Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1436

Red Tiger’s eyebrows moved a little when he heard the word “Jongnam.”

“Jongnam is here?” he thought.

He had known Jongnam might get involved. Even though they were far away, Jongnam wouldn’t ignore it if the Four Seas Alliance started taking over Shanxi province.

But the Four Seas Alliance hadn’t even entered Shanxi yet. Someone claiming to be from Jongnam was here, in Sichuan. This made Red Tiger very uneasy.

But it wasn’t just the name Jongnam that bothered Red Tiger. It was the man standing in front of him.

Red Tiger had never heard of him. This meant he was new to the world of fighters, someone who hadn’t become famous yet. And he looked so young.

Red Tiger thought he should just attack and defeat him quickly. But strangely, his heavy sword felt heavy in his hand. It didn’t move as easily as he expected.

Was he feeling nervous because of this young man’s confidence? No, that was impossible. He was Red Tiger! He wouldn’t be intimidated by a youth.

But there was a reason Red Tiger hesitated to draw his sword.

“I can’t see any way to attack him.”

It felt like standing in front of a huge, solid wall. He couldn’t see any weakness, any place to strike.

Anyone can hit a wall with a sword. But to break through it in one strike? That’s much harder. Red Tiger felt like that now. He couldn’t see how to defeat this young man easily.

“Lee Song-baek of Jongnam…” Red Tiger said, his voice tight. He bit his lip and stared at Lee Song-baek, his eyes cold. Lee Song-baek’s eyes were calm and steady, not flinching at Red Tiger’s glare.

“Are you saying you will stop us? Just you?” Red Tiger challenged.

“…I never said I was alone,” Lee Song-baek replied quietly.

Red Tiger’s eyes widened slightly. Lee Song-baek kept looking at him, his expression unchanged.

“Others are coming. They are just a little late.”

A group of people rushed in behind Lee Song-baek.

*Whoosh!*

A man in white martial robes jumped down and landed next to Lee Song-baek. He glared at Red Tiger, his presence sharp and aggressive, unlike Lee Song-baek’s calm demeanor.

“I didn’t know you liked showing off so much,” the man said, his voice sharp.

Lee Song-baek lowered his head slightly, still looking at Red Tiger. “I apologize, Senior Brother. I was too eager.”

The man snorted, a sound of annoyance. He glanced at Red Tiger quickly, then said, “Looks like we are a bit late.”

Red Tiger’s face tightened for a moment. The man had glanced at him, then looked away, as if Red Tiger wasn’t important.

*This is… unbelievable!*

For a young man, even one who looked to be in his thirties, to ignore Red Tiger like that took incredible boldness.

But Red Tiger had to admit, this very arrogant manner actually fit the man. It seemed natural for him.

Maybe it was because of how striking he looked.

Even though he wore simple martial robes, just like Lee Song-baek, this man’s presence was completely different.

Lee Song-baek felt like a strong, deeply rooted tree, solid and unmoving. But this man was like a lavish palace, full of show and power.

Both men had a powerful feeling about them, a presence that demanded attention.

*Is this really Jongnam?* Red Tiger thought, a cold feeling spreading through him.

If these disciples, who seemed to be younger members of Jongnam, were already this strong, how powerful must the older, more experienced fighters be?

He had heard that Jongnam, along with Shaolin and Wudang, were the most important of the Nine Great Sects – the most powerful martial arts groups in the land. It seemed the rumors were true.

*Thud! Tap tap!*

Suddenly, dozens of swordsmen in similar white robes appeared, quickly forming lines around Lee Song-baek and the Senior Brother.

“Senior Brother!” the Jongnam disciples called out.

“No need to talk,” the Senior Brother started to say, his voice sharp. “Those…”

“Senior Brother,” another disciple interrupted, his voice serious. “Remember the Head Disciple’s orders.”

The flamboyant man stopped talking, pausing at these serious words. He clicked his tongue in annoyance. Then he said, “Right. Saving people is the priority. Don’t get carried away with fighting.”

“Yes, Senior Brother!” the disciples replied.

Red Tiger’s eyes narrowed, his frustration growing.

*Damn it!* he thought angrily.

He saw the Tang family members slipping past Jongnam, getting further away. He couldn’t chase them. He knew if he moved, the Jongnam swordsmen would stop him instantly.

*Why did they have to appear now, of all times?*

Red Tiger bit his lip, his anger rising. He glared at Jongnam with murderous intent.

*It doesn’t matter who they are. I have my orders to follow.*

He felt power building in his sword, ready to strike. But then, a calm voice cut through the tension.

“Step back.”

Red Tiger spun around, surprised. Jang Il-so, who had been fighting fiercely nearby, was now close to him, having moved past the older fighters.

*Step back?* Red Tiger thought, his mind racing. *After coming all this way? Just because of these few people?*

Rebellion flashed in Red Tiger’s eyes. His grip on his sword tightened.

But that anger froze when he heard Jang Il-so’s cold voice again.

“Red Tiger.”

“…” Red Tiger didn’t answer immediately.

“Can’t you hear me?” Jang Il-so’s voice was sharper now.

Red Tiger glanced at Lee Song-baek and Jin Geum-ryong, then bit his lip and moved quickly to Jang Il-so’s side. He lowered his head slightly. “I apologize,” he said, his voice low.

“No, I understand,” Jang Il-so said. “I’m angry too. But…” He looked at Jin Geum-ryong, Lee Song-baek, and the lines of Jongnam disciples. A slight smile touched his lips, but it wasn’t a happy smile.

“There’s nothing we can do. Wanting something is good, but being too greedy is dangerous. There’s always a stronger force behind those who seem young and bold. The main force of Jongnam will be here soon.”

Red Tiger’s face became grim. *The mother tiger.* He understood. Jang Il-so meant the main force of Jongnam. The powerful leaders and experienced fighters of Jongnam were probably on their way here now.

“And it’s not just them,” Jang Il-so continued. “There are other very dangerous people coming too, aren’t there?”

Red Tiger closed his eyes briefly. He knew Jang Il-so was right. They might be able to fight Jongnam, maybe. But what if Mount Hua, another powerful sect, was also coming? And perhaps even the main Tang family force?

The Myriad Man Clan was strong, but strength was relative. Facing Jongnam, Mount Hua, and the Tang family all at once was completely different. They might have to run, to escape across all of Sichuan just to survive.

“It’s disappointing,” Jang Il-so said, “but being too greedy is foolish. Shall we retreat then?”

“…The Alliance Lord is right,” Red Tiger said, his voice reluctant. “But… wouldn’t it be better to defeat these Jongnam fighters first?”

Red Tiger looked towards Lee Song-baek and Jin Geum-ryong, his eyes still full of anger. Jang Il-so seemed to consider it too, looking at the two Jongnam fighters with a thoughtful expression.

“Not a bad idea,” Jang Il-so said slowly, “but you should have spoken sooner. It’s too late now.”

“Too late?” Red Tiger asked, confused.

Just then, several figures appeared behind the Jongnam swordsmen, landing lightly.

“See?” Jang Il-so said, a hint of resignation in his voice. “This is why you have to be quick.”

As everyone had been focused on Jongnam, the Tang family elders had returned. They had left the fighting earlier, observed the situation, and now they were back, guarding Jongnam’s rear. They were breathing heavily, showing they had moved quickly.

Red Tiger stared at the Tang family elders, his face puzzled.

“They are but a few,”

“Tsk, tsk. No wonder you lot are always getting beaten.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Being too proud is dangerous. Of course, the Dang Clan alone is nothing. I can easily defeat them. But with a shield, the Dang Clan becomes a very strong enemy, like an archer on a high hill.”

“…”

“The more cowardly an archer is, the stronger they seem, don’t you think? Those old men are definitely strong.”

The elders’ faces turned red at his words.

“The shield is small, but it’s not easy to deal with. Nothing ever goes my way.”

As Jang Il-So sighed, Jin Geum-Ryong spoke up.

“A villain dares to talk nonsense!”

“…Hmm?”

“If you’re so confident, come forward. I will gladly take your head.”

Jang Il-So smiled, amused by the arrogant look in his eyes. It was a cruel smile that looked kind.

“Nice words, but you don’t look so brave with your back turned like that!”

“What did you say?”

Jin Geum-Ryong looked very angry. Before he could explode, Lee Song-Baek quickly intervened.

“You killed so many people, and you’re not even sorry?!”

Jang Il-So looked at Lee Song-Baek.

“How could I not be?”

“Then…”

“I am enjoying it. I’m enjoying it very much.”

Lee Song-Baek also became very angry and wanted to kill him.

Jang Il-So, once a powerful and cruel leader known as the Defeated Tyrant, was now back. If Lee Song-Baek could, he would cut off his head right now, but…

‘He is strong.’ Lee Song-Baek thought. He could tell for sure. This man was terribly strong. His whole body was tingling. Frankly, even if they all risked their lives, he wasn’t confident they could defeat him.

Jang Il-So slowly turned the rings on his fingers, watching them with a leisurely gaze.

“You are just like rabbits, but you are very rude.”

Then he shrugged.

“I don’t want to waste my time teaching rude people a lesson. Let’s go back before the fearsome tiger arrives.”

“Yes.”

Jeok-Ho nodded silently. He still didn’t quite understand, but since it was Jang Il-So’s decision, there must be a good reason.

At that moment, Jang Il-So, who had turned around, sneered and said,

“And it’s not as great a victory as you think, Jeok-Ho.”

Jeok-Ho, who turned back with a questioning look, soon understood. He saw the ground covered in his convulsing soldiers. Jang Il-So meant their ‘victory’ was actually a disaster.

The poison smoke went away. Now they could see the ground. It was not what Jeok-Ho expected. The elite troops of the Myriad Man House, who had charged in to defeat the enemy, were all sprawled out, shaking badly.

“Keuk… Keureureuk…”

Thick, bitter foam flowed from their mouths, smelling like burnt almonds and something rotten. They were in terrible pain. They hurt themselves, scratching their skin until it bled. The red flesh turned black again.

“Ugh…”

Jeok-Ho groaned involuntarily. When did this happen?

Nearly fifty soldiers had fallen. He might not have paid attention normally, but these were elites carefully selected from within the Myriad Man House.

Losing fifty elites while dealing with only twenty or so elders meant it was a bad loss.

Jang Il-So laughed at Jeok-Ho’s reaction.

“You must have looked down on the Dang Clan. For a mere villain, that is.”

Jeok-Ho furrowed his brow and thought hard. He had experienced poison many times in the Demonic Sect’s battles. That’s why he knew how to deal with it. But now, he realized the poison they had been dealing with was different from the Sichuan Dang Clan’s poison.

“An, antidote…”

“Hmm?”

Jang Il-So looked a bit unhappy when Jeok-Ho said that. It was like he was saying, ‘Why are you talking about that now?’

“…Lord.”

“Tsk, tsk. How affectionate.”

Jang Il-So slowly moved his feet. Beneath him were the dead elders of the Dang Clan and his own men, shaking from the poison. These were the men he had trained carefully. Dozens of them were suffering.

“True affection is not like that. This is Sichuan, you know. And enemies will soon arrive. In this situation, affection is…”

Jang Il-So stared at his shaking subordinate. The subordinate’s bloodshot eyes followed Jang Il-So, and Jang Il-So gave a fake kind smile.

“Yes, I am here.”

Crack!

Jang Il-So’s foot instantly broke the man’s neck. The subordinate trembled once and then stopped moving.

Jang Il-So said in a calm voice,

“Do you understand now?”

At that moment, the rings on both his hands shot out like rays of light.

Crack! Crack!

The flying rings pierced the necks of those who had fallen and were shaking.

“Lo, Lord…”

“Mercy is like this.”

Jang Il-So looked coldly at his men who had just died. Then, he turned his head and watched the Jongnam disciples, who were still on guard.

‘Jongnam, is it.’ he thought.

He thought it would take them longer to get here, even if they moved quickly after hearing the news. It seemed they arrived quickly.

“That’s why the world is interesting. There are always surprises.”

Lee Song-Baek and Jin Geum-Ryong, and the powerful group approaching from afar. Jang Il-So saw them all, then looked away without regret.

“Well, then…”

Jang Il-So was about to say something when he suddenly widened his eyes and quickly turned his head.

Jeok-Ho and Hong-Gyeon were surprised by his reaction. They knew it was rare for Jang Il-So to react like that.

“This is…”

Jang Il-So’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Suddenly, a strong feeling of wanting to kill suddenly appeared. Now, everyone had to turn their heads and look in one direction. The feeling came from far away.

Something appeared at the end of the empty land.

It was so far away that it looked like a dot, but Jang Il-So knew what it was.

“Yes, I knew it would be like this. I could have died here if I wasn’t careful.”

Jang Il-So laughed and quickly turned around. Then, a loud roar echoed from afar.

“Jang Il-Soooooooo!”

It was a terrible roar that made everyone stiff. But Jang Il-So joked,

“Now, let’s retreat before that tiger bites my neck.”

He saw the sword called Chung Myung aiming for his neck and smirked.