Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 952

The disciples of Mount Hua, who had been sprawled out like the dead, all raised their heads, their eyes gleaming.

They heard bits and pieces about what was happening while they moved people in carts. But normal people didn’t know much. Naturally, the disciples of Mount Hua were curious about the detailed situation in the Jang River.

But Chung Myung, with a face that quickly turned indifferent, picked at his ear.

“No, well… I’m sure they’ll manage.”

“…Is that so?”

Chung Myung blew on the finger he had used to clean his ear.

“Still…”

“Eh.”

Before Tang Gunak could say anything, Chung Myung waved his hand.

“Helping the people who need help now is most important. We can think about the other things later.”

“Huh?”

“Who should be prioritized, the ones who strapped on their swords and went out to fight, or the innocent people who are suffering?”

“…Well…”

Tang Gunak couldn’t answer immediately. Of course, it would be the latter.

“Even if you’re interested in that side, it’s only after everyone else has been evacuated.”

Tang Gunak slowly nodded at Chung Myung’s words.

He was once again impressed by this young Taoist. Knowing something and doing it are different. An event that could change the Jianghu was happening, and he was able to ignore it. That took real patience.

He might seem impulsive and act a bit wild, but not many people in the Jianghu were as patient as Chung Myung…

“But…”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung’s ears perked up. His hands fidgeted, and his lips moved like he wanted to say something.

Tang Gunak saw Chung Myung fidgeting and talking fast, even though he said he wasn’t curious. Tang Gunak raised an eyebrow.

Chung Myung hesitantly opened his mouth.

“That… the situation is… uh…”

“…”

“No, it’s not that I’m curious! It’s not necessarily that, but there might be damage to the transportation… That…”

“You said you weren’t curious?”

“Hey! Who said I was curious? I’m just saying!”

Tang Gunak sighed and shook his head.

Honestly…

“Hey! What does it matter to me if those Namgung bastards live or die!”

Chung Myung, suddenly angry, turned to his martial brothers and shouted.

“If you’re done resting, get up! It’ll be dawn soon!”

“…That bastard is taking it out on us for no reason.”

“I’m going to punch him someday, someday…”

The disciples of Mount Hua grumbled but got up. Even though they complained, they wanted to move the refugees from the Jang River region to a safe place quickly.

Mount Hua couldn’t help those who stayed. But they should help those who decided to move to Sichuan, right?

“Is there any problem moving people to Sichuan?”

“What problems could there be?”

Tang Gunak replied calmly.

“The most important thing is to get out of the Jang River region first. Sending people to Sichuan can wait. We have enough grain thanks to you and Plum Blossom Island, so we’re lucky.”

“Then that’s good. Have you found land in Sichuan?”

“That’s what I’m worried about.”

Tang Gunak frowned slightly.

“I want to settle them in Chengdu, where the Dang family is strong, if possible…”

“If possible?”

“I don’t think they’ll fit in the city. Especially those who lived by the river.”

“Hmm.”

Chung Myung nodded.

“So I’m thinking of settling them in the Min River area west of Chengdu. That would be best for those who lived by the river. It’s not as big as the Jang River, but it’s still a river, right?”

Chung Myung smiled.

Many refugees were moving.

The Wudang Sect didn’t care about normal people. But the Dang family, the boss of Sichuan, wanted the refugees to support them.

So, it makes sense to have people live where they have power and try to make money from it.

The Dang family has also helped a lot.

But now, Tang Gunak was helping them live good lives instead of helping the Dang family. He was finding a place like where they used to live, even if it meant the family lost some power.

‘This is what the Dang family should be.’

Chung Myung nodded, pleased.

“That sounds like a good idea.”

“Is that so? Hmm. I’m not sure yet. I think I need to find a better place.”

Tang Gunak had three lines on his forehead. Chung Myung laughed. Even the Dang family elders, who didn’t trust him, had never seen him like this.

“The Sect Leader said he would help as much as possible for the Cheonwu Alliance, so don’t worry too much. Getting out of here is the most important thing.”

“That’s right.”

Tang Gunak nodded.

Just then…

“Are those the Mount Hua people?”

“The Mount Hua Sect has come!”

People rushed out of the manor and surrounded the disciples of Mount Hua.

The refugees who were still at the manor saw them and ran out to greet them.

“You must have gone through so much trouble.”

“Oh my. Look at the dirt on your faces.”

The people grabbed their hands, and the women wiped the faces of the Mount Hua disciples with their sleeves. The Mount Hua disciples blushed.

“Ah, no. There’s no need to do this…”

“We haven’t done anything.”

But the refugees felt differently.

If they walked, it would take days. Even with children, it would take over ten days to walk that far.

They were helping during the chaos of the Jang River, so they were very grateful.

A gentle tug on Jo Gul’s sleeve made him turn. “Excuse me…” A woman with kind eyes and lines of worry on her face held out a small bundle wrapped in cloth.

“Yes?” Jo Gul asked, blinking.

“These are dumplings,” she said softly. “It’s not much, but we wanted to give you something.” The warm, comforting smell of cooked meat and vegetables drifted from the cloth.

Jo Gul’s stomach rumbled loudly. He took the bundle carefully. His throat felt tight. He wiped his nose quickly, trying to hide his emotions.

“Thank you,” he mumbled. “You really didn’t have to do this…”

He was very tired.

Even though he was a martial artist, and a good one, it was hard to pull a cart full of people and things between Wuhan and Jiujiang many times a day.

But now, he didn’t feel tired anymore.

“…Thank you for the meal.”

Yoon Jong nudged Jo Gul, who was bowing his head awkwardly.

“Are you going to eat it alone?”

“…Yes. I’m going to eat it alone. I won’t give any to you, Sahyung.”

Yoon Jong, who would have grabbed Jo Gul’s collar normally, just smiled.

Some say being a hero means giving without wanting anything back.

But Yoon Jong thought that was wrong.

They did get something back. It just wasn’t what people thought.

A warm welcome, a thank you, some dumplings—that was enough for them.

“Thank you.”

Baek Cheon bowed to them for everyone.

“You are suffering because of the mistakes of those who use swords. We can’t fix everything, but we will try our best to help.”

“What are you saying? It’s not Mount Hua’s fault.”

“Yes! We know how much Mount Hua and the Dang family have helped us. Even animals pay back kindness, so we have to as well.”

“Of course, we are grateful.”

Baek Cheon smiled as he watched them wipe their eyes.

“Well, then, let’s slowly…”

“If you’re done resting, let’s get going, Sasook.”

“…Huh?”

He turned and saw his disciples and grand-disciples holding the carts.

“Are you getting old? You’re slow.”

“The people of the Jang River are waiting for us. We need to go faster.”

“…These guys?”

Baek Cheon glared.

They were just complaining about dying and wanting to rest!

“Ah, no, are you going again already, even though it’s night?”

“Haha. Night doesn’t matter to us! People are waiting, so we have to go again.”

Jo Gul?

“You should rest a little.”

“We’ve rested enough. This is nothing.”

Yoon Jong?

They were all becoming like Chung Myung, saying one thing and doing another.

“Ah, Sasook!”

“Alright! You guys.”

Baek Cheon chuckled and walked to the cart. Then, he stopped and turned his head.

“Chung Myung…”

Baek Cheon stopped. Chung Myung was staring at something far away.

The south. Where the Jang River was.

“…”

He looked sad. Baek Cheon put his hand on Chung Myung’s shoulder.

“Hmm?”

“…We should get going, Chung Myung-ah.”

“Ah, we should.”

Chung Myung nodded. Baek Cheon didn’t ask what he was thinking. He knew, and he didn’t need to ask.

Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung’s back and said quietly.

“Everyone has to fix their own mistakes, right?”

“…Huh?”

Chung Myung turned around. Baek Cheon glanced at him and walked ahead.

“But you stepped in for my past mistakes…”

“…”

“I couldn’t lead my disciples, and you changed everything.”

Baek Cheon paused.

“Actually, I was really, truly grateful. It meant a lot.”

Then, he turned around and added.

“Back then. Only back then. Not now.”

“No, but what’s with this guy?”

“Let’s go.”

Baek Cheon smiled and grabbed the cart.

“We need to finish this before it gets worse. We can think about the rest later.”

…

Chung Myung looked at Baek Cheon and smiled.

“Dong-ryong has grown up. He can say things like that to me.”

“I was always older than you, you bastard!”

“Whatever.”

Chung Myung clicked his tongue and looked at Tang Gunak.

“Then I’ll be back. There’s a tired child in the group I brought. Please take care of them.”

“The doctors are taking care of them, so don’t worry.”

“You’re always so thorough.”

Chung Myung smiled and jumped onto the cart.

“Alright, let’s go!”

“Hoo-rah!”

The disciples of Mount Hua pulled the cart without complaining. The refugees cheered.

Tang Gunak smiled and shook his head.

“This is a problem.”

He felt good because of kids who weren’t even half his age. He couldn’t act like an adult.

“The Dang family can’t lose either.”

He turned and shouted.

“Pack up! We have to finish before Mount Hua gets back!”

“Yes, Clan Leader!”

Tang Gunak walked towards the manor, standing up straighter than before.