Return of the Mount Hua Sect

“What?”

“Well.”

Instead of answering right away, Tang Gun-ak gave a sly smile.

Chung Myung frowned for a moment. It wasn’t because he was annoyed. It was because he saw the face of someone who used to smirk at him like that.

‘Blood is indeed blood.’

Family ties are frightening in this way.

Unlike sects, where different people carry on the same will, families are bound by blood. That’s why, sometimes, he could see the faces of people from the past in these individuals.

“There’s nothing particularly difficult, right?”

“That would be fortunate, but…”

Tang Gun-ak trailed off and glanced at the liquor bottle in his hand.

“To my eyes, it doesn’t seem that way.”

“….”

“Actually, from your perspective, my son is just a small fry not worth paying attention to.”

He smiled and looked at Chung Myung’s grumpy face.

“Yet, you’ve spent all day pushing and teaching people, exhausting yourself, and now you’re here checking on everyone’s condition?”

“I was just looking for a good place to have a drink.”

“Here?”

Tang Gun-ak looked around the empty eaves.

“…You have unique tastes.”

“I hear that sometimes.”

Chung Myung laughed bitterly, brushing it off. This is why you shouldn’t take Tang Family members lightly. They nonchalantly hit the nail on the head.

Of course, that man was an oddball even within Tang Family.

“You have done well enough.”

Those words came out of nowhere, and Chung Myung glanced at Tang Gun-ak.

“You’ve Mount Hua Sect to this level, created Heavenly Comrade Alliance, eventually thwarted Evil Tyrant Alliance, and even repelled the invasion of Magyo. The achievements you have achieved so far are enough to be called a hero. If Ten Great Sects’s idiots hadn’t turned a blind eye to you, your reputation would have been resounding throughout the world by now.”

“….”

“Sometimes, watching you, I wonder what I’ve been doing with my life.”

“Ei. What are you saying?”

“It’s the truth, so what can I do?”

Tang Gun-ak smiled bitterly.

“Would you like a drink?”

“Yes.”

The two lightly clinked their liquor bottles against each other. And at the same time, they took a long swig.

“Keueu.”

Chung Myung, who removed the liquor bottle and wiped his mouth, grinned.

“Come to think of it, isn’t it rare for Gaju of the Great Sichuan Tang Family to drink straight from the bottle?”

“…It won’t happen unless I drink with you.”

Tang Gun-ak looked at the bottle in his hand with a peculiar expression.

“But it doesn’t feel bad.”

“That’s fine, then.”

“Indeed.”

Tang Gun-ak nodded slowly. He fiddled with the bottle for a while before speaking again.

“Right, that’s impressive. Even with what you’ve done so far. However….”

He immediately shook his head.

“You are trying to do even more.”

“….”

“Sometimes, I worry that you might be forgetting one thing.”

“…What?”

Tang Jun-ye turned his head and stared at Chung Myung.

“That you are also human.”

“No, I’m not some kind of idiot.”

“Right, you’re not an idiot. So, of course, you know that.”

In the still night, the sound of the liquor sloshing in the bottle was unusually loud.

“But strangely enough, it’s not usually the fools who forget that. It’s often those who are too smart for their own good.”

Chung Myung did not bother to answer.

“Well, the reason… there are probably many. Either believing you’re fine, or thinking it’s something only you can do… there must be a reason depending on each person’s circumstances.”

“Hmm…”

“But no matter what the reason, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re overdoing it. Isn’t that right?”

As Chung Myung’s expression turned strange, Tang Gun-ak laughed softly.

“What are you thinking?”

“Just… how similar words can feel so different depending on how they’re said.”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung scratched his head.

– Damn it, if you don’t go, will those guys die? No, that’s not it! Why do you care if they die or not? If the guys you’ve been cursing at every day are about to die, shouldn’t you be clapping and celebrating? So why are you going to save them? Your injured limb is practically dangling as if it is going to break away from your body…. Hey? Hey! You! Stop right there? Hey!

…Looking back, that guy was definitely crazy.

Thank goodness. His bloodline didn’t continue. From Tang Family’s perspective, it was a stroke of luck.

“It’s a bit amusing when you think about it.”

“Yes?”

“There is no one more qualified than you to train Tang Family. That’s something that doesn’t even need thinking about.”

Tang Gun-ak, who was speaking, had a bitter look on his face.

He knows his own limits and understands Chung Myung’s capabilities. For the family, this is the best course of action.

“That… if you find it so troubling, would you like to do it yourself?”

“No. It’s not like that.”

Tang Gun-ak burst out laughing as he saw Chung Myung’s cautious glance. It struck him how much Chung Myung had changed. When he first saw him in Sichuan, he wondered how anyone could be so arrogant.

“It’s not that my pride is wounded, it’s just that I feel bitter. We don’t have much time. So we have no choice but to proceed in the most efficient way. The problem is… the person creating that efficiency is ultimately you, and pursuing efficiency in every aspect inevitably leads to you shouldering all the burdens.”

“….”

“That’s not a good direction. Don’t you think so?”

Chung Myung, who was listening, immediately burst into laughter. The way they speak is different, but the fact that they are a nag is the same.

“The reason you’re now trying to teach them is…”

“Mount Hua alone has their limits. Therefore, the entire Heavenly Comrade Alliance must become stronger. However, the guy who does such things doesn’t even think about the fact that there’s a limit to what he can do alone and tries to take on all the work. Stupidly.”

“….”

“You’re trying to say that, aren’t you?”

Tang Gun-ak smiled.

“Let’s leave out the ‘Stupidly’.”

“Ah, you have a bad personality.”

Chung Myung chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

“There’s nothing to worry about. I’m not that foolish. In fact, I’ve just realized something.”

“Realized what?”

“A one-sided relationship where one side only gives isn’t a true friendship.”

“….”

“It’s an obvious fact.”

Tang Gun-ak nodded.

“You understand well.”

“I was just about to ask for something.”

“To me?”

“Yes.”

Tang Gun-ak looked at Chung Myung with a look of interest.

The reason he had come here was to share some of the burden Chung Myung was carrying. Until now, Chung Myung has taken on too many tasks alone. He hadn’t really reached out for help, even from Hyun Jong or Tang Gun-ak.

Tang Gun-ak came here to say that this should no longer be the case. But now Chung Myung was straightforwardly saying he had a request.

‘I’m curious.’

Whether that was something he really prepared to ask or just something he made up, he will be able to find out by listening to Chung Myung’s next words.

“What is it?”

At that moment, the corners of Chung Myung’s mouth curled up slyly.

“Obviously, it is not easy for Tang Gaju-nim to teach members of Tang Family. You’d end up repeating what you’ve always done.”

“Right.”

“But… If you change your thinking just a little, even Gaju-nim could easily become a demon.”

“Hm?”

Chung Myung began to share his thoughts. As Tang Gun-ak listened to the story, the corners of his mouth began to strangely resemble Tang Bo’s more and more.

* * *

After leaving the room, Jo-Gol stretched greatly and looked at the sun that had just begun to rise.

“Feels good.”

He whistled unconsciously. As he was about to walk energetically, a dry voice sounded from behind him.

“What makes you so happy this early in the morning?”

“Ah, Sahyung!”

Jo-Gol happily looked back at Yoon Jong and laughed heartily.

“I’ve been feeling so refreshed lately.”

Yoon Jong tried to say something but immediately shook his head. Truth be told, he felt a bit better lately as well.

“Isn’t Chung Myung too busy to bother us because he’s focused on other things? Hahaha.”

“Is that something to laugh about?”

“It’s nothing to laugh about. But what can I do if I feel good?”

Yoon Jong shook his head as if he couldn’t stop him.

In fact, Chung Myung is the biggest bully in Mount Hua…. No, it is none other than Five Swords who suffers from intense training.

Even when training with other Mount Hua disciples, Five Swords trained at several times the intensity. Have they ever been fed up with a special, affectionate (?) treatment that no one envies?

But recently, Chung Myung has not been able to bother them properly because he is focusing on Nokrim and Tang Family. Thanks to this, Five Swords only needed to train as much as other disciples, leaving them with energy to spare.

“Wow. It would be great if it was like this from the beginning.”

“It’s not something to be happy about.”

“I know, I know. You must train hard to get stronger. But, Sahyung, we need days like this too, don’t we?”

“…He’s not so wrong.”

Yoon Jong also ended up laughing a little.

Both Jo-Gol and Yoon Jong know it well. This situation won’t last long.

Chung Myung’s persistence goes beyond common sense. There’s no way someone like him could keep watching Five Swords sucking honey. So, they might as well rest comfortably while they can.

Jo-Gol, who arrived at the training ground, whistled as he saw his Sahyung already there.

“Whew. As expected, everyone is full of energy.”

When he thinks of the people who are being sacrificed in return, Nokrim, Tang Family, and Namgung Family, tears come to his eyes… But still, what can he do when it feels good? Sometimes, people need moments like this.

Jo-Gol greeted Baek Cheon brightly.

“Sasuk, you’re here?”

“You’re late!”

“…Ei. Even Chung Myung hasn’t come out yet.”

Looking at Jo-Gol’s banter, Baek Cheon sighed deeply. Jo-Gol was like a high-energy puppy; if you didn’t tire him out with enough training, he was impossible to handle.

“And you look good, Sasuk.”

“Hmph…”

“On the other hand….”

Jo-Gol glanced at the people standing on the other side. Nokrim and Tang Family’s faces were completely dark and dead. Namgung Family was slightly better, but it was only a very slight difference, and still seemed struggling.

“What a pity…”

“…Knock it off, Jo-Gol. What if Chung Myung decides to target us again?”

“Well, does that matter? Isn’t that something we always get?”

“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”

“Stop scaring me. I just want to live for today and then die. Can’t I at least say I feel good when I do? Haha.”

Baek Cheon just gave up and shook his head. In the first place, Jo-Gol is not a person you can communicate with.

It was then.

“Look, Chung Myung’s coming.”

Yoo Iseol said softly. When Baek Cheon looked in that direction, he saw Chung Myung approaching with his usual look full of annoyance.

“Hmm?”

It’s not really surprising. Chung Myung always looks like that. The reason Baek Cheon was puzzled was because there was another person next to that guy.

“Who is it?”

“It looks like Tang Gaju-nim?”

Mount Hua’s disciples frowned.

Tang Zhan looked at Tang Pae standing next to him. His gaze seemed to ask if he had informed Gaju after all. But Tang Pae shook his head, indicating he had no idea what was happening.

“Good morning.”

Tang Gun-ak, who arrived at the training ground, lightly gave a greeting and smiled.

“Starting today, I will also be participating in the training, so I look forward to working with you.”

“…Are Gaju-nim going to teach?”

“Then will he learn, this bastard?”

Yoon Jong wasted no time in cursing Jo-Gol, who had blurted out nonsense.

Chung Myung said while looking at Tang Gun-ak.

“Then, we’ll be in your care.”

“Leave it to me.”

Tang Gun-ak, who exchanged a smile with him, walked and stood in front of Mount Hua’s disciples.

Baek Cheon spoke calmly to Tang Gun-ak with a puzzled look on his face.

“Tang Gaju-nim. Tang Family is over there….”

“This is the right place.”

“…Pardon?”

Tang Gun-ak gave a mysterious smile.

“Do you know why I don’t teach Tang Family myself?”

“Well… that’s…”

“There are many reasons, of course. One of the main reasons is that Tang Family’s martial arts focus on poison and hidden weapons. With poison, it’s enough to take the antidote, but with hidden weapons, if something goes wrong, it can cause irreversible damage.”

“That makes sense.”

Because once a hidden weapon is thrown, it does not come back. Even the slightest miscalculation of another person’s capabilities can result in death.

“So I usually choose to supervise from a distance if I could. However… Mount Hua Chivalorus Sword told me something.”

“…What did he say?”

“He said that you all have spent three years learning how to survive enemy attacks? So, I heard that no matter how many times the opponent use hidden weapons, you guys won’t even get a scratch?”

“….”

…Yes? This is the first ever I ever heard of this?

“It’s a good thing, even for me. Still… It’s not easy for me to find an opportunity to throw a hidden weapon at someone, either.”

Tang Gun-ak smiled and took his hand out of his sleeve. Four bright blue throwing knives were held in his hands.

“I can throw them at you with peace of mind. This will be mutually beneficial, don’t you think?”

“…I don’t think that’s a good idea?”

“I trust you.”

“But Gaju-nim really shouldn’t?”

“Now, let’s begin!”

“No, listen to reason! Gaju-nim!”

“Hahahahat! Enough whining!”

“Just listen!”

A bright smile spread across Tang Gun-ak’s face. Chung Myung commented that his smiles resembled Tang Bo, but the smile actually resembled Chung Myung.

The throwing knives fiercely cut through the air.