Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 695

“What am I impersonating?”

Hyun Young asked, surprised. Chung Myung then nudged Hong Daeguang. Hong Daeguang just wanted to cry.

‘Why am I here…’

He thought he should support Mount Hua. But he didn’t think he had to act like a real Mount Hua disciple.

“That…”

He felt it was unfair, but he was kneeling in front of Hyun Jong. He couldn’t stand up.

He shouldn’t kneel before the leader of another sect. But Chung Myung, the Mount Hua Divine Dragon, was kneeling next to him. He was too scared of what would happen if he stood up.

“It seems someone in the Gangseo area is pretending to be a Mount Hua disciple.”

“Heh…”

Hyun Young sighed, looking confused. Hyun Jong looked at Hyun Sang and asked,

“Just in case, did you send any disciples to Gangseo without me knowing?”

“No way, Sect Leader. This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

“Hmm.”

Hyun Jong stroked his beard, thinking hard.

“Impersonation…”

It wasn’t impossible.

Being a disciple from a famous sect was powerful.

People respected those who claimed to be important officials. Being a disciple of a famous sect was enough to get special treatment.

The Central Plains were huge.

Famous sects have many disciples, but they are few when spread across the large Central Plains. Even if someone in Sichuan pretended to be a Shaolin disciple, it would be hard for Shaolin to check it quickly.

So, some people in the Central Plains pretended to be disciples of famous sects to trick others.

When sects heard about these fake disciples, they tried to catch them to protect their name.

Pretending to be someone was the mark of a con artist. Who knew what the con artist might do while using the sect’s name?

So, this should be upsetting… But…

‘Why does he look so happy?’

Hong Daeguang saw Hyun Jong’s mouth twitching.

It wasn’t just Hyun Jong.

The elders also trembled, trying not to laugh. Hyun Sang even turned away, his shoulders shaking.

“Ahem! Ahem!”

Hyun Jong calmed down, covered his mouth, and coughed loudly.

“If it’s true, this is a big… Ahem! Big deal… Ahem. Yes, a big deal.”

Um… Sect Leader. Why are you laughing?

Hong Daeguang wondered if he was missing something. Then, Chung Myung shouted,

“No, this isn’t something to be happy about!”

“…”

“Of course, I understand. It means we’re famous enough to be impersonated! We’re a great sect!”

“Haha, that’s right, isn’t it?”

“I’m telling you, it’s not something to be happy about!”

Hyun Jong couldn’t stop smiling.

Hong Daeguang understood and looked awkward.

‘Ah, is that it?’

It made sense.

This was Mount Hua. Yes, that Mount Hua. It was understandable.

“Ahem. Well, anyway…”

Hyun Jong stroked his beard and looked at Hyun Young.

“We can’t just do nothing, can we?”

“No. No sect would allow this. Even Shaolin sends disciples to catch the con artist, even if it’s late.”

“That’s right.”

“If that guy commits murder and hides, Mount Hua will be blamed. We can explain, but explanations aren’t enough. Once a reputation is ruined, it’s hard to fix.”

Hyun Jong nodded, looking serious.

“That’s right.”

“Can I say something?”

Hyun Jong looked at Hong Daeguang and nodded. Hong Daeguang took a breath and said,

“At other times, it might not matter. But we shouldn’t wait. Mount Hua’s reputation is rising fast, along with the Heavenly Union. If something goes wrong now, it will ruin our momentum.”

“Hmm. Indeed.”

Hyun Jong nodded. Then Hyun Young asked Hong Daeguang quietly,

“Branch Leader.”

“Yes, Elder.”

“How does the Beggars’ Sect handle these things?”

“…Yes?”

“I asked how the Beggars’ Sect deals with impersonators.”

“Well, that’s…”

Hong Daeguang scratched his head, looking embarrassed, and said,

“The Beggars’ Sect doesn’t have that problem.”

“Huh?”

“Who would pretend to be a beggar? You only impersonate someone if you can gain something from it…”

“Ah…”

Hyun Young looked a little embarrassed.

“That… Um, sorry.”

“…It’s nothing.”

Hong Daeguang wiped his eyes.

That was the life of a Beggars’ Sect member. Even if you become a branch leader or an elder, only those who know you will recognize you. To others, you’re just a beggar.

And pretending to be a high-ranking member of the Beggars’ Sect is too dangerous. So, no one does it.

“Anyway!”

Thud!

Chung Myung slammed the floor.

“We have to catch that bastard!”

“…”

“That rude bastard! Why did he pick Mount Hua? I’m going to punish him!”

“…Well, isn’t that a bit much, Chung Myung?”

“Yes? You think this isn’t something to be angry about?”

Oh, my. Look at those eyes.

Hyun Jong leaned back, seeing the fierce look in Chung Myung’s eyes. It was best to avoid a mad dog.

“Why isn’t this something to be angry about! Who rebuilt Mount Hua from nothing? It was worse than a beggar’s state! Even the Beggars’ Sect wouldn’t have wanted it!”

Chung Myung. It’s great that you love Mount Hua, but you’re insulting it the most.

Think before you speak.

“We did all the hard work… and he’s going to take it? I’d be angry if someone took a spoon from my table, but he’s stealing a chicken leg?”

“…”

“That bastard is only good for fertilizer. I’ll go catch him.”

“You can’t go.”

“Why!”

“We’re catching him to protect our reputation, but you’ll make it worse.”

“…”

Even Chung Myung couldn’t argue and shut his mouth.

…Then I’ll bring him back half-dead.”

“Were you planning to drag him back dead?!”

Hyun Jong felt sick. Then, Hyun Young spoke quietly,

“Sect Leader.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s not simple.”

“What do you mean?”

“If it were another sect, it would be impersonation. But if it’s Mount Hua, that person might be a descendant of Mount Hua.”

“Ah…”

Hyun Jong’s face hardened.

They had punished those who left Mount Hua and their families before. But not everyone left. Some left in Hyun Jong’s ancestors’ time.

“You mean he might be a descendant of those who left.”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

Hyun Jong thought and nodded.

“Even so, why wouldn’t he come to Mount Hua? Why claim to be a descendant in Gangseo? But… we should check.”

Hyun Jong looked at Chung Myung. Seeing him quiet, Hyun Jong’s eyes lit up.

‘Strange.’

Chung Myung should be angry, saying, ‘If he left, he’s not a disciple. Why is he pretending?’ But he was silent.

It was like his anger was fake.

Anyway, Hyun Jong said seriously,

“Yes, we can’t wait. Hyun Young.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Send disciples to find the one claiming to be a Mount Hua disciple. Find out what’s happening. Bring him back to Mount Hua if needed.”

“Yes, I understand. Should we send Chung Myung?”

“…Why.”

“Yes?”

Hyun Jong looked at Hyun Young, his eyes shaking, and said,

“Why him?”

“…”

“Is he the only disciple here? Why always Chung Myung?”

“Ah, no. He’s just the most reliable…”

“Reliable! He’ll get killed! No! Not this time! It’s not allowed! Mount Hua’s reputation is rising. What will he do if we send him? Not while I’m alive…”

“Really?”

Hyun Jong turned to Chung Myung, looking awkward.

“…What?”

“I was wondering if you’d let me go if you died.”

Hyun Jong looked blank.

“…Ah, no. I was checking. I wouldn’t hurt you, Sect Leader. I have a conscience.”

“Chung Myung.”

“Yes?”

“I don’t think you do.”

“What?”

“That conscience…”

The elders shook their heads. Hong Daeguang’s eyes turned red.

Only Chung Myung didn’t understand and glared.

“Anyway, I have to see that bastard!”

“…You always say that.”

“Then I can’t yield this time.”

“And you’ll yield next time?”

“…Huh?”

Don’t think about it!

Hyun Jong sighed.

“Hyun Young.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Teach Chung Myung what he shouldn’t do. Send people to stop him if he causes trouble.”

“Is it okay to send him?”

“Do you think he’ll stay if we stop him? He’ll climb over the wall.”

“That’s true.”

Hyun Young smiled.

“Don’t worry, Sect Leader. Chung Myung always causes trouble, but he gains more! He’ll gain a lot this time too!”

Hyun Jong smiled faintly.

“Both of you, leave.”

“…”

“Tell Soso to get stomach medicine.”

“…Yes.”

Chung Myung jumped up.

“Then I…”

“Wait, wait!”

Hyun Jong grabbed him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Promise me one thing! Then I’ll send you!”

“What is it?”

Hyun Jong looked desperate.

“If he’s higher in rank than you, don’t hurt him! Calm him down and bring him back! Promise?”

“Ah, that?”

Chung Myung smiled wickedly.

“I swear.”

“…”

“If he’s higher in ‘rank’ than me, I won’t touch him. I swear?”

“…”

“I’m serious? I swear?”

Why am I worried when he swears?

Hyun Jong felt anxious.