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

Clang!

At the ominous words of the old man, Mar Yeon-no, all the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect, except for Baek Yu, drew their plum blossom swords with a fierce determination.

The swords gleamed with a cold light, and the eyes of the Mount Hua disciples were filled with hostility. Watching them, Mar Yeon-no bared his yellowed teeth in a mocking grin.

“The demons here today are those who returned in disgrace from the Battle of Shaanxi, unable to find a place to die.”

Mar Yeon-no took in the serene surroundings of the Mount Hua Sect.

The ancient halls exuded a noble charm, and plum trees stood proudly at every turn. Beyond them, gray-white cliffs rose like fortress walls.

Even without explanation, it was clear this was the Mount Hua Sect. And that made him want to crush it all the more, to leave it unrecognizable.

“Burn the memorial tablets of the Sword Ghost, desecrate the grave of the Sword Saint, and let our spilled blood and lives announce the return of the Black Night Palace to the martial world.”

As Mar Yeon-no’s voice, imbued with inner power, echoed through the sect, the demons behind him shouted in unison.

“Black Night Descends! Black Night Fills the Sky!”

Hearing this, the expressions of the first-generation disciples and elders twisted slightly. The chant was all too familiar from the Battle of Shaanxi, where they had faced the Black Night Palace. Memories of lost brothers resurfaced, darkening their faces.

“Today, we return to the Black Night.”

At Mar Yeon-no’s low command, the demons leaped forward, exuding a suffocating aura. Watching them charge, Mar Yeon-no twisted his lips.

‘Mount Hua.’

The goal of Mar Yeon-no and the demons wasn’t to burn Mount Hua to the ground.

As he had said, they were merely following the orders of their lord, seeking a place to die. Their deaths would signal the reemergence of the Black Night Palace in the martial world.

Regardless of the battle’s outcome, the demons here were destined to end their lives at Mount Hua. Yet Mar Yeon-no had no doubt they would trample the sect today.

‘A sect on the decline.’

Mount Hua had already been faltering, having lost many of its key warriors, including the Sword Saint, in the Battle of Shaanxi. They had failed to repel the previous attack by the Black Night Palace, resulting in the burning of their halls.

Not much time had passed since then.

Though Mount Hua’s reputation had recently begun to rise again, Mar Yeon-no knew it was due to the efforts of the Sword Ghost and the Plum Blossom Warriors. Without them, the sect was still weakened, having lost its main strength.

‘But those who are making a name for themselves are absent now.’

To Mar Yeon-no, Mount Hua seemed no more than that.

He watched with a leisurely gaze, anticipating the first clash between the demons and the Mount Hua disciples.

As the bodies of the Mount Hua disciples and the Black Night demons collided, Mar Yeon-no’s eyes widened slightly.

Swish!

With a crisp slicing sound, the heads of three demons at the forefront flew into the air. Blood droplets rained down, mingling with the red and white sword energy of the plum blossom swords, scattering like petals.

Hyun Baek, who had cut down the three demons with a single stroke, unleashed a flurry of sword shadows, both high and low. As the sound of flesh being pierced echoed, he swiftly withdrew his sword from a demon’s heart and shouted.

“Don’t let these demons take another step!”

“Yes, senior brother!”

At Hyun Baek’s command, the first-generation disciples’ plum blossom swords emitted a fierce red and white glow.

In an instant, twelve plum blossom robes fluttered in unison.

Perhaps because they had wielded their swords at the forefront during the Battle of Shaanxi, the first-generation disciples’ plum blossom robes seemed to flutter more fiercely against the demons.

The plum blossoms blooming at the tips of their swords mercilessly tore through the charging demons. The red plum blossoms, already stained with demon blood, shone with an even more sinister light.

“Kill them all!”

“Mount Hua scum!”

Despite the dazzling sword strikes splitting into dozens of paths and the piercing light cutting through limbs, the demons did not falter. Instead, they charged with bloodthirsty eyes, brandishing their weapons with all their might.

Hyun Gak deflected a demon’s sword aimed at his ankle with a tilt of his blade, then spun with his left hand. The force of the Plum Blossom Mountain Water technique spun and pierced the demon’s chest.

Thud!

As the force pummeled the chest, several of the demon’s ribs shattered instantly. Hyun Baek then stabbed five times in quick succession, piercing the vital points of demons attacking from the side.

“Hyun Gak! Widen the gap by one more step.”

“Five steps. Understood, senior brother.”

Standing side by side, Hyun Baek and Hyun Gak broke the demons’ momentum, and the first-generation disciples, spreading out in a wing formation, showcased their skills, solidifying the front line.

‘Black Night Palace! Did you think you could have your way with Mount Hua again?’

‘This time, we’ll honor the spirits of our fallen brothers, Hyun On and Hyun Guk.’

Despite the demons charging with murderous intent, the first-generation disciples showed no hesitation. Instead, they scattered petals and bloomed plum blossoms with a fierce yet calm determination, as if to avenge their lost brothers from the Battle of Shaanxi.

With the first-generation disciples holding the front line firmly, the second-generation disciples moved swiftly behind them.

“Mu Sang!”

“Yes! Senior brother Mu Ryun!”

As Hyun Baek and Hyun Gak swept through the demons and momentarily withdrew their swords, Mu Ryun and Mu Sang charged in to intercept the attacking demons. As three layers of sword wind flew over Mu Ryun’s head, piercing a demon’s chest, Mu Sang leaped into the air, using Mu Ryun’s shoulder as a springboard.

Striking in five directions, Mu Sang unleashed a flurry of sword energy, blooming a solid plum blossom.

Clang!

The plum blossom sword technique protected Mu Ryun from the oncoming demons, and Mu Sang’s plum blossom sword did not stop.

Following the swift, wind-cutting plum blossom sword, the gathered petals of sword energy rained down. As the sword paths crisscrossed, petals fell over the demons’ heads. The petals of sword energy, riding the sword wind, descended.

Each time Mu Sang’s plum blossom sword brushed past the demons, blood spurted from the wounds. Even as their bodies were drenched in blood, some demons charged at Mu Sang, who was suspended in the air. But Mu Sang deftly twisted his body to evade the swords, unleashing his force.

Like Mu Ryun’s relentless sword, Mu Sang’s hand showed no mercy as it crushed the demons’ heads. Watching this, Mu Ryun spread his sword technique wide, creating a space for Mu Sang to land safely, and spoke.

“Mu Sang. You didn’t step on my shoulder on purpose, did you?”

“Haha, of course not.”

Mu Sang laughed, but his eyes remained cold and focused as he deflected a sword aimed at his waist and launched a counterattack.

Watching this, Mar Yeon-no tilted his head slightly.

‘Even the ones guarding the gate earlier, how are these young ones moving so calmly and confidently?’

Mar Yeon-no surveyed the battlefield. The demons charged with no regard for their lives, but they couldn’t break through the dazzling swords of Mount Hua, only spilling blood as they fell.

‘The overall level of the first-generation disciples has risen. Is it because of this new martial art they’re using?’

The first-generation disciples, weaving through the demons with their sword techniques, were leaving the demons helpless.

Having participated in the Battle of Shaanxi and killed many masters, Mar Yeon-no knew well the average martial skill of Mount Hua’s first-generation disciples. But the skill they displayed now was entirely different from what he remembered.

It seemed Mar Yeon-no wasn’t the only one to notice the change, as the other elder demons watching the situation spoke up.

“The first-generation disciples’ swords have become sharper.”

“They say Mount Hua has developed a new martial art.”

As everyone’s attention focused on the first-generation disciples, an elder demon looking elsewhere spoke.

“It’s not just the first-generation disciples. Look at the second-generation disciples too.”

The other elder demons nodded in agreement.

During the Battle of Shaanxi, the second-generation disciples hadn’t been a significant force. Even during the previous attack on Mount Hua, they hadn’t been of much help. But now, the second-generation disciples were displaying sharp skills, cutting down demons with ease.

More surprising than their martial skills was their ability to remain calm and composed in the face of the demons’ blatant murderous intent and aura, fully showcasing their abilities. This indicated they had either gained substantial real-world experience or undergone rigorous training. It was a mystery who had molded these young second-generation disciples.

‘Did the first-generation disciples teach them?’

Mar Yeon-no and the elder demons were inwardly taken aback by the unexpectedly strong showing of Mount Hua.

“Especially those wearing the white robes adorned with plum blossoms. The demons around them are just falling like flies.”

On the battlefield, the Huashan Sect was clearly gaining the upper hand. This was largely due to the influence of the Plum Blossom Swordmasters, who were leading the charge and setting the tone for the battle.

The Plum Blossom Swordmasters were in high spirits, with the regular disciples solidly backing them up.

“It seems it’s time for us to step in.”

“Indeed. Let’s go.”

A few of the older warriors, who had been conversing among themselves, leaped forward. However, they didn’t get far before one of them was cut down, his waist split open by a single horizontal slash from Baek Sun, who glared at the remaining warriors with fierce eyes.

“If you’re old, shouldn’t you find opponents your own age to play with?”

“The Plum Blossom Swordmaster…”

One of the older warriors recognized Baek Sun and muttered his nickname in a subdued voice.

Baek Sun wasn’t alone. Following him were the elders who would normally be busy with their respective duties—Baek San, the head of the Finance Hall, and Baek Jin, the head of the Medicine Hall—both wielding their plum blossom swords.

“Thanks to you burning down our hall last time, the Huashan Sect had to tighten its belt. Today, we’ll collect that debt with interest.”

“How dare you try to harm our disciples again! If we kill you all, the Medicine Hall won’t have any reason to be busy!”

The elders of the Huashan Sect exuded a calm yet overwhelming presence. Despite their responsibilities, they never neglected their sword training, not even for a single day.

Swoosh!

Even as they unleashed their refined killing intent, the Plum Blossom Swordmasters’ techniques were imbued with a profound energy. The elders, using the Three Plum Blossom Sword Technique instead of the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique, completely overwhelmed the older warriors.

“Ugh!”

“Old fools!”

While the second and first-generation disciples demonstrated the new potential of the Huashan Sect with the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique, the elders showcased the deep-rooted strength the sect had cultivated over the years with the Three Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

Boom!

As the elders clashed with the older warriors, Baek Yu strolled through the battlefield as if on a leisurely walk. He locked eyes with Mar Yeon-ro, who was observing the battlefield with a cold gaze.

“You came to attack Huashan in Mu Hui’s absence, but it seems things aren’t going as you expected.”

Mar Yeon-ro, caught off guard, merely stroked his beard in silence.

“Did you think Huashan only had the Sword Saint? There are countless plum blossoms in Huashan, and the Sword Saint is just one of them.”

Amidst the cacophony of screams, clashing steel, and explosions, Baek Yu’s low voice rang out clearly.

As Baek Yu slowly gripped his sword, a faint purple aura began to emanate from his shoulders. He was in the process of mastering the Purple Mist Divine Art through a secret manual created by Mu Hui. Though it didn’t flow as freely as Mu Hui’s, the aura around Baek Yu’s shoulders was unmistakable.

“You’ve underestimated the Huashan Sect.”

With those words, Baek Yu closed the distance in an instant, thrusting his sword. Mar Yeon-ro blocked with his twin palms, shrouded in dark energy, but the force of the impact deepened the lines on his face.

“Haha! Yes, this is how it should be if I’m to die with some enjoyment! It won’t be dull, at least.”

“Are you putting on a pathetic show of bravado?”

As Mar Yeon-ro laughed wildly, his hands trembled, and he attempted to unleash a flurry of shadowy palm strikes at Baek Yu. But Baek Yu’s sword was faster.

In a flash, Baek Yu sliced through the upper and lower sections, then thrust seven consecutive times, shattering all of Mar Yeon-ro’s shadowy palm strikes. Even after that, Baek Yu’s sleeve continued to flutter.

A single purple plum blossom, spreading its fragrance as it dispelled the dark energy, silenced Mar Yeon-ro’s demonic palm technique.

‘So easily!’

Was this the power of a sect leader?

Mar Yeon-ro was shocked at how effortlessly his technique lost its momentum before Baek Yu’s sword.

Thud!

After only a dozen exchanges, Mar Yeon-ro’s right arm fell to the ground. Despite the clean cut at his shoulder and the blood spurting forth, Mar Yeon-ro staggered and shouted.

“Unleash the Explosive Demon Art to clear a path! The Sword Ghost’s memorial tablet must be burned!”

Baek Yu’s eyebrows twitched at the command.

The Explosive Demon Art was a common demonic technique that anyone initiated into demonic arts could learn. It involved accelerating the reverse flow of dark energy, stimulating the dantian, and detonating the accumulated energy to turn the body into a living bomb.

The resulting explosion would create a storm, and the flesh and bones of the practitioner would become countless deadly projectiles.

It was a technique often used by demons during the Bloodshed of Shanxi to take down powerful opponents through mutual destruction.

“Target the heart and dantian! Prevent them from even attempting the Explosive Demon Art!”

Upon hearing Mar Yeon-ro’s command, Hyun Baek immediately shouted to warn the second-generation disciples who were unaware of how to counter the Explosive Demon Art.

As the demons, following Mar Yeon-ro’s order, began to prepare the Explosive Demon Art while clashing with the Plum Blossom Swordmasters.

Screech!

A sharp sound pierced the air, and the head of a demon, who was wrapping his body in dark energy to unleash the Explosive Demon Art, exploded like a watermelon.

Boom!

The object that pierced the demon’s head and embedded itself in the ground was a sword. Recognizing it, Hyun Baek’s eyes narrowed.

“A Plum Blossom Sword?”

As Hyun Baek muttered, the piercing sound continued without pause.

Screech!

Boom!

The Plum Blossom Swords, thrown with such speed and internal energy, pierced the hearts or dantians of the demons attempting the Explosive Demon Art, leaving large holes in their bodies.

The scene of the Plum Blossom Swords, thrown like javelins, bursting through the demons left not only the demons but also the Huashan Sect disciples in shock.

Boom!

When the last Plum Blossom Sword pierced a demon and embedded itself in the ground, a total of twenty-one swords formed a line, creating a boundary between the demons and the Plum Blossom Swordmasters. Then, Mu Hui appeared above the gate, having thrown the Plum Blossom Swords from afar to shatter the demons.

“Plum Blossom Swordmasters, take up your swords.”

At Mu Hui’s command, the Plum Blossom Swordmasters, who had been cutting down demons, realized that the Plum Blossom Swords Mu Hui had thrown were newly forged Han Iron Plum Blossom Swords.

Hyun Baek was the first to sheath his blood-stained sword and reach for the Han Iron Plum Blossom Sword embedded in the ground, and the other Plum Blossom Swordmasters followed suit.

Even in the midst of battle, with enemies before them, the demons couldn’t exploit the opening.

This was because, as Mu Hui’s voice resonated, the gentle aura of the Purple Mist Divine Art enveloped the demons.

Since Mu Hui’s arrival, the demons felt that the very air of Huashan had changed.

Though they had been prepared to die when they ascended Huashan, the demons, having experienced Mu Hui’s presence, could only tremble and sweat profusely.

Screech!

The Han Iron Plum Blossom Swords, drawn by Hyun Baek and the other Plum Blossom Swordmasters, gleamed so brightly they appeared almost transparent, like ice. If Mu Hui’s Heart Sword hadn’t been made from the horn of the One-Horned Demon, it might have shone with a similar light.

The radiant sword light emitted by the twenty-one Han Iron Plum Blossom Swords was so intense that even the dark energy lingering around them momentarily dissipated.

Screech!

The Huashan Four Blossoms—Mu Jin, Mu Cheol, and Mu Hwa—appeared behind the demons, each drawing their own Han Iron Plum Blossom Sword, bringing the total to twenty-four.

As Mu Hui watched the gathered Plum Blossom Swordmasters, he issued his command as the leader of the Plum Blossom Swordmasters.

“There is no place for dark energy in Huashan. Kill them all.”