Return of the Mount Hua Sect

While rushing toward the Black Dragon Water Fortress, Jo-Gol opened his mouth.

“That… That Wudang’s Sect Leader guy.”

“Heo Dojin?”

“Yes, that person.”

“What about him?”

“He’s a little different from what I thought?”

Yoon Jong stared questioningly at Jo-Gol, who hesitated slightly before speaking.

“I thought that being the head Wudang would mean he’s a fierce swordsman. But he actually seems like a very good-natured Taoist.”

Of course, this is not the first time he has seen Wudang’s Sect Leader.

In the past, he saw Heo Dojin sitting on a high platform at the Murim Competition. But it was literally just a view from a distance.

This was the first time he had really gotten to know Heo Dojin.

“A good-natured Taoist, huh…”

Yoon Jong briefly repeated the remark and looked at Jo-Gol with a pitiful gaze.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Gol-ah.”

“Yes?”

“You did well coming to Mount Hua.”

“Hehe. Why would you say that? I’m embarrassed.”

“If you had succeeded your father as a merchant, you would have destroyed the whole household.”

“….”

Yoon Jong clicked his tongue and shook his head.

Tang Soso, who was listening, chimed in.

“That’s right, Jo-Gol Sahyung. You shouldn’t trust Sect Leader of Wudang at face value. You never know what’s underneath.”

Jo-Gol tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.

“Do you mean Tang Gaju is like that, too?”

“It’s because my father is exceptionally friendly with Mount Hua, but he’s not like that when dealing with other sects. All the people who have risen to that position are people who hide their true nature as easily as breathing.”

“Hmm.”

“That’s true.”

Baek Cheon nodded in agreement.

“It was over after exchanging good words, but there’s no way the only reason for approaching us was just casual talk. He probably gathered more information than we know.”

“…In that short period of time?”

“That’s why he’s the Sect Leader of Wudang.”

Baek Cheon’s eyes shone.

“If there’s something to learn, learn it; if there’s something to imitate, do so. But under no circumstances should we neglect our vigilance.”

“Yes, Sasuk!”

“We will keep it in mind.”

Meanwhile, Chung Myung, who was watching the chicks (?) having conversations from behind, smirked secretly.

“They’ve grown up well.”

In the past, people who would have made a fuss just by meeting Sect Leader of Wudang are now wary and worried in their own way.

“First of all, focus on what’s ahead of you. Our opponent now is Black Dragon Water Fortress. Not Wudang.”

“Yes, Sasuk!”

With spirited determination, they rushed forward. Chung Myung grinned.

You’ve done well.”

‘Well, whatever. Even if they’re a chick, they should do at least this much.’

* * *

Tap.

Heo Dojin, who was at the forefront, swiftly advanced.

The gentle expression he had shown in front of Hyun Jong and Mount Hua’s disciples had long disappeared. Only cold sternness remained.

“How was it?”

Heo Sanja cautiously approached and asked.

Then Heo Dojin opened his mouth without a change of expression.

“Are you talking about Mount Hua?”

“Yes.”

He had heard evaluations of Mount Hua numerous times.

But it was largely just an assessment of Mount Hua’s deeds. What Heo Sanja wanted to hear was an evaluation of Mount Hua that Heo Dojin saw with his own eyes.

“We definitely need to be on guard. However…”

Heo Dojin slightly blurred the end of his speech. He closed his mouth as if he was a little worried, but only after a while, he slowly opened his mouth again.

“Mount Hua is undoubtedly a great sect. Seeing them in person today, I truly felt their greatness.”

It was almost a compliment. Heo Sanja pondered whether he had ever heard such praise from Heo Dojin before.

“Yet that’s what will hurt them the most. The time they’ve lost.”

“….”

“It was fortunate I saw Mount Hua with my own eyes.”

Heo Dojin’s eyes dimmed.

In fact, Mount Hua was more threatening than he thought, and impressive than he thought. There was definitely something in Mount Hua that could not be found in Wudang.

However…

‘A gap once created isn’t easily closed.’

It was a place that could not be called an enemy yet, but it was fortunate indeed that he had the opportunity to closely examine the place where it could become an enemy. That alone was worth the trip.

‘Once the distance has been widened, it is not that easy to narrow down.’

Because they underestimated them for so long, such an incident has occurred. But if they acknowledge Mount Hua and are wary of them, he was confident of maintaining the gap with them.

Even this time proves it.

In the past, the Ten Great Sect and Five Great Family would have only watched until Mount Hua took all the public’s sentiment and took all the profits, but this time, as soon as they heard that Mount Hua appeared in the Yangtze River and fought with the pirates, they flocked.

That’s what it means to be on guard.

‘Sect Leader. Whoever rises above must bear that weight.’

It’s not that hard for a person ranked hundredth to become tenth. However, it requires much more effort for that tenth rank to become number two, and to become number one, it requires even more effort.

Mount Hua, which has already started to receive the attention of other sects, will no longer be able to gain one-sided benefits as in the past.

“Just…”

“Yes?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Heo Dojin’s face tightened strangely. He felt something close to tension.

‘If the world remains as it is, this distance won’t narrow. But…’

What if the world isn’t as peaceful as it is now? Will Wudang be able to maintain the gap with Mount Hua then?

Heo Dojin’s eyes shone cold.

‘I’ll be busy when I get back to Wudang.’

To do so, the first thing to do is to dispose of the Black Dragon Water Fortress salad.

Heo Dojin pushed energy into his leg and kicked the ground hard.

* * *

“Oh…”

Mount Hua’s disciples, who ran tirelessly, finally arrived at the Black Dragon Water Fortress.

Everyone opened their eyes wide at the sight before them.

“Se- Sect Leader.”

“Hmm.”

How should they describe this sight?

Magnificent?

No, that’s not it. It was not appropriate to describe this scene in such a positive word.

Numerous martial artists were densely gathered by the riverside.

First of all, what stands out the most is Shaolin’s monk in yellow robes. And before them were the disciples of Wudang.

Next to them were those dressed in sky-blue uniforms.

“Sky blue….”

“Azure Sky (??(蒼穹))! It’s Azure Sky Sword Squad (????(蒼穹劍隊)) of Namgung Family.”

“It’s Namgung.”

At a glance, the swordsmen, whose momentum is very sharp, are looking across the river in perfect alignment. And…

“Then those in blue robes (??(靑衣)) must be from Qingcheng Sect.”

Shaolin, Wudang, Namgung, Qingcheng.

Four sects who led the world are gathered by the river. It was truly breathtaking.

‘Has there been an occasion since the last war with Magyo where this many people gathered?’

They finally felt it. The times are changing.

Even though the people gathered here did not show hostility toward Mount Hua, they felt pressure as if their body was being weighed down. If they felt this way, imagine the pressure on the pirates across the river.

All these sects, that anyone who put their feet in Kangho would know, have drawn their swords in confrontation.

“Sect Leader.”

Hyun Jong nods his head.

“Yes, let’s go.”

His hand hidden in his sleeve trembled slightly, but now was the time to move forward confidently. He’s the Sect Leader of Mount Hua Sect after all.

Mount Hua’s disciples who had stopped began to move again.

They too understood what it meant to be there, so every step they took was full of weight.

Bop Kye walked out slowly and greeted them as he saw Mount Hua approaching from behind.

“Amitabha.”

He showed his respect with Banzhang stance with a solemn face.

“It’s an honor to meet Sect Leader of Mount Hua.”

“Elder Bop Kye, it’s good to see you.”

“Do you remember me?”

“How can I forget? I won’t ever forget the kindness you’ve shown to Mount Hua.”

Bop Kye nodded slowly.

He didn’t really show affection for Mount Hua, but personal circumstances were not important at the meeting on behalf of the sect. What’s important is that Mount Hua’s Sect Leader speaks friendly words to Shaolin.

“Thank you for coming here. Everyone in the world will be amazed by Mount Hua’s spirit.”

Hyun Jong smiled brightly at Bop Kye’s words.

However, Chung Myung’s eyes turned upside down the moment he heard it.

“No, this monk…. Euupp!”

“Hahaha. Yes, Chung Myung! You’re agreeing that ‘Everyone’ in the world will be amazed by Mount Hua’s spirit, right!? Our Chung Myung is so admirable! You’re even interested in Buddhism! You even know about the concept of ‘Everyone’ (The word ‘Everyone’(Jung Saeng/??/衆生) is a noun mostly used in Buddhism, and it sounds close to the curse word Chung Myung was about to say (Jung Saekki/? ??/Monk Bastard)).

Baek Cheon laughed and desperately shut Chung Myung’s mouth. Even Hye Yeon grabbed Chung Myung’s neck with a pale blue face and quietly strangled him.

“Eup! Eueup! This bas-… This….”

“Yes, yes. I see you’ve noticed it again! That’s a duck! You’ve never seen a duckling before, have you? I find it quite fascinating too!”

In the meantime, Five Swords swiftly ran over and firmly sealed Chung Myung’s mouth with cloth and even tightly bound his body.

“Mmmph! Mmm!”

Chung Myung struggled furiously, having been cocooned in an instant, but no one pitied him.

“Phew. Move him far to the back. No, wait. Maybe we should take this opportunity to bury him.”

“Should we?”

“…No, don’t kill him.”

Baek Cheon sighed deeply as he watched Chung Myung being dragged away.

It was Mount Hua who started the pirates’ subjugation in the first place. Thus Mount Hua should be in a position of welcoming them. But Bop Kye skillfully and naturally expressed gratitude to Mount Hua.

As if they were the main characters, and Mount Hua was just supporting their intention.

‘This monk!’

While one can’t say that caring for one’s own sect is wrong, isn’t that too sneaky and petty?

Perhaps understanding his feelings, Hye Yeon’s face also turned bright red.

Then Bop Kye glanced at Hye Yeon and said to Hyun Jong.

“Sect Leader.”

“Yes, Elder-nim.”

“I am more than grateful to you for taking in and teaching a disciple of Shaolin. However, due to the circumstances, I believe we should retrieve our disciple from now on.”

“…Do as you wish.”

When Hyun Jong’s permission fell, Bop Kye quietly called Hye Yeon.

“Hye Yeon.”

“…Yes.”

“Come here and join Shaolin.”

“….”

Hye Yeon’s face stiffened at the unexpected situation.

“Elder-nim, Bangjang….”

“I’m well aware that Bangjang has granted you external travel. But now is not the time to seek teachings.”

“….”

“Furthermore, Bangjang has entrusted all authority to me. I won’t say any more.”

With that said, there was no room for further argument. Hye Yeon’s shoulders dropped.

When he turned around with a defeated expression, Baek Cheon tapped him on the shoulder.

“It’s all right, monk.”

“Baek Cheon Siju. I….”

“Shouldn’t one obey the orders of the sect?”

“….”

Hye Yeon’s large and gentle eyes trembled slightly. But soon he gave farewell in a somewhat low voice.

“…Until we meet again.”

“Take care.”

Hye Yeon politely addressed Mount Hua’s disciples. Mount Hua’s disciples also took the initiative and returned the gesture to Hye Yeon.

It was the highest courtesy that could be shown to someone who was not a disciple of Mount Hua, but was no different from a disciple of Mount Hua.

“Don’t act like you’re not seeing each other!”

“Come visit again, monk!”

“We’ll save some meat for you!”

“What are you saying? You’re crazy\\!”

Leaving behind the warm voices, Hye Yeon sighed softly and walked towards Shaolin.

“My disciple caused inconvenience.”

“It’s nothing like that. We were greatly helped by the presence of Monk Hye Yeon. I would like to thank Monk Hye Yeon and Shaolin as the Sect Leader of Mount Hua.”

Hyun Jong looks at Hye Yeon with a slightly regretful expression.

Though not a disciple of Mount Hua, it felt as if they were losing one. The sudden farewell weighed heavily on his heart.

Bop Kye suddenly looked to the side after confirming Hye Yeon had come over. And he told Hyun Jong.

“More importantly, I believe there are greetings to be exchanged.”

From the side that Bop Kye looked at, Namgung Family’s Gaju and Qingcheng Sect Leader were walking in a straight line toward them.