Clang!

The two swords clashed like interlocking gears, refusing to part. The sleeves of Baek Yu and Hwang Jin-gun flapped violently, as if they might tear at any moment. Each strike sent a sharp wave of energy into the air, disturbing the natural surroundings with its fierce intensity. Branches and leaves were sliced clean off, falling to the ground in the wake of their battle.

“Hmm?”

Baek Yu narrowed his eyes as Hwang Jin-gun subtly lowered the tip of his sword. In an instant, Baek Yu shifted his foot to the left, narrowly avoiding a deep fissure that split the ground where he had just stood. Had he not noticed in time, his foot would have been caught.

Anticipating Hwang Jin-gun’s move, Baek Yu launched a series of precise thrusts aimed at his opponent’s right collarbone, solar plexus, and left waist.

The Three-Petal Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

As soon as the technique was unleashed, it transformed with countless variations, toying with Hwang Jin-gun’s perception. The three-pronged attack twisted and turned thirty-six times in a blink, before converging into a single, deadly strike aimed straight at the center.

A chilling violet light shot forward, but Hwang Jin-gun, his face tinged with purple, slashed forward without hesitation. His sword emitted a swirling yellow aura, forming a crescent that shone with a menacing presence.

Boom!

The violet and yellow energies collided, sending both masters flying backward. It was the first time they paused after exchanging over a hundred blows. Baek Yu retreated five steps, while Hwang Jin-gun skidded back, carving a deep groove into the earth.

Baek Yu, with a cut on his shoulder, staunched the bleeding with a pressure point technique and spoke, “They say you severed the arm of the Cheongseong Sect’s leader. Your reputation as the Five Armies General is well-earned.”

Hwang Jin-gun, swallowing the blood rising in his throat, grinned. “Even a decaying volcano is still a volcano, it seems. You’re stronger than the leaders of Sichuan.”

Hwang Jin-gun had clashed swords with the leaders of Cheongseong and Emei multiple times at the forefront of the Conqueror’s Fortress. A few months ago, he had even severed the left arm of the Cheongseong Sect’s leader, forcing a retreat.

‘I thought the reputation of the Nine Sects’ leaders was exaggerated.’

The fame of the legendary swordsmen from the Mount Hua Sect overshadowed the current leader, but Baek Yu’s sword was anything but dull.

“The violet plum blossom, said to bloom only through the Purple Haze Technique. To witness it, I could die here without regret.”

Whoosh!

A burst of yellow energy erupted from Hwang Jin-gun, tearing the ground around him. Baek Yu’s eyes darkened as he assessed the situation.

‘The words of my senior disciple come to mind.’

His senior had founded the Hebei Peng family in his later years, and Baek Yu recalled the words spoken at the founding ceremony.

– The current martial world is in a time of great change, with talents emerging everywhere. In the future, the role of the righteous sects will be crucial. Remember this, juniors.

A time of great change.

The heavens opened, and celestial energy descended, giving rise to countless geniuses rarely seen in the same era. The senior’s words were not to be taken lightly.

Forty years ago, the term “Seven Sects” was used, but now it was the “Nine Great Schools.” Powerful forces like the Three Great Families, Seven Sages, and the Conqueror’s Fortress had emerged one after another.

Compared to a hundred years ago, the current martial world was experiencing a golden age, or perhaps a time of chaos, with numerous factions and masters.

In another era, Hwang Jin-gun would not be a subordinate to anyone. He was a master worthy of leading a sect.

‘I must defeat him today, even if it costs me an arm.’

The Conqueror’s Fortress saw today as an opportunity to eliminate the leaders of the Nine Sects, but it was equally an opportunity for the leaders themselves.

Baek Yu’s eyes flickered with determination, a violet aura swirling around him like a sunset.

Crack!

The clash of supreme masters’ energies sounded like a great drum tearing, as the atmosphere screamed in protest.

The two masters, who had been watching for an opening, suddenly turned their gazes in the same direction. They sensed a new presence cutting through their energy field. It was impossible for anyone of ordinary skill to approach so closely.

‘Has the battle already been decided? If it’s the Red Flame Army, they could finish it easily.’

‘Who could it be? Hong Sun?’

But their assumptions were wrong.

Seeing the figure emerge from between the trees, Baek Yu shouted in surprise, “Mu Hui! Why are you here?”

Mu Hui glanced between Baek Yu and Hwang Jin-gun, then swung his plum blossom sword lightly toward the ground.

Splat!

The blood on the blade splattered like ink on the earth. Watching the now-clean sword, Mu Hui stepped forward slowly.

“Master, I’ll handle this old man.”

“What?”

Hwang Jin-gun’s eyebrows shot up, and Baek Yu hesitated to respond. But Mu Hui had no intention of leisurely persuading Baek Yu.

Blocking Baek Yu’s path, Mu Hui fixed his gaze on Hwang Jin-gun.

“Master, protect the disciples. It’s my duty as the sword of Mount Hua to deal with this man.”

Even without Mu Hui’s intervention, Baek Yu would likely win if the two masters fought to the death. However, Baek Yu would not emerge unscathed.

He would suffer internal injuries requiring months of recovery, and in the worst case, he might lose a limb.

This was something the Mount Hua Sect could not afford.

“Master, this is the best course for Mount Hua.”

Mu Hui’s calm voice made Baek Yu grip his sword tighter.

For a moment, Baek Yu’s plum blossom sword trembled slightly. He considered why Mu Hui had come here instead of rescuing those on the battlefield.

Perhaps Mu Hui believed that facing Hwang Jin-gun himself would lead to a more favorable outcome. Baek Yu quickly assessed the situation in his mind.

Entrusting a disciple with a master like Hwang Jin-gun was unconventional.

But Baek Yu didn’t think Mu Hui would act recklessly in such a critical situation.

Should he follow convention or trust his disciple?

Baek Yu deliberated for a brief moment.

“Can you hold out?”

He didn’t waste words on the opponent being a supreme master.

Mu Hui’s display of the Plum Blossom Shadow Dance against Seonju, with dozens of plum blossoms, was not something achievable by someone merely at the peak level.

Listening to the exchange, Hwang Jin-gun spoke with disbelief.

“Master, are you in your right mind, leaving this to a mere junior? If this gets out in the martial world…”

Hwang Jin-gun couldn’t finish his sentence, quickly raising his sword.

Clang!

Mu Hui’s plum blossom sword narrowly missed Hwang Jin-gun’s neck, blocked just in time.

“Are you worried about the martial world knowing… that the Five Armies General was bested by a mere junior?”

Mu Hui’s sudden, swift attack caught even Baek Yu off guard.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Seeing this strike, Baek Yu cast aside his last doubts and leaped away.

“You brat!”

Hwang Jin-gun’s eyes, filled with surprise, now burned with anger.

As Hwang Jin-gun advanced, unleashing his energy, Mu Hui withdrew his sword and stepped back.

Swish!

Hwang Jin-gun lunged forward, thrusting his sword toward Mu Hui’s chest.

A swift strike that would catch even a peak master off guard. Mu Hui deftly parried and countered with his own swift strike.

Clang!

Mu Hui precisely identified and countered Hwang Jin-gun’s swift attack, momentarily surprising him before his stance shifted.

Shing!

The sound of Hwang Jin-gun’s sword changed as he unleashed the Yellow Dust Sandstorm Sword Technique. The yellow aura obscured the blade, making it difficult to discern.

The swift strikes, like a desert sandstorm, threatened to pierce through Mu Hui’s entire body.

‘The Yellow Brush Northern Wind, is it? This old man is getting serious.’

In a past life, Mu Hui had faced three of the Five Armies Generals, including Hwang Jin-gun. Naturally, he was well-acquainted with the Yellow Dust Sandstorm Sword Technique.

Reading the Yellow Brush Northern Wind’s moves, Mu Hui slashed diagonally.

In that moment, the plum blossom sword’s blade blurred, tracing a straight line.

“Gah!”

Hwang Jin-gun gasped.

The young man before him had only swung a single swift strike diagonally, yet it severed seven connected moves in an instant.

Hwang Jin-gun recognized the sword technique from Mount Hua.

“The Seven Petal Plum Blossom Sword!”

One of Mount Hua’s supreme martial arts.

He didn’t know the details, but it was said to be so complex that only elders and exceptionally talented first-generation disciples learned it.

‘And this young one has mastered it?’

In the meantime, Mu Hui closed the distance, having dismantled the Yellow Brush Northern Wind’s moves, and thrust his sword.

Swish!

A formidable swift strike that seemed to bridge the gap. Mu Hui’s swift strike was on par with Hwang Jin-gun’s own.

Caught mid-technique, Hwang Jin-gun focused on defense, raising his sword.

Clang!

The Bitter Blossom

A metallic clang echoed six times in quick succession. The final sound was not metal, but the slicing of fabric.

A thin line of blood traced across Hwang Jin-gun’s cheekbone as he turned his head to the side.

Had he not noticed the sudden change in the sword’s trajectory, a hole would have been drilled right between his eyes.

“What a devilish sword technique.”

It seemed like a single strike, but Mu-hui had actually pierced Hwang Jin-gun seven times.

Swoosh!

As if anticipating it, Hwang Jin-gun thrust his sword into Mu-hui’s chest, but only a dark afterimage flickered at the tip.

Mu-hui’s robe fluttered as he swung low, forcing Hwang Jin-gun to deflect and retreat three steps back.

For a master to retreat against a lesser opponent was humiliating, but Hwang Jin-gun had no time for pride.

Wiping the blood from his cheek, Hwang Jin-gun stared at Mu-hui.

“So that’s why the headmaster withdrew so easily. He was nurturing a monster like you.”

The swordsmanship Mu-hui displayed was beyond the realm of a supreme master, perhaps even greater.

The sharpness and threat he exuded were more pronounced than the opponent he had just faced, Baek-yu, yet he didn’t seem to have reached the pinnacle.

It was truly perplexing.

‘Has he gauged my condition?’

Reading the cautious gaze of Hwang Jin-gun, Mu-hui steadied his sword.

For a martial artist, the balance of mind, energy, and body is crucial to elevate one’s state.

Mu-hui’s mind was in the realm of enlightenment, but his energy and body couldn’t keep up.

Such an extreme imbalance was rare, but it was likely due to Mu-hui’s new lease on life.

‘The longer this drags on, the worse it is for me. I need to end it in this exchange.’

Hummm!

Mu-hui unleashed the full extent of his inner power from the Heavenly Heart Technique.

His energy coursed through his meridians, and the Plum Blossom Sword began to hum with power.

A sharp wave of energy and a dense killing intent, mixed with the fragrance of plum blossoms, emanated from him.

The surrounding vegetation trembled in response, and a thought crossed Hwang Jin-gun’s mind.

‘I must kill him. He will be a future threat.’

Seeing the sharp red glow in Mu-hui’s eyes, Hwang Jin-gun raised his sword and asked.

“Who… what are you?”

Mu-hui simply raised his Plum Blossom Sword.

“The Sword Demon of Mount Hua.”

Hwang Jin-gun frowned at the words, and Mu-hui became a streak of light. Hwang Jin-gun’s eyes caught the flash, and he responded with a burst of energy.

Swoosh!

As the swift sword that could pierce rock extended, a dusty haze seemed to obscure Mu-hui’s vision.

It was like the sandstorm of the Great Desert that could grind even boulders to dust.

The Gale of the Great Desert.

Hwang Jin-gun’s ultimate technique, which had shattered the Azure Cloud Sword and severed the arm of the headmaster of the Blue Star Sect.

In Mu-hui’s wide eyes, the path of the Gale of the Great Desert was clearly etched. At that moment, the Plum Blossom Sword transformed into a streak of red light.

Like a taut string snapping and tangling haphazardly, the straight path of the Plum Blossom Sword scattered chaotically through the air.

“What…!”

Hwang Jin-gun’s eyes widened.

The Plum Blossom Sword, cutting indiscriminately through the air, was dismantling the Gale of the Great Desert.

The Hwang Jin Sword Technique was being torn apart, and the Plum Blossom Sword’s energy shimmered through the gaps.

Only once before had his technique been so helplessly dismantled.

“Sword Demon!”

When he had faced the Sword Demon trapped in the Heavenly Net, his technique had been dismantled, and he barely escaped with his life.

He couldn’t endure that humiliating moment again, especially not against such a young opponent.

“Argh!”

With a fierce cry, Hwang Jin-gun thrust his sword desperately, but the Plum Blossom Sword was already upon him.

Swish!

As the Gale of the Great Desert was dismantled, the swirling dust vanished, and plum blossoms bloomed all around.

The fragrance of plum blossoms, even more intense than before, enveloped Hwang Jin-gun. His surroundings were already painted in red and white.

“Your technique has changed a lot since then. Did you gain enlightenment after it was dismantled?”

Mu-hui’s low voice. Hwang Jin-gun’s eyes widened, but he couldn’t respond.

The plum blossoms that had bloomed everywhere burst simultaneously. The petals, cascading like a waterfall, enveloped Hwang Jin-gun from all sides.

The Fragrance of the Plum Blossom Sword Fills the World.

As the petals, gathered by the wind from the Six Mountains, scattered down the mountainside, Hwang Jin-gun knelt.

His yellow robe was so stained with red that it seemed it had always been that color.

A strange scent, a mix of plum blossom and blood, wafted around Hwang Jin-gun.

As his consciousness faded, Hwang Jin-gun thought it must be the scent of death.

“Sword Demon…”

His gruff voice trailed off.

Watching Hwang Jin-gun kneel with his head bowed, Mu-hui covered his mouth.

“Damn it.”

Forcing the technique had twisted his meridians, and his internal injuries were quite severe.

Wiping the blood from his lips with his sleeve, Mu-hui turned away without hesitation.

***

The Overlord’s Castle had fallen.

Of the hundred warriors in the Red Flame Army, only thirty managed to escape the Six Mountains.

One unit was annihilated, and the other was half-destroyed.

But the damage to Mount Hua and Zhongnan was also significant.

Except for the third-generation disciples who had taken refuge in the pavilion, none were unscathed, and five second-generation disciples and two first-generation disciples were on the brink of death.

Had Baek-yu not intervened in the duel, the damage would have been even greater.

The mountain lodge in the Six Mountains was bustling with workers transporting medicinal herbs and doctors from the Gahwa and Mukyu sects.

“Mu-hui, are your internal injuries okay?”

Mu-hui, sitting alone on a rock near the lodge, turned his head.

Sun-joo, leaning forward, scrutinized Mu-hui’s face, then raised an eyebrow.

“I heard your injuries were severe, but you seem fine?”

“These injuries are nothing. But you seem to be in a good mood?”

“Oh? How did you know?”

Sun-joo looked at Mu-hui with a hint of surprise, then smiled.

“The doctor just checked on the severely injured, and they’re out of danger now. Their lives aren’t at risk anymore. It’s such a relief.”

Mu-hui let out a faint sigh of relief.

Among those gravely injured were Mu-sang and Mu-ho.

Sun-joo’s eyes, smiling brightly, glistened with a hint of moisture.

She had been tending to the injured disciples and masters all night, neglecting her own injuries, and it seemed she had been through quite an ordeal.

Glancing at Sun-joo, Mu-hui raised an eyebrow.

Sun-joo had an injury on her wrist, and the bandage wrapped around it was half undone, exposing the wound.

“What kind of swordswoman doesn’t even take care of her own arm?”

Mu-hui clicked his tongue as he pulled Sun-joo’s arm to inspect the bandage. It was already stained with blood, making it unusable.

“Tsk.”

Rip!

Clicking his tongue, Mu-hui tore his sleeve and used it to cover the wound.

“Pfft!”

Sun-joo, watching Mu-hui with wide eyes, burst into laughter. The crease in Mu-hui’s brow deepened.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just saw a new side of you. Sorry if it bothered you.”

The piece of Mu-hui’s sleeve he had torn off was embroidered with plum blossoms.

Gently touching the newly bloomed plum blossom on her wrist, Sun-joo looked at Mu-hui.

“Mu-hui, would you like to come down the mountain with me? I have an errand to run.”

“What kind of errand?”

“You’ll find out if you come with me.”

Sun-joo tugged at Mu-hui’s torn sleeve.

The End