Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 448

Im So-byeong carefully pulled each tiger hair from his scholar’s robe with delicate hands.

“…I suppose I should get the leather redone.”

His brow furrowed slightly as he looked at the tiger skin covering the chair.

Using large, high-quality tiger skin was a symbol of authority for the bandits, so he had no choice but to carry it around, but no matter how he thought about it, it was always heavy and uncomfortable.

And now it’s losing so much fur.

“Shall we catch a new one, a suitable one?”

“Leave it.”

Im So-byeong waved his hand.

“There’s no need to kill another precious tiger. The more fierce beasts like tigers there are in the mountains, the easier it is to work. Even if we can’t feed them, we shouldn’t kill them unnecessarily. But the fur… Aheeee-aheeee-achoo!”

Im So-byeong, who sneezed loudly, made a face and rubbed his face with a handkerchief.

“…This is too much to bear.”

Im So-byeong raised his head and looked at Heukya-ho, Kwak Min.

“So, how was it?”

“The members of the mountain fortress have completely accepted the disciples of Mount Hua as guests. They are very friendly.”

“Of course, they would be.”

Im So-byeong nodded lightly.

“People tend to be certain of what they have seen with their own eyes. Steelclad Jang, his second-in-command, did a great job.”

“May I ask you something?”

“As much as you like.”

Heukya-ho opened his mouth with a slightly stiff face.

“Perhaps…”

“Ah, I know what you’re trying to ask. I didn’t do anything like that. It’s pure skill.”

“…”

“And would Beon Chung listen if I told him to do something?”

Heukya-ho nodded slightly, as if he understood. Certainly, Beon Chung was not the kind of person who would deliberately lose a match just because Im So-byeong told him to. It wasn’t because he lacked loyalty. It was simply because he had his own firm convictions.

But as one question disappeared, a new one arose.

“He didn’t seem that strong, though.”

“You shouldn’t judge people by their appearance.”

Im So-byeong curled up the corners of his mouth as if he found it amusing.

“They’re really interesting fellows.”

Heukya-ho thought of Chung Myung in his head and sighed softly.

‘To think that careless fellow would defeat Beon Chung with just his strength.’

It would be understandable if the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua had been known for his divine power from the start. But the supreme art of the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua, praised by the world, was swordsmanship.

Wasn’t he the one who was said to have secured the position of the next greatest swordsman in the world?

It was certainly a good thing to have a relationship with such a person, but…

At that moment, Im So-byeong spoke to Kwak Min, who was lost in thought.

“By the way.”

“Yes.”

“Where is Beon Chung? I haven’t seen him since morning.”

“Ah, he’s probably at Mount Hua’s residence right now.”

“Hoh?”

Im So-byeong’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“Well, he certainly couldn’t have tolerated being defeated like that, with his pride. It would be nice if he could even get a glimpse of the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua’s swordsmanship on this occasion.”

His smile deepened.

“Water,” Chung Myung demanded.

Beon Chung’s large eyes flashed in the dim light, like a trapped animal. He didn’t move.

*Clack.* Chung Myung tapped his cup again. “Pour.”

*Crack, crack, crack.* Beon Chung’s huge hand, like a pot lid, clenched into a fist. The bones in his knuckles popped loudly. He still poured the water, though his face was red.

*Clack.* Chung Myung tapped his shoulder. “Try massaging.”

*Gurgle, gurgle.* Beon Chung poured more water, his breathing heavy.

“Heeeuuuum.” Chung Myung nodded slightly, a small smile on his face. “Good.”

“Massage my shoulders a bit too,” Chung Myung added, stretching his neck.

Steelclad Jang, Beon Chung, finally looked like he might explode. A vein throbbed on his forehead, but he reached out to massage Chung Myung’s shoulders.

Massage massage.

“Aha, that’s refreshing!”

Baek Cheon and his party, who were watching the scene, turned to each other with dumbfounded faces.

‘What kind of nonsense is this?’

Eventually, Baek Cheon, unable to bear it any longer, asked quietly.

“…What is he doing?”

Then, Yoon Jong sighed deeply.

“He says that losing in a battle of strength means complete defeat as a man.”

“…So?”

“He’s going to serve him as his elder brother.”

Cold sweat formed on Baek Cheon’s pale forehead.

“…Elder brother?”

“…Yes.”

“That person, to that…?”

“Yes.”

Baek Cheon, who turned his gaze towards Beon Chung, who was carefully massaging Chung Myung’s shoulders, muttered blankly.

“…It’s not like sworn brothers, but more like a father and son?”

“I think so too, but…”

A sigh came out on its own.

‘What is this.’

“It makes no sense. Taoists were supposed to be peaceful monks, not people bandits served. No matter how upside down the world is, does it make sense for a bandit to serve a Taoist as his elder brother? It would be different if they looked a bit compatible on the outside.”

“I said that too, but…”

“You did?”

“There’s something that men understand between themselves.”

Baek Cheon’s eyes, like his heart, became very complicated.

Seeing Beon Chung massaging Chung Myung’s shoulders with one hand and fanning himself with a fan in the other made him feel like he might throw up.

‘No, isn’t that what a younger brother does in the first place?’

How distorted is that person’s concept of brotherhood?

“…Why does he only get close to people like that?”

“Isn’t it because they get along in the first place? Frankly, Chung Myung only gets treated as a Taoist when he’s wearing a Taoist robe and a Taoist hat. If he’s wearing casual clothes, who would think it’s strange if he goes in and out of a mountain fortress?”

The biggest problem was that what he said wasn’t wrong.

Even as Baek Cheon’s insides were rotting, Chung Myung seemed to be just comfortable.

“You’re so big, but why are you so weak! Massage me harder!”

“Yes, Elder Brother!”

Beon Chung put down the fan and began to press down on Chung Myung’s shoulders with both hands.

“Aha, that’s refreshing.”

Chung Myung stretched out lazily like a well-fed and warm cat.

“Still, you’re pretty good at massage.”

Then, Beon Chung rolled his eyes and looked down at Chung Myung. Baek Cheon flinched.

‘Isn’t this going to cause trouble…?’

“Thank you, Elder Brother!”

Baek Cheon neatly folded away his now-meaningless worries and cast his gaze towards the distant sky.

What was I expecting? I was.

At that moment, Chung Myung chuckled and said.

“Are you sure it’s okay for you to be here? Won’t the Green Forest King be angry?”

“I am a Green Forest brigand, yes, but being loyal to the Green Forest and serving you, my brother, are two different things!”

Beon Chung stated firmly.

Beon Chung’s eyes shone with genuine admiration. He had always respected strength above all else, and Chung Myung had shown him strength he had never witnessed before.

“This Beon Chung! I have met countless Green Forest brigands and numerous masters, but you are the first to defeat me with strength. I was truly moved by your manliness, so how could I not serve you, my brother?”

His voice was earnest as he spoke.

If the situation were different, and if the one listening to those words wasn’t a scoundrel like Chung Myung, he might have shed tears of emotion. But reality was far too bleak and miserable.

Baek Cheon looked back at Baek Sang with an utterly bewildered expression.

Baek Cheon stared at Beon Chung, his mouth slightly open in disbelief. The other Mount Hua disciples exchanged bewildered glances.

“Seriously? This is crazy! Just because you lost a fight, this happens?”

“…There’s a special understanding between real men.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Don’t you think they think a bit differently than we do?”

Baek Sang was trying his best to put it delicately, implying that there was no understanding the thoughts of fools.

“Real loyalty is more important than who is in charge or how old someone is. This Beon Chung! From this moment forward, as your brother, I will truly devote my loyalty to you.”

Jo Gul smiled contentedly as he listened to Beon Chung’s booming voice.

“I’ve heard that’s how groups like the Black Fangs start.”

“Bl-Black Fang?”

“Yes. When a few heroes brawl and then find themselves in accord, they become sworn brothers that very day, and if that grows, they put up a sign and create a Black Fang.”

Baek Cheon shook his head, pressing his hand to his forehead, which was already cold with sweat.

…Please don’t say things like that.

I’m worried it might really happen.

In the midst of all this, Chung Myung, who had been glancing at Beon Chung, opened his mouth.

Chung Myung watched Beon Chung carefully for a moment, his eyes narrowed slightly as he seemed to be thinking something over.

“By the way, there’s something I’m curious about.”

“Ask away, Brother!”

“The Green Forest King seems a bit young, doesn’t he? He looks even younger than you.”

“That is correct.”

Beon Chung nodded vigorously.

“The current Green Forest King only became king recently, after the last one.”

“Huh? The Green Forest King is hereditary?”

“Basically, the leader of the strongest mountain fortress takes the position. For hundreds of years, no other mountain fortress has become bigger or stronger than the Green Fortress. So, the Green Forest King title has stayed in the Green Fortress family for a long time.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Hereditary, huh.

It didn’t quite fit the name ‘Green Forest,’ but it was perfectly suited to the name ‘King.’

Chung Myung nodded lightly and asked.

“Still, there must be some dissatisfaction, right?”

Beon Chung seemed subtly uncomfortable with the question. He only gave an awkward smile and avoided answering.

Then Chung Myung skillfully added.

“Hey. Now that we’re in the same boat, I’m just asking if there’s anything I can help with in that regard. I’m still a Taoist, after all, so what would I use knowledge of the Green Forest’s situation for?”

“Ah, that’s what you meant…!”

The disciples of Mount Hua grimaced.

‘That bastard only calls himself a Taoist when he needs something.’

‘Be a bandit or a Taoist, just pick one! Pick one!’

To them, Chung Myung’s trickery was obvious. But it didn’t seem to be the case for Beon Chung.

“Yes, some people are unhappy because the current Green Forest King is too quiet and doesn’t stand up for himself. But the influence of his predecessor is still strong, so no major problems have arisen.”

“Hmm. Was his predecessor that outstanding?”

“The old king was amazing, a true hero. When he was alive, that bastard Jang Il-so wouldn’t dare to covet the Green Forest! But since his passing, he has been subtly provoking the Green Forest.”

Beon Chung gnashed his teeth as if he was furious just thinking about it.

“If the old king was still alive, he would have cut that guy’s head off in one move!”

Chung Myung quietly organized the situation in his head. A sly smile touched his lips. ‘This could be more interesting than I thought,’ he mused to himself.

‘Jang Il-so is provoking them?’

Well, that Lord of Myriad Manors wouldn’t miss such an opportunity.

However…

“Hmm, I understand.”

Nodding, Chung Myung got up from his seat.

“Where are you going?”

“I need to finish these talks now.”

Then he grinned.

“I’m not a bandit, so I can’t stay in a mountain fortress forever.”

No.

You look like a bandit.

Im So-byeong sat on a raised platform, looking frail and pale. His skin was almost translucent, and dark circles ringed his eyes. He coughed weakly, then quickly covered his mouth with a handkerchief, the sound echoing in the room.

“You look… Cough! Very healthy… Cough! Oh no! My cough is bad today… Cough! Cough!”

Chung Myung frowned and asked.

“…Do you have tuberculosis?”

The disciples of Mount Hua subtly took two steps back upon hearing that question.

“Ah, no, I don’t.”

Im So-byeong waved his hand and said.

“As I said before, this is not a contagious disease. I was just born a bit weak.”

“…It certainly seems that way.”

“Haha. What can you do about being born like this…? But why do you keep moving backward?”

“It’s good to be safe, good to be safe.”

“…”

Im So-byeong, whose forehead and brow were turning blue, looked as if he wouldn’t be out of place in a coffin right now.

He wiped the corner of his mouth slightly and asked.

“So, you are thinking of leaving now?”

“Yes. But before I go, I want to settle the money issue first.”

“The money issue, you say.”

Im So-byeong tilted his head.

“But shouldn’t we decide that after we look at more information and, you know, think about it carefully? I heard that you haven’t even decided how you’re going to operate the business yet.”

“Yes, that’s right. But…”

Chung Myung grinned.

“I think there might be a simpler way to resolve the situation than those complicated methods.”

“Simply?”

Im So-byeong looked at Chung Myung with interest.

“I don’t understand what you mean?”

“Oh, come on, you know.”

Im So-byeong frowned slightly.

‘Simply’ means he will give the Green Forest something more important than money to solve everything quickly.

But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t fathom what Mount Hua could give them.

“The Taoist has prepared something.”

“Yes. I think you’ll be very pleased to hear it.”

“Cough! Cough! May I ask what it is?”

“In exchange for the people involved in the consignment business using the mountain fortress and receiving protection…”

Chung Myung smirked.

“How about I cure the Green Forest King’s illness?”

Im So-byeong, who had paused for a moment, chuckled.

“I was wondering what you would say. As I said, this illness is something I was born with, so it can’t be cured.”

“Yes, that’s probably true.”

“I am the Green Forest King. I have already searched for countless ways to treat it. But this illness cannot be cured even if I were to take the Great Revival Pill of Shaolin.”

“Yes, that’s probably true.”

Chung Myung nodded without showing any surprise or disappointment. And he thought to himself.

‘I’m glad I didn’t bring Hae Yeon. That crazy monk would have thrown a fit if he heard that.’

“But what method do you have to cure me, Taoist?”

“The Great Revival Pill won’t work.”

“Yes.”

“But…”

The corner of Chung Myung’s mouth twisted upwards. His face was quite triumphant.

“But what if it was the Elixir of Primeval Harmony from the Medicine God? That would be different, right?”

The light in Im So-byeong’s eyes changed for the first time.