Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 15

Chapter 15

When Red Wolf Sword realized Mu Hwi recognized him, he looked down curiously.

“I’m honored that a young disciple of the Hwasan sect knows my nickname.”

“Of course, It would be difficult to clean up the Bloodshed Clan today without you.”

At Mu Hwi’s bright smile, Red Wolf Sword’s cheeks twitched.

“Are you acting up because of Hwasan sect’s reputation? The martial world isn’t so easy.”

“No way. This is all there is to the martial world.”

Mu Hwi, who had been tapping the sword at his waist, looked up at Red Wolf Sword.

“My neck hurts looking up, come down. Unless you’re scared.”

When Mu Hwi smirked and wiggled his finger, Red Wolf Sword let out a hollow laugh and kicked off the railing.

Jumping down from the second floor, Red Wolf Sword landed lightly with his martial robes fluttering.

Red Wolf Sword looked with indifferent eyes at the Bloodshed Clan leader whose neck had been cleanly severed, and the fallen Black Sword members around.

“Are you the one who taught martial arts to the Black Sword members here?”

“Looking at their skills, it’s not even worth saying I taught them.”

As Red Wolf Sword spoke and nodded his head, the Black Sword men who hadn’t fallen yet quickly stepped back.

After making the Black Sword members retreat, Red Wolf Sword examined the energy of Mu Hwi’s group one by one.

‘Just at the average level.’

More precisely, they were above average for peers, but it wasn’t a problem.

He could easily handle them even if they all rushed him at once.

“Huh.”

Mu Hwi also narrowed his eyes as if he knew why the Red Wolf Sword was smiling.

“It seems you came to build a reputation, but withdraw while you can. Since you seem new to the martial world, I’ll intentionally let you go.”

Red Wolf Sword released his aura as if showing off his martial arts. The creeping aura enveloped Mu Hwi’s group and the disciples felt their skin tingling.

‘So rough, this is an evil sect martial artist!’

‘Hmm… I can even feel subtle killing intent.’

‘……’

While the disciples couldn’t say anything with stiffened faces, Mu Hwi alone snorted.

“Don’t pretend to be considerate. We have no intention of withdrawing.”

At Mu Hwi’s mockery, Red Wolf Sword’s mouth hardened into a line.

“Your tone has been really irritating from earlier.”

Red Wolf Sword observed the energy of the other Hwasan sect disciples beyond Mu Hwi. Though they were visibly tense, not a trace of fear could be found.

The eyes of all the Hwasan sect disciples were focused on one person’s back.

‘Are they trusting this arrogant bastard?’

Red Wolf Sword fiddled with his scabbard while looking at Mu Hwi. Though Hwasan sect had lost much power recently, there was no need to deliberately provoke them.

Just a level above newcomers to the martial world.

No need to kill him – just carving a few sword marks on his face would make him run away in fear.

“As your senior, let me teach you the bitter taste of the martial world… Hup!”

Clang

Red Wolf Sword, who had been leisurely reaching for his sword, drew it roughly with a shocked expression.

It was because Mu Hwi had closed the ten-step distance in an instant and swung his sword.

“Please teach me that bitter taste, senior.”

Red Wolf Sword narrowed his brows looking at his slightly trembling sword.

The instantaneous movement just now, and the force transmitted through the blade were both extraordinary.

‘How dare you!’

Red Wolf Sword, whose pride was hurt from having his initiative stolen by a newcomer, twisted his wrist.

He intended to deflect Mu Hwi’s sword by twisting the blade, but Mu Hwi’s sword immediately flipped over.

Clang!

A short sword cry rang out and Mu Hwi’s sword was still firmly stuck. He had read Red Wolf Sword’s technique perfectly.

As Red Wolf Sword’s brows furrowed at this, Mu Hwi’s wrist thrust forward.

“Kuk.”

Red Wolf Sword hastily twisted his head to dodge the sword thrusting toward his cheek. Mu Hwi didn’t miss the slight opening as his posture wavered.

While pressing down Red Wolf Sword’s sword by channeling internal energy into his blade, he simultaneously executed the Bamboo Leaf Hand technique with his left hand.

Mu Hwi’s arm fluttered like bamboo leaves in the wind, and before anyone knew it, had grabbed Red Wolf Sword’s wrist.

Red Wolf Sword was startled by Mu Hwi’s grip strength crushing his left wrist.

“You!”

The shocked Red Wolf Sword instantly raised his internal energy to the extreme to push Mu Hwi away.

Though he swung his sword violently, Mu Hwi retreated without any significant injury by taking measured steps back.

Red Wolf Sword bit his lip looking at Mu Hwi who still had a smile, and lowered his gaze.

His reddened and swollen left wrist.

If he had been just a bit slower, it would have broken right there.

Red Wolf Sword couldn’t even properly understand how his wrist had been grabbed.

‘Why can’t I see this young pup’s movements?’

Even if he had let his guard down, he shouldn’t completely miss the techniques of a martial world newcomer. Red Wolf Sword’s hand gripping the sword hilt gradually became moist.

His instincts were sending warnings.

‘Is there something more to him?’

Red Wolf Sword’s footsteps became more cautious than before as he felt chills down his spine.

It was because his throbbing left wrist had completely erased any thoughts of playing around with Mu Hwi.

As Red Wolf Sword lunged toward Mu Hwi, his hands moved chaotically. Then, a series of sword strikes filled with a sharp aura poured down toward Mu Hwi.

The Awl-shaped Sword Wind that Red Wolf Sword created surged up and down, looking like a giant beast opening its jaws wide.

At this sight, Mu-hwa let out a short scream.

“Ah! Senior Disciple!”

Mujin also looked at Senior Disciple’s back with a serious face. Red Wolf Sword’s strike continues in a straight line.

Not only were the consecutive attacks fierce, giving no openings, but each technique was a killing move aimed at the body’s vital points.

‘So this is an evil sect’s swordsmanship! How vicious!’

Senior Disciple’s back in the middle of Red Wolf Sword’s offensive looked so precarious. If he were in that position, his whole body would have been torn apart.

Mujin was breaking into a cold sweat just watching Red Wolf Sword’s martial prowess from a distance.

However, what was more frightening than Red Wolf Sword’s sword was the possibility of Senior Disciple falling while bleeding.

Gritting his teeth, Mujin said as if spitting out the words.

“We must help Senior Disciple!”

“Let’s go quickly!”

As Mujin and Mu-hwa, having made their resolution, were about to step forward without hesitation, Mu-cheol grabbed both their shoulders.

“Look at Senior Disciple’s face.”

At Mu-cheol’s calm voice, the two looked at Mu Hwi. Mu Hwi had the corners of his mouth raised as usual.

How could he be smiling when sharp sword winds were about to tear through his shoulders and ankles right now?

At that moment, far from dodging the sword wind, Mu Hwi instead stepped forward. Simultaneously, he drew an arc with his sword and released three sword shadows.

Red Wolf Sword immediately recognized the sword technique Mu Hwi was using.

‘Falling Plum Sword? With just something like Falling Plum Sword…’

Red Wolf Sword’s thoughts were cut short as he sneered at Mu Hwi.

He had no choice seeing the sword technique Mu Hwi was extending. It wasn’t at a level a novice could demonstrate.

Swoosh

Mu Hwi’s sword shadows cleverly penetrated between the rushing sword winds. Then, centered on the three sword shadows, the dense sword wind offensive began to split apart.

Mu Hwi’s sword shadows had precisely penetrated the weaknesses and connection points of the techniques.

“What is this!”

Red Wolf Sword’s eyes bulged as if they would pop out at the sight of his sword technique being easily broken down before him.

“The Bandit Fang Sword Technique. It’s fierce, but has many gaps.”

“How can you, a newcomer to the martial world!”

“Besides, you haven’t even learned the latter half.”

Bandit Fang Sword Technique

One of the sword techniques learned by low-ranking officials of the Guyu Sect. In his past life, he had seen it countless times while annihilating various martial forces of the Guyu Sect.

“You! Just who are you!”

What was more surprising was that Mu Hwi wasn’t simply learning the Bandit Fang Sword Technique, but was thoroughly destroying it.

As Mu Hwi’s sword swayed gracefully, sword shadows poured out endlessly.

The Falling Plum Sword’s shadows penetrated the weaknesses and disrupted the flow of techniques, while in between, the swift sword of the Three Leaf Piercing Wind released beams of light.

Red Wolf Sword barely reacted and avoided those light beams, but somehow the shoulder area of his martial robe was turning red.

It was thanks to Mu Hwi adding the subtleties of the Ten Thousand Fragrance Sword to create variations at the end of his swift strikes, having read even Red Wolf Sword’s evasion.

Red Wolf Sword’s eyebrows trembled, and he didn’t even have time to feel the pain in his shoulder.

‘Where did such a monster come from…’

While the sword techniques he used were indeed those learned by Hwasan Sect’s new disciples, the actual execution far surpassed that level.

Which martial artist could harmoniously blend three sword techniques with different subtleties as if they were one technique?

In Mu Hwi’s eyes as he looked at him, a cold light was burning. Red Wolf Sword flinched at this and unconsciously took a step back.

His body was constricted by pressure as if facing a master several levels above himself.

“Red Wolf is too good for you, even Red Dog would be too generous a nickname.”

Mu Hwi had completely lost interest in Red Wolf Sword. There was nothing more to see.

The hem of Mu Hwi’s uniform fluttered violently as he stepped forward.

After deflecting the sword winds surging from left and right and easily opening a path, Mu Hwi occupied Red Wolf Sword’s face.

Red Wolf Sword belatedly reacted and extended his sword to cover his body, but.

By then, Mu Hwi was already pushing and compressing internal energy into his blade. As he did so, Mu Hwi’s sword was becoming heavier.

Clang!

A vertical striking blow swiftly drawn from the middle position.

It was concise and heavy.

The final move contained the subtleties of the Dokgo Sword technique.

Red Wolf Sword helplessly stared at his sword that had been broken in half, with a long red line drawn across his chest.

“You brat!”

Though Red Wolf Sword staggered and tried to counterattack, there was no hesitation in Mu Hwi’s following movements.

After tripping Red Wolf Sword with the Jade Ring Kick and making him fall, he immediately drove his sword into his right palm.

“Kuaak!”

“Oh my, an old habit came out.”

The palm-pierced Red Wolf Sword screamed, but Mu Hwi calmly tore open his martial robe.

On Red Wolf Sword’s chest was a red tattoo that read ‘Nine Springs’.

At this, the corners of Mu Hwi’s mouth rose.

“As I thought, it’s the Nine Springs Division.”

Nine Springs Division.

One of the three pillars supports the Guyu Sect, along with the Hell Division and Abyss Division.

While this was all that was known in the martial world, Mu Hwi knew deeper circumstances.

‘They were completely pushed out of the succession race to select the next Small Sect Leader.’

Having confirmed Red Wolf Sword’s affiliation with the Nine Springs Division, Mu Hwi saw the pieces fitting together in his mind as he had expected.

“It was strange – right now Guyu Sect should have all their attention on Gansu, there’s no way they’d randomly reach toward southern Shaanxi.”

Red Wolf Sword’s eyes trembled at Mu Hwi’s muttering.

As Mu Hwi said, Guyu Sect was at war with the Battle Dragon Sect, which was aiming to advance from Gansu to Shaanxi.

While the Hell Division and Abyss Division were competing to achieve merit in that war, there was no place for the Nine Springs Division.

The Nine Springs Division was only given the duties of defending headquarters and rear support. Desperate to achieve merit, they had begun eyeing southern Shaanxi as a last resort.

“You will surely pay the price for daring to interfere with Nine Springs Division’s affairs. We will tear you apart and burn Hwasan!”

Though Red Wolf Sword threatened with a venomous voice, Mu Hwi instead let out a low laugh.

Mu Hwi knew too much to be shaken by such threats.

“When news spreads that you died here, do you think the Hell and Abyss Divisions will leave Nine Springs Division alone? Nine Springs Division won’t even have the capacity to worry about this area.”

All of Guyu Sect’s forces and attention were focused on the Battle Dragon Sect in Gansu.

Meanwhile, the Nine Springs Division alone was carrying out different activities behind the scenes.

They would use this as an opportunity to tear into them even more.

Mu Hwi twisted the sword stuck in Red Wolf Sword’s palm with force. Then he pulled his face close to look directly into Red Wolf Sword’s eyes.

“Kuugh.”

“Did you think I would fear you? The Nine Springs Division? I am the one who faced Guyu Sect alone.”

Red Wolf Sword couldn’t understand Mu Hwi’s cryptic whispered words.

Though he couldn’t comprehend their true meaning, he instinctively sensed that Mu Hwi wasn’t speaking nonsense.

Red Wolf Sword’s eyes bulged and his mouth gaped, but no voice came out.

It was because Mu Hwi’s sword, drawn before he knew it, had drawn a red line across Red Wolf Sword’s neck.

“And you dare mention Hwasan? Go die in your beloved Nine Springs.”

Red Wolf Sword grew cold, clutching his neck without even being able to speak final words.

Mu Hwi flicked his wrist to shake the blood off his blade before sheathing it.

“I expected it, but how boring.”

The disciples could only blankly stare at Mu Hwi who had easily resolved the situation.

* * *

In the main hall of the Bloodshed Clan, all the surviving Black Sword members were gathered kneeling.

Mu Hwi sat in the ornate seat where the faction leader or Red Wolf Sword would have sat, cleaning his sword with plain cloth.

At the front of the kneeling Black Sword members, a middle-aged man was deeply bowing his head.

“So, you’re the vice leader and general overseer of the Bloodshed Clan?”

“Yes, Master.”

Mu Hwi, while observing the Black Sword members, spoke to his disciples standing behind him.

“We’ll clean up the gambling den right now. Can you handle it? Or should I come along?”

The disciples understood what Mu Hwi meant.

“We won’t show such a pathetic display as before. Please leave it to us this time, Senior Disciple.”

Mujin spoke firmly with a determined voice.

The same was true for Mu-hwa, who had bandages wrapped around her thigh. Her eyes were burning with determination as if wanting to make up for her mistakes in her first real combat.

At this, Mu Hwi nodded.

“I trust you with this. Go, disciples.”

After the disciples left, Mu Hwi looked back at the Black Sword members.

“Now then, Vice Leader, speak.”

The Vice Leader, who was bowing so deeply his forehead touched the ground, carefully raised his gaze.

“Master. What do you mean?”

In response to the question, Mu Hwi threw the plain cloth he had been using to clean his sword in front of the Vice Leader.

“I’d prefer if nothing red gets on this plain cloth again.”

The Vice Leader seemed to understand what Mu Hwi meant by red as he gulped.

Mu Hwi continued speaking while looking at his gleaming blue sword blade.

“Give me a reason why I should let you all live. Speak quickly.”

At Mu Hwi’s indifferent tone, the faces of the Black Sword members, including the Vice Leader, turned pale white.

<An old habit came out.> End

<Fear is enough.>