I wanted to meet you. (2)
It seemed as if the air in all directions had settled quietly.
Those who shouted noisily, those who charged forward, unable to hide the tension that filled their faces, those who, overcome by fear, struggled miserably…
All of them slowly faded from sight. Thus, only one person remained.
With fierce, piercing eyes, Tang Gunak glared at that one person standing before him.
There was no distinct feeling of the Evil Path. Meaning the typical aura of the Evil Sects was almost undetectable.
But that did not mean he belonged to the Just Sects, even less so. Rather, it was a much more of an unrestrained feeling.
Tang Gunak knew people who gave off this sort of feeling.
‘Vagabong [낭인].’
Those who belong to no sect, who trust only in the single blade at their waist as they live.
Because of this, they can never set foot in the realm of the ultimate masters.
Yet, he could feel a tremendous power lurking within the body hidden beneath those clothes.
‘It’s like a beast wearing human clothes, pretending to be a man.’
Tang Gunak’s senses were telling him so. This one’s strength would be on par with Cheon Myeon Susa or the Sun Palace Lord.
At that moment, Jeok Ho’s blade moved.
Ssswish.
Tang Gunak twisted his body, reflexively firing two flying daggers from his sleeve.
Kaaang!
Jeok Ho’s blade energy [도기] grazed right past Tang Gunak’s side, and Tang Gunak’s daggers, blocked by Jeok Ho’s blade, bounced upwards. Tang Gunak retrieved the daggers that shot into midair and glared sharply at Jeok Ho.
An oppressive tension fell between the two.
Because of the razor-sharp aftershock of the blade energy that had just swept by, Tang Gunak’s skin still stung.
Jeok Ho was the first to comment.
“You are indeed worthy of your reputation.”
“…It seems that’s not the right thing to say at this moment.”
If the saying that fame generally does not spread in vain is true, then speaking in other words, those who are truly skilled should naturally gain fame. Yet now, in front of Tang Gunak, there existed a perfect exception.
Where did such a person come from, without even a name…
At that moment, Tang Gunak’s expression hardened. That formidable skill, and then…
“Mukdo [묵도(墨刀) – ink stained blade – blade that is solid black in color].”
He fixed his gaze on the pitch-black blade in Jeok Ho’s hand. A certain person flashed through his mind.
“The one who stood at the forefront of the group that pursued the Tang Clan when they retreated to Shaanxi.”
Jeok Ho’s eyes changed instantly.
“Jang Ilso’s dog, who killed the Great Elder Tang Oe and slaughtered countless members of the Tang Clan’s household…”
“…”
“I heard that his beloved weapon was Mukdo.”
A murderous gleam appeared in Tang Gunak’s eyes.
“Was it you?”
At that time, Tang Gunak had arrived too late and never saw the culprit. But he had clearly witnessed the horrific, mutilated corpses of his household members, torn apart by that fiend’s blade. He had not forgotten it for a single day since.
“Answer me.”
“I do not wish for unnecessary emotions to taint our fight, but…”
Jeok Ho nodded calmly.
“It was me.”
One corner of Tang Gunak’s mouth slowly twisted up.
“How dare you appear before me.”
“I merely follow orders.”
A laugh escaped him. Tang Gunak also knew this one was nothing but a hunting dog. If a hunting dog, on its master’s command, bites and kills a person, the blame must certainly lie with the master.
But that does not mean the hunting dog should be left alive.
Paaaat!
Kaaaang!
The sound of the flying daggers being released and the sound of them being deflected burst out almost simultaneously. Though the clash itself was not too different from the earlier one, the reaction to it was clearly distinct.
Brrr.
The Mukdo that had blocked Tang Gunak’s daggers was still trembling. The opponent, too, stiffened his expression and glanced at his own wrist. He had merely stopped a small flying dagger, yet his wrist throbbed as if he had faced a massive weapon.
“Then know this.”
“…”
“You die because of that order.”
At Tang Gunak’s word, spoken in a low voice, Jeok Ho bared his teeth in a grin.
“Anytime you like.”
Jeok Ho held his blade horizontally and charged straight towards Tang Gunak.
❀ ❀ ❀
Swuuuuush!
Chung Myung’s sword split those who were retreating cleanly in half.
Against those who weren’t charging forward but instead cowering and stepping back, there wasn’t even a trace of mercy. It was hardly the swordsmanship of a Taoist.
If Chung Mun saw this, he might have frowned. Even if Hyun Jong had witnessed it, he would have turned his head away.
But Chung Myung did not let even a hint of hesitation linger at the tip of his blade.
They might be the weak before him, but to someone else, they could become an absolute force. The mercy Chung Myung bestowed without taking responsibility could turn into a colossal, irresistible devastation for another.
“S-Spare me….”
Crunch!
The Dark Fragrance Plum Blossom Sword was thrust into the throat of the man who frantically waved his hands, even wetting himself in terror.
“Grrrk…..”
In his eyes, opened wide: terror, resentment, fear, and desperation – were all mixed together. Then, at last, all those emotions faded to a dull gray.
For the dead, and for the one who killed.
“Urgh.”
At that moment, a slight cough escaped Chung Myung’s mouth. He clenched his teeth and swallowed back the fishy clot of blood rising in his throat.
‘Damn it.’
The body that Dalai Lama had painstakingly calmed down began to flare up again the moment he resumed wielding his sword. The more he used his inner energy and unleashed his sword skills, the faster it gnawed away at his body.
Even so, Chung Myung had no intention of stopping.
“Uwaaaaaaaah!”
Driven to their limits, Saperyeon’s warriors now lunged at him in a frenzy.
“Die, you monster! Aaaaahhhhh!”
Their threatening shouts stabbed at his ears.
Yet what filled those cries was not zeal, but pure dread.
Chung Myung deflected three incoming swords. Then, spinning his body, he drew an arc in the air with the tip of his sword.
Srrrk!
Three heads soared into the sky all at once.
Taang!
Chung Myung swiftly swung his sword again, striking the rising heads with the flat side of the blade. The severed head slammed into the chest of the one who had been aiming at Chung Myung’s back.
“Gehuck!”
Saperyeon’s warrior, knocked back by the impact, belatedly realized what had struck his chest and recoiled in horror.
“U-uh, uwaaaaah!”
Even in the world of the followers of the Evil Path, who cut down human lives as if playing with them, this cruelty was enough to draw a scream.
Without a second thought, Chung Myung cut off the head of the one shrieking in terror.
Paat!
Hot blood sprayed and scattered across Chung Myung’s face. As if he had no intention of wiping it off, he immediately turned his head and glared at Saperyeon’s warriors who were ‘still’ alive.
“Uh…..”
“Euh-euh..”
Under his gaze, they froze on the spot.
It wasn’t just about the enemy’s strength anymore. This was more of a primal fear – the terror a small animal feels before a giant predator, rooting them to the ground.
Moreover, the predator before them was not one to miss the momentary weakness they showed.
Kwaang!
Chung Myung stomped the ground fiercely.
At the same time, he twisted his waist to the limit and sprang forward like a coiled spring.
The force of that rotation poured entirely into his sword.
And then came the long strike!
Paaaaaaaat!
Chung Myung’s sword sliced horizontally through the space before him. The crimson sword energy that exploded forth swept through the front with breathtaking, brutal speed.
The members of Saperyeon tried desperately to retreat, but their bodies, stiffened by terror, refused to obey their wills. In the end, the inevitable tragedy unfolded.
Sssk! Sssk! Sssk! Sssk!
Heads, torsos, arms, and legs. Everything that touched that sword energy was severed.
Before long, a zone, in a form of a semi-circle formed around Chung Myung. A great semicircular space was filled with severed flesh and blood. Even in this gruesome battlefield, it was a scene that stood out conspicuously.
“Uh…”
With a single sword strike, dozens of lives had been cut short. Those who witnessed this horrifying sight trembled and backed away. Only the swordsman who had created this dreadful scene stood there, alone and unwavering.
Chung Myung gazed at them in silence.
That gaze, devoid of even a shred of emotion, stirred an even deeper terror.
Kwaaang!
Somewhere, a ground-shaking explosion rang out. Yet not one of them could turn their head. They didn’t dare take their eyes off this Devil.
They feared to look at him, but it was even more frightening to look away.
In contrast, the Devil himself seemed unbothered. Though faced with hundreds, thousands of warriors, he calmly turned towards where the explosion had come from.
Or perhaps, beyond that, he swept his gaze over the entire battlefield.
Within Chung Myung’s sight were three people confronting the Lord of the Sun Palace.
Facing a mighty foe, Hye Yeon, Namgung Dowi, and Lee Songbaek did not yield a single step. Chung Myung engraved that image into his eyes.
Shaolin, Namgung, Jongnam.
The three sects that once represented Gangho. And if one included Mu Jin and Jin Hyeon, who were blocking the enemies surging behind them, then all the disciples from the sects that once could be said to rule the world were gathered there.
Chung Myung found himself unable to look away from them.
In the past, they had also fought. They had fought against the Demonic Cult.
But the situation now was different. It could never be the same as before.
Hye Yeon’s bare fists pushed the Lord of the Sun Palace back. The Sun Palace Lord’s counterstrike towards Hye Yeon was desperately blocked by Lee Songbaek. Taking advantage of this chance created by Lee Songbaek, Namgung Dowi thrust his sword with all his might.
The warriors of the Sun Palace, who were waiting for an opening to strike at the three, were held in check by the blades of Mu Jin and Jin Hyeon, unable to make a move.
Jongnam blocks the enemy, Shaolin pushes them back, Namgung aims for their throat.
Wudang protects its allies.
And many are watching this scene. Even without conscious intent, it becomes a model for all to see. They will learn, and finally understand what is most efficient.
What must be done to survive and to win.
Slowly, it changes. The flow spreads through the whole surface formed by countless pieces gathered together. Perhaps not an immediate change, but one that seeps in gradually.
The martial arts once solitary and focused unto themselves began to find their places and move accordingly. Adding one to another, creating something greater.
Chung Myung captured each of these scenes with his eyes. Time seemed to flow slowly. Though his face appeared indifferent and calm, a small stirring in his heart soon brought forth something vividly clear.
A face more familiar than any other emerged in his mind… no, right before his eyes.
“…Sect Leader Sahyeong.”
Chung Myung’s quiet mutter spread into the air along with his breath.
Perhaps this was the sight he had wished for the most. He had given his whole life’s effort, yet departed without ever achieving it.
Is he watching this moment now?
Even while fighting a powerful enemy, even on the brink of the worst ending – total destruction – those who had never managed to unite are now willingly sharing their shoulders, standing together against the foe. Is he truly watching this scene?
Chung Mun never achieved it. He gave his all and still never witnessed it. But these people have drawn it out, however faint the change might be.
Now Chung Myung understood clearly why Chung Mun had never been able to achieve what he longed for in the end.
“You tried to protect, but…”
A slight sadness tinged Chung Myung’s voice.
“…you should have believed, instead of trying to protect.”
That subtle sadness soon turned into a pure-white smile.
“You foolish man…”
Chung Mun, who had been looking at him, smiled gently.
– I see.
It was a truly splendid smile.
________
Who is also crying a bit?
________
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Return of the Mount Hua 
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