Return of the Mount Hua Sect

Hyun Jong greeted the two.

“I am Mount Hua’s Hyun Jong. I am so pleased to meet you again.”

All of them were acquaintances at the past Murim Competition. However, the two’s attitude toward Hyun Jong has changed noticeably differently.

First, Byeok Hyeon.

Qingcheng’s Sect Leader smiled brightly upon seeing Hyun Jong.

“Mount Hua’s reputation is well known throughout Sichuan. I had suspected that Mount Hua would make a name for itself in the Murim Competition, but I can only admire the performance that was beyond my expectations. I am deeply impressed, Sect Leader.”

“Such praise is too much. I am humbled.”

“It’s not an exaggeration. Everyone would think the same. I can’t be more confident that Mount Hua is here when we have to deal with the evil pirates.”

Hyun Jong’s face turned red.

Nevertheless, the reason why strength entered his shoulders was that he could feel that the words of Qingcheng Sect Leader were not pretense but sincere words.

However,

“What does Mount Hua do here?”

Namgung Hwang didn’t seem to share the same sentiments.

He stared at Hyun Jong with cold eyes.

“The forces gathered here are already excessive for our purpose in dealing with one water fortress. If the number of people increases, there will be only confusion. Since you’ve arrived late, you should not intervene awkwardly and cause confusion, but just support from the back. ”

“….”

“There is no place for Heavenly Comrade Alliance here.”

Byeok Hyeon frowned.

“Isn’t that too much to say, Namgung Gaju?”

“What do you mean excessive? It is the right thing to say. Even if Mount Hua started this all, in the end, while we battled the pirates, didn’t Mount Hua just enjoy themselves on the island?”

Hyun Jong’s eyes trembled.

‘Enjoy themselves…’

Could it be considered enjoyment?

Well… It may seem like that to those who are unaware. Life can seem like a comedy from afar but a tragedy up close.

Namgung Hwang glared at Hyun Jong with an unhappy face.

In fact, it may not be Wudang but Namgung Family that has the worst feelings for Mount Hua here.

Wudang lost its reputation due to the defeat against Mount Hua, and although their similar tendencies have made it difficult to get close, the actual damage is not so great.

But Namgung Family lost too much because of Mount Hua.

First of all, the fact that the Tang Family has withdrawn from the Five Great Family.

Although it hasn’t been officially announced, the fact that they have become an ally of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance means that it will break the solidarity of the Five Great Family. For the Namgung Family who lead them as the heads of the Five Great Family, the departure of the Tang Family is damage equivalent to cutting off one arm.

Secondly, they lost control of the trade in Beijing.

Among the five families, the Namgung Family and Peng Family oversee the largest financial lines. Namgung Family has established a commercial district centered on Anhui, but Hebei Peng Family dominates Beijing’s commercial district.

However, thanks to the Special Delivery of the goddamn Eunha Merchant Guild, the balance of Beijing commercial district is in danger of being broken as the officials start looking for Eunha Merchant Guild. As a result, the burden on Namgung Family increased naturally.

Money and power.

In the midst of being stabbed in both, no matter how good Namgang Hwang is, how can he see Mount Hua in a positive light?

And most of all…….

‘Damn it. Due to those Mount Hua bastards, Dowi was humiliated.’

The other Sects were also greatly humiliated by Mount Hua.

But there’s a significant difference between a disciple of a sect being humiliated and the humiliation of Sogaju, who should be the next Gaju, are so different that they dare not compare.

As a result, Namgang Hwang could not bear Mount Hua gaining fame while he was present.

“Elder-nim, what do you think? Are you planning to work with Mount Hua?”

“Hmm.”

Bop Kye paused, hesitant to answer immediately. This was not something that could be answered quickly. It was clear that no matter how he answered, there would be problems.

Usually, these words are discussed quietly behind the scenes, but Namgung Hwang’s blunt approach made it more difficult to say. Because there are too many watchful eyes.

“What do you think, Sect Leader?”

Heo Dojin, who was slowly walking towards their side, smiled at the question.

“By all accounts, isn’t this subjugation on the Yangtze River only possible because of Mount Hua?”

“…Hmm.”

Namgung Hwang’s eyes narrowed slightly. Heo Dojin spoke.

“There’s no denying that Mount Hua played a pivotal role.”

“Sect Leader….”

“Just.”

Heo Dojin interrupted Namgung Hwang with a short remark.

“Please let us take the lead in this subjugation, Sect Leader. We’ve come to the Yangtze River to pursue our own Righteousness, but if Mount Hua takes all the credit, it wouldn’t be right.”

“….”

A surprised look flashed across Hyun Jong’s face as he watched Heo Dojin. He had suspected as much, but he hadn’t expected such a direct statement.

“Please.”

Heo Dojin bowed his head slightly, and Hyun Jong quickly extended his hand.

“Ple- Please don’t be like this. Is it such a big deal that you show such formality, Sect Leader? We’ll do as you say.”

“Thank you.”

Heo Dojin smiled and continued.

“It’s not just about the credit. As you can see, the terrain over there is as such.”

“…Hmm.”

The place Heo Dojin pointed to was across the river. Hyun Jong’s complexion hardened.

‘This terrain…’

The width of the river wasn’t very wide. Considering the width of the Yangtze he had seen so far, it was quite narrow. It seemed it wouldn’t be too difficult to cross if they tried.

But the problem was what came next.

“That inside…”

Across the river was a tall, sheer cliff. And right in the middle, there was a narrow valley that seemed to have been created by a strike from an axe of a God.

“You mean the Black Dragon Water Fortress is in there?”

“Yes, only one large ship can pass by.” “Yes. It’s only wide enough for a large ship to pass through.”

“….”

Bop Kye continued the explanation.

“We tried to turn around and enter, but it was difficult. Firstly, the cliff is too high to jump off. We would need to descend using ropes, but procuring a rope of that length is challenging… and given the skills of those inside, we have to take great damage only to climb down the cliff.”

“…Hmm. Right.”

The other day, when Mount Hua attacked Great Whale Water Fortress, the Nokrim descended from a cliff.

But that was possible because Mount Hua, who was below, blocked the archers and they distracted the pirates from those descending.

If it is at an appropriate height, they can take advantage of it by occupying the top, but this height only makes the entrant dangerous.

“But the only way to attack from above is not to go down the cliff, right? Dropping rocks or…”

“Or pour boiling oil?”

Even before Hyun Jong’s words were finished, Namgung Hwang interrupted with a cynical voice.

“Mount Hua was well-known as ‘Righteous Mount Hua’, but I guess it was all exaggerated.”

He snorted openly and mockingly.

“Do you suggest we blindly attack without knowing who might be below? If it’s Black Dragon Water Fortress, there might be captured civilians or laborers. Are you suggesting we throw rocks over their heads?”

“….”

“That’s nonsensical.”

Hyun Jong sighed softly. A subtle hum escaped his lips.

Although aggressive, it wasn’t incorrect. Those who came to the Yangtze River to perform Righteousness cannot attack without considering the damage to commoners.

“Namgung Gaju, perhaps you should take a moment to compose yourself.”

“Ahem.”

Namggung Hwang coughed loudly at Bop Kye’s subtle warning. Bop Kye summarized the situation.

“So, we’ll likely have to enter through the waterway in the front. Not just to avoid harming commoners, but because I don’t think they’ll be harmed by such attacks if they’re an elite water fortress.”

“That means…”

“Too many people in the narrow path will be a hindrance. It’s hard to distinguish between the sects that will attack and those that won’t, so I think Mount Hua Sect, who was the last to arrive, have to make concessions.”

“…I see.”

When Bop Kye came out like this, Hyun Jong had no choice.

Most of all, these four sects are woven into a bond called “Ten Great Sect” and “Five Great Family.” They can’t help but be uncomfortable with Hyun Jong, a member of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

“Don’t mention it….”

It was a conversation from a distance, but Baek Cheon could hear it clearly. His face twitched slightly with anger.

‘Damn it.’

Some with blatant hostility, some politely, and others with a soft, soothing tone.

Their methods might be different, but they all naturally ostracize Mount Hua. Mount Hua, who fought the water fortress first and braved war for the people of Yangtze.

‘Is this their way?’

It was when Baek Cheon bit his lips gently, suppressing his anger.

Step.

‘Hm?’

He could see a man approaching Mount Hua.

With just the momentum, one could sense that the approach was not friendly.

Upon closer examination of the man’s face, Baek Cheon was taken aback.

‘Namgung Dowi?’

In the past, it was Namgung Dowi, known as Demolishing Mountain Sword (???(斷岳劍) Prev. Broken Mountain Sword) that was defeated by Chung Myung in the Murim Competition. Approaching Mount Hua’s disciples, his face was as cold and expressionless as if it were covered in iron.

Step.

Standing right in front of Baek Cheon, Namgang Dowi stared for a moment before he opened his mouth.

“Where is Mount Hua Divine Dragon?”

“…Yes?”

“Mount Hua Divine Dragon.”

Baek Cheon turned his head slightly instead of answering.

At the same time, all eyes followed Baek Cheon’s gaze to one spot.

“Eup! Hmppp! Eup!”

“….”

“….”

Namgung Dowi’s eyes trembled.

‘I’m sorry.’

Baek Cheon sincerely apologized to Namgung Dowi from the deepest part of his heart. Considering what might have been going through Namgung Dowi’s mind to approach them, he shouldn’t have shown such a sight. That’s basic courtesy to another person…

“Le- Let him go.”

“Are you sure?”

“Just do it quickly!”

“Yes!”

Jo-Gol and Yoon Jong untied the cloth around Chung Myung’s mouth and uncoiled the chains wrapped around him. As soon as he was free, Chung Myung, with a face reddened as if he’d been holding his breath, cried out loud.

“Fuahhhh! Hey! Shouldn’t you tie it in a way that I can breathe? I thought I was going to die!”

“That’s not the most important thing right now. We have a guest, Chung Myung.”

“Huh? A guest?”

Chung Myung then turned his head and looked at Namgung Dowi.

“Oh…”

Namgung Dowi stiffened his face and opened his mouth with a heavy voice.

“It’s been a while…”

“…Who are you again?”

Namgung Dowi, speechless for a moment, turned his head and just looked up at the distant sky.

Baek Cheon couldn’t bear to see that and turned his head away.

‘I’m truly sorry.’

‘I should’ve just kept him tied.’

Then the oblivious Jo-Gol quickly whispered to Chung Myung.

“It’s Namgung Dowi! Namgung Dowi! The Demolishing Mountain Sword Namgung Dowi!”

“Oh? Namgung Dowi?”

“Yes!”

Chung Myung looked at Namgung Dowi for a bit longer, and said, ‘Aah!’

“…And who is that?”

“You faced him at the Murim Competition!”

“I beat up more than just one or two bastards in the Murim Competition. How am I supposed to remember them all?”

“The strong one amongst them!”

“Hye Yeon?”

“N- No, the one after him!”

“Isong Baek?”

“….”

Baek Cheon saw it.

The genuinely apologetic look on Jo-Gol’s face as he glanced at Namgung Dowi.

…That is a very rare sight.

“The- the other one after him?”

“The ones after are all nobodies. How can I remember every little thing?”

Chung Myung brushed his clothes off and got up from his seat. Then Namgung Dowi bit his lips and glared at him.

“You forgot about me-…”

“Ah!”

Then Chung Myung who burst into an exclamation clapped his hands. Namgung Dowi gave a twisted smile as if he expected this.

“Now you know-…”

“That good-looking annoying guy! Was your name Jin Eunryong? Right?” (Chung Myung guessed that Baekcheon has another brother named Eunryong between him and Geumryong because of their names, and Baekcheon affirmed it. Geum= Gold, Eun= Silver, Dong= Bronze)

“Namgung Dowi!”

“Huh… It’s weird. If it’s a good-looking and annoying guy, then he must be from the Jin Family.”

Namgung Dowi and Jin Dongryong…. No, Baek Cheon, both trembled in irritation.

Chung Myung, after pondering a bit more, shouted ‘Ah!’ again.

“Ah! Oh heyy, it’s you! Nice to see you! Seeing your face brings back memories! That time…uh…”

Chung Myung, who was smiling brightly, glanced down.

And, simultaneously, everyone who was present during the Murim Competition followed his gaze before quickly looking away.

“…..I’m sorry. I was quite upset back then. I shouldn’t have done what I did. That… Are you okay? Is there any problem or…”

“Kkeuk….”

Namgung Dowi’s handsome face was distorted like a Yaksha.