Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 849

“Well…”

Things were calm until everyone agreed to close the gates of Mount Hua.

They were a little nervous seeing Chung Myung grind his teeth, but they expected him to be angry.

But the Mount Hua disciples didn’t expect one thing after closing the gates. They had to explain their decision to Hae Yeon.

“Well…”

Baek Cheon rubbed his neck, avoiding Hae Yeon’s gaze. He shuffled his feet, unsure what to say.

Baek Cheon still clearly remembered Hae Yeon’s words to Beopkye, echoing in his mind: she wouldn’t go back to Shaolin.

“…Gate closure?”

“…”

“Gate closure?”

“…”

Tears filled Hae Yeon’s big, gentle eyes, like rain about to spill from a cloud.

“Then… what about me?”

“Uh…”

Baek Cheon mumbled awkwardly.

“Well… I don’t know what to do about this.”

“…”

“Ha… Haha…”

Cold sweat trickled down his back as he laughed awkwardly.

‘Say something, please!’

‘She’s crying!’

‘What do you want me to do?’

Who would have thought about Hae Yeon’s future in that atmosphere?

Then, Hae Yeon opened her mouth.

“Well… I ask this just in case.”

“…Yes.”

“If we close the gates… what about outsiders?”

“Well…”

Baek Cheon smiled gently and answered kindly.

“If we close the gates, outsiders can’t come in. Isn’t that what closing the gates means? You’re asking something obvious. You know what closing gates means, right?”

“Hey, you!”

“How can you answer like that?”

As protests rained down from behind, Baek Cheon widened his eyes slightly as if asking why.

“It’s the truth, I can’t lie.”

“Wow…”

“Did you perhaps leave your humanity on the other side of the Yangtze River?”

Hae Yeon squeezed her eyes shut and turned her head away. Clear tears streamed down her face.

‘Mount Hua people are heartless,’ Hae Yeon thought, tears blurring her vision. ‘Maybe the Demonic Sect would be kinder… maybe they would be better.’

No, this isn’t their fault in the first place, it’s Hae Yeon’s fault.

She knew from the start that the Mount Hua lot were like this, so what was she expecting, declaring she would stay in Mount Hua only to suffer this fate?

Jo Gul, who had been cautiously watching Hae Yeon, burst into a seemingly hearty laugh with an awkward expression.

“Haha! M-Monk! It’s not necessarily something to be so gloomy about!”

“…Yes?”

“Don’t be like that, and just take this opportunity to join Mount Hua. Even if it were someone else, if you were to join, the Sect Leader would welcome you with open arms.”

“…”

“Think about it. Rather than living as a bald person for the rest of your life, you could join Mount Hua, grow your hair, and eat meat…”

Yoon Jong grabbed Jo Gul’s hair and yanked him back, then smacked his mouth.

“You blabbermouth! You blabbermouth!”

“Ack! Ack! Mmph! Ptooey! Why are you hitting me! Why! Ack!”

Baek Cheon, watching Yoon Jong quickly subdue Jo Gul, shook his head.

“…I’ll have a good talk with the Sect Leader. Don’t worry too much, Monk.”

“…”

When Hae Yeon didn’t respond, Baek Cheon laughed awkwardly.

“Haha. Well, like they say in Buddhism, that’s just life, isn’t it?”

Hearing that, Hae Yeon gave a faint smile.

“…Benefactor.”

“Yes? What did you say?”

“…Go.”

“…Yes?”

“Go die, Benefactor.”

“…”

“Did you say gate closure?”

Im So-byeong’s eyes widened so much they looked like they would pop out.

“Gate closure?”

“Yeah.”

“So, gate closure?”

“That’s what I said.”

“You’re saying gate closure, right?”

“…”

“This might be a rude question…”

“Yeah?”

“Did you perhaps eat something wrong?”

Oh…

Amazing. He can’t even tell if that’s rude or not. Truly a bandit leader.

At that moment, Im So-byeong suddenly screamed.

“Are you out of your mind!”

“Why are you yelling at me!”

Chung Myung kicked Im So-byeong. But unlike usual, when Im So-byeong would feign death, this time he immediately sprang back up like a spring.

“Mum?”

Chung Myung was surprised by his almost flying momentum and flinched. Im So-byeong shouted with fire in his eyes.

“Don’t you know what situation we’re in? Money! Money! Money, I’m talking about! Money!”

Im So-byeong, veins popping out on his forehead as if his previous illness was a lie, pointed his finger.

“No! It’s not just about money! As someone who holds the title of a Daoist, you must know how much is at stake here! Gate closure! What nonsense is this!”

Im So-byeong’s attitude suddenly changed again.

He grabbed Chung Myung’s hand and pleaded with desperate eyes.

“You’re joking, right? You’re teasing me, right? Tell me it was a joke. Huh?”

“It’s the truth, though?”

Plop.

Im So-byeong’s shoulders slumped. All the energy seemed to drain out of him, leaving him like a deflated balloon on the floor. He muttered with a soul-drained face.

“Why did I ever get involved with these unreliable Daoists?’ Im So-byeong grumbled to himself. ‘You can’t trust anyone these days.”

“…Is that something a bandit should say to a Daoist?”

At that moment, Tang Gunak, who had been listening quietly, looked at Chung Myung with a puzzled expression.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking either. Suddenly closing the gates. The things you were trying to do are just now bearing fruit.”

“Well, that’s true…”

When Chung Myung showed a slightly troubled expression, Tang Gunak stared at him intently and nodded.

“It’s not possible right now, is it.”

“…You understand.”

“Jang Il-so was a fearsome man. Especially now that he has the Four Evil Sects in his grasp, he will become even more terrifying.”

The most important thing in leading a sect is not how much profit you gain now, but whether you can cope with the coming crisis.

Being in a position to lead the Dang family, he could fully understand Chung Myung’s heart.

He had countless experiences watching what happened to those who were so focused on the small things in front of them that they failed to prepare for what was truly important.

“No, I understand, but…”

However, Im So-byeong still seemed to have something to say.

“Isn’t that why we have the Heavenly Union! Mount Hua doesn’t have to do it alone!”

Tang Gunak spoke first, “There are limits to that.”

Cheong-myeong scoffed, “Limits? If you combine my amazing plans…”

Tang Gunak interrupted, “Even the smartest strategist can’t win without enough power. What can you do?”

Cheong-myeong hesitated. “Well, that’s…”

Tang Gunak stated firmly, “If you’re overwhelmed by force, plans don’t matter.”

Tang Gunak nodded in agreement. “That’s true. Either way, we’ve bought some time. I doubt Jang Il-so will wait the full three years. He must have a reason for changing the agreement to only avoid conflict in Jiangnan. So, we probably have two years at most.”

“That’s right,” Im So-byeong agreed.

Tang Gunak continued, “Realistically, only Mount Hua can become much stronger in that time. Mount Hua is full of talented young people. They can improve the most in the next two years.”

He thought, *And if Cheong-myeong leads them, he will achieve even more than Tang Gunak expects.*

However, Im So-byeong still looked worried.

“It’s also hard to keep the Yangtze River area stable without Mount Hua,” he pointed out.

Tang Gunak replied, “Don’t worry about that. That’s what the Cheonwu Alliance is for. The Tang family will do more. If that’s not enough, we’ll ask the Beast Palace for help.”

“Ugh…” Im So-byeong groaned, tapping his head with his fan.

Tang Gunak added, “Also, many smaller groups want to join the Cheonwu Alliance. Groups from Sichuan, Shaanxi, and the Yangtze River area are eager to help us. If we accept them, they can help fill the gap left by Mount Hua while they are gone.”

“That’s true, but…” Im So-byeong still seemed uneasy.

He explained, “As long as the Four Evil Alliances don’t get involved, the Tang family can handle most of the smaller bad groups. The real problem is that other good people can’t easily get to the Yangtze River area to help.”

Tang Gunak continued, “And since Plum Blossom Island has decided not to interfere with the Four Evil Alliances… the truth is, Mount Hua doesn’t have much to do there. We can’t leave Shaanxi empty forever.”

Im So-byeong complained, “You’re right about that.”

As Im So-byeong grumbled, looking annoyed, Tang Gunak stared at him without any expression.

“Are you worried?” Tang Gunak asked.

Im So-byeong’s face tightened slightly.

Tang Gunak continued, “I know the Green Forest isn’t joining us because of the Cheonwu Alliance itself. The Green Forest only cares about Mount Hua and the Mount Hua Divine Dragon… no, the Mount Hua Sword Master. That’s why they want to join the Cheonwu Alliance.”

Im So-byeong remained silent.

Tang Gunak stated, “But whether we’re friends or partners, one side should not get all the good things. If you want to be a friend of Mount Hua, prove you can be Mount Hua’s sword.”

Im So-byeong still didn’t speak.

Tang Gunak elaborated, “First, stabilize the Cheonwu Alliance and secure the Yangtze River while Mount Hua is away. Isn’t that right?”

Im So-byeong, who looked like he was about to argue, glared at Tang Gunak with a cold look.

It was the Green Forest King’s serious aura, not his usual joking way.

“There’s something you need to understand,” Im So-byeong said sternly.

“Tell me,” Tang Gunak replied.

Im So-byeong stated, “The Green Forest hasn’t joined the Cheonwu Alliance yet. And even if we did, the Tang family, not Mount Hua, is in charge and can’t give orders to the Green Forest.”

“That’s obvious,” Tang Gunak acknowledged.

The two men stared intensely at each other.

“Ugh,” Im So-byeong sighed, breaking the tension. He shrugged and sighed deeply. “I thought I could get some help, but now I have to run around until I’m exhausted. Alas, my fate!”

Im So-byeong, complaining, turned his head sharply to Cheong-myeong. “Is this worth the effort?” he asked.

“That’s a pointless question,” Cheong-myeong replied dismissively.

“Ugh. Long-term planning isn’t my style. Life is short,” Im So-byeong grumbled.

Im So-byeong, thinking hard, nodded. “Well, whatever I say, you won’t change your mind once you’ve decided.”

“You know me well,” Cheong-myeong said with a smirk.

Im So-byeong continued, “When you decide something, you always charge in without thinking.”

He sighed and said, “I’ll take care of the Yangtze River area and the trade routes somehow. The Tang family will handle helping the common people.”

“No,” Cheong-myeong stated firmly.

“……What?” Im So-byeong asked, surprised.

Cheong-myeong clarified, “You have to do that too. The Green Forest should deal with the evil groups and help the commoners as much as possible.”

Im So-byeong stared at Cheong-myeong, scratching his head.

“You’re really asking too much. Are you telling me to protect the trade routes and fix our bad reputation at the same time?” he asked incredulously.

“It’s a good chance to do it,” Cheong-myeong replied simply.

“Ugh…” Im So-byeong groaned.

He thought, *This guy is always so demanding. Does he even know how hard this is?*

“……I understand. I’ll do my best. But!” Im So-byeong declared, staring at Cheong-myeong with determined eyes. “Face the power that you and Mount Hua have.”

Cheong-myeong remained silent.

Im So-byeong continued, “The Cheonwu Alliance won’t last three years without Mount Hua. You need to realize how strange it is for the honorable Tang family and the Green Forest, known for being evil, to work together. Things that didn’t matter when Mount Hua was here will cause trouble now that Mount Hua is gone.”

Tang Gunak nodded slowly, agreeing with Im So-byeong. Im So-byeong went on, “There’s only so much the Tang family head and I can do to stop problems. If you don’t come back soon, the Tang family head and I might lose our positions before the Cheonwu Alliance can even unite.”

“Can’t you even control those kids…” Cheong-myeong muttered.

“Whose fault is that!” Im So-byeong retorted.

Cheong-myeong glared at him. “Why are you yelling! Do you want to die!”

Im So-byeong flinched and backed down.

“Anyway…” Tang Gunak interjected, trying to calm things down. “I agree with the Green Forest King. The Tang family and the Green Forest are working together, but if you’re not here, we can’t trade with the Northern Ice Palace anymore. They really don’t like the Central Plains.”

“Hmm,” Cheong-myeong hummed thoughtfully.

Tang Gunak explained, “No matter how much we ask for help, they probably won’t help the Central Plains while Mount Hua is gone. They’re not helping the Cheonwu Alliance; they’re helping Mount Hua.”

“Huh? You two are friends, right?” Cheong-myeong asked, confused.

Tang Gunak clarified, “We’re friends because you’re here. And the Beast Palace Lord liking me is different from liking the Tang family.”

Cheong-myeong remained silent, considering this.

Tang Gunak concluded, “I’m saying all this for one reason. The Cheonwu Alliance only exists because of Mount Hua. Without Mount Hua, the Cheonwu Alliance can’t survive. So…”

Tang Gunak paused, then looked at Cheong-myeong with serious eyes. “Come back as soon as you can.”

Cheong-myeong didn’t respond.

Tang Gunak added, “And of course, come back with great results too.”

Cheong-myeong shook his head. “You’re asking too much.”

Tang Gunak waited patiently.

“But…” Cheong-myeong’s lips curled into a smile.

“You can look forward to it,” he said confidently, his eyes shining.

“I’ll surprise you with what I achieve,” Cheong-myeong declared.

“Huhu. That’s the Mount Hua Divine Dragon for you. Or… the Mount Hua Sword Master? It still sounds strange,” Im So-byeong chuckled.

“Ugh. What a terrible title,” Cheong-myeong complained.

Tang Gunak smiled gently. He understood that Cheong-myeong always had a good reason for everything he did. So, his job was to support Cheong-myeong and Mount Hua as much as possible.

“Leave the rest to me,” Tang Gunak assured him.

“Ugh. I’ll help out too,” Im So-byeong added.

Cheong-myeong smiled brightly. It was something that would have been hard to imagine in the past. But now, there were people he could trust to protect their home.

If there was one thing that made the current Mount Hua better than the old Mount Hua, it was the existence of these people.

Cheong-myeong reached out his hand. Im So-byeong and Tang Gunak clasped it firmly.

Cheong-myeong felt the warmth of their hands, a solid, reassuring feeling.

“I’m counting on you,” Cheong-myeong said simply.

Tang Gunak accepted Cheong-myeong’s words with a gentle smile, and Im So-byeong accepted them with a reluctant groan.