Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1400

“M-Ma…”

Fwoosh!

The quicksword moved with incredible speed, piercing the mouth of the one trying to scream. Like a black, venomous snake, the sword instantly ended one life and then pierced the heart of the next enemy.

It was a flash of light, too fast to block, too fast to react to.

“It’s Jo Gul!”

“It’s Illgeom Bungwang (One Sword, Dividing Light)!”

“It’s the Plum Blossom Five Swords!”

The enemies who recognized Jo Gul screamed. But before their shouts could end, his sword had already turned another into a wandering spirit—lost and dead.

“F-Fall back! Keep your distance!”

The Maninbang, the enemy group, prided themselves on their battle skills. They knew how to counter a quicksword.

But those who retreated were met with a golden power that exploded in the air.

Kwaaaang!

The power exploded among the retreating enemies. The bodies of those who were crushed flew in all directions.

Then, Yoo Iseol descended into the space that had been opened.

Saaah!

What happened first?

Was it the sound of a sword cutting through silk? Or the flash of red light? Or someone’s head flying into the air?

It was hard to tell the order, but it was clear who was responsible. Yoo Iseol moved so fast it was hard to see. She landed like a falcon, then pushed off the ground again, sending out streams of sword energy.

“Aaaargh!”

Those cut by the sword energy screamed. They were terrified not just by their arms being cut off or their guts spilling out.

Yoo Iseol’s face was like cold steel, and her bloodlust felt like ice boiling with rage. There was something unsettling about her, something that scared them more than her swords.

Swish!

Yoo Iseol cut down another enemy and glanced back.

She looked past her allies, towards Baek Cheon, who was behind them, holding Chung Myung.

After making sure Chung Myung was alright, she turned forward again, her eyes full of anger.

Fwoosh!

A terrible sword energy exploded, as if her bloodlust had become solid.

Originally, her sword was about being as efficient as possible. But now, she had given up everything to gain power, just to move faster.

Before Yoo Iseol’s sword energy disappeared, Namgoong Dowi’s sword energy exploded, and Dang Pae’s throwing knives flew over it.

The Maninbang’s defenses, which had been like an iron fortress, began to fall apart like a sandcastle before their attack.

“Get out of the way, you bastards!”

Kwaaaang!

Just then, Hae Yeon’s power caused a huge explosion in front of them.

“I-It’s being breached! We can’t stop them! Strategist!”

Hoga Myung watched silently with a stiff face.

Kwaaaang!

Each time the power exploded, those blocking the way were thrown in all directions. The tight defenses were being twisted apart, and cracks were forming in the solid wall.

Even though they were exhausted, they were still tearing apart the defenses. Hoga Myung thought, ‘How tiresome.’

No one had made him feel so powerless since he joined the Maninbang with Jang Ilso.

He had faced opponents before, but this was different. The Plum Blossom Sword Demon was someone he couldn’t handle. As long as Chung Myung was there, Hoga Myung’s plans were useless.

That was why he had focused on cornering Chung Myung, even if it meant sacrificing others. His plan had worked, bringing Chung Myung to the edge of death.

It should have been over. The moment Chung Myung lost consciousness, the fight should have ended. But why was this happening again? Had he missed something?

No, he had not made any miscalculations. He had never underestimated his opponent.

Hoga Myung had even considered that the enemies might break through. What he hadn’t predicted was that they would break through with so much power, even after exhausting themselves. It was as if…

Hoga Myung gnashed his teeth.

‘No way.’

They couldn’t all be like the Plum Blossom Sword Demon. There couldn’t be so many strong people in the world.

“Strategist!”

His adjutant called him urgently. Hoga Myung took a few deep breaths and clenched his trembling fingers.

“Calm down.”

“But right now…!”

“Did I not tell you to calm down?”

The adjutants became quiet. Hoga Myung analyzed the situation with cold eyes and said, “Open the front.”

“Yes? What does that…!”

The adjutants stared at Hoga Myung in disbelief. Opening the front meant giving up the defense. If they did that, they wouldn’t be able to surround the enemy again. All the sacrifices would be for nothing!

“S-Strategist! You must be calm!”

“Do I look agitated?”

Hoga Myung said in a chilling voice, “Blocking them will only make them stronger. We need to aim for the rear.”

Hoga Myung looked at Chung Myung, whom Baek Cheon was holding.

He knew they had become stronger than he expected. He didn’t know how, but he couldn’t deny it.

But that didn’t mean they were unstoppable. Their desperation was making them weak.

“Ignore the others and focus on the Plum Blossom Sword Demon.”

The adjutants looked at each other.

“Immediately!”

“Yes!”

The adjutants gave orders. Hoga Myung stared at the unconscious Chung Myung.

‘Was this the future you saw, Plum Blossom Sword Demon?’

Is that why you’re willing to die? Because you believe they can replace you?

That’s an overconfidence that makes me want to laugh.

There can’t be two Jang Ilso in the world, just like there can’t be two Chung Myungs. People like that are born, not made.

But he couldn’t laugh.

Hoga Myung had seen a glimpse of the future that Chung Myung had envisioned.

Hoga Myung bit his lip.

‘It ends here.’

That future will not happen. The possibility will disappear today, right here, right now.

He could feel it.

Fwoosh!

Jo Gul felt the sensation of cutting down an enemy, not from his hand, but from the end of his sword. It was strange, but it was the only way to describe it.

Swaeeeeek!

The sword moved like lightning. Jo Gul felt it cut through skin, tear flesh, and break bones. It was as if the sword was part of his own hand.

The sword and his hand felt like one.

Things he knew were falling apart. The world was blurring. Only the sword and himself existed. No, even the sword disappeared, and only he existed.

He felt a sense of unity that was beyond imagination. If he went further, he could become even stronger.

But Jo Gul pushed away that feeling.

‘It’s strange! It’s strange!’

The enemy no longer felt strong. He felt like he could defeat anyone.

But that feeling was also a warning.

He felt confused.

Would it be okay to go a little further?

If he could feel this sensation more, he would become much stronger. Why should he stop himself?

‘Am I?’

I am a swordsman. I want to become stronger.

“Chung Myungaaaah!”

Kwaang!

The world around Jo Gul shattered like a mirror. He saw the enemies gathered behind him.

‘What? Why?’

He didn’t understand. Had he moved too fast?

No, the enemies should have blocked him. Why was this happening?

Then, Jo Gul saw a member of the Maninbang, with poison in his eyes, running towards Baek Cheon, ignoring the sword coming at him.

Even with swords in his body, his only goal was Chung Myung, who was unconscious.

Kaaang!

Before Jo Gul could scream, Baek Cheon’s sword struck down the attacker.

“Heuaaaaah!”

But that was just the start. The enemies began to attack Chung Myung.

“Y-You bastards…!”

Jo Gul ran back. The others surrounded Baek Cheon and Chung Myung, blocking the attacks.

‘No!’

Jo Gul felt urgent. Chung Myung was unconscious and couldn’t defend himself. He could die from a random attack.

Chung Myung’s body wouldn’t be able to handle even a small hit.

Wooowoong!

Jo Gul turned and saw someone gathering energy. The power in his hand was huge. Jo Gul jumped forward, blocking Baek Cheon and Chung Myung.

“Euaaaaah!”

Swish!

He cut off the energy-filled hand. It was close.

Hearing the screams, Jo Gul gritted his teeth.

‘Who am I?’

He shouted, “You can’t touch Chung Myung! You bastardsaaaah!”