Mucheol’s usual strength lay in delivering a single, powerful strike with his condensed inner energy. Yet, he deftly adjusted the spacing between his hands, utilizing the flexibility of his wrist and forearm muscles.

His sword strikes branched out in five directions.

Three strikes aimed high, while two targeted low, all converging simultaneously.

The five streams of attacks wavered slightly, like petals trembling in the wind, constantly shifting their trajectory.

“It’s like a giant blossom,” Baeksoon thought, as his swift sword carved deep lines into Mucheol’s petal-like strikes. Mucheol’s attack was shredded by Baeksoon’s blade.

“Ugh!”

Unable to withstand the force of Baeksoon’s sword, Mucheol was sent flying backward.

Crack!

Hearing a sound from beneath his feet, Baeksoon glanced down. A fine crack had appeared on the ground where his left foot was planted.

“Impressive.”

Though Baeksoon hadn’t used even thirty percent of his strength, Mucheol had managed to showcase the essence of his heavy sword technique.

“It’s not a fully developed sword style yet,” Baeksoon mused. But having faced Mucheol’s sword, he knew the direction was right.

Mucheol’s heavy sword would bloom into a new plum blossom to protect the mountain. This is how the mountain would flourish once more.

“The Iron Plum Sword Technique… I’m eager to see what kind of blossom you’ll cultivate.”

“Thank you, Elder Baeksoon,” Mucheol replied, bowing respectfully. Baeksoon nodded in acknowledgment.

Watching the spar between Mucheol and Baeksoon, Im Sanha noticed Seong Suam couldn’t take his eyes off Mucheol.

“Suam, what’s on your mind?”

“Did the Hwasan sect always have a martial art using such a heavy sword?”

“As far as I know, it’s a sword technique left by the Sword Saint, which Mucheol has been practicing on his own.”

“A heavy sword… It’s big and solid, quite impressive.”

“Is that so? With your build, a heavy sword would suit you well.”

“Right?”

As Seong Suam alternated his gaze between Mucheol and the heavy sword on his shoulder, Muhwa stepped into the grand martial arena.

“Next is Muhwa. Come forward.”

“Elder Baeksoon, I’m ready.”

Muhwa intended to seize the momentum from the start, employing his signature techniques with vigor.

Seeing the red light emanating from Muhwa’s sword, Baeksoon chuckled.

“Showing your thorns right from the start, I see.”

Baeksoon responded in kind, matching Muhwa’s technique.

Clang! Clang!

A flurry of swift swordplay ensued.

After Muhwa’s display, Murun stepped up, followed by Muho and Mujin, each challenging Baeksoon in turn.

The second-generation disciples showcased their skills against Baeksoon, much to the excitement of the Chunmaegwan disciples.

The younger disciples, still inexperienced, could only marvel at the spectacle. They didn’t yet grasp the difference between practicing sword techniques in the air and actively engaging an opponent.

“Our seniors are incredible.”

“Do you think we can do that someday?”

Mujin leaped into the air, twisting his body to avoid an attack, his robe fluttering dramatically as he unleashed a series of sword strikes. The young disciples watched, mouths agape.

The second-generation disciples were quickly becoming idols to the younger ones.

“Remarkable progress, Mujin.”

“Thank you.”

With Mujin’s sparring concluded, only Muhwi remained.

As Muhwi stepped into the arena, all eyes turned to him.

Muhwi bowed respectfully before speaking.

“Through this spar, I hope to demonstrate a new martial art of the Hwasan sect to my seniors and fellow disciples.”

Baeksoon’s interest was piqued.

“A new martial art of the Hwasan sect?”

“Yes, it’s called the Plum Blossom Mountain Stream, one of the techniques created by my master.”

“Another technique left by the founder?”

Recalling the founder, Baeksoon readied his sword.

“No need for explanations. Seeing is believing.”

“Understood, Elder Baeksoon.”

With that, Muhwi launched himself forward, his robe billowing as he closed the distance to Baeksoon, his sword poised to strike.

“Hah!”

Impressed by Muhwi’s speed, Baeksoon deftly parried the attack. As their swords met, Muhwi flipped his blade, aligning the flat sides together.

Baeksoon’s eyes widened. As the blades touched, Muhwi channeled his inner energy through the sword, preventing them from separating.

“What is he planning?”

Muhwi’s move was not one a novice would typically use against a master.

Then, Muhwi extended his hand. Baeksoon decided to see where this would lead.

The sleeves embroidered with plum blossoms fluttered wildly.

Smack!

After a few exchanges of palm strikes and backhands, Baeksoon’s hand, which had been executing the Falling Flower Palm, twisted outward. Baeksoon’s eyes widened.

It wasn’t due to being overpowered or outmaneuvered; it was the martial art Muhwi had employed.

“Plum Blossom Mountain Stream… I think I understand the name now.”

Clang!

Baeksoon summoned his inner energy, pushing back against Muhwi’s, and separated their swords. He bent his elbow, thrusting his sword toward Muhwi.

The sword, initially aimed high, suddenly shifted to target Muhwi’s right side.

A subtle change that could catch even a seasoned master off guard.

But Muhwi deflected the thrust with the Plum Blossom Mountain Stream, redirecting his own sword toward Baeksoon’s chest.

Thus began Muhwi’s offensive.

His sword trembled, splitting into dozens of sword shadows, with the force of the Plum Blossom Mountain Stream scattering like petals.

Momentarily dazzled by the red spectacle before him, Baeksoon realized something.

“The Plum Blossom Mountain Stream isn’t just a supplementary technique for the sword.”

The Plum Blossom Mountain Stream unfolded seamlessly with the swordplay, enhancing the already complex and varied techniques of the Hwasan sect without interfering with the sword’s path.

This allowed Muhwi to maintain a relentless assault.

Wielding both the sword and the Plum Blossom Mountain Stream simultaneously, Muhwi seemed to be wielding two swords at once.

“This isn’t easy to achieve…”

Though countless martial arts exist, few involve wielding weapons in both hands simultaneously.

Mastering such a technique requires significant training and talent, as the weapons can easily interfere with each other’s movements. While it offers unpredictability and versatility, it demands a long training period and considerable skill.

“Though it seems simultaneous, there’s a clear sequence to the strikes. Since it’s not an actual weapon, there’s more freedom in managing the balance.”

As the head of the Hwasan sect’s martial arts division, Baeksoon analyzed the Plum Blossom Mountain Stream even as he defended against Muhwi’s attacks.

No matter how powerful a technique, if the disciples couldn’t master it, it was useless.

“I’ll need to review the manual, but I believe the first-generation disciples could master it for practical use within four to five years.”

Watching the Plum Blossom Mountain Stream’s display, Baeksoon completed his analysis of the technique. As he stepped forward with his right foot, the sword technique he executed with his right hand and the Plum Blossom Mountain Stream with his left were about to intersect.

If that happened, Muhwi’s rhythm would be disrupted, and his attack would falter.

Anticipating this, Baeksoon extended his sword, only to suddenly withdraw it with a frown.

“A feint, I almost fell for it.”

A psychological ploy exploiting the perception of dual-wielding techniques. The point where the two techniques seemed to intersect was actually a trap to lure the opponent in.

Though Baeksoon’s experience allowed him to see through it, Muhwi seized the momentary hesitation to press his advantage.

Clang!

Baeksoon parried the successive thrusts and strikes with curiosity.

Having roughly analyzed the Plum Blossom Mountain Stream, he couldn’t comprehend how Muhwi wielded it so skillfully.

“Is he a late bloomer? To suddenly display such talent…”

Recalling the last time he had assessed Muhwi’s martial arts before the Blood Sect incident, Baeksoon felt a significant disconnect.

Though some time had passed, it wasn’t enough to account for such extraordinary growth.

“Muhwi, facing you now, it’s like you’re a completely different person.”

“Think of it as growth, not change.”

“Growth, indeed…”

Even as they exchanged words, the two continued to trade blows at a rapid pace.

Baeksoon, extending his sword, noted Muhwi’s composure and couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What kind of growth turns someone into such a monster?”

When he first heard that Muhwi was studying and continuing the founder’s legacy alone, Baeksoon had opposed it.

He believed it was a task for the martial arts division, not something a second-generation disciple could handle alone.

Though Baekyu had persuaded him to wait and see, witnessing Muhwi now, Baeksoon realized his concerns were unfounded.

“He’s a talent fit to lead the martial arts division. Though tempting, he could achieve even greater things for the Hwasan sect.”

Baeksoon deflected Muhwi’s sword with an upward strike, naturally widening the distance between them.

“There’s no point in continuing.”

The previous second-generation disciples had only managed thirty exchanges at most. Yet Muhwi had already withstood over eighty. Even with Baeksoon holding back, a second-generation disciple enduring this long against an elder was remarkable.

From a distance, Elder Baeksoon observed the astonished faces of the first-generation disciples and stroked his beard with a wry smile.

“Tsk, I got too absorbed in examining the new martial arts.”

Though his blood had stirred slightly when the young Mu-hwi effortlessly parried his sword, Baeksoon chose not to voice it.

“Thank you for your guidance, Elder Baeksoon.”

As Mu-hwi bowed, Baeksoon returned the gesture with a gentle smile.

“Ha ha, it was a pleasure for me as well.”

Returning to the elders in a single stride, Baeksoon reported his thoughts to Baekyu, who nodded and rose from his seat.

“This initiation ceremony has been truly gratifying. The disciples of Chunmae Hall seem to have adhered well to the teachings from the entrance ceremony, and the second-generation disciples have shown remarkable growth despite the lack of attention from their seniors.”

Baekyu continued, addressing the second-generation disciples.

“I have observed the skills of those who challenged the Plum Blossom Sword. Not every disciple will receive it today, but I have no doubt that those who challenged it will succeed in the next ceremony.”

He scanned the faces of the disciples who had taken on the challenge and announced, “Four disciples will receive the Plum Blossom Sword: Mu-hwi, Mu-jin, Mu-cheol, and Mu-hwa. Step forward!”

The second-generation disciples erupted into applause and cheers.

“Congratulations, seniors! And to you too, junior!”

“Finally, one of us will wield the Plum Blossom Sword!”

Even those who had challenged Baeksoon but didn’t receive the sword shared in the joy as if it were their own.

Watching the Huashan disciples face Baeksoon, they recognized the gap in skill but were fueled with determination for the next ceremony.

Not only the second-generation disciples but also the first-generation and Chunmae Hall disciples applauded as the Huashan disciples walked to the center of the grand martial arts arena.

Meanwhile, the craftsmen from the Iron Workshop arrived with wooden cases, and Baekyu and Seongjutae took their places beside them.

As Seongjutae opened the cases to present the Plum Blossom Swords to the Huashan disciples, Baekyu personally tied a red tassel to each sword’s hilt.

Seongjutae chuckled as he looked up at Mu-cheol, who towered over him.

“So, you’re the new owner of the Plum Blossom Sword.”

The case before Mu-cheol was notably larger than the others, requiring two craftsmen to carry it, drawing the attention of all the disciples.

When Seongjutae opened the case, Mu-cheol’s eyes sparkled at the sight.

A massive Plum Blossom Sword.

Though narrower by two finger-widths than his current sword, the blade was a full foot longer.

‘This is…’

The sword before Mu-cheol was crafted to the exact specifications that Mu-hwi had once said would suit him best.

His current sword was a temporary match, found at a forge near Seonhwa Gate, as he couldn’t wait for a custom sword due to his travels.

‘The senior brother must have taken care of this.’

Mu-cheol had been pondering whether to continue training with his old sword even after receiving the Plum Blossom Sword. But seeing it crafted in the form of his preferred sword, his worries vanished like mist.

“It’s the first time we’ve crafted a Plum Blossom Sword in this form, so we put a lot of effort into it. How do you like it?” Seongjutae asked, observing Mu-cheol’s expression.

“I love it. I’ll treasure it for life.”

Mu-cheol beamed, a rare sight that surprised even his fellow disciples, including Mu-hwi.

“Ha ha, I thought you were stoic, but you have a great smile,” Seongjutae remarked, unfazed by Mu-cheol’s unexpected display of emotion.

‘Finally, I’ve received the Plum Blossom Sword.’

Mu-hwi’s grip on the sword’s scabbard tightened with pride.

Baekyu then tied a red tassel to each disciple’s sword, the flower-shaped tassel perfectly complementing the Plum Blossom Sword.

“Advancing quickly is good, but be careful not to stumble. Though, since you always look out for your fellow disciples, I’m not too worried,” Baekyu said, gently patting Mu-hwi’s hand as he tied the tassel.

“I will remember that.”

Having tied the tassels for all four disciples, Baekyu couldn’t hide his pride as he looked at them holding their Plum Blossom Swords.

“Now, draw your swords.”

At Baekyu’s command, the Huashan disciples eagerly reached for their sword hilts.

Swoosh!

The swords slid out smoothly, the sound akin to silk being drawn through the air.

“Ah!”

“Wow!”

The Huashan disciples couldn’t help but exclaim in awe as they drew their Plum Blossom Swords.