Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Mu Hwi reached for the sword finished with red leather. Even though it was his first time holding it, it fit snugly in his hand as if he had been using it all along.

The sword guard (劍銅) and sword collar (劍兀), which connected the sword and the blade, were crafted in the shape of a fully bloomed plum blossom. Thus, the Plum Blossom Sword resembled a sword rising from the center of a fully bloomed plum blossom.

Swoosh!

The Plum Blossom Sword slid out smoothly. Mu Hwi’s face brightened slightly at the shimmering light emanating from the blade.

On the sword case, a single plum blossom was engraved, blending with the wave patterns on the blade, creating an image of a plum blossom branch floating on the Yangtze River.

Despite the intricate design, it didn’t feel excessive, exuding a restrained elegance. It was no wonder that the entire Three Great Iron Workshops had poured their efforts into crafting this single Plum Blossom Sword.

“Receiving the Plum Blossom Sword means you are recognized as a true swordsman of Hwasan Sect. I look forward to the day when the plum blossoms you cultivate will enrich Hwasan.”

“Thank you, Sect Leader.”

Mu Hwi and the other Hwasan Sect disciples bowed respectfully to Baek Yu and Seong Ju-tae. With the conferment of the Plum Blossom Sword, the initiation ceremony concluded successfully.

This is the first Jonghwa Ceremony held since the Shaanxi Bloodshed Incident.

The young disciples of Spring Plum Hall, seeing the second-generation disciples, now had clear dreams.

The first-generation disciples and elders, looking at the second-generation disciples, felt hope for the future of Hwasan Sect instead of worry.

Today’s initiation ceremony was more meaningful than ever.

Baek Yu, seeing the bright faces of the Hwasan Sect disciples, smiled as well.

‘It’s becoming more lively.’

The atmosphere of Hwasan Sect was gradually changing, largely due to the influence of the second-generation disciples, especially Mu Hwi.

Baek Yu looked at Mu Hwi, who was mingling among the second-generation disciples.

‘You’ve accomplished what I couldn’t.’

Baek Yu turned his gaze to the plum blossom tree in the Jade Maiden Pool.

The winter winds had battered the plum blossom tree, but the plum blossoms were steadfastly deepening their color and preparing to bloom fully.

* * *

On the night of the initiation ceremony, a grand banquet was held at Hwasan Sect. Baek Yu provided ample wine and meat, allowing the disciples to eat and drink to their heart’s content.

Mu Hwi also allowed the second-generation disciples to relax and enjoy themselves, skipping the afternoon training for the day.

“Come on, everyone, fill your cups!”

“Hee-hee, Senior Disciple. This is so nice. It’s been so tough lately.”

“When I became a second-generation disciple, the wine tasted bland, but now it tastes different somehow?”

As Musan muttered while sipping his wine, Muho, who was listening beside him, chuckled.

“That’s because you were still young back then.”

“Senior Disciple Muho, you’re only a year older than me.”

“Just a year? The number of rice bowls I’ve eaten compared to you makes a huge difference.”

“Senior Disciple, if you put it that way… Ugh!”

As Musan and Muho were bickering, someone suddenly smacked the back of their heads, causing them to grab their heads and groan.

“Such childish talk at a nice gathering like this. You’re ruining the mood.”

Mu Hwi, who had lightly tapped the two disciples’ heads with a wine bottle, was holding several bottles in his hands.

Whether Musan and Muho got hit or not, the other disciples were eyeing the bottles in Mu Hwi’s hands with sparkling eyes.

“Senior Disciple, where did those come from?”

Mu-hwa asked as she received a bottle from Mu Hwi.

“The wine from the storeroom was too bland, so I went down the mountain for a bit.”

The wine from Hwasan Sect’s storeroom was generally too weak.

Mu Hwi, feeling like he was drinking plain water, went straight down to Huayin and raided an inn.

Using the silver coin he had taken from the Dark Knight, Mu Hwi didn’t hold back and generously brought back bottles of wine, even handing them out to the first-generation disciples and elders gathered there.

“Senior Disciple, you should have sent a disciple instead of going yourself.”

As Mujin filled Mu Hwi’s cup, Mu Hwi just smiled.

“It’s fine. It’s much faster to go alone.”

Mu Hwi looked at the disciples gathered around him.

“I didn’t know what you’d like, so I brought everything. Pick and choose as you like.”

“Yes, Senior Disciple!”

A louder response than usual echoed in Mu Hwi’s ears.

“What’s this wine? It’s not bad. Disciples, try this.”

“Ugh, this one feels like it’ll burn my throat.”

The second-generation disciples each opened a bottle, sniffed the aroma, and cautiously began to taste.

As Mu Hwi quietly drank while watching the disciples enjoy themselves, Mu-cheol approached him.

“Senior Disciple, thank you.”

“For what?”

“I never expected to receive the Plum Blossom Sword as a middle sword.”

On the day Mu-cheol was to switch to a middle sword, Mu Hwi sent a letter to Hwasan Sect.

He detailed Mu-cheol’s situation and the Steel Plum Blossom Sword Technique, even drawing diagrams of the sword’s width, length, and weight.

The letter proposed crafting a new Plum Blossom Sword for Mu-cheol.

“I only offered my opinion. It was the Sect Leader who granted the request.”

Mu-cheol quietly filled Mu Hwi’s cup. Mu Hwi tilted his cup and continued.

“First, train in the Plum Blossom Sword Technique. I’ll give you the secret manual of the Steel Plum Blossom Sword Technique soon.”

Now that he could learn the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, he could properly fill out the framework of the Steel Plum Blossom Sword Technique. And it wasn’t just the Steel Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

Once he trained in the Plum Blossom Sword Technique and deepened his understanding of Hwasan Sect’s martial arts, he would need to start researching the secret manuals left by Hyeon Jo.

‘It’s time to really get going.’

In a way, receiving the Plum Blossom Sword marked the real beginning.

“I won’t disappoint you, Senior Disciple.”

“Of course not.”

Mu Hwi, clinking cups with Mu-cheol, glanced towards the main hall.

He had seen the Shaolin monk while returning from Huayin. If a Shaolin monk appeared in Huayin, it was almost certain they had business at Hwasan Sect.

As Mu Hwi looked towards the main hall, Baek Yu was meeting with Gong Ji, the Arhat Hall Master of Shaolin.

“It seems there is an event at Hwasan Sect today. I apologize for intruding so suddenly, Sect Leader.”

“No, Master Gong Ji. What brings you all the way from Henan?”

Gong Ji rolled his prayer beads with a thoughtful expression.

“It’s about the Righteous Path Grand Assembly.”

“The Righteous Path Grand Assembly…”

The Righteous Path Grand Assembly (正道大會合)

An event held every five years where numerous sects of the righteous path, including the Nine Sects and Three Great Families, gather to discuss major and minor matters of the martial world. Since the righteous path lacks a formal alliance, various sects take turns hosting the assembly.

“Isn’t the next Righteous Path Grand Assembly supposed to be held at Hwasan Sect?”

“That’s correct, but there’s still over two years left.”

Gong Ji stopped rolling his prayer beads.

“The Baekri Family has raised an objection. Here is a letter from the Baekri Family Head.”

At the mention of the Baekri Family, Baek Yu’s eyebrows furrowed.

“The Baekri Family is concerned that Hwasan Sect, having suffered during the Shaanxi Bloodshed Incident, may not have the capacity to successfully host the Righteous Path Grand Assembly.”

The letter suggested swapping the hosting order between Hwasan Sect and the Baekri Family.

Since the Baekri Family was next in line to host after Hwasan Sect.

As Baek Yu’s fingers tightened, the letter began to crumple slightly.

“Our sect’s turn is right before the Baekri Family’s. They’re not just aiming for the hosting opportunity. The Righteous Path Grand Assembly is just a pretext, isn’t it?”

“Amitabha.”

Gong Ji, sensing what Baek Yu might say, simply chanted a Buddhist prayer.

“It seems the Baekri Family’s Sword King still can’t accept his past defeat and still covets the reputation of the Three Great Sword Sects of the martial arts world.”

In the past, the Baekri Family had challenged Hwasan Sect.

They aimed to seize Hwasan Sect’s reputation as one of the Three Great Sword Sects of the martial arts world.

Fifteen top masters from each sect engaged in consecutive martial contests, and ultimately, the Sword Saint defeated the Sword King, allowing Hwasan Sect to retain its reputation.

“Initially, the Abbot outright rejected the Baekri Family’s proposal, but they insisted on coming to Hwasan Sect themselves, so the Abbot sent me to mediate.”

Hwasan Sect is one of the Nine Sects, and the Baekri Family is one of the Three Great Families.

As pillars of the righteous path, the Shaolin Abbot didn’t want the two sects to clash and cause conflict.

“Shaolin has done no wrong. I am only grateful for the Abbot’s concern for Hwasan Sect. But!”

Baek Yu’s voice, which had been calm, gradually gained strength and pressed down on the main hall.

“Hwasan Sect has no intention of backing down. Accepting the Baekri Family’s proposal would be admitting our own weakness. It would be like smearing mud on the faces of our disciples.”

Gong Ji nodded. Even if Shaolin were in the same position, it would be unacceptable. But the Baekri Family was surely counting on this.

“The Baekri Family will use this as an excuse to seek revenge for their past defeat. The defeat to Hwasan Sect still lingers like a shadow over the Sword King and the Baekri Family.”

The Sword King, who had walked the path of invincibility all his life, suffered his first defeat to the Sword Saint in his later years.

That first defeat left an invisible scar on the Sword King’s heart.

Perhaps because of this, after the sect martial contest, the Sword King and the Baekri Family almost completely withdrew from the martial arts world. Now, they’ve reemerged with the issue of the Righteous Path Grand Assembly.

“Master Gong Ji is right.”

Baek Yu nodded at Gong Ji’s concern.

It was common knowledge in the martial arts world that Hwasan Sect had lost many of its top masters, including the Sword Saint.

In such a situation, challenging the Three Great Sword Sects again would surely draw criticism from the martial arts world. The Baekri Family likely intended to use the Righteous Path Grand Assembly as a pretext to seek revenge for their past defeat.

The Baekri Family must have anticipated Hwasan Sect’s refusal.

To restore their faded reputation, the Baekri Family would do whatever it takes to clash with Hwasan Sect.

“Although Hwasan Sect lost many top masters, including the Sword Saint, during the Shaanxi Bloodshed Incident, Hwasan Sect is still Hwasan Sect. We will not yield to the Baekri Family’s external pressure.”

Ripples formed in the tea that Baek Yu and Gong Ji were drinking. Even Gong Ji, the Arhat Hall Master, was impressed by Baek Yu’s resolve.

“I understand the Sect Leader’s stance. I will convey this to the Baekri Family.”

“There’s no need for Master Gong Ji to intervene. Our sect will send a letter to the Baekri Family directly.”

“No. Reading a letter and hearing it from someone in person are different. Moreover, the Abbot has entrusted me with mediating between Hwasan Sect and the Baekri Family. It is my duty.”

As Gong Ji stood firm, Baek Yu also nodded.

“Hwasan Sect is indebted to Shaolin.”

“Not at all. Indebted? The Abbot only hopes that the righteous path remains united amidst the chaos of the martial arts world. I hope the Sect Leader will also reconsider the significance of the righteous path.”

As Gong Ji clasped his hands, Baek Yu responded with a fist salute.

“Amitabha.”

“Primordial Celestial Heaven.”

After Gong Ji left, Baek Yu, alone in the main hall, silently brought a cup of plum blossom tea to his lips.

Stepping outside, Baek Yu looked at the moon reflected in the pond. His momentarily turbulent heart calmed like the waters of the Jade Maiden Pool.

If he hadn’t witnessed today’s initiation ceremony, he might not have been able to shake off his worries about the Baekri Family so easily.

“Your absence is deeply felt. Or perhaps, it’s my inadequacy as a Sect Leader?”

Less than half of Hwasan Sect’s top masters who had participated in the sect martial contest with the Baekri Family remained at the main peak. Many had perished heroically during the Shaanxi Bloodshed Incident.

Baek Yu still felt the void left by their absence keenly. Especially on a day like today. But he was confident that the void would soon be filled.

While listening to Gong Ji’s account of the Baekri Family, certain faces had suddenly come to mind. Not Hyeon Jo or the other elders who had passed away.

Mu Hwi, the Hwasan Sect disciples, and the other second-generation disciples.

Baek Yu firmly believed that the disciples of the second generation would become the main force in reviving Hwasan Sect.

As Baek Yu strolled through the Jade Maiden Pool, a plum blossom tree caught his eye.

Though its leaves had all fallen, leaving only bare branches, upon closer inspection, there were still unopened flower buds tightly curled up.

Baek Yu felt that the plum blossom tree resembled the current state of Hwasan Sect. Seeing this, Baek Yu smiled faintly.

“It will endure the snow and harsh winds, and bloom defiantly. That is the plum blossom, and that is Hwasan Sect.”

Baek Yu’s confident voice gently resonated through the Jade Maiden Pool.

* * *

Mu Hwi, who had been meditating in the courtyard, opened his eyes, revealing a mix of red and white light.

Having received the Plum Blossom Sword, Mu Hwi immediately delved into two secret manuals at the Scripture Pavilion.

Heavenly Containment Heart Technique (天函心法)

Plum Blossom Sword Technique (梅花劍訣)

The Heavenly Containment Heart Technique is an advanced version of the Nine Skies Mind Technique.

Thanks to this, Mu Hwi could easily settle the Heavenly Containment Heart Technique in his dantian, and the modifications he made to the Nine Skies Mind Technique could still be applied.

Although he needed to adjust the subtle nuances and energy pathways, after three days of meditation, he successfully integrated the Heavenly Containment Heart Technique with the modified Nine Skies Mind Technique.

Through this process, Mu Hwi’s internal energy became purer and increased.

Mu Hwi unfolded his legs and stood up, looking up at the plum blossom tree growing in the courtyard.

Some buds were beginning to bloom, while others were still tightly closed, conserving their energy.

It was still early for the plum blossoms to be in full bloom.

As Mu Hwi lightly waved his hand, a plum blossom fell onto his palm.

The petals, having endured the weight of the snow, were covered in a thin layer of ice. As Mu Hwi inhaled the fragrance of the plum blossom in his hand, the mnemonic verses (口诀) of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique flowed into his mind like the scent of plum blossoms.

As if struck by lightning, Mu Hwi’s body trembled momentarily, and he raised the corner of his mouth.

“Now I understand why Hwasan Sect’s sword is represented by the plum blossom.”

Mu Hwi had finally found the answer to the question Baek Yu had posed to him long ago.

Mu Hwi carefully blew the plum blossom in his hand back to the tree’s roots and then grasped the Plum Blossom Sword at his waist.

Now, it was possible.

To make the plum blossoms bloom among those bare branches.

Whoosh!

As the Plum Blossom Sword was drawn from its sheath, the internal energy of the Heavenly Containment Heart Technique infused into it, causing a brief sword resonance.

A unique sword fragrance, something only Mu Hwi could produce, began to emanate from the Plum Blossom Sword. The sword, imbued with this fragrance, pointed towards the plum blossom tree in front of him.

Mu Hwi began to physically express the enlightenment he had just gained through his sword.

Graceful trajectories that painted the sky.

The sword fragrance spread through the plum blossom tree, and the Plum Blossom Sword began to emit a faint, radiant red light.

As Mu Hwi unfolded the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, light orbs coalesced at the tip of the sword, writhing and intertwining.

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

< I will bloom an even more fragrant, radiant plum blossom. (Paid content begins.) >