Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 981

Hyun Jong knew Jang Il-so was serious. It wasn’t a direct threat, not exactly.

Plum Blossom Island was filled with pirates from the Water Route Company. But their fight was gone. Secretly mixed among them were disciples from Mount Hua Sect and the Tang Family. They moved closer to Jang Il-so and Hyun Jong, their faces serious.

Jang Il-so was surrounded, even though it didn’t look like it.

But when Hyun Jong looked into Jang Il-so’s eyes, he felt a rush of power, like standing in the path of a storm.

He had felt that way once before, during the Heavenly Union’s founding ceremony.

But this time, it was stronger. Doubts filled Hyun Jong’s mind. *Am I really the right person to face him?*

The leader of the Heavenly Union and the sect leader of Mount Hua.

His title said he was qualified to face the leader of the Four Evil Sects alone. But as a martial artist, Hyun Jong felt too small to face Jang Il-so.

That was why he stayed quiet.

Even when Jang Il-so, who had come to Plum Blossom Island alone, offered to talk to Chung Myung instead of him, Hyun Jong remained silent. He felt it was the right thing to do.

But Chung Myung *had* sent Jang Il-so to him. It was clear Chung Myung expected Hyun Jong to handle this.

Chung Myung had often told the disciples…

Those who hold swords should know the weight of what they carry. They should never forget that it’s a weapon that can take lives.

Those simple words now bothered Hyun Jong.

Chung Myung had said he was the sword of Mount Hua.

If Chung Myung was a sword, he was incredibly sharp, unlike anything else. So, Hyun Jong, who held that sword, had to know its weight.

That meant…

Hyun Jong glanced at Chung Myung, who looked back with steady eyes.

*It means I must also be good enough to hold that sword.*

Maybe Chung Myung didn’t mean it that way. But Hyun Jong felt that way. It was a burden he had carried for a long time.

Now, Mount Hua was not the same as before.

He had become the sect leader of Mount Hua just by surviving. Now, he needed to be more than that.

*Can I handle it?*

These sharp swords?

It wasn’t just Chung Myung. Baek Cheon, Yu Yiseol, Yoon Jong, and Jo Gul… Could he really lead all the Mount Hua disciples well?

There was nothing more dangerous than a sword used blindly. Holding a sword that was too powerful was like a curse, both for him and for the sword.

Before he could answer, Jang Il-so spoke.

Should I call you Leader? Or…?

“Sect Leader is enough,” Hyun Jong said.

Hyun Jong wanted to be clear. The Tang Family was here. If he accepted the title of Leader, his choice would affect the Tang Family’s decision too. Hyun Jong didn’t want that.

But then, Jang Il-so smiled.

“Being humble is good.”

“…”

“If it’s not being a coward.”

Hyun Jong closed his eyes.

If Beob Jeong were here, he might have been insulted. If Namgung Hwang were here, he would have been angry. Even Tang Gun-ak, who didn’t show his feelings easily, would have looked ready to kill.

But Hyun Jong didn’t feel angry at Jang Il-so’s words. He had been through too much to be insulted, and the difference between him and Jang Il-so was too big. That was why he could stay calm.

“My position is not that important.”

Jang Il-so raised his eyebrows at Hyun Jong’s calm voice, as if he didn’t expect that answer.

He stared at Hyun Jong for a long time, then nodded slowly.

“…I see. Sect Leader.”

Jang Il-so’s smile didn’t seem hostile at all.

Some might think it was fake, or worry about the bad plans hidden in that smile. But Hyun Jong accepted the smile as it was.

Jang Il-so didn’t even see Hyun Jong as important. He didn’t need to be hostile to Hyun Jong.

Hyun Jong knew this feeling well.

Before Chung Myung came, he was the sect leader of Mount Hua in name only. People always smiled at him. People are only hostile when they feel threatened. They are also gentle to those who are not a threat.

So, Hyun Jong felt the smile was both fitting and sad.

“As the leader of the Four Evil Sects, I officially ask the Sect Leader of Mount Hua to have mercy on the Black Dragon King, the vice-leader of the Four Evil Sects, who Mount Hua has captured.”

Hyun Jong sighed at Jang Il-so’s words.

He looked around as if searching for an answer, but Chung Myung’s face was blank. He wasn’t trying to show his intentions as he usually did. He just looked at Hyun Jong with a face with no expression, which was unusual for him.

It was as if he would do whatever Hyun Jong decided, with the sword at the Black Dragon King’s neck.

Hyun Jong took a deep breath and stared at Jang Il-so.

“I will ask the same question that the disciples of this sect asked.”

“…”

“Why should we release the Black Dragon King because you say so?”

“The reason is simple.”

Jang Il-so stared at Hyun Jong, his eyes darker.

“Because that is the only way for Mount Hua, the Tang Family, and Namgung to escape this island safely.”

Hyun Jong sighed quietly.

Thinking about it, it wasn’t wrong.

The Black Dragon King was captured, but the Water Route Company still had a lot of power. If the Black Dragon King died, they would follow Jang Il-so’s orders.

Normally, there would be confusion when command changed…

*But since the opponent is Jang Il-so, that’s not likely to happen.*

Jang Il-so was the leader of the Four Evil Sects and known as an Overlord. He was like a symbol of the Demonic Sect. If Jang Il-so commanded the Water Route Company, their morale might even rise.

Also, Jang Il-so must have prepared for this situation.

So, to escape this island, they had to face the rest of the Water Route Company and the Many Men Group, which hadn’t moved yet.

Plus, they had lost all their safe places.

Hyun Jong looked across the river.

If the Shaolin Temple on the riverbank helped, it might be worth fighting…

*But that’s unlikely too.*

Hyun Jong knew Shaolin wouldn’t help.

If they wanted to join, they would have moved when Mount Hua attacked the island, before things got so bad. They missed their chance and would just watch.

“If we release the Black Dragon King, will you send us back to Gangbuk safely?”

“Of course,” Jang Il-so answered with a gentle smile.

There was no need to wonder if he was telling the truth.

It wasn’t because Hyun Jong trusted Jang Il-so. He was probably the person who trusted Jang Il-so the least.

But that’s why Hyun Jong could almost believe him. Someone who lies about big things might tell the truth about small things to seem believable.

“What will you do?” Jang Il-so asked, putting pressure on Hyun Jong.

“Will you release the Black Dragon King and return safely? Or…”

Jang Il-so’s fingernails slowly scratched his lips.

“Here.”

When his hand dropped, his voice was like ice. “Shall I kill you all here?”

It was a clear threat that sent chills down his spine.

Hyun Jong tried to calm his racing heart.

Should he cut off the Black Dragon King’s head to negotiate and glare at Jang Il-so?

Or should he spare their lives for the safety of Mount Hua, the Tang Family, and Namgung, and retreat?

It was a difficult choice.

But…

Hyun Jong looked at the disciples of Mount Hua. They all looked at him with trust.

No matter what he said, they would believe and follow him. Even if it meant death, they would accept it.

The person representing Mount Hua had to accept that trust. To do that, he had to be a great person.

But…

Hyun Jong smiled slightly.

*I am a small person.*

Once he admitted that, he felt better. He wasn’t the great person they wanted him to be.

That was why he knew what to do. He didn’t know what the sect leader of Mount Hua should do, but he knew what Hyun Jong should do.

Hyun Jong looked at Chung Myung one last time.

*Will you be okay?*

Chung Myung smiled, understanding what he meant. It was as if he was saying that was enough.

Hyun Jong took a deep breath and looked at Jang Il-so.

No matter how hard he tried, Jang Il-so was still overwhelming.

But Hyun Jong didn’t need to be greater than Jang Il-so.

“Okay…”

Jang Il-so tilted his head.

“Have you decided, Sect Leader?”

Hyun Jong looked at his gentle smile and said calmly, “Leader.”

“Speak.”

“Mount Hua…”

Hyun Jong paused and said firmly, “Will not accept your offer.”

Jang Il-so suddenly stopped moving.

He froze, as if he had forgotten to breathe. He couldn’t take his eyes off Hyun Jong.

But only for a moment. Then, his face twisted in anger. It was a big change.

“…What did you just say?”

Jang Il-so shouted, throwing away the polite words he had used. The Mount Hua swordsmen stepped forward to protect Hyun Jong.

The talks had failed.

Jang Il-so looked like he wanted to kill, and it was scary.

Right then.

“But…” Hyun Jong said, still calm.

“We will release the Black Dragon King.”

Jang Il-so stared at Hyun Jong, confused.

“Please remember.”

“…What?”

“Mount Hua does not make deals with the Four Evil Sects.”

“…”

“We are releasing the Black Dragon King because we planned to from the start.”

“Planned to?”

“Yes.”

“The reason?”

Hyun Jong looked at Namgung Dowi, who was holding his sword so tightly his hand was white.

“Because this revenge belongs to Namgung, not Mount Hua.”

“…”

“Mount Hua came here because Namgung asked us to. We didn’t come to become famous or to change things greatly. We just couldn’t ignore Namgung’s plea.”

Jang Il-so stared in confusion, as if he had been hit. It was probably the first time he had looked like that.

“So, Namgung should take revenge for the Black Dragon King. Mount Hua has no right to do that.”

“…”

“So, we will release the Black Dragon King. And Overlord, please leave now. This is not a place for you or us.”

“Ha… Haha…”

Jang Il-so’s face twisted strangely. He seemed to be laughing, disappointed, and angry all at once.

Jang Il-so, who had been staring at Hyun Jong like he was a ghost, slowly turned his head.

Chung Myung.

He was smiling brightly at Jang Il-so.