Return Of The Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 372

So, the Demonic Sects aren’t really stronger than the Orthodox Sects. But there are so many of them that even the Shaolin, the strongest Orthodox group, can’t beat them all.

“⋯⋯”

Of course, our Beggars’ Sect has more beggars than all the Demonic Sects combined. But only a few of those beggars can really fight.

“⋯⋯”

Among all the Demonic groups, five are the strongest. They are called the Shinju Opae. These include pirate groups, forest bandits, and a group called the Hao Moon Sect. Hey! Are you asleep!”

Hong Daekwang yelled. Chung Myung, who was dozing off, blinked and opened his eyes.

“Haaaah.”

“Seriously, this guy! I tell him to explain, and he falls asleep!”

“Ah, it’s because you’re saying such obvious things.”

“Obvious things! This is all stuff that will help you if you listen⋯⋯!”

“I have enough blood and flesh already. So, how strong is this Myriad Manor place?”

“Hmm.”

Hong Daekwang stroked his chin and shrugged.

“I don’t know?”

“⋯⋯”

Chung Myung’s eyes narrowed. He looked at Hong Daekwang like he was a bug.

“⋯⋯You shouldn’t look at people like that.”

“The branch leader of the Beggars’ Sect doesn’t even know how strong the Shinju Opae are?”

“You’d have to fight them to know!”

Hong Daekwang sounded genuinely wronged.

“For the past hundred years, the good groups and bad groups haven’t really fought much. The good groups were too busy recovering from the war to stop the bad groups. So, the bad groups used this chance to become more powerful.”

“Those damn Demonic Sect bastards are never helpful!”

Demonic Sect this! Demonic Sect that!

I’m getting sick of hearing it!

“It can’t be helped. The war left deep scars. That’s⋯⋯”

Hong Daekwang stopped and closed his mouth. Then, he quickly changed the subject.

“It’s something everyone in Jianghu has to accept.”

‘Trying hard, aren’t you?’

What he really wanted to say was,

‘Wouldn’t you, from Mount Hua, know that best?’

That would have been it.

Anyway, he wasn’t a completely hopeless beggar.

“So, it’s hard to know their exact strength. I’d say they’re a bit weaker than the top nine good groups and about as strong as the five most powerful families who fight for good.”

“Hmm.”

“The Myriad Manor has many fighters, but the most famous group is the Red Death Squad. They are not much stronger than other groups, but their leader, Yeop Pyeong, is very strong.”

“Hmm.”

“He’s strong enough to be one of the Ten Great Swordsmen of the World. Because of him, the Red Death Squad is always watched closely.”

“I’ve lived long enough to see a Demonic Sect guy being called a person of interest. Sigh.”

“What do you mean, how long have you lived, you brat!”

Hong Daekwang grumbled, ‘A young one acting like an old man.’ But Chung Myung ignored him.

‘The world has gotten better.’

From the Demonic Sect’s point of view, it really has gotten better. A hundred years ago, when the Plum Blossom Sword Saint was in Mount Hua, they wouldn’t have dared to come close.

Back then, Chung Myung wouldn’t have needed to step in. The fighters from his group would have been like fierce dogs, always ready to bite evil.

At that time, the good groups were so powerful that the Demonic Sects couldn’t do anything.

‘It was an era when the good guys searched everywhere for evil, like they were looking for bandits.’

The evil good guys tormented the weak Demonic Sects to death. It must have been hell for them.

Thinking about it, they are really tough. Seeing them rebuild their power makes me feel proud…

Ah, that’s not it.

“Anyway!”

Chung Myung jumped up. Hong Daekwang’s eyes widened.

“What are you trying to do?”

“I know enough about this Myriad Manor. I’ll just take care of them.”

“Chung Myung! You mustn’t underestimate the Myriad Manor!”

Hong Daekwang shouted in alarm.

“I know you’re strong. But the Red Death Squad is different from those you’ve faced so far! You’ve only fought rising stars! They are judged on their potential, not their strength!”

But Chung Myung didn’t care. Hong Daekwang thumped his chest in frustration.

“Yeop Pyeong is stronger than anyone you’ve ever fought. If you’re not careful, you could be in big trouble.”

“Wow. I’m seeing the day when a Demonic Sect guy is called strong. You have to live a long time to see things.”

“Ah, I mean, how long have you lived!”

Tsk.

What’s the point of talking.

“Anyway, I got it.”

Chung Myung waved his hand and left. Hong Daekwang frowned.

‘What is he planning to do?’

As soon as he heard the news, he asked for help. But it would take at least a week for them to arrive.

And in a week, the Red Death Squad could destroy Seoan.

“I hope nothing bad happens.”

If he had known, he would have brought everyone.

He sighed in regret.

“⋯⋯The government still says they won’t get involved.”

‘Blast it.’

Namjamyung bit his lip.

“The leader of the city still won’t meet with us.”

“We have asked for help, but it will take a while. And there aren’t many strong groups near Seoan.”

The biggest groups are far away.

“If we can contact the rich families, they will send fighters. But when they will arrive is⋯⋯”

“Ugh.”

Namjamyung scratched his head in frustration.

He had messed up his hair and his eyes were bloodshot.

He didn’t look elegant anymore.

Then, Dan Byeongrip said, with a firm face.

“Sect Leader, maybe⋯⋯”

“Maybe?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to plan for the future?”

“The future?”

“We can’t stop the Red Death Squad. Shouldn’t we take shelter and then⋯⋯ when they leave⋯⋯”

“Nonsense!”

Namjamyung interrupted.

“Do you know what will happen to Seoan if we leave?! They are not hurting people now, but they will. How long do you think they will wait?”

“Isn’t that the government’s job?”

“You fool! If the government has to step in, we will lose trust!”

“We can rebuild trust, but we can’t get back a lost life.”

“⋯⋯”

Namjamyung stared at Dan Byeongrip.

“Face is only meaningful when you’re alive. How long do you think they will wait? They are waiting to stop the government, but they’ll use force if they have to. How can you be sure the Sect Leader won’t die⋯⋯”

“Enough!”

Namjamyung shouted.

“How can you call yourself a Sect Leader? How can you talk about running from the enemy? I will never allow it!”

“Sect Leader!”

“I’d rather die! There’s no need to say more! When the sun sets, gather everyone at Seowol Gate. They may be strong, but if we fight to the death, we can beat them!”

Blood vessels stood out in Namjamyung’s eyes.

The other leaders didn’t speak.

“Do you understand?”

“⋯⋯Yes.”

“We will do so.”

They didn’t sound enthusiastic, but Namjamyung didn’t push them. They might die tonight.

‘Families are families, after all,’ Nam Ja-myeong thought bitterly.

If they truly wanted to be warriors, to fight for what was right, they would have stayed at the main Jongnam school. Long ago, some families had chosen to leave the mountain and start their own branches in towns like Seoan. Even those who inherited these branch families could have returned to Jongnam to train harder, to become true disciples, if they had wished it.

But in the end, most of them had chosen the easy path of branch families because they cared more about money than martial arts. Wealth was more important to them than honor or strength.

So, this reaction was a natural consequence. Leading a branch family, would they have ever expected to risk their lives in a fight with someone?

“If you are truly disciples of Jongnam and warriors, show your pride! I believe in you!”

“Of course!”

“Even though it may not seem like it, I am also a proud member of Jongnam’s branch family! Do you think I would be intimidated by those evil enemies?”

“Then I will gather the disciples!”

The sect leaders rose from their seats one by one and began to leave, their faces determined.

Watching them, Nam Ja-myeong gritted his teeth.

‘I will never surrender this Seoan to those evil bastards.’

With a determined face, he stood up suddenly.

“Gather the disciples! Immediately!”

Several hours later.

Nam Ja-myeong looked around with a blank expression.

“⋯⋯.”

His eyes, filled with disbelief and despair, seemed utterly empty.

“M-Master.”

“⋯⋯.”

“It seems there’s a problem. The disciples who went to check on the other sects have returned, and they said that the places were already completely empty⋯⋯.”

“Empty?”

“⋯⋯Yes.”

Nam Ja-myeong muttered as if he couldn’t believe it.

“You’re telling me that all ten sects have fled without a single one remaining?”

“⋯⋯That’s right.”

“Huh.”

His mouth fell open without him meaning to. A hollow laugh escaped his lips.

“Huh⋯⋯. Hehehehe.”

Then, suddenly, he couldn’t contain his anger and shouted.

“You spineless cowards! You abandoned your homes to save your own lives? What shame will you face when you return!”

“W-Well, they just won’t return, will they?”

“⋯⋯What?”

At that moment, one of the instructors who had remained behind spoke with a flushed face.

“I-If we stay here, we’ll just have all our wealth stolen and be beaten into cripples or killed. But if we run away with our wealth, we can settle somewhere else and live comfortably!”

Nam Ja-myeong’s eyes widened in shock.

“W-We don’t necessarily have to maintain the sect⋯⋯.”

“Shut your mouth, you scoundrel! How can you say such a thing as a member of Jongnam’s branch family!”

“⋯⋯.”

Now, Nam Ja-myeong’s face was twisted in agony.

He wasn’t angry at the instructor’s words. He was furious at himself for wavering upon hearing them.

“Master! We must flee now! Even with all the other branch families, we can’t guarantee we can stop them, but facing the Crimson Brigade with just the Seowol Sect is suicide!”

Nam Ja-myeong couldn’t bring himself to respond and just bit his lip. His eyes darted around, unsure of what to do.

But then.

“M-Master! Over there!”

At the sudden shout, Nam Ja-myeong turned his head sharply.

He saw the Crimson Brigade leisurely walking along the main road.

“T-Too late!”

“N-No way. I⋯⋯. I can’t fight!”

The disciples of the Seowol Sect began to flee in terror.

“Y-You bastards! Stop right now!”

“Damn it! If you want to die, die alone, Master!”

He tried to control them, but Nam Ja-myeong’s words had no effect. They burst into the Seowol Sect, screaming and shouting at each other.

“Let go of this!”

“You damned bastard!”

Unable to run far empty-handed, they were fighting each other to seize the valuable items within the sect.

Nam Ja-myeong couldn’t hide his despair.

‘Is this the Seowol Sect?’

He had emphasized unity so much, but they crumbled so easily at the slightest crisis?

Then⋯⋯ what was his life, which he had dedicated to the Seowol Sect, all about?

Nam Ja-myeong couldn’t even think of running away and stood there blankly.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

The Crimson Brigade, approaching Nam Ja-myeong at a leisurely pace, came to a halt.

Soon, Yeop Pyeong, who was behind them, stepped forward.

“Is this all there is?”

“⋯⋯.”

“Heh heh. So-called righteous bastards.”

He chuckled in disbelief.

“I thought at least half would remain, but it’s not even a sect, just one guy left. Hey, Bang Seung, what do you think?”

“Aren’t all those ‘righteous’ types just talk? Big mouths, no action.”

“Tsk tsk. Even street thugs wouldn’t do this.”

“Hehe. What can you expect from a branch family? If Jongnam hadn’t closed its doors, they wouldn’t have experienced this, so they couldn’t have imagined it. Even the Great Leader wouldn’t have dared to enter Seoan when Jongnam was still open⋯⋯. Ack!”

Yeop Pyeong, who had smacked Bang Seung on the back of the head, glared at him.

“Whose side are you on! You damned fool.”

“⋯⋯Ugh. Of course, I’m on the Great Leader’s side. So, what do we do? It seems the plan to leisurely plunder the branch families’ wealth has gone awry.”

“Ptooey!”

Yeop Pyeong spat on the ground.

“What good is it to rob a few branch families anyway? It’s time to start in earnest.”

Yeop Pyeong grinned and looked around.

“What a sight. The government officials are turning a blind eye, saying it’s not their business, and the branch families are running away to save their own skins.”

“It’s a common occurrence.”

“Yeah. Common. So common it’s laughable.”

Yeop Pyeong clicked his tongue a couple of times and his eyes gleamed.

“It’s faster than expected, but there’s no harm in being fast. We’ll loot Seoan clean today. We’ll hit the high-ranking officials’ houses last, and start with the ones that look moderately wealthy. Anyone who resists can be killed.”

“Hehe. I’ll have some fun for the first time in a while.”

“First, set fire to those branch family buildings so they can’t even think of setting foot in Seoan again!”

“Yes! I’ll take care of it neatly!”

Bang Seung’s eyes gleamed wickedly. But a voice interrupted their pleasant conversation.

“C-Can’t you stop! You wicked bastards!”

“Huh?”

Yeop Pyeong turned his head and saw Nam Ja-myeong trembling.

“That guy’s still here?”

“Looks like he wants to die.”

“Then we should grant his wish. It’s not a difficult task.”

Screeeech.

Yeop Pyeong drew the greatsword from his waist and approached Nam Ja-myeong. As he got closer, Nam Ja-myeong’s face turned increasingly pale.

Yeop Pyeong said with a smile.

“Kid. The first ones to die in the fighting world are those who act tough without any power. When you go to see King Yama, tell him you learned that!”

Yeop Pyeong’s sword swung horizontally, heading for Nam Ja-myeong’s neck.

But at that moment.

Clang!

With a loud metallic sound, Yeop Pyeong’s sword, which had been flying in, was deflected to the side.

“What, what is it!”

Yeop Pyeong’s eyes widened and he turned his head sharply.

“I agree with that statement.”

A group of warriors was seen walking along one side of the main road.

And at the head of them, a young man with a very mischievous expression was cracking his knuckles.

“The first ones to die are those who act tough without any power. So⋯⋯.”

The young man, Chung Myung, curled up the corners of his lips wickedly.

“I mean guys like you.”