Return of the Mount Hua Sect

Bop Jeong’s fingertips trembled as he watched with wide eyes.

‘This… Just what happened?’

It was madness. Crossing the river using a wooden plank as a stepping stone?

‘It’s easy to say!’

It was a path that could break at any moment. If water fortress’ response had been a little faster and they had destroyed all the front and back wooden planks when they reached the middle of the river, Mount Hua and Tang Family would have been stranded on wooden planks as if using a single leaf as a boat.

What kind of devastation would have happened after that?

Such a thing cannot be called a strategy. Something that doesn’t consider the aftermath doesn’t deserve to be called a strategy.

A desperate stand is at least a strategy that inflicts significant damage before being annihilated. However, as soon as even one part is wrong, this is nothing more than a crazy act that cannot cause much damage to the opponent and just falls into hell.

But….

“Why does that work!”

A mix of confusion, rage, and frustration erupted in Bop Jeong’s voice.

It’s nonsensical. How did such a reckless approach not have its consequence!

It feels like watching people who jumped into the fire pit of hell carrying oil and walking through the fire unharmed.

In common sense, those who clicked their tongues at the sight would be right, but after things turn out like this, don’t the people who were watching the scene become idiots and fools?

That’s exactly what Shaolin was like now.

No matter how many times he thinks about it, the judgment he made is correct. Jumping into the Yangtze River, which was guarded by those water fortresses and Myriad Man Manor, was tantamount to suicide.

But what does that mean now?

Even if the probability of Mount Hua and Tang Family successfully reaching Plum Blossom Island was as slim as a camel passing through the eye of a needle, the fact that Heavenly Comrade Alliance actually made it makes Shaolin appear foolish for hesitating so far.

“This…!”

Bop Jeong couldn’t shake off his anger and glared across the river, shaking its fists.

Those who only look at the outside will say that Mount Hua and Tang Family were successful in their gamble by outwitting the Evil Tyrant Alliance, but if you look inside, that is not true.

There is only one reason why all of this happened.

“Jang… Ilso….”

Bop Jeong gritted his teeth.

Jang Ilso, who is no different from the demon when it comes to using his brain, couldn’t have overlooked what Bop Jeong thought as well. Normally, he would have leisurely waited for Mount Hua and Tang Family to reach the middle of the river and then destroyed the wooden planks in front and behind to tie their feet.

But Jang Ilso didn’t move at all.

No, it’s not just that he didn’t move.

Myriad Man Manor’s ships are surrounding Plum Blossom Island from the other side, that is, from the side of Gangnam. A place that Mount Hua and Tang Family can never reach.

On the outside, it looks like they are putting pressure on Namgung Family by surrounding Plum Blossom Island, but in reality, they are just sitting by and taking their hands off everything that is happening on the Yangtze River!

As if he hoped that Mount Hua and Tang Family would rescue Namgung and return safely!

“Jang Ilso! That damn bastard!”

A cry of utter despair erupted from Bop Jeong.

The malice (??(惡意)) in his voice was enough to make his body tremble. What made it more painful was the knowledge that no one would believe what he was witnessing.

Who would believe it?

Even if he only says the right things and shouts at the top of his lungs that this was all Jang Ilso’s plan, no one will listen to him.

At best, they would dismiss his outcry as the desperate flailing of Shaolin cornered in a crisis, mocking him.

This situation is precisely described as One Step Forward on a One Hundred Pole (????(百尺竿頭進一步)). There is no place to retreat anymore.

“Bangjang….”

Bop Jeong looked back with a stern expression. Standing beside him, Jongni Hyung asked in a suppressed voice.

“…Shouldn’t we do something?”

“…”

“…I’m not sure if we hadn’t come, but if we just watch and then go back, the whole world will criticize us. Shouldn’t we do something now?”

But what? What exactly are we supposed to do?

Should they follow the path that Mount Hua and Tang Family have opened, even now, just to save face? For the world-renowned Ten Great Sects to follow Heavenly Comrade Alliance and chase after them at all costs?

Jongni Hyung, who was looking at Bop Jeong’s complexion, added with a nervous look on his face.

“Of course, I know it is a difficult decision. But rather than watching like this, it’s better to do something….”

“Wait.”

“Bangjang!”

“Didn’t I tell you to wait!”

For a moment, Jongni Hyung’s face hardened in confusion. The disappointment in his eyes towards Bop Jeong was unmistakable.

But Bop Jeong just bit his lips.

‘It can’t be done.’

They can’t go there.

It’s hard to explain. No, no matter how much he tries to explain, someone like Jongni Hyung would never understand.

What would happen if they jumped into that river even now?

That evil and ruthless Jang Ilso will only target Shaolin to the point of cruelty, leaving Mount Hua and Tang Family alone.

To spread the word throughout the world that Mount Hua and Tang Family had done this without difficulty, while Shaolin had suffered enormous damage just by chasing their shadow.

Bop Jeong knew.

The terrible and vicious trap that Jang Ilso laid on the Yangtze River.

‘Damn it.’

If only Ciwu Beggar were here, he would have understood and defended why he couldn’t move!

But unfortunately, that Ciwu Beggar had to be with Mount Hua and not anywhere else. By now, he was probably witnessing all the accomplishments of Mount Hua in the midst of those advancing rapidly.

“Ugh….”

It felt like his heart was burning.

It felt as if everything that happened on the Yangtze River was arranged to trap them, Shaolin.

“Then at least let’s return.”

Suddenly, a voice laced with sarcasm cut through.

It was an incredibly cold voice that it is hard to believe it was said to Bangjang of Shaolin.

Bop Jeong reflexively turned his head to see Hye Bang looking at him with a sneer.

“If you’re only going to watch without intervening, then is there any reason for you to stay here?”

“…Hye Bang.”

“Or are you here to observe and learn? The heroic performance of that Mount Hua? Or the sight of Hye Yeon in black martial attire saving Namgung? Are you saying that in order to follow our heart, we should wear the black martial attire of Mount Hua instead of the yellow robe of Shaolin?”

“Can’t you be quiet, you!”

Bop Gye couldn’t stand it any longer and shouted.

However, his voice also sounded weak. He seemed to know now that no matter how sternly he questioned his guilt, there was no way his words would work.

Hye Bang looked at Bop Jeong and Bop Kye then opened his mouth.

“There’s something an elder once told me.”

His eyes were colder than ever.

“Following one’s own Dharma is not the only way. A true Buddhists must be willing to burn themselves to ashes (??(燒燼)) if necessary to lead the suffering senting being to enlightenment. Merely watching their suffering (?(苦)) from afar is hypocrisy and a sin.”

For a moment, Bop Jeong fell silent.

“Who is committing sin now?”

“T- This….”

“Yes.”

Hye Bang spoke emotionlessly.

“The sin of slandering Shaolin’s Bangjang is no small matter. I will enter the Repentance Hall to reflect on myself.”

After saying those words, he turned around without any hesitation. It was as if he could no longer bear to witness this scene.

“Thi- This punk! Can’t you stop right now?”

But Hye Bang did not stop. On the contrary, some Shaolin monks who were looking at Hye Bang caught a glimpse of Bop Kye with a contemptuous gaze and turned to follow Hye Bang.

Dozens of Shaolin monks, including Hye Bang, walked away from the Yangtze River without even looking back.

“T- This….”

Bop Kye, greatly embarrassed, bit his lip tightly as he watched the scene.

Even if there are disagreements with Bangjang, how can something like this happen? How can it be right for a Shaolin monk to disobey Bangjang’s orders and act as they please?

As the head of Shaolin’s Disciplinary Hall, it was something he could never ignore.

However….

Udeudeudeuk.

He clenched his fist tighter but ultimately didn’t go after those leaving. He just closed his eyes tightly.

What could he possibly say?

They are too pure and clean to be taught how to preserve oneself in this cold-blooded Kangho. He can’t just tell them to learn how to roll their bodies in mud (??(保身)).

He could understand both Bop Jeong and those who left. Thus, he could only remain silent.

“Bangjang.”

At that time, Jongni Hyung opened his mouth in a cold voice.

“Are you really going to just watch like this?”

“Do it!”

At that moment, a loud noise like a seizure erupted from the mouth of Bop Jeong. It was an incredibly irritable voice, one hard to believe came from him.

“If you think so, why doesn’t Kongtong act? Is Kongtong incapable of making its own decisions without using Shaolin as a shield?”

Jongni Hyung bit his lips.

With a face mixed with humiliation and anger, he glared at Bop Kye and slowly nodded.

“…I understand Bangjang’s intentions.”

Then he turned around and walked away from Bop Jeong.

Eudeuk.

Bop Jeong’s shoulders were shaking as he clenched his fists until they bled.

‘Jang Ilso, and… Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword!’

He glared at the ships floating leisurely on the river beyond Plum Blossom Island, as if he could kill them with his gaze alone.

‘I will never forget this humiliation.’

“Hmm.”

Jang Ilso, who was looking across the river from a large flower ship (??(畵舫: ??)), laughed quietly.

“Doesn’t Bangjang seem quite angry?”

Ho Gamyeong responded with a blatant sneer on his face.

“Well, you won’t be able to do anything. Once someone stops themselves, they’ll inevitably find a reason to justify it. They don’t even realize they’re fighting against themselves.”

“You’re right. However…”

Jang Ilso stroked his chin with a subtle expression.

“It’s a pity. After provoking them this much, they could’ve jumped in out of spite. The timid old raccoon is overly cautious.”

“Should we provoke them a bit more?”

“Leave them alone. There’s no need to tell the reality to a fool who doesn’t even know that his caution is actually strangling him.”

Jang Ilso scoffed as he looked over the river.

Those who overestimate their own cleverness never admit they are wrong. Rather, they just think that the whole world doesn’t recognize that they’re right. It is many times easier to deal with such people than truly stupid people.

The fact that they didn’t move from that spot will continue to be a thorn in Shaolin’s side. With that alone, it can be said that the purpose of the work on the Yangtze River was exceedingly achieved.

“Now, what remains is…”

Jang Ilso’s gaze slowly moved to Plum Blossom Island.

It was that moment.

Paaaaaaaat!

A black line rose from a ship that had escaped water fortress’ control and was advancing toward Plum Blossom Island. It flew towards Plum Blossom Island like a black meteor and landed as if struck the land of Plum Blossom Island.

At that moment, a laugh burst out of Jang Ilso’s mouth. Leaping over a distance of over twenty zhang with a single jump….

“Predictions seem meaningless with this guy.”

He gazed at the person who had reached Plum Blossom Island with a wide smile.

It was Chung Myung, holding his sword reversed and dashing straight towards the frontline of the battlefield.

“Now, it reaches its climax.”

Jang Ilso swirled his greedy eyes while slowly licking his red lips with his tongue.

His demeanor was like that of a venomous snake eyeing its appetizing prey.