Chapter 233 – Those Who Depart Must Return (3)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Climbing up Wudang Mountain alongside Cheong-hwa, new emotions surged within me. The quiet mountain landscape of the Wudang Sect remained completely unchanged.

“Was that tree always standing there?”

“You’ve barely been gone for six months, what are you talking about?”

Cheong-hwa, perhaps embarrassed to have shed tears in front of me, grumbled instead.

That was true. From Cheong-hwa’s perspective, I had only been missing for six months. However, from my perspective, it had been five years, so my feelings were bound to be different.

“But how could your hair grow so long in just six months?”

“Many things happened.”

I replied vaguely. It was a long story to tell while walking.

We sent Myeong-yeop to the Medical Hall and ascended to the Three Pureness Hall. Since the Three Pureness Hall is at the very summit of Wudang Mountain, there are many buildings in between, such as the Gokjeon Hall and the Gungdo Hall.

This meant we could see many Wudang Sect disciples as we walked up. They were swinging their swords, only to freeze upon seeing me as if they had seen a ghost. Of course, some didn’t recognize me at all. That was how much the aura exuded by me had changed.

“Isn’t that Hui-yeong?”

“What kind of bad joke is that?”

“No, seriously.”

The whispering voices of the disciples reached my ears. Since they were naturally people I knew, I waved to greet them whenever our eyes met.

The number of disciples approaching hesitantly began to grow one by one. Before I knew it, people had gathered around me like clouds.

“Is it really Hui-yeong?”

“Isn’t it just a lookalike?”

Indeed, if someone who was supposed to be dead suddenly appeared, I would probably react the same way.

Just then, a child squeezed through the crowd. The moment I saw him, I smiled warmly.

“Senior Brother Myeong-il.”

“……It really is you.”

Myeong-il recognized me instantly. Once it was confirmed that I was indeed Muk Hui-yeong, the people who had been hesitantly circling around immediately surged toward me like a tidal wave.

“Children. Is it proper to shove your martial uncle?”

Cheong-hwa, who was standing beside me, was swept away by the wave. The disciples were in such a state of excitement that they even pushed aside Cheong-hwa, their martial uncle, despite the strict hierarchy of the Wudang Sect.

“Is, is it really you, Hui-yeong?”

“This is unbelievable.”

“What happened?”

Questions poured down like a waterfall.

“Now, now. Everyone, please calm down.”

I raised both palms, trying to calm them down, but there was no way they would quiet down.

Some hugged me, some shed tears like Cheong-hwa, and some jumped up and down like children, rejoicing.

Even the pushed-aside Cheong-hwa seemed to have no intention of discussing hierarchy in this particular moment, watching us from a distance.

The Wudang Sect is a small, quiet Taoist temple. When such a commotion occurred, those inside had no choice but to come out and see.

Just those who had been training outside were already this numerous, and when the people inside began to peer out and join, it became an even greater chaos.

The crowd seemed completely uncontrollable. Just as I was wondering what to do in this awkward situation, the crowd unexpectedly began to part from the outer edge.

“Hey, hey. Move aside.”

The disciples who were crowding around me split to the left and right. Standing at the end of the parted crowd was Myeong-gyeong, with a completely dazed expression.

In that moment, perhaps out of consideration for Myeong-gyeong and me, the disciples did not make a sound. In the quiet silence, Myeong-gyeong charged straight at me.

I opened my arms to embrace him, but Myeong-gyeong rushed in almost like a body slam, causing us both to tumble backward.

“Senior Brother.”

I wrapped my arms around Myeong-gyeong’s small back. Myeong-gyeong sobbed uncontrollably. Even if he was destined to become a warrior of great renown in the future, right now he was still a child who hadn’t even reached the age of fifteen.

He seemed to be saying something to me, but his pronunciation was completely slurred through his crying, making it impossible to understand.

While I was comforting Myeong-gyeong for a long time, another path opened up through the crowd. Standing there with a flushed face was the Sect Leader, Cheong-ui.

Seeing how loud the commotion was, it seemed he had descended directly from the Three Pureness Hall. The other elders of the Cheong generation were also staring at me.

At this moment, I didn’t want to have any complicated conversations. I wanted to purely savor the sweet joy of this reunion.

* * *

“First, let us calm our excitement.”

“It seems you are also slightly excited, Sect Leader.”

“That is why I am preparing yours as well.”

Cheong-ui smiled and prepared three teacups. Inside the Sect Leader’s office in the Three Pureness Hall, only Cheong-ui, Cheong-hwa, and I were present.

Myeong-gyeong had clung to my back, refusing to let go, but was forced to step down upon Cheong-ui’s order. Since he looked ready to cry again, I only managed to come up to the Three Pureness Hall after promising him that I would go straight to the Gungdo Hall once the meeting was over.

“In any case, a truly miraculous event has occurred.”

“Indeed.”

“What on earth happened during these six months?”

Cheong-ui asked. Cheong-hwa’s eyes also sparkled. They were both incredibly curious about what I had done during the six months I was gone.

I explained everything to them, leaving out only the details regarding the Great Ming and the Demonic Cult. No matter how close we were, they were orthodox martial artists. I couldn’t bring up the Demonic Cult.

Explaining that the Demonic Cult was actually the descendants of the Great Ming dynasty, which preceded the current Empire, and that the current Imperial Court were usurpers…… Unless I had solid evidence to convince them, doing so would only be a self-destructive move.

“……Haa.”

“It is indeed hard to believe.”

Yet, even without those details, it remained an astonishing tale.

Plunging into the deep ocean as if sinking, only to find an underwater cave where I practiced martial arts.

“So, in the end, that East Sea Giant Toad was indeed the Heavenly King Sect Leader?”

“Yes.”

“And you were taught the martial arts of the Heavenly King Sect?”

“Yes. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to escape. But even so, the root of my martial arts is the Wudang Sect.”

“Since you learned those martial arts and were able to meet us again, the Heavenly King Sect is effectively our benefactor. It is the person who creates martial arts, not martial arts that create the person, is it not?”

Cheong-ui said. Cheong-hwa also nodded in agreement.

“No matter what martial arts you learn, you are a person of Wudang. That will never change.”

“I am deeply grateful for your words.”

Since my story was mostly finished, it was now time to discuss the affairs of Wudang. It was my turn to ask questions.

“But how did Wudang become a sect that gets harassed by such lowlifes?”

“It is a long story.”

Cheong-ui began to speak. I thought I understood the situation roughly from what I heard in Hainan, but hearing it directly at Wudang made it clear that the situation was far more severe.

Currently, all the land surrounding the Wudang Sect had fallen into the hands of Heaven’s Will Gate, and they were even being kept in check by the Imperial Court. Conversely, their rival in Hubei, the Zhuge Clan, was expanding its influence at an incredible pace.

“But from what I’ve heard, Heaven’s Will Gate seems to be a newly established sect. How can they pressure Wudang like this?”

“It is because Heaven’s Will Gate enjoys the favor of the Imperial Court. It was established by a retired Imperial Court martial artist.”

“I see.”

“The Sect Leader himself is nothing special, but with the support of the Imperial Court, their Guardians and Elders possess great martial strength. The Yin-Yang Double Monsters are a prime example.”

“The Yin-Yang Double Monsters?”

I had also heard of the Yin-Yang Double Monsters. They were a pair of old eccentrics who always traveled together.

It struck me once again how much my presence had influenced the martial world. In my past life, the Yin-Yang Double Monsters should have been slain by the Firmament Sword Sovereign, the Family Head of the Namgung Clan, around this time.

However, because the Namgung Clan was currently in self-seclusion due to the destruction of the Hwangbo Clan, they were roaming around freely and shamelessly.

Even the Cold-Blooded Sovereign Dam Dae-gwang, who had joined the Geonjeongdan at the last minute, was originally destined to die. I knew I didn’t need to feel responsible for all of this, but it still weighed on my mind.

“In any case, the current situation of the martial world is extremely complicated. Wudang is currently out of favor with the Imperial Court as well. That is why we are trying to minimize our movements as much as possible. I’ve even instructed the disciples to tolerate the provocations of Heaven’s Will Gate as much as they can.”

“Yet I went and broke that rule.”

“You didn’t break it. No matter how much they provoked us, it usually ended with words, but this time they actually laid hands on a disciple. You did well.”

Had Cheong-ui seen Myeong-yeop in that state, he would have instantly torn that old monster Ghost Hawk Hand to pieces himself. It was a relief to know that my rash actions hadn’t brought harm to the Wudang Sect.

“By the way, we must keep the fact that you returned alive a strict secret. The Imperial Court has officially proclaimed that what occurred in the Zhushan Archipelago was your doing. They even blamed you for the collapse of Hachi Island, which is one of the Imperial Court’s properties, and demanded compensation from the Hui-yeong Merchant Group.”

“I was vaguely aware of that. That is why I used a disguise art when I entered the mainland. I only removed it before climbing Wudang Mountain.”

“You did well. It would be best for you to keep using the disguise art. At least until this storm passes. Though I do not know when that will be.”

I nodded. For now, it was indeed best to travel in disguise, if only for the sake of the Wudang Sect.

“Come to think of it, the Hui-yeong Merchant Group must have practically disbanded by now.”

“Haha. I thought so too, but it seems you have earned quite a reputation.”

I tilted my head at Cheong-ui’s smile. To be honest, I hadn’t given much thought to the Hui-yeong Merchant Group.

It was only natural that a merchant group targeted by the Imperial Court wouldn’t survive.

“I also asked the Chief Merchant if it wouldn’t be better to look for another merchant group. After all, the Chief Merchant had been acting as the group leader in your absence. Yet he insisted on holding on, citing the saying, ‘A scholar dies for the one who recognizes his worth.’”

“Ah.”

“Of course, the other clerks have all left. Apparently, there was no money to pay their wages. There probably are only a few people left by now.”

“I see.”

The headquarters of the Hui-yeong Merchant Group was located right here on Wudang Mountain. That meant I had one more place to visit.

If it had been the Hui-yeong Merchant Group of my past life, would there have been anyone who would protect it like this in my absence? How did the merchant group fare after my death back then?

Although I had paid them well, I had never truly opened my heart to anyone, so it probably dissolved naturally.

So many things had changed. Both me and the world.

When I first regressed, I intended to live the exact same life as in my past. Because that life had felt perfect.

But that wasn’t the case. While I might have less money now, everything other than money had become far richer. My second life was far more valuable than the first.

If I were to regress again and live a third life, I would live it even more differently. I would express my affection to even more people, and share my heart even more generously.

“I should stop by the merchant group as well.”

“You should. Those are truly your people. Take good care of them.”

Cheong-ui said. With that, my greetings with everyone in Wudang were complete.

I intended to visit the merchant group immediately, but since I had a promise to keep with Myeong-gyeong, I headed to the Gungdo Hall first.

Myeong-gyeong wasn’t at the Gungdo Hall, but was pacing right below the Three Pureness Hall, waiting for me.

“Senior Brother.”

“Junior Brother.”

“Why are you standing guard here? It’s not like I’m going to run away.”

“You could run away.”

I took Myeong-gyeong’s hand. A warm heat was transmitted from it.

It wasn’t just Myeong-gyeong that I felt affection for. Although he was indeed more special, I felt this warmth for the entire Wudang Sect.

Even though it was a snow-covered Wudang Mountain in winter, I felt warm.

“Senior Brother.”

“Yes.”

“I will restore it.”

“What?”

“Everything.”

I made that unilateral promise to Myeong-gyeong.

Looking at the people of the Wudang Sect, many things had caught my eye. Their emaciated bodies over the past six months, their chipped swords, their patched robes.

In the past, the Wudang Sect had encouraged such simplicity, so they might have done so voluntarily, but now, Wudang was truly destitute.

“Alright.”

Whether he understood the true meaning of my words or not, Myeong-gyeong smiled.

It was the moment my resolve solidified.