Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 688. The world is not a place to live alone (2)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
"So……."
“…….”
The middle-aged man with the Taoist hat slowly frowned, causing the young man sitting in front of him to flinch and hunch his shoulders.
It wasn't an unusual sight.
It's quite common for an older disciple to scold a younger disciple.
But the story is a little different if the one being scolded is Chung Myung, the troublemaker of Mount Hua who made even the Elders and Sect Leader raise both their hands and feet in defeat.
An uncontrollable troublemaker.
It was quite a rare sight for the worst troublemaker in the history of Mount Hua, who would make others keep a distance of more than thirty feet just by making eye contact with him even for people from the same sect, to hunch his shoulders like that.
"But who said I was here..."
"Why? If you know who it is, would you go and beat them up?"
"Hehe…. I wouldn't do that. You know I've made up my mind lately."
"Made up your mind? You?"
“…….”
Chung Myung clenched his teeth quietly.
'I won't let it go if I find out who ratted me out.'
When other people come to scold him, he could just laugh it off and run away. But no matter how much of a troublemaker Chung Myung was, he couldn't do anything about Cheong Mun.
"So……."
"……Yes, Sahyung."
Chung Myung sneak a peek at Cheong Mun.
'Ah, damn it.'
Deep wrinkles had formed around his usually kind eyes. This meant he would have to endure at least an hour's worth of nagging.
"Bring me that thing over there, the..."
"Gasp! the cane? Sahyung! I'm not a child anymore...!"
"...Water. Bring me water."
“…….”
Chung Myung let out a sigh of relief and weakly got up to get the water bottle placed by the door.
"Here you go."
"Sit down."
"Yes."
Chung Myung sat down again, and Cheong Mun moistened his parched throat. Then he sighed deeply.
"Chung Myung."
"Yes, Sahyung."
"…Was it a big mistake for your Saje to ask you about swordsmanship?"
"No."
"Is it wrong for your Saje, who wants to get stronger, to muster up the courage to ask you about swordsmanship?"
"……No."
Cheong Mun's face is distorted.
"Then why did you hit him?"
“…….”
"Why did you hit him, why! If a child doesn't know something, they can ask! You hit him just because he asked? Are you really a Taoist?! Huh?"
"Sa- Sahyung! Please mind your manners! Put that fist down!"
"My temper is flaring up, mine!"
Great Wise Sword (대현검), Cheong Mun.
The great disciple of Mount Hua, who knows benevolence (인(仁)), knows the Tao (도(道)), and his presence alone is said to bring peace to the hearts of those he watches over. The person who’s given the role of the next Sect Leader of Mount Hua, making even the people of Mount Hua secretly wish for the current Sect Leader to retire. (금분세수*Note)
World-renowned swordsman and Taoist.
However, even the Great Wise Sword Cheong Mun couldn't keep his composure in front of this troublemaker.
"Did you beat the child so badly for just asking a question, to the point they had to be carried to the infirmary? Did you apply honey all over the repentance cave? Why do you keep attempting to be sent there?"
"What do you mean honey? You know how much I hate the repentance room. If I stay there for a week where the light doesn't even reach, I just..."
"Just what?"
"...As soon as I get out, I'd like to kill the person who forced me in with murderous intent."
"Hit me too, you rascal! Hit me too!"
Unable to hold back any longer, Cheong Mun threw the book he was holding at Chung Myung. But Chung Myung snatched it quickly and laughed playfully.
"Eii. You should say something that makes sense. How could I hit Sahyung?"
"…... but it is okay to hit your Saje?"
"My Saje should be disciplined."
"What about Sasuk?"
"Sasuk should also be disciplined if they talk nonsense."
Taking advantage of the silence, Chung Myung quickly put the book back in its place and laughed awkwardly. Cheong Mun let out a deep sigh.
"Why did you hit him?"
"Sahyung. I think you misunderstood, but I didn't hit him because he asked me a question."
"Then what?"
"I have heard it from you, Sahyung. I heard it so many times that it's nailed into my ears. Would I really hit him without any reason?"
"Then why did you hit him?"
Chung Myung spat out, as if remembering that time made him angry.
"No, I even explained it in detail and demonstrated it for him."
"……And?"
"Even after explaining three times, he still couldn't understand it! And he kept asking me to teach him!"
“…….”
"Why would someone who can't understand even after being taught keep asking to be taught! It's not like they're trying to annoy me!"
A little speechless, Cheong Mun sighed deeply as he looked at Chung Myung.
"Chung Myung-ah."
"Yes?"
"Do you find it frustrating?"
“…….”
Chung Myung pulled back his pouting lips.
He liked this side of Cheong Mun. If it were anyone else, they would have gotten angry right away, questioning if it even made sense. But Cheong Mun tried to think from his perspective one more time before getting angry.
"It's not exactly frustrating.….”
Chung Myung murmured softly.
"It's not going to work anyway."
“…….”
"There are things that can be achieved through effort and things that can't. I don't understand why they're so desperate."
Cheon Mun just looked at him like that without saying a word. Chung Myung bowed his head.
"Chung Myung-ah. They're your Saje."
“…….”
"Of course, from your perspective, it might be frustrating. But won't you someday face something you can't handle on your own?"
“…….”
"Then what will you do?"
"I'll just become stronger."
"What if that's not enough?"
"Then I'll become even stronger."
“…….”
Chung Myung shook his head as Cheong Mun looked vaguely.
"I know it sounds frustrating. But, Sahyung."
"Hm?"
"Teaching those kids will slow down Mount Hua's growth compared to me just training alone and becoming stronger."
“…….”
"I just need them to not grab my ankle. Then I'll take care of everything. Shaolin or Wudang, I'll just beat them all up. Sahyung can just eat rice cake while watching.”
“…….”
"Hehe. It would be nice if you could share a piece, too."
Cheong Mun let out a long breath through his nose. Chung Myung flinched as if he was stabbed, but in fact, the look in Cheong Mun's eyes, as he gazed at him, was full of pity.
To others, Chung Myung's words might only sound like absurd excuses to save face. However, to Cheong Mun, they felt extremely pitiful.
'It won't work out.'
The world Chung Myung sees is different from the world others see.
When someone notices one thing in front of their eyes, Chung Myung sees ten or twenty things at once. How could the two of them have a conversation that makes sense?
To Chung Myung, even Cheong Mun must seem like an unbearably slow and dull person. Nevertheless, Chung Myung calls him Sahyung and follows him.
"Chung Myung-ah."
"Yes."
"How far do you plan to go alone?"
“…….”
"Yes, I understand how you feel. I know that you becoming stronger alone is much more beneficial for Mount Hua than dragging the others along."
"Yes, that's what I'm saying."
"But then, how much more fiercely do you have to live?"
Cheong Mun shook his head quietly and continued.
"It may seem like I'm leaving everything behind and going alone, but it's actually the way to carry everything upside down. Can you bear the fate of Mount Hua alone?"
“…….”
"Yes, it might be possible. But that's no different than climbing a steep cliff with bare hands. Even those who have climbed countless cliffs may fall to the distant depths below due to a momentary mistake. Can you live your whole life in such tension and pressure?"
Chung Myung couldn't say anything. It was because Cheong Mun's voice contained so much sincerity.
"Even if it's possible, I hope you don't have to live that kind of life, Chung Myung."
"Sahyung."
Cheong Mun smiled quietly.
"It seems to me that they are not slow, but that you are too fast.”
“…….”
"When you rush ahead without thinking, you can't see those who are following you. At first, you may look back once or twice, but if you don't see anyone each time, eventually, you'll never look back and just keep running."
Chung Myung looked silently at Cheong Mun.
He sometimes found it hard to understand what Cheong Mun was saying. It was because his words could not be interpreted through reason and logic.
"Chung Myung-ah."
"Yes, Sahyung."
"The world is not for to be lived alone."
“…….”
"No one can live alone. If you don't have those frustrating kids you mentioned, the one who will be the most frustrated is none other than you. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Yes, Sahyung. I understand. I know, but...….”
"Please slow down a little."
Chung Myung sighed deeply from his suffocating heart.
"I understand what you're saying. But... yes. Honestly, it doesn't mean anything. No matter how much I wait and slow down if they have no intention of catching up..."
"Do you really think your Saje doesn't want to catch up to you?"
“…….”
"Isn't it just that they can't reveal their thoughts in front of you because of the thorns you set up?"
"That's..."
Cheon Mun ended up smiled bitterly with a hint of pity.
'This kid, really.'
He knows.
He knew, even if others didn't.
The fact that Chung Myung is the one who waits for someone to stand next to him. If it wasn't for that, Chung Myung wouldn't have listened so obediently to his words.
It's already been a long time since he overtook Cheong Mun in martial arts. Even the Elders of the sect couldn't deal with Chung Myung’s swords. And Chung Myung knew that best, and didn't hide it.
There was no reason for that arrogant kid to follow Cheong Mun's words just because he had raised him.
Chung Myung knew.
If he severed his relationship with Cheong Mun, he will eventually be alone.
'They are different from us.'
For Chung Myung, the world is Mount Hua.
It was different from those who decided to become a martial artist and came to Mount Hua after seeing the world. Chung Myung has only stayed in Mount Hua since he could see the world with his eyes.
Then how could Cheong Mun guess how Chung Myung felt about Mount Hua?
"Chung Myung-ah."
"Yes, Sahyung."
"I'm not asking you to watch your Saje for Mount Hua."
“…….”
"For your sake, watch them. For you. One day, you will realize the importance of having people to support your back."
Then Chung Myung looked at Cheong Mun with his eyes full of seriousness. Seeing his serious face, Cheong Mun smiled gladly.
"Yes, you understand...….”
"No, it only has meaning when they have at least some use! If those people can support my back, then I'm done! I should put down my sword."
“…….”
"You have to say something that makes sense for me to listen! Right? What about them? Haha! As long as I don't die and get reborn, that will never happen."
Cheong Mun laughed out loud.
"Chung Myung-ah."
"Yes!"
"Bring me the cane."
“…….”
"Hurry up!"
"Ha. Haha... Hahaha."
Chung Myung laughed awkwardly and jumped up from his seat.
"Sahyung!"
"Huh?"
"I'll engrave Sahyung’s words deep in my bones. I completely and utterly understand your advice to take care of Saje. I will reform myself."
“…….”
"Then, I'll be going now!"
And then, without even looking back, he kicked open the door and ran out.
"Tha- That guy! Where are you going! Mount Hua is the only place for you to go! Where do you think you can run away to?"
"I'm going to train!"
Cheong Mun sighed deeply at the already distant voice.
'I'm asking for too much.'
No one can be perfect.
Those who have outstanding talent in one area often lack in other aspects. Chung Myung was born with unparalleled martial arts talent, but because of that, he didn't know how to get along with people and embrace them.
And that was increasingly isolating Chung Myung.
Becoming stronger is a good thing.
But what's the point of becoming stronger alone, without anyone to share the joy with?
The names Cheong Mun and Mount Hua are still holding Chung Myung back, but even the reins might be lifted at some point. Cheong Mun always felt anxious and burned inside, wondering if one day tears would flow from Chung Myung's eyes.
Cheong Mun, who was closing the door where Chung Myung kicked out, paused as something caught his eye.
There was something like a root placed on the seat where Chung Myung had been sitting just a moment ago.
"...Is this ginseng?"
Mountain Ginseng. (산삼(山蔘))
It seemed that he had found it while going deep into the mountains to train.
"…"
Looking at the ginseng that Chung Myung had left behind, Cheong Mun's pity grew even more. He could feel Chung Myung's caring heart from that ginseng, and at the same time, he saw the image of Chung Myung leaving behind the comfortable training field to go deep into the mountains, where he wouldn't be noticed by others.
Thinking of his clumsy figure, a corner of Cheong Mun's heart ached.
"Someday……."
Someday, that child will be able to meet people he can open his heart to.
If he could see Chung Myung smiling seamlessly among others just once, there would be nothing more to wish for.
"It's still a long way off."
Nevertheless, the day will come when this Mount Hua will fully embrace that child.
It was Cheong Mun who really wanted to believe that.
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|*Note
금분세수를
Is a Korean idiom that literally means "washing one's hands in a golden basin". It refers to a person's decision to quit or retire from a high-ranking position or a successful career while they are still on top, rather than holding on until they become tarnished or disgraced
ty
Thank you
There are so many lines in here that hits so deeply and painfully, especially after taking into account the 600+ chapters that we had read but this one hurts the most. I doubt it will hurt as much if we read this part at the beginning, but because we became attached and we see the consequences of it all that this is so much more impactful.
Ah yes..this grandpa only after being reborn...
'This kid, really.'
He knows.
He knew, even if others didn't.
The fact that Chung Myung is the one who waits for someone to stand next to him. If it wasn't for that, Chung Myung wouldn't have listened so obediently to his words.
(The painfull thing about being a genius is that there would be a day where no one can catch up even if you wait, your so far ahead and your understanding is beyond normal. Thing that might look easy to understand might be hard for other to get. Because there to much of a genius that they dont know how to get along with others..
Also the fact that Chung Myung is sticking to Cheong Mun because if he didnt he would truly be alone. 😭)