Return of the Mount Hua

Now it’s just the beginning. (5)

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“I, um, I have a bit of an injury on my arm…”

“It’s fine. Go over to that assisting guy and just get it disinfected.”

“…Soso, but I’m an older…”

“What?”

“…Never mind.”

Tang Soso, with her assistant Tang Pae, began to swiftly attend to the injuries of the disciples of Haenam. While Tang Pae had confidence in his medical skills, witnessing Tang Soso treating the wounds made it difficult for him to take the lead.

“When did you master all this? You’re incredibly skilled.”

“Try spending just a year in this cursed sect. Even with eyes closed, you learn to suture cuts and close any wounds.”

“Ah…”

While he couldn’t be sure about internal injuries, there was no denying that Tang Soso was much more adept at handling external trauma.

“Um, here, quickly…”

“Don’t fuss over minor scratches, just wait. Are there no people with bigger wounds?”

“S-sorry.”

“Next!”

“Yes, Sojeo*! I…”

As Geum Yangbaek watched the disciples flocking around Tang Soso, his expression hardened.

‘A physician…’

There was no way for Haenam, one of Gupailbang, to lack a medical hall. However, most of the members of the medical hall had left Haenam during excommunication ceremony. They, not being prominent fighters, had no reason to risk their lives in battle.

‘Even if they were here, would they be of any help in this situation?’

Probably not.

They likely had no experience treating someone with such wounds. At most, they would know how to care for those with internal injuries. If they had come along, it would have been fortunate if they didn’t prove to be a hindrance.

“…And who is that?”

“She is originally from the Tang clan.”

Baek Cheon calmly responded to Geum Yangbaek’s question.

“She’s the daughter of the Lord of Sichuan Tang clan, Tang Gunak. She joined Hwasan due to our connections. Now, she’s the main force of Hwasan’s medical hall.”

“…The medical hall…”

“Yes.”

“Since our sect often deals with injuries, she’s quite skilled.”

“…”

“So you don’t need to worry about injuries. Of course, severe injuries might pose some difficulties, but we can handle most treatments here.”

A sigh escaped Geum Yangbaek’s lips.

Seeing those receiving treatment made him realize just how important medical practitioners were on the battlefield. Despite knowing that someday they might have to fight wars risking their lives, he had been somewhat negligent in considering this aspect.

Geum Yangbaek felt stifled by his own realization.

“When did Hwasan… prepare all this?”

“We didn’t specifically prepare. It just naturally fell into place.”

“…Your modesty is excessive.”

Baek Cheon smiled at Geum Yangbaek’s words.

It might sound like modesty, but Baek Cheon was simply stating the truth. Was it really necessary for Hwasan to bolster its medical hall in preparation for a war in the distant future?

By chance, Tang Soso joined and, after experiencing numerous battles and treating countless injured fighters, her skills naturally improved significantly.

Tang Soso’s abilities were impressive, but under normal circumstances, it would have been difficult for her to exert such skill as the youngest member of Hwasan.

However, if we were to say why such a branch within a sect was able to grow so much…

Baek Cheon glanced briefly at Chung Myung.

‘It’s probably because that guy lost to Soso.’

No, upon reflection, it was only Chung Myung who raised his voice, thinking Tang Soso was important.

If asked whether Hwasan had prepared, he would have to say no, but…

“But we don’t have time to continue this conversation. The enemy is still narrowing the distance.”

“…That’s true.”

Geum Yangbaek nodded heavily.

Still, he was fortunate to have someone who could provide treatment. If they were to march without tending to their wounds, the longer they were pursued by the enemy, the worse the situation would become.

“Don’t take what that guy said to heart earlier.”

“Vice Sect Leader.”

“He may say such things, but deep down, he’s not such a cruel person.”

Geum Yangbaek lowered his head.

“Vice Sect Leader. I am also a human being, and a martial artist.”

“… “

“Do you think I don’t know how difficult it is to break through an encirclement from the front? Originally, it was my job. How could I harbor even a speck of resentment towards the one who took on that task? Even if I hear words from someone taking on that task, how could I resent them even a bit?”

“…Thank you for your kind words.”

“No, I really mean it. If Haenam had…”

Geum Yangbaek stopped speaking abruptly. But Baek Cheon could understand what he had wanted to say.

If Haenam had someone like Chung Myung, the situation might not have escalated to this point. Perhaps he wanted to say that.

But as a Sect Leader, it wasn’t appropriate for him to voice such thoughts. It could easily be interpreted as disregarding other disciples, and even the elders.

Baek Cheon took a deep breath before asking Tang Soso.

“Soso, is it done?”

There were many things he wanted to say, but it wasn’t the time for leisurely conversations. Even at this moment, the enemy was likely closing in.

“It’s fine! I’ve finished treating them!”

Soso replied promptly, scanning the surroundings swiftly. Then, with a slight frown, she pointed to a spot.

“Over there!”

“Yes?”

“You have a wound on your abdomen! Come here quickly!”

“Oh, no. It’s alright.”

“Why are you deciding that? It’s the physician’s role to make such judgments! Besides, those wielding swords seem to think their bodies are made of iron!”

“……Yes?”

“Aren’t you coming over here?”

The person ran hurriedly towards Tang Soso. With his clothes pulled roughly aside, Tang Soso swiftly treated the wound. Her touch, from applying the ointment to roughly stitching up the open wound, was firm.

“Uh…”

“Don’t make a fuss. There are others in more pain.”

“……Yes.”

After bandaging the wound, she looked around and addressed everyone.

“There are limitations to what I can do while we’re on the run. At those times, it’ll be strictly emergency treatment.”

“Yes.”

“But if there’s an opportunity, come to me right away. Ignoring injuries will only burden us later. Do you understand?”

“Yes! Understood.”

“Good.”

Tang Soso stood up abruptly and turned to Baek Cheon.

“It’s all set, Sasuk.”

“Yeah.”

Baek Cheon nodded with a slight smile.

Though the situation remained urgent, the thought of Tang Soso being Tang Soso wherever they were brought a strange sense of relief.

“Everyone, let’s depart immediately.”

“Yes.”

“Keep in mind, the enemies we’ve faced so far haven’t been the true forces of Sapaeryeon. They’ll likely confront us soon.”

At those words, the tension that had momentarily loosened tightened once more. Everyone felt a shiver run down their spine as they their faces hardened.

Despite knowing it already, Baek Cheon was deliberately bringing forth a fact that nobody wanted to dwell on.

“But if you follow the instructions properly, we will surely lead you all to Gangbuk. So please do your best.”

“Yes, Vice Sect Leader.”

Geum Yangbaek responded before the disciples, taking the lead, and the others nodded in agreement.

The slightly diminishing trust was visibly restored, largely thanks to Tang Soso.

“Monk Hye Yeon, are you alright?”

Baek Cheon asked, and Hye Yeon smiled warmly.

“I’m fine for the most part.”

“Monk…”

“However… please, even if Chung Myung Siju gets injured, don’t bring him to me. I’d rather die than carry him. If it’s not possible, just shut his mouth and leave him.”

“What, hey?”

“Amitabha.”

Hye Yeon’s remark elicited a small smile from Baek Cheon.

True strength of a person often emerges in moments like these. In that sense, both Tang Soso and Hye Heon were truly formidable individuals.

“We’ll depart now. Make sure to maintain formation.”

“Yes!”

With the injured tended to, they immediately resumed their sprint.

Pha-aat!

‘Indeed…’

Gwak Hwanso nodded, being deeply impressed.

The difference between doing energy circulation and not doing it, even briefly, was enormous. He could feel the power surging through their legs, allowing them to pick up speed significantly.

However, the problem lay in the fact that there would the time to do it will become scarce in the battles to come.

At that time, someone’s voice whispering to another brushed by his ear.

“Sahyeong.”

“Hmm?”

“It feels like the encirclement has weakened, doesn’t it? I don’t sense anything up ahead. It could be just my senses, but…”

“It’s not a misconception.”

Yoon Jong replied calmly.

“No matter how numerous and dominant Sapaeryeon may be in Gangnam, they can’t possibly fill the entire area with their forces.”

“That’s true.”

“In the end, they’ll have to layer the net formation several times. Since we’ve broken through the first line, we might pass through stretches without enemies for a while.”

“Then, isn’t it more feasible than we thought? If we keep breaking through like this…”

As Yoon Jong’s voice penetrated into Gwak Hwanso’s ears, it resonated with a dull tone.

“That might not be the case.”

“Why not?”

“Sapaeryeon wouldn’t have expected to stop us with just the first line of defense. The role of the first line is probably just to delay us for a moment, to buy time to set up proper traps in the next line.”

“…Are you talking about the defense line manned by Sapaeryeon?”

“Yes.”

“Well… we probably suspected that anyway, didn’t we? If we keep going like this, we can break through, right?”

“Yeah, I think so too.”

Yoon Jong, who had smiled at Jo Geol, glanced back. He saw Hye Yeon running silently with a wounded slung over her shoulders.

‘If only we can keep going like this…’

The most serious problem wasn’t external. Just a while ago, Yoon Jong had witnessed the possibility of a rift. With Tang Soso and Hye Yeon stepping forward this time, they managed to overcome it somehow.

But what if the number of injured increases? If the situation leads to slowing down the pace due to more casualties, and if more people get caught and injured in a vicious cycle?

What would they do then? Sacrifice themselves carrying the injured? Or abandon their comrades, who were once like brothers, and urge others to hasten their pace?

Hwasan found its answer.

After enduring many trials, fighting and debating among themselves, they had come to accept the path they must walk. It was a process that other sects repeated, pointing fingers at each other’s perceived futility.

But such a process never occurred in Haenam.

Therefore, they would now have to face it. What did it truly mean to observe lofty principles and righteousness at the risk of their lives, something they had only discussed in words?

Perhaps… at the end of this seemingly impossible act of breaking through Gangnam, they might have to confront the ugly aspects of themselves that they had buried deep in their hearts.

‘Primeval Lord of Heaven.**’

Yoon Jong closed his eyes tightly.

He could only hope that the hell the disciples of Hwasan would eventually face wouldn’t leave them with scars too deep.

Next chapter >>>

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*A term used to refer to a young unmarried woman – 小姐 – 소저.

** 원시천존(元始天尊) – one of the highest deities of Taoism. He is one of the Three Pure Ones and is also known as the Jade Pure One.

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