Chapter 59
Swoosh!
The Plum Blossom Sword, which tore through fabric, showed no intention of stopping.
Before the martial artists of the Janryonghoe Sect could even let out a scream and charge, the Plum Blossom Sword had already pierced through their mouths.
Following the blood that sprayed into the air, the petals rippled like waves. By the time Mu Hwi swung his sword twice, all the martial artists of the Janryonghoe Sect had already breathed their last.
As the red and white sword energy petals fell onto the pool of blood on the ground, they scattered into pieces.
The fleeting nature of their lives was akin to the lives of the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists who had lost their lives in an instant. Their end was nothing but emptiness, not even worthy of being called a tragedy.
Mu Hwi’s eyes, having witnessed their demise, were cold and indifferent.
After lightly flicking his wrist to shake off the blood from the Plum Blossom Sword, Mu Hwi sheathed his sword and surveyed his fellow disciples.
“Everyone seems unharmed.”
The disciples, who had been dazedly shaking their heads, finally seemed to regain their senses and asked again.
“Senior Disciple, how did you get here?”
“Did you come alone?”
As the disciples asked these questions one after another with blank expressions, Mu Hwi glanced behind them and gave a slight nod.
Where the disciples turned their heads, other second-generation disciples, including the Hwasan Four Flowers, were approaching using their lightness skill.
“Senior Disciple, we entrusted the civilians we met along the way to the Yeonhwa Sect for protection. They should be returning to the Small Hwasan Manor first.”
Upon hearing Mujin’s report, Mu Hwi nodded and then looked at Muryun.
“You said the Janryonghoe Sect is currently in battle. Do you know their location?”
“Of course, Senior Disciple. Wait, don’t tell me…”
Muryun looked at the gathered second-generation disciples and couldn’t finish his sentence.
“We’re heading there.”
After hearing Muryun’s explanation, Mu Hwi immediately set his direction to the northwest and began to move.
If Mu Hwi were alone, he could have used the Dark Scent Flutter to arrive in no time, but now he had to match the speed of the other second-generation disciples and move together.
After running for about a quarter of an hour (15 minutes), the sharp screams and the clashing sounds of weapons began to reach their ears.
As he listened to these sounds, Mu Hwi continued to stride toward the edge of the hill.
“Remember what I told you. Don’t get too excited and forget yourself.”
“Yes, Senior Disciple!”
The second-generation disciples answered in unison and then leaped forward, charging toward the edge of the hill.
Clang!
Hyeon Baek’s sword, which had undergone a strange transformation, slithered like a snake past the blade of a Janryonghoe Sect martial artist and pierced through his chest.
Thud!
“These Janryonghoe Sect bastards, there are so many of them!”
“Senior Disciple Hyeon Baek! We’ve bought enough time. Let’s prepare a retreat!”
Hyeon Baek, along with the first-generation disciples and the martial artists of the Small Hwasan Manor, were fighting fiercely against the Janryonghoe Sect, but they were slowly being pushed back.
From the very beginning, they were outnumbered by more than double, so holding out this long was already a remarkable feat.
“Hyeon Su, let Hyeon Jin, take the rear with me!”
As he gave the order and assessed the situation, Hyeon Baek’s eyes widened.
He suddenly saw a group of people flying through the air from the hill behind the swarming Janryonghoe Sect martial artists.
But the clothing of that group looked all too familiar. Each of them had a red plum blossom robe fluttering in the air.
“Why are those guys here?!”
Boom!
Just as Hyeon Baek shouted in surprise, a loud explosion erupted from behind the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists.
The hill they jumped down from was about three zhang (approximately 9 meters) high, but for martial artists who had trained in martial arts, this height was nothing. They could land easily.
Swoosh!
Mu Hwi, the moment he landed, unleashed his Dark Scent Flutter and flew diagonally toward the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists, slashing left and right with his Plum Blossom Sword without mercy.
With a single swing, Mu Hwi cut down four enemies. The moment he landed, he knelt down, lowering his stance.
He then extended his sword in a wide arc, cutting through the ankles of the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists within range.
“Argh!”
“My leg!”
As Mu Hwi created an opening, the Hwasan Four Flowers and the second-generation disciples began to land.
“What’s this?!”
“The plum blossoms on their sleeves! They’re the second-generation disciples of Hwasan!”
The second-generation disciples’ spectacular entrance immediately drew the attention of the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists in the rear.
“Kill them all!”
At Mu Hwi’s fierce shout, the second-generation disciples simultaneously charged at the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists.
Clang!
A sudden slash from a blade.
Mu Hwi’s massive Plum Blossom Sword Energy shattered three incoming blades in one swift motion.
Having successfully layered five folds of sword energy onto his Plum Blossom Sword, Mu Hwi began to display an overwhelming destructive force.
“Cough!”
“Gah!”
The Janryonghoe Sect martial artists, unable to withstand even two exchanges with the relentless swings of the massive Plum Blossom Sword Energy, began to vomit blood.
Screams!
In the midst of this, five Janryonghoe Sect martial artists simultaneously sprayed blood and collapsed forward.
“The Plum Blossom Sword… Something’s clinging to my feet!”
Mu Hwi retracted his Plum Blossom Sword faster than he had thrust it, then unleashed another burst of red sword energy.
It was common for enemies to fall before they could even react.
If Mu Hwi was like a massive boulder crushing his opponents, then Mu-hwa, who wielded the Plum Blossom Sword with swift strikes, was like a whirlwind.
Swoosh!
Between Mu-hwa and Mu Hwi, Mujin was steadfastly thrusting his sword. The Plum Blossom Sword energy rippled along with his thrusts.
Though he couldn’t create the overwhelming Plum Blossom Sword energy that Mu Hwi could, Mujin’s precise control of the sword energy flowing through his blade was exceptional even among the second-generation disciples.
While Mu Hwi and Mu-hwa each showcased their unique styles, Mujin displayed the orthodox martial arts of the Hwasan Sect.
Following the clean trajectories Mujin drew, the Plum Blossom Sword energy surged, cutting and tearing through the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists.
Even though he was simply executing the Plum Blossom Sword techniques, Mujin’s presence was no less than that of Mu Hwi and Mu-hwa.
“Now! Musan ! Muryun! Flank them from the left and right!”
“Yes! Senior Disciple Mujin!”
Following Mujin’s command, the other disciples began to widen the gap he had created.
There were a total of twenty-four second-generation disciples present.
Mu Hwi had organized them into four groups, centered around the Hwasan Four Flowers.
With Mu Hwi and the Hwasan Four Flowers leading the charge at the forefront, each group moved organically, widening the path and pushing forward.
Though the second-generation disciples didn’t form a sword formation, they shared movements and coordination, crushing the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists.
[Mu-hwa, fall back. Your group is getting too far ahead.]
Despite the chaotic battlefield filled with numerous martial artists, Mu Hwi accurately sent a sound transmission to Mu-hwa.
Meanwhile, Mu Hwi’s eyes constantly flickered as he surveyed the battlefield.
Proving that the praise he received from the Hwahon Sect Leader for his swordsmanship was no exaggeration, Mu Hwi kept track of all the second-generation disciples’ situations.
Thud!
Yet, Mu Hwi’s sword never lost its sharpness, and no one could block his steps.
The second-generation disciples, spreading out in four directions, looked like a black plum blossom blooming from above.
“Haah, hah. Senior Hyeon Baek. Are those really the second-generation disciples fighting back there?”
“How are the junior disciples fighting so well?”
The martial artists of the Small Hwasan Manor, who were fighting alongside the first-generation disciples, asked while gasping for breath.
Thanks to the second-generation disciples striking the Janryonghoe Sect from behind, the first-generation disciples and the Small Hwasan Manor martial artists at the frontlines finally caught a breather.
Under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t have had the leisure to ask such questions.
“Those kids are indeed the second-generation disciples of Hwasan.”
Hyeon Baek answered with a proud smile before cutting down another Janryonghoe Sect martial artist.
‘The frontlines are holding.’
Mu Hwi confirmed that the first-generation disciples and the Small Hwasan Manor martial artists were holding their ground stubbornly, then turned his attention back to the second-generation disciples.
The second-generation disciples, following Mu Hwi’s command, slowed their advance after securing their positions.
The goal of this battle wasn’t to annihilate the Janryonghoe Sect but to increase the second-generation disciples’ real combat experience.
Reducing the enemy’s numbers was something Mu Hwi could handle alone.
“Senior Disciple Muho!”
“I know!”
At Musan’s warning, Muho, who had just cut down a Janryonghoe Sect martial artist, quickly moved aside.
A sword energy passed through the spot where Muho had been standing just moments ago.
“These brats are just dodging!”
“Shut up! You damn heretic!”
Musan shouted irritably as he leaped into action.
The second-generation disciples, who had already experienced real combat at the Six Harmonies Sword Assembly, were skillfully engaging in life-and-death battles, while those in their first real battle were quickly adapting with the help of their Senior Disciples.
‘They’re all fighting well enough.’
As Mu Hwi observed his disciples, his sword slashed in a crescent shape, piercing through three chests in an instant.
“Gah!”
The Janryonghoe Sect martial artists looked down at the blood spurting from their chests with hollow eyes before collapsing.
Mu Hwi read all the movements of the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists, picking out those who posed a threat to his disciples and killing them in advance.
“How many has that madman killed alone?!”
Around Mu Hwi, the blood spurting from his enemies showed no sign of stopping.
With the Plum Blossom Sword Energy swirling around him, the area around Mu Hwi was dyed red.
Swoosh!
As Mu Hwi’s Plum Blossom Sword twisted, the gathered Plum Blossom Sword Energy began to spread again.
“The Sword Devil… The Hwasan Sword Devil!”
Even though they had just seen him for the first time, the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists began to recognize Mu Hwi as the Hwasan Sword Devil.
But that didn’t mean the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists were easily intimidated.
“You brat!”
“Die!”
Driven by malice, the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists shouted all sorts of curses as they swung their swords at Mu Hwi.
Four sword energy flew at him in succession, while a crescent-shaped blade energy came from the side.
The desperate attacks of the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists were easily silenced by the dense Plum Blossom Sword energy falling like a wall.
Swoosh!
“There’s no one worth fighting here. How boring.”
Having read the movements of the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists, Mu Hwi’s sword unleashed a cold, white sword light.
The surging Plum Blossom Sword Energy poured down on the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists, following the slashes of the Plum Blossom Sword.
Cold Plum, Clear and Lofty.
Whoosh!
The chaotic and fierce sword wind was accompanied by the Plum Blossom Sword Energy. The eyes of the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists trembled as they watched.
“Damn it…”
The Janryonghoe Sect martial artists’ movements froze under the ‘Cold Plum, Clear and Lofty’ technique, which was like a blizzard.
Slash!
The uniforms of the Janryonghoe Sect were torn apart, and blood flowers bloomed from within.
The Janryonghoe Sect martial artists, who had been frozen in place, collapsed, blood spurting from their entire bodies.
Splat!
Mu Hwi stepped forcefully into the pool of blood that had formed on the ground, causing the blood to splash onto the hem of his robe.
“Is that guy really a junior disciple of the orthodox sects?”
“He’s more ruthless than us!”
Mu Hwi, reading the fearful gazes of the Janryonghoe Sect martial artists, raised his sword again.
“Well, you came all the way to Shaanxi to cause this mess. Since you made me come all the way here, you should die.”
The Hwasan Sword Devil’s blade began to turn red with blood once more.
***
“Greetings, Elders.”
After defeating the Janryonghoe Sect, Mu Hwi bowed respectfully, and the second-generation disciples behind him followed suit.
“Given the urgency of the situation, the Sect Leader must have sent you.”
Hyeon Baek and the other first-generation disciples looked at the junior disciples with pride.
Though many of the disciples were injured, none had serious wounds, and they all stood with composure.
‘As I felt during the Jonghwa Ceremony, I can no longer treat them as mere children.’
The junior disciples had each become a martial artist in their own right. Hyeon Baek realized that the time to simply regard them as junior disciples had already passed.
Moreover, with their terrifying rate of improvement in martial arts, it seemed that even the first-generation disciples would have to focus more on their training to avoid being embarrassed.
‘With Mu Hwi here, I can rest easy.’
Though not widely known in the martial arts world, the elders of Hwasan were well aware that Mu Hwi had single-handedly defeated Huang Jin-jun.
The fact that the junior disciples had ventured into the martial arts world as a group today was largely due to Mu Hwi’s influence.
“The junior disciples are better than us.”
“The Hwasan Four Flowers live up to their reputation, but even the other junior disciples are at such a high level, haha!”
“I heard they performed admirably at the Six Harmonies Sword Assembly. They’re reliable. The Janryonghoe Sect and the Guyu Sect are nothing…”
The martial artists of the Small Hwasan Manor looked proudly at the junior disciples standing in formation.
‘Hehe, did we fight well for our first time?’
‘The cut on my thigh doesn’t hurt anymore.’
The junior disciples, hearing the praise from the Small Hwasan Manor martial artists, tried to act indifferent, but the corners of their mouths twitched.
The morale of the Small Hwasan Manor martial artists rose as they witnessed the junior disciples’ skills, which far exceeded expectations.
“The ones we fought just now seemed to be mere low-level martial artists.”
At Mu Hwi’s words, Hyeon Baek nodded.
“From the looks of it, these guys were just a vanguard sent to scout the situation. The main force is still slowly moving in.”
The main forces of the Janryonghoe Sect and the Guyu Sect were advancing from the north and west, respectively, toward Small Hwasan.
The primary goal of the two sects seemed to be to burn down the Small Hwasan Manor and take control of Small Hwasan.
“Senior Disciple Hyeon Baek, let’s discuss the details back at the Small Hwasan Manor.”
At Hyeon Su’s words, Hyeon Baek nodded.
After organizing the battlefield, the martial artists immediately headed back to Small Hwasan Manor. As Mu Hwi entered Small Hwasan Manor, he noticed the flags fluttering everywhere and raised the corner of his mouth.
“I see some familiar names.”
At the foot of Small Hwasan, flags of affiliate sects that had come to support Small Hwasan were hung.
Among them were the flags of the Hwahon Sect and the Seonhwa Sect, which they had encountered before.
< Those kids are the Hwasan Sect’s second-generation disciples. > End
< You had a decent plan, but it’s a shame, isn’t it? >
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