Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 97

If We Lose to Those Bastards, We're All Dead. (2)

Lord Hwang spoke, his voice full of anticipation. “I have great expectations for today’s competition.”

“Hahaha. Thanks to Lord Hwang, I get to see all this. Thank you.”

Hwang Mun-yak smiled faintly at the praise coming from all directions.

“Rather, I should be thanking you for accepting my invitation. You didn’t hesitate to come all this way, did you?”

“Hahaha. I couldn’t possibly miss such a special sight.”

They exchanged polite words. Even amidst all that, Hwang Mun-yak noticed that the business people were carefully watching the fighters who would compete.

These people hadn’t come all this way just to see a show.

They were interested in the rising younger generation of the two sects, especially the younger members of Jongnam.

Merchants and the martial arts world seemed separate, but they were closely linked. Merchants needed protection from bandits and rivals when traveling and trading, and strong martial arts sects could provide that protection, or become powerful allies and business partners.

They were trying to guess the future of Jongnam by watching the younger members at this Hwasan-Jongnam Competition.

“A martial arts competition between Jongnam and Hwasan. It’s a bit of a disappointing match.”

“Indeed. If it were somewhere closer, it would be the Common Union or Mount Wudang. How can they show their true skills if their opponent is Hwasan?”

The people from the outside world spoke quietly.

‘This must be an honest view.’

Hwang Mun-yak agreed with their view.

Maybe a hundred years ago it would have been different, but Hwasan couldn’t compare to Jongnam now. Jongnam held a top spot among the powerful Nine Great Sects, while Hwasan had been removed from the top nine and almost destroyed.

But…

Hwang Mun-yak looked at the Hwasan disciples gathered on the other side. When he didn’t see Chung Myung, Hwang Mun-yak frowned slightly.

‘He doesn’t seem like someone who would gamble.’

Did that mean he had a clever plan?

Hwang Mun-yak smiled.

‘It’s not very pleasant to have others rush into a place I’ve already secured, but to get my investment back, Hwasan’s reputation needs to spread. So this time, you agreed without arguing, Little Taoist.’

Hwang Mun-yak’s heart began to swell with anticipation for what would happen today.

Un-am stood in the middle of the training ground and signaled to the Hwasan and Jongnam disciples facing each other. He was a little embarrassed by the sudden appearance of spectators, but since this Hwasan-Jongnam Competition was held every time, it was easy to manage.

“First, representatives from each sect’s second-generation disciples will have a one-on-one martial arts competition. Ten representatives from the second-generation disciples will compete in ten matches.”

Un-am shouted firmly.

“First match!”

As soon as he said that, one person from each side stood up.

Jin Geum-ryong and Baek Cheon.

They were the leaders among the second-generation disciples of their sects.

“Senior Brother!”

“Senior Brother, may you be victorious!”

“You must win!”

Listening to his junior brothers’ support, Baek Cheon took a deep breath. His stiff face showed how nervous he was.

He turned his head to look at his junior brothers and then headed towards the training ground. On the other side, Jin Geum-ryong was walking over with a very relaxed look.

The two stood facing each other in the middle of the training ground.

“Indeed.”

Wei Ja-gae, the head of the Daepung Merchant Group, one of the Ten Great Merchant Groups of Seomseo, said as he looked at Jin Geum-ryong.

“They say Jin Geum-ryong is the talent who will bring a golden age to Jongnam, and his presence is strong.”

“He truly looks like a young hero.”

Jin Geum-ryong, wearing a pure white martial arts uniform and holding a wooden sword, knew how to capture people’s attention.

“But if you only look at the presence, isn’t that fellow on the other side also excellent?”

“Looking at them like this, they look like opposites. Black and white. It’s quite a picture.”

Baek Cheon, wearing a black martial arts uniform, was also standing tall against Jin Geum-ryong.

“The anticipation is rising, but can a Hwasan disciple really stand against Jin Geum-ryong?”

“Who knows? Hwasan weakened a lot, but the recent Hwasan might be different. Even if Hwasan is weak now, it was once strong. If we think about the Hwasan of the past, there might be an upset.”

That’s what they said, but no one thought Baek Cheon would win against Jin Geum-ryong.

The current Hwasan was not the Hwasan of the past. The fact that the people here had ended their business with Hwasan long ago proved that. If they thought there was a chance that Hwasan would revive, they wouldn’t have completely ended those ties.

The people here were only looking forward to how strong Jongnam would be.

Sama Seung, who was listening secretly to the conversation, frowned slightly. He knew they were just being nice, but those words still made him feel terrible.

‘Show them, Geum-ryong.’

Hwasan wasn’t even in a position to have its name mentioned alongside Jongnam.

Hyun Jong also closed his lips tightly and looked at Baek Cheon.

‘Show them everything you have.’

So that there would be no regrets.

Amidst everyone’s expectations and worries, Jin Geum-ryong and Baek Cheon stared at each other silently.

Jin Geum-ryong spoke first.

“So, you didn’t run away and came out.”

Baek Cheon replied with a serious face.

“I am a senior disciple of Hwasan. There’s no way I would run away from the likes of Jongnam.”

“Your mouth is still alive.”

Jin Geum-ryong quietly raised his sword and aimed it at Baek Cheon.

“A dog is supposed to bark well.”

“Are you going to let that dog bite you?”

“I made a mistake. You can’t even become a dog.”

“You….”

“Why don’t you try attacking me? I’ll personally show you, as I said yesterday, how weak you are.”

Baek Cheon didn’t answer. Instead, he quietly looked towards where Hyun Jong was sitting.

‘The Sect Leader is watching.’

Personal feelings should be put aside for now.

‘I am Baek Cheon, a second-generation disciple of Hwasan.’

Baek Cheon glared at Jin Geum-ryong with determined eyes. He raised his wooden sword and aimed it at him.

Everyone watched the two with nervous eyes.

One was the representative of Hwasan, and the other was the representative of Jongnam. The two who should have faced each other last were facing each other first, according to the tradition of the Hwasan-Jongnam Competition.

The outcome of the Hwasan-Jongnam Competition was almost decided by this match. So how could they not be interested?

Just as someone was about to speak, Baek Cheon moved.

Paah!

The sound of kicking off the ground rang out clearly.

Baek Cheon shot forward with lightning speed and thrust his sword straight at Jin Geum-ryong’s neck without changing his stance.

Swish.

Jin Geum-ryong avoided the sword as if sidestepping it without confronting it.

Swaeeeek!

Baek Cheon’s sword quickly chased after Jin Geum-ryong. His wrist seemed to shake slightly, and soon the tip of his sword multiplied into dozens.

The sword, with Hwasan’s fancy moves, covered the training ground.

“Ooh.”

“Amazing!”

“The Hwasan kid seems to have great skill.”

Even the onlookers were impressed by the fancy moves.

Although it was done with a wooden sword, not a real one, it was just as sharp as a real sword. Even Jin Geum-ryong seemed to have no way to deal with these fancy moves, as he kept retreating.

The second and third-generation disciples of Hwasan clenched their fists as they watched.

Jo Gul shouted excitedly.

“As expected of Senior Uncle Baek Cheon! Senior Uncle’s Subduing Tiger Azure Yang Sword is truly worthy of being called a masterpiece!”

The disciples of Hwasan couldn’t hide their excitement.

They knew how hard Baek Cheon had been training. Since the humiliation at the last Hwasan-Jongnam Competition, Baek Cheon had been training so hard he didn’t sleep or eat properly.

Baek Cheon had chosen to train alone and not see anyone. The person who could live the most joyful life in Hwasan stopped talking to people and stayed alone to focus only on the sword.

How could they not support him?

Baek Cheon’s sword movements were attacking Jin Geum-ryong quickly and powerfully. Each of those sword movements contained sharp energy. The real and fake attacks were mixed, making it hard to tell which attack was real.

Hyun Jong clenched his fist tightly as he watched.

‘When did that child reach that level!’

He was not far behind the Yunja generation. He knew he had talent, but he didn’t know he was this strong!

The eyes of all the Hwasan disciples watching Baek Cheon’s performance were filled with hope.

Maybe…

Maybe this time would be different.

Yoon Jong couldn’t hide his excitement either.

“Chung Myung! Senior Uncle is pressing him!”

“Yeah.”

“Maybe he’ll win!”

“Don’t be silly.”

“Huh?”

Yoon Jong turned to look at Chung Myung. Chung Myung, leaning back in his chair, said with a calm face.

“You have to hit him to win. He can’t even touch him.”

“But he’s doing better…”

“Does Senior Brother look like he’s doing better to you?”

“Huh?”

Yoon Jong turned his head to look at Baek Cheon again and had to harden his expression.

Baek Cheon’s face was looking very tired.

‘Why!’

Baek Cheon swung his sword with all his might.

His feet stepped firmly on the ground. The energy pulled up from his lower body surged into his fingertips. He put energy into the sword and swung it with all his might.

Lightly, and lightly again.

Light but sharp, like a butterfly fluttering!

But that light and sharp sword never reached Jin Geum-ryong’s body.

‘Why can’t I even touch him? Why!’

It was hopeless.

The opponent in front of him was too far away. It was like looking at a towering, steep cliff.

A cliff that he couldn’t dare to climb or overcome.

Baek Cheon, already soaked, didn’t even think about wiping the sweat seeping into his eyes and screamed.

“Aaaaargh!”

A desperate blow!

At the same time, Baek Cheon’s sword, which had been attacking from all directions, flew towards Jin Geum-ryong.

It was that moment.

Clang!

Jin Geum-ryong’s sword, swung for the first time, blocked Baek Cheon’s sword attack.

As the sword stopped, the sword movements that had covered the training ground disappeared. Only then could Baek Cheon see Jin Geum-ryong’s face clearly.

Unlike him, who was already soaked, Jin Geum-ryong, not even sweating or breathing hard, looked at him with a faint smile.

“Did you enjoy it enough?”

“You…”

“You fool. Do you think you can even touch a strand of my hair, no matter how much you learn the martial arts of Hwasan?”

Jin Geum-ryong’s sword pierced Baek Cheon like a ray of light.

Thwack!

Baek Cheon, stabbed in the shoulder, couldn’t even scream and tumbled to the ground.

“Kkeueu…”

He groaned and forced himself to get up.

When he raised his head, he saw Jin Geum-ryong approaching him with a relaxed smile.

“Understand now with your body how foolish you are.”

Jin Geum-ryong hit Baek Cheon hard again.

Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]

Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]

Status: Ongoing Author: Released: 2019 Native Language: Korean
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[English Translation] Chung Myung, the legendary Plum Blossom Swordmaster of Mount Hua, awakens after a hundred years of slumber only to find his once-mighty sect reduced to ruins. With unwavering determination, he disguises himself as a young disciple and embarks on a mission to restore Mount Hua to its former glory. From training new disciples to facing lifelong enemies, Chung Myung must revive the sect while uncovering dark conspiracies that threaten the martial world. "Return of Mount Hua Sect" is an epic tale of resurgence, sacrifice, and fierce battles that will shake the world!

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