Muji and Mucheol turned their heads to follow Muhui, finding themselves swept up in the aura exuded by Ma Yeon-ho.

It wasn’t just the impressive muscles that caught the eye with every movement, but the solemn dignity that seemed to envelop Ma Yeon-ho, making him appear even more formidable.

“Ah, a fellow traveler. Would you mind if I joined you?”

Ma Yeon-ho’s deep voice carried a natural authority, like a mountain’s presence. The disciples flinched just hearing it.

‘Has this old man grown even stronger?’

Muhui couldn’t be sure, but his instincts told him it was so.

“Of course, sir.”

Muhui stood and offered a respectful gesture, catching Ma Yeon-ho’s interest.

Ma Yeon-ho’s eyes gleamed like a tiger spotting prey as he examined Muhui’s physique, particularly his muscles.

His arms twitched slightly, as if he were about to reach out and touch Muhui’s muscles.

“Impressive muscles, wouldn’t you agree, my student?”

“Master, it’s rude to comment on someone’s body like that, especially when you’ve just met them.”

The disciple’s sharp remark made Ma Yeon-ho’s thick eyebrows twitch.

“Ahem. My apologies. I meant it as a compliment, not to offend.”

Ma Yeon-ho glanced at Mucheol, who was quietly sitting in the corner, but refrained from commenting further, perhaps due to the recent scolding.

“These days, many younger martial artists focus only on internal energy, neglecting physical training. It’s refreshing to see your dedication.”

Muji subtly sank deeper into the hot spring, trying to hide his body.

Both Ma Yeon-ho and his disciple possessed impressive physiques, though the disciple’s build was slightly less imposing than Ma Yeon-ho’s, it was still formidable compared to Mucheol.

‘Hmm, perhaps I should dedicate more time to physical training.’

Despite his efforts, Muji felt inadequate in comparison.

“Judging by the shape of your muscles and the aura you exude, you must be a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, am I right?”

Ma Yeon-ho’s interest in Muhui’s muscles remained unabated.

‘The shape of my muscles?’

Muhui couldn’t fathom how one could deduce a sect from muscles alone, but he nodded.

“Yes, I’m Muhui of the Mount Hua Sect.”

After receiving greetings from the disciples, Ma Yeon-ho nodded, recognizing their exceptional skills for their age.

‘Especially that one…’

Ma Yeon-ho’s gaze seemed to pierce through Muhui.

Interestingly, Muhui didn’t shy away from Ma Yeon-ho’s gaze, meeting it head-on.

Most skilled martial artists would avoid eye contact, but this one stared back as if to ask, “What are you looking at?”

‘Truly intriguing.’

Ma Yeon-ho couldn’t understand why this young man’s eyes reminded him of someone long gone.

Lost in thought, Ma Yeon-ho tapped his muscles and asked Muhui, “Are you a disciple of Hyunjo?”

“Yes, he is my master.”

Upon hearing Muhui’s answer, the tension in Ma Yeon-ho’s muscles eased.

“I thought so… Then you must have met Dokgoheon, the Sword Demon, as well?”

“Yes, I have.”

It wasn’t a lie. Muhui had encountered him a few times in his youth. Ma Yeon-ho nodded as if he had expected this.

“Seeing you reminds me of the Sword Demon. His aura was like a perfectly honed blade, and I sense a similar sharpness in you.”

Of course, their auras weren’t identical.

The Sword Demon was like a razor-sharp sword, threatening all around him.

Muhui’s aura was more restrained, like a sword sheathed, yet still exuding a sense of readiness.

One could only wonder how sharp that sword would be if drawn.

Ma Yeon-ho, observing Muhui’s upper body above the hot spring, asked cautiously, “Did you receive any guidance from the Sword Demon in your physical training?”

Indeed, Ma Yeon-ho had quickly discerned that Muhui had trained using methods similar to the Sword Demon’s.

“I received some advice on training methods, which I still follow.”

“Ha ha! I knew it! The Sword Demon always pretended not to care when teaching.”

Amused, Ma Yeon-ho laughed heartily, while Muhui averted his gaze. Ma Yeon-ho’s laughter suddenly ceased.

“Seeing you reminds me of two juniors.”

He lamented the news of the Sword Saint and the Sword Demon perishing together with the Lord of the Black Night Palace.

They had been close, even in death, and Ma Yeon-ho had admired their martial prowess and character.

Now, encountering the Sword Saint’s disciple by chance, memories flooded back.

‘The aura is one thing, but those defiant eyes are just like Dokgo’s. It’s amusing that Hyunjo’s disciple resembles the Sword Demon.’

Lost in thought, Ma Yeon-ho turned his head, sensing a gaze.

Muji and Mucheol were staring at Ma Yeon-ho without realizing it.

It was no wonder, given the extraordinary names that had come from Ma Yeon-ho’s mouth.

Understanding their curiosity, Ma Yeon-ho crossed his arms with a smile, making his bulging muscles even more prominent.

‘He’s definitely flexing on purpose.’

Muhui knew this pose was intentional.

He had seen it countless times before Hyunjo and the Sword Demon.

“I haven’t introduced myself to the juniors. My name is Ma Yeon-ho, known in the martial world as the Iron Mountain Fist King. This is my disciple.”

The man beside Ma Yeon-ho introduced himself.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Woo Taegang.”

The disciples were stunned by the title of Iron Mountain Fist King.

He was a legendary martial artist, renowned for his unparalleled fists.

Muhui leisurely observed the disciples’ astonished faces.

Especially Mucheol’s expression of surprise was a rare sight. Muhui knew well that such a look was a once-a-year occurrence.

“Greetings to the Iron Mountain Fist King.”

Ma Yeon-ho waved it off. Then, Muhui turned to Woo Taegang.

“Are you traveling the martial world with your disciple?”

Ma Yeon-ho nodded.

“More accurately, it’s a martial journey. This one has been training in the mountains, so we’re gaining experience, ha ha ha!”

Thump, thump!

Ma Yeon-ho lightly patted Woo Taegang’s back, but the sound was like a drum being struck.

The impact sent ripples through the once-calm hot spring.

Yet Woo Taegang maintained a blank expression, much to the disciples’ alarm.

Muhui nodded, assessing Woo Taegang.

He possessed martial skills that could easily overpower most martial artists.

Though only a fight would reveal the truth, his aura suggested he could defeat even the likes of Samhwa.

‘No wonder he’s the disciple of that old man.’

Intrigued by Woo Taegang, Muhui asked, “Woo, how is your martial journey going?”

Woo Taegang glanced at his master, who nodded.

“I’ve had forty-three matches and won them all.”

“Impressive.”

Muji expressed admiration, but Muhui merely nodded, eyes closed, enjoying the warmth of the hot spring.

For the disciple of the Iron Mountain Fist King, such a record was expected.

However, the next words made Muhui’s eyes snap open.

“The last match was actually quite close. I thought I might lose for the first time.”

Ma Yeon-ho chimed in, “You’re talking about the Sword Demon’s disciple. If his sword hadn’t broken, you would have lost.”

Seeing the disciples’ curiosity, Woo Taegang kindly recounted the match.

The two had exchanged over a hundred blows, and the Sword Demon’s disciple was gaining the upper hand when his sword broke.

Acknowledging his defeat, he promised to challenge again.

The disciples listened with interest, but Muhui struggled to contain his rising anger.

He couldn’t tell if the heat he felt was from the hot spring or his own fury.

‘So he broke his sword and lost to that old man’s disciple?’

Though it wasn’t his loss, his pride was wounded. Muhui resolved to train harder for their next encounter, whenever it might be.

“I once discussed with my juniors about raising our disciples to compete against each other. The Sword Demon was confident his disciple would win. I wonder what he’d think now, ha ha!”

Ma Yeon-ho’s hearty laughter grated on Muhui’s already frayed nerves.

The disciples were now looking at Muhui.

The Sword Demon’s disciple had already been defeated, and now they had met the Sword Saint’s disciple by chance.

Perhaps influenced by Ma Yeon-ho’s words, Woo Taegang also glanced at Muhui.

Initially, his eyes had been gentle, like those of a docile ox, but now they held a fierce intensity.

Seeing his disciple’s competitive spirit, Ma Yeon-ho nodded to himself and asked Muhui, “Junior, since fate has brought us together, would you like to spar with my disciple?”

“Gladly.”

Muhui answered without hesitation.

He had been considering a match ever since hearing about the Sword Demon’s disciple’s defeat.

“Before we proceed, would you mind if I test your skills? I’ve taken a personal interest in you. But if you’re worried about the duel, feel free to decline.”

“I don’t mind.”

“That’s the spirit. Prepare yourself.”

With a sly grin, Ma Yeon-ho submerged his hands into the hot spring, then clapped them together lightly.

“Since we’re already at the hot spring…”

Splash!

A gentle ripple spread across the water, then suddenly, a powerful jet shot up into the sky, arcing gracefully before cascading down toward Mu-hwi’s head.

Watching the swirling water descend rapidly, Mu-hwi let out a dry chuckle.

“He’s added the essence of the Whirlwind Palm. This old man!”

It would be a mistake to dismiss it as just a spinning stream of water. It likely had the force to shatter rocks.

Mu-hwi raised his arms above his head and slammed his palms into the hot spring.

Splash!

The surface of the water trembled, and sprays erupted from both sides, colliding with Ma Yeon-ho’s water stream.

Splash!

Ma Yeon-ho’s eyes sparkled at the sight.

At first glance, it seemed like Mu-hwi had simply used force to create a spray and block the stream head-on, but it wasn’t that simple.

Each droplet in the spray was infused with internal energy. Yet, it wasn’t just a matter of pouring energy upward.

“Did he discern the vortex in the stream?”

The droplets formed a circular pattern, subtly disrupting the vortex created by the Whirlwind Palm, weakening the stream’s power naturally.

The mastery of internal energy, the subtlety of martial arts infused in the hot spring.

Just as Ma Yeon-ho had done, Mu-hwi responded in kind.

“The Plum Blossom Palm.”

Recalling the Plum Blossom Palm of Mount Hua, Ma Yeon-ho flexed the muscles in his forearm.

The Plum Blossom Palm was a martial art characterized by its delicate manipulation of internal energy, releasing multiple strands of force in a fragmented manner.

When executed, it was as if countless plum petals gathered in the hands, creating a dizzying spectacle.

The swirling droplets at the end of Mu-hwi’s force were like plum petals scattered by the wind, a chaotic yet beautiful sight.

“His control over internal energy surpasses that of a seasoned practitioner.”

Infusing and maintaining internal energy in something without a fixed form, like water or alcohol, was no easy feat.

Moreover, to infuse so many droplets simultaneously was a challenge even for a skilled master.

“What have you been hiding, Hyun-jo? Such an exceptional disciple.”

Ma Yeon-ho watched Mu-hwi with pride, as if looking at his own student.

Meanwhile, Mu-hwi launched another strike with both palms.

Though he had weakened the stream’s power with the Plum Blossom Palm, he hadn’t completely stopped it.

“I need to build up my internal energy faster if I have to use two moves.”

Had his internal energy been sufficient, one move would have sufficed.

Splash!

Though he managed to block the stream with the Falling Blossom Palm, Mu-hwi ended up drenched in the hot spring water.

“Phew.”

Mu-hwi let out a short sigh, pushing back his dripping bangs, as Ma Yeon-ho applauded.

“Impressive, truly impressive!”

He had only added a playful twist to the stream to avoid causing injury, yet it was still a challenge for an ordinary practitioner to handle.

But Mu-hwi had neutralized it with just two moves, deserving of praise.

“I’m really looking forward to the duel.”

Watching how Mu-hwi had countered his master’s stream, Woo Tae-gang’s competitive spirit flared in his eyes.

He wondered how he would have handled it himself.

As he imagined the scenario, Woo Tae-gang clenched and unclenched his fists, locking eyes with Mu-hwi.

The intense exchange of glances between the two practitioners reminded Ma Yeon-ho of his youthful days, training with friends, and he chuckled.

“Heh… they’re in their prime.”

Ma Yeon-ho’s laughter made his muscles ripple in response.

“Seeing you reminds me of two juniors I once knew.”

“Now I just want to push them a little further.”