Return of Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 289
Jong Nigok’s frightening eyes were fixed on the stage. His eyes were pierced by the sight of the disciples carrying the fallen Jong Seohan.
‘Damn it.’
The sound of teeth grinding was muffled.
He knows he shouldn’t show his emotions because of his face (Honor/Pride), but Jong Nigok couldn’t hold back his rage.
‘What a shame!’
He trembled, his fists clenched so tightly that his claws dug into his palms.
The audience’s applause went on indefinitely.
This was extremely dangerous.
The fact that Southern Edge Sect lost to Mount Hua in the most recent Jonghwa Conference is now widely publicized. Not because of the ascension of Mount Hua, but because many people enjoy the disgrace of the Southern Edge Sect.
However, only a few influential people were present at the time. There were far more people who were unaware of it because few people witnessed it with their own eyes.
However, there are now far too many eyes on this competition. Even if they only speak once, the entire world will be aware of the Southern Edge Sect’s defeat.
There was one more thing that irritated Jong Nigok.
‘How?’
That sword technique.
The sword technique used to defeat Jong Seohan is very familiar.
Isn’t that similar to the Twelve-Movement Snow Flower Sword Technique developed by the Southern Edge Sect with all their heart and soul?
‘How did they do it!?’ I don’t believe there are any more in Mount Hua.’
That sword technique is like a Mount Hua Sect symbol!
It was back then.
“…the Twenty-Four Plum Blossoms Sword technique.”
Bop Jeong’s mouth opened with a groan.
Everyone on the podium then turned to look at him.
“Amitabha Buddha, Mount Hua Sect Leader. Has your sect regained the Twenty-Four Plum Blossoms Sword technique?”
“That’s right.”
“Oh…….”
Bop Jeong looked at Hyun Jong with wide eyes. His pupils were dilated.
“It broke my heart to hear that Mount Hua has lost the essence of their swordsmanship, but it turn out that they have succeeded in restoring it. It’s really something to celebrate.”
“It was nothing. We were luckily able to recover the secret safe left by our ancestors.”
“Indeed, indeed. I thought the advance of Mount Hua was incomprehensible. To think there was such a story. Who in the world would ignore Mount Hua if they had regained the Twenty-Four Plum Blossoms Sword technique?”
According to Bop Jeong, Hyun Jong held the statement.
To put it bluntly, that statement contradicts the facts.
It was a long time before Mount Hua began their advance, and the rediscovered Twenty-Four Plum Blossoms Sword technique was geared toward that advancement.
But he doesn’t have to confirm that to them.
“I am satisfied just to have recovered the swords of my ancestors. And…”
Hyun Jong turns his head slightly and looks at the sparring stage. While the eyes were shifting, he could clearly see that Jong Nigok’s face was horribly stiff.
“There’s nothing more I can ask for if they can get good results with that sword technique.”
Jong Nigok’s fist shook.
‘Damn it.’
Sword technique of twenty-four plum blossoms.
A sword technique that is the Mount Hua Sect’s symbol and has resulted in the Southern Edge Sect receiving a terrible evaluation for being under Mount Hua Sect for hundreds of years.
To make matters worse, the sword is said to have been recovered by Mount Hua. Furthermore, that sword defeated the Southern Edge Sect’s Twelve-Movement Snow Flower Sword Technique.
‘The Twelve-Movement Snow Flower Sword Technique deviates from the Twenty-Four Plum Blossoms Sword Technique. The Twenty-Four Plum Blossoms Sword technique will never defeat you if you learn it properly. Never!’
However, the current results show the inverse.
Jong Seohan’s grasp of the Twelve-Movement Snow Flower Sword Technique cannot be compared to Baek Chun’s grasp of the Twenty-Four Plum Blossoms Sword Technique.
Nonetheless, Jong Seohan misapplied his strength and was horribly defeated.
Jong Nigok clenched his lips and turned to face Jin Geum Ryong.
‘You must never give up.’
Jong Seohan is vulnerable.
The symbolism of Jin Geum Ryong’s defeat, on the other hand, is different. When he loses, Southern Edge Sect is forced to admit that his rising star at the time fell short of Mount Hua’s.
He just can’t stand that humiliation.
Besides…
Isn’t it true that Baek Chun isn’t everything?
Jong Nigok’s gaze was drawn to Chung Myung.
‘Mount Hua Divine Dragon.’
And everyone else on Mount Hua, which is compared to Baek Chun.
Jong Nigok’s heart was filled with a cool chill.
‘Perhaps.’
He could now be watching the moment Mount Hua overtakes Southern Edge Sect.
But it’s something he never wants to admit.
* * *
The pole (Bat?) flashed sharply across his face.
Chwaak!
Jo Gol’s cheeks were cut as the pole split the air. Jo Gol could feel the heat on his cheeks, but his gaze was unaffected.
‘Faster and more powerful!’
Whether it’s because of the finals or the opponent’s pole. It is undeniably a higher level of strength than he had encountered in the preliminary rounds.
But it’s not so bad that it can’t be dealt with. When it comes to sharpness, Yoon Jong Sahyung’s sword is much sharper, but not as delicate as Yoo Sago’s sword.
In Baek Chun, the overall level was much higher, and in terms of momentum?
‘It doesn’t even get to Chung Myung’s toes.’
Once again, Jo Gol understood what kind of people he had been fighting with.
He would never have reached this level if he had trained alone.
He was able to reach this level because there are Sahyungs who fight and collaborate with him, as well as people who reach out and lead them from far away places.
Jo Gol’s teeth were clenched.
‘Keep the hearts cold, and the head even colder!’
“Taaat!”
His sword traced a precise path.
It was the plum blossoms of Jo Gol.
Different from Chung Myung, and different from Baek Chun.
Plum blossoms bloom on Mount Hua’s summits. They say that each one is unique, so how can the Plum Blossom Sword technique be any different?
Plum blossoms that are unable to capture themselves and must instead search for their Hyung are dead plum blossoms. It’s a phrase he’s heard countless times and ingrained in his bones and heart!
His plum blossoms quickly wrap around the flying rod, as if it could pierce the sun.
Kakakakang!
The sound of iron hitting iron spread as soon as the plum made of sword energy and the rod collided.
The flying rod eventually bounced off.
Jo Gol did not miss the gap.
Flash!
Sword energy flashes (번쩍인다(梅花照光) / Plum Blossom Illumination (照) Light) like a single ray of sunlight shining through the plum blossom petals blooming like clouds.
“Aak!”
Beggar Union’s beggar slumped down on the spot, staring at the flashing sword that had penetrated his chest.
“Stop!”
A loud voice enters.
“This match is the victory of Mount Hua Sect Jo Gol!”
Jo Gol retrieved his sword, swung it into the scabbard, and smiled.
“I learned well.”
He then resumed his casual movement and walked down the stage.
The audience could no longer cheer with ease at that point.
With a gulp, someone said.
“I-Isn’t Mount Hua really going to win at this rate?”
“Is that possible?”
“No. Isn’t it too much to say? Isn’t there about a hundred people left? There are only sixty-four left after today. Most of the disciples of Mount Hua still stayed, so what do you think will happen if they overcome it?”
“…Come to think of it.”
“If Mount Hua wins, it’s going to be a big surprise. It’s going to be really absurd.”
The onlookers kept their mouths shut and gazed at the gathering of Mount Hua’s disciples.
‘Will they win the competition?’
Mount Hua?
It used to sound like a joke, but it’s no longer funny.
It was obvious that if Mount Hua won the Murim Competition, it would be the most important event in nearly a century.
‘Isn’t this significant?’
The Mount Hua Sect is comprised of those who were expelled from the Ten Great Sect several decades ago. Such people appear at the World Gathering and defeat all of the prominent rising stars of the Ten Great Sect and Great Five Family?
If this is the case, it proves that those who decided to expel Mount Hua from the Ten Great Sect at the time were mistaken.
There could be no such thing as dog shame in the eyes of the Ten Great Sect.
“Isn’t that already proven to some extent? Who can deny that Mount Hua deserves to be part of the Ten Great Sect just because it’s falling now?”
“Isn’t it too far-fetched? They’re just rising stars.”
“Were you going to live for a thousand years? The rising star is so strong, is there any guarantee that Mount Hua Sect will not become the best sect in the world in the future?”
“…none.”
“Then the Ten Great Sect will be the idiots who kicked out the world’s best sect from the Ten Great Sect. Am I wrong?”
“…….”
No one could easily answer.
It’s too profane to answer recklessly. And it is also worrisome that what they say might go into the ear of the Ten Great Sect.
However, everyone thought the same thing inside, even if they couldn’t say it.
‘The Ten Great Sect would be having a total disgrace.’
‘I think it’s worth seeing their face once.’
Most of these people here knew. In fact, this sparring competition was created by those so-called prestigious sects to show off their power.
Internally, they promote the friendship of the prestigious sect but externally, they show off the power of the prestigious sect. At the same time, it was clear that the purpose was to further solidify the leadership of the world’s elites.
However, the situation is changing rapidly as Mount Hua intervenes.
What if Mount Hua wins like this?
‘Mount Hua Sect will be gulping down the sumptuous feast set up by the prestigious sect.’
The eyes of the spectator began to twitch strangely.
They can’t miss it.
It may be a sight that will never be seen again, not only throughout their life but also throughout history. The desire to see such a moment with their own eyes began to spread among the audience.
And Chung Myung, who was watching the scene, rolled up the corners of his mouth.
‘Is the plate laying very well?’
This was why he insisted on being given a gold plaque to have at least one more person participate in the competition.
Chung Myung’s victory?
Of course, that would be nice.
However, wouldn’t it be disappointing to return after receiving the result that “the rising star of Mount Hua was the best in the world” from such a well-established plate?
To those gathered here, they should show the strength of Mount Hua, not the strength of Chung Myung.
They should give the impression that Mount Hua Plum Blossom Swordsman has finally been resurrected splendidly after a long period of intimidation.
That’s how they should do it!
Chung Myung raised his gaze.
‘Cause then I will be able to properly humiliate those Ten Great Sect guys.’
They probably won’t be able to see the match comfortably anymore.
“It’s been very friendly so far.”
‘It will make you feel like your blood is drying up every day, so please wait.’
“Chung Myung Dojang! Here’s the dividend…….”
“Oh, right!”
Chung Myung smiled and ran to the vendor. He took a new bag out of his pocket and swept the money.
“It’s good to be heavy!”
He happily packed his bag and grabbed a bunch of slips again.
“The next match is between Jin Geum Ryong of Southern Edge Sect and Cheongseong’s…….”
“Ten Thousand nyang on Jin Geum Ryong!”
“The next match is against Namung Dohui of Namgung Family…..”
“Ten Thousand nyang on Namgung Dohui!”
“Mount Hua Yoon Jong against…….”
“Five thousand nyang on Mount Hua Yoon Jong!”
“Five thousand nyang on Yoo Iseol!”
“Hye Yeon one hundred thousand nyang!”
“Thirty thousand nyang for Baek Gong!”
Chwareureureuk!
Chung Myung’s back was full of piles of sacks.
And everyone who saw the scene was astonished.
‘Did you get all of this?’
‘Is he a Taoist God?’
‘At this point, shouldn’t it be considered manipulation?’
Some even cast suspicious eyes as if it was unbelievable.
Predicting the outcome of a match?
It is not that difficult.
If the guys here were to bet their whole fortune to guess the match’s outcome, they are confident that they have an 80% chance of guessing correctly.
The problem is the remaining 20% chance.
Having an 80% chance of a correct guess means having a 20% chance of a wrong guess.
And that’s perfectly normal. If one can know the outcome of a match before a fight, why do they need a match?
Because of that odds, some people lose money. But that man named Chung Myung was already predicting dozens of matches.
Bags of money piled up behind his back proved the fact.
A proud smile could not be hidden on his lips as he looked at the slowly piled-up wealth.
“Hehehe!”
‘That, that!’
‘The guy who was supposed to be a Taoist!’
‘Oh, I hate him!’
They have no choice but to watch the money from their pockets accumulate in other people’s hands. The gamblers’ eyes grew more and more fierce.
“Next up is Tang Soso of Mount Hua and Southern Edge Sect…….”
Even before Wei Lishan was finished, the venomous gamblers shouted.
“Four hundred nyang on Tang Soso!”
“I’m a thousand on Tang Soso!”
“Two thousand nyang on Tang Soso!”
“Huh? Two thousand?”
“Don’t be ignorant! So far, Mount Hua has won every match! Besides, isn’t that Dojang also Mount Hua’s guy? So far, he’s been betting all the way on Mount Hua’s disciples! Odds or whatnot, I have to win first!”
Those who realized that they would be humiliated if they were looking for reverse odds began to pour all the money they had today into Tang Soso’s side.
Rather than spending a lot of money half-heartedly, they wanted to earn money steadily by walking along with Chung Myung.
In an instant, money piled up on Tang Soso’s side.
“Hmm.”
Chung Myung grinned at the sight.
“Now it seems that your eyes are a little more open.”
Everyone who heard that breathed a sigh of relief.
“But I think the odds are a bit tilted.”
Chung Myung began to collect the slips from the sack behind him.
And…….
Tok!
The slip he threw fell precisely on the opposite side of the pile of stakes.
“A hundred and fifty thousand nyang for Southern Edge Sect’s Isong Baek.”
“…….”
Gamblers looked at Chung Myung with trembling eyes.
Chung Myung shrugged his shoulders.
“What?”
“…….”
“You shouldn’t bet there!”
“You damn bastard!”
The crowd’s eyes were filled with extra moisture…