Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1290

They thought they knew war. They were wrong.

They were used to war. Of course, they were also used to fighting for their lives.

Their belief in themselves wasn’t strange. It wasn’t exactly wrong either.

It was a time of peace. For almost a hundred years after the war with the Demonic Sect (a group known for their evil and violent ways), the Jianghu (the world of martial artists and fighters) had simply been peaceful.

But Gangnam was different. Especially the south of Gangnam, controlled by the Maninbang. There, war was still raging. Therefore, the fighters in Gangnam had experienced more wars and seen more blood than anyone else in the Jianghu.

In that sense, their confidence was understandable.

However, they were missing one crucial thing.

The wars they had fought and the war that Chung Myung had fought were completely different.

Because they couldn’t understand this, they couldn’t understand the Plum Blossom Sword Saint.

“Hngh….”

Desperate screams echoed constantly.

Someone was screaming wildly. It wasn’t clear what they were saying, but the meaning was obvious.

Run.

They had to run away from this place, turn their backs on the beast rushing toward them, and run for their lives.

However, Jo Namcheon, a disciple of the Snake Shape Sect, couldn’t move. He was frozen in place.

His mind screamed at his legs to run, but his feet were stuck to the ground.

A mouse freezes when it sees a snake. Jo Namcheon’s body, facing a predator he had never seen before, wouldn’t obey him.

But unlike a snake that slowly eats a mouse, the demon in front of him was staring hungrily. That was the difference.

*Crack!* The sound of bone breaking. *Swish!* The sound of a sword cutting through air.

Jo Namcheon’s head flew off his shoulders before he even knew what was happening. Hot blood sprayed from his neck, staining the ground red. Chung Myung didn’t pause. He didn’t even wait for the body to fall. He planted a foot on Jo Namcheon’s spurting neck, pushed off his chest, and launched himself forward.

He moved like a tiger, muscles bunching and releasing with deadly power. No, faster than a tiger. Like a snake striking from the shadows, unseen until it was too late.

He was covered head to toe in blood, the blood of the Demonic Sect fighters. He looked like a demon made of blood itself. But in the red mess, his eyes were black and ice-cold. They were the eyes of a predator, a gaze so chilling it could freeze your blood.

“S-Stop him!”

“Run away!”

“Ah… No!”

Chaos erupted.

This was a normal reaction.

They called it ‘Heaven’s Net’ – a wide circle of men meant to trap their enemies. It was a basic tactic used to capture fleeing people or to kill those who resisted.

The Demonic factions of Gangnam had used Heaven’s Net many times. And each time, they had the same experience.

They watched the struggles of those who tried to hide, run, or resist. And they laughed at those who dared to oppose the Maninbang. That was enough.

Those who thought this time would be no different were suddenly filled with doubt.

“Why!”

Someone shouted wildly.

“Why is that bastard here! Whyyyyy!”

*Wham!*

Someone’s upper body was torn apart and thrown backward. Blood sprayed like a fountain, and pieces of flesh flew everywhere. Those who were covered in blood shared the same question as the dying man.

The Plum Blossom Sword Saint. He destroyed the Maninbang’s Red Brigade and turned the Maninbang’s army into vengeful spirits. He even fought Jang Il-so, the leader of the Maninbang, on the Yangtze River and held his own.

Chung Myung was the Maninbang’s enemy, recognized by everyone, and the rising master of Mount Hua, standing against Jang Il-so.

Depending on your point of view, justice can change. Chung Myung is a symbol of chivalry to the Orthodox Faction. But to the Demonic Faction, his name is terrifying.

But why was he here, the one who should be fighting Jang Il-so on the Yangtze River? Why did they have to face the Plum Blossom Sword Saint?

“R-Run away!”

“Aaaaaaargh!”

This was not a time to think about fighting.

Imagine surrounding a fox den, but a house-sized tiger jumps out. Even the best hunter would be scared.

But these people were not experienced hunters, and Chung Myung was a beast too ferocious to compare to a tiger. Who would dare to stand in his way?

“Aaaaaaargh!”

Collapse was unavoidable.

The amateurs turned and ran from the charging beast.

It seemed like a good idea, but they didn’t know something. Hunters don’t turn their backs on beasts because they are brave.

Humans might spare those who run, but beasts always bite and kill enemies who show their backs. Not letting enemies survive is the way to survive in the wild.

Chung Myung had become strong in the hell of the battlefield. His way of thinking was like a wild beast.

He might talk about peace and compassion, but his sword bit those who ran more sharply than any beast’s fangs.

*Crack!*

The sword pierced through the shoulder blade and into the heart. Before he could feel the pain, the sword twisted and shattered his insides. Then, it cut through the shoulder and soared upward.

“Keuh….”

*Thud!*

Chung Myung slammed into the collapsing person with his shoulder, sending him flying, and charged forward, pouring out a terrifying light like a beast. He didn’t even have time to step over the fallen.

He could not be stopped. It was impossible.

The title of the greatest late-stage master in the world, which once described Chung Myung, was meaningless now.

Even if everyone here united, they couldn’t be sure of stopping Chung Myung. The gap between the absolute masters and the small sects in southern Gangnam was too great.

But this encirclement was never meant to stop someone like Chung Myung.

It was too spread out to stop anyone from escaping, so it couldn’t hold Chung Myung.

And Chung Myung knew this.

Whether he knew it or felt it, Chung Myung’s attack tore apart this clumsy net.

He tore apart the gaps in the net with his sword, biting and widening them with his nails and teeth.

“Hiiiik!”

When Chung Myung rushed close, one of the warriors covered his head and sat down. He just wanted to die without pain.

He closed his eyes, but he didn’t feel any pain. When he opened them, he saw Chung Myung already running towards the front, scattering sword energy.

“I, I lived….”

He was so relieved. But then…

*Swish.*

A sound like a swallow flying over the grass. He turned and saw a woman standing close to him.

Her face was pale and showed no emotion.

Her eyes were calm, which was strange for a battlefield.

‘Who….’

He saw the plum blossom pattern on her uniform and the sword in her hand. Blood dripped from the tip of the sword. He knew his fate.

*Rustle.*

A faint sound, like silk tearing.

At the same time, a burning pain spread in his neck.

“Uh….”

The woman didn’t even look at him and ran forward like the wind.

His body fell apart. And soon, a group of people in blue uniforms rushed in.

“Run!”

Baek Cheon’s roar was like thunder.

Chung Myung pierced through, the Five Swords widened the wound, and Hainan charged into the gap.

It was a violent method, but it was very effective.

“S-Stop them!”

Those who had been frozen by Chung Myung finally came to their senses when they saw the group from Hainan.

But before they could move, sharp sword energy was fired.

*Shwaaaaaaack!*

*Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!*

Five people were killed by a single sword.

“Euraaaah!”

The Quick Sword that Splits Light. It was Jo Gul’s signature technique.

Jo Gul, who had killed five people, rushed forward.

*Paat!*

Yoon Jong, following behind him, protected Jo Gul’s side. He was ready to respond to any enemy attacks.

Both of them were covered in blood.

“Yoon Jong. Leave Geol and help the rear! They’ll be aiming for the rear!”

“Yes, Martial Uncle!”

“Lee Seol, adjust your position to the rear! You’re too fast!”

“Yes.”

Yoo Iseol slowed down as soon as she heard the order.

“Keep running as you are!”

They reorganized their formation under Baek Cheon’s command and increased their speed.

The disciples of Hainan didn’t even realize it.

Maybe it was because they were running so hard, but they were answering Baek Cheon with all their might.

Chung Myung, the cutting edge, and Baek Cheon were piercing through Gangnam like a wedge.