Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1756

Dark red eyes glowed softly in the darkness.

He could feel it from up there.

Very faint, but the scent he was looking for drifted down.

A look of triumph flashed briefly in his red eyes, but he quickly calmed down and became cautious. He checked the tightly wrapped bandage with a lick of his slightly opened lips.

Swoosh.

The Blood Demon Sect Leader seemed to melt into the darkness, like ink spreading in water.

This mountain was crawling with enemies. From their point of view, you could easily call it a death trap or the gates of hell.

However, the Blood Demon Sect Leader, hidden in the thick darkness covering the entire mountain, moved without hesitation or doubts.

Sss.

His gaze slowly scanned the black mountain, finally stopping at one peak.

The peak was ordinary. It wasn’t the tallest, nor did it have a sharp, jagged point. It looked like any other peak on this dark mountain.

However, the Blood Demon Sect Leader’s gaze remained fixed on that place.

“……It’s there.”

The Blood Demon Sect Leader’s mouth, covered in bandages, slowly twisted.

His body, completely absorbed into the darkness, began to move secretly like a wind climbing the mountain, heading towards his goal.

Crack.

A chilling bone sound echoed from his hand, also wrapped in bandages. No matter how hard he tried to stay calm, he was still a demon. His demonic body was boiling with blood just thinking about murder.

But then, the Blood Demon Sect Leader stopped.

His body, hidden in the night, slowly became visible again. The spell that had kept him hidden was gone, but he didn’t even notice.

A shock, stronger than any desire to kill, ran through him. His blood-red eyes trembled slightly.

“‘This is…'”

His instinct screamed a warning.

“‘If I go any further, I will die.'”

It wasn’t something he could explain with words. It was just his gut feeling, the instinct that had saved him countless times, tearing itself apart in warning.

At the same moment, a cold, sharp feeling, like a knife, pricked his skin. The Blood Demon Sect Leader quickly raised his hand, ready to attack, but then shook his head.

“‘No. No.'”

He hadn’t been seen yet. Even if they knew someone was there, they wouldn’t know exactly where he was.

But if he took just one more step, it would be different. He knew, with chilling certainty, that the person sending out such terrifying energy would find him instantly.

The Blood Demon Sect Leader looked down at his feet, his gaze dark.

One inch… No, even half an inch.

Just that small step, and he would let the enemy know he was there. Maybe that path was a faster way to the sea of blood and bodies he craved.

However, the Blood Demon Sect Leader quickly pushed that thought away.

“‘It won’t be.'”

The Overlord was not someone to take lightly. Even with everything he had planned, he couldn’t be sure of success.

The Blood Demon Sect Leader slowly pulled back his foot.

“‘If he gets greedy, his head will be cut off.'”

The enemy was spreading this powerful energy everywhere to find anyone who came close. And the Blood Demon Sect Leader couldn’t even understand how this was possible.

Just sensing energy in half the area the enemy controlled would exhaust him.

And this person was doing it all night?

“‘He’s not human.'”

It wasn’t just about being strong.

Even with the same amount of power inside, how you used it could be completely different. The skill of the person who created this energy net was beyond normal understanding.

Among the enemies, the only one who could do something like this was…

Gritting his teeth, the Blood Demon Sect Leader turned away without regret.

“‘The chance will come again.'”

This person couldn’t keep this up for the whole war. There was no shame in going back for now.

“‘But…'”

The Blood Demon Sect Leader glanced back.

This energy made his senses sharp and on edge. But at the same time, something felt wrong.

“‘Is this really the energy of someone from the good side?'”

If it was, why did it feel so heavy and dark? It was like…

The Blood Demon Sect Leader’s eyes grew even darker.

Staring hard ahead, he vanished back into the darkness, leaving no trace.

Unseen, unheard, the Blood Demon Sect Leader retreated. But elsewhere on the mountain, another figure was also battling the darkness, though his fight was within himself.

Chung Myung, who had been burying his face in his knees, slowly raised his head and stared blankly down the mountain.

His eyes seemed empty, but even without focus, he was clearly looking at something accurately.

Should he go?

He hesitated for a moment, but soon gave up. He had experienced the tactics of deliberately attracting attention to draw Chung Myung out and other groups targeting the allies’ necks with a pincer movement to the point of disgust in past wars.

It’s better to stay here now.

He lowered his head again and leaned his cheek against his knees.

There was a time when he took such nights for granted. Even after everyone fell asleep, he couldn’t rest for a moment. It was a long, sleepless night.

At that time, everything was disgusting. He felt disillusioned with protecting those he didn’t even know why he had to protect, those who didn’t even know what gratitude was.

Nevertheless, Chung Myung protected everyone while gnawing away at himself.

Because he didn’t want to see Cheong Mun’s face, who was swallowing his resentment with a gloomy expression the next morning. Only for that reason.

But what about now?

Everyone has a reason to protect. Everyone knows gratitude.

But does that mean that the burden Chung Myung feels has lessened…

A chuckle escaped Chung Myung’s mouth.

He was fed up.

That the work he started to go differently eventually leads to the same ending. That the result of struggling for a different outcome drags him into an even deeper swamp.

No. It’s not.

These negative thoughts that are now eating away at his mind are just the demon that has taken over his heart tempting him. There is no reason to be fed up with protecting his fellow disciples.

The moon was shedding a pale light, cold enough to make one shiver. Chung Myung stared blankly at the scene and thought.

He felt like he was going crazy. No, maybe he’s already crazy.

“‘Damn it.'”

It’s a terrible inner demon.

He has overcome inner demons countless times. Inner demons are like gatekeepers located in a realm beyond one’s level. In order to move forward, one must open the solid iron door or cross the daunting cliff.

But this time it’s different.

Chung Myung had fought many inner demons and become very strong. But even he had never felt one this bad.

Originally, inner demons eat away at people’s hearts. The higher the level and the deeper the exploration, the more fiercely the inner demons tempt people.

Even knowing this, the reason why Chung Myung is now in confusion is…

“‘What’s the reason?'”

It was because an inner demon shouldn’t have come to him yet.

His level has not yet reached that of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint of the past. He has recently regained almost all of his past senses through many experiences, but looking at it calmly, he has certainly not surpassed those years.

But why did such an inner demon, which he had never experienced even in the past, come to him?

No, in the first place, is this even an inner demon?

“‘Since when was it?'”

Was it from facing Jang Ilso? Or before that, from heading to Wudang? Or from witnessing the horrors of Hubei?

No, this is not important either. The important point is why he is suffering from inner demons. There must be a valid reason for everything in the world. Unless Chung Myung’s martial prowess has increased, there must be another reason.

Chung Myung stared blankly down at his hand. It’s still trembling finely.

As if he was afraid of something he didn’t know, his body betrays his will. Chung Myung, who was letting out a hollow laugh, leaned his forehead against his knees powerlessly.

“‘I can overcome it.'”

He will. He must.

But if he can’t, what will happen?

He suddenly became curious.

When a Buddhist overcomes inner demons and achieves complete good, cutting off all attachment to the world, he becomes a Buddha, and a Taoist becomes a Taoist immortal. Others who didn’t choose to become Buddhas or Taoist immortals became spirits and stayed in the world.

But what about those who couldn’t overcome it?

What happens to those who have achieved everything possible as a human being but fail to overcome the final inner demon? Those whose level is so high that they cannot even die and accept the demon… No, what happens to a human who has become one with the demon itself?

The moment his thoughts reached this point, his body began to tremble noticeably, like an aspen tree.

“‘I am…….'”

I think I know. No, I don’t know. No. I know. No, I never know. I don’t know.

It’s a path that I know but shouldn’t know, and even if I can guess, I should never peek at. This is the closest thing to fear for Chung Myung.

But… if that happens. In the end, if that happens?

Rustle.

Chung Myung flinched, curling up as he heard someone behind him.

He didn’t know they had gotten this close.

It’s natural. He has been focusing all his attention on finding the traces of unfamiliar people. That’s why he couldn’t find the movements of familiar people even nearby.

“‘……Is that you, Sahyung?'”

Chung Myung raised his head, which had been deeply lowered, and slowly turned around.

“‘What are you doing in a place like this?'”

Chung Myung opened his mouth to answer, but soon closed it again. He didn’t want to let her hear his voice, which was cracked and hoarse.

“‘……Are you okay, Sahyung?'”

But he couldn’t keep ignoring her, so he finally opened his mouth.

“‘What about you?'”

Fortunately, his voice sounded normal.

“‘What are you doing?'”

Tang Soso hesitated for a moment to answer. Chung Myung let out a short sigh without realizing it. He could tell without hearing it. She must be looking for Baek Cheon’s whereabouts. She can’t do it openly in front of others, so she’s taking advantage of the time when others are asleep.

“‘……Don’t do useless things and rest.'”

“‘What about you, Sahyung…… What are you doing? Do you also think that Sasook is still nearby?'”

“‘……'”

“‘Then why?'”

Tang Soso’s last words were close to resentment.

If he wants to find him, he can find him. Chung Myung can find Baek Cheon at any time. His ability is not necessary. Just releasing Baek Ah will reveal where Baek Cheon is in less than half a day.

The meaning is why doesn’t he find him.

Chung Myung had no answer to return to this resentful remark.

No, the question itself was wrong from the start. Chung Myung doesn’t need to find Baek Cheon. He already knows where he is.

He just… Chung Myung wanted to ask again.

What can he do after finding him? What can he do after finding him?

Should he tie him up and force him to live a life he doesn’t want forever? Or should he condone him dying miserably on the battlefield as he wants?

Which is the answer, and which is justice?

Chung Myung got up from his seat.

He shouldn’t waste his energy talking to Tang Soso now. She will soon notice the abnormality in Chung Myung’s body. He wanted to get out of this uncomfortable place as soon as possible.

Chung Myung indifferently passed by Tang Soso and moved his steps into the dense forest.

“‘Rest.'”

“‘Sahyung.'”

Chung Myung stopped for a moment at the voice calling from behind.

“‘Why did it turn out like this?'”

“‘……'”

“‘I don’t think this is what we wanted.'”

A bitter question flew in. Chung Myung glanced back at Tang Soso without expression. A dark shadow was cast on his face, which was half exposed in the moonlight.

After a while, Chung Myung muttered something. And after looking at Tang Soso for a long time, he quietly disappeared.

Tang Soso stared at Chung Myung’s receding figure with worried eyes.

The voice he had just muttered lingered in her ears.

– Because I made it that way.

“‘Sahyung…….'”

Tang Soso’s large eyes trembled like a wrecked sailboat.