“Master.”

Despite Baek Yu’s call, Baek Ri-geuk remained as still as a statue.

“Master, please raise your head. How long do you intend to keep everyone here uncomfortable?”

At Baek Yu’s gentle urging, Baek Ri-geuk finally lifted his head. With a gesture from Baek Yu, the Baek Ri family members resumed their seats.

Baek Yu, who had been lost in thought while tracing the rim of his teacup, spoke again, addressing Baek Ri-geuk.

“Since the master himself has bowed and apologized, adding more words would be unnecessary. The Mount Hua Sect accepts the Baek Ri family’s apology and will forget past grievances.”

Baek Ri-geuk was the head of the Baek Ri family. For him to bow personally was akin to the entire Baek Ri family bowing to the Mount Hua Sect. The honor that the Baek Ri family had built over many years was now tilted towards Mount Hua.

Baek Yu believed that demanding anything more would be excessive.

[Let’s let this go. The Baek Ri family has acknowledged their mistake and maintained their dignity as a prestigious sect, so it’s only right for Mount Hua to respond appropriately.]

[Of course, Master.]

Though slightly frustrated, Mu-hwi nodded. If Mount Hua had been a sect of the unorthodox path, they would have exploited the Baek Ri family’s moment of weakness to the fullest. Mu-hwi had suggested such a course to Baek Yu, but Baek Yu, as the leader of Mount Hua, made the right decision.

‘Well, that’s the stubbornness of the orthodox path for you.’

In response to Baek Yu’s words, Baek Ri-geuk nodded and took out a jade token from his robe, placing it on the table.

“I don’t believe today’s gift and apology can fully atone for the Baek Ri family’s transgressions against Mount Hua.”

What Baek Ri-geuk offered was the Baek Ri family’s master token.

“Should Mount Hua ever need our assistance, the Baek Ri family will draw their swords without hesitation.”

“We won’t refuse.”

Though it was just a jade token, Mount Hua had received something more valuable than anything else they could have extracted from the Baek Ri family. Had Baek Yu followed Mu-hwi’s suggestion, they might have gained some minor concessions, but not this master token.

In this instance, the orthodox approach Baek Yu insisted on proved to be the correct one, not the unorthodox method Mu-hwi had proposed. Realizing this, Mu-hwi could only nod in agreement.

‘It’s a bit disappointing, but there will be plenty of other opportunities to gain elsewhere. Surely there’s some unorthodox sect ripe for the picking.’

The atmosphere in the hall had softened, and Gong Ji, who had been quietly observing, nodded with a satisfied smile.

“Well done, well done.”

With the conflict between Mount Hua and the Baek Ri family resolved, Gong Ji could now enjoy his plum tea with a lighter heart.

‘It was worth running around Shaanxi and Shanxi, after all. Amitabha.’

The thought of bringing good news back to Shaolin made the plum tea taste even more fragrant.

***

Crackle!

Mu-hwi stoked the fire, causing the flames to flare up. He preferred to sear the outside with intense heat while letting the inside cook slowly—a method he favored for roasting rabbit.

As he focused on the roasting rabbit, Mu-hwi looked up from the flames.

“I thought the duel was tomorrow.”

“I figured we wouldn’t have time to talk after the duel.”

Baek Ri-sang appeared in Mu-hwi’s yard, carrying a bottle of wine.

When Mu-hwi’s gaze fell on the wine bottle, Baek Ri-sang gave it a little shake.

“Can’t have meat without some wine, can we?”

Seeing the wine, Mu-hwi nodded.

“Have a seat.”

Baek Ri-sang sat beside Mu-hwi, watching the fire dance and the fat drip down with a vacant stare.

Mu-hwi filled a cup with wine and handed it to Baek Ri-sang.

“What brings you here?”

“Is this where the Sword Saint of Mount Hua once lived?”

“Yes, it is.”

Baek Ri-sang took a slow sip of wine before continuing.

“Ever since I picked up a sword, the words I’ve heard most are Sword Saint, Mount Hua Sword Saint. So naturally, coming to Mount Hua, I wanted to see the traces left by the Sword Saint.”

Mu-hwi chuckled, understanding what he meant.

“Seems like Sword King No-senpai gave you quite a hard time.”

“Haha, indeed!”

After losing in the sect duel, Sword King had clung to Baek Ri-sang, the most talented of the Baek Ri family’s young generation.

“Why didn’t Sword King No-senpai try to overcome it himself instead of passing it on to you?”

At Mu-hwi’s question, Baek Ri-sang refilled his cup and spoke.

“My grandfather said he hit a wall even before the sect duel with Mount Hua.”

“Before?”

Mu-hwi, hearing this for the first time, focused on Baek Ri-sang’s words.

“Though he roamed the martial world undefeated with a single sword, he realized it was merely luck. He encountered a great wall.”

Sword King had pursued the dream of being the best in the world, a natural aspiration for any martial artist, but ultimately realized it was impossible. Despite being one of the top masters in the martial world, he had experienced the presence of those standing in realms beyond his reach.

“So my grandfather gave up on being the best and made it his final goal to elevate the Baek Ri family to one of the top three sword sects.”

Though the Baek Ri family currently held a place among the top three families, the momentum of other families like the Hebei Peng family and the Zhuge family was threatening.

He aimed to solidify the Baek Ri family’s position among the top three sword sects, but even this was thwarted by the Sword Saint.

“Who were the masters that made Sword King No-senpai feel that wall?”

“The Sword Immortal, the top unorthodox master, and the Overlord Castle Lord. He felt a vast gap with these absolute masters.”

Crack!

Mu-hwi’s nails scraped against the wine cup, producing a grating sound. Startled, Baek Ri-sang looked up, but Mu-hwi’s face remained expressionless.

‘The top unorthodox master… It’s been a while since I heard that.’

The reason the Sword Demon of his past life was called the top unorthodox sword was because the top unorthodox master had named him so.

To those unaware of the circumstances, it might have seemed an honor, but to the Sword Demon, it was the most humiliating defeat of his life.

-You wield the sword better than the lords of the Seven Evil Heavens. I shall call you the top unorthodox sword. The price for daring to challenge me is a broken sword, so I await the day you return. Life as the top unorthodox master is dreadfully dull.

The title of top unorthodox sword was merely a nickname the top unorthodox master gave to remember a toy he found amusing.

Because of this title, the Sword Demon had to face countless unorthodox martial artists, including those from the Seven Evil Heavens who sought the title.

The top unorthodox master often watched the Sword Demon fight surrounded by unorthodox sects, seemingly using it as entertainment to liven up his dull life.

‘I suppose I’ll have to pay that old man a visit.’

Even now, with the top unorthodox sword gone, the top unorthodox master still reigned over the unorthodox world.

The day he defeated the top unorthodox master would be the day he shed the burden of the top unorthodox sword title.

Though Mu-hwi didn’t exude any particular aura, Baek Ri-sang sensed a slight chill in the air.

Watching Mu-hwi quietly, Baek Ri-sang refilled his cup.

“I don’t know the details, but I hope you can shake it off someday, just as I plan to tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

At Mu-hwi’s question, Baek Ri-sang nodded.

“I’ve walked a well-paved path. I’ve inherited my grandfather’s martial arts and teachings, and I’ve gained experience and fame by cutting down the villains he chose. But that’s the path of the River Dragon, not Baek Ri-sang’s path.”

To Baek Ri-sang, he was like a bird in a cage, singing when his master desired.

Others might say he was ungrateful, but Baek Ri-sang didn’t care. He couldn’t help how he felt.

Though the world outside the cage was harsh and full of predators, Baek Ri-sang wanted to venture out.

He wasn’t born just to sing.

“I’ve honed my sword to defeat Mount Hua, pushed by my grandfather’s expectations. But today will be the last. Regardless of the outcome, I’ll shake it all off and walk my own path. Tomorrow’s duel will be my true debut in the martial world.”

Mu-hwi, watching Baek Ri-sang in silence, tore off a piece of the roasted rabbit and handed half to him.

“What do you want to do once you’ve shaken it off?”

Baek Ri-sang brought the rabbit to his mouth and smiled.

“I don’t know. That’s why I’m seeking the answer in the martial world. It’s funny, isn’t it, not knowing even after living twenty-six years?”

With a self-deprecating laugh, Baek Ri-sang drank his wine. Mu-hwi laughed along.

“Is it wise to share such personal thoughts with someone you’ve just met?”

“I wanted to confirm if the Sword Saint’s disciple is a worthy opponent for all that the River Dragon has built.”

Baek Ri-sang stood up, and as he walked away, Mu-hwi called out.

“So, what’s your conclusion?”

“Heh, we’ll see tomorrow.”

Watching Baek Ri-sang’s slightly unsteady steps, Mu-hwi had a sudden thought.

Perhaps Baek Ri-sang had come to him, a stranger, to unburden himself with words he couldn’t easily share with anyone in his family.

By voicing the thoughts he’d kept buried deep inside, Baek Ri-sang seemed to have organized his thoughts and reaffirmed his resolve.

“A late bloomer, but not a bad one.”

In the future, when the time comes to infuse your sword with your will, the changes you make now will have a profound impact.

The top martial artists of the world each imbue their swords and fists with their own unwavering will—desires, goals, determination, beliefs, and more.

While talent, opportunity, and fortune may combine to create a supreme master, it is the intense will that weaves these elements together.

What will you achieve with the martial skills you have honed?

“At least you’re not a snake pretending to be a dragon.”

Mu-hwi downed the liquor Baek Li-sang had left behind without hesitation.

***

Across the martial arts stage, Mu-hwi drew his Plum Blossom Sword.

Though there was a distance of over twenty paces between them, Baek Li-sang instinctively knew he had to raise his sword to defend.

Clang!

As he raised his sword to block on the left, the Plum Blossom Sword suddenly struck Baek Li-sang’s blade.

Despite the unexpected attack, Baek Li-sang’s steady stance revealed his solid foundation.

Yet, his eyes betrayed a tremor of disbelief.

‘What kind of movement is this?’

Baek Li-sang had never taken his eyes off Mu-hwi, yet he had missed the movement.

Mu-hwi extended his sword as if he had always been in that spot, as if the process of closing the twenty-pace gap had been skipped entirely.

“Master, forgive my ignorance, but does the Mount Hua Sect have such martial arts?”

“Hmm, it’s a technique left by the Sword Saint. Mu-hwi has been refining and mastering it. It’s called the Secret Fragrance Step.”

“The Secret Fragrance Step… it moves as its name suggests.”

Baek Li-geuk, observing the duel between Mu-hwi and Baek Li-sang, couldn’t help but be impressed.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

With each step, Mu-hwi’s form flowed smoothly, and with every twist and turn of his ankles and toes, countless changes blossomed like flowers in all directions.

Despite the erratic and explosive movements, Mu-hwi’s form remained remarkably composed.

“An astonishing technique.”

The already dazzling swordplay of Mount Hua became even more formidable with the subtle addition of the Secret Fragrance Step.

It wasn’t about being mesmerized by the sword; it was about being cut down without even seeing the blade properly.

“So, it can be done like that.”

“Record every detail.”

Baek Sun and Hyun Gak, from the Martial Arts Pavilion, had brought a small table and were diligently writing on a scroll.

The Secret Fragrance Step, as organized by Mu-hwi, had already secured a place in the Martial Arts Pavilion. But their work didn’t end there.

They needed to create an interpretive version of the technique for future disciples to learn.

Over time, various interpretations would emerge, but the first interpretation was always the responsibility of the Martial Arts Pavilion.

“Where else could you find movements that capture the essence of plum blossoms like this?”

Deeply moved by the Secret Fragrance Step, Baek Sun couldn’t take his eyes off Mu-hwi, his brush moving swiftly across the paper.

Meanwhile, as Mu-hwi’s form was obscured by the plum blossom sword energy scattered in all directions, Baek Sun drew upon his inner strength to track Mu-hwi’s movements.

‘What a far cry from a dragon of the skies; just a snake in a small pond.’

Barely managing to fend off the dozens of sword strikes, Baek Li-sang muttered with a wry smile.

The sword energy from Baek Li-sang’s blade sliced through the incoming waves of plum blossom sword energy.

Yet, the waves continued to surge like the tide, and Baek Li-sang’s hands and feet grew busier.

Amidst the waves of plum blossom sword energy, Mu-hwi appeared like a subtle fragrance, thrusting his sword forward.

‘Movements like a ghost, truly a sword demon.’

Clang!

Sweat trickled down Baek Li-sang’s jawline as he barely deflected the plum blossom sword aimed at his forehead.

Mu-hwi’s eyes, which had been receiving Baek Li-sang’s sword strikes, slightly dimmed. The tip of his sword hesitated.

“Do you really think you can shake it off like this? It seems more like you’re hiding it deep within.”

Mu-hwi spoke leisurely as he slashed at Baek Li-sang’s waist. Baek Li-sang’s face flushed as he twisted his sword to block the incoming force.

Clang!

“Huff!”

Drawing upon his inner strength, Baek Li-sang repelled Mu-hwi’s sword and caught his breath.

Lost in thought, Baek Li-sang was given a moment by Mu-hwi, who noticed his contemplation.

When Baek Li-sang opened his eyes, he was calm and composed.

With that, Baek Li-sang’s stance began to change.

“Hmm.”

Baek Li-geuk let out a low sound as he saw his son adopt a stance he had never seen before.

This new sword technique was a creation of the Sword King, developed in his later years to surpass the Mount Hua Sect.

It was a technique passed down solely to Baek Li-sang within the Baek Li family.

“I hadn’t intended to use this technique. It’s a culmination of my grandfather’s entire legacy, and I felt it didn’t suit me, who sought a different path.”

“And now?”

“Listening to you, I realized that rather than hiding it indefinitely, I must wield it without regret to truly let it go. For both my grandfather and myself.”

As Baek Li-sang assumed his stance, his presence grew more resolute.

Mu-hwi also readied himself and asked, “What is the name of this technique?”

Baek Li-sang replied calmly, “The Celestial Wing Sword Technique.”

Named with the hope that one would not remain stagnant under a low sky but soar to the heavens beyond, the Celestial Wing Sword Technique began to unfurl its wings at the tip of the grandson’s sword.

***

“Miss, we must hurry.”

“Honestly, can we trust the Gu Yu Sword Sect?”

“Of course not. It’s just that our interests align for the moment. We can’t afford to let our guard down.”

A group made their way toward the tent of the Gu Yu Sword Sect.

The woman leading the group wore martial attire embroidered with a fierce black dragon with menacing teeth.

“Who knows if a fight will break out the moment we step into the tent. Though, that might be preferable.”

Zanryonghui’s lady, Jeok Sa-hye, fiddled with the sword at her waist as she entered the Gu Yu Sword Sect’s tent.