Return of the Mount Hua Sect

Hwang Mun-yak, Sangdanju of the Eunha Merchant Guild, looked at Hwang Jongwi with an incredulous face.

“So… Mount Hua entered Bongmun?”

He asked again as if he couldn’t believe it and then let out a hollow laugh.

Hwang Jongwi also nodded, fully understanding his father’s reaction.

“It seems so.”

“Do you want me to believe that?”

“……I couldn’t believe it either, so I already verified it. The gate of Mount Hua Sect, which were never supposed to close, were tightly shut.”

Hwang Mun-yak’s wrinkled eyes widened.

“So… you’re telling me that Mount Hua really did enter Bongmun, right? Mount Hua? That Mount Hua I know?”

His voice was full of disbelief. Hwang Jongwi nodded again with a serious face.

“It seems certain. The rumor has already spread across the world, not only Shaanxi.”

“I see. Then it must be certain. It should be certain……”

“….”

“It should be, but……”

Hwang Mun-yak looked away with indescribable emotion.

Chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp.

“Then….”

Chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp.

“…What on earth is going on here?”

He looked with trembling eyes at the man emptying the huge feast like a storm.

If the Bongmun is true… How could this yangban be here……?

‘Is he a ghost?’

Chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp!

Chung Myung, who had greedily torn off a large duck leg and emptied a bottle of alcohol in one gulp, set down the bottle with a thud.

“Keuu, now I’m alive.”

“….”

“As expected, one should come out to have proper food. Tsk. We should change Mount Hua’s cooks. Our meal was bland. Our meal.”

Hwang Mun-yak stared blankly at Chung Myung and opened his mouth.

“That… Dojang.”

When he called quietly, Chung Myung calmly turned his head as if asking why he was calling.

“Yes?”

“Just now… What I heard… Is it true?”

“Which one? Bongmun?”

“Yes. That, Mount Hua entered Bongmun…..”

“Yeah, it got annoying dealing with this and that, so I just closed the gate.”

There is no need to explain what questions Hwang Mun-yak had at that moment.

“Why?”

No… Sometimes people do need an explanation.

“If the sect is under Bongmun, how can Dojang be here…?”

“Oh, me?”

“I just came out.”

“….”

Hwang Mun-yak grinned.

‘Let’s just not try to understand.’

It’s not like he has been through it once or twice, and now I’m just gonna have to…. but why would repeat the same thing every time he goes through this? A person should know how to adapt.

However, it seems that Hwang Jongwi still couldn’t let go of his doubts.

“I- If it’s true that the gates are closed, you shouldn’t be out here, should you?”

“Me?”

“Why not?”

“….”

Why are you asking me why? You should be the one answering!

Chung Myung, who had gulped down more alcohol, wiped his mouth and spoke again.

“No, it’s not like we’ve committed a crime and thus entered Bongmun. We closed them because it was annoying to be sought out all the time, but there’s no reason we can’t come out, is there?”

“…N- No. Still, it is Bongmun.”

“Ei, they’re all doing the same. How many yangbans would follow Bongmun laws strictly? I’m sure those Southern Edge Sect cubs and Wudang cubs at Bongmun will come out in the middle of the night and drink in the corner. I can guarantee that, I can.”

“….”

“That’s why let’s skip over the little things.”

“…Yes.”

Yeah, it’s more comfortable to just let it slide.

“Anyway, since things have come to this, please manage the business in Huayin well and properly manage the trade routes connecting with the North Sea. And in case of an urgent matter with Eunha Courier Service, the Tang Family will step in, so feel free to ask them for help.”

“And when you’re stocking food for Mount Hua, pack it full of meat… that, um… uh…”

Chung Myung stumbled over his words, sending a look that said, ‘Do I really have to say this?’. Hwang Jongwi opened his mouth with a stern face.

“…I will continue to put the alcohol in the usual hiding spot.”

“Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. There was no need to do that, it’s not like I can come out due to the Bongmun either, aigoo. It will go bad, go bad!”

“…Then should I reduce it a bit?”

“What?”

“N- No, you said it’ll go bad so…”

“What?”

“…I will bring more.”

“Keuu. Well, if you insist.”

Chung Myung shrugged and grinned.

“Oh, and goods will come from the Tang Family. Also, there will be items sent from the North Sea to Mount Hua. If it arrives, please bring them to Mount Hua regardless of whether the gate is closed or not. The Eunha Merchant Guild will be able to come in.”

“I will do so.”

After giving various instructions, he sighed lightly.

“I’d like to say I’ll come visit often, but realistically, this is the last time. It won’t be easy to stop by again until the Bongmun are lifted.”

“Hm.”

“I’m worried about a lot of things I’ve done, but I’m sure you’ll all do well.”

Hwang Mun-yak grinned broadly.

“Don’t worry, Dojang.”

“By the way….”

Chung Myung looked at Hwang Mun-yak as if amazed.

“You don’t ask why we entered Bongmun? Normally, one would be curious.”

Hwang Mun-yak gently shook his head.

“People like us do not understand even if we hear. How can those who follow profit (?(利)) understand the intentions of those who follow the Tao (?(道))?”

“….”

“I simply trust that Dojang has a grand purpose (??(大意)).”

“There’s nothing like that.”

Hwang Mun-yak smiled quietly as Chung Myung scratched the back of his head.

“I’ll make sure there’s no problem. We will also cooperate with the Ghost Sect in Xi’an to ensure that there are no difficulties in increasing the subsidiary sect.”

“Ah, right. I’ll have to ask you for that too.”

“Such trivial matters are not worthy of Dojang’s attention. Dojang simply needs to carry out your will. It’s people like us who clean the aftermath.”

“While making money on the side?”

“Exactly, exactly. Dojang knows it well. Hahaha.”

Hwang Mun-yak laughed as if he was in a good mood.

“Dojang.”

“Yes?”

“Since Dojang appeared, not only Xi’an and Huayin, but also the whole of Shaanxi has become lively. Particularly, the pride of the people of Huayin is indescribable.”

“Ei, what have I done, really.”

“And thanks to Dojang, the Eunha Merchant Guild has spread its wings.”

Hwang Mun-yak bowed his head respectfully toward Chung Myung.

“Thank you.”

“Why are you doing this all of a sudden!”

When startled Chung Myung hurriedly helped Hwang Mun-yak back up, he smiled and nodded.

“I always wanted to express my gratitude. I felt I never genuinely thanked you.”

“No need for thanks. Not between us.”

Hwang Mun-yak smiled and looked at Chung Myung.

Come to think of it, their relationship isn’t that old. It’s only been a few years. But those few years saved Hwang Munyak, changed his life, and even changed the future of the Eunha Merchant Guild.

All thanks to that man appearing.

Receiving Hwang Mun-yak’s warm gaze, Chung Myung rose from his seat with an awkward face.

“Anyway, please take good care of things, especially in Xi’an. I’m worried that scoundrels from Southern Edge Sect might come out of their Bongmun and cause trouble while I’m gone.”

“Of course, Eunha Merchant Guild is no longer weak. At the very least, I won’t let Mount Hua’s subsidiary sect in Xi’an and the sect associated with Mount Hua get disadvantaged.”

“Yes, that’s enough. Well then.”

Chung Myung took the alcohol bottle and walked toward the door. However, even after holding the doorknob, he did not open it immediately and hesitated slightly.

“That….”

“Yes, Dojang.”

“Please don’t worry. Mount Hua and the Eunha Merchant Guild are good friends.”

Hwang Jongwi tilted his head at the unexpected statement. But Hwang Mun-yak smiled broadly as if he understood what Chung Myung meant.

“If you say so, there’s nothing more I could ask for.”

“Yes. Then.”

Chung Myung, smiling back at Hwang Mun-yak, opened the door, and went out.

Tak.

When the door closed, Hwang Jongwi frowned as if he had no idea what was going on.

“…..Why did he come?”

“Why, you say….”

“It feels like he said some things, but there was no real objective in it, is there? It’s something worth asking, but it’s not something we won’t do just because he doesn’t ask. There’s no need for him to take the trouble to come outside while the sect is under Bongmun….”

“Jongwi. In a person’s words…”

“Yes, Father.”

As Hwang Mun-yak’s voice became serious and firmer, Hwang Jongwi straightened his posture.

“The true intention (??(眞意)) contained within is more important than the outer shell. Especially for a merchant, you must understand the true feelings hidden in the words.”

“….”

“Dojang is just here to give greetings.”

“Greetings? Was it to leave greetings before entering Bongmun?”

“No.”

Hwang Mun-yak shook his head. His calm voice echoed.

“He came to say goodbye to someone he won’t be able to meet again.”

“…Fa- Father?”

Hwang Mun-yak said with a smile.

“Isn’t he such a warm-hearted person? It seems he’s worried about us, now that they’re about to enter Bongmun. Even though I’m sure this old man is not as great a man to Mount Hua anymore….”

Hwang Mun-yak knows that.

He probably won’t live long enough to see Mount Hua’s gate unsealed. He’s already lived beyond his time.

And Chung Myung seemed to have guessed that as well.

“I have no regrets. In fact, it is a life that should’ve already been lost, but thanks to the help of Dojang, I’ve seen more than my fair share.”

“Father….”

“Should I have worries, it would be only about you and the Merchant Guild. I’m sure Dojang has guessed as much. If I had closed his eyes in the midst of Mount Hua’s sudden Bongmun, I wouldn’t have been able to rest in peace because of the concerns of you and the Merchant Guild. He came to me on purpose and told me not to worry.”

Hwang Mun-yak, who was talking slowly, closed his eyes gently.

‘He’s exactly how a Taoist vessel (??(道器)) is.’

He knows.

Within the coarse actions of Chung Myung, there actually lies an incredibly warm heart.

“I’m worried about Dojang.”

“…That person?”

“A chaotic era is coming. The world is already changing.”

“….”

“How much more pain will that considerate person receive in such a turbulent world?”

Hwang Mun-yak let out a low sigh.

“If one does not know grace, one is no better than a beast. Jongwi.”

“Help both that person and Mount Hua, not just as the leader of the Eunha Merchant Guild, but also as a human being.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good. That settles it.”

Hwang Mun-yak smiled brightly.

It’s a shame that he can’t witness Mount Hua and the top of the Eunha Merchant Guild rule over the world. But there’s no lingering regret because he can imagine it even without seeing it.

“The Great Phoenix waits for a thousand years to take flight just once. I’m looking forward to seeing how high Mount Hua Sect will fly when they come out of Bongmun.”

“So am I, Father.”

“Hahaha. But before that, we have to do the work entrusted to us by Dojang properly. It will be busy. Let’s hurry up.”

“Yes, Father.”

Leaving the room, Hwang Mun-yak looked at the gate where Chung Myung had left, and above it, the towering figure of Mt. Hua.

“Eventually… flowers will wither.”

Nevertheless, knowing that the day will come when it blooms again, he can look at the withering flower without being sad.

“Take care, Dojang.”

A warm smile blossomed on Hwang Mun-yak’s lips, etched with the traces of time.