Return of the Mount Hua Sect
Chap 713 (Part 2) - 714

“Hmm. Looks like it's not here."

“… … Again?”

"Weird. It must have been this way... … . Or is it the other side, did I misremember?”

At the old man's murmur, Jin Yang-geon stumbled as he felt the sky turning yellow.

He has carried this old man climbing the mountain for 4 hours.

Rather, if there is a clear destination, at least he would only need to squeeze out his strength and go. However, this geezer kept saying it was certainly in this direction and then said it was wrong when they went there. Then said it was the other side so they went there. And the hellish round and round that he said before was repeated all the time.

“Uncle! Didn’t you say you remember?”

"No. that… … I remember the scene clearly, but I don't know how to get there... … .”

“A person who has climbed this mountain all his life doesn’t know that?!”

“Yeah, you b*stard! Just wait till you get old and you’ll see!”

Old Man Pyo, who was carried on his back, hit Jin Yang-geon on the head with a snap.

Yoon Jong, who was watching the two of them, muttered softly to Baek Cheon.

“I’m still glad.”

"What?"

“If it was usual, he would have gone crazy and ran wild, but today he is quiet.”

"I know."

It's not at all difficult to imagine. The scene where Chung Myung foaming at his mouth, shouted at the old man’s face asking if he would come back to his senses if he was hit once.

But fortunately, the current Chung Myung did not show any reaction.

“Isn’t it because he’s an elder that that boy didn’t say anything?”

“That b*stard attacks old men mostly, you forgot?”

“… … .”

Ah, that’s right.

Until now, the majority of Chung Myung’s victims are all old people, aren’t they? North Sea Ice Palace’s elder, Wudang Sect's elder, old beggar Hong, etc. were all old people. Magyo’s Pseudo-bishop? He was already beyond the level of an old man, he was at the level of a living corpse. (Sorry, I’m too lazy to explain why he was called ‘Pseudo-bishop’ here, just read the North Sea arc and u’ll know)

"Anyway, I'm rather glad he's not like usual. I'm glad I didn't see anything bad... … .”

It was then.

Jo Gul, who was walking in the front, suddenly flinched and walked closer to old man Pyo.

"Eh?"

"Uh?"

He went right in front of old man Pyo and shouted out loud.

“Hey you f*ckin’ old man! If you're senile, you should have told me earlier! Why make us suffer like dogs huh? Do you know how many hours have passed! You’re fooling us, aren’t you... … .”

“Yoon Jong-ah.”

“Yes, Sasuk!”

“Kill him.”

"Yes!"

Yun Jong rushed forward like a thunderbolt, lifted himself up, and stabbed Jo-geol in the back of the head with his knee.

“Wow!”

As Jo-geol fell forward, Yoon-jong, who climbed right on top of him, started hitting Jo-geol on the back of his head. (Yoon Jong the Nape Killer Hahahahaha)

“Die! The mullet didn't jump, but why did the goby jump?! Why! Die, just DIEEE!!!”

(No idea what this idiom means)

"Ouch! Aagh! AACK! Sahyung! Ouch ouch! AAARGH!!!"

Judging from the fact that he was hitting Jo Gul’s waist with wild strokes, he must have learned it from somewhere. Baek Cheon, who was looking at the scene with satisfaction, shook his head with a flinch.

I can't be happy to see that. Still, he still carries the name of ‘a Taoist’.

Jo Gul screamed while holding his nape with both hands.

“Ah! Didn't I say it wrong! Sahyung! My back! You'll break my back! No waist! Don't step on... … .”

“Just die, you b*stard!”

Yoon Jong, who had trampled Jo-geol like laundry, finally stood up and sighed.

“People tend to become serious when they get older, but how can you be more and more childish as days go by, you b*stard?”

“… … And sahyung seems to be getting more and more violent.”

"Because of who? You punk!"

When Yoon Jong raised his hand, Jo Gul flinched and covered his head.

Baek Cheon let out a deep sigh as he watched those two.

'He's not wrong though.'

It was so awkward that Chung Myung remained silent the whole time with a stiff face, so he was doing that just to lighten the mood. Whether it works or not, it's better than everyone keeping their mouth shut.

Sure enough, Jo-gul gently stroked the back of the head that had been beaten and secretly observed Chung Myung’s face.

Baek Cheon also quietly looked at Chung Myung. And he called in a low voice.

“Chung Myung-ah.”

"Yes?"

“What are you going to do? The sun will set soon.”

"Well."

“It’s a place we couldn’t find even in broad daylight, so it’d be more difficult after the sun goes down. Let’s call it a day here anyway.”

Chung Myung stroked his chin slowly, lost in thoughts. Then he asked the old man.

“Old man.”

"Yes?"

"Anyway, the place where you found the tome is around here, right?"

“Yes. It is.”

Old Man Pyo nodded and patted Jin Yang-geon on the shoulder.

“Put me down.”

“Okay… … .”

As Jin Yang-geon sat down as if he had just been waiting for this, old man Pyo got down and looked around.

“I don't remember exactly, but I'm sure it was somewhere on this mountain or the next mountain. If you look around for one or two more days, you will surely find it.”

Chung Myung looked back at the mountain that old man Pyo pointed at and nodded.

“Could you tell me more about the situation at that time?”

“Ah, that… … .”

The old man scratched the back of his head and said.

"It's been so long, I can't remember the details, but I remember that the animal I caught was a fox."

"Fox?"

"Yes. I saw a fox ahead of me and shot my bow right away. I thought it was hunting prey ‘cuz it was carrying something in its mouth. But when I got closer, what I saw was not a rabbit or some wild animals, it was a book.”

Chung Myung frowned slightly.

“And you gave that tome to him?”

“Yes, yes. To be honest, I had no idea what was written in the book because I was illiterate, but since there were several pictures of a man wielding a sword in the book, I thought it would be nice if I brought it to him.”

Old Man Pyo glanced at Jin Yang-geon and said.

“Still, this guy knows how to read, and there are rumors that he has learnt some kind of arts in there.”

“Hmm.”

Chung Myung nodded slowly.

"All right. It will get dark in a little while, so you can go down the mountain.”

"Yes? I haven't found it yet... … .”

"It's okay."

Old Man Pyo glanced at Chung Myung.

“Well, then what happened earlier… … .”

Baek Cheon, realizing what the old man was going to say, answered instead.

“You can keep the money as agreed. You worked hard.”

“Thank you, Dojangs. Thank you very much."

Baek Cheon looked at Jin Yang-geon with cold eyes and said,

“Take the old man home and stay at your house. I’m just saying this in advance, but you'd better not think about running away.”

“No, I don’t even dream! Really.”

“Good.”

Jin Yang-geon bowed his head and carried Old Man Pyo down the mountain. Baek Cheon watched their backs getting far away, then turned to Chung Myung and asked.

“What do you do now?”

“It doesn’t change anything just because you find it anyway. The important thing is that the martial tome was found somewhere around here.”

"Well."

“There is no way that a mountain beast could have traveled a long distance with a tome in its mouth. It must be nearby.”

"I see. So what are we looking for?”

At those words, Chung Myung stared at Baek Cheon in silence. It was hard to guess what he was thinking.

After a while, Chung Myung's mouth slowly opened.

"Tomb."

“… … .”

“Otherwise, remains… No… bones, hem of the dress,... … Anything is fine.”

He hesitated a little before adding.

“I know it’s a bit too much to ask for. But you have to find even a small trace. I’m counting on you."

Everyone nodded without hesitation.

“Let’s divide the area and scatter to find it.”

“Yes, Sasuk!”

Chung Myung watched everyone divide and share the area in perfect order, then looked back at the rapidly darkening mountain. His eyes also darkened.

It should be somewhere on this mountain.

No.

It must be.

_______

𝘊714:

"No, what kind of mountain... … .”

Sometimes there are such mountains. From a distance, it doesn’t feel very high, but once you enter, there are countless peaks, deep ravines, and sharp jagged rocks everywhere.

“What the hell is this?”

"That's why it's called the Ten Thousand Great Mountains."

Yoon Jong looked around and said calmly.

“The reason why the Demonic Cult made Ten Thousand Great Mountains as their base was not only because it was far from the center of the Jungwon’s murim, but the mountains are so deep and wide that it was difficult to find those hiding within it.”

"Ah."

“This is just the entrance to the Ten Thousand Mountain Range, but looking at the mountain, I can understand why this place has become a battlefield that decides the fate of Jungwon.”

( Hundred Thousand Mountain Range/Ten Thousand Mountains (Range)/Ten Thousand Great Mountains are all the same. Just bcz different translators translate it in different ways in Eng that I’m confused )

Listening to Yoon Jong's words, Jogeol looked at the mountain range with new eyes.

Not too far from here, a fierce battle took place where the fate of the Jungwon was staked.

The outcome of the final battle between Magyo, centered on Cheonma and Jungwon, centered on Mount Hua would determine the fate of the entire realm.

“Daesanhyeolsa… … .” (대산혈사/Great Mountain Blood Deaths)

"Correct."

Yoon Jong nodded. A deep, resonant voice escaped from his mouth.

“Time makes us forget many things. But there are things you should never forget. It is because of the people who risked their lives there that we can live as we do now.”

“… … .”

“We must not forget that the ancestors of Mount Hua slept here. If you are a disciple of Mount Hua, you are not allowed to ever forget it.”

Jo Gul nodded quietly and closed his eyes.

'It's strange.'

The mountains here are very different from Mount Hua.

Instead of having a steep and high mountain range like Mount Hua, this place has a straight topography without hiding anything. However, although seeing the gentle slope of the mountain, it feels like something was hidden deep inside.

For those who have lived most of their lives in Mount Hua, this place is just too unfamiliar.

'In this place... … .'

Those who risked their lives to fight in this strange land? What kind of feeling did they have at that time?

They must have known that they could not return alive. Even so, what was the resolution to throw away one's life like straw without hesitation?

It was hard to even imagine.

“… … I don't know, sahyung.”

Yoon Jong smiled as if he knew what Jo Gul meant.

“You will find out someday.”

And he, too, calmly scanned the dark ridge with his eyes.

“Let’s hurry up. If you're lazy, Chung Myung will come after you with a knife.”

“I would rather have that.”

Jo Gul stuck out his mouth.

“Anyway, that b*stard is the best in the world at turning people inside out. Always scolding and harassing people, but now... … .”

Jo Gul couldn't speak any more and let out a deep sigh.

'I'd rather have him act that damn way.'

It was so awkward to see the silent Chung Myung. Even facing the expressionless face of Chung Myung was more unbearable.

Even so, they couldn't find the cause, so it felt like their stomachs were twisted.

“So we should find it out even just a bit sooner.”

“… … .”

"Don’t worry. He is not one to be swayed so easily.”

Jogul nodded slightly and looked around with slightly furious eyes.

"Let's look around here again."

“Let’s do it.”

Yoon Jong sighed slightly as he watched the back of Jo Gul, who was stabbing the ground with his sword sheath.

Chung Myung's condition is so bad that even Jo Gul is worried.

'I don't know.'

At times, Yoon Jong felt like Chung Myung was a man made of steel.

Before meeting Chung Myung, Yoon Jong was just a person who kept his place, avoided the things he didn't like, and waited for the things that came to pass.

To him, Chung Myung, who breaks all the norms and moves forward, sometimes seemed overly radical, but sometimes because of that, he was the one who always shines dazzlingly.

However, in the last few days, Yoon Jong felt as if he had peeked at the inner side of Chung Myung, which was wrapped in steel.

“… … damn b*stard.”

Yoon Jong shook his head and stabbed the ground with his scabbard.

* * *

“Who is it?”

"Yes?"

Yu Iseol turned to look back at Tang Soso following behind her.

"The person we’re looking for right now."

Tang So-so's face was darker than usual.

“Tombs or remains… … . Having said that, it must be a human being, but what kind of relationship does they have with Chung Myung sahyung?”

Yu Iseol stared up in silence for a moment. A small voice came out of her mouth as she held the night sky in her eyes.

“A relative.”

“… … .”

“It must be so.”

She seemed to understand. What that expression means.

Because Yu Iseol saw her past when looking at the current Chung Myung.

Someone died because he was not strong enough.

“But it was a hundred years ago… … .”

"I don’t know either."

Yu Iseol shook her head.

“What I know is just that we need to find that person. Certainly."

There was a strong determination in her voice.

Tang So-so looked at her with new eyes.

Yu Iseol is not a person who usually expresses her opinion. In her heart, there is only a desire to become stronger, and a sense of duty to protect Mount Hua.

'It is my first time seeing sasuk like that.'

Seeing her so eager to do other people's business was unfamiliar to even Tang So-so, who was almost always with her.

“Then, we must find it, right?”

"Yes."

“Well, then Chung Myung sahyung will return like usual. Fooling around, swearing, getting angry... … .”

Tang So-so's words faded. She wondered if it would be a good thing to have him come back as usual. At that time, Yu Iseol's voice interrupted Tang So-so's thoughts.

"Nope."

“… … yes?"

Yu Iseol stopped moving.

"Come back. Even if we can't find it."

“… … .”

“Will come back as if nothing happened. Just like usual."

“… … sasuk."

Yu Iseol's eyes narrowed very slightly.

“Then we have to find it. I hate to see that.”

Tang So-so seemed to know what Yu Iseol meant.

If it is Chung Myung, no matter what regrets remain inside, he will eventually return to the way he usually is. However, that only means that the outer appearance will return to its original state, not that the inside will remain the same as in the past.

'It's like the past... … .'

Once again, she wondered how much she knew about this man named Chung Myung.

Monstrous behavior, absurd decisiveness, violent and radical, but meticulous and delicate at the same time.

But could she say that she knew Chung Myung well just by looking like that?

Tang So-so thought that Yu Iseol was the most difficult person in Mount Hua to guess. She is extremely reticent and that is why she often has to guess what her sasuk is thinking.

However, now that she thinks about it, the person who is most incomprehensible is Chung Myung.

Contrary to Yu Iseol, he talks nonstop, but rarely reveals his true feelings.

If Yu Iseol hides herself with silence, Chung Myung uses those seemingly-extreme words and actions to cover up his innermost feelings.

“Do you know what Chung Myung sahyung is thinking inside?”

Tang Soso was curious. Is there something in common between those who do not reveal their true feelings?

"No."

However, the answer that came back was different from her expectations.

“… … I see."

"But."

"Yes?"

Yu Iseol kept her mouth shut, then glanced back at the Tang So-so.

“Should I know? Is it necessary?”

“… … .”

“I don’t know what he is holding inside, but he is my sajil. And only that is enough.”

The clouds cleared for a moment and the moonlight was revealed. Under the dim moonlight, Tang So-so stared blankly at Yu Iseol, the corners of her lips softly curved up.

"Me too! Me too, sasuk!”

"Yes. You also."

Tang Soso clung to Yu Iseol's back, feeling that her sasuk was so cute now. Yu Iseol staggered backward with an expressionless face.

“Wait for it! We will definitely find it and tell that guy to give us a treat for our hard work.”

“Something expensive.”

"Yes! Must be expensive.”

“Very expensive. Because he is filthy rich anyway.”

"Yes! Very expensive!”

The two stabbed their swords, delicately groping the ground.

'I must find it.'

A strong determination flashed in Tang So-so's eyes.

The same goes for Yu Iseol, but Tang Soso did not want to see Chung Myung go back to Mount Hua with drooping shoulders. It doesn’t suit him at all.

'Don't worry, my damn sahyung. I'll find it somehow.'

* * *

It was not just once or twice when I had this strange feeling.

The moment I suddenly felt unfamiliar with that guy's not-so-large back.

However, it was mostly when he was dealing with enemies or standing in front of Baek Cheon that he felt unfamiliar with Chung Myung's back.

Each time, Baek Cheon had to feel a depth from him that was not appropriate for his age. And because of that appearance, that boy was able to whip him so much.

But now... … .

'I don't know what to say.'

Small?

No, not like that. Just what is it... … .

A low sigh escaped from Baek Cheon's mouth as he tried to find the right words.

In the first place, trying to explain the emotions he couldn’t understand was futile.

𝑃𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑘.

How many times has Chung Myung’s sword pierced the ground?

Chung Myung, who was staring down, slowly cast his gaze toward the ridge in the distance. The sight of that kid quietly looking at the towering peaks gave Baek Cheon a strange sense of incongruity.

“How is it?”

It was not because he wanted to ask that he spoke up.

It’s just that… if I just stayed still, the distance between him and that I would grow endlessly and eventually, we'd get farther and farther away.

So he unconsciously spoke up.

"Yes?"

Chung Myung turned his head to face Baek Cheon.

It wasn't that different from usual. However, it wasn't the gloomy face he showed when they came here, rather, just an expressionless face.

However, the face kept feeling unfamiliar and unlike usual. Baek Cheon wondered for a moment whether it was because he was oversensitive.

Chung Myung asked again.

"What’s wrong?"

“… … can you find it?”

“I don’t know.”

Chung Myung smiled bitterly at that question.

"I'm trying, but... … .”

Then he scratched the back of his head.

“As you can tell by the condition of the book, it is at least a hundred years old. It's lucky that there is still something left.”

“… … Do you think it is the item left by the person who participated in Daesanhyeolsa?”

“Perhaps.”

Baek Cheon stared at Chung Myung, then nodded.

"Okay. I get it. Let’s search for a bit more.”

As Baek Cheon started stabbing the ground again, this time Chung Myung asked him.

“Sasuk.”

"Yes?"

“Aren’t you asking?”

“… … What?"

Chung Myung looked at Baek Cheon with a sullen face.

“You must have a lot of questions.”

“A lot.”

“Then why don’t you ask?”

“Because there is no need to ask.”

“… … What do you mean by that?”

When Chung Myung grumbled, Baek Cheon shrugged.

"If it's something you can explain, I would’ve asked a long time ago."

“… … .”

"But if it's something you can't explain, I won't ask."

“… … .”

“Then why do I need to rush? It's up to you to tell us or not.”

“No, but being a human is bound… … .”

"Enough."

Baek Cheon shook his head and cut his tongue.

“If you have the time and are willing to tell us, then I’ll think about it.”

“… … .”

"Instead."

"yes?"

“If you’re going to lie, just don’t explain. I’m fine with that.”

Chung Myung stared at Baek Cheon without saying a word. Baek Cheon looked at him and said without backing down a bit.

“And don’t be mistaken.”

"Yes?"

“This is your job, but it's also my job as a Great disciple of Mount Hua. Finding the ancestor's item and collecting their remains is a serious task that cannot be compared to anything else.”

“… … .”

“As a disciple of Mount Hua, I am doing what I have to do. So if you're going to interrupt, do it later. Because I am busy right now.”

After speaking, Baek Cheon passed by Chung Myung and climbed forward. A dejected smile appeared on Chung Myung's lips as he stared blankly at that firm back figure.

“This Dong Ryong guy.”

Ten Thousand Mountain Range mountains were still darkly crouching in front of his eyes. Chung Myung kept cutting his gaze toward that place.

Then Baek Cheon looked back.

“Hurry up.”

“… … .”

"What are you doing?"

“… … nothing."

Chung Myung unknowingly clenched his fists.

Hurry up.

Nothing.

However… … If only he from the past could have said that nothing.

If so....

Chung Myung lowered his head and walked toward Baek Cheon.