Return of the Mount Hua Sect Chapter 1271: A Tiger Trapped In Poison, I Suppose. (1)

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Previously on Return of the Mount Hua Sect...
Chung Myung single-handedly holds off the Ten Thousand People Clan army. His disciples watch, concerned about his isolation, but Baek Cheon expresses unwavering faith in his skills. Chung Myung assesses his opponent, Ho Ga-Myung, recognizing him as a tricky foe. After a massive sword strike that grazes Ho Ga-Myung's face, Chung Myung is ambushed by exploding swords that rise from the ground.
Shattered sword fragments hurtled through the air with immense force. It seemed impossible for any ordinary person made of flesh and blood to survive such an onslaught. But at that critical moment, Chung Myung drew his sword towards himself and initiated a fierce spinning motion. Simultaneously, a red, petal-like sword aura erupted from the tip, cascading like a waterfall and engulfing Chung Myung entirely. This was the 24 Movement Plum Blossom Sword Technique. The Plum Blossom Impenetrable Wall! The 24 Movement Plum Blossom Sword Technique, predominantly featuring aggressive forms and thus more associated with the Evil Sect than the righteous path, possessed a singular defensive maneuver. This technique, the Plum Blossom Impenetrable Wall, formed a radiant barrier of plum blossoms around Chung Myung, shielding him completely. Kagagagagagakang! Exploding debris struck the plum blossom sword qi that encircled Chung Myung like an unyielding iron fortress, only to be repelled. “Hahap!” Chung Myung uttered a rare grunt of exertion. The plum-blossom sword aura swirling around him then erupted outwards in all directions, as if detonating. Pook! The plum blossom sword qi tore through the already battered bodies of the Ten Thousand People Clan’s subordinates, who had been weakened by the earlier debris. Yet, even with their bodies riddled with holes, the attackers from the Ten Thousand People Clan offered no sound of pain. This observation immediately informed Chung Myung that these were not the same kind of adversaries they had encountered before. What they did next caused even Chung Myung’s expression to turn grim. Pahat! Instead of falling back, the men of the Ten Thousand People Clan charged forward with renewed vigor. Kwadeuk! Kwadeuk! Kwadeuk! It was a reckless, almost suicidal charge. The sharp plum blossom sword qi punished their impetuous advance without hesitation, but the attackers showed no signs of faltering. They merely covered their heads and necks with their arms and pressed onward, accelerating their pace. It was as if being struck dozens of times by those blades posed no immediate lethal threat as long as their heads remained protected. “Hraaaa!” For the first time, a roar erupted from them. In an instant, they reached Chung Myung and, with arms outstretched, lunged to embrace him. This was a maddening charge, one that would disorient anyone else. However, Chung Myung was far from an ordinary individual. Leaning back slightly, Chung Myung drew his sword horizontally with astonishing speed. He intended to exploit their disregard for defense. His strike, devoid of intricate technique, was incredibly swift and powerful. Paaaat! The chests of those who charged at him were split asunder. But a single strike was insufficient to stop all those swarming from every direction. The remaining attackers pressed on, their momentum unbroken. Unseen until this moment, small, dark knives appeared in their hands. This was a desperate, life-or-death struggle. Yet, at this crucial juncture, Chung Myung's eyes grew even colder. Paaaт! Chung Myung's blade unleashed half-moon shaped sword qi in a sweeping arc. The crimson crescent auras instantly tore the bodies of the attackers to shreds. But the survivors remained undeterred. One managed to reach Chung Myung and wildly swung a poisoned dagger. Even as his comrades fell around him and his own life hung in the balance, the Ten Thousand People Clan member's eyes betrayed no emotion as he wielded the poisoned blade. His demeanor was more akin to something inorganic than simply cold. Gritting his teeth, Chung Myung swung his sword. The hand clutching the poisoned blade was severed at the wrist, flying through the air. At that precise moment, Chung Myung's eyes widened slightly. ‘Poison?’ The blood gushing from the severed wrist possessed a peculiar dark hue. This was a clear indicator of poisoning. If this blood were to splatter onto him, Chung Myung would likely be poisoned as well. While he could neutralize poison with the Samadhi Fire under normal circumstances, such a luxury was non-existent amidst this chaotic battle. ‘Well, I just need to make sure I don't get poisoned.’ Paaaт! Chung Myung's blade sliced through the air like a beam of light, surging towards the chests of the advancing Ten Thousand People Clan members. Puuuk! Chung Myung's prized Dark Fragrant Plum Blossom Sword penetrated the trained warrior's flesh as easily as paper, sinking several inches into his heart. “Kku...” But in that fleeting instant, the Ten Thousand People Clan member raised his hand and grasped the sword embedded in his heart—an action that seemed more instinctual than deliberate. Chung Myung, his expression devoid of any pity, watched this, preparing to pull the blade free and sever the fingers that gripped it. Bulleuk! Bulleuk! The abdomen of the man—who should have been facing certain death—suddenly began to swell. Sensing danger, Chung Myung prepared to leap away, but the man's belly ruptured first, unleashing a tremendous explosion that washed over Chung Myung. Kwaaaaaaang! The sudden blast billowed a massive cloud of dust along the shoreline. “...What is that?” Even the formidable Ho Ga-Myung appeared unsettled by the sight. He turned his head to look at the Captain of the Blood Sword Unit, Gwi Yang. The individuals who had attacked Chung Myung were none other than members of the Blood Sword Unit, and only Gwi Yang would know their true intentions. “An interesting spectacle.” Gwi Yang sneered, a hint of satisfaction evident as he observed the long gash across Ho Ga-Myung’s face.

“What did you do? Did the Tang Family secure some Golden Dragon Poison Qi?”

“Golden Dragon Poison Qi?”

Upon hearing this, Gwi Yang let out a slight, cold laugh.

“I don’t find it necessary. The outcome remains the same regardless.”

“...”

“It’s hardly complicated. We simply cut open their bellies and placed thunder-bombs, acquired from the White Lightning Cannon, inside. Then, we affixed some appropriately poisoned needles.”

“...You placed thunder-bombs inside a person’s abdomen? And attached poisoned needles?”

“That is correct.”

Ho Ga-Myung stared at Gwi Yang, utterly speechless.

As a member of the Evil Sect, Ho Ga-Myung would condone almost any method to achieve results, yet this particular act surpassed even his own limits.

“And they would still remain alive after such treatment?”

“Do not be foolish, Commander. Even without the bomb detonating, they would perish. If the poison were so weak that it could persist within a belly, we wouldn’t deem it worthy of use in the first place.”

“...”

“These are individuals whom normal means cannot even scratch. If such a life can inflict harm upon such a formidable opponent, then it is an honorable demise. Would you not agree?”

Ho Ga-Myung turned his head away, offering no response.

‘Brutal.’

The method was undeniably cruel and sickening, yet its efficiency was equally undeniable.

Furthermore, Ho Ga-Myung held no standing to lodge any complaint, even if he had desired to.

Each unit within the Ten Thousand People Clan operates as an autonomous entity. While directives can be issued, the training and deployment of Blood Sword members are entirely at the discretion of the unit leader.

“...Did he manage to capture him?”

“Impossible.”

Gwi Yang replied with uncharacteristic indifference.

“As I stated. A monster. Your rudimentary skills make most individuals indistinguishable, but that particular fellow operates on an entirely different plane.”

“...”

“At best, a couple of minor wounds. Perhaps merely superficial scratches.”

Gwi Yang gazed impassively at the dissipating cloud of dust.

“However, that is sufficient. These minor injuries will accumulate, compounding until they form wounds that incapacitate. We merely need to patiently tighten the noose.”

Ho Ga-Myung’s gaze shifted as well, following Gwi Yang’s to the settling dust. As the dust began to clear, a figure gradually materialized.

It was Mount Hua’s Sword Saint, Chung Myung.

While he appeared largely unharmed, Ho Ga-Myung distinctly observed the small perforations in his attire—and the darker stains spreading around them.

Chung Myung cast a downward glance at himself.

Blood was indeed seeping from the numerous small holes. Fortunately, the needles had not fully pierced his skin, thus averting the disastrous scenario of his back bursting open. Yet, whether this was truly fortunate was questionable.

Conversely, it implied that poisoned needles were now embedded within his body.

“Hrk!”

He expelled the blood that had pooled in his mouth. The blood rising in his throat carried a dark hue—the poison had already begun to infiltrate his system.

“...They possess a certain caliber, do they not?”

This was beyond anything he had anticipated.

Chung Myung had witnessed the horrors of countless battlefields. The adversaries he most frequently encountered were members of the Demonic Cult—fanatics of the most deplorable kind.

However, even the Demonic Cult had never resorted to such methods. These individuals felt less like fanatical beasts and more like emotionless hunters.

“Only then...”

Chung Myung’s lips twisted into a grimace. His teeth, stained a dark crimson, gleamed with a chilling intensity.

“This is the true nature of the Ten Thousand People Clan.”

Their leader was Jang Ilso, after all. It was only natural that he would not cultivate his subordinates to be ordinary.

Chung Myung pivoted. His contemplation concluded here; lingering any longer would invite grave peril.

*Paaaaat!*

He shot towards the shore like a black streak. A contingent that had strategically maneuvered to secure the shoreline advanced to intercept him, as if anticipating his move.

They were clad in crimson attire and wielded swords. These individuals exuded an aura distinct from the Ten Thousand People Clan members he had previously encountered. Sensing this subtle difference, Chung Myung lowered his stance further, just as the charging figures unleashed their swords with blinding speed.

Their strikes were incredibly swift, as if they had staked everything on sheer velocity. Chung Myung met these blades with an unhurried demeanor, rather than attempting to evade them.

*Cheng!*

Upon impact, the blade wielded by the Blood Sword member, which had clashed with Chung Myung’s Hidden-Scent Plum Blossom Sword, flexed and coiled around his own weapon.

‘A soft sword?’

No—that couldn’t be right!

Regardless of the amount of internal Qi infused, a soft sword would be no match for Chung Myung’s Dark Fragrant Plum Blossom Sword.

At that precise moment, the blade entwined with Chung Myung’s sword contorted like a venomous serpent, lunging towards his face. It elongated unnaturally, resembling a skeletal serpent stripped of its flesh.

Chung Myung’s eyes widened in alarm.

‘Snake Belly Sword!’

A weapon ingeniously crafted by connecting segmented blades with wire, allowing for incredible extension! A grotesque armament, seldom seen even within the vast martial world, now directed at Chung Myung’s vulnerable face.

Chung Myung retracted his sword. However, the Serpentine Belly Sword maintained its tenacious grip, refusing to release its hold, applying both pulling and thrusting pressure simultaneously.

It exhibited a peculiar handling, achievable only due to its aberrant design.

*Fhaaa!*

In that critical instant, Chung Myung’s left hand dissolved into the air. It was an odd way to describe it, but accurate: his hand blurred, projecting a multitude of shadow-hands between the extending blade and his face, akin to plum blossoms scattering their delicate petals.

The ultimate Plum Blossom Scattering Hands technique!

Kagagagagang!

The shadow-hands, which bloomed in the air, successfully deflected the approaching blades. The peculiar Snake Belly Sword, unusual in its form, making it difficult to exert full force, couldn't penetrate the defense of the Plum Blossom Scattering Hands.

However, the challenge lay in the fact that the blade was not the only threat.

Chwaaak!

A barrage of Snake Belly Swords followed, coiling tightly around Chung Myung's Dark Fragrant Plum Blossom Sword.

The serpentine blades, pulled taut, ensnared his sword securely, as if determined to never release their grip!

Immediately after, other members of the Blood Sword group launched themselves from the ground, thrusting their weapons. Their blades contorted and twisted unnaturally, and like numerous venomous serpents attacking a mighty stag, they descended upon Chung Myung from every direction.