Chapter 1354

Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1354. It's just how it was born (4)

Editor: Hoamzz

Co-Translator: Xoxo

As Jo-Gol glared, Baek Cheon, Im Sobyeong, and Yoon Jong quietly avoided his gaze and lowered their heads.

"Are you people with thoughts or without thoughts? Huh!"

“That....”

“Uh....”

"No matter how flustered you are, you need to handle what needs handling! How could you just leave him behind without even setting up a way to regroup! Does that make any sense? Huh?!”

Of course, there was no room for excuses. Even the ones being scolded were questioning what on earth had possessed them to make such a foolish mistake.

But....

"This is why I can't let my guard down for a moment! How am I supposed to rest when you cause trouble the instant I look away, how!"

The fact that the one pointing this out was none other than Jo-Gol felt like someone was poking needles into their stomachs. Who would have thought the day would come when they would be getting scolded by Jo-Gol of all people?

“I believed because it’s Sasuk, but aish… You really need to pick who to trust better."

Baek Cheon's head drooped powerlessly.

But Jo-Gol must have left his blood and tears in Gangbuk, as he showed no comfort at those slumped shoulders and instead pressed even more severely.

“Do you think bowing your head will solve this? You need to come up with a plan, a plan!”

That was true too.

In the end, Baek Cheon silently turned his gaze toward Im Sobyeong beside him. Unfortunately, Im Sobyeong was of no help at all.

"I... I can't believe I overlooked something so basic.... To think I'm on the same level as Baek Cheon Dojang..."

This bastard?

Baek Cheon glared daggers at him, but Im Sobyeong, seemingly in utter despair, didn’t notice a thing. It was as if his soul had entirely escaped his body. It felt impossible to press him to come up with a plan in this state.

Baek Cheon looked back at Jo-Gol with a sour expression.

“Sho- Should we at least stop here for now?”

“...Sasuk.”

"Yes?"

“I now understand for the first time why Chung Myung's eyes roll back and yells every time he sees Sasuk.”

...That’s something you don’t need to understand.

"This is just... Aack!"

Just as Jo-Gol was about to raise his voice again, he let out a scream and grabbed his mouth. A scabbard had unexpectedly flown in from the side and smacked his mouth.

"...Too noisy. My head's ringing."

Yoo Iseol weakly lowered the scabbard she was holding and rested her forehead on Tang Soso's shoulder.

“N- No, Sago! How can your headache be more important....”

“Noisy.”

“....”

Though he could talk back to Baek Cheon, it seems Jo-Gol couldn't dare oppose Yoo Iseol, as he stopped his outburst and just pursed his lips.

“Namgung Sogaju!”

Just then, they were joined by those led by Namgoong Dowi. The faces of Hainan Sect disciples brightened at the sight. They had worried the others might have gotten lost along the way, but thankfully, they had arrived safely.

In contrast, the faces of Mount Hua disciples grew a shade whiter.

“Sasuk.”

"Sahyung."

“Dongryong-ah.”

"Which bastard just said that?"

Baek Cheon glared sharply. But upon meeting the dagger-like gazes of everyone else, he quietly averted his eyes.

Namgung Dowi, who had joined from the front, immediately asked.

“Has Chung Myung Dojang not joined yet?”

“....”

At that moment, Baek Cheon understood. Why did Chung Myung sometimes look at him and feel like he was about to explode in frustration… So this was what it meant for someone to have no sense.

"He hasn’t joined us yet? Of course, you have a plan, right?”

“....”

"You don't?"

“....”

"You?"

“That’s, for now....”

Just as Baek Cheon was about to say something to cover for the situation.

“No need to worry. He’ll find his way here.”

"Huh?"

Everyone turned their gazes in unison toward the voice. Tang Pae was smiling faintly in their stares.

"Do you have some sort of plan?"

“It’s hard to explain, but probably.”

"...Hard to explain?"

Tang Pae awkwardly scratched his nose. He could sense it clearly. The faint trail of Tang Family’s secret Ten Thousand Li Pursuit Scent radiates from Baek Cheon.

Since Tang Soso was no longer part of Tang Family, she couldn’t use this scent, and Tang Pae himself had never used it before.

In that case, it wasn’t hard to figure out who had smeared this scent onto Baek Cheon.

However, the reason he can't definitively explain the situation to them was that he can't understand how Chung Myung could possibly detect Tang Family's tracking scent.

Because if Cheongmyeong had somehow learned Tang Family’s techniques and were able to sense this smell, it would mean that someone from Tang Family passed on the martial arts forbidden to be taught to outsiders to him.

‘There’s no way Father would’ve done that....'

Tang Pae’s brow furrowed slightly as he fell into thought.

The rule of ‘Not Teaching to Outsiders (비인부전(非人不傳))’ is an absolute iron law of the Tang family that even the gaju cannot violate. If Tang Gun-ak had truly passed on the sect’s martial arts to Chung Myung, he would have no excuse even if he were immediately stripped of his position as gaju.

It was only to that extent because of his position as gaju, but if someone who wasn't the gaju commits such a thing?

'There would be no room for excuses even if punished by having their martial arts sealed and all their tendons cut...'

But who in their right mind would dare commit such madness?

It would be impossible unless done by either a complete madman or an absolute powerhouse that even the gaju couldn't touch. But right now, there are no madmen or powerhouses like that within Tang Family.

‘I really have no idea.’

Anything he said now could cause problems later. A careless comment from him might irreparably damage Tang Gun-ak’s authority.

So he could only smile sheepishly while dodging the issue.

“Um, Sogaju....”

"Ah, Hyung-nim! Stop grinning like a village idiot and give us an answer already!”

Those who had been gauging the subtle hints in Tang Pae's smile suddenly turned to Namgoong Dowi with wide eyes.

Namgung Dowi added as if he was about to burst.

“Are you mute?”

“....”

Dowi, your personality has grown quite harsh... If the previous namgung gaju in heaven saw this, he would be heartbroken... No, that person might have actually liked it...

When no response came, a rare glimmer of madness began to appear in Namgung Dowi’s eyes.

“No...!”

But then.

"What’s with the tense atmosphere?"

"Heuk!"

“Chung Myung-ah!”

Everyone was startled when they saw Chung Myung suddenly appear like a ghost and standing next to them. He snickered as he received everyone's dumbfounded stares.

“What’s this? You’re looking at me like you’ve seen a ghost.”

The faces of the Mount Hua disciples turn rotten.

"…You made it back alive."

“Didn’t die, I see.”

"Ei, what a shame."

“You’re late.”

Jo-Gol frowned and asked.

“How did you find your way here? You don’t even know how to read Hainan Sect’s markings, do you?”

“Tsk, tsk. Anyway, you little brats. This elder has his methods. This is what we call years of experience."

"You're the youngest one here, you madman!"

Those at the front began bickering as if their earlier grave atmosphere had never existed. The atmosphere turned noisy and lively in no time. Gwak Hwanso, who had been running after them, narrowed his eyes to slits.

'A comrade....'

He could tell. Even while they were swearing at each other, everyone was secretly checking Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword's condition.

They were meticulously examining whether his injuries had worsened further while fighting alone at the rear.

Moreover, the moment Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword appeared, vitality instantly returned to the group. It wasn't like he had done anything particularly great upon his arrival.

His mere presence alone seemed to give strength to his fellow disciples.

‘Is this what camaraderie feels like?’

He didn’t want to admit it, but Hainan Sect lacked such camaraderie. The bonds between people who had lived together for decades felt weaker than those of these people who had only been together for a few years.

Gwak Hwanso felt as if he finally understood why Chung Myung didn’t consider Hainan Sect a proper ally but merely a group to protect.

“Sect Leader?"

Baek Cheon shook his head at Chung Myung's question.

“He hasn’t joined us yet.”

"Why? There didn't seem to be any problems?"

Geum Yangbaek should be the most proficient at identifying and following sect markers. The fact that they were the last to join was definitely strange.

"That's precisely why."

"Hm?"

"Since he’s the best at identifying the markings, he volunteered to guard the rear."

“Huh?”

Chung Myung looked back. A peculiar smile formed on his lips as he briefly gazed into the distance.

“You made him do it?”

"How could someone of my standing possibly order Sect Leader to do such a thing? He said it himself. That if anything went wrong, his group would be the quickest to rejoin us."

Chung Myung nodded.

Up until now, Hainan Sect had either simply followed Baek Cheon’s orders or rebelled against them. But this time, they had judged for themselves what needed to be done.

It seemed clear that they had sent the elders with remaining energy to guard the rear while sending the younger ones to the front.

Those who once stood aloof with their hands behind their backs now willingly risking their lives by stepping into danger. To protect what must be protected, even if it meant risking everything.

The battles stretching from Hainan Island, through the gorge, and into the depths of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains had transformed them from mere elders into sword warrior.

'Now they're finally usable.'

This alone should be considered meeting the minimum standard that Chung Myung had set in his mind.

"Any message received?"

“There isn’t anything in particular.”

Well, the other side would likely contact them first, so it wouldn’t be an issue. Chung Myung nodded lightly and swept his gaze around. After checking on the condition of those running at the rear, he let out a chuckle.

"What a mess."

“...Honestly, yeah.”

The situation certainly can't be called good yet. Many of Hainan Sect disciples were injured and struggling to move, and even accounting for the stragglers at the rear, their numbers had noticeably dwindled.

They can't increase their speed much as they're running while carrying and supporting unconscious disciples. All things considered, they were no better than defeated soldiers fleeing for their lives after a devastating defeat.

But neither Chung Myung nor Baek Cheon showed any sign of disappointment at this fact.

Whatever the case, they had succeeded in regrouping, and as a result, they were now rushing through Gangnam after completely breaking through Evil Tyrant Alliance's encirclement. Despite the heavy losses, there was no doubt that the victors of the fierce battle in Guangdong were none other than Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Hainan Sect.

Chung Myung's gaze turned gravely serious.

'If we can just make it to the Yangtze like this...'

From the looks of things, unless something unexpected occurred, they should be able to make it without major issues. Right, if there were no variables.

Chung Myung turned his gaze to the rear. A peculiar light settled in his eyes as he looked at the jagged, ominously rising peaks.

❀ ❀ ❀

Pudeudeuk.

The crimson hawk perched on Ho Gamyeong's wrist soared high into the sky. Then, it instantly shot like an arrow toward the distant northern horizon.

Ho Gamyeong slowly lowered his gaze to watch the person running before him.

"Huuk! Huuk! Huuk!"

Yoo Gong’s labored breaths came out in ragged gasps.

From the moment he first spotted the marking, he was running and hadn’t rested for even a second. Others just have to run, but he had to keep running without falling behind while remaining vigilant and constantly searching for the sect’s markings.

Naturally, his stamina was being rapidly depleted.

'Damn it....'

With his heart in turmoil as well, it felt like everything inside and out was tormenting him.

That was when.

"There's your marker."

Yoo Gong was startled by the voice and raised his head. Sure enough, carved into a large tree ahead of him was the marking of Hainan Sect.

Just as he quickly deciphered the marking and was about to speak.

“North....”

"It’s the same as before. Northeast. Keep moving."

For a moment, Yoo Gong blankly stared at Ho Gamyeong. Ho Gamyeong stared back at Yoo Gong instead without changing his expression.

“Is there a problem?”

"...No, sir."

Yoo Gong quickly averted his gaze. But Ho Gamyeong’s cold voice sliced through the air, brushing past his ear.

"It would be better not to pull any tricks. Unless you want to see the family you left behind torn to pieces and slaughtered."

Yoo Gong bit his lip until it bled. A massive fear began filling his eyes.

He was on Ho Gamyeong's palm. As if caught in an enormous hand he would never be able to escape from.

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