Chapter 254 – Finding One's Place After Coming Full Circle (1)

Sealing the gates – closing the doors.

In other words, completely cutting off external activities.

There was only one case when a sect in the murim would choose to seal its gates.

When the sect has completely declined and no longer has the capacity to interact with the outside. Thus it meant isolating from the outside to build up internal strength.

That was Mount Hua's current situation.

All foundations of Mount Hua were destroyed by the Demon Cult's surprise attack.

Starting with Sect Leader Sage Hyeon-cheon, numerous elders died or were injured. Among them was Sage Hyeon-geom who was called Mount Hua's greatest swordsman. It was the worst situation that could be considered complete annihilation.

Additionally, head disciple Mu-gyeong died, and an enormous number of first and second generation disciples died. The actual core fighting force forming the sect's foundation had taken a major blow.

Now Mount Hua Sect's remaining strength consisted only of a few first and second generation disciples, and the third generation disciples.

Considering the third generation disciples were only in their early to late teens, Mount Hua Sect's decline was clear as day.

It was the shabby fall of Mount Hua Sect that had shaken the world as one of the Nine Great Sects. Most sects in such a state would lose their influence in the murim and quietly fade into history.

Nevertheless, people didn't think Mount Hua Sect would make such a shabby exit from the murim.

Because of one warrior.

Fist Demon Dam Ho.

A demon of the era who appeared in the moment of crisis and prevented Mount Hua's extinction. News that he was actually a Mount Hua Sect disciple spread widely across the world.

An absolute warrior who alone blocked the Demon Cult's invasion. His overwhelming martial might and unstoppable nature were enough to shake the world.

People no longer simply called him Fist Demon.

Mount Hua's Fist Demon.

The Fist Demon lives at Mount Hua.

Because of that, Mount Hua was safe.

But that was all.

Though Mount Hua might be safe because of Dam Ho, regaining its former glory was not an easy task.

Spirit Treasure Palace housing Mount Hua Sect's martial arts manuals had burned. In some ways, the burning of Spirit Treasure Palace might not have been a major blow. Because most martial arts manuals stored in Spirit Treasure Palace were basic techniques.

The biggest blow was that almost all the Hyeon generation elders who could transmit the supreme arts had lost their lives.

Mount Hua Sect's secret techniques were mostly transmitted orally.

They were passed down by masters adding their insights and passing them to disciples. Though an extremely closed method, there was no more efficient way to transmit supreme arts passed down for several generations.

But with most Hyeon generation elders killed, numerous supreme arts were lost. The loss of supreme arts would naturally lead to Mount Hua Sect's decline.

Though the surviving second and third generation disciples had learned Mount Hua Sect's supreme arts, it was uncertain how completely they had inherited the insights.

Even if they had inherited the insights, it would take several decades to properly bear fruit. During that long period, Mount Hua Sect had no choice but to seal its gates.

Spring came to the world, but harsh winter came to Mount Hua.

Mount Hua locked its doors, and people's footsteps completely stopped.

"Sigh!"

Woon Kyung sighed.

He felt Mount Hua's decline more than anyone.

With head disciple Mu-gyeong having lost his life, he had no choice but to take on the role of Mount Hua Sect's great disciple. But having lived as second-in-command his whole life, when crisis struck he couldn't help but feel limited in handling matters proactively.

After repelling the Demon Cult, he spent busier time than anyone.

He collected and handled the corpses of those who died including his master and the elders. Just that was overwhelming work. He hadn't even started dealing with the collapsed and burned halls.

He wasn't even given time to grieve. His one consolation was that Dam Ho's existence allowed the subordinate disciples to unite.

He walked quickly toward True Warrior Palace.

True Warrior Palace, where Sage Hyeon-geom had been hall master, was one of the few buildings that maintained its original form even in the Demon Cult's invasion.

"Senior Uncle!"

"Great Senior Uncle!"

As he entered True Warrior Palace, several second generation disciples recognized and greeted him. Their expressions were extremely dark, telling of their recent hardships.

"Where's Dam Ho?"

"Senior Uncle is with Young Hero Cho now."

"Hmm!"

Woon Kyung nodded and passed by them.

He stood before the door of the innermost room in True Warrior Palace and said:

"Ho! It's Woon Kyung. May I come in for a moment?"

"Come in."

Dam Ho's answer came from inside.

Woon Kyung immediately opened the door and entered the room. Upon entering, he first saw a large bed.

A man with a pale complexion lay on the bed.

It was Cho Yeon-woon who had been severely injured. After receiving severe injuries in that day's battle, Cho Yeon-woon hadn't regained consciousness.

A woman sat by Cho Yeon-woon's side devotedly nursing him. She was Dan Hwa-ran, former head of the Murim Alliance's Soaring Bird Hall.

[TL Note- Soaring Bird Hall was mistakenly translated as Secret Burial Faction in chapter 214.]

"Master Woon Kyung."

Dan Hwa-ran stood to greet Woon Kyung.

"Please remain seated, Miss Dan. You're already working so hard nursing Young Hero Cho."

"No, I'm just grateful to be allowed to stay at Mount Hua like this."

Dan Hwa-ran bowed her head repeatedly thanking Woon Kyung. Woon Kyung showed an awkward expression at this.

Woon Kyung's gaze turned to Dam Ho standing silently behind Dan Hwa-ran.

Dam Ho's complexion wasn't good.

His injuries were very severe, making even standing difficult. Yet Dam Ho didn't show it as he watched over his friend.

Thanks to the Life-Saving Poison Pill, Cho Yeon-woon barely saved his life. But his injuries weren't light enough to heal in just a day or two.

Help from a skilled physician was desperately needed. But finding a skilled physician near Shaanxi Province where Mount Hua was located was as difficult as picking stars from the sky.

Zhongnan Sect in the same Shaanxi Province had also suffered heavy damage and needed physicians' help, and above all many physicians had left Shaanxi Province fleeing the Demon Cult's chaos.

Because of this, Mount Hua Sect was also having difficulties unable to find a proper physician. Everything was lacking for Mount Hua Sect now.

Woon Kyung opened his mouth with difficulty.

"Ho!"

He indicated outside with his eyes.

Dam Ho noticed and went outside. Woon Kyung followed behind.

Coming out of True Warrior Palace, Mount Hua's scenery came into view at once. Mount Hua still hadn't recovered from that day's wounds and revealed its miserable state as is.

Dam Ho looked at Mount Hua's state indifferently.

Woon Kyung carefully said:

"Ho."

"Speak!"

"I won't beat around the bush. Right now Mount Hua desperately needs your help."

Only then did Dam Ho turn his head to look at Woon Kyung.

"I know well how shameless I am being. But no matter how much I think, I can't think of any other alternative. Without you, Mount Hua will collapse. Mount Hua desperately needs your help."

"…"

"Right now Mount Hua has no elders to transmit secret techniques, no middle-aged warriors to be shields. Except for the name Mount Hua, the situation is worse than any small or medium sect."

"So?"

"Please become Mount Hua's core. Become the center that unites Mount Hua. I and Mount Hua Sect's disciples will follow you with sincere hearts."

Suddenly Woon Kyung knelt and bowed his head.

Woon Kyung was higher ranked than Dam Ho. For such an Woon Kyung to kneel and bow his head meant he had thrown away his pride and put down everything. It also meant he loved Mount Hua that much.

That's when it happened.

"Senior Brother, I also beg you."

Suddenly a young warrior ran out from behind the hall and knelt beside Woon Kyung. It was Myung Kyung.

Myung Kyung knelt and kowtowed. Thick tears flowed from his eyes.

After all chaos ended, Myung Kyung had led the third generation disciples outside. The sight seen with his own eyes was truly miserable.

Current Mount Hua was no longer the Mount Hua he knew. Mount Hua had fallen, and there was no hope.

Though Myung Kyung had inherited Sage Hyeon-geom's legacy, his capacity and reputation were far too insufficient to raise up the massive sect Mount Hua. Knowing this fact, Myung.Kyung could kneel before Dam Ho without hesitation.

Dam Ho indifferently looked at the two people kneeling before him. The two became anxious at this.

"Ho! Please…"

"Senior Brother! Please don't abandon Mount Hua."

They begged hitting their foreheads on the ground. The blue stone floor was soaked with their blood.

Dam Ho raised his head to look at Mount Hua.

He had no particular affection for Mount Hua. He had no good memories here after all.

Suddenly Dam Ho shook his head.

No, there was one.

'Master.'

His memories with Sage Hyeon-so.

The memory of practicing martial arts with Sage Hyeon-so while sweating remained.

That faint memory held Dam Ho's ankles. And the most decisive reason was still Master Immortal Hyeon-so.

Sage Hyeon-so loved Mount Hua.

The scenery, halls, every leaf, even the invisible air of Mount Hua, Sage Hyeon-so loved it all. Mount Hua was his everything.

If it weren't for himself, Sage Hyeon-so wouldn't have had to leave Mount Hua and wander the world.

Thinking of Sage Hyeon-so made one side of his chest ache. Though he thought he had lost human emotions, his chest always ached like this when thinking of Sage Hyeon-so.

'Master.'

Dam Ho's eyes soon shone firmly. Having organized his thoughts, he finally opened his mouth.

"I cannot become Mount Hua's core."

"Ho!"

"Senior Brother?"

"But I know someone who can become the core."

The two widened their eyes at Dam Ho's answer.

"Who is it?"

"Master."

"Could it be Senior Uncle Hyeon-so?"

"Yes!"

"But his martial arts…"

Woon Kyung hesitated.

Even Woon Kyung acknowledged Sage Hyeon-so's character. But leading a sect and character were separate matters. His thought was that no matter how good one's character, without ability to back it up, it was impossible to lead a massive sect like Mount Hua Sect. So he couldn't help but conflict.

Dam Ho looked at Woon Kyung with cold eyes.

"You don't know Master."

"What?"

"No one suits Mount Hua Sect better than Master."

"Please explain more. I really don't understand."

"Master is a scholar priest."

"Scholar priest?"

"All Mount Hua Sect's martial arts are in his head."

The moment they heard Dam Ho's words, Woon Kyung and Myung-kyung widened their eyes almost simultaneously.

"Is that true?"

"Really, Senior Brother?"

"You can check directly, can't you?"

"Where is Senior Uncle Hyeon-so?"

Woon Kyung asked urgently.

If Mount Hua Sect's supreme arts were really in Immortal Hyeon-so's head, they needed to bring him to Mount Hua as soon as possible. His heart was extremely urgent.

"Mount Huang."

"Mount Huang? Could it be?"

"Yes! He's at overlord’s stronghold."

"We must send someone to bring him immediately."

"No need."

"What?"

"Someone has already gone."

"Really?"

Dam Ho didn't answer.

Woon Kyung didn't ask twice. Because he knew well Dam Ho wasn't someone who would speak nonsense.

While Woon Kyung was busy dealing with fallen Mount Hua, Dam Ho had sent Muk Il-gwang to Mount Huang.

He hadn't sent him with the current situation in mind from the start. Just that since Sage Hyeon-so had great affection for Mount Hua Sect, he needed to return to Mount Hua and see this sight directly. Only then could he make a cold judgment.

Completely fallen Mount Hua.

Whatever decision Sage Hyeon-so made, Dam Ho planned to follow it.

That's when it happened.

"Brother, eat something."

Bang Jin-bo's energetic voice came from far away.

Unexpectedly…

Baek Li-jung was camping in the mountains with Baek Li-gwon.

Screech screech.

A hawk’s cry came from above. The hawk kept circling the same spot.

Baek Li-jung extended his hand and whistled.

The hawk immediately flew down and perched. The hawk’s sharp talons gripped Baek Li-jung’s arm tightly, but Baek Li-jung didn’t mind. He untied the message tube bound to the hawk’s leg and read the letter inside.

Baek Li-jung’s face hardened.

“How did that fellow break through Qingcheng Mountain’s encirclement? I thought he was just an insignificant insect, but he’s already reached the Four Light Dikes?”

Deep wrinkles formed on Baek Li-jung’s brow.

This was Baek Li-jung’s expression when deep in thought.

Baek Li-gwon fed firewood to the campfire while waiting for Baek Li-jung’s thoughts to end.

However, Baek Li-jung thought longer than expected.

Crack, crack. Snap. Snap.

Baek Li-jung awakened from his reverie only after all the joints of the hawk in his hand had been broken one by one, leaving nothing more to break.

“Hmm.”

Baek Li-jung threw the dead hawk into the campfire.

Baek Li-gwon couldn’t endure and finally spoke.

“Master, what’s the matter?”

Baek Li-jung remained silent for a while before speaking.

“The Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art has emerged into the world.”

Baek Li-gwon was bewildered.

“What do you mean… I’ve never heard of a martial art called Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art.”

Baek Li-jung didn’t answer and asked Baek Li-gwon instead.

“How much have you achieved with the Heavenly Blade Divine Sword?”

“I’ve entered the beginning of Seven Stars.”

Baek Li-gwon had done his utmost not to disappoint Baek Li-jung further. Thus he was finally able to break through the Six Stars barrier and reach Seven Stars.

However, Baek Li-jung spoke as if there was no need to think further.

“Return to the main house.”

Baek Li-gwon was so shocked he immediately knelt and prostrated himself.

“Master! No, Father! Please give me a chance to redeem myself!”

“It’s too late. This time there’s no opportunity for you to step forward. He killed Golden Fortune Merchant in Guizhou.”

“I’ll go to Guizhou!”

Baek Li-jung had deliberately brought him along to give Baek Li-gwon an opportunity.

The target was naturally Poison Dragon Jin Ja-gang at Qingcheng Mountain.

However, Jin Ja-gang had already broken through Qingcheng Mountain’s encirclement. And he had gone to the Guizhou branch while the main forces were away to massacre the entire branch!

“The current him is not the one you knew. The current him is extremely dangerous.”

Baek Li-gwon pleaded.

“I can do it! I will… I will cut off his head and definitely hang it on Yon Mae’s memorial altar!”

Baek Li-jung cut him off.

“Even if not now, there will be opportunities.”

“Father…”

Baek Li-jung wasn’t someone who promised to give opportunities. For him to mention a next opportunity was maximum consideration for Baek Li-gwon. It meant it was that dangerous.

Baek Li-jung smiled and gestured.

“Come here.”

Baek Li-jung patted Baek Li-gwon’s shoulder.

“When the time comes, you’ll have work to do. You don’t need to become a dog and get involved in dog fights. What you need to do now is polish yourself so you never repeat past mistakes.”

“But Yon Mae is in that fellow’s hands…”

Baek Li-jung patted his shoulder.

“Go back. Now, immediately.”

Baek Li-gwon bit his lower lip hard. Because it was Baek Li-gwon, Baek Li-jung spoke this much; if it were someone else, he wouldn’t have talked this long.

Baek Li-gwon cupped his fists in greeting and left immediately without a word. It was an expression of protest.

“Tsk.”

However, Baek Li-jung simply clicked his tongue lightly and turned off his concern for Baek Li-gwon. This wasn’t a situation where he could have detailed discussions.

This was Baek Li-jung’s shameful secret that he would have to quietly reveal someday.

However, he had just learned that Jin Ja-gang had touched that shameful secret.

And there was probably definitely Venerable Woo-am’s hint behind it.

Baek Li-jung gestured. The hawk burning in the campfire flew into Baek Li-jung’s hand.

Baek Li-jung brought the hawk to his mouth without even plucking the charred feathers.

“If the Enlightened Teacher gave everything to that fellow, the remaining complete incantation will also be in his hands. It’s actually good. But… Woo-am, you…”

Crunch, crunch.

As he chewed the half-burned, half-raw hawk, Baek Li-jung’s gaze became increasingly sharp.

“You keep touching what shouldn’t be touched. You really must die.”

Baek Li-jung’s eyes gradually filled with killing intent.

* * *

Baek Li-jung headed toward Qingcheng Mountain.

Thunder Brand Sword Ye Jin-gyeong, who had withdrawn after failing his first attempt, appeared before Baek Li-jung. Ye Jin-gyeong’s brow furrowed.

Ye Jin-gyeong and Baek Li-jung were in a competitive relationship. Baek Li-jung’s sudden appearance wasn’t welcome.

“What are you doing?”

Baek Li-jung glanced at Ye Jin-gyeong then quickly turned his head away. Then he continued on his path.

“If you want to follow, then follow.”

Strangely, Baek Li-jung wasn’t in his usual composed state but looked like a beggar. His hair was all disheveled, half wild, and his clothes were dirty as if he hadn’t changed them for days.

However, only his eyes were viciously alive.

Baek Li-jung walked past Ye Jin-gyeong and continued forward. White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors blocked Baek Li-jung’s path.

“If you block my path one more time.”

Baek Li-jung spoke matter-of-factly.

“I’ll kill you all.”

Ye Jin-gyeong ground his teeth.

‘Damn!’

It wasn’t a lie. Baek Li-jung showed no killing intent at all. However, extreme killing intent toward someone could be felt.

Baek Li-jung’s appearance was evidence of this. Baek Li-jung was thinking of only one thing. He looked like this because he paid no attention to anything else.

This was Baek Li-jung focused solely on ‘killing’ someone.

So it wasn’t a lie. Whether White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion or anything else, if they blocked him, he would certainly cut them down before killing whoever he was targeting.

Ye Jin-gyeong bit his lip and raised his hand.

“Let him through!”

Naturally, he didn’t just let him pass. He gathered the Sword Hero Squad and warriors to immediately follow behind Baek Li-jung.

Mount Emei’s Divine Nun, who was drinking tea outside a village teahouse, made eye contact with Baek Li-jung. Divine Nun slightly bowed her head in greeting. Baek Li-jung ignored her and passed by. It was so natural that even seeing it, one couldn’t think he had deliberately ignored her.

Martial artists from the Tang family and nearby medium and small sects who had come to support wanted to exchange greetings with Baek Li-jung, but Baek Li-jung showed no openings.

They couldn’t approach Baek Li-jung because of his indescribable intimidating presence.

Baek Li-jung passed through the village and went to Qingcheng Mountain. From outside the mountain gate, various sects were surrounding Qingcheng Mountain in layers.

Baek Li-jung passed the mountain gate and continued climbing toward the Qingcheng sect’s Taoist temples.

Evil Sect members were guarding the narrow stairs above the mountain gate.

“What’s that?”

When Baek Li-jung in shabby clothes climbed the mountain gate alone, the Evil Sect members drew weapons and blocked him.

Even though he was alone, his atmosphere was quite ominous. Moreover, Martial Alliance martial artists could be seen waiting in the distance.

“What is he, alone? Huh?”

Remnant Wind Guest stepped forward. He swaggered forward with a huge axe slung over his shoulder.

“Are you a master? Hey, what’s your name? Do we look that ridiculous to you?”

Baek Li-jung came right up to Remnant Wind Guest’s face and stood. Remnant Wind Guest’s build was so large and tall that Baek Li-jung had to look up. However, Baek Li-jung didn’t even look at Remnant Wind Guest.

“Move aside.”

“Move aside? Where does this bastard…”

Remnant Wind Guest raised his palm and struck Baek Li-jung’s cheek and nape.

Smack! Thud!

Baek Li-jung’s beard swayed. His body swayed and a bright red mark remained on his nape. Remnant Wind Guest kicked Baek Li-jung’s stomach. If hit by Remnant Wind Guest’s thick foot and sent flying, Baek Li-jung might have rolled all the way down the stairs.

However, Baek Li-jung didn’t budge. Remnant Wind Guest’s eyes widened. He had kicked a person but felt nothing, as if he had kicked something squishy like tofu or water.

“Th-this…!”

Only then did Baek Li-jung look up at Remnant Wind Guest. His expressionless face was even more chilling. Baek Li-jung muttered so quietly it was barely audible.

“This should be enough to die without regrets.”

Baek Li-jung’s hand pulled back then came forward.

A palm strike was applied between Remnant Wind Guest’s thick chest. Remnant Wind Guest bounced backward and blocked with his axe.

Rumble!

A sound like thunder rumbling came as tremendous force erupted from Baek Li-jung’s hand. Though the palm hadn’t even touched him, Remnant Wind Guest received a shock as if his body was swept up by tremendous wind.

“Ahhhhh!”

Crash!

All the stairs behind Remnant Wind Guest were crushed like clay. So what happened to Remnant Wind Guest’s body, which was directly receiving the palm force in front!

“Ugh, urgh. Urgh…!”

Remnant Wind Guest widened his eyes while blocking with his axe and let out moans. Blood gushed from his seven orifices including eyes and nose every time Remnant Wind Guest breathed.

His internal organs were destroyed.

Clatter.

His strength left him and he even dropped his axe.

From behind, Human Demon Gam Chung stopped patting his belly and shouted in surprise.

“Thunder Splitting Song Palm! It’s Indestructible Heavenly Sword!”

Remnant Wind Guest still gritted his teeth and tried to pick up his axe, but his arms and body wouldn’t move at all, only trembling. Baek Li-jung grabbed Remnant Wind Guest’s neck with one hand and threw him backward. Remnant Wind Guest rolled down the stairs with all his limbs bent, broken, and twisted. His neck had already broken from being thrown, so by the time he rolled down to the lower stairs, he had long been dead.

“Kyaaah! Remnant Wind Guest!”

Flower Snake Divine Woman screamed while holding a baby. Flower Snake Divine Woman’s voice was close to sound technique, so it wasn’t an ordinary scream. Baek Li-jung’s eyes squinted.

Waaah! Waaah!

Flower Snake Divine Woman tormented Baek Li-jung with Evil Lustful Sound in addition to baby crying sounds.

“Oh ho ho, you dirty gentleman there. How about this humble concubine wash your body clean?”

Since it was sound technique targeting only Baek Li-jung, the effect was maximized. Baek Li-jung’s face turned red and blue. Baek Li-jung frowned then picked up Remnant Wind Guest’s huge axe from the ground.

“My ears are itchy.”

Then he threw the axe at Flower Snake Divine Woman.

Whirr!

The axe spun while flying toward Flower Snake Divine Woman with a loud cutting sound. Flower Snake Divine Woman stopped her sound technique and tried to dodge using footwork.

Then Baek Li-jung pursed his lips and whistled.

Wheeee!

It wasn’t sound technique or anything else. It was a whistle blown purely with internal energy. However, at that moment both of Flower Snake Divine Woman’s eardrums burst.

Pop.

Flower Snake Divine Woman’s movement, which had been about to flee, stopped completely. The flying axe was getting bigger and bigger in Flower Snake Divine Woman’s pupils.

Gam Chung ran over and in his haste grabbed Flower Snake Divine Woman’s hair and leaped up.

Thud!

The axe embedded so deeply in the stairs that even the handle couldn’t be seen. And Flower Snake Divine Woman’s body fell sideways.

What Gam Chung held in his hand was only Flower Snake Divine Woman’s startled head.

“Damn bastard!”

Fear and sadness simultaneously crossed Gam Chung’s face.

Gam Chung glared at Baek Li-jung with killing intent.

However, Baek Li-jung didn’t even look and was only climbing over the crushed stairs to go up.

The Evil Sect members blocked Baek Li-jung’s path, prepared to die. Baek Li-jung showed no emotions like annoyance. He simply raised his hand as if to kill.

However, someone stepped forward to make the Evil Sect members move aside before Baek Li-jung could act.

“I’ll handle Indestructible Heavenly Sword.”

The Evil Sect members split left and right to open a path.

At the top of the stairs, Eight Flying Demon Hero Gu Ryun was waiting. Gu Ryun stood holding his shield and smiled.

“We finally meet. The Orthodox Path’s great hero, Indestructible Heavenly Sword Baek Li-jung.”