The paths leading up Bongwon Mountain were teeming with martial artists, and even the rugged, pathless areas were no exception. Those skilled in light-footed techniques leapt effortlessly, scaling the mountain with ease.

It was like watching a swarm of ants converge on a morsel at the peak.

Observing the mountain’s terrain and the throngs of people, Mu-hui quickly changed direction, opting for a steeper, less crowded ascent.

Despite Mu-hui’s decision, his disciples followed without a hint of hesitation. Some even smiled.

“This is barely a hill,” Mu-hui muttered.

Mu-jin chuckled at his remark. “Compared to Hwasan, this is a child’s stroll.”

“I could climb this with my eyes closed,” another disciple, Mu-hwa, chimed in.

“Keep your eyes open, Mu-hwa,” Mu-jin lightly scolded, catching Mu-hwa’s playful squint.

No matter how treacherous Bongwon Mountain seemed, it was nothing compared to Hwasan, where a single misstep could mean a fatal fall. The Plum Blossom Swordsmen, with their graceful movements, easily overtook those ahead, soaring up the mountain.

“What the—?”

“How can they move so fast on this terrain?”

As branches quivered, several Plum Blossom Swordsmen darted through the trees, their movements a blur. Even Dokgo Yul, using his unique footwork, kept pace with them effortlessly.

“Unbelievable!”

Seeing mere juniors surpass them with such agility, the other martial artists were both shocked and spurred to push their inner strength further.

Despite their efforts, the martial artists could only watch as the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, their robes fluttering like plum blossoms, sped ahead.

Perhaps feeling anxious at the sight of the Swordsmen’s swift advance, one of the middle-aged martial artists suddenly turned and hurled hidden weapons at them.

“Stay back!”

The weapons fanned out in a wide arc, but Mu-hui merely waved his hand, disrupting the air and sending the projectiles off course.

Ting!

As the weapons clattered to the ground, Mu-hui flicked his fingers, causing some of them to curve back towards their thrower.

“Argh!”

Caught off guard, the middle-aged man was struck by his own weapons and tumbled down the mountain.

Watching this, Mu-hui addressed his disciples. “Listen well. If attacked, respond decisively. There’s no need to hold back.”

Once inside the cave, things would get intense. There was no point in wasting energy trying to subdue attackers without lethal force.

While most martial artists avoided killing, Mu-hui taught his disciples the ruthless efficiency of the unorthodox sects.

“Yes, senior brother!”

“Understood, senior brother!”

Starting with Mu-cheol’s firm response, the disciples echoed their agreement. Mu-hui’s senses, honed to a transcendent level, spread across the entire mountain.

‘That way.’

Sensing a convergence of energy, Mu-hui led the Plum Blossom Swordsmen westward.

Clang!

Boom!

Chaos reigned at the cave entrance.

Martial artists clashed fiercely, a tangled mass of bodies and weapons.

In front of the massive cave entrance, debris from a shattered stone gate lay scattered.

But something was amiss.

The entrance was blocked by warriors from the Overlord’s Fortress, yet instead of breaking through, the martial artists surrounded the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, launching a coordinated attack.

“Hyun-gak! Watch above!”

“I know!”

Despite the chaos, the first-generation disciples, led by Hyun-baek, held their ground, protecting each other’s backs.

The ground around the Swordsmen was soaked with blood, though thankfully not theirs. They cut down the frenzied attackers without a scratch.

Though surrounded, the first-generation disciples were pushing back the martial artists. It was the attackers who grew anxious.

“Who dares to raise a sword against the Plum Blossom Swordsmen?”

Mu-hui’s voice, imbued with profound inner strength, rang out like a bell, halting the martial artists in their tracks.

“Ugh!”

Some clutched their chests, faces flushed, as if their insides had been shaken.

All eyes turned towards the source of the voice.

The martial artists were skeptical. The voice, resonant and powerful, suggested an elder of great skill. Yet, before them stood a young man, barely more than a junior.

‘Did that boy just project such inner strength?’

‘It’s the rumored Sword Demon of Hwasan! Has he consumed all of Hwasan’s elixirs? What kind of inner strength…’

‘A monster.’

Mu-hui didn’t bother drawing his sword.

Humming with energy, he activated his inner power, a violet aura enveloping his shoulders, casting a serene glow.

The majestic and overwhelming presence caused the surrounding vegetation to tremble.

His eyes, glowing with a violet light, seemed to absorb all surrounding light, exuding an unmatched presence.

The aura of his inner power, combined with his sharp intent, pressed down on the martial artists.

As Mu-hui took a step forward, the martial artists flinched.

The mysterious yet oppressive atmosphere left them unable to impede his progress.

The commanding presence of his inner power forced them back, and his piercing gaze made them retreat further.

No one dared to block his path or even speak to him, fearing they might be torn apart.

‘It’s like having a sword at my throat.’

‘He is a blade incarnate.’

The martial artists instinctively heeded the warning their instincts screamed at them.

As Mu-hui walked, the crowd parted silently, the path widening with each step.

The second-generation disciples, watching Mu-hui’s back, were filled with awe.

They had expected a fierce battle to break through the encirclement, not this effortless approach to their seniors.

The disciples’ eyes shone with admiration as they watched Mu-hui, cloaked in his violet aura.

‘As expected of our senior brother.’

Mu-cheol, bringing up the rear, nodded to himself and glanced back.

The path Mu-hui had carved remained open, the martial artists too intimidated to move, only daring to turn their heads.

“Are you all right, seniors?”

Mu-hui reached the first-generation disciples without drawing his sword, breaking through the encirclement.

“Plum Blossom Master!”

With outsiders present, Hyun-baek addressed Mu-hui formally, calling him the Plum Blossom Master.

The martial artists, watching in silence, etched the titles Plum Blossom Master and Plum Blossom Swordsmen into their minds.

“What happened here?”

“The Overlord’s Fortress said they’d open the entrance if we were killed first.”

Hyun-baek glared at the Overlord’s Fortress guards as he spoke, and the second-generation disciples’ expressions turned cold.

The Overlord’s Fortress aimed to eliminate the bothersome Hwasan disciples without shedding their own blood, while also reducing the number of competitors entering the cave.

“Did they play along, knowing they were being used?”

Dokgo Yul clicked his tongue, looking at the gathered martial artists.

“They’re blinded by the cave, not knowing what’s at the end.”

Mu-hui spoke as he walked towards the cave entrance, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen naturally following him.

Led by the Plum Blossom Master, the Swordsmen strode confidently through the martial artists.

The cave entrance was guarded by two elders and a group of warriors from the Overlord’s Fortress.

The overwhelming presence of Mu-hui’s inner power left the guards unable to even think of reaching for their weapons.

“Stop!”

Only the elders, drawing on their inner strength, managed to speak. Yet Mu-hui ignored them, continuing his approach.

With ten paces remaining between him and the elders, Mu-hui asked as he walked.

“Old men, did you wag your tongues carelessly?”

“Elder Cheon!”

“I’ll go first!”

Sensing Mu-hui’s killing intent, the elders moved to act first.

As the elders leaned forward, Mu-hui naturally grasped his sword hilt.

The moment they saw him reach for his sword, their vision was obscured by a violet hue.

‘What?’

‘Gah!’

In an instant, Mu-hui drew his sword with a speed the elders couldn’t perceive.

As he did, a distorted semicircle appeared in the air.

He infused the opening move of the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique with the ferocity of the Iron Plum Sword Technique, unleashing it in a single, fluid motion.

The elders barely had time to react. Their instincts, honed over years of martial arts mastery, sensed the danger, but all they could do was flinch. By then, it was too late—their bodies were already being cleaved by the wide arc of the sword strike.

Even if they had managed to defend themselves, the outcome would have been the same.

In a single move, Mu Hui had dispatched two elders of the Overlord Fortress. The martial artists of the fortress were still trying to comprehend what had just happened, blinking in disbelief.

Thud!

As the heads and torsos of the elders hit the ground, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen sprang into action. Mu Hui had already given them their orders through a silent transmission as he walked.

The moment the elders fell, they were to break through the entrance.

The Plum Blossom Swordsmen seized the opportunity, drawing their swords with a sharp, collective sound, as the Overlord Fortress warriors stood momentarily stunned.

“Get a grip, everyone!”

“Stop them!”

Even as the blood of the elders sprayed into the air, the leaders of the fortress’s forces shouted commands.

But the Plum Blossom Swordsmen had already slipped through the breach, disappearing into the darkness of the passage. Watching them vanish, Mu Hui turned to the remaining warriors of the fortress with a smirk.

“Do your best to stop us. Good luck.”

Mu Hui deliberately spared the fortress warriors. The sheer number of martial artists gathered at Bongwon Mountain was a significant variable, regardless of their skill level.

The Overlord Fortress had stationed two of its forces at the entrance for a reason.

Mu Hui intended to let them fulfill their duty.

With a mocking remark, Mu Hui vanished into the passage, leaving the fortress warriors hesitant to pursue.

“Now’s our chance!”

“Get in there!”

The martial artists began to surge forward, trampling over the bodies of the fallen elders.

“Leader! What do we do?”

“Damn it! Just hold them off!”

As the defenders and attackers clashed, the entrance to the passage became a scene of chaos and bloodshed once more.

***

The Plum Blossom Swordsmen raced through the passage. Mu Hui led the way, listening to Hyun Baek’s report.

“So, there are already many inside the passage?”

“Yes. The elite forces of the Zanryong Society and the Odok Palace have already gone ahead, and one of the Seven Overlords has entered last. That’s why the other fortress forces are blocking the entrance.”

Two of the Seven Overlords, an elite force from the fortress, and numerous masters had already entered the passage.

According to Hyun Baek, the passage was already a battlefield. The corridor they were passing through was littered with bodies and bloodstains.

“And although I’m not certain…”

Hyun Baek trailed off, his earlier clarity faltering.

“Hyun Baek, what’s troubling you?”

“It’s chaotic, so I’m not sure, but I think I saw the Sword King.”

Mu Hui frowned at this.

“Are you talking about the Sword King of the Baekri family?”

“It could be a mistake. Why would someone of his stature come here?”

“You never know. He might still have unresolved feelings about his master.”

Mu Hui’s lips curled into a smile.

“The Sword King, huh…”

He had never faced him in his past life, and the thought intrigued him.

The Plum Blossom Swordsmen moved easily through the passage, as if the traps had already been dismantled by those who went before them.

“Ugh!”

“This is horrific.”

The first chamber they entered was a scene of utter carnage.

Over fifty bodies lay scattered, and a thick poisonous mist hung over the ground.

“Could it be that the fortress at the entrance was defeated?”

In the center of the chamber, a group unaffected by the poison awaited the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.

They were the warriors of the Seven Overlords of Yunnan and the Odok Palace.

“We were just about to deal with the stragglers and move on, but it seems the Mount Hua Sect has arrived.”

An old man in the center of the poisonous mist sneered as he noticed the plum blossoms embroidered on their robes.

Then, seeing the white robes of Mu Hui and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, he frowned.

“I’ve never seen the Mount Hua Sect wear such white robes… Who are you?”

Mu Hui sliced through the poisonous mist with a gust of sword wind and answered politely.

“We are the Plum Blossom Swordsmen of Mount Hua.”

As the violet hue shimmered on Mu Hui’s sword, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen drew their swords, each blade glinting with a similar violet aura. The old man’s expression hardened as he watched their swords turn a uniform shade of purple.

A rich fragrance of plum blossoms began to spread, pushing back the oppressive poison in the chamber.

“We are the Plum Blossom Swordsmen of Mount Hua.”

“Let me prove it to you.”