Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 523

Dust and smoke filled the air as the Law Enforcement Officer watched the Ice Palace crumble. He frowned, his face twisting in disgust.

‘Pathetic,’ he muttered. The once-proud Ice Palace was now just a pile of ice and rubble.

He had never believed the Ice Palace could truly defeat the Church. But seeing it fall apart so easily was even more pathetic than he expected. It was a shameful display of weakness.

‘Is this what happens to people who live in peace and don’t train themselves hard enough?’

Of course, the Church’s real enemies are not the weaklings from the Northern Sea, but those vermin in the Central Plains. Just because these Northern people are weak, it doesn’t mean that the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families of the Central Plains should be considered in the same category. That would be a huge mistake.

They were still lacking in strength. Still.

‘The Heavenly Demon’s Rebirth.’

The Law Enforcement Officer clenched his fist slightly.

The Heavenly Demon’s Rebirth, Myriad Demons’ Embrace.

These words held all his hope. He believed the Heavenly Demon would destroy their enemies.

To do that, they had to recover the Ice Jade no matter what.

When the day of the Heavenly Demon’s resurrection came, not only the lowly infidels but also the apostates who had lost faith and ridiculed the believers would burn forever in the flames of purification.

Crack.

The Law Enforcement Officer, clenching his fist, raised his voice.

“You slowpokes! Move faster! The Bishop won’t be happy if we’re late!”

“Yes!”

It was then.

He paused. A strange feeling of unease made him look up suddenly.

‘…What is it?’

Right now, clearly…

He could see several Church members climbing the walls.

Moreover, nearly ten of them had already entered through the breached wall.

But what was the problem…

Narrowing his eyes and looking in that direction, the Law Enforcement Officer’s eyes suddenly widened.

He saw something white and soft, like a cloud of flower petals, coming through the hole.

‘…Flowers?’

Kawaaaaaaaang!

Immediately, with a massive explosion, the Church members who had pushed inside were flung back out.

The Law Enforcement Officer’s eyes were filled with doubt.

Not all of those who were flung out were defeated. Certainly, there were those who had lost consciousness and were falling, but more than half of them had dodged the attack and leaped backwards.

But that fact made the Law Enforcement Officer even more perplexed.

‘They’re retreating?’

The Church does not know retreat.

To retreat while facing those lowly infidels was, in a way, a greater disgrace than death for the Church members who served the Heavenly Demon.

But not just one or two, four or five of them were retreating simultaneously?

‘What on earth is happening inside…?’

Fortunately, the question was soon answered.

Following the Church members who had been flung out, a group of martial artists burst out of the hole all at once.

The Law Enforcement Officer’s eyes shook.

“That…”

The tip of the sword of the one who leaped out like a flying bird at the front emitted a brilliant light, reflecting the moonlight. It was a truly intense sight, as if it were being etched into his eyes.

He couldn’t pinpoint the reason, but for a moment, he couldn’t take his eyes off him, as if his soul had been stolen.

“…”

After brandishing his sword once, he began to plummet downwards like a shot arrow. At the same time, streaks of sword energy in the form of blood-red flowers began to bloom from the tip of his sword.

“…Plum blossoms?”

The Law Enforcement Officer’s mouth opened involuntarily.

The clear light, wrapped in fluttering petals, descended lower and lower, spinning.

Those who were climbing the walls were greatly alarmed and tried to float their bodies, but the fluttering plum blossoms showed them no mercy and pierced through their flesh.

Pshoooooot!

A Church member, his carotid artery pierced, grabbed his neck with both hands as blood gushed out like a waterfall. But that was all he could do; he couldn’t control his falling body.

Koo-oong!

Koo-oooong!

One by one, those who were climbing the walls fell to the ground, and Chung Myung, who had been scattering plum blossom sword energy, landed right next to them.

Thud.

Whirr.

As soon as he landed, Chung Myung, gripping his sword in reverse, lowered his body slightly. His gaze, as he looked at the Church members convulsing and struggling to get up, was utterly cold.

“You bas…”

Kawaaaaaaaang!

“Amitabha.”

“…”

But before Chung Myung could say anything, Hye-yeon, who suddenly jumped from the air and landed a powerful punch (Hundred Steps Divine Fist), landed lightly next to him.

Hye-yeon’s expression, as he looked at the Church member who had been beaten to a pulp, was triumphant. Then, glancing at Chung Myung’s slightly sulky face, he scratched his head awkwardly.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“…No. You did well.”

Yeah, you did well.

Too well, that’s the problem.

Behind them, the disciples of Mount Hua landed all at once.

Confirming that everyone had come down, Chung Myung dashed forward without saying another word. There was no need for words anymore.

“Get out of the way, you bastards! You’re in the way!”

Chung Myung roared, and the Ice Palace disciples, their faces pale, stepped aside. They didn’t understand the situation, but they instinctively knew that they shouldn’t block the path of that Central Plains man who was rushing towards them with a murderous aura.

Once the path was clear, the figures of the Church members wearing black uniforms were clearly visible.

Their figures, soaked in blood and constantly muttering the same words, were no different from demons, but Chung Myung, on the contrary, smiled with joy.

Wham!

Chung Myung, unleashing his amazing speed (qinggong) so violently that the floor shattered, instantly closed the distance between them.

And he thrust his sword. No, he was about to thrust it.

But before his sword could even be extended, a sword that had popped out right next to his face swiftly pierced into a Church member.

Clang!

The Church member, who had blocked the sword but couldn’t overcome the force, eventually took several steps back.

“Oh, you dare?”

Baek Cheon, who had thrust his sword before Chung Myung, shouted once again and relentlessly attacked the Church member.

“This brat!”

The Church member gnashed his teeth and muttered, and Chung Myung’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

Brat?

‘Well, that’s true, but…’

Paaaaat!

Chung Myung’s swung sword quickly slashed him. The Church member, who had suffered a long wound from his chest to his stomach, distorted his face and retreated again.

“I’m not a brat you can ignore!”

“Taaaaat!”

Baek Cheon soared into the air and scattered plum blossom sword energy. The plum blossoms, dyed red, preempted the place where Chung Myung was supposed to go and confused the opponent’s hands and feet first.

“That’s right!”

Chung Myung, who was unknowingly excited, chuckled and charged forward.

“You bastards!”

The Church member, his eyes bloodshot, swung his hand wildly. The black energy blasted from his blackened hand flew towards Chung Myung with such destructive force that it seemed as if it would burst Chung Myung’s head at any moment.

But Chung Myung didn’t even glance in that direction, and stabbed his sword into the heart of the Church member in front of him.

And.

Kagagagagang!

The sword that had been swung like a ray of light from behind naturally deflected the energy that was flying towards Chung Myung.

Softly, yet nimbly!

Yoo Iseol, who had diverted the direction of the energy with only the minimum amount of force, emitted lightning-like sword energy with her eyes coldly lowered.

“Kugh!”

The Church members quickly leaped to the left and right to avoid the sharp sword energy that was flying towards them as if to tear their bodies apart.

But that was by no means a good choice.

Shwaaaaaaak! Shwaaaak!

This was because the throwing knives of Tang Soso, which had been rapidly launched from behind Yoo Iseol, persistently chased after them as they scattered.

“These…”

“Leech-like!”

At that moment, a fierce retort burst out from behind Chung Myung.

Chung Myung glared at the fighters in dark clothes. “You are like leeches, sucking the life out of everything!” he roared.

“Charge!” someone yelled back.

*Wham!*

Yoon Jong and Jo Gul moved like lightning. They rushed past Chung Myung, kicking up fallen plum blossoms as they smashed into the Demonic fighters. The enemy line broke apart.

Yoon Jong and Jo Gul didn’t hesitate. Their eyes showed only strong will. They raised their swords high, ready to strike down on the Demonic fighters.

Then…

“Well, well, well…” Chung Myung smirked. He moved faster than anyone could see, like a bolt of lightning.

“Having fun, are we?” he shouted, his voice full of dark amusement. “*You*!”

*Wham!*

With a sound that tore through the air, Chung Myung’s sword slashed diagonally across the body of a confused Demonic Sect fighter.

*Splaash!*

Blood gushed from the wound like a fountain, covering Chung Myung’s entire body, but he didn’t even blink.

“Aaaaargh!”

The Demonic Sect fighter, his chest slashed open, charged at Chung Myung with a shriek. It was shocking and disturbing to see him still attacking, even with his heart half-severed.

Anyone would have been shocked to see a man still attack with his chest cut open. But Chung Myung didn’t even hesitate.

*Thwack!*

Without a moment’s hesitation, Chung Myung plunged his sword into the charging fighter’s neck.

“Gurgle…”

*Shick! Shick!*

That wasn’t all. He swiftly severed the wrist brimming with dark, swirling energy, then sliced through the knees. And with a final stroke, he decapitated the Demonic Sect fighter as he lost his balance and fell.

*Splat!*

The severed head spun as it soared into the air.

The sword tip never wavered, not even an inch.

A killing sword without the slightest hesitation.

Chung Myung’s sword felt twice as strong and deadly as normal. He felt like he could finally use his sword to its fullest, without holding back, and it made him feel incredibly powerful.

Chung Myung felt like he could finally fight without holding back. He was like a fish back in water, fighting wildly.

“You scoundrel!”

Overwhelmed by his ferocity, the Demonic Sect disciples lost the composure they had shown against the Ice Palace disciples and roared in frustration. But Chung Myung, like a bloodthirsty wolf, pounced on them and tore them apart.

*Thwack!*

Chung Myung’s sword struck the hand gripping a sharp blade. The fingers were severed in an instant, and the blade clattered to the ground.

*Shick!*

The sword, moving relentlessly even after severing the wrist, slashed through the shoulder.

*Thunk!*

Then, the sword pierced the abdomen, momentarily halting the opponent’s movements, before being swiftly withdrawn to carve deep gashes into both thighs.

Having been struck in both legs and the abdomen, it was no longer possible to charge forward.

“C-Celestial Demon…”

Chung Myung’s knee slammed into the wobbling Demonic Sect fighter’s lower jaw.

*Bang!*

With an explosive sound, the mangled body flew backward, spraying blood.

“Say it again! If that mouth of yours is still working!”

Chung Myung’s eyes blazed as he charged forward with terrifying momentum. Baek Cheon, not missing his movements, reacted accordingly.

“Follow him!”

“Yes!”

As Baek Cheon dashed forward, he caught sight of the Ice Palace disciples watching in astonishment.

‘Indeed. They have every right to be surprised. I’m surprised myself.’

The Demonic Sect disciples they had fought moments ago were no different from those the Mount Hua disciples were now facing.

Yet, the Mount Hua disciples now engaged in battle without feeling any burden.

The oppressive gloom that had weighed on their hearts and the fear that had made their bodies tremble had vanished as if washed away.

All that remained was an ever-surging exhilaration and a profound sense of confidence.

Just having Chung Myung at the forefront filled them with overflowing strength and soaring confidence.

A single absolute master changes the landscape of the battlefield.

Only now could Baek Cheon understand why that saying existed. It was something one could never grasp without experiencing it firsthand.

*Clang! Clang!*

Chung Myung’s movements, slicing through opponents with his sword and stabbing their necks, felt not just light but almost violent. It was frightening to imagine what expression he wore.

Baek Cheon shouted to his fellow disciples,

“We fight with him! We are Mount Hua!”

“Yes, Sasuk!”

“Of course!”

The Mount Hua disciples charged competitively, and behind them, the resounding roar of Hae Yeon echoed.

*Wham!*

As an opponent’s neck was severed, hot blood splattered across Chung Myung’s face. He licked his lips and twisted his mouth into a smirk. A murderous aura poured from his gleaming eyes.

‘A strange feeling.’

He was engaging in this gruesome act again, yet he felt a subtle sense of familiarity and longing. The piercing smell of blood and death. The hot blood soaking his body and the corpses cooling all around him.

It was a sight he had been sick of seeing at one time.

Back then, he had lived through such battlefields, killing and killing again, moving only forward.

The only difference was…

*Thud!*

Chung Myung banished the stray thoughts from his mind and kicked a Demonic Sect fighter’s knee.

With the sound of shattering bone, the opponent’s knee bent backward, lowering his stance. Just right for severing the neck.

So there was no reason to hesitate.

*Wham!*

With a single strike, he severed the opponent’s head, then kicked the headless corpse in half and breathed heavily.

Right. Back then…

Back then, it wasn’t so different from now.

Only, just…

Chung Myung slightly bent his knees. His eyes, a mixture of murderous intent and madness, gleamed eerily.

He struck away the claw attack of another charging opponent. A lightning-fast sword strike followed, piercing the opponent’s upper arm and shoulder, completely opening his upper body.

Having stopped him from fighting, Chung Myung was about to pass him by as a matter of course when he flinched.

‘A mistake…!’

Old habits had emerged because he kept thinking of the past. Even though things were no longer the same as before.

Startled, Chung Myung gritted his teeth and twisted his body, trying to swing his sword again.

But then…

*Wham!*

From behind him, a pure white sword flew like a phantom and pierced the heart of the Demonic Sect fighter whose upper body was exposed.

*Thwack.*

Chung Myung’s eyes widened.

The single iron sword that had pierced the opponent’s heart in an instant overlapped with the illusion of the Plum Blossom Sword he had once known.

– Sahyung!

A familiar voice flashed through his mind, and Chung Myung involuntarily turned around.

Baek Cheon, who had twisted his sword into the opponent’s heart, was looking at him.

As if asking if there was a problem.

There were no familiar faces.

It was not the face he had longed for so dearly.

But…

Chung Myung gripped the sword tightly in his hand.

Then, biting his lip, he silently looked forward again.

‘Don’t worry, you blockheads.’

Even without you, there are guys here backing me up.

Chung Myung, pressing his fingers lightly to his eyes, soon revealed his pearly white teeth as he gazed at someone far away.

“That bastard is the leader! Follow him with the resolve to die!”

“Understood!”

Chung Myung, finally spotting the Law Enforcement Officer, shot forward like a ray of light.

Flowers are bound to wither someday.

But if the plum tree endures the harsh winter, it will bloom with new flowers again. The plum blossoms of Mount Hua bloomed in full in the Northern Sea.