Chapter 1410

Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1410. It's time to wake up from the dream (5)

Editor: Hoamzz

Co-Translator: Xoxo

Was it recklessness? Or should one call it foolishness?

No matter how someone looks at it, Baek Cheon’s actions right now couldn’t escape falling into one of those two categories. And yet, no one watching his back could bring themselves to say such a thing to him.

Anyone who wields a sword must contemplate the end that awaits them.

As Chung Myung had often said, those who wield a sword must always remember that the day will come when they too will fall by the blade.

So then, when martial artists face an unbeatable enemy and a death they cannot evade, what should they do?

Right now, Baek Cheon was giving everyone the answer.

Hyun Jong turned his head to look behind him. A small sigh escaped his lips.

“Ah....”

And it wasn’t just Five Swords. The Mount Hua disciples behind them, Tang Family members, and the warriors of Namgung and outer palaces were all watching Hyun Jong with composure settling back onto their faces.

"Why such an expression, Maengju-nim?"

Han Yi-myung, an elder of the Ice Palace, smiled faintly.

“Surely you don’t think we came all the way here, dragged along by Maengju-nim’s orders, without the resolve to risk our lives?”

“Elder Han…”

Han Yi-myung shook his head.

"That expression of yours is an insult to us. No one was brought here against their will. And no one came without knowing their lives would be in danger. Knowing all that, we came on our own feet."

Many nodded at Han Yi-myung's words.

The outcome they faced was brutal. But no one tried to blame Hyun Jong. Hyun Jong did his best, and the choice to cross the river had been theirs.

“But....”

"Of course, no one here is eager to die. But."

Namgung Myung spoke with resolute determination.

"It's a hundred times better than watching our alliance disciples die beyond that river."

"As expected of our Elder!"

“Of course. Namgung would rather die than do something like that!"

Namgung Family, who had felt the anguish of being turned away so painfully at Plum Blossom Island, rather had a refreshed expression.

Hyun Jong bit his lip.

He knew most of these words were meant to lighten his burden. They might act composed on the outside, but inside, they must be drowning in fear.

“Maengju-nim.”

At that moment, Tang Gun-ak spoke in a cold voice.

"It won't be easy... but we must try. No matter that Jang Ilso is there, Evil Tyrant Alliance is different from us. Those who have always been at odds cannot perfectly coordinate their battle."

“....”

"So we must create an opening. Tang Family will take the lead. As it happens... it seems the water fortress bandits have almost arrived, so we should be able to seize their ships."

The fact that the water fortress was landing meant the number of enemies on this ground would only increase. That was in no way good news for Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

But instead of pointing out that fact, Hyun Jong simply nodded.

"Yes, Tang Gaju. Let’s try."

Hyun Jong tightened his grip on his sword.

Surrender was not even an option. The only thing left was to fight with everything they had. Even if it was futile resistance, they would fight until the last man fell.

Hyun Jong looked back at the elders of Mount Hua without realizing it.

Whether his intention had been conveyed or they were already thinking the same, their eyes held the same light as his.

At that moment, Geum Yangbaek pushed away the disciples trying to restrain him and walked forward.

"If someone must lead the charge... it should be me."

“Sect Leader!”

“Sect Leader, if you do this...!”

His knees wobbled as if they might buckle at any moment, but he stood firm.

"...You won't say no, will you?"

A smile spread across Geum Yangbaek's pale face.

Hyun Jong naturally couldn't refuse. Who could dare tell Geum Yangbaek no at a time like this? No human could.

"Sect Leader Geum..."

Geum Yangbaek's smile deepened.

"I've finally found my place to die."

“....”

"I've lived long enough. Now, I have only one remaining wish."

There was no need to spell it out. It was what Hyun Jong wished as well.

'Ancestors...'

Now, he thought he understood. Why Mount Hua's ancestors had risked death at that distant mountain. With what feelings they had fought.

They wanted nothing more than for those they had left behind in a far-off land to live on. That was surely all.

“Baek Cheon, step back.”

“...Huh?”

Baek Cheon turned to him in disbelief, but Hyun Jong shook his head firmly.

It was true that Baek Cheon had led them all, if only for a moment. And he does not deny the fact that Baek Cheon has already surpassed him.

This was merely... an old man's stubbornness and senile desire at the end of a long life.

"Disciples, step back. Elders, forward."

“Yes! Grand Sect Leader!”

Hyun Sang and Un disciples quickly ushered the disciples back and stepped forward themselves. Even Hyun Young stepped forward resolutely and silently.

“Now, elders....”

And at the same time, Geum Yangbaek raised his voice.

“Elders of Hainan Sect, to the front!"

"Namgung will do the same!"

"Youngsters, step back! This is no place for you!"

Those who bore the title of elder—and even those who didn’t but still considered themselves the old—pushed the younger disciples aside and stepped forward without exception.

"But Elder...!"

“Shut up and step back!"

At the fierce rebuke, those who were trying to dissuade them stepped back with pale faces. They knew no objection would get through. Those remaining behind bit their lips.

Hyun Jong looked at them all and spoke.

"I’m not telling you not to fight."

“....”

“Our fight and yours are simply different. Ours is to open the path. Yours is to survive, no matter what, and cross that river."

“Maengju-nim....”

Who would dare speak words of refusal?

If everyone here died, that would be the end. But if someone survives, that will carry on their will, and the deaths here will finally hold meaning.

So how could this be called a trivial fight?

“Tang Gaju....”

Hyun Jong was about to ask him to take charge of the rear, but Tang Gun-ak silently stood firm by his side.

"Are you going to discriminate against me now, saying I'm not old enough?"

Hyun Jong ended up laughing. How could he dare say such a thing to the world-renowned Tang Gun-ak?

“I am the patriarch of Tang Family.”

"Indeed... I was momentarily discourteous."

"The pursuers are closing in. We don’t have time for drawn-out speeches.”

Hyun Jong nodded and exchanged a glance with Geum Yangbaek.

The cleaner the end, the better. If this was their last stand, they should at least leave behind a dignified example for their disciples.

Now all that was left was to pour everything they had into this fight!

“Heavenly Comrade Alliance, hear me...!”

It was when Hyun Jong drew his sword and shouted with determination.

Someone's loud voice interrupted him mid-sentence.

"Ma- Maengju-nim!"

"Hm?"

"There! Beyond the river! N- No! On the river! Look there, look!"

Hyun Jong snapped his head in that direction. His eyes instantly widened.

“Wha.... What?”

Something unbelievable was happening. Something he had never even imagined.

"Shaolin! It’s Shaolin! Shaolin and Evil Tyrant Alliance, Maengju-nim!"

Those who occupied the riverbank from across the river.

Those whose existence they clearly knew of but had deliberately avoided acknowledging.

A group of monks in Shaolin's signature yellow robes were sprinting across the river, kicking up the water's surface.

"Sh- Shaolin?"

At that moment, a cry like a sob burst from Hye Yeon’s lips.

“Bangjaaaaaaaang!”

He could clearly see that his sahyungs, whom he knew were across the river but had never dared to call, now risking their lives to cross.

Tears welled up in his large eyes.

It was really Shaolin. His sahyungs were coming for them.

"...N- No, this is...?"

“It’s not just Shaolin! Peng Family too! Kongtong also jumped into the river! Re- Reinforcements! Ten Great Sects are supporting us! Ten Great Sects are crossing the river, Maengju-nim!"

Hyun Jong's mouth fell open.

It was unbelievable. That Shaolin... That Bop Jeong was risking his life to save Heavenly Comrade Alliance? They were crossing the river to fight on land already occupied by Heavenly Comrade Alliance?

Who on earth could have imagined such a thing?

But no matter how many times he shut his eyes and opened them again, the scene before him never changed. They were undoubtedly coming.

Right across this very river!

Paaaaang!

Repeatedly kicking the water's surface, Bop Jeong let out a thunderous lion's roar.

"First-class disciples, suppress the water fortress bandits! Elders, secure a landing point for our allies!"

"Yes!"

Paaaaang!

With each step on the water, his body surged forward.

Below him, martial artists of Shaolin, Wudang, and Peng Family were swimming with all their might. Bop Jeong’s face, as he rose above the river to survey the other side, twisted like a demon’s.

'Did you look down on me, Jang Ilso?'

Did you think this Bop Jeong would retreat? That he would just stand by and watch? As he had done before?

If so, he was greatly mistaken.

Bop Jeong wasn’t one who feared battle. Specifically, the kind of defeat that meant losing everything. So he would never idly wait for defeat to come.

The only reason he had avoided fighting until now was that there had been a better path. Now that things had come to this, he had no reason to hesitate in fighting to open a path.

'Hyun Jong!'

Bop Jeong's gaze turned from Evil Tyrant Alliance to Hyun Jong.

Nothing had changed. If they could just join forces with Heavenly Comrade Alliance, they could contend with Evil Tyrant Alliance.

As long as they kept their resolve to cross the river, victory was still within their grasp!

‘Shaolin will not burn!’

There were things he must protect at any cost.

To preserve the one word ‘Shaolin’, Bop Jeong would not hesitate to set himself ablaze.

So what was there to fear about crossing this river? What was so remarkable about crossing a mere waterway!

“Defeat the vile demons of Evil Sects and rescue Heavenly Comrade Alliance!”

His thunderous voice rumbled over the vast waters.

“Yes, Bangjang!”

Shaolin monks responded with all their might.

The world’s foremost sect, the thousand-year-old Shaolin.

Having guarded Jungwon for countless ages, they were now heading for the place they naturally belonged. The majestic aura they radiated dyed the Yangtze River in golden light.

Meanwhile, an eerie silence had fallen over Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s side.

Perhaps this should have been a moment of gratitude. Perhaps it should have been a scene that stirred excitement.

For Shaolin, the head of Ten Great Sects who had been at odds with Heavenly Comrade Alliance, was now risking their life to save them.

But those standing on the hill wore expressions closer to bewilderment than emotion.

Jo-Gol, blankly staring at the unrealistic sight that was hard to believe even after seeing it, opened his mouth slightly.

"Uh..."

After struggling to find the right words, he finally muttered under his breath.

"...Has that bald octopus lost his mind?"

As rude as it was, no one called him out on it.

|Note