Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1440. Yes, remember it (5)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
After a while, Jong Nigok quickly took his eyes off Chung Myung and bowed politely to Hyun Jong.
"Then."
Hyun Jong also reflexively returned the fist-and-palm salute toward Jong Nigok.
"Though our stances differ, in the end, all is for the sake of the martial world. I wish your sect continued prosperity."
"...I wish your sect continued prosperity as well."
Jong Nigok also saluted Tang Gun-ak in the same manner and then turned his body smoothly.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Sect Leader!”
Southern Edge Sect's disciples gave a glance toward Mount Hua’s disciples before turning around. Mount Hua's disciples frowned slightly, then Songbaek spoke to Chung Myung and Five Swords in a subtle manner.
"Though Sect Leader speaks that way, I don't necessarily share his views."
"What?"
"And I'm not the only one who thinks this way."
Songbaek smiled brightly as he looked at Chung Myung. This meant that Southern Edge Sect's old generation and younger generation had different thoughts.
"There's no reason we can't join hands just because we compete. Rather, I think we might need each other more precisely because we compete. The same thing is already happening within Southern Edge Sect.”
Baek Cheon nodded solemnly, as if he understood what Songbaek meant.
“So....”
“Yi Songbaek!”
Yi Songbaek flinched at the cold voice he heard and stopped talking. Awkwardly turning around, he saw Jin Geumryong glaring at him with a chilling gaze.
"Know your limits."
"My apologies, Sahyung.”
Yi Songbaek awkwardly added with a sheepish look.
"Though it may take some time, of course."
Shrugging his shoulders, he saluted Mount Hua’s disciples.
"Then I'll see you again. I suppose we'll be seeing each other quite frequently from now on."
“It was nice meeting you, Sohyeop.”
Five Swords returned the fist-and-palm salute. Yi Songbaek turned his head and looked at Chung Myung.
“Chung Myung Dojang.”
"Hm?"
"Thank you."
Songbaek bowed deeply toward Chung Myung. It was not the courtesy of a martial artist, but a bow simply as a person to another.
“What’s this, out of nowhere?”
“The teachings that Dojang imparted to us have awakened many things in me and in Southern Edge Sect. I don't know how I could ever repay this grace…”
“The hell are you talking about? Why would I give grace to Southern Edge Sect? Be careful, you lot! One day I’ll set Southern Edge Sect Mountain on fire!”
Yi Songbaek chuckled.
“I believe the way to repay that grace is to continue striving forward according to your teachings.”
“No, I said I’ve never shown you any grace?”
“I wish I could show you my sword one day. It may still be lacking, but you’ll be able to see it’s different from before.”
Chung Myung looked up at the sky with a blank expression. Seeing him looking as if all strength had drained from his body, Jo-Gol whispered softly.
"Sahyung... It seems natural enemies do exist in this world."
"...An eternal parallel line. Neither listen to each other’s words, not even through their nostrils.”
(H: Parallel lines never cross, no matter how far they go. Two people (or sides) that will never meet, never understand each other, or never reach an agreement)
"Well then, until we meet again."
Songbaek made a precise fist-and-palm salute and turned away. While Songbaek himself was moving away, only one person remained in his place.
“...Why aren’t you going?”
Baek Cheon asked Jin Geumryong with an extremely prickly expression.
Before Chung Myung appeared in Mount Hua, he lived his entire life oppressed by Jin Geumryong. There was even a time when his sole goal in life had been to defeat Jin Geumryong.
Now he was certain. In terms of skill, he had long since surpassed Jin Geumryong. No matter how much Jin Geumryong had improved, there was no reason Baek Cheon would lose to him in a fight.
Yet strangely, this discomfort never seemed to fade.
Jin Geumryong, who had been staring at Baek Cheon with an intensely dissatisfied gaze, finally spoke.
“I didn’t know.”
"Huh?"
"I thought that though you were lacking, you weren't ill-mannered. But it seems by mingling with strange people, even your manners have turned bad."
Baek Cheon's face contorted sharply.
"Stop picking a fight and be on your way."
"Father is over there."
Baek Cheon flinched for a moment at Jin Geumryong's words.
“Even if you’ve been given the Taoist title, you’re still a member of Jin Family. Are you not even going to greet the father you haven’t seen in years?”
Only then did Baek Cheon glance beyond Jin Geumryong’s shoulder. Among the elders and first-class disciples of Southern Edge Sect gathered there, Jin Chobaek was indeed looking their way.
“If you’re going to be like this, it would be better to just tear the Jin name off your back. It’s pitiful how Father still considers a guy like you family.”
"Even saying the same thing, you always have to..."
Baek Cheon glared at Jin Geumryong with a displeased expression on his face.
“Of course, I am a member of the Jin family, and I am not an ill-mannered person."
At those words, Five Swords and others whispered among themselves.
"Isn't he actually ill-mannered?"
“He is.”
"As expected of brothers. He's perfectly seen through him."
"Shut up!"
Baek Cheon shouted angrily before clearing his throat.
“But honestly, it doesn’t feel like me going over there now would be something Father would be pleased about.”
“....”
"Now that the seclusion has ended, I'll come pay my respects properly. Please convey that to him."
Jin Geumryong glared at Baek Cheon and snorted.
“You really have no manners. Using your older brother to deliver a message.”
“Ugh, what do you want from me!”
Baek Cheon finally lost his temper. But Jin Geumryong had already lost interest and shifted his gaze to Chung Myung.
"Looking at your state, it seems you've been living quite comfortably."
"Oh, is that so? It seems your personality has gotten worse in the meantime. Or is that a Jin family trait?"
"You bastard! Don't lump me in with him! Let go! Won't you let go?!"
As Baek Cheon began flailing in outrage, Five Swords quickly restrained him and dragged him away. Jin Geumryong glanced at him, clicked his tongue, and said.
"I remember clearly the debt from last time."
“Debt? What debt?”
Chung Myung tilted his head as if genuinely unable to remember, then suddenly clapped his hands.
“Ohhh, you mean when Sasuk beat you up at the Murim Competition?”
“....”
"Why would you keep dwelling on such a bad memory? It would be better for your mental health to forget about it."
For an instant, a cold killing intent poured out from Jin Geumryong. But Chung Myung merely smiled broadly. Jin Geumryong spoke as if grinding his teeth.
"Looks like you haven’t changed. Good. I was worried about what I would do if you had changed. It looks like I'll be able to repay my debt to my heart's content."
Chung Myung picked his ear with his pinky finger.
"Well, that's up to you... but can that be done with just feelings? You need skill, skill. Unfortunately, it seems your abilities are still lacking?"
"Hmph."
Jin Geumryong snorted, shot a glance at Chung Myung, then gripped his sword.
Just as the Baek Cheon was about to rush toward Jin Geumryong, the latter's sword was drawn even faster, releasing a dazzling white sword energy toward Chung Myung.
Hwaaaaak!
The released sword energy embroidered an elaborate pattern above Chung Myung's head. Chung Myung narrowed his eyes at that captivating, splendid sword energy.
“...This is?”
“It’s my new sword. No, Southern Edge Sect’s new sword.”
“That....”
Chung Myung opened his mouth to say something but then shut his mouth.
Snow Flower Twelve Forms. That inferior sword technique derived from Mount Hua's Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique.
But the sword Jin Geumryong had just displayed was Snow Flower Twelve Forms, and yet not Snow Flower Twelve Forms. The sword energy remained as white as snow, but no trace of the plum blossom could be found.
Chung Myung's eyes twitched.
He wanted to find fault, but there was nothing to criticize. Even if it started from the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, if they had found their own intent (의(意)) and form (형(形)), then it should be called Southern Edge Sect’s martial arts. In the end, all martial arts throughout the world developed in that way.
"You put in the effort, but… it seems you really can’t understand what I’m saying. Southern Edge Sect’s sword is….”
"Why should you be the one to decide that?"
"What?"
A look of puzzlement crossed Chung Myung's face. Jin Geumryong glanced back at where his fellow disciples stood before speaking.
"Indeed, it seems there are those who were swayed by your nonsense. Southern Edge Sect must return to its roots. Everything about Southern Edge Sect lies in the Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven."
“...That’s not wrong.”
“No, that’s wrong.”
Jin Geumryong spoke to Chung Myung, who was frowning.
“Of course, Thirty-Six Swords Under the Heaven (천하삼십육검(天下三十六劍)) is the root of Southern Edge Sect and its foundation. But if we only pursue mastering the past perfectly by imitating it, Southern Edge Sect will still remain as Southern Edge Sect of the past.”
“....”
“Southern Edge Sect will grow stronger. With the new sword that the current Southern Edge Sect has created.”
Jin Geumryong sheathed his sword and spoke coldly.
"Until then, keep your neck polished and ready."
"Even Evil Sects bastards these days don’t use that kind of language anymore."
"Hmph."
Jin Geumryong turned around firmly.
"Let's go. Keep your promise, Jin Dongryong."
"Stop calling me that!"
And then he moved away from them so coldly that a chilly wind seemed to blow. Everyone let out a deep sigh as they watched Southern Edge Sect disappear into the distance.
"...It's a good thing."
"It is. We got their help too."
"Yeah. It really is a good thing, but....”
Baek Cheon muttered with a face full of worry.
"Now there really won’t be a single day of peace."
“Yes, Dongryong Sasuk.”
Baek Cheon's fist slammed into Jo-Gol's chin.
Just as Jin Geumryong joined those who had departed earlier, a voice could be heard.
“How was it?”
“...What are you talking about?”
"Weren't you looking forward to reuniting with your younger brother?"
The question came from Yi Songbaek. Jin Geumryong turned around with angry eyes, but he merely smiled mildly.
Those around them involuntarily tensed up. They say you can't spit on a smiling face. But Jin Geumryong was someone who, if he couldn't spit, might swing his sword, wasn't he?
“...Stop with the nonsense.”
“Yes, Sahyung.”
But fortunately, Jin Geumryong let it go without saying anything. A few watching the exchange sighed in relief.
'His personality is just so great, really.'
Even within the sect, the only person who can joke around with Jin Geumryong like that is Yi Songbaek. Thanks to him, the atmosphere around Southern Edge Sect had softened considerably.
“And you?”
"Yes?"
“Wasn’t it you who was actually looking forward to the reunion more than me?”
At those words, Songbaek nodded quietly.
“That’s true.”
“So what are your thoughts after that long-awaited meeting?”
"Well."
Yi Songbaek held a strange smile.
"Given the situation, it was a bit bewildering, but..."
He briefly trailed off and glanced back. Chung Myung was now standing in a distance that was barely visible.
"He remains the same."
"How dull."
Yi Songbaek chuckled.
Remains the same.
That wasn't simply about personality. To him, Chung Myung was still like a huge mountain, and even more, like a sky that could never be crossed. Even covered in wounds and exhausted to the point of collapse, he didn’t seem small in the slightest.
And that made Yi Songbaek happy, made him truly joyful. Like a climber discovering a mountain that could be climbed forever.
"It's regrettable that I couldn't witness Dojang's sword. I’m sure it would have taught me many things.”
"You'll see it until you're sick of it soon enough."
"I suppose so."
Yi Songbaek's eyes gradually darkened as he answered calmly.
'Jang Ilso.'
Although it was a bit awkward because Evil Tyrant Alliance easily retreated, the presence he briefly encountered was so intense that it gave him goosebumps just thinking about it.
Now Southern Edge Sect would have to face such foes.
Songbaek lightly gripped the sword at his waist. Of course, they were terrifying enemies. But the path he must walk had already been decided.
“When I return, I’ll have to start training all over again.”
“Aren’t you tired of it?”
“It’s something that must be done.”
Jin Geumryong shook his head dismissively.
"I will be the one to defeat Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword. I won't tolerate anyone cutting in line."
"...That remains to be seen."
"What did you say?"
“I’ll go first.”
As Songbaek kicked the ground and leapt forward, Jin Geumryong ground his teeth quietly. But soon, his gaze turned not to Yi Songbaek but behind.
'Jin Dongryong.'
At the Murim Competition, Baek Cheon had still seemed immature. But the Baek Cheon he faced today was undeniably a full-fledged martial artist. No, rather, he seemed far more like a true martial artist than his brother.
“Tsk.”
Jin Geumryong clicked his tongue briefly and made a decision. When they returned, he would secure a proper training hall first.
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