Chapter 1847 – Return of The Mount Hua Sect

Chapter 1847. If there is such a thing as fate. (2) ❀ ❀ ❀

Jo Geol swallowed dryly. His throat was so parched it felt like a knife was being forced down it—he could even feel pain.

Though the exhaustion from using up all his stamina and depleted internal energy was difficult, what truly wore him down was the ‘anxiety’.

His eyes kept scanning the sky restlessly.

The messenger birds released by Maeng So were sure to return with the news he hoped for. The divine beasts of the Beast Palace were that incredible. Jo Geol knew this better than anyone. He didn’t even need to mention the ever-busy Baek Ah.

But despite his firm belief, the blood-draining anxiety refused to fade.

It was the certainty that sacrifices were still being made at that very moment—and the fear that someone he knew might be among them.

‘No more. Please.‘

He’d already lost too much. He couldn’t take any more.

Jo Geol would rather become a cold corpse himself. He didn’t want to witness the death of anyone else.

What made it worse was the possibility that it would all be simply because they were ‘too late.’

Perhaps he was a bit late to understand it, but now Jo Geol felt like he finally understood war.

He had once thought the fear of war came from the sheer number of deaths. That it was terrifying because people who wouldn't have died otherwise lost their lives so meaninglessly.

But now, he knew better. Death was indeed terrible—but standing in the heart of battle and seeing it over and over again dulls the impact. At some point, it even starts to feel like just a number.

Yet, the one feeling that never dulls is ‘loss’.

You have to lose what you never wanted to. And worse—those losses happen somewhere completely out of reach.

If it happens before your eyes, you can at least struggle to stop it.

But when it happens far away, you’re left with a sense of helplessness that deepens the pain, making it last longer—like poison seeping in with every breath, slowly consuming you.

Without a doubt, if this agony repeated a few more times, Jo Geol was sure he’d lose his mind. And if among those ‘few times’ were people he absolutely couldn’t afford to lose?

Then he would no longer be the same Jo Geol.

‘Please… hurry…‘

That’s why he prayed. Hoped—and hoped again.

That they could find the enemies. And if someone had to fall to their hands, let it be him at the forefront.

Krrrt.

Jo Geol, unable to bear the anxiety, gripped his thigh tightly.

His heart pounded violently, as if it would burst. Still, he remained silent—for the simple reason that no one else was speaking either.

Surely, the others felt the same. Perhaps they were enduring even greater anxiety. But they all quietly endured the wait without a word.

The march continued at a slow, steady pace—not so much to reach a destination, but more to fight the unbearable stillness. The steps were more symbolic than purposeful.

That was when—

Piiiiiiiiik!

A sharp sound pierced their ears, and everyone instantly looked up.

A golden streak shot across the sky at incredible speed. The disciples of Mount Hua, including those at the front, launched themselves forward as if on cue.

‘Please!‘

Jo Geol unleashed all the strength he had left, flying forward, praying with all his might. That no more lives would be lost.

Please.

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“That is…”

Hye Yeon’s eyes, which were already like a calf’s, widened further in shock.

He was utterly exhausted. Because of that, even his vision wasn't like usual. Yet, even with blurred vision, the figures approaching from the distance were strangely clear.

At first, he thought they were remnants of the Evil Tyrant Alliance who had failed to escape in time.

So, of course, it made sense for Hye Yeon to head in that direction. They had confirmed that the Jang Ilso they were chasing was a decoy—through that decoy's death. They had no energy left to chase another one, so they were retreating.

Now, having run into enemy remnants, it seemed logical to eliminate a potential threat.

But as the distance closed, Hye Yeon realized from the start that his judgment had been wrong. His face hardened.

Calling them ‘remnants’ was absurd. What kind of fleeing stragglers exuded such a terrifying aura? A chill ran down his spine.

Then finally, when he saw the one leading that fearsome group, Hye Yeon couldn’t help but let out a groan.

“Ja… Jang Il…”

It was Jang Ilso.

Not clad in red robes like the fake they’d just chased. No flamboyant gestures like someone standing atop the world, proclaiming his presence.

And that was exactly why Hye Yeon was certain—’this’ was the real Jang Ilso.

Hye Yeon screamed, almost like a shriek.

“J-Jang Ilso! That’s Jang Ilso!”

In that moment, all eyes turned in one direction.

“Uh…”

“R-really?”

It was a bizarre turn of events. They had chased after Jang Ilso on their own legs. But now, faced with the ‘real’ one, they froze in place.

Of course, thinking about it, it was natural. Even a seasoned hunter who has pursued tigers all his life freezes when faced with one. The pursuit of glory and profit doesn’t erase the primal fear a tiger brings.

And Jang Ilso was no mere tiger. He was a magnificent beast beyond compare. And now that beast's fangs were aimed right at them.

“W-what should we do?”

“We have to run. It’s not just Jang Ilso out there!”

“He’s right. We can’t face them on our own!”

There was no room for hesitation. The moment they felt the overwhelming presence from that group, they knew instinctively—if they clashed, they’d lose. A one-sided massacre awaited.

They had to retreat. They had to flee ‘now’. Everyone believed this was the only rational choice.

“No.”

That is—until Tang Soso’s firm voice broke the silence.

“Siju!”

Hye Yeon shouted without thinking. But Tang Soso didn’t even glance at him as she continued.

“We have to fight.”

“No! Siju, you can see it, can’t you?!”

“Yes, I can. That’s ‘why’ we have to fight.”

“What are you saying—”

“Jang Ilso, who we thought was ahead of us, just appeared behind us with such numbers. Don’t you understand what that means?”

Hye Yeon shut his mouth. The moment he heard Tang Soso’s words, he realized it. No—perhaps he just didn’t want to face the truth.

Their objective was painfully clear: track down and crush the scattered forces who had chased the fake Jang Ilso across the battlefield.

“If we run, they’ll go after the other Heavenly Comrade Alliance members.”

“But we’re also…”

“We can’t let them go!”

Hye Yeon realized that Tang Soso was trembling too. But her resolve was unwavering.

“If we let them run wild, the damage will be beyond repair. Someone has to stop them.”

That alone was enough. Hye Yeon didn’t ask why that ‘someone’ had to be them. Neither did Lee Songbaek, who had been silently listening.

Then, one of the people who had been quietly standing behind them spoke.

“I’ll say this now… but I’m not giving up Jang Ilso’s head.”

Lee Songbaek, Hye Yeon, and Tang Soso all turned around at the same time.

Namgung Dowi, his body scorched in multiple places and barely able to run due to the pace of the retreat, was smiling brightly.

Everyone let out a wry laugh.

“Dad was right. They say people from the Namgung family live off of nothing but bravado.”

“…You seem to be the most excessive among them, Siju.”

“Your legs are shaking. You’ll be the first to collapse, Young Lord.”

The brief banter didn’t completely relieve the tension, but it did ease some of the crushing fear pressing down on their shoulders like a mountain.

“If anyone’s going to die, it’ll be me first. I’ll—”

“Don’t delude yourself. We’re not here to die while slowing them down.”

Tang Soso cut him off sharply. Her eyes blazed fiercely.

“They’ll come. Without a doubt.”

There was no point in asking who she was talking about or why she believed they would come. The moment she spoke, everyone had only one person come to mind.

Yes. He will definitely come.

Chiing.

Tang Soso unsheathed her sword with a graceful, lightning-fast motion.

“Survive, no matter what. If you die here, I’ll nag over your grave for three straight days and nights.”

“….Like sahyung, like saje.”

“Amitabha… Even in death, there’s no peace.”

There was no more time for jokes. In the blink of an eye, the enemies who had seemed distant moments ago were now charging in at full speed.

At the front, Jang Ilso looked like a monstrous predator with vast black and red wings descending upon them. The oppressive sight made everyone clench their teeth.

Tang Soso tightened her core.

Before fear could crush them completely, she intended to rally their spirits.

“Jang Il—”

“Hmm.”

But before she could even show her resolve, it was rendered meaningless. A soft, low voice whispered right beside her.

Jang Ilso, who should have been three paces away, was suddenly right next to her.

“No need to call me like that.”

“….”

“I’m already here.”

Tang Soso froze like a mouse staring down a snake that had appeared inches from her face.

Jang Ilso’s hand moved slowly toward her.

Hye Yeon reacted instinctively, launching a threatening strike at Jang Ilso. But Jang Ilso’s bracelet slammed into Hye Yeon’s chest first.

Hye Yeon was sent flying before he could even scream. Immediately, Lee Songbaek brought his sword down toward Jang Ilso’s head.

But it never reached him. Instead, it collided with a brilliantly blooming blue flames that erupted before his eyes. [yeomhwa, 염화(炎火)]

Kwaaang!

It was Jang Ilso’s Blue Flame Crushing Technique. [cheong-yeomsalgang, 청염살강(靑炎殺罡)]

In an instant, both Lee Songbaek and Namgung Dowi were blasted away. Jang Ilso clicked his tongue.

“Tsk. Know your place.”

“Jang Ilso!”

Tang Soso swung her Plum Blossom Sword with all her might.

Clang!

The rings tightly stacked on Jang Ilso’s fingers precisely blocked the blade.

Fwoosh!

At the same time, over a dozen hidden needles shot out from Tang Soso’s sleeve toward Jang Ilso’s face.

“Hmm?”

Ka-ka-ka-kang!

Jang Ilso swatted the needles away with a casual wave of his left hand.

“You…!”

“You’re slow.”

Kwaang!

Just as Tang Soso tried to strike his face, Jang Ilso’s fist mercilessly struck her in the solar plexus.

“Aaagh!”

Tang Soso spat blood and was hurled backward.

Thud.

She hit the ground hard and instinctively clawed at the dirt.

Gurgle.

She coughed up more blood. Her vision blurred. Even so, she could still see Jang Ilso standing tall, clear as day.

His hair was a mess, his clothes smeared with blood and filth—but the smile playing at his lips was endlessly relaxed.

“Don’t rush me now.”

Jang Ilso’s smile deepened.

“Even if you don’t, I’ll make sure none of you leave here alive.”

From over his shoulders, the martial artists in black and red surged toward the Heavenly Comrade Alliance forces. The sheer ferocity of their charge was terrifying.

Next Chapter

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