Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 580

“Th-That stance…” Hyun Sang whispered, his eyes widening in disbelief.

This bandit, Dong-woong, was strong. Hyun Sang remembered Dok-hyeol-soo, another strong fighter he had faced before. Dong-woong was almost as strong as him. *Dok-hyeol-soo would win in a fight, for sure,* Hyun Sang thought, *but it would be a long, hard battle.*

But Jo Gul… Jo Gul had played with this powerful bandit, like a cat with a mouse, and won easily.

“Good heavens!” Hyun Sang’s jaw dropped. He stared, speechless.

Wasn’t it said that parents were the least aware of their children’s growth?

Everyone knew Jo Gul had become stronger. But knowing it in your head was different from seeing it with your own eyes.

“…Geol’s…” Un Geom, also quite shocked, stared blankly at Jo Gul.

But Hyeon Young scoffed. “Tsk. Acting surprised at something obvious.”

“How much do you think Cheong Myeong has been pushing those kids? They should be doing at least this much.”

“You don’t understand! This isn’t just any ordinary thing!” Hyun Sang snapped, frustrated.

Hyeon Young didn’t focus on martial arts, so he didn’t quite grasp how incredible this was.

It had only been a year since bandits from the Maninbang attacked. In that short time, Jo Gul’s fighting skills had doubled? How was that even possible?

But Hyeon Young still brushed off his words. “Alright, alright, I get that Jo Gul’s gotten stronger, but don’t just focus on him. Right now, the other kids are also catching those Daebyeolchae thugs like rats.”

“Ah…” At those words, Hyun Sang looked at the other Hwasan disciples with fresh eyes. He was deeply moved.

‘When did they get this strong…?’

Hyun Jong and Cheong Myeong had decided to send the disciples.

Hyun Sang agreed. He knew Hwasan was strong enough to fight these bandits.

‘But I didn’t expect it to be this much…’ His body trembled.

The Green Forest bandits of Daebyeolchae looked like small-time thugs from some insignificant mountain. What more needed to be said?

“Hwasan…” A groan escaped Hyun Sang’s lips.

“Hwasan has truly become strong.”

“What’s with the sudden realization?” Hyeon Young retorted gruffly, but a smile was plastered on his face.

“But, Martial Brother.”

“Hm?”

“Hasn’t that Jo Gul become incredibly strong?”

“That’s right, that’s right!” Hyun Sang raised his voice like a child, uncharacteristically.

“You might not realize it, but the growth rate of those kids is insane. And if they fully absorb the elixirs they’ve taken, they’ll become even stronger!”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“Hm?”

“Who’s stronger, Geol or you, Martial Brother?”

“…”

“Why aren’t you answering? Who’s stronger?”

“…” Hyun Sang’s gaze was fixed on the children.

“Press them!”

Jo Gul’s victory over Dong-woong greatly boosted the morale of the other disciples.

The one who looked like the leader had fallen, so the Hwasan disciples, whose spirits were already soaring, were emboldened.

On the other hand, the morale of the bandits plummeted, and they began to be quickly defeated by the Hwasan disciples’ swords.

Baek Cheon’s voice echoed loudly. “Never forget the teachings of Hwasan, no matter the situation! Those who cannot keep a cool head will not be able to display their true skills!”

“Yes!” A resounding answer came back even amidst the chaotic battle.

Baek Cheon narrowed his eyes, surveyed the situation, and slowly nodded.

‘There shouldn’t be any problems.’

He had been prepared to join in if the situation became difficult, but fortunately, the Hwasan disciples were fighting very well. In this situation, participating would only limit their experience.

“…I didn’t do anything today, Martial Uncle?”

“Me neither.” Yoon Jong and Yu Yiseol grumbled, but Baek Cheon quietly smiled and accepted their complaints.

“It’s only just begun.”

“I suppose so.”

Just then, Jo Gul was seen approaching, his shoulders raised proudly.

Triumphant. Majestic.

Jo Gul, who had approached, lifted his chin and said, “Heh heh. Did you all see that? Me cleanly taking down that big oaf?”

The three’s eyes narrowed simultaneously.

“Jo Gul.”

“Yes?”

Baek Cheon said, his voice dry, “Jo Gul, seeing your personality get worse every day… it truly fills me with pride.”

“Haha! No need for such compliments…”

“That’s an insult, you idiot.”

“…” Baek Cheon sighed and shook his head.

He couldn’t understand why everyone’s condition was getting worse day by day.

‘Well, he deserves to be proud.’

He would have usually nagged a bit, but he didn’t want to dampen Jo Gul’s spirits because he had done something amazing.

Jo Gul had faced strong opponents several times before. But each time, Yoon Jong had fought alongside him. Or everyone had ganged up on them.

In the end, this was the first time he had single-handedly defeated a strongman recognized by the world.

Baek Cheon, knowing how important that was to a martial artist, didn’t want to take away the strength in Jo Gul’s shoulders.

Of course, this was just Baek Cheon’s opinion.

“Puffed up with pride, are we?”

“…” The one sipping alcohol behind them seemed to have a different opinion.

“You’re going to strut around after swinging your sword like that? I’ll cut you open!”

“…” Jo Gul, who had been so proud, couldn’t answer back and flinched, shrinking back.

“I, I think I did pretty well.”

“Did well?” Cheong Myeong glared at him.

And he slyly looked away, avoiding Cheong Myeong’s glaring eyes.

“Did well? Well? That’s it?”

“Cheong Myeong.”

“Hm?”

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I was wrong.”

“Tsk.” Cheong Myeong clicked his tongue.

“I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Having subdued Jo Gul’s rebellion, he turned his head to look at the other disciples.

“Hmm. It seems Martial Uncle Un Geom has suffered a lot while we were in the Northern Sea.”

Un Geom focused on the basics even more than Cheong Myeong. Perhaps that’s why, even while maintaining their high spirits, their postures were definitely not weakening.

‘Good.’

Chung Myung nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. He looked satisfied.

Chung Myung thought about the long journey ahead. But they had arrived in Jangsa faster than planned. *For now, this is good enough,* he thought.

The sound of bone cracking echoed in the air.

‘Aaaaargh!’ A bandit screamed and fell to the ground.

The bandits who were still standing hesitated. They didn’t dare attack anymore. More than half of their friends were on the ground. Even Dongwoong, their leader, was out cold, lying still on the dusty road.

Baek Cheon’s voice boomed across the square.

“Drop your weapons! If you surrender, you will not be killed!”

The bandits looked at Baek Cheon. Their eyes were full of doubt. Baek Cheon shouted again, his voice even louder,

“I am Baek Cheon, from the Great Mount Hua Sect! Mount Hua does not lie!”

Jo Gul whispered into Yoon Jong’s ear, so quietly that others couldn’t hear.

“Isn’t that a lie too?”

“Just go with it. He might be telling a few fibs in this situation, but who’s to say this time it isn’t the truth?”

“Quiet.”

“Yes, sir.”

Yoo Iseol glared at them. Jo Gul and Yoon Jong felt like they had been scolded. They quickly became quiet.

Then, one by one…

Finally, the bandits started dropping their swords. The sound of metal hitting the ground, *clang, clang,* echoed in the sudden silence.

The rest of the bandits knelt down together.

“Bind those who have surrendered and tend to the fallen!”

“Yes!”

A great shout of ‘Yes!’ echoed back, loud enough to shake the buildings around them.

People of Jangsa watched from their windows and doorways. They were amazed. They clicked their tongues in surprise.

“Good heavens…” one whispered.

“Not a single person hurt!” another exclaimed.

Usually, even when dealing with simple bandits, someone gets hurt. These bandits looked tough and mean, like they knew how to fight.

But the Mount Hua Sect members were all fine, even after fighting these Daebyeolchae bandits. No one was seriously hurt. Some had small cuts and scrapes, but for fighters like them, these were nothing.

“Mount Hua is really strong!”

“To think they were this strong…”

People who knew about the fighting world, and those who didn’t, stared at the Mount Hua disciples. They were clearly impressed. You could see excitement in their eyes.

Then, Chung Myung nudged Baek Cheon in the back with his finger.

“Sasuk,” he said quietly.

“…Huh?” Baek Cheon mumbled, turning his head.

“What are you doing?” Chung Myung asked, his voice innocent. Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung, his face confused. He probably wished he hadn’t turned around. Chung Myung was grinning, a mischievous and wicked smile spreading across his face.

“You have to do what you have to do.”

“…Do I really have to?”

“Are you kidding me? If the table is all set, you have to eat!”

“…”

He knew what Chung Myung wanted him to do. Of course, he knew.

But Baek Cheon still complained. *Why me?* he thought. *It’s pointless to argue with him.* He sighed and stepped forward slowly.

As expected, all eyes turned to Baek Cheon. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves and straightened his shoulders, trying to look confident.

Some people love attention but get shy when it’s their turn. Baek Cheon was the opposite. He didn’t usually seek the spotlight, but when everyone was watching, he loved to perform.

“The bandits who attacked Jangsa have all been dealt with by our Mount Hua Sect, so you can all rest assured and go back to sleep!”

“Waaaaaah!”

A huge cheer went up as soon as he finished speaking.

“Long live Mount Hua!”

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

“Those bandit scoundrels! They were nothing! Hahaha!”

Baek Cheon waited for the loud cheering to quiet down a bit before speaking again.

“There may be other attacks, so we will patrol the surroundings of Jangsa. And soon we will go up to Hengshan and subdue all the bandits who are harassing you, so please be patient and wait a little longer.”

The cheers grew twice as loud.

Baek Cheon finally smiled, enjoying the cheers. Just then, a gentle breeze blew, making his hair move slightly. The people gasped, even more impressed.

“How magnificent…”

“Mount Hua is truly a wonderful sect!”

Jo Gul, feeling encouraged by the endless cheers, stepped forward, wanting to say something too.

But then… *Grasp.* Jo Gul stopped.

‘Huh?’ He turned around. Yoo Iseol, Yoon Jong, and Chung Myung had all grabbed his sleeve at the same time, as if they had planned it.

“You can’t,” Yoo Iseol said firmly.

“Stay still,” Yoon Jong added.

Chung Myung smirked. “Older Brother needs to know his place.”

Jo Gul’s face fell. He looked utterly defeated.

“…I defeated the bandit leader.”

“I know.”

“Yes, you did a good job.”

“We know, now step back,”

Yoo Iseol said, still holding his sleeve.

Jo Gul still looked sad. Chung Myung finally lost his patience.

“Look,” he said, his voice annoyed, “sometimes, one plus one doesn’t equal two. Don’t mess up the good impression we’re making. Just stay here.”

Jo Gul thought, *You little brat.* Tears almost came to his eyes. Yoon Jong patted him gently on the shoulder.

“What can you do? That’s just how things are.”

“Don’t comfort me,” Jo Gul mumbled, “it just makes me feel worse.”

“…Cheer up,” Yoon Jong said awkwardly. Jo Gul walked back to his spot, his shoulders drooping, feeling completely rejected.

Chung Myung watched the cheering crowd, a small smile on his face. *Good,* he thought. *The rumors will spread fast now.* Famous groups get talked about even if they do nothing. But groups like Mount Hua, who aren’t well-known, need to make a big impression.

Showing people something amazing is the best way to get them talking. People who saw this fight will tell others about Mount Hua. Like a small spark, the story will spread quickly, like fire catching dry wood. *Perfect.*

Chung Myung had gotten what he wanted. He glanced up at the inn. The Hyunjae group were watching from the window. When they saw Chung Myung look up, they waved excitedly, like children. They looked so happy. Chung Myung clicked his tongue softly. *Why are they so happy? They didn’t do anything.* This was just the start.

“Clean up,” Chung Myung said, turning away. “The real fight begins now.”

And so, the bandit attack on Jangsa ended with cheers. But for Mount Hua, a bigger challenge was just beginning.