Return of the Mount Hua

That’s why the world is interesting. (5)

ROTMHS Glossary || About page

Chung Myung – Hwasan Geomhyeop.

That name undoubtedly carried great resonance within Gangho. Whether one advocated righteousness [正] or evil [邪], if you were in Gangho, you couldn’t ignore the name Hwasan Geomhyeop, could you?

However, even for those who knew the name and understood the symbolism Hwasan Geomhyeop held in Gangho, this was undeniably an awkward sight.

Shaolin, Hwasan, Tangga.

The leaders of these three factions, each formidable in their own right, were now openly revealing their disputes and engaging in intense conflicts. Given such a situation, the name of the Hwasan Geomhyeop still appeared too insignificant to interfere.

Furthermore, the behavior displayed, which could not be adequately described as rudeness, would have easily resulted in disciplinary action for insubordination if it had been any other faction.

But Hwasan said nothing to Chung Myung.

Indeed, it was a strange occurrence, but it might somehow be understandable. Among those present here, there were hardly any who could boast to know what kind of sect Hwasan truly was.

So, those observing this situation had a different question in mind.

‘Why is Tangga not saying anything?’

It was Tangga’s attitude. Tang Gunak was explosively displaying his anger in this urgent situation. The third class disciple intervened in such a pressing situation. From Tangga’s perspective, wasn’t this situation sufficient grounds to feel insulted?

No matter how friendly Hwasan Geomhyeop may be with Sichuan Tang, considering Tangga’s unbreakable bond, which no faction in the world could match, it wouldn’t have been strange for Tangga’s disciples to attack Chung Myung with determination. In fact, it was expected.

However, it was precisely Tang Gunak who remained silent. He merely gazed at Chung Myung’s advancing figure with a stern expression. Moreover, there was unwavering trust in his gaze.

It was no wonder that those who witnessed this felt perplexed.

‘There’s no way.’

Jao Gae, who observed the embarrassed expressions of the disciples from Shaolin, slowly nodded.

He could thoroughly understand their confusion. If he hadn’t personally witnessed what kind of person Hwasan Geomhyeop was in Maehwado, he would have been standing there with the same expression.

In other words, if they had directly seen Hwasan Geomhyeop’s actions in Maehwado, where he single-handedly defeated the Black Dragon King, their reactions would have been significantly different.

Chung Myung had proven with his own hands that he had the right to participate in this conversation. While distribution of power was undoubtedly important within a faction, sometimes there were things even more crucial.

That was one’s skill.

Who could dare to be arrogant in the face of someone who could confront and defeat the Black Dragon King with his own skills?

That’s why Jao Gae could understand the reactions of both Kongtong and Shaolin.

Chung Myung , who walked between Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak, broke the long silence and spoke. His eyes were fixed directly on Beop jeong.

“So if we formed an alliance?”

Beop Jong faced Chung Myung with a stern expression.

“What will you do about that?”

It was an incredibly symbolic scene.

Beop Jong was the leader of Shaolin. It was not an exaggeration to say that he held the highest status in the entire Gangho.

Seeing a third class disciple of Hwasan confronting the leader of Shaolin filled the onlookers with a profound sense of incongruity.

Abbot’s status, which had remained intact despite receiving skeptical and disappointed glances, might have been now slowly drowning in mud.

“Young disciple…”

Beop Jong’s face momentarily twitched. However, he couldn’t show his anger here.

Chung Myung he knew was truly crude, but at the same time, his every action had complex intentions. He should never move according to Chung Myung’s will.

“That sounds quite dangerous, doesn’t it?”

Therefore, Abbot chose to smile. A compassionate appearance, as if he was willing to embrace even a thunderstorm-like child.

“So, young disciple, are you acknowledging that Cheonumaeng and Sapaeryeon have indeed formed an alliance?”

Chung Myung chuckled.

“I told you.”

“……”

“So, what are you going to do?”

The smile he had put on quickly faded, and anger crept onto Beop Jong’s face.

‘You thunderclap monkey.’

A voice loud enough for everyone to hear echoed.

“Do you not realize how important this is?”

A stern reprimand. It was a tone that clearly asserted his authority as the senior figure. It also served to remind Hwasan Geomhyeop that his attitude towards the leader of the Shaolin was inappropriate.

No matter how right your words may be, if they’re not accompanied by the appropriate attitude and courtesy, their value diminishes, doesn’t it?

But… in this world, some people don’t place much importance on such things.

“Important?”

Chung Myung chuckled derisively.

“Yeah, it must be really important. To you, at least.”

“Behold, you…”

“However.”

Chung Myung’s chilly voice cut off Abbot’s words.

“At least to us, none of that matters. What was important to us was to rescue Namgung.”

He continued in a tone that sounded like a fierce beast growling, Beop Jong’s lips twitched slightly.

“While you all were just standing here, watching those who were dying, we jumped into that river ourselves and risked our lives to rescue Namgung. And what? An alliance?”

Chung Myung’s murderous eyes turned towards Beop Jong, or more precisely, towards the disciples of the Gupailbang who were hiding behind him and couldn’t even make a sound.

It wasn’t because they were afraid of his strength.

It was because those who revered justice and morale couldn’t deny his words.

“I’ll ask again.”

“……”

“If we’ve formed an alliance, what are you going to do? Draw your swords and try to cut our throats?”

“Young disciple, what I meant…”

“Try it.”

Life dripped from Chung Myung’s eyes as he stared at Beop Jong.

“Go ahead and try.”

As he bared his fangs like a beast, his fierceness even made the mighty Abbots tightly bite his lips.

In truth, when he confronted them, he didn’t really have a plan for what would happen next. He just thought that by pointing out this aspect, he could reduce the blame that Gupailbang would receive.

However, those who should have defended themselves and vigorously protested against the injustice suddenly coming forward left them momentarily speechless.

Chung Myung was right.

If they had formed an alliance with the Sapaeryeon, what could they do? Would they lead Gupailbang in a punitive expedition against them?

In that moment, Beop Jong realized something. The formidable opponent he had never considered facing, Cheonumaeng, had grown to the point where it could point a dagger at his throat.

Whether it was because Gupailbang had fallen into a trap and lost their strength, or because Cheonumaeng had shown unexpected growth, the reasons didn’t matter.

What mattered was that Cheonumaeng was no longer afraid to fight them.

Look.

Even though Chung Myung openly displayed his enmity, neither Hyun Jong nor Tang Gunak tried to stop him. Isn’t that a sign that even the two most influential figures in Cheonumaeng aren’t averse to hostilities with the Great Sects?

And that’s not all. The fierce disciples of Cheonumaeng who followed him afterward are also glaring at him with unwavering determination.

When has he ever faced such hostility?

For Beop Jong, who had always received nothing but admiration and trust, Cheonumaeng’s enmity was exceedingly difficult to bear.

“Young disciple.”

“I’m baffled. That ‘justice’ you’re all talking about.”

There was no warmth in Chung Myung’s gaze.

Abbot wouldn’t think he was wrong right now. It started with trying to hinder Cheonumaeng , but during the conversation, he would have found his own logic to be just and right.

Knowing that, Beop Jong felt even more turned upside down.

The audacity to proclaim that his pride is more important than those who are dying, the shamelessness of it, not feeling an ounce of remorse while trumpeting his lofty principles and rules, the cruelty of turning a blind eye to those dying by the sword. How many people had died under that logic?

You can’t join hands with the evil factions. You can’t negotiate with the barbarians from Surochae. A warrior must not defile himself even if it means death. How much blood has been spilled on the ground due to the logic of those high and mighty folks who’ve never shed blood on the battlefield but love to wag their tongues in the rear?

What Chung Myung truly couldn’t bear was that they took no responsibility for those sacrifices.

An alliance? Perhaps. In their eyes, the agreement between Hyun Jong and Jang Ilso might appear as an alliance.

Of course, he could argue against it, but there was no need to do so.

They could form an alliance whenever necessary, even if it wasn’t now.

If it meant saving even one more disciple of Hwasan, Chung Myung wouldn’t hesitate to lick Jang Ilso’s boots. Even if the whole world pointed fingers at him, he could just scoff at them.

So, there was no reason to make a fuss over this somewhat ridiculous act.

“Say whatever you want.”

“……”

“Anyway, no matter what excuses we give, that’s how it’s going to be, right? Isn’t it?”

A smirk played at the corner of Chung Myung’s lips. His overt mockery pierced Beop Jong’s heart.

“So, go ahead and babble as much as you want. Say that we’re conspiring with the Sapa to swallow up the Gangho. Still everything that happened on Maehwado was a masterpiece of Cheonumaeng.”

Chung Myung glanced at the Abbot and the disciples of Gupailbang.

“That’s your way, isn’t it?”

“Young disciple! Are those words supposed to come from someone who practices righteousness?”

Beop Jong raised his voice as if he couldn’t stand it any longer. But even after hearing his outcry, Chung Myung’s face remained cold.

“Righteousness?”

He twisted his lips into a sneer.

“I don’t know about that.”

“…What did you say?”

“I said I don’t know about that. Righteousness, morale or whatever… Say what you want. I’m just doing what I have to do.”

Watching Beop Jong, who was momentarily speechless, Chung Myung gave him a chilling rebuke.

“Do you know what the way to not commit a sin is?”

With an unexpected question, Abbot’s eyes filled with doubt. And when Chung Myung conveyed the answer, he simply closed his eyes tightly and said nothing more.

“It’s doing nothing. Just like you guys here.”

A serene silence flowed down the river.

There’s really nothing to judge, right or wrong.

Just by looking at the Gupa disciples who couldn’t even raise their heads and the Cheonumaeng disciples who stood confidently, it’s clear who’s in the right.

“Someday, you might find yourselves in the same situation as Namgung.”

“……”

“At that time, say the same thing. Say that it must be done according to your principles. Even when your neck is on the line, nod your head and at least acknowledge that belief.”

The bodies of the disciples behind the Abbot trembled.

“But if you can’t do that…”

The energy emanating from Chung Myung pierced everyone’s hearts like a blade.

“Shut your disgusting mouth and get lost. I can’t stand to tolerate you any longer.”

“Young disciple!”

When Beop Jong finally moved, Chung Myung stopped him.

“……”

Under a chilling gaze, Abbot’s shoulders, which had been tense, involuntarily slumped.

“We should have killed him three years ago.”*

“Tha…”

“Isn’t that right?”

Chung Myung turned his body without a hint of regret, revealing a dazzling smile.

Next chapter >>>

________

If you want to support my translations you can subscribe to my Patreon. 50+ more chapters translated there! I try my best to provide accurate and easy to read translation. Your support will help me to keep posting!

________

*I think he is talking about Jang Ilso and Yangtze river catastrophe, where Wudang made a pact with Sapaeryeon.