Return of Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 762

“Keuk!”

Baek Cheon clenched his teeth.

A black liquid ran down his hand, which was clutching the net. His once pale hand was quickly stained black, and even his sleeves were soaked with dark poison.

“Don’t breathe! You can get poisoned through breathing!”

Tang Soso’s desperate voice rang out. Despair and regret swelled in her eyes.
‘It’s my fault.’

She is the daughter of the Sichuan Tang Family.

Of course, it was impossible for her to learn deeply about poison in Sichuan Tang Family, which is centered on patriarchal and male-centered. However, as the daughter of the head of the Sichuan Tang Family, her knowledge of poison was not comparable to that of an ordinary martial artist.

Yet, she failed to recognize that the enemy was using poison.

But truthfully, despite her deep self-blame, it was not something she could be blamed for.

If anyone can do what they have learned and apply what they have learned in real-life situations, Kangho will be full of geniuses. To internalize what one has learned, experience is needed, and she lacks experience in dealing with enemies using poison.

Ironically, the fact that she was from Sichuan Tang Family, a family known for using poison, hindered her. Generally, for the people of the Sichuan Tang Family, poison was something they used, not something used against them.

“Keuk! This!”

“It penetrates through the clothes! Raise your internal strength to block it!”

“Argh! There are thorns on this net!”

“Darn it!”

Groans flowed from the mouths of Mount Hua’s disciples.

Bewilderment.

They were confident when it came to facing attacks head-on. They had always broken through enemies head-on in any situation. However, the people they had faced so far were those who confronted them head-on.

Whether they clashed fiercely or gave up and surrendered.

They absolutely lacked experience in dealing with those who fought with tricks, not strength.

“Monk!”

“I know!”

Hye Yeon clenched his teeth and threw a punch.
Kwaaang!

A powerful Fist Force made the net wobble, but since it was full of holes and the force was dispersed, it couldn’t be pushed away completely.

“Don’t give them a chance! Stab them to death!”

Encouraged by the bewildered look of Mount Hua’s disciples, the pirates rushed onto the net. Sharp Amiza, thin spears, and along with long claw-blades (weapons that are swung by attaching long blades to the ends of gloves) were the most suitable weapon to attack through the net.

Swaeaek! Swaeaek!

The spear and Amiza relentlessly thrust through the gaps in the net.

“Damn it!”

“These bastards! Argh!”

Mount Hua’s disciples swung their swords to block the spears and twisted their bodies to dodge the Amiza, but the heavy net kept getting entangled in them, and their bodies began to become dull. Every time they tried to avoid it, they felt the net pulling at their bodies.

To make matters worse, the areas touched by the net were increasingly burning, and as time went on, they started feeling dizzy.

If it goes on like this, the result was almost obvious.
“Jo-Gol, Yoon Jong!”

“Yes. Sasuk!”

Even in that desperate situation, Jo-Gol and Yoon Jong didn’t miss Baek Cheon’s voice.

“Push the net away just once! Just once will do!”

“Yes!”

Jo-Gol and Yoon Jong exchanged glances.

“Monk!”

“Monk Yeon! One more time!”

“Understood! Chaaaaaa!”

Hye Yeon stretched out his fist without delay and pushed the net upwards.

Kwaaaa!

The net, which had become heavier as the number of pirates climbed on it, could not handle the formidable power and swayed. The net that had already received Hye Yeon’s Fist Force several times broke in places and holes began to be seen.

At that moment, Jo-Gol and Yoon Jong put their swords on the floor and stretched their hands upwards.
“Taaaaat!”

“Heeuuaaapp!”

Soon, blue energy was continuously emitted from their hands.

Mount Hua’s Palm Technique, Bamboo Leaf Hand (죽엽수(竹葉手)).
Although it’s still at a fundamental level, the Bamboo Leaf Hand emitted based on their internal strength. It was not comparable to Hye Yeon’s fist, it was enough to push off the rising net for a moment.

“Heup!”

Baek Cheon lowered his sword with a long breath.

“It’s not enough.”

But at that moment, Yoo Iseol kicked the floor and jumped up first.

Hwiririk!

She twirled her sword once in her hand and threw it into the air. There was not much momentum. Moreover, it wasn’t the blade but the side of the sword that bumped into the net.

And then, right at that moment.

Round and round.

She, who turned over in the air, kicked the sword that touched the net as it was.

Kwaaang!

The net soared a little higher. Those riding on top couldn’t resist the shock and began to tumble around.

“Huuuu.”

Even amidst that chaos, Baek Cheon kept his eyes closed without shaking. He seemed to believe that his Sahyung would buy him time.

Soon after, Baek Cheon opened his eyes and moved his sword slowly.

Goooo.
The majestic sunset-hued energy in the shape of a crescent moon flew into the net.
“Sword energy?”

“N- No! It’s Strong Qi (검강(劍剛))!”

Kagagagak!

The fiery Strong Sword Qi tore the falling net at once. He didn’t even stop at that and bounced the split net far away with just that energy.

“Aaaaakh!”

“My face! Aaargh! Cha- Chaeju-nim!

Due to that gust, the pirates covered by the poisonous net screamed.

“Get in formation!”

“Yes!”

At Baek Cheon’s instruction, Mount Hua’s disciples formed a circular position on his left and right.

“Huuk! Huuk!”

“Ugh….”
Although they somehow got out of the net, they couldn’t look relieved. They had been wounded here and there due to the pirates’ relentless attacks. On top of that, the places where the net touched felt like they were continuously burning. It felt like their feet were floating in the air, and they kept feeling dizzy.

“You’re well-prepared.”

Tang Soso took out an antidote pill from her pouch and handed it to her Sahyung.
“Good preparation.”
“It’s not a big deal. It only helps momentarily. This antidote can’t neutralize such a potent poison.”

“That’s good enough.”

Mount Hua’s disciples quickly took the antidote she offered and poured it into their mouths. Tang Soso can withstand the poison even if her internal strength is on the weaker side because she has the unique tolerance of the Tang Family. But Baek Sang was white as if he were about to collapse.

“Sang-ah, are you okay?”

“Don’t mind me, Sahyung. I’d rather bite my tongue and die than pull your leg.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. No one’s going to die.”

Baek Cheon said through gritted teeth.

‘It’s the worst.’

He never imagined that they would be subjected to such a trick. Although there have been frequent incidents of disciples from renowned sects, who are experienced in Kangho, losing their lives to assassins from Evil Faction, he thought it had nothing to do with them.

‘Was I too arrogant?’

Up to now, the achievements of Mount Hua Sect have been truly remarkable.

But it could all be done because Chung Myung was around. If it weren’t for Chung Myung, they would still be trapped in Mount Hua, barely surviving Southern Edge Sect’s backlash.

But what did they believe in that they could handle everything with just this number of people?

They should have been careful. They should have knocked on the stone bridge ten times or even a hundred times with the awareness of a rookie.
‘Crossing without knocking is not courage. It’s arrogance.’

But this was too late a regret.

The hand that caught the net had already swollen up. Despite trying to suppress it with his internal strength and with the help of the antidote, the poison was slowly but surely spreading.

Therefore, the more time they wasted, the more disadvantageous it would become.

However, the problem is that they do not have the ability to break through the siege in a short period of time, and they cannot swim across the Yangtze River in a situation where poison is spreading.

A rat in a jar.
That’s exactly what their situation was like right now.

“Move aside.”

At that time, the pirates who had been blocking the front and threatening them split left and right, and a seemingly seasoned pirate wearing hurriedly approached.

The man, standing before the disciples of Mount Hua Sect, spoke with a faint smile.

“You’re doing great, little ones. You believed in the false name that is Five Swords and attacked us.”

“….”

“The ones who die most easily in Kangho are not the nameless warriors. It’s the fledglings who have just gained a bit of fame. Those guys think they’re really great.”

They know, it’s just a provocation.

But every word of that was stuck in their bones.

“If you surrender now, I can spare your life.”

Baek Cheon’s eyes shook slightly.

Normally, he couldn’t afford to listen, but he can’t do that just now. Because he’s not the only one who dies if he resists.

“What are you saying, you greenhorn. Showing off your ignorance.”

“Gol-ah. It is only natural for pirates to be ignorant. It’s not good to mock people for being ignorant.”

“…Then, should I make fun of their face? They look a bit ugly.”

“Hmm. It’s also not good to insult someone’s appearance, so let’s just insult their character. They seem less than human.”
“Yes, I should.”

Bewildered by the blatant voice coming from behind, Baek Cheon looked back.

Jo-Gol, with his sword, slanted over his shoulder, and Yoon Jong, standing next to him, were both grinning at him.

“Why is our handsome Sasuk behaving like this today?”

“Mount Hua’s disciples do not know how to back down. Isn’t that right?”
“….”

‘These goblin-like……’

Yoo Iseol, standing silently at the time, took a step forward and stood next to Baek Cheon. Following her, Baek Sang also stepped forward, pointing his sword at the Barbarous Black Fish.
“Sajils, step back.”

“The Baek will take the lead, kids.”

Hye Yeon also stood beside Yoo Iseol with a smile.

“Amitabha. It’s not over yet, but Siju’s expression is too heavy.”

“…Monk.”

“Yes! It’s enough to just crush them!”

Tang Soso, wielding her sword, cheered loudly and stood next to Baek Sang. When even Jo-Gol and Yoon Jong stood to their left and right, everyone was lined up in a straight line around Baek Cheon.

“For now, I think we need to make a retreat towards that cliff back there.”

“Climbing cliffs is our specialty.”

“Amitabha. This young monk can now climb Seongsan Mountain like a flying squirrel.”

“You have a long way to go, Monk.”

“Agree. A long way off.”

Listening to their whispers, Baek Cheon shook his head.

‘Damn these guys.’

In matters of life and death, they should at least pretend to be serious.
“Come, you punk. Let’s see who dies first.”

Baek Cheon clenched his teeth.

No matter how desperate the situation is, one must not lose oneself. In this sense, everyone here is a better warrior than he is.

When even Baek Cheon pointed his sword forward, Barbarous Black Fish smirked. It was an obvious sneer.

“What a bunch of idiots. You wouldn’t stand a chance even with a healthy body, and yet you challenge me in your state?”
“We might be idiots. But one thing I do know. There are times when you have to be an idiot to survive.”
“Humph! At least your mouth is lively.”
Barbarous Black Fish raised his fingers.

“Kill them all and toss them as fish’s food!”

“Yes!”

Having given his orders, he backed away without letting down his guard. Baek Cheon bit his lip.

‘Damn it.’

That guy is a pirate, but as a person of Kangho, he was meticulous enough to be incomparable to Baek Cheon.

He didn’t show a single gap from the time he first stepped forward until now when he stepped back.

If he had bragged and personally confronted them, there might have been a chance. But once he handed it over to his underlings and retreated, there was no more chance.

‘No, it’s not over yet.’

He had to open a way no matter what it takes. And he will surely send back his Saje alive. Even if he has to die here!

“Sasuk.”
“Don’t try to talk nonsense! I will open the way.”

“No, Sasuk…….”

“I said that’s enough! Follow the words of this Daesahyung!”

“No, that’s not it!”

“Yes?”

Baek Cheon tilted his head and looked at Jo-Gol. He thought he seemed ready to say that he would open the way, but that didn’t seem to be the case.

Jo-Gol looked at Baek Cheon and frowned.

“Sa- Sasuk! I keep hearing voices!”

“…Voices?”

“Yes, I can hear it. That…. That guy’s voice.”

Baek Cheon distorted his face.

‘Gol, you pretended you were fine, but you were shaking inside.’

So that must be why he hears the voice of that person who shouldn’t be here.

“Don’t worry. Even if I’m not as good as him, I can at least open a path. So…”

“No, I can really hear him.”

“What nonsense…….”

At that moment, Baek Cheon’s body flinched.

“Huh?”

‘N- No. Just now…’

“Wait. I think I heard something, too.”
“Me, too.”
“……Is there another person in the world who could make that annoying voice…?”

Mount Hua’s disciples looked at each other. And right then.

“…Aaaaaa!”

Mount Hua’s disciples were surprised and looked back, regardless of the pirates in front of them. Their movement was almost synchronized as it was planned beforehand.

“…What’s coming?”

“I think that’s it is, right?”

“…What kind of ghost is that?”

It was clearly visible. A small boat was stirring up a spray of water in the middle of the distant river, approaching at an incredible speed.

“Chu- Chung Myung….”

“Heeeeyyyy! You bastards! Why are you fighting on land after you went by ship! Ah, I’m pissed off!”

Ho.

Hoho.

Hohoho.

Hohohoho.

Right.