Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 720

The sun was blinding, making me squint. It felt hot even through my eyelids.

Slowly, I blinked and opened my eyes. The Five Swords were there, waiting. Their faces were serious.

“⋯⋯”

Chung Myung just looked at them. He didn’t say anything.

They must have had many questions, but none of them asked Chung Myung anything.

Some greeted him with stern faces, while others offered comfortable smiles.

“First of all⋯⋯.”

“We’re going back to Mount Hua.”

Baek Cheon cut Chung Myung off.

“What are you going to do with the kid in the village? I think bringing him now would only be a burden.”

Jo Gul answered Baek Cheon’s question in a casual voice instead of Chung Myung.

“Well, I warned him roughly, so there shouldn’t be any major problems, right? If he causes trouble again, we can just catch him and beat him up again.”

“⋯⋯If he can still cause trouble after experiencing something like this, he’s quite something. I’ll acknowledge it from then on.”

“Right?”

Jo Gul nodded at Yoon Jong’s words.

In fact, it wasn’t a big deal for them anymore. Fighting the Gold Sword Squad, engaging in life-and-death battles with the Iron Helmet Gang, or encountering unexpected Maninbang bastards and taking their heads…

Uh…

Looking back, this wasn’t normal.

‘Anyway,’ it might not be a big deal for *them* anymore. But for normal martial artists, these were huge events. They might only happen once in a lifetime.

“Let’s go back first. I don’t think we’re in a situation to worry about that.”

When Tang Soso also agreed, Baek Cheon nodded.

“Let’s leave right away without wasting time.”

Chung Myung silently watched his fellow disciples agree and talk so efficiently.

Chung Myung must have had many questions.

But the reason they turned the conversation around before Chung Myung could speak was probably to ease his burden.

Grip.

Chung Myung’s hand, clutching the clothes containing Chung Jin’s remains, tightened.

‘I was pathetically foolish, too.’

He thought that being strong was all that mattered.

Even if he didn’t properly do what he should as a fellow disciple, he thought it would be enough if he defeated those they couldn’t defeat.

He realized how foolish that thought was as he looked at these young ones.

“Let’s go back, Chung Myung. We need to report to the sect leader.”

Chung Myung nodded at Baek Cheon’s words.

Now is not the time to be sentimental.

This fellow had been alone in this desolate place for too long. They had to take him back to Mount Hua as soon as possible and let him rest.

“Okay. Sasuk, let’s go⋯⋯.”

At that moment, Chung Myung suddenly stopped talking.

His gaze, suddenly sharp, was fixed on the bushes behind Baek Cheon. Baek Cheon, seeing Chung Myung’s face, which had turned cold and even murderous, flinched and turned around.

‘When⋯⋯?’

Yoo Iseol gripped the hilt of her sword tightly. Only then did the other disciples notice the presence of those surrounding them and quickly took a defensive stance.

“Who is it?”

Baek Cheon’s command rang out.

“Come out!”

At that cold voice, the bushes rustled lightly.

Rustle. Rustle.

The sound of footsteps on the grass echoed threateningly for a moment, and soon a group wearing blood-red uniforms and a group wearing ash-gray uniforms appeared, surrounding the disciples of Mount Hua from the left and right.

“⋯⋯”

Baek Cheon’s lips tightened.

‘They are not easy.’

He didn’t feel any particular intention to threaten.

But even so, the hairs on his body stood on end. Before his head could even think, his body recognized their strength and warned him incessantly.

“Sahyung.”

“⋯⋯I know.”

Even Yoo Iseol, who rarely spoke first, called out to Baek Cheon. It was clear that she, too, had realized that these were not easy opponents.

“Close the distance.”

At Baek Cheon’s quiet command, Jo Gul and Yoon Jong gathered with slightly tense faces.

Tang Soso also naturally changed her position to behind Baek Cheon. She didn’t go to a safe place, but to a position where she could best demonstrate her skills. Having experienced numerous battles, she could quickly grasp how dangerous this situation was.

Baek Cheon said quietly.

“I don’t think you came with good intentions⋯⋯ Don’t you have the courage to reveal your identity?”

“Identity⋯⋯. It’s not that difficult.”

At the voice that came from somewhere, Baek Cheon’s gaze slowly turned.

A man slowly walked out of the bushes at the boundary between the blood-clad men and the gray-clad men.

Baek Cheon’s eyes slightly twitched as he confirmed the man’s appearance.

‘That man is⋯⋯.’

He was an acquaintance.

It was a face he could never forget. It was because he was guarding the side of the most intense figure Baek Cheon had ever seen.

“⋯⋯Maninbang?”

“It’s been so long that even saying ‘long time no see’ feels awkward. Have you been well, Mount Hua people?”

The man, wearing a scholar’s robe and neatly combing back his hair.

Maninbang’s strategist, Ho Gamyeong, politely clasped his hands towards the disciples of Mount Hua.

“I am Ho Gamyeong of Maninbang.”

“⋯⋯I am Baek Cheon of Mount Hua.”

As Baek Cheon answered without lowering his guard, Ho Gamyeong released his clasped hands and lightly spread them to the left and right. It was a relaxed gesture.

“I must say, I am extremely pleased to see you again like this.”

“⋯⋯What is the matter?”

“What is the matter⋯⋯.”

Ho Gamyeong chuckled lightly and took out a smoking pipe from his waist. He leisurely took out a tobacco pouch, filled the pipe, and rubbed his fingertips to light it.

Puff.

After puffing on the pipe a few times, smoky vapor leaked from his mouth.

“Are you really asking because you don’t know?”

“⋯⋯”

“I heard the Mount Hua Sect went to Namchang and killed our Maninbang leader.”

Baek Cheon bit his lip slightly. He knew his words made peace impossible.

Ho Gamyeong smiled a little.

‘Well, things happen. People work together, they fight, people die. I understand. I am not someone who gets angry over small things. But…’

He blew out a puff of murky smoke that smelled of burnt herbs and hung his long pipe on his shoulder.

‘But, when friends die badly, and the killers are here in my place, shouldn’t they at least show some respect?’

‘What are you trying to say?’

‘Listen, Taoists,’ Ho Gamyeong said, his voice smooth but with a sharp edge. He looked slowly at each Mount Hua disciple, his eyes lingering, almost mocking. They gritted their teeth, anger rising.

‘We are the evil sect you hate,’ Ho Gamyeong continued, a cruel smile touching his lips. ‘We don’t care about honor or right and wrong. When people like us fight,’ he paused, letting the smoke from his pipe drift in the air, ‘there’s only one thing that matters. Do you know what it is?’

“…I do not.”

‘Rules.’

That word, ‘rules,’ resonated strangely in Oh Geom’s ears.

‘To control bad people who don’t listen, you need rules. Do you understand what I mean?’

“…What is that principle?”

‘It’s quite simple, really.’

The corners of Ho Gamyeong’s lips curled up slyly.

‘An eye for an eye, blood for blood.’

As soon as he said this, the Assembly and Blood Clan members drew their weapons. The disciples of Mount Hua gripped their sword hilts tightly. They saw the enemy’s sharp swords and saw-like blades. It was enough to make their legs shake.

‘Hoo…’

Ho Gamyeong exhaled a long stream of cigarette smoke and shook his head.

‘It’s a shame this is happening so soon after our Maninbang celebration. But… Taoists.’

The smile suddenly vanished from Ho Gamyeong’s face.

‘Don’t you think you’ve gone too far? Coming into our land, searching our mountains, after killing our leaders?’

“……”

‘If we let you go, everyone will laugh at us. We’d rather die than be made fun of.’

Baek Cheon sighed, feeling stifled.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered the Maninbang.

But he never imagined they would bring their forces to this countryside, especially to such a remote mountain.

‘It’s my mistake.’

He knew Mount Hua was stronger now, but he still acted like they were weak and unimportant. That’s why this happened. He glanced at the younger disciples, a wave of protectiveness washing over him. He had to get them out of this.

‘We had our own circumstances.’

‘Everyone has circumstances.’

‘Can’t we resolve this with words?’

‘That seems like a question that doesn’t need an answer.’

Just as Baek Cheon was about to say another word to Ho Gamyeong…

Thud.

Chung Myung, who had been silently observing the situation, stepped forward without a word.

‘Oh, it’s Mount Hua’s…’

Ho Gamyeong, who was about to greet Chung Myung cheerfully, suddenly closed his mouth. Chung Myung’s eyes were like ice. Ho Gamyeong felt a sudden coldness.

‘…What is this?’

He, too, had gone through countless hellish trials to rise to his position in the Maninbang. But even he was now shuddering at this sensation that felt as if his soul was freezing.

Clang.

Stepping forward, Chung Myung silently drew his sword.

‘Right now, I am…’

“……”

‘Not in the mood for jokes.’

Ho Gamyeong was momentarily speechless. It was that absurd.

‘Is he really the same person?’

Of course, Chung Myung hadn’t been entirely pleasant when he visited Mount Hua before. Even the aura he displayed when facing the Bangju, Pae Geun, had left a deep impression on Ho Gamyeong.

But the current Chung Myung seemed like a different person from then.

Chung Myung just drew his sword, but it felt like a physical attack. Unable to bear it any longer, Ho Gamyeong involuntarily took a step back.

‘Where on earth did such a monster come from…?’

‘I’d like to kill you all, but… I don’t have time to play with you right now. Quietly retreat. Those who retreat will not be cut down.’

Chung Myung warned in a low voice, scanning everyone with dark eyes.

‘Or you will die.’

At that threat, undisguised murderous intent appeared on Ho Gamyeong’s face.

Having seen Chung Myung’s true colors, only one thought crossed his mind.

He must be killed.

The Bangju needed him, but Ho Gamyeong thought differently. People think they can control dangerous things, like raising a tiger cub.

But sometimes, the tiger grows too strong. Ho Gamyeong knew Chung Myung was too dangerous to control.

Pae Geun was no ordinary man, but this one was just as extraordinary. Ho Gamyeong had no intention of overlooking the immediate threat to create a greater outcome.

He had originally planned to spare only Chung Myung, but at this moment, his plan had changed in reverse. He didn’t care about the others. But that one, without fail! No matter the cost, he had to be killed here.

Thud.

The embers in the pipe fell to the ground. At the same time, a great shout erupted from Ho Gamyeong’s mouth.

‘Kill! You must kill only that one!’

At that signal, those surrounding them rushed in all at once.

‘Prepare!’

At Chung Myung’s short cry, the disciples of Mount Hua surrounded Tang Soso and formed a circle.

The Blood Clan rushed forward silently, fast as lightning. Red energy glowed from their sword tips.

‘Ganggi?’

Chung Myung’s face hardened.

But then.

Kwaaaaah!

Then, BANG! A loud explosion happened in front of him. A Blood Clan member, charging like a tiger, was thrown back, covered in blood.

“……”

Chung Myung, who was about to swing his sword, turned his gaze with a stiff face. The disciples of Mount Hua also stared at the place Chung Myung was looking at, not knowing what was going on.

‘Tsk tsk… I wondered what you were up to.’

A familiar voice was heard. Pae Geun stepped out of the bushes, wearing his usual strange clothes.

‘Gamyeong, Gamyeong. I told you not to do this. Tsk tsk tsk.’

Pae Geun, Jang Il-So.

In that instant, a fierce blue light flickered in Chung Myung’s eyes.