Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 51

Hwang Jong-ui couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

‘Does this mean it’s still not possible?’

The head of the Eunha Merchant Guild, Hwang Mun-yak, his father, was getting sicker every day. He was awake until recently, but now he is unconscious more and more often.

A person who is unconscious cannot eat.

If this continued, he would likely die in a few days.

Desperate, Hwang Jong-ui had invited the most famous doctors and asked for help from the Kangho sects he knew. But no one had a solution.

Still, he had hoped the Sichuan Tang Family, known for their knowledge of poison, could help. But now, Hwang Jong-ui was disappointed.

“It is difficult.”

Hwang Jong-ui sighed softly at the negative words.

“Are you saying that even the Tang Family, the masters of poison, can’t cure my father?”

“The Tang Family is proud to be the best in the world when it comes to poison. We can detoxify any poison.”

“But?”

“However, Lord Hwang’s illness is not caused by poison.”

Hwang Jong-ui frowned.

“Are you saying it’s not poison, even with these symptoms?”

Tang Myung, an elder of the Tang Family, nodded slightly.

“The symptoms are similar, but it’s not poisoning. There seems to be a different cause.”

“Ummm.”

Hwang Jong-ui’s face darkened.

Hwang Jong-ui invited famous doctors. He used the Eunha Merchant Guild’s money and offered big rewards. But still, no one could cure his father, Hwang Mun-yak.

“Are you sure it’s not just old age?”

“It doesn’t seem natural.”

“Then, what is it?”

Tang Myung looked down, as if troubled.

Seeing this, Hwang Jong-ui sighed.

“I’m sorry. I know you’re not a doctor, but I’m so frustrated.”

“I am sorry that I cannot help.”

“No. Please forgive me for not seeing you off.”

Tang Myung stood up and left with a sad expression.

“What am I supposed to do?”

Hwang Jong-ui grabbed his head.

His father’s illness was getting worse every day. How could he, as a son, not be heartbroken, holding so much money and not being able to do anything?

‘What did my father do to deserve this?’

Hwang Mun-yak had spent his life helping the poor. He knew that life wasn’t always fair, but this seemed too cruel.

To suffer from a strange disease for a year and then die…

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

“May I come in?”

“Ah… Yes. Elder.”

The door opened, and a man walked in. He was a white-haired man wearing an impressive white uniform.

“I just saw Tang Myung leaving.”

“Yes, he did.”

“Young Master, I’m sorry to repeat myself, but it’s time to admit it. The only way to save Lord Hwang is with a Daoist rite.”

Hwang Jong-ui’s face twisted slightly.

“I know what you’re saying, but I don’t want to rely on such things yet.”

“Young Master, haven’t I told you? Lord Hwang’s symptoms are the result of going against the natural order. He has gained too much and twisted things too much. If you let go now and focus on the Dao, he will recover quickly.”

Hwang Jong-ui turned and stared at the man.

But the man continued to speak calmly, as if the stare didn’t bother him.

“It’s not every day that the head of Jongnam performs a rite himself. Lord Hwang is lucky to have such a blessing, given the Eunha Merchant Guild’s long relationship with us. Time is running out. Don’t have any regrets.”

“…I’ll wait a little longer.”

“Useless.”

The man clicked his tongue, as if Hwang Jong-ui was being foolish.

Hwang Jong-ui bit his lip.

He had to put up with these rude words because the man was Ki Mok-seung, an elder of Jongnam.

Jongnam was a famous sect, one of the Nine Great Sects, and recently it was becoming even more famous. People said that even if it didn’t happen now, Jongnam would surely become the greatest sword sect in the world in the future.

Also, Jongnam had a lot of influence in Xi’an. With an elder of Jongnam recommending the rite, Hwang Jong-ui, who wasn’t even the head of the merchant guild yet, couldn’t refuse.

‘They’ll ask for another thousand gold to perform the rite.’

It wasn’t that he was stingy.

If it could save his father, he would give up all his wealth. But if they were confident in saving his father with the rite, they would perform it first and ask for payment later, not ask for money upfront.

His business sense told him what they really wanted.

“The replies to my letters haven’t arrived yet. I’ll decide after I get them.”

“It’s frustrating. How can anyone cure an illness that famous doctors couldn’t cure? Didn’t you hear what the Tang Family said?”

Hwang Jong-ui’s eyebrows twitched.

Ki Mok-seung spoke as if he had heard everything Hwang Jong-ui and Tang Myung had said. He didn’t seem to realize he was eavesdropping.

‘Shameless.’

Hwang Jong-ui sighed.

He didn’t have the power to point it out. If Hwang Mun-yak died, the Eunha Merchant Guild would likely shrink. So, he needed to keep Jongnam, which had a lot of influence in Xi’an, on his side.

Even if it cost a lot of money.

“Please give me a little more time. It’s not that I don’t trust Jongnam. But as a son, I want to do everything I can.”

“There isn’t much time left. If Lord Hwang dies, remember it’s because of your foolishness.”

Hwang Jong-ui clenched his fist under the table.

“I will remember that.”

Just then…

“Young Master!”

An urgent voice came from outside.

“What is it?”

“Hwasan! Someone from Hwasan is here to see you.”

“Hwasan?”

“Yes! It’s Hwasan.”

Hwang Jong-ui’s eyes widened slightly.

Hwasan was one of the places he had sent a letter. But he didn’t expect much from Hwasan, which had declined, so the letter to Hwasan was sent last.

The letter should have just arrived, so why had they sent someone already?

‘Could it be?’

If they didn’t know anything about Hwang Mun-yak’s symptoms, they wouldn’t have sent someone without sending a letter first.

Hwang Jong-ui, with a glimmer of hope, was about to stand up when he heard a cold voice.

“Hwasan?”

Ki Mok-seung’s eyes showed anger.

His face hardened at the word Hwasan. Then, he spoke in a rough voice.

“Those ruined bastards are up to something! What do they think this is!”

Hwang Jong-ui bit his lip.

Ki Mok-seung was talking about Xi’an, but Hwang Jong-ui felt he was treating the Eunha Merchant Guild like it belonged to Jongnam.

“Young Master, you don’t need to meet them. What does Hwasan know about curing Lord Hwang’s illness?”

Hwang Jong-ui’s face hardened.

“They came because they received a message. I can’t turn them away.”

“You must listen to me.”

“Elder,” Hwang Jong-ui said firmly, “This is the Eunha Merchant Guild. Don’t forget it’s not Jongnam.”

“Hmph!”

Ki Mok-seung was clearly annoyed, but Hwang Jong-ui ignored him and stood up. He quickly opened the door and went outside.

‘You never know.’

The best doctors and sects couldn’t find a solution. Maybe the answer would come from somewhere unexpected.

Hwang Jong-ui went outside and looked around.

“Where are the people from Hwasan?”

The servant bowed and answered, “They’re at the entrance.”

“You left guests standing at the entrance? How can you be so rude!” Hwang Jong-ui’s voice became angry. But instead of apologizing, the servant bit his lip and looked at the entrance.

“I was going to bring them in, but… I don’t understand what’s going on…”

“Get out of the way. I’ll greet them myself.”

“Young Master, one thing…”

Hwang Jong-ui frowned and walked forward. He didn’t like the servant’s attitude.

‘When did the Eunha Merchant Guild start judging guests by their status?’

If his father were awake, he would have given a stern order. Those who do business must be humble. Those who judge guests based on their status don’t deserve to do business, according to Lord Hwang.

How could they leave a guest at the entrance just because Hwasan was weak?

‘I need to fix the merchant guild!’

Hwang Jong-ui decided and went to the entrance.

He saw a small child standing there with his legs crossed.

‘Hmm. He’s wearing a Hwasan robe.’

A white uniform with a plum blossom on his chest. He was definitely a disciple of Hwasan.

Hwang Jong-ui spoke to Chung Myung.

“Young Daoist, I apologize for the rudeness.”

The young Daoist tilted his head.

“No matter. Such things happen.”

“I’m Hwang Jong-ui, the young master of the Eunha Merchant Guild. It’s my fault for not training my people well, so please don’t blame them.”

“It’s okay. I didn’t come here to be treated well.”

Was that answer a bit strange?

Hwang Jong-ui kept his expression and continued, “Thank you for understanding. Where are your companions?”

“I came alone.”

“Ah, I see. Companions… Huh?” Hwang Jong-ui looked up, surprised.

“What did you say?”

“I said I came alone.”

The young Daoist shrugged and smiled.

“I have a way to cure Lord Hwang’s illness, so please take me there quickly. And about the reward you mentioned… I trust the Eunha Merchant Guild is true to its word?”

“…”

Hwang Jong-ui’s eyes widened.

What was this kid?

That was the moment Hwang Jong-ui of the Eunha Merchant Guild first met Chung Myung, the Plum Blossom Sword Saint.