Return of Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 278
The snow was as cold as it could possibly be.
In the dark, chilled eyes shone like those of a beast on the hunt.
“A little more…….”
A voice spreads quietly through the darkness as if yearning for something.
“I think we should get closer.”
“I can hear it from here, too.”
“That’s because it’s you!”
“Then we can go.”
“…… Wouldn’t we get caught if we got closer?”
“Tsk.”
Chung Myung moved the curtain from one side to the other.
“Okay, let’s go.”
“…what if we get caught?”
“They won’t catch us. Trust me.”
Yoon Jong gave a slight nod.
He has no idea why, but if Chung Myung says he won’t be caught, he won’t be caught. Because he, too, is never apprehended.
“Let’s go, Sahyung.”
“Yeah.”
Yoon Jong advanced low in a prone position after Jo Gol gently pushed him.
In the distance, he notices three people facing each other.
“At this point…….”
“Shh.”
Yoon Jong quickly shut down when he heard the low warning.
“Quiet.”
“Yes, Sago.”
As he watched Yoo Iseol follow him, he had a strange expression on his face.
‘Was Sago the type of person who goes to places like this?’
Chung Myung’s expression appears to be on Yoo Iseol’s face at first glance.
‘Ah, indeed. That person was the most affected.’
It’s an unfortunate reality. It’s a sad reality.
“Can you hear them?”
“I think I can hear them now.”
Chung Myung then murmured, as if disappointed.
“I should have brought beef jerky and alcohol. I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“…Are we here to play?”
“No?”
“…….”
Yoon Jong, unable to find anything to deny, focused his attention on his ears without saying anything.
In front of them, three members of Baek Chun’s family were conversing.
“You’ve become stronger.”
Baek Chun bowed slightly in response to Jin Cho Baek’s words.
What should he say?
“Thank you.”
All he could do in the end was given an obvious answer.
He didn’t like his response, but he couldn’t think of anything else.
He raised his head to face Jin Cho Baek. His attention was drawn to an expressionless face that resembled himself.
Baek Chun quietly sighed.
It used to be terrifying just to face Jin Cho Baek.
Even though Jin Cho Baek is clearly his biological father, he has rarely felt fatherly affection from him.
His father, he recalls, always looked at him with disdain.
“I understand why you left home.”
Understanding.
Understand.
Baek Chun nearly laughed without realizing it.
What a careless comment.
Understanding is meaningless unless it is accompanied by action. Jin Cho Baek should have acted on his understanding of Baek Chun.
But Jin Cho Baek offered no comfort to Baek Chun. He simply did not approve of Baek Chun’s performance, which was inferior to that of his older brother, Jin Geum Ryong.
“It must have been a big burden for you as a young child. If I may say so, I have discriminated against you…”
“I know.”
Jin Cho Baek was interrupted by Baek Chun.
And she spoke calmly.
“There’s no point in standing up to Father. Father would have cared more about me if I was better than Hyung-nim.”
“…….”
“I don’t blame you very much. Father was just that kind of man. Now I know.”
Jin Cho Baek cocked his brow slightly.
It would have been easier for him to speak if Baek Chun had poured out his resentments or vomited out his intense emotions. Because that is exactly what he expected.
But now Baek Chun was simply serene.
He’s also not thinking of him as another person. It’s only…
‘You appear to have accomplished it.’
Whether it is because he has grown mentally as a result of his placement in the Taoist sect or not, he does not appear to be on the same level as before.
Jin Geum Ryong, who is listening in on their conversation, is clearly annoyed.
‘I didn’t have enough eyes.’
He would have paid more attention if he had known Baek Chun was a child with this much potential. So things don’t get this far.
“Dongryong-ah.”
“Baek Chun.”
“…….”
Baek Chun gives a small smile.
“I’m not Jin Dongryong, I’m Baek Chun.” (Yeah, tell him that!!!.)
Chung Myung drew his brows together.
“Okay. He is calmer than I thought.”
“Then what did you expect?”
“I thought he will throw a tantrum.”
“No, this lunatic’s making Sasuk an idiot?”
When Jo Gol rebuked Chung Myung, he looked at him.
“He has already had a match with his brother, why would it matter now?”
“……once a while, I shut my mouth to the fact that you are a Taoist.”
“Agree.”
“Yes, me too.”
Chung Myung’s face crumpled even before Yoon Jong and Yoo Iseol spoke up.
“There’s no one else in the world who’s as Taoist person as I am!”
“Where are you looking?”
“What’s Tao? Isn’t it the way to do what your heart wants?”
“…right?”
Chung Myung triumphantly stretched his belly.
“Where else can you find someone who lives as they wanted as much as I do?”
“…….”
‘Uh…’
‘I’m not sure that’s what it means…..’
‘If Lao Tzu came back alive,
‘You son of a gun, this is my Tao!’
He was clearly going to hit Chung Myung over the head with the Tao sutra.
Despite the numerous criticisms, Chung Myung stopped bragging and only listened to Baek Chun’s family’s conversation.
“Baek Chun.”
Jin Cho Baek’s eyes were subdued as he looked at Baek Chun.
“That’s the name Mount Hua gave you.”
“Yes.”
“Do you intend to bury your bones in Mount Hua?”
“Yes.”
Jin Cho Baek’s expression changed for the first time in response to the answer, and he said with a distorted angry face.
“Come back.”
“…….”
“It’s not too late yet. No, it’s possible that it’s already too late. But don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. As you are aware, I have sufficient power.”
Baek Chun stares at Jin Cho Baek without responding.
Southern Edge Sect’s Sect Leader will not object. Man cannot live without his roots. You may not have any doubts in your heart now, but as time goes by, you will regret it. Make the right choice now.”
Baek Chun, who was quietly listening, smiled.
“You haven’t changed a bit.”
Jin Cho Baek bit his lower lip, as if impatient with the calm voice.
“I have one question…”
Baek Chun opened his mouth and looked directly at Jin Cho Baek.
“If I hadn’t grown so strong in Mount Hua, would Father look for me?”
“…….”
Jin Cho Baek did not respond.
He seemed to pause for a moment before letting out a low sigh.
“Yes. You may be right. If you hadn’t shown your abilities, I might not have been looking for you. But that’s what I think because you’re still too young. Parents and children cannot be free from each other’s abilities.”
“Maybe.”
“Are you going to blame this father?”
“No, Father. Don’t get me wrong.”
“…… hm?”
With a cool smile, Baek Chun said.
“I understand Father. And I don’t think Father was wrong.”
“Then?”
“I just don’t like it.”
“…….”
It was never a shrill voice. But there was determination in that calm voice.
“You don’t have to force yourself to fit something that doesn’t fit.”
“Are you saying you want to end the relationship?”
Baek Chun shook his head.
“I’m sure it’s not me who wants to end the relationship, it’s Father. If I don’t live up to Father’s will, would you treat me as a child?”
“I’m…….”
“You won’t.”
Jin Cho Baek’s eyes twitch slightly.
“I had no feelings of hatred for Father. It was just that. Wherever I am, Father is Father, and Hyung-nim is Hyung-nim. I just walk a different path.”
Jin Cho Baek, who was about to say something, finally stopped talking.
He then sighed heavily.
“Dongryong.”
“It’s Baek Chun.”
“……right, Baek Chun, think carefully. This is your father’s advice, and first of all, as a senior who walked the path of a martial artist. If you stay in Mount Hua like this, you’ll rot your talent.”
“…….”
“There won’t be a problem now. But as you get older, Mount Hua will be a burden to you. It is very difficult to carry everything alone in a place where there is no one to pull you or protect you.”
Jin Cho Baek fixed his gaze on Baek Chun.
“But Southern Edge Sect is different. Southern Edge Sect will actively support and help you if you come. Then, the position of the strongest person in the world wouldn’t be a dream…”
“Father.”
But, with a firm voice, Baek Chun cut Jin Cho Baek off.
As he met his father’s gaze, he had not even the slightest tremor in his face.
“I’m going to be Mount Hua’s Sect Leader.”
“…….”
“You said I had no one who pull and that protect me?”
Baek Chun burst out laughing.
‘You know absolutely nothing.’
‘It’s located on Mount Hua.’
‘It can only be found on Mount Hua.’
‘Those who will pull me and keep me safe.’
‘And…….’
“Even if that were the case, it wouldn’t make any difference. Because…”
Baek Chun has a lovely smile.
“The person I really want to resemble is already on that path. But I can’t cry, can I?”
“…….”
Jin Cho Baek fixed his cold, hard gaze on Baek Chun.
“Are you really going to choose that path? In front of this father?”
“I’m sorry, Father.”
Baek Chun slightly lowers his head. But there was no expression of regret on his face.
“But this is my path. It’s the path I want to walk. I’m not happy even if Southern Edge Sect can make me the strongest person in the world. My hope is that I will not be the first in the world, but that Mount Hua will be the first in the world.”
“……what a fool.”
Jin Cho Baek raised his head and gazed up at the sky, his teeth slightly gritted.
And he added.
“Come out.”
Baek Chun looked around, surprised, at the sudden remark.
Jin Cho Baek spoke again coldly.
“I told you to come out. Since when did Mount Hua become a place to hide like a rat and listen to other people’s stories?”
“……I got caught.”
“We’ve been caught.”
“He got us.”
“…….”
Chung Myung flinched at the onslaught of criticism.
‘I still can’t believe it.’
Does this imply that the yangban Jin Cho Baek is far more powerful than he realizes?
‘Wow, it’s really Dongryong’s dad! He is a master who can see through my hiding.’
Chung Myung slid his butt out, half admiringly, half embarrassedly.
“What should we do?”
“What do you mean? If you’re caught, you should go out.”
Chung Myung sighed and rose from his seat.
Jin Cho Baek’s enraged voice rang again.
“You mean you won’t come out, huh?”
Chung Myung spoke hesitantly.
“Oh, I am…….”
“Get out now!”
“……Eh?”
Everyone was perplexed and tilted their heads.
But there was no turning back because he had already risen and emerged from the bushes.
Chung Myung’s gaze was drawn to the crowd on the other side.
Chung Myung’s cheeks shook slightly.
“Sect Leader?”
“Elders?”
Yoon Jong, Jo Gol, and Yoo Iseol were also startled as they followed Chung Myung out of the bushes.
Hyun Jong, Hyun Young, and Hyun Sang met their gaze as they jumped out of the bushes on the other side.
“…….”
“…….”
The Sect Leader and the Elders were also perplexed, so they remained silent.
“No. Why are the Sect Leader and Elders here?”
“No, why are you guys coming out of there?”
“We here to listen.”
“Us, too.”
“…….”
“…….”
Baek Chun wrapped his hot face around the two awkward groups and held it.
“Please…….”
“Heum.”
“Heuahahha!”
‘I’m doomed.’
‘This sect has already been destroyed.’
Jin Cho Baek, who was standing in the middle, sighed as the ground blew out.
“Mount Hua seems to like to overhear others, I guess they are not a prestigious sect after all.”
Hyun Jong’s face flushed slightly.
He can’t say anything because he was caught eavesdropping like a thief.
“I’m sorry, but I have nothing to say.”
Jin Cho Baek regarded Hyun Jong quietly for the time being.
“Southern Edge Sect’s Jin Cho Baek greets Mount Hua Sect Leader.”
“Nice to meet you, Elder Jin.”
Hyun Jong, who was being greeted, appeared embarrassed because of the situation.
But Jin Cho Baek’s words do not end there.
“But….”
He began to push Hyun Jong, as if he had to say something because he had already shown respect.
“I didn’t expect Sect Leader to do this. Don’t you think it’s beneath your dignity?”
“Of course, it’s beneath my dignity. It’s just that….”
With a bitter smile, Hyun Jong looked at Baek Chun. The smile encapsulated all of the complicated emotions.
“How can I save face in looking after the descendants of my sect? If that’s why even if it hurt my honor, there’s no reason to hesitate.”
“Hoo.”
Jin Cho Baek looked at Hyun Jong, as if perplexed.
Baek Chun and Hyun Jong thought in unusual ways.
‘Is this the transformed Mount Hua?’
Mount Hua was not always like this; how did things change?
“What will happen to the sect if the Sect Leader does not keep his face?”
“Yes, it may not be good for the sect.”
Hyun Jong politely nodded.
“But Baek Chun is a thousand times more important to me than the sect and my face. Why would I care about my face first?”
“…….”
It was a strong and determined statement.
Jin Cho Baek, who was quietly looking at Hyun Jong, bit his lower lip slightly.
“It would have been better. Now that it has come to this, I’ll ask Sect Leader. Does Sect Leader really want Dongryoh to abandon his filial piety and become a disciple of Mount Hua?”
“It’s impossible to forsake filial piety.”
“I knew you’d say that…….”
“But.”
Hyun Jong sighs and shakes his head.
“Just because Baek Chun is the Sect Leader of Mount Hua doesn’t mean he’s abandoning filial piety. Fate is meant to be and Tao is the Tao.”
“…….”
“And above all, I don’t want to lose a talent named Baek Chun as the Sect Leader for Mount Hua. This is the man who will be the pillar that leads Mount Hua.”
Jin Cho Baek’s brow furrowed. His piercing eyes glowed with rage.
Hyun Jong, on the other hand, was adamant.
“I won’t give Baek Chun to Southern Edge Sect. If necessary, we will protect Baek Chun, at least by fighting until one last Mount Hua’s disciples left. That’s Mount Hua, and that’s what sect does.”
There was a lot of love in every word Hyun Jong said.
It was just as Baek Chun was about to say something with lowered and turbulent emotion.
“No, I don’t think that’s…….”
“Oh, come on, shut up!”
“The Sect Leader is talking, man!”
“No, it’s true, but…”
“Noisy!
Baek Chun sighed as he watched Chung Myung, whom his Sahyung was abusing.
‘In any case, that punk.’
The environment quickly became noisy.
Meanwhile, Jin Cho Baek slightly closed his eyes.
‘This is the end.’
In fact, Hyun Jong’s warning meant nothing to Jin Cho Baek.
What really made him throb was Baek Chun’s gaze as he looked at Mount Hua’s disciples.
‘Your family has arrived.’
A small amount of remorse surfaced, but Jin Cho Baek refused to succumb to it.
He turned to face Baek Chun and said,
“I understand what you mean. If that’s the case, then I can now…”
“Don’t say that you’re breaking the bond between parents and children.”
“…….”
“I don’t want to sever it. It took me quite a while to know that, too.”
Jin Cho Baek’s mouth was trembling slightly.
Isn’t this more like a father to him than a son?
“I see.”
Jin Cho Baek nodded and moved his gaze to Hyun Jong.
“Sect Leader, forgive me for the lot of rudeness.”
“This one too.”
“Of course.”
Jin Cho Baek gave a slight salute and a glance to Baek Chun.
“You should stop by the house sometime.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Then.”
They walked away without looking back.
Jin Geum Ryong, on the other hand, did not follow his father and stood motionless, staring at Chung Myung and Baek Chun.
“It would be nice if you could become Mount Hua’s Sect Leader.”
A chill flows out of him.
“If there’s a place called Mount Hua left until then.”
As he watched Jin Geum Ryong, Baek Chun sighed.
“Hyung-nim, don’t lose yourself.”
“You’re arrogant.”
The pupils were dilated.
“I will repay the humiliation of the Conference here. Mount Hua’s disciple who meets me should not think hard about going down.”
“That’s a lot of talks.”
Jin Geum Ryong’s gaze was drawn to Chung Myung.
“Huh? So, a match? ”
Jin Geum Ryong gave Chung Myung, who was stretching out his belly, a cold smile.
“This has no meaning. In front of everyone, I’ll destroy Mount Hua with my hands.”
Jin Geum Ryong turned away at the end of his remark.
Baek Chun sighs deeply after looking until the back disappears.
“Chung Myung, I’m…….”
“There is only one way to correct a crooked family.”
“……Huh?”
“Knock it down.”
“…….”
“You know, to pulp. People must be beaten in order to get their act together.”
Baek Chun smiled at the sincere advice.
“I’m glad you don’t have a family.”
‘I really mean it.’
‘Really.’