Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 79

Chapter 79

The clean black martial robe and the red plum blossoms blooming modestly on its sleeves.

Every time the plum blossoms on the sleeves swayed, the red tassels tied to the Plum Blossom Sword also fluttered.

The second-generation disciples walked with their backs straight and shoulders squared, exuding a dignified presence that drew the attention of onlookers.

“It’s the Hwasan Sect!”

“I heard that the disciples of the Hwasan Sect embroider plum blossoms on their sleeves, and it’s true.”

The common folk watched the Hwasan Sect disciples passing through the market as if they were seeing immortals, their eyes filled with awe.

The Hwasan Sect disciples, led by Baek Yu, had crossed Shaanxi and entered Hubei to participate in the Martial Alliance’s founding ceremony.

The common folk of Hubei, who rarely had the chance to see the Hwasan Sect, couldn’t take their eyes off the disciples.

“Did you hear the news? The Hwasan Sect destroyed the Ma Chan Bang on their way here. The Lin Feng Escort Agency witnessed it and asked for their help.”

“Those bandits? The ones no one in the area could touch? As expected, the disciples of Hwasan are different.”

The Ma Chan Bang was a group of mounted bandits who extorted money from escort agencies and merchant groups passing through the area.

Though their name was known, their base was hidden, and their superior mobility on horseback allowed them to run rampant in the region.

“According to Lin Feng, they tracked down their base and wiped them out completely. And it was done by just their young disciples. It’s astonishing.”

“The same base that even the Jeongho Sect and Seonpung Sect couldn’t find? As expected of a renowned sect. How did they find it?”

“I don’t know either. I’ll have to buy them a drink and ask later.”

The common folk looked at the Hwasan Sect disciples with gratitude and admiration, as the young disciples had rid them of a major threat.

Thanks to the Hwasan Sect, a great worry had been lifted.

The common folk’s eyes sparkled with admiration, and even the Hwasan Sect disciples, who were walking straight ahead, could vaguely sense their gazes.

Mu-hwa, who had been eagerly listening to the whispers of the common folk, smiled contentedly.

“Haha. This is why we do chivalrous deeds.”

“Right. All that dust we swallowed while chasing after those bandits was worth it.”

Musang struggled to suppress his twitching lips as he heard the common folk talking about them.

“First bandits, now mounted bandits. Next, we’ll be dealing with water bandits, won’t we?”

“Come on, Senior Disciple. That’s unlikely.”

At Musan’s muttering, Muho shook his head with a slightly worried expression.

“I feel like all that external training we’ve been doing is paying off. No matter how much we run around, we don’t get tired easily.”

“Right. Those bandits were terrified in the end.”

From the moment they left Hwasan and crossed into Hubei, Mu Hwi had ordered them to destroy every bandit stronghold along the way.

Just like when they had ventured into the martial arts world before, Mu Hwi sent the inexperienced disciples to face the bandits, using it as a training opportunity.

In the process, they eradicated every bandit stronghold along the Hwasan Sect’s route.

The second-generation disciples of the Hwasan Sect proved their stable growth by defeating numerous bandit groups without a single injury.

As the disciples gained experience and spread the Hwasan Sect’s reputation, even the elders, including Baek Yu, were pleased and left the matter to Mu Hwi.

“Senior Disciple, should we quiet them down?”

As the common folk continued to praise them, the disciples began to smile and exchange small whispers among themselves.

Mujin, who had been constantly nagging the disciples about their conduct since they left Hwasan, immediately reacted when he heard the voices behind them.

The disciples near Mujin quickly shut their mouths and pretended to be busy.

“It’s the first time we’ve heard such varied reactions from the common folk up close, so let it be. We’ll be entering the inn soon anyway.”

“Yes, Senior Disciple.”

The disciples, who had been listening to Mu Hwi and Mujin’s conversation, silently sighed in relief.

The Hwasan Sect group headed to the inn that the advance party had secured.

Since they had rented the entire inn, it was quiet inside, but there were others waiting besides the Hwasan Sect disciples.

“Sect Leader, it’s been a long time.”

“Please understand our sudden visit.”

The Songwen Ancient Sword at their waists and the Taiji symbol embroidered on their white robes.

Seeing the elders of the Wudang Sect, Baek Yu’s eyes crinkled with a smile.

“It’s good to see the elders here.”

Baek Yu smiled at Wudang Sect elders Unhyeon and Yun Bai, then guided them to a table in the inn.

Meanwhile, Hyeon Baek, who had arrived earlier to secure the inn, carefully poured tea into the elders’ cups.

“Drinking tea makes me feel like we’ve truly entered Hubei.”

“Haha, indeed.”

After taking a sip of tea, Baek Yu looked at the Wudang Sect elders and asked, “What brings you two here?”

“The Sect Leader sent us.”

“The Wudang Sect Leader? Has something happened?”

Baek Yu’s eyebrows raised slightly, and Unhyeon waved his hand lightly with a smile.

“Our sect is also preparing to depart for the Martial Alliance soon. The Sect Leader sent us to ask if the two sects could travel together.”

Baek Yu stroked his beard with a bright expression.

“Oh. That’s not a bad idea. It would be especially good for the young disciples to get to know each other…”

“Yes. In particular, Xian Yun is looking forward to meeting the Hwasan Sect disciples.”

“Xian Yun… The Soaring Cloud Hidden Dragon. You mean that child.”

Baek Yu nodded, recalling the Wudang Sect’s Six Dragons.

Meeting and interacting with the Six Dragons, who were at the pinnacle of the younger generation, would be a great stimulus for the second-generation disciples.

Traveling together would provide many opportunities for sparring and conversation during breaks, making it a valuable experience for the disciples.

“We have no reason to refuse. Let’s do that.”

“Yes, Sect Leader. We’ll guide you to the meeting point.”

“Good.”

As Baek Yu and Unhyeon smiled at each other, Yun Bai, who had been listening, spoke up.

“Sect Leader, there’s one more thing.”

“What is it?”

Yun Bai lowered his voice slightly. “Grandmaster You Yi wishes to see Mu Hwi of the Hwasan Sect.”

At the mention of the title, Baek Yu was momentarily speechless.

You Yi (遊溢).

The title of the Sword Immortal (劍仙).

The Sword Immortal, said to be over a hundred years old, still stood as the martial arts world’s greatest master, even as many of his contemporaries had returned to the earth.

However, though he hadn’t officially retired, the Sword Immortal hadn’t appeared in the martial arts world for over twenty years.

For such a figure to suddenly ask to see Mu Hwi, it was no wonder Baek Yu was surprised.

“Do you know the reason?”

“The Sect Leader also doesn’t know the details. However, Grandmaster You Yi mentioned that Mu Hwi has a connection with the Wudang Sect.”

After a moment of thought, Baek Yu nodded.

“Hmm… We’ll leave it to Mu Hwi’s decision.”

Yun Bai also bowed his head.

“Thank you, Sect Leader. We’ll ensure it doesn’t interfere with the founding ceremony.”

“Please do.”

***

Jun County, Hubei Province.

As Mu Hwi arrived in Jun County, his eyes fell on the towering peak that seemed to pierce the sky.

Though it was a massive mountain like Hwasan, its appearance was entirely different.

If Hwasan’s sharp peaks resembled swords thrust into the ground, the mountain before him had rounded, graceful peaks shrouded in white clouds and mist, resembling a giant incense burner.

Yun Bai, who had been watching Mu Hwi take in the sight of Mount Wudang, casually spoke up.

“Is this your first time seeing Mount Wudang?”

“Yes. It truly lives up to its reputation as one of the Five Great Mountains.”

“Hwasan’s sharp peaks are impressive, but Mount Wudang’s graceful peaks have their own charm.”

Unlike Unhyeon, who had stayed at the inn with the Hwasan Sect group, Yun Bai was guiding Mu Hwi to Mount Wudang.

Yun Bai couldn’t help but admire Mu Hwi’s demeanor.

‘His breathing is calm, and there’s not a hint of disturbance.’

To avoid any delays that might cause them to miss the Martial Alliance’s founding ceremony, Yun Bai didn’t dawdle.

Once Mu Hwi agreed to visit Mount Wudang, Yun Bai hurried them to Jun County.

They had used their leg to reach Mount Wudang, but Mu Hwi showed no signs of fatigue.

‘And there’s the Dark Scent Flutter.’

At first, Yun Bai had tried to match Mu Hwi’s speed, but he soon realized it wasn’t necessary.

Though Yun Bai was slightly faster, Mu Hwi maintained a steady pace, never falling too far behind.

Seeing Mu Hwi’s lightness prowess, Yun Bai was repeatedly astonished.

‘To have single-handedly defeated the Jeonjin mysterious swordsman, his sword skills must be extraordinary. But to have such mastery in lightness as well… This child is truly astonishing.’

Even the Wudang Sect’s Soaring Cloud Hidden Dragon, considered the future of the sect, paled in comparison.

As they arrived at the base of Mount Wudang, Yun Bai casually asked Mu Hwi, “Young Hero Mu Hwi, do you still have energy left?”

“Of course.”

“Then how about we use lightness to ascend Mount Wudang? That Dark Scent Flutter of yours—I’d like to see more of it. In return, I’ll use the Floating Cloud Leap Steps to climb.”

Mu Hwi nodded at Yun Bai’s suggestion.

During their journey to Mount Wudang, they had exchanged a few words, and the topic had often turned to body techniques.

From Mu Hwi’s perspective, Yun Bai seemed deeply interested in body techniques.

Naturally, he was curious about the Hwasan Sect’s new technique, the Dark Scent Flutter.

The Floating Cloud Leap Steps was also a renowned lightness technique of the Wudang Sect, so observing it wouldn’t hurt.

“Then let’s match our pace as we ascend.”

“Let’s do that.”

Yun Bai and Mu Hwi simultaneously stepped forward. The two masters adjusted their pace and breathing as they ascended.

As Yun Bai’s foot lightly touched the edge of a rock, his body slowly rose.

Stepping on tree branches and extending forward, his movements were serene yet swift.

It was like watching a cloud drift slowly across the sky, only to disappear in the blink of an eye.

The movements seemed fascinating to Mu Hwi.

‘It’s like he’s shifting his center of gravity in real-time. It’s more intricate than I thought.’

Though the movements appeared slow and heavy, the overall speed was astonishingly fast.

While Mu Hwi observed the Floating Cloud Leap Steps, Yun Bai didn’t miss a single moment of Mu Hwi’s Dark Scent Flutter.

Mu Hwi’s movements as he ascended Mount Wudang were as natural as flowing water. It was like watching a river follow its course.

No matter what obstacles—trees or rocks—blocked his path, Mu Hwi effortlessly passed them with a flick of his foot.

‘No. Even a river would stop if completely blocked. But his movements…’

It felt as if he could extend in any direction. Not like a river, but something else.

As Yun Bai’s brow furrowed, the plum blossoms fluttering on Mu Hwi’s sleeves caught his eye.

‘Plum blossoms, Dark Scent Flutter. I see.’

Yun Bai realized that Mu Hwi’s movements were inspired by the plum blossom fragrance that permeated Hwasan.

‘A new martial art has emerged to support the Hwasan Sect.’

Though the Hwasan Sect had techniques like the Phantom Mirage Steps and the Five Elements Plum Blossom Steps, they hadn’t achieved the fame of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

Yun Bai had considered the Floating Cloud Leap Steps superior to the Phantom Mirage Steps and the Five Elements Plum Blossom Steps.

But now, seeing Mu Hwi’s Dark Scent Flutter, he couldn’t confidently say the Floating Cloud Leap Steps was superior.

‘The Wudang Sect must also strive harder.’

Having witnessed the Hwasan Sect’s progress firsthand, Yun Bai’s eyes filled with determination.

“Ah, we’ve arrived already.”

Before they knew it, the two masters had reached the Wudang Sect’s gate.

Mu Hwi’s eyes were drawn not to the gate itself, but to the pine tree beside it.

A pine tree so thick that even two grown men stretching their arms couldn’t encircle it.

Tied to its branches were numerous ribbons, and occasionally, weapons were also tied there.

“The Sword Unbinding Ground.”

“Yes, this is the Wudang Sect’s Sword Unbinding Ground.”

The Sword Unbinding Ground (解劍地).

A place where martial artists of the martial arts world showed respect to the Wudang Sect by leaving their weapons.

They would tie their weapons to the ribbons on the pine tree before entering the Wudang Sect, and the disciples would guard the weapons.

Occasionally, some refused to unbind their swords, choosing instead to challenge the Sword Unbinding Ground to test the Wudang Sect’s martial arts.

Those who challenged the Sword Unbinding Ground would immediately face the renowned Wudang Seven Swords.

As Mu Hwi stared at the Sword Unbinding Ground, the Wudang Sect disciples guarding the gate approached him.

“Young Hero, may we ask you to unbind your sword?”

Mu Hwi, who had been gazing at the Sword Unbinding Ground, turned to the disciple and declared firmly, “I will challenge the Sword Unbinding Ground.”

At Mu Hwi’s words, the Wudang Sect disciples guarding the gate widened their eyes in surprise.

Yun Bai, who had been listening nearby, looked at Mu Hwi with an intrigued expression.

< I will challenge the Sword Unbinding Ground. > End

< I will admit defeat. >