Return of the Mount Hua Sect (HTL 1634+)

❀ ❀ ❀

"…Huh?"

Jo Geol's gaze darted in one direction. Namgung's sword energy surged upward with dazzling brilliance.

His eyes quickly turned in another direction. A weighty sword from Zhongnan stood firm, blocking the enemy like an immovable mountain.

Dominance (覇) and Weight (重).

Two similar yet distinctly different sword styles were unleashed against their adversaries as if in competition.

"Oooooooh!"

As the two swords carved a path, the surrounding members of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, who had been hesitant, found renewed courage and began to stand against the enemy.

"No, no!"

Jo Geol gestured frantically, shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Look at that! Isn't that what we were supposed to do? Those guys jumped in because you were hesitating!"

"….."

"Forget waiting for orders! Since when did we ever follow orders? If we're from Mount Hua, we should charge like wild dogs chasing a bone! Sahyung, I'll overlook your mistake, but get in there now… Ack!"

"You insolent brat, insolent brat! Do you think you can use language like that in our sect? I swear I'll-!"

Yoon Jong grabbed Jo Geol by the back of his head and smacked him on the lips. Jo Geol, perhaps realizing he had gone too far, didn't resist much and simply rolled his head around before shouting again.

"But- but this isn't the time for that! We need to do something too!"

"We are doing something, so stay put."

"…. What? No, how is doing nothing considered doing something?"

"Because in this moment, it is."

Jo Geol's face twisted in disbelief, his expression asking, 'Has this man finally lost his mind?'.

As Jo Geol wore his exaggerated disbelief like a badge, Yoon Jong's temper flared, but before he could retort, Im Sobyeong interjected with a chuckle. 

"Hmm. It's true, Yoon Jong Dojang doesn't seem like someone from Mount Hua."

He lightly tapped the side of his head with his finger.

"No, no.... then again, maybe it's because none of the people who led Mount Hua in the past were exactly 'normal'."

Im Sobyeong muttered for a moment and shook his head, saying, 'I don't know about this either'. Then he made a short comment.

"Still, it's not a bad decision."

"What? What's not bad about it?"

Jo Geol, flabbergasted, jabbed a finger toward the battlefield.

"Can't you see? This is just a small part of the battlefield! We need to act decisively and turn the tide!"

Im Sobyeong looked at him with an amused glint in his eyes.

"Oh."

"What's with the 'oh'? Are you mocking me, you evil sect bastard?"

"Hold on, Hold on!"

"Calm down, Sahyung! We're in the middle of a war, for heaven's sake!"

As others rushed to calm the furious Jo Geol, Im Sobyeong chuckled.

"You're right. This is indeed the perfect moment to step in."

"Exactly! Then why are we standing here doing nothing?"

"Because that's precisely what Jo Geol Dojang suggested."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

Jo Geol blinked in confusion, and Im Sobyeong offered a knowing smile.

"Do you think you're the only one who sees what needs to be done?"

"Well…."

Jo Geol faltered, suddenly unsure. His eyes darted around to survey the battlefield.

Im Sobyeong's quiet sigh reached his ears.

"It's not just the people here who want to run wild, whether it's an order or not. Who is it all thanks to?"

❀ ❀ ❀

"That fool…"

A grinding sound escaped Jin Geumryong's clenched teeth as his piercing gaze focused on Lee Songbaek.

Despite having heard the sect leader's strict orders not to act rashly, there he was—recklessly taking the lead and clashing with the enemy.

"Sahyung!"

"Give us the order, and we'll pull him back!"

Several disciples from Zhongnan, recognizing Jin Geumryong's frustration, quickly offered their assistance.

But Jin Geumryong didn't respond. He merely continued to glare at Lee Songbaek.

No one dared speak again as Jin Geumryong's silence hung heavy in the air.

Ahead of them, Lee Songbaek was engaged in battle.

It wasn't flashy, but his sword was undeniably solid. He deflected every oncoming attack like an unbreakable wall. Even those standing behind him felt suffocated by the sheer firmness of his defense.

"….Amazing."

Someone muttered in awe. Jin Geumryong's brow furrowed as he turned toward the speaker. The disciple, realizing their mistake, quickly bowed their head in silence.

Jin Geumryong didn't say anything this time either. He just gave him a look, but even though it didn't contain any particular anger or reprimand, it was enough to make everyone uncomfortable.

After a moment, his focus shifted back to Lee Songbaek. 

The Heavenly Thirty-Six Sword Techniques. Zhongnan's sword.

'When did he become like this…?'

Jin Geumryong couldn't deny it. It was difficult to find fault in Lee Songbaek's movements. It was enough to make one wonder what it would be like if he were the one to break through that iron wall.

But it was precisely because of that skill that Jin Geumryong found it unacceptable.

What's the point of becoming so skilled if all you do is repeat the past?

No matter how perfect his mastery of the Heavenly Thirty-Six Sword Techniques was, it was nothing more than following in the footsteps of those who came before. Its limitations are clear.

That won't do.

A sect must always advance, and its swordsmanship must also continue to develop. Even if it begins as an imitation of Mount Hua's techniques, it must grow into something uniquely Zhongnan's.

"Jong Seohan."

"Yes, sahyung!"

"Follow me."

"Understood… Wait, what?"

Jong Seohan, who had been reflexively lowering his head, flinched and raised his head. His eyes were filled with doubt.

"Zhongnan's sword..... I'll show them the sword that Zhongnan has chosen now."

"Wa- wait a moment, sahyung! What about the sect leader's orders…?" 

"How can we stand idle while Mount Hua's disciple steals the spotlight? I'll take responsibility! Don't talk nonsense, and follow me!"

Before Jong Seohan could say another word, Jin Geumryong launched himself forward with incredible speed.

"Ah…."

For a moment, Jong Seohan was left speechless, staring blankly at Jin Geumryong's back.

Whoosh!

Jin Geumryong descended like a falcon, his surroundings bursting with radiant white sword energy.

"That stubborn pride of his…"

It's exceedingly deadly. Merely the resolve not to lose wouldn't be enough to draw out such a frosty sword energy. It was driven by more than just pride. There is likely sorrow inside Jin Geumryong and anger toward those who made him that way, all imbued in that sword. Of course, he would never speak of these emotions out loud, even if it killed him.

Jong Seohan shouted. 

"What are you doing! Didn't you hear what sahyung said? Follow me!"

"Yes!"

Zhongnan's disciples hurriedly followed Jin Geumryong, surging toward the front lines.

In the midst of the battlefield, Lee Songbaek held firm, while Jin Geumryong charged ahead. The two created a striking contrast, their swords symbolizing two different philosophies.

Which one represented Zhongnan's true path?

Well. That wasn't for Jong Seohan to decide. The answer would eventually come from those two. Then...

Jong Seohan gritted his teeth and kicked the ground. A louder shout than he had expected burst out of his mouth.

"Zhongnan is here too!"

First, they have to win here now. Even if it means risking everything.

❀ ❀ ❀

Thud!

"Haah!"

Mu Jin's sword trembled faintly.

'Did it move?'

He couldn't be certain. Thus, he couldn't understand why he was standing there in the first place.

Boom!

To make matters worse, his injuries hadn't fully healed yet. Even standing at the front line was taxing and overwhelming for him.

In such a condition, rallying others was out of the question.

Crash!

An enemy blade grazed his face, sending a burning pain through him.

'This is dangerous.'

He knew it too. Even if his actions might be right, they were far from wise. Wudang had lost both the sect leader and Heo Gong. If Mu Jin were to lose his life here, Wudang might truly have to close its doors forever.

So logically, he should be in the rear. It was better for him to stay somewhere safe, far from harm.

'But if that's the case, then why am I here...?'

Clang!

His sword clashed violently with the enemy's blade.

'Why am I standing here?'

Mu Jin had no answer to his own question. The scar where his eye used to be throbbed, and the remnants of past battles cried out in pain with every movement of his energy.

Was it pride? Or was it an inferiority complex?

A cry of defiance against decline? Or the desperate wail from someone who had sensed their downfall?

'What meaning is there in pondering such things!'

Bang!

His sword, no longer reflecting the elegance typical of Wudang, struck the enemy's blade with a ferocious energy.

A harsh breath escaped his lips.

Perhaps because he hadn't yet adapted to fighting with only one eye, he kept misjudging the trajectory of incoming attacks. In a battlefield where a split-second mistake could cost one's life, this was a fatal flaw.

But he had no intention of lamenting or complaining.

Some truths are only understood after loss.

'I am Wudang.'

He had often thought about it. The world might never appreciate the sacrifices made to preserve the name of Wudang. For all the prestige it gave, the name also demanded many sacrifices.

But losing so much made him realize how petty those thoughts had been.

There were those who stood here to fight without having mastered even a single proper martial technique. Compared to them, his injuries were nothing.

"Haap!"

His sword deflected the enemy's blade with precision.

The true nature of Wudang's sword doesn't meet force with force. When wielded with flawless precision, it has the power to subdue even the mightiest of adversaries.

However...

Screech!

The delicate softness foundation needed for such precision was no longer within Mu Jin's grasp.

The enemy's blade, deflected but not completely redirected, sliced through the air toward his neck. Just as his eyes widened in realization—

Clang!

A sword from behind struck the enemy's blade away.

"I will fight alongside you."

Looking at the person who had stepped in beside him, Mu Jin let out a faint laugh.

"A rogue Taoist even here, huh?"

"We couldn't be more rogue than a certain sect, could we?"

Jin Hyeon smirked as he responded with a light-hearted joke.

"But, sasuk..."

"Hmm?"

"If we don't step forward now, I feel like we will never be able to find what we have lost."

"....."

"We're no longer here to protect—we're here to reclaim."

Jin Hyeon's gaze wandered to the distance. Even without turning his head, Mu Jin could guess who it was fixed on.

The memory of his past appearance flickered in Mu Jin's mind.

At first, he'd dismissed him as an inexperienced fool. Back then, that person had stood before him as a representative of Mount Hua, which couldn't even be considered third-rate. Mu Jin had felt anger, derision, and even jealousy.

But now, Mu Jin understood.

'I should be like him.'

That reckless appearance had become an example to follow. Without embodying that resolve, Wudang could never hope to reclaim its former glory.

"Huft."

Mu Jin exhaled deeply before he spoke.

"If I were to..."

"Don't worry. I'm right behind you."

"....."

"And... even if I fail there will be someone else after me, won't there? After all, we're Wudang."

Mu Jin nodded, determination lighting up his face.

"Yes. We are Wudang."

Even if they lost everything and disappeared, they would never cower to protect a handful of remains. That was the lesson taught by those before them—the sect leader and Heo Gong included.

"Stay sharp!"

"Yes, sasuk!"

The two warriors moved in unison, their swords painting streaks of black and white across the battlefield.

❀ ❀ ❀

Zhuge Zain was visibly shaken.

He had issued a strict order not to move recklessly.

But now, that very order seemed to be shackling him, tightening around his neck.

And yet...

"Why... why are they...?"

Young warriors of the Nine Great Sects were boldly stepping forward to engage the enemy.

This was outright defiance of his command.

But it was equally undeniable that their actions had bolstered the faltering lines of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, giving their comrades renewed courage to fight back against the enemy.

Faced with this situation, Zhuge Zain found himself conflicted.

Should he be angry? Or should he rejoice?

His trembling eyes darted around the battlefield. Energized by the younger warriors, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance was rallying together, holding the line and pushing back. More and more fighters joined the fray, throwing themselves into the thick of the battle.

"I...."

And the gaps left behind by those advancing forward? They were seamlessly filled by others who had been waiting at the rear.

It was as if everyone had somehow heard his unspoken thoughts, No, as if they were acting several steps ahead of him.

"... Nokrim King."

Zhuge Zain murmured the name, his voice tinged with frustration and awe. Even from this distance, the man's absence loomed large in his mind.

The army was moving, almost as if it were a single living organism.

How could the instructions he gave yield results so vastly different from those given by the Nokrim King?

"In the end.... it's because of the people."

"Huh?"

Zhuge Zain turned his head at the unexpected voice. It was Tang Gunak, wearing an uncharacteristically relaxed smile, seemingly unaffected by the chaos around him.

"I've been playing a game far beyond my reach."

"Gaju-nim?" [family leader?]

Ching.

Tang Gunak unsheathed his dagger.

"If something is out of reach, stop pretending to grasp it. I must have lost my senses."

"Gaju-nim? What are you—"

"I leave the rear to you, strategist."

"Wait, what? Gaju-nim! Hold on!"

Ignoring Zhuge Zain's desperate plea, Tang Gunak leaped forward with remarkable agility. The members of the Tang Family followed behind him, laughing with vigor.

"No...."

Zhuge Zain was left standing alone, staring blankly at their retreating backs.

"Have they all... lost their minds?"

In that moment, the tide of the battlefield slipped entirely from his grasp.