Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1411

Baek Cheon’s actions looked very risky, maybe even foolish.

Everyone watching him thought the same thing: reckless or foolish. But no one dared to say it to his face.

A fighter must always think about how they will die.

Chung Myung often said, “If you use a sword, remember, one day that sword might kill you.”

So, what should a fighter do when facing a stronger enemy and death seems certain?

Baek Cheon was about to show them the answer.

Hyun Jong turned his head and looked back, a small sigh escaped his lips.

“Ah…”

It wasn’t just the Five Swords. The disciples of Mount Hua, the members of the Tang family, and the fighters from Namgung and the new world were all looking at Hyun Jong with calm faces. (The ‘new world’ refers to lands and martial arts styles outside the traditional Central Plains.)

Han Yi-myeong, an elder of the Ice Palace, smiled gently and asked, “Alliance Leader, why do you look so surprised?”

“Surely you don’t think we were forced to come here, do you? We are ready to risk our lives.”

“Elder Han…”

Han Yi-myeong shook his head.

“Don’t look at us like that. It’s almost like you are insulting us. No one was forced to come. And no one came here without knowing the danger. Knowing all that, we came here willingly.”

Many people nodded in agreement.

Fighting them will be very difficult, but no one blamed Hyun Jong. He had done his best; they chose to cross the river.

“But…”

Namgung Myeong said with a determined face, “Of course, no one wants to die. But it’s much better to die fighting here than to watch our friends in the Alliance die over there.”

“That’s our Elder.”

“Of course! The Namgung would rather die than do such a thing!”

The Namgung Clan looked almost happy. They remembered being ignored on Plum Blossom Island, and this was better than that.

Hyun Jong bit his lip.

He knew most of these words were to ease his worry. They looked calm outside, but inside they were very afraid.

At that moment, Tang Gunak spoke in a chilling voice.

“It won’t be easy, but we have to try. Jang Il-so is strong, but the Sahae Clan is not like us. They don’t always work together well because they used to fight each other.”

“…”

“So, we just need to create an opening. The Tang family will lead. Just in time… it seems the Surochae fools have almost arrived, so we should take that ship.”

The Surochae landing meant more enemies to defeat. This was not good news for the Cheonwu Alliance.

But instead of pointing that out, Hyun Jong nodded.

“Yes, Clan Leader. We must try.”

Hyun Jong gripped his sword tightly.

Giving up was not an option. All that was left was to fight with all their might, even if it was a fight that might be useless, they would fight to the last man.

Hyun Jong looked back at the elders of Mount Hua.

Whether they understood his intention or had the same thought, their eyes held the same determination.

At that moment, Geum Yang-baek pushed aside the disciples who were trying to stop him and walked forward.

“If someone has to take the lead… it should be me.”

“Sect Leader!”

“Sect Leader, if you do this…!”

His knees wobbled, but he stood firm.

“…You won’t say no, will you?”

A smile spread across Geum Yang-baek’s pale face.

Hyun Jong couldn’t refuse. No one would dare to say no to Geum Yang-baek right now. It was impossible.

“Geum Sect Leader…”

Geum Yang-baek’s smile deepened.

“It seems I’ve finally found a place to die.”

“…”

“I’ve lived enough. Now, I only have one wish left.”

He didn’t need to say it. Hyun Jong knew his wish, and it was also Hyun Jong’s wish.

‘Ancestors.’

Now he understood why the old leaders of Mount Hua risked their lives long ago. He understood their courage.

What they wanted was for those they left behind to survive. Only that.

“Baek Cheon, step back.”

“Excuse me?”

Baek Cheon turned around, surprised, but Hyun Jong shook his head firmly.

Baek Cheon had led everyone for a moment, and Hyun Jong knew Baek Cheon had surpassed him.

This was just an old man being stubborn at the end of his life. It was his last wish.

“Disciples, step back. Elders, come forward.”

“Yes! Leader!”

Hyun Sang and the Yunja generation sent the disciples back and stepped forward. Even Hyun Young stepped forward silently and resolutely.

“Now, elders…”

At the same time, Geum Yang-baek raised his voice.

“The elders of Hae Nam, step forward!”

“The Namgung as well!”

“Youngsters, step back! This is not a place for you!”

Those who were elders, and those who considered themselves elders, all stepped forward, pushing back the young disciples.

“Elders, this is…!”

“Shut your mouth and step back!”

Those who tried to stop them stepped back with pale faces. No objections were allowed. Those left behind bit their lips.

Hyun Jong looked at everyone and said, “I’m not telling you not to fight.”

“…”

“It’s just that the way of fighting is different. Opening the way is our fight. Your fight is to survive and cross that river.”

“Alliance Leader…”

Who would dare to disagree?

If everyone died here, that would be the end. But if someone survived, the will would continue. Thus, the deaths here would have meaning.

So how could it be called a light fight?

“Clan Leader of the Tang family…”

Hyun Jong was about to ask him to take charge of the rear, but Tang Gunak stood firmly by his side without a word.

“Are you going to say I’m not old enough?”

Hyun Jong laughed. There was no way he could say that to Tang Gunak.

“I am the head of the Tang family.”

“That’s right… Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude.”

“The pursuit is coming. There won’t be much time to talk.”

Hyun Jong nodded and exchanged glances with Geum Yang-baek.

The end should be as honorable as possible. If this was their last act, they had to show their disciples how to be brave.

Now, they would just fight with everything they had!

“Cheonwu Alliance, listen…!”

As Hyun Jong drew his sword, someone’s loud voice cut him off.

“A, Alliance Leader!”

“Hmm?”

“Over there! Over there, beyond the river! No, on the river! Look over there!”

Hyun Jong turned his head, his eyes widened.

“Wh-what?”

An unbelievable thing was happening. Something he had never imagined was unfolding.

“Shaolin! It’s Shaolin! It’s Shaolin and the Nine Sects, Alliance Leader!”

Those who were on the riverside beyond the river, those whose existence he knew but tried to ignore, monks wearing the yellow robes of Shaolin were kicking off the water and running across the river.

“Sh-Shaolin?”

Hae Yeon cried out, “Head Monk!”

He could see his fellow disciples, whom he knew were beyond the river but couldn’t call out to, risking their lives and running across the river.

Tears filled his eyes.

It really was Shaolin. His fellow disciples were coming.

“W-what is this…?”

“It’s not just Shaolin! The Peng family too! The Mount Hua Sect is also jumping into the river! Support! The Nine Sects are supporting us! They are crossing the river, Alliance Leader!”

Hyun Jong’s mouth dropped open.

He couldn’t believe that Shaolin, that Beop Jeong, was risking his life to help the Cheonwu Alliance, crossing the river to fight in Sahae Clan territory.

Who would have imagined such a thing?

But no matter how many times he closed and opened his eyes, the scene didn’t change. They were definitely coming.

Right across this river!

Wham!

Beop Jeong kicked off the water and unleashed a thunderous lion’s roar.

“First-generation disciples, hold back the Surochae! Elders, secure a place on the riverbank for our allies to land!”

“Yes!”

Wham!

Each time his feet hit the water, his body soared forward. Beop Jeong’s face, looking over the river, was distorted like a demon.

‘Did you look down on me, Jang Il-so?’

Did you think Beop Jeong would back down? Did you think I would just stand by and watch, like I have until now?

If so, you are wrong.

Beop Jeong was not afraid of fighting. What he feared was losing everything. So, he wouldn’t wait for defeat.

The reason he had avoided fighting was because there was a better way. Now that things had come to this, there was no reason to hesitate.

‘Hyun Jong!’

Beop Jeong’s gaze turned to Hyun Jong. Nothing had changed. If they joined forces, they could compete with the Sahae Clan.

If the Cheonwu Alliance was still determined to fight, they could still win!

‘Shaolin will not fall!’

There were things that had to be protected. Beop Jeong would do anything to protect Shaolin.

So why would he hesitate to cross the river out of fear?

“Defeat the evil villains of the Demonic Sect and save the Cheonwu Alliance!”

Beop Jeong’s voice echoed like thunder above the Jang River.

“Yes, Abbot!”

The monks of Shaolin responded with all their might.

The Thousand-Year Shaolin, the greatest sect in the world, were heading towards where they should be. Their majestic aura made the Yangtze River look golden.

Meanwhile, a strange silence fell on the Cheonwu Alliance’s side.

It was a moment to be moved, a sight to see Shaolin, the leader of the Nine Great Sects, risking their lives to save them.

But the faces of those on the hill showed more confusion than excitement.

Jo Gul, staring blankly, quietly asked, “That… did Head Monk Beop Jeong go crazy or something?” (Beop Jeong is sometimes called ‘Octopus Head.’)

It was a very rude comment, but no one said anything.