Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1407. It's time to wake up from the dream (2)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Long eyelashes quivered ever so slightly.
Only after a moment did the trembling subside, and at the end, the firmly closed eyes slowly opened.
The strange eyes, seeming both murky and refusing to accept anything, were captivating just to look at.
Those eyes were focused on the ceiling above.
The extravagantly luxurious carriage ceiling was adorned lavishly with precious treasures that ordinary people could hardly hope to see even once in their lifetime.
The silk draped over the ceiling like waves was of the finest quality, even among the most prized heavenly silks. It was a treasure so precious that even gold paled in comparison.
Precious jewels were carved and affixed to that silk, and the cat’s-eye stones embedded among them were so rare that even one could purchase a massive estate.
That wasn't all.
The tea table placed within arm's reach was carved from the highest quality sandalwood, said to be used only by kings. Even the small cup placed on it was a masterpiece, carved whole from jade by a skilled artisan.
Everywhere their hands and feet could reach, and everything they wore—even the tiniest item—was of the rarest quality.
Yet in this man’s eyes, despite being draped in and surrounded by such extravagance, there wasn’t the slightest trace of desire or pride.
The gaze that looked upon things infinitely precious and expensive to the world was merely bored and empty.
Do these things really have such value? No, do they merit the value assigned to them?
The man's red lips soon drew a small, faint smile.
“As if…”
It was absurdly laughable.
Silk was nothing more than a slightly tougher and more visually appealing fabric. What difference is there between one who wears silk and one who wears rags?
Those rare gems? No different from roadside stones. Just slightly shinier rocks.
The sandalwood, which only emperors or kings dared to use, was merely wood with a slightly different hue.
Would an animal distinguish between gems and stones? Would they understand the difference between straw and silk in their nest? Would they care about the different colors of wood they climb?
Of course not.
Only humans attach value to these meaningless things and blindly believe in the value they’ve created for themselves.
Wealth, honor, duty, faith, relationships, ideals… a myriad of trifles with no end.
“Kukukukuk.”
A faint laugh escaped.
In the end, value is something humans arbitrarily attach. It can be stripped away at any time.
Yet, people forget that they are the ones who created that value and cling to it desperately, even wagering their most precious lives in the process.
The man grabbed the liquor bottle on the table and slowly tilted it. Amber-colored fine wine flowed into the jade cup.
"Foolish... and stupid."
They laugh at moths that fly headlong into flames, yet believe their own act of throwing themselves at worthless pursuits was somehow noble.
So how could one not laugh? The world is such a grand comedy, filled to the brim with tragedy.
The man savored the dense spreading liquor fragrance and lifted his cup. His reflection shimmered faintly on the amber liquor's surface.
Gazing at his own reflection—laden with expensive metals, face covered with excessive makeup, entire body wrapped in red and white silk—he burst into laughter.
Jang Ilso ridicules everything. But the one he ridiculed most thoroughly was none other than himself.
Countless people outside this carriage pursue what they believe to be worthwhile. But Jang Ilso, while knowing all of it was meaningless, refuses to let go of anything in his grasp.
He doesn’t truly sense a difference between cheap rag and silk, yet still cloaks himself in the finest silks, and despite knowing cheap or expensive wine makes no difference once it enters the stomach, he still insists on pouring only the most rare wines into his mouth.
“Kukukukukuk.”
Jang Ilso emptied the liquor in a single gulp.
If wagering one’s life on the worthless and obsessing over the meaningless were the conditions for being human, then Jang Ilso was the most perfect human being.
His gaze turned toward the small, square window.
They were gathering, each with their own ideals.
Some yearn for Chivalrousness, some for power, others for loyalty, and yet others for peace.
Individuals with different purposes were converging in one place. Their thick, suffocating desires would swirl together in a tangled mass.
Jang Ilso's blood-red lips moved.
“It’s almost time… to welcome them properly.”
A whirlpool will form.
On the stage he had created. Shaolin, Ten Great Sects, Mount Hua, Heavenly Comrade Alliance, and even Evil Tyrant Alliance.
What would die in that vicious whirlwind was neither people nor lives. It was the ideals that someone cherishes. The empty mirage they believe is worth pursuing.
To those intoxicated by their ideals, the world must be sweet beyond measure, like moths entranced by the flame without realizing their wings were burning.
But now....
"It’s time to wake up from the dream."
A bright smile spread across Jang Ilso's lips. Soon the world would be painted with blood.
❀ ❀ ❀
"Huuk... Huuk..."
No more sweat flowed. The pale, bloodless complexion of Geum Yangbaek spoke volumes about his current state.
But he never stopped moving his feet. Even if this was his last breath, he would keep running.
Hyun Jong, who was checking Geum Yangbaek's condition out of the corner of his eye, spoke to Tang Gun-ak.
“Tang Gaju....”
“It’s no use.”
But Tang Gun-ak as if anticipating what Hyeonjong would say, shook his head mercilessly before Hyun Jong could finish speaking.
"His dantian is shattered and his true energy is flowing in reverse. Even with the medical techniques of Tang Family, there is no way to save him.”
“...Isn’t that the Tang family that saved that half-dead Chung Myung guy?”
"Maengju-nim. I fully understand your sorrow, but... we are neither Hua Tuo nor immortals. There are things we can do, and things we cannot."
“....”
"The reason we could save Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword was because he was someone who could endure the treatment. But Sect Leader Geum is not. A broken cup, no matter how carefully mended, cannot prevent water from leaking."
“Hmm.”
He listened, but couldn't fully understand.
It was understandable, as the visible wounds were incomparably more severe on Chung Myung's side. Yet Chung Myung could be saved, but there was no way to save Geum Yangbaek.
However, Hyun Jong didn’t press further. He was essentially a layman when it came to medical skills, and Tang Gun-ak was among the most renowned in the world. How could he question such a person about medical matters?
He turned to Tang Soso with a hopeful heart, but she too merely shook her head.
Just as Hyun Jong sighed inwardly, Geum Yangbaek, who had been struggling to keep up, suddenly staggered and vomited a mouthful of blood.
"Sect Leader!"
Startled disciples rushed toward him, but he immediately waved them off and glared.
"Keep going! Don't mind me and run, quickly!"
The faces of Hainan Sect's disciples turned pale. But they couldn’t defy their sect leader’s stern command. In the end, they gritted their teeth and began running again.
At that time, Gwak Hwanso hurried to Geum Yangbaek.
“Sect Leader, let me carry you!”
But Geum Yangbaek stubbornly shook his head and continued running in silence. Frustrated, Gwak Hwanso grabbed his arm again.
"Then at least let me channel some true energy..."
“Don’t do something useless.”
Geum Yangbaek sharply rebuked him and shook off Gwak Hwanso’s hand.
"Sect Leader! This is no time to be stubborn! If this continues, you’ll really....”
“Die?”
“....”
“Is that what you wanted to say?”
When Gwak Hwanso closed his mouth, Geum Yang-baek snickered. It wasn’t mockery. Despite his firm and cold gestures, the warmth in Geum Yangbaek's eyes was clearly directed toward his disciples and Gwak Hwanso.
"I too understand the value of life. If being carried could save me, I would have done so already."
Geum Yangbaek spoke while gasping. But even then, his voice remained calm, causing Gwak Hwan-so to bite his lip.
"But if that's not possible, there's no need to waste energy because of me. We haven't reached Gangbuk are we?"
“Don’t say such things! Why should Sect Leader die? Your disciples are still alive and well, so you must live too! Shouldn’t you live and reestablish Hainan Sect’s foundation in Gangbuk?”
Gwak Hwanso’s voice wavered with tears, but Geum Yangbaek only smiled without answering.
Gwak Hwanso also knew how futile his words were.
“Hwanso.”
"...Yes, Sect Leader."
“I’m glad you’re here.”
Gwak Hwanso's shoulders trembled slightly. Geum Yangbaek, who was coughing, turned to look at him. His face was pale, almost bluish.
"If you weren't here, I would surely have died without closing my eyes. But... with you here, dying isn't so frightening. Hehe."
"Sect Leader..."
A twisted laugh escaped Geum Yangbaek's lips.
He had come here to die. In a situation where there was no way to survive, he thought he would just perform one last sword dance and be done. He thought this was the last duty left to him as the sect leader of Hainan Sect.
But they were still alive. And perhaps they might cross this river and carry on Hainan Sect’s name.
So why should death be frightening now?
Geum Yangbaek quietly observed Gwak Hwanso. Would it be strange to say that Gwak Hwanso, who was trying hard to hold back tears that seemed like they would burst out at any moment, seemed reliable?
'You've changed a lot.'
No trace of recklessness remained in Gwak Hwanso. He might still be young to lead a sect, but he wouldn’t be lacking in fulfilling that duty. No, he might exceed every expectation.
So....
But Geum Yangbaek forced himself to swallow the blood rising in his throat.
'Not yet.'
They haven't yet reached a safe place. There's still a mountain to climb. The only reason he’s clinging to this tenacious life was because, even in this broken state, he was still needed.
If he could just get everyone across to Gangbuk.
So that his disciples would survive and carry on Hainan Sect’s name, then even if his entire body were torn to shreds at the moment of death, he could leave this world with a smile and no regrets.
‘Now I understand.’
He looked at the three-wave crest engraved on his chest. And then he kicked the ground with all his might.
"Squeeze out your last strength! We just need to cross this river!"
“Yes, Sect Leader!”
Geum Yangbaek smiled as he listened to the tearful answers of his disciples.
'There are things more important than life.'
And that thing was right beside him now. In such a firm and unwavering form.
|Note
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