The Heavenly Assassins, known as the most feared killers in the martial world, were a shadowy sect called the Celestial Killing Sect. Among them, only the top ten assassins, known as the Ten Shadows, were permitted to wear a special mask. Yet, the mask of the sect’s leader lay shattered on the ground.

For the first time, the face of the enigmatic leader, known as the Dark Lord, was revealed to the world.

“Haha! So that’s what you look like, Dark Lord?”

“Enough.”

A strange figure, the Ghost Horse, landed beside the Dark Lord with a bizarre laugh. Ignoring the Ghost Horse’s amusement, the Dark Lord turned his attention to his two beloved weapons.

The curved blade in his right hand was broken, now resembling a straight sword, while the straight blade in his left hand had been reduced to a dagger. Both weapons had been destroyed in the final clash against Mu Hui’s extraordinary swordsmanship.

‘It’s not just the sword that’s unusual, but the technique itself…’

The swordplay he had adapted to over dozens of exchanges was completely different from the final technique. It was as if Mu Hui could see several moves ahead, striking with unwavering precision, characteristic of the Mount Hua Sect’s straightforward style.

The Dark Lord felt more pain from the defeat of his ultimate technique, Silver Moon Rain, than from the loss of his mask and weapons.

“This isn’t worth it. We should retreat. This mission is a failure.”

“What are you saying? I haven’t even settled the score with the Iron Mountain King.”

“Have you forgotten that the Palace Master entrusted me with full authority over this mission? Don’t make this difficult. The King was just a bonus, after all.”

At the mention of the Palace Master, the Ghost Horse, who was about to charge at Ma Yeon-ho again, hesitated as if restrained. Mu Hui, too, reacted to the Dark Lord’s words with a twitch of his eyebrow.

‘A bonus?’

Ma Yeon-ho glared at the Dark Lord, his eyes fierce like a tiger’s.

“Who said you could leave?”

Despite Ma Yeon-ho’s challenge, the Dark Lord merely chuckled.

“Try to catch us. But know this: the demons and assassins here won’t retreat. They’re the ones who missed their chance to die at the Blood Temple.”

The Dark Lord pointed between Mu Hui and Ma Yeon-ho, indicating Wu Tae-gang. Realizing the implication, Ma Yeon-ho’s muscles tensed with anger.

To chase the fleeing Dark Lord and Ghost Horse, both Mu Hui and Ma Yeon-ho would have to pursue them, leaving Wu Tae-gang to face all the enemies alone—a task impossible to achieve.

The Dark Lord gave Ma Yeon-ho a choice: pursue them or save his disciple. And he didn’t allow much time for deliberation. In an instant, the Dark Lord vanished into the flickering shadows, and the Ghost Horse turned and sprinted away without hesitation.

“See you next time, King!”

Yet, Mu Hui and Ma Yeon-ho did not give chase. They judged that pursuing further would be more detrimental than beneficial.

Meanwhile, Wu Tae-gang clenched his blood-stained fists, feeling powerless at being reduced to a burden by the Dark Lord’s taunt.

“Tae-gang, it’s not over yet.”

“Get a grip.”

The voices of Ma Yeon-ho and Mu Hui brought a spark back to Wu Tae-gang’s large eyes.

Even though their leaders had withdrawn, the remaining demons and assassins continued to exude a murderous aura, surrounding Mu Hui’s group as if their deaths were inevitable.

The air was thick with the oppressive energy of the demons, who glared with murderous intent.

Mu Hui felt as if he had returned to the battlefield of that day. The energy and killing intent radiating from his body made his plum blossom robe flutter fiercely.

“I’ll tear you apart.”

As the demonic energy surged, a dark wave rushed toward Mu Hui, eager for battle.

* * *

With the retreat of the Dark Lord and Ghost Horse, the Celestial Web collapsed. The demons and assassins that had surrounded Ma Yeon-ho and Wu Tae-gang were merely sacrificed to delay them.

“So many.”

Ma Yeon-ho sighed briefly as he surveyed the bodies strewn around him. Though they posed no real threat, the mental toll of killing those who charged at him without hesitation, knowing they would die, was exhausting.

He turned to look at Mu Hui, who was wiping blood from his sword.

‘He seems so accustomed to this.’

Mu Hui had slain the most demons and assassins here. His lethal swordsmanship, cutting down multiple foes with a single strike, showed why he was called the Demon Sword of Mount Hua.

Being skilled in martial arts and being adept at killing were two different things. Ma Yeon-ho sensed something deeper and unpredictable in Mu Hui’s sword.

Having cleared the area, Mu Hui approached the King of Fists.

“Senior, how did you end up being attacked by demons?”

“Well, I was in Hubei when I heard rumors about you. They said you cut off the Sword King’s arm and were called the Sword Saint of Mount Hua. So, I thought I’d test my skills against you and headed to Mount Hua.”

But what awaited Ma Yeon-ho and Wu Tae-gang was the Celestial Web of the Dark Lord and Ghost Horse, as if they had been waiting.

“Since the Blood Temple incident, demons haven’t shown themselves so openly. And now, with the appearance of a high-ranking demonic master and the Dark Lord…”

Ma Yeon-ho trailed off, and Mu Hui’s expression hardened slightly. Even during the fierce battle at the Blood Temple, the Ghost Horse had not appeared. Mu Hui would have recognized a master capable of matching Ma Yeon-ho.

“It seems the Black Night Palace didn’t reveal its full strength during the Blood Temple incident.”

“Indeed. They couldn’t have trained someone like the Ghost Horse in such a short time. But what’s more concerning is that the Dark Lord is working with the Black Night Palace.”

If it were any other assassin sect, it might be understandable, but not the Celestial Killing Sect. Unlike other assassin sects that accepted any contract for money, the Celestial Killing Sect refused contracts targeting civilians who hadn’t learned martial arts.

They pursued their own path of assassination.

For such a sect’s leader to join forces with the demonic path was incomprehensible.

“Hmm.”

With that, the conversation between Mu Hui and Ma Yeon-ho ended.

The emergence of the Black Night Palace and the Dark Lord’s alliance with the demonic path.

Though uncertain of how things would unfold, they both sensed that the balance of power in the martial world was about to shift dramatically.

“I wanted to test my skills against you after you had grown, but it seems now is not the time. We’ll have to postpone it.”

Yet, Ma Yeon-ho’s gaze was sharp, as if dissecting Mu Hui with his eyes. He grasped Mu Hui’s shoulders firmly.

“It seems you’ve trained your external skills well, as I taught you. Your remarkable growth must be due in large part to your well-honed muscles!”

Though Ma Yeon-ho intended to encourage him with a light shake, Mu Hui’s body swayed roughly. Mu Hui gently removed Ma Yeon-ho’s hands and changed the subject.

“Are you heading to the Martial Alliance now?”

Ma Yeon-ho flexed his arm muscles.

“The Alliance Leader will want to hear from me directly. Are you returning to Mount Hua?”

“Yes. Now that I’ve confirmed the appearance of the demonic path, I must inform the Sect Leader. I’ve been away from the main sect for too long.”

Ma Yeon-ho nodded, though his chest muscles twitched with regret.

“There will be another opportunity. Travel safely.”

“Thank you for today, Mu Hui. Until next time.”

After exchanging brief farewells with Wu Tae-gang, Mu Hui parted ways with the King of Fists. He intended to reunite with his disciples waiting outside the Celestial Web and return to Mount Hua as swiftly as possible.

* * *

“Hmm.”

Mu San glanced at Mu Ho, who had made a low sound beside him.

“What’s up?”

“Mu San, when we’re on guard duty at the mountain gate, don’t we usually daydream or get lost in thought?”

“Well, yeah.”

It was a conversation that would earn them a scolding if overheard by the elders of Mount Hua, but with only Mu San and Mu Ho at the gate, there was no one else to hear.

“But today, I feel unusually alert, like my senses are sharper. It’s strange.”

Mu Ho looked up at the sky. The wind felt stronger than usual today.

“Hmm.”

Mu San felt uneasy, as Mu Ho wasn’t one to speak nonsense.

“Senior Brother’s letter said he’d arrive in Hua Yin soon, so that feeling will probably pass.”

Understanding Mu San’s words, Mu Ho grinned.

“Hehe. You’re talking about the Plum Blossom Sword, right? I’m really looking forward to it. I never thought I’d wield a sword made of cold iron.”

“The Plum Blossom Sword is good, but it can’t compare to the cold iron Plum Blossom Sword made specifically for the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship, can it?”

“I’ve grown attached to it, so I feel a bit sorry to let it go.”

Mu Ho reached for the scabbard at his waist.

“Hmph. You’ll toss it aside the moment the cold iron Plum Blossom Sword arrives.”

As Mu Ho laughed and caressed the scabbard, his hand suddenly froze. He tilted the scabbard slightly with his left hand and gripped the hilt with his right.

Mu San did the same, reaching for his sword hilt while extending his left hand forward. He executed the Plum Blossom Hand technique he had learned not long ago.

Simultaneously, several daggers flew out from the bushes.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Mu Ho deflected the daggers with a flick of his sword, blocking the upper and middle sections, while Mu San diverted the daggers with the Plum Blossom Hand technique.

Around Musan and Muho, dark silhouettes suddenly surged upward. The hidden weapons were merely a distraction.

Swish!

The plum blossom-patterned robes worn by Musan and Muho spun in different directions, fluttering dramatically.

Musan extended his left hand backward, deflecting an attack from behind with his Plum Blossom Sword Technique, while slicing through the chest of a demon attacking from the side.

Muho unleashed five rapid sword strikes, causing blood to spurt from the demon’s vital points.

Despite the sudden ambush, Musan and Muho moved with the calm precision of seasoned warriors, showing not a hint of panic.

“Impressive. You must be the second disciples.”

A voice echoed from above, and Musan responded with a wry smile.

“Hmph. We’ve been through a lot under our senior brother. This is nothing.”

As Musan stepped forward to block the center of the staircase, Muho retreated and pulled a rope hanging beside the mountain gate with all his might.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The alarm bell rang out, signaling the arrival of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen and other disciples of the Mount Hua Sect.

“Gah!”

Momentarily relieved by the sound of the bell, Musan suddenly gasped as he saw a black hand slicing toward his neck.

Clang!

“Musan, watch out!”

Just in time, Musan drew his Plum Blossom Sword to block the demon’s hand aimed at his throat, but the force sent him flying backward, where Muho caught him.

“Ugh!”

Muho, holding his sword in reverse, absorbed the impact of Musan’s body, but the force was so great that both of them tumbled through the air.

They rolled several times across the ground before finally coming to a stop, having passed through the wide-open mountain gate.

“Brother! Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. What about you?”

Their conversation was interrupted by a chilling voice.

“You two seem quite close.”

The two disciples turned their heads toward the mountain gate simultaneously.

Elderly figures with hands clasped behind their backs crossed the threshold, followed by a line of black-clad figures entering the Mount Hua grounds. More demons appeared, lining the walls.

Sensing the ominous aura emanating from the black-clad figures, Musan and Muho’s expressions hardened.

“Dark energy!”

“Could they be demons?”

As Musan and Muho sprang to their feet, assuming the Plum Blossom Sword Formation, the plum blossom-patterned robes of the first disciples fluttered as they formed a solid wall in front of them. On either side, the second disciples appeared, similarly clad.

The Plum Blossom Swordsmen were the first to arrive at the mountain gate upon hearing the alarm.

“How dare the minions of the Black Night Palace trespass on Mount Hua’s sacred grounds!”

“These demons must be insane!”

The first disciples, including Hyunbaek, each uttered a word of defiance, glaring at the demons.

“I recognize a few familiar faces. It reminds me of the Blood Battle of Shaanxi. So many demons fell to Mount Hua’s swords back then.”

The elders leading the demons took in the faces of the first disciples, then looked beyond them.

Led by Baekyu, the elders of Mount Hua appeared, followed by the remaining disciples. As Baekyu and the elders arrived, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen stepped back.

Though Baekyu and the elders did not openly display their anger like the first disciples, their eyes, shadowed by wrinkles, glinted with a cold light.

“Are you from the Black Night Palace?”

Baekyu’s low voice prompted an elder from the Black Night Palace to step forward and respond.

“Greetings, Sect Leader. We should have come sooner, but plans changed, and we had to avoid drawing attention.”

The elder offered a polite gesture, but Baekyu’s expression remained stern. The elder shrugged and gestured to those behind him.

“These men behind me all survived the Blood Battle of Shaanxi. We fought on the same battlefield as you. I was there too.”

Hearing this, the Mount Hua disciples’ resolve grew even colder, while the demons seemed to relish the tension.

“Are you here to seek revenge for the Blood Battle of Shaanxi?”

In response to Baekyu’s question, the elder shook his head with a smile.

“I’ve heard that Mount Hua not only honors the Sword Saint but also keeps the memorial tablet of the Sword Demon. It’s surprising for a prestigious orthodox sect to preserve the tablet of the greatest demonic swordsman.”

At the mention of the Sword Saint and Sword Demon, Baekyu’s sleeve trembled slightly.

“The Palace Lord has commanded us to pay tribute to the spirits of the Sword Saint and Sword Demon.”

“What?”

Baekyu let out a laugh, a mix of disbelief and anger.

Shing!

At the elder’s words, the demons behind him simultaneously drew their weapons.

“Of course, in the way of the demonic path.”