Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 64

“So, um….”

Hyun Jong couldn’t hide his bewilderment. Everyone else in the room felt the same.

Only two people were unaffected by the reaction.

One was Hwang Mun-yak, sitting across from Hyun Jong.

And the other was Chung Myung, kneeling beside him.

“Are you saying… that Chung Myung treated Master Hwang’s illness and averted the merchant guild’s crisis?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Heh.”

Hyun Jong looked back and forth between Chung Myung and Hwang Mun-yak.

It was simply unbelievable.

Chung Myung was a disciple of Mount Hua, but he was very new. He had only joined three months ago. He was like a baby bird just learning to fly.

And yet, you’re telling me that such a child accomplished something so enormous? Was that even possible?

“Is that truly the truth?”

Hwang Mun-yak frowned at Hyun Young’s very doubtful words.

“Does the Head of the Treasury Pavilion suspect that I, Hwang Mun-yak, am speaking falsely?”

“N-no, how could I?”

Hyun Young quickly stepped back.

The power of Hwang Mun-yak and the Eunha Merchant Guild was far too great for Mount Hua to even think about challenging.

Moreover, Hwang Mun-yak had consistently supported Mount Hua in the past. Without Hwang Mun-yak, Mount Hua’s decline would have been twice as fast. That was why the previous Sect Leader had treated Hwang Mun-yak as Mount Hua’s most important guest, wasn’t it?

No matter how much Hyun Young was the Head of the Treasury Pavilion and an elder of Mount Hua, he couldn’t treat Hwang Mun-yak carelessly.

“I, Hwang Mun-yak, am not such a leisurely person.”

Hyun Jong frowned slightly and looked at Hyun Young. Hyun Young flinched and opened his mouth.

“That was never my intention. I apologize, so please, Master Hwang, calm down.”

“Hmm.”

However, Hwang Mun-yak didn’t stop looking displeased right away.

Of course, it wasn’t because he was truly upset. A merchant engaging in a transaction couldn’t afford to miss even the smallest gap. He would use this opportunity to…

“Ahem!”

Hwang Mun-yak glanced at the source of the obvious cough. Chung Myung clearly looked uncomfortable.

‘Goodness.’

A third-generation disciple trying to help the sect’s elder who was being told off. Where else would one see such a sight?

Hwang Mun-yak, unable to ignore Chung Myung’s signal, softened his expression.

At that moment, Un-gum quietly opened his mouth.

“I don’t understand.”

Hwang Mun-yak looked at his face for a moment before asking.

“And you are?”

“I am Un-gum of Mount Hua. I am in charge of the Plum Blossom Pavilion.”

“I see. Master Un-gum. Is Master Un-gum also saying that he cannot believe my words?”

“It’s not that. I simply have a fundamental question. Putting everything else aside, are you saying that Chung Myung can treat people’s illnesses?”

“……”

It was a reasonable question.

Everyone looked at Chung Myung and Hwang Mun-yak with eyes full of doubt. Hwang Mun-yak, at a loss for words, subtly turned to Chung Myung. This was something that Chung Myung, not him, had to explain.

“It’s not that difficult.”

“Can you explain it?”

“Yes. As everyone knows, I was originally a beggar, wasn’t I?”

“That’s right.”

“Beggars pick up and eat anything, so they often suffer from problems and become poisoned.”

“Foolish words! If that were true, the masters of all poisons would be the Beggars’ Sect, not the Sichuan Tang Family.”

“That’s true in specific cases. Because beggars don’t have a reason to use poison, but they know quite a bit about how to remove poison. Especially in cases similar to things they can eat.”

Chung Myung took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

“There’s something called the Five Yin Grass. It looks almost exactly like mugwort on the outside, but it contains a strong poison. Accidents are rare because it’s hard to see, but beggars, who pick up and eat anything they can, often eat this Five Yin Grass and become poisoned. Once poisoned, they suffer and eventually die.”

Everyone was captivated by Chung Myung’s words.

“But the method to remove poison from this Five Yin Grass is simpler than you think. Even if you take them to a doctor, they can’t find a specific method, but if you feed them ground radish, they strangely recover.”

“Are you saying that Master Hwang was poisoned by the Five Yin Grass?”

“Yes. The symptoms were so similar that I tried it as an experiment, and he quickly recovered.”

“No…”

Hyun Sang, the Head of the Martial Arts Pavilion, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth.

“I’ve heard a similar story. It’s said that the Beggars’ Sect has quite a few secrets regarding detoxification.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Seeing them struggling to decide whether to believe him or not, Chung Myung smiled inwardly.

‘Go ahead and ask, you fools.’

Even if they ran to the Beggars’ Sect right away to confirm the truth, he had nothing to worry about. Because these words were true.

War is a battle of supplies. But making sure supplies arrive on time at the chaotic front lines was one of the most difficult things in the world. That’s why those on the front lines picked up and ate anything they could, and there were countless cases of problems.

This story about the Five Yin Grass was also something Chung Myung had actually experienced during the war. The ones who provided the solution at that time were the beggars of the Beggars’ Sect.

The poison that had poisoned Hwang Mun-yak had nothing to do with the Five Yin Grass, but how would they know that?

‘As long as it’s believable. As long as it’s believable.’

That’s just how life is.

“So, such a thing happened.”

“Then you certainly couldn’t return. How could being a day or two late matter when someone’s about to die right in front of you?”

“You’ve done a great thing. A great thing!”

Everyone looked at Chung Myung with very admiring eyes.

“Sect Leader.”

Un-gum opened his mouth with good timing.

“If this is true, I don’t think there’s any reason to punish him. Rather, shouldn’t we reward him?”

“Hmm. That is indeed the case.”

Hyun Jong’s eyes softened.

“However, Sect Leader.”

Un-am raised his voice slightly.

“Even though he performed a good deed, disobeying the Sect Leader’s orders and not returning is a serious mistake.”

“Is my order more important than a person’s life?”

“……That is……”

“Are you saying that we should praise a disciple for abandoning a dying person and returning on time?”

Un-am closed his mouth.

“Mount Hua is a sect that follows the right way. What could be more important than helping and saving people? Is my insignificant order more important than doing what is right?”

“I didn’t think clearly.”

Un-am lowered his head and stepped back.

In the midst of all this, Un-am and Hyun Jong exchanged glances. Un-am had brought it up first, and Hyun Jong had shown an angry appearance, so with this, the others wouldn’t be able to discuss Chung Myung’s crime. Hyun Jong, guessing his intention, glanced at Un-am and turned to Chung Myung.

“Chung Myung-ah.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Yes.”

Chung Myung bowed deeply.

As the situation seemed to be roughly settled, Hwang Mun-yak began to speak.

“I and the Eunha Merchant Guild have received a great favor from Mount Hua. No, to be precise, I received help from Disciple Chung Myung, but Disciple Chung Myung said that all of this was possible thanks to Mount Hua’s teachings and gave Mount Hua all the credit.”

“Heh!”

“That child.”

“How noble. Truly noble.”

Hwang Mun-yak held back a chuckle.

‘He took care of everything he needed to, though.’

But he couldn’t tell the truth as it was. From the perspective of the Eunha Merchant Guild and Hwang Mun-yak, it was better for Chung Myung’s position in Mount Hua to become more solid.

Looking at Chung Myung’s face, accepting the obvious lies with a confident expression, it was hard to hold back laughter.

“Therefore, to repay the favor to Mount Hua, I would like to make a small investment in Mount Hua.”

“Did you say investment now?”

“Yes. The word investment doesn’t quite fit. The word sponsorship is a bit more accurate. Investment is based on the idea of getting something in return, but sponsorship is giving without expecting anything in return, isn’t it?”

“Ah, we are already grateful for what you have given to Mount Hua…”

“Sect Leader.”

Hwang Mun-yak quietly looked at Hyun Jong and said.

“If I were only thinking of wiping my mouth with that much, I wouldn’t have brought my family all the way here myself. I want to bet everything on Mount Hua.”

Hyun Jong’s eyes trembled.

“M-Master Hwang?”

Even at Hyun Jong’s surprised question, Hwang Mun-yak simply smiled.

“I’ve brought the guild’s executives with me, so let’s discuss it slowly. What does Mount Hua need, and what can we do for you?”

“Thank you. Thank you so much, Master Hwang.”

“There’s no need to thank me. It’s not enough to repay the kindness of saving my life.”

Hwang Mun-yak and Hyun Jong’s gazes simultaneously turned to Chung Myung.

Hyun Jong opened his mouth with an incredibly pleased face.

“You brought fortune to Mount Hua, and now you’re helping Mount Hua’s benefactor and spreading Mount Hua’s name. I am ashamed.”

“Please don’t say that. If it weren’t for what I learned at Mount Hua, how could I have done such a thing?”

Hwang Mun-yak was impressed.

‘His acting has reached its peak.’

Look at that very persuasive talk. It’s just too smooth and insincere.

“Then, the Head of the Treasury Pavilion and Un-am will remain in their seats, and the rest of you may leave.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Everyone rose from their seats.

“And Chung Myung, I will call you again later, so don’t go far and wait.”

“Yes.”

Chung Myung bowed slightly and left with the others. As soon as they came outside, Hyun Sang, the Head of the Martial Arts Pavilion, patted Chung Myung’s shoulder.

“You’ve worked hard. You’ve really worked hard.”

“Eh. It’s not like I did anything great.”

“Not great? How can that not be a great thing? Heh heh. Just saving a person is impressive, but that it was Master Hwang! Good luck has come to Mount Hua!”

You guys are the ones who rolled in.

I was always stuck here.

Chung Myung secretly sighed as he looked at the young(?) ones who had rolled in and were acting like they own the place.

Yeah, yeah. I can’t do anything if you guys are happy.

At that time, Un-gum opened his mouth in a serious tone.

“Chung Myung-ah.”

“Yes, Pavilion Lord.”

“I know you did a good thing. But it’s also true that the way you did it was not good. Especially leaving Mount Hua without saying anything is definitely wrong.”

“I was too rushed and couldn’t think that far.”

“That can happen. Be careful from now on. This incident was more dangerous than you think.”

“Yes, I will be careful.”

“It’s also true that you disobeyed the Sect Leader’s orders. You can’t always avoid blame by saying that it couldn’t be helped.”

“Yes.”

Chung Myung lowered his head.

But his lips invisibly protruded.

‘Why is this kid so strict?’

I’ve done this much for you! And you’re complaining because I didn’t do more!

But Chung Myung’s complicated feelings were relieved the moment he raised his head and looked at Un-gum’s face.

Un-gum’s lips twitched. He couldn’t help the smile that kept forming.

“Ahem, hmm. You must always keep trying.”

‘He’s trying hard.’

The others also came up to Chung Myung, patted him on the shoulder, and praised his achievements. Master Hwang was a bigger deal to Mount Hua than Chung Myung had thought.

Well, he’s giving money.

The person who gives money is always the best.

“It seems Mount Hua’s luck is finally turning. Good things just keep happening one after another.”

Is that Mount Hua’s luck turning?

I’m the one who came to Mount Hua.

Chung Myung secretly sighed deeply.

When will I ever revive Mount Hua with these young ones?

‘Oh no, Sasuk, my back hurts too.’

It was as if Chung Mun was smiling brightly from above.