No one dared to challenge him.

Even though Mu-hui was merely standing still, holding his sword, the distance between him and the others seemed to grow insurmountably vast.

It wasn’t just the aura emanating from him.

The aura was secondary; it was the sight of him, with his sword in hand and his plum blossom robe fluttering in the wind, that created an unbridgeable chasm.

Despite the significant gap in martial prowess, martial artists are inherently driven by a competitive spirit.

Normally, someone would have stepped forward to challenge him, even knowing they would lose, but no one did.

They all sensed the difference in level.

“I doubt I could even draw my sword.”

“A remarkable figure has emerged from Mount Hua.”

He was one of those who could crush the fiery spirit of martial artists, ruling over them with just his presence.

A master nearing the heavens.

In the martial world, such individuals were revered as supreme masters.

Though no one spoke, the martial artists instinctively knew: a new supreme master had appeared in the martial world.

As he watched the martial artists staring blankly at him, Mu-hui finally spoke.

“If you have no intention of challenging me, you might as well leave. Gathering here is pointless. Mount Hua will stand its ground until everyone has left.”

Mu-hui effectively prevented any further disturbances from the gathered martial artists.

His voice, clear and resonant, reached their ears as if he were speaking right beside them, prompting them to turn away in awe.

As everyone turned their backs, one old man moved against the tide. Recognizing him, the eyes of the martial artists widened.

“The Sword King?”

“But his right arm…”

The martial artists, recognizing the Sword King, stepped aside to make way. Baek Li-gok walked steadily through the parted crowd.

With his empty right sleeve fluttering, Baek Li-gok approached Mu-hui.

Though the Plum Blossom Swordsmen were on guard, Mu-hui was not. His gaze was different from when they had last met.

All eyes were on Baek Li-gok, but he paid them no mind.

“Junior.”

Baek Li-gok called out calmly, and Mu-hui nodded in acknowledgment.

“Sword King, senior.”

Seeing Baek Li-gok’s eyes, Mu-hui treated him with the respect due to a senior.

“Your advice was invaluable. Thank you for breaking this old man’s stubbornness.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Watching your Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique, I realized that the Heavenly Wing Sword Technique cannot be said to encapsulate the Baek Li family’s martial arts.”

Baek Li-gok sighed deeply.

The Heavenly Wing Sword Technique was a stubborn creation, focused solely on countering the Mount Hua Sect’s swordsmanship.

In doing so, it ignored and discarded the unnecessary aspects of the Baek Li family’s martial arts.

“I’m ashamed to have taught such a sword technique to my grandson. I plan to rectify my mistakes.”

Recalling Baek Li-sang, Mu-hui nodded slowly.

“The Dragon of the Canal will gladly accept it.”

“And I intend to devote my remaining years to developing a new Heavenly Wing Sword Technique, one that truly embodies the Baek Li family’s martial arts.”

“That sounds promising.”

It seemed Baek Li-gok had found the right path.

“Though I lost my right arm to you, I gained something far greater, and I came to express my gratitude. I doubt we’ll meet again.”

Hearing Baek Li-gok’s words as he touched his right shoulder, the martial artists’ eyes bulged in shock.

“Did the Sword Demon of Mount Hua cut off the Sword King’s arm?”

“I suspected as much after seeing that display of swordsmanship!”

“A new supreme master in the martial world!”

Though they dared not speak, the martial artists exchanged astonished glances.

Baek Li-gok looked up at the Mount Hua banner Mu-hui held.

There was no need to discuss this here. He could have waited until the martial artists had left to speak quietly.

Yet, by revealing his vulnerability, he was atoning and reflecting on himself, and it was a small gesture of gratitude to the junior who had helped him.

“It may be a disgrace to me, but it will be a mark of honor for that young man.”

Having said all he needed to, Baek Li-gok looked relieved.

“It’s a pity we won’t cross swords again. I wanted to show you the true sword of the Baek Li family.”

“Sword King, senior. Mount Hua will always be here.”

Mu-hui’s words, implying that Baek Li-gok was welcome anytime, made Baek Li-gok nod.

“Thank you.”

The Sword King, with his wings clipped, thought of the Baek Li family in Shanxi. He wanted to return swiftly to conclude what he had started.

Turning his back, the Sword King walked away with purpose.

To mend his broken wings and pass them on to the next generation.

With the Sword King leading the way, the martial artists gathered at Bongwon Mountain began to disperse. The first to leave were the Paewang Fortress and the Janryong Society, eager to relay urgent news.

As the martial artists dispersed, a rumor quickly spread through the martial world.

A new Sword Saint had been born at Mount Hua.

* * *

Even after the martial artists left Bongwon Mountain, the Mount Hua Sect lingered a while longer, waiting for Mu-hui to recover from his internal injuries.

It took several hours of meditation before Mu-hui could open his eyes.

Though not fully healed, he was well enough to continue practicing martial arts.

The remaining minor injuries could be treated with meditation during their journey.

As the Plum Blossom Swordsmen prepared to return to Mount Hua, Dokgo Yul sat beside Mu-hui, holding the broken Hyuncheol Heavy Sword in his hands.

“I can’t accept this.”

Mu-hui raised an eyebrow at Dokgo Yul’s sudden statement.

“What are you talking about now?”

“You played a major role in defeating the White-Faced Ogre. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to reclaim my master’s beloved sword.”

“So you’re saying I should keep it?”

“Not exactly. I’m asking you to hold onto it until I prove myself worthy.”

Mu-hui sighed as he watched Dokgo Yul scratch his head.

“Then just give it to me!”

“……”

But Dokgo Yul remained silent, unwilling to part with it. Seeing this, Mu-hui considered hitting him again but paused to think.

After a moment, an idea came to Mu-hui.

“How about this?”

“What?”

“We’ll melt down the Hyuncheol Heavy Sword and forge a new one.”

The Hwaga Iron Workshop still had some Han Iron left from the Cheonryu Trading Company.

It had been used to make the Plum Blossom Swordsmen’s swords, but there was still plenty left.

With the Hyuncheol Heavy Sword and the Hyuncheol chains recovered from the stone gate, there was enough material.

Hearing Mu-hui’s plan, Dokgo Yul’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Mix Hyuncheol and Han Iron to create a new sword?”

“Exactly.”

“Hmm.”

As Dokgo Yul hesitated, Mu-hui added more to his proposal.

“I plan to entrust the new sword to the place where the Sword Demon had the Hyuncheol Heavy Sword made.”

“You know where my master had the sword made? How?”

“The Sword Demon crafted it at the Hwaga Iron Workshop with the help of our master.”

The Hwaga Iron Workshop.

Knowing its reputation as one of the top iron workshops in the martial world, Dokgo Yul clapped his hands in realization.

“Of course. The Hwaga Iron Workshop…”

“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to create a sword in honor of our masters.”

Mu-hui’s gentle persuasion seemed to work, as Dokgo Yul nodded.

“That’s a great idea!”

Satisfied with Dokgo Yul’s agreement, Mu-hui nodded in approval.

“Then we should stop by the Hwaga Iron Workshop before returning to Mount Hua.”

* * *

Seokcheon, Shaanxi Province.

Located in the southern part of Shaanxi, it was an area rich with mines and veins of high-quality ores. Due to its geographical advantages, the Hwaga Iron Workshop was also situated there.

Seokcheon was dotted with mountains of various sizes, resembling a mountainous region.

Admiring the scenery, Mu-hwa looked around and spoke.

“It’s been a while since the Mount Hua disciples traveled the martial world together. Oh, and of course, Brother Dokgo is included.”

Mu-hwa smiled at Dokgo Yul, who blinked in confusion, unaware of the context.

“I remember our first journey into the martial world. So many things happened back then.”

Mu-jin chuckled, reminiscing about their first descent from Mount Hua. Even Mu-cheol, usually stern, seemed slightly more relaxed.

“I was worried about how to manage these stubborn disciples back then.”

“Come on, Senior Brother. It wasn’t that bad.”

Mu-hwa shook her head, strongly disagreeing with Mu-hui’s teasing.

“With the other seniors around, there’s no need to worry.”

At Bongwon Mountain, Mu-hui had divided the Plum Blossom Swordsmen into groups.

Originally, after completing their mission at the stone gate, they were to return to Mount Hua, checking on the secular families in central Shaanxi along the way.

Now, with a stop at the Hwaga Iron Workshop in southern Shaanxi, they planned to split up and also survey the southern region.

“This is the Huaga Iron Workshop. It’s enormous.”

“Definitely the largest among the sects we’ve seen so far.”

Mu-hwa and Mu-jin were taken aback by the sprawling complex of buildings as they arrived at the main gate of the Huaga Iron Workshop.

Though it wasn’t quite on par with the great sects or prestigious families, the Huaga Iron Workshop, which served both as a workshop and a martial arts sect, boasted a size that could rival most other sects.

“Welcome, please come in.”

“Quick, inform the others inside!”

The arrival of Mu-hwi and the Huashan disciples caused quite a stir within the workshop.

“Isn’t that white robe the symbol of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen?”

“All made from celestial silk, impressive.”

“Seeing that, we need to finish the swords for the Plum Blossom Swordsmen quickly. Break time is over!”

As they were led to the workshop master’s office, more and more disciples gathered to catch a glimpse of Mu-hwi and his group.

The name Plum Blossom Swordsmen was rapidly gaining fame in the martial world due to the recent incident at Bidong. Rumors were spreading like wildfire about how they had thwarted the combined forces of the Four Kings and the Giant Dragon Brigade with their sword formation.

Not long after they were shown into the office, the workshop master, Seong Ju-tae, appeared. His entire body was flushed, likely from working at the forge just moments before.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

“First time seeing you since the Zonghua Ceremony.”

Seong Ju-tae exchanged greetings with Mu-hwi and his group, his face lighting up with pride as he noticed the plum blossom swords they carried.

“You’re all putting them to good use, I see.”

Seated, Seong Ju-tae took a sip of tea before getting straight to the point.

“I’ve been hearing many rumors from Bongwon Mountain about Bidong. About the Plum Blossom Swordsmen and the Huashan Sword Saint. Are they true?”

His eyes sparkled with the curiosity of a child as he looked at Mu-hwi.

“They are.”

Knowing how quickly the rumors had spread, Mu-hwi nodded calmly.

“Hahaha!”

Seong Ju-tae let out a hearty laugh, his energy belying his age.

“The Huashan Sword Saint… At last, a new Huashan Sword Saint emerges from Huashan…”

He clenched his fist in excitement, nodding to himself.

The tale of the Huashan Sword Ghost severing the Sword King’s arm had already spread beyond Shaanxi, capturing the attention of the entire martial world. Seong Ju-tae couldn’t help but feel a thrill at the news.

“Looks like we’ll have to start calling you the Huashan Sword Saint.”

Though eager to hear more about the Bidong incident, Seong Ju-tae decided to ask later and instead inquired about the purpose of their visit to the Huaga Iron Workshop.

“We wish to forge a new sword.”

At Mu-hwi’s nod, Dokgo Yul unwrapped a cloth to reveal the broken Hyuncheol Heavy Sword.

Seong Ju-tae recognized it immediately.

“The Sword Ghost’s blade. I crafted this myself.”

Recalling the Sword Ghost, Seong Ju-tae let out a bittersweet chuckle, gently running his fingers over the broken sword.

“You plan to melt this down to forge a new one?”

Mu-hwi nodded.

“We intend to use the remaining iron here at the workshop along with this Hyuncheol to forge two swords.”

“Hmm. One will be a new heavy sword for Dokgo, and the other?”

“I want a legendary sword that can be passed down to future Huashan Sword Saints.”

“Hmm!”

Seong Ju-tae hesitated, unable to give an immediate answer to Mu-hwi’s request.

The End