Return of Mount Hua Sect

Novel Return of Mount Hua Sect Chapter 1009

Kaang!

The moment the swords collided, Jo-Gol was pushed back.

“Keuk!”

He quickly adjusted his stance by moving his feet and lowered his body further, glaring at Baek Cheon.

“……”

If he didn’t bite his lips, he felt like a groan would leak out. The wrist holding his sword was trembling continuously.

Baek Cheon, on the other hand, was not shaken in the slightest. He just stares at Jo-Gol with an indifferent face.

Feeling the immense pressure like a mountain, Jo-Gol unconsciously took a short breath.

‘Sasuk.’

Regardless of their rank, Mount Hua’s disciples live together like brothers. This is something that cannot even be imagined in other sects.

And the person who creates that atmosphere is none other than Baek Cheon.

No matter how much Chung Myung didn’t care about rank, if Baek Cheon had asserted his authority, no one except Chung Myung would have dared to object.

But Baek Cheon didn’t do that. He laid down his authority as Daesahyung (eldest disciple of its rank) and acted in a low position like them. He felt like a neighborhood brother who was good for teasing.

However, even for such Baek Cheon….

‘At times like this, it feels like he’s a completely different person.’

Only those who have faced Baek Cheon with a sword can know. What a great person he is.

“It’s light.”

“…Yes?”

Baek Cheon looks at Jo-Gol with sunken eyes.

“Your sword is fast. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it’s the fastest in Mount Hua.”

“….”

“But it’s just as light. Focusing on speed isn’t bad, but losing weight in your attacks because of it is definitely a problem.”

Jo-Gol slowly nodded.

Having your shortcomings pointed out is not very enjoyable. Especially if it is a disadvantage that you are clearly aware of.

But Jo-Gol didn’t mind. Because he knows that Baek Cheon’s words are entirely for his benefit.

He smirked slightly before speaking.

“Thank you for your advice, but…”

He then slightly shook the sword he was holding forward.

“Shouldn’t you be able to catch up with the speed of my sword before you say that?”

“Ah, is that so?”

Paaat!

In an instant, Baek Cheon rushed in and struck down his sword. Jo-Gol, in alarm, raised his sword to block the attack. The moment the swords collided, Jo-Gol’s body bent backward with a thud noise.

“Kkeuk….”

“Anyone can speak with their mouth. What matters is making it a reality.”

Blood began to rush to Jo-Gol’s face.

He was struggling to breathe while pushing away Baekcheon’s sword, but Baek Cheon continued speaking calmly. This alone highlighted the stark difference between them.

But!

Geugeugeuk!

Jo-Gol did not give up. He twisted his sword to deflect Baek Cheon’s attack momentarily and instantly produced a dozen sword energy (검영(劍影) /Sword Shadow).

Kakang!

Before the sword could even fully extend, Baek Cheon’s Plum Blossom Sword struck the lower part of Jo-Gol’s sword.

Jo-Gol was thrown backward by the wind and fell to the floor.

“Keuk!”

Jo-Gol quickly stood up and gritted his teeth.

Baek Cheon lightly swung his sword once and slowly resumed his stance as if it were no big deal.

“When it’s time to attack fiercely, your swift sword becomes a weapon. But what will you do when you meet someone stronger than you?”

“……”

“If you don’t want to give up your swift sword, you should at least learn to withstand.”

“Damn it, I know that much!”

“Then don’t just tell me, show me!”

Kwang!

As if Baek Cheon’s words were a signal, the Jo-Gols kicked off the ground and charged. Jo-Gol’s sword, overflowing with red energy, shot towards Baek Cheon’s face, intending to pierce through in an instant.

Baek Cheon’s sword moved to counter his attack.

But at that moment, Jo-Gol’s sword turned and aimed at Baek Cheon’s thigh. It was a fierce attack.

Paaat!

Baek Cheon stepped back to dodge. Then, as if he had been waiting for just this moment, Jo-Gol began to attack Baek Cheon with a storm-like series of attacks.

“……”

Namgung Dan, who was watching the scene from afar, glanced down at his hands. Before he knew it, cold sweat had soaked his palm.

‘That… Is this really a sparring match between Sahyung?’

Jo-Gol, who was pushing Baek Cheon, was radiating a terrifying level of killing intent. Correspondingly, every swing of his sword was lethal.

A sword clearly targeting the opponent’s vital points.

Even the sword that just missed Baek Cheon’s face was shockingly dangerous to observe.

‘What if such moves were used during sparring at Namgung?’

Perhaps the entire great family would have been turned upside down.

As far as he knows, Mount Hua Righteous Sword is a great disciple of Mount Hua. That means that he is a person who will one day become the master of volcanology.

If Namgung Dan had used lethal moves on Namgung Dowi during their sparring, he would have been restrained and thrown into prison without question. Using lethal techniques in a sparring match between Sahyung is that grave of a matter.

But no one here points out that fact.

Even the two continue to spar calmly, as if it were a very natural thing.

Paaaaat!

Red blood spurted out from Jo-Gol’s body.

“Ah…!”

At that moment, Namgung Dan’s eyes shook greatly. Finally, the intense spar had led to an undesirable outcome.

But what truly shocked him happened afterward.

Jo-Gol, who had been cut in the chest, was bleeding, but instead of retreating, he lunged at Baek Cheon again. As if to say that getting hurt during sparring is a common occurrence!

Jo-Gol, who rushed forward with great momentum, was kicked in the chest by Baek Cheon and sent crashing to the ground. He kicked so hard that Namgung Dan, who was watching, flinched.

“Keuk!”

Jo-Gol stood up again, this time with venom in his eyes. And he swung his sword towards Baek Cheon more violently than before.

‘It’s crazy.’

It’s hard to know which side to blame.

There was too much to criticize. That guy Jo-Gol who uses lethal moves toward his Sasuk is strange, and Baek Cheon who accepts it so nonchalantly is also strange.

But what was even stranger was the indifference of the others, who showed no concern as a life-threatening spar unfolded right beside them.

Kwang!

Jo-Gol flew away again like a kite with a broken string.

“Wo- Wouldn’t he die at this rate?”

The other Namgung Family disciples murmured in panic, unable to hide their astonishment.

They had experienced the ordeal at Plum Blossom Island. These are people who now fully understand with their heads and bodies what it means to fight for their lives.

But even to them, this practice seemed frighteningly dangerous.

“At the very least…”

At that time, Namgung Dowi, who had been silently watching the two people sparring, opened his mouth.

“They… Now I can see how they was able to demonstrate their skills even in such a situation.”

“….”

Everyone could only nod their heads at those words.

Anyone can talk about training like real combat. However, no sect truly practices training as real as actual combat.

Who in their right mind would allow training with lethal techniques, risking turning their disciples into cripples?

But they were doing just that.

“And that’s not all.”

“Yes?”

“Look.”

Nangung Dowi pointed to a place a little away from the two people sparring.

There were two people observing the spar while assuming the middle stance. It was a sight that was not particularly strange. The middle stance is the basic posture of all swordsmanship. The practice of eliminating distracting thoughts and concentrating with correct posture is often done at Namgung.

So there is nothing strange about that scene.

Except, if only they didn’t have metal weights the size of human heads hanging all over their bodies.

‘How many of those are there…?’

Especially the number of weights hanging from the tip of the sword was jaw-dropping. The weights were so numerous that the sword looked more like a giant hammer.

‘Are they bearing that with their bare strength? Using internal strength?’

No, it’s not.

If they were using internal strength, they wouldn’t be sweating like rain. That thing is clearly being held up with muscle strength.

‘With physical strength to bear that….’

The total weight of those metal pieces must be heavier than the rocks they had been lifting. Namgung’s disciples were almost out of breath just holding on to the weight of the rock, yet here they were, enduring even greater weight while maintaining their stance with their swords.

Is it necessary to explain which is the more difficult training?

Perhaps knowing how they felt, Yoon Jong, who was calmly holding his sword, spoke quietly to Tang Soso who was standing next to him.

“Soso.”

“Yes?”

“How long has it been since we started?”

“About half an hour, I think?”

“Hmm. Should we stop soon, then?”

“What is Sahyung talking about? We should go for at least another half hour.”

“…Don’t you think that’s a bit too excessive.”

“No way. As Sahyung knows, I particularly lack the foundation as a sword warrior. I need to practice at least twice as much as others just to catch up.”

“I know that, but why do I have to do that with you?”

“Are you dissatisfied?”

“…No. It’s not like that….”

Yoon Jong looked at Tang Soso with wide eyes and muttered softly.

“Where did Sago go? You can just ask Sago to do it with you.”

“What are you talking about, Sahyung? Of course, Sago left early in the dawn.”

“Since dawn?”

“Yes. She says she can’t focus with other people around. She probably won’t be back until midnight.”

“…There’s something I’ve been really curious about.”

“What is it?”

“Does Sago ever sleep?”

“Of course, she sleeps.”

“But how is that possible?”

“Because she’s Sago.”

“….”

Yoon Jong took a deep breath and spoke indifferently.

“Soso.”

“Yes?”

“The tip of your sword dropped by half an inch.”

“Ahh!”

Tang Soso bit her lip with an angry face and raised her sword.

Namgung Dan, watching the scene as if his soul had left him, heard Namgung Dowi’s groan-like voice.

“I thought Namgung emphasized the basics…”

“….”

When he turned around, he saw Namgung Dowi shaking his head in disbelief.

What shocked Namgung Dowi even more was that the person doing the training was none other than Tang Soso.

‘It really seems like such training is a routine part of Mount Hua.’

Even without Chung Myung, they are training themselves in the same way. As evidence, not just them, but similar scenes were unfolding all over the training ground, weren’t they?

“Well, then…”

Chung Myung, who gave him time to look around, looked at the sword warriors of Namgung Family with a meaningful look on his face.

“It’s time to physically verify the results of this training.”

Namgung Dan’s expression hardened. He understood what “physically verify” meant.

‘Is it sparring?’

The moment he instinctively gripped the sword at his waist, it happened.

“Aaaahhh!”

Jo-Gol flung backwards again and rolled on the ground. Trying several times to get up, he eventually collapsed on the spot.

“Hnggg…. That damned Sasuk….”

Namgung Dan swallowed dry saliva.

‘Mount Hua Righteous Sword!’

If the opponent was that Mount Hua Righteous Sword, there would be no lack.

There are many burdensome aspects for Sogaju to step forward in person, so the person who will deal with that Mount Hua Righteous Sword will be Namgung Dan.

‘I won’t be easily defeated.’

Although it will not be easy to gain the upper hand against Baek Cheon, the world-famous Mount Hua Righteous Sword, he has firmly established his resolve not to tarnish the name of Namgung Family.

Then, Chung Myung shouted.

“Soso!”

“Yes?”

Tang Soso, who had been engrossed in her training, turned towards Chung Myung.

“Why? Did I get the stance wrong?”

“No, it’s not that. Leave all that and come here. Oh, and bring your sword.”

“Yes.”

Tang Soso roughly removed the piece of metal wrapped around her body and ran toward Chung Myung.

“What is it, Sahyung?”

“Do you see that yangban?”

“Yes.”

“Please deal with him.”

“…Yes?”

Chung Myung shrugged his shoulders.

“These yangbans want to see for themselves how effective Mount Hua training is.”

Tang Soso heard those words and immediately smiled broadly.

“Ah, I was wondering what is it about. What should I do?”

“How should you do, you say”

Chung Myung slid his thumb across his throat.

“Screw them.”

“Yessir!”

Tang Soso smiled brightly and looked back at Namgung Dan.