Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1554. Well, which one? (4)
Editor: Hoamz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
"Hiyaaah!"
Jo-Gol's sword swiftly plunged into the enemy’s shoulder.
“Aaargh!”
“Shut up!”
A kick followed straight into the mouth of black path man who screamed.
Kwang!
The black path man ended up being flung away without even being able to fully scream. Jo-Gol shouted furiously.
“What did you do right to be screaming your head off! Damn bastards!”
The angry Jo-Gol quickly rushed to his next prey.
Gwak Hwe, who was watching the scene, shook his head. A fellow disciple who happened to be watching the scene muttered.
“…He’s really strong, Sahyung.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
One could not help but lament.
What was heaven thinking to grant that man such strength and talent? How in the world could they deal with the consequences…
‘Ah. It never really thinks anyway, right?’
If heaven had any thoughts to begin with, it wouldn't have unleashed someone like Chung Myung upon the world. Then… it can’t be helped.
“Sahyung being strong is true, but honestly, don’t these guys seem kind of pathetic? Is it just me?”
“You’re right, Sahyung.”
While Five Swords are the strongest, the other disciples of Mount Hua also possess considerable real combat experience. It means they have no small amount of experience dealing with Evil Sects.
But Evil Sects guys fighting now are clearly different from what they had known before.
‘Let alone Myriad Man Manor, they don’t even seem to be at the level of Nokrim.’
Even the bandits they fought when going on bandit suppression were more threatening than these guys. It might feel this way because they've grown in the meantime, but...
"Still, don't let your guard down. Things rarely unfold smoothly as expected."
“…I think it would be best if the one saying that was our unit leader.”
Gwak Hwe turns his head and looks at Jo-Gol.
Regardless of being a unit leader or whatever, he was happily chasing after Evil Sects like a hunting dog.
Gwak Hwe shook his head.
"Wish for achievable."
“....”
* * *
“This side is finished, Sahyung.”
Yoon Jong nodded.
"You've worked hard. It will be arduous, but there won't be time to rest. Let's move immediately."
“Of course.”
“And… hmm, what should I call you. Beggar Union person?”
“Yes? Ah, yes! I am Chasing Sun and Chasing Moon (추일추월(追日追月)), Yang Hwa (양화(楊和)). Please call me Sun Chasing Beggar!”
“Ah, Sun Chasing Beggar.”
Yoon Jong nodded and looked at him.
Even though it was a gaze without any particular hostility, Sun Chasing Beggar’s body stiffened on its own.
‘So this is Yoon Jong.'
In fact, among the world's most famous Mount Hua Five Swords, the one with the least presence might be the man before his eyes.
Setting aside Chung Myung, who has now grown too large to remain under the name of Five Swords of Mount Hua and thus left out, Mount Hua's Acting Sect Leader Baek Cheon, the renowned Sword Demon Yoo Iseol, the recently most famously acclaimed One Strike Split Light Jo-Gol, and even Tang Soso who entered Mount Hua despite being the daughter of Tang Family patriarch. All of them alike capture others' attention.
For that reason, Yoon Jong's name didn't gain much traction. Though he's called the Talent of the Sect Leader (장문지재(長門之才)) in Mount Hua, when there's already the Acting Sect Leader Baek Cheon right there, what reason would there be for this person to stand out?
But now that he was facing him like this, the man named Yoon Jong was by no means someone who deserved to be buried under the fame of others.
Chasing Sun Beggar, being a Beggar Union beggar, has met countless people thus far, and the people he's observed even from afar are so numerous they cannot be counted.
That experience was telling him now. Yoon Jong was absolutely not an ordinary man.
“Are there no orders from Heavenly Comrade Alliance?”
“Yes? Ah… Nothing in particular yet.”
"Please check whether there is still no contact or if the orders aren't being properly relayed to our side. Since the branch isn't fully established yet, such situations could easily occur."
"T- To that extent?"
Chasing Sun Beggar could not hide his fluster.
In fact, in some ways, this statement disregards Beggar Union. Of course, Yoon Jong probably had no such intent.
But even after receiving those doubtful gazes, Yoon Jong remained calm.
“The core of this operation is not to annihilate the enemy. It is to firmly establish the line of connection with the alliance even while carrying out the operation. So that we can react immediately if the situation changes.”
“...I understand what you mean. I’ll check again!”
"Thank you."
As Yoon Jong clasped his fists to express his thanks, Sun Chasing Beggar quickly bowed his head as if overwhelmed with honor.
Someone might click their tongue saying he was bowing too much, but Sun Chasing Beggar never thought his manners were excessive.
“But....”
Chasing Sun Beggar trailed off his words and cautiously spoke up.
“Yoon Jong Dojang… No, does Heavenly Comrade Alliance expect that Evil Tyrant Alliance will scheme something behind the scenes?"
Yoon Jong said calmly.
“Evil Tyrant Alliance would not have caused an incident like this for no reason. There must be a scheme.”
“No, but if you know that, then how…”
Yoon Jong narrowed his eyes slightly and stared at Sun Chasing Beggar.
“That doesn’t change the fact that people are suffering.”
“....”
“It’s a difficult and harsh task, but someone must do it. Right now, that someone just happens to be us.”
Sun Chasing Beggar nodded blankly. It was sound reasoning, making it difficult to refute.
And in truth, what was truly amazing about Heavenly Comrade Alliance was that they didn't just end with spouting obvious, sound arguments but actually practiced them as they were. Most people only used such logic to escape their own faults.
“Don’t worry. I will do my utmost to ensure that no confusion arises.”
“Please.”
Yoon Jong clasped his hands deeply once more. Sun Chasing Beggar pulled a small messenger bird from inside his robe.
Meanwhile, Yoon Jong looked around at his sajes.
'This won't be easy.'
There was more than one or two things to worry about. Even though he was moving with less than a dozen people, and even though the role given to Yoon Jong was not that great.
'Still....'
The only relief was that the level of the enemies they had to face was not that high. At this level, even if the numbers gave them a headache, they wouldn’t be faced with a life-or-death crisis.
Right.
Even for someone who was gradually losing their strength at this very moment.
“...Let’s move. We can’t fall behind.”
"Sahyung."
Jin Tae came closer and whispered softly.
“It doesn’t seem like the pace is slow right now, but at this rate, we’ll be moving too far away from Shaanxi too quickly. Will that be alright?”
“....”
“Didn’t you say we should be mindful of this part when we departed? I couldn't say it earlier, but…”
Jin Tae couldn't bring himself to finish his sentence. For a brief moment, conflict surfaced on Yoon Jong’s face.
But his conclusion did not change.
“…We haven’t gotten that far yet, so let’s go for now.”
“But Sahyung.”
"If the movement seems too rushed, I'll adjust it appropriately."
Only after hearing those words did Jin Tae step back. But his face still didn't look entirely at ease.
Yoon Jong fully understood his saje's concerns. The reason he was pressing Sun Chasing Beggar twice, even thrice was that he was worried about the same thing.
However....
“Th- Thank you.”
A woman with a face full of dirt came forward, holding a child in her arms, and bowed deeply.
“If Taoist-nim hadn’t helped us, we would have been...”
Yoon Jong shook his head.
"No. We merely did what we must do. And even if it weren't us, someone else would have come to help."
"But still...."
The woman opened her mouth with teary eyes, but soon her words trailed off. Though he said that, no one else had come to help. That's what she wanted to say.
Yoon Jong knew as well. If they had arrived even a little later, these people's fate would have become greatly perilous.
"If you can walk, go to the nearest merchant guild along this path and ask for help. If you mention the name of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, they will give you food.”
“The nearest merchant guild… We don’t even know where to go. We’ve never left the place we’ve lived our whole lives…”
“This person will explain it well.”
Sun Chasing Beggar, who had been observing the situation, quickly approached the woman.
“The nearest merchant guild from here is…”
Yoon Jong unconsciously turned his head and gazed far ahead into the distance.
‘Sasuk….’
He must have already gone far ahead. Though there shouldn't be any danger...
Letting out a short breath, Yoon Jong once again spoke firmly.
“Let’s get going. Before it’s too late.”
Before something irreversible happens.
* * *
The same time, on the Yangtze River.
Footsteps echoed on the lacquered black flooring.
The steps continued calmly, as if the constant swaying meant nothing.
Thus, at the narrowed end of the flooring, the footsteps stopped.
Black hair that fluttered like a lion’s mane, a roughly grown beard.
A man who seemed as though the very word ‘Path of Domination’ (패도(覇道)) had been forged into flesh, stood proudly at the prow and gazed ahead.
His empty right sleeve flapped violently in the blowing river wind.
Eyes pitch black, containing malice, rage, and an icy coldness, looked across the river at the land beyond.
“...Truly ghost-like.”
Nothing was visible.
Neither the beggars who had been hiding in concealment to watch them until just recently, nor Ten Great Sects bastards who had been patrolling as if to threaten them.
Just by shoving a few stupid Evil Sects across to Gangbuk, the world was now behaving as though no water pirates even existed upon this Yangtze River. It’s utterly absurd.
It might seem like a blow to one's pride at a glance, or something to feel wronged about.
But at least for this man, One Dao Red River (일도적하(一刀赤河)) Jeok Segwang (적세광(狄世光)), it was a welcome thing.
There was no one blocking his path, and moreover, his sworn enemy existed in the place he was headed.
Grrrkkk.
The sound of teeth grinding leaked out faintly. Within his eyes glaring across the river, it was as if black flames were raging.
"...They're over there."
Those bastards he wouldn't be satisfied even chewing them to pieces. The bastards of Mount Hua.
“How much longer do I have to wait?”
Black Dragon King spat out his words.
The strategist and Jang Ilso clearly told him. If he waited just a little longer, those detestable Mount Hua brats would be dragged out from their nest. That they would scatter them across Gangbuk where there would be no place left to hide.
All Jeok Segwang had to do was lead the elites of the water pirates and hunt them down one by one as they were scattered in all directions.
But despite the long wait, the order still hadn't come down.
“Just how much longer must I wait to chew the flesh of those hateful bastards!”
Just as Black Dragon King was about to erupt in rage.
“A message from the alliance!”
A man who had approached the Black Dragon Ship in a small boat spotted the Black Dragon King and shouted loudly.
“Do as you will! It is Ryeonju-nim’s command!”
Black Dragon King’s eyes, which had briefly widened with surprise, slowly spread into a grotesque smile.
"Kehehehe."
Eventually.
"Raise the sails!"
"Yes!"
Seizing firmly with his untrained left hand, the crescent blade quivered with a violent cry. Jeok Segwang clenched his teeth and spoke.
“Let's go. It doesn't matter if we don't return. But at the very least, I will surely kill those rat bastards with my own hands.”
Black Dragon King Jeok Segwang.
In place of losing an arm, the demon filled his entire body with burning hatred and raised the sails heading toward Gangbuk.
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