Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 359

The Naksaeng House, one of the largest taverns in Xi’an, was as busy as usual.

From noon, people came to the tavern. They talked about many things, without one main topic.

But Mount Hua and the Hwayoung Gate were mentioned most often.

“Honestly, haven’t you ever wanted to see it for yourself?”

“Hmm?”

Jeon Yuk, who owned a cloth shop, looked around and spoke quietly, “It’s Mount Hua, after all.”

Jo Dong, sitting across from Jeon Yuk, nodded. “That’s right.”

If they had heard this before, they would have laughed. Just a year or two ago, Mount Hua was not as famous as the Jongnam Sect in Xi’an.

But now, things were very different.

“Isn’t it known everywhere that Mount Hua did the best at the Great Heavenly Martial Arts Competition?”

“That’s right! It’s like they won, right?”

“Exactly! Winning isn’t everything. What’s so great about one person winning? Three were in the top eight, and two in the top four! They almost won the whole thing!”

Jo Dong nodded quickly, agreeing again.

“Also, it was a competition for young people. If the young ones are the best, doesn’t that mean their teachers are amazing?”

“That’s right.”

Jeon Yuk clicked his tongue.

“Joining a Mount Hua family in town means starting martial arts training from the beginning. It’s better to join a sect that teaches well, not just a strong one!”

“Did you put oil on your tongue after selling silk? You make it sound foolish not to join Mount Hua.”

“I’m not trying to be persuasive, it’s just the truth.”

Jeon Yuk drank some alcohol and smacked his lips, feeling disappointed.

“The most popular sect in the world has opened a family in Xi’an, and I can’t even see it. I want to at least show my face… I heard the Mount Hua Divine Dragon is there too.”

Jo Dong looked around, scared, and shook his head. “Don’t even think about it. If you are seen going there, you will be in big trouble in Xi’an.”

“Don’t get carried away. Xi’an is still under Jongnam’s control. Even the governor’s youngest son is a Jongnam disciple. And you’re thinking of going from Jongnam to Mount Hua’s family? If you want to be ruined, go ahead!”

“But hasn’t Jongnam closed its doors?”

Jo Dong cleared his throat. “You shouldn’t be tempted. What will you do when they reopen?”

Jo Dong clicked his tongue again.

“And it’s not just Jongnam. Do you think the Jongnam families in Xi’an will do nothing? Jongnam wants to look good, so they can’t openly interfere. But they might act secretly because they are worried about Mount Hua.”

Jeon Yuk couldn’t argue and smacked his lips.

“It’s a shame. Mount Hua’s swordsmanship is said to be the best, and my youngest is just old enough to join.”

“Stop talking nonsense and drink.”

They weren’t the only ones talking about this. Similar stories were being shared wherever people gathered.

“I want to see it once…”

“Mount Hua’s swordsmanship is supposed to be amazing… If we’re lucky, our child could become like the Mount Hua Divine Dragon, who is said to be the best of the young generation, right?”

“The Mount Hua Divine Dragon is the best!”

“It’s such a shame. Really a shame.”

Every word was filled with regret.

Because the Jongnam families, including the Seowol Gate, were watching closely, it was hard to visit the Hwayoung Gate. But how could they not be interested?

In the end, they could only drink to ease their disappointment.

“Why is it so noisy?”

“Isn’t it normal for a tavern to be noisy?”

“No, not the tavern… It sounds like it’s coming from outside.”

“Outside? Why?”

Jeon Yuk and Jo Dong looked towards the entrance at the same time.

Just then, someone opened the door to go outside.

“Huh?”

Jeon Yuk blinked. When the door opened, he thought he saw a huge crowd outside.

“What’s going on outside?”

“Now that I think about it, it sounds like drums are playing?”

It wasn’t just them; everyone in the tavern was looking at the windows and doors.

Jeon Yuk stood up quietly. He couldn’t stand not knowing what was happening, so he wanted to see for himself.

He pushed through the people and went to the entrance, opening the door.

“Huh?”

Outside, there was an even bigger crowd than he had seen from inside.

‘Why are so many people gathering?’

The Naksaeng House was on the biggest road in Xi’an. The fact that people were filling the road meant a very large crowd had gathered.

Jeon Yuk had never seen so many people, so he became even more curious. He started pushing his way into the crowd.

“Excuse me, let me through. What’s going on?”

“Hey! Don’t push!”

“If you’re late, watch from the back!”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Jeon Yuk slowly pushed through the crowd and finally reached the front. He craned his neck.

“Huh?”

He was surprised by what he saw.

The center of the crowd was empty, like a stage, and people in black martial arts uniforms were standing together.

Seeing the plum blossom on their chests, Jeon Yuk shouted, “The Mount Hua Sect?”

Why is the Mount Hua Sect here?

‘Oh, right.’

He remembered that people from the Mount Hua Sect were staying at the Hwayoung Gate, so it wasn’t strange to see them here.

But what are they doing?

Jeon Yuk looked at the Mount Hua Sect disciples, full of questions.

Yoon Jong nudged Cheong-myeong with his elbow. “Hey,” he whispered, “Cheong-myeong… do we *really* have to do this?”

Cheong-myeong turned, a playful smirk on his face. “Do you want to pretend? Show them some fake moves?”

Yoon Jong and Jo Gul exchanged worried glances. Yoon Jong’s voice was barely above a whisper. “It’s just… all those people.” He gestured towards the growing noise beyond the black uniforms. “My hands are shaking a bit.”

Cheong-myeong rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice. “You? The guy who fought like a whirlwind in Shaolin? *You’re* nervous?”

Yoon Jong’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “That was… different. That was fighting. This is… showing off.” He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves.

Soon, a huge crowd had gathered.

‘My heart is pounding.’

Like Cheong-myeong said, Yoon Jong had fought in front of many people before. But a martial arts competition is about the opponent, not about showing off.

But now, Cheong-myeong was telling them to show their swordsmanship to everyone.

“Is this going to work? The people of Xi’an have seen Jongnam’s swordsmanship many times.”

Cheong-myeong clicked his tongue at Jo Gul’s doubt.

“Are you saying stupid things again? What’s the best thing about Mount Hua’s swordsmanship?”

“Advantage?”

Jo Gul tilted his head. Strong? Fast? Or…

“Ah…”

Jo Gul nodded.

“It’s flashy.”

“That’s right.”

Cheong-myeong smirked.

“People who have only seen Jongnam’s swordsmanship, which is just strike, draw, and block, will be amazed by Mount Hua’s swordsmanship.”

“That swordsmanship called Seolhwa was incredibly flashy.”

“I already looked into that. It seems he never showed it to anyone. It was supposed to be a secret sword style, after all.”

He even checked that.

*This guy is really thorough.*

“Exactly!”

Chung Myung clapped his hands loudly.

“Seeing is believing, right? You can hear all day how amazing Mount Hua swords are now, but it’s nothing like seeing it for yourself!”

Chung Myung pointed with his chin.

“So, enough talking! Get out there and show them what you can do!”

Yoon Jong and Jo Gul looked down at their feet, their faces turning slightly red.

*We know we have to do it.* *It’s just… embarrassing!*

They had spent most of their lives high in the mountains, so quiet even birds struggled to fly there. Standing in front of so many people felt strange and exposed. And they weren’t just standing; they had to show off their skills.

There was no escape.

“Chung Myung is right,” Baek Cheon said, nodding slowly, his face tight.

“It’s important for us to make a good impression in Seoan. Mount Hua is important, but we also need to support the Hwayoung Sect, who bravely moved here, don’t you think?”

“Sasuk…”

*Those are good words.* *But why is he slowly stepping backwards?*

“Ahem. So, everyone, do your best…”

Chung Myung nudged Baek Cheon in the back with the end of his sword as he tried to sneak away.

“…”

“Sasuk, you go first.”

“…Why me?”

“Because the best swordsman should be at the front to get everyone’s attention. Why are you even asking?”

*Chung Myung…* *I know that!*

Just then, Hyun Young came over, smiling gently.

“It looks like enough people are here. Let’s start. If we wait too long, people might get bored.”

“Yes, Elder.”

Chung Myung nodded and pointed ahead.

“Quickly, get into position.”

The Mount Hua disciples sighed all together, making no effort to hide how much they didn’t want to do this.

Then, a voice spoke up.

“Masters, I am so sorry. It seems we are causing you trouble for no reason…”

All the Mount Hua disciples looked towards the voice. It was Wi Sohaeng. Behind him, Wi Lipsan was bowing deeply, his face full of apology.

Seeing them, the Mount Hua disciples’ faces changed completely.

“What are you saying! It’s no trouble at all!”

“Just watch from over there!”

“We’ll just show you a quick demonstration, and that’s it!”

Baek Cheon’s face, which had been frowning the whole time, suddenly became serious and determined, like a true swordsman. He nodded firmly, his face so confident it was almost funny.

“It’s actually good to let the people of Seoan see the Mount Hua sword. Don’t worry about it.”

“…Master.”

“Let’s go!”

“Yes, Sahyung!”

“Yes, Sasuk!”

Baek Cheon took the lead, and the Mount Hua disciples followed him together.

Chung Myung smiled to himself as he watched them.

*They are really something.* When you tell them to do something, they complain and try to get out of it. But if someone feels embarrassed or sorry, they act like it’s nothing.

*That’s what makes the Mount Hua disciples so interesting.*

Step. Step.

Baek Cheon walked forward with strong, confident steps. He took a deep breath and looked around. Suddenly, everything was silent.

The people of Seoan stared at them, their eyes wide with excitement and curiosity.

“I am Baek Cheon, a disciple from Mount Hua.”

“Oh! It’s the Hwajeong Sword!”

In terms of pure sword skill, Baek Cheon is not as good as Chung Myung, or even Yoon Jong and Yoo Iseol. But here in Seoan, people respect him even more.

Because…

“That’s the Hwajeong Sword! The one who beat Jin Geumryong!”

He is famous for defeating the best young fighter from Jongnam. People started pushing closer.

*This is why martial artists work so hard to become famous.*

“Today, we will show you the Mount Hua sword style. We want to greet the people of Seoan who haven’t seen Mount Hua swords for a long time, so please enjoy the show.”

Chung Myung and Hyun Young shook their heads and smiled at his smooth talking.

“He was complaining just a minute ago.”

“Someone always steps up when it’s time to perform.”

“It’s just who he is.”

Baek Cheon was always more than just respectable. When someone like him leads and speaks in front of everyone, it’s impossible to ignore.

“Now then…”

Just as Baek Cheon was about to start, voices shouted, “Move! Get out of the way!”

“Excuse me! Coming through!”

“Ah! Who’s pushing— Oh, sorry!”

There was a sudden push and shove in the crowd, and a group of people forced their way to the front.

Chung Myung’s eyes narrowed slightly. It was the leaders of the Jongnam families who had warned the Hwayoung Sect yesterday.

“What are you doing here?!” Nam Jamyung, the leader of the Seoyueol Sect, yelled.

But before he could finish, Hyun Young spoke calmly.

“Sect Leader Seoyueol.”

“…”

“I am Hyun Young, an elder from Mount Hua. Yesterday was the Hwayoung Sect’s event, so I didn’t say much. But this is Mount Hua’s event. Are you trying to cause trouble at our event?”

Nam Jamyung shut his mouth.

He suddenly realized that everyone with swords was from Mount Hua.

“Th-that’s…”

They could challenge the Hwayoung Sect.

But they couldn’t fight Mount Hua.

They knew how powerful Mount Hua had become.

Hyun Young smiled gently.

“Well, you’ve arrived at the perfect time. Since you’re here, watch the Mount Hua sword and then leave. Baek Cheon.”

“Yes.”

Baek Cheon glanced at the family leaders, who were now silent and stiff. He said, “It’s a little embarrassing to show my sword in front of so many important leaders, but…” A small smile touched the corners of his lips.

“I will show you a sword you won’t forget.”

Baek Cheon straightened his back and drew his sword. He looked magnificent in his Yeongunggeon robes, holding his sword – like a hero in a painting.

“Ooh!”

“He’s so cool!”

The people watching stared at him with admiration.

And Chung Myung, watching from behind, shook his head.

*There he goes again.* *It’s a habit now.*

Sigh.