Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 843

Cough!

Pfft…!

Oof!

The disciples of Mount Hua quickly clamped their mouths shut, trying not to laugh.

Even Hyun Jong, whose cheeks were twitching, tried to control himself. His shoulders shook, and his whole body vibrated with suppressed laughter.

Amidst this intense reaction, only Chung Myung’s face was twisted in agony.

“So… therefore…”

Hyun Jong struggled to speak, barely managing to keep his composure.

“…that… what did you say?”

It wasn’t clear if Hyun Jong hadn’t heard correctly or if he just wanted to hear it again. But Hong Daeguang repeated himself dutifully.

“So, the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua has a new title.”

Under everyone’s intense gaze, Hong Daeguang gestured dramatically, like a narrator in a play.

“Kuh! That amazing martial art that rivals even Jang Il-so! And that strong spirit! Praising his spirit of not giving up when everyone else abandons the agreement to find their own way to survive…”

Everyone’s body began to tremble like an aspen again, trying hard not to burst out laughing.

“The world calls him, with reverence, that name!”

The four syllables hit their ears like a bucket of cold water. They convulsed, nearly collapsing from laughter!

“Hua! San! Sword! Hero!”

“Hahahahahahahahaha!”

“Guh! Guh-uh-uh! Sniff! I’m dying! I’m gonna dieee!”

“Sword Hero! Sword Heerooo!”

“Mount Hua Sword Hero! Kuh! Wonderful! Sooo good!”

Chung Myung’s face turned as red as a chili pepper and then as pale as snow. His fist trembled. *That bastard! He’s gone too far!* He could almost hear Jang Il-so laughing.

“This…”

He knew instantly who had created and spread this title.

“This… That bastard… There’s a limit to how much you can screw someone over!”

Jang Il-so.

It was clear that the damned bastard had come up with this title.

There was no need to confirm it. The title contained an obvious intention.

Usually, when praising swordsmanship from Mount Hua, the title included ‘Plum Blossom.’ That’s why it was Plum Blossom Sword Saint, not Mount Hua Sword Saint.

Jang Il-so might not have known, but if he were to praise Chung Myung’s swordsmanship, it should have been Plum Blossom Sword Hero. But Chung Myung’s new title included Mount Hua. He even took away the Plum Blossoms! That sneaky…

It was an intention to make sure everyone knew that Chung Myung was from Mount Hua.

Moreover, wasn’t the word attached to it none other than ‘Hero’?

In the current situation, the fact that a title with the word ‘Hero’ attached to it was spreading throughout the world was clearly intentional. Remember, the Overlord *hates* the Nine Great Sects for what they did in the past. This is his way of showing them up.

So, his insides were churning…

Tap.

Just then, a hand landed on Chung Myung’s shoulder.

“Well, please take care of us, Sword Hero!”

“…”

“Keuheub! A hero! Ooh! A herooo… Aargh!”

Jo Gul, who had been acting cheeky, was kicked by Chung Myung and sent flying into the wall. But even as he writhed in pain, laughter kept bursting from his lips.

“…Good heavens, a Sword Hero!”

“I never thought there could be a title so ill-fitting.”

“Wow. A hero, a hero! Chung Myung is a hero! Sect Leader! Mount Hua has produced a hero! This is a joyous occasion for the sect!”

Hyun Jong covered his face with both hands. Hyun Jong laughed until tears came, finally feeling some joy after so much worry.

It was a common gesture, but today the intention was clearly different. Chung Myung stared blankly at Hyun Jong’s incessantly shaking shoulders.

Perhaps saliva was flowing between those hands right now.

“…Is it funny?”

“Cough!”

“Ptooey!”

“Ooooof!”

Even Yoo Iseol had turned her head away, looking into the distance with minor convulsions, and the dignified Tang Gunak was also bowing his head deeply, clenching his fists tightly as he suppressed something. Yoo Iseol hid her smile, trying to maintain her serious image, but her shoulders shook. Tang Gunak, usually so stern, bit his lip, fighting back a laugh that felt almost disrespectful.

“Ha…”

Sect Leader.

I’m being treated like this…

– Ptooey…

Is this guy…?

You shouldn’t be laughing, you, Great Wise Sword!

It was definitely a good title. But those who knew Chung Myung couldn’t help but lament the fact that this title was attached to that ‘Chung Myung’ of all people.

“…Ahem!”

Hyun Jong cleared his throat loudly, trying to dispel the laughter.

“That’s… a *very* good… *cough*… title, Chung Myung. Really… *hehe*… good.”

“…Just laugh. Just…”

“Ah, no. My disciple has obtained such a good, *cough*, title, so I should congratulate him.”

“Sure you do…”

Chung Myung’s soul left his body.

Chung Myung of all people was learning for the first time that there was a way to screw someone over in such a sophisticated manner.

“Anyway.”

Hong Daeguang cleared his throat and continued.

“The name Mount Hua Sword Hero is spreading like wildfire. Bizarrely rapidly.”

“…It’s spreading fast because you’re deliberately spreading it.”

“And at the same time, the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua… no, the Mount Hua Sword Hero’s reputation for chivalry is also spreading very quickly. Usually, such titles are met with suspicion, but because the source of the title is those from the Demonic Sect, no one can doubt it. Those guys wouldn’t needlessly diminish their own prestige.”

“Anyway…”

Chung Myung chuckled dryly.

“That crazy bastard really does crazy things properly…”

The prestige of the Overlord in the Jianghu was truly enormous.

Therefore, just the fact that the Overlord and a junior disciple of Mount Hua were mentioned in the same breath would relatively diminish the Overlord’s name. But Jang Il-so was actually encouraging such a situation.

“Is he indifferent to fame?”

“No way.”

Chung Myung scoffed at Baek Cheon’s question.

“There’s no way he wouldn’t be obsessed with fame. More precisely, it’s more important for him to tear others down than to rise himself.”

“Others?”

“The Nine Great Sects.”

“Ah…”

The Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families had committed acts that violated the agreement. That fact was making the world uneasy, and then a chivalrous hero appears like a saint?

The more that name shone, the more the reputation of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families would be dragged through the mud.

“Along with the name Mount Hua Sword Hero, the names of Mount Hua and the Cheonwoo Alliance are spreading more and more widely. The people are praising the Cheonwoo Alliance, which stabilized the Yangtze River in place of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families, and broke through the commercial routes against the Surochae.”

Hong Daeguang scratched the back of his head after saying that much.

“From my perspective, it’s a bit ambiguous whether this is something to be happy about or not…”

Since the Beggars’ Sect was also affiliated with the Nine Great Sects, his feelings must be complicated.

“Anyway, at least for this moment, it is a fact that the name representing the orthodox sects of the Jianghu is not the Nine Great Sects but the Cheonwoo Alliance.”

“Hmm.”

Hyun Jong nodded heavily.

The matter kept growing and eventually came to this. Who would have imagined that such a thing would happen when they first set out for the Yangtze River?

Whoosh!

At that moment, Im Sobyung opened his fan wide and fluttered it as he spoke.

“When people feel uneasy, they seek something to relieve that unease. Therefore, the more ominous news that comes from Jiangnan, the more they will try to find a place to rely on. In such a situation, the Cheonwoo Alliance and the Mount Hua Sword… Cough! The name Mount Hua Sword Hero will surely have a great impact.”

“What’s with the cough in the middle? Cough?”

Im Sobyung ignored Chung Myung’s words and continued.

“Even a large dam collapses from a small hole. If the current situation continues, and the Four Evil Alliances spread their infamy and heighten the atmosphere…!”

Thwack!

Im Sobyung struck the table with his folded fan.

“Defection will begin.”

“Defection?”

“Yes.”

Im So-byeong nodded.

“The Cheonwoo Alliance underestimates itself the most. Sects in western Jungwon, like Sichuan, were thinking about fighting the Cheonwoo Alliance. But now, the Alliance has shown its strength and why it is right. If you control things carefully, groups that used to follow the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families will want to join the Cheonwoo Alliance.”

Tang Gunak nodded in agreement.

“We are already seeing this happen,” Im So-byeong added.

“That’s right. So, all I have to do is manage it well now.”

“Why are you managing it?”

“Hahaha. Aren’t I the right person for the job? The people here are excellent, of course, but they usually only manage the sects in their own areas and have never managed sects all over the world! But this Green Forest King! He is the one who manages the mountain fortresses everywhere!”

“So, why you? You villainous bandit!”

Im So-byeong chuckled, pretending to be hurt. “Ah, as expected from the great Hwasan Sword Master! You really don’t like bandits, do you? Please, hold me gently! I’m joking, I’m joking!”

Chung Myung rolled his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. He tried to sit up, but Baek Cheon and Jo Gul quickly put hands on his shoulders, holding him down with mock seriousness.

Tang Gunak smiled gently, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Maybe your epithet will become even more famous,” he said.

“…Why?” Chung Myung asked.

“In chaotic times, heroes are needed. People want to believe in heroic stories. A brave young swordsman who fought the Demonic Sect’s devil as equals. People will really enjoy that story.”

“…Ugh.”

“And it’s not that wrong, is it?”

“Just take out the ‘chivalrous’ part,” Chung Myung said.

“Just take out the ‘heroic chivalrous’ part.”

“Shouldn’t we also take out the ‘fought as equals’ part?”

Chung Myung wondered who had said that.

“From the start, the Cheonwoo Alliance needed to show what it could do. It’s good that you became famous. The Cheonwoo Alliance needs to use this name.”

“This epithet?” Chung Myung asked.

“That’s right,” Tang Gunak replied.

“This one?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Why?”

Tang Gunak chuckled, watching Chung Myung’s face twitch.

He must really hate it, Tang Gunak thought.

“Usually, having ‘chivalrous’ in your epithet is a great honor.”

“You were laughing too!” Chung Myung pointed out.

“Ahem.” Tang Gunak covered his mouth, unable to deny it.

Everyone laughed at this funny situation, but the Five Swords were the most excited.

“Wow, my junior brother is a Sword Master! A Hwasan Sword Master! I can die happy now!”

“…Hmph.”

“Excellent. Commendable.”

Baek Cheon smiled slyly, which was expected, but even Yoo I-seol was trying not to smile. Who would have thought they would see that?

“Wow! I’m jealous! I want a new epithet too!” Jo Gul whined.

“Ugh…”

However, the teasing came back sooner than expected.

“Ah.” Hong Dae-kwang looked at Baek Cheon and smiled slightly.

“No need to be jealous. You also got a new epithet.”

“Really?” Baek Cheon’s eyes widened.

“Why? What did I do?”

“I don’t know. Epithets are given by others. There’s no reason needed.”

Cold sweat ran down Baek Cheon’s back.

“Wh-What is the epithet?”

“Don’t worry. It hasn’t changed much. You are now the Hwasan Righteous Sword, Baek Cheon, instead of the Flower Righteous Sword.”

“The righteous one who fought against the evil enemies, helping the Hwasan Sword Master…”

“St-Stop!” Baek Cheon begged.

He couldn’t stand seeing his junior brother and sister looking at him like playful devils, smiling mischievously.

‘Is it this embarrassing?’ he wondered.

It was beyond something he could just hide from. He wanted to run away, even if he had to jump into a river.

“Hwasan Righteous Sword?”

He especially didn’t want to be noticed by Chung Myung. He could see the little devil looking for a chance to tease him!

At that moment, Hong Dae-kwang spoke again.

“And one more person… Disciple Yoo I-seol…”

Yoo I-seol stood up so quickly it was like a flash of light, and tried to run to the door. But Dang So-so grabbed her hand tightly.

“Hey. You have to listen,” Dang So-so said.

“Ice Sword Plum Blossom, Yoo I-seol! An amazing swordswoman with ice-like sword energy and a noble spirit!”

Yoo I-seol tried to escape like a trapped cat, but Dang So-so’s hand was strong.

“Stay still! Why! The epithet is pretty and good!” Dang So-so said. It would have seemed like a kind thing to say if she didn’t have a wicked smile.

Yoo I-seol’s ears and neck turned bright red. She stared hard at the wall, trying to disappear into it. Her shoulders were rising and falling, showing how embarrassed she was.

“…Can Disciple’s face change color?” Yoon Jong asked.

“How could that be? You must be seeing things,” Baek Cheon replied.

“Right?” Yoon Jong nodded.

“Chivalrous, Righteous… They’ve used all the good words,” Chung Myung chuckled and muttered. Jo Gul wiggled his butt and his eyes lit up.

“Branch Leader! What about me?”

“Huh?” Hong Dae-kwang asked.

“My epithet? My epithet! Am I the Hwasan Saint Sword?”

“Is he crazy?” someone asked.

“Why are you using the word ‘Saint’? That’s rude!” another added.

“Ah, just be quiet! Something must have been added!” Baek Cheon said.

Jo Gul looked at Hong Dae-kwang with hopeful eyes.

“Uh… That…” Hong Dae-kwang hesitated.

“Yes. Me, me!” Jo Gul urged.

At that moment, Hong Dae-kwang looked away.

“…Nothing?” Jo Gul asked.

Hong Dae-kwang smiled awkwardly and tried to comfort him.

“Well… It will come soon, right? Ahem.”

Jo Gul looked completely defeated.

“…This world is unfair. Even if we fight the same enemies, someone is a Sword Master, an Ice Sword, a Righteous Sword, but I’m just a regular Hwasan swordsman… And I got hit the most…”

“If you’re upset, you should be handsome too,” Baek Cheon said.

“Is that something you should say! You don’t have an epithet either!” Jo Gul retorted.

“That’s why I’m not saying anything,” Baek Cheon replied.

“…Wipe your tears and talk,” Jo Gul mumbled.

It was Jo Gul and Yoon Jong who realized that the world is not fair.