Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Although Kang Bo-eum said he received a life-saving favor from the Sword Devil, Mu Hwi couldn’t immediately recall anything.

Even back then, even if they had saved each other, there wasn’t time to leisurely exchange formal greetings.

At that time, they had to destroy as many evil sects that were popping up everywhere as possible..

“Master Mu Hwi, being a disciple of the Sword Saint, you must have heard the title Sword Devil.”

“Of course.”

“He probably killed most of the evil sects during the Shaanxi Bloodshed Incident.”

Mu Hwi nodded at Kang Bo-eum’s words.

Recalling the Shaanxi Bloodshed Incident, Mu Hwi thought the same.

“Usually, Hwasan Sword Saint watched over Hwasan’s disciples, but when he couldn’t, Sword Devil took over that role instead.”

Kang Bo-eum spoke while looking at his right arm.

“Even when I lost my arm and almost had my neck cut, Sword Devil suddenly appeared like a ghost and took the evil sects’ disciple’s head. There are probably many disciples who received such life-saving grace.”

“Wouldn’t it have just been coincidence while killing evil sects after evil sects?”

To Mu Hwi’s subtle suggestion, Kang Bo-eum firmly shook his head.

“Though it seemed like he was rampaging across the battlefield randomly, Sword Devil’s eyes were watching the entire battlefield. He would find places where we were at a disadvantage and focus only on those areas.”

Perhaps because they spent quite a long time together, Kang Bo-eum knew Sword Devil well.

Since he wasn’t saying anything wrong, Mu Hwi silently listened.

It was a truly strange experience to hear about himself from someone else like this for the first time.

“Sword Devil was a rough and unrefined man, but he was different from other evil sect members. You could say he moved according to his own standards of righteousness. That’s why Hwasan’s disciples respected Sword Devil too.”

After briefly closing his mouth, Kang Bo-eum spoke while looking at the dark sky stained with navy blue. White shining stars were embedded throughout the night sky.

“Both the Hwasan Sword Saint and Sword Devil were people who shouldn’t have gone so early, it’s just regrettable.”

Kang Bo-eum looked at Mu Hwi and gave a bitter smile.

“Look at me, rambling on with boring stories in front of Master Mu Hwi.”

“No, it was interesting.”

It really was interesting.

To think that someone other than a disciple still remembered and thought about Sword Devil.

“Next time I visit Hwasan, I should go see Sword Devil’s memorial tablet in the shrine.”

At Kang Bo-eum’s muttering, Mu Hwi’s eyes widened in surprise.

“There’s a memorial tablet for Sword Devil at Hwasan Sect?”

“Master Mu Hwi didn’t know? Hwasan made a separate shrine for those who died in the Shaanxi Blood Incident, and Sword Devil’s memorial tablet is there too.”

“It’s surprising that Sword Devil’s memorial tablet would be placed in Hwasan’s shrine.”

Sword Devil was a man who never settled down and constantly wandered, so it was unlikely anyone would take care of matters after his death.

The only connection that remained was through Sword Devil’s disciple, but since their whereabouts were unknown, Hwasan decided to comfort Sword Devil’s spirit as well.

It was unprecedented for an outsider’s memorial tablet, let alone one from an evil sect, to be placed in Hwasan’s shrine.

“But no one opposed it.”

A lifesaving benefactor, a comrade they could trust their backs to.

A hero who ended the Shaanxi Bloodshed Incident alongside the Sword Saint.

That’s what Sword Devil meant to Hwasan.

Listening to Kang Bo-eum’s story, Mu Hwi naturally lifted his head to look at the sky.

He hadn’t known Hwasan thought of Sword Devil to this extent.

Mu Hwi felt an inexplicable feeling he had never experienced in either his past or present life.

‘I hadn’t thought of this, did I have another debt to Hwasan that I didn’t know about?’

After briefly controlling his surging emotions, Mu Hwi asked while looking at the sword Kang Bo-eum had brought.

“If you’re planning to practice, I’ll make way.”

“Haha, no. Rather, I wanted to ask Master Mu Hwi for something.”

Kang Bo-eum continued speaking while looking at his right arm.

“After losing my arm and switching to left-handed sword technique, my skill is only about half of what it was in my prime. I keep practicing but it’s not easy.”

Mu Hwi nodded.

From physical imbalance, differences in direction and timing, and all the sword techniques based on right-handed becoming twisted, it wouldn’t be easy to regain his former martial prowess.

“Yeonho Wanderer would be a difficult opponent even with both arms intact. If someone like Master Mu Hwi, who defeated such an opponent, could help, it would be of great assistance. May I ask for some guidance?”

As Kang Bo-eum bowed his head, Mu Hwi also folded his hands.

“Of course.”

Drawing his sword, Kang Bo-eum stared at Mu Hwi with a serious face before planting his feet.

Kang Bo-eum’s sword, making his right sleeve flutter, trembled once before splitting into seven streams.

Watching this, Mu Hwi also slowly began to move his sword.

Clang!

At first, Mu Hwi only received Kang Bo-eum’s sword without counterattacking, then nodded.

Kang Bo-eum’s sword, which created diverse changes, was filling up the space in front of Mu Hwi while showing countless variations.

However, to Mu Hwi’s eyes, it looked like a loose net with holes everywhere.

‘Even showing this much must have required considerable effort.’

It was impressive enough that Kang Bo-eum could show this level of sword technique with his left hand.

After finishing his thoughts, Mu Hwi’s sword slowly extended.

Mu Hwi’s sword lightly twisted Kang Bo-eum’s sword to the side.

While penetrating straight through the holes in Kang Bo-eum’s sword techniques, Mu Hwi began to point out corrections one by one.

Kang Bo-eum also realized that Mu Hwi wasn’t simply deflecting his attacks but guiding them in the right direction.

At this, Kang Bo-eum’s eyes also became more serious.

The two men’s sparring showed no signs of stopping until the sky began to lighten.

* * *

Time at Hwahon Sect passed smoothly.

The disciples spent their time practicing or sparring with the Hwahon Sect disciples at the training ground.

“Master Mu Hwi, if it’s alright, could I receive some guidance?”

“Come in.”

Of course, Mu Hwi was the most popular.

Everyone was interested in Mu Hwi’s sword which had easily defeated Yeonho Wanderer.

Thwack!

Although even in sparring Mu Hwi never went easy on them and the Hwahon Sect disciples suffered miserable defeats, the atmosphere was still enjoyable.

While wiping his sword blade with cloth and watching the disciples spar, the chief administrator came to Mu Hwi.

“Master Mu Hwi, do you have a moment?”

“What is it?”

“Disciples from Jongnam have come to our sect. I thought it would be good if Master Mu Hwi could become acquainted with them.”

“Jongnam?”

Though he didn’t know why disciples from Jongnam Sect would visit Hwahon Sect, Hwasan’s affiliate sect, Mu Hwi nodded.

When he went to the main gate with the chief administrator, Kang Bo-eum was already greeting the Jongnam disciples.

Upon seeing the chief administrator and Mu Hwi, Kang Bo-eum slightly turned his body and introduced them to the Jongnam disciples.

“That man coming over there is Master Mu Hwi.”

“Ooh.”

Three middle-aged men wearing navy blue robes.

Though not openly displayed, the characteristic dignified energy of Jongnam could be felt.

‘Hmm.’

But as soon as Mu Hwi took in the sight of the Jongnam disciples, he felt a strange sense of discomfort.

“We’ve met a recently renowned Hwasan disciple. I am Ilseon.”

The Jongnam Taoists introduced themselves in turn.

Ilseon, Ilmu, Ilhun.

Mu Hwi memorized the Taoist titles of the Jongnam Taoists.

The character ‘Il (劮)’ in their names indicated they were first-generation disciples of Jongnam.

So Mu Hwi first bowed his head.

“I am Mu Hwi, second-generation disciple of Hwasan Sect.”

“Haha, pleased to meet you.”

“We are fortunate, Senior Disciple. To unexpectedly meet such a promising talent.”

Despite the Jongnam Taoists’ praise, Mu Hwi only gave an enigmatic smile.

After exchanging brief greetings, Kang Bo-eum signaled to the chief administrator.

“The chief administrator will guide you to the guest quarters where you’ll be staying. Please rest from your journey first.”

“We are grateful for the Sect Leader’s consideration.”

As he watched the Jongnam disciples follow the chief administrator and walk away, Mu Hwi asked Kang Bo-eum.

“Why have Jongnam Sect disciples come here?”

“They said they got separated from their other disciples while chasing after scattered Assassin Demons who were fleeing. They came to gather information about the Assassin Demons while seeking lodging for a night.”

Mu Hwi already knew well from what he had heard that Jongnam disciples were pursuing the recently appearing Assassin Demons.

“Assassin Demons…”

Mu Hwi’s eyes refused to leave the backs of the Jongnam disciples.

* * *

A small banquet was held at Hwahon Sect’s main training ground.

Originally it was arranged for Mu Hwi’s group, but with the Jongnam disciples joining, the scale of the banquet naturally grew larger.

Large fires were lit throughout the main training ground where whole pigs were being roasted, and endless amounts of alcohol and food kept appearing.

“Please throw a bottle of alcohol over here!”

“I heard the kitchen is almost out of ingredients, should we buy more food from the inn?”

The disciples were enjoying the banquet, sitting in circles among themselves.

After Kang Bo-eum, who didn’t enjoy drinking, left his seat early, the disciples started pouring alcohol down their throats without being mindful anymore.

Mu Hwi’s group was gathered in one place with the Jongnam disciples.

Mu Hwi’s group was listening to Ilhun’s story about the Assassin Demons.

“It’s troubling that the Assassin Demons’s martial arts are so excellent.”

When Mu-hwa spoke worriedly, Ilmu nodded.

“The whereabouts of the escaped Assassin Demons are unknown, yet here we are enjoying ourselves – it doesn’t sit well with me.”

As Ilhun touched his wine cup with a bitter expression, Ilmu nodded as if sharing the same feeling.

“It’s not good to only worry. You need to store up energy when you can definitely rest in order to properly deal with the Assassin Demons.”

Mu Hwi, who brought up the point, pulled out an expensive wine bottle from behind him. The Jongnam disciples attention naturally turned to the wine bottle.

“I had difficulty obtaining this from the chief administrator for the Jongnam seniors. It’s Seo Bong-ju.”

“Oh, Seo Bong-ju… To obtain such a fine wine.”

Seo Bong-ju (West Phoenix Wine)

One of the famous fine wines, Seo Bong-ju, characterized by the harmony of five flavors on the tongue – sweet, bitter, sour, spicy, and fragrant.

When Mu Hwi opened the Seo Bong-ju bottle, its characteristically rich and deep aroma assaulted the Jongnam disciples’ noses.

“Here, please accept it.”

Mu Hwi personally filled the Jongnam disciples’ cups with Seo Bong-ju.

“Mmm, the taste is rich and sweet yet clean going down – this Seo Bong-ju is top quality.”

“Well of course, since Master Mu Hwi obtained it.”

The Jongnam disciples, who were admiring the taste of Seo Bong-ju among themselves, looked at the disciples’ empty cups and asked.

“Why aren’t you all drinking?”

To this, Mu Hwi answered on their behalf.

“The disciples caused big trouble recently, so they’re currently being punished.”

“Oh? What kind of trouble?”

While appearing to look at the disciples, Ilmu kept his gaze on Mu-hwa for a long while.

“It’s too embarrassing to speak of. I apologize. Let me pour you another drink instead.”

The disciples quietly watched Mu Hwi and the Jongnam disciples drinking together.

‘Senior Disciple isn’t usually like this, it’s strange. Is he acting?’

‘Is he planning to make the Jongnam disciples drink a lot? For what purpose?’

Having already heard something from Mu Hwi before the banquet, the disciples quietly observed the situation unfold.

“By the way, I’ve heard that not only are the Assassin Demons martial arts formidable, but their evil deeds are especially heinous. How bad was it?”

When Mu Hwi asked while filling their cups with Seo Bong-ju, the Jongnam disciples answered right away.

“When we examined the bodies in villages the Assassin Demons swept through, none had died from a single strike. Each had at least four or five wounds – meaning they were toyed with.”

“Seeing how all the women were stripped regardless of age, there must have been some vicious ones deserving to be called perverts.”

The disciples’ faces grew darker as they heard about the Assassin Demons actions. Mu-hwa in particular was quietly gripping her sword sheath.

After emptying two bottles of Seo Bong-ju while talking about the Assassin Demons for a while, the Jongnam disciples got up first.

“We should head in first.”

“Please do. We were about to get up as well.”

Mu Hwi’s group and the Jongnam disciples rose from their seats at the same time but dispersed in different directions. This was because their assigned guest quarters were in different locations.

Mu Hwi’s eyes, which had held a smile throughout the feast, emitted a cold gleam as soon as the Jongnam disciples turned their backs.

* * *

As the night deepened, the endless feast finally ended and the bustling Hwahon Sect grew quiet.

Two shadows quietly crossed the grounds of such environment.

Of course, there were disciples standing guard or patrolling here and there, but they couldn’t make out those shadows steeped in darkness.

“You two, where are you going?”

At the sudden voice, the shadows stopped dead in their tracks.

The voice came from the roof of the hall.

Mu Hwi, sitting at the edge of the roof, was downing Seo Bong-ju.

Having finished drinking, Mu Hwi let go of the empty bottle without hesitation.

Crash!

After the sharp sound of the breaking bottle passed, silence returned.

Mu Hwi broke the silence while looking at the two still motionless shadows.

“The taste of the wine has gone sour.”

< The taste of the wine has gone sour. > End

< Does it hurt? You bugs >