Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 47

“W-What is this?”

Un-geom looked at Hyun Jong in astonishment. Hyun Jong was looking at the distant mountains, as if he couldn’t do anything about it.

“Six Harmonies…”

Un-geom was confused. He didn’t understand what was happening.

Six Harmonies is the basic martial art of Mount Hua. It has been important for a long time. Like learning to hold a sword correctly or memorizing letters when learning to read, all Mount Hua martial arts start with mastering Six Harmonies.

But times have changed. Mount Hua can’t keep using the slow Six Harmonies. They need to learn faster and move forward more quickly.

That’s why everyone worked together to create the True Six Harmonies Sword.

The True Six Harmonies Sword is easier to learn and more useful than the old Six Harmonies Sword.

“Sect Leader, didn’t we all agree that the True Six Harmonies was needed for Mount Hua?”

“That’s right.”

“But this is…”

Hyun Jong sighed softly.

“That’s why I wanted to hear what you think. As you said, making the True Six Harmonies Sword the basic martial art was what Mount Hua wanted. But the words of our ancestors are also important, right?”

Un-geom nodded without thinking.

It’s not just that the ancestors’ words are important. They are like a guide for us, for everyone who comes after them. All sects try to follow the path of their ancestors.

But how can they ignore what their ancestors clearly wanted?

“Ummm.”

“What do you think?”

“How could I possibly…”

“You teach the children of Mount Hua. I need to know what you think about basic skills. Don’t worry about anything else, just tell me what you think.”

Un-geom sighed deeply.

This is a hard choice, he thought. Old ways or new ways? Both have good points.

Choosing between old ways and new ways is always hard. There is no easy right answer.

“Sect Leader, we created the True Six Harmonies Sword because Mount Hua didn’t have much time.”

“That’s right.”

The right way takes time. Everyone knows the Six Harmonies is excellent. But Mount Hua didn’t have time to train its disciples slowly. They couldn’t choose a path that would take longer when the sect might disappear soon.

“So, I ask you, does Mount Hua have a future now?”

Hyun Jong frowned.

This was also a difficult question.

The future. Hyun Jong felt the weight of Mount Hua on his shoulders. The future is uncertain, he thought. I must make the right choice for everyone.

“It’s not easy to answer. I can’t give you a clear answer.”

“Sect Leader.”

Un-geom spoke as if he had made up his mind.

“Then I am against it.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s not easy.”

Un-geom sighed.

The True Six Harmonies Sword and the Six Harmonies Sword come from the same origin, but they are very different martial arts. The basic principles are different. The Six Harmonies is a slow but strong martial art, while the True Six Harmonies is fast, agile, and light.

“Children learn quickly. These children have already learned the True Six Harmonies. Teaching them the Six Harmonies again will be hard. If we’re not careful, they might not learn either one well. To master the Six Harmonies, you need a strong lower body and calmness. It’s too late now.”

Un-geom shook his head.

“The ancestors had a reason for those words. I want to follow their words as much as possible. But it’s almost impossible.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“What did you say is most needed to learn the Six Harmonies?”

“A strong lower body and calmness…”

Un-geom blinked. Hyun Jong looked at the children who were training.

“A strong lower body?”

“Composure?”

“The training is going very well?”

That’s not what I did? That… that guy did it?

Un-geom looked at Cheong-myeong, who was swinging his wooden sword at the very back.

Could it be? It can’t be. It might seem like a coincidence, but this is too much. Cheong-myeong isn’t from Wudang, so how could he have known this would happen?

“In my opinion, it doesn’t seem that hard for these children to learn the Six Harmonies again?”

“W-Well, that’s true, but… I’m worried the children will get confused.”

“Un-geom, isn’t it our job to help them with their confusion and guide them on the right path?”

Un-geom nodded blankly.

“Are the children confused? Or are you?”

“S-Sect Leader, can you give me a moment?”

“Hmm?”

“I want to ask one of the children.”

“A child?”

“I’m not the one learning. I think it’s better to ask the child who will be learning the martial arts directly, to really know the way.”

“That’s a good idea.”

Teaching comes from above, but the children are the ones who learn it. It’s important to know what they think.

“Then Yoon-jong…”

“Cheong-myeong!”

Before Hyun Jong could say anything, Un-geom called out to Cheong-myeong loudly. Cheong-myeong stopped swinging his sword and looked at them.

“Come here.”

Cheong-myeong put down his sword and walked over.

“Did you call me?”

“I have something to ask you.”

“Yes, please ask.”

Un-geom paused before speaking.

“Which do you think is better, going slowly but higher, or going fast and surely?”

Hyun Jong frowned slightly. The question was too complicated. It was too much for a child to understand.

Ah, that’s right. It’s Cheong-myeong. That child is special. He might understand and have an answer.

Cheong-myeong frowned as if he was thinking hard, and lowered his head. Then, he looked up at Un-geom.

“Going high is the right thing to do.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s Mount Hua.”

Un-geom stared at Cheong-myeong. He was shocked by the answer.

Because it’s Mount Hua.

Un-geom glanced at Hyun Jong. Hyun Jong had his eyes closed. It was hard to know what he was thinking, but it wasn’t hard to guess.

It doesn’t matter if the answer is right or wrong.

What matters is that the child said it.

That’s right. We were Mount Hua. What they had lost was pride in Mount Hua.

A piece of that distant past was now coming from the mouth of Mount Hua’s youngest disciple.

“If it were an ordinary sect, it would be right to choose the second option. But Mount Hua is not ordinary. To regain our past glory and make the name of Mount Hua famous again, we can’t settle for less.”

Un-geom’s question didn’t show what he really thought. But Cheong-myeong understood Un-geom’s hidden feelings. Cheong-myeong’s answer was so right, it would even make grown-ups feel ashamed.

“You mean Mount Hua can’t compromise?”

“That’s what I think.”

“I understand.”

Un-geom nodded.

“Go back to your place.”

“Yes.”

As Cheong-myeong walked away, Un-geom sighed. But before he could speak, Hyun Jong spoke first.

“I’m ashamed.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“To hear these words from a child. Hehe. Because it’s Mount Hua… Who in Mount Hua can say that now?”

Hyun Jong closed his eyes.

Even he, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, couldn’t say it. It’s an answer he hasn’t even thought of. Maybe it was an answer only a child could give.

But the important thing is that the answer is making him, the leader of Mount Hua, feel ashamed.

“Mount Hua. Mount Hua.”

“Sect Leader.”

Un-geom said seriously.

“It might be a childish answer. But because he is a child, he might not be influenced by the world.”

“That’s right.”

“It might be difficult. But I don’t want to be ashamed in front of that child.”

Hyun Jong was lost in thought.

This is not a small matter. Deciding on basic skills is very important.

But what’s more important is deciding on the direction of Mount Hua. This small conversation was quickly becoming a big decision for Hyun Jong.

A choice about the path Mount Hua must take in the future.

“Un-geom, listen.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“In the name of the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, from now on, the basic skills of Mount Hua will be changed back from the True Six Harmonies Sword to the Six Harmonies Sword.”

“I will obey your command.”

“I will officially announce the order after talking with the elders. But Un-geom, get ready for this and teach the children the Six Harmonies before the official order comes.”

“Yes!”

Un-geom’s eyes were firm.

Mount Hua is Mount Hua.

They can’t be an ordinary sect. As long as they use the name of Mount Hua, they must always be the best and aim for the best. Even if they are in a bad situation, they must wait for the day when they can rise and become great.

That is the duty of those who use the name of Mount Hua.

“It’s not just the Six Harmonies. We need to rethink all of Mount Hua’s martial arts. Your role as the head of the Hundred Flowers Hall will be more important than ever.”

“I am ready, Sect Leader. I want to repay Mount Hua for everything it has done for me.”

Hyun Jong smiled and looked at the children.

These children are the future of Mount Hua. They might not achieve it in our time. But when these children lead, they must make the name of Mount Hua famous again.

Hyun Jong would do anything for that. And maybe the ancestors of Mount Hua, who are watching from above, will be proud of him.

Definitely.

That pathetic guy.

Cheong-myeong clicked his tongue.

It makes me angry to see him hesitate over something so small.

Did he have to ask? I’m doing all the work, and he’s asking me how to do it.

I’d rather die than deal with this. I’d really rather die.

“Tch.”

“Why are you sighing?”

“Do you know how I feel?”

“What are you talking about?”

Cheong-myeong frowned, answering Jo-geol’s question casually.

Let’s think calmly. These guys don’t do anything right. The work they’re doing now must be a mess.

I think I need to visit Hwa-eum soon.

I’m worried about whether Hwa-eum’s businesses are organized well. If I leave it to the Sect Leader, nothing will work right, so I have to take care of it myself.

“Ha. This sect can’t function without me.”

“What is he saying, Senior Brother?”

“Leave him alone. Is this new?”

Everyone sighed.