Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 379

“Hey, don’t push!”

“Just stand in line! In line!”

“Aren’t you ashamed to show this to the Hwasan disciples! Get in line!”

The next morning, a huge crowd, like a dark cloud, gathered in front of the opened Hwayoung Gate. The air was filled with shouts and excited chatter as people pushed and shoved to get closer to the gate.

They hadn’t explicitly said they would accept disciples again, but those hoping to enter the sect had set up camp in front of Hwayoung Gate before the sun even rose. People of all ages were there, some with hopeful faces, others looking tired from camping out all night. They wore simple clothes, but their eyes shone with ambition.

“Hey! We won’t accept anyone who cuts in line!”

“Now, now! Hwayoung Gate can accommodate a good number of disciples, so there’s no need to be so hasty!”

“Ah! I told you not to cut in line!”

The Hwasan disciples were busy controlling the big crowd.

And…

“Hee hee hee!”

Chung Myung, with the most innocent smile in the world, stuck a bottle of strong drink in his mouth.

Glug, glug, glug.

“Hee hee hee!”

He didn’t even need snacks.

Taking a sip of liquor and looking at the gathered people made him feel more refreshed than drinking clear valley water.

“That’s all money, that is.”

Hearing those words, Hyun Young burst into a hearty laugh.

“Haha! Money, you rascal.”

“Isn’t it?”

“A fortune.”

“And it’s not just a one-time thing, but money coming in steadily once a month!”

“Please, calm down, Elder.”

Sometimes, this man is worse than me.

…I understand the resentment in his heart.

With all of Jongnam’s branch families having run away, Hwayoung Gate was now the only place to learn martial arts in Seoan. This meant anyone in Seoan who wanted to learn martial arts *had* to come to Hwayoung Gate.

It seemed that a man named Namja was trying to do something with lingering regrets, but once people change their minds, it’s hard to change them back.

“This is a monopoly!”

“All that’s left is to rake in the money!”

Chung Myung and Hyun Young looked at each other and chuckled.

Baek Cheon and his group watched, shaking their heads. *’Those two are impossible,’* Baek Cheon thought, but a small smile touched his lips.

“…Sasuk.”

“Huh?”

“Sasuk, shouldn’t we, you know, care more about being seen as honorable?”

“Geol-ah.”

“Yes, Sasuk.”

“Those two… No, one person and one rascal, shouldn’t be understood with ordinary eyes.”

“…I will keep that in mind.”

In fact, even though he said that, a smile didn’t leave his lips.

Especially Joggeol, whose excitement hadn’t faded even until the sun rose.

‘So this is why martial artists perform heroic deeds.’

Helping someone and receiving their grateful gaze was an experience that brought a resonance that was hard to express in words.

Joggeol was registered in Dogwan, but he didn’t really understand chivalry and morality. Last night’s events were a big shock to him.

Now he understood a little why Yoon Jong had tried to help the common people even while committing such foolish acts.

Not only that, but an undeniable sense of pride was revealed on the faces of the other disciples as well.

Of course…

“Hee hee hee!”

“Heh heh heh!”

…Except for those two.

Anyway!

“My path is…”

“Huh?”

“Ah, no. It’s nothing.”

Joggeol shook his head slightly.

It’s still too early. Still.

But as Chung Myung said, he would have to think more and worry more. Someday, the day would come when he would walk his own path.

Wouldn’t that be the Dao?

While the disciples were having various thoughts, Chung Myung and Hyun Young were busy calculating their income while looking at the people who were flocking in.

“That being said, the response is better than I thought.”

“I know. I didn’t expect it to be this much.”

The two were looking around with slightly puzzled faces when suddenly a heavy voice was heard from behind.

“It’s because of Hwajeong Sword Baek Cheon Dojo.”

“…Huh?”

When Chung Myung turned around, Hong Daegwang puffed out his chest and stood tall, his face serious, trying to look important.

The rumor that Hwasan’s later disciples are the best in the world must have spread widely in Seoan. But people can’t completely believe what they haven’t seen with their own eyes. Besides, it can be a fluke once. But this incident proved that it wasn’t a fluke.

Hong Daegwang puffed out his shoulders as if he was more proud of himself.

Chung Myung nodded with satisfaction.

“You didn’t even show your face when the fight broke out, but now you’re acting like you fought together after it’s all over. I’m going to break your shoulders!”

“I, I’m not a combatant. Besides, if you guys lose, I have to call in reinforcements…”

“Lose?”

Chung Myung rolled his eyes.

“Are your eyes like knotholes? Who’s losing?”

“Ahem.”

Perhaps because he was guilty, Hong Daegwang coughed loudly and quickly avoided his gaze.

‘It’s not you, but who would have imagined that Baek Cheon Dojo would beat Yeop Pyeong!’

Not him, not even the leader of the Beggars’ Union could have predicted that.

“If I thought you guys would lose, I would have run away yesterday.”

“Because you’re fast. You were confident you could run away even if it was late.”

“Anyway—” Hong Daegwang started, then corrected himself, “Anyway, *now* that Hwajeong Sword beat that Red Death guy, everyone knows Hwasan’s disciples are good!”

He desperately avoided Chung Myung’s critical gaze and fixed his gaze on Hyun Young.

“Actually, Hwasan might not realize this, but if this had happened in another sect, it would be a huge deal by now. To think that someone who is only a second-generation disciple has captured the famous Red Death God.”

Hong Daegwang spat and ranted as if he didn’t like their indifferent attitude.

“With this much achievement, it’s a major event that deserves to have his name immediately placed on the list of candidates for the best in the world in later generations. So Hwasan’s skills have now been verified.”

“Shhh!”

“Huh?”

But suddenly, Chung Myung gestured to be quiet.

“Don’t say useless things. We don’t want Dongryong to get too proud. He’s already annoying, what else do I have to see.”

“……”

What is this bastard thinking?

Hong Daegwang was greatly impressed by Chung Myung’s appearance against the Red Death Squad yesterday, but his increased evaluation was now plummeting again.

No matter how good he is at fighting, Chung Myung is Chung Myung.

“However.”

Hong Daegwang cleared his throat and changed his voice.

“On the other hand, there will be considerable danger.”

“Did you say danger?”

“Yes, Elder. Until now, Hwasan hasn’t really made any major enemies.”

“If the Jongnam disciples heard that, they’d tear down their gate and foam at the mouth, wouldn’t they?”

But Hong Daeguang smiled somewhat ambiguously.

“Jongnam is a traditional group. Even if they become enemies, they won’t attack suddenly. They care about looking good to others. But the Myriad Man Manor is not like that. They don’t care about rules.”

Hong Daeguang took a slight deep breath and continued.

“Besides, no matter what anyone says, the Myriad Man Manor is one of the Five Overlords of Shenzhou, who look down upon the world. In truth… Hwasan is not yet ready to face them.”

“Hmm. True enough.”

It wasn’t a point he could concede, so he had confronted them head-on, but the Myriad Man Manor was certainly a formidable opponent.

Even if they had cleanly defeated the Red Death Squad, the Myriad Man Manor had at least five more such squads, and countless experts who didn’t even lead squads.

If you add the people doing secret jobs, they have more people than Jongnam. They are as strong as a top group.

For Hwasan, where the second and third-generation disciples still needed to grow, they were undoubtedly a burdensome opponent to fight right now.

“They’re just a bunch of demonic bastards anyway.”

“⋯⋯.”

“What is it?”

“Ah, nothing.”

Hong Daeguang closed his mouth and shook his head.

Right. Whatever.

What could I possibly say to you?

“And you don’t have to worry too much about those demonic bastards.”

“Why is that?”

“They don’t do anything that doesn’t benefit them.”

“⋯⋯.”

“They might spout nonsense about loyalty and honor, but they won’t shed a single drop of sweat for something that doesn’t make them money or give them an advantage. If those bastards had any backbone, would they have become demonic sects?”

“⋯⋯.”

Well, he wasn’t exactly wrong…

“What benefit would they get from coming to Shaanxi and fighting Hwasan? What kind of place is Hwasan anyway? The only territory they have is that tiny Hueum County, and the buildings are on top of the most barren Mount Hwasan in the Central Plains, so people don’t even visit often, do they?”

“Th-that’s true.”

“They’d bring their main force to take that over? Them? No way.”

Chung Myung chuckled and waved his hand.

“I’ll eat my hat if those bastards even twitch.”

“Hmm. Your words make sense, but unless Hwasan remains holed up in Hueum, Shaanxi, it will become a problem someday.”

“Why would that be a problem for us?”

“Huh?”

“If we’re not holed up in Hueum, they should be the ones nervous. We’ll fillet them alive wherever we find them.”

“⋯⋯.”

Chung Myung’s face twisted as if he was slightly annoyed.

“Ah, thinking about it makes me angry again. I’ve been holding back too much because the kids are watching. If I had my way, I’d grind them all up and use them as fertilizer.”

“⋯⋯.”

Hong Daeguang vowed that no matter what happened, he would never become enemies with that Chung Myung.

“Anyway.”

Concluding the conversation, Hong Daeguang looked at the gathering crowd with a sense of renewed emotion.

“It’s been a long and winding road, but… you’ve finally taken control of Xi’an, Hwasan Divine Dragon.”

He couldn’t help but be impressed.

It had been a long and winding road, but it hadn’t taken that long. Considering that the Hwayoung Gate had only been established for about half a month, Chung Myung had essentially pacified Xi’an in just one month.

“There won’t be anything to stop you until Jongnam comes out of seclusion.”

“It’ll be the same even if they come out of seclusion.”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung shook his bottle and sneered.

“With so many people gathering, we can’t operate with just this one place. We’ll buy the buildings next door, tear them down, and expand.”

“⋯⋯Even more than this?”

“We have to strike while the iron is hot.”

“At this rate, the Hwayoung Gate will become bigger than Jongnam.”

“Let it be.”

Chung Myung shrugged.

“Anyway, by the time those bastards come out of seclusion, I’ll make sure not even a needle can enter Xi’an. I’ll make them regret going into seclusion so much they’ll beat the ground!”

“⋯⋯What did Jongnam ever do to you?”

“It would take more than a day to explain.”

It really would take more than a day.

Thinking about it makes me angry again. Those bastards!

“And?”

“What do you mean ‘and’? We have to go back.”

“All of you?”

Chung Myung nodded.

“Once the Hwayoung Gate disciples’ skills improve a bit, we’ll leave without any regrets. The reason we created a branch family in the first place was because we wanted to increase our influence without needing a main base. If we stay here, we will be doing things in the wrong order.”

“⋯⋯I don’t think the Hwayoung Gate can manage on its own, though?”

Chung Myung shook his head firmly at the worried murmur.

“Don’t underestimate them.”

“Huh?”

“Branch families aren’t strong because of fighting skills. It’s about pride in the main group. The reason Jongnam’s branch families have become so weak isn’t because they lack power. It’s the subtle distrust of Jongnam that has brought things to this point.”

“Ah⋯⋯.”

Hong Daeguang looked at Chung Myung with renewed admiration.

This guy seems like a madman most of the time, but he hits the nail on the head sometimes.

“The Hwayoung Gate, who have seen Hwasan’s power with their own eyes and fought alongside us to defeat the Red Death Squad, is no longer weak. They may lack martial prowess now, but that will soon be resolved. If you really want to help the Hwayoung Gate, you shouldn’t stick around here with them, but return to the main sect and further enhance Hwasan’s reputation.”

“That’s the right idea!”

Hong Daeguang nodded decisively.

As a member of the Beggars’ Sect, the largest force in the world, Hong Daeguang knew better than anyone what Chung Myung was saying.

The Beggars’ Sect’s influence grew not when its branch managers were excellent, but when it spread its chivalrous name throughout the world.

In the end, what mattered was attracting people. It was no exaggeration to say that a branch family’s success depended entirely on the main sect’s reputation.

“Alright.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll help you.”

“⋯⋯With what?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll spread the word throughout the world within half a month that Hwajeong-geom defeated the Red Death Squad! Even those living in remote mountain villages will know the name of Hwajeong-geom!”

“⋯⋯Uh, wait a minute. Th-that⋯⋯.”

“If it helps Hwasan, of course, I have to do it!”

“Hmm. I don’t think that’s necessarily a good thing.”

“Tsk tsk tsk. Why are you acting like a child?”

“⋯⋯Okay.”

Chung Myung opened his eyes resolutely, as if he had made a big decision.

“Instead!”

“Huh?”

“That title, Hwajeong-geom or whatever it is.”

“Huh?”

“Instead of that, Dongryong is also called Oryong or something, right?”

“That’s a title we don’t use much anymore, but why?”

“Let’s change that to Dongryong (銅龍) – Copper Dragon.”

“⋯⋯.”

“That way, every time he hears the title, every time his name echoes, he’ll become a little more humble.”

“⋯⋯.”

“It’s a win-win, Hee hee hee!”

No matter how I think about it⋯⋯.

This bastard is definitely a devil.