“The sword to be wielded by the Volcano Sword Saint for generations.”

Upon hearing Mu-hwi’s words, Seong Ju-tae fell silent, lost in thought. With his arms crossed, he pondered for a long while before finally speaking.

“So, it’s not just about crafting a fine sword, but creating a divine weapon that symbolizes the Hwasan Sect.”

“Is it possible?” Mu-hwi asked.

Seong Ju-tae replied firmly, “It’s impossible.”

He reached out, drained his teacup in one swift motion, and continued, “A divine weapon isn’t born just because a master blacksmith meets rare materials and reaches the pinnacle of skill.”

Mu-hwa, who had already devoured a plate of snacks, tilted his head in curiosity. “Then how?”

“In martial arts, there’s a saying about communicating with your weapon. You’ve probably heard it at least once. But in reality, weapons made of steel aren’t alive.”

Dokgo Yul and the disciples nodded. Mu-hwi listened intently to Seong Ju-tae’s words.

“A true martial artist infuses their weapon with their will, constantly channeling their inner energy into it, breathing life into the weapon over many years. A weapon that undergoes this long process eventually gains vitality and spirit.”

Seong Ju-tae looked Mu-hwi straight in the eye. “When all these elements come together, a once lifeless weapon begins to breathe and transcends to become a divine weapon.”

Such divine weapons were rare even in the martial world.

The Heavenly Demon Sword, said to have been wielded by the first Heavenly Demon who opened a new horizon in the demonic path. The Jade Buddha Staff of Shaolin, the Taiji Divine Sword of Wudang—these were legendary artifacts of the great sects, renowned throughout history.

“Only the god of blacksmiths, Ou Yezi, known as the progenitor, could forge a divine weapon with mere hammering.”

Despite being recognized as the foremost blacksmith in the world, Seong Ju-tae drew a clear line.

“However, crafting a sword that could one day become a divine weapon is possible, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. Not just any sword can become a divine weapon.”

Seeing Mu-hwi’s resolute expression, Seong Ju-tae rubbed his calloused hands, scarred from years of work.

“In fact, creating a sword to be passed down through the Hwasan Sect, a divine weapon, has been the long-standing aspiration of the Hwaga Forge.”

The Hwaga Forge had been collecting materials over generations, each intended for the eventual forging of a divine weapon.

Among them were rare materials like refined gold from beyond the seas and purple gold sand, scarcely found in the southern regions.

“With the cold iron sent by the Cheonryu Trading Company and the black iron sword of the Sword Ghost, we have most of the materials. We could proceed with the crafting, but may I indulge in a bit of ambition?”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Let’s step outside for a moment.”

Seong Ju-tae led Mu-hwi and his companions out of the office and towards the back of the pavilion. There, a modest garden was laid out, with a small pond at its center.

To Dokgo Yul and the disciples, it seemed like just a pond, but Mu-hwi, attuned to the natural energy, sensed something different.

“Hmm.”

Noticing Mu-hwi’s careful observation of the pond, Seong Ju-tae’s eyes sparkled.

“Is it because you’ve reached the transcendent realm? Can you feel it too?”

“The water in the pond has a faint spiritual energy, much like the Jade Maiden Pond.”

Though not as abundant as the Jade Maiden Pond, the spiritual energy was indeed present.

“This is why the Hwaga Forge is located here. It’s one of the key ingredients for the Plum Blossom Water.”

The triple plum blossoms from the three-hundred-year-old plum tree on Nakan Peak, the spiritual water from the Jade Maiden Pond, and the water from this pond were crucial ingredients for the Plum Blossom Water.

“Normally, we mix the water from this pond, but for the sword we’re crafting now, I want to use something else.”

“What is it?”

Seong Ju-tae pointed to the sky.

His finger indicated the towering mountain behind the Hwaga Forge, Goyong Mountain.

“According to the records of our ancestors, the pond of the Hwaga Forge is merely a branch of the water vein from a spring beneath the cliffs of Goyong Mountain. It’s said that the spiritual energy of that spring is incomparable to that of the forge’s pond.”

“You intend to use the spring water for the sword’s creation.”

Seong Ju-tae nodded at Mu-jin’s words, though his expression was slightly somber.

“However, it’s located deep beneath a cliff, and no ordinary movement technique can reach it. Moreover…”

Seong Ju-tae hesitated before continuing, “The spring is guarded by a spiritual creature.”

“A spiritual creature? I’ve never seen one,” Mu-hwa said, eyes wide with curiosity. Though they didn’t show it, Mu-jin and the others were also intrigued.

Only Mu-hwi remained calm as he asked Seong Ju-tae, “Do you know what kind of creature it is?”

“I don’t. The records aren’t detailed. For this reason, the Hwaga Forge has only known of the spring’s existence but never obtained its water.”

Though the Hwaga Forge lacked martial prowess, they believed that Mu-hwi, who had reached the transcendent realm, could descend the cliff and reach the spring.

“Can you do it?”

“I’ll try.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Mu-hwi’s confident response made Seong Ju-tae nod with a satisfied smile.

“Please, do.”

* * *

The next day, Mu-hwi and his companions set out for Goyong Mountain. Though not as towering as Hwasan, its terrain was rugged and complex.

The peaks of Goyong Mountain didn’t rise straight into the sky but leaned at odd angles, forming strange shapes.

Moreover, the constant alternation of steep ascents and descents, combined with the dense foliage, made it difficult to distinguish the landscape, subtly disorienting their sense of direction.

“Without the map and markers, we would have lost our way,” Mu-jin muttered, glancing between the map from the Hwaga Forge and the markers placed at intervals.

“Hmm… The higher we climb, the more it feels like we’re walking into a swamp,” Dokgo Yul murmured, and Mu-hwa nodded, looking around.

“It feels stifling, but doesn’t it also seem a bit eerie? Maybe it’s because the sunlight doesn’t reach here.”

The peaks and cliffs blocked the sunlight, and the dense vegetation below was so thick that even though they had started early in the morning, it felt like dusk.

“This mountain is steeped in yin energy. I wonder what kind of spiritual creature might live here.”

The first thing that came to Mu-hwi’s mind was a snake. It was known that places rich in yin energy often harbored snake-like spiritual creatures.

Thinking of the creature, Mu-hwi fiddled with his plum blossom sword.

If he could communicate with it like he did with Amhu, he might pass without incident. But if it turned out to be a rampaging beast, he was ready to cut it down.

“Are you okay? Have some water.”

“Thank you, Brother Dokgo.”

Somehow, Dokgo Yul had grown close enough to speak casually with Mu-hwa. Seeing Dokgo Yul taking care of Mu-hwa, Mu-hwi frowned as if he’d seen something he shouldn’t have.

After climbing for three long hours, Mu-hwi and his companions finally reached the cliff Seong Ju-tae had mentioned.

Standing at the edge of the sheer cliff, they understood why the Hwaga Forge had never been able to approach the spring.

Mu-hwa peered over the edge and murmured, “I can’t see the bottom. How deep is it?”

The cliff was so deep that its bottom was indiscernible. Mu-jin drew his sword and lightly tapped the protruding rocks of the cliff.

“The rock forming the cliff is quite solid.”

Listening to the sound of the sword tapping the rock, Mu-hwi nodded.

It seemed difficult to drive a sword into the cliff in an unstable position, and it would require continuous use of sword energy.

This meant there were limits to driving stakes into the cliff and descending with ropes.

Whoosh!

Moreover, strong winds occasionally swept up from below, enough to make hair flutter. It would undoubtedly pose a significant threat when clinging to the cliff.

“Senior Brother, what should we do?”

Mu-hwa asked with a slight frown, but Mu-hwi’s face was resolute.

“We go down.”

Mu-hwi glared at the darkness shrouding the bottom of the cliff.

“I’ll jump first to gauge the depth. Once I signal, I’ll let you know whether to jump or climb down.”

“What? Jump?”

Mu-hwa’s eyes widened in disbelief at Mu-hwi’s words. But before he could react, Mu-hwi, standing at the cliff’s edge, leaped without hesitation.

“Senior Brother!”

Ignoring Mu-hwa’s shout, Mu-hwi plunged into the darkness between the cliffs.

His plum blossom robe fluttered wildly, but the sound was quickly drowned out by the fierce wind rising from below.

Whoosh!

The immense pressure of the air made it difficult to maintain balance, but Mu-hwi infused his entire body with the techniques of the Plum Blossom Sword.

Like a gentle breeze brushing past the fierce winds rising from below, Mu-hwi’s movements didn’t resist the wind.

Even without a foothold, Mu-hwi adjusted his descent speed and body angle as if performing the Plum Blossom Sword in mid-air.

As he adapted to moving in the air, the deep darkness at the bottom of the cliff began to clear, revealing the ground below.

With a swift motion, Mu-hui drew his plum blossom sword and unleashed a powerful force into the air. He struck seven times in quick succession, each blow slowing his descent until he was almost hovering.

“Now!”

As he neared the height of the first floor of a building, Mu-hui flipped his body and released a final strike.

Boom!

The force from his sword absorbed the impact of his fall, allowing him to land lightly on the ground without a scratch.

“Man, that’s one hell of a drop.”

He looked up at the seemingly endless cliff and shouted, “Jump down!”

His voice, charged with inner energy, was so commanding that even the fierce winds swirling around the cliff paused in silence.

There were faint voices from above, but they were too weak to reach Mu-hui clearly.

“I’ll catch you! Jump now!”

His resolute voice echoed off the cliff walls.

“Aaaah!”

Soon, a piercing scream echoed between the cliffs as Mu-hwa and the others leaped into the void, following Mu-hui’s command.

Unlike Mu-hui, Dok-go Yul and the disciples were plummeting uncontrollably. At this rate, they would meet a fatal end.

At that moment, Mu-hui’s sword traced a half-circle, sending out a blunt wave of energy that spread wide like a net.

Mu-hwa, caught in the wave, stopped screaming. The strange wind that enveloped her was different from the cliff’s gusts; it slowed her fall without causing pain.

Opening her eyes slightly, she saw Mu-hui soaring upwards, his hands sweeping through the air, calming the fierce winds into a gentle breeze.

Mu-hui then lightly tapped the falling disciples, one by one, with his palm.

“Hmph!”

Mu-cheol’s eyes widened as he felt the touch on his shoulder. The overwhelming force of his fall dissipated, leaving him feeling weightless.

Realizing that Mu-hui had dispersed the force with his technique, Mu-cheol drew his sword and aimed it at the ground.

Crash!

Using his Iron Plum Sword technique, Mu-cheol landed safely. The others followed suit, each using their skills to reach the ground unscathed.

“Senior Brother!”

Mu-hwa, her voice still intact despite the fall, shouted at Mu-hui.

“Jumping off a cliff without warning is too much! Look at Mu-jin!”

Though Mu-jin had landed safely, he sat on the ground, legs too weak to stand.

“Ahem. I’m fine, Senior Brother,” Mu-jin said, embarrassed, turning his head slightly.

“I’ve never felt this heavy carrying my sword before…” Dok-go Yul muttered weakly. Even Mu-cheol, usually stoic, seemed a bit dazed.

Having narrowly escaped death, they all looked worse for wear.

Mu-hui, noticing Mu-hwa’s glare, turned away nonchalantly.

“Well, as long as everyone’s okay.”

“Seriously, Senior Brother!”

After a brief rest, the group headed deeper into the cliff.

The base of the cliff was rich with spiritual energy, much like the basin of the Volcano Sword Sect. Mu-hui led them toward the source, which turned out to be a large spring, more like a small lake.

In the center of the lake was a small island with a solitary tree. The tree was bare except for a single, radiant golden fruit.

“Wow. Senior Brother, what is that?”

“Not sure. Looks like some kind of elixir.”

As they approached the lake, ripples formed on the surface. The overwhelming spiritual energy prompted Mu-hui to ready his sword.

“Whoa.”

A low growl accompanied the emergence of a massive golden turtle from the lake.

Recognizing the creature as the legendary spirit beast seen by the ancestors of the Hwaga Iron Fortress, Mu-hui watched as the turtle regarded them with innocent eyes before letting out another cry.

Mu-hui frowned, sensing the turtle’s intent, perhaps due to his advanced cultivation or past experiences.

“Run away?”

Why would it tell them to flee?

The reason soon became clear. A menacing aura of spiritual and toxic energy crept up from behind them.

At the center of this ominous presence was a gigantic black serpent, large enough to swallow several men whole, with a dark blue horn glistening on its head.

The serpent flicked its tongue at them, exuding a raw, unrefined killing intent.

Overwhelmed by the beast’s aura, Dok-go Yul and the disciples trembled.

“Senior Brother…”

Though the others were intimidated, Mu-hui was not. Instead, he grinned widely.

“Guys, let’s get that elixir.”

As Mu-hui spoke, the serpent’s horn began to glow ominously.

End