Sword Saint sat across from Mu-hui and began to speak.

“I met Heukcheon.”

Though Sword Saint spoke casually, the weight of his words was anything but. Mu-hui couldn’t help but be taken aback.

“Heukcheon, you say?”

Seeing Mu-hui instinctively check himself for injuries, Sword Saint chuckled warmly.

“Don’t worry. We just had a conversation over a game of Go.”

Both Sword Saint and Heukcheon were unparalleled masters, each reigning supreme in their respective domains of righteousness and darkness. The idea that such titans would meet and only play Go was astonishing to Mu-hui.

“What did you talk about?”

Sword Saint sipped the tea Mu-hui had prepared, then continued.

“Heukcheon has lived far longer than I have. I never thought I’d meet a senior at my age. It was quite amusing, really. Ha ha ha.”

The revelation that Heukcheon was older than Sword Saint made Mu-hui shudder slightly, but he nodded in understanding. He had sensed as much from what Heukcheon had said in the past.

“Rather than living, it seems more like he’s endured. To me, he seemed like a profoundly lonely man.”

“Endured…”

As Mu-hui murmured to himself, Sword Saint asked, “Mu-hui, you met Heukcheon too, didn’t you?”

“Yes, you heard about that.”

“I’m curious about your encounter.”

Mu-hui calmly recounted the events at Geombongsan. Listening, Sword Saint sighed and set his teacup down.

“So, it was Heukcheon who killed the Sword Demon and the previous Mount Hua Sword Saint. A hidden tale indeed. To you, Heukcheon must be an arch-nemesis.”

“That’s right.”

Mu-hui’s hands clenched on his lap, crumpling the fabric of his robe.

“Heukcheon mentioned that there will come a time when the greatest masters of the martial world will gather. He urged me not to remain secluded on Wudang Mountain when that time comes.”

“He said the same to me. Perhaps he wants to determine who is the greatest under heaven…”

“He’s certainly different from the usual demonic figures that have appeared in the martial world. He seems uninterested in the typical ambitions of conquering the martial world or causing bloodshed.”

Mu-hui nodded. Sword Saint had sensed the same thing he had. The only emotion Heukcheon seemed to show was an endless boredom and weariness.

“It seems he’s just looking for someone who can match his martial prowess.”

“He may have started as a demon, but now he might just be a martial artist—a lonely one who never found a worthy opponent. In a way, he’s like a child looking for someone to play with.”

After a moment of silence, Mu-hui cautiously asked, “What do you think would happen if you faced Heukcheon?”

A gentle smile appeared on Sword Saint’s lips.

“I don’t know. I was ready to draw my sword, but Heukcheon refused. He said it wasn’t the right time.”

Then Sword Saint looked at Mu-hui.

“But I don’t think Heukcheon is waiting for me. It’s probably you, Mu-hui.”

“Heukcheon said something similar. But I don’t understand why.”

Mu-hui had a clear reason—Heukcheon was his enemy from a past life. But Heukcheon seemed to have no such reason.

Sword Saint regarded Mu-hui with a calm gaze.

“It’s just intuition. You know it well.”

A martial artist’s intuition is unique. As one’s skills and inner strength deepen, their senses sharpen. When they begin to communicate directly with the natural world, their heightened senses approach the realm of foresight. The intuition of a master, honed over years, might even touch the heavens.

“But honestly, I don’t think I can match Heukcheon with my current skills.”

Sword Saint stroked his beard and gazed out the window. The vast sky above the pavilion was dotted with leisurely drifting clouds.

“Indeed. Even at the same level, the gap can be as vast as the martial world itself. Just as the Heroic Alliance Leader was a step behind the Overlord and the Heavenly Sword. But Mu-hui, your worry is unnecessary.”

Mu-hui blinked at Sword Saint’s firm words. It was natural to consider such things if he were to face Heukcheon, yet Sword Saint said it wasn’t needed.

“Even if Heukcheon sees you as a worthy opponent, you don’t have to bear it all alone. You didn’t reach your current level of martial arts solely through your own strength.”

Mu-hui nodded. He couldn’t have reached his current state through talent alone. It was the result of many connections and fortuitous encounters.

“Just as you have until now, continue forward. You don’t have to shoulder it alone. Others, including myself, will be there to support you.”

Sword Saint gently placed his hand on Mu-hui’s, which was gripping his robe. Mu-hui found the warmth of Sword Saint’s hand comforting.

“In a way, it’s not just a contest for the title of the greatest under heaven, but a clash between righteousness and darkness.”

Understanding Sword Saint’s words, Mu-hui nodded. Though both he and Heukcheon had reached the pinnacle, their paths in martial arts were entirely different. It wasn’t just a contest of skill, but a collision of their martial philosophies.

“I won’t lose.”

“That’s the spirit.”

Afterward, Mu-hui and Sword Saint discussed martial arts. They delved into the insights gained upon reaching the pinnacle and the concept of the Heart Sword beyond it.

Just as he had on Wudang Mountain and at the Martial Alliance, Sword Saint generously shared his wisdom with Mu-hui. Mu-hui felt that even their discussions alone greatly aided him in navigating the vast realm of the pinnacle.

Sword Saint had given Mu-hui so much that he was like a first master to him.

After a long conversation, Sword Saint finally rose from his seat.

“I should be going. I’m sure the Old Sword Master is quite annoyed with me.”

“The Old Sword Master knew you were here?”

“As a guest, it’s only proper to pay respects to the host.”

Sword Saint gave Mu-hui a meaningful look.

“The Old Sword Master challenged me, but I told him to defeat the Mount Hua Sword Saint first. Make sure he doesn’t come to Wudang Mountain.”

Sword Saint laughed, and Mu-hui joined in.

“I’m sure he won’t.”

“Ha ha. I’ll trust you.”

Like a cloud, Sword Saint vanished as suddenly as he had appeared.

* * *

The final day of the World Martial Arts Tournament approached.

In the grand arena, a massive stage had been erected, and swordsmen from all over the martial world gathered for this day.

“It’s finally starting. Watch closely. Our family might face such a challenge one day.”

“Yes, Father.”

As Namgung Heo and Namgung Gak focused on the arena, the Seven Swords of Wudang approached them.

“Master Namgung.”

“Oh, Inho Zhenren. You’ve come.”

As Inho, the leader of the Seven Swords of Wudang, paid his respects, Namgung Heo and Namgung Gak returned the gesture.

“What do you think, Inho Zhenren?”

“Hmm. I hear each sect will send fifteen of their best.”

“That’s right.”

The Mount Hua Sect and the Old Sword Sect each selected their top fifteen masters to compete. A victor could continue to fight until they were defeated.

If all fifteen masters from one side were defeated and unable to take the stage, the outcome of the tournament would be decided.

“The Plum Blossom Swordsmen’s prowess has been proven time and again. But the Eight Jade Swords, newly trained by the Old Sword Master, won’t be easy to handle.”

The Eight Jade Swords were said to be the most promising talents from the Old Sword Sect’s martial ranks, personally trained and managed by the Old Sword Master. They wouldn’t be easy opponents.

Over the past six days, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen had won most of their matches, but so had the Eight Jade Swords from the Old Sword Sect.

“Moreover, the Old Sword Sect’s leader and the three vice-leaders—Hell, Abyss, and Nine Heavens—are participating, making it even more challenging.”

“Of course, the duel between the Old Sword Master and the Mount Hua Sword Saint is the most crucial.”

At Inho’s words, Namgung Heo looked up at the highest seat on the platform, where the Old Sword Master sat.

‘He looks unchanged from when he fought my father. If anything, he seems younger.’

Having witnessed the clash between the Sky Sword Master and the Old Sword Master firsthand, Namgung Heo was concerned by the Old Sword Master’s unexpectedly robust appearance. He anticipated a tough battle for the Mount Hua Sword Saint.

Sensing Namgung Heo’s gaze, the Old Sword Master turned his head and smirked at him.

[They say the Sky Sword Master died of old age. What a pity. If you had properly followed in your father’s footsteps and earned the title of Sword Master, I would have challenged the Namgung family instead of the Mount Hua Sect. Tsk tsk.]

Namgung Heo merely furrowed his brows at the Old Sword Master’s telepathic message. The Old Sword Master was right. He hadn’t surpassed the transcendent realm and remained at the peak of the supreme level.

But despite the Old Sword Master’s taunt, Namgung Heo’s eyes remained steady.

‘It’s fine. The Namgung swordsmanship is being passed down properly, and one day, we’ll produce another master.’

Namgung Heo placed a reassuring hand on Namgung Gak’s shoulder.

“Father?”

Namgung Gak was puzzled by the sudden change in Namgung Heo’s expression, unable to fathom what was going through his mind.

“It’s nothing.”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

As the father and son of the Namgung family conversed, the sound of drums signaled the start of the martial arts duel.

The first to step forward from the Gu Yu Sword Sect was a middle-aged man from the Eight Jade Sword Brigade, while the Huashan Sect’s representative was Mu Hwa.

“Is that the Gale Plum Sword? Even as a second disciple, he’s stepping into the ring. He’s known as the Plum Blossom Swordsman, but isn’t he a bit young for this?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. You haven’t seen Mu Hwa fight. He’s rougher and quicker than most wandering swordsmen.”

Some swordsmen expressed concern for Mu Hwa, who, despite his reputation as the Plum Blossom Swordsman, was still considered young to be among the top fighters of his sect.

The same could be said for his opponent, the middle-aged man from the Eight Jade Sword Brigade.

“I’ll finish this quickly. This young girl doesn’t know fear.”

The middle-aged man exuded a fierce aura, his sword enveloped in a reddish glow, indicating he was nearing the peak of his martial prowess.

Mu Hwa, unfazed by the man’s condescending gaze, pursed her red lips into a sly smile.

“Oh, really?”

With a light step forward, Mu Hwa’s form blurred.

In an instant, a violet flash burst before the middle-aged man’s eyes, carried by the wind that rushed past his face.

‘Damn!’

The distance between them closed in the blink of an eye, faster than a single breath could be drawn.

The middle-aged man found himself gaping at Mu Hwa’s astonishing speed, which belied her age.

He hurriedly angled his sword to strike her down, but by then, the sleeves embroidered with plum blossoms were already dancing in the wind.

Swish!

The sword’s shadow pierced seven vital points, targeting the waist and left lower body. The middle-aged man’s hand trembled as he tried to fend off the attack.

Before he could even deflect the sword’s shadow, the Plum Blossom Sword trembled above his head, scattering petals of sword energy.

Caught in the seamless flow of Plum Blossom Frenzy and Plum Blossom Fall, the middle-aged man extended his sword in desperation, but he had already lost his rhythm and breath.

‘What a disgrace!’

The middle-aged man, who had intended to toy with Mu Hwa using the Ghostly Spirit Dispersing Sword, found himself treated like a mere scarecrow instead.

Watching Mu Hwa’s overwhelming display of martial prowess, the deputy leader of the Hell Sect let out a low murmur.

“That child…”

The deputy leader of the Nine Heavens Sect nodded in agreement.

“Indeed. She’s reached the pinnacle. Has Huashan been secretly training in demonic arts? It’s unbelievable for such a young disciple to achieve this level.”

“They’ve been hiding their skills.”

The deputy leader of the Abyss Sect muttered, arms crossed, as he glared at Mu Hwa.

Over the past six days of duels, the Gu Yu Sword Sect had meticulously analyzed the Plum Blossom Swordsman’s abilities. Yet today, Mu Hwa moved in a way they had never seen before.

Clang!

The middle-aged man’s sword wavered precariously as he barely managed to block Mu Hwa’s relentless strikes.

Her swift swordplay, cutting dozens of times in a single breath, created a whirlwind of sword energy that seemed to pour down like a raging storm.

‘Damn it. The Gale Plum Sword!’

The middle-aged man was experiencing firsthand why Mu Hwa was nicknamed the Gale Plum Sword.

“Is that all you’ve got?”

Mu Hwa’s words left the middle-aged man speechless.

Even now, amidst the sword shadows filling his vision, the radiant plum blossoms shone brightly.

Mu Hwa brought her Plum Blossom Sword down vertically, then abruptly lifted it to break the middle-aged man’s sword technique, exploiting the opening with her left hand to unleash the Plum Blossom Mountain.

Thud!

The spiraling force of the Plum Blossom Mountain struck the middle-aged man’s chest with a resounding blow.

“Ugh!”

Coughing up a mouthful of blood, the middle-aged man tumbled several times.

He tried to rise quickly, but by then, the Plum Blossom Sword was already at his throat.

Mu Hwa had subdued her opponent effortlessly in less than twenty moves, leaving the surroundings in stunned silence.

Many swordsmen couldn’t hide their astonishment at the young Mu Hwa, who still bore traces of youthfulness.

Though they knew her martial skills were exceptional for her age, they questioned whether she truly deserved to be among the top fighters in this duel.

“The Gale Plum Sword! Truly remarkable!”

“Her skills surpass the rumors. It’s astonishing.”

“I had a feeling. The sword techniques Mu Hwa displayed in the previous duels were extraordinary.”

But now, witnessing her overwhelming performance, they finally saw Mu Hwa as a formidable swordsman, one not to be underestimated.

Mu Hwa calmly surveyed the swordsmen watching her, then turned to the Gu Yu Sword Sect’s side and spoke.

“Next.”