Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 42

Chapter 42

“Hall Master, you’ve come personally. You know how treacherous Hwasan is in winter, don’t you?”

“Hoho, I’m also a disciple of Hwasan. The mountain paths of Hwasan are more familiar to me than the walking paths of Three Great Iron Workshops.”

Baek Yu, seeing the unchanged appearance of Seong Ju-tae, the Hall Master of Three Great Iron Workshops, filled a teacup with a calm smile.

“You must have had a hard time bringing the Plum Blossom Sword in the middle of winter. How is this year’s Plum Blossom Sword?”

The Plum Blossom Swords forged by Three Great Iron Workshops always boasted a sharpness and elegance that rivaled any treasured sword in the martial arts world.

Normally, there would be no need to ask about the quality of the Plum Blossom Sword, but this time was a bit different.

A new Plum Blossom Sword, one that Three Great Iron Workshops had never forged before, had been created this time.

Recalling this, Seong Ju-tae chuckled.

“Since it was the first time forging it, we had fun hammering away. I’m curious to see which disciple will wield this Plum Blossom Sword.”

“Hoho, how about you observe the Jonghwa Ceremony for the first time in a while?”

Jonghwa Ceremony (終花式)

The protagonists of the Jonghwa Ceremony are the young disciples of the Spring Plum Hall and the second-generation disciples.

The disciples showcase their achievements over the past year in front of the elders of Hwasan, and the outstanding disciples are encouraged while those who are lacking are given guidance for their training.

Second-generation disciples who demonstrate outstanding achievements during the Jonghwa Ceremony are awarded the Plum Blossom Sword.

“It’s been almost ten years since I last observed the Jonghwa Ceremony. Very well.”

Baek Yu’s smile deepened at Seong Ju-tae’s hearty laughter.

“Then you can stay at Hwasan for a few days. I’ll arrange a residence for you.”

“Thank you, Sect Leader. And since I’m here at Hwasan, I plan to gather enough Plum Blossom Water before I leave.”

“Hmm, you’ll need to visit Jade Maiden Pool and other places around Hwasan. I’ll inform the disciples in advance.”

“Haha, I thought as much. Is the three-hundred-year-old plum blossom tree on Nak-an Peak still standing? We need the blossoms from that tree to make the Plum Blossom Water properly.”

Plum Blossom Water (梅花水), an essential element in forging the Plum Blossom Sword.

It was a secret known only to the Hall Master of Three Great Iron Workshops, so Baek Yu only knew that the Plum Blossom Water contained water from Jade Maiden Pool and plum blossoms.

The plum blossoms bloomed by Hwasan Sect disciples with their swords emit a fragrance. This was thanks to the Plum Blossom Sword, which reacted to the internal energy of the Hwasan Sect’s heart techniques.

Thus, it would be more accurate to say that the fragrance came from the Plum Blossom Sword. The key ingredient that made the sword emit fragrance was the Plum Blossom Water.

Many craftsmen in the Central Plains had attempted to replicate this seemingly impossible feat of making a sword emit fragrance but had failed. As a result, the Plum Blossom Sword, which emitted fragrance, became the symbol and pride of Three Great Iron Workshops.

“Come to think of it, isn’t there a child from Three Great Iron Workshops in the Spring Plum Hall this time? Will you get to see your grandchild’s face after so long?”

“No. That child can’t receive special treatment. I’ll see their face from afar during the Jonghwa Ceremony.”

“As you wish.”

Perhaps because it had been a long time since they last met, Baek Yu and Seong Ju-tae engaged in a long conversation, and laughter filled the hall without pause.

* * *

At the grand training ground, Baek Yu, along with the elders and first-generation disciples, were seated. Among them were Seong Ju-tae and the craftsmen of Three Great Iron Workshops.

“This Jonghwa Ceremony will be full of vitality.”

“Indeed. There haven’t been any third-generation disciples for a while, and the atmosphere of the entire sect has been subdued.”

“I heard that disciples have been frequently visiting the Scripture Pavilion lately. You must be busy these days?”

At Hyeon Baek’s question, Hyeon Gak nodded.

“Many disciples come early in the morning and leave before sunset. They even discuss martial arts together. Mujin is one of them.”

Hyeon Baek’s eyes softened as he thought of his disciple.

“He’s always been diligent, but it seems he’s found his direction now. He must be enjoying learning at this stage.”

“From what I’ve heard from the second-generation disciples, it seems Mu Hwi assigns tasks to his disciples as well. That’s probably why some of them are holed up in the Scripture Pavilion.”

Hyeon Gak, who managed the Scripture Pavilion, often smiled as he overheard the second-generation disciples whispering while studying the secret manuals. Hearing Hyeon Gak’s story, Hyeon Baek also smiled.

“Mu Hwi is doing well. The change is so dramatic that it still feels like a dream.”

“Indeed. Now we don’t even need to worry about them. They’re doing well on their own.”

“Like the arrival of spring, Hwasan is slowly finding its place.”

While Hyeon Baek and Hyeon Gak chatted, the Jonghwa Ceremony officially began.

The order of the Jonghwa Ceremony proceeded with the third-generation disciples, followed by the second-generation disciples. Hyeon Soo, who had been appointed as the next Spring Plum Hall Master, raised his voice.

“Iljo, step forward!”

At this, nine young disciples scurried to the center of the Grand Training Ground.

The girl at the front bowed to the elders of Hwasan and shouted confidently.

“Deploy the formation!”

At her command, the children moved in unison to form a sword formation.

Six Harmonies Sword Formation (六合劍陳)

While third-generation disciples master the basics of the Six Harmonies Sword, they also learn the basics of sword formations through the Six Harmonies Sword Formation.

In a sword formation, the coordination between members is paramount. Even the slightest misstep would be immediately noticeable. Thus, the role of the formation leader was crucial.

Baek Yu’s wrinkles deepened as he watched the young disciples holding wooden swords, his expression was kind.

“Let’s see.”

During the Jonghwa Ceremony, third-generation disciples demonstrated the Six Harmonies Sword Formation in groups, and their mastery of the sword basics and coordination with their group members were evaluated.

“Young-young is doing well.”

Mu-hwa, her eyes sparkling, watched Young-young, whose face was flushed as she shouted commands to coordinate the formation. Under Young-young’s command, Iljo’s Six Harmonies Sword Formation moved smoothly without faltering.

Despite the chaotic movements, no one stepped out of line or stuck out awkwardly.

Seeing this, Mu Hwi also nodded.

“She’s paying close attention to the movements of her group members. For a child, her vision is quite broad.”

“Young-young wasn’t chosen as the formation leader for nothing.”

While the formation of groups was left to the children’s discretion, the formation leaders were selected by the Spring Plum Hall instructors based on outstanding performance.

Being chosen as a formation leader meant that the child had achieved good results and stood out in the Spring Plum Hall.

“Of course, it’s also thanks to my diligent guidance.”

Except for Mu Hwi, the Hwasan Three Flowers had been teaching the children in the Spring Plum Hall during this time.

Mu Hwi had also been offered a teaching position, but he subtly avoided it, saying he needed to focus on the second-generation disciples.

“I heard Mujin and Mu-cheol each took charge of a group.”

“Yes, Senior Disciples also found children they liked. Ah, the child coming out now is from the group Senior Disciple Mu-cheol is in charge of!”

After Iljo’s Six Harmonies Sword Formation demonstration, ljo stepped forward. The leader of Ijo was a child with a build a head taller than his peers.

“I can see why Mu-cheol likes him.”

“Heh, right?”

While Mu Hwi and Mu-hwa were talking, Mu-cheol silently watched Ijo from the side. As the leader of Ijo, Seong Soo-am performed the Pochwon (포권), and a natural smile spread across Seong Ju-tae’s face.

‘A formation leader, huh? He must have worked hard.’

Seong Ju-tae saw a reflection of his younger self, who had participated in the Jonghwa Ceremony, in his grandchild’s commanding presence.

‘It was truly enjoyable.’

Seong Ju-tae carefully observed Seong Soo-am’s eyes as he swung his sword.

His eyes radiated a fiery heat, as if fueled by the forge.

Seeing this, a glint appeared in Seong Ju-tae’s eyes. Seong Soo-am had been torn between inheriting the family business and wielding a hammer or becoming a disciple of Hwasan and wielding a sword.

Seong Ju-tae had advised him to enter the Spring Plum Hall and take his time to decide, but judging by his grandchild’s gaze, it seemed he had already made up his mind.

‘When you held the hammer, your eyes never burned this brightly. That’s right. A blacksmith must find a place where his flames can truly ignite.’

Seong Ju-tae is simply proud of Seong Soo-am for finding his path early. He felt that coming to Hwasan in person had been the right decision.

Following Iljo, Ijo also completed their Six Harmonies Sword Formation demonstration without any mistakes.

The children who stepped forward on the Grand Training Ground also performed the Six Harmonies Sword Formation excellently.

There were occasional minor mistakes, but for their age, they did more than well enough.

“The children’s overall level is high.”

“Baek Chun has taught them well.”

“Most importantly, the coordination between the disciples is excellent. You can see how they pay attention to each other’s movements.”

The elders were also greatly satisfied as they watched the children of the Spring Plum Hall.

“Is there only one group left?”

“Oh my, has it already come to an end?”

Baek Chun, who had been listening to the elders’ conversation, raised the corner of his mouth.

“The child leading the last group is also one of the children I’ve been keeping an eye on. Please watch.”

“Oh ho, it seems this year’s Spring Plum Hall is filled with treasures.”

At that moment, the final group of third-generation disciples walked to the center of the Grand Training Ground.

It was the group led by Im Sanha.

“Hmm.”

Mu Hwi, who had been leaning back comfortably in his chair, slightly leaned forward upon seeing Im Sanha.

‘Wielding a sword alone and coordinating a sword formation are completely different. Will he do well?’

Occasionally, when he had time, Mu Hwi had visited the Spring Plum Hall to guide Im Sanha a few times, but he had never seen him practice formations.

[Do well.]

At Mu Hwi’s brief telepathic message, Im Sanha shouted energetically.

“Deploy the formation!”

Following Im Sanha’s command, the group members quickly took their positions using the Nine Palace Step (구궁보). The Six Harmonies Sword unfolded in each direction.

Nine wooden swords stabbed alternately in each direction, but the swords never clashed, continuously crossing and extending in all directions.

Im Sanha guarded his own position while constantly coordinating the group members to switch positions without tangling.

‘Not bad.’

Mu-jin, who had been watching intently with his arms crossed, twitched his lips.

“Senior Disciple, you didn’t show much interest in the other children, but you’re focusing on Sanha.”

“Well, he’s the only one I know.”

As Mu Hwi brushed it off, Mu-jin’s eyes narrowed with amusement.

The Six Harmonies Sword Formation led by Im Sanha was excellent. There were no mistakes, and they even managed to cover the minor gaps that appeared while switching positions. One could only imagine how much sweat they had shed to reach this level.

‘Sword formations…’

As Mu Hwi watched the Six Harmonies Sword Formation with his chin resting on his hand, his mind wandered to the various sword formations he knew from the martial arts world.

The Shaolin Temple’s One Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation.

Wudang Sect’s Seven Stars Sword Formation.

Namgung Family’s Boundless Spear and Sword Formation.

Extreme Martial Gate’s Extreme Spear Void Formation.

There were countless other formations in the martial arts world.

In his past life, he had always been a lone wolf, and even the disciple he had taken was the extent of his involvement with formations. Thus, he had never paid much attention to them.

‘I can’t possibly chase after each of these brats and keep an eye on them…’

Although Hwasan already had a few sword formations, they weren’t as advanced as the ones mentioned above.

While creating a new sword technique, should he also consider sword formations? But since Mu Hwi had never created a sword formation before, he couldn’t quite grasp the direction.

‘Sword formations… I’ll have to think about it more.’

For now, the priority was to receive the Plum Blossom Sword at this Jonghwa Ceremony, qualify, and master Hwasan’s advanced martial arts.

While Mu Hwi was lost in thought, the third-generation disciples’ demonstrations ended, and it was time for the second-generation disciples.

“Senior Disciple.”

When Mu Hwi turned at Mu-jin’s call, the second-generation disciples had gathered in one place.

“The second-generation disciples’ demonstration will begin shortly. Please say a few words to them.”

“It’s not like they’re doing anything grand.”

But the second-generation disciples’ eyes were demanding that he say something.

“Do as you always do. None of you have stopped moving.”

Mu Hwi spoke with certainty.

He had dragged each of these brats by the collar, so there was no way any of them had stagnated.

Hearing this, the disciples’ shoulders straightened slightly.

“Let’s go.”

As Mu Hwi stood up and spoke, the second-generation disciples also bowed their heads.

“Yes, Senior Disciple.”

In unison, the second-generation disciples stepped forward onto the Grand Training Ground.

All eyes were on the second-generation disciples as they confidently revealed themselves.

< None of you have stopped moving. > End

< With my own eyes, I have confirmed that this is the sword of Hwasan. >