Return of the Mount Hua

Of course, such a thing would never happen. (3)

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“Ah! Damn it! Why are there so many?”

Jo Geol exclaimed, slashing through the enemy’s chest in frustration.

“Shut your mouth, you damn bastard!”

“No! Isn’t this going too far?”

Jo Geol complained, his face contorted.

Break through Nanjing in one go without encountering the enemy until you get to the designated position?

‘I haven’t even reached that ‘designated position’ yet!’

It feels like every single Evil Sect in the world has gathered here. Everywhere they went, there were Sapas bustling around. Crossing a forest, crossing a stream, there are Sapas everywhere. The problem is…

“What, what is it?”

“It’s the enemy!”

“No! Why have they all been startled since earlier?”

Jo Geol yelled out angrily.

It’s maddening that while encountering Sapaeryeon, it’s not Cheonumaeng or Haenam that have been startled, but rather those bastards are the ones more surprised, as if they were suddenly attacked by Demonic Cult in their own neighborhood.

“This is getting ridiculous…”

Whaaah!

Just as Jo Geol was about to let out a dying scream, someone suddenly swept past him, jumping over his shoulder.

Clang!

With a sound akin to the fluttering of wings, sword spread out in all directions.

“Ahh!”

“Aaaaah!”

The enemies, pierced all over in a blink of an eye, groaned in pain.

“Sago!”

“…Step back. If you’re going to keep whining.”

“Oh, no, it’s not that…”

Jo Geol started to explain with a puzzled expression but then fell silent.

While his injuries were severe, Yu Iseol’s wounds were even worse. It seemed pathetic for him to cry out in a fight where Sago was fighting without saying a word.

“Jo Geol, you already look pathetic.”

“Don’t read people’s minds! Have you even learned the arts of mind reading?”

Baek Cheon spoke casually as he followed Yu Iseol, who was running ahead.

“Samae! Are you okay?”

“Yes, Sahyeong.”

Yu Iseol nodded calmly.

“I can fight now.”

“Don’t push yourself. Your injuries are severe.”

“Yes.”

Despite the warning not to push herself, there was no difference in Yu Iseol’s demeanor. Her sword remained composed, neat, and swift as usual.

And as Baek Cheon looked at her sword, he felt something in his heart melting away. It was a sense of relief.

He had been secretly worried. What if Yu Iseol lost her sword because of those deep injuries? Even if she couldn’t be at full strength right away, Yu Iseol’s sword was no less than a treasure, that Hwasan should never lose.

But looking at that sword, he could tell. He had been worrying for nothing.

‘But still, no matter how much I think about it, it’s strange.’

Baek Cheon’s gaze shifted towards the enemies that Yu Iseol was fending off.

“Rotate the front and rear positions. Those who are tired, replenish your strength!”

“Yes!”

Gwak Hwanso’s voice boomed. Not only Yu Iseol but also the members of Haenam were pushing their enemies with relentless force. They were pressing their opponents so fiercely that they showed mercy only by inflicting moderate injuries.

Have they grown strong enough?

‘No. The opponent is just too weak.’

Sapas they were facing now were far below the level of those who had blocked them in Guangdong.

That’s what was strange.

Whether it was Ho Gamyeong or Jang Ilso, if they had intended to capture them, they wouldn’t have sent such individuals. Those two must know that those kinds of people would be of no help.

Even if they rot or perish, would such ragtags be opponents to those at the core of Cheonumaeng, centered around Haenam?

But if that’s the case, then why? Neither Jang Ilso nor Ho Gamyeong would engage in such futile acts with no effect.

“Vice Sect Leader.”

At that moment, Namgung Dowi, who had rushed over, looked at Baek Cheon without saying anything.

“…It seems you’ve already noticed.”

“Yes.”

“These people didn’t come here to face us. They didn’t seem to even know about our existence.”

“That’s certainly true.”

In a momentary impulse, Baek Cheon, who had been about to turn his head towards Chung Myung and Nokrim King, flinched and then fixed his gaze.

‘Don’t rely on them!’

It’s an ultimate blessing to have allies with great insight. However, the moment all analysis and judgment are entrusted solely to them, that blessing turns into shackles.

It’s meaningless if he doesn’t have the ability to think and judge for himself. Is there any guarantee that they’ll be there every time he needs to make a critical decision?

‘What help could these Sapas possibly provide?’

It’s clear they wouldn’t be a match against the core members of Cheonumaeng. So, what does that mean?

“They must be gathering to face someone other than us.”

“I agree.”

“If that’s the case…”

A shiver ran down Baek Cheon’s spine.

Even if they couldn’t face the core forces of Cheonumaeng, they could always confront the small and medium Just Sects whenever necessary. Just because they seemed like idiots to them didn’t mean they were truly useless.

The problem was, as long as this groups of Sapas remained in Gangnam, they would never have reason to confront the smaller Just Sects of Gangbuk.

“Perhaps… I know it sounds absurd, but could it be that Shaolin has been rallying forces in Gangbuk?”

“…Is that possible?”

“It could be.”

Namgung Dowi, who had brought up the question, even laughed as if he couldn’t believe his own words.

In the past, when Shaolin raised their flag and shouted, numerous Just Sects would gather beneath it. But now, that’s impossible.

Everyone in Gangho has keenly observed what happened at Maehwado. They realized that they could be abandoned by Shaolin the moment they became isolated. Would they be foolish enough to follow Shaolin’s orders?

That seemingly insignificant choice opened up a paths for many sects in Gangho to live their own lives.

‘Yeah, why act so foolishly…’

Righteousness often seems foolish when judged only by short-term outcomes. But the reason it is righteousness is because it ultimately leads to the right results.

If, at that time, Shaolin had not abandoned Namgung clan and instead rushed to their aid, the power behind Shaolin’s voice would have been incomparable to what it is now.

In any case, with Shaolin’s current reputation and power, a full-scale attack on Gangnam is impossible. It might be possible to lead a few sects that follow them and launch an attack, but it would be difficult to rally all the medium and small sects.

In that case, there’s only one option left.

“…Are you suggesting they are crossing the river? Leading these Evil Sects?”

“Is it possible? They’re not skilled enough to cross the wide Yangtze River with just their physical strength. Numerous ships would have to make several round trips to move them all. Gupailbang wouldn’t just sit back and watch, would they?”

“We’ll have to see what’s been happening lately. The crossing seems inevitable.”

“That’s…”

Namgung Dowi’s expression grew even more serious. Putting together the conversation so far, the conclusion is clear.

Advancement to Gangnam. It’s evident that Jang Ilso has drawn his sword.

‘Now?’

Namgung Dowi swallowed dryly, almost involuntarily.

No, it’s possible. It’s possible at any moment. If it’s Jang Ilso, he can start a war by crossing the river whenever he wants. While ordinary people desire stability and perfect victory, what he wants is chaos and dramatic victory using it.

The reason why he couldn’t help but tremble at this fact, even though he knew all of it, is simple.

‘I thought it wouldn’t be now, just like everyone else.’

War can break out at any moment. That’s a fact everyone here knows.

But at the same time, everyone is thinking. Now is not the time for that war, at least not now. It’s said that it will happen a little later, maybe some time after, although no one knows when exactly.

Jang Ilso was openly mocking their conviction and hope.

“Why now, of all times…”

“If you think about it the other way around, isn’t now the only time?”

“Yes?”

“While everyone in the world simply lives in it, it’s only a few who move the world. Aren’t the eyes of those few now entirely focused on Gangnam?”

“…”

“If it’s Jang Ilso, he won’t fail to exploit such a situation. He will definitely try to lead it as he wishes. Even if the time is not yet ripe, he will overlook that if the conditions are right.”

“Then…”

Namgung Dowi’s voice trembled slightly. The meaning of those words hit him too vividly.

“Are you saying that war will break out because of us… because of no one else but us?”

Baek Cheon fell silent for a moment. But soon, after organizing his thoughts, he spoke again.

“War would have broken out regardless of us. Just because the timing has come a little earlier doesn’t necessarily mean it’s our fault.”

“But…”

Namgung Dowi still couldn’t shake off the discomfort and hesitated. Baek Cheon looked at him directly and asked,

“If you knew this would be the outcome, would you have stayed in Gangbuk to avoid the war?”

Namgung Dowi couldn’t respond to that statement either.

“Our opponent is Jang Ilso. If we hadn’t acted, he would have devised another scheme based on the fact that we hadn’t moved, claiming to have destroyed Haenam. That’s just the kind of guy he is.”

Namgung Dowi nodded weakly.

“So let’s focus on breaking through this situation right now.”

“That’s the right answer!”

Suddenly, the two turned around at the voice coming from behind. Im Sobyeong was swaying a fan in his hand, nodding his head with a smirk.

“It seems like you two have grown in your own ways. This scholar is very pleased.”

“It feels disgusting.”

“Isn’t a compliment from a Sapa an insult?”

The two became annoyed for no reason. Im Sobyeong, whose gaze suddenly darkened, spoke.

“Rather, we should focus on something else.”

“…Yes?”

“If Jang Ilso is really planning to start a war… if he was planning to advance north, then the one benefit we’ve been enjoying all this time will completely disappear.”

“Benefit?”

The two stiffened their expressions. What benefit could they have gained thanks to Jang Ilso? If anything, they’ve suffered losses.

Especially Namgung Dowi, who lost most of his family because of Jang Ilso, glared at Im Sobyeong with eyes full of hostility. But Im Sobyeong shrugged his shoulders and said firmly.

“To be precise, it means there’s no longer a need to maintain balance.”

“Balance?”

“The existence of Cheonumaeng.”

Only then did the two understand Im Sobyeong’s words and fell silent.

“So far, Jang Ilso has been aiming to cause a rift between Just Sects by leaving Cheonumaeng alone. But if war breaks out, it’s a different story. Cheonumaeng is the faction most likely to fight fiercely at the forefront of the war.”

“That’s true…”

Whether they like it or not, that’s how it will be. If one side loses its cool and resorts to evil deeds.

And that means…

“While it has been advantageous to keep Cheonumaeng afloat so far, now that it is becoming a hindrance, he will try to destroy it. By any means necessary.”

Their eyes simultaneously turned towards the back, or more precisely, towards Chung Myung, who was following them.

“That…”

Baek Cheon, who was about to say something while looking at his expressionless face, flinched for a moment.

His gaze shifted not to Chung Myung but a bit further back, towards the direction of the forest they had already passed through. Tall, spiky trees swayed with a rustling sound.

“They’re coming.”

Im Sobyeong folded his fan and gripped it tightly.

“Be prepared. It will be different from before.”

Crash!

Soon, large trees began to collapse one after another, revealing figures all too familiar. Now, the uniform of Maninbang’s warriors was too familiar to even be described as annoying.

Among them, Ho Gamyeong stood with a chilling glare.

“Show them how bitter Sapa’s revenge can be.”

Baek Cheon bit his lip until it bled.

Next chapter >>>

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I honestly hope for no more chasing/pursuit arcs in the future. Just my thoughts. At this point I just want Chung Myung to jump Ho Gamyeong and chop his head off.

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