Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 57

Chapter 57

“Patriarch.”

Even after Baek Yu called, Baekri Geuk remained as still as a stone statue.

“Patriarch, raise your head. How long do you intend to make everyone here uncomfortable?”

At Baek Yu’s polite voice, Baekri Geuk finally raised his head. At Baek Yu’s gesture, the Patriarch of the Baekri family sat back down.

Baek Yu, who had been lost in thought while touching the rim of his teacup, looked at Baekri Geuk and added,

“Since the Patriarch himself has bowed his head in apology, adding anything more would be superfluous. The Hwasan Sect accepts the Baekri Family’s apology and will forget all past wrongs.”

Baekri Geuk is the Patriarch leading the Baekri Family.

For such a Patriarch to personally bow his head was no different from the entire Baekri Family bowing to the Hwasan Sect.

The honor that the Baekri Family had built over many years had now bowed to Hwasan.

Baek Yu believed that demanding anything more would be excessive greed.

[Let’s let this pass. The Baekri Family has admitted their mistake and maintained their dignity as a prestigious orthodox sect. It’s only right for the Hwasan Sect to show magnanimity.]

[As you wish, Sect Leader.]

Though slightly frustrated, Mu Hwi nodded.

If the Hwasan Sect were an evil sect, they would have tried to strip the Baekri Family bare the moment they showed weakness.

That’s why Mu Hwi had suggested this to Baek Yu, but Baek Yu, as the Sect Leader of the Hwasan Sect, made the right judgment.

‘Well, this is the stubbornness of the orthodox sects.’

At Baek Yu’s words, Baekri Geuk nodded slightly and took out a jade token from his pocket, placing it on the table.

“I don’t believe that today’s gifts and the apology can fully wash away the Baekri Family’s debt to the Hwasan Sect.”

What Baekri Geuk presented was the patriarch’s token of the Baekri Family.

“Whenever the Hwasan Sect needs our help, the Baekri Family will draw their swords without hesitation.”

“We won’t decline.”

Though it was just a jade token, the Hwasan Sect had received something more precious than anything else they could have obtained from the Baekri Family.

If Baek Yu had followed Mu Hwi’s suggestion, they might have received other trivial things, but not this patriarch’s token.

In this situation, the orthodox way Baek Yu had insisted on was the correct answer, not the evil sect method Mu Hwi had proposed.

Realizing this, Mu Hwi simply nodded.

‘It’s a pity, but there will be plenty of opportunities to take from others later. Isn’t there some evil sect we can squeeze dry?’

The atmosphere in the Upper Palace had become more relaxed, and Gong Ji, who had been quietly observing, nodded with a satisfied smile.

“Good, very good.”

Now that the conflict between the Hwasan Sect and the Baekri Family wouldn’t escalate further, Gong Ji could enjoy the Plum Blossom Tea with a light heart.

‘After all, there was merit in running around Shaanxi and Shaolin.’

Perhaps because he could bring good news back to Shaolin, the Plum Blossom Tea in his mouth felt even more fragrant.

***

Crackle!

Mu Hwi slightly increased the heat, causing the flames to rise fiercely.

He liked to cook the outside crispy with strong heat while slowly roasting the inside.

As Mu Hwi focused on roasting the rabbit, he lifted his gaze.

“The martial contest is tomorrow, right?”

“I thought there wouldn’t be time to talk after the contest.”

Baekri Sang, who had appeared at Mu Hwi’s hut, entered the courtyard with a bottle of alcohol.

When Mu Hwi’s gaze fell on the bottle, Baekri Sang shook it.

“Can’t have meat without alcohol.”

After confirming the contents, Mu Hwi nodded.

“Have a seat.”

Baekri Sang sat next to Mu Hwi, staring blankly at the oil dripping into the flames as they danced.

Mu Hwi filled a cup with the alcohol Baekri Sang had brought and handed it to him.

“What brings you here?”

“Is this where the Hwasan Sword Saint resided during his lifetime?”

“Yes.”

Baekri Sang slowly sipped the alcohol and continued.

“Since I first held a sword, the words I’ve heard the most are ‘Sword Saint’ and ‘Hwasan Sword Saint.’ That’s why, when I came to Hwasan, I wanted to see the traces the Sword Saint left behind.”

Mu Hwi chuckled. He thought he understood what Baekri Sang meant.

“Looks like you’ve been through a lot with the Sword King.”

“Haha, you’re right!”

After losing the sect martial contest, the Sword King had clung to Baekri Sang, the most talented young descendant of the Baekri Family.

“The Sword King didn’t think of overcoming his limits himself and instead pushed it onto you, Junior Baekri.”

At Mu Hwi’s question, Baekri Sang refilled his cup, gulped it down, and spoke.

“My grandfather said he had reached his limits even before the sect martial contest with the Hwasan Sect.”

“Even before?”

Hearing this for the first time, Mu Hwi focused on Baekri Sang’s words.

“He said that although he had walked an undefeated path through the martial arts world with a single sword, he realized it was just luck. He had hit a great wall.”

The Sword King had raced toward the dream every martial artist aspires to—becoming the best in the world—but ultimately realized it was impossible.

Though the Sword King was one of the top experts in the martial arts world, he had encountered those who stood in realms he could never reach.

“So, my grandfather gave up on becoming the best in the world and made it his final goal to elevate the Baekri Family to one of the Three Great Sword Sects of the martial arts world.”

Though the Baekri Family now holds a seat among the Three Great Families, the momentum of other families like the Hebei Peng Family and the Zhuge Family, who are closely following, is extremely threatening.

Thus, he aimed to solidify the Baekri Family’s position by elevating it to one of the Three Great Sword Sects, but even this was shattered by the Sword Saint.

“Who were the experts the Sword King felt this wall from?”

“The Sword Saint, first sword of the evil sect, the Lord of the Paewangseong. He felt a great gap between himself and these absolute experts.”

Screech!

Mu Hwi’s nails scraped against the cup, making an unpleasant sound.

Startled, Baekri Sang, who had been lost in thought, looked at Mu Hwi, but Mu Hwi’s face remained expressionless.

‘The first sword of the evil sect… It’s been a while since I heard that.’

In his past life, the Sword Devil was called the first sword of the evil sect because the number one of the evil sects had named him so.

Those who didn’t know the details might consider it an honor, but for the Sword Devil, it was the most humiliating defeat of his life.

-You wield the sword better than the leaders of the Seven Evil Heavens. I’ll call you the first sword of the evil sects. The price for daring to challenge me will be paid with a broken sword. I’ll wait for the day you challenge me again. Life as the number one of the evil sects is too boring.”

The title ‘First Sword of the Evil Sects’ was merely a nickname the number one of the evil sects gave to remember a useful toy.

Because of this title, the Sword Devil had to face not only the Seven Evil Heavens but also countless evil sect martial artists.

Occasionally, the number one of the evil sects would watch the Sword Devil fight surrounded by evil sect members, as if it were a pastime to inject vitality into his boring life.

‘I’ll have to visit that old man too.’

Even now, with the Sword Devil gone, the number one of the evil sects still reigns supreme over the evil sects.

The moment I defeat the number one of the evil sects, will be the day I shed the shackles of being the ‘First Sword of the Evil Sects’.

Though Mu Hwi didn’t show any particular aura, Baekri Sang felt the air around them grow slightly colder.

Quietly observing Mu Hwi, Baekri Sang refilled his cup.

“I don’t know the details, but I hope you can break free someday, Junior Mu Hwi. Like me, tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

At Mu Hwi’s question, Baekri Sang nodded.

“I walked a prepared, solid path. I inherited my grandfather’s martial arts and teachings, cut down the villains he chose, and accumulated experience and fame. But this was the path of the Cloud River Sword Dragon, not Baekri Sang.”

To Baekri Sang, he was like a bird in a cage. Singing only when the owner desired.

Others might say he was well-fed, but Baekri Sang didn’t care. What could he do if he didn’t like it?

Though outside the cage was harsh and full of predators, Baekri Sang wanted to go out.

He wasn’t born just to sing.

“Pushed by my grandfather’s pressure, I honed my sword just to defeat Hwasan. But this is the last day. No matter the outcome, I’ll cast it all aside and walk my own path. Tomorrow’s martial contest will be the true start of my journey in the martial world.”

Mu Hwi, who had been silently watching Baekri Sang, tore off a piece of the well-roasted rabbit.

Handing half to Baekri Sang, Mu Hwi asked,

“What do you want to do once you break free?”

Baekri Sang laughed as he brought the rabbit to his mouth.

“I don’t know. That’s why I want to find the answer in the martial arts world. Isn’t it funny that after living for twenty-six years, I still don’t know?”

With a self-deprecating laugh, Baekri Sang downed his drink. Mu Hwi also laughed.

“Is it okay to share such personal thoughts with someone you’ve just met?”

“I wanted to confirm. Whether the Sword Saint’s disciple is someone the Cloud River Sword Dragon can pour out everything to.”

Baekri Sang stood up as he spoke. Watching Baekri Sang’s retreating back, Mu Hwi asked,

“So, what’s the conclusion?”

“Haha, let’s see tomorrow.”

Perhaps due to the alcohol, Baekri Sang’s figure swayed as he walked away. Mu Hwi suddenly thought,

‘This isn’t something you can easily share with anyone in the family. Did he come to me, a stranger, to pour out his heart?’

It seemed that by voicing the thoughts buried deep in his heart, Baekri Sang had sorted out his thoughts and reaffirmed his resolve.

“He’s become quite thoughtful, though a bit late. Not bad.”

When the time comes to infuse his will into his sword when his level has improved, this change will play a significant role.

The top experts of the martial arts world each have their own firm will imbued in their swords or fists.

Desires, goals, determination, beliefs, and various other things.

Though talent, opportunities, and fate combine to create an absolute expert, what binds these three together is a strong will.

What will you achieve with the martial arts you’ve cultivated?

“At least he’s not just a snake pretending to be a dragon.”

Mu Hwi downed the alcohol Baekri Sang had left without hesitation.

***

On the other side of the martial contest stage, Mu Hwi drew his Plum Blossom Sword.

Though there was a distance of about twenty paces, Baekri Sang instinctively knew he had to raise his sword to block.

Clang!

The moment he raised his sword to block the left side, the Plum Blossom Sword suddenly struck his sword.

Despite the sudden strike, Baekri Sang’s posture remained unshaken, revealing his solid foundation.

Contrary to his posture, Baekri Sang’s pupils were shaking.

‘What kind of movement is this!’

Baekri Sang hadn’t taken his eyes off Mu Hwi, yet he had missed the movement.

Mu Hwi extended his sword as if he had always been there. It was as if the process of closing the twenty-paces gap had been omitted.

“Sect Leader, my knowledge is lacking, but does the Hwasan Sect have such a martial art?”

“Hmm, it’s Light Body Technique left by the Sword Saint. Mu Hwi has been organizing and mastering it. It’s called Dark Scent Flutter.”

“Dark Scent Flutter… A movement worthy of the name.”

Baekri Geuk, who was watching the martial contest between Mu Hwi and Baekri Sang, couldn’t help but admire.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

With each step, Mu Hwi’s body extended smoothly, and as his ankles and toes rotated and changed direction, countless variations bloomed like flowers.

Despite these irregular and explosive movements, Mu Hwi’s body remained extremely calm.

“An astonishing body technique.”

The subtle Dark Scent Flutter added to the already dazzling Hwasan swordsmanship made it even more fearsome.

It wasn’t just about being mesmerized by the sword; one could be cut down without even seeing the sword properly.

“So, you can move like that too.”

“Make sure to record every detail.”

Baek Soon and Hyeon Gak of the Scripture Pavilion had even brought a small table and were diligently writing on a secret manual.

The Dark Scent Flutter that Mu Hwi had organized into a secret manual had already taken a place in the Scripture Pavilion. But the work of the Scripture Pavilion didn’t end there.

They had to create an annotated version for future disciples to learn.

Over time, various annotated versions would emerge, but the first annotated version was always the responsibility of the Scripture Pavilion.

“Where else can you find movements that embody the scent of plum blossoms like this?”

Deeply moved by the Dark Scent Flutter, Baek Soon kept his eyes on Mu Hwi while his brush moved swiftly.

As Mu Hwi’s figure was obscured by the Plum Blossom Sword Energy spreading in all directions, Baek Soon even raised his internal energy to track Mu Hwi’s movements.

‘What is the Cloud River Sword Dragon? Just a small pond snake.’

Baekri Sang, who had barely managed to block the dozens of sword strikes, forced a bitter smile.

The sword aura from Baekri Sang’s sword meticulously cut through the incoming Plum Blossom Sword Energy.

Yet, the Plum Blossom Sword Energy continued to surge like ocean waves, and Baekri Sang’s hands and feet grew increasingly busy.

Moreover, Mu Hwi, who had immersed himself in the waves of Plum Blossom Sword Energy, appeared like a subtle fragrance and thrust his sword.

‘Ghostly movements, truly the Sword Devil.’

Clang!

Baekri Sang barely deflected the Plum Blossom Sword aimed at his forehead, sweat dripping down his jawline.

Mu Hwi’s eyes, which had been blocking Baekri Sang’s sword strikes, slightly narrowed. The tip of his sword hesitated.

“Can you really break free like this? It seems more like you’re hiding it deep within rather than breaking free.”

Mu Hwi leisurely spoke as he slashed at Baekri Sang’s waist. Baekri Sang’s face turned red as he twisted his sword to block the incoming sword force.

Clang!

“Ugh!”

Baekri Sang, who had raised his internal energy to deflect Mu Hwi’s sword, caught his breath.

Baekri Sang fell into thought. Sensing this, Mu Hwi waited for him.

When Baekri Sang opened his eyes, he had calmed down.

Along with that, his swordsmanship changed.

“Hmm.”

Baekri Geuk, seeing his son adopt a swordsmanship he had never seen before, let out a sigh.

This new swordsmanship was a martial art the Sword King had created in his later years to surpass the Hwasan Sect.

Within the Baekri Family, only Baekri Sang had been taught this martial art.

“I didn’t intend to use this martial art. Since it embodies everything my grandfather stood for, I thought it wouldn’t suit me, who wants to walk a different path.”

“But?”

“After hearing your words, I realized. It’s not about vaguely hiding it, but about unleashing this martial art without regret to truly break free. Both my grandfather and I.”

As Baekri Sang adopted the new swordsmanship, his aura began to rise steadily.

Mu Hwi also readied his stance and asked,

“What is the name of this martial art?”

Baekri Sang calmly replied,

“Cheonikgeombeop (Heavenly Wing Sword Art).”

Named Cheonik (Heavenly Wing) to signify soaring to the heavens beyond, rather than treading the low skies like himself.

The sword art imbued with his grandfather’s wishes began to spread its wings at his grandson’s sword tip.

***

“Princess, please hurry.”

“Really, can we trust the Guyu Sect?”

“Of course not. It was just a momentary alignment of thoughts. We can’t let our guard down.”

A group heading toward the Guyu Sect’s tent.

The woman leading the group wore a martial robe embroidered with a black dragon with ferocious fangs.

“Who knows if a sword fight might break out the moment we enter the tent. Though that might be better.”

The princess of the Janryonghoe Sect, Jeok Sa-hye, fiddled with the twin swords at her waist as she entered the Guyu Sect’s tent.

< What do you want to do once you break free? > End

< Is this what the end of a tragic play looks like? >