Return of the Mount Hua Sect Chapter 1439: Yes, Remember This. (4)

“Uh… um.”

A deep embarrassment clouded Lee Song-Baek’s face. Seeing him, Chung Myung burst into loud laughter.

“Hahahaha! Why are you so solemn? Of course I’m joking, joking!”

For a moment everyone once again held their breath with hope. It wasn’t the first time he’d betrayed expectations, but still, just in case?

“So, um… the name was… Lee Geum… Baek, was it?”

“…It’s Lee Song-Baek.”

“Hahahaha! Joking, joking! Of course I remember! Lee Jong-Baek!”

“Lee Song-Baek.”

Chung Myung patted Lee Song-Baek on the back as if to say don’t worry about such trivial things. Seeing that, everyone’s heads sank once more.

They felt like crawling into a rat hole and hiding.

Yoon Jong looked at Lee Song-Baek with pity. Of course, despite his act, Chung Myung wouldn’t truly forget Lee Song-Baek. That guy may forget everything else, but he has an uncanny memory for talent and potential.

‘He probably just can’t recall the name exactly.’

With Jin Geum-Ryong, Jin Eun-Ryong, and Jin Dong-Ryong around, why would a name like Lee Song-Baek stick in his head?

This wasn’t Chung Myung’s fault but the Jin family’s, no, Jin Cho-Baek’s fault.

“…You look alright. That’s a relief.”

“Huh?”

“The wounds are too deep.”

Lee Song-Baek glanced at Chung Myung, who was patting his back. He was in no good shape anywhere. He felt childish for thinking he could greet someone like that so casually.

But Chung Myung said with a composed face.

“Well… don’t worry. It’s common.”

“…Common?”

“Yeah, common.”

Lee Song-Baek watched Chung Myung quietly. Reading the faint smile on his face, he nodded solemnly.

“I understand what you mean.”

“Huh?”

“In the past, I couldn’t even imagine Evil Sect forces invading here. But now it’s the kind of world where that happens. Soon it will be normal for warriors to get injured.”

“Oh?”

“…You mean we have to endure such a world?”

Chung Myung slowly took a step back from Lee Song-Baek. Lee Song-Baek spoke earnestly.

“Don’t worry, Taoist. If I hadn’t been prepared for that, I wouldn’t have opened the seal and come out.”

“I’ve never worried. Why worry about that Southern Edge Sect brat? I wish they all died in the war.”

It was more than spite; it was close to a curse. But Lee Song-Baek didn’t get angry; he chuckled. Seeing that, Chung Myung hurriedly turned to Baek Cheon like a dog with an itch.

“Sasuk. What’s up with that kid?”

“…”

“Bring Sasuk’s hyung over. He talks better than that guy.”

“…I don’t want to.”

Chung Myung was already troubled, and Jin Geum-Ryong too; imagining the two together made his stomach churn.

“He’s just steeling himself—you don’t have to look at it so strangely.”

“If it were that easy, who would bother?”

“That’s true, but…”

Baek Cheon glanced at Lee Song-Baek and spoke again.

“It doesn’t seem like baseless confidence.”

Chung Myung closed his mouth for a moment. Normally he’d rant about Southern Edge Sect for days, but he couldn’t argue with that.

“…Seems the closed gate training had a good effect.”

“Sealing or closing the gates, what’s the difference? Sasuk closed the hall before the Southern Edge-Mount Hua tournament and it didn’t make a difference.”

“Why bring that up now! And how do you know if it worked or not? You weren’t even at Mount Hua when that happened.”

“If it worked and that’s why he’s that skilled, isn’t that an even bigger problem?”

“…Damn brat.”

Baek Cheon reddened in frustration and Chung Myung snickered. Yet his eyes were still scrutinizing Lee Song-Baek.

‘Certainly…’

A firm qi emanated from Lee Song-Baek.

If sealing alone made one stronger, which sect among the many in the world would refuse to seal? Even with the gates closed, how much stronger one becomes depends entirely on personal effort.

And Lee Song-Baek’s qi proved he had not wasted that time.

“Well… hmm.”

At that, Lee Song-Baek started to say something, then sighed deeply.

“It’s a bit embarrassing.”

“Huh?”

“Actually, I wanted to boast a little. I really trained hard.”

He didn’t need to say it. Even if they couldn’t sense his qi, seeing his hands covered in scars would reveal his efforts.

“But… seeing the Mount Hua people like this, it’s not really something to boast about anymore. I thought I’d closed the gap a bit.”

Lee Song-Baek smiled wryly. He wasn’t only talking about Chung Myung. Even Baek Cheon, who looked barely able to stand from injuries, gave off an intimidating sharpness. If that man were fully well, could he really stand against him?

‘And he isn’t the only one.’

Jo Gul, looking at him with a strangely displeased gaze, and Yoon Jong, who was restraining him behind, were formidable as well.

‘I’m sure that during the Southern Edge-Mount Hua meeting or the martial contest I was ahead of them.’

He had thought Southern Edge Sect had driven himself harshly during the sealed period, but instead of catching up he felt overtaken.

The confidence that swelled from blocking Jeok Ho’s One curved blade hit instantly returned to its original place.

Then Chung Myung said in a sullen voice.

“Tsk. Those Southern Edge Sect brats are pathetic, I tell you.”

“Yes?”

“Well?”

Chung Myung asked curtly.

“Did you find your sword?”

Lee Song-Baek’s gaze dimmed slightly at the question. After a pause, he spoke in a small but firm voice.

“It’s embarrassing to call it my sword, but I think I know what kind of sword I should forge.”

“Oh.”

“And… don’t be too relieved, Taoist Chung Myung. I’m not the only one in Southern Edge Sect who has found his path.”

At that, Chung Myung looked at those standing behind Lee Song-Baek. They were still awkward, but some showed a qi similar to Lee Song-Baek’s.

No, more precisely, not Lee Song-Baek’s qi, but the old Southern Edge Sect qi he remembered. Chung Myung’s mouth twitched slightly.

“Is this something to congratulate?”

“All thanks to the Taoist…”

“Well, at best it just returns things to square one. Southern Edge Sect couldn’t beat Mount Hua before; what’s different now?”

“What?”

“That guy?”

The sword attendants of Southern Edge Sect listening from behind flared and glared at Chung Myung. But Chung Myung just smirked back.

“What, want a match?”

“Ugh…”

The Southern Edge Sect attendants gritted their teeth but could not step forward.

Now they could see it, the depth of Chung Myung they hadn’t noticed before. A power their skills couldn’t yet grasp.

“Even so, Mount Hua…”

“Enough.”

At that moment Jin Geum-ryong lightly raised his hand and silenced the instructors about to spew curses.

“Talking won’t change anything. Whether Mount Hua is superior or Southern Edge Sect is, they’ll prove it to each other from now on.”

“Yes, sahyung.”

Baek Cheon looked at Jin Geum-Ryong with mild surprise.

Was he someone who could mediate like that? It seemed not only they and Lee Song-Baek had changed during the sealing.

“From Mount Hua’s perspective, it’s an honor. We dared to acknowledge them as foes.”

…It would be nice if that small crew changed too…

“That kid talks just like Sasuk—what is it with brothers?”

“I’m not!”

“Blood doesn’t lie, huh.”

“I’m telling you, I’m not!”

As Baek Cheon leapt up in a panic and Chung Myung chuckled, it happened.

“Can’t you be quiet?”

“You lot!”

Jong Ri-Gok and Hyun Jong shouted almost simultaneously. The disciples of Mount Hua and Southern Edge Sect flinched and stared at the ground.

They had saved the remaining Tang Family members, but the Tang Family had paid a heavy price. In such a situation, raising voices thoughtlessly couldn’t be seen kindly. Jong Ri-Gok clicked his tongue disapprovingly and slightly bowed toward Tang Gunak.

“The kids haven’t had an outing in a while, so they can’t control themselves. Blame me for not teaching them properly, Family Lord.”

“Do not worry. Rather, how did you learn of the situation here?”

“The Beggars’ Union sent word.”

“Ah… So Southern Edge Sect has completely opened the gates now?”

“That is so.”

Jong Ri-Gok nodded.

“It’s hard to boast that we’ve fully regained Southern Edge Sect’s path yet, so we wanted to keep the gate closed for a few more years, but with the situation as it is we can’t be the only ones with our doors closed.”

He paused briefly, then spoke firmly.

“In any case, we intend to help pacify the chaotic central plains.”

“Hmm.”

Hyun Jong nodded with a grave expression.

Although relations with Mount Hua were strained, no one denied Southern Edge Sect’s strength. They sealed not out of weakness but to become stronger. If such Southern Edge Sect joined the front, they’d be a significant help in the current situation.

“Will you now return to Shaanxi?”

“We will. What does the Tang Family intend to do?”

“As for us…”

Tang Gunak glanced back. The Tang Family elders were still tending to the wounded.

“We can’t return to Sichuan, so we’ll have to find somewhere to stay.”

“If there’s anything we can help with, please tell us anytime.”

As Jong Ri-Gok nodded and was about to offer a polite farewell,

“Sect leader.”

Hyun Jong’s call rang out. Jong Ri-Gok turned to Hyun Jong without replying.

“Do you have something to say, former Sect leader?”

“I know it’s sudden, but I would like to make a request, even at the risk of rudeness.”

“A request…”

Jong Ri-Gok nodded as if to say, go ahead.

“Speak.”

“Strength… please lend us Southern Edge Sect’s strength.”

A strange expression passed across Jong Ri-Gok’s face.

“Although the Ten Thousand People Clan temporarily withdrew, those who invaded Sichuan are not all of them. Another Evil Sect is now massing toward Dian Cang. If Southern Edge Sect could lend us some force, we could help them…”

“Please stop, former Sect leader.”

Jong Ri-Gok’s blade-like voice cut Hyun Jong’s words off. A look of embarrassment flashed across Hyun Jong’s face.

“Sect leader. Currently Dian Cang is…”

“Southern Edge Sect will not go to Dian Cang.”

It was an unbearably cold tone. Hyun Jong couldn’t help but flinch.

“I thought you’d changed a lot, but it seems the former Sect leader is the same as before.”

“…Yes?”

Jong Ri-Gok’s sharp gaze pierced Hyun Jong.

“Stop pretending to be kind, former Sect leader. And stop profiting at the cost of others’ blood.”

“…”

“You should stop pretending to be magnanimous. Since when did Southern Edge Sect and Mount Hua become a people who ask favors of each other?”

Hyun Jong’s shoulders trembled.

But Jong Ri-Gok looked at him almost mocking.

“If you wanted to help Dian Cang so badly, why didn’t you go to Dian Cang to begin with? When choosing, you pick the side you’re close to; pretending to be regretful afterward is just hypocrisy.”

Hyun Jong squeezed his eyes shut. Jong Ri-Gok didn’t pity him, only sneered.

“Ah, who knows. It seems some were taken by the former Sect leader’s benevolence…”

Jong Ri-Gok’s glance that had swept the Tang Family then fixed on Chung Myung.

“Southern Edge Sect will not do that. Not now, nor ever.”

In an instant, Chung Myung and Jong Ri-Gok’s gazes clashed harshly in the air.