Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 844

The grain poured with a satisfying *whoosh*. It was a good sound, like a promise of food for hungry people.

Jo Gul held up a measuring cup, high enough for everyone to see. He shouted to the crowd, his voice strong and cheerful.

“There’s plenty, so don’t fight and form a line! There’s more than enough for everyone!”

He hit the grain sacks hard, *thump-thump*, showing everyone they were full and heavy.

“Here you go.”

“Really… Thank you so much, Warrior. Thank you so much.” The old man cried, tears running down his face as he thanked Jo Gul again and again. Jo Gul smiled kindly. “Don’t mention it.”

The grain was bought with money Hyun Young got. It was a lot of money, even if they had to borrow it.

Mount Hua people and Tang family members were helping in other villages too. They were going everywhere to give food.

“Alright, come forward.”

It was as Jo Gul was scooping grain into the sack held out by the approaching man that it happened.

“Oh, my, thank you so much. You are so generous.”

“Haha. I am a bit handsome, aren’t I?”

“Such a strong young warrior! People are talking about Mount Hua all over! They say you fought Jang Il-So!”

Jo Gul puffed out his chest. “Ha! Jang Il-So? He was tough, but…”

The old man’s eyes widened. “Then, are you… the famous Mount Hua Sword…?”

“Ugh, ugh!” Jo Gul clutched his side. “My old wound from Jang Il-So is acting up again! Ugh…”

“Oh, heavens! A hero like you!” The old man was even more impressed.

“Filled. Next person.” Jo Gul quickly moved on.

“Um, excuse me, Warrior…”

“Yes?”

“Mine looks a little less…”

“It’s the same.”

“But…”

*SMACK!* Yoon Jong hit Jo Gul’s head. “Stop being lazy and fill it properly!”

“Ow! Senior Brother!”

“Oh, this unfair world. Some are famous heroes, and I’m just the one who scoops grain.”

“Shut up.”

At that, Jo Gul stopped his strange song and pursed his lips. Yoon Jong chuckled and helped scoop grain.

“I don’t know how to express this gratitude…”

“It’s nothing.”

Yoon Jong shook his head.

“We are sorry you are suffering. It feels like we, the fighters, have caused trouble.”

“H-How is that Mount Hua’s fault! It’s all because of those rotten Nine Great Sects and those vile Demonic Sects!”

“That’s right!”

“Mount Hua is different! The Heavenly Union is different!”

Voices of agreement and shouts rang out from all directions.

It was a place to distribute grain, so what couldn’t be said? But the hearts of the people of the Yangtze River were definitely leaning towards Mount Hua.

Yoon Jong smiled a little sadly and said.

“Thank you for your kind words. We need to go to other villages too, so please be a little quicker.”

“Yes, Taoist! We will!”

Jo Gul’s mouth jutted out at the somewhat different reaction from before.

“Why am I ‘Warrior’ and Senior Brother is ‘Taoist’? I’m a Taoist too!”

“……Geol.”

“What?”

“If you open your mouth one more time, I might not be able to hear the word ‘Taoist’ from those people either.”

“……I’ll be quiet.”

Yoon Jong chuckled as he watched Jo Gul quickly shut his mouth and distribute grain, then stretched his back.

The majestic Yangtze River and the Jiangnan region beyond were visible in the distance.

‘It looks so peaceful.’

But that was only on the surface; it was no longer a place that could be called peaceful.

“There are so many.”

Baek Cheon, returning after providing relief to the people, muttered with a sigh as he looked at the crowd gathered at the docks.

Not long ago, there were many merchants crossing the river, but in just a few days, their numbers seemed to have more than doubled.

The interesting thing was that normally, when this many merchants gathered, there would usually be fights or great chaos, but here, there was no disturbance to be found.

The merchants whose turn was approaching waited in an orderly line, and those who had to wait a long time skillfully set up tents and rested, quietly estimating their turn.

Merchants, who were usually impatient when money was involved, were as meek as lambs here.

The reason? It was very simple.

“Hey, you there?”

“Yes?”

“Hey, your foot is sticking out. Be careful, carts might hit you. Okay?”

“Yes! Yes! Thank you so much for your concern!”

It was because the ones managing the merchants were all bandits who looked like they could tear apart a tiger with their bare hands.

“U-Um, excuse me, sir?”

“I’m not a sir, I’m a merchant guild member. Yes, what is it?”

“Um, we arrived before the porters carrying the goods…”

“Huh? Wait a minute.”

The bandit checked the order and scratched his head with a troubled look.

“Ugh. Sorry about that. What should I do… If I report this, I’ll get in big trouble. Ugh…”

The merchant flinched at the sight of the bandit’s face turning pale. He even started to get bloodshot eyes, so the merchant quickly opened his mouth.

“Ah, no, it’s okay. I-I was just mentioning it. We can wait and load it later.”

“Huh? Are you sure?”

“Of course! Of course! We have plenty of time.”

“Thank you. I’ll definitely repay you! Then go stand behind there. I’ll make sure you load it right after the next turn!”

“Oh, thank you!”

It wasn’t something to be thankful for at all, since the order was accidentally pushed back. But the merchant kept bowing as if he was truly grateful.

Baek Cheon stared at the scene, opened his mouth as if to say something, but soon turned his head away.

However, the sight he saw after turning his head wasn’t pleasant either.

“So, how much money came in yesterday?”

“It’s all recorded in this ledger.”

“Hmm.”

Hyun Young skillfully took the ledger and flipped through it.

This wouldn’t be anything special on its own. Hyun Young was the Head of the Treasury of Mount Hua, so he had a duty to check the income and expenses of Plum Blossom Island.

…If the one politely handing over the ledger wasn’t the Green Forest King.

“Hmm, very organized. Did you learn how to keep books?”

“Haha. Isn’t that something everyone should know?”

“It’s very accurate.”

“There won’t be a single copper coin out of place. The most important thing for a lasting friendly relationship is trust and honesty!”

“Yes, yes. It’s good to work with someone honest. Just remember, the Eunha Merchant Guild will check the books sometimes.”

“Of course! You are welcome anytime.”

“Hahaha. You are a generous man as I’ve heard.”

“Hahahaha. You are more so, Head of the Treasury!”

Im So-Byung firmly grasped Hyun Young’s hand.

“I look forward to working with you!”

“Heh… Hehehe. Of course. Hehehe.”

Baek Sang, who was watching the scene next to him, was startled and said to Baek Cheon.

“S-Senior Brother. Just now, in that… that hand…”

“Sang-ah.”

“Yes?”

“Close your mouth.”

“……”

Baek Cheon saw it clearly too. A heavy money pouch appeared in Hyun Young’s hand, which had firmly grasped and released Im So-Byung’s hand.

Baek Cheon, having confirmed Hyun Young’s clearing his throat and tucking the money pouch into his chest, squeezed his eyes shut and turned his head.

‘I didn’t see anything.’

That’s how the world works. That’s how the world works.

In any case, Baek Cheon’s eyes darkened slightly as he looked at the bustling docks.

“It’s about time…”

“Yes?”

“We need to prepare.”

“Prepare for what?”

Baek Sang asked back, but Baek Cheon just smiled silently.

Late at night.

Chung Myung, holding a bottle of alcohol, left his room. The buildings were still brightly lit.

“Hmm.”

Chung Myung, looking around at the bright surroundings, subtly turned his steps.

It was too bright here to drink comfortably.

His steps headed towards the water. He walked for a long time past the dense reed fields and reached a riverbank where people rarely tread.

Whoosh!

The river water surged and retreated repeatedly.

Chung Myung sat down in a suitable spot and drank the alcohol in his hand.

“Hmm.”

After a while, Chung Myung’s face was subtly distorted as he placed the bottle down a bit roughly.

He lay flat on his back, and the moon hanging in the middle of the night sky was clearly visible.

‘I don’t know.’

Everything was going well. Mount Hua was becoming famous, getting stronger, and people were starting to believe in them. The Heavenly Union was becoming real, much faster than he thought.

He *should* be happy. This was what he wanted, wasn’t it?

But…

“It feels tight in my chest.”

For some reason, it felt like he had a stone on one side of his chest.

Was he scared of Jang Il-So? No. It wasn’t that.

He didn’t even know *why* he felt this way. This strange heavy feeling had been there since the fight with Jang Il-So.

Something he couldn’t understand…

“Sword?”

“Aaargh!”

Chung Myung, startled, rolled away and jumped up.

“Oh, geez! You scared me! Are you a ghost? Huh? Are you a ghost?” Chung Myung jumped back. Yoo Iseol stood there, having appeared without a sound. Her face showed nothing.

“Sword?”

“Why the sword?”

“Draw it.”

“Huh?”

Shhhhk.

At that moment, Yoo Iseol slowly drew the plum blossom sword from her waist and pointed it at Chung Myung.

Chung Myung frowned at the sudden action.

“What are you doing?”

“Sparring.”

“With me?”

“Yes.”

Yoo Iseol nodded firmly. Chung Myung sighed deeply.

“I’m not in the mood for that right now, so I’ll play with you later.”

It was then.

*Whoosh!* Suddenly, cold sword energy burst from Yoo Iseol’s sword. It flashed past Chung Myung’s face, just missing him.

“Accident?”

“There won’t be a second time.”

Chung Myung laughed out loud. And then, slightly distorting his face, he slowly drew the Dark Plum Blossom Sword from his waist.

“I don’t know what you’re doing, but I’m not in a good mood.”

“…”

“You’ll get in trouble for this.”

“Cocky,” Yoo Iseol said, her eyes colder than ice. “Talking like that to your senior.”

“Oh? Let’s see how good a senior you are then!” Before Chung Myung could finish, Yoo Iseol moved. Her eyes were filled with a cold, dangerous light.