Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1307

“What’s the situation?”

“It doesn’t seem like the battle has begun yet.”

Ho Gamyeong’s eyes gleamed coldly.

The battle should have already started. The fact that nothing had happened meant they had stopped before the canyon.

And stopping meant they were hesitating and thinking.

“How far away are they?”

“At this speed, we’ll arrive very soon!”

“Very soon, huh….”

Was there any chance they hadn’t realized where Ho Gamyeong’s main force was?

‘None.’

Even if it was someone else, Im So-byeong would never make that mistake. Even though Jang Il-so hadn’t really tried to capture him, Im So-byeong had led the Green Forest fighters and stood against them as equals.

If Im So-byeong had joined Jang Il-so, Ho Gamyeong would have done anything to put him in a key position in the Four Faction Alliance. Im So-byeong was that good. There was no way he would miscalculate something so simple.

If that’s the case….

“Are they planning to break through that canyon?”

Ho Gamyeong narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.

He didn’t know what they had decided, but they were at least thinking about it.

Was that really possible? Even leading Hainan?

“How much have their numbers gone down?”

“We can’t know for sure, but it looks like Hainan has lost at least twenty percent.”

“Twenty percent, huh.”

In war, an army that has lost more than thirty percent is considered finished. Once they lose that many, their morale drops, and they can’t fight anymore.

Of course, Hainan wasn’t a normal army. They were the best of the best, trained for years.

But even so, trying to go through the canyon with that much damage would be crazy. So, they should detour….

Ho Gamyeong’s face became serious.

He wanted them to detour, to stay in the south longer. Only then could he catch them before they got to Guangdong.

That’s why he had carefully controlled the speed, pushing them to the edge.

If they were smart, they would have detoured already. But they still weren’t moving, which meant someone wanted to take the canyon route.

And it was obvious who that was.

‘What the hell is he?’

Did the Mount Hua Sword Saint really plan to break through that canyon in this situation? A place like a giant wall of rock, dark and jagged against the sky?

“T-that’s impossible.”

The messenger looked shocked. “Isn’t that place called Fallen Devil Valley because even ghosts would fall trying to cross it? No matter how strong they are….”

“Heh heh heh heh.”

Gweollyang’s mocking laugh cut him off.

“You’ve got a lot of patience, keeping guys like him around,” Gweollyang smirked, leaning back.

The messenger’s face went red with shame. Ho Gamyeong glanced at Gweollyang, then back to the map. “You think differently?” he asked, his voice calm but sharp.

“He’ll break through, for sure,” Gweollyang said, licking his lips like he was looking forward to a good fight.

“A narrow canyon,” Gweollyang continued, pointing at the map, “a defense that looks impossible?”

“…“

“That’s how *we* see it. He doesn’t. He will definitely break through.”

“Even so? The damage will only get worse.”

“You’re stating the obvious, strategist. Are you trying to test me? Or is your brain not working from running so much?”

“How dare you be so rude to the strategist…!”

Ho Gamyeong raised a hand slightly, stopping the angry subordinate. It wasn’t because he thought Gweollyang was right, but to stop his man from getting killed in this place.

“Continue.”

“You all think the Mount Hua Sword Saint knows something about war.”

“…I won’t deny it.”

Ho Gamyeong nodded. Anyone who had fought the Mount Hua Sword Saint would agree.

He seemed to act on instinct, without thinking. But if you looked closely, there was always a reason for what he did.

He didn’t just look ahead. He knew how to plan many steps in advance.

This wasn’t an exaggeration. Most people thought this about the Mount Hua Sword Saint.

“But that’s wrong.”

“Wrong?”

Gweollyang said firmly, “He doesn’t know anything about war. He wouldn’t bother learning it.”

Ho Gamyeong frowned.

“The gang leader doesn’t know war either. But they easily trick those who have studied it. Do you know how?”

“I wonder?”

“He doesn’t think like a strategist. He just understands what *you* are trying to do.”

Ho Gamyeong’s face hardened slightly.

“We strategists think about tactics. He just *feels* what’s going to happen. We look for reasons in books, he just *knows*.”

Ho Gamyeong laughed humorlessly.

“So, you’re saying he’ll break through?”

“Yes. Because you don’t want him to. He knows that if you do what the enemy wants, you might avoid damage now, but you’ll end up in a bigger mess.”

“That might be true. But….”

Ho Gamyeong narrowed his eyes and said firmly, “If that’s the case, then I’ve overestimated the Mount Hua Sword Saint.”

“Hmm?”

“If you have to choose between losing an arm and losing your head, you should lose an arm. Only an idiot would offer their neck to avoid a sword aimed at their arm.”

Gweollyang smiled wryly.

“That’s true, but… he’s survived by always offering his neck, and that’s why he’s the Mount Hua Sword Saint. If he had always chosen the safe path, he would just be a rising star in Shanxi.”

That was true. And Ho Gamyeong knew it. This was also true for Jang Il-so. If Jang Il-so had always listened to Ho Gamyeong, he would never have become the Overlord of Destruction.

The Mount Hua Sword Saint and the Overlord of Destruction. Both men defied his common sense.

“Then there’s only one answer.”

Having decided, Ho Gamyeong raised his head and shouted, “Go faster! Full power!”

“Yes!”

The speed of those running beside him doubled. Gweollyang looked surprised.

“You’re not holding anything back?”

“If he really wants to break through the canyon….”

Ho Gamyeong spat out the words, “I’ll make that place his grave. There’s no more shameful death than being buried in the land of the Myriad Man Clan.”

“Heh heh. That would be good.”

Ho Gamyeong didn’t reply, his face hard as he thought.

‘If he really tries to force his way through, this is it.’

If they broke through the canyon, he would have to watch him escape Guangdong. If that happened, the Clan Lord would find out about him.

He had to kill him here, no matter what. A chilling blue aura seemed to glow around Ho Gamyeong, making the air in the tent feel colder.

‘I will kill you here, Mount Hua Sword Saint.’

Namgung Dowi breathed out slowly, trying to calm his shaking hands. *I think I might throw up.* Just looking at it made his stomach feel tight and twist.

Anyone who had fought before would see the danger right away. The narrow passage was only wide enough for three people side-by-side. This meant one person with a sword could block the way easily. It was too wide to cross alone safely, but too narrow for many to attack together. About fifty enemies waited at the end of the gorge. Their eyes were sharp and cold, showing they were tough fighters.

Namgung Dowi had to run into that dangerous place, with only his sword to protect him. *This is crazy.* His stomach twisted, but he couldn’t stop a nervous laugh from coming out. He had watched Hwasan do crazy things and thought it was unbelievable, but he also admired their bravery. Maybe that’s why he was here now. He wanted to be brave like them. But now, facing danger himself, he understood how much courage and worry they must have felt when they did those things.

“If I win, I’m a hero.”

Namgung Dowi held his sword tightly.

“…If I lose, I’m a complete idiot?”

He laughed again, a shaky sound. Hwasan saving the Namgung Family from Plum Blossom Island was a truly heroic thing. But what if they had been killed by the Sword Maniac Alliance on the way? People would have laughed at them. Everyone would have made fun of Hwasan and said they were stupid, even if they died trying to do good. People don’t praise you for trying to do the right thing if you fail. They just shake their heads and say you were foolish.

It was the same for Namgung Dowi. If he failed to get past these enemies and died, people would remember him as the worst leader his family ever had. Maybe they would even hate him for generations, calling him the biggest fool who destroyed his family’s chance to become strong again. *I must be crazy to do this.* He felt his stomach tighten with nerves. He knew the old Namgung Dowi would have run away in this situation. He would have been too worried about the family to act, and would have looked for Namgung Hwang to tell him what to do.

But now, Namgung Dowi was standing here because he chose to. Wasn’t that already a step forward? Even with his hands shaking, he was still standing his ground.

“Is this how my father felt?”

Maybe he was now at the same starting place as Namgung Hwang when he went to Plum Blossom Island.

Just then, Chung Myung’s voice came from next to him.

“Ready?”

Namgung Dowi was slow to understand the question was for him. He looked around and saw everyone was watching him. *What should I say?* He could pretend to be brave. He could talk about his feelings calmly, or say he was ready to die. But Namgung Dowi chose none of those things.

“…I’m terrified.”

Everyone blinked, surprised by his words. But Chung Myung smiled, looking very happy with his answer.

“That’s perfect.”

Chung Myung nodded and looked at Baek Cheon.

“Sasuk.”

“Yes.”

“This guy is good enough.”

“He was always good enough.”

“…Sasuk, I think you’re making it sound wrong. You should say he was always a good person.”

“Oh, really?”

“…Just pick one! Either good enough or good person!”

Yoon Jong said. Baek Cheon sighed and looked at Namgung Dowi.

“Young family head, then…”

“Yes!”

Namgung Dowi nodded strongly and said,

“I’ll be the first to go!”

Baek Cheon smiled gently.

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“…”

“Lots of people want to be first.”

Jo Gul snorted loudly, and Yoo Iseol’s shoulders moved a little. Even Hae Yeon peeked out from behind someone. Namgung Dowi said firmly,

“Being first is my job. I won’t let anyone else do it.”

Baek Cheon sighed. *They are all such fools.* Baek Cheon looked at Namgung Dowi for a moment, then nodded.

“Okay, I understand. Then do your best.”

“Yes!”

Baek Cheon looked at everyone. Some looked eager to fight, others were shaking with fear. But no matter how they felt, they all knew what to do. Baek Cheon looked straight ahead at the narrow passage behind the bushes.

“Let’s go!”

“Taaaah!”

As soon as he said it, Namgung Dowi pulled out his sword and ran forward. The others shouted and ran after him, not wanting to be left behind.

“Haaah!”

The loud shouts surprised the Sword Maniac Alliance warriors waiting there. They all looked up quickly.

“They’re here!”

“It’s them! Get ready!”

“They’re attacking!”

They weren’t just waiting without a plan. They knew how these enemies fought and had prepared for it.

“Shields up!”

Thud! Thud! Thud! Behind the wooden wall, they lifted big shields that had been leaning against it. These shields were made of thick, heavy iron. They were so big and heavy that normal soldiers couldn’t even lift them easily, let alone fight with them, even if many people pushed together. The shields were put firmly on the ground, making a strong wall. It was almost impossible to stop the Hwasan Sword Demon with just fighting skills. But even the Hwasan Sword Demon would have trouble breaking through these thick shields!

“Spears ready!”

Behind the shields, the soldiers with spears lowered their bodies and made a line. If the Hwasan Sword Demon’s sword stopped, their sharp spears would stab him quickly. But luckily for them, the person running towards their strong defense was not the Hwasan Sword Demon Chung Myung.

“Haaaah!”

With a shout that was incredibly loud, a bright white light flashed upwards. The light was so bright it hurt the eyes, and it crashed into the shields that were set firmly in place.

“Wh-what…?”

The shield soldiers stared in shock.

Kawaaaang! A huge explosion shook the ground, like a bomb going off. People and shields were thrown into the air together. Namgung Dowi, who had smashed a hole in the enemy’s shields with one sword move, jumped forward and yelled,

“Anyone who tries to stop me will die! I am Namgung Dowi of the Namgung Family!”

His voice was so loud, it felt like it could reach the heavens.