"This mountain is something else."
Yu Jong-san let out an involuntary groan.
The terrain of Mount Hua was so treacherous that even the locals of Hwaeum would groan in frustration.
If it weren't for the escorts helping them climb, an ordinary person wouldn't even dare to attempt reaching the summit.
The fact that he had to climb this treacherous mountain again in less than a week was making both his body and mind uncomfortable.
"Ugh…"
"Master Yu, hang in there."
"I'm already hanging in there!"
Yu Jong-san's voice was tinged with irritation. Even with the escorts pushing him, climbing this steep path wasn't easy.
They had to rely on a worn-out rope to scale cliffs with slopes that seemed impossible for humans to traverse. No wonder Mount Hua couldn't develop properly.
'Once I get my money, I'll never have to climb this cursed mountain again.'
I don't even want to see Mount Hua anymore.
After barely managing to climb the cliff, they reached a relatively flat area. Gong Mun-yeon, the owner of Taihe Tower, glanced back to confirm everyone had made it up and then spoke.
"Let's rest here for a while."
"Ah, Master Gong. That's a great idea. My legs are shaking…"
"Master Yu, you really need to exercise more."
"Hahaha. I'm not someone who's usually told I lack stamina, but no matter how many times I climb this mountain, I just can't get used to it."
"That's why it's called Mount Hua."
Master Yu shook his head and sat down on a rock.
"By the way, Master Gong."
Bang Yeom, the owner of Hwashin Tea House, who had been observing the situation, approached Gong Mun-yeon.
"What is it?"
"Why do you think the sect leader suddenly called us to Mount Hua?"
The eyes of everyone who had been massaging their legs turned to Gong Mun-yeon.
"Could it be that they've managed to gather the money?"
Gong Mun-yeon smiled gently.
"How could that be? A hundred thousand nyang isn't a small sum."
Gong Mun-yeon spoke decisively.
"But if they've borrowed it…"
"There's no one in the world who would lend a hundred thousand nyang to a declining Mount Hua. If someone were that kind-hearted, they wouldn't have become wealthy in the first place."
"True…"
Yu Jong-san shrugged his shoulders.
"Then what do you think, Master Gong? Why do you think the sect leader called us?"
"Perhaps to plead for more time?"
"Plead for time?"
Gong Mun-yeon turned his head to look at the summit of Mount Hua. The Mount Hua Sect was up there.
"There's no way they can come up with the money, and pleading that they don't have it by the repayment date won't do any good. So, they're probably calling us in advance to try and come up with another plan."
"Huh."
Yu Jong-san clicked his tongue.
"So, you're saying someone who can't repay their debt is ordering us around like this? Huh. In all my years, I've never seen such an arrogant debtor."
"Even if they're struggling financially, they're still the sect leader of Mount Hua. Please refrain from speaking too harshly."
"Master Gong, you're too kind-hearted. How can you still think so highly of someone who borrowed money decades ago and still hasn't repaid it?"
Gong Mun-yeon smiled awkwardly.
"Let's at least maintain some courtesy. After all, the name of Mount Hua will soon disappear from the world. Isn't it too cruel to make their final days miserable?"
"The world will surely recognize Master Gong's magnanimity."
"Your character is truly exceptional."
"You flatter me."
Gong Mun-yeon bowed slightly in courtesy.
Yu Jong-san clicked his tongue inwardly as he watched this.
'Putting on airs.'
Even though they were planning to seize the buildings and kick them out, what's the point of all this courtesy? The victims must be so grateful for the politeness.
'By the way…'
Yu Jong-san looked up at the summit.
'There's no way I'll lose money, right?'
He had always worried whether he could sell the buildings for their full value. Gong Mun-yeon had made bold claims, but when it came to money, wasn't it natural for a merchant to worry first?
But now, Yu Jong-san wasn't worried.
'Since someone from Zhongnan came, it must mean they're interested, right?'
It was common knowledge that Mount Hua and Zhongnan had been bitter rivals in the past.
Although Mount Hua's presence had faded and Zhongnan was now rising to prominence, the centuries-old grudge wouldn't have disappeared so easily.
Moreover, wasn't the current leadership of Zhongnan made up of those who remembered the days when Mount Hua oppressed Zhongnan? If that grudge still lingered, it was obvious they wouldn't let Mount Hua's buildings remain as a testament to that history.
'Master Gong must also be planning to sell the buildings to Zhongnan.'
Yu Jong-san's heart warmed.
A hundred thousand nyang.
Of that, the amount he was owed was a whopping five thousand nyang.
How much was five thousand nyang? A single silver coin could feed an ordinary family for a month. And here, it wasn't silver coins but gold coins—five thousand of them!
With that kind of money, he wouldn't even need to do business. He could spend it lavishly and still have enough for generations.
Finally, the long tug-of-war was coming to an end. The thought of finally getting his money made Yu Jong-san's heart flutter.
'I wonder what kind of face the sect leader will make.'
The thought of that dignified face contorting in frustration made him laugh. There was a slight bitterness, but Yu Jong-san quickly suppressed the rising pity. When it came to money, there was no room for family or friends, right?
"Let's start climbing again."
"Yes."
Everyone clearly looked exhausted, but no one suggested resting any longer.
The money-hungry fools began climbing Mount Hua once more.
"Every time I see this place, it feels so strange."
Someone muttered.
"It's just a bunch of crumbling buildings."
There was a hint of discomfort in their tone.
Crumbling buildings, walls, and a gate with its doors fallen off.
It was the image of a sect on the verge of collapse—or one that had already collapsed. Yet, there was something strangely captivating about it.
The weight of Mount Hua, which had protected Shaanxi for centuries.
Though no one said it, everyone shared the same feeling.
But they ignored it.
They were here to cut off Mount Hua's lifeline. If they didn't accept the sect leader's proposal today, Mount Hua wouldn't last more than seven days.
The centuries-old legacy of Mount Hua, which had protected Hwaeum, would finally come to an end.
"Ahem."
"Uh-huh-huh!"
As if aware of the gravity of the situation, everyone just coughed awkwardly.
They had no intention of ignoring the reality of money, but for those born in Hwaeum, Mount Hua held deep significance. The thought of personally cutting off its lifeline made them hesitate.
"Let's go in."
Only Gong Mun-yeon maintained a calm demeanor. As he led the way, everyone hesitated for a moment before awkwardly following him.
"You've arrived?"
As they entered the main gate, Unam greeted them.
"Unam Jinin. It's been a while."
"I'm still unworthy of being called Jinin. Please just call me Unam."
"Then I'll call you Dojang. Is that alright?"
Unam smiled without answering.
"The sect leader is waiting. This way."
"Hmm."
Gong Mun-yeon frowned slightly.
'He seems composed?'
When they had come before, the Unja disciples had stopped them with pale faces. But now, Unam showed none of the urgency from before.
Even though the sect leader had summoned them and they were expected to arrive around this time, shouldn't there still be some underlying discomfort?
Gong Mun-yeon quietly observed Unam's back before following him.
'Who knows? Maybe this is Mount Hua's true nature.'
Perhaps they had accepted that everything was coming to an end and let go. That's why, instead of showing the anxious, money-obsessed demeanor from before, they were now displaying the true nature of Mount Hua's Taoists.
'I'm overthinking things.'
Perhaps it was because the moment of finally achieving their long-held grudge had arrived. Ordinary people tend to let their guard down when they reach their goal, but Gong Mun-yeon was the type to become even more alert in such situations.
As they quietly followed Unam, they reached the sect leader's quarters. There, the sect leader of Mount Hua, Hyun Jong, was already waiting for them.
"Greetings, Sect Leader."
As Gong Mun-yeon bowed first, everyone else followed suit.
It seemed they had taken his words about maintaining courtesy to heart, even on their final journey.
"Welcome. You've had a hard time climbing the mountain."
Sect Leader Hyun Jong smiled warmly and greeted everyone.
"I apologize for taking up your time in the midst of your busy schedules. I know it would have been proper for me to come down, but I hope you'll understand my rudeness."
"Not at all. Though we are busy, we could never be busier than the sect leader. It's only natural that we come to you."
Gong Mun-yeon also responded with a smile.
"By the way, what is the matter…?"
"Haha. What's the rush? You've had a hard time climbing the mountain. How about some tea…"
"Sect Leader."
Gong Mun-yeon cut him off with a polite but firm tone.
"Enjoying tea and conversation is a good thing. But we are humble merchants. We'd prefer to discuss the matter at hand before indulging in leisure."
"Hmm."
"Merchants are the type who, when faced with a problem, can't eat properly or drink tea without choking. I hope the sect leader can understand."
"No, I was only thinking of myself."
Hyun Jong let out a hearty laugh and looked at the merchants.
"Let's get straight to the point, then."
"Thank you."
Gong Mun-yeon smiled lightly.
"The reason I've gathered you all here today is to convey Mount Hua's position."
"Mount Hua's position?"
Hyun Jong glanced subtly at Gong Mun-yeon.
From that small gesture, Gong Mun-yeon could already guess what was coming next.
"We've searched far and wide, but we couldn't find anyone willing to lend money to Mount Hua. In other words, it seems there's no way we can repay the debt by the due date."
"Hmm."
Gong Mun-yeon frowned at Hyun Jong's words.
"Sect Leader. We've given you plenty of time. We're merchants who need to make a living too. We can't extend the deadline any further."
"That's why I'm saying this."
Hyun Jong made eye contact with everyone and spoke.
"I understand that we can't delay any longer. But repaying a hundred thousand nyang by the due date is impossible for Mount Hua. So, I have a request."
Hyun Jong bowed deeply.
"We can't repay the full amount, but we can repay part of it. So, if any of you here are willing to personally extend the deadline, I ask for your help."
The fact that the sect leader had bowed left everyone stunned, just staring in silence.
The atmosphere began to shift strangely.