Return Of The Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 500

“Young Master!”

People wearing leather clothes knelt in front of Seol So-baek, who was sitting on a chair. Hot tears ran down their faces.

“It’s such a relief that you’re alive! I knew you would be, Young Master.”

Seol So-baek nodded, looking a little nervous.

“Thank you for coming.”

“You’re very welcome! Ever since that evil Seol Cheon-sang killed the previous Palace Lord, we’ve been waiting for this day!”

Yeo Sa-hon, standing next to Seol So-baek, looked at the kneeling people and said firmly, “We won’t call him Young Master anymore. From now on, you will call him Little Palace Lord.”

“Little Palace Lord?”

Yeo Sa-hon nodded. “The correct title is Palace Lord. But the Little Palace Lord says he won’t use that title until he defeats Seol Cheon-sang and becomes the true master of the Ice Palace. So, until then, call him Little Palace Lord.”

“Yes! We understand, Little Palace Lord! I will give my life for the Northern Sea!”

Seol So-baek stood up and took the hands of those kneeling.

“Thank you so much. My dead father would be so touched.”

“Sob. Little Palace Lord.”

Seol So-baek took their hands. He looked into their tearful faces. They smiled at him, even with tears in their eyes. You could feel the warmth in the room, like a fire was burning even though there was no fire.

However, the Hwasan disciples watched this scene through the window. They didn’t seem so happy.

“This is a bit strange to watch,” one of them said.

“Indeed.”

Han I-myeong and Yeo Sa-hon were gathering all the people who had supported the previous Palace Lord. These people were hidden all over the Northern Sea, and they were gathering to attack the Ice Palace.

Some of them knew Seol So-baek was alive. Others did not.

Some people didn’t know Seol So-baek was alive. They were very emotional when they saw him. This was natural. But Seol So-baek felt a little uncomfortable. Strangers were crying and had high hopes for him.

He was just a young man who had only learned he was the Palace Lord’s son a few days ago.

But he was trying his best to do what was expected of him.

The Hwasan disciples felt sorry for him, rather than admiring him.

“More people are gathering than I thought,” one said.

“That’s right. It seems the previous Palace Lord had more followers than we knew.”

Dang So-so listened to Yoon Jong and Baek Cheon and shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

“Hmm?”

“I’ve talked to them. Some were close friends of the previous Palace Lord. But many others didn’t take sides and lived quietly.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Yes. It seems these people are gathering now because they heard the news.”

“The people’s hearts are heaven’s hearts.” This means that what the people want is very important and powerful.

Even those who didn’t want to fight when Seol Cheon-sang started his cruel rule were now picking up their swords.

“Does this mean the situation in the Northern Sea is really bad?”

“It’s not just that,” Han I-myeong said. Everyone looked at him as he walked over.

“They didn’t fight Seol Cheon-sang before because they weren’t sure Young Master Seol was alive. If Seol So-baek wasn’t alive, there would be no one to become the Palace Lord, even if Seol Cheon-sang was defeated.”

“Ah.”

“So, Seol Cheon-sang wanted to kill Young Master Seol at all costs.”

Baek Cheon nodded, understanding. “How much longer do we have to wait?”

“Everyone will be here by today. We won’t wait for anyone who is late. They can join us later,” Han I-myeong replied.

Baek Cheon looked at the number of people gathered. ‘About two hundred?’

If you include the people working at the Ice Crystal Mine, there would be about four hundred in total.

“How many fighters are there in the Ice Palace?”

“At least a thousand.”

“…A thousand.”

Baek Cheon’s face became serious. The Ice Palace was large, so a thousand fighters made sense. But hearing the number said out loud was still shocking.

“We wouldn’t have a chance in a direct fight.”

“That’s not true,” Han I-myeong said, shaking his head.

“Many people in the Ice Palace are against Seol Cheon-sang’s cruelty. If they know Young Master Seol is alive, they will join us. Everyone knows Young Master Seol is the rightful heir to the Northern Sea.”

Baek Cheon nodded. He didn’t fully believe those words, but he understood what Han I-myeong’s group was thinking.

‘Even if more people join us and some leave the other side, we are still outnumbered.’

Baek Cheon bowed politely. “I understand. Thank you.”

Han I-myeong smiled. “I never thought I would fight with the disciples of Hwasan. Fate is strange.”

“I agree.”

“Thank you. The Northern Sea will never forget Hwasan.”

Han I-myeong bowed and walked away. Baek Cheon watched him go, frowning. Without turning his head, he asked, “What do you think?”

“It’s nonsense,” someone replied.

“…”

That was a bit too direct.

Baek Cheon looked at Cheong-myeong and asked, “If people leave their side like he said, would we have a chance?”

Cheong-myeong was squatting down, poking Baek-ah’s stomach. He waved his hand. “People aren’t that simple.”

“Huh?”

“Everyone has different thoughts. But when they are in a group, they hide their own opinions. They disappear and become invisible.”

“…”

“You don’t think everyone in the rebel army really wants to rebel, do you? People don’t want to at first. But when they see someone giving orders and fighting, they get carried away.”

Cheong-myeong smiled. “I don’t think warriors will leave and join us. Will that really happen? I doubt it.”

Baek Cheon frowned at Cheong-myeong’s sarcastic words.

‘This guy…’

He usually talks nonsense, but sometimes he is very sharp. His words are filled with strong belief, making you believe him.

“Then do we have no chance of winning?”

“What are you talking about?” Cheong-myeong shouted.

“I never lose!”

Baek Cheon’s face didn’t change. ‘I guess not.’

Cheong-myeong carefully put Baek-ah back in his clothes. “Talking about chances of winning is what people do when they can’t find a way. The way to win is obvious, isn’t it?”

“…What way?”

Yu I-seol answered Baek Cheon. “The Palace Lord.”

“…Huh?”

Baek Cheon looked confused. “What do you mean?”

“The people of the Northern Sea only listen to the Palace Lord. Only a member of the Seol family can be the Palace Lord.”

“That’s right.”

Cheong-myeong shrugged and smiled. “I don’t understand it, but it’s lucky the people of the Northern Sea think that way. If we just cut off the head of that Seol Cheon-sang, we can take over the entire Northern Sea Ice Palace. It doesn’t matter if we have fewer people.”

“Because Seol So-baek is the only Seol family member left.”

“That’s right.”

Baek Cheon nodded, his face serious. The cold wind of the Northern Sea whipped around them.

“If we only fight Seolcheon Sang, not the whole Ice Palace, things are better,” Baek Cheon said. “Our chances are higher now.”

“But there’s something else,” Yoon Jong said quietly. He had been listening to them talk, his brow furrowed. “The Demonic Sect. That’s the real problem.”

The name ‘Demonic Sect’ made everyone freeze.

“The Demonic Sect brought darkness to the Central Plains. Even without the Heavenly Demon, can we fight the Demonic Sect with just the Ice Palace?”

Chung Myung looked dumbfounded.

“Sasuk.”

“Huh?”

“Are you crazy? What are you even saying?” Chung Myung asked, bewildered.

Yoon Jong flinched.

“Ah, no. You were the one who said to…” Yoon Jong mumbled, intimidated.

Chung Myung looked incredulous.

“You’re hopeless, really. If those guys were the real Demonic Sect, I would have run back to the Central Plains without looking back, forgetting about the Northern Sea. Dragging in the Northern Ice Palace to fight the Demonic Sect? I’d rather swallow a knife.”

“Then? You’re saying they aren’t the Demonic Sect?”

“The Demonic Sect is the Demonic Sect. I told you before, the Demonic Sect is made up of several branches. They’re just one of them. Because they are acting alone, they are not the strongest part of the Demonic Sect.”

“Ah…”

Yoon Jong sighed in relief, but Tang Soso looked shocked.

“So, even though they are just a branch, they are still controlling the Northern Sea?”

“That’s right.”

“Oh my goodness.”

She gasped, covering her mouth.

It was fortunate that these people weren’t the main force of the Demonic Sect, but it was shocking that just one branch had completely taken control of the Northern Sea.

Baek Cheon frowned, staring at Chung Myung.

“But how do you know about the Demonic Sect branches?”

“Why are you asking something so obvious? If the main base of the Demonic Sect was here, the Ice Palace guys would already be dead.”

Chung Myung waved his hand.

“No, that’s not important right now. Anyway, those guys are just remnants of the Demonic Sect.”

“Then things will be a bit easier.”

“Easier?” Chung Myung smirked.

“Everyone, listen up.”

“Huh?”

“The fate of the Central Plains, the resurrection of the Heavenly Demon, all that’s fine. This fight isn’t about that. So, just remember one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Absolutely do not die.”

Chung Myung paused, his face slightly distorted.

“If you die, it’s all over. Whether the Heavenly Demon is resurrected, or the Northern Sea is destroyed, I need to live first to see what happens next. So, if it’s dangerous, run away without looking back. Absolutely don’t do anything stupid like risking your life here. Do you understand?”

The Hwasan disciples stared at him, serious.

It was the first time they had seen Chung Myung say such a thing, meaning this battle would be harsh.

“Don’t worry.”

Baek Cheon stared straight at Chung Myung.

“If I’m in danger, I’ll run away without looking back. I’ll even ignore you if you need help and run.”

Chung Myung grinned.

“That’s right. That’s my Sasuk.”

Hae Yeon shook his head.

‘Amitabha.’ They were hard to understand.

Chung Myung’s eyes sparkled.

“Anyway, the first thing we need to do is kill Seolcheon Sang and take over the Ice Palace! We’ll start there.”

Han Yi-myeong and Yeo Sa-hon watched the gathered people.

‘This day has finally come.’

All those gathered looked determined.

They had been waiting for this moment, to open a new world.

“Say a word.”

“The Elder must step forward.”

“If Young Master Seol becomes the symbol, Elder Yeo must become the center. Please lead us.”

Yeo Sa-hon nodded and stepped forward. She wouldn’t waste time with humility.

“I am Yeo Sa-hon. Do you all remember me?”

“Elder! First Elder! Of course, we remember you!”

The people greeted Yeo Sa-hon loudly. Feeling their spirit, Yeo Sa-hon nodded.

“The reasons may be different, but I believe you all have the same intentions.”

Her voice was full of the dignity of the former second-in-command of the Ice Palace.

“Seolcheon Sang became the leader of the Ice Palace. Since then, the Northern Sea has become miserable, and the people are living in despair. And he has brought those who should never have been brought here!”

Yeo Sa-hon looked at each person and shouted.

“Before it’s too late, I will bring down Seolcheon Sang and make the true heir the Palace Lord! I will fix everything that is wrong! Will you join me?”

A loud shout filled the sky.

Yeo Sa-hon clenched her fist, suppressing her trembling heart.

“Let’s go! It’s time to reclaim the soul of the Northern Sea! The Northern Sea belongs to the people of the Northern Sea. We will make those who trample this land pay the price!”

“Oooooooh!”

The shouts echoed.

“Depart! To the Ice Palace!”

The people began to run.

“It’s starting.” Baek Cheon turned to everyone.

Yoo Iseol, Yoon Jong, Jo Gul, Chung Myung, Tang Soso, and Hae Yeon were all there.

“Let’s go.” Baek Cheon’s eyes shone coldly.

“Show those who stand in our way the sword of Hwasan.”

“Yes, Sasuk!”

“Yes, Sahyung!”

Baek Cheon turned. His robe fluttered in the wind.

He was about to take a step.