Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1522. Thinking back, I was wrong (2)
Editor: Hoamz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Paaaaaat.
At a time when the dew formed during the night had not yet fully dried, a group of about ten people raced along the main street.
“How long will it take to get to Shaanxi?”
“If nothing happens, probably two days at most.”
"Two days... Once we get back, it’ll just be more work waiting for us."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. And here you are already scheming how to slack off. This is exactly the problem."
“...But shouldn't most of it be completed by now?"
“There will be no end to the trivial tasks. I guess...”
“Right. Managing people isn’t easy. People create work just by increasing in number. That’s why we have it tough.”
Mount Hua disciples all turned their heads to one side. Somehow, it felt like some foreign object kept inserting itself into the conversation…
“But hey.”
"Hm?"
“Is it alright for you to be here?”
Hong Dae-gwang, who received everyone’s gaze, faced them shamelessly with a look that asked ‘Is there a problem?’
"Why?"
“...Amitabha. Shouldn’t Siju be worrying about the collapsed Beggar Union right now, not Heavenly Comrade Alliance?”
“Tsk, tsk. Monks living in the mountains really don’t understand the ways of the world.”
"...Yes?"
Hong Dae-gwang cleared his throat and shrugged.
"Originally, the set of sect leader isn't for doing such trivial matters. Fostering relationships between sects is the most important thing."
“...”
"So what's most important to me right now? The relationship with Heavenly Comrade Alliance, of course! And among Heavenly Comrade Alliance, the relationship with you all who are the core! Strengthening that bond is the real work! This is all work, I tell you!"
"That relationship is currently crumbling though."
“Huh? Why?”
“Sigh…”
Mount Hua disciples collectively sighed. They thought they had made a clean getaway, but some kind of burdensome lump had attached itself to them.
That lump even began to poke and bother Chung Myung.
“Hey, Mount Hua Divine Dragon. Wake up a little. How long are you gonna sleep? I get that the 'One Sword Splits Light' stance makes for a comfy bed, but still."
Jo-Gol, who had been running forward looking straight ahead, asked Baek Cheon.
"Sasuk. Can I hit this old man a bit?"
“...Don’t. He's going to become sect leader."
“We hit the person who will become our sect leader all the time, don’t we?”
“...Did you perhaps hit me?"
Jo-Gol went 'oops' and avoided Baek Cheon's eyes.
Then Chung Myung made groaning sounds and tossed about. Something trickled from his slightly parted lips.
“Ouch! It’s wet! Stop drooling, you bastard!"
“Keuuuh… Don’t shout. My head is ringing.”
“How much did you drink!”
“U- Uurk…”
“N- No!”
Jo-Gol quickly threw the weight on his back to the ground. Chung Myung then spun in mid-air and landed on the ground.
“Uweeeeeeeeeck!”
“...Ten points.”
"Yeah. I give ten points too."
“Adding artistry to the finish, that’s eleven.”
"Shouldn’t that be a deduction?"
Chung Myung beat his chest and shook his head vigorously. His hangover seemed truly terrible.
Hey, Mount Hua Divine Dragon. Are you alri… Aaaah! Don’t wipe your vomit-covered mouth on someone else’s sleeve!”
“…It’s just rags anyway.”
“What did you say! You crazy bastard!”
Hong Dae-gwang shivered and hurriedly ran away from Chung Myung. Chung Myung staggered and grumbled.
"Keueueu. I'm really dying. Just how strong was that yangban's liquor..."
“Ah, Sect Leader? Our Beggar King was originally famous for being a heavy drinker. It just didn't become a rumor because not many people drank with him. Phew, don’t even ask. There was this one time in the past…”
“Ah, forget it. I don’t care about your old man’s past stories."
Hong Dae-gwang, who had suffered emotional wounds, immediately became dejected. Chung Myung paid no attention and asked with a haggard face.
“More importantly… Why are you here, Uncle?”
“I told you. I’m going to Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
“Why?”
“Why? I need to pay my respects to Sect Leader.... No, Maengju-nim. To say please take good care of me from now on."
Chung Myung's eyes narrowed sharply.
“You didn’t just run away because you don’t want to work?”
“Oho! What do you take this Hong Dae-gwang for!"
Chung Myung seriously contemplated. If he truly thought about the future of Beggar Union, maybe burying this yangban somewhere around here…
“Well, there’s that, but there’s no good for me to be there right now.”
“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”
When Chung Myung asked again, Hong Dae-gwang clicked his tongue and said.
“Now that the leader and Ilho Shingae have declared they will give me the leader’s position, the elders are going to be looking for me like mad.”
“…Why?”
"That's how those yangban operate. Since the side they were attached to has lost its power, they’ll try to attach themselves to the one who has newly gained power. If I remain in Kaifeng, I can’t avoid that situation.”
“Hmmm.”
“But if I just push them away recklessly, won’t that make them feel threatened too? Either way, the best thing is to stay out of sight.”
Chung Myung still looked unconvinced, but when he thought about it, Hong Dae-gwang’s reasoning made sense.
“I get what you’re saying, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, is it? Them clinging means they’re submitting.”
"Not bad, my ass! Those old monsters are so cunning. They'll definitely pretend to prostrate themselves flat while trying to manipulate me as they please."
“Well, that’s a given.”
Hong Dae-gwang snorted.
“And! Sect Leader said he would bury the elders’ wrongdoings, but I have no intention of doing so. If you commit a sin, you have to pay the price.”
Hong Dae-gwang's eyes were firm, as if he had already made up his mind. Chung Myung looked at Hong Dae-gwang with somewhat fresh eyes.
"Hn? What are you planning to do? Sect Leader didn't spare those yangban because he found them favorable, right? Beggar Union's master-level forces are already weak, so if you kick out all those yangban, it'll really just become a beggar group, yeah?"
“Kicking them out? No way. If they get kicked out, they’ll just go somewhere and enjoy themselves in peace. How is that punishment? That’s a reward.”
"...Then?"
“I’ll shove them all onto the front lines.”
"...What?"
Chung Myung was momentarily taken aback. What did this beggar bastard just…
“There’s no need to sacrifice the beggars on the front lines. I’m going to push all the elders to Evil Tyrant Alliance front and cut off their support. I’ll treat them exactly the same as the common beggars. Oh, and I’m going to get rid of all the privileges the elders have too.”
“...That much?”
"You wouldn't understand as an outsider."
Hong Dae-gwang snorted.
"Sect Leader talks about direction and whatnot, but that's all bullshit. To me, the biggest reason Beggar Union fell apart is that those elders completely forgot what it was like to live as beggars. Only when they are cold and hungry again will they understand the hardships of beggars and the suffering of the powerless. So I’m going to work those elder bastards to the bone.”
Chung Myung blinked.
“N- No. I get the sentiment, but…”
“Right? You understand, don’t you?”
"No, but who's going to handle the aftermath? Aren’t bamboo spears fair to everyone? If it's bamboo spears held by elders, no matter how tough you hide is, Uncle won't be able to handle it."
"Haha. That's why I'm going to Heavenly Comrade Alliance right now, isn't it?"
“Huh?”
“Mount Hua Divine Dragon!”
Hong Dae-gwang grabbed Chung Myung's hand.
“Save me!”
“...”
“You don’t have to come yourselves. Just send some elites from Heavenly Comrade Alliance, like Tang Family or Namgung Family. If you just protect me until what I mentioned stabilizes..."
Ttaaaaaaak!
“Kuack!”
Hong Dae-gwang, who was in the middle of speaking, suddenly face-planted with a crisp smacking sound.
"Huh? Sect Leader-nim?"
Standing where Hong Dae-gwang had fallen was Wind Shadow Divine Beggar, who had appeared out of nowhere. His face looking down at Hong Dae-gwang was complex and peculiar, mixed with irritation, anger, and even an emptiness.
Mount Hua disciples nodded. Sect Leader-nim, we completely understand how you feel.
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar gave a slight bow.
“...I apologize for the trouble.”
Then he grabbed the fallen Hong Dae-gwang by one foot.
"I'll put him in the sect leader seat first, then send him to pay proper respects."
"Y- Yes, please do that."
"Then."
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar caught Hong Dae-gwang who was lying down like a boiled chicken and disappeared like an illusion. It was a lightness technique truly worthy of the name Traceless.
“…Karma.”
“Justice prevails.”
“There’s a limit to how much bullshit people will listen to.”
Does it even make sense for someone who should inherit the sect leader position to be absent from his post?
Then a slight question and shock crossed Baek Cheon's face. Yoon Jong noticed this and asked.
"What's wrong, Sasuk? Is something wrong?"
“No, it’s not that, but I think the story about Sect Leader being a heavy drinker is true… He drank with that Chung Myung bastard all night, but even if he expels the alcohol with his internal strength, how can he be that sober…”
In an instant, everyone’s gaze turned to Chung Myung.
Chung Myung was busy.
“Uweeeeeeeeeeck!”
“...It wasn't Wind Shadow Divine Beggar but Alcohol Ghost Divine Beggar."
There's always a sky above the sky. Mount Hua disciples realized this obvious fact anew.
“Keueung… We’ve finally arrived.”
“It felt like a single dash on the way there, but it takes a long time to come back.”
“It’s just how it feels. Or maybe we’re just tired.”
Baek Cheon agreed with Tang Soso's words. It was the way back after a fierce battle and without any proper rest. Of course, it was bound to be tough.
But they couldn’t delay any longer. Because they knew better than anyone that there was a mountain of work to do in Huayin right now.
"Anyway, it's fortunate that we have something to report after arriving."
"Right. If we had returned empty-handed, we'd have no words even if we were beaten to death."
“If you think about it, didn’t we basically run away in the middle of the night while others were working? We should be grateful just to be hung upside down in Bulhoe Valley.”
A deep sigh escaped. It was fortunate that things went well...
Chung Myung, who had recovered on the way, said nonchalantly.
“If the result is good, then everything is good.”
“You’re definitely going to get seriously hurt one day.”
“I’ve been hurt many times already, Sasuk. The problem is that it doesn't fix me."
“...That’s true.”
Baek Cheon straightened his shoulders. The process had been grueling, but they had secured Beggar Union's cooperation and even built a subtle connection with Shaolin. It was an enormous achievement compared to the time invested.
It strangely felt like a triumphant general's return.
“It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way.”
"Right? I don't think we've ever come back in such high spirits recently."
"I want to wash up."
"Let's hurry back and clean up, Sago!"
“Alright, let’s hurry.”
Baek Cheon strode toward Huayin with a confident gait.
Before they had even taken a few steps, someone who was loitering near the village entrance spotted them. He quickly ran toward Mount Hua disciples.
“Huh? Isn’t that Un Gum Great Sasuk?”
“Did he already hear that we were coming?”
Joy spread across their faces, bright smiles lighting up.
Though they had only been apart for a few days, meeting here like this filled them with warmth and excitement.
Un Gum also seemed to welcome them, running towards them with open arms… no, with one arm open.
"He's giving us a warm welcome!"
"Haha. As if we did something that great!”
As Chung Myung was about to step forward, proudly puffing out his chest, Baek Cheon grabbed his ponytail and yanked him back.
“Tsk. Even cold water has its hierarchy."
“…Ouch. How cheap!”
“Move!”
Baek Cheon pushed Chung Myung back and greeted the approaching Un Gum with a bright smile while cupping his fists.
"Sasuk! We've safely completed our task and returned...”
Baek Cheon's greeting was not even complete. Un Gum's knee, which had rushed forward like lightning, buried itself squarely in Baek Cheon's forehead.
“Kuek!”
Baek Cheon was sent flying backward with a pig-squeal that was utterly unbefitting of him.
'Huh? What's this?'
'Did I see wrong?'
Mount Hua disciples paused for a moment and looked at Un Gum.
And then they saw it.
Un Gum's appearance, like that of a malevolent spirit, which they had never seen even once before.
“Gre- Great Sasuk?”
“You rascals…”
A thick killing intent swirled in Un Gum’s eyes.
“Is it true that you wore Southern Edge Sect’s clothes, entered Kaifeng, and destroyed Beggar Union’s great hall?”
“…Huh?”
That... is... true? Uh... It is true, but.
“Wa- Wait. Great Sasuk! Please listen first! There were circumstances…!”
“Disciples of Mount Hua…!”
Far from calming down, Un Gum only clenched his teeth with a fiercer killing intent.
"Of all things, you wore Southern Edge Sect's clothing on your bodies?"
Ah…. So the problem wasn’t that they destroyed the great hall, but that they wore Southern Edge Sect's clothes. Well, there’s no room for excuse for that.
"Today I will definitely fix your rotten spirits."
"Gre- Great Sasuk!"
"No, please listen to what we have to say first!"
“Shut up!”
Un Gum who had become Asura kicked the ground towards the pale Five Swords. Soon after, agonized screams began echoing in all directions.
Later, Chung Myung would recall this day thus:
That there existed something in the world more terrifying than Heavenly Demon.
|Note
Consider supporting me by subscribing on Patreon for 5$. The Patreon membership for Mount Hua and Infinite Mage is the same. The benefit:
Advance chapters of Mount Hua : 76
Advance chapters of Magic Realm Convenience Store Worker : 144 Chapters
Advance chapters of Got a Gallery in the Wild : 10
Comments Box