Return of the Mount Hua Sect

“No. I still need to sweep a little more…”

“Come out. Come out! It’s time!”

“No, already?”

The person who was sweeping the road between the pavilions quickly stepped aside after looking at the rising sun. Once again, a strange sight unfolded before tense eyes.

Clatter! Clatter!

The doors of the corridors, silent as if dead all night, opened simultaneously as if on cue. The sweeper swallowed dry saliva at the sight.

Soon, people emerged through the open doors.

There was no vitality. These figures, rather than being called people, seemed more appropriate to be referred to as corpses or ghosts. They walked out lifelessly.

“Oh…”

The sweeper shivered at the sight.

Although they witnessed this scene every day recently, they couldn’t get used to it. It was not easy to adapt to such a sight, where it seemed like zombies were walking around rather than people.

The sluggish figures moved sluggishly towards the training grounds, gathering like seaweed washed ashore.

‘It gives me the creeps, even the light seems faded.’

It wasn’t like this at first.

Initially, those heading to the training grounds were too lively, causing problems. They argued, fought, and even engaged in physical fights in extreme cases.

But recently, everyone shuffled to the training grounds like cattle being led to the slaughterhouse, half-conscious. It was strange that they reluctantly went to it though they hated it.

“How long is this going to continue?”

“My spine is numb. I can’t stand this anymore.”

Of course, those watching this scene must have found it difficult, but it was a completely different story compared to those who had become those lifeless figures.

The thoughts filling the minds of those heading to the slaughterhouse… No, the training grounds, were all the same.

‘I feel like I’m going to die…’

‘I wish I had slept just one more hour…’

‘Do people really survive this? Really?’

They had heard it countless times. When a real war breaks out, you may not sleep properly for a month, let alone ten days.

However, very few had seriously thought about what those words meant. That is, until they experienced it firsthand.

‘We still manage to get some sleep….’

‘How can we keep this up?’

Now, there were no emotions left for each other, no anger towards the instructors who tormented them, nothing at all. The only thing left was the primal desire to somehow close their eyes and rest. At least…

“I’m going to die, Sogaju.”

“…Feels worse than Plum Blossom Island, doesn’t it?”

“Don’t speak recklessly. It’s not respectful to those who have passed away there.”

“…I apologize.”

Namgung, who had experienced something similar for a short time, definitely had a bit more composure than the others.

So, it irritated the Heavenly Comrade Alliance members even more.

If there were no comparisons, they might have vented their frustration openly. They couldn’t understand why they were doing this kind of training. But seeing those darn Namgung guys showing some signs of vitality, they were forced to witness the effectiveness of this training.

So, they were unjustly enduring the pain without being able to openly curse. Moreover…

“Ah, damn it. Just cleanly kill me.”

“…Don’t speak recklessly. If Chung Myung hears that, he might really do it.”

“I’d rather just die. What is this?”

“Dying, isn’t that what’s happening anyway?”

“Yes?”

“If we keep getting beaten like this, we’ll eventually die.”

The people around them looked helplessly at the Mount Hua Sect disciples with whom Chung Myung had spent a long time. Only one question came to mind.

‘But why aren’t those bastards getting tired?’

‘Do they really not get tired?’

‘Do those Mount Hua guys chew perennial snow ginseng [rare healing herb] as snacks? I heard Mount Hua is a famous mountain, but are all the mountain herbs there actually medicine?’

‘But those bastards only eat meat, right?’

‘Is it okay for Taoists to do that?’

Of course, the blows to the Tang family and Nokrim were not trivial, but in this situation, the most helpless were none other than the Beast Palace and Ice Palace.

‘How did this happen….’

It wasn’t that the Beast Palace and Ice Palace lacked a sense of reality just because they were called Beast and Ice. Outwardly, they carried the words that they could stand up to the prestigious families in the Central Plains at least for pride’s sake, but in reality, they were aware that their martial art techniques weren’t at a level that could influence the prestigious families like the Ten Great Sects and the Five Great Families of the Central Plains.

But that was only in terms of ‘techniques.’

What was firmly supporting them was their pride in their physical and mental strength, earned through struggling with the harsh and rugged nature.

But now that they actually experienced it, they realized how futile that pride was.

‘Only mental strength… I thought at least our mental strength wouldn’t fall behind….’

Of course, if Chung Myung had heard those words, he might have retorted, ‘Mental strength is only useful in training, and in real battles, you can only spit out as much as you’ve accumulated! Do babies who usually fool around suddenly gain strength when a knife is at their throats? Huh?’

However, what may have seemed so natural to someone could be anything but natural to others.

Some harbored fatigue, and some harbored both fatigue and wounds, and still, others carried subtle resentment. But regardless of what they were feeling, they all arrived at the training ground with faces devoid of energy.

‘He’s out already.’

‘Take a break, you bastard.’

‘How is that guy getting more energetic as the days go by? How?’

As soon as they spotted Chung Myung, who had already taken his place on the training ground, everyone’s faces contorted in misery. It was utterly inexplicable.

Common sense would dictate that the more challenging their training, or rather, even more so, the more difficult the opponents they faced in a real battle, the more exhausted those facing them should be, shouldn’t it?

In reality, the faces of Tang Gunak and Meng So, standing beside Chung Myung, clearly showed signs of weariness. Though they stood tall and firm in front of people, the roughened skin and the shadows on their faces couldn’t be concealed.

However…

‘Why is that kid so shiny?’

Chung Myung’s face was glowing. Indeed, he looked even fresher than when they first began their training.

‘Is he really a monster?’

‘Does he absorb energy or something?’

‘I’m scared even to think about it, seriously….’

Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but comedy in long-shot.

The Heavenly Comrade Alliance members, who had been chuckling at the desperate struggles of the Mount Hua disciples against Chung Myung, were now paying the price for their laughter.

‘But why is he sitting there like that today?’

‘What is he going to make us do this time… Can’t we just do what we were doing… Please….’

Everyone was anxiously looking at Chung Myung and the elders on both sides.

“Cough.”

Unexpectedly, Chung Myung covered his mouth with a fist and coughed politely.

The Mount Hua disciples recognized this as a typical gesture when Chung Myung was about to start something grand.

Anxiety gathered like dark clouds on their faces.

“Everyone…”

Chung Myung scanned those gathered and opened his mouth.

“The atmosphere is lacking, isn’t it?”

Upon hearing those words, the disciples collectively burst into tears, casting disapproving glares at Chung Myung. Who else but him would create such an…

“Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

However, Chung Myung casually clicked his tongue, seemingly unconcerned.

“What did you do that you’re already panting and wheezing! When I was your age, huh?”

“You’re the youngest, you bastard!”

“Oh, right.”

In response to Jo Gol’s angry exclamation, Chung Myung nodded his head.

“Anyway!”

Chung Myung looked at everyone with a pitiful expression and continued speaking.

“Um… Well, it’s not because I find the sight of you all panting and wheezing pitiful, no. So… anyway, if you guys put in a bit more effort, the efficiency of your training will improve… It’s good for the efficiency of your training to improve. Right? So, that’s why…”

‘What is he saying?’

‘Where is the dog barking?’

‘What is he going to make us do again?’

As the somewhat awkward words continued, Tang Gunak couldn’t stand it any longer and sighed deeply before interjecting.

“Mount Hua’s Chivalrous Sword.”

“Yes?”

“Hurry up. Just standing here is exhausting.”

Chung Myung pouted his mouth without saying a word. Then he grabbed the bundle he had laid down behind him and started untying it.

“Elders, please share this among the disciples.”

“Got it.”

“One per person! If you get caught stealing in the middle, you’ll lose your hand!”

The elders nodded their heads nervously and approached, receiving the medicinal pills from the bundle. Then they approached the disciples and distributed one pill each.

“What is this?”

“What are you giving us?”

Those who stood at the back with puzzled faces hesitated before crowding forward.

Although it seemed like something was happening, with so many people around, it wasn’t easy to figure out exactly what was going on.

‘What’s going on?’

The Beast Palace disciples tilted their heads curiously as they saw the Beast Palace Lord approaching.

‘It doesn’t seem like a big deal?’

If something significant were being distributed, why would it involve the Beast Palace and the Ice Palace?

Before simply discussing the distinction between the Central Plains and the New Outer Sect, the Beast Palace and Ice Palace weren’t not places worthy of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s attention in terms of discussions. So, in the first place, it was best not to have high expectations…

“Take it.”

“What…?”

The elder who came up to him placed the pill he was holding in his outstretched hand without a word.

“What is this…?”

The Beast Palace martial artist, who saw the pill with a slightly purple hue, was about to tilt his head but flinched as if struck by lightning.

The indescribably pure fragrance, which was more certain about what it was than words could explain, wafted to his nose.

“An eli… elixir?”

When he checked the radiant violet pill with his eyes once again, his hands began to tremble. Worried that the trembling might cause the pill to fall, the Beast Palace martial artist quickly supported it with both hands, looking around in alarm.

“Uh, elder. What is this?”

“An elixir?”

“Why are you suddenly giving me this? No, can there be so many elixirs out? Isn’t it a scam?”

The reactions of others were similar.

In the first place, what is an elixir/spirit pill? It is an item so scarce that only a tiny amount is produced even within a sect, an item that only those recognized as core talents leading the sect or those who have made significant contributions can see.

Of course, it is said that those who saved the country in their previous lives may find elixirs like the doll hasu or hundred-year snow ginseng while climbing mountains and eat them, but even that is a rare event that happens once every ten years.

Even in Shaolin, considered the richest sect in the world, there were second-grade disciples who had never seen a Great Enlightenment Pill in their entire lifetimes.

And now, was it really possible for such elixirs to be distributed like snacks?

Fortunately, there was someone here to resolve their doubts.

Everyone’s gaze reflexively turned toward Tang Pae, the successor of the Sichuan Tang Family. He was staring blankly at the elixir. After a moment of absent-mindedness, he brought the elixir close to his nose and sniffed. Then he muttered.

“…It’s a real elixir. And a top-grade one at that.”

A hush fell over everyone.