Return of the Mount Hua

There’s no way we wouldn’t believe it. (4)

ROTMHS Glossary || About page

Grrrkk.

The sound of the boat scraping against the sand was clear. After a moment, a man in red clothing slowly descended from the boat.

‘…Jang Ilso.’

Baek Cheon’s face contorted in a gruesome manner. Looking at the man’s face felt like blood was rushing in the wrong direction. He wanted to rush forward and plunge his sword into that throat immediately. His fellow disciples standing beside him seemed no different, their shoulders tensed in unison.

At that moment, Baek Cheon’s gaze fell upon Chung Myung. When he saw him, who remained eerily composed, even his breath caught.

Then, Chung Myung and Jang Ilso locked eyes with each other at a distance not too far away. They stared at each other without a single twitch or movement. In that silent confrontation, everyone on the island held their breath.

As Jang Ilso casually flicked his finger, a ring on the ground was magically drawn into his hand. Slowly, he placed the ring onto his long finger and nonchalantly observed Black Dragon King.

“…You’ve become a rag.”

His gaze then shifted to Black Dragon King’s severed arm and he frowned, as if he couldn’t bear to look at such a pitiful sight. Finally, he looked at Chung Myung with a gentle smile.

“How about it, Hwasan Geomhyeop? Do you really have to take that life?”

Jang Ilso’s voice carried a subtle tone.

Chung Myung couldn’t help but openly scoff. “Do you think it’s necessary?”

His foot pressed down on Black Dragon King.

“Grrrkk…”

A suppressed groan escaped from Black Dragon King, who could not resist.

“What’s this?”

Jang Ilso raised his eyebrow in an exaggerated manner.

“You might not understand my sentiments as someone from an orthodox faction that rains talents like clouds, but in unorthodox world, finding someone of his caliber is not an easy task.”

Chung Myung remained silent.

“Whether they’re bugs or idiots, I need to make use of them somehow. Pitiful, isn’t it?”

“Still, you’re quite playful with your words.”

“I appreciate your acknowledgment. It’s one of my specialties.”

Jang Ilso chuckled heartily.

“So, how about this… Can you spare his life?”

Chung Myung contemplated in silence.

“A pathetic Black Dragon King, his arm severed and him turned into a cripple, shouldn’t be much of a threat from your perspective. So, how about you leave him here, and I’ll take good care of him.”

“Why should I do that?”

Chung Myung’s icy gaze seemed like it could pierce right through Jang Ilso. After staring at him intently for a moment he chuckled.

“No, no. I can do that.”

He bared his teeth like a wolf that had been attacked and glared at Jang Ilso with all the hostility he could contain.

“If you have any intention of giving up even this insignificant life as payment, then go ahead.”

Hahahahat!

Jang Ilso slowly stroked his neck.

“Oh, dear. I never knew this neck had such value. To think it’s tempting enough to catch the attention of Hwasan Geomhyeop.”

Madness danced in his pale eyes. Just facing that gaze alone was enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine.

“But it’s quite difficult. No matter how insignificant this life may be, it’s still precious enough to not trade for a bug’s life.”

Black Dragon King trembled beneath Chung Myung’s foot. Even though he was barely breathing thanks to Jang Ilso, the treatment he received was cruel, especially for the once-almighty ruler of the Yangtze river.

However, he couldn’t even open his mouth.

The moment he unleashed his anger, Chung Myung’s sword would cut his throat without hesitation. The Black Dragon King, who had faced him in person, understood this. This man was not someone who hesitated in the face of murder.

“Then go ahead and speak.”

Chung Myung tossed his words without emotion.

“Go ahead and speak with that eloquent mouth of yours. Tell me why I should spare this wretch. And tell me why I should…”

His transparent gaze pierced through Jang Ilso.

“…why I should spare you.”

The crimson lips of Jang Ilso drew a sinister smile.

‘It’s chilling.’

It wasn’t a joke; facing those eyes, for a moment, his spine felt like it was freezing.

I thought he might return as a tiger, but…

This wasn’t a tiger – it was more like a pure monster.

As Jang Ilso’s snow-white hand extended below his sleeve and began to clench, the rings emitted a creaking sound as they rubbed against each other.

Jang Ilso glanced down at his hand briefly, and his gaze darkened for a moment.

Dressing up his entire body in jewelry was the most accurate way to assess his condition. The fact that his hand involuntarily clenched meant he was feeling intense murderous intent toward Chung Myung.

‘Do I want to kill him?’

Right here, right now?

Is there enough reason to throw away everything he had planned and remove this threat, even if it meant resorting to extreme measures? Was Hwasan Geomhyeop that threatening?

His mind hadn’t fully resolved the matter regarding Hwasan Geomhyeop yet, but his instincts were undeniably telling him that he should kill him right here, right now if necessary. His instincts were driven by the will to live. At this moment, his instincts regarded this young swordsman as a much larger threat than anyone he had ever encountered.

Jang Ilso lifted his hand slightly and covered his face with it, concealing any signs of emotion on his face. His face was hidden, but between his long fingers, his eyes exuded a chilling light.

He wanted to cut him down, to slit his throat, and drench his hands in his blood.

But…

“A price…”

Naturally, Jang Ilso rejected the voice within him.

It was about restraining his impulses, not acting impulsively and mindlessly according to his instincts. That was something he loathed most of all, the behavior of those who couldn’t control their impulses.

“What do you want, Hwasan Geomhyeop?”

“…”

He remained silent.

“Tell me. What do you want? I can listen to anything you have to say. Even if it’s…”

A smooth voice laced with venom brushed against Chung Myung’s ear.

“Even if it’s a mercy beyond measure, like letting you leave this island without begging for your life.”

“This…”

The moment those words ended, a burst of blue energy emanated from all Hwasan’s disciples. With bloodshot eyes, they extended their legs and clutched their swords as if they were ready to charge at Jang Ilso at any moment.

“Don’t act recklessly.”

What quelled the atmosphere that seemed about to explode at any moment was none other than Un Geom. As soon as his words ended, the anger that was sweeping through his disciples like disappeared.

It couldn’t be helped.

Un Geom’s words were always weighty, but especially in front of Jang Ilso and Maninbang, the weight was even greater. There was no one who could be more angry in front of them.

They had regained their composure and sealed their lips. However, their swords still emitted a blue light as they stared at Jang Ilso.

At that moment, Chung Myung spoke again.

“Jang Ilso.”

“Hmm?”

His eyes were excessively devoid of emotion.

“Don’t feed yourself with delusions.”

Jang Ilso looked at him with a thick smile.

“Delusions? Me?”

“You don’t know anything.”

For a moment, Jang Ilso’s complexion changed slightly. Chung Myung’s words sounded meaningful not like empty boasting.

Chung Myung continued,

“What do you think is the reason you set foot on this island and your neck is still intact?”

Jang Ilso silently gazed at him silently.

“Did you think I couldn’t kill you? Did you think I would accept your offer just to save one more person?”

Chung Myung revealed a smile.

“You foolish evil bastard, thinking the world revolves around your desires.”

Jang Ilso lightly chuckled at the insult and touched his chin.

“Then what’s the reason?”

“…”

“May I inquire what the esteemed master, who upholds Hwasan’s taoist principles, values so greatly that he spares the life of this cunning evil scoundrel?”

Even with this provocative remark, Chung Myung showed no reaction. He answered emotionlessly.

“It’s a tiresome task to enlighten a fool, but it’s also a duty of a Taoist. Clean your ears and listen carefully, you idiot. There’s only one reason I didn’t kill you.”

“…”

“That’s not within my authority.”

Jang Ilso’s expression subtly changed, his eyes narrowing.

It was a very subtle change in expression, but those who had been observing Jang Ilso could clearly tell. It was the first time that a look of a doubt had appeared on his face, which had always been confident in his actions.

“What are you talking about?”

“Even a three-year-old child would know, but…”

Chung Myung’s voice turned cold.

“For scoundrels like you, it must be spelled out. I am simply the sword. The only person in the world who decides who the sword will face is one and only.”

“…”

At that moment, Jang Ilso’s gaze shifted. Beyond Chung Myung, to someone behind him.

“If you want to beg for that pitiful life of yours and go back, you should beg to our Sect Leader. Because if it’s not him, no one here can save you.”

Extreme tension filled the air. Chung Myung’s Dark Plum Sword, which had been resting against Black Dragon King’s neck, scraped the ground. It was as if it was a warning that if Sect Leader gave the order, it would cut his throat right now.

A faint sense of embarrassment crossed Jang Ilso’s usually smooth face.

‘Acting according to Sect Leader’s orders?’

What kind of nonsensical statement was this?

Certainly, he knew that they were the evil, while he belonged to the righteous faction. Unlike the evil factions, who believed in the power of might above all else, he understood that the orthodox factions had their own rules to follow. Hadn’t Jang Ilso himself benefited greatly from this fact in the past?

But those were the tales of ordinary people. It was unthinkable that a person as ordinary as Hwasan’s Sect Leader, who was not even considered part of the prominent martial masters, could control someone like him, who was on such a level. Objectively speaking, Hyun Jong was no ordinary figure either.

Yet, could Hwasan Geomhyeop, so arrogant that he might as well trample on the leaders of the Gupailbang and Odaesega, and even before the leader of the Sapaeryeon, display such a clear willingness to follow Hyun Jong’s orders?

Jang Ilso was so dumbfounded that he was on the verge of laughter. But the absurd words were proven true in no time.

Even in the face of Chung Myung’s ridiculous statement, no one in Hwasan showed any signs of doubt. Not even a hint of suspicion crossed their gazes.

It was because they were taking Chung Myung’s words as a matter of course. It wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment decision; it meant that he had upheld this promise until now.

The moment he realized this fact, cold sweat began to form on Jang Ilso’s back. It had been years since he felt so flustered and tense.

‘So, I’ve essentially walked into the lion’s den,’ he thought.

He had assumed that Hwasan Geomhyeop would be the one negotiating. That’s why he could enter this place alone. His brilliant mind would not overlook the fact that Jang Ilso’s death here is a loss for Hwasan.

However, if the subject of this negotiation is Hyun Jong?

Jang Ilso momentarily twisted his lips and chuckled.

‘Perhaps this might be my grave.’

He slowly straightened his posture and confidently walked towards Hyun Jong.

Swish.

His long robe fluttered roughly. Jang Ilso, who had refined his manners with light grace, approached Hyun Jong with deep respect, displaying a flawless example.

“Jang Ilso of Sapaeryeon.”

With eyes like the full moon, Jang Ilsu gazed at Hyun Jong. Although they had met before, he behaved as if he was meeting Hyun Jong for the first time.

“I greet the leader of the Cheonumang, the Sect Leader of Hwasan.”

Hyun Jong, who let out a sigh, reciprocated the gesture.

“I am Hyun Jong, the leader of the Cheonumang and the Sect Leader of Hwasan. Nice to meet you again.”

It was equally impeccable.

However, hidden within this exchange was a chilling edge of a sword that passed through the hearts of all those watching.

Next chapter >>>

________

If you want to support my translations you can subscribe to my Patreon. 50+ more chapters translated there! I try my best to provide accurate and easy to read translation. Your support will help me to keep posting!