Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 537

Bloom.

Chung Myung’s sword moved quickly, like branches of a plum blossom tree spreading across the sky. Then, bright red plum blossoms seemed to appear everywhere, one after another, as if they were alive.

Plum blossoms. *Those* cursed flowers. Every time he saw them, it brought back the day the Order fell, the sky filled with those same hateful blossoms.

The Bishop’s eyes widened, the whites turning bloodshot with terrifying rage. Veins pulsed in his temples.

Those detestable flowers had stolen everything from the Order – their power, their honor, their very purpose. And now, they were still blocking his path, mocking him with their beauty.

A searing pain ripped through his chest, a familiar agony he had tried to bury for years. The Bishop clenched his fist so hard his knuckles turned white, nails digging into his palm.

“Hwaaaasaan!” he roared, the name a curse ripped from his throat.

That most cursed name in the world.

They stole the Order’s sky. Killing and killing again, burning even their foundations, yet they rise again and block his path, those disgusting things.

They do not fall.

Like the plum blossoms that Hwasan takes as its symbol, they fall and bloom again, crushed and bloom again, ultimately blocking their path.

“This….”

Bloodlust exploded from the Bishop’s eyes. Dark, smoky energy swirled around the Bishop, making the air colder and smelling like burnt metal, beginning to dye it as black as pitch.

“Let’s see if you can still bloom again even after being torn to shreds!”

From his hands, black claw-shaped energies extended more than a foot.

Hwaaaah!

Rushing in a frenzy, the Bishop began to slash forward as if tearing through the very space itself, and the blooming plum blossoms withered without being able to put up a fight.

One.

At that moment, Chung Myung, who had appeared through the forest of plum blossoms, brought down the Dark Fragrance Plum Blossom Sword towards the Bishop’s head.

“Useless!”

Kaaang!

Even though the attack was sudden, a simple attack from the front shouldn’t have worked on him. The Bishop used his long-grown claw to easily block Chung Myung’s attack.

Chung Myung was the one who attacked, and the Bishop was the one who blocked. But the overwhelming difference in internal strength instead twisted and broke Chung Myung’s insides, who had attacked.

Ulk!

A torrent of blood exploded from Chung Myung’s mouth, staining the ground red.

It was the moment when the Bishop, having seized the advantage, was about to swing his hand and blow Chung Myung away.

Paat.

Chung Myung slightly lifted his body backward with the recoil of pressing down on his sword. And he wielded his sword in the air, drawing out plum blossoms.

Hwaaaah!

In an instant, the Bishop’s entire vision was covered with plum blossoms.

No matter how high the Bishop’s level was, in a situation where attacks were sure to pour out at any moment, there was no way to distinguish which was a real plum blossom carrying a sword and which was an illusion.

In the end, he reflexively retreated backward.

Unconsciously, this was the first time he had retreated backward since entering this battle.

The Bishop had the upper hand in offense and defense, but Chung Myung had won in momentum. For the first time in the fight, the Bishop was on the defensive. Hwasan had seized the momentum.

Paaaat!

Baek Cheon and Jo Gul, who had flown their bodies as if touching the floor from under the plum blossoms drawn by Chung Myung, swung their swords towards the Bishop’s ankles.

Kagagak!

The steel sword, swung with all their might, grazed the Bishop’s ankle. Soon, a vivid red line appeared, and blood flowed down.

Of course, it was too insignificant an injury for having been struck by a sword imbued with sword energy.

But if it had been a little earlier, even that small scratch would not have occurred. This was not a simple wound. It was proof that the demonic energy protecting the Bishop’s entire body had weakened significantly compared to before.

“You insignificant insects!”

The Bishop roared and struck down with both hands. The two desperately twisted their bodies to avoid a direct hit, but they could not withstand the shockwave that spread from there and were bounced away like kicked balls.

The Bishop was about to attack again. But then, he suddenly saw a sword right in front of his face. He twisted his body in shock.

Seo geok!

Soon, a red line was drawn on his cheek.

And.

“Uooooooo!”

A dazzling golden light flew in with tremendous speed, accompanied by a great roar.

Kwaaaang!

The golden light, colliding with the Bishop’s outstretched hands, exploded and scattered in all directions.

“This….”

The Bishop’s distorted face was now that of a demon itself.

Clearly, each one is insignificant. But these insignificant bastards come at him in succession as if they were one body, without even caring for their own lives.

Paaaat!

The Bishop, who had knocked away a flying dagger that had flown towards his face, was about to pour out an angry attack. But then, a blue-edged sword suddenly came at his neck again.

The Bishop glared at Chung Myung with venomous eyes.

The center is this bastard.

As if reading the attacks in advance, this bastard stabs with his sword at every moment, allowing the others to pour out their attacks without worry.

“You rat-like bastard!”

The Bishop, unable to contain his anger, ignored Yoo Iseol’s sword flying towards him and indiscriminately unleashed his energy towards Chung Myung.

Kwakwakwakwakwa!

Black energy poured towards Chung Myung like a landslide. Yoo Iseol’s sword, flying like a ray of light, stabbed his neck and shoulder several times, but the Bishop, far from moving his body, instead pushed more of his internal energy into the energy directed at Chung Myung.

Gagagak!

Yoo Iseol’s sword finally pierced finger-sized holes in his neck and shoulder. But the Bishop, blinded by rage, did not even glance at her.

“Dieeeeee!”

But at that moment, the Bishop saw it.

Through the violently swirling energy, he saw Chung Myung grinning, revealing his teeth.

Paaaaaaat!

The sword quickly cut through the energy.

A resolute single sword created a gap in the raging energy, and the successively wielded sword dug through that gap.

And.

Hwaaaah!

Red flowers bloomed amidst the jet-black energy.

The flowers, blooming like clouds in an instant, pushed the pouring energy to the left and right, growing in size.

Giiiiing!

The sword, unable to withstand the pressure, bent and created a strange noise, but Chung Myung only wielded his sword with mad eyes. Pain shot through his leg, but he couldn’t stop. Too much was at stake.

Plum blossoms spread in the darkness.

Fear and disillusionment spread in the eyes of the Bishop, who had lost his reason at the endless sight.

“Heuaaaap!”

The energy that had not been completely pushed away struck and crushed Chung Myung’s entire body.

A chunk of skin was torn off his left shoulder, and the flesh of his struck thigh burst, cleanly breaking the bone.

But Chung Myung’s eyes became more vibrant. He raised the corners of his lips and shouted.

“Go!”

At that moment.

Yoon Jong, who had jumped from behind him, aimed his sword forward.

‘Futile!’

The Bishop, thinking it was a blatant trick again, stretched out one hand towards Yoon Jong.

‘Huh?’

But then, a blurry shadow overlapped behind Yoon Jong, who had jumped up. The Bishop widened his eyes at the unexpected situation.

“Amitabha!”

Hae Yeon, who had jumped up in sync, mercilessly unleashed his fist towards Yoon Jong’s back.

And Yoon Jong received the flying fist with his back without a moment’s hesitation.

Kwaaaaaang!

With a huge explosion, Yoon Jong’s body rushed towards the Bishop at a speed that could not be followed by the eye, spewing blood from his mouth.

The end of the outstretched sword shone sharply, piercing into the Bishop’s chest.

Kwadeudeudeuk!

The steel sword dug into the incredibly hard ice.

Jjeok! Jjeojeojeok!

Spiderweb-like cracks began to spread on the ice that was already cracked.

“Kraaaah!”

The Bishop hurriedly struck Yoon Jong.

Yoon Jong was thrown out without even screaming and crashed into the cliff.

Kwaaaaang!

“Cough!”

Blood poured from Yoon Jong’s mouth and nose, his whole body impacted. But he smiled with his face covered in blood. The emotion of pain and satisfaction was clear.

“Serves you righ…”

He couldn’t finish his words and fell powerlessly to the ground.

“Kkeueueueu….”

The Bishop, clutching his chest in extreme pain, staggered backward.

The ice covering his chest was gradually turning red. And blood flowed down from his mouth as well.

“These… these filthy infidels….”

Now, there was no trace of the composure he had before on his face.

Crack.

Chung Myung forcibly fixed his broken leg bone with internal energy and limped towards the Bishop.

“Tuh!”

He spat out blood and glared at the Bishop with cold eyes.

Soon, his lips parted in a bitter smile. When his blood-soaked teeth were revealed, the Bishop shuddered without realizing it.

Chung Myung said.

“I thought you’d be half-baked… but this is embarrassing to even call you a Bishop.”

At those words, the Bishop’s eyes shook for a moment. But only for a moment, as his eyes blazed again with renewed anger.

“What do you know to spout such nonsense!”

You probably haven’t even fought properly since the Heavenly Demon died.”

“A half-baked Bishop talking about grand schemes, leading only obedient followers, and being holed up in a corner for a hundred years, there’s no way you’d have proper combat experience.”

Chung Myung sneered and approached the Bishop.

“It’s obvious without even looking.”

Chung Myung’s calm but mocking voice dug into the Bishop’s ears.

“You….”

Chung Myung looked at the Bishop. His eyes curved into a smile.

“So, the Church cast you out?”

The Bishop’s eyes flashed with anger when he heard those words.

“You rude brat! What do you know? Don’t say such foolish things!”

He seemed very sensitive about that topic. The Bishop, as if everything he had shown before was fake, screamed in anger. The sound was so loud, it felt like the ground shook.

“I wasn’t cast out! I cast out the traitors who didn’t believe the Dark Lord would return to life! The Dark Lord will judge those betrayers! All who don’t believe! All who abandon their faith! All of those devils!”

His cry was filled with bloodlust.

It was clear that this man was not in his right mind.

Eventually, tears of blood flowed from the Bishop’s eyes.

“When the Dark Lord comes, he will cleanse the world with blood! The Dark Lord! If only the Dark Lord would return…”

“Maybe he will.”

Chung Myung calmly gripped his sword.

“But you won’t be around to see it. You’re going to die here.”

Crack!

A sound like something breaking came from the Bishop’s chest. It sounded like ice breaking, and soon, red, bloody smoke came out from the cracks.

“Krrrk….”

He groaned, unable to stop himself.

Everyone could see it clearly.

He was falling apart from the inside.

“Your Excellency!”

“Protect the Bishop! Charge!”

The Demonic Cultists, who had been waiting behind, charged forward. Their eyes glowed red.

“Stop them!”

“Don’t let them through!”

The Ice Palace warriors, startled, rushed to block the cultists.

“Cough!”

The Bishop’s body shook violently. Each time, blood poured from his mouth like a waterfall.

‘My body….’

He had been so careful, but he couldn’t control his excitement. The wound, barely frozen, opened, and his life was quickly fading.

“The Dark…Lord’s return…many blessings.”

One.

“No one can stop his return to life!”

Even if he died, if he could just buy time for the Dark Lord to return to life, he would die willingly.

“…No. It can be stopped.”

A cold voice came from behind him.

He turned and saw Baek Cheon limping towards him, using his sword as a cane.

His handsome face was gone. His hair was messy, and his clothes were rags.

However.

The light in his eyes was as strong as ever.

Even if he fell, he would rise again.

As if….

“Hmph….”

The Bishop laughed weakly, as if he couldn’t help it.

“Hwasan… Yes. Hwasan, right?”

The Church’s greatest enemy, even after so long, hadn’t changed.

“Come.”

The Bishop used his last strength.

“I will bless the Dark Lord’s return with your blood!”

No more words were needed.

Before the Bishop could finish, Hye-yeon jumped forward and charged.

Woooooo!

His fist, glowing gold, turned into many fists and struck the Bishop’s body.

“Haaah!”

But even wounded, the Bishop was not easily defeated.

His palm, covered in dark energy, stopped Hye-yeon’s attack and crushed him.

Kwaaaaang!

The pressure was so strong, it could break eardrums and burst blood vessels.

Hye-yeon fell.

Just before the Bishop’s attack killed Hye-yeon, Yoo Iseol’s sword, like a shadow, aimed for the Bishop’s side.

Thwack!

The Bishop grabbed the sword with his bare hand. He gripped it hard, as if to break it.

But then.

Yoo Iseol let go of the sword and wrapped her arms around the Bishop’s arm, holding it tightly. She wouldn’t let go.

“You wretched thing!”

The Bishop swung his other hand and hit Yoo Iseol’s face hard. Her head snapped back, but she held on.

“Saaaaave!”

Tang Soso threw all her remaining knives at the Bishop, and drew her sword, charging towards him.

Her eyes showed a strong will, shining like starlight.

It was a matter of honor.

A spirit that wouldn’t back down, even facing death.

“Chaaaaarge!”

As Tang Soso swung her sword, red plum blossoms seemed to burst into life at the tip, like sparks flying from metal. Even as she saw the knives being blocked, she swung her sword without hesitation.

At the same time, Baek Cheon’s sword, from behind, also created plum blossoms.

The Bishop screamed and spread his hands.

The dark energy, almost gone, blazed again, swallowing the Hwasan disciples.

“Oooooooh!”

Baek Cheon and Tang Soso were slammed into the ground.

They bounced into the air when they hit the ground.

“You leech!”

Even as his body was being torn apart, the Bishop hit Yoo Iseol’s head again, as she clung to his arm.

Bang!

Blood spurted from Yoo Iseol’s nose and mouth. Even though the hand gripping the Bishop’s arm was being torn apart, showing the bone, she wouldn’t let go.

Just as the Bishop was about to kill her….

Paaeeeeng!

A loud roar echoed. A Plum Blossom Sword, filled with energy, flew towards the Bishop’s neck.

The Bishop couldn’t hit Yoo Iseol and blocked the sword.

Thud!

The Bishop’s leg gave way. He looked down and saw a sword through his knee.

Jo Gul had thrown the sword with all his strength, and Baek Cheon, crawling on the ground, had stabbed it through his leg.

He saw Baek Cheon’s face, smiling with blood.

“Aaargh!”

The Bishop screamed and stomped on Baek Cheon’s head.

Thud! Thud!

Baek Cheon’s head hit the ground.

“You dog-like Hwasan bastards! Die! Die! Die!”

At that moment.

Crack!

The ice on his chest broke and fell to the floor.

The Bishop stared at his chest.

Black, dead flesh was showing.

Death.

Death was coming.

Something white caught the Bishop’s eye. Baek Cheon’s hand was pointing forward.

Baek Cheon lifted his head and smiled at the Bishop.

“…Oh…”

“…”

“Go… to hell.”

The Bishop turned his head to where Baek Cheon was pointing.

And,

He was taken back a hundred years.

Plum blossoms.

Red plum blossoms covered the world. Red plum blossoms, like a forest of spring, filled his vision. Petals fell like rain, carried by the wind.

‘This… what is this?’

Surely, sometime…?

Someone flew from within the plum blossoms. It was death coming for him.

The Bishop reached out his hand.

His palm struck the figure head-on. Bones broke, and flesh tore. But the figure didn’t slow down.

And he saw it.

A hundred years ago.

Those cold eyes, the same as before.

‘Plum… blossoms…’

Slash!

The sword cut through the Bishop’s chest.

‘…Sword Saint.’

Chung Myung, who had cut the Bishop’s heart with a single sword, spoke like a beast.

“You failed to protect the Dark Lord again.”

Those words were despair. Blood poured from his chest.

The Bishop’s body fell.