“Mukya-cheon, huh…”

Mu-hwi opened the book, his eyes scanning the pages with a focused intensity. Jin-young continued his explanation, watching Mu-hwi closely.

“At first, I thought it was just a coincidence that the name of the faction included ‘ya’ (night).”

Mu-hwi’s eyes narrowed as he recognized a familiar name in the text.

– The master of Mukya-cheon mastered a dark martial art known as Heukcheon Divine Skill. This skill is the foundation of Mukya-cheon’s martial arts.

“But when I learned that the one who killed the Sword King was named Heukcheon, my perspective changed.”

Mu-hwi nodded, the pieces falling into place.

Heukcheon had indeed claimed that name, a legacy of the dark path he followed. As Mu-hwi turned the pages, his conviction grew stronger.

Mukya-cheon and Heukya-gung were not just similar in name; they shared the same dark roots.

“These damned demonic sects. They just keep coming back.”

“Like cockroaches. Persistent and terrifying.”

Mu-hwi’s eyes widened as he turned to the next page. He realized why Jin-young had gone to the trouble of transcribing this information into a book.

“Is this an annotation on the Heukcheon Divine Skill?”

The book contained detailed experiences and analyses from Cheonsalje, who had faced Heukcheon directly, including methods to counter each technique.

‘Though much time has passed and some things may have changed, having a glimpse into the Heukcheon Divine Skill is a significant advantage.’

In the current martial world, information about Heukcheon’s skills was scarce. This book Jin-young had brought was like a divine manual from the heavens.

‘I need to study this thoroughly over time.’

Recalling Heukcheon’s emotionless face, Mu-hwi looked at Jin-young.

“Besides the Heukcheon Divine Skill, I see Cheonsalje’s insights are mixed in here. This is truly valuable. Are you sure it’s okay for me to have it?”

Upon closer inspection, Cheonsalje’s martial theories and insights naturally blended with the deep dive into the Heukcheon Divine Skill.

Although Mu-hwi hadn’t mastered the martial arts of Cheonsalje, he knew that at the pinnacle, all martial arts converged.

Even a brief glance at the insights revealed that Cheonsalje was no ordinary martial artist.

Mu-hwi was confident that even at his current level, he could gain something from Cheonsalje’s insights. They reached far into the horizon of martial understanding.

“I don’t possess the martial prowess to act like a founder, so no matter how much I read, it’s useless to me. It should go to someone who can truly make use of it.”

Mu-hwi nodded solemnly.

“I’ll make sure Cheonsalje’s records aren’t in vain.”

Jin-young smiled and bowed his head.

Watching Jin-young, Mu-hwi added, “It’s not much, but after studying Cheonsalje’s insights, I’ll add my own annotations and return this book. It might help future disciples of Cheonsalje’s sect.”

Mu-hwi recalled the martial arts he had faced from the dark sects.

If he recorded the counter-techniques he used against them alongside Cheonsalje’s insights, it would be quite beneficial.

The sect’s pursuit of something beyond mere assassination intrigued him.

Jin-young smiled at Mu-hwi’s proposal.

“I would be grateful if you did that.”

* * *

Mu-hwi walked alone.

He noticed a few carrier pigeons and messenger hawks flying overhead but paid them no mind.

Jin-young had mentioned that the Heukya-gung had completely taken over the Shinhwa area, with their eyes everywhere.

The demonic sects in Shinhwa would surely be monitoring the movements of the Hwasan faction.

As Mu-hwi drew closer to Shinhwa, his steady steps came to a halt.

Demonic figures emerged from all directions, exuding a dark aura.

Though he couldn’t count them precisely, there seemed to be at least three hundred.

The group surrounding Mu-hwi was not the end. He sensed more approaching from afar, their numbers easily exceeding a hundred.

The dark blue uniforms of the demonic figures bore the characters “Jinryeong.”

“Heartless creatures.”

Mu-hwi muttered as he observed the Jinryeongdan.

Despite their numbers, they moved with precise coordination, adhering strictly to the movements of their group.

Hundreds of strands of dark energy intertwined, the Jinryeongdan’s aura darkening the surroundings.

Though it was midday, the area around Mu-hwi quickly transformed into night. The sun, high in the sky, was gradually obscured by the dark energy.

The Jinryeongdan itself seemed like a single monstrous entity.

“Sword Saint.”

An old man emerged from the ranks of the demonic figures. Following his lead, other elders appeared from different directions.

“The Plum Blossom Swordsman isn’t with you. Are you here alone to draw attention and rescue the merchant’s daughter from Shinhwa?”

Another elder spoke from a different direction.

“Futile effort. Im Su-ryeon has already left Shinhwa and is moving elsewhere. Your information is outdated.”

“The Plum Blossom Swordsmen are heading to Shaoyang.”

Mu-hwi’s words caused the elders’ eyes to darken.

Shaoyang.

A location south of Shinhwa, one of Heukya-gung’s main gathering points.

Heukya-gung had decided to move Im Su-ryeon to Shaoyang upon hearing of the Hwasan faction’s southward advance.

However, thanks to Cheonsalje’s intelligence, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen bypassed Shinhwa and headed directly south to quickly track Im Su-ryeon.

Mu-hwi gripped his sword, facing the Jinryeongdan.

“Focus on your own problems. I’m not here to draw attention; I’m here to eliminate you.”

A murderous aura emanated from Mu-hwi, spreading like a storm. The surrounding grass flattened under its pressure.

Yet, the aura couldn’t extend beyond a certain radius. Mu-hwi focused on the dark energy that had completely obscured the sunlight.

“We’re not here just to stop you.”

The elders’ dry lips twisted into unsettling smiles.

“Charging at someone of your caliber without a plan would be meaningless, no matter our numbers. That’s why our sect has spent centuries developing a formation.”

“The Dark Night Jinryeong Formation. Designed to confront and contain a supreme master. Comparable to Shaolin’s 108 Arhat Formation.”

The dark energy thickened, and the voices of the elders alternated from different directions.

“For a day. We’ll hold you until the Grand Protector arrives.”

With that, the elders’ voices ceased, and no other sounds could be heard. The encroaching darkness swallowed even the Jinryeongdan members.

Nothing but darkness surrounded him. Even with his inner energy heightened to its peak, Mu-hwi couldn’t pierce through the gloom.

He recalled the elders’ words as he surveyed the darkness.

‘The Grand Protector. I thought there were only Left and Right Protectors. Has the sect master hidden this one?’

As his sword emitted a violet glow, the surrounding darkness rippled, and immense pressure bore down on Mu-hwi.

Boom!

The ground beneath Mu-hwi’s feet collapsed, yet his stance remained unshaken.

It seemed the formation’s power channeled the inner energy and force of hundreds of demonic figures, directing it all at Mu-hwi.

As he pushed back against the pressure with his own energy, the darkness unleashed a barrage of attacks.

Dozens of sword winds and energy waves surged like a tidal wave, followed by massive fist winds.

Amidst the chaos, stealthy and sinister attacks emerged like hidden assassins.

Some attacks came from twenty steps away, while others erupted suddenly from close range.

They appeared and vanished in the darkness, some never visible at all, like the strikes of an assassin.

Yet, no sound accompanied the onslaught.

“What an irritating formation.”

Mu-hwi felt the relentless pressure of the formation as he angled his sword.

The attacks from all directions showed no sign of stopping, as if the formation had fully engaged.

He deflected the rain of sword winds from above and leaped into the air.

Moments later, spikes of dark energy erupted from the ground where he had stood.

With a sweep of his sword, Mu-hwi dispersed the dark energy, then unleashed a flurry of plum blossom petals to fend off the storm of attacks.

‘This isn’t just a simple formation. It seems to incorporate dark arts as well. Even the natural energy is cut off here.’

The Dark Night Jinryeong Formation, deployed by the Jinryeongdan.

Though he couldn’t fully grasp its capabilities, it was clear this was no ordinary formation, as they had boasted.

By severing the natural energy, it denied a supreme master the advantage of quickly replenishing their inner energy through communion with nature.

This formation tampered with the very laws of nature. It was indeed worthy of being called a formation designed to confront a supreme master.

‘How to break it…’

A formation meant to counter a supreme master would surely account for brute force.

Mu-hwi moved with relentless energy, even as he analyzed the Am-Yu-Ya-Jin-Ryeong-Jin. The formation allowed him no respite, not even a single breath.

It drove him like an unending storm, seemingly trying to buy time until the arrival of the Great Law Enforcer.

“Heukcheon Yajang.”

In that moment, Mu-hwi recalled a technique from the Heukcheon Divine Art, described in the book he received from Jin-yeong.

Heukcheon Yajang.

A technique that transforms oneself into a living pivot, creating a domain favorable to the Heukcheon Divine Art.

There were several similarities between this Heukcheon Yajang and the Am-Yu-Ya-Jin-Ryeong-Jin, as if they were somehow connected.

The method to break the formation, as detailed in the book, surfaced clearly in Mu-hwi’s mind.

“It’s worth a try.”

As Mu-hwi released his sword energy, the Simmyeong Sword floated up, soaring into the sky. Despite the fierce pressure and demonic energy swirling in the air, nothing could halt the sword’s ascent.

In the center of the sky, where the sun was obscured, the Simmyeong Sword emitted a deep purple wave.

In Mu-hwi’s hand, the Zaha extended, forming the shape of a sword.

Both the Simmyeong Sword and the Invisible Sword began to scatter Zaha.

Amhyang Budonghwa.

Pagun Gumu.

The Zaha spread rapidly, both above and below.

The Simmyeong Sword, positioned where the sun should be, scattered Zaha instead of sunlight. Hundreds of purple beams stretched out in all directions.

Above these purple branches, plum blossoms bloomed profusely, filling the darkness.

The Invisible Sword, tracing wide arcs on the ground, continued its endless path.

The unceasing waves of sword energy expanded like a mighty dragon, devouring the demonic energy and extending its domain.

It was as if a vast purple mist was spreading.

The onslaught of the Jinryeongdan was disintegrating in an instant.

By applying the method from the book, Mu-hwi’s technique caused a disruption in the formation.

Boom!

For the first time, the Am-Yu-Ya-Jin-Ryeong-Jin, which had remained silent through all previous clashes, began to wail.

“One day? Not a chance.”

* * *

Yeryeong, Hunan Province.

Located south of Changsha, where the Martial Alliance’s forces were gathered, and on the border between Hunan and Jiangxi.

In Yeryeong, the forces of Sadocheon were marching in a long line, crossing from Jiangxi into Hunan Province.

“What’s the news from Hunan?”

“Localized skirmishes are frequent, especially in central and western Hunan. The resistance from the Martial Alliance is strong, but the hidden forces of Heukya Fortress surpass them.”

Sadocheon Lord shook his head as he listened to the report.

“Not that. I mean the new masters that have emerged from Heukya Palace.”

“I’m sorry. The Great Law Enforcer, Jinamma, their whereabouts remain unknown. Recently, Gwaesanma clashed with the Iron Mountain Fist King and retreated.”

“It’s rare for a single sect to produce even one supreme master. Perhaps it’s the demonic way? We must acknowledge their obsession, fueled by demonic arts and centuries of accumulated power.”

A subordinate, listening to Sadocheon Lord, asked, “May I ask which side you intend to support?”

Given the situation, if the Martial Alliance fell, Sadocheon or Paewang Fortress would likely be the next targets.

Thus, the warriors who crossed the Jiangxi border with Sadocheon Lord assumed they would aid the Martial Alliance.

But Sadocheon Lord had no intention of helping the Martial Alliance.

The balance and politics of the martial world had never been of interest to him.

If he had considered such things, he wouldn’t have engaged with Heukya Palace and then planned to clash with the Martial Alliance.

To Sadocheon Lord, Sadocheon was merely a giant toy to entertain himself.

“Let’s watch a bit longer and see. Which move will make things more interesting?”

Fiddling with his spear, Sadocheon Lord’s eyes gleamed with the anticipation of finding new amusement.