Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 733

Baek Cheon’s eyes flicked slightly to the left.

These faces were familiar.

Yoo Iseol, Yoon Jong, Jo Gul. Though Tang Soso and Hae Yeon, who were always with them, were missing, these were the faces he saw most often, so it wasn’t awkward.

His eyes moved to the right.

This side was quite unfamiliar.

Un Geum and Un Am.

Of course, they saw each other often in Hwasan, so ‘unfamiliar’ wasn’t quite right. It wasn’t that their faces were new to him. It was the situation that felt strange. Standing in line with these people was unusual.

And…

“What are you staring at?”

“⋯⋯.”

Then his eyes landed on another person. *That one,* he thought, a small smile playing on his lips despite himself. *That annoying guy is very familiar.*

“Chung Myung-ah.”

“Huh?”

“Well… there are elders here. Isn’t leaning on one leg a bit much?”

“Aigoo. It’s hard to stretch my leg out straight because of the stab wound I got fighting those demonic bastards before. Ugh.”

Baek Cheon was speechless.

Hey. If you were still hurting from that injury, you wouldn’t even be able to walk. You were a rag doll struck by lightning, and now only your leg hurts? Only your leg, and only now?

“Anyway.”

“Look at that smooth topic change, that bastard.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Complaints came from here and there, but Chung Myung didn’t even flinch as he picked at his ear.

“Everyone knows why we’re here, so I’ll skip the explanations and get straight to the point.”

Then Jo Gul raised his hand. Chung Myung frowned slightly and gestured with his chin.

“What?”

“Why are we gathered?”

“⋯⋯.”

In that instant, Chung Myung’s eyes flashed with contempt as he stared at Jo Gul. Jo Gul looked around, upset, but lowered his head. Compared to the others’ gazes, Chung Myung’s seemed almost gentle.

“I’m sorry.”

“Geol-ah. Before you open your mouth, let’s try thinking for a bit.”

“Though it might be difficult.”

Yoon Jong sighed deeply. Baek Cheon, who also sighed, asked Chung Myung.

“It’s the Jahaesin Gong, right?”

“Of course.”

What else could it be?

“Um…”

A look of concern crossed Baek Cheon’s face.

If two generations were learning together, it wouldn’t be a problem, but with three generations gathered, it felt like too much. For the Un-輩 generation, it was like learning new martial arts with their grandson.

No matter how true it is that there’s no age limit to learning, that’s just an ideal.

Before Baek Cheon could voice his concerns, Chung Myung cut him off.

“Just so you know, I didn’t pick the people here, so it’s no use talking to me.”

Baek Cheon’s lips snapped shut like a trap, catching his words before they could escape.

Un Geum smiled gently and said:

“Is this something the Sect Leader ordered?”

“Yes. To be exact, the Sect Leader and the elders.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Baek Cheon glanced around and whispered softly to Un Geum.

“Sasuk (Sasuk – a respectful term for a senior martial brother). If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll talk to the Sect Leader and try to divide the group.”

Un Geum looked at him and smiled gently.

“Thank you for your concern. But there’s no need to do that.”

“Ugh. I’m a bit burdened, though.”

Unexpectedly, Un Am groaned. Un Geum looked at him with a strange expression.

“Shall we have the children step back?”

“It’s not the children who should step back, but me. Who am I to learn the Jahaesin Gong with you? It’s impossible with my skills.”

Un Geum chuckled.

“Don’t be so modest. Is there anyone in Hwasan who doesn’t know that Sahyung (Sahyung – a respectful term for a junior martial brother) is not weak?”

“Not weak? That was in the past. Anyway, I don’t like this at all. I should talk to the Sect Leader and drop out…”

“You’ll face a severe scolding if you do that.”

“Ugh. I suppose so?”

Un Am grumbled, and Un Geum looked at him with a warm smile.

In fact, Un Am could take the position of Hwasan Sect Leader at any time if he wanted to. Even Hyun Jong couldn’t push aside Un Am, who had supported him for decades and protected Hwasan.

The time when Un Am wanted to be Sect Leader was when there was no hope for Hwasan. At that time, no one wanted the position.

When everyone else avoided it, he silently stepped forward to shoulder the future of Hwasan, and when the future of Hwasan brightened, he willingly tried to hand over the position to the next generation.

How could anyone not respect such a person?

The reason why Un Am was groaning now was probably because he felt burdened by learning the Jahaesin Gong, which only the past Sect Leaders had learned.

Now, thanks to Hyun Jong’s instructions, all disciples of Hwasan can learn the Jahaesin Gong as long as they have the ability, but people’s perceptions don’t change so easily.

So, he was clearly trying to prevent any gossip by giving up the training.

Un Am scratched his head and asked Chung Myung.

“So, Chung Myung-ah. Did the Sect Leader tell us to receive the Jahaesin Gong from you?”

“Ah. That’s not it.”

Chung Myung smiled brightly.

“If I have to do it, I’ll do it without any formalities, but that’s not the case right now. There’s someone else who can teach you besides me.”

“Huh? Then…”

“Here they come.”

Just then, they heard footsteps from the lower part of the training ground. Everyone turned to look.

“Oh. Sect Leader…”

Un Geum, about to greet the Sect Leader, tilted his head.

‘Sect Leader?’

It was him, but…

It was definitely Hyun Jong, but something seemed different.

He blinked, but it was Hyun Jong. And the people to his left and right were Hyun Sang and Hyun Young.

They were people he had seen his entire life, but he felt a sense of alienation, as if he were looking at strangers.

Rip!

“Tsk!”

As fabric tore, Hyun Young frowned.

“I told you to wear something loose! Who do you think is going to sew that up and put new clothes away?”

“I wore something a little bigger.”

“Is your body something that can be solved with just something a little bigger? Wear the size you wore when you were in your prime. No, wear something even bigger than that.”

“⋯⋯I understand.”

Un Am also tilted his head at their conversation.

The clothes are too small? Why?

He had been skin and bones for a while, but did he gain weight?

‘Huh?’

Un Am, who had been watching quietly, flinched. It wasn’t his imagination; Hyun Jong’s body seemed bigger than before.

‘Is this what they call spiritual energy?’

That’s why he looks bigger… Huh?

With each step, Hyun Jong’s chest bulged. Come to think of it, his shoulders too… No, his thighs are thicker too…

Un Am’s cheeks began to twitch.

‘His body really did get bigger.’

Not only Hyun Jong but also the elders next to him looked noticeably bigger than before.

‘No, even so, can a person suddenly get that big?’

Of course, if a person’s bent back straightens out as they get older, it can have the same effect as getting taller, but to have their body size increase to that extent and look like a different person? That’s ridiculous.

Hyun Jong and the elders arrived and stood before them.

Hyun Jong stepped into the training courtyard, the morning sun casting long shadows from the ancient trees around them. “Everyone’s gathered, I see.” His voice was calm, but held a new strength.

“Yes, Sect Leader!” the disciples replied, their voices ringing with respect.

They stared at Hyun Jong, eyes wide. You might think martial artists wouldn’t be scared by how big he looked. But… something about him was different.

*He looks really impressive now,* one disciple thought, nudging his friend.

*Totally different person!* the friend agreed silently.

A hush fell over the courtyard. It wasn’t just his size; it was something else, something deeper. He stood tall, his eyes calm and steady as he looked at his disciples. There was a quiet strength in his posture, a sense of peace that seemed to fill the air around him. He radiated the confidence of a true master.

Just then, Hyun Jong smiled gently and spoke.

“I intend to impart the Art of Purple Cloud to you all now. It is an exceedingly profound and difficult martial art, so it won’t be easy to learn, but I hope you will all do your best to follow along.”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

The Mount Hua disciples replied with great enthusiasm, their faces flushed with excitement.

Indeed. What did it matter if the Sect Leader’s appearance had changed? The important thing was that they were now going to learn the Art of Purple Cloud.

*The greatest divine art of Mount Hua!*

*The legendary martial art that had been lost!*

*The ultimate ki technique that only the successive Sect Leaders of Mount Hua had mastered!*

They deserved all the praise they got. They would finally be able to learn the Art of Purple Cloud, the very essence of Mount Hua’s martial arts.

“First of all…”

It was at that moment.

“Sect Leeeeader!”

“Hm?”

Hyun Jong turned towards the voice that suddenly rang out. A few people were running towards them breathlessly from afar.

“So So?”

“…Baek Sang is with her?”

Baek Cheon tilted his head, recognizing the familiar faces at the front.

Why are they here?

The group that had rushed over immediately bowed to Hyun Jong and the elders.

“What is the matter?”

When asked the reason, Baek Sang hesitated, carefully watching Hyun Jong’s expression. Then, as if having made up his mind, he spoke resolutely.

“Sect Leader!”

But before he could continue, Un Am frowned, looking displeased, and scolded him.

“Honestly! Do you think you can just run in here and interrupt the Sect Leader like this? Have you no manners?”

“That’s enough.”

Hyun Jong smiled gently, stopping Unam, and looked at Baek Sang with warm eyes.

“Speak. Why do you hesitate?”

“Sect Leader, are those gathered here learning the Art of Purple Cloud?”

“That is so.”

“Sect Leader!”

Baek Sang cried out urgently and prostrated himself on the spot. The others who had come with him followed suit.

Hyun Jong, surprised, tried to raise his disciples, but Baek Sang shouted in a determined voice.

“We know… we know we are not as good as those here. We are not saying that the Sect Leader’s choice is wrong. Of course, you would pick them first. They are better than us.”

He swallowed hard and continued.

“So, Sect Leader, please do not misunderstand and listen to us. We are not arguing that the decision is unfair, but we have come, braving discourtesy, because of our desperate desire to have that opportunity as well.”

“An opportunity, you say?”

“Yes!”

Baek Sang raised his head sharply. His eyes sparkled with fervent longing.

“Of course, we know we are lacking. But we have also worked hard. So, please do not think that our skills are limited to what you knew before, and we humbly request that you give us a chance to properly demonstrate our abilities and be evaluated.”

“Hmm.”

Hyun Jong stroked his beard, looking thoughtful.

Noticing his hesitation, Dang So So cautiously opened her mouth.

“Sect Leader. Everyone knows that the decisions of the Sect Leader and the elders are just. But even so, it is too disappointing to simply wait behind the scenes.”

“Disappointing?”

“Yes. We… we are martial artists, too.”

Hyun Jong smiled gently and asked Dang So So.

“You do not wish to be left behind?”

“I am very lacking. I have not yet mastered the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique, and I have not fully mastered Mount Hua’s martial arts compared to the other senior brothers. I know that best myself. But!”

Dang So So’s eyes, fixed on Hyun Jong, were exceptionally clear. Only pure desire, without a trace of impurity, filled her eyes.

“If I acknowledge the difference and continue to fall behind, I will never be able to catch up to the senior brothers and senior uncles. So, please give us a chance to prove ourselves.”

Unam, who had been listening to the story, coldly rebuked them with a stern face.

“Even if you were thinking that, is this the way to speak, rudely gathering here as a group! Is that how I taught you?”

“We are sorry, Senior Uncle.”

“Leave at once.”

“Unam, wait a moment.”

But Hyun Jong stopped Un Am again and smiled.

“What I have heard is not so wrong. The fact that we discussed and chose people amongst ourselves could be a harsh thing to say to those who were not chosen. In that case, we need a method that everyone can accept.”

And looking at Hyun Sang, he asked casually.

“What do you think?”

“Hmm. Certainly, we cannot choose people in a haphazard way every time. But this is not the time. We cannot set standards right now just for them. Refuse them and get on with teaching the others.”

Hyun Jong nodded as if what he said made sense. This time, he looked at Hyun Young and asked.

“What about you?”

Hyun Young chuckled as if asking why he was even asking such a thing.

“Let’s let them do it.”

“Elder!”

“Elder Hyun Young!”

The disciples’ eyes began to sparkle.

It was unbelievable. No one had expected that Hyun Young, who would wave his hand dismissively whenever something happened, would side with the disciples.

“Are you sure?”

“Well, they want to learn so badly, there’s no reason to cut them off. However…”

“However?”

Hyun Young glanced meaningfully at the disciples who had gathered.

“There’s no need to create separate standards later. If we just work them hard from now on and only teach the ones who endure, no one will complain.”

“…Only the ones who endure?”

“Yes.”

“What are you planning to make them do?”

“We can make them do anything, anything. The method is not important. What is important is something else.”

“What is that?”

“Well…”

The corners of Hyun Young’s mouth twisted slightly.

“Originally, opposing the decision of the sect leader is akin to wiping out one’s ancestors. It is even more so if it is the Sect Leader’s choice. In principle, all of these fellows should be flogged and thrown into the repentance cave.”

“…That, that far?”

“That’s not what I’m saying. However… since they have made such an unreasonable demand that deserves such punishment, they must take responsibility.”

Hyun Young looked at everyone and said.

“I will give you a chance. But!”

“…”

“I will make the fellows who made unreasonable demands without any skill pay the price. Never! Never give up halfway. I will definitely make the ones who give up regret it, definitely!”

In that instant, Un Am and Un Geom shuddered from the creeping chill.

It was a chill brought on by memory.

Long ago, a very long time ago.

Before Hyun Young stepped away from the disciples and took over Jae Kyung-gak, fully taking responsibility for Mount Hua’s finances, back then.

They remembered who was called the demon of Mount Hua before Chung Myung.

The dumbfounded disciples raised their heads and saw Hyun Young and Chung Myung standing behind him.

Chung Myung smiled brightly like a truly happy child and raised his hand to draw the attention of the other disciples. And without a word, he made a gesture of slitting his throat with his thumb.

‘You are all dead now.’

“…”

At that moment, everyone sensed it. Something… was terribly, terribly wrong.