Green Plum Hall late at night.
“Hahahahaha!”
“Euahahaha!”
The Green Plum Hall was filled with laughter.
Its inhabitants had a great time pouring alcohol into each other’s glasses.
“Hahahaha. I didn’t think it’d be this easy!”
“I expected it to be difficult because they had recently gained popularity, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was much easier than I had anticipated..”
Hyun Bob, who had been quietly listening, smiled as he tilted his drink.
“Hyun Jong has always been a very weak man. And now the reputable rising star…… are still just children.”
“That’s right, Father.”
“Although he was lucky enough to gain some fame, his limitations would soon be revealed given the time. If he left it as it is.”
“That’s why we’re here, aren’t we?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Hyun Bob nodded loudly.
“Don’t forget that the only reason we came to Mount Hua is for Mount Hua.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Right, pour me another drink.”
It was then.
“I can’t believe that those who want to be masters in the Taoist Sect don’t hesitate to drink. Aren’t you ashamed to see your ancestors!”
The door burst open and a person walked in. Then everyone rose from their seats and bowed their heads.
“Welcome.”
“Tsk.”
Hyun Dang frowned. He saw bottles hanging loosely.
“You haven’t forgotten where this place is already, have you?”
“I’m sorry. Everyone seems overly nervous.”
Hyun Bob said cautiously with a humble face.
“Tsk tsk tsk.”
“After living for several decades, it is not easy to give up alcohol and meat.”
“Foolish people.”
Hyun Dang went inside without hesitation and sat in the upper seat. And said with a stern face.
“Just hang in there a little bit. Soon this Mount Hua will return to our law. Until then, you will have to be careful of the eyes and ears around you and keep your posture right.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Sahyung.”
“Hmm.”
After talking, Hyun Dang looked around at his children, Hyun Bob and Hyun Bob’s children.
‘This is when you use the term blessing in disguise.’
He couldn’t take it anymore and fled Mount Hua, but how could starting over be so simple?
It was never easy for a Taoist who had refined his Tao in the mountains and dedicated himself to learning a martial art to return to the world and adjust.
He has, however, built a family due to overcoming adversity, and his children have grown up and are staunchly supportive of him.
‘This number will be a strength.’
This would be his full power if they could blend in Mount Hua as it is. If that happens, wouldn’t he be as good as the Sect Leader even if he didn’t steal the position?
‘If I can become the first next to Mount Hua Sect Leader, all of this will be mine.’
Hyun Dang smiled brightly.
“Mu Gyeong.”
“You have to call me Hyun Bob here.”
“Yes, that’s right. Hyun Bob-ah. What happened to what I asked you to find out?”
“Yes, I’ve done some research in the meantime, but I think it’s true that there’s a lot of money in Mount Hua. In just two days, the warehouse is full of goods that entered Mount Hua.”
“Hmm.”
“In addition, Mount Hua has exclusive rights to trade with Yunnan. This is a business that can generate astronomical sums of money if used well. The bastards of Mount Hua are so naive that they don’t seem to know the value of this work.”
Hyun Bob smiled brightly.
“If we go on full power, I can make Sahyung sit on a cushion of money.”
“It’s not me, it’s Mount Hua.”
“Of course, Sahyung.”
Although he said it sternly, Hyun Dang’s mouth also crept into a smile. He tried to calm down, but the corners of his mouth didn’t move as he wanted.
Hyun Bob looked at him like that and smiled triumphantly.
“If you see that they don’t really resist too much, wouldn’t that mean that they feel their limits?”
“Eum.”
Then Hyun Dang frowned slightly.
“Don’t take it lightly.”
“Yes?”
“Hyun Jong in your memory may be clumsy and indecisive, but in any case, Hyun Jong has sustained the collapsing Mount Hua for decades, and has re-established Mount Hua’s reputation, which everyone thought had fallen.”
Hyun Bob’s face is slightly distorted. It was something he didn’t want to admit.
“How can Hyun Jong possess such a skill?”
“As Hyun Jong said, the river and mountain change in 10 years. In thirty years, it is not surprising that people change.”
“You mean that Hyun Jong?”
There was obvious ridicule in his voice.
“Sahyung, ten years will change the rivers and mountains, but people will not change after ten years. Sahyung knows it’s not easy for people to change, right?”
“…… That’s not so wrong either.”
“As Sahyung has said if Hyun Jong is different from before, why would he still leave us alone? If Sahyung were in his shoes, would Sahyung have put up with it?”
“…….”
When Hyun Dang didn’t answer, Hyun Bob grinned as if he understood.
“Being cautious is good, but being too careful can ruin things. Sometimes you can get more when you move boldly.”
“Right, that’s true.”
Hyun Dang nodded slowly with a slightly complicated face.
He knows that Hyun Bob’s word is not so wrong. But Mount Hua’s reaction kept disturbing a corner of his mind.
‘It can’t be this easy.’
It can’t be easy to produce results and gain fame in Kangho. If it had been so easy, Hyun Dang wouldn’t have left Mount Hua.
If they’ve made that achievement, there must be a good reason.
But the reason was not seen in Hyun Dang’s eyes. The skills of the rising star seem too high, but the skills of first-class disciples and Elders, who should have taught them, don’t seem to be any better than in the past… … .
‘I’m sure there’s something.’
Hyun Dang shook his head.
He doesn’t know what he has missed, but now is the time to push ahead with a strong determination, as Hyun Bob said. If he gives them time to think, it will be impossible to regain their position.
“Anyway, if Hyun Jong is not a scarecrow, he will come up with his own countermeasures tomorrow.”
“Yes, and if we can cover up that measure, Mount Hua will fall into our hands.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Sahyung. After a long time, we will finally get Sahyung seat back.”
“Oho. You’re talking nonsense. I’ve only put myself through hardships for the future of Mount Hua.”
“Of course, Sahyung.”
The two smiled at each other.
* * *
“What about the disciples?”
“They don’t really have any complaints, but…”
“They’re really…”
Hyun Jong sighed deeply with a sad face.
If they complained, “Why are you coming after us?” he would feel at least comfortable.
But the disciples were not utter a single word of complaint to him.
“Are they still trying to interfere with the disciples?”
“Yes.”
Hyun Jong frowned at Hyun Sang’s answer.
Hyun Sang looked at Hyun Jong and opened his mouth with a sigh.
“Sect Leader. I know why Sect Leader is being so careful. And I know that Sect Leader can’t act as emotionally as we do because of the position you are in. However, if this continues, it will have a negative effect on the disciples.”
“…What about Hyun Young?”
“He stuck himself in his room because he don’t want to see them.”
“……Tsk tsk. Until then he will act like a child.”
Hyun Jong shook his head.
This time, Hyun Sang took sides as if he understood Hyun Young.
“But you have to understand his heart, Sect Leader.”
“…why don’t I know?”
Hyun Jong looked down at the teacup and said,
“Do you think I didn’t want to kick them out? No, rather, I have the biggest desire to do so.”
“Then why……….”
“Because I know I shouldn’t do what I want.”
Hyun Jong looked at Hyun Sang straight.
“If I throw them away, there will most likely be people who want to take advantage of them. If that’s the case, then, not us, but the disciples of Mount Hua would pay the full price.”
“…… Sect Leader.”
“I had no choice but to worry about it. What is the best? What path should I take to keep those children from getting caught up in the shadows of the past?”
Hyun Jong let out a low sigh and spoke with a heavy voice.
“Hyun Sang.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“I don’t want the children to be harmed by my personal feelings.”
Hyun Sang sighed secretly. After hearing Hyun Jong’s thoughts, his stomach became even more cramped.
It’s not that he wasn’t expecting that, but after hearing it in person, his mind became more complicated.
Come to think of it.
When did Hyun Jong ever think of himself? His actions were always geared toward the safety of the Mount Hua Sect and the disciples.
Hyun Sang often found that aspect of him frustrating. But in the end, he believed and followed because he knew it was right.
And this time, too, but…….
“Sect Leader. I know what you mean, but it’s starting to have a bad effect on the children.”
“… That’s right.”
Hyun Jong nodded quietly.
“We must take action now. We’ve already come to a conclusion.”
His gaze turned to the distant sky.
“Sahyung… No, bring him in.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
Hyun Sang stood up from his seat with a firm nod.
The two groups sat opposite each other in the residence of the Mount Hua Sect Leader.
One side is the Elders of Mount Hua, including Hyun Jong.
And the others were Hyun Dang and Hyun Bob, the Elder who had left behind Mount Hua in the past.
They met like this a few days ago, but today’s atmosphere was heavier than back then.
It was Hyun Dang who opened his mouth first.
“Right. What’s wrong?”
Hyun Young, guarding Hyun Jong’s right side with his relaxed and soft voice, said coldly.
“Be careful of what you say.”
“…… hmm?”
“You are now in presence of the great Mount Hua Sect’s Sect Leader. The other day, I tolerated that rudeness, but if you commit the same rudeness once again, you’ll see how stern Mount Hua’s law is.”
Hyun Dang glanced at Hyun Young with disapproving eyes.
But as if there was nothing good to stand up here, he nodded calmly.
“I made a mistake in my words. So, what might brings us here? Sect Leader?”
It wasn’t complete respect, but it was a decent speaking manner.
Hyun Young still looked unhappy but kept his mouth shut to avoid further interrupting the conversation.
Hyun Jong opened his mouth with a slight smile.
“How was your tour for a few days?”
Hyun Dang looked into Hyun Jong’s face to examine his intentions.
However, it was not easy to grasp the hidden meaning. He may have seen Hyun Jong’s expression and voice in the past. But now, Hyun Jong’s innermost thoughts were hard to understand.
“It was great, Sect Leader.”
Hyun Dang shook his head as if he was satisfied.
“More than anything else, I’m delighted that Mount Hua is full of energy. Mount Hua in the past was not like this. I could guess how hard Sect Leader has suffered, even without looking at it.”
Such a favorable remark was unexpected and distorted Hyun Sang’s eyebrows slightly.
However, whether fortunately or not, Hyun Dang’s words did not deviate much from Hyun Sang’s expectations.
“But…….”
Hyun Dang brought out the main topic in a tone with subtle anger.
“As it is full of energy, there are a lot of things that are too much. Especially, I could not help but be disappointed that the laws were not properly established and that the word of the ancestor could not be carried on at all.”
“Is that so?”
Hyun Jong smiled brightly. There was no sign of displeasure at all.
Hyun Dang’s eyebrows twitched at the calm response.
“Maybe Sect Leader didn’t understand me.”
“No, I fully understand.”
“……understood?”
“Yes.”
Hyun Jong nodded slowly.
“But that’s the kind of reaction you’re having?”
“It’s a given, isn’t it?”
“… Sect Leader?”
His gaze at Hyun Dang was strangely subdued.
“Sect Leader of a sect should not completely ignore outsider’s comments, but should not be swayed by the words. So I don’t have to take Sahyung comment in full.”
He’s saying it with a smile.
However, the dagger that could not be hidden was revealed.
It means that Mount Hua’s Sect Leader is Hyun Jong no matter what anyone says, and Hyun Dang, who abandoned Mount Hua himself, is just an outsider, so it is meaningless for him to evaluate them.
‘This guy…’
Recognizing the meaning, Hyun Dang slightly distorted his relaxed face.
But after seeing the expression, Hyun Jong calmly continued his speech.
“Sahyung.”
“…Tell me. Sect Leader.”
“The reason why Sahyung was able to live in Mount Hua, the Sahyung, who abandoned the sect and the enemies of Mount Hua was because I understood Sahyung heart that make Sahyung do such a thing. Mount Hua Sect was such a difficult and hard place at that time.”
“Saje …….”
“But.”
When Hyun Dang’s voice was about to get a little wet, Hyun Jong cut it off firmly.
“I understand Sahyung. I understand. However, some have devoted their youth to Mount Hua despite the difficult and hard circumstances. Some people could’ve just run away and lived happily, but foolishly chose to live as Mount Hua’s disciples.”
“…….”
Before he knew it, Hyun Jong’s eyes became colder.
“As Sahyung says. If Sahyung helps, Mount Hua may be a little better than it is now. But, as soon as that happens, Mount Hua will no longer be Mount Hua.”
Hyun Dang’s face trembled.
Hyun Jong spoke with a resolute face and exuded an unparalleled momentum.
‘Whe- When did this guy become like this… … ?’
Hyun Jong stared at such Hyun Dang and finally said.
“Sahyung. No, Hauryang (하우량(河雨凉)).”
“…… Y- You!”
“That’s enough. Get out of Mount Hua now. And…….”
A cold, cool gaze penetrated Hyun Dang.
“Don’t ever try to cross Mount Hua again. If you against my word, you will realize how stern Mount Hua’s law is.”
Hyun Dang was overwhelmed by the momentum and couldn’t find anything to say and closed his mouth without realizing it.
Can’t wait for the next chapter. 🔥🔥 Hyun Jong finally got his moment to shine
That’s what I’m fuckin talking about. Didn’t even wait for Chung Myung to come home to kick these scrubs out. Gtfo and don’t let the diamond encrusted Jade plated brand new gate hit you in the ass on the way out
Looking forward to the real ancestor’s return 😂