"Hahahahat! Sasuk! Take my glass!"
"Here I go, you punk!"
There was a big drinking party.
Usually, they ate and drank moderately at the dining hall even though they had a feast, but today, bonfires were lit all over the training field, and alcohol and food were spread on the floor.
Even the disciples, who were awkward at first, seemed to have gotten too drunk and laughing loudly.
"Are you a bandit?"
Hong Dae-gwang, who was watching the scene, was dumbfounded and laughed.
The liquor is carried away day after day, and the meat is cooked to a golden color over the bonfire.
To be honest, it would not be strange to say that it was a feast held in a mountain house deep in a mountain, except for the magnificent Hall and the clothes they were wearing.
"What? Why is he taking off his shirt?"
It was no big deal.
Those who were drunk were having a great deal of fun talking.
Hong Dae-gwang shook his head. But at the same time, a strange smile kept coming out.
‘It's a very unusual place.'
It may seem like a mess and chaos to others. However, Hong Dae-gwang loved how they looked. The faces they talked about while drinking was too bright. It makes the viewer feel better.
Such a figure could only be seen in a Beggar’s small hut where children share a bowl of rice with each other. No, actually, it was hard to see it in such a place now.
However, Mount Hua naturally maintains a family-like atmosphere even though it is incomparably more crowded with people than Beggar Union’s small hut.
"Sahyung! What are you doing? Flies will sit on your glass!” (Implying he hasn’t been drinking enough)
"Aigoo! Our monks should get a drink too!"
"Amitabha, This monk is...…."
"Come on! Go, Go!"
"Ke- Keuhum. Then just one drink..."
The perfect atmosphere attracts people.
Before he knew it, not only Hye Yeon but the beggars he had led were also blending among Mount Hua’s disciples and exchanging drinking cups.
Hong Dae-gwang was also in the midst of them, and he desperately wanted to put down all his worries and drink alcohol.
But there was only one person who suffered in this atmosphere where everyone was happy.….
"Where!"
"Hand!"
"Try it! I will get rid of the booze by piercing your stomach."
"……."
Chung Myung's hand, trying to grab a bottle of liquor, was held back weakly by the shouts of Baek Chun, Jo-Gol, and Tang So-so.
"No……."
Chung Myung protested with a look of injustice.
"Everyone else eats and plays, so why am I the only one..."
"Crazy!"
"Hey, hey! Look at him opening his mouth again, pretending to be pitiful!"
"You, who asked you to have a wind hole through your body? Who's hurt as much as Sahyung!"
He can push away Baek Chun and Jo-Gol with force.
However, when Tang So-so, who has Medicine Hall on her back, had a blood vessel popped on her forehead, it is hard for even the famous Chung Myung to push his way.
"……No, everyone should go get some drinks…….Huh? You should go and have some fun. Why are you sticking to me like a leech, such restless people...…”
"Don't talk nonsense. If I leave you alone, I'll be d*mned if you drink in my absence."
"Alcohol is prohibited! Don't even dream!"
Baek Chun and Tang So-so threatened him with a glare.
Chung Myung looked up at the sky with sad eyes.
‘Now even my drinks are monitored by these leech-like people.’
"Hahaha. Chung Myung is here."
As if reading Chung Myung's mind, Hyun Young, who was walking around the training field with his hands behind his back, approached with a smile.
At this moment, Chung Myung quickly began to cry and talk.
"El- Elder! These three are now...…."
"Baek Chun-ah."
"Yes, Elder."
"If Chung Myung puts even a drop of alcohol in his mouth, it's your responsibility."
"It will never happen."
"Tsk tsk. You have to use your body in moderation. Hng."
Hyun Young, with his tongue clicked, turned away. Chung Myung, who was betrayed in an instant, pursed his lips and murmured.
"… Is he here to tease me?"
"Oho, as expected of Elder!"
"This mouth!"
A sigh burst out of Chung Myung's mouth.
'They're so full of spirit.'
In the past, these things used to sneak away when he was glaring, but now they rush to stab him with their fingers when he was glaring.
But what can he do?
It was Chung Myung who raised them in that way.
It was when Chung Myung look around to soothe his sorrow.
"But……."
Yoon Jong looked around and opened his mouth.
"I'm a little nervous, can we really put it all down and drink?"
"Why?"
"The matter of Myriad Man House is not all settled yet."
It was the moment when Chung Myung was about to open his mouth at Yoo Jong’s words.
"That's wrong."
Baek Chun opened his mouth in a low voice first.
"Even in the military, it is common to raise the morale of the soldiers by giving them alcohol and meat after a large-scale battle. Whether the result is a great victory or a devastating defeat."
"Oh……."
“After all, it`s people who fight wars. Everyone was holding back, but most of them went through a life crisis for the first time in this battle. And it’s also the first time they smear blood on their sword. Wouldn't that be weird if they weren't agitated?"
"That's right."
Yoon Jong nodded as if he had understood.
"Of course, alcohol can't wash everything away, but it can relieve some of the anxiety. Sect Leader would want that, too. Don't you think so? Chung Myung-h"
"Uh... is that... right?"
‘Sasuk.’
‘You're doing great on your own.’
‘But what should I say when Sasuk does it all?’
A person can't help but feel guilty when they cut another person. It was an unavoidable situation and it was something they had to do, but for those who are not used to it, it could be a lifelong pain.
In fact, haven't many people in Kangho suffered from the shock of their first murder for a long time?
There would be disciples who didn't speak but were getting sick of it nevertheless.
Chung Myung spoke quietly, looking at the disciples who were busy eating and drinking.
"And it's not good for a person to be too nervous. If we’re not going to confront Myriad Man House right away, they need to loosen up a little."
"I think so, too."
In that sense, Hyun Jong made a pretty appropriate choice. For someone who has never experienced a proper battlefield.
Hyun Jong, Un Gum, and even Baek Chun and his group were doing better than Chung Myung thought.
"Actually, it's enough to throw a party. Didn’t we defeat Myriad Man House the other day?"
Everyone nodded at Baek Chun's words. But then another voice broke in.
"It's just not that much."
As everyone turned around, Hong Dae-gwang grinned and sat down.
"It is rather the people of Mount Hua who have no idea how great the achievements Mount Hua has made now are. You should cherish it a little more and put strength on your shoulders."
The faces of Mount Hua's disciples began to be slightly flushed. Hearing it through the mouth of an outsider, it felt a little more real.
It’s Myriad Man House.
Who would have dared. Just a few years ago, who would have dared to put Mount Hua’s name next to Myriad Man House, one of the Five Great Evil Sect?
Had it been Mount Hua in the past, it would have been necessary to abandon the main mountain and run away even if it was only one unit, not three units of Myriad Man House.
But now they have reached the level where they can defeat three units with their power alone.
The term "Mulberry fields turn into blue oceans" (상전벽해/桑田碧海) is used at times like this. (Time brings drastic changes to the world, so much that it feels like even forests could turn into oceans)
"Of course."
Hong Dae-gwang gave a little strength to his voice.
"Jang Ilso, the Paegun of Myriad Man House, is never going to step down as it is.”
"……."
"Throughout his life, he has raised the Myriad Man House to a new level with him as the Paegun. He has a strong obsession with his own gain and is famous for making sure he returns what he has suffered. That means...…."
Hong Dae-gwang looked back at everyone and continued.
"It means that Mount Hua will continue to fight against Myriad Man House."
It was a word that would be a burden to anyone living in Kangho. But the disciples were surprisingly calm when they heard that.
In the unexpected response, Hong Dae-gwang tilted his head and asked.
"……isn't it frightening?"
"What?"
"…huh?"
Jo-Gol grinned.
"That's what Kangho is all about anyway. A place where enemies are inevitably formed when one becomes stronger. Even Shaolin has enough power that makes others respect them, but they can't get along with everyone."
"Hoo?"
Hong Dae-gwang looked at Jo-Gol with new eyes.
Baek Chun, who was listening next to him, added.
"That's right. Although the name "Myriad Man House " is a heavy one, it was one of the enemy we had to clash with, as long as Mount Hua advocated itself as a Righteous Sect and expanded its influence. We shouldn't underestimate the opponent, but we don't have to be afraid."
Feeling overwhelmed by the calm words, Hong Dae-gwang burst into laughter.
‘So, this is the spirit of a hero?’
‘There are really good people in Mount Hua.'
At the same time, he became curious.
When the day comes when they are fully grown and lead Mount Hua, what kind of sect will they be?
"That's a good thing. Right, right, can I have a drink, too?"
Jo-Gol tipped the bottle into Hong Dae-gwang's glass. Baek Chun chimed in at that scene.
"Chung Myung, don’t you even dream of drink...….Huh?"
Looking next to him, Baek Chun blinked his eyes. Then he looked around in a hurry.
"Whe- Where's that punk Chung Myung goes?"
"……damn."
"No, what ghost is he? He was definitely here a little while ago."
"Sa- Sasuk! A few bottles of alcohol are gone!"
"Hnggg.”
Baek Chun wrapped his head with his hand.
"N- No! I said it was my responsibility! Find him quickly! Hurry up!"
“……It’s Sasuk’s responsibility, so why us?”
"Do you want to die today?"
Hong Dae-gwang smiled as he saw Baek Chun, who started quarreling over useless things.
‘Hero's spirit bullshit.’
He must have been mistaken for a moment.
"Eukcha!"
Chung Myung, who sneaked out of the banquet, reached the top of Yeonhwabong Peak.
"Oh, it's so steep."
He’a not used to it, no matter how often he climbed up here.
Chung Myung, who grumbled for a moment, trudged toward the cliff. It's been a long time since it was dark, but Chung Myung's eyes showed a steep cliff and the scenery of Mount Hua that stretched below it.
"Tsk."
Chung Myung, who took a step back and sat on the ground, took out a bottle and two glasses from his arms and put them on the ground.
He did sneak out, but it was a really good spot.
To the point where he wants to chat and have fun together.
But he didn't want to drink there today. He has a different partner to drink with today.
"Take a drink."
Joljoljol.
Chung Myung filled the glass that was placed across him. Then he spoke softly.
"Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I poured alcohol into Cheon Mun Sahyung’s glass."
He wasn’t a good drinker either. (대작도 잘 하지 않았다.)
Cheon Mun Sahyung always nagged him all night long whenever they drank.
Joljoljol.
His glass was filled with alcohol.
He usually prefers drinking from a bottle, but today he wanted to feel like drinking with Cheon Mun.
Chung Myung drank the wine that poured into the glass at once.
"Keuhh!"
The high alcohol content went all the way down his throat.
"Sahyung."
Chung Myung, who laid down the glass, smiled as he saw the atmosphere of Mount Hua under Yeonhwabong Peak.
There is no Cheon Mun across from him now. But it's fine. Cheon Mun Sahyung is similar to Mount Hua (화산(華山)). Just looking at Mount Hua makes him feel like Cheon Mun Sahyung is sitting in front of him
"They've grown up a lot."
Chung Myung grinned.
"I was very worried, but I guess I was a bit nosy. Everyone did much better than I thought."
The Sect Leader, Hyun Jong, and the Elders.
Not only the first-class disciples but also the second and third-class disciples.
They have grown beyond comparison compared to the first time Chung Myung was on Mount Hua.
"It felt a little weird, huh? I guess that's why Sahyung nagged me so much to get a disciple of my own. Watching the kids grow up, you know...… I'm a little proud and it’s ticklish."
Chung Myung, who was talking softly, laughed to himself.
"Ah, I know. It's not the time to get sentimental. There's still a long way to go. I know that, but...…."
Joljoljol.
Chung Myung poured the wine into the glass again and drank it in one gulp.
"I just. You know. If Cheon Mun Sahyung were here now, you would be so happy to see this. You must have laughed happily thinking that our descendants are doing well. I just kept thinking that."
There is no one to rejoice with.
There is no one to share this complex and overwhelming feeling with him.
"Don't get me wrong. I'm having enough fun right now. I'm not doing this because I'm lonely. I can’t get lonely even if i wanted to because of some bastards here. I’m sure they’re searching for me even now.
‘It's just...’
Chung Myung, who was looking at the dark sky without saying a word, reached out and grabbed Cheon Mun's glass.
"Have a drink."
Chung Myung, who sprayed the liquor in the glass toward Mount Hua, grinned and put it back on the ground, and filled it again.
After a brief silence, Chung Myung spoke in a subdued voice.
"A long time ago."
A slight dark glow permeated the downcast eyes.
"I'm sorry to ask you why you're so frustrated. When I tried it, it wasn't as simple as I thought. I thought Sahyung must have been dying to take care of me. Haha. It’s funny, right?”
He never thought he will find out what he didn't know back then in his whole life.
Chung Myung lay flat on the ground.
Chung Myung, who drank his bottle while lying down like that, wiped his lips and put on a faint smile.
"Even Cheon Mun Sahyung must’ve thought I'd run to Myriad Man House immediately, right?"
It must have been like that before.
He would run without looking back.
However, Chung Myung could no longer be the Plum Blossoms Swordsman of the past.
"Well, that's what it is. I guess the reason I was able to go wild in the past was because of Sahyung. But now I feel like I can't live without.… I can't act like I used to. I really couldn't."
Chung Myung looked up at the sky with a strange expression.
But he wasn't as sad or stuffy as before. On the contrary, he looked slightly proud.
"Sahyung. It's a little different from Mount Hua that had Sahyung, but.…."
He looked up at the sky and asked.
"It's pretty good right now, right?"
‘I wish you could say so.’
‘It's an answer I can't hear anymore, thought.’
"Please praise the kids. Everyone is working really hard. They’re finally working the worth they’re fed by now, but that’s still not bad. I was really surprised this time, you know?"
‘Then.’
‘Then...’
Chung Myung closed his eyes quietly.
- You're doing great, you punk.
"Only in words."
And he smirked at the voice he heard.
It's just words, a word.
Standing up from his seat, he grabbed a bottle and headed to the edge of Yeonhwabong Peak. He stood at the edge of the cliff, stared at Mount Hua, and tilted the bottle.
"Please share it with the Saje there. I don’t think there’s any alcohol over there. Oh, I can't give you another bottle. This one is mine.”
‘One day.’
‘I'll go drink with you.’
The wine was scattered like rain on the quiet Mount Hua.
Thus, with the smell of strong alcohol, the scent of plum blossoms that filled Mount Hua spread widely to the sky where it could not be reached.
*note
😊
Become one of my Patreon for access to 53 advance chapters. I update at least one chapter a day on there. But I could also skip a day when things on my side became hectic. There will be a mass release at end of the month, probably. Mass release IS ON the web, not Patreon.
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That slip of the tongue in "I can't live without...." Its going to live in my head rent free. CM keeps on trying to make me cry and he's succeeding.
Thanks translator -nim!
He died at the age of 82 (correct me if I'm wrong), then 100 years passed and then his age when he first entered Mount Hua again as a beggar, he's 15 years old (estimate) then plus 3 years after the Murim Competition arc ended😭.