Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Unlike the nine third-generation disciples standing in the center of the grand training ground, the second-generation disciples stepped forward in groups of three.

“Watch carefully. This is the sword technique you will need to learn in the future, and it represents what lies ahead for you.”

As Baek Chun emphasized this, the disciples of Spring Plum Hall seated around the arena fixed their shining eyes on the second-generation disciples.

The three disciples who were tasked with the first demonstration of the second-generation disciples.

Mu-hwa, Musan, Muho.

The disciples, who had paid their respects to the elders in front of them, drew their swords simultaneously without any particular signal.

Chwaang!

The sound of swords being drawn from their scabbards, producing a clear metallic ring, signaled the start of the demonstration.

Moving their steps to the right, the three swords swung toward the middle and lower sections, drawing perfectly identical sword paths.

The first move of the Falling Plum Sword, Nakha Wiyup (Falling Leaves by the River) marked the beginning of the Falling Plum Sword techniques, which unfolded in sequence.

While the third-generation disciples demonstrated the Six Harmonies Sword Formation, the second-generation disciples showcased three consecutive sword techniques.

Falling Plum Sword, Three Leaf Piercing Wind Sword, Ten Thousand Fragrance Sword.

The elders and the first-generation disciples observing the swordsmanship of the second-generation disciples, grew even more serious.

To enter the Plum Blossom Sword Art and train stably, one had to master all three of these sword techniques to at least the eighth level.

Thus, the achievements of the second-generation disciples in these three sword techniques were crucial.

This was why the elders and first-generation disciples scrutinized every movement of the second-generation disciples in such detail.

‘Hmm, Mu-hwa was originally outstanding, but her growth is astonishing.’

‘Musan used to struggle with wrist movements, but now he moves skillfully. His sword paths have become more natural.’

As the sword techniques unfolded, surprise spread across the eyes of the Hwasan elders.

They knew that the second-generation disciples had been training diligently without missing a single day.

But they hadn’t expected such remarkable achievements.

The elders couldn’t take their eyes off Musan and Muho in particular. Mu-hwa had already been recognized as one of the Three Flowers of Hwasan due to her talent. While Mu-hwa’s achievements could be attributed to her innate talent, the same couldn’t be said for Musan and Muho.

Of course, in terms of pure mastery of the sword techniques, Mu-hwa was still far superior, but in terms of growth, Musan and Muho were not far behind.

Chwajak!

As the three disciples’ swords simultaneously drew a circle, sword energy radiated outward like blooming flowers.

‘Hoho, that Muho. Just a few months ago, I remember teaching him because he couldn’t properly execute the Falling Plum Sword Member.’

Baek Soon, the Scripture Pavilion Master, let out a hollow laugh as he recalled Muho coming to him for guidance on the secret techniques of the Falling Plum Sword.

But now, how different things were.

Muho was skillfully executing the final move of the Falling Plum Sword, the Falling Plum Sword Member, as if to show off.

From the first move, Falling Leaves by the River, to the final move, Falling Plum Sword Member.

Baek Soon, who hadn’t taken his eyes off the disciples for even a moment, finally glanced at the elders beside him as the swords returned to the middle stance.

The expressions of the other elders seated on either side were no different from his.

Their eyes, hidden behind wrinkles and sagging skin, were wide open as they continued to follow the disciples’ swords.

“Hohoho.”

A cool breeze swept over Baek Soon, who was letting out a hearty laugh. It was the wind created by the swift swords of the disciples as they began to unfold the Three Leaf Piercing Wind Sword, cutting through the air with force.

‘They’re growing so fast. Or are we just getting too old?’

Compared to before, the swordsmanship of the second-generation disciples had improved dramatically.

Of course, the sword energy they were displaying now wasn’t perfect, but it had matured to a level of considerable skill.

“Thank you for watching our imperfect swordsmanship.”

The three disciples, who had now demonstrated the Ten Thousand Fragrance Sword as well, bowed and stepped back. Following them, other second-generation disciples began to showcase their sword techniques.

These disciples were no different.

The number of incorrect moves had noticeably decreased, and it was clear that they understood the intent behind the sword techniques and executed the moves properly. While there were differences in the extent of their growth, all the second-generation disciples were proudly displaying remarkable progress.

“How have these children improved so much…”

“It’s truly astonishing.”

Not only the first-generation disciples but even the elders couldn’t take their eyes off the swords of the second-generation disciples.

“Hoho, this is truly a marvel.”

To Baek Soon, who let out a hollow laugh, this was nothing short of a miracle.

Martial arts are truly profound. Even with the same amount of time and effort, the achievements one gains can differ, as can the number and thickness of the walls one encounters.

Even among fellow disciples, some may hit a wall or stagnate in their martial arts, but to see everyone showing growth—what else could this be if not a miracle?

‘The one who brought about this miracle is none other than you.’

Baek Soon glanced at Mu Hwi, who stood alone as the number of remaining disciples didn’t match up.

By now, all the second-generation disciples had showcased the results of their rigorous training, and it was finally Mu Hwi’s turn.

Mu Hwi, with his eyes lowered, exuded a peculiar aura. His sharp and distinct presence made the grand martial arena feel smaller.

Sreung!

The sound of his sword being drawn was unusually loud.

Baek Soon focused all his attention on Mu Hwi’s sword, as if he were facing a life-or-death opponent.

This wasn’t just Baek Soon; the other elders and first-generation disciples were the same.

They didn’t know why. It was just an instinctive feeling that they had to watch Mu Hwi draw his sword.

As Mu Hwi’s right foot stepped forward, the Falling Plum Sword began to unfold.

The arena fell silent. As if making any sound would be a grave sin.

Shaak!

Only the sound of Mu Hwi’s sword cutting through the wind could be heard in the grand training ground.

Baek Soon, who had been stroking his beard that reached his chest, found himself gripping it tightly.

‘Is that even possible? Such a perfect Falling Plum Sword.’

Baek Soon knew better than anyone. In martial arts, one could never dare to use the word ‘perfect’.

But based on the realm Baek Soon had achieved over his lifetime, Mu Hwi’s Falling Plum Sword is perfection itself. Not a single flaw could be found.

Baek Soon felt a shiver run down his spine, and his body trembled slightly. He was trembling with awe as he watched Mu Hwi’s sword.

He had witnessed countless renowned sword techniques in the martial arts world, but he had never experienced anything like this.

And yet, here he was, trembling at the sight of the Falling Plum Sword, which he had seen thousands, tens of thousands of times since childhood.

‘Is what I’m seeing really the Falling Plum Sword?’

Whoosh!

In an instant, a wintery blade of wind swept through the grand training ground. White and red plum blossom leaves were carried along by the blade of wind. Mu Hwi’s sword cut through the blade of wind in a single stroke and rescued the plum blossom leaves that were being carried away. Then, naturally, the petals began to dance along with the sword.

And from it, a deep, vivid red sword energy rose steadily. The sword energy connected with the plum blossom leaves scattering in the air.

Baek Yu, who had caught sight of that red light, clenched his fist tightly.

“I can see it.”

Though the plum blossoms had not yet bloomed from Mu Hwi’s sword, the plum blossoms were undoubtedly here.

* * *

When Baek Soon, entranced, was fully absorbed in Mu Hwi’s sword, he came to his senses to find Mu Hwi sheathing his sword and bowing.

“Ah!”

As Baek Soon let out a sigh of regret, the other elders, who had been frozen like statues, began to move one by one. But no one opened their mouths.

The lingering sensation from watching Mu Hwi’s sword. They were trying to fully absorb it into their hearts.

“Hyeon Su!”

Baek Yu, who had composed himself the fastest, called out to Hyeon Su, who was standing dazed. A faint internal energy was infused in his voice, causing Hyeon Su to snap out of his daze.

At Baek Yu’s gesture, Hyeon Su nodded and opened his mouth.

“Those who wish to qualify for the Plum Blossom Sword, step forward!”

At this, some of the seated second-generation disciples rose to their feet.

Including Mu Hwi and the other Hwasan Three Flowers, as well as Muryun, Musan, Muho, and others—ten disciples in total stepped forward.

“There are more than I expected.”

“Given the skill these children have shown, it’s not unreasonable.”

At this, someone from the gathering of elders also stood up. It was the Scripture Pavilion Master, Baek Soon.

“Elder Senior Disciple. I will go.”

“Do as you wish.”

In a single step, Baek Soon reached the center of the grand martial arena and took in the sight of the second-generation disciples who had risen.

“You all know the selection process for the Plum Blossom Sword, don’t you?”

The conditions for receiving the Plum Blossom Sword were simple.

To be recognized by the greatest swordsman of Hwasan of the current generation.

In the current Hwasan, which had lost its previous leader, the greatest swordsman is the Scripture Pavilion Master, Baek Soon.

“Who will take the first challenge?”

“I will step forward.”

Mu-cheol stepped forward as if he had been waiting. Baek Soon looked at the sword in Mu-cheol’s hand.

Unlike during the sword technique demonstration earlier, he was now holding a large, heavy sword. Seeing this, even Seong Ju-tae, who had been observing from behind, raised his eyebrows.

‘That child. The new owner of the Plum Blossom Sword.’

As Seong Ju-tae watched Mu-cheol with interest, Baek Soon looked at Mu-cheol’s heavy sword and moved his hand to the Plum Blossom Sword at his waist.

“I’ve heard the stories. It’s commendable to walk your own martial path, but if your sword doesn’t embody the spirit of Hwasan, you won’t receive the Plum Blossom Sword.”

“Of course.”

At the words that he might not receive the Plum Blossom Sword, Mu-cheol’s eyes hardened, and he simply stepped forward. Baek Soon shook his head.

“Come.”

Mu-cheol shot forward toward Baek Soon, his heavy sword thrust straight ahead. As the heavy sword stabbed forward, Baek Soon also swung the Plum Blossom Sword.

When the blades of the heavy sword and the Plum Blossom Sword overlapped about halfway, Baek Soon flicked his wrist once.

The Plum Blossom Sword bent like a whip and struck the heavy sword with force.

Kkeoeng!

The impact caused the heavy sword to instantly deviate from its path. Mu-cheol calmly adjusted the angle of his heavy sword.

The straight trajectory of Mu-cheol’s heavy sword began to change. The heavy sword, drawing gentle arcs like flower petals, naturally returned to its original position.

The semicircle drawn by Mu-cheol’s feet transformed into a significant change as it reached the heavy sword.

The heavy sword, now bent into three lines, came sweeping forward. In response, Baek Soon also divided his sword energy into three paths.

When three metallic clangs rang out in succession, Baek Soon lightly stepped back, and the sword energy of the heavy sword chased after him with a heavy motion.

The sword energy spreading to the left and right opened like a blooming flower, attempting to restrict Baek Soon’s movements.

‘This is quite different from what I expected.’

A large blade and a heavy weight—the heavy sword.

The Steel Plum Blossom Sword Technique, executed using this heavy sword.

Having received a letter from Mu Hwi, Baek Yu had given him some hints, so Baek Soon had some idea of what to expect. But Baek Soon had been skeptical of the Steel Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

The heavy sword was suited for techniques that relied on strength and weight, minimizing intricate movements. This didn’t align with the sword techniques of Hwasan.

It wasn’t for nothing that Hwasan crafted swords with thinner and longer blades than ordinary swords.

Baek Soon had expected that mixing the heavy sword with Hwasan’s ever-changing sword techniques would result in a mediocre style that didn’t fully utilize the advantages of either.

‘The Steel Plum Blossom Sword Technique. I thought it was just a fancy name.’

The chilling energy emanating from Mu-cheol’s heavy sword brushed against Baek Soon’s skin.

The heavy sword, cutting through the wind, gradually shifted its trajectory, constantly changing its point of impact.

There was no flexible change using the blade itself, but the trajectory itself was ever-changing, and the strength and weight of the heavy sword were well-preserved.

The wrinkles around Baek Soon’s mouth deepened slightly.

It might seem like Mu-cheol was simply swinging the heavy sword quickly using his robust physique, but he was subtly adjusting the distance between his hands gripping the long hilt of the heavy sword.

This allowed even the large heavy sword to achieve more precise changes and adjustments.

A master could exploit the gaps created by changing hand positions or grips.

But with the heavy sword’s characteristics and Mu-cheol’s consistent training, it seemed he could overcome this.

‘Tsk, today is full of surprises.’

Baek Soon, stepping on the blade of the heavy sword that was continuously slashing downward, leaped up, and sword energy bloomed in the air from the scattered sword tips.

From this point, Baek Soon unfolded various advanced techniques as if daring Mu-cheol to follow, and Mu-cheol silently swung his heavy sword, keeping up.

Kwajak!

The advanced techniques, swirling like a storm, seemed to test Mu-cheol. They all utilized the subtleties of the Falling Plum Sword and Ten Thousand Fragrance Sword. The grand training ground was momentarily covered in red sword energy.

Mu-cheol couldn’t create the dazzling changes that Baek Soon did, but he compensated for this lack with the strength and weight of his heavy sword, standing his ground.

Mu-cheol didn’t overwhelm Baek Soon’s sword, but he had established his own domain, however narrow it might be.

The advanced techniques of Hwasan, executed with a heavy sword.

Mu-cheol’s heavy sword, boldly peeking out from the waves of Baek Soon’s sword energy.

Though it might seem simple, the subtleties of Hwasan’s techniques were fully integrated, and the strength and weight of the heavy sword were well-utilized.

Baek Soon, deflecting Mu-cheol’s heavy sword with a graceful arc, nodded.

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

Mu-cheol exhaled roughly and steadied his stance once more.

“Mu-cheol, I have seen that your new sword is worthy of Hwasan’s sword. Now show me the reason you walk this new martial path.”

“Yes.”

A red internal energy began to shimmer around Mu-cheol’s heavy sword. The internal energy, wavering like smoke, seeped into the heavy sword under Mu-cheol’s control.

The internal energy manipulation of the heavy sword, learned from Mu Hwi.

Though his mastery is still lacking, Mu-cheol had managed to layer two levels of internal energy onto the heavy sword. The heavy waves of energy emanating from the heavy sword caused Baek Soon to slowly tilt the Plum Blossom Sword forward.

“Come at any time.”

The thinly woven internal energy was wrapped around the heavy sword like layers of cloth, and the wrapped energy was compressed once more.

‘That’s it. That’s how you fill the center of the blade.’

Mu Hwi, watching Mu-cheol from a distance, nodded.

When Mu-cheol, who had been sweating profusely, opened his eyes, he had succeeded in layering three levels of internal energy for the first time.

But Mu-cheol had no time to rejoice in his growth.

“Haaap!”

With a resounding shout, Mu-cheol launched himself forward, unleashing a barrage of slashes. The sleeves of Baek Soon, who stood before the slashes, began to flutter.

Though his beard swayed wildly, Baek Soon simply smiled and watched Mu-cheol’s heavy sword. At that moment, the veins on Baek Soon’s hand bulged.

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

< Everyone, draw your Plum Blossom Swords. >