Novel Return of Mount Hua Sect Chapter 1004

The sun setting over the Yangtze River dyed the world red.

And with their whole bodies bathed in that red light, the sword warriors of Namgung Family were spread out in the yard of the manor. Surely… the words “sprawled out” seemed strangely unfitting for Namgung Family. Yet, what had happened could not be denied.

Namgung Dowi looked around with a dazed expression. The faces of his great family members all bore the look of someone who had lost their soul.

‘It’s understandable.’

Losing wasn’t shocking. There wasn’t necessarily any shame in it.

Because Mount Hua has now become a sect that can no longer be ignored. The world has become one where there is no need to feel shame for being defeated by Mount Hua, even if it’s Namgung Family.

Nevertheless, the reason why everyone here is unable to come to their senses is not because of the result, but because of the process.

Not a single person had won.

If they were all bandits who did not know honor, they would have raised their voices asking what the big deal was about losing in the competition of Lightness Art, but unfortunately, these were Namgung sword warriors who knew what shame was.

‘They must be shocked.’

Even if those of higher rank were seriously injured and exempt from training, that does not lessen the impact. Didn’t the people of Mount Hua Sect didn’t even take a breath after brutally defeating them? Aren’t they younger than them?

And above all….

“Eup!”

“……”

“Euuup….!”

Blood veins appeared on Namgung Dowi’s forehead.

Although this situation was clearly what he had hoped for, seeing Chung Myung’s round eyes with both hands covering his mouth made him feel indescribably angry from deep inside.

“Euhehehehet!”

In the end, Baek Cheon, unable to stand it any longer, politely reprimanded Chung Myung.

“Chung Myung.”

“Yes?”

“It’s not the way of a martial artist to mock those who have been defeated. Stop it now.”

“Oh. Look at Dongryong being merciful now that he has won.”

“…That’s not it…”

“Not it? Your lips are twitching. Why not honestly laugh and say, ‘People of Namgung Family are nothing special. I think Southern Edge Sect guys might be better’?”

“……”

Namgung Dowi looked blankly at Baek Cheon.

Excuse me, Dojang? Why don’t you retort and just turn your head away? Is there a reason you can’t show us your expression right now?

Dojang?

Chung Myung laughed and looked around at everyone.

“Well, it was a bit of land.”

“……”

“But we won, so no more complaints, right?”

Of course, there shouldn’t have been any complaints. After all, it was a fair contest, and Namgung had agreed to participate.

However, the human mind doesn’t always flow so reasonably.

“Hoo?”

Chung Myung looked at a person who was looking at him with dissatisfied eyes.

“Got something to say?”

“……”

Namgung Dan stared at Chung Myung with a trembling face and said.

“Rather than complain….”

“Yes?”

“…I don’t understand why this result came out.”

“Ang?”

Chung Myung narrowed his eyes. Namgung Dan continued his words with a troubled expression.

“We have been training as hard as we could up to now. Forgetting meals and sleep, overcoming the desire to rest, pushing ourselves. Otherwise, we couldn’t become the sword warriors of Namgung Family.”

“So?”

“But… why is there such a difference…?”

Namgung Dan bit his lips.

On the contrary, he might have been able to accept this if he had not experienced Plum Blossom Island. But after going through Plum Blossom Island, he couldn’t understand this situation even more.

“We have firsthand experience how miserable one can become without strength. I can confidently say our will to fight is second to none among any sect.”

“….”

And so, they did their best in this match as well. It wasn’t just merely out of stubbornness. Because they knew. In order to elevate Namgung Family back to its former glory, they have to work harder than anyone else.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel upset as they faced such a crushing defeat.

“What exactly did we do wrong?”

Namgung Dan asked with a boiling heart. Naturally, the voice became louder and louder. It was a sight that would make any martial artist’s heart flutter.

However, Chung Myung’s reaction upon hearing those words was extremely heartbreaking.

“What.”

He picked his ears and blew on his finger.

“……”

Namgung Dan, stunned by the blatantly displeased response, slumped his shoulders.

Five Swords looked at him with an expression that seemed utterly pitiful. They could have enjoyed their victory, but having experienced similar situations many times themselves, empathy came first.

Then, Chung Myung snapped his fingers.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“You come here.”

Namgung Dan trudged to the front of Chung Myung.

“Come closer.”

“……”

Namgung Dan, who came closer and stood right in front of Chung Myung, gave a questioning look.

Chung Myung slightly raised his hand.

“From now on, I’m going to hit you on the head.”

“Yes?”

“Try to block it.”

“……”

“I’ve told you, and you have the will, so of course you can block it, right?”

At that moment, a spark flew out of Namgung Dan’s eyes.

‘There’s a limit to belittling someone!’

Even though Chung Myung is strong enough to beat Black Dragon King, saying where and how he would hit, and still expecting not to be blocked, would be absurd. It wasn’t as if he would attack with internal strength!

“Alright…”

Kuuung!

Thud.

“Dan!”

“Aigoo! Namgung Dan!”

The sword warriors of Namgung Family behind them were frightened and ran out in a gasp. Then they quickly raised Namgung Dan, who had collapsed while foaming at the mouth.

“A- Are you okay?”

“I think he’s dead?”

“I heard bells in my head!”

Chung Myung watched this and clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

His eyes that looked at everyone were filled with a pitiful light. His biting remark followed.

“Will?”

“……”

“You damn fools are just talking nonsense. Hey, you crazy bastards! You’re fighting for your life, who would fight half-heartedly!”

“….”

“Willpower exists even among Evil Sects! Who in this world lacks willpower? Why? Do you think if you steel your resolve and work hard, your enemies will just get scared and lose to you?”

The sword warriors of Namgung Family, speechless, bowed their heads.

“Willpower only has meaning during training. Squeezing your eyeballs doesn’t make your sword stronger. That’s something you’re supposed to do on a regular basis.”

“……”

“And you’ve wasted that ‘all the time.'”

At that moment, Namgung Dowi raised his hand. Chung Myung turned his head sharply.

“Wha… No, what is it?”

“…Just speak comfortably.”

“Hehe. How could I….”

“…I think it would be more comfortable for me too.”

“Hehehe. Well, if you insist.”

Chung Myung shrugged his shoulders and asked again.

“So, why?”

“That’s because I don’t understand, Dojang. Given the outcome, it may sound laughable coming from us, but Namgung’s training has never been easy. We’ve truly given it our all.”

“Well, I guess so.”

Chung Myung nodded as if acknowledging it.

“But why do you say we’re wasting our time….”

“Because it’s true.”

“…Yes?”

Chung Myung chuckled.

“Can a person who practices punching all day say they’ve worked hard on their swordsmanship?”

“…No.”

“That’s what you guys did.”

In fact, this cannot be said to be the fault of Namgung Family.

Why is Mount Hua strong?

It’s simple. This is because Chung Myung stuck by their side and pushed them like hell, not leaving out every single one of the disciples. Then, is this something only Chung Myung can do?

‘No.’

Even someone who hasn’t reached Chung Myung’s level, if they have reached the top of a sect, they can easily turn such clumsy fools into proper sword warriors.

“It’s because your predecessors couldn’t show you the right path.”

Namgung Dowi’s expression hardened.

“I find it difficult to accept that statement. Our Gaju-nim has always looked out for us more than anyone.”

“I know.”

“Then why….”

“It looks like you don’t understand. Looking out for someone and investing time for someone are entirely different things.”

Nangung Dowi looked at Chung Myung with an expression of complete confusion.

“The way that Namgung Hwang…. No, the way that the former Gaju chose to care for you all would have been to become stronger himself.”

“Ah….”

Only then did an expression of understanding appear on Namgung Dowi’s face.

Why couldn’t Namgung Hwang nurture them properly?

It is simple. This is because it is of much greater benefit to Namgung Family for him to become stronger himself than to spend time raising those who have not yet reached a certain level.

And this is not just limited to Namgung. Every sect in the world walks a path not so different from Namgung’s.

This means that the power that one absolute martial master gives to a sect is just that immense.

Isn’t that the case with Mount Hua as well? No matter how much Baek Cheon becomes stronger, no matter how much stronger Yoo Iseol becomes, and even if Mount Hua’s disciples are stronger than they are now, without Chung Myung, they will never enjoy the same prestige as they do now.

“But….”

Namgung Dowi was still not convinced. How could a prestigious lineage continue then?

Chung Myung seemed to understand that and answered clearly.

“You don’t seem to understand, but there’s no need to specifically invest effort in teaching.”

“…Yes?”

“Just gather everyone and teach them roughly, and they’ll naturally filter themselves out.”

“……”

“Namgung might call itself a great family, but most of you are from branch families. How many of those who entered from branch families and returned to their own households are there?”

“…That….”

Chung Myung shrugged his shoulders.

“Right. Those who entered a sect but left after failing the competition, you guys call them branch families, and places other than the great family call them subsidiary sects. Those who are eliminated become subsidiary sects and expand their influence externally, while those who win the competition move up the ladder. That’s the basic operation of a prestigious family.”

“….”

So how do the lower rank of disciples grow?

‘There’s no need to specifically nurture them.’

If it’s a prestigious sect, disciples flock in clouds. In such a scenario, it’s inevitable that there will be individuals with enough talent to do the job. Those with overflowing talent naturally climb up and up, even if left to their own devices.

It wasn’t that different from Mount Hua in the past. Wasn’t Chung Myung the one who came up that way in the first place?

“Then… Are Mount Hua Sect any different?”

The moment those words came out, Chung Myung was startled. Then, after a moment, he gently rubbed his eyes.

“…Is it ifferent?”

“……”

Namgung Dowi was greatly embarrassed.

Uh…. Are those really tears?

“Was it any different, you asked? Any different? Is Mount Hua any different now? Mount Hua Sect?”

“Hey, hey. He broke again.”

“Sasuk. Try calming him down.”

“……”

Chung Myung wiped the corners of his eyes and muttered.

“Right…. For a landlord whose disciples will pour in even if he stays still, it would be hard to understand. What would he know of the feelings of a beggar sect that has to pick up someone like Jo-Gol?”

“No, why am I being dragged into this!”

“Jo-Gol, be quiet.”

“Honestly, I agree with that statement.”

“Huuk!”

Chung Myung took a deep breath. He managed to organize his swirling emotions and spoke while looking at Namgung Dowi, Namgung Dan, and the sword warriors of Namgung Family behind them.

“You don’t need to understand.”

“……”

“You’ll understand once you go through it. After all, you’re in a position where not a single person can be left behind, right?”

Chung Myung grinned.

“So, just leave it to me. I’ll take good care of you. Very good care.”

“……”

It was the moment when the gates of hell opened for Namgung Family.