Chapter 1858 – Return of The Mount Hua Sect

Chapter 1858. From here on, I’ll be the one to face you. (3) ❀ ❀ ❀

“Hmm. What a familiar sight this is.”

Jang Ilso stroked his chin and licked his lips.

“Yes, come to think of it, you’ve always been in front of me.”

“If you hadn't been desperately running away all the time, we could’ve met more often.”

“Well… you're not wrong. I should be a little scared of you, right?”

Jang Ilso smiled, his eyes softening.

“With the great Mount Hua Sword Demon is after me—how could I not be afraid?” [yep he really said ‘mount hua sword demon’, not ‘plum blossom sword demon’]

Despite the words, there was not a hint of fear in his tone. Cheong Myeong bared his teeth in a cold smile.

Jang Ilso lightly clicked his tongue.

“Let me ask you something. Are you really… okay with this?”

“….”

“You know this isn’t the best option.”

Cheong Myeong’s gaze darkened. He understood exactly what Jang Ilso meant.

Indeed, Mount Hua had rushed to stop the immediate sacrifice here. But in doing so, they had caused a serious problem. Now, only those who had arrived quickly were left to face Jang Ilso and his subordinates.

“If you had taken your time and surrounded me while those pig-dogs died one by one… I would have been quite scared by now. Huh?”

Even if hundreds or thousands more had to die, purely from a results perspective, Jang Ilso’s words were correct. He continued slowly.

“Because of your foolish decision… you will lose. And in the end, you will face the very world you most wanted to prevent.”

A triumphant smile crept across Jang Ilso’s face—a smile only someone who had brought everything to pass according to his own will could wear.

But Cheong Myeong didn’t waver. Instead, he calmly agreed.

“Yes. You're right.”

Jang Ilso’s eyes flickered with momentary surprise at the unexpected response.

“You agree with me?”

“If we're just talking about the easiest and fastest path, then yes, you're right. If we’d sacrificed the expendable ones to block your path, buying time with their deaths and surrounding you… we would’ve won. Perfectly.”

“But you couldn’t do it.”

“Yeah.”

“Because you were weak.”

“Wrong. You idiot.”

Cheong Myeong gave a dry chuckle and retorted sharply. It was a strange moment. Jang Ilso now reminded him of his own past self.

Cheong Myeong had been the same—frustrated at those who didn’t choose the most efficient path, even when it was right there.

He would get angry, criticize them, blame them, even raise his voice.

But now he knew.

“Efficiency isn't everything.”

“….”

“Sometimes, even when we know it’s harder and more painful, there’s a path we must take.”

He still couldn’t fully understand Cheong Mun back then. Maybe he never would. Maybe even if he spent his whole life trying, Cheong Myeong would never see the world as Cheong Mun did. Cheong Mun had been far too great for Cheong Myeong to catch up.

But he could follow in his footsteps. He could walk the same path.

Jang Ilso let out a cold laugh.

“What a dreamy thing to say. That’s only something you can claim after you succeed. If you fail halfway, it’s just a stupid decision.”

“That’s why I’m here—to make sure it succeeds.”

Cheong Myeong raised his sword and pointed it straight at Jang Ilso.

“I have no intention of repeating the same stupid mistakes I made before. Facing you isn’t my way—it’s Mount Hua’s way.”

Jang Ilso didn’t fully understand Cheong Myeong’s words. But he could feel the resolve radiating from the tip of his sword. He clicked his tongue with a pitying expression.

“So foolish. You struggle. You burn with will. Everyone unites…”

“…”

“If such things were enough to achieve your goals, who in this world would ever have to suffer? In the end, the only thing that matters is whether you have the power to take what you desire in the end—or not... That’s it.”

Crunch.

The rings on each of Jang Ilso’s fingers scraped together harshly.

“And true despair always finds its way to those who lack the strength to carry out their will.”

“Then you’re the one who’ll fall into despair.”

“Your precious sect won’t be able to resist much longer. All that’s left is to be slowly crushed to death. You won’t be able to stop it. My, my… how does it feel, watching those beloved fellow disciples of yours die one by one?”

“I’m right here.”

“What?”

“But there are also those who aren’t here”

“….”

“I can’t do everything. Mount Hua can’t do everything either. But we don’t need to. We have something now that we didn’t have in the past.”

“Oh wow. Should I shed a tear at this heartwarming speech?”

“No need. The only thing you’ll be shedding is blood.”

“Hmm.”

As if they had made a silent agreement, both men fell quiet. At the same moment, they realized—

Words were useless now.

The only thing left… was to defeat the other and prove who was right.

Clang.

Cheong Myeong's sword, which had been pointing downward, scraped against the ground.

Sraak.

The ornate bracelets on Jang Ilso’s wrist clinked tightly together under his sleeve.

The two, still locking eyes, exhaled briefly. Then, without needing a signal, they charged at each other.

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‘Damn it.’

His lips were parched. Even licking them with his tongue only helped for a moment—they dried and cracked again in an instant.

‘Why the hell am I…’

No matter how he thought about it, this was insanity. Even he couldn’t understand why he was doing this. He wiped his face with a hand that had lost its way. The feeling of the mask on his face felt especially foreign.

Yeah. It was a stupid thing to do. Something irreversible. Not even an idiot would do this.

Then why—why was he doing something so insane?

“Are you sure we’re going the right way? If you're playing games, you're dead.”

“You…”

At the voice behind him, Yu Gong gritted his teeth. A deep surge of murderous intent boiled up within him.

He wanted nothing more than to ram a sword into the mouth of the guy chattering behind him.

“If you think this is just a bluff, you’re going to—”

“Enough, Sang-ah.”

“Sahyung, I can't trust him!”

“If you weren’t going to trust him, you shouldn’t have started this. And since we’ve started, you have to trust him to the end.”

“…Yes.”

As he ran forward, eyes fixed ahead, Yu Gong twisted his face in irritation.

‘Aren’t you just noble and perfect.’

What kind of person says things like that without hesitation? Even someone who lived their whole life surrounded by beauty and kindness wouldn’t dare speak like that so freely.

Did that guy live in a different world than Yu Gong?

But what was even more agonizing than hearing that nonsense… was the fact that Yu Gong was now moving according to that lunatic's intentions.

As curses naturally slipped from his lips like breathing, Baek Cheon quietly asked from behind.

“When will we get there? We’re short on time.”

“…Damn it, stop nagging already! Before I blow everything up!”

Yu Gong finally exploded and shouted. Baek Cheon fell silent. But even that silence grated on Yu Gong's nerves.

‘Damn it all!’

He couldn’t understand it. Not just the lunatic behind him—no, it was himself he couldn’t comprehend.

Originally, Yu Gong had resigned himself to becoming a dog of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, throwing everything else away. But now? Why the hell was he betraying the Evil Tyrant Alliance?

Because he thought they’d forgive him? That they’d take him back? That they’d all go back to laughing like before?

That’s bullshit. Yu Gong didn’t want that. Facing them again and living together would be no different than torture.

‘Then why...’

Grip.

Yu Gong grabbed at the mask covering his face and yanked. The mask stretched tight, on the verge of tearing apart.

“The hostages will be safe, right?”

The voice came again from behind. Yu Gong clenched his eyes shut. Even in this situation, that lunatic was only worried about the hostages.

Yu Gong gritted his teeth and responded.

“A hostage loses all value the moment they die. You know that, so why do you keep asking?”

“Of course I know. But your message…”

“I already sent it.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Baek Cheon’s face. Yu Gong snapped back at him.

“Damn it, what are you so shocked for? If I didn’t send a message, they’d suspect me too! I had to send one to avoid suspicion!”

“… That’s right.”

Baek Cheon nodded in understanding. Yu Gong ground his teeth and turned his eyes forward again.

If that guy were just a simple fool drunk on some cheap, righteous sense of justice, Yu Gong wouldn’t be this frustrated.

But now was not the time to sort out his tangled thoughts and emotions. He’d come too far— there was no turning back.

For Yu Gong to survive, he had no choice but to help these lunatics and rescue the hostages. If the Evil Tyrant Alliance ever found out he’d done this… he'd better start praying for a merciful death.

“There it is.”

“Where?”

“Inside that cave.”

After a moment of silence, Baek Sang asked with a puzzled expression.

“Over there?”

A small cave mouth opened along the ridge of a mountain slope. It was so narrow and shabby, calling it a ‘cave’ felt too generous—‘hole’ or ‘burrow’ seemed more fitting. It looked that flimsy.

“You’re telling me the important hostages are kept in a place like that? Does this bastard think we’re idiots? Where the hell…”

“Do the Mount Hua bastards pick their disciples based on how stupid they are?”

“What? You little—!”

“Where do you think we are right now? A war could break out any minute! You think there’s time to find and set up some perfect hideout for the hostages?”

“……”

“Instead of doubting because it looks flimsy, you should be suspicious if it doesn’t look flimsy. Isn’t the reason you came to find me in the first place because you thought Jang Ilso wouldn’t keep the hostages too far away?”

Baek Cheon nodded. Yu Gong’s words made sense. Baek Sang seemed to agree as well, falling silent. However, he still growled as if unable to fully believe it.

“If what you say is true, then lead the way. We’ll follow right behind.”

“Why should I?”

“…What?”

Yu Gong’s cold gaze shot toward Baek Sang.

“I said I’d tell you where the hostages are and even lead you there. And now you expect me to fight with you too? Don’t joke with me, you bastard.”

“You little—!”

Enraged, Baek Sang lunged forward, grabbing at Yu Gong’s collar. But just then, Baek Cheon reached out and grabbed Baek Sang’s shoulder.

“Enough.”

Baek Cheon stepped forward and faced Yu Gong. Their eyes met briefly. Then, Baek Cheon bowed his head deeply toward him.

“Thank you.”

“……”

“I know this alone is the best you could do. We’ll take care of the rest.”

“…Do you trust what I said?”

“I do.”

“Why? Shouldn’t you at least have a sliver of doubt? For example, even if the hostages are there, if I’ve already contacted them saying I’m bringing you, that cave could easily become your grave.”

Baek Cheon asked calmly.

“Did you tell them that?”

“Of course not. I was just giving an example…”

“Then there’s no problem.”

“…You’re insane.”

Yu Gong let out a hollow laugh. Baek Sang jumped in.

“Sahyung! Are you really going to trust this bastard? Like he said, it could be a trap!”

“Then what do you suggest? Sit here sucking our thumbs?”

“Uh, well…”

Baek Cheon chuckled softly.

“We don’t have time. Even if it’s a trap, we have to break through. As long as the hostages are really there, that’s all that matters.”

Baek Cheon looked to Yu Gong as if to confirm. The intensity of his gaze made Yu Gong avert his eyes and mutter,

“I never lied. Believe it or not, that’s your choice.”

“That’s good enough.”

Baek Cheon turned around. Without wasting another second, he launched himself toward the cave Yu Gong had pointed out. Startled, Baek Sang yelped and hurried after him.

“Hey! It’s dangerous to go alone! This is insane! Really!”

Left behind, Yu Gong watched their backs with a complex and strange expression.

Baek Cheon truly didn’t hesitate for even a breath before heading straight into the cave. He informed Baek Sang in a low voice.

“I’m going in.”

“Wait, at least give me a second to mentally prepare—!”

“Move.”

Without hesitation, Baek Cheon dashed inside. Baek Sang shut his eyes tightly and flung himself into the dark cave after him.

“Hmm…”

Once inside, it was deeper than expected. Baek Cheon narrowed his eyes.

‘This will take some time to search through.’

“Who’s there?”

A heavy voice echoed from one side of the cave. Baek Cheon smiled.

“Since someone came to greet us, we must be in the right place.”

Several figures soon appeared from deeper within. The eerie bloodlust they gave off made both Baek Cheon and Baek Sang instinctively tense up.

“Sahyung. They don’t look like pushovers. I don’t think the two of us can handle this… Should we gather more people and come back—?”

“Think that’ll work?”

“No way. I knew this would happen.”

Baek Sang let out a deep sigh and drew his sword.

“Mount Hua?”

Baek Sang naturally stepped forward now. Upon seeing his clothes, the Evil Tyrant Alliance men stiffened.

“How did these bastards find this place?!”

“No need to worry. Just kill them—now!”

Once they confirmed the intruders were from Mount Hua, all signs of carelessness vanished. The Evil Tyrant Alliance warriors quickly drew their weapons and charged.

“Break through in one go!”

“Damn it! If we die, we die!”

Baek Sang and Baek Cheon likewise kicked off the ground and rushed toward the Evil Tyrant Alliance warriors.

Next Chapter

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