If You’re a Disciple of Mount Hua, That’s Enough (3)
The beginning had been grand, but the ending was oddly underwhelming.
There were several reasons for that.
First, Mount Hua hadn’t expected victory at all, so they hadn’t prepared any sort of celebration. Even if they wanted to rejoice, it all felt strangely half-finished.
Second, once Sama Seung had gone running back with his tail between his legs, the Southern Edge disciples had no choice but to slink out of Mount Hua in a similarly awkward fashion.
And lastly…….
"Sect Leader! Might we trouble you for a moment?"
"Don’t shove! I was here first!"
"Sect Leader! Just for a moment! Sect Leader!"
The local notables of Shaanxi, who had watched the match, swarmed Hyun Jong the moment Sama Seung left. They had eyes; they had seen what they’d seen, and there was no way they were going to just turn around and go home after that.
I’ve got to make a deal with them!
This is money lying right there for the taking!
We can’t let the Eunha Merchant Guild have all the fun!
It wasn’t as though this single match meant Mount Hua had completely crushed Southern Edge, but it was undeniable that Mount Hua was growing at a terrifying pace.
And as the world worked, where strength gathered, money followed. The Shaanxi notables who had watched the match all wanted the money flowing into Mount Hua to become their money.
"What in the world is wrong with all of you?"
When Hyun Young roared at them, the Shaanxi notables flinched and glanced at him cautiously.
Was that a bit much?
Right. He is the Sect Leader of a sect, after all. We should be a little more polite…….
They’re bound to be flustered, all of us crowding in at once like this.
But the next thing he said was slightly different from what they’d expected.
Hyun Young spoke with a face full of delight.
"You should be discussing matters with me, the head of the Finance Hall. I’ve prepared refreshments, so please come this way. I’ve set aside plenty of time today, so there’s no need to rush."
"……."
"Ah, and just in case, I’ve also prepared lodging. If anyone wishes to stay, just say the word. Now then, everyone this way."
"……."
Watching Hyun Young hum cheerfully as he led them toward the Finance Hall, the notables realized today’s negotiations were going to be anything but easy.
And before all the Southern Edge disciples had left, Chung Myung faced one of them again.
"Thank you for your guidance."
"……For what?"
"Thank you, Little Daoist."
Chung Myung looked at Yi Song-baek with a blank expression.
"Hey, don’t you think your fellow disciples are grinding their teeth over there? Maybe don’t come here and say that."
Yi Song-baek scratched his head, looking awkward.
"By now, I suppose the rift is already half-broken."
Half-broken? It looked far more than that.
Should he call this optimism? Or simple dullness? The Southern Edge disciples were already glaring holes through Yi Song-baek with their eyes.
Well, that was only natural.
After all, people usually hated traitors even more than enemies. From Southern Edge’s perspective, the most detestable enemy of all was Chung Myung. So how could they possibly look kindly on Yi Song-baek, who had gone out of his way to speak to him?
Still, it was very much like Yi Song-baek not to care about any of that.
"Before, I didn’t understand what you were saying, Little Daoist."
Yi Song-baek said with resolute eyes,
"But now I think I understand the meaning of your words. And the path I must walk as well."
"……Hey, I’m a disciple of Mount Hua, you know?"
Yi Song-baek smiled faintly.
"When seeking a teacher, why should the sect matter so much? Anyone who has something to teach can become a teacher."
"Hey. Um……."
"Yes?"
"Have you ever thought about joining a daoist temple?"
Go to Mount Hua.
You’re more of a daoist than I am.
"I already have my roots in Southern Edge."
Yi Song-baek gave an embarrassed smile and glanced behind him. Along his gaze stood Jin Geum-ryong, still unconscious and being carried away.
"Senior brother will have felt a great deal from today’s match. Be careful. Senior brother is an exceptional man. Now that he’s faced you, he’ll likely make you his target and train with that in mind. He’ll only grow stronger, and become even more fearsome."
"Yeah, sure. Let him."
At Chung Myung’s indifferent reply, Yi Song-baek gave a wry smile.
"Then I suppose my words mean nothing to you, Little Daoist."
Chung Myung would grow stronger far faster than Jin Geum-ryong. As time went on, the gap between them would only widen; it would never close. Yi Song-baek knew that well enough.
"I only wanted to thank you. Until we meet again, then……."
"Wait."
This time, Chung Myung stopped him.
"Yes?"
Chung Myung, the one who had called him back, simply looked at Yi Song-baek without speaking. He stared at him for a long moment, then finally opened his mouth in a lower voice than before.
"It’s going to be a hard road."
"……."
Yi Song-baek let out a sigh while looking at Chung Myung.
"Little Daoist really can read people’s hearts. There’s no hiding anything from you."
"And you’re still going to go?"
Yi Song-baek nodded without a word.
"It’s not a path I want to walk. It’s one I have to walk."
Chung Myung quietly nodded.
"Then."
Watching Yi Song-baek return to his fellow disciples, Chung Myung was struck by a strange feeling.
From here on, Yi Song-baek would probably have to fight alone. The Southern Edge disciples who had come here would never forget Chung Myung’s sword, and they would spend the rest of their lives chasing after it.
In the middle of that current, protecting Southern Edge’s sword would not be easy. People naturally rejected and kept their distance from those who were different.
It would be a lonely and difficult struggle…….
"If he pulls it off, he might someday become Southern Edge’s hope."
Chung Myung turned his head and looked at the third-generation disciples.
When he saw Jo Gul and the others grinning foolishly, a sigh slipped from him before he could stop it.
Why is some other sect’s disciple that impressive?
Why were the fools in his own sect all like this?
If even one brat like Yi Song-baek had been in Mount Hua, Chung Myung’s life would have been twice as easy!
"Tch."
Chung Myung shook his head.
What could he do?
If I beat them senseless long enough, they’ll become human.
Humans always did their best within the environment they were given. There was no point in complaining about what you didn’t have.
Watching the Southern Edge disciples leave through the mountain gate, Chung Myung turned around.
Things with Southern Edge were settled for now. Chung Myung would no longer be the one to strike first against them. They didn’t know it, but he had already exacted more than enough revenge.
Then was his connection with Southern Edge resolved here?
"As if."
By now, Chung Myung had become more than an eyesore to Southern Edge; he was the primary enemy they absolutely had to deal with.
That was entirely understandable. If the positions were reversed, and Chung Myung were the Sect Leader of Southern Edge, he’d find every possible way to crush the bastard too.
That was the only way Southern Edge had a chance of surviving.
"And then they’ll get themselves killed."
Chung Myung smiled with satisfaction.
Just then, someone came running up to him in a rush.
"Chung Myung!"
It was Yoon Jong.
"What is it, sahyung?"
"Hurry and come with me. Sect Leader is looking for you!"
"……."
A flicker of displeasure crossed Chung Myung’s face.
Here we go.
He raised his head and looked at the distant sky.
I should’ve taken it easy.
Honestly, this whole affair wasn’t so much something he had accomplished as something he had caused.
Hadn’t he beaten all of Southern Edge’s second-generation disciples in front of the elders of the sect and made plum blossoms bloom with his sword?
Of course the Sect Leader and elders were going to have questions. Up until now, there had been nothing they could do because the match was still going, but now that it was over, the questions were naturally going to start.
What do I say to explain this?
Actually, I’m your ancestor?
No, that’s not it.
I learned it from a manual I picked up while passing by?
No, that’s not it either.
"Ugh."
Unable to find a single way out, Chung Myung scratched his head hard, and Yoon Jong tilted his head.
"What are you doing? Let’s go already."
"Yeah, yeah."
Chung Myung let out a long, drawn-out sigh.
Ah, what a miserable fate.
Now, even after winning, he had to start by looking for excuses.
Sect Uncle. Sect Uncle, are you watching? Is this really how I have to live?
Then go die.
Hey, listen to this old bastard!
That’s a hell of a thing to say to someone who’s already dead!
In the end, Chung Myung was dragged toward the Sect Leader’s quarters like a cow being led to slaughter. There were quite a few shoes lined up outside the room, which meant the elders and first-generation disciples were all gathered there as well.
"Sect Leader. It’s Yoon Jong. I’ve brought Chung Myung."
"Send him in."
"Yes, sir."
Yoon Jong motioned for Chung Myung to go inside.
"……."
He motioned again.
"……."
"What are you doing, idiot? Get in there!"
"……ugh."
Chung Myung heaved a stubborn sigh, then opened the door and stepped inside.
Once he went in, the hellish questions would start pouring in again…….
"Ooooooh! Chung Myung, you’re here!"
"Kraaah! Handsome! So handsome! Our Chung Myung is this handsome!"
"……."
What the hell?
The elders and first-generation disciples who had been waiting inside all started applauding at once.
Watching those grim-faced old men clap and cheer in unison was extremely, extremely strange.
What’s wrong with these people?
When he looked up, every single one of them was smiling from ear to ear. It looked as though, if they couldn’t make plum blossoms bloom with swords, they’d happily make them bloom with their faces instead.
Seeing Hyun Jong in the middle, his mouth practically stretching to his ears, Chung Myung suddenly understood something.
Ah. They’ve never been this happy before.
Watching the sect elders laugh as though plum blossoms and all that were nothing compared to this made Chung Myung feel oddly bitter and, at the same time, strangely moved.
How should he put it?
It was the feeling of a father who had never once managed to buy his child a proper meat dish…….
As Chung Myung was feeling strangely sentimental, Hyun Jong finally spoke.
"Yes. Chung……. Pffh! Yes, Chung Myung……. Kkh!"
Hyun Jong lowered his head and covered his mouth with his hand. Apparently, even just saying Chung Myung’s name was enough to delight him.
"Khurk-hurk-hm!"
The Sect Leader cleared his throat. But his face was bright red, and it was clear he was still struggling to hold back his laughter.
"Yes. Are you injured anywhere?"
"Just a slight cut."
"The wound might fester, so when you leave here, go see the Medicine Hall."
At that, Hyun Sang glared.
"You can just summon the Hall Leader of Medicine! Why are you making a busy man come and go as he pleases?"
"……That sounds a little odd. Who’s busy?"
"Why, that child is busy! What’s the Hall Leader of Medicine even doing anyway?"
"……."
Hyun Jong stared blankly at Hyun Sang, but the other man only straightened his chest as though he were entirely justified. Even the others gathered there nodded as if it were only natural.
"……Then I suppose that settles it."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"You are Mount Hua’s……."
Just then.
Bang!
The door flew open, and Hyun Young stormed in.
"Sect Leader! The notables are throwing money everywhere! Hahaha! It’s raining money! I’ve never in my life heard of someone making money by holding a match, but this boy’s a god of wealth! A god of wealth! They’re going on and on about earning merit through a spar and bringing back riches—ah! Chung Myung, you little brat! So you were here!"
Hyun Young lunged at Chung Myung and grabbed both his cheeks, stretching them outward.
"You adorable little rascal! Hahahaha! If I’d had just one grandson like you, I’d have nothing left to wish for in this world."
Chung Myung, his cheeks yanked long, stared helplessly at the ceiling.
Sect Uncle.
This is how I live. This is how I live.
Now some brat not even old enough to be my grandson is grabbing my face and doing this to me. Huh? Is this really how I’m supposed to live? Huh?
"He looks child-like. Uncle Sect Leader."
"Wahahah? What was that? Yes, yes! I’m delighted too! Hahahahaha!"
They were all the elders of Mount Hua, each of them half-mad with joy.