Return of the Mount Hua Sect

Baek Cheon trembled.

His hands, soaked in poison, had been twitching for a while. But even if the poison hadn’t permeated his body, he would still be shaking. He was that exhausted, with no strength left.

“Cough!”

Baek Cheon, who coughed dryly several times due to the rushing poison, lifted his head with difficulty and looked up at the sky.

He gazed at the sky, already darkening, and then, with great effort, managed to raise his sword above his head.

And with a voice barely holding on to life, he exclaimed weakly.

“We’ve won…”

Before he could even finish speaking, Baek Cheon’s body collapsed forward.

“We’ve… won…”

Thud.

The last remaining person crumbled like a rotten old tree.

It was a scene that was comical in some ways and tragic in others.

Among those who had fought with all their might as if they were going to destroy the training ground, there was no one left standing. Regardless of whether it was Mount Hua Sect or Tang Family, everyone was lying on the ground, groaning or unconscious with foam at their mouths.

“Ugh…”

“Dog-like…punk….”

“Kill…”

Even among the groans, there were occasional swear words mixed in. It was hard to tell whether to admire their tenacity or to pity them.

Chung Myung, who was standing idly in a corner watching the scene, slowly turned his head.

“I think it’s over?”

“….”

“Gaju-nim?”

“….”

“Hey?”

Tang Gun-ak’s eyebrows twitched. Even the corners of his eyes and mouth were trembling slightly.

“It….”

Tang Gun-ak’s teeth clenched involuntarily as he spoke.

“…seems so.”

He was clearly trying to appear calm, but the grinding of his teeth betrayed his frustration. It was evident that he was deeply displeased by the fact that they had lost again despite rallying for another attempt.

“Hmm. Seems like it wasn’t enough?”

“…They might die.”

“Is that really something you should be saying?”

“…If even I say it’s bad, it must be really bad.”

At those words, Tang Gun-ak’s frown deepened. It seemed that if Chung Myung hadn’t intervened, he would have subjected them to another harsh round of training today.

‘He’s really not normal.’

Chung Myung shook his head and stepped forward. Standing in front of those who had collapsed, he began to speak.

“So originally….”

He reflexively scratches the back of his head.

“The losing side was supposed to train until dawn.”

“Ughhhh….”

“Aigo…. Aigo…. I’m dying… I’m….”

Chung Myung shook his head as he looked at all the people, winners and losers, lying around miserably.

“…It seems like that’s not possible right now, so today’s training ends here. As promised, the Tang Family will come out tomorrow morning, and Mount Hua will come out in the afternoon.”

“….”

“Are you listening?”

“….”

“Hey?”

There was no answer back. Chung Myung shook his head and turned around.

“…I wonder what’s happening over there?”

He took a deep breath and trudged towards the place where Nokrim and Namgung were clashing.

* * *

“I will carry it!”

“No, I’ll do it!”

“I heard you aren’t in good health yet….”

“I’m fine! Give it to me!”

Mrs. Chu took the container as if taking it from the servant.

“N- No, you don’t need to push yourself so hard already. We can do it.”

“No. I’m not volunteering, it’s something I get paid for. Of course, I have to work hard.”

“Then….”

Mrs. Chu smiled and walked inside.

Since Hyun Jong’s visit, she has been working in the manor’s Dining Hall. She was still adjusting, so she mostly did chores instead of cooking, but she gave her best effort in everything she did.

‘I must not be a burden.’

She was aware that she wasn’t much help right now. But even if she was told she wasn’t helpful, she didn’t want to hear that she was doing anything half-hearted and taking advantage of others’ pity

If a person does not know grace, they are no different from a beast.

It is about feeding the disciples of Mount Hua, who not only allowed them to live here but also hired her so that they would not be inconvenienced. There could not be a single degree of neglect.

For the sake of her growing child as well.

The work wasn’t as hard as she had expected, and the people who knew her situation were considerate, so there was no inconvenience.

If there was one problem.

Mrs. Chu’s steps slowed down a little as she entered the kitchen holding the container. She moved reluctantly, as if she was approaching something uncomfortable, and carefully placed the container on the table.

And she cautiously observed the person sitting there.

Imposing… A man who would normally have caught people’s attention just by appearing.

But the reason Mrs. Chu glanced at his face was not because he was handsome. It was because his handsome face was so haggard that even calling it haggard didn’t do it justice.

“…Eat a lot.”

“…Thank… you…”

Yes. If there was one problem, it was that this place, Mount Hua, didn’t seem normal.

‘…The people look…’

If she had seen this scene for the first time, she might have fainted thinking she had encountered zombies.

Why wouldn’t she? Everyone was sitting in front of the table like a corpse, with their faces all blank and bandages wrapped all over their bodies.

“Even a little… You should eat….”

“Yes….”

Baek Cheon weakly nodded his head towards Mrs. Chu and then feebly lifted his chopsticks. After seeing this, Mrs. Chu left the Dining Hall.

Baek Cheon spoke in a dying voice.

“…Let’s eat. Gotta eat, guys….”

“Yes…. Sasuk.”

“We should… eat…”

Mount Hua disciples sluggishly moved their bodies and picked up the rice bowls in front of them. The movement was so slow that even an 80-year-old person would click his tongue in pity.

To be honest, they aren’t in a condition that could swallow rice.

But Mount Hua’s disciples knew from experience. If they skipped a meal now just because they didn’t feel like eating, they would face even greater suffering tomorrow.

It wasn’t just about eating to survive; it was about eating to stay alive. That was an unspoken rule at Mount Hua.

“Ouchie ouch….”

“Ugh. My mouth is all torn up.”

“Ouwh. It’s bitter….”

Groans escaped from the mouths of the disciples of Mount Hua as they chewed their food.

When the food touched the places where they had been hit and injured, curses naturally came out. But the pain in their mouths was nothing compared to the overall pain they felt.

“U- Ugh.”

“Ah… I feel like throwing up.”

“Sasuk. I feel nauseous and can’t swallow….”

“Ugh… this damn poison.”

The disciples of Mount Hua frowned. Because their stomachs were turned upside down by the poison, they felt sick and nauseous just by smelling food.

“No. Those dirty bastards, do they really want to win that badly? Using poison in a spar…”

It was right then.

At one corner of the large Dining Hall built by remodeling a warehouse that was originally built to store the luggage of merchants traveling on the Yangtze River, the people of Tang Family who could not even think of eating the food, turned their gaze all at once. It was a response to the conversation of Mount Hua disciples.

“What? Cowardly?”

Baek Sang realized what he had just said and belatedly covered his mouth with his hand.

“Ha. Haha…”

Yoon Jong laughed awkwardly and tried to smooth things over.

“Ah, I’m sorry. We got carried away and…”

“Do you think words are just words? If we had really used poison cowardly, do you think anyone from Mount Hua would still be alive today?”

“…Zhan-ah!”

Tang Zhan, who had jumped up to his feet, heard Tang Pae’s shout and sat back down hesitantly.

“I’m sorry, Hyung-nim.”

“Be careful. Even if you’re saying the right thing, you shouldn’t upset the other party. Anyway, we lost, didn’t we?”

It was a very proper statement.

However, if the listener’s mind is twisted, even the right words will sound unpleasant.

“…Right words?”

Jo-Gol rolled his eyes and glared at Tang Pae and Tang Zhan.

“Aigoo, I didn’t realize. We were happy thinking we had won, but it turns out we only survived thanks to the mercy of Tang Family.”

“Kuhum. No, I didn’t mean it that way…”

“If you’re going to feel so wronged, why didn’t you just use poison properly and win? Why complain after losing?”

“What?”

“Gol-ah! You’re being too harsh.”

“No, Sasuk! It’s the truth! These bastards keep secretly looking down on us!”

“….”

“Did someone become prestigious just because of prestigious family! Even Namgung Family, which are truly prestigious families, don’t do the same, but since when did Sichuan Tang Family become more prestigious than Namgung Family?”

“What did you say, you bastard?”

At that moment, Tang Pae couldn’t hold back his anger and sprang to his feet.

Sichuan Tang Family was always the second-in-command of Five Great Family. Along with Hebei Peng Family, they couldn’t help but have a subtle inferiority complex toward Namgung Family. Being directly jabbed at that sensitive point made his anger flare up.

“No. What did I say wrong? Isn’t it true? Namgung So…”

Jo-Gol, speaking slyly and turning his head, suddenly shut his mouth.

He was planning to gain the upper hand by bringing in Namgung Family’s Sogaju, but Namgung Dowi’s condition seemed a bit off. His always neat appearance was gone, and his bloodshot eyes were glaring at someone as if he were going to kill them.

“Namgung Sohyup?”

“Aigoo. He could kill with that glare.”

And right in front of Namgung Dowi, across from him, was Im Sobyeong, who was almost lying down on his chair. He had his feet on the table and was fanning his face leisurely.

“Do you think losing the fight would change just by glaring?”

“You….”

“Oh, if you’re so upset, then win next time. Did I do something wrong? Nokrim! Our Nokrim! These insignificant bandits are now stronger than Namgung Family. Oh well, what can I do about it?”

Eudeudeudeuk!

The sound of Namgung Dowi grinding his teeth echoed throughout the Dining Hall.

Of course, Im Sobyeong’s condition wasn’t that great either. Whenever the fan moved away from his face, it revealed his bruised, swollen eyes.

But regardless of his state, Im Sobyeong exuded the composure of a victor.

“Aah, why would you feel so bitter? It’s not that Namgung is weak; it’s just that Noklim is strong. Hahaha!”

“Ugh… Ugh…”

Namgung Dowi’s eyes were bloodshot.

“If it were a fair fight, we would have won!”

“Sure, sure.”

“We just weren’t used to the chaos. It was just a matter of experience!”

“Yes, yes. That’s right. Aigoo, that’s right. Is there anything else to add?”

“You….”

Jo-Gol, who saw Nangung Dowi’s hand shaking, instinctively shrank his neck.

‘Wouldn’t someone’s going to die at this rate?’

People who usually stay calm are the scariest when they snap, but Nokrim King seems fearless. To scratch Dowi like this…. But how did things even escalate to this point?

At that moment, Im Sobyeong turns his head to look at Tang Family and bursts into laughter.

“Aigo, it looks like even the mighty Sichuan Tang Family got a good beating. This, this is the prestigious sects.”

“That bandit bastard?”

“Do you really want to die?”

“Die?”

Im Sobyeong chuckled.

“Ah. Do you think you have the skills for that? You who get beaten by Mount Hua.”

“Ee…. euaaaaak!”

When Tang Zhan could not stand it any longer and was about to slam the table and charge, Tang Pae shouted.

“Calm down!”

“But Hyung-nim!”

“Didn’t you hear? Gaju-nim and Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword said that those who draw their swords for personal reasons will be punished! Be patient!”

“Ugh…”

Although everyone showed their hostility toward each other, no one dared to act recklessly. At that moment, a low voice resonated.

“But that.”

“Hm?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Yoo Iseol, who opened her mouth.

“…As long as we don’t draw our swords.”

“….”

“….”

Mrs. Chu quickened her pace. Holding plates in both hands, she swiftly pushed open the door to the Dining Hall.

“Here’s more food….”

But at that moment, a person flew past her and crashed through the wall.

“Ahhhh!”

“I didn’t like you from the beginning! You son of a beast!”

“Who “Who’s calling who!”

“You rotten bandit!”

“You nerd call me a bandit! Die!”

Food that had been made with great effort was flying everywhere.

Tables, chairs, and people were flying through the air, and someone was climbing on top of others and swinging their fists wildly. The chaotic brawl made it impossible to tell who was who, as they punched and even bit each other.

Mrs. Chu stood frozen, unable to even think of dodging, staring blankly at the scene.

“Alliance or whatever! You bastards!”

“Since when have you been equal to us!”

“Even bandits are going crazy! I’ll kill you all!”

“Euuaaaaa! Bring it on!”

As she looked at the pandemonium in front of her, she closed her eyes tightly without realizing it.

‘I… Will I be able to do well…?’

It was Mrs. Chu who for the first time thought that perhaps she had bit more than she could chew or was receiving a favor.