A spectacle of red and white petals covered the martial stage.

Two massive sword energies pierced through the surrounding plum blossom sword aura, rising like a pair of giant wings unfurling.

Whoosh!

The twin sword energies flapped like wings, scattering the blossoming petals of sword aura in all directions.

“An unusual sword technique.”

The twin sword energies sliced diagonally, crossing paths. In response, Muhui raised his sword high.

Slash!

The vertical stroke of the plum blossom sword sent a cascade of sword aura tumbling like a waterfall.

When it collided with Baek Li-sang’s sword strike, petals scattered like splashing water.

Yet, guided by the circular motion of the plum blossom sword, the sword aura gathered back around Muhui.

Both Muhui and Baek Li-sang stepped forward simultaneously, their swords clashing fiercely.

“The Celestial Wing Sword Technique… It seems to rely heavily on the total amount and control of internal energy, but he’s handling it quite well.”

The technique, emphasizing the power derived from internal energy, was a hallmark of the Sword King. Most practitioners struggled to even spread one wing properly.

While the full support of the Baek Li family was evident, Baek Li-sang’s talent shone through.

As Baek Li-sang tilted his sword horizontally, the sword energy surged again.

Muhui effortlessly cut through the flapping trajectories of the sword energy from both sides.

“Ugh.”

Despite sweating, Baek Li-sang extended his sword, trying to calmly execute the Celestial Wing Sword Technique.

“I intended to break his sword from the start.”

Had the Baek Li family maintained their arrogant stance, Muhui would have done just that.

He planned to deliver the ultimate insult to the Baek Li family.

The only reason Baek Li-sang could display the Celestial Wing Sword Technique before Muhui now was because they had bowed their heads in the palace.

Recalling last night’s conversation, Muhui slowly aimed his plum blossom sword forward.

“I suppose I should repay the favor for last night’s drinks, kid.”

The Celestial Wing Sword Technique descended from above, the two wings merging into one, aiming to cleave Muhui in two. A chilling aura pressed down on him from head to back.

Celestial Wing Sword Technique: Twin Wings Open the Heavens.

Instead of raising his plum blossom sword, Muhui extended his left hand. The immense impact surged, but only his robe fluttered wildly.

The force, initially crashing down, began to rotate slowly with the subtle tremor of his fingers.

Plum Blossom Mountain’s Chaotic Wind Plucks the Flower.

The petal-shaped force swirled, and Muhui, with his left hand, received Baek Li-sang’s strike.

The spectators’ eyes widened at the sight of Muhui using his hand instead of a sword to block the attack.

Crack!

With a sound of something breaking, a circular wave of energy emanated from Muhui’s left hand, which had caught the sword energy. Cracks spread across the stage floor.

Baek Li-sang’s Celestial Wing Sword Technique shattered into nothingness under the Chaotic Wind Plucks the Flower.

“It didn’t break; it felt like it scattered the moment it touched his hand.”

Baek Li-sang’s eyes widened as he watched the fragments of his sword energy scatter into the air, disappearing with the force of the plum blossom mountain.

The scene was so shocking it felt almost futile.

“Really… haha.”

Baek Li-sang let out a hollow laugh, but his smile soon faded.

Despite showcasing the Celestial Wing Sword Technique, he couldn’t witness Muhui’s full strength.

Instead, his ultimate strike, Twin Wings Open the Heavens, was blocked by a mere hand.

Having effortlessly dismantled the pinnacle of the Celestial Wing Sword Technique, Muhui walked over to Baek Li-sang, who had lowered his sword with a nonchalant expression.

“You focused too much on the size of the sword energy, neglecting the density and control of your internal energy. It was less impressive than when you used the Baek Li family’s sword technique.”

“Is that so?”

“But as your abilities grow, the true value of the technique will naturally reveal itself.”

Baek Li-sang nodded absentmindedly, then glanced at Muhui’s unscathed left hand.

“Not a scratch. Will I be able to leave a mark on that palm next time?”

“That depends on the path you choose to walk, doesn’t it?”

Recalling their conversation from the previous night, Baek Li-sang let out a bitter smile.

“That was a foolish question. I suppose the title of ‘Dragon of the Sword’ now belongs to you, Muhui. Should I call you the ‘Volcanic Sword Dragon’?”

Muhui shook his head firmly.

“I’m not interested.”

Though it seemed like a hollow defeat, Baek Li-sang had proven himself as a worthy successor to the title of ‘Six Dragons.’

Watching Muhui turn away without hesitation, Baek Li-sang let out a short sigh.

“So this is the wall my grandfather spoke of.”

It was different from the barriers he had encountered in martial arts training. He had always believed he could eventually overcome them, but Muhui was different.

It felt like facing a Great Wall he could never surmount, no matter how hard he tried.

Baek Li-sang thought he understood how his grandfather felt when facing absolute masters.

“I must close this gap first.”

Though he understood his grandfather’s feelings, Baek Li-sang had no intention of following the same path.

His once vague goal had now become clear.

“Hmm…”

Baek Li-sang quietly saluted Muhui.

“I’ll challenge you again someday, with a different sword.”

***

Seven days after the martial contest concluded and the Baek Li family members left the Mount Hua Sect, Muhui was summoned to the palace by Baek Yu.

“Master.”

“Come in.”

When Muhui entered, Baek Yu was pacing the palace with his hands behind his back, as if something urgent had arisen.

Seeing Muhui, Baek Yu immediately sat down and poured him a cup of plum blossom tea.

“What brings you here, Master?”

“A letter from the Small Mount Hua Manor.”

Muhui took the letter from Baek Yu and read it immediately.

“Hmm… The Hidden Dragon Society and the Old Sword Sect are moving south simultaneously.”

“I don’t know if these two sects have joined forces, but given their coordinated movements, it’s likely.”

“It’s because of the Tyrant’s Castle.”

Since the attack by the Six Harmonies Sword Society, the Tyrant’s Castle had been appearing more frequently in Shaanxi.

Though not large in scale, skirmishes had occasionally broken out.

The Tyrant’s Castle’s forces, which had been aggressively pushing against the Sichuan Alliance, were overwhelming.

As a result, the Zhongnan Sect’s strength was concentrated in the west, and the first disciples of the Mount Hua Sect had gone to support them.

“Originally, Mount Hua and Zhongnan were jointly holding the north, but with Zhongnan now absent, it’s a golden opportunity.”

The Hidden Dragon Society and the Old Sword Sect likely saw more benefit in targeting the nearly vacant southern Shaanxi than in competing for territory.

In the martial world, it wasn’t unusual for yesterday’s enemies to join hands for practical gains.

“The disciples at the Small Mount Hua Manor have directly requested support, but the first disciples are with the Zhongnan Sect.”

The remaining elders and first disciples were only enough to defend Mount Hua. They couldn’t afford to send them away.

“Sending a letter to dispatch them to the Small Mount Hua Manor would be too late.”

Baek Yu nodded and asked Muhui.

“Have you reached the pinnacle?”

In the past, during the Six Harmonies Sword Society incident, Baek Yu hadn’t expected Muhui to defeat Hwang Jin-gun.

He had planned to return and face Hwang Jin-gun himself after Muhui held out for a while, but Muhui had defeated him alone, leaving Baek Yu astonished.

Baek Yu often tried to gauge Muhui’s energy, but it was so well-contained that it was difficult to assess his exact level.

“Is such rapid growth truly possible?”

Baek Yu had never imagined he would one day ask Muhui such a question.

“I haven’t reached the pinnacle yet, but I can handle it.”

Muhui, understanding why Baek Yu was asking about his level, answered without hiding anything.

After all, Muhui had never concealed his achievements.

“If I send you, you should be able to put out the immediate fire. I’ll dispatch the Mount Hua Swords to the Small Mount Hua Manor.”

“Master, if both the Hidden Dragon Society and the Old Sword Sect are moving, we’ll be short-handed. Please allow the second disciples to descend the mountain.”

“Hmm…”

As Baek Yu pondered, Muhui added.

“Some have already experienced real combat with the Six Harmonies Sword Society, and others have undergone equivalent training. I believe it’s necessary for the growth of the second disciples.”

“Your point is valid, but I’m concerned about sending disciples who haven’t even experienced the martial world directly into danger.”

“I’ll take responsibility as the first disciple and ensure all disciples return safely.”

Baek Yu tapped the table with his fingers, contemplating for a moment before stopping.

“If you hold out a little, the first disciples will head there, so don’t overdo it.”

“Of course, Master.”

Having received Baek Yu’s permission, Muhui immediately gathered the second disciples at the training ground.

Including the Mount Hua Swords, twenty disciples whom he had been keeping an eye on awaited his words.

“You’ve probably heard the gist of it. We’re heading to the Small Mount Hua Manor to face the Old Sword Sect and the Hidden Dragon Society.”

Though the disciples had heard rumors, hearing it directly from Muhui gave it weight.

“Facing two of the Seven Evil Heavens at once…”

“Can we really do it?”

Especially for those who hadn’t yet ventured into the martial world, the tension doubled. The thought of their first martial world experience being a battle against the Seven Evil Heavens was daunting.

Just imagining it made their hearts race. Observing the disciples, Muhui quietly smiled.

“Surely, there’s no one here who’s afraid, right?”

Muhui’s words were met with a laugh from Muhwa.

“Surely, the warriors of the Chilsacheon can’t be as ruthless as our senior brother, right?”

The other disciples burst into laughter at the remark.

“If anyone wants to stay behind, I won’t stop you. Be ready in half an hour, and we’ll regroup to head straight to Mount Sohwa.”

A short while later, the second-generation disciples of the Huashan Sect descended the mountain, leaving no one behind.

***

“How’s it going on your end?”

“Everyone’s been evacuated!”

As Musan reported, Muryeon let out a sigh of relief, only to be interrupted by Muho rushing over.

“Senior Brother Muryeon, I’ve sent them ahead, but there are many elderly and children, so they’re moving slowly.”

Muryeon bit his lip in frustration. “This is bad. We’ll have to rely on our masters and the others to buy us more time.”

He sighed, gazing at the now-empty village. The disciples of the Huashan Sect and the warriors of the Sohwa Mountain Villa were busy evacuating villagers in the path of the advancing Zhanlonghui and Guyugeommun.

While Guyugeommun occasionally resorted to tyranny, Zhanlonghui was merciless, killing indiscriminately and looting. The area around Mount Sohwa was dotted with small villages, and the disciples had scattered to assist in the evacuation.

“Since we’ve confirmed the village is empty, we should leave too, Senior Brother,” Musan suggested. Muryeon nodded, but then quickly turned his head.

A group was rapidly approaching from the edge of the village. The Huashan disciples drew their swords in unison. The distance had closed too quickly. Musan’s face hardened as he recognized the dragon emblem on their robes.

“Zhanlonghui! So they had another group moving separately.”

As the distance closed enough to see faces, the Zhanlonghui warriors halted their light-footed advance and stared at the Huashan disciples.

“Well, well, aren’t these the young ones?”

“Looks like they focused their main forces on the battle and left the kids to help the villagers escape.”

“They’ve robbed us of our fun. How annoying.”

The Zhanlonghui warriors chuckled among themselves, while the Huashan disciples remained silent.

“Ten of them. It seems like a single squad, but we’ll have to face at least three each,” Muryeon thought, feeling his mind freeze. Facing one opponent was one thing, but three at once was impossible.

“Disciples, I’ll buy us some time…”

“Senior Brother Muryeon, how can you do that alone?”

“Running isn’t an option. We have to fight.”

The Zhanlonghui warriors laughed even louder at the Huashan disciples’ resolve.

“Haha! These young ones have some spirit.”

“Let’s see if they can keep that composure when they’re about to die.”

The Zhanlonghui warriors closed in slowly, their killing intent palpable. Yet the Huashan disciples stood firm, their swords steady.

“Six Harmonies Sword Formation. Just like last time, hold your ground.”

“Yes.”

“Understood, Senior Brother.”

With Muryeon at the center, Musan and Muho stood back-to-back, their swords poised.

The Zhanlonghui warriors sneered, amused by the display.

“How dramatic, like watching an opera.”

“I enjoy operas too, especially the ones with tragic endings.”

“Really? I find them boring.”

A voice casually joined the Zhanlonghui warriors’ conversation, as if it had always been there.

“Senior Brother!”

The disciples were startled as Muhwi appeared out of nowhere, as if he had emerged from the ground.

With a swift motion, Muhwi decapitated the man who had mentioned opera. He smiled at the headless body.

“Is this what you call a tragic opera?”

There was no response, only the sound of blood dripping from the blade of his plum blossom sword.

Muhwi’s presence exuded a deadly aura, overwhelming the killing intent of the Zhanlonghui warriors.

They began to retreat, but behind them, vibrant petals floated in the air.

“It seems the tragic opera’s protagonists are you, not my disciples.”

Muhwi’s sword rose, the deadly light of the plum blossom sword technique beginning to bloom.

“Struggle all you want. I’ll witness your tragic end.”

The sinister red petals gently enveloped the Zhanlonghui warriors.

“Is this what you call a tragic opera?” The End

“These are the second-generation disciples of Huashan.”