Chapter 888
Seeing Bop Kye burst in hastily, Bop Jeong sighed deeply.
In some ways, Bop Kye is even more serious than Bop Jeong. This is because he understands the weight of assisting Bangjang of Shaolin more than anyone else.
The reason for Bop Kye showing such an unusual demeanor is usually quite predictable.
“Bangjang! News from Shaanxi has arrived!”
Bop Jeong closed his eyes tightly.
His prediction had come true, but instead of feeling good about it, his head felt dizzy.
“…Is it Mount Hua?”
“Yes? How, how did you know?”
A deep sigh escaped Bop Jeong’s mouth.
“Somehow it seemed like that.”
Bop Kye nodded his head and said.
“The news came from Beggar Union. The Evil Sects who entered Xi’an attacked Eunha Merchant Guild, and the small and medium-sized sects of Xi’an joined forces to stop them.”
“…Small and medium-sized sects? Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“……Do you mean both subsidiary sects of Mount Hua and Southern Edge Sect?”
“Even those not belonging to these sects joined the fight.”
Bop Jeong’s complexion darkened.
“Then what happened?”
“Of course, they couldn’t stop them alone. But Mount Hua, arriving just in time, crushed them all.”
“…And what did Southern Edge Sect do?”
“Southern Edge Sect… It was said they didn’t show up.”
Bop Jeong stared silently at the ceiling. Then, after a while, he opened his mouth heavily.
“If it’s as you said…”
There was a bitter smile on the corners of his lip.
“So, a great crisis befell Xi’an, the sects of Xi’an united to confront it, and just as they were about to be defeated, Mount Hua appeared and swept away the Evil Sects?”
“That’s what it is.”
Bop Jeong opened his mouth again with a meaningful look on his face.
“Then the sects of Xi’an will be extremely grateful to Mount Hua, and the news that Mount Hua saved the commoners by subduing the demon of Evil Sects will spread quickly throughout the world.”
“…….”
“Over the past three years, while other sects have struggled to suppress chaos and restrain the Evil Sects, Mount Hua, who had their gates shut under the guise of Bongmun and didn’t even show their nose, receives acclaim the moment they appear.”
Bop Jeong repeatedly chanted as if to quell his bursting frustration.
“…Even if one deliberately planned it, it couldn’t have turned out this perfectly, but why on earth do good things always happen to Mount Hua….”
In response to that soft lament, Bop Kye tried to say something but then closed its mouth.
In fact, almost half of all this was invited upon Shaolin themselves.
No matter how far there was from Seong Mountain, if Shaolin had sent their disciples to Xi’an as soon as they heard the news, they might have been able to reach Xi’an before them.
No, considering that the Evil Sects burned the commoners’ villages and committed massacres while they were on their way to Xi’an, they definitely could have arrived first and joined the small and medium-sized sects to exterminate the Evil Sects.
But it was none other than Bop Jeong who decided not to send Shaolin monks to Xi’an.
Objectively, Bop Jeong’s words didn’t make sense. But Bop Kye couldn’t bring himself to point this out to Bop Jeong.
“…How’s the damage to Mount Hua?”
“That’s….”
Bop Kye hesitated, as if having difficulty answering, and then barely opened his mouth.
“I haven’t verified it precisely, but… it seems there wasn’t much damage. It is said that they easily beat the Evil Sects…….”
“Easily?”
A look of disbelief crossed Bop Jeong’s face.
“With Gangseo Seven Murderer at the forefront and the prominent Evil Sects gathered in droves, Mount Hua subdued them without any casualties? That Mount Hua?”
“Yes….”
Bop Jeong’s lips trembled slightly.
“Mount Hua Righteous Sword?”
“Yes?”
“Right, yes. That child could do it. Three years is enough time for an imoogi to become a dragon. If that child took the lead…”
“That….”
Bop Kye hesitated before opening his mouth as if he still found it difficult to speak.
“According to the news of Beggar Union, Mount Hua Righteous Sword did not participate in the battle.”
“…What?”
Bop Jeong’s eyes widened in shock.
“It is said that not only Mount Hua Righteous Sword but also most of Mount Hua Five Swords that were famous in Mount Hua in the past did not participate in the battle. Therefore… It was purely the other disciples of Mount Hua who subdued Evil Sects this time….”
Kung.
Bop Jeong’s hand fell heavily on the table, creating a small echo. To Bop Kye, this sound sounded like thunder.
This is because he knows very well that Bop Jeong rarely shows this kind of demeanor.
“…What is this….”
Bop Jeong muttered softly in confusion.
What kind of miracle had occurred?
If it was the power of Mount Hua that he knew in the past, it would have been right for them to have put up a fierce struggle against the Evil Sects who had flocked to Xi’an. Even if they are lucky enough to win, they have to bear enormous damage.
Of course, with young martial artists in rapid growth undergoing three years of Bongmun, they would have become much stronger, but still…
‘I can’t be sure since I haven’t witnessed the situation on the battlefield myself, but it would take at least three times their past strength to achieve such a feat.’
Even if it’s young martial artists with rapid growth, is it possible for them to achieve this level of power in just three years?
If what Bop Kye has heard is true, it should be said that Mount Hua’s power is now comparable to that of the Ten Great Sects. No, even in the Ten Great Sects, they can easily fit into the middle.
That Mount Hua….
Bop Jeong murmured blankly.
“When I first saw them at the Murim Competition…”
“Yes, Bangjang.”
“I thought they would bring new vitality to Kangho. This is because the sects that have led Kangho over the past hundred years have become too complacent. I believed that a young sect led by a martial artist like Mount Hua Righteous Sword would be enough to alert them.”
“…….”
“However….”
A despondent laugh escaped Bop Jeong’s mouth.
“I was just as complacent.”
It was clear now.
Now, Mount Hua is no longer a sect Bop Jeong can do anything about.
“…Send a message to Mount Hua.”
“What should I convey?”
“We should congratulate them on lifting their Bongmun.”
“…I’ll convey as is.”
As Bop Jeong closed its eyes without answering, Bop Kye quietly stood up from its seat. He didn’t need to linger when Bop Jeong’s mood was visibly sour.
As stepped back carefully, Bop Jeong opened his eyes again. A hollow sigh leaked from his mouth.
“Amitabha….”
It was clear that when the news of Mount Hua spread, the barely calming Kangho would start to shake again. Whether they want it or not, Mount Hua has already become the center of attention of Kangho.
But that wasn’t what Bop Jeong was worried about.
‘What will happen now?’
The past three years have been chaotic, but it would not be wrong to say that it has been a period of stability in some ways. No, to be precise, it was a time of recuperation rather than stability.
This means that there has been no major incident in Kangho since the moment when Mount Hua went into Bongmun.
That’s why Bop Jeong almost felt he could hear it. The sound of a huge wheel that had been stationary, beginning to roll again.
“…Amitabha.”
And now, it seemed that no one could stop this momentum.
* * *
Xi’an quickly regained its stability.
The common people who had fled returned upon hearing that the turmoil had been suppressed, and the chaotic atmosphere quickly calmed down.
Of course, it was a major crisis, but since most of the battles took place within Eunha Merchant Guild and other common people didn’t suffer much damage, stability was quickly restored.
Still, there were some who felt a little anxious, and what relieved them was the fact that Mount Hua resided at Eunha Merchant Guild.
“Then, does this mean Mount Hua has ended its Bongmun?”
“That’s right. Why else would they be here?”
“What a wondrous thing. How could they time the ending of their Bongmun so perfectly?”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
“Huh?”
“It wasn’t a coincidence. Originally, Mount Hua intended to continue its Bongmun. But when they heard that Evil Sects were coming, they boldly ended their Bongmun, didn’t they?”
“That’s right. That’s right. That makes more sense.”
As they conversed, their gaze turned towards the main gate of Eunha Merchant Guild.
“Anyway, he’s such a great man.”
“Who are you talking about?”
“Who could it be? Of course, Mount Hua’s Sect Leader Hyun Jong Jin-in*! It must have been a purposeful Bongmun, but to end it and come out like this is no easy feat, right?”
“Ei, that sounds a little weird. Being a Righteous Sect, shouldn’t they have rushed to help the people in danger and put everything else aside?”
“What about Southern Edge Sect?”
“…Eh?”
“I’m talking about Southern Edge Sect. If what you say is correct, what did Southern Edge Sect do?”
“That’s…”
“As far as I know, you also have a family member who entered Southern Edge Sect. Do you mind if I say something that will tarnish Southern Edge Sect’s face?”
“Ugh.”
The person who took a quick look at the surroundings lowered his voice and whispered.
“It’s not just you. I feel the same. Who in Xi’an has nothing to do with Southern Edge Sect? Just cross a few roads and you will see that most people here are connected to Southern Edge Sect somehow.”
“Yes, because this is Xi’an.”
“But you know…. From now on, whenever there’s trouble, people will seek Mount Hua, not Southern Edge Sect.”
“…Is it really that bad?”
“Who would you go to if a robber broke into the house?”
The person who heard the question could not readily answer. This is because the two words ‘Mount Hua came to mind before Jongnam.
“I’m not just saying this because Mount Hua arrived earlier than Southern Edge Sect. Think about it. If it’s Southern Edge Sect… No, wouldn’t any kind of sect which had done something like this, other than Southern Edge Sect, flaunt such achievement to some extent?”
“That- That’s true. But there’s nothing wrong with that, is there? They did something significant.”
“Right. There’s nothing wrong with that. Which makes Mount Hua even more remarkable. Look. You can’t see even the noses of Mount Hua Sect, can you?”
“Come to think of it…….”
The two’s gaze returned to the main gate of Eunha Merchant Guild.
“People say chivalrous people don’t boast about their chivalry, but I never expected to see a place that truly lives by that saying. I didn’t think you’d be able to keep a low profile after all this work.”
“…Truly their vessel is big.”
“Oh, it’s big. It’s too big.”
Similar words came and went in the mouths of those passersby in front of Eunha Merchant Guild.
Even those who didn’t particularly like Mount Hua couldn’t help but feel goodwill towards them for rushing to their aid and not boasting about their deeds.
“At the end of the day, only Mount Hua really cares for Xi’an.”
“Whether it’s Shaolin or Wudang, doesn’t that mean that not a single one came to help Xi’an?”
“There’s no need to go that far. Isn’t that the case for Southern Edge Sect?”
“Oho, but Southern Edge Sect was in Bongmun, wasn’t it?”
“And Mount Hua? Isn’t Mount Hua also in Bongmun? If both were in Bongmun but only one came out, it’s only natural to judge them differently!”
“That’s true….”
The common people did not quite understand how strong the Evil Sects that invaded Xi’an, so they could not assess Mount Hua’s power.
But they understood clearly that Mount Hua had come to their rescue.
Even if Xi’an had been devastated, the arrow would have aimed at Southern Edge Sect, not Mount Hua. But how can they not praise those who came to save the commoners on behalf of the sect they almost saw as an adversary?
As a result,
Now in Xi’an, the name of Mount Hua has grown bigger than that of Southern Edge Sect, and there is no longer a person in Xi’an who denies this.
And at that time.
After moderately wrapping up the aftermath, Mount Hua’s prominent figures gathered in the conference room of Eunha Merchant Guild.