- The current Mount Hua has lost its former light, but Mount Hua once shone brighter than any other sect. Your father has lived his life in pride as a member of Mount Hua.
Gulp gulp.
Dressed in Mount Hua's uniform, Chung Myung was gulping down alcohol.
"Kuaaa! Alcohol tastes the best."
- Mount Hua is prestigious. That prestige was not earned without a great history. It took the blood and sweat of countless ancestors before it touched glory and gained such noble status.
"Some meat for me! Give it here, please! Sahyung!"
"There's nothing left for me to eat! You already ate your own, don't covet others' food too! If you don't want your hands cut off, then keep them to yourself!"
"Selfish!"
- Although Mount Hua is suffering now, it will resurrect and spread its name throughout the world again one day. So, you must not make the mistake of only looking at Mount Hua's current state. It would be best if you thought of the future as well. Protect Mount Hua. Then, the day will come when Mount Hua protects Huayoung Gate, and we ascend together.
"Kya! Coming down from Mount Hua makes me feel alive!"
"Sasuk is still here! Be careful of what you say, you brat!"
"It's fine. I'm sure that Sasuk is thinking the same thing I am right now."
"… No. I feel like I'm going to die staying with you."
"Hahaha! What a joke!"
"… I wish I was joking."
Wei Lishan had a pleasant smile as he watched the disciples of Mount Hua, who greedily coveted alcohol and meat while cursing at each other.
'I want to show this to my father.'
And he would ask
'What prestige? Resurrection?'
Look!
'Mount Hua is doomed, father.'
And horribly so!
Tak!
Wei Lishan pressed down the pain rising in his belly. Since earlier, he had been experiencing a sharp stomach ache, like a nail had been driven deep into his core. Yet, this sight before him seemed to hurt even more.
"Kuak."
Unable to bear this sight any longer, Wei Lishan coughed and attracted the attention of Mount Hua's disciples, who all turned to look at him in unison.
"Ah."
Chung Myung sighed and offered Wei Lishan a bottle of alcohol.
"Would you like a drink?"
"He's in recovery!"
"Didn't he have internal injuries?"
"Think before you speak, think!"
"No, you bastards!"
And it grew noisy once again. At the same time, Wei Lishan's stomach began to ache even worse.
'A name and its pride die first.'
When he visited Mount Hua ten years ago with Wei Soheng in his arms, Wei Lishan could feel the nobility and pride emanating from Mount Hua despite its collapse.
But, whatever the hell happened over the past decade, Mount Hua's disciples have grown rotten. They're far from the prestigious and noble image he'd previously experienced.
Instead of Wei Lishan, Yeom Pyong, who was standing next to him, spoke.
"Look here."
"Yes."
"… do you understand just what kind of situation we're in?"
Baek Cheon stood up, and he bowed his head slightly.
"I'm sorry. These guys are a bit free spirited."
Wei Lishan sighed.
"I'm not going to blame you. Thanks to you we earned an extra day of time. But disciple Baek Cheon, now we have to make a decision."
"Decision?"
"It's not easy to set aside everything and leave the home that I love, but now that things have come to this, there seems to be no other way. Huayoung Gate will give up on Nanyang and retreat. So, please listen and return to Mount Hua.
"…. Gate leader."
Baek Cheon had a complex look on his face.
"I know things got a little out of line…."
"That's not it. If it was any opponent other than Wudang, I would have stayed and endured to the end. But you don't know what it means to stand against the Wudang sect. Since they've sent their disciples, isn't it clear that their sect is trying to take over Nanyang?"
"Hmm."
"Even if you manage to stop them this time, the same thing will happen again."
Chung Myung poured himself a glass of alcohol and drank it in one gulp.
"Kuak."
And he spoke to Wei Lishan.
"I was going to ask you about that anyway."
"Yes?"
"What's so great about this place? They're acting way too aggressively for this place."
The Wudang that Chung Myung remembered didn't operate like this.
Wudang was one of the most dignified and respected sects in the world.
'They were the type that would chant their sutras until death.'
Of course, a lot of time had passed since Chung Myung died, but the fundamental nature of a sect doesn't change that easily.
Would the Wudang sect really use such extreme measures just to spread their influence in Nanyang?
'There's something happening here.'
Wei Lishan asked.
"Great?"
"Yes."
"There's nothing like that. If there was anything great here, would people have left Nanyang alone till now?"
"Um, I see."
He didn't get the answer he hoped for, but Chung Myung wasn't disappointed. If Wei Lishan had any information, it would probably already be widespread.
Information that Wei Lishan didn't know was more meaningful.
'If this doesn't work, then I can just rip the truth from the Wudang bastards.'
"Rather, you should all head back to Mont Hua as soon as the sun rises tomorrow. I will take care of the rest."
"What? That's impossible."
"… Impossible?"
"Yes. Sect leader told us to solve the Huayoung Gate's problem. If we leave Huayoung Gate and let it get kicked out of Nanyang, our sect leader sigh to himself and refuse to even see us for at least three months."
"Wow, I can't imagine that."
"I sympathize with you, Sahyung."
Yoon Jong and Jo Gul trembled, not wanting to imagine it.
"Look, this is no joke."
"We aren't joking either."
As Wei Lishan was about to lose his temper, Chung Myung cut in and spoke with a firm voice.
"Mount Hua has not forgotten the grace Huayoung Gate has shown us."
Wei Lishan's eyes trembled.
Unlike before, there was a serious light in Chung Myung's eyes. Wei Lishan was instantly overwhelmed by Chung Myung's poise.
"Now it's time for Mount Hua to repay Huayoung Gate. Mount Hua never betrays its ideals. The world will know that clearly."
Wei Lishan nodded his head without realizing he'd been swept up in the momentum.
'Chung Myung'
The one known as Mount Hua's Divine Dragon.
Wei Lishan began to think that he might have judged Chung Myung too easily in the morning.
"But before that."
"Yes?"
"I have a favor to ask, Gate leader."
Wei Lishan nodded his head.
"Say it. I will get anything I can procure."
"Then..."
Chung Myung shook the bottle in his hand.
"If there is any alcohol left in Huayoung Gate, please give me a bottle."
"…"
"No, at least three."
"…"
"You don't have any?"
"…"
No, maybe Wei Lishan had judged him properly the first time.
"All the preparations are done, disciple Jin Hyeon."
Jin Hyeon nodded his head.
"You worked hard."
"Just one more day and this damned work will finally be over. It's been tough, this role doesn't fit my character."
Jin Hyeon smiled.
"We are all fully aware of how hard you've worked. When this work is done, the sect leader will surely show you favor back in the main sect."
"Oh, don't say that. How could I dare hope for that? If there's some help for the training hall, that's all I could hope for."
Jin Hyeon smiled and nodded.
It didn't matter if his words were sincere or not. This training hall leader wasn't important at all. Even if he refuses, the Wudang sect would still reward him, and that would be the end of his role.
"By now Mount Hua has to be trembling."
"Well. They were quite proud yesterday."
"Wasn't that just a bluff? Can Mount Hua even put up a fight against Wudang? I bet there isn't even a single ant remaining within Huayoung Gate. Isn't that why disciple Jin Hyeon gave them a day's time?
Jin Hyeon smiled softly and didn't respond.
"You must be exhausted from the long journey, I shouldn't waste your time here."
"No."
"Have a good rest. I will see you tomorrow."
"Have a good night."
Jin Hyeon sighed as the training hall leader left.
"Sahyung."
Jin Hyeon's sajae, Jin Mu, called him.
"Did Sahyung expect Mount Hua to come?"
"I didn't. But the Sect leader mentioned the possibility. It's difficult to follow the sect leader's insight."
"He's a man that stands so far above that when he looks down, he sees the heavens."
"Right."
Jin Hyeon quietly nodded his head.
"What do you think Sahyung? As the hall leader said, do you think that Huayoung Gate could run away tonight?"
"Huayoung Gate can."
Jin Hyeon continued calmly.
"But the disciples of Mount Hua cannot."
"Why not?"
"Because they recently gained fame."
"Ah…"
Jin Hyeon smiled.
"Normally, people don't grow overly attached to a reputation that has been rightfully built. But when they get more fame than they deserve, they tend to become obsessed with it. Perhaps Mount Hua's Divine Dragon will be unable to let go. If he runs away after such light provocation, he'll become the laughingstock of the whole world."
"But won't his reputation suffer anyway if he stays and gets defeated?"
Jin Hyeon's eyes narrowed.
"Are you saying that losing to me would be a shame to him?"
"I-I didn't mean that, Sahyung."
Jin Hyeon smiled and patted Jin Mu on the back.
"I'm just joking. Why wouldn't they wait? Losing is less shameful than running away."
"It would be good for them to learn some shame. They don't seem to understand the concept."
"Huhuhu. That is true."
Jin Hyeon smiled as Chung Myung's face surfaced in his mind.
'That cheeky bastard.'
Jin Hyeon understood.
Having gained such a reputation at a young age, he must not put others in his sights. There was a time when Jin Hyeon also shrugged his shoulders and arrogantly overlooked others because of his fame.
Wasn't it the role of the elders to cull that behavior?
"If they don't know, all we need to do is let them understand."
"Of course."
"But."
Jin Hyeon spoke with a firm expression.
"We shouldn't focus too much attention on that. You haven't forgotten our true purpose in coming here, right?"
"Yes, Sahyung. I haven't forgotten for even a single moment."
Something that even the other sajaes didn't know.
Only Jin Hyeon and Jin Mu knew about it. The reason the two of them knew was to prepare for an unforeseen situation. Otherwise, it was something that Jin Mu shouldn't have known.
"Huayoung Gate and Mount Hua are fine. What's most important is to draw people's attention away from Nanyang. If this goes well, we will be able to rise above the Shaolin sect and stand at the peak of the world."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Jin Hyeon turned to look out the window. The moon floating high above, and the stars that shone in the sky reflected in his eyes.
'Sword Tomb'
The tomb of a sword.
That was why they created a fake subsect and came all this way out here.
"First we drive those Mount Hua bastards out of Nanyang, and then we'll slowly proceed with the plan."
"Yes, Sahyung!"
A low smile formed on Jin Hyeon's lips.
'Soon the world will be under the Wudang Sect's feet.'
It was a night of deep conspiracy.
Wei Lishan, unable to sleep all throughout the night, stared up at the sky with bloodshot eyes.
The sun was already in the middle of the sky.
'This is insane.'
Yesterday, Wei Lishan found himself swept along by the atmosphere Chung Myung's party had created and nodded his head along with them. It should have been impossible for a man his age to lose himself and fall into the rhythm of some children as young as his son, but these weren't any ordinary people.
In the end, Chung Myung fell asleep after raiding Huayoung Gate's warehouse and emptying all their liquor bottles. It was even scarier that his sahyungs were there, yet no one stopped him.
'Is this really alright?'
Mount Hua's disciples had clearly behaved excessively yesterday.
Hadn't they hurled such venomous words at the Wudang disciples? Even Wei Lishan would be unable to escape retribution after such insults.
If a fight occurs, the disciples of Mount Hua will not be safe.
But…
Wei Lishan opened the window. He looked out and saw the disciples of Mount Hua, who had come out early to bask in the sun.
"Yhaaaan."
Jo Gul, who was yawning heavily with droopy eyes, looked at Yoon Jong.
"When are they coming?"
"Didn't they say they would come today?"
"The sun's already up."
"They said they would come at the same time as yesterday, so there's still a lot of time left. If you have nothing to do, go and sleep."
"I made a habit of waking up early, I can't sleep now."
"… What a sad story."
It was unknown how he felt about it, but Jo Gul's body had become faithfully accustomed to Chung Myung's methods. The sad fact was that it wasn't just him; Yoon Jong was the same.
"What about Chung Myung?"
"Sleeping. It'd be even weirder if he was awake after drinking that much."
"… go and wake him, the Wudang will be here soon."
"Would he even wake up if I asked him to?"
"Pour water on him."
"… okay."
Wei Lishan quietly closed the window.
'Father. I don't know anymore.'
It felt like his deceased father was looking down at him from the sky.
Suddenly, Yeom Pyong and Wei Soheng entered as the door opened.
"Father."
"… what is it?"
"What should we do?"
"Hm?"
"The Wudang will attack us soon. Shouldn't we fight together?"
Wei Lishan took a deep breath.
Actually, he hadn't yet decided what to do. In fact, it was Mount Hua who provoked the Wudang, not Huayoung Gate. In the worst-case scenario, as long as they are prepared to leave Nanyang, they could withdraw without participating in the battle. At least then, Huayoung Gate might not suffer much damage.
If they say they will leave Nanyang on their own, even the Wudang sect will not persecute Huayoung Gate.
But if they fought, then everyone would need to be prepared to suffer some damage. Wei Lishan and Wei Soheng, in particular, would need to be prepared to shed their blood.
'What should I do?'
A deep sense of agony tormented him.
In the end, Wei Lishan was unable to decide and looked at his son.
"What do you think we should do?"
It wasn't a question asked with high expectations. It was just a light question, released in a moment of overwhelming confusion, but his son's answer was more serious than he thought.
"I think we should fight."
"… and the reason?"
"They are the guests, and we are the owners. It would be unacceptable for the owner to flee the battle and watch from the sidelines while the guests who came to help are fighting for them."
"…"
"And…"
Wei Soheng spoke again.
"The reason I respected my father and cherished Huayoung Gate is because my father and I were equally proud of this place. Father never felt bad for supporting the ruined Mount Hua, nor did you expect anything for it. Because we belong to Mount Hua."
"… Yes."
"Even if we are a simple sub-sect, a disciple is a disciple. How can we just stay by and watch them fight?"
Wei Lishan turned his head.
He found it difficult to look his son in the eyes at this moment.
"I met the sect leader. Without any hesitation, the sect leader sent the disciples to help us. Their method may not be right, but their hearts aren't wrong. Even if I die today, it will be at their side. I will fight."
'I'm ashamed of myself.'
This was what Wei Lishan thought.
While Wei Lishan turned away and hid from the crisis, Wei Soheng was alone in defending the virtues his father had taught him to uphold.
How could he not feel ashamed?
"Yeom Pyong."
"Yes, Gate leader."
"Tell the disciples. Those who want to fight can stay, and those who don't may return home."
"… gate leader."
"We will not hold anyone responsible if they leave, and if Huayoung Gate survives today, we will accept them back without any conditions."
"Then no one will stay."
"No."
Wei Lishan smiled.
"I will stay, and so will Soheng."
"…"
"That's enough. We will fight for the name of Mount Hua."
Yeom Pyong shook his head.
"You two should do that."
"Will you leave?"
"I will fight for the name of Huayoung Gate, not for Mount Hua."
"…"
"The weather is fine today, gate leader."
After falling silent for a time, Wei Lishan smiled and nodded.
"I know."
Wei Lishan, who was looking at the sky, seemed determined.
"Such nice weather."
"Kuaaak. I don't feel well."
"… stop drinking so much!"
"You drunk bastard!"
Chung Myung grabbed his head.
"Ah, don't shout! My head is ringing."
"Did you have to drink alcohol amid all this? We need to fight soon."
"I can just sober up."
Chung Myung snapped his fingers, and a translucent haze rose from his fingers.
He cleansed the alcohol poisoning his body.
Baek Cheon watched this scene and stood up. With a more serious tone than ever, he spoke.
"Everyone, listen!"
"Yes!"
"Until now, no matter what you did, I didn't speak up. But it's different now. Today's fight isn't just our fight, don't forget that we fight with the name of Mount Hua on our backs."
"We will keep that in mind."
Jo Gul, Yoon Jong, and Yu Yiseol looked determined. Even Chung Myung nodded with a smile.
"Sect leader said that this would signal to the world that Mount Hua has resumed external activities."
Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung.
"Chung Myung."
"I know. I know. Gently—"
"No!"
"—Huh?"
Chung Myung looked at Baek Cheon with wide eyes.
"If you are going to do it, do it perfectly."
"Oh?"
It was strange to hear such words from Baek Cheon.
"It's inevitable that they will lose. If that's the case, it's better to do it perfectly and cleanly."
"Sect leader told me not to."
"Wasn't it you that said the sect leader probably wants to see those Wudang bastards get their skulls cracked before he crosses the river?"
"Oh?"
Chung Myung smiled
'I like this.'
In the past, Baek Cheon was a man that was overly obsessed with fairness and impartiality. However, after a short couple of years of Chung Myung's corrosive influence, he had begun to ignore the sect leader's words… no; he learned to interpret them better.
"Wow, the sect will be running wild!"
"…"
Chung Myung smiled.
"But do you understand what that means?"
"What do you mean?"
"That Mount Hua is ready to resume external activities."
"… Isn't it literal?"
Chung Myung smiled bitterly.
"External activity means that we're interested in the world outside the sect. But what kind of action can Mount Hua take?"
"… Well."
"Didn't you see Huayoung Gate?"
"You mean the sub-sects?'
Chung Myung nodded.
"Right. We are going to increase the sect's influence. Then, the same thing that's happening now will happen again, but with the positions reversed."
"Hmm."
"That means the good old days, where our only concerns were training, are over."
"By 'the good old days', you mean that training?"
"Wasn't that training the best time?"
"You're crossing the line."
Chung Myung flinched at the intense backlash over his comments.
It was then…
With Wei Lishan at the head, Wei Soheng, Yeom Pyong, and roughly ten disciples of Huayoung Gate approached them with grim expressions.
Wei Lishan, who arrived right in front of Chung Myung, moved towards Baek Cheon.
"Disciple Baek Cheon. I was so distracted that I couldn't properly tend to my duties. I bow my head to express my gratitude to you, your party, and even Mount Hua for rushing to assist us in Huayoung Gate's time of need."
As Wei Lishan bowed his head, Baek Cheon immediately reached out and made him stand tall.
"Don't do this, Gate leader. We just did what we had to do."
"I don't know what the outcome of today will be, but I will lead Huayoung Gate and fight alongside you all."
There was no hesitation to be found on Wei Lishan's face. Seeing that good expression on his face, Baek Cheon also felt at ease.
'As expected.'
It seemed like it was true that this man had the qualities of a great leader. It made sense; if this man was lacking, then he would never have been able to rouse any support to fight alongside him.
"Thank you, gate leader."
"Wow!"
Chung Myung applauded.
"As expected of such a loyal person."
"…"
Baek Cheon had the distressing thought that the word 'loyal' sounded like 'money' when it came from Chung Myung…
"But, um…"
Chung Myung scratched his head.
"The number?"
"Those who want to leave have left."
"Still, this many chose to stay."
Chung Myung nodded his head.
"It's a good place, and they're good people."
Chung Myung spoke in a distant manner that seemed a bit faint as the others focused on him.
"No, well."
Chung Myung, who was about to say something, just smiled and laughed.
'It was the same with Mount Hua, in the past.'
Maybe it was just Chung Myung's idea of the sect.
But even the current Mount Hua is the same.
"Well, it doesn't look like you can do anything special though."
"… what?"
"Hm. How do I explain? Just watch and you'll know soon enough."
Chung Myung turned his head and shrugged.
Soon after, his eyes centered on the sect's main gate.
"Looks like they're coming."
"You can feel them already?"
"They are coming from the front, aren't you a bit too relaxed?"
"… monstrous bastard."
Baek Cheon shook his head. He still couldn't feel anything yet, but Chung Myung already seemed to have the entire situation within his grasp.
'Hell, he was drunk until just a moment ago!'
"They're coming!"
Baek Cheon, Yoon Jong, Jo Gul, and Yu Yiseol stepped forward and put their hands on the swords around their waists. Since everything that needed to be said had already been discussed, the Wudang would come rushing in, ready for battle.
"There's nothing to be nervous about."
Baek Cheon spoke softly.
"Don't forget your training. We won't lose to anyone. We are disciples of the Great Mount Hua!"
"Yes, Sasuk!"
"Yes, Sahyung."
The disciples' each had a determined look in their eyes. The playfulness that was present just a short while ago had faded. Only the cold demeanor and resolve of a swordsman remained.
Baek Cheon now sensed the enemy's qi as well.
"Get ready!"
Everyone's eyes were locked onto the main gate.
Reflected in their eyes was the sight of Wudang's disciples, dressed in black robes, jumping high over the main gate.
Three of them!
'Take them one by one….'
Suddenly!
"Okay!"
There was an ominous sensation that something crazy was happening from behind before something hazy flew out towards the disciples of Wudang that were crossing the sect's wall.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The Wudang disciples were thrown back out at twice the speed they had charged in.
The four disciples of Mount Hua felt their tension deflate, and their qi began to dissipate as if it was running away.
"Huh?"
When he saw their reactions, Chung Myung tilted his head.
"Should I have let them in first?"
"…"
'You brat! Are you going to do it all yourself!?'
"W-what?"
The sajaes who had jumped inside 'flew' out?
And they were twice as fast to leave as they were when entering?
Wudang's disciples caught the sajaes that were thrown back.
"Ack."
"Ahh… did something hit you?"
Fortunately, it seemed like they weren't seriously wounded. Considering the speed at which they bounced back, they were strangely uninjured.
"What happened?"
"… I don't know. I saw something hazy…."
Jin Hyeon's face hardened.
'They didn't even see the attack?'
It sounded like utter nonsense.
One person could say that. Humans make mistakes. But it was impossible for all three of them to be unable to see what had attacked them.
It would only be possible if the attacker's skill level was several times higher than his sajaes.…
'… we're only up against the disciples of Mount Hua and Huayoung Gate.'
Jin Hyeon, who had such thoughts, quickly found a reasonable answer.
"Looks like we stepped into a trap. Though I'm not sure how."
"You mean it wasn't an attack?"
"If it had been a proper attack, would it have ended with such little damage? It wouldn't have been strange if one of them had been cut down."
"Ah… right, you're right Sahyung!"
Jin Hyeon bit his lip.
'Was it really a trap? If not?'
The exact method was unknown, but what became apparent was that the enemies had someone that could utilize some tricks. It seemed that this was the reason they had requested a battle and not a spar.
"They're playing tricks."
Jin Hyeon drew his sword and took two steps forward.
"Follow behind me. I don't know what sort of traps they're using, so I'll lead the charge and break through."
"Yes! Sahyung!"
Jin Hyeon looked at Huayoung Gate's tightly shut entrance with slightly nervous eyes.
'What could be behind this? Either way, excessive caution would just play into another trap.'
"Let's go!"
Without waiting for an answer, Jin Hyeon rushed forward and kicked the gate.
Kwang!
The door shattered and splintered with a crashing roar, scattering shrapnel everywhere.
The dust that had risen gradually subsided, and then there was silence.
'… where's the trap?'
Jin Hyeon had gathered his resolve to break in, but nothing happened. He could only see Mount Hua's disciples standing off in the distance and staring back at him.
"Geez, why did you break the gate? It wasn't even locked. Ah, kids these days make a mess of everything."
Chung Myung clicked his tongue.
There were so many reasons that Yoon Jong wanted to scold Chung Myung, but now it was time to deal with the enemy.
Jin Hyeon scanned to the left and then the right before frowning.
"Is this all?"
"What?"
When Chung Myung asked, Jin Hyeon growled.
"Do you intend to deal with all of us with only the few of you? That's quite bold! I don't know if that's confidence or arrogance."
Chung Myung looked at Yoon Jong with a pouty face.
"What's he talking about?"
"Well, I'm getting a familiar feeling from him."
Chung Myung smiled and spoke.
"Don't you feel like you're looking at the old Baek Cheon sasuk?"
Baek Cheon, who was suddenly brought into the issue, gnashed his teeth.
"… Don't."
"Don't~."
"Hey!"
Baek Cheon's face flushed red.
However, Baek Cheon himself couldn't deny that Jin Hyeon's words and actions were similar to his former self.
'That's what happens to those who don't know that there's another sky above our sky.'
Baek Cheon's mind was broken after meeting Chung Myung… no, not just literally or metaphorically. Although his head had been beaten, it really did help him to understand reality.
However, no matter how much he'd changed, it was unpleasant to see his shameful past alive and well in front of his eyes.
"…. Let's just finish this quickly."
Baek Cheon spoke through a blushing face, and Yoon Jong and Jo Gul turned their heads as they struggled to restrain their laughter.
A look of bewilderment appeared on Jin Hyeon as he watched that scene.
'What is this? They look relaxed?'
'Are there other traps?'
Yet, no matter how he scanned the area or searched, he couldn't feel any qi. What sort of trap could even be used in this place?
And yet, they still greeted him with this attitude?
Jin Hyeon's face began to heat up.
'These arrogant bastards!'
Defeating them in a battle of words could help knock them down a peg, but it didn't seem like it could solve the problem. Jin Hyeon's mouth opened.
"I don't know where the hell your confidence comes from. Do you believe that Mount Hua, which has never defeated Wudang in the past, can fight back now?"
Chung Myung laughed.
"Who was never defeated? A hundred years ago, we were much stronger than you."
Although it was never officially recognized.
"Ha? A hundred years ago?"
Jin Hyeon smiled and laughed.
"Yeah, right. A hundred years ago. The era of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint that you're so proud of."
"Huh?"
Chung Myung was a bit shocked.
It felt strange to hear the name 'Plum Blossom Sword Saint' coming from this guy's mouth. That name couldn't even be heard in Mount Hua, but now it was coming from a disciple of Wudang?
"Did you know that the Plum Blossom Sword Saint you're so proud of was defeated by the Wudang's Taiji Sword Emperor?"
"What?"
Baek Cheon was enraged.
"What nonsense are you saying?"
"Hahaha. Nonsense, you say? The two of them once had a spar. To protect the honor of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, our ancestor hid the result."
"This…"
"Mount Hua has never been a match for the Wudang sect. It would help you to understand that."
As Jin Hyeon continued his taunting, the faces of Mount Hua's disciples flushed red in anger.
It was fine to ignore and look down on them, but disrespecting their ancestors was unforgivable.
The Plum Blossom Sword Saint is the pride of Mount Hua.
"How dare you speak such drivel about our ancestors!"
"You're crossing the line!"
"He's not someone your foul mouth can speak of!"
"… I cannot forgive you."
An unknown sadness encroached upon Chung Myung's heart when he saw his fellow disciples react like this.
'They're protecting me so much! Me!'
'Hey, you kids! I'm the Plum Blossom Sword Saint!'
'Ah, oh my, damn it! I can't even tell them the truth! How tragic!'
But apart from those emotions, Chung Myung didn't feel particularly angry at Jin Hyeon's words. He just thought it was a bit absurd.
'Wow, this is such a distortion of history.'
'That Taoist bastard demanded a spar with such a determined expression that it seemed like he wouldn't give up even if he died. It's a bit annoying to call it a 'secret spar', I was just too lazy to fight that weak idiot.'
And what?
Who had beaten whom?
- Your wickedness has gone too far. As a fellow member of a Taoist sect, I will show you the true path of a Taoist. Please do not blame my sword for being merciless; I ask that you reflect on what you have done.
- …t-that… I admit that your power surpasses mine. Knowing that I am lacking, I want to back down. No… I am not trying to walk away; no, wait!—stop hitting me! You've already won! How can a Taoist act like this… ah! Ack! No! I am not saying that… ackk!
- Hyung! Spare me!
"He was such a good little brother."
Although he was older, he referred to Chung Myung respectfully as Hyung.
"Huh?"
"Ah, nothing."
Chung Myung waved his hand.
After that, whenever Chung Myung stopped by Wudang, he would call out to the Taiji Sword Emperor and have a nice time. They would visit a popular neighborhood where there were a lot of expensive stores. Chung Myung had the pleasure of renting the top floor of the most expensive restaurants and drinking the most expensive alcohol, while the Wudang sect was left to pay the bills.
Whenever Chung Myung thought of the Taiji Sword Emperor's distressed expression, he felt a little bad before laughing.
No… Now wasn't the time to reminisce.
"Wow, the story changed this much."
No one knows the truth, and there is no proof either.
At that time, Jin Hyeon, who misunderstood Chung Myung's reaction, scoffed at him.
"Even Mount Hua's most powerful swordsman couldn't withstand the power of Wudang. Don't you think you're too arrogant to try and deal with us now? Your pride in front of Wudang—"
"Hey, shut up and come fight! Come on!"
"…"
Chung Myung sighed heavily.
"You see, it doesn't matter who won a hundred years ago. Can men from a hundred years ago come and support or cheer for you now? They're all dead, you bastard! If you like those old men so much, just go join the Wudang—ah, you already are a bastard of Wudang."
He already is one.
"…. How dare you!"
"Anyway, you old-fashioned people…."
Even though his past had been distorted, Chung Myung didn't feel angry.
'What does it matter now? I got defeated by the Heavenly Demon anyway.'
The present is what matters most.
And…
'That's what those in power do.'
The Wudang sect would never have dared to say such a thing if Mount Hua was stronger than them. In other words, if the current Mount Hua was overwhelmingly more powerful than the Wudang sect, then even if they claimed that the Plum Blossom Sword Saint was stronger than the Taiji Sword Emperor, there would be no backlash.
Control belongs to those who grasp power, whether it's history, money, or the right to speak.
This was something that Chung Myung had no complaints about.
'I'm strong!'
'It'll all be mine!'
This problem could be resolved as long as Mount Hua could take down the Wudang sect.
Well, it didn't really matter if the distorted history was corrected anyway.
The current Chung Myung needed to receive a higher evaluation than the past Plum Blossom Sword Saint.
"You really need to see blood to get your mind strai—"
"Young trainee Wei! Wei!"
Jin Hyeon tried to speak but was interrupted when Chung Myung called for Wei Soheng.
Wei Soheng, who was watching from behind, was utterly puzzled.
"Yes?"
"Did you do everything I asked you to?"
"About the rumors? Y-yes, I spread word to the people in Nanyang."
"Good. Now then, ugh!"
Chung Myung drew his sword.
The disciples of Wudang flinched as they stepped back.
All of a sudden…
As Chung Myung swung his sword, qi gushed out from the tip.
However, the sword's slash wasn't directed at the Wudang disciples. Rather, it headed toward the walls of Huayoung Gate before slicing them open several times.
Crack!
In an instant, the walls collapsed.
"W-what are you doing?"
Wei Lishan's eyes widened.
'No, why would that son of a bitch tear down the walls of their own sub-sect?'
"Ah…"
But Wei Lishan soon understood Chung Myung's intent and went silent.
Around the wall, a stampede of people from Nanyang was rushing to view what was happening.
Having heard that Wudang and Mount Hua would fight at Huayoung Gate, an audience came to watch. Who wouldn't want to witness this battle?
"I kind of like growing my name."
Chung Myung chuckled.
Their purpose here wasn't just to help Huayoung Gate. They needed people to see that Mount Hua could beat down the Wudang sect.
Every small victory they achieved would help raise Mount Hua's reputation in the future.
"… It's quite embarrassing."
Hearing Baek Cheon's words, Chung Myung smiled.
"If you are going to do it, do it perfectly."
"Right."
"Then there's only one thing left to do."
Chung Myung looked at the Wudang disciples.
"Sahyung. How many are possible for you?"
"… um… two."
"I think it's three for me?"
"Alright, that's five."
Chung Myung stroked his chin.
"Yu Sago should take care of four. Baek Cheon sasuk, you can handle him."
"And you?"
"Do I have to?"
"… forget it."
'There are people around, so restrain yourself, please.'
"Then let's go! Sasuk! Sago! Sahyung!"
"aa…"
"Ack…"
"Phew!"
Mount Hua's disciples each sighed in various ways as they trudged forward.
"Someone needs to fall today."
A cold chill flickered in Baek Cheon's eyes.
"If they're the disciples of the Wudang Sect, they'll be more than enough to show the results of your training. Let's go, guys. Show those bastards the sword of Mount Hua!"
"Yes, Sasuk!"
"Yes, Sahyung!"
Behind them, they heard a quiet voice respond.
"Why do you all react so differently even though I said the same thing?"
'You should just shut your mouth, brat….'