Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 646

“What?!”

Song Tae-ak was so shocked, his eyes grew wide, and he shouted without realizing it.

“They won?”

“Yes!”

“Who beat whom?”

“Hwasan beat Wudang!”

“…What did you say?”

It wasn’t a problem with his hearing. He couldn’t have misheard the same words over and over. But the news was so unbelievable that he had to ask again.

“Hwasan beat Wudang?”

“Yes, they did!”

“Tell me more! What happened?”

Because Song Tae-ak was so insistent, the chief manager gave him the letter as if speaking was pointless. Song Tae-ak grabbed it and read it quickly, his mouth dropping open in shock.

“The, the Elder… They beat Wudang’s Elder? That… that Hwasan Shinryong?”

He rubbed his eyes and read it again, but the letter still said the same thing.

“There, there’s no mistake in this, is there?”

“Gold-sealed letters are always true, you know that!”

“That’s right. That, that’s right.”

For a merchant like him, news was everything. And a letter from so close by? It was impossible for the news to be wrong. They write down exactly what happens.

“No… I mean, sometimes, the weaker one wins, but…”

Hwasan beating Wudang was harder to believe than that. It was unbelievable, like a tiny rabbit defeating a huge tiger.

“Oh my goodness!”

If something this crazy happened, there must be a reason. Either Wudang wasn’t as strong as they thought, or Hwasan was much stronger. Wudang is definitely strong, so Hwasan must be incredibly powerful.

“Oh no!”

Song Tae-ak clutched his head in horror. Now he understood his mistake. If he knew Hwasan would win, he wouldn’t have stayed here! He would have been at the arena, cheering them on!

“Blast it, I messed up!”

He pounded his head with his large hands and glared at his subordinates with fierce eyes.

“Where, where are the Hwasan people now?!”

“They must be coming back to the guild soon. They sent news right after the fight ended…”

“What? They’re coming back now?”

“Yes. That, that’s right!”

“Al, already?”

He was surprised for a second, but then… Song Tae-ak was a smart merchant. He knew exactly what to do next. That’s how he became so rich.

“What are you doing! Prepare a victory celebration immediately! Alcohol! Get lots and lots of alcohol and food ready!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Make it a huge celebration! Use everything we have! We need to show Hwasan how happy Song Tae-ak and the Geumseon Merchant Guild are about their win!”

“Yes!”

Watching his helpers rush around, Song Tae-ak took a deep breath.

‘So, what happens now?’

He hadn’t planned to leave Wudang and support Hwasan because he thought Hwasan could beat Wudang right now. Investing is about what will happen later, not just now. He chose to support Hwasan because he thought they would become stronger than Wudang in the future.

But now that Hwasan actually *won* against Wudang…

‘This is a huge success!’

If Hwasan is even stronger than he thought, he could make much more money than he planned!

“I knew my dream was a good sign! I can’t just stand here!”

He couldn’t just let his helpers do it. He had to lead the celebration himself. Now that Hwasan was done in Wuhan, they would soon be leaving for Shaanxi. Before they leave, he needed to make sure Hwasan remembered Song Tae-ak and his guild.

“What, what should I do first? First…”

Just then…

“Guild Master!”

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“The, the Hwasan disciples are returning!”

Song Tae-ak jumped up in surprise.

“What, how can they be so fast! I haven’t even prepared yet! Th, this!”

Song Tae-ak hurriedly ran towards the main gate.

“Open the gates! We must welcome the heroes who have returned with the victory! Open the gates wide immediately!”

“Yes, sir!”

The guild members knew this was important. They rushed to throw open the heavy gates. Song Tae-ak ran out of the gate, took a deep breath, and looked ahead.

“Are they, are they coming from that way?”

“Yes, Guild Master, they should be coming from that road.”

“Hoo! Hoo!”

“Please calm down a little…”

“I know! But can you believe this is really happening?”

Song Tae-ak replied, looking annoyed.

‘Does no one realize how big this is?’

Winning against Wudang *here* in Wuhan, their territory!

This could change everything in the martial world!

So how could he not be nervous?

“I know!”

“Not that! There, there! The Hwasan people are coming!”

Right after he said that, Song Tae-ak turned his head quickly. Sure enough, a group of people was approaching from the distance.

Gulp.

He swallowed hard, widened his eyes, and stared at the approaching figures. Of course, they were the disciples of Hwasan. But…

‘Something seems different…?’

They were definitely the Hwasan disciples he knew. He had clearly seen them leaving for the martial arts arena this morning, so he couldn’t be mistaken. But the Hwasan disciples coming back now felt different from this morning.

How should he put it?

They were the same Hwasan disciples, he was sure. But something was different. Their backs seemed straighter, their steps more confident. Even from a distance, Song Tae-ak could see a new spark in their eyes, a quiet pride that hadn’t been there this morning. They walked with a new energy, like they carried the weight of their victory with ease.

‘Is it just because they beat Wudang?’

But no matter how he looked at it, that wasn’t it. A good merchant can see where money is going, but even more importantly, he can understand people. So, he always tries to see things clearly, no matter who someone is or what they do.

‘Their momentum has definitely changed.’

Thinking about it, it made sense.

Warriors improve through training, but also because of their past achievements.

Winning against the Mount Lu sect in a martial contest must have given the Mount Hua disciples great confidence. They were already skilled, and this victory made them even more confident. It was no wonder their spirit had completely changed.

Even the Mount Hua disciples, as they walked together, carried themselves with a newfound pride.

A chill ran down Song Tae-ak’s spine, and he clenched his fist tightly.

Although he wasn’t a warrior himself, he was excited to see these dedicated people growing stronger and moving closer to their goals. Who wouldn’t be?

Trying not to show his excitement, he waited for the Mount Hua disciples to get closer and then shouted loudly.

“Congratulations on your victory! Heroes of Mount Hua!”

Hyun Sang, who was at the front, smiled and replied.

“It makes me even happier that the Guild Leader has come to greet us in person.”

“Of course, I had to come and congratulate you myself! Where else would I be on such a happy day? You beat those Mount Lu guys!”

“Haha. Thank you,” Hyun Sang said.

“My heart is warmed by this. I truly congratulate you!”

Hyun Sang nodded gently. Song Tae-ak truly believed he had made the right choice in supporting Mount Hua instead of Mount Lu.

But then, he heard a familiar, sharp voice.

“For someone who wasn’t sure who to support, you are congratulating us too much.”

“…”

Song Tae-ak looked to the side and saw Chung Myung leaning against a wall, one leg propped up, his head tilted. His eyes were dark.

“Wasn’t sure who to support…? When was I ever…?”

“Everyone saw you acting like you were going to join Mount Hua. But as soon as those Mount Lu guys showed up, you backed away. And now you’re congratulating us?”

“Ha… Hahaha…”

Cold sweat started to form on Song Tae-ak’s forehead.

‘I knew this would happen!’

It was true that he had been a little scared. He didn’t expect Mount Lu to act so quickly, thinking they would leave Mount Hua alone to save face.

“Why? Now that we’ve won, have you changed your mind?”

“N-no, Young Master! I have supported Mount Hua from the very beginning!”

“Did you even take a breath before saying that?”

“…”

Chung Myung glared at him, still looking unhappy. Song Tae-ak was truly in despair.

“Th-that… Young Master. Th-…”

Hyun Young stepped in to help Song Tae-ak.

“Chung Myung, don’t push him too hard. The Guild Leader must have his reasons, don’t you think?”

“Tch.”

Chung Myung pouted and grumbled, but he stepped back as if he would listen to Hyun Young’s words.

Hyun Young smiled gently and looked at Song Tae-ak.

“Don’t worry too much about it, Guild Leader. I understand everything.”

“Th-thank you, Elder.”

“However…”

“…Yes?”

Hyun Young stroked his beard and smiled gently.

“A deal is based on trust, isn’t it? Trust that changes depending on the situation is not good, wouldn’t you agree?”

“…Of course.”

“This is the first time the Geumseon Merchant Guild and Mount Hua are working together, so there may be mistakes. We should try harder not to make mistakes in the future, shouldn’t we?”

“I will keep that in mind,” Song Tae-ak answered quickly, swallowing hard.

Chung Myung’s anger was direct, but Hyun Young’s kind words held a hidden threat.

It was a clear warning that he would not stand by if Song Tae-ak continued to be unsure. So Song Tae-ak had to show where he stood.

“Please come inside quickly! A victory deserves a feast. I will prepare a great celebration.”

“Haha. You don’t have to go that far…”

“What are you saying! The Geumseon Merchant Guild and Mount Hua are not strangers, so of course I have to congratulate you. Please, come inside!”

Song Tae-ak insisted, and Hyun Young reluctantly started to walk inside. The other Mount Hua disciples followed him into the Geumseon Merchant Guild, which had a simple but welcoming entrance.

Once all the disciples had entered, Song Tae-ak, who was left behind, wiped his forehead and sighed in relief.

‘I almost made a big mistake.’

If he had given in to Mount Lu’s pressure and broken the contract with Mount Hua, the Geumseon Merchant Guild would have been in serious trouble. His determination to hold on until the end had saved him.

But…

“Tsk.”

“…”

“Tsk tsk.”

“…”

There was one person who easily forgot favors but never forgot a grudge. While everyone else had gone inside, one devil remained at the entrance, glaring at Song Tae-ak. Song Tae-ak wiped his cold sweat and spoke.

“…Young Master. Th… I…”

“I.”

“…Yes.”

As Chung Myung opened his mouth, Song Tae-ak nervously clasped his hands in front of him.

What could he say to the guy who had even beaten an Elder from Mount Lu? It wasn’t like he was innocent.

“Since the Elder said so, I’ll let it go this time.”

“…Yes.”

“In a war, the guy who doesn’t pick a side gets hurt first. Do you understand?”

“I know. I know it well.”

“Tsk.”

Chung Myung clicked his tongue.

“Let’s see how well you treat us, and then we’ll talk again.”

“Don’t worry! I will properly…”

“How.”

“…”

“How well?”

“…”

“I believe you understand.”

Chung Myung glared at Song Tae-ak one last time and walked inside. The Chief Manager, who had been watching from the side, cautiously approached Song Tae-ak.

“…What should we do?”

Song Tae-ak silently looked up at the sky and then took something out of his sleeve with a determined hand, handing it to the Chief Manager.

“Open the vault.”

“All of it…?”

“…Use it for the banquet first.”

“Yes.”

“Take the remaining money and put it in that devil’s room.”

“…”

Tears welled up in his eyes as he was stripped of his last savings.