Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 675

Hyun Jong smiled, looking out at the crowd gathered on the rocky volcano top. “Wow, this climb was tough, wasn’t it?” he said, his voice echoing slightly in the thin air. “If I knew it would be this hard, I would have picked a spot at the bottom! Guess I didn’t think that through.”

A chuckle rippled through the crowd. It wasn’t a rude laugh, more like a shared breath of relief after the steep climb.

Usually, laughter at a serious event like this would earn you a sharp look. But not here. No one felt like they were being disrespectful.

The mood wasn’t heavy or scary at all. That was Hyun Jong’s doing. If *he* wanted to make things tense, everyone would be holding their breath, afraid to even cough.

But Hyun Jong just looked at them all with kind eyes, his smile warm and welcoming, like sunshine after a storm.

Tang Gunak glanced at Hyun Jong, a small smile on his face. ‘Hyun Jong is very kind and generous,’ he thought.

The Sichuan Tang Family could never create this kind of atmosphere. No matter how hard they tried to be friendly, people would always be nervous around them.

Tang Gunak wondered if Hyun Jong was less important than the head of his own family, the Sichuan Tang. But no, that wasn’t it.

Even if that were true, being the leader of the Heavenly Union was more important than being the head of the Sichuan Tang Family. The fact that Hyun Jong could create such a relaxed atmosphere meant he had something special, something beyond just his position.

The Heavenly Union started with Chung Myung and Tang Gunak. But without Hyun Jong, it might never have been completed.

Tang Gunak often looked at Hyun Jong and realized that strength wasn’t everything.

“Seeing you all here makes me very happy,” Hyun Jong said. “Just a few years ago, I never thought so many people would visit Mount Hua.”

The crowd frowned slightly, looking uncomfortable.

‘He’s not wrong, but…’

‘Does he know what this event is for?’

Most of the people came to see the disciples of Mount Hua with their own eyes, not just the buildings.

People came to see Mount Hua, that’s true. But this meeting is more important. It’s to announce the start of the Heavenly Union. So, Hyun Jong’s words weren’t the best way to start.

People started to wonder if Hyun Jong was the right leader. But Hyun Jong continued to speak calmly.

“As you know, Mount Hua wasn’t a great sect,” he said. “It was a sect with nothing to show, and it might have had to close down soon.”

The crowd’s faces became even stiffer.

They didn’t understand why Hyun Jong was saying these things.

Opening ceremonies are happy times. They are also times to show strength. But Hyun Jong was talking about sad things from the past, like someone who is old and sad and thinking about what they missed in life.

‘Is the leader of Mount Hua just a nice person?’

‘I don’t think he’s the right leader for the Heavenly Union.’

People expect leaders to be more than just gentle; they need to be strong. But Hyun Jong didn’t seem like the kind of leader who could lead this big alliance.

“Maybe a sect leader shouldn’t think this way, but when I was going through those hard times, I had these thoughts,” Hyun Jong said.

But Hyun Jong’s story was also interesting. People started to listen closely, like they were pulled in by his words.

“…If even one person, even one sect, could help Mount Hua and support us, it would be more than enough.”

Hyun Jong smiled quietly. It was a real smile, not just for show. Everyone nodded without realizing it.

People who have lived in tough times, facing the cold wind, sometimes want a place to hide from the rain or lean on something to block the wind.

If you haven’t felt that way in the Jianghu, you don’t know how cruel it can be.

Hyun Jong slowly looked at everyone, taking his time.

“The Heavenly Union isn’t a great alliance,” he said. “It’s not created to shake up the Jianghu or to gain great power.”

The people in the important seats twitched their eyebrows.

They looked at Hyun Jong with complicated expressions. It was like he knew what they were worried about.

“It’s just… I can now do what I, what Mount Hua, really wanted in the past,” Hyun Jong said.

Hyun Jong looked at the other leaders standing next to him. Then he looked forward again and said.

“There’s a strange disciple in Mount Hua, and he said this: ‘Friendship is just empty words. When things are good, people laugh together, but when things get bad, they turn away. The Jianghu is all about stepping on those who are down.'”

His words were sharp and honest.

No one could argue with that. They all knew it was true.

“The Heavenly Union…” Hyun Jong nodded slowly.

“Exists to prove those words wrong.”

Chung Myung stared at him blankly.

It was an obvious thing to say, something anyone could say. But strangely, he felt a pang in his heart.

He saw Tang Gunak, Maeng So, and Seol Cheon-sang, whose cheeks were a little red, and the corners of his lips curled up.

Would things have been different if it had been like this before?

If he hadn’t been so alone, if he had people with him, would Mount Hua be different now?

He couldn’t know.

Thinking about the past won’t change anything. It’s just regret.

He would just try harder. He didn’t want to make the same mistakes again.

“The four sects of the Heavenly Union will help each other and support each other,” Hyun Jong said. “If one is in trouble, they will rush to help. If there is a happy event, they will laugh and celebrate together.”

Hyun Jong’s gentle face now looked strong and determined.

“Maybe it’s just a dream,” he said. “But if we want it to happen, it’s not impossible. Mount Hua will protect the sects of the Heavenly Union from the wind and be a brother to them.”

Thud!

Tang Gunak stomped his foot and stepped forward, standing next to Hyun Jong. He bowed to the crowd and shouted.

“The Sichuan Tang Family will also protect the Heavenly Union.”

Maeng So stepped forward quickly.

“The Southern Barbarian Beast Palace will be a brother to the Heavenly Union sects! The enemies of the brothers are the enemies of the Beast Palace! The friends of the brothers are the friends of the Beast Palace!”

Seol So-baek also stepped forward and stood next to the other leaders.

“The Ice Palace will be a sword to protect the Heavenly Union,” she said. “Anyone who tries to hurt the Heavenly Union sects will have to face the Ice Palace first!”

Seeing the power of Tang Gunak and Maeng So, and even the young but dignified Seol So-baek, people understood something important again.

The world has many sects, but no one would want to fight *all four* of these powerful groups at once.

If Hyun Jong and the others kept their promise, the Heavenly Union would be so strong that no one would even *think* of attacking it.

“Hyun Sang.”

“Yes!”

Hyun Young and Hyun Sang, who had been waiting below, carefully walked up to the platform. Hyun Sang held a fancy silver tray with a bottle of alcohol and a glass. Hyun Young held a small sword wrapped in a white cloth.

The two stood in front of the leaders and politely showed them what they were holding.

The leaders stared at the objects for a moment, not saying anything.

Even if people watching from below didn’t know it, the things on the silver tray were very important.

On the tray were: liquor from the Beast Palace, a jade cup from the Tang Clan, a sword from the North Sea Ice Palace, and a person from the Mount Hua Sect.

Tang Gun-ak was the first to reach out, carefully picking up the liquor bottle. Following him, Seol So-baek drew and held out his short sword.

Alliance Leader.

Yes.

Hyun Jong took the short sword from Seol So-baek and sliced his palm with it. He then let the blood drip into the liquor bottle.

Drip.

As Hyun Jong withdrew his hand, Tang Gun-ak cut his own hand and bled into the bottle, followed by Maeng So and Seol So-baek, each mixing their blood with the liquor.

When they finished, Tang Gun-ak carefully picked up the liquor bottle. His hands were gentle, like he was holding something very precious. His eyes showed deep respect as he filled everyone’s glass with the liquor, now a light red color from the drops of blood.

Clink.

As the liquor bottle was placed back on the silver tray, the elders descended from the platform, as if they had completed their task.

The remaining four stared silently at the glasses in their hands. The crowd below was equally mesmerized by the scene.

A moment of silence passed.

Just as the quiet reached its peak, Hyun Jong raised his glass high.

Here, in this very place! I declare that the Mount Hua Sect, the Sichuan Tang Clan, the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace, and the North Sea Ice Palace have become brothers in the name of the Heavenly Union! May the Celestial Venerable watch over us!

Tang Gun-ak, Maeng So, and Seol So-baek followed Hyun Jong, raising their glasses. Then, all four emptied their glasses at once.

Wow…

Woooaaah!

At first, people whispered, unsure of what was happening. But then, as they understood the meaning, a huge cheer exploded from the crowd. A deafening roar filled Mount Hua.

Heavenly Union!

Mount Hua!

Sichuan Tang Clan!

As the four leaders, having emptied their glasses, clasped hands and raised them high, the cheers grew even louder.

Even the respected people of the Jianghu, who were seated at the head table, stood up and clapped. No matter what they really felt, they had to celebrate this event.

Really, it was just a simple announcement that a group was starting.

It wasn’t grand or showy, and there were no fancy displays to grab people’s attention.

But that’s what made it feel so real. A group that forms to show off its power will try to prove how strong it is. But people who become brothers just need to share a drink.

The crowd that had come to watch, and the disciples of the four groups lined up in the training grounds, shouted until they were hoarse.

In the middle of all the cheers and happiness, Chung Myung was the only one with a small smile.

It wasn’t for nothing.

So much had happened since he had come back to Mount Hua.

Did he feel sure of himself?

Not really.

He was someone who had failed before. Someone who hadn’t been able to protect anything. He had just forced himself to believe that this was the only way, but he wasn’t really sure if he was doing the right thing.

But…

Looking at what was happening, he felt, even if just a little, that he hadn’t been wrong.

Everyone is here.

There was the path he had walked, and there were those who had walked it with him.

Yes. Right here.

Hehe.

Beak-ah popped its head out from Chung Myung’s robes and rubbed its nose lightly.

That’s right, you’re here too.

Chung Myung gently tapped Beak-ah’s forehead and quietly looked around. It was full of cheers and happiness.

Chung Myung smiled a little wider. He looked up at the sky and thought to himself.

How is it, Sect Leader Sajung? We’ve come this far.

Well, it’s not like I’m expecting praise or anything, and I know this much is just obvious… but still, that’s…

You’ve worked hard, Chung Myung.

Chung Myung stared blankly at the sky when he heard the voice he missed. Then, he slowly closed his eyes.

It starts now.

It would spread. The plum blossoms that had bloomed in Mount Hua, and the scent flowing from them, would reach the whole world, far and wide.

Just like it had in the past.

Why that expression?

Huh?

Chung Myung opened his eyes and looked ahead when he heard the sudden voice.

Baek Cheon, Yiseol, Yoon Jong, Jo Gul, and even Tang Soso were looking back at him, worried.

Are you feeling unwell?

…

Chung Myung stared at them blankly for a moment, then grinned.

No. I’m at my best right now.

How boring.

The Five Swords and Soso shook their heads and looked forward again. Chung Myung glanced back up at the sky. He looked different than before.

The same Mount Hua as before?

No, not at all.

Just you wait, Sect Leader Sajung.

I’ll create the best Mount Hua, better than it ever was.

Together with these guys.

Chung Myung gently patted Beak-ah’s head a few more times and took a deep breath. Then, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted.

Waaaah! The Sect Leader is handsome!

Stop it, you little punk!

Shut up already!

Please, pick your moments, you idiot! Please!

Chung Myung laughed as he watched the Five Swords burst out yelling all at once, startled.

His laughter mixed with the cheers, echoing loudly towards the high sky.

A warm breeze blew across the joy-filled summit of Mount Hua. The clear, blue sky seemed to smile down on them, as if blessing this new beginning.