Chapter 1939 - Return of The Mount Hua Sect

Chapter 1939. There’s No Need to Understand. (4)

The meeting that followed did not last very long.

It could hardly have gone otherwise. For a meeting to drag on, there had to be arguments. But in an atmosphere where no one besides Un Am could bring themselves to speak, all that remained was one-sided communication.

As a result, the sect leaders gathered at Mount Hua agreed, for the efficient and effective restoration of the martial world, to establish a communication network and command structure centered around Mount Hua.

There would still need to be further discussion regarding the practical details, but those would gradually be put in place. Provided, of course, that the countless talented minds under Heaven were not simply eating and loafing around.

[tl note: 놀고먹다 is a Korean idiom meaning “to idle one’s life away without doing any productive work.” It is often used sarcastically.]

“Tsk. That ended a little too tamely.”

Standing in the now-empty training ground after the sect leaders had departed, Hong Daegwang smacked his lips in disappointment.

“I thought he’d beat up another two or three of them to make an example out of them.”

Baek Cheon was terrified upon hearing those words.

“No, what do you mean, ‘make an example out of them’? Do you think we convened the Alliance Gathering just to beat people up?”

“Didn’t you?”

“......”

When Baek Cheon fell silent, Hong Daegwang burst into laughter.

“He did the right thing. Those old fellows really had gone too far.”

“Even I, stuck in the middle delivering messages, lost my temper so many times I wanted to run over there myself.”

“The Grand Elders also seemed to be carrying quite a burden.”

“I’m sure they were. But it’ll be fine now.”

“...Because the discussion went well?”

“Discussion? Hm?”

“Let’s just call it a discussion.”

Hong Daegwang clutched his stomach and laughed again. Then, all at once, his face turned serious.

“Do you know what Mount Hua’s biggest problem was?”

“Well, I don’t know? There are so many problems that it’s hard to pick just one.”

“Not many people have actually seen the Mount Hua Divine Dragon.”

“Huh? But he ran all over the world, didn't he?”

As Jo Geol tilted his head in confusion, Hong Daegwang shrugged.

“That’s true enough. It’s also true that he made allies everywhere he went. But do you think the world is small? The martial artists you’ve actually met don’t even amount to one-tenth of all the martial artists in existence. No, even saying one-tenth is already being far too generous.”

“Mm... I suppose that’s true.”

“Exactly. That’s why they didn’t know. They had no idea what an absolute madman the Mount Hua Divine Dragon really is. That’s where every problem started.”

“......”

“But now everyone knows, don’t they? That alone solves most of the problem.”

“No. How does that possibly...”

“Just wait. You’ll see soon enough. Imagine how it feels to accept the fact that, ‘The greatest swordsman under heaven is completely out of his mind, and he might come crashing through our front door tomorrow with a sword clenched between his teeth.’ That’s the reality those people have to live with.”

Hong Daegwang had known this fact long ago. That was why he had settled in Shaanxi before anyone else. And in return, he had even risen to the position of Beggar Union Leader.

But the rest of the world had failed to realize it. That was why they had suffered such humiliation today.

‘This is why information is power. Tsk, tsk.’

Young people value information, while older people value experience. That was why the front waves of the Yangtze River were, in the end, always overtaken by those that came behind.

[tl note: 장강의 앞 물결이 뒷 물결에 밀려나다. “the front waves of the Yangtze are pushed along by the waves behind” is a proverb meaning that the newer generation inevitably surpasses the older one.]

The Beggar Union was a sect that cooperated with Mount Hua without reservation. Indeed, every sect belonging to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance would probably feel much the same. Was that truly because Mount Hua’s own direction and philosophy were so extraordinary that they inspired everyone?

‘As if.’

Hong Daegwang smiled to himself.

“Now that those old men finally understand the situation, they’ll become cooperative.”

“.....Well, after being threatened like that, they probably will.”

Yoon Jong still spoke with obvious concern.

“But won’t this become poison for Mount Hua in the long run? It didn’t seem like Cheong Myeong was particularly fond of forcing people into a corner like this either.”

“Hmm. You still don’t understand the world.”

“Pardon?”

Hong Daegwang bared his yellowed teeth in a broad grin.

“Just wait. You’ll see soon enough.”

.....And it turned out Hong Daegwang’s words had not been wrong, before even a few hours had passed.

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“...What’s all that?”

“That’s the line waiting for an audience with the Sect Leader.”

“Then what’s that? There are two lines.”

“Ah, that one is the line waiting for an audience with the Grand Sect Leader.”

“......Then what about those people over there, gathered in a crowd without even standing in line?”

“They’re waiting for Cheong Myeong to come out of the White Plum Hall.”

“......”

Baek Cheon was left speechless. For a moment, it felt as though the world before his eyes had begun to spin.

“No... this is...”

To be completely honest... Yes, it had truly felt satisfying. After everything Mount Hua had done until now, being treated like that had been nothing short of unjust and infuriating.

That was probably why he had not gone out of his way to stop Cheong Myeong. Whatever the outcome, he had thought there needed to be one chance to vent all of that pent-up resentment.

Yet, in one corner of his heart, he had also believed that what had happened this time would inevitably cost Mount Hua at least some of the goodwill it had earned. Deep down, he had even thought that outcome only natural.

But then...

“Weren’t about half of them supposed to leave today?”

“I remember that being the plan, but...”

“So how many have left so far?”

“...Not a single one yet.”

“......”

“The Eunha Merchant Guild is in complete chaos right now. They’re asking why no one’s leaving. They’ve already gone through all the food and daily necessities they prepared beforehand, and they’re saying it’ll be difficult to restock everything.”

“Didn’t you tell the people over there about that?”

“I did.”

“And what did they say?”

“‘We’ll take care of things ourselves, so don’t concern yourselves with it.’ That’s what they said. ‘If it really comes to it, we’ll just go down to Huayin to eat and come back. Just don’t take away our sleeping quarters.’“

“Uh...”

Was this really okay? No, had this actually been okay all along?

Well, admittedly... The sect leaders had been cooperative even before this. Even before Cheong Myeong had gleefully beaten the old man known as the Phantom Divine Lord black and blue, they had never openly caused trouble.

But there is a certain atmosphere that one can sense, isn’t there?

“Ah, Dojangs.”

“Yes?”

“Here, have some of this. I bought these roasted chicken legs in Huayin. They’re quite delicious.”

“...Pardon?”

“Go on, go on.”

Before they even realized what had happened, each of Mount Hua’s disciples found a roasted chicken leg pressed into their hand. They could only stare blankly at the bustling crowd.

“No matter how I look at it, they’ve become at least three times friendlier.”

“I’d have nothing to complain about if it were only three times.”

“...If winning people’s hearts was this easy, then what in the world were all those things we’ve done until now for?”

“Well, it’s a good thing either way.”

“That’s true.”

Overwhelmed by a sense of futility, laughter escaped their lips.

So this is what the world looks like from the position of the strong. It really is this kind. Now they could vaguely understand why the people of other sects had clung so desperately to a handful of prestige, to a trivial reputation.

‘Of course, we must never become like that.’

What had made today’s Mount Hua was its identity as a sect that had crawled its way back up from rock bottom. The moment they forgot that, Mount Hua would become no different from every other sect. Baek Cheon and Yoon Jong understood that better than anyone.

“But... Doesn’t this mean we’ll have to keep waiting on those people from now on?”

“......”

“Uh... when are they planning to leave?”

“......”

This isn’t entirely a good thing either, ugh.

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“How many times do I have to tell you not to go causing trouble! Look at the mess you’ve made!”

“Oh! Mooncakes!”

“You should’ve shown some restraint! Even if you had permission...”

“Wow, these are good. Guess expensive ones really are different. See? Gifts really are worth receiving.”

“That’s why I kept saying... No, are you even listening to me, you brat?!”

Watching Cheong Myeong stuff mooncakes into his mouth without pause, Baek Cheon finally exploded. Cheong Myeong, however, merely picked at his ear as though a dog were barking beside him.

“Come on, why are you still making such a fuss over something that’s already over? Have you gotten old too, sasuk? Your nagging just gets worse and worse.”

“How about you! Huh? Stop making me nag you all the time! Huh?!”

Cheong Myeong frowned as though he couldn’t bear listening anymore and waved him off dismissively. Baek Cheon let out a deep sigh.

“Then do something about it. They look like they’ve practically decided to settle here.”

“Well, that’s just how people are. They came all the way to distant Shaanxi. If they just go back after hearing a few instructions, they won’t have much to report to their sects. They need the excuse that they built relationships with the people of Mount Hua while they were here. Just entertain them for a while, and they’ll head back on their own. It’s not like there’s anything for them to do on top of this mountain anyway.”

“Tsk. I suppose that’s true, but...”

Cheong Myeong shrugged.

“Besides, even I didn’t expect them to become this enthusiastic.”

At that, the Five Swords all nodded in unison.

“Monk, is this sort of thing familiar to you? You spent a long time at Shaolin, after all.”

“You’re talking as if I’ve left it behind forever?”

“You’ve been excommunicated. Doesn’t that make it final? At this point, shouldn’t you grow your hair out and switch over to being a taoist?”

“W-What outrageous nonsense are you saying?!”

“Aren’t you officially a monk who has broken his vows?”

[Monk who has broken his vows. Pageseung. 파계승(破戒僧). A Buddhist monk who has violated the monastic precepts.]

“B-B-Broken my vows?!”

Hyeyeon’s face turned bright red.

“T-That’s truly an outrageous thing to sa...”

“Anyway. Is this kind of situation familiar to you or not?”

“Ah? Ah... um...”

Having given up on arguing any further, Hye Yeon quietly recited a Buddhist invocation. Then, with a sigh, he spoke.

“To tell the truth... even I have hardly ever seen something like this.”

“I thought so, huh?”

“Ugh. Why is it that every time we start something, it always ends up like this?”

Of course, it wasn’t exactly the first or second time something like this had happened....

“So, what about the Phantom Divine Lord?”

“He’s resting in the Medical Hall. He doesn’t have any particularly serious injuries. He’s just severely drained, so he should recover with some nourishing treatment. We did receive a few Yeongdan as gifts, so I’m considering whether we should give him one.”

[tl note : Yeongdan. 영단 (靈丹), literally “spiritual elixir” a rare medicinal pill infused with qi that restores vitality and internal energy.]

The moment he heard that, Cheong Myeong nearly spat out the mooncake he was chewing as he shouted.

“What? A Yeongdan? A Yeongdan, my ass! What incredible feat did he accomplish to deserve one of those?”

“He’s an old man. If something happens to him here because of this, how are we supposed to deal with it?”

“Ah, then just dig him a cave or something. If he goes back into closed-door cultivation, he’ll recover. From the looks of it, he really likes caves.”

“...You’re practically a demon.”

“I didn’t even beat him that badly, anyway.”

Cheong Myeong grumbled. Baek Cheon found himself studying Cheong Myeong all over again.

‘Come to think of it, he doesn’t even have a scratch.’

He had definitely looked like he’d taken several hits. Yet there wasn’t a single bruise to be seen. Nor did he appear uncomfortable in the slightest. Which meant that every attack the Phantom Divine Lord had unleashed with all his strength hadn’t pierced Cheong Myeong’s Protective Repulsion Qi even a little.

If it had been the Cheong Myeong from before the war... would this have been possible?

The Phantom Divine Lord had undeniably suffered a humiliating defeat, but no one could deny that his martial prowess ranked among the greatest under heaven. And yet Cheong Myeong had subdued someone like him without even a single scratch....

‘Just how much stronger has this bastard become?’

There had been signs. Even while fighting Jang Ilso, he had suddenly revealed a level of divine might that made him seem like an entirely different person. Baek Cheon had thought it might’ve only been a temporary surge. Apparently, it wasn’t.

‘Should I just ask him outright?’

After pondering for a moment, Baek Cheon shook his head.

Forget it. He’d definitely just sneer and say, ‘What would Sasuk do even if you knew? Whether I’m stronger or not, I can kill someone like Sasuk with a single finger anyway.’

He wasn’t even sure it was the right emotion to be feeling. But somehow, it rubbed him the wrong way.

It felt like he’d been running as hard as he could to catch up, only for the guy who had already been ahead of him to suddenly climb onto a horse and disappear into the distance.

‘And it’s not even that he just rides off. He always has to look back over his shoulder with that irritating smirk before he goes.’

I just want to hit him once. Seriously. Just once. That’d feel so damn satisfying...

“What?”

“H-Huh?”

“That look on your face is awfully insolent.”

“Insolence is something those above say to those below them.”

“Exactly. So, you are being insolent.”

“.....”

I should’ve kept my mouth shut....

Just as Baek Cheon swallowed his irritation and was about to lecture him again,

Bang!

The door to the room they were in was flung open.

Everyone instantly turned toward the person who had burst in.

Baek Sang stood there, drenched in sweat. His face was deathly pale.

“Sang-ah?”

“Sahyung. You need to come immediately. Urgent news has arrived.”

“News?”

Baek Sang bit his lip hard once before speaking in a heavy voice.

“It’s the Demonic Cult.”

Everyone shot to their feet without a moment’s hesitation. An indescribably chilling atmosphere swept through the room.

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