Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1439. Yes, remember it (4)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
“Uh.... Hmm.”
A deep embarrassment spread across Songbaek's face. Seeing him like that, Chung Myung burst into uproarious laughter.
“Hahahahat! Why’re you being so serious? Obviously I was joking, joking!”
In that instant, everyone once again held a bit of hope in their eyes. It wasn’t like this guy hadn’t betrayed expectations countless times before, but… still, maybe?
“So uh… your name was… Yi Geum… Baek or something?”
"...I'm Yi Songbaek.”
"Hahahaha! Just kidding. Kidding! Of course I remember! Yi Jongbaek!"
“It’s Yi Songbaek.”
Chung Myung patted Yi Songbaek on the back as if telling him not to worry about such trivial things. Seeing this, everyone's heads drooped down again.
They wished they could crawl into a mouse hole and hide.
Yoon Jong looked at Yi Songbaek with pitying eyes. Of course, Chung Myung says things like that, but there was no way he really forgot Yi Songbaek. That bastard might forget everything else in the world, but he remembers people with potential like a ghost.
'I guess he just can't remember the exact name.'
With Jin Geumryong, Jin Eunryong, and Jin Dongryong rolling around nearby,there’s no way a Yi Songbaek could stick in his head?
It was really Jin Family’s.... No, Jin Chobaek's fault rather than Chung Myung’s.
"...You seem fine. That’s a relief."
"What?"
"Because your wounds are so deep."
Songbaek glanced at Chung Myung's body as the latter patted his back. There wasn’t a single uninjured spot left. He felt childish for even thinking of casually exchanging greetings with someone in this state.
But Chung Myung replied with a calm face.
"Eh... don’t worry about it. It’s normal."
“...Is it normal?”
"Yeah, normal."
Songbaek quietly looked at Chung Myung. Staring at his subtly smiling face, he soon nodded heavily.
“I understand what you’re saying.”
"Huh?"
“In the past, it was unimaginable that Evil Sects would ever invade a place like this. But now we live in a world where such things happen. Soon it will become a world where martial artists getting injured is the norm."
"Huh?"
"...You're saying we must endure such a world, right?"
Chung Myung slowly backed away from Yi Songbaek. Yi Songbaek spoke seriously.
“Don’t worry, Dojang. If we weren’t prepared for that, we wouldn’t have come out of seclusion."
"Who’s worried? Why the hell would I worry about you Southern Edge Sect bastards? I’d rather they all just drop dead during the war.”
It was beyond an insult, almost a curse. But instead of getting angry, Yi Songbaek just chuckled. Seeing that reaction, Chung Myung turned sharply to Baek Cheon like a dog who suddenly needed to poop.
"Sasuk. What's wrong with that punk?"
“....”
"Bring your brother over. We might communicate better with him."
"... I'd rather not."
Chung Myung was a headache, Jin Geumryong was a headache, but the two of them together? Just imagining it made his stomach churn.
“He’s just steeling his resolve. No need to see it as something weird.”
"If it were something you could do just by making up your mind, who would bother struggling?"
“That’s true, but....”
Baek Cheon glanced at Yi Songbaek and opened his mouth again.
“It doesn’t seem like baseless confidence though.”
Chung Myung closed his mouth for a moment. Even Chung Myung, who could curse Southern Edge Sect for three days and nights without stopping, couldn’t argue with this.
"...Seems like seclusion worked well for them."
"How is seclusion any different from closed-door training? Sasuk went into closed-door training before the Hwajong Conference and it didn't improve anything."
"Why are you bringing that up now! And how would you know if there was an effect or not? You weren't even at Mount Hua before that."
"If that was Sasuk strength after improvement, wouldn’t that be even worse?"
“…You damned rascal.”
When Baek Cheon’s face flushed red with frustration, Chung Myung chuckled. d. But even while laughing, his eyes were thoroughly examining Yi Songbaek.
'Really....'
A solid presence radiated from Songbaek.
If one could become stronger just by going into seclusion, which martial sect in the world would refuse it? But even if you seal your gates, how much stronger you become depends entirely on your own effort.
And now Songbaek was proving through his presence that he hadn’t wasted a single moment of that time.
"Uh... Hmm."
Just then, Yi Songbaek hesitated before letting out a deep sigh.
"This is a little embarrassing."
"What?"
"Actually, I wanted to show off a little. I really did train hard.”
There was no need to say it aloud. Even if someone couldn’t feel his presence, just one look at his hands, covered in scars, would be enough to guess how much effort he had put in.
“But… looking at Mount Hua disciples like this, it doesn't seem like something to boast about. I thought I might have narrowed the gap a bit."
Songbaek smiled bitterly. This wasn't just about Chung Myung. Even from Baek Cheon, who seemed like he could barely stand due to his injuries, an unapproachable sharpness could be felt. It was to the point where he wondered if Baek Cheon were in normal condition, would he even be able to stand face-to-face like this?
'And not just this person.'
Jo-Gol Dojang, who looks at him with strangely discontented eyes, and Yoon Jong, who was restraining him from behind, were also formidable.
‘Until Hwajong Conference and Murim Competition, I was clearly ahead of them.’
He thought he had pushed himself mercilessly during Southern Edge Sect's seclusion period, but far from catching up, it felt like he had been caught up to instead.
The confidence he had built up while blocking Jeok Ho’s blade collapsed back to its original place in an instant.
At that moment, Chung Myung spoke in a flat voice.
“Tsk. I tell you, Southern Edge Sect bastards are just unlucky."
"Yes?"
"How is it?"
Chung Myung asked bluntly.
"Have you found your sword?"
Songbaek's eyes slightly sank at the question. After a brief pause, he spoke in a small but firm voice.
"It’s embarrassing to call it my sword yet, but I think I know what kind of sword I must forge."
“Hoo.”
"And... don't be too complacent, Chung Myung Dojang. I'm not the only one at Southern Edge Sect who has found their path."
At those words, Chung Myung looked at the people standing behind Yi Songbaek. Indeed, though still awkward, people displaying auras similar to Yi Songbaek's were noticeable.
No, to be exact… it wasn’t Yi Songbaek’s presence, but a presence similar to the old Southern Edge Sect he once knew. The corners of Chung Myung’s mouth twisted slightly.
“Is this something to celebrate?”
“It’s all thanks to Dojang....”
"Well, even so, you've merely returned to the starting point. Even in the past, Southern Edge Sect couldn't defeat Mount Hua, so what would be different now?"
"What?"
“That punk?”
Southern Edge Sect's sword warriors who were listening from behind bristled and glared at Chung Myung. However, Chung Myung only smirked at the glare.
“What? Want to have a go?”
“Guh....”
Southern Edge Sect's sword warriors were gritting their teeth but could not bring themselves to step forward.
Because now they could see it. The depth of Chung Myung that they couldn't perceive even when it was right in front of them during their lacking days. A power whose limits they still couldn't fathom with their skills.
“Even so, Mount Hua....”
“Enough.”
At that moment, Jin Geumryong lightly raised his hand and silenced the disciples who were about to spout insults.
"Nothing will change by running your mouths. Whether Mount Hua is superior or Southern Edge Sect is superior is something we can prove from now on."
“Yes, Sahyung.”
Baek Cheon looked at Jin Geumryong with slightly surprised eyes.
Was this someone who could mediate like this? It seemed the changes during seclusion weren’t limited to just them or Yi Songbaek.
"It must be an honor for Mount Hua. Since we've deigned to acknowledge you as a worthy opponent."
...If only that arrogant attitude would change a bit too...
"That bastard talks just like Sasuk, as expected of brothers."
“No!”
"Guess blood doesn’t lie."
"I said no!"
It was when Chung Myung burst into laughter while watching Baek Cheon flare up in panic and get angry.
"Can’t you keep quiet?!"
“You rascals!”
Jong Nigok and Hyun Jong shouted almost simultaneously. The disciples of both Mount Hua and Southern Edge Sect flinched and immediately lowered their gazes to the ground.
They had saved the surviving Tang Family members, but in any case, Tang Family had suffered heavy casualties. In such a situation, raising their voices like unruly children couldn’t possibly leave a good impression. Jong Nigok clicked his tongue slightly with a displeased expression. Then he slightly bowed his head toward Tang Gun-ak.
"It seems the children can't control themselves after coming out of seclusion after a long time. It is my fault for not teaching them properly, please blame me, Gaju-nim."
"Don't mind it. Rather, how did you come to know about the situation here?"
"Beggar Union brought us the news."
"Ah... Then has Southern Edge Sect completely ended its seclusion now?"
"That is correct."
Jong Nigok nodded.
“I would have preferred to continue a few more years, as I still can’t confidently say that Southern Edge Sect has fully regained its path, but in this situation, there’s no way we could shut ourselves away behind sealed gates.”
He paused briefly before declaring firmly.
"Regardless, we intend to contribute to stabilizing the chaotic Kangho."
“Hmm.”
Hyun Jong nodded with a grave expression.
Although they have an uncomfortable relationship with Mount Hua, none would deny Southern Edge Sect’s strength. Moreover, Southern Edge Sect had not sealed it gates because it was weak, but because it wished to grow even stronger. If such Southern Edge Sect joined the frontline, it would be a great strength in the current situation.
"Then will you be returning to Shaanxi now?"
“That is the plan. What does Tang Family intend to do?”
"As for us..."
Tang Gun-ak glanced back. Tang Ga members were still tending to the wounded.
"Since we can no longer return to Sichuan, we must now find a place to stay."
"If there is anything we can help with, please say so anytime."
Jong Nigok was about to make a light fist-and-palm salute with a nod when.
“Sect Leader.”
Hyun Jong's call was heard. Jong Nigok turned to look at Hyun Jong without answering.
"Do you have something you wish to say, Grand Sect Leader?"
"I know this is sudden, but... I must risk discourtesy to make one request."
"A request..."
Jong Nigok nodded as if to say to go ahead.
"Please speak."
“Please lend us your strength… Please lend us Southern Edge Sect’s strength.”
A strange light spread across Jong Nigok's face.
“Though Myriad Man Manor has retreated for now, they are not the only ones who have invaded Sichuan. Other Evil Sects are now rushing to Jeomchang. If Southern Edge Sect would add its strength, we could help them..."
"That's enough, Grand Sect Leader."
Jong Nigok's sharp voice cut off Hyun Jong's words. A look of bewilderment crossed Hyun Jong's face.
"Sect Leader. Currently, Jeomchang is..."
“Southern Edge Sect has no intention of going to Jeomchang."
It was a truly cold tone. Hyun Jong flinched involuntarily.
"I thought you had changed greatly, but it seems Grand Sect Leader remains exactly as before."
“...Yes?”
Jong Nigok's sharp gaze pierced Hyun Jong.
“Stop pretending to be such a kind and generous person, Grand Sect Leader. And do not be too fond of others’ blood for your own gain.”
“....”
"It would be better if you moderate your pretense of being magnanimous as well. Since when did Southern Edge Sect and Mount Hua start asking each other for favors?”
Hyun Jong's shoulders trembled faintly.
But Jong Nigok only looked at him with a sneer, as if mocking him.
"If you were so eager to save Jeomchang, why didn't you go there in the first place? Choosing the side you're close to when it's time to make a choice, and then pretending to be sorry after it's already passed is nothing but hypocrisy."
Hyun Jong tightly shut his eyes. But far from feeling sorry for him, Jong Nigok only gave a cold sneer.
“Ah, well. Maybe there are some who were moved by your so-called virtue, Grand Sect Leader…”
His gaze, having swept over Tang Family, abruptly locked onto Chung Myung.
“But Southern Edge Sect will not be among them. Not now, not ever.”
For an instant, Chung Myung and Jong Nigok’s eyes clashed violently in midair.
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