Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1577

The room was buzzing with frantic energy. Paper rustled, voices rose and fell, and the air was thick with the smell of ink and sweat.

“We’re short on manpower in the Hebei region!”

“But the Peng Clan is there! Besides, not many people have gone to Hebei yet.”

“The Peng Clan has left their main base. We need to send more support. If we’re not careful, they might invade Beijing. If that happens…”

“Then send more of the team in Henan to Hebei. Henan has Shaolin, so they can hold out longer.”

“But the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song hasn’t made any moves yet, has it?”

“It’s fine! Just do as I say!”

“Yes!”

Tang Soso urged quickly. Her smile felt tight on her face, like a mask. Inside, a knot of anxiety twisted in her stomach.

“Next! Next!”

“There’s a team where the medical staff has been injured. They’re asking for more medical help.”

“Injured by such weak enemies?”

“…They were attacked from behind while helping someone.”

Tang Soso bit her lip slightly. People naturally attack the fighter first, not the healer. And it’s also natural to attack someone who is vulnerable and turns their back. It was a mistake not to expect this. If the enemies were stronger, the damage would be much worse.

“We need to change the rules. First, send replacements for the injured.”

“We don’t have any extra people right now.”

“Combine two small teams into one, and send the extra medic as support. Choose medics from the teams that went to the North!”

“Yes, I understand!”

Instructions flowed from her like a clear stream. Those watching from nearby clicked their tongues in admiration.

“…Impressive.”

“Indeed.”

Giving orders while sitting isn’t too hard. But when reports and problems come in all the time, making quick decisions and finding the best answer is hard even for experienced martial artists. Yet Tang Soso was doing it skillfully.

“Is it natural talent?”

“Well, her father is her father… She must have learned a lot growing up.”

“Is it in the Dang family’s nature?”

Everyone was impressed by Tang Soso’s calm manner. But inside, worry gnawed at her again, a cold feeling in her gut. She asked in a louder voice.

“What about the Dang Clan teams supporting the Yangtze River?”

“Well… they arrived, but there’s a small problem.”

“A problem?”

Tang Soso’s eyes sharpened. The person who spoke flinched and answered loudly.

“T-They reached the area to help, but some teams met the Surochae pirates who were moving alone! They couldn’t join Mount Hua because they were fighting.”

Tang Soso clenched her fist inside her wide Dang Clan sleeve.

“So, what are they doing?”

“They say it’s too dangerous to break through, so they’re asking for orders.”

Tang Soso’s eyelashes fluttered. Even if she gave orders now, it would be too late by the time they got them. They knew that on the battlefield. Asking for orders was really saying they wouldn’t risk attacking. But she couldn’t blame them. Wasn’t attacking a large group of Surochae with only a few people suicide?

“Then…”

Tang Soso, who had been giving orders quickly and clearly, paused for the first time. She mustn’t look worried or nervous. That was her job here. She knew that… but it felt cruel sometimes. Like now.

“First…”

Just as she was about to give instructions, fighting the feeling that her insides were burning.

“Urgent news! Yangtze! Urgent news from the Yangtze!”

Tang Soso’s head snapped around.

“The teams that went undercover! The Mount Hua disciples have killed the Black Dragon King, Jeok Sekwang!”

Killed.

The moment she heard those words, Tang Soso’s legs felt weak.

“The Surochae are scattering in all directions, like ants fleeing a kicked nest!”

“Ah…”

Tang Soso staggered, and Dang Myung quickly grabbed her arm. “They did it! They did it, Soso!” he said, his voice full of emotion.

“…”

A sigh of exhaustion escaped Tang Soso’s lips. The tension in her shoulders eased, and a wave of warmth spread through her chest. She felt like she wanted to curse, but she was too tired.

“Seriously…”

Worry gnawed at her again.

“What about the injured?”

“Th-That hasn’t been reported yet…”

“If the Surochae are scattering, then the ones blocking the way will also retreat! Tell them the situation and send medics to the battlefield, quickly!”

“Yes!”

Tang Soso let out another sigh of relief. The worry wasn’t gone completely, but she was relieved she had avoided the worst thing she imagined.

“That’s a relief, Soso.”

“…Yes, Uncle.”

Dang Myung nodded, smiling. “I can’t believe they did it. Your martial siblings are amazing.”

“…They cause too much trouble too. I can’t believe they’d cause trouble even without Senior Brother Chung Myung.”

“Well, they are your martial siblings after all,” Dang Myung chuckled, then cleared his throat as he saw Tang Soso’s look. “Maybe they take after someone else… ahem.”

His joke eased the tense mood.

“Anyway, I’m going to nag him until his ears bleed later. What were they thinking!” Tang Soso gritted her teeth. But her face showed relief, very different from before.

“Then, first…”

Just as she was getting ready to give more orders.

Peeeeeeeeep!

Suddenly, a high-pitched whistle sound came from above.

Tang Soso looked up quickly, and a small golden bird circled in the blue sky.

Tang Soso’s eyes flickered.

“That is…”

She reached out her arm, and the golden bird landed on it. A letter tube was tied to its foot.

Tang Soso quickly opened the tube and unfolded the letter.

“Ah…”

A groan escaped her lips.

“Yo, long time no see.”

“…That crazy bastard.”

“Coming late, are we?”

“Looking perfectly fine, I see.”

“S-Senior brother. Why the sword?”

Chung Myung waved his hand casually. Baek Cheon and Yoon Jong cursed at him, and Yoo Iseol drew her sword.

Chung Myung shrugged.

“Still, how did you all survive?”

“Master… Can I kill him?”

“…If I could, I would have already.”

“Damn it. If only my body was okay.”

Baek Cheon, who had been glaring, suddenly chuckled. His body ached with every laugh, but Baek Cheon knew now that this pain was a blessing. He could have died here.

“I really thought I was going to die this time.”

“What’s new? It’s always been like that, hasn’t it?”

“…I guess so.”

Is this normal? Is something seriously wrong?

Chung Myung glanced at the Black Dragon King’s body on the ground. It was a mess. But it was right for a villain like him.

“You guys did this to this guy…” Chung Myung said, sounding a little choked up.

Baek Cheon chuckled. “Yeah. We did it. Now…”

“Just…”

“…Huh?”

Chung Myung’s eyes snapped to the Five Swords. They gleamed dangerously.

The Five Swords and Hae Yeon flinched.

“You hurt yourselves this much to catch *this* kind of guy?”

“Huh?”

“Just to deal with this one? Just?”

“…”

“What did I do to deserve you lot? Years I’ve spent, and you still can’t handle even this much!”

“…You didn’t raise us.”

If you carried me, my feet would drag on the ground. You need to think about your height…

“Oh, no, not this.”

“Is that all you have to say after hiding until the fight was over?”

“Then wait! Why blame me when you all started without a word to each other!”

“That’s true, though.”

“Honestly, that was all Sasuk’s fault.”

“You blockhead.”

Baek Cheon clenched his jaw. He was used to the others acting this way; it was their daily routine. But why was Jin Geum-ryong joining in? Jin Geum-ryong should be the angriest person with Chung Myung!

“Why are you glaring? Got something to say?”

Baek Cheon’s face twisted slightly.

He couldn’t forget how Jin Geum-ryong stood in front of him without hesitation during the crisis. Even if he was annoyed, he couldn’t say anything. He needed to forget that memory quickly.

“Anyway.”

Chung Myung clicked his tongue and looked at Namgung Dowi. The surviving members of the Namgung Clan and the physicians were tending to Namgung Dowi’s wounds.

The others had light injuries, but Namgung Dowi looked like a corpse clinging to life.

“Hmm.”

As Chung Myung approached, those around Namgung Dowi stepped aside. Namgung Dowi noticed Chung Myung and turned his head with difficulty.

“Dojang…”

“Well, you’ve become quite handsome, haven’t you? A real heartthrob, aren’t you?”

Namgung Dowi, his face swollen and blue, smiled faintly. It wasn’t a handsome smile, but it was one of relief.

“I like this side of myself better too.”

“It’s too bad you don’t want revenge. I could make you regret those words right now.”

Chung Myung chuckled.

Chung Myung liked Namgung Dowi’s face better now. It was the face of a true martial artist.

“However…”

Namgung Dowi flinched, wanting to look at the faces of those who had sacrificed themselves. He seemed to want to blame himself.

“I can’t say it was a good choice, even if I die.”

Chung Myung didn’t let him turn his head and blame himself.

“At least Namgung Hwang will be proud.”

Surprised, Namgung Dowi stared at Chung Myung. Chung Myung said bluntly.

“…You’ve done well.”

“No. Dojang…”

Chung Myung examined Namgung Dowi’s wounds and clicked his tongue.

They were honorable wounds, but too many. He wouldn’t be able to move for at least a month, lying down like a corpse.

‘But after that… he’ll definitely be different.’

A martial artist who has overcome a great challenge often becomes a different person.

“Chung Myung-ah.”

Baek Cheon approached Chung Myung.

“We should start moving again soon.”

“Hmm?”

Chung Myung frowned slightly. Baek Cheon’s condition wasn’t good either, so what was he doing?

“About a third of the fleeing bandits headed north. If we don’t deal with them, capturing the Black Dragon King is pointless.”

“Hmm.”

At Baek Cheon’s calm words, Chung Myung nodded. Then, he glanced at the remaining Five Swords and said.

“That’s right.”

“Okay. Then immediately…”

“But why do we have to do that?”

“…Huh?”

Chung Myung gestured north.

“If you’re going to do everything yourself, why did you even create the Alliance? Just do it all alone.”

As Baek Cheon slowly closed his mouth, Chung Myung said calmly.

“If you’ve done what only you can do, then leave what others can do to them. That’s the right thing to do.”

Baek Cheon stared at Chung Myung, a small smile mixed with annoyance on his face.

“Seriously? You’re saying that, after how you used to be?”

“What did I do?”

“…Yeah. It’s a waste of my breath to talk.”

Baek Cheon shook his head.

They had just finished a brutal battle, but the atmosphere was brighter than ever.

They hadn’t discussed it, but it was clear how much capturing the Black Dragon King would help this war.

Baek Cheon quickly regained his composure.

“First, the injured…”

Just then…

Kiiiiii!

A familiar cry was heard. He turned his head and saw a white figure rushing towards him like lightning.

“…Baek Ah?”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung’s face also hardened slightly.

Baek Ah, true to his name White Lightning, rushed over and climbed onto Chung Myung’s body.

Kii!

He untied the bundle he was carrying and took out a letter.

“What’s going on…”

Chung Myung unfolded the letter with a stiff face.

“———————————–”

“The Four Seas Alliance is heading north to Jeongbuk.”

“The Shaolin and the Nine Sects are sending troops.”

“Your opinion is needed.”

“———————————–”

Chung Myung’s eyes widened.

“No…w?”

He turned his head and looked west, towards the dangerous lands far away.

❀ ❀ ❀

“Alliance Leader.”

“Hmm?”

“…The report from the one watching the Black Dragon King has stopped. Perhaps…”

“Hee-eum.”

Jang Il-so’s lips curled up slightly.

“Too bad… If I had the time, I would have held a funeral for him.”

Ho Gamyung’s face hardened.

“The news has just stopped. Even with one arm, he still has a little more…”

“Gamyung-ah, Gamyung-ah. Haven’t you learned enough yet?”

“…”

“It’s only a matter of time anyway. Even if the Black Dragon King’s arm was fine.”

Unable to argue, Ho Gamyung nodded.

The Black Dragon King could not return alive. From the start, he was just bait. He lured in the one Jang Il-so wanted with his life.

So, the Black Dragon King’s death was valuable.

“Bring it here.”

At Ho Gamyung’s gesture, an adjutant ran up and handed Jang Il-so a bottle of alcohol. Jang Il-so took the bottle and tore off the cap.

“Hee-eum.”

Jang Il-so smelled the aroma, tilted the bottle, and calmly drank the alcohol.

After a couple of sips, he lowered the bottle.

“Good alcohol.”

“…”

“Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No… It’s nothing.”

Ho Gamyung seemed embarrassed. Jang Il-so chuckled.

“Why? Did you think I would use this alcohol as a funeral for the Black Dragon King?”

Ho Gamyung couldn’t answer. That was what he had thought.

“There’s no need for that.”

A chilling sneer spread across Jang Il-so’s lips.

“It’s a waste of alcohol to waste it on such trash.”

Ho Gamyung lowered his head silently.

“Besides… Isn’t there a separate funeral for him?”

“Yes?”

Jang Il-so looked at the vast land in front of him. His eyes shone eerily.

It’s almost time.

By sunset, this land would be dyed bright red with blood.

“All the pieces are together. Now we must hold a funeral. A funeral not for those who have died, but for those who will die.”

His voice seemed to emphasize the ominous energy flowing through this land.