Return of the Mount Hua Sect

Tang Gun-ak’s condition was now proving that fact.

Those who have mastered martial arts do not tire easily even under heavy burdens and always feel energetic. However, there was a deep shadow on Tang Gun-ak’s face in the office.

‘It feels like I haven’t read anything.’

Tang Gun-ak eventually put the document in his hand on the desk. He had read it three times in a row, but the content wouldn’t sink in. It wasn’t even particularly bad news.

He gently rubbed his eyelids.

‘I’m tired.’

It seemed like he hadn’t had a proper rest for the past three years. Managing the chaos at the Yangtze River while also solving issues at the main house in Sichuan meant there was never enough time.

Even while reducing his sleep time, he tried not to miss out on his training, but now it felt like he was reaching his limit.

“Are you alright?”

When asked by Tang Zhan, Tang Gun-ak nodded slowly.

“Just a bit tired.”

“…Gaju-nim.”

A sigh escaped Tang Zhan’s mouth.

That’s understandable. It’s even stranger if he doesn’t get tired. Considering the hard work that Tang Gun-ak has done over the past three years.

“You need to get some rest.”

“I’m still fine.”

“Of course, you’ll be fine. Gaju-nim is always fine. You will always have energy left.”

“Hm?”

Tang Gun-ak raised his head and looked at Tang Zhan.

“So you won’t rest until the very end. You’ll regret not having rested when it’s too late.”

Tang Gun-ak, who had been listening quietly, raised the corners of his mouth and chuckled.

“That’s a painful thing to say.”

“Father-nim.”

Not Gaju, but father. Tang Zhan continued, sighing silently with a serious face.

“Please, you need to get some rest. It’s a shame because Sister isn’t here right now. If she had seen this, Father-nim wouldn’t have been safe either.”

“……That’s a bit scary.”

Contrary to what he said, there was a calm smile on Tang Gun-ak’s lips. He seemed to feel better when he remembered Tang Soso.

“And I will be beaten to death first before Father-nim gets into trouble.”

“…….”

Tang Gun-ak didn’t exactly deny what Tang Zhan said. It is a fact that Tang Gun-ak was well aware that Tang Soso held Tang Zhan as if she were holding a rat.

Of course, when Tang Soso was in the Tang family, Tang Zhan’s martial arts was higher, but is a relationship ever solely based on strength?

Had Tang Zhan ever dared to confront Tang Soso, Tang Gun-ak himself would have rushed in and pinned an acupuncture needle between Tang Zhan’s eyebrows.

“Are you still afraid of your sister at this age?”

“It’s because I am this age that I’m more scared. When I was young, getting beaten up was just another thing, but if Sister hits me now at my age, wouldn’t it be a disaster?”

“…I see.”

“Back then, if I wanted, I could have run away. I don’t think that’s going to work anymore.”

“Why not?”

Tang Zhan sighed heavily.

“Given Sister’s character, she wouldn’t have neglected her training. It’s obvious she’s been grinding her teeth and training for the past three years. How can I beat Sister, who has been trained by Mount Hua Divine Dragon?”

“The man I called my son….”

“Sister is father’s daughter, too. It’s the same, you know.”

Tang Gun-ak softly chuckled.

It was just a trivial chat, but it made him feel a little better. Tang Zhan probably also had that in mind when he said those words.

“I know I should rest. Let’s finish this work and then take a break.”

“I’ve heard that at least ten times already.”

Tang Zhan, who was about to say more, eventually sighed and stopped.

What could be done?

Resting doesn’t make the work disappear. Postponing today’s tasks only increases tomorrow’s workload. It’s an endless cycle.

However, that’s not to say he wants Tang Gun-ak to do his job half-heartedly. That’s the last thing that can happen to the head of the Tang Family.

‘I need to figure out a solution somehow.….’

Just as Tang Zhan was about to harbor resentment again, there was a sudden interruption.

“Father-nim! No, Gaju-nim!”

Bam!

Tang Pae burst into the room.

Looking at his pale face, Tang Gun-ak sensed that something had happened and jumped up from his seat. His eyes, which had been filled with comfort for a moment, suddenly became cold..

“What’s the matter?”

Tang Pae, who saw Tang Gun-ak’s reaction, waved his hand as if that was not the case. However, he just kept his mouth shut as words did not come out easily.

“…Speak slowly. What happened?”

In the meantime, Tang Gun-ak, who maintained his composure even in the midst of all this, could indeed be said to be an example of a family head.

It certainly was until the next word came out.

“A message has arrived from Mount Hua!”

“What?”

Tang Gun-ak jumped over the desk in a flash and grabbed Tang Pae by the collar.

“From where?”

Tang Zhan’s mouth dropped open.

Of course, it was shocking that Tang Gun-ak grabbed Tang Pae by the collar, but what was even more shocking was what happened before that.

‘He, he jumps over the desk?’

That Tang Gun-ak?

The person who always insisted on maintaining the demeanor of a noble family?

“Kek! Keuuk! Ga- Gaju-nim! Let me go…”

“Oh! I’m sorry.”

Tang Gun-ak was startled and quickly released Tang Pae’s collar.

“Where did you say it was?”

“Mo- Mount Hua. A message was sent through the Beggar Sect. Here, the letter is right here…”

As soon as Tang Pae pulled the letter out of his arms, Tang Gun-ak snatched it away like a hawk hunting a rabbit.

Chwak, chwak!

Without any hesitation, he tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter inside.

“…….”

An indescribable expression appeared on Tang Gun-ak’s face as he silently checked the contents of the letter.

It may seem absurd… but he seems surprised. But that peculiar expression soon softened into a gentle smile.

“What, what does it say?”

“See for yourself.”

Tang Zhan received the letter from Tang Gun-ak. The large paper contained hardly more than a single line of text.

Why are you suffering needlessly? Give it all up and come to Mount Hua for now.

“Huh…….”

A sigh escaped Tang Zhan’s lips.

“Hahaha….”

For a moment, he doubted his eyes, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense.

Who in the world can send this kind of letter to Gaju of Sichuan Tang Family? Even Shaolin’s Bangjang wouldn’t dare to send a single line of text ordering Gaju of Sichuan Tang Family to come.

Only one person in the world, Chung Myung, could do this.

“…What will you do?”

“Hmm.”

As Tang Gun-ak’s mouth smile deepened, Tang Zhan smiled in response without realizing it. It seemed like it was the first time in several years that he had seen Tang Gun-ak’s expression like this.

It is not a smile that appears as if Mount Hua has returned and they can escape from this oppressive situation. Tang Gun-ak is not the kind of person who would smile brightly at being able to throw away his job.

This smile right now is the smile of someone who has confirmed that a close friend with whom they have lost contact for a long time is alive and well.

“Can’t help it, I suppose.”

Tang Gun-ak shook his head gently.

It was then.

“Is Gaju present!”

Another loud voice came from outside. Tang Gun-ak, who knew who the voice was, turned his head.

“Come on in.”

Without delay, the door opened and a person rushed in.

“Have you received the letter?”

Im Sobyong, Nokrim King, suddenly asked, putting aside his greeting. Tang Gun-ak wordlessly handed him the letter he had received.

“See for yourself.”

“…Hngg.”

Im Sobyong, who checked the contents, made a sound of pain.

“Did you also receive it?”

“See for yourself.”

Im Sobyong also held the letter in his hand to Tang Gun-ak.

Bring all the ledgers and come to Mount Hua.

“…Hahaha.”

It was even more concise than the letter Tang Gun-ak received.

“Mount Hua finally lifted their Bongmun.”

At the murmur of Tang Gun-ak, everyone exchanged glances, each face reflecting a newfound sense of realization.

“Ugh.”

But Im Sobyong continued to frown deeply.

“It seems Nokrim King is not so pleased.”

“It’s not about being displeased, it’s just…”

When Tang Gun-ak gently prodded, Im Sobyong scratched his head in frustration.

“How can he expect me to bring all the ledgers accumulated over three years! I kept sending copies to Eunha Merchant Guild because I was afraid something like this would happen!”

“…….”

“Five carts’ worth at least! Five carts!”

“…Calm down.”

“Aigo. What to do…”

Im Sobyong made a groan.

“Coming back only to be put through this ordeal, I’m worried about what will happen next. No doubt he’ll start yelling the moment we meet face-to-face.”

Im Sobyong shivered as if chilled to the bone.

But Tang Gun-ak, who watched it, just grinned.

“For someone who worries, you look happy.”

Im Sobyong touched his face at the words. He could clearly feel the corners of his mouth curling up at his fingertips.

Slightly embarrassed, Im Sobyong gleefully retorted to Tang Gun-ak.

“…not as much as Gaju, did I?”

Tang Gun-ak covered his mouth with his fist and cleared his throat lightly. He belatedly realized that he was unusually excited.

They had perfectly done their duty for the past three years. However, it is true that even if things went well, they could not help feeling stuffy for three years.

As soon as they received Chung Myung’s letter, they could clearly see what the stuffiness that had been bothering them was.

“What will you do?”

“What else can I do?”

Tang Gun-ak grinned.

“If he tells me to come, I’ll go. What power do I have to refuse the words of Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword?”

“…Now that Gaju says that, I guess I have no choice but to be dragged along too. Hngg.”

Tang Gun-ak turned his head and looked at Tang Pae.

“I’ll have to go to Mount Hua.”

“Understood, Gaju-nim. But… who will manage the Tang Family in your absence?”

“Hmm.”

Tang Gun-ak recalled the ‘throw everything away’ part of the letter.

“Instruct the family members to step back, and unless it’s an emergency, they shouldn’t intervene.”

“There could be problems.”

“I know.”

Tang Gun-ak nodded.

“But Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword is not one to take the trouble of writing and sending words that do not need to be written on a letter.”

“……Yes, he isn’t.”

Im Sobyong nodded his head as if he completely agreed with the statement.

“It looks like he has something on his mind, so do as I tell you.”

“Yes, Gaju-nim. I will.”

“I should go now.”

“A- Already? Why in such a hurry?”

Tang Gun-ak spoke to himself with an expressionless face.

“I need to confirm with my own eyes.”

“…What confirmation?”

Tang Gun-ak turned his head. Through the door, which Im Sobyong had flung open upon entering, the blue sky was clearly visible. He murmured in a low voice.

“To confirm how much they’ve changed over these three years.”

In both his eyes, there was an indescribable expectation.

“I wonder if the bad-tempered serpent has truly returned as a dragon.”

No one could open their mouths to the words.

Im Sobyong only sighed, tapping his head with a fan.

“Even if he became a dragon, it would still be a malicious one…”

“That can’t be helped.”

Tang Gun-ak looked at Tang Pae and said,

“Then I’ll be right back.”

“Huh? Father-nim? What?”

Tang Pae remained bewildered, but Tang Gun-ak quickly left the room without answering. As he disappeared in an instant, Tang Pae lowered his head dejectedly.

Im Sobyong shook his head and patted his shoulder consolingly.

“….You must be going through a lot.”

“He’s not that kind of person, though…”

A place where strange things happen, where the young master of the Tang Family is comforted by Nokrim King.

This was the Yangtze River.