Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 802

“Stop them! Don’t let them get closer!” someone yelled.

The pirate leaders shouted loudly from the Black Dragon base. They were all together, their faces red with anger. “Fire! Turn them back!” they screamed. But no one listened.

The pirates were very scared. Their eyes wide with terror, they rushed to turn their ships around. They just wanted to escape from the Namgung Clan ships that were coming fast towards them. They had to get away.

“You damned fools! Are you deaf?”

If they were on land, he would have grabbed those pirates and broken their necks! But they were on the Yangtze River. He was clever, but even he couldn’t run across water to another ship in this mess.

“Come back, now! You mangy dogs!”

The leader of the Wagon Group, screaming himself hoarse, gritted his teeth so hard his jaw hurt, his face crimson.

“Fire! Fire! Damn it, I said fire!”

The ship he was on still listened to him. The pirates held tight to the sides of the ship and shot harpoons.

The air ripped apart with a deep *thwoom* as the massive harpoons flew, whistling like angry beasts.

Massive iron harpoons, each as long as a man, flew toward the Namgung Clan’s ship. But not a single one hit.

Clang!

Namgung Clan warriors jumped out of the water. They had been swimming to protect the ship. They hit the harpoons away. The warriors on the ship also used their swords to knock the harpoons aside easily and quickly. It was like a dream to see these strong harpoons stopped so easily by swords.

“Th-”

“It’s no use, Captain! The harpoons are useless, and those who approach from the water are being slaughtered! There’s nothing we can do!”

Grrr…

The Captain’s eyes turned red with anger, veins popping out. He gritted his teeth so hard his jaw hurt.

“Advance!”

“Sir?”

“If we join the others who are running away and attack from all sides, even those monsters won’t be able to stop us! If we lead the way and charge bravely, the other ships will change their minds!”

“B-but Captain! Y-you saw! Just now…”

“Shut your mouth! Even if they are from the Namgung Clan, we are the Eighteen Groups of the Yangtze River! Are you saying we should be afraid of those people from the main clans, here on our own river?”

“…”

“If harpoons don’t work, we’ll crash into them! We’ll put holes in their ship! No matter how great they are, they aren’t trained to fight on water! Without their ship, they’re nothing!”

“C-Captain… Please, reconsider…”

Clang!

The leader of the Wagon Group took out a large trident.

“You, do you need a harpoon in your mouth to understand? Are you going to turn the rudder or not?”

“Y-yes, sir!”

His helper moved quickly. The Captain’s face twisted, his mouth a snarl, veins bulging on his forehead like thick ropes.

‘These faithless bastards.’

The underlings could just run away and be done with it. But he was not allowed to escape. He remembered the Black Dragon King’s cold eyes and knew running was not an option. Death here was better than facing his wrath.

Leaving a group and joining the Black Dragon Stronghold could be forgiven somehow. The situation was that bad. But leaving the Black Dragon Stronghold and running away was something that could never be forgiven.

‘The Black Dragon King will never let me live!’

Knowing the Black Dragon King would never stop hunting him, nowhere in the world would be safe.

“It’s the same whether I die here or there! Row! Crash into them from the side!”

“Yes, sir!”

The pirates were all in the same situation. If they didn’t obey now, the Captain’s trident would stab them. The muddy waters of the Yangtze churned around them, reflecting the smoky sky.

Gritting their teeth, they turned the rudder and rowed. The ship cut through the water, heading fast toward the Namgung Clan’s ship.

“Crash into them!”

Just as the pirates cried out in desperation, it happened.

Fwoooosh!

A white blade of energy shot out from the lead Namgung Clan ship and slammed into their ship.

Crack!

The Captain’s eyes opened wide.

Pirate ships often crashed into other ships, so they were built with wood twice as strong as normal wood. But this blade of energy cut through the wood like butter.

“This is…”

The deck split open, making a long hole. He stared at the hole, and cold sweat ran down his back. A jolt ran through the ship, like hitting a rock, followed by the sickening sound of splintering wood.

But that wasn’t the end of it.

Fwoooosh! Fwoooosh!

White blades of energy kept coming. The warriors standing near the sides of the ship swung their swords without showing any feelings. Every time they swung, blades of energy shaped like the moon flew out very fast.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

The pirate ship quickly stopped moving and was destroyed.

“W-what is this?!”

The Captain almost screamed.

It wasn’t like just anyone could make blades of energy. Especially someone who could make a blade strong enough to cut through a ship from that far away; they would be called a master.

How many masters could be on that one ship for this to happen?

‘N-Namgung Clan!’

The Captain’s face turned white right away.

‘Were they this strong?’

He only understood when he saw it himself.

The Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans. He had heard of them, and everyone said they were very strong. Now he saw it was true.

But that was exactly why people didn’t think they were as strong as they really were.

Only now did he see clearly why they had been able to rule the Jianghu for so long.

“C-Captain!”

“T-the ship is sinking! Everyone, leave the ship!”

“The water is already rushing in…”

Thwack!

Before he could finish, a white blade of energy cut through the pirate’s neck. Red blood poured onto the deck. At the same time, the ship, barely floating with one side destroyed, tilted badly. Blue water rushed onto the deck with great force.

“Those monstrous bastards…”

The Captain stared blankly at the Namgung Clan’s ship, looking completely hopeless.

What was even more embarrassing than this loss was that the Namgung ship wasn’t even paying attention to them anymore. The Namgung ships, following the lead ship, were leaving them behind and going into the valley.

“C-Captain!”

“Leave the ship now and jump into the water! Join the ships behind us!”

After giving the order, the leader of the Wagon Group suddenly looked down at his own hands.

They were shaking so much they looked sad. One Namgung warrior, his face calm as stone, deflected a harpoon with a flick of his wrist.

No matter how fierce a snakehead fish might be, it was just a snack where tigers and dragons lived. Knowing his own limits, he closed his eyes in despair and turned away.

“Follow them!”

Beopgye spoke loudly.

His serious eyes were on the Namgung Clan’s ship moving ahead.

‘Emperor Sword Namgung Hwang. I thought he would have become stronger, but…’

Of course, they had only fought small enemies. But even that showed clearly how strong the Namgung Clan was.

“Amitabha.”

The Namgung Clan was showing off their power now. But it should have been Shaolin doing this. Shaolin should have been the one showing how strong they were. But Wudang and Qingcheng were stopping them. So, Shaolin could only watch as Namgung became more famous.

“They are so greedy!” Even though we are here to stop the Jang River bandits, they only care about their own groups being safe.

Now I understand why the Abbot told me not to get involved in Jianghu matters without thinking.

“Increase speed! We mustn’t let the distance widen!”

“But Elder, shouldn’t we keep a reasonable distance? What if we get surrounded from behind…?”

“Surrounded? What are you talking about?”

Beopgye frowned.

“Just because they block the rear doesn’t mean we’re surrounded! No matter how much they encircle us, do you think they can stop us?”

“Well…” Hyejin started, unsure what to say.

Normally, in war, we must have a way to escape. But what he says is also true. The Namgung Clan broke through in one fell swoop. There’s no way Shaolin can’t do the same, right?

This is not just about looking good. It’s about what is right. Namgung Clan was impressive, but this is Shaolin.

“If those remaining in the rear secure the retreat route, then…”, Beopgye stopped speaking abruptly.

The Wudang boats, which had been advancing alongside them, suddenly increased their speed and surged forward. It seemed they had already finished their calculations.

“Th, this can’t be!” Beopgye’s voice grew louder.

“Cheongseong will cover the rear! Hurry! We must not fall behind Wudang!”

“Yes!” Hyejin’s expression hardened at the mention of Wudang.

Giving the vanguard to the Namgung Clan was unavoidable. But under no circumstances could they allow Wudang to steal the credit.

Wouldn’t it be better if the Namgung Clan monopolized the achievement instead?

‘Heo Do-jin!’

Beopgye’s face twisted.

They were just a little quicker to judge. But thanks to that, the Wudang boats were already more than ten lengths ahead.

‘The Abbot might have tolerated your actions, but I will never stand idly by!’

Beopgye clenched his fist lightly, gritting his teeth.

The Wudang boats, which had been closely following the Namgung Clan’s lead boat, were now right behind them. And behind them, the Shaolin and Cheongseong boats picked up speed.

If the change in formation was done perfectly, it would have been amazing to see. But it was messy, not amazing.

It was a sight that didn’t quite live up to the reputation of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans.

The disciples of Mount Hua, watching from the rear, were momentarily silent, as if at a loss for words.

“…Chung Myung-ah.”

“What?”

Baek Cheon, who had been staring ahead with a puzzled expression, asked.

“…It was certainly a grand sight to see the bandits retreat before the might of the Namgung Clan. But if they all chase after the main bandits, won’t the other bandits on the river just escape?”

“That’s right.”

“If that happens, the number of bandits won’t really decrease. Wouldn’t it be better for two of the sects to stay behind and clean up those bandits? After all, two sects are more than enough to fight the Black Dragon Band.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

“So why are they doing this?”

Chung Myung chuckled.

“Who would stay behind to clean up?”

“Anyone would do. They’re just bandits, and these are the Nine Great Sects.”

“Do you think they will become more famous by catching small, unimportant bandits?”

“…”

“They’ve all come a long way, but no one wants to give up the biggest achievement. Whether bandits remain on the Jang River or not, all they need to do is take the Black Dragon King’s head. Or annihilate the Black Dragon Band.”

Baek Cheon’s expression hardened.

“Are you saying they came to help the common people but are only after achievements?”

“Sasuk.”

“…Why?”

“Take a good look. This is the nature of those who call themselves the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans. If only one sect had come here, they would have cleaned up all the bandits above and advanced inside in formation.”

“…”

“But the moment more than two sects gather in one place, tactics and everything else disappear. Those guys will never yield.”

Chung Myung twisted his lips.

It was a sight he was tired of, to the point of exhaustion.

‘But I can’t say that’s wrong.’

He and Mount Hua, disgusted by that behavior, fought against the Demonic Sect without discussing gains or fame. And what was the price?

If Chung Myung hadn’t returned, Mount Hua would have been crushed by debt and destroyed in the end, while those guys would have monopolized all the achievements and gains, and still be feared as prestigious clans of the world.

Fighting even if no one recognizes you?

Bullshit. I know now.

The graves of those who died without recognition are overgrown with weeds. Chung Myung had no intention of repeating the mistakes of the past.

“…Cold and harsh. These so-called Nine Great Sects.”

“And fierce. But don’t laugh at their pathetic state. It’s not just that they are stubborn because they are the Nine Great Sects. They became the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans *because* they are so stubborn.”

“…”

Perhaps feeling something from those words, Baek Cheon nodded heavily as well.

“…But you told me to watch closely, but if this happens, we won’t be able to see what’s happening inside, will we?”

“Heh, don’t worry,” Chung Myung said, tapping his nose. “I always have a plan.”

“Huh?”

“They’re coming over there.” Chung Myung gestured with his chin towards the side.

Boats appeared from the opposite side of the scattering bandit ships.

“…What is that?”

“Our boats.”

“Huh?” Baek Cheon’s eyes widened.

“Our boats? That’s…?”

“Yeah. I told them to bring some extra boats just in case. I thought they left too late to be of use, but thanks to those idiots bickering, they bought us enough time to use them.”

“…”

Chung Myung grinned triumphantly.

“Come on,” Chung Myung said, gesturing towards the boats. “Let’s go see if they found treasure… or walked into a trap.”

“…I can’t beat you, really.”

Baek Cheon shook his head, watching the boats enter the valley. His expression gradually hardened.

Strangely, this sight felt incredibly ominous to him…

“Hey! Grab some of the remaining alcohol there!”

“…” No.

It was probably just his imagination.