Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 63

Mount Hua was in chaos.

A full week had passed since a Third-Class Disciple had disappeared from Mount Hua. This was a very big deal.

It wasn’t that people had *never* run away in the dark days when Mount Hua was falling apart. But it definitely hadn’t happened lately.

Now, a heavy silence hung over Mount Hua. The air felt thick with worry, like a storm was about to break. Even the usually cheerful birds seemed to sing quieter songs. The atmosphere was very tense and serious.

“…Could something have happened to him?”

“An accident?”

“Even though he is mischievous, I don’t think he’s the type to just not come back. Besides, he doesn’t really have a reason to leave Mount Hua, does he?”

“That’s true.”

Yoon Jong nodded.

Jo Gul was right. Chung Myung had no reason to leave Mount Hua. If he had even the slightest intention of doing so, he wouldn’t have fed him the spirit medicine.

Giving away something so precious and then immediately leaving Mount Hua?

In fact, it was impossible unless it was poison instead of spirit medicine.

But there was one thing that worried them.

“Doesn’t the fact that someone with no reason to leave suddenly doesn’t return mean that something happened?”

“Geol-ah.”

“Yes, Senior Brother.”

“No matter how hard I try to imagine it, I can’t picture that guy getting into an accident.”

“⋯⋯.”

“Can you imagine it?”

“I also a little bit….”

Chung Myung’s smiling face popped into Jo Gul’s head. Of course, not a warm smile, but a wicked one.

‘Eh. Never mind.’

He was the type to survive even if thrown off a cliff or dropped into hell. There was no way such a guy would get into an accident and not return.

“Something must have happened.”

“I hope it’s something that the Grand Elders can understand. They seemed quite angry.”

“That’s right…”

“Un Geom, the Grand Uncle Master, has been summoned back to the Sect Leader again. I’m worried that something big might happen.”

“Hoo.”

Yoon Jong frowned and looked towards the main gate.

‘What is he doing?’

Despite his words, a knot of worry tightened in Yoon Jong’s stomach. He pictured Chung Myung alone somewhere, and a cold feeling crept over him.

“How arrogant!”

Hyun Jong frowned at the sharp voice.

“It has been seven days and nights. For a Third-Class Disciple to be absent for seven days and nights without permission is unprecedented.”

“Hmm.”

“This is not something to be overlooked. We are only just beginning to establish the foundation of our sect. What will everyone think?”

When Hyun Young, the Head of the Treasury Pavilion, raised his voice, everyone nodded. This was definitely not something to simply brush aside.

Then Hyun Sang, the Head of the Martial Arts Pavilion, stepped forward and opened his mouth.

“Now, now. Calm down, Senior Brother.”

“Am I supposed to be calm right now?”

“Why do you only think of it that way! What if something happened to the child? He might be in a situation where he needs our help right now.”

“An accident? What kind of accident could possibly happen in Mount Hua? Even if he did have an accident, the fact remains that he left the sect on his own accord. Are we supposed to take care of that as well?”

“Or perhaps he slipped and fell…”

“⋯⋯Hmm⋯⋯.”

Hyun Young, who had been raising his voice, closed his mouth and fell into contemplation, as if he thought this made sense.

Mount Hua was known for its harsh, rocky paths. Steep cliffs and loose stones made every step dangerous, even for skilled martial artists.

“Shouldn’t we search the mountain? What if he’s injured…”

“We should.”

Hyun Jong, who had been silent all along, replied in a heavy voice.

“We certainly cannot rule out that possibility.”

However, Hyun Young still did not give in.

“However, that does not excuse him. Isn’t the problem that a Third-Class Disciple left the sect without permission in the first place!”

A shadow crossed Hyun Jong’s face, his usual gentle eyes becoming sharp and cold. He felt a pang of disappointment, mixed with a growing unease.

Hyun Jong himself had given Chung Myung that freedom. Now, Hyun Young was hinting that Hyun Jong had given the child too much freedom.

“There must have been a good reason.”

“There are reasons everywhere. Isn’t the law supposed to be followed before considering each individual circumstance!”

“Head of the Treasury Pavilion.”

“Sect Leader. This matter shakes the very foundation of Mount Hua. Since when has Mount Hua been a place that gives special privileges to children? He is not even a Second-Class Disciple, but merely a Third-Class Disciple. Even if he were in a private household, he would not be old enough to be considered mature.”

“Enough.”

“⋯⋯.”

At the heavy, chilling voice, Hyun Young pressed his lips shut, suppressing what he wanted to say.

Saying anything more would cross the line. He, too, did not want to be at odds with the Sect Leader.

“⋯⋯Sect Leader. I have gone too far. But this is not meant as a criticism of the Sect Leader.”

“I know.”

Hyun Jong sighed deeply.

‘What is going on?’

No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t understand. The Chung Myung he knew was not a child who would cause such trouble. Wasn’t that why he had boldly given him such authority?

‘Was I wrong to trust him?’

At that moment, Un Geom, who had been quietly observing the situation, opened his mouth heavily.

“Sect Leader.”

“Speak.”

“I will select disciples to form a search party. We will search every inch of Mount Hua and Hwayeom to find Chung Myung.”

“Hmm.”

Hyun Jong nodded.

“Do so.”

“After finding Chung Myung, please hold me accountable for his actions. It is my fault that the Third-Class Disciple committed such a wrongdoing, as I failed to properly educate him.”

“How is that your fault? You are not even that child’s master.”

“I am the master of all the children.”

“But…”

Hyun Jong tried to say something but shook his head. Saying more here would only further expose the problem that the Hundred Flowers Room was not responsible for the children’s lives.

“This is not your fault. It is this old one’s trust in that child that was excessive.”

“Sect Leader, that is not true.”

“What is important now is not to assign blame. It is not too late to discuss right and wrong after we find the child. If we delay any longer and miss the chance to save that child, wouldn’t that be a regret for all eternity?”

Everyone bowed their heads deeply.

Even if there were mistakes, no one could deny Hyun Jong’s concern for his disciple.

“Unam.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Organize a search party led by Un Geom. Spare no support. First, find that child, and then we will discuss right and wrong…”

At that moment, a loud voice was heard from outside the door.

“Sect Leader!”

Hyun Jong’s brow twitched.

“I am in a meeting right now, so please wait a moment…”

“That child has returned! Chung Myung is returning to the sect!”

Hyun Jong jumped up from his seat. His face showed an undeniable sense of relief.

“Is he unharmed?”

“Yes. He appears to be in good health. However…”

“That’s enough. I will go out myself!”

Hyun Jong was not without resentment, but his joy at hearing that he was safe outweighed everything else.

“Please wait a moment, Senior Brother Sect Leader.”

However, Hyun Young stopped Hyun Jong.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Senior Brother Sect Leader.”

Not Sect Leader.

Hyun Young glanced around at the people around him and opened his mouth.

“I understand that Senior Brother Sect Leader cares for that child. Considering the achievements that child has made, I also know that he deserves such treatment.”

Hyun Jong narrowed his brow slightly.

“Why are you beating around the bush like that?”

“Senior Brother. Please do not spoil the child.”

“⋯⋯.”

“To lead a sect, we must reward good deeds and punish bad ones. This is also how we teach people right from wrong. If a child makes a mistake and is not punished, they won’t learn. The more we care for him, the stricter we must be. Please remember this.”

Hyun Jong sighed.

“Do you think I don’t know that? Do not worry. I want to raise that child more properly than anyone else. If the child is safe, I will order him to be confined for fifteen days…”

“That is not enough.”

It was Un Geom who cut off Hyun Jong’s words.

“The crime of disobeying orders and not returning is severe. He should be confined to the cave for punishment for at least half a year.”

“Un Geom. He is just a Third-Class Disciple.”

“If it were something a Second-Class Disciple had done, even a year would not be enough. If you do not give Chung Myung a fitting punishment, I will take that punishment in his stead.”

Hyun Jong squeezed his eyes shut.

The position of Sect Leader of Mount Hua is not a position where one can decide everything as one pleases. It is a position where one gathers everyone’s opinions and makes decisions.

“⋯⋯Do the others think the same?”

“That is correct.”

“Sect Leader. Please do not blame us. We care about that child’s talent as much as you do. But that is why we must be even stricter.”

Hyun Jong nodded with a hardened face.

“I understand.”

Hyun Jong walked out without loosening his hardened face. Those who had been sitting also stood up and followed him.

Unam watched the scene and sighed.

‘Why did you do such a thing? You troublemaker.’

No one but Un Am knew how much Hyun Jong cared for Chung Myung. Therefore, no one but Un Am would understand how Hyun Jong was feeling right now.

As they approached the main gate, they saw Chung Myung entering.

“That…”

Un Geom and Hyun Young’s faces flushed.

He was not injured anywhere. If so, he should at least show a self-reflecting attitude, knowing the sin he had committed, but there was no sign of remorse anywhere.

Instead, he straightened his shoulders and walked in confidently?

“You troublemaker!”

Unable to bear it, Hyun Young shouted.

“Huh?”

Chung Myung tilted his head, discovering those approaching him.

“Where are you all going?”

“You troublemaker! How dare you speak so disrespectfully…”

“I greet the Sect Leader.”

Chung Myung quickly bowed his head towards Hyun Jong, causing Hyun Young, who had been shouting, to awkwardly cut off his words.

‘That, that troublemaker?’

“Chung Myung.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Was there a reason for leaving the sect?”

“Yes, Sect Leader. There were unavoidable circumstances.”

Hyun Jong nodded.

“Explain. If your explanation does not satisfy us, you will be given a fitting punishment. The laws of Mount Hua are strict.”

Hyun Young could not bear it and added.

“How dare a Third-Class Disciple act so arrogantly! If you do not give a proper reason, you will be in trouble, you troublemaker! The Sect Leader has shown you favor! How dare you repay that favor in this way!”

Chung Myung glanced at Hyun Young and scratched his head.

“No, it’s not like that…”

“You troublemaker! Can’t you straighten your posture?”

That answer came from behind Chung Myung.

“Please don’t do that.”

“Huh?”

Only then did those who realized that Chung Myung had not come alone turn their heads towards the main gate.

“Lord Hwang?”

“Isn’t that Lord Hwang?”

“I heard he was not in good health?”

Hwang Mun-yak, who had entered the main gate, looked around at everyone. His gaze, which had briefly lingered on Hyun Young, soon turned to the Sect Leader.

Hwang Mun-yak bowed, cupping his hands in respect.

“I greet the Sect Leader. Have you been well?”

“Lord Hwang. It has been a long time. I heard you were not in good health, so I am glad to see that you have recovered.”

Hyun Jong received the greeting, pretending to be calm, but in reality, he was secretly nervous.

‘Ah, how did Lord Hwang get here?’

Wasn’t it only seven days and nights ago that he had received a letter saying that his breathing was faint and he was about to die?

Yet, here was Lord Hwang, a little thinner, but arriving here in perfect health. Only then did Hyun Jong begin to notice the figures from the Eunha Merchant Guild entering the main gate.

“Sect Leader. Please do not be so angry. I was saved by this young Taoist. The young Taoist saved me and the Eunha Merchant Guild.”

“Yes?”

“The grace of Mount Hua is as vast as the sea. That is why I have come to express my gratitude in person.”

“⋯⋯What on earth.”

Everyone’s gaze turned to Chung Myung.

Chung Myung grinned and shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, that’s what he says.”

‘Ah.’

‘How annoying.’

‘I feel strangely angry.’

Chung Myung was still the best in the world at frustrating people.