Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 513

It was truly a rude remark.

It was not something one should say in front of the North Sea Ice Palace’s Elder and Palace Lord.

Yeo Saheon’s face twisted. He was very angry, like a volcano about to explode. But he tried hard to stay calm.

“Your words are excessive, Daoist!”

Chung Myung chuckled and turned to look at him.

“What is?”

“Even if you are the North Sea’s benefactor, you cannot insult the Ice Palace like that! If anyone else had said those words, I would never have tolerated it!”

At the sound of his voice trembling with anger, Chung Myung tilted his head slightly.

“If you don’t tolerate it?”

“What are you going to do if you don’t tolerate it?”

His coldly hardened gaze pierced through Yeo Saheon.

Chung Myung stared at Yeo Saheon with chilling eyes.

Yeo Saheon flinched and even trembled. He seemed to have difficulty calming his anger.

But Chung Myung neatly ignored his reaction and spoke to Seol Sohbaek.

“You must know the situation, right?”

“Yes?”

Seol Sohbaek looked at Chung Myung with a bewildered face. He seemed completely lost.

Chung Myung couldn’t help but laugh.

“He seemed completely lost.”

Seol Sohbaek seemed slightly intimidated and lowered his head. Chung Myung waved his hand dismissively.

“Don’t hunch your shoulders. It’s not your fault. Those people are the ones at fault. They pretend to support you as the Palace Lord, but they don’t tell you a single thing about how the North Sea is running. They are the problem.”

Han Imyeong, who had been silently standing, frowned.

“I think your words are too harsh, Daoist.”

“People here have no creativity. Is that all you can say?”

Han Imyeong sighed deeply and said.

“It wasn’t that we were trying to hide it. It’s just that the Palace Lord is still young, so we didn’t want to cause unnecessary worry. To say it like that…”

“So.”

Chung Myung cut him off firmly.

“If you don’t know anything, what can you decide?”

“Or is it like this? You guys make the decisions, and the Palace Lord just nods along?”

“Look here, Daoist.”

Chung Myung smirked.

“Well, fine. That’s your business, and I’ve come to see the Palace Lord now, so I need to talk to the Palace Lord. So please step aside.”

“What do you mean?”

Chung Myung turned his head sharply and looked at Baek Cheon.

“Sasuk.”

“Yes.”

Baek Cheon stepped forward with a calm face, as if he knew what he had to do without any particular explanation.

He deeply clasped his hands towards Seol Sohbaek.

“Baek Cheon, the Second Disciple of Hwasan, wishes to meet the Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace on behalf of Hwasan. Please, Palace Lord, do not refuse the request of a guest who has come from afar.”

Seol Sohbaek, flustered by the polite request, looked back at Han Imyeong without realizing it. Han Imyeong bit his lip slightly with a hardened face.

‘This is⋯⋯’

If it comes out like this, the situation becomes strange.

Baek Cheon clearly said that he wanted to see the Palace Lord of the Ice Palace on behalf of Hwasan.

If this request is accepted, those who are not the Palace Lord cannot block the conversation between the Palace Lord and them.

‘But if I don’t accept it, it will be ignoring Hwasan.’

A few days ago, he wouldn’t have cared about a sect called Hwasan. But now, the story is different. In the current North Sea, who would dare to ignore the Hwasan Sect?

That was impossible even if the previous Palace Lord returned, let alone Han Imyeong.

“You must accept.”

Seol Sohbaek nodded as Han Imyeong said in a heavy voice.

“I will.”

Even though Seol Sohbaek answered, Baek Cheon did not relax his posture. He was still clasping his hands and bowing his head.

Seeing that, Seol Sohbaek cleverly realized what he had to do.

“As the Palace Lord of the Ice Palace… I will accept the request of the Hwasan people.”

Only then did Baek Cheon release his posture and stretch his back.

“Hmm.”

“Ahem.”

Han Imyeong and Yeo Saheon unknowingly let out a slight groan.

From Baek Cheon, who stood tall and cast a straight gaze, one could feel a different kind of pressure and spirit than from that Chung Myung.

“I request to the Palace Lord.”

“Wait!”

Yeo Saheon shouted.

“It’s not Palace Lord, it’s Palace Lord-nim! Get the title right. You are only the Second Disciple of Hwasan.”

As befitting an elder of the Ice Palace, his voice was full of dignity. But Baek Cheon didn’t even blink an eye.

“I am not standing here as the Second Disciple of Hwasan, but as the representative of Hwasan. Therefore, I hope you understand that I cannot show excessive courtesy.”

“Which sect gives the authority to represent the sect to the Second Disciple! Isn’t that an extremely arrogant act?!”

Yeo Saheon’s face was red and blue with anger, but Baek Cheon answered calmly.

“Hwasan does.”

Yeo Saheon lost his words and closed his mouth.

“Hwasan does not limit the representation of the sect by its hierarchy. This is the will of the Hwasan Sect Leader and the will of Hwasan, so ignoring it is the same as ignoring Hwasan.”

Even the disciples of Hwasan nodded in unison as if to prove that what he said was right.

In the end, Yeo Saheon had no choice but to bite his lip and step back.

“Ahem⋯⋯”

Baek Cheon’s gaze went straight to Seol Sohbaek.

“Palace Lord.”

At the quiet call, Seol Sohbaek swallowed hard.

As a young man who had just ascended to the position of Palace Lord, it was difficult for him to handle the energy that Baek Cheon was subtly exuding.

It was only natural. Baek Cheon was overshadowed by Chung Myung and Hae Yeon, but if it weren’t for them, he would have been a figure worthy of being called the best of the younger generation.

Such a person had even become stronger after experiencing so many things and so many battles, so what more needed to be said about his presence?

“I will explain what is happening in the North Sea now. Seol Cheonsang, the previous Palace Lord and the one who murdered your predecessor, brought the Demonic Sect into the land of the North Sea, and the Ice Palace joined hands with the Demonic Sect to dominate the North Sea.”

Seol Sohbaek’s eyes shook greatly.

Even though he had lived without knowing the world, he could not have not known what the Demonic Sect was.

“The Demonic Sect was plotting the resurrection of the Heavenly Demon with the support of Ice Essence from the North Sea Ice Palace. I, and Hwasan, believe that the case of the missing residents of the North Sea is also related to this.”

“The matter of the missing people as well?”

“Yes.”

Baek Cheon’s eyes, answering slowly, were heavily sunken.

“According to those who heard the words of the Demonic Cultists, the resurrection of the Heavenly Demon is not far off. Elder Yeo Saheon has also heard this, so you can confirm it.”

Seol Sohbaek glanced at Yeo Saheon, but he did not look at the Palace Lord. His eyes were fixed only on Baek Cheon and Chung Myung behind him.

“If the Heavenly Demon is resurrected, the North Sea will be submerged in blood. Our Hwasan fought against Seol Cheonsang’s group on the side of the Palace Lord to prevent such a situation.”

Baek Cheon looked at Seol Sohbaek with determination in his eyes.

“So, I beg you, Palace Lord,” Baek Cheon said. His voice was serious. “To stop the terrible disaster coming to the world… No, even before that, to stop the bloody disaster that will destroy the Northern Sea, you must lead the Ice Palace. You must drive out the evil cult hiding in our sea. This is the most urgent thing we must do.”

Baek Cheon bowed again. It was a slow, deep bow, showing respect. He stayed bowed for a moment, then straightened up and looked at Seol Sobaek.

“Please,” he said, his voice firm but polite. “Make a wise decision, Palace Lord.”

Seol Sobaek looked very flustered. Her eyes darted around the room, and she wrung her hands. She glanced between Han Imyeong and Yeo Sahon, visibly trembling.

The two elders, who had been trying to avoid the problem, could no longer ignore Seol Sobaek’s worried look. They exchanged glances. Yeo Sahon spoke first, not waiting for Seol Sobaek to say anything.

“I have something to say to the Palace Lord.”

“It is true that wicked demonic cult members have sneaked into the Northern Sea.”

Seol Sobaek’s eyes widened slightly.

“And it is also true that they joined hands with Seol Cheonsang, killed the previous Palace Lord, and stole from the Northern Sea.”

“Then why…?”

“However!” Yeo Sahon’s voice became louder.

“The Northern Sea is not strong enough to fight them right now! If we start a war, the Northern Sea will suffer all the damage alone.”

“But… aren’t they hurting the people of the Northern Sea?”

“Palace Lord!” Yeo Sahon looked at Seol Sobaek with a cold expression.

“You must think clearly, without strong feelings.”

…

“I also feel sad and sorry for the suffering of the people. But if the Ice Palace falls, many more people will suffer.”

“B-but…”

“The demonic cult is too strong for the Northern Sea to fight alone!” Yeo Sahon’s voice was sharp and loud. It bounced off the ice walls of the Palace Lord’s chamber.

“I also really want to fight back. But if we don’t see the truth and act with our emotions, the long history of the Northern Sea Ice Palace may end during your time, Palace Lord. You must be realistic and wait until help comes from the Central Plains.”

Baek Cheon’s eyes narrowed as he listened to them.

“The Elder heard the demonic cult’s words with us. Do you still say that?”

“The Heavenly Demon coming back to life?”

“Yes.”

“How can a dead man come back to life!”

…

Yeo Sahon raised his voice as if he couldn’t believe it, then sighed. Then, in a softer voice, he tried to persuade her.

“We cannot risk the fate of the Northern Sea on that silly idea. If you really want to defeat the demonic cult, go to the Central Plains and bring back support. Then the Northern Sea will also risk its life to fight them.”

Baek Cheon smiled slightly and turned to Seol Sobaek.

“What do you think, Palace Lord?”

“……I……” Seol Sobaek looked at Baek Cheon’s smiling face, then glanced at Han Imyeong. It seemed that Han Imyeong’s words were more important to her than Yeo Sahon’s.

Han Imyeong, who had been quiet, finally spoke.

“The situation is not so simple.” He looked at Baek Cheon with a worried face.

“The disciples of the Mount Hua Sect should not push the Ice Palace too hard. Can’t we find a better way by talking and discussing things?”

Baek Cheon’s smile became a little wider at his words.

“I asked what the Palace Lord thinks.”

Seol Sobaek flinched and trembled. Her eyes were shaking back and forth.

“I……” Seol Sobaek hesitated, looking at Yeo Sahon and Han Imyeong, and then said weakly.

“……I understand your words, but the Northern Sea is not strong enough to do that right now… So, I hope the Mount Hua Sect will go to the Central Plains and bring those who can stop them.”

A moment of silence followed.

Baek Cheon unexpectedly smiled and bowed.

“I understand what the Palace Lord said. I will try to do that.”

His face, which had been serious, now had no trace of a smile.

“Elder Yeo.”

“……Speak.”

“The Mount Hua Sect will now return to the Central Plains.”

“You haven’t even recovered from your injuries yet, but already…”

“If we return, we will tell Shaolin about this situation, as you asked, and gather those who will stop the demonic cult.”

Yeo Sahon nodded many times. He looked happy with what Baek Cheon said.

“That is truly a good thing.”

“Then, take care.”

Yeo Sahon softened his expression, as if he had never been angry, and quickly tried to stop Baek Cheon.

“What’s the rush? It would be good to rest a little more before you go. So, if you go to the Central Plains, how long will it take to come back?”

“……Come back?”

“Hmm?” Yeo Sahon tilted his head, surprised by the answer.

Baek Cheon looked at him and laughed.

“Hwasan will never come to the Northern Sea again.”

The smile disappeared from Yeo Sahon’s face in an instant. He was so confused that he stammered as he asked.

“……W-what does that mean? Shouldn’t you be bringing support from the Central Plains?”

“Why should we?”

…

Baek Cheon’s eyes turned to ice as he glared at Yeo Sahon. His gaze was so cold, it felt like a physical blow.

“My junior brother was injured.”

…

“He bled and was injured for the sake of the Northern Sea people, who have nothing to do with us. When we learned that the demonic cult was planning to bring the Heavenly Demon back to life, the best thing we could have done was leave the Northern Sea, return to the Central Plains, gather the sects, and prepare to defend ourselves. But!”

Baek Cheon trembled slightly with anger.

“That foolish bastard didn’t do that. The reason is clear. He says it’s because it’s urgent, but really, it’s because he couldn’t stand to see the Northern Sea people die. That’s just the kind of person he is. What he says and what he does are different.”

His face was full of anger, more intimidating than ever.

“My junior brother, who has nothing to do with this Northern Sea, bled and fought to make you negotiate! But the Northern Sea Ice Palace refused to bleed itself.”

“Listen here, disciple!”

“He might still try to fight, even after this. Because that’s just the kind of person he is. But,” Yeo Sahon, flustered, tried to say something, but Baek Cheon spoke in a growling voice.

“As the eldest disciple of the Hundred Flowers Hall of Hwasan, and as the one who represents the Mount Hua Sect Leader, I cannot allow that. Even if it means we have to attack him together and knock him down if he refuses, we will all return to the Central Plains. Hwasan does not bleed for those who do not value blood.”

The faces of the Hwasan disciples also became cold.

“It’s late, so we will leave tomorrow. We will do our duty even after returning to the Central Plains, so don’t worry. I hope the Ice Palace will be filled with glory.”

Baek Cheon turned sharply on his heel. The movement was stiff with anger, like a soldier on parade.

“Let’s go.”

…

Chung Myung opened his mouth and stammered, as if this was not what he wanted.

But Baek Cheon did not soften his stern expression, even when he saw him.

“Follow me.”

“No, Martial Uncle…”

“……I am your martial uncle now, but I am also the one who represents the Sect Leader. If you respect me even a little as your martial uncle, and if you respect the authority of the Sect Leader, follow me without saying another word.”

Only then did Chung Myung close his mouth.

The remaining Hwasan disciples also glanced at Yeo Sahon and Han Imyeong with cold eyes and turned away without hesitation. In the heavy silence, only the sound of their footsteps leaving the main hall could be heard.

Soon after they had all left the main hall, Seol Sobaek, who had been sitting blankly, looked back at Han Imyeong with a helpless face.

“Father……” Han Imyeong’s deep sigh echoed softly in the main hall.