Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 430

“Plum Blossom Sword Saint?”

Baek Cheon frowned, his eyes narrowed as he watched the old man. ‘Plum Blossom Sword Saint?’ he thought, completely confused. What was wrong with this old man? Why was he acting like this suddenly?

“Are you talking about Chungmyung?”

“Looks like it,”

“Huh?”

Baek Cheon turned to Chungmyung and tilted his head in confusion.

Why was Chungmyung sweating so much all of a sudden? His face was pale, and beads of sweat trickled down his forehead. Baek Cheon had never seen Chungmyung like this before.

Chungmyung was usually the type to lie without shame, even if he was standing in front of the Devil himself.

‘Something is definitely going on,’ Baek Cheon thought, his puzzled expression deepening as he looked back at Dang Jo-pyeong.

“Plum… Plum Blossom…”

His eyes, which had been dull and lifeless, now blazed with sudden, intense emotion. Tears welled up in his deeply wrinkled eyes, and his lips trembled as he tried to speak.

“Sword Saint, Elder⋯⋯.”

The old man, who had been trembling and shedding tears, suddenly stopped. Then, he frowned.

“Huh?”

“⋯⋯.”

“⋯⋯Am I wrong?”

“⋯⋯.”

The air in the room suddenly became cold and tense.

“Ha, haha. Haha⋯⋯,”

Chungmyung let out an awkward laugh, and Dang Jo-pyeong tilted his head.

“Is it him?”

“⋯⋯.”

“Or not?”

Chungmyung flinched at each of his words.

Chungmyung was at a loss, trying to deal with someone who wasn’t in their right mind. He needed to be able to communicate with the man first.

“Plum Blossom⋯⋯. Huh? Who did I say you were?”

Eventually, Tang Gunak sighed deeply and intervened.

“Great-Grandfather, the Plum Blossom Sword Saint passed away a hundred years ago.”

“⋯⋯Did he?”

At those words, the tears that had welled up in Dang Jo-pyeong’s eyes instantly dried up.

“I see, I see. Never mind then. Now that I think about it, the Sword Saint didn’t look so handsome. He looked like a con man, not a Taoist priest⋯⋯.”

‘Wait, is he talking about me?’

“But when you got to know him, he was a truly virtuous man. Strong and noble.”

“Hehehe. That’s right.”

“⋯⋯His personality was a bit bad though⋯⋯. No, it was very bad. Very.”

“⋯⋯.”

A vein popped out on Chungmyung’s forehead.

“⋯⋯I miss him. It feels like just yesterday that the Sword Saint was patting my head, but so much time has already passed.”

Dang Jo-pyeong murmured wistfully, gazing at the distant sky. Everyone couldn’t help but feel solemn at his expression.

Except for one person.

‘Who is it?’

Chungmyung pondered for a moment, then smiled contentedly.

‘I have no idea.’

Who cares? How could he possibly remember everything that happened a hundred years ago?

He had been dragged to the Dang family a few times because of that Dangbo, and they had shared a few drinks, so he must have run into him then.

Judging from the fact that he said he patted his head, he must have been a small child back then. And now, that child was an old man on his last legs.

It’s a little sad to think about⋯⋯.

“So, who are you?”

⋯⋯Never mind.

At that moment, Tang Gunak sighed softly and got to the point.

“Great-Grandfather, that’s not important right now. We need to make a sword out of Eternal Ice Iron. And we need to make a few more Forbidden-grade darts.”

“An Ice Iron sword and Forbidden-grade darts⋯⋯,”

Dang Jo-pyeong murmured, trailing off as he repeated Tang Gunak’s words.

Then, the old man’s eyes, which had been hazy, flashed sharply.

“The Clan Lord is asking an old man on his deathbed to do something unreasonable.”

“I know it’s a difficult request, Great-Grandfather. But even if we don’t make the Ice Iron sword, I’m worried about leaving the Forbidden-grade darts in the hands of the other children. Of course, I acknowledge their skills, but they can’t compare to your skills, can they?”

At the heartfelt persuasion, Dang Jo-pyeong looked over the smithy behind Tang Gunak without saying anything.

“Did you get the Eternal Ice Iron?”

“Yes, we did.”

Dang Jo-pyeong nodded slowly.

“I thought I would never hold a hammer again in my life⋯⋯. But I am also a member of the Dang family. If the Clan Lord says so, I can’t refuse.”

“Thank you. Thank you, Great-Grandfather.”

Dang Jo-pyeong nodded his head vigorously.

“But putting aside the Forbidden-grade darts, what are you going to do with the Ice Iron sword? It’s not like the Dang family has decided to learn swordsmanship.”

“The Dang family has formed a friendship with Mount Hua. Those who brought this Ice Iron are from the Mount Hua Sect, and they requested the creation of the Ice Iron sword.”

“What?”

A spark suddenly flew from Dang Jo-pyeong’s eyes, which had seemed calm all along.

“Who are you giving the Ice Iron sword to?”

“Mount Hua⋯⋯.”

“Are you giving a sword made of Eternal Ice Iron, crafted with the Dang family’s techniques, to another sect? How can you even say such a thing? The Dang family’s weapons can only be used by the Dang family. Dangmyung, you scoundrel! How dare you utter such wicked nonsense!”

Dang Jo-pyeong, who was wagging his finger, looked like he was about to foam at the mouth.

“It won’t happen before dirt goes into my eyes! I can make as many Forbidden-grade darts as you want. But not the Ice Iron sword!”

“G-Great-Grandfather! It’s already been⋯⋯ since Mount Hua and the Dang family formed an alliance⋯⋯.”

“I don’t care about that, just leave!”

Tang Gunak flinched and stepped back.

The spirit emanating from the old man’s aged body was extraordinary. Moreover, his position as a great-nephew made it even more difficult for him.

‘This is going to be a problem⋯⋯.’

At that moment, Chungmyung quietly approached him as he was deep in thought. Then, he gestured briefly, indicating that he had something to say.

Tang Gunak bowed slightly to Dang Jo-pyeong.

“Great-Grandfather, just a moment⋯⋯.”

“By the way, who are you?”

“⋯⋯.”

Tang Gunak stared blankly at the old man for a moment. Then, he moved Dangpae away from Dang Jo-pyeong and stepped away.

Chungmyung and the Mount Hua disciples stuck close and asked.

“What’s going on?”

“Well. It seems Great-Grandfather has no intention of making the Ice Iron sword.”

Chungmyung crossed his arms, his face twisting in annoyance. “It’s not that he has no intention of making the Ice Iron sword,” he said, his voice sharp with frustration, “it’s that he doesn’t seem to have any intention at all!”

“But there is a time in a day when he is clear-headed.”

“⋯⋯Are you even serious right now!”

Chungmyung, who couldn’t stand it any longer, glared.

It was no wonder, since he didn’t expect to be dragged to some senile old man who couldn’t even communicate when he asked for the Ice Iron sword to be made.

“Then let’s ask someone else to make it. It’s not like that old man is the only weapon maker here.”

But Tang Gunak shook his head, seemingly thinking differently.

“Eternal Ice Iron is not something that can be handled so easily. Moreover, drawing out and forging Ice Iron thinly requires extremely high-level skill.”

“Hmm⋯⋯.”

“Of course, as you said, others may be able to make the Ice Iron sword. But if we’re going to use such precious materials, shouldn’t we make a sword of slightly better quality?”

“That’s⋯⋯true, isn’t it?”

“All we have to do is persuade him. If we can somehow persuade Great-Grandfather⋯⋯.”

“No, but that doesn’t make sense. How can we persuade an old man who can’t even communicate! Even Confucius would throw rocks at that old man and give up!”

“⋯⋯Aren’t you a Taoist priest?”

“If Lao Tzu saw him, he would have told us to just leave him alone! It means we should do nothing! Just leave him alone!”

Chungmyung gritted his teeth.

After watching for a while, he realized that the old man just stared blankly into space, spouting nonsense, and then suddenly shouted and stubbornly insisted on ridiculous things.

This was the kind of person Chungmyung had the most difficulty dealing with.

If he could just communicate, he would lie down and cause a scene to get his way, but what could he say to someone whose mind was wandering? It would be better to read scriptures to a cow.

Then, Baek Cheon, who had been listening quietly, sighed deeply.

“Chungmyung, this doesn’t look easy. Just from the fact that he called you the Plum Blossom Sword Saint earlier, it’s clear that he’s not in good shape. He can’t even recognize people.”

Yoon Jong chimed in.

“It would be fortunate if he just couldn’t recognize people, but it seems he’s already lost his sense of time. The past and present are all mixed up in his head, so there’s no way to persuade someone like that.”

“⋯⋯I’m really going to lose it⋯⋯.”

Chungmyung, who was about to grumble, suddenly closed his mouth.

“Huh?”

When Chungmyung suddenly fell silent, Baek Cheon was seized by a sense of foreboding.

‘That’s the face he makes when he’s thinking of something bad.’

In fact, Chungmyung was muttering to himself, deep in thought.

“You said he is confused… He doesn’t know the difference between now and then, right?”

A moment later, Chung Myung grinned.

“Exactly! He’s lost his mind, isn’t he?”

Baek Cheon felt a little worried and asked carefully, “…So, what are you up to now?”

Chung Myung just shrugged, still smiling.

“Are you going to trick someone again?” Baek Cheon asked, a bit louder this time.

“Trick?” Chung Myung repeated. He thought for a moment, then grinned, as if he found something funny. “Well, I guess you’d see it as a trick, Sasook.”

“…What’s that supposed to mean?”

This isn’t really a scam, though, he thought.

Hee hee hee!

Chung Myung chuckled and glanced sideways. Dang Jo-pyeong was once again staring blankly into space with glazed eyes.

“So, who are you?”

“…I am Dang-pae.”

“Where did Myeong-i go?”

“…”

Dang-pae sighed. He looked up at the sky, feeling tired of everything.

‘This is like hell.’

‘I wish this time would pass quickly…’

‘Huh?’

Just then, he saw Tang Gunak and the other disciples of Mount Hua approaching.

‘Eung?’

But something felt off. Everyone had an awkward expression on their face, as if… as if they were up to no good.

“Patriarch, what on earth are you…”

“Shhh.”

Tang Gunak quickly put a finger to his lips, as if telling him to be quiet.

“…”

At that moment…

“Ahem! Ahem!”

With a loud clearing of his throat, Chung Myung emerged from behind the wooden workshop, its roof slightly slanted and tools hanging outside, walking with a swagger, chest puffed out and head held high, that was quite unlike his usual self.

‘Huh?’

Chung Myung strode confidently to the center of the dusty courtyard, where sunlight warmed the stones, hands still behind his back, and called out in a ringing voice.

“A-pyeong! Where is A-pyeong!”

‘A-pyeong?’

It’s a term used before calling a child’s name. But who is a child here…

“Gasp!”

Dang-pae’s head snapped around.

As if he hadn’t been half-dozing off a moment ago, Dang Jo-pyeong jumped up in surprise and stared at Chung Myung.

“Wh-who are you…?”

Chung Myung looked straight at Dang Jo-pyeong and nodded.

“There you are!”

“Wh-who are you?”

Dang Jo-pyeong looked closely at Chung Myung. His eyes were still cloudy and confused.

Chung Myung then grabbed the plum blossom embroidery on his chest, subtly displaying it, and thundered,

“You rascal! Can’t you even recognize me anymore? It’s me, the Sword Saint!”

“P-Plum Blossom Sword Saint…?”

Dang Jo-pyeong blinked and checked Chung Myung over and over again. Chung Myung stepped forward a little, acting very proud.

“O-Old Sir!”

Dang Jo-pyeong leaped to his feet and rushed towards Chung Myung. Trembling, he grasped Chung Myung’s hands and shed lots of tears.

“Old Sir… Old Sir, where have you been? How long has it been? Oh, heavens…”

The disciples of Mount Hua and Tang Gunak, watching the scene, looked surprised and confused.

‘Wow, it’s working.’

‘He’s tailoring his scams now.’

‘I’ve lived long enough to see a man scamming a senile old man.’

Just then, Yoon Jong turned to Jo Gul and whispered with a questioning voice,

“Didn’t that bastard used to be a terrible actor?”

“It was so bad, it hurt to watch.”

“But why does he seem more natural now?”

“Who knows what that guy is up to?”

The two sighed simultaneously.

And…

‘G-Great-Grandfather…’

Tang Gunak watched the scene with a complex mix of emotions. He had reluctantly agreed because there was no other good option, but seeing a fake who tricked his way in and was now fooling an old and important family member made his stomach churn.

“Enough chatter! Where is Dang Bo?”

“Grandfather is… Well? Right now…”

“Tsk! Useless fellow!”

Tang Gunak’s cheeks twitched.

‘Is that bastard…?’

Crossing the line, is he?

He had told him to act moderately, so he did, but now he was completely carried away. Anyone would think the Plum Blossom Sword Saint had really come back to life.

“I hear you have some skill with your hands. We are short of swords to fight the Demonic Sect. I have brought Hancheol; can you make a Hancheol sword?”

“Oh, Old Sir. How could I refuse your words! If I were to disobey you, and Grandfather were to find out, I would be in deep trouble.”

“Then without further ado, make it quickly!”

“Yes! Yes! I will start right away…”

But Dang Jo-pyeong, who was about to nod quickly and get up, tilted his head slightly to the side.

“But… you seem to have become quite handsome?”

“…W-When one’s martial arts improve, one’s appearance also changes.”

“Ah, yes. I have heard that too. Hee hee. You have become very handsome. Much better than before.”

“…”

Well…

It’s a compliment, but strangely irritating.

“I will light the furnace right away. Please wait a moment!”

“…Very well.”

Dang Jo-pyeong turned sharply and asked, meeting Tang Gunak’s eyes,

“Who are you?”

“I am…”

Tang Gunak opened his mouth to explain, but Dang Jo-pyeong shook his head before he could even finish his answer.

“Never mind. It’s urgent, so if you know how to handle metal, come into the workshop. We need twenty people to work the bellows and hammer the metal. Summon the elders too! We must heat the furnace!”

“Yes! I will do so immediately.”

Dang Jo-pyeong straightened his hunched shoulders.

His stooped back straightened, and the aura of a master craftsman, unseen until now, began to show from him.

“Prepare the white furnace! We will melt Hancheol!”

“Yes!”

As he strode confidently into the workshop, Chung Myung grinned.

“Looks like it’s going well?”

“…”

Tang Gunak glared at Chung Myung with a face that seemed both dismayed, angry, and annoyed.

“You seem to be having a lot of fun?”

“Hehe. It’s a piece of cake.”

“…Anyone would think you were the real Plum Blossom Sword Saint.”

“Haha. It’s not that extreme.”

“Ugh.”

Tang Gunak shook his head.

“Anyway, it’s a relief that it seems to be resolved. I will help Great-Grandfather, so you keep acting as the Plum Blossom Sword Saint in between.”

“Yes, I will.”

Acting, huh…

Chung Myung thought to himself and smiled a little bitterly.

As Tang Gunak headed to the workshop, the disciples of Mount Hua clicked their tongues and pointed fingers at Chung Myung.

“Tsk tsk. That wicked fellow is impersonating our Sajos and scamming an old man.”

“At this point, he’s just an outright con artist.”

“Trash.”

While people were criticizing him a lot, Chung Myung slightly raised his head and looked at the sky.

‘Sect Leader Sajyong.’

I’m getting cursed for pretending to be me.

Does this even make sense?

– What are you saying? You scammer!

“Damn it!”

What do you lot know!

Tsk!