Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 569

Hyun Jong frowned slightly after hearing the situation from Im So-byeong.

‘Trouble inside the Green Forest…’

This was no ordinary situation.

Normally, Mount Hua wouldn’t worry about what happened in the Green Forest. But the Green Forest King was here right now.

“So, what are you going to do?” Hyun Jong asked.

“I have to stop them,” Im So-byeong replied firmly.

“That won’t be easy,” Hyun Jong said.

“Even so, I must,” Im So-byeong insisted.

He sighed softly.

“Sect Leader, you might not believe it, but I don’t like fighting, and I hate seeing blood.”

“You seem that way,” Hyun Jong agreed.

Anyone who watched Im So-byeong for a few days would agree with Hyun Jong. You couldn’t assume his appearance showed his true nature, but people can’t hide their real feelings easily.

“And I don’t really want power. If someone else could have taken my place, I wouldn’t have bothered sitting on the Green Forest King’s throne with my sick body.”

“Ummm.”

Im So-byeong looked directly at Hyun Jong.

“Gwangwoo Do Gohong, who attacked Nokchae, is known for his bad temper. If he becomes the Green Forest King, many Green Forest members will die.”

Im So-byeong shook his head sadly.

“I can’t let that happen.”

Chung Myung scoffed.

“Even bandits have good and bad ones.”

It was true, but not right to say now. Hyun Jong was about to scold him, but Im So-byeong nodded.

“Yes, that’s right, Taoist.”

“And you’re a good bandit?” Chung Myung asked.

“Not exactly a good bandit…”

Im So-byeong looked at Chung Myung.

“Taoist, remember when you visited a bandit fortress before meeting me?”

“I… did I?” Chung Myung asked, tilting his head as if he didn’t remember.

Yoon Jong whispered to Jo Gul.

“The one who hits sleeps well, but the one who gets hit doesn’t. He beat them so hard, and he’s already forgotten.”

“Isn’t it the other way around, Sahyung?” Jo Gul asked.

“Is it?”

“Maybe?”

Hyun Sang glared at them to be quiet. The two men shut their mouths and looked down.

“Anyway, did Taoist Chung Myung kill the Green Forest bandits in that fortress?” Im So-byeong asked.

“I don’t think I killed them?” Chung Myung said.

“Why not?”

Chung Myung scratched his head.

“Well, they didn’t do anything that bad to deserve being killed.”

“Yes, that’s right. Even before you knew me, you made that decision, Taoist Chung Myung,” Im So-byeong said.

Im So-byeong shrugged.

“It’s not because Taoist Chung Myung is so kind, is it?”

“Hmm.”

Everyone nodded.

Chung Myung usually acted carelessly. But he had no mercy for evil people or enemies. He often used his sword without pity, as if he were evil himself.

Im So-byeong smiled slightly.

“If it were the old Green Forest, Taoist Chung Myung wouldn’t have let them go. Since the time of the previous leaders, the Green Forest tried not to hurt ordinary people. But they’re still bandits.”

“…”

“But Gwangwoo Do Gohong and the rebels disagree. They think the more cruel the rulers are, the more money they’ll get.”

“Uhhmm.”

Hyun Jong groaned.

“If they take over the Green Forest, it will become more violent and cruel.”

Im So-byeong looked at Hyun Jong.

“Sect Leader,” he said.

“Yes?” Hyun Jong replied.

“Please, help me.”

“…”

“I can’t do it alone. They’re strong. Some followers of the previous leaders support me, but it’s not enough. The Green Forest is ruled by strength, so logic can’t persuade them.”

Hyun Jong frowned and picked up his teacup. He stirred the tea faster than usual.

“I understand what you’re saying,” Hyun Jong said.

He saw how serious and desperate Im So-byeong was.

The Im So-byeong that Hyun Jong knew never lost his cool, even when alone on Mount Hua as the Green Forest King. But that Im So-byeong was gone now.

“But…”

Hyun Jong sighed and looked at the elders.

“What do you think?” he asked.

Hyun Sang answered first.

“It’s not easy.”

“There’s a clear line between good and bad in the Jianghu. It’s hard to get involved in the affairs of bad people.”

“Ummm.”

“No matter what we intend, the world will only see that Mount Hua is interfering in the Green Forest’s affairs.”

“That’s true.”

Hyun Sang said sternly.

“Mount Hua values justice. That must not change. This is just a conflict within the Green Forest. Righteous sects don’t interfere in the internal problems of evil sects.”

Hyun Jong nodded. He saw Hyun Young’s lips twitching.

“What about you?” Hyun Jong asked.

“Why worry about useless things?” Hyun Young scoffed.

“If we help the Green Forest, we’re guaranteed to make money. The Green Forest is important for Chung Myung’s business with the Illusory Spirit Sect.”

“That’s right…”

“If the Green Forest King is overthrown, we’ll be the only ones losing out. Who would let that happen for someone else’s benefit?”

Hyun Jong groaned at Hyun Young’s blunt words.

“That blasted justification! Has Mount Hua ever benefited from chasing after justification? We have to take care of ourselves. I’m already eating the rice that my disciple brings me, so I’m embarrassed. I can’t praise him enough, and I shouldn’t ruin his efforts!”

He meant not to interfere with Chung Myung’s business with unnecessary justifications.

In the past, Hyun Jong would have frowned, but now he knew there was truth in those words.

“Hmph.”

Finally, he looked at Chung Myung, who was looking at his fingers.

“What do you think?” Hyun Jong asked.

“About this?” Chung Myung asked.

“Yes.”

Chung Myung looked at the ceiling and sighed.

“It seems like the answer is already decided, but I don’t want to do anything.”

“Decided?” Hyun Jong asked.

“Yes. You’re worried about justification and what others will say.”

“Yes. You might not care, but the world’s opinion can be powerful.”

“Yes, I know,” Chung Myung said with a shrug.

“But Sect Leader, I don’t understand why you’re worrying about that.”

“Huh?”

“Chivalry means doing what’s right and helping people, right?”

“That’s right.”

“If we do nothing, the bandits will go wild. What’s more chivalrous than preventing that?”

Hyun Jong sighed.

“You’re right. But will people understand that?”

“If they don’t, we’ll make them understand.”

“Huh?”

“There’s someone here who can make the world understand.”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung pointed to Im So-byeong. Hyun Jong didn’t understand.

“What do you mean?” Hyun Jong asked.

“Hey, are you slow today? If people hear what he said, they’ll understand, right?”

“That’s true.”

“Then he should say it in front of people and ask Mount Hua for help as the Green Forest King.”

“…”

Hyun Jong was speechless.

“So…”

Chung Myung nodded once. “Yes.”

Hyun Jong stared, his eyebrows raised high. “So, let me get this right,” he said slowly, making sure he understood. “The Green Forest King is officially asking Mount Hua to… ‘help you become better bandits’?”

“Yes,” Im So-byeong replied quickly, nodding his head eagerly. He looked hopeful, like a student waiting for a good grade.

“And Mount Hua just agrees right away?” Hyun Jong asked, his voice full of disbelief. “Saying, ‘Of course! We should help you be bandits!’ and then starts helping?”

“Exactly!” Chung Myung said with a grin.

Hyun Jong stared at Chung Myung. His eyes were wide, and his mouth hung open a little, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Hey, you!” Hyun Jong said, turning to another elder. “Does that make sense at all to you?”

“Why wouldn’t it make sense?” Chung Myung asked, tilting his head.

“Being a bandit is not something to be proud of!” Hyun Jong exclaimed. “People will group us with them as just more bandits!”

“But there are worse bandits out there!” Chung Myung argued.

“So, good bandits don’t steal money?” Hyun Jong asked. “They’re still robbers, no matter what!”

“Ah, that’s true, but!” Chung Myung started to say.

Im So-byeong listened to the loud talk. He looked at the ceiling and sighed.

‘This is hell,’ he thought.

He thought the Sect Leader would be more careful since he was there, but now he was practically yelling about robbers in front of the Green Forest King.

‘I should have gone to Shaolin,’ he thought.

Why did he have to come to Mount Hua?

“Ahem!” Hyun Jong cleared his throat loudly, trying to get the conversation back on track. He had regained some of his calm.

“For your plan to work,” Hyun Jong said, “people must think the Green Forest bandits, who started this trouble, are truly evil. But right now, they just see them as bandits.”

“Then we need to make them see it differently,” Chung Myung said confidently.

“…How?” Hyun Jong asked, his voice full of doubt.

“Honestly, Sect Leader,” Chung Myung said.

“Hmm?”

“It’s like this: if you never have money, you don’t learn how to use it when you suddenly get it. And if you never have power, you won’t know what to do when you become powerful.”

“……” Hyun Jong was silent, thinking about what Chung Myung said.

“Instead of waiting for rumors, we spread them ourselves,” Chung Myung continued. “We spread the Green Forest King’s story far and wide. We ask the beggar uncle to use the Beggars’ Sect, send the Ghost Faction disciples to create stories throughout the Central Plains, and send news to the Sichuan Tang Family to shake the hearts of the people in Sichuan.”

Hyun Jong’s eyes widened. “Do, do you think that’ll work?” he asked.

“Why wouldn’t it?” Chung Myung shrugged as if it were nothing.

“We’re not making up lies; we’re just spreading the truth a bit more widely. It’s not wrong, is it?”

“……” Hyun Jong didn’t answer, still thinking hard.

“And if the Green Forest King agrees to just one thing, it’s over,” Chung Myung said, his gaze landing on Im So-byeong.

Im So-byeong flinched. “…Wh, what are you going to say now?” he asked nervously.

“The toll,” Chung Myung said simply.

“…Pardon?” Im So-byeong asked, confused.

“Halve it,” Chung Myung repeated.

“……” Im So-byeong’s cheeks twitched. (Toll means money people pay to use a road or path).

“T, the toll is the foundation of the Green Forest…” he stammered.

“If you want to hold onto your foundation and die, go ahead,” Chung Myung said coldly.

“……” Im So-byeong squeezed his eyes shut, his face tight with worry. But Chung Myung wasn’t finished.

“And instead of just taking the money and running, change how you do things,” Chung Myung added.

“What do you mean by that?” Im So-byeong asked, his voice shaking slightly.

“People get angry because they think they’re being robbed,” Chung Myung explained. “Instead of popping up in the middle of the road and shaking them down, wait at the entrance to the mountain and escort those who pay the toll. All the way across the mountain.”

“……” Im So-byeong stared at him, speechless.

“Those who have to cross the mountain at night have more to fear than just bandits. The most obvious is tigers. Even without bandits, crossing the mountain isn’t easy,” Chung Myung pointed out.

“That’s right,” Hyun Jong agreed. “That’s why, even when crossing mountains known to be free of bandits, people hire escorts from security groups or wait at the foot of the mountain until enough people gather.”

“The Green Forest can do what those security groups do,” Chung Myung said.

“……” Im So-byeong was still trying to understand.

“So, throw away those animal skins and bamboo spears,” Chung Myung said, his voice rising with excitement. “Dress your men neatly, teach them to smile for business, and change your business to escorting!”

Im So-byeong looked at Chung Myung, his eyes wide with disbelief. He seemed to be asking, ‘Is this guy completely mad?’

But Chung Myung, not bothered at all, asked confidently, “Why? What’s wrong with it?”

“Chieftain…,” Im So-byeong began, “It’s not that I haven’t thought about such things. But if they could do that, would they have become bandits? The main problem is control…”

“Control?” Chung Myung’s eyes gleamed like a cat who had spotted a mouse.

“If that’s the only problem, then there are no other issues, right?”

“…Well, yes, but that control is…” Im So-byeong trailed off, unsure how to explain.

“We’ll take care of that, so you don’t have to worry,” Chung Myung said, waving his hand dismissively.

“Pardon?” Im So-byeong asked, blinking in surprise.

“My junior and senior brothers have been beaten enough; it’s time for them to let out their anger,” Chung Myung explained.

“……” Im So-byeong didn’t understand what he was talking about. But Baek Cheon and the others sitting behind Chung Myung seemed to understand perfectly. They crossed their arms and nodded in agreement.

“So, is it settled, then?” Chung Myung asked, looking at Hyun Jong.

“The Green Forest benefits from stopping the rebellion and can live less brutally, which is good for the common people,” Chung Myung said. “And Mount Hua can gain a reputation for changing the Green Forest and helping the common people, so there’s nothing bad about it.”

“And the money earned from it will be a helpful bonus,” Hyun Young added with a smile.

“Exactly.” Chung Myung grinned, seeing Hyun Young supporting him.

“It’s a win-win for everyone, so there doesn’t seem to be any reason to refuse. Of course, it’s up to the Sect Leader to decide,” Chung Myung finished, looking expectantly at Hyun Jong.

Hyun Jong listened to everything Chung Myung said. He thought hard, his face serious.

‘I did say the children needed practical experience,’ he thought.

If Chung Myung’s words were true, this was a chance to gain a good reason to act, get real benefits, and give his disciples experience. And it could also help Mount Hua get noticed in the Central Plains before the founding of the Heavenly Union.

It was a chance that could bring not just three benefits, but four or even five.

“Chung Myung,” Hyun Jong said, his voice firm.

“Yes,” Chung Myung replied.

“But at first, you said you didn’t want to do it and were annoyed. What did you mean by that?” Hyun Jong asked, confused.

“Ah, that?” Chung Myung glanced at Im So-byeong.

“It’s not that there’s nothing to gain, but I feel like I’m helping a sly old fox for no reason, so I’m a bit…”

“……” Im So-byeong looked down, feeling ashamed.

“So, once you make your decision, Sect Leader, please leave the room,” Chung Myung said bluntly. “Elder Hyun Young and I need to discuss how much we should charge for this.”

“……” Looking at Im So-byeong, who had drooped his shoulders and lowered his head, it was hard to tell who was the good guy and who was the bandit.

“…Ahem.” Hyun Jong cleared his throat and looked around at everyone in the room.

“What do you all think?” he asked.

“What is there to think about? Chung Myung is right,” one of the elders said.

“If things go according to Chung Myung’s plan, there’s no reason to oppose it. However, we need to create a more detailed and strong reason beforehand,” another elder added.

Hyun Jong looked at Im So-byeong with a serious expression. “Green Forest King, can you agree to all of Chung Myung’s ideas?” he asked.

“I promise on my name and life that I will,” Im So-byeong said, his face showing his strong determination.

Hyun Jong finally nodded slowly. “Since everyone agrees, I, as the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, will approve the help to the Green Forest King to make the Green Forest stable.”

“Thank you, Sect Leader!” Im So-byeong bowed deeply, bending low at the waist.

Hyun Jong looked at him with a kind smile. “Green Forest King, do not forget why we are helping the Green Forest, and think more about the common people,” he said.

“Yes!” Im So-byeong replied.

“Ahem. Then…” Hyun Jong stood up from his seat.

As if they had been waiting for it, the other elders also stood up from their seats. The only ones who remained in their seats were Chung Myung and Hyun Young.

“…Then, please continue your discussion,” Hyun Jong said, quickly leaving the room.

“Well, Sect Leader?” Chung Myung called after him, but Hyun Jong was already gone.

Hyun Sang and the other disciples followed him in a rush.

Im So-byeong was left alone in the room with Hyun Young and Chung Myung.

“Hehe. Then,” Chung Myung grinned and slowly walked towards Im So-byeong.

Hyun Young was also slyly approaching from the other side, as if blocking his escape.

Im So-byeong simply squeezed his eyes shut.

‘Demonic guys,’ he thought.

Who said Taoists were not involved in the world! They were truly worse than bandits. Really.