Chapter 96
Mu Hwi recognized Zhuge Jin and stood up from his seat.
“I greet the Great Advisor.”
“No need for formalities. Sit.”
Zhuge Jin showed interest as he looked at the books laid out in front of Mu Hwi.
“There are quite a lot of books on sword formations and battle formations, aren’t there?”
“Yes. While the Hwasan Sect has a variety of sword techniques, the secret manuals on sword formations are severely lacking in comparison.”
Mu Hwi had been studying all the secret manuals on sword formations in the Martial Alliance’s archives, intending to broaden his understanding of them.
“Hmm… Could it be that you’re creating a new sword formation?”
It was common knowledge among the renowned figures present that Mu Hwi had devised the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Technique. Seeing the secret manuals on sword formations and battle formations, Zhuge Jin immediately thought of a new sword formation.
Given that Mu Hwi had already created a sword technique, it wouldn’t be strange if he were to develop a new sword formation.
Mu Hwi only smiled in response to the question, but Zhuge Jin realized his guess was correct.
‘Remarkable. If he continues to fill in the gaps in martial arts like this, another Grand Master will emerge in the Hwasan Sect.’
Zhuge Jin, who had paused for a moment, resumed sipping his tea and asked,
“Do you have any questions? Martial arts and battle formations are quite different, after all.”
“There are aspects of formations like the Eight Trigrams or Ten Formations that diverge from martial arts.”
“Hmm…”
Zhuge Jin nodded and continued,
“When researching sword formations, it’s not ideal to simply think of them as amplifying or multiplying the strength of the martial artists composing them.”
At Zhuge Jin’s words, Mu Hwi momentarily stopped flipping through the book. He, too, had thought of sword formations as nothing more than a systematic formalization of coordinated attacks with synchronized breathing.
“Then what should I do?”
“Ordinary battle formations twist the energy of nature and alter its flow to create changes in all phenomena. Though these changes may seem infinite, they ultimately move according to a single intent.”
Zhuge Jin opened a book and showed Mu Hwi a diagram depicting the structure of a battle formation.
“A sword formation is merely a variation where the flags and pillars—the axes and elements of the formation—are replaced by people and martial arts. Think about what phenomenon you want to create with the formation. Shift your perspective like this.”
“A phenomenon to create…”
“If you do that, you’ll become as familiar with grasping the intent of the formation as you are with martial arts. In a way, martial arts themselves are a means to create new changes and phenomena through individual strength and will.”
Zhuge Jin’s explanation was straightforward. Even within the Hwasan Sect, wasn’t it possible to make flowers bloom in midair using only sword techniques and internal energy?
“I see.”
Mu Hwi nodded at Zhuge Jin’s words. Though Zhuge Jin was undeniably less skilled than Mu Hwi in martial arts, there was still much to gain from their conversation—proof of the profound and mysterious nature of enlightenment.
“I have another question. About this Eight Trigrams Formation…”
Mu Hwi didn’t hesitate to seek enlightenment from Zhuge Jin.
Zhuge Jin, too, answered without hesitation, and the conversation between the two men continued uninterrupted for over an hour.
“I think I understand now. I’ve learned a great deal.”
“I’m glad to hear that… Has this much time really passed?”
Zhuge Jin glanced at the slanting shadows of the books and smiled wryly.
“This wasn’t why I came here. I got too absorbed in our conversation.”
“Did you have business with me?”
“That’s right. Since time is short, I’ll get straight to the point. Would you be willing to lead one of the Martial Alliance’s martial forces?”
“A martial force?”
Zhuge Jin nodded.
“Your martial prowess speaks for itself. If you, the winner of the Heavenly Martial Competition, were to become its leader, the prestige of the newly formed martial force would rise significantly.”
Even if the martial force were part of the Martial Alliance, it wouldn’t automatically command respect. The force would have to prove itself and make a name, and among the many candidates for leadership, none matched Mu Hwi’s caliber.
‘Moreover, he’s not someone who’ll stop at just leading a martial force.’
From the Martial Alliance’s elders to its leader, everyone had their eyes on Mu Hwi—a figure destined to lead the next generation of the Martial Alliance.
Zhuge Jin agreed with this assessment and hoped Mu Hwi would rise through the ranks of the Martial Alliance, starting as the leader of a martial force.
From leader to alliance leader—Zhuge Jin believed Mu Hwi was fully capable of it.
Though Mu Hwi didn’t know it, Zhuge Jin’s proposal carried the implicit expectation that he would one day take responsibility for the Martial Alliance’s future.
“I apologize.”
Despite Zhuge Jin’s earnest tone, Mu Hwi’s reply was firm.
“Not a moment’s hesitation. That’s a bit disappointing.”
“I have many people to look after and many tasks to handle in the Hwasan Sect.”
“Is that so?”
The resolve in Mu Hwi’s answer was palpable. Sensing this, Zhuge Jin didn’t press further and relented.
With Mu Hwi’s recent solo victory over the evil sect disciples and even enduring five moves from the Frost Sound Demon King, rumors were already spreading that the Hwasan Sword Saint had returned to the martial arts world.
As such, Mu Hwi’s role in the Hwasan Sect was bound to grow. With the declining sect now rising again, his contributions would be crucial.
Zhuge Jin understood this and didn’t prolong the discussion. But that didn’t mean he had given up entirely.
“Then I’ll return when the Hwasan Sect has reclaimed its rightful place.”
Feeling Zhuge Jin’s persistence, Mu Hwi let out a dry laugh.
“By then, the Martial Alliance will have firmly established itself as well.”
“The Martial Alliance operates on the stage of the world. But compared to the vast martial arts world, talented individuals are always in short supply. The Martial Alliance will always welcome you.”
After Zhuge Jin left, Mu Hwi looked at the books scattered messily around him—a sight resulting from his relentless questioning.
“Still, it was definitely helpful.”
Even as he received answers, the structure of the sword formation was being redefined and rebuilt. Compared to studying alone, this had halved the time needed.
Thus, Mu Hwi spent every single day in the archives, poring over secret manuals on sword formations. He sought to understand the intricacies of battle formations as explained by Zhuge Jin and apply them to martial arts.
“But there’s still so much I don’t know.”
Mu Hwi visited Zhuge Jin or sought out Zhuge Myung through So Jung-hwe over ten times to ask about formations. Only after seventeen visits did he finally stop visiting the Zhuge Family.
“Phew. It’s already been over a month since I locked myself in the archives to delve into sword formations.”
Muttering to himself, Mu Hwi reviewed the contents of the secret manual he had compiled, nodded in satisfaction, and closed it. Then, he picked up a brush and wrote eight characters on the front:
Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Formation
“Not bad.”
Mu Hwi gazed at his own handwriting, lost in thought.
Naturally, the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Formation required at least twenty-four disciples who had mastered the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Technique—or at the very least, the Plum Blossom Sword Technique—to execute.
“Twenty-four… That’s entirely possible.”
The current second-generation disciples had grown significantly in skill, and the Hwasan Four Flowers were already capable of beginning training in the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Technique.
‘But there’s no time to add formation training to their current schedule…’
Though the second-generation disciples’ martial arts had improved by leaps and bounds, Mu Hwi had already packed their training regimen tightly. After a moment of contemplation, he smirked.
“We’ll just have to sleep less.”
If there wasn’t enough time for training, they could simply cut back on sleep.
A sinister chuckle escaped Mu Hwi in the Martial Alliance’s archives.
“Now, for the mental techniques…”
The enlightenment he had gained from his duel with the Frost Sound Demon King.
Even while researching sword formations, Mu Hwi had studied secret manuals on mental techniques to clear his mind, but he hadn’t made progress yet.
However, Mu Hwi wasn’t in a hurry. He planned to wait calmly for the right moment. Enlightenment didn’t come from desperate struggle.
Moreover, if he could fully merge the Purple Sunset Heart Method and Heavenly Containment Heart Technique into one through enlightenment, the resulting martial art would undoubtedly deserve the title of Divine Art.
Such a martial art wouldn’t be created overnight, so Mu Hwi focused on quietly nurturing his inner self.
***
Clang! Clang! Clang!
“Muryun! Musang is being pushed back. Cover the left flank!”
“Senior Muho! Take Musan’s position! The rotation is too slow!”
Mujin and Mu-hwa frantically directed their fellow disciples, their heads constantly turning.
“Push through!”
“There’s an opening here!”
Late-stage foundation level disciples swarmed from all directions—many of the top performers from the recent Heavenly Dragon Competition. Among them, the Thunderbolt Dragon and the Soaring Cloud Hidden Dragon were particularly overwhelming.
Boom!
The Thunderbolt Dragon’s Heaven-Splitting Thunder Blade unleashed a fierce strike, while the Soaring Cloud Hidden Dragon’s erratic movements disoriented the defenders.
The other disciples, each showcasing their unique martial arts, relentlessly pressured the disciples.
The sword formation, composed of twenty-four second-generation disciples, wobbled precariously under the assault from all sides.
“Breakthrough!”
“Disciple Heo! Let’s target this position together!”
From atop a platform, Mu Hwi observed the unfolding Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Formation.
Though Mu Hwi had given the secret manual to his disciples, mastering it wasn’t something that could be done overnight. Moreover, synchronizing twenty-four individuals perfectly made progress inevitably slow.
‘Still, they’re gradually taking shape. The direction of the formation isn’t off.’
While training his disciples in the formation, Mu Hwi had also gathered the most skilled late-stage foundation level disciples remaining in the Martial Alliance. His goal was to thoroughly dismantle the disciples’ formation.
Since he promised to teach them a move each time they broke the formation, the prodigies attacked with desperate fervor. Mu Hwi was thoroughly pleased.
“Hmm…”
Mu Hwi glanced at the incense stick planted beside him. Recently, the formation would collapse before even a third of the incense had burned, but now, half was gone, and they were still holding on—though barely.
“Everyone, focus! If the formation breaks early again today, we’re adding another hour of training!”
“Ugh, seriously!”
“Let’s try to sleep early today!”
At Mu-hwa’s reminder of Mu Hwi’s threat, the disciples gritted their teeth and redoubled their efforts to maintain the formation.
Under the relentless assault from the Thunderbolt Dragon and the Soaring Cloud Hidden Dragon, the formation, which had been compressed into an oval, slowly regained its circular shape.
The fully restored Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Formation resembled a plum blossom with five petals when viewed from above.
“Good! Now cycle from left to right repeatedly! I’ll cover the flank!”
Following Mujin’s command, the formation stabilized its flow.
“Hmm…”
Mu Hwi wasn’t entirely pleased. He had hoped the formation would collapse, forcing the disciples to extend their training.
“Maybe I should increase the number of disciples attacking next time.”
Xian Zhu, who had been listening to his muttering, gave him a disapproving look.
“Brother Mu Hwi, aren’t you being too harsh on them?”
“What are you talking about? This is all part of training.”
“Look at Mu-hwa’s face. During the Heavenly Dragon Competition, her complexion was fair, but now her under-eyes are so dark.”
“It’s good for them to endure hardship while they’re young.”
“What kind of old-man logic is that?”
Mu Hwi had no retort and turned away.
“Quiet.”
As Mu Hwi scrutinized the sword formation, a woman approached from afar.
Im Su-ryeon hesitated when she saw Mu Hwi on the platform but eventually steeled herself and walked forward.
“Disciple Mu Hwi.”
“Lady Im.”
After exchanging greetings with Xian Zhu, Im Su-ryeon alternated her gaze between the intense sword formation and Mu Hwi before asking,
“Do you have a moment?”
Her face was as cold as ever, but Mu Hwi noticed a slight crack in her composure.
“Did something happen?”
Quick to pick up on her demeanor, Mu Hwi asked directly. Im Su-ryeon nodded.
“I need your help.”
< I need your help. > End
< I am the Hwasan Sect’s Senior Disciple. >
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