Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 3

Chapter 3

“Senior Disciple! Are you awake!”

Mu Hwi, who had been reading the Nine Skies Mind Method manual, suddenly raised his head at the booming voice from outside.

“Senior Disciple… Ah, that’s me.”

Who would have thought there would come a day when he would be called Senior Disciple? Mu Hwi smiled slightly and opened the door.

There stood a sturdy giant of about eight feet. If you removed his martial clothes and shaved his head, he would look exactly like a Shaolin warrior monk.

Mu Hwi quickly searched through his memories for the giant’s name. It was a name that matched his appearance perfectly.

“Mu-cheol. What brings you here?”

Mu-cheol (Iron Warrior) blinked slowly at Mu Hwi’s changed tone and atmosphere.

“It’s been three days since you left the Medical Pavilion, but you haven’t come to morning practice once, so I came to check.”

“It’s been three days?”

Mu Hwi frowned while pushing back his disheveled hair.

Though he had felt fatigue and thirst occasionally, he hadn’t paid much attention to it, being absorbed in the excitement of learning new martial arts.

But to think three days had passed.

Once he became aware of time’s passage, he first noticed his parched lips. Then came not only thirst but also hunger.

‘This suddenly reminds me of when I was trapped in Blood Wind Gate’s Heaven’s Net.’

Mu Hwi brushed this off lightly and went outside.

He was used to going three or four days without food or sleep while being chased in the rivers and lakes.

Coming out after three days, sunlight was just beginning to shine through the Plum Blossoms. As Mu Hwi breathed in the cool air, his mind gradually cleared.

‘This is when a drink would be exhilarating, damn these religious sects.’

After taking a deep breath, Mu Hwi pat Mu-cheol’s arm and walked ahead with a casual gait.

“Let’s go to the training ground. Lead the way.”

“Yes, Senior Disciple.”

Mu-cheol tilted his head. The usual Mu Hwi wouldn’t act like this.

‘His way of speaking too, something seems different.’

Though Mu-cheol had many thoughts, he started walking. When they arrived at the training ground, all the second-generation disciples were gathered to train together.

The Hwasan Sect’s second-generation disciples had a tradition of gathering every dawn to train for two hours.

While third-generation disciples learn entry-level martial arts at the Spring Plum Hall, second-generation disciples choose martial arts that suit them best and focus on their individual training.

Among them, a few with outstanding talent form master-disciple relationships with first-generation disciples. When this happens, they live with their master and receive teachings.

Because of this, it was difficult for all martial siblings to gather in one place. This time was set aside for building bonds between martial siblings.

“Rising Plum Abundant Swaying!”

The man shouting technique names and directing training from the platform – Mujin was highest in rank among second-generation disciples after Mu Hwi.

Mu Hwi observed Mujin, with his sharp features, in detail.

“Muryun. Raise your arm one inch higher!”

“Yes!”

Every time Mujin’s eyes swept across the training ground from the platform, those in his line of sight tensed up and their battle cries grew louder.

‘He has a proper grip on the disciples.’

Both the direct training Mujin is doing now and the leading of the martial siblings were supposed to be Senior Disciple Mu Hwi’s roles.

However, the previous Mu Hwi was a Senior Disciple in name only, lacking outstanding qualities in leadership, martial arts, or popularity.

Rather, due to his characteristic timidity, he was sometimes subtly disrespected.

Therefore, Mujin could be considered the actual leader of the second-generation disciples.

‘That ends today.’

He had no intention of staying quietly crushed while leaving everything to Mujin like the previous Mu Hwi.

“Put the pressure down!”

The disciples’ diagonal sword strokes with their loud battle cry were perfectly coordinated without the slightest disorder.

As the wooden swords trembled slightly, it created the illusion of the sword strike splitting into two.

“The Falling Plum Sword.”

While one learns sword basics through the Six Harmonies Sword, they enter the mysteries of illusion through the Falling Plum Sword.

Though it was merely second-generation disciples performing the Falling Plum Sword, Mu Hwi watched with serious eyes.

‘Not bad.’

While the overall level wasn’t poor, there were many points to correct when looking closely.

Their weight wasn’t properly distributed to their lower bodies causing their feet to float slightly, or their wrist training was insufficient causing subtle trembling at the sword tips.

‘The average level is high but they’re still just late foundation stage.’

It was natural that they didn’t meet his standards, as he had risen to the top through his own power from the bottom.

While Mu Hwi was watching intently, they performed Falling Plum Storm Wind, the final move of the Falling Plum Sword, and the morning training concluded.

“Senior Disciple, are you feeling better?”

“It’s been a while, Senior Disciple.”

The second-generation disciples discovered Mu Hwi behind the training ground after putting away their wooden swords and each greeted him.

While Mu Hwi was recalling their names as he looked at the second-generation disciples, Mujin came down from the platform and approached.

“Senior Disciple. I couldn’t properly greet you because we were training.”

Mujin bowed his head deeply, showing proper respect.

“Yes. Mujin, you’ve worked hard all this time.”

Mujin’s eyes narrowed as he slowly raised his previously lowered head.

“What do you mean by until now?”

“From now on, I’ll do it. All the tasks that I had entrusted to my junior disciple.”

The atmosphere in the training ground became heavy at Mujin’s words. The second-generation disciples nearby were looking back and forth between Mu Hwi and Mujin with surprised eyes.

‘What’s suddenly going on?’

‘I don’t know either.’

The second-generation disciples were exchanging glances while covering their mouths. It felt like something serious would happen if they opened their mouths.

‘Indeed, I wasn’t being oversensitive. He has definitely changed.’

Mu-cheol, who had guided Mu Hwi to the training ground, also captured Mu Hwi’s side profile with slightly widened eyes.

Mujin looked straight into Mu Hwi’s eyes and asked.

“Your words are different from before.”

“What’s the problem with me taking back the role of Senior Disciple?”

“Because you entrusted it to me since you weren’t confident in fulfilling that role properly.”

The corners of Mu Hwi’s eyes lifted slightly as he observed Mujin’s gaze.

‘This young pup, so he did have ambition after all.’

He seemed to understand why Mujin didn’t want to let go of the power he currently held.

Chief Disciple (掌門弟子)

The qualification to become the future sect leader.

Traditionally, the Hwasan Sect’s leader position was inherited by the Senior Disciple with the highest rank, but being a Senior Disciple didn’t automatically mean they were exceptionally capable.

In the Hwasan Sect, not all disciples form master-disciple relationships. Therefore, rank is determined by entry time rather than following their master’s rank.

As a result, there were times when inadequate Senior Disciples became sect leaders.

Seeing this as a problem, the previous generation’s leader completely revised the rules.

Because of this, the Hwasan Sect now separately selects outstanding disciples from each rank as Chief Disciples to inherit the sect leader position.

‘This must feel like a bolt from the blue to you.’

He could somewhat understand Mujin’s position.

He had been doing well, and suddenly this interference would feel unreasonable.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t let Mujin continue in the role of Senior Disciple. This is because Mu Hwi is also aiming for the position of chief disciple.

For Mu Hwi, the second-generation disciples were the most suitable protagonists to bring about change in the Hwasan Sect.

Rather than trying to persuade the elders or first-generation disciples for immediate dramatic changes, natural change through the next generation of disciples would be better.

To exert influence over the second-generation disciples, becoming Chief Disciple beyond Senior Disciple was the surest path.

Separately from this, there was also a martial art he was targeting.

Purple Sunset Heart Method (紫霞心法)

‘I must learn this.’

A profound internal energy technique that’s always counted among the top ten strongest in the martial arts world.

Since only the Hwasan Sect leader or chief disciple could learn it, even Hyeon Jo, who was the Sword Saint of Hwasan, couldn’t master this martial art.

In his previous life, he had modified and combined various unorthodox sect techniques to create his own advancement method, but it couldn’t compare to the Purple Sunset Heart Method.

The Purple Sunset Heart Method was a martial art that he absolutely needed to obtain to surpass the Sword Devil from his previous life.

As Mu Hwi’s smile deepened, Mujin nervously swallowed.

‘What is this? Is this really the Senior Disciple I knew?’

Mujin felt something strange as he watched Mu Hwi staring straight at him.

Wasn’t this the same Senior Disciple who previously couldn’t even meet his eyes, shrinking from needless feelings of inferiority?

But now he was showing such intense eyes behind his smile that Mujin almost looked away first.

‘Did I just feel intimidated by Senior Disciple’s mere gaze?’

Mujin’s lips twitched as he calmed his mind, which had been shaken by surprise and confusion.

“That day when the Black Night Palace suddenly attacked our main mountain, you led the second-generation disciples, didn’t you, Senior Disciple?”

At the time of Black Night Palace’s attack, Mujin was away from Hwasan with his master Hyun-baek.

“Senior Disciple should have ordered to form sword formations, not just charge forward mindlessly while shouting ‘Hwasan.'”

Mu Hwi nodded. He knew well what Mujin was trying to say because he had seen it in his dreams.

Mujin was absent, and the demon cult members were right in front of them. It was too urgent to wait for the martial uncles, and all the disciples were looking at Mu Hwi.

With his mind blank from panic, Mu Hwi could only grit his teeth and shout.

-Disciples, don’t be afraid! We must protect the Hwasan Sect.

“It’s a miracle that no one died from such an order. If the martial uncles hadn’t appeared right away, surely someone here would not be present now.”

The expressions of the second-generation disciples became rigid as they recalled that time. Though no disciples died, more than half of the second-generation disciples were injured.

Someone among the second-generation disciples pressed firmly on a wound site that suddenly started stinging.

As Mujin said, it was certainly like a miracle. While everyone’s faces had hardened, Mu Hwi alone was raising the corners of his mouth.

‘So you know how to use your tongue a bit.’

Mujin bringing up this incident now was essentially questioning whether Mu Hwi had the qualities of a senior disciple.

Moreover, since many second-generation disciples here had been wounded due to Mu Hwi’s orders, Mu Hwi’s words would inevitably lose more power.

Mu Hwi, who had been smiling openly, undid the front of his training clothes. At this action, Mujin’s brows furrowed.

Mu Hwi’s sword wound hadn’t completely healed, and red blood had spread through the bandages wrapped around his chest.

“Yes. I also paid this price because of that reckless order. Mujin. Is this not enough?”

“Senior Disciple.”

Everyone present knows that although Mu Hwi walks around fine now, he has nearly died.

To say this wasn’t enough would be no different from telling him to die.

“And you’re misunderstanding something.”

“What misunderstanding are you referring to?”

Mu Hwi’s face, which had been maintaining a smile, suddenly turned expressionless.

An intimidating light shot from Mu Hwi’s eyes, now devoid of smiles, and bore down on Mujin.

‘Is this man before me really that same Senior Disciple?’

Mujin unconsciously took a step back.

It was hard to believe this was the same person who had been crushed under the weight of his position as Senior Disciple.

“I’m notifying you now. Not persuading you.”

At this, Mujin closed his slightly parted lips.

“I’ll say this last thing. Mujin, thank you for your hard work until now.”

Mujin’s face hardened as he stared at Mu Hwi for a while before speaking in a lower voice.

“You seem like a completely different person, Senior Disciple.”

“They say people change when they’re about to die. Maybe it’s because I came back from death.”

Mu Hwi chuckled and patted Mujin’s shoulder. Only then did Mujin realize his shoulders were trembling slightly.

“Don’t take it too hard.”

“……”

Mujin silently paid his respects and left the training ground alone.

The second-generation disciples blinked in surprise seeing Mujin withdraw first.

‘The stubborn Senior Disciple Mujin backed down first?’

‘Did the Senior Disciple have this side to him?’

That formerly pathetic Senior Disciple had won the battle of wills against Mujin, who had ruled over the second-generation disciples.

Mu Hwi spoke to the second-generation disciples who were still staring blankly at him in the training ground.

“From now on, I will properly fulfill my duties as the Senior Disciple of the Mu (武) rank. I apologize for not acting properly until now.”

Mu Hwi spoke again to the second-generation disciples who still seemed unable to grasp the situation.

“Answer.”

The Senior Disciple’s voice is lower than usual. Though it was a short word, it somehow carried undeniable power.

The second-generation disciples, now alert, quickly raised their voices.

“Yes!”

Hearing the disciples’ resounding response, Mu Hwi nodded.

“Today’s dawn training ends early. Dismissed.”

As the second-generation disciples quickly disappeared, Mu Hwi looked at the empty training ground and rolled his neck from side to side.

“Sigh.”

Back when he was the Sword Devil, he could have just cut them down, but that wasn’t possible now.

From the beginning, Mu Hwi wasn’t used to wagging his tongue. If words didn’t work, he could just resolve things with his sword.

“To think I’d have a war of words with a young pup when it’s not even in my destiny. I’m tired. So tired.”

But Mu Hwi’s life as Senior Disciple was just beginning. The corners of his mouth lifted as he took in the training ground.

“You pup, that declining Hwasan you spoke of. I’ll properly turn it upside down.”

Mu Hwi raised his head to look at the plum tree swaying in the wind.

< I’m notifying you. Not persuading you. > End

< Let’s see for ourselves. You damn disciples. >