Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1300. Is there a place to rest on this earth? (5)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
'Those damn brats.'
The eyes of the blood-red martial artist standing in the center, Black-Hearted Judge (흑심판관(黑心判官)) Sang Gwan-eung (상관응(上官應)), narrowed involuntarily.
Half of a battle was determined by momentum. And once broken, momentum wasn’t easily restored.
But now, something rare was happening. The momentum of those who had been utterly crushed was rapidly returning.
With just a few attacks and a few words, no less.
Hainan Sect and the like could be trampled down regardless of whether their momentum was high or low, but…
'Troublesome.'
His gaze turned toward those standing guard in front of Hainan Sect.
Namgung Family Namgung Dowi, Sichuan Tang Family Tang Pae, and Nokrim King Im Sobyeong.
Not one of them could be taken lightly. Even more so considering Hye Yeon of Shaolin watching the situation from behind.
'The sword of Namgung and the hidden weapons of Sichuan Tang …'
Generally, people of the same sect tend to share similar traits despite their differences, when viewed as a whole. They trained in the same martial arts and lived similar lives. Therefore, the strategies to counter them were generally alike.
That was why though Mount Hua disciples were each different, the methods to bind their feet were similar.
But these people were different. From their personalities to their martial arts, there wasn’t a single point of similarity. By common sense, it should be impossible for such people to move together as one group like this.
For whatever reason, such people had gathered in one place, and for their opponent, it was nothing short of a headache. Even if the thick armor of Mount Hua were removed, without crushing these individuals, they wouldn’t be able to tear into the soft flesh that was Hainan Sect.
Namgung Dowi exhales deeply.
"Huuf."
With Tang Pae and Im Sobyeong guarding his left and right, Namgung Dowi's expression lightened as if his burden had been reduced. It would’ve been difficult alone, but he could fully unleash his abilities now that his left and right were secured by allies.
After regulating his breathing to calm his mind, he raised his sword to aim at the blood-red martial artists.
They were like a pack of jackals. Once they caught the scent of blood, they wouldn’t back down easily. The only path left was to fight until one side was utterly annihilated.
Woooong!
As he channeled his internal strength, his sword radiated an immense sword energy. Just as he was about to swing it.
"Stop."
The blood-red martial artists who were about to charge at Namgung Dowi's movement all halted at once at their superior's command.
"Hmm?"
Namgung Dowi unknowingly let out a deflated sigh as if his energy had been sapped.
'Of all times?'
He looked at the one who gave the order, but couldn't read their expression as most of their face was covered by a mask.
"There’s no reason to force ourselves. Withdraw."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the blood-red martial artists retreated in unison. Their movement was even more disciplined than when they had charged forward.
'What...'
The situation was incomprehensible. Namgung Dowi fell into thought as he watched the blood-red martial artists withdraw like the ebbing tide.
No matter how much morale had been restored, the situation was still objectively in their favor. So why deliberately abandon their winning position and withdraw?
But for Sang Gwan-eung, this was perfectly natural.
His goal was never Mount Hua. They had briefly targeted their openings and tied them down, but those were none other than Five Swords of Mount Hua. They weren’t opponents he could handle with his current forces. Though they might be tied down now, they would soon begin to rampage.
Thus, their objective from the start was Hainan Sect. Their goal was to wound or poison as many enemies as possible thus slowing them down. So that the main force that followed could easily attack them.
But with how the situation had unfolded, it was safe to say that the initial objective had already failed.
Now they had to choose: either abandon the mission or resolve to sacrifice lives somehow to carry out the order.
'Sacrifice, huh.'
Was there really a need for that?
A faint smirk spread beneath Sang Gwan-eung’s mask.
"Withdraw."
The blood-red martial artists simultaneously stepped back and lined up in formation behind Sang Gwan-eung.
Even Mount Hua disciples, who had been surrounded by enemies, seemed taken aback as they stared blankly at those who had withdrawn.
Everyone was dumbfounded. Despite their experience on countless battlefields, this was a situation they had never encountered before.
"Hmm."
As if to speak for everyone’s thoughts, Im Sobyeong opened his mouth.
“Now you're going to take your butt out. But I don’t see why we should just let you leave peacefully."
At his biting words, Sang Gwan-eung sneered and asked,
"So? Will you stop us?"
"Hmph."
It was an obvious provocation. As Im Sobyeong narrowed his eyes and stared, Sang Gwan-eung asked leisurely again.
"Do you have that luxury?"
Sang Gwan-eung gestured subtly with his eyes toward the wounded. Poison had already begun spreading rapidly from the points where thind swords had pierced flesh. Immediate treatment was necessary.
Im Sobyeong couldn't be unaware of this fact. Moreover, the longer they delayed, the closer the enemy's main force would approach.
Im Sobyeong spoke with clear irritation.
“Well… It’s true we don’t have the strength to chase down retreating enemies right now.”
"That settles it then."
"However."
Im Sobyeong said coldly through his gritted teeth.
“It doesn’t sit right with me to let pests leave so easily, knowing they’ll just come buzzing back to annoy us later.”
“I’ll give you one day.”
"...."
"Seems like a good condition, no?"
Im Sobyeong’s face stiffened.
His stomach churned as he felt the situation was slipping exactly into Sang Gwan-eung’s hands. But now they had no capacity to refuse those words. The faint groans of the wounded reached his ears.
When Im Sobyeong remained silent, Sang Gwan-eung gave a subtle nod as if satisfied.
They hadn’t managed to inflict even a quarter of the damage they had initially planned, but there was no need to risk unnecessary sacrifices.
“I’ll take that as acceptance and withdraw.”
"That's unexpected."
Im Sobyeong spoke sarcastically. His ill feelings toward Sang Gwan-eung were evident.
"To think someone from Hao Sect would care enough about their subordinates to stick their neck out for them."
Sang Gwan-eung chuckled faintly at those words.
"No way, me?
Im Sobyeong’s eyes narrowed sharply.
'Interesting.'
Evil Tyrant Alliance operates under an absolute chain of command. Defying the orders of Ryeonju Jang Ilso was unthinkable. This wasn’t just true for Evil Tyrant Alliance but an ironclad law for all sects of Evil Sects.
Because they are inherently difficult to control, they must be bound by simple and powerful rules. For Evil Sects, absolute obedience was exactly that.
But now, the man before them implied they needn't necessarily follow orders. In other words, this meant the order wasn't of Jang Ilso.
'...If it wasn't Jang Ilso but Ho Gamyeong who moved Hao Sect, then perhaps Jang Ilso might not even know about this?'
But why? That Ho Gamyeong?
Im Sobyeong’s mind raced through possibilities before he decided to set aside his questions for now. There was little use in pondering further at the moment, but perhaps this could serve as a clue someday.
"Thank you for the valuable information."
"I never gave you any information."
“Ah. Right. That’s right. I was mistaken.”
Im Sobyeong smiled meaningfully. Sang Gwan-eung glared at him coldly and said.
"We withdraw for now. But... I wonder if it will mean anything. We’ll target you again. No, not just us. More will come after you. More thoroughly. More cruelly."
"It doesn’t matter. As long as we can rest for a moment, that’s enough."
"Rest… you say."
Sang Gwan-eung sneered openly.
"Is there any place to rest in this land?"
"....."
“There is no such thing as a resting place in hell, is there?”
At his faint gesture, the subordinates guarding the rear melted into the forest shadows.
"See you again."
"As many times as you’d like."
Sang Gwan-eung stared silently at Im Sobyeong for a moment before stepping backward into the bushes and vanishing.
Subordinates approached Sang Gwan-eung as he entered the bushes.
"Daeju."
"Move!"
Sang Gwan-eung ignored them and departed at full speed. The subordinates following him exchanged puzzled glances. The way Sang Gwan-eung moved swiftly through the forest seemed almost as if he were being chased by someone.
But that can't be the case, right? They were always the hunters, never the hunted.
Regardless, they had to follow, so everyone suppressed their questions and ran after Sang Gwan-eung. Only after covering a significant distance did Sang Gwan-eung finally stop.
"...The situation?"
“There’s minimal damage. A few men were taken down, but it’s within the expected range.”
"Expected range…"
Those expectations were based on achieving their goal of poisoning at least half of Hainan Sect disciples.
"But Daeju, didn't we withdraw too easily?"
"There’s no reason to risk our lives in someone else’s battle."
"They're mere brats nonetheless. Even if they momentarily gained momentum..."
Sang Gwan-eung turned his head sharply toward the speaker.
"So?"
At the icy glare, the man flinched and quickly lowered his head.
“I overstepped my bounds.”
"…As long as you know."
Sang Gwan-eung turned away with evident displeasure.
"The Soul-Chasing Scent?"
"...Was planted, of course."
“We resume pursuit in one day. Rest until then.”
"Understood."
Once he distanced himself from his subordinates, Sang Gwan-eung’s face twisted into a grimace.
‘Casualties?’
Of course, they were acceptable.
Hunting wasn't as simple as one might think. A hunter chasing a predator must always be prepared to lose their life to the beast’s claws. Given the nature of the Soul-Chasing Squad tracking enemies brimming with killing intent, sacrifices were a constant reality. However….
‘The nature of those sacrifices changes everything.’
Sang Gwan-eung massaged his neck. If the battle had continued beyond that point?
‘My head would’ve been rolling on the ground.’
Every comrade who had started with him in the Soul-Chasing Squad was now dead. Only Sang Gwan-eung had survived until now.
His survival wasn’t simply due to skill. It was because of his survival instincts, an almost beast-like sense that guided him to avoid death’s embrace at all costs.
Just moments ago, he had felt it. A faint killing intent closed in around him. Subtle, yet unimaginably sinister.
'Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword.'
If there had been even the slightest opening, if his subordinates had been reduced even a little more, that sword would have buried itself in his neck. While everyone was rampaging like wounded boars on that battlefield, only Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword was targeting him and bidding his time like a viper hidden in the undergrowth.
'One day...'
Sang Gwan-eung's body shuddered.
'One day wasn't even necessary.'
Had he asked for just two hours, Im Sobyeong would have accepted the offer. The fact that he insisted on giving him one day was proof of the great psychological pressure he had been under at that moment.
If not that… perhaps it was fear of facing that beast again.
Sang Gwan-eung turned his gaze back toward the forest they had passed through.
'This is the first time I've been so reluctant to pursue someone.'
But he soon shook his head. It wouldn’t make a difference. More pursuit squads from Hao Sect were already converging on this location.
'It would be the same even if Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign from a hundred years ago returned instead of Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword.'
This place would eventually become their grave.
A grave without even a tombstone.
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