flamefenrir2003

[flamefenrir2003]

Snippet:

“Are you here to take me away?” Chung Myung grinned up at her, raising an inviting hand. “I promised, didn’t I?”

[flamefenrir2003]

Power Scaling Return of the Mount Hua Sect

TDLR: I'm a very nerdy creative writing major. There will be links to the sources I use in case y'all are interested! Minor spoilers for the manhwa and novel.

So, one of the first things I set out to do before writing out my fic was to figure out the novel’s power scaling and determine how my original character would fit within it. Admittedly, I didn't find much—Biga is very ambiguous about Chung Myung's strength.

The only thing we know for sure is that Chung Myung still hasn’t reached the level of strength he had in his past life. But that really isn't helpful when fleshing out worldbuilding, even if we use the excuse that Return of the Mount Hua Sect employs a soft magic system.

After all, in our darling Chung Myung's legendary words:

"Qi, Strength, Speed. I'm outmatched in every aspect. But does that mean I'm weaker than him?" "Not at all. Physical strength and speed are hardly accurate measures of power."

To be honest, I was initially hesitant to place him within the traditional wuxia/murim power-scaling brackets, precisely because of this quote. Chung Myung’s battle experience and instincts form a huge part of his strength, allowing him to remain flexible and adaptable in virtually any situation. That means placing him strictly on a hierarchy risks missing what actually makes him dangerous.

Still, some kind of hierarchy is useful for readers.

It gives context to conflicts, clarifies stakes, and helps us understand why characters act the way they do. A rigid system can limit creativity, but it can also create some of the most satisfying payoff. Especially in underdog narratives, like when a story establishes a clear “food chain” and then upends it, the reversal lands all the harder.

Sound familiar?

Welcome to basically every wish-fulfillment power fantasy manga, manhwa, and anime ever (looking at you, Solo Leveling).

I’ll dig deeper into those narrative choices in another post. For now, the bottom line is this: having power hierarchies isn’t inherently bad. That’s why I decided to build one in the end, by piecing together scraps from the novel, the fandom wiki, and other martial arts/wuxia media I could find.

As a result, this is the power scaling system I came up with:

Third Class → Second Class → First Class → Peak Realm → Transcendent Realm → Absolute Realm → Nature Realm → God Realm

The fandom wiki lists Chung Myung’s cultivation only up to the “Supreme Peak” level—a title I’ve seen used less often than the more common “Transcendent Realm.” So, for clarity and recognition, I opted for the more popular translation.

Beyond that, the scaling is heavily sourced from popular martial arts works: Nanomachine, The Undefeatable Swordsman & Legend of the Northern Blade primarily due to their popularity and recognizability.

These levels are further divided in low, mid, and high stages to distinguish between characters in the same level. These characterizations are prescribed based on the character's progress as per the following:

The leveling is defined as cultivation, which is a combination of internal (qi) and external (body) arts.

Internal (qi) arts are basically made up of two components: your cultivated qi—the energy you gather in your dantian through training, and innate qi—your natural lifeforce from birth.

External (body) arts are basically you putting your body through vigorous mental and physical training to be able to bear the burden of the qi.

To progress up a 'level', one needs to fulfill certain criteria in both.

Achieve balance in both internal (qi) and external (body) arts. Even if you have all the qi in the world from eating a shit-ton of mythical herbs, unless you cultivate it properly and train your body to handle such a massive amount without blowing up, you won’t be able to advance forward.

Both your your internal (qi) and external (body) arts need to reach a certain minimum threshold. It's hard to mathematically define what it is; but martial artists can tell instinctually. For example, being able to manifest your internal qi in the physical world as plum blossoms.

These are base two requirements: each sect's martial path differs and may include more criteria as such. For example, Mount Hua advocating for Taoist spiritualism and naturalism.

As per another popular murim trope—you can't tell martial artists' level of cultivation by eye alone. That's why cultivators are warned to never underestimate the young and the old in Kangho.

However, certain 'symptoms' are attributable to only specific levels, so that can help people pin down their levels. For example, Body Reformation or Reconstruction (another classic martial arts trope) is typically only achievable upon ascending to the Absolute Realm.

In novel and manhwa, a clear example occurs during the Tang Clan arc, when Chung Myung uses the Burying Hatred Flame to purge poison from his body -> a feat, everyone notes, that can only be performed by masters at the “Supreme Peak” or Transcendent Realm.

I'll add more stuff as I remember it, but this was what I had worked out for my fic. If y'all have any other popular murim tropes, let me know!

Now, for my readers:

How do the characters in Return of the Mount Hua Sect fit in your power scaling system?

I'll do another in-depth post for each character specifically within this system. But for now, we can use the Southern Edge Conference Arc as a baseline time metric to establish the level of cultivations of the characters.

During the climax of the arc (aka the Tournament), the levels of the characters are as follows:

Yoon Jong is at the low Second Class level, while Jo Gul is at mid Second Class, since Chung Myung states he is strong enough to beat their seniors plus according to this source, manifesting sword qi is a trait of a Second Class martial artist.

The majority of the second-class disciples, including Baek Sang are either at mid or high Second Class. On the other hand Yu Iseol is high Second Class, on the verge of First Class only to have it mucked up by Baek Cheon.

Baek Cheon is at the low to mid First Class level, same as the majority of the Southern Edge Sect disciples, including Lee Song Baek. At this stage, it's expected for disciples to be able to manifest qi in the physical world: like Lee Song Baek's snow flowers.

Chung Myung is mentioned here to be at the Peak Realm at this fight, though he achieves it accidentally and it's unstable because of his young body. Given how Jin Geumryong holds his own, but still gets his ass kicked, I'll put him in the low Peak Realm while Chung Myung is at the mid to high level.

Baek Aeri (my OC) is at the high Peak Realm on the verge of enlightenment—she has the cultivation, the sword techniques, and the discipline but there's a huge mental block.

I know I said too much particularity in leveling ends up being constraining, but it's fun, okay?

I tried to be as dynamic with it as possible to honor Chung Myung's quote from earlier. In my opinion reason why he's stronger than Jin Geumryong during this arc is because of how well he understands the heart of Mount Hua's techniques—not because of the amount of internal qi.

Just as a little easter egg: What level of cultivation do you think Chung Myung reached in his previous life before dying?

Anyways, this post is as long as it is already! If y'all have any questions or constructive thoughts about my system, let me know!

[flamefenrir2003]

Chung Myung hates the cold. Everyone knows it but him. Chaos ensues. And as always Chung Jin suffers.

Chapter 2 is out!

It was really fun writing in Chung Jin's POV, given how little we know of his youth. For me, he's a bit of a martial arts nerd, self-assured (later on in life) & the type of person to secretly think Chung Myung is cool but never admit it.

He's soft towards baby Aeri because they're both considered weak and underdogs. Also because, well, she's kind of adorable, like a chick following after him everywhere.

Of course, Chung Myung has Thoughts™

[flamefenrir2003]

Hi, I'm Flame!

I'm the author of the Chung Myung x OC series "of plum blossoms and spring rain" on ao3. As per popular demand, I'll be more active here on tumblr to have a place where readers can reach me, get updates on the story and see the worldbuilding notes I've put together while writing.

For new readers, "of plum blossoms and spring rain" is a self-indulgent timeline about how things would've been different for Chung Myung if someone had survived the night of the attack to tell Mount Hua's story.

For my current readers, I'm a bit of a nerd—so you can expect lots of character reference art for Baek/Kim Aeri & Chung Myung, fluffy headcanons, scrapped plot ideas, and character studies of your favorite Return of the Mount Hua Sect characters.

If any of this interests y'all, don't hesitate to say hi :)

Thank you for all your support!

Credit: iybqs4 on X

[flamefenrir2003]

Good day to you, dear Author! This is written by one of the readers of the work "

Where your spring begins" continuation

Thank you so much for your work and effort 🫶

"The Virtues of Your Madness"I wanted to send you generated images of Baek Ae Ri and Cheon Ae Ri, but I couldn't figure out how (I felt stupid,

and forgetful, because I wanted to try to throw it off earlier). Your tumblr account was a lifesaver)

Umm, they are a bit similar to each other, but I hope that doesn't upset you.

Ahhh!!

The way I gasped when I saw these. The first picture is literally just Kim Aeri as I envisioned her! Thank you so much for being a supporter of my work, and I hope you continue to enjoy Chung Myung and Aeri's story :)

[flamefenrir2003]

Chapters 22 & 23 of you, singularity are out!

Welcome to the penultimate chapters of this fic!

It's been a long ride, so thank you for sticking around so patiently up till now. I adore you all and I'm always so motivated to write more because of your constant encouragement!

In this second installment, we've seen Jules slowly fit into our Cale's family, begin to see him as his own complex but ultimately good person, and actually genuinely being relying on another person for the first time in her life!

These chapters are an ode to OG!Cale and our Kim Rok Soo simultaneously. The people they were before, the people they are now, and how each birthday is met by yet another version of themselves. Kim Rok Soo has had to spend many birthdays alone, even now, displaced in a fantasy world. A little wish fullfillment, but even if only one person, I think he deserves someone to wish him a happy birthday.

Coming from Jules, who was ready to kill him once, the genuine celebration of his birth and of his sheer existence is a huge step in their relationship :)

If you enjoyed this chapter or have any thoughts, shoot me a message or comment on the fic! I love hearing from you all. And once again, thank you for all your support!

[flamefenrir2003]

I know we've only gotten to know each other recently through your fic, but Liz, this is some of the best stuff I've read in my long time lurking around ao3 especially the TCF Fandom. Genuinely.

I've never really been much of an OC fic reader, but you've literally changed my mind about them. You really do have such an amazing handle over what type of person Kim Rok Soo and Original Cale are, and then you top it all off with such heartwrenching writing. I'm literally sobbing.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this.

Chapters 20 & 21 of you, singularity are out!

Behold, I present to you all a crumb of romance. I was not kidding when I said this would be slow burn haha. I can't imagine Cale in a romantic relationship otherwise! He's so aroace coded tbh.

Even if our Cale refuses to believe it, Jules knows he's a good person. And that statement, coming from her of all people, Cale can't refuse.

Only three chapters left in the second installment of this series! Oof, time flew by fast! If you enjoyed this snippet, you can catch the latest chapters here!

[flamefenrir2003]

I am begging you to write a Y/N fic from Clopeh's perspective, as if HE is writing it. I will PAY YOU.

Clopeh is genuinely such an unhinged dude. I'm still stacking up on chapters in Part 2 (have only read up till the Xiaolen arc) but I've been rereading some of the earlier stuff.

Cale always goes around wondering why the hell he was cursed by a mad presence like Clopeh. Jokes on you, bro, you encouraged this.

You were the guy to literally dress up as a priest, gaslight him for shits and giggles and then light up his family's lake on literal fire. What is this poor dude supposed to think? That this fire that can't be put out with anything they try isn't a divine act? That the random, mysterious angelic figure isn't God?

Me to Cale: Honey, you're lucky he's not writing Cale X Y/N fanfiction about you Clopeh in Part 2 idk, ink in his hair and eyes red: Already on it.

[flamefenrir2003]

WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SEE:

WHAT CLOPEH SEES:

How much do you reckon Clopeh would pay me to hang this up in the Church of Caleism?

[flamefenrir2003]

In case someone wants the edited picture without all the crazy effects.

Two ways I'm envisioning long haired Cale? Either a curtain bang situation going on, or none at all. I don't own the photos (I wish), they're sourced from My In-Laws Are Obsessed With Me (10/10 recommend).

You can tell I got nothing better to do.

[flamefenrir2003]

Guys help, I’m sitting in the same room as @lizmidfordsblog and she’s been breathing fire while key smashing like a madwoman and rage listening to EPIC: the musical for the past hour. This woman only looked up from her laptop twice: once to put the Odysessus song on loop and the other to look me dead in the eye when I asked what she was writing and growl,

“Adin getting stabbed in the balls.”

I am terrified.

[flamefenrir2003]

Do y’all reckon there are moments when the anxient powers are being little shits on purpose and just keeping singing/blaring horns/howling into Cale’s head every time he’s in an important meeting?

Wait, the APs can’t access his memories, right? So they didn’t know about KRS until the Sealed God Test? Or maybe the convo between Cale and Choi Han.

So just IMAGINE these guys, for shits and giggles, suddenly start singing Gangnam Style while Cale is fighting the White Star.

Suddenly begins scrambling like a madwoman: WHAT SONGS WOULD CHOI HAN KNOW?!

[flamefenrir2003]

Sometimes, all I want is for Cale to absolutely loose his shit.

Like kicking and screaming cursing about how his slacker life keeps getting away from him. Like we know how hilariously devastated he is as readers, but I don’t think those around him understand just how OBSESSED Cale is with achieving his slacker life.

Like I want them to know the batshit decisions this walking disaster has made for the sake of a peaceful slacker life rolling in money.

He has scammed, looted, burned, fought, bled, fainted, stabbed himself etc. just for that stupid slacker life. Or maybe just once, even though I know this may be OOC, I want Cale’s thoughts to be broadcasted out loud.

I don’t know, maybe he gets cursed or something and suddenly Alberu, Choi Han and company are in on the batshit insane voices in Cale’s head plus the terrible choices he makes to get his slacker (which only makes his slacker life go far away haha).

Like do y’all REMEMBER that one scene in Part 2 where Alberu asks Cale to tone himself down lest he births another religion in ANOTHER WORLD.

This dude’s thought process is an instant 0 to 100 percent. Bro does not know moderation.

Cale, feeds some kittens: Welp you’re part of the family now.

Cale, free a dragon who follows him around: Guess you’re my son now.

Cale, meeting feral Choi Han: Oh? Hi, protagonist of the novel who kicks my ass canonically that I could definitely just avoid meeting at all instead going out of my way to stalk to the gates of Rain City. Want a meal, a bed and mental stability?

Also Cale: Hehehe, but I’mma justify it saying that I’ll make all of you pay for your meals (even though in reality I’m just gonna sacrifice myself for y’all)

[flamefenrir2003]

I recall OG!Cale’s birthday purposefully not being revealed by the author-nim when she was listing out others’. So it might be a relevant plot point idk?

But at the same time it would make themstic sense if both OG!Cale and KRS had the same birthday due to the soul switching?

Where are y’all leaning towards?

[flamefenrir2003]

Posted this separately :

Later after eruhaben’s lectures and worries

Ouch

[flamefenrir2003]

Ma’am respectfully, you can’t drop this literally hours after shredding my heart to pieces during the latest chapter.

Now I can’t decide whether to laugh or cry 🥲

Some hilarious quotes from the fic that are too good to leave in the drafts pfft

“I AM A KITE!” Raon screams, thrilled. “You can fly.” Cale deadpans. “I AM SOARING!” “You are going approximately four feet.” Jules snorts, tossing Raon higher in the air. “Feels like more when you’re tiny.” “I’m not tiny! I’m compact and powerful!” “Sure you are, kiddo.”

2.

Suddenly, Mary sits up straight, sticking her arms out in the air. “I am God.” She states extremely seriously. “Bow down you plebians.” “WHO THE HELL GAVE MARY ALCOHOL?”

3.

She meets Choi Han’s amused gaze, barely lets out a groan before tipping over and puking again. All over Cale's feet. “I admit, this is the first time I’ve been greeted like this.” “Oh fuck you.” “Yeah, that’s more familiar.”

4.

Jules roundhouse kicks away the shot glass Cage offers the bewildered swordsman, screeching at the top of her lungs. “NO GIVING ALCOHOL TO MINORS!” No one hears Choi Han’s heartbroken mutter. “…But I’m older than all of you?”

5.

“…Are—Are you flirting with me?” Jules stammers incredulously. Cage nods vigorously, leaning in dramatically and slamming one hand firmly against the wall next to Jules’ head. “Hey darling, what do you think about having a beautiful Unnie?” "Excuse me?" Cage whispers, eyes gleaming with madness. “Not only am I smart and beautiful, but I am amazingly talented at satisfying women—” Somewhere behind them, Cale abruptly chokes on thin air.

6.

Jack suddenly crawls over to Jules’ side, clutching her leg desperately, his eyes shimmering and watery. “Jules,” Jack whimpers, voice cracking pathetically as he looks up at her. “Do you think I’m unlovable? Am I doomed to be forever alone because men can’t handle my—my sparkle?” Hannah cackles. "You're a celibate priest with no game, what sparkle?!"

[flamefenrir2003]

I honestly lose my mind every time I see a new outift on our Cookie Prince!! And Cale ofc!!

Now all I need before I rest in pieces after my thesis is seeing Raon dress up with a cute littld bowtie (I’m allowed to dream ok?!)