Chapter 1234: So? (Part 4)

Waves rippled across the sea.

The sunlight gently shone, and seagulls leisurely cawed. Truly the word 'peaceful' was an understatement...

"Puhaaaaaaaat!"

Faces that looked like they had just escaped from hell broke the peace, bursting from the water as if launched forth.

"Kyaek! Kyaek! Kyaheheuk!"

Tang Pae, who was spewing water from his nose and mouth, squinted his eyes.

"No, why did you suddenly push down someone into the water and cause an uproar! Why!"

"Tsk, Hyung-nim, calm down for a moment..."

"Calm down? Do I look calm? I almost died!"

While was screaming for their life, being suddenly pushed down underwater was enough to surprise anyone.

However, unlike Tang Pae, who had only witnessed Chung Myung's torment with his own eyes but had never experienced it properly, the Five Swords were enjoying themselves even though they were forced underwater.

"Sahyung! Sahyung! Did you see that huge fish just now?"

"Saw it! Do you know what it's called?" [idk]

"Could that possibly be a whale or something? Wow! I've never seen something like that before."

"Should we go see it again?"

"I wanted to touch it..."

To the innocent conversation of the disciples, Baek Cheon smiled contentedly.

'That's a shark, you crazy bastards.'

Touch it, and your fingers will be gone.

To those disciples who seemed blissfully happy, Baek Cheon briefly considered whether to let them know the cold reality of the world, but then shook his head.

Even if they were attacked, it wouldn't be enough to kill them...

"Hey! It's coming this way! What's that sticking out? Should I pet it?"

"Don't go that way, you bastards!"

When Baek Cheon shouted, Jo Gol and Yoon Jong looked disappointed.

"Why is Sasuk angry?"

"Sasuk doesn't really like animals, you know."

"Oh, really?"

"He even dislikes Baek-ah."

"...Is it because they're both Baeks so there's a sense of competition?"

"In my opinion, it's more like he doesn't like it when fur sticks to his clothes. He's a neat freak."

No! It's all wrong, you crazy bastards!

As Baek Cheon was suffering from an unfair accusation, those who cared little for his feelings casually opened their mouths.

"We've come farther than I thought, Sago."

"Yeah, farther than I thought."

"If we continue like this, we'll quickly, right?"

Yoo Iseol lightly nodded her head.

While it might be unknown how people from other sects would fare, disciples of the Mount Hua Sect were accustomed to swordsmanship in various situations. According to Chung Myung's theory, disciples should be able to wield a sword in the air, underwater, and even in fire. Therefore, the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect had honed their sword skills in all situations.

Even though Chung Myung's attempt to push them into a pit of fire to force them to wield a sword even in flames was nullified by Hyun Jong's quick kick, it was true that they had experienced harsh training.

Of course, amidst all this, Chung Myung couldn't let go of his lingering resentment, muttering, 'I should have prepared them for possible burns from fire attacks in the future,' but anyway, thanks to that rigorous training, the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect could swim such distances effortlessly.

The slightly higher waves than expected might be a bit annoying, but since they had experienced moderate waves on the Yangtze River, it was not a big deal...

"Don't waste time and go quickly."

"At this speed, we can arrive before sunset?"

With Namgung Dowi showing high spirits, Tang Pae laughed.

"Before sunset? The sun is already halfway down, and you're talking nonsense."

"Yes? What are you talking about? Sunset? Does the South Sea even have short days?"

"Huh? No, I heard that here the daytime is actually a bit longer."

"But why is it already dark then? In terms of time, there's still a long way to go, and it should be around noon now."

"T-true? Then why is it so dark?"

"Is it dark? It's bright like this..."

Namgung Dowi quickly closed his mouth.

"...Huh?"

Just a moment ago, it was clearly a summer day with the hot sun shining down, but now it was getting remarkably dim, just as Tang Pae had described.

"No, why did it suddenly get so dark..."

At that moment.

Rumble!

A foreboding sound echoed from somewhere, and everyone slowly turned their heads.

The approaching massive dark cloud became visible.

"...It's dark."

"It was fascinating to see snowstorms in the North Sea, but what kind of clouds are these, so sharply defined and clear as if drawn with a line?"

"Isn't this remarkable in its own way?"

"Haha. That's true..."

Rumble!

At that moment, everyone saw it.

Above the sea, vivid flashes of white light exploded from the greenish thunderclouds, one after another.

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

Namgung Dowi, who had been staring blankly at the scene, mumbled unintentionally.

"Wow... it's deadly."

In many senses, it was a spectacle that could kill.

"Is it a typhoon?"

"To me, it looks like a storm."

"What's the difference?"

"That's definitely what it is."

Kwaaaah!

At that moment, with a fierce wind, powerful waves swept over them once and passed. At that moment, everyone returned to their three-year-old selves. Everyone laughed awkwardly, feeling like they were riding on their father's back.

Rumble!

Lightning and strong winds rushed in simultaneously, and a wave as high as a house surged above them. Jo Gol smiled happily.

"Well, we're screwed."

Indeed.

Kwaaaah!

"Uwaaaaah!"

The approaching tidal wave lifted people up like pieces of paper. Those who had moments ago soared into the air were now instantly crushed below.

"God, we're going to die! We're going to die!"

Jo Gol, with his eyes turned inside out, screamed.

He was a swordsman who had long been trained in the notorious Mount Hua. Even if thousands of enemies rushed at him, he would charge forward without blinking an eye and swing his sword. He was a courageous man.

But that was a story for when there were enemies.

"Aaah! Save us! Dying like thiiis... gurgle-gurgle!"

In a situation where several sheets of waves were rolling over their heads, what could they possibly do with a sword? Even if their martial arts allowed them to cut through dozens of waves with one sword, from the perspective of the sea, it could just scoff and say, 'Yes. Next wave, please.'

"Shut up and swim! Stop blabbering!"

"How can we swim when the waves are crashing like this!"

At that moment, Baek Cheon opened his eyes.

"Whether it's waves or whatever, we are disciples of the Mount Hua! If we overcome this, that's it!"

"We are Taoists!"

"Why does that matter?"

"Being in harmony with nature is what Taoists do! Which Taoist sect teaches you to resist nature!"

"Then drown!"

"That's what I'm sayi..."

At that moment, not far away, white lightning struck.

Rumble! Crash!

Shortly after, everyone was stunned by the explosive thunder.

"Wow... that was fast."

"From now on, if I ever see a guy with a sword as fast as lightning in front of me, I'll tear apart his sect."

"...Indeed, nature is greater than anything, and the essence of all cycles..."

"Talking about how great nature is in this situation? Seriously?"

Everyone felt a tingling sensation in their bodies.

Seeing lightning up close, they understood. If struck by something like that directly, whether you were the greatest swordsman or an unparalleled demon, you would end up in the Netherworld.  [ ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ]

"L-let's go back, Sasuk!"

"...No."

"As it is, all we'll get is being swept away. Let's quickly retreat to the coast, wait for the typhoon to pass, and then come back!"

"I get it, but..."

"Whether it's Southern Island or whatever the fuck! We must survive for them to survive! Even if Jang Ilso himself came here instead of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, seeing this typhoon, he'd probably say, 'Hmm. Let's drink until the typhoon stops!' So, we can come back later."

"No! That's not the problem! Hey!"

"What's the problem then?"

"...Going back now won't be easy. That's the problem."

"Huh?"

Jo Gol, momentarily bewildered, looked with trembling eyes in the direction they had come. Far away, very far away, the mainland was visible.

"...Ah."

"Whether we go forward or backward, dying is inevitable."

"...One heck of a life."

Even when facing death, it sure was quite impressive.

"So, let's move forward!"

Madness flashed in Baek Cheon's eyes. However, before those eyes could emit madness, a rush of seawater surged over his face.

"Grrrk!"

"...Well done."

Crackle!

Craaaaaaaaaaackle!

White thunderbolts struck one after another.

At this point, it wasn't the time to argue whether it was an exaggeration or not. Rapid currents swinging people around at an astonishing speed and waves that covered the sky like a roof were both terrifying.

Even if one tried to deal with such things, there was no way to handle lightning strikes several times in the blink of an eye with human willpower alone.

'We're really going to die!'

Everyone, with pale faces, instinctively turned their heads.

"Chung Myung-aaaa!"

"Hey, you bastaard!"

"Try doing something!"

Chung Myung looked at everyone as if they were pathetic.

"No... Do they think I'm some kind of magic pouch? What am I supposed to do when a typhoon is coming?" [Doraemon CM?]

"You said we should set off!"

"You said we should swim!"

"And you said we'd arrive in half a day! You bastard! We'll arrive alright. The arrival will be in the Netherworld!"

"Oh my, Sect Leader... Your disciple is leaving from this world!"

"...Dad."

"Sago, don't cry!"

Chung Myung, observing the half-crazed individuals, clicked his tongue.

"The disciples of the Great Heavenly Comrade Alliance... Each of them is so scared, yet they're the sect leaders and the deputy sect leaders of their sects…"

Kwa-rururururuk!

"Ah, ack!"

At a thunderbolt struck just about a dozen yards in front of them, Chung Myung's body trembled.

"Look at this bastard!"

"What are we going to do about this?"

"In any case, these guys...Carrying heads around like decorations on a hairpin."

Chung Myung smirked, trying to open his mouth confidently.

"Everyone, dive!"

"...Yes?"

Chung Myung turned his slightly disheveled face. Im So Byeong, who looked like a soaked rat, spoke again with wet lips.

"Dive! Just a few layers down, it's just a calm sea. Even if lightning strikes, there shouldn't be any problem below."

"Oh!"

"Indeed, the military leader of the Great Heavenly Comrade Alliance!"

"Hey... There are times when that guy looks cool. Is your face okay?"

Im Sobyeong, slapped in the face by the forceful current, weakly chuckled.

"Haha. I'm okay... Cough! Cough! I'm... Cough! Uwee-ek!"

"...Wow, blood's spurting out of his mouth like a fountain."

"At this point, it's strange if he doesn't die, right?"

"Looks like something murky is oozing out from the top of his head."

"Sahyung! Sahyung! Someone chant the rites! What do we do..."

Kururururuk!

At that moment, the sky roared once again. Everyone hastily exchanged glances and shouted,

"Get in!"

"Dive!"

"Uwaaaah!"

"I, I have a bit of a fear of deep water..."

"This guy has a high fear of the deep sea even now! Just get in!"

The Heavenly Comrade Alliance gang, who had taken a deep breath, delved deeper and deeper.

Kwa-ah ah ah ah ah!

A single wave as large as a house fiercely swept over the surface of the water where they had disappeared.