"Uh…"
As soon as Baek Cheon regained his senses, terrible pain came over him. He could barely get up as he groaned in pain from his head which felt like it was splitting open.
'How long have I been out?'
It felt like a long time had passed as Baek Cheon awoke. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw the dark sky. Fortunately, it seemed like it had been less than half a day at the most.
"Ack."
When he turned his head to the side, he saw Yu Yiseol slowly wielding her sword in the distance.
'It doesn't seem like much time has passed.'
Of course, it wasn't possible to infer the time from her form alone. A person experiencing enlightenment sometimes doesn't return to reality for several days or more.
Suddenly, Baek Cheon's ears were greeted with the sound of an eerie voice which was both familiar and unfamiliar.
"Up already?"
"…"
Baek Cheon's head reeled around.
The figure of Chung Myung squatting, with a wooden sword draped over his shoulder, came into his view.
Flinch.
Baek Cheon's body tensed and screamed to retreat before he could calm down and hurriedly move back.
"I guess you are a bit surprised."
Chung Myung smiled.
Baek Cheon stared at Chung Myung with shocked eyes.
'I lost.'
No, it wasn't that he lost.
The fight from before was so embarrassing that it bordered on laughable to discuss victory and defeat. He still didn't understand how it happened; there was only one conclusion he could arrive at.
He was completely outclassed.
Baek Cheon raised his hand and touched his head. His head, which was beaten by Chung Myung, was still ringing like a bell.
But it wasn't something to be embarrassed about. The scoundrel who knocked him out cold was watching him with eyes wide open.
"Can I ask you one thing?"
"Sure."
"… how are you so strong?"
"What?"
Chung Myung looked at Baek Cheon.
'Interesting.'
Usually, people who experience such nonsensical things are unable to accept reality. Even when the result was clear and obvious, they would kick and scream in denial and lash out like a wild boar.
In particular, those overly boastful types that are full of pride never seem to admit defeat until they've been beaten again and again.
However, Baek Cheon managed to acknowledge reality rather quickly, despite his prideful nature.
That's at least one thing that deserves to be praised, but…
"It's not that I'm strong, it was sasuk that was weak."
"Me?"
"Yes."
Baek Cheon's eyes trembled a little.
"I'm…weak?"
"Yes."
Baek Cheon staggered and rose to his feet, glaring at Chung Myung with eyes that could kill.
"Don't ignore me. I am Baek Cheon. The great sahyung of the Baek disciples and the person who will one day lead the Mount Hua sect."
"Uh, right."
Chung Myung politely nodded his head. There didn't seem to be anything wrong with Baek Cheon's words.
There was just one thing.
"But that doesn't mean that you aren't weak."
"…"
As Baek Cheon couldn't refute, Chung Myung raised his finger and pointed to his senior.
"A frog in the well."
"…"
"That's the right phrase for sasuk right now. A well so narrow that even passing frogs wouldn't think of entering it, and a frog with its inflated ego trapped at the bottom."
Baek Cheon's face was distorted.
"And I'm the frog?"
"Yes."
"Me?"
Chung Myung grinned at Baek Cheon, who couldn't admit the truth and continued to ask the same question.
"You are the frog, Sasuk."
"…"
"Sasuk should already know that Mount Hua is on the verge of ruin."
"… of course."
It was harsh to say that it was on the verge of ruin, but there was no denying that it had fallen.
And it was Baek Cheon's role to resurrect Mount Hua. At least, that was what he had believed until now.
"That's why I've been trying so hard till now. To somehow make Mount Hua…."
"Sasuk?'
Chung Mung looked at Baek Cheon with absurd eyes.
"When did you try hard?"
"…"
Baek Cheon was at a loss for words at Chung Myung's question.
"It doesn't seem like that to me at all. It looks like a bunch of kids left to go play house and close up together, before returning and partying at a restaurant. Drinking and congratulating one another on a job well done. Even now, when the conference is fast approaching, aren't you and the other sasuks wasting time bullying the third-grade disciples? What effort? What 'trying hard' are you doing?"
Baek Cheon went silent.
Until now, he never thought that he lacked effort. However, he couldn't say anything when Chung Myung pointed out his inadequacies.
"It seems like sasuks don't know what hard work truly is. Doing everything you want to do and investing the remaining time to train isn't working hard nor is it effort."
"…"
"Sasuk didn't really try till now, you just wanted to rule over a small kingdom called Mount Hua. There was no competition for you around and no one who could nag you. It was a comfortable setting for you, right?"
Baek Cheon bit his lip.
"No, No. Don't make such a face. I am not criticizing Sasuk. But if you refuse to be compared to others and want to live like a king here, you shouldn't be talking about how hard you've tried."
Chung Myung said sullenly.
"Have you ever had a proper fight with anyone?"
"…"
"At best, you would have confronted the Southern Edge Sect. Sasuk, the Southern Edge sect may be treated like the grim reaper here, but the Southern Edge sect is likely near the bottom of the Ten Great Sects. The disciples of the other Nine Great Sects are soaring through the sky, are you strong enough to fly with them? You think you're strong? Sasuk?"
Chung Myung had a smirk on his face.
"Don't get me wrong, you frog. It isn't that I'm strong, you are weak."
An alarm rang loudly in Baek Cheon's head.
'Am I weak?'
He didn't want to admit it.
However, there wasn't a single mistake in Chung Myung's words.
Mount Hua was struggling to contend with the Southern Edge Sect. Actually, even if he took part in the conference and managed to defeat them, there were other sects stronger than them.
"…then does that mean there are people stronger than you in the other great sects too?"
"What bullshit. I am the strongest!"
"…"
'You aren't making any sense, you bastard!'
"But it's not because I am stronger than Sasuk. Right now, Sasuk wouldn't even be able to beat over the Southern Edge sect. Of course, it's not even worth comparing you to the Shaolin and Wudang sects."
Baek Cheon bit his lip.
However, Chung Myung threw another sharp word at Baek Cheon without mercy.
"So, even if it wasn't me, there are plenty of people that could defeat Sasuk. Do you understand?"
'I understand…. but I don't want to understand.'
Who would ever want to acknowledge that they were just another grain of sand in this world?
But Baek Cheon clenched his teeth without protesting.
"I know."
"…"
"You think that a disciple of Mount Hua doesn't understand that? I know. I certainly know. But it doesn't matter. I am not a disciple of the Wudang sect, so I have no choice but to work hard with what I have!"
"But you didn't work hard, Sasuk."
Chung Myung said with a sullen face.
"You didn't try enough, and the direction of your effort was wrong anyway. Do you think someone can become a master just by working hard? Then you should give this up and try to do that. After five hundred years of beating up scarecrows, maybe you'll finally be able to properly use your sword."
Chung Myung had refined pissing people off with his words to an art form.
While frowning deeply, Baek Cheon asked.
"So, you know how I should train?"
"I think I at least know better than Sasuk."
Chung Myung smiled.
At that, Baek Cheon sighed.
'Goblin-like bastard.'
Baek Cheon couldn't understand this child. How could he be strong and bold? How did he still have that relaxed expression on his face? He couldn't understand.
'That's why he can confidently act so cocky.'
In Chung Myung's eyes, the Baek disciples are nothing more than fools with no skills that argue and harass others with their authority.
Even if their situations were reversed, he would have only acted worse than Chung Myung.
Just one thing was certain now.
Chung Myung was stronger than Baek Cheon could imagine. He didn't know how, but he was stronger than the Baek disciples.
Even if Baek Cheon sparred with Un Am or Un Geom, he wouldn't be defeated as disastrously as this.
After a moment of hesitation, Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung with determined eyes.
"Then, can you make me strong?"
"Huh?"
Chung Myung narrowed his eyes.
'I knew it! This guy is definitely strange.'
Baek Cheon had great pride yet remained aware of reality. Usually, when one thing goes wrong, everything goes wrong.
Putting that bluntly, this bastard was a prideful person who knew his situation very clearly.
Wasn't this the most terrifying aspect of a human?
But it wasn't bad, especially not for a martial artist. In the end, such a person will become strong. Or perhaps his pride could drive him to become the strongest.
"Of course, that's possible."
Baek Cheon quietly nodded his head.
"Then…"
Bowing, with both hands outstretched to beg,
"Uh?"
Baek Cheon spoke in a serious tone.
"Please, make me strong. I will do anything you ask of me."
"…"
Baek Cheon lifted his head and continued.
"If I can become strong, I wouldn't hesitate to learn from Sajae. If our relationship as Sasuk and Sajae is a burden to you. I will not treat you as one—"
"Don't want to."
"—As a teacher… Huh?"
Chung Myung answered again.
"No, I don't want to."
"… Why?"
Baek Cheon asked.
Wait, wasn't he saying all that nonsense to Baek Cheon because he wanted this to happen?
"Why should I? It's bothersome."
"…"
"And you seem to be mistaken, Sasuk."
"What?"
"It isn't over yet."
Chung Myung stood up, raised the wooden sword, and spun it around.
"There is something very strange about humans. They don't think about what they've done and come to compromises in their own minds. They always think they've done enough to repent for their crimes."
"…"
"Yep, right, that's right. You must pay for your sinful actions. Have you paid? Bullshit! Maybe you paid enough for how much you harassed the third-class disciples, but!"
Chung Myung's eyes were blazing.
"My anger will not subside with just that!"
'No, you idiot!'
Baek Cheon stepped back, terrified.
However, Chung Myung slowly approached Baek Cheon with a reaper-like smile.
"You still don't get it, right?"
"No! I get it. I'm already convinced too!"
"No, No. Sasuk doesn't understand yet. It's clear from what happened just now."
'Why do you get to decide whether I understand or not!?'
He said he gets it!
"Don't worry. The night is long. I'll make sure to convince you tonight. Why, just why my Sasuk is so weak and why my Sasuk's sword is wrong. And…"
Chung Myung's eyes shone again.
"Why you shouldn't touch me."
"…"
"Ehehehehe! I am coming!"
"Eikk!"
Sadly, Baek Cheon's screams couldn't reach Mount Hua.
Thud!
Chung Myung refreshingly stretched his body as he watched Baek Cheon collapse once more to the ground.
"Ah, it feels like I've been relieved of a ten-year-indigestion."
Chung Myung smiled as he looked at Baek Cheon, who was completely out cold and unable to move.
"I did my best."
Although a bit heavy-handed, Chung Myung beat Baek Cheon without leaving any lasting injuries on his body. Even though he fainted, he would be fine once he woke up. Though, the pain would linger for around a day.
"Right, it feels comfortable to just beat up your problems like this!"
Chung Myung turned around. Whether Baek Cheon and the others could compete in the conference wasn't Chung Myung's problem.
"… no."
Come to think of it, he didn't want to see the Southern Edge bastards act triumphantly in front of him.
"Hmm. So how—ackk! Shit! You shocked me!"
As Chung Myung was squatting and contemplating, he was suddenly startled and quickly escaped to the side. Yu Yiseol had appeared in front of him, squatting and staring without warning.
"A-ah seriously! Are you a ghost!?"
He had to do something about her. If this kept happening, again and again, he was bound to die from a heart attack before Mount Hua could even revive.
"Announce yourself when you appear! Say something!"
"I did!"
"When!"
"Before, when you were beating him."
"…"
Chung Myung glanced at Baek Cheon, who was laid out like a corpse and turned to Yu Yiseol.
A soft smile on her lips.
"You saw that?"
"Yes."
"You saw everything?"
"Only from a little while ago."
"Hmm."
"Are you going to kill me?"
"No, that's a bit too far."
She always goes for killing and murder.
Chung Myung closely examined Yu Yiseol's head.
And tilted his head.
"What?"
"No, I just thought that if I slapped the back of your head a little, you might forget what you saw. Amnesia or something."
"… I forgot."
"Really?"
"Yes. I forgot everything."
She's dull but has great survival instincts.
Chung Myung narrowed his eyes as Yu Yiseol spoke.
"Instead, teach me that sword."
This woman never gives up! What is going on in her head?
He had barely escaped before, but it wasn't possible anymore. Hadn't she even seen Chung Myung happily beating Baek Cheon? He couldn't hide his skills anymore.
Then, he should change his strategy.
Chung Myung took a deep breath and began to speak.
"Why do you want to learn it?"
"…"
Maybe it was an unexpected counterattack because Yu Yiseol slightly flinched. She looked at Chung Myung with a somewhat shocked expression. To show such an expression on her face…
'She's the kind that can't lie.'
Yu Yiseol hesitated for a moment and then opened her lips.
"I cannot tell you the reason but…."
Yet, there was sincerity in her hesitancy.
"I need to master that sword art."
Chung Myung looked at Yu Yiseol.
'I don't think she's interested merely because she thinks it's pretty.'
There was a certain eagerness in her eyes. She was safeguarding a story that gave birth to her stubbornness. A tale that Chung Myung hadn't the faintest idea about.
"So, you want to learn that technique?"
Yu Yiseol decisively nodded.
"You don't need to."
"Huh?"
"It was originally Mount Hua's sword art. If you wait, you will naturally be able to learn it."
"… Mount Hua no longer teaches it."
"Oh?"
She knows that it no longer exists in Mount Hua?
Then, she recognized that the sword Chung Myung unfolded was the Plum Blossom Sword technique. To be precise, though, it was Chung Myung's variation of the Plum Blossom Sword technique.
Chung Myung nodded.
"Yes. It's not in Mount Hua right now."
"…"
"But it'll be back soon. Once the time is right."
"Time?"
Chung Myung looked at Yu Yiseol. Instead of answering her question, he stretched his hand out and pointed at the sky.
Soon, Chung Myung's finger smoothly cut through the air.
At first, Yu Yiseol tilted her head as if she couldn't understand the gestures. Soon, however, she realized that his hand was drawing a sword path and observed it seriously.
"Yue Maiden Sword?"
"That's right."
Yu Yiseol gasped upon seeing Chung Myung's gestures.
It was definitely the Yue Maiden's Sword.
The technique that she had polished and honed for the longest time.
However, Chung Myung's Yue Maiden Sword differed from Yu Yiseol's. Rather than a difference in the movements, there seemed to be a more fundamental difference.
When the variable short and long hand gestures ended, Yu Yiseol sighed quietly.
"Did you understand?"
Yu Yiseol shook her head.
"No. I don't understand a thing."
The moment Chung Myung was about to say something, Yu Yiseol spoke up first.
"But it'll be my task to figure it out. I think I know what you are talking about. You mean that I can't begin learning it unless I reach a certain level, right?"
"Yes."
"I must lay the foundation by refining what I have now."
"You are good."
Yu Yiseol nodded.
"I know."
Chung Myung looked at Yu Yiseol.
'I thought she was dumb, but I guess she has a good head.'
After all, the mind and the personality are separate things.
"Right. But, if you tell anyone about what happened here today, I will never teach you."
"I won't speak a word about it."
"Very nice. That's a good girl."
As Chung Myung nodded, Yu Yiseol narrowed her eyes.
"I am your senior, and you are my junior."
"I know, I know. Right, good girl."
"…"
Chung Myung could see Yu Yiseol's hand tightly clenching her sword.
Chung Myung quickly turned around.
"Then, until we meet again, Sago. Don't come to me before then. It's annoying."
"Excuse me…"
Yu Yiseol reached out and tried to catch Chung Myung, but he didn't wait around and immediately headed down the mountain.
"Ah! And throw that idiot inside his room. If you leave him there, he will just die of shock when he gets up."
Yu Yiseol sighed at Chung Myung's words which echoed from afar.
'Plum Blossoms.'
The tip of Chung Myung's sword released the Plum Blossoms.
A sight she had been unable to see despite all her time spent in Mount Hua.
Just…
Yu Yiseol closed her eyes.
The sword moved inside her mind. The tip of the sword smoothly sliced through the air before shaking; then, it began to release brilliantly bright and clear plum blossoms.
Plum Blossoms.
At the end of the sword
The man holding that sword.
'Father.'
-I will certainly restore this technique. One day, I'd like to return to Mount Hua and repent for my sins with this. Yiseol. Come with me. There's no place better than Mount Hua.
Yet, he didn't manage to make the plum blossoms bloom fully in the end.
But now, right in front of her, was a person who could make it happen.
"I must learn it."
At all costs
Bang!
Chung Myung sprinted through the door of the White Plum Blossom Boarding Hall.
"Eik!"
"He's here!"
And was met with a strange reaction.
"What?"
Although it was early morning, it seemed like Yoon Jong and Jo Gul were waiting for him on the first floor.
"It seems like your training has gotten a bit too comfortable. Are you here to check up on me?"
"No, this place was a mess!"
"Huh?"
"Baek Cheon Sahyung was missing, so the Sasuks all came and checked this place out."
Those disgusting bastards.
Why would they come to this dorm if Baek Cheon went missing? Did they think Chung Myung kidnapped him?
Ah.
'I didn't think about that. I could have kidnapped him and beat him up in secret.'
It seemed like some intelligent kids were mixed in with the second-class disciples.
"They're tossing accusations out without any proof. It pisses me off."
Hearing those words, Yoon Jong smiled.
"I guess it wasn't you! Thank god—"
"They were right, though"
"…"
'If they were right then why are you getting offended!? Why!?'
No, that wasn't important.
"You were with Baek Cheon Sahyung?"
"Yes."
"Wait, I guess… this isn't what I think it was right?"
"What do you think it was?"
Yoon Jong smiled a bit awkwardly.
"It's unlikely. I know you're a very thoughtful person, so what I am thinking about probably didn't happen, but I hope that you didn't decide to hit Sahyung's face or punch him in the stomach like you said before…."
"What's the difference between the two?"
"Attacks to the face add bonus damage."
Jo Gul nodded in agreement as if acknowledging the truth of that statement. Chung Myung waved his hands in the air.
"Eh. It isn't like I am some kid."
"N-No. Right. Chung Myung! This Sahyung always believed in you. No matter how crazy you are, you wouldn't hit our Sasuk.'
"I didn't hit him."
"Right!"
"I beat the shit out of him."
"Right. Shit out of him. Baek Cheon is already a shitty person—what?"
Yoon Jong's face trembled.
"Beat?"
"Yes."
"Who? Our Sasuk?"
"It's a j–joke, right?"
"No way. Am I a person that jokes about a beating?"
At that moment, Yoon Jong rushed to Chung Myung at the speed of light and shook him by the collar.
"Hey, you crazy dog! Do you always have to do your best, even when you're causing trouble!? What do we do if he tells someone what happened!? This is all because you don't understand how serious the crime of assaulting a senior within the same sect is.
"Oh, my god!"
Chung Myung kicked Yoon Jong.
After lightly disposing of Yoon Jong, Chung Myung caressed his neck.
"I already know all that. There won't be any problems, so quit worrying. Don't you know how I handle things?"
"… I know. I know."
Yoon Jong said slowly.
"Oh, my God. Even if you've lost your mind, this is too much. How can you hit our Sasuk? There are some sins that should never be committed."
"When did he ever follow rules?"
"Ugh..."
Yoon Jong groaned at the cruel truth which emerged from Jo Gul's lips. Tears stung his eyes when he thought of what would happen in the morning.
"What is with this atmosphere? Do you think I would handle this situation poorly?"
"… so, what did Sasuk say?"
"He asked me to make him stronger."
"What?"
Both Yoon Jong and Jo Gul looked at Chung Myung in shock at that unexpected answer.
Chung Myung slowly asked them.
"How is that?"
"…"
"…"
The two looked at each other.
'Does this make sense?'
'No, thinking about it, not a single thing makes sense here anymore.'
'But…even Sasuk?'
'We are Sahyungs…'
A widow knows how another widow feels. Since they suffered similarly, they could understand how Baek Cheon felt when he said that.
"S-so what did you say? Did you agree?"
"No. I just beat him up."
"You beat him?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Chung Myung shrugged his shoulders.
"Does there need to be a reason? To feel relieved. I just beat him until I felt better."
"…"
At that moment, Yoon Jong regretted not training hard before Chung Myung arrived. If he had the chance to return to his past, he was confident that he would train without a moment's rest until the moment Chung Myung appeared.
Only then would Yoon Jong be capable of smashing Chung Myung in the face, at least one time.
It was then that Yoon Jong realized there was no way to stop a madman from running amok if that man was powerful.
"Don't worry about anything and just go to sleep. You'll find out the results once you wake up."
"…"
"Sleep tight."
Chung Myung moved upstairs, while Jo Gul and Yoon Jong sighed deeply.
"… do you think it's true?"
"There's one thing I realized about Chung Myung."
"What is it?"
"Even if he speaks bullshit, he never lies."
"… what a great thing to realize."
A very great thing. You bastard.
"But Sahyung."
"Yes?"
"Doesn't this mean that Baek Cheon Sasuk attacked Chung Myung first?"
"…"
"Isn't that how it is?"
"He'll speak bullshit, but he doesn't lie."
"It sounds unbelievable. But even Baek Cheon Sasuk got beaten."
"The one that did it was Chung Myung."
"… that sounds convincing."
Yoon Jong shook his head and looked up at the stairs Chung Myung had used.
There was a monster dwelling in the White Plum Blossom Boarding house.
Where was Mount Hua heading? Mount Hua…
Yoon Jong wanted to cry.
Yoon Jong's eyes narrowed as he looked around.
There were none.
He couldn't see a single one.
Unlike yesterday, he couldn't see any of the second-class disciples that had frequently been tormenting them recently.
'Was it true?'
It's not that Yoon Jong didn't trust Chung Myung's words.
As Jo Gul said, Chung Myung was a person who spoke nonsense but didn't lie.
The problem was that Chung Myung's 'solution' was far from the solutions that ordinary people would think of.
So, he thought that this would cause more trouble…
'He seems to have solved everything well?'
He had doubts about how it was solved, but he surely settled the matter.
"Sahyung. It seems like Chung Myung's words were true, right?"
"…"
Yoon Jong nodded at Jo Gul's words.
But was it really plausible for things to be this simple?
'If we encounter problems with Sasuk, are we supposed to spar and defeat them to solve the problem?'
Even ignoring common sense, wasn't this abandoning the rules of the sect and coming up with their own way to solve the issue?
The problem was that this madman's method actually worked.
'Just what is going to happen to Mount Hua in the future?'
Yoon Jong never thought of himself as a grumpy figure, but when he saw how Chung Myung behaved, he began to feel like being a grumpy old man wasn't such a bad thing.
Wouldn't it be a beautiful world if that grumpy bastard could keep things in order?
"What are you thinking?"
"… I was thinking about the future of Mount Hua and what it feels like to be an old man."
"…"
Jo Gul.
'Did he finally realize how he acts?'
Yoon Jong sighed, noticing how Jo Gul was looking at him with pitiful eyes.
The third-class disciples who were watching from the side slowly approached Yoon Jong and spoke.
"The dorms seem a little strange today, Sahyung."
"… I guess so."
"Why are they doing this? I'm worried that they're going to do something worse."
"Right."
Yoon Jong looked up at the distant sky.
'These kids also aren't in their right minds anymore.'
To say that their Sasuk was beaten.
Such a thing would be unimaginable in Mount Hua before Chung Myung arrived. However, like Yoon Jong and Jo Gul, the third-class disciples also seemed to be getting influenced by Chung Myung's unreasonable teachings.
If things continued like this, Mount Hua might be filled with people who behave like Chung Myung…
Yoon Jong shuddered; he didn't want to imagine such a future.
'Just thinking about it is terrifying.'
The problem was that it seemed like this thought could very well become a reality.
"I'm more anxious because it's quiet. Should we sneak a peek?"
"I don't think those idiots have come to their senses already. Doesn't it seem like they're up to something? Sahyung?"
'Oh my God.'
Just where did the trust between fellow sect disciples go?
"It's noisy. Come and get ready for training!"
"… Yes."
'Sajae.'
'What is with his temper?'
Yoon Jong sighed deeply as he lamented how his juniors looked at him with that question burning in their eyes.
Day by day, Mount Hua was turning away from the Mount Hua Yoon Jong knew. Of course, this change wasn't necessarily bad, but… he honestly felt that he didn't want to open his eyes and see the future that Chung Myung would create.
"Sahyung. Then, did Chung Myung really beat Baek Cheon sasuk?"
Jo Gul asked softly so that the others wouldn't overhear, and Yoon Jong frowned.
"What are you even asking for? There's no way he would lie, and if it weren't for that, the seniors would still be harassing us today."
"… No. That…"
Jo Gul scratched his head.
"I just can't understand it. No matter how strong Chung Myung was from the beginning, there's still a difference in the amount of time he and Baek Cheon sasuk studied martial arts."
Yoon Jong couldn't understand either.
'Does this make any sense at all?'
It made no sense. But wasn't Chung Myung always doing things that made no sense?
"Then Sahyung, Chung Myung is stronger than Baek Cheon, right?"
"Why do you keep asking such obvious—"
"Then, what about compared to the Southern Edge Sect?"
Yoon Jong went silent.
Compared to them?
This was something Yoon Jong never thought about.
"Chung Myung shouldn't be inferior to the Southern Edge Sect either, right? He even defeated senior Baek Cheon."
"Hmm."
Yoon Jong, with a stiff face, fell into thought.
"Then, in the conference this time…."
"Gul."
"Yes, Sahyung."
"If Chung Myung wins, will it make a difference?"
"… wouldn't things change?"
Yoon Jong shook his head.
"When a master expert is born in a sect, it's something to celebrate. However, a single master's reputation belongs solely to themselves. They can't do anything alone. The moment that Chung Myung disappears, Mount Hua will fall again like before."
"…"
"If we truly want to revive Mount Hua, we also need to become strong. We can't simply rely on Chung Myung. We won't be able to declare Mount Hua's revival until the day arrives when the world becomes unable to ignore any random disciple within the sect."
"Right."
"But as you said, I am also curious about the conference. This time will be different."
"What do you mean?"
"Chung Myung…"
Yoon Jong took a deep breath and said,
"Will he truly become a hero that brings change to Mount Hua? Or will he be a tyrant who reigns over this small Mount Hua?"
Yoon Jong and Jo Gul faced each other with serious eyes.
Chung Myung…
"Ah, seriously! Get out of here!"
The two slowly turned their heads towards the sudden interruption.
Chung Myung was swearing as he came down.
"…"
"Isn't that Senior Yu?"
Yu Yiseol was chasing after Chung Myung, who was fleeing with his full might.
"Teach me."
"I already told you that I had nothing to teach! I told you to not come! You horrible leech!"
"The Yue Maiden Sword!"
"Go to Un Geom Sasuk and ask him! He'll teach you!"
"Un Geom Sasuk is a man. The Yue Maiden Sword is a technique for women. It is a skill that Un Geom sasuk cannot handle."
"Then am I a woman? Well? Am I a woman?"
"Teach me."
"Ahhhhhh! How do I get through to your mind?"
Chung Myung and Yu Yiseol quickly passed between Yoon Jong and Jo Gul. The two who were left behind stared in bewilderment at the absurd sight.
'When did those two become friends?'
'Did Senior Yu always talk this much? It seems like Yu Sago has spoken more in the past few days than she has in the entire time I've been in the sect.'
'Actually, is it fine for that idiot to talk to Yu Sago like that?'
Well, he has always been arrogant.
"… what you said earlier. Whether he's a hero or a tyrant."
"Gul."
"Yes. Sahyung."
"Let's go train."
"… Yes."
Baek Sang's face crumpled.
"Sahyung, are you really going to leave it like that?"
Hearing the dissatisfaction in Baek Sang's voice, Baek Cheon smiled.
"Why are you so angry?"
"Aren't they acting too arrogantly! Especially that one, Chung Myung! He doesn't even show a shred of remorse. Isn't it alright to punish them now?"
Punish?
You?
Him?
"Someone like you?"
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
Baek Cheon forced himself to smile.
Although it had died down a little, his entire body throbbed in pain.
Baek Cheon turned his eyes towards Chung Myung, who was fleeing from Yu Yiseol.
'Sneaky son of a bitch.'
How could he beat a person so well without leaving any scars on the outside? The more he thought about it, the more absurd this guy seemed.
Thankfully, he avoided being embarrassed in front of others, but he couldn't even complain about this injustice to anyone. He'd be treated like a madman if he tried to complain about his junior abusing him without even having any visible injuries.
Or maybe he'd be treated as trash with no future prospects.
Of course, even if there were wounds on his body, Baek Cheon would never tell anyone about how he was beaten like a dog. Still, he couldn't help but feel disappointed.
"Why did you suddenly tell us not to touch the third-class disciples?"
"Baek Sang."
"Yes. Sahyung. I just don't understand the reasoning behind it."
The reasoning was to have a happy life.
Baek Cheon was doing it to avoid getting hit again.
But Baek Cheon could never speak his reasons out loud. He had a dignified image to maintain.
"Isn't the conference approaching?"
"… That's right."
Baek Cheon spoke with a stern expression.
"I was thoughtless. Ruling over the third-class disciples is something we can do at any time. But not the conference. Doesn't this event only occur once a year?"
Baek Sang silently nodded.
Seeing that Baek Sang still wasn't fully satisfied, Baek Cheon narrowed his eyes.
"Governing the third-class disciples is an internal task, and the conference is external work which affects the honor of the Mount Hua sect. The inside is important, but the outside is more urgent. Moreover, considering what happened in the conference last time, let's put aside everything else for now and concentrate on producing positive results. Everything is at stake this time; don't you think so?"
"… yes."
"Right now, our enemy isn't the third-class disciples, it's the Southern Edge sect. We shouldn't forget the reason we spent this last year in closed-door training."
Baek Sang took a deep breath and lowered his head.
"Sahyung is right. I must have lost focus."
'I must have been out of my mind.'
And he was still out of his mind.
Regardless, Baek Cheon was glad that Baek Sang didn't press the issue any further.
'Weren't you the one that started this in the first place? Why are you pretending to be some nice guy now?'
If Baek Sang had decided to ask that question, Baek Cheon would have been at a loss for an answer.
"Thanks for understanding. Let's not worry about the third-class disciples for now. Our first priority is to focus everything we have on the upcoming conference. Ask our sajaes to reflect on their martial arts and reflect on what they've refined during our closed-door training."
"Yes, Sahyung!"
Baek Sang bravely gave a loud response.
With that, Baek Cheon lowered his head with an expressionless face.
'Even after the end of the conference, I don't plan on touching those third-class disciples.'
Baek Cheon didn't want to see what would happen to him and his peers.
Baek Cheon turned to look at Chung Myung off in the distance.
'We aren't the only ones who will be surprised.'
Perhaps even more than Mount Hua, the Southern Edge sect would be surprised. When he thought of the future, the pain of being beaten by Chung Myung slowly vanished… ah, never-mind… it didn't vanish.
It hurt more.
It hurt down to the bone.
'Damned bastard, why did you have to hit so well!?'
Baek Cheon sighed and turned away.
'I just need to do what I can do.'
Although he felt that life became twisted because of Chung Myung. Baek Cheon's purpose, to prove himself in the conference, hadn't changed.
Considering that the Southern Edge Sect would soon be coming to Mount Hua, he didn't have the time to behave selfishly now.
This time, he must prove his worth.
But…
Baek Cheon looked back.
"Why does he keep hanging out with Yu Samae?"
He didn't like it.
Baek Cheon glanced at them and headed to training while suppressing an uneasy feeling.
The conference between Mount Hua and the Southern Edge Sect was fast approaching.
"Sect leader."
Hyun Jong silently poured tea into a cup without responding. The fragrant aroma of tea permeated throughout the room.
Whenever he felt angry, Hyun Jong made tea like this. There was nothing like this tea to stabilize his body and calm his mind.
"They will arrive today, Sect Leader."
"Are the preparations complete?"
"Yes. Sect leader. Nothing will go wrong while welcoming the Southern Edge Sect."
"That's good to hear."
Hyun Jong let out a low sigh.
'At least this time, I don't have to feel embarrassed.'
It was shameful to be left behind in martial arts, but what was even more embarrassing was Hyun Jong's inability to properly treat the Southern Edge Sect disciples last time.
How would Hyun Jong feel if they had no choice but to show the ruined buildings, poor meals, and devastated training halls to Mount Hua's most bitter rival?
It was a sensitive issue, especially for Hyun Jong, the sect leader of Mount Hua.
It wasn't easy to tolerate the piercing gazes of the Southern Edge Sect disciples, who looked at him in mockery and disdain. He had no choice but to bite his lip and endure the ridicule in the past.
"The more I think about it, the more I believe Chung Myung has done a great job."
Un Am said.
It was well known that Hyun Jong cared deeply for Chung Myung, but Un Am truly understood the heart behind those actions. From Hyun Jong and Un Am's perspective, Chung Myung was nothing less than a benefactor who helped seal the leaks on their sinking ship and pulled it up from the depths.
This wasn't just about being able to feed people.
It was a sect with a long history. At the very least, it should have a dignified appearance which makes its history seem plausible to outsiders. Although appearance is nothing more than empty courtesy, the world still evaluates others based on what could be seen.
People would listen to a scholar before they listened to a beggar.
Chung Myung not only solved Mount Hua's financial woes but also restored the sect's face.
How could Hyun Jong not favor the child?
Un Am's smiling gaze made Hyun Jong feel slightly embarrassed. He lightly coughed before recommending that Un Am have some tea.
"Drink."
"Yes, Sect leader."
Un Am took a light sip from his cup and nodded quietly.
"How is it?"
"It seems to have gotten stronger. It's been dried for a long time, and the taste seems to have faded a bit."
"Yes."
Hyun Jong nodded, pleased with Un Am's analysis.
"Well-dried plum blossom leaves actually become more fragrant. This is something I only realized after decades of drying plum blossoms."
Hyun Jong looked at the teacup and spoke.
"It is the same with Mount Hua. We merely endured. We vowed to recreate the glory of the past, but the reality is that it was difficult to even survive each day."
"… Sect Leader."
Hyun Jong smiled as if to soothe Un Am's worried tone.
"But we persevered and held on. Finally, this day has come to us. Sometimes, the correct answer is to wait rather than move in haste."
It was spoken with a strange feeling inside.
Un Am looked at Hyun Jong with renewed vigor.
'We aren't the only ones moving forward.'
Occasionally, sect leaders fall under the illusion that their sect has already gone as far as it can. But a man can evolve until the day they die. Hyun Jong, who was walking on the path of a Taoist, would not stop refining himself till the day he stopped breathing.
How could one not trust him?
"Mount Hua's sect leader will bring back the glory of the past."
"I would like that, but the credit won't go to me even if that happens. It will be a result of the disciples' efforts."
"How can you say that it's not your credit, Sect leader?"
"Un Am."
"Yes, sect leader."
"I am a man who understands his own shortcomings. If Mount Hua hadn't collapsed, would I have ever been asked to be the sect leader? If my Sahyungs hadn't left Mount Hua, I would have spent my time studying scriptures."
Un Am answered in a serious tone.
"By leaving Mount Hua, they proved that they were unworthy of being the sect leader. The sect leader is the most decent and honorable person in Mount Hua."
Hyun Jong smiled without answering.
It's a sad story. So, the conversation needed to be changed.
"So, what do you think about the second-class disciples?"
"Now that they've finished with their training. They are trying to stabilize their minds and bodies."
Un Am's face slightly darkened when the topic shifted to the second-class disciples.
"Sect leader."
"Say it."
"Honestly, I feel a bit worried."
"Worried… why?"
With a low sigh, Un Am continued.
"As I said before, Mount Hua's momentum right now is excellent. But, whether or not we lose momentum, doesn't it all come down to the conference's outcome?"
"Do you believe that the second-class disciples will be unable to handle Southern Edge's disciples?"
"I want to believe in the children. But… as you know…."
Un Am didn't try to say more.
He knew that Hyun Jong understood the difference between Mount Hua and the Southern Edge Sect.
Mount Hua was barely surviving through the dark history which haunted them for years, while the Southern Edge Sect had been shining and advancing in recent times. It was natural for a significant difference to exist between them.
No matter how hard the second-class disciples tried, it would be difficult to overcome that gap.
Un Am was worried that the disciples, who had only just found new hope, would once again be captivated by a sense of defeat.
"How about the third-class disciples?"
"… Sorry?"
"Aren't the third-class disciples also going to participate? Are they all well prepared?"
Un Am was a bit puzzled when Hyun Jong suddenly asked about them, but he had no choice except to answer the sect leader.
"The preparations… seem to be going well."
Not overdone.
Not too much.
Un Am only briefly saw the third-class disciples training when he would pass by the training grounds on occasion, so he had no choice but to express his opinion so hazily.
Since the children's training was entirely left to Un Geom, Un Am didn't feel the need to know or interfere with them and simply thought that they were training normally.
"They've only recently begun training…."
Hyun Jong nodded quietly.
He fully understood Un Am's concerns.
"Un Am."
"Yes."
"What would you do if there was a mountain in front of you?"
"That…"
Un Am couldn't easily speak.
"Suppose that there is a mountain in front of you that you must cross. If there is a path around it, then you could travel that road. If you have time, then you can rest and climb at your own pace. However, what if neither option is available and you need to cross it despite that?"
"I am afraid that I wouldn't be able to overcome that mountain."
"Even so, you would still gain experience. Next time, wouldn't we be able to cross the mountain more easily?"
Un Am let out a deep sigh.
He didn't feel like everything the sect leader said was convincing, but he couldn't ask anymore because the sect leader said it.
Hyun Jong smiled and spoke when Un Am's worried expression didn't fade.
"The Mount Hua and Southern Edge Conference is a venue for such exchanges."
"… Yes."
"It doesn't matter whether we win or lose. What's most important is who can develop further by using it as a stepping stone."
"What the Sect Leader said is correct."
"These guests are coming from far away. Make every effort not to neglect them."
"I will keep that in mind."
Un Am nodded.
"There will be no problems with Elder Hwang of the Eunha Guild either."
"Elder Hwang… right. I need to meet with Elder Hwang once."
"Isn't the sect leader quite busy? I'm sure he will understand."
"Right. Thank you."
Since the day Elder Hwang and Eunha came to Mount Hua, they have been pouring funds into the sect. Looking at the scale of investment, it seemed as if they intended to make Hua-Um stand on par with the capital.
"Won't this cause problems with the Southern Edge Sect?"
"Everything will go smoothly."
As usual, it will be calm.
Un Am bowed his head and stood up.
"Then, I will go for a final check."
"You've been through a lot."
"Please, don't mention it."
Un Am took a step back.
As he quietly closed the door and went outside, Hyun Jong looked down at the teacup in front of where Un Am sat.
The half-empty teacup had light steam drifting from the surface, seemingly conveying how Un Am felt.
"Winning isn't important…."
Hyun Jong frowned.
"Despite being a Taoist, I can lie so casually."
Hyun Jong was well aware that winning wasn't important. But this conference was a battle that couldn't be won, and he was forced to push his disciples into these unwinnable matches.
They couldn't win without a miracle.
Unless a miracle happens...
Hyun Jong suppressed his heavy heart and closed his eyes.
"It's still such a small place."
The disciples of the Southern Edge Sect glanced around at Hua-Um and spoke with a smirk.
Although they had been to this place in the past, this Hua-Um village was very small. Compared to Xi'an, where they usually went, this was no better than the empty countryside.
"Sahyung. Did Mount Hua really used to be in the Ten Great Sects?"
"Of course."
"But isn't this village too small and shabby for a sect that used to be great?"
Jin Geum-Ryong said with a smile.
"You've got it backward. This village was only able to form because Mount Hua was here. In the past, Mount Hua was strong enough that this village developed so that the people coming to visit the sect would have somewhere to live."
"I see."
Jong Seo-Han nodded as if he finally understood.
"But aren't they utterly ruined now?"
"That's true too."
Jin Geum-Ryong nodded.
Jong Seo-Han looked around and opened his mouth.
"I honestly don't know why this pointless event is being held. What's the point in clashing swords with Mount Hua when the results are obvious? Wouldn't it be better for us to simply swing our swords on our own?"
"This has been decided by the elders; they have their own plans. Be mindful of what you say."
"Yes, but…"
Jong Seo-Han slowly turned his head back.
Looking at the person following behind him, he smiled.
"But this time, the conference is quite meaningful. It's worthwhile to take revenge for those who have been disgraced."
It was a provocative remark.
However, the one receiving the provocation, Lee Song-Baek, continued walking in silence.
'That's no fun.'
Jong Seo-Han narrowed his eyes.
Thanks to Chung Myung's actions at Elder Hwang's residence, it became common knowledge within the Southern Edge Sect that the Eunha Guild had chosen to support Mount Hua over themselves.
Of course, despite his actions to repent, Lee Song-Baek drew unfavorable gazes for his role in beating Chung Myung and damaging the sect's reputation.
'There's no reaction, no use teasing him.'
Since that day, Lee Song-Baek has changed as a person. He used to be quite serious, but now he is more reticent and stoic.
"We were disgraced by Mount Hua for the first time in 100 years, so we need to repay this debt, Great Sahyung."
"That's right."
While Jin Geum-Ryong and Jong Seo-Han were walking, Lee Song-Baek walked along without wanting to get involved in their conversation.
His gaze turned toward the towering Mount Hua.
'Mount Hua?'
When he visited this place in the past, he felt light-hearted. But now, the shadow of one person overlapping Mount Hua could be seen.
'We may be walking straight into the tiger's den.'
Lee Song-Baek seemed to see the smiling face of Chung Myung.
"What the hell!?"
Jong Seo-Han was annoyed as he spoke with a voice full of anger.
Climbing a mountain wasn't an easy task, even for those who learned martial arts. This steep mountain looked like it would even be difficult for a bird to ascend.
"I don't understand what the hell these people thought when they built their sect in a place like this. No wonder their sect is doomed."
Chung Myung would applaud if he could have heard that statement.
But Jin Geum-Ryong didn't seem to agree.
"The sect's location is meaningful; it represents a disciple's desire to sacrifice and leave behind their mundane and materialistic lives while returning to nature. Naturally, they would choose a difficult location for outsiders to enter."
"What sort of place is Mount Hua? It's only half a sect now. At least if it was the Wudang sect that built this place, it would be understandable."
"Well, you are right."
Those who climbed Mount Hua before must have had a hard time, so they built a place to rest. The disciples of the Southern Edge sect were resting there now.
One of the second-class disciples opened his mouth with a sullen expression.
"After going through all this trouble, we should be treated to something amazing. Instead, they're going to feed us grass and make us sleep in ruined rooms."
"I don't care about the food; I just want to sleep comfortably. Last time, I couldn't even sleep without worrying that the building would collapse on me."
"Even beggars wouldn't sleep in such a place. What kind of sect is this? This is worse than the Beggars Union."
Dissatisfaction and scorn mixed into the conversation.
"I think we should stop this useless conference already. We gain nothing from it. We travel so far away to come to Mount Hua and suffer this poor treatment, yet Mount Hua is the only one getting anything good from it."
Jin Geum-Ryong just shrugged it off.
"I know that everyone is dissatisfied with this, but it would be better for you all to calm down. Don't you know how the elders feel about Mount Hua?"
"We don't get it. Why are they so obsessed with a ruined sect?"
"I know."
"Maybe it's because of their potential."
"Potential?"
Someone snorted.
"If they had potential, they would have already changed. Why would they allow themselves to decline for a hundred years if they had some way to reverse the situation?"
"Every sect has its history; what matters is now."
While everyone was disparaging Mount Hua, one person spoke up.
"You had better not underestimate Mount Hua too much."
Everyone's eyes turned together.
Lee Song-Baek.
With an expressionless face, he said.
"If you do, you may end up disgraced."
Jong Seo-Han frowned.
"Like Sahyung?"
"…"
Despite the obvious provocation, Lee Song-Baek didn't respond.
"Don't worry, Sahyung. We won't afford Mount Hua any chances. We'll even break the one that trampled on Sahyung's dignity for you."
"I am just saying that you should remain alert."
"What could staying alert around Mount Hua even do for us?"
"I…"
Lee Song-Baek was about to say something but then sighed slowly. Whatever he said wouldn't work.
Elder Ki Mok-Seung and Lee Song-Baek had the most horrible experience because of what Chung Myung had done at the Eunha Guild.
In particular, all criticism for the incident had fallen onto Lee Song-Baek. It wasn't surprising; how could people blame an elder?
"Do as you please. But if you let your guard down, there will be a price to pay."
As Jong Seo-Han frowned and was about to say something, a soft voice came.
"You aren't wrong."
Everyone's heads turned again.
Everyone stood up when they saw the man slowly ascending the mountain.
"Sit."
"Yes."
The elder of the Southern Edge Sect, Sama Seung1, looked at everyone once and spoke.
"Did you all forget what happened with Eunha?"
When the word Eunha was spoken, Lee Song-Baek flinched. But the other disciples answered without delay.
"I haven't forgotten."
Sama Seung's eyes shone.
"Everything was ruined, and we were put to shame because of that collapsing sect. Do you understand how angry the sect leader was?"
Everyone bowed their heads at his words.
Not because they did something wrong, but because of the qi releasing from his body.
"It is enough to be disgraced by Mount Hua once. We must not suffer such a disgrace again. Our Southern Edge Sect should rise above the world and stand over others. How long do you believe we should waste our time fighting with third-class disciples from Mount Hua? You need to put an end to this atrocious relationship! I will not forgive anyone who suffers disgrace at the hands of Mount Hua, even if it's only due to a moment of carelessness!"
The Southern Edge Sect's disciples held their breath while listening to the cold voice of their elder.
"A general on the battlefield should never have remorse, and a lion should do its best to catch a rabbit. It's not enough to simply defeat Mount Hua; the Southern Edge Sect must be strong enough to trample Mount Hua without even giving them a chance to stand against us. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Elder!"
The sharp eyes of Sama Seung looked around at the disciples and nodded.
"However, there's a difference between vigilance and fear, right?"
"Yes."
"Hmm."
Sama Seung turned and looked at Mount Hua.
"Get up. Now that you've had a good rest, we should arrive before those waiting for us get tired."
"Yes."
The Southern Edge Sect's disciples resumed climbing again.
After climbing the mountain for a long time, the disciples, who had almost arrived at Mount Hua, began to say.
"This is hell."
"We really shouldn't come next time."
"If it's the same as last time, shouldn't we reach the gate soon?"
Climbing the steep mountain, they would soon find the ruined sect's gate.
Seeing the end of their long journey, the disciples rushed to the top.
And they arrived.
"Huh?"
"What is that?"
And were taken aback by the sight in front of them.
Surely, when they came here two years ago, Mount Hua's gate was old and looked like it would fall apart at any moment. The gate didn't even function as a gate.
But now, that old gate wasn't there. They were greeted by a massive door that seemed brand new.
'Am I seeing things?'
'No way.'
'This makes no sense. Did someone else come up to Mount Hua and establish their sect here?'
They slowly looked up.
The gate may have changed, but the signboard hanging from the entrance showed that the sect's name remained unchanged. However, the old signboard that was previously crumbling had been replaced with a new one that proudly bore the sect's name.
When they saw the name 'Mount Hua' in the dragon and snake calligraphy, they felt an unfamiliar pressure fall onto them.
"W-what is this…."
It was well-known that the Eunha Guild had joined hands with Mount Hua.
However, the partnership with Eunha was very recent. It was impossible for the sect to rebuild their front gate in such a short amount of time. Not even the Eunha Guild could accelerate development so much.
"This shouldn't be possible."
JIn Geum-Ryong mumbled.
Wasn't this sect supposed to be even worse than the Beggars' Union? Was this the same Mount Hua that was ridiculed for being unable to accept disciples, even when the sect opened its gates to search?
What kind of money did Mount Hua possess to build this gate?
"Silence."
Sama Seung spoke slowly.
"It seems like they begged for money somewhere. But even if they can change the gate, the roots of the sect won't change. There's no need to make a fuss out of this."
"Yes!"
"Don't act like this changes anything."
Sama Seung walked towards the gate with a slightly offended expression.
It was then.
Kik!
The huge gates began to open, and a man slowly walked out from inside.
Martial arts head, Hyun Sang.
When he saw the disciples of the Southern Edge Sect approaching, he looked at them.
"You must have been through a lot coming all this way. Elder Sama. I met you once before. I am Hyun Sang, elder of Mount Hua."
"It's Sama Seung."
The elder's response was very short.
However, Hyun Sang didn't show any offense and smiled.
"Nice to see you again, Elder Sama."
"The sect leader hasn't come out?"
Hyun Sang's eyes twitched.
"The sect leader is inside."
"But your guests have traveled from so far away, and he doesn't even show his face?"
Hyun Sang bit his lip.
Sama Seung is an elder of the Southern Edge Sect.
Although he was a well-known elder with high status, he wasn't someone esteemed enough for the sect leader to personally greet.
Sama Seung clearly knows that, but asking for the sect leader meant that he was being openly disrespectful of Mount Hua.
Hyun Sang opened his mouth while holding back the anger which was rising in his chest.
"Let's head in. A banquet has been prepared to welcome the disciples. It might not be enough, but I hope you will forget the long journey you overcame to come here and enjoy it."
"Banquet? The Mount Hua and Southern Edge conference isn't about eating and playing."
"… We understand that."
"Still, it is fine. Take the lead. I need to meet the sect leader."
Hyun Sang let out a low sigh.
'My words don't seem to be getting through.'
The Southern Edge Sect acted the same in the past, but it wasn't this extreme. Perhaps, this was being done with some purpose in mind.
But didn't Hyun Jong already warn the elders not to behave recklessly? Remembering these words, Hyun Sang choked back his anger and smiled.
"Come with me."
"Hmm."
Sama Seung entered with small steps. In the meantime, the newly built gates caught his eye.
'Looks like they got some support.'
It seemed like some blind fool threw quite a bit of money into Mount Hua. So, the sect used the money to deal with the most urgent issues. The first thing they worked on were things that people could see, like the gates.
But the internal buildings couldn't be…
"What?"
Those who entered the gate let out a gasp.
"T-training hall?"
"When?"
They could clearly see that the training halls were all newly rebuilt with blue tiles laid out over the spacious area as they entered the gate.
'T-they repaired all of this?'
No, was it all new?
Did the God of Wealth descend on Mount Hua?
"It's better than the Southern Edge Sect."
The slight murmur that someone from behind whispered represented the feelings of everyone present. Compared to this, even the Southern Edge Sect looked shabby.
Just two years ago, Mount Hua and everything within were crumbling and in ruins. When did such a dramatic change occur?
Sama Seung's face contorted as he came to a halt.
As the elder stopped walking, Hyun Sang looked back and asked.
"Is something wrong?"
"Doesn't it seem like a lot has changed?"
Hyun Sang smiled and answered.
"Good things have happened."
"Does Mount Hua still have someone that supports you? I hope that such a prestigious sect wouldn't resort to fraud or thievery."
Instantly, Hyun Sang's face burned red with fury.
Even if the sect leader had ordered them to maintain peace, this was an intolerable remark.
"Be careful of what you say—"
It was then.
"Fuck you! Do you have a death wish!?"
Everyone's eyes turned to the voice that came from the side.
Sama Seung's face went stiff, seeing the scene unfolding in front of him.
'W-what is he doing?'
His eyes caught sight of a series of disciples running like horses. It appears they had been training for a long time. Their robes were drenched in sweat, and their expressions seemed like they would faint any moment; despite that, they continued to press forward with staggering legs.
It was a bizarre sight.
However, that wasn't where Sama Seung was looking.
He stared at the one that interrupted their conversation.
Next to the running group stood a person in clean clothes with a calm expression. Unlike the others, he ran with the group as if he was taking a brisk walk.
A small child.
Sama Seung, who looked at the child, asked in a hoarse voice.
"What did you just say?"