Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 26

Chapter 26

The wide-open main gate of Seonhwa Sect was bustling with activity.

“Form a line!”

“Oh, sir. You must follow the order.”

The Seonhwa Sect disciples were sweating as they controlled the flooding crowd.

“If my child enters Seonhwa Sect, can they learn the amazing sword techniques we saw during the sect competition?”

“Hey, my friend. That person is a disciple from Hwasan Sect’s main mountain. Even if your son learns the same sword technique, it would be completely different!”

“Still, it was amazing to see the sword techniques occasionally displayed by Seonhwa Sect disciples. Besides, didn’t the Seonhwa Sect Leader and Young Leader also perform well in the competition?”

Those stepping on Seonhwa Sect’s threshold were diverse.

From young men slightly younger than Mu Hwi, to very young children holding their fathers’ hands.

All were visitors seeking to join Seonhwa Sect.

“I didn’t expect Daejeong Sect Leader’s decision to open the sect competition to commoners would help Seonhwa Sect this much.”

Im Muguk couldn’t hide his smile as he watched the crowd flooding in. He glanced sideways at Mu Hwi beside him.

‘More precisely, Master Mu Hwi’s influence would be the greatest.’

The wave of sword shadows Mu Hwi displayed while facing Yeonho Wanderer’s finishing move. His heart still fluttered when remembering that moment.

Mu Hwi’s sword firmly claimed to be Hwasan’s sword even though no plum blossoms bloomed.

If it was this astonishing even to martial artists’ eyes, how must it have appeared to ordinary commoners?

“Even though Seonhwa Sect has been established in Winam for quite some time, seeing commoners this excited about Hwasan’s sword makes me think our efforts were lacking.”

Mu Hwi had properly planted the two words ‘Hwasan’ and ‘Winam’ in their rightful places

“From now on, it’s up to the Sect Leader and Seonhwa Sect.”

“Of course. We will work hard.”

Im Muguk nodded.

Already, all disciples of Seonhwa Sect were being mobilized inside and out to fill the sudden vacuum left by Daejeong Sect.

Seonhwa Sect would need to keep moving busily from now on.

“We won’t disappoint Master Mu Hwi and Hwasan. Thank you truly.”

When Im Muguk made a cupped-hand salute, Mu Hwi returned it by folding his hands.

“By the way, are you really leaving tomorrow?”

“Now that we’ve confirmed Daejeong Sect’s departure, we must continue our journey.”

After hearing Mu Hwi’s next destination, Im Muguk clicked his tongue.

“Be careful. I heard there are Assasin Demons in that direction. They turned two small villages into a wasteland.”

“Assasin Demons…”

“Even the Jongnam Sect stepped in but hasn’t caught them yet, which shows they’re no ordinary Assasin Demons. Be careful.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Im Muguk went to help the disciples handle matters, as Mu Hwi was entering the annex.

“Master Mu Hwi!”

Im Sanha running from far away.

Having come from training, not only his martial arts clothes but even his hair were visibly wet with sweat.

Although the sect competition had ended, Im Sanha was continuing his training as before with Mu Hwi.

Only his sleeping time had increased.

Im Sanha’s growth wasn’t complete yet, so sleep time was important.

“You came from training?”

“Yes, I had a sparring match with Master Mujin today.”

When Mu Hwi wasn’t around, the disciples took turns sparring or supervising his martial arts.

As a result, Im Sanha’s martial arts were improving day by day.

“Today my Six Harmonies Mind Technique reached five stars.”

Eyes sparkling like a young bird asking for feed. Reading those eyes, Mu Hwi lightly placed his hand on Im Sanha’s head.

“Well done. And I’m sure you haven’t forgotten. Take the Gonghundan pill when your Six Harmonies Mind Technique achievement reaches six stars.”

“Yes. Of course.”

The five Gonghundan pills Mu Hwi took from Daejeong Sect Leader.

Although it would be natural to be greedy for as many as five spiritual medicine pills, Im Muguk handed all five pills over to Mu Hwi.

Saying they were obtained solely by Mu Hwi’s power, so Mu Hwi’s group should consume them or use them for Hwasan.

Of course, Mu Hwi didn’t decline this.

He gave four pills to himself and his fellow disciples, and the remaining one to Im Sanha.

“I heard from the masters that you’re leaving.”

“Yes, we’ll leave early tomorrow morning.”

At Mu Hwi’s calm answer, Im Sanha pondered for a moment before speaking as if having made a decision.

“I told Father yesterday. When Hwasan Sect recruits their third-generation disciples, I’ll apply to become a main mountain disciple.”

Mu Hwi’s eyebrows raised slightly at this first-time news.

“What about Seonhwa Sect?”

“It’s fine since I have a younger sibling.”

Thinking about it, Mu Hwi had seen them a few times too.

Just barely over four years old, toddling around.

“Hmm, how old are you again?”

“Eight years old.”

“You’re younger than I thought. I thought you were at least ten.”

Coming from a Hwasan Sect affiliate sect with decent martial arts skills.

Age wasn’t an issue either, so Im Sanha had a high chance of being selected as a main mountain disciple.

“The main mountain will be recruiting third-generation disciples soon. Train hard and wait for news.”

Im Sanha nodded, then said with a slightly reddened face.

“If I become a third-generation disciple, please accept me as your disciple later.”

Mu Hwi hesitated momentarily at Im Sanha’s bold request.

He never expected such a request.

Of course, formally accepting disciples would only happen after becoming a first-generation disciple, but it was still slightly surprising.

“Me as your master? What’s your reason?”

“Because I think if I follow Master Mu Hwi, my martial arts will keep expanding.”

Mu Hwi let out a small laugh, remembering what he had told Im Sanha before.

‘A disciple…’

The disciple he had taken during his Sword Devil days had brilliant talent.

He could guarantee they weren’t inferior even compared to the Six Dragons, the best junior disciples.

How did Im Sanha compare?

His martial talent is just decent.

Slightly better than average.

However, his tenacity and perseverance in completing training according to instructions despite his young age were praiseworthy.

It’s easy to say, but how many children Im Sanha’s age could endure it?

Looking at Im Sanha, he recalled what Hyeon Jo had said.

-Making an ordinary person into a master. Isn’t that the role of a teacher and the meaning of martial arts?

The corners of Mu Hwi’s mouth lifted slightly.

‘This could be good in its own way.’

Since he raised a talented disciple in his previous life, raising a different type of disciple this time could have its own meaning.

‘This kid’s generation will probably have their own versions of the current Six Dragons.’

Every generation has its outstanding talents that shine brightly.

It might be interesting to see ordinary Im Sanha overcome such geniuses and prodigies.

Mu Hwi suddenly flicked Im Sanha’s forehead as he waited for an answer.

“Ow!”

“Asking to be taken as a disciple first, you impudent fellow. When you come to the main mountain, I’ll make you regret this choice.”

Im Sanha, who had been holding his forehead with both hands and frowning, pondered Mu Hwi’s words before showing a bright smile.

When Im Sanha tried to bow immediately, Mu Hwi stopped him and cautioned,

“As you know, officially becoming master and disciple will be far in the future. So only call me master when we’re alone. Remember that.”

“Yes, Master!”

Mu Hwi clicked his tongue briefly at Im Sanha’s resonant response, then smirked.

Im Sanha smiled while watching Mu Hwi.

When he first saw Mu Hwi’s smile it was extremely chilling, but now he could feel warmth emanating from it.

But that thought didn’t last long.

“Since we’ve unofficially become master and disciple, I can’t just let it pass. We won’t see each other for a while, so I’ll beat the teachings into your body in advance.”

Im Sanha nodded quietly seeing Mu Hwi’s smile. Indeed, this smile was correctly felt as chilling.

And so Im Sanha was dragged to the training ground by his neck in Mu Hwi’s grip.

* * *

Swoosh!

The rain was falling quite heavily, and only the sound of raindrops attacking the ground could be heard around.

Even so, the middle-aged man’s voice came through very clearly.

“Is running away all you could think of, Daejeong Sect Leader?”

Daejeong Sect Leader, prostrated in the muddy ground, didn’t dare raise his head even at the voice calling him.

“Perhaps because you thought you had the Sacred Faction backing you, your conduct was boundlessly arrogant. Yet we overlooked it because there would be no problem as long as you completed your given mission.”

At this, the Daejeong Sect Leader’s hands increasingly gripped the mud.

“Was it so difficult to take over that small Winam? Daejeong Sect was supposed to build up power and take charge of the Southern Iron Sword Sect.”

The Southern Iron Sword Sect is a Jongnam Sect affiliate sect located not far from Winam.

“I’m sorry.”

Splash!

Though mud splattered on the Daejeong Sect Leader’s face as he pressed his head into the muddy ground, there was no change in the expression of the middle-aged man looking down.

“Daejeong Sect was just meant to be one of the daggers to stab from behind when striking Jongnam, but it broke before being properly forged.”

“Please give me another chance!”

“Sect Leader, I heard you wagered the Gonghundan pills obtained through the Sacred Faction with a Hwasan sect disciple. That third martial arts match was your last chance.”

At that moment, the Daejeong Sect Leader’s head separated from his body. The red blood spreading between them quickly lost its color as it seeped into the mud.

“I tried using him since he harbored ambitions beyond his station, but I suppose too much greed ruins things.”

At the middle-aged man’s muttering, the Dark Training Pavilion Leader behind him asked.

“Commander Myeong, what should we do about that fellow?”

The disciples of Daejeong Sect were already corpses, coldly stiff, and the only one breathing normally was Ga Se-in, who was trembling and unable to shed tears.

When Myeong Sa-gun’s gaze fell upon him, Ga Se-in’s body stiffened and he couldn’t even avoid eye contact.

“Winam’s Greatest Young Talent, Daejeong Sect secretly spread it, did they? What a laughable thing to say. Throw him in the Killing Chamber of the main fortress. I wonder how long Winam’s Greatest Young Talent will last.”

With Myeong Sa-gun’s words, Ga Se-in’s fate was sealed. A warrior in gray martial attire dragged Ga Se-in away.

“What should we do about Seonhwa Sect and the second-generation disciples of Hwasan Sect?”

At this, Myeong Sa-gun turned his head to look at Am hun-ju.

“What do you mean what should we do?”

“Didn’t they interfere with the main fortress’s event?”

At this, Myeong Sa-gun waved his hand.

“They probably didn’t know what they were doing, and besides, what benefit would there be in retaliating now? If things get bigger unnecessarily, we’ll only end up getting caught.”

Myeong Sa-gun looked at Am hun-ju and let out a laugh.

“Daejeong Sect was your responsibility, right? It’s understandable to be angry when all your hard work disappears in an instant.”

Am hun-ju bowed his head.

“I apologize, Myeong Sa-gun.”

“However, what was his name… Mu Hwi? That late-stage disciple might be worth paying attention to. Check his martial arts level. The young fortress lord might show interest.”

“Yes, we are tracking his movements. Currently, he has left Winam and is heading toward Yeosan. I will confirm and report back.”

Myeong Sa-gun turned his gaze to look at the rolling head of Yeonho Wanderer lying a short distance away.

A late-stage foundation level disciple defeated Yeonho Wanderer? This was quite an interesting matter.

‘Hwasan Sect. I hadn’t paid attention to it since the Sword Saint died as they were already declining, but indeed, the potential of a prestigious sect cannot be ignored.’

Remembering the name Mu Hwi, Myeong Sa-gun rose from his seat.

“You should handle the aftermath of Daejeong Sect well. Make sure there’s no noise about it.”

Myeong Sa-gun turned and walked into the forest.

“Are you leaving already?”

“I was on my way back when I heard the news, so I must hurry. If I’m late, the fortress lord will be angry again.”

The Daejeong Sect matter was just something he meddled with to kill time. Myeong Sa-gun headed west without lingering attachments.

The place Myeong Sa-gun was heading to was a massive fortress in Sacheon.

In the martial arts world, it was called Paewangseong (Overlord Castle).

Sacheondang, Ami, Cheongseong.

Surpassing these long-standing prestigious sects of Sacheon, Paewangseong was proudly called the ruler of Sacheon.

Paewangseong were those who walked the path of ruling solely for unifying the martial arts world, unbound by the distinction between orthodox and unorthodox.

It was to the point where an alliance called the Sacheon Alliance was formed, centered around Dangga, Cheongseong, and Ami, to oppose Paewangseong.

When Myeong Sa-gun’s silhouette disappeared into the forest, Am hun-ju, who hadn’t straightened his back until then, raised his head as his subordinates gathered around.

“Clean up the scene and continue tracking those Hwasan bastards.”

“As commanded.”

The eyes of Paewangseong’s Am hun-ju began following Mu Hwi.

Meanwhile, Mu Hwi’s group was getting closer to Yeosan.

< What an Impudent Fellow. > End

< Back then, we were all Hwasan. >