Mu-hwi sat alone atop Jo Yang Peak, legs crossed in meditation. Before him, darkness began to unfurl. Emerging from the shadows, Heukcheon surveyed the surroundings.

“And the others?” he asked.

“They’re at Yeonhwa Peak. I figured it would be best for us to handle the end alone,” Mu-hwi replied.

Heukcheon studied Mu-hwi, letting out a long sigh. “Such a transformation in just three days. Even I didn’t foresee this. Did the Sword Saint sacrifice himself?”

“He’s alive and well.”

Heukcheon’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “Achieving such a leap in power and still alive? Impossible.”

“The Three Elders lent their aid.”

“Ah,” Heukcheon mused, nodding after a moment’s thought. His entire body seemed to pulse with a dark, blue aura. “So the ways of the martial world have become a collective effort? This could be more interesting than I thought.”

Mu-hwi slowly rose to his feet. “I doubt you’ll find it amusing.”

“Volcano Sword Saint,” Heukcheon declared, his voice echoing with authority. “I’ve given you many concessions and opportunities, knowing the unfairness born of the passage of time. I had a faint hope. Do not disappoint me.”

Heukcheon’s hand, wreathed in dark energy, extended toward Mu-hwi, unleashing a massive beam of light, as intense as sunlight piercing through clouds.

Swoosh!

The demonic technique, Ma Gong Ryu San, unfurled. Though the same move, the difference was stark. If the original was as thick as a beam supporting a hall, Heukcheon’s was like an ancient, towering tree, hundreds of years old.

The sheer size could easily swallow several people, and the view was instantly obscured by the dark energy. Mu-hwi drew his sword, slicing through the Ma Gong Ryu San with a simple, decisive cut.

Swish!

A chilling sound of something being severed echoed. The dark energy split in two, passing by Mu-hwi on either side, the black beams piercing the clouds beyond Jo Yang Peak.

Boom!

The ground, where the split energy had grazed, was left with deep furrows, enough to bury one’s knees.

“You stand here as a worthy representative of the martial world,” a voice called from afar, as Heukcheon’s hand reached out, faster than sound, toward Mu-hwi.

But Mu-hwi was no less swift. The air vibrated with the movements of the two masters. Each clash sent shockwaves and storms of energy across the peak, leaving no tree or rock unscathed.

Clang!

Mu-hwi deflected Heukcheon’s strike aimed at his heart, immediately countering with a downward slash of his Simmyung Sword, targeting Heukcheon’s thigh.

Heukcheon enveloped his knee in dark energy, deflecting the Simmyung Sword with a knee strike, then stomped down with force.

Thud!

The ground shook, rocks shattering under the relentless waves of energy. Mu-hwi’s body erupted with energy in response.

Crash!

A massive shockwave exploded between them, enveloping both men. As Mu-hwi neutralized the shockwave, Heukcheon’s eyelids twitched, almost as if he were smiling.

Heukcheon, dispelling the shockwave, suddenly caught the scent of plum blossoms emanating from Mu-hwi’s energy.

Heukcheon crossed his hands roughly, trying to erase the scent. Enormous forces erupted from both sides, attempting to crush Mu-hwi.

In response, the petals scattered from the Simmyung Sword sharpened, revealing a brilliant light.

Plum Blossom Blade Dance.

As the plum blossoms bloomed between the petals, the forces shattered into dozens of fragments. Mu-hwi leaped forward, aiming the Simmyung Sword at Heukcheon’s brow.

Heukcheon dodged with a tilt of his head, pointing a finger at Mu-hwi. A black beam shot from his fingertip.

Mu-hwi evaded, but the beam curved, following Heukcheon’s gesture.

Whoosh!

The beam grazed Mu-hwi’s shoulder, but he ignored the pain, unleashing a flurry of sword strikes.

Slash!

The flexible blade scattered purple light in all directions, launching countless attacks. Over a hundred variations unfolded in an instant.

Heukcheon conjured a staff from dark energy, spinning it once before thrusting it toward the wave of blossoms.

Heukcheon spun, wielding the staff with relentless force, creating a seamless blend of offense and defense.

Blocking the oncoming sword strikes, he simultaneously shattered the blooming plum blossoms.

Boom!

The end of the staff unleashed a black thunderbolt, sweeping across a wide area.

As Heukcheon executed the full sequence of the Ma Je Jin Bong technique, half of Mu-hwi’s sword strikes dissipated.

Heukcheon laughed, watching the still-blooming plum blossoms and the relentless sword strikes.

“Endlessly multiplying.”

Then, the staff extended infinitely.

Being made of dark energy, it seemed to have no limit, resembling the legendary Ruyi Jingu Bang.

“This is insane,” Mu-hwi muttered, as the staff grew to touch the sky and thickened like a pillar.

The massive staff descended upon him, the fierce wind and crushing pressure bearing down.

Bang!

Mu-hwi’s entire body surged with energy, dispersing the wind and pressure instantly.

Simultaneously, he spun his upper body, swinging the Simmyung Sword downward in a wide arc.

The sword emitted a deep, resonant aura.

The aura enveloped the massive staff, becoming a single flow. The Simmyung Sword followed this flow, cutting through without resistance.

Plum Blossom Stream.

A colossal sword energy erupted from the tip of the Simmyung Sword, slicing the staff in two.

Swish!

As Mu-hwi advanced, the Plum Blossom Stream split the staff, closing the distance.

A spectacle of plum blossoms unfolded around him as he charged forward.

Countless sword strikes spread out, following Mu-hwi’s steps and the Simmyung Sword, blooming with plum blossoms and scattering petals.

All the purple waves trailed behind Mu-hwi like wings, converging into a single strike.

Dark Fragrance Unmoving Flower.

In Heukcheon’s hand, a demonic blade appeared, just as the purple sword light surged toward him. Twisting his body, he unleashed the ultimate move of the Crescent Moon Demonic Blade.

Full Moon Starry Night.

A black moon rose before Heukcheon.

The massive full moon at the blade’s end unleashed a sinister moonlight.

A vertical purple line descended from above, while a black arc rose from below.

They met at a single point.

Darkness and energy erupted simultaneously, engulfing Jo Yang Peak.

Boom!

The explosion rocked the peak, sending Mu-hwi flying backward.

“Ugh,” Mu-hwi groaned, coughing up blood.

The shock had briefly knocked him unconscious, he realized. A crescent-shaped mark, reminiscent of the moon’s graceful curve, was etched on his chest.

‘This is acceptable,’ he thought.

The cut was shallow, not hindering his ability to fight. As he staunched the bleeding, he looked at Heukcheon in the distance.

‘Truly a lonely man.’

The Sword Saint had been right.

At first, he felt nothing, but as the battle intensified, he sensed Heukcheon’s intent.

Just loneliness. Endless loneliness.

Unlike the Sword Demon of his past life, who sought to escape loneliness, Heukcheon embraced it.

Having spent such a long time in solitude, he was a formidable and fearsome man, beyond martial prowess. And a pitiable one.

“Good,” Heukcheon said.

Though he hadn’t been pushed back like Mu-hwi, his feet had sunk into the ground up to his ankles from the impact.

Heukcheon pulled his feet free, examining his right arm. The sleeve was torn, and blood trickled down his forearm.

Heukcheon stared at the wound.

Barely a scratch, not even worthy of being called a sword wound. Yet, seeing his own blood brought a smile to his face.

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen my own blood…”

Heukcheon’s eyes, once lifeless, now gleamed with dark energy as he looked at Mu-hwi. The moment life returned to his eyes, dark energy radiated from him, enveloping the surroundings.

As the dark blue energy covered Jo Yang Peak, the area was plunged into darkness.

Mu-hwi watched the dome-like energy field, drawing upon his own power.

“Heukcheon Night Field.”

“You know this technique. Can you withstand it? At your current level, even if you risk everything, you’ll barely scratch me.”

The surrounding darkness, a deep, swirling blue-black, was like the limbs of the Black Abyss itself. Fighting against this night felt like battling the entire universe.

Despite the overwhelming odds, Mu-hui’s violet eyes only grew more intense.

“The Three Pillars have already sacrificed their own to protect the martial world. If that’s not enough, then I must offer myself as well.”

Mu-hui had already steeled himself for what lay ahead.

A resonant hum filled the air.

The energy coursing through Mu-hui’s body shimmered with a brilliant light. His sword, the Simmyung Sword, sang with clarity.

Even the plum blossom bracelet on his arm trembled precariously.

“Sword Saint.”

The eyes of the Black Abyss narrowed.

Mu-hui, as if adjusting to newfound power, grew stronger with each clash.

But now, his strength was surging at an unprecedented rate.

“You’re burning your innate energy.”

The Black Abyss was right.

Mu-hui was drawing upon the immense power of his innate energy, burning it alongside his mind, spirit, and body.

With the help of the Three Pillars, Mu-hui had faced a colossal wall as high as the heavens. By burning his innate energy, he temporarily surpassed even that barrier.

“Even if you defeat me, what good is it if you die? The world you protect will be without you. I cannot understand.”

Mu-hui’s hair and sleeves danced in the energy spreading through him.

“I will remember the path of righteousness I spoke of. My duty is to protect Mount Hua, and my martial arts will unfold according to that duty.”

The Simmyung Sword, now glowing with a different shade of purple, was aimed at the Black Abyss.

“How could a solitary man like you understand?”

The Black Abyss laughed, genuinely pleased.

“You are the first and last true rival of my life.”

The dark blue shadows of the Black Abyss rippled.

Countless weapons emerged from the darkness, each of a different kind. There were not only the eighteen standard weapons but also many strange and unique ones.

The sheer number of demonic soldiers obscured the Black Abyss from view. All of them aimed at Mu-hui.

“Have you been lost in solitude all this time?”

Mu-hui stepped forward into the lonely darkness.

As he moved, the energy around him coalesced into a radiant sword.

What began as a single sword multiplied until twenty-four ethereal swords were formed.

“Wait for me. I will rescue you from your solitude.”

Mu-hui leaped forward.

The twenty-four ethereal swords surged ahead of him. They arranged themselves and began to move in a coordinated pattern.

The Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Formation.

The ethereal swords executed the formation, shattering the oncoming demonic soldiers.

The demonic soldiers didn’t just charge mindlessly. Each wielded a different martial art, making it hard to imagine how to handle such a diverse onslaught. But Mu-hui was undeterred.

The twenty-four ethereal swords felt as if he were fighting alongside the Plum Blossom Sword Master.

It was only natural, as the ethereal swords were forged from Mu-hui’s memories of the Plum Blossom Sword Master.

The sound of breaking and exploding filled the air endlessly. The energy, retaining its original color, cut through the darkness, clearing a path.

Countless demonic soldiers vanished, and the ethereal swords disappeared one by one. When the last ethereal sword faded, Mu-hui stood within reach of the Black Abyss.

The Black Abyss grasped a dark sword.

“Come.”

Clang!

The Simmyung Sword clashed with the dark sword.

While breaking through the demonic soldiers, Mu-hui’s strength had risen again. At this moment, he was equal to the Black Abyss in a direct confrontation.

He struck down the Black Abyss’s sword, which aimed for his neck, splitting it in one blow.

Breaking the Sword to Seek Fault.

The Black Abyss, amused, wielded a demonic saber and spear in both hands.

The techniques of the Moon-Slicing Demon Saber and the Dragon-Advancing Black Wind Spear unfolded in succession, but Mu-hui extended his sword without hesitation.

His powerful sword strike cleaved through the darkness.

Breaking the Saber to Seek Precedence.

Breaking the Spear to Seek Chivalry.

The demonic saber and spear twisted and scattered. The Black Abyss tilted his hand. Though Mu-hui had pierced through with twenty-four ethereal swords, many demonic soldiers remained.

A hundred demonic soldiers simultaneously descended upon Mu-hui’s back. But that wasn’t all.

The demonic energy conjured by the Black Abyss split like droplets, forming into thorns that rained down like a storm.

From one side, countless demonic soldiers, and from the other, innumerable dark weapons poured down.

In response, Mu-hui grasped an ethereal sword in his left hand.

Mu-hui’s form spun rapidly like a whirlwind, executing two techniques simultaneously with both hands.

Breaking the Army to Seek Martiality.

Breaking the Arrow to Seek Home.

The Black Abyss’s moves returned to nothingness.

“Astonishing. You’ve condensed the essence of all martial arts into a single destructive technique?”

As the demonic energy scattered in all directions, the Black Abyss, breaking through, unleashed a palm strike. The Simmyung Sword slashed diagonally toward the center of the Black Abyss’s palm.

Breaking the Palm to Seek Brotherhood.

The palm force shattered, and blood spurted from the Black Abyss’s hand.

Boom!

As the Black Abyss stepped forward, demonic energy stretched like tendrils from the ground, attempting to bind Mu-hui’s entire body. The Simmyung Sword danced in response.

Breaking the Chain to Seek Aftermath.

Mu-hui tore apart the dozen strands of demonic energy and looked at the dark sword in the Black Abyss’s hand.

That sword was filled not only with solitude but also with a murderous intent that had been absent until now.

“Finally showing your killing intent.”

“Make it even more enjoyable.”

Mu-hui gripped his ethereal sword, shimmering with a violet hue.

His sword was imbued with the duty to protect Mount Hua. He thought of the Three Pillars who had sacrificed themselves and all the connections he had made in the martial world.

It was a stark contrast to the Black Abyss’s sword, filled with solitude and murderous intent.

The ethereal sword, carrying duty, the martial world, and connections, scattered its light.

The warmth in the light of the energy was something absent from the desolate sword of the Black Abyss.

Breaking the Energy to Seek the Way.

Boom!

When the ethereal swords collided, a thunderous sound erupted, and the darkness of the Black Abyss’s domain surged violently.

The two ethereal swords shattered into beams of light, and the two men were pushed back.

“A martial art that destroys and counters all weapons…”

The Black Abyss’s aura shifted.

As if the world were collapsing, the darkness of the Black Abyss’s domain descended upon Mu-hui.

The Black Abyss’s domain, which dyed a certain area in black night and amplified the power of the Black Abyss’s techniques, had a final move that swallowed its trapped enemies into the darkness.

The Black Abyss’s Annihilation.

The black night, extending endlessly according to the principles of the universe, converged on a single point centered on Mu-hui.

The space around that point distorted. Mu-hui instinctively knew that being caught in that point, which devoured everything, would be the end.

Mu-hui closed his eyes gently and raised the Simmyung Sword.

Maintaining a level of strength beyond his limits, Mu-hui could see without needing to look directly.

“Black Abyss. Isn’t this truly a lonely space?”

“Indeed. No matter who entered with me, it always ended with me alone.”

As the Black Abyss’s domain closed in, a violet glow extended outward. The blade of the Simmyung Sword, imbued with energy, burst with a brilliant light.

Mu-hui infused his sword with his thoughts.

A man who struggled to escape solitude.

If that man had seen such a space, he wouldn’t have accepted it quietly like the Black Abyss.

The Sword Ghost would have surely fought against it.

Desperately.

Mu-hui’s sword carried the life of the Sword Ghost.

The Simmyung Sword tilted on its own, shooting toward the focal point of the Black Abyss’s Annihilation.

To save even an adversary from solitude.

The ninth technique of the Solitary Sword.

Breaking Solitude to Seek an Enemy.

A fierce sword strike extended outward.

A demonic energy that stood like an iron wall.

A martial principle that twisted even space.

A darkness that devoured and annihilated everything.

Reaching that focal point of the Black Abyss’s Annihilation was incredibly difficult and distant.

Yet the sword strike, carrying the life of the Sword Ghost, continued to extend, even if it lost its light and weakened.

That unyielding sword strike desperately crossed the space.

Just as the Sword Ghost always had.

Crack!

The sound of something breaking echoed, and darkness exploded in all directions.

As the darkness receded and sunlight descended from the sky, Mu-hui and the Black Abyss stood atop the peak of Mount Joyang.

The Black Abyss, having watched Mu-hui destroy both the Black Abyss’s domain and the Black Abyss’s Annihilation, asked after a long pause.

“What is that technique… no, that sword art?”

Mu-hui slowly lowered the Simmyung Sword.

A sword art he wouldn’t have created if he had lived his past life unchanged.

A sword art woven from the connections Mu-hui had formed in his life.

A sword art created by a man saved from solitude to save those who had saved him.

Having escaped solitude, he could finally save other connections.

“Solitary Sword.”

The nine techniques of the Solitary Sword were finally united under a single name.