Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 468

Luckily for the Ice Palace disciples who were captured, only part of Chung Myung’s idea was used.

Tang Soso used the Mountain Air Poison she had to weaken them. She tied them up tightly with ropes and locked them in the warehouse. They were completely defeated.

Chung Myung said hitting them again when they woke up would be safer. But that was not a nice thing to do.

In any case, having dealt with the Ice Palace disciples, the Mount Hua disciples returned inside and sat around the brazier.

“Cough!”

“Father… are you alright?”

“Ugh…”

Han Yimyung coughed a few times, then reached out and stroked Hong Jinbo’s head.

He nodded gently to reassure the child.

“I’m fine, don’t worry.”

“But…”

“I’m just a little tired. It seems my cough is a bit severe now, so could you fetch some So 열 Grass (消熱草) for me to brew and drink?”

“I’ll go dig some up right away!”

“Yes, please.”

Hong Jinbo quickly put on his winter clothes again and headed outside.

Watching him, Baek Cheon frowned.

“Will he be alright going out in this weather? To find herbs?”

“He’ll be fine. The roots of So 열 Grass… you can dig them up even when it’s freezing.”

“It’s good if he takes a little while. There’s a story I can’t tell him yet.”

Han Yimyung gazed silently at the door the child had exited through before speaking.

“Let’s not drag this out. My real name isn’t Hong Yimyung, but Han Yimyung.”

Han Yimyung, sighed deeply.

“I was a disciple of the North Sea Ice Palace. Under the name Ice Fox Han Yimyung, I was quite renowned in the North Sea.”

“Then…”

Han Yimyung looked at Baek Cheon with a heavy expression and nodded.

“That’s right. I served the previous Palace Lord.”

Han Yimyung’s voice was low, and his shoulders slumped as if carrying a heavy weight.

“I see.”

If there was a reason for the Ice Palace disciples to chase Han Yimyung, that would be it.

“But… is that the only reason they’re still pursuing you, even though you’ve given up everything and are living in seclusion? From what I see.”

Han Yimyung smiled wryly at Baek Cheon’s words.

“You don’t like to say things directly, do you, young Daoist?”

“……”

“What’s the point of hiding anything now? I’ll tell you everything. As you said earlier, they’re not after me. They’re after Jinbo.”

“That child…”

“That’s right.”

Han Yimyung nodded heavily, more heavily than ever.

“Surprisingly, that child is not my son.”

His tone was grave, as if he were revealing a great secret. But the reactions of those who heard it weren’t particularly significant. They seemed rather indifferent, as if they had heard something obvious.

Han Yimyung tilted his head and asked.

“Aren’t you surprised?”

“Not really?”

“……”

“It would be stranger if we didn’t know at this point.”

“It’s too obvious. First of all, the two of you don’t look alike at all.”

“I know, right? That kid is way better looking.”

“……”

Baek Cheon delivered the final blow to Han Yimyung, who was flustered by the unexpected reaction.

“Anyone who paid even a little attention would know that…”

But then.

“What? He’s not his son?”

“……”

Everyone slowly turned their heads to the side at the voice from beside them.

Chung Myung, who had been glued to the brazier, warming himself, widened his eyes and gaped.

“Does he not judge people?”

“……or does he just not notice things.”

“Maybe he doesn’t even see properly.”

The Mount Hua disciples sighed as if they were about to burst.

Han Yimyung composed himself slightly and said seriously.

“However… that’s not the only secret about that child.”

His eyes became more resolute than ever.

“Don’t be surprised. That child’s real name isn’t Hong Jinbo, but Seol Yu-baek. That child is the son of the previous Palace Lord and the rightful heir to the North Sea Ice Palace.”

The Mount Hua disciples looked at him silently with blank faces.

Han Yimyung asked with an awkward expression.

“……Aren’t you surprised this time either?”

“The Ice Palace warriors seemed more concerned about the kid than the old man.”

“Well, that makes sense.”

“……Only a fool wouldn’t realize there was something going on…”

But that was then.

“What? He’s the son of the previous Palace Lord? Good heavens!”

The heads of the Mount Hua disciples turned again.

Seeing Chung Myung with his mouth wide open in surprise, they felt strangely melancholic.

“……There is a fool after all.”

“He just seems extremely uninterested in others.”

“Ah, that might be it.”

Everyone sighed in unison.

“Then does that mean that child is the current Palace Lord’s nephew?”

“That is correct.”

Han Yimyung’s eyes darkened.

“The current Ice Palace leader, Seol Cheon-sang, is not fully supported by his followers. So, this child being alive is a big problem for him. Someday, that child might grow up and come to reclaim his rightful place.”

Baek Cheon nodded with a heavy expression.

Of course, they couldn’t take Han Yimyung’s words at face value. But if it was true that the previous Palace Lord had ruled with kindness and the people of the North Sea still supported him, then there was a good chance that they would support the previous Palace Lord’s son when he appeared.

“Hmm.”

The atmosphere became slightly serious.

They had roughly guessed as much, but hearing it from Han Yimyung’s mouth made them feel strange.

“Then…”

Chung Myung stared at Han Yimyung with an unreadable expression.

“So, is he like… a prince from the North Sea or something?”

“Prince… well, maybe that’s a bit much. But… yes, in a way.”

“Hoo?”

A subtle smile flickered across Chung Myung’s lips.

Baek Cheon felt a sense of unease in his heart at that expression.

‘That’s the face he makes when he’s plotting something bad!’

What on earth is he planning to do…

“Then do the people of the North Sea still long for the previous Palace Lord?”

“……That’s right. Knowing that, Seol Cheon-sang is constantly trying to find that child.”

Chung Myung smiled and nodded.

It was then.

The door burst open, and Seol Yu-baek, who had gone out, entered, brushing off the snow.

“Father. So 열 Grass was nearby…”

Before the child could finish speaking, Chung Myung leaped forward. He scooped up Seol Yu-baek and tucked him under his arm, quickly returning to his spot.

“Hey, you punk!”

“What are you doing!”

But Chung Myung neatly ignored the shouts and smiled contentedly, examining Seol Yu-baek from head to toe.

“So this is the heir to the North Sea Ice Palace, huh?”

“Hey! I told you not to say that!”

But fortunately or unfortunately, Seol Yu-baek seemed too flustered to properly hear Chung Myung’s words. The child felt Chung Myung staring at him in a strange way. He was shaking and didn’t know what was happening.

“D-Daoist?”

“Heh heh heh.”

Chung Myung smacked his lips as if drooling.

“How should I use this one?”

Chung Myung looked at them closely, turning his head from side to side to see them better. He looked like a farmer checking animals at a market.

Baek Cheon watched this and felt a shock of horror. She quickly tried to stop him.

“Stop it! Stop doing strange things and put the child down!” Baek Cheon shouted, horrified.

“Sasuk! Sasuk!” Chung Myung called out, ignoring her.

“What is it?” Baek Cheon asked, annoyed.

“Can’t we use him for something?” Chung Myung asked, his eyes gleaming.

Baek Cheon just stared at him, speechless.

Baek Cheon thought, *Honestly, this crazy guy! What use could he possibly have for the child?*

“Chung Myung, try to remain calm,” she said.

“No, well… if he’s really useless, maybe we could take him to the Ice Palace? It might help us make friends.”

“You utter madman!” Baek Cheon exclaimed.

“Please, just act like a normal person, for once!”

Seol Yu-baek was now on the verge of tears. Chung Myung eventually smacked his lips and set him down.

“Tch… still, what a waste.”

As soon as he was free, Seol Yu-baek ran as fast as he could and hid behind Han I-myeong. Everyone sighed when they saw his terrified eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Baek Cheon said.

Someone mumbled, “Maybe we went too far.”

“We should have locked him up beforehand,” another said.

It was like letting a wild animal loose, and now it was bothering a child.

Yoo I-seol and Dang So-so quickly blocked Chung Myung’s way as he smacked his lips again. They wanted to stop any more trouble.

“That child…” Baek Cheon murmured.

Baek Cheon looked again at Seol Yu-baek, who was glancing around nervously.

Baek Cheon had guessed that Seol Yu-baek lost his home because of the Demonic Sect. Hearing it confirmed made her feel differently about the child.

‘A child who lost his home because of the Demonic Sect.’

It seemed similar to Hwasan’s situation.

Ah, of course…

“Hey, wouldn’t you like to visit the Ice Palace?” Chung Myung asked.

“Oh, get lost! You crazy bastard!” Baek Cheon shouted.

“He’s gone mad! Trying to kidnap a child!”

“You’re scarier than the Ice Palace!”

“Amitabha! Even a demon is better! Oh, demon, I apologize for comparing you!”

Chung Myung didn’t seem to care at all.

Baek Cheon cleared her throat and apologized to Han I-myeong on behalf of Hwasan.

“I’m truly sorry.”

“It’s quite alright. It seems even you struggle to handle him,” Han I-myeong said, shaking his head. He now understood Chung Myung’s personality.

“So, what are your plans now? Staying here would be dangerous,” Baek Cheon asked.

Han I-myeong smiled gently.

“I’m not so foolish. Do you think I would only have one hiding place while running from the North Sea Ice Palace? I’ll simply move to a new location. You needn’t worry about us.”

“Ah… That’s a relief,” Baek Cheon sighed softly, feeling a little better.

“I’ve stayed too long. I must prepare to leave this place.”

Han I-myeong hinted that they should leave. The Hwasan disciples stood up. Han I-myeong, still unwell, moved more slowly than before.

“You’re still not fully recovered,” Baek Cheon noted.

“I’m alright. It’s nothing,” Han I-myeong smiled faintly.

“I’ve had to escape the Ice Palace like this many times before. This time was quite dangerous, but not beyond my ability to handle. There’s no need to worry so much.”

Han I-myeong bowed his head towards the Hwasan group.

“I can’t help but feel sorry for involving you in this. I worry that things might go wrong because of me…”

“Don’t worry about that,” Chung Myung shrugged.

“We’re the ones who decided to help, and we’ll take responsibility for it.”

“I am grateful.”

“Well, since it’s come to this, why don’t you come with us?” Chung Myung suggested.

“I must decline,” Han I-myeong replied.

“Aww, why not?”

“I absolutely must decline.”

Han I-myeong looked more determined than they had ever seen him.

“Then…” Baek Cheon said.

“Farewell. And I ask that you don’t mention us to the Ice Palace.”

“If the topic arises, we will say we heard nothing,” Baek Cheon promised.

“I would be grateful.”

“Maybe we will see each other again,” Baek Cheon said.

The Hwasan group waved to Han I-myeong as they pulled their cart away.

“Sasuk, do you think the Ice Palace disciples in the storage will be alright?” Dang So-so asked.

“So-so, how long does the Mountain Collapse Poison last?”

“Without an antidote, at least seven days and nights,” she replied.

“They won’t die from that, will they?”

“Surely not,” Dang So-so said.

“Eh. That’s right. They’re martial artists, after all. They are tied up, but they won’t die just from being tied up for seven days, right?”

Hye-yeon listened to them talk and closed his eyes tightly.

Hye-yeon thought, *Normally, people would die from that! These people are terrible!*

He worried that he might be becoming tainted by them.

Of course… it was already too late to worry.

“Seven days and nights, eh… We’ll have to enter the Ice Palace before them. We can just say there was a misunderstanding,” Chung Myung said.

“Yes. Since no one was seriously injured, they won’t be able to do anything to us, especially since we were introduced by the Beast Palace Lord,” Baek Cheon added.

Watching Han I-myeong wave, with Seol Yu-baek standing beside him, Baek Cheon murmured quietly.

“A strange connection indeed.”

“Indeed,” Yoo I-seol agreed.

A subtle sense of pity kept causing her to sigh.

However…

“Don’t you really want to visit the Ice Palace?” Chung Myung asked, grinning.

“That, that madman!” Baek Cheon exclaimed.

“Let’s go quickly, Sahyung. Before we actually see him kidnap a child,” Yoo I-seol urged.

“Even if he’s crazy, he wouldn’t go that far,” Baek Cheon said.

“Are you sure?” Yoo I-seol asked doubtfully.

“Let’s just go,” Baek Cheon said.

The cart lurched forward, moving ahead.

Chung Myung, perched atop the pile of luggage, smacked his lips and stared intently at Han I-myeong and Seol Yu-baek as they receded into the distance.

Chung Myung thought, *’A successor…’ He looks just like… could he be related to the Plum Blossom Sword Saint?*

“No wonder he looked so similar,” Chung Myung muttered.

Chung Myung leaned his head against the pile of luggage.

Hong Jin-bo looked exactly like the old North Sea Ice Palace Lord. It was like they were twins.

He suspected something was amiss as soon as he saw him, and he was right.

‘He is pitiful, though,’ Chung Myung thought.

The Demonic Sect’s actions were notorious for leaving no survivors. Probably none of the previous Palace Lord’s other family members survived.

On the other hand, the child had no family. His only relative left was an uncle who wanted to kill him.

Chung Myung watched Seol Yu-baek’s figure, now a distant speck.

“Hmph,” he grunted.

The corners of his lips curled up slightly.

“Well, one never knows what might happen in this world.”

He slipped his hand into his chest and pulled out Baek Ah.

“You remember, right?” he asked.

Baek Ah’s black eyes gleamed as he nodded vigorously.

“You can find him if I ask you to?”

Again, his head bobbed with fervent enthusiasm.

“Don’t find him unless I say so. Got it?”

Chung Myung grinned.

He thought that, depending on how it was used, it might become an interesting relationship.