Return of the Mount Hua Sect

At Chung Myung’s words, Maeng So gave a bitter smile.

“Ah. You mean the divine herb (???(神靈草))? I brought it with me. But there’s a bit of a problem.”

“Huh? A problem?”

“It looks like it will be difficult for us to supply the divine herb for a while.”

At those words, Chung Myung frowned slightly. Maeng So sighed.

“Don’t make that face. It’s not because we’re being troublesome or have other demands. We’ve searched all over Yunnan, but we can’t find any more divine herbs. The ones we planted in the divine pond (??(神潭)) need more time to grow, and…”

Maeng So scratched his head as if he was in trouble.

“It seems like those divine herbs aren’t growing properly either, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see for a bit.”

After finishing his part, Maeng So cautiously glanced at Chung Myung. He knew how much this guy treasured the jamokcho. In the first place, didn’t he come all the way to Yunnan to obtain jamokcho? Telling him they couldn’t supply it anymore….

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

“Hm?”

But surprisingly, Chung Myung shrugged his shoulders as if it was no big deal.

“It’s not like it’s a weed that grows anywhere, and it won’t grow as fast as we need them to. It’s just something that we had to endure.”

“Hmm… Is that so?”

“Don’t worry about it. If you leave the grass alone, it will grow again.”

“But it might take more than ten years until the next harvest?”

“Whether it takes ten years or a hundred, it’s fortunate if we can get it then. If I can’t get it, then that can’t be helped, right?”

Chung Myung spoke calmly, and glanced at Maeng So’s face before chuckling.

“Why are you frowning so fiercely like it’s such a big deal?”

“Me? Hahahahaha.”

Somehow, Maeng So, who had felt relieved, burst into hearty laughter.

In fact, he had a thought in his heart. The reason Chung Myung is treating Yunnan well now is because Yunnan is essential for procuring jamokcho and making money through the tea trade.

If either of the two does not go smoothly, the way Yunnan is treated might change from how it was.

No matter how different he is, Chung Myung is still a person from Jungwon.

But Chung Myung’s attitude was no different from before he heard the news. It was like someone who criticized a friend who was embarrassed because he didn’t bring a gift and worried unnecessarily.

“You make me feel like a miser when you say it like that.”

“Well, you do have a side that doesn’t match your size.”

“Haha. This is the first time I’ve heard that in my life.”

“Then the people Gungju-nim have met so far didn’t really know you well.”

Maeng So laughed heartily. It seemed that what Chung Myung said was not wrong.

“Anyhow, you’re quite a fascinating person.”

“Oh? Are you already countering?”

“I can’t just be on the receiving end.”

Maeng So smiled. Though said in jest, calling Chung Myung fascinating was his genuine sentiment.

It is unknown whether Chung Myung was trying to ease Meng So’s mind by guessing his true feelings or it is his genuine thought. But either way, those few words put Meng So at ease.

He knew that Heavenly Comrade Alliance was not simply a relationship bound to profit. Just like Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign who saved Yunnan without any consideration for profit, Mount Hua was also a place where he could reach out to them without any reason.

But the reason he couldn’t help but worry even though he knew that fact was because the discrimination between Jungwon and the outers was so deep-rooted.

“Oh, by the way, you’ve never seen them before, have you?”

“Hm?”

“Hey, Namgung.”

“Yes?”

Chung Myung called Namgung Dowi with a hand gesture. Then Namgung Dowi approached the two with a slightly awkward and unsteady gait. Chung Myung introduced him briefly.

“He is Sogaju of Namgung Family. Hmm… He’s still Sogaju for now, but he’ll soon be Gaju of Namgung Family.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Maeng So looked at Namgung Dowi with slightly narrowed eyes.

‘Indeed.’

Who in the world wouldn’t know the reputation of Namgung Family?

A prestigious family among prestigious families. Among the numerous families in Jungwon, Namgung Family is the one that stands out as the most prestigious. Perhaps because he’s the Sogaju of such a family, his presence is different even at a glance.

“Nice to meet you. I am Maeng So, Gungju of Southern Beast Palace.”

“Ah, I….”

At that moment, Chung Myung snickered and tried to dissuade Maeng So.

“You don’t have to be so formal. If you think about it the other way around, he’s not even the Gaju yet. He’s still a child, so just take it easy and help him out.”

“…What does that mean? If he’s Sogaju of Namgung Family…”

The moment Maeng So tried to refute with a bewildered expression, Namgung Dowi hurriedly spoke.

“No, Gungju-nim.”

“Hm?”

Namgung Dowi put his hands together and politely greeted Maeng So, who was slightly taken aback.

“What Chung Myung Dojang said is correct. I still have many shortcomings, so I ask for your guidance and support.”

Maeng So blinked his large eyes.

Although he was usually a majestic, giant lion, he looked like a pure-hearted ox with a flustered expression and blinking eyes.

“You… Do you know me well?”

“I don’t.”

“Then what guidance and support are you asking for?”

At those words, Namgung Dowi smiled broadly.

“I don’t know much about Gungju-nim, but I believe I have a good understanding of Chung Myung Dojang.”

“….”

“That person always says things half-jokingly. But within his words, there’s always a truth that shouldn’t be missed. I think Chung Myung Dojang was telling me that I should learn many things from Gungju-nim.”

Maeng So stared at Namgung Dowi for a moment, then turned his head slightly to look at Chung Myung. Chung Myung just shrugged, as if he didn’t know anything.

“Therefore, I must seek Gungju-nim’s guidance, mustn’t I?”

“Look…. I am an outers. I have nothing to give to Namgung Family, the prestigious family that represents Jungwon.”

“What does it matter?”

“…Did you just ask what it matters?”

“Yes.”

Namgung Dowi turned his gaze slightly, looked at someone, and then grimaced.

“We are even eating from the same pot as Evil Sects lowlifes.”

“Hey, you’re not very good at managing your expression, are you? If you get stabbed like that, won’t it hurt?”

Im Sobyeong joked, causing Namgung Do-wi’s face to become even more distorted.

“…Did Gungju-nim see that?”

“….”

“Now we even share meals with lowlifes from Evil Sects. It’s absurd to make such distinctions about being from outer palace now.”

Namgung Dowi burst out laughing. He never thought he would say something like this.

“At least within Heavenly Comrade Alliance, such distinctions have no meaning.”

“…But aren’t you the one who will lead Namgung Family of the world?”

“I’ve long since thrown away all such pretense.”

“You threw them away?”

Namgung Dowi nodded.

“Yes. There is nothing special or different about being of Namgung Family. Just think of it as a request from a junior and I ask Gungju-nim for a favor.”

Maeng So ended up laughing out loud.

Of course, he also has pride in Beast Palace. But isn’t it a completely different matter for him to have personal pride and for the world to acknowledge him?

There is a huge gap that cannot be narrowed between the prestigious family that symbolizes Jungwon and Beast Palace which is looked down upon as an outer palace. However, this young man seemed completely unaware of that gap.

“Please.”

Namgung Dowi bowed deeply again.

Maeng So looked at Namgung Dowi, who was bowing his head, or more precisely, at the people standing behind him. Those who did not particularly think much about the fact that their Sogaju was bowing his head.

‘Do they not realize how strange this is?’

Even just ten years ago, these people would have thought that it would be impossible for a direct descendant of Namgung Family to bow their heads to a barbarian of the outer palace even if the heavens were to torn apart. Yet now, they just watched the scene without any special reaction.

The people involved may not realize it, but to Maeng So, who is from the outer palace, the magnitude of this change was incredibly vivid.

“Hey, the kid’s neck is going to snap.”

“Uh….”

When Chung Myung gave a subtle hint, Maeng So nodded as if he had no choice.

“If I can be of help, I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you!”

Namgung Dowi smiled brightly. It was a smile that did not show any hint of pretense.

Looking at that face, Maeng So couldn’t help but feel that all of this wasn’t just a cover-up.

Maeng So, who felt awkward for no reason, turned his head and looked at Chung Myung.

“…You.”

“What?”

“What on earth are you building here?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“No, it’s just…”

Maeng So let out a laugh, finding the situation a bit ridiculous.

It’s not difficult for one or two people to have some goodwill toward outers. Even when the relationship between Jungwon and the outers reached extremes, there were those who showed kindness to the outers.

However, it was extremely rare, if not unheard of, for so many people gathered in one place to show no particular hostility towards outers. Even those seeing Beast Palace warriors for the first time today.

From their perspective, things like carrying around unfamiliar clothes or wild beasts would be frowned upon….

“But why do those yangban walk around shirtless?”

“They come from a hot place.”

“Ah. I didn’t think of that.”

“What’s the problem with going shirtless? We’re already living with people who skin humans alive.”

“…Should I start by skinning you?”

“Would your neck remain unscathed then?”

Maeng So shook his head as he watched them seem to have lost interest in Beast Palace and began to snicker. This was undoubtedly the first time in his life that he felt so sidelined.

‘…Heavenly Comrade Alliance, huh.’

He thought it was a dreamlike notion. The reason Maeng So joined Chung Myung’s cause was simply because he thought it would be beneficial to Beast Palace, and he didn’t have any expectations that it would be able to change anything big.

The reality perceived by the outers and the reality perceived by Jungwon people are so different. There would be no reason for Jungwon people to step forward and change that reality.

But now, here, Maeng So can feel the change for himself. Maybe… perhaps someday, those who are within the fence called Heavenly Comrade Alliance will be able to look at each other with unbiased eyes.

Maeng So smiled bitterly. It was because he knew that expectations were welling up in his heart. Great expectations often lead to great disappointments. Maeng So decided to be satisfied with this.

But even if he set aside his expectations, his heart with Heavenly Comrade Alliance could not be the same as before. He was eager to see it now. If the day comes when they lead the world, how will the world change?

“…What exactly have you done?”

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone seems to get along without any barriers, regardless of their status.”

“Oh, well, that’s to be expected.”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung answers calmly.

“No matter who you talk to, Namgung and Nokrim, they’re all useless brats anyway. Where’s the need to claim who’s better or worse? We just need to knock some sense into them all without discrimination.”

“….”

That’s… That’s kind of weird, but….

A feeling of understanding and confusion settled at the same time. It was at that moment that Maeng So thought that perhaps this was better than an empty and unrealistic ideal.

“Oh? They’re coming too.”

“What?”

At Chung Myung’s words, Maeng So turned his head. As soon as he saw where Chung Myung was pointing, a smile came out of his mouth.

“They’re arriving right on time. But aren’t they hot? To think they came all the way here in those thick fur clothes.”

“Isn’t it the same with Beast Palace who walks around topless?”

“…I have nothing to say.”

The two laughed together. In the midst of this, people wearing clothes as white as snow were quickly approaching.

It was the appearance of North Sea Ice Palace, which had set out from a place even further than Yunnan and had finally arrived after traveling across the world.