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ChungMyung wasn't interested in love.
No, does that bastard even have a bone in his body that could harbour affection, let alone love, in the first place?
Mount Hua already knew the answer.
For the years they spent with ChungMyung, not a single one of them had been given any affection from their youngest. And if they were the one to initiate it in the first place? They'd next be laying on the ground, blood pouring down their face, and a few bumps on their head to solidify ChungMyung's message. A few tries throughout the years, every disciple of Mount Hua gave up on trying to be affectionate with him.
Of course, This doesn't mean ChungMyung doesn't know love. It just means he doesn't know how to love.
ChungMyung loves his descendents. ChungMyung loves his Sahyung, his Sajae, his leach. ChungMyung loves Mount Hua. He doesn't show this, doesn't give a slight hint, but they know.
And in return - Mount Hua loves Chung Myung.
They just didn't know that anyone else would have been capable of doing the same.
It was a bright sunny day.
Too... Too damn bright.
Baek Cheon shuddered at the sight of the sun, with no clouds blocking the rays that it shined. Although the weather was beautiful, something made his body tremble. Something... Something ominous.
He looked around his fellow disciples, trying to see if they were the cause. No, they were only training as always. Was it ChungMyung then?
He looked to his side. No, ChungMyung's asleep. He couldn't possibly cause any trouble in this state.
(He ignored the small number of disciples calling him biassed when it comes to his Sajil. He also ignored his own hand stroking the head of said Sajil in his sleep, the only time he could do so. Ignorance is bliss, after all.)
Yet, no matter what he tries to reassure himself with, something keeps crawling up his spine. He feels nervous... Afraid? Or more like-
"NOOOOOO!!!!!!! NO NO NO NO N- !! ”
A scream interrupts the disciples' training. Everyone pauses, halting in their self-torture, looking to where the yell was heard.
Baek Cheon immediately began to sweat buckets. What's going on? He thought. That was definitely Elder Hyun Young's voice, right? Did somebody swindle money? Or did someone steal from their savings?
(Baek Cheon doesn't think much on how most of the elder's concerns were about money. Ignorance is bliss. Was that his new motto?)
Un Fortunately, his question to himself was answered with a door slamming open and a frazzled Un Geom rushing out.
"Ch-ChungMyung! Where's ChungMyung!!"
The sect leader scrambled out, alongside Un Am and the other elders. Every disciple stared at the panicked bunch before glancing at ChungMyung.
The boy was still asleep.... They all rolled their eyes at his peaceful face. So unfair.
"ChungMyung...! ChungMyung!!!"
Hyun Young dived to where ChungMyung laid, shaking him awake and shrieking. The devil awoke with a gasp, asking the elder what was wrong.
"Do I need to kill someone?! Break their heads?!!?"
Why was that the first thought..
Crazy... This bastard is crazy.
"No, you cute child!! This is something worse! So so... Awful !" The elder cried, hugging his favourite disciple tightly. Said disciple could only quack and struggle against the choking hold. It would have been a funny sight that would render them into fits of laughter, if only their elder's words didn't catch their attention first.
"What? What about him? Sect Leader, did something happen?" Yoon Jong asked, immediately abandoning the rocks he was lifting, opting to gather more information instead.
A gasp from the crowd was heard.
"Oh my goodness- Is he going to die?!"
And chaos erupted.
"What!! Who dares to land a finger on ChungMyung!! I'll kill them!!"
Ah... Won't ChungMyung kill them first though? The sect leader thought, sweat dripping from his face.
"Sect Leader, who is this bastard!! We'll hunt them down!!"
"Yeah!!"
"Break heads."
No.. Why are you all reacting like a bunch of dogs whose youngest got hurt? Are you all crazy?
Ya... There's no sane bastard in this sect.. Ancestors save us all...
Hyun Jong shed a tear, mulling over how much his sect has changed, while Hyun Sang tried to silence the rowdy crowd. Thankfully, they quieted down seconds later, only after ChungMyung waved a hand to listen to their elder. ( These brats ? Hyun Sang thought, irritated.)
ChungMyung then spoke up. How terrifying.
"Sect Leader, I politely ask you to please spit what you're worried about out,"- It's not polite if you say it like that you bastard. .- "If it's someone threatening the sect, I'll just beat their asses until they kneel on the ground!!"
Hyun Jong, in response, only bit his bottom lip, contemplating if he should say it. Looking at the determined eyes of ChungMyung, he almost relented- Of course, that was before Hyun Young beat him to the punch.
"ChungMyung!"
Cried the elder, holding the devil's face in his hands.
"Never get married!!"
?
????
What??
Get married?? Get marrieddd???
Can that bastard even get married?? No, what's going on first?? Huh?? Get married??
I think I'm gonna puke.
Marriage huh... Haha.....
A heavy atmosphere covered the whole sect. Every single disciple of Mount Hua froze at the declaration, minds running and melting itself. Marriage and ChungMyung?? Where did those two words ever connect?
Everyone repeated the few words in their heads.. But the most affected of them all, The Five Swords, managed to even cease thinking, almost falling over, mouth gaping when they heard those cursed words. No.... What? Marriage? ChungMyung? Married??
"Aiya, my chicks are already old enough..."
"You're the youngest you bastard!!"
"Even still.. I must leave the sect to marry.. Goodbye Sasuk.. Sahyung... Sago.."
"Huh?!! Of course not!! Why would I ever marry?! What is this even about!" ChungMyung shouted, interrupting their thoughts and nightmare. Woah, was that the first time they were thankful to hear his voice?
"Ah.. ChungMyung..." Hyun Jong timidly mumbled. He shoved his hands to dig into the inside of his robe. ChungMyung only blinked. Ah?
No..
"The thing is.."
No..!
"A letter came by today.." Hyun Jong reluctantly pulled out a piece of paper.
Nooo... The other disciples thought in despair.
"It was.. Ahem... A marriage...proposal. Addressed to you, ChungMyung."
...
So that's what that feeling was.
Baek Cheon fell backwards, foaming at the mouth.
Being threatened...?
"No... What?"
It's been hours since ChungMyung was led by the elders into the meeting hall, obviously intending to discuss the letter. This would be a fair and reasonable act if it weren't ChungMyung they brought in.
To be fair- after the acceptance stage- having to deal with marriage proposals isn't uncommon when it comes to being in a sect. Baek Cheon, for one, receives many many letters asking for his hand in marriage. And of course, every time, he replied with a letter declining that request.
This goes the same for the other disciples. Tang Soso's letters were burnt every time, Jo Gul's was thrown in the garbage, Yoon Jong's would be ignored, even Baek Sang's were declined with a hint of hostility in his letters. And Yoo Iseol's wasn't even shown to her, instead being ripped apart by her fellow disciples.
But, within the hundreds, hundreds of marriage proposal letters addressed to the disciples of Mount Hua, not one of them was addressed to their resident Mad Dog.
Until now.
"Urgh!!"
"Ah Sasuk!"
Yoon Jong quietly stared at their Sasuk, who was currently having a seizure. His mouth foamed once again, causing Soso and a few others to panic over him. Yoon Jong could only look away.
Currently, every single one of the third and second grade disciples were gathered in the training area. Sure, they're abandoning their training for something that isn't related to them in any way, and sure, they'll get their asses beat- but that's a price that they were willing to pay.
After all.. Their youngest was sent a marriage proposal . For the first time .
"But- but why would they even entertain the thought!! Isn't it obvious that we should just reject it on the spot?!" Jo Gul spoke up from the chaos.
"This is the first letter he was given though. Didn't we also go through the same thing?" Another one of his Sajae's intellectually contributed. Ah, yes. Yoon Jong thought, Every disciple went through the same thing.
So why do they care so much?
Normally, this wouldn’t be such a big thing. No, the elder’s wouldn’t have even cared- opting to only deliver the message instead of taking part in any of the drama that comes with it. Of course, to counter the nonchalant reaction, everyone in the sect would tease the said-disciple who would get their first marriage letters. They'd get head rubs, pats on the back, and congratulations would be thrown left and right. Though the proposals would be denied, it was still a sign of them having caught the attention of a young lad or a beautiful girl nearby.
And yet, when it was ChungMyung's turn, the reactions were… Opposite.
Why?
"Still!" Jo Gul whined. Brat . “He's our youngest! Our Sajae and Sajil!"
"He's not ours to own." Yoon Jong frowned. Not ours.
"Besides," Everyone turned to Soso, "He won't even accept the proposal. I'm confident. Do you all not remember what I told you?"
Right. Soso experienced ChungMyung's thoughts on marriage first hand.
"Isn't that because you're like- 10 years older than him? Pervert."
"What! Why you-"
"Enough."
Baek Cheon chips in, arising from his frazzled state, clearing his throat. Everyone stared blankly at him. Wasn't he just about to pass out again? When did he have time to fix his looks? This damn handsome Sasuk..
"Soso is correct. Let's not forget that ChungMyung's insane-"
Is that really necessary to point out?
"-He would never even have thought of marriage if this topic wasn't brought up. ChungMyung is loyal to the sect. He would never abandon Mount Hua for some lowly human that doesn't even deserve him."
Sasuk.. Why are you talking about this unknown person so venomously?
Baek Sang retorted, "But still, ChungMyung is still only human. What if he does pick this person over Mount Hua? What will we do then?" Voicing out their primary concern. His gulp was audible before he uttered the next words.
"What.. What if he favours them over us?" His voice trembled.
Silence.
And then-
Ah , Yoon Jong thought, standing still amongst the sobs and screaming of his fellow disciples, We should have burnt that letter before it even reached the devil.
Moments later, after everyone realised that hell on earth appeared in the form of a piece of paper addressed to ChungMyung, the person of the topic walked out the meeting hall... Alongside the obviously exhausted elders that trail behind him.
And yet, instead of fretting over their elders, the disciples perked up and began asking questions towards their youngest. Their voices were rapid and loud, speaking over each other and overlapping the others' words. But there was one question that stayed consistent.
"Did you accept?!"
Their youngest stayed silent.
"Ahem!"
All attention redirected to their Sect Leader. Right.. He was their leader. That means he knew the answer!
"Se-Sect Leader! Did you finally respond with a rejection letter!?"
Hyun Jong sputtered, "Tha-That-!"
"Sect Leaderrr-! I knew we could count on you!"
"Our Sect Leader really is the best!!"
"Sect Leader!!"
The disciples cried out. Everyone thought that it's a bit weird that it was because of a marriage proposal being rejected. Everyone did not voice these thoughts.
"Aherm..."
Said Sect Leader coughed into his fist, cheeks flushing at the praises. Unfortunately, they were undeserved praises.
Hyun Jong sweated at the glares his Sajae's dug into his back. Wasn't he the Sect Leader here? Aiya, Mount Hua really is doomed.
"Ev-everyone.. Let's quiet down," Hyun Jong interrupted, "We've discussed the letter to ChungMyung and for the sake of Mount Hua...."
He paused.
ChungMyung sighed,
"We've decided to put the.. Situation.. on hold. Bastard wants to meet me or something... To know more about me before accepting my rejection? I don't know. The elders and I agreed this is for the best- so for the times I'm gone, don't try to be lazy in training, got it?!" He said, saving Hyun Jong some grace.
!!
Just like that, peace on Mount Hua was destroyed once again.
In just a few weeks, there were a few things that the young disciples of Mount Hua had found out.
Firstly, The one who sent the proposal was a man. A few disciples choked at this reveal, which only intensified when they found out that he was looking for a bride .
Thankfully, or not so, it was only a coincidence that he had stumbled upon ChungMyung while looking for a contestant for this role. Talking about how he was perfect for it, or something? They don't know. They don't care.
In the letters the man sent, he described ChungMyung to be ethereal . ' Beautiful in ways that could not be described even if the Heavenly God tried to make me spell it out with the finest honey, ' He had said. Heaviness and misery weighed down the stressed hearts of the young disciples when listening to those exact words be narrated by their demon.
Fortunately, ChungMyung gagged at the letter, spitting at it, before throwing it on the floor. With that, their hearts eased.
Second, ChungMyung- true to his words- has taken upon himself to travel and meet this strange man. It turned to a routine, with a reluctant Mad Dog being dragged by an equally reluctant Sect Leader and shoved into some sort of make-shift carriage. It was laughable to see their youngest devil whine and kick. It made all the disciples jokingly call this unknown person 'An Angel.'
But then one day, ChungMyung went back to the sect with flushed cheeks and a rose tucked behind his ear. The man had then gotten a new nickname.
'The Thief.'
The third thing they found out is that- They have literally never met ‘The Thief.’ Ever.
Not one person knows who this person is. The elders described him to be a prince of a region far away- which does not help their view of him- and that ChungMyung would be lucky to marry him.
(Granted, they said those words with practised assurance, blank eyes, and gritted teeth. The disciples took the hint.
This man was an utter bastard. )
Unfortunately, this meant that even the beggar sect wouldn't be able to know much about him. Sad. They were planning on hunting him down for sport.
Ahem!
Lastly, for some unknown reason, word had spread about the proposal in Shaanxi. It had reached newspaper highlights already, much to Elder Hyun Young's dismay, and was the main reason why the title "Divine Dragon" was uttered so much lately. Even Sect Leader Hyun Jong had to take time off to relieve his stress over the situation. Yet, they could do nothing else but stay still.
Mount Hua only hoped that this didn't reach the ears of their enemy sects.
It had reached the ears of Zhongnan.
Why is it that every time there is a clear sky, It only brings bad luck to Zhongnan?
Ah.. I guess it's just me affected though?
Lee Songbaek hummed at his thoughts before turning his gaze back to the disciples of Zhongnan. They've had already finished their training for the day, now opting to-
-to gossip.
Hehehehe!
Lee Songbaek sighed at the giggles that erupted from his associates. For some reason, his sect had gone more childish with each day that passed. Alas, it didn't bother him. Afterall, they need to let loose once in a while- and it was already common for them to gather once in a while and talk about the word that spread outside their gate.
But this particular conversation?
"Have you heard?!"
"Yes, yes, I have! It's so weird, right?!"
"Out of everyone in Mount Hua..."
"Why him? It's so strange. Did they only want his talents or something? What's so good about him?"
"He was quite pretty when we met him though,"
"No way! Young Master Baek Cheon was way handsom-er."
"What's this about Dongryong?"
Eep!
The gossipy little disciples yelped at the sudden appearance of their great Sasuk. When did he ever even visit the training grounds?! They gaped like fishes out of water at the sight of him.
Jin Geumryong only stared at them. He kept staring, waiting for an answer.
Lee Songbaek bowed, taking initiative, "Sahyung,"
The others rushed to do the same.
"Sajae," Jin Geumryong acknowledged back, his usual arrogant tone seeping through his words, "What was that about Dongryong? I did not know my brother was capable of having even Zhongnan mention his name. Did he do something foolish once again?"
Lee Songbaek shook his head,
"No, Sahyung. The Sajils were not talking about Young Master Baek Cheon."
"Ho? Then who was it you were gossiping about?"
"It.." Lee Songbaek paused, "It was about The Divine Dragon.. Sahyung."
Jin Geumryong's face hardened. Ah, the other disciples nervously thought, sweat dripping down their face from the pressure, We're doomed!
"The brat? What had he done now?" Bitterness dripped with every word that came out of Jin Geumryong's mouth. Lee Songbaek could only hold himself back from defending ChungMyung. With gritted teeth, he muttered,
"... It.. It was about the proposal that was addressed to young master ChungMyung, Sahyung. They say that a prince had asked for his hand in marriage. Only a small, probably untrue, gossip circulating around the city."
"Pro....posal..?"
Well. That certainly wasn't the reaction Lee Songbaek expected.
Usually, when hearing about the actions of the disciple who earned his title at the cost of humiliation for Zhongnan, Jin Geumryong would grow furious . Their training then would be tenfold harsher. He'd be stricter, more arrogant, more... Pissy.
Needless to say, the disciples of Zhongnan had learned not to utter that title when near Jin Geumryong.
But when presented with his name now...
Lee Songbaek watched as his Sahyung took on a confused look, before it shifted into a pondering look, then a... Hang on, Why does his Sahyung look like he just had a revelation?
"Sa...Sasuk?" One of the brave third grade disciples of Zhongnan spoke up. Lee Songbaek admired his bravery.
"Ah... The prince was smart," Jin Geumryong only said in return, nodding his head like it was a universal fact.
??
Huh?
"Pardon..?" Lee Songbaek blinked, clueless to what his Sahyung was talking about.
"The brat was a wise choice for a partner. I can see why he picked him," Jin Geumryong explained further, like it made sense. Spoiler Alert : It did not.
"Sasuk.. What?" Are the third grade disciples becoming more brave today? How commendable.
"As much as I hate to admit it, that Mount Hua bastard is a great choice to have as a bride. He has the talents and the looks to bring, does he not?" Jin Geumryong cocked his head to the side. The Sajils looked at each other in astonishment.
Was.. Was he trying to gossip with them? Lee Songbaek needs to lie down.
"Yes, Sasuk! That's what I was telling Sahyung!"
"Hey! I only said that young master Baek Cheon is way more handsome!"
"That's because you have not seen him," Jin Geumryong smoothly said, like his Sajae is not about to have a heart attack about the situation, "Dongryong is far too ugly to be compared to the Divine Dragon. I would have given him a proposal myself, if I didn't despise him so much."
(Far away, Baek Cheon's blood began boiling. What was that about?)
"Wow, he must be real pretty then, to gain Sasuk's attention!"
"Sasuk should shoot his shot!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
"I'd rather die," Please do , Lee Songbaek begged, "...But I wouldn't mind if we had some children. They would be the strongest of their generation, I am sure."
Sahyung.. Sahyung, young master ChungMyung is a man.
Ancestors, hear my prayers..
That day, Lee Songbaek regretted everything that led up to his life.
Tang Gunak was a family man.
Not everyone knows of this fact, but he prides himself in loving his family more than anything. And although he may be strict, cold, and unforgiving when it comes to punishments, he does what's necessary to keep his family on the top of the food chain. To give them a happy, healthy, loving life.
So when a bastard- Cough . A man like ChungMyung caught the eyes of his young daughter, he was furious. Mad at the thought of handing his daughter to a human text-book definition of a demon.
That was, of course, before he became friends with the devil.
Thinking back on it, if his young daughter still continued on in pursuing ChungMyung, Tang Gunak wouldn’t be as comfortable with joining hands with ChungMyung- and in extension, Mount Hua- as he is now. Alas, the boy proved that he didn’t have the intention of having his daughter’s hand in marriage. And so, Tang Gunak, the Poison King, let himself be befriended by ChungMyung.
He let himself see ChungMyung as an acquaintance, as a friend, as a reliable hand in battle. He even let himself cherish ChungMyung as much as he cherished his own son.
Thus, when he had heard about what has been the number 1 gossip around the region, Tang Gunak had almost collapsed in anger.
He would be lying if he said that he did not feel his blood boil when his son first uttered the words to him.
Dropping his quill, spilling ink all over his desk, Tang Gunak’s eyes popped out of his head, muttering only a few words to convey his shock-
“What in the world did you just say?” He had said.
Tang Pae, his precious son, the one to relay this information to him, could only tremble.
“Fa-father.. I only heard from gossip.. So I insist you still request an explanation from Mount Hua… After all,”
Tang Pae gulped,
“Maybe- Young Master ChungMyung might not actually be getting married….?”
Crack.
Why is he even so bothered about this!? Tang Pae cried in his thoughts, witnessing his father crack his desk under his fist. Seriously- Young Master ChungMyung is just a friend! Shouldn’t we be congratulating Mount Hua instead of being furious about it?? I really don’t understand…!
“Tang Pae.”
“Yes-!?”
“Bring out our guards.”
“Yes, My lo- wait, huh-?!”
“I said, bring out our guards, you imbecile!! We need to move, as soon as possible! We cannot let this happen- I forbid it!! I forbid it, I say!”
Tang Gunak slammed his hands on the broken wood, standing up so fast that his chair fell behind him. Tang Pae looked at his father incredulously.
“Father, please think reasonably!”
“Shut your mouth boy!” The Poison King yelled, “I’d rather have Soso married away than let whoever just take the Divine Dragon’s hand just like that..!” He declared. It was a lie, but still. He was oddly passionate.
(Tang Soso’s ear itched. Was someone saying things about her? Oh well, she’ll just break their heads when she sees them.)
“Father-?!”
“Enough! Send out all our guards immediately! This is an order from the head of the family!!”
Hearing those words, Tang Pae ceased his retorts. With a sigh, he turned around and walked out the door, resuming his duties to obey the family head’s every word. Oh well. It wasn’t like he didn’t agree with his father’s rants.
5 gruelling months passed, all spent in misery.
But ChungMyung had come to finally, finally reject the proposal.
Mount Hua, in response, did nothing but celebrate for the week after ChungMyung’s rejection letter was sent. They partied like animals- prayed so much to the Jade Emperor in his grace to the point they could rival the monks with their Buddha.
Hye Yeon was not happy with that comparison. Where was he throughout these happenings anyway?
Once questioned, he revealed that when he heard about the letter, he went back to Shaolin to request to wage war against the unknown palace. The Abbot threw him out in response. Hm.
Definitely not connected, but after his re-accounting, The disciples of Mount Hua sneaked Hye Yeon some alcohol. Hye Yeon had a good time.
Overall, Mount Hua and its disciples were happy to remain as ChungMyung’s priority. Elder Hyun Young fed his favourite child many mooncakes, Elder Hyun Sang gave him alcohol and Sect Leader Hyun Jong let him cause some little trouble without punishment. The first class disciples took turns ruffling ChungMyung’s hair, while the rest of the disciples giggled and bragged about ChungMyung rejecting a foreign prince.
The sect is now what it used to be. Happy, Joyful, and still suffering in the hands of ChungMyung.
Glory to Mount Hua.
🌸
(Back to a few weeks ago, It was revealed that the North Sea Palace and the Beast Palace were the last to learn about the situation. Common folk say that Instead of reacting normally, they had started to make plans of raiding the palace alongside the Tang Family.
Months later, the existence of the palace of the man who proposed to ChungMyung, could now only be mentioned in history)
(In the midst of those months when the unknown palace was being eradicated from existing in the present time, it was reported that the prince had suddenly died with no symptoms of prior illness. It was ruled as suicide, due to the events in his beloved palace.
Jang Ilso swears he had nothing to do with it.)
(Heavenly Lord, the world is doomed. It was the devil’s fault as scriptures say.
May the ancestors bless ChungMyung to be single till the end. Tang Bo, Thank Goodness you are not alive.)