Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 631. Some defeats are worth more than victories. (1)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
It stretches out.
The branches that stretched out from the thick and beautiful pine tree blocked the scorching sun and created a large shadow.
It was a somewhat different, unfamiliar sight from the plum blossoms of Mount Hua that had been seen so far.
However, being different doesn't mean it's wrong.
Mount Hua's plum blossoms represent the blooming of a flower, that is, the actualization of its blooming (개화(開花)). But what this sword is creating now is the plum tree itself.
What is approaching is the Taeguk Wisdom Sword (태극혜검(太極慧劍)).
It is the greatest martial art of the Wudang Sect that embodies the principles of Taeguk (태극(太極)) based on the harmony of yin (음(陰)) and yang (양(陽)).
Its power was so great that it surpassed all the talks of the public about the Wisdom Sword.
Kwajijik!
The ground of the stage, made of solid bluestone, could not withstand the pressure and broke apart.
It felt like pushing softly, but hitting hard, and wrapping warmly, but stabbing coldly.
It was the harmony of yin and yang, in other words, the coexistence of different properties.
Dual Nature of Yin and Yang. (음양(陰陽)과 양의(兩意))
This sword clearly showed what Wudang was pursuing.
Kwadeuk! Kwadeuk!
The ground, which failed to overcome the pressure, broke and soared into the air. A swirl of swords energy flew toward Un Gum, embracing even the crushed pieces of stone.
It was truly a soft but strong attack.
It was a formidable swordsmanship that made others think that it was too much for a final blow to the wounded.
However, Un Gum felt rather thankful.
This is proof that Mu Gak acknowledges him. It was the will to show the best sword for the opponent he recognized.
Wudang's disciple, who once he could not dare to look at, was doing his best to wield his sword for him. As a martial artist, there is no greater glory than this.
Therefore, Un Gum also did not show any hesitation.
'Stretch.'
One day, Chung Myung's sword bloomed plum blossoms.
Baek Cheon's sword also bloomed plum blossoms.
However, even then, Un Gum’s sword failed to depict plum blossoms.
Nevertheless, Un Gum was not frustrated. Rather, he was genuinely pleased with the children's growth. He turned a blind eye to the strand of distress that arose in his heart and smiled.
Right, it's up to those kids to bloom.
He is just a bridge connecting the past and the future generation.
He is the one who creates a shadow to prevent the young flowers from withering in the scorching sunlight.
The branches stretched out, like a surge erupting from the world.
‘Elder-nim.’
Everyone has a first time.
Although he is now in a teaching position, he was also in a learning position in the past.
Pavilions that’s falling apart and Mount Hua that are losing their strength day by day. Despite the desperate and bleak situation, Hyun Sang's eyes towards them were just warm.
‘Will I be able to convey it?’
‘Am I capable of passing on to the children all that you have given me?’
‘I only realized it now. I just now realized what feelings you had when you taught me. But will I be able to convey that deep sentiment to those kids?’
Un Gum squeezed his sword a little harder.
No. He just believes.
He just believes that a person's heart can be conveyed to people, even if they don't say it in words or shout it out.
A new bud sprouted from the end of a branch extending from a large tree.
Unlike the colorful flowers of his disciples, the new bud that bloomed from the edge of Un Gum's sword was just green.
Kwaaaah!
The incoming Taeguk Sword clashed with the sword created by Un Gum. At that moment, the entire sword of Un Gum bounced off and faltered greatly.
"Cough!"
Blood gushed out like a waterfall from Un Gum's mouth.
The tremendous sword energy and unimaginable power it carried completely turned his insides upside down.
‘It hurts.’
But he can't even call it pain.
He can withstand the pain of his body being crushed as much as he wants.
This was nothing compared to seeing the teacher's shoulders drooping in helplessness.
Compared to the anguish of the cut heart (단장(斷腸)) that one feels when realizing that they cannot give anything to their young disciples, this could not be called pain.
Kwadeudeuk!
Un Gum's foot plunged into the ground, just like a tree planting its roots.
The world is always cold and harsh.
'Nevertheless, my disciples.'
Winter always ends.
Un Gum's eyes glanced at one of his empty sleeves.
He recalled things he had to lose.
Most people become stronger as they get hurt.
But sometimes, it is inevitable to be wounded beyond repair.
The feeling in his fingertips was still strange. But nevertheless, he still wields a sword.
"Aaaaaaaah!"
As Un Gum, who shouted like a howl, swung his sword once again, sword energy like flames erupted from the edge.
The blazing sword energy pushed back the yin and yang energy.
Kwang!
The two energies collided with each other and swept the stage.
Kwaang!
Yet again!
Kwaaaaang!
Once again!
As the collision continued, Un Gum's body was tilting as if it would soon hit the ground at any moment.
However, he never knelt down or collapsed.
Even if he received injuries from the force or even if it was gradually wearing him down with every clash, his two legs were still firmly planted on the ground like the first.
“…….”
Baek Cheon's eyes were bloodshot as he watched all this.
Blood was dripping from his clenched fist.
But his gaze never once left Un Gum, not even for a moment.
‘Sasuk!’
Words cannot explain it. How he feels while watching all this.
However, one thing is certain: it was clear what Un Gum wanted to convey to the disciples.
It's something that can't be expressed in crude language, something that can only be felt.
Baek Cheon's shoulders shook slightly.
Not only him but everyone from Mount Hua's face watching this sparring match was filled with a grim determination that they had never shown before.
Everyone knows.
Even if they were to die, they couldn't take their eyes off of this sight.
Even Jo-Gol, who had always maintained a bright face, Tang So-so, who didn't fully understand Mount Hua's intentions yet, and Yoo Iseol, who usually didn't show her emotions, all watched Un Gum with a different face than usual.
And…….
Squeeze.
Chung Myung, who was looking at the stage from the front, slowly clenched his fist.
‘My child.’ (*note)
He has lost too much.
Who else could understand Un Gum's heart as well as Chung Myung? Who could understand the heartbreak of losing something he had firmly believed in an instant?
Nevertheless, Un Gum did not lose himself.
He just focused and kept striving forward.
He didn't shy away from learning from his disciples, he didn't ignore the fact that he was not as good as he used to be, and he just calmly kept walking forward.
Watching him endure everything, it was hard to hold back the emotions rising in his chest.
‘Sahyung.’
‘I was wrong.’
‘I didn't lead Mount Hua back.’
‘It has been here from the beginning.’
‘Mount Hua's spirit.’
A smile formed around Chung Myung's mouth.
"Excellent."
A faint murmur escaped him. It was the echo of the ancestors who passed on the spirit of Mount Hua beyond the ages to the next generation.
--
‘Where is this place?’
The consciousness gradually faded.
His body felt like it was going to wither away. His consciousness kept disappearing, and he couldn't see properly in front of him.
Kung!
A huge shock hit his body continuously, but instead of regaining his consciousness, it just kept getting hazier.
‘What was I doing?’
He couldn't remember well.
Yet, he still swung his sword through the air.
Even as his consciousness drifted away, even as his body wouldn't move properly, and even as his will wavered as if it would break.
The path he had drawn throughout his life was still with him. Without even realizing it, without putting any will into it, he naturally stretched his sword.
Kwaaang!
The clash of yin and yang created a tremendous force. The enormous force swept over Un Gum.
The tightly closed mouth burst open, and blood spurted out.
But thanks to that, he regained some consciousness.
'He’s strong.'
Even after so much effort, Wudang was still an insurmountable mountain. Perhaps he will not be able to overcome Wudang even if he struggles his whole life.
But now that doesn't matter.
Uuuung!
His sword, which had been shaking violently as if it was about to escape from the grip, regained some stability.
‘Sword is honest.’
No matter how much he yelled, no matter how much he used evil methods, something that was impossible could not suddenly become possible. If he truly wanted it, he had to build it up day by day, not just shouting it out loud.
‘A day, and another day...….’
And someday, he will reach it.
That was the path that sword warriors had to take.
Uuuuung!
As if the sword responded to his will, the sword vomited clear sword energy.
‘Let's have fun.’
The sword flows. As if riding on the surging sword, as if playing on top of the wind.
The pressure that had been pressing on his whole body suddenly disappeared, and the deafening noise that seemed to tear his ears receded.
All he can feel is the feeling of the sword in his hand.
What should he convey?
For a moment, a question came to his mind and a smile bloomed around Un Gum’s mouth.
‘There's only one,'
He stepped firmly to the ground with his legs slightly apart.
His relaxed knees are naturally slightly bent. He extended both shoulders like he still had his right hand and fixed the sword in front of him.
The middle stance.
The stance that starts everything.
At last, his clear gaze clearly saw the flying yin and yang sword energy.
It was a majestic momentum, like two black and white dragons entwined and soaring.
"The beginning is always one thing."
But his sword was raised calmly and slowly. The sword, raised to the top of his head, drooped down his back.
The sword, which had risen as high as it could, was struck down with everything he had.
The downward strike.
It was the first thing he learned.
And the first thing he taught.
The end was different for everyone, but the beginning was the same for everyone.
This was his original form, and Mount Hua's form.
Someday, the day would come when Mount Hua would make a name for itself in the world. One day, there will come a time when it loses its brilliant name and declines.
But as long as the clear spirit of the children who held the wooden sword tightly and wielded it remained, Mount Hua will never disappear.
Chwaaak!
A downward strike, charged with massive power, split the yin and yang.
"Haaaaap!"
"Taaaaat!"
The shout full of power from both swordsman, coupled with the storm of immense energy, swept across the stage.
Kwaaaaah!
There was a raging swirl of energy spread in all directions, but neither Mount Hua's disciples nor Wudang's disciples ever backed down.
As if determined to engrave this match into their eyes, they endured the surging energy with their whole bodies.
Kwaaaaaaaaah!
The black, white, and blue energies rose up together and rose into the sky.
A gust of wind turned into a gale, which in time became a gentle breeze and subsided.
Silence fell on the surroundings. There were countless people, yet no one made a sound, not even a breath.
In the space of bizarre silence, only the faint breathing of the two resounded.
Un Gum and Mu Gak.
Two people were standing on the stage.
Like statues, they faced each other without moving, until Un Gum made the first move.
Swoosh.
He slowly sheathed his sword and extended his remaining hand forward, shaking from the effort it took to extend it.
Just by looking at the shivering figure, he could see how much effort it took to stretch that hand.
The hand trembled as if it might collapse and fall into the air at any moment, but it reached out and stretched forward.
"I... have learned… well."
Mu Gak thrust his sword into the ground without hesitation. Then he reached out with both of his hands with the utmost respect.
"Really…… I really have learned well, Dojang."
Mu Gak’s voice also trembled slightly.
As soon as he finished speaking, the body of Un Gum collapsed to the ground.
Thud.
"Dojang!"
"Sasuk!"
"Great Sasuk!"
Mu Gak quickly flew and supported him. At the same time, Mount Hua's disciples rushed to the stage.
"Cough."
A continuous cough erupted from Un Gum's mouth.
"Sasuk! Are you alright?"
"Instructor-nim. Your, your internal injuries.….”
As the faces of Mount Hua’s disciples were filled with blurred vision, the corners of Un Gum's mouth slightly curled up.
"Was…."
“…….”
"Was it… not… unsightly?"
The question put strength into Baek Cheon's hand, which held Un Gum's hand.
"……It was the best, Sasuk."
Un Gum smiled faintly.
"That's a relief……….”
Then, he closed his eyes as if he was relieved. His hands drooped sideways.
"Gre- Great Sasuk!"
"There's no need to make a fuss."
Baek Cheon bit his lips as he stopped the alarmed disciples.
"He just fainted."
“…….”
Then he held Un Gum and lifted him. He didn't forget to bow slightly towards Mu Gak before descending from the stage with Un Gum in his arms.
"I appreciate your support for Sasuk. As a disciple of Mount Hua Sect, I thank you."
"Muryangsubul."
Mu Gak shook his head.
"Anyone would have done the same."
“…….”
"Whoever they are."
Baek Cheon, nodding his head, turned.
Un Gum’s body in his arms was so light. That fact made Baek Cheon feel bad for some reason.
"Remember."
“…….”
"What you saw here."
Baek Cheon's heavy voice made Mount Hua's disciples nod their heads with stiff faces. They went down the stage, led by Baek Cheon holding Un Gum. All of them looked confident and stretched their shoulders.
They are the disciples of Mount Hua, and also disciples of Un Gum.
Chung Myung, who was watching from under the stage, nodded slowly.
"Sometimes in the world...….”
The smiling corners of his mouth were full of pride.
"There are defeats more valuable than victories."
This defeat will remain clearly in the hearts of Mount Hua’s disciples.
A memory that will never be forgotten.
|note
*H:Grandpa Chung Myuuuuuung. Well, he is indeed a grandpa, right?
xoxo: I’m not crying, you are!
Hyun jong is the one with the biggest responsibility and a direct result of Chung Myung's action.
Hyun Young might be the funniest and greediest of the elders but deep down, you know its not actually funny if you consider they lived most of their lives in poverty.
Un Gum, hyun sang, etc, could have been great warriors but that was taken from them and was treated as dogs by pretty much everyone
I CANT DO THIS 😭😭😭😭
*Crys a river 😭
The message (in my undeestanding)
The world is harsh. One days you will lose something so important and youl feel done and wanna give up and you will despair but you have to move forward. Move forward and try and try again. Challenges in life will never stop coming and yhe only thing you can do is move forward.
Un Gum coveyed this by not backing down and kept moving forward attacking.
(I think this is mainly what he wanted to say. I find it hard to understand but I think this was the message from the way I see it.)