Return of Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 261
Kangho became enraged when he heard the news in the early autumn breeze.
Murim Competition will be held!
It is not just any other place, but a world gathering hosted by Shaolin.
Shaolin is what kind of place is it?
Isn’t this the old place known as the Big Head of Kangho? (북두라)
There are many sects around the world, but none can compete with Shaolin’s influence.
Shaolin, who had been a benefactor since the Magyo invasion a hundred years ago, finally broke the silence and began walking in a giant’s footsteps.
Kangho’s people, who had been living without major incidents, naturally turned their attention to Seongsan Mountain.
When two or more martial artists gather, the story always comes out, and when three or more gather, they are too busy talking about random topics to notice that the night is almost over.
The story was also in full swing here at Zhaoyue Inn (조월객잔(照月客棧)) in Nakyang.
“The meeting is, of course, important!”
The rat-like man sputtered and spoke enthusiastically.
“But that’s not really important. Don’t they say that there’s also a sparring competition at this gathering? I mean, this is really important.”
The horse-faced man who was listening to it frowned.
“Isn’t it a place where latecomers (Young disciples.) fight? What’s so important about that?”
“Tsk tsk tsk. You don’t know what I’m saying. Have you ever heard of a sparring competition where the disciple come out and fight in front of many Elder of various sects?”
“…well, now that you mention it.”
The horse-faced man frowned. He hasn’t heard of a competition in which the Elders of each sect compete for each other’s skills.
The rat-like man leaned arrogantly on the chair.
“That’s the way it’s supposed to be. Can those who risk their lives for face (honor) compete for who is stronger in front of others? So instead, they compete against each other to see what a great disciple they have nurtured.”
“Does it mean anything?”
“Of course it is!”
He raised his voice in response to the questioning voice.
“It’s not about which sect is the strongest right now that should be judged by the outcome of that sparring competition. It is to determine who will take a lead in ten years ahead.”
“What, ten years?”
“Those who are participating in this competition are disciples under Irip (The korean term). Irip is 30 years old, so they will be close to forty in ten years.”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“At forty, it is time to become the backbone of the sect. In other words, the contestants now will be the center of Kangho in ten years. So, this sparring competition is the perfect way to predict the future of Kangho. It’s an important event!”
“I see!”
The horse-like man nodded, as if impressed.
Although the current world number one sect’s location is unknown, the competition’s results indicate that the later world number one sect can be measured.
Even if they do not win, it is clear that the sect’s reputation will improve.
“So who do you think will win this competition?”
“Hmm. That’s a difficult question.”
The mouse-like man grabbed the bottle. Then he frowned and shook the lighter-than-air bottle back and forth.
“No. I want to talk, but I’m so thirsty for this…”
“Boy! Waiter! Bring me a bottle of wine here right now!”
“Wine. Wine is good. But……… I wonder if I can speak properly if I eat that strong alcohol because it stings my throat.”
“Waiter! Not the wine, but the bamboo shoots!”
“Kekeke.”
Only then did the rat-like man smile as he ordered bamboo shoots, which were three times the price of wine.
“Who I think will win? Of course, we’re talking about the results of the sparring competition, right?”
“That’s obvious.”
“It’s very difficult. There isn’t just one or two outstanding rising stars or one or two prestigious sects in the world.”
The horse-like man clicked his tongue in response to the ambiguous words.
“I even give you alcohol, but that’s ridiculous! It’s easy for me to find the answer myself then.”
“Hooh? Tell me.”
“Isn’t it obvious that the Five Dragons are the ones to pay attention to?”
“Kekekeke.”
The rat-like man sneered deeply.
“That’s why you can’t do it yet.”
“Huh? Why?”
“What is the Five Dragons? Doesn’t that mean the five who have achieved the most outstanding achievements among the rising star?”
“Yes! So of course they’re the favorites, aren’t they?”
“I don’t know. What are the criteria for evaluating the outstanding rising star?”
“That’s…”
The horse-like man was unable to respond quickly and paused. The rat-like man then laughed and said.
“That’s how Kangho evaluation is all about. In the end, the evaluation has to be based on what one did in Kangho. In other words, the Five Dragon stood out, especially among those who had done nothing so far. ”
After a brief pause, the rat-like individual snatched the bamboo shoot from the waiter and drank the entire bottle.
The words resumed only after half of the bottles had been emptied at once.
“Among those who are flocking to Seongsan Mountain, there will be a lot of shining jewels that have not yet been strengthened. So how can you say that only The Five Dragon will shine?”
“But, didn’t you say it’s about the talent? If you’re that good, no matter how much you hide it, rumors will inevitably spread.”
“That’s right, that’s right. For example, there are Broken Mountain Sword (단악검(斷岳劍)) Namgung Dohui (남궁도휘(南宮度揮)), which is said to come out only once in a hundred years even in the Namgung Family, and Neng Hayun (능하운(能夏雲)), which is cherished by the Sect Leader of Qingcheng sect .”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Considering all of those things, shouldn’t you be able to predict the winner so that you can call it a true wise man (지자(智者))?”
“Huh. This guy is scratching people’s pride. It’s nice. If it comes out like that, I can’t take it out anymore.”
The rat-like man slammed his hand against the table.
“I’ll bet my money on Wudang Sect!”
“Wudang?”
“Yes, Although Wudang’s momentum has gone down a bit now, it doesn’t mean that it has a prestigious name for nothing. Perhaps the world will see Wudang again in this sparring competition.”
“Hum, Wudang. Wudang… Well, does Wudang have the power to do that? Wasn’t they humiliated by Mount Hua a while ago?”
“What? Do you believe the rumor that Mu Jin of Wudang lost to the Mount Hua Divine Dragon?”
“It’s only rumor…”
“Have I seen such a stupid friend?”
The rat-like man’s narrow eyes were completely distorted.
“Still, do you mean that someone who said he ate Kangho food believes such nonsense? Did a master fall from the sky? It’s only in old stories that a new master breaks down Kangho’s masters at a young age.”
Then he continued to talk while drinking as if he was thirsty.
“Martial art is like good liquor; the longer it is aged, the stronger the scent becomes; how good is a freshly made liquor?” “A good environment is also required for alcohol to ripen properly; a master like that coming out of the ruined Mount Hua? Not a chance!”
The horse-like man, however, remained unconvinced.
“But didn’t Mount Hua beat The Southern Edge Sect?”
“I heard that only the third class disciples of Southern Edge Sect were defeated! You must not know that the disciples of prestigious sect spent all their childhood only refining the foundation (Basic), right?”
“Hmm…….”
“Isn’t that proof that the third-class disciples all lost and the second-class disciples all won?” “Can Mount Hua win if the third-class disciples fight again now?”
“No…… Mount Hua Divine Dragon…….”
“Similarly! People without fundamentals have their limits! I guarantee it! I’m not sure if Mount Hua will participate, but if they do, they will be severely humiliated! Without foundation, how can one go anywhere? ”
“Hey, isn’t that a bit harsh?”
“Hehe! Is it too much? We’ll see! Mount Hua will undoubtedly suffer the most humiliation as a result of this Murim Competition. So, I’m curious if a sect with no foundation and a declining membership will be able to compete in the Murim Competition. Hahahat! ”
When the rat-like man burst out laughing, the horse-like man looked a little disappointed.
It was back then.
Kwaang!
The door to the Zhaoyue Inn creaked open, and a man stepped inside.
The two, who had turned their heads in surprise, both shut their mouths at the same time.
Robes in black.
And the eye-catching plum pattern on the chest…
“…….”
“…….”
It’s a uniform they’ve heard a lot about lately.
So there you have it…
‘Mount Hua Sect?’
‘Never mind.’
Step by step, by step.
The martial artist from Mount Hua who shattered the door trudged toward them.
He appears to be a little skinny, but anyone can see that he has a strong body and a face that even a man can admire.
But the inevitable irritation on his face made him stand out.
“Waiter!”
“Sir, yes!”
The waiter quickly approached the martial artist.
“Food!”
“…Yes?”
“Food!”
“Ah, yes! Which one do you want? ”
“A hundred and twenty servings full of meat!”
“O One hundred and twenty?”
“Forty people! Please hurry! ”
‘There are 40 people, but there are 120 servings? What’s wrong with the math?’
“Come on!”
“Huh? Oh… Yes! I see!”
“And!”
As the waiter was about to turn, Mount Hua’s martial artist grabbed his shoulder.
“Alcohol! Everything is fine. The most refreshing drink in this establishment.”
“Yep! I’ll send it to you right away! ”
“Come on!”
“Yes!”
As the waiter ran to the kitchen, he trudged away, twisted his neck from side to side, and sat down next to the two men who were talking.
“Here you have it! Sir! ”
“Good!”
The martial artist from Mount Hua who snatched the liquor gulped down the bottle.
“Wow!”
The man wiped his mouth with his sleeves and shouted as he put down the bottle with a cool face.
“You live like that!”
Only then did the man with the relieved expression appear to be thinking about something and turn his head.
Flinch.
Flinch.
When the two men met the eyes of the Mount Hua warrior who appeared out of nowhere, they shrank in surprise.
Even if they wait, the martial artist’s eyes do not retract, so the rat-like man carefully opens his mouth.
“By the way…….”
“What?”
“… What’s the matter with you?”
“No, well.”
Crack, crack, crack.
Mount Hua’s martial artist grinned as he twisted his neck left and right.
“Listen, I believe you’re discussing a very interesting story. So, what’s the problem with Mount Hua?”
“…….”
The rat-like man coughed quietly.
“Hmm. Are you a disciple of Mount Hua?”
“Yes, I happen to be the disciple of Mount Hua.”
“…….”
The rat-like man rolled his little eyes, slightly puzzled.
However, he quickly managed his expression and responded calmly, possibly because he had previous experience rolling in Kangho.
“I believe there was a misunderstanding.” I had no intention of disparaging your sect. I was simply attempting to point out that the Mount Hua Divine Dragon was a little overrated…….”
“Oh, really?”
“That’s correct. Misunderstanding…”
Mount Hua’s martial artist leaps from his seat, clutching a bottle of alcohol.
The perplexed rat-like man inquired.
“Why are you getting up?”
“Oh, as I misunderstood something, I think you misunderstood something, so I’m going to let you know properly.”
“What?”
Mount Hua’s martial artist smiles.
“Do you happen to know what my name is?”
“…How am I supposed to know that.”
“Then keep that in mind. My name is Chung Myung.”
“Chu-Chung Myung. Good name…….”
‘Wait a second…’
‘Chung Myung?’
‘Chung Myung?’
The rat-like man’s eyes popped out.
“The…Then you?”
“Yes, he’s the one who’s overrated.”
“…….”
The cheeks are shaky.
Even when he was sitting, cold sweat dripped down his back and his legs shook.
Instead of easily despairing, the rat-like man desperately rolled his head.
If you are caught gossiping about your opponent in Kangho, you have nothing to say, even if the opponent draws a sword and begins a life-or-death fight; those honor-obsessed Kango people would never tolerate it.
“Ha… haha. To meet the world famous Divine Dragon…….”
“Why are you shaking so much? Actually, that’s true. I didn’t do anything, but I was a bit overrated. I haven’t really demonstrated anything yet. Hehehe.”
“…….”
The rat-like man narrowed his eyes in response to the unexpected reaction.
‘Are he being sarcastic?’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘Then…….’
‘Is he claiming to be a true Taoist?’
And he looked at Chung Myung again.
How many people can admit it and remain humble after hearing a disparaging remark about themselves?
The rat-like man, who was slightly flushed, spoke modestly.
“I’m so ashamed for it, Mount Hua Divine Dragon. Being a senior in Kangho showed me being uglier. I am none one other than Jo Malsaeng, who is called Quick Rat (쾌서(快鼠)) in Kangho. As an apology, I would like to offer a drink to the Mount Hua Divine Dragon, so please accept the apology.”
“Oh, it’s fine. Actually, what’s the problem? It’s not something to apologize about. Don’t worry.”
Jo Malsaeng was taken aback by Chung Myung’s bright smile.
‘Do you mean true Mount Hua has been resurrected?’
There is no shame in words or deeds as a dignified Taoist disciple.
Jo Malsaeng was about to say something admiring.
“However.”
“…… hm? ”
“Even though I am.”
“…….”
Chung Myung shifted his gaze to Jo Malsaeng.
“Where is there no root?”
“…….”
Jo Malsaeng noticed it at that precise moment.
Chung Myung’s eyes glowed with life, having previously had the infinitely gentle smile of a Taoist.
“Mo…Mount Hua Divi…….”
Ppaa.
And Jo Malsaeng’s words came to an end there.
Chung Myung had hit his forehead with a bottle of alcohol he was holding.
“Keuruk!”
Jo Malsaeng snatched his head and pushed him to the side.
Even though the martial artist slapped him so hard that he fell over, the bottle did not break, let alone crack.
The horse-like man who was watching the situation from the side opened his mouth wide.
‘No matter what he says, do you usually hit people like that out of nowhere?’
‘And you refer to yourself as a Taoist disciple?’
‘You’re the devil!’
Chung Myung drank the liquor while groaning loudly and holding the bottle upside down.
“Is this yangban in front of me swearing at Mount Hua?”
The legs of the fallen Jo Malsaeng trembled.
“You don’t seem to know what without foundation thing is. Come on, people! I’m going to show you how far a person with no foundation can go today. Take a good look at it.”
“Hiiiik!”
“Foundation? Foundation? You idiot, this is Mount Hua’s foundation! ”
“Save me, Sa!”
It was the greatest misfortune of Jo Malsaeng’s life to meet the world’s least Taoist person.