Return of Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 599

Wudang Sect.

Seueueut. Seueueuk.

A pure white hemp cloth was gently quilted over a Pine Pattern Ancient Sword (송문고검(松紋古劍)).

The blade was already well-maintained to the point that it did not need to be polished further, but the swordsman seriously polished it as if conducting an important ceremony.

After staring at the blade as clean as a mirror for a long time, he slowly put down the sword.

“Huu.”

A sigh came out. The sword was cleansed, but it was because his heart was still mottled and turbulent.

And just then, a shout was heard from outside.

“Are you present, Sect Leader? I’m Heo Sanja.”

Heo Dojin, Wudang’s Sect Leader, slowly raised his head and asked while looking toward the door.

“What happened?”

“There’s something you need to know.”

“Come in.”

Heo Dojin pushed the sword back into the scabbard and put it aside. Soon Heo Sanja, who entered, saluted and sat before him.

“Sect Leader.”

Then he opened his mouth with a slight hesitation.

“Mount Hua Sect, who went to Hyung Mountain, defeated all Hyolrangchae and Jogungchae, including Daebyeolchae, who was occupying the Nokchae.”

“…….”

“It is said that while cleaning up all three of the Stronghold, they were hardly damaged.”

“Hmm.”

Eventually, Heo Dojin leaked a groan that he couldn’t resist.

‘Mount Hua again?’

Most of the news these days seems to be about Mount Hua Sect.

In fact, in common sense, it shouldn’t be like this. Wudang’s Sect Leader is the seat that supervises the power of the world. It is also a seat that listens to all kinds of worldwide rumours.

So to be precise, hearing news only about Mount Hua bothered him and made him uncomfortable.

“Did you say they didn’t suffer serious damage?”

“Yes. It seems so.”

“As far as I know, Mount Hua has almost no first-class disciples. And I understand that these great disciples are also young sword warrior who has not reached 30 years old (이립(而立)) yet. Am I right?”

“As far as I know, so it is.”

Heo Dojin’s face hardened slightly.

“Then, it means that Mount Hua destroyed all three Strongholds, mainly with children who could still be called rising stars, and did not suffer any major damage.”

“…….”

Heo Sanja did not bother to answer. It was because he knew it was not a question to confirm the fact.

“Mount Hua… Mount Hua….”

Heo Dojin’s face, which was muttering in a low voice, became a little darker.

‘I thought it was unusual from before, but.’

It was now undeniable that Mount Hua’s rising stars surpassed Wudang’s rising stars. Hadn’t they already proven their strength over and over again?

But this one act was proving directly that their power went beyond just being assessed as a rising star.

“I have no idea.”

Heo Dojin said in a low subdued voice.

“This kind of growth is impossible even if we gather and teach the most talented children in the world. However, how did Mount Hua Sect, which until recently was known that they might lower their signboard at any moment, grow its children so much?”

There was a deep contemplation on Heo Dojin’s face, which didn’t show much emotion.

He knows it was not, but whenever he heard about Mount Hua’s incomprehensible growth, he felt like the world was blaming him for being incompetent.

Heo Dojin let out a deep breath and suppressing his worry, saw the face of Heo Sanja, who was paying attention to his gaze.

“Any other message?”

“……That…….”

Heo Sanja hesitated for a moment and reluctantly opened his mouth.

“There are people who criticize our sect.”

“Criticism?”

“……Yes.”

“Why is our sect suddenly criticized?”

“That…… Since we’re not too far from Daebyeolchae, but we’ve been sitting still and not beating them….”

“…….”

Heo Dojin, lost for words, opened his mouth slightly without knowing it.

Certainly, Daebyeol Mountain and Wudang Mountain are located in the same Hubei.

“In the meantime… Those who thought it was something even a Wudang couldn’t help. It seems that they changed their minds when Mount Hua Sect of Shaanxi came all the way to Hyung Mountain and subdued Daebyeolchae.”

“How can that be!”

Heo Dojin’s voice rose.

“Daebyeolchae belongs to Nokrim! If we subjugate Daebyeolchae, we must be determined to face a war against the Nokrim. Wasn’t the reason why Mount Hua Sect was able to subdue the Daebyeolchae because they were sure it wouldn’t turn into a war against the Nokrim!”

‘Daebyeolchae?’

Such a group could be swept away whenever Wudang Sect stepped up.

But Daebyeolchae is just one of the Seventy-Two Stronghold of Nokrim. No matter how much Wudang Sect is, handling all the seventy-two strongholds was never easy.

If the other Ten Great Sect helps, what would be so difficult about dealing with Nokrim? But it was clear that the other Ten Great Sect would just watch while waiting for Wudang’s power to be cut off unless the damage was spread to them.

In such a situation, how could Wudang subdue Daebyeolchae?

“Of course, that’s true. But…….”

Heo Sanja sighs deeply.

“The problem is that the critics don’t count the details. Looking at it from the outside, isn’t it true that Mount Hua Sect subjugated the Daebyeolchae in Hubei, which is located in Wudang’s territory, instead ourselves?”

“…….”

Heo Dojin held back his anger and closed his eyes tightly.

As Heo Sanja said, expecting ordinary people to understand such a conflict of interest was unreasonable. They’ll only see what they see.

“The sound of praising Mount Hua is reaching the sky. If one were to go out, all one can hear is Mount Hua. It makes me wonder if anyone is deliberately spreading rumors.”

“Huuu!”

Heo Dojin breathed out and clenched his fist.

‘This is not something to be ignored.’

If Mount Hua’s reputation increases, there will be damage to Wudang Sect.

“First of all, we need to appease the public. Get the disciples ready.”

“Why the disciples……?”

“Isn’t the place where Daebyeolchae was subjugated in Hyung Mountain? There will still be remnants left in Daebyeolsan Mountain. It’s already too late, but shouldn’t we at least pretend to move?”

“That…….”

“I know. This is like fixing the barn after the cow is stolen. But fixing the barn, even if we already lose the cow, is better than sitting around doing nothing.”

“That, that’s not it…..”

“Hm?”

Heo Sanja, who was restless, spit out the words quietly.

“That…… It was said that Mount Hua is on their way to Daebyeol Mountain.”

“What did you say? Are they going to Daebyeol Mountain?

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“As, as you said, to clean up the remnants of Daebyeolchae…….”

Udeudeuk!

The corner of the tea table that Heo Dojin grasped shattered.

“This…….”

As his face flushed red, Heo Sanja quickly closed his mouth.

Heo Sanja has seen Heo Dojin all his life. But it was the first time he saw him so angry.

“Not only Wudang, but the whole Ten Great Sect will lose its face! Mount Hua! That Mount Hua!”

The reason why Heo Dojin is so angry is not that Mount Hua has taken over what they have to do.

‘In any case, the bandits who lost their heads will be dismantled and sorted out on their own.’

Heo Dojin tried to appease the public even though he knew the fact. And there’s no way that Mount Hua wouldn’t know this.

In other words, Mount Hua’s move this time contains malice to crush Wudang’s reputation.

“Why the hell did this happen like this!”

Unbelievably, things could go this far because of a trivial bandit subjugation.

‘No.’ In the first place, it was like this with Yakseon Tomb, and it was also like this during the Murim Competition. Has there been anything that was intervened by Mount Hua that went as expected?

“Since they have gained fame by crushing Ten Great Sect, they now going to take advantage of it. Then soon, that Heavenly Comrade Alliance or something will come out!”

“…….”

“It’s not good. This is too bad.”

Normally, this wasn’t something that really caught his attention. However, as Mount Hua did this, the eyes of the entire Jungwon were focused on Mount Hua. Of course, all the attention of Jungwon will be drawn to the official announcement of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

Heavenly Comrade Alliance, who had to spend years just to promote its name without much attention, immediately made its name known to the entire Jungwon.

Performance creates fame, and fame draws attention. And attention eventually leads to influence.

The influence of Mount Hua and Heavenly Comrade Alliance in this trivial act has far exceeded the level expected by Heo Dojin in the first place.

“I can’t stand still any longer!”

Heo Dojin, who was lost in thought, sprang up from his seat.

“Get ready. We’re going to Shaolin.”

“Did- Did you say Shaolin?”

“Yes.”

There was a glimmer of light in his eyes.

“I need to see Bangjang.”

* * * “What did you say now?”

“I said I couldn’t stop them.”

Bop Jeong’s calm voice across the side distorted Heo Dojin’s eyes.

However, Bop Jeong’s face facing such a hurdle was just gentle.

“Bangjang.”

“Please speak comfortably, Sect Leader.”

“Do you say that because you don’t know the consequences of what’s happening right now?”

“…….”

Heo Dojin stared at Bop Jeong with cold eyes.

“The place called Heavenly Comrade Alliance is not a place to think about easily. It is said that they’re just a group of moderate sects united, but the western part of Jungwon completely becomes their territory, which is something to be wary of!”

“… In the west, there are also Kunlun Sect, and there are Jeomchang and Ami Sect. The creation of ‘Heavenly Comrade Alliance’ will not make the west entirely theirs.”

“That’s why it’s more of a problem!”

Heo Dojin couldn’t bear it anymore and screamed.

“If an alliance arises there, a clash with the existing sect will be inevitable! I’m saying that it’s just dividing Kangho for no reason! When the remnants of Magyo were discovered in the North Sea, should we fight for ourselves?”

Despite the furious rant, Bop Jeong’s expression was like a lake without ripples.

“What do you want this monk to do?”

“You have to stop them.”

“…….”

Heo Dojin said with a determined face.

“We must prevent them from gaining fame more than they need, and influence more than they need to, and disturb the world. Wouldn’t that really be for Kangho?”

Bop Jeong gently pushed the teacup in front of him toward Heo Dojin. It seemed to contain the meaning of calming down first.

Heo Do-jin looked at the steaming tea cup with a firm face.

There was a moment of silence between the two.

It was Bop Jeong who broke the long silence first.

“It’s not that I don’t understand Sect Leader, who has come all the way here, feels.”

“…….”

“But this is not something I can do. The sect who don’t even belong in the Ten Great Sect get together and formed an alliance. Just what justification would I use to stop them?”

At Bop Jeong’s words, Heo Dojin asked in a chilly tone.

“You can’t?”

“…….”

“Or don’t want to?”

Bop Jeong did not answer.

“This is not just my opinion. There are a lot of people who think that Heavenly Comrade Alliance o whatever is harmful for Kangho. It’s just that no one opens their mouth first because Bangjang did nothing.”

“Hmm.”

“But if Bangjang says this to the end, it can’t be helped.”

Heo Dojin sprang up from his seat.

“Thank you for the tea.”

“Sect Leader.”

“Please be well, Bangjang. See you again.”

And he went outside without waiting for an answer.

Bop Jeong, who was left alone, turned his gaze to the teacup in front of his seat where Heo Dojin sat. He didn’t drink a single sip, so it was still full.

“Bangjang.”

Bop Kye, who appeared through the wide open door, looked at his face carefully.

“What about the Sect Leader?”

“He left without looking back.”

“Well, he seems like an impatient person.”

As Bop Jeong shook his head, Bop Kye said in a small voice.

“I didn’t mean to listen, but his voice was so high that I overheard it unintentionally.”

“How can I stop you from hearing it?”

Bop Jeong spoke calmly as if it were insignificant. Bop Kye lowered his head and opened his mouth carefully.

“Bangjang. I don’t think Wudang Sect Leader’s words are that wrong.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, the one that says to stop the momentum of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance…….”

Bop Jeong looked up quietly, looked at him, and asked.

“Is it because Heavenly Comrade Alliance disturbs Kangho?”

“Isn’t that right…….”

“Isn’t it because he’s worried that Heavenly Comrade Alliance will take away the tiny amount of fame and authority he holds in his hands?”

“…….”

“That’s very special.”

Bop Jeong smiled quietly.

‘How innocent of Mount Hua Divine Dragon, who is openly telling me to pay for it.’

His mouth discussed the safety and peace of Kangho, but he was greedy not to give up what he had in his hand.

‘I’m no different.’

Bop Jeong sighed deeply, turned to the window and looked at the distant sky.

However, one suspicion has never been resolved.

‘It’s too coincidental.’

Things can’t work out like this. Everything is going perfectly as if everything was prepared for Mount Hua and Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

This was impossible with Mount Hua’s power alone.

Isn’t it like someone is pushing Mount Hua’s back for fame?

“Amitabha.”

Bop Jeong, who left a chant, closed his eyes still.

‘Maybe everything has already begun.’

When he opened his eyes again, dark clouds poured in from the distant sky.

*Pine Pattern Ancient Sword (송문고검(松紋古劍))