Return of the Mount Hua

There are people you can deal with using words. (2)

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A fierce energy swept through the main hall. Though an air of tension had been present, the atmosphere, which had been feigning ‘peace’, turned into a battlefield in an instant.

“Wait, Elder!”

Chu Myeon Gae shouted with a pale face.

“What is the meaning of this? Bringing someone’s head! The Sect Leader is…”

“Silence!”

Before Chu Myeon Gae could finish speaking, Ilho Shin Gae’s thunderous roar struck his eardrums.

“Don’t be so frustrating! Haven’t you understood the situation yet? If we retreat now, the Beggars Sect will surely become a laughingstock for the whole world!”

“Well…”

Chu Myeon Gae faltered.

Ilho Shin Gae’s momentum momentarily silenced Chu Myeon Gae.

“I won’t ask you to assist us! But at least don’t hinder us! If you refuse to see, turn your head away, and if you refuse to help, leave this place! Now!”

Forced by an intimidating aura akin to that of an angered beast, Chu Myeon Gae hesitated and stepped back.

In truth, he could have resisted this and fought back. But upon considering the meaning behind Ilho Shin Gae’s words, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

“Uh…”

Chu Myeon Gae, with his lips bitten in contemplation, eventually let out a sigh mixed with lament.

“Elder, Hwasan…”

“I know. Don’t you forget that I am Ilho Shin Gae.”

Completely overwhelmed in the power struggle with Ilho Shin Gae, Chu Myeon Gae still managed to cast a sidelong glance at Pung Yeong Shin Gae. Their eyes met briefly. Chu Myeon Gae made a bitter expression, then turned and left the main hall.

“Ugh.”

Sigh…

The elders, who had been silently observing their confrontation, let out sighs of distress. With this, it was clear what they had to do.

They couldn’t truly oppose the Sect Leader, but they also couldn’t muster the courage to resist against these intimidating figures. Thus, with bowed heads, some of the elders quietly left the main hall.

A few of them, perhaps out of lingering attachment or perhaps out of guilt, glanced at Pung Yeong Shin Gae. However, their numbers were far from significant.

“Tsk.”

Ilho Shin Gae watched the retreating elders with a disdainful glance, briefly clicking his tongue.

Those without the courage to overturn disgrace or the willingness to thoroughly become cowards. They were the ones compromising the integrity of the Beggars Sect.

Yet, Ilho Shin Gae didn’t harbor hatred towards them. He had someone else to direct his hatred towards. He glanced momentarily at Pung Yeong Shin Gae before shifting his gaze to Baek Cheon.

“I’ll give you a chance.”

“…”

“If you withdraw from here and keep everything quiet, the Beggars Sect will become your ally. But if not, you will die here.”

Without leaving even a sliver of room for negotiation, Ilho Shin Gae’s threat was indeed menacing, especially considering that this was none other than the headquarters of the Beggars Sect and Ilho Shin Gae was the one leading the elders.

“What will I do?”

However, Baek Cheon, upon hearing the threat, remained composed.

“You say we are going to die…”

Baek Cheon, who had been pondering for a moment, shrugged.

“Do you have the confidence to handle the aftermath?”

“It seems you trust in Hwasan, but unfortunately, they won’t even have the chance to intervene. Instead, they’ll mourn the unfortunate demise of their disciples who fought the Demonic Cult that intruded the headquarters of the Beggars Sect.”

A chuckle escaped Baek Cheon’s lips.

It means killing everyone without anyone knowing, and then blaming the crime on Demonic Cult.

“Judging by your words, this seems to be a recurring event. How many have you disposed of in such a manner until now?”

“…”

“Indeed, those who manipulate information are terrifying. They can turn falsehoods into truths. However… despite that, there are many things you seem unaware of.”

“What do you mean?”

Swoosh.

Baek Cheon slowly drew his sword.

Ilho Shin Gae’s expression hardened, understanding the clear intent behind Baek Cheon’s actions. Baek Cheon, with his sword drawn, looked silently at Ilho Shin Gae.

“Unfortunately, threats are not the way to deal with Hwasan. It’s the most misguided approach. It seems the Beggars Sect is unaware of what both Shaolin and Sapaeryeon know.”

“You…”

“I’m simply trying to abide by the words of the Elders. If your claim is false, then you will bear all responsibility.”

Baek Cheon smirked and adjusted his stance.

“Hwasan is sensitive to the notion of responsibility. So… I believe there’s no need for further discussion. What do you say?”

Ilho Shin Gae burst out laughing.

“Hwasan is Hwasan, is that what you mean?”

Ilho Shin Gae knew it too well. Despite the perilous journey through Gangnam ruled by Sapaeryeon, they have reached the shores of Hainan and came back. These were people who wouldn’t yield or surrender, no matter how dire the circumstances.

Yet, despite their unwavering resolve, witnessing them in this moment made it even clearer why Ilho Shin Gae couldn’t retreat. If it weren’t for those like Pung Yeong Shin Gae, would Beggars Sect have been able to foster such fearless young warriors?

“…In that case.”

Cooooo!

Ilho Shin Gae’s stomp reverberated through the hall, accompanied by an immense surge of inner strength from his body.

“Don’t blame me. This is the path you’ve chosen!”

Sensing that dialogue was futile now, Jo Geol and Yoon Jong drew their swords and advanced. To Baek Cheon’s left, Jo Geol couldn’t help but let out a groan.

“I knew it would come to this!”

“If you knew, why waste time with talk? Just swing your sword first.”

“…Both of you are noisy.”

“Amitabha. It’s not even surprising. It’s always like this when Vice Sect Leader steps in.”

“Well, that’s Vice Sect Leader for you.”

“Incompetent.”

Hye Yeon, Tang Soso, and Yu Iseol walked out with solemn faces, standing as if guarding Baek Cheon. When they momentarily met each other’s gaze, they seemed puzzled as if something was amiss, then simultaneously turned around.

The person who received the pouring gazes in the silence underwent several changes of expression.

However…

“Hu!”

That person, Lee Songbaek, soon clamed his breathing and stepped forward, drawing his sword. A clear and elegant aura emanated from the tip of the blade.

Jo Geol chuckled.

“You seemed so confident earlier, but now that it’s time to fight, it looks like you’re scared?”

“There’s no way.”

Lee Songbaek smiled bitterly, then glanced back towards Chung Myung, who was behind him.

“If this is the right thing to do… I’d rather break than hesitate to walk that path.”

“Yet you seem to hesitate despite that?”

“It’s not that… It’s just…”

“Yes?”

Lee Songbaek, who had been wearing a determined expression, suddenly let out a deep sigh.

“If by some chance I survive this, how am I supposed to explain all of this to Daesahyeong…”

“Hah…”

“It gives me chills.”

“If it were me, I’d flee.”

“Haven’t you already, Sasuk?”

“Quiet!”

With a polite stance, Five Sword conveyed their condolence to Lee Songbaek. Just imagining Jin Geumryong, with his face contorted like a demon’s, was enough to send shivers down their spines, even for those present here.

“Amitabha. Think it through before taking any action.”

“…Is that Monk really a Buddhist monk?”

Lee Songbaek shook his head slightly and gripped his sword again.

“But still, I never imagined we’d end up fighting against a Just Sect…”

Right at that moment.

“Ooooooh!”

Kwaaaaaang!

A blue light, charged with the momentum of a hurricane, burst forth from Ilho Shingl Gae and flew towards Pung Yeong Shin Gae. Pung Yeong Shin Gae’s expression changed drastically.

“You’re too hasty in nature.”

Paaaaaaat!

A flash that seemed to split the air in two flew towards both sides.

Thud.

In an instant, Chung Myung, who had dashed forward aiming to protect Pung Yeong Shin Gae, split the burst of energy aimed at him and chuckled as he looked at Ilho Shin Gae.

“Just judging by your personality, you guys seem more like Sapa bastards.”

“Hwasan Geomhyeop!”

“If you want to kill the Sect Leader, then try killing me first.”

Chung Myung flicked the Dark Plum Sword in his hand and pointed it at Ilho Shin Gae.

“If you’re capable enough to do that with your skills.”

“Arrogant…”

Ilho Shin Gae retorted.

“Ha! Today, I’ll show you just how high the sky is for you.”

“Aha. I think I know better than you.”

“You bastard!”

“You get angry even when I tell you the truth. Anyway, beggars will always be beggars.”

When Chung Myung clicked his tongue, Pung Yeong Shin Gae spoke with a tense expression.

“Be careful, Geomhyeop. Sahyeong is strong.”

“You’re not saying that to me, are you?”

“…I apologize. I was being arrogant.”

“You can’t take a joke, huh?”

Chung Myung smirked. It seemed unlikely to become friendly with this guy.

In the past, this would have been a very natural response, but now it felt awkward. Maybe because there were so many people around who constantly criticized him.

“Chung Myung! They’re coming!”

“I know!”

The elders of the Beggars Sect rushed towards them. Beggars Sect was a sect that excelled in utilizing their numbers. The elders, with their numerical advantage, were never easy opponents.

“Take that, you beggars!”

A thunderous roar erupted from Chung Myung’s mouth.

“Sweep them away!”

“Urrrachaaaa!”

As Chung Myung’s words fell, Jo Geol, like a beam of light, became the first one to pierce through the elders. Following suit, the rest of the group leaped towards the elders without a moment’s hesitation.

“What?”

“T-These guys!”

For a moment, confusion flickered across the faces of the elders. They had never imagined that instead of gathering defensively as a minority, these intruders would charge at them with such aggression.

“Khaaaa!”

Jo Geol’s sword, moving so fast it seemed invisible, pierced through the elder’s shoulder in an instant. The elder’s agonizing scream immediately flipped the atmosphere the main hall.

“This brat!”

In the blink of an eye, elders flanking Jo Geol struck blows to his sides. However, their strikes were promptly intercepted by two swords flying in, one wielded by Yoon Jong and the other by none other than Lee Songbaek.

Lee Songbaek deflected the incoming force from the elder in mid-air and hardened his expression. The force contained in the strike was exceptionally strong.

“Be careful…”

But before Lee Songbaek could convey his warning, Jo Geol surged forward again, unleashing a dozen sword strikes.

“Aaaaah!”

“Be careful! Those aren’t novice’s swords!”

With their swift and sharp sword energy causing the elders to falter, the disciples of Hwasan seized the opportunity to press the attack relentlessly.

“Charge at them all at once!”

The crimson sword energy descended upon the bewildered elders. In the face of such fierce sword energy, the elders seemed to pale as if drained of blood in an instant.

“Protect yourselvesss!”

Kwaaaaang!

A deafening explosion erupted, following the trajectory carved out by Five Swords’s blades, splattering the blood of the Beggars Sect’s elders.

“…They look like the Sapa bastards.”

Chung Myung chuckled softly, shaking his head. At first glance, their swords seemed truly like an attack of an Evil Sect. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to mistake them for such.

“Well… that’s Hwasan for you.”

With a playful smile, Chung Myung glanced at someone who hadn’t fully engaged in the battle yet.

“After all, once we capture the Sect Leader, it’s over, right? That’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it?”

“…”

“But what about this? We’re in the same boat. If we take you down, isn’t it game over? And it’s not like your sect has a designated successor after you, right?”

Ilho Shin Gae’s face twisted.

“This bastard…”

“All we have to do is take out the head, huh?”

Chung Myung twirled his sword, gripping it in reverse.

“Don’t worry. Even if you are a beggar, you are still part of a Just Sect, so I’ll cleanly take you out. I’m someone who’s all about fairness, even in a questionable situation.”

Chung Myung smiled, showing his teeth.

“So let’s finish this quickly.”

Paaaaaat!

Chung Myung closed the distance in an instant, charging forward. The sunset-colored glow enveloped the blade of his Dark Plum Sword.

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