Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1147. I did everything I could (2)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
It's quiet.
It is rare to see a large training ground with so many people gathered together, but the sight of so many people sitting cross-legged and meditating at the same time was incomparably rare.
'How strange.'
Tang Gun-ak looked at the members of the alliance meditating with a renewed sense of wonder.
To those who do not know the life of a martial artist, it may just seem like a strange sight, but to those who understand the nature of martial artists, it was a sight of great significance.
Basically, meditating and circulating internal strength is done in the most secret place, away from the eyes of others. Why? The reason is simple: martial artists are at their most vulnerable when meditating.
Even those who can shatter boulders with a single strike and leap across rivers in one bound are susceptible to severe internal injuries from even a child's kick while meditating.
That is why martial arts are ones who do not show themselves meditating to even their own siblings. Just as an animal nearing birth seeks a hidden den, it is almost instinctive for them to hide their vulnerable moments from others.
But now, in this place, countless people are meditating and circulating internal strength in front of everyone.
‘Was it because of a command?’
No way. Under normal circumstances, even if there was an order from Tang Gun-ak or Chung Myung, they would have sought a quiet place with the elixir. At the very least, they would have gone to their own quarters to meditate.
The fact that these people are meditating so nonchalantly in this large training ground means that they no longer perceive those around them as a threat.
‘Unbelievable.’
Tang Gun-ak shook his head.
Trust is a very peculiar thing.
There is no one who does not know that mutual trust is important. Those who lead the sects all want their disciples to build mutual trust. That is why they build a hierarchy among disciples through numerous etiquettes and try to fairly judge the rights and wrongs among disciples through numerous rules.
But even so, trust is not easily built. People may act as if they trust each other on the surface, but in critical moments, they often make different choices.
‘If I had done the same in Tang Family, would they really have been able to meditate like this?’
He already knew the answer.
That's why he couldn’t understand. All they did so far was to fight like crazy, make each other suffer, and join forces to fight against the sect leaders.
Wasn't there no room for human interaction? So what on earth made them trust each other and show their most vulnerable parts without hesitation?
Tang Gun-ak glanced back at Chung Myung.
Every time something like this happens, he realizes that Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword is seeing something that he cannot. When would he finally be able to see what that person saw?
“What’s the matter?”
“I’m just a little upset.”
“Yes?”
“….”
“Your temper has worsened a bit. No, has it gotten better compared to before?”
“Ughh.”
Tang Gun-ak shook his head. If only he could do something about that temperament, everything would be perfect.
'Anyway, it's a good thing.'
Although the journey had been very, very long, this scene seemed to tell him that the ‘relationships’ within Heavenly Comrade Alliance that Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword had painstakingly tried to establish were finally taking shape.
“By the way, you really managed to create enough elixir for all those kids.”
“Ugh. That’s….”
Chung Myung scratched his chin.
“Actually, it’s not a proper elixir. All elixirs have an appropriate amount. However, because we lacked the ingredients, we had no choice but to reduce the size, and compared to when one eats a proper Jasodan, it won’t be even one-fifth as effective.”
“One-fifth as effective?”
“Um…. Maybe a little less.”
“Didn't you say this batch of Jasodan was better made than the previous ones?”
“Yes. That’s why we can even expect a one-fifth effectiveness.”
Chung Myung let out a deep sigh.
“You have to eat well to fight well.”
“...You always achieve things others can only dream of and then berate yourself for falling short. You’re too harsh on yourself.”
“It’s not that I’m harsh on myself; it’s just that our situation is harsh. But we can’t just quietly die because we fell short, can we?”
“That’s hard to argue with.”
Most people focus on the results of their work, but Chung Myung only checks how close he is to achieving his goals.
Sometimes, when he watches that scene from the side, he gets goosebumps.
Tang Gun-ak was once again grateful that he did not meet Chung Myung as his enemy.
“By the way...”
A sigh escaped his lips without his knowledge.
“It’s great news for the alliance, but from my perspective, it’s not entirely welcome.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Even if they are only one-fifth effective, elixirs are still elixirs. Especially if it’s one-fifth of Mount Hua’s Jasodan, it’s probably as good as the secret elixir of most sects...”
Tang Gun-ak groaned uncharacteristically.
"Their internal strength will increase and their physical strength will improve, but to think I will have to deal with those guys."
It was a hopeful thing that the children became closer to each other and would become stronger through elixir, but from the perspective of those who deal with such children, it was not always a welcome thing.
He had already been exhausted to the point of collapsing on the ground just dealing with the kids who hadn’t taken elixir. How was he supposed to handle those who had?
“Eiii. You’re worrying about nothing. I’ve set some aside for you, Gaju-nim.”
"Yes?"
Chung Myung rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a well-wrapped elixir.
“I prepared the most effective ones. For Gaju-nim, Best Palace gungju-nim, and for So-baek.”
Tang Gun-ak stared intently at the elixir in Chung Myung’s hand. It was a proper Jasodan, different in size from the ones he had given to the children.
“This….”
“Don’t ask me to give more to the kids.”
“In the past, I would have said something like that to save face, but I'm not in a position to save such face right now."
“I’ll make sure you get this. Have it separately tonight. Oh, and I’ve also prepared some for the elders, though they’re slightly smaller.”
Certainly, in this respect, Chung Myung was meticulous.
“…Wait a minute. This is for me and the two gungjus? Then, that… Nokrim King’s….”
"Shh."
Chung Myung looked around, put his index finger to his lips, and whispered.
“Take good care of it and eat it somewhere no one can see you. Okay?”
“….”
“It’ll be annoying if that greedy Evil Sect bastard comes after me.”
Tang Gun-ak turned his head and looked at Im Sobyeong, who was meditating.
His strange grin while meditating, possibly due to the excitement of receiving the elixir, was oddly unsettling, but as he watched such him, Tang Gun-ak felt a surge of pity welling up in his heart.
‘Why did he have to be born into Evil Sects...’
No, to be exact, why did someone born in Evil Sects have to meet Chung Myung….
Tang Gun-ak, who knew of Chung Myung's deep-rooted incurable ill feelings for Evil Sects, silently accepted the elixir and buried it deep in his bosom.
“…I see.”
“Yes, hehe.”
Chung Myung turned his attention back to those who were meditating.
“It should be ending soon.”
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Wuuung.
Namgung Dowi, whose energy had been settling deep within, pushed it up to the Baihui point (an acupuncture point). The energy that had seeped into his meridians surged upward, rising higher and higher, like a dragon ascending to the heavens.
Kuuuuuung!
Simultaneously, a loud, resounding bell seemed to echo in his head.
Black, congealed blood flowed from Namgung Dowi’s nose and mouth. It was not an internal injury, but rather the turbid substances from his long training were being expelled from his body along with the congealed blood.
‘Again!’
Kwaaaaaaaang!
The energy surged up once more, creating a brilliant explosion upon reaching his Baihui point. The energy that spread throughout his body created a vitality that was difficult to describe in words.
“Fuhh...”
Namgung Dowi slowly opened his eyes. At the same time, he saw Chung Myung standing with his hands clasped behind his back, watching them from the front.
'It had to be now.'
It seems like the energy overflowing in his body is telling him that if he had taken this elixir before starting the training, it would have been impossible to see the same results as he does now.
The effect of elixir increases internal strength. But there is something more important than that. It provides an opportunity to use a tremendous amount of energy that one would normally never be able to utilize.
What's important is how you make the most of that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Those who have fought continuously, experiencing their limits, and recognized their shortcomings instinctively learn how to use this energy effectively.
'One wall has been overcome.'
If it weren't for the help of this elixir, he doesn't know how much longer it would have taken. This elixir, given at the right time, shortened that time dramatically. This was such a great feat that he felt like the new internal strength that had been built up inside his body was nothing special.
He rose with a face full of confidence. His eyes gleamed with an exceptionally clear light.
And not long after he got up, Tang Pae also stood from his seat. His face was not much different from Namgung Dowi’s.
Another one. And another one.
One by one, those who had been sitting in meditation rose and brushed themselves off. Within an hour, everyone who had entered meditation had stood up and lined up in their place.
Their gaze was naturally directed to Chung Myung, who stood at the front.
Though they didn’t know what to say, they clearly knew who they should be looking at at this moment.
Chung Myung nodded vigorously while receiving everyone's attention.
Everyone smiled confidently under his sharp gaze.
Chung Myung opened his mouth.
"First of all…."
“….”
“Uhg!”
"…huh?"
Suddenly, Chung Myung felt nauseous and grabbed his nose, then quickly stepped back.
“…Go wash up, please….”
Everyone flinched and looked at their body. The waste expelled from their pores had accumulated and clung to their clothes, turning them dark.
"Uhm…."
“Ugh. What’s that smell?”
“Blargh!”
Only then do people start to groan here and there as they smell the foul stench coming from their body.
Tang Gun-ak, who had his nose solemnly covered with one hand, raised his voice loudly.
“…Go to the river. Quickly!”
“….”
“Ah, go away!”
Those who had been expecting something grand hurriedly ran towards the Yangtze River with awkward expressions.
And for the next few days, residents along the Yangtze River suffered from collective stomachaches. This caused minor problems for officials who came to investigate whether it was a sign of the plague….
Anyway, The Yangtze River simply continued to flow majestically.
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