Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Only after pressing the blood point did Mu Hwi flip the Dark Knight’s body so he was facing upward.

“You bastard!”

“Shut up.”

When the Dark Knight, covered in dirt, burst out in anger, Mu Hwi immediately pressed the mute point to silence him. As the Dark Knight’s eyes shook, Mu Hwi searched his clothes with an indifferent face.

As Mu Hwi’s searching hands reached the sleeve, the corner of his mouth turned up.

“Hooh.”

Unlike the assassins whose affiliation was impossible to know due to lack of any traces, the Dark Knight’s sleeve felt thick to the touch.

When he pulled his hand from the sleeve, Mu Hwi was holding three or four money pouches and an iron badge the size of his palm. Seeing this, the Dark Knight’s eyes trembled.

Mu Hwi bared his molars while watching the Dark Knight’s intensely trembling eyebrows.

“Well, I guess you never imagined having your sleeve picked by a mere late-stage foundation level disciple while wide awake.”

The Dark Knight’s frustrated state was exactly as Mu Hwi described. Who would have thought he’d suffer such humiliation from a young late-stage foundation level disciple?

Inside the money pouches were only silver pieces and strange medicines.

After putting these aside separately, Mu Hwi immediately examined the iron badge.

On the back of the iron badge, three characters reading ‘Paewangseong’ (霸王城) and the castle’s emblem were embossed, while on the front were engraved four characters reading ‘Dark Knight’ (暗熏閣主).

Seeing this, Mu Hwi’s eyes narrowed.

“Paewangseong? Why those war-crazy bastards?”

It was strange enough that people who should be in Sichuan were in Shaanxi, but now they’re suddenly targeting Hwasan Sect disciples?

Tapping his forehead with the iron badge while lost in thought, Mu Hwi twitched one eyebrow.

“The Daejeong Sect Leader seemed oddly confident, could it be you were behind the Daejeong Sect?”

Mu Hwi didn’t miss the Dark Knight’s eyes trembling left and right for an instant.

It was even more obvious because the Dark Knight couldn’t move his whole body due to the pressed blood point.

Seeing the Dark Knight’s reaction, there was nothing more to ask.

‘Paewangseong… They’re stirring up trouble all over Shaanxi.’

The Guyu Sect was in the midst of a power struggle with the Zhanlonghui Sect, and the Hwasan Sect and Jongnam Sect were struggling with the Shaanxi Blood Temple.

From Paewangseong’s perspective, as they were faltering from the fierce counterattack of the Sichuan Alliance, it made sense to eye Shaanxi, which was practically an empty house.

“Right, I roughly understand the situation now.”

Mu Hwi released the Dark Knight’s blood point. At this, the Dark Knight glared at Mu Hwi with a triumphant face.

“You dare interfere with Paewangseong’s affairs? You’ve made a huge mistake that won’t be washed away even if you bow your head and lick our feet! Do you now realize what you’ve done?”

Slap!

When Mu Hwi struck his cheek with internal energy in his palm, something white flew from the Dark Knight’s mouth. It was teeth.

“Chattering away as soon as the mute point is released, I wonder how many teeth need to fly before you come to your senses.”

Mu Hwi, seemingly unsatisfied, struck the other cheek as well.

Slap!

This time, two teeth fell to the ground along with blood.

Looking at the Dark Knight whose both cheeks were swollen, Mu Hwi smirked.

“I’m suddenly curious, so what exactly did I do?”

The Dark Knight opened his mouth but couldn’t make a sound.

This was because Mu Hwi’s sword was now pointed at his throat.

Along with the characteristic cold feeling of steel, he could feel blood flowing from his slightly stinging neck.

“Did you think I would bow my head just because I saw the name Paewangseong?”

When Mu Hwi slightly twisted his wrist, the blade dug a bit deeper into the neck.

At this, the Dark Knight’s eyebrows trembled.

“Do you think your castle will leave Hwasan alone?”

“It seems Paewangseong is already testing the waters toward Shaanxi, so even without this incident, we would have clashed eventually.”

Now that the Dark Knight had clashed with a Hwasan Sect disciple here, Hwasan Sect and Paewangseong had crossed a river of no return.

Far from being intimidated, Mu Hwi’s eyes grew sharp, causing the Dark Knight to back down instead.

“Umm, if you spare me…”

The Dark Knight couldn’t continue his words.

This was because he could very vividly feel more force being applied to the blade.

“I’ve never spared someone who bared their teeth at me. It makes my sleep quite uncomfortable if I feel uneasy about what’s behind me.”

Mu Hwi said while pushing his wrist sideways.

“And your Castle Lord isn’t the type of person who would immediately start a war just because a mere Knight died out of loyalty.”

The Dark Knight’s final expression was puzzled.

It was as if the late-stage foundation level disciple spoke like he knew the Castle Lord.

He wanted to ask why, but the Dark Knight whose neck had already been cut off couldn’t make a sound.

After mercilessly cutting off the Dark Knight’s neck, Mu Hwi turned his back.

‘Now that things have gone wrong, they won’t act rashly, and for now, since Jongnam Sect is blocking the way ahead, they’ll serve as a shield.’

Though unfortunate for the Jongnam Sect, Mu Hwi was thinking in a practical direction.

Thinking about the martial arts world’s situation that maintained a precarious balance like walking a tightrope, Mu Hwi had no choice but to hurry his steps toward Hwasan.

Since matters in the martial arts world always deviate from expectations, the best course was to develop martial arts that could withstand any storms that might come.

* * *

“Finally, it’s Hwasan.”

Mu Hwi’s group was able to reach the entrance of Hwasan after arriving at Huayin.

A narrow, long path stretched upward like a trail, and the surrounding bushes and various flowers created a peaceful atmosphere.

During his Sword Devil days, when he climbed Hwasan, he only thought of it as a good mountain for training, befitting one of the Five Great Mountains (五岳) with its beautiful mountain terrain and abundant energy.

But now, climbing Hwasan like this, he felt a gradually growing sense of comfort, as if coming home.

The fresh scent of bushes mixed with flower fragrances calmed his mind, and the towering grayish-white strange rocks felt not like sharp swords but like flower buds.

‘I guess I really am a Hwasan disciple now.’

To think the day would come when Hwasan would feel like home.

Despite advancing on a treacherous path with such steep slopes that it was practically like climbing a cliff, Mu Hwi’s steps were incredibly light.

As they neared the peak of Yeonhwa Peak, unlike at the mountain’s base, a stronger fragrance began to drift through their nostrils.

“We must be getting close to the sect gate.”

At Mujin’s words, the others nodded.

The strong plum blossom fragrance.

The plum blossom scent revealed its presence distinctly, as if declaring this was its territory.

Not only the disciples who smelled it, but even Mu Hwi’s face showed a slight smile.

As they breathed in the plum blossom scent, strength naturally rose in their bodies, and before they knew it, they had reached Hwasan Sect’s gate.

“Senior Disciple!”

“You’ve arrived earlier than expected.”

As it happened, Musan and Muho were standing guard in front of the sect gate.

“It’s been a while. From the looks of it, you haven’t been neglecting your training.”

The two disciples smiled seeing Mu Hwi checking their martial arts level from their first encounter. This was just like their Senior Disciple.

“The fellow disciples are in quite an uproar. After all, it’s the Hwasan Four Flowers now.”

“Everyone must be waiting to hear stories about your journey through the martial arts world.”

After briefly catching up, Mu Hwi patted the two disciples’ shoulders.

“We’re heading straight to the Upper Palace, so spread the word. Good work.”

“Yes, Senior Disciple.”

Mu Hwi’s group, heading straight for the Upper Palace where the Sect Leader resided after entering Hwasan Sect, had to stop their steps once again.

“Senior Disciple!”

“Greetings to Senior Disciple!”

Behind the disciples greeting Mu Hwi were swarms of children who reached about waist-height of the disciples.

“Are these the newly selected disciples?”

“Yes, Senior Disciple.”

Among the disciples, Muryun represented them in answering Mu Hwi.

Though considerable time had passed since that day he was thoroughly beaten on the platform, Muryun still carefully watched Mu Hwi’s reactions.

Seeing this pitifully, Mujin gave a bitter smile and said to Mu Hwi.

“It seems Muryun and the disciples are serving as instructors at the Spring Plum Hall.”

“I see, you must be working hard looking after the children. Keep it up.”

“Thank you, Senior Disciple.”

Muryun deeply bowed his head at Mu Hwi’s words.

‘Indeed, the stick is the best medicine.’

Unlike the old days when he unnecessarily held his head high, how much better he was to look at now.

Mu Hwi nodded and looked at the children who were staring at them with bright, clear eyes.

Hwasan Sect seemed to have made up their mind this time, as there were quite a number of disciples.

Though they would have accepted secular and resident disciples separately, even the children who applied as resident disciples wouldn’t have received their Tao names yet.

Though the entrance exam was over, testing and verification of disciples continued at Spring Plum Hall.

This was because they needed to constantly observe the disciples to ensure there would be no problems accepting them as resident disciples and filter them out if necessary, and some children changed their minds and switched to becoming secular disciples.

Mu Hwi slightly nodded upon spotting lm Sanha among the children. At this, lm Sanha, who had been stretching out his neck to look at Mu Hwi, smiled brightly.

“Senior Disciple, Elder Baek Chun is waiting, so we’ll be going now.”

“Alright, good work.”

Mu-hwa, who had been waving until the children disappeared in the distance, showed a broad smile while looking at her Senior Disciples.

“Senior Disciples, did you see?”

“See what?”

When Mu Hwi asked, Mu-hwa pointed in the direction where the children had disappeared and said.

“Yeong-yeong! Young-young was there. We waved and greeted each other.”

At this, Mu Hwi furrowed his brow and asked Mujin and Mu-cheol.

“Who’s Young-young?”

When Mujin and Mu-cheol just looked at each other without answering, Mu-hwa sighed as if frustrated.

“Sheesh, the girl we saved with father from the Bloodshed Clan. The one who said she wanted to become a female warrior like me.”

“Ah. That child.”

Only then did the three men nod as if remembering. Meanwhile, Mu-hwa was still looking in the direction where Young-young had disappeared.

It was understandable that her feelings would be complex, as the first child she saved after entering the martial arts world had followed her to become a Hwasan Sect disciple.

“To apply to become a Hwasan Sect disciple so quickly, judging by drive alone, she’ll become someone great.”

“Indeed.”

“Just like Sister Mu-hwa.”

Mu Hwi and the disciples smiled as they continued toward the Upper Palace. The palace doors were wide open, suggesting they had already received news of Mu Hwi’s group’s return.

Baek Yu was waiting in front with his hands behind his back for the disciples to arrive.

“Disciples greet the Sect Leader.”

“Welcome back.”

Baek Yu took each disciple’s hand, checking for injuries, before entering the Upper Palace.

“I received the letters Mu Hwi sent regularly, as well as letters from each affiliated sect. Truly remarkable.”

Baek Yu looked at the disciples sitting before him with proud eyes.

Though he had expectations when sending Mu Hwi and the Three Flowers, he hadn’t expected such amazing results.

These days, Hwasan Sect and the Hwasan Four Flowers were the most talked about in Shaanxi. Mu Hwi’s group had properly announced Hwasan’s revival to Shaanxi.

“Perhaps thanks to the fame of the Hwasan Four Flowers, there were far more children hoping to enter than the elders expected.”

Though this meant quite a bit of work for Hwasan Sect, the disciples rather enjoyed it.

“Is that so? Many talented individuals must have gathered.”

Baek Yu nodded with a pleased expression.

Not just talent. Just for opening their doors, gifts came from everywhere, and many places wanted to form new ties with Hwasan by sending their children as affiliate disciples.

Though Hwasan Sect had recently lost power and declined, many places still maintained steady relationships as it was still a prestigious sect, but it was true that this was far less than during their peak.

However, thanks to the Hwasan Four Flowers’ reputation resounding through Shaanxi, Hwasan Sect was showing its most active vitality in recent years.

“Were there any particular problems during your journey through the martial arts world?”

“While returning to Hwasan recently, we had contact with Paewangseong.”

“Paewangseong?”

Baek Yu’s face, which had been full of smiles, briefly hardened. As Mu Hwi continued his explanation, Baek Yu slowly nodded.

“I understand for now. What matters is that everyone returned unharmed. We’ll prepare for the Paewangseong situation.”

Baek Yu smiled, trying to change the mood that had sunk due to the Paewangseong topic.

“We received word from the Three Great Iron Workshop. They said the Plum Blossom Swords are all complete and they’re heading to Hwasan Sect.”

At this, not only Mu Hwi but all the other disciples’ eyes sparkled.

‘Finally…’

Baek Yu smiled seeing the disciples’ expressions change instantly.

“Seeing your expressions, we’ll have to test your skills as soon as the Plum Blossom Swords arrive.”

“Thank you, Sect Leader.”

After chatting with Baek Yu and leaving the Upper Palace, Mu Hwi looked around at the disciples and said.

“Rest well today. And…”

Mu Hwi’s eyes sparkled as he continued.

“Tell everyone to gather at dawn tomorrow.”

“Yes, Senior Disciple.”

Mu Hwi’s words mixed with a low laugh.

“Hm?”

“What was that? I just felt a chill.”

The second-generation disciples scattered around Yeonhwa Peak felt a cool wind down their spines.

< Finally, it’s Hwasan. > End

< Simply Being One of the Three Great Sword Sects of the Martial Arts World. >