Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1750

“Why are you staring like that?”

“Uh, no… This can’t be happening?”

Jo Gul, looking completely confused, glanced back and forth between his sword and Yoon Jong’s.

He couldn’t have gotten a better sword so quickly. How did Yoon Jong cut through those monsters? Yoo Iseol and he had struggled a lot against them, each barely defeating one.

“What exactly did you do?”

“It’s difficult to explain.”

“Ha! If you don’t want to teach me, just say you don’t want to!”

“No, I’m telling you, it’s genuinely hard to explain. And it’s something you can do too.”

At Yoon Jong’s words, Jo Gul narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“This bloke… I thought his personality had become rather twisted lately, but now he’s really crossed the line, hasn’t he?”

“I’m serious!”

Yoon Jong got angry, then stopped and quickly looked ahead. The situation was too dangerous to joke around with Jo Gul.

“It seems they’re weak against divine energy.”

“Divine energy?”

“Yes.”

“…So, are you saying that you can wield divine energy, Senior Brother?”

“It seems a little like that, but I’m still not sure exactly how to use it…”

“Good heavens! A divine being has emerged from Mount Hua! Wielding divine energy, indeed. Divine energy!”

“……”

A thick vein throbbed on Yoon Jong’s forehead. Was this really the time for such flippancy? He had thought that, being naturally brazen, the fellow hadn’t changed much even after meeting that rascal Chung Myung, but it seemed his judgment was off.

Just then, Yoo Iseol, who had been listening quietly, asked,

“Divine energy?”

“Yes.”

“How do you use it?”

“It’s hard to explain precisely, but it feels like drawing out what you already possess. For us, who have lived the life of a Taoist, divine energy is like an energy that has already accumulated.”

At those words, Yoo Iseol nodded at once.

“I understand.”

Yoon Jong looked at Yoo Iseol with an entirely different expression than he had when looking at Jo Gul. In truth, in terms of prioritizing the Taoist life without lingering attachments to the secular world, there was no one closer to the Tao than Yoo Iseol. Perhaps that was why she seemed to understand Yoon Jong’s words so easily.

“Then, like this.”

With those brief words, Yoo Iseol’s body seemed to vanish from the spot. Then, she reappeared right in front of a Blood Sect disciple who hadn’t yet managed to conceal his bewildered expression.

Whoosh!

Her sword flashed like lightning, and the Blood Sect disciple’s neck was sliced in one swift motion. A bright red line of blood bloomed as the area around his Adam’s apple split open.

Crack.

Just as Yoon Jong was about to clench his fist…

Whoosh!

Dozens of tentacles burst forth from the severed neck, beginning to repair the wound. Yoo Iseol, observing this intently, tilted her head slightly towards Yoon Jong.

“The divine energy doesn’t work?”

“Aaaargh! You crazy dimwit! You have to watch where you’re going…!”

Wham!

Dust exploded upwards, a thick cloud that smelled of earth and battle, momentarily hiding where Yoo Iseol had stood.

Jo Gul, having barely managed to yank Yoo Iseol away the moment the Blood Sect disciple struck, gasped for breath. He had moved with every ounce of his strength. He grabbed Yoo Iseol by the collar and shook her.

“Is there anyone else in this world who would turn their head at a time like that, you madwoman!”

“It doesn’t work.”

“Why on earth did you think it would? Huh?”

“Hmm.”

Yoo Iseol gazed at her sword with a slightly different look than usual.

“There’s no difference.”

“What do you mean there’s no difference? That man is Senior Brother Yoon Jong! Divine beings, Taoist techniques—these things have nothing to do with us. It works because it’s him!”

Jo Gul gestured wildly, frustration evident in his voice.

This was a ridiculous scene in the middle of a fight, but the Blood Sect disciples couldn’t rashly move, even as they watched this spectacle.

‘The Blessing of the Sect…’

They had clearly seen the sword of that strangely prim and proper fellow severing the Blessing of the Sect.

‘To think that such an unremarkable fellow dares!’

The Blood Sect disciple bit his lip.

The Blessing of the Sect was not a power that every disciple could possess. Only about one-third of those within the Sect were granted this ability.

As a precious power even within the Sect, there was no doubt that it had reached the realm of ‘miracles.’ Especially for those foolish non-believers, it would be a miracle hard to withstand.

But if their special power doesn’t work, they become much weaker.

The Blood Sect disciple glared at Yoon Jong.

Unlike the others who were making a fuss, that fellow Yoon Jong had not once let his guard down since appearing here. It meant he knew exactly what he had to do.

A sense of displeasure and murderous intent surged, but the transparent energy swirling at the tip of Yoon Jong’s sword made it difficult to unleash it all. It was like a natural fear.

The Blood Sect disciples were now feeling the emotions that others felt when looking at them, only several times more intensely.

In this situation, there was only one conclusion to draw.

“Each of you, return alive!”

No sooner had the order been given than the Blood Sect disciples kicked off the ground and scattered in all directions. Almost simultaneously, Yoon Jong’s body stretched out momentarily, chasing after those who were fleeing.

Slash! Slash!

Two Blood Sect disciples failed to evade Yoon Jong’s sword and tumbled to the ground, spurting blood. However, in that brief moment, the others had already created a distance that made pursuit difficult.

“Those… those shameless bastards!”

Jo Gul stared at the Blood Sect disciples with a dumbfounded expression.

They had confidently attacked, but as soon as the situation turned against them, they abandoned all pretense and scattered in every direction. Jo Gul, who was trained in proper fighting styles, was completely confused by this.

Jo Gul gave up the chase. He could pursue a few of them, but even if he did, it didn’t seem like he could easily handle them.

“Wait. Now that I think about it, they’re running away because they’re afraid of you, Senior Brother?”

“It’s not quite that extreme.”

Jo Gul burst out laughing. Yoon Jong hadn’t simply defeated the enemies that he and Yoo Iseol had struggled so hard against; he had suppressed them with his mere presence.

Yoo Iseol, seemingly thinking the same thing, repeatedly asked Yoon Jong,

“How do you use it?”

“Later. Let’s help elsewhere first.”

Jo Gul then belatedly scratched his head.

“…Ah. Right, the places we were supposed to support must be struggling too.”

“That’s right. But not everywhere will be.”

“What does that mean? We’ve been through so much hardship here?”

“Because we are Mount Hua.”

At Yoon Jong’s words, Jo Gul frowned.

“Are you looking down on the Mount Hua Sect?”

“No, that’s not what I meant….”

Yoon Jong, who had been about to explain something, shook his head. Explaining to Jo Gul? Maybe it was not worth it.

“You’ll see when you see it. Let’s go.”

“How do you use it?”

Yoon Jong dashed out, and Yoo Iseol quickly followed after him. Jo Gul, left behind, chuckled again.

“Honestly, he surprises people like that sometimes.”

Yoon Jong’s shoulders seemed broader today.

Koo-ooo-oong!

Black, dead blood gushed from the mouth of the Blood Cult disciple who had been flung far away. He clutched his chest and groaned.

“Ugh…. This bastard….”

Hae Yeon watched the scene with a calm expression.

“Cuts on the skin heal fast,” he said, his voice quiet, “but damage inside is different.”

“You talk too much!”

The Blood Cult disciple spat, his teeth clenched.

He was right about the healing. The dark power inside him fixed cuts and bruises quickly. But it couldn’t mend what was broken inside. His inner core felt shaken, his energy wild and uncontrolled.

He was losing. This monk’s fighting style was made to hurt from the inside.

*But this is stronger than just that style.* Even the cuts on his skin were healing slower than normal. He saw a faint gold light around the monk’s hands. His eyes narrowed. “Is that… Shaolin Buddhist fighting?” he asked, his voice sharp with surprise.

“…….”

“Because you wear black robes, not yellow, I didn’t know you were from Shaolin. Shaolin… truly, they will be a great obstacle to the palace.”

The Blood Cult disciple muttered, then sneered.

“It’s fortunate that the Four Evil Sects erased Shaolin. Don’t you think so?”

For a moment, pain flashed across Hae Yeon’s eyes. He felt a pang of sadness, a deep sense of loss for the Shaolin he once knew. But it was only for a moment; the trace of pain quickly disappeared.

“Perhaps that’s true. But… it might be good for the palace, but it won’t be good for you. After all, you won’t be leaving this place.”

“You impudent monk….”

A bloody light flared in the Blood Cult disciple’s eyes.

“And in truth, your palace won’t be so happy either. If there’s something Shaolin must do, I will do it.”

A resolute determination flickered in Hae Yeon’s eyes. The Blood Cult disciple scoffed.

“You don’t even wear the yellow robes of Shaolin?”

“What does mere clothing matter? What’s important is that the Buddhist arts of Shaolin reside within me.”

Twoong!

Hae Yeon stepped forward.

“Proof is not difficult. Come.”

The Blood Cult disciple revealed his ferocious teeth and lunged at Hae Yeon. An ominous energy gathered in the misshapen sword in his hand. It was so damp and chilling that it seemed to gnaw at the flesh even before making contact.

But the aura emanating from Hae Yeon purified that energy in an instant.

Twoong!

Hae Yeon’s hand moved like a gentle breeze, yet with surprising strength, pushing aside the heavy, dark sword. It was different from the past. Not simply pressing down, but a single hand containing lightness within it.

Koo-ooo-oong!

Immediately following, Hae Yeon’s fist, which had been resting at his waist, accurately struck the Blood Cult disciple’s unguarded side. With a golden fist mark imprinted, the Blood Cult disciple spat out blood and was flung away.

The Blood Cult disciple, who had crashed wretchedly to the ground and rolled several more times, glared at Hae Yeon with a bloodied face, gasping for breath.

“You… you bastard!”

The Blood Cult disciple, convulsing and writhing, dropped his head. His consciousness had been severed by a single blow. Hae Yeon, as if uncomfortable, automatically started to bow when—

“Die!”

A Blood Cult disciple, who had been secretly watching the situation from behind, rushed at Hae Yeon with tremendous speed. At that very moment, just as Hae Yeon was about to instinctively throw a punch again—

Kwaaaaah!

Suddenly, a massive white sword energy flew in and swept away the Blood Cult disciple in one fell swoop.

Hae Yeon, who had been silently frozen, blinked his large eyes and turned around.

“Are you alright, monk?”

“……Young Master Namgung.”

Namgung Dowi, who had revealed himself from behind, looked around with a calm expression.

“I apologize. I hope I didn’t interfere?”

“It is not so.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“Were you alright, Young Master Namgung? They were using evil tricks.”

“Evil tricks? What are you referring to?”

“Well….”

Hae Yeon, about to say something, glanced at the Blood Cult disciple who had been swept away by Namgung Dowi’s sword energy. Seeing the corpse, which was completely destroyed, Hae Yeon shook his head, feeling strangely empty.

“……It is nothing.”

“Hmm? If you have something to say, please say it clearly, monk.”

“……It is truly nothing.”

Yes, what meaning would it have?

Whether it was sorcery or whatever, it had to be a wound that could be somewhat recovered to even attempt something. But with a head smashed to the point where its shape couldn’t even be recognized in a single blow, what could he do?

From Namgung Dowi’s perspective, it probably just seemed like incompetent fools rushing in without any plan.

‘The same sword, yet….’

If those who used the fluttering sword of Mount Hua saw this sight, they would be very angry.

Hae Yeon sighed and said,

“Let us go help elsewhere for now.”

“I do not think that will be necessary.”

“Yes?”

“They are retreating.”

Namgung Dowi pointed towards the bottom of the mountain. Indeed, the sight of those wearing red clothes retreating could be seen.

“Retreating already.”

“It is difficult to understand, but it certainly seems they are retreating.”

The support from the Heavenly Union had not yet been properly established. Therefore, they could have continued to ravage this place for some time.

But to retreat already was not in line with reason.

“Could there have been another purpose?”

“That could be, but in my opinion….”

Namgung Dowi’s gaze turned downwards. Faint plum blossoms were scattering.

“It seems something a little different than expected has occurred. As always.”

“Hmm.”

Hae Yeon blankly stared at the rising plum blossoms.

That plum blossom sword energy was something he knew well, but it was also something different from what he knew. Hae Yeon could not take his eyes off those petals for a long time.