Return of Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 323
From the window’s exterior, the sun flooded in.
Chung Myung, who had been doing his morning meditation on his bed, didn’t open his eyes until he felt the sun on his face.
It is now.
He extended his hand and picked up the sword that was resting next to the bed while turning to look out the window.
Sreuruk.
He slowly took the sword out and gave it a little flick with his fingertips.
A distinct sound was heard. He rose from the bed with a pleased smile on his face.
“Now, where shall we go?”
It’s gonna be a fun day.
Very interesting.
After completing his face wash, Chung Myung polished his attire. He generally doesn’t give it much thought, but today the preparations took twice as long as usual.
He really doesn’t need to get ready for today. Although he didn’t consider it, he felt that he should.
Following final preparations, Chung Myung moved slowly downstairs.
Step. Step. Step.
All of Mount Hua’s disciples were waiting for him on the first floor.
Everyone turned to look at Chung Myung, who shrugged.
“You came out early.”
Hearing the casual tone, Hyun Young grinned a little.
‘I’m sure you are nervous.’
Even if you are skilled, you could still feel anxious. Instead, folks with excellent skill sets are more anxious than average individuals because they believe they have a goal to accomplish.
Chung Myung’s visage, however, remained the same as usual.
“You must have slept well.”
“Yes, I slept soundly.”
Hyun Young nodded with a smile.
‘Right.’
He felt as though his strained heart was at ease as he gazed at that face that appeared genuine. Maybe because other disciples of Mount Hua were experiencing the same thing, the atmosphere immediately warmed.
Hyun Jong then calmly started speaking.
“Chung Myung.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“You won’t like it, but I don’t really want you to win.”
For Hyun Jong’s subsequent statements, Chung Myung remained silent.
“If you just prove to those who gather here that Mount Hua is no longer a sect that can be ignored, that’s enough for me.”
Chung Myung grinned.
“That’s what it’s gonna be, Sect Leader.”
It was a cool answer. Hyun Jong smiled at him.
‘It’s strange.’
A troublemaker.
The one who always makes a fuss in Mount Hua.
But at times like this, he is inevitably the most reliable.
“Well, then….”
Hyun Jong turned around to face everyone.
Chung Myung made it to the championship round.
But this predicament was not brought upon by Chung Myung alone. Even if Chung Myung had advanced to the final, other Mount Hua’s disciples would have been viewed as a minor sect if they hadn’t been so active.
Chung Myung’s advancement provided the winning touch to the final by Mount Hua’s disciples’ strong performance.
Now, Mount Hua is impossible to ignore.
‘Mount Hua has become strong.’
Hyun Jong moved his head, calmed his thoughts, and then slightly closed his eyes before looking at the wide-open door.
“Stretch your shoulders, everyone.”
“Yes. Sect Leader.”
“People in the world will be waiting for us. They will not forget every movement and every eye of yours. So let’s go. Let’s go and show them.”
Even the sound of his own breathing escapes him.
Everyone had a determined look in their eyes as they regarded Hyun Jong. Hyun Jong grinned unintentionally as she regarded those gorgeous eyes.
“The results are not at all significant,”
He could not have anticipated such a look from these kids three years ago.
But not anymore. Not fame or merit, but rather “confidence,” was Mount Hua’s greatest accomplishment in the tournament.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes!”
Mount Hua’s disciples, led by Hyun Jong, proudly stepped out of the pavilion.
* * *
“Ah! Don’t push!”
“Who’s not being pushed around here?! Don’t make a big deal and just hang in there!”
“Oh my Gosh, I’ve never seen so many people together!”
Shaolin was literally exploding.
It was crowded throughout the tournament, but today was the final, and it seemed like twice as many people were there.
Even still, the procession of individuals still making their way to Shaolin was insufficient, and it continued.
“As expected, isn’t the winner Shaolin’s Hye Yeon? I still can’t forget the Supreme Strength he showed us. It was so intense!”
The one who heard it frowned and retorted.
“You don’t know! Mount Hua Divine Dragon achieved victory in the semifinal with just one strike. And wasn’t Hye Yeon hurt by Mount Hua’s disciple? Considering the level of those who made it to the semifinal, Mount Hua Divine Dragon is a powerhouse above Hye Yeon!”
“How can you compare their skills like that? You won’t know until both clashes!”
“Hey, damn it! What the hell are you talking about with those knothole-like eyes?”
“What is it, you bastard?”
They initially pretended to be cordial, but as their feelings intensified, they began grasping each other’s necks.
However, nobody in their immediate vicinity bothered to notice them or make an effort to stop them. Everyone was anxiously awaiting the commencement of the finals.
There is nothing unusual, and similar things are already occurring everywhere.
It was so hot that Shaolin’s atmosphere practically overheated.
Comments on the overall competition and winner predictions spilled out everywhere like a storm. Everyone was arguing during the final game while taking pleasure in it.
People flocked to the betting booths to place their bets, buy food, and gossip about the winner as the sun eventually rose in midair.
The time for the final, which Shaolin foretold in advance, has come.
Shaolin quiets down as the sounds that appear to be leaving do.
And.
“It’s Shaolin!”
“Here comes Shaolin!”
“Uwaaaaaa!”
The eyes of the people were instantly focused on one place. Those wearing Shaolin’s yellow robes are walking proudly through the hall.
Those who felt the heavy momentum all over their bodies shouted even more enthusiastically.
“As expected of Shaolin!”
“Shaolin is supposed to win anyway!”
“Bangjang leads Shaolin himself!”
Despite the outpouring of cheers, Shaolin’s disciples did not get disturbed in the slightest.
For many years, Shaolin has maintained the position of the northern head of Kangho like a mountain. How could no one challenge them during that long period of time, and how could there be no ups and downs?
But Shaolin overcame all the challenges and all the ups and downs. That’s why the whole eastern side of Kangho recognizes and respects Shaolin as the best sect in the world.
Trust was evident in the eyes of those who looked at Shaolin.
Despite the strong challenger Mount Hua Secr, Shaolin will eventually win today. And Shaolin will once again imprint on the world that they are the bests sect in the world.
The trusting eyes turned to Shaolin and Hye Yeon, who was walking among them.
But soon the cheer was overshadowed by another one.
“It’s Mount Hua!”
“Mount Hua is coming! It’s Mount Hua Divine Dragon!”
“Mount Hua! The world’s best sword sect!”
The cheer was much louder than it had been for Shaolin.
It is natural.
Most people don’t like a fixed system. They always want a new wind of change to blow.
Even if that transformation was not achieved in the end, those who created a new wave were bound to receive support and cheers.
Now here, Mount Hua was the symbol of that novelty.
Shaolin. The Ten Great Sect and the Great Five Family.
They represent Kangho’s system which has been around for hundreds of years. Mount Hua was a challenge to that old and dull system.
Tired of the old rule of the Ten Great Sect, everyone cheered for Mount Hua.
In a huge group called Kangho, the Ten Great Sect and the Great Five Family are only a handful. Therefore, those who don’t belong in that handful have no choice but to support Mount Hua.
“Mount Hua Divine Dragon! Bring Shaolin down!”
“Push that Ten Great Sect’s nose flat!”
“Sweep those damn bastards out!”
Shaolin and Mount Hua were walking slowly along the open road left and right with the match’s stage in the center. Shouts poured out on them from all sides.
Yoon Jong looked around and swallowed dry saliva as he moved.
Jo Gol asked with a curious eye as his steps became a little slow.
“What’s wrong with you, Sahyung?”
“No, it’s nothing but…….”
Yoon Jong said with an awkward smile.
“Isn’t it strange? How could Mount Hua be cheered by so many people.”
“…….”
Jo Gol also shut up at the words.
It’s weird.
Right, it’s weird.
Mount Hua was a forgotten sect in people’s memory only a few years ago. Even Yoon Jong and Jo Gol, who had entered Mount Hua and were learning the sword, had no hope of its resurrection.
They were just trying to protect the relationship because they were led by fate.
But now, Mount Hua has become a sect that the world pays attention to.
This outburst of cheers seemed like a lie.
‘That was the beginning, after all.’
Jo Gol recalled Chung Myung’s first appearance in Mount Hua.
That scruffy little kid. Looking around Jo Gol’s room, he looked like he was about to break if he received just one hit.
Jo Gol immediately raised his head and looked at Chung Myung’s back standing in front of him.
Not a very wide back.
But that back is now leading everyone in Mount Hua.
Who would have imagined this day would come?
When he decided to follow Chung Myung’s lead, he didn’t think they’d be able to come this far.
“Sahyung.”
“Hm?”
“…nothing.”
“Look at you getting brisk.”
Yoon Jong smiled lightly.
Even if he doesn’t listen, you know what Jo Gol wants to say. But it won’t be easy to put it into words. Yoon Jong is also filled with passion and it’s hard to connect the words.
“Sahyung. How far will Chung Myung go?”
“…I don’t know.”
Yoon Jong looked at Chung Myung again.
How far… … No one will ever know that.
But he can be sure of only one thing.
“No matter how far he goes, no matter what world he walks, we will be next to him.”
Jo Gol nods quietly at Yoon Jong’s words.
Right.
Not only will they, but Mount Hua will also be with Chung Myung.
It was not long before Chung Myung looked up on stage. Baek Chun, who was walking next to him, opened his mouth with a calm face.
“Chung Myung.”
“Hm?”
“I don’t think it’s the right thing to say in this situation, but…….”
“Um…….”
Baek Chun gave a subtle smile.
“From the day I was beaten by you until now, I have never thought that there is someone out there who can surpass you.”
“…what?”
“So…….”
Baek Chun nodded his head heavily and spoke softly.
“Come back after proving that I’m not wrong.”
Chung Myung was about to say something, but Yoo Iseol came up from behind. Then she reached out to his head.
“Huh?”
Pat, pat.
She, who tapped Chung Myung’s head twice, nodded.
“Win.”
“…….”
Yoon Jong and Jo Gol also came up and rubbed Chung Myung’s shoulders.
“You can do it. Chung Myung.”
“It doesn’t make sense for you to lose!”
Tang Soso, Baek Sang, and even the whole third-class and second-class disciples all came and patted him on the shoulder.
“Win and come back.”
“I trust you.”
“I can’t imagine you losing. Of course you’ll win!”
At all those actions, Chung Myung laughed dumbfoundedly.
“No, these guys…….”
However, as he was bewildered, he immediately closed his mouth when he saw everyone’s eyes.
Eyes full of faith.
An unshakable eye of trust.
Did he ever get this look?
“…….”
Of course, the past Mount Hua trusted him. No one doubted his ability.
But these eyes are a little different from then. Trust beyond one’s ability. It is a look full of respect for those who lead them.
“…Gosh.”
Chung Myung shook his head.
“Well, you’re making a big deal out of nothing.”
Then he turned back and looked at the stage.
“Wait here.”
The eyes of Mount Hua’s disciples were fixed on his profile, but he no longer turned to them.
“Mount Hua will be the best when I come back.”
However, with a calm declaration, he started walking straight toward the stage.
‘It feels a little weird.’
He kept trying to turn his head back, but consciously fixed his gaze forward.
This is not the time to look back.
‘Cheon Mun Sahyung.’
There were times like that.
When Cheon Mun walks ahead alone.
At that time, no one on Mount Hua would stand by him. Standing in the back and looking at the leader’s back gives them strength and will.
And now all of Mount Hua’s disciples are looking at Chung Myung’s back.
Chung Myung is now playing the role that Cheon Mun played in the past.
It’s heavy.
That’s why it’s weird.
Chung Myung didn’t feel any weight even when he fought against Magyo with the expectations of the whole world.
Of course, the enemy was as strong as they could be, and there was a limit to his ability. But the burden Chung Myung felt then differs from the weight he feels now.
To be trusted by someone.
He never imagined that it would weigh a person so much.
But…
‘That’s not all.’
Push.
Those eyes full of trust were pushing Chung Myung’s back.
So he gonna have to pay him back.
Chung Myung stopped and stared ahead. Hye Yeon was coming up to the stage.
The corners of Chung Myung’s mouth rolled up slightly.
“You must have washed your neck, octopus head?”
It’s time to turn the world upside down.