Hwasan Sect’s Genius Swordsman Chapter 84

Chapter 84

Mu Hwi took a deep breath.

As he did so, the scent of tea wafting from the Yellow Crane Tower tickled his nose even more distinctly.

“Really…”

Mu Hwi, trailing off, looked up at the sky to check the position of the sun.

Even though the sun hadn’t set yet, it was unlikely that the late-stage foundation level disciples, full of vigor, would refrain from drinking just because of the time.

Mu Hwi, savoring the moment, stepped into the Yellow Crane Tower.

Inside the Yellow Crane Tower, as expected, there were only teapots, teacups, and various snacks on the tables.

‘As expected…’

The interior, decorated in a classical style, had tables arranged in a circle, likely borrowed from nearby inns.

Thanks to this, despite the considerable number of people, the late-stage foundation level disciples could easily see each other and converse.

Confirming the absence of alcohol, Mu Hwi frowned and quickly averted his eyes from the table.

“That’s someone from Hwasan Sect, but I haven’t seen him before.”

“Could it be Mu Hwi, who was said to arrive late due to circumstances?”

“Indeed, as the rumors say, there’s a glow on his face.”

“Huh? Miss Mok, what did you just say…”

The late-stage foundation level disciples glanced at Mu Hwi as he climbed the stairs and whispered among themselves.

Normally, they would have approached him to talk, but Mu Hwi’s expression was subtly twisted, making it difficult for them to approach him easily.

As he reached this floor, Mujin, who had been chatting with other late-stage foundation level disciples over tea, immediately noticed him.

“Senior Disciple! You’ve arrived.”

As Mujin stood up and approached, Mu Hwi straightened his furrowed brows and nodded.

Mu Hwi, finding it strange that Mujin was alone, looked around. Mujin was the only Hwasan Sect disciple on this floor.

“Where are the others?”

“The other disciples are scattered across each floor.”

“Hmm.”

Meanwhile, Jeun Bi-ryeong and Kwon Woon, who had been chatting with Mujin, joined the conversation.

“Mu Hwi, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Kwon Woon.”

Kwon Woon looked at Mu Hwi with sparkling eyes and clasped his hands together. Mu Hwi responded with a fist salute.

“Why don’t you go up to the fifth floor? Disciple Peng has been eagerly waiting for the news of your arrival.”

“Hmm. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Mu Hwi continued up the stairs. On each floor, he saw a few late-stage foundation level disciples he recognized.

“Senior Disciple.”

“Disciple Mu Hwi! You’ve arrived. Thanks to your advice last time, I’ve achieved a breakthrough. Please watch over me in this Heavenly Dragon Competition.”

On the third floor, Mu-cheol and Namgung Gak were discussing heavy swords. There were also many late-stage foundation level disciples he had met at the Righteous Path Grand Assembly.

“It’s been a while since we last met, Disciple Mu Hwi.”

“I’ve been hearing rumors about you, Disciple Mu Hwi. You’re truly impressive.”

The late-stage foundation level disciples eagerly tried to engage Mu Hwi in conversation.

Mu Hwi exchanged light greetings with them and ascended to the fourth floor.

‘This is different from what I expected.’

In gatherings like this, where many people come together to bond, it’s common for the groups to be divided by status.

Having sensed the energy of the late-stage foundation level disciples spread across the five floors of the Yellow Crane Tower, Mu Hwi had assumed they would be separated by floor.

For example, the upper floors are for prestigious sects like the Nine Sects and the Three Great Families, and the lower floors are for smaller sects. That’s how it usually goes.

Usually, such gatherings are organized by renowned sects to showcase their influence, so such divisions are common.

But it seemed that on each floor, the late-stage foundation level disciples were evenly mixed regardless of their sect’s prestige or reputation.

“Long time no see.”

As he reached the fourth floor, Baekri Sang greeted him as if he knew him.

Baekri Sang had changed since he last saw him at Hwasan.

His long hair was loosely tied back, and instead of the Baekri Family’s martial attire, he wore a somewhat loose yellow martial robe, looking more carefree than before.

“Your appearance has changed a lot.”

“I’m trying to change my sword as well. Just wandering around, I realized how vast the martial arts world is.”

It seemed Baekri Sang was trying to break free from his restraints and find his own path.

He hadn’t found his path yet, but since his direction wasn’t wrong, his current wandering wasn’t in vain.

“Disciple Mu Hwi. Thank you for coming.”

While inquiring about Baekri Sang’s recent activities, Zhuge Myung approached with a smile.

“Disciple Thunderbolt Dragon is waiting for you on the upper floor. If it’s alright, could you go up and show your face?”

“I’ll do that.”

Mu Hwi thought that since he was here, he might as well meet the man who organized this gathering, the Thunderbolt Dragon.

The fifth floor of the Yellow Crane Tower.

The top floor of the Yellow Crane Tower was no different from the others, with various late-stage foundation level disciples drinking tea and chatting.

“Disciple Mu Hwi!”

“Disciple Mu Hwi. It’s good to see you like this.”

As he reached the fifth floor, he heard voices calling him without fail. Turning his head, he saw Xian Zhu and Woo Tae-gang in that direction.

Mu Hwi waved lightly but couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

It was strange to realize that on each floor, there were late-stage foundation level disciples with whom he had built relationships.

‘Did I really build so many connections?’

In his past life, he had never formed such diverse relationships, so the current situation felt slightly awkward.

Just today, how many times had he exchanged greetings?

It was an experience he had never had in his past life.

“Are you two acquainted?”

Mu Hwi looked back and forth between Xian Zhu and Woo Tae-gang, who seemed quite friendly and asked.

“No. I just met Disciple Woo here today. We became friends quickly while talking about you.”

“We have the commonality of having lost to Disciple Mu Hwi.”

Mu Hwi, looking at Xian Zhu and Woo Tae-gang, raised the corner of his mouth.

“You two haven’t been idle either. You’ve become much stronger than before.”

At Mu Hwi’s praise, the two were pleased but also showed an eager look, as if they wanted to spar.

Mu Hwi lightly pressed their shoulders.

“Have fun among yourselves.”

As Mu Hwi turned his back, he saw a large man who had been quietly waiting for the conversation to end.

The man boasted a stature that was no less than Mu-cheol or Woo Tae-gang.

The red martial robe he wore was embroidered with a tiger so full of vitality that it seemed ready to roar at any moment.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Peng Ho-yeon of the Hebei Peng Family.”

Peng Ho-yeon. The young master of the Hebei Peng Family, also known as the Thunderbolt Dragon.

“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Mu Hwi of the Hwasan Sect.”

The gazes of the two men clashed in the air.

Peng Ho-yeon’s tiger-like eyes shone with intense light, but Mu Hwi simply stared back with emotionless eyes.

‘I can’t sense anything.’

Facing Mu Hwi’s gaze, Peng Ho-yeon forced a bitter smile.

It felt like facing a master far above his level, not a peer.

He couldn’t feel any pressure or intense energy, but precisely because he felt nothing, the gap between him and Mu Hwi felt even more significant.

‘Is he on a completely different level?’

Having heard rumors about Mu Hwi, Peng Ho-yeon had thought to test his skills, even if informally, but he quickly dismissed the idea.

His competitive spirit was boiling, but it wasn’t fitting for today’s gathering.

‘There will be plenty of opportunities to challenge him to a duel later.’

Peng Ho-yeon, his thick lips twitching slightly, guided Mu Hwi to an empty seat.

As Mu Hwi took his seat, Peng Ho-yeon sat beside him and personally filled his teacup.

“Have you heard about the Small Righteous Assembly?”

“Isn’t it just a gathering to bond?”

“If it were just for bonding, a common name like Yongbong Meeting would have sufficed.”

Shaking his head, Peng Ho-yeon added.

“Lately, the Seven Evil Heaven and the Paewangseong have been running rampant. So, the elders of the orthodox sect decided to form the Martial Alliance. In such a situation, can we, the younger generation, just sit still?”

In summary, Peng Ho-yeon’s lengthy explanation was that the martial arts world was in chaos, so the late-stage foundation level disciples had gathered to establish the righteous principles of the orthodox sect.

“Hmm… It seems better to stay quiet than to cause trouble with excessive chivalry.”

“Cough, cough!”

Peng Ho-yeon, caught off guard by Mu Hwi’s unexpected response, coughed as if he had choked on his tea.

Seeing the large man hunch over and try to suppress his cough, Mu Hwi felt a pang of pity and lightly patted his back.

“Ahem. Thank you. Then, Disciple Mu Hwi, what do you think the Small Righteous Assembly should do in the future?”

“What else? Just train and build up your martial skills as usual. What else is important for late-stage foundation level disciples besides training?”

Peng Ho-yeon, who had been lost in thought with his arms crossed, nodded.

“Zhuge Myung said something similar. Indeed, no matter what we try to do, it’s useless without sufficient martial skills…”

Watching Peng Ho-yeon ponder deeply, Mu Hwi chewed on some snacks.

It seemed like their youthful energy was driving them, but it was a good sign that the orthodox sect’s late-stage foundation level disciples were pursuing chivalry and uniting on their own.

‘Compared to the young ones of the unorthodox sect, this is much more pleasing to the eye.’

In his past life, the late-stage foundation level disciples of the unorthodox sect were always eager to stab each other in the back.

“Well, do your best.”

As Mu Hwi spoke, Peng Ho-yeon, who had been deep in thought, subtly closed the distance and said.

“Disciple Mu Hwi. How about leading the Small Righteous Assembly yourself? To keep us from straying?”

At the sudden proposal, Mu Hwi frowned openly and noisily chewed his snacks.

“What are you talking about all of a sudden? Didn’t you organize this gathering?”

“Haha. That’s a misunderstanding. The Small Righteous Assembly is a gathering of late-stage foundation level disciples who have come together to confirm their shared intentions. And I am merely representing them temporarily. Being one of the Six Dragons, after all.”

“That’s right. Peng Ho-yeon is, strictly speaking, a temporary chairman. But for the Small Righteous Assembly to function properly, we need to formally elect a chairman.”

As Peng Ho-yeon and Mu Hwi conversed, Zhuge Myung, who had come up to the fifth floor, joined the conversation.

Not just Zhuge Myung. The late-stage foundation level disciples who had been scattered across the floors, engaging in discussions, had all gathered on the top floor of the Yellow Crane Tower.

Thus, the fifth floor of the Yellow Crane Tower, which had seemed sparse at first, was now bustling, making it difficult to move around easily.

The late-stage foundation level disciples of the Small Righteous Assembly, gathered in one place, were all looking at Mu Hwi.

“The unorthodox sect is holding a Competition called the Touya Festival, gathering their late-stage foundation level disciples. We can’t just sit idly by.”

As Namgung Gak spoke, the other late-stage foundation level disciples nodded.

“If a war breaks out, we must step forward.”

“The unorthodox sect doesn’t discriminate by age or gender, so we must strengthen ourselves. Only then can we uphold chivalry.”

Following this, Baekri Sang, who had been quietly observing, spoke.

“It seems the Red Demon Dragon has become the focal point for the unorthodox sect. Don’t we need such a figure too? There are Six Dragons here, but in front of you, they are all the same.”

Baekri Sang lavished praise on Mu Hwi, but Mu Hwi’s indifferent expression didn’t change.

Zhuge Myung then sent a sound transmission to Mu Hwi.

[Being the chairman doesn’t mean you have to do much. I’ll handle all the troublesome tasks, so don’t worry. Just being the focal point of the orthodox sect’s late-stage foundation level disciples is enough.]

“Hmm.”

If it were just a meaningless social gathering, Mu Hwi would have flipped the table and left immediately.

But since it wasn’t, Mu Hwi sat and pondered.

Glancing at his fellow disciples, it seemed they wanted Mu Hwi to take on the role of chairman.

‘Seeing the mix of prestigious and smaller sects, it seems this Small Righteous Assembly will grow significantly. Having a Hwasan Sect disciple as chairman wouldn’t be bad for our reputation.’

Mu Hwi made his decision.

“If it doesn’t interfere with my actions, I’ll take on the role of chairman for now.”

***

Mu Hwi was appointed as the first chairman of the Small Righteous Assembly. The decision of the chairman also marked the beginning of the Small Righteous Assembly.

The late-stage foundation level disciples of the Small Righteous Assembly, gathered on the fifth floor of the Yellow Crane Tower, each held a cup filled not with tea but with wine.

Among them, Mu Hwi stood alone on the table, holding a wine cup. Mu Hwi looked down at the late-stage foundation level disciples densely packed around him and spoke.

“The beginning and end of the Small Righteous Assembly is chivalry. The moment something else interferes, I will personally destroy the Small Righteous Assembly.”

Though it sounded harsh, the late-stage foundation level disciples simply smiled warmly.

Looking at the smiling late-stage foundation level disciples, Mu Hwi raised his left hand holding the wine cup.

As Mu Hwi pressed his thumb against his finger, blood welled up as if cut by a blade and dripped into the wine cup.

Then, the other late-stage foundation level disciples gathered around also added a bit of their blood to their wine cups in their own ways.

Confirming that everyone’s wine cups had a tinge of red, Mu Hwi raised his cup.

“Let us not forget why we gathered here today.”

As Mu Hwi drank the wine with a serious expression, the late-stage foundation level disciples of the Small Righteous Assembly responded.

“Chivalry Unforgotten!”

Clink!

Thus, all the late-stage foundation level disciples drank the wine mixed with blood and threw their cups to the ground, shattering them to show they had drunk every last drop.

“Haha!”

“Now it begins!”

The late-stage foundation level disciples laughed as they looked at each other.

With the establishment of the Small Righteous Assembly complete, Zhuge Myung brought out the prepared wine and snacks, starting a banquet.

The atmosphere, lifted by the successful establishment of the Small Righteous Assembly, made the late-stage foundation level disciples enjoy the moment, laughing among themselves.

At that moment, Mu Hwi stood alone by the railing of the Yellow Crane Tower, watching the Yangtze River’s waves dyed by the sunset.

On the pillar of the Yellow Crane Tower where Mu Hwi stood, there were characters carved as if by a sword. The carving, done with high skill, remained clear despite the passage of time.

“An old friend bids farewell to the Yellow Crane Tower in the west,

In the third month of spring, he descends to Yangzhou.

A lone sail’s distant shadow vanishes into the blue sky,

Only the Yangtze River flows to the horizon.”

It was a poem said to have been carved by a martial artist named Li Bai, known as the Poet Immortal to commoners and the Clear Lotus Scholar to martial artists.

Zhuge Myung said that Li Bai had written this bitter poem to console himself over parting with a friend he had met by chance.

“Regret…”

Mu Hwi didn’t know if the poem was that great, but seeing the verses and the scenery of the Yellow Crane Tower, he couldn’t help but think of Hyeon Jo.

“Hyeon Jo, isn’t it really funny? In my past life, you were the only friend I had, but now people are rushing from all sides to ask me to be their chairman.”

Though it was just a soliloquy, strangely, Mu Hwi felt like he was conversing with Hyeon Jo while watching the sunset over the Yangtze.

Seeing Li Bai’s poem and the scenery of the Yangtze in succession, Mu Hwi’s heartfelt unusually stirred today.

“The sunset really stretches far.”

Lost in thoughts of Hyeon Jo, Mu Hwi recalled the Purple Sunset Heart Method.

While creating the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Technique, he also gained new insights into the true meaning of Six Harmonies. With this, his mastery of the Purple Sunset Heart Method had also risen to the seventh star.

‘It feels like I can see a path.’

The higher his mastery, the more he thought he could spread the current Purple Sunset Heart Method a bit wider and brighter.

The Taixu of the Taixu Wuling Xinfa Technique.

Was there a way to utilize this insight of the vast void?

The current Purple Sunset Heart Method was excellent, but he didn’t consider it to have reached its peak.

Especially after experiencing the Yang positive skill shown by the Sword Immortal, this thought grew stronger.

The deeper his contemplation of the Purple Sunset Heart Method, the more Mu Hwi’s eyes, watching the Yangtze’s waves, turned the color of the sunset.

< Isn’t it really funny? > End

< Do I need to draw a thicker line on your cheek to make you come to your senses? >