Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1438. Yes, remember it (3)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Naturally, the first one to speak was Tang Gun-ak.
“Thanks to Southern Edge Sect coming in person, our family members were able to save their lives. I do not know how to repay this grace."
At those words, Southern Edge Sect's sect leader, Jong Nigok, smiled gently.
Even though many years had passed since the Bongmun (sealed gates/seclusion), Jong Nigok's appearance did not seem to have changed much. If anything, he looked even younger than before his Bongmun.
"Your words are excessive. It was a matter of course that we should come."
"You must have been inconvenienced while in seclusion."
“I was actually already thinking it was time to lift the restrictions. When word came that Evil Sects was attacking Tang Family, I had no choice but to act."
Tang Gun-ak bowed his head once more at the words.
“I can only be grateful.”
“Please, Gaju-nim, there’s no need for such words. We too are pleased beyond words that the first thing we did after ending our seclusion was to aid Tang Family. A sect that understands Chivalrousness should naturally do such things…”
“Ha!”
Someone's snort interrupted his speech. Jong Nigok furrowed his eyebrows slightly and turned his gaze toward the source of the sound.
"Hmm..."
It was Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword, Chung Myung.
Jong Nigok let out a quiet sigh as he took in the sight of the disheveled young man. It wasn’t just because Chung Myung’s condition was in terrible condition.
"It seems Sodojang is displeased."
“Nah. It’s just when Southern Edge Sect started talking about Chivalrousness, my nose started tickling, that’s all.”
“Chung Myung-ah!”
Five Swords hurriedly tried to dissuade Chung Myung. But Chung Myung just shrugged as if he hadn’t said anything wrong.
Jong Nigok shook his head.
"Sodojang hasn't changed at all."
"They say if a person changes suddenly, they die. Come to think of it, Sect Leader, you don't seem like your old self at all?"
“Ack!”
“Shut your mouth!”
Five Swords panicked and covered Chung Myung's mouth.
At the absurd scene before him, Jong Nigok involuntarily opened his mouth, then quickly closed it and let out a groan. He had reflexively tried to scold him, but then remembered that this young sword master had now risen to a position where he could no longer dare to scold him.
They say that even mountains and rivers change in ten years, but isn’t there a limit to that? While Southern Edge Sect was sealing their gates, the positions of both Mount Hua and Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword Chung Myung had changed dramatically, as if the world itself had been turned upside down. That man was no longer Mount Hua’s young disciple.
Jong Nigok's gaze then shifted slightly to the side.
"Sect Leader has grown even younger?"
“That was exactly what I was about to say. It gladdens me to see you in such fine health, Sect Leader."
A peculiar smile appeared on Jong Nigok's lips at Hyun Jong's response.
The awkwardness in Hyun Jong’s demeanor was palpable. It can’t be helped. Jong Nigok and Hyun Jong have maintained an uncomfortable relationship for decades.
But at the same time, he could clearly feel it. That while there may be awkwardness in Hyun Jong's current attitude, there was no trace of being intimidated.
'Is this really Hyun Jong, sect leader of Mount Hua that I knew?'
He has watched this person for over several decades.
That was why Jong Nigok thought that he knew Hyun Jong better than anyone else in Kangho. His assessment of Hyun Jong was that he was old-fashioned, lacking flexibility, and an incompetent sect leader who merely watched with his hands tied as Mount Hua crumbled.
Moreover, he had a naturally timid side and, though he appeared amiable, he was often unable to make the tough decisions when it mattered.
But the Hyun Jong standing before him now bore no resemblance to that man. The always-slumped shoulders and laugh heartily were nowhere to be seen and instead, a Taoist exuding a strange presence stands there.
And.....
Jong Nigok raised his head and looked at Mount Hua.
‘These children...’
Before he knew it, a dry laugh escaped him.
'I thought that since I had sealed the gates and refined the sect to this extent, it would not be a problem to seize control of Shaanxi.'
Just what kind of incredible events had they experienced for so much to change since the last martial competition?
Jong Nigok opened his mouth.
“...Sect Leader.”
At that moment, Hyun Jong paused as if remembering something and then spoke.
“Ah. I apologize, Sect Leader. There’s been a misunderstanding. I have now stepped down from my position as Sect Leade of Mount Hua.”
“....Yes?”
Momentarily flustered, Jong Nigok blinked.
Though they were in seclusion, he hadn't completely closed his ears, so he had roughly heard about Mount Hua's external activities. However, this was the first time I had heard that Hyun Jong had stepped down from his position.
Hyun Jong smiled calmly and said.
“Now, Un Am is the Sect Leader of Mount Hua.”
“....Already?”
Hyun Jong gave a quiet nod.
"It may seem premature, but we determined it was the right decision."
“Hmm.”
Jong Nigok's gaze shifted once more.
As much as he disliked admitting it, the current Mount Hua was nothing like Mount Hua of the past. The current Mount Hua wasn’t a third-rate Shaanxi sect that was just waiting for the day to take down its signboard but a ruler of Shaanxi famous throughout the world.
So the position of Mount Hua's sect leader now cannot be the same as in the past. Now, the world has come where the position of Mount Hua's sect leader alone can wield numerous powers and receive admiring gazes.
And yet, after enduring a lifetime of hardship to finally grasp such power, Hyun Jong had immediately passed it on to the next generation and stepped down?
‘I don’t understand.’
He has felt this way since long ago, but he really doesn't fit with Hyun Jong. Perhaps they will never understand each other for their entire lives.
Just as Mount Hua and Southern Edge Sect can never have a close relationship.
While the sect leaders exchanged words as if probing each other, Mount Hua's disciples were also looking at Southern Edge Sect, whom they hadn't seen for several years, with fresh eyes.
“...Don’t those bastards seem a bit different?”
Yoon Jong frowned and answered Jo-Gol's whisper.
“They’ve been in seclusion for a long time. Of course, they’re stronger than before.”
“No, Sahyung. That’s not what I meant..."
Jo-Gol's expression soured.
Their skills had naturally improved. Weren't they Southern Edge Sect, who was considered to be the leader of Ten Great Sects along with Shaolin and Wudang even before Bongmun? Moreover, considering how the martial arts of Righteous Sect have exponentially grown stronger over time, it would actually be more unusual if they hadn’t grown stronger.
But the sense of discomfort that Jo-Gol felt now wasn’t because of martial art prowess. He couldn't explain it, but he kept thinking that the aura these people gave off was somehow different from before.
"But Sahyung, those bastards keep glaring at us?"
“....Don’t make eye contact.”
“Are you scared?”
“No, you punk. That’s not it...”
"They say the beatings you take as a kid stay with you for life."
“.....”
"Huh? I- Is that true?"
Jo-Gol turned at Yoon Jong in shock.
“No, Sahyung...!”
Kung!
At that moment, Baek Cheon hit Jo-Gol on the head and shouted.
“Be quiet. Aren’t Sect Leaders having a conversation right now?”
“…This is a little unfair, Sasuk.”
“Unfair, huh.”
Baek Cheon was just about to say one more thing.
“Your appearance is beyond words.”
A voice so familiar yet irritating his entire life bored into his ears. Baek Cheon slightly furrowed his brow and turned his gaze.
So similar, yet so different.
The face before him was one that stirred both comfort and discomfort at once.
Baek Cheon let out a deep sigh as he met the strangely condescending gaze.
“It’s been a while.”
At Baek Cheon’s words, Jin Geumryong simply looked at him as if sizing him up. Jin Geumryong’s blade-like gaze and Baek Cheon’s lake-like gaze intertwined in the air.
Soon, a crooked smile bloomed on Jin Geumryong’s lips.
“It’s impressive that you’re still alive.”
“.....”
"That’s what happens when your ambition outpaces your skill. A man should know their place."
“No....!”
An incensed Jo-Gol tried to interject with something, but Baek Cheon firmly gripped the back of his head.
"Sa- Sasuk!"
“I think so too.”
“...Hmm?”
Baek Cheon took his hand off Jo-Gol and rubbed the back of his neck.
“A person could end up dying if they keep overstepping. But what can I do? If you stand next to a troublemaker, getting hit is just the way of the world."
Baek Cheon glanced at Chung Myung, then looked back at Jin Geumryong and smiled brightly.
"I just hope it hurts a little less."
Jin Geumryong stared at Baek Cheon without saying a word. His younger sibling’s smiling face seemed strangely unpleasant, and he furrowed his brows as he coldly replied.
"Don't run wild trusting only in half-baked fame. You'll die that way."
"...I'll try my best not to."
“You bastard....”
Just as Jin Geumryong was about to shoot back another remark, someone quickly approached and casually spoke:
"It seems my Sahyung is very pleased to meet his brother after so long."
“Yi Songbaek!”
"It's just been so long since I've seen Sahyung talking this much. Hahaha."
Jin Geumryong frowned as Yi Songbaek smiled awkwardly.
“Tsk.”
With that, he turned abruptly and distanced himself from them.
Baek Cheon let out a deep breath and rubbed his forehead. It was as if he had lost all energy just from meeting Jin Geumryong for a moment.
Yi Songbaek said with a hint of amusement.
"Though I butted in pretending to be tactless, it wasn't just empty comment. He's truly acting that way because he's glad to see you."
"...The fact that I know that is the problem."
Jin Geumryong was always like that.
To put it kindly, what he had just said meant that with his newfound fame, if Baek Cheon continued to push too hard, he might end up dead, so he should be careful.
Is there anyone else in this world besides Jin Geumryong who could make such advice sound so irritating?
"It's good to see you again, Baek Cheon Dojang. Do you remember me?"
“....Of course, I remember, Songbaek Sohyeop.”
How could he possibly forget?
To some, Songbaek is just Southern Edge Sect's mediocre sword warrior, and to others, Songbaek was someone who showed an impressive performance in the Murim Competition.
But the reason Baek Cheon could never forget him was different.
‘The martial artist that bastard acknowledged.’
The man whose eyes aren't just at the top of his head but dangling from the sky acknowledged him. He was even a disciple of some random sect, but Southern Edge Sect’s disciple. What more needs to be said?
And even if Baek Cheon hadn’t known of him before, he wouldn’t be able to forget him after this moment.
‘His presence…’
A presence that couldn’t be described in words.
It wasn’t threatening, yet it carried an immense weight. Seeing that heaviness, even someone like him with no particular relation with Yi Songbaek feels a sense of stability.
The problem was that this sense of stability strangely irritates Baek Cheon.
'...Is this the feeling of Mount Hua’s sword warriors while watching Southern Edge Sect's sword warriors?'
Baek Cheon couldn't help but intuitively understand why Southern Edge Sect and Mount Hua had been unable to harmonize for so long.
“That.... uh, um....”
Yi Songbaek opened his mouth, as if he had something to say, but then closed it again. Baek Cheon frowned slightly at the sight.
The person he was looking at wasn't Baek Cheon. It could have been perceived as disrespectful, but Baek Cheon wasn't particularly offended.
Sometimes, there were things that were more important than martial art.
“Chung Myung-ah.”
"What?"
Chung Myung, who had been waiting for an opportunity to intervene in the conversation between Jong Nigok and Hyun Jong, sharply turned his head.
"Come over here for a moment."
“No, why?”
“....Just come.”
“Ugh.”
Chung Myung trudged toward them with an annoyed look.
"What?"
"Pay your respects."
"Huh?"
Chung Myung opened his eyes wide when he saw Yi Songbaek standing in front of Baek Cheon.
"Oh? You…?"
“Chung Myung Dojang! It’s been so long! How have you been?"
“You.....”
"Yes!"
Chung Myung's head tilted to the side.
"Who… are you again?"
A brief silence followed.
Yi Songbaek's shoulders slumped down. Even the onlookers who had been subtly watching the exchange dropped their heads.
Baek Cheon's face burned with secondhand embarrassment.
‘I’m the fool for having expected anything.’
Acknowledgment, my foot...
|Note
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