Chapter 20 : Chapter 20

Chapter 20. The Man Who Doesn't Know How to Give Up (4)

“Damn it, I just have to crash into it, whatever it is. If it breaks, I’ll think about it again then.”

“……”

“You think so too, right?”

“No. I don’t think so.”

“Then think that way.”

“……”

Dang Jin thought.

How did the future me act as this person’s right-hand man?

While they were talking.

Han Cheong-un and Dang Jin finally appeared before the great mountain gate of the Mount Hua Sect.

Looking at the huge mountain gate of the Mount Hua Sect, Han Cheong-un said.

“Seriously, how did they get the building materials all the way up here?”

“Well? Maybe some incredible masters carried the materials one by one?”

Mount Hua, renowned as the most rugged among the Five Great Mountains of China.

Building on that place is by no means an easy task. Honestly, it’s a place where it’s hard to even build a hut.

But there is a great sect that stands proudly in this place, and that is right here.

The Mount Hua Sect.

This sect, renowned throughout the world, was also famous for its generous heart, which never turned people away and accepted everyone.

There was no need to wait in a long line like at Shaolin, and no need to disarm at a sword-checking point like at the Wudang Sect. So…….

“You may not enter.”

Huh? What’s this?

To the bewildered Han Cheong-un, the gatekeeper guarding the Mount Hua Sect’s mountain gate said.

“The main sect is not accepting outsiders at this time.”

“Wasn’t the Mount Hua mountain gate always open?”

“I cannot speak of the detailed circumstances, but an order has been given by the Sect Leader not to rashly admit outsiders.”

“……”

“So please return.”

This was completely unexpected.

He never imagined being turned away at the door like this by the Mount Hua Sect.

‘This is a problem.’

To make contact with Baek Sua, he must first enter the Mount Hua Sect. But what if he can’t even get in?

“Excuse me. I am Dang Jin of the Sichuan Tang Clan.”

“Dang Jin? The Azure Nether Poison Hand?”

“I am called by that humble name.”

“Umm, for what reason has a child of the Tang Clan come to visit?”

“I cannot speak of the details. But would it not be possible to see the Sect Leader of Mount Hua?”

The gatekeeper who heard Dang Jin’s words pondered.

He had received orders to turn away all outsiders, but could he rashly turn away a direct son of the Tang Clan who had come to visit?

He, a mere gatekeeper, could not cause a conflict between Mount Hua and the Tang Clan with his own judgment.

“For now, please wait. I will go inside and ask.”

“Understood.”

Dang Jin politely cupped his fist, and the gatekeeper hurried inside.

Seeing this, Han Cheong-un pouted his lips and grumbled.

“Filthy authoritarians……”

“What can you do? This is how the Murim world is……”

“Tsk.”

He was right.

He didn't like it, but it couldn't be helped.

Was it because of the lineage of Dang Jin, a child of the Tang Clan?

“The Sect Leader has said he will see you.”

“Thank you.”

He was able to meet the Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect.

An old man with the air of a Taoist immortal, with a long beard, wearing a white robe, and a benevolent smile.

He was the current Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect.

The Mount Hua Sword Immortal Hyeonu.

When he saw Dang Jin, he smiled benevolently and said.

“It has been a long time. Young Master Dang. Do you remember me?”

“How could I forget? I pay my respects to the Sect Leader of Mount Hua.”

Seeing Dang Jin’s demeanor, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua stroked his beard and said.

“You’ve matured quite a bit. You’re different from before.”

At those words, Dang Jin’s face turned red.

Originally, Dang Jin had acted arrogantly and was called the scoundrel of the Sichuan Tang Clan out of rebelliousness towards his family. However…….

“Recently, I have been repenting for my past mistakes and trying to correct my behavior.”

“Hahaha. That’s what they call maturing.”

“……”

“If a man seeks to change his way of life, there must have been some kind of catalyst. So. What happened?”

At the Mount Hua Sword Immortal’s words, Dang Jin simply bowed his head respectfully and said.

“I have simply realized my own patheticness.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Yes. More than that, I have come today because I have something to tell you.”

At Dang Jin’s request to get to the main point, the Mount Hua Sword Immortal stroked his beard a few times and said.

“Yes. For what reason have you come to see this Taoist?”

“Yes. That matter should be spoken of not by me, but by our Sect Leader here.”

“Sect Leader?”

One of the Mount Hua Sword Immortal’s eyes rose slightly.

And his gaze fell on Han Cheong-un, who had been waiting quietly behind Dang Jin until now.

Han Cheong-un took a step forward, cupped his fist, and said.

“A pleasure to meet you. I am the Justice Road Walking Chival…….”

“Ahem, ahem……”

Dang Jin, who was beside him, coughed loudly and gave him a look. At that gaze which said ‘don’t even dream of it,’ Han Cheong-un pouted his lips and said again.

“I am Han Cheong-un, the Sect Leader of the Ultimate Path Gate.”

“Ultimate Path Gate? Sect Leader?”

The Mount Hua Sword Immortal was bewildered.

The person in front of him was a young boy who didn't even seem to have reached his coming-of-age ceremony.

He had thought that he might have a personal acquaintance since he was with Dang Jin, but to suddenly be a Sect Leader? Moreover…….

‘He said ‘my Sect Leader’, didn't he?’

That meant that Dang Jin had entered under this boy. Dang Jin, a direct descendant of the Sichuan Tang Clan head?

What was he lacking?

For now, it seemed he would have to talk to him.

“I am Hyeonu, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua.”

“It is an honor to meet the renowned Sect Leader of Mount Hua. I have come to Mount Hua today to speak of a difficult matter.”

“Speak.”

What purpose could this unidentified boy, who appeared with a direct descendant of the Sichuan Tang Clan, have? He had to hear the reason. And…….

“Recently, evil people who scheme in the shadows of the Murim world and disrupt justice have appeared.”

“……”

“I have taken action to create my own force to stop them.”

“……”

“Young Master Dang has agreed with my will, left the Sichuan Tang Clan, and decided to join me. Thus, he has become the Vice Sect Leader of our sect.”

“……”

“But our strength is still insufficient. Please lend us a righteous martial artist from Mount Hua to join us. We ask for your help to fend off the crisis that will befall the Murim world and to set right the justice of the world.”

After all of Han Cheong-un’s words were finished, the Mount Hua Sword Immortal slowly stroked his long beard and thought.

‘This is…… that. It’s that.’

He understood the whole situation.

In fact, it's something that happens from time to time.

A talented young man who has received teachings from a prestigious Orthodox sect will come to have this thought at a certain point in time.

With my outstanding ability, I must defeat evil, protect the weak, and show justice. To do that, I must go out into the world right now.

I must go even if my master tries to stop me.

I must go unconditionally.

Still, it’s a bit nerve-wracking to be alone, so if possible, with friends who share the same will.

If we make a name for ourselves in the Murim world like that, it will be good for the sect, and it will be good for everyone, won’t it?

They come to this resolution.

The elders of the Murim world refer to this phenomenon as follows.

A sickness where a young martial artist with a medium level of achievement becomes possessed by the thought that they must leave their sect with a grand purpose and go out into the world.

So-called…….

“It’s Middle-Separation Sickness.”

* * *

The Mount Hua Sword Immortal first gave Han Cheong-un and Dang Jin a guest room and told them to stay for a while.

And Han Cheong-un, who had unpacked his things in the guest hall, said.

“Will it go well?”

“Do you think it will go well?”

“Keuuung……”

A sigh escaped.

The words the Mount Hua Sword Immortal had said while arranging for them to stay in the guest hall were…….

[Hahaha. Yes. I see. So that’s what it was. For now, don’t go anywhere, I’ll give you a guest hall, so please stay. I’ll just contact the Tang Clan for a moment…….]

That was the attitude of an adult who had found some runaway kids and was trying to hold onto them for the time being.

That pitiful gaze and pathetic voice.

Han Cheong-un’s shoulders slumped as he said.

“Haaaah……. To be treated like this at my age.”

“Sect Leader, you have it better. I’m in my mid-twenties.”

“I also lived to be nearly sixty before regressing.”

“……”

“……”

The two of them couldn’t help but sigh.

“Anyway, there is a positive side.”

“What is that?”

“We’ve entered Mount Hua, haven’t we? Now we have a chance to make contact with the lady named Baek Sua.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

“Of course, persuading her is a separate issue.”

“Uuuumm……”

Han Cheong-un thought deeply.

A way to persuade Baek Sua?

Honestly, there weren't many.

Even if he tried to persuade her with words, she was the owner of the Dragon Eye that sees through the truth.

Clumsy eloquence won't work.

“We have to meet her first……”

“Do you know where she is?”

“From what I’ve heard, she lives separately with her master near the sect, not on the main mountain.”

“She doesn’t reside on the main mountain?”

“Among the Taoist elders, there are some who occasionally leave the main mountain to live separately, aren't there? I heard her master was such a person.”

“Ah……”

“The Mount Hua Sect probably doesn’t even know who she is. She’s on the sect register, but she’s a person who barely participates in internal activities……”

“Then it will be hard to find her too.”

“That’s the problem.”

Han Cheong-un sighed.

Still, he had no choice but to inquire first. As a result…….

“You mean Senior Sister Baek? Yes. I know her.”

“You mean Senior Sister Baek Sua? Of course I know her.”

“Who in Mount Hua doesn’t know her? Everyone knows her.”

This was the result.

Seeing the bewildered Han Cheong-un, Dang Jin next to him said with a dubious expression.

“You said no one would know her?”

“No, this can’t be right.”

“The youngest first-generation disciple, a beauty who is considered the number one in Shaanxi, a genius with an extraordinary understanding of the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Hands Sword Art. And no one knows her?”

“……”

Han Cheong-un was greatly bewildered.

In fact, this was very different from the information he knew.

As he knew it, Baek Sua would make a name for herself much later than this.

She was someone who naturally came to prominence as the Righteous-Demonic War broke out and Mount Hua seriously entered the war.

He had known her to be close to being unknown before then, so why…….

“By any chance, are you lying about your regression?”

“No, I’m telling the truth.”

“……”

“No, think about it. If she really had made a name for herself a long time ago, then why wouldn’t the Vice Sect Leader know?”

“That is……”

Certainly, if the information he had gathered from inquiring within the Mount Hua Sect now were true, she should have been famous throughout the world. But even Dang Jin had heard the name Baek Sua for the first time coming here.

That meant…….

“Her fame is extremely recent, I see.”

“Yes. That must be it.”

“What reason would a person who has been quietly secluded until now have to suddenly become famous now?”

“I don’t know that either.”

Honestly, Han Cheong-un also didn't understand this situation.

He felt that he would only know for sure after meeting her.

So when he asked where he had to go to meet her…….

“You cannot meet her.”

“Pardon? No, why is that?”

“That is not something I can rashly tell an outsider.”

This was the response he got.

No matter how many people he asked, the answer was the same. The only thing he managed to find out was…….

“The White Plum Pavilion.”

“Yes. She is there.”

“Where do I have to go to visit that place?”

“Hahaha. You must be joking. That is a place where the female disciples of the sect reside. Not only outsiders, but even we, the sect members, cannot enter recklessly.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Please be aware that if you happen to set foot there, you will be severely punished.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Han Cheong-un bowed his head with a polite cupped fist salute.

As the Mount Hua disciple who had kindly answered moved away, he said.

“Well, we’ve found the location.”

“It’s a no-man’s land, I see. If you set foot there recklessly, you’ll have nothing to say even if your head is cut off.”

“Even if they handle it as leniently as possible, it would be Severing Muscles and Cutting Meridians.”

“That’s right. So, gi……”

“How can we get in?”

“……”

“Infiltration? Cross-dressing? Diversion?”

“……”

The man who doesn’t know how to give up.

His name, Han Cheong-un.

* * *

That evening.

A sudden commotion arose in the Mount Hua Sect.

Kwang! Kwaang!

“What is this…… Keok?!”

“Is this the courtesy with which the Mount Hua Sect treats its guests?!”

“What rudeness is this……. Kuuuk!”

“All of you come out, you long-nosed bastards!”

The person causing the commotion was none other than the guest who had come to the Mount Hua Sect, Dang Jin.

He had suddenly caused a disturbance.

“Young Master Dang. What is the meaning of this?”

A middle-aged sect member with a stern expression appeared.

He, who seemed to be one of the first-generation disciples of Mount Hua, arrived at the scene to see what looked like a drunk Dang Jin and the third-generation disciples collapsed around him.

“Uh……. Who’re you?”

Looking at Dang Jin, who was speaking like a drunken hedonist, he frowned and said.

“I am Yun Sang, a first-generation disciple of Mount Hua.”

For a moment, Dang Jin’s face hardened.

‘Damn it, he’s one of the Seven Swords of Mount Hua.’

He was a top-tier master even among the first-generation disciples of the Mount Hua Sect. Honestly, a real master had appeared who was too much for the current Dang Jin to handle. But…….

‘I don’t know. Let’s just see how far I can go.’

Dang Jin brought up more of the alcoholic energy and said.

“No, honestly, how can I not be angry? Aren’t those brats being rude?”

“What happened?”

“Those brats told me to restrain myself because I had a few drinks. Does this make sense? A mere third-generation disciple daring to give a warning to me, a direct descendant of the Tang Clan?”

“……”

“Is this how Mount Hua treats its guests? Great Hero Yun Sang?”

When Dang Jin explained the reason for his anger, the expression of the man who had identified himself as Yun Sang hardened.

“So to summarize what you’re saying……”

“What’s there to summarize……”

“You drank alcohol in our Mount Hua at your own will? And you even beat up our disciples who were warning you about it?”

“I just educated them a little.”

“Hoho……. Yes. Education.”

Yun Sang ground his teeth.

He had heard the rumor that the young master of the Tang Clan was an ill-mannered scoundrel. But he didn't know he would be such a hopeless, utter scoundrel.

“Education. Yes. Education is good. How about you receive some of our Mount Hua’s education as well?”

At Yun Sang’s words, Dang Jin tensed up slightly.

The drunkenness was something he was deliberately circulating, so he wasn't that drunk. But how far could he go against one of the Seven Swords of Mount Hua?

Dang Jin stealthily gripped the Silver Flowing Fly hidden in his sleeve. And…….

“I’ll tell you in advance, our Mount Hua does not discriminate in its methods when it comes to educating scoundrels.”

“What is that……. Huh?”

Dang Jin saw.

The six Plum Blossom Swordsmen appearing one after another behind Yun Sang.

Each of them exuded an extraordinary aura. The moment he saw them, Dang Jin had a feeling.

‘Ah, I’m X-ed.’

All seven of the Plum Blossom Swords had gathered in this place. And…….

“Now, let’s begin the scoundrel’s character education. The Tang Clan will be grateful too.”

“W…… Wait!”

Dang Jin was flustered and tried to buy time with words somehow. But…….

“What do you mean ‘wait’ in education?!”

“Scream that you’re dead. You scoundrel bastard!”

“I’ll make all the bones in your body tender!”

Hmm, honestly, he couldn't help it even if he got hit a little for this.

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