Chapter 88
The Thousand Weight Iron Fist (天中鐵拳) of the Iron Mountain Fist King.
A martial art imbued with the conviction to pierce the very center of the heavens with a single fist.
Because of this, rather than relying on varied techniques or quick punches, it focuses on condensing the full strength of the body into a single fist.
The hallmark of the Thousand Weight Iron Fist is unleashing that power in a single, devastating strike.
The explosive power of a single moment was so immense that it was rare to find a martial art in the entire martial arts world that could rival it.
Feeling the danger from the Iron Plum Sword Technique, Woo Tae-gang instinctively drew out his full strength and unleashed his best fist strike.
As he recalled the subtleties of the Thousand Weight Iron Fist he had honed over the years, he felt a sense of clarity the moment he threw the punch.
Yet.
‘It didn’t break.’
Woo Tae-gang stared at the massive Iron Plum bloomed by Mu-cheol with eyes swirling with fighting spirit.
Unlike the plum blossoms bloomed by other Hwasan Sect disciples, it wasn’t dazzling or flashy.
It simply remained calm, like a serene lake.
When Woo Tae-gang looked at his reddened fist, the Iron Plum bloomed by Mu-cheol lost its strength and scattered like bubbles.
Through the scattering petals, the two men could see each other again, but neither moved.
The sword energy of the Plum Blossom Sword, which had always been aimed at Mu-cheol’s eye level, was just above the ground, and Woo Tae-gang’s fist was trembling ever so slightly.
As their eyes met, the two men realized that neither had lost their will to fight.
A moment later, as Woo Tae-gang’s lips moved, Mu-cheol spoke first.
“I admit defeat.”
When Mu-cheol conceded, the referee raised Woo Tae-gang’s hand in victory.
Mu-cheol slowly sheathed his Plum Blossom Sword.
Though he wished he could continue fighting all day, even if he gritted his teeth and poured out all his strength, he would only be able to swing his sword a couple more times.
Rather than stubbornly refusing to admit defeat and pushing himself too hard, he thought it more important to sit cross-legged and try to remember the sensation of the Iron Plum he had just bloomed.
‘It felt like I momentarily surpassed something.’
A fleeting sensation, as if he had momentarily stepped beyond his current realm.
‘The Senior Disciple was right. The direction I’m heading isn’t wrong. I just need to forge my own path.’
While other Hwasan Sect disciples walked the path paved by their predecessors, Mu-cheol was carving out his own path.
Countless doubts and confusions always tempted him like demons, but Mu-cheol moved forward silently and stubbornly.
In the end, Mu-cheol was able to confirm it.
A single Iron Plum blooming in the middle of the path he had forged.
Having confirmed this milestone, Mu-cheol’s steps would undoubtedly become faster.
As Mu-cheol returned to the Hwasan Sect’s tent, Woo Tae-gang went to find his master, the Iron Mountain Fist King, Ma Yeon-ho, who had been watching the match from the VIP seats.
“Master.”
“You won.”
At Ma Yeon-ho’s response, Woo Tae-gang remained silent.
Ma Yeon-ho, who had been sitting and lifting a large iron block with one hand, put it down when he saw his disciple.
Woo Tae-gang looked at the rough, pulsating muscles of Ma Yeon-ho and spoke.
“Originally, I was going to admit defeat. I couldn’t break the plum blossom bloomed by Mu-cheol. Not with my current fist.”
As Ma Yeon-ho crossed his arms, the muscles in his arms swelled threateningly.
“Mu-cheol was a step below you. Normally, you would have won easily. But Mu-cheol momentarily surpassed his own limits and displayed a sword technique beyond his level. The result was that plum blossom.”
“Do you mean it was a moment of luck?”
“It’s not entirely uncommon in the martial arts world for one’s realm to rise in moments of crisis. Mu-cheol hasn’t fully ascended yet, but he’ll get there soon. He’ll remember that feeling.”
Ma Yeon-ho, who had been speaking while looking at the sparring platform, turned his head.
“And that arm. Is it broken?”
Ma Yeon-ho’s eyes were fixed on Woo Tae-gang’s right arm, which had struck the Iron Plum Sword Technique.
“The bone is cracked. The moment I struck the plum blossom, the petals rippled slightly and released a counterforce. It wasn’t just solid.”
“As expected, an interesting junior. Fascinating.”
Ma Yeon-ho’s final words weren’t directed at the Iron Plum Sword Technique or Mu-cheol.
His gaze was fixed on Mu Hwi.
The Hwasan Four Flowers had made a leap in growth as if a decade had passed since their encounter at the Hwahon sect.
While the Hwasan Four Flowers were undoubtedly talented, it seemed that the presence of an exceptional master had shone even brighter.
Of course, Mu Hwi’s own achievements were also astonishing.
The pinnacle of transcendence.
In this place, only the Alliance Leader and himself could accurately gauge Mu Hwi’s martial prowess.
‘Is a new Sword Saint being born in Hwasan?’
Throughout the generations, the swordsmen of the Hwasan Sect who were called Sword Saints had all reached at least the Transcendent Realm.
The moment Mu Hwi reached the Transcendent Realm, a new Hwasan Sword Saint would be born.
‘And his teaching ability is exceptional too. In a few years, the Hwasan Sect will return to its golden age.’
Originally, Mu-cheol would have barely lasted thirty exchanges against Woo Tae-gang.
Seeing how Mu Hwi had drawn out Mu-cheol’s potential, Ma Yeon-ho couldn’t help but marvel.
‘That new sword technique of Mu-cheol’s. Did that junior create it too?’
Recalling Mu Hwi naming the new martial art Plum Blossom Scattering Technique, Ma Yeon-ho chuckled.
“Master. I plan to withdraw from the next match.”
“Good idea. Focus on healing your bones first. For now, you should focus on lower body training.”
“Yes. That’s what I was thinking. I need to work on my thighs.”
Woo Tae-gang muttered as he touched his thick, log-like thighs.
The master and disciple soon fell into a deep discussion about muscles.
As the main competition of the Heavenly Dragon Competition progressed, countless late-stage foundation level disciples appeared to showcase their martial prowess.
But the martial arts world was vast, and there were many experts.
It was common for those who confidently challenged to lose to unknown, nameless late-stage foundation level disciples.
And after countless matches, four late-stage foundation level disciples remained in the Heavenly Dragon Competition.
Seong Hwi of the South Sea Breaking Sword.
Xian Zhu of the Golden River Sword.
Mujin of the Tranquil Blossom Sword (靜華劍).
Mu-hwa of the Tempest Plum Sword (狂風梅劍).
The Martial Alliance Leader, Kang Ho-baek, stood up and looked at the four late-stage foundation level disciples standing in the center of the grand plaza, a smile tugging at his lips.
“I was surprised by the level of the late-stage foundation level disciples in this Heavenly Dragon Competition. There wasn’t a single dull moment watching the matches.”
Everyone who had watched the Heavenly Dragon Competition agreed with Kang Ho-baek’s words.
“The lineup of the surviving late-stage foundation level disciples is also surprising. I thought two of them would be from the Six Dragons.”
“Who would have thought that two of them would be defeated by Hwasan Sect disciples?”
Mujin had defeated the Thunderbolt Dragon, and Mu-hwa had taken down the Soaring Cloud Dragon. The Cloud River Sword Dragon had lost to the Golden River Sword.
All of the original Six Dragons had been defeated.
This was something no one had expected in the Heavenly Dragon Competition.
Mu Hwi, however, simply scoffed at the astonished spectators.
Mujin had faced the Thunderbolt Dragon of the Peng Family from Hebei and calmly displayed the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.
Unlike Mujin, who held his ground with composure, Mu-hwa utilized her expertise in movement techniques.
Mu-hwa and the Soaring Cloud Dragon clashed, using the Dark Scent Flutter and the Soaring Cloud Technique respectively, darting around the platform in a chaotic dance.
Thanks to this, the countless martial artists gathered at the Heavenly Dragon Competition had the Dark Scent Flutter, Hwasan Sect’s new martial art, etched into their minds.
“Among the Hwasan Four Flowers, the Tranquil Blossom Sword has the most serene and Taoist-like aura. It’s a well-chosen title.”
“What about the Tempest Plum Sword? If we’re just talking about footwork, the Tempest Plum Sword is probably the best among the late-stage foundation level disciples.”
“To have two Hwasan Sect disciples in the final four, surpassing other prestigious sects.”
“I thought the only famous late-stage foundation level disciple from Hwasan was the Hwasan Sword Devil.”
“But why didn’t the Hwasan Sword Devil participate?”
The VIP seats weren’t much different from the spectator seats in terms of atmosphere.
Baek Yu was being bombarded by the renowned martial artists and Sect Leaders around him.
“It seems Hwasan and Jongnam have fully recovered from the Shaanxi Bloodshed wounds. Congratulations.”
“With these new late-stage foundation level disciples surviving, the true meaning of the Heavenly Dragon Competition has been realized.”
“No, Sect Leader. How did you train your disciples so well? Give us some tips.”
Baek Yu, though embarrassed, couldn’t hide his smile.
“Hahaha!”
While the spectator and VIP seats were abuzz, Kang Ho-baek’s voice clearly carried across the grand plaza.
“The semifinals and finals of the Heavenly Dragon Competition will be held three days from now. Use that time to bring your condition to its peak and study your opponents’ techniques to secure victory.”
Kang Ho-baek turned his gaze from the late-stage foundation level disciples to the spectators and continued.
“The finals of the Heavenly Dragon Competition will be followed immediately by the Heavenly Martial Competition, so I hope the spectators will take note. Today’s schedule ends here.”
Though everyone dispersed from the grand plaza, the excitement didn’t fade easily.
Those who had been in the grand plaza scattered throughout the Martial Alliance, using the Heavenly Dragon Competition as an excuse to hold late-night drinking parties.
“What? The Heavenly Martial Competition?”
“Is that so strange?”
At Mu Hwi’s relaxed tone, Xian Zhu widened her eyes and retorted.
“The Heavenly Martial Competition will only bring out formidable experts.”
“But playing around with late-stage foundation level disciples isn’t very fun.”
Having fought alongside Mu Hwi, Xian Zhu immediately understood.
Xian Zhu thought that if Mu Hwi had participated in the Heavenly Dragon Competition, he would have undoubtedly won.
“I know you’re amazing, brother Mu Hwi, but still, be careful.”
“Sure.”
Mu Hwi and Xian Zhu walked side by side through the streets of the Martial Alliance, just as they had in the past.
The two were constantly talking, though Xian Zhu did most of the talking, and Mu Hwi only responded occasionally.
Still, Xian Zhu seemed happy and kept talking, and Mu Hwi occasionally smiled.
“So I cut his head off right away.”
“The Red Death Wolf? That heretic must have been really careless.”
“He probably didn’t expect a peerless beauty like me to be so strong in martial arts, right?”
“……”
When Mu Hwi didn’t respond, Xian Zhu tugged at his sleeve as if urging him to answer.
But even then, Mu Hwi pretended not to notice, and Xian Zhu smiled a chilling smile, her emotions completely gone.
“Why did you suddenly go quiet?”
Xian Zhu frowned slightly and lowered her gaze, and Mu Hwi wondered if she had looked like this when she beheaded the Red Death Wolf.
Just as Mu Hwi was about to open his mouth, Seong Hwi appeared in front of them.
“It’s good that you’re together. Saves me the trouble of looking for you separately.”
“South Sea Breaking Sword?”
Xian Zhu let go of Mu Hwi’s sleeve and looked at Seong Hwi.
Her gaze wasn’t friendly. She was clearly annoyed that her time had been interrupted.
Regardless, Seong Hwi continued.
“Today, I defeated a Kunlun disciple. Now, only Hwasan and Jongnam remain. Once I defeat you two, my journey through the Nine Sects will be complete.”
Seong Hwi spoke while looking at Xian Zhu.
“I hope you make it to the finals. It’s too much trouble to go to Jongnam Sect separately.”
“Hmph!”
Xian Zhu scoffed, but Seong Hwi ignored her and looked at Mu Hwi.
“Hwasan Sword Devil. Why didn’t you participate in the Heavenly Dragon Competition? Were you scared?”
Mu Hwi looked at Seong Hwi for a moment, then smiled.
“Do I need a reason to participate in the Heavenly Dragon Competition? I’m participating in the Heavenly Martial Competition.”
“What? The Heavenly Martial Competition…”
At Mu Hwi’s provocative expression and tone, Seong Hwi’s mood darkened.
“Do you know why the Heavenly Dragon Competition and the Heavenly Martial Competition are separate? It’s because there’s a difference in level.”
A vein popped on Seong Hwi’s forehead.
“Difference in level? I have the martial prowess to participate in the Heavenly Martial Competition.”
This wasn’t Seong Hwi’s bravado; even Mu Hwi acknowledged it.
Mu Hwi had predicted Seong Hwi would win the Heavenly Dragon Competition.
But Mu Hwi’s smile didn’t fade.
“Then? Why didn’t you participate? It’s obvious. You weren’t confident in winning.”
Seong Hwi clenched his teeth and clenched his fists.
“Now you get it. I’m participating in the Heavenly Martial Competition because I’m confident in winning.”
“Winning?”
Seong Hwi, who hadn’t even known Mu Hwi was participating in the Heavenly Martial Competition, was now hearing Mu Hwi talk about winning, leaving him speechless.
Mu Hwi chuckled and walked past Seong Hwi.
“Are you going to challenge me? I’m looking forward to it.”
Mu Hwi lightly patted Seong Hwi’s shoulder. As he walked away, Seong Hwi was momentarily stunned.
How had Mu Hwi patted his shoulder? There was no way he would have allowed it.
“How?”
But Seong Hwi hadn’t noticed Mu Hwi’s hand until it touched his shoulder.
Seong Hwi stared blankly in the direction Mu Hwi had disappeared.
< Are you going to challenge me? I’m looking forward to it. > End
< The Martial Alliance should also show proper respect. >
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