Return of Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 739

“Hiik!”

” Hiiiik!”

The onlookers were shocked and stepped back as Baek Cheon and the other disciples descended from the training ground.

“W-Why does your face look like that?”

“Who did this to you?”

It’s understandable why Baek Cheon’s face looked disheveled.

Of course, it was extremely shocking to see the person with the most arrogant face in Mount Hua suddenly aged more than a decade, but they already got somewhat used to seeing him in a ruined state was somewhat familia.
But what truly shocked them was the half-rotten faces of Un Gum and Un Am.

“A- Are you all right, Sasuk?”

“Sasuk! Oh my god, what in the world….”

Un Am looked back with a sad face. A few teardrops glistened in his eyes as he looked at the place they had been just moments ago.

‘This is why I didn’t want to do it….!’

I don’t want to! Huh? I said I wouldn’t do it!

Yet he went out of his way to force me here and bother me. Is that something a Taoist would….. No, is that something a human would do!
“What did you go through to end up like this, just like Sect Leade-… Ah…”

The disciples who were babbling finally understood and let out a sigh of enlightenment. They sadly shook their heads as they looked at them. Thanks to that, Un Am became even more sorrowful.

“Don’t… worry. I’m fine… Ugh!”

“Great Sasuuuuk!”

“Sasuuuuk!”

The second-class and Un disciples rushed toward Un Gum, which was about to collapse. It was a heart-wrenching scene as if they were about to burst into tears at any moment.

Yoon Jong’s heart was warmed by the sincere response of his Sahyungje. The faces of the second-class and third-class disciples running toward Un Gum were filled with genuine sincerity.

It’s a truly good thing. It’s really good, but…

“Uhm….”

“Ah, get out of my way!”

“No….”

“Get out of the way, you punk!”

At the sight of his Sahyungje who pushed his shoulder and ran towards Un Gum, Yoon Jong’s eyes became blurry.

‘I-… I’m in pain, too.’

Am I not even a person?

Baek Cheon, Yoon Jong, and Jo-Gol who were standing like some rice sacks far away looked back at each other with gloomy faces.

It’s not like they could complain about the others taking care of the superior who’s in pain…

“Are you all right, Sasuk?”

“…Yes, what about you?”

“Yes, I’m…. Yes. It’s bearable.”

Since no one was taking care of them, the three of them had no choice but to take care of each other. Amidst their hardships, their relationship grew stronger….. like hell it did, all their bones are hurting too much to care for such thing.

“Hng, however…….”

“Hm?”

Yoon Jong spoke as if he was suddenly amazed.

“Experiencing it firsthand, it’s no joke. It felt like all my joints were twisting and my bones were breaking.”

“…It is.”

“I think it’s amazing that the Elders and Sect Leader have endured this pain for more than a month.”

“That’s right. Once again, I feel a deep sense of respect.”

But Jo-Gol somehow looked sullen.

“I have a slightly different thought.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Before thinking about how amazing Sect Leader and the Elders are, I can’t help but detest Chung Myung for thinking of doing such a thing to them.”

“….”

“….”

Oh… That’s true. Yeah, when you think about it, he’s a real madman.

‘There should be limits even in elder abuse.’

‘Is he even a human?’

This was almost akin to torture. According to the words of Elder Hyun Young, the True Energy Flow Guidance they were practicing was much more refined compared to what Chung Myung had done. How much greater must the pain have been originally?

“That villain bastard.”

Baek Cheon, in the midst of pondering Chung Myung’s personality, was approached by Tang Soso, Baek Sang, and Gwak Hee.

“Oh….”

Baek Cheon looked at them with delight.

Not all of the disciples seemed to treat them like a borrowed sack of barley tea. Come to think of it, these three were particularly close to them among the disciples, excluding the Five Sword.
He opened his mouth with a touched expression.

“Thank you for your concern. But we’re fine…….”

“No, forget that.”

“….Huh?”

Tang Soso cut off his word at once. Then, Baek Sang asked as if he had waited.

“How was it, Sasuk? Violet Mist Divine Art! Is it amazing? How effective is it?”

“….”

Uh… You weren’t worried about us?

Really? Guys?

“Don’t just keep your mouth shut and tell me! How was it?”

“That… Even if I wanted to say something, I just learned it today, so…”
Instead of the speechless Baek Cheon, Yoon Jong replied with a sour face. Then, Gwak Hee frowned as if disappointed.

“You’re not telling, is it?”

“N- No, it’s not like that. I really just learned it today, so I don’t know much. Besides, today we only covered the basics…”

“Hmph! Don’t get conceited, Sahyung!”

“….”

“Sure, Sahyung might be ahead by learning Violet Mist Divine Art first, but I’ll catch up somehow! Don’t think it’s over like this!”

“That’s right! You privileged people! We won’t lose!”

“Just because we failed this time doesn’t mean it’s the end! I’ll do whatever it takes to pass and learn it!”

“That’s right!”

Tang Soso and Gwak Hee chirped and growled like little puppies.

You guys….. Why are you being like this to us…….

Then Tang Soso looked around with an uneasy face and asked.

“But where’s Sago? I came to see Sago.”

“…Iseol said she’s going to train a bit more.”

When Baek Cheon replied, Tang Soso’s eyes were momentarily filled with great admiration.

“Aah. As expected of our Sago, she worked so hard……!”

“….”

Is it really-… really okay for people to discriminate like this?

Is this really okay?

“What are you looking at?”

“…It’s nothing.”

“Hmph!”

After saying that, they both turned around at the same time and ran.

“Great Sasuk! Move aside! I’m a doctor!”

“Let me help too, Soso!”

Silence flowed when the two ran to the side of Un Gum.

Baek Cheon shook his head as he watched Yoon Jong and Jo-Gol stunned as if struck by lightning.
“Tsk, tsk. The brotherhood between disciples is lacking in them. Isn’t that right, Baek Sang?”

“….”

“Baek Sang-ah?”

But even Baek Sang, who believed in him, seemed to have a puzzled look on his face when he looked at Baek Cheon.

“Sahyung.”

“Yes?”

“Congratulations on learning Violet Mist Divine Art.”

“Haha. All of a sudden….”

“I think Sahyung should do his best to train for Mount Hua’s future.”

“Do you seriously say that? Of course.”

Baek Sang nodded heavily in response to Baek Cheon’s answer.

“Since you’ll be dedicated to training, you won’t need to spend money for a while, will you.”

……Huh? What did he say?

“Starting this month, only half of your monthly allowance will be given, so please keep that in mind. This is the wish of this Saje, hoping that you will focus on training and not do anything unnecessary.”

“Baek Sang-ah?”

“Then, excuse me.”

With that last ward, Baek Sang left as soon as a cold wind blew.

“…Baek Sang-ah?”

Looking at the stiff Baek Cheon with his hands outstretched into the air, Yoon Jong and Jo-Gol said as if they were sorry.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. The brotherhood between disciples.”

“Is lacking.”

“….”

In the end, once again, only the three of them were left.

The three who have subtly become public enemies within Mount Hua.

* * *

The strongest driving force that brings out training is not a sense of duty, but rather, enjoyment. Once you feel your skills improving rapidly, it becomes impossible to stop training by your own will.

Thanks to this, the Elders, including Hyun Jong, became fervent in their training.
Although they were no longer young, they couldn’t bring themselves to stop training when they felt themselves getting better day by day.
Of course, they each had their own responsibilities, so they couldn’t devote their entire day to training. However, even in the midst of that, they sacrificed sleep and used any available time to practice their martial arts and improve their swordsmanship.

And as a result…

“Whyyyyyyy!”

Hyun Young spewed fire from his mouth.

“Why are we only progressing this much! Huh? I’m sure I specifically told you not to sleep and focus on martial arts, didn’t I?”

Then Jo-Gol, with sunken eyes, weakly raised his hand.

“What?”

“…If a person doesn’t sleep, they die, Elder-nim.”

“No! You don’t die if you don’t sleep, but if you die, you can sleep as much as you want! Do you want to confirm that logic?”

“…No.”

Those sitting in front of Hyun Young, with their legs crossed, felt a sudden realization.

‘Chung Myung is better.’

‘No, that’s a bit…….’

‘No, I’m sure he is better.’

Hyun Young shouted again with a displeased expression.

“Do I have to change your diapers at my age! It is a given for you to do it properly on your own!”

“….”

“Eiiiiiiiing. I don’t even have enough time for my own training, but I still have to teach you guys on top of that!”

Baek Cheon stared at Hyun Young with empty eyes.

‘I heard Baek Sang was about to die.’

Since the elder in charge of Finance Hall didn’t move the abacus and swung only his sword the whole time, the rest of them were almost halfway dying. But even so, he is a certain person who confirms the work that was done, so they cannot work sloppily either even though the workload increased.

“Stop babbling. Your progress must reached ‘two’ by tomorrow, no matter how! Do you understand?”

“….”

“Why aren’t you answering!”

Elder-nim….

That’s not something that can be done just because we want to……..

All of them couldn’t express their resentment or swallow it, not knowing what to do. At that moment, Hyun Jong smiled and stepped forward.

“Hyun Young.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Don’t be too strict on them. Is it something that can be done just because you force them hard?”

“….Right. I was too impatient…”

“You don’t have to be angry or shout, our kids will all do their best. Right?”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

“Yes, if you work hard, you will be able to reach ‘two’ within three days.”

“….”

Yes? …..Three days? You’re only giving us one extra day?

“If you work hard, that is. If you work hard.”

“….”

Sect Leader?

Do you mean that those who do not reach ‘two’ within three days will be considered as not working hard? Yes?

“Hohohoho. Everyone can do it. I believe in you.”

“….”

Whether it was a scolding or a gentle encouragement, the conclusion was the same.

Baek Cheon, who thought that he had to escape from this hellish situation somehow, slowly raised his hand.

“Uh… Sect Leader.”

“Yes, tell me.”

“That… We definitely don’t mean to refuse to receive teachings from Sect Leader and the Elders, but if you’re too busy, it might be better to hand over the work to Chung Myung…”

“Chung Myung?”

“Yes.”

“You mean that thing?”

When Hyun Jong nodded slightly, everyone’s gaze turned to the back all at once.

Udeuduk.

“Augh, F*ck! This is driving me crazy!”

Udeududuk!

“Why is my neck turning back again!”

“….”

Everyone, who was silently watching the bizarre spectacle unfolding behind them, grinned and turned their heads back in place.

“I was short-sighted, Sect Leader.”

“Yes. As long as you understand.”
Hyun Jong let out a deep sigh.

Now, he too didn’t want to pay attention to what that yōkai-like guy was doing. Right, he’ll eventually stop doing that. It’s always been like that.
“Right then, let’s start over. As I said, you should never be in a hurry. When there is peace in the heart, the divine art energy will not be shaken. But if you work hard, you can do it quickly.”
“….”

It was no different from saying to look left and right at the same time.

The faces of the disciples went dark.

‘I’m gonna die…..’

‘I shouldn’t have said I want to learn it.’

‘Mom…’

“Alright, let’s get started!”

“Yes!”

Those who sat cross-legged began to meditate to circulate their internal strength while observing the inside. Hyun Sang and Hyun Young stood by them and kept an eye on them to make sure no problems arose.

A smile formed around Hyun Jong’s lips.

‘These are impressive youngsters.’

They, who have already experienced it, know better than anyone that it’s not an easy process. But the disciples, while they may groan with their words, have never practiced half-heartedly.

With youngsters like this, it’s no wonder that Mount Hua is getting stronger.

And….

Step. Step.

Hyun Jong, who walked towards the cliff at the back, looked at Mount Hua Sect spread out below, especially towards the Great Martial Training Field.

“Taaaaat!”

“Heeeuuaaaapp!”

The disciples of Mount Hua were sweating profusely and concentrating on their training.

‘They are also impressive…’

“I’ll kill you, Yoon Jooooong!”

“Jo-Gol! Jo-Gol! Catch Jo-Gol first! Jo-Gol!”

“I never liked Baek Cheon Sahyung to begin with! His face looks like a gisaeng orabi!”
(Gisaeng orabi is the male version of red-light district women. Obviously an insult, used towards opponents who have too pretty/handsome faces.)

“Whoa, you’re crossing the line?”

“I’ll never lose! Never! I’ll also learn, Violet Mist Divine Art!”

“Euuaaaaatt!”

At the sound reaching his ears, Hyun Jong’s eyes twitched slightly.

“Hmm….”

Well, as long as they’re working hard, it’s fine.

The ones leading do their best, and the ones following sets the ones leading as their goal and strive forward. The ideal image of Mount Hua that Chung Myung once mentioned was present here.

“It is great.”

It has been a long, if not short, time, and Mount Hua finally came this far.

‘And it will continue to grow.’

If they continue what their ancestors left behind without letting go of their intentions, Mount Hua will one day surpass the past and become an even greater sect.

‘Perfect…’

Kwadeudududuk!

“Euaaaaaaaaargh! F*ck! I’m going crazy! Seriously! Why it isn’t workiiiiiiing!”

Hyun Jong turned his back completely to the direction from which the sound came, thus removing the only ugly thing left in Mount Hua from his sight.

‘Ancestors, please take care of Mount Hua.’

“Aaaaaaaaaaaargh! I’m so pissed!”

Or at least…

Please do something about that bastard.

In the end, a deep, deep sigh seeped out.
The ones moving forward. The ones following. And the ones carving out a new path.

The slightly cool breeze cooled off the sweat that all of them had shed.

Days of repeated training with their ideals continued, and continued yet again…

Then before they knew it, the cold wind season came to Mount Hua.