Return of the Mount Hua Sect

“Eucha.”

Chung Myung turned his shoulders vigorously.

“Alright, shall we go and beat them up nicely today as well?”

Although Chung Myung still had energy left, Tang Gun-ak and Maeng So’s expressions were not as bright and energetic as Chung Myung’s.

“…Don’t you ever get tired?”

“Tired?”

Chung Myung glanced at Tang Gun-ak and Maeng So. Their faces were filled with exhaustion.

Of course, once they stepped into the training ground, they would put on the stern faces of martial artists, but here, there was no need to waste energy pretending.

“Ei. What even are you tired of?”

“Ugh….”

“Age is frightening.”

Maeng So and Tang Gun-ak shook their heads.

Putting aside Chung Myung’s martial arts prowess, his tireless stamina was something they could never keep up with.

“We’re just dealing with the kids, surely you’re not complaining?”

The two shook their heads at Chung Myung’s teasing.

“Once is nothing, but… when this happens twice or thrice, it’s hard to wake up in the morning.”

“Humans don’t fully recover just by practicing internal energy and sleeping, you know?”

Chung Myung clicked his tongue at those words.

“When a war breaks out, we might have to fight for a month or two without rest, not just three or four days. Are you going to say the same thing then?”

Chung Myung turned his head slightly.

“It looks like the elders think similarly. If war breaks out and you say you can’t keep fighting because you’re too old and need to rest, the table will be cleared at that very moment. If you don’t want to become a useless old man in the back room, you all have to endure it even if you die.”

“Hngggg.”

“Ugh….”

The elders’ mouths were filled with groans. Their insides were churning, but they couldn’t argue since everything he said was right.

“It’s not even that hard in the first place, so why the fuss?”

At those words, Tang Gun-ak smiled bitterly.

‘Not that hard…’

In some ways, that’s true. Facing them wasn’t that difficult. As long as they didn’t show any weakness and didn’t have to subdue them completely, it wouldn’t be so hard.

‘Besides… they are definitely getting better each time.’

It was clear that the disciples too were learning, either physically or mentally, how to deal with them.

“It’s not as easy as it sounds.”

At that moment, Maeng So spoke up.

“They may also be unfamiliar with the experience of dealing with people like us in a group, but conversely, we also have no experience of utilizing our martial arts against such a large number of opponents.”

Everyone nodded at those words.

“That’s true. Who in the world would have an experience like this? Even if each sect does training against multiple people, the number doesn’t exceed five. That means we have to adapt.”

Although Maeng So continued to speak in an unusually weak manner, Chung Myung dismissed them outright.

“Then we need to adapt.”

His expression was cold as if Maeng So’s words didn’t even reach his ears.

“If there’s something we need to adapt to, then we just adapt. Surely you don’t think the blades of Magyo or Evil Tyrant Alliance will spare you and only target them, right?”

“That’s….”

When Maeng So fumbled his word, Tang Gun-ak’s eyes gleamed with a peculiar light.

“…Do you think we will find ourselves in such situations often in the future?”

“It’s not a matter of how often or not it is. The important thing is that such situations are inevitable.”

As if that wasn’t enough, Chung Myung added more to his words.

“The weaker side must do something.”

“….”

“If you continue to act arrogantly, sitting back and letting your subordinates deal with each other while we aim for the enemy’s leader, all of them will die before we even reach the enemy’s leader.”

Tang Gun-ak, Maeng So, and the elders’ faces hardened slightly at those words.

“Then the ones who can fill the gap in the lacking power will have to do it. If a real war breaks out, there will be no situation where you can leisurely assess the situation with your arms crossed. Absolutely not.”

Chung Myung’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“You have two choices. Either watch the young ones die while you make excuses about waiting for the right moment, or fight at the forefront, eating dirt and mud.”

“Hm….”

“Which one would you choose?”

As the elders began to open their mouths to answer, Chung Myung waved his hand to stop them.

“Ah, that’s fine. If I ask them like this, everyone will say they’ll fight on the front lines anyway. But in reality, very few do. Most get scared and fall back, and those who actually have the will don’t know how far they can go and end up being the first to die.”

“…Ho.”

“So use this opportunity to get used to it. Learn what it’s like to face a large number of opponents.”

Tang Gun-ak smiled bitterly.

“I always feel this way, but you’re too demanding.”

“This is what everyone at Mount Hua does.”

“…That’s what’s frustrating.”

Tang Gun-ak shook his head.

It’s an excessive demand to train others while improving oneself. But it’s not like he could wish for his disciples to grow while he himself refused to step up.

“There is nowhere in the world that offers such training.”

“That’s why they’re all like that.”

“….”

“It’s not just between sects that there are problems. Strangely, even those who start as low-ranking disciples lose their understanding of the lower ranks once they reach the top. Despite repeatedly vowing never to become like that, they end up saying things like ‘You don’t understand now,’ or ‘I get it now that I’ve been through it.’”

Tang Gun-ak cleared his throat, feeling a pang of guilt.

“If they don’t know, you just have to tell them, and if you understood first, you should explain it so they can understand too. But if you don’t do that and just say they’ll understand eventually… isn’t that just because it’s easier for you?”

“…Right.”

“So, it’s not just them who need to change.”

Just as Tang Gun-ak was about to say something, Maeng So scratched his head.

“We’ve heard enough nagging. Let’s get going. I’d rather face them than keep getting scolded by you.”

“Yep!”

Chung Myung didn’t argue with that.

In fact, considering their positions in Kangho and their apparent age, these two are not the kind of people who would listen to Chung Myung’s nagging. Objectively speaking, it’s remarkable that these two, who are so much more than Chung Myung, a mere third-class disciple of Mount Hua, are listening to his scolding without showing displeasure.

Even Chung Myung knew that fact, so he didn’t go overboard.

‘Hng. There’s too much to worry about.’

In the past, he could just say, ‘Why are you asking? Shut up and just do as I say!”, and at least in front of him, no one would complain. Now, he has to know how to speak as politely as possible so as not to offend them.

‘Sahyung. This is how I live now.’

– Do you know how I felt when I tried to talk to you in a way that didn’t hurt your feelings?

‘Ei. That’s that.’

– This rotten….

Chung Myung shook his head as he headed toward the training grounds.

‘I wonder if it will be the same today?’

The fastest way to change a person is to point out the problem directly. But sometimes that doesn’t change anything.

This isn’t something that can be fixed by just telling them; they need to experience it themselves.

‘It won’t be easy.’

Patience is required. Patience like Cheong Mun’s, who waited and waited, knowing that Chung Myung would not change easily.

“Phew.”

Chung Myung stood there and took a deep breath.

He shouldn’t be impatient. The more you hurry, the more you need to take your time. This is one of the words that Chung Myung hates the most, but for now, he must engrave this in his heart again and again.

If he grabs them by the collar and drags them along just because they don’t change quickly, it will eventually collapse when he’s not around. If he can’t protect everyone, he has to make it so that everyone can protect themselves.

No matter how difficult it may be, if it’s something that has to be done, it must be done.

“Alright.”

Chung Myung nodded and turned the corner, energetically stepping into the training grounds.

“Right, are you all ready to get a fun beating again toda… huh?”

But as he entered the training ground, he abruptly stopped for a moment. Chung Myung’s head tilted slightly.

“What the…?”

The sight that came into view was very different from usual.

Up until now, each sect had been waiting in their own groups. But now, it was clear that they had formed a distinct formation.

Beast Palace stands in the front, and Namgung Family is behind them. Behind Namgung Family, Tang Family was ready to attack at any moment, and Ice Palace and Mount Hua are on the left and right, drawing their swords like two wings.

Though it was still basic, it was a sight that definitely gave the impression that something had been prepared.

“Hm?”

“Hoo….”

Maeng So and Tang Gun-ak, who had followed him, also watched the scene with interest.

Chung Myung subtly covered his mouth with his fist. He didn’t want to show the smile creeping up on his face.

‘It’s faster than I thought.’

He certainly expected that Baek Cheon, Five Sword, and Im Sobyeong wouldn’t just take it like this. But he thought it would take at least ten more days.

‘They say children’s growth is always faster than parents think. I guess I’m human after all.’

Everyone grows differently every day. It just seemed slow because he was watching them so closely.

Chung Myung’s gaze turned to Baek Cheon, who was smiling confidently. Chung Myung stared at him intently, then looked at Nokrim behind Tang Family, and among them, Im Sobyeong.

After seeing Im Sobyong shrug his shoulders, Chung Myung adjusted his expression and lowered his hand.

“You seem to have done something…”

What came out of his mouth was not satisfied praise, but blatant ridicule.

“What difference would that make?”

“Well?”

Baek Cheon responded, grinning at Chung Myung’s provocation.

“Who knows? Maybe that smug mouth of yours will end up with a sword in it.”

Namgung Dowi added his words politely.

“You may experience an unexpected defeat.”

Of course, Tang Pae did not lose.

“Even if we all fail, avoiding poison will be difficult! That goes for you too, Gaju-nim!”

“Huh?”

As Chung Myung looked at everyone as if dumbfounded, Im Sobyeong, who was waving a fan behind, raised his voice.

“As I always say!”

His voice penetrated everyone’s ears.

“Winning or losing is a problem for later. The important thing is landing a blow on that annoying face of his!”

“Uohh!”

“Damn right! Then we can sleep well tonight!”

“Please! Please! Pleeease!”

Before the heat cooled down, Im Sobyeong pointed the fan he was holding forward at Chung Myung.

“If you’re so confident, why don’t you come at us?”

“Confident?”

“But why are you sticking your butt out like that? Are you scared or something?”

“Oh… really?”

Chung Myung laughed and grabbed his sword.

Seureureung.

The Dark Fragrance Plum Blossom Sword was slowly pulled out from his scabbard. Everyone swallowed their saliva as they watched.

“You seem pretty confident…”

On the left and right of Chung Myung stand Tang Gun-ak and Maeng So. And behind them, the elders follow, chuckling.

“You might just get beaten up for longer. Let me show you the difference in skill, you bastards!”

Im Sobyeong shouted loudly as he saw Chung Myung charging forward with his sword in hand.

“Crush him!”

“Kill him!”

“Justice will prevail! You evil!”

Everyone rushed forward, eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

Chung Myung lowered his posture and slightly bowed his head. A faint smile flashed across his lips, which were hidden from them.