Return of the Mount Hua

Should I say it’s nice to see you? (4)

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A brief silence settled over the battlefield.

Even the disciples of Hwasan, who had pursued Ho Gamyeong with all their might, and the guards, who were ready to lay down their lives to protect him, all held their breath and fixed their gaze in one direction.

Ho Gamyeong’s pant leg was gradually being soaked with blood.

Just from the way the blood kept gushing out, it was not hard to guess how severe the injury was. And because it was so obvious what this wound implied, no one could easily bring themselves to speak.

Amid that silence, Ho Gamyeong also looked down at his own leg. Through the long tear in his clothing, there was a gash so deep it exposed the bone.

“…”

He was badly injured, but in truth, the wound itself was not so fatal as to threaten his life. It would not kill him, and there was still time to treat it. On a battlefield where people commonly lose their lives, it might amount to little more than a passing scrape.

But this wound meant more than what was visible on the surface.

“C-Commander…..”

Someone among the guards called out Ho Gamyeong’s name in a groan.

At that, Ho Gamyeong let out a short sigh. It was barely more than a faint breath, but at this moment, that sound reached everyone’s ears with startling clarity.

Ho Gamyeong stood up. He staggered for a moment, perhaps because his wounded leg would not support him, but soon managed to stand upright.

And so, when he finally turned around.

Slash!

There were hardly any people left to guard him.

Thud.

Those who had been clinging to Yoon Jong collapsed onto the ground.

Ho Gamyeong stared blankly at the blood flowing from their necks. Once the essence of life, it now spilled onto the earth in meaningless puddles. Through that scene, what could Ho Gamyeong possibly be seeing?

Yoon Jong found it rather strange.

‘Ho Gamyeong…….’

Looking back, it was truly odd. Yoon Jong knew very well how many had perished because of Ho Gamyeong’s schemes, and how many had suffered.

After the notorious upheaval caused by the Demonic Cult, if one were to name those who caused the greatest harm to the world, Ho Gamyeong would easily rank among the top five.

But observing him now, one could feel none of that at all.

Seeing his face grown pale from blood loss, and his tall, slender figure, he seemed more like a scholar than a warrior. Far more so than Im Sobyeong, who claimed to be a man of letters.

Naturally, one’s curiosity would arise.

Why would someone like him commit such heinous acts? Why would he follow someone like Jang Ilso?

Cough.

Ho Gamyeong gave a short cough. Even that small action drew everyone’s attention.

Right now, an eerie presence was seeping out from Ho Gamyeong. It was a stark difference from the way he usually appeared, almost like a shadow by Jang Ilso’s side.

Then Ho Gamyeong’s gaze slowly shifted. It was a natural movement, as if he was simply looking where he was supposed to.

He was not looking at Yoon Jong, who stood at the very front, nor at Yu Iseol, whose eyes glinted coldly with murderous intent behind him, but rather at someone hidden behind the name of Hwasan.

Ho Gamyeong muttered as if speaking to himself.

“…Come to think of it, it seems we’ve never really had a proper conversation.”

“…”

“We both prided ourselves on knowing each other well. It’s somewhat amusing.”

Step. Step.

Quiet footsteps were heard. As if it were the natural thing to do, the disciples of Hwasan parted to make way for someone walking forward from behind.

Chung Myung slid the sword he was holding back into its sheath and slowly stepped forward. In a situation like this, putting one’s weapon away could carry various meanings, but at this moment, it meant only one thing.

“A conversation, huh…”

Chung Myung twisted the corner of his mouth into a sneer.

“I didn’t realize we were in a position to leisurely exchange words.”

“Until now, perhaps not. But isn’t it of no concern anymore?”

Ho Gamyeong answered calmly.

Chung Myung stared at him in silence. There was no sign of lingering regret or despair in Ho Gamyeong’s expression. Nor did he seem to be stalling for time.

Chung Myung knew that face better than anyone. Yes, that was the face of someone who had accepted death.

“I have something I want to ask.”

“…”

“I’ve thought about it for quite a while. If we ever ended up in a situation like this, I wanted to ask. Never thought I’d actually say it out loud, though.”

Whether it was from the surging pain or the cold, beads of sweat formed on Ho Gamyeong’s forehead. But his expression remained calm and steady.

“Go on.”

Ho Gamyeong fixed his gaze on Chung Myung and spoke.

“How does it feel?”

Chung Myung didn’t understand immediately and was about to ask again. But Ho Gamyeong continued at once.

“To kill me, I mean.”

Instead of answering right away, Chung Myung glared at Ho Gamyeong. Ho Gamyeong met that murderous gaze without a flinch.

What was he thinking? Why would Ho Gamyeong ask such a thing?

“You don’t have to look at me like that. I’m only asking out of genuine curiosity.”

“…What do you think?”

“I don’t know.”

Ho Gamyeong slowly shook his head.

“But I’d like it if it gave you at least some satisfaction. Because that would mean the person killing me acknowledges my worth.”

“…”

“Well? Do you enjoy it?”

“Until just a moment ago, I suppose I did.”

Chung Myung bared his teeth.

“But not anymore. I’m feeling pretty damn disgusting. If your goal was to ruin my mood, well… you’ve succeeded.”

Ho Gamyeong gave a small laugh.

“Not a bad achievement at all.”

His face grew noticeably paler. Since he wasn’t even trying to stop the bleeding, blood kept pouring endlessly from his wound.

“Then I shall ask one thing as well.”

“Chung Myung……”

One of the swordsmen of Hwasan, looking as if he couldn’t understand it, tried to urge Chung Myung to act. It was difficult for him to watch someone casually having a conversation with such a ruthless man. He thought it would be better to behead Ho Gamyeong as soon as possible and move on to support others.

But Yoon Jong reached out and blocked that swordsman.

“Sahyeong?”

“Wait.”

Yoon Jong gave a short command, shaking his head.

It wasn’t out of respect for a person’s final moments – Ho Gamyeong certainly didn’t deserve that. The reason Yoon Jong stopped him was because he, too, had something he was curious about. And he believed Chung Myung would ask it now.

“Why did you do something like this?”

When Chung Myung asked, Ho Gamyeong silently threw him a prolonged glance. Chung Myung’s gaze was sharp, as if he might slice Ho Gamyeong down at any moment.

“You’re not so foolish as to be unaware that pulling a stunt like this would endanger your own life, are you?”

Ho Gamyeong shook his head.

“That’s merely a matter of the final outcome. You were the only one who were different from the others. Isn’t it clear from the fact that no one besides Hwasan pursued me? Everyone else was entranced by Ryeonju’s shadow.”

“Do you still cling to this nonsense? Seeing you spout words you don’t even believe yourself.”

“…”

“Anyone else might not have known, but surely you did. If things went this way, I would have definitely come to kill you.”

Chung Myung spoke sharply to Ho Gamyeong, who wore a faint smile.

“Why did you do it? Was saving Jang Ilso’s life so important that you’d throw away your own so foolishly?”

Ho Gamyeong slowly lifted his head and cast his gaze towards the distant sky. No, perhaps it wasn’t the sky he was looking at. Probably not…

“…Well. I don’t know.”

“…”

It was an answer he forced out after a long silence. A silence filled with countless meanings. Hence, Chung Myung could accept that reply.

“I thought I knew… but now, I’m not so sure.”

Listening to Ho Gamyeong’s voice, Chung Myung thought.

Perhaps Ho Gamyeong was never someone who could affirm or be certain of his own life. Maybe he simply couldn’t take back the step he had already taken.

Regret? No, mere word ‘regret’ couldn’t fully capture it.

It was more like a fleeting sense of remorse felt by one who has reached the end of his life. That seemed more fitting. And Chung Myung could understand that feeling.

“But… there is one thing I think I do understand.”

Ho Gamyeong closed his eyes.

“Ryeonju repeatedly told me this: that the one who understands him best is none other than Hwasan Geomhyeop.”

“…”

“I think I understand what that feels like now. It’s truly strange to be understood by someone you’ve never even had a real conversation with. It’s not… such a bad feeling.”

Chung Myung stared at Ho Gamyeong for a long while, then rested his hand on his sword. If a blade that had once been sheathed was drawn again, it meant only one thing.

But at that moment, Ho Gamyeong spoke up.

“But there is one thing I need to correct.”

A peculiar light flickered in Ho Gamyeong’s eyes as he looked at Chung Myung. Chung Myung felt a chill run down his spine.

“It’s not wrong to say I took a risk. But… you misunderstood the purpose.”

“What do you mean?”

“Someone like you – do you really believe that?”

“…What?”

“Do you truly believe… I risked my life just to help Ryeonju escape?”

A look of suspicion crossed Chung Myung’s face, and then his eyes grew wide. His hand began to tremble.

Ho Gamyeong slowly glanced around him, then gave a small laugh.

“Haven’t you come too far, Maehwa Geomgwi?”

❀ ❀ ❀

“Eurachaaaaaaaaaa!”

Crunch!

A lightning-fast sword plunged into the enemy’s neck.

“Khuuuk.”

However, the sensation was clearly different from usual. Tough, vine-like muscle clung to the blade. It felt as though he had pierced something other than human flesh.

“Out of my way if you don’t want to die!”

Snap!

In the end, Jo Geol twisted his sword forcefully and yanked it out, then launched a series of attacks.

Stab! Stab! Stab!

He stabbed the blood cultist’s body multiple times, creating dark holes one after another. Hardly any blood flowed, making it look bizarre and hollow.

“Ug… ugh…”

Even as the blood cultist collapsed, on the verge of losing consciousness, he clung desperately to Jo Geol’s leg.

“Damn it!”

Crunch!

Jo Geol stomped on the hand that stubbornly grabbed him and leaped over the blood cultist’s body.

“Finish him off!”

“Yes, Sahyeong!”

The swordsmen of Hwasan, who had been following Jo Geol, moved swiftly. Trusting his fellow disciples to watch his back, Jo Geol charged up the mountain in one breath.

‘Damn it! I’ve been held up for too long!’

Regardless of skill level, these enemies were tough to deal with quickly. In other words, there was no one better than the blood cultists at delaying time.

‘Too late! It’s too late! Damn it – it’s getting too late!’

Pushing himself to his limits, Jo Geol ran with all his might. At this rate, the wounded of Wudang would all be slaughtered by the enemy’s hands.

That, at least, had to be prevented. No matter what!

After leaping over a large hill, Jo Geol’s eyes flew wide open. He could now see the burning pavilions of Wudang in the distance.

The pavilions were now burning not just red, but they were turning white from the heat, completely consumed by the flames. However, Jo Geol’s gaze was fixed on those below who were still swinging their swords in battle.

‘They’re still fighting! They’re still holding on!’

This meant there were survivors. Relief and excitement spread simultaneously across Jo Geol’s face.

Bang!

After pushing off the ground once more, he gradually began to make out the faces of those still locked in combat.

Heo Do! Heo Do Jinin was there, struggling against three blood cultists.

Jo Geol, without even realizing it, shouted with all his strength.

“Sect Leader!”

Startled, Heo Do glanced over at Jo Geol. But the instant Heo Do Jinin confirmed the reinforcements had arrived, his face contorted in despair.

Jo Geol was bewildered.

‘Why?’

At that moment, Heo Do Jinin barely dodged the enemy’s narrow pointed-sword* and desperately cried out something.

‘Go… back?’

Reading his lips, Jo Geol’s eyes flew wide. An indescribable sense of unease washed over him.

‘Why are these the only ones here?’

Reflexively, Jo Geol turned around to look behind him, surveying the distant battlefield. Seeing that nothing had changed there, a chill ran down his spine.

‘Could it be…?’

Unconsciously, he clenched his fist.

Next chapter >>>

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*There is rly no name for this sword in English (I didn’t find a direct translation probably bcs it’s purely an asian type of sword). But the name is 협봉검(狹鋒劍 – heob-bong-geom – hanja I found myself). 狹 – narrow, 鋒 – edge. “A sword with a narrow blade. It is not primarily used for swinging or cutting, but for stabbing.” On the pictures this sword looks very pointed and very straight, almost like a huge straight dagger. 

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