Hyun Jong’s face, looking at the disciples, was incredibly gloomy.
Wolf-like disciples were attacking Chung Myung, who looked like a malevolent spirit, surrounding him.
It is a sight that is beyond extreme.
Although they were using wooden swords, the attacks that would not have been surprising if commoners were hit by it and would have lost their breath were repeated several times in a short period of time. Not only Chung Myung but also the disciples were spouting genuine killing intent from both eyes.
‘Killing intent...’
Who doesn’t know that the sword is ultimately meant to hurt the opponent? However, the sight of the disciples emanating such killing intent to their Sahyung did not sit well with Hyun Jong.
“...Isn’t this too extreme?”
Un Am, who was next to him, also groaned, expressing his concern.
“Extreme....”
Hyun Jong couldn’t deny it since he was thinking the same.
This was less like training and more like possessed people brawling, hitting, and attacking each other. It hadn’t been so aggressive at the start, but day by day, it was becoming increasingly vicious instead of improving.
“Shouldn’t we intervene?”
There were words of concern from Hyun Sang’s mouth, who was notoriously strict about training.
“No matter how hard it is, Mount Hua is a Taoist Sect. For those who follow the Tao to act so recklessly...”
“It is fine.”
“...Sect Leader.”
However, Hyun Jong, who was agonizing, shook his head.
“Don’t they act that way because they know all this?”
Then he looked at Chung Myung, who was running wild among the disciples with his sunken eyes.
“Rushing the one pulling the cart may be unpleasant. Complaining when things go too fast might be bothersome too. However, those are still things that one can say. Do you know what words that should not ever be said?”
“I’m not sure.”
“It is to nag others because their posture when pulling a cart is not correct.”
Hyun Jong looked at Hyun Sang and said,
“Would that even be appropriate advice for someone who forgo meal and furiously whips to arrive at the destination as fast as possible?”
“...I understand. Sect Leader. But if this continues...”
“I know.”
Hyun Jong sighed deeply.
“If the disciples end up hurt, there’s no point, is there?”
“...That’s right.”
“Chung Myung isn’t someone who doesn’t know that.”
Hyun Jong looked at Chung Myung with sorrowful eyes.
“He might care about the disciples even more than we do. Should we chide him when he’s struggling so much? For now, let’s just trust and watch.”
“...Understood.”
Hyun Jong sighed.
He knows that Un Am and Hyun Sang speak out of concern for the disciples.
But it’s not to blame Chung Myung. If anyone is to blame, it’s them for not leading the disciples properly.
‘Or maybe it’s my own greed.’
The best way to prevent harm to all disciples of Mount Hua is to abandon all influence over Kangho and never leave Shaanxi, secluded behind the gates.
In the meantime, even if that Evil Tyrant Alliance pushes into Gangbuk, Shaanxi will be the farthest due to its location.
But that’s not an option. Because it is never the right way. And the moment Mount Hua abandons its influence on Kangho, everything that the disciples have built so far with their blood will collapse.
It was a profound paradox.
Had they been nothing more than a nameless little sect, as in the past, the disaster engulfing the world would have bypassed Mount Hua. Neither the Righteous nor the Evil Sect would have bothered with a ruined sect in Shaanxi.
But that’s not the case now.
Mount Hua now wields great influence in the world. And it is the sect that must bear responsibility for that influence.
‘Responsibility...’
Hyun Jong closed his eyes.
If Hyun Jong was to take the responsibility alone, he would smile even in the depths of hell. His lifelong wish was to revive Mount Hua, so even if he sacrifices his life for it, it is not a waste at all.
That’s why his heart ached so terribly.
Because he realized that it wasn’t him but his disciples who were paying the price for what Mount Hua had gained.
‘I don’t know.’
Is this right, or wrong?
It is the roots deeply embedded in the ground that blooms colorful flowers. As such, the revival of Mount Hua, which he has long desired for all his life, may be achieved only by eating numerous things as nutrients.
‘Yuanshi Tianjun.’
When he opened his eyes, which he had briefly closed, Chung Myung was still wielding his sword. The figure was etched in his vision.
The training, which he couldn’t bear to see, continued for days.
As the days went by, the faces of Mount Hua’s disciples visibly darkened.
It was understandable.
No matter how much a disciple of a martial arts sect, they do not devote all twelve hours a day to training.
Mount Hua are Taoist Sect, so they have to do some work as Taoists, and there are times when they have to work hard to maintain such a large sect. Even if those duties didn’t exist, it’s not like they have to exert themselves every single moment in training.
But everything changed from the moment Mount Hua entered Bongmun.
From the moment they open their eyes to the moment they fall asleep, they strive without rest. But what was even more difficult than the physical pain was having to maintain tension every moment they opened their eyes.
“....”
Chung Myung’s frozen expression twisted for an instant.
“That...”
“Wahahahahahahahahahahahahahat! How do you feel?”
“No....”
“Whoa! A corpse is speaking! Neighborhood people! Come take a look! A corpse is speaking!”
“Call the Taoist right away!”
“We’re the Taoist, you crady punks!”
“Wahahahahat! We’ve got a Jiangshi here!”
Udeuk.
Strength flowed into the hand of Chung Myung, who was holding his wooden sword. At the same time, a vein popped on his forehead.
“But these Sahyung bastards....”
“Ha.”
At that moment, Jo-Gol covered his face with one hand and shook his head in disbelief.
“Damn it, it should have been me who did it first. But Sahyung got it first.”
“It’s okay. The neck is still there. He won’t die from a hit to the side.”
“Yes, Sago! The head is mine!”
“Keuhum.”
Baek Cheon, who was listening quietly, let out a loud cough then spoke.
“In Kangho, there are hierarchies, shouldn’t you concede this to your Sasuk?”
“Since when is there hierarchy in Mount Hua!”
“...That’s not wrong, Soso, but it sounds especially strange coming from you.”
Isn’t it, you youngest one?
Everyone couldn’t calm their excitement and hopped around.
When people get tired, it’s not when they’re having a hard time. It is when there is no hope in sight.
For those growing weary, Yoon Jong’s sword certainly offered hope. Very small and feeble, but undeniably clear.
“That guy has always said something countless times.”
Holding his sword, Baek Cheon chuckled as he approached Chung Myung.
Other Mount Hua’s disciples then giggled and began to surround Chung Myung.
“The first time is always hard.”
“From the second time, it’s not a big deal.”
“Right?”
“Yes, indeed.”
Chung Myung looked at his Sahyung, which narrowed the encirclement. The way they slowly narrowed the distance was like a pack of wild dogs cornering a rabbit.
“Ha....”
Chung Myung twitched the corner of his mouth and opened his mouth.
“If you mistake luck for skill....”
But even before he could finish his sentence, loud shouts erupted from all sides.
“Luck is also a skill!”
“Why? After being stabbed and killed on the battlefield, you’re gonna complain to King Yama that you were just unlucky?”
“Who listens to the excuses of a corpse? Huh?”
“....”
You reap what you sow.
That was something Chung Myung said to them.
“Amitabha.”
Right then, Hye Yeon who had been quiet for a long time solemnly began to chant with a stern face, as one expected from a Buddhist monk. Clearly, he wasn’t fond of this atmosphere...
“Your tongue’s too long, Siju. If you’re dead, lie down. I will at least chant a prayer for you.” (Your tongue’s too long = you talk too much.)
“Kikikikik.”
“Hihihihihik!”
“Hey! With a monk and this many Taoist priests, our Chung Myung must have reached the Land of Paradise. He earned it!”
Sounds of approving laughter erupted from all directions. Veins sprang up one after another on Chung Myung’s forehead.
“Come here.....”
Fire erupted from his eyes.
“Let’s go to hell today! You damn Sahyung bastards!”
“Kill him!”
“Crush him!”
“The head is mine!”
Mount Hua’s disciples roared and charged again towards Chung Myung.
A body that looks like it might collapse at any moment.
Pain coursing through their entire being.
But even in that agonizing moment, a clear smile was present on the lips of Mount Hua’s disciples.