Chapter 528

Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 528. Don't bow your head (3)

Editor: Hoamzz

Co-Translator: Xoxo

Warriors in white uniforms marched.

The sight of white warriors advancing in a line on the white land made the viewer feel a kind of reverence.

But the disciples of Mount Hua Sect, who are at the forefront of the formation, were feeling a strange sense of incompatibility as they watched the warriors of the North Sea Ice Clan following them.

"Sasuk."

"Hmm."

Baek Cheon nodded low at Yoon Jong's call.

‘their morale feels lacking.’

They’re on their way to Magyo’s base.

Even if everyone is full of morale and raises their enthusiasm, it won't be enough. But there was even subtle confusion and anxiety behind it. Apart from the strong leg.

“… … It is a problem.”

At Seol So-baek's order, Yosa Hon stepped down from his seat as the First Elder. Though he did not oust his Eldership for his meritorious deeds, he was no longer able to represent the Elders.

He was thus simply serving behind as an ordinary Elder.

Therefore, the current Ice Clan army was led by the young Seol So-baek, and practically Han Yi-myung, who represented him.

Han Yi-myung served as the General Officer of the late Clan Leader, but compared to Yosa Hon, he has no choice but to lag behind in terms of reputation and achievements.

It is never good news that the force of the leader is reduced in a situation where he goes to deal with the worst enemy.

Jo-Gol, who was peeking behind, whispered softly toward Yoon Jong.

"Isn't it strange, Sahyung?"

"What do you mean?"

Yoon Jong turned his head slightly at the sudden words of Jo-Gol. His eyes were already filled with distrust. As if he’ll bury him if he said something weird.

"You know, the reason why the morale is down is that Elder Yosa Hon stepped down, right?”

"Perhaps."

"Then shouldn't they have objected when he was ousted from his position in the first place?"

“…….”

"When he was pushed out of his seat as the First Elder, they follow without a word, but now they're anxious because he’s not there. I don't know what this is about."

There was a bitter smile around Yoon Jong's mouth.

It was an uncharacteristically sharp smile. (조걸답지 않게 날카로운 지적이었다.)

While Yoon Jong was silent and unable to find the right answer, Baek Cheon said instead.

“Because they don’t take responsibility themselves.”

"… Responsibility?”

He nodded quietly.

"If the same thing happened in Mount Hua Sect, anyone would have given their opinion. And the consequences of their opinion would naturally have been the responsibility of themselves."

Yoon Jong nodded and agreed.

"Isn't that obvious?"

"……No, but on second thought, I don't think it's obvious. Shouldn't I be responsible for what I didn't even do in Mount Hua Sect? Even if that bastard caused an accident himself, we’re the one who fixes his mess!"

‘Huh?’

Now that you mention it...….

"Keuhuheum!"

Baek Cheon, who cleared his throat, continued his words with a straight face.

"But that's not the case here. All you have to do is follow the orders from above. Then you don't have to take responsibility for it even if you have complaints."

"…… Isn't that not right?"

Baek Cheon shook his head at Jo-Gol's bewildered voice.

"How can we judge whether they are right or wrong? It is only arrogance to say that we who live in Jungwon dare to judge and understand the ways of this distant North Sea. We just have to look at it and feel it for ourselves."

"Understood, Sasuk."

Jo-Gol seemed still full of complaints but nodded for now.

‘That's true, though, with a child as the Clan Leader...….’

Even if a child is the Clan Leader, they just follow. At first glance, one may think it is firm loyalty. But to interpret this accurately, it meant that Seol So-baek was being held responsible for all the crises the North Sea Ice Clan is facing.

Jo-Gol was even more displeased with that.

Seol So-baek was on the back of Han Yi-myung, who was walking at the front. Of course, he must have lived in hiding and taught Seol So-baek martial arts, but at any rate, it is a harsh path for a child.

But the child was holding out without a single complaint.

"Sahyung."

"What is it again?"

"……I didn't say anything, so why are you so annoyed?"

"All right, just say it."

“Ah, that’s all right. I won't.”

“This bastard?”

When Yoon Jong glared, Jo-Gol shrank his neck.

"N- No. I just thought he’s unusual. That little boy....”

"Clan Leader, you punk! Clan Leader!"

"……Yes, that's what I think when I look at the Clan Leader."

Then Tang So-so, who was listening to their conversation, snorted softly.

“It was worth coming to the North Sea just for Jo-Gol Sahyung to feel it.”

"I agree, So-so."

Baek Cheon glanced back at his Sahyung and gave a low laugh.

'These guys.’

This was the way Mount Hua's disciples relax in their own way. The fact that there were a lot of trivial jokes was like proof that they were nervous.

It was understandable.

Isn't even Baek Cheon so tense that it feels like his muscles are stiff? Even that Yoo Iseol had a slightly stiffer expression than usual.

Fear of battle and fear of Magyo.

In the midst of all the pressure, there was only one person who was carefree.

“Ah! I'm going to freeze! How far to get there? Why is it so far! Are you sure you're on the right track?"

“…….”

Chung Myung, who had already become one with bearskin, screamed.

It was amazing that he could be so angry like that even though he was trembling non-stop.

'Does that bastard really have three times as much liver as others?'

Others are nervous and unable to speak properly, but he’s getting angry because of the cold. Should he call it bold or thoughtless?

And…….

"Kiiiik!"

Baek-ah, who stretched his head out from Chung Myung's front, cried sharply as if he was cold, too.

It was absolutely unbelievable.

'Where did that thing come from again?'

‘He didn't even show his nose when we were fighting!’

For real!

Baek Cheon, who lamented inside, sighed quietly and opened his mouth.

"……Chung Myung-ah."

"What?"

Chung Myung turned his head.

"I think they're out of morale, is it all right?"

"Morale?"

Then he looked back and smirked.

"Don't worry. If they don't want to die, they'll fight."

"…… That's very simple."

Baek Cheon realized once again. It's useless to talk to Chung Myung about something.

A cold blizzard beat his face mercilessly.

Baek Cheon squinted his eyes and pushed forward. And asked Han Yi-myung.

"Do we still have a long way to go?"

Then Seol So-baek, carried on his back, answered in a much more nervous voice than usual.

"Do you see the mountains up ahead?”

"Yes."

"There's a place deep in that mountains range called the White Pond (백담(白潭)). It's a small pond that's frozen all year round. It's also the coldest place in the North Sea."

"Then……."

"Yes."

Han Yi-myung nodded with a heavy expression.

"I questioned the man who was delivering the Ice Crystals, and according to him, Magyo’s base is there."

Baek Cheon's face hardened in an instant.

At this speed, it would take less than half a day to reach the mountain range.

He looked reflexively at Seol So-baek on Han Yi-myung's back.

The child whose lips were blue from the strong wind was looking forward with a determined face.

As he watched it, he smiled strangely.

‘The hope of the North Sea.’

Baek Cheon suddenly thought of Hyun Jong. Now, he seemed to have a similar expression to Hyun Jong.

Even if the ancestors couldn't stand properly, there is always hope if the descendants have a strong will. If Seol So-baek doesn't lose himself, a new spring will come to the North Sea someday.

But for that to happen...….

'We must defeat those Cultist.’

Baek Cheon's gaze finally relieved of anxiety and determination. A loud voice broke out.

"There's not much time left! Let's go!"

"Yes!"

The disciples of the Mount Hua Sect accelerated further thanks to Baek Cheon's voice.

* * *

"Bishop-nim!"

A Demonic cultist in a black robe hurriedly ran toward the Bishop who was sitting cross-legged. And he prostrated himself on the spot.

“Report! Currently, a group of Ice Clan Warriors and evil enemies from Jungwon are advancing here rapidly. The exact number is currently being figured out, but for now, it seems to be at least three hundred.”

Despite the urgent voice, the Bishop didn’t even budge.

He just sat cross-legged facing the figure of Asura in front of him and closed his eyes reverently.

“…….”

Even the one who made the report did not dare to urge him any further.

Even if his stomach was burning, waiting was all he could do.

After a long wait, a slow voice came from the Bishop's mouth.

"…Did you say a people of Jungwon?”

"Yes! That's right, Bishop-nim!"

"Stop them."

The Bishop's eyes slowly opened.

A series of horrifying killing intent flowed out. The terrifyingly red eyes and expressionless face made a strange harmony and seemed to freeze the hearts of those who watched it.

"The ceremony was almost accomplished. Three. No, two hours at the most!”

As if taking his eyes off him would cause trouble, the Bishop's gaze toward the front was fixed and didn't wander off.

Beneath the image of Asura, a strange pattern was newly drawn.

At first glance, it looked like it was drawn with ink, but anyone with a good eye would notice right away. That it was painted with human blood.

There were Ice Crystals placed on some places in the middle of the oddly twisted patterns, where circles were drawn on top of other circles and seemed to be swirling around each other.

The pure white chill was slowly being sucked into the black shadow behind the figure of Asura, through the patterns drawn around it.

It's really bizarre...… It was an absolutely ominous sight.

The Bishop, who was staring at the scene, chewed out.

"Put everything on the line and block them. Even at the cost of your life! If you can't stop them and the plan goes awry, the hundred-year wait will collapse. That should never happen.”

"Yes!"

"The sky of Magyo will spread open once again. Accept even death with joy!”

Bam!

The Cultist smashed his head on the ground with a look of admiration.

"Heavenly Demon Advent! Blessing For All Demon!"

Then he turned around quickly and ran outside.

The Bishop did not turn his head even once during the whole process. Everything about him seemed to depend on the sight that was now laid before him.

He slowly fell to the ground and showed all the respect he could show.

"Heavenly Demon Advent. Blessing For All Demon."

Duguen.

The sound of someone's small, slow heartbeat echoed quietly in the cold-filled cave.

It was by no means the sound of the Bishop's heartbeat.

“Heavenly Demon. Great Heavenly Demon....….”

Tears streamed down the Bishop's cheeks. Freezing drops of water froze and broke at the Bishop's chin before it could even fell.

"It's been such a long wait. Heavenly Demon. The demon’s sky. Please accept the wish of this insignificant person, return to this earth, and punish these sinful persons.”

Duguen.

The heartbeat coming from somewhere became a little faster.

Hwiiing!

The cold wind blowing into the cavity mixed with the cold air emitted by the Ice Crystals and pushed it into the coldest place.

The fabric with Asura's figure fluttered madly, revealing a glimpse of the scene behind it.

Wearing a pure white robe, he was seated in an upright position.

Only the lower part was visible because the fabric was not completely removed, but the long black hair that seemed to cover the entire white robe and the pale hands resting on the knees were clearly visible.

"Heavenly Demon Advent! Blessing For All Demons!"

Blood came out of the Bishop's eyes.

“Please punish the unbelievers who are polluted by sin, and condemn the immoral people who did not believe in the return of the Heavenly Demon until the end! Heavenly Demon! The Great One who puts the world under his feet!”

His screams began to fill his pupils.

* * *

"Is it here?"

A large white frozen pond appeared.

It was more like a lake than a pond, but it was fine.

It was because at the entrance of the large cave at the end of the lake, the now-familiar martial artist in robes showed up.

"Magyo!"

Baek Cheon chewed on his lips.

"They’re stuck in a place."

Chung Myung grinned and took a step forward.

"Sahyung."

Seureureung.

Chung Myung slowly pulled out his sword.

"Can you feel it?"

"… What do you mean?"

When asked by Baek Cheon, he rolled up the corners of his mouth.

“Something is going on in that cave. It's very creepy, we've come to the right place.”

“…….”

Baek Cheon opened his eyes slightly and looked toward the cave. But he still didn't feel anything special.

The only thing that he could feel was the rock-solid will of the Cultists that was being clearly conveyed.

"… It's unusual."

“It will be different from before. If you are even a little careless, you will die right away.”

"I see."

"Then……."

Fresh blue energy gushed out from Chung Myung's eyes.

"Let's go. What the hell are you doing?"

As soon as the low words were finished, his body shot forward like a beam of light.

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