Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 75

Chapter 75

The secret manual that fell from the embrace of the Jeonjin mysterious swordsman was wrapped in two layers: one of yellow paper and the other of oiled paper.

The outer layer of paper surrounding the secret manual bore the marks where the Plum Blossom Sword had pierced through, but it was so thin that it didn’t seem to hinder reading the manual.

Upon peeling off the two layers of wrapping, there were two books: an unnamed, anonymous booklet and a secret manual titled the Tai Da Tian Jing (Great Heavenly Scripture).

Mu Hwi muttered as he looked at the talisman sandwiched between the two secret manuals.

“A talisman…”

Wandering martial artists like the Jeonjin mysterious swordsman, who had no fixed abode and roamed the martial arts world, typically carried important items like secret manuals with them or hid them in places unknown to others.

Among them, there were those who insisted on keeping the manuals in their own embrace rather than in hidden compartments or pouches.

They were either anxious about the manuals falling from their bodies or believed that the manuals in their embrace would save their lives once.

Though it was unclear what kind of talisman this was, it seemed that the Jeonjin mysterious swordsman had also been in such a case.

“The Tai Da Tian Jing. A martial arts secret manual.”

The Tai Da Tian Jing is a secret manual containing the martial arts of the Jeonjin Sect, which the Jeonjin mysterious swordsman had mastered.

It included Taixu Wuling Xinfa, Taixu Tianlei Jian, Huxu Qianying Bu, and Hanxu Qingyou Zhang.

The highest-level martial arts of the Jeonjin Sect were all gathered here. If the existence of this manual became known, it was certain to stir up the martial arts world.

“There are bits and pieces that can be extracted.”

Mu Hwi quickly flipped through the Tai Da Tian Jing, pondering.

If an ordinary martial artist had obtained this manual, they would have agonized over whether to learn Tai Da Tian Jing or give up, depending on their circumstances.

They might have been too old to learn new martial arts, or the new arts might have conflicted with what they had already learned.

Moreover, if the level of the martial arts was too high, it could lead to a situation where one’s innate energy was insufficient, making it worse than not learning them at all.

The level of the martial arts in the Tai Da Tian Jing was precisely like that.

But Mu Hwi didn’t need to worry about such things. He didn’t need to learn all the martial arts in the Tai Da Tian Jing; he could pick and choose what he needed.

This was a skill honed from his past life as a Sword Devil.

“The Taixu Wuling Xinfa. A martial art that could be called a divine technique without exaggeration.”

With wide eyes, Mu Hwi engraved the Tai Da Tian Jing into his mind, paying particular attention to the Taixu Wuling Xinfa.

The other martial arts were also supreme techniques worthy of being called peerless in the martial arts world, but they weren’t so compelling that he had to learn them immediately.

But the Taixu Wuling Xinfa was different.

It wasn’t just about extracting insights; it was worth deeply mastering the technique itself.

“The Taixu Wuling Xinfa is also a mind technique rooted in Taoism, so it doesn’t seem to conflict with the Zhaxia Xinfa. In fact, they complement each other well.”

But that didn’t mean he could learn both mind techniques simultaneously.

“Zhaxia and Taixu. Both are supreme mind techniques. They aren’t the kind of martial arts that can be merged simply by intertwining their principles.”

When looking at ordinary martial arts, one could see how to intertwine and complement them, but in the case of Zhaxia and Taixu, no answer came to mind.

Even to Mu Hwi, who had combined and redefined numerous martial arts, this seemed like a realm he couldn’t yet approach. But Mu Hwi couldn’t easily let go of this lingering thought.

“If I can achieve it, a divine technique like the Shaolin’s Mahasanghara Shingong or the Wudang’s Yang Yi Shingong might be born.”

Mu Hwi’s Baihui point seemed to heat up as he pondered, but it didn’t seem like an answer would come immediately.

This was something he would have to think about more later.

“And this.”

Having decided to calmly study the Tai Da Tian Jing before returning to the Hwasan Sect, Mu Hwi now took out the unnamed booklet.

Mu Hwi’s eyebrows drooped as he examined the unnamed booklet. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a martial arts secret manual.

“The history of the Jeonjin Sect… A journal recorded by past sect leaders?”

Recalling the Jeonjin mysterious swordsman, Mu Hwi quickly flipped to the back of the booklet.

There, unlike the peaceful content at the front, the back was filled with records of who had died and which sects had been annihilated.

– Half of the 108 Arhats died, and the Wudang Sect’s main mountain was burned down. Now, in the final battlefield, the orthodox sects must unite their remaining strength, and our sect must also exert all its efforts. We must prevent the martial lineage of our sect from being severed in case of unforeseen events.

There were many records, but it seemed that the Jeonjin, Shaolin, and Wudang sects had led a war against a Demonic cult called the Molong Forest, though there was no mention of the Jeonjin Sect’s sacrifices.

“I have no idea what this old man saw to spout such nonsense.”

Mu Hwi shook his head as he examined the booklet again, then closed it. Deciding to scrutinize it more carefully later, he got up.

***

Mu Hwi sent a letter to the Hwasan Sect informing them that he had captured the Jeonjin mysterious swordsman and leisurely set off.

There was no urgent need to return to the Hwasan Sect, so he took his time exploring various places in Shaanxi while thoroughly studying the Tai Da Tian Jing.

He planned to fully memorize the Tai Da Tian Jing in his mind before ascending Hwasan, and drink to his heart’s content.

While Mu Hwi was enjoying noodles and dumplings with wine at an inn, a middle-aged man entered.

The middle-aged man, wearing a blue martial robe with a black long coat, slightly lifted his bamboo hat and scanned the inn before fixing his gaze on Mu Hwi and walking over.

“Excuse me, young hero. May I join you?”

At the middle-aged man’s polite request, Mu Hwi looked around.

Currently, the inn had no other guests besides Mu Hwi, so there were plenty of seats available.

Yet, the middle-aged man insisted on coming over to share a table.

After taking in the middle-aged man’s appearance, Mu Hwi nodded.

“Of course.”

“Thank you.”

The middle-aged man placed his travel bag and sword on the table and sat down.

Finally, he removed the bamboo hat from his head, revealing a face with gray hair.

Overall, he had a gentle and soft appearance, but there were a few scars on his face, as if he had weathered many storms.

Thanks to those scars, he didn’t seem entirely fragile. The middle-aged man had a unique impression, both strong and kind.

‘Above all, those eyes.’

Though his face suggested a rough life, the look in his eyes was not the least bit clouded.

Like a clear lake where the bottom was visible.

The lake in the middle-aged man’s eyes shone brilliantly.

It was the kind of gaze seen in children untouched by the world or enlightened Taoists and monks.

How many men in this martial arts world could have such an impression and gaze?

“It seems you’ve been through quite a lot.”

While Mu Hwi was gazing at the middle-aged man’s eyes, the middle-aged man was examining Mu Hwi’s overall appearance.

When the middle-aged man mentioned the torn martial robe, Mu Hwi simply smiled.

“It wasn’t that much hardship. These kinds of wounds aren’t even worth paying attention to.”

Despite Mu Hwi’s calm response, the middle-aged man only gave a bitter smile.

“This is quite… To have a late-stage foundation level disciple step forward like this, as a senior of the martial world, I feel ashamed. I’ll drink three cups as punishment.”

Did they know who each other was?

Even without saying much, the conversation between the two men flowed smoothly.

“Sure, go ahead.”

Mu Hwi promptly filled the middle-aged man’s cup.

Normally, a junior would wave their hands in denial, but this junior didn’t hesitate and poured the wine without a second thought.

Amused by this unusual behavior, the middle-aged man chuckled softly.

After drinking the three cups of wine Mu Hwi poured, the middle-aged man wiped his mouth with his sleeve and asked.

“Since I’ve had my punishment, may I introduce myself?”

“We probably already know who each other is, so there’s no need for introductions.”

As Mu Hwi smiled, the middle-aged man’s laugh lines deepened.

“It’s an honor to meet the recently renowned Hwasan Sword Devil.”

“Hwasan Sect Senior Disciple Mu Hwi greets Kang Ho-baek.”

Kang Ho-baek. That was the name of the hero.

In response to Mu Hwi’s cupped fist salute, Kang Ho-baek also responded with a cupped fist.

Kang Ho-baek filled Mu Hwi’s cup and asked.

“Was the Jeonjin mysterious swordsman very strong?”

“He seemed to have reached the pinnacle of the supreme master. If left alone, another emperor might have been born.”

“I see. So, junior, you’ve cut down a master who could have become a new emperor?”

At that question, Mu Hwi nodded. Unlike other juniors, Mu Hwi didn’t engage in unnecessary modesty.

“Hoho. It’s delightful to see so many promising juniors emerging recently.”

“Are you referring to the Six Dragons?”

Kang Ho-baek firmly shook his head.

“Simply strong juniors don’t catch my eye. There are many of those.”

“Then what kind of juniors are there?”

“First, there’s Dokgo Yul of the Alang Sword and Xian Zhu of the Golden River Sword. Though their styles are different, they both consistently help the weak and punish the wicked, continuing the path of chivalry.”

Listening to Kang Ho-baek’s story, Mu Hwi’s lips twitched slightly.

He smiled at the fact that Xian Zhu had earned the nickname Golden River Sword. It seemed she was smoothly gaining experience while traveling the martial arts world.

“You probably know them well.”

“That’s right. I’m acquainted with both.”

“Then there’s no need for detailed explanations. Besides them, there’s also the South Sea Breaking Sword.”

“South Sea Breaking Sword? Is he a disciple of the Hainan Sword Sect?”

Hainan Sword Sect.

A sect located on Hainan Island, at the southernmost tip of the martial arts world, with a long history.

Occasionally, disciples of the Hainan Sword Sect would appear in the martial arts world, causing waves, so the name of the Hainan Sword Sect was well-known in the martial arts world.

“That’s right. The South Sea Breaking Sword is currently on a Nine Breaks Journey.”

Mu Hwi tilted his head at the term Nine Breaks Journey, hearing it for the first time.

“What is a Nine Breaks Journey?”

“It’s nothing special. Simply put, it’s challenging all the major sects.”

Disciples of the Hainan Sword Sect had a tradition of challenging famous sects in the martial arts world to promote their martial arts whenever they ventured out.

And the South Sea Breaking Sword, a disciple of the Hainan Sword Sect, had issued challenges to the nine major orthodox sects.

In other words, the Hwasan Sect was also included in the South Sea Breaking Sword’s challenges.

‘Hainan Sword Sect… The South Sea is too far, so I haven’t had the chance to witness their sword techniques, but I’m curious.’

Seeing new sword techniques was always welcome. Interested, Mu Hwi’s eyes sparkled as he asked.

“How is the South Sea Breaking Sword’s challenge going?”

“Smoothly. He has already defeated disciples from Jeomchang, Cheongseong, Ami, Gongdong, and Wudang. Among them was even Ji Yun, one of the Six Dragons. He’s about to challenge Shaolin next.”

“This is interesting.”

Judging by the order, it seemed the South Sea Breaking Sword was moving north, breaking through all the major sects he encountered.

If he defeated Shaolin, the next in line would naturally be Hwasan and Jongnam Sects.

Seeing Mu Hwi’s deepening smile, Kang Ho-baek also smiled.

“When I talk about this, disciples from the nine major sects usually get anxious, but you’re not like that at all. You must be confident, having even defeated the Jeonjin mysterious swordsman.”

“I don’t think I’ll lose.”

Kang Ho-baek chuckled at Mu Hwi’s answer. Who would believe that a junior had reached the supreme level?

“Hahaha! Refreshing. Given your reputation and this conversation, I’m even more curious now.”

Kang Ho-baek looked at Mu Hwi’s confident gaze, then smirked and reached for the wine bottle.

Kang Ho-baek filled Mu Hwi’s cup. As he held the cup, Mu Hwi’s eyes narrowed.

The more Kang Ho-baek poured, the heavier the cup became. Kang Ho-baek’s internal energy was infused into the wine.

By the time the cup was barely filled, its weight was heavier than an ordinary sword.

To infuse such dense internal energy into just a few drops of wine showed the level of Kang Ho-baek’s internal energy control.

If left as it was, the cup would shatter before it was fully filled.

Mu Hwi began to channel his internal energy through his hands, enveloping the cup.

Sensing Mu Hwi’s internal energy surrounding the cup, Kang Ho-baek looked intrigued and slowly tilted the wine bottle.

Drip.

The sound of the wine filling the cup was unusually loud.

It wasn’t Mu Hwi’s imagination; the sound of the wine drops echoed throughout the inn.

Soon, the cup was full.

The cup didn’t break, and Mu Hwi held it steadily without dropping it.

He was effortlessly handling Kang Ho-baek’s internal energy.

As Kang Ho-baek let out a sigh of admiration.

Mu Hwi downed the wine in one gulp. Kang Ho-baek’s eyes widened slightly.

“Junior!”

It wasn’t internal energy poured out with force, but still, it was internal energy of a different kind.

Having another’s internal energy enter one’s body could be problematic, and the internal energy infused into the wine was Kang Ho-baek’s dense energy.

Not only juniors but even seasoned masters could suffer internal injuries from drinking that one cup of wine.

Yet, Mu Hwi swallowed it in one go and remained as calm as before.

“Delicious wine.”

At Mu Hwi’s relaxed response, Kang Ho-baek chuckled.

“Truly, junior’s achievements are astonishing.”

Mu Hwi nodded and joked.

“Perhaps it’s because I drank too much, but my head feels a bit dizzy. I think I’ll take a walk. How about you, senior?”

At that, Kang Ho-baek stared at Mu Hwi for a moment, then burst into laughter and nodded.

“Good. It’s not bad to take a night stroll with a junior I like after so long.”

Kang Ho-baek sprang up from his seat. As he did, he naturally sheathed the sword he had placed on the table.

The two men walked out of the inn, side by side.

< Delicious wine. > End

< Then what is chivalry? >