Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 656

Hyun Jong looked slowly at the elders, the Un-generation disciples, and the Five Swords with warm eyes. He had just received a full report from everyone about their journey.

Of course, he had heard roughly what Mount Hua had done through the Beggars’ Sect. But hearing the story directly from those who experienced it was different.

“This is a big deal,” he thought.

Everything had worked out well, and they had returned victorious without major losses.

They were lucky. If even one thing had gone wrong, no one would be smiling now.

“Everyone has worked so hard,” Hyun Jong said.

Hyun Sang smiled, trying to hide his pride. “It was just luck, Sect Leader,” he said.

Hyun Jong said, “Luck favors those who work hard. Being too humble is not good either. You have all been excellent.” His face was full of joy.

His disciples’ achievements were excellent. But Hyun Jong was even more pleased that no one had died or been seriously hurt.

This wasn’t just luck. The Five Swords, including Chung Myung, had worked hard to protect the disciples.

Hyun Jong took a sip of tea, looked around at everyone, and said, “Baek Cheon.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Did you learn anything from this journey?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Tell me.”

Baek Cheon took a breath and spoke calmly. “Mount Hua is stronger than before, but it still has shortcomings. I saw that the biggest sects have more resources and connections than we do.”

Hyun Jong nodded, pleased with the answer.

“Do others feel the same way?” he asked.

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“It’s not a big deal. What’s so great about it?” Chung Myung said.

Hyun Jong smiled. He knew how to ignore ‘that voice’.

“Hyun Young,” he said.

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“What are your thoughts?”

Hyun Young’s eyes darkened. “Sect Leader, Mount Hua can’t stay the same.”

“Hmm?”

Hyun Jong waited for him to explain. Hyun Young said, “Wudang’s challenge means more than it seems.”

“Do you mean other sects are watching Mount Hua?”

“Yes, but we should focus on something else. Until now, Mount Hua has done whatever it wanted.”

Hyun Sang looked confused. “What are you talking about? When have we ever done that?”

Hyun Young said, “Senior Brother, we couldn’t do things because we lacked strength and money. But we always decided what we wanted to do.”

“I don’t understand,” Hyun Sang said.

“When we decided to have the children compete, did anyone stop us?” Hyun Young asked.

“…No.”

Hyun Young frowned. “It was the same when we went to Yunnan and the Northern Sea. The choice was always ours. But this contest with Wudang is not our choice.”

“Hmm,” Hyun Jong said.

“Mount Hua’s fame is good, but these things will happen often, whether we want them to or not. They will offer deals we can’t refuse and matches we can’t back down from, trying to hurt Mount Hua’s reputation.”

“…I understand,” Hyun Sang said, finally understanding.

‘Other powerful groups are now watching Mount Hua to make sure you don’t become too strong,’ he thought.

Hyun Young continued, “We must avoid their traps. But I’m worried these things will stop Mount Hua from doing what it needs to do.”

“Hmm…”

“For example, if Wudang had challenged us before we went to the Northern Sea, it would have been a problem.”

“Ah…” Everyone looked at each other, realizing they hadn’t thought that far.

“Now, we must think about how other sects will react before we act. It will be more complicated,” Hyun Young said.

“Hmm.” Hyun Jong groaned, realizing this was not something to ignore.

“It’s a good thing,” Chung Myung said.

“Huh?”

Chung Myung grinned. “No one tries to check an easy sect. The Nine Great Sects are checking us because they see Mount Hua as a threat!”

“Heh…”

“They can’t stop us. We can’t ignore them, but doing what we need to do is more important,” Chung Myung said.

Hyun Young chuckled. “You make my serious words sound like nagging.”

“Hehe. That’s how it is,” Chung Myung said.

Hyun Jong smiled as Hyun Young playfully flicked Chung Myung’s forehead.

‘They’re both right,’ he thought.

It was important to understand the situation and stay strong. Mount Hua had to keep its eyes on the sky but its feet on the ground.

“Everyone…” Hyun Jong started to say, then shook his head. He looked at the door.

He could hear the disciples training. ‘They know what to do,’ he thought.

If they kept striving and moving forward, they would overcome everything. The disciples knew this without him saying it.

“Let’s finish this here,” Hyun Jong said, looking at Chung Myung. “We need to discuss the next thing.”

“The next thing?”

“Don’t you have an idea?”

Chung Myung tilted his head. “There are so many things to do…”

“We need to check the Hwayeong Gate branch, sell tea in Beijing with the Eunha Merchant Guild, invest in Hwaeum, help the Second and Third Generation disciples, and see how the trade with the Northern Sea is going…”

“Th, that’s enough!” Hyun Jong said.

‘Have we been doing this much?’ he thought, realizing how busy Mount Hua was.

“Of course, those things are important, but what’s most important?” Hyun Jong asked.

“The most important thing?”

“Yes.”

“Ah!” Chung Myung’s eyes lit up. “Did those Jongnam guys come out of hiding? We beat Wudang, so should we beat them again?”

“…”

‘Where does that hatred for Jongnam come from?’ Hyun Jong wondered.

“…Jongnam is still in seclusion,” he said.

“Then what is it?”

Hyun Jong sighed. “There are many things to do, but the most urgent thing is something else.”

Chung Myung grinned. “The Heavenly Union!”

“Yes.” Hyun Jong nodded. “Because of your success, Mount Hua’s reputation has grown. We should start the inauguration now.”

“Oh?”

“They’ve finished coordinating with other sects and have asked the small and medium-sized sects in Sichuan and Shaanxi if they will join.”

“Wow! The Tang Family is fast! If Mount Hua had done it, it would have taken months.”

“…Th, that’s right,” Hyun Jong said.

“So, what do they want us to do?” Chung Myung asked.

“Everyone will gather at Mount Hua.”

“Huh? Here? Not at the Tang Family’s place?”

Hyun Jong nodded. “The Tang Family should hold the ceremony, but they want to use Mount Hua’s fame. The head of the Sichuan Tang Family, the Beast Palace of Naman, the Ice Palace of the Northern Sea, and the Green Forest are all coming to Mount Hua.”

“…You mean they’ve already left?” Chung Myung asked.

“Yes.”

“It’s all happening at once!” Chung Myung said, surprised.

Hyun Jong smiled. “I could feel the Tang Family Head’s excitement in the letter.”

“Hehe.” Chung Myung laughed, imagining Tang Gun-ak’s joy.

“I agree with the Tang Family Head. If we have to do it, let’s do it now,” Chung Myung said.

“That’s right.”

“So, Mount Hua needs to prepare,” Chung Myung said.

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

Hyun Jong nodded and turned to Hyun Young. “Hyun Young, prepare to welcome the sects coming to Mount Hua.”

“Yes, don’t worry,” Hyun Young said.

“Also,” Hyun Jong said, straightening his back. A gentle but strong aura flowed out.

“Send invitations in the name of Mount Hua and the Heavenly Union to the sects of the world.”

Hyun Young’s eyes widened. “Tell them it’s a joyous occasion and to join us.”

“…Yes! I understand, Sect Leader!” Hyun Young said.

Sending invitations was a declaration that Mount Hua was leading the Jianghu as the head of the Heavenly Union.

“Everyone, listen!” Hyun Jong said.

“Yes!”

“Power brings responsibility. Mount Hua will have more tasks and a greater burden,” Hyun Jong said.

Everyone stared at Hyun Jong with shining eyes.

“We can’t refuse this. I will bear that burden. Help me,” Hyun Jong said.

“Of course, Sect Leader!”

“We will do our best!”

Hyun Jong nodded. “And don’t forget, even if we become the head of the Heavenly Union, even if Wudang watches us, even if the world watches us…”

He smiled. “Mount Hua is still just Mount Hua.”

The faces relaxed.

“Now, let’s begin,” Hyun Jong said.

“Yes!” The Mount Hua disciples responded with heat in their eyes. It was time to make the Heavenly Union known to the world.