Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 91

“Such mountain scenery!”

Jong Seo-han grumbled, his voice filled with irritation.

Even for him, trained in martial arts, climbing Hwasan was difficult. The rugged mountain range looked like it could knock birds right out of the sky.

“I don’t know what they were thinking, building a temple in a place like this. No wonder it fell into ruin.”

Chung Myung would have applauded such words.

But Jin Geum-ryong didn’t seem to agree.

“Surely, the meaning of a temple is to leave the everyday world and be close to nature? It makes sense to choose a place where outsiders can’t easily enter, to study the Taoist scriptures and improve oneself.”

“Hwasan is hardly a temple. It’s half secular. I could understand if the Mount Wudang Sect were in a place like this.”

“Well, you have a point.”

People who climbed Hwasan before must have found it hard too. That’s why there were places to rest along the way. The disciples of Jongnam were sitting at one of these, taking a short break.

One of the second-generation disciples spoke up, sounding bored.

“If we have to go through all this trouble to climb, there should at least be some pleasure when we get to the top. But we’ll probably end up eating grass roots again and sleeping in a broken building.”

“I don’t expect good food, but I wish we could at least sleep comfortably. Last time, I couldn’t sleep at all because I was afraid the building would collapse.”

“Even beggars wouldn’t sleep in a place like that. This so-called temple is worse than a beggar’s den.”

Complaints and insults mixed in their voices.

“Why are we even doing this? It’s just pain for us, and those Hwasan guys get to laugh at us!”

Jin Geum-ryong shrugged, looking embarrassed.

“I know you all have complaints, but it would be best to calm down a little. You know how the higher-ups feel about Hwasan, don’t you?”

“We don’t understand that either. Why are they so fixated on a sect that’s already collapsed?”

“Indeed.”

“Perhaps it’s because of some hidden potential.”

“Potential?”

Someone scoffed.

“If they had potential, they would have found their place by now. The fact that they’ve been in that state for nearly a hundred years means that’s where they belong, doesn’t it?”

“Which sect hasn’t had its glory days? What matters is now.”

As everyone was making insults about Hwasan, one person quietly spoke.

“It would be wise not to underestimate Hwasan too much.”

All eyes turned to Lee Song-baek.

He was speaking with a serious face.

“We might suffer a great disgrace.”

Then Jong Seo-han said mockingly.

“Like you, Senior Brother?”

“⋯⋯.”

Lee Song-baek didn’t react, even to the obvious insult.

“Don’t worry, Senior Brother. We won’t do anything to help Hwasan like you did. We’ll crush even the spirit you’ve raised.”

“I’m saying you shouldn’t be careless.”

“What difference would it make if we were a little careless with those Hwasan guys?”

“I⋯⋯.”

Lee Song-baek stopped, about to say something, and sighed softly. Whatever he said wouldn’t be listened to.

Elder Gi Mok-seung and Lee Song-baek were the ones whose positions had become the most difficult because of what Chung Myung had done at the Eunha Trading Company.

In particular, the blame was going to fall mainly on Lee Song-baek. That was only natural; how many people would dare to criticize an elder?

“Do as you please. But if you are careless, you will pay the price yourselves.”

The moment Jong Seo-han frowned and tried to say something, a low voice was heard.

“That’s not wrong.”

Everyone turned their heads again.

Everyone rose from their seats as they saw a man slowly climbing the mountain.

“Sit down.”

“Yes.”

Sima Seung, the elder of Jongnam who had led them, looked at everyone and spoke.

“Have you forgotten what happened at the Eunha Trading Company?”

Lee Song-baek flinched at the mention of the Eunha Trading Company. But the other disciples answered quickly.

“We have not forgotten.”

Sima Seung’s eyes twitched.

“We were disgraced because of a sect that’s already collapsed. Do you know how angry the sect leader was about that?”

Everyone lowered their heads slightly.

Not because they had committed a crime, but to avoid the anger in Sima Seung’s voice.

“It is enough to be disgraced by Hwasan once. We must not suffer such humiliation again. How long must our Jongnam, which aims to be famous, argue with a third-rate sect like Hwasan? The sect leader wants to end our relationship with Hwasan at this Jonghwa Assembly! If anyone is careless, even in the slightest, and is disgraced by a disciple of Hwasan, I will never forgive them.”

The disciples of Jongnam held their breath at Sima Seung’s cold voice.

“A general on the battlefield leaves no loose ends, and even a lion uses all its strength to catch a rabbit. This Jonghwa Assembly is not just about defeating Hwasan, but about destroying the very spirit of Hwasan. Do you all understand?”

“Yes, Elder!”

Sima Seung, who had been nodding silently, turned his sharp eyes to Lee Song-baek.

“However, being careful is different from being scared, right?”

“⋯⋯Yes.”

“Hmm.”

Sima Seung turned and looked at Hwasan.

“If you’ve all rested, get up now. We need to arrive before those waiting for us get too impatient.”

“Yes.”

The disciples of Jongnam began to climb the mountain, following Sima Seung.

After climbing for a long time, the disciples of Jongnam, who had almost arrived at Hwasan, each said something.

“Ugh. What a mountain.”

“I really shouldn’t come next time.”

“If it’s like last time, the mountain gate should be around here, right?”

If they climbed this steep cliff, they would find a broken mountain gate. Then they would have arrived at Hwasan. Those who had visited Hwasan before eagerly jumped up the cliff.

“Huh?”

“What’s that?”

They were surprised by what they saw. Just two years ago, Hwasan’s mountain gate had been so old that it looked like it would fall apart at any moment. It was so broken it wasn’t even really a gate anymore.

But now, that old, worn-out gate was gone, and a large, newly built mountain gate was welcoming them.

‘Did we come to the wrong place?’

‘Surely not.’

‘Who else would build a sect in such a ridiculous place other than the Hwasan Sect?’

Their eyes followed the mountain gate upwards.

The gate had changed, but they hadn’t changed the sign hanging on the mountain gate. However, the sign, which had previously felt old and crumbly, looked antique with the newly built, massive mountain gate.

Seeing the words “Hwasan Sect” written in a strong calligraphy style, they felt pressure.

“No, what on earth⋯⋯.”

Most people already knew that the Eunha Trading Company was investing in Hwasan.

But the Eunha Trading Company’s involvement had only just begun. It was impossible to build such an impressive new gate for Hwasan in such a short time, even if the Eunha Trading Company’s owner had come.

“This can’t be happening?”

Jin Geum-ryong muttered blankly.

Wasn’t Hwasan the poorest sect in the world? It was so bad that even the Beggars’ Sect would learn from them.

But how could Hwasan have the money to build such a splendid mountain gate?

“Quiet.”

Sima Seung said in a low voice.

“Looks like they begged for some cash. But a new gate doesn’t change who they are. Let’s not make a big deal out of it.”

“Yes!”

“What an unsuitable thing to do.”

Sima Seung walked towards the mountain gate with an unhappy look.

It was then.

Creak!

The massive mountain gate began to open.

And Hyun Sang of the No-Gak Faction slowly walked out.

He politely clasped his hands as he looked at the disciples of Jongnam approaching the mountain gate.

“You must have had a hard time coming all this way, Elder Sima. We’ve met before. I am Hyun Sang, an elder of Hwasan.”

“Sima Seung.”

The reply was short.

But Hyun Sang smiled.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Elder Sima.”

“Didn’t the sect leader come out?”

Hyun Sang’s eyebrows twitched.

“The sect leader is inside.”

“Even so, shouldn’t he show his face since guests have come from afar?”

Hyun Sang bit his lip slightly, out of sight.

Sima Seung was an elder of Jongnam.

Although he was of a very high status, he couldn’t order the sect leader of Hwasan around.

Sima Seung knew that, so mentioning the sect leader in this way was disrespectful towards Hwasan.

Hyun Sang held back his anger and spoke.

“Please come in. A banquet has been prepared to welcome the disciples of Jongnam. It may not be much, but I hope you will forget the fatigue of your long journey and enjoy it.”

“A banquet. It seems Hwasan thinks of the Jonghwa Assembly as just eating and playing.”

“⋯⋯How could that be?”

“It doesn’t matter. Lead the way. I must meet the sect leader first.”

Hyun Sang sighed softly.

‘His rudeness knows no bounds.’

The Jongnam of the past also behaved badly, but not this much. It seemed they had come with a plan. But Hyun Jong had told him not to act rashly. Hyun Sang held back his anger, forced a smile, and pointed inside.

“Please come in.”

“Hmm.”

Sima Seung stepped in with rough steps. Even with all this, the newly built mountain gate was annoying.

‘It seems they’ve received some kind of help.’

Some fool must have given money to Hwasan, so they must have taken care of the most obvious things first, like the mountain gate and uniforms.

But they couldn’t do anything about the inner buildings⋯⋯.

“What?”

Those who had entered the mountain gate gasped.

“That, the buildings?”

“When?”

As they entered the mountain gate, they saw a wide training ground and new buildings.

‘They repaired all of this?’

Had someone rich helped Hwasan?

“It looks better than Jongnam.”

Someone’s comment from behind showed everyone’s feelings. Compared to this, Jongnam looked shabby.

Just two years ago, Hwasan had been run-down with broken buildings, but when had it changed like this?

Sima Seung’s face twisted.

Hyun Sang asked with a confused look as he stopped walking.

“What’s wrong?”

Hyun Sang smiled and replied.

“We’ve had some good fortune.”

“Are there still people who would help Hwasan? Surely those who claim to be honorable wouldn’t have stolen.”

In an instant, anger filled Hyun Sang’s face.

No matter how much the sect leader had told him not to act rashly, this was an unacceptable comment.

“Watch your words⋯⋯.”

It was then.

“You wanna die?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to the voice.

Sima Seung’s face hardened.

‘What is that?’

A group of people running hard came into view. They were soaked and looked exhausted. They were somehow running without falling with their wobbly legs.

It was a strange sight.

But Sima Seung wasn’t looking at them.

He was looking at the person who had spoken.

Unlike the others, a child with neat clothes and a calm expression was walking behind them, as if taking a stroll.

Sima Seung stared at the child and shouted in a chilling voice.

“What did you say just now?”