who are you?”

“……”

Another sigh escaped from Beopgye’s lips.

“I am Beopgye, a monk. Is the Sect Leader here?”

“Uh… Sect Leader is, well…”

Chung Myung turned his head for a moment, then reached out and pointed to one side.

“He’s over there.”

“Huh?”

Beopgye turned his head following the direction of his finger, and froze on the spot.

Hyun Jong, with messy hair and a crooked Taoist hat, was sprawled on the railing of the stairs.

“……”

“Should I wake him up?”

“……No. I’ll wait.”

“Okay. Do that.”

Beopgye chanted the Buddha’s name repeatedly in his mind.

‘Amitabha.’

To think they lost to these guys.

Where is Shaolin heading?

“Amitabha!”

A nervous chant burst from Beopgye’s lips. Just then, Chung Myung, who had been yawning widely, asked.

“By the way… why are you trying to see the Sect Leader?”

Beopgye sighed and replied.

“I came to deliver the Abbot’s message.”

Chung Myung’s eyes narrowed slightly.