Chapter 48
Thud!
Until now, the third-generation disciples had clashed countless times in sparring matches, but never had their wooden swords produced such a heavy, resonant sound.
The two wooden swords crossed in an X shape, each pushing against the other in a test of strength.
Zhen Hu, one of the third-generation disciples of the Jongnam Sect, momentarily loosened his grip on his wooden sword, redirecting Im Sanha’s sword to the side.
His plan was to shift the direction of force and destabilize Im Sanha’s stance. However, Im Sanha simply bent his knees slightly, stabilizing his center of gravity.
Instead, Im Sanha twisted his wrist and swung his sword upward from below with great force.
“Ugh!”
As his plan failed and Im Sanha’s counterattack followed, Zhen Hu was forced to step back.
Despite being caught off guard and put on the defensive, Zhen Hu’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
Like a fish that had found water.
No matter from which direction the attack came, he cleanly blocked it.
This was the foundation of a Jongnam Sect disciple.
Im Sanha swiftly swung his sword, while Zhen Hu effortlessly parried each strike. Even though they were both using the same Six Harmonies Sword technique, their styles appeared completely different.
This sparring match clearly revealed the distinct directions in which the Hwasan and Jongnam Sects taught their martial arts.
Clash! Clash! Clash!
‘Even though it’s the same Six Harmonies Sword, the nature of the technique changes depending on how the forms and movements are utilized.’
Before the sparring match, Im Sanha had thought of this event as merely a friendly exchange between Hwasan and Jongnam. But now, as he personally engaged in the match, he began to grasp the true essence of the Six Harmonies Sword Assembly.
‘Unrestricted by direction, free and unrestrained.’
Im Sanha widened his eyes, trying to broaden his field of vision to break through Zhen Hu’s defense.
His wooden sword twisted from left to right, striking in all directions as if traversing every possible angle.
Seeing this, Hong Xian’s eyes sparkled.
“Oh ho, this child has a solid foundation. It seems he’s been training in martial arts for a bit longer than the other children.”
“That’s right. Sanha comes from a secular background, so his progress is faster than the others.”
Hong Yun nodded, stroking his beard, and then lowered his voice slightly.
“Though I feel sorry for Zhen Hu, I hope this child, Sanha, wins.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Our children have noticed that the third-generation disciples of the Hwasan Sect are younger than them and started their martial arts training late. Because of that, their initial tension has significantly decreased.”
“It’s a common occurrence. Sometimes they even get scolded by the elders at night.”
As Hong Xian spoke, Baek Yu, reminiscing about the past, reached for his teacup and said,
“But once the second-generation disciples’ sparring begins, such talk will disappear.”
“Hoho, the Hwasan Four Flowers, you mean? I’m looking forward to it as well. When the Jongnam Two Flowers and the Hwasan Four Flowers face off, it will be a great learning experience for the children. That alone will make this Six Harmonies Sword Assembly a success.”
As the Sect Leaders chatted happily, the sound of a fierce clash drew their attention once more.
Im Sanha’s mid-level stance came down vertically.
Zhen Hu blocked it by holding his wooden sword horizontally, but the rapid succession of strikes delayed his response, preventing him from fully extending his sword.
Unable to properly dissipate the impact, Zhen Hu felt a throbbing pain in his wrist.
Not missing the slight tremor in Zhen Hu’s sword, Im Sanha boldly stepped forward, using the Nine Palaces Step.
Barely dodging the sword aimed at his forehead, Im Sanha forcefully stomped on the ground.
‘Here!’
A gap had opened in Zhen Hu’s previously unshakable sword stance. Im Sanha’s eyes sparkled as he thrust his wooden sword into that small opening without hesitation.
“Ugh!”
As Im Sanha’s wooden sword struck Zhen Hu’s wrist, Zhen Hu dropped his sword.
At that moment, Hong Yun, who had been standing at a distance, appeared beside the two children.
“Enough! The winner is Im Sanha of the Hwasan Sect’s third-generation disciples!”
Im Sanha picked up the wooden sword Zhen Hu had dropped and handed it back to him, asking, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
Zhen Hu forced a smile despite the pain, and Im Sanha responded with a fist salute.
Although Im Sanha had broken the losing streak and secured Hwasan’s first victory, the third-generation disciples did not shout or cheer.
“You worked hard, Sanha.”
“Well done.”
They simply calmly congratulated Im Sanha on his victory.
There had been prior instruction not to be overly elated or disheartened by wins or losses, but they had also personally witnessed how the Jongnam Sect had quietly celebrated their consecutive victories when they were on a winning streak.
Though still young, the third-generation disciples understood that their opponents had been considerate when they were caught in a losing streak, and so they acted in the same manner.
Both sects’ third-generation disciples, though young, displayed a mature demeanor.
Watching this scene in silence, Hong Xian smiled with satisfaction.
“Good.”
At Hong Xian’s murmur, Baek Yu also nodded.
The atmosphere on the sparring platform remained calm, but Im Sanha’s victory had added a layer of excitement.
“I am Young-young, one of the third-generation disciples of the Hwasan Sect.”
“I am Zhen Wen, one of the third-generation disciples of the Jongnam Sect.”
Following Im Sanha, Young-young and Sheng Shuyan stepped onto the sparring platform and, after a fierce battle, managed to secure a victory.
After the tenth sparring match, the third-generation disciples from each sect who had participated in the matches all stepped onto the platform.
The disciples who had crossed swords now faced each other.
Though they had been told not to dwell on wins or losses, some of the younger disciples still showed frustration at their defeats.
However, as they continued to make eye contact, the frustration and competitiveness in their eyes melted away, replaced by smiles.
Seeing that the disciples had exchanged glances, Hong Yun nodded.
“Show your respects.”
At Hong Yun’s gesture, the third-generation disciples, with relaxed expressions, bowed to each other, concluding the sparring matches of the third-generation disciples.
The others watching this scene looked on with pride at the young disciples performing the fist salute.
And so, the first day of the Six Harmonies Sword Assembly came to an end.
***
By dinnertime, the disciples of both sects had gathered together once more. However, seating was arranged separately according to each group.
The tables where the elders and first-generation disciples sat were slightly apart from those of the second and third-generation disciples.
This was the elders’ consideration, allowing the younger disciples to interact freely without feeling self-conscious.
“Kya ha ha!”
“You fought well earlier.”
“What’s your name?”
The third-generation disciples, being young and having just sparred with each other, mingled freely and played together without reservation.
On the other hand, the table where the second-generation disciples sat was filled with silence.
On the long table, the Hwasan Sect sat on the left side, while the Jongnam Sect sat on the right, with no one speaking.
They hadn’t yet familiarized themselves with each other’s faces, nor did they know each other’s martial titles.
‘Ah, should I speak first in a situation like this?’
In that moment, Mu Hwi realized that he was the chief disciple of the second-generation. In such gatherings, it was appropriate for the highest-ranking disciple to break the ice.
‘Tsk, you only learn this through experience.’
Since childhood, Mu Hwi had started with third-level martial arts, collecting and refining various martial arts manuals, and dedicating himself solely to training. He was a Sword Devil.
In his past life, the Sword Devil had participated in gatherings where many martial artists mingled and exchanged friendships only a handful of times.
Otherwise, when he encountered martial artists from other sects, it was either because they had come to kill him, or he had gone to kill them.
It was always one or the other.
As Mu Hwi clicked his tongue inwardly and was about to stand up with a wine cup, two women from the Jongnam Sect stood up first.
Both women possessed exceptional beauty, and their appearances were nearly identical.
The only differences were that they had braided their hair in different directions, and the woman with her hair braided to the left had a mole under her eye.
‘Are they twins?’
As Mu Hwi observed the twins, the woman with the mole under her eye performed a fist salute toward him.
“Disciple Mu Hwi, if it’s alright with you, may I say a few words to the Hwasan Sect disciples?”
“Of course.”
The woman smiled slightly, then turned her shoulders left and right as she performed the fist salute.
“I am Xian Zhu, a second-generation disciple of the Jongnam Sect. It’s an honor to meet the disciples of Hwasan Sect.”
The woman beside her also performed the same fist salute and greeted him. However, her half-opened eyes were slightly lowered.
“I am Xian Mei, a second-generation disciple of the Jongnam Sect.”
The disciples’ response to the two women’s greetings was swift.
“The Jongnam Two Flowers!”
“The honor is mine!”
“Whoa!”
As Mu-hwa watched this scene, her eyebrows twitched up and down. Seeing her Senior Disciples like this made her feel oddly embarrassed.
“Ah, Senior Disciples are really…”
Surprised by the disciples’ enthusiastic reaction, Mu Hwi quietly asked Mujin beside him.
“Are the Jongnam Two Flowers famous?”
“You didn’t know, Senior Disciple? Those young ladies are the rising stars representing the Jongnam Sect’s second-generation disciples.”
“Is that so? No wonder their aura felt different. They seem like they’d be fun to spar with.”
At Mu Hwi’s response, Mujin let out a hollow laugh.
The nickname ‘Jongnam Two Flowers’ included the word ‘flower’ due to Xian Zhu and Xian Mei’s beauty.
The two were collectively referred to as the ‘Most Beautiful in Shaanxi’, making it clear that they were rare beauties even when searching the entire martial arts world.
Even now, the disciples were visibly excited, smiling as they looked at the Jongnam Two Flowers.
Muho and a few other disciples hadn’t even touched their wine, yet their faces were already red.
To Mujin, it seemed that the Senior Disciple was more interested in the wine in front of him than in the beauties.
‘But the Senior Disciple is solely focused on sparring.’
Truly fitting for the Senior Disciple.
“I am Musan of the Hwasan Sect.”
“I am Xian Jun of the Jongnam Sect.”
As the Jongnam Two Flowers used their radiant beauty and eloquence to ease the tense atmosphere, the disciples began to introduce themselves and exchange greetings with those around them.
At first, they exchanged stories about Jongnam and Hwasan, but naturally, the conversation shifted to martial arts.
It was the topic the disciples of both sects knew the most about, and the biggest common ground was undoubtedly martial arts.
“So, does the Jongnam Sect also practice the Six Harmonies Heart Method, Six Harmonies Sword, and Nine Palaces Step as basic martial arts?”
“Yes, I was also surprised when I heard from my master that the Hwasan Sect’s entry-level martial arts are the same.”
“But it’s amazing how different martial arts have branched out from the Six Harmonies Sword.”
As the disciples mingled well, Mu Hwi tilted his wine cup when two shadows flickered in front of him.
When Mu Hwi looked up, he saw the faces of the Jongnam Two Flowers, glowing red in the torchlight.
Their fox-like eyes didn’t give off a sharp or sinister feeling, as the corners of their eyes slightly drooped.
Their noses, rising softly like crescent moons, and their slender jawlines harmonized with their eyes.
They were fresh, elegant, and in some ways, dazzling. It was a mysterious charm.
They were truly deserving of the title ‘Most Beautiful in Shaanxi’.
The Jongnam Two Flowers took the empty seats in front of Mu Hwi.
‘Hmm, the one with the mole is Xian Zhu, and the one without is Xian Mei.’
As Mu Hwi recalled the names of the Jongnam Two Flowers, Xian Zhu tilted her head and looked at him.
“Disciple Mu Hwi, why are you sitting here all alone?”
“I was so focused on the wine that I ended up like this.”
“Please give us a cup too.”
Xian Zhu smiled brightly and extended her wine cup, while Xian Mei beside her, with her half-opened eyes still lowered, subtly pushed her cup forward.
“But how did you know my martial title? I never mentioned it.”
“Because Disciple Mu Hwi looked the strongest.”
At this, Mu Hwi’s face showed interest.
Mu Hwi’s aura was completely concealed, so how had the Jongnam Two Flowers seen through it?
“Among the Hwasan Sect’s second-generation disciples, only Disciple Mu Hwi’s aura was impossible to gauge.”
Xian Mei, who had been looking down, spoke in a faint voice while looking below Mu Hwi’s face.
As if she was avoiding looking at his face.
At Xian Mei’s supplementary explanation, Mu Hwi understood.
“I heard you’re twins, but your personalities seem different.”
“Hehe, that’s right. That’s why our Senior Disciples rarely confuse us.”
“I’m much shyer than my sister.”
Xian Zhu was extremely lively, while Xian Mei seemed to be very reserved.
“We were looking forward to meeting Disciple Mu Hwi at the Six Harmonies Sword Assembly.”
“Why is that?”
At Mu Hwi’s question, the Jongnam Two Flowers exchanged glances and then clasped their hands toward him.
“Xian Zhu, disciple of Master llmu, pays respects to our benefactor.”
“Xian Mei, disciple of Master llhun, pays respects to our benefactor.”
Seeing the Jongnam Two Flowers bow their heads, Mu Hwi suddenly felt the wine in his mouth turn bitter.
He remembered subduing the Assassin Demons imitating llmu and llhun in a battle of strength.
‘So that’s it. These two… Lost their masters at the same time.’
Mu Hwi filled the wine cups the Jongnam Two Flowers had extended.
“Let’s drink.”
Mu Hwi didn’t offer any further consolation.
But the faces of the Jongnam Two Flowers brightened instead.
They felt sincerity in Mu Hwi’s eyes and attitude as he tilted the wine bottle, rather than in lengthy words of comfort.
As the atmosphere suddenly turned somber, Mu Hwi tried to change the subject, but nothing came to mind.
‘Damn it, I’ve only been swinging my sword like a madman.’
Not knowing what to talk about with the women, Mu Hwi eventually steered the conversation back to martial arts.
“I heard from my junior disciples that Miss Xian Zhu has already mastered the Thirty-Six Swords of the World.”
Mu Hwi had no choice but to resort to this last resort, but the Jongnam Two Flowers instead lit up with excitement.
Xian Zhu became much more talkative, and Xian Mei, who had been looking at the ground, gradually raised her gaze.
Moreover, the Jongnam Two Flowers’ insights were quite profound, and they seemed to greatly enjoy exchanging views on martial arts.
“Blocking all directions of the Six Harmonies doesn’t seem easy.”
“That’s why the Jongnam sword follows a strict middle path to handle any situation. The Hwasan Sect focuses on change, right?”
As the conversation turned to martial arts, Xian Mei looked directly into Mu Hwi’s eyes.
However, her shyness hadn’t completely disappeared, as a slight blush remained.
“I heard that the Enlighten Glory Patriarch gained enlightenment by observing lightning branching from the sky to the ground, realizing that change is necessary to advance unhindered.”
Xian Zhu nodded and replied.
“If I had seen that scene, I wouldn’t have thought of that. It must be a difference in capacity.”
Mu Hwi firmly shook his head.
“It’s a difference in perception. What you hold in your heart determines how you see the same thing.”
“That’s a profound answer.”
Xian Zhu twirled the hair that had fallen by her ear with her fingers and smiled at Mu Hwi.
“Disciple Mu Hwi doesn’t feel like someone our age.”
They had only been talking for about half an hour, but time flew by unnoticed.
For My Hwi, he often gave high-level, profound answers, which sometimes left the Jongnam Two Flowers deep in thought.
“That’s right.”
Xian Mei also nodded and stared intently at Mu Hwi. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Mu Hwi could only let out a hollow laugh.
The Jongnam Two Flowers, intrigued by Mu Hwi, had no intention of leaving his side until the banquet ended.
‘I’m tired.’
Even though it was a discussion about martial arts, talking so much left him feeling drained.
As he was about to return to his quarters with a slightly weary expression, a voice transmission rang in Mu Hwi’s mind.
[Child, come here for a moment.]
Looking in the direction of the voice transmission, he saw the pavilion where Baek Yu was staying alone.
When Mu Hwi entered the pavilion, Baek Yu, Hong Xian, and the other Hwasan Four Flowers were seated.
“Come in.”
Hong Xian, the Sect Leader of the Jongnam Sect, smiled at Mu Hwi.
<We were looking forward to meeting Disciple Mu Hwi.> End
<Of course, you should be able to do at least this much.>
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