Return of the Mount Hua

This time, we’ll wager your neck. (1)

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“Who is there!”

“Who are you people!”

Startled by the appearance of strangers in the inner courtyard, the swordsmen of Wudang quickly drew their swords and pointed them at the intruders. Then, they spread out in a thick formation, protecting Baek Cheon and Heo Gong.

‘When did they appear?’

A cold sweat ran down the spines of Wudang swordsmen. Though they had been preoccupied with tending to the wounded, it was still shocking that so many people had approached so closely without them noticing.

‘They’re not ordinary.’

This was something that could only happen if the opponent’s skills were extraordinary.

No, there was no need to even calculate that far. The ominous aura emanating from those occupying the courtyard was enough to gauge their martial prowess.

“I asked, who are you…”

The man, his entire body wrapped in a dark red bandage that looked like dried blood, sneered at the wary Wudang’s disciples.

“It seems that’s what is important to you right now. As expected, the Central Plainers have a strange way of thinking.”

A low chuckle spread through the silence.

It was not just unsettling but downright eerie. Everything about him – the strange outfit, the menacing tone laced with murderous intent, and the disturbing aura he exuded – scratched at the nerves of Wudang’s disciples, making them deeply uncomfortable.

However, the unease and discomfort they felt were nothing compared to what Five Swords, standing by Baek Cheon’s side, were experiencing.

‘Damn it.’

Jo Geol’s entire body was drenched in cold sweat. The sudden appearance of this man’s aura made his hair stand on end.

He was an absolute powerhouse. Even without knowing the exact extent of his strength, it was clear he wasn’t inferior to the Lord of the Sun Palace.

‘Blood Palace…’

Baek Cheon had mentioned it. Blood Palace had appeared at Shaolin but had retreated without any major conflict.

Whether or not Blood Palace was aligned with Sapaeryeon was still unclear, but of all times, they chose now to reveal themselves.

‘Damn it…’

There’s a saying: ‘Good people do not come, and those who come are not good.’ Even if their intentions were not clear, it was easy to predict that they hadn’t shown up here for a good reason.

Jo Geol bit his lower lip as he looked at Baek Cheon, who still lay unconscious.

‘This is dangerous.’

Baek Cheon was like a lit bomb. Even the smallest shock could end his life instantly.

In the end, if a fight were to break out, Baek Cheon’s life would be forfeit in that very moment. Moreover, Five Swords, Tang Gunak, Mu Jin, and even Jin Hyeon were all tied down, focusing their energy on Baek Cheon.

‘What should I do?’

Jo Geol continued to channel his energy while rapidly processing the chaotic thoughts in his mind.

If he removed his hand, Baek Cheon would die. But if he didn’t, the remaining members wouldn’t be able to handle the intruders.

Which life was more important? Who should he save?

He desperately looked around. But those who were also placing their hands on Baek Cheon seemed just as lost. Their eyes were trembling with uncertainty.

‘When will this damn treatment end?’

The best option he could think of was for Heo Gong to momentarily halt the treatment, but it was impossible to convey this message to Heo Gong, who had already entered a state of selflessness [무아(無我)].

They were, quite literally, on the edge of a precipice, trapped in a situation with no retreat.

“This is quite the pitiful sight. What a shame.”

The Lord of Blood Palace also seemed to fully understand the situation. The subtle twitching at the corners of his bandage-covered mouth suggested as much.

His red, gleaming eyes turned towards Baek Cheon lying on the bed.

“I recall… you were quite arrogant before.”

At that moment, Jo Geol saw it. The Blood Palace Lord was gradually tightening the hand he had previously held loosely at his side as he finished speaking.

The tension in the air tightened like a taut string. The moment that string snapped, the intruders would undoubtedly pounce on Baek Cheon and everyone else.

‘Please, anything… anyone, please!’

But despite Jo Geol’s desperate plea, the red glow in the eyes of the Blood Palace Lord flared up fiercely.

“Shall I start by repaying the debt owed since Shaolin?”

The Blood Palace Lord slightly bent his knees. Jo Geol, realizing what this stance meant, instinctively shut his eyes tightly at that very moment.

“Your master…”

Someone suddenly spoke up and stepped forward, unable to hide the trembling of their hands due to the intense tension.

Jo Geol, shocked, blankly stared at the person who had stepped forward.

‘Sasuk?’

Baek Sang had stepped out alone to face the Blood Palace Lord. After swallowing dryly, he continued to speak.

“Your master seems to have ordered a retreat, so what are you still doing here? Could it be that you foolishly failed to hear the command?”

It was an obvious attempt to provoke him. He couldn’t even hide the trembling in his voice, making it seem like nothing more than a desperate struggle. Baek Sang was that desperate.

“Master?”

Surprisingly, the Blood Palace Lord reacted to those words. Whether he was genuinely irritated by the term or just indulging in the leisure of a cat toying with a mouse trapped in a jar, it was hard to tell.

“Master, you say… How amusing. Who could dare claim to be our master? Especially some lowlife from the Central Plains’ Evil Sect?”

The red glow in the Blood Palace Lord’s eyes flared ominously.

That gaze carried a terrifying presence that made those who met it shrink back, even beyond any martial prowess. It was less the aura of malice [사기(邪氣)] and more like the aura of death [사기(死氣)].

Yet, despite the suffocating fear that made it feel as if his breath might stop, Baek Sang did not easily retreat.

If he backed down, Baek Cheon would die. Baek Sang knew this, so retreat was never an option for him.

“You’re saying you have no master?”

“There is only one who could be our master.”

“It doesn’t seem fitting for those who’ve crawled all the way here following orders to be saying such things.”

“Orders… What a pitiful fool. Just a moment ago, you claimed there was an order to retreat, and now you’re spouting contradictory nonsense.”

The brief flicker of interest in the Blood Palace Lord’s eyes quickly faded. But at that moment, Baek Sang spoke again.

“Let’s make a deal.”

“Hm?”

The Blood Palace Lord tilted his head slightly. It wasn’t a gesture meant to mock or corner his opponent. He was genuinely surprised by Baek Sang’s words.

“…Did you just say a deal?”

“Yes, a deal. Even if you’re not well-versed in our language, you should understand that much.”

“You and I?”

“Yes.”

The Blood Palace Lord looked Baek Sang up and down with a curious gaze.

It felt as if a venomous snake was slithering over his entire body, and Baek Sang’s whole body was drenched in cold sweat. But even in that state, he desperately forced out his words.

“If you are not mere underlying of Sapaeryeon, if Jang Ilso is not your master, then naturally, you can make a deal with us as well. Tell us what you want. In exchange for you withdrawing from here peacefully, we’ll give you what you desire.”

The Blood Palace Lord slightly twitched his fingers, and at the same time, Baek Sang’s eyes began to quiver.

Of course, Baek Sang knew this was an absurd move. But at that moment, it was the only option he had.

‘At the very least, it should pique his interest.’

He had already heard from Baek Cheon about what had happened at Shaolin. This man had a history of retreating without hesitation the moment he felt the situation was no longer favorable. This meant he was fundamentally different from the enemies Hwasan had faced so far.

What he sought was profit – complete gain without any loss or damage to himself. If Baek Sang could guarantee that…

“If you truly came here without any orders from them, then Sapaeryeon wouldn’t even know you’re here. In that case, taking what you want and leaving wouldn’t be a loss, would it?”

The Blood Palace Lord showed no immediate reaction. Instead, it was Wudang and Hwasan who reacted.

“Dojang! Are you out of your mind…!”

“Silence!”

Baek Sang shot a glare at the person shouting from behind him. The murderous expression on his face caused Wudang swordsman to fall silent instantly.

Baek Sang then sharply commanded, 

“Keep your mouth shut. Just for a moment!”

Taking a deep breath, he turned his gaze back to the Blood Palace Lord.

“A deal… A deal, huh…”

The Blood Palace Lord murmured to himself for a moment before letting out a chuckle.

“Yes. It’s certainly not a bad idea. As long as we gain something, that’s all that matters to us.”

Baek Sang, though inwardly relieved, maintained a composed demeanor as he asked. 

“What do you want?”

“Wealth. And elixirs. Ah, if you can provide high-quality weapons, those would be nice too.”

“We can give you as much as you want..”

“And l’d like to add one more small thing to that list.”

Baek Sang’s face subtly tensed. The peculiar smile that crossed the Blood Palace Lord’s face when he mentioned the ‘small thing’ made him uneasy.

“What is it?”

The Blood Palace Lord gestured with his chin towards something behind Baek Sang.

“The head of that one lying there.”

“…What?”

“If possible, it would be better if it were a severed head, cut off in agony. After all, debts need to be repaid.”

Baek Sang’s face hardened to an extreme.

“That’s…”

“Oh, this is a non-negotiable condition. Sometimes, there are things more important than wealth, you know.”

Mocking laughter danced in the eyes of the Blood Palace Lord.

At that moment, Baek Sang realized. The desperate conversation he had just engaged in was nothing more than a cat playing with a cornered mouse to the Blood Palace Lord.

“Well then, I’ll count to three. Bring me his head, and I’ll spare the rest.”

“Wait, just a moment…!”

The Blood Palace Lord extended his unnaturally long and bony three fingers.

“Three…”

One of the outstretched fingers slowly folded in.

Baek Sang hurriedly turned around. Wudang and Hwasan swordsmen standing behind him also instinctively turned to look back.

“Two.”

However, there wasn’t a single hint of hesitation in the eyes of those surrounding Baek Cheon.

“One.”

The last remaining finger folded decisively, and a chillingly cracked voice echoed through the air.

“The negotiation is over.”

Boom!

At that moment, the Blood Palace Lord surged forward, emitting a crimson aura from his entire body, rushing towards Baek Sang.

Baek Sang instinctively drew his sword. He had to stop him. Even if it meant his life would end here, he couldn’t let that man lay a hand on Baek Cheon!

But before Baek Sang could even draw his sword halfway, the bandage-wrapped claw of the Blood Palace Lord lunged toward his throat.

‘Ah…’

In that instant, as Baek Sang closed his eyes tightly, bracing for his imminent death-

Kwaaang!

A sudden explosion erupted right in front of him. The sheer force of the pressure knocked Baek Sang far back, causing him to fall to the ground.

“Huh…?”

What just happened?

Instinctively, he reached for his neck, confirming that it was still firmly attached to his body.

‘What just happened…?’

As Baek Sang calmed his throbbing head, he stared blankly ahead. Finally, he saw it – the Blood Palace Lord had been forced back several paces from where Baek Sang had been, covering his face with one hand, staggering.

“This… this…”

When the Blood Palace Lord lowered his hand, his face was revealed, horribly distorted.

At that moment, a voice pierced through the air, spreading softly but menacingly.

“Where do you think you’re putting those filthy hands, you shriveled up bastard?”

“Ah…!”

Baek Sang and the others shuddered involuntarily.

The voice was all too familiar. It wasn’t a hallucination, either.

Thud.

A person landed in front of Baek Sang.

“Chu…”

The moment Baek Sang and the other Hwasan’s disciples saw the familiar back dressed in a well-known black robe, they all shouted in unison.

“Chung Myung-ah!”

“This man there is my precious Sasuk, you know.”

Chung Myung cracked his neck from side to side as he loosened up, his eyes narrowing as he glared at the Blood Palace Lord.

“Well then, how about we renegotiate? This time, we’ll wager your neck.”

A cold smile spread across Chung Myung’s lips.

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