Return of the Mount Hua Sect

Namgung Myung answered Namgung Dowi’s question indifferently.

“There won’t be any fatalities. They’re all quite sturdy.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Having Tang Family come was a great help. The medical skills of Sichuan Tang Family are famous throughout Jungwon, aren’t they?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Sichuan Tang Family is known for their control of poison but also for their medical skills. Due to the nature of dealing with hidden weapons, people suffered from numerous poisoning and injuries, so medical skills naturally developed along with them.

“However…”

Namgung Myung, who was slightly speechless, calmly opened his mouth.

“Of the eighty-two who returned from Plum Blossom Island, I think about ten will never be able to hold a sword again.”

Nangung Dowi nodded silently without replying.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, but it had to be accepted. Considering they had returned alive from Plum Blossom Island was fortunate enough.

“And among those who remain, there will be quite a few who will never be able to recover their previous martial art.”

“…I see.”

Namgung Myung suppressed a sigh.

The damage was more significant than expected. He thought at least a third of their force was preserved, but if Namgung Myung said so, they’d be lucky to have a quarter left.

No matter how much they call themselves the Azure Sky Namgung Family, it is embarrassing to even use the name Great Family with this level of power.

‘If it were any other time, we would have gone into Bongmun and reorganized the family, but….’

But that’s not an option right now. Even for those who hold a grudge, it is the custom of Kangho to take a step back when a sect declares Bongmun. But there is no way those Evil Sects bastards willing to respect that custom.

Now, if Namgung Family declares Bongmun, there is a high probability that Evil Tyrant Alliance or water fortress will take advantage of the gap in the relationship with other sects to attack. If that happens, Namgung Family will truly be over.

“Daeju-nim.”

“Please tell me, Sogaju.”

“We must leave Anhui.”

A heavy sigh escaped Namgung Myung’s mouth.

He knew that was the only option available, but leaving the place where their family had rooted was not an easy decision.

It is as difficult as it is for Sichuan Tang family to leave Sichuan, or for Mount Hua to leave Huayin of Shaanxi.

“That seems to be the only way.”

“Yes.”

Namgung Dowi nodded.

“We will lose a lot by leaving Anhui.”

If they leave Anhui right away, there will inevitably be problems with the trade networks and relationships with the sects that have been established there.

“But not leaving will mean losing even more.”

“…Hmm.”

“Daeju-nim. No, Uncle-nim. This is a decision made by Namgung Family to remain as Namgung Family. Please.”

Namgung Myung shook his head.

“Don’t say things like that, Sogaju. Sogaju is now the Acting Gaju. Don’t ask me for permission, just command me.”

“…Uncle-nim.”

“I believe that the decision made by Sogaju will be right. and….”

Namgung Myung looked at Namgung Dowi with a warm smile.

“Gaju would have supported this decision. The important thing is not to protect wealth but to protect the spirit of Namgung. Wherever we are, as long as the spirit lives, Namgung will be Namgung.”

“Father too….”

Looking at Namgung Dowi, who seemed lost in thought for a moment, Namgung Myung let out a small sigh.

“Sogaju.”

“…Yes, Uncle-nim.”

“I understand what Sogaju is thinking. You’re thinking that if Gaju were alive, we wouldn’t have needed to leave Anhui, right?”

Namgung Dowi closed his mouth and said nothing. Namgung Myung shook his head.

“Don’t think that way, Sogaju.”

“…..”

“Gaju is Gaju, and Sogaju is Sogaju. I have no doubt that Sogaju will be able to become a Gaju that surpasses our predecessors.”

“…Uncle-nim.”

Those are burdensome words. But at the same time, it was also an empowering one.

‘I must make it so.’

Not for his own glory, but for the future of Namgung Family.

In order to rebuild Namgung Family, which has already collapsed once, Namgung Dowi must be stronger than anyone else.

“Right. What will you do after leaving our base?”

“I’m thinking of seeking refuge in Mount Hua.”

“…Seeking refuge?”

“Yes.”

Namgung Myung frowned.

He was in favor of leaving Anhui. But there is no need to rely on Mount Hua, right?

“Sogaju. With the wealth accumulated by Namgung Family, it is not that difficult to settle down in a new conflict-free region.”

“Yes, I am aware.”

“But why bother….”

Namgung Dowi slowly shook his head.

“It is for Namgung’s sake. You know. There is no sect that has grown more rapidly than Mount Hua. We need to learn how they did it to illuminate the future of Namgung.”

“…Hyun Jong-jin, Sect Leader of Mount Hua, is not a very strict person, so he would sufficiently advise us without needing to seek refuge.”

“That’s not enough.”

Determination shone in Namgung Dowi’s eyes.

“Merely receiving advice and making an effort won’t be enough for Namgung Family to regain its former status. Our family has overcome many hardships so far, but isn’t this the first time in a hundred years that we have suffered such great damage?”

“…That’s true.”

Namgung Myung couldn’t help but nod his head.

Perhaps the damage sustained during the wars with Magyo might have been more severe, but the circumstances then were incomparable to now.

At that time, everyone suffered damage regardless of this or that sect. So, as a result, Namgung Family’s standing within Kangho did not fall.

But now, that’s not the case. Isn’t the strength of other sects, excluding Namgung, overflowing?

“I can live with any inconvenience. What I really can’t stand is seeing Namgung’s name ruined in my generation.”

“…Sogaju.”

“Please help me, Uncle-nim. I need your help to persuade our family members.”

Namgung Myung stared intently at Namgung Dowi. Unable to ignore those resolute eyes, he eventually nodded.

“I will do so.”

“Thank you.”

Namgung Dowi’s voice lit up as Namgung Myung sighed.

“Do not forget, the person who will have the hardest time because of this decision is you, Sogaju.”

“I am prepared.”

“…And while I’m not sure with martial artists, you cannot bring all the family members with you to Mount Hua.”

“I plan to have the family members stay and build a residence in Huayin. I believe they will understand.”

It appeared that he had already thought everything through. At this point, Namgung Myung became curious.

“What have you seen in Mount Hua?”

“I didn’t see any.”

“Yes?”

“It’s about what I’m going to see, Uncle-nim.”

A smile appeared on Namgung Dowi’s lips.

“Mount Hua is different from the sects I used to know. It’s different from any other sect I know of, including Shaolin and Namgung.”

“…..”

“I know they are different, but not why they are different. That’s why I’m going. To fully understand and learn why they are different from us.”

Namgung Myung shook his head as if he couldn’t stop him. Yet, there was a very warm smile on his lips.

“Since Sogaju said so, this uncle will try his best to learn as well.”

“Yes, Uncle-nim!”

“It might take some time to persuade the members…”

At that moment, Namgung Myung frowned and turned his gaze towards the door.

“What’s all this noise?”

From earlier, he kept hearing the sound of weapons clashing outside. While hearing weapons in a place with martial artists wasn’t unusual, to Namgung Myung, who grew up in Namgung Family, this noise seemed out of the ordinary.

“Could there be some trouble…?”

It was that moment.

Kwaaaaang!

The door of the room they were in exploded inward as someone was sent flying in.

“W- What!”

“Is it an enemy attack?”

Both men were shocked, leaping to their feet. Right in front of them, who reflexively grabbed their swords, the person who had flown in lay crumpled on the floor.

“Ugh.”

“J- Jo-Gol Dojang?”

Blood was gushing out of Jo-Gol ‘s mouth and his whole body was trembling.

At the very moment when astonishment flashed in Namgung Dowi’s eyes, Jo-Gol pointed outside with a trembling hand. Namgung Dowi hurriedly asked.

“Dojang! Are you alright?”

“Dog…”

“Dog?”

“Dog…”

“…”

“Dog-like… bastard….”

Tuk.

Jo-Gol finally closed his eyes and fainted. Even though he had already fainted, red foam was bubbling out of his mouth.

“…”

Namgung Dowi looked outside with blank eyes.

“Euaaaah! You puuuunk!”

At that moment, Baek Cheon, Mount Hua Righteous Sword, was kicked in the face and thrown backward. Chung Myung, who had stepped on Baek Cheon’s face, looked around, his eyes twinkling for the next target.

“Stop him!”

It is a common truth that the one who speaks first is at risk. Yoon Jong’s mistake was just that he forgot this simple truth.

In return, Yoon Jong had to make a person-shaped hole in the wall.

“This is bad!”

Yoo Iseol leaped into the air and rushed at Chung Myung. Namgung Myung swallowed dry saliva.

“…Are they out of their minds?”

His mouth opened in shock.

This place is adjacent to the Yangtze River. Not far from here, there were not only Ten Great Sects but also forces of Evil Tyrant Alliance. And they were conducting such noisy training here?

‘Especially since it has only been two days since the battle at Plum Blossom Island?’

At first glance, one can see that they are swinging their swords at each other, but it is not ordinary. It’s not just training that’s reminiscent of actual combat, but it’s training that doesn’t surprise anyone even if someone gets hurt.

There’s always a right time and place for everything.

This training was at the wrong time and place. Moreover, the strangest thing was that no one seemed to think this situation was strange.

“Hey, you son of a beast!”

Everyone’s mouths are full of complaints, but no one is backing down. If they didn’t like the training, they could simply leave the manor. But it seemed they didn’t choose to…

Moreover, Chung Myung also surprised Namgung Myung.

That Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword is strong enough to beat Black Dragon King. It means that he is a strong man comparable to Namgung Hwang. Of course, Namgung Family also had Namgung Hwang, so in terms of having a formidable figure, they would not be lacking.

But when was the last time that Namgung Hwang trained directly with the martial artists of Namgung Family?

As sword warriors reach the pinnacle, they prioritize reflecting on their own swords rather than sparring. Therefore, as their skills increase, the number of direct sparrings tends to decrease.

That was a very natural thing for Namgung Myung, who lived in a sword sect family.

It is common sense that having one more peak martial master is better than having a hundred clumsy martial masters, so the sword sects actively encourage the isolation of martial master sword warriors.

To Namgung Myung, who lived his life thinking that this was natural, the sight of Chung Myung fighting viciously with people who were not even half of his skills was a shock in itself.

“This is why they’re strong…. This is why….”

It felt like he had just gotten a glimpse of the secret to Mount Hua’s strength.

How can they not become stronger when a master of his caliber spars with them every day?

Even if he didn’t know anything else, he could clearly see that the purpose of that person named Chung Myung was not to make himself stronger, but to make Mount Hua stronger.

“I envy you, Uncle-nim.”

“Sogaju….”

Namgung Dowi was looking at the scene in front of him with a distant expression. By now, he was probably thinking of himself sparring with Dowi’s father, Namgung Hwang.

“But well… it’s not like there’s no opportunity from now on.”

“Excuse me? Sogaju, are you planning to now…?”

“I’ll be back shortly.”

Namgung Dowi drew his sword.

“Y- You’re not fully recovered yet!”

Namgung Myung quickly tried to dissuade him, but Namgung Dowi didn’t even listen and dashed forward. Namgung Myung, who saw the excited smile on his face, gave up trying to dissuade him.

‘Mount Hua.’

Perhaps Namgung Dowi’s choice to rely on Mount Hua might have been the best. Regardless of the position of Namgung Family, from the point of view of Namgung Dowi.

“Do as you wish, Sogaju.”

Namgung Myung only hoped that the lake called Mount Hua would be large enough to accommodate the dragon named Namgung Dowi.

Just hoping for that…

Kwang!

“What was that? There was some strange bastard just now?”

“…”

Namgung Myung closed his eyes tightly as he watched Namgung Dowi fly out of the manor in an instant after being hit by Chung Myung’s sword.

‘Let’s think about this one more time.’

It seems like the lake is somehow poisoned.

…A rather lethal poison.