Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 888

The sudden fight ended quickly, just as it started.

The Mount Hua disciples took the weapons from the defeated Evil Sect members. They locked them up in the Silver Cloud Merchant Guild’s warehouse.

The disciples could now go into the warehouse full of treasure. But they were too worried about the injured to be happy about it.

Mount Hua’s top priority was treating the injured and recovering the dead.

Hyun-young asked, his voice low, “How are they?”

The old physician sighed, “Well… the good news is, no one else will die. Bad news is, they’re in a terrible state.”

“Yes?”

Because there were so many injured, Hyun-young turned a building in the Silver Cloud Merchant Guild into a medical ward. He gathered doctors from Seo-an.

Hyun-young looked puzzled at the physician’s words. “If no one else is dying, that’s good, right? What’s the problem?”

The physician hesitated, glancing at Hyun-young. “Those with such bad injuries will need a long time to recover. They’ll need to rest and get treatment for at least three months.”

“So?”

“Even after they recover, they won’t be as strong as they used to be.”

“Ah.”

Hyun-young nodded, understanding. “Don’t worry about that.”

“To be honest, treating these injuries needs expensive medicine. Even if we don’t use much…”

“Don’t worry, Physician.”

Hyun-young waved his hand. Hyun-young thought the physician was worried about the cost of the medicine. It was probably too expensive for normal people. He must have gathered all the medicine he had, but he might not get paid for it.

“Mount Hua will pay for all the treatment for those hurt here.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Hyun-young nodded like it was obvious.

“If you do that…”

This was already agreed upon with Hyun-jong.

Mount Hua didn’t have to pay for the treatment. The Evil Sect was attacking Seo-an, not Mount Hua. They would have attacked Seo-an whether Mount Hua was there or not.

But Hyun-young knew they shouldn’t focus on small details and money.

“If we only think about money, they will too. It’s okay to be logical, but I want a different kind of relationship.”

It was the right thing to do.

He saw someone’s eyes light up at the mention of money and nod silently.

“We don’t want to charge those who fought the Evil Sect. But if we don’t use enough medicine, they might have problems later.”

“Don’t worry about the money. Treat them as well as you can.”

Hyun-young looked at the injured lying on the stark white cloths spread on the floor. The air was thick with the smell of herbs and sweat. Some men moaned softly, while others lay pale and still.

“They were brave. They deserve the best treatment.”

The old physician admired him.

It was easy to praise brave people, but it wasn’t easy to spend money on them.

Mount Hua didn’t have to take so much responsibility.

He thought they would just offer a place to stay or pretend to care. But they were being so generous that he was impressed.

“Then we will do our best.”

“Thank you, Physician. Our Medical Hall will help too.”

“Yes, that’s a great help…”

Plop!

“Aaaaargh!”

“Oh, stop complaining! Our senior brothers don’t even groan when they’re stabbed with bigger needles!”

“L-Lady… It hurts too much…”

“Quiet. Turn around… Huh? Is this the wrong spot? Uh… It’s been so long since I’ve done this, I’m a little confused…”

A scary voice spoke casually.

“Well, it probably doesn’t matter. I’ll just stick it in again.”

“S-Save me…”

Plop!

“Aaaaargh!”

The injured man’s foot shot up. Hyun-young and the physician stared at his toes and then looked away.

“That…”

Hyun-young coughed. “Please take good care of them.”

“Yes… Elder.”

The conversation began kindly but ended in an uncomfortable silence.

“Have all the disciples’ bodies been found?”

“Yes, Father.”

Wi Lip-san paused before nodding. The number of dead wasn’t that high, considering how fierce the battle was. They could have all died.

But as the leader, he couldn’t be happy about the low number.

“I’m ashamed I lived,” he said.

“Please don’t say that, Father. Everyone saw you fighting harder than anyone else,” Wi So-haeng said.

He wasn’t just trying to comfort Wi Lip-san.

Wi So-haeng was proud to be Wi Lip-san’s son. The other disciples probably felt the same.

Wi Lip-san had shown he was a true leader, not just someone from Mount Hua. The disciples knew he was kind and calm, but also a brave warrior.

“What will you do with the bodies?”

“Should we send them home?”

“Yes.”

The other sects had disciples from Seo-an, but the Hwayoung Sect disciples were from Nanyang. They should be allowed to rest there.

“I must go myself.”

“Father, you’re not well. I’ll go,” Wi So-haeng said.

“No.”

Wi Lip-san shook his head. “I must do this as the leader.”

“Father…”

Wi Lip-san smiled. “Don’t look at me like that. It’s sad, but be proud of your senior brothers. They were good people, right?”

“Yes. I’ll never forget them.”

Wi Lip-san nodded as he saw the determination in Wi So-haeng’s eyes.

Pain makes people stronger.

It was sad, but Wi Lip-san knew this pain would make his disciples stronger, like true warriors. That was some comfort.

“Then I must hurry. It’s a long trip.”

“Ah, no.”

“Hmm? Before the bodies rot…”

“The Mount Hua Sect Leader will provide ice crystals. He said to wait a day or two.”

“Ice crystals?”

Wi Lip-san bit his lip. He was surprised that Hyun-jong would use precious ice crystals to preserve the bodies.

“The ice crystals will keep the bodies from rotting. We should still go soon, but we can rest for a couple of days while they get the ice crystals…”

Wi Lip-san closed his eyes.

If the ice crystals were at Mount Hua, it wouldn’t take two days. And if they had to get them, it would take longer than two days. Hyun-jong was worried about Wi Lip-san’s health.

“Let’s do that.”

“Yes, Father.”

Wi Lip-san glanced sideways. “So-haeng.”

“Yes.”

“Have you seen Elder Chongmyung yet?”

“…”

Wi Sohaeng slowly shook his head, keeping his eyes down. Wi Rip-san, his father and the sect leader, gave a small, sad smile.

“It’s hard,” Wi Rip-san said softly. “But everyone in the martial arts world faces this sooner or later.”

“Yes, I know,” Wi Sohaeng mumbled.

“So, don’t hide your feelings.”

“…”

“I want you to go,” Wi Rip-san said, his voice becoming stronger. “As your sect leader, I order you to thank Elder Chongmyung and the Hwasan disciples. Thank them for everything.”

“But…” Wi Sohaeng started to protest.

“This is also your duty, as the future leader of our sect.”

Wi Sohaeng nodded. He knew he had to obey. “Yes, I will go.”

“Good. Go now, and come back soon.”

“Yes, Father.”

Wi Sohaeng stood up slowly. He bowed deeply to his father, then turned and left the room. The wooden floor felt cold under his feet. His heart felt heavy as he headed towards the Eunha Merchant Guild, where the Hwasan people were staying.

Tap. Tap!

His slow steps soon quickened, turning into a rapid run.

‘Elder Chongmyung!’

He hadn’t properly thanked Chongmyung for saving him. It wasn’t the right time back then.

‘I have to thank him.’

Managing the sect was important as the young sect leader, but thanking the person who saved his life was also important.

He ran as fast as he could, breathless, to the Eunha Merchant Guild.

But…

Wi Sohaeng slowed down as he got closer to the Eunha Merchant Guild.

Then he stopped.

He hesitated, a strange look on his face.

He would have rushed into the Eunha Merchant Guild to find Chongmyung in the past, but now his feet felt heavy.

‘Why?’

Wi Sohaeng was confused by the change in himself.

He had to thank them, so he went into the Eunha Merchant Guild. But he couldn’t find any of the Hwasan disciples.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes?”

Wi Sohaeng spoke to a worker, his face a little stiff. “Where are the Hwasan people?”

“They’re probably in the dining hall. It’s mealtime. It’s that big building over there.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Wi Sohaeng bowed and walked slowly towards the dining hall. But he felt uneasy.

He saw a familiar face near the dining hall. Someone was hesitating, looking like Wi Sohaeng.

“Branch Leader?”

“Huh? Young Sect Leader.”

Hong Daekwang looked at Wi Sohaeng and nodded, a little dazed.

“What are you doing here?”

Wi Sohaeng stopped himself from saying Hong Daekwang looked like a puppy who needed to pee. Hong Daekwang sighed deeply.

“Hwasan Divine Dragon… I wanted to talk to the Hwasan Sword Saint.”

“Yes.”

“It feels a bit awkward.”

Wi Sohaeng’s eyes widened.

“I know Hwasan has become stronger, and I’m happy about it. But this Hwasan feels different from what I know.”

Listening to Hong Daekwang, Wi Sohaeng finally understood why he felt uneasy.

‘They feel distant.’

He worried they wouldn’t be the same Hwasan he remembered. It seemed Hong Daekwang felt the same way.

“Should we go in?”

“Ugh.”

Hong Daekwang groaned.

He didn’t want to be anxious in front of Wi Sohaeng.

“Let’s go in.”

If Wi Sohaeng hadn’t come, he would have listened at the door. But now he had to go in.

Hong Daekwang pretended to be calm and threw open the dining hall door.

“Hey, Hwasan Sword…”

Hong Daekwang stopped talking.

Everyone inside turned to look at him. They had probably been like that before he came in.

‘This…’

It wasn’t the lively Hwasan he knew. Everyone looked stiff.

The Hwasan Sect used to welcome everyone.

Hong Daekwang was about to groan when…

“Aaaaaargh!”

‘Huh?’

Someone stood up and screamed.

“Hey, what! Why are you feeding those bastards! Feeding them!”

“How many times have I told you? You’ll starve if you keep doing that?”

“I don’t care! Those bastards are full! People in the countryside can’t even eat one meal a day! I’d rather feed the food to dogs!”

“No… they’ll die!”

“Ah? Ah… Ah!”

Chongmyung clapped his hands loudly.

“I understand.”

“Huh?”

Baek Cheon looked at Chongmyung, feeling uneasy.

Chongmyung asked cheerfully, “You’re worried they’ll die?”

“Well, yes. We can’t let them starve to death.”

“Then we can kill them so they don’t starve!”

“Huh?”

“I’ll cut off their heads! I’ll make sure they never eat again!”

“Grab him!”

“Grab that bastard!”

“Agh! Please, just eat! You damn bastard!”

“If you have time to grumble, grab him!”

The Hwasan disciples grabbed Chongmyung, who was trying to run out with his sword.

“Let go! Are you crazy? You’re saving the evil sect! It wasn’t like this in my day!”

“Ah, shut up!”

“Aaargh! Grab him!”

“Please… let’s just eat.”

Hong Daekwang watched, blank-faced. He heard giggling.

Wi Sohaeng was laughing.

‘Nothing has changed.’

Even if they were stronger, even if they were different.

Hwasan was still Hwasan.

“Elder Chongmyung!”

Wi Sohaeng smiled and ran towards Chongmyung.