"Finally!" Chung Myung leaned against the stick he was using as his cane. Finally, the magnificent Mount Hua lay before his eyes.

"Finallllllyyyyy!" Tears flowed freely. How hard was it to get here? He'd brushed shoulders with death so many times and arrived using a child's body, no different from an ordinary-no, less than an ordinary person's body.

Of course, it wasn't anything people usually didn't face on their travels-mostly starvation and exhaustion. But that was dangerous too, right?

...After his terrible ordeals, Chung Myung had finally reached Mount Hua!

"This must be his point of view before we see what happened previously" Hyun Jong said stroking his beard.

"...Finally." If he wrote down his hardships, it would become a hero's epic. Or a beggar's epic.

Of course, Chung Myung couldn't ignore the wear and tear on his body. Although he'd accumulated qi, the energy that should have been used to develop his body was spent walking and running. His body had not gotten stronger at all-the constant grating of his bones made Chung Myung grimace in pain.

Even his already-ragged clothes had been reduced to scraps on his body. And the dust stuck to them?

But that wasn't important. Chung Myung had reached Mount Hua.

I'll smash the head of anyone who says being reborn would grant a wonderful life. Chung Myung unconsciously squeezed his eyes shut.

"Haha..." Go Jul laugh

CM in the other room raise an eyebrow "is that brat laughing at my hardship"

Go Jul and the other deciple shiver.

Jong Yoon slap his hand in Go Jul's mouth "Shut up.. "

Tang Bo who is glaring at them.

"Ehem!" Jang mun cough making everyone look at the screen.

Who you were reborn as was important. If he was reborn as a beggar without parents or a temple to take him in, he'd rather not be reincarnated.

"Hyungnim has a point, imagine living my best life then one day I open my eye being a beggar"

Geom sweat drop 'my bad, it was a necessary process and I doubt you will not mind it as well... '

"Damn it! What were they thinking, building the Sect on top of this mountain?" Chung Myung wanted to run up and investigate as soon as he'd reached Mount Hua, but it didn't seem like he'd get the chance.

"Sahyung. Isn't Mount Hua such an auspicious place? Isn't that peak over there shaped like a sword? It seems like the sect established itself in a good place."

"...Shit. Damn it."

What? Sword-like peaks? Very sword-like. The paths to the sect cut his feet like swords.

"Oh Chungmyung" The two sect leader say simultaneously.

It was said that Mount Hua was the steepest of the five mountains. It was only when he could not use martial arts that Chung Myung really understood.

"I'm really going to die." It wasn't a joke-he was fully convinced his life was at risk. His limbs were already trembling, and he had such a long way to go. And seeing how empty it was, he understood just how badly Mount Hua had suffered.

"Ackk." Chung Myung groaned and propped himself against the wall.

But he couldn't give up! What was the point if he gave up after all this way? If there's a mountain, it's a man's job to climb it! Climb it, and rise again with persistence and courage!

...The truth was, going down was more dangerous.

...Really.

"Will Sayung be okey?" Chung Jin ask

"Don't worry, it will take more than that to kill Hyungnim and beside, our dear descendants are here saying that he is alive" Tang Bo said

"Indeed Lord Tang Bo this is merely a back story of what we've seen previously but to be honest I think this event is great teaching to CM" Kang mun said

CM gained an irk mark "so they are happy that I'm struggling"

***

A hand clawed at the top of the cliff's edge.

"Accckkkkkk!" The dusty white fingertips were frail, yet they lifted the rest of the body.

"Ahh! I'm going to die!" Chung Myung flopped onto his back, having barely managed to lift his body up.

"Hahh, hahh, hahh! Almost fell!"

He could see the clouds he'd put far below him. Coming this far, as a child, deserved a compliment from himself.

It didn't go easily. It really didn't go easily.

"This is a rarerity to even see that mad~ I mean CM tired and all battered" Go Jul said.

Let's see. Chung Myung struggled to his feet and looked around.

"Of course, it's only been a month since I got here." But let's use a hundred years, 'cause it sounds cooler.

"It is technically 100 year after. So its still a valid reason." Chung Jin said

"I must say, from all the suffering we experience from him. Its giving me satisfaction" One of the present MH desciple said.

"Indeed, its like a fresh air" Another desciple agreed.

And the other nod.

Climbing the hill wasn't difficult at all. His body was completely exhausted, but the thought of reaching Mount Hua gave him strength.

"Ahhh..." The sight of the roof tiles of the main gate filled his eyes with sentiment. River and mountains had changed, but these tiles didn't; the gentle curves still capture the spirit of Mount Hua.

Right, on those old tiles-

Huh?

Old?

A tile was missing?

Chung Myung rubbed his eyes.

Was he mistaken?

"Huh?" The past MH are having the same expression as CM in the screen

"No way, that's not Mount Hua" One of the past deciple said

Jang Mun breath hitch "its been a hundred years so there's bound to be a little changes.... Right.. "

The present MH look on the other way not looking at their ancestor

No matter how much he rubbed, the scenery didn't change. With each step closer, the half-destroyed gate became clearer and clearer.

Chung Myung ground to a halt.

The main gate was the first thing visitors saw. Even if the interior was damaged, the front gate was always kept grand and neat.

But this was the gate of Mount Hua. Its frugal and pragmatic construction exuded the atmosphere of Mount Hua. And it was at least kept neat.

But...

What am I looking at? The tiles were scattered here and there and graffitied all over. They needed to be replaced, and badly-but the cracked, blackened, unpainted pillars were even more horrifying!

S-Spider webs... They had to be removed frequently, so he could understand that. However, it was impossible to understand why they were left where they were so visible.

And the Fire Dragon Point...

"Where did the sign go? The signboard-where did it go?" Didn't the signboard symbolize the Sect itself? Where the hell did it go?! This gate did not read "Great Mount Hua Sect"!

That was the signboard Sahyung cleaned every morning! Where did it go? Where?

Chung Myung's legs lost strength. He barely staggered to the main gate, but he had no words left.

"From what I heard, it's ruined?"

"Mount Hua Sect? I think I've heard of it. Weren't they famous in the past? From what I heard, they slew the Heavenly Demon and then collapsed. Are they still there?"

"...Ruined?" Mount Hua? Chung Myung's eyes shook.

Jang mun stand his eyes still in the screen. "No.... This can't be happening"

Tang Bo who is watching quietly frown. Its definitely a different place to once he remember. Its only been the front gate. He wonder if it can get worse than these.

"No-What kind of dog shit is this?" Others may despair, but Chung Myung struggled to contain his growing irritation.

Mount Hua, destroyed! Damn it, not something else, but Mount Hua? Mount Hua?

"Oh my. Mount Hua is ruined. Mount Hua..." No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't deny reality. Chung Myung, battered and shaken, finally had to admit it.

"Sahyung Jang Mun! Why did this happen? Why! Why did this happen? Ah, this suffocating silence! Ughhhhh!"

He felt the despair creeping over him.

It was then-

"Who's there?"

"Oh that's my voice" Un Am said

"This is the first time I met CM" He added

-A voice touched his ears.

"...You know about Mount Hua?"

"Am I right?"

"I am, for now?"

It isn't too late! Chung Myung heaved a sigh of relief. It must be on the verge of ruins; he could tell that from just a glance-but it wasn't entirely ruined, and that was the critical part.

Anyway, the legacy continues. Chung Myung resolved himself. First of all, Mount Hua is-

"Come in for now."

"Huh?" Chung Myung was surprised by the man's kind smile.

"The sun is going down."

"...Oh?" Right, it was already getting dark.

"The nights are cold on Mount Hua. You've already had a long day-if you risk a night outside, you're likely to freeze to death. Going down the mountain right now is unreasonable. This place doesn't accept guests right now, but I can't let someone who knows of Mount Hua go back alone.

Chung Myung's eyes spun. Wasn't this too easy?

"Yeah it was too easy... " Tang Bo said giving the other group a quick glance

"If no one came with you and you don't have other plans, come in. We'll listen to what you have to say later."

Chung Myung was a little dazed, like something was swelling inside him.

Right. This is it. What was the meaning of making a name for yourself with a sword? Even before they took up the sword, Mount Hua Sect was famous. Hardly any traces of Mount Hua lingered, but the fires of the mighty sect were yet to be extinguished.

"Then I will trouble you tonight." Chung Myung bowed his head.

"Come in." The man ushered him in with a smile.

"Yes. Before that, I..." Chung Myung paused. How should he introduce himself?

I don't know. He wouldn't question it, would he?

"I am Chung Myung. If it isn't too rude, may I know the name of the master?"

"Chung Myung, huh. Such a good name. I am Un Am."

"Wait a damn minute!!!! " Tang Bo said standing up.

"He then look at the present CM"

"Hyungnim said his name, and you didn't even recognize it" Looking at Un am

"No!!! Even in the beginning, you didn't know his name. The name of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint.... Aughh! This is making me angry"

"Lord Tang Bo calm down!" Chung Jin said

"No you didn't understand, we all die fighting in that battle. Hyungnim die defeating that pest of a bastard and the only thing they know is his title not even his name"

"I don't really mind it... " CM mumble still watching everything from the other room.

He had to take a deep breath. Considering what they'd left behind on Mount Hua and the circumstances of his return, it wasn't strange for Mount Hua to be bare. No, on the contrary, it was expected-and it wasn't the fault of the current people. It wasn't their fault their seniors had been wiped out while they were still children.

In other words, Chung Myung had no right to direct his anger at these people. He should be sorry, if anything. If Chung Myung had been in the same situation, would he have struggled to protect Mount Hua? He would have left it behind and gone to the Wudang Sect. Wasn't that just common sense?

Right. By what qualifications can I chastise these children? He was ashamed. No matter what else happened, he had to take responsibility.

"Phew." Chung Myung finally walked inside.

Ahhh. Chung Myung had nurtured his sword in this vast hall. The cracked floor, the bluish-white stone...

"...Huh?" He rubbed his eyes. Bluish-white... no, where did it go? Why was the ground covered in mud?

"....... "

"....... "

"....... "

The room was engulf with death defying silence

'I called it, poor Hyungnim' Tang Bo taught.

"Ughhh." He could feel a headache coming.

Let's stay calm. Calm. And calmer. What was the point of getting worked up over some blue stones?

Right. Just stones. No matter how expensive they were, they were just blue chunks of rock. Even if Sahyung Jang Mun harassed the disciples for scarring it, it was still just a stone... People are born, and so are stones; stones are born, and so are people... Ah, people and stones come and go.

Anyway!

Maybe it was sold. It was more important for Mount Hua to survive than protect the stones. Yeah, that was more important...

Let's just calm down.

"Yes....CM has a point" Jang Mun said

"Whew. Whew." Chung Myung took slow, deep breaths. Thanks to those who kept the name of Mount Hua alive by selling those stones-

Where did the Heavenly Golden Palace go?

"Oh God, what am I seeing" Jang Mun said as he started to tremble

"Sect Leader calm down" The deciple said worrying about their sect leader.

The other group are silently ashamed.

"This is really bad" Go Jul said whispering

"Yeah, how about say something we don't know" Jong Yoon whisper back

Ah, I can't see it. What the hell? The Heavenly Golden Palace was a building, not a living thing. It couldn't just run away, right? But no matter how hard he looked, the Heavenly Golden Palace was replaced by barren ground.

"...Uh."

"Hm?"

"Th-there." Chung Myung raised his trembling finger to where the Heavenly Golden Palace should have been. "T-the land there seems strange... was anything over there?"

"Ah, it seems you have good eyes. There was originally a palace in that space."

There "was"? Where did it go?

"Haha. It isn't a story a young one like you should hear."

Tell me! I know this place better than you!

"I guess it's a wound of glory. It's embarrassing to say it, as a martial artist."

Tang Bo raise his eyebrow "glory my ass.."

"...Glory, my ass."

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

Chung Myung was at a loss. The blue stones were gone, the signboard was gone, and the best place in the sect was gone. Wherever the wind blew, it found dust.

This is Mount Hua? This? He would have believed it if you told him it belonged to those rotten bastards in the Demonic Cult.

"Acckkkkkk."

"Ahhhh!" Jang Mun slump

"Sect leader!"

"Ancestor"

"I don't think I can see more of this" Jang Mun said

"Are you okay?"

"Ah, no. It's nothing. Nothing at all." Every time he inhaled, however, he seemed to catch mouthfuls of dust.

"It's a little..."

"Hm?"

"It seems a little... desolate."

Un Am smiled sadly, a bittersweet expression that hurt Chung Myung.

Right... of course it would be like that. The people who protected Mount Hua, like Un Am, were the ones who suffered the most after its collapse.

You must have suffered a lot. Just the thought of it weighed heavily in his heart. No matter how hard Chung Myung was taking it, it was nothing compared to the sorrow of those who protected it all this time.

"Come here."

"...Yes."

"When a guest comes, it is right to give them a place to rest. However, Mount Hua is a sect, and there is a law that guests must follow. I understand you might want to rest, but you must first pay your respects."

Chung Myung nodded obediently. Un Am brought him to a place similar to a shrine. Although there were several temples of significance on Mount Hua, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Okcheon Temple was the most important. Chung Myung didn't abandon the teachings of Mount Hua, so it was only right to enter and pray. In these trying times, he was grateful that Un Am had proposed.

And yet, he wasn't ready to see the inside of the temple. The entirety of Mount Hua was in ruins-could the temple be any different?

Let's not be too shocked. He took a bracing breath.

"This way."

"Yes."

Chung Myung gathered himself and stepped into the temple.

-And then stopped. Okcheon was cut. All he could see was a portrait, an incense burner, and some small objects.

So frugal. Frugal... Chung Myung groaned and shook.

"Where... " Jang Mun said in disbelief

"W-where..." Where were the golden candlesticks gifted from the Jin emperor? Where were golden scrolls inscribed with the ancestor's words?

But that wasn't what surprised Chung Myung the most.

"T... this." No way. No. Where did it go?

Chung Myung barely managed to raise his trembling finger towards the front.

"Huh?"

"T-there should be a flower, right?"

"A flower?"

"...Yes. A flower!"

"How did you know that?"

"I-it was there, right? Where did the flower go?"

Un Am tilted his head quizzically. There were many things he wanted to ask this child, but his contorted face begged him to answer.

"Right, there was one there. A plum blossom made of a strange white metal."

"Yes! That flower! Where did it go?"

"Sold it."

"...Huh?"

"Huh?" The past MH and Tang Bo look simultaneously to the present MH

"Please forgive us as much as we want to preserve the Sect's sacred and ancestral things. We need to do everything to keep the sect alive... " Hyun Jong said bowing to them.

"It wasn't particularly useful and didn't fit well with the sect atmosphere, and there was a merchant who wanted to buy it. So we sold it for a good price."

"S-sold..."

"Right. But you-"

"Ugh! Ugh! What?!" Chung Myung's eyes rolled crazily. "Ugh..."

The White Fragrant Plum Blossom-along with the Divine Sword of Violet Dawn, it was one of the two sacred items of the sect. It didn't glitter like gold or shine like silver, yet it was said to contain the very essence of Mount Hua.

And these crazy people sold it.

"Th-there are other things to sell! You sold it! You idiots..."

The combination of shock and fatigue finally won over him, sending Chung Myung toppling to the ground.

He could almost see Sahyung Jang Mun's terrified figure.

Ruined. Mount Hua was ruined. Completely ruined.

Sahyunnngggg!

Chung Myung passed out.

And it was the last draw Jang mun himself pass out!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
It takes a few minutes before Jang Mun regain his consciousness

"Sect Leader!!" The past MH desciple said simultaneously.

"Ancestor... " The elder of the present MH said worriedly.

"How are your feeling?" Tang Bo ask him taking his pulse.

"Much better.... I think.. " He said

"That's good to hear. Are you all ready to continue?" Geom ask

Everyone nod and take their sit. Tang Bo help Jang Mun to his sit.

"Well I guess, I have now the basis of what might come next. If there is worse than this" Jang Mun said.

Elder Hyun Jong of Mount Hua Sect gave Un Am a confused look.

"You mean he came up here alone?"

"Yes."

"And then he fainted inside Okcheon temple?"

"It seems like he couldn't even eat properly but, since he climbed Mount Hua by himself, it's natural for him to be exhausted."

"Exhaustion is part of it but its not really the reason" One desciple noted.

"Where is that child now?"

"I moved him to the Plum Blossom Hall. I also called Un Jin to check on him, and he said there was no problem other than fatigue."

"That's good. But it's strange for a child to climb up here alone. Is there no story behind it?"

"After the visit to Okcheon, I was going to ask him-but, as you know, he fainted, and I couldn't ask."

"I see."

"But..."

"Hm?"

"I wonder what he was planning..."

"Are you worried?" Hyun Jong chuckled at Un Am.

"It isn't like that..."

"What is so strange about knowing where Mount Hua is? This sect left its mark on history. It's no wonder people would remember it."

"Right."

"And he could be a descendant of a Mount Hua member."

"Well suprise everyone. He is not a descendant but our ancestor... " Go Jul try to joke around

And everyone look at him.

"Really?" Baek Cheon said.

"Hehe"

"Ah..." Un Am nodded. As they were pushed out of the Great Sects, many people had left Mount Hua. Few had remained to share their fate to the end. If this kid descended from one of them, they would find out.

"PUSH OUT!!!" Tang Bo once again yelled in surprise and everyone was startled.

"Lord Tang Bo... but.... *sigh" Jang Mun said as he try his best not to faint once again.

"How dare they!! They're not supposed to live if it weren't for us, for Hyungnim, the Mount Hua... Auugh!!! This is making me so crazy and angry at the same time!!! Oh now that I think of it What the hell is my damn family doing!! "

"If you're worried he's here to steal something, what is there left to steal?"

"...Sect leader." Un Am's face fell. However, Hyun Jong didn't see that.

"Sold it." Hyun Jong shook his head and smiled. "Right... right. Maybe he descended from a former member since he seems to know what Okcheon Temple used to be. It must have been embarrassing for the child."

"...Sect leader."

"Enough. It's true that we sold it. There's nothing to be ashamed of."

"Right. Bring him to me as soon as he wakes up."

"Yes, sect leader."

Hyun Jong lost himself to his thoughts.

Sold it. It felt like salt being sprinkled on his wounds. The ancestors will never forgive me.

"Do not fret your self. I know its important but I also understand the situation you've been facing because of us" Jang Mun said looking at Hyun Jong

Hyun Jong feel like he wants to cry

"What's more important than the sect itself. I'm grateful that you and the other was able to hold on for this long"

"T~thank you... " Hyun Jong said while the other elder are already crying.

No matter how much he wanted to save Mount Hua, how could he face his ancestors after selling the very history of Mount Hua? It hurt to think about...

The name of Mount Hua should not end in my time. Hyun Jong's face darkened. It wouldn't happen, not even in his dreams-he worked day and night to keep Mount Hua afloat. But with each day, his hope waned.

Un Am quietly stood up.

"I'm leaving."

"Hm."

"Ah..." Un Am stopped, just as he was about to leave. "Sect leader."

"Hm?"

"If that child wants to join, what do you plan to do?"

"Join..." Mount Hua Sect didn't accept disciples anymore. However, it would be different if they were a descendant of one of the disciples.

"It won't happen." Hyun Jong nodded firmly.

"I guess that didn't happened because, a while ago you said that he is a third class desciple" Jang Mun said smiling

"Indeed"

"I understand."

"Wait."

"Yes, sect leader."

"What's that child's name?"

"Chung Myung. It's Chung Myung."

"...Chung Myung." Hyun Jong's expression darkened. "Okay. You can go."

"Yes."

"Chung Myung..." He had the same name as one of Mount Hua's swordsmen.

"Weird." It was definitely weird.

"If only he were still alive." If only the famous Plum Blossom Sword Saint had survived that bloodbath, the fate of Mount Hua would be much different. It was a meaningless daydream, but Hyun Jong couldn't help himself.

"Ahh! Finally! Someone remember my Taoist Hyungnim!" Tang Bo exclaimed

"...So much debt."

Hyun Jong felt so, so alone.

---------------------

"You damned bastards." Chung Myung spat curses. "You had nothing else, so you sold it?"

"Oh.. He's awake"

It was maddening. Even if they were starving to death, those weren't things they should sell. No matter how shabby it looked, the disciples... were dead. The young kids would have... known nothing.

Right...

But even if Mount Hua was destroyed, those couldn't be sold-

"No, this is better than being ruined." If the ancestors had seen Chung Myung, they would have scolded him. No martial artist should be obsessed with material things. He knew that. He knew it well.

"I'm glad he still remember something good from my teaching" Jang Mun said

"Shit." Chung Myung groaned.

He looked down at the mountain range. Whenever he'd felt frustrated, he would climb another mountain and look at Mount Hua. When he saw the endless peaks rising through the clouds like swords, his spirits rose. But now...

"Shit." Everything was bad. It was all inside out. It felt like his stomach rotted whenever he saw something missing.

"The sect has declined." Really, it was more like "collapsed" than "declined".

"Anything of value was sold." That meant practically everything in Mount Hua. No doubt, Okcheon was the last place they touched-after he saw Okcheon Temple, he could understand why this place was so run down. They were so destitute they'd pulled up the blue stones and sold them.

"...Right. I understand everything! Everything else is fine, but this-! "

Why are the martial arts so crooked?!

Chung Myung rolled around on the floor outside the hall. He would die if he fell off, but Chung Myung didn't have the time to think about it.

"That old man... not even a third-rate disciple?" Talk about fate. Under normal circumstances, Chung Myung wouldn't even be able to guess the level of Un Am. No matter how strong he used to be, he was nothing more than a kid now.

However, Chung Myung could clearly see Un Am's level of martial arts. His senses weren't strong, Un Am was just too weak. When Chung Myung was at his prime, Un Am wouldn't have even qualified as a student.

"Are you alright" Hyun Jong ask Un Am

"I'm fine sect leader. It might be hurtful but I know that CM is speaking the truth and I know that I'm not the only one who think that way" He said looking back to the rest of the present desciple.

"...What am I supposed to do?" He didn't even know where to start. He knew he should start from the bottom, but it was too deep for Chung Myung to see.

Is this Mount Hua?

Do I tell them I'm that Chung Myung? They would curse him, no doubt. If he was lucky, they wouldn't beat him before they kicked him out. Chung Myung wouldn't believe himself, either.

But let's say they did believe him. Assume the man was infinitely patient and asked him to prove it with his martial arts.

I don't have the strength. Chung Myung was like a walking treasure. He had all the knowledge to revive the sect but not the power to protect himself. Chung Myung knew not everyone was as wonderful as his Sahyung. What if one of them didn't like Chung Myung and decided to take him out? His second life would be stolen, just like that.

"Well its my first time seeing him think this through" Tang Bo said smirking

"You bastard, what do you mean by that!?" CM said looking at his own screen.

That's no good, either.

"Then I'll have to revive the sect without revealing my identity." Or at least, hide it until he had the means to protect himself.

"So that's the reason why Sahyung hide his identity" Chung Jin said

"...It would be easier to fight the Demonic Sect." He spat a laugh. He had to teach martial arts to save Mount Hua and himself. He wanted to start hitting people, but...

"...If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have run over here."

He owes Mount Hua. The only reason he could walk around saying he was the best swordsman in the world was because of Mount Hua. Yet, he'd given nothing back to Mount Hua, only the honor of defeating the Heavenly Demon. Thanks to that, Mount Hua was on the edge of destruction. How could he ignore Mount Hua? He couldn't.

"Oh, Sahyung..." Chung Myung shook his head regretfully.

Up in the blue sky, he could see Sahyung Jang Mun smiling down at him.

"Still, it's Mount Hua."

"...Uh." Chung Myung heaved himself up. If he didn't want Sahyung to murder him in the afterlife, he had to make himself useful to Mount Hua.

"Damn it, who said anything could be impossible in this world?" When he'd first started learning martial arts at Mount Hua, who would have imagined he would become a great master? Everyone had thought they would be lucky if he didn't cause trouble. Chung Myung overcame their cold eyes and became famous in Mount Hua-challenging the impossible was his specialty!

"I will make it the best in Murim!" Chung Myung's eyes glowed with passion.

Everyone in Mount Hua shivered.

Everyone smile. Its only the beginning of the story.

•••••••••

I know... It's about a damn time! I'm really sorry for the long wait. I got busy with my life and school and also lost my motivation for this ff but good news. I've slowly regaining my hype for this story!!

See you in the next update. I hope it will not take me another year to update hehe