Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 427

“Then, travel safely!”

“Thank you for the wonderful food and rest!”

Do Woon-chan, now the Master of the Ghost Gate, held Cheong-myeong’s hands firmly. A gentle smile touched his face.

“Little Taoist, I am truly grateful.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Cheong-myeong glanced around and whispered softly, just loud enough for Do Woon-chan to hear, “Please remember what I asked of you.”

“You mean the Myriad Man House?” Do Woon-chan asked.

“Yes.”

Do Woon-chan nodded slowly. “Don’t worry. If the Myriad Man House, a group known for causing trouble, shows any suspicious movements, I will inform Mount Hua immediately.”

“If you do that, I couldn’t ask for more.” Cheong-myeong said.

“But… is there a particular reason you’re going to such lengths? Even the Beggars’ Sect…” Do Woon-chan trailed off.

“Ah, that beggar?” Cheong-myeong glanced at Hong Dae-kwang in the distance with an uninterested look.

“How should I put it? I just… can’t bring myself to trust him…” Cheong-myeong admitted.

As if he knew they were talking about him, Hong Dae-kwang shouted from afar, “Huh? Did you say something to me, Divine Dragon of Mount Hua?”

“No, no, nothing at all.” Cheong-myeong waved his hand dismissively, and Hong Dae-kwang tilted his head, looking puzzled.

Do Woon-chan offered a small smile. “I understand.”

The truth was, Cheong-myeong didn’t distrust Hong Dae-kwang himself. He distrusted the Beggars’ Sect. And he couldn’t bring himself to trust any of the Nine Great Sects.

Now that it was clear who were the good sects and who were the bad sects, the Nine Great Sects were willing to side with Mount Hua. But Cheong-myeong had already experienced how quickly they could change their stance according to their own needs.

Cheong-myeong wasn’t foolish enough to be fooled twice.

He had no intention of fully trusting the Beggars’ Sect until Hong Dae-kwang become very important and respected within the sect, one that no one could ignore.

‘Since the Ghost Gate is in Guizhou, it’s close to Guangxi, and they’re quick on their feet,’ Cheong-myeong thought.

There was no better sect to monitor the Myriad Man House.

“If any other problems arise, please contact Mount Hua at any time.” Cheong-myeong said.

“Of course.” Do Woon-chan replied.

While Cheong-myeong and Do Woon-chan were talking, the disciples of Mount Hua and the Ghost Gate were exchanging their final farewells.

“Farewell.”

“Take care.”

Ak So and Baek Cheon’s gazes clashed in the air once more, sparking with renewed intensity.

“Don’t go getting beaten up somewhere.” Ak So said.

“Next time we meet, try running a little faster. You’re slow as a snail.” Baek Cheon retorted.

“…”

“…”

The two, who had been growling at each other, turned away as if by agreement.

“Then, I’ll see you all next time.” Cheong-myeong waved his hand with a grin. Then, seeing Baek Cheon’s group approaching, he gestured to the side with his chin.

The iron weights that Cheong-myeong had taken out were now gathered in a neat pile. Cheong-myeong pointed to the pile of iron weights, training tools he insisted they carry.

“Time to load up.”

“…Ugh.” Baek Cheon and the other disciples sighed in unison as they reluctantly strapped the iron weights to their arms and legs. Then, Cheong-myeong’s sharp eyes turned elsewhere.

“Hey, beggar man. Don’t even think about sneaking away. Load up, quick.”

“…Damn brat.” Hong Dae-kwang grumbled under his breath, dutifully fastened the dark iron rings to his wrists and ankles.

“Now, time to pull.”

“…”

At those words, everyone reluctantly clung to the cart.

“Let’s go!”

“Heave-ho!”

“Heave-ho!”

The heavy cart rattled and creaked as it began to move forward. The wheels crunched on the dusty ground as they pulled the cart.

Watching the cart grow smaller in the distance, Ak So lightly furrowed his brow. The sun beat down on the training grounds of Ghost Gate.

“That slippery rascal…”

His fellow disciple, standing beside him, muttered with a disgruntled tone. “That Baek Cheon fellow seems a bit lacking, doesn’t he? Always trying to get the upper hand…”

Before he could even finish his sentence, the disciples of the Ghost Gate began to voice their complaints.

“He was a bit annoying, though.”

“Flippant!”

“Those Taoists!”

As their voices grew louder, Ak So’s brow furrowed even deeper.

“Who did you say was lacking?” He snapped coldly.

“That pale-faced Baek Cheon, you know. That…”

“Who?”

“…”

Only then did the disciples of the Ghost Gate realize something was amiss. They fell silent and glanced nervously at Ak So.

Ak So glared at them with cold eyes and spoke. “I may have let my pride get the better of me, but the Ghost Gate is not yet a sect that can compare to Mount Hua. And that Baek Cheon is a rising master whose name is known throughout the land as the Plum Blossom Sword. If we had met him outside of this place, we wouldn’t have dared to even speak to him.”

“…That’s true, but…”

“And that’s something that Baek Cheon knows better than anyone. If he thought of himself as a noble disciple of a prestigious sect, he wouldn’t have bothered to mingle with us so casually.”

At those words, the disciples nodded one by one.

After all, everyone knew how haughty the disciples of prestigious sects could be.

“But what was he like? He argued with us, cursed us, and got angry. Do you know what that means?”

“…He has a bad personality?”

“…”

Uh…

That’s true, too. That’s also right, but…

Ak So cleared his throat a few times and opened his mouth again.

“He doesn’t think that the disciples of the Ghost Gate are not good enough. Isn’t it only people of equal standing who engage in such squabbles?”

“…Ah.”

“Of course, his methods are rough and annoying… but still. He didn’t look down on us. And if you curse him for being annoying, what does that make us!”

At Ak So’s words, the disciples of the Ghost Gate lowered their heads slightly.

“Don’t criticize those who reveal their true intentions without hiding anything. They are a hundred times better than those who hide their true feelings and pretend to be polite!”

“…Understood, Senior Brother.”

“Sorry.”

Do Woon-chan, who had been quietly listening to Ak So’s speech from behind, smiled gently.

‘Ak So saw them for who they truly are,’ Do Woon-chan thought.

Of course, they were eccentric and extreme.

But they possessed a sincerity that drew people in.

‘The Ghost Gate will change a lot now.’

Do Woon-chan was certain that it would not harm the Ghost Gate.

He smiled quietly and gazed at the disciples of Mount Hua, now mere dots in the distance, for a long time.

‘Travel safely, Little Taoist.’

“Ugh…”

“Oh…”

“Ugh…”

The cart creaked and groaned as it headed west.

Cheong-myeong poked his head out from the top and grumbled. “The speed’s slowed down a bit?”

“What, you little brat?” Hong Dae-kwang snapped.

“What about it?” Cheong-myeong asked.

“Then you try pulling!” Hong Dae-kwang challenged.

Angry words came out quickly and sharply, Cheong-myeong quickly ducked his head back in, then peeked out again.

‘The Senior Brothers have become more violent,’ Cheong-myeong thought.

Huh?

Hye-yeon?

‘Come to think of it, you seem to have been cursing since earlier…?’

Realizing that their patience was slowly reaching its limit, Cheong-myeong thought for a moment, then grinned and opened his mouth.

“Well, since everyone seems to be having a hard time, I’ll give you a condition.”

“What condition!”

“What are you going to do to torment us this time, you little devil!”

“I’m not listening! Get lost!”

Cheong-myeong shrugged.

“It’s a pretty good offer, though?”

“Ah, I said I’m not listening!”

“It’s just that the schedule’s been delayed a bit more than I thought.”

“…So?” Baek Cheon asked.

“If you go from here to the Tang Family without stopping, I won’t bother you on the way back to Mount Hua. Oh, and not at the Tang Family either.” Cheong-myeong offered.

“What?” Baek Cheon, who had been staring straight ahead, finally turned around.

“Really?”

“Am I lying… No, never mind. I mean it this time.” Cheong-myeong said.

Thinking that the answer he would receive was obvious, Cheong-myeong cleverly changed what he said.

“Did this guy eat something wrong? So, we can go back comfortably?”

“And eat rice instead of Wall-Avoiding Pills?”

“You mean we’re actually sleeping in an inn tonight, and not just outside?” one disciple asked, surprised.

“Good heavens! You’re not going to tell me to eat grass next, are you? Grass is grass, after all!” Hae Yeon exclaimed, his voice trembling slightly.

“Swamiji… did you really suffer such hardship?” another disciple whispered, eyes wide with shock.

Seeing their horrified faces, tears welled up in Hae Yeon’s eyes. *‘Suffering is everywhere,’* he thought sadly. *‘Just like the teachings say.’*

Everyone looked shocked, but Chung Myung didn’t seem to care.

“Right,” Chung Myung said, grinning. “I said I’d let you return in comfort, didn’t I? We’ll even sell this old cart.”

The Mount Hua disciples stared at him, completely surprised by this unexpected idea. It was certainly not what they had expected from their strict training.

*‘Actually,’* Chung Myung thought to himself, a smirk playing on his lips, *‘isn’t this what traveling is supposed to be about? Seeing new places, enjoying the journey, maybe even helping people along the way?’*

But the Mount Hua disciples were used to hardship, not comfort, on their journeys. They had never traveled like ordinary people.

“If you change your mind later,” Chung Myung warned, his eyes narrowing slightly, “you’ll seriously regret it!”

“Really? You mean it this time?” one disciple asked, still a little doubtful.

“Yes, honestly! You’re all so suspicious,” Chung Myung said, grinning again. “Instead, we’re going to the Tang Family as fast as we can! No stopping, even at night! Got it?”

Immediately, everyone’s eyes, especially Tang Soso’s, shone with determination.

“Let’s leave now, Martial Uncle!” Tang Soso exclaimed. (They called Chung Myung ‘Martial Uncle,’ a term of respect for his seniority in their martial art school.)

“Alright! Let’s go! Let’s give it everything we’ve got!” Chung Myung shouted back.

Baek Cheon firmly gripped the pole of the cart. “To the Sichuan Tang Family, without rest!”

“Ooh!” the others cheered.

“Let’s run!”

“Good heavens!” Hae Yeon cried out. A warm, golden light began to glow around him, like sunshine bursting forth. “Hold on tight, everyone! I’ll make us faster!”

“Go, Swamiji!”

“Faster, Bald Monk!”

“Who’s calling me Bald Monk! Who is it?” Hae Yeon protested, but he was already running, putting all his strength into pulling the cart.

“Aaaaargh!”

“We can rest when we reach the Tang Family!”

“Let’s goooo!”

Hong Daeguang smiled quietly as he ran alongside them. *‘Such a commotion,’* he thought, shaking his head with amusement.

And so, the cart sped forward like an arrow shot from a bow, heading straight for Sichuan.

Sichuan Tang Family.

The Tang Family, who ruled the area of Chengdu and Sichuan, was usually a place of quiet seriousness. Because they were experts in poisons and hidden weapons, they were always calm and careful, even on normal days. Silence was their way.

But today, the Tang Family was buzzing with unusual activity.

“Is it much further?” a voice called out.

“Oh no! Here it is! Twenty jugs of Jiannanchun! Twenty jugs of Baihuazhou! And Jinzunqing and Wuliangye!” another voice replied excitedly. Men hurried around a wooden cart that had just entered the Tang Family gates, carefully lifting sparkling jugs of alcohol.

“What’s this?!” a stern voice demanded. “I ordered thirty jugs of each!”

“Really, Master!” a nervous voice answered. “We couldn’t get that many of these fine drinks all at once! We’re bringing more as soon as we can, please just wait a little longer!”

“Hurry as much as you can! Understand?”

“Yes, Master! We wouldn’t be careless with your order!”

And it wasn’t just alcohol. Carts loaded with supplies kept arriving through the wide gates. Inside the Tang Family kitchen, cooks rushed around, preparing a huge feast. The air filled with the delicious smells of roasting meats and spices.

“Are the preparations going well?” asked a man, the Head Chef of the Tang Family kitchen, his brow furrowed with worry.

“Of course, Head Chef! Don’t worry!” a cook replied confidently.

But the Head Chef still frowned, looking around the busy kitchen. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, but the Family Head is very serious about this feast. If anything goes wrong, we’ll be in more trouble than just a scolding. Do you understand?”

“Y-Yes, of course,” the cook stammered, nodding quickly, sweat beading on his forehead.

“Important guests are coming. Everything must be perfect.”

“Yes, Head Chef!”

The Head Chef glanced around the kitchen one last time, then hurried outside, heading towards the Family Head’s house.

“Family Head, it’s Sangsu,” the Head Chef announced from outside the door.

“Come in,” a deep voice replied.

Sangsu carefully opened the door and stepped inside. He saw Tang Gunak, the Family Head, sitting in the main seat, with Tang Pae and Tang Zan standing silently beside him.

“The preparations are almost finished,” Sangsu reported.

“There was no need for such a grand fuss,” Tang Gunak said, trying to sound stern.

“…”

*‘But you’re the one who ordered all this!’* Sangsu thought, speechless with surprise.

Tang Pae cleared his throat quietly, and Sangsu quickly understood the signal. He bowed his head slightly. “Still, important guests are arriving. We can’t let the Tang Family’s reputation suffer. Please understand my concern as Head Chef.”

“If that’s truly what you believe,” Tang Gunak conceded, though a hint of a smile played around his lips. Sangsu hid his own smile.

Tang Gunak was usually serious and imposing, but when Mount Hua was mentioned, he seemed a little lighter, less burdened. And of course, his daughter, who had been away for so long, was finally coming home. How could he not be excited?

“In any case!” Tang Gunak said loudly, his voice booming through the room.

“Yes, Family Head!” Tang Zan and Tang Pae replied instantly, bowing their heads.

“Even though they are friends, the martial world is a place where skill proves everything. You must show the Mount Hua disciples that we are not ashamed of our abilities!”

“We will remember that!”

“And even though Mount Hua is doing well now, the Tang Family is not weaker than Mount Hua. Act with dignity and pride.”

“Yes!”

“And…”

“Family Head! The Mount Hua people are here!” a shout came from outside.

*BANG!*

“…”

The seat where Tang Gunak had been sitting just moments before was now empty. Tang Zan and Tang Pae stared at the half-broken door, swinging back and forth on its hinges, and sighed deeply.

“He should at least try to keep his composure,” Tang Zan muttered.

Tang Pae clicked his tongue. “Tsk. You still don’t understand Father.”

“Huh?”

“He told *us* to keep our dignity.”

“…”

“He’s the exception,” Tang Pae finished with a knowing look.

“Ah…” Tang Zan said, understanding and not understanding at the same time.

“It’s the Tang Family!” someone yelled.

“We’re here! Tang Family, we’re here!” others shouted.

“W-Wait, Martial Uncle!” Jo Gul cried out desperately. “That’s my house over there! My…!”

“Shut up!” Chung Myung snapped. “We’ll visit your house later!”

Ignoring Jo Gul’s pleas, the Mount Hua disciples charged towards the Tang Family gates, their eyes wide with excitement and exhaustion.

“Get out of the way!”

“We’re here! Come out and greet us!”

“Someone wipe Swamiji Hae Yeon’s head!” one of them yelled. “It’s not shining enough! It needs to sparkle so people can see it coming!”

“Hey! Who are you people yelling at!” a Tang Family member protested from inside the gates. “Where’s your manners?”

*Rumble!*

The cart hurtled towards the Tang Family, faster than any horse could pull it. The Mount Hua disciples’ eyes gleamed with wild energy.

“Aaaaaaargh! We’ve arrived!”

“Arrival! Arriv…!”

But just as they burst through the gates, as if trying to smash them down, disaster struck.

*CRACK! BANG!* The wheels, which had been groaning and creaking the whole journey, suddenly broke off. The cart flipped over with a loud crash.

“Huh?”

“Eh?”

“Ehh?”

The Mount Hua disciples were thrown into the air, tumbling and rolling as the cart overturned. They landed on the ground in a messy heap – *thud! thud! boom!*

“…”

The Tang Family members, who had been lined up neatly inside the gate to welcome their guests, stood frozen, arms still raised in greeting, staring in stunned silence at the chaotic scene before them.

“…”

Tang Gunak’s eyebrows twitched, then twitched again, as he watched the Mount Hua disciples scattered on the ground like fallen leaves.

Then, suddenly, one figure sprang up from the pile, as if bouncing back to life.

“Kuh-eung!” Chung Myung blew his nose loudly, spitting out a mouthful of dust and grit. He straightened up, brushing himself off with a warrior’s spirit, like a hero rising from battle.

Tang Gunak’s eyebrows now twitched uncontrollably.

*Thud!* Chung Myung walked forward and dramatically spread his arms wide, bowing deeply at the waist.

“Father! Soso has returned!”

“…”

It was, without a doubt, the most dramatic and chaotic homecoming imaginable.