Return of the Mount Hua Sect

“See what?”

“Well, that… the manor where Heavenly Comrade Alliance members reside.”

“Oh, that’s what you mean. Why are you bringing that up now out of nowhere? It’s been the talk of Kugang for a while now.”

The listener let out a chuckle. Indeed, the manor where Mount Hua resided had become quite famous in Kugang.

“Don’t even get me started. This time… I heard that Jang is bedridden.”

“Again?”

“What do you mean, again? I told that yangban to hire more people a long time ago, but he didn’t listen.”

“He did listen, this man. He hired some. It’s just that those he hired were not able to hold on and ran away after just three days!”

“That’s true.”

“Aigoo. That yangban is bedridden again. He’s really raking in the money, isn’t he?”

“Oho, is the money the point here? The human have to live first.”

“Kukukuk. I wouldn’t mind dying if I could make that much money.”

The Jang they are talking about is none other than the owner of the largest grocery store in Kugang. When the Mount Hua residing in the manor requested food supplies, fortune and misfortune hit him simultaneously.

“No, why do they eat so much food?”

“Aren’t they martial artists? It’s inevitable that you eat a different amount than ordinary people.”

“No matter how much it is. The amount those yangbans eat is enough food to feed the entire Kugang. It doesn’t even seem like there are that many people there…”

“Who knows? How can we understand the lives of martial artists?”

There was no need to publicize anything. The massive quantities of meat and grain entering the manor alone were enough to make it a notable attraction in Kugang.

“And I heard that Yoo was also sick in bed.”

“Why Yoo? He’s not involved with food supplies, is he?”

“Ei, this guy really knows nothing. What does Yoo do? He cuts grass, doesn’t he?”

“I guess?”

“I heard that the manor is overflowing with beasts from Yunnan, and the amount of grass they eat is no joke.”

“Ah, so that’s why Yoo recruited many laborers last time…. Wait a minute? But he must have hired at least twenty people at that time. And now he’s bedridden?”

“Twenty? No, it’s been over thirty for a while. Half of them are bedridden now. They cut grass day and night, so the mountains around Kugang are now turning bald.”

“Ho…. hoho. That’s something.”

The person who heard the story shook his head. The more he heard, the more bizarre the things became.

“They eat so well, but why do the people I see every time I pass by look like that? I thought the Beggar Union had joined Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”

“Kukukuk. That’s right, that’s right. I’ve heard that they train more intensely than they eat.”

The speaker shook his head.

“I used to think that those great and prestigious disciples were like lofty cranes in the sky, people I could not dare look up to, but after seeing them cultivate, I no longer envy them.”

“What envy! I’d run away even if they offered me free admission. How can anyone endure that?”

“Exactly.”

No matter how much the great sects of Kangho try to get closer to the common people, the distance between them is not easily narrowed. This is because even in peacetime, it is difficult to shake off the aversion to those who carry swords.

Even if they understood with their heads that they were good people, the fear that they could be struck down in an instant was something everyone instinctively felt.

But now, Heavenly Comrade Alliance was narrowing the distance between themselves and the common people in a way that even they could not have expected.

“I heard they hired a large number of cooks this time?”

“Don’t even get me started. They hired thirty new cooks this time. And on top of that, they’ve hired people to manage the manor and take care of the beasts.”

“Hoho. Really.”

“It’s fortunate, really. Just think about it. How many people were half-starved because they couldn’t go out fishing with those pirates causing trouble? Aren’t all those yangbans now going to that manor and working there? Thanks to that, Kugang can breathe a little easier.”

“But… does Heavenly Comrade Alliance really have that much money? From what I hear, they’re spending a fortune on food, hay, and wages for the workers.”

“Tsk, tsk. This guy.”

“What?”

“Of course, Heavenly Comrade Alliance has a lot of money. How could they not have money when all those great sects have gathered together?”

“That’s true, but….”

“And it doesn’t cost as much as you think.”

“Huh? What does that mean?”

The speaker chuckled.

“Hey, man. Let’s be honest, Heavenly Comrade Alliance has done a lot for us. They saved Kugang from collapse and also stopped Magyo from advancing north.”

“Why are you mentioning the obvious? Who among the people of Kugang does not feel gratitude to Heavenly Comrade Alliance? And is that all? Didn’t they even save the people in Yangtze River basin when there was nowhere to go for them due to the number of pirates and Evil Tyrant Alliance running wild?”

“Right, right. But if they charged full wages for the work and sold goods at full price, would they still be decent people?”

“So?”

“All the workers say they will only receive half of their wages, and Jang and Yoo are selling the goods without making any profit other than the wages of the laborers.”

“Hoho. Really? They’re thoughtful people. And what about Mount Hua? Are they pleased?”

“Pleased? They’re in an uproar.”

“…Why are they in an uproar now?”

“They say that Hyun Jong Jinin, sect leader of Mount Hua, was furious at them for not receiving the proper payment. He told them to receive their wages and make a proper profit.”

“Hoo…. As expected, he’s really the sect leader of Mount Hua.”

“Indeed. They say the workers grabbed onto the Sect Leader’s pants and begged.”

“Wha- What did you say?”

“They said if they took full wages and made a profit, the other people in Kugang would beat them to death. And they’re not wrong, are they? Even I wouldn’t have stayed still.”

“Hohohoho. That’s really funny. Having to beg to not receive money.”

“Sect Leader said it was absolutely not acceptable, but it seems he was unable to change the minds of the people in the end. They say they won’t work if they are paid a fair price, and Mount Hua is in dire need of laborers, so what can they do? There are things that even someone as immortal-like as him couldn’t do anything about.”

“Looking at it positively, we people of Kugang defeated an immortal?”

“That’s right, so to speak.”

The two looked at each other and laughed heartily together.

As Heavenly Comrade Alliance, including Mount Hua, began to reside in the Yangtze River basin, the once-dying city began to come alive. Since there were not just one but several prestigious sects, even minor crimes and accidents disappeared like melted snow.

“So, did you bring this up just to tell me something obvious?”

“Aigo, I got sidetracked. So, did you see it?”

“What are you talking about? What didn’t I see? Did something happen at the manor?”

“No, but for the past few nights, strange lights have been coming from the manor. You really didn’t see it?”

“I’m the type of person who falls asleep as soon as the sun sets so….”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. You definitely have to see it tonight. I’ve been watching for a few days, and as the night deepens, a brilliant purple light suddenly bursts from the manor. My goodness, when that light bursts out, it gives off a strong, otherworldly scent… I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.”

“Really?”

“Would I play tricks on an expensive meal? Couldn’t you just check it out tonight?”

“Right. If it’s true, that’s incredible. What could be happening in that manor? Purple light and fragrance…”

The man tilted his head slightly, then clapped his hands with exclamation.

“Could it be… someone from Mount Hua is ascending to immortality?”

“Hey, this man! No matter how great they are, is it that easy to ascend to immortality?”

“No. No. Seriously, who in the world can ascend to immortality? Only those with the makings of an immortal can do that, isn’t it?”

“What does that have to do with this?”

“Think about it. Do you think that Wudang Sect Leader will ascend to immortality? Or do you think that damned Shaolin Bangjang will attain enlightenment?”

“….”

“Who else in the world can be called an immortal other than Mount Hua’s Hyun Jong Jinin? I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he ascended tomorrow….”

“N- No. It is true that Hyun Jong Jinin is a great Taoist, but… that is a different story-….”

“What? Are you looking down on Hyun Jong Jinin right now?”

As soon as those words were spoken, passersby turned to look at them.

“Who?”

“Which bastard dares to disrespect Hyun Jong Jinin?”

“What crazy bastard dares do that in Kugang!”

As soon as the fierce gaze poured out, several men came forward with their arms folded. The man who saw them was terrified and shouted.

“No! No! It’s a misunderstanding! How could I do that! Hyun Jong Jinin of Mount Hua is the greatest person in the world! Of course! Absolutely!”

At that time, when the desperate screams to avoid beatings were echoing through the streets, the Hyun Jong they were praising was literally on the verge of collapse.

“Ughhhhh.”

Thud.

Hyun Jong collapsed on the floor.

“I- I’m dying….”

“Sect Leader! Are you okay?”

“Ugh….”

Hyun Jong, whose complexion was deathly pale, groaned incessantly. Next to him, Hyung Sang and Hyung Young were already lying in a daze.

“It’s not like I… asked for wealth and honor….”

“H- Here’s the water, Sect Leader!”

“Ugh….”

A groan kept leaking out of Hyun Jong’s mouth.

‘He’s raising our internal strength unnecessarily.’

That damn brat occasionally came and fed them elixirs to keep them healthy, so he thought that brat really cared about the elders. But he was using its effect here to the last bit, to the very last bit!

“Sect Leader… It’s already been five days.”

“…It’s almost done.”

Hyun Jong nodded and looked at the door, from which white steam was continuously escaping.

That moment.

Flash!

A dazzling purple light poured out through the tightly closed door.

“It’s dooooooone!”

At the same time, even before the loud voice from inside had completely faded, someone burst through the door.

Kwang!

“Keuh!”

Hyun Jong stared blankly at Chung Myung, who emerged from the door. Carrying a bundle that looked bigger than himself on his back, he exhaled purple steam from his mouth.

“Even elixir concocting skills improve if done a few times, it seems! I thought all Jasodan were the same.”

“Ugh. Chung Myung, is it done?”

At those words, Chung Myung tapped the bundle he was carrying.

“Perfect! This Jasodan will be even more effective than before. Hehe!”

“…Then that’s fortunate.”

You’ve been grinding the elderly day and night, so it should work… You damn punk.

“Huhuhuhu. Let’s see if you can still complain after eating this. You’re dead meat, these little shits!”

Chung Myung chuckled gleefully and quickly flew away.

“Chu- Chung Myung….”

Hyun Jong, staring blankly at his rapidly retreating figure, let his half-raised hand fall weakly. He then slowly turned to the elders.

“…Everyone, thank you for your hard work.”

“…That rotten punk.”

“….”

Soft curses mingled with the faint fragrance of Jasodan that filled the air.