Return of the Mount Hua

I am going to save them. (4)

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Ho Gamyeong glared fiercely at the subordinate with a pallid and gaunt face standing before him.

“The entrance?”

“Still… not found.”

The subordinate’s voice trembled as he replied.

It was the first time seeing Ho Gamyeong in such disarray. Therefore, it was inevitable. One could only imagine the immense anger Ho Gamyeong was containing right now.

It felt like at any moment, the sword hanging at Ho Gamyeong’s waist would leap out and strike his throat.

But what leaped out wasn’t a sword but a low, short dagger. Sharper than a sword, more menacing than a knife.

“Find it.”

“Yes!”

“By any means necessary.”

The subordinate bowed deeply.

However, Ho Gamyeong had already turned his gaze away from him, staring sharply at the towering peaks of Hundred Thousand Mountains, which rose sharply like swords.

Burst.

His tightly clenched lips split open, and crimson blood flowed.

‘Hwasan Geomhyeop…’

It had all unfolded under Hwasan Geomhyeop’s control. But what truly tormented him was the inability to comprehend why he lost, unable to find a reason even after much thought.

How could such a thing have happened?

Is it plausible that those who were the first to explore Guangdong would know of and utilize the existence of the invisible hideout even when Ho Gamyeong himself couldn’t discover it?

Who could even imagine such a possibility?

‘It’s impossible…’

It felt like someone had reached into his mind and stirred it violently.

But denying that possibility would be meaningless. Because the impossible had already happened. No matter how hard you try and ignore it, reality is just reality.

He had poured out everything he could. Endured immense losses. Even committed the unimaginable act of disobeying Jang Ilso’s orders.

In a single moment, his meticulously laid plans had crumbled like foam on water.

If they were to escape Hundred Thousand Mountains?

‘That can’t happen.’

Once they crossed this hellish mountain range, what awaited was the vast land of Gangnam. No matter how many troops Sapaeryeon could muster, it would be impossible to block off all of Gangnam’s land.

Could they capture those who eluded them even in the familiar land of Guangdong on a broader territory?

“Push all available troops inward.”

“Um, yes?”

A subordinate standing behind him startled and looked at Ho Gamyeong’s back.

“They can’t hide forever. Eventually, they’ll have to reveal themselves. That’s when we’ll capture and kill them.”

“…Commander. You mean go in there?”

The subordinate asked again, and Ho Gamyeong slowly turned to look at him. The expression in his eyes made the subordinate flinch for a moment.

“F-Forgive me.”

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

“Yes!”

The subordinate bowed deeply.

After Ho Gamyeong’s gaze fell away, the subordinate, barely managing to lift his head, looked at the rugged terrain spread out before him with trembling eyes.

A hellish mountain range where you can’t even guess what’s right in front of you.

‘Here?’

Was Ho Gamyeong instructing them to confront Hwasan Geomhyeop here? To face that man?

Just imagining it made him feel nauseous and dizzy. But there was no other option. Disagreeing with Ho Gamyeong at this moment was futile.

So, all he could do from his position was to pray. Pray that the wrath of the devilish Hwasan Geomhyeop wouldn’t fall upon him alone.

❀ ❀ ❀

Thud. Thud.

As Chung Myung bent his head from side to side, he lightly clenched and loosened his fists.

‘Different.’

The person he is now is absolutely nowhere near what he was in the past. After going through this battle, he learned that fact for sure. However, there were undoubtedly different strengths in his current state.

First and foremost was his resilience.

The purest energy in the world he had been gathering meticulously bestowed upon him an unparalleled resilience compared to his past self. Perhaps it was because of this that he could quickly shake off more severe injuries than before and rise to his feet.

His body was also rapidly improving internally. The stiffness loosened, and blood began to circulate, causing sweat to trickle down his entire body. The toxins accumulated during the battle were being expelled in the form of sweat.

After pouring out a torrent of sweat like this, it was clear that his body would recover to a reasonable extent.

‘Still, it wasn’t all in vain.’

Although he hadn’t reached the heights he once ascended in the past, it could be seen as proof that the peak he had chosen to climb now was much higher than the one his former self had climbed.

Thud.

Chung Myung tore off the bandage wrapped around his chest. Baek Cheon, who was about to scold him, fell silent. The wound on Chung Myung’s chest had already healed.

“…Are you even human?”

“Sometimes I wonder myself.”

Chung Myung chuckled softly as he spoke. However, Baek Cheon couldn’t quite loosen his expression even after seeing his reaction.

“A guy who can recover like that…”

“What about it?”

“Well, then maybe you could have spared us the drama with your damned leg if you’d just held back a bit?”

“Huh? You think so?”

“Damn, you’re really crazy…”

Baek Cheon trailed off, grinding his teeth.

He knew it too.

There was no time for Chung Myung to rest. If he hadn’t stepped forward and fought relentlessly without a break, the sacrifices would have been incomparable to what they were now.

However, knowing didn’t quell the boiling anger within.

Baek Cheon sighed heavily as if the ground was collapsing beneath him. At that moment, Chung Myung casually asked again.

“What about Jo Geol Sahyeong?”

“He’s being looked after by Yoon Jong in another place.”

“He wasn’t even seriously injured, but these young guys are weak these days.”

“…Don’t you think that it’s just you who is abnormal? If you were like the others, you would have died ten times over.”

“Tsk tsk. Weaklings.”

While speaking disdainfully, Chung Myung chuckled lightly. Baek Cheon’s face twisted.

“You find this funny?”

“What difference does it make if I pretend to be serious?”

“…”

“Relax your face too, Sasuk.”

“You…”

“People are watching.”

At Chung Myung’s casually thrown remark, Baek Cheon’s face was tinged with a complex expression.

“Everyone is focused on your face. Our current situation is reflected in your expression. If Sasuk has an even uglier face than usual, everyone will be more anxious.”

“Have you ever seen something called ‘Dong Ryong’ in your lifetime?”

“At this level, he is a handsome man.”

“……Let’s stop talking.”

Baek Cheon let out a deep sigh. His heart was heavy.

He wasn’t oblivious to it. He knew that he couldn’t show any signs of wavering in any situation.

But…

It wasn’t as easy as it sounded.

He almost killed Chung Myung. He almost pushed Yu Iseol and Jo Geol to their deaths. Because his judgment wasn’t accurate. If only he had been a bit more…

Thunk.

At that moment, Chung Myung lightly tapped Baek Cheon’s shoulder.

“…What is it?”

“I wouldn’t have been able to do that.”

“…”

“Sasuk’s judgment was accurate. I couldn’t even come close to imitating it.”

“…Don’t waste your breath.”

“But still, you’ve got some intuition.”

“What, you?”

While he continued speaking some nonsense, Chung Myung’s gaze was on Yu Iseol’s condition. Despite deep wounds here and there, there didn’t seem to be any lingering aftereffects. The martial arts of the Taoist sect were powerful in situations like this.

However, the absence of lingering effects did not erase the pain she had endured.

This time, Chung Myung’s gaze reached the sleeping Tang Soso. Just by looking at the small wounds on her fingertips, one could imagine how fierce her struggles must have been.

Those who wield swords in battle fulfill their roles once the fight is over, but the role of physicians begin then. Perhaps she saved countless lives, but she also likely had to send many souls on their way.

Chung Myung’s gaze turned cold.

With a sigh, he began to walk slowly.

Throughout the area, scattered figures of Haenam’s disciples lay sprawled, resembling corpses, their noble demeanor long abandoned.

“Do you understand?”

Suddenly accompanying him, Baek Cheon spoke with a firm voice.

“They’ve all fought to their limits. Taking just two days to rest won’t be enough for recovery. Venturing outside now would only hasten their demise.”

“Hmm.”

Chung Myung nodded.

“There’s some truth to that statement. However, it’s not entirely accurate. By now, Poisoned Heart Rakshasa will be desperately searching for an entrance.”

“…”

“And given his abilities, he’ll soon find it. He’s only halfway there, that’s why he hasn’t discovered it yet.”

Baek Cheon bit his lip lost in thought. Chung Myung’s words were correct. This place couldn’t remain safe forever.

Just then, those who had noticed Chung Myung waking up rushed over.

“Dojang!”

“Are you alright?”

“Your injuries are severe. Please rest a bit longer!”

Seeing Namgong Dowi, Tang Pae, and Hye Yeon rushing towards him, Chung Myung chuckled. Each of them wore expressions heavy with worry.

“I’m fine.”

He was worried about these little chicks too.

“And what about Nokrim King?”

“Here I am.”

Im Sobyeong staggered from behind.

“Even the nasty ones are hesitant to take down the Nokrim King. Seeing you here, Dojang, it seems that wasn’t just empty talk.”

Chung Myung chuckled at the snide remark.

“Getting beaten up by Ho Gamyeong and then taking it out on me for no reason.”

“W-Who got beaten up?”

Im Sobyeong protested.

“Then should I say you got thrown around?”

“Ugh…”

Im Sobyeong clenched his fists tightly, clearly stung by the implication. After a moment of hesitation, he took a deep breath and asked.

“What do you plan to do now?”

“What?”

“Well, considering the situation. As you know, we can’t stay holed up here forever. We need to go outside. But with everyone’s current condition…”

At those words, everyone’s faces darkened. Despite being able to catch their breath, no one was unaware of the precarious situation they were in.

“What are we going to do?”

“…Well…”

“That’s something you should ask them over there.”

“Huh?”

Im Sobyeong looked at Chung Myung as if asking what he meant.

“The roles have changed.”

“…What do you mean?”

Chung Myung’s eyes scanned those in front of him.

The injuries they sustained were not as severe as Yu Iseol’s, but they were still significant, bearing the marks of the fierce battles they had fought.

“What about Jo Geol Sahyeong?”

“Over here…”

Namgung Dowi guided him.

Chung Myung followed, silently observing Jo Geol, who still hadn’t regained consciousness, as if taking in every wound etched on his body.

After a moment, Chung Myung turned to Im Sobyeong.

Im Sobyeong flinched involuntarily at the icy gaze Chung Myung fixed upon him.

It was so cold that it made Im Sobyeong doubt if he really knew Chung Myung all this time…

No, it wasn’t just the chill. There was a sense of unease. It felt strange, as if looking at someone else despite clearly seeing the same person.

“Sword.”

“…”

Baek Cheon handed over Chung Myung’s sword he had been holding onto.

It was the sword he had kept to ensure Chung Myung wouldn’t go on a rampage. He had resolved not to pass it on until Chung Myung’s condition improved.

But for some reason, Baek Cheon couldn’t resist his current words.

“Nokrim King.”

“Yes, Dojang.”

“Get ready while I buy us a little time. Let’s get out of here at once.”

Im Sobyeong nodded.

He was a strategist. He knew well that once they crossed the Hundred Thousand Mountains, they could move all the way to the Yangtze River.

Ho Gamyeong gathered those he could and led them to Guangdong. Now, they had to pay the price.

The problem was that with the current conditions of Cheonumaeng and Haenam, even fully utilizing the terrain of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, the battle wouldn’t be easy.

Furthermore, giving themselves time to recover meant giving the enemy time to surround them again.

Chung Myung would be aware of this fact.

And now, Chung Myung’s words implied that he could handle this situation himself.

“What are you planning to do…?”

Im Sobyeong asked cautiously. In response, Chung Myung flashed a menacing smile.

“I have debts to settle,”

he said, revealing his white teeth between twisted lips.

“They need to understand the significance of setting foot here.”

It’s time to teach them what he had desperately needed to realize in the past.

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