Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
That
Unable to bear it, Hyun Young frowned.
Im seriously going for your throat!
In response, Hyun Jong, who had been stretching his neck out of the window, quickly returned to his original position.
Aheeem!
With an air of being slightly flustered, he cleared his throat and cast a sidelong glance at Hyun Young and Hyun Sang. A montary silence ensued.
That
Though Hyun Jong opened his mouth, he couldnt find the words to speak.
Isnt it a little too late?
The North Sea isnt just the next town over. How could we expect them to already be here?
R-right, but my children are used to Yunnan and Sichuan as if they were their own ho Hasnt it been too long since they left?
Why are you spouting this nonsense again!
Kuaaak.
Hyun Jong clutched the teacup with unsteady fingers. Typically engrossed in carrying out the tea ceremony, he was now indifferent to his tea growing cold, sipping it absentmindedly as though his thoughts were elsewhere.
T-that! That is the nose! Its being put in the nose!
Hyun Young scowled at Hyun Jong.
Up until recently, he had been of sound mind. However, a few days prior, he developed a habit of claiming that the children were unusually late, and now he was acting like this.
With trembling hands on the verge of spilling the tea, Hyun Jong widened his eyes in disbelief.
Arent you anxious?
What do I have to worry about?
Hyun Young mocked him in response to the statent.
Well, if we make an error, Mount Hua will surely crumble as well, but if we pursue them and set them ablaze, thats alright.
He must be insane
However, that guy was far more terrifying.
During this conversation, Hyun Sang, who had been listening attentively, politely cleared his throat to speak.
Do not fret excessively. They will return unscathed. Our children are not that weak
Thats right, say sothing encouraging!
Sahyung, please remain calm. Honestly, what do you even understand!
No, these people!
Ughhh!
Hyun Jong, who eventually let out a groan, rubbed his face with both hands.
I feel as if Ive lost control over my own stomach. Now I understand the true aning of feeling sick to ones stomach.
Im glad you have sothing left to feel this discomfort.
Hyun Young grumbled, his eyes filled with worry. Isnt it ti for them to return already?
By the calculations made when they first embarked for the North Sea, their return should have been seven nights ago at the latest. Chung Myung would never permit unnecessary delays on their journey. Thus, the postponent must be attributed to the North Sea Ice Palace.
Then
Hyun Sang stole a glance at the pair before speaking. His words ca out slow and hesitant, laden with unease.
So, this is truly a one-of-a-kind
Speak quickly! Faster!
Do not waste any more ti! Ugh, I might die from frustration!
Yet, did it make sense for the two individuals who trained the longest at Mount Hua to behave in such a way?
With serious thought, Hyun Sang continued his words.
So, if the children were to get hurt, then
I will blow apart that mouth!
Is this man speaking sanely? How dare he utter such words!
Hyun Young I am your sahyung
Despite their current age
Hyun Jong heaved a sigh, perhaps the thousandth one for the day.
At this pace, I might et my end first.
Dont display your worry now, sect leader. If youre anxious, the kids will feel it too.
Understandable.
And stop trying to sneak up in the middle of the night. The kids notice!
R-really?
Hyun Jong appeared embarrassed at Hyun Youngs words.
I was exercising caution
The kids arent the sa as before! Deception may have worked in the past, but now, dont they all seem like ghosts?
that is indeed true.
The children had indeed grown imasurably compared to the past. The pills that Chung Myung had stored to aid Un Geoms training, who was starting again from scratch, allowed them to evolve and improve daily.
The children of the North Sea arent our only charges, right? In a few days, it will be beneficial to demonstrate the sect leaders concern for his disciples. But should we show too much favoritism, the other children will feel neglected.
I understand. Enough now.
Having accepted Hyun Jongs words, Hyun Young gave a weary sigh.
They say that the older you get, the more like a child you beco.
Who was Hyun Jong? He was a man with unparalleled patience, leading Mount Hua through tumultuous tis with a quiet, unwavering spirit.
However, his current state resembled that of an antsy child. Granted, his restlessness was not unwarranted, but soone had to put a halt to it, no matter how hard. Hyun Jong cleared his throat, nodding as he gazed out the window. His eyes held a calr resolve.
Indeed, for the sake of the children, I must maintain my composure
Sect Leader! Sect Leader!
Suddenly, a loud voice started echoing through the sect.
Uh? What?
Startled, Hyun Jong sprang up.
Hyun Hyun Younguh?
In response to the urgent shouts, he looked for Hyun Young and found himself shocked. Hyun Young had abruptly tossed a table aside and was grabbing Un Am by the collar, who had been rushing to deliver the news.
I was told to stay calm.
What is it! Is it about the kids? Are they in trouble?
Ah, weve received a ssage! Its from down below! They want all the kids down there!
W-who is it?
Ch-Chung Myung
Uhahahahaha! Chung Myung is here, huh! The audacity of that man, summoning the people of Mount Hua! If he calls, we must answer! Thats just like Chung Myung! Hahahaha!
At that mont, Hyun Jong erged from his room, hastily put on his shoes, and started running towards the gate.
Sect leader! Sect leader! They requested for the children to co!
Ah, of course!
But fortunately, there was no delay. Un Geom was racing towards him with the disciples in tow as though they had already heard and comprehended.
Sect leader! Have you heard the news?
Yes, yes! Lets go and see!
With a stomp of his feet, Hyun Jong responded quickly and sprinted to the gate.
Follow the sect leader.
Hyun Young, too, seized the slightly tilted conduit and dashed out.
Sahyung has arrived!
Yoon Jong-sahyung is here too!
Chung Myung is back.
Ah, that doesnt seem quite right
Both Baek and Chung disciples couldnt conceal their escalating excitent. Their sahyung and sajaes, similar to family, had embarked on a journey to the North Sea and were now making a grand return.
Hyun Sang couldnt help but chuckle, watching the disciples enter the gate with a war-cry-like enthusiasm.
Would it be appropriate if I went there?
A sect leader didnt generally present themselves to the world, nor were the elders. However, they didnt seem to harbor even the slightest desire to intervene or halt the celebrations.
Hehehe. Mount Hua has certainly changed a lot.
Hyun Sang smiled, descending the mountain with his hands clasped behind him. But despite his relaxed appearance, his steps were notably swift.
Uhhhhhh!
I-Im going to fall, sahyung!
This much is nothing!
Mount Hua was a place of sheer inclines. Its precipitous nature proved challenging even for the most proud of climbers, thanks to its nurous cliffs. Yet, presently, the disciples of Mount Hua were dashing down its terrain. Their pasti involved racing about like sprightly flying squirrels.
Today, however, they realized sothing unprecedented. An authentic flying squirrel had appeared before them.
Get out of the way, you bastards!
Hyun Young sprinted along the cliffs edge with no inkling of hesitation.
.Incredible.
Oh, my.
Astonishnt hung on everyones faces as they observed the Hyun elders sprinting downwards.
W-what? The elders havent even trained for this climb.
Isnt it clear? The sect leader and elders have resided on Mount Hua for over fifty years.
Ah, yes, of course.
The elders and disciples descended the mountain rapidly, journeying to and fro. As the disciples raced down the slope towards the village, a large cart parked at the entrance ca into view.
Th-that!
Everyone was taken aback.
Is that all baggage?
Can a cart bear such a weight?
Did soone actually manage to bring all that?
The newcors were predictably astonished, but that was just one aspect.
K-kids? Where are the kids?
R-right?
At that mont, several heads poked out from the cart.
W-what? Were already here?
Ah, q-quickly hide the alcohol!
What about the at, Sasuk?
The at is fine! Just stow the alcohol away!
They could hear everything. My apologies, children, for eavesdropping on your conversation.
Chung Myung, you!
Hyun Young discovered Chung Myung peeking from behind the cart and promptly grabbed him by the cheek to yank him out.
Ahyayayayayayaya! It hurts!
You, rascal! Your face is scratched up! How could you neglect to eat! Good heavens, how treacherous was the journey to the North Sea that youre all skin and bone now! I told you to look after the children!
N-no, elder
How could that face, as round as a moon, be skinny?
Move aside, you bastard!
In that instance, Hyun Jong charged in, delivering a kick to Hyun Youngs rear. Surveying the faces of the children, one after another, he was moved to tears.
Their clothes were so worn out, their shoes barely identifiable.
However, amidst it all, Baek Cheons attire remained the most pristine. The nearly new shoes of Chung Myung caught his eye, too, although he decided to ignore them.
Sect Leader!
Baek Cheon respectfully bowed to Hyun Jong.
The disciples of Mount Hua, including Baek Cheon, who holds the position of second great disciple, have successfully completed their mission and returned to Mount Hua unhard.
Yes, yes.
Hyun Jong acknowledged with a nod and a pat on Baek Cheons shoulder.
Seeing him look even more dependable than before he left brought tears to Hyun Jongs eyes for an inexplicable reason. Hyun Jong did not attempt to conceal his tears.
It was very challenging. Incredibly tough.
As disciples of Mount Hua, it was our natural duty.
Right, right.
The other disciples seed so sturdy, their eyes deep wells of understanding. Despite recent events, they appeared even more composed than before.
Hyun Jong poised himself to speak, but the disciples of Mount Hua could not contain their excitent, erupting in cheers.
Sahyung! Welco back!
Sa-suk! Sahyung! Youve all worked so diligently!
How was the North Sea? Is it truly as cold as they say?
Tell everything!
Everyone greeted them with bright faces and cheers, and Baek Cheon smiled.
Right, thats why you kick soone.
Hyun Young, discarded by Hyun Jong, ca close, shaking his butt.
There must have been so troubles.
Yes, elder.
So why was everyone summoned?
Oh, it was nothing.
Baek Cheon glanced at the luggage and said,
Baek Sang.
Yes, sahyung!
Upon hearing the call, Baek Sang sprang up. Baek Cheon pointed at the luggage and smiled.
Carry.
Huh?
Carry the luggage.
Baek Sangs gaze slowly moved to the pile shaped like a miniature mountain. His face went as pale as if all the blood had been drained from it.
this one?
Yes.
Up the mountain?
Correct.
all of it?
Yes.
We will head up first with the elders. You can follow and move it all to the storage.
Sahyung, we have a warehouse right here in the village
Baek Sang.
Uh?
Bring it up.
Yes.
Having resolved the toughest challenge, Baek Cheon turned to Hyun Jong with a smile.
Theres much to discuss. Lets proceed for now.
Yes, lets do that.
He led the way, with the elders from Mount Hua and the North Sea disciples trailing behind him.
Do not let one thing fall.
Put it all inside before the sun goes down.
If anything goes missing, there will be consequences.
Start imdiately.
Did everyone leave their personalities in the North Sea?
However, Chung Myung, who lagged behind, clicked his tongue.
Tsk, tsk. No recognition, huh Baek Sang Sasuk.
Huh? W-What? Chung Myung?
Also, bring the cart.
Handle it with care, and make sure it doesnt get damaged.
Heh, its so warm. I might actually survive this.
Baek Sang smiled warmly as he watched Chung Myung walking with his hands behind his back.
Why have you returned?
Happiness never lasted long.
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