The Beast Palace had arrived with nearly a hundred dogs.
“No. How can we turn away those who come?”
“Are we just supposed to abandon those starving to death?”
“The people from the Central Plains have no compassion at all.”
“The main hall is all shiny and grand! It’s not like they’re short on money!”
The disciples of Mount Hua were getting disapproving looks and couldn’t say anything to defend themselves. They were supposed to be Taoists, following the teachings of the Tao, but they couldn’t really say they should leave the dying dogs to their fate, could they? Taoists are people who follow the Taoist teachings.
People around Mount Hua were starting to say bad things. They thought Mount Hua was heartless and greedy, that they didn’t care if dogs were starving. Because of this bad opinion, Mount Hua felt they had to allow the Beast Palace to do what they wanted, even though it seemed very rude to bring so many dogs.
Luckily, the problem of taking care of the dogs was solved surprisingly easily.
Pant!
Tap!
Pant!
Tap!
Everyone blinked, watching the strange scene in front of them.
“What in the world is going on?”
“I don’t know.”
“I can’t understand it… even though my eyes are wide open.”
All eyes were watching one spot.
A pair of tiny, snow-white paws, so small they were adorable, pointed downwards.
Right away, the dogs, arranged by size, suddenly collapsed to the ground.
Whoosh!
When the small paw pointed upwards again, the dogs jumped up as fast as lightning. When the paw drew a circle in the air, the dogs tumbled and rolled on the ground.
“What is that?”
“Am I dreaming?”
It was hard to believe even when they saw it, but those who had come to Mount Hua were now realizing that seeing wasn’t always believing.
Every time the little weasel, like a fluffy white ball, moved its paws, dogs as big as people flipped and rolled around. The weasel’s fur looked soft and white.
They were rolling so strongly that people worried they would get hurt.
“Hah, it doesn’t even look like a mouthful.”
“Is that what’s important right now? Isn’t the real question why the dogs are listening to a weasel in the first place?”
“I think it’s strange that the weasel is pointing at the dogs with its paws.”
Something… everything, from beginning to end, made no sense.
Pant!
When the weasel bared its teeth slightly, looking unhappy, the dogs, lined up like soldiers, all trembled and put their tails between their legs.
Only then did the snow-white weasel nod its head, as if it was satisfied.
‘It looks like a person. How can that be a weasel?’
‘Oh? Look at it sticking out its belly?’
Everyone was amazed and speechless by the weasel’s human-like behavior.
“Is that a spirit beast?”
“Mount Hua even has spirit beasts.”
“I thought spirit beasts only existed in stories.”
It was easy to understand why everyone found it strange, as spirit beasts were rarely seen in the Central Plains these days. The Central Plains is the area in the middle of the country.
Pant!
When Baek Ah flicked its paw to the side, the dogs rushed behind the main hall. Everyone watched the training grounds, now as clean as if the dogs had never been there, and couldn’t help but admire and clap.
“Is this the power of the Beast Palace?”
“What were you looking at? That weasel is raised by a Mount Hua disciple!”
“Eh? But why?”
“How should I know?”
It was impossible to even guess the situation. So, everyone could only shake their heads in disbelief.
‘Things have been very strange since a while ago.’
‘There’s nothing I can understand for sure.’
The crowd was slowly starting to realize that Mount Hua was different from ordinary sects.
However, the disciples of Mount Hua were feeling the same confused feeling.
“It handled it.”
“That thing is surprisingly useful. At first, it seemed like it was only good for being a scarf.”
“It’s better than you.”
“Are you going to be like this?”
When Jo Gul growled, Yoon Jong sighed deeply.
‘While you’re at it, why didn’t you train this guy too, Baek Ah?’
Even if Chung Myung was impossible, couldn’t he do something about Jo Gul? This guy is a kind of beast too.
“Actually, the dogs aren’t the problem.”
Baek Cheon turned his gaze away, looking upset. Chung Myung was complaining to Maeng So.
“Are you a dog merchant? It’s a complete mess here! Huh?”
“Hahaha! Don’t worry about such small things! I brought wine from Yunnan for this meeting with you! Wouldn’t you like a drink?”
“How many carts? Did you bring a lot?”
“I brought enough to drown in! It was hard to bring it all! How about it? Want a taste now?”
“Sounds good!”
Baek Cheon covered his face with his large hands. He was ashamed and frustrated.
‘Dogs aren’t the problem. People are the problem, people.’
No, to be precise, things that aren’t even like people are the problem.
Poor Mount Hua.
In this place, there were beasts that were like people and people who were like beasts.
“Baek Cheon, Elder.”
“Yes? Ah, yes! Young Lord.”
Just then, Dang Pae walked up to Baek Cheon with a gentle smile. Dang Pae was kind and helpful.
“Now that the Beast Palace has arrived, I plan to choose some people to send down to Hwaeum.”
“To Hwaeum?”
“Yes. Not everyone who came here can stay at Mount Hua, so we need to open the temporary places I talked about before and have people manage them.”
“Ah!”
Baek Cheon nodded strongly.
“I hadn’t thought of that. Thank you, Young Lord.”
Dang Pae shook his head at the sincere thanks.
“This isn’t Mount Hua’s business, but the Heavenly Union’s. I’ll be upset if you keep talking as if I’m helping you.”
“Ah⋯⋯.”
“And⋯⋯.”
Dang Pae smiled gently.
“Even if it weren’t the Heavenly Union’s business, and only Mount Hua’s, aren’t Mount Hua and the Dang family close?”
Baek Cheon looked into Dang Pae’s eyes and smiled.
“That’s right. We’re close⋯⋯.”
“You there.”
However, a voice suddenly cut off the nice moment. Dang Pae and Baek Cheon, surprised, slowly turned around.
“So, Soso.”
“Soso-ya⋯⋯.”
Tang Soso was staring at the two with a vein throbbing in her forehead. She was frustrated.
“Everyone else is busy dealing with guests, but the two of you are enjoying yourselves like immortals?”
“⋯⋯.”
“⋯⋯.”
“You look tired, how about I give you needles?”
“⋯⋯I, I’m sorry.”
“I have committed a crime worthy of death.”
“What are you doing! Move!”
“Yes!”
Dang Pae and Baek Cheon rushed forward, whispering urgently.
“Was So-so always like this?”
“She was never this scary before. Look at how she shouts! She’s like a different person since Mount Hua…”
“…We are sorry.”
“So, this is Mount Hua!” Maeng So looked around, his face full of emotion.
“It’s more splendid than I imagined. I thought a Taoist temple would be a simple and quiet place.”
“It’s crowded because there are many people. And the Dang family lent a hand.”
“The hustle and bustle is a good thing.”
Maeng So smiled broadly.
“I never imagined that I would come to the Central Plains, let alone Mount Hua, in my lifetime. Thanks to the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua, I am living in luxury.”
“You should come more often in the future.”
“Haha! I will! I will!” Maeng So laughed heartily and nodded. Just then, Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak walked out from behind. They seemed to have come to greet the arrival of the Beast Palace in person.
“Oh! Clan Leader Dang! And next to him is…” Maeng So’s eyes changed as he looked at Hyun Jong.
“The Divine Dragon of Mount Hua.”
“Yes.”
“Is that the Sect Leader of Mount Hua?”
“Ah, you haven’t met him before, have you? Yes, he is Hyun Jong, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua. Let me introduce you…”
But before Chung Myung could finish, Maeng So walked quickly towards Hyun Jong. His movements were so rough that everyone stared at him.
Maeng So walked in, and everyone knew right away he was the Palace Lord. He was a big man, with strong arms and a face that looked like it had seen many fights. He wore thick furs, not the silk robes of the Central Plains. His eyes were sharp and bold.
On one side was the Palace Lord of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace.
And on the other side, the head of the Sichuan Dang Clan, the ruler of Sichuan, and the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, who had been gaining momentum recently.
Everyone felt nervous watching these three powerful men who were important in Kangho.
‘What is it?’
‘Is something going to happen?’
Maeng So looked rough. He looked even more barbaric. Also, he was a warrior from beyond the borders who was not familiar with the customs of the Central Plains.
Everyone was worried that something unexpected might happen.
After a moment, Hyun Jong smiled and clasped his hands in greeting.
“Welcome to Mount Hua, Palace Lord. I have heard many stories about the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace and the Palace Lord from Clan Leader Dang and my disciples. I am so sorry I couldn’t come to greet you sooner. We have been very busy here. Please forgive me for not greeting you sooner.”
Maeng So looked at Hyun Jong.
The normal thing to do would be to return the greeting. But Maeng So did something different.
He stepped back, and then he bowed deeply to Hyun Jong. Everyone gasped.
“Huh?”
“Eh?”
Everyone was surprised.
‘Does he mean to show that Mount Hua is superior?’
‘No. Even so, that is…’
No one understood what he was doing. But then, Maeng So spoke in a loud voice.
“Amazing!”
Amazing what…
“It’s truly amazing to meet the Sect Leader of the Great Mount Hua Sect!”
Everyone was shocked.
‘What, what did he say?’
‘What is he talking about?’
This was the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace.
Of course, the people of the Central Plains didn’t usually include groups from beyond their borders. And the Four Outer Palaces were not as strong as the Nine Great Sects. Still, this was the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace, one of the Four Outer Palaces.
Even though Mount Hua had been getting more powerful, it was not yet a sect that could be compared to the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace.
But now, Maeng So, the Palace Lord of the Beast Palace, was showing the Sect Leader of Mount Hua great respect.
Even Hyun Jong was embarrassed.
“P-Palace Lord. You don’t need to be so polite.”
“No!” Maeng So raised his head and shouted, his eyes wide.
“I am very sorry that I am only now coming to see you. I want to thank the Plum Blossom Sword Saint for protecting Yunnan, and I am grateful to Mount Hua, the sect of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint! I speak for all the members of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace, and for everyone who lives in Yunnan!”
Maeng So put his hands together in front of his chest and bowed deeply again. Even though he did not follow the customs of the Central Plains, it was clear that he was showing respect.
Because of this, Maeng So’s words seemed even more believable.
“The Plum Blossom Sword Saint saved Yunnan…?”
“Who is the Plum Blossom Sword Saint?”
“You know, the Plum Blossom Sword Saint? A hundred years ago, when evil people called the Demonic Sect tried to take over the world, he was one of the three strongest swordsmen who fought against them. He was from Mount Hua.”
“What? Mount Hua had one of the Three Great Swordsmen of the World? I didn’t know that! And if the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace is showing this much respect, he must have done great things, right? But why haven’t I heard of him?”
“I’m hearing this for the first time too?”
The crowd was confused.
But before they could think, Maeng So shouted again in a loud voice.
“Saving lives is the greatest kindness! The Southern Barbarian Beast Palace will always be a friend of Mount Hua, and we will treat the enemies of Mount Hua as our own enemies! Sect Leader, please accept the friendship of the Beast Palace!”
Hyun Jong felt emotional and looked up at the sky.
No one knew.
He had been feeling sad because he thought that no one remembered how great Mount Hua used to be.
But now, in front of everyone, Maeng So was showing respect and mentioning the name of Mount Hua and the Plum Blossom Sword Saint.
“…That was a long time ago. You don’t need to…”
“Don’t say that!” Maeng So shouted.
“It doesn’t matter how long ago it was! The Plum Blossom Sword Saint saved the Beast Palace, saved Yunnan, and saved the world from the evil Demonic Sect!”
“…”
“We should never forget it, even after a thousand years! Not just a hundred years!”
“…I am very grateful for your words.”
Maeng So smiled.
“I have brought good gifts from Yunnan! I have many stories to share, so please come inside.”
“We should.”
Everyone who saw this amazing scene just stared at them, completely surprised.
Everything was quiet.
And then, a strange sound was heard.
“Hee hee…”
People turned their heads.
Chung Myung was covering his mouth with his hands and shaking his shoulders.
“Hee hee…”
“…”
Why is that bastard laughing?
No one knew why.
And then.
“It’s the Ice Palace!”
“The North Sea Ice Palace has arrived!” A loud voice was heard from outside the mountain gate.