Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Originally, Mu-cheol’s ability was limited to delivering a single slash with a heavy sword condensed with internal energy. However, Mu-cheol adjusted the distance between his hands by flexibly utilizing the muscles in his wrists and forearms.

Five mighty sword strikes extended in different directions.

Three strikes aimed upward, and two strikes aimed downward were unleashed simultaneously.

The five slashes slightly deviated like flower petals trembling in the wind, continuously altering their trajectories.

‘It’s like a large flower bud.’

Baek Soon’s swift sword drew a thick line across Mu-cheol’s petals. Mu-cheol’s sword strikes were torn to shreds by Baek Soon’s blade.

“Kuhk!”

Unable to withstand the power behind Baek Soon’s sword, Mu-cheol was sent flying backward.

Crack!

Hearing the sound beneath his feet, Baek Soon lowered his gaze. A fine crack had formed on the ground where his left foot had stepped.

“Good.”

Although Baek Soon had not even used thirty percent of his strength, it was the result of Mu-cheol properly demonstrating the essence of the heavy sword.

‘It’s not yet a fully refined sword technique.’

Though the ultimate outcome was still unknown, Baek Soon could tell from Mu-cheol’s sword that the direction was correct.

Mu-cheol’s heavy sword would bloom into a new plum blossom that would protect the Hwasan. This is how the Hwasan would flourish once again.

“The Steel Plum Blossom Sword Technique, I look forward to seeing what kind of plum blossom you will bloom.”

“Thank you, Elder Baek Soon.”

As Mu-cheol bowed with a fist salute, Baek Soon also nodded in acknowledgment.

Watching Mu-cheol and Baek Soon’s sparring, Im Sanha noticed that Seong Soo-am, sitting beside him, couldn’t take his eyes off Mu-cheol and asked,

“Soo-am, what’s wrong?”

“Did the Hwasan Sect have such a martial art that uses a heavy sword?”

“From what I know, it’s a sword technique left behind by the Sword Saint. I heard that Mu-cheol has been training in it alone.”

“A heavy sword… It’s cool because it’s big and sturdy.”

“Really? It would suit you well since you’re big.”

“Right?”

As Seong Soo-am alternated his gaze between Mu-cheol and the heavy sword on his shoulder, Mu-hwa stepped forward onto the training ground.

“Next is Mu-hwa. Come forward.”

“Elder Baek Soon, here I come.”

Mu-hwa intended to dominate from the start by unleashing the Fragrance Step Technique and the Three Leaf Piercing Wind to their extremes.

Seeing the red light emanating from Mu-hwa, Baek Soon smiled.

“Showing your thorns right from the start.”

In response, Baek Soon countered with the Three Leaf Piercing Wind.

Clang!

A flurry of swift sword strikes.

After Mu-hwa retreated, Muryun stepped forward, followed by Muho and Mujin, as the second-generation disciples took turns challenging Baek Soon.

The second-generation disciples displayed their skills without holding back against Baek Soon, and the disciples of the Spring Plum Hall were the most excited.

The younger disciples, whose level was still low, only found the demonstration impressive. However, demonstrating sword techniques in the air and actively deploying them against an opponent were distinctly different.

“The Senior Disciples are truly amazing.”

“Can we ever be like that?”

Mujin leaped into the air, avoiding tension and twisting his body mid-air.

The younger disciples couldn’t close their gaping mouths as they watched Mujin elegantly flutter the hem of his robe while continuously unleashing sword winds.

In no time, the second-generation disciples had firmly established themselves as idols for the younger disciples.

“Remarkable progress. Well done, Mujin.”

“Thank you.”

With Mujin’s sparring with Baek Soon concluded, only Mu Hwi remained.

As Mu Hwi stepped onto the training ground, all eyes turned to him.

Mu Hwi bowed with a fist salute and spoke.

“Through this spar, I would like to show the elders and fellow disciples a new martial art of the Hwasan Sect.”

Baek Soon showed interest.

“A new martial art of the Hwasan Sect?”

“It’s a martial art called Plum Blossom Scattering Hand, one of the techniques created by my master.”

“Was there another martial art left behind by Hyeon Jo?.”

Baek Soon, momentarily reminiscing about the late Hyeon Jo, straightened his sword.

“No need for explanations. Seeing is better than hearing.”

“Yes, Elder Baek Soon.”

As soon as he answered, Mu Hwi kicked off the ground. Fluttering the hem of his robe, Mu Hwi reached Baek Soon in an instant and slashed downward with his sword.

“Huh!”

Impressed by the swift speed, Baek Soon lightly swung his sword. The moment the two swords met, Mu Hwi flipped his sword so that the flat sides touched.

Baek Soon’s eyes widened. The moment the flat sides touched, Mu Hwi channeled internal energy through the sword using the principle of adhesion, preventing the swords from separating.

‘What is this kid thinking?’

Mu Hwi’s move was not something a junior would typically use against a senior.

Then, Mu Hwi extended his hand. Baek Soon decided to follow Mu Hwi’s intention for the moment.

The sleeves embroidered with plum blossoms fluttered roughly on both sides.

Slap!

After several exchanges of palm strikes and backhand blows, Baek Soon’s palm, which had been executing the Falling Flower Palm, twisted outward. Baek Soon’s eyes widened.

It wasn’t because he was overpowered in strength or technique, but because of the martial art Mu Hwi had displayed.

“Plum Blossom Scattering Hand, I think I understand the meaning behind the name now.”

Whoosh!

Baek Soon, having drawn up his internal energy, pushed Mu Hwi’s energy away and separated the swords. Baek Soon bent his elbow and thrust his sword toward Mu Hwi.

The sword, which had been aimed upward, twisted and suddenly targeted the right flank.

A subtle change that would leave even a skilled martial artist stunned.

However, Mu Hwi deflected the thrust aimed at his flank with the Plum Blossom Scattering Hand and thrust his sword straight toward Baek Soon’s chest.

Thus began Mu Hwi’s offensive.

Mu Hwi’s sword trembled and then split into dozens of sword shadows, scattering tension like plum blossom petals between them.

Baek Soon was momentarily captivated by the red scene filling his vision.

‘Plum Blossom Scattering Hand. It’s not originally a supplementary fist technique for the sword.’

The Plum Blossom Scattering Hand unfolds continuously as the sword is swung.

The Hwasan Sect’s sword techniques are already complex and varied. However, the Plum Blossom Scattering Hand cleverly circles around without interfering with the sword’s path, adding strength to the offense.

This allowed Mu Hwi to maintain a relentless offensive.

Mu Hwi, simultaneously deploying sword techniques and the Plum Blossom Scattering Hand, seemed as if he were wielding two swords.

“This isn’t easy…”

While there are tens of thousands of martial arts in the martial arts world, few involve wielding weapons in both hands simultaneously.

It’s difficult to master the coordination of both hands, and the weapons in each hand can easily interfere with each other’s trajectories. Despite the advantages of unpredictability and versatility, it requires extensive training and a certain level of talent.

‘It seems like both hands strike simultaneously, but there’s a clear sequence. Since it’s not actually using a sword, there’s some freedom in managing the center of gravity.’

As the master of the Hwasan Sect’s Scripture Pavilion, Baek Soon analyzed the Plum Blossom Scattering Hand while defending against Mu Hwi’s offense.

Even a divine technique that can split heaven and earth is useless if the disciples cannot master it.

‘I need to see the manual, but the first-generation disciples should be able to use it in real combat after four or five years of training.’

After observing the Plum Blossom Scattering Hand’s shadow techniques scattering sword shadows in all directions, Baek Soon completed his analysis of the martial art’s classification. The moment Baek Soon stepped forward with his right foot, the trajectories of the Ten Thousand Fragrance Sword in his right hand and the Plum Blossom Scattering Hand in his left were about to overlap.

If that happened, the hands would tangle, and Mu Hwi’s rhythm would break.

Baek Soon, who had been extending his sword with this in mind, suddenly frowned and retracted his sword.

‘Heh, I almost fell for it.’

A psychological move using the perception of dual-handed martial arts. The point where the two martial arts’ trajectories collided was actually a trap to lure the opponent in.

Baek Soon, with his vast experience, saw through it, but Mu Hwi didn’t miss the moment Baek Soon hesitated and pressed on.

Clang!

Baek Soon, deflecting the successive thrusts of the sword and fingertips, looked at Mu Hwi with amazement.

Having roughly completed his analysis of the Plum Blossom Scattering Hand, Baek Soon couldn’t understand how Mu Hwi could deploy it so skillfully.

‘Is he a late bloomer? To suddenly explode with talent like this.’

Baek Soon, who had observed Mu Hwi’s martial arts during the last ceremony held before the Shaanxi Bloodshed Incident, felt an even greater sense of disparity.

There had been a considerable gap in time, but not enough for such a miraculous growth.

“Mu Hwi, facing your sword directly, you seem like a completely different person.”

“Please consider it growth rather than change.”

“Growth…”

Clang clang clang!

Even while exchanging a few words, the two had already exchanged over ten moves.

Baek Soon, seeing Mu Hwi’s composure in speaking while extending his sword, let out a hollow laugh.

“What kind of growth did you achieve to become such a monster?”

When Baek Soon heard that Mu Hwi was researching and continuing the late Hyeon Jo legacy alone, he had opposed it.

He believed it wasn’t something a second-generation disciple could handle alone and that it should be managed by the Scripture Pavilion.

Of course, Baek Yu had persuaded him, and Baek Soon had agreed to wait and see, but now, seeing Mu Hwi, it seemed his worries were unnecessary.

‘He’s the right talent to lead the Scripture Pavilion. Although I’m greedy, this kid can do greater things for the Hwasan Sect.’

Baek Soon raised his sword from below and deflected Mu Hwi’s sword. Naturally, the distance between the two men increased.

“There’s no more meaning to this.”

The second-generation disciples he had faced earlier had exchanged at most thirty moves. But Mu Hwi had already withstood over eighty. Even with his strength restrained, a second-generation disciple had withstood an elder’s sword to this extent.

Seeing the astonished elders and first-generation disciples from afar, Baek Soon smiled wryly and stroked his beard.

“Tsk, I got too engrossed in observing the new martial art.”

Seeing young Mu Hwi easily deflect his sword, Baek Soon felt a rare surge of excitement, though he didn’t voice it.

“Elder Baek Soon, thank you for your guidance.”

Seeing Mu Hwi bow, Baek Soon also smiled kindly.

“Haha, it’s been a while since I enjoyed myself so much.”

Returning to where the elders were, Baek Soon reported his thoughts to Baek Yu. Hearing this, Baek Yu nodded and stood up.

“This ceremony is truly satisfying. The disciples of the Spring Plum Hall seem to be keeping the promise made during the entrance ceremony, and the second-generation disciples have shown remarkable growth despite the lack of attention from the seniors.”

Baek Yu continued, looking at the second-generation disciples.

“I’ve seen the skills of the second-generation disciples challenging the Plum Blossom Sword. Not all disciples will receive the Plum Blossom Sword. But I have no doubt that the disciples who challenged today will receive the Plum Blossom Sword in the next ceremony.”

Baek Yu looked at each of the disciples who had challenged the Plum Blossom Sword and spoke.

“Four disciples will receive the Plum Blossom Sword! Mu Hwi, Mujin, Mu-cheol, Mu-hwa. Step forward!”

At Baek Yu’s declaration, the second-generation disciples cheered and applauded among themselves.

“Congratulations, Senior Disciples! Congratulations, Senior sister!”

“Finally, someone among us will wield the Plum Blossom Sword!”

Even the disciples who had challenged Baek Soon but unfortunately didn’t receive the Plum Blossom Sword were as happy as if it were their own achievement.

Watching the Hwasan Four Flowers spar with Baek Soon, they realized there was still a significant gap. Instead, they were motivated to aim for the next ceremony.

Not only the second-generation disciples but also the first-generation disciples and the disciples of the Spring Plum Hall applauded enthusiastically as the Hwasan Four Flowers walked to the center of the training ground.

Meanwhile, the craftsmen from the Three Great Iron Workshop brought a wooden box, and beside it stood Baek Yu and Seong Ju-tae.

Seong Ju-tae opened the box and presented the Plum Blossom Sword to the Hwasan Four Flowers, after which Baek Yu personally tied a red tassel to the sword’s hilt.

Seong Ju-tae looked up at Mu-cheol, who was so tall that he had to crane his neck to meet his gaze, and laughed heartily.

“So, you’re the new master of the Plum Blossom Sword.”

The wooden box in front of Mu-cheol was significantly larger than the others. It took two craftsmen to carry it, drawing the attention of the other disciples.

When Seong Ju-tae opened the box, Mu-cheol’s eyes sparkled at what was inside.

A massive Plum Blossom Sword.

Compared to the heavy sword Mu-cheol currently used, the blade was two fingers narrower, but the length was about one chi (approximately 30 cm) longer.

‘This is…’

The Plum Blossom Sword before Mu-cheol was the exact specification that Mu Hwi had said would best suit Mu-cheol’s physique.

The heavy sword Mu-cheol currently used was a temporary solution, as they couldn’t find a perfect match at the nearby forge.

With the schedule of the martial arts world’s events, they couldn’t wait for a sword to be custom-made.

‘Senior Disciple must have taken care of it.’

Mu-cheol had been worried that even if he received the Plum Blossom Sword, he would have to continue training with his current heavy sword.

But now that the Plum Blossom Sword had been made in the form of a heavy sword, Mu-cheol felt his worries vanish like bubbles.

“Since it’s the first time making the Plum Blossom Sword in the form of a heavy sword, we put a lot of effort into it. How is it?”

Seong Ju-tae asked, observing Mu-cheol’s expression.

“I really like it. I will cherish it for a lifetime.”

Mu-cheol smiled brightly. Truly brightly.

At that smile, Mu Hwi and the other disciples beside Mu-cheol were startled and looked at him.

“Haha, I thought you were taciturn, but you smile well.”

Only Seong Ju-tae, who didn’t know Mu-cheol well, didn’t find his smile strange.

‘Finally, I’ve received the Plum Blossom Sword.’

Mu Hwi’s hand gripping the Plum Blossom Sword’s scabbard naturally tightened.

Following this, Baek Yu personally tied red tassels to the disciples’ Plum Blossom Swords. The tassels, shaped like flowers, matched perfectly with the Plum Blossom Swords as if they were originally one.

“Moving quickly is good, but be careful not to fall. Of course, you keep an eye on the disciples behind you even while running ahead, so I’m not too worried.”

While tying the red tassel to the sword’s hilt, Baek Yu lightly tapped Mu Hwi’s hand holding the Plum Blossom Sword.

“I will keep that in mind.”

After tying the red tassels to all four disciples’ swords, Baek Yu couldn’t hide his pride as he looked at the disciples holding the Plum Blossom Swords.

“Everyone, draw your Plum Blossom Swords.”

At Baek Yu’s words, the Hwasan Four Flowers eagerly reached for their sword hilts.

Swoosh!

The Plum Blossom Swords slid out smoothly.

The sound of the swords being drawn was like the rustling of fine silk.

“Ah!”

“Wow!”

The Hwasan Four Flowers couldn’t help but exclaim as they drew their swords.

< Everyone, draw your Plum Blossom Swords. > End

< Now I understand why it’s represented by the plum blossom. >