Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 589

A fierce wind whipped through the courtyard.

In the large, dusty courtyard, surrounded by rough wooden buildings, bandits from Daebyeolchae stood with their weapons drawn, glaring at the wide-open entrance.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

Through the gate, the Mount Hua disciples marched forward in formation, wearing simple black uniforms, clean and sharp. Their faces were serious, and their eyes looked straight ahead.

Gulp.

The sound of someone swallowing nervously could be heard.

Even though the Daebyeolchae bandits had prepared for this moment, the sight of the Mount Hua Sect marching through the gate made their hands sweat on their sword hilts and sent a chill down their spines, colder than the fierce wind whipping through the dusty courtyard.

Daebyeolchae was a very important fortress in the Green Forest.

They had fought many times with other groups, even with famous and respected fighting groups.

Therefore, the bandits who had been at Daebyeolchae for a long time were seasoned veterans.

But even they couldn’t hide their nervousness when faced with the Mount Hua Sect.

‘Strange.’

It was a feeling he had never experienced before.

The famous fighting groups had their own sense of importance, and the less well-known groups had their own sharpness. But from the Mount Hua fellows, one could feel both the importance of the famous groups and the sharpness of the less well-known groups at the same time.

They walked forward without stopping. They seemed both very disciplined, like famous fighting groups, and also wild and free, like less well-known groups.

What kind of fighting skills did they learn? What training made them so scary? It was hard to understand.

Gulp.

As if many people were affected by that feeling, the sound of swallowing and the clenching of weapons could be heard.

‘Jeokungchae and Hyeollangchae were defeated without even putting up a fight…’

But what was the chief thinking, ordering the gates to be opened and welcoming them in? They weren’t the kind of people you could negotiate with.

There was no time to guess. The Mount Hua Sect stopped walking after they entered the wooden fence.

There were just over a hundred of them.

In fact, Mount Hua was surrounded by nearly three times their number. But the faces of the Mount Hua disciples showed no fear. Rather, they were full of confidence that they could win at any time.

They had a calmness, confidence, and strength that came from focusing on what was right.

Even though nothing had happened, the bandits of Daebyeolchae began to feel overwhelmed by their presence.

The only sound was the wind and the beating of their own hearts. Everyone waited, holding their breath.

And then.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

A man stepped forward and looked around.

While the faces of those standing behind him still looked young, the face of the man who stepped forward clearly showed the marks of time.

He looked at the bandits holding sharp weapons and slowly opened his mouth.

“I am Hyun Sang, an elder of the Mount Hua Sect.”

An elder of the Mount Hua Sect.

Just a day ago, none of those present would have cared about the title of elder of the Mount Hua Sect. But in just one day, that name had become impossible to ignore.

Reputation spreads based on what you do. Mount Hua’s actions in just one day were so impressive that no one could deny it.

And now, they had come all the way here to use Daebyeolchae as a way to become even more famous.

“The chief of Daebyeolchae, come forward.”

A noble presence came from Hyun Sang. It wasn’t so strong that it overwhelmed the opponent, but the bandits flinched and took a step back without realizing it.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. You pathetic lot.”

A rough voice came from behind them.

“Get out of the way!”

With a voice like a hungry tiger, the Green Forest bandits of Daebyeolchae, who had been lined up, moved to the left and right.

Following the opened path, Gwangwoo Do Gohong walked out quickly, wearing a black wolf skin coat that looked old and rough. The wolf’s teeth were still showing around his neck.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Although he wasn’t a large man, every step was filled with strong energy. Because of that energy, the surrounding bandits finally felt relieved and their eyes lit up.

‘Indeed…’

Hyun Sang narrowed his eyes and looked at Gwangwoo Do Gohong.

He was the man he had heard about, but he was different from what he had expected.

Looking at his face and how he moved, his rough side stood out, like a typical bandit. But seeing how he controlled the atmosphere around him, Hyun Sang thought that this man might be more clever than he seemed.

Thud.

Gohong, who had stepped forward, looked at Hyun Sang and the disciples of Mount Hua and smirked, twisting his lips.

“An elder of Mount Hua?”

“…”

“Look at these hillbillies from the backwoods! A third-rate group that I’ve never even heard of is acting important just because they’ve become a little famous.”

“What does reputation matter? What’s important is skill.”

“Haha?”

Gohong smirked and stared straight at Hyun Sang.

“You’re just an old windbag, ready to fall into your grave!”

Hyun Sang did not react to the insult. There was nothing as foolish as falling for the enemy’s trick…

“Hey, isn’t that bastard mouthing off to someone right now!”

“Chung Myung! Calm down!”

“The Elder is talking, Chung Myung. Calm down, okay?”

“Did you hear what that pig-face said about our Elder? He’s calling him a dead man walking!”

“H-He didn’t go that far!”

At the shouts coming from behind, Hyun Sang’s shoulders drooped slightly.

‘…What does it matter if they’re foolish.’

It’s good to have a clear mind…

“Ahem.”

Hyun Sang, clearing his throat, looked at Gohong and said.

“I heard that you started a rebellion, took over Nokchae, and are trying to kill the Green Forest King. Mount Hua intends to stop you and bring the Green Forest back to how it was for the peace of the Central Plains and the stability of the Green Forest. We are here to bring order back. Do not stand in our way.”

Since they were on a path where fighting was the only option, it might not have been necessary to say such things.

But Hyun Sang thought that these small conversations could give the disciples of Mount Hua standing behind him a clear reason and goal.

Being strong is important, and fighting with all your might is also important.

But more important than that is knowing why you are fighting. Power used without purpose is just violence and will eventually hurt you.

“Peace?”

Gohong smiled, showing his yellow teeth.

“The bastards who came chasing with swords are good at talking. No need for long words. I don’t have time to deal with an old man like you, so bring out the rat who tricked you right now!”

“Hey, that bastard really wants to die!”

“Ah, you! I told you to calm down!”

“If you step forward now, things will get weird!”

“…”

Gohong’s face, which had been so determined, trembled.

“What has that kid been doing all this time?” someone grumbled.

An older man tried to look important. Behind him, a small person like a mouse was struggling and moving wildly. The younger people around him were holding onto his arms and legs tightly, trying to stop him from moving.

“Ugh! I’ve become much calmer now. If it was long ago, I would have punched him before he could even speak! Seriously!”

“Ah, please step aside!”

“The kid’s having a fit! Please step aside quickly!”

Poked in the side and shoved in the back amidst the ongoing commotion, Im So-byeong sighed and trudged forward. He stood facing Go Hong, offering an awkward smile.

“Long time no see, Go Hong.”

“…Rat.”

A murderous glint flickered in Go Hong’s eyes.

“Someone who calls himself the Green Forest King is bringing outsiders into the Green Forest’s own problems? And you call yourself a Green Forest hero, worthy to lead the elders?”

“A hero, you say…”

Im So-byeong, looking not worried, merely shrugged.

“I don’t particularly care about being a hero.”

“I suppose not. You’re just a rat, after all.”

“Indeed. I don’t mind being a rat.”

Im So-byeong spoke calmly, but his eyes had turned cold and still.

He had been constantly nagged by Chung Myung and hadn’t shown any particular presence during the subjugation, but his eyes were now distinctly different from when he had first arrived.

With eyes gleaming with sharp light, he calmly stared at Go Hong.

“What matters isn’t my pride, nor my reputation. Being laughed at and ignored is not important. What matters is that the Green Forest brothers I’m responsible for shed as little blood as possible!”

As if his past sickly self were a distant memory, Im So-byeong’s spirit surged forth.

“The Green Forest is always in danger. The Myriad Man Clan attacks from below. The Eighteen Water Forts block them on one side. Powerful groups want to control them. And they must always be careful of the government. If a man like you, blinded by fame and position, were to become king, it’s clear that all the mountains would be covered in Green Forest blood.”

Im So-byeong’s gaze locked onto Go Hong.

“If I can prevent that, I’ll do anything. Even if it means being called a coward and pointed at, I couldn’t care less.”

“Hmph.”

Go Hong openly sneered at Im So-byeong.

“That’s just what a rat would think. Because a weakling like you is king, other groups laugh at us and attack us!”

Go Hong’s voice was like thunder, shaking the air around them.

“You were afraid that the war with the Myriad Man Clan would get bigger, so you always did not act in the war. You didn’t allow attacks even when our brothers were dying! You ignored the Green Forest law that blood must be repaid with blood!”

What he said might not have been important. But the power in his voice was scary.

“But I am different! I am not a coward like you! I will wield my blade at the front and prove that the Green Forest has the strength to be respected everywhere in the world!”

“Oooooh!”

As soon as Go Hong’s blood-boiling cry ended, the Green Forest bandits of Daebyeolchae shouted with morale boosted a hundredfold. Raising their weapons together, they showed a confidence unlike anything they had displayed before.

Regardless of logic and reason, it was undeniable that Go Hong had a power to captivate people.

At that moment, Im So-byeong said in a low voice.

“That’s not a path for the Green Forest, but a path to satisfy your greed.”

“Heh heh. Rat. It’s no use. You and I have never been able to communicate anyway.”

“It’s not that we can’t communicate, it’s that you can’t understand what’s being said.”

Im So-byeong glared at Go Hong with murderous eyes, then sighed quietly.

“I…”

“Ugh, you talk too much!”

At the now-familiar voice, Im So-byeong drooped his shoulders, extinguished all his spirit in an instant, and stealthily turned around.

Chung Myung, having shaken off all those who were blocking him, was stomping forward, venting all his irritation.

“What? What is it, are you trying to hold a tea party? Should I set out a tea table for you?”

“…No, that’s not it…”

“Why are you talking so much when you’re just going to stab each other with swords anyway! You bandits are really bad at living up to your name!” Chung Myung rolled his eyes. Bandits should be quick and fight, not talk so much, he thought.

“…Excuse me?”

Chung Myung puffed out his chest and declared.

“The rules of Mount Hua are simple! The winner is right!”

“…There’s no such rule, Chung Myung-ah.”

“Now he’s even making up the rules of Mount Hua.”

Baek Cheon and Jo Gul interjected, but words that usually went unheard were unlikely to reach Chung Myung’s ears now.

“You mountain bandits, living comfortably in the mountains, seem to have plenty of time to spare, but we’re busy people, so let’s get this done quickly. Huh?”

Go Hong stared blankly at Chung Myung before his face twisted in displeasure.

“A mere whelp who can’t even pick his own sleeping spot dares to run his mouth.”

“You must have been raised preciously, carefully choosing where to lie down. Well, I’m the kind of guy who can lie down anywhere in the world!”

At these words, the Baek Cheon’s group behind him nodded in unison.

“That’s right. Because he’s from the streets.”

“But which is better, a bandit or a beggar?”

“I think I need to consider that for a moment, Sasuk.”

Go Hong was now beyond angry; he felt his head boiling.

“I’ll see if you can still wag that rude tongue when your bones are being crushed beneath my feet.”

At the terrifying threat, Chung Myung’s eyes widened.

“Oh. You better watch your words.”

“…What?”

“Saying those words back is my specialty.”

Chung Myung pointed at Go Hong with his finger and grinned.

“I’ve remembered everything you said, you.”

“You…”

And with those words, he took a step back and stood behind Hyun Sang.

Hyun Sang opened his mouth with a determined expression.

“Hwasan!”

“Yes!”

“Defeat the evil bandits and let the world know that Hwasan’s justice is here!”

“Yes!”

Clang!

The disciples of the Hwasan Sect, drawing their swords together, pressured the bandits and narrowed the distance.

“What are you doing! Crush every bone in their bodies right now!”

“Yes!”

The Green Forest bandits also infused their weapons with inner force, their eyes filled with murderous intent.

“Charge!”

“Kill!”

Two waves surged forward, crashing into each other at the same time.