Return of the Mount Hua

That’s not my concern! (3)

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“They’ll target the flanks! We can’t let our guard down for a moment!”

Baek Cheon glanced at the left side covered in flames and then checked the opposite side. Yoon Jong, leading his group, was also on guard against the flanks, just like him.

‘Right now…’

Baek Cheon was about to issue another command after quickly scanning the surroundings.

“Why did you pull me back?”

Jin Geumryong, who had approached his side, asked. Instead of his usual arrogance, there was a hint of anger on his face.

“Do you understand the situation? We’ve entered rough terrain. Our speed is bound to drop. If the front gets delayed, we’ll be surrounded and isolated by enemies coming from all sides.”

“I know.”

“Even so, you pulled back? Do you even understand your position? You should have been at the front, clearing the path.”

“…”

“Or could it be that you…?”

“Enough with the nonsense, Jin Geumryong.”

“…What?”

Baek Cheon’s gaze was fixed straight ahead. He could see Jo Geol charging at the front, followed by the division members.

“I just assigned the most suitable person to the task. As far as I know, there’s no one better than Jo Geol at breaking through the front.”

“You…”

Jin Geumryong was about to say something but then hesitated. Baek Cheon calmly said what he couldn’t.

“No. Even if I hadn’t become weaker, it would be the same. Even if I were twice as strong, it would still be the same. The right to lead the front isn’t earned through strength.”

“…”

“You’ll see eventually why I put Jo Geol at the front and not you.”

Jin Geumryong frowned and silently watched the front. At least for now, he didn’t see anything particularly special about Jo Geol.

‘That reckless fool?’

Despite his doubts, Jin Geumryong didn’t immediately protest, and that was because of Yu Iseol’s silence.

Though he didn’t want to admit it, the fact that the female swordsman, who might be as skilled or even a few steps ahead of him, showed no dissatisfaction spoke volumes. She might seem aloof and hard to read, but if she were only following Baek Cheon’s orders, she would have shown at least some discontent. Yet she was silent, as if it was natural for Jo Geol to take the lead.

A sigh mixed with Jin Geumryong’s voice.

“Really, I can’t understand those Hwasan people.”

He followed Jo Geol with sharp eyes.

“Let’s see. Let’s see how great you really are.”

“Get out of the way!”

Jo Geol’s sword cut through the air like lightning.

Swoosh!

The sword energy, as swift as a bolt of lightning, pierced through the enemies who couldn’t react in time, causing them to fall like rotten logs.

As they collapsed, the view of the burning mountain gradually became more apparent.

Charred black trees resembling charcoal, and fierce red flames that continued to burn intensely. If there were a gateway to hell, it would surely look like this.

Climbing the mountain through those ominous flames would be daunting enough, but enemies were sure to be lying in wait wherever the flames had died down somewhat, in more advantageous positions, waiting for Cheonumaeng to arrive.

Yet, there was not a moment’s hesitation in Jo Geol’s steps.

“Vice-leader! The flames are too intense here! We should bypass them first!”

“No!”

“Vice-leader!”

“Let’s go!”

Jo Geol ignored the words coming from behind and charged forward, swinging his sword horizontally.

Crack!

The trees engulfed in flames were cut down from the base in one swift motion where the sword energy extended. From various places, astonished exclamations momentarily erupted.

“Huh…?”

Boom! Boom!

Every time a tree fell, a large space was created. While small flames still lingered, the fierce fire that had been spreading and burning through the trees had vanished.

“Let’s cut them down!”

Jo Geol shouted loudly so everyone could hear.

“They’re already charred! Just cut them down! Let’s make a path!”

“Ah…”

Those who had been staring blankly ahead flinched and then quickly nodded.

“That’s right! What are you waiting for? Let’s help the vice-leader!”

“Yes!”

Cutting down trees while climbing a mountain? Normally, this would be unthinkable. The pine trees growing on a mountain like Wudang are incredibly hard and large. Even for those skilled in martial arts, cutting down such trees in one go to create a path is difficult.

But not now. The trees were charred through to the core, leaving only their shapes. Cutting and breaking such trees wouldn’t be difficult even for ordinary people without martial arts skills.

“Cut down a wider path!”

“Yes!”

“Let’s go through in one go! With all our strength!”

“Yes!”

Jo Geol pushed off the ground and swung his sword wide again. The bases of the blackened, burned trees were cut off at once.

Many people found their eyes drawn to Jo Geol’s back as he led the way.

‘How…?’

He cut down the burnt trees to open a path. Instead of avoiding the flames and taking a detour, he shortened the time by putting out the flames.

At first glance, it might seem like an idea anyone could think of easily. However, in reality, it’s not easy to come up with the most appropriate response as soon as the situation arises.

How can anyone remain calm when the flames and black smoke are choking them? Most people here could only think about bypassing the fierce flames.

Yet, that young swordsman immediately opened a path that they hadn’t even considered.

‘I never heard that The Flashing Blade was exceptional in this way.’

‘Are all Hwasan’s Five Swords like this?’

Unaware of the attention focused on him, Jo Geol simply continued to press forward.

‘So light!’

His body felt unusually light.

It wasn’t due to the excitement of standing on a life-and-death battlefield. It wasn’t that he was full of energy. It was simply that his body felt light.

At this rate, it seemed he could break through to the top of the mountain in a single burst.

“You bastard!”

From beyond the blazing flames, three spears, glowing red-hot, flew toward him. Before Jo Geol’s eyes could even register their presence, his sword reacted first. The sharp blade deflected all the spears.

Clang!

The three clashing sounds overlapped so quickly that they seemed like one. Immediately after, Jo Geol’s sword, as sharp as a viper’s fang, shot toward the source of the spears with incredible speed.

“Ugh!”

Retrieving his sword, Jo Geol smoothly swung it horizontally, instantly cutting down the tree blocking his way. The massive pine, blackened by fire but still showing traces of age, fell with a loud crash.

Boom!

Finally, Jo Geol stood upright as the scene before him unfolded.

“Hmm…”

Beyond the flames, which emitted heat so intense it distorted his vision, over a hundred members of Sapaeryeon awaited him.

Flames and foes.

Jo Geol took in both challenges at once, spun his sword, adjusted his grip, and lowered his stance.

“Vice-leader!”

“Keep going!”

As if there was nothing more to consider, Jo Geol pushed off the ground without hesitation.

With him leading, there was only one thing to do: reach the mountain peak without stopping for even a moment!

“Stop me if you can!”

Jo Geol’s body surged toward the enemy like a streak of light.

❀ ❀ ❀

The silence stretched on for a long time.

Chung Myung picked up the cup in front of him. Then, looking straight at Jang Ilso, he downed it in one gulp.

Thud.

The cup was placed back on the table. Chung Myung wiped his mouth roughly with his sleeve.

“Not really.”

“Hmm?”

“You asked if I’m curious about what would have happened if our positions were reversed?”

Chung Myung let out a faint laugh. It was as sarcastic as Jang Ilso’s… or perhaps even more biting.

“I’m not idle enough to be curious about something that would never happen.”

“…”

“I’ve never even thought about it. That I could become a Sapa bastard like you.”

“Oh dear, oh dear. You lack imagination.”

Jang Ilso shook his head slightly.

“Have you really never thought about it?”

“Not once.”

“Really?”

Jang Ilso chuckled quietly. Then he looked intently at Chung Myung, as if trying to take in his entire being with his light-colored eyes.

“Being someone from an Evil Sect isn’t particularly extraordinary. Anyone who doesn’t conform to the norms set by society is labeled as a follower of the evil path. In that sense…”

Hwasan Geomhyeop faced him with an indifferent expression.

“Among those so-called Just Sect guys, don’t you think you’re the one who resembles Sapa the most?”

“…”

“Have you really never thought about it? Wanting to cut down the necks of those who spout nonsense, or wanting to trample on everything they claim to uphold? Even if not that…”

As he slowly continued, Jang Ilso’s eyes gradually began to burn with intensity.

“Wanting to smash to pieces everything they arbitrarily set up and call the laws of the world.”

“…”

Chung Myung did not respond.

“Have you really never thought that? Really?”

“Spare me your nonsense. It’s ruining the taste of the drink.”

Chung Myung said, cutting him off coldly as he looked at Jang Ilso.

“I don’t know what kind of answer you’re looking for from me, but there’s only one answer I can give. I won’t become like you, you idiotic Sapa bastard.”

Jang Ilso’s eyes narrowed.

“That’s the words of someone who hasn’t experienced it.”

“No matter what I’ve experienced, it would be the same.”

“…”

“You speak as if you know me well, but you don’t. No, you’ll never understand me.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because you’re the kind of person who only cares about yourself.”

At some point, Jang Ilso’s face became expressionless. He merely looked silently at Chung Myung.

“But I am not. What’s important to me isn’t something like myself.”

“…Disgusting hypocrisy.”

“Yeah, maybe it is. But I’m the kind of person who clings to that disgusting hypocrisy, just as you hold onto your pitiful hatred dressed up as desire.”

“…”

Chung Myung spoke as if there was nothing more to consider.

“And even if you and I were to swap places, the result would be the same. At least right now.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“You will lose, Jang Ilso.”

“…”

“Even if I were in your position, I would lose. From the start, this war isn’t something you or I decide. That moment has already passed.”

At those words, Jang Ilso glanced back at the burning Mount Wudang. Then, he looked back at Chung Myung and laughed eerily.

“Ah, is it that same old talk about belief? That they’ll win for you?”

“…”

“Are you hoping that your earnestness will reach the heavens or something?”

“There is no heaven. Even if there is, I’m not foolish enough to expect anything from that damn thing.”

“Oh? Then what is it?”

“You don’t understand. You’re wrong, idiot.”

At Chung Myung’s sudden remark, Jang Ilso tilted his head slightly. Chung Myung grinned, showing his teeth.

“You probably think you have me trapped here, don’t you?”

“Are you saying that’s not the case?”

“I’m not here. What is here is just my shell.”

Chung Myung’s gaze slowly shifted from Jang Ilso to somewhere below the burning mountain.

“I’m already there.”

“…”

“I’m fighting over there. It’s me, myself.”

“What nonsense are you…?”

“You’ll probably never understand. That’s why you’re going to lose.”

Chung Myung directed his gaze back to Jang Ilso. His indifferent, dark eyes pierced through Jang Ilso. 

“Your arrogance, thinking you know and understand everything, will lead to your defeat.”

For the first time since sitting there, Jang Ilso’s eyes wavered greatly.

Next chapter >>>

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I think right now Ilso is making the same mistake as Beop Jong made. Ilso said himself, something along the lines “why did you think you could deceive me”, so why is Ilso thinking that he is right, but what Chung Myung is saying are merely delusions.

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The latest chapters of the novel – Patreon or Buymeacoffee – caught up to the ongoing there. Currently aligning my blog and my Patreon schedule-wise so the new schedule here soon too.