Return of the Mount Hua Sect

No, in fact, the current atmosphere was closer to being chilly rather than just awkward.

‘That crazy guy….’

Of course, Chung Myung had never been particularly polite to Bop Jeong in the past. But that was when the relationship between Shaolin and Mount Hua wasn’t that bad.

Baek Cheon bit his lips tightly.

‘And the gap was extreme back then.’

A tiger doesn’t get angry when a puppy barks. It simply ignores it and, if it becomes too annoying, will bite it to death. This also means that even for a puppy, there is an opportunity to irritate a tiger.

But now?

Will Chung Myung really be seen as a one-day-old puppy in the eyes of Bop Jeong?

Baek Cheon thought absolutely not. No matter how much Bop Jeong is the leader of Shaolin and the unrivaled supreme in Kangho, it is impossible to treat Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword Chung Myung as a day-old puppy.

Chung Myung’s current status is more than enough to irritate even Bangjang of Shaolin.

That’s why the atmosphere was like walking on thin ice.

However, fortunately or unfortunately, it wasn’t Bop Jeong who reacted to those words, but Bop Kye, who was following behind into the room.

“Look here, Siju.”

Bop Kye said, staring at Chung Myung with cold eyes.

“A minimum level of courtesy is required when treating adults. Doesn’t Mount Hua teach that?”

The usual Bop Kye would never have stopped at this level. He was the head of the Disciplinary Hall at Shaolin, after all.

But knowing why Bangjang had come all the way here, he restrained himself to just a biting remark.

But Chung Myung’s reaction overshadowed his efforts.

“Courtesy?”

Chung Myung smirked.

“Oh, courtesy is good. I like that too.”

Then he calmly looked at Bop Kye and said,

“But perhaps because the monk only lives in the mountains, he only knows one thing and doesn’t know the other.”

“…What do I not know?”

“Of course being polite to superiors is basic, but there is another basic in Kangho.”

“…And what is that?”

Chung Myung looked sharply at the two uninvited guests and twisted his mouth.

“The weak should show courtesy.”

“….”

Bop Kye’s mouth involuntarily closed.

“Am I right?”

Chung Myung’s sarcastic smile pierced Bop Kye’s eyes. There was a sudden surge of anger, but even Bop Kye, in this situation, couldn’t erupt in anger.

Partly because Bop Jeong was there, but…

‘Mount Hua…’

The name itself restrained Bop Kye from acting rashly. Before he knew it, the weight of Mount Hua had become that much heavier within him.

Caught between rising anger and that weight, Bop Kye, unsure of how to react, heard a calm voice in his ear.

“That’s quite true. Sodojang, no, Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword. As you say, the thirsty one digs the well.”

“Ba- Bangjang.”

Bop Jeong grinned. The smile eased the rigid atmosphere even a little.

“I was worried that your personality might have changed since we haven’t seen each other in a few years, but it seems like you haven’t changed at all.”

“People say when you change, it’s time to die. Come to think of it, it seems like Bangjang has changed a bit?”

“….”

Bop Jeong’s mouth was half-open at the words.

How on earth should he react?

“But this guy!”

Fortunately, however, Bop Jeong had someone he could call an ally. If he could even call the sect leader of that young Taoist with bloated liver as an ally, that is. (x; bloated liver means gutsy/bravery more than one could handle.)

Hyun Jong, who distorted his face, greatly rebuked Chung Myung.

“This is Bangjang of Shaolin. Can’t you be polite!”

“No, how can I be more polite than this, Sect Leader?”

But Chung Myung asked back as if it was absurd. Hyun Jong flinched.

“…You’re being polite?”

“Yes!”

“That?”

“Of course!”

Chung Myung said, pounding his chest.

“After all, he’s Bangjang of Shaolin. I greeted him and talked to him. If not, wow, this place would be a sea of blood right now. Someone would have died, someone would have! Now that I think about it, I think someone said a little while ago that it’s time to die?”

“No one ever said that! Get out of here!”

“Ah, strange. I thought someone did.”

“Can’t you just leave, this punk!”

“Ei.”

Chung Myung sadly got up from his seat and slowly headed towards the back. As he did so, he did not forget to glance at Bop Jeong. It’s as if challenging him to get angry and fight with him.

“…Amitabha.”

Bop Jeong briefly chanted to calm the inner feelings that were hard to explain.

How can that demon, who casually disputes with him, Bangjang of Shaolin, listen to Hyun Jong so well?

Hyun Jong said with an expression of shame

“I’m sorry, Bangjang. I took him in as a disciple but failed to teach him…”

“No, why are you apologizing to him…!”

“Can’t you be quiet!”

When Hyun Jong glared his eyes and grabbed his teacup as if he was about to throw it away, Chung Myung flinched and dug into the corner. He leaned his head against the wall and mumbled something, but Hyun Jong desperately tried to ignore that voice.

‘To kick him out would make Bop Jeong uncomfortable, but to leave him be is unbearable.’

It was maddening because he couldn’t do this or that.

“Sect Leader.”

Then Bop Jeong spoke up, smiling,

“I’m just envious. Mount Hua has such excellent successors; Sect Leader must feel so reassured.”

“They’re just troublemakers. Before I die, I need to somehow make them into proper Taoists.”

While his words were dismissive, Hyun Jong’s face was filled with pride that he could not hide. At least at this moment, even Bop Jeong couldn’t help but envy him.

“Sit down, please.”

“Yes.”

As Bop Jeong took a seat in the center, others who had come in sat around him.

Hyun Jong quietly observed the two men. Just the presence of Bop Jeong and Bop Kye sitting there brought an indescribable weight on his shoulders. The room seemed to be filled with the presence of those two.

‘Bangjang of Shaolin.’

To know the size of an opponent, one’s own status must be sufficient, they said?

When struggling to save Mount Hua, he failed to fully realize how great a person Bop Jeong was. It was only now that he could understand how great Bop Jeong, who managed the vast sect of Shaolin without trouble, was.

And the enormous weight he carries.

“Keuhum.”

As if to shake off the presence of Bop Jeong, Hyun Jong cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

“You must be tired from your long journey.”

“Not at all.”

Bop Jeong replied with a broad smile.

“I always thought of Shaanxi as far, but this urgent trip showed me it’s not that far. Had I known, I would have visited more often.”

“It’s embarrassing to hear such words that sounded like blaming me for not coming often. I’m ashamed for making you come here first, I should have visited you earlier.”

“Considering that Sect Leader is one of the busiest people in the world right now… Ah, my mistake.”

“Yes?”

Bop Jeong gently rubbed the back of his head as if he had been rude. At the sight of his hand touching his bald head, Chung Myung was about to shout in agreement right, but Baek Cheon, who was already waiting, covered his mouth at once.

This allowed Bop Jeong to continue smoothly.

“It’s not Sect Leader, but Maengju-nim. I have committed a discourtesy by not using Maengju-nim. Please forgive me.”

“Wha- What forgiveness? Sect leader is good enough for me.”

“That can’t be possible. Everyone has a title appropriate to their status.”

Then Hyun Young, who was next to him, opened his eyes slightly.

‘This monk…’

By deliberately coming to Mount Hua and addressing Hyun Jong as Maengju-nim, it implies that Bop Jeong’s visit is not just about Mount Hua.

In other words, it means that he intends to deal with Hyun Jong, Maengju-nim of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, instead of Hyun Jong, sect leader of Mount Hua.

“Ahem.”

Hyun Jong also seemed to understand the intention and cleared his throat again.

“I am cautious in my words and actions as I have Bangjang in front of me who is busy with work. To ask questions seems like hurrying you, yet to engage in small talk seems like stealing your time.”

“Hahaha. That’s what I came here for, so Maengju-nim is not stealing my time.”

“Bangjang.”

Hyun Jong sighed and looked at Bop Jeong.

“If it’s not impolite, may I ask the reason for your visit to Mount Hua?”

Bop Jeong had a subtle expression on his face.

“To speak frankly…”

He paused briefly before speaking.

“I thought the relationship between Shaolin and Mount Hua was not as good as it used to be. There have been various events, and there were some intense periods.”

Hyun Jong waited for Bop Jeong’s next words with a nervous face.

“But… I didn’t expect that I wouldn’t be able to get a cup of tea. The plum tea that Sect Leader gave me the other day was excellent.”

“Ah….”

Hyun Jong’s face turned red. Come to think of it, Shaolin’s Bangjang came as a guest, but he hadn’t offered a cup of tea and had instead gone straight to the main point.

Normally, he would never have made such an oversight, but the unexpected visit of Bangjang of Shaolin to Mount Hua had surely unsettled him.

“I made a mistake. Un Am! Go and bring the tea set, quickly!”

“Yes!”

Un Am also jumped up and ran outside, apparently noticing his mistake.

“I apologize, Bangjang. I was preoccupied.”

“Not at all, not at all. There’s no mistake to speak of. I was merely wondering if Maengju-nim no longer thought of me as Maengju-nim did in the past.”

“How could that be? That’s definitely not the case.”

“Then I am relieved. Hahaha.”

The face of Chung Myung, who was watching the situation, was slightly distorted.

‘That snake-like bald head!’

Bop Jeong, with just a few light words, had completely taken control of the atmosphere in the room and firmly grasped the reins of the situation.

Moreover, he used the title ‘sect leader’ when mentioning the past and ‘Maengju-nim’ when discussing the present, subtly pointing out how the change in status also changed the way one is treated.

Regardless of personal feelings towards the individual, one cannot deny the ability to achieve what one wants with just a few words. That must be why he rose to the position of Bangjang of Shaolin.

“The tea will be ready soon…”

“Maengju-nim.”

Bop Jeong began with a soft voice.

“Tea is good, but there is something more important.”

“What might that be…”

“You must have heard about it, right? The situation at the Yangtze River.”

Bop Jeong spoke as if he expected Hyun Jong to be aware of the recent events. It was just yesterday that Namgung occupied Plum Blossom Island on the Yangtze River.

“…Yes, I have heard.”

“Indeed.”

Bop Jeong glanced briefly to the back. Obviously, the figure of the beggar he had seen on his way here was nowhere to be seen.

“The situation is going worse than expected, Maengju-nim.”

“Yes. I’ve heard it’s quite serious.”

“There’s only one reason I’m here, Maengju-nim. I ask for your assistance.”

At that moment, Bop Jeong deeply bowed towards Hyun Jong, almost as if prostrating.

“What, what, what is this!”

Hyun Jong, in shock, stood up in fright. In his panic, he leaped over the tea table and pulled Bop Jeong back to his feet.

“Why, why are you being like this, Bangjang!”

The renowned Bangjang of Shaolin bowing down like that!

Even for someone like Hyun Jong, it was a moment of great astonishment.

However, as Chunng Myung watched the series of events, a laugh finally burst out of his mouth.

“Ho….”

The old snake was now wrapping its long tail around Hyun Jong’s neck.

‘This is how you come out, huh?’

A sharp blue light shone from Chung Myung’s eyes.