Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 746

Early morning.

“Kkeueung.”

Holding a large, dented cauldron, Gwak-Hwi walked slowly.

“To think I’m reduced to even taking care of dog food.”

The dogs that the Beast Palace disciples brought and left behind during the recent meeting where Mount Hua joined a new alliance remained in Mount Hua, establishing themselves like long-time residents.

There were many opinions to send them down the mountain immediately, but Sect Leader Hyun Jong said, ‘They came because of some connection, how can we drive them away just because they are speechless beasts?’ So, no one in Mount Hua dared to suggest driving the dogs away.

Because of that, taking care of dog food was firmly added as one of the chores for the Blue Cloud disciples.

“Kkeueung. It’s okay because they are more adorable than I thought, but…”

In fact, Mount Hua is usually a peaceful place, but lately, it feels very different.

Environmentally? No, it’s because of the people.

Mount Hua used to be different. But now, it’s full of people training very hard. They are not cute at all! They are always practicing and pushing each other. So, wouldn’t you say Mount Hua feels like a very tough place to live now?

For those living in such Mount Hua, the presence of dogs that wag their tails as you approach them was a great comfort. Watching them wag their tails and pant while showing their bellies made it possible to forget the devilish senior and junior brothers for a while.

The problem was that comfort and annoyance were clearly separate issues…

Well, what can you do? You should have a higher rank if you feel wronged.

“I hope to get promoted soon, so I don’t have to do these chores anymore.”

Muttering to himself and sighing deeply, Gwak-Hwi turned the corner and opened his mouth.

“Hey, kids, time to eat…”

Huh?

However, Gwak-Hwi forgot what he was saying and blinked his eyes at the sight before him.

What am I looking at right now?

The dogs were lined up in a row.

Well, that’s somewhat understandable. If dogs come to Mount Hua, they must follow the rules of Mount Hua. If they act like they lived on the streets, a mad dog more vicious than them would foam at the mouth and run at them.

The problem was that the dogs lined up were all lying down, stretching their four legs straight up to the sky.

‘Are they dead?’

No, no. It doesn’t seem like that…

Seeing their outstretched legs trembling, they seem to be alive. It can’t be that they ate something they shouldn’t have, so why are they all in such a strange position…

Haaaak!

The sharp bark made Gwak-Hwi jump. He spun around.

There, in front of the row of dogs, was Baek-Ah. The tiny ferret was lying on its side, one leg sticking straight up in the air.

“……”

Gwak-Hwi stared. Baek-Ah’s pose… it reminded him of something. Something he’d seen before on Mount Hua. *Wait a minute… was that like…?* He shivered, a strange feeling creeping up his spine. It was like a drunk person passed out on the street.

‘No, now it’s even…’

But looking at Baek-Ah now, it was suddenly clear. That tiny, fluffy menace was training the dogs! Military training! Gwak-Hwi couldn’t believe his eyes.

Since they were brought in whenever they were seen on the street, the sizes of the dogs vary, but the bigger ones are almost the size of a person. Yet, they are being helpless against that tiny ferret…

Gwak-Hwi’s nose tingled.

This is like…

Haaaak!

When Baek-Ah made a loud haak sound again, the dogs lying down flipped over and stood up like lightning.

And they lined up with perfect military discipline.

Baek-Ah got up slowly as if he was very annoyed. When that white cotton ball-like thing glared with its black, shiny eyes, the lined-up dogs wagged their tails and trembled.

Haak!

When Baek-Ah shouted briefly, the dogs suddenly started running towards the mountain gate with all their might.

Keik!

Baek-Ah, who snorted at the sight, turned his head slightly.

“……”

“……”

At that moment, Gwak-Hwi, holding the dog food, and Baek-Ah’s eyes met. A moment of silence flowed.

Tilt.

Baek-Ah tilted his adorable head to the side, widening his eyes as if he didn’t know anything. Gwak-Hwi was at a loss for words.

‘That, that pretending…’

Just like Chung-Myung! Always causing trouble!

There’s nothing normal in this Mount Hua, whether it’s people or animals, nothing!

❀ ❀ ❀

“Kkeueung.”

Hyun-Young arrived, his face tight with anger. His voice was full of annoyance.

“It’s like everyone thinks they can attack us! Bandits, pirates, even those Maninbang people… It feels like every troublemaker is trying to cause problems for Mount Hua.”

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

Woon-Am shook his head.

Places doing business on the scale of Mount Hua are mostly famous merchants in the Central Plains or powerful groups. Those people have often established a firm position while doing business for a long time.

Hwang Jong-yi sighed and said.

“No matter how much Mount Hua has become the leader of the Cheonwu Alliance and is making its name known throughout the world… it is still lacking compared to the famous and respected groups.”

“Hmm.”

“From their point of view, it would be a good place to poke at once.”

“Kkeueung. A good place to poke at, huh.”

At that moment, a voice full of anger was heard as if his insides were twisted.

“These bastards, they think we’re easy?”

“Chung-Myung, calm down!”

“Good boy! Whoa, whoa.”

“Here, here! There’s candy, candy! U쭈쭈, look here.”

Jo-Gol, Yoon-Jong, and Baek-Cheon grabbed and held back Chung-Myung, who was having a fit, from all sides and shoved candy into his mouth.

“Eueup, let go! Won’t you let go? Now even pirate bastards are sticking their heads in. Oh my, heavens! Those who only eat and splash around in the water are fearlessly!”

Mount Hua has developed in many ways, but the most developed aspect was its ability to stay calm. What this means is that we can now continue the meeting calmly no matter what Chung-Myung does next to us.

“What do you think we should do?”

“What should we do? Chung-Myung is a hundred times right!”

Hyun-Young said firmly as if there was nothing to think about.

“If you stay still after getting hit, you become a doormat and a pushover. Haven’t we felt that painfully enough?”

“That’s right.”

“Moreover, it’s a matter of a trading company we are helping. If we don’t step up in times like this, who will!”

Hyun-Jong nodded silently. It was a gesture as if Hyun-Young’s words were correct.

However, Hyun-Sang didn’t seem to think so.

“It’s not something to think about so easily, Head Disciple.”

“Hmm?”

At the unexpected words, Hyun-Jong looked at Hyun-Sang as if telling him to say more.

“The opponent is not good.”

“Not good?”

“Yes.”

Hyun-Sang nodded with a heavy face.

“Meeting bandits in the mountains is a scary thing, but it cannot be compared to meeting pirates on the water. No matter how high and rugged the mountain is, it is still a place where you keep your feet on the ground. But to deal with pirates, you certainly have to take a boat and go out to the Yangtze River.”

“……That’s right.”

“Dealing with pirates on a boat is several times more difficult than dealing with them on land. Moreover, our children have almost no experience riding boats.”

“That’s true too.”

“There’s no knowing what unexpected problems there might be. So, it’s not something to think about easily.”

“Hmm.”

A look of worry settled on Hyun-Jong’s face.

“I think the same way, Head Disciple.”

Even Woon-Am stepped up to support Hyun-Sang.

“The opponent is the Yangtze River Water Bandits, one of the five notorious villain groups. Of course, Mount Hua is different from the past, but turning one of the five notorious villain groups into an enemy is something that must be decided carefully.”

The name five notorious villain groups worried Hyun-Jong.

Weren’t they already on uneasy terms with one of the five notorious villain groups? In this situation, adding more enemies to the five notorious villain groups was certainly not something to be decided easily.

“Then what do you think we should do?”

“It’s not always best to deal with things by force.”

Woon-Am looked around slightly and said.

“The reason why the Water Bandits are suddenly targeting the trading company we are helping is clear. It’s because they heard rumors that the trading company we are helping is making a lot of money. They know that they cannot continue to target valuables, even though they are targeting valuables. In the end…”

“In the end?”

Woon-Am hesitated, looking slightly embarrassed, and said.

“Maybe they want us to pay to cross the Jang River, like some other groups do.”

“…Passage fees, you say?”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Hyun Jong’s face showed a slight frown.

“So, you mean we should ask bandits to let us cross the Jang River and pay them?”

“Sect Leader, please hear me out. It’s not exactly begging. I heard that even groups of traders from other sects pay these river bandits when they cross the Jang River.”

“It’s cheaper than making a big fuss.”

Hyun Jong looked at Hwang Jongi, his eyes asking for confirmation. Hwang Jongi nodded slowly.

“That’s right, Sect Leader.”

Hwang Jongi watched Hyun Jong’s face carefully and explained further.

Actually, paying a fair fee to avoid problems is normal. It’s done with both mountain bandits and river pirates. But because the Eunha Escort Agency is friendly with the Green Forest Alliance, they haven’t had to pay fees in the mountains until now.

“So, you’re saying we have to pay the river bandits?”

“…Sect Leader, I’ve been setting aside money for passage fees, just in case.”

Hyun Jong’s eyebrows twitched.

What is he talking about now?

Hyun Jong stared at him, demanding an answer. Hwang Jongi looked down, clearly feeling sorry.

“If they are asking for fees, it’s not just a small payment. It’s like they want regular payments from the whole escort agency, or even the trading group.”

“Hahahaha.”

Hyun Jong let out a hollow laugh, as if dumbfounded.

“Does that even make sense?”

“Of course, it’s not going to be easy, but…”

Actually, it was hard for Hwang Jongi to say more. He didn’t want to suggest Hwasan should pay. So, Un Am spoke up instead.

“It’s better to solve problems with money if we can, Sect Leader. Isn’t it better than putting our disciples in danger?”

Unam’s voice was firm. Hyun Jong pressed his temples as if he had a headache.

“Unam-ah, but if we do that…”

“Sect Leader, please remember. Our disciples are the most important thing, even more than Hwasan’s pride.”

Hyun Jong slowly closed his eyes. But his contemplation didn’t last long. He quickly opened his eyes and nodded firmly.

“You are right. If we can avoid danger, we should.”

“That’s the right decision.”

“Then…”

“Ah, just a moment!”

At that moment, Chung Myung, who had been held by Baek Cheon and the others, suddenly stood up.

“Now, now. Chung Myung, calm…”

“Ah, get out of the way!”

Chung Myung grabbed Jo Gul, who was trying to push him back down, and tossed him away.

Thud!

Jo Gul, who had slammed into the wall, slowly slid down. Chung Myung didn’t even glance at him as he continued.

“Sect Leader is right too. If we can solve this without fighting, we should, of course.”

“What?”

“Resolve it without fighting…”

“So, what did you say?”

Chung Myung went quiet and looked around. Everyone’s faces showed they couldn’t believe what they just heard. They looked like they were thinking, ‘Did he really say that? No way.’

“No, really, you guys are too much. Do you see me as some kind of bloodthirsty demon?”

“That would be better.”

“We could get along with a demon.”

Chung Myung’s cheeks trembled.

Are these guys for real?

“So, what are your thoughts?”

Just before Chung Myung completely lost it, Hyun Jong cleverly cut him off. Chung Myung, who seemed to have only half-boiled over, let out a slight groan and opened his mouth.

“But this is different. If they just wanted fees, they wouldn’t have attacked and tried to kill our people. They would have just taken the goods and held them for ransom.”

Everyone nodded, agreeing with him.

We know for sure this is more complicated than we thought. And… this kind of thing will happen more often now. We can’t figure out what’s really going on from here every time.

“So, what do you think we should do?”

“We have to go.”

Chung Myung shrugged.

“Good or bad, we need to go there and see what’s happening. If we can solve it by talking, we will. If not…”

“If not?”

“If not, well. Hee hee.”

Chung Myung smiled brightly and scratched the back of his head.

“Do I really need to say it?”

“No. Never mind.”

I think I know without hearing it.

Hyun Jong nodded slowly. Both Un Am and Chung Myung had good reasons. But it was hard to decide what to do with so little information. He knew he had to make a decision now.

“Listen.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“I’ll wait to decide for now. First, we’ll send a team to investigate quickly, find out what really happened, and look for those who are missing.”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

No one could easily argue against this decision.

“And…”

Hyun Jong’s eyes were fixed on Chung Myung.

“Chung Myung, you are not going with the investigation team this time. Remember that.”

“Yes?”

Chung Myung’s eyes widened to the size of fists at the unexpected thunderbolt.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“I’m NOT going?”

“Yes!”

“…I’m being excluded? Why?”

“Why? Are you asking why now?”

Hyun Jong chuckled as if he found it amusing.

“Didn’t I say it’s an investigation?”

“Yes. So?”

“If there’s anyone in the world worse at ‘investigation’ than you, show them to me! Then I’ll send you!”

“Senior Brother Jo Gul.”

Hyun Jong flinched at the words that came out without a moment’s hesitation. The answer was more plausible than he had expected. The gazes of everyone else, including Hyun Jong, turned to Jo Gul.

A look of injustice flashed across Jo Gul’s face.

“Why me…”

It was actually kind of true. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t really say it wasn’t true.

“W-Well, Jo Gul is a bit unreliable, but…”

“Come on, Sect Leader!”

“Ugh. Still, he’s better than you, Chung Myung!”

“Good heavens… How can you say such harsh things…”

“What’s harsh! You little rascal!”

Jo Gul tried to rush at Chung Myung, screaming, but before he could even throw himself, someone grabbed his collar and yanked him back.

“The Sect Leader is here, watch your mouth! Watch your mouth! I told you not to be reckless!”

Slap! Slap! Slap!

“Aack! Senior Brother! My mouth! It hurts, mmmph!”

“I’ll just shut that mouth for good!”

Yoon Jong, who had moved to suppress him with the speed of light, dragged Jo Gul to the corner. Hyun Jong, who had been blankly watching the fleeting scene, shook his head.

“In any case! This time, absolutely not! This is an order from the Sect Leader!”

“Wow…”

Chung Myung’s mouth dropped open in great shock.