Novel Return of Mount Hua Sect Chapter 1008

The next day.

“Ugh….”

Before he even opened his eyes, Namgung Dowi made a groaning sound and grabbed his head.

“…Ugh, my head….”

It felt like bells were ringing inside his head.

‘How much did I drink?’

As time passed, his memories came back vaguely.

The liquor they initially had was quickly depleted, but Chung Myung suddenly got up, went somewhere, and came back with a bottle of alcohol wrapped in both hands.

– You have to eat and drink. Hey, drink up. Drink!

– A- All of this?

– What? You can’t? That’s the problem with you geeks! Tsk, tsk.

– I, I can drink! Why couldn’t I!

“…It did.”

He must have gotten drunk too. One sip for Chung Myung, one sip for him, one bottle for Chung Myung, one bottle for him….

‘It was crazy.’

He drank all of that, that.

Oh my gosh, even if it had been water, it would have been too much, but he had drunk it all.

“Ugh, my head…”

Although he had experienced hangovers from time to time, the headache that was coming to him now was enough to shatter all of the concept of hangovers he had known until now.

Namgung Dowi, who was holding his head and groaning, suddenly remembered a very natural and fundamental question.

‘What on earth was that liquor made from?’

What kind of ingredients were used to make a liquor that caused such a terrible hangover, feeling like his head was being pounded by a hammer?

And what on earth is Chung Myung doing that makes him choose such a drink?

“Ouh….”

Grasping his head and groaning, he struggled to open his frowned eyes.

‘Ah, it’s bright.’

Instinctively shielding his eyes, he frowned. The sunlight was too harsh to open his eyes properly…

‘Wa- Wait. Bright?’

He opened his eyes wide. Bright sunlight was streaming in through the window. Namgung Dowi, who had been looking at this in a daze, was so startled that he sprang up.

“I’m, I’m doomed!”

The bright sun meant that morning had long since passed. If he was preaching to the family members just yesterday and then was late for training the next morning, what would everyone think?

Startled, Namgung Dowi quickly circulated his internal strength to expel the alcohol from his system.

“Clothes! My clothes!”

He searched everywhere, but he couldn’t remember where he had put his outer garments. Given he couldn’t even recall how he got back to his room, finding his clothes seemed impossible.

“I’m going crazy!”

After rummaging through everything, he finally found his clothes under the blanket. He quickly put on his clothes, refined them at lightning speed, and jumped out.

No, he tried to.

Flinch.

He instinctively stopped before opening the door.

“…..”

Why didn’t they wake him up?

They were scheduled to practice early in the morning, and if they had gone out, wouldn’t they have come to pick up Namgung Dowi?

Then could it be…

Namgung Dowi hesitated, holding on to the doorknob.

What should he do if none of Namgung sword warriors had gone out for training? There was such a conversation yesterday, but did they really try to conduct the training on their own without Namgung Dowi?

A deep sigh escaped.

He knew. No matter what scene he was about to witness, disappointment was not an option.

It was mere greed to wish for people to act as he hoped. If it were that simple, there wouldn’t be any failed leaders, would there?

‘Let’s not be impatient.’

As Chung Myung said, it is difficult for everyone. It’s even weirder that it isn’t difficult. So, he should just proceed slowly. There was someone who told him he was doing well. Someday, the sword warriors of Namgung Family will realize his sincerity.

Namgung Dowi, who had made up his mind, opened the door at once.

Then, he was taken aback by the scene unfolded before him.

“E- Everyone….”

Sword warriors of Namgung Family were lined up in front of his room. Not a single person was missing.

“N- No. why…?”

A look of bewilderment was evident on his face, unable to speak properly. As he was staring blankly at the people lined up, Namgung Dan took a step forward.

“Did you cough?”

“…Dan.”

As the representative, he bowed his head towards Namgung Dowi. It was a bow that was polite without being excessive.

“W- What are you doing here now?”

“Of course, we were waiting for our Sogaju-nim.”

“Me?”

Namgung Dowii’s face hardened slightly. Namgung Dan smiled as he looked at his face.

“Actually, I was thinking about going and starting training first, but….”

“….”

“It seemed meaningless.”

“…What do you mean meaningless?”

“Whether I become stronger through that training or not, it has no meaning if Sogaju-nim is not with us.”

Namgung Dowi unconsciously clenched his fist.

“Sogaju-nim. We are Namgung Family.”

“……”

“And Namgung Family only follows the words of Gaju. If Gaju orders us, we will jump into said place without hesitation, even if it is the fiery pit of hell.”

“Namgung Dan….”

“We went too far yesterday. Just… No, I won’t make excuses. We apologize.”

“We apologize, Sogaju-nim!”

“We apologize!”

Everyone bowed their heads towards Namgung Dowi.

“…The moment Sogaju-nim spoke about Plum Blossom Island, I realized it again. It means that Sogaju-nim is constantly thinking about the best way to lead Namgung.”

“……”

“We should have considered that aspect first.”

“N- No.”

Namgung Dowi shook his head.

“It’s my fault. The best way I think of may not be the best way you all think of. Therefore, we should have talked, explained, and pondered together… I just thought that if I moved forward, everyone would simply follow. I was arrogant.”

“No, Sogaju-nim.”

“So, I ask you once again here.”

Namgung Dowi bowed his head deeply towards everyone.

“Though I may be lacking, I still believe this is the best way for Namgung Family. So, I ask you all to believe in me and follow me.”

He lifted his head and looked at everyone. His gaze was clearer and more vivid than ever before.

“I will also try and work hard to become the Gaju that you can be proud of.”

Everyone nodded vigorously.

“Of course, Sogaju-nim!”

“We believe in you!”

Unable to overcome the overwhelming emotion, Namgung Dowi quietly closed his eyes.

“…Thanks.”

He comes to realize anew. Though their thoughts and methods may differ, what they pursue is the same.

Isn’t that what ‘family’ is?

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Namgung Dowi nodded his head.

This may not be enough. Perhaps they need to have many more conversations in the future.

However, Namgung Dowi will not hesitate to persuade them.

Because there is not just one way to lead people. He doesn’t necessarily have to become Namgung Hwang. All he needs to do is preserve the spirit Namgung Hwang taught him.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

Namgung Dowi stepped forward and led Namgung’s sword warriors.

With a stride full of confidence.

“Uuuggghhh…”

“I’m, I’m gonna die….”

“Kill me… Kill! Ki…”

“Should I really kill you?”

“N- No….”

Chung Myung’s eyes glazed over as he looked at the people lying face down with rocks on their backs.

“But these bastards, the more I think about it, the more ridiculous it gets? Are you playing with me now? Skipping training as a group?”

“….”

“Even that punk Sogaju? I was going to treat him decently because I owe him a meal, but what?”

“….”

Namgung Dowi’s face, which had been distorted by pain, was stained with resentment.

‘No, it’s because of you!’

Who gave him that much alcohol? If someone drank that all and woke up at dawn in their right mind, is that a human?

“What? Die together, live together?”

“….”

“Hey, you bastards! All the bastards who said that are dead! Even if reinforced energy comes flying from the other side, these sons of beasts will stick together to live and die together, this is it!”

“N- No….”

“It’s a good thing. A good thing. The guy that is Sogaju of Namgung Family oversleeps because he can’t beat stand booze. And those who should wake him up just wait around stupidly.”

“….”

“If Namgung Hwang had seen this, he would’ve dropped an Emperor Sword Strike on your heads, you punk!”

“….”

What should they say. They were feeling very emotional until a while ago…

After listening to Chung Myung’s words, his words seemed to make sense. It is certainly true that if the previous Gaju had seen this, everyone would have been smashed to bits.

Is that why?

“…What?”

“Nothing.”

The gazes of Namgung Family members looking at Namgung Dowi felt slightly different from a moment ago. Is it just a misunderstanding on Namgung Dowi’s part?

“I guess you guys don’t understand what I’m saying.”

“……”

“One day off from training eventually leads to losing ten days’ worth of progress. There are dozens of excuses to take a break from training every day. The moment you start to think those excuses are justified, it’s the end for a martial artist!”

“….”

“Whether it rains, snows, or the wind blows! Even if Evil Sects bastard invade! Training that needs to be done, gets done! That’s the basics! Anyone who skips training because they’re hungover doesn’t deserve to wield a sword!”

At that moment, Namgung Dan raised his trembling hand.

“What?”

“Q- Question…. Can I ask one question?”

“Go ahead.”

“That…. Ugh…. Kuak!”

Kung!

The moment Namgung Dan opened his mouth, his other arm trembled and gave out. Soon he fell forward.

Chung Myung, with a face that seemed to have seen all kinds of messy scenes, trudged over and kicked the boulder that was crushing Namgung Dan.

“Heok! I, I thought I was gonna die……”

“What’s your question?”

“Y- Yes!”

Namgung Dan stood up with a proud look on his face.

“Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword! This is definitely not a rebellion! Nor a complaint.”

“Cut the crap.”

“Yes!”

Namgung Dan swallowed dry saliva and opened his mouth.

“Will this training really make us stronger?”

“What?”

When Chung Myung scowled, he quickly waved his hand away.

“I told you! This is not a complaint!”

“…Go ahead.”

“Yes!”

Namgung Dan nods his head vigorously and continues speaking.

“Of course, we know that Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword is strong enough to overpower Black Dragon King. But our foundation is ultimately of Namgung Family.”

“So?”

“Although he passed away untimely, we believe that the previous Gaju was an expert who was no less than Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword, or even better.”

Chung Myung’s mouth twitched subtly.

However, Namgung Family sword warriors thought Chung Myung was just upset, unaware that he was desperately trying to suppress a laugh.

“So… what?”

“The training we are currently undertaking is vastly different from what we learned in Namgung Family. Isn’t the best way to master a family’s martial arts known by that family itself? Therefore, we are unsure if it’s right for us to be undergoing such excessive training that our Gaju has not prescribed.”

“So, to summarize….”

Chung Myung lightly snapped his fingers.

“You don’t believe that this training will make you stronger?”

“…To be precise, we mean that if there were more concrete evidence, we might be more motivated to train harder.”

“Sigh, you’re talking too twistedly.”

“…Sorry.”

Namgung Dan cursed inwardly.

If you were going to say that, then just left your fist still, why were you hesitating as if you were going to hit me from the start!

“Dojang, I would like to ask you a favor too.”

Then, Namgung Dowi put down the rock he was carrying and gave Chung Myung a formal bow.

“These are not all who have witnessed what I have seen. Asking them to follow blindly could be harmful instead. Please, I ask of you.”

Chung Myung looked at Namgung Dowi and asked.