Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 571

“Absolutely not!”

“Oh, come now! Please, let’s be reasonable!”

Hyun Jong was surprised and confused because they disagreed so strongly.

“What? What’s unreasonable? Aren’t you all going?”

“Are we on the same level as the Sect Leader?”

“It cannot be, Sect Leader. It is unheard of for the leader of an entire sect to personally involve themselves in such matters.”

Hyun Young and Hyun Sang were firm. Disappointment spread across Hyun Jong’s face.

“Aren’t all the disciples setting out? What’s so strange about me leading them myself?”

“It’s the nature of the task that’s the problem.”

Hyun Sang shook his head, his expression stern.

“You are no longer the leader of a small sect. Think about it the other way around. Would the leaders of the Shaolin or Wudang sects personally lead their disciples to raid the Green Forest for something like this?”

“Well… probably not, would they?”

Those leaders are usually too busy and important to do things like this. But, to be fair, Abbot Beop Jeong of Shaolin has been a bit more active lately.

Hyun Young stopped him, as if there was no need to say more.

“In any case, absolutely not. You should stay and guard the main sect.”

“I find myself in complete agreement with Hyun Young on this occasion.”

“Ugh.”

Hyun Jong sighed, a puff of air escaping his lips. He slumped back in his wooden chair. Sunlight streamed through the paper windows, highlighting the dust motes dancing in the air, but Hyun Jong barely noticed. *These blasted fellows,* he thought.

How long had he dreamed of this day? He had imagined himself at the head of the Mount Hua disciples, leading them like a sharp sword through the Jianghu, showing everyone the sect’s renewed strength. And now, these two were blocking him, their faces set in stubborn lines. He couldn’t believe they were opposing him so strongly.

Hyun Sang, having briefly observed Hyun Jong’s mood, smiled knowingly, as if understanding his thoughts.

“For the Great Mount Hua Sect’s leader to personally involve himself, is this matter not too trivial? There will be better days.”

“Ugh, I understand.”

His dissatisfaction wasn’t entirely quelled, but it wasn’t as if Hyun Jong didn’t understand their meaning.

‘It would indeed look rather unseemly.’

Though they were building a justification, it was, in the end, an intervention in the affairs of another sect. For the Sect Leader, the very core of the sect, to personally step forward and take command was, admittedly, a bit awkward.

Hyun Jong felt his excitement deflate like a balloon. He sighed deeply.

“In return, you must pay more attention. All the disciples are setting out.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Do not worry.”

Hyun Jong’s eyes grew more somber.

“Raising the reputation of Mount Hua is an important matter.”

“……”

“The benefits gained through the Green Forest, and the groundwork laid for the Cheonwoo Alliance, are also important. Though I cannot say it openly, maintaining a certain relationship with the Green Forest is also crucial.”

The faces of the two listening grew serious.

“However.”

Hyun Jong said, looking at them with a stern face.

“Nothing is more important to Mount Hua than the safety of its disciples.”

“……”

The two elders felt the weight of the voice pressing down on their shoulders.

“If there is a choice to be made, do not hesitate. If you always prioritize the safety of the disciples, your worries will lessen. Protect them all, even if it means sacrificing anything else.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Hyun Young replied with an uncharacteristically grave voice.

“Do not worry. We are well aware that the children are the foundation and future of Mount Hua.”

“Ugh… Isn’t the problem that you only know it in your heads? I can’t rest easy knowing that you’re going.”

“Are you starting to resemble Chung Myung, Sect Leader? Are you going to nag people even in times like these?”

“Sigh.”

Hyun Jong shook his head, looking at Hyun Young with distrust before turning his gaze to Hyun Sang.

“You must feel a great burden.”

Hyun Sang simply smiled quietly.

“Please do not worry too much. We probably won’t need to do anything.”

“Hmm?”

“Will that Chung Myung fellow ever keep his mouth shut?”

“…That’s true.”

As Hyun Jong conceded, Hyun Sang said with a playful smile.

“That fellow has long surpassed us in both martial arts and scheming. All we need to do is keep him from going too wild.”

“That will be the most difficult task.”

“That is indeed the case…”

Hyun Jong sighed deeply. Then, he opened his mouth again.

“In any case, you must do your best…”

“Aigo, please stop! We are already seventy years old. Do we have to listen to endless nagging at this age?”

“You rascal!”

“Let’s go, Senior Brother! If we stay here, we’ll be stuck listening to the same nagging until the end of the year.”

“Hmm, should we?”

Hyun Jong looked at the two with a bewildered expression.

“Ah, there are still so many things I wanted to say…”

“Eiiiing!”

But Hyun Young, who had shaken off his seat and stood up, strode out as if he was fed up with the nagging. Hyun Sang followed behind him with a bitter smile.

“C-Come on, let’s go together! You fellows!”

Hyun Jong hurriedly got up from his seat and chased after the two disciples.

“Hmm.”

Baek Cheon sharply inspected the disciples with keen eyes.

Having checked everything from their attire to their belongings, he frowned as if something was bothering him.

“Collars!”

“Yes?”

“Fasten your collars properly! Don’t leave them undone like bandits!”

“Yes!”

At the chilling rebuke, as if knives were spilling from his mouth, the one who was pointed out hurriedly fastened his collar tightly.

Baek Cheon’s face was cold and showed he was not happy.

“Do not forget that your attire and actions show what kind of place Mount Hua is! If you act recklessly as you do in the mountains, I will break your backs.”

“Y-Yes, Senior Brother!”

Jo Gul and Yoon Jong, who were lined up on the side, glanced at him and muttered, putting their heads together.

“Why is he so prickly?”

“…This is the first time Mount Hua is making a proper expedition. When we were just driving around in a cart, people didn’t pay much attention, but when this many people move at once, anyone would have to take another look.”

“That’s true. But isn’t he worrying too much? His stomach hasn’t been good lately.”

“…That’s not because of this.”

It’s because of that Chung Myung.

“The elders will be leading the group, but the two of them can’t personally take care of every little detail like that.”

“Senior Uncle must be very worried.”

Jo Gul grinned.

But at that moment, the spark suddenly flew to an innocent place.

“Are you laughing?”

“……”

Baek Cheon turned to look at the two of them like a ghost and said.

“What are you two doing? Aren’t you checking the kids’ outfits?”

“W-We’ll do it now.”

“If anyone from the Blue Cloud group causes trouble, I’ll break both of your necks first.”

“S-Senior Uncle.”

“Why?”

“Chung Myung is an exception, right?”

“……”

As soon as Jo Gul’s question ended, Baek Cheon’s words abruptly cut off.

It almost looked like the shadows under Baek Cheon’s eyes suddenly became darker.

“By the way, what is that Chung Myung doing…”

Jo Gul was looking around for Chung Myung and tilted his head.

“What’s that rascal doing over there?”

“Huh? Where?”

“Over there. That rascal.”

“Huh?”

Yoon Jong blinked.

“Oh? That’s Chung Myung. Hmm. Yeah, I think that’s Chung Myung.”

It was strange.

Yoon Jong had been through a lot because of Chung Myung. He had been tricked many times. Because of this, Yoon Jong could recognize him from far away.

But today, something was different. He didn’t recognize Chung Myung’s back right away.

‘Why are that bastard’s shoulders drooping like that?’

This was a sight he rarely saw.

Sensing that something was wrong, Yoon Jong, Jo Gul, and Baek Cheon quickly ran towards where Chung Myung was.

“Huh.”

“What is this?”

“Heh. Heh heh.”

They were speechless. Anyone would have been if they saw what was in front of Chung Myung.

Squeak!

It wasn’t a particularly strange sight.

Baek Ah was standing there, paws on his hips like a little person, belly round and sticking out proudly. But it was the tiny black uniform that made everyone stare. It looked ridiculous and strangely official at the same time.

“Who put clothes on a ferret?”

“There’s a plum blossom pattern on the chest too?”

At the sight of the ferret wearing the uniform symbolizing Mount Hua, the three men couldn’t speak and just stared blankly.

“Who would do such a thing?”

“Me!”

At that moment, a person raised their hand and trotted out from the side.

“Isn’t it cute?”

The three men, having seen who it was, smiled.

‘It’s So So.’

‘It’s So So.’

‘If it’s So So, we can’t stop it.’

They were influential within Mount Hua, but they didn’t dare to argue with Dang So So.

Anyone would agree if they were hurt like that! Anyone!

“Now even animals are becoming disciples.”

“When you think about it, it’s not impossible. There are guys who are worse than animals anyway.”

“Come to think of it, that’s true.”

Everyone glanced at the guy who was worse than an animal.

Chung Myung, who usually had a grin that annoyed everyone, now looked like he had lost something very important and was deeply sad.

“The sacred Mount Hua uniform on an animal like that.”

“Why? Isn’t it cute?”

“Sasuk.”

Chung Myung looked back at Baek Cheon with a tearful face and asked.

“Is it okay? Is it really okay to do this, Sasuk?”

Baek Cheon felt a pang of sympathy. He rarely saw Chung Myung like this. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to the rascal than he thought. Baek Cheon patted him on the shoulder without a word.

“Calm down, Chung Myung. Haven’t you come too far to be flustered by something like this?”

“Mount Hua is doomed.”

It was the first time in a long time that Baek Cheon felt such deep sympathy and pity for Chung Myung.

Squeak!

“Hey! I’ll skin you alive!”

Just as Chung Myung was about to start bickering with Baek Ah as usual, the elders and Hyun Jong entered the training hall. The training hall was large and echoed with their footsteps. Sunlight streamed in from the high windows, making dust motes dance in the air. Everyone quickly found their places and lined up.

“Is everything ready?”

At Hyun Jong’s question, Woon-am, who was standing in front, clasped his hands and answered.

“Yes, Sect Leader. Preparations for departure are complete.”

“Hmm.”

Hyun Jong straightened his shoulders and said solemnly.

“Listen.”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

“This matter.”

“Let’s keep it short, Sect Leader. The kids have been standing here since earlier, are you going to give another long lecture?”

At Hyun Young’s voice, Hyun Jong’s face twisted horribly.

‘Why does this guy become more immature as he gets older?’

“Ugh!”

Hyun Jong, frowning with displeasure, shouted.

“Listen well to your superiors and return with the fame of Mount Hua!”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

“That’s all!”

As Hyun Jong turned his body, Hyun Sang smiled and stepped forward.

“The road to the Green Forest will be long, so everyone must be careful to avoid any problems.”

“Yes!”

A thunderous reply came back.

“Never forget that you are carrying the name of Mount Hua. When you leave this gate, you represent Mount Hua. You *are* Mount Hua.”

At those words, a sense of responsibility and tension briefly crossed the faces of the Mount Hua disciples. Hyun Sang said in a serious voice.

“Let’s depart.”

Everyone began to take their steps.

At this moment, what filled the disciples’ hearts was not the burden of facing the Green Forest, nor the weight of carrying the name of Mount Hua.

‘Show the results of our training!’

‘We’ve suffered so much, if we can’t make a difference and just return aimlessly, I’ll die of frustration.’

‘I’ll sweep away the Green Forest and everything else!’

Just as they were about to head towards the mountain gate, a chilling voice flew into their ears.

“If you’re so confident, try causing an accident.”

Everyone’s heads turned towards one place.

That rascal Chung Myung, with bloodshot eyes, was glaring at them.

“I’ll let you know what a real accident is.”

Their excited hearts calmed down in an instant.

‘If we cause an accident, we’re dead.’

‘Be careful, be careful!’

‘Bandits aren’t scary. That bastard is a thousand times scarier.’

Hyun Sang turned his body and clasped his hands to Hyun Jong.

“Then, we’ll be back, Sect Leader.”

“Hmm.”

Hyun Jong nodded heavily. As a signal, Hyun Young shouted.

“Let’s go!”

The disciples of Mount Hua turned their bodies in unison and marched towards the mountain gate. As they walked towards the mountain gate, they could see the green mountains stretching out before them, promising adventure.

An uncontrollable smile crept onto Hyun Jong’s lips.

‘Are you watching, Sifu?’

The face of the previous Sect Leader kept appearing before his eyes.

“Mount Hua is going out into the world again. Please watch over them.”

This was the start of Mount Hua Sect’s journey into the world.