Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 334

He could still see it clearly, as if it was right in front of him. Black hair, a long beard, bright eyes that smiled gently.

And…

The Purple Dawn Divine Sword, always at his waist.

Chung Myung’s eyes stayed on the Purple Dawn, unable to look away.

“‘This is coming out of *here*?'” he thought, a small laugh escaping him. He thought many things could appear, but not *this*.

The Purple Dawn Divine Sword…

Chung Myung smiled a little, but Hyun Jong’s breath caught in his throat as he looked at the Purple Dawn Divine Sword. His heart beat faster.

“‘Great Swordsman Chung Mun…'” Hyun Jong whispered, the name feeling heavy with history.

Of course he knew the name. Chung Mun had led Mount Hua to its greatest time. His name would always be remembered in their history.

“H-How! How can this item be in Shaolin!” Hyun Jong was very angry, something people rarely saw. “How can this be in Shaolin!” he exclaimed, his voice louder than he intended. Abbot Beop Jeong understood. If he were in Hyun Jong’s place, he would feel the same.

This Purple Dawn Divine Sword was so important to Mount Hua. It was a divine artifact, a sacred object that showed the sect’s power. Like Shaolin’s Green Jade Buddha Staff, which was sometimes even more powerful than the Abbot himself. Of course, Mount Hua also had a divine artifact to show its power. This was the Purple Dawn Divine Sword. For Mount Hua, losing this sword was unthinkable, like losing the Sect Leader’s Seal.

“The Purple Dawn Divine Sword was lost in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, so does that mean Shaolin has been keeping this item all this time?”

“Of course not.”

Beop Jeong shook his head.

“We only discovered this item recently. And Shaolin had to pay a great price to obtain this divine sword.”

Hyun Jong’s beard trembled.

This sword was part of Mount Hua’s history and showed their power. They *had* to get it back. It was one of the few things left from their glorious past.

“We will return the Purple Dawn Divine Sword to Mount Hua as the price for this matter.”

Hyun Jong bit his lip.

Going to the Northern Sea was very hard. But leaving the Purple Dawn Divine Sword here was even harder.

Beop Jeong smiled knowingly, as if he understood Hyun Jong’s heart.

“For Mount Hua, the Purple Dawn Divine Sword is a very good price.”

Beop Jeong smiled confidently. He knew he was right to be confident.

For any sect, a divine artifact is incredibly important. Losing it weakens their power. Getting it back would make Mount Hua much stronger.

Mount Hua was becoming powerful again, very quickly. For a sect like that, getting back the Purple Dawn Divine Sword was a huge symbol.

So Hyun Jong would not be able to refuse this offer. Absolutely not.

Beop Jeong, who had pushed the Purple Dawn Divine Sword back into its scabbard, put away the box and placed the sword on the tea table. Then, he pushed it towards Hyun Jong.

“If you wish, you may take this sword now.”

“…Now, you say?”

“To be honest, Shaolin and Mount Hua are not friends right now. But I trust Mount Hua. Why not give a reward to someone I trust right away?”

Hyun Jong shifted in his seat.

He knew Beop Jeong wasn’t offering the sword just to be nice. It might not be a trick, but going to the Northern Sea could be even harder than Beop Jeong was saying.

Even so, Hyun Jong couldn’t make a decision easily.

That sword showed Mount Hua’s glorious past. It was their divine artifact, a symbol of the great Mount Hua they could only remember now. How could he just take it and agree?

Just as Hyun Jong bit his lip and was about to answer, Chung Myung, who had been quietly watching the situation, suddenly reached out and grabbed the Purple Dawn Divine Sword.

“Hmm?”

He calmly took the sword and slowly drew it.

The Purple Dawn Divine Sword was now fully out of its scabbard. It glowed white in the sunlight coming into the room.

Chung Myung, quietly gazing at the sword’s blade, slowly reached out and placed his finger on its surface.

Hyun Jong and Beop Jeong simultaneously held their breath.

For some reason, they felt that they shouldn’t disturb him now.

It wasn’t just the feeling he gave off. His face, which they couldn’t describe, made both leaders quiet.

“‘Chung Myung.'”

Hyun Jong simply watched Chung Myung silently.

Sometimes, Chung Myung acted like this. And when he did, Hyun Jong felt he had to be quiet and respect the serious feeling Chung Myung carried.

Chung Myung slowly closed his eyes. He stood perfectly still, like a statue.

He closed his eyes, his hand on the sword. After a long moment, he slowly opened his eyes and looked up.

Seeing that, Hyun Jong finally made up his mind.

“‘The Purple Dawn Divine Sword must return to Mount Hua.’ Seeing Chung Myung with the sword, he knew it was right. That sword belonged in Chung Myung’s hand, as he traveled.”

“Mount Hua accepts the Abbot’s request…”

Thud!

At that moment, Chung Myung slammed the sword into its scabbard with a loud noise and placed it on the tea table. Then, with a slightly troubled look, he stared intently at the sword.

“Hmmm.”

Beop Jeong smiled to himself. Chung Myung usually hated anything from Shaolin. This reaction was almost like winning already.

“Little Taoist. If you wish, I can hand over the Purple Dawn Divine Sword right here and now. The price is for the peace of the Jianghu, so Shaolin is not ordering Mount Hua. Isn’t that so?”

Chung Myung nodded, as if Beop Jeong’s words were correct. Then, he slightly lifted his head, looked at Beop Jeong, and opened his mouth.

“And?”

“…Huh?”

And?

“I don’t understand what you mean?”

Chung Myung asked again, looking indifferent to Beop Jeong’s question.

“What else are you going to give me?”

“…Else?”

This time, Beop Jeong tilted his head.

“I’m offering Mount Hua’s divine artifact, and you’re saying you need something else? Little Taoist, do you understand what meaning a divine artifact has…”

Beop Jeong stopped talking.

Chung Myung’s face was changing, looking angry.

“Abbot,” Chung Myung said. He tilted his head a little, then sharply to one side. “It seems you’ve been in these mountains too long and forgotten how the real world works.”

The small room was quiet, even though it was high in the mountains. Sunlight came through the paper windows, lighting up dust motes dancing in the air. Chung Myung sat at a low tea table, tapping his fingers on the sword in front of him.

“Are you talking about some grand price while holding a piece of old scrap metal?” Chung Myung asked. “I guess sitting still and having worshippers come and give you money makes the world look easy. Even beggar guild members get their bowls broken and are kicked out if they beg like that, yes?”

Beopjeong’s eyes widened. “Scrap metal?” he repeated.

Had Chung Myung just called the sacred artifact of Mount Hua a piece of scrap metal?

“Listen here, Mount Hua Divine Dragon,” Beopjeong said, his voice rising. “I don’t think you understand, but this is the sacred artifact of Mount Hua.”

“So what?” Chung Myung replied.

“Don’t you understand? It’s the sacred artifact of the Mount Hua Sect!” Beopjeong exclaimed.

“Ah, I know. So what about it?” Chung Myung scratched his ear.

“Don’t you know what a sacred artifact means to a sect?” Beopjeong asked, bewildered.

“You’re a strange one, aren’t you?” Chung Myung retorted.

Beopjeong stared blankly at Chung Myung. “What?”

“I’m a member of the Mount Hua Sect, so why is the Abbot deciding what that sword means to Mount Hua?” Chung Myung asked. “It’s not like you’re deciding how many bowls of rice we have at home.”

Beopjeong was speechless. He looked at Hyun Jong, hoping for support, but Hyun Jong was also staring blankly at Chung Myung with a dumbfounded expression.

“Chung Myung-ah,” Hyun Jong began hesitantly. “Still, it’s the sacred artifact of our founder…”

“What’s so special about a sacred artifact?” Chung Myung said indifferently. “Sects gather together and bicker, and if they find something expensive and pretty, they say, ‘From now on, this is our symbol.’ That’s what a sacred artifact is. It’s not like a sacred artifact is chosen by the heavens and sent down.”

“An object is just an object. Why give so much meaning to an object? It’s not like Mount Hua isn’t Mount Hua without it, and it’s not like Mount Hua becomes great because of it. Are you crazy? Going to the Northern Sea just to get a piece of sword? The Northern Sea?” A dangerous glint appeared in Chung Myung’s eyes, like a cat about to pounce.

Hyun Jong flinched, thinking, ‘What on earth did this rascal learn growing up?’

Chung Myung just sneered. “Of course, if I got my hands on it, I wouldn’t sell it for money, but it doesn’t make sense for disciples to risk their lives for a sacred artifact. Which ancestor would value a sacred artifact more than their disciples?”

Beopjeong couldn’t find any more words to say. He had lost the will to do so.

Chung Myung subtly made a circle with his thumb and forefinger in front of him, hinting at money.

“Is there anything else? Money, perhaps? Or… money? Ah, a promissory note would be fine too. A voucher, or maybe jewels…”

“Chung Myung-ah,” Hyun Jong interjected. “Aren’t those all the same thing?”

“Oh. Right. But…” Chung Myung chuckled and pushed the Ja Ha Sword towards Beopjeong once more.

“Come to think of it, it doesn’t seem like it would be worth it unless I got a considerable amount. This seems like a really good sword, so keep it and use it well.”

Chung Myung dusted himself off and stood up, as if he had nothing more to say. Hyun Jong also awkwardly rose to his feet, following suit.

“Then,” Chung Myung said.

As Chung Myung turned away, Beopjeong urgently reached out and shouted, “Little Taoist! This isn’t something we can just end like this, is it?”

“Oh?” Chung Myung responded.

Beopjeong seemed quite flustered, and his words became increasingly rapid. “If you don’t like the price I offered, I’ll change it. This is for the sake of the world.”

“Ah. Right. The world. That’s very important,” Chung Myung said.

Chung Myung turned his body and straightened his posture. Then, with an utterly serious face, he clasped his hands towards Beopjeong. “The fact that Mount Hua did its best for the world in the past remains in the hearts of Mount Hua’s disciples as boundless pride, Abbot.”

Beopjeong closed his mouth, feeling stabbed where it hurt again.

“Of course, that matter is…” Chung Myung continued.

“I’m not trying to dredge up the past. Mount Hua has lost much, but it has also gained much.”

“So…” Chung Myung grinned, but it wasn’t a friendly smile. It was sharp and knowing, like he was playing a game and already knew he would win.

“So, I hope the Shaolin can also experience that pride at least once.” The smile on his face was so bright that it left one speechless.

“If it’s Shaolin, you’ll surely be able to do it without difficulty! I’ll do my best to support you in Shaanxi, so please be sure to uncover the traces of that wicked Demonic Sect and save the world from misery!”

“Ah, no…” Beopjeong mumbled.

“If not Shaolin, which sect would dare to do this? Right? Sect Leader?” Chung Myung asked.

Hyun Jong nodded blankly. “Yes, that’s right.”

“Kuh. Yes, yes. This is something only Shaolin can do. Good luck, Abbot! If you ever need to use that Ja Ha Sword when fighting the Demonic Sect, please use it well. The blade is still sharp. Then.” Chung Myung waved his hand and flung the door open, leaving.

Watching Hyun Jong follow him with a dazed expression, Beopjeong once again shouted urgently. “Are you really going to give up the sacred artifact of your ancestor? Is that Mount Hua’s choice?”

Chung Myung, who was about to turn back, turned his head. Beopjeong flinched at the look of disdain in his eyes.

Chung Myung chuckled. “Sacred artifact, my foot. A sword is a sword. It’s just a sword.”

Even if that sword was the sacred artifact of Mount Hua, even if that sword was the beloved weapon of the Sect Leader, a sword is just a sword. The will of Mount Hua is not contained in such a sword. The will of Mount Hua is carried on by the disciples of Mount Hua, and it is melted into the sword techniques of Mount Hua. How could a mere piece of scrap metal contain such a deep heart?

And decisively…

‘I am the ancestor, you imbecile,’ Chung Myung thought. ‘How dare you talk about ancestors in front of Chung Myung. The ancestor’s will is right here, so it’s ridiculous to talk about a piece of metal as a sacred artifact.’

“Shaolin can use that good sacred artifact well,” Chung Myung said.

Chung Myung moved on without regret and smiled as he looked at the blue sky unfolding before his eyes. Even if Cheong Mun had heard those words directly, the result would not have changed. What’s so important about a mere piece of metal!

No, you imbecile! You still have to recover that!

Huh?

No?

“Then come and recover it yourself,” Chung Myung said, chuckling to himself.

Aigoo, my body aches so I can’t do it.

Hee hee hee hee!