Return of the Mount Hua Sect

The messenger’s eyebrows knitted in a frown.

‘He must have succumbed to weakness.’

As the Ice Palace crumbled before his eyes, it seemed less impressive and more trivial.

He had never considered the Ice Palace to be a worthy opponent in the first place. However, the sight before him was even more pitiful than he had imagined.

‘Is this what happens to those who bask in the comfort of peace without pushing themselves to train?’

Of course, it was true that the true enemy to them was not the North Sea but the Central Plains. It would be a great misunderstanding to think that the Nine Great Sects One Union and the Five Palaces Beyond the Great Walls were in the same category because they were entirely insignificant.

They lacked power.

“The Second Coming of the Heavenly Demon.”

The messenger clenched his hand slightly.

The Second Coming of the Heavenly Demon.

How many hopes were contained within this one chant?

If the Heavenly Demon were to descend upon the land, he would annihilate all the wrongdoers in the Central Plains and pave the way to the Demonic Sect.

In order to accomplish this, the ice crystals must be obtained.

On that fateful day.

When the day of the Heavenly Demon’s resurrection arrived, the disbelievers and those who mocked them and lost faith shall be forever consumed by the cleansing flames.

Crack!

The messenger tightly clenched his hand and raised his voice.

“Those who are slowing down, hurry up! The High Priest is waiting for us to return!”

“Yes!”

At that moment…

Flinch.

Sensing this subtle change, the messenger looked up.

‘… what?’

Certainly, just now…

He noticed some of their comrades climbing up the wall. Additionally, close to ten people had already entered through the hole in the wall.

But there was a problem…

The messenger’s eyes widened as he gazed at them. Through the gaping hole, he could clearly see a cloud-like form blossoming.

‘…a flower?’

Kwaaaak!

Soon after, the Demonic Sect members, who had forced their way inside with a massive explosion, were repelled. The messenger’s eyes were filled with doubt.

Not everyone who entered was injured. While some fell unconscious, most threw their bodies backward to avoid a direct blow from the enemy.

But this fact only heightened the man’s shock.

‘Retreating?’

Their sect was known for never backing down.

To retreat in the face of these unbelievers it was a disgrace worse than death for the devotees of Heavenly Demon.

But not just one or two, but 4 to 5 steps simultaneously?

‘What the hell is going on in…’

Luckily, the question was swiftly answered. Warriors emerged from the spot where his men had retreated.

And his eyes brightened.

“That…”

The tip of the sword, wielded by the one who leaped forward, glowed in the moonlight. It held an intense gaze as if they were etched into his eyes.

For some unknown reason, he found himself unable to look away, almost as if his soul had been captured by those eyes.

“…”

With a swing of the sword, a downward slash began. Instantly, sword qi burst forth from the tip, forming blood-red flowers.

“Plum blossoms…?”

The man was taken aback.

This blue light surrounded the fluttering petals as they descended and continued to fall. The demons who climbed the wall were startled, but the plum blossoms did not release them, piercing their bodies instead.

Puaaaah!

The members of the Demonic Sect had their arteries in their necks severed, causing them to clutch their throats with both hands as blood continued to spill. However, there was nothing they could do as their bodies fell.

Thud!

Thuuud!

Those who climbed the wall fell to the ground one after another. Chung Myung, waving his sword, landed right next to them.

Tak.

Round.

As soon as he got down on the ground, Chung Myung, holding his sword in reverse, slightly lowered his body. The gazes of the demons shuddered at the sight as they felt their bodies go cold.

“This bast…”

Kwaaaang!

“Amitabha.”

“…”

However, before Chung Myung could say anything, Hae Yeon suddenly threw a punch and slowly landed on the ground next to him.

Hae Yeon’s expression upon seeing his successful punch was elated. He then snuck a glance at Chung Myung and shyly scratched his head.

“What’s wrong?”

“… No, it’s all good.”

Ahem, well done.

The problem was that it went too well.

Behind them, the disciples of Mount Hua landed immediately. Once they ensured that everyone had descended, Chung Myung moved forward without uttering another word. There was no need for further explanations.

“Get out of the way, children! Do not meddle!”

Upon hearing Chung Myung’s cry, the Ice Palace warriors, their faces pale, obediently stepped aside. Though they were unclear about the circumstances, the intense aura of bloodshed emanating from him was a clear indicator that they should get out of his way.

They could clearly see the figures of the Demonic Sect people dressed in black robes. There was no longer any evil aura emanating from their blood-soaked bodies. Instead, it was Chung Myung who burst into laughter and joy.

Kwaang!

Chung Myung, who unleashed a swift attack, moved with such force that the ground beneath him broke. He swiftly closed the distance and attempted to draw out his sword.

But before his sword could even extend, it was swiftly pushed aside. A sword right next to his face blocked the demon’s path.

Kakang!

The sword blocked the attack, but the demon, unable to withstand the force, was forced to retreat.

“Euk!”

Baek Cheon swiftly moved in front of Chung Myung, relentlessly assaulting the demon.

“You little bastard!”

Chung Myung’s eyebrows twitched slightly as the demon gritted his teeth and cursed.

Little?

‘Well, that’s true…’

Paaat!

Chung Myung’s sword sliced through him, causing the demon, with long scars stretching from his chest to his belly, to grimace in pain and take a step back.

“I am not a child to be ignored!”

“Taaat!”

Baek Cheon soared into the air, scattering the plum blossom sword qi in the path Chung Myung had to traverse, causing the opponent’s hands and feet to feel dizzy.

“Right!”

Unconsciously, Chung Myung chuckled and charged forward.

“These people!”

A demon with bloodshot eyes swung his hand roughly. The darkness rushing from his hand transformed into a claw-like shape as if it wanted to decapitate Chung Myung.

However, Chung Myung paid no attention to them and promptly plunged his sword into the chest of the Demonic Sect member in front of him.

And.

Kakakang!

A sword, swinging from behind him like a beam of light, effortlessly repelled the force that flew toward Chung Myung.

Swish!

With minimal movement, Yu Yiseol redirected the force in a different direction.

“Kuak!”

The demon swiftly swayed his body to the left and right, avoiding the approaching sword.

However, it proved to be an ill-fated choice.

Swish! Swish!

Tang Soso swiftly moved from behind Yu Yiseol and persistently pursued the other demons around.

“This…”

“You leeches!”

At that moment, a fierce rebuttal rose from behind Chung Myung.

“You fucking leeches!”

“Die!”

Yoon Jong and Jo Gul rushed over Chung Myung’s head in an instant, scattering plum blossoms and attacking the demons who destroyed the Ice Palace’s formation.

There was no hesitation, not even the slightest bit. The eyes held nothing but unwavering determination.

The sword technique of the two swiftly descended upon the demons.

And.

“Nice…”

Chung Myung grinned as he leaped forward with lightning speed.

“So thrilled! You guys!”

Paaat!

As the air was sliced apart, Chung Myung’s sword cleaved through the terrified demon’s body.

Chaaang!

Blood gushed from the cut, drenching Chung Myung’s body like a fountain, yet he remained unfazed.

“Ackkkk!”

With his chest nearly split in two, the demon screamed and charged at Chung Myung. The sight of him running, undeterred by such a severe wound, was truly horrifying.

No one could help but be shocked by the scene unfolding before them.

But…

Crack!

Without hesitation, Chung Myung pierced the demon’s neck with his sword.

“Kuak…”

Slash! Slash!

And that wasn’t all. The demon’s wrist, stained by the Black Slaying Palm, was cut down, as was the knee. Finally, the sword struck the head of the demon, who lost their balance.

Pang!

The severed head spun and soared into the air. The tip of the sword didn’t shake even an inch. A killing sword without the slightest hesitation.

Chung Myung’s ability seemed twice as strong.

When faced with an opponent capable of using the technique to deadly effect, Chung Myung unleashed his wild instincts, moving like a fish in water.

“You bastaarrdd!”

Unlike when facing the warriors of the Ice Palace, the demons were overpowered, lost their composure, and let out a roar. However, Chung Myung continued attacking, bringing them down like a bloodthirsty wolf.

Crack!

Chung Myung’s sword clashed with a sharp blade, causing the blade to fall to the ground along with a severed finger.

Slash!

Even after severing a finger, the blade continued its trajectory and sliced through the opponent’s shoulder.

Puak!

Then, Chung Myung’s sword that had slammed into the opponent’s stomach, immobilizing him, forced him to retreat, leaving deep gashes on both thighs.

With both legs and stomach lacerated, further escape became impossible.

“H-Heavenly….”

The demon strained to speak as Chung Myung plunged his weapon into him.

Thud!

The body, as though detonating, dispelled a shower of blood.

“Say it again! I dare you if your mouth can still move!”

Chung Myung spewed flames from both eyes and charged forward with formidable force. Baek Cheon swiftly reacted, not missing a beat.

“Get them!”

“Yes!”

In Baek Cheon’s eyes, the shocked figures of the Ice Palace warriors came into view as they watched the scene unfold.

‘Right, you should be surprised. I am in shock, too.’

There was no distinction between the demons they battled a moment ago and the ones that Mount Hua’s disciples were currently facing.

However, the disciples of Mount Hua did not experience any difficulty during their fights.

The sinister aura exuded by these demons, which had instilled fear in their hearts and bodies, had vanished.

All that remained within them was unwavering assurance.

Their inner strength surged by simply positioning themselves at the forefront, and their confidence skyrocketed.

The lone formidable warrior who possesses the ability to alter the course of the battle.

At that moment, Baek Cheon understood the significance of those words. Those who hadn’t lived through this would never comprehend it.

Kakaka!

Chung Myung’s swift and vicious attack, slashing and stabbing his opponent’s throat, was not a simple feat. It was also incredibly reckless. The thought of what kind of expression he had on his face was truly terrifying.

Baek Cheon called out to his sajaes, who were trailing behind.

“Don’t let anyone escape! We represent Mount Hua!”

“Yes, Sasuk!”

“Absolutely!”

The disciples of Mount Hua rushed forward, and Hae Yeon’s supporting voice resonated from behind.

Chak!

The opponent’s throat was cut, and hot blood splattered on Chung Myung’s face. As he licked his lips, he smiled with killing intent emanating from his shining eyes.

‘Such a strange feeling.’

While performing this terrible act once more, there was a subtle sense of familiarity. The smell of blood and death filled the air as he stood soaked in hot blood with corpses surrounding him.

It was a sight he had once been sick of.

At that point, he had been immersed in the chaotic battlefield. Slaying relentlessly and pressing forward without respite.

However, if there was anything else…

Thud!

Shaking off his internal contemplation, he swiftly struck a demon with a knee.

Using his brutally powerful sword, he caused the opponent’s knees to buckle and their stature to stoop. It would be wise to swiftly sever their throat.

There was no time for hesitation. After cleaving through the opponent with his sword, he reduced the man to a decapitated cadaver and delivered a forceful kick.

Right. In the past as well…

It wasn’t much different from back then.

But, merely…

Chung Myung slightly bent his knees. His eyes, filled with killing intent, gleamed in a terrifying manner.

He unleashed another attack infused with qi and hurled it. His swift and nimble sword followed, piercing the opponent’s upper arm and shoulder, rendering the upper body completely defenseless.

Having neutralized his foe, Chung Myung flicked his sword as he was about to pass by.

‘A mistake…!’

His old thoughts arose, along with his habit, although it no longer remained as it once was.

Caught off guard, Chung Myung clenched his teeth and contorted his body, attempting to strike again.

However,

Paat!

As if an apparition, a pure white sword swiftly emerged from behind and impaled the demon’s heart.

Crack!

“…”

Wide-eyed, Chung Myung stared at it.

For an instant, this icy steel sword that pierced his adversary evoked a nostalgic illusion.

-Sahyung!

This nostalgic voice passing through his head made him instinctively turn around.

Baek Cheon was the one who drove the sword into his opponent, and now he was looking at him.

It was a problem, just like back then.

“…”

An unfamiliar face.

It was not a face he missed.

But…

Chung Myung tightened the hand holding the sword and bit his lip, then he looked ahead.

“Don’t worry, you fools!”

Even without the faces of his past, there were others who were supporting him.

Chung Myung lightly closed his eyes and clenched his sword as he looked at the person in front of him, showing his white teeth.

“That bastard is the leader! Catch up with him, even if it means risking your life!”

“I understand!”

Finally, Chung Myung caught up with the leader, who was moving swiftly.

Sometimes, flowers withered.

However, if you endured the harsh winter, the plum tree would bloom again.

The plum blossoms of Mount Hua were in full bloom in the North Sea.