Return of the Mount Hua Sect

“Those who barely survived by begging for their lives from the pirates are shamelessly showing their faces again! It seems like these people from Righteous Sects know no shame!”

“If it were me, I would have bitten my tongue and killed myself!”

The pirates continued to laugh and ridicule the Namgung Family as they faced off against the Azure Sky Sword Squad. Despite the firm resolve of the Azure Sky Sword Squad, they couldn’t help but blush in embarrassment upon hearing these words.

It was still vivid in their minds. The moment on this very Yangtze River when they survived, when they begged for their lives from those treacherous Evil Sects!

“Hold your ground!”

Just as excessive force was about to be exerted in their swords due to humiliation, a large voice erupted from behind.

Namgung Family’s Sogaju, Namgung Dowi, was running forward like a beam of light with the iron sword unique to the Namgung Family.

“It is shameful to have made a mistake. But it’s even more shameful to be trapped by that wrongdoing and fail to make amends! Don’t be ashamed of standing here, be thankful that you can stand here!”

At that remark, the eyes of the Azure Sky Sword Squad sharpened like blades once again.

How could they forget? That shame. The misery of having to be discouraged in order to survive.

For the past three years, Azure Sky Sword Squad has swung their sword just for this moment. For the moment to redeem that disgrace and to restore the pride of the Namgung Family!

“Dieee!”

Just then, a terrifying crescent moon dao (???(偃月刀)) flew towards Namgung Dowi’s face. Nangung Dowi’s dashing eyebrows (??(劍眉)) twitched for a moment.

Kwaaaaaa!

His sword, swung like lightning, split the incoming crescent moon dao in two and struck into the body of the pirate who had wielded it.

“Keuk!”

A look of horror briefly crossed the pirate’s face.

Kwadeuk!

The sword, driven by force, splits the enemy’s body in two in an instant. The bisected corpse of the pirate flew away, spraying red blood.

Even as blood was pouring down like rain, Namgung Dowi shouted without batting an eye.

“I will lead the way! Azure Sky Sword Squad, follow me!”

“Understood!”

Namgung Dōwi rushed forward at once.

There was no longer any of his youthful recklessness on his determined face.

‘I am an insignificant person.’

He thought it was enough just to catch up. Although he might not be a match for that Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword now, he was also a man of the Namgung Family. He believed that if he worked hard and tried again, he would one day be able to stand in the same level.

He had the confidence to work harder than anyone else, and to endure more persistently than anyone else.

So he thought that was enough.

He thought that Chung Myung could advance a little faster now thanks to his talent, so if he maintained his mindset for the rest of his life, he would be able to stand in the same place as Chung Myung someday.

But….

‘It’s not even funny.’

Now he knows. How foolish that thought was.

‘That’s not something you can do just because you’re strong.’

If Namgung Dowi was as strong as Chung Myung, could he really have stood up to Jang Ilso in that place?

If he had been that strong, could he have fought alone in that place where everyone else was too afraid for their own lives to speak up, even risking his life to do so?

Even with recklessness, he couldn’t say yes. It was impossible for Namgung Dōwi.

In reality, he was frozen, unable to do anything when Chung Myung confronted Jang Ilso, when the explosives exploded, and even when Chung Myung’s fist struck the face of Wudang Sect Leader.

It was a shameful thing for the iron sword of the Namgung Family, which was said to exist to protect righteousness.

‘It’s not about being strong that makes one such a person. It’s because they are such people that they are strong.’

Losing in martial arts can be excused. But there is no excuse for losing as a human being.

Whether strong or weak, everyone has only one life. Whether one can stake that life has nothing to do with martial prowess.

That day, Namgung Dowi painfully realized how foolish he had been.

“I won’t say I am the strongest!”

This was as much a statement to those following him as it was to himself.

“It’s okay to be defeated with a sword! But at least don’t be defeated in spirit! We are the Azure Sky Namgung Family!”

“Understood!”

Azure Sky Sword Squad immediately flooded the water fortress. Their swords, more resolute than ever, began to swiftly slaughter the pirates.

And at the forefront, Namgung Dowi’s sword shone more brilliantly than anyone else’s.

* * *

The corners of Bop Jeong’s lips trembled. The eyes looking at Bop Kye were filled with shock and anger.

“…Is that true?”

“Yes, Bangjang! We’ve received word that Namgung Hwang, Gaju of the Namgung Family, the Emperor Sword, is leading the Azure Sky Sword Squad to Kugang.”

Ciwu Beggar glanced toward the door. One of the beggars who reported this to Bop Kye was unable to come into the room and was lurking outside. When the beggar and Ciwu Beggar’s eyes met, the beggar outside nodded vigorously.

It meant it was all true.

“Namgung Hwang. Namgung Hwang…..”

Ciwu Beggar muttered softly and chuckled. It was more a face of resignation than amusement.

‘Given that yangban’s temperament… Yes. It’s possible.’

In terms of temperament, it is Namgung Hwang, who is second to none in the world.

He must have been boiling with the humiliation he experienced three years ago, but when he heard that Evil Tyrant Alliance had crossed the Yangtze River and stepped on the land of Gangbuk….

Ciwu Beggar sighed deeply.

This was clearly a mistake by Beggar Union. Information by itself has no meaning. It is only meaningful if you can predict what will happen later based on that information.

He should have expected this to happen since the Evil Tyrant Alliance stepped on the land of Gangbuk, but he belatedly realized when they heard the news that the Namgung Family had moved.

‘No, no. How many people in the world could have predicted something like that in such an urgent situation?’

Since they were in a situation where they had to pay attention to everything that was going on in the world, they had no choice but to put off thinking about the reaction of a sect that had retreated into seclusion.

The angry voice of Bop Jeong was heard in Ciwu Beggar’s ears as he was soothing his bitter stomach by making excuses that were not excuses.

“What on earth was Namgung Gaju thinking?! He went to the Yangtze River? Does the Namgung Family plan to face the Evil Tyrant Alliance alone?”

Bop Jeong looked at Bop Kye with a face of disbelief. Scolding them wouldn’t change the situation, but he was overwhelmed by the circumstances running wild beyond his control.

‘He’s out of his mind.’

How could a single clan attack such a place on their own?

Kugang. No, Plum Blossom Island is literally an explosives powder keg. It is where the attention of the entire Kangho is concentrated, and the power struggles of all forces converge.

It is difficult to understand how an island that was nothing could become such an important place, but it was an undeniable fact that it had become a strategic location where the pride and practical interests of the Evil Tyrant Alliance and the Ten Great Sects collided.

And they attacked that place without any discussion?

If this incident leads to an all-out war between the Evil Tyrant Alliance and the Ten Great Sects, how on earth are they going to deal with the aftermath?

“What was he thinking! Just what!”

Kagak!

The beads in Bop Jeong’s hands clashed with a sharp sound. It felt like the entire world was slipping out of his control.

“If this incident causes all the people in the world to fall into despair, the Namgung family will have to bear all the sins! How can a man who is Gaju of the Namgung Family and the head of the Five Great Family be so imprudent!”

Angry voices erupted one after another, but no one dared to speak out hastily.

Ciwu Beggar, however, could only sigh inwardly.

Reckless?

Yes, perhaps that’s correct.

But at least in Kangho, such actions are not called reckless.

‘I’d say it’s valiant.’

Isn’t it Chivalrousness to fight against evil without caring for one’s own harm or personal interests?

The Namgung Family has done what those in the name of righteousness have always emphasized. Nevertheless, if they start with criticism like this, it is like admitting that everything they have emphasized so far was in fact nothing more than a facade.

Ciwu Beggar, who could not have listened more to Bop Jeong’s criticism, opened his mouth.

“Bangjang.”

Bop Jeong looked at Ciwu Beggar, still unable to remove all the anger from his face.

“It is true that the Namgung Family did something unexpected, but blaming them now is meaningless. What’s important is what happens from now on.”

He paused for a moment, allowing Bop Jeong to gather his thoughts. And asked with a steady voice,

“What will you do now?”

It’s a question that pierces the heart.

“The Namgung Family has opened the gates. Now a choice must be made. Whether to help them strike the water fortresses or declare that it was an arbitrary act by Namgung Family and withdraw.”

Bop Jeong closed his eyes tightly.

If you think about it in common sense, of course, it is right to support Namgung Family. But what if they support Namgung Family, and then the Evil Tyrant Alliance rushes to the Yangtze River?”

‘From then on, it will truly be an all-out war.’

Once a full-scale war breaks out, they won’t be able to stop it with their power. Regardless of winning or losing, substantial damage is inevitable.

“…Elder-nim.”

As Bop Jeong’s response was delayed, Bop Kye spoke first.

“Isn’t there a possibility that all this is Jang Ilso’s scheme?”

“Scheme, you say?”

“Yes, a scheme. Three years ago, with the movement of the water fortresses, everyone was dragged into the Yangtze River, right?”

Ciwu Beggar frowned slightly without realizing it. However, he erased his expression as if it had never happened before. Even though his inner thoughts were different.

‘That was because you were blinded by your desire for glory and rushed headlong to the Yangtze without considering the consequences!’

There was a lot he wanted to say, but he had no choice but to hold back. This is Shaolin, and the people sitting in front are Bangjang and elders of Shaolin.

“The likelihood of that is not high.”

“How come? If it’s that Jang Ilso….”

“Explaining it would be lengthy… but now doesn’t seem like the time to waste on such talk. In any case, it’s more likely that everything happening now is the unilateral action of the Black Dragon King.”

At that moment, a hollow laugh escaped from Bop Jeong’s lips.

“Unilateral action, huh…”

It’s a laughably absurd situation.

‘Two hot-headed characters are driving the situation into hell.’

Black Dragon King and Emperor Sword.

It cannot be denied that both are great men with a firm presence in their respective forces. However, their influence is not so great as to shake the balance of Jungwon.

However, coincidentally, as a result of the two people’s arbitrary actions taking place at the same time, both the Ten Great Sects and the Evil Tyrant Alliance are being unwillingly dragged into an unwanted war at an unwanted time.

‘Was war supposed to be like this?’

At least, this was not what Bop Jeong had in mind. The war he knew was one in which leaders fought fiercely using the forces they had.

But the way the world works now is completely different from what he knows. All the horses move as they please. How can one lead such people and wage a full-scale war?

“I don’t see why you’re hesitating.”

Peng Ye frowned and spoke.

“I don’t like the arrogant Namgung Family things as they please, but now that the situation has unfolded, the only path left is to support them.”

But Jongni Hyong seemed to disagree.

“Peng Gaju-nim, you might need to be a bit more calm. If we rush to Yangtze now, Evil Tyrant Alliance will also be forced to move, other than the water fortress. Then it truly becomes irreversible.”

“But if we just watch and the Evil Tyrant Alliance move first, even our support will be too late. The Namgung Family will fall first.”

“I know. I know, but this isn’t a matter to act rashly on.”

“How reckless is this!”

As the two people’s argument quickly caught fire, Bop Jeong’s face turned dark.

Common sense dictates that the priority is to immediately support the Namgung Family and drive out the water fortress. If Peng Family and Kongtong help, it won’t be that difficult.

But what if the Evil Tyrant Alliance moves north and an all-out war breaks out?

Can the sects here really be able to deal with the Evil Tyrant Alliance? The Evil Tyrant Alliance led by Jang Ilso?

‘Not enough.’

If the Ten Great Sects and the Five Great Family all came forward to support Shaolin, there would be no hesitation. But as it stands, it’s difficult to handle the Evil Tyrant Alliance.

Even if they somehow win, they will have to watch jackals who were just watching the situation sneak up behind their backs, who had planned to defeat both sides.

Lost in thought, Bop Jeong bit his lip.

‘What am I hesitating for?’

The shame is his, but the death is others’. As a Buddhist, shouldn’t he choose shame?

“Anyway…”

When he finally opened his mouth, everyone’s attention was on him. His words still carried weight.

“Even if we rush to the Yangtze River right now, it will be too late. By then, the conflict between Namgung and water fortress will have already been decided.”

“Um. That is true.”

“If we do that, we will eventually have to prepare for what happens next.”

Bop Jeong slowly rose from his seat.

“Please give me just the end of the day.”

“A day, you say?”

Ciwu Beggar looks at Bop Jeong as if he doesn’t understand. In this situation, what can you change in just one day?

“Yes, one day is enough.”

“Excuse me, Bangjang. What do you intend to do?”

“…I will go to Shaanxi.”

“Sha- Shaanxi? Don’t tell me…?”

Everyone opened their eyes wide. Bop Jeong simply nodded quietly.

“Yes.”

His eyes were firm and unwavering.

“I must meet the leader of Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword in person.”