Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 788

Bad news crashed into the hall. “Gyoryong Stronghold is lost to the Shaolin!” a man yelled, his voice shaking. “Chae Ju of Sama is running! He’s left the stronghold!”

Another voice, panicked, cut through the air. “The Wudang are attacking Cheongha Stronghold! Chae Ju there is begging for help!”

A third man stammered, his eyes wide with fear. “The Namgung Clan… they are moving north! We… we have to do something!”

A middle-aged man sat on a black throne, observing the chaos before him.

The throne was as black as night, seeming to absorb all light. His clothes were entirely black, too. Even his long, black beard, like a warrior from old stories, and his wild hair were deeply black.

But his eyes were the darkest of all. Those deep eyes stared down at the men kneeling before him.

“H-Heukryongwang!”

The man’s eyebrows twitched at the desperate cry.

Heukryongwang. It was his title, the highest title. He ruled the Eighteen Strongholds and controlled the Jang River.

The Eighteen Strongholds of the Jang River were big, but they were small compared to the Nine Great Sects and the Cheonwu Alliance. They were caught in the middle.

The Shaolin and Wudang of the Nine Great Sects, the Namgung Clan of the Five Great Clans, and even the Sichuan Tang Clan of the Cheonwu Alliance could all fight the Eighteen Strongholds on their own.

How could the Eighteen Strongholds stand against such powerful groups, allied in forces of five or ten?

And more enemies were coming. Even sects that hadn’t joined yet would probably attack. It felt like half the good people in the world were coming to the Jang River.

“So…”

“Yes, Heukryongwang.”

“What is the plan?”

Everyone went silent at Heukryongwang’s question.

“Surely you weren’t going to say you have ‘no plan’ with those mouths.”

“Let’s hear your ideas.”

The kneeling men glanced at each other.

This was a very dangerous thing to do. Even if they knew the answer, no one dared to advise Heukryongwang honestly.

“You won’t answer?”

Heukryongwang’s voice became rough.

“You are quick to open your mouths to eat our riches, but now you are silent? In that case, I might as well think of those mouths and necks as useless, wouldn’t you agree?”

The faces of the kneeling men turned pale.

Heukryongwang was, after all, Heukryongwang.

He was a man who wouldn’t hesitate to behead everyone present. You could feel the heavy smell of sweat from fear.

Finally, one of them, unable to bear the pressure, carefully spoke.

“I am sorry to report…”

“Speak.”

“…There is a saying that one should avoid the falling rain. Although they are charging into the Jang River now… it is only a temporary attack. They will not be able to stay here for long.”

“…And so?”

“We should hide temporarily. Order the strongholds to leave the Jang River for a while to protect themselves, and then return when the storm passes…”

Wham!

The man who had been speaking was sent flying, spraying blood.

Thud!

No one dared to turn their head. They simply bowed even lower, praying that Heukryongwang’s anger would not turn to them.

Heukryongwang, who had turned a man into a bloody mess with a flick of his hand, rose from his throne.

“You useless worms! You are talking rubbish! What was that? Abandon the Jang River and hide? Me! Me, the Dragon of the Jang River, should run away from those righteous fools? Me?!”

Everyone held their breath at the thunderous roar.

People said Heukryongwang’s anger was like a storm on the Jang River – wild and dangerous. His rage was enough to cover at least this Heukryong Stronghold with murderous intent, if not the entire Jang River.

“Speak! Say it again!”

“H-Heukryongwang. Even a tiger, the king of the mountain, cannot fight a pack of wolves. Wouldn’t it be wise for the Dragon of the Jang River to hide, at least for a while, if a pack of crocodiles attacked?”

Wham!

But again, the one who had offered advice was sent flying, spraying blood. This time, Heukryongwang shoved him roughly instead of throwing him, showing his anger was changing.

“You foolish fools! How dare you compare me to a tiger! I am a dragon because crocodiles cannot harm me!”

If they didn’t speak, their heads would be cut off; if they spoke, they would be beaten to death.

The reason why sycophants cling to tyrants is simple. If they cannot say words that please the tyrant, their own heads will be the first to be cut off.

Of course, history tells of those who risked their lives to advise even tyrants. But it was unlikely that someone with that kind of courage would have become a bandit in a stronghold.

Normally, they would have been saying sweet words to please Heukryongwang, but they couldn’t do that now.

‘Damn it, at this rate, we’re all in danger.’

‘Whether we die at the hands of Heukryongwang or at the hands of the Shaolin fools, death is the same!’

“Are you telling me that you, the proud heroes of the Jang River, are only thinking of running away without even trying to fight? You cowardly fools!”

Rage poured from Heukryongwang’s eyes.

“Rather than clinging to life by running away, die fighting bravely! That is what those who bear the name of the Eighteen Strongholds of the Jang River should do!”

The kneeling men secretly sighed.

‘Damn it.’

They all knew. Heukryongwang’s words were just for show.

If Heukryongwang was truly so reckless as to ignore everything and fight those righteous fools just to save face, he would have died long ago and sunk to the bottom of the Jang River before he became Heukryongwang.

In the Demonic Path, it might be possible to survive with strength alone, but in this place of schemes and plots, one must also be smart to reach the top. So, Heukryongwang was not a fool.

Even so, he kept talking like this to create an excuse so he wouldn’t ruin his reputation.

At least Heukryongwang tried to fight. But his men stopped him with tears, so he had to retreat. That was the message he wanted to send.

This obvious act would not end until most of them were beaten. They had to participate in the play, even though they knew it.

“Who else will dare to say the words ‘run away’? I will make it clear that the only way to escape from this Jang River is to become a corpse! I will stand at the front. Even so, will anyone dare to speak of retreat?”

It was a hopeless situation.

Even as they did this, the strongholds were being attacked. If they wanted to plan a comeback, they had to save even a single stronghold’s strength.

If they didn’t, as soon as those righteous fools left the Jang River, hungry dogs from the Demonic Path would swarm in from behind.

Just as they were about to continue the charade, a commotion arose from the entrance.

“Who are those guys?”

“Who do they think they are, sticking their necks out here?”

The kneeling men were startled and turned around.

‘Are they righteous fools?’

‘Are they already here?’

Fortunately, they were wrong. The strangers at the entrance did not look like righteous fools.

The man at the front, with a cold look, twisted his lips and said.

“There is no such thing as intimidating envoys. Are you ignorant bandits unaware of such things?”

“These fools…”

Heukryongwang, who had been watching silently, frowned and asked loudly.

“What’s going on?”

Then, one of his men quickly approached and said.

“…They say they want to meet Heukryongwang.”

“Hmm? Who are they?”

“That’s…”

Heukryongwang’s eyes turned cold as he heard who the visitors were.

“Let them in.”

“Yes!”

The bandits cleared the way, and six or so envoys walked in with dignified steps. Then, they approached Heukryongwang and knelt on one knee.

“We greet Heukryongwang.”

“Courtesy… That’s rare.”

Heukryongwang asked mockingly.

“You dared to come all the way here. Tell me what you have to say that’s worth risking your lives for.”

The envoy kneeling at the front took out a sealed letter from his chest and carefully presented it.

“This is a letter from the Alliance Lord.”

As Heukryongwang silently stared, one of the kneeling men quickly rose, took the letter, and handed it to Heukryongwang.

“Hmm.”

Heukryongwang tore open the seal and slowly began to read. His mind raced. This letter… this could change everything.

It wasn’t a long message, but Heukryongwang’s expression changed several times.

Finally, Heukryongwang, having finished reading, furrowed his brow. At the same time, the letter in his hand burst into flames.

“Do you know what is written in this letter?”

“We do not.”

“Then, do you also know that the contents of this letter cannot guarantee your lives?”

“We know.”

“Then what audacity do you have to come before me with such a letter! You little pups!”

Heukryongwang’s murderous aura exploded.

The envoys were instantly drenched in cold sweat from the immense murderous intent.

“Tell me. Is delivering this letter more important than your lives?”

“That’s… That, we do not know.”

“Then why did you come?”

The one at the front gritted his teeth and said, nervous but determined.

“…If the Alliance Lord commands it, I would go to hell, let alone this place. So what is there to fear?”

At that moment, the murderous aura vanished.

“…Heh heh.”

Heukryongwang chuckled, rose from his seat, and looked south.

“Jang Il-so. Jang Il-so…”

The corners of his mouth twisted.

“That little whelp from Gwangseo has grown quite a bit. Daring to summon me.”

“Heukryongwang?”

Heukryongwang turned to look at his confused men and coldly commanded.

“Dokmang!”

“Yes! Heukryongwang.”

“Tell each stronghold to avoid fighting and protect themselves for a while.”

“D-Does that mean…?”

“I’ll go and see for myself what that sly fox has prepared.”

With his black cloak billowing, Heukryongwang strode forward.