Chapter 810: Great to See You Again, You Bastard! (Part 5)

 

Amid the barren, rock-strewn cliff, vibrant red plum blossoms bloomed like an illusion.

In awe of the breathtaking sight, the warriors of Ten Thousand Houses unleashed bloodcurdling screams as they slashed their swords wildly. But it was as futile as trying to stop a tidal wave with a blade.

Swish swish swish!

In mere moments, the petals of Chung Myung's plum blossom sword sliced through their bodies dozens, even hundreds of times. Before they could even register half of these cuts, their lifeless bodies hit the ground long after the petals had brushed past them.

Boom!

With a powerful step that cracked the ground, Chung Myung charged at the momentarily stunned warriors of Ten Thousand Houses.

Powerful footwork and astonishing speed.

Yet his gaze remained as cold as the eternal ice of the Northern Sea.

"Urgh!"

Seeing Chung Myung surge through the swirling plum blossom sword aura, the Ten Thousand Houses warriors hesitated, stiffening for just a split second.

And in that brief moment, their fate was sealed.

Chung Myung was not one to miss such an opportunity.

Swoosh!

His sword tore through the air, instantly severing a warrior's head from his neck.

The decapitated head spun into the air, and without a moment’s pause, Chung Myung kicked the headless body aside.

"You little—!"

The warriors of Ten Thousand Houses ground their teeth in anger.

For any righteous sect warrior, mutilating a fallen comrade's body would be unthinkable. If they couldn’t catch the body, they would at least turn away with tears in their eyes.

But this was Ten Thousand Houses. Chung Myung was counting on it.

"Don't underestimate me, you brat!"

One of the warriors slashed at the incoming body of his comrade, slicing it in half as blood sprayed everywhere.

‘That... won’t work….’

Stab!

At that moment, Chung Myung's plum blossom sword pierced his neck.

"Ghhk…."

The warrior looked at Chung Myung with disbelief, his bloodshot eyes wide.

As he had raised his sword to slice downwards, Chung Myung, hidden behind the falling corpse, had lunged forward as soon as the gap opened.

"…."

Blood splattered onto Chung Myung’s face, and the warrior’s vision blurred. The last thing he saw was Chung Myung’s cold, emotionless eyes, empty of hesitation or mercy. In his final moments, he understood why he had to die.

Swish!

Chung Myung yanked his sword free from the man's neck and bared his white teeth.

"You scum!"

Incensed by the sight, the warriors of Ten Thousand Houses screamed as they charged at Chung Myung, their swords slashing wildly.

But.

Clang!

Before any of their blades could reach Chung Myung, Baek Cheon's sword intercepted them, parrying them all at once.

"You…!"

Thud!

With a single, elegant stroke, Baek Cheon unleashed the plum blossom aura, scattering it in a flurry.

Despite his swift, dazzling swordsmanship, his face remained calm and collected, showing not the slightest hint of excitement. The title of “Sword Master” fit him perfectly.

"Yiseol! Jo Gul!"

"Yes!"

"Cover Chung Myung’s left!"

"Yes!"

"Yoon Jong, back him up from behind!"

"Understood!"

Baek Cheon’s eyes tracked Chung Myung as he plunged forward, scattering enemies with his plum blossom sword.

Boom!

With a powerful step, Chung Myung advanced once more, and a hint of a smile played on Baek Cheon’s lips.

This was no "I'll handle this alone."

It was, "I'll go ahead; catch up quickly."

Chung Myung moved forward, knowing full well that his back was exposed to the enemy’s swords. But he didn’t even glance back, trusting that Baek Cheon would block the attacks from behind.

"Reckless as always…."

Baek Cheon grinned, confidence gleaming in his eyes.

His sword shone white as it caught the sunlight.

"Show no mercy! They’re the Sapae! Hesitate, and we’ll be the ones who die!"

"Yes, sir!"

With Baek Cheon’s words, the Mount Hua disciples shouted as they charged forward without hesitation.

Clang!

The first attack deflected a spear lunging at them.

Slice!

The next stroke sliced cleanly through an enemy’s throat.

"Grrrk."

With a strange gurgling sound, the man from Ten Thousand Houses collapsed like a sack of rotting straw, but before his body even hit the ground, Chung Myung was already on his way to the next target.

"Y-you… you brat!"

Ten Thousand Houses.

Could any other sect boast as many battle-hardened fighters?

While other sects grew complacent in peace, Ten Thousand Houses had expanded their territory in the war-torn Guangxi by spilling blood in countless battles.

Perhaps they weren’t the strongest fighters in the world, but no one could deny they were the most battle-tested.

The War Demons of Guangxi—another name for the warriors of Ten Thousand Houses.

But today, these fighters came face-to-face with true demons of war.

Watching the relentless, unflinching fury of Chung Myung as he advanced, the warriors of Ten Thousand Houses involuntarily faltered.

Fear isn’t something that needs to be understood to be felt.

Before the mind can even comprehend it, the body reacts instinctively. And their slowed reactions made Chung Myung’s sword even faster.

Swoosh!

With a single swing, Chung Myung beheaded yet another warrior, a chilling smile forming on his lips.

"D-damn!"

"Surround him!"

Warriors wielding spears charged at Chung Myung all at once.

With no regard for his safety, he plunged forward, allowing himself to become surrounded by Ten Thousand Houses warriors. In battle, when the vanguard is cut off from the main force and surrounded, it often spells death.

These warriors, veterans of countless battles, didn’t miss this chance.

"Hyaaaa!"

Countless weapons closed in on him, swords, sabers, even spears, each aimed to pierce him.

But at that moment…

"Huh?"

Chung Myung’s body seemed to sink, disappearing as if melting into the ground.

Clang clang clang!

The attackers couldn’t stop their momentum. Their weapons clashed, rebounding with force as they collided.

"Argh!"

Their hands shook from the impact, as the recoil surged through their weapons, disrupting their inner energy.

At that moment…

Whoosh!

A sharp pain shot through their thighs, like the lash of a whip. Agony spread through them.

"Aaaaaargh!"

"My leg! My leeeeeg!"

Chung Myung, having dodged their attacks by dropping to the ground, spun around, slicing through their legs with a sweeping, circular motion. His enemies couldn’t track his movements amid the chaos of flashing weapons, and he severed their legs cleanly.

Those who lost their legs writhed on the ground, screaming, while Chung Myung slithered forward like a snake.

Slash! Slash!

Chung Myung’s sword continued cutting down every warrior in his path. Leaving the wounded behind, he dashed toward his next target.

"K-kill him…!"

Chung Myung’s every movement was both practical and brutal, without the slightest hesitation as he took lives. Even after rendering his opponents incapacitated, he mercilessly ended them, severing necks with ruthless efficiency. The bloodthirsty precision with which he fought unnerved even the hardened warriors of Ten Thousand Houses.

"Kill that bastard!"

At someone’s shout, the warriors of Ten Thousand Houses regained their resolve. But Chung Myung wasn’t about to give them a chance.

Boom!

Chung Myung launched himself forward like a hawk.

Swoosh!

The Plum Blossom Sword requires the right distance to be effective.

There are two ways to achieve this distance: one is to retreat, the other is to force the enemy back.

As those warriors hesitated before his ferocity, crimson blossoms bloomed in front of their widened eyes.

"Aaaaagh!"

"Urrrgh!"

The petals of his plum blossom sword rained down on the warriors of Ten Thousand Houses.

For those closest to him, even screaming was a luxury. Before they could even open their mouths, they became blood-soaked corpses.

In that final moment, they understood one thing:

Engaging a Mount Hua swordsman from a distance could mean only one thing—death.

Thud!

As the fallen bodies hit the ground, Chung Myung landed on his feet.

Chung Myung’s cold gaze swept across the remaining warriors of Ten Thousand Houses.

Then, in a moment that would burn into their memories, his eyes met Jang Il-so’s from across the cliff, as blood and death surrounded him.

The Magnate of Ten Thousand Coins shook his head in disbelief.

"…That’s no human."

"Why is someone like him on their side?"

"Monstrous."

Even the Black Dragon King and Heavenly Water Sect Leader couldn’t take their eyes off Chung Myung.

Strength?

That hardly mattered. Strong men were common enough.

But the intensity of Chung Myung’s bloodlust was like nothing they’d seen, even in their many battles.

"…He must be killed."

At that, Jang Il-so licked his lips slowly, his tongue snaking over his crimson lips like a serpent.

"What are you waiting for?"

"Huh?"

"Set it ablaze."

Though the others were captivated by Chung Myung, Jang Il-so alone remained unfazed.

"Don’t let that clown’s show distract you. It doesn’t matter if he makes it here or not. Ignite the fuse and bury everyone below."

"Understood!"

Warriors carrying torches immediately lit the fuse lines, which had been pre-set along the cliff.

Fwoosh!

The oil-soaked fuses flared up instantly, sending dozens of fiery trails snaking down the cliff like red serpents.

At that moment…

Swish!

Chung Myung pushed off the ground and soared into the air.

The warriors of Ten Thousand Houses flinched in shock, but Chung Myung’s target wasn’t them.

"What…?"

The warriors gaped, stunned.

Chung Myung had suddenly hurled himself off the cliff.

"What is he…?"

The warriors at the edge of the cliff hurriedly looked over.

And then they saw it.

Tap tap tap tap!

On the sheer, rocky cliffside, where not a single foothold could be seen, Chung Myung sprinted downward along the vertical surface, heading straight for the burning fuses.

Eyes wide with shock, they stared in disbelief.

"He… he’s…."

Tap tap tap tap tap!

Like he was running on flat ground, Chung Myung charged directly at the line of flames, his pace unwavering.

In one hand, he held the Dark Fragrance Plum Blossom Sword, and on his face was a wry smile.

It was a sight that would be forever burned into the minds of every warrior present.

"Stop him! What are you waiting for? Why are you just watching, you fools?"

For the first time, Jang Il-so raised his voice in a shout. Startled, the warriors of Ten Thousand Houses clenched their teeth and flung themselves down the cliffside.

And Jang Il-so’s yell wasn’t only a wake-up call for his men.

"Move! Now! We need to extinguish those flames immediately!"

"Yes, sir!"

Momentarily distracted by the fierce clash atop the cliff, the Shaolin and Wudang warriors quickly refocused, racing toward the cliff and beginning their climb.

"Damn it! Don’t lag behind! Our only way out is up!"

Following closely behind, the warriors of the Namgung and Cheongseong families threw themselves into the climb with all their might.

It was chaos.

Killers and survivors.

At the mouth of the mighty Yangtze River, for the first time in a hundred years, the righteous and unorthodox forces clashed in a life-or-death battle.