Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 829

Chung Myung felt himself falling deeper and deeper into sleep. His mind and body seemed to drift apart, like clouds separating in the sky. He was almost completely asleep, but a tiny spark of his mind was still awake, like a flickering candle in the dark, searching for something.

A voice whispered in his fading thoughts, “Sect Leader…”

Thwaack!

“Aaaargh!”

A sudden burst of pain jolted Chung Myung awake, his hands flying to clutch his head.

“Ow! Which bastard did that!”

“It was me.”

“……”

Chung Myung was about to shout angrily. But then he saw who was in front of him and quickly became quiet.

“Chung Myung-ah.”

“Yes?”

“A person can fall asleep sometimes. I don’t fail to understand that.”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s not that special of a thing.”

“That’s right. But…”

Hyun Young, the Sect Leader disciple of Mount Hua, stared at Chung Myung. His face turned slightly red, and his hands clenched into fists on the table. He felt a wave of frustration wash over him, leaving him feeling empty and tired. (He thought: *How can I get through to this boy?*)

“I haven’t lived a short life, but hearing that there’s a bloke who dozes off while being lectured is truly a first for me, you rascal!”

“……Is it my fault! It’s because Sect Leader Sahyung keeps talking about things everyone already knows…”

“What, you little…!”

As Chung Moon began to foam at the mouth, the other disciples, including Chung Jin, who were watching the situation, were startled and shouted loudly.

“Calm yourself, Sect Leader Sahyung!”

“You mustn’t lose your temper!”

Chung Myung smiled contentedly at the heartwarming scene.

He speaks recklessly usually, but those blokes still respect me quite a bit after all…

“Then we’ll be the ones getting beaten later!”

“Don’t hit him unless you’re going to stop that from happening! We’ll get hit twice as hard!”

“Just kick him out of Mount Hua then! You won’t do that either, will you!”

“……”

I saw which bastard said that last part. Others might not know, but you’re really dead.

Chung Moon sighed deeply, clutching the back of his neck. (Chung Moon sighed, feeling tired and defeated by Chung Myung’s behavior.)

“Are you a Taoist? Huh? Are you a Taoist?”

“Is our Sahyung’s eyesight getting worse? I’m clearly wearing a Taoist robe.”

“Is everyone who wears a Taoist robe a Taoist, you rascal?!”

Chung Moon shouted.

“I sent you to subjugate the bandits who were tormenting the commoners!”

“I did subjugate them. I smashed them all to bits as you ordered. You should be praising me instead of this!”

“Alright. You did well, our disciple.”

Chung Moon asked with a pleased smile.

“So, what did you receive from the commoners who were thanking you?”

“Yes?”

“I heard you received something?”

“Ah, that?”

Chung Myung scratched the back of his head, grinning sheepishly.

“No, I was just about to leave, but those people kept thanking me… They said that if it weren’t for me, many would have bled because of those bandits.”

“So?”

“So they were so grateful and wanted to repay me, and I thought it wouldn’t be polite to completely ignore their sincerity, so…”

Chung Myung smiled awkwardly, glancing around.

“I just accepted a tiiiny bit as a token of their appreciation… Aaaargh!”

Chung Myung flattened himself on the spot, dodging the inkstone that flew like lightning. The inkstone narrowly missed his head and slammed into the wall.

“Are you trying to kill me right now?”

“If you could die that easily, I wouldn’t be going through all this trouble, you wretched bastard!”

Chung Moon now picked up the low table in front of him and threw it.

Chung Myung quickly rolled to the side to avoid it, and Chung Moon’s eyes blazed with fury.

“Dodge? Dodge? Alright, let’s see if you or I die today! Chung Jin! Go and get the switch!”

“Yes, sir!”

“You. Go and get it.”

“……”

“Aren’t you going to bring the switch!”

“Yes!”

“Think carefully. Think veeery carefully.”

Caught between two giants… No, one giant and one fiend, Chung Jin agonized, unable to do either. Then, he looked at Chung Moon and said.

“Um… Sect Leader Sahyung.”

“What?”

“It seems… my legs have cramped from kneeling for too long, so it might be better to send someone else…”

Chung Moon glared at him with a fierce look, but Chung Jin simply lowered his head, avoiding his gaze.

If Chung Myung’s calves were on fire, Chung Jin’s jaw would surely be on fire later. It was better to be beaten by Chung Moon; that man really beat without mercy, so the situation would be even more serious.

“Ugh…”

A groan escaped Chung Moon’s lips as he watched the disciples avoid his gaze.

“The commoners are already suffering from the bandits! Instead of giving them money, you take money from them?”

“Then should I refuse when they offer? Eh. Ignoring their sincerity wouldn’t be polite. Haha.”

“Ugh.”

Chung Moon clutched the back of his head, which was throbbing.

“Now, Sect Leader Sahyung!”

“Calm down! You’ll collapse!”

“Why are you getting so angry when this isn’t a one- or two-day occurrence?”

Is that bastard trying to land the final blow since earlier?

You’re really going to get it later, you are.

Chung Myung glared at the disciples. Unable to contain his anger, Chung Moon reached out, then realized he had thrown the low table a moment ago, and roared at Chung Myung.

“Water! Cool, cold water!”

“Yes, sir!”

Chung Myung quickly turned his head.

“What are you doing? Run, you bastards!”

“You go, you! You bastard! You… Ugh…”

“Aigo, I’m telling you to calm down.”

“Now, now. Take a deep breath. Slowly, slowly. That’s right.”

As Chung Moon began to fall backward with a gurgling sound, Chung Myung quickly ran outside.

He quickly brought water and held out the cup, but Chung Moon hesitated as he was about to gulp it down.

“……”

He looked down with a dazed expression and saw steam rising from the cup.

“……Chung Myung-ah.”

“Yes?”

“……Why is this hot water?”

“Oh… I thought you might get indigestion if you suddenly drink something cold. Did I do well?”

“……”

“……”

A deep sense of emptiness settled in Chung Moon’s eyes.

I really can’t kill this one.

Primal Deity. Why are you doing this to me…?

He seemed about to say something, his lips moving, but he soon stopped and shook his head powerlessly.

“Chung Myung-ah.”

“Yes, Sahyung.”

“Why did you receive the money?”

“Well… because they offered…”

“Honestly!”

“Ugh,” Chung Myung groaned, slumping back in his chair. His lips turned down in a childish pout, and he grumbled under his breath, his brow furrowed in displeasure.

“To be honest, I don’t really understand,” he said.

“What is it?” Cheong Mun asked.

“To be honest, helping with bandits is really the government’s job. We are using our valuable time to travel far and help them,” Chung Myung complained.

“That’s right,” Cheong Mun agreed calmly.

“Then shouldn’t there be a reward?” Chung Myung asked, his eyes gleaming at the thought of it.

Cheong Mun sighed softly. “It’s not good if people always expect others to fix their problems. The world works best when people give and take. It’s not like you are expecting a grand reward. It’s just a few coins, after all.”

A sigh escaped from Cheong Mun’s lips.

“Is beating up a few bandits such a big deal for you?” he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Well, no,” Chung Myung admitted reluctantly.

“Right. Isn’t it something that can be finished in an hour?”

“Whether it’s an hour or two, I still did the work!” Chung Myung insisted.

Cheong Mun stared at Chung Myung, who seemed unable to understand. “If I were being attacked by bandits, would you save me and then ask for a reward?”

“Eii, how can I treat you the same as those people? Don’t worry. If you’re ever attacked by bandits, I’ll chop those bandit bastards into pieces. How dare those bandits try to kill you!” Chung Myung said, his voice full of righteous anger.

Chung Myung was deadly serious. Cheong Mun sighed and looked at him quietly, a hint of worry in his eyes.

‘What should I do…?’ Cheong Mun thought to himself.

It wasn’t difficult to control Chung Myung’s actions. He might grumble, but Chung Myung usually followed his words well enough.

But he shouldn’t do that.

This was Domun, a simple room with wooden walls and a few cushions scattered on the floor. A place where Chung Myung should act as his heart desired. So, Cheong Mun’s job wasn’t to control Chung Myung’s actions, but to change his heart.

‘I specifically sent him to feel the hearts of the powerless.’

If that outstanding talent was combined with righteousness, there would be nothing more to wish for. But heaven never gives everything to one person.

“Chung Myung-ah,” Cheong Mun said gently.

“Yes?”

“Do you know why Hwasan emphasizes righteousness?”

“Because it’s a righteous sect,” Chung Myung replied promptly.

“Then do you know why righteous sects emphasize righteousness?”

“Hmm. To look good?” Chung Myung guessed, tilting his head.

Cheong Mun shook his head. “Because we are people who wield swords.”

“…”

“We are people who try to become stronger through training. Of course, that training is also a means to realize the Dao, but the essence of being those who cultivate strength doesn’t change.”

“That’s true,” Chung Myung conceded.

“And… people want to swing a sword once they hold it, and they want to use power once they have it. It means people who choose to carry a sword will, at some point, use it.”

Chung Myung nodded quietly.

Cheong Mun was certainly right. There were few who spent their lives repeating training within their own sect. The martial prowess they built up would inevitably be expressed in some way.

“And who are the ones who receive that power?”

“…”

“They are also people, Chung Myung-ah.” Cheong Mun’s eyes were serious.

“Power without direction becomes cruel and unfair. We need righteousness, not just because we are kind. It’s to guide our own actions in the right way. Power that forgets what is right will destroy itself in the end.”

“Eh… so…” Chung Myung shrugged.

“It just means I should beat up the bad guys, right?”

Cheong Mun sighed inwardly. “Okay, okay. I just won’t take the reward,” Chung Myung said, waving his hand dismissively. “Fine, no reward then. It’s probably just a few coins anyway. I get it, I get it. I’ll be good from now on.”

Cheong Mun sighed deeply at Chung Myung’s answer.

As expected, Chung Myung did as he was told. But that was never because he understood. It was simply because Cheong Mun wanted it.

That wasn’t what Cheong Mun wanted.

If he only wanted Chung Myung to live as the sword of Hwasan, that would have been enough, but what Cheong Mun truly wanted was for Chung Myung to stand upright as a Taoist.

Even if it was an unbelievably difficult task.

“Chung Myung-ah,” Cheong Mun said softly.

“Yes?”

“Yes, you can forget everything else. But remember this one thing.”

“Yes.”

“You cannot accomplish everything with your own strength.”

“…”

“No matter how strong you become, no matter how high a realm you reach, there are things you cannot do alone. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, you too may desperately seek someone’s help.”

“Me?” Chung Myung tilted his head, a puzzled expression on his face.

Chung Myung wouldn’t understand now. Not now.

Someone who has never lost, who has never felt truly needy, cannot understand how much a helping hand means when given without wanting anything back.

“Someday, when you feel powerless, when you despair in the face of something you cannot do yourself, then you will understand. The feelings of the common people you helped.”

“…”

“When that time comes, can you promise me that you will imbue your sword with righteousness?”

“Ugh.” Chung Myung scratched his head, still not quite understanding.

“To be honest, I don’t really understand, Sasuk,” he admitted.

“Yes. It’s not an easy thing for you,” Cheong Mun agreed.

“But well…”

But soon, he nodded obediently. “Yes. If I ever feel it… If I ever realize it, I’ll do as you say, Sasuk. But I can’t guarantee it.”

“Yes. That’s enough.” Cheong Mun smiled gently and nodded back.

“Now go and return the money you received.”

“Uh, that…”

“I know you spent it all on alcohol. Take the money you’ve stashed away and return it all, without leaving out a single coin.”

“…”

“The answer?”

“Yessir.” Chung Myung pouted, but Cheong Mun simply smiled.

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll be back.” Chung Myung turned to leave. Then Cheong Mun quietly added, “Ah, and…”

“Yes?”

“Also, give back all the money you took from the bandits to the people they hurt.”

“…”

Chung Myung’s body froze. After a moment, he slowly turned around, his face filled with utter despair. “H, how can I…”

“Cheongjin-ah.”

“Yes.”

“Follow him and make sure he doesn’t pilfer a single coin. Chung Myung, if you pilfer again this time, I will really hang you upside down, so behave yourself!”

“…”

“Don’t even think about which is better, hanging or taking the money. I’ll take the money and hang you too.”

“Demon,” Chung Myung muttered under his breath.

“Tsk.”

Chung Myung, looking utterly defeated, drooped his shoulders and left the room. Cheongjin sighed and asked carefully, “Sect Leader, aren’t you expecting too much from Chung Myung? He is different from us normal people, isn’t he?”

“I know. It won’t be easy. But…” Cheong Mun silently stared at the door that Chung Myung had closed behind him.

‘But someday…’

Chung Myung would also come to understand the meaning contained in his words.

Because that fellow was none other than Chung Myung.

A warm smile crept onto Cheong Mun’s lips.