Return of the Mount Hua

Think of it as an honor, greenhorn. (4)

ROTMHS Glossary || About page

A look of despair appeared on Namgung Myeong’s face as he watched the situation unfold.

‘What did he say?’

Who was he confronting?

His pupils shook greatly as he stared at the back of a young man standing in front of him.

Of course, the Dojang is a unique presence, differing from the typical martial artists he knew. He acknowledged that aspect.

Not only Namgung Myeong, but no one among the current experts would regard Hwasan Geomhyeop as mere rising martial master. If there were still someone in this group who thought that way, they would be either an ignorant fool who didn’t understand how the world worked or a mere envious wretch who resented someone else’s shining reputation.

Even Namgung Dowi, who was considered one of the top rising stars and had the potential to become the head of the entire Namgung clan, would only appear pitiful in comparison to Chung Myung.

Hwasan Geomhyeop was on a different level.

However…

Namgung Myeong’s gaze extended beyond that young man to the Black Dragon King.

‘That’s also a matter of perspective, isn’t it?’

Everything in the world is relative. Just as Namgung Dowi’s reputation and skills paled before Hwasan Geomhyeop, Chung Myung’s reputation also became insignificant in the presence of the Black Dragon King’s name.

That was only natural.

The nickname “Hwasan Geomhyeop” contained nothing more than respect for what he had shown and expectations for where his sword would eventually reach. At most, it could be considered praise for the path he was walking.

But the Black Dragon King was different.

He received no respect from the world, yet his strength alone earned him a reputation that everyone in the martial world acknowledged.

Namgung Myeong glared at the Black Dragon King with bloodshot eyes.

Even Namgung Hwang, who was the head of Namgung Clan and wielded the Imperial Sword, could not gain the upper hand in a confrontation with the Black Dragon King. No, didn’t he ultimately meet his end by the hands of the Black Dragon King?

Namgung Myeong, who detested the Black Dragon King more than anyone, couldn’t deny the fact that the he was one of the most formidable figures in the world.

But…

To think that the Hwasan Geomhyeop would face off against the monstrous bastard?

‘This is madness.’

No matter how many times he thought about it, all he could envision was Hwasan Geomhyeop being torn apart under the Black Dragon King’s blade.

‘But why is no one stopping him? Why!’

Even though Hwasan Geomhyeop was a mere third generation disciple who had set out to confront the Black Dragon King, no one within Hwasan tried to stop him. They simply lowered their swords and silently stood behind him.

“Ugh…”

Namgung Myeong thought about it rationally. Hwasan Geomhyeop was undoubtedly strong and filled unrivaled courage, but he lacked experience and understanding of the Black Dragon King’s power.

A true martial arts master was not a common existence. It wouldn’t be surprising for the Hwasan Sect, which had lost its previous generation, to not fully comprehend the Black Dragon King’s strength.

But if that was the case…

Namgung Myeong turned his gaze towards Tang Gunak.

‘Why is the head of the Tangga remaining silent?’

If there was anyone here who should step forward to confront the Black Dragon King, it was undoubtedly Tang Gunak. While Tang Gunak’s reputation might be slightly inferior in comparison to the colossal name of the Black Dragon King, he was still the patriarch of Sichuan Tang. At the very least, he possessed a similar level of “status” as the Black Dragon King.

Yet, even though Tang Gunak must have felt Namgung Myeong’s gaze, he remained expressionless, watching the standoff between Chung Myung and the Black Dragon King.

Namgung Myeong grew increasingly confused.

Were they truly planning to send Hwasan Geomhyeop to confront the Black Dragon King?

‘No,’ he thought. Such a thing must not happen.

Chung Myung was bound to become a symbol of the martial world in the future. Could they simply stand by and allow him to die in the hands of such a shameless individual?

At least Namgung Myeong had no intention of standing idly by while the person who had risked their life for their sake faced death.

Namgung Myeong was about to step forward, his teeth clenched in determination. He knew he couldn’t be a match for the Black Dragon King, but at least he could try to fight and maybe change the course of this battle that had gone awry.

However, just as he was about to move, someone grabbed his shoulder tightly.

“Young Lord…?”

Namgung Myeong turned in surprise to see Namgung Dowi, who had regained his senses, holding onto his shoulder. Namgung Dowi parted his pale lips.

“No, please watch.”

“What?”

“Just watch.”

Covering his mouth, Namgung Dowi spat out some blood and wiped away the traces of it with his sleeve. His determined eyes were fixed on Chung Myung’s back.

Namgung Myeong stared at him with a blank expression.

There was a firm sense of trust in Dowi’s eyes. Looking around, Namgung Myeong finally noticed that everyone in the group shared the same unwavering gaze. None of them had a hint of doubt in their eyes; they all looked at Chung Myung with ultimate trust and determination.

‘They are not just standing by…’

Namgung Myeong realized that they were not merely bystanders.

The unwavering faith and trust of the members of Hwasan, the people from Sichuan Tang, and even Tang Gunak..

‘What on earth…?’

What had these people seen in Hwasan Geomhyeop that made them trust him this much, to the point where they wouldn’t even doubt him in such a situation, facing off against the Black Dragon King?

“Are they saying that Chung Myung can defeat the Black Dragon King?”

“Yes.”

The answer was unbelievable, and Namgung Myeong’s lips trembled.

“Have you seen him in action?”

“I… can’t say for sure.”

“But then how…”

Namgung Dowi smiled faintly.

“They are watching, aren’t they?”

He was referring to Ogeom, the disciples of Hwasan. Though they had only traveled together for a short time, Namgung Dowi could sense how much they cared for and valued each other. They were willing to sacrifice their lives for one another.

And now, these people were watching Chung Myung without hesitation.

In the face of such loyalty and trust, what was there to doubt?

‘Could I become like that too someday?’

Namgung Dowi shifted his gaze back to Chung Myung, standing resolutely in front of everyone. Could he, too, become someone who could lead people not with a sword but with just his unwavering presence?

He slowly clenched his fist, his gaze fixed on Chung Myung as if trying to engrave the image into his mind.

The wind from the Yangtze River swept through the space between Chung Myung and the Black Dragon King. The scenery surrounding them had taken on an eerie appearance.

Those who stood behind the Black Dragon King had instinctively moved farther away from him, even though there had been no explicit command. They had naturally formed a distance from him.

However, the situation was different for those standing behind Chung Myung. They hadn’t budged from their original positions and continued to glare at the Black Dragon King from behind. It was as if they were ready to fight alongside Chung Myung.

The Black Dragon King gripped his weapon tightly.

‘I don’t like this.’

It was hurting his pride to see someone who was nothing more than a green kid stepimg out to deal with him. Moreover, the gazes of those behind him were not to his liking either. Did they truly believe this young lad could be his opponent?

“Very well.”

His mood was a secondary concern. The Black Dragon King knew the importance of the battle’s flow. These young martial artists from Hwasan were stronger than he had initially thought, and Tangga were always formidable enemies.

If they were to gain momentum, even if Surochae eliminated them, the casualties on their side would increase exponentially. In order to minimize the damage, we have to completely break their morale.

Before them, he had to demonstrate how strong he was and shatter their will to resist. And to do that…

‘Just killing him won’t suffice.’

A sinister aura filled the Black Dragon King’s eyes.

He would tear apart that bastard to show everyone exactly who he was. Not just to them, but also to Jang Ilso, who was leisurely observing from a distant ship!

“Dare to stand before me and regret it in hell…”

It was that moment.

The clear figure that had aimed a sword at him disappeared from his sight in an instant.

‘What?’

Instinctively, the Black Dragon King increased his aura and covered his neck with his blade. It was a behavior born from countless real-life experiences.

And that move saved the Black Dragon King.

Kaaaah!

Like a ghost, Chung Myung’s sword had suddenly reappeared and was narrowly blocked by the Black Dragon King’s Guangdao.

Kagak! Kagagaagak! Kagak!

The chilling sound of the thin sword pushing against the thick blade of Guandao.

‘This…’

The Black Dragon King’s eyes trembled.

If his reaction had been just a moment slower, that sword would surely have been thrust into his throat. However, the imminent danger that was making the Black Dragon King’s entire body sweat profusely was not the sense of threat to his life.

‘What is this guy?’

Even as he pushed forcefully, as if he intended to break through the defense and slice the Black Dragon King’s throat, Chung Myung’s expression was grave to the point of being ominous.

As if he was scrutinizing, his gaze sent shivers down the Black Dragon King’s spine.

Kagagagaagak!

The incredibly powerful sword struck down with force. In the midst of the pain that seemed to twist his wrist, a beastly roar erupted from the Black Dragon King’s mouth.

“Urgh!”

He reflexively increased his internal strength output and pushed his sword forward with all his might.

But at that moment, the Black Dragon King saw it.

When he pushed forward, or rather, just before he pushed his blade forward, as if he knew it precisely, Chung Myung moved aside.

Time seemed to have slowed down, everything became clear.

The strike he had pushed with all his might ended up futilely hitting empty air where the sword no longer existed.

With ease, Chung Myung, who had released his power too casually, now plunged towards the Black Dragon King’s side.

The moment the Black Dragon King saw those eyes that seemed even more frightening because of their emptiness, he stopped thinking and threw himself to the side with all his might.

Thud!

It was a footwork technique that did not match his large stature, and its speed was extraordinary. In the blink of an eye, he covered a distance of over ten zang, and thick beads of sweat rolled down his chin.

He stared blankly at his left hand as he raised it. It was covered in white sand.

It was the hand that had touched the ground as he propelled himself. The sweat that had emerged on that hand was now clinging to it as a mark of shame.

As if entranced, the Black Dragon King then touched his side. The black robe symbolizing him and the armor worn beneath it were neatly split like it had been that way from the beginning.

And…

Drip, drip.

The exposed side was spread wide enough to fit one’s fingers in, even wider.

In the Black Dragon King’s gaze as he looked up, he saw the back of the one who had lowered the sword.

Before he could fully grasp the discomfort emanating from that figure, Chung Myung slowly turned to face the Black Dragon King.

“How unlucky.”

A cold voice cut through the silence. But colder than the voice was the look in Chung Myung’s eyes as he stared at the Black Dragon King.

“You could have died without any pain or suffering.”

The drop of sweat from the Black Dragon King’s chin fell onto the blood-stained ground below.

Drip.

That faint sound spread through the eerie silence of the plum blossom island.

Next chapter >>>