Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop!

Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop!

The soft clatter of food being chewed resonated lightly through the room.

Gulp, gulp, gulp!

Gurgle!

The sound of alcohol running down the throat also flowed out like a song. It wasnt anything special. It was a common sight in Mount Hua.

However, the source was not a typical diner but the residence of the sect leader. Moreover, the ones engaged in heavy drinking were not Chung Myung but Baek Cheon and the others.

Kuaaaak! I think Im going to survive!

Sahyung! Sahyung! Pass me that alcohol!

And more meat, too!

Before the sect leader, a spectacle occurs - disciples of a Taoist faction raving about meat and alcohol. Nevertheless, Hyun Jong, watching this display, smiles with overwhelming satisfaction.

Eat slowly now. Slowly.

The moment the children ascended Mount Hua, Hyun Young promptly served the meat and alcohol he had been preparing every morning, just in case they arrived.

They had noticed it initially, but hunger stalled any further conversation. After a drink or two, they loosened their waist straps.

Phew! I feel full now.

Didnt I suggest stopping at the guesthouse first?

Weve arrived and eaten, so its fine.

At that moment, Hyun Young, shoving sweets into Chung Myungs mouth with practiced ease, asked,

Should I get another?

No, elder.

It is all fine now.

Yes, yes. If youre hungry, theres plenty of food available. Have as much as you desire. Alas, its unfortunate that these individuals have been dealt with.

Hyun Young, viewing everyone with compassionate eyes, clucked his tongue disapprovingly.

As soon as the disciples appeared to have satisfied their appetites, Hyun Jong quietly spoke.

Did everything proceed smoothly at the Ice Palace?

Theres much to discuss.

Baek Cheon, covertly concealing a bottle behind his back, began to speak with grave solemnity.

This is going to be quite a lengthy story.

Perhaps we should hear it tomorrow. Get some rest first.

No. I dont believe theres a need to drag it to tomorrow, so Ill share it now.

Baek Cheon took a deep breath and slowly began to speak.

In the North Sea.

For a while, this long story was shared. It was the tale of what they witnessed upon their arrival at the North Sea and the state of the Ice Palace. It even included their battles with the Demonic Sect.

The intricate narrative unfolded, revealing the hardships that the children had endured. As Baek Cheons tale came to an end, a stunned silence fell upon the disciples of Hyun.

Demonic Sect

In stark contrast to Hyun Jongs stunned silence, Hyun Youngs face flushed with fury.

Those fucking worms!

And soon, this shout rose.

Demonic Sect! You mean you were aware of the Demonic Sects actions and still chose to wage war against them! What would you have done if you had succumbed in battle against them?

It wasnt a situation we could just escape. The circumstances looked incredibly grim for the North Sea

What about the North Sea, you fools! What on earth is more valuable than your own lives? Then, if you were betrayed or manipulated, who would even laud your sacrifice!

Sajae, calm down.

Do I seem calm to you now?

Please, calm down,

Hyun Sang fell silent, and Hyun Young remained silent too, his face, however, still ablaze with fury.

After being scolded, the disciples of Mount Hua hung their heads in shame. They didnt dare to make any excuses, knowing fully well why Hyun Young was so irate.

Baek Cheon,

Yes, Sect Leader?

As the leader of the Mount Hua Sect, I want to commend you and the kids.

How can I fault you for striving to do your best for the North Seas people, even maintaining your ideology in such a remote location? As Mount Hua proclaims itself a faction of justice, I should be commending and rewarding you.

Sect leader.

However, this I cannot manage.

Hyun Jong shook his head.

My emotions mirror Hyun Youngs. Had you been injured there, I would forever lament having sent you, even if it cost me my qualification as the sect leader of the Great Mount Hua. I wouldnt praise you fellows for it.

I apologize, sect leader.

Baek Cheon responded gravely, dropping his gaze. Hyun Jong closed his eyes and nodded.

Youve endured much.

Youve suffered immensely.

Reflecting on the emotion in Hyun Jongs words, warmth filled Baek Cheons eyes.

He would have felt satisfied if he had received praise for a job well done, yet the emotion now was quite different.

Hyun Jongs single word seemed to compensate the disciples of Mount Hua for the hardships they endured in the North Sea.

I ordered you to the North Sea, but you went into that cave!

However, Hyun Youngs face still radiated with lingering annoyance.

I should have turned down that damned Shaolin monk when he spoke!

Despicable man!

That Shaolin abbot or whatever he is!

Hyun Young!

Hyun Jong jumped, turning to look away from Hae Yeon.

Mind your language! We have a

No, its alright.

Huh?

Chung Myung, who had been quiet all this while, smiled.

So it is alright? Feel free to vent.

He uses foul language, too.

W-when did I swear!

Hae Yeon cast a frantic gaze behind as though searching for support, but the disciples of Mount Hua merely recounted their observations.

I also heard it.

Same here.

Wow, that was intense

Hae Yeon looked agitated, as if wrongly accused. Yet, the disciples of Mount Hua just witnessed him passively.

Hyun Jong and Hyun Young exchanged glances and gave each other assurance.

It will be fine.

It will be okay.

Hae Yeon, having journeyed to the North Sea with the disciples of Mount Hua and now returned, appeared to have established strong bonds with them.

When the problem, which wasnt even a problem, was solved, Hyun Young shouted.

We asked you to investigate if the Demonic Sect incidents were being checked. We didnt mean for you to infiltrate the lair of the Demonic Sect! Who would venture there? We knew the North Sea was treacherous! It seems like these individuals will only come to their senses if their temple is set ablaze!

A-Amitabha!

It was as if Hae Yeon was trying to cleanse the harsh words he had heard. Despite that, he held no ill will towards those who spoke them.

Sect leader.

It was then that Hyun Sang spoke.

This is not normal.

Hmm.

Even though theyre not the direct descendants of the Demonic Sect and are merely a faction that split from it, their involvement in planning the resurrection of the Heavenly Demon implies that the other members of the Demonic Sect must have also gained considerable strength.

Thats correct.

Thankfully, our children have thwarted their plans. Otherwise, should everything have proceeded according to their wishes, we might have faced another massive disaster in Kangho.

Hmm.

Hyun Jong nodded, his face grave.

Who understood the horror of the Demonic Sect zealots better than Mount Hua?

This isnt a matter we can discuss alone. This concerns the entire Kangho.

Indeed. I agree wholeheartedly.

Firstly, we need to notify the Shaolin about this and create a plan of action.

Hyun Jong closed his eyes, raising his head to regard the disciples before him.

Indeed. I am familiar with it. Lets conclude the rest of the tale cheerfully. I am sure you are all fatigued, so retire for the day.

Yes, sect leader.

As Baek Cheon bowed his head and rose, everyone else followed suit and stood up.

Chung Myung shall remain here.

Me?

Yes.

Understood.

Chung Myung hesitated before taking a seat. Baek Cheon glanced at Chung Myung with a touch of apprehension before exiting.

Hmm.

The sound of a closing door echoed, and Hyun Jong, focused on Chung Myung, cleared his throat, poised to speak.

Yet, just as he moved to say something, Hyun Young was upon Chung Myung in a flash, grasping him firmly and stretching his limbs left and right.

Youve done so much! Oh, dear boy!

Uhhh it hurts.

This one, right here! Seriously!

It hurts.

Ehhh!

Hyun Young released his flushed cheeks, his frown deepening into a disapproving glare, and he said in a stern voice,

Dont ever do such a foolish thing again! Understand?

Why talk as though I did it on purpose?

Regardless!

In the face of Hyun Youngs rising temper, ready to slap him, Chung Myung calmly backed down.

Stop nagging and sit down. Didnt the sect leader clearly mention he had something to say?

Yes, sahyung.

Hyun Young resumed his place, while Hyun Jong directed a friendly grin at Chung Myung.

Youve certainly been through quite an ordeal.

Through what exactly?

Right. Whats your prediction for our relationship with the Ice Palace?

We should not encounter any problems for a while.

Chung Myung responded confidently.

A contract is a contract, yes, but primarily, weve established a bond of trust there. As long as they are assured that we will always strive to safeguard them, our relationship should have no discord.

Hyun Jong nodded, his expression content.

Securing small profits while also winning peoples hearts is ideal. Youve truly acquired something valuable.

Upon hearing Chung Myungs praise, a pleased smile graced Hyun Youngs face.

So, thats how it was, Chung Myung.

Hyun Jong echoed the sentiment, nodding in agreement with Hyun Young.

Your journey to the North Sea held meaning, but the circumstances of your return appear quite unusual. Above all, maintaining control in stormy seas is crucial.

I think so, too.

Thats why I must ask.

He directed his attention to Chung Myung.

What should our next steps be?

Please, speak your mind.

Chung Myung was silent, his face betraying no concern. As he took his time formulating his thoughts, everyone around him waited patiently, without any sense of urgency.

At last, Chung Myung lifted his gaze to meet Hyun Jongs.

Sect leader.

Yes.

I am helpless on my own.

.

Were it not for the Sasuk and Sajaes this time, I, too, would have been powerless.

Hmm.

The same applies to Mount Hua. Unaware of when and how the Demonic Sect might resurface, preparing for the resultant turmoil with our current strength proves challenging.

the Heavenly Friends Alliance.

Ehh.

Chung Myung nodded.

We need to officially establish the alliance, which, at present, is only verbal. Remember, the bigger the ship, the safer it is.

How ironic.

Hyun Jong regarded Chung Myung with an unusual gaze.

Normally, Chung Myungs trips to the North Sea aimed to establish recognition of their alliance amongst the existing Kangho sects, beginning with Shaolin.

However, the need for an alliance had intensified since returning from the North Sea. The irony was hard to ignore.

I believe we should resolve the issues pertaining to the sect and the alliance.

Yes, that would be wonderful. I also have matters to discuss with the Tang family.

Hyun Jong nodded in agreement.

Similarly, Mount Hua will not cease to progress. Despite the growth of Mount Huas reputation, we remain feeble.

Correct.

Indeed, the situation is complex.

As concern crept onto Hyun Jongs face, Chung Myung glanced at him and spoke.

This is not difficult.

Uh?

Everyone is working hard, though. You can just follow our usual approach. Its slower, but the surest way.

Hyun Jong nodded at Chung Myung, a warmth lingering in his eyes.

I am relieved.

Chung Myung was a child who has always led a hard life. From an outsiders view, his sense of urgency may be perplexing, leading to attempts at controlling it.

However, presently, Chung Myung was here, advocating for increased calm and certainty.

No, not calm.

This was trust.

Trust that, even without his incessant shouting and anger, Mount Hua and his sahyung and sajaes would continue to work diligently.

This was something that had been absent in Chung Myung before he departed for the North Sea.

What about the lead?

It will be done together.

The two individuals of the sect met each others gaze, their positions equal. They shared a smile.

We obtained a lot from the North Sea.

It was nothing but coldness.

Hehehehe.

Hyun Jong smiled at this, bursting into laughter.

Right. That is all it is.

Hyun Jongs chuckle echoed, filling the air outside.

And

At the crest of Mount Hua, where the warm spring breeze stirred after the long winter, the years first plum blossoms had silently unfurled their buds.

Spring was about to arrive at Mount Hua.

A notably warm spring.