Return of the Mount Hua Sect

Chapter 837

“Kkik….”

“….”

“Kkikik…”

“….”

“Kkikikikikikikikikik!”

“….”

“Euhehehehehehe! Euhehehe! Kyahahaha!Kyahaha!”

“….”

An elder of Nokrim whispered carefully into Im Sobyong’s ear.

“Is he all right?”

“…Just let him enjoy it.”

“….”

Before they knew it, Chung Myung was dressed in a silk robe, draped with valuable jewels all over his body, and hugging a pile of silver. The corner of his mouth was lifted to his ear, so high it almost touched the back of his head.

“Euhehehe! Euehehehehet!”

This is all about money.

This is the money earned in just two days of business!

Although he had earned enough money to get tired of it, watching the money pile up day by day with his own eyes was an entirely different experience.

Isn’t this the beauty of cash trading?

“Keuuuu! As expected, you should do business with the rich! Aren’t the richest people in the world the merchants? Euehehehehet!”

The merchants of the Yangtze mostly don’t lack money; the problem is that their money doesn’t circulate.

Although the toll for the island was set at a somewhat excessive amount, the merchants, who seemed willing to sell their souls if they could just cross the river, paid without hesitation. They paid so willingly that it made one wonder if the toll was set too low.

Thanks to that, money was piling up like a mountain even if he literally sat still.

“Euehehehe! Euheheheheheh!”

The elder shook his head seeing the ecstatic Chung Myung.

How could he look like a Taoist? A true Taoist should avoid money and focus on the Tao.

‘Even merchants known as money ghosts wouldn’t even love money as much as he does.’

Where did such a rascal Taoist come from?

“Good job. Good job. You’re the Nokrim King indeed. You sure know how to collect!”

“Kikik. This is my specialty.”

“As expected, you’re so reliable! As expected!”

“You’re too kind. Wasn’t this all possible because of Hwasan and Dojang-nim’s reputation?”

“That’s right. That’s right! Kikikikik.”

“Kikikikik.”

The Taoist and the bandit praised each other and laughed. To anyone, it looked like two black-hearted people plotting something.

“This is just the beginning. The merchants now gathering at the dock are just the ones from around Kugang. When the news spreads further, every merchant in the Yangtze will flock here.”

“Will they?”

“By then, even if we lower the toll a bit, we can earn several times more than now.”

“We need to expand the dock! And bring in more workers.”

“That’s right! That’s right!”

“There’s going to be more people. Wouldn’t we need to expand the facilities on the docks as well as on the island?”

“You really know your stuff, indeed!”

Currently, on this island named Plum Blossom Island, not only them but many merchants were staying. This is because merchants, who had increased anxiety over the plunder of pirates, couldn’t be at ease even at the dock, so they tried to stay a day inside the island guarded by Mount Hua.

Seeing the disciples of Mount Hua stationed inside the island and the Hundred Thunder Cannons placed as if guarding the island, everyone applauded Mount Hua’s prowess.

Merchants can rest assured and carry their goods, and Mount Hua made money, isn’t it a win-win for everyone?

“However, an island is an island, we need to stabilize the surroundings a bit more. After all, if we allow people to cross the river but then they get plundered on the other side, the island becomes useless. The problem is that this is not something that just Mount Hua and we can handle on our own…”

“That’s fine.”

“Pardon?”

Im Sobyong tilted his head when he heard Chung Myung’s words.

“Of course… there might not be a problem for a while, but you don’t plan to stay here forever, right? If Mount Hua is out of the picture, then there will be issues.”

Chung Myung chuckled.

“No, there won’t be any problems. He won’t want the trade to be blocked. He’ll stabilize things himself soon enough.”

“Ah…”

Im Sobyong nodded in agreement.

There’s no way Jang Ilso wants to see the money flow stopped. Other Evil Sects may be greedy for a small amount of money and keep plundering, but Jang Ilso knows better than anyone else that money needs to circulate to grow.

“That’s why all we have to do is to make money. I thought we’d just come and back with only hard work, but it turns out our efforts were worth it!”

Chung Myung held silver coins and threw them over his head. It was just when Chung Myung’s face was loosened while looking at the silver coins that were pouring like a shiny rain.

“Sect Leader!”

“No, even if you inform me that…?”

There was a commotion outside.

“Is there any way?”

“It is Shaanxi, you know? No matter how fast we move, it will take several months.”

“We don’t have time to wait that long. The situation isn’t good.”

“Ughh, I understand the situation, but regrettably…. I did not personally bring the funds. There’s no particular way….”

Slam.

Suddenly, the door opened and Hyun Jong, who frowned, entered the room. After that, Five Swords followed with an earnest face. Hyun Jong sighed.

“Even if you were to plead with me for money, there isn’t…”

Hyun Jong’s eyes, which had been speaking weakly, were instantly stuck in a pile of silver coins around Chung Myung.

“…There is?”

“There it is.”

“It’s piled up.”

“….”

Chung Myung glared into the eyes of Sect Leader and Five Swords, who stared at the silver coins.

“Hahaha. Our Chung Myung has saved up money again. How did you know we were in need?”

“Uh…”

Chung Myung, with his hair standing on end, tried to resist as he gathered the silver, but Hyun Jong just approached him with a kind smile.

“Now, now, be good. Move back a little.”

And Five Swords read the atmosphere and slowly approached Chung Myung.

“No. We’re not trying to use it for something bad.”

“The situation around the Yangtze is dire. As the Evil Sect causes chaos, the local villagers can’t even eat properly.”

“People who were surviving by fishing are starving now.”

“Give us the money.”

“Just a little bit, just a little.”

“Hissss!”

Chung Myung hissed, but Five Swords and Sect Leader still charged at him in unison.

“Grab him!”

“Pin him down!”

“Get the money! Hurry!”

Chung Myung, who was caught in arms and legs, struggled and shouted.

“Euaaaa! You heartless, tearless bastards! Are you still Taoist like this?”

“We’ll use a bit and return it!”

“It takes time for the money to arrive from Mount Hua!”

“Easy now, calm down!”

“Euaaaa! You daylight robbers! Euaaa!”

It was at that very moment that Chung Myung’s tears began to flow.

“Kkwaaeeek!”

Jo-Gol, who was heaving and pressing down on Chung Myung, was kicked away by something and stuck in a wall.

Kwaang!

Jo-Gol slid down the wall and soon began to foam at the mouth, convulsing.

“What, what’s happening?”

“Is it an enemy?”

“Who?”

In front of Five Swords, who turned their head in surprise, stood a man exuding blue energy from his whole body.

“El- Elder-nim?”

Hyun Young, gritting his teeth with anger, spat out his words..

“You lot…!”

“….”

Five Swords, who were completely terrified at the murderous momentum, shrank their necks.

“I’ve been lenient to you, but now you team up to rob your Saje’s money?”

“N- No! This is not it…..”

“We, we were…”

Attempting to justify, Five Swords and the others quickly turned their gaze to someone for help. The only person who could calm Hyun Young when he was angry was Hyun Jong.

However, all they could see was the back of Hyun Jong who was somehow standing real far away facing the wall.

Whoa….

Whoaaa….

“I’ll fix your screwed-up minds today! Come here, you brats!”

“Aaack, Elder-nim!”

“We were wrong!”

“Please spare us!”

Hyun Jong, who was standing facing the wall, closed his eyes in silence.

‘I’m sorry.’

But there’s nothing I can do.

Hoho. Muryangsubul.

“….”

The Five Swords, all on their knees, sullenly lowered their heads, sneakily lifting only their eyes.

Hyun Young, who radiates murderous momentum, and Chung Myung sitting next to him, were seen chewing sweets. Seeing Chung Myung giggle joyfully whenever Hyun Young pats his head made them feel as if their insides were twisting in knots.

‘So irritating.’

‘We know we’re in the wrong, but he’s still irritating.’

‘I just want to hit him once.’

“Are you not going to straighten your arms!”

At the sudden thunderous shout, the Five Swords quickly straightened his arms.

“These mountain bandit-like punks! Now you act as if other people’s money is yours to spend! Even though you call yourselves Taoist!”

The two mountain bandits, Im Sobyong and First Elder, who were looking at each other in the corner, shrank their necks for no reason. They were not the types to be easily intimidated, but how could they handle someone who scolds the famous Mount Hua Five Swords like they’re nothing and silences Mount Hua Sect Leader with just a few words?

“…That… We weren’t planning on using it for ourselves.”

“We’re in a hurry, but it takes time to get grain and money from Mt. Hua….”

“No, these guys!”

When Hyun Young roared in anger, Five Swords’s head drooped further.

“Taoist must not justify the means for a good end! Was that even your money?”

“….”

“It’s good to help those in need! But how can stealing an innocent person’s money for a good cause be fair! If you’re in a hurry, you should go out and make money or borrow some! How dare you try to steal other people’s money and take credit for it!”

“We, we were wrong.”

Hyun Jong, who was feeling a tad guilty because Five Swords was criticized so much, carefully opened his mouth.

“Hyun Young-ah… It wasn’t necessarily done with ill intent…”

“The same goes for Sect Leader!”

“….”

“Is this Mount Hua’s money? What did Mount Hua do here to receive this money? Chung Myung made all the plans, and Nokrim did all the work! The Tang Family has set up the whole pavilion!”

“That, that’s true, but given the circumstances…”

“You, who leisurely came after everything was done just to spectate! What gives you the right to use the disciples’ money as if it’s yours! Is all of Mount Hua disciple’s money considered Sect Leader’s? Why not take all my money too, then? Huh?”

“That wasn’t my intention. Re- really!”

“Then what? What else is there if not robbery! How could the esteemed Mount Hua Sect Leader steal his disciple’s money to save his face? Is this how Taoist Sect is? Is this even a Taoist Sect? These Evil Sect-like things!”

Suddenly, Hyun Young’s anger flared again. Seeing this, Hyun Jong discreetly brought his hands together and bowed his head.

“These food gobbler that can’t even earn a cent! I was already fed up watching them squander the money others had earned as if they were rich! What? Now you even try to rob the person who fixed your problem of only living off grassroots? There’s a limit to ingratitude!”

“Hoho. Elder-nim, don’t be so mean. They’re still our Sahyung, Sasuk, and Sect Leader after all.”

At Chung Myung’s words, Hyun Young’s eyes, which had been turned upside down, took on a sudden gentle glow. He stroked Chung Myung’s head vigorously and admired him.

“Aigoo! Aigoo, our Chung Myung! Such a kind heart. How can you be so good, how?”

“Ehehehehet! Ehehet!”

Baek Cheon could swear without hesitation.

There are as many people in Jungwon as grains of sand, but there is only one Elder Hyun Young in the world who can use the expression “good” for that damned demon.

“If any of you dare touch the kid’s money again, you better be prepared to live on mere water for the rest of your lives! Understood?”

“…Yes.”

The Maengju of Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Sect Leader of Mount Hua answered respectfully. He then cautiously raised a hand.

“Um, by the way… Hyun Young, no… Finance Hall Leader-nim.”

“What is it?”

“…I really need money right now. Is there no way?”

“If you need money, you should borrow it! Borrow it legitimately, with interest!”

“I- Interest?”

Hyun Jong looked at Hyun Young with a shocked face, then secretly turned his gaze to Chung Myung.

“That… Chung Myung. I’m in urgent need of money, and I can really pay you back soon. That’s why, I’d like to borrow some money for a moment, but how much will the interest be…?”

“Ah, interest?”

“Y- Yes. Interest.”

“Ahaaa, interest?”

Chung Myung, after savoring and swallowing his sweets, grinned.

“How much do Sect Leader have in mind?”

“….”

Hyun Jong realized once again that life is not that easy.