Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 96

The day of the Hwajong Tournament dawned.

Hyun Jong quietly looked at the second and third-generation disciples in front of him.

Solemn.

The serious looks on the faces of these young disciples tugged at Hyun Jong’s heart. The disciples understood the weight they carried into the Hwajong Tournament.

His heart ached.

He didn’t know when this tradition had changed so much. This pressure should be on the older members of the sect, like him, the Sect Leader. Over time, the Hwajong Tournament became a fixed event. Then, somehow, it became the children’s job to show how strong the sect was and make the sect famous.

Even the second-generation disciples were too young to carry such a burden.

The third-generation disciples even more so.

Nevertheless, he felt grateful and apologetic towards these children who stepped forward without complaint, despite the heavy burden.

“Sect Leader.”

Hyun Young nudged him gently, and Hyun Jong lifted his head slightly.

He had been lost in thought, keeping the children standing for too long.

Hyun Jong cleared his throat softly to lighten the mood and spoke gently.

“My dears, you all look so worried,” Hyun Jong said softly.

He slowly looked at each of the young faces before him, shaking his head gently. “Try to relax a little. Winning or losing today is not the most important thing. Think of this Hwajong Tournament as a chance to learn and grow stronger.”

Hyun Jong met each of their eyes in turn, his voice becoming firmer. “No matter what happens today, you are still the proud disciples of Hwasan. Never forget that.”

His words were simple.

His words didn’t make them excited for the fights, or make them feel like they had to win for Hwasan’s honor.

But the words gently eased the minds of the disciples who had been tense under a great burden.

As everyone’s expression softened slightly, Hyun Jong nodded.

“I will be watching. Go now.”

With those words, Hyun Jong turned and walked ahead. Hyun Young quickly fell into step beside him.

“Are you not going together?”

“Though it is only sparring, those competing and those watching cannot travel together. They will have things to say to each other. Let them be among themselves.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

At Hyun Young’s signal, the other Hwasan elders and the Unja generation swiftly followed Hyun Jong.

As the remaining second and third-generation disciples relaxed with shallow breaths, one person stepped forward.

Baek Cheon.

He stood before them all with a resolute face.

“Today, we fight against Jongnam.”

Baek Cheon’s gaze flickered towards Chung Myung before returning to its original position.

“As the Sect Leader said, there is no shame in defeat. Shame lies in failing to do your best. When you face the competition, hold pride in being disciples of Hwasan.”

“Yes, Senior Brother!”

“Let’s go!”

With a stern face, Baek Cheon led the second-generation disciples towards the sparring grounds. A firm resolve could be seen on the faces of the second-generation disciples following behind him. Even Yoo Iseol, walking at the very end, showed an unusual solemnity.

“Ahem.”

As the second-generation disciples moved away, Yoon Jong cautiously stepped forward.

The third-generation disciples welcomed Yoon Jong enthusiastically.

“What? Is Great Senior Brother going to say something too?”

“Just one word, just one word. At this rate, we’ll be here all day.”

“Ha. It’s true what they say, a title can drive a person mad.”

These bastards…

“Try treating me just half as well as you treat Baek Cheon, you brats!”

“Alright, alright, just hurry up. My legs are killing me.”

“If that’s how it is, let’s all say a word each. Jo Gul, Senior Brother, go stand at the back in advance. Save some time.”

“Ugh.”

Yoon Jong sighed deeply.

‘They used to be such good kids.’

How did things turn out this way?

Yoon Jong turned his head to look at the source of all this.

Chung Myung, looking utterly bored despite the grand event of the Hwajong Tournament looming, slumped lazily.

“Chung Myung.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t you have anything to say?”

Chung Myung smirked.

“Like we’re doing something so important.”

Chung Myung glanced towards the sparring grounds.

“We need to finish quickly and eat. Let’s go.”

Yoon Jong unconsciously curled up the corners of his lips.

“Alright, you rascal.”

Whatever else, he could be sure of one thing.

Though he acted lazy, Yoon Jong knew Chung Myung always came through when it mattered.

“Let’s go!”

Yoon Jong took the lead, guiding everyone towards the sparring grounds.

Chung Myung, following behind, quietly shone his eyes.

❀ ❀ ❀

The Hwajong Tournament was fundamentally an event created for the exchange between Hwasan and Jongnam.

Of course, both Hwasan and Jongnam harbored their own ulterior motives, but at least on the surface, its purpose was centered on exchanges focused on sparring.

Therefore, the Hwajong Tournament did not accept outside visitors.

Until now, only the disciples of Hwasan and Jongnam had gathered to spar and defeat each other.

Of course, this Hwajong Tournament was not particularly different either.

Everyone thought so until they arrived at the sparring grounds.

Murmur murmur.

Hyun Jong widened his eyes as he looked at the training grounds.

Passing through Hwasan’s gates led directly to the grand training grounds. The nature of sparring required a large space. Therefore, the Hwajong Tournament had always been held here without exception.

Until now, the disciples of Hwasan and Jongnam had simply lined up on either side of this vast training ground, but today, a rather strange sight unfolded.

“W-Who are these people…?”

An unidentified crowd had gathered around the training grounds where the Hwajong Tournament was to be held.

And that wasn’t all. Even at this moment, people were rushing through the gates in droves.

What was even stranger was that everyone entering carried belongings in their hands. They were each carrying things like chairs or tables around the training grounds.

Hyun Jong was taken aback by the sudden situation and lost his words for a moment. Then, Un Am approached with a hurried expression.

“Sect Leader.”

“What is all this?”

“Those who have gathered at the gates demanded entry, saying they wanted to see the Hwajong Tournament with their own eyes. So many people came that we couldn’t just block them outright.”

“Hmm.”

Hyun Jong hummed.

“Did Jongnam summon them?”

If so, the purpose was obvious.

It would be to show them Hwasan’s defeat in the most obvious way possible.

He hadn’t noticed it at first, but looking again, the attire of the crowd was quite extravagant. Seeing a few faces that Hyun Jong recognized, it seemed they had invited the influential figures of Shaanxi.

Among those he recognized were the heads of the Shaanxi Ten Great Merchant Guilds and local dignitaries. And around them, he could even see people wearing official robes.

Considering the influence they wielded in Shaanxi, what they saw and heard at today’s Hwajong Tournament would spread throughout Shaanxi in an instant.

‘How petty!’

Slightly angered by their insidious scheme, Hyun Jong rebuked in a voice lower than usual.

“Do you not know that outsiders are not allowed without permission?”

“But, Sect Leader.”

“How could you have allowed them when their intentions are so obvious?”

“W-Well, that’s not…”

“Hmm?”

Just then, a low voice reached Hyun Jong’s ears.

“Sect Leader, it seems this was not prearranged?”

Hyun Jong turned his head.

Sama Seung, an elder of Jongnam, was approaching him with a slightly bewildered expression.

Hyun Jong focused on Sama Seung’s ‘bewilderment.’

‘Does that mean Jongnam didn’t do this?’

If Sama Seung had summoned them, there would be no reason for him to approach with such a bewildered expression and ask such a question. He would have sauntered over with a sneer.

Hyun Jong glanced at Unam.

“What happened?”

“I tried to stop them, but the person who brought them…”

“That would be me, Sect Leader.”

Hyun Jong and Sama Seung turned their gazes to the source of the voice. A rather familiar person was walking towards them with a smile. It was Lord Hwang, with his always-present fan in hand.

“Is that not Lord Hwang?”

“Lord Hwang?”

Hwang Mun-yak of the Eunha Merchant Guild was approaching them.

“It has been too long.”

Lord Hwang calmly clasped his hands. The two men accepted Lord Hwang’s greeting for now, but their faces remained full of questions.

Lord Hwang, having released his hands, smiled gently.

“I thought the Hwajong Tournament would lack excitement without an audience, so I invited a few people.”

“Hmm.”

Just as Hyun Jong frowned and was about to say something, Sama Seung cut him off.

“Not a bad idea. Now that you mention it, it’s the last Jonghwa Tournament, so it wouldn’t hurt for it to become a festival for Shaanxi.”

Sama Seung subtly emphasized the words ‘Jonghwa Tournament.’

Hyun Jong sighed lowly.

Now that Lord Hwang had invited the people and Jongnam had agreed, it was difficult for him to step forward and object. Tell these people who had climbed the arduous Hwasan to just go back?

‘That won’t do.’

Words lamenting Hwasan’s harshness would spread throughout Shaanxi. Especially considering their influence.

‘Difficult.’

Turning them away was too difficult.

In the end, Hyun Jong had no choice but to sigh inwardly and force a smile.

“Please do. Since you’ve come all this way, please enjoy yourselves.”

“Thank you for understanding, Sect Leader. Then.”

Lord Hwang smiled gently and turned his body. Moo-yeong also grinned as he headed towards the audience seating being created with Lord Hwang.

Lord Hwang, who was walking ahead, subtly lifted his head to look at Chung Myung.

‘Is this sufficient?’

Chung Myung quietly nodded.

Exchanging glances, Lord Hwang wore an inscrutable expression.

‘The young Taoist always surprises me. What is he planning to do this time?’

It was none other than Chung Myung who had ordered Lord Hwang to gather the influential figures of Shaanxi. He had secretly visited the young leader of Hwaeum and conveyed the message to Lord Hwang.

– For now, bring all the people who seem even remotely famous.

‘I’ve done as you asked for now. I don’t know what will happen next, young Taoist.’

Receiving Hwang Mun-yak’s gaze, Chung Myung smirked.

‘The bigger the stage, the better!’

What was the point of Hwasan and Jongnam fighting each other in a place where no one was watching?

Even if they achieved results, if Jongnam kept their mouths shut and Hwasan made a fuss, no one would believe it. So, they had to make everyone see the results of this Hwajong Tournament with their own eyes.

“Then the preparations are finished with this.”

“Huh?”

“No, nothing.”

Would you understand even if I told you?

Sect Leader, Senior Brother! I’m using my brain like this, I am! Please cancel what you said about me being stupid before!

– You were always good at using your head for tricks.

“Seriously! Would it hurt you to give me a compliment?”

Jo Gul frowned and turned to look at Chung Myung.

“Why are you talking to yourself since earlier? Are you nervous?”

While Chung Myung sighed, the preparations were roughly finished.

The arrangement of chairs and tables was completed, and the audience members took their seats, keeping some distance from the training grounds. The servants who had brought the belongings lined up behind them.

“It seems to be starting.”

Someone’s tense voice was heard.

A moment later, Un Am calmly walked to the center of the training grounds. Standing in the middle of the training grounds, he looked around once and clasped his hands towards the audience.

Then, he straightened his chest and took a deep breath. A solemn and resounding voice burst forth.

“Now, we will begin this year’s Hwajong Tournament!”

The atmosphere heated up in an instant.