Mu-hwi slowly turned his back and smiled at Jwa Ho-beop.

“Are you sure you want to go easy on me, as the lord suggested?”

Jwa Ho-beop wiped the blood from his left hand with a rough motion, ignoring the wounds that reopened with every movement. He let out a dry laugh.

“It stings a little.”

Mu-hwi glanced at Jwa Ho-beop’s injured hand and flicked his sword, Simmyeonggeom, to shake off the blood. Meanwhile, Jwa Ho-beop’s wounds were healing at an astonishing rate, leaving the onlookers in awe.

“How can he heal so quickly? What kind of martial art is that?”

“It must be some dark art, but surely he can’t keep healing like that forever.”

Unlike the others, Mu-hwi watched Jwa Ho-beop with calm eyes, recognizing the technique.

‘Has he mastered the Hongya Bokma Gong?’

Hongya Bokma Gong—a rare and formidable martial art known for its incredible healing and explosive power. It was a technique that could overwhelm opponents with sheer force and rapid recovery.

Boom!

The ground cracked under Mu-hwi’s feet as he vanished, reappearing in a circle around Jwa Ho-beop, closing the distance with a sudden leap.

When facing Hongya Bokma Gong, allowing the opponent to control the flow of battle was a sure path to defeat. The key was to counter with relentless offense, not defense.

Swish!

Mu-hwi’s sword, Simmyeonggeom, spun in his hand, creating a small vortex that quickly grew into a powerful storm. At the heart of the swirling sword energy, a plum blossom began to bloom, spinning like a pinwheel in the wind.

Plum Blossom Storm.

Jwa Ho-beop’s fierce blade descended upon the blossoming plum, each strike echoing like thunder through the valley. His crescent-shaped sword slashes split the plum blossom in an instant, the force of his attack shaking even Mu-hwi’s sword.

“Let’s see if you can handle this!”

Jwa Ho-beop’s eyes gleamed with a dark, crimson light as he roared, his sword slicing through the air above Mu-hwi’s head.

Mu-hwi twisted his sword to counter the downward slash, launching five strikes from below. Jwa Ho-beop responded with a series of crescent-shaped slashes, overwhelming Mu-hwi’s sword path.

Jwa Ho-beop smirked as he watched Mu-hwi’s sword struggle against his relentless assault.

‘He dares to face me head-on?’

The Zhan Yue Demon Blade—a technique that paired perfectly with Hongya Bokma Gong. With this combination, Jwa Ho-beop had always seized control of any battle.

“What are you smirking at?”

Mu-hwi, unfazed by Jwa Ho-beop’s aggressive attacks, leveled his sword horizontally. A violet light emanated from Simmyeonggeom, aimed directly at Jwa Ho-beop’s twisted lips.

Despite Jwa Ho-beop’s relentless offensive, Mu-hwi didn’t retreat a single step. Instead, he moved with the wind, weaving through the storm of attacks with ease.

Jwa Ho-beop swung his sword low, aiming for Mu-hwi’s legs. Mu-hwi planted his right foot firmly and twisted his sword vertically to block the strike.

Clang!

The sound of metal scraping against metal made Jwa Ho-beop narrow his eyes. His sword, meant to cleave through Mu-hwi, was intercepted by Simmyeonggeom, now crossed at an angle.

Boom!

As the swords clashed, Mu-hwi flicked his wrist, deflecting Jwa Ho-beop’s blade downward.

With Jwa Ho-beop’s upper body exposed, dozens of sword shadows surged forward like living creatures. The muscles in Jwa Ho-beop’s arms tensed as he struggled to fend off the onslaught.

He spun his sword to block the shadows, but Mu-hwi’s relentless strikes rained down upon him. The overlapping sword paths created a chilling aura around Jwa Ho-beop.

“Damn you!”

The dazzling changes in Simmyeonggeom’s movements filled Jwa Ho-beop’s vision with a brilliant violet hue. Yet, he refused to back down, unleashing his dark energy in a powerful burst.

The two masters clashed, their movements creating shockwaves that rippled through the air.

Clang!

In an instant, their swords tangled and separated dozens of times.

Mu-hwi’s plum blossom robe fluttered wildly as he regained his stance, while Jwa Ho-beop’s hair, freed from its tie, whipped around his face. Still, neither master showed any sign of stopping.

Mu-hwi’s sword rose like a dragon ascending, its movements serpentine and unpredictable. Jwa Ho-beop countered with heavy, forceful strikes.

A massive crescent moon appeared in the air, repeatedly covered and uncovered by violet petals.

Though Jwa Ho-beop sustained shallow cuts, he paid them no mind, tearing through the plum blossoms. His wounds healed almost instantly, thanks to his formidable dark energy.

Despite the energy drain, his transcendent inner power allowed him to endure significant injuries. Yet, he was astonished.

‘He’s holding his own against the Zhan Yue Demon Blade?’

He had believed that no matter how swift and varied the Huashan Sect’s swordplay was, his overwhelming crescent blade would suppress it. But Mu-hwi’s sword showed no signs of faltering.

Like trying to hold back a river with bare hands, the endless variations of Simmyeonggeom continued to surge forward, threatening to engulf the crescent blade.

Swish!

Simultaneously, Mu-hwi’s sword blurred, its transformations becoming more intricate. He unleashed a hundred variations with a single blade.

“Impressive.”

Even Jwa Ho-beop, following the movements of Simmyeonggeom, found it dizzying to keep track.

Relying on the healing power of Hongya Bokma Gong, Jwa Ho-beop focused all his energy on unleashing the ultimate techniques of the Zhan Yue Demon Blade.

Crash!

Dozens of overlapping strikes swept through the air, each one massive and overwhelming. Yet, amidst the chaos, countless plum blossoms bloomed again and again. Though many were torn apart by the strikes, more blossoms continued to flourish.

Whoosh!

Simmyeonggeom sliced through the air with a sharp, piercing sound, its speed increasing with each stroke. As Mu-hwi’s swordplay grew more precise, Jwa Ho-beop felt a sense of urgency, drawing upon his dark energy without reserve.

Both masters stepped forward simultaneously, their attacks converging.

The wave of Plum Blossom River surged like a torrent. Jwa Ho-beop leaped into the air, his sword descending amidst the sea of blossoms and petals.

“Ha!”

Blood sprayed from his arm, and his waist was pierced by sword shadows. Even the power of the Zhan Yue Demon Blade struggled to contain the ever-changing Huashan swordplay. Yet, Jwa Ho-beop stubbornly unleashed three consecutive ultimate techniques, tearing through the surrounding blossoms.

As Jwa Ho-beop’s feet left a long groove in the ground, Mu-hwi appeared like a specter from behind, his eyes cold and unyielding, giving Jwa Ho-beop no time to catch his breath.

“You!”

Jwa Ho-beop barely managed to deflect seven slashes aimed at his side, swinging his sword in a wide arc. Mu-hwi sidestepped with a graceful movement, the ground splitting where he had stood.

Anticipating Mu-hwi’s evasion, Jwa Ho-beop immediately swung his sword horizontally, targeting Mu-hwi’s waist. His intent was to break Mu-hwi’s momentum, but Mu-hwi saw through it and didn’t bother to dodge.

With his left hand, Mu-hwi executed the Plum Blossom Mountain technique, intercepting the blade aimed at his waist. He twisted his body, thrusting Simmyeonggeom forward.

Thud!

Jwa Ho-beop stared at the sword piercing his shoulder, then at Mu-hwi’s left hand. Though the Zhan Yue Demon Blade had cut through the Plum Blossom Mountain’s force, it hadn’t fully severed Mu-hwi’s hand, leaving only a shallow mark.

“I held back. Be grateful.”

In a real fight, the sword would have pierced his heart, just an inch lower.

Mu-hwi briefly considered killing Jwa Ho-beop but dismissed the thought.

That would have crossed a line, and as a guest at the sect’s opening ceremony, he would no longer be protected. Killing Jwa Ho-beop would surely provoke the entire Black Night Palace to attack the martial alliance.

It was a tempting thought, but he had to be satisfied with this.

“You dare say you held back?”

Jwa Ho-beop, enraged by Mu-hwi’s words, released his grip on his sword. With his left hand, he grabbed the blade piercing his shoulder, while his right hand prepared to strike Mu-hwi’s head.

Mu-hwi watched Jwa Ho-beop’s left hand, wrapped in dark energy, gripping Simmyeonggeom. He seemed to think Mu-hwi couldn’t pull the sword out with his hand so deeply embedded.

“You think I’ll let go of my sword?”

Seeing through Jwa Ho-beop’s thoughts, Mu-hwi smiled coldly. In an instant, he adjusted his grip and stance on Simmyeonggeom.

At that moment, Jwa Hobup’s eyes widened in shock.

He could feel the powerful energy and vibrations coursing through the Simmyung Sword embedded in his shoulder. This was unlike any sword from the Hwasan sect he had faced before.

As the dark blade of the Simmyung Sword shimmered like the night sky, a deep purple aura spread across it. Mu Hui’s muscles twitched differently than when he executed the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

Slash!

The sword cleaved through, seeking to break and surpass.

The Simmyung Sword tore through Jwa Hobup’s shoulder, and with a spray of blood, his fingers flew into the air.

Rip!

Mu Hui, having severed Jwa Hobup’s left fingers and shoulder, spun his body to intercept Jwa Hobup’s palm strike aimed at his head.

“Ugh!”

Jwa Hobup clutched his left hand, now missing three fingers, while Mu Hui twisted his lips into a smirk.

“Even with your dark arts, you can’t reattach those fingers, can you? Maybe I should’ve gone a bit easier on you.”

As blood vessels burst in Jwa Hobup’s eyes, the low, commanding voice of the Black Night Palace Lord resonated through the air.

“Jwa Hobup, cease this disgraceful display. Return immediately.”

The Black Night Palace Lord’s voice was the most emotionless and dry it had ever been. Jwa Hobup, regaining his composure, knelt before the Palace Lord.

“Yes, my lord.”

The Palace Lord turned to Mu Hui, who stood alone, and offered a gentle smile.

“Young Sword Master of Hwasan, though you are young, everyone here has witnessed that you are more than worthy of your title. Jwa Hobup not only survived but gained much from this encounter. Thank you for gracing our ceremony with such splendor.”

“Think nothing of it. I only held back because you asked Jwa Hobup to do the same.”

Mu Hui’s words were met with a dry chuckle from the Palace Lord.

A duel between masters of the same transcendent level.

The only injury Mu Hui sustained was a shallow cut on his left hand.

The eyes of Sadocheon and Paewangseong, who watched Mu Hui’s overwhelming victory over Jwa Hobup, were far more subdued than when they observed the chaotic skirmishes of the younger disciples.

* * *

After the duel between Mu Hui and Jwa Hobup, the ceremony continued smoothly.

Later that night, the Black Night Palace Lord and the three leaders held a private meeting, reportedly discussing territorial matters, including the region of Guizhou where the Black Night Palace was situated.

The meeting also focused on political issues between factions, which Mu Hui found little interest in, trusting that Kang Hobak would handle it well.

With the meeting concluded, the ceremony wrapped up, and each faction began their journey home.

“We’re finally at the border of Guizhou. It feels good to be out of the Black Night Palace,” Pang Hoyon murmured, glancing back.

Jegal Myung replied with a slightly tense expression, “We’ll be busy once we return to the alliance.”

Their visit to the Black Night Palace had provided valuable insights into its scale and the level of its warriors. The Martial Alliance would need to adjust its strategies based on this new information.

“Mu Hui, are you heading straight back to Hwasan?” Baek Lisang inquired.

“Hmm, I haven’t decided yet.”

Seon Un, overhearing their conversation, chimed in, “Mu Hui, why not stay at the alliance for a while? Your friends at the Sojeong Society would be delighted to see you.”

“Come to the Martial Alliance. I want a rematch,” Seong Hoi added.

“Hmm.”

As Mu Hui pondered Seon Un and Seong Hoi’s suggestions, Mu Hwa chattered beside him.

“Senior Brother, let’s rest at the Martial Alliance before heading back. It’s been a while since we left Hwasan, right?”

Listening to Mu Hwa’s pleading, Mu Hui furrowed his brow and turned his head. Kang Hobak, leading the procession, did the same, though he looked in the opposite direction.

“Stop.”

At Kang Hobak’s command, the procession halted, and the guards immediately went on alert. However, nothing appeared on their senses.

“Leader?”

Despite the call from the guard captain, Kang Hobak’s stern expression remained unchanged.

Mu Hui and Kang Hobak, looking in opposite directions, locked eyes in silence. Mu Hui spoke first.

“What should we do?”

“Let’s observe the situation for now.”

The guards and younger disciples, unable to grasp the conversation between Mu Hui and Kang Hobak, reached for their weapons as the situation unfolded.

To the east, the banner of Paewangseong appeared, and to the west, the banner of Sadocheon.

“It seems they have no intention of letting us leave quietly.”

Kang Hobak slowly lifted his bamboo hat.

“It seems they have no intention of letting us leave quietly.”