Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Seo Bong-ju is Mu Hwi’s favorite alcohol.

While its unique blend of diverse aromas and flavors is excellent, there was a separate reason why he liked it.

No matter how much he drank, there was no hangover the next day, so he could swing his sword refreshingly without having to circulate his qi.

But seeing these disgusting things made the taste of the alcohol drop instantly.

“Tsk.”

Mu Hwi leaped over to where he had dropped the alcohol bottle.

He landed on the shattered bottle pieces, but not even the faint crunching sound could be heard.

Like a feather landing.

When Mu Hwi descended, the shadows that had been hidden by the pavilion’s shade revealed themselves.

The shadows’ identities were Ilseon and Ilhun of the Jongnam Sect.

“Master Mu Hwi, it seems you’re quite drunk.”

“No wonder he was drinking so much earlier.”

Crack!

When Mu Hwi silently applied force to his toes, the bottle pieces beneath screamed as they shattered. At this, the Jongnam Sect disciples also closed their mouths and stared at Mu Hwi.

“There’s only the Hwahon Sect’s Leader office ahead, were you targeting the Sect Leader?”

“Haha, Master Mu Hwi. I don’t know what you’re talking about. We…”

Mu Hwi stepped on the bottle pieces again.

“Let’s stop the act since it’s bothersome for both of us, you bastards.”

At this, the smiles that had been lingering on Ilseon and Ilhun’s faces completely disappeared.

“How did you know?”

“We shouldn’t have made any mistakes.”

At this, Mu Hwi gave a cold smile.

“At first you managed your expressions well, but once the strong alcohol went in, it showed immediately.”

Mu Hwi had obtained Seo Bong-ju, particularly the strongest premium grade, to strip away the Assassin Demons’ masks one by one.

“When asking about the Assassin Demons’ whereabouts, a dark red killing intent flickered briefly in your eyes. You must have been recalling your own actions.”

At Mu Hwi’s words, the Assassin Demons frowned.

Could he really have noticed from such a minute change in their eyes?

Even if that were the case, what Mu Hwi described should only be possible for enlightened monks or veteran masters with abundant martial arts world experience.

They didn’t think a novice who had just entered the martial arts world would have the keen eye to read their gazes.

Then, Ilseon asked while looking at Mu Hwi.

“Seeing that you prepared the alcohol in advance means you had already figured out our identities, but how did you know?”

Ilseon seemed genuinely curious as he asked.

As the two Assassin Demons naturally narrowed the distance by one step, Mu Hwi also stepped forward and answered.

“Transformation Qi Technique.”

At Mu Hwi’s answer, the two Assassin Demons who had been gradually closing the distance stopped abruptly.

Transformation Qi Technique

A martial artist’s internal energy varies in characteristics and properties according to the mental methods they’ve learned. In contrast, the internal energy of Transformation Qi Technique has no distinct characteristics.

It’s similar to the internal energy built through the widely known earth absorption method in the martial arts world. If compared to food, it would be like having no smell (無臭) and no taste (無味).

This is where Transformation Qi Technique’ true value is revealed. Transformation Qi Technique allowed the disciples to change the quality of their internal energy according to their will.

It could display dignified power within a majestic flow like Buddhist martial arts, or explosively release bizarre and violent energy like Sama heretical arts.

The power of Transformation Qi Technique, which could traverse such extremes of internal energy, could rightfully be called divine art (神功) depending on how it was used.

It was such a waste that the Assassin Demons were now using Transformation Qi Technique merely to imitate the energy of Jongnam Sect martial arts.

What if they had intensively applied it to martial arts techniques instead?

This must be why there can be a greatest person under heaven but no greatest martial art under heaven.

But the Assassin Demons probably had no choice.

They must have been taught to mainly use Transformation Qi Technique for this purpose.

“Jongnam Sect’s mental methods are characterized by having a fresh lightness within their heaviness. Like wind passing over a mountain peak. But you only focused on the heavy weight.”

The energy that was similar to but lacking something of the Jongnam Sect’s unique style – this was why Mu Hwi felt a sense of incongruity when he first encountered the Assassin Demons.

“What?”

“Lightness? Was there such a thing?”

What Mu Hwi mentioned was something even the Assassin Demons had completely missed. They couldn’t believe that a novice had noticed something they themselves had missed.

“Since you learned Transformation Qi Technique, you must have also learned Bone Compression Technique and Face Changing Art?”

Bone Compression Technique (縮骨功) is a martial art that used bones and muscles to transform body shape, and Face Changing Art is a technique to change facial features.

These were also specialties of the Hundred-Faced Old Demon.

“Hundred-Faced Old Demon, who would have thought that old man left behind disciples. Like master, like disciple – you’re worthless bugs that don’t deserve to live.”

When even their master’s title came out of Mu Hwi’s mouth, Ilseon and Ilhun couldn’t keep their mouths shut.

The Assassin Demons exchanged glances with each other.

They were now convinced that Mu Hwi must be killed.

“Brother, it seems it was pointless that we used both Bone Compression Technique and Face Changing Art to imitate those barbarians just in case.”

“I’ve taken your advice well, next time I’ll be able to imitate more perfectly.”

“Then let me ask one thing too. Why did you specifically disguise yourselves as Jongnam Sect disciples? It could make it harder to escape since it would draw attention.”

At Mu Hwi’s question, the Assassin Demons simultaneously showed vile smiles.

“We have no intention of running away. We wanted to make Jongnam pay for daring to interfere with our pleasure and killing our disciples.”

As they exchanged words, the distance between the three grew closer. It was now close enough that it wouldn’t be strange to strike at any moment.

While appearing to be in conversation, all three were watching for each other’s openings.

“By acting as Jongnam Sect disciples while killing, raping, and burning, Jongnam’s reputation would fall to the ground. Even if Jongnam explains and reveals the truth, they won’t recover their former reputation.”

In the Assassin Demons’ eyes was madness that disregarded death.

Seeing this, Mu Hwi nodded.

These Assassin Demons hadn’t disguised themselves as Jongnam Sect disciples simply to escape.

Judging by their eyes, they weren’t the type to fear being caught and killed in the first place.

Rather than escaping, they planned to continue causing trouble to make things difficult for Jongnam Sect and splash them with as much filth as possible.

“Hundred-Faced Old Demon, that old man only gathered and raised worthless things just like himself as disciples.”

While Mu Hwi looked at the two Assassin Demons with contemptuous eyes, Ilseon and Ilhun suddenly planted their feet.

“If we kill the direct disciple of Hwasan and the affiliate Sect Leader, both Hwasan and Jongnam will be in chaos!”

“Indeed, we were right to come here.”

As if palm techniques were their specialty, they weren’t using the swords at their waists but were stretching out their palms.

Though they started with the same energy posture, the techniques that followed were completely different.

From Ilhun’s directly extending hand, a powerful energy could be felt, while Ilseon’s palm, twisting with a bent wrist, was creating elegant variations.

Mu Hwi knew this martial art well.

Hundred Forms Palm Technique (百形掌法)

The unique martial art of Hundred-Faced Old Demon that formed a pair with Transformation Qi Technique.

Mu Hwi responded with palm techniques without drawing his sword, extending both hands.

At this, Ilseon and Ilhun snorted.

“They said you’ve made a name for yourself lately, but how arrogant!”

Mu Hwi blocked Ilseon’s fist with a hand shadow created from Bamboo Leaf Hand, and met Ilhun’s palm with palm force extended using Falling Flower Palm technique.

Slash!

From the palm force that poured out, Mu Hwi and Ilhun’s palms roughly separated.

Ilhun dissipated the impact by rotating his body in mid-air, while Mu Hwi flipped his body using the incoming rebound force.

While doing so, he naturally poured out double palm strikes toward Ilseon on his right.

As Mu Hwi suddenly changed direction as if flipping his body to launch an attack, Ilseon hurriedly moved his hands.

When Ilseon’s hand tried to grab his right wrist, Mu Hwi blocked it by flicking his hand back and rotated his right hand inward to grab Ilseon’s wrist instead.

That movement was like a snake climbing up a tree branch. It was a martial art called Snake Shadow Hand (蛇影手).

“Huk!”

Seeing this from the side, Ilhun hurriedly poured out palm force toward Mu Hwi’s shoulder, but Mu Hwi unhesitatingly released Ilseon’s wrist and retreated backward as if sliding.

“Brother, are you alright?”

“Yes, he sent internal energy flowing in that brief moment. He’s no ordinary person.”

Ilseon frowned while pushing out Mu Hwi’s internal energy that had penetrated the acupoint below his right wrist.

Because he had sent internal energy according to the Falling Flower Palm’s formula, even though it was just for an instant, internal energy had penetrated several meridian points.

‘How can such a young guy fight so well?’

Ilseon glared at Mu Hwi who was waving his hands in the air after retreating five steps back.

‘If I add Snake Shadow Hand’s movements to Chasing Shadow Palm’s variations, the changes might be more diverse.’

Mu Hwi was testing various fist and palm techniques he knew against the two Assassin Demons, Ilseon and Ilhun, while trying to apply them to Hwasan’s martial arts.

Like their sword techniques, many of Hwasan’s fist and palm techniques were based on complex and elaborate variations.

There were many techniques that seemed to be directly transferred from sword techniques, but since they regarded fist and palm techniques as supplementary means, they were somewhat lacking in depth compared to sword techniques, which were Hwasan’s main martial arts.

Of course, not all martial arts in a Sect can be excellent, but it was clear that much better martial arts could be created if they were revised more.

Therefore, Mu Hwi didn’t neglect research into fist and palm techniques.

‘If I assume using the right hand to hold the sword and only using the left hand, since I’d have to use only one hand, there would be constraints on variations.’

Meanwhile, Ilseon and Ilhun were simultaneously launching their bodies from left and right.

Mu Hwi, who had retreated while taking steps back, was receiving each of the two Assassin Demons’ martial arts with one hand.

It was the two Assassin Demons who were flustered by this.

It was because the young late-stage foundation level disciple was receiving their joint attack too easily.

Moreover, since he occasionally showed blank eyes as if thinking about something else, the Assassin Demons were about to jump up and down in frustration.

At this, Ilseon opened his mouth while creating three palm shadows to break Mu Hwi’s composure.

“By the way, where could the remaining one be?”

At this, Mu Hwi raised his hand technique to tear apart the three-layered approaching palm shadows at once.

“Where else, he must have gone to Mu-hwa.”

When Mu Hwi spoke while smiling, it was rather the Assassin Demons who were flustered.

“Ilmu was it? That bastard who stripped and violated all the women in the village where you caused bloodshed?”

Mu Hwi hadn’t missed how Ilmu often couldn’t take his eyes off Mu-hwa.

By now, the disciples would be engaged in a life-and-death battle with Ilmu who had secretly entered the separate building.

“They’re the ones I personally taught. Do you think they would fall to the likes of someone who would let loose anywhere?”

Pang!

In that moment, Ilseon’s quickly extended palm force and Mu Hwi’s left palm met, followed by Mu Hwi’s right palm meeting Ilhun’s palm. The palms that stuck together showed no sign of separating.

At this, the two Assassin Demons burst into laughter.

“You said you weren’t worried, but it was just bluster. To fall so easily into a palm force battle.”

“This is the end now.”

Mu Hwi had to compete internal energy with the Assassin Demons opposing him on both sides while standing in a 大 shape.

Thus the three people began their palm force battle while standing side by side in a 大 shape.

The Assassin Demons knew well that Mu Hwi’s martial arts were extraordinary for his age.

But after exchanging a few moves, they could tell his internal energy didn’t greatly exceed his age.

There was no way a mere late-stage foundation level disciple could handle their internal energy simultaneously.

The two Assassin Demons closed their mouths and began pouring out their internal energy at Mu Hwi simultaneously.

Though the internal energy of the Nine Skies Mind Method raced through the meridians and poured out through both palms, it was too much to handle both Assassin Demons’ internal energy at once.

Despite his internal energy increasing through Polygonatum and the swordsman’s internal energy usage being added, the gap in internal energy with the two Assassin Demons was large and he was gradually being pushed back. At this, the two Assassin Demons looked at each other.

‘It’s over.’

‘We must kill him quickly and tear his remains to pieces .’

As the frowning faces of the two Assassin Demons gradually relaxed, Mu Hwi who was watching this also raised the corners of his mouth.

Suddenly Mu Hwi’s palms twisted slightly and interlocked fingers with the two Assassin Demons’ hands by crossing their fingers.

At this, the Assassin Demons looked at Mu Hwi with puzzled eyes.

When they were already struggling and failing to separate their palms, why would he interlock fingers to make it absolutely impossible to separate them?

On behalf of the Assassin Demons who couldn’t open their mouths during the palm force battle, Mu Hwi boldly opened his.

“You stupid bastards, do you think we’re fighting in some uninhabited mountain?”

At Mu Hwi’s words, the Assassin Demons’ eyes gradually widened.

They had been so surprised by Mu Hwi seeing through their identities and even mentioning Hundred-Faced Old Demon that they had completely forgotten.

This was the center of Hwahon Sect.

Even though it was late at night and there had just been a feast, there would naturally be people standing guard with clear minds.

There was no way they wouldn’t detect the energy waves and noise created by Mu Hwi and themselves clashing.

‘Oh no!’

‘What an absurd mistake.’

When the two Assassin Demons tried to withdraw their internal energy pressing against Mu Hwi, Mu Hwi’s internal energy that had been pushed back instead bared its teeth and rushed in.

This put the two Assassin Demons in a situation where they could neither advance nor retreat.

The Assassin Demons wanted to strike Mu Hwi with their free hands simultaneously, but because they were standing in a 大 shape, their arms couldn’t reach, and it was beyond their ability to divide their internal energy during the palm force battle to shoot out palm force with such high-level internal energy control.

Meanwhile, a sound reached Mu Hwi’s ears. The sound of sleeves fluttering roughly.

“Master Mu Hwi!”

To Kang Bo-eum, who had rushed out after feeling the rough energy waves while looking over delayed work, Mu Hwi shouted.

“Cut them!”

Perhaps because his breathing was disrupted from raising his voice, Mu Hwi felt blood rising up.

At the words to cut the Jongnam Sect disciples, Kang Bo-eum’s eyes trembled slightly as he displayed his lightness technique.

Kang Bo-eum unhesitatingly swung his sword to shoot out crescent moon-shaped sword energy in succession.

Slash!

Seeing Kang Bo-eum’s sword energy passing quickly left and right, followed by the Assassin Demons’ distorting faces, Mu Hwi burst into deep laughter.

“You bugs, does it hurt?”

<Does it hurt, you bugs?> End

<I really can’t think of a way.>