Return of the Mount Hua Sect

Namgung Myung pushed his internal strength into the Dantian of the person who was losing consciousness.

“Just a little bit…. Hang in there a little bit more!”

The condition of the injured was worsening by the moment. Not only were their physical wounds severe, but the biggest issue was their diminishing will to live.

Because they lost ‘hope’.

“Sogaju will definitely bring salvation. So hang on! Just hang on a little longer!”

Namgung Myung bellowed with all his might.

He had already exhausted the energy in his Dantian. Sweat poured down his entire body as he forced himself to squeeze out a little more energy. But Gwan Pyeong’s condition continued to deteriorate.

“Why don’t you hold on! You damn bastard!”

In the end, an angry cry came out of Namgung Myung’s mouth.

He took his hand off Gwan Pyeong’s Dantian and grabbed him tightly by the collar.

“Didn’t you see with your own eyes! How Gaju-nim left! Why the elders risked their lives!”

“…”

Gwan Pyeong’s eyes, which had been relaxed, suddenly came back into focus.

“Are you going to make their deaths a dog’s death? They gave up their lives to save you! At least, you ought to hold on, you bastards!”

Namgung Myung’s desperate cry was almost like a wail. The injured people, who were losing consciousness, and those caring for them, all bowed their heads, swallowing their tears.

Gwan Pyeong, who had been staring at the distant sky with unfocused eyes, struggled to turn his gaze towards Namgung Myung.

“Ga…ju….”

His parched lips barely moved as they opened.

“So…gaju… Sogaju….”

“Yes!”

Namgun Myung urgently grabbed Gwan Pyeong’s hand tightly.

“He will definitely come! He will find a solution and return! So hold on a bit longer! Clench your teeth and hold on!”

It’s not like anything has significantly changed.

It was just that the lips, which had been weakly opened, were tightly closed. The condition was still dire and the situation is the same. But for Namgung Myung, this small change was enough. It was enough that they hadn’t let go of their will to live.

Namgung Myung gritted his teeth and raised his head.

“…Everyone, don’t forget why Gaju-nim sacrificed his life.”

A determined look appeared in everyone’s eyes.

“Those who witnessed that death with their own eyes, those who bear the name of Namgung whom he wanted to protect, at least should not die in disgrace! So, by any means necessary, hold on until Sogaju returns!”

“Yes!”

Namgung Myung bit his lip and looked up at the sky. He avoided making eye contact with the disciples, fearing that he might burst into tears at any moment.

Namgung, having lost its Gaju and elders, cpunovel dot com had lost its center of gravity. Namgung Myung could not lead them alone. So, the only one to rely on was Namgung Dowi.

‘Sogaju….’

He knew. The expectations placed on the still young man were too great and too harsh.

But that is the fate of the person who will become Gaju of Namgung Family.

‘Please, come back as soon as possible…’

Namgung Myung’s eyes turned to the vast land beyond the river. To the land where Namgung Dowi would be standing.

* * *

Paaaaaat!

A ray of light cuts through the dense forest.

Soon after, dozens of beams of light followed, splitting the earth.

“Huff!”

A rough breath escaped from Ciwu Beggar’s mouth.

Regardless of whether he was an elder of Beggar Union or not, he was confident in his Lightness Art. But all he could do was follow those currently leading the charge.

The beggars of openness who came with him have long since fallen behind and become invisible.

‘M- My….’

Of course, circumstances had to be taken into account. Ciwu Beggar ran with all his might to Wuhan with Namgung Dowi, exhausting all his stamina.

However….

‘Didn’t they also go back and forth between Kugang and Wuhan countless times just today?’

And yet, they could maintain such speed?

Ciwu Beggar’s eyes turn to the man in front of him. It was Baek Cheon, who was carrying the unconscious Namgung Dowi on his back, rushing forward.

Paaat!

Each time Baek Cheon’s foot strongly struck the ground, his body propelled forward without any hint of instability in his upper body. He’s trying to put as little pressure as possible on Namgung Dowi, who is seriously injured.

“How is he doing?”

“…Not good.”

When Baek Cheon asked softly, Tang Soso, who was checking the condition of Namgung Dowi, answered softly.

“He lost too much blood.”

Tang Soso bit her lip slightly.

Namgung Dowi had several deep wounds that required immediate rest. To drag such a person into battle? From a physician’s standpoint, this was madness.

But…

‘I can’t do it.’

Tang Soso, though a physician, was also a martial artist. That’s why she could understand Namgung Dowi’s position. Leaving those akin to a family under the enemy’s blade, awaiting death? To remain here, taking it easy while they’re out there?

If you die, you die, but there’s no way that could happen.

‘But his condition…’

Tang Soso’s eyes turned to Namgung Daowi’s bloodless face. His pulse was too faint and irregular. So much so that it wouldn’t be strange if it stopped right away.

“Cough!”

At that time, Namgung Dowi, who was supposedly unconscious, coughed up a significant amount of blood. Tang Soso was shocked and grabbed Baek Cheon’s shoulder.

“Sasuk! It’s too much…”

“Step aside.”

At that moment, someone interjected and approached. When Tang Soso turned around, she saw Tang Gun-ak running beside her.

She nodded and gave way to Namgung Dowi’s side.

“Hmm.”

Tang Gun-ak’s expression hardened slightly after briefly examining Namgung Dowi.

“Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword.”

Chung Myung, who was running ahead with an indifferent expression, glanced back.

“His condition is critical. At this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising if he dies on the way.”

“…”

“What should we do?”

Chung Myung answered as if there was no need to consider.

“A martial artist on the battlefield…”

The corners of his mouth twitched, revealing his pure white teeth.

“If he could afford to die on someone’s back, that would be a luxury.”

Those were horrifyingly cold words. But Tang Gun-ak nodded as if he had expected just that.

“It’s not an appropriate situation to use Tang Family’s high-grade medicine. Do we have any Yeosangdan or elixirs on hand?”

Chung Myung’s head turns towards Hyun Jong. Then Hyun Jong opened his mouth without delay.

“Hyun Young!”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

“Give him Jasodan.”

“Yes.”

Currently, there are only a few Jasodan remaining in Mount Hua. The interruption of trade with Yunnam during Bongmun had prevented them from acquiring the necessary ingredients.

That is why this Jasodan is extremely important. This is because they don’t know what will happen on the road they are running on now, and this one grain of Jasodan might be able to save one more of Mount Hua’s disciples.

However, neither Hyun Jong, who gave the order, nor Hyun Young, who received the order, showed any hesitation. Hyun Young promptly took out Jasodan and handed it to Tang Gun-ak.

“Hm!”

Tang Gun-ak took the wooden box and immediately opened the lid. A refreshing scent brushed his nose. Even at first glance, it was an unusual elixir. This is a precious item that cannot be dismissed as a simple precious item (??(貴物)).

Tang Gun-ak nodded and pushed Jasodan into the mouth of Namgung Dowi, who was on Baek Cheon’s back.

After forcing the pill down with a pressure point technique, Tang Gun-ak began infusing internal strength into the back of the carried Namgung Dowi.

It is easier said than done to manage one’s internal strength while running. It was clear that if he made even the slightest mistake, not only Namgung Dowi but even Tang Gun-ak, who was attempting treatment, would be in danger.

However, Tang Gun-ak’s hands were bold.

Uuuuung!

As time passed, thick beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Those around watched this scene intently. Making such a decision to exhaust one’s internal strength to this extent, especially heading into battle, was not an easy one.

It indicated that Tang Gun-ak was also pouring his heart into Namgung Dowi’s well-being.

How much further had they run?

“Hu….”

Finally, a breath poured out of Tang Gun-ak’s mouth all at once.

“…The critical moment has been passed. But… If he pushes himself further here, even the elixir he gained will become useless. Right now, it’s just a matter of finally connecting a pulse that seemed to be broken.”

He said while looking at Chung Myung.

Although couched in indirect terms, the message was clear: pushing any further would put his life at risk.

But Chung Myung didn’t even blink when he heard those words.

“Still, will you take him with you?”

When asked again, he chuckled.

“It is obvious.”

“…I can’t stop you.”

Tang Gun-ak shook his head.

But he had the same thoughts as Chung Myung. As a physician, he felt compelled to object, but if he were in Namgung Dowi’s shoes, his choice would be the same.

‘Even if his limbs were cut off, he would still crawl to the Yangtze River.’

For a martial artist, sometimes there are things more important than life itself.

Tang Gun-ak’s gaze slowly turned to Baek Cheon.

Sect Leader, who gives his precious elixir to a disciple of another sect without hesitation, or Chung Myung, who drags someone who looks like about to die at any moment to the Yangtze River, they are all amazing, but….

‘The most surprising thing might be right here.’

Baek Cheon is running while carrying an injured and unconscious person. Maintaining this speed while carrying someone was no mean feat, let alone doing so with such stability.

This was even more so considering his young age. To his astonishment, he possesses both great internal strength and delicate use of said energy.

If Baek Cheon had not carefully protected Namgung Dowi, treatment in such a situation would have been unthinkable.

Tang Gun-ak looked around with new eyes.

The disciples of Mount Hua, who were focusing ahead and rushing forward with all their might, emanated an overwhelming sense of pressure.

He had already witnessed Chung Myung’s growth with his own eyes. What he felt in the spar was the conviction that Chung Myung had still not revealed everything to him.

But perhaps…

‘Rather, what really deserves attention is not Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword, but these disciples.’

Before he knew it, the distance between Mount Hua and Tang Family began to widen. Even the elites of Tang Family are having a hard time just following them.

Of course, Lightness Art would not be a measure of the high and low of one’s martial art, but it was certainly a significant sight.

Even while Tang Gun-ak was thinking about so many things, Mount Hua’s disciples, including Five Swords, were merely fortifying their resolve.

‘Faster.’

Paaaaat!

Baek Cheon’s feet kicked the ground.

If they were late and Namgung Family were to be annihilated, all their efforts would be in vain.

‘We can’t let that happen.’

They don’t even want to discuss Chivalrousness or Righteousness anymore. What meaning would they hold now?

Baek Cheon just wanted to protect the earnestness of this martial artist on his back.

If Mount Hua had been in the same situation, Baek Cheon would have been no different from Namgung Dowi.

‘Do not worry. I will surely get you to the Yangtze!’

Baek Cheon gritted his teeth and roared.

“Pick up the pace! We cannot afford to be late!”

“Yes!”

Paaaaaat!

The sword warrior of Mount Hua, accompanied by Namgung Dowi, rushed forward with even greater spurs.

But… Nevertheless, time mercilessly ticked on.

Finally, on the fifth day as mentioned by Jang Ilso, the sun began to rise over the Yangtze.