Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1275. A tiger trapped in a cage of poison (5)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
“This much is fine… Aaaargh!”
Chung Myung let out a shrill scream as he looked down at his leg. Tang Soso was tightening the thread used to stitch his wound with all her might. The veins bulging on the back of her hand seemed to speak volumes about her emotions.
"Uh… Soso…"
“Why? Does it hurt?”
"…No."
Tang Soso finished stitching up Chung Myung's wound with a pouty face. The long gash on his calf was neatly closed in an instant.
"Done."
Tang Soso wiped her hands with a cotton cloth and looked down at Chung Myung's legs.
"The treatment's done. But the problem is…"
“If it’s treated, then that’s all that matters.”
"....No, Sahyung...!"
"Ugh, so frustrating! Being cooped up in this cabin is suffocating. I’m going out for some fresh air!"
"Your leg! You’re not supposed to use that leg! Hey!"
Chung Myung hopped out of the cabin like a jiangshi on his one good leg. Tang Soso let out a series of heavy sighs.
"Really, that person..."
Everyone gave her sympathetic looks.
"How is he?"
On the surface, the treatment seemed cleanly finished and Chung Myung seemed fine. However, Yoon Jong wasn’t the type to let Chung Myung’s carefree demeanor fool him.
Tang Soso clicked her tongue before answering.
"He's fine. The poison's all neutralized, and compared to the wounds Sahyung usually gets, these aren't particularly severe."
At those words, Namgung Dowi stared at Tang Soso in disbelief.
'This is less than usual?'
A leg gashed open to the bone and more than ten venomous needles stuck in his body.
Then what kind of injuries did he usually sustain? Did that man have a dozen lives or something?
"Isn't that fortunate?"
"It is fortunate. It is, but..."
Tang Soso hesitated for a moment, sighed, and continued.
"As a physician, the most troublesome patients aren’t the ones with major injuries. With such patients, as long as they're conscious, there's usually something we can do."
"However?"
"The truly troublesome patients are those whose old wounds reopen and split. From then on, the problem is not the external wound but the internal wound. When a living patient’s blood begins to fester, it leads to irreversible situations."
"I understand what you mean."
Yoon Jong nodded slowly with a heavy face.
Until now, no matter what wounds Chung Myung received, it was enough that he stayed alive. They would always take care of Chung Myung's injuries after the battle was completely over.
But now?
'This is just the beginning.'
They have barely escaped Hainan Island. Now they had to break through none other than Gangnam and head for the Yangtze River. None of them could even begin to guess how many more battles like this lay ahead.
"It’ll be difficult for him to fully recover before the next battle."
“Yes.”
Tang Soso answered bluntly then added.
"So, Sahyung."
"Hm?"
“Next time, when Chung Myung Sahyung tries to run wild, whether by putting a rope on his neck or grabbing his pants, we must stop him at all costs."
"...Understood."
"Don’t just half-listen."
Yoon Jong's face hardened at Tang Soso's slightly icy voice.
"I know better than anyone how hard it is to stop Chung Myung Sahyung. But this time, it’s not something we can just brush off. Maybe he’ll manage to push through one more time. But what about twice? Thrice?"
"......"
"Everyone seems to forget sometimes, but even he’s human. Humans die when they receive severe wounds. He'll definitely overexert himself again, and this time, it could really be..."
"I know."
Yoon Jong cut her off calmly. Tang Soso narrowed her eyes slightly at him, but his expression remained unwavering.
"The thing you're worried about won't happen, so don't concern yourself."
"Sahyung…"
"I haven’t wielded a sword all this time just to stand back and suck my thumb. At the shore, we had no choice but to let him fight alone. From now on, we won't let Chung Myung rampage alone."
Yoon Jong’s voice was more resolute than usual. Tang Soso looked at him with a slightly renewed sense of respect.
By nature, Yoon Jong was gentle and moderate. But sometimes he could be more unyielding than anyone else in Mount Hua. Just like now.
"...I understand, Sahyung."
Tang Soso nodded without further words.
As the tense atmosphere began to subside, Jo-Gol stretched his arms behind his head and quipped,
"Ugh. Easier said than done. Just thinking about trying to stop that bastard makes my stomach start churning."
“Still, we’re lucky.”
"...What?"
Yoon Jong said with a slight smile.
"Think about the person who would normally be nagging Chung Myung's ears off right by his side. Not being here now, how much must their insides be burning?"
"Ah."
Jo Geul let out a brief exclamation and then chuckled.
"You're right. With that temper."
In another cabin.
Baek Cheon sat in meditation. A look of surprise crossed Geum Yangbaek’s face as he watched.
Despite having experienced an intense battle, not a single drop of blood stained Baek Cheon’s robe. This meant that Baek Cheon had managed to fight through the chaos with composure to spare.
'Mount Hua...'
He thought he had already placed Mount Hua in high regard. He believed he had set aside his biases as much as possible and evaluated them to the best of his ability.
But witnessing Mount Hua’s strength in action rendered all those efforts meaningless.
Someone who has never seen the ocean can’t comprehend its vastness, no matter how much they’re told. Likewise, a person who hasn't experienced Mount Hua cannot fully comprehend their strength no matter how many reports they hear or how much they contemplate.
'If more than a hundred such individuals were gathered...'
No, in truth, what he witnessed wasn’t even Mount Hua’s full might. What he had seen was only the performance of a few of their most renowned disciples.
If those backing these people now weren't Hainan Sect but their usual comrades who had trained together through thick and thin, what power would they display? Just thinking about it sent chills down his spine anew.
'I must reassess my evaluation of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.'
It was not that Geum Yangbaek thought poorly of Heavenly Comrade Alliance. No. Rather, he regarded them quite highly.
Even if they hadn’t risked their lives to aid Hainan Sect, he would still have respected the ideals and values the alliance upheld.
But despite that, in one corner of his heart, there was a deep-rooted prejudice that Heavenly Comrade Alliance was an alliance formed by those who ultimately failed to become the major sects of Ten Great Sects.
But watching the battle at the shore made him realize.
'That's not it at all.'
They hadn’t been cast aside; they had chosen to unite. Seeing that sword and that person made this clear.
"...First."
At that moment, Baek Cheon opened his mouth. Tension unconsciously entered Geum Yangbaek's shoulders.
From the moment they met, Geum Yangbaek had treated Baek Cheon with the utmost respect as Mount Hua’s acting sect leader, but after seeing him fight, his attitude couldn't help but change even further.
"I offer my deepest condolences for the grief of losing your disciples."
Geum Yangbaek slowly shook his head and answered in a measured tone,
“Think nothing of it. It was something I had prepared for.”
"...."
"And those children would have been prepared as well."
Baek Cheon nodded silently. At that moment, Geum Yangbaek cleared his throat awkwardly. This was because he suddenly realized that he was watching Baek Cheon’s reaction.
No, ‘watching for reactions’ wasn't quite right.
Waiting for another's evaluation before judging the rightness or wrongness of one's own actions. Isn't this what the world calls ‘Watching for cues’?
Though no one could peer into his thoughts, he felt oddly ashamed.
But anyone, not just Geum Yangbaek, would naturally act this way after witnessing such scenes.
It was no wonder why martial sects in Kangho went to such lengths to cultivate even one more absolute master.
Suppressing his embarrassment, Geum Yangbaek attempted to speak with a semblance of composure.
“I must also extend my gratitude to you, Acting Sect Leader. I noticed that Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword appears to have sustained injuries, yet you came to us before even checking on his condition...”
“It is only right. No matter how grave his wounds may be, how could they compare to the loss of life?”
Could it be? Well, he doesn't know.
If it had been any other sect of Ten Great Secfts in Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s place, what would have happened?
Of all the sect leaders among them, would even one have offered condolences for Hainan Sect’s fallen disciples before first expressing concern for the injuries of Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword?
‘Unlikely.’
Though perhaps a melancholy thought, this was how the world works.
However, Baek Cheon did not look after his Saje’s wounds, but first comforted Hainan Sect’s disciples and came to console Geum Yangbaek. Though Baek Cheon dismisses it as natural, the world calls those who can do such ‘natural’ things naturally heroes.
Geum Yangbaek pondered. Perhaps Mount Hua’s strength does not lie solely in its martial prowess but also in qualities like these.
"However, Sect Leader."
At that moment, Baek Cheon raised his head to meet Geum Yangbaek’s gaze.
"This is only the beginning."
"......"
“I imagine Hainan Sect’s disciples are quite shaken right now. Swearing to risk one’s life in battle and actually putting one’s life on the line are entirely different matters."
Geum Yangbaek's face stiffened. He couldn’t refute this. If no one else but Geum Yangbaek himself felt this fact deeply, how much more so the young disciples?
"At times like these, Sect Leader, it’s crucial for you to guide your disciples with care."
The usual Geum Yangbaek would have interjected here. Saying they would handle such matters themselves, so unnecessary worry was unwarranted.
But this time, Geum Yangbaek simply nodded in acknowledgment. He had to admit that his experience didn’t match theirs.
"Evil Tyrant Alliance will pursue us immediately. Once we reach Gangnam, there will be endless battles awaiting us."
"...."
"Please ensure your disciples' spirits don't break. We'll do our best as well."
"Hmm."
Geum Yangbaek nodded heavily.
"I will do my utmost."
"Thank you."
Geum Yangbaek smiled awkwardly as he watched Baek Cheon bow his head politely.
“The situation is dire, but... there is one small bright spot.”
"Bright spot?"
Baek Cheon looked at him quizzically. Geum Yangbaek's smile became more natural and bright.
"A headwind is blowing."
Baek Cheon frowned slightly as if he had difficulty understanding.
"To Acting Sect Leader, all of us might seem like people from the same southern sea, but in reality, Guangdong and Hainan Island are entirely different in culture, customs, and every other aspect. This includes ship designs."
"Ah."
Geum Yangbaek chuckled.
"While Hainan Island people can navigate Guangdong ships, Guangdong people rarely have occasion to sail Hainan ships. So even if they requisition ships, it will take considerable time to break through this headwind."
“So we might gain a bit more breathing room.”
Geum Yangbaek looked at Baek Cheon with a bright smile. However, Baek Cheon’s expression didn't particularly brighten.
"If I may be presumptuous, Sect Leader."
"....Hm?"
He shook his head heavily and spoke to Geum Yangbaek.
"If you think that way, you're taking Evil Tyrant Alliance... Myriad Man Manor too lightly."
"....."
“They will not ease their pursuit. No matter what means they must employ.”
His voice was filled with certainty. Geum Yangbaek pressed his lips shut for a moment.
At the same time.
The scene unfolding on Hainan Island proved that Baek Cheon's prediction was not far from the truth.
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