Return of the Mount Hua Sect

The sword split his shoulder and drew a long line of blood on his side. Those who had been resisting hysterically were seeing with their bodies what the outcome would be if the other party responded calmly to their emotionally driven attacks.

“N- No.”

“We, we have to run!”

They may be cruel by nature, but they are certainly not stupid.

If they couldn’t read the situation, they wouldn’t have been able to maintain their notorious reputation in the perilous Gangnam for so long. The moment they sensed the disadvantage, the only thought that crossed their minds was to escape.

But where to?

The enemy is everywhere. Surrounding a large number of foes with a smaller number is a foolish tactic to anyone who has read even a single letter of art of war, but at this moment, they were proving through their swordsmanship that what matters is not numbers, but skill.

Paaaaat!

A cold face. And a sword colder than that face, swiftly and without hesitation, strikes and pierces vital spots.

Breathing becomes stifled, and the heart sinks.

The sight of one hundred swordmasters, all learning the same sword techniques and acting in unison, reminded everyone here why the prestigious sect was a symbol of fear.

There is no way they would not know that if it continues like this, the only result that awaits them is annihilation. Of course, after the first violent fight, most people were overpowered and collapsed rather than dying…

‘God dammit, just what’s the difference!’

Even if they were subdued, would these Mount Hua guys let them go? Surely, they will be deprived of their martial arts and would be locked up, but for them, that would be an outcome no better than death.

“Aaaargh!”

Someone who couldn’t overcome the pressure tried to escape by jumping over the heads of Mount Hua’s swordsmen in a fit. However, before even half his body could rise, a flying sword severed his legs.

“…Damn.”

Despair was evident in the eyes of the Evil Sects.

If they had just rashly attacked with youthful vigor, it wouldn’t have been so hopeless. If that’s the case, there’s bound to be a gap. But those damn cubs were unnervingly calm and composed despite their age.

From start to finish, their sword stance didn’t waver by even an inch.

The person who knocked down the opponent by cutting him across the chest stabs the fallen person’s wrist without even blinking, completely incapacitating him, and then casually moves toward the next opponent. Regardless of his martial art, there was something about this sight that evoked a feeling of eeriness in the onlookers.

“…They say you can’t trust Kangho’s rumors.”

That muttered groan echoed everyone’s sentiments.

The world has completely misunderstood Mount Hua.

If they had any idea of Mount Hua, they would never have stepped into this Shaanxi. What kind of crazy person is there that pushes his head into the tiger’s mouth?

But as always, regret is too late no matter how early it is.

There’s no way to reverse their wrong choice now.

Soul-Severing Blood Hand looked around with a hardened face.

‘That’s not good.’

The situation was going from bad to worse.

The opponent being strong was a problem for later. The real issue was that these morons were losing their morale.

When Evil Sects have momentum, they attack more fiercely than anyone else, but once they lose it, they crumble like a sand castle.

It is only natural. That’s why they become Evil Sects in the first place.

Their own lives, the wealth that will be in their hands, and their own feelings are most important to them. Why would they risk their lives fighting?

If they feel like their life is in danger right now, it’s Evil Sect’s nature to persistently look for a way to survive, no matter what the situation.

Under these circumstances, there is only one way to reorganize the ranks. The presence of a powerful leader.

However… when he glanced around, he saw Gal Cheonrip frozen in place like a stone statue.

‘Wrong choice.’

With that idiot, the situation couldn’t be salvaged.

Well, if that guy had the ability to do so, he wouldn’t have made a name for himself with mere Gangseo Seven Murderer.

That guy seems to think he can become like Jang Ilso if he puts his mind to it, but it would be an insult to Jang Ilso for a fool like him to even mention Jang Ilso. Because the vessel itself is different from the beginning.

‘What’s the situation?’

Soul-Severing Blood Hand turned his sharp gaze to grasp the situation on the battlefield.

‘You idiot.’

Revolving Spear Ghost was frantically retreating against two of Mount Hua’s sword masters.

Compared to his reputation, it was truly a pathetic appearance, but in fact, he was not in a situation to criticize Revolving Spear Ghost. First of all, that hole in his shoulder is preventing him from performing even half of his ability.

And……

‘It’s not just two.’

On the surface, he was fighting against two, but in reality, Revolving Spear Ghost was fighting against three. No, perhaps even more than three. He seemed to feel immense pressure from the one quietly staring from behind the swordmasters swinging their swords.

The curly-haired young swordmaster. Perhaps the man is the one responsible for piercing a hole in the Revolving Spear Ghost’s shoulder. Even from this long distance, the terrifying aura was great.

The same is true of Soul-Severing Blood Hand.

He couldn’t gain the slightest upper hand against the three of Mount Hua’s sword masters. If they are prepared to suffer injury and charged in, he would’ve already fallen, drenched in his own blood.

However, perhaps they thought there was no need to take that risk, or maybe they thought it was more efficient, they were dealing Soul-Severing Blood Hand in a leisurely manner, without any rush.

And….

‘Another?’

He saw another person standing behind those Mount Hua disciples.

A female swordmaster standing with an expressionless face that seemed out of place on the battlefield. The moment he saw her, Soul-Severing Blood Hand felt his muscles involuntarily tense up, and he felt a cold sweat on his palms.

“Huu…. Gal Cheonrip, that idiot.”

It wasn’t just those two.

Anyone who looks at this battlefield calmly can realize it. The power of Mount Hua that is pushing them now is not even half of their actual power.

Those who can be said to be the true core of Mount Hua Sect are not even swinging their swords right now.

The key figures, permeating the battlefield, were throwing suitable prey to the front and carefully observing the battlefield from behind, like a mother tiger training her cubs to hunt.

So that if someone is in crisis, they can step in at any time.

This means… if they had been at the forefront from the start, the battle would have already ended.

‘They can’t compare to the Ten Great Sect?’

Don’t make me laugh.

No matter how formidable the Ten Great Sects are, it’s improbable that they possess such a number of swordsmasters. No matter what sect in the world is there, they will not be able to settle a battlefield against Mount Hua without any casualty.

There may be a limit to their number, but they have already surpassed the level of small and medium-sized sects. How many of the Ten Great Sect could confidently assure victory against them?

Soul-Severing Blood Hand’s eyes emitted a deep blue light.

Should he personally step in to settle the battlefield now?

It’s futile.

There might be someone whose mere presence could turn the tide. However, the battlefield is like a raging torrent. If you plunge in with half-baked skills, you’ll be swept away without even a chance to scream.

Overturning the course of this battlefield with his skills?

It’s impossible.

Having sorted out his thoughts, Soul-Severing Blood Hand quietly stepped back.

He may criticize the characteristics of those in the Evil Sects, but he is one of them too. His essence cannot be much different. In particular, aren’t the tendencies of those who were pushed to Gangbuk by the Evil Tyrant Alliance all the same?

What he urgently needs now is a way out for himself.

Fortunately, they haven’t paid much attention to him yet. While slipping away quietly without a trace might be difficult, it wouldn’t be too hard to open a path by quickly taking down one or two if they aren’t paying attention.

The chase will follow, but hasn’t he survived so far despite countless chases? If he could escape the siege for just a moment, he had every confidence that he would survive.

Then….

‘There!’

Just as Soul-Severing Blood Hand found a thread-like gap, he tried to kick the ground and leap away.

“Where are you rushing off in such a hurry?”

His legs, which had been tense, lost strength and his knees buckled.

Soul-Severing Blood Hand bit his lip and slowly unfolded his crouched body. Then, he turned to look at the person who had appeared behind without him knowing.

“…You noticed?”

“It would be strange if I didn’t notice someone looking around so frantically.”

A deep sigh escaped from the mouth of Soul-Severing Blood Hand.

‘Damn it. Right, that’s right.’

There’s no way things will work out that easily.

Squeeze.

Squeezing his fist, he looked at the person standing before him and spoke.

“Being quick-witted hastens one’s end.”

“Haha. I lived long enough, what does it matter?”

“…If the kids are having fun, you can just sit back and watch. Is there any need to come out in front and joke around with us?”

“The kids are fighting so hard, how can I just sit back and watch? I don’t know what it is like in other places, but Mount Hua has no bystanders.”

Soul-Severing Blood Hand’s complexion gradually darkened.

Even at first glance, he’s not an easy opponent. And the feeling is undeniably different. The person standing before him now, unlike Mount Hua’s swordmasters currently fighting, evidently has true experience and years.

“Who are you?”

When asked softly, the person standing in front smiled and answered.

“I am Hyun Sang, Elder of Mount Hua.”

“…Elder.”

Such unfairness. While others are facing first or third-class disciples, he must face an elder.

But then again…

Soul-Severing Blood Hand glanced behind Hyun Sang. No other disciples were seen behind him.

“Does this mean that killing this old man will open the way?”

“Seems so. Kill me, and you might find your way out.”

Udeuduk.

The sound of bones crunching rang out from Soul-Severing Blood Hand’s fist. At the same time, his hands began to turn bright red blood.

“You picked the wrong person, old man. I’m different from those fools.”

“I know.”

Hyun Sang smiles quietly and nods his head. At the same time, he slowly began to draw the sword from his waist.

“I guess I should be the one to face you. Of course, there are many stronger people here than me, but wouldn’t I lose face as an elder when I deal only with mere riffraff.”

“That face….”

Soul-Severing Blood Hand, who was about to scoff, suddenly shut his mouth.

No, to be precise, his mouth shut involuntarily. He was momentarily suffocated by the completely changed momentum of Hyun Sang.

Before drawing his sword, he seemed like a kind old man, but the moment he grasped the sword, even his temperament felt different.

Old swordmaster’s energy, which had withstood the storms of time with his whole body, became a heavy pressure and weighed down on Soul-Severing Blood Hand down. A grand, heavy, and solemn energy different from those blade-like young disciples.

It is an energy that does not deviate even an inch from the ‘Upright Tao’ (??(正道)) that the world thinks of.

“Is this the real sword of Mount Hua…?”

“There is no such thing. Everything is the real sword of Mount Hua.”

“…….”

“It’s just a bit older and a bit heavier. But… I won’t disappoint you.”

Soul-Severing Blood Hand man bit his lips tight.

‘Damn it, I shouldn’t have come here.’

Thinking that this place might really be his last, Soul-Severing Blood Hand rallied all his internal strength.

“I’ll end your tenacious life here, old man!”

He drew out blood-red energy from his hands like blades and rushed at Hyun Sang in an instant.