Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 399

“Kugh!” Baek Cheon gasped.

His hair whipped around his face as he glared at Yado. His eyes were red with anger.

Yado had scratches and cuts all over his body, but Baek Cheon’s sword could not cut deep.

“Keep talking, you brat,” Yado sneered.

Baek Cheon stayed silent.

Yado was winning.

But inside, Yado was worried.

‘How did this happen? Simple mission! Hwasan was weak now. Maninbang was strong. Too many fighters for Hwasan.’

Yado’s bloodshot eyes darted around.

‘Heuksi! That blasted bastard!’

The Black Blood Unit, whom he had trusted, had deserted the battlefield with that Chung Myung fellow.

And his subordinates, who should have swept away the Hwasan weak fighters long ago, were blocked by two suddenly appearing youngsters, unable to break through their defense at all.

‘Damn it.’

If so, either Dokhyulsu or he himself had to attack their defense…

Paaah!

“Kugh!”

Yado barely twisted his body. A fierce blade narrowly grazed his cheek.

Trickle.

A stream of blood trickled from the split wound. As a burning pain spread, Yado’s face contorted even further.

“You leech-like bastard!”

Murderous intent filled Yado’s eyes.

But even so, he couldn’t recklessly attack. The brat in front of him was more formidable than he had anticipated.

‘Damn it.’

The unwavering Jungdan stance was reminiscent of a massive boulder.

Yado couldn’t hide his rising irritation and spat on the ground.

He could understand the high level of skill despite his age.

Yado knew well that the world wasn’t fair. The Kangho was a place where monsters who could achieve in a few months what someone else could only achieve after decades of desperate training popped up all the time.

But even if he could accept the skill, where did that composure, so unsuited to his age, come from?

On a battlefield where blood and flesh splattered everywhere, even those with considerable experience tended to get excited and lose their composure.

But that guy maintained a steadfast, unmoving mind as if he were a veteran.

‘Are all Hwasan guys like this?’

Yado’s lips, pressed tightly together, turned stark white.

Like a leech.

Just like Hyun Jong earlier, Baek Cheon tenaciously clung to Yado. He seemed determined to prevent him from wielding his sword against others, even if he couldn’t win.

Yado, the one being targeted, was getting tired of it first.

It was difficult to understand logically that a disciple far younger than the head of a sect was stronger, but this damned Hwasan sect simply defied common sense.

“Looks like⋯⋯.”

The moment Yado tried to open his mouth, Baek Cheon stepped forward with a terrifying speed, using Jingak.

It was a movement where only the sword seemed to come alive momentarily without any hesitation. A perfect thrust without any unnecessary movements.

“Kugh!”

Yado twisted his head, dodging the thrusting sword, and slashed his blade horizontally.

One!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Before his blade could be fully swung and gain power, the sword blocked the space where it would be wielded. Thanks to that, the unreleased internal energy flowed backward, inflicting a pain on Yado’s wrist as if it were breaking.

Clang!

Baek Cheon’s sword, which strongly pushed away the momentarily weak blade, instantly drew over ten plum blossoms.

Yado rolled backward across the floor without a second thought.

Swish!

Nevertheless, his shin was cut, and blood splattered into the air. Yado, who rolled his body once and immediately regained his posture, glared at Baek Cheon with murderous eyes.

“⋯⋯You⋯⋯.”

Baek Cheon silently took the lower stance again.

Eyes.

Baek Cheon’s strong and steady gaze coldly chilled Yado’s chest.

Like a beast looking at its prey.

What was clearly submerged beneath that gaze was cold anger. Yado exhaled softly.

‘This is no time to worry about other things.’

If he didn’t deal with him properly, he would be in trouble.

“Why so mad, kid? You’re shaking!”

It was trying to change the mood. And surprisingly, Baek Cheon responded to the trying.

“⋯⋯You guys wouldn’t understand even if I explained it a hundred times.”

“Hmm?”

A chilling voice flowed continuously from Baek Cheon’s mouth.

“You hurt him! Do you even know who he is to us?”

Anger as cold as ten thousand years of ice dripped down.

Hyun Jong.

In any sect, the sect leader is a symbolic figure. For the sect leader to be wounded by the hands of another sect was nothing short of humiliation.

But the anger felt by the disciples of Hwasan was on a different level from such common humiliation.

How could Hyun Jong be considered an ordinary sect leader?

He willingly sacrificed himself to support the disciples of Hwasan. To the disciples of Hwasan, Hyun Jong was a parent, a teacher, and a precious person to be followed and protected.

How could they possibly forgive the one who attacked Hyun Jong so brutally?

Anger, so chilling it seemed to freeze the heart, enveloped Baek Cheon’s entire body. Then Yado twisted his lips and said.

“Indeed. So that’s how it is.”

And at that moment, his blade emitted a blue aura and struck down.

Wham!

The sword that blocked the blade bent as if it would break. Baek Cheon’s body was pushed back by the overwhelming internal energy and power contained in the strike.

“Too much excitement. For a mere brat.”

Baek Cheon gritted his teeth.

The hand holding the sword trembled, and his legs wobbled. That Yado was a master at least one level above the Red Death he had faced before.

There was no doubt that he was still too much for him to handle.

“What do you think will change by holding out?”

Yado sneered as he looked at Baek Cheon.

“You’re just holding out. In the end, you’ll die by my hand. You seem to be hoping that Chung Myung fellow will return, but no one has ever survived the Black Blood Unit. You’ll be lucky if even the corpse remains intact.”

Yado shuddered lightly, as if recalling Heuksi.

He was a creepy and unpleasant guy, but as an ally, there were few as reliable. That guy would definitely find a way to cut off the opponent’s breath, no matter what.

“That Chung Myung fellow is going to be quite pathetic. Heuksi never just kills people. He’ll probably die tasting all the pain in the world.”

It was truly a terrifying thing to say.

But Baek Cheon didn’t get scared; instead, he smirked.

“You don’t know anything.”

“⋯⋯What?”

“That guy has never been pathetic even once. It’s the guy who faces him who’s pathetic.”

He would attempt it, but he would never fail. That was the Chung Myung that Baek Cheon knew.

“And don’t misunderstand. I haven’t been waiting for Chung Myung.”

“⋯⋯.”

A resolute will flickered in Baek Cheon’s eyes.

“If I can’t even handle something like this properly and wait for that guy, I’d have nothing to say even if my head got smashed. How could I call myself his Sajuk if I can’t even beat someone like you?”

“⋯⋯Anyway, there are only crazy bastards here.”

Yado shook his head and readjusted his blade.

“I’ll crush that arrogant mouth of yours within ten seconds.”

“Try it if you can!”

In an instant, Baek Cheon’s eyes quickly scanned the surroundings.

Boom!

Huge explosions were constantly erupting beside him.

Hae Yeon was clearly pushing back Dokhyulsu. This was partly because Hae Yeon’s fighting skill was so high that he was as strong as a high-ranking member of Maninbang, but also because Dokhyulsu, who handled poison and evil energy, and the Shaolin’s martial arts, which purified all evil energy, formed a perfect counter.

As expected, Dokhyulsu’s face was full of signs of frustration. It seemed there was no need to worry about that side.

And⋯⋯.

“Go! Jo Gul!”

“Aaaaargh!”

The Mount Hua disciples fought hard, pushing back the attacking enemies from the Ten Thousand People Clan. Swords flashed and clashed as they stood their ground.

Jo Gul was one of the best swordsmen from Mount Hua, his movements wild and powerful. His eyes burned with excitement, but this sometimes made him rush and make mistakes. Luckily, Yoon Jong was there, always calm and focused, guiding Jo Gul like a steady hand on reins.

Jo Gul roared as he attacked, a whirlwind of motion. “Focus, Jo Gul!” Yoon Jong called out, his voice clear even in the chaos of battle.

They fought with all their might, their energy high. They were holding their own, even against the larger Ten Thousand People Clan.

‘Then, in the end⋯⋯’

All that remained was Baek Cheon. If he could defeat Yado, Mount Hua would seize victory on the battlefield in an instant.

“Die!”

Wooooooong!

A brutal aura flew towards Baek Cheon.

Baek Cheon gathered all his inner strength to block the sword.

Koo-ooo-oong!

The moment the sword and blade collided, an explosion erupted.

Baek Cheon lost his balance and was thrown backward by the unbelievable force.

“Keuk!”

A groan escaped his lips as he slammed to the ground.

But there was no time to feel the pain.

Yado, leaping like a tiger, flew towards him. The power in his sword grew stronger, his attacks crashing down like a raging river, unstoppable and powerful.

Baek Cheon knew he couldn’t block the attack. He gritted his teeth and punched the ground hard. Using the force from hitting the ground, he threw his body sideways, like sweeping himself across the floor.

Kwaaaaang!

The bluestone floor was crushed, and fragments scattered everywhere. Dust and dirt flew into the air as Yado’s foot smashed into the ground near Baek Cheon.

Baek Cheon, who had rolled several times to get up, saw a foot stretched out in his vision as soon as he raised his head.

Puh-uh-uh-uhk!

Yado’s foot slammed into Baek Cheon’s chest. Baek Cheon was thrown into the air like a kite with a severed string.

“Sasuk!”

“Sahyungeee!”

Baek Cheon was falling through the air towards Jo Gul.

Jo Gul strongly swung his sword to shake off those clinging to him and caught Baek Cheon.

“Sasuk!”

At Jo Gul’s cry, Baek Cheon, who seemed half-conscious, opened his eyes wide. He quickly pushed Jo Gul away and placed his feet on the ground.

“Ptooey!”

He spat out phlegm mixed with blood and steadied his trembling legs, taking a stance. Pain shot through Baek Cheon’s chest. *I can’t lose here,* he thought fiercely. *I have to protect Mount Hua.*

“You’re quite capable.”

Yado sneered as he walked through the path his subordinates had opened. “Not bad.”

“You still have the strength to run your mouth even after getting beaten like that.”

“⋯⋯.”

“You bug-like things. I’ll kill you all!”

Baek Cheon also took a step forward to meet Yado without backing down.

“Sasuk!”

Jo Gul tried to dissuade him, but Baek Cheon pushed him away with a single glance.

“I’ll handle him.”

“⋯⋯Understood.”

Baek Cheon knew. If he was pushed back here, the balance would collapse in an instant.

Whether he had to cling to his pants or whatever, he had to take on Yado himself.

“How touching.”

Yado couldn’t stand it any longer and burst out shouting. His anger grew more specific, hating how Mount Hua stood in his way.

“Young ones and old ones alike, you all make me angry!”

“Great Chieftain!”

He struck the person who spoke from the side without even looking.

Puh-uhk!

With a sound like bones snapping, the person who was hit spat out blood and flew away.

“You useless bastards! You can’t even handle one of these young ones and you’re dragging things out?”

“We, we’re sorry!”

“Kill them all! If you don’t kill all of them within half a shichen, I’ll kill you myself!”

“Yes!”

The members of the Ten Thousand People Clan began to close in on the disciples of Mount Hua with murderous intent in their eyes. The sound of metal hitting metal rang through the air as swords clashed.

“⋯⋯.”

The existence of an absolute master.

If Chung Myung had tied the feet of the Ten Thousand People Clan members with his mere presence a moment ago, now the disciples of Mount Hua were being crushed by the presence of Yado.

‘Damn it.’

Baek Cheon gritted his teeth.

He had tried to tie down Yado at all costs in anticipation of this situation⋯⋯.

“Jo Gul! Yoon Jong!”

“Yes, Sasuk!”

“I’ll tie that bastard down. Protect our fellow disciples at all costs!”

“Yes!”

The two nodded with resolute determination.

“Kill all those brats!”

“Understood!”

The members of the Ten Thousand People Clan, who had not received proper orders because they were separated from the Great Chieftains, emitted a different kind of murderous aura than before.

The forcibly maintained formation began to collapse with just that heightened morale. The disciples of Mount Hua were pushed back in an instant.

Yado twisted his lips and smiled.

‘Yes. It has to be like this.’

Young ones sometimes achieve more than their abilities when they ride the atmosphere.

But that also means that if you can kill the atmosphere, they can’t exert their skills.

That Hwajung Sword Baek Cheon and a few others seem to have surpassed that level, but most of the Mount Hua disciples are still greatly affected by morale.

“Push them all at once. Kill them all⋯⋯.”

“You bastards!”

Yado’s head snapped around.

To the place where a lion’s roar loud enough to shake the entire Mount Hua erupted.

‘That’s⋯⋯’

Someone was entering through the broken gate of Mount Hua.

‘An old man?’

An old man with anger all over his face was grinding his teeth.

“This⋯⋯ these dog-like⋯⋯. Hooo! Oh, damn it, hooo! I’m gonna die.”

The lion’s roar that erupted was magnificent, but the appearance of the person who arrived was not so great.

His whole body was soaked with sweat, and his fallen hair was plastered to his face. The old man grabbed his knees and took deep breaths several times, showing how much effort he made to get there.

“⋯⋯Elder Hyun Young?”

A dazed voice leaked from Yoon Jong’s mouth.

As if hearing those words, Hyun Young raised his head sharply.

Then he let out another roar.

“How dare you, you evil villains! Where do you think this is!”

The members of the Ten Thousand People Clan stared at him with slightly frightened faces at the cry that seemed to burn his soul.

And at that moment.

“Kids!”

“Yes! Elder!”

Behind Hyun Young, who stood tall in front of the gate, the disciples of Mount Hua, who had just arrived from Seoan, burst into the gate like a torrent gushing out of a broken dam.

Hyun Young’s order fell.

“Go and ask them!”

“Yes!”

At the same time as Hyun Young drew his sword, the disciples of Mount Hua, whose whole bodies were soaked with sweat, rushed in with bloodshot eyes.

Rushing in like a torrent, they began to sweep away the members of the Ten Thousand People Clan in one fell swoop.

“Sasuk!”

“Alright!”

Baek Cheon clenched his fist. Then he briefly turned his gaze to the side.

‘Chung Myung.’

Chung Myung, who had disappeared with the Black Cloud Unit, kept bothering him. What Yado had said a moment ago kept fueling anxiety in one corner of his mind.

But.

He steeled his resolve and shouted with gritted teeth.

“Push them! Let’s end this with our own hands!”

“Yes, Sahyung!”

Baek Cheon leaped towards Yado.

‘I believe in you. Chung Myung!’

Now was the time for him to do what he had to do.