Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1689

“Taaaah!”

Streaks of white sword energy burst from Namgung Dowi’s sword.

The sword energy felt heavy.

People who knew martial arts could feel it. The power in the sword was strong and forceful, more than just pressure.

More and more enemies were coming. They had been attacking Wudang from all over the mountain, but now they were gathering to attack the Cheonwoo Alliance instead.

But Namgung Dowi couldn’t step back, not even a little.

‘I have to hold on.’

The cliff behind him was the only way out for the others. If he couldn’t defend this place, the Cheonwoo Alliance would be trapped.

That heavy responsibility made Namgung Dowi’s sword even stronger. Wasn’t a king someone who carried a burden that no one else could?

“Don’t even think about it! Taaaah!”

Just as Namgung Dowi was about to swing his sword again with all his power, someone stepped in front of him and swung their own sword.

The long sword scattered pure white sword energy into the air like shining fragments.

Namgung Dowi was amazed by the sword energy that stretched across the night sky.

It was amazing. But it was more than just amazing.

It felt strange, but even though the white sword energy looked like beautiful snowflakes, it also felt serious and important.

It felt strong and steady, like a very old tree with deep roots.

“…Jin Geum-ryong?”

The name of the person blocking him came from Namgung Dowi’s mouth.

The Great Disciple of Jongnam, the one everyone thought would become the next Sect Leader. He used to be one of the ‘Five Dragons,’ the future leaders who would guide the world along with Namgung Dowi.

And most of all…

‘Baek Cheon. The Sect Leader’s brother!’

Jin Geum-ryong, who deserved all those titles, glanced at Namgung Dowi.

They looked very similar, but their expressions were very different. It was strange how brothers could look so alike but feel so different with just one look.

Jin Geum-ryong said.

“You Namgungs always think you have to do everything yourselves.”

“What… what do you mean?”

Namgung Dowi’s face became serious.

“It means you don’t have to act like you’re carrying everything alone.”

“Hmm?”

“Because you’re not the only one here.”

Wooooooong!

As soon as he said that, a strong sword energy rose from another place.

A downward strike swept away all the enemies rushing towards them across the burning mountain.

“Ah……”

Namgung Dowi gasped without realizing it.

How could he describe that sword energy?

It was strong, but not too much. Fast, but not rushed.

It wasn’t as powerful or fast as Namgung’s, but it had everything Namgung was missing.

And it felt different from Namgung’s heavy burden as a king. It felt like the duty of a swordsman.

‘That’s Jongnam’s… Thirty-Six Swords of the World!’

Jongri Gok, who had broken through the enemy lines with one strike, put his sword away and took the lower stance that Jongnam was known for.

At the same time…

Kooooooong!

A person as big as a mountain lightly struck down an enemy soldier and slammed him into the ground.

“How dare you, you have no fear!”

Beast Palace Lord Maeng So roared like a furious bear.

Maeng So charged like a tiger and kicked the enemy soldier in the side. The enemy’s body, killed with one blow, flew like a cannonball into the other enemies.

Wham!

The enemies who were hit by the flying body were sent flying in all directions, unable to even scream.

The fighting stopped for a moment because of that amazing sight.

“I was getting bored just watching,” Jongri Gok said calmly, looking at Namgung Dowi.

“And… it seems like commanding everyone is pointless now.”

He looked at the cliff.

“Why are they abandoning the plans and climbing the cliff? What are they thinking….”

“That’s why it matters,” someone said, answering him. He slowly walked up and stood in front of the Cheonwoo Alliance like Jongri Gok.

“Because it’s something we can’t even imagine.”

“……”

Jongri Gok frowned slightly.

“Do you really think so, Shin-gae?”

“Of course.”

“Shin-gae, you should know that plans aren’t always the answer.”

“That’s right. But always giving the right answers isn’t good either….”

Poongyeong Shin-gae looked at the Hwasan sect attacking the cliff and nodded slightly.

“Now I know.”

Jongri Gok’s eyes narrowed slightly. He didn’t understand.

“Anyway, does that mean we can show off?”

A deep blue sword energy swirled around his sword.

“Then I won’t say no!”

Paaah!

Jongri Gok’s sword energy spread out in all directions. At the same time, the people behind him felt braver and pushed back the enemy.

Namgung Dowi’s shoulders relaxed slightly without him realizing it. The tension he had felt was easing.

Jin Geum-ryong asked.

“Do you understand?”

Namgung Dowi’s face turned red.

He knew the leaders were here, but he thought he had to lead everything. He realized how arrogant that was, and he couldn’t look up.

“I was careless. With the leaders here.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Yes?”

Namgung Dowi blinked.

“Not the leaders, but me. I’m saying that since I’m here, you don’t need to show off like that.”

“……”

“Don’t waste your energy and guard the back. I’ll take the front.”

Jin Geum-ryong turned and started swinging his sword at the enemies, moving forward.

Namgung Dowi was left speechless, his face confused. Just then, someone walked past him and bowed slightly.

“I’m sorry. Our senior brother’s way of talking is… well, like that.”

“……”

“But I think Namgung’s martial arts use up a lot of energy. We’ll take the front, so please take care of the back.”

“Yes?”

“Then.”

The neatly dressed man quickly moved forward without saying more and stood next to Jin Geum-ryong.

Namgung Dowi’s face, which had been blank, slowly began to change.

“That……!”

He felt like he understood why the Hwasan people always ground their teeth when they heard the name Jongnam.

The cold wind blew on the cliff. Two men stood facing each other.

‘Dokwang Tang Gunak.’

Cold sweat ran down Cheonmyeon Soosa’s forehead.

The master of throwing knives was blocking his path.

He couldn’t look away.

The pain from the throwing knife in his shoulder reminded him that he couldn’t look away for even a second.

Normal throwing knives might be different, but Tang Gunak’s knives, thrown with all his focus, were dangerous to his martial arts.

‘Damn it.’

He had made a mistake by getting distracted by the Hwasan people and not noticing Tang Gunak getting so close.

‘But I have to… stop them somehow.’

He hadn’t meant what he said to Baek Cheon. It was just to discourage them.

Even without the Hwasan Sword Master, the Hwasan sect was still a threat. He couldn’t let them climb this cliff. He couldn’t.

But just then, Baek Cheon jumped off the cliff and started climbing.

‘That……!’

Cheonmyeon Soosa’s eyes widened.

‘That crazy bastard!’

He was dead. He would definitely die. If Tang Gunak had been a moment later, Baek Cheon would already be dead. And Baek Cheon knew that best.

He had almost died and escaped, but now he was charging back in without hesitation?

As soon as Baek Cheon moved, the Hwasan sect all started climbing the cliff again, as if they knew he would. It was shocking. Cheonmyeon Soosa’s eyes were bloodshot.

“Help the Sect Leader, Aaaaargh!”

The Hao Mun disciples behind Cheonmyeon Soosa realized what was happening and threw themselves down the cliff.

Hwasan climbing up and Hao Mun falling down.

The two groups rushed towards each other, with Cheonmyeon Soosa and Tang Gunak in the middle.

Blood dripped and splattered everywhere swords were swung. Screams turned into horrible sounds. The impact of swords hitting each other shook the skin, and hot blood covered faces.

The world seemed to slow down.

But Cheonmyeon Soosa only focused on Tang Gunak.

One of his men stepped in front of him, blocking his view of Tang Gunak. But he still couldn’t move. He couldn’t see Tang Gunak, but he knew he was there.

A pure white sword slowly came out of the Hao Mun disciple’s neck. Blood sprayed from the tip of the sword, hitting Cheonmyeon Soosa’s face.

As the body stiffened and fell, Cheonmyeon Soosa saw Baek Cheon, covered in blood, standing at his feet.

Cheonmyeon Soosa lost his patience.

He shouted. Before he could even shout, he sent energy towards Baek Cheon.

He was determined to kill Baek Cheon, even if it meant getting hurt by Tang Gunak.

But then, Cheonmyeon Soosa saw it clearly.

Even though he was about to die again, Baek Cheon looked at him with steady eyes.

Cheonmyeon Soosa, who had seen the worst of the world, felt a chill.

Crack!

Tang Gunak’s throwing knife hit his outstretched hand.

But Cheonmyeon Soosa’s hand didn’t stop. He had expected this. Even if his hand was pierced, he had to kill this stubborn person.

However…

Wham!

A sword from behind Baek Cheon blocked Cheonmyeon Soosa’s hand.

Then, two swords with red energy blocked the remaining force, protecting the person in front of them.

‘Huh……?’

Cheonmyeon Soosa realized something. He knew.

Baek Cheon wasn’t looking at him.

Their eyes didn’t meet.

Cheonmyeon Soosa was looking at Baek Cheon, but Baek Cheon was looking past him.

As soon as Cheonmyeon Soosa realized that, Baek Cheon jumped over him and landed on top of the cliff.

Thud.

In the silence, Baek Cheon, who had climbed the cliff and passed Cheonmyeon Soosa, landed on the summit of Baekanam and looked ahead. The people there stopped and looked at him.

The enemy soldiers and the exhausted Wudang warriors. Jin Hyun and Mu Jin, and even Heo Gong, who was kneeling and panting.

“…Hwasan Sect Leader Proxy Baek Cheon.”

One voice was heard clearly by everyone.

“I have arrived right now.”

Wooong!

The sword’s name echoed louder than ever.