Return of Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 477
A space shrouded in deep darkness.
Only a few small candles were shining faintly. Light is essentially what pushes away the darkness. However, the darkness of this space ignored that law and even suppressed the light.
While only the swaying candles were flickering, a bitter cold that seemed to freeze even the breath engulfed the whole place.
Wouldn’t it be like this if Ice Cold Underworld (한빙지옥(寒氷地獄)) actually existed?
A man was lying face down in the middle of the gloomy and desolate space.
What is the greatest respect that humans can express?
This man could be the answer to that question.
He has a head and both elbows down. And with his knees on the ground, he was enduring the gale blowing like hell. As if he was grateful for the pain that the chill caused, he expressed his utmost respect.
The huge cloth hanging from the ceiling was lowered like a statue in front of the man. The image carved there was eerily bizarre.
Three heads and six arms.
The huge Asura image with Three Heads and Six Arms (삼두육비(三頭六臂)) fluttered in the wind.
No matter how mentally sturdy a person was, there’s no way they would feel no fear in front of this image.
But he didn’t feel any fear in the man who was in front of the figure. There was nothing but unparalleled piety.
“…Heavenly Demon Second Coming, Myriad Demons Advance.”
A voice like a scratching iron came out of the man’s mouth.
“Heavenly Demon Second Coming, Myriad Demons Advance.”
How many times has he chanted that phrase?
Thousands, tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of millions.
He chanted it again and again, but for a long time, it remained only as passing wind.
But at the end of that time of patience, soon…….
Bam!
The man suddenly hit his head hard on the ground. Then he pressed the ground hard with his elbows and knees.
Actions that have been repeated endlessly leave traces intact. Proving how much he had repeated the same act, the place he stayed on the ground was engraved with blood, as if he had dug it up barehand.
“I offer.”
It was the moment when the most reverent ritual (제례(祭禮)) continued.
Step. Step. Step.
A very small sound of footsteps came from behind.
As if he had focused all his nerves on his toes, his careful steps were cut off a little far away. Then, a small voice that could not hide the tension was heard.
“Bishop.”
“…….”
When he heard the call, the man didn’t even move.
“…Bishop. I have something to tell you.”
Gathering every handful of souls to the end and worshiping it, he slowly raised his head and looked ahead.
The gigantic Asura’s figure fluttered sullenly.
The man’s gaze was fixed, but it didn’t seem to stay there. It was clear that he was looking beyond the figure in front of him and at something behind it.
“Heavenly Demon Second Coming, Myriad Demons Advance.”
The man who muttered in a low voice with a clear and earnest voice smashed his head on the ground again.
And.
Jijijil.
With his arms and knees and his head still on the ground, he crawled back and left the place.
It was a worship that even the emperor wouldn’t see.
No one is watching, no one is threatening him, but the man has not forgotten his worship even for a single moment. He endured pain entirely with his body, not even raising a handful of his internal strength.
As the man reached the end of the space, he slowly raised his body.
Jureuk.
The forehead that had been swept on the ground was torn and blood was flowing down. However, the man turned his head and looked at the person who had come without even thinking about wiping it
His eyes, which had been immersed in one desire the whole time, were filled with a colder atmosphere than the North Sea wind.
“How dare you…”
Soon, the momentum emanating from his body began to crush the prostrated man.
Kwadeuduk.
The body of the prostrated man was twisted.
“Keuukk…….”
The sound of his bones being crushed emanated from his whole body. But the victim did not dare to scream. This is because he knows that an unimaginably terrible death will come upon him when he opens his mouth and defiles this space.
“How dare you interrupt the ceremony? Only when your body and soul are set on fire will you be able to understand this sin.”
Blood leaked from his mouth and nose. However, the person who prostrated did not move an inch and just waited for the Bishop.
An emotional voice leaked out of the Bishop’s mouth looking at the figure with cold eyes.
“Say it. If you have anything to say at the risk of your life, it would be better for me to listen and kill you later.”
“Bi- Bishop.”
“Go ahead.”
The prostrated man desperately squealed in pain.
“27th Black…… didn’t come back.”
As soon as the words ended, the pressure that weighed on the whole body disappeared as if washed away.
Thud!
Falling down on sudden liberation and hitting his head on the ground, he quickly bowed again.
“He didn’t return?”
“That’s right.”
The person who was called the Bishop was briefly silent as if he was lost in thought.
This is Ice Land.
Although dangerous, there is no one who can hinder them.
“What duties did the 27th Black take?”
“He was tasked with spying on civilian houses in the North Sea.”
The bishop glanced down at the prostrated man.
It’s not a particularly difficult task. Nevertheless, not returning meant only one thing.
As the bishop’s troubles seemed to deepen, the prostrated man opened his mouth.
“Should we investigate it?”
The Bishop opened his mouth after much consideration.
“At best, people who don’t know the subject came after sniffing our trace, but…….”
His eyes were shining cold.
“Thousand thoughts but still one mistake (천려일실(千慮一失))[Mere slip by someone who is usually very careful. A point overlooked by a cautious person. A simple mistake by a wise person. Even a wise man sometimes makes a mistake]. Find and watch them. If their existence ruins our great cause, we will not be able to clean up their sin even if we burn them for a hundred years in hell.”
“I’ll follow your orders.”
After completing the order, the Bishop glared at the prostrated man.
“I’ll forgive you for your fault this once. Remember, you were able to live because your rudeness is also from your loyalty toward the Heavenly Demon. I would never have let you live if it weren’t for that reason.”
“Thank you.”
Bam!
The prostrated man slammed his head down hard on the ground. Blood quickly flowed, but it didn’t seem to be a problem at all.
The Bishop looked down on him and spoke slowly.
“The time of the Second Coming has come.”
His gaze, which returned to Asura’s image, suddenly flashed with joy and madness.
“The time has come for a hundred years of waiting to finally come to fruition. It’s only a few days now! Compared to the long wait, it is only a fleeting moment.”
Then the person who prostrated could not control his passion and trembled.
The Bishop’s voice echoed in a dark and cold space.
“On the day when that personage returns to this land, the world will be covered with the fire (화(火)) of purification.”
“Heavenly Demon Second Coming! Myriad Demons Advance!”
“When that day comes, those wicked unbelievers will be burned with fear that will overturn the world, and the people who did not believe in the Second Coming of Heavenly Demon will pay the price of their arrogance that’s disguised as faith.”
The Bishop’s eyes were filled with joy. As if there’s no fear in front of him.
But after a moment, his eyes grew cold again.
“I will not tolerate any mistakes. So be careful.”
“I will, I’ll keep that in mind.”
After finishing the speech, the Bishop looked at Asura’s figure and closed his mouth. The man, who was prostrated, rose quietly and escaped the cave (동혈(洞穴)).
The Bishop, who was left alone, softly opened his mouth.
“Heavenly Demon.”
The growing voice in the cave was filled with resentment (한(恨)).
“Accept this body as a sacrifice, and come down on earth to punish those sinful things.”
The man slowly fell to his knees. And again, he began to move towards the center.
Laying everything down, with the supremely low position.
* * *
“Wow…….”
“This is amazing.”
As they passed through the white walls and went inside, a different world that they had never seen before was unfolding.
Mount Hua’s disciples were busy looking around the building with wide open eyes.
Buildings of unusual styles that cannot be seen in Jungwon were lined up in a row. It was more like a city rather than a sect.
“No wonder the wall was so big.”
“It’s like the capital of a province (성도(省都)) in Jungwon.”
It’s not really a new style, but it felt very strange that a city of this size existed in this barren North Sea.
They could see people passing between the buildings that appeared to be private houses. They also glanced at Mount Hua’s disciples the whole time and couldn’t take their eyes off them.
“It must be a while since they’ve seen Jungwon people. They got a very interested look.”
Jo Gol replied bitterly to Yoon Jong’s words.
“Isn’t it strange how a person pulls a cart?”
“…….”
‘Ah, right.’
He didn’t think of it because it was so natural.
Then Tang Soso’s eyes quickly scanned the surroundings. Looking at the civilian’s faces, she asked the warrior of the Ice Clan who guided them.
“Are these all of Ice Clan’s people?”
Then the man with a cold impression who had been leading them at the forefront looked back at her with his face hardened.
He seemed to be worried about something, but he opened his mouth quietly. Apparently, he judged that it was difficult to ignore the question of the guest that the Clan Leader acknowledged.
“Not really.”
“Then who are they?”
“These are the people of the North Sea. Ice Clan member refers to a martial artist who learns the martial arts of the Ice Clan. These are just ordinary people who have been blessed with the grace of the Ice Clan.”
Tang Soso nodded quietly. It looked similar to the Tang Family, where the bloodlines of the Tang Family lived together.
The man who looked at her face brought up something she didn’t even ask.
“The Ice Clan does not hesitate to give grace to those who believe and follow. And all the people here are the ones who trust Ice Clan the most.”
Tang Soso’s eyes narrowed slightly as if disagreeing.
Just as she was about to open her mouth, Yoo Iseol quickly pulled her sleeve and blocked her.
“…….”
Tang Soso eventually reluctantly closed her mouth.
As soon as the atmosphere was getting a little strange, Chung Myung, who was following from the back, opened his mouth.
“So where are we going now?”
“Of course, to the Ice Clan.”
The man looked up and answered, looking at the fortress rising high.
“Because you’re the guests of the Ice Clan.”
“Hngg.”
Chung Myung smiled slightly as if he was having fun. Baek-ah who stuck to his neck rubbed his head against Chung Myung’s chin.
It was only after a long walk to the center of the city that they could finally get to the Ice Clan.
“The guest has arrived!”
When the leading man shouted, the tightly closed gate opened wide from side to side.
“Please enter.”
“Yes.”
Baek Cheon answered as the representative and looked around the party.
“Don’t act rashly.”
When Baek Cheon gave a low warning, Chung Myung shook his head and clicked his tongue.
“Tsk tsk. They’re not children.”
“Chung Myung-ah.”
“Yes?”
“You, I mean it for you.”
“What about me? Do you think there’s anyone else in the world who’s as careful as me?”
“……There certainly shouldn’t be another guy like you.”
That’s doom. A doom.
With a sigh, Baek Cheon put down the cart and stepped forward. The disciples of Mount Hua followed him and walked into the Ice Clan.
Moments later, their mouths were all half-opened.
“…… It’s splendid.”
“Right.”
The corridor leading inside was lavishly decorated. The walls were decorated with luxurious fabrics, and the decorations in between looked valuable and precious to them, who were outsiders.
What was even more amazing was that every part of the hallway was decorated this way.
The disciples of Mount Hua, who grew up in the Taoist Sect with simplicity as the basis, had no choice but to feel a subtle objection to the splendor.
And it seemed the same for Hye Yeon, who grew up in Shaolin.
“Amitabha. It’s too fancy indeed.”
“Right?”
“The money to decorate this place will help more people.”
Everyone nodded as if they agreed with Hye Yeon.
But then.
“Hahah!”
“…….”
A loud snort could be heard behind his back. Hye Yeon turned around with a sour face.
Sure enough, Chung Myung was looking at him with the same face.
“Siju……. What’s wrong with you again?”
“No, well. It might be okay for the others, but it’s kind of funny for you to say that.”
“…Yes?”
“Do you know how much the Gold Buddha Statue (금불상(金佛像)) in Shaolin costs? What? Is it fancy here? Hey, if you sell one of your Daeungjeon Hall, you’ll feed one city! One whole city!”
“Tha- That’s….”
“How dare you insult others like this? Do you think there is a sect with more money than Shaolin in Jungwon? It’s better here! You guys have piled up dozens of useless gold statues but what? Too fancy? Hah!”
When Chung Myung’s harsh words poured out, Hye Yeon, who became pale, drooped his shoulders. Chung Myung shook his head and drove in a wedge.
“Anyway, humans can’t see elephants right before their eyes!”
Baek Cheon, who couldn’t bear to hear it anymore, sighed and stopped him.
“The statue was not even made by Monk Hye Yeon, so why are you blaming Monk Hye Yeon?”
“That’s why I confronted Shaolin’s Leader too, didn’t I ?!”
‘……huh?’
‘Come to think of it?’
Baek Cheon, who was almost convinced, shook his head and came to his senses.
“Well, in any case, be quiet. This is the North Sea Ice Clan.”
“Well, Ice Clan is no big deal.”
“…Please shut up that snout, please!”
Baek Cheon distorted his face as if his inside were burning with fire.
‘Is it okay if I take this guy to meet Ice Clan Leader?’
‘Why don’t we go back now….?’
Unfortunately, however, Baek Cheon’s idea is already too late. As soon as he thought about it, the hallway ended, and soon a huge Hall appeared.
“Wow…….”
“Whoa…….”
The eyes of Mount Hua’s disciples were wide open.
That is… The large throne in the center was shining white and brilliant.
“I- Is that White Gold (백금(白金))?”
“Oh my gosh, it’s a throne out of White Gold.”
“…rich.”
The last word, of course, came from Chung Myung’s mouth.
Chung Myung glows his eyes as he looks around the Hall. Like a hawk searching for its prey.
But unlike him, the other disciples reacted a little timidly, as if they were overwhelmed by this splendor.
Just then.
“The Leader of the Clan is entering!”
With a loud voice, the door on the other side they had entered opened wide.
And a sturdy man with white bear skin walked in confidently.
‘That’s the Ice Clan Leader.’
‘Hmm.’
He was an impressive man with a solid physique, pure white skin, and long scars across his face. He walked in a straight line toward Chung Myung.
Step. Step. Step.
The momentum was never lacking compared to the absolutes Mount Hua’s disciples had met so far. It seems that the position of Leader of the North Sea Ice Clan cannot be gained with nothing.
But…….
‘Why do you keep moving?’
‘How far is he coming to?’
They thought he’d be heading for the throne at a reasonable distance, but the man kept coming their way in a straight line.
Step.
After a while, the man approached Baek Cheon and Chung Myung and looked at them with a cold face.
“…….”
“…….”
There was a cold tension. It was suffocating.
But then.
A round smile.
The man’s face relaxed gently and he smiled perfectly.
“Who is Mount Hua Divine Dragon?”
“It’s me?”
When Chung Myung answered, the Ice Clan Leader suddenly reached out and grabbed his hand tightly.
“I’ve heard you from Yasugungju! Welcome! The Ice Clan welcomes Mount Hua Sect with all our hearts.”
The Ice Clan Leader smiled brightly and shook Chung Myung’s hand loudly.
‘Huh?’
‘It’s different from what I thought.’
‘……Is he a good man by any chance?’
‘No way.’