Chapter 635

"Who is it?"

"…I don't think he’s a first-class disciple?"

Mount Hua's disciples looked at Heo Gong standing on stage with curious faces.

Just by looking at the age and complexion that can be inferred from his face, he was clearly different from other first-class disciples that they had faced before.

And even if the appearances were not that different, they could still tell.

‘Something's different.’

The subtle sense of calmness and strange emptiness they felt stimulated those who watched.

"Is he an Elder?"

"Didn't only one Elder come?”

"He doesn't look like a first-class disciple."

As doubt grew deeper, Heo Gong, who stood on the stage, quietly opened his mouth.

"I'm……."

It was indeed a heavy voice.

The moment his first word fell, there was enough presence to attract all the attention of the Mount Hua disciples.

"Heo Gong, Wudang's elder."

Elder?

With the advent of another elder, the eyes of Mount Hua’s disciples were filled with questions.

Heo Gong, which drew everyone's attention, continued to talk with a light smile.

"I witnessed the sparring match between Mount Hua and Wudang as well. It was a good time to realize how excellent the people of Mount Hua were. Wudang's disciples must have learned a lot, too. As Wudang's elder, I am more than grateful for the teaching of Mount Hua Sect."

Heo Gong, who clasped his hands in the center, quietly saluted.

At the sight, Baek Cheon tilted his head and said to Chung Myung.

"…He’s got more common sense than I thought?"

"That one?"

"Yes."

From the worn-out uniforms to the loosely tied hair. It is hard to believe that they are of the same sect when compared to Heo Sanja, who is neatly dressed and appears dignified. So, they naturally thought that his personality might be somewhat eccentric, but the words from his mouth did not deviate from courtesy at all.

"Look a little bit more."

"Huh?"

But Chung Myung rolled up the corners of his mouth.

"You'll know when you see more.”

Baek Cheon squinted his eyes at the words and looked at Heo Gong. Just as he released his clasping hand, he spoke again.

"It's only natural to repay a favor with a favor. However, Wudang has nothing to offer to Mount Hua."

Heo Gong pretended to be agonizing, hummed, and said.

"Then, how about this?"

A thick smile spread across his lips.

"Since the first-class disciples of Wudang seem to have failed to teach Mount Hua’s disciples properly, I think it would be better for I, as Wudang's Elder, to come forward and give guidance. Wouldn't this be good for each other?"

The faces of Mount Hua's disciples hardened frighteningly.

The word that provoked them was none other than 'Guidance'.

Just now, Heo Gong said that he would give ‘guidance’ to Mount Hua with his own mouth, but that word is supposed to only be used when lowering oneself.

‘Giving guidance’ to a different sect was something that anyone with even the slightest bit of courtesy wouldn’t have said. This was several times ruder than blatant disregard.

"Guidance?"

"This……."

The sound of teeth being gritted rang here and there. They could endure being belittled. However, no one could endure seeing Mount Hua being belittled.

Nevertheless, there were two reasons why they couldn't afford to act rashly. First, the person who said that was none other than a Wudang's Elder, and the bigger reason was that they were not the ones who needed to respond to that statement.

"Just now……."

Hyun Sang opened his mouth quietly.

"Did you say guidance?"

His voice sank to its lowest point. But Heo Gong asked back with a relaxed face.

"May I ask who you are?”

"…Mount Hua's Elder, Hyun Sang."

"Oh, so you’re an Elder."

He looked light-hearted toward Hyun Sang.

This was not really polite either. However, there was no way anyone could openly stare straight at him with contempt.

Heo Gong smiled brightly.

"Shouldn't we start by departing from the formalities and etiquette? As Wudang's Elder, would it be so wrong for me to give guidance to Mount Hua's disciples?"

A cold chill settled on Hyun Sang's face.

Hyun Young, standing next to him, also stared at Heo Gong with a furious expression. Hyun Sang kept his manners to the end and said straightforwardly.

"Mount Hua sect is not so weak that we need to seek guidance from other sects."

Then Heo Gong stared at him without answering.

"Even if guidance is needed, it is something that Mount Hua must request. It is not for Wudang to offer."

"Hmm."

Heo Gong nodded as if he had a point.

"You're absolutely right."

“…….”

"That would be the case for an ordinary sect."

"…What do you mean?"

"I'm saying this out of pity."

Heo Gong looked around Mount Hua's disciples.

"Mount Hua's young disciples are all outstanding. There is no shortage of talent, enough to make me greedy."

Hyun Sang patiently waited for what was to come next. No one here would fail to realize that the next words were the main point.

"However……."

Sure enough, a smile appeared on Heo Gong's mouth.

"No matter how great the talent is, if there is no one to hone it, it will be difficult to see the light, wouldn't it? In my opinion, Mount Hua still seems unable to handle its disciples' talents."

"This…!"

Surprisingly, Hyun Sang didn't get angry when he heard that.

It was none other than second and third-class disciples that were angry.

"That damn-..."

"Be quiet."

"But Elder-nim!"

"I told you to be quiet."

Hyun Young's cold voice stopped their commotion.

Mount Hua's disciples clenched their lower lips tightly. The words that insulted the upper ranks of Mount Hua, especially the ones that implied Mount Hua was lacking in educating them, were simply intolerable, especially after witnessing Un Gum’s previous match.

However, Hyun Young can't let them get carried away either.

No matter how rude he was, he was still the Elder of Wudang. He was not an opponent that young disciples could talk to recklessly.

Furthermore, they mustn’t get taunted so easily when the opponent's intention is so obvious.

But Heo Gong spoke in a relaxed voice again as if he had no intention of letting go at this point.

"It's a pity. Who would enjoy seeing talents that would have bloomed wither away due to not finding the right environment to flourish?"

“…….”

"The story might be different if it was about other sects, but Mount Hua walks the same Taoism path as us, so wouldn't it be the most normal for us to want to help?"

Hyun Sang's lips trembled slightly.

What was really bothering him was not the mockery coming from the other side's mouth. It wasn't even the gaze that underestimated Mount Hua, or even the situation where it was difficult to refute his word.

What really bothered him was the fact that even if they had to endure such insults, he still thought that asking for instruction from an Elder of Wudang might be helpful to his disciples.

There's nothing wrong with what he said.

Mount Hua's disciples showed such an exceptional appearance. Even those who lost the fight showed as much determination as the ones who won.

It was to the point where catching up with that Wudang might not be a dream.

However, as Heo Gong said, if there is no one who leads them from above, one day they will face limitations. And even if they go over that wall, Mount Hua's disciples will have to struggle against the odds that are incomparable to other prestigious sects in the process.

Because their seniors can't lead them.

‘Is my meager pride important?’

Pressing bitter emotions, Hyun Sang opened his mouth, however Hyun Young, who was watching the situation from the side, said quickly.

"Let me ask you a question."

"Tell me."

“This is a sparring match that determines victory or defeat, but if Dojang comes out here, what will happen to the final outcome?"

“Final outcome?”

"That's right."

Hyun Young took a deep breath and elaborated.

"Wudang still needs two more victories to win. Surely the elder will not fight himself, right?”

At the sharp question, Heo Gong laughed bitterly.

“Final outcome... victory or defeat… what importance does it hold?”

“…….”

"Sparring matches are intended to compare each other's martial arts and learn from each other. If there is something to gain from each other, then victory or defeat doesn't really matter.”

Hyun Young's face hardened. Heo Gong drove the wedge with a smile.

“If you must determine a winner so badly, then we won’t mind for you to think of it as Mount Hua’s victory.”

Hyun Young clenched his fist tightly under his sleeve.

'This guy....’

He showed a nonchalant attitude towards victory or defeat in front of everyone. This was a ploy to diminish the meaning of the sparring matches.

It was also the best course of action that Wudang, who could lose a lot even if they won, could take. It was a mistake on Hyun Young's part to bring up the topic and divert the conversation in that direction, not expecting this Elder, who was not even Heo Sanja, would show such proficient speech skills.

Sure enough.

Those who were listening to it began to rumble.

"Wasn't Wudang winning? But what does he mean that Mount Hua wins?”

"Doesn't it mean that victory or defeat is not important? It's just an exchange of skills."

"So Wudang hasn't gone all out so far?"

"That’s……."

Even the crowd seemed to be quite confused. Then someone shouted in a confident voice.

"Yes, of course! If Wudang had fought with all their heart, there’s no way they would lose to second-class disciples of Mount Hua?”

"What are you talking about! Do you say that even when you see the matches in person? Was that a weak fight?"

"Tsk tsk. What do you know with your own eyes? Wudang's first-class disciples are deliberately losing to the second-class disciples of Mount Hua. After losing enough to maintain Mount Hua's reputation, they won consecutively!"

"Hah! What a good way to twist the situation to their advantage!"

The spectators began to express their own opinions and argue with each other. Of course there were many who sided with Mount Hua. However, until just recently, the public’s opinion was overwhelmingly leaning towards ‘it’s Mount Hua victory even if they lost’. The fact that the opinions are now divided is no different than confirming that the public’s view is being shaken.

‘Damn.’

Hyun Young bit his lips in anger.

If an Elder comes out from the other side, an Elder should come out from this side as well. But he and Hyun Sang could never beat that Heo Gong.

Therefore, they should withdraw and step back, but if they show a tail-tucking attitude in the current situation, it will be a sign that the upper rank of Mount Hua cannot oppose Wudang's elder.

'What am I supposed to do….?’

Hyun Young glanced at Hyun Sang's expression. Hyun Sang couldn't come up with an answer either.

However.

Hyun Young knows. Who it is that always gives answers when they can't come up with measures.

'Chung Myung…….’

"No!"

“…….”

He's half a beat faster.

Mount Hua's disciples looked back at Chung Myung in unison. Chung Myung, who was sitting on the ground in an unsightly manner, gazed up at Heo Gong and opened his mouth.

"Don't try to sneak away and say it right. Are you saying that you lost or what?”

"… Hm?"

"So you’re saying that we won, right?”

"Haha."

Heo Gong burst into a hearty laugh.

"You’re free to think about it that way."

"No, it seems like you can't understand human language."

"…What did you say?”

Chung Myung slowly rose from his seat.

"So, Wudang lost, right?”

“…….”

"Why can't you answer? You were talking so well just a moment ago."

Heo Gong stopped laughing and narrowed his eyes as he asked.

"Who are you?"

"Chung Myung."

Chung Myung smiled with his teeth revealed.

"It's a bit childish, but I’m known as Mount Hua Divine Dragon."

The eyes of Mount Hua, Wudang, and everyone gathered here poured down on Chung Myung all at once.


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