Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 435

Baek Cheon, sweating, spoke cautiously.

“Well…”

“That’s not quite the extent…”

“What?”

The Tang family’s artisan, eyes bloodshot, turned sharply. Even Baek Cheon flinched, stepping back from the crazed look.

“Ah, no. I’m just worried. There’s no need to go this far…”

“What do you think these swords are?”

“Yes? Well… swords…”

“Hancheol swords! Hancheol swords! Damn, Ten-Thousand-Year Hancheol swords!”

“…”

“These are peerless treasures that can’t even be made anymore! And you want me to make them carelessly?”

“Ah, no, that’s not what I meant…”

“You’re in the way, get out of here! Now!”

Baek Cheon gave up and retreated. The Mount Hua disciples rushed forward.

“What did they say?”

“…They told me to get lost?”

“…”

The Mount Hua disciples stared into the smithy, helpless.

‘Seriously, is there really a need to go this far?’

If they were pouring their souls into making the swords, he wouldn’t stop them. He would even cheer them on. But what the artisans were doing now was not that.

“You damn fool! The petals are misaligned!”

“Can’t you see what’s sticking out here! Here!”

“Ughhh. Damn it. It’s too hard.”

Those wielding chisels and hammers were clinging to the swords, groaning. For nearly ten days, they hadn’t slept properly, their faces pale and gaunt, eyes bloodshot and ringed with dark circles from lack of sleep. Their clothes were stained with sweat and soot as they engraved plum blossom patterns onto the Hancheol swords.

“…Those are just swords to be used roughly.”

“I know, right? Isn’t all this just to make them look pretty in the end?”

“It’s good if they’re pretty… but is there really a need to decorate them to the point of spitting blood?”

It was something the Mount Hua disciples couldn’t understand at all.

“Grrrr.”

“Ugh, why are you collapsing and making a fuss! Drag this guy out of here right now!”

“Yes!”

Even to the point of working themselves to exhaustion like that…

Growing increasingly uneasy, Baek Cheon looked at Tang Soso and said.

“Soso, it seems like they won’t listen to us, so why don’t you say something?”

“About what?”

“That there’s no need to go this far…”

“What?”

“…”

He had to shut his mouth. Tang Soso’s eyes were blazing.

“Uncle-Master! This is an artisan’s pride! Just like good-looking food tastes better, a treasured sword must look like a treasured sword for it to have any meaning! Have you ever seen a plain, famous sword?”

“…No.”

“You and the other senior brothers might only care about how well it cuts, but the maker’s perspective is different! Besides, these are Hancheol swords made by the Tang family. If we make them carelessly and other workshops start saying the Tang family has lost its skill, will you take responsibility for that? Huh? These swords will carry the Tang family name! They must be perfect!”

“…”

Overwhelmed by her spirit, Baek Cheon shrank back.

‘Why is her personality getting worse as time goes on?’

“This is a matter of pride! The Tang family’s pride and self-esteem are second to none in all the sects!”

“…Yes. I understand.”

The Mount Hua disciples gave up trying to persuade the artisans.

“But what is Chung Myung doing? Normally, when something like this happens, he’d be the first to get angry, saying, ‘What’s the big deal about swords? Does engraving plum blossoms make the Plum Blossom Swordplay any better?'”

“He’s over there.”

“Yes?”

“There.”

Baek Cheon pointed. Chung Myung was sitting cross-legged on a platform, drawing the sword in his hand with reverent movements.

Utterly reverent and solemn…

“Hehehehehe.”

“…”

“Hee hee hee hee hee.”

Baek Cheon watched Chung Myung, whose lips were practically reaching his ears, and muttered.

“He looks happier than ever…”

“He wasn’t even this happy when he found the Spirit Origin Pill.”

“From an expert’s perspective, this is like finding a pagoda made of gold.”

Baek Cheon clicked his tongue.

“…I suppose so.”

“…Right.”

Envious. Incredibly envious.

Just as a musician is greedy for a good instrument, a swordsman is fundamentally drawn to a good sword. They had seen many good weapons while dealing with the Nine Great Sects, but none compared to what Chung Myung held.

“Why did that old man have to give it to that bastard!”

“Exactly!”

“The old man’s eyes must be failing him… Soso! I was wrong. Put, put that fist down.”

Jo Gul, almost hit by his junior sister and senior brothers, flinched back. The Mount Hua disciples crept towards Chung Myung as if they had made a pact.

“Chung Myung.”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung tilted his head.

“Can’t we just touch it once?”

“No.”

“No, I’m not saying we’ll swing it around, just let us touch it…”

Slap!

Chung Myung sharply slapped the back of Baek Cheon’s hand as he approached.

“What are you lowly things doing, trying to touch something precious! Get out of here!”

“Ah, just let us touch it once! It’s not like it’ll wear out!”

“Get lost!”

Chung Myung guarded the Dark Plum Sword like a wildcat that had been poisoned, never giving it up. Baek Cheon and the other disciples gnashed their teeth.

“Cheapskate!”

“Greedy bastard!”

Normally, their greed would subside from being so dirty and cheap, but the Dark Plum Sword was so amazing they couldn’t take their eyes off it. Anyone who used a sword couldn’t help but be tempted. Even the scabbard, made of dark, polished wood with silver carvings, was heavy and eye-catching, and when the sword was drawn, it was even more enchanting.

“So that’s why they call it a treasured sword.”

“I’d carry that around even if it wasn’t sharp.”

“I’m going to steal it.”

Everyone was drooling as they looked at the Dark Plum Sword when…

“It’s done!”

“Aaaaargh! It’s finished!”

The long-awaited cheers erupted. Everyone’s eyes turned sharply towards the smithy. The artisans, emaciated after ten days, carried out a dozen or so Hancheol swords with energetic eyes.

“Silk! Lay down the silk!”

“Yes!”

Silk was spread out, and the Hancheol swords were placed on it in neat rows.

‘They’re laying down silk just to put down swords.’

‘To think there are swords of such high status.’

The fact that they would be using such high-status swords began to fill them with excitement.

“Where…”

Tang Gun-ak picked up one of the Hancheol swords and lightly drew it.

Sreung!

With a clear sound, the silver blade appeared.

“Good.”

A smile formed on Tang Gun-ak’s lips. Seeing a perfectly tuned weapon was like appreciating art.

“Bring the anvil!”

“Yes!”

The artisans carried out the anvil with groans.

“Here it is, Clan Leader!”

“Step back.”

Tang Gun-ak swung the Hancheol sword towards the anvil.

Sseut.

There was no noise. The cast iron anvil split in half.

“Huh?”

Even Tang Gun-ak looked surprised.

“It’s not like iron is tofu.”

He infused it with internal energy. A sharp aura emanated from the sword. Even he, not a swordsman, could wield it with such power. He couldn’t imagine how powerful it would be if the Mount Hua swordsmen used it.

“Ugh. It seems like we’re giving them something too good…”

“Umm….”

“Yes?”

Tang Gunak was talking quietly to himself. He jumped and turned around when he heard someone speak. Suddenly, he saw the Mount Hua disciples behind him. They were all lined up and looking very eager.

“C-Could I just swing it once?”

“Well, I suppose so.”

“Thank you. You’re a good man, Clan Lord.”

“……”

Did this really deserve so much praise? he wondered.

The disciples of Mount Hua quickly grabbed the swords placed on the ground and began to draw their own swords, swinging them around.

“T-This is incredibly light, Senior Brother!”

“How can such a light sword be swung with such power? Just what….”

“Wow! This is what a real sword feels like!”

“The swords we’ve been using? They feel like trash.”

“Exactly!”

Tang Gunak watched them, a small smile playing on his lips.

He thought, ‘The ones you used before were made by the Dang Clan.’ He thought, ‘These kids should think before they speak!’

Tang Gunak clicked his tongue, a hint of amusement in his expression. He understood why they were so excited. He was surprised too, so they must be even more amazed.

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Baek Cheon and the other disciples rushed to the artisans, bowing repeatedly as if their faces would touch the ground.

“Haha, don’t be like this.”

“No! I never expected such good swords to come out. Thank you so much.”

“Thank you! I’ll treat you all to a grand feast!”

“Oh my. I heard you’re a scion of the Sahaesanghwi, so wouldn’t that mean we could really get a lot out of you?”

“Of course! I’d rather invite you to the Merchant Guild.”

“Hahaha. No, no.”

The artisans laughed heartily, beaming with pride.

He thought, ‘These Mount Hua people are strange.’ Even though the artisans were from the Dang Clan, they were still just blacksmiths, not usually respected people.

Among those who had commissioned items from the Dang Clan, there were those who expressed gratitude to the Clan Lord, but none had ever bowed directly to them like this.

Tang Gunak thought about Mount Hua. ‘This is a very interesting group,’ he realized. ‘Now I understand why the Clan Lord wants to be friends with them.’

“If you’re done, load them up now.”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung, who had approached unnoticed, was standing right next to him.

“We need to pack up and go back quickly.”

“Right away?”

“Not right away, we should leave tomorrow morning. We can just wrap them up.”

“Just wrap them up? Are you serious?”

“He loves his new sword! It’s amazing!”

“A special sword needs special care!”

Chung Myung flinched slightly at the unexpected and fierce resistance from the Mount Hua disciples. At that moment, the artisans spoke up.

“We’ve prepared wooden boxes to hold the swords, so you can put them in there.”

“Oh!”

Baek Cheon nodded repeatedly with a bright expression.

“Thank you.”

“…All it’s going to do is add to the luggage and make it heavier.”

“You, shut your mouth!”

“Zip it!”

Chung Myung shook his head, grumbling.

He thought, ‘They’re just buying hardship.’ Well, if they want to suffer….

“We can’t go back yet.”

“Yes?”

Chung Myung turned his head at Tang Gunak’s words. Tang Gunak looked at him with a knowing smile.

“Haven’t we yet to enjoy ourselves?”

“Ah, right. That’s why we should leave tomorrow. I’m planning to drink heavily tonight.”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

“…Yes?”

Tang Gunak smiled gently.

“I might be happy with just one day of fun,” Tang Gunak said, “but *he* won’t be. That man could drink for three days and still want more!”

“He?” Chung Myung wondered. *Who is he talking about?*

It was then.

Rumble!

“Huh?”

As if an earthquake had struck, the ground shook once.

“What is this….”

Rumble!

It shook again, even more violently. Then, it began to vibrate continuously.

“Is it an earthquake?”

“No, I don’t think it’s an earthquake?”

“It’s over there!”

The disciples of Mount Hua darted towards the main gate of the Dang Clan.

Tang Gunak, seemingly not surprised at all, smiled and said to Chung Myung.

“Let’s go too.”

“Yes?”

“We must greet our guests.”

And without another word, he began to walk. Chung Myung tilted his head, but silently followed behind him for the time being.

“Oh my! What a surprise!”

“What in the world is happening?”

The Dang Clan’s family members, startled and rushing outside, buzzed with confusion. The disciples of Mount Hua, heading towards the main gate with Tang Gunak, passed them and stood directly in front of the gate.

“Open it!”

Tang Gunak shouted loudly, and those guarding the front quickly swung open the massive doors to the left and right.

“Whoa….”

“Wow….”

Soon, the eyes of the Mount Hua disciples widened like saucers. A truly astonishing sight unfolded before them.

Pooooooo!

A beast as large as a house raised its long trunk and cried out, and a huge tiger, twice the size of an average tiger, roared. To its left and right, white-furred leopards bared their teeth, and a beast with sharp horns protruding from its nose snorted.

Beasts. More beasts. And more beasts. Enormous beasts, the likes of which they had never seen before, were marching towards the Dang Clan in formation.

“G-Goodness! What are all those things!”

“Shouldn’t we stop them?”

“What’s going on!”

Suddenly, *Fwoooosh!* A flash of pure white light shot out from the beasts. It moved like lightning, straight towards the Mount Hua disciples.

“Wh-What!”

“Dodge!”

Thud!

Baek Cheon, who had leaned back instinctively, looked at Chung Myung standing in front of him with a puzzled expression. Actually, it was Chung Myung’s hand.

“Gyarururu!”

A ferret with snow-white fur sat on Chung Myung’s hand, rubbing its face against him.

“Oh? Aren’t you Baek Ah?”

Baek Ah? Oh? Then?

“Kyahahahahahahahahahahaha!”

Just then, a massive burst of laughter that seemed to burst their eardrums began to echo throughout the Dang Clan. They knew that laugh anywhere. No one else laughed that loudly. And who else could control so many wild beasts?

“Where is the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua! The Divine Dragon of Mount Hua! How dare you not come out when I have arrived!”

“Goodness, where else would I be? I’m right here!”

“Oho!”

A giant who looked like he was made of iron towers walked out from among the beasts.

“It’s been a while, Divine Dragon of Mount Hua!”

“Haha… Palace Lord Maeng So! I thought you would still be in Yunnan!”

Maeng So, the Palace Lord of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace, laughed heartily and opened his arms towards Chung Myung.

“Good! Wonderful! Let’s get drunk tonight!”

“Your drinking has improved!”

“I’ve improved enough to beat you!”

“Ho? Dare you?”

Watching the two men laugh together, the disciples of Mount Hua sighed simultaneously. There’s never a peaceful day. There’s never a peaceful day.