Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 999

Hong Daegwang took a deep breath. Of course, Chung Myung was sitting right there, looking at him. It was always like this. Wherever Chung Myung went, Hong Daegwang followed. Bringing news to Hwasan was his job, after all. He shifted nervously, feeling Chung Myung’s sharp eyes on him. Chung Myung, the famous Sword Saint of Hwasan, was now in charge of understanding everything happening in the world of martial artists – the Jianghu. Hong Daegwang knew Chung Myung was waiting for his report. Yes, this was how it should be.

“Are you sure about this?”

“About what I said!”

“Hmm. Can I trust it….”

“Aigo. Would I dare to lie to the mighty Hwasan Sect? I’m just a beggar, I don’t have extra lives.”

“Heeeuuum.”

“Hehe. You can trust me.”

“Well, if you say so yourself.”

Hong Daegwang looked unhappily at the person next to him.

It was Jo Gae.

A Beggars’ Sect elder… no, the former Beggars’ Sect elder, was sitting close to Hong Daegwang, giving information to the Hwasan Sword Saint.

Information that even Hong Daegwang didn’t know.

“A proclamation, huh? Using a classic move.”

Chung Myung chuckled to himself.

“It won’t change anything, but it’s probably the best they can do.”

“Yes. Proclamations are probably being sent to the Nine Great Sects all over the world right now.”

“Not just being sent, but being sent by the Beggars’ Sect, right?”

“Ahem, ahem.”

Jo Gae coughed, his face turning red.

“Well… the Beggars’ Sect has its own position to consider.”

“Who said anything?”

Chung Myung narrowed his eyes and glared, making Jo Gae look away.

“If you try to help everyone, you might end up hurting yourself.”

“Then I’ll just have to crawl on two legs! We beggars are really good at rolling around on the ground, you know.”

Hong Daegwang stared at Jo Gae, shocked.

‘Does this man have no pride?’

Who was Jo Gae?

In the Beggars’ Sect, the Chief was often sick and away. So, Jo Gae was like the acting Chief.

Basically, besides the Chief who was in bed, he was the most important person in the Beggars’ Sect. Seeing this man trying so hard to please the Hwasan Sword Saint, who was only in his twenties, Hong Daegwang was amazed.

“It’s hard to trust you at all.”

“Can’t I just earn back your trust from now on?”

“Tsk.”

Chung Myung nodded, looking at Jo Gae with a displeased look.

“Alright. If you have any other information, let me know right away.”

“Of course, I will. Isn’t that why I’m here?”

“Easy for you to say.”

Chung Myung waved his hand, telling him to leave. Jo Gae quickly nodded and stood up.

“Then I’ll come again.”

“Yeah.”

“…and please say good things about me to the Alliance Leader….”

“Alright, alright.”

“Yes, then.”

Jo Gae bowed deeply, as if his knees would break. Then, he turned and kicked Hong Daegwang with a totally different attitude.

“What are you doing?”

“Yes?”

“Get out.”

Hong Daegwang, confused, was dragged outside. He stared at Jo Gae, bewildered.

“Ah, no. Why are you here, Elder?”

“Why do you think I’m here?”

“…Ah, no. That….”

Hong Daegwang looked flustered.

“Has the Beggars’ Sect decided to fully support Hwasan?”

“How could that be?”

“That’s right. There’s no way that could….”

“The main thing about helping different groups is to hold ropes in both hands.”

Hong Daegwang opened his mouth wide, and Jo Gae shrugged.

“The Chief doesn’t want to let go of the Heavenly Union’s rope either.”

“Hehehe.”

Hong Daegwang laughed weakly, as if he was shocked.

Of course, it was normal for the Beggars’ Sect to do this.

The Beggars’ Sect had almost all the information from Gangbuk and a lot of information from Gangnam too. In the world of the good martial arts groups, the Beggars’ Sect was very important.

So, unlike other groups, they could help both sides without much risk of being attacked by either side.

‘This is important.’

Little risk didn’t mean no risk.

This meant that the Beggars’ Sect Chief thought the Heavenly Union was strong enough to risk helping them.

So, this meant that Hong Daegwang was right to bet everything on Hwasan, and his position had become much more important.

It would be nice to think that way… Everything is good, but….

“No, but why are you dealing with that man, Elder! Wasn’t it decided that I would handle everything related to Hwasan from the start!”

Jo Gae turned his head quickly and glared at Hong Daegwang with scary eyes.

“Entrusted?”

Hong Daegwang felt scared and stepped back.

“Entrusted? Yes. You said it well, you beggar!”

“Yes?”

“What have you been doing all this time that makes the Hwasan Sword Saint see the Beggars’ Sect like that!”

“See us like what?”

“What kind of image have you shown that makes the Hwasan Sword Saint think the Beggars’ Sect is just a bunch of freeloading idiots who do nothing but beg!”

Hong Daegwang blinked.

“Isn’t that true?”

“What?”

“…Isn’t that what beggars do? Begging without doing anything. Why would someone who works hard become a beggar?”

“….”

“Why are you looking at me like that? Am I wrong?”

Zao Gae stood silently, gazing at the distant sky. He was outside the small wooden building, and the last rays of the setting sun painted the clouds in shades of orange and purple. A cool evening breeze rustled the leaves in the nearby trees.

“What have I done?” he thought, a knot of worry tightening in his stomach.

“Placing someone like Chung Myung so close to Mount Hua…” He shook his head slowly. “It’s a miracle the relationship with Mount Hua hasn’t exploded already.”

“Anyway, I will be directly managing this area for a while, so keep that in mind.”

“Excuse me?” Hong Daekwang protested. “Where does such a thing happen! Even if you are an elder, you can’t just barge into an area someone has been working on for years!”

“Look at this unsavory fellow!” Zao Gae exclaimed. “Is this a matter of territory?”

“Ah, I can’t accept it!” Hong Daekwang said, agitated. “Do you know how much effort I’ve put into Mount Hua! Why do you think I endured all that harsh oppression! Even if you are an elder, if you touch my area, I’ll break everything!”

“Do you really want to die?” Zao Gae asked, his voice calm but firm.

“Go ahead and try!” Hong Daekwang retorted. “I’m just a penniless beggar with nothing to lose! If I die, I die!”

Zao Gae rubbed his temples, watching Hong Daekwang’s eyes roll wildly. He sighed.

“Ugh. This madman…”

Hong Daekwang was always a bit eccentric, but he wasn’t this insane. How had he become so incapable of distinguishing right from wrong?

‘Is there an underground water vein in Hwaeum?’ Zao Gae wondered.

Maybe it wasn’t an underground water vein. But being close to something dark can make you dark too. After years near the Mount Hua Divine Dragon, Hong Daekwang seemed to have become like him without realizing it. Of course, he would strongly deny it if he heard that.

“Anyway, this is the Chief’s order, so don’t complain!” Zao Gae stated.

“But you’re not even affiliated with the Beggars’ Union anymore!” Hong Daekwang pointed out.

“So what?” Zao Gae shrugged. “Do you want to get beaten by someone who isn’t affiliated?”

“Ugh…” Hong Daekwang groaned.

Even though Zao Gae had left the Beggars’ Union of his own accord, no one truly believed that he was no longer part of it. There was no point in arguing with someone who would subtly return when the time came; Hong Daekwang would only suffer.

‘Still!’ Hong Daekwang thought.

Wasn’t Hong Daekwang the one who had clung to Mount Hua since it was a third-rate sect that no one paid attention to, enduring harsh hardships? Who wouldn’t be furious when a superior casually extends their reach into a place someone else had built with blood and sweat?

‘I can’t give it up, even if I die!’ Hong Daekwang thought, his eyes bloodshot, the veins around them standing out like angry red lines. Sensing his feelings, Zao Gae gently coaxed him.

“Don’t worry,” Zao Gae said. “I’ll be in charge of the Heavenly Union-related matters. You just focus on Mount Hua as you have been.”

“…Are you sure?” Hong Daekwang asked, his voice still laced with doubt.

“This fellow, really!” Zao Gae exclaimed, shaking his head.

“Tch. If that’s the case, then, well,” Hong Daekwang conceded.

Zao Gae shook his head. In fact, the Chief seemed to want him to take charge of Mount Hua directly, but…

‘Then I won’t die a natural death,’ Zao Gae thought.

Zao Gae was someone who spoke his mind even in front of the Shaolin Abbot. However, that rascal Chung Myung was too much for even him to handle. Being around him felt like having a bomb in front of him, ready to explode at any moment.

‘Strange,’ he thought, looking at the room where Chung Myung was with a peculiar gaze.

‘Of course, his reckless nature can be troublesome… but surely that wasn’t all there was to it.’

He felt a pressure that was even greater than what he felt when dealing with the Chief of the Beggars’ Union or the Abbot of Shaolin. Considering Chung Myung’s age and his status in the Jianghu (the world of martial artists and sects), that should have been impossible.

‘I think I understand why those who have met the Mount Hua Divine Dragon find it difficult to deal with him,’ Zao Gae mused.

This was something that couldn’t be expressed through written reports alone. That’s why those who handle information shouldn’t blindly trust or be consumed by it.

The best way to confirm how great a force is, is to see who the leader of that force is.

‘I think I know why the Nine Sects are falling apart and the Heavenly Union is rising,’ he realized.

Hyun Jong and Chung Myung.

As long as there were these two people leading Mount Hua, the center of the Heavenly Union, the Heavenly Union’s momentum would undoubtedly increase day by day.

“But, is this alright?” Hong Daekwang asked with a somewhat worried expression.

“Hmm? What are you talking about?” Zao Gae responded.

“I’m talking about the Chief deciding to establish ties with the Heavenly Union,” Hong Daekwang clarified.

The Beggars’ Union had certainly been providing information to the Heavenly Union and Mount Hua. However, that was limited to information that Hong Daekwang could handle. Internal trends of the Nine Sects, such as information that couldn’t be disclosed externally, weren’t even conveyed to Hong Daekwang.

But Zao Gae’s decision to move meant that the Beggars’ Union had decided to provide even that kind of information to the Heavenly Union.

Which meant.

“…Doesn’t that mean the Chief has confirmed the Heavenly Union as an entity opposing the Nine Sects?” Hong Daekwang asked, his voice laced with concern.

“There’s no need to find meaning in it. That’s already the case,” Zao Gae said, shaking his head. But Hong Daekwang couldn’t shake off his worries.

“…Honestly, I’m a bit worried. The Demonic Sects are becoming more united and threatening Gangbuk, while the Orthodox Sects are splitting into two,” Hong Daekwang admitted.

“The world doesn’t always go as we wish,” Zao Gae replied.

“But…”

“That’s not our concern,” Zao Gae stated firmly.

“Yes?” Hong Daekwang tilted his head.

Zao Gae subtly gestured towards the room where Chung Myung was.

“Do you think that fellow doesn’t know what we know?”

“…”

“Perhaps the Mount Hua Divine Dragon has had a plan for this situation in his head for quite some time. So, discussing countermeasures would be the Mount Hua Divine Dragon’s job,” Zao Gae explained.

“Nah. That guy isn’t as calculating as you think he is, Elder,” Hong Daekwang countered.

“Is that so? Perhaps?” Zao Gae responded, a hint of doubt in his voice.

“I’m telling you, I’m right,” Hong Daekwang insisted.

Zao Gae completely ignored Hong Daekwang’s words.

With this incident, the world was clearly divided into three.

The Southern Demonic Alliance, the Eastern Nine Sects, and the Western Heavenly Union.

The boundaries weren’t as clear as national borders yet. But the fact that the Heavenly Union had swallowed the west of the Central Plains would become an undeniable truth for anyone.

Zao Gae didn’t believe in coincidence. Such a significant event must involve human will.

“It must be exhausting,” Zao Gae murmured.

“Yes?” Hong Daekwang asked, confused.

“No, nothing,” Zao Gae replied.

Even so, his gaze didn’t leave the building where Chung Myung was.

Whether it was achieved over several years or after a long period of contemplation, he could well imagine how fierce and complex the mind of the person who was accomplishing all of this with his own hands must be.

“Just like a swan looks elegant from outside the water but is desperately paddling its feet to stay afloat, that Mount Hua Divine Dragon must be secretly working hard to maintain his carefree look,” Zao Gae mused.

“That’s a lie. Swans just float without paddling their feet in the water,” Hong Daekwang countered.

“…Really?” Zao Gae asked, surprised.

“…”

“…”

Zao Gae cleared his throat loudly.

“Anyway, he’s an amazing person…”

Bang!

At that moment, Chung Myung’s door swung open.

“Aoh. Have the liquor bottles gotten smaller these days? I haven’t even taken a few sips, and it’s already empty…” Chung Myung said, trudging out with white liquor bottles in both hands. He flinched when he saw the two people still standing in front of his room.

“…”

“…”

A strange silence flowed for a moment. Chung Myung showed one of the liquor bottles with an awkward face.

“…Want some? There’s a little left?”

“…”

No, maybe it was just a misunderstanding.