Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 838

A low chuckle started.

Silence.

Then another chuckle, a bit louder this time.

Silence.

The chuckles turned into a series of giggles, bubbling up from Chung Myung. “Heh heh heh heh heh heh!”

Silence.

Now, Chung Myung burst into full laughter. “Ehehehehehe! Ehehe! Kya-reureureuk! Kkareureuk!”

Silence.

The First Elder of Nokrim leaned closer to Im So-byeong and whispered in his ear.

“Is he alright?”

“Just… let him enjoy himself.”

Before anyone knew it, Chung Myung, dressed in silk robes that shimmered even in the dim light, and with jewels that glittered on his fingers and around his neck, was hugging a large pile of silver coins. A massive grin stretched across his face.

“Ehehehe! Ehehehehehehe!”

This is all money.

Money earned in just two days of business!

He had earned so much money before, but watching it pile up day by day with his own eyes was something different.

Isn’t this the real joy of a business that deals in cash?

“Keeeuh! I knew it! Business should be done with rich people! Aren’t the richest people in the world merchants? Ehehehehe!”

The merchants on the Yangtze River weren’t poor. Their issue was that money wasn’t flowing freely.

The island’s toll was quite high, but the merchants, who would do anything to cross the river, paid without complaining. They paid so easily that Chung Myung even wondered if he had made the toll too low.

Because of this, money was now piling up like a mountain, even if he just sat still.

“Ehehehe! Ehehehehehehe!”

The First Elder shook his head, watching Chung Myung’s happy face.

How can he be a Taoist? Taoists should stay away from money and try to find enlightenment.

Even merchants who are greedy for money wouldn’t love it this much.

Where did such a Taoist even come from?

“Keeuh. Good job. Good job. You are truly the Nokrim King! Your skills at collecting money are amazing!”

“Heh heh. It’s what I’m good at.”

“Just as I thought! You are trustworthy! Amazing!”

“You are too kind. It’s all thanks to the reputation of Hwasan and the head disciple.”

“That’s right. That’s right! Heh heh heh.”

“Heh heh heh.”

The Taoist and the bandit praised each other, laughing secretly. Anyone could see they were up to no good.

“This is just the start. When word gets out, merchants from all over the Yangtze River will come rushing here.”

“Really?”

“Yes! Even if we lower the toll a little later, we’ll still make much more money than we are now.”

“We need to make the docks bigger! And get more workers.”

“Exactly! Exactly!”

“More people will come. We need to make things bigger not just on the island, but also at the docks, right?”

“You understand perfectly!”

The island, now called Plum Blossom Island, was not just for them anymore. Many merchants were also staying there. They were very worried about pirates, so they felt safer spending time on the island protected by Hwasan.

Hwasan disciples were stationed around the island, and the White Lightning Squad stood guard all over. Seeing this, the merchants praised Hwasan’s power.

The merchants were happy to move their goods safely, and Hwasan was happy to make money. It was a win-win situation!

“But, we need to make sure the area around here is safe, not just the island. If merchants get robbed right after crossing the river, this island won’t be useful anymore. The problem is, we can’t do that just with Hwasan and our group…”

“That’s alright.”

“Yes?” Im So-byeong looked confused.

“Of course… things will be fine for a while, but you don’t plan to stay here forever, right? There will be problems when Hwasan leaves.”

Chung Myung grinned.

“No. There won’t be problems. That guy won’t want the trade to stop either. He’ll make sure things are stable soon enough.”

“Ah….”

Im So-byeong nodded.

Indeed, Jang Il-so wouldn’t let his money source be cut off. Jang Il-so was known to be a powerful figure in the area, who understood how to control things for his own benefit. Other criminals might just steal small amounts of money again and again, but Jang Il-so would know that money needs to keep moving to grow bigger.

“So, we just need to make money. I thought we were just going to suffer in the Yangtze River and go back, but working hard here was worth it!” Chung Myung picked up handfuls of silver coins and threw them into the air. His face was beaming as he watched the coins fall like rain.

Just then, a worried voice called out, “Sect Leader!”

“Even if you call for me…” Chung Myung started to say, annoyed.

Noisy voices came from outside the door.

“Isn’t there any way to get money quickly?”

“This isn’t Seoseo! Even if we rush, it will take months to get there.”

“We don’t have months! Things are really bad!”

“Keueung. Yes, I know… but I didn’t bring a lot of money with me. I don’t know what to do…”

Bang!

The door burst open, and Hyun Jong walked in, his face tight with worry. The Five Swords followed behind him, looking desperate. Hyun Jong sighed. “So, even if you push me, money…”

Hyun Jong’s eyes, which were looking down sadly, suddenly saw the mountain of silver coins around Chung Myung.

“…is here?”

“It’s piled up right here.” Chung Myung said flatly.

“It’s a huge pile.” Hyun Jong breathed.

Chung Myung glared at the Sect Leader and the Five Swords, who were now staring at the silver coins with wide eyes.

“Haha. Our Chung Myung has made so much money again! How did he know we were short on funds?” Hyun Jong said with a fake cheerful voice.

“Eue….” Chung Myung made a small noise of protest, quickly gathering the silver coins closer and shaking his head. But Hyun Jong just smiled kindly and slowly moved towards him.

“Now, now, be good. Just step back a little.”

The Five Swords understood what was happening and also slowly approached Chung Myung.

“We’re not going to waste it.”

“The area around the Yangtze River is in trouble right now. Because of the criminals, people aren’t eating properly.”

“Even the fishermen are starving, you know?”

“Just give us the money.”

“We’ll only use a little bit, just a tiny bit.”

“Haaaak!” Chung Myung hissed, but it was too late. The Five Swords and the Sect Leader rushed at him all at once.

“Grab him!”

“Hold him down!”

“Take the silver coins! Quick!”

With his arms and legs pinned, Chung Myung struggled and yelled.

“Aaaargh! You heartless jerks! Is this how Taoists act?”

“We’ll give it back after we use it a little!”

“It takes time for the money to get here from Mount Hua, you know!”

“Now, now, just be still!”

“Aaaargh! You thieving swindlers! Aargh!”

Chung Myung was almost crying.

“Kweeeeeek!”

Jo Gul, who was happily holding Chung Myung down, was suddenly kicked. He flew through the air and crashed into the wall.

Wham!

Jo Gul slid down the wall, his mouth was bubbling, and his body was shaking.

“Wh-what’s going on?”

“Is it an enemy?”

“Who is it?”

Surprised, Oh Geom turned and saw Hyun Young standing there, glowing with a strong blue light.

“L-Lord Elder?”

Hyun Young was very angry. He gritted his teeth and said each word slowly.

“You…!”

Oh Geom was scared by how angry Hyun Young looked. He jumped back.

“I wondered what you were doing. You’re all stealing money from your student?”

“N-no! That’s not it…”

“W-we…”

Oh Geom tried to make an excuse, but they all looked at someone else. The only person who could stop Hyun Young when he was angry was Hyun Jong.

But they only saw Hyun Jong’s back. He was far away, facing the wall.

Wow…

Woooow…

Hyun Young’s voice was like thunder. “I will fix your bad minds today! Get over here, you kids!”

“Aaaargh! Lord Elder!” Oh Geom cried out.

“We were wrong! Really wrong!” another shouted.

“Please, don’t hurt us!”

Hyun Jong stayed facing the wall, his eyes squeezed shut. He didn’t say a word.

*’I’m sorry, everyone,’* he thought. *’But what can I do? He’s scary!’*

Hehe. Amitabha. *(He chuckled nervously to himself.)*

Oh Geom kneeled and lowered their heads, looking sad. But they peeked up with their eyes.

They saw Hyun Young looking like he wanted to kill them, and Chung Myung sitting next to him, eating sweets. Chung Myung giggled every time Hyun Young stroked his head, which made them feel sick.

‘He’s so annoying.’

‘We know we did wrong, but he’s still annoying.’

‘I want to hit him just once.’

“Raise your arms straight!”

Oh Geom jumped and raised their arms high when they heard the loud command.

“You mountain bandits! You’re using other people’s money like it’s your own! And you call yourselves Taoists!”

The two mountain bandits, Im So-byung and First Elder, were watching from the corner. They flinched and stepped back. They weren’t easily scared, but they couldn’t fight someone who beat up the famous Mount Hua Five Swords and made the Mount Hua Sect Leader quiet with just a few words.

“W-we weren’t going to use it for ourselves.”

“We just don’t have much money, and it takes time to get grains and money from Mount Hua…”

“No, you guys!”

Hyun Young yelled, and Oh Geom lowered their heads.

“Being a Taoist means doing things the right way, not just getting what you want! Is that your money?”

Hyun Jong felt a little bad that Oh Geom was being scolded so much, so he carefully spoke.

“Hyun Young… It’s not like they meant to do bad things…”

“Sect Leader, you’re the same!”

“Is this Mount Hua’s money? What did Mount Hua do here to use this money! Chung Myung made all the plans, and the Green Forest Alliance did all the work! The Tang family built the pavilions!”

“W-well, that’s true, but the situation is…”

“You came late and just watched like you did everything! What did you do to try and use your student’s money like it’s your own! Is all the money of Mount Hua students yours? Why? Then just take all my money too! Huh?”

“T-that wasn’t my plan. I-I promise!”

“Then what is it? It’s stealing! Is the Sect Leader of Mount Hua trying to look good by stealing from his student! Is this a Taoist group? Are you Taoists? You’re like a demon group!”

Hyun Young rolled his eyes back, and Hyun Jong quietly put his hands together and lowered his head.

“You don’t even make any money! You just use other people’s money! I was already angry when you acted rich with money you didn’t earn. And now you want to steal from Chung Myung? He saved you from starving! You are so ungrateful!”

“Hehe. Lord Elder, don’t be too hard on them. They’re still my senior brothers and uncles, and he’s still the Sect Leader.”

When Chung Myung said that, Hyun Young’s eyes softened. He stroked Chung Myung’s head and said happily.

“Oh my! Oh, our Chung Myung! You’re so kind. How can you be so good? How can you be like this, huh?”

“Ehehehe! Ehehe!”

Baek Cheon could swear that Hyun Young was the only person in the world who would call that demon kind.

“If anyone tries to touch his money again, you’ll all be eating plain food for the rest of your lives! Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

The leader of the Heavenly Union and the Sect Leader of Mount Hua answered respectfully. Then, he carefully raised his hand.

“Um, well… Hyun Young, no… Lord Jae Kyung.”

“What is it?”

“We really need money right now, so can we do something?”

“If you need money, you should borrow it! Borrow it the right way and pay interest!”

“I-interest?”

Hyun Jong looked at Hyun Young awkwardly and then looked at Chung Myung.

“Um… Chung Myung. I really need some money, and I can pay you back soon. I just want to borrow some for a little bit. How much is the interest…”

“Ah, interest?”

“Y-yes. Interest.”

“Aaaah, interest?”

Chung Myung swallowed the sweet he was eating and smiled.

“How much do you want?”

Hyun Jong realized again that life was not easy.