Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1410

Beopjeong groaned, his eyes snapping open.

The Surochae fleet stretched across the wide Yangtze River, a dark, endless wave ready to crash upon the shore.

He had seen such sights many times, but something was wrong.

The fleets, usually moving fast, were slowing down. They were stopping.

This meant that Surochae had arrived.

Before the fleet lay Nanjing.

“Th, this⋯⋯.”

The land in front of them should have been green fields. But it was covered in people. The Four Faction Alliance. They were everywhere.

Flags of the Myriad Man Manor and the Black Demon Fortress waved in the wind. Smaller groups, from every corner of the land, were also there.

Seeing the immense force, even the great Beopjeong felt his legs weaken.

“Ch, Chieftain.”

Joint Chieftain Jongli Hyeong spoke, his voice trembling.

“Wh, what should we do now?”

Jongli Hyeong had never seen so many martial artists gathered in one place. He felt overwhelmed by their numbers.

Even weak dogs can hurt a tiger if there are many of them. Numbers can be stronger than individual strength.

If they crossed the river, could they be stopped?

Even with the Nine Great Sects on the riverbanks, could they stop all those who seemed to fill the Yangtze?

Paeng Yeop spoke, his voice low and tight.

“⋯⋯We should retreat.”

Jongli Hyeong knew Paeng Yeop’s voice was also trembling.

“If they attack across the river, we cannot stand against them with the forces here alone. At best, we will inflict minor damage and be annihilated.”

It was a cold, objective statement.

“Hah, but Clan Leader Paeng. If we do that⋯⋯.”

Jongli Hyeong looked bewildered, but Paeng Yeop shook his head.

“This is not a situation to discuss face-saving.”

“⋯⋯.”

“Or what? Does Chieftain Jongli think we alone can stop them?”

Jongli Hyeong fell silent.

If all the Nine Great Sects were gathered, it might be different, but they couldn’t stop them with only three sects. And Shaolin was not even at full strength.

“Chieftain, make a decision.”

Paeng Yeop urged Beopjeong, but Beopjeong stared silently across the river.

“Chieftain.”

As Paeng Yeop spoke, Beopjeong’s mouth opened.

“I tried to stop this! I warned you all! Fools! You utter fools!”

The Cheonwu Alliance’s foolish choices had led to this worst-case scenario.

His jaw trembled with anger.

Now, the Four Faction Alliance could not be stopped from crossing the river. They would advance to Hanam.

Jang Il-So’s aim was clear.

The Central Plains were vast. The Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families were scattered throughout the land. Only half of them were north of the Yangtze River, around Hanam.

Jang Il-So wanted Hanam. It was the heart of the Nine Great Sects. If he took Hanam, he could defeat the rest of them easily.

If Wudang and Jongnam joined, they might be able to stop them. But there was no way to avoid the war.

Beopjeong knew why Shaolin and Wudang were the center of the Kangho.

It wasn’t just their fighting skills that made Shaolin and Wudang strong. It was Hanam itself. It was the center of everything. Losing Hanam…

Even evil groups had always advanced towards Hanam.

That was why Hanam never burned unless they were defeated. Even when the Demonic Sect rose a hundred years ago, Shaolin avoided burning.

But this time was different.

If the Four Faction Alliance went straight to Hanam, Shaolin would suffer devastating damage, even if they won.

Mount Song would surely burn. Even if they won, only scars would remain.

How could he accept the main temple burning, the disciples lost, and others reaping the glory of victory?

Cold sweat ran down Beopjeong’s back.

“Pae Gun⋯⋯. That treacherous man⋯⋯.”

He thought the Four Faction Alliance would target the Cheonwu Alliance first. But Jang Il-So’s blade was aimed at Beopjeong’s neck.

Hanam would burn. His home. His temple. Should he run? Save himself? Or stay and fight, even if it meant defeat, to buy Hanam some time?

Beopjeong could not choose.

“Ch, Chieftain!”

Jongli Hyeong’s shout broke his thoughts. The fleets were turning south!

Beopjeong stared blankly.

“⋯⋯The Alliance⋯⋯.”

“Yes?”

“The Cheonwu Alliance! Where is the Cheonwu Alliance now?”

“Th, that is, without looking⋯⋯.”

Beopjeong looked at the hill on the Nanjing land.

He saw a familiar figure.

Veins stood out on Beopjeong’s neck, and he shouted.

“Hyeonjo-oooooooooooong!”

It was a cry of despair and resentment.

The world was silent.

Everywhere Hyun Jong looked was filled with enemies.

Flags of the Myriad Man Manor and the Black Demon Fortress fluttered. Huge flags with the red letter ‘Dominion’ stood tall.

In the center of the army, a huge white carriage stood out. It was pulled by eight pure white horses, their coats gleaming even from this distance. It looked like a king’s carriage, arrogant and powerful.

“⋯⋯Jang Il-So.”

He was here.

He had blocked their escape and stayed distant, mocking the Cheonwu Alliance’s struggles.

Hyun Jong’s mind went blank.

Anger was gone. Hate was gone. Only emptiness remained. A heavy, crushing feeling that stole his breath.

‘Heavenly Venerable One⋯⋯.’

Why so cruel?

He only wanted a little peace of mind.

But was even that too much to ask?

“Uh⋯⋯.”

“Th, this⋯⋯.”

Those who reached the top of the hill also lost their words. Even Tang Gunak, even Maeng So, clenched their fists in despair.

“Is it too late⋯⋯.”

Im So-Byeong’s lips twisted into a sad smile. His eyes were filled with regret.

They had turned away from the truth, hoping it wasn’t real. But it was aiming at them like a sharp blade.

It was a grim judgment since they had dared to set foot on Jang Il-So’s land.

“⋯⋯Fighting is⋯⋯.”

Tang Gunak shook his head.

It was meaningless.

“Green Forest King! Is there a way to detour?”

“⋯⋯.”

“Green Forest King?”

Tang Gunak looked at Im So-Byeong, but Im So-Byeong simply replied with a bitter expression.

“It’s too late. The opponent is Pae Gun. He won’t let us go.”

Tang Gunak closed his eyes.

He knew it, but hearing it from Im So-Byeong felt different. It was a predetermined ending. All that remained was futility.

‘Was our decision wrong?’

He couldn’t say that.

But if it wasn’t wrong, why were they facing such an ending?

Despair was contagious.

Even those who could not see the Yangtze River could guess from the reactions of those in front. Despair crept in even faster.

“Ah⋯⋯.”

The Surochae fleets changed direction and rushed towards them. The moment the bandits landed, it would all end.

Suddenly, a weak hand pushed against Hyun Jong’s back. Baek Cheon. He was sliding off Hyun Jong’s back, his face pale and strained.

“Ba, Baek Cheon-ah?”

He straightened his head and bent over.

“Cough!”

He coughed, and dark, thick blood splattered onto the ground. Hyun Jong stared at it, his heart sinking. This was worse than he thought.

“Yo, you! Your body is⋯⋯.”

Baek Cheon slowly drew his sword.

“Wh, what are you trying to do?”

“Now⋯⋯.”

Baek Cheon forced his head up. His blood-soaked lips formed a smile.

“⋯⋯If we break through just there, it’s Gangbuk⋯⋯.”

“⋯⋯.”

“Right?”

Those who had landed approached Baek Cheon.

“We’ve arrived, Martial Uncle.”

“Hah, it was long. It’s over now.”

“Now, if we just break through there!”

“I’m tired. Let’s do it quickly.”

“Amitabha. I will never come to Gangnam again.”

Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak stared at them in shock.

The Five Swords and Hye-Yeon were drawing their swords with calm faces. They were still going to fight with their battered bodies.

It was meaningless. Resistance was meaningless.

With those bodies, they would die without even being able to swing their swords.

But who could say that to them?

Who could say that their will was in vain?

“You guys⋯⋯.”

“Don’t worry, Supreme Elder.”

Baek Cheon smiled brightly.

“Opening the way is our specialty. Isn’t that right?”

The Five Swords nodded.

Then, Hyun Jong understood. He had always thought he was protecting them, his disciples. But it was the other way around. They were protecting him. Protecting Hwasan. Protecting the Cheonwu Alliance.

Baek Cheon stood at the end of the hill. His blood-soaked uniform fluttered.

He saw the enemies and the ships rushing in like waves.

“That’s amazing.”

Anyone who had ever held a sword would have dreamed of such a sight.

Finally, Baek Cheon’s wish was fulfilled.

He remembered Chung Myung’s words:

– A hero? Well, I don’t know⋯⋯. Maybe a hero is a guy who dreams an eternally unbroken dream. Even until the moment of death.

“Alright.”

Baek Cheon smiled.

“Then I won’t break it. Forever.”

His sword glowed with a red aura.