Return Of The Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 666

“That’s Hwasan, alright.”

Beopgye frowned as he looked up at the mountain peaks of Hwasan.

He remembered feeling this way when he came here with his senior monk, Beopjeong. Hwasan did not seem like a good place for a temple for Taoist monks.

The mountain peaks were sharp and rocky, reaching high into the sky. They looked cold and gray, not green and inviting like mountains near his temple.

However, Beopgye quickly pushed the thought away.

He was on his way to celebrate the opening of the Cheonwoo Alliance under the Great Abbot’s orders. It was best not to think about things he didn’t need to.

His mission was to offer his congratulations quietly, without drawing attention to himself, and then return…

Huh?

Beopgye tilted his head, noticing something strange.

A group of people had gathered at the entrance, anxiously watching those who were arriving.

He had seen crowds all the way to Hwasan, so a gathering of people wasn’t particularly strange. But the problem was that he recognized many faces in the crowd.

‘Why are they there?’

Judging by their clothes, these were important people from other martial arts groups, the Nine Sects and the Five Great Families. Why were they gathered there, instead of resting comfortably in their rooms with proper hospitality?

What happened next was even more confusing.

“Oh! They’re coming!”

“They’re here!”

Huh?

Beopgye was bewildered as he suddenly became the center of attention.

The people from the Nine Sects and the Five Great Families rushed towards him and surrounded him.

“Ah, Amitabha. Why, why are you all doing this?”

“It’s been a while, Elder Beopgye!”

Even their greetings were hurried. After a quick bow and quick greetings, they quickly got to the point.

“We have something we wish to ask the Shaolin Sect.”

“Yes?”

“Is it true that the Hwasan disciples went to the Northern Sea and fought against the Demonic Sect, a group known for evil magic and causing chaos?”

Beopgye’s eyes widened.

“Wh-where did you hear that…?”

“The Ice Palace Lord of the Northern Sea Ice Palace said it herself. Is it true?”

“…Amitabha.”

Beopgye, momentarily speechless, barely managed to chant the Buddha’s name and squeezed his eyes shut.

‘So it has come out, after all…’

It wasn’t as if they were trying to hide it. It would have been strange for Shaolin to spread the news when Hwasan hadn’t said anything themselves, so they had kept quiet. It would have been odd to announce it without anyone asking first, wouldn’t it?

But it seemed the news had broken at this particular moment.

“Is it true?”

“…It is.”

Beopgye nodded. Now that everyone knew, there was no reason not to confirm it.

“We told you before that we discovered traces of the Demonic Sect in the Northern Sea, and we asked for your help.”

“……”

“It was a dangerous and remote place, even for Shaolin monks to reach easily. So, we asked Hwasan for help. Fortunately, thanks to Hwasan’s help in going to the Northern Sea, we were able to stop the remnants of the Demonic Sect from rising again.”

“…Heo.”

“Why now…”

Beopgye quietly chanted the Buddha’s name as he saw the angry looks on their faces.

‘How foolish.’

If the sects here had helped Shaolin and worked together to resolve the matter in the Northern Sea, this wouldn’t have happened. Since their lack of interest had led to this, how could they react this way?

‘Great Abbot.’

He now understood, more clearly than ever, why Beopjeong protected Hwasan.

“Of course, stopping the Demonic Sect is a good thing… but why did the news have to come out now…”

“The reaction isn’t good.”

“It seems we need to respond as a sect.”

Beopgye sighed, somewhat openly, as he watched them, not even trying to hide their dismay.

“Amitabha.”

He had only come to deliver congratulations, but his heart felt heavy from the start.

“……”

Chung Myung looked from Maeng So to Seol So-baek, a bit grumpy.

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

“So openly?”

“Hahaha!”

Maeng So’s laughter boomed like thunder.

“Openly? Anyone would think it’s something we should hide! It’s something to be proud of! Why wouldn’t I say it!”

“Honestly…”

Chung Myung clicked his tongue.

He felt it every time, but Maeng So wasn’t as simple as he seemed. On the contrary, he was quite clever and quick to think.

Maeng So was exactly the kind of person who fit the description of a fox in a bear’s skin.

There was no way he would have brought up the legendary hero known as the Plum Blossom Sword Saint in front of so many people without a plan. It must have been a calculated move.

“You could have told me beforehand.”

“Really?”

Maeng So laughed as if he had heard a funny joke.

“I don’t need permission to talk about the helper of Yunnan. Even if you are a disciple of Hwasan.”

“Ugh. Well, yeah, but…”

That’s me, you idiot! I’m the Plum Blossom Sword Saint!

Wow, it feels like it’s been ages since I said that! People of the world! I am the Plum Blossom Sword Saint! I am the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, and the Plum Blossom Sword Saint is me!

“And!”

Clang!

Maeng So suddenly slammed his hand on the table. It was a wonder the table was still intact after being hit by that huge hand.

“I couldn’t stand it any longer on the way here! How can these ungrateful people not even know who the Plum Blossom Sword Saint is!”

Those who were hearing a human voice shake the roof for the first time quietly covered their ears.

“Shameless lot! If the Sword Saint hadn’t defeated the Demonic Sect, you wouldn’t even be alive right now! How dare you treat Hwasan like this!”

“C-calm down a bit…”

“Do you think I can calm down right now! This is unimaginable in Yunnan!”

Maeng So, enraged and red-faced, kept pounding on the table. Each time Maeng So struck near his precious tea set, Hyun Jong’s face grew darker and darker.

“You deserve to be struck by lightning and die!”

Uh… that’s right. That’s actually right…

Since you’re getting very angry, it’s a bit awkward for me to get angry too…

That’s when it happened.

“That’s right!”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung’s head snapped around. Seol So-baek was clenching his teeth, his face flushed red.

“I can understand forgetting the past. But after destroying the remnants of the Demonic Sect!”

“Remnants! Remnants! Not the Demonic Sect, the remnants of the Demonic Sect!”

Remnants, you idiot! Don’t say the Demonic Sect. It makes it sound like we did something amazing. Even the old Hwasan couldn’t do that!

“Hwasan saved the Northern Sea, and even the Central Plains! When such a Hwasan creates a new alliance, you should come and bow your heads immediately!”

“A-are you crazy?”

“Of course, I’m saying this with a clear head!”

“……”

“How dare they test the waters like this!”

“That’s what I’m saying!”

The hulking Maeng So and the still-growing Seol So-baek joined forces and clasped hands.

Chung Myung smiled faintly as he watched the unbelievable sight.

Doubt hung in the air, thick and heavy like the smoke from the dying fire pit. Seol So-baek’s young face showed worry as he finally asked the question on everyone’s mind. “Will it really be alright?” he asked quietly. “Will it be alright to form an alliance with… with *us*?”

Tang Gunak, who had been leaning against a rough tree trunk, his calm gaze thoughtful, finally spoke. A sad smile touched his lips, but his eyes held determination. “If we don’t know,” he said, his voice low and steady, “then we will learn as we go.”

“That’s right!” Maeng So boomed, slapping his knee loudly. “We’ll figure it out!”

“Indeed,” Tang Gunak agreed, nodding slowly. “Mount Hua might not be famous,” he continued, “but their actions speak for themselves. If we show everyone what Mount Hua has done, and treat them with respect, the rest of the Jianghu will follow.”

Maeng So snorted, his face twisting in disbelief. “You think those fools will understand *that*?”

“Exactly!” Seol So-baek exclaimed, his earlier doubt replaced by a flash of anger.

Seol So-baek… You mustn’t be influenced by that uncle. It will make things difficult for the people of the Northern Sea. Why did you even come here…

Suddenly, the attention turned to Chung Myung.

“Aren’t you angry, Daojang? The peace these people enjoy now is because of what you sacrificed in the past!”

“No, what can I do if they don’t know?” Chung Myung replied.

“There’s no way no one knew the truth! But those who knew kept quiet, and that’s why this happened! It makes me so angry,” Seol So-baek said.

Seeing Seol So-baek’s face turn red with anger, Chung Myung chuckled.

“Anger…”

Seol So-baek was talking about what happened in the Northern Sea, but to Chung Myung, it sounded like he was talking about the past.

“Of course, I’m angry…” Chung Myung shrugged.

“But I don’t feel like shouting for them to acknowledge it.”

“Why not?” Seol So-baek asked.

“Even if they know, they won’t come to help when it’s needed.” There was a hint of cynicism in his voice.

Seol So-baek stared at Chung Myung with a blank look.

“Fame is good, praise is good, but those things don’t help when you really need it. If they did, Mount Hua wouldn’t have fallen.”

“Hmm…”

“What’s needed isn’t someone to praise you, but someone you can trust to have your back. So…” Chung Myung, who had been speaking quietly, then grinned.

“Like the people gathered here.”

“Kahahahaha!” Maeng So slapped his thigh, roaring with laughter as if satisfied.

“That’s right. The Divine Dragon of Mount Hua gets to the heart of things sometimes. It’s just that he can also be a bit of a troublemaker!”

Excuse me? I don’t think you needed to add that last part?

Maeng So stopped laughing and smiled. “That’s not wrong. What matters is the main point. That’s why we’ve gathered here.”

“Yes, that’s right,” Seol So-baek nodded.

Tang Gunak calmly added to that. “That’s why it’s the Cheonwoo Alliance. We’ve all had enough of relationships where we exchange polite words while secretly thinking only about ourselves.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“I believe we’ve gathered here to form a relationship where we can help each other, setting aside profit and self-interest.”

“That’s right.”

“Indeed.”

The three men looked at Hyun Jong.

“Hyun Jong, I know being a leader is hard. But these three groups are here only because of Mount Hua. Therefore, I ask that you represent Mount Hua and take the position of leader of the Cheonwoo Alliance to guide us all.”

It was already decided.

But this was the first time it was being officially said in front of the leaders of the four groups.

Hyun Jong, who had been quietly stroking his teacup, smiled gently. “It’s a little different, Dang Gaju.”

“Yes?” Tang Gunak asked.

“If we are here to trust and help each other, then ‘leader’ is too strong a word. Let’s not think of me as a ‘leader’. We are all working together.”

“Ah…”

“Please, everyone, help Mount Hua. Our Mount Hua will also do its best to help everyone.”

The three men nodded. They, too, were realizing it.

“Chung Myung-ah.”

“Yes!” Chung Myung raised his head sharply.

“Is this enough?” Hyun Jong asked.

“Well…” Chung Myung scratched his cheek.

“I don’t know if I’m in a position to say this.”

“When have you ever cared about that?”

“Hahaha. The Divine Dragon of Mount Hua is even pretending to know manners.”

“As expected of Daojang! So polite!”

“…”

Chung Myung, who thought Seol So-baek was the most annoying of them all, frowned and said, “I think all big groups probably start like this.”

“Huh?”

“In the beginning, they probably gathered with good intentions, and maybe at first, they were places that helped each other.”

“…”

“But as time passes, relationships change, and other things get involved.”

“That’s true.”

“We might not know it now, but it might be like that in later generations.”

Everyone nodded with heavy faces, as if they understood the point.

“So.” Wham!

Chung Myung slapped the floor and grinned. “Let’s try not to let that happen!”

“Huh.”

“So that we can be a source of strength for each other.”

Everyone smiled silently.

Even if they smiled outwardly, the relationship between groups ultimately required a lot of thought. But hearing those words made them want to put all those things aside, at least for this moment. That was the power of Chung Myung, who had brought all these people together.

Hyun Jong looked at Chung Myung with a very proud look and said in a gentle voice.

“Chung Myung-ah.”

“Yes!” Chung Myung craned his neck slightly, like a puppy waiting for praise.

“I noticed you spoke informally to Master Seol earlier.”

“…”

“Use polite language.”

“…”

Chung Myung’s head slowly turned towards Seol So-baek.

Looking at the youthful face looking back at him with an awkward expression, Chung Myung struggled to hold back the tears welling up in his eyes.

‘How old am I… How old am I?’

What’s the point of saying it… What’s the point?

‘Jang Moon Sa-hyung.’