Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 147

In an instant, the Wudang sect members passed through Namyeong and began to ascend the mountain behind it.

If they had properly deciphered Jang Bodo’s map, the Sword Tomb was on this very mountain.

“How is it going? Are we on the right path?”

“According to the diagram, we need to go a bit further.”

Heosanja’s brow furrowed, his eyes becoming sharp as he scanned the path behind them. A knot of worry tightened in his stomach.

‘The rabble from behind are already catching up,’ he thought.

It was expected, but they were more aggressive than anticipated. They had decided not to be mindful of the Wudang sect’s presence here.

‘If we delay, things will spiral out of control.’

In the past, treasures had appeared in the Jianghu, the world of martial artists, several times. Each time, the great sects leading the Jianghu jumped into the fray to prevent unnecessary sacrifices.

It would be a lie to say there was no greed involved, but they didn’t participate solely out of avarice.

However, in most cases, they failed to prevent the sacrifices.

That was how immense the Jianghu warriors’ obsession with elixirs and secret manuals was.

Among those following them now, few would think that the Wudang sect knew something.

They were merely watching with wide eyes to see if they could find any evidence.

‘But the moment the Sword Tomb is unearthed, they will turn into a pack of ravenous wolves.’

“Muyeon!”

“Yes, Elder!”

“Take charge of the rear. When the Sword Tomb opens, they will all rush in. Block the rear and enter first.”

“Yes, Elder, right away!”

It was impossible to persuade those who had gone mad with greed through words. It was better to use force properly to reduce sacrifices.

“Are we far?”

“We’re almost there. It should be around here…”

They burst out of the thick trees and stopped suddenly. Before them, the forest ended abruptly, opening into a wide space unlike anything they expected.

Heosanja blinked, his eyes widening slightly. ‘What is this place?’ he thought, a strange feeling creeping over him.

It was wrong. Forests didn’t just stop like this. Usually, the trees would thin out slowly, turning into bushes and then open land. But here, the trees ended as if cut by a giant knife, giving way to bare earth.

All around them stretched a field of dry dirt and scattered stones. Not a single blade of grass dared to grow here. It felt unnatural, almost… forbidden.

“Is this it?”

“Yes! This is it, Elder!”

‘It’s definitely a strange place.’

Everything depended on the mind, didn’t it? If they had passed this place without a second thought, they would have just thought it was a bit strange and moved on. But now that they were suspicious, there was no place that looked more bizarre.

Heosanja was certain that the Sword Tomb was here.

No matter how he looked at it, this was not a terrain that could have formed naturally.

“Investigate!”

“Yes!”

The Wudang disciples simultaneously drew their swords, their special swords. They rushed forward and began to stab the ground haphazardly with their swords.

If the Sword Tomb was here, the entrance would naturally be hidden in the ground. What they were looking for now was the entrance to the Sword Tomb, hidden somewhere in this terrain.

Thwack! Thwack!

The Wudang Songmun swords continuously pierced the ground.

Normally, using their swords roughly like this would not be tolerated, but now was not the time to worry about such trivial matters. At this very moment, rumors that they were looking for something were spreading in Namyeong, and those who heard the rumors would be rushing here.

They had to find the entrance and enter before others arrived and escalated the situation.

It was at that moment.

“There’s something here!”

Heosanja’s head snapped around. Before he could even open his mouth, he used fast movements to rush to the source of the sound.

“Where is it?”

“It’s here!”

One of the disciples was continuously stabbing the ground with his Songmun sword.

With a thudding sound, the sword did not sink completely into the ground.

“Step aside!”

Heosanja drew his sword and infused it with internal energy. Then, he thrust the sword into the ground in one swift motion.

Clang!

Joy spread across Heosanja’s face.

His sword, imbued with sword energy, could slice through most metals like tofu. But now, his sword had clearly bounced back. That meant that what was beneath was no ordinary metal.

“Fall back!”

“Yes!”

The sword energy imbued in Heosanja’s sword intensified. Soon, the sword energy, erupting like a torrent, struck the ground.

Kaaaaah!

As if the riverbank was being eroded by a fierce current, the ground was dug up by the wave of sword energy. In less than half an hour, a large pit was created, easily large enough for several people to enter.

Everyone’s gaze turned to the bottom of the pit.

Unconcealable joy overflowed in everyone’s eyes.

“Elder!”

“Hmm.”

Heosanja couldn’t hide his smile either.

At the bottom of the pit, a large entrance leading downwards revealed itself. On the two iron doors, firmly closed on either side, were engraved images of divine swords facing each other. The metal looked old and imposing.

And below that, a large inscription.

[Sword Tomb (劍塚)]

“We’ve found it!”

It was at that moment.

“There! It’s over there!”

“It’s the Wudang sect!”

Heosanja’s head snapped around.

He could see the warriors who had been chasing them from the dense forest behind, rushing out at a violent speed.

“Muyeon!”

“Yes, I will stop them!”

The first disciple, Muyeon, led his fellow disciples and rushed towards the rear without hesitation.

Heosanja did not even glance at Muyeon and stared at the entrance of the Sword Tomb.

“Open it!”

“Yes!”

The disciples quickly rushed forward and grabbed the doors of the Sword Tomb.

But no matter how much force they applied, the doors did not budge.

“Tsk! Get out of the way!”

Slightly annoyed, Heosanja infused his sword with energy. The sword energy, emitting a blue light, soon condensed and solidified, transforming from Qi into Force.

“Taat!”

With a short shout, Heosanja’s sword slashed at the doors of the Sword Tomb.

The shattered doors of the Sword Tomb slid back with a loud noise and soon fell into the endless abyss.

“Gasp!”

“It’s deeper than I thought. If we had entered without thinking…”

Heosanja frowned and looked inside the opened door. The bottom was not visible.

Why would they create something like this in the mountains? It seemed that to enter the Sword Tomb, they had to go down to the bottom of this deep hole.

Heosanja bit his lip slightly.

‘I can’t tell what’s down there.’

The darkness that swallowed even light naturally evoked fear in those who saw it.

But the die was already cast!

There was a limit to how long they could hold off those rushing from behind.

That meant there was no time to leisurely investigate.

“I will take the lead. Heogong!”

“Yes, Senior Brother.”

“Watch for Muyeon’s return and stand at the rear.”

“Yes.”

As Heogong nodded, Heosanja narrowed his eyes and glared at the entrance of the Sword Tomb.

‘A sense of malice is felt.’

Was he being told to jump into this darkness to obtain the Honwon Pill?

“Everyone, follow me!”

Heosanja jumped into the Sword Tomb without the slightest hesitation. Then, the Wudang disciples guarding the surroundings leaped down into the Sword Tomb in an instant.

“There! They’re going in!”

“There’s something! It’s the Sword Tomb!”

As soon as the word “Sword Tomb” was uttered, the rabble began to scream and rush in with a speed that could not be compared to before.

“Hold them back!”

Muyeon shouted a scream-like command.

‘Damn it!’

They were not difficult to subdue. The problem was that there were too many of them, and even more so, that so many people were rushing in without regard for their own lives.

“Slowly retreat! We must not be breached!”

“Yes!”

Muyeon slowly retreated his disciples. Forcing their way through would require sacrifices.

What they had to do now was not to block their entry. It was to buy time for the senior brothers in the back to enter first.

It was at that moment.

“Hahahahaha! Get out of the way, you rats!”

Kwaaaang!

The forest exploded outwards.

Mu-yeon’s eyes widened.

‘The Herculean Axe, Mak Hoi?’ Mu-yeon gasped. *That name was known for incredible strength.*

He was huge, with a man-sized axe. It was the Herculean Axe, Mak Hoi. Everyone in Shanxi knew his name for his incredible strength.

‘Does even a strong warrior like him want the Chaos Origin Pill?’ Mu-yeon wondered.

“Kahaha!” Mak Hoi roared. “Those Wudang idiots are too greedy! Trying to take what is mine!”

The Herculean Axe charged forward like a thunderbolt.

He charged, so powerful that people scrambled to get out of his way. Those too slow were thrown aside by his shoulder. It was like being hit by a runaway chariot – a clear show of Mak Hoi’s strength.

“No, it can’t be!”

Mu-yeon’s face hardened.

If that brute charged through, the defensive line would break. As Mu-yeon panicked, trying to think of what to do, a disapproving voice spoke from behind.

“Tsk, tsk. Nothing but a wild boar.”

“Elder!”

Heo Gong jumped lightly over Mu-yeon, stopping the charging Herculean Axe. The Herculean Axe roared in a booming voice.

“Get out of my way, old man! I’ll smash you to pieces!”

“Perhaps Do-woo needs to calm down a little.”

“Haaah!”

Mak Hoi swung his axe with brutal force. The axe cut through the air, so powerful it could make you tremble just watching.

“Heave-ho!”

But that power never reached Heo Gong.

Sssst.

Heo Gong’s sword easily pushed the axe aside. As the axe blade hit his sword, Heo Gong’s sword seemed to shimmer and change.

“Eh?”

Mak Hoi lost control as his axe bounced back and stumbled. Heo Gong gently hit him with the flat side of his sword.

“Kraaak!”

Mak Hoi’s body flew into the air, back into the forest he had come from.

“⋯⋯.”

Everyone who had been rushing forward froze, staring at Heo Gong’s amazing skill.

‘Is that the Wudang Elder?’

‘He defeated the Herculean Axe in one blow!’

It was a truly impressive show of power.

It was a scene that showed why Wudang was so respected.

“I’ll handle this, so you all hurry inside the Sword Tomb.”

“Yes, Elder!”

Heo Gong clicked his tongue, looking at the crowd, then said quietly.

“Do you plan to get in the way of Wudang’s business?”

“⋯⋯.”

“Wudang has claimed this place. Anyone who tries to enter must fight Wudang. Do you dare?”

No one dared to meet Heo Gong’s gaze.

Wudang. And the Elder of Wudang.

The powerful name of Wudang weighed down on the crowd.

But not everyone was intimidated by that name.

“The old man is talking rubbish.”

A man slowly emerged from the dense forest.

A man cloaked head to toe in crimson robes. His eyes, visible through the gaps in the tightly wrapped cloth, were stained red.

“⋯⋯Could you be the Three Evil Ghosts?”

“Looks like your eyes haven’t gone bad yet.”

Heo Gong frowned.

He was famous for being evil. How many people had he killed for no reason at all?

If things were different, Heo Gong would have punished him. But the situation wasn’t right.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Are you the owners of the Sword Tomb?”

“⋯⋯.”

The Three Evil Ghosts sneered.

“The Sword Tomb belongs to the Swordless Trace, not Wudang. Just finding it first doesn’t make it yours. The world will laugh at Wudang for being so arrogant.”

Heo Gong narrowed his eyes.

Heo Gong knew the man was partly right. But without him, no one would have dared to disagree with Wudang.

“Hahaha. Even the Three Evil Ghosts can tell the truth for once.”

Several more people came out of the forest. Heo Gong frowned again. He noticed the wide sword of the man leading them.

“Could you be the Great Firmament Sword, Gok Bu?”

“Oh, look. It’s an honor to meet the famous Heo Gong Jin-in of Wudang.”

“Hmm.”

Heo Gong let out a low groan.

Gok Bu of the Great Firmament Sword was not someone he could easily deal with.

‘Have so many famous figures gathered in such a short time?’

Heo Gong realized again how important the ‘Sword Tomb’ must be.

“But I’m disappointed. For a famous person like you to say such silly things. I don’t want to agree with the Three Evil Ghosts, but trying to scare people just because you got here first isn’t good for Wudang’s reputation, don’t you think?”

“Are you declaring yourselves enemies of Wudang?”

“Everyone should have a fair chance.”

Gok Bu narrowed his eyes.

“Wudang might have found it, but everyone has the right to enter the Sword Tomb. Right, everyone?”

“That’s right!”

“Wudang or not! You’re being too arrogant!”

“Who knew Wudang would be so greedy! Aren’t you afraid of what people will think?”

“We have to get rid of them! They’re probably searching the Sword Tomb right now!”

The fire that had been extinguished was reignited.

Heo Gong’s face darkened. Even he couldn’t stop them all alone.

Then…

“I warned you clearly. Anyone who enters the Sword Tomb will face Wudang’s swords.”

“That’s a scary story. But if we were scared, we wouldn’t have come this far.”

Heo Gong nodded.

“Then…”

He glanced slightly behind him. The last remaining Wudang disciple was leaping into the Sword Tomb.

“Try it if you dare!”

Heo Gong also leaped into the Sword Tomb. And as if that were the signal, the crowd surged towards the entrance of the Sword Tomb.

“Get out of the way! If you don’t want to die!”

“You bastards! Can’t you move?”

Even though the entrance was wide, it was impossible for everyone to get in at once. They inevitably got in each other’s way.

To make matters worse, someone drew their sword.

Suddenly, fighting broke out, and blood flew everywhere.

Weapons were drawn from all sides, and they began to attack each other.

“What a mess.”

The Great Firmament Sword leaped over those fighting each other and stood at the entrance of the Sword Tomb.

The crowd, desperately attacking each other, couldn’t bring themselves to point their swords at the Great Firmament Sword. Soon, even the Three Evil Ghosts leaped over the crowd and stood across from the Great Firmament Sword.

“Are you going to fight?”

“There’s no need to waste energy.”

“Hmm.”

The two exchanged glances and leaped into the Sword Tomb. Following them, several figures threw themselves into the Sword Tomb.

“Get out of the way!”

After that, it was the groups’ turn.

Groups who pushed their way through using their numbers rushed into the Sword Tomb as soon as they arrived.

“Damn it, get out of the way!”

“The Sword Tomb! We have to get to the Sword Tomb! There are amazing weapons there!”

Some jumped in, some blocked, and some tried to break through – complete chaos broke out.

And right then!

“Why are there so many of them, like a pack of dogs!”

Someone burst out of the forest, yelling in anger.

“You’re the one who gathered them, you idiot!”

“Did I know this many would come!”

They argued for a moment, then the leader raised his sword, still in its holder. He glared and shouted.

“Let’s go!”

“Damn it! Understood!”

“Everyone, get out of the way! I warned you!”

The one in the lead.

Cheong-myeong roared and charged forward.

“Let’s goooooooo!”

“Hick?”

“Ugh!”

Those blocking the way were sent flying in all directions.

Cheong-myeong’s eyes were bloodshot.

“Anyone who touches my stuff is dead!”

Cheong-myeong and the disciples of Mount Hua charged towards the Sword Tomb like a storm.