Chapter 586
In the center of the mountain hut, numerous bandits knelt.
Their faces displayed loss and fear as if their right to live had been stripped away.
Losing their martial arts to a warrior could be a punishment worse than death in some ways. However, Hyun Sang had no intention of showing them mercy.
After all, they are bandits who prey on people.
There were people who benefited the world by learning martial arts, and there were people who caused harm by learning martial arts.
He thought these bandits were clearly the latter.
Discussing reform and good fortune with clumsy teaching sometimes produced results as bad as not starting at all. It would have been better to eliminate future troubles through one swift punishment.
And the children?
There are a few children with minor injuries, but no child was seriously hurt.
Um!
Hyun Sang nodded.
Although there was a huge difference in skill, lives were still lost to a reckless sword in any case.
But fortunately, that didnt seem to be the case this time.
Mount Hua had become so strong.
If this was Mount Hua before the arrival of Chung Myung, Hyun Sang knew that their disciples would have been unable to handle the bandits even at the base of the mountain, let alone those above them.
However, clearing out the bandits at the top of Green Forest was impossible without taking any damage. Since this change occurred in just a few years, realizing how quickly the sect had become stronger was surprising.
You have all been through so much.
Not at all, elder.
This was easy!
Perhaps the disciples were thinking the same. Although he was somehow trying to stop his shoulders from shaking, his face still showed pride.
But
Because of that, everyone had forgotten. There was an evil spirit here, and it was always unable to tolerate happy situations.
Why are your shoulders shaking as if you did something amazing? We just caught some bandits.
Once the cold remarks were poured on them, the disciples of Mount Hua looked at Chung Myung with sullen expressions.
However, he shamelessly puffed out his chest.
What? Why? Did I say something wrong?
Even if you prick him with that needle, not a single drop of blood will come out.
Make sure you hit him, and still!
Chung Myung clicked his tongue with a disapproving look.
Since when did the Mount Hua sect become such an insignificant place that gets proud for beating up some bandits?! If our ancestors saw this, they would be so upset that they would die again!
Not me. No!
Ah, be quiet now!
W-who even said anything?
Everyone sighed as they watched Chung Myung speak nonsense.
Hmm.
However, even after hearing the scolding, the disciples couldnt help but let their flushed faces and smiles return.
Chung Myung eventually burst into laughter.
Of course, this is good.
The victory was a more valuable experience than anything else. Of course, you could learn things from defeat, but right now, gaining confidence through winning rather than learning from defeat is more important.
Mount Huas disciples had a subtle sense of defeatism.
Since their talent was never recognized, they couldnt help but feel a subtle sense of inferiority to those who had been recognized by the sect.
The best way to get rid of that is to do something they wouldnt dare do.
Although gaining fame was truly important at the moment, having confidence in oneself wasnt a bad thing.
And gain experience too.
The biggest advantage gained from this battle was that, for the first time, the entire Mount Hua group stepped forward and experienced what a battle was. Just having this experience at a time when the entire world was peaceful was a huge benefit to the sect.
Because one day, the day would come when they would have to fight like this. In that sense, it could be said to be a battle in which a lot was gained
But what else could be said?
Huhu.
Ehehehe.
Kuak. We were a lot stronger than we knew.
Hehe, I didnt care if it was Wudang or Budang. They were nothing special!
The kid said something that felt like nothing like what a Taoist would say. This kid wasnt sane either.
Yang Gwe, holding his beloved scimitar, gritted his teeth and rushed at Yoon Jong.
I will fix your head!
After a moment, Yoon Jong gently wiped the sweat from the forehead with a clean face and politely greeted him.
I will learn well.
A pleasure that was supposed to be felt, was missing for Yang Gwe.
No, it felt meaningless to even consider whether he was conscious or not. A person who has been reduced to a thing, wouldnt be able to respond properly even if he was conscious.
Jo Gul, Yu Yiseol, and Baek Cheon knew how to take bold risks to defeat the opponent when a chance came.
But Yoon Jong would never deviate from what he learned. He would never push himself and only did the safest attacks.
A weapon that could be withdrawn once the opponents weakness was realized was considered a very straightforward sword. However, a scene reminiscent of a cat toying with a mouse unfolded in a life-or-death situation where one faced the impossible.
Regardless of how severe the wounds were, he refused to surrender. Thus, Yang Gwe had no choice but to continue attacking until he lost consciousness from excessive bleeding. That was the outcome.
Yoon Jong turned around, a hint of pride on his face.
We defeated the enemy leader why are you looking at me like that?
He asked, genuinely puzzled by the reactions that differed from his expectations. Baek Cheon and the others, who watched this scene with a look of disgust, shook their heads.
Barbaric.
My goodness, how can someone beat another to such a state?
I never imagined that being faithful could be so terrifying.
It would have been more merciful to kill them quickly.
Well, thats whats frightening about Yoon Jong.
Baek Cheon thought to himself as he observed Yang Gwe and Yoon Jong.
A person who only practiced striking for a year couldnt beat someone who had learned various techniques from an early age. However, if one practiced only striking for a long period, no one could withstand a single blow.
Everyone knew this, but no one dared to voice it or attempt it.
Think about it. Who could practice the same motion so consistently?
The person who could do that was Yoon Jong.
A sword that wasnt flashy or unusual. And above all, it was faithful to the basics.
If one calmly assessed the present, Yoon Jong was the weakest among the Five Swords. His strength didnt match Jo Guls.
But
If 10 or 20 years pass, that guy might become the strongest among us.
It was such a peculiar thought.
Baek Cheon, Yu Yiseol, Yoon Jong, and Jo Gul.
Each of them had distinct personalities, with no two alike. Despite learning the same thing, their personalities and even their sword techniques looked vastly different.
Yet, they were all growing stronger in their own unique ways. Different yet the same, the same yet different.
And it wasnt just them
Baek Cheons gaze shifted to the back.
The disciples of Mount Hua, led by Hyun Sang and Un Geom, were taking down the other bandits.
Seeing the strength in their swords, he couldnt help but nod in satisfaction.
Including the minor skirmishes, there had only been three battles. Yet, those three were enough for the swordsmanship of Mount Hua to improve dramatically.
Baek Cheon quietly watched Chung Myung squatting in a corner, dividing a rice cake for Baek Ah as if he had nothing to do with the battle.
Seriously.
-What? Is Mount Hua so weak? Youre being ridiculous! Its not that Mount Hua is weak. Its you who are weak!
Baek Cheon laughed as if he had no other choice. After meeting this guy, their world changed.
Taking a good look at Chung Myung, Baek Cheon took a deep breath and said,
Now, should we clean this up?
We need to handle this and move to the top.
Yes.
He nodded and walked towards the bandits who were still fighting.
But Chung Myung said not to help in catching the bandits. Can we just leave?
Wouldnt it be okay if I just held a sword and glared from the side?
seriously.
The Five Swords, excluding Chung Myung, drew their cold iron swords and walked towards the bandits.
And.
Mount Hua cleared both groups of mountain bandits in less than half a day. They began to advance towards the last remaining group.