Kang Bo-eum mentioned that he owed his life to the Sword Demon, but Mu-hui couldn’t recall any such incident.

Back then, even if they had saved each other, there was no time for leisurely greetings or exchanging pleasantries. They were too busy cutting down as many demons as they could, emerging from every corner.

“Mu-hui, as a disciple of the Sword Saint, you must have heard of the Sword Demon.”

“Of course.”

“At the Battle of Shaanxi, the Sword Demon probably took down the most demons.”

Mu-hui nodded in agreement with Kang Bo-eum’s assessment. He had thought the same when recalling the battle.

“Usually, the Sword Saint would oversee the disciples of Mount Hua, but when he couldn’t, the Sword Demon took on that role.”

Kang Bo-eum glanced at his right arm. “Even when I lost my arm and was about to lose my head, the Sword Demon appeared out of nowhere, like a ghost, and saved me. I’m sure many disciples owe their lives to him in similar ways.”

“Perhaps it was just a coincidence, killing demons left and right,” Mu-hui suggested cautiously.

Kang Bo-eum shook his head firmly. “It might have seemed like he was rampaging through the battlefield, but the Sword Demon had his eyes on the entire field. He would find the weakest point and strike there.”

Having spent considerable time with the Sword Demon, Kang Bo-eum knew him well. Mu-hui listened quietly, realizing it was the first time he was hearing about himself from someone else’s perspective. It was a strange experience.

“The Sword Demon was rough and unrefined, but he was different from other sects. He moved according to his own code of honor. That’s why even the disciples of Mount Hua respected him.”

Kang Bo-eum paused, looking up at the dark sky, dotted with stars. “It’s a shame that both the Sword Saint and the Sword Demon left us so soon.”

He turned to Mu-hui with a wry smile. “I’ve been rambling on, haven’t I?”

“Not at all. It was fascinating.”

And it truly was. The idea that someone other than a disciple still remembered and thought of the Sword Demon was unexpected.

“When I visit Mount Hua next, I should pay my respects at the shrine where the Sword Demon’s memorial tablet is kept.”

Mu-hui’s eyes widened in surprise. “There’s a memorial tablet for the Sword Demon at Mount Hua?”

“You didn’t know? Mount Hua built a shrine for those who died at the Battle of Shaanxi, and the Sword Demon’s tablet is there.”

“It’s surprising that the Sword Demon’s tablet is in Mount Hua’s shrine.”

The Sword Demon was a wanderer, never settling down, so it was unlikely anyone would look after his legacy. The only connection was his disciple, whose whereabouts were unknown, so Mount Hua decided to honor him as well.

It was unprecedented for an outsider, especially a martial artist from another sect, to have a memorial tablet in Mount Hua’s shrine.

“But no one opposed it.”

A savior, a comrade in arms, a hero who ended the Battle of Shaanxi alongside the Sword Saint. To Mount Hua, the Sword Demon was all of these.

Listening to Kang Bo-eum’s story, Mu-hui found himself looking up at the sky. He hadn’t realized Mount Hua held the Sword Demon in such regard. It was a feeling he had never experienced in either his past or present life.

‘Who would have thought? I owe Mount Hua another debt I didn’t know about.’

After calming his swirling emotions, Mu-hui glanced at the sword Kang Bo-eum had brought.

“If you’re planning to train, I’ll leave you to it.”

Kang Bo-eum chuckled. “Actually, I was hoping you could help me.”

He looked at his right arm. “Since losing my arm and switching to left-handed swordplay, my skills are only half of what they used to be. I’ve been training, but it’s not easy.”

Mu-hui nodded. The imbalance in his body, the change in direction and perspective, and the sword techniques designed for right-handed use would all make it difficult to regain his former prowess.

“Even with both arms intact, the opponent you defeated, the Enho Swordsman, was formidable. If you could guide me, it would be a great help. May I ask for your instruction?”

As Kang Bo-eum bowed his head, Mu-hui clasped his hands together. “Of course.”

Kang Bo-eum drew his sword, his expression serious, and charged forward. His right sleeve fluttered as his sword split into seven distinct paths.

Mu-hui began to move his sword slowly, observing Kang Bo-eum’s technique.

Clang!

At first, Mu-hui only parried Kang Bo-eum’s attacks, nodding as he did. Kang Bo-eum’s sword displayed a myriad of changes, filling the space before Mu-hui with countless variations.

But to Mu-hui’s eyes, it looked like a net full of holes.

‘It must have taken considerable effort to reach even this level.’

Mu-hui was impressed by Kang Bo-eum’s ability to wield such a sword with his left hand. With that thought, Mu-hui’s sword began to extend slowly.

Mu-hui’s sword gently deflected Kang Bo-eum’s, pinpointing the gaps in his technique and guiding him in the right direction.

Realizing Mu-hui wasn’t just deflecting his attacks but leading him correctly, Kang Bo-eum’s focus intensified.

The two men continued their sparring until the sky began to lighten.

* * *

Time at the Hwahon Gate passed uneventfully.

The disciples spent their days training or sparring with the members of the Hwahon Gate.

“Master Mu-hui, if you have a moment, could you teach me a thing or two?”

“Come on in.”

Naturally, Mu-hui was the most popular. Everyone was eager to learn from the man who had easily defeated the Enho Swordsman.

Thwack!

Even in sparring, Mu-hui didn’t hold back, and the members of the Hwahon Gate often faced crushing defeats, but they seemed to enjoy the challenge.

As Mu-hui wiped his sword with a cloth, watching the disciples spar, the head of the gate approached him.

“Master Mu-hui, do you have a moment?”

“What is it?”

“Disciples from the Zhongnan Sect have come to visit. I thought it would be good for you to meet them.”

“The Zhongnan Sect?”

Mu-hui wasn’t sure why the disciples of the Zhongnan Sect were visiting the Hwahon Gate, an affiliate of Mount Hua, but he nodded.

As they headed to the main gate, they found Kang Bo-eum already greeting the Zhongnan disciples.

Spotting Mu-hui and the head of the gate, Kang Bo-eum turned slightly to introduce them to the Zhongnan disciples.

“That man over there is Master Mu-hui.”

“Oh.”

Three middle-aged men in dark blue robes. Though they didn’t show it openly, Mu-hui could sense the distinctive, profound energy of the Zhongnan Sect.

‘Hmm.’

But as soon as Mu-hui laid eyes on the Zhongnan disciples, he felt an odd sense of unease.

“It’s an honor to meet the renowned disciple of Mount Hua. I am Il-seon.”

The Zhongnan disciples introduced themselves one by one: Il-seon, Il-mu, and Il-hun.

Mu-hui committed their names to memory. The “Il” generation were first-generation disciples of the Zhongnan Sect. He bowed his head in respect.

“I am Mu-hui, second-generation disciple of Mount Hua.”

“Haha, pleased to meet you.”

“We’re fortunate, senior brother. To meet such a promising talent by chance.”

Despite the Zhongnan disciples’ praise, Mu-hui could only offer a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Kang Bo-eum signaled to the head of the gate.

“The head will show you to your quarters. Please rest and recover from your journey.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

As the Zhongnan disciples followed the head of the gate away, Mu-hui turned to Kang Bo-eum.

“Why have the Zhongnan disciples come here?”

“They said they were pursuing a demon and got separated from their group. They came to gather information and rest for the night.”

Mu-hui had heard that the Zhongnan Sect was tracking a demon that had recently appeared.

“A demon…”

Mu-hui’s gaze lingered on the retreating figures of the Zhongnan disciples.

* * *

A small feast was held in the main training hall of the Hwahon Gate.

Originally intended for Mu-hui and his group, the feast had grown in size with the addition of the Zhongnan disciples.

Large fires were lit around the hall, roasting whole pigs, and a steady stream of food and drink was served.

“Pass me a bottle of that wine!”

“I heard the kitchen’s running low on supplies. Should we buy some food from the inn?”

The members of the gate sat in circles, enjoying the feast. With Kang Bo-eum, who didn’t drink, having left early, they no longer held back, pouring drinks freely.

Mu-hui and his group sat with the Zhongnan disciples, listening to Il-hun’s tales of the demon.

“It’s troubling that the demons are so skilled,” Mu-hwa said worriedly, and Il-mu nodded in agreement.

“We don’t know where the demon fled, and it’s unsettling to be enjoying ourselves like this,” Il-hun said, fiddling with his cup, and Il-mu nodded in shared concern.

“Worrying won’t help. We need to rest and conserve our strength to face the demon properly.”

With that, Mu-hui produced a fine bottle of wine, drawing the Zhongnan disciples’ attention.

“I managed to procure this with the head’s help, for our esteemed guests from the Zhongnan Sect. It’s Seobongju.”

“Oh, Seobongju… To have such a fine wine.”

One of the renowned liquors from Shanxi, known for its harmonious blend of sweet, bitter, sour, spicy, and aromatic flavors that dance on the palate.

As Mu Hui uncorked the bottle of Seobongju, its rich and intense aroma quickly filled the noses of the Zhongnan Sect members.

“Here, have a drink.”

Mu Hui personally poured the Seobongju into the cups of the Zhongnan Sect members.

“Ah, it’s rich and sweet, yet goes down smoothly. This Seobongju is top-notch.”

“Of course, it was Mu Hui who procured it, after all.”

The Zhongnan Sect members, marveling at the taste of Seobongju, noticed the empty cups of the disciples and asked, “Why aren’t you drinking?”

Mu Hui answered on their behalf, “The disciples recently caused quite a stir, so they’re being disciplined.”

“Oh? What kind of trouble did they get into?”

Ilmu seemed to be looking at the disciples, but his gaze lingered on Muhwa.

“It’s too embarrassing to speak of. My apologies. Let me offer you another drink instead.”

The disciples quietly observed as Mu Hui and the Zhongnan Sect members continued their drinking.

‘This isn’t like the senior brother. Is he acting?’

‘Is he trying to get the Zhongnan Sect members drunk? But why?’

Having been briefed by Mu Hui before the banquet, the disciples silently watched the situation unfold.

“By the way, I’ve heard that the martial arts of the Salgui are formidable, but their misdeeds are particularly heinous. How bad are they?”

As Mu Hui refilled their cups with Seobongju, the Zhongnan Sect members responded immediately.

“Not a single body in the villages ravaged by the Salgui was killed with a single blow. Each had at least four or five wounds, suggesting they were toyed with.”

“And seeing the women stripped regardless of age, there must have been a depraved fiend among them.”

Hearing about the Salgui’s atrocities, the disciples’ faces grew darker, especially Muhwa, who subtly gripped the hilt of his sword.

After emptying two bottles of Seobongju and discussing the Salgui at length, the Zhongnan Sect members rose to leave.

“It seems we should head back now.”

“Of course. We were just about to do the same.”

Mu Hui’s group and the Zhongnan Sect members stood up simultaneously but dispersed in different directions due to their separate accommodations.

Throughout the banquet, Mu Hui had maintained a cheerful demeanor, but as soon as the Zhongnan Sect members turned their backs, his eyes turned cold and calculating.

* * *

As night deepened, the endless banquet came to an end, and the once lively Hwahun Gate fell silent.

Two shadows quietly crossed the grounds of Hwahun Gate.

Though guards and patrols were stationed throughout, they couldn’t discern the shadows cloaked in darkness.

“Where do you two think you’re going?”

A voice suddenly rang out, causing the shadows to halt abruptly.

The voice came from the roof of a pavilion.

Perched on the edge, Mu Hui was taking a swig of Seobongju.

Having finished, he carelessly let the empty bottle slip from his hand.

Crash!

The sharp sound of the bottle shattering pierced the silence, which quickly returned.

Mu Hui broke the silence again, addressing the unmoving shadows.

“You’re ruining the taste of my drink.”