Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Chwak!

The dark blue energy unleashed by Elder Sa shattered futilely. The split energy scattered and melted into the darkness.

In that instant, Elder Sa seized the opportunity to draw his sword, aiming to slash through Mu Hwi’s chest just as he had done with his energy blade.

But the tip of Elder Sa’s sword trembled slightly.

It was due to the Plum Blossom Sword Energy that had already bloomed all around. Red and white light filled his vision from all directions, making it feel as though he was standing in a different place.

The eerie sword technique of the Plum Blossom Sword was conjuring a small peach garden centered around Elder Sa.

‘How…’

For a master of Elder Sa’s caliber, the time needed to draw his sword was no more than the blink of an eye divided five times.

Yet, he had no confidence in unleashing a dense net of sword energy like Mu Hwi, who had enveloped even his rear.

The scent of plum blossoms, which had quietly approached in the darkness, was as subtle as the movement Mu Hwi had just displayed.

Elder Sa found the current scent of plum blossoms more chilling than any blood scent he had ever encountered.

The plum blossom scent enveloped Elder Sa, followed by an endless surge of red and white petals.

The fragments of sword energy glowing in the darkness were exquisitely beautiful. Before he knew it, Elder Sa was entranced by the Plum Blossom Sword Energy.

Kakakang!

Elder Oh, who had stepped in front of Elder Sa, unleashed a series of techniques, deflecting Mu Hwi’s sword strikes.

As the Plum Blossom Sword Energy, which had been gathering in a circular form, rippled, Elder Oh shouted.

“Elder Sa!”

Snapping back to his senses, Elder Sa assisted Elder Oh.

He slashed through three sword shadows aiming for Elder Oh’s knee and shot a straight line of sword energy toward Mu Hwi’s shoulder.

Naturally, the flow of battle led Elder Sa and Elder Oh to engage Mu Hwi in a joint attack.

But the elders were instead flustered.

“Old men, shouldn’t you act your age?”

Mu Hwi’s eyes sparkled, and the corners of his mouth curled up as the elders launched their joint attack.

Sssak!

Mu Hwi’s right foot drew a semicircle as it extended forward, and the trajectory of the Plum Blossom Sword began to tangle in the air.

By the time they realized the sword strike they had missed, their arms were already torn, and blood was gushing out.

When Elder Oh’s thigh was slashed, Elder Sa quickly thrust his sword, deflecting the Plum Blossom Sword aimed at Elder Oh’s dantian and solar plexus.

Kkeong!

Barely deflecting the sword strike, Elder Sa felt the shock transmitted through the blade and twitched his beard.

Clearly, they were the ones launching a joint attack, yet it was Mu Hwi who seized the initiative and pressed forward like a storm.

Moreover, it seemed as though Mu Hwi had completely seen through Elder Sa’s Dark Metaphor Sword Technique and Elder Oh’s Windfall Sword Technique, precisely severing the flow of their techniques.

Chaeng!

Gritting his teeth, Elder Sa swept his sword downward.

Just as it seemed he was slashing diagonally from below, he suddenly surged upward, aiming six sword strikes at the knees.

Meanwhile, Mu Hwi simply flicked his sword lightly.

Strangely, Elder Sa’s techniques lost their power, and Mu Hwi flipped his body in mid-air, shooting out a crescent-shaped sword energy.

Elder Sa, who had consecutively blocked three streams of Plum Blossom Sword Energy, was pushed back, leaving a long trail on the ground.

“Ugh!.”

Even the technique he had just unleashed, the Dark Metaphor Sword Technique, lost its power in an instant after being precisely pierced twice.

‘Is this even possible?’

He knew that Hwasan Sword Devil had performed great feats at the Six Harmonies Sword Assembly and had defeated the Cloud River Sword Dragon.

Even if the Six Dragons had surpassed the level of late-stage foundation level disciples, they had not transcended the limits of time.

Yet, the monster before him was effortlessly shattering those conventional standards.

Even as masters superior to him launched a joint attack, Mu Hwi remained calm and composed, expertly reading the flow of offense and defense.

Above all, what was most incomprehensible was the heavy and profound aura carried by his sword. No matter how talented one is, this is not something that could be achieved through talent alone.

‘It’s like facing a master who has reversed aging.’

Elder Sa scolded himself for such an absurd thought and pushed away the distracting notion.

Meanwhile, dozens of sword shadows split from the tip of the Plum Blossom Sword.

The sight of the sword shadows multiplying in an instant was like watching flowers bloom all at once on a spring day.

“Haap!”

In the face of the red trajectories blooming in the air in an instant, the two elders had to unleash a shout they couldn’t even remember the last time they had used, while thrusting their swords forward.

Despite their full-powered shout, Mu Hwi deftly slipped through the gap between the two elders.

“Both of you, put in some effort. You came all the way here in the night dew, yet you’re about to die.”

A cold voice tinged with laughter.

At the tip of Mu Hwi’s sword, a cluster of plum blossoms was beginning to bloom.

The plum blossoms blooming from the sword were exquisitely beautiful, but instead of admiration, the two elders felt a chill run down their arms.

The scent began to rise.

The scent of death, often encountered on the battlefield.

***

While Mu Hwi was tying up the two elders, others were also engaged in battle.

The Black Moon Corps, who had set fire to the mountain lodge and were attempting a silent massacre using the secret techniques of the Falling Hell Sect, were met with a solid defensive formation.

The Six Harmonies Sword Formation, composed of the second-generation disciples and members of the affiliate sects, surrounded the Black Moon Corps from five directions.

Standing atop the wall, the Yeonhwa Sect Master began directing the Six Harmonies Sword Formation.

“One step, advance!”

Kung!

As the Six Harmonies Sword Formation stepped forward in unison, the Black Moon Corps in the center felt the pressure as the space around them narrowed.

Although the Black Moon Corps was considered elite even among the many Falling Hell Sect martial artists, with sword formations pressing in from five directions, their strength was naturally dispersed.

Kwaang!

Moreover, it wasn’t just the sword formation applying pressure.

The Hwasan Four Flowers, Musan, Muho, and five martial artists from the Yeonhwa Sect were penetrating into the Black Moon Corps.

“Wui Se-hyeon!”

While others were holding off the Black Moon Corps, Mujin stood before Wui Se-hyeon, who was pressing his neck with one hand.

Already soaked in blood, Wui Se-hyeon glared at Mujin with an annoyed expression.

“What do you want?”

Mujin, revealing his killing intent without reservation, looked at Wui Se-hyeon with icy eyes and brought the Plum Blossom Sword to mid-level.

“Starting with you, I will bring down the Falling Hell Sect.”

At Mujin’s low voice, Wui Se-hyeon tilted his head. Staring intently at Mujin’s eyes, Wui Se-hyeon asked.

“Judging by your expression, revenge? You’re not just a Hwasan disciple, who are you?”

“The last survivor of the Yan’an Jin Family.”

“Yan’an Jin Family?”

Yan’an, located in the northern part of Shaanxi, was also where the Falling Hell Sect’s main headquarters was located.

After a moment of staring at Mujin, Wui Se-hyeon burst into laughter.

“Ha! I’ve heard of it. There was a family in the past that foolishly held their heads high and was exterminated.”

Wui Se-hyeon looked Mujin up and down, then let out a scoff.

“So you ran to Hwasan? For revenge?”

Ignoring Wui Se-hyeon’s words, Mujin stepped forward with the Phantom Mirage Step and struck with a single sword. As Mu Hwi had seen before, Mujin’s sword carried a heavier aura than usual.

Kkeong!

Aiming to slash down the chest, it was easily blocked by Wui Se-hyeon’s sword, which was drawn in a reverse grip.

At the same time, Wui Se-hyeon rotated his body to the left, deflecting Mujin’s sword, and thrust forward with his reverse-gripped sword.

As Mujin turned his head to avoid the sword aiming for his brow, Wui Se-hyeon closed the distance, entering Mujin’s range.

Wui Se-hyeon’s sword was only two-thirds the length of the Plum Blossom Sword, so he intended to draw the battle into a range favorable to him.

Chaechaechang!

Indeed, as one of the candidates vying for the position of the Guyu Sect Young Master, Wui Se-hyeon displayed a remarkably sharp sword.

Once he gained momentum, Wui Se-hyeon maintained a narrow distance that made it difficult for Mujin to extend the Plum Blossom Sword, pressing him hard.

As Wui Se-hyeon slashed and thrust repeatedly, vertical grayish-white sword energy flew toward Mujin’s vital points.

Mujin deflected eleven consecutive sword energies, using the recoil to retreat, but Wui Se-hyeon had already positioned himself behind Mujin.

‘So many places to stab.’

As Wui Se-hyeon prepared to thrust his sword into Mujin’s broad back, a red sword light descended vertically from above.

“Hup!”

Startled, Wui Se-hyeon quickly twisted his wrist, deflecting the sword strike aimed at his crown.

“They say the Hwasan Sect sword is as sinister as the evil sects, but to strike from behind while exposing your back is something else.”

“This is Hwasan’s Six Harmonies.”

“Hmph. Just striking from behind and making it sound grand.”

As Wui Se-hyeon charged again, red and white petals fell from the Plum Blossom Sword aimed at him.

Perhaps due to his overwhelming killing intent, Mujin’s swordplay was more rigid and straightforward than usual.

The coiled Plum Blossom Sword energy swirled and poured down, and Wui Se-hyeon slashed through it, attempting to close the distance.

Kwakakak!

Countless clashes between the grayish-white sword energy and the Plum Blossom Sword Energy sent fragments of sword energy scattering in all directions.

Forty exchanges passed in an instant, and as the distance between the two men closed, sharp sword lights flashed from both sides.

Blood spurted from Mujin’s shoulder, while Wui Se-hyeon only had a thin blood line drawn on his cheek.

‘I’m one step ahead.’

Confirming his advantage from the recent exchange, a smile crept onto Wui Se-hyeon’s lips.

“Not much to see. You think you can bring down the Falling Hell Sect with just that? You don’t know your place, it seems blood really does tell.”

At Wui Se-hyeon’s sneer, Mujin exhaled a hot breath. Through the battle with Wui Se-hyeon, Mujin had come to realize.

His swordplay was more rigid than usual. His mind was adrift, consumed by killing intent and a desire for revenge.

‘That guy isn’t the end, this is just the beginning.’

The tip of the Plum Blossom Sword, which had been raised high, lowered slightly. At the same time, the killing intent that had been pouring from his entire body began to hide once more.

While dealing with the two elders, Mu Hwi, who had been occasionally glancing around, raised the corner of his mouth.

‘Good. I can’t keep giving advice forever. There comes a time when you must solve things on your own and move forward.’

The first step in martial arts is movement within stillness.

While a stable lower body is important when extending the sword, the mind that imbues the sword with will must also be calm.

These two become one, forming a deep-rooted stillness, which is the foundation of swordsmanship.

Mujin’s sword, having calmed his mind, began to come alive once more.

The rigidity in Mujin’s sword lessened, and the once straightforward swordplay began to diversify.

It became dazzling, sinister, and profound.

Mujin’s sword, which had fully embraced the Hwasan Sect sword techniques, had truly come alive.

“Hmm?”

Wui Se-hyeon’s eyes darted erratically as he received Mujin’s sword.

The once clear sword movements suddenly became difficult to follow, and the sword energy resembling petals around him moved so chaotically that it drove him mad.

“Suddenly!”

Wui Se-hyeon couldn’t finish his sentence. He had to deflect all the Plum Blossom Sword Energy falling toward him.

Noticing that his sleeve had been cut off, Wui Se-hyeon’s eyes twitched.

Wui Se-hyeon, who had been trying to close the distance throughout the fight, began to retreat for the first time.

But like plum blossom petals scattered by the wind, Plum Blossom Sword Energy was everywhere around Wui Se-hyeon, no matter where he stepped.

“Enough tricks!”

Enraged, Wui Se-hyeon shouted and unleashed a barrage of sword energy, attempting to scatter the Plum Blossom Sword Energy.

But the Plum Blossom Sword Energy only grew denser, and the scent of plum blossoms became even stronger.

At the center of the thickening plum blossom scent, a faint, still small plum blossom was beginning to bloom.

“Watch as you die. I will cover the Falling Hell Sect with plum blossoms.”

Mujin’s Plum Blossom Sword was blooming for the first time.

***

Elder Oh’s right arm flew into the air.

“Kuhuk.”

Already deeply slashed in the chest and thigh, Elder Oh now had his arm severed. With such blood loss, he was on the verge of death.

Elder Oh picked up the fallen sword with his left hand and looked at Elder Sa.

Elder Sa, bleeding from his side, nodded at Elder Oh’s intense gaze.

Elder Oh charged toward Mu Hwi, and Elder Sa closely followed. Elder Sa’s figure was obscured by Elder Oh.

‘He’s planning to sacrifice himself.’

Seeing Elder Oh’s death-defying gaze, Mu Hwi immediately understood.

Elder Oh would do whatever it takes to bind Mu Hwi, and Elder Sa would seize that moment to strike him down.

There was also a high probability that Elder Sa was planning to stab or slash both Elder Oh and Mu Hwi simultaneously.

“Hmm…”

After a moment of contemplation, Mu Hwi straightened his sword. In that instant, a blade flew toward Mu Hwi’s face.

Kaang!

Elder Oh, who had thrown his broken sword at Mu Hwi, charged forward with his remaining left arm, unleashing the Golden Snake Technique.

At the same time, he channeled all his remaining internal energy into his meridians, activating the Iron Ghost Technique, a defensive skill.

This would allow him to withstand the Plum Blossom Sword Energy for a brief moment.

‘As soon as I’m slashed, I’ll grab the sword.’

The moment the Hwasan Sword Devil’s sword was bound, Elder Sa behind him would seize the opportunity to strike.

In Elder Oh’s eyes, the Plum Blossom Sword descended diagonally. Seeing this, Elder Oh’s pupils slightly dilated.

The flow of air severed by the sword was distinctly different.

‘It’s different?’

Elder Oh’s final thought was severed along with his body. Literally, Elder Oh’s upper body was split in two by the diagonal slash.

Despite activating the Iron Ghost Technique, he was cut down too easily.

The swift and decisive sword strike was different from what Mu Hwi had shown so far.

As Elder Oh was split apart, the shocked face of Elder Sa who had been closely following behind was revealed.

Woong!

The Plum Blossom Sword, infused with the Heavenly Containment Heart Technique’s internal energy, surged upward again, tearing through the darkness diagonally.

“This is bad!”

Elder Sa hurriedly raised his sword to block, but it was futile.

The blood-red Plum Blossom Sword cleanly sliced through the sword wrapped in sword energy, and Elder Sa’s body behind it was also cleanly split.

Elder Sa, feeling the final touch of the sword, muttered.

“Middle Sword?”

With a faint voice, the light in Elder Sa’s eyes, split in two, faded.

“This should do.”

Having literally sliced the elders in one go, Mu Hwi nodded as he looked at the blood-stained sword.

It was a test, but it exceeded expectations.

The Iron Plum Sword Technique, embodying the essence of the Plum Blossom Sword.

The most crucial sword technique, the Iron Plum Sword Technique, has finally been perfected.

< Old men, shouldn’t you act your age? > End

< You should just die right now. >