Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 538

The Bishop looked like he would fall any second. He stumbled, then fell backward.

Plop!

Dark red blood poured from his chest without stopping. It looked like his energy was reversing, and blood leaked from his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.

“Kuh….”

No one could stand anymore.

The Mount Hua disciples had used all their strength and collapsed. The Bishop couldn’t get up either.

Even Chung Myung was kneeling, using his Plum Blossom Sword to hold himself up.

“Hoo… Hoo….”

He breathed heavily.

Grrr.

Pressing down on his sword, he tried to stand. Then, he limped toward the Bishop.

Thud thud.

“Cough!”

Each time the Bishop coughed, blood poured from his chest and mouth.

Anyone could see he was dying. Even the most powerful healer in the world couldn’t save him.

“Finish… him….”

Chung Myung was also exhausted.

As he walked toward the Bishop, using his sword like a cane, he stumbled and fell. He didn’t have the strength to walk on his broken leg.

“Th-this….”

Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself up again with shaky arms. Fury blazed in his eyes.

Chung Myung dragged his leg, crawling toward the Bishop.

He wanted to end the Bishop’s life.

But then…

Crack!

The Bishop gripped the ground. Suddenly, he pushed himself up.

Chung Myung’s eyes widened.

Strength?

No, it wasn’t that.

The Bishop’s eyes were empty. Like a crazy person, he stood up with a blank stare, as if something had taken control of him.

It was his last burst of energy. Like a candle shining brightly before going out, his life force returned for a moment.

As Chung Myung gripped his sword, the Bishop turned and stumbled toward the cave.

“Heaven…ly… De…mon….”

“That bastard….”

Chung Myung tried to follow, but the Demonic Cultists, who had broken through the Ice Palace’s defenses, blocked his way. They desperately protected the Bishop.

“Bishop!”

“Aaaaargh! Bishop! Aaaaargh!”

Their cries were desperate and chilling.

Chung Myung felt their madness as they protected the Bishop, even if it meant dying.

Chung Myung gritted his teeth and shuddered.

‘Didn’t this make it seem as if he were the villain?’

The Bishop spoke in a cracked voice.

“The rear… I entrust… the rear to you.”

“Go!”

“We will stop them! Go!”

Soon, he disappeared into the cave.

‘Heavenly Demon….’

Chung Myung’s face twisted.

His goal wasn’t just to kill the Bishop, but to stop the resurrection of the Heavenly Demon, a powerful and evil being they wanted to bring back to life.

No matter how close he was to killing the Bishop, it would all be for nothing if the Heavenly Demon was resurrected.

‘No!’

But he didn’t have the strength to get past the Demonic Cultists. He could barely stand.

“…….Heh.”

Chung Myung chuckled.

‘He was so tired, every muscle screamed. But a voice inside him roared louder: *No. You have to keep going.*’

“I’ve become a fool, too. Saying it can’t be done.”

Some things in the world must be done.

And he had no choice.

Chung Myung was about to raise his sword when…

“Aaaaargh!”

Someone shouted and jumped in front of him, attacking the Demonic Cultists.

‘Huh?’

Chung Myung stared.

It was Song Won, the captain who had led the Mount Hua disciples to the mine. His body was covered in blood, and he charged at the Demonic Cultists like a vengeful ghost. He thought of his home, his family in the Ice Palace. He couldn’t let these invaders destroy everything.

“Clear the way!”

His shout echoed.

“You pathetic bastards! How long are you going to depend on outsiders and do nothing! If you have something to protect, protect it yourselves!”

It wasn’t just Song Won.

Seol So-baek, who had arrived, charged at the Demonic Cultists with her sword. Seol So-baek felt a surge of anger. These outsiders were showing more courage than her own people! She had to act.

“That crazy woman!”

Chung Myung cursed.

“Palace Lord!”

“Palace Lord!”

Wham!

A blast of dark energy flew toward Seol So-baek. But Han Yi-myung arrived and blocked it.

“What are you doing!”

He shouted at the Ice Palace disciples.

“Risk your lives and clear the way! Open the path for Chung Myung with the blood of the Northern Sea! If you have any honor, prove it here!”

The Ice Palace warriors’ eyes shone.

This was their fight.

But people from the Central Plains were risking their lives for them.

The Ice Palace disciples were ashamed. These strangers were fighting harder for *their* home than they were. Shame turned to anger, then to fierce determination.

If they weren’t ashamed, they weren’t human. If their blood didn’t boil, they weren’t warriors.

The fact that these outsiders fought without criticizing them made them unable to bear it.

“Open the way!”

“Open the way for Chung Myung!”

“Don’t spare your lives!”

The Ice Palace warriors pushed back the Demonic Cultists with new strength.

They attacked without fear, focusing only on the enemy.

Even when cut, they tried to clear the way.

Thump.

Seol So-baek and Han Yi-myung grabbed Chung Myung’s shoulders.

“Let’s go!”

“Daojang!”

Chung Myung looked at them and nodded.

Then, he ran forward.

“Kkeuek!”

“Die! You filthy seed of the Demonic Cult!”

“This is the Northern Sea! You can’t run wild here!”

Even with their stomachs pierced, they fought on.

Change comes to everyone.

You can’t achieve anything by avoiding responsibility. It only leads to greater sacrifices.

Those who realized this now cleared a path for Chung Myung, risking their lives.

The Demonic Cultists were pushed back. A path to the cave opened quickly.

“Song Won!”

“Yes!”

Some of those clearing the way joined Chung Myung to protect him.

“Let’s go!”

“Yes!”

Chung Myung didn’t look back.

He would leave the rest to the Northern Ice Palace and do what he had to do.

The leaders of the Ice Palace and Chung Myung went into the cave. The path inside was broken in some spots, but they could still walk through. It was dark and damp, and the air smelled cold and earthy. Water dripped from the ceiling, echoing in the silence.

“The Bishop?” Han Yi-myung asked, his voice echoing slightly.

“He can’t have gone far,” Song Won replied. “He’s too weak to run.”

He was moving slowly and unsteadily. He was too weak to move quickly. Even if he had a head start, they could catch him soon.

However, they soon realized that catching up wouldn’t be so easy.

“What is it?”

“There’s something ahead!”

The evil group should not be in the cave anymore, yet they sensed something moving from within.

And not just one, but many.

Those with keen senses involuntarily gritted their teeth at the chilling aura coming from ahead.

Han Yi-myung stared intently at those approaching.

“These….”

Song Won bit his lip.

Then, they saw them. Ice Ghouls. Creatures that looked like dead people, with empty eyes, walked slowly towards them.

“Ch-Chief!”

“Don’t hesitate, attack!”

Han Yi-myung shouted, his face full of pain and anger. “They are not people! They are dead things! These cursed creatures!”

‘People went missing, they said….’

Those cursed people had clearly captured the people of the Northern Sea and done something to them. These beings, devoid of any sign of life, were walking on their own. How could they commit such an unspeakable act?

Chung Myung said quietly, but his voice was cold, “Ice Ghouls. So, they made Ice Ghouls.”

Everyone seethed with anger at this horrific sight, but Chung Myung keenly noticed that the aura of each approaching Ice Ghoul was slightly different.

‘No,’ Chung Myung thought. ‘These are not just simple monsters.’

It was clear that they had captured people and repeated experiments on them for some purpose. But a ghoul was a ghoul. If these Ice Ghouls were made with the cold magic of the Northern Sea, they were truly terrible monsters.

Song Won shouted firmly to the group. “Don’t delay! I’ll handle this! Go!” He showed his fear for his disciples and the danger they are in. This will make them more relatable.

Han Yi-myung bit his lip and nodded.

“Clear the path!”

With those words, the Ice Palace fighters leaped forward.

Clang! Clang!

The sound of sword energy and palm strikes hitting the Ice Ghouls’ bodies echoed. Then, they heard the terrible sound of the Ice Ghouls’ strong hands ripping into the bodies of the Ice Palace fighters.

“Haaaargh!”

The Ice Palace fighters screamed in agony, pushing the ghouls to the left and right. The mindless ghouls, unconcerned with being pushed back, were busy striking and biting at the Ice Palace fighters before them.

Chung Myung, his eyes emitting a chilling aura, ran along the opened path.

‘Damn it!’

Chung Myung was filled with so much hate and anger, it felt like his heart was burning.

Battles with the evil group were always like this.

“There are more ahead!”

At the Ice Palace fighter’s cry, Han Yi-myung’s eyes became bloodshot.

“Go, Chung Myung!”

This time, there were many more of them. Han Yi-myung’s face was serious and determined.

“We will risk our lives to break through! Go!”

“But So Baek…” Chung Myung started to say, worried about the younger fighter.

“Go! Disciple!”

But Seol So-baek shouted back, his face even more determined. Chung Myung eventually nodded.

Chung Myung looked at Seol So-baek. ‘He is a warrior now,’ Chung Myung thought sadly. War forced children to grow up too fast.

“Open it!”

“Yes!”

The remaining warriors of the Ice Palace all charged towards the Ice Ghouls. They fought hard, pushing and cutting at the Ice Ghouls to make a path.

It was only a gap wide enough for one person to pass through, but Chung Myung pushed through the gap and stumbled forward, continuing to run.

Drip. Drip.

Blood flowing down his hand dripped onto the floor in spots. His sight was getting blurry. He couldn’t even feel his hand holding the sword anymore.

He forced his body to keep moving, even though he felt no pain anymore, walking and walking again.

Grrrr….

He heard a growling sound, like an animal, and slowly looked up.

He saw the Ice Ghouls approaching again before him.

“Huu….”

How disgustingly thorough.

Chung Myung wore a twisted smile.

“Sorry, but… I’m not someone who’s ever given up.”

Chung Myung tried to lift his arm, which felt heavy and useless. He struggled to raise his sword. But then, he heard a voice in his ear, one that had become quite familiar now.

“Let’s go.”

Chung Myung blankly turned around.

“….When…?”

“People who have no reason to live become monsters,” Yeo Sa-hon said quietly. “I have found my reason to die here.”

Chung Myung stared at Yeo Sa-hon with dazed eyes. The old man’s face was very calm.

“I’m sorry.”

“You….”

“Let’s go. What words could we possibly have to share?”

Maybe it would be smarter for Yeo Sa-hon to run away alone and leave Chung Myung.

But Yeo Sa-hon didn’t think so.

What he had to do was prevent the resurrection of the Heavenly Demon. And….

Yeo Sa-hon used his palm to hit the Ice Ghouls hard, pushing them back. But this time, maybe because the Ice Ghouls were stronger, many of them got past Yeo Sa-hon and rushed towards Chung Myung’s back, where he had gone through.

However.

“Go! Don’t look back!”

Yeo Sa-hon desperately blocked those Ice Ghouls.

Hearing the desperate shouts from behind, Chung Myung walked and walked again, forward.

Strange.

The cave, which hadn’t felt so long when he first entered, now seemed endlessly long.

Drag.

Each step was heavy. He dragged his legs, which felt like they wouldn’t move. His body felt heavier and heavier, like he was carrying weights.

His sight was fading. All he could hear was his own breath, which was getting weaker, and the loud beating of his heart.

Plop.

Finally, Chung Myung fell to his knees. He grabbed the ground with his hands, his bones showing through the skin, like he was trying to claw his way forward.

‘No, I can’t stop now,’ Chung Myung thought. ‘I’ve been through worse than this. Much worse.’

Chung Myung gritted his teeth. And he raised his body, which felt as if it would collapse at any moment.

‘I am the Plum Blossom Sword Saint of Mount Hua.’

He dragged his legs and began to advance again along the narrow, dark path.

How much further did he walk like that?

After endlessly walking along the path that seemed as if it would continue forever, a streak of pale light finally began to appear in his eyes. He had reached a large open space.

He could see a giant statue of a demon. And in front of it, the Bishop was kneeling, his body hurt and covered in bruises.

“That bastard….”

Grrr.

Chung Myung growled and dragged his sword towards the Bishop, stumbling as he walked.

The Bishop chanted in a strained voice, like he was casting a magic spell: “Heavenly Demon, be reborn… Demons, return…”

“Heavenly Demon… Heavenly Demon. Take my blood and come to this world. Destroy the world with your fire…”

There was no time to stop it. The blood flowing from the Bishop’s wrist fell onto the pattern on the floor and quickly seeped in.

Suddenly, the pattern on the floor glowed brightly with a strong, red light, like blood.