Return of the Mount Hua

That’s the answer. (4)

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‘This is…..’

Ho Gamyeong gazed upon the battlefield with an emotion too difficult to describe.

How should one describe a sight like this?

In truth, he knew the answer, but he did not have the courage to say it aloud.

‘It’s writhing.’

How could he, as a military commander, utter such words?

Even so, there was no other way to describe that scene.

A vast number of troops were throbbing like living muscles.

They surged instantly into any place that gave way, and filled any empty space in a single moment.

‘Is this…….?’

Someone unversed in strategy would fix their gaze on those young men stepping forward to raise morale. But Ho Gamyeong was a strategist. He could not help but pay more attention to the movements in the rear, restoring the battle formation that those young ones had twisted up, and doing so in the blink of an eye.

‘How is something like this even possible?’

Strictly speaking, it’s not that astounding. Ho Gamyeong could do it too, if he set his mind to it. Provided he had subordinates who followed his orders without question, and a few months’ time. In that case, he could create maneuvers even more impressive than this.

However, to produce such a spectacle without absolutely obedient subordinates, without even those few months of extra time  – this goes beyond the realm of mere ‘greatness.’

“Ryeonju……”

“Why are you so surprised?”

Jang Ilso laughed as though he found it amusing.

“Didn’t I tell you? Spending a long time fighting those bastards is like tightening the noose around our own necks.”

“…”

“We are the ones who made them that way.”

Those words struck Ho Gamyeong’s heart like a dagger.

❀ ❀ ❀

“The left side is wide open, you bastard!”

“Ah, damn it! I can’t do this! Hey, Sasuk! What are you doing? It’s the left side!”

“You little punk, just you wait until this war’s over! I’ll kill you!”

Spewing curses at Jo Geol, the Baek disciple signaled to the left. When he got no response, out of frustration, he kicked off the ground and sprang upward.

“Hmm, Jo Geol Dojang. The direction of In [인(寅)시* – inshi] might be getting dangerous, don’t you think?”

“Where the hell is In?”

“I mean the southeast. Goodness, how ignorant.”

“Then why not say so from the start! A Sapa bastard trying to sound cultured, are you? A dropout who failed the imperial exams!”

“I told you I passed!”

“Yeah, right. Got any evidence?”

“Stop spouting nonsense and give the order already!”

“Why is it always me?! Doesn’t my Sahyeong have hands?”

Even as Jo Geol screamed, he quickly sent hand signals.

“Ah, damn! I should’ve brought signal flags!”

“We didn’t have time for that. Hand signs get the point across anyway.”

“But no one can see them clearly! Hey, Sasuk! Aren’t you looking over here? Hey!”

“…You really need to spend some time in the repentance cell.”

As soon as Jo Geol gave the signal, a disciple of Hwasan who received it shouted something to those around him. In an instant, the nearby fighters rushed in to fill the gaps.

“You got the direction wrong!”

“It’s wrong, Sahyeong.”

“…Just kill me already.”

Jo Geol slumped down in despair. Watching him, Im Sobyeong let out a soft chuckle.

‘They’re really pulling this off somehow.’

For those who don’t know any better, it might not look that impressive, but anyone versed in military strategy would recognize at a glance just how absurd this spectacle truly is.

What an army needs, first and foremost, is training. Second, more training. This is so they can respond to orders promptly and correctly.

But Cheonumaeng is a hastily assembled force. They all come from different paths in life, each with different aims.

And yet now, with just simple hand signals, they’re moving like a trained army… no, beyond that.

If this isn’t a miracle, what is?

‘If anyone can make this possible, it can only be Hwasan.’

Hwasan alone possesses the two elements that can bring about such a miracle.

The first is a perfect system. They had already proven back in Hangzhou that they could move in seamless unison at a single command. Moreover, since then, they have consistently reflected on that method.

What truly makes Hwasan remarkable is the second element. It’s something only Hwasan could possess.

“Hey, you crazy bastard! The front is open! Right in front! You, idiot! Are you blind?”

“Ah! Then you do it yourself, do it yourself!”

Cursing, Jo Geol sent hand signals to the left again. Following the instructions of Hwasan’s swordsman stationed there, those around him immediately rushed forward.

‘That’s it.’

Without realizing it, Im Sobyeong clenched his fan tightly.

Just moments ago, these people wouldn’t even properly heed the commands of the military strategist, Lord Zhuge. Yet now, at the order of some nameless swordsman of Hwasan, they charge headfirst into the bloody front lines without hesitation.

Hwasan has something Zhuge does not. It’s not simply martial prowess.

‘Absolute trust.’

Hwasan never sends them into danger alone. They will surely fight the enemy to the very end. In fact, they have always fought the enemy and know best how to handle Sapaeryeon.

Most of Cheonumaeng thinks of Hwasan in this way. And that is what’s important.

By actions and deeds, not words and logic, Hwasan proved itself. That proof has now turned into absolute trust from the members of Cheonumaeng towards Hwasan.

“Hey! At this rate, let’s just go out front and fight!”

“…Amitabha. Instead of flapping your mouth, why don’t you send another hand signal, Jo Geol Siju?”

“Did… did you just say ‘flapping your mouth,’ Monk?”

“Ah, ah! Your hands, hands! Your hands aren’t moving!”

“…”

Yoon Jong let out a small chuckle.

How different could his feelings be from Jo Geol’s? Yoon Jong, too, would rather rush forward and fight right here and now. He would rather shed his own blood than watch others bleed.

However, Yoon Jong also knew this was not the role assigned to him and to Hwasan at this moment.

“Yoon Jong.”

“Yes, Sago.”

“Do you see it?”

Yoon Jong nodded.

“Yes. I see it.”

He answered without hesitation, though nothing specific had been said.

He already knew what Yu Iseol was trying to convey. She must be feeling the same thing he felt.

‘They are fighting.’

At the very front, where enemy’s blades are aimed. The most dangerous place, and therefore the most fierce. That is Hwasan’s place.

Yoon Jong had once wondered why Hwasan always had to be there.

Even though he chose to stand there himself, he sometimes resented others.

Why do you refuse to stand here? Why do you take our blood for granted?

But now, others – those not from Hwasan – are filling that space. They rush forward, competing to be first, shouting until their voices break.

“Keoohhh!”

A pack of beasts suddenly appeared with thunderous roars and mercilessly tore into the enemy.

“Let go, let go! How dare mere filthy beasts..!”

“Uwahahaha! Those Sapa bastards, keep running their mouths as if they are not worse than beasts. Today, I’ll feed every last one of you to the wolves!”

The once-silent Beast Palace surged forward.

Contrary to the booming voice that matched his huge physique, Maeng So’s eyes were colder than ever. He made a gesture with his chin and gave an order.

“Don’t let the ones who show any weakness escape!”

“Yes, Palace Lord!”

The Ice Palace was not too far behind.

Here and there, white sword energy sprang forth.

It was distinctly different from that of Jongnam. The infinitely cold and transparent sword energy seemed to bring the frigid chill of the Northern Sea right here, freezing and blistering the enemy’s flesh.

“Smash them to pieces!”

The sight of Han Imyeong and Seol Sobaek shouting came into Yoon Jong’s view.

‘Come to think of it… even though we’ve fought together…’

Their position had always been just behind Hwasan. But right now, they were standing in front of Hwasan, facing the enemy on their own.

Even without anyone’s orders or requests.

Yoon Jong slowly turned his gaze to one side.

“He couldn’t have planned this, right? Even he wouldn’t have expected things to turn out this way…”

“Who knows.”

Yu Iseol answered in a flat tone.

“But I think I understand one thing.”

“…What do you mean?”

“It must have held some meaning to someone. Even our backs.”

Yoon Jong bit his lip.

Sago, being a person of a few words, probably wanted to say this.

Just as they came this far by following Chung Myung’s back, someone else must have come this far by following Hwasan’s back.

That over the time it took their half-grown sprouts to become a great plum tree, these others, too, have changed from who they used to be.

“Whether it was intentional or not doesn’t matter. What’s important is that it ended up this way.”

“…”

“When a large tree grows, animals naturally gather around it, and one day, it becomes a forest. It may not have been what the tree intended, but after all, it started from that single tree. ‘A tree that can only be embraced with the two arms begins as a tiny sprout [合抱之木 生於毫末].’ Isn’t that the teaching you serve?”

Im Sobyeong snapped his fan open.

“Even if it sways and bends, this is just how things naturally become. That must be the Tao [도(道)].”

Yoon Jong remained silent for a moment. Then he roughly ran his hand down his face and pressed his eyelids firmly with his palm.

“Don’t use some fancy words. You’re just a bandit.”

“…Look at this guy, I’m speaking nicely and…”

“Huh? Sahyeong, are you… crying?”

“The side over there is open, you idiot!”

“…Go to hell, you damned fool.”

Yoon Jong gritted his teeth, his eyes reddening, and stared straight ahead.

‘We can win!’

There’s no way they’ll lose. Not when everyone’s fighting with one heart. With greater strength on their side, there’s no reason for defeat.

“Today I’ll put an end to this, Jang Ilso!”

A blazing flame rose in Yoon Jong’s chest.

❀ ❀ ❀

The tide of battle was clearly turning against Sapaeryeon.

It was truly absurd that the situation had changed so drastically in such a short time.

If Ho Gamyeong had been the one issuing orders alone, he would have devised a new strategy long ago. But now, Jang Ilso was here. He did not dare to give any new instructions.

“Ryeonju.”

Ho Gamyung, unable to contain his impatience, called out to Jang Ilso.

“Hmmm.”

“Those bastards… they’re solidifying their momentum…”

“Is this all?”

“…Pardon?”

Ho Gamyeong flinched and looked back at Jang Ilso. From half a step behind, he saw a faintly dismissive expression rising on Jang Ilso’s profile.

“Isn’t it all too obvious up to this point? Right?”

“O-Obvious… you say?”

“That’s right. It can’t be just this trivial. If our esteemed righteous heroes amount to no more than this, I’m disappointed.”

Jang Ilso’s eyes narrowed like a waning crescent moon. It was a smile that sent chills through the one seeing it.

“At this rate… it will look as though they haven’t grown because they’ve never seen a proper enemy in me. How humiliating.”

“Ryeonju…?”

Even Ho Gamyeong, who understood Jang Ilso best, found it hard to accept these words.

What on earth did he think of this situation? With not only his life, but the fate of the entire Gangho at stake, did it make any sense for him to joke like this?

“Ryeonju, right now…”

“Ah.”

Just as Ho Gamyeong, unable to hold back, tried once again to urge him on, Jang Ilso nonchalantly waved his hand.

“Don’t rush, Gamyeong-ah.”

“…Yes?”

“It’s not only them who are desperate. After all, we have no way out either.”

Ho Gamyeong felt even more perplexed. Then shouldn’t they do something right now?

At that moment, Jang Ilso slowly propped his chin on his hand and tapped his fingers.

“That’s why they must make their move. Even those who wish for my downfall.”

“Pardon? What do you mean…”

Kwaaaaang!

At that instant, a tremendous explosion erupted at the front.

Ho Gamyeong reflexively ducked his head against the rushing shockwave, then looked towards that direction with startled eyes.

A middle-aged man, clad in resplendent golden garments, stood there imposingly.

“…The Sun Palace Lord.”

“The one with the shortest temper has stepped forward first.”

Jang Ilso smiled faintly.

“Now, let’s see. How many will survive this day?”

Seeing his composed and relaxed smile, Ho Gamyeong felt a chill creep down his spine.

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* 인(寅)시 – one of the twelve directions of traditional Chinese navigation, comprising 30° divisions of the compass beginning with due north.

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“But Cheonumaeng is a hastily assembled force. They all come from different paths in life, each with different aims.” – hello? Didn’t a whole Cheonumaeng training arc disappear suddenly? I think the majority of Cheonumaeng is still the old one, without the addition of Gupailbang.

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