Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 489

Bang Pyo stared at the ice crystals. His face was blank.

Ice crystals.

Mountains of sparkling ice crystals glittered in the dim light. They were sharp and clear, like giant diamonds piled high.

‘Never in my life did I think I’d see such a sight.’

He had been in charge of the ice crystal mines for years now. But this was the first time he had ever seen such a mountain of ice crystals.

And no wonder, when even with so many people digging, it was difficult to mine more than two or three ice crystals a month. This amount had to be at least six months’ worth, wasn’t it?

‘And they mined it all in less than three days?’

He couldn’t understand how such a thing could happen.

“Count them.”

“What did you say? Ten?”

“Aigo, my eyes are getting dim, I can’t quite see how many there are. More than ten? Seems like it, but then again, maybe not.”

Bang Pyo’s forehead veins popped out as Chung Myung kept teasing him.

‘It’s more! More than that, you little—!’

It had to be at least twenty!

His face flushed red, but in the end, Bang Pyo couldn’t say anything and could only sigh.

“I’ve lost.”

“Hoo?”

Chung Myung grinned.

“You admit defeat quickly, though.”

“I said it myself, so there’s nothing I can do. Making excuses would only make me look pathetic.”

Bang Pyo nodded slowly, saying,

“I will give these men a rest as you requested. They will not work until you leave.”

“That’s different from what you said before, isn’t it?”

Chung Myung narrowed his eyes and said sullenly.

“What do you mean, different?”

“I clearly said you’d let them rest as much as I wanted, didn’t I?”

Bang Pyo, momentarily speechless, gestured for Chung Myung to come closer with a troubled expression.

Chung Myung walked quickly to him. He brought his face close to Chung Myung’s ear and whispered very softly.

“Spare me.”

“If the Palace Lord finds out, I’m dead.”

Even the great Chung Myung was taken aback by these words.

“Wow… I heard people from the North are practical, but this is….”

“I have to live first.”

Chung Myung, who had been pondering for a moment while looking at his desperate expression, burst into a chuckle.

“Alright. Then we’ll go with letting them rest until we leave. But you have to make sure you provide the promised liquor and meat properly.”

“I promise you that.”

Chung Myung nodded as if this was enough.

Negotiation meant only touching the other party’s limit. Going beyond that would only lead to unnecessary animosity and arguments.

At that moment, Bang Pyo quickly looked away.

“Then, these ice crystals…”

“Don’t touch them! Or your hand will fly off.”

Bang Pyo, who had been subtly reaching for the ice crystals, smacked his lips and withdrew his hand. Chung Myung quickly swept the ice crystals off the floor and stuffed them into his sleeve.

“Aoh, so cold!”

Even as he grimaced and shuddered, he absolutely refused to take the ice crystals out again.

“Ugh, it’s already freezing.”

“Well, then…”

“Wait, just a moment!”

“Yes?”

Chung Myung looked at him without much interest as Bang Pyo urgently called out.

“That… I’ll grant you anything you want. But in return, could you tell me how you found these ice crystals?”

“Hmmmm.”

Chung Myung, pretending to seriously contemplate, chuckled and said.

“I’ll see how good the liquor and meat are first.”

“Is, is that all it takes?”

“Yes, that’s it. Is there any reason it wouldn’t be?”

But Bang Pyo saw it.

Chung Myung smiled benevolently, making a circle with his thumb and forefinger.

“Haha. Is there anything that can’t be done in this world? Everything is possible… with enough of this.”

The part in the middle was too small to hear clearly, but he seemed to know what he meant without even hearing it. Bang Pyo nodded with a dismal expression.

“I’ll try my best.”

“You’re easy to talk to. Hee hee.”

Chung Myung grinned and turned around. The group, who had been waiting at a distance, stealthily followed beside him.

“Chung Myung-ah.”

“What?”

“Is it okay to tell them the secret method?”

Of course, there was no particular reason not to tell them. But in a situation where it wasn’t clear whether the Northern Ice Palace was friend or foe, he didn’t want to do anything that would benefit the other party. That was his honest feeling.

“Ah, that?”

Chung Myung chuckled and whispered secretively.

“Even if I told you, you couldn’t do it.”

“Huh?”

“Because, there’s no particularly great method….”

Chung Myung, who had been whispering with his head lowered, straightened his shoulders and puffed out his chest.

“I’m just good.”

The disciples of Mount Hua were speechless and could only stare at him blankly before sighing.

However, Hye-yeon smiled and affirmed Chung Myung’s words.

“That is indeed the right thing to say, Benefactor. Benefactor always speaks the truth.”

“Oh. Our bald monk is finally starting to understand something?”

“But Benefactor, did you know this?”

“What?”

“Since ancient times, those who only speak the truth die the earliest.”

No, this monk… how did he turn out like this? He’s only learned bad things…

Chung Myung clicked his tongue, staring blankly at him for a moment.

He had no awareness of what he had done.

The disciples of Mount Hua approached the prisoners with bright faces. The prisoners looked confused and just glanced around.

“What’s going on?”

“Are we really allowed to rest?”

They looked at the guards, but the guards, who would normally have spewed all sorts of harsh words, only watched with stiff faces and didn’t say a word.

So, they could only focus their attention on Chung Myung, who was striding towards them.

Chung Myung opened his mouth.

“What are you doing?”

“Yes?”

“Why are you standing there when you’ve heard everything? Everyone can rest from now on.”

But they remained motionless.

Chung Myung frowned slightly and turned around, saying to Bang Pyo.

“What about the food? When is the food coming?”

“Keueung…. It’s coming now, so please wait a little longer.”

“You’re so slow.”

Bang Pyo sighed deeply.

The prisoners couldn’t believe this scene at all.

Wasn’t that Bang Pyo, who was like a devil from hell, being completely played by that young man from the Central Plains?

Chung Myung, having urged Bang Pyo, smiled brightly at the prisoners.

“Well, then, shall we talk a little?”

Bang Pyo, wanting to show he was capable, quickly got liquor and food before sunset.

Before sunset, a feast arrived. Smoky grilled meat piled high on platters, fragrant liquor in large jugs, and steaming bowls of rice filled the air with delicious smells.

The prisoners opened their mouths as wide as they could at the sight of the mountain of food and liquor, and Chung Myung nodded as if satisfied.

The prisoners whispered to each other, “Did you hear that right?” and “Is this a trick?”

Chung Myung wasn’t finished bothering Bang Pyo yet.

“Are they all gone?” Chung Myung asked.

“Yes,” Bang Pyo answered quickly.

“But why do they *have* to leave?”

“You said you wanted to rest!” Bang Pyo said, trying to keep his voice calm.

“Well, yes, but that’s not the same thing!” Chung Myung said, sounding annoyed. “How can I relax and eat with those guards staring at me? Especially after they just hit me! I’ll lose my appetite!”

Bang Pyo just sighed, a long, tired sound. He wanted to argue back, but he stopped himself.

*’If only I knew how they find ice crystals…’* Bang Pyo thought. Finding ice crystals was the most important thing for him as the person in charge of the mine. He didn’t know how these people found them, but if he could learn their secret, he would become very important in the Ice Palace.

*’If they weren’t guests, I would lock them up and make them tell me everything!’*

But they were guests of the Ice Palace Lord. If he hurt the Lord’s guests, he would be in terrible trouble.

The best thing to do was to be careful with them, tell the Ice Palace Lord everything, and wait for instructions.

“…I understand,” Bang Pyo said, sounding defeated. “I’ll do what you say.”

“Good, Elder!” Chung Myung said, sounding pleased. “Everyone out! Now!”

“But what if they escape?” one guard whispered nervously.

Bang Pyo frowned, his face becoming dark. “Escape? How could they escape from this deep valley? If you’re so worried, *you* can go guard the top!”

The other guards glared angrily at the one who had spoken. He knew he would be stuck guarding the top in the terrible blizzard if he said another word.

“No more talking!” Bang Pyo snapped. “Just do it! Go!”

“Yes!” the guards replied quickly.

They grabbed the ropes and started to climb up the cliff. The prisoners watched with wide, hungry eyes as the guards climbed away and disappeared over the top. When the last guard was gone, their eyes moved to the piles of food.

*Gulp.* The sound of people swallowing hard echoed in the cold air. But still, no one dared to touch the food.

“Hey! What are you waiting for?” Chung Myung asked, sounding impatient.

“…Yes?” one prisoner mumbled, looking scared.

“Eat quickly! Eat it before it gets even colder!”

Baek Cheon frowned. “Chung Myung, it’s already freezing. It’s like eating a block of ice.”

Chung Myung sighed loudly. “Ugh.”

“Nothing is ever easy,” Chung Myung grumbled. “Is there a good cave around here? A cave big enough for everyone?”

“Well, not a cave exactly…” one of the prisoners said hesitantly, “but there’s a place up ahead where the wind isn’t as strong.”

“Oh, is there?” Chung Myung nodded, looking happier. He turned to the Mount Hua disciples. “Come on! Let’s move!”

“Understood!” they replied.

As soon as Chung Myung spoke, the Mount Hua group quickly started carrying the food. The prisoners, who had been watching carefully, also began to help.

After they moved all the food to the slightly less cold place, Chung Myung looked around.

“…Is there no wood to burn here?”

“Trees can’t grow here,” a prisoner replied sadly.

Chung Myung sighed. He looked closely at the prisoners. They all had thin and tired faces. He knew that eating ice-cold meat would make them sick.

“Tsk,” Chung Myung clicked his tongue. He walked quickly to the food and held out his hand.

*Hwaaaah!*

Suddenly, hot energy burst out from his hand. It was his Ten Yang Divine Art, a powerful warm energy that could even melt strong ice. Warming up cold food was easy for it.

But this energy was very powerful and valuable, and he was using it just to warm food!

“Come and eat quickly!” Chung Myung shouted. But none of the prisoners moved closer.

“Seriously!” Chung Myung was getting even more impatient. He stared at them angrily. “If you don’t eat now, I’ll have to heat this up again! Are you trying to make me work harder?”

“I-Is it really okay for us to eat…?” one prisoner asked nervously.

“Eat quickly! Quickly!” Chung Myung repeated.

As soon as he said that, the prisoners rushed towards the food.

“Don’t touch the cold food over there!” Chung Myung yelled. “I’ll heat it all up for you! Senior Brother! What are you doing?”

Baek Cheon moved quickly to help. But Yoon Jong was already stepping forward, gently guiding the prisoners.

“Come slowly,” Yoon Jong said kindly. “Slowly! There’s enough food for everyone. And don’t take the cold food. Chung Myung will heat it up for you!”

Jo Gul quickly followed Yoon Jong, helping to give out the warm food.

The prisoners took the warm food from Chung Myung and gazed at it, their eyes wide with disbelief.

“…This is… I can’t remember the last time I saw real food…” one whispered.

“I’ve just been eating anything to stay alive…” another mumbled.

“I never thought I’d see a day like this again,” a third said, his voice shaking.

Some prisoners wiped tears from their eyes, while others ate with desperate hunger.

“Eat slowly,” Yoon Jong reminded them gently. “You’ll choke.”

“Yes, yes, I will,” one prisoner replied, nodding quickly. “Please, you eat too.”

Baek Cheon watched them eating quickly but also helping each other. He glanced at the bottles of alcohol, looking concerned. He seemed deeply troubled.

“Senior Brother, what’s wrong?” Yoon Jong asked Baek Cheon.

“Hmm. I wonder if it’s safe for them to drink alcohol…” Baek Cheon said.

He was worried that alcohol might be bad for their weak bodies.

But Tang Soso quickly answered his question. “A little bit should be okay.”

“Really?” Baek Cheon asked.

“Yes,” Tang Soso said. “They used to be martial artists. A small amount shouldn’t hurt them.”

“Okay, good.” Baek Cheon felt relieved. He carried the jugs of alcohol and put them near the prisoners.

“Here, have some,” he said kindly.

“…Even alcohol…” one prisoner whispered, looking at the jugs with longing.

Baek Cheon leaned closer and whispered to them. He glanced behind him quickly. “You need to drink it fast. There’s someone here who loves alcohol too much. If you don’t drink it now, he’ll drink it all… Hey! Hae Yeon! What are you doing!”

Just then, Hae Yeon, who was secretly grabbing a jug of alcohol, saw Baek Cheon’s angry look and quickly put the jug back down.

“I was just… checking if it tasted good…” Hae Yeon mumbled.

“If you drink the whole jug yourself, you won’t even taste anything!” Baek Cheon said, shaking his head.

“Maybe not,” Hae Yeon admitted quietly.

“Why is that monk like that?” Jo Gul whispered to Yoon Jong, laughing.

The Mount Hua disciples kept seeing new things about Hae Yeon since they came to the mine.

As the food started to get less, and everyone had drunk a couple of cups of alcohol, the prisoners’ faces, which had been full of fear, began to relax.

“Thank you so much,” one prisoner said, his voice soft.

“…We will never forget your kindness,” another added.

Every time they saw a Mount Hua disciple, they bowed and thanked them.

“It’s nothing,” Yoon Jong said kindly. “We didn’t do much.”

“Eat lots!” Jo Gul added, smiling.

Chung Myung warmed the last of the food and slowly put it down.

“Ugh… This is more tiring than I thought,” he grumbled to himself.

He was just thinking that he would have to use his strength a lot more often in the Northern Sea.

“Huh?” Chung Myung said, surprised.

Two or three prisoners who had been sitting together looked at each other and stood up. They walked towards Chung Myung.

“What is it?” Chung Myung asked, looking puzzled. Then, the prisoners suddenly knelt down in front of him, bowing to the ground.

“We are so grateful for your great kindness, kind sir!” one of them said loudly.

Chung Myung jumped back a little, surprised by their low bows. “…Get up,” he said, sounding a bit awkward. “If people bowed every time they got food, everyone’s backs would hurt. There are even beggars who don’t bow even when they get a lot of food.”

*Hong Daekwang, far away in the Central Plains, probably just felt his ears burning,* Chung Myung thought to himself.

But even after Chung Myung’s words, the prisoners stayed kneeling. They just lifted their heads to look at him.

“Could we… speak with you for a moment?” an old man in thick fur clothes asked in a very hoarse voice.

Chung Myung looked at the old man’s face and smirked. “I can talk as much as you want,” he said.

*Especially if it’s a conversation that helps me too,* he thought.