Novel Return of Mount Hua Sect Chapter 655

“Hmm.”

Hyun Jong nodded slowly. Then he looked at the Elders, the first-class disciples, and the Five Swords with warm eyes.

He had just heard a proper report from everyone on their recent journey.

Of course, the story of where and what Mount Hua did was told roughly through the Beggar Union. However, the stories from those who had experienced it firsthand definitely felt different.

“It’s not something to talk about easily.”

Ultimately, everything worked well, and they returned victorious without significant damage.

However, if there had been even one slip-up during the process, none of them would have been able to laugh.

“Everyone worked so hard.”

“No, Sect Leader. We were just lucky.”

Hyun Sang smiled brightly. Contrary to his words, his smile was filled with pride that he couldn’t quite hide.

“Luck is given to those who do their best. Being too humble can be counterproductive. You all did an excellent job.”

Hyun Jong didn’t hesitate to praise them with a delighted face.

The results of the disciples’ long journey were truly remarkable. But what made Hyun Jong even happier was that no one was killed or seriously injured in the midst of all those difficult tasks.

This was not just a matter of good luck.

It was both admirable and impressive to think about how much effort Chung Myung and other Five Swords must have made to protect the disciples behind the scenes.

Hyun Jong took a sip of tea with a gentle face, looked around everyone once and opened his mouth.

“Baek Cheon.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Did you learn something from this journey?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Tell me.”

Baek Cheon took a deep breath and spoke with a composed face.

“Mount Hua has undoubtedly become a stronger sect than in the past, but something is still lacking. I’ve deeply realized why prestigious sects are prestigious, and why the sects that dominate the world are in their positions.”

Hyun Jong nodded as if he liked the answer.

“Do the others think the same?”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Even then, it’s not like it’s a big deal.”

Hyun Jong smiled.

Although a strange answer seemed to have come up at the end, Hyun Jong could now let ‘that voice’ go in one ear and out the other.

“Hyun Young.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“What are your thoughts?”

Then Hyun Young’s eyes darkened slightly.

“Sect Leader.”

“Yes.”

“Mount Hua can’t be the same as it has been.”

“Hm?”

He urged Hyun Young’s answer with a questioning look.

“The challenge from Wudang this time has a deeper meaning than what meets the eye.”

“Do you mean other sects have started to restrain Mount Hua?”

“Of course, that’s right. But I think we should pay more attention to a slightly different aspect.”

Hyun Young took a deep breath and continued.

“Until now, Mount Hua has been doing whatever it wanted.”

Then Hyun Sang, who was listening, tilted his head as if he had heard nonsense.

“What nonsense is that? When did we?”

“Sahyung. Although there were things we couldn’t do due to our lack of power and money, there has never been anything of our will that we failed to decide on.”

“I don’t understand.”

“When we decided to bring the kids to the Murim Competition, did anyone stop us?”

“…Not really.”

Hyun Young frowned as if to point out the matter.

“The same was true when we went to Yunnan and the North Sea. No matter how difficult it was, the choice was ultimately ours. But this sparring match with Wudang is not something we decided.”

“Hm.”

“Although it’s good for Mount Hua’s reputation to rise, from now on, such incidents will frequently occur regardless of our wishes. They will continue to seek to undermine Mount Hua’s reputation by countless proposals we couldn’t reject and spars we couldn’t back off from.”

“……I see what you’re saying.”

Hyun Sang nodded as if he had understood Hyun Young’s words.

‘Restraint…’

The Ten Great Sect and influential sect keep Mount Hua in check. Just thinking about it was burdensome.

Hyun Young opened his mouth again as if he still had something to say.

“We must avoid being caught in their schemes and tarnishing our reputation. I’m really worried about the situation where Mount Hua cannot properly do what it needs to do because of these incidents.”

“Hmm….”

“For example, if Wudang had challenged us right before the children left for the North Sea, or before everyone went to Nokrim, the problem would have been quite serious.”

“Ah…”

Everyone looked at each other’s faces. They hadn’t thought that far.

“From now on, we will have to think about how the other sects will react before we can execute any moves. It will become more complicated and difficult.”

“Hmmm.”

Hyun Jong let out a stifled groan.

He vaguely thought they would face restraint, but hearing it like this made it clear that it wasn’t a matter to be taken lightly.

However.

“It’s a good thing.”

“Huh?”

Before his thoughts were even organized, Chung Myung’s voice rang resonantly.

Chung Myung grinned as everyone’s gaze turned to him.

“No one tries to restrain a weak sect. The fact that the Ten Great Sect are restraining Mount Hua means that all the sects in the world now recognize Mount Hua as a threatening presence, right?”

“Huh….”

They said that something depends on how you think about it, and that was not wrong either.

“No matter how hard we try, we can’t stop the water from flowing. While we can’t ignore it completely, in the end, doing what we have to do properly is several times more important.”

Hyun Young smirked at Chung Myung’s smart words.

“You rascal. If you say it like that, my serious words turn into nagging, don’t they?”

“Hehe. I’m just saying.”

Hyun Jong smiled as he watched Hyun Young playfully patting Chung Myung’s head.

‘Neither of them is wrong.’

It’s important to accurately understand the situation at hand and to maintain a strong base without being swayed by the situation.

From now on, Mount Hua should keep their eyes on the sky while keeping their feet firmly on the ground.

“Everyone…”

Hyun Jong, who was about to add something, shook his head instead. He turned his head slightly and looked toward the door.

Faint sounds of disciples training beyond the door reached them.

‘They know it without being told.’

No matter what happens, if they can steadfastly strive and move forward in their own place, they will eventually overcome everything. Now all of Mount Hua’s disciples know that fact without him having to stammeringly tell them.

“Then let’s wrap up this matter here.”

Hyun Jong looked at Chung Myung and said, “I think we need to discuss the next matter now.”

“Next matter?”

“Don’t you have a guess?”

Chung Myung tilted his head at Hyun Jong’s words.

“There are so many piled up like a mountain that I don’t know which one you’re talking about…”

“….”

“We have to look into establishing Huayin Sect branch, discuss selling teas in Beijing with Eunha Merchant Guild, reinvest in Huayin since we have to circulate the gathered funds appropriately, and help organize the knowledge earned by the first-class and the third-class disciples… We must also check how the first trade with the North Sea is going…”

“E- Enough.”

He seemed like he would keep talking for at least an hour if left alone.

‘Did we really have this much going on?’

Hyun Jong was struck by the realization of how busy Mount Hua was.

“No, those matters are important, but isn’t there one most important thing?”

“The most important thing?”

“Yes.”

“Ah!”

Chung Myung put strength in his eyes as if he had finally realized.

“Did bastards from Southern Edge Sect leave their Bongmun? Now that we’ve stepped on Wudang, we must stomp on these bastards again, right?”

“….”

Where does that deep-rooted animosity towards Southern Edge Sect and Ten Great Sect come from?

“… Southern Edge Sect has yet to leave their Bongmun.”

“Then?”

Hyun Jong, who gave up getting answers from Chung Myung, sighed and said.

“Many things are going on, but there’s something more urgent right now.”

When Chung Myung heard that, he smiled as if he had been waiting for it.

“It’s the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”

“That’s right.”

Hyun Jong nodded his head.

“Due to what you guys accomplished this time, Mount Hua’s reputation has skyrocketed, so they suggested proceeding with the foundation without further delay.”

“Oh?”

“They said they finished coordinating with other major sects and asked the smaller sect in Sichuan and Shaanxi whether they would participate.”

“Wow! As expected of the Tang Family! They’re really quick in handling matters! If Mount Hua had done it, it would have taken at least two more months.”

“…Ri- Right.”

Was this a compliment to the Tang Family or an insult to Mount Hua?

“So what did they suggest?”

“Everyone decided to gather in Mount Hua.”

“Huh? Here? Not in the Tang Family?”

Hyun Jong nodded his head.

“Although it would be proper for the Tang Family that led the matter to hold the grand ceremony, they said there is no way not to take advantage of Mount Hua’s elevated name. It seems the key figures from Sichuan Tang Family, Namman Yasugung Clan, the Northern Sea Ice Clan, and Nokrim already left for Mount Hua.”

“…So it’s not about asking for permission to come but informing us that they’ve already left?”

“Yes.”

“…..They really do move fast…”

When Chung Myung was baffled, Hyun Jong smiled.

“You could feel the excitement of the Tang Gaju from the message.”

“Hoho.”

Chung Myung laughed when he imagined Tang Gun-ak being so happy with that solemn face.

“I also agree with Tang Gaju’s thoughts. There’s no need to delay what we have to do anyway.”

“You’re right.”

“Therefore, now Mount Hua needs to hurry up with the preparations.”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

Hyun Jong nodded loudly as he met Chung Myung’s gaze. Then he turned his head and said,

“Hyun Young.”

“Yes.”

“Mount Hua will also start preparing for the Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s foundation. Get ready to welcome the sect coming to Mount Hua.”

“Yes, don’t worry.”

“Also.”

Hyun Jong’s back straightens. At the same time, a gentle yet strong energy flowed from him.

“The founding of Heavenly Comrade Alliance is not only our matter but also concerns the martial arts world. Send invitations to the sect across the land in the name of Mount Hua and Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”

Hyun Young’s eyes trembled a little.

“Tell them it’s a good occasion, and we kindly request them to participate and grace the event.”

“…Yes. Yes! I understand, Sect Leader!”

Sending invitations to the sect across the land was not something any sect could do. This was a declaration that Mount Hua had risen to a position where they could lead the course of Kangho as the head of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

“Listen, everyone!”

“Yes!”

“Position creates power, and power brings responsibility. From now on, Mount Hua will have more tasks to fulfill, and our burden will grow even greater.”

Everyone seated looked straight at Hyun Jong with their eyes shining brightly.

“However, this is something we cannot avoid. I am willing to bear that burden. You must help me as well.”

“Of course, Sect Leader!”

“We’ll do our best!”

With a rather serious face, Hyun Jong nodded.

“And don’t forget.”

“….”

“Even if we become the head of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, even if we become a place that Wudang felt the need to restrain, and even if we become a place that attracts the world’s attention.”

Soon after, his hardened mouth drew a gentle curve.

“Mount Hua will always be just Mount Hua.”

Upon hearing this, the tense faces around him relaxed slightly.

“Now, let’s get started.”

“Yes!”

With their spirited responses, the eyes of Mount Hua’s disciples lit up with enthusiasm.

Now, it was time to spread the name of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance to the world.