C1691 - Then, That’s Enough.
A cool breeze passed over the cup.
Jang Ilso, silently caressing the cup, turned his head to look at the burning Mount Wudang.
"So, you're there?"
Though his voice was lazy, there was a clear mockery in it.
"You?"
"......"
Chung Myung simply looked at Jang Ilso without responding.
"Oh my, oh my."
Jang Ilso slowly shook his head. His movements were exaggerated, like those of an opera actor, making it difficult to guess his true intentions.
"As far as I understand, Taoists aspire to become immortals... But it seems you want to become a poet. Every word you say is so artistic..."
Jang Ilso chuckled. His eyes narrowed into crescent moons, as if he were watching a clown in an inappropriate costume.
"For someone as uneducated as me, your words sound like a bunch of nonsense."
"Jang Ilso."
"Since you talk so much nonsense, let me tell you. You are not on that burning mountain, you are here."
"......"
"Right here. You, not on that burning mountain, but here."
Though Jang Ilso was smiling, his gaze seemed capable of piercing through Chung Myung. However, Chung Myung did not respond to his provocation and instead replied disdainfully.
"I didn't expect you to understand what I think."
"Really?"
Jang Ilso's smile deepened.
"And you? Can you understand what I think?"
"You..."
"No, you can't."
"......"
"You just guess and convince yourself. Isn't that right?"
Chung Myung's expression turned cold.
"Don't make that face. It's not that I look down on you. That applies to everyone."
Jang Ilso's eyes gleamed with malice.
"No one can truly know what's in another person's heart."
The serene gaze of Chung Myung intertwined with the fiery gaze of Jang Ilso in the air.
"It's a pathetic belief."
"......"
"To think we know each other's hearts, that we understand each other. We look in the same direction with one heart."
Jang Ilso's low laughter penetrated Chung Myung's ears.
"It's an illusion to which the weak, who cannot bear uncertainty, desperately cling. No one can truly understand another person. We can't know what's inside someone's heart. We simply don't have the courage to face that truth, so we prefer to believe in a convenient lie."
Jang Ilso watched the mountain as if admiring a picturesque landscape.
"Are you really there?"
"......"
"Are your thoughts, your will, what you believe in truly there? Do those you mention have those 'pieces' of yours inside them?"
"Jang Ilso."
"A dream."
It was cold.
Chung Myung felt it that way. Though Jang Ilso's voice remained light and carefree, at that moment, it sounded strangely cold, without his tone reflecting it.
"One is born alone and dies alone. That's an unchangeable truth."
"......"
"And throughout life, you can never see another's true intention. All you see are false expressions, invented words, and superficial appearances."
"That's your experience. Not everyone lives like you."
"Do you really think that?"
Jang Ilso's eyes narrowed further as Chung Myung unconsciously caressed the cup in his hands.
"Really?"
Chung Myung's eyebrows furrowed slightly. A feeling of discomfort invaded him. Just as he was about to respond, Jang Ilso spoke again.
"So... have you always said exactly what you think to everyone? Have you never said embellished words hoping to be believed?"
Chung Myung's eyes trembled slightly.
"Are you truly honest with that 'trust' you speak of? Do you really fulfill the trust others have in you? Really?"
"Don't speak lightly. You..."
"I understand."
Jang Ilso's eyes darkened for a moment.
"There will be reasons. Things you can't say, things better left unknown to others, methods that bring better results, things for a better future..."
The air seemed to become infinitely cold touching the back of his hand, though it shouldn't be.
"But that mask covered in excuses is what the world calls 'lies.'"
Jang Ilso smiled kindly, making Chung Myung's face harden even more.
"Isn't that so?"
Chung Myung saw the mockery, disdain, and disappointment in Jang Ilso's face.
Perhaps those feelings weren't directed at him.
"Even those who proclaim trust easily discuss lies, and instead of showing their true selves, present a decorated version of themselves. They hide their true intentions."
"......"
"And yet, they believe they understand each other's hearts."
Chung Myung could say nothing.
At least, at that moment.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"
Jang Ilso, observing Chung Myung's face, burst into laughter. His laugh was not joyful but empty.
"That's right... That's why the world is a grand play. Everyone hides their faces under thick makeup and plays their part."
Jang Ilso ran his finger over his lips, lifting the corners as if drawing a forced smile.
"Aren't you curious to see what's behind that makeup?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"Ah, don't you have the courage to find out?"
"Jang Ilso!"
Chaaang.
When Chung Myung, enraged, shouted, the cup in his hand shattered.
The cold liquor slid down his hand, resembling blood.
Jang Ilso, looking at the drops of liquor falling on the table, spoke slowly.
"I thought you'd understand."
"What...?"
"You are the best at hiding. A personification of certainty, with no intention of understanding others. For you, understanding is just another form of compassion. When you adapt to others, you call it understanding."
Chung Myung's face twisted with rage.
But just as Jang Ilso's mockery wasn't directed at Chung Myung, Chung Myung's anger wasn't directed at Jang Ilso.
"This damn..."
Jang Ilso's words were blasphemy to Chung Myung, more than any insult.
"Isn't that so? That's how I see you."
But Jang Ilso kept smiling.
"It's ironic. You, who speak of trust, hide your true self, and I, who speak of lies, show my true self without reservation."
"......"
"This is another interesting play. Do you want to put on makeup too? Or are you already wearing makeup? With thicker makeup than mine? Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"
Chung Myung remained silent, watching Jang Ilso laugh with trembling shoulders. His laughter echoed in the desolate night.
"Trust! Trust! Ha, ha, ha, ha! How absurd!"
As he watched Jang Ilso laugh, Chung Myung thought.
There was no trace of bitterness or sadness in that laugh.
And yet, it seemed terribly desolate to him, indicating there was a sadness in Chung Myung's heart that Jang Ilso did not have.
He understood.
Why meeting this person was always so repugnant. Why looking at him stirred him so much inside.
At that moment, Jang Ilso, finally containing his laughter, gave him a bright smile and softly said.
"Then, let me ask you something."
"What?"
"If that trust were broken, what would you do?"
"......"
"If the trust that they would fulfill your expectations, that they think like you, that what you do will be achieved through them... If all those absurd beliefs were broken..."
Jang Ilso's smile twisted, like that of a demon observing a sinner chained deep in hell.
"Then, what would you say? Eh, Mount Hua’s Chivalrous Sword?"
---------------------
"The enemies have reached the summit."
"......"
Mind Demon Ho Gakmyung watched the summit of White Cliff in silence.
The enemies had made it this far, had climbed the mountain without hesitation, had cut down all who stood in their way, and finally reached the summit where the Wudang awaited.
Who could have imagined?
They were the Evil Tyrant Alliance, the rulers who had trampled the Ten Great Sects and subjected a third of the world under their rule.
Could anyone have imagined they would show such bravery in a place where the Evil Tyrant Alliance was gathered? Was there anyone who firmly believed in them with this situation in mind?
Facing this question, Ho Gakmyung's answer was one.
At least one. At least one person believed without a doubt.
Mind Demon Ho Gakmyung himself.
"Impressive, Mount Hua."
It wasn't clear whether he should be amazed or mocking.
But one thing was certain: no matter how extraordinary a famous sword is, if it is not in the hands of a proper swordsman, it is just a piece of sharp metal. Similarly, no matter how grand Mount Hua is, if it is not in the hands of Chung Myung, it is just an ordinary sect.
"I feel like a fool for being so tense."
There are many powerful sects.
No one thinks Shaolin is weaker than Mount Hua. For the Evil Tyrant Alliance, which has already crushed Shaolin, the strength of Mount Hua is not even a topic of discussion.
The reason why Mount Hua was special is no longer present.
Ho Gakmyung's eyes darkened deeply.
"Where is he?"
"If you mean the King of Nokrim, he is right below the cliff. It seems it was difficult for him to follow Mount Hua with the main army."
Ho Gakmyung nodded slowly.
Even while conversing, his eyes never left the summit of White Cliff.
"Begin."
"... But, Commander, the Thousand-Faced Gentleman has not yet emerged."
"He won't come out."
"What...?"
Ho Gakmyung's eyes gleamed coldly.
"Because I never gave that order."
The subordinates gaped, unable to speak, looking alternately at Ho Gakmyung and the summit of White Cliff.
"Uh..."
"Someone like the leader of the Hao Sect must prove his worth by coming out alive from there, or if he can't, that just proves he wasn't that important."
"..."
"Begin."
"Yes!"
The subordinates nodded without further objections.
Before judging whether something was right or wrong, they had no authority to reject Ho Gakmyung's orders.
Ho Gakmyung, who was watching the summit of White Cliff intently, finally slowly moved his gaze to the mountain, towards where someone should be.
"It's time to pay for your arrogance, Mount Hua’s Chivalrous Sword."
Ho Gakmyung's eyes began to fill with suppressed passion.
Flash!
Even the term "lightning" was insufficient to describe this sword.
The moment you perceive it, it's already there; the moment you feel it, it's already pierced you. It was literally a flash of light.
Crack!
The only thing you could feel was the explosive pain in your pierced throat.
"Ugh..."
Just when a sound you'd never made before came out of your mouth...
Flash!
The sword, withdrawn with the same speed with which it had been thrust, brushed your face to then launch again. As if dozens of rays of light were piercing your body.
"Ack!"
"Ugh!"
As your vision blurred and you looked up, you saw the one who had taken your life approaching even closer. Before you could even think of wielding your sword in defense, the person who pounced on you had already passed over your crumbling body.
Plop.
Before the spirit left the fallen body, Jo Gul's sword cut through the air once more with force.
"Haaap!"
Jo Gul's attack, dividing a single sword strike into dozens, was infallible.
"This... this damn!"
A tall man with a gigantic dao in his hands glared furiously and added strength to his weapon.
But...
Flash!
The sword darted towards his body the moment he retreated to swing his dao.
"What...?"
At the moment his eyes widened, Jo Gul's sword was already deeply embedded in his side.
Though the pain was unbearable, the man managed to lift his dao with all his might. Or at least tried to.
However...
Crack!
Jo Gul's sword was faster, cutting through his shoulder and elbow. The dao, which had been lifted with all his strength, stopped in the air.
The power that had lost its target accumulated and reversed inside the man's body, causing a tearing pain in his guts.
At that moment, the man's mouth involuntarily opened, and Jo Gul's sword entered it.
Puush!
The sensation of a sharp blade piercing flesh and breaking bones. The next thing he felt was a deep darkness filling his vision.
Thud!
The man's body fell backward.
"The captain... the captain fell so easily...!"
Fear began to fill the eyes of those around him.
That dark dao had cut many necks and shattered many bodies.
The dao that used to be like a butcher's knife couldn't be properly wielded. It seemed like it could cut and destroy anything, but it didn't have the chance.
"Uh..."
The message of this scene was clear.
They were as skilled at cutting necks as that swordsman was at cutting their lives. He knew how to wield the sword and how to attack them as if he knew the palm of his hand.
That young curly-haired swordsman.
"Light-Splitting Sword...!"
Crack!
The sword of the Light-Splitting Sword Jo Gul pierced the enemy's neck. Without bothering to wipe the blood from his face, Jo Gul directed his gaze towards the terrified enemies and then towards the Wudang swordsmen fighting desperately.
Jo Gul showed a bloody smile.
"Get out of my way, bastards of the Evil Faction!"
"Gul, don't overdo it!"
"If I don't push now, when will I, damn it!"
With eyes full of fury, Jo Gul propelled himself forward like a demon.
"That guy...!"
Yoon Jong, gritting his teeth, followed him.
Haap!
As Yoon Jong propelled himself forward, he saw a movement in the enemy's shoulder beside him.
Flash!
The sword moved before he could think. They had fought countless times against the Evil Faction. He knew their intentions even before his mind could process them.
The sword, which had darted towards Jo Gul's side, was immediately blocked and then cut the enemy's wrist.
"Aaah! My hand! My hand!"
Flash!
As if planned, Jo Gul's sword stabbed into the neck of the screaming man.
The bodies of these warriors were full of scars inflicted by the Evil Faction. Each scar was like a master to them. This applied to everyone present.
Swish, swish, swish!
The sound of hundreds of butterflies taking flight filled the air as the swordsmen of Mount Hua unleashed their Plum Blossom Sword Technique on the enemies at White Cliff.
The vision, which can only be described as marvelous, instantly transformed the image of Mount Wudang into a familiar scene of Mount Hua.
The plum blossoms in full bloom swayed with the breeze, and the plum petals whirled around the enemies' bodies.
"It's the Plum Blossom Sword Technique!"
"Run!"
Though they seemed delicate and fragile, each of those petals hid the deadliest of blades. No warrior of the Evil Faction was unaware of this.
The warriors of the Evil Faction screamed and tried to retreat, but there was no space to withdraw in that narrow area.
Slash, slash, slash, slash!
The petals of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique mercilessly stabbed into the bodies of the enemies.
The pain of torn flesh and broken bones made the warriors of the Evil Faction scream in agony.
"Haaah!"
Gwak Hoi lunged forward in front of Yoon Jong. With one strike, he pierced the neck of an enemy who had been pierced by the petals, ensuring he couldn't continue screaming.
"Shut up!"
Crack!
After twisting the sword embedded in the enemy's neck, Gwak Hoi advanced towards the other enemies like a hungry snake.
A ruthless and fierce sword.
"Aaah!"
A warrior of the Evil Faction screamed as he launched his sword towards Gwak Hoi with all his might.
But...
Woosh!
Instead of the explosive noise that should have resonated when the weapons met, only an empty sound cutting the air was heard. Gwak Hoi's sword, which seemed to disappear like an illusion, reappeared right in front of the warrior's heart.
Crack!
The sword pierced the enemy's heart with a single strike, searching for its next target as it slid through the empty air.
Relentless and deceptive.
Meticulously developed with the sole purpose of cutting the enemy's throat, the Plum Blossom Sword Technique of Mount Hua attacked the enemies even more ruthlessly than the techniques of the Evil Faction.
"Damn!"
A warrior with a spear charged towards Gwak Hoi.
Crash!
The spear, surrounded by formidable energy, headed towards Gwak Hoi with the intent to split him in two.
Boom!
"Sasuk!"
But Baek Cheon blocked the spear that was headed towards Gwak Hoi with a single strike. And then, with his eyes fixed on the enemy, he shouted:
"Don't stop!"
"Yes!"
Baek Cheon's eyes shone with a fierce light.
"Let the enemies know that Mount Hua has reached here!"