Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 824

Jang Il-So left. Then, the Black Dragon King slowly climbed onto the cliff. He sneered as he came closer.

“A pity.”

“⋯⋯.”

“I should have killed you here.”

Nangong Hwang’s face turned red with anger. His veins popped out on his forehead, and his fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white.

“⋯⋯You will die by my hand, Black Dragon King.”

“How, when you can’t even step into the Jang River?”

The sound of something crushing came from Nangong Hwang’s tightly clenched teeth. Seeing him tremble with suppressed rage and humiliation, the Black Dragon King burst into hearty laughter.

“To beg for your life and barely escape, yet still act so proud! Yes, that’s just like you righteous fools. Hahaha!”

The Black Dragon King left with only that laughter, ignoring Nangong Hwang as he descended the cliff.

“Hmm.”

Man Geum-daebu also twisted his lips in a mocking way, then stared at Heo Do-jin.

“I made a profitable deal.”

“⋯⋯.”

As Man Geum-daebu turned away, Cheonmyeong Soosa clicked his tongue.

“Tsk tsk. So heartless.”

“⋯⋯Amitabha.”

As Beopgye recited the Buddha’s name with a pale face, Cheonmyeon Soosa bowed to him.

“I have seen the martial arts of Shaolin, Venerable Monk.”

“⋯⋯Your martial arts as well, Lord Hahomun… are as good as people say.”

“I hope we have another chance to fight.”

Cheonmyeon Soosa gave a bitter smile, then added subtly.

“You will all have a hard time now. Our Leader is a very difficult person to handle.”

No one answered.

Jang Il-So, the defeated Lord.

Of course, no one dared to ignore him until now, but from today on, the world’s view of him would completely change.

From this moment on, it was clear that no one would dare to call anyone other than Jang Il-So the greatest of the Demonic Path.

“Then.”

Finally, Cheonmyeon Soosa turned sharply.

“Let’s go back!”

“Yes!”

The Sabae-ryeon disciples, leaving behind obvious mockery, descended the cliff without regrets. The wind whipped around the remaining group, carrying the scent of dust and defeat.

All that was left for those remaining was misery.

Only then did those who had climbed the cliff realize that they had not exchanged a single blow with those Sabae-ryeon lackeys. They looked messy and dirty, but the Sabae-ryeon people were clean. Not even a speck of dust on their clothes.

That fact brought an even greater sense of humiliation.

“⋯⋯Heo Do.”

Nangong Hwang, who had been glaring at the departing figures while biting his lip, turned to look at Heo Do-jin. The resentment in his eyes was so fierce that it was hard to believe he was looking at an ally.

“Do you even realize what you’ve done?!”

“⋯⋯.”

“We survived by begging for our lives from the Demonic Path. No matter how you try to make it sound better with talk of truce, the truth doesn’t change!”

Heo Do-jin looked up at the sky without a word.

“How do you intend to fix this! How do you intend to restore our lost honor, you fool!”

Just as Nangong Hwang, enraged, was about to raise his voice again, Heo Do-jin spoke quietly.

“Then why didn’t you stop it?”

“What?”

“I said, why didn’t you stop it?”

“⋯⋯.”

As Nangong Hwang gritted his teeth, Heo Do-jin cast a cold gaze.

“There would have been plenty of chances to step in. Even if you had led your family and attacked just one of them, the negotiations would have failed and the war would have started again. So let me ask you.”

“⋯⋯.”

“Were you really unaware of that, and remained silent?”

“This⋯⋯.”

Nangong Hwang’s hands trembled. It felt as if his head was burning with anger.

“You speak of honor?”

A clear sneer appeared on Heo Do-jin’s lips.

“There’s no need to worry. I will take responsibility. Since you will all badly blame me, I will naturally receive all the blame.”

“⋯⋯Amitabha.”

Beopgye closed his eyes and repeatedly recited the Buddha’s name. He, too, could not bring himself to face Heo Do-jin with dignity.

“But honor⋯⋯.”

Heo Do-jin chuckled.

“I did it all knowing what would happen, but I am truly sick of you being fake. When I knelt and begged for your lives, you stood by with your arms crossed, and now you say you didn’t mean to do that?”

“Sect Leader⋯⋯.”

“No, it’s alright. That’s the way of the Jianghu. However⋯⋯.”

Heo Do-jin glared at Nangong Hwang, Beopgye, and Byeok Hyeon-ja with a murderous look.

“I will never apologize to you.”

“⋯⋯.”

“I don’t expect gratitude. But⋯⋯ at least know what shame is and live accordingly.”

“This⋯⋯.”

Nangong Hwang’s body was now trembling like an aspen tree.

But even so, he could not bring himself to rush at Heo Do-jin. It was because he knew that what he said was not wrong.

“⋯⋯Amitabha.”

Beopgye, who quietly recited the Buddha’s name, also lamented inwardly.

How on earth should this be resolved? This miserable affair.

Having finished speaking and without looking back, Heo Do-jin gazed up at the sky.

‘How blue.’

The sky was heartlessly blue and cold.

He had expected these people to act like this anyway.

Apologize? Why should he apologize?

He had saved everyone here. They were just people who didn’t even have the courage to bow their heads and beg the enemy.

If he hadn’t stepped forward, everyone would have died. His actions saved everyone here.

But they would soon criticize him and try to shift all the blame onto him. So why should he apologize?

‘If there’s one thing that bothers me⋯⋯.’

Just as Heo Do-jin was about to sigh.

“Cheo, Chung Myung-ah!”

“Ah, no! If you get up!”

At the commotion, Heo Do-jin slowly turned his head.

He saw the Hwasan Divine Dragon pushing away his fellow disciples and rising to his feet.

He was truly a wretched sight. The Hwasan Divine Dragon had suffered the most injuries here, and he had fought more desperately than anyone else.

If he hadn’t held onto Jang Il-So, the damage would have been much greater, and they would have had to offer Jang Il-So even more to ask for reconciliation.

Heo Do-jin knew that fact better than anyone else.

“⋯⋯Move aside.”

“Cheo, Chung Myung-ah! Right now⋯⋯.”

“Sasuk.”

“⋯⋯.”

“Sasuk… please… just move. Please, I’m asking you.”

“⋯⋯.”

Seeing him go this far, Baek Cheon could no longer stop him. Chung Myung, passing by Baek Cheon, walked towards Heo Do-jin. The murderous aura he exuded made everyone quail.

The Wudang disciples held their breath as Chung Myung walked towards them, dripping blood.

“Stop.”

“You!”

Heosanja and Heogwang flew forward at once and stood in front of Heo Do-jin.

But Chung Myung did not stop, as if he didn’t even see them. He simply limped towards Heo Do-jin.

“Can’t you stop!”

“This⋯⋯.”

“Move.”

At Heo Do-jin’s voice from behind, Heosanja and Heogwang were surprised and turned around.

“Sect Leader.”

“Stay away.”

“⋯⋯But that man⋯⋯.”

They could not easily step back. It was because they could feel so clearly that the murderous intent Chung Myung was showing was real.

But Heo Do-jin simply shook his head.

“Are you trying to shame me?”

“⋯⋯.”

“Step aside. And do not interfere.”

Heogwang bit his lip.

But in the end, unable to disobey the Sect Leader’s words, the two moved their feet with heavy steps. And standing behind Heo Do-jin, they watched Chung Myung warily.

Chung Myung, as if he didn’t even notice that process, limped closer and stood right in front of Heo Do-jin.

Behind him, the Five Swords were baring their teeth like venomous snakes, full of tension. Ready to rush forward at any moment in case of emergency.

Seeing that sight, Heo Do-jin wore a wry smile.

‘Only Hwasan, huh.’

On this cliff, those who can speak of righteousness⋯⋯.

Then Chung Myung opened his mouth.

“⋯⋯Why did you do it?”

“⋯⋯.”

“Why?”

Heo Do-jin simply chuckled.

“I wonder⋯⋯.”

And he murmured with empty eyes.

“Why did I do it?”

“You crazy bastard!”

Chung Myung’s fist smashed into Heo Do-jin’s face. The sound was like a crack of thunder. Heo Do-jin fell backward, and Chung Myung climbed on top of him and repeatedly punched his face.

“Why! Why did you do it! Why!”

“You keep doing the same thing! Again? You dog!”

Chung Myung howled like a beast and struck Heo Do-jin. The Wudang disciples, surprised, tried to rush forward, but their steps were forcibly stopped as Heo Do-jin, who had fallen to the ground, raised his hand.

“Why!”

Chung Myung grabbed Heo Do-jin by the collar and pulled him up. Their foreheads collided with a loud thud.

Heo Do-jin, bleeding from his burst lip, looked at the sky with empty eyes.

“I⋯⋯.”

A low voice leaked out.

“⋯⋯Just wanted to save my disciples.”

“⋯⋯.”

“That’s⋯⋯ all.”

Chung Myung’s body was trembling.

“You⋯⋯!”

He grabbed Heo Do-jin’s collar with one hand and raised the other high. A formidable energy began to gather in his fist.

“St, stop!”

“Aaaaaaaaaaah!”

A huge roar erupted. Chung Myung’s fist was embedded in the ground right next to Heo Do-jin’s face.

“Damn it⋯⋯.”

Chung Myung, having released Heo Do-jin’s collar as if throwing it away, weakly rose to his feet. But even after he stood up, Heo Do-jin simply stared blankly at the sky.

“You pathetic bastards⋯⋯.”

Chung Myung, glaring at Heo Do-jin and the other disciples of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families who had climbed onto the cliff, turned his body.

As he staggered, Baek Cheon quickly grabbed his arm and supported him.

“⋯⋯Let’s go back, Chung Myung-ah.”

“⋯⋯.”

“This is not a place for us. Let’s go to Sect Leader. To Hwasan⋯⋯. Yes, let’s go back to our Hwasan.”

At Baek Cheon’s words, all the Five Swords nodded. And they looked at the Nine Great Sects with faces full of disgust. No one could meet the eyes of those Five Swords.

When they were busy trying to save their own lives, the Hwasan Five Swords fought against Jang Il-So.

So how could they dare to say ‘overwhelming odds’ in front of the Five Swords?

It is the way of a warrior to fight against a strong enemy. It is right to not back down even when you cannot win. Fighting only when you can win is neither right nor brave. It is merely trying to scare others.

‘I’ve heard and learned it countless times.’

Simply knowing it and doing it are different.

They fought against it, and they could not fight against it.

Jin Hyun, with confused eyes, looked only at the sky and then tightly closed his eyes.

“Let’s go, Chung Myung-ah.”

Baek Cheon supported Chung Myung as if lifting him up. Jo Gul also helped him, supporting Chung Myung from the other side.

“Yes, Chung Myung-ah⋯⋯. Let’s go back. I don’t want to⋯⋯ I don’t want to be here any longer.”

Jo Gul’s murmur pierced the ears of those who remained on the cliff. As if speaking directly into their ears, so clearly.

Then Chung Myung opened his mouth.

“Sasuk.”

“Huh?”

“My sword⋯⋯. Give me my sword.”

“⋯⋯Why?”

Baek Cheon asked back with a dissatisfied face. He clearly didn’t want to talk to them any longer. But Chung Myung quietly looked at that face and shook his head.

“Not yet⋯⋯.”

Chung Myung’s gaze was directed towards the bottom of the cliff. His eyes were sinking coldly.

“There’s still work left to do.”

The blood flowing down Chung Myung’s chin dripped onto the cliff.