Return of the Mount Hua Sect
Chap 959

Thud! Thud!

Mount Hua’s disciples, who had parked the carts in front of the manor, fell forward all at once.

“I’m alive… … .”

“I- it’s over… … .”

"At last… … . finally, fucking damn it... … .”

It was a sight worthy of applause. After going back and forth between Jiujiang and Wuhan several times a day, they finally succeeded in moving all the refugees who wished to move to Sichuan to this manor.

“… … I’m never gonna do it again, never."

"I know right."

Mount Hua's disciples all shuddered.

Of course, some may have doubts. Why would it be so difficult for warriors with such well-trained stamina to go back and forth between Wuhan and the mouth?

It wouldn't have been so hard if they had just come and gone. If only it wasn't for the devil screaming at them to speed up from behind.

“Tsk!”

The devil jumped down from the load on the cart and looked around with a very disapproving look.

“… … What's hard, tsk."

“… … .”

“I think you can still go one more time.”

“It’s over, you bastard!”

“We literally carried the whole village, you punk!”

“Even the dog was put in the kennel! What more to move here!”

“Kill me! You’d better kill me then!”

Although Mount Hua’s disciples frothed and sighed, Chung Myung still licked his lips as if he was still feeling regret.

If there was even a little bit of room, he would try to take advantage to move anything left, but unfortunately, even in the eyes of Chung Myung, there was nothing more to move.

At that time, Hyun Jong got off the cart and looked down at the disciples with a pitiful face.

“Everyone has worked hard.”

“No, Sect Leader!”

“That's what we had to do!”

Mount Hua’s disciples who were lying on the floor immediately jumped up and answered. Seeing this, Chung Myung's cheeks swelled.

“Wow, look at how you guys discriminate against people.”

“How can we not be discriminatory!”

“Of course we should discriminate!”

"Are you crazy bastard now asking us to treat you like our master!"

“That bastard who has no top or bottom!”

Hearing the dissatisfaction bursting out, Chung Myung tilted his head.

'Seems like we'll have to have a chat soon.'

Kids that were docile during the sect lockdown and were beaten all day, slowly crawled up again after drinking some water (?) outside. At times like this, you have to stick a needle into the swollen liver and blow it up.

“Hyun Young.”

“Yes, Sect leader.”

“Is it true that everything is over?”

In response to Hyun Jong's question, Hyun Young took out the ledger and turned it over to confirm.

“Yes, Sect Leader. All of them were ready to move. Even the people who said they wanted to go together have all passed over to Wuhan, and there is nothing more to do as the remaining people have been confirmed once more.”

“Ugh. I see."

Hyun Jong's expression was not very bright.

Mount Hua tried their best and did everything they could, but there were still a lot of people who wanted to stay in Yangtze. That's why he couldn't just be happy although he had done his job.

However, he could not express himself like that in front of his disciples who had suffered so far. Hyun Jong smiled warmly and nodded his head.

“Everyone has worked hard, so let’s rest for a while.”

"Yes! Sect Leader!”

“Thank you, thank you!”

The disciples' eyes became teary at that warm greeting.

However, Chung Myung kept babbling as if he didn't like the fact that Hyun Jong gave them a break.

“No, what did they do? … . They haven't been able to train for a while, but now that they've finished their errands, they have to train, don’t you think? The sword is about to rust. Originally, you have to train when you're exhausted like this so that later when it's really hard, your sword won't be disturbed... … .”

“Hahahahahahahah!”

Hyun Jong skillfully buried the babbling with a big smile.

Chung Myung knew it is not possible to keep betting on the Sect Leader. So he started glaring at the disciples who were watching.

Mount Hua’s disciples trembled at the sight of his dazzling eyes.

'Look, look.'

'Look at those eyes.'

'Such a guy is a Taoist? Aigoo, Grandpa. That bastard buys it.'

Hyun Jong dragged Chung Myung as he glanced at the disciples like a snake looking for prey.

“You go in and get some rest.”

“All right.”

Chung Myung couldn't let go of the lingering feelings and let out a pained sound. At that time, Tang Gunak, who came out of the manor, smiled as he saw the now familiar Mount Hua.

“You have suffered a lot, Alliance Leader.”

"No. It's not that hard... … .”

Hyun Jong glanced at the disciples in rags, then covered his mouth and cleared his throat. Looking at that scene, he  felt like he shouldn't say empty words like there was no such thing as hardship at all.

Tang Gunak looked at the disciples of Mount Hua and asked. To be precise, it would have to be said that he had glimpsed Chung Myung and Five Swords.

“Then do you intend to return to Shaanxi now?”

“Hmm, well.”

Hyun Jong let out a small sigh with a slightly disturbed face. Didn't they originally come here at the request of support from the Tang family? It should be seen that their work here is now over.

However, there were many obstacles to returning to Shaanxi.

“… … I am worried about those who remain in Yangtze.”

“Sect Leader.”

Tang Gunak shook his head.

“How can I not understand the heart of the Sect Leader? but… … As you already know, if we fight to save them, we will inevitably intervene in Yangtze's affairs.”

“Mmm.”

“Isn’t that different from what we thought?”

"I know. I know... … .”

Hyun Jong glanced somewhere. And at the end of that glance was the back of Chung Myung, looking south. Lately, Chung Myung has been staring blankly at the Yangtze River a lot more than before.

'There must be a lot of trouble.'

For people, there are moments when the direction of the mind and the guidance of the heart are in conflict. Perhaps Chung Myung is in a similar situation now.

At times like this, he, as the Sect Leader, should be more determined. Because there is no contradiction in Chung Myung's words that one should not intervene in Yangtze's affairs.

“… … I guess we'll have to go back.”

“Yes, my lord. The Tang family also intends to lead the people here to Sichuan.”

“That would be right.”

Hyun Jong nodded quietly.

In the end, that would be the right thing to do. They had quarreled with Shaolin once, so now they won't be able to confront them face-to-face.

“We’ll take a little rest, then go back to Shaanxi.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Tang Gunak smiled brightly. Originally, it was rather the Tang family that had lingering feelings, but in any case, it seemed that those lingering feelings had faded a lot when it came to a situation where a large number of people who had favor with the Tang family moved to Sichuan.

It's not true that he didn’t feel pity, but compared to that, Not getting involved in Yangtze’s affairs is much more important.

"Yes. then… … .”

It was just then that Hyun Jong was about to call his disciples and head inside the manor.

"Hmm?"

Tang Gunak's head turned to one side. He felt the presence of those who were rapidly approaching this direction.

'Martial artist?'

In terms of speed and momentum, they are by no means ordinary people.

Having sensed that presence, Hyun Jong and Mount Hua's disciples also stood up from their seats and looked at them.

And,

Taat!

A person appeared as he broke through the dense bush. Seeing that face, Tang Gun-ak couldn't hide his bewilderment.

“… … Aren’t you the Elder?”

The one who appeared at the forefront was Zhao Kai, an Elder of Gaibang. He didn't have much contact with him, but there was no way he, the head of the Tang family, could fail to recognize an elder of Gaibang.

“What had happened… … .”

Even the color was bizarre.

Rags are also a symbol of Gaibang. But now, Zhao Kai was not wearing a shirt. What was even more strange was that the other Gaibang’s disciples who appeared after him were also wearing only pants.

“Huff! Huff!”

Zhao Gai wiped the sweat from his face with one hand.

“… … Lord.”

He also gave attention to Hyun Jong, who stood next to Tang Gunak.

“Sect Leader.”

He opened his mouth with a rather stiff face.

“… … I brought someone who wants to see you two.”

"Yes?"

After those words, a man struggled down from the back of the sweaty opening. As if he had no strength to support his body, he held the sword he was holding as a staff.

Everyone who saw him caught their breath. It's because it's not enough to describe his look with the word ‘gruesome'.

His clothes were all soaked in dark red blood. The body visible through the torn clothes was full of terrible cuts.

His hair was disheveled and flowing, and his pale lips were dry and twisted and parted here and there.

At first, no one here recognized him. It was because it was difficult to connect that messy look with his usual appearance, which was always gorgeous and compliant.

However, someone who had been looking at the familiar shape for a while took a deep breath and murmured like a moan.

“Namgung… … .”

Those who heard it widened their eyes.

“Namgung… Do… wi."

Everyone who learned his identity belatedly sent a look of astonishment.

No one wondered why Namgung Dowi, which should be in Plum Blossom Island, was here. They just stared at Namgung Dowi's eyes through the flowing hair.

𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑝. 

At that time, Namgung Dowi  struggled to take a step.

𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑝.

One more step.

Before he could even take two steps, he stumbled as if about to collapse, so a Gaibang’s disciple unconsciously moved in an attempt to help. But he soon bit his lip and withdrew his hand. Because he knew that he should not help Namgung Dowi now.

Thud. Thud.

The sword, like a swordsman's life, repeatedly hit the dirt floor, but no one could point a finger at it.

Because everyone can know how much pain Namgung Dowi must overcome to take that one step.

 

Thud. Thud.

The walk, which seemed to be cut off, finally stopped in front of someone.

 

In the silence, the eyes of Namgung Dowi and Chung Myung met.

Namgung Dowi’s eyes, which swayed incessantly as if they were longing for something, and Chung Myung’s eyes who looked at him without the slightest wavering.

 

“… Taoist."

Thud.

Namgung Dowi knelt down as if collapsed on the spot.

At first, Mount Hua's disciples, who thought he had fainted and tried to run to help, soon stopped.

Namgung Dowi, who was kneeling and looking up at Chung Myung, slowly bowed his head to the ground.

A cracked voice leaked out of his mouth as he perched on his knees precariously with the appearance that he was about to collapse.

"Help… … .”

 

“… … .”

 

“… … Please help us.”

 

Everyone closed their eyes.

Baek Cheon, Yu Iseol, Yoon Jong, Jo Gul, and Tang Soso. Hyun Jong, the elders, and even Un-line disciples and other disciples of Mount Hua.

It was too painful for them to see that scene.

 

“Namgung… … .”

A low voice, like scraping metal, continued.

He did not release anger. Did not scream. In a way, it seems to be overly calm, but the desperation deep inside that voice was clearly conveyed to everyone.

“Please help… … Namgung.”

Namgung Dowi lowered his head and grabbed the ground as if scratching the soil.

“… … Please."

 

Chung Myung silently watched Namgung Dowi's stooped back, eventually turned his head away.

Dawn had yet to come. Only the dark night sky poured into his vision.

'Damn it... … .'

A sigh escaped from Chung Myung's mouth.