Return of the Mount Hua

Think of it as an honor, greenhorn. (3)

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No strategist can reverse the flow of a battle once it has crumbled. If that was possible, scholars from ancient times would have researched ways to escape with minimal sacrifices. It’s common sense in military strategy.

But this place is Gangho, where different elements come into play compared to conventional warfare tactics.

Kwong!

The Black Dragon King set foot on the ground. It was merely a step, but to those watching, it felt as if he was crushing the earth.

Overwhelming determination and awe-inspiring presence.

It was a demonstration that could only be described as a true master. The kind of person to whom the term “absolute expert” should be applied.

The battlefield, which had been swirling like a stormy sea, came to a sudden halt.

Surochae, Tangga, Namgung , and even Hwasan.

Everyone, mesmerized, could do nothing but watch the Black Dragon King, who walked on the blood-soaked ground.

His appearance invoked the image of a divine general descending from the heavens. However, the voice that came from his lips was far from someone divine.

“…You miserable bastards.”

The moment his voice erupted from his lips, the enemies collectively tensed their necks. A true master’s mere presence could distort the flow of the battlefield.

The Sulochae had always been just a gathering of enemies without the Black Dragon King. However, when the Black Dragon King’s existence was added to them, they became part of the for main evil sects, forming one of the pillars of the Saparyeon .

“Hmph!”

With an air of disdain that regarded his subordinates like worms, the Black Dragon King fixed his gaze upon Hwasan’s swordsmen.

“These little brats dare to…!”

Kwong!

He stomped the ground as if he intended to shatter it.

“Without an ounce of fear, they’re prancing around in front of me?”

His tone was no different from that of a third-rate thug.

However, what truly carried the weight of his words was not his tone but the speaker himself. The voice, imbued with cultivated inner energy, resounded in everyone’s ears with an intimidating force, shaking them.

The moment his Guandao shook menacingly, everyone twitched and tightened their grips on their swords. They couldn’t even distinguish what he was saying.

What they were feeling now was the terrifying aura emanating from the Black Dragon King.

‘Black Dragon King.’

Yoon Jong gritted his teeth.

He had seen him up close in the past. However, back then, he hadn’t fully grasped the existence of the Black Dragon King, as he had been focusing all his attention on Jang Ilso and Maninbang.

What could you call the Black Dragon King you saw up close?

‘Rough.’

An indescribable sense of disgust washed over him.

Those who wielded swords inherently held such awareness.

Respect for the strong.

As they honed themselves day by day, climbing the steep cliff martial arts mastery, they naturally developed a sense of respect for those stronger than themselves.

Because they could imagine the effort and sweat poured into achieving such skill. That’s why they secretly hoped for it.

Supreme master.

Those who could dare to add the word ‘supreme’ before their title were expected to possess at least a minimum level of dignity.

However…

‘No.’

The Black Dragon King was different.

There was no trace of dignity one might expect from those who carry the label ‘supreme.’ He was more like a thug who literally overwhelmed others, believing he could achieve anything with his own strength.

But… Yoon Jong realized once again.

How terrifying someone is who disregard morality and law.

One who didn’t hesitate to flaunt their power and didn’t find it difficult to oppress others. Their aggressive recklessness even induced nausea.

At the same time, he couldn’t help but wonder how this bastard could perfectly control so many subordinates with just his presence.

“You’ve had quite a rampage,”

sneered the Black Dragon King, his voice roaring like a storm.

“You dare crawl onto this island with your own feet, and I’ll make you regret it in hell! I’ll tear every single one of you to shreds and feed you to fish!”

Extreme.

In that moment, Baek Cheon rose to his feet, leaning on the sword he had planted in the ground.

“Hmph!”

Spitting out blood that had filled his mouth, he glared at the Black Dragon King with determined eyes.

“At least if you’re the leader of a faction…”

A voice that seemed as sharp as a newly forged blade flowed out.

“You should know how to protect those who follow you, you son of a bitch!”

Namgung Dowi, still a young lord by status, had staked everything he had to save his clan. He didn’t even hesitate to throw his own life into the river.

Yet, a leader of the Surochae dares to hurl a blade at his own subordinates? This was something Baek Cheon could never forgive. Fiery rage welled up within him.

He had confronted Sapaeryeon, helped Namgung in danger. To be clear, his resentment was directed at Jang Ilso, not the Black Dragon King.

But having witnessed such an unjust spectacle, Baek Cheon could never forgive the Black Dragon King.

“Hehahaha!”

However, the Black Dragon King laughed heartily as he looked at Baek Cheon.

“That’s right. It’s been a while. Guys who spout nonsense like you in front of me.”

His speech was slow, but his powerful voice and presence made it all the more imposing.

“What do you think happened to those guys?”

“This…”

Baek Cheon clenched his lips tightly, determined not to yield to the Black Dragon King’s presence.

“They were all thrown into that blue river. The same goes for that idiot who thought he was a Sword Emperor or something.”

When the name Namgung Hwang was mentioned, the survivors of Namgung Clan narrowed their eyes with anger. Murmurs could be heard from all around. It seemed like they might rush at the Black Dragon King at any moment.

However, even in their immense rage, they couldn’t bring themselves to move. They knew that charging at the Black Dragon King in their current fury would only lead to certain death. Such recklessness would only disgrace the memory of their deceased lord, whom they had sought to protect.

“Those dogs who don’t understand how terrifying the world is can bark as they please. Come and see, you little shit. I’ll tear that mouth of his wide open!”

Tang Gunak subtly furrowed.

‘Not good.’

Calmly, he assessed that the situation they were in was far from favorable. They had leaped onto this island of their own accord and found themselves surrounded. If they had maintained their momentum, it might have been different, but now that the Black Dragon King had appeared, all that was left was a pitched battle.

There was only one way to regain the initiative.

‘Do I need to step forward?’

The burden on Hwasan was still heavy. It was true that they had grown stronger, but facing the Black Dragon King alone was a different matter.

Especially in a battlefield like this, where defeat was not an option.

‘The odds of winning? I don’t know.’

The outcome of a battle between those who have reached a certain level can only be determined by clashing. The only things to be gained from this are either glory or death.

Tang Gunak made up his mind. His new technique had not yet been perfected. Due to the nature of the Tangga’s martial arts, which were vulnerable in one-on-one combat, facing someone as formidable as the Black Dragon King would undoubtedly be a daunting task.

But now was the time for him to step forward. The head of the Great Sichuan Tang Clan could not remain passive in such a situation.

Just as he was about to take his first step forward…

“Ah, but kids these days…”

A voice suddenly interjected from somewhere, diverting Tang Gunak’s gaze.

Carrying a sword radiating a blue light over his shoulder, Chung Myung walked forward, his movements deliberate and measured.

“Hwasan Geomhyeop.”

“I’ve been trying to understand this all along…”

He approached Baek Cheon and stood half a step in front of him.

“Why is he talking so much? And about all these trivial things?”

“Ch-.. Chung Myung…”

Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung’s back with a speechless expression.

Who in the world could dare to speak like that in front of the Black Dragon King? This was a statement that not even the Abbot of Shaolin nor the Jang Ilso of the Saperyeon could make.

‘But this guy can.’

Because it was Chung Myung.

Yes, because it was him.

And it seemed that even the Black Dragon King had heard of this guy’s notoriety.

The Black Dragon King stared at the advancing Chung Myung, then opened his mouth.

“I remember that face. Yes, you are undoubtedly Hwasan Geomhyeop.”

“Yeah, I know you too. You’re the Black Dragon King.”

“…”

The Black Dragon King seemed momentarily speechless, closed his mouth, then suddenly burst into laughter.

“Hahaha!”

After laughing for a while, he tilted his head, and with a serious expression, he contorted his face.

“Kid, pretending to be tough isn’t a bad strategy, but it won’t work on me. But don’t worry. If your head is chopped off and thrown into that river, you can at least hide your piss-soaked pants.”

The Black Dragon King spoke as if growling. Upon hearing this, Chung Myung chuckled.

“The world has become sooo much better.”

“What?”

“This Sapaeryeon bastard dares to speak so audaciously in front of me.”

Disbelief filled the Black Dragon King’s eyes.

As the leader of Surochae, and even before gaining the title of Black Dragon King… No, even before that.

Had he ever heard anyone speak to him like this even once?

“This…”

The Black Dragon King’s eyes began to glimmer with a ferocious intensity.

“You… You, who don’t even know your place, think you’re something special just because you hung around Jang Ilso at Yangtze?”

“Talking about someone else’s embarrassing past like that isn’t something you should do lightly. If I just think about those times, I still pull the blanket over my head when I sleep, you know.”

“What did you say?”

“…”

Chung Myung turned his head from side to side. He seemed irritated, recalling unpleasant memories.

“The more you remember, the more you are able to endure.”

Then, as if mocking himself, he chuckled.

“Even for you guys who are nothing special.”

“…”

“Even I have to watch myself in that situation.”

Chung Myung revealed this.

Today, in this river, Hwasan had proven just how strong they had become. What they achieved today would be heard far and wide through everyone’s words.

So now, it was Chung Myung’s turn.

To show what he had accomplished over the past three years.

“Enough with the jokes.”

The Black Dragon King exhaled a fierce breath as he took a heavy step towards Chung Myung. The black aura from Guangdao flowed like venom.

“It doesn’t matter if you all attack at once. I’ll make sure you understand why I’m called the Black Dragon King!”

Finally, an enormous aura erupted from his body.

In the face of that aura, everyone’s faces turned pale. The enemies couldn’t even raise their heads properly, retreating in fear as if their throats were being choked by intimidation.

Regardless of his dignity, his presence as a formidable warrior was undeniable. It was a sight as if he had materialized his power with his very body.

Everyone was overwhelmed, except for one person.

“Anyway, it seems this evil brats have poor heads and can’t understand a word.”

Only Chung Myung, standing calmly on the opposite side to Black Dragon King, lightly tapped his sword resting on his shoulder.

“It might be too much for the Sapaeryeon kids, but I’ll teach them something special.”

His lips twisted, revealing sharp fangs like a wolf’s.

“Think of it as an honor, greenhorn.”

Chung Myung slowly lowered his sword from his shoulder and aimed at the ferocious Black Dragon King.

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