Return of Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 726
“Hmm.”
Chung Myung, who was examining the secret martial arts scripture laid out in front of him, murmured.
“Fortunately, there are no missing characters……”
The secret martial arts scripture is more sensitive than you think.
In fact, Mount Hua’s disciples are lucky. What if they found the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Swordsmanship, Plum Blossom Sword Finale (매화검결(梅花劒結)), or Violet Mist Divine Art without Chung Myung?
“……It would have been a disaster.”
In stories passed down in Kangho, there are countless instances of people accidentally discovering an ancient scripture in a cave and becoming masters by learning it on their own. But in reality, such a thing is almost impossible.
The reason is very simple. From the beginning, the secret martial arts scripture is not an item that exists so people can learn martial arts from it.
Conveying the complex operation and profound martial logic (무리(武理)) of advanced martial arts into a single scripture is like cramming a bull into a palm-sized pouch.
If you were to explain it in words, it would require dozens of scripture, so how could you encapsulate all of the essences of martial arts into a single scripture?
In the end, the secret martial arts scripture can only be an extreme summary, symbolically expressing parts of the bull by scraping a bit of its horn, plucking a few strands of its fur, and cutting off a little of its hoof.
That is why those who learn martial arts do not seek secret martial arts scripture, but rather seek master (As in master-disciples). Because a master can explain the martial logic contained in the manual.
‘Yes?’
‘Then why do we need a secret martial arts scripture?’
“People can’t remember this for a lifetime. They’ll forget.”
So, contrary to general perception, the secret martial arts scripture is closer to a guide for the teacher rather than the student.
If someone without an understanding of Mount Hua’s martial arts attempts to learn martial arts with only the secret martial arts scripture, cases like Jin Yanggeon can occur.
That guy learned martial arts in a superficial way and didn’t fully utilize it, so he was still okay, but if it had continued for a few years, he would have almost certainly died or become half-paralyzed.
“He was lucky.”
From Jin Yanggeon’s point of view, it was fortunate that he met Chung Myung at this point. After all, he could avoid his fate.
In any case, learning martial arts is a delicate and dangerous task.
“Let’s see….”
Chwarararak!
While he can recite the Plum Blossom Sword Finale with his eyes closed, he can’t do the same with Violet Mist Divine Art. Because it’s a martial art that even the past Chung Myung has never seen. So he had to be careful.
– That’s why I told you to familiarize yourself with it!
“Ah! It wasn’t that kind of situation!”
Chung Myung burst out in anger.
“How am I going to learn new martial arts when I have to go sword fight the next day! It could throw off my balance!”
If a martial art with a different grain than before mixes into his perfectly conditioned body, his martial prowess wouldn’t increase momentarily, but would rather decrease.
If he took the time to fully embody that new martial art and regain balance, he would become stronger than before, but at the time, Chung Myung did not have the time.
“……Jeez. It’s a bit disappointing, to be honest……”
Chung Myung, who was smacking his lips staring at the Violet Mist Divine Art, sighed quietly.
It couldn’t be helped…… but if he had familiarized himself with Violet Mist Divine Art beforehand, maybe the outcome of the last battle could have been slightly different.
In that sense, Hyun Jong’s judgment was not wrong.
Hyun Jong must also have anticipated that Kangho in the future would not be easy. He would have judged that it would be better to make his disciples a little stronger rather than holding onto unnecessary authority.
“Anyway, he’s a great man.”
It’s natural for a person to not want to let go of even a single grain of rice in their hand.
Even people who once despised power become intoxicated with its sweetness once they ascend to a position of power. There is definitely a different position between the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, which was a third-rate sect in the past, and the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, which now is a famous sect in the world.
Despite clearly feeling the power that gathers in his hand and the resulting change in others’ attitudes, it’s a much more significant feat to willingly pass on to his disciples the martial arts that only the head of the sect can master.
“Even Cheon Mun Sahyung couldn’t do it.”
– Hey! It’s not that I couldn’t! I definitely told you to master it…
“In any case, such a jerk… He can’t even leave a legacy for his descendants.”
– You son of a beast….
Chung Myung rubbed his ears and blew his fingers. He thinks he hears a dog barking somewhere…….
Anyway, there was a problem to worry about. It was a slightly ambiguous issue, so Chung Myung frowned slightly.
“Hmm.”
What he was looking at was the secret martial art scripture of the Violet Mist Technique that he had retrieved.
Unlike when he was cautiously browsing through the secret martial art scripture of Violet Mist Divine Art, there was no caution or indifference in Chung Myung’s touch as he looked through the secret martial art scripture of Violet Mist Technique.
“This is useless now.”
In fact, Violet Mist Divine Art and Violet Mist Technique are like siblings that were born from the same womb.
Although Violet Mist Technique is an excellent martial art, if you have Violet Mist Divine Art, there’s no need to learn it. After all, it’s nothing more than a lower version of Violet Mist Divine Art.
“Eutcha.”
Chung Myung threw back the Violet Mist Technique he was holding.
Although he did feel a bit of regret as it was a martial art he had mastered in the past… Keeping it due to that regret would only increase the number of martial arts, and make it more difficult for future generations to choose.
Therefore, even if he felt regret, it was right to dispose of Violet Mist Technique here.
Everything that can be done with Violet Mist Technique can be done more powerfully and efficiently with Violet Mist Divine Art. Of course, it’s a bit more difficult and complicated to learn, but that’s a necessary sacrifice.
Chung Myung, who neatly cut off his lingering feelings, reopened Violet Mist Divine Art scripture.
“Hmm. The more I look at this, the more amazing it is.”
It’s a great martial art.
It’s at least two steps ahead of the Violet Mist Technique that he had mastered. It’s no exaggeration to say it’s the culmination of all Mount Hua’s martial arts.
Of course, Chung Myung himself had modified Violet Mist Technique and used it, so its power must have been no less powerful, but it was undeniable that Violet Mist Divine Art was much superior to Violet Mist Technique.
Literally all the essence of Mount Hua’s ancestors is gathered in this one scripture.
“… All the essence?”
At that moment, Chung Myung’s eyebrows twitched. Then his fingertips began to slow down as they flipped the pages.
“No, no. Not all the essence.”
The corner of his eye slowly drew a line like a crescent moon.
“It would be audacious to call it the essence of Mount Hua’s martial arts if the breath of the unparalleled genius in the history of Mount Hua hasn’t been incorporated!”
Todok.
As if he had heard his voice, the scripture pages that had been smoothly turning suddenly became hard to flip, as if they had stuck together. However, Chung Myung forced his way through the scripture, which seemed to be resisting.
“It’s excellent even now… Hmm. Even now, it’s excellent?”
His bent eyes emitted light.
“It could become even more excellent! Right?”
– N- No! No, you bastard! Not that…
“Ei. Where is this dog barking from all the time? Why do these yangbans from Namman Yasugung Clan leave their dogs behind!”
– It’s not a dog! You bastard! It’s me! It’s me!
After yet again blocking his ears, Chung Myung, pretending to be stern, said.
“Stagnant water rots and the same goes for martial arts, there is no future if you keep imitating the past! Martial arts should always be advancing! This is the teaching of Cheon Mun, the 13th Sect Leader of Mount Hua!”
– I’ve never said that! Hey! Hey, you punk!
“Then where….”
Chung Myung rolled up the corners of his mouth as he flipped through the scripture.
“Shall we change it a bit to my taste? Just a bit… really a bit.”
In martial arts… even a tiny revision can lead to a huge change.
Chung Myung grabbed the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship Finale that was lying on the ground with his remaining hand. Holding Violet Mist Divine Art and Plum Blossom Swordsmanship Finale in his hands, Chung Myung, who was armed with the two best martial arts techniques of Mount Hua, laughed out loud.
“What? My martial arts cannot be passed on? Cheong Jin, you punk! What are you going to do if I pass it on?”
If Cheong Jin were watching this spectacle from the afterlife, would he not be slapping his mouth that had spoken those words?
“Kekeke.”
Rice cake in both hands……. No, the madness flashed in Chung Myung’s eyes as he looked at the secret martial art scripture.
“You better think of it as an honor, you guys! Since this Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign is going to insert a generous amount of his know-hows into it!”
To Mount Hua… It was the moment when doom was creeping close.
* * *
“…How many days has it been?”
“I don’t know.”
Hyun Jong stared at Plum Blossom Cave, where Chung Myung had rushed into, with eyes full of worry and fear.
It’s already been a month since Chung Myung entered that cave, which is usually used for closed-door training.
“…Could something wrong have happened?”
“Ah, stop talking nonsense! Is that what you should say to a disciple who went in for training?”
“Bu- But isn’t it worrying! Learning new martial arts is really difficult, what if he experienced energy deviation…”
“Mouth! Watch your mouth! Aigoo, this mouth!”
“…I’m the Sect leader, Hyun Young.”
“Oh…. I forgot for a moment. I’m sorry.”
“….”
A deep sigh came out of Hyun Jong’s mouth. But his gaze returned to the firmly closed Plum Blossom Cave.
“…There should be no problem.”
Regrettably, the only person who can fully comprehend and pass on that advanced martial arts in Mount Hua right now is Chung Myung.
Even if he has a chimney-like desire to help, there’s no way, and he’s not capable. All he can do is wait for Chung Myung to safely master the scripture and come out.
“It’ll be alright, won’t it?”
“Aigoo, you worry more as you get older!”
Hyun Young clicked his tongue and became angry.
“Think about it. Is that guy the type to have problems? Problems arise for other guys because of him!”
“Well, that’s true but…”
“Stop talking nonsense and silently watch…”
It was just then.
Kureureung!
The mountain, once peaceful, began to rumble as if there was a landslide.
“Wha- What?”
“An earthquake?”
The three people’s gaze was focused on one side.
If such a thing happened in the mountains, which were quiet and intact, wouldn’t the cause be obvious?
“Uh….”
Hyun Sang pointed to the Plum Blossom Cave, which was closed with a large stone wall, with trembling hands.
“T- There…”
Kwaaaaaaang!
At that moment, the stone wall that had been blocking the Plum Blossom Cave shattered into pieces and dispersed in all directions. At the same time, purple energy radiated from inside.
“….”
The round entrance of the cave was dyed in a red-violet light.
And along with the faint scent of plum blossoms, the energy began to spread in all directions.
All three people stared at the overwhelming sight as if they were entranced.
Kuuung!
“Huuuuuuuuuuu.”
Soon, a man walked out of the cave slowly.
“…Chung Myung…ah?”
Kuuung! Kuuung!
With reddish steam coming from his mouth, Chung Myung took a step forward. There was an overwhelming sense of weight.
” Huuuuuuuuuuu!”
“….”
‘Uh… I told him to master the martial arts… Did he, by any chance, visit somewhere far off? Like hell?’
Then Chung Myung lifted his head.
From his eyes, a purplish light tinged with a slightly red energy was seeping out. The three elders momentarily shuddered at his bizarre appearance.
Then Chung Myung’s mouth opened.
“Now, it’s time….”
“…Huh?”
Crack. Crack.
As he cracked his neck from side to side, he looked at the three and smiled brightly.
“Let’s begin.”
The three elders suddenly had the same thought.
They might experience something a little different from what they had expected.