Return of Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 723

The ceremony went on for three days.

It had deep meaning for Five Swords, who had personally retrieved the remains, and to other disciples who had welcomed the remains of the ancestor in Mount Hua.

But no matter how deep the remorse was in their hearts, they could not compare to the grief in Hyun Jong’s heart.

Sarak!

The tip of the burnt incense fell off. Hyun Jong, who had been quietly staring at the incense, lifted his gaze to look at the altar.

“Once…”

After the ceremony, all the other disciples returned to their quarters, leaving only Hyun Young and Hyun Sang in the place.

“I once held a grudge.”

There was deep remorse in Hyun Jong’s voice.

“No… to be honest, I held a grudge countless times. There were times when the burden I carried was so heavy that I couldn’t endure it without resenting them.”

“…Sect Leader.”

Hyun Sang looked at Hyun Jong’s back with a sad face. His back, looking at the altar, looked lonely.

“But now that we’ve recovered the remains of the ancestor…….”

Hyun Jong closes his eyes.

“I finally realize how my grudges were based on selfishness. I shouldn’t have resented them.”

It wasn’t an easy task to protect the collapsing Mount Hua. Anyone who knows Hyun Jong’s life has no choice but to understand the weight he has endured.

But no matter how hard it was, how could one resent those who willingly gave up their lives to protect Mount Hua?

“They will understand.”

“….”

Hyun Young approached and said softly, patting Hyun Jong on the shoulder.

“How many parents are there who sincerely curse and get angry because their children are not good enough? I’m sure they understand. And they’ll praise you for doing well.”

“…Will they?”

“Yes. So, please straighten your shoulders. The ancestors were wonderful, but we worked hard, too. If they see Mount Hua now, they will definitely be satisfied.”

At Hyun Young’s words, Hyun Jong nodded quietly.

“I know that the ancestors have protected Mount Hua.”

And he lit a new incense stick, placed it in the incense burner, and let out a low sigh.

“What sustained me in the difficult times was the sense of duty that I should be able to proudly say that I did my best when I die and meet the ancestors someday.”

Hyun Jong’s eyes, which were filled with hardship and sorrow, closed gently.

“Now that I think about it, the spirit of Mount Hua that they have thrown their lives to protect… It has been leading me.”

Having finished speaking, he slowly rose from his seat. When he stood up straight, the Elders stood up half a step behind him.

Hyun Jong bowed first without a word, followed by Elders bowed reverently.

After paying their respects to the ancestors, they silently retreated.

Even after leaving the memorial hall, Hyun Jong was unable to move immediately.

“Shall we close it?”

“No.”

He shook his head at Hyun Sang’s question.

“The ancestors returned to Mount Hua after a hundred years. He’ll want to see a little more, so leave the door open for the next ten days.”

“Yes. I will do as you say.”

The scent of incense flowing from the memorial hall brushed past his nose.

He had always thought of it as a place where the memorial tablets of the ancestors were simply kept. But looking at the memorial hall after going through this event, it seemed like he could feel the clear hearts in each of the old memorial tablets.

“Do not worry.”

Hyun Jong smiled.

“Mount Hua’s future is growing wonderfully even at this moment. We will continue what you have given us, so please watch in peace.”
It was not until the memorial tablets of the Memorial Hall were full in his eyes that Hyun Jong turned his head.

He too will one day occupy a position there. He could only wish to become someone without shame to the ancestors standing with him then.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Hyun Jong began to walk with a faint smile. Above his head, bright sunlight poured down abundantly.

“Eut, cha!”

Tok! Tok!

Chung Myung had been thumping the newly raised mound. He dusted off the dirt from his hands and flopped down next to it.

Looking down, he could see the view of Mount Hua at a glance.

“Ha….. you punk. You should know this is an honor. I dug your grave with my hands. In the past, this would have been unthinkable! You know?”

If Cheong Jin can hear this, it’s hard to tell whether he’ll swear or appreciate it. Considering his personality, there is probably little chance of a good word coming out.

“I’ve become really nice, haven’t I? I even made a grave for that guy… What’s so great about him…”

Although grumbling, Chung Myung’s hands never rested. Even though he sat down as if he was going to rest, he kept going around busily, scraping off the high spots and filling in the low ones.

It wasn’t until he checked over and over that the mound was smooth did he nod his head in satisfaction.

Behind him, a large plum tree spread its branches over the grave.

Truthfully, it wasn’t a place fully bathed in sunlight, nor was the ground even or pleasant to look at. It couldn’t be called a good burial spot.

In winter, cold winds would blow, and every night frost would form.

“How about this? Do you like it?”

But Chung Myung had no doubt that Cheong Jin would like this place. This is the best place to look down on Mount Hua Sect.

If it were Chung Jin, he would definitely have chosen this place as his own grave.

And most of all…….

– The sunset from Mount Hua is wonderful. I wish I could see this scenery when I die.

He probably said that here.

Chung Myung took out a bottle of liquor from his bosom, uncorked it, and took a refreshing gulp.

“Kaaah!”

He wiped his wet mouth and looked at the grave.

“What?”

There was no one else around, but Chung Myung spoke as if he were talking to someone.

“Grass? What grass, you punk! What kind of Taoist punk trying to be extravagant! I made a grave for you, isn’t that enough? You want me to plant grass too? Absolutely not!”

Chung Myung, who was glaring, eventually grinned and slowly began pouring alcohol over the ocher.

“Have a drink. This Sahyung can’t plant grass for you, but I can give you liquor.”

Glug, glug, glug.

The liquor spilled on the dirt dyed the grave even darker. Chung Myung, who was watching the sight quietly, leaned back against the grave and lay down.

“…but still, man. You’re lucky. The others couldn’t even return…”

The gentle sunlight that shines on the world creates shade. Under the shadow of the plum tree that covered his face, Chung Myung closed his eyes quietly.
“Don’t worry, this guy.”

A soft voice echoed.

“I’m not the same as I used to be. Once you die, you should gain some wisdom. Well… You might still think I’m as immature as ever.”

Chung Myung, opening his eyes, murmured slowly while looking at the blue sky.
“…Now I understand what you meant.”

The sky was so blue that it hurt his eyes.

“Those who remain have their own parts to play.”

Chung Myung, lifting his upper body, silently looked down at the scene of Mount Hua. Mount Hua’s disciples came and went, and there were different halls. He tilted the liquor bottle in his hand and wet his throat.

Nothing changes even if you hold onto the dead and cry and run wild.

The person left behind… There is only one thing a person who cannot go together can do. To prevent their deaths from becoming meaningless.

“If Mount Hua doesn’t stand upright … My death, Sahyung’s death, will all be dog deaths.”

He can’t let that happen.

Fulfilling the hope they held onto until the end. That was the duty left to Chung Myung.

“Anyway….”

Chung Myung furrowed his brows slightly and clicked his tongue.

“You guys always ask me so much work. ‘Sahyung! Sahyung! Southern Edge Sect kids are bullying me. Sahyung! Kill the Heavenly Demon. Sahyung! Revive Mount Hua. Sahyung! Sahyung! Sahyung!’… You guys always had too many goddamn requests.”

– I wasn’t like that.

“No, you bastard! You were the worst!”

Chung Myung, who pointed his finger at the sky, sighed deeply. It was as if he could hear the voices of his Saje buzzing in his ears.

“…Cheong Jin.”

Chung Myung recited in a low voice. His honest heart was revealed.

“I still don’t know. Why am I the only one who came back alive?”

The clear stream of alcohol flowed from the white bottle into Chung Myung’s mouth.

The strong liquor aroma was spreading, and strangely enough, he couldn’t feel the taste of alcohol today.

Chung Myung, about to say something, firmly closed his mouth. His clenched lips seemed to block his words.

Chung Myung’s mouth, which had been tightly shut, slowly opened again after a while.

“Don’t worry.”

The tips of his fingers, touching the dirt mound, were dyed the color of the earth.

“…I will certainly make Mount Hua as it was before. I absolutely will not let your death be in vain.”

‘So when all is over, then.’

‘Right, at that time…….’

“I….”

“Chung Myung-aaaaahh!”

Whoosh.

At that moment, Chung Myung’s twisted hand grabbed the soil of the tomb.

“Where are you! Chung Myung-aaaaaaahhhh!”

“Oh, my god!”

“Chung Myung-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

“Sahyuuuuuuuuung!”

Chung Myung shook his cheeks in irritation and gnashed his teeth.

‘They never left a man in peace for a second! Seriously!’

“Ah, damn it!”

When Chung Myung rose up from his seat and shouted, Five Swords, who was looking for him, turned his head and looked his way in unison.

“Why are you up there?”

“Ah, never mind that! Why are you calling out for me?”

“Sect Leader asked you to come!”

“…Huh?”

When Chung Myung tilted his head at Yoon Jong’s words, Tang Soso urged.

“Hurry down, Sahyung!”

“It’s almost time to eat. Let’s hurry and go eat.”

“….”

Chung Myung, who was about to shout something again, ended up chuckling.

“This is how I live, Cheong Jin.”

‘At this age, I’m hanging out with these young ones.’

“Ah, seriously.”

He poured the remaining liquor onto the mound. The strong aroma of the liquor began to spread in all directions. Chung Myung muttered.

“I’m busy. I can’t come often even if I’m right next to you.”

No reply came. But it felt like he’d already heard one.

“But….”

There are such days.

Days when, for no reason, the faces he wanted to see kept flickering before his eyes.

“On such days, I’ll come to visit, so don’t curse me for being too negligent. I’m a busy man! Ahem!”

Chung Myung stuck out his stomach towards the grave and gave a small grin.

“So….”

And then he slowly closed his eyes. A clear smile spread across his face, unusually peaceful compared to normal.

“Rest in peace, Saje.”

With those final words, Chung Myung slowly turned around.

His steps seemed reluctant to leave…

“Oh, come quickly! Why are you dragging your feet?!”

‘Ah, damn it!’

“I’m coming! I’m coming, you bastards! I said I’m coming!

Eventually, Chung Myung, who shouted, frowned.

“Ah, annoying bastards. They really can’t leave a man alone for a second! Damn it!”

Cursing loudly, Chung Myung ran down the hill.

Only a small mound was left on the hill where he had quickly departed.

Right now, it’s covered in dirt and unremarkable, but soon, green grass will grow on this mound. When autumn comes, it will be covered with fallen leaves, and when winter arrives, it will turn white with fresh snow.
Thus, as the days pass and the seasons change, it will naturally blend into the scenery of Mount Hua.

As time passes…

Even if the wind erodes it and the rain shapes it until nobody knows there’s a mound here, Mount Hua’s spirit will be watching over forever.