Return of the Mount Hua

Dying would be easier. (3)

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“Watch out!”

Yoon Jong’s sharp shout pierced Jo Geol’s ears.

Under normal circumstances, Jo Geol would have brushed off Yoon Jong’s concern with a lighthearted joke. But now, he didn’t have even that much leeway.

‘Damn it!’

The only reason he could hold on was the experience of facing something similar back in Hangzhou. Without that, he might have already been lying on the ground as a cold corpse.

‘Is that thing even human?’

It was completely different from dealing with an ordinary martial artist. If he had to describe the feeling, it was like fighting wild beasts that had become abnormally strong.

But he couldn’t afford the luxury to complain.

“Hyaaaaa!”

Jo Geol swung his sword with all his might.

‘I must keep their attention on me.’

If Jo Geol loosened the reins even slightly, their attention would immediately shift to his Sahyeongs. Those who hadn’t faced these opponents in Hangzhou were in danger of being overwhelmed without resistance.

“Hraaah!”

Perhaps sharing the same concern, Yoon Jong surged forward even more aggressively than usual, launching a fierce barrage of attacks.

Clang!

The demonic cultist blocked Yoon Jong’s sword with a dark black hand, frowned slightly, and retreated a few steps.

“Huff.”

In that brief opening Yoon Jong let out a ragged breath.

‘I can hold on somehow.’

Throb!

Terrible pain flashed from the wound in his chest, but it wasn’t enough to knock him unconscious.

‘I can do this.’

As long as no further unexpected problems arose, they could at least hold their ground without losses until Chung Myung defeated Jang Ilso.

Just as Yoon Jong was raising his morale again, filled with hope…

“Sa…”

He saw Jo Geol, who had been helping the retreating disciples and scanning the surroundings, suddenly freeze in place.

‘Jo Geol?’

Yoon Jong had spent countless hours alongside Jo Geol. Thus, he could recognize it clearly – Jo Geol had frozen.

Following Jo Geol’s line of sight, Yoon Jong turned his gaze as well. For a moment he forgot about demonic cultists right in front of him. Even his own advice not to look back slipped from his mind. Jo Geol’s expression was far too grave.

When Yoon Jong finally saw what Jo Geol was staring at, he thought that it would have been better not to look at all.

One side of the horizon was stained red. Watching the red wave surge violently towards them, Yoon Jong involuntarily let out a groan.

“Red… Dogs…?”

‘Why? How? Weren’t they supposed to be scattered?’

He had clearly seen with his own eyes that the enemy had dispersed after the retreat of Sapaeryeon. How could they possibly have regrouped in such numbers to launch another attack?

Was this all Jang Ilso’s scheme? Or had the ones searching for Jang Ilso instinctively banded together and made their way here?

No, whichever it was didn’t matter.  All that mattered was the undeniable fact that the enemy was charging towards them now.

To have to face the Red Dogs on top of everything else at this moment… Even with all the Alliance’s elites gathered here, at this rate the only outcome left was total annihilation.

Yoon Jong found his fists clenched without realizing it.

Despite the significant distance still between them, he could already feel the searing breath and foul, nauseating stench of blood emanating from the Red Dogs as if they were right before him.

“Damn it!”

Jo Geol’s curse, shaken free of his shock at last, rang in Yoon Jong’s ears.

‘What should we do?’

Though he was in a situation where he could hardly think ahead, Yoon Jong found himself desperately contemplating their next move. Right now, he was responsible for Hwasan’s disciples here. Even if Yoon Jong himself fell into despair, Hwasan could not be allowed to do the same.

“Gather up!”

The command burst from him before he even fully formed the thought.

“We’re changing formation! Hwasan’s disciples, gather in groups of seven and spread out towards the rear!”

“S-Sahyeong! Have you gone mad? If we split our strength to the rear under these circumstances…!”

“It’s Chung Myung!”

Yoon Jong cut Jo Geol off with a shout. It was as if flames were spewing from his eyes.

“Do you really think those rabid dogs will leave Chung Myung alone? They’ll swarm to Jang Ilso’s side for sure. It’s up to us to stop them!”

With a tormented expression, Jo Geol bit down hard on his lower lip.

He still thought this choice made no sense. But aside from whether it was possible or impossible… could they even consider the path where a few more of them survive while Chung Myung is left to his fate? Such a choice didn’t exist in Hwasan.

“Damn it, there’s no other way.”

“If we’re going to die anyway, let’s go down gloriously! Move!”

Even before Jo Geol fully steeled his resolve, other disciples of Hwasan were already kicking off the ground and soaring towards the rear.

“Damn it all, of course! I’m the idiot who thought this might be doable!”

Jo Geol clenched his teeth and turned sharply. With the sudden mass arrival of the Red Dogs, the demonic cultists who had paused began to cautiously resume their movements.

The situation was clear:

Demonic Cult and Blood Palace in front.

Red Dogs at the rear.

Jo Geol almost laughed out loud. Could anything be worse than this?

He didn’t even have time to lament their miserable fate. The Red Dogs, swiftly closing the gap, charged straight at Hwasan’s swordsmen who had barely assumed their positions.

“Form the Seven-Star Sword Formation [칠성검진(七星劍陣)*]! Not a single one gets through!”

Yoon Jong’s voice was drowned out by the feral roars of the enemy. Red Dogs, bodies drenched in sweat, charged with the ferocity of evil spirits.

“Kill them all!”

“Paegun!”

Claaang!

The deafening clash of swords and blades exploded simultaneously all around, nearly bursting their eardrums.

“W-We’re getting pushed back!”

Dismay flashed across Hwasan’s disciples’ faces.

They had clashed countless times with the Red Dogs. No sect knew better than Hwasan how terrifying and persistent these foes could be.

Yet today, these Red Dogs felt entirely different. They had always been like blind hunting dogs rather than people, but now they seemed like beasts gone completely mad after losing their master.

“Get back, you sons of bitches… Aaaaargh!”

“Sahyeong!”

The swordsman of Hwasan relaxed after driving his blade into an enemy’s chest – only to have a wildly swung blade lodge itself in his shoulder.

“Ugh! You insane bastards!”

The Red Dogs, having confirmed Jang Ilso’s presence, no longer cared for their own lives.

“Get out of the way! Move, you worthless scum!”

With bloodshot eyes, the Red Dogs screamed savagely, swinging their blades recklessly. Even Hwasan’s disciples faltered momentarily in the face of their unrelenting madness.

“Don’t fall back!”

Desperation was evident on Yoon Jong’s face.

He wanted desperately to reinforce the rear line immediately, but doing so would unleash the wave of demonic cultists in front of them. The fangs of the Red Dogs were dangerous, but the poisonous fangs of the demons were equally formidable – perhaps even twice as terrifying.

Claaaaang!

“Aaaaaagh!”

Amidst the chaos, blades and swords clashed fiercely, mingled with familiar cries of agony. Had it not been for the Plum Blossom swords forged by the Tang Clan, their swords would already have snapped long ago.

Yet even with superior swords, stopping the Red Dogs who had completely lost their sanity seemed nearly impossible.

“Aaaagh!”

“Saje! Damn it all!”

Wounds began to multiply upon the bodies of Hwasan’s swordsmen.

‘Will this ever end…?’

Gwak Hoe’s face contorted in despair.

Death itself wasn’t frightening. He had already relinquished his life the moment he stepped onto this battlefield. Yet the reason despair overwhelmed him now was the chilling realization that this horrific situation wouldn’t end with his own death.

‘At this rate, everyone will die!’

Whoosh.

Slash!

“Aaaaagh!”

A scream burst from Gwak Hoe’s throat. A flying blade sliced deeply into his upper arm. The wound was severe enough to expose bone, yet he couldn’t spare even a glance at his injury.

“You sons of bitches serving Jang Ilso!”

Gwak Hoe roared, violently swinging his sword.

One more. Even if it meant dying, just one more. He would hold on even for just a moment longer.

He didn’t yet know how to confront despair. But even in despair, he could still struggle. He could at least push himself to take one more step forward.

“Move aside, Hwasan’s dog!”

“Don’t make me laugh!”

Gwak Hoe thrust his sword toward the Red Dog’s blade.

Claaaang!

But in that instant his sword was flung helplessly back. The arm that had been deeply cut could no longer hold its strength.

“Ugh!”

Gwak Hoe quickly tried to pull his sword back.

Clang! Clang!

Again, sword and blade clashed repeatedly. Unable to withstand the strength behind the enemy’s weapon, Gwak Hoe’s sword gradually drew dangerously close to his own chest.

‘At this rate…’

He would die by his own sword rather than the enemy’s blade. The moment Gwak Hoe realized this and desperately attempted one final push, a familiar golden light appeared in his vision.

Kwaaang!

The Red Dog, who had swung his blade towards Gwak Hoe, was suddenly struck by a powerful fist and went flying like a kicked ball.

“Ami… tabha…”

“Monk! W-Why are you here…?”

Hye Yeon answered calmly.

“Why, you ask? An order was given for Hwasan’s disciples to move to the rear. Naturally, I should follow it.”

“But with your injuries…”

Gwak Hoe stared at Hye Yeon’s abdomen, unable to finish his sentence.

Though deeply moved by Hye Yeon calling himself a disciple of Hwasan, Gwak Hoe knew rationally that Hye Yeon was in no condition to fight. He could genuinely die at this rate.

“Amitabha.”

Yet Gwak Hoe couldn’t bring himself to discourage Hye Yeon any further. It was not a situation where you can survive by stepping back and holding on.

If death was inevitable, fighting was their only choice. Gwak Hoe himself would have done the same had he been in Hye Yeon’s place.

“Then… would you watch my back?”

“…As long as you need.”

Hye Yeon nodded briefly, solemnly stepping forward to face the Red Dogs.

‘Is this the end for me?’

He didn’t know.

There was something he had sought out so desperately, enough to leave the Buddhist temple on his own feet. Had someone asked whether he had already found the answer, he would have had to say he had not.

Yet, did he feel regret? Not at all.

Life, after all, was an endless pursuit of answers. Not finding the answer didn’t render the journey meaningless.

It was the very act of ‘seeking’ that held meaning.

“Amitabha.”

Hye Yeon smiled faintly, his lips tinged violet.

‘What does it matter if this is the end, or if it is not? After all, every end simply leads to another beginning.’

A golden radiance rose from his body.

“Kill him!”

Under normal circumstances, the Red Dogs might have hesitated before that blazing golden light, but now they rushed at him recklessly, blind to all else.

Hye Yeon’s Arhat Fist poured out towards the onrushing Red Dogs.

With every punch he thrust, with every kick he threw, blood surged painfully from his wounded internal organs. But Hye Yeon paid it no mind.

‘What significance does the death of this mortal body hold?’

If the wounds carved into this body could protect even one person’s life for a single moment more, he would willingly endure the agony of having every bit of his flesh sliced away.

Because he had come to know too clearly that wounds of the flesh were far less painful than the severing of bonds [fate-bound connections].

Kwaaang!

His fist collided head-on with the blade of a Red Dog.

‘I am not a swordsman of Hwasan.’

He could not deny this. He was undoubtedly a monk of Shaolin.

‘Yet… am I not also a disciple of Hwasan?’

Martial arts were not everything. At Hwasan, he had learned how to face life and what values he must pursue. Having received these teachings, how could he not be a disciple?

Thus, it felt perfectly fitting that this battlefield might be his grave.

Boom!

When blade and fist collided again, Hye Yeon staggered backward.

“Monk!”

Coughing blood repeatedly, Hye Yeon extended his fists again and again.

But the wolves, sensing the wounded tiger, relentlessly seized every opportunity, carving new crimson streaks across his body in a blink of an eye.

“Move! Get out of my way, you bastards!”

Gwak Hoe and the other disciples of Hwasan desperately tried to aid Hye Yeon, but the Red Dogs allowed them no chance.

“Monk!”

Five or six Red Dogs charged at Hye Yeon all at once. At that moment of certain doom, sword strikes surged like lightning from behind, scattering sword energy across the attackers.

“Kaagh!”

“This…!”

Pierced by the sword energy, the attacking Red Dogs jerked their heads up.

“Sago!”

A familiar figure had swiftly stepped in front of Hye Yeon. The disciples of Hwasan cried out almost in tears.

Yu Iseol had flown in, panting heavily as she shielded Hye Yeon. Her usual serene composure was nowhere to be seen. Having exhausted herself trying to save even one more disciple, she pointed her trembling sword.

“…You go no farther. Not anymore.”

Despite her battered appearance, the killing intent radiating from Yu Iseol was genuinely chilling, enough to make even the Red Dogs hesitate briefly.

Yet ultimately, her overwhelming killing aura only served to ignite their aggression further. Without another word, they charged straight towards Yu Iseol.

Swish!

Yu Iseol’s sword flashed like lightning. But quickly encircled, wounds began to appear rapidly across her body.

“Aaaagh!”

Another scream pierced the air. Despite Hwasan’s disciples fighting with every last ounce of strength, their situation was unbearably dire. Neither those defending from behind nor those fighting desperately in the front could hold on for even half a gak [15 minutes/2] longer.

This situation could no longer be turned around by one or two individuals.

Everyone on the battlefield knew this to be true.

Watching all this unfold leisurely, one man turned to Chung Myung with obvious delight.

“So, how is it?”

Jang Ilso smiled softly, a gentle smile devoid of the slightest malice.

“Didn’t you say you’d protect them?”

“…”

“But, what will you do now? It looks like you won’t be able to protect anyone at all. Isn’t that right?”

Chung Myung’s hands trembled, shaking like leaves in the wind.

The fear of losing someone again. The nightmare he had been forcing down with all his strength and pretending not to see could no longer be held back – it began to rise and overflow without restraint.

Next chapter >>>

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*A sword formation in which seven individuals take positions in the shape of the Big Dipper (北斗七星), then shift that formation between circular (圓), linear (一), and back to the Big Dipper pattern. This formation transforms dynamically, allowing those within it to fight closely together in chaotic skirmishes without harming one another, while each warrior can still fully display their abilities. 

The formation is named Seven-Star Sword Formation because it follows the principle of the Seven Stars, one of the underlying cosmic principles that include:

Wuji (無極), Taiji (太極), Samjae (三才), Sangsang (四象), Five Elements (五行), Six Harmonies (六合), Seven Stars (七星), Eight Trigrams (八卦), and Nine Palaces (九宮).

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