Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 68

Chapter 68

A new training ground had been built in the Hwasan Sect, primarily for the training of the second-generation disciples.

With the support of the Cheonryu Merchant Group, Mu Hwi had created a training ground to his liking.

At the four corners of the training ground, sparring platforms had been installed, and their design was unique.

The platforms were densely packed with iron stakes, each varying in shape, length, width, and angle.

The second-generation disciples, standing on these platforms, were sparring in pairs.

They were not allowed to step on the platform’s surface and had to move across the stakes while displaying their martial skills.

Unlike flat ground where one could firmly plant their feet, maintaining even a single stance was difficult here. The disciples had to exert great effort just to avoid swaying, let alone extend their swords.

“Ugh!”

Musan, trying to dodge a sword strike from the left, stumbled.

The end of the stake he stepped on was slanted, as if designed to make him slip

“Die!”

Seeing an opening in Musan’s side, Muho’s eyes gleamed as he shouted and thrust his sword fiercely.

But Musan was no pushover. Swinging his Plum Blossom Sword, he struck the side of a stake, causing the blade to bend as if it might break.

Thud!

At that moment, Musan released the tension in his wrist, and the sword snapped back to its original form, the recoil lifting his body into the air.

Musan had perfectly mastered the technique Mu Hwi often used to manipulate his body with the Plum Blossom Sword.

Flipping his body in mid-air, Musan extended his legs and executed the Chuying Tui (Autumn Hero Kick).

Thud!

Using the recoil from the kick to create distance, Musan checked the surrounding stakes and landed lightly.

“Whew.”

On this sparring platform, one couldn’t let their guard down for even a moment.

Properly executing a stance required not only the right shift in weight but also constant awareness of the stakes’ shapes and positions, all while maintaining full focus on martial techniques.

This was no ordinary task.

Delivering a complete sword strike under adverse conditions, dividing attention, and executing full-body martial techniques required situational judgment, adaptability, and concentration.

This was the main reason Mu Hwi had created this sparring platform.

“Hmm…”

Mu Hwi, observing his disciples’ sparring, moved inward. The new training ground was built against a cliff, and in the middle of the cliff was a waterfall.

Whoosh!

The Hwasan Sect called this waterfall the Falling Plum Sword Waterfall because the plum trees above it scattered petals along with the waterfall’s flow.

The waterfall was quite large, and the pool beneath it was also sizable. In the center of the pool was a large, flat rock.

The rock was big enough for five people to stand in a row, likely a rugged boulder that had been gradually worn down by the waterfall over the years.

The disciples called this rock the Yongso Rock.

Splash!

Five disciples standing on the Yongso Rock were executing the Plum Blossom Sword Technique against the powerful waterfall.

The pressure from the waterfall was strong, and even disciples with well-trained internal and external energy couldn’t maintain their stances perfectly while cutting through the water.

‘Their stances seem stable, but the speed of their sword strikes is still dull.’

Muryun, swinging his sword alongside the disciples, winced as the cold waterfall splashed against his face. He continued to swing his sword relentlessly.

No matter how many times he struck, the waterfall kept flowing powerfully. Muryun glanced down.

In the deep pool beneath the Yongso Rock, three people were also swinging their swords underwater.

They were the Hwasan Four Flowers, excluding Mu Hwi.

Having mastered the ability to execute sword techniques under the waterfall, they had moved on to practicing underwater.

‘Still a long way to go.’

Mu Hwi, watching the disciples in the water, crossed his arms.

Swinging a sword against the waterfall and doing so underwater were worlds apart.

From breathing to every movement, everything is different underwater.

However, feeling the water flow with each sword movement allowed them to sense their own actions in detail, as if observing themselves from another’s perspective.

If they could execute the Plum Blossom Sword Technique underwater as effortlessly as on land, it would signify significant growth.

“Senior Disciple!”

Mu Hwi, watching the disciples training by the waterfall and pool, turned at the call from behind.

“The Sect Leader is looking for you.”

Mu Hwi stopped overseeing the disciples’ training and headed straight to the Upper Palace.

Entering the Upper Palace, Baek Yu, as always, was personally brewing plum tea for Mu Hwi.

“You called for me, Sect Leader?”

“Come in.”

Baek Yu warmly welcomed Mu Hwi. He filled Mu Hwi’s teacup and took a leisurely sip.

Mu Hwi also sipped the plum tea. The two enjoyed the tea in silence, only speaking after emptying their cups.

“We’ve held meetings with the elders and first-generation disciples for three days. You’ve been unanimously recommended as the next Sect Leader candidate from the second-generation.”

Originally, the Hwasan Sect would select multiple candidates for the sect leader position and hold a competition, but this time, Mu Hwi was overwhelmingly favored.

All the elders and first-generation disciples recommended Mu Hwi. Even Hyeon Baek, Mujin’s master, mentioned Mu Hwi.

There was no need for a competition.

“What are your thoughts?”

Baek Yu asked Mu Hwi, feeling a strange emotion himself. He recalled the conversation he had with Mu Hwi alone in the Scripture Pavilion.

– I only wish to continue what my master wanted to do and fill the void he left.

Now, Mu Hwi wasn’t just filling a void but leading the Hwasan Sect from the ground up.

The second-generation disciples, centered around Mu Hwi, were more united than any other group. If Mu Hwi becomes the Sect Leader, he would shine even brighter.

“I want to make the Hwasan Sect the greatest sword sect in the world. To do that, I need to be more than just a Senior Disciple; I need to become the Sect Leader.”

“The greatest sword sect in the world… That’s a dream the Hwasan Sect’s past leaders had but never achieved.”

Baek Yu recalled his own answer when he was selected as a Sect Leader candidate in his youth.

– I will uphold the reputation and traditions of our predecessors and prove to the martial arts world that the Hwasan Sect is the greatest.

Looking back, he realized he had been quite ambitious in his youth. Over time, that vigor and ambition had mostly faded.

Baek Yu nodded as he looked into Mu Hwi’s calm eyes.

‘I believe you can truly do it. You will usher in a new golden age for Hwasan.’

Having confirmed Mu Hwi’s intentions, Baek Yu straightened his posture and spoke.

“Sit in the lotus position. I will impart the formula of the Jahahonil (Purple Mist Unity) technique.”

At Baek Yu’s words, Mu Hwi’s eyes sparkled.

“Jahahonil.”

Baek Yu began to impart the formula of the Jahahonil technique, having soundproofed the Upper Palace to prevent any noise from leaking.

Mu Hwi closed his eyes and immersed himself in the formula of the Jahahonil technique.

Purple mist began to gather in Mu Hwi’s dantian.

***

All the disciples of the Hwasan Sect had gathered at the Jade Maiden Pool in front of the main hall.

From the elders to the third-generation disciples, everyone’s attire was different from usual.

Instead of their usual training robes, they wore ornate ceremonial robes.

Centered around the platform in front of the Jade Maiden Pool, the elders, first-generation, second-generation, and third-generation disciples lined up, creating a path leading to the Jade Maiden Pool.

Boom!

Accompanied by the sound of drums, Mu Hwi appeared on the path created by the disciples. He wore the same training robes as usual, but with one difference.

On the sleeves of Mu Hwi’s robes, instead of the two plum blossoms symbolizing a second-generation disciple, there were four plum blossoms.

In the Hwasan Sect, only elders or Sect Leader candidates could have four plum blossoms embroidered on their sleeves.

Boom! Boom!

As the drums continued, Mu Hwi walked toward the Jade Maiden Pool. With each step, the four plum blossoms on his sleeves fluttered, asserting their presence.

Mu Hwi, with four plum blossoms on each sleeve, knelt before Baek Yu, who was waiting in front of the platform.

Baek Yu spoke in a solemn voice.

“The Sect Leader is a protector. They protect the traditions, the disciples, and Hwasan. Lastly, they must protect themselves, which is why four plum blossoms bloom on the Sect Leader’s sleeves.”

“I will protect them all with my sword.”

At Mu Hwi’s firm response, Baek Yu nodded, and Baek Chun brought a jade box.

Baek Yu opened the box and presented it to Mu Hwi.

“This is the Jasodan.”

Though inferior to the Jahadan, the Hwasan Sect’s supreme elixir, the Jasodan was still one of the most renowned elixirs in the martial arts world.

The Jasodan was given to promising disciples or Sect Leader candidates within the sect. Consuming the Jasodan was the final part of the ceremony.

“Consume it here.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Mu Hwi sat in the lotus position and immediately swallowed the Jasodan.

Amid the pungent medicinal aroma, a plum-like fragrance spread through his mouth.

The hot yet refreshing energy of the Jasodan began to spread through his meridians, reaching every part of his body.

As Mu Hwi began circulating his energy, all the disciples gathered at the Jade Maiden Pool quietly moved.

The elders, including Baek Yu, formed a tight protective formation around Mu Hwi, followed by the first-generation, second-generation, and third-generation disciples forming additional layers around them.

All the disciples of the Hwasan Sect had formed a protective formation around Mu Hwi, guarding him as he circulated his energy.

Even while circulating his energy, Mu Hwi could feel this.

‘The first duty of a Sect Leader is to be protected.’

Mu Hwi was being protected by those he would one day protect.

Even Hwasan seemed to respect Mu Hwi’s energy circulation, as the wind that had been blowing suddenly stopped.

‘Is this what it means to protect?’

Mu Hwi slowly retracted the energy he had extended outward.

He felt warmth and stability he had never experienced in any of his past lives while circulating energy, so he saw no need to extend his energy to remain vigilant.

Mu Hwi focused entirely on storing the effects of the Jasodan in his dantian.

At this moment, Mu Hwi felt wholly connected to Hwasan.

***

“The Sword Devil has become the Hwasan Sect Leader candidate.”

Mu Hwi muttered as he poured wine at Hyeon Jo’s grave.

It had been a while since he last visited, and the plum tree saplings he had planted around Hyeon Jo’s grave had grown sturdy.

“I’ve mastered the Jahahonil technique that you never could. The creation of a new sword technique is progressing smoothly, and I’m swamped with work, yet here you are, lying comfortably.”

Mu Hwi gently touched Hyeon Jo’s grave and gripped his Plum Blossom Sword.

“I’ll show you.”

Whoosh!

Mu Hwi’s Plum Blossom Sword emitted a soft hum as it began to sway up and down.

The sword technique Mu Hwi slowly executed was something entirely new, not part of any existing Hwasan Sect sword techniques.

A still incomplete technique in the process of creation.

Mu Hwi was showing it to Hyeon Jo.

As he began to circulate his internal energy, Plum Blossom Sword energy started to scatter along with the sword.

But instead of the previous red and white energy, a dazzling purple energy shone.

Following the sword’s trajectory, a purple hue began to paint the air.

Though it was still early for sunset, a small purple sunset was falling over the cliff of Nak-an Peak.

Thanks to the Jasodan’s effects, Mu Hwi had achieved the second level of the Jahahonil technique the moment he stored the elixir’s energy.

A richer, more elegant plum blossom fragrance filled the air around Mu Hwi.

The tip of the Plum Blossom Sword trembled endlessly, drawing complex lines in the air.

The lines seemed alive, full of vitality, and turned into petals and stamens floating in the air.

Soon, a single plum blossom bloomed in the air.

The plum blossom, with its dazzling purple hue reminiscent of a sunset, was faintly surrounded by red and white light.

“You only wanted to revive the Hwasan Sect. But I want to go further and make it the greatest sword sect in the world.”

As Mu Hwi drew a graceful arc with his sword, the arc became a branch, and purple plum blossoms began to bloom at its tip.

“Watch from here. I will make purple plum blossoms bloom across the martial arts world.”

***

The Hwasan Sect’s gates were bustling.

Martial artists from all over the martial arts world were gathering for the Righteous Path Grand Assembly being held at the Hwasan Sect.

The second-generation disciples were stationed around the gates, guiding the guests entering the Hwasan Sect.

“It’s Shaolin!”

“The Shaolin Abbot, Master Gong Hyeon!”

The martial artists gathered at Hwasan focused their attention on the Shaolin Abbot, Gong Hyeon, who was leading the Four Great Guardians up the mountain.

“Welcome. A junior greets the Shaolin Abbot.”

Gong Hyeon nodded as he saw the junior disciple bowing respectfully toward him.

Just from the disciple’s posture and gaze, Gong Hyeon could tell this was no ordinary junior.

Naturally, Gong Hyeon showed interest in the junior who had greeted him.

“Amitabha, who is the junior?”

“I am Mu Hwi, the Hwasan Sect’s sect leader candidate.”

< Amitabha, who is the junior? > End

< Who taught them? This much is expected. >