Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1514

Tension filled the main hall. Suddenly, someone shouted, “Oh, they’re coming!”

“What do we do!”

“What do you mean, what do we do! We fight back!”

“Can we use… *those* moves?”

No one answered him.

Fighting Shaolin monks with assassin moves? That would be a disaster. Mount Hua disciples worried about fighting the Beggars’ Sect elders before. Now, they felt the same worry again.

However, those who witnessed the scene unfolding here couldn’t help but have one question: Was there really any meaning in worrying about that ‘burden’?

“A-mi-ta-bha!”

Whirrr!

Along with the great Buddhist invocation, a noble golden radiance shot forth, swiftly reaching the faces of the elders. Terrified, the elders hurriedly raised their short staffs to block the incoming force.

One.

Boom!

“Aaaaargh!”

The moment the blue energy surrounding the short staffs collided with the golden radiance, a piercing scream erupted from the elders’ mouths. The weight of the Buddha’s light crushed the elders’ energy in an instant.

The elders, overwhelmed by the force, were tossed around like fallen leaves in a storm, slamming into the walls of the main hall.

“W-what power…!”

But there was no time to marvel. In an instant, the Shaolin monks closed the distance, plunging into the gaps within the elders’ haphazard formation.

They moved so smoothly, it was like watching still water suddenly flow. Their steps seemed slow, as if taking a stroll, but in reality, they were faster than anything else. It was the essence of Shaolin martial arts, difficult to grasp until experienced firsthand.

“E-eek!”

One of the elders swung his short staff at the head of a Shaolin monk who had suddenly appeared before him. It was imbued with fierce energy. But he hesitated, unable to fully swing the staff.

What if he struck, and the monk failed to react in time? What if his head were smashed? Could he bear the consequences?

That moment of hesitation brought about a fatal result on the urgent battlefield.

Tap.

The Shaolin monk’s palm, not missing the opportunity, lightly touched the elder’s chest.

“Hap!”

Boom!

The subsequent explosive power utterly devastated the elder’s insides.

“Ugh!”

The elder’s body collapsed on the spot, exhaling a sound like air escaping. He hadn’t suffered an injury that would threaten his life, but his energy had been completely disrupted, rendering him unable to move freely for some time.

“Amitabha!”

Even in that urgent situation, the Shaolin monk briefly paid respect to the fallen elder before leaping away to find his next opponent.

The Shaolin monks, like a yellow whirlwind, completely overwhelmed the Beggars’ Sect who seemed frozen.

“T-that, wow…”

“That’s awesome…”

Hearing the voice from beside him, Jo Gul, who had been about to rush forward with great enthusiasm, glanced sideways. Baek Cheon, who had blurted out what Jo Gul wanted to say, was staring blankly at the Shaolin monks.

“Hey, I was going to say that!”

“…Aren’t they really amazing?”

“W-well… they are…”

The Shaolin monks were literally beating the elders to a pulp. Watching the scene for a moment, Jo Gul seemed to suddenly remember something.

“Wait, have we been fighting people like *them*?”

“……”

“……”

A moment of awkwardness washed over the faces of the Mount Hua disciples.

“Even now, maybe we should think differently…”

“Ah, geez! What are you talking about!”

Yoon Jong, who had almost wavered, shouted firmly.

“It’s different for us! They’re using fists, not swords. We can’t just hit as hard as we want. We have to use the flat of our swords so we don’t kill anyone!”

“…Even considering that, aren’t they amazing?”

“Well… that’s…”

That’s also true. Yeah, true.

“…Shaolin is incredibly strong, in a raw way.”

Of course, what they were seeing wasn’t the whole picture. It was true that the Shaolin monks were strong, but the elders of the Beggars’ Sect weren’t able to fully display their skills either.

The shock of the unexpected appearance and attack of the Shaolin, and the fact that they couldn’t truly fight back against them, tied the hands and feet of the Beggars’ Sect elders. So, it was fair to say that they were completely different from the elders who had fought against Mount Hua.

If the Beggars’ Sect were ready, they wouldn’t be losing so badly.

“A-mi-ta-bha!”

Kaaa-boooom!

Well, even if they did display their full abilities, it didn’t seem like they would have a chance of winning.

“It’s like there are a hundred Hye-yeon monks.”

“To be honest, that’s a bit of an exaggeration.”

“It’s like there are a hundred people like Hye-yeon monk.”

“…I can’t deny that.”

Just as the Mount Hua disciples were shaking their heads, one person suddenly leaped into the air as if soaring.

“…Senior Sister?”

Crack!

Everyone else was busy admiring the might of Shaolin, but Yoo Iseol didn’t seem to be. Her back seemed to be saying, ‘I absolutely hate this situation.’ Yoo Iseol, who had leaped up in one bound, jumped down into the midst of the Beggars’ Sect elders.

And then.

“Aaaaargh!”

“W-what is it! All of a sudden!”

A scream that was quite familiar to the Mount Hua disciples began to echo.

“Something’s wrong! I’ll help too!”

“What are you doing! We have to fight too, Junior Uncle!”

“That’s right! Let’s go!”

Baek Cheon, who had come to his senses, nodded and adjusted his sword.

They were currently pushing forward with unstoppable momentum thanks to the situation, but the fact that they were outnumbered hadn’t changed. If the Beggars’ Sect regained their senses and utilized their numerical advantage, the damage would be significant. They had to join in and end this battle before the opponents regained their senses.

“Push them hard!”

“Yes!”

Just as the Mount Hua disciples, led by Baek Cheon, were about to unleash their fierce sword energy.

“Oooooh!”

Kaaa-boooom!

A golden force, surging from the front even faster, instantly struck down several elders who were still floundering.

“Monk!”

“That monk is really excited!”

As Jo Gul said, Hye-yeon’s face was unusually flushed. The fact that he was fighting alongside the people of his sect seemed to have relieved some of the burden he had been carrying in his heart.

With a smile he couldn’t help but wear, Hye-yeon opened his mouth.

“Follow me…”

“Be calm.”

At that moment, Hye-yeon flinched and turned his gaze towards the voice that suddenly rang out. Hye-bang, who had somehow broken through the many elders, was smiling gently at Hye-yeon.

“S-sa-hyung (Senior Brother)…”

“Have you been well?”

“I’m…”

Hye-yeon bit her lip, looking like she was about to cry.

“Eek!”

Hye-bang quickly blocked the short staff that was coming at him. Then, using his inner force, he pushed the older fighter back and stood next to Hye-yeon.

“You’ve done well,” Hye-bang said gently.

Hye-yeon just nodded, still trembling, unable to speak.

“Acting Sect Leader!”

“Yes!”

“Let’s celebrate after we’ve finished here.”

“Understood!”

Baek Cheon nodded and raised his sword. Like Hye-bang said, they needed to deal with the elders and stop the Beggars’ Sect rebellion first.

“Attack!”

“Yes!”

Crimson sword energy, like bright red flower petals, flashed from the Mount Hua swordsmen. It mixed with the golden aura from the two Shaolin monks, making them seem even stronger.

“Whew.”

Cheong-myeong shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. *These guys are making it too easy,* he thought.

“That’s why you can’t ignore those bald monks.”

He almost felt sorry for the Beggars’ Sect for having to fight Shaolin. The elders looked confused just seeing the Shaolin monks coming. They were getting beaten and falling down, which made Cheong-myeong laugh a little.

Once they knew they couldn’t win, they didn’t even try to fight anymore.

What were they thinking, starting a fight like this if they weren’t really ready?

“How could…”

“Huh?”

Cheong-myeong looked toward the voice.

The First Class Beggar’s face was twisted. His eyes were wide, and his mouth was pulled down in a snarl. He looked like he could explode with anger.

“How could… How could you bring them here?”

“Huh?”

“Shaolin wasn’t fighting Mount Hua! So why are they helping you?”

He sounded angry, hurt, and hopeless.

“Tsk.”

Cheong-myeong clicked his tongue.

“This is why the Beggars’ Sect has so much information but has never been the most powerful group in Jianghu, the world of martial artists.”

“What?”

Cheong-myeong lightly tapped the First Class Beggar’s head with the tip of his sword. *Think,* he seemed to be saying.

“Iik⋯⋯!”

“Well, your head is probably full of reasons and power, so you wouldn’t understand.”

“Understand what?”

“People.”

The First Class Beggar looked unsure when he heard that word.

“People follow reasons, not just strength. And people working together are stronger than any one person alone. You only see numbers and power, but you don’t understand people.”

Cheong-myeong looked down at the First Class Beggar.

“Even if you didn’t know all that, shouldn’t you think I would have a plan if I did something? You want to be the Beggars’ Sect Leader, but you can’t even think that far? You’re going to ruin the Beggars’ Sect.”

Some people aren’t leaders because they’re good, but they think they’re good because they’re leaders. They think being in charge proves they’re able.

“You, you⋯⋯.”

The First Class Beggar was shaking because he felt so ashamed. He couldn’t even say anything back.

He gritted his teeth and finally spoke.

“Then… then! Was I supposed to just stay quiet? That bastard is going to….”

“Ah, ah.”

Cheong-myeong stopped the First Class Beggar like he didn’t want to hear it.

“Let’s not lie when we both know the truth. You wanted this from the start, didn’t you?”

“What?”

“If you were really worried, you would have tried to change the system where one Sect Leader controls the whole Beggars’ Sect. You would have helped a new, young Sect Leader, talked to them, and listened to what they wanted.”

“⋯⋯.”

“But you didn’t want that, did you? Because you couldn’t have the power yourself. You’re not angry that the Beggars’ Sect is failing. You’re angry that it’s not working the way you want it to.”

Cheong-myeong laughed.

“I know people like you. You don’t have much skill, but you’re greedy. You try to make your small skills seem bigger. You’ll do anything to get even a little power.”

His words were sharp.

“Well, people like you are common. Usually, I’d just beat you up and leave. But I’ve been hearing some annoying old stories lately. I’m trying to forget them, but seeing you reminds me of them, you see?”

“Wh-What are you talking about?”

“What am I talking about?”

Cheong-myeong chuckled.

“I’m saying you’re dead.”

Then, he cracked his neck and stepped forward. The First Class Beggar gritted his teeth and shouted.

“Surround him! Just hold on! We can win when the others get here!”

The First Class Beggar’s eyes were full of anger.

But then, something strange happened.

The elders, who always listened to him, looked away.

“Y-You traitors⋯⋯!”

The First Class Beggar looked confused because they weren’t moving or looking at him.

He might be right. They might win when the others got there.

But if that happened, they would have to take the blame for fighting Shaolin.

None of them wanted to protect the First Class Beggar and take that blame. They knew they wouldn’t get anything good out of it.

“How sad.”

Cheong-myeong clicked his tongue like he felt sorry for him.

The elders, who had been standing between him and the First Class Beggar, moved to the side. The First Class Beggar and Cheong-myeong were face to face.

“Even if you become the Sect Leader, nothing will change.”

“Shut up!” the First Class Beggar shouted.

“It’s all your fault! You ruined everything! I won’t let you win!”

He ran toward Cheong-myeong, looking powerful.

Cheong-myeong smiled a little.

“You look strong compared to those elders.”

“But still…”

Cheong-myeong lowered himself and stood firmly.

“You’re just a slightly stronger beggar.”

Cheong-myeong’s sword energy cut through the air, destroying the First Class Beggar’s energy.

It was like the end of the First Class Beggar’s dreams.

The First Class Beggar fell to the ground, defeated. The fight was over, but Cheong-myeong knew this was just the beginning.