Return of the Mount Hua

Wow, he really has no shame at all. (3)

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An awkward air settled over the room.

No – more than awkward, the atmosphere now was closer to chilling and tense.

‘That crazy bastard…’

Of course, even in the past, Chung Myung had never been particularly respectful towards Beop Jong.

But back then, relations between Shaolin and Hwasan hadn’t been nearly so strained.

Baek Cheon bit his lip in silence.

‘And the gap between them back then was vast.’

A tiger doesn’t get angry just because a puppy barks at it.

It simply ignores it – until the barking becomes too annoying. Then, it bites down and ends it.

In other words, a puppy is allowed to bark at a tiger because it poses no threat.

But now?

Would Beop Jong still see Chung Myung as just a barking pup?

Baek Cheon didn’t think so.

No matter how exalted Beop Jong was – the Abbot of Shaolin, an unmatched presence in all of Gangho – even he could no longer treat Hwasan Geomhyeop Chung Myung like a mere pup.

Chung Myung’s current standing alone was more than enough to irritate even the Abbot of Shaolin.

Hence, the atmosphere was bound to be as treacherous as a sheet of thin ice.

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, it wasn’t Beop Jong who responded to Chung Myung’s words, but Beop Gye, who had entered the room behind him.

“Siju.”

Beop Gye’s cold gaze locked onto Chung Myung as he spoke.

“There is a minimum level of courtesy one must show when addressing their elders. Has Hwasan not taught you even that?”

Normally, Beop Gye would not have stopped there.

He was, after all, the head of Shaolin’s Disciplinary Hall – the man who upheld the temple’s strict laws.

But knowing why the Abbot had come all the way here, Beop Gye chose to restrain himself, letting the matter go with just that sharp remark.

Yet Chung Myung’s response rendered that restraint meaningless.

“Courtesy?”

Chung Myung let out a snort, quiet an amused one.

“Oh, I like courtesy. I’m quite fond of it, actually.”

Then, staring directly at Beop Gye, he added,

“But it seems living up in the mountains has made you a bit narrow in perspective, Venerable Monk. You know one thing, but not the other.”

“…And what is it that I don’t know?”

“Showing respect to one’s elders is, of course, the foundation of proper conduct. But Gangho has another fundamental rule.”

“…And what might that be?”

Chung Myung glared directly at the two uninvited guests, his lips twisting into a smirk.

“The one in need is the one who shows respect.”

“…”

Beop Gye’s mouth snapped shut on its own.

“Am I wrong?”

Chung Myung’s crooked smile cut into Beop Gye’s gaze like a blade.

Anger surged within him for a brief moment – but no matter how furious he was, not even Beop Gye could lash out here.

Not only because Beop Jong was standing right there in front of him…

‘Hwasan.’

That name alone restrained Beop Gye, making reckless action unthinkable.

Somehow, within him, the weight of Hwasan had grown heavy enough to hold even him in check.

Caught between his rising anger and the heavy weight pressing down on him, Beop Gye suddenly heard a calm voice beside his ear.

“You’re not wrong at all. Sodojang – no, Hwasan Geomhyeop. Just as you said, it’s the one who thirsts who digs the well.”

“A-Abbot…”

Beop Jong smiled gently. That smile, faint as it was, helped ease the tension in the room just a little.

“It’s been years since we last met. I was worried you might’ve changed, but it seems you haven’t changed one bit.”

“They say when a person changes, it means they’re close to death. Though, now that I think of it, it seems you’ve changed a little, Abbot.”

“…”

At the completely unprompted remark, Beop Jong’s lips parted halfway in disbelief.

Just how was one supposed to respond to that?

“You insolent brat!”

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, Beop Jong had an ally on hand.

If one could call the Sect Leader of this recklessly brazen Taoist youth an ‘ally,’ that is.

With his face twisting in frustration, Hyun Jong snapped harshly.

“This is the Abbot of Shaolin! Can’t you at least show some proper respect?”

“But Sect Leader, how much more respectful do you want me to be?”

Chung Myung, instead of backing down, asked back with an almost incredulous expression. Hyun Jong flinched.

“…You’re saying that was respectful?”

“Yes!”

“That?”

“Of course!”

Chung Myung pounded his chest as he spoke.

“Come on, he’s the Abbot of Shaolin – I greeted him, I’m talking to him. If it were anyone else? Pfft, this place would be a bloodbath by now. Someone would be dead. Someone! Speaking of which, didn’t someone just say something about it being time for someone to die?”

“No one said anything like that! Get over there!”

“Huh, weird. I could’ve sworn I heard it…”

“Get lost, you rascal!”

“Tsk.”

Clicking his tongue in exaggerated disappointment, Chung Myung stood up and quietly made his way towards the back. Even then, he didn’t forget to steal glances at Beop Jong – eyes gleaming like he was itching for the Abbot to lose his temper and come at him.

“…Amitabha.”

Beop Jong murmured the chant softly to calm the inexplicable turmoil within his heart.

How was it that this rabid pup, who picked fights with the Abbot of Shaolin without a second thought, listened to Hyun Jong so obediently?

With a face full of embarrassment, Hyun Jong spoke.

“I’m sorry, Abbot. I took him in as a disciple, but clearly I haven’t taught him properly…”

“Why are you the one apologizing…!”

“Silence, will you!”

Hyun Jong’s eyes widened as he clutched the wooden pillar beside him like he might hurl it at any moment. Chung Myung flinched and quickly scurried to the corner, shrinking away.

Now slumped against the wall, he muttered something under his breath, but Hyun Jong did his best to pretend he didn’t hear it.

‘If I throw him out, it’ll make things awkward with Beop Jong. But if I let him stay, I’ll explode from the stress myself.’

It was enough to drive him mad.

“Sect Leader.”

Just then, Beop Jong spoke up with a gentle smile.

“I can’t help but feel envious. With such outstanding successors in Hwasan, you must feel truly reassured.”

“They’re just a bunch of troublemakers. I’ve got to turn those rascals into proper Taoists before I die.”

He said it like a complaint, but the pride on Hyun Jong’s face was impossible to hide. At least in this moment, even Beop Jong couldn’t help but envy him.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

Beop Jong sat in the center, and those who had entered the room took their places around him.

Hyun Jong quietly observed the two monks. Though only Beop Jong and Beop Gye now sat before him, their presence alone brought a crushing weight to the air. It felt as if the entire room was filled with their sheer existence.

‘The Abbot of Shaolin…’

Was it not said that to recognize the height of another, one must first grow tall enough oneself?

Back when he was struggling desperately just to keep Hwasan alive, he had never truly grasped how immense a figure Beop Jong was.

But now, having weathered many storms, he finally understood just how remarkable it was that Beop Jong had managed the great sect of Shaolin without losing its balance.

And just how great a burden he had been carrying all this time.

“Ahem.”

As if trying to shake off that overwhelming presence, Hyun Jong cleared his throat and spoke.

“You must be tired after such a long journey.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Beop Jong smiled warmly as he began to speak.

“Shaanxi always felt so far away, but rushing here this time, it didn’t take long at all. Had I known sooner, I would have visited more often.”

“Those words make it sound as if you’re blaming me for not visiting more frequently. I’m terribly embarrassed. I should’ve paid my respects long ago, but instead, you came first and put me to shame.”

“Sect Leader, you’re one of the busiest men in the world right now. I… ah, what a slip of the tongue.”

“Pardon?”

Beop Jong rubbed the back of his head as if to apologize for his lapse in manners.

The moment his hand touched his bald scalp, Chung Myung lit up, ready to blurt something out with an ‘Aha!’ – but Baek Cheon, already anticipating this, put a hand over his mouth in one swift motion.

Thanks to that, Beop Jong was able to continue without interruption.

“You’re not merely a Sect Leader anymore, are you? I should have addressed you as Alliance Leader. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“F-Forgiveness? No, not at all. Being called Sect Leader is more than enough.”

“That won’t do. Everyone should be addressed according to their proper station.”

At that, Hyun Yeong narrowed his eyes slightly.

‘That monk…’

To come all the way up Hwasan and insist on calling Hyun Jong ‘Alliance Leader’…

It meant this visit wasn’t simply about Hwasan.

In other words, he had not come to speak with Hyun Jong as the Sect Leader of Hwasan, but with Hyun Jong, the Alliance Leader of Cheonumaeng.

“Ahem.”

Hyun Jong, seeming to understand the implication, cleared his throat once more.

“Standing before the esteemed Abbot, I find myself cautious in word and deed. If I ask what brings you here, it might seem like I’m rushing you. But if I engage in idle conversation, it feels as though I’m wasting your time.”

“Hahaha. But I’m the one who came to visit – how could you say you’re stealing time?”

“Abbot.”

Hyun Jong sighed and looked directly at Beop Jong.

“If it’s not presumptuous, may I ask the reason you’ve come to Hwasan?”

Beop Jong showed a slightly complex expression.

“To be blunt…”

He paused for a moment, then continued.

“I’ve had the feeling that the relationship between Shaolin and Hwasan isn’t quite what it used to be. There have been many events between us, and a long period of silence as well.”

Hyun Jong waited tensely for what would come next.

“Still… I didn’t expect that I wouldn’t even be offered a cup of tea. The plum blossom tea you served last time was exquisite, as I recall.”

“Ah…”

Hyun Jong’s face flushed red. Come to think of it, the Abbot of Shaolin had come as a guest, and yet he had launched straight into conversation without even offering him a cup of tea.

That was something he would never have done under normal circumstances.

But the sudden arrival of Shaolin’s Abbot had clearly thrown him off.

“I’ve made a terrible mistake. Un Am! Fetch the tea set, quickly!”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

Un Am, realizing his own oversight, sprang to his feet and dashed out of the room.

“My sincerest apologies, Abbot. I was too surprised to think straight.”

“No, no. It’s hardly a mistake. I only worried, that perhaps the Alliance Leader no longer thinks of me as he once did.”

“How could that be? Absolutely not. That’s not the case at all.”

“Then I’m relieved. Hohohoho.”

Chung Myung, watching the exchange unfold, couldn’t help but grimace.

‘That snake-like bald bastard…!’

With just a few light words, Beop Jong had effortlessly taken hold of the room’s atmosphere and seized complete control of the conversation.

And what’s more – when referring to the past, he used the title Sect Leader, but when speaking of the present, he deliberately used Alliance Leader, subtly implying that the change in title might come with a change in treatment.

Personal likes or dislikes aside, one couldn’t help but acknowledge the skill it took to shape outcomes with mere words. That alone explained how he had risen to the position of Shaolin’s Abbot.

“The tea will be here soon…”

“Alliance Leader.”

Beop Jong’s voice, gentle as ever, cut in.

“Tea is well and good, but there’s something more important.”

“And what might that be…?”

“You’ve likely heard already – about the incident at the Yangtze.”

Beop Jong spoke as if it were only natural Hyun Jong would know. After all, Namgung had seized control of Maehwado just yesterday.

“…Yes, I’ve heard.”

“As expected.”

Beop Jong subtly glanced behind him. The beggar he’d noticed on his way here was nowhere to be seen now.

“The situation is unfolding in a far worse direction than we anticipated, Alliance Leader.”

“Yes. So I’ve heard.”

“There’s only one reason I came here, Alliance Leader. I ask for your strength.”

At that moment, Beop Jong bowed deeply towards Hyun Jong right where he sat – so deeply it was nearly a full prostration.

“Wh-What… what is this?!”

Hyun Jong, his face drained of color, sprang to his feet in shock. So startled was he that he leapt over the tea table in front of him to pull Beop Jong up.

“Wh-Why are you doing this, Abbot?!”

The Abbot of Shaolin, bowing like this…

Even someone as composed as Hyun Jong couldn’t help but panic.

But watching the whole scene unfold, Chung Myung finally let out a dry, hollow laugh.

“Hah…”

The old snake was now coiling its long tail around Hyun Jong’s neck.

‘So that’s how you’re going to play it?’

A sharp, icy gleam flickered in Chung Myung’s eyes.

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