Return of the Mount Hua

So even a day like this really comes after all. (5)

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“This is a gift prepared by us, Songhwamun*. It is but a humble offering, but please accept it.”

“Ah, no, the invitation clearly stated that gifts would be declined…”

“Ahaha. Yes, of course, of course. But would it not be discourteous – and weigh upon our conscience – to visit another sect empty-handed? We have brought it all this way, so please do not refuse it and accept it.”

“Hmm. If you insist….”

Un Am faltered, looking troubled. Meanwhile, sparks flew from the eyes of the other Sect Leaders gathered around them.

‘That bastard, all by himself, without saying a word?’

‘I definitely didn’t see it earlier. Did he hide it and carry it up here?’

‘What a devious bastard. If I’d known this would happen, I would have prepared a gift too.’

Flustered, Un Am repeatedly waved his hands in refusal.

“Even so, we cannot accept gifts…”

“Aigoooo. Hand it over here, please. Over here.” 

But before anyone knew it, Chung Myung had darted over like an arrow and, grinning broadly, snatched the gift from the Songhwamun Sect Leader’s hands.

“You said you were from Songhwamun, correct? The one in Henan?”

“Yes, that is correct. You know of us.”

“Of course, of course. We are grateful enough that you came so quickly from such a distant place, and yet you have even brought us a gift. We shall be certain to remember the name of Songhwamun.”

“Oh, goodness, you flatter us, hahaha. It is merely a humble gift.”

The Songhwamun Sect Leader inwardly cheered.

‘Who would have thought that a trip out here on business would work out so favorably?’

In any case, he had etched the three characters of Songhwamun’s name into Hwasan’s memory, so the money spent on the gift had not gone to waste.

In contrast, the other Sect Leaders watching this felt their insides burn steadily. The broad grin on Chung Myung’s face made it clear that these bastards did not merely like gifts – they absolutely loved them.

‘Damn it. I should have prepared one in advance.’

‘Come to think of it, Shaolin always said they wouldn’t accept gifts either. But they always gobbled them up. I should have remembered that.’

‘What kind of idiotic stunt was it to come running blindly just because we were summoned? It isn’t as though they will remember us merely for arriving early…’

The Sect Leaders smacked their lips in regret. But whenever a crowd gathered, there was always at least one person among them armed with an overabundance of initiative.

“Now, now. We have a gift prepared as well.”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung tilted his head at the dagger held out before him. It was not even wrapped, and it bore the subtle signs of having been used. It did not look remotely like a gift prepared in advance. But…

‘It’s expensive.’

Its gleaming appearance neatly made up for all of that.

“Oh my, you really shouldn’t have.”

“Hahaha. It is a treasured blade [보도(寶刀)] that was difficult to obtain. It once served as the sacred treasure of Bakryongbang. If one were to give it a name, I suppose it might be called the Bakryong Blade**.”

“Goodness, is it truly all right for you to give us something so precious?”

“No matter how precious an object may be, could it compare to the bond between us? Though it may be inadequate, it should serve well enough as a symbol of the ties between our two sects, so please accept it.”

“Kkrrrrrh, how can you be so bold and generous? This ‘Bakryong’ Blade seems like the perfect thing for the Sect Leader to carry personally.”

“Why, of course! Hahahaha!”

“Hahahahaha!”

Lightning flashed in the eyes of the Sect Leaders who witnessed this scene.

‘That lunatic. He actually went so far as to offer up his sect’s sacred treasure.’

‘Damn it. Don’t I have anything I can give them?’

“Hahaha. Of course. Anything given with sincerity is a gift. So please accept this as well. We are from Shaanxi….”

“Ah! Look at mine first. This has been passed down through my family as an heirloom…”

“Move aside. This is my cherished weapon…”

Chung Myung grinned broadly as he accepted the gifts offered by the Sect Leaders.

“Ehehehe. Oh, you really shouldn’t have. Yes, yes. I will be sure to remember every one of y… Ghhaaaaaaak!”

Hyun Jong’s fist came crashing down upon Chung Myung’s head.

With a powerful burst of internal energy, Hyun Jong nearly drove Chung Myung into the ground as he scowled and roared.

“You brat, you could not restrain yourself even for a moment! Return every last one of them at once!”

“But… They said they were giving them to us, so why refuse…”

“Shut it!”

“Tsk.”

Chung Myung stuck his lips out in an obnoxious pout and sulkily handed over the gifts he had been clutching to his chest.

“He says we are not accepting them. Take them back.”

“Ahem. Retired Sect Leader, these are quite literally tokens of our sincerity.”

Hyun Jong smiled gently and bowed his head.

“We have most certainly received your goodwill. However, if we accept such precious objects, those who arrive later may question our true intentions, so please understand and take them back.”

“Hmm. If you insist.”

The Sect Leaders smacked their lips regretfully, but made certain to take back their belongings. In any case, the commotion seemed to have firmly etched the names of their respective sects into Hwasan’s memory, so it was not as though they had lost anything.

“Thank you for inviting us, Retired Sect Leader.”

“It is I who should be thanking….”

“Now that I think about it, our ancestor from ten generations back had close ties with Hwasan.”

“H-He did?”

“Oh my. Now that I think about it, I too have very deep ties with Hwasan. My great-great-grandfather was a native of Shaanxi…”

At a loss for words, Hyun Jong shuddered as he watched the Sect Leaders cling to him.

Why were they going so far to pretend they were close?

Meanwhile, the Sect Leaders arriving one after another took the hint and joined them. This was nothing short of a living hell.

“U-Un Am. Please take care of these gentlemen for m… Un Am?”

Sensing the danger, Hyun Jong desperately searched for the current Sect Leader. Unfortunately, Un Am had already been surrounded by the Sect Leaders and was being swept farther and farther away.

Baek Cheon blinked blankly as he watched this bizarre spectacle.

“…Did they normally express this much gratitude?”

“Of course not. The atmosphere is completely different from when Cheonumaeng held its founding ceremony.”

“Right?”

Baek Cheon and Yoon Jong looked at Tang Soso as though demanding an explanation. Tang Soso let out a deep sigh and began to speak.

“Back then, Cheonumaeng was, at best, merely a force with some influence in remote regions like Shaanxi and Sichuan. But things are different now.”

“No, even so, is this not too great a difference?”

“It cannot be helped. Hwasan’s standing now must be considered even greater than Shaolin’s was until recently.”

“…Huh? That much?”

“It is all relative. We may not possess the same level of control Shaolin did, but there is no force capable of openly opposing us either. Even if some harbor discontent, they have no central figure around whom they can rally. Most sects with any real influence in Gangho already have good relations with Hwasan.”

Baek Cheon pondered for a moment, then nodded.

“That is true.”

“So naturally, they’re trying to establish connections first. Besides, doesn’t it look a lot easier to build ties with us than with Shaolin?”

“So it is the combination of enough prestige and just the right amount of approachability?”

“Yes. In my opinion.”

“Strangely enough, that sounds like you’re describing Chung Myung.”

Come to think of it, that bastard had always been popular. Had it not even seemed as though the leaders of the various sects were beside themselves trying to cling to him?

But before long, Baek Cheon came to realize that this was not something he could simply stand back and watch at his leisure.

“Excuse me, might you be Baek Cheon Dojang?”

“Pardon? Ah, yes, I am, but what brings you…”

The man who had addressed Baek Cheon brightened.

“So it is you, Baek Cheon Dojang. The one known throughout Gangho as Uigeom Maehwa [의검매화(義劍梅花)]***!”

Baek Cheon’s eyes nearly popped out at the completely unexpected remark.

“What? U-Uigeom what?”

“You did not know?”

The Sect Leader tilted his head, as though he in turn found this strange.

“From what I heard, a high-ranking figure of Wudang while evaluating this war, remarked that Hwasan possessed righteousness and chivalry, and that plum blossoms dwelled within its sword. They say that is how you came to be given that title.”

“W-Why!”

Baek Cheon’s face flushed bright red.

“Huhuhuhu. The Righteous Sword.”

“A title perfectly suited to making you kick your blankets in embarrassment before bed.”

“Khhhuhuhu. It may not be as good as my Ilgeom Bungwang [One Sword Splitting Light], but it suits you well enough.”

“Hrraaaaagh!”

Baek Cheon wildly tore at his neatly arranged hair.

Of all the perfectly respectable titles they could have chosen, why did such a mortifying one have to be attached to his name? There were ordinary titles like Hwasan Geomho [화산검호 – Hwasan’s Sword Master] or Maehwa-geom [매화검 – Plum Blossom Sword], at the very least!

“Do you not like it?”

“This is not a matter of whether I like it or not…!”

“Do not worry. It seems you are currently acquiring quite a few other titles as well.”

“What? Other?”

“Depending on the region, some call you Maehwa Daehyeop [매화대협 – Plum Blossoms’ Renowned Chivalrous Hero/Master]…”

“Kyaaaaaaaaagh!”

“….And in some places, they call you Hwasan Daehyeop [화산대협 – same as previous but Hwasan].”

“Let us go with Uigeom Maehwa, let’s absolutely go with that one. I beg you.”

“Well, that is not something I decide…”

“Just let it be that one!”

For the first time, Baek Cheon was becoming genuinely desperate.

What, Maehwa Daehyeop? The moment a title like that stuck, Baek Cheon would never be able to leave the mountain gates again. No, he would not even be able to walk around inside them. Just imagining those lunatics rolling on the ground laughing was already enough to make his stomach churn.

“I already had another title! Hwasan Jeonggeom or whatever it was! Why couldn’t they just leave it alone? Why do they keep changing it?!”

“A martial artist’s title naturally changes whenever his fame rises.”

“Then why do I keep getting stuck with nothing but insane titles like these…..”

“Because the more famous you become, the more grandiose your title tends to be?”

“Ugh…….”

As he watched Baek Cheon wipe away his tears, the Sect Leader who had brought the news smiled awkwardly.

“In any case, you really are….. Baek Cheon Dojang, then.”

“Pardon? Yes, well. I am.”

“I have heard about you. They say you are the one destined to become Hwasan’s next Sect Leader, and that there is already talk of the succession.”

Baek Cheon blinked. How did this man he had never met know something that only those within Hwasan should barely have been aware of?

“Hahaha. Would that not mean Baek Cheon Dojang is a pillar who will lead Gangho in the years to come?”

“W-Wait. Please wait a moment. How did you arrive at that conclusion…”

“Indeed, you are worthy of the title Uigeom M…”

“I told you, that is not it!”

“Then, Hwasan Daehyeop….”

“Kyaaaaaaaaagh!”

A crowd now began to creep towards Baek Cheon as he trembled in agony.

“Oh, so this is the man we have heard so much about.”

“Uigeom…”

“I said I’m nooooot!”

Baek Cheon squeezed out tears.

“Why only me! Besides, this is far too similar to Samae’s title in the first place. What was it again? Binggeom [Binggeom Maehwa (빙검매화(氷劍梅花) – Ice Sword of Plum Blossoms]…”

“Ah, that is a misunderstanding. From what I have heard, Yu Iseol Dojang has also acquired a new title.”

“What? Samae has one too?”

Baek Cheon turned his head around sharply. Yu Iseol, who had been standing by and watching like a shadow, raised an index finger and pointed at herself with an uneasy expression on her face (she had actually made an expression, no less). She seemed to be asking whether the title had truly been given to her.

“Huhu. What is the title? I wonder how ridiculous hers is.”

“They say someone saw Yu Iseol Dojang fighting and described her thus. A Soaring Sword Beneath the Moon that Leaves the Fragrance of Plum Blossoms [Wolha Bigeom Ryu-maehyang]****.”

“A sword soaring beneath the moon that leaves behind the fragrance of plum blossoms?”

“Yes. Precisely.”

Baek Cheon blinked.

“And so, I hear there is currently a fierce debate over whether Yu Iseol Dojang’s title should be Wolha Bigeom [월하비검 – Moonlit Soaring Sword] or Geomryu Maehyang [검류매향 – Sword Leaving Plum Blossom Fragrance]. There is also a smaller but still respectable faction advocating for Bigeom Maehyang [Soaring Sword of Plum Blossom Fragrance].”

“Who in the world is wasting their time arguing over something like that?”

“Who else? Critics and storytellers. Matters like this are ultimately decided by which title receives the best response in the inns.”

“…”

“Ah, of course, rather than focusing on ‘leaving plum blossom fragrance,’ there is also a tiny minority within the minority who emphasize the lingering fragrance [잔향] itself and advocate for Jan-maehyang [잔매향 – Lingering Plum Blossom Fragrance].”

“Th-That is enough.”

He felt as though his mind was beginning to break down.

“No, but the more I listen, the stranger this gets. The treatment is completely different. Why does Samae get a title like that while I get…”

“Would that not be something you should take up with Wudang? Titles bestowed by prominent figures are rarely changed, after all.”

“Ugh!”

It had to be Heo Do. No, it was definitely Heo Do. Of all Wudang’s high-ranking figures, was Heo Do not the only one who even knew him?

“Why would you do this to me?! Why in the world?!”

Receiving this gift sent by a distant acquaintance, Baek Cheon’s eyes grew moist with tears.

⠀

One of the men climbing the steep and treacherous path up Hwasan lifted his gaze towards the summit. After staring silently at the peak for some time, he frowned and muttered.

“How noisy. Hardly befitting a Taoist sect.”

“…You can hear the sounds from the summit all the way from here?”

“It is only this short a distance, is it not? It would be stranger not hear them.”

“Indeed…….”

The man accompanying the one in front nodded in admiration.

He could not hear a thing. In truth, at such a distance, it would be only natural for no one to know what was happening atop the mountain.

But the man ahead of him could hear it. Of course he could. This man’s cultivation had reached a realm beyond anything he could dare imagine.

“They certainly seem to be enjoying themselves.”

The man in front smiled faintly.

“Let us see what that enjoyment turns into.”

With that, he resumed climbing the mountain with firm, forceful strides.

Main Story Chapter 1931 >>>

Special Spinoff Chapter 49 >>

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*송화문(松和門) – 松 – pine tree; 和 – peaceful, harmonious, gentle, 門 – sect, like Haomun.

**박룡방(拍龍房) – 방 – a guild/a house like in Maninbang. 박룡 – means to strike a dragon, which invokes the kind of ‘a house capable of striking a dragon’ feel to this name. So the blade is the Dragon Striking Blade.

***As we all know Baek Cheon’s previous title was: Hwasan Jeonggeom [화산정검(華山正劍)] – The Just Sword of Hwasan (Just as in Just[正] Sects 정파(正派) – jeongpa – which is close to the western word ‘justice/being upright/orthodox’). Being Just in this sense means – focused on correct order, following the law, etc. A Just Sect can be corrupt, arrogant etc (which we have already seen) but it’s still an ‘orthodox sect’ because it follows the laws. This kind of justice we are talking about here. 

His new title 의검매화(義劍梅花) uses the word 의(義). This word represents being ‘righteous and just’ in a moral sense. It is someone righteous, because he is moving on principles of loyalty, promise, gratitude, justice. It can be someone not from an orthodox path, but someone who upholds principles of righteousness. Righteous Sword of Plum Blossoms this is how I would put it. 

To not get entangled with all righteous/chivalrous/just terminology here is a reminder about Chung Myung’s title. Hwasan Geomhyeop [화산검협(華山劍俠)] – The Chivalrous Sword of Hwasan, Chung Myung’s title. 협(俠) represents righteousness that can be unlawful or extreme. For example Robin Hood is chivalrous robber 협도(俠盜). Chivalrous Sword is someone who focuses mostly on action, acting on his heroic spirit rather than laws or morality.

****월하비검류매향(月下飛劍香梅香) – the imagery of this title is as follows: under the moon (can be interpreted as moonlit) a soaring/flying sword that leaves behind the scent of fragrant plum blossoms. Plum Blossom Fragrance Soaring Moonlit Sword. That’s just so long…

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So what about Geomhyeop? ㅠㅠ Is Chung Myung stuck with a title Ilso gave him? Pls, Geomjon needs a comeback.

And who is this man? What powerful (possibly powerful) sects are left? Kunlun finally reached the Central Plains? They also live in a remote quiet place, hence he disliked the commotion (watch me being wrong again).

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