Return of Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 683
“Then I pray for the good fortune of Yuryong Sect!”
“I’ll visit you again sometime, Maengju-nim!”
Please stay healthy, Sect Leader!”
Hyun Jong stood at the gate entrance and bid farewell to each of them as they left Mount Hua.
Mount Hua Five Swords, who was watching from afar, murmured with half-drained faces.
“It’s finally over.”
“…It’s finally over now.”
“I thought I was going to die, really…..”
Their faces were filled with indescribable fatigue.
“I’d rather fight an enemy…. I didn’t know dealing with people would be this exhausting.”
“It would have been easier if Chung Myung wasn’t there.”
“Next time something like this happens, let’s send that kid far away first and move on.”
“…My head says that’s not right, but my heart strongly agrees.”
Sighs escaped their mouths simultaneously. It seemed as if their lifespans had been considerably shortened in just a few days.
Jo-Gol distorted his face in frustration.
“If that crazy guy hadn’t come, we wouldn’t have been this exhausted.”
“That’s what I’m saying!”
Recalling Jang Ilso, they all hardened their faces. Breaking the silence that came at once, Baek Cheon whispered softly.
“…Paegun….”
Jang Ilso’s first impression was nothing like what they had imagined. His attire and adornment were far from what was fitting for the weight of the nickname ‘Paegun’ and the Leader of Myriad Man Manor.
However… his presence was truly extraordinary.
Jang Ilso’s stay in Mount Hua was extremely short. It wasn’t strange to call it ‘One-Day Sutra’. But in such a short time, he left an unforgettable mark on the hearts of Mount Hua’s disciples.
As evidence, no one could take their eyes off his back by the time he left. Jang Ilso was clearly different from their enemies so far. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly…
“Actually, the Bishop of Magyo was several times more impressive in terms of strength.”
“Yes, for sure.”
Knowing who is stronger between Jang Ilso and the Bishop is impossible.
Because it is impossible to gauge the martial prowess of someone like Jang Ilso just by looking at it.
“But… there’s something that transcends martial prowess in him.”
“Yes, I felt the same way.”
Baek Cheon nodded at Yoon Jong’s words. This wasn’t just a matter of being strong or not.
‘A monster…’
Chung Myung called Jang Ilso a monster.
Usually, in Kangho, descriptors like ‘monster’ or ‘genius’ are used to discuss a person’s martial prowess and talent. But Chung Myung didn’t seem to be wasn’t referring to martial prowess.
‘It must mean that Jang Ilso himself is a monster.’
This is, in a way, an unparalleled compliment.
And Baek Cheon also couldn’t help but agree with that statement. He too had seen the outstanding martial artists of various sects, the Gaju of the Five Great Family, and the absolute beings of the Outer Clan from a distance, such as Maeng So. But no one weighed him down with their presence alone like Jang Ilso.
Baek Cheon bit his lips slightly. At that time, Yoon Jong added casually.
“Jang Ilso is not the only one, Sasuk.”
“Hm?”
“Those in red clothes, Myriad Man Manor followers, were also terrifying.”
Baek Cheon nodded in agreement at the words.
The martial artist of Myriad Man Manor in white and red cloth.
Although the incredible presence of Jang Ilso overshadowed them, the momentum emanating from them was enough to make one’s hair stand on end.
‘Strong.’
They couldn’t help but realize once again how amazing Myriad Man Manor was.
Mount Hua fought and won against Myriad Man Manor’s forces. So, they had the confidence that even if they faced them right now, they wouldn’t be pushed back one-sidedly, even if they couldn’t win.
But after facing Jang Ilso and Myriad Man Manor forces, he realized the idea’s recklessness.
“It seems that what we’ve seen of Myriad Man Manor is just the tip of the iceberg.”
“…Yes.”
“And.”
Baek Cheon chewed out.
“Now we have to face those guys.”
“….”
Chung Myung said after his sparring with Wudang. The more famous and more recognized Mount Hua is in the world, the more people they have to face will become stronger and more terrifying.
Now, they could painfully understand the meaning of those words.
“But….”
“Hm?”
Then Jo-Gol, who had been quiet, opened his mouth. His voice, filled with an energy that didn’t match the atmosphere, caught their attention even more.
Jo-Gol grinned as Baek Cheon looked at him.
“We don’t have to face them alone, right?”
“….”
Baek Cheon slowly turned his gaze instead of answering.
From another side, he could see the North Sea Ice Clan, Namman Yasugung Clan, and the Sichuan Tang Family.
Baek Cheon nodded his head.
“Yes, that’s right…”
“Myriad Man Manor is indeed amazing. But they can’t face the Heavenly Comrade Alliance alone, can they? If necessary, we can gather together and crush them!”
“….”
“Anyway, they’ve accumulated a lot of resentment here and there, so it doesn’t seem like anyone will help them if they’re attacked. We can just pay them back for all the humiliation Mount Hua has suffered so far!”
Baek Cheon smiled brightly.
‘Why is this bastard becoming more like Chung Myung day by day.’
‘Could it be me too? No… Of course not…’
Baek Cheon shook his head vigorously, brushing off the dreadful thought.
Yoon Jong spoke with a slightly apprehensive face.
“Once again… I feel like I understand how amazing places like Shaolin and Wudang Sect were.”
“What do you mean by that all of a sudden?”
“They’ve always been up against places like Myriad Man Manor, haven’t they?”
At the unexpected remark, Baek Cheon shut his mouth as if he had been hit. Yoon Jong continued.
“I saw Shaolin at the Murim Competition, and I even fought against disciple of Wudang directly… but to be honest, I didn’t feel the same sense of intimidation from them as I did from Myriad Man Manor. But now that I think about it, it’s not because Shaolin or Wudang are weaker than Myriad Man Manor, but rather because I was sure they wouldn’t harbor that much hostility towards us.”
“…That’s not wrong.”
Baek Cheon nodded slowly.
Certainly, Shaolin or Wudang isn’t inferior to Myriad Man Manor. However, when they fought against Wudang, the feeling was never like this.
It might be because of Jang Ilso’s presence…… Or maybe, as Yoon Jong said, it’s because they don’t think of them as complete enemies.
But….
‘Once Heavenly Comrade Alliance is involved with sects, Wudang and Shaolin might become enemies of Mount Hua.’
Thinking about it, his heart suddenly felt heavy.
If Shaolin becomes an enemy… Shaolin…
“Huh?”
Suddenly, a thought crossed Baek Cheon’s mind, and his eyes widened..
“That… Hye, Hye Yeon! What about Monk Hye Yeon? Where is the monk?”
“Eh?”
“I don’t think I’ve seen him since the event started! Has anyone seen Monk Hye Yeon?”
“Huh?”
“Now that you mention it…?”
Everyone stared at each other blankly, not knowing the answer..
“I… I’ll go look for him…”
“…I’m here, Siju.”
“Hiiik!”
Jo-Gol turned away in fright at the sudden voice from behind his back. Hye Yeon, who suddenly appeared, wearing a half-face mask.
“M- Monk!”
“N- No, monk. Why is half of your face covered?”
“…What happened?”
In the midst of everyone’s strong reaction, a hint of moisture gathered in the corner of Hye Yeon’s eyes.
Five Swords, who was looking at his unusually sparkling head today, also shed tears for no reason.
“Where have you been all this time?”
“…I was in my room.”
“Si- Since when?”
“Since even before the event began.”
“….”
Baek Cheon’s mouth fell open in astonishment.
No, it’s been days since the event started… Was he saying he had been locked up in his room the entire time?
“N- No…Why?”
“That’s….”
Hye Yeon hesitantly opened his mouth with a slightly nervous expression.
“Uhm… I was told. That if I were to be seated at Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s founding event… people who saw me might think that there’s some kind of relationship between Shaolin and Mount Hua…”
“Ah…”
“So, I was told not to attract any attention.”
“Oh….”
So, was he hiding in Mount Hua, where people were packed tightly without any room for water to seep through?
” Elder did visit for a moment. Even then, they urged me not to step outside until everyone had left…”
…That makes sense.
No, to be exact, it made sense from Shaolin’s standpoint. This person wasn’t just any disciple. He’s Hye Yeon.
An ordinary martial artist from Shaolin might not have to go to such lengths. But Hye Yeon is no ordinary disciple. Shaolin is a rising star of Shaolin’s future, and a renowned figure worldwide, known as the best talent of a hundred years.
Although they had been together until now, that was when Mount Hua wasn’t receiving much attention. However, under the current circumstances, if it becomes public knowledge that such an incredible Hye Yeon is staying at Mount Hua, it will inevitably raise a lot of questions.
“No, that… Yes, I understand that.”
“But, why is your face reduced to half its original size?”
“Like someone who couldn’t even get a bowl of rice.”
“My goodness, we could almost see your skull shape… Did you just come out of confined training?”
Hye Yeon’s face turned gloomy at the mention of food.
“It’s not like that…..”
“Then?”
“…Since I was locked in my room, I couldn’t eat…”
“What? You haven’t eaten anything for days?”
“Oh my….”
“N- No, I did eat.”
“What?”
Then what’s the problem?
“That… Mount Hua’s disciples were busy, so the people of the Tang Family gave me a meal instead….”
“…They brought you food?”
Hye Yeon’s hesitant eyes wavered without focus. As if he had committed a theft, he looked around and whispered very softly.
“Well… It was all grass…”
“….”
“….”
“Ah…”
Everyone who understood the situation couldn’t find the right words to describe it and eventually closed their mouths. Hye Yeon muttered in a sullen voice.
“…How can a person live on grass alone?”
Ah… So that’s why she looked so worn out…
Jo-Gol, who didn’t understand the situation, tilted his head and tactlessly spoke up at that moment.
“But don’t monks usually eat only grass?”
“Gol-ah.”
“Yes, Sahyung.”
“Just shut up.”
“….”
Baek Cheon spoke to Yoon Jong with a slightly complicated expression on his face.
“Yoon Jong-ah.”
“Yes, Sasuk.”
“Take the monk to the kitchen and make sure he eats well.”
“Yes.”
“Give him some boiled eggs and… put some meat under the rice.”
“…Yes.”
Yoon Jong took the lead, patting Hye Yeon on the shoulder.
“Let’s go, monk.”
“…Thank you.”
Hye Yeon’s face, which was full of energy and gratitude, was bright.
His round head seemed to sparkle more than ever before. Baek Cheon absentmindedly watched him walk away, looking light and happy just thinking about the meal.
“…You do need to eat to survive.”
Yoo Iseol’s indifferent voice stung Baek Cheon’s ear painfully.
“Oh, speaking of which. Samae.”
“Yes, Sahyung.”
“Where is Chung Myung? I haven’t seen him for a while.”
Baek Cheon, who has a stomachache even though Chung Myung can’t be seen, habitually started looking for Chung Myung. Yoo Iseol pointed blankly to one side.
“There he is.”
“Where?”
“There.”
Where she pointed was the corner of a far-off hall. Baek Cheon’s eyes shook.
In the dimly lit area where shadows made it hard to see, Chung Myung was cornering someone against a wall and scolding them.
“…Is that Nokrim King?”
“Right?”
“….”
The top talent of Shaolin was avoiding people’s eyes eating meat, and the top talent of Mount Hua was reprimanding Nokrim King.
‘Is this really okay?’
It was Baek Cheon who suddenly felt that the future of Kangho seemed bleak.