Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 908

It’s strange how people see things.

People often don’t see peace when they have it, or chaos when it’s all around them.

If things are peaceful for a long time, people forget how special peace is. If things are chaotic for a long time, people think chaos is normal.

It had been three years since the Janggang Disaster, when everything changed.

At first, people in Janggang were suffering from the chaos. But soon, they started to think this chaos was normal life.

Even with the fighting between the Sahe Alliance and the Nine Sects, and all the trouble from the bad groups, people were still trying to live normal lives.

Then, suddenly, a rumor started spreading fast all over Janggang.

A voice, low and worried, cut through the morning air. “Did you hear? They say the Tang Family is leaving Hubei.”

A man in a worn brown coat, his face already lined with worry, jolted as if stung. His eyes went wide, showing the whites all around. He slammed his fist on the rough wooden table, making the cups jump.

“Leaving? What madness is this? The Tang Family? Leaving *us*?” His voice was hoarse with disbelief.

“They say they’re returning to Sichuan.”

“So, what now?”

The faces of those gathered in small groups turned pale.

Those who farmed the land north of the Janggang knew how much the Sichuan Tang Family had done over the past few years. If the Tang Family hadn’t protected them, some of them wouldn’t be alive today.

So, the rumor that the Tang Family would leave Janggang caused great worry.

“Why all of a sudden?”

“It seems that bad groups are appearing in Sichuan.”

“What? In Sichuan?”

“That’s what they say. Not long ago, bad groups caused trouble in Sichuan, burning houses and stealing.”

“Now even Sichuan…”

“Besides, not long ago, those bad guys stirred up Shanxi as well. Now neither Shanxi nor Sichuan is safe.”

“Ah…”

The faces of those speaking showed deep sorrow.

The Sichuan Tang Family is the most powerful family in Sichuan. If bad groups are causing trouble there, the Tang Family must return to protect their home.

“…I’m worried. What will happen when the Tang Family leaves…”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“Does the Tang Family really have no choice? Even if Sichuan is a problem, should they leave completely?”

“What are you saying?”

One of those listening, his face red, retorted.

“The Sichuan Tang Family! They’ve protected us for years without asking for anything, even though they don’t belong in Hubei.”

“Well, yes, but…”

“Instead of being grateful, you want them to ignore their own problems to protect us? Is that right?”

“I’m just sad, that’s all. Why are you so angry…?”

The person who spoke shrank back, shoulders drooping.

“Speaking of what’s right! Isn’t there another group that should be dealing with those bad guys?”

At those words, everyone thought of one group. A group that had been their pride until the Janggang Disaster.

“The Tang Family is returning home because of problems in their area, even though it’s far away. But the people of Hubei are suffering, so what are those Wudang people doing?”

“…Who doesn’t know that? We’re saying this because Wudang has closed its doors and hidden.”

“Then we should go to Wudang and protest! Why did Wudang close its doors and hide? I heard that even Mount Hua, which had closed its doors, broke them down and came out when bad groups invaded Shanxi!”

“That Mount Hua?”

“That’s right!”

The faces of those who heard the name Mount Hua became strange.

For the people of Hubei, Mount Hua brought up complicated feelings.

It was once a small Taoist group that couldn’t compare to Wudang, the group representing Hubei. But since the Janggang Disaster, it was the only great group that fought against the Sahe Alliance.

Now, three years later, Mount Hua’s position is somewhere in between.

“Mount Hua broke down its doors and came out…”

“That’s what I’m saying! Is Mount Hua’s closing of its doors the same as Wudang’s?”

“It’s different. Very different.”

Mount Hua closed its doors to become stronger. But Wudang closed its doors and ran away from criticism.

“If Mount Hua had been active in the Jianghu for the past three years, it would have been praised. Mount Hua was the only group that defended the honor of the good groups during the Janggang Disaster! But Mount Hua refused, saying they weren’t strong enough! Mount Hua!”

“…That’s right. A great group.”

“Even they are coming out to protect people because of problems in Shanxi, but those Wudang people don’t care if the people of Hubei die. Ugh, damn it!”

The fear that the Tang Family was leaving turned into anger towards Wudang.

Anyone would naturally say the same.

“Is it just Wudang? What are the small groups of Hubei doing? They usually act like Wudang’s servants! If there’s no Wudang, should they just sit around doing nothing? I heard that the servants of Shanxi fought against the bad guys before Mount Hua arrived!”

“They say that even the servants of Zhongnan fought bravely, even though they had closed their doors.”

“What is Wudang doing…”

Anxiety is a great motivator.

The anxiety that things would get worse because the Tang Family was leaving stirred up the people of Hubei.

“I heard that the people of Junhyun have gone to Wudang, so let’s wait. If they have any shame, they’ll open the doors and come out.”

“…If they had any shame, would they have closed the doors in the first place?”

“Ugh. Damn it! This is frustrating!”

The news of the Sichuan Tang Family’s leaving turned Janggang upside down. But the real trouble was somewhere else.

“What? What did you say?”

“…They say Plum Blossom Island is leaving.”

The blood drained from the face of Sima Gong, the chief clerk of the Dafu Merchant Guild.

“Plum Blossom Island?”

“…Yes, Chief Clerk.”

“No! Why is Plum Blossom Island leaving so suddenly? Are you sure you heard right?”

“Yes. The rumors are everywhere. They say they’ll accept shipments until tomorrow, and then no more.”

“Are they reorganizing? Is that it?”

“It seems they’re planning to leave completely.”

“What? Why would they leave Plum Blossom Island? They’re making money very quickly! And what about all the buildings and facilities they’ve built? What will happen to them?”

“It seems they intend to abandon everything.”

“What on earth is going on?”

Sima Gong stared blankly, completely bewildered. This news made no sense at all.

He remembered when Plum Blossom Island was just a quiet, empty place. The Heavenly Union had worked so hard, pouring money and effort into it and the docks nearby. Now, it was a bustling city, filled with tall buildings and crowded streets, as busy and important as any city in Hubei. The air buzzed with the sounds of trade and the smells of spices and goods from faraway lands.

And now, they were saying they would leave completely? Just abandon everything?

“Were they crazy?” Sima Gong thought, his mind racing.

It didn’t make any sense to him. Not at all.

He couldn’t possibly understand the thoughts of merchants or the rougher people involved in this business, but even so…

“No, if they were going to do this, they shouldn’t have started the business in the first place! They could be making even more money, so why close up shop here? Are they crazy?!”

Sima Gong couldn’t contain himself and jumped to his feet.

“M-Manager? What are you going to do?”

“I have to see it with my own eyes! I simply can’t believe it!”

Sima Gong rushed out.

Fortunately, his office wasn’t too far from Plum Blossom Island. Sima Gong worked for the Dabok Merchant Guild. Many other merchant groups also had offices near Plum Blossom Island and stationed their members there for smooth shipping.

He arrived at the docks, breathless, and found a crowd of people who had already heard the news.

“Island Lord! What on earth is going on?”

“Is it true that Mount Hua is withdrawing from Plum Blossom Island?”

One older merchant cried out, “My family’s livelihood depends on this!”

Surrounded by the crowd, Lim Sobyeong sighed deeply.

‘Damn it.’

He had rushed all the way to Shanxi, hadn’t even had a chance to rest, and was chased back to Plum Blossom Island only today. But as soon as he returned, he was surrounded by people again, bothering him. It was enough to make him weep.

Perhaps he was a little pleased. He had been tormented by that wretched man who treated him like a mere bandit, but now he was with people who at least treated him as the Island Lord.

“Everyone, please calm down.”

Lim Sobyeong cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

“Is it really true, Island Lord?”

“It is. Sadly, Plum Blossom Island will be closing its doors tomorrow.”

“T-Then what are we supposed to do?”

“Without Plum Blossom Island, we can’t transport goods to Gangnam! Those river pirates are still running wild!”

“What does Mount Hua say? Is this Mount Hua’s will?”

“Now, now, everyone calm down.”

Lim Sobyeong waved his hand, soothing the clamoring crowd.

“I, too, would like to continue operations, but… unfortunately, the movements in Gangnam are worrying. You all know the situation, don’t you?”

At those words, those who had been protesting fell silent.

They, too, knew that the Four Evil Alliance had finished its internal reorganization. They were merchants, after all. No matter how wicked the Four Evil Alliance might be, they wouldn’t go so far as to hunt them down and kill them one by one.

But Plum Blossom Island was Mount Hua’s territory. It was the first place they would target when crossing the Yangtze River.

“So, it’s really…”

Lim Sobyeong nodded.

“But don’t worry too much. This is Plum Blossom Island, isn’t it? Surely, even if it’s not Mount Hua, someone will try to continue operations.”

“Hmm. That’s true, but…”

“Then does the Heavenly Union know anything about this?”

“Well…”

Lim Sobyeong gave a knowing smile.

“It’s meaningless to interfere now that they are leaving. However…”

“However?”

“Things happen for a reason, right? The person who should be in charge will take over.”

“By rightful owner, you mean…”

“Well, I think I’ve said all I need to say. I won’t rest even at night, and I’ll carry your goods until the sun sets tomorrow, so if you have any cargo left to load, bring it quickly!”

The eyes of the merchants trembled at those words.

“M-Move!”

“Damn it, there’s still so much cargo in the warehouse!”

“W-Wait a minute, even if we move the cargo, how do we get the exchanged goods back?”

“That’s something to worry about later!”

The merchants, instantly plunged into chaos, couldn’t even think of asking Lim Sobyeong anything more.

In the midst of the chaos, Lim Sobyeong chuckled.

‘A conspiracy by the Demonic Sect?’

What a joke.

When it came to plotting conspiracies, he couldn’t even compare to the little toe of that devil.

Lim Sobyeong took in the vast city before him. A commercial city where the wealthiest merchants in the world gathered, a place that anyone in the world would covet.

‘Could there be a greater bait in the world than this?’

Whether Chung Myung had been planning this for the past three years, or whether it had simply evolved this way as the situation unfolded, Lim Sobyeong didn’t know. He had a strong suspicion, but no proof.

Whatever the intention, this Gujiang was sure to become the eye of a storm that would sweep away countless people.

“It’s a shame, but.”

Lim Sobyeong clicked his tongue and gestured to his subordinates.

“Load the goods in advance. We need to get out of here as soon as tomorrow comes.”

“Yes! Green Forest… No, Island Lord!”

“Tsk.”

Lim Sobyeong unfolded his fan, a silk fan painted with plum blossoms, and waved it slowly, as if he had all the time in the world, even as chaos erupted around him.

“It’s a shame that the title of Island Lord is disappearing, but it doesn’t really matter.”

His gaze turned towards the other side of the river.

“Because it’s about to get much more interesting.”

A low chuckle drifted through the noise of the confused crowd.