Chapter 58
The banquet of red and white petals that overturned the martial stage.
Two massive sword energies rose, piercing through the Plum Blossom Sword Energy that enveloped all directions.
The two-pronged sword energy spreading to both sides resembled the unfolding of giant wings.
Whoosh!
A pair of sword energies fluttered like wings, scattering the fully bloomed sword energy petals in unison.
‘He’s showing a unique sword technique.’
As the pair of sword energies slashed diagonally towards him, Mu Hwi raised his sword to the upper stance.
Swoosh!
Following the vertically drawn Plum Blossom Sword, the Plum Blossom Sword Energy cascaded down like a waterfall.
When it clashed with Baekri Sang’s sword strike, petals scattered in all directions like splashing waterfall droplets.
However, guided by the circular motion of the Plum Blossom Sword in the air, the Plum Blossom Sword Energy began to gather around Mu Hwi again.
As both Mu Hwi and Baekri Sang stepped forward, their swords clashed fiercely.
‘The Heavenly Wing Sword Technique, a martial art that emphasizes the total amount and utilization of internal energy. He’s handling it quite well.’
The sword technique clearly reflected the Sword King’s emphasis on power through internal energy. Normally, even a late-stage foundation level disciple would struggle to fully deploy one wing.
The full support of the Baekri family was evident, but Baekri Sang’s talent is also shining through.
As Baekri Sang’s sword tilted sideways, the sword energy began to surge again.
Mu Hwi relentlessly severed the trajectories of the sword energy fluttering like wings from both sides.
“Hmph.”
Despite sweating, Baekri Sang calmly extended his sword, trying to deploy the Heavenly Wing Sword Technique.
‘Originally, I intended to break his sword at the start.’
If the Baekri family had maintained their arrogant attitude, Mu Hwi would have certainly done so.
He had planned to deliver the ultimate insult to the Baekri family.
The fact that Baekri Sang could now display the Heavenly Wing Sword Technique before Mu Hwi was because the Baekri family had bowed their heads in the palace.
Recalling last night’s conversation, Mu Hwi slowly aimed his Plum Blossom Sword forward.
‘I should repay the debt from last night’s drink, kid.’
The Heavenly Wing Sword Technique energy fell towards Mu Hwi’s head as he shot forward. The two wings overlapped, becoming one, attempting to split Mu Hwi in half. A chilling energy pressed down on Mu Hwi from head to toe.
Heavenly Wing Sword Technique: Twin Wings Open the Heavens.
Instead of raising his Plum Blossom Sword, Mu Hwi extended his left hand. A massive impact surged, but only his robe fluttered wildly.
The tension that had been falling in chunks around his palm began to rotate slowly due to the subtle tremors of his fingers.
Plum Blossom Scattering Hand: Chaotic Wind Picks Flowers.
The petal-shaped tension swirled, and Mu Hwi, with his left hand, deployed the Plum Blossom Scattering Hand to block Baekri Sang’s slash.
The spectators’ eyes widened slightly as they saw Mu Hwi blocking the sword strike with his hand instead of his sword.
Crack!
With the sound of something breaking, a circular energy wave erupted from Mu Hwi’s left hand, which held the sword. Cracks spread across the martial stage’s floor.
Baekri Sang’s Heavenly Wing Sword Technique energy was shattered into nothingness by the Chaotic Wind Picks Flowers.
‘No, it didn’t shatter. It felt like it dispersed the moment it touched his hand.’
Baekri Sang’s eyes widened as he saw the fragments of the shattered sword energy scatter into the air along with the Plum Blossom Scattering Hand’s tension.
The scene felt more hollow than shocking.
“Really… Haha.”
Baekri Sang let out a disbelieving laugh, but soon his smile faded.
He had just showcased the Heavenly Wing Sword Technique, but he couldn’t see Mu Hwi going all out.
Instead, his decisive Twin Wings Open the Heavens was blocked not by a sword, but by a hand.
Mu Hwi, who had effortlessly countered the Heavenly Wing Sword Technique’s ultimate move, walked towards Baekri Sang, who was lowering his sword with a blank expression.
“You focused too much on the size of the sword energy, neglecting the density and utilization of your internal energy. It was worse than when you displayed the Baekri family’s sword technique.”
“Huh, is that so?”
“But if your capabilities improve, the true value of the sword technique will naturally reveal itself.”
Baekri Sang, nodding with a dazed expression, glanced at Mu Hwi’s left hand.
“Not a single wound. Next time, I’ll make sure to leave a mark on that palm.”
“That depends on the path you choose to walk, doesn’t it?”
Recalling last night’s conversation, Baekri Sang let out a bitter smile.
“That was a foolish question. Now, the title of Dragon belongs to you, Mu Hwi. Should I call you the Hwasan Sect Sword Dragon?”
Mu Hwi shook his head firmly.
“Not interested.”
Though it seemed like a hollow defeat, Baekri Sang had proven what kind of late-stage foundation level disciple the Six Dragons were.
Baekri Sang was a late-stage foundation level disciple worthy of bearing the title of Six Dragons.
Watching Mu Hwi turn his back without hesitation, Baekri Sang let out a short sigh.
“Is this the wall my grandfather spoke of?”
It was different from the walls he had encountered during his martial training. He had always been vaguely confident that he could overcome them someday, but Mu Hwi was different.
It felt like facing the Great Wall, something he could never surpass no matter how hard he tried.
Baekri Sang felt he could understand how his grandfather must have felt when facing absolute masters.
‘First, I need to close this gap.’
Though he understood his grandfather’s feelings, Baekri Sang had no intention of walking the same path.
His previously vague goal had now become clear.
“Hmm…”
Baekri Sang quietly made a fist towards Mu Hwi.
‘I’ll challenge you again in the future. With a changed sword.’
***
Seven days and nights had passed since the martial stage concluded and the Baekri family members left Hwasan Sect. When Baek Yu summoned him, Mu Hwi headed to the palace.
“Sect Leader.”
“Come in.”
As Mu Hwi entered, Baek Yu was walking around the palace with his hands behind his back.
It seemed something urgent had happened.
Seeing Mu Hwi, Baek Yu immediately sat down and poured him a cup of plum blossom tea.
“What brings you here, Sect Leader?”
“A letter from the Small Hwasan Manor.”
Mu Hwi took the letter from Baek Yu and immediately opened it to read.
“Hmm… The Janryonghoe Sect and the Guyu Sect are moving south simultaneously.”
“I don’t know if these two sects have joined hands, but judging by their synchronized movements, it’s highly likely.”
“It’s because of the Paewangseong.”
Since the Six Harmonies Sword Assembly’s attack, the Paewangseong, which had been quiet for a while, had been appearing more frequently in Shaanxi.
Though not on a large scale, occasional battles had even broken out.
The Paewangseong’s military strength, which had fiercely driven the Sacheon Alliance, was overwhelmingly burdensome.
As a result, the Jongnam Sect’s forces were concentrated in the west, and the Hwasan Sect’s first-generation disciples had also gone to assist.
“Originally, Hwasan Sect and Jongnam Sect were supposed to hold the north together, but with Jongnam Sect now out of the picture, it’s a perfect opportunity.”
The Janryonghoe Sect and the Guyu Sect weren’t fighting over their own territories but saw an opportunity to attack the nearly empty southern Shaanxi.
For practical gains, it wasn’t strange for even yesterday’s enemies to join hands, as was typical of the evil sects.
“The ones who went to the Small Hwasan Manor have requested direct support, but the first-generation disciples are with the Jongnam Sect.”
Currently, the remaining elders and first-generation disciples were the minimum necessary to protect Hwasan. It was impossible to spare even these.
“Even if we send a letter now, it would be too late to head to the Small Hwasan Manor.”
Baek Yu nodded and asked Mu Hwi.
“Have you reached the peak?”
In the past, during the Six Harmonies Sword Assembly, Baek Yu hadn’t believed Mu Hwi could defeat Huang Jin-gun.
He had thought Mu Hwi would hold out for a while and then return to face Huang Jin-gun, but instead, Mu Hwi had single-handedly defeated him, leaving Baek Yu in shock.
Baek Yu had often tried to gauge Mu Hwi’s progress, but it was too neatly concealed to accurately assess.
‘Is such rapid growth even possible?’
Baek Yu had never imagined he would one day ask Mu Hwi such a question.
“I haven’t reached the peak yet, but I can handle it.”
Mu Hwi answered without hiding anything, as he guessed why Baek Yu was asking about his level.
Mu Hwi had never hidden his achievements.
“If I send you, we can put out the urgent fire. I’ll send the Hwasan Four Flowers to the Small Hwasan Manor.”
“Sect Leader, if the Janryonghoe Sect and the Guyu Sect are moving simultaneously, we’ll be short-handed. Please allow the skilled second-generation disciples to descend the mountain.”
“Hmm…”
As Baek Yu pondered, Mu Hwi added.
“Some have already experienced real combat at the Six Harmonies Sword Assembly, and others have undergone equivalent training. I believe this is necessary for the second-generation disciples’ growth.”
“That makes sense, but I’m worried about pushing disciples who haven’t even experienced the martial arts world into such a dangerous situation.”
“As the Senior Disciple, I will take responsibility and ensure all disciples return safely.”
Baek Yu tapped the table, pondering for a moment, then stopped his finger.
“The first-generation disciples will head there soon, so don’t overdo it.”
“Of course, Sect Leader.”
Having received Baek Yu’s permission in the palace, Mu Hwi immediately gathered the second-generation disciples at the training ground.
Including the Hwasan Four Flowers, twenty disciples whom Mu Hwi had been keeping an eye on were waiting for his words.
“You’ve probably heard the gist. We’re heading to the Small Hwasan Manor to face the Guyu Sect and the Janryonghoe Sect.”
Though the disciples had already heard bits of the story, hearing it directly from Mu Hwi made the weight of it feel real.
‘Two of the Seven Great Evil Sects at the same time…’
‘Can we handle it?’
Especially for disciples who hadn’t yet ventured into the martial arts world, the tension doubled. Who would have thought their first journey would involve battling the Seven Great Evil Sects?
Just imagining it made their hearts race. Mu Hwi, observing the disciples, quietly raised the corner of his mouth.
“Surely no one here is scared, right?”
At Mu Hwi’s words, Mu-hwa laughed and replied.
“Of course not. No matter how vicious the Seven Great Evil Sects’ martial artists are, they’re no match for you, Senior Disciple.”
The other disciples also burst into laughter.
“If anyone wants to stay behind, I won’t stop them. Prepare and gather again in two ke (30 minutes). We’ll head straight to the Small Hwasan Manor.”
Shortly after, the second-generation disciples stepped out of the Hwasan Sect’s gates and descended the mountain.
Not a single one was missing.
***
“How’s it going over there?”
“Everyone has evacuated!”
As Musan answered, Muryun let out a sigh, and Muho rushed over.
“Senior Disciple Muryun. We’ve sent them ahead, but with many elderly and children, the movement is slow.”
Muryun bit his lip.
“This is bad. We can only hope the masters and other family members buy us more time.”
Muryun sighed as he looked at the empty small village.
Currently, the Small Hwasan Manor and Hwasan Sect disciples were evacuating civilians in the path of the Janryonghoe Sect and Guyu Sect’s advance.
The Guyu Sect occasionally acted tyrannically, but the Janryonghoe Sect mercilessly slaughtered and plundered.
Around the Small Hwasan Manor, there were only scattered small villages, so everyone was spread out, helping to evacuate the civilians.
“We’ve confirmed no one is left in the village. Let’s move out, Senior Disciple.”
At Musan’s suggestion, Muryun nodded, then suddenly turned his head.
A group was rapidly approaching from the end of the village.
The Hwasan Sect disciples immediately drew their swords. The distance closed too quickly as they sensed the presence. Musan’s face hardened as he saw the dragon embroidered on their robes.
‘The Janryonghoe Sect! There were more martial artists moving separately.’
As the distance closed enough to recognize faces, the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists stopped their light steps and looked at the Hwasan Sect disciples.
“Oh, aren’t these late-stage foundation level disciples?”
“Looks like they’re focusing their strength on the main battle and letting the kids help evacuate civilians.”
“Taking away our fun, these insolent brats.”
The Janryonghoe Sect martial artists, recognizing the Hwasan Sect disciples, began to chuckle among themselves.
Meanwhile, the Hwasan Sect disciples didn’t utter a word.
‘Ten of them. It seems like a separate squad, with at least three against each of us.’
Muryun felt his mind freeze. Handling one each is manageable, but three simultaneously is impossible.
“Disciples, I’ll buy time…”
“Senior Disciple Muryun, how can you buy time alone?”
“We can’t run, so we’ll have to fight.”
The Janryonghoe Sect martial artists’ laughter grew louder as they listened to the Hwasan Sect disciples.
“Haha! Late-stage foundation level disciples indeed, so romantic.”
“Let’s see if they can remain this composed when it’s time to die.”
The Janryonghoe Sect martial artists, while laughing, exuded killing intent and slowly closed the distance.
Despite the creeping killing intent, the Hwasan Sect disciples calmly raised their swords.
“Six Harmonies Sword Formation. Just hold out like last time.”
“Yes.”
“Understood, Senior Disciple.”
With Muryun at the center, Musan and Muho stood back-to-back, pointing their swords forward.
The Janryonghoe Sect martial artists sneered at the sight.
“So dramatic, like watching a play.”
“I like plays too. Especially the ones that end tragically.”
“Really? I find plays boring.”
A voice naturally joined the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists’ conversation.
As if he had always been there, Mu Hwi stood casually beside them.
“Senior Disciple!”
The disciples were startled as Mu Hwi appeared out of nowhere, as if he had sprung from the ground.
Swoosh!
The head of the man who had been talking about plays fell to the ground. In an instant, Mu Hwi, who had beheaded him, looked at the headless body and smiled.
“Is this what the end of a tragic play looks like?”
There was no answer. Only the sound of blood dripping from the Plum Blossom Sword’s blade.
Whoosh!
Killing intent emanated from Mu Hwi’s entire body.
The killing intent exuded by the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists was completely overshadowed by Mu Hwi’s.
The Janryonghoe Sect martial artists, who had been walking forward, began to step back one by one.
But behind them, vibrant petals were already floating.
“It seems the tragic play’s protagonists aren’t my disciples, but you.”
As Mu Hwi’s sword rose, the deadly light of the Plum Blossom Sword Energy began to bloom.
“Struggle all you want. I’ll watch your tragic end.”
The eerie red petals gently enveloped the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists.
< Is this what the end of a tragic play looks like? > End
< Those kids are the Hwasan Sect’s second-generation disciples. >
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