Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1401

“They’re coming from the right!” Baek Cheon shouted.

Even before he finished speaking, Namgung Dowi jumped into the air and moved to Baek Cheon’s right side.

“Oooooooh!”

A bright white light exploded outwards.

Kwaaaaaah!

The powerful sword attack smashed into the enemies rushing forward. It was a terrifying sight, but the Maninbang warriors kept coming. Even as their friends fell beside them, they did not stop.

“Eek!”

Namgung Dowi looked confused. The enemies ignored him completely, not caring if they got hurt. They ran past him, blades pointed at Chung Myung, who Baek Cheon was holding.

“You devils!” Namgung Dowi shouted angrily.

His sword flashed through the air again. But even as they were injured and falling, the Maninbang warriors kept swinging their swords.

In that instant, as Namgung Dowi’s eyes widened, Seol Sobaek blocked an attack flying towards Chung Myung.

“Aaaaargh!”

Seol Sobaek’s sword, freezing cold, stabbed into the enemy’s neck. The cold spread quickly, and white frost covered the Maninbang warrior’s body.

“Young Lord!”

“I, I will stop them! I’ll guard the front!” Seol Sobaek gritted his teeth and looked at Namgung Dowi. Seeing the desperation in his eyes, Namgung Dowi nodded and turned his body.

The Maninbang warriors were only focused on Chung Myung. They rushed forward like before, but this time it felt different. They seemed less like crazy fighters and more like people who were very scared.

He seemed to understand.

‘They are afraid.’

They were terrified that Chung Myung would be allowed to live and leave this place, that he would regain consciousness, raise his sword, and fight back. What had they seen in Chung Myung that made them fear his survival more than their own deaths?

“Haaaargh!”

Enemies screamed and rushed in from the other side.

Saaah! Yoo Iseol was there, already turned around. She swung her sword with great power.

Slicing! Slicing! Slicing!

Everywhere her sword went, blood sprayed out. But even enemies with deep cuts on their necks or legs kept moving forward, as if they felt nothing.

Kaaang!

A Maninbang warrior, badly wounded, tried to attack Chung Myung, but his sword was blocked.

Crack.

Baek Cheon’s face twisted horribly from the impact. Of course, he had blocked it perfectly. But Baek Cheon couldn’t help the fact that his body was shaking. Right now, Chung Myung could die from even a small shock.

“Block them completely! Don’t let them even lift their swords!”

No one answered. They didn’t need to. Everyone knew what to do. They would protect Chung Myung, even if they died doing it. Since they started this journey, they had only one goal.

“Oooooooh!”

Hae Yeon’s power spread out, pushing back the enemies coming at them. Dang Pae jumped in front and threw his knives. They flew fast and sharp through the air.

“Yoon Jong!”

“I know, Martial Uncle!”

Yoon Jong leaped into the air and plunged into the midst of the enemies falling from above. His sword created a large plum blossom shadow in the air.

‘Chung Myung!’

Even while fighting and landing, Yoon Jong looked at Chung Myung. The dried blood on his face and the pale skin underneath were like a dead man’s.

Crack.

Yoon Jong tightened his lips and spun around, sending out many sword attacks. The enemies still kept coming. The Five Swords, who had been fighting so strongly before, had stopped attacking. Just defending Chung Myung was using up all their energy.

“This is…” Lim Sobyeong laughed sadly.

“We’re trapped.” He looked around for Ho Gamyung, but Ho Gamyung was lost in the crowd.

If the Maninbang warriors had tried to block them, they might have been able to break through. But there was no way to stop them if they were targeting Chung Myung. Protecting one person was more difficult than defeating a hundred.

Even in this chaos, they were finding and using their weaknesses perfectly. That’s why Ho Gamyung was so scary.

‘We have to run.’

Really, they should just try to survive. They should leave Chung Myung and get out of here. If they couldn’t do that, they should attack, even if Chung Myung got hurt. Yes, that was the plan he should suggest as the strategist.

But the moment he was about to speak, Baek Cheon’s back caught his eye. A firm back that showed not even a hint of hesitation. His mouth closed before he knew it.

‘He must know.’

Yes. Not just Lim Sobyeong, but everyone must know. They knew what they had to do to survive. The enemies surged in like madmen, and attacks poured down on the unconscious Chung Myung.

If even one of them looked away, if they ignored the attacks, they could be safe. They could save themselves. But no one hesitated. They were fighting with all their strength, as if they couldn’t stand to see Chung Myung die before them.

What could he say to people like this? Lim Sobyeong looked at Chung Myung, held by Baek Cheon. A fool who always did crazy things. Someone who never hesitated, even when he knew it was wrong. Lim Sobyeong scoffed.

“…Strategist? Ha!”

If they were talking about plans, coming here was a mistake from the start. ‘That’s why people like me are useless in the end.’ Lim Sobyeong jumped forward and used his fan to push away the enemies attacking Chung Myung.

‘Fine. Ho Gamyung, you win.’

Losing always hurt. But this loss didn’t hurt as much. He didn’t want to say it, but maybe some losses were better than wins.

“Try to kill me first! You evil people!” Lim Sobyeong yelled and swung his fan, sending out a wave of blue energy.

Baek Cheon, watching his efforts, slowly surveyed his surroundings. It felt as if all directions, the entire world, were filled with enemies. But Baek Cheon felt no fear. What he felt was only pity.

‘This is the sight you were seeing.’

Fighting alone in a place like this, what kind of feelings did he have as he wielded his sword? How did he endure it?

“You always annoy people.”

The moment Baek Cheon smirked, a huge explosion erupted above his head. Black poison powder began to spread in all directions. Baek Cheon’s eyes turned bloodshot.

“Block it!”

“Oooooooh!”

Hae Yeon jumped into the air right away. His hands seemed to become many, hundreds, thousands. Golden hands covered the sky – it was amazing to see. But the poison powder kept exploding and went right through Hae Yeon’s power.

Kwaaaaaah!

Namgung Dowi, who had leaped in instantly, unleashed his sword energy. The massive sword energy enveloped the poison powder and soared into the sky.

Once! Again! And again!

Sweat poured down like rain, but Namgung Dowi did not stop, swinging his sword until his core felt like it would burst.

‘I already owe my life!’

His life was never his to begin with. There was nothing to save, nothing to regret.

Paaah!

Under the sword energy, red plum blossoms from Mount Hua appeared like they were blooming. Even though plum blossoms shouldn’t grow here, it looked like a dry, rocky mountain far away.

Kwaaaang!

“Kuh!”

“Young Lord!”

“Don’t look back, just fight! Watch the front!” Seol Sobaek yelled angrily at the worried voice. He had blocked the attack with his body because he was too slow with his sword. His chest was badly cut, and blood poured out. But Seol Sobaek didn’t even think about his wound. He kept fighting off the attacks.

‘This little cut won’t kill me.’

He could take many more hits like this. But Chung Myung was different. Even a small injury could kill him now. He couldn’t complain.

“Die!”

But because he was hurt, Seol Sobaek was a little slower. An enemy saw this and jumped past him. Seol Sobaek’s eyes opened wide as he saw the enemy try to stab Chung Myung. Just then, someone’s arm moved in front of Chung Myung to block the attack. Crack! The sound of the blade hitting bone was loud, and blood flowed out.

“Yoo Dojang!” Seol Sobaek yelled and swung his sword, cutting down the enemy’s neck. But Yoo Iseol didn’t even look at him, just kept fighting.

They were using every last bit of their power and focus, and they were almost completely exhausted. But even though they knew they were at their limit, they didn’t give up.

“Cough!”

Dang Pae’s shoulder was stabbed. A blade with blue energy came down hard towards his face. Just as he closed his eyes, a steel fan appeared from behind and knocked the blade away.

“Wake up!”

“Green Forest King!” Lim Sobyeong gritted his teeth and swung his fan. His hat was gone, and his face was dirty. But he kept fighting. Right to the end.

“Die!”

The Maninbang warriors saw they were slowing down, so they attacked even harder. Blue sword energy flew towards Chung Myung from far away.

“We will never surrender!” Jo Gul roared, his voice hoarse.

Wham! The enemy’s blow slammed into his side, and he gasped, spitting blood onto the dusty ground.

Pain shot through his ribs, but Jo Gul ignored it. He grit his teeth and fought back fiercely against the attacking blades. Each strike of his sword against theirs sent jolts of pain up his arm, and his vision swam. He felt himself getting weaker, but his sword kept moving, a silver flash in the chaos.

Kawaaaang!

Just then, someone’s immense power struck Jo Gul, sending him flying backward like a cannonball.

“Geol!”

Ggrrrriiiiind!

Barely managing to force his sword into the ground, Jo Gul stopped himself from falling, stubbornly halting his momentum. He spat out more blood and turned his head with great effort. He saw Chung Myung, unconscious.

“You’re doing a fine job, you little….”

Jo Gul grinned weakly.

“Geol! You’re hurt badly, get back! Let me handle this!”

“Aaaaargh!”

Ignoring Baek Cheon’s desperate plea, Jo Gul charged forward again. Baek Cheon bit his lip and desperately blocked a spear aimed at Chung Myung.

Clang!

Simultaneously, Baek Cheon spun around. Two black throwing knives, hidden behind the spear, plunged mercilessly into his back. A sharp, searing pain erupted. Yet, even then, Baek Cheon poured more energy into Chung Myung’s body.

Outnumbered and outmatched.

A faint smile touched Baek Cheon’s lips.

How would the world remember them?

Would they be hailed as heroes who died upholding their loyalty? Or as noble warriors who fought against the Evil Sect for the sake of justice, only to perish?

‘Doesn’t really matter.’

Because neither was true.

They were just a bunch of fools who couldn’t control their tempers, rushing headlong into this mess to die. Idiots who threw away their lives without protecting the world, their sect, or anything else.

But….

“Being an idiot is good enough.”

He couldn’t stop the laughter from escaping.

If he were going to be reasonable and only do what was theoretically right, he wouldn’t have even picked up a sword in the first place. At least, that was true for Baek Cheon. Now, he was where he wanted to be. And he was facing the end he had wanted.

So, how could he have any regrets?

This feeling… he couldn’t see into their hearts, but he figured they all felt the same.

Crack!

The blade that had been lodged in Yoon Jong’s waist was yanked out. But Yoon Jong didn’t even groan. He shoved the attacker aside and plunged his sword into the back of another trying to get past him. His eyes were filled with desperation, and nothing else.

Baek Cheon quietly called out in his mind.

‘Yoon Jong.’

“Aaaaaaargh!”

Blood soaked Tang Soso’s clothes and hair, but she didn’t stop. With a fierce cry, she swung her sword wildly, not even noticing the cuts on her own arms. Her eyes burned with a desperate fire.

‘Soso.’

Crack! Crack!

Jo Gul, his legs slashed, rolled on the ground, repeatedly stabbing his sword into the enemy’s instep, even as blades rained down on his back.

‘Jo Gul.’

Wham!

Yoo Iseol, having blocked an incoming blast of energy, was pushed back, sliding along the ground. The blood she coughed up splattered across her chest. The arm not holding her sword twitched and then fell limp. It seemed her arm wouldn’t move as she wished.

‘Iseol.’

They weren’t the only ones.

Rumble!

“Venerable!”

“Oooooooooh!”

Hae Yeon, rampaging like a demon. He, who had always been so reluctant to break his vows against killing, had now abandoned himself, pouring all his remaining strength into stopping the enemy.

‘Hae Yeon.’

Kwaaaang!

Namgoong Dowi was knocked away, spraying blood. Seol Sobaek desperately threw himself forward, using his back to shield him from the incoming blades.

Dang Pae, having collapsed with a spear through his leg, still threw hidden weapons, and Lim Sobyeong, having discarded his broken fan, was now wildly using his power with both hands.

‘Everyone….’

Baek Cheon’s face was beyond pale, almost blue. Black blood trickled from his lips. The strain of using so much power was taking its toll. A sharp, knife-like pain constantly surged from his core. Nevertheless, Baek Cheon didn’t stop pouring his inner energy into Chung Myung’s body.

“…How is it? You damned bastard.”

Baek Cheon grinned, his lips stained with blood.

“Everyone is doing this to protect you. So… don’t you ever act lonely again. And don’t go off trying to do things on your own.”

He couldn’t protect them.

Their strength wasn’t enough. He couldn’t save them.

But….

“No need to worry.”

His hand gripped Chung Myung’s shoulder tightly.

“Because we can die together.”

Baek Cheon chuckled and poured all his remaining strength into Chung Myung. Those pushed back by the enemy sprayed blood as they tumbled before him.

Baek Cheon looked down at the battered and broken figures. Sensing their limits, the enemies slightly slowed their advance, gradually closing in around them.

“I’m sorry.”

For some reason, those words escaped his lips.

“Bullshit.”

Jo Gul gritted his teeth.

“Don’t apologize, Martial Uncle. I chose this.”

“You didn’t order us to do this in the first place.”

“Arrogant.”

“I always thought you were… a bit of a pain in the ass.”

The bloodied Mount Hua disciples each threw out a word.

Baek Cheon didn’t get angry; instead, he chuckled lightly.

“Right. Let’s get the apology… from that bastard.”

“We have to get it.”

“I’m going to beat that bastard. I’ll beat him until he dies.”

“…Tell him to go to hell.”

“Even to the Leader….”

Even those who weren’t Mount Hua disciples left behind a curse. But in their eyes, there was no regret. All that was visible was the will to fight to the death.

‘Not bad.’

Baek Cheon smiled.

It wasn’t the death he had imagined. But… this wasn’t bad either. A hundred times… no, a thousand times better than a death where he lived out his days in pathetic cowardice. At least he could be proud of himself.

Only one thing was a little regrettable….

Baek Cheon closed his eyes slightly. Burying the apologies in his heart, he opened his eyes sharply and shouted resolutely.

“Until the very end, we are disciples of Mount Hua. Die with honor!”

“Yes!”

As if those words were a signal, the enemies screamed and charged.

“Oooooooooh!”

The Evil Sect warriors’ blades poured down on them like a waterfall all at once. An attack they couldn’t possibly block. Baek Cheon’s eyes widened.

He would watch closely. Until the last person’s end. That was the last mission left to him.

But at that moment, what he saw was… a streak of green light.

Crack! Crunch!

A sound that seemed to tear the eardrums apart rang out, and the charging enemies were flung away as if hit by a runaway cart. The terrifyingly fierce blades were torn apart and crushed.

‘…What?’

Baek Cheon, bewildered, blankly watched the scene unfold. What on earth was happening….

“…It seems I’m not too late after all.”

The gazes of everyone, including Baek Cheon, turned to one place at the same time.

In the distance, a familiar figure was visible.

“Ah….”

Why was that person there? Was it a dream?

Standing with an aloof and unwavering posture, his cold face was filled with a chilling rage.

Soon, another person appeared beside him.

“Ah….”

“Aah….”

The Mount Hua disciples who saw the figure collapsed on the spot.

White hair, black martial robes, a plum blossom engraved on his chest, and… a refined rage in eyes that were like an abstract painting.

His gaze turned to Baek Cheon in the center. The moment their eyes met, all the strength drained from Baek Cheon’s body.

It wasn’t a dream, nor an illusion.

“I order the disciples of Mount Hua!”

“Sect Leaaaaaadeeeeer!”

A scream like a cry burst from Baek Cheon’s lips.

“Annihilate the enemy!”

Hyun Jong’s sword, which had soared high into the sky, pointed resolutely forward.

“And rescue the disciples of Mount Hua!”

“Understood!”

Un Geom and Hyun Sang took the lead, leaping forward and charging. Behind them, the disciples of Mount Hua, clad in black martial robes, ran with explosive rage.

On the parched lands of Gangnam, red plum blossoms bloomed like a dream.