Return of the Mount Hua Sect

Tang Pae collapsed on the spot, sprawled out on the ground.

“Ugh….”

He was so exhausted that it was difficult to breathe properly. A rush of dust blew through his nose, but he didn’t even have the energy left to turn his head to the side.

“Tsk.”

Soon, the sound of Chung Myung clicking his tongue in extreme disapproval brushed past his ears.

“So weakly collapsing….”

It feels like the voice is piercing his ears and body.

“What? You say poison and hidden weapons need to be handled delicately?”

“….”

“Ridiculous nonsense. Do you think the poison can fly on its own, and the hidden weapons can even dance by themselves if left alone? In the end, poison or hidden weapons or whatever are used by people. How are those with trembling hands from lack of stamina supposed to use hidden weapons?”

“Ugh…”

“It’s not that you don’t need to train your stamina because you practice delicate martial arts, but rather, the more delicate the martial art, the better your stamina needs to be. Tang Family’s martial arts can be completely ruined with just the slightest tremor. Even I, an outsider, know that, so how can you, who practice it, not understand?”

Chung Myung looked over the fallen trainees before abruptly turning around.

“We start again tomorrow when the sun rises. Anyone who shows up late will be dead.”

Tang Pae caught a glimpse of Chung Myung’s back as he finally walked away and fell face down on the floor again. A voice of concern came from next to him.

“…Hyung-nim.”

“….”

“Hyung-nim…. Are you okay?”

“…Do I look alright?”

“….”

“Uh….”

Tang Pae returned to his lodgings with difficulty.

He just wanted to wash his face and just fall asleep right there, covered in dirt. What managed to stop that impulse was the sense of responsibility as Sogaju of Tang Family.

No matter how hard it is, is it possible for Sogaju of the prestigious Sichuan Tang Family to lie down on the floor of the training ground and sleep?

“…I’m dying, dying.”

“Me too.”

“Oh my goodness!”

Tang Pae shouted in astonishment. Soon, he saw Tang Zhan lying on the bed. Holding his pounding chest, Tang Pae scolded him.

“What are you doing? Coming into someone else’s quarters without a word!”

“Keuuugh.”

Tang Zhan stood up with difficulty. His arms, supporting him on the bed, were trembling, showing how exhausted he was.

“I came to speak with you.”

Tang Zhan, who had straightened his back, frowned sharply.

“There’s a lot of dissatisfaction among the juniors and uncles.”

“….”

“It seems like it’s difficult for everyone to speak directly in front of Sogaju, but these days, people are pouring out criticism behind your back whenever they have time.”

“This….”

Tang Pae sighed deeply.

“What kind of complaints?”

“That… We understand that this training is necessary, but… it looks really bad, doesn’t it?”

At Tang Zhan’s words, Tang Pae frowned silently. In fact, he also understands what Tang Zhan is saying. Even if it is an inherently necessary training, there is a form that must be followed. It certainly didn’t look good for them, who are members of Sichuan Tang Family, to roll on the ground following the instructions of third-class disciples of Mount Hua Sect.

“It seems like their pride gets hurt every time they hear passers-by whispering. Especially the uncles.”

“Hmm.”

“So….”

Tang Zhan secretly observes Tang Pae’s intentions. It seemed as if Tang Zhan had not come here of his own volition judging by his nervous glances. He had likely been pushed into this by the uncles.

“Could you mention this to Gaju-nim?”

“To Gaju-nim?”

“Yes.”

Tang Zhan nodded.

“Most of the training that Chung Myung Dojang is currently practicing is something that Gaju-nim can also do, right? Of course, we understand that Gaju-nim is busy with official duties, but even so….”

“No way.”

Tang Pae cut off his words even before Tang Zhan could finish it. As if there is no room for consideration.

“This matter isn’t even worth mentioning, so don’t bring it up in front of me again.”

“I said, don’t.”

“Even if I don’t tell you.”

“But….”

Tang Pae resolutely shook his head.

In truth, forbidding certain topics wasn’t part of his duties as Sogaju. Listening to things that cannot be said to the solemn Gaju and relaying those details is part of the job of Sogaju.

But he had no intention of giving up on this matter.

“Are you questioning Father’s abilities now?”

“H- How could that be? I just….”

“Then do you think that Father is just standing idly because he does not understand the complaints of the family?”

“That’s…”

Tang Pae’s eyes narrowed.

“There is a suitable person for every task. If Father thought that Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword was the right person for this job, then all family members would do was to follow his words.”

Tang Zhan nodded without saying a word. Refuting this statement would be challenging the authority of Gaju. He doesn’t know what it’s like in other places, but it was something unimaginable in Sichuan Tang Family.

After meeting Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword Chung Myung Dojang, he has softened considerably, but from the beginning, Poison King Tang Gun-ak is a symbol of absolute majesty within Tang Family. Especially after dissolving the Elders’ Senate and taking full control of the family, his authority was undisputed.

However, despite nodding, it was clear from Tang Zhan’s expression that he still didn’t fully understand.

Seeing this, Tang Pae’s lips tightened slightly.

“Zhan-ah. You don’t understand.”

“It’s not like that, but… Hyung-nim.”

“Is such foolish pride really that important?”

“…Hyung-nim?”

Tang Pae looks at Tang Zhan with cold eyes.

“Is being criticized in front of others and rolling in the dirt damaging the family’s honor? Does running around under the orders of a third-class disciple of Mount Hua Sect really embarrass you?”

“…I…”

“Your belly is too full.”

Tang Zhan kept his mouth shut. The cold gaze shown by Tang Pae left him paralyzed.

“Pride isn’t maintained by wearing fine clothes and strutting arrogantly. You feel shame when your clothes get dirty and your appearance is laughable, but why don’t you feel the disgrace of Mount Hua, whom we once didn’t even consider a rival, surpassing us?”

Tang Zhan couldn’t respond.

“Our family is Mount Hua’s number one ally.”

“Yes, Hyung-nim. I know. That’s why….”

“However, Tang Family could not accompany Mount Hua on this trip to Gangnam. It wasn’t us who stayed by Mount Hua’s side, but Namgung and Nokrim. Do you understand what that implies?”

“….”

“Of course, Gaju-nim could have come forward directly. However… Do you really think it was right for Gaju-nim to assist Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword and head to Gangnam personally? Really?”

“Tha- That’s not right!”

“Right. That should never happen. Then I will ask. Why was Tang Family unable to participate in the most important task of going to Gangnam, stopping Magyo, and protecting Jungwon?”

“Well…”

This time too, Tang Zhan could not answer. He knew the answer, but he didn’t have the courage to say it out loud. But Tang Pae spoke firmly as if pouring salt on the wounds.

“Because we are weak, you and I.”

“….”

“No?”

“…Hyung-nim is right.”

Tang Zhan lowered his head.

Of course, the elders of Tang Family could also have stepped forward. However, the talent that Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword wants is not just someone who is strong. It was someone who could coordinate hands and feet with his limbs.

If Tang Pae and Tang Zhan were as strong as Baek Cheon, would Chung Myung really have left them behind and headed to Gangnam? No, he wouldn’t have.

Both Tang Pae and Tang Zhan already felt it. They hadn’t been taken to Gangnam because they hadn’t earned that trust.

“After suffering that humiliation… You claim that your pride is being hurt now? Is that something the direct descendants of Sichuan Tang Family should dare to say?”

There was anger in his voice. Tang Zhan couldn’t even bring himself to raise his lowered head. The plain anger in Tang Pae’s voice was one thing, but he was unable to refute Tang Pae’s words in the slightest.

“Even though Namgung’s Sogaju, Namgung Dowi, lost his father not long ago, he headed to Gangnam carrying the name of Namgung on his back. He already represents Namgung’s name. However….”

Tang Pae let out a bitter laugh.

“And my brother, who is of the same age, complains about rolling in the dirt in front of others, saying it’s embarrassing and damages our honor. Where on earth does this difference come from?”

“Hyung-nim….”

“Today, Namgung received the same training as us. However, they completed their training much earlier than us and came back in good shape. You saw that too, didn’t you?”

“…Yes.”

“And yet after seeing that, those words really came out of his mouth.”

Tang Pae’s cold voice seemed to pierce Tang Zhan’s heart. It was unusual for Tang Pae to show such anger.

“Does it hurt your pride?”

“….”

“It hurts my pride too. But my pride is wounded not because of some superficial honor. Sichuan Tang Family of the World! Because I have clearly confirmed with my own eyes that the martial artists of Sichuan Tang Family are being outpaced by other sects.”

Tang Pae clenched his teeth.

“Is there anything more shameful for a martial artist than being weak?”

“Hyu- Hyung-nim. But aren’t the martial arts we use different from theirs….? We….”

“Shut your mouth.”

The voice of Tang Pae gave him chill.

“There is nothing wrong with what Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword said. We’ve always gotten away with it that way. If our skills are lacking, we develop a stronger poison and create a more lethal hidden weapon. Right. But has our family ever once been the best in the world?”

Tang Zhan was speechless.

“If you can’t learn anything from those in front of you, it’s already over. Starting tomorrow, you don’t need to come to training. No, not only you, but everyone else who will be participating in the training should do so. I will take responsibility.”

“Hyu- Hyung-nim.”

Tang Pae resolutely opened his mouth.

“But I will follow this training to the end. Rolling in the dirt is nothing. I don’t care if my mouth gets filled with mud. I will definitely become stronger. Even if I die, I will never hear anyone say that I, who someday became Gaju of Tang Family, am weaker than Sogaju of Namgung or Baek Cheon of Mount Hua.”

“….”

“Convey that. However!”

Tang Pae twitched his dark eyebrows and glared at Tang Zhan. It seemed like a glimpse of Tang Gun-ak was visible on his face.

“If there is anyone who criticizes Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword for doing something he shouldn’t have and suffered, tell them that I, the Sogaju, will punish them myself without Gaju-nim stepping forward. If anyone bearing the Tang name behaves like an ungrateful beast, they will be treated like one.”

“….”

“Do you understand?”

“…I understand.”

“Good.”

“….”

“I said go!”

Tang Zhan walked out with his head down. Tang Pae, who was watching him, sighed deeply as soon as the door closed.

He thought he might have been a bit excessive, but it was something that could not be helped. Now is the time for Tang Zhan and others to face the reality.

“…This isn’t easy.”

A long sigh flowed from his mouth once again.

“…Hmm.”

A low sound came out from Chung Myung’s mouth, who was lying on the eaves.

“Tsk.”

With a face full of annoyance, he picked up his empty liquor bottle. But unfortunately, it had already run out a long time ago, so no matter how much he shook it, not a single drop fell.

“Tsk.”

Just as he was about to get up, disappointed, a voice suddenly spoke.

“Here you go.”

“Eh?”

Chung Myung turned his head when he suddenly heard a voice. Tang Gun-ak suddenly appeared next to him, holding out a bottle of alcohol and smiling.

“…Why this?”

“Can I sit down?”

“Sure.”

Tang Gun-ak sat down next to Chung Myung.

“Let’s drink together. I feel like having a drink today.”

“I’d be honored to drink with Gaju-nim.”

“Is that so?”

Tang Gun-ak chuckled softly, picked up the bottle, and took a sip. Then he looked at the night sky and opened his mouth.

“You must be having a hard time too.”

Chung Myung looked at Tang Gun-ak at the unexpected comment.