Chapter 27: Mount Hua Has Struck Gold (2)

"Hmm."

Hyun Jong sighed softly as he watched the sunlight streaming through the window.

For some, that sunlight might mark the start of a pleasant day. But for those struggling to survive each day, there was nothing more resentful than that very sunlight.

'Another morning.'

Another day had begun.

Two days had already passed. Only five days remained until the deadline set by Gong Roo-ju.

Five days. Just five days.

Hyun Jong closed his eyes quietly.

'Five days.'

If they couldn't raise a hundred thousand nyang within that short time, Mount Hua would lose all its buildings and be forced onto the streets.

There are three things that sustain life.

Clothing, food, and shelter.

Losing one's home means losing the ability to survive.

Of course, those who belonged to Mount Hua would find some way to live on. But Mount Hua would no longer be able to maintain its name as Mount Hua.

Even if those with will and determination remained to carry on the name of Mount Hua, it would be just that—a name. For a renowned sect like Mount Hua, it would be akin to a death sentence.

A once-great sect with thousands of disciples would be reduced to a mere dozen, barely maintaining the form of its ancestral martial arts. Could that still be called survival?

Those who lost their home would inevitably scatter. For a while, some might follow him, but as the struggle to survive grew harder, they would eventually leave to find their own paths.

And so, gradually…

'No.'

Hyun Jong shook his head fiercely.

'This is no time for weak thoughts.'

There were still five days left. If they could somehow raise the money within that time, they could save Mount Hua.

He was the sect leader of Mount Hua. He could never give up until the day Mount Hua disappeared. Everyone else might give up, but he had no right to do so.

Hyun Jong raised his hand and rubbed his face.

He had reached out to everyone with even the slightest connection to Mount Hua. Letters explaining Mount Hua's situation had been sent across the land. Surely, there would be at least one person willing to help.

If just one person helped…

Hyun Jong let out a hollow laugh without realizing it.

'Someone to help.'

If anyone had wanted to help, they would have done so already. Even when Mount Hua still had something to offer, there had been no meaningful assistance.

And now, who would lend a hundred thousand nyang to a fallen sect like Mount Hua?

'It's heavy.'

It was something he couldn't avoid or ignore. But the weight pressing down on him day by day was becoming unbearable.

The burden of knowing that Mount Hua's legacy might end during his tenure was too much to bear while fully conscious. In the sleepless nights that followed, he prayed and prayed that the next morning wouldn't come.

Just then.

"Sect Leader!"

Hyun Jong quickly straightened his appearance.

No matter how he felt inside, he couldn't show this side of himself to his disciples. Even if Mount Hua were to fall tomorrow, he had to leave behind only the image of a dignified sect leader.

"What is it?"

"You… you need to come out and see this."

"Huh?"

Hyun Jong tilted his head in confusion.

But he didn't dwell on it. He stood up and stepped outside. Outside the door, Ungeom stood with a slightly dazed expression.

"Ungeom?"

Hyun Jong furrowed his brow.

It wasn't Unam, but Ungeom. Ungeom was currently in charge of the Hundred Plum Hall. If Unam had come, it would mean something had happened at Mount Hua, but Ungeom's presence indicated an issue at the Hundred Plum Hall.

But what kind of incident at the Hundred Plum Hall would require the sect leader's direct involvement?

And at such an early hour?

"What's going on?"

"Sect Leader."

Ungeom's complexion was strange. He looked both shocked and horrified.

'What on earth happened?'

Teaching a group of unruly, immature children was an incredibly draining task. The fact that Ungeom had been chosen for this role spoke volumes about his calm demeanor.

But even Ungeom couldn't maintain his composure now.

"I'll explain in detail when we get there. Sect Leader! You need to see this for yourself."

"...Lead the way."

Without another word, Hyun Jong followed Ungeom.

It wouldn't be hard to ask for details. But if Ungeom was this agitated, it must be urgent. He could hear the explanation on the way.

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

Ungeom used his light-foot technique to rush ahead. Hyun Jong followed without delay.

'Where are we going?'

Hyun Jong frowned slightly. Ungeom wasn't heading toward the Hundred Plum Hall. Instead, he was leading them to the Lotus Peak, located behind the Hundred Plum Hall.

Why Lotus Peak?

But Ungeom showed no intention of answering his questions, focusing entirely on climbing Lotus Peak.

'I'll find out when we get there.'

As they climbed halfway up Lotus Peak, Hyun Jong saw the third-generation disciples sitting scattered along the path.

'Huh?'

Why were those kids sitting there like that? And why did they all look so…?

Hyun Jong's eyes widened.

The children were sprawled on either side of the path leading up to Lotus Peak. Even when the sect leader arrived, they didn't bother to lift their heads, too busy gasping for breath.

"W-what is this?"

Ungeom snapped angrily.

"You brats! The sect leader is here, and you can't even show proper respect?"

"Leave them be."

"But, Sect Leader…"

"More importantly, why are the children like this?"

"Well…"

Ungeom hesitated, then quickly turned his head.

"Chung Myung! Where's Chung Myung?"

Chung Myung? Why was that name coming up here?

Hyun Jong looked at Ungeom with a puzzled expression. Chung Myung was the name of the child who had recently joined Mount Hua. Why was Ungeom calling for him?

"I'm here."

Before his confusion could be resolved, an answer came.

Instinctively, Hyun Jong turned his head toward the source of the voice, and his eyes widened in shock.

"You, why are you…? Huh?"

From behind a tree, Chung Myung emerged, looking like a walking corpse.

His face was paler than a sheet of paper, his lips had turned bluish, and the dark circles under his eyes reached almost to his jawline.

In short, he didn't look human.

It wouldn't be surprising if he dropped dead on the spot.

"What on earth happened?"

"Ah, sorry. I might have overdone the training…"

What kind of nonsense was this?

If people ended up looking like this from a bit of training, no one in the martial world would survive. He needed to make sense.

Just then, Ungeom hastily spoke up.

"That's not important right now."

Hyun Jong's eyes narrowed.

Not important?

"What are you talking about!"

The head of the Hundred Plum Hall was spouting such nonsense!

The Hundred Plum Hall was the future of Mount Hua. The third-generation disciples training there were the pillars who would lead Mount Hua in the future! And yet, the head of the Hundred Plum Hall was saying such things…

"You need to come here. Chung Myung found something strange."

"Something strange?"

"Yes, hurry!"

Ungeom's urgency was palpable.

'What…'

If it were anyone else, Hyun Jong would have scolded them immediately. But the person frantically urging him now was none other than Ungeom, the calmest person in Mount Hua. Ungeom was acting like a panicked foal with its tail on fire.

Hyun Jong, as if entranced, followed Chung Myung and Ungeom into the woods.

"What on earth is…"

Hyun Jong's words trailed off.

In his sight was a patch of dug-up earth and an old chest partially exposed beneath it. The chest was half-open.

Hyun Jong's eyes widened.

He could see it.

Inside the half-open chest, something golden was gleaming. There was only one metal in the world that could emit such a golden light.

But what caught Hyun Jong's attention wasn't just the gold. Beside the gold was a book.

The title of the book seemed to suck in his very soul.

『The Financial Records of Mount Hua's Hwaeum County Businesses』

An absurdly long title followed by a number.

"T-this…?"

Hyun Jong couldn't believe his eyes.

Why was this here? And why was it alongside that gold?

He was afraid to reach out, fearing that the items might vanish like a mirage if he touched them.

"H-how did you find this?"

"That child found it."

"That child?"

Hyun Jong's head snapped around. He saw Chung Myung, looking like a walking corpse.

"H-how did you find this?"

Chung Myung, looking half-dead, struggled to speak.

"E-early morning… I was going for early morning training…"

"What?"

Hyun Jong tilted his head as he listened to the mosquito-like voice. Ungeom quickly interpreted for him.

"He says he climbed Lotus Peak for early morning training."

"Since when have we been doing early morning training?"

"It started a while ago. Ever since that child arrived."

"Huh?"

Since that child arrived?

How long had it been since he joined?

'Ah, no. That's not important right now.'

The details could be questioned later.

"So, you found this while climbing Lotus Peak for early morning training?"

"More precisely, I was so exhausted that I tried to rest in the woods, but the ground felt unusually hard. When I looked, something was sticking out. So I dug it up and…"

"I see!"

"But… the contents were so… extraordinary that I thought it would be better to inform the higher-ups rather than check it myself."

"S-speak slowly. What kind of training leaves you looking like a corpse?"

"Training is… the foundation of a martial artist…"

"I-I get it. You, rest for now! I'll check it myself."

Hyun Jong swallowed dryly and approached the chest. With trembling hands, he reached inside. What his hands touched wasn't the dazzling gold that had captured everyone's attention, but the books beside it.

"The Financial Records of Mount Hua's Hwaeum County Businesses."

As he pulled out each book, Hyun Jong muttered as if in a trance. His trembling hands revealed just how shaken he was.

He didn't dare open the books. If he carelessly opened them and the ancient pages crumbled, he would never be able to close his eyes in peace.

"The Chronicles of Mount Hua."

This was undoubtedly a historical record of Mount Hua. While it might not serve a practical purpose like the financial records, for the sect leader of Mount Hua, it was even more important.

After carefully placing the books down, Hyun Jong's eyes fell on the title of another book nestled below.

"S-seven… Seven Plum Sword Records?"

His entire body trembled.

"T-this is here…? This…"

"Sect Leader!"

"Krrrk."

Hyun Jong's consciousness faded to white as his body collapsed backward.

"Sect Leader!"

"Snap out of it! Sect Leader!"

Amid the shouts from all directions, Hyun Jong smiled brightly even as he lost consciousness.

What had emerged from that chest wasn't just wealth and books.

It was hope.