Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 514

Chung Myung’s eyes twitched.

“No….”

“I know you’re angry. I understand, but things are like this now, right? Are you just going to charge right into it like this? Huh?” Yoon Jong asked.

“Yoon Jong.” Baek Cheon called.

“Yes, Martial Uncle!” Yoon Jong responded.

“Did you pack all the luggage?” Baek Cheon asked.

“Yes. I packed everything without missing a thing,” Yoon Jong replied.

Jo Gul raised his hand.

“Martial Uncle! What should we do with the gifts the Ice Palace gave us?” Jo Gul asked.

“There’s no need to leave them behind. Pack it all,” Baek Cheon instructed.

“Yes!” Jo Gul replied.

Chung Myung simply stared blankly as the Mount Hua disciples packed their things in the cold room with walls made of ice, their breath making small clouds in the air.

Yoon Jong carefully folded clothes, his eyes focused on his hands, not looking up at Chung Myung. Jo Gul packed things roughly, making loud noises, as if Chung Myung wasn’t even there.

‘Huh?’ Chung Myung thought.

Why is Baek A in there too?

Is the sable packing?

Chung Myung, who had been gaping in bewilderment, snapped to his senses and stammered.

“N-no! That’s why I said it in advance! People are originally….”

“Soso.” Baek Cheon called.

“Yes, Great Uncle!” Soso responded.

“Medicine. Replenish the medicine for the road,” Baek Cheon instructed.

“Yes! I’ve already looted a ton. Oh, I deliberately didn’t pack any licorice. Let that old man die from his bitter mouth,” Soso said.

“Good job,” Baek Cheon praised.

No, why aren’t you packing licorice….

No, that’s not the point right now.

“Hello? Are you listening?” Chung Myung asked.

I’m here, you people!

Chung Myung had never been outdone in terms of presence anywhere in the world. Even when he was begging, people might curse at him, but they never ignored him this completely.

“No, listen to me! Just listen!” Chung Myung continued to shout and wave his arms wildly. Only then did Baek Cheon straighten his back and give him a look.

“Chung Myung.”

“Huh?”

“You’re being loud. If you’re not going to help pack, go over there and play quietly,” Baek Cheon said.

“Stop chattering,” Baek Cheon added. Chung Myung closed his mouth, surprised by Baek Cheon’s sharp tone.

Chung Myung, who had been opening and closing his mouth, sighed in disbelief.

“So, you’re just going back now?” Chung Myung asked.

“Yes,” Baek Cheon confirmed.

“With the Heavenly Demon reviving?” Chung Myung asked.

“That’s why we have to go back,” Baek Cheon explained.

“Huh?”

Baek Cheon looked straight at Chung Myung and said.

“In this situation, there’s no way to stop it no matter what we do. Instead of staying in the Northern Sea and getting caught in the crossfire, it’s better to return to the Central Plains as soon as possible.”

“No, you don’t seem to understand. Before the Heavenly Demon revives….” Chung Myung started.

“You’re the one who doesn’t understand,” Baek Cheon cut off Chung Myung’s words and frowned.

“I know this isn’t just a matter for the Northern Sea. But that doesn’t mean we have to do what the Northern Sea doesn’t want to do.”

Chung Myung tried to argue, but then, Jo Gul and Yoon Jong also started to speak, agreeing with Baek Cheon.

“Those bastards have no sense of morality,” Jo Gul growled, grinding his teeth.

Then Yoon Jong frowned and rebuked him.

“Bastards? They’re elders from another sect. Your words are too harsh.”

“Then what should I call them?” Jo Gul asked.

“Call them ‘scoundrels.’ Even the Heavenly Venerable would understand that much,” Yoon Jong suggested.

“If the Heavenly Venerable manifests, he’ll probably smash their heads with his staff,” Jo Gul said.

“Hmm. He might,” Yoon Jong nodded silently and busied his hands.

Chung Myung’s mouth, which had barely closed, opened wide again.

When did these kids get so rough?

Huh? Is it because of me?

Huh?

“Ah, no….”

Then, Yoo Iseol, who had been staring at Chung Myung, quietly raised a finger to her lips.

“Shhh.”

“Senior Brother. She says disaster is coming,” Yoon Jong said.

“I know without you having to interpret!” Chung Myung snapped.

Who do you think I am, an idiot!

“No, it seems like you all don’t understand the situation. If the Heavenly Demon really revives, everything will be ruined, you know?” Chung Myung argued.

“That’s why we need to run away quickly,” Baek Cheon retorted.

“Senior Brother. Sect Leader Senior Brother. I think something’s really gone wrong?” Yoon Jong said.

– That crazy bastard, he caused it himself.

No! Did I know it would turn out like this!

How did Senior Brother even put up with me? Wow… I’m reflecting on myself.

“Amitabha.”

Then, Hae Yeon, who had been silently packing and watching the situation, chanted a Buddhist invocation.

“Benefactor, even Buddha fought against bad things. Being kind all the time isn’t always the right thing.”

Even Hae Yeon was being serious, and Chung Myung was truly speechless.

“Hae Yeon’s words are correct,” Baek Cheon said. Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung’s bandages, his face becoming darker.

Baek Cheon became even more resolute than when he started the conversation. He threw the tightly packed luggage into the corner and said coldly.

“Originally, our mission was to understand the situation in the Northern Sea and report it to Shaolin. And we have already completed that mission. What remains is something that the sects of the Central Plains must work together to resolve. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“No, but….” Chung Myung started.

Baek Cheon’s voice got louder step by step before he shouts.

“All the sects of the Central Plains! Not something you solve on your own!”

Chung Myung flinched at the sudden thunderous shout.

“Mount Hua has already experienced the same thing in the past! If the ancestors of Mount Hua had not sacrificed themselves to protect the Central Plains, what would have become of the Central Plains? But what was left for Mount Hua in the end?” His voice trembled slightly as he spoke about the sacrifices of their ancestors.

Baek Cheon’s blazing gaze was fixed on the bandages wrapped around Chung Myung’s body. He gnashed his teeth as if he couldn’t stand the sight, then straightened his back and said.

“So don’t even think about pulling any tricks and just follow along quietly. I’m not kidding.”

“What tricks….” Chung Myung pouted and grumbled, and Baek Cheon glared at him as if he would devour him whole.

“It’s obvious what you’re going to do. You’ll try to twist the situation somehow. But I won’t fall for it this time. Soso!”

“Yes!” Soso responded.

“Did you bring it?” Baek Cheon asked.

“Yes!” Soso confirmed.

Huh? What….

Chung Myung, who had blankly turned his gaze towards Soso, widened his eyes.

“W-why are you holding that?!”

“Is there a problem with the daughter of the Tang family holding a sword made by the Tang family?” Soso asked.

That’s mine!

Chung Myung was momentarily speechless when he saw the Plum Blossom Sword of Hidden Fragrance in Tang Soso’s hand.

“Give it to your junior sister, Soso,” Baek Cheon instructed.

“Yes, Martial Uncle,” Soso replied.

Tang Soso handed the Plum Blossom Sword of Hidden Fragrance to Yoo Iseol. She accepted it with an indifferent face and fastened it to her waist. Then, she leaned back slightly, as if wary of Chung Myung.

Baek Cheon said quietly.

“Even if it’s you, you can’t possibly take on all of us without a sword.”

“Haha. It seems my martial uncle is underestimating me!”

“Maybe a punch from Hye-yeon will change your mind?”

Hye-yeon smiled gently and clenched his fist tightly.

“Amitabha. Such a thing should not happen, but… I will do my best without hesitation,” Hye-yeon, a monk, said.

Cheong-myeong’s cheek twitched.

Wow…

Why is that bastard so terrifying when he smiles?

I should have tormented him less often.

Baek-cheon sighed, then cut in, his voice firm. “Alright, that’s enough. This is where we stop.”

“I am the leader here, given authority by the sect leader. I will not get involved in the Northern Sea’s problems anymore. So, you should stop worrying about it. I know you feel sorry for the people of the Northern Sea, but ultimately, they made their choice.”

Baek-cheon’s face was cold and hard, like stone. His eyes showed no room for argument.

“Hwasan teaches us to help, but forcing help on people who don’t want it is not the right thing to do.”

“That’s right, Martial Uncle.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The other disciples felt the same way. Cheong-myeong, who had been blankly watching them, closed his mouth.

In fact, he knew it too. He knew that what they were saying wasn’t wrong.

‘This isn’t such a simple matter.’

They can think like this because they haven’t directly experienced the Heavenly Demon. Those who know can never pull back so easily.

Just as Cheong-myeong was about to say something more, a knock was heard on the door. The heads of the Hwasan disciples turned in unison.

“Who is it?”

As Jo-geol nonchalantly tried to head towards the door, Yoon-jong subtly pulled his shoulder. Then, gripping the sword at his waist, he opened his mouth.

“Martial Uncle.”

“Be prepared. I’ll go.”

Baek-cheon strode to the door, his steps firm and determined. He swung the door open with a sudden bang. A light tension settled among the disciples of Hwasan.

“Huh?”

But the moment they saw the person standing in front of the door, everyone’s faces relaxed slightly.

“W-wait a moment…” The red-cheeked boy standing in front of the door, Seol So-baek, began to speak in a slightly trembling voice. “I was wondering if I could have a word with you?”

As Cheong-myeong’s bottom slightly lifted, Baek-cheon grabbed the hem of his clothes and forcibly sat him back down.

“I heard it’s called Seolbingdan (Snow Ice Pill). It’s said to be a divine medicine of the Ice Palace made from ten-thousand-year-old snow ginseng. They say there are only a few of these ancient elixirs left even in the Ice Palace…”

“Haha. You shouldn’t have…”

“Sit down, you little rascal!”

As Cheong-myeong smiled brightly and tried to take the elixir, Baek-cheon scolded him, and Yoo I-seol slapped the back of his hand to stop him.

An aggrieved look filled Cheong-myeong’s face.

“Ah, why! They’re giving it to me!”

“Quiet!”

Baek-cheon, who had shouted, looked at Seol So-baek and said seriously.

“Thank you for your consideration. But given the situation, please understand that we cannot simply accept what you are giving us with joy.”

“Ah, no. I didn’t bring it to ask for something. I brought it because I heard that Cheong-myeong needed an elixir.”

Seol So-baek quickly said, waving his hands in embarrassment.

At that sight, Baek-cheon couldn’t help but smile slightly.

‘He’s not like a child.’

Having risen to the esteemed position of Palace Lord of the Ice Palace, he could have become arrogant, but Seol So-baek hadn’t changed much since they first met him.

It was impossible to know if Han I-myeong was a great person, but he certainly seemed to be a great educator.

“You were even injured because of the Ice Palace’s affairs, and if you refuse even this, I will be too embarrassed. Please, accept it.”

“Haha. Well, then. I…”

“Just stay still, you rascal! Geol, grab this guy.”

“Martial Uncle, you always ask me to do unreasonable things.”

“Quiet.”

“Yes.”

Yoon-jong and Jo-geol firmly grabbed Cheong-myeong from both sides.

Once Cheong-myeong was calmer, Baek-cheon said.

“But how did you come here alone? Where is the Palace Lord…”

“I just came on my own.”

“There were people following me, but I shook them off.”

Seol So-baek stopped for a moment, about to say something more, and then lowered his head.

“I said from the beginning that I would go alone, but the guards wouldn’t listen to me. Because Lady Yeo and Chief Manager Han gave them orders, they wouldn’t leave my side. Cheong-myeong was right about everything. They call me the Palace Lord, but there’s nothing I can do on my own.”

Baek-cheon looked at Seol So-baek with a slightly pitiful gaze.

‘It’s a terrible thing.’

An excessive position that doesn’t match one’s abilities is bound to be poison. Especially in a place like the Yeo Sa-hon, where there are tiger-like people.

“So, please accept this. This isn’t the will of the Ice Palace, but my will. If I can’t even repay someone who shed blood for me to this extent, I’ll feel too pathetic.”

“Hmm.”

At this point, there was no way for Baek-cheon to stop Cheong-myeong from receiving the elixir. But unexpectedly, Cheong-myeong frowned as soon as he heard those words.

“A little brat getting full of hot air.”

“Yes?”

“We didn’t fight for you. Don’t misunderstand.”

It was a statement that would have embarrassed or made the listener very uncomfortable. But Seol So-baek smiled faintly instead.

“Then please understand that I am giving it on behalf of the people of the Northern Sea.”

“Such a sly one.”

Only then did Cheong-myeong stretch out his hand and take the elixir.

“If you put it that way, I have no choice but to accept it. Aish, I didn’t want to accept it, but I can’t ignore your sincerity. You’re making it difficult for me, aish.”

Seol So-baek was realizing anew what kind of person Cheong-myeong was.

Baek-cheon said, looking at Seol So-baek.

“What brings you here? You wouldn’t have come all the way here just to give us this elixir, would you?”

Then Seol So-baek quietly nodded.

It was Baek-cheon who asked the question, but his gaze was fixed on Cheong-myeong.

No, not just now, but ever since he came in here, his gaze had never left Cheong-myeong.

“I…” After hesitating for a long time, Seol So-baek finally opened his mouth with difficulty. “I don’t know what to do.”

Baek-cheon, who was listening from the side, nodded with a heavy face. It would have been stranger if he had been doing too well.

“So, I would like to ask you, Cheong-myeong.”

“Huh?”

“What should I do now?”

Reactions to this question erupted immediately from here and there.

“No, why are you asking him that?!”

“You can ask anyone in the world, but you can’t ask that bastard! Please calm down, Palace Lord!”

“No. No. No.”

“You must remain calm! Even if you’re thirsty, you mustn’t drink saltwater!”

At the intense reaction, Seol So-baek widened his eyes and looked around.

“Yes?”

But Cheong-myeong, who received the question, simply smiled contentedly, no matter what anyone around him said.

“What should you do?”

“Yes? Ah, yes.”

“I’m a professional at that kind of consultation.”

“That’s not true, you crazy bastard!”

The disciples of Hwasan were sensing that the Ice Palace was truly beginning to fall into a quagmire.