Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 779

White smoke poured out of a small incense burner, filling the room and making it hard to see.

Slow breaths echoed, and the air was thick with the sweet and sour smell of spilled alcohol, like old wine and cheap liquor mixed together.

A strange atmosphere hung in the dimly lit room.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Then, a firm footstep broke the silence, followed by a short, cold voice from outside the door.

“Vanguard, I have finished my mission and returned.”

There was no answer.

After a moment of silence, the voice commanded:

“Open it.”

“B-but, Vanguard-nim…”

“Open it.”

“…Yes.”

The door swung open, and the white smoke rushed out in a cloud.

The scent stung Ho Gamyung’s nose, and he frowned slightly.

“Hmm.”

The smoke began to clear. Ho Gamyung could see people sprawled on the floor. They were fast asleep. Among the spilled alcohol and unconscious figures, a small brazier sent out smoke.

In the center, on a huge golden bed that seemed too big for the room, lay a person he knew well, sound asleep.

Ho Gamyung sighed softly.

“Wake up.”

The sleeping figures didn’t seem to hear him and remained still.

“I’ll see if you keep sleeping even if I cut off your heads.”

Maybe they heard those words. One by one, they raised their heads. When they saw Ho Gamyung standing at the door, they turned pale and trembled.

“M-Military Advisor…”

“Get out.”

“Yes!”

They scrambled up like startled birds. They swayed as if they hadn’t fully shaken off the alcohol. As they tried to move, they tripped and fell—a big mess.

Ho Gamyung made sure they had all left the room, then sighed and commanded:

“Remove the brazier.”

“Yes, Military Advisor.”

Those who had followed him entered the room and carefully carried out the brazier.

They seemed to know exactly what to do. Quickly, they cleaned the floor and opened the windows to let fresh air in.

“That’s enough.”

“Yes!”

As soon as Ho Gamyung spoke, they bowed deeply and left the room with perfect discipline.

Finally entering, Ho Gamyung stood before the golden bed.

“Vanguard-nim.”

“…”

“Vanguard-nim.”

“Ummm?”

Jang Il-So, who had been lying on the soft golden bed, slowly raised his head. He frowned and looked around.

“Gamyung-ah.”

“Yes, Vanguard-nim.”

“It’s cold. Close the door.”

Jang Il-So pulled the blanket up and covered himself. Ho Gamyung sighed again.

“Vanguard-nim, you won’t look like the Vanguard if you keep doing this from midday.”

“…Nagging as soon as you arrive.”

“I’ve said this before, you know…”

“You’re talking nonsense. I hate boredom. Even if I know I have to wait, I hate waiting.”

“You must get up.”

“Kkeueung.”

As if he couldn’t sleep anymore now that Ho Gamyung had arrived, Jang Il-So stopped grumbling, threw back the blanket, and sat up.

Then, the waiting maids entered quietly. The first maid carefully presented a long pipe with both hands. Jang Il-So took it and put it in his mouth.

“You shouldn’t use too much dream smoke (夢煙).”

“I know, I know.”

“I’m not saying this because I’m worried about you, Vanguard-nim. How could such smoke affect you? But it’s different for the others.”

“I said I know. Kkeueung. Why do you only get more nagging as you get older?”

Jang Il-So waved his hand and shuddered.

Ho Gamyung lowered his head as if he were sorry.

Even amidst all this, the maids stayed close to Jang Il-So, taking care of him carefully. They soaked silk in clean water and wiped Jang Il-So’s face, carefully combing his messy hair.

When a maid carefully wiped Jang Il-So’s eyelids with silk, he said:

“It hurts. Be gentle.”

“V-Vanguard-nim! I-I deserve to die…”

The maid turned pale and trembled like an aspen tree. Jang Il-So sighed, as if he were at a loss for words.

“Why are you trembling so much? Why? Does someone eat you up or something?”

“I-I was wrong! Please forgive me just once. Please…”

“…Are you new?”

“Yes?”

Jang Il-So sighed deeply and shook his head.

“I don’t know what the newly selected children hear outside that makes them have a fit when I only clear my throat.”

“What would they have heard? They would have heard it as it is.”

“Then there’s no reason to be afraid. Child, don’t be afraid. I’m a kind person.”

“Yes! Yes, Vanguard-nim. Thank you so much…”

Jang Il-So smiled and tapped the head of the maid, who was shedding tears of joy. Then, he slowly spread his arms. The maids waiting behind him took off the white silk robe he was wearing.

Ho Gamyung inhaled sharply at the sight.

It was truly a perfect body.

Jang Il-So’s naked body, usually hidden under layers of silk clothing and rarely seen, was perfect. The lean body was harmonious, as if someone had sculpted it. The firm muscles, with no excess fat, made even Ho Gamyung, who had seen many martial artists, admire it. No matter how many times he saw it, it was amazing.

But if this was the first time someone had seen this body, no one would pay attention to such things. No, they wouldn’t be able to pay attention to such things.

Because their eyes would go to the scars that covered the body.

The terrible scars looked like dozens of black snakes tangled and clinging to him. Scars that looked like they had been gouged by the claws of beasts. Scars that had been pierced by something sharp. And that wasn’t all. Cut by swords, slashed by knives, scratched by claws, torn by hands…

Every kind of scar that existed in the world was engraved all over his body.

Jang Il-So looked at Ho Ga-Myung. Scars like tattoos marked his face. He blinked slowly.

Ho Ga-Myung had served Jang Il-So for over ten years, but he still felt a terrifying pressure that made him hold his breath.

Underneath the fancy silk robes was the real Tyrant, Jang Il-So.

Each scar told a story of Jang Il-So’s hard life. He started with nothing, no family, no help. Alone, he became the Tyrant. He built the Myriad Man Manor and made it one of the top five clans in Shinju.

The maids moved quietly, like birds. Soft silk cloths whispered as they cleaned Jang Il-So’s skin. The air smelled of sweet oils and expensive fabric as they started to dress him.

He put on a robe as red as blood, with golden dragons stitched onto it. The dragons seemed to twist and move in the light. Then, he put a golden crown on his head and jewels on his wrists and fingers. Only after adding red to his lips did he look like the Tyrant Jang Il-So that Ho Ga-Myung knew.

“Hmm,” Jang Il-So said.

Jang Il-So leaned back on the bed in his bright clothes and looked at Ho Ga-Myung.

“So, what happened?” he asked.

“Hwasan destroyed one of our branch groups,” Ho Ga-Myung replied.

“Hahaha!” Jang Il-So laughed, covering his mouth with his hand.

“Those kids are quick. I knew they would come, but I didn’t think they would move so fast,” he said.

“Thanks to you, things sped up. The Hwasan Divine Dragon destroyed the Great Forest Group and the Black Snake Group,” Ho Ga-Myung explained.

“…So quickly?” Jang Il-So asked.

“Something unexpected happened. The Hwasan Divine Dragon brought in the Green Forest Alliance instead of Hwasan,” Ho Ga-Myung said.

“Good heavens, what did that rascal eat to grow up like that?” Jang Il-So shook his head, understanding the situation quickly.

“Truly like a viper. If I’m not careful, even I might get bitten. Hmm. Very well, what about the cleanup?” he asked.

“It was handled cleanly,” Ho Ga-Myung assured him.

Jang Il-So clicked his tongue and held out his hand. A maid carefully placed a glass of wine in it. He clicked his tongue, looking regretful.

“Hmm. A truly unfortunate matter. You sent enough money to their hometown, yes?” he asked.

“I gave them a lot of money, enough for their families to live well for life,” Ho Ga-Myung confirmed.

“Well done,” Jang Il-So said, taking a sip of wine and twisting his lips.

“In reality, a person’s life is worth almost nothing. But they gave their lives for a thousand gold pieces, so they shouldn’t be too upset, don’t you think?” he asked.

“That is certainly the case, Chief,” Ho Ga-Myung agreed.

“If rumors spread that they’ve come into money, flies might gather, so send some of our people to watch over things,” Jang Il-So instructed.

“As you wish,” Ho Ga-Myung said, lowering his head slightly.

This was Jang Il-So’s way. He didn’t care about sacrificing someone for his own goals, but he paid them well. Once it was done, he forgot about it.

Thoughts of those who died for this plan were already gone from Jang Il-So’s mind. He didn’t think about the past.

“Faster than expected, but cleaner than expected. Good. This is what Hwasan should be. Haha!” Jang Il-So laughed, sounding amused, and suddenly stood up.

“Ga-Myung!” he called.

“Yes,” Ho Ga-Myung responded.

“Send the message we prepared!” Jang Il-So ordered.

“Should we do it now? I think we should wait a little longer,” Ho Ga-Myung suggested.

“Wine gets better as it ages, but if you wait too long, it loses its fresh taste. There is a right time for everything,” Jang Il-So said, slowly touching his lips with his finger.

“The time we don’t have will be made up by the time the message arrives. Now is the perfect time,” he added.

“As you wish,” Ho Ga-Myung replied.

“Haha!” Jang Il-So’s eyes flickered like a lamp in the wind.

“I’ve waited long enough for this moment. I’m sick of waiting,” he said, grinding his teeth.

Waiting was the worst thing for Jang Il-So. But he could also endure more than anyone else. If being impatient stopped him from getting what he wanted, the pain of waiting would be nothing compared to that. Jang Il-So hated waiting, but he always got what he wanted.

And finally, the long wait was over.

“Thanks to Hwasan, the plan is ten years early. How can I not like them? That’s right! It’s worth letting the one inside me go and live! Hahaha!” Jang Il-So laughed wildly, his voice echoing through the palace.

Even the sound of his jewelry added to the strange and scary feeling in the room.

Ho Ga-Myung smiled slightly as he watched.

‘The world can’t even imagine what’s coming,’ he thought.

Even if they found out, it wouldn’t matter. A huge fire that burns a mountain starts with a small spark. Throwing that spark into dry grass is enough to burn the whole mountain.

Once the fire starts, the important thing is to put it out, not to find out who started it.

The fire will start soon. The Jianghu world is so dry that even a small spark can set it on fire.

“I will start the next plan,” Ho Ga-Myung said.

“Hmm,” Jang Il-So said, his eyes gleaming strangely.

“Ga-Myung, Ga-Myung,” he called.

“Yes, Chief,” Ho Ga-Myung replied.

“What is the Hwasan Divine Dragon doing now?” Jang Il-So asked.

“…He is hiding on that island and hasn’t come out,” Ho Ga-Myung answered.

“Keep a close watch,” Jang Il-So ordered.

“Yes?” Ho Ga-Myung asked, surprised, and looked at Jang Il-So, trying to understand his meaning.

“He is a rascal who might do anything. If he messes things up, don’t let him out of your sight,” Jang Il-So said.

A strange light appeared in Ho Ga-Myung’s eyes.

‘Wasn’t Hwasan’s role finished with this?’ he wondered.

He thought they were left alone because they still had something to do. Now they had nothing left to do. So why was Jang Il-So talking about them again?

Jang Il-So never looked back on the past.

‘Then…’ Ho Ga-Myung thought.

For Jang Il-So, was the Hwasan Divine Dragon someone who had finished their job and disappeared?

“The answer?” Jang Il-So asked.

“…As you wish, Chief,” Ho Ga-Myung replied.

“Good. Then shall we go look at the flowers today?” Jang Il-So said, humming as he stood up and walked out. Ho Ga-Myung watched him go, his eyes a little sad.

‘I cannot know,’ he thought.

He was too small to understand the big picture that Jang Il-So was creating.