Return of the Mount Hua Sect (HTL 1634+)

Ominous dark red eyes flickered faintly in the darkness.

He could sense it from up there.

It was faint, but the scent he had been searching for was wafting in the air.

A flash of satisfaction crossed his red eyes, but it quickly faded as he composed himself. He subtly licked his lips, feeling the tight bandages wrapped around them.

Ssshhh.

The Blood Cult Lord's desire melted into the darkness.

This mountain was full of enemies. From their perspective, it was nothing short of a death trap, or perhaps the gate to hell.

But for the Blood Cult Lord, who was merging into the darkness that shrouded the mountain, there was no hesitation or doubt.

Ssssk.

His gaze slowly scanned the blackened mountain until it finally settled on a particular spot.

A mountain peak.

It wasn't anything special. It wasn't the highest, the sharpest, or the most secluded. It was as ordinary as the countless other peaks that jutted out everywhere.

However, the Blood Cult Lord's gaze remained fixed solely on that peak.

"….. There it is."

A slow, twisted smile crept beneath the bandages covering his mouth.

His body, completely merged with the darkness, began to move stealthily up the mountain, like a wind riding the slope, toward his clear target.

Crrrkk.

A chilling crack of bones emanated from his bandage-wrapped hand. No matter how much he tried to remain calm, in the end, he was a demon. The demonic desire made his blood boil just thinking about the two words, murder.

But suddenly, the Blood Cult Lord's steps came to an abrupt halt.

His body, which had been submerged in the night, slowly began to emerge. The invisibility technique that had cloaked him was dissolving, but he didn't even notice.

A shock greater than his desire to kill engulfed his entire being.

His blood-red eyes trembled violently.

'This is…..'

His instincts were warning him.

If you go any further, you will die.

It was difficult to understand with logic or reason. It was just that the instincts that had saved him countless times until now were screaming out, sharper than ever.

At the same time, a terrifying killing intent pricked at his skin. The Blood Cult Lord instinctively raised his hand, preparing for an attack, but then shook his head.

'No. That's not it.'

He hadn't been discovered yet. Even if his presence had been detected, his exact location hadn't been pinpointed.

But if he took one more step, it would be different. The person exuding this terrifying aura would immediately notice.

The Blood Cult Lord's darkened gaze dropped to his feet.

Half an inch… No, even less than that.

That alone could reveal his presence to the enemy. Perhaps that path would be a quicker way to achieve the blood-soaked carnage he longed for.

But the Blood Cult Lord quickly dismissed that thought.

'No, that's not it.'

Paegun is not so easy to deal with. The mere actions he had taken today left his future in doubt.

The Blood Cult Lord slowly withdrew the foot he had extended.

If he got greedy, he'd lose his head. Besides, the enemy was spreading such intense energy around to detect any intruders. And the Blood Cult Lord didn't even know how such a thing was possible.

If he tried to imitate it poorly, he'd collapse from exhaustion within moments. Just detecting half the area that the opponent had covered with his energy would be enough to drain him.

And to do this throughout the entire night?

'This is no ordinary person.'

It wasn't something that could be achieved through sheer strength alone.

Even with the same amount of internal energy, how one utilized it could make a world of difference. In that sense, the ability of the person who had spread this energy far exceeded common sense.

Among the enemies, there was only one person who could possibly do this…

Gritting his teeth, the Blood Cult Lord turned away without hesitation.

Another opportunity would surely come. They couldn't keep this up throughout the entire war. In other words, there was no need to feel humiliated just because he decided to retreat for now.

'But…..'

The Blood Cult Lord glanced back over his shoulder.

This energy had heightened his senses and put him on edge. Yet at the same time, it also filled him with an overwhelming sense of unease.

'Is this really the aura of a righteous sect warrior?'

If it was, what was with this stickiness and gloominess? This felt more like…

The Blood Cult Lord's eyes darkened further.

Staring intently ahead, he once again melted into the darkness without a trace.

***

Cheong Myeong, who had been burying his face in his knees, slowly lifted his head and stared blankly at a spot somewhere below the mountain.

His gaze seemed empty, but even without focus, he was clearly looking at something.

Should I go?

He hesitated for a moment but then decided against it. He had experienced enough of these kinds of tactics in past wars, where the enemy would deliberately draw attention to lure him out, while another group would attack his allies.

For now, it was better to stay in this position.

He lowered his head again and rested his cheek on his knees.

There was a time when nights like this were taken for granted. Even after everyone else had gone to sleep, he couldn't rest for even a moment. It was a long, sleepless night.

Back then, everything was tiresome. He felt disillusioned protecting people he didn't even know why he should care for, people who didn't even understand what gratitude was.

Yet, Cheong Myeong sacrificed himself to protect everyone.

Simply because he didn't want to see Cheong Mun's face, swallowing his bitterness with a solemn expression the next morning. That was the only reason.

But how is it now?

Now, there's a reason to protect everyone. Everyone understands gratitude.

But does that mean the burden Cheong Myeong feels has lessened…?

A chuckle escaped from Cheong Myeong's lips.

He's sick of it.

The fact that the journey he began to change things ultimately leads to the same conclusion. The struggle to achieve a different result has only dragged him deeper into the quagmire.

No. That's not right.

These negative thoughts that are consuming his mind are merely the demonic influence that has taken over his heart, tempting him. Protecting his sahyungs is not something to be sick of in the slightest.

The moon was casting a cold, pale light. Cheong Myeong stared blankly at the sight and thought.

I feel like I'm going mad. No, perhaps I'm already mad.

'Damn it.'

It's a relentless mind demon.

He had overcome his mind demons several times. Mind demons are like gatekeepers at the threshold of higher states of being. They are like a sturdy iron gate that must be opened or an insurmountable cliff that must be scaled in order to advance.

But this… this time, it's different.

Even Cheong Myeong, who had defeated countless mind demons and reached a level nearly unattainable for a human, had never encountered such a relentless demon.

Mind demons usually gnaw at a person's heart. The higher the state of being and the deeper the exploration, the more fiercely the mind demons tempt.

Knowing this, Cheong Myeong found himself confused…

'What's the reason?'

Because there's no reason for him to be tormented by a mind demon yet.

He hadn't yet reached the state of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint in his previous life. Although recent experiences had almost restored his former senses, he was nowhere near surpassing that period.

So why is he now facing a mind demon he had never encountered even in the past?

No, is this even a mind demon in the first place?

'When did it start?'

Was it after confronting Jang Ilso? Or was it when he was heading to Wudang? Or perhaps after witnessing the horrors at Hubei?

No, that doesn't matter. What's important is why he's being tormented by a mind demon. There must be a reason for everything in this world. Unless his inner strength has significantly increased, there must be another reason.

Cheong Myeong looked down at his hands. They were still trembling slightly.

It was as if his body was betraying his will, fearful of something unknown to him. With a hollow laugh, Cheong Myeong rested his forehead weakly on his knees.

'I just need to overcome it.'

That's right. I have to.

But what if I can't? What will happen then?

Suddenly, he became curious.

When one overcomes their mind demons and severs all attachments to the world, a Buddhist becomes a Buddha, and a Taoist becomes an Immortal. Those who do not follow that path are called spirits, remaining in the world.

But what about those who can't overcome it?

What happens to someone who achieves everything possible as a human but fails to conquer their final mind demon? Someone whose state is so high that they can't even die, who accepts the demon… No, who becomes one with the demon itself—what happens to them?

As this thought crossed his mind, his body began to tremble noticeably, like an aspen tree.

'I…..'

I think I know. No, I don't know. No, I do know. No, I don't know. I don't know.

I know, but I must not know, and even if I can guess, I must never glimpse that path. It is the thing that is closest to fear for Cheong Myeong.

But… if that's the end, if that happens…

Rustle.

Suddenly, a sound behind him made Cheong Myeong flinch and curl up.

He hadn't realized someone had gotten this close.

It made sense. He had been so focused on detecting the presence of someone unfamiliar that he failed to notice the movements of someone familiar, even when they were right next to him.

"…..Is that you, Sahyung?"

Cheong Myeong slowly lifted his bowed head and turned around.

"What are you doing here?"

Tang Soso looked at him with slightly startled eyes.

Cheong Myeong opened his mouth to respond, then closed it again. He didn't want to reveal his voice, which had become rough and hoarse.

"….. Are you okay, Sahyung?"

But he couldn't keep ignoring her, so he finally spoke.

"You."

Fortunately, a passable voice came out.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm...."

Tang Soso hesitated for a moment before answering. Cheong Myeong unknowingly let out a short sigh. He could tell without asking. She was probably looking for Baek Cheon's whereabouts, using the opportunity while everyone else was asleep since she couldn't do it openly in front of others.

"..... Stop doing unnecessary things and get some rest."

"And you, Sahyung... what are you doing? Do you think the Sasuk is still nearby?"

"..."

"Then why?"

Tang Soso's final words were filled with something close to resentment.

If you search for him, you can find him. Cheong Myeong could find Baek Cheon anytime he wanted. It's even unnecessary for him to use his skill. Just by releasing Baek-ah, he could locate Baek Cheon in less than half a day.

So why wasn't he searching for him?

Cheong Myeong had no answer to her resentful question.

No, the question itself was wrong from the start. Cheong Myeong didn't need to find Baek Cheon. He already knew where he was.

But…. Cheong Myeong wanted to ask himself again.

After finding him? What can be done after finding him?

Should he tie him down, forcing him to live a life he doesn't want forever? Or should he allow him to die miserably on the battlefield, as he wishes? Which is the right answer, and what is justice?

Cheong Myeong stood up from his seat.

Now wasn't the time to waste energy in conversation with Tang Soso. If he did, she might soon notice something wrong with his body. He wanted to leave this uncomfortable place as soon as possible.

Cheong Myeong walked past Tang Soso indifferently, heading into the dense forest.

"Get some rest."

"Sahyung."

Cheong Myeong paused at the sound of her voice calling from behind.

"Why did things turn out this way?"

"..."

"This isn't what we wanted, is it?"

A bitter question flew toward him. Cheong Myeong glanced back at Tang Soso with an expressionless face. In the moonlight, his face was half-covered in shadow.

After a brief moment, Cheong Myeong muttered something. He then stared at her for a long time before quietly disappearing.

Tang Soso watched Cheong Myeong's retreating figure with worried eyes.

The words he had just murmured still lingered in her ears.

- Because I made it this way.

"Sahyung…"

Tang Soso's large eyes quivered like a shipwrecked boat, lost and adrift.