Return of the Mount Hua Sect

“Die!”

“AHHH! You bastards!”

“I have waited for this day!”

“I will avenge the lord’s grudge!”

The warriors of the North Sea, led by Yo Sa-Heon, confronted the warriors of the Ice Palace.

Their martial arts skills were neither exceptional nor superior compared to the warriors of the Ice Palace, who obstructed their way. The elders, who served under the previous Palace Lord and stood at the forefront of the troops, were significantly stronger than the average warriors, but the others lagged behind.

But in this situation, their skills no longer made any difference.

Kwaaang!

The troops rushed in swiftly and trampled the panicking warriors of Ice Palace, resembling an awl piercing through solid ice.

“ACKKKK!”

“ACKKK!”

Their swiftly moving swords and sheer strength forced the opponent to the edge. The defense lines of the Ice Palace crumbled in an instant, causing Yo Sa-Heon, who led the troops at the forefront, to become flustered.

‘What?’

Yo Sa-Heon paused, then quickly regained composure. Yin arts emitted from his hands, causing an explosion among those who had turned their backs and fled.

‘They’re showing their backs?’

The warrior of the Ice Palace?

Despite being imprisoned as a criminal, he had never let go of his warrior’s pride. It was shocking to see the Ice Palace warriors turn away and run.

It was not just those who fled that were the problem here.

Even those with the will to fight and were armed couldn’t conceal their shock. He had never witnessed such a horrifying sight before in his life.

How could those already mentally defeated endure a battle determining life and death?

“Die!”

“Kill them all, leave nothing behind!”

On the contrary, the warriors of the North Sea pushed and swung their weapons with improved morale.

‘At this stage…’

And that was when it happened.

“ACKKKKK!”

At the terrible screams emanating from a distance, the Ice Palace warriors, unable to fight or flee, turned their gaze behind them.

The Ice Palace warriors were being attacked directly, but they were momentarily distracted by the screams from behind them?

This could hardly be considered a fight. The warriors of the North Sea only had to contend with the enemies in front of them, but in reality, their enemies were also contending with the disciples of Mount Hua simultaneously.

Their deadly sword attacks came surging in from all directions.

“Push harder! Today, we will reclaim the Ice Palace!”

“Wow!”

Yo Sa-Heon’s expression hardened as the warriors rushed toward their foes with immense determination.

‘How frightening.’

The disciples of Mount Hua completely altered the course of the battle with a single charge.

Admiration and fear intertwined inside him, leaving Yo Sa-Heon feeling tense as he struggled to dismiss the thoughts clouding his mind.

Seol Chun-Sang couldn’t comprehend the sight before him.

‘Just how?’

He, who was at the end of the defense line, could easily observe what was happening. However, observing did not equate to comprehension.

‘How is this even possible?’

It was essentially a one-sided battle. Despite being elders, they had strayed from the martial arts path for a considerable time. Dealing with those who had grown rusty should have been straightforward. Utilizing the younger and more vigorous warriors to overpower them should have been sufficient.

This was a flat land that was used as their training ground.

The castle wall blocked the battlefield behind them, leaving nowhere to run. There was no advantageous terrain, and without any variables, there was no chance for an ambush.

Victory in this environment could only be determined by strength and skill.

But why was this happening?

“P-palace Lord, what should we do?”

“…”

“We must take action…”

The panicked elders surrounded him. They had no choice.

Those with keen eyes could see the warriors of the Ice Palace running across the field, causing their own battle line to crumble.

Seol Chun-Sang clenched his teeth as he cursed.

“… damn it.”

What could he possibly do? Was there anything else he could do?

His formation, which had been held flawlessly until now, had now fallen into chaos. With Chung Myung at the center, the people on the opposing side were swirling together like a whirlpool. It was reminiscent of soldiers gathering around a bonfire.

Tactics held no value at this moment. They were only meaningful when there were commanders who could issue orders and direct them. However, as the Palace Lord, Seol Chun-Sang could not assume that role.

Unable to witness his soldier’s suffering, he hastily ordered the most optimal course of action.

“Disregard the intruders and annihilate those from the Central Plains!”

His voice boomed like thunder.

“What are you doing? Don’t look at me like that. Catch and kill those people immediately! Yo Sa-Heon is nothing without them!”

“P-palace Lord?”

Seol Chun-Sang stared at the elder who had spoken with bloodshot eyes, his voice full of confusion.

“I can’t believe those young warriors are running away because of fear!”

“H-How is that possible? I’ll slit their throats right away!”

Some of the elders hurried in, their faces filled with anxiety. Seol Chun-Sang glanced at them and clenched his teeth.

‘How much further do they want to push us?’

It had been a mistake to invite those bastards from Mount Hua into the Ice Palace. It was a mistake to let them set foot on the land of the North Sea.

As he witnessed his troops collapse, he felt his bones ache. But, like always, he regretted it too late.

Paaat!

Crack!

The feeling of his opponent’s throat being pierced was visceral in his hand.

Baek Cheon tried to disregard the feeling and swung his sword continuously.

‘This…’

At last, he comprehended.

Baek Cheon couldn’t fathom Chung Myung’s statement about the sword of Mount Hua being the most despicable. Why was a sword technique with the most exquisite flowers in the world labeled as such?

However, now he understood why Chung Myung had regarded the sword of Mount Hua that way.

Observe.

Shhhhh.

The tip of his sword trembled amidst the plum blossoms.

Only one thing dwelled within the illusory plum blossoms.

If he were to perform a sword dance at this moment, the enemy might have detected it. They might have withdrawn and sought an opportunity without succumbing to panic.

However, this was a battlefield.

Amidst the multitude of plum blossoms that swayed in motion, it was impossible to discern the truth. Even the slightest hesitation could result in death.

“AHHHH!”

The opponent, terrified, swung their sword in panic. However, his sword vanished as if it had never existed.

And…

Puak!

“Ugh…”

Baek Cheon’s sword accurately pierced the neck of the man who had been confused by the plum blossom blade.

It deceived the opponent’s eyes, tricked them, and stealthily approached, taking their life. Mount Hua’s sword, at least on the battlefield, was the most vicious and terrifying sword.

Chak!

Baek Cheon, who slashed away the blood on his sword, ran forward with unwavering eyes.

What was his point?

-Fair match? Fair? You talk a lot of nonsense. We’re in the midst of dying people, so what kind of Justice Faction talks about fair fights? The reality of the battlefield is to win and survive, even if it’s through cowardly and pitiful methods. If you have time to spout this bullshit, swing the sword once more.

He was correct.

Even if those words were incorrect, it was the truth for Baek Cheon today.

‘What do I have to do?’

Baek Cheon’s gaze turned icy.

“Jo Gul!”

“Yes!”

“Don’t let Soso lag behind!”

“Yes, sir!”

Hae Yeon took responsibility for being in the rear. Baek Cheon hadn’t glanced back, blindly rushing forward without considering his actions.

“Samae!”

“Yes.”

“Clear the path!”

“Yes.”

His task was to lead.

To desperately pursue the individual in front.

There was no point in going there alone. If he was Baek Cheon, the aspiring sect leader of Mount Hua, he must not lose a single disciple here.

That was the responsibility he had to bear as the great sahyung.

If it was for that purpose…

“Hah!”

Baek Cheon’s sword moved swiftly. His sword, usually honorable, now felt tainted as he carefully stepped on the bodies of his opponents.

Paaat!

Just like Chung Myung, blood sprayed everywhere as the sword of Baek Cheon slashed through his foes. It wasn’t a close-ranged sword that aimed for the throat or the heart with a single strike.

Instead, it was a sword focused on neutralizing his opponents.

‘I need to take on more!’

Baek Cheon, who lowered his distance almost to the floor, swiftly advanced. After cutting off the legs of the warrior from the Ice Palace, he shouted and made his move.

“Yoon Jong! Cover my back!”

“Yes, sir!”

A sense of approval echoed in his mind.

“Amitabha!”

Kwaak!

That tremendous roar shook his body with every chant.

Hae Yeon had faith in them and accompanied them to this brutal battlefield. With a Buddhist mindset, he wholeheartedly trusted them.

As a result, Baek Cheon had to exert himself even more and bear a greater burden, for they placed their trust in him.

“Haaaaa!”

Baek Cheon’s sword dispersed within the plum blossoms.

Now, it was no longer free. His view was clear, the sky adorned with blue petals, and soon, it would cleanse those who obstructed his path.

The disciples of Mount Hua, who chased Baek Cheon and Chung Myung from behind, were taken aback by their exceptional swordsmanship.

Even amidst this chaotic battlefield, Baek Cheon’s skills were clearly improving.

And then…

Paaat!

Thud!

Baek Cheon, who had struck the ground with great force, finally managed to catch up to the familiar figure.

“I’ve caught up to you, you damned bastard!”

“Too late.”

Chung Myung spoke gently as he lifted his sword with a sorrowful expression.

Mount Hua’s disciple and Hae Yeon hurried to the path that Baek Cheon had created and circled around Chung Myung.

Towards his sword.

Towards a comrade.

With a strong determination, their footsteps left firm imprints in the ground, and their backs were held upright. The eyes exerted pressure on the enemy, and the tip of their swords felt incredibly light.

The warriors of Ice Palace couldn’t bear to recklessly run as they were being intimidated by their aura. No, a subtle fight was already underway before they even set foot here.

Baek Cheon took a deep breath and asked.

“Should I make a move?”

“Wait.”

“Elder Yo is…”

“Wait.”

However, the cold response from Chung Myung silenced him, and Baek Cheon’s boiling blood turned cold.

“Everyone, listen.”

“…”

Chung Myung spoke, his eyes fixed on the enemies.

“Don’t rush in all excited by another person’s skills.”

“… you mean it?”

“What do you think?”

Baek Cheon fell silent. As soon as he heard it, it felt like he was being doused with ice water.

“The battlefield is alive, like a living being.”

Everyone listened intently to Chung Myung’s words.

“A strategy? Don’t concern yourself with such matters. Where can you find people fighting and death occurring at the same time? There is a natural course to it all.”

“Natural course?”

“Right. So, feel that. Do not miss the flow even in the midst of a fight, even when a blade is slashing at your face. If you can feel it…”

He grinned like a wolf showing its teeth.

“Do you see the gap?”

His eyes scanned the battlefield. Troops started to hurry towards where Yo Sa-Heon had just moved to. The center, where the disciples of Mount Hua were, had become calm.

“You!”

Coincidentally, a few of the elders accompanying Seol Chun-Sang headed towards the disciples of Mount Hua, and the warriors started making way for them.

A clear and direct path for their lord!

“Do you see that?”

Everyone nodded in agreement, unaware before, as they were focused on the imminent battle but now comprehending Chung Myung’s words.

The path lay open before them.

“Attack!”

No response was required.

“Catch up with the resolve to face death!”

As soon as he said that, Chung Myung swiftly turned and charged forward like lightning. His swift sword energy effortlessly swept away the warriors of Ice Palace.

No screams could be heard.

Those near death couldn’t even utter a word before dying, their blood splashing in all directions. However, before their blood even landed, Chung Myung had already disappeared.

The disciples of Mount Hua didn’t hesitate for a moment and followed the blood-stained path.

“S-Stoppp!”

“Elder! Elders!”

The troops were in a state of confusion.

Should they put their lives on the line and confront this oncoming enemy, or should they place their trust in the elders who had arrived to handle the situation?

Hesitation began to grow, transforming into a problem that hindered the fluidity of their sword movements. And Chung Myung showed no mercy to anyone.

Ahhh!

His sword swung fiercely, severing the necks of those in its path. Chung Myung, who had advanced more than a dozen feet in an instant, shouted,

“Sasuk!”

“AHHHH!”

As if he knew his position, Baek Cheon jumped forward and unsheathed his sword to confront one of the elders who had come for them.

Kaaaang!

“You, you little bastard!”

But that wasn’t the end.

Yu Yiseol dashed forward and forcefully pushed one of the elders aside, creating an opening for Yoon Jong and Jo Gul to strike with their swords.

Hae Yeon, who had been protecting them, also yelled out and leaped over Chung Myung’s head.

A series of roars continued to echo and shock the battlefield. Amidst the confusion, Chung Myung’s eyes caught sight of a thread-like path.

In the blink of an eye, he advanced and skillfully wielded his sword along the open path without hesitation. If anything obstructed his way, he swiftly cut it down. And whenever one path closed, another would open up.

Like a ghost, he maneuvered between his enemies, kicking off the ground with all his might to leap over those who blocked his path.

“Ugh!”

“P-Palace Lord!”

“NOOOOO!”

Their eyes widened.

Having crossed the last line of defense, Chung Myung observed the shocked expression on Seol Chun-Sang’s face.

“YOUUUUUU!”

Seol Chun-Sang’s garments fluttered in the breeze as Chung Myung made his move.

His yin qi, as pure and clear as water, surged forward with a chilling intensity. Yet, Chung Myung did not retreat or evade.

He simply brought his sword down in a swift slash.

Paaaat!

The crescent moon-shaped sword qi from Chung Myung’s sword split everything in its path.

Seol Chun-Sang’s eyes were filled with shock and…

Chak!

An eerie noise filled the air.

After a moment, blood started to drip onto the ground.

“…”

From the left side of his forehead to the right side of his chin.

A deep cut appeared across his face as Seol Chun-Sang glared at Chung Myung, his face contorting as it was soaked in his own blood.

Tak.

Chung Myung lightly tapped the floor.

“I have a lot to say…”

Chung Myung spoke with his teeth showing.

“But there’s no time, so let’s finish this quickly.”

From the point of his sword, an endless stream of blood-red plums started to appear.