Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1746 – Consider this me venting (1)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
The patriarch of Sichuan Tang Family Tang Gun-ak looked at the one seated formally before him.
“Maengju-nim.”
Hyun Jong. The Grand Sect Leader of Mount Hua, and the alliance leader of Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
What was slightly awkward was that nothing was placed between the two.
Hyun Jong was a man of such character that people joked he would offer a cup of tea even if he encountered a Great Demon of Magyo. Hadn't an affectionate nickname 'Old Lord of Tea Affection' (다정노군(茶情老君)) even been created within Heavenly Comrade Alliance?
Tea affection (다정(茶情)), and at the same time, much affection (다정(多情)).
However, such a Hyun Jong wasn’t offering even a cup of tea to Tang Gun-ak. It was a scene showing how deep the worries Hyun Jong was currently immersed in.
Though Tang Gun-ak guessed that heart, he had to say unpleasant words to the alliance leader. He let out a short sigh and opened his mouth again.
"It's no longer meaningful. We must stop the search now."
Hyun Jong, who had been silent, looked quietly at Tang Gun-ak.
"Voices of discontent are growing louder."
“……”
"Of course, I understand your regret. But if Acting Sect Leader... no, if Jin Dongryong of Jin Family has made up his mind to disappear, we won't be able to find him easily. Don't you know his abilities best, Maengju-nim?"
Even as he spoke, Tang Gun-ak suppressed his emotions.
It wasn't that he felt no regret himself. But now was the time to set all of that aside.
"Heavenly Comrade Alliance is an alliance."
“…….”
"While some anxiously await news of Acting Sect Leader, others don't even care. In a situation like this, forcing everyone into the search isn’t good. Perhaps all of this may turn into resentment toward you, Maengju-nim.”
Tang Gun-Ak finally brought out the words he had been holding back with a long sigh.
"So now make a decision..."
At that moment, a bitter smile flickered on the lips of Hyun Jong, who had remained silent throughout.
"How strange. Though it's nothing to be proud of... I have never once given an order to find that child."
Tang Gun-ak instantly closed his mouth. That would certainly be so. As proof, Mount Hua still wasn't participating in the search.
"It was the will of other sect leaders that started the search."
If anything, it was only natural.
Heavenly Comrade Alliance was an alliance formed by multiple sects. Therefore, the alliance leader could not exercise unilateral authority over every matter.
If it were a life-or-death matter or an urgent issue concerning the fate of Kangho, he might be able to exercise compulsory authority, but it was difficult to force people to do trivial things like searching for someone.
"But... it falls to me to clean up something I didn't even instigate."
Tang Gun-ak let out a small sigh. Only at this moment did he want to comfort Hyun Jong as person to person, beyond positions. However, even that was a luxury in the current situation.
“Is that not what it means to stand at the top?”
“….”
"Even if Maengju-nim didn't personally give the order, those searching will naturally think it was your command. Especially since this matter is connected to Jin Dongryong."
Tang Gun-ak sighed briefly.
“People who are forced to do things they don't want to do often look for someone to resent, regardless of the truth.”
As a human being, he felt pity for this situation and for Hyun Jong.
At least Hyun Jong would think responsibility for all of this lay with himself. Yet Hyun Jong himself had to say to stop the search for the one who would have been most wounded by this matter.
He was even in a position where he had to bow his head to withdraw an order he never gave. How could one not feel pity?
“Maengju-nim.”
"Let's do that."
Tang Gun-ak was somewhat taken caught off guard by the answer, which came more readily than he had expected.
“…It is simply what must be done.”
Hyun Jong’s voice was hollow. Because of that, Tang Gun-ak ended up asking back. Though even he thought it was funny.
"...Will you be alright?"
“What else can I do? Since I no longer know what is right, I have no choice but to believe in what others claim to be right.”
Tang Gun-ak's face hardened slightly.
“Maengju-nim.”
"Don't look at me like that. I've just come to realize anew that I've never truly accomplished anything myself."
“What do you mean?”
"It was all done by the children. The children... Baek Cheon, that child accomplished it."
Tang Gun-ak couldn't say a thing. He merely clenched his fists tightly without realizing it.
“And yet, I believed that I could find a better path than those children.”
An empty laugh brushed past Hyun Jong.
“I had forgotten my own incompetence. All I ever did was lean on what those children accomplished. Though the word 'experience' shouldn't be an old man's excuse, I have been deceiving myself with it."
"Don't say that, Maengju-nim. Things have simply not worked out. It's something anyone could experience."
Tang Gun-ak spoke seriously with a hardened face. Hyun Jong’s grief seemed greater than he had expected.
This won't do. With enemies still brandishing blades not far away, it was troublesome for the leader to be like this.
Just as Tang Gun-ak was about to say something, Hyun Jong spoke first.
"Gaju-nim. Please take the alliance leader position."
"Ma- Maengju-nim!"
Tang Gun-ak was so flustered that he stammered and shouted. But Hyun Jong remained composed.
“That would be right for the alliance as well.”
Tang Gun-ak, who had been about to tell him to calm down, closed his mouth.
Calm down? Were those words really said unable to overcome momentary emotion? Could even a bit of excitement be glimpsed in those sunken eyes?
"...Maengju-nim. First..."
"I knew well enough it was a position beyond my station. However, since everyone said it was fine, I just thought so. I shouldn't have deceived myself."
“….”
“Please do so. It must be done, even now.”
It was at the very moment Tang Gun-ak let out a deep sigh.
The outside suddenly became chaotic and noisy. Tang Gun-ak slightly frowned then hesitated at a thought crossing his mind.
Could they have found a trace of Baek Cheon?
“One moment.”
Tang Gun-ak stood up abruptly and headed outside.
Upon opening the door, many people were already gathered on the wide training ground. Just from their faces, it was clear something serious had happened.
"What's going on..."
"Gaju-nim! A- An ambush!"
Even before Tang Gun-ak could finish his question, a cry like a scream flew toward him. His eyes snapped wide as he asked sharply.
"An ambush?"
"Those who went out searching are being attacked right now. Q- Quickly, reinforcement...!"
Evil Tyrant Alliance has attacked? Them, in a situation like this?
“The enemy’s numbers! Have you identified them?”
"For now, we've only received word that they are under attack. Both the number and identity of the opponent are unknown!"
Tang Gun-ak's complexion changed rapidly.
'A full-scale war? Or...'
Since he couldn't grasp the enemy's numbers, he couldn't estimate the scale of the battle that was about to unfold.
'No, if the entire force had moved, we wouldn't be unaware. It's not a full-scale war.'
However, could he be certain?
"Gaju-nim! Please issue an order!"
Just as Tang Gun-ak stood frozen in deep thought.
“Damn it, everyone follow me!”
“What are you going to do?”
"What are you asking? We're going to go as reinforcement first! Hurry!"
“But the enemy….”
“I’ll go first!”
"Hey, you bastard!"
Tang Gun-ak sharply turned his gaze toward where the commotion was happening.
By then, all he could see were retreating backs.
'Jo-Gol?'
But it was obvious that the one causing the commotion was Jo-Gol. Following behind him as he shot down the mountain were Mount Hua's swordsmen.
'…Right.'
What mattered was the fact that the alliance members under attack were there.
Right now, a large portion of Heavenly Comrade Alliance's combat power was scattered everywhere searching Mount Wudang. In that situation, if the enemy's forces were to break in?
Shiver.
Just imagining it sent a chill down his spine. Perhaps they might suffer in reverse what Mount Hua had done to Evil Tyrant Alliance until now.
'No!'
It would be catastrophic. That was because Heavenly Comrade Alliance was currently riddled with invisible cracks here and there. One big hammer blow might cause the whole thing to collapse.
"Where?"
"Near Fang County!"
"Issue mobilization orders to all halls within Wudang. And all those here will support the attacked location. Go!"
"Yes!"
Paat.
Tang Gun-ak shot toward the direction down the mountain like lightning.
“I’m going ahead! Hurry with the reinforcements!”
"Understood!"
He flew away and bit his lips tightly.
'I must not let this matter become Maengju-nim's responsibility. Absolutely not!'
His dark green sleeves fluttered violently against the surging internal strength
* * *
"It's an ambush!"
"An ambush by Evil Tyrant Alliance!"
Jaegal Gwanwei’s face had turned pale blue with shock. Even while kicking off the ground and retreating, his heart pounded as if it would burst.
‘Why is Evil Tyrant Alliance here?’
Hadn't they already withdrawn considerably? Then why did they suddenly appear here? They couldn't have even recovered from the damage suffered in the last battle yet!
'Then what happened to those who were ahead?'
Jaegal Gwanwei had already entered the territory of Mount Wudang.
But other members of Jaegal Family were still scattered throughout the villages at the bottom of the mountain and conducting searches.
If enemies had come this far, what had become of the family members who were in the villages?
Jaegal Gwanwei ground his teeth hard enough to make a crunching sound.
But now wasn’t the time to speculate on their life or death. Even reacting to what was happening right before his eyes was proving difficult.
“R- Retreat! Fall back!”
Jaegal Gwanwei was not a man who spoke of retreat lightly.
But there was no other way right now. The number of Jaegal Family members currently with him was barely a dozen. In contrast, the number of those terrifying bastards rushing toward them was, at a glance, more than triple their own.
Moreover, the aura emanating from each one was formidable. If they recklessly tried to stand against them, they wouldn't hold out and all die dog's deaths.
"Retreat! Reinforcement will come! Back!"
Jaegal Gwanwei shouted until his throat burst.
But even for those who had devoted their lives to martial arts, parrying and retreating cannot be faster than those who blindly charge forward.
Especially considering the steep mountain at the back of those retreating.
Kwadeuk!
"Keuk!"
"Hyaaaa!"
The head of Jaegal Hae, who had failed to dodge the enemy's blade in time, soared into the air. The rising head spun around. The confusion and despair still vividly etched on his face were engraved in Jaegal Gwanwei's eyes.
"Retreat! Don't try to fight back! Sacrifice is unavoidable!"
Though terrible resentment surged in his chest, Jaegal Gwanwei spat out words different from his thoughts. Because he had to save even one more.
Paaat!
Two men in blood-red robes lunged toward him. The clothing wrapped around their bodies fluttered, revealing short hook-like misshapen blades. An eerie light flashed.
Kaang!
Jaegal Gwanwei struck away the misshapen blade rushing toward his face with his longsword.
Kagagak!
However, the misshapen blade didn't easily withdraw and instantly clung to Jaegal Gwanwei's sword again, making an eerie friction sound.
"Hap!"
Thud!
Jaegal Gwanwei suddenly drew up his internal energy and shoved the man in blood-colored clothes away. He didn't even dream of targeting an opening. Now wasn't the time to confront rashly but to flee.
Just as Jaegal Gwanwei was about to launch his body backward again, the blood-clad man's misshapen blade fell from above his head one step faster.
"Tch!"
Jaegal Gwanwei twisted his body and swung his sword upward.
The target wasn't the misshapen blade, but the blood-clad man's arm holding that misshapen blade.
Kwadeuk.
The sword soon plunged into the blood-clad man's arm. But at that moment, Jaegal Gwanwei sensed something was wrong.
'What?'
It didn't feel like cutting a person.
If he had to find something similar, it felt as though he had thrust his sword into tough glue. Chewy and dull. An eerie sensation enough to raise goosebumps all over his body.
Sogeok!
Not missing the gap when Jaegal Gwanwei hesitated, the blood-clad man's misshapen blade embedded into his side.
"Aaaaak!"
A scream bursts out involuntarily.
It was different from the simple pain of being stabbed. Irregular edges tore through the wound, and blood spurted out through blood grooves carved long in the blade.
Kwang!
Jaegal Gwanwei reflexively kicked the enemy away. He succeeded in pushing him back, but he tumbled onto the ground from the recoil.
“Huff! Huff! Ugh… Ugh….”
He grasped the wound pierced in his side with trembling hands.
"Aaaaak!"
"Keuaaak!"
Even at this moment, screams erupted everywhere. He somehow lifted his fallen body and looked around.
"Ah…."
Before he knew it, his comrades were strewn about in a gruesome state and had soaked the ground red.
"Tough one, aren't you."
"Urgh…."
Jaegal Gwanwei's face was distorted like an evil ghost.
"Shall I rip out your heart?"
“Not bad. He’ll make a decent offering.”
Deep despair welled up in his eyes.
'Blood Palace.'
Why hadn't he considered the possibility that they would attack?
"Hurry. If we lag behind other areas, the Cult Leader will rip out your neck and use it as a cup."
"Right."
The blood-clad man’s misshapen blade once again let out an eerie bloody light.
“Consider it an honor.”
Swaeaeaeaek!
Jaegal Gwanwei instinctively raised his sword. But at the same time, he knew.
He couldn't block this.
Sensing the impending end of his life, he opened his eyes wide. He was determined not to die pathetically, even if he died.
Thanks to that, Jaegal Gwanwei could see it.
The scene of the eerie misshapen blade flying at him, which even he couldn't possibly shake off, was being split in half in one stroke.
'…Uh?'
Red sword energy slashed through before his eyes like an illusion.
It was different from the blood-red hues worn by the enemies. A sword energy of a much more vivid hue split the misshapen blade and embedded itself in the blood-clad man's body.
Kwaaaaang!
So powerful was the force behind the sword aura that the struck blood-clad man's body literally exploded. Flesh fragments flew left and right like cannonballs.
"Ah..."
Step. Step.
Finally, footsteps were heard from behind.
Jaegal Gwanwei had no choice but to turn around slowly, even though he knew there were enemies in front of him.
And the moment he confirmed the face of the person approaching from behind, Jaegal Gwanwei realized.
'Mount Hua….'
Though enemies were before him, they might as well not exist now.
‘…Chivalrous Sword?’
Step.
Chung Myung, who brushed past Jaegal Gwanwei and stepped forward, looked around with an icy gaze. Those already dead, those groaning from injuries, and those hesitating while being wary of him...
“You’re out of luck.”
Kagak.
The tip of Chung Myung’s sword roughly scraped the ground.
"I'm not in a good mood right now."
"Plum Blossom Sword Demon! Re- Retreat..."
"So... consider this me venting."
Spewing a terrifying killing intent from his eyes, Chung Myung charged toward the enemies like an arrow.
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