You know that feeling when you finish a series and everything else just feels... mid? That’s basically the "Mount Hua" effect. If you’ve spent any time on Webtoons or reading web novels lately, you’ve seen the name. Return of Mount Hua Sect (or Hwasan Gwi-hwan) isn't just another reincarnation trope. It’s a phenomenon. It’s the story of Chung Myung, the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, who wakes up 100 years in the future only to find his glorious sect has turned into a literal dumpster fire.
He’s pissed. Honestly, wouldn't you be?
Most "Murim" or martial arts stories follow a very specific, often boring, trajectory. The hero is a polite underdog who works hard and honors his elders. Chung Myung is the polar opposite. He is a chaotic, greedy, slightly unhinged old man trapped in a teenager’s body. He doesn't want to save the world; he wants to rebuild his house and maybe beat up anyone who looks at him funny. This shift in tone is exactly why the series, written by Bigo and illustrated by Studio LICO, has racked up hundreds of millions of views. It breathes life into a genre that was starting to feel like a dusty museum exhibit.
Why the Return of Mount Hua Sect Hits Different
Let’s be real. The "reincarnated master" trope is everywhere. You can't throw a rock in a manhwa library without hitting a guy who died and came back stronger. So why does this one stand out?
It’s the stakes.
In most stories, the protagonist's goal is personal power. In Return of Mount Hua Sect, the goal is institutional. Chung Myung is already a god-tier martial artist in his mind. The conflict comes from the fact that his beloved Mount Hua Sect is broke, disgraced, and has forgotten its own techniques. Watching him realize that his legacy has been pawned for a few pieces of silver is genuinely heartbreaking, which makes his "training" (read: borderline torture) of the current disciples feel justified.
The humor helps. A lot. Studio LICO—the same folks behind unOrdinary—knows how to draw a punch, but they also know how to draw a "derp" face. The comedic timing in the webtoon version is elite. You’ll be in the middle of a high-stakes duel involving the Southern Edge Sect, and suddenly Chung Myung makes a face that looks like a compressed pug. It breaks the tension. It makes the characters feel like people instead of just "Cultivator A" and "Cultivator B."
The "Murim" Lore Problem
A lot of people get intimidated by Murim (martial arts world) terminology. You hear terms like Dantian, Qi, Orthodox, and Unorthodox and your brain kind of fogs over. This series handles it better than most. It doesn't dump a textbook on you. Instead, it shows you the philosophy through Chung Myung’s frustration. He’s not just teaching them how to swing a sword; he’s teaching them what it means to be a "Plum Blossom."
The plum blossom isn't just a pretty flower. In the context of the Mount Hua Sect, it represents resilience—blooming in the cold. When the art finally depicts the Plum Blossom Sword Technique in full bloom, it’s not just a cool special effect. It’s a narrative payoff.
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The Chung Myung Factor: A Hero Who Is Kind of a Jerk
We have to talk about the protagonist. Chung Myung is "The Chose One" if the chosen one had a serious anger management problem and a love for booze.
He isn't a saint. Far from it.
He’s arrogant because he actually was the best. He’s cynical because he saw all his friends die to defeat the Heavenly Demon. That’s a layer of trauma the story explores without being too "edgy." He carries the weight of a dead generation. Every time he looks at the crumbling walls of the Mount Hua estate, he’s seeing the ghosts of his brothers.
But then he goes and scams a local merchant or beats his juniors with a wooden stick until they can "feel the air," and you remember he’s also just a menace. This duality is what keeps readers hooked. You're rooting for a guy who is objectively a bit of a bully, but he's a bully for the right reasons. He is rebuilding a family, not just a school.
Side Characters Who Actually Matter
Most power-fantasy stories suffer from "Protag-Centric Syndrome." Everyone else becomes a background prop. Return of Mount Hua Sect avoids this by giving the other disciples—like Baek Cheon, Yoon Jong, and Jo Gul—actual arcs.
They start as weaklings who have lost hope. Over hundreds of chapters, they evolve. They don't just get stronger because Chung Myung gave them a magic pill; they get stronger because they change their mindset. They regain their pride. Seeing the "Righteous Sword" Baek Cheon go from a stuck-up elite to a loyal (and equally stressed) leader is one of the best slow-burn developments in modern manhwa.
Addressing the "Slow Pace" Complaints
If you go on Reddit or Discord, you’ll see people complaining that the story moves too slowly. "It’s been 100 chapters and they’re still in the same province!"
They’re not entirely wrong.
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The web novel is massive. It has over 1,500 chapters and is still going. If you’re looking for a story that finishes in a weekend, this isn't it. However, the pacing serves a purpose. Most martial arts stories rush to the "World Ending Threat." Mount Hua takes its time to show the economics of a sect. It shows the politics of the different regions.
It understands that for a comeback to feel real, it has to be earned. You can't just find a manual in a cave and be #1. You have to trade, negotiate, build alliances, and—most importantly—prove your worth in front of the other Great Sects. The tension during the conferences and tournaments is top-tier because we’ve spent so much time seeing how much effort went into just getting the characters to the front door.
Cultural Impact and Why It’s Ranking So High
In Korea, Hwasan Gwi-hwan is a monster. It’s consistently at the top of the Naver Series charts. It’s spawned mountains of merchandise, an audio drama, and even a dedicated fanbase that tracks the "genealogy" of the fictional sect.
The reason it resonates so deeply is likely the "Underdog Comeback" theme. In a world where people feel like the system is rigged or that their best days are behind them, watching a guy literally drag his legacy out of the dirt is cathartic. It’s a story about not giving up, even when everyone tells you that your time is over.
Comparing it to "Solo Leveling" or "The Breaker"
People often compare it to Solo Leveling, but that’s a bit of a reach. Solo Leveling is about an individual becoming a god. Return of Mount Hua Sect is about a man trying to make sure his family doesn't disappear. It’s more comparable to The Breaker in its focus on martial arts tradition, or perhaps Legend of the Northern Blade for its sheer stylistic grit.
But neither of those has the same level of biting wit. Chung Myung’s inner monologue is a goldmine of "I’m too old for this" energy that makes it feel much more grounded than your average shonen-style power trip.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Lore
A common misconception is that Mount Hua is a real place with this exact history. While Mount Hua (Huashan) is a real mountain in China and is historically associated with Taoist martial arts, the "Plum Blossom Sect" as depicted here is a staple of Wuxia fiction (Chinese martial arts novels).
Bigo, the author, takes these classic tropes—the Wudang Sect, the Shaolin Temple, the Beggars' Union—and treats them with a mix of reverence and mockery. He knows the rules of the genre and breaks them intentionally. For example, the "Orthodox" sects are often portrayed as hypocritical and bureaucratic. It’s a critique of institutional rot that feels very modern.
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The Art of the Sword
Pay attention to how the "Plum Blossom" is drawn. In the beginning, it's just sparks. As the characters grow, the art becomes more floral, more fluid. It’s a visual representation of their "Qi" becoming refined. This isn't just "cool effects"; it's visual storytelling. If you’re just skimming the bubbles, you’re missing half the story. The way the petals scatter during a finishing move tells you exactly how much control the fighter has.
Reality Check: Is It Worth Your Time?
Honestly? Yes. But with a caveat.
If you want a quick fix, stick to the webtoon. The art is gorgeous and it hits the major beats perfectly. If you are a lore nerd and want to know exactly what kind of tea they are drinking and why the third elder of a rival sect is a coward, dive into the web novel.
Just be prepared for the long haul.
This isn't a story about a guy who gets a cheat code. It's about a guy who is the cheat code, but he has to teach a bunch of idiots how to use him. It’s frustrating, it’s hilarious, and it’s arguably the best thing happening in the Murim sub-genre right now.
Actionable Next Steps for New Readers:
- Start with the Webtoon: Read the first 20 chapters on official platforms to get a feel for the art style. The facial expressions alone are worth the price of admission.
- Track the Sects: Keep a mental note of the "Ten Great Sects" and the "Five Great Families." The politics of these groups become massive players later in the story.
- Don't Skip the "Training" Arcs: In most series, these are filler. Here, they are where the best character development happens.
- Look for the Translation Quality: If you’re reading the novel, find a translator that understands the nuances of martial arts terms. Bad translations can turn "Internal Strength" into "Tummy Power," which... kinda ruins the vibe.
- Engage with the Community: The fan theories about the Heavenly Demon's return are some of the most detailed out there. It adds a whole layer of "What if?" to the reading experience.
The Return of Mount Hua Sect isn't just about swords. It’s about what we owe to the past and how much we’re willing to suffer to build a future. Plus, watching a kid beat up arrogant masters with a stick is just objectively good entertainment.
There is no "end" in sight yet, and frankly, I'm okay with that. The journey of the Mount Hua Sect is far more interesting than the destination. Keep an eye on the plum blossoms; they're just starting to bloom.