Chapter 50
Mu-cheol’s massive Plum Blossom Sword descended vertically. The skin of the Jongnam Sect disciple, who faced the sword’s wind pressure, trembled.
‘What kind of pressure is this!’
The Jongnam Sect disciple, who had intended to block it, was startled by the Plum Blossom Sword falling before his eyes. He bent his arms and knees, lowering his body even further.
At a glance, the sword energy carried by that enormous Plum Blossom Sword was extraordinary.
This wasn’t something to block—it had to be deflected.
‘Can I deflect it?’
Even as he questioned himself, the Jongnam Sect disciple loosened his wrist and slightly twisted his sword.
Clang!
As he parried the sword strike, the Jongnam Sect disciple had to endure the pressure weighing down his entire body.
His waist and knees trembled painfully.
“What!”
The ground around the Jongnam Sect disciple, who had blocked Mu-cheol’s strike, cracked like a spider’s web.
He gritted his teeth, trying to deflect the force, but before he could, it felt as though his insides were being turned inside out and his entire body was being crushed.
“Ugh!”
Ultimately unable to withstand the impact, the Jongnam Sect disciple was sent flying backward, rolling across the ground.
Mu-cheol, who had launched himself using the Phantom Mirage Step, helped the Jongnam Sect disciple, who had rolled to the corner of the arena, by patting his back to steady his breathing.
“Are you alright?”
“Cough, I’m fine.”
As the Jongnam Sect disciple forced a smile while suppressing a cough, Mu-cheol slightly bowed his head.
“Your defense was so solid that I had no choice but to go all out.”
“That’s a compliment.”
Mu-cheol and the Jongnam Sect disciple exchanged a fist salute, concluding the match.
“Winner! Mu-cheol of the Hwasan Sect!”
At Hong Yun’s declaration, the two disciples stepped down from the arena. Watching this, Hong Xian turned to Baek Yu and said,
“Well, this time, our second-generation disciples are following the same trajectory as the Hwasan Sect’s third-generation disciples.”
Unlike yesterday, the second-generation disciples of the Hwasan Sect were overwhelmingly dominating the matches.
This was the eighth match, and the Jongnam Sect had yet to secure a single victory.
The elders of each sect who were watching the matches were surprised, but the second-generation disciples of the Hwasan Sect, the ones directly involved, were the most shocked.
‘Is this possible?’
‘The Jongnam Sect disciples aren’t weak, so have we really become this strong?’
‘All those sleepless nights and training like dogs were worth it.’
The second-generation disciples realized that the teachings their Senior Disciple had emphasized weren’t empty words.
As Hong Xian let out a sigh, Baek Yu raised the corner of his mouth.
“Didn’t I tell you yesterday? Those words would sink in.”
“Hmm. The kids must be quite shocked.”
After a brief laugh, Hong Xian looked at the large Plum Blossom Sword on Mu-cheol’s back and asked,
“But what’s with that kid? There’s no sword technique in Hwasan that uses a heavy sword, right?”
“It’s a legacy from the previous generation.”
“The Sword Saint…”
As the story of the Hwasan Sword Saint came up, Hong Xian naturally shifted his gaze to Mu Hwi among the second-generation disciples.
After stroking his chin and staring at Mu Hwi for a while, Hong Xian spoke.
“There are two main reasons why our kids are being pushed back by the Hwasan Sect disciples. Their understanding and application of the sword’s intent, and the harmony between internal and external strength.”
Although it was hard to see clearly due to their robes, the Hwasan Sect disciples’ bodies were generally much more robust compared to the Jongnam Sect disciples.
And from what they had seen in the matches so far, the Hwasan Sect disciples’ understanding of the sword was above average.
As their understanding of the sword’s intent deepened, the application of their techniques naturally changed.
“Mu Hwi, you said that kid is overseeing the training of the second-generation disciples. So, is this Mu Hwi’s achievement alone?”
“That’s right. I just entrusted it to him.”
At Baek Yu’s answer, Hong Xian let out a hollow laugh.
“A genius, huh? It seems like a seventh dragon might emerge from Hwasan.”
“I believe Mu Hwi will easily surpass the Six Dragons.”
At Baek Yu’s firm response, Hong Xian didn’t back down.
“Jongnam has its own Jongnam Flower. Especially Xian Zhu, I’m confident she won’t be lacking compared to Mu Hwi.”
“Hmph, then let’s see.”
The ninth match was between Mujin and Xian Mei. Watching the two, Muryun swallowed dryly.
“Finally, the Hwasan Four Flower and Jongnam Two Flower are facing each other.”
The moment the two rising stars representing Hwasan and Jongnam finally clashed, a tense atmosphere filled the eyes of the second-generation disciples on both sides.
“Please take care of me.”
Seeing Xian Mei speaking while looking at her toes, Mujin forced a bitter smile.
Having seen Xian Mei at the banquet yesterday, Mujin had a rough idea of her personality, so he simply clasped his hands together.
“Please go easy on me.”
As the match began, Hong Yun stepped back.
Mujin thought he would have to wait until Xian Mei’s gaze properly rose, but Xian Mei’s delicate hand moved.
Tap!
The moment Xian Mei’s hand gently grasped the sword’s hilt, she suddenly raised her head and faced Mujin directly.
Her eyes, usually half-closed, were now wide open, exuding a chill like the eternal snow of the North Sea.
Seeing Xian Mei’s gaze change as she held her sword, Mujin calmly drew his Plum Blossom Sword.
The stance Xian Mei took was slightly different from the Heavenly Sword Technique that the Jongnam Sect’s second-generation disciples had shown so far.
“It’s the Jongnam Sect’s Heavenly Sword Technique.”
The Jongnam Sect disciples learn to stand at the center of the world with the Heavenly Sword Technique and to fill the world densely with the Heavenly Sword Technique.
So, what fills the world?
As Mujin’s sword energy poured out, Xian Mei slowly extended her arm.
The sword, imbued with the golden sword energy of the Heavenly Sword Technique, began to dot the air with golden points.
Then, as the sword swung, lines connected the dots in the air.
Clang!
As the golden dotted lines flashed in the air, the Plum Blossom Sword Energy surged violently.
Xian Mei layered her techniques, building a wall to block Mujin’s sword.
‘It seems empty, but I can’t break through.’
The Plum Blossom Sword Energy, like waves crashing against a rock, was repeatedly blocked by the Heavenly Sword Technique, scattering helplessly. But Mujin didn’t stop.
Even if the waves are blocked, the tiny droplets still wet the back of the rock.
The Plum Blossom Sword Energy, scattered by Xian Mei’s sword, was slowly seeping into her defenses.
‘Since when?’
Xian Mei, who had been focused on parrying Mujin’s sword, noticed the Plum Blossom Sword Energy floating around like spring petals and hurriedly tried to retract her sword.
In that brief moment, Mujin, who had deflected a diagonal sword strike, stepped on the Phantom Mirage Step.
Mujin’s figure blurred as if leaving an afterimage.
Closing the distance, Mujin swept his sword downward. A sword wind rose from his feet, and the Plum Blossom Sword Energy gathered around Xian Mei suddenly surged upward.
“Haap!”
With Mujin’s shout, the Plum Blossom Sword trembled. Then, with a long step back, Mujin’s sword drew a wide arc from bottom to top.
Swish!
The scattered sword energy petals were joined by new Plum Blossom Sword Energy. As the sword wind intensified, the Plum Blossom Sword Energy swirled around Xian Mei.
Lao Mei Mei Li (Old Plum Beauty)
The swirling storm of sword energy. Xian Mei’s figure was instantly swallowed by it.
As the storm of Lao Mei Mei Li tightened, the scattered sword energy gathered more densely.
At that moment, a deep golden light burst through the Plum Blossom Sword energy.
Boom!
The golden trajectory disappeared, revealing a slightly staggering Xian Mei.
Her braided hair on the right side had come undone, and her robe was torn in several places.
Despite her disheveled appearance, her stance, with her sword held at mid-level, remained solid.
Looking at Mujin with just her eyes, Xian Mei finally sheathed her sword first.
“Ha.”
Though there were no external injuries, she had internal injuries, and a metallic taste filled her mouth.
Moreover, Xian Mei no longer had the strength to withstand another technique like the one she had just faced.
Calculating what would happen if the match continued, Xian Mei confirmed that her sword would ultimately break.
“I’ve lost.”
At this, Mujin also sheathed his sword and clasped his hands first.
“I was worried I might have overdone it with the techniques. Are you alright?”
“Yes, thank you for giving me the opportunity to see the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.”
As Xian Mei adjusted her disheveled hair, she sheathed her sword and lowered her gaze, nodding slightly.
Mujin watched Xian Mei step down and tightened his grip on the Plum Blossom Sword.
‘Even in Jongnam, right next to us, there are formidable opponents whose outcomes are unpredictable. There must be many more in the martial arts world. I still have a long way to go.’
Mujin steeled himself with this resolve.
“Senior Disciple, all the other Senior Disciples have won. If you lose, it’ll be a total disgrace, you know?”
“Shut up.”
“Ouch!”
Mu Hwi flicked Mu-hwa’s forehead with his finger and then looked at the other disciples.
The second-generation disciples of Hwasan were focusing all their attention on memorizing the match they had just witnessed.
Seeing this, Mu Hwi quietly stepped onto the arena. Meanwhile, Xian Zhu was also ascending the arena from the other side.
Xian Zhu, walking with light, bouncy steps, looked around and smiled.
“It’s quiet.”
“It was that kind of match.”
“Let’s make it lively too.”
As Xian Zhu smiled warmly, her radiant beauty drew the attention of the disciples.
In the midst of this, Xian Zhu saw the calm look in Mu Hwi’s eyes and narrowed her gaze.
“Up until now, I’ve seen many rising stars who go easy on women. I doubt you’ll do the same, Disciple Mu Hwi?”
At this, Mu Hwi also raised the corner of his mouth.
“You must have met only those who put on airs. I have no such intentions, so this match should be good.”
Mu Hwi confidently released his aura.
The red and white energy currents wrapped around Mu Hwi’s body.
A chilling aura rose relentlessly, enough to make one think their skin was being cut.
Feeling Mu Hwi’s aura, Xian Zhu’s lips curled into a beautiful smile.
Even after sensing his aura, she smiled even more brightly, piquing Mu Hwi’s interest as he raised the corner of his mouth.
The two martial artists, facing each other, reached for their swords.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve used the Thirty-Six Swords of the World. Let’s see how much I’ve improved.’
The final match of the Six Harmonies Sword Assembly quietly began.
< This match should be good. > End
< Jongnam Sect will produce a Sword Queen. >
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