Return of Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 371

“In other words, the Evil Sect is not stronger than the Righteous Sect. But even Shaolin, the most powerful of the Righteous sect, cannot keep up with their numbers.”

“…….”

“Of course, our Beggar Union contains more beggars than all of the Evil Sects combined, but as you know, only a small number of those beggars are truly powerful.”

“…….”

“The five most powerful of the many and many Evil Sect are called Great Five Evil Sect, which is called Eighteen Fortress of Yangtze River (장강수로십팔채/長江水路十八寨), Seventy-Two Nokrim Forces (녹림칠십이채/綠林七十二寨), Haomun (하오문(下汚門)), Myriad Man…….Hey! Are you sleeping?”

As Hong Dae-gwang shouted, Chung Myung, who was dozing off, flinched and opened his eyes.

“Hoamzz.”

“No, this guy! He told me to explain, but he’s dozing off!”

“Ah, that’s because it sounds obvious.”

“What do you mean, obvious? If put to use, this information could even become blood and flesh of……..!”

“I have enough blood and flesh. So how strong is that Myriad Man House?”

“Hm.”

Hong Dae-gwang swept his chin a couple of times and shrugged.

“I don’t know.”

“…….”

“…….”

Contempt flashed through Chung Myung’s eyes as he looked at Hong Dae-gwang.

“… That’s not the way people look at people.”

“You dare to call yourself Buntaju without knowing Great Five Evil Sect’s power?”

“You have to stick to it to find out!”

Hong Dae-gwang said as if he was genuinely wronged.

“In the past hundred years, there has not been a proper fight between Righteous Sect and Evil Sect. The Righteous factions did not have the strength to keep the Evil faction in check since they had to recover the damage they suffered from Magyo, and the Evil faction took advantage of the post-war chaos and rapidly built up their forces.”

“Those Magyo are of no help at all!”

‘What did you want from Magyo! Magyo!’

‘You’re going to sting my ear!’

“It’s inevitable. The scars left by that war were that deep. That’s…”

Hong Dae-gwang did not speak and bit his mouth. Then he turned away from the awkwardness before he floated up.

“It’s something Kangho people have to accept.”

‘I’m trying hard.’

‘What I was going to say was…’

‘Don’t Mount Hua know it the best?’

It would have been.

Considering the listener’s feelings, he won’t come up with such a word.

“So it’s hard to figure out the exact power. In a rough estimate, it is a little short of Ten Great Sect and expected to be comparable to Great Five Family.”

“Hmm.”

“Among them, Myriad Man House’s Red Serpent Sword is one of the most famous armed forces in the world. The strength of Red Serpent Sword itself is nothing special compared to other armed forces, but Red Serpent Sword’s leader Yo-pyong is unique among the great leaders.”

“Hmm.”

“It’s because he’s a strong person who can be counted as one of the top ten masters in the world. With such a man leading them, Red Serpent Sword has always been the subject of caution.”

“I’ve never seen Evil Sect to be an object of caution. Ugh.”

“How long have you lived, you punk?”

Hong Dae-gwang murmured, “A young man acts like an old man.” But Chung Myung neatly ignored the remark.

‘The world has gotten better.’

It’s really good for those Evil Sect guys. A hundred years ago, when Plum Blossom Sword Saint was in Mount Hua, those with the letter “Sa (Evil)” would not have even thought of coming within a thousand miles of Mount Hua.

In fact, Chung Myung would not have had to step up. Mount Hua’s Elders, the Chung generation disciples, which were like demons hungry for repelling evil (척사(斥邪)), would have foamed at their mouths and rushed at the enemy like beasts.

At that time, Mount Hua and Ten Great Sect and Great Five Family were so powerful that Evil Sect couldn’t exert any power.

‘It was a time when there was so little to collaborate on, and the old men who opened their eyes wide combed the mountains for bandits.’

It was a time when the evil Righteous factions were tormenting the vulnerable Evil Sect to death. From the perspective of the fallen Evil Sect, isn’t that just hell?

Thinking of it that way, they’re very persistent. He was proud to see that they’d endured those hard times and had grown their power again…….

‘Oh, this isn’t it.’

“Anyway!”

Chung Myung sprang up from his seat. Hong Dae-gwang’s eyes widened.

“What are you going to do?”

“I’ve got a rough idea of what kind of people are, so that’s enough. I just have to deal with them.”

“Mount Hua Divine Dragon! Don’t look down on Myriad Man House!”

Hong Dae-gwang screamed in fright.

“Of course, I know you’re strong. But Myriad Man House is on a different level than the ones you’ve faced so far! Don’t forget that the people you’ve been fighting so far are rising stars! Rising stars is essentially an assessment of its potential, not of its strength!”

But despite the opposition, Chung Myung’s face was only gloomy. Hong Dae-gwang thumped his heart as if he was frustrated.

“Red Serpent Sword Yo-pyong is a strong man you’ve never experienced before. You can get in big trouble if you try to deal with him poorly.”

“Oh, I’ve never heard the word ‘strong man’ in Evil Sect in my life. This is why you have to live long.”

“Just how long have you lived!”

‘Tsk.’

‘There’s no need to say it.’

“Anyway, I got it.”

As Chung Myung left and waved his hands, Hong Dae-gwang distorted his face.

‘What the hell is he doing?’

As soon as he heard the news, he even requested reinforcements from Beggar Union’s branch and the neighboring sect. But unless they have wings on their legs, it will take at least seven days and nights.

And in fact, seven days and seven nights are enough time for Red Serpent Sword to make a mess of Xian and leave.

“It shouldn’t be a big deal.”

If he knew this would happen, I’d have at least a bunch of beggars.

He sighed deeply at the belated regret.

* * *

“…the words of the Government are still the same. They don’t want to get involved.”

‘D*mn it.’

Nam Jamyong bit his lips.

“The lord still doesn’t want to meet us either.”

“I’ve asked for help from the surrounding sects, but it will take quite a while to get here.
And…… actually, there are only a few sects around Xian…….”

Of course, it is.

The biggest sect in Shaanxi is the Southern Edge Sect and Mount Hua. In particular, Southern Edge Sect’s power, not many sects were able to establish themselves in Shaanxi.

“If we can communicate with other subsidiary sects in Shaanxi, I will send our disciples away. But when will it arrive…….”

“Ugh.”

Nam Jamyong scratched his head in frustration.

He had always been neat, but he had already scratched his hair quickly that it became a mess. His eyes were red and bloodshot because of sleep deprivation.

The figure of a noble man just a day ago couldn’t be found anymore.

Then Danbyong Nip said with a stiff face.

“Munju-nim, I’d rather…….”

“Rather?”

“Why don’t seek a chance at a later time?”

“Later?”

“Actually, blocking the enemy squad with our own strength alone is too much for us. Now that this is the case, I’d rather stay out of the way today, and if they walk away…….”

“Nonsense!”

Nam Jamyong broke his tongue and screamed.

“Don’t you know what’s going to happen to Xian as soon as we take our leave!? They say they don’t touch civilians now, but their purpose is clear. How long do you think they’ll hold back?”

“Isn’t it up to the Crown to take care of it?”

“You stupid fool! Why don’t you know that once this gets to the point where Government needs to come out, we can’t restore the lost trust!”

“Trust may be rebuilt, but lost lives will never be saved again.”

“…….”

Nam Jamyong became a mute that ate honey and looked at Danbyong Nip.

“Face (Honor) is meaningful only when we’re alive. As Munju-nim said, how long do they’ll be patient? They say they are refraining from killing to prevent the intervention of the Government because the work is not over yet, but they will use killing anytime if things go wrong. How can Munju-nim assure us that we’re not the ones falling down by that very sword….”

“Noisy!”

Nam Jamyong shouted out loud.

“And yet, you dare to call yourself the Sect Leader of Southern Edge Sect’s subsidiary sect? How can you as someone under Southern Edge Sect’s name speak about running away from the enemy so easily? I will never tolerate it!”

“Munju-nim!”

“I’d rather die than do that! There’s no need to say! Bring your disciples to West Moon Sect as soon as the sun sets. They are strong, but if the rest of Southern Edge Sect’s subsidiary sect fight with determination death, there is nothing we can’t defeat!”

Nam Jamyong’s trembling eyes were bloodshot.

That uncompromising attitude left other Sect Leaders unable to speak.

“Do you understand?”

“……Yes.”

“We will.”

The shivering and lukewarm response returned, but Nam Jamyong did not push any further. What great will those who may have to fight for their lives tonight be so motivated?

‘Subsidiary sect is just subsidiary sect anyway.’

If they had truly intended to fight injustice by becoming martial artists, they would have remained in Main Sect. Those who created the subsidiary sect on their own are, of course, those who came down the Main Sect on their own feet, and those who inherited the subsidiary sect could become disciples of the Main Sect at any time if they made up their minds.

However, in the end, they chose the subsidiary sect because they were more interested in wealth than in martial arts.

Therefore, this reaction was also a natural result. As they lead a subsidiary sect, would they have expected to fight with someone for their life even just once?

“If you are truly disciples of Southern Edge Sect, and a martial artist, show your pride! I’ll trust you!”

“Of course!”

“I’m also a proud Southern Edge Sect’s subsidiary sect! Would I be scared of those Evil Sect people?”

“Then I’ll bring my disciples together!”

The Sect Leaders rose from their seats. And they went out with a determined face.

Watching the scene, Nam Jamyong clenched his teeth.

‘I will never give this Xian to the Evil Sect.’

And he stood up with a firm face.

“Gather our disciples! Right now!”

After a few hours.

Nam Jamyong looked around with a stunning look.

“…….”

His eyes, which were left with only disbelief and despair, looked as if they were empty.

“Mu- Munju-nim.”

“…….”

“It seems that a new problem has arisen. The disciples who just went to check on the other sects returned but said it was already empty…”

“Empty?”

“……Yes.”

Nam Jamyong muttered as if he could not believe it.

“You mean that all ten sects ran away without a single one left?”

“…… That’s right.”

“Ha.”

His mouth was wide open. He couldn’t stop laughing as if he was lost.

“Ha… hahaha.”

Then suddenly, he couldn’t resist the anger and shouted.

“Shameless people! Did you abandon your home to save your own life? Come back and be humiliated!”

“I- If they will come back, that’s it.”

“…what?”

However, one of the instructors at that time said with a red face.

“I-f If they stay here, all their possessions will be taken away and they will be beaten and become sick or die. But if they run away with their wealth, they can settle down elsewhere and live in abundance!”

Nam Jamyong’s eyes shook greatly.

“It’s not like we have to fight for the sects…”

“Shut up, you punk! That’s not what you’re supposed to say as Southern Edge Sect’s subsidiary sect!”

“…….”

Now Nam Jamyong’s face was contorted to the point of desperation.

He’s not angry at what the instructor said. While hearing that, he was angry because he was shaken and only had himself.

“Munju-nim! We have to run away now. I’m not sure if we can stop the enemy even with other subsidiary sects, but isn’t it suicide to deal with Red Serpent Sword only with our West Moon Sect?”

Nam Jamyong couldn’t bear to reply and just chewed on his lips. His eyes just kept twitching, not knowing what to do.

But then.

“Mu- Munju-nim! Over there!”

Nam Jamyong turned his head at the sudden sound.

He could see Red Serpent Sword walking leisurely along the main road.

“I- It’s too late!”

“N- No. I… I can’t fight!”

The disciples of the West Moon Sect were frightened and began to run away.

“Y- You guys! Can’t you stop right now?”

“Damn it! If you want to die, Munju-nim, then die alone!”

He tried to control them, but Nam Jamyong’s words didn’t work at all. Stomping into West Moon Sect, they screamed at each other and used vicious words.

“I can’t let this go!”

“You damn thing!”

Since they couldn’t run away naked, they seemed to be pitching to take over the valuable things within the sect.

Nam Jamyong couldn’t hide his despair.

‘Is this West Moon Sect’s end?’

‘I’ve been emphasizing justice so much, but did just the slightest crisis enough to destroy it?’

Then… … What was his life devoted to West Moon Sect?

Nam Jamyong stood there in silence, not even thinking of running away.

Step, step, step, step.

Red Serpent Sword came to a halt in front of Nam Jamyong with not so fast pace.

Soon after, Yo-pyong, who was behind them, walked forward.

“Is this all?”

“…….”

“Hoho. That’s Righteous sect for you.”

He smirked as if it was ridiculous.

“Still, I thought there would be half left, but there’s only one man left, left alone a sect. Hey, Bang Seung. What do you think?”

“Isn’t that the way Righteous factions are? They only lived their mouths.”

“Tsk tsk. I don’t think backstreet thugs in the back alley will do this either.”

“Hoho. What do you expect from the subsidiary sect? If Southern Edge Sect hadn’t done Bongmun, they wouldn’t have experienced this. Even our Leader cannot enter Xian when Southern Edge Sect is fully active……. Argh!”

Yo-pyong, who kicked the back of Bang Seung’s head, glared his eyes.

“Whose side are you on! You punk.”

“…Yes, of course, I’m on the Leader side. So what do I do? It seems that their plan to take their fortunes leisurely seems to have gone awry.”

“Ptoi!”

Yeopyeong spits on the ground.

“Anyway, how many subsidiary sects do we have to rob to earn money? Let’s get started.”

Yo-pyong smiled and glanced around.

“It’s a very good thing. The Government turns a blind eye, and the disciples run for their lives.”

“It’s common.”

“Yes, it’s common. It’s funny because it’s so common.”

Yo-pyong, who clicked his tongue several times, lit up his eyes.

“It’s faster than I expected, but it’s not bad because it’s fast. We’re going to rob Xian today. Rob the Government officials’ houses at the end, rob the ones that look decent first. You can kill those who rebel.”

“Haha. It’s been a while since I’ve had fun.”

“First of all, set the Hall on fire so those subsidiary sects won’t put their feet back in Xian again!”

“Yes! We’ll take care of it!”

Bang Seung’s eyes shone faintly. But there was a voice that interrupted the pleasant conversation.

“W- Why don’t you stop at that? You wicked bastards!”

“Huh?”

As Yo-pyong turned his head, Nam Jamyong, who was shaking, caught his eyes.

“He’s not gone yet?”

“It looks like he wants to die.”

“Then I’ll do as you wish. What’s the big deal?”

Sreuruk.

Yo-pyong drew a saber on his waist and approached Nam Jamyong. As he got closer, Nam Jamyong’s complexion grew paler and paler.

Yo-pyong said with a smile.

“Rookie-ah. The first ones to die in Kangho are the ones who are powerless. If you go to King Yama, tell him you’ve learned one thing!”

Yo-pyong’s saber swung horizontally toward Nam Jamyong’s neck.

But. At that moment.

Kaang!

Along with a loud metallic sound, Yo-pyong’s saber was bent sideways.

“Wha- What!”

Yo-pyong opened his eyes wide and turned his head.

“I agree with that.”

A group of martial artists was seen walking in, filling one side of the place.

And at the front of them was a young man with a very grumpy expression, with his fingers cracked.

“The first one to die is the one who has no power. So…….”

Chung Myung, the young man, rolled up the corners of his mouth wickedly.

“People like you.”

Yo-pyong’s face was horribly distorted.