Sect Leader! That Bastard Is a God of Wealth! (2)
Mount Hua had descended into chaos.
It had already been seven days since the third-generation disciple who had suddenly vanished from Mount Hua had failed to return. It was a matter of enormous consequence.
Of course, back when Mount Hua was collapsing, there had been people who fled in the dead of night. But it was something that had not been seen in recent times, at the very least.
As a result, the atmosphere in Mount Hua had become downright ominous.
"...Could something have happened to him?"
"Something?"
"No matter how reckless he is, he doesn't seem like the kind of man who'd just disappear and never come back. Besides, it's not like he had any reason to leave Mount Hua in the first place."
"That's true."
Yoon Jong nodded.
Jo Gul was right. Chung Myung had no reason to leave Mount Hua. If he had harbored even the slightest intention of doing so, he never would have fed him those precious elixirs.
He had handed over something so valuable, then immediately left Mount Hua?
In truth, unless that had been poison instead of an elixir, it was something that simply could not have happened.
There was only one thing.
"If a man with no reason to leave suddenly doesn't come back, doesn't that mean something happened to him?"
"Geol."
"Yes, sahyung."
"No matter how I twist my brain around it, I just can't imagine that bastard getting into trouble."
"...Same here, more or less."
Chung Myung's smiling face floated up in Jo Gul's mind. Not a warm smile, of course, but a wicked one.
No, yeah. That's not it.
He was the kind of bastard who'd survive no matter what you did—throw him off a cliff, drop him into hell itself, he'd still claw his way back. For someone like that to suffer some accident and fail to return was impossible.
"There must be some reason."
"I hope it's one our grandmartial uncles can accept. They looked furious."
"They did..."
"Un Geom-sahung was called to the sect leader again. I'm worried something really bad is going to happen."
"Hoo."
Yoon Jong frowned and looked toward the mountain gate.
What on earth is that brat up to?
Even while thinking that nothing serious would have happened, Yoon Jong found himself strangely worried about Chung Myung all the same.
"Isn't this outrageous!"
At the sharp voice, Hyun Jong furrowed his brow.
"Seven days and nights. For a third-generation disciple to leave his post for seven days and nights without permission—this is unprecedented."
"Mm."
"This is not something we can simply overlook. The sect is only just beginning to find its footing again; what do you think others will say?"
As Hyun Young, the Finance Elder, raised his voice, everyone else nodded along. Indeed, this was not something that could be brushed aside.
Then Hyun Sang, the Martial Hall Elder, stepped forward and spoke.
"Now, now. Please calm yourself, sahyung."
"How exactly am I supposed to calm down?"
"Why are you only thinking in that direction? What if the child has been injured? He may be in a situation where he needs our help right now."
"Injured? What possible accident could there be at Mount Hua? Even if he had been injured, he left through the mountain gate on his own two feet, did he not? Are we supposed to take even that into account and excuse it?"
"Or perhaps he slipped and..."
"...Mm..."
Whether he found that argument convincing or not, Hyun Young, who had been raising his voice, shut his mouth and let out a low hum.
Mount Hua's terrain was notoriously treacherous. Those who left the mountain often suffered falls and injuries. If even seasoned martial artists could be hurt, then if a third-generation disciple had slipped, death would not have been strange at all.
"Shouldn't we search the mountain? If he's injured somewhere..."
"We should."
Hyun Jong, who had remained silent the entire time, answered in a heavy voice.
"We certainly cannot rule out that possibility."
But Hyun Young still would not back down.
"Even so, that does not absolve him of responsibility. The problem is that a third-generation disciple left the main sect as he pleased and walked out of the mountain gate in the first place!"
Hyun Jong's expression hardened slightly.
The authority to do that had been granted to Chung Myung by none other than Hyun Jong himself. What Hyun Young was really doing now was subtly rebuking him for giving the child too much power.
"There were circumstances."
"There are circumstances everywhere. But isn't the point of rules that they must be obeyed before we start weighing circumstances one by one?"
"Finance Elder."
"Sect Leader. This matter shakes the very foundations of Mount Hua. Since when did Mount Hua become a place that grants privileges to children? And not even a second-generation disciple—just a third-generation one at that. Even if he were in a private family, he would still be far too young to be considered mature."
"Enough."
At the heavy, chilling voice, Hyun Young swallowed the rest of his words and shut his mouth tight.
If he said any more, he would cross a line. He did not want to go head-to-head with the sect leader either.
"...Sect Leader. I spoke too far. But this was not meant to blame you."
"I know."
Hyun Jong let out a long sigh.
What in the world is going on?
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't understand. The Chung Myung he knew was not a boy who would cause this sort of trouble. Which was why he had dared entrust him with such authority in the first place, wasn't it?
Does that mean I misjudged the child?
Just then, Un Geom, who had been quietly observing the situation, spoke in a grave voice.
"Sect Leader."
"Speak."
"I will choose disciples and form a search party. We will scour Mount Hua and Hwayum from end to end and find Chung Myung."
"Mm."
Hyun Jong nodded.
"Do so."
"After we find Chung Myung, please judge his offense. If the third-generation disciple committed wrongdoing, it is because I failed to train him properly."
"How could that be your fault? You are not even his master."
"I am the teacher of all the children."
"Still..."
Hyun Jong seemed about to say more, then shook his head. If he pressed further, all he would do was expose yet another problem—that Baekmae Hall was failing to take proper care of the disciples' daily lives.
"This is not your fault. My trust in that child was excessive."
"Sect Leader, that is not so."
"Right now, what matters is not assigning blame. It is not too late to discuss who was right and who was wrong after the child is found. If we waste too much time here and lose the chance to save him, would that not become an eternal regret?"
Everyone lowered their heads deeply.
Even if there had been a mistake, no one could deny Hyun Jong's heart when it came to his disciples.
"Unam."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"Organize a search party with Un Geom at its head. Spare no support. Find the child first, and the matter of blame can come after..."
At that moment, a loud voice rang out from outside the door.
"Sect Leader!"
Hyun Jong's brow twitched.
"We are in a meeting right now, so if you could wait a moment..."
"The child has returned! Chung Myung is on his way back through the mountain gate!"
Hyun Jong shot to his feet. Relief he could not hide flooded his face.
"Is he unharmed?"
"Yes. He appears to be fine in all limbs. However..."
"Enough. I shall go myself!"
He had not entirely let go of his annoyance, but the joy of hearing that Chung Myung was safe came first.
"Please wait a moment, Jangmun-sahyeong."
But Hyun Young stopped him.
"Why is that?"
"Jangmun-sahyeong."
Not sect leader.
Hyun Young glanced around at the others before speaking again.
"I understand that you cherish the child. I also know that, given the achievements he has made, he deserves that kind of treatment."
Hyun Jong's brows drew together slightly.
"Why are you dragging this out?"
"Sahyung. Do not ruin the child."
"... "
"Reward and punishment are not only a way to govern a sect; they are also a way to raise people properly. If a child commits a mistake and does not receive the punishment he deserves, he will never understand that he was wrong. The more precious the child, the stricter you must be—please do not forget that."
Hyun Jong sighed.
"Do you think I don't know that? Do not worry. No one wants to raise that child more properly than I do. If he is safe, I shall order him into closed-door meditation for half a month..."
"That won't be enough."
It was Un Geom who cut him off.
"The crime of willfully disobeying orders and failing to return is grave. He should be locked in the Repentance Cave for at least half a year."
"Un Geom. He is only a third-generation disciple."
"If this had been committed by a second-generation disciple, even one year would not be enough. If you do not give Chung Myung the punishment he deserves, then I will take it in his place."
Hyun Jong squeezed his eyes shut.
The position of Mount Hua's sect leader was not one where he could decide everything however he pleased. It was a position where he had to gather everyone's opinions and make a decision from them.
"...Do the rest of you think the same?"
"We do."
"Sect Leader. Please do not blame us. We too cherish that boy's talent. But precisely because of that, we must be strict."
Hyun Jong forced his face to remain hard and nodded.
"I understand."
Without loosening his stern expression, Hyun Jong walked outside. Those who had been seated all rose and followed behind him.
Watching them, Unam let out a sigh.
What on earth did that fool do?
Other than Unam, no one knew just how much Hyun Jong cherished Chung Myung. So no one other than Unam could understand what Hyun Jong must be feeling right now.
By the time they were nearly at the mountain gate, Chung Myung's figure appeared as he entered through the gate.
"I..."
Un Geom and Hyun Young's faces flushed.
Not a single injury in sight. If that was the case, he should at least have looked remorseful, knowing his crime and showing some sign of repentance. But there was not a trace of penitence on him at all.
On the contrary, hadn't he straightened his shoulders and walked in with all the swagger in the world?
"You little brat!"
Unable to hold himself back, Hyun Young barked at him.
"Huh?"
Chung Myung tilted his head when he noticed the group approaching him.
"Where are you all going?"
"You damned brat! How dare you speak so insolently—"
"Greetings, Sect Leader."
Chung Myung promptly bowed toward Hyun Jong, and Hyun Young, who had been in the middle of shouting, awkwardly broke off his words.
T-this bastard?
"Chung Myung."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"Was there a reason you left the main sect?"
"Yes, Sect Leader. There were unavoidable circumstances."
Hyun Jong nodded.
"Explain. If your explanation does not satisfy us, then you will receive the appropriate punishment. Mount Hua's rules are strict."
Unable to hold back, Hyun Young added his own rebuke.
"How dare a third-generation disciple act with such arrogance! If you cannot give a proper reason, you should prepare to be thrashed, you little punk! The sect leader showed you favor! And this is how you repay that kindness!"
Chung Myung glanced at Hyun Young and scratched his head.
"No, that's not it, I—"
"You brat! Stand properly!"
The answer came from behind Chung Myung.
"Please don't do that."
"Huh?"
Only then did the people realize he had not come alone, and they all turned toward the mountain gate.
"Master Hwang?"
"I-isn't that Master Hwang?"
"I heard his body was in poor shape..."
Hwang Mun-yak, who had entered through the mountain gate, slowly swept his gaze over everyone. His eyes lingered briefly on Hyun Young before moving to the sect leader.
Hwang Mun-yak clasped his hands and bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Sect Leader. I trust you have been well?"
"Master Hwang. It has truly been a long time. I heard your health was poor, so I am relieved to see you recovered."
He answered as if he were perfectly calm, but in truth Hyun Jong was deeply taken aback.
N-no, how is Master Hwang here?
Hadn't he only received a letter seven days ago saying the man was gasping for his last breath and might pass away at any moment?
And yet there he was, a little thinner perhaps, but otherwise perfectly well, arriving in person.
Only then did Hyun Jong begin to notice the Eunha Merchant Guild's people entering through the mountain gate behind him.
"Sect Leader, please do not be angry. I owe this little Daoist my life. He saved me, and he saved the Eunha Merchant Guild as well."
"Pardon?"
"Mount Hua's grace is as boundless as the rivers and seas. That is why I have come in person to offer my thanks."
"...Just what in the world..."
Everyone's eyes turned to Chung Myung.
Chung Myung grinned and gave a shrug.
"Well, that's what he says."
Ah.
Annoying.
Somehow, that makes me angry.
Even now, when it came to driving people up the wall, Chung Myung was still second to none in the world.