Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1689. Even if it Fades with Ridicule (4)
Editor: Hoamz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
White sword energy burst forth from Namgung Dowi's sword.
Heavily sunken sword energy.
Anyone with a good sense for martial arts would notice that the energy imbued in that sword had gone beyond intimidation and reached the Path of Domination (패도(覇道)).
The number of swarming enemies was increasing. The enemies who had spread throughout the mountain to assault Mount Wudang were now beginning to gather, aiming not at Wudang but at Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
But Namgung Dowi couldn't retreat even one step.
'I must hold out.'
For those up on the cliff, this place Namgung Dowi was guarding was the only retreat path. If he fails to hold this place, Heavenly Comrade Alliance would be literally surrounded on all sides.
That grave sense of responsibility infused Namgung Dowi's sword with even greater strength. Wasn't an emperor originally one who advances carrying a burden no one can share on their shoulders?
"Don't dare! Taaaaaaaat!”
It was the moment Namgung Dowi was about to swing his sword with all his might once again.
"Rampaging."
“Huh?”
Someone stepped forward as if cutting in front of Namgung Dowi and swung his sword. The long sword scattered fragments of pure white sword energy through the air.
At the sword energy that stretched out as if to cover the night sky, Namgung Dowi found his gaze stolen for a moment without realizing it.
Splendid. But not merely splendid.
Though it felt like a contradiction, amidst the splendid white sword energy scattering like snowflakes, a solemnity different from its appearance was felt.
Like the sturdiness of a thousand-year-old tree that has taken deep root.
“...Jin Geumryong?”
The name of the person blocking his front flowed from Namgung Dowi’s mouth.
The eldest disciple of Southern Edge Sect, and the man everyone unanimously praised as certain to become Southern Edge Sect’s sect leader someday. One who was once called 'Five Dragons,' one of the rising stars who would lead the world alongside him.
And above all...
'Baek Cheon. Acting Sect Leader's older brother!'
The man who could proudly engrave those countless titles before his name glanced back at Namgung Dowi.
Their eyes were astonishingly similar, yet the look within them was starkly different. It was amazing how such similar brothers could feel so different with just one gaze.
Jin Geumryong said.
“They say those who use the surname Namgung are all arrogant, and those words aren't wrong."
"What... does that mean?"
Namgung Dowi's face hardened.
"Meaning there's no need to rampage as if shouldering everything alone."
"Hm?"
“You’re not the only one here.”
Uuuuuung!
No sooner had those words ended than strong sword energy soared from another place.
A slashing strike descending from above swept away the enemies rushing toward this place over the burning mountain in one go.
"Ah...."
An involuntary exclamation of admiration escaped Namgung Dowi's lips.
How should one describe that sword energy?
Strong. But not excessive. Fast. But also not rushed.
Certainly, the power and speed don't reach Namgung. However, that sword contains everything that Namgung lacks without exception.
And what dwells at the foundation of that golden mean (중용(中庸)) was a weight different from Namgung’s. Not the heaviness stemming from a ruler's weight, but the heaviness flowing from one who holds to the swordsman's fundamental duty.
'That's Southern Edge Sect's... Thirty-Six Swords of the World!'
Jong Nigok, who broke the enemy's sharp edge in a single strike, retrieved his sword and took the lower stance that was virtually a symbol of Southern Edge Sect.
And simultaneously.
Kuuuung!
Someone with a massive build like a mountain lightly struck down a charging Evil Tyrant Alliance martial artist and buried them in the ground.
“How dare you, fearlessly!”
A roar like that of a giant bear burst from the mouth of the Beast Palace Master Maeng So.
Then Maeng So, charging like a flying tiger, delivered a kick into Evil Tyrant Alliance martial artists, and the enemy's corpse killed in one blow embedded itself among the enemies like a fired cannonball.
Kwaaaang!
Those who collided with the body of Evil Tyrant Alliance martial artists were flung in all directions before they could even finish screaming.
At that overwhelming scene, the battlefield's flow stopped for a moment.
“I felt restless just watching.”
Jong Nigok, meeting eyes with Namgung Dowi, spoke calmly.
“And… it seems command itself has become meaningless at this point.”
His gaze turned toward the cliff.
"To think they would throw away the painstakingly organized divisions and crawl up the cliff, what on earth are they thinking..."
"Perhaps that's precisely why it holds meaning."
Someone spoke as if answering and slowly approached before Heavenly Comrade Alliance just like Jong Nigok.
"It's something we wouldn't dare imagine."
“....”
Jong Nigok frowned slightly.
“Do you really think so, Wind Shadow Divine Beggar?”
“Of course.”
“You should know that unorthodox stratagems cannot always be the right answer, Wind Shadow Divine Beggar.”
“Right. But one shouldn't always present only orthodox theories and correct answers either..."
Wind Shadow Divine Beggar glanced at Mount Hua attacking the cliff and nodded slightly.
“Now I know.”
Jong Nigok's eyes narrowed slightly. Incomprehensible.
“Anyway, that must mean we are allowed to run wild.”
Deep blue sword energy lingered on his sword.
“Then I won’t hold back!”
Paaaaat!
Jong Nigok's sword energy spread out in all directions with a terrifying intensity. Simultaneously, those standing behind him also charged the enemy with doubled courage.
Namgung Dowi’s shoulders lowered little by little without him realizing it. The tension he had been holding so tightly eased slightly.
Jin Geumryong asked.
"Understand now?"
Namgung Dowi's face flushed slightly.
While knowing the hall leaders were here, he assumed he had to lead everything. Realizing anew how arrogant that was, he found it difficult to properly raise his head.
“I was rash. With the hall leaders present here.”
“What are you talking about?”
"What?"
Namgung Dowi blinked.
"Not the hall leaders, but me. I'm here, so there's no need for you to rampage like that."
“....”
"Don't waste energy for nothing and guard the rear. I'll stand at the front."
Leaving those words behind, Jin Geumryong whipped his gaze around and soon advanced while swinging his sword at the enemies.
The left-behind Namgung Dowi couldn't say anything with a face absurd beyond words. Just then, someone passed by his side and bowed their head slightly.
“I apologize. Our sahyung's manner of speech is... like that."
“....”
"But in my view as well, Namgung martial arts seem quite draining. We’ll take the front, so please take good care of the rear.”
"Yes?"
"Then."
The neat-looking man advanced quickly ahead without further explanation and took position beside Jin Geumryong.
Namgung Dowi’s face, watching that sight blankly, began to slowly distort.
"You...!"
He felt he understood why Mount Hua people all gritted their teeth when Southern Edge Sect was mentioned.
* * *
The cliff's sharp wind swept between the two men standing face to face merely three zhang apart.
'Poison King Tang Gun-ak.'
Cold sweat ran down Thousand-Faced Gentleman's forehead.
The master of hidden weapons representing Kangho was now standing right in front and blocking him.
He couldn't tear his eyes away.
The pain transmitted from the small blade embedded in his shoulder was still saying. That he must not take his eyes off that man for even a single moment.
If it were ordinary hidden weapon arts, perhaps it would be different, but Tang Gun-ak’s small blade which pierces by imbuing his soul into a single point had poor compatibility with his martial arts.
'Damn it.'
It was a critical mistake to be so distracted by those Mount Hua bastards that he failed to notice Tang Gun-ak closing in to this distance.
'But somehow... I must block him.'
The words he said to Baek Cheon couldn't be his true feelings. That was merely a means to break their morale.
Even without Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword, that sect called Mount Hua was sufficiently threatening. He must not let them climb this cliff. Absolutely not.
The moment when the standoff was tense.
Giving no time to prepare a resolution or countermeasures, Baek Cheon kicked off the cliff and ascended.
'That...!'
Thousand-Faced Gentleman's eyes widened.
‘That crazy bastard!’
He was dead. He was definitely dead. Had Tang Gun-ak's arrival been even a moment later, that bastard Baek Cheon would have already been a headless corpse. And Baek Cheon himself would know that fact best.
It was a situation where he literally crossed the Sanzu River and miraculously escaped. Yet how can he rush in again without an inch of hesitation?
And the moment that Baek Cheon moved, Mount Hua who had stopped began climbing the cliff again in unison as if they already knew. It was truly an astonishing sight. Blood vessels popped in Thousand-Faced Gentleman's eyes.
"Help Sect Leader!"
Just then, Hao Sect members who grasped the situation behind Thousand-Faced Gentleman launched their bodies below the cliff without delay.
Mount Hua surges upward and Hao Sect descends downward.
With the world halted around the two giants named Thousand-Faced Gentleman and Tang Gun-ak as the center, the two forces rushed violently toward each other.
Blood dripped and sprayed into the air wherever the sword swung and slashed. Someone’s scream stretched out long, turning into a grotesque sound. The shock of swords and daos clashing shook their skin, and the heat of the sprayed blood covered their faces.
A world that seemed to have slowed down dozens of times.
But even amidst that, Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s gaze was fixed solely on Tang Gun-ak.
Just then, his subordinate intervened and his line of sight facing Tang Gun-ak was blocked. But he still can't move. His gaze might have been broken, but that presence was still there.
A white sword blade slowly protrudes from the neck of Hao Sect member who blocked ahead. Blood droplets sprayed from the sword tip rose and scattered, shattering upon impact with Thousand-Faced Gentleman's face.
At the same time the stiffened, dying body tilted obliquely, Thousand-Faced Gentleman had to witness it. The sight of Baek Cheon covered in blood was already reaching his feet.
It was precisely at that moment that Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s patience snapped.
A shout. No, before the will to shout could even reach his throat, palm force bursting from his hand charged toward Baek Cheon.
This was akin to a resolve. The will to end Baek Cheon’s life even if it meant taking fatal damage from Tang Gun-ak’s attack.
But then, Thousand-Faced Gentleman saw clearly.
Even as death he had already experienced once came crashing down on him again, the sight of Baek Cheon glaring at him with eyes that didn’t waver an inch while facing that fear.
Even Thousand-Faced Gentleman, who had experienced the bitterness of the world to a sickening degree, felt a chill run down his spine for a moment.
Kwagagak!
A small blade Tang Gun-ak released embedded itself in his outstretched hand.
But Thousand-Faced Gentleman's hand didn't stop. He expected this much. Even if his hand is completely pierced, he must at least sever this terrible bastard's life.
However.
Kwaang!
A single sword extending from behind Baek Cheon’s back blocked the hand that carried all of Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s will.
Then, two swords laden with red sword energy blocked the palm force that had not yet scattered, as if determined not to let the one before him be harmed.
'Huh...?'
And at that moment, Thousand-Faced Gentleman could tell. No, he realized.
Baek Cheon's gaze was not on him.
Their gazes crossed.
Thousand-Faced Gentleman was looking at Baek Cheon, but Baek Cheon's gaze was not directed at Thousand-Faced Gentleman but somewhere beyond him.
The instant Thousand-Faced Gentleman realized that fact, Baek Cheon's body soared beyond him toward the high sky above.
Tatak.
Amid strange silence, Baek Cheon who climbed the towering cliff and finally leaped even beyond Thousand-Faced Gentleman Dam Yeohae to land atop White Face Rock gazed ahead. Countless people filling the summit stopped their movements and looked at him.
Evil Tyrant Alliance martial artists who had been building momentum, the Wudang martial artists on the verge of collapse from exhaustion. Jin Hyeon and Mu Jin, and even Heo Gong who knelt on one knee panting as if his breath would be severed any moment.
“...Mount Hua Acting Sect Leader Baek Cheon.”
One voice reached all their ears clearly, very distinctly.
“Has arrived right now.”
Wooong!
Along with an incomparably clear sword cry.
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