Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1369

“Which side? Again.”

When Hyung-wook heard Hoga-myung’s voice, he desperately tried to hold onto his fading consciousness.

‘Why was I holding on?’

Why resist? The question felt new to him. It hadn’t been long since the torture started, but he struggled to remember why he was enduring this brutal pain.

What was he trying to protect? Was Hoga-myung right?

No. There was nothing wrong with what Hoga-myung said. Hyung-wook knew it too.

The people who had left Hwasan wouldn’t even know if he stayed loyal. They wouldn’t know if he died here, or if he betrayed them for wealth and glory.

To them, Hyung-wook would just be someone they barely knew. Like a penny given to a beggar, easily forgotten the moment they turned away.

Wasn’t it human nature to forget? Perhaps Hyung-wook’s name had already faded from the minds of those Hwasan people.

So Hoga-myung was right. If he were wise, he would pretend to give in and betray them.

He only had to close his eyes once. Wasn’t it a small thing? Compared to the mistakes he had made in his life, it was nothing.

He wasn’t a saint, just a simple man trying to live. Wasn’t this enough?

If he remained stubborn, everyone here might suffer. Was that the right thing to do? Was that the path he should take? The answer was clear. What he had to do was also very clear.

He just had to open his mouth and say the word ‘Nanjing.’ Then everything would be easy.

And then he could live. Even if he didn’t get the wealth Hoga-myung promised, he could live as he used to: farming, raising children, and having a place to rest, even if his body was tired. Wasn’t it enough to continue such an ordinary life?

Hyung-wook’s mouth slowly opened. Nanjing. Just Nanjing. He just had to say the word.

No one would blame him. No, no one would even know he had done something wrong. Since everyone in this village had abandoned Hwasan, no one would question Hyung-wook’s conscience.

So he could say the word, and everyone could go back to their lives. What was wrong with that?

“Speak clearly. Now.”

Hoga-myung even leaned closer, bringing his ear to Hyung-wook’s mouth, so Hyung-wook wouldn’t have to writhe in shame, and could just whisper softly.

Hyung-wook’s father had said that keeping one’s conscience was a luxury only the powerful could afford. He understood those words now. There was no more hesitation.

Hyung-wook opened his mouth weakly.

He strained his neck and let the word, Nanjing, try to escape.

“…Eat… shit….”

But that wasn’t the word that came out.

Hoga-myung’s face contorted. His eyes, usually sharp and cold, narrowed into slits, and a vein throbbed in his temple. His lips peeled back from his teeth in a snarl, revealing the raw fury beneath his composed surface.

‘I don’t know.’

Hyung-wook couldn’t explain why he made that choice. Even if he was torn apart and died, and the villagers blamed him in the afterlife, he would accept it.

But why? A part of his heart felt relieved and free.

Even as he saw Hoga-myung’s hand rise, glowing with blue energy, Hyung-wook chuckled.

‘Esteemed warriors.’

The hand struck Hyung-wook.

‘Looks like I had more honor than I thought.’

KABOOOOM!

A huge explosion erupted. Dust and dirt flew into the air, covering everything in a thick cloud.

The villagers, who had been watching Hyung-wook and Hoga-myung, squeezed their eyes shut. The torture had been horrific, and they didn’t want to see him die.

But as the dust cleared, the scene was different than they expected.

Crack.

Hoga-myung was clutching the dirt in his hand. He pulled his hand from the hole next to Hyung-wook’s head.

His subordinates were surprised.

“Strategist!”

“Just wasted time.”

Hoga-myung stood up straight and looked down at Hyung-wook, who was still breathing, with cold eyes.

Baek-bi quickly ran up and bowed.

“Strategist, I will take care of it.”

“Leave him.”

Hoga-myung’s voice was indifferent.

“He won’t last an hour without treatment. No need to make it easier for him.”

“…Yes, Strategist.”

There was no mercy in Hoga-myung’s eyes. If he killed Hyung-wook here, he would lose control and hurt innocent people.

“In the end, a simpleton is just a simpleton.”

Hoga-myung turned away, leaving a mean comment.

“Strategist, what about them…?”

Baek-bi glanced at the villagers.

Hoga-myung waved his hand, annoyed.

“Leave them.”

“But….”

Baek-bi trailed off, hesitant to question the order. He meant that they should make an example of the villagers to save face.

During the Ten Thousand People Clan days, Hoga-myung would have killed them all. But now, he had to be different.

“Have you forgotten the Lord’s command?”

“Ah….”

Baek-bi’s face turned pale, and he lowered his head. General Jang Il-so had ordered the Four Seas Alliance not to harm civilians. Harming an entire village would be a direct violation of that order.

Others might get away with it, but not Hoga-myung. Jang Il-so was even giving rice to the people to gain their favor. Hoga-myung couldn’t go against his wishes just to satisfy his pride. Hyung-wook alone was enough.

“It’s not bad to let them watch someone die for defying the Alliance. More than that….”

Hoga-myung snapped coldly.

“Leave clear traces. Search everywhere.”

“Yes!”

As soon as Hoga-myung gave the order, everyone moved. Hoga-myung watched, his gaze dark.

‘Stupid짓….’

He had wasted time.

Normally, he would have given the next order when he thought someone was holding out too well. But this time, he hesitated. Hoga-myung knew it was partly out of spite.

Hoga-myung’s strength came from his coldness. Unlike Jang Il-so, who was fiery, he was calm. But in this case, he had lost his composure. He had to admit it.

Hoga-myung closed his eyes and took a long breath.

‘Hwasan….’

If Hyung-wook was protecting a different sect, Hoga-myung would have laughed at the villagers. But the moment Hwasan was involved, he felt a spiteful urge to break Hyung-wook’s will.

It was a foolish impulse. What did it matter if one man’s will was broken?

Hoga-myung, who had worried that the Lord was too obsessed with Hwasan, was now more obsessed than the Lord himself.

“Strategist! There are traces here.”

“Send a pursuit team. Follow them immediately.”

“Yes!”

Hoga-myung looked down at Hyung-wook, lying in a bloody mess. Like a bug… No, worse than a bug.

“So, did I lose to a bug?”

Hoga-myung chuckled and walked away. The Ten Thousand People Clan members followed him.

The Ten Thousand People Clan members retreated from the village like a tide. It was as if the nightmare had never happened.

Only Hyung-wook’s body and the blood around him proved it was real.

“I, is he alive…?”

The villagers, who thought they were all dead, muttered in shock.

They turned to Hyung-wook.

“Hyu, Hyung-wook!”

“Hey, you!”

They rushed to his side but hesitated to touch him. He was so broken that they didn’t know where to start.

“Hey, you! You, you foolish bastard!”

Old Man Hyung grabbed Hyung-wook and pulled him into his arms, as if he knew his son was dying.

“I…! I told you it was meaningless! Kindness…! I told you people like us only get hurt! You foolish bastard! You! You…!”

The old man’s wails echoed through the village.

Hyung-wook’s wife cried, unable to look at his body, and the children were too scared to come close. They all knew Hyung-wook was dying.

“For people like us… even that is too much to ask… what was so hard about saying that one word! You idiot… you idiot! You foolish bastard! Sniffle….”

Tears poured down his face and onto Hyung-wook’s face.

Perhaps because of the tears, Hyung-wook opened his eyes.

“Fa… Father….”

“Ye, yes! You bastard! Yes, it’s me! It’s your father!”

Hyung-wook struggled to raise his hand. The old man grabbed it.

“You bastard, hold on! You can’t die! It’s not your time! I’m still alive, why are you leaving! Why!”

Hyung-wook looked at the old man and raised the corners of his lips.

“Sor….”

His voice was hoarse.

“Sorry… I’m….”

With those words, Hyung-wook’s head fell.

The old man hugged his son tighter and wailed.

“Hyung-wook! Hey, you! Hyung-wook!”

The villagers wailed with him. The village was filled with mournful cries.

And in that place, where the Ten Thousand People Clan members had been, Yoo-gong stood watching the villagers. His eyes were filled with many emotions.