Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1672. Isn't this what you wanted? (2)
Editor: Hoamz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Jo-Gol's eyes suddenly lit up.
He realized it the moment the faint shape of Mount Mudang, which had been visible in the distance, became a little clearer.
“It’s red...”
At first, he thought he was seeing things.
But the moment he compared it with the other mountains around it, he could clearly see that the towering Mount Wudang was clearly dyed red all the way up to its mid-slope.
“Sahyung! That!”
"A fire attack... is that it?"
Yoon Jong's face also instantly turned serious.
A fire attack powerful enough to burn more than half of such a massive mountain was something he had never even imagined. Yoon Jong gritted his teeth.
"What an inhuman act!"
Just seeing that mountain from afar made him feel throughout his body the crisis Wudang must be experiencing now.
"Let's hurry, Gol-ah!"
“Yes, Sahyung!”
As he ran forward, Yoon Jong unconsciously clenched his fists.
'Hold on!'
We'll arrive soon, very soon.
Yoon Jong desperately wished that the name 'Wudang' would remain in the world until then.
* * *
Wooooong!
With a sound like a swarm of bees flying in, countless palm shadows covered the air.
The palm shadows, each distinct one drawing a different shape, were dazzling enough to make one's mind dizzy just by facing them.
What was real and what was fake?
It was truly the pinnacle (극치(極致)) of illusion (환(幻)). It was a move that seemed to prove why Thousand-Faced Gentleman was called Evil Sects' Greatest Hand (사도제일수(邪道第一手)).
Even Heo Gong seemed unable to find a way to respond to this dazzling palm technique (장공(掌功)), as he immediately retreated and lifted his body back.
However, the seasoned Thousand-Faced Gentleman wouldn't meekly allow Heo Gong to escape. With a twisted smile, he pursued the retreating Heo Gong and rapidly closed the distance. Simultaneously, the number of long shadows occupying the surroundings increased even more.
Countless hands stretched toward Heo Gong. It was a sight that went beyond awe and inspired dread. It looked as if vengeful spirits, entranced by the life force of the living, were rushing in fighting like hungry ghosts.
Paaaaang!
Heo Gong’ sword shot sharply toward the palm shadows. The Taiji sword, carrying both white and black energy, split the sea-like mass of palm images cleanly in two.
However.
Wooooong!
Heo Gong’s eyes widened.
The space he had split with his sword began instantly filling with other palm shadows again. Like a split river filling with river water again.
The panicked Heo Gong rolled his body backwards.
Puuk! Puk!
At that moment, with a sound like beating a leather drum, Heo Gong’s body staggered greatly and was pushed back.
He barely managed to stop and lowered his eyes to look at his body.
The places that received impact were his left shoulder and right side.
Not only had the clothes in the two spots turned to dust and crumbled to reveal bare skin, but the skin was bruised deep blue in the shape of hands. It was as if the hand shadows were clearly engraved on his body.
Throb!
The evil energy (사기(邪氣)) that entered his body along with the palm shadows delivered pain as if branding living flesh with a hot iron.
Looking at the wounds with a stiff face, Heo Gong fixed his gaze back on Thousand-Faced Gentleman. Unlike Heo Gong, Thousand-Faced Gentleman seemed overflowing with composure as he opened his mouth slowly.
“Where’s Heo Do?”
At those words, Heo Gong's face turned even colder and stiffer.
"Even if it's a tiger's cub, a cub is ultimately a cub. The burden is too heavy for you. Call Heo Do. To face me, one must be at least Heo Do's level to match the strength."
Heo Gong's sword, which had been drooping down, flinched slightly.
“Or else?”
Thousand-Faced Gentleman let out a blatant sneer.
“Has that high-and-mighty Heo Do Jin-in already fled? Well… he was always a quick-witted one, so it wouldn’t be surprising. Then are only foolish bastards left?"
Fury blazed in Heo Gong's eyes.
"Would a lowly Evil Sects scoundrel dare face Wudang's sect leader?"
“Hm?”
"This is just the beginning. For the likes of you, I alone am sufficient. Errand dog of Paegun.”
Thousand-Faced Gentleman's eyes took on an odd glint.
Indeed, Righteous Sects bastard was interesting in this way. Evil Sects were inherently sensitive to differences in strength. That was why they rarely tried to face someone stronger than themselves.
But Righteous Sects bastard doesn't readily retreat even knowing the opponent was stronger. Even knowing clearly that it hastens their death.
"Well, if you insist, it can't be helped. I'll have no choice but to make you know your place with your life."
Tap.
Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s hands once again scattered dazzling palm shadows.
Hundred Faces Hand (백면수(百面手)).
The Evil Sects' absolute palm technique that was called Carefree Illusion Play Hand (소요환희수(逍遙幻戲手)) before Thousand-Faced Gentleman made it his signature ultimate technique.
The countless hand images that sprang forth seemed to multiply as if splitting apart, swelling in number and layering over one another until they filled the air.
Deceiving, toying, and manipulating.
A palm technique that, just by its form, seems to describe Evil Sects as they were, was targeting the whole body of Wudang's foremost prodigy. Without even a thought to hide the thick killing intent contained within.
A terrifying scene as if the entire world has been filled with palm shadows.
A massive wave made of palm shadows (장영(掌影)) covered Heo Gong as if to sweep away all obstacles blocking the way.
Though it was a life-or-death situation, Heo Gong didn't resist or struggle against that wave. Instead, he took a long deep breath and watched it head-on.
‘Can I do it?’
Probably not. If he hadn't seen it. If he hadn't experienced it.
But...
Seuseut.
Heo Gong's sword moves gently.
It wasn't a sword intended to violently tear and slash through the palm technique like before. A sword flowing gently as if embracing.
The tip of the sword extended slowly toward the palm shadows rushing in and winding around Heo Gong as if to toy with him.
Twirl.
A clear circle was born.
A circle was the root (근원(根源)) and perfection, but the meaning of the circle Heo Gong was drawing now was slightly different.
The clear circle creates an unshakable root. A firm and deep root that was resolutely undeluded even if everything in the world was shaken.
A root just like the old pine tree (노송(老松)) of Wudang grows atop the cliff.
And that moment.
Heo Gong darted forward like lightning and thrust his sword.
Kagang!
A strong impact sound burst out, and with a sound like metal colliding with metal, the palm shadows covering the world disappeared like a lie.
A brief silence descended.
It was Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s face disguised as a fake, but bewilderment flashed in his two eyes that couldn't be hidden. It was because Heo Gong’s Pine-Patterned Ancient Sword was precisely piercing the very center of his outstretched palm.
‘No?’
But before his thoughts could continue further, Heo Gong's sword moved as if to cleave his body in two. Thousand-Faced Gentleman involuntarily let out a sharp cry and twisted his body.
Sogeok!
A burning pain arose on his cheek. The sword tip had cut his cheek and even split his shoulder.
Taat.
Thousand-Faced Gentleman, having retreated almost to the cliff's edge, felt his cheek.
Beneath the familiar texture of the face mask, he felt the unfamiliar sensation of his true skin. The damp feeling of blood was unmistakable.
The face of Thousand-Faced Gentleman was distorted horribly.
“…How?”
A single real strike hidden among hundreds of feints. In that brief moment, Heo Gong had accurately found the real strike within Hundred Faces Hand that no one had ever grasped until now.
This was something even those stronger than him hadn't done. If the Hundred Faces Hand had been easy to defeat from the start, it wouldn't have been called the greatest palm technique of Evil Sects.
So perhaps Heo Gong had accomplished something that not even Heo Do Jin-in could be guaranteed to achieve.
Heo Gong calmly retrieved his sword and gazed at Thousand-Faced Gentleman trembling with bewilderment and fury.
"...I couldn't have."
"What?"
“If this were the first time, I probably couldn't have done anything."
Now with the situation changed, Heo Gong continued in a far calmer voice.
"But I've already experienced it. Martial arts more dazzling and more splendid than this. Evil Tyrant Alliance brought humiliation to Wudang, but I learned defeat from that sword."
“...”
"I've been waiting only for the day I'll shatter that sword. Such a me cannot fall to mere illusion attacks (환공(幻攻)) like this."
Thousand-Faced Gentleman's eyes sparkled. Wiping the blood flowing from his face with his sleeve, he asked as if spitting out the words.
"More dazzling, more splendid? Those words... are you saying my palm technique is second-rate?"
“It wouldn't be second-rate. But at least… It’s clear it falls short of the sword I know.”
A profound sense of humiliation spread across Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s face.
"This... ignorant bastard dares!"
Eudeudeuk.
The sound of Thousand-Faced Gentleman gnashing his teeth in furious rage echoed eerily over White Face Rock.
Of course, he didn't think his martial art were invincible in the world. But at least it wasn't at a level to be dismissed by a young brat like this.
"I was going to kill you anyway, but... with those words, you've now lost even the chance to die peacefully."
“Just as I wished.”
Heo Gong gripped his sword tightly.
He knows. That half of it was close to luck. Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s palm art was not a martial art that could be broken so easily.
But knowing this, Heo Gong did not shrink back. If he couldn't even defeat this palm technique, if he was unable to stand against this palm technique which was mostly feints, then facing that cruel sword where false and real intersect so dazzlingly was a distant prospect. Because he knew this well himself, he wasn't intimidated, and shouldn't be.
'Mount Hua Divine Dragon!'
No, was he called Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword now?
'Wudang's sword does not lose!'
That single sparring shattered his confidence, his sword, his world.
If he shrinks back here, wouldn't it be like admitting he hadn't advanced even a single step from that time?
Wudang's sword is Taiji. Taiji is harmony and origin. Therefore, Wudang's sword does not waver at any delusion.
"Don't you understand? What it means that Heo Do Jin-in is not here. I will clearly show you the fate of dog bastards even abandoned by their master!"
Watching Thousand-Faced Gentleman approaching while emitting fearsome momentum, Heo Gong bit his lips tightly.
'Sect Leader!'
His sword vomited a loud sword cry.
* * *
“Hm?”
A coquettish voice flowed out softly.
The tip of bright red lips curled up slightly. Not matching the voice, the expression was innocent like a child finding something quite interesting and being amused.
"This is... a bit unexpected?"
Eyes faint in color yet filled with a soft radiance stared intently at the one standing before him.
An old Taoist in Wudang’s black martial robes. No, for this moment, it was fitting to call him a swordsman with a sharp blade rather than a Taoist.
Such a person was blocking Jang Ilso’s path while flowing an aura like a delicately refined blade.
"Mm, right..."
Jang Ilso lightly scratched his forehead as if troubled. Then he sighed.
"That... was it Heo Do Jin-in?”
The eyes of Wudang's swordsman, Heo Do Jin-in, emitted a chilling killing intent.
"This is as far as you go, Paegun."
Seureureung.
Heo Do Jin-in's sword was slowly drawn. That sword carrying truly terrible resentment and malice was stained with bone-cutting killing intent.
“This is quite… unwelcome.”
Jang Ilso’s two eyes curved softly like crescent moons.
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