Swish!

The Plum Blossom Sword sliced through the air without pause, cutting down its foes with relentless precision.

Before the warriors of the Janryong Society could even let out a scream, the sword had already found its mark, silencing them forever.

Blood sprayed into the air, mingling with the petals that danced in its wake. By the time Mu-hui had swung his sword twice, the warriors lay lifeless on the ground.

As the crimson and white petals fell into the pool of blood, they scattered, mirroring the fleeting lives of the Janryong Society warriors. Their end was as hollow as a forgotten play.

Mu-hui’s eyes, having witnessed the conclusion, remained cold and unfeeling.

With a flick of his wrist, he shook the blood from his sword and sheathed it, turning to check on his fellow disciples.

“Everyone seems to be in one piece.”

The disciples, who had been staring blankly, finally snapped back to reality and asked again.

“Senior Brother, how did you get here?”

“Did you come alone?”

As the disciples bombarded him with questions, Mu-hui nodded toward the distance.

Turning their heads, they saw the other second-generation disciples, including the Huashan disciples, approaching swiftly.

“Senior Brother, we asked the Lotus Gate to protect the civilians we encountered. They should be heading back to the villa.”

Mu-jin’s report earned a nod from Mu-hui, who then looked at Mu-ryun.

“You know where the Janryong Society is fighting, right?”

“Of course, Senior Brother. But… are you planning to…?”

Mu-ryun glanced at the gathered disciples, unable to finish his sentence.

“We’re heading there.”

With Mu-ryun’s guidance, Mu-hui set off toward the northwest.

Had he been alone, he could have reached the destination quickly using his martial arts, but he needed to match the pace of the second-generation disciples.

After about fifteen minutes of running, the sounds of battle—screams and clashing weapons—began to reach their ears.

Mu-hui listened intently as he pushed toward the edge of the hill.

“Remember what I told you. Don’t let excitement make you forget.”

“Yes, Senior Brother!”

The second-generation disciples responded in unison, leaping over the hill’s edge.

Clang!

Hyun-baek’s sword, moving with a strange fluidity, bypassed the Janryong Society warrior’s blade like a snake and pierced his chest.

Thud!

“These Janryong bastards, there’s so many of them!”

“Hyun-baek, we’ve bought enough time. Let’s secure a retreat!”

Despite their valiant efforts, Hyun-baek and the first-generation disciples were slowly being pushed back by the overwhelming numbers.

From the start, they had been outnumbered more than two to one, making their resistance all the more impressive.

“Hyun-su, Hyun-jin, cover the rear with me!”

As Hyun-baek issued orders, his eyes widened.

A group of figures soared through the sky, their attire unmistakably familiar, with red plum blossoms fluttering in the air.

“Why are they here?”

Boom!

As Hyun-baek shouted in surprise, a loud explosion erupted behind the Janryong Society warriors.

The hill was about nine meters high, but for martial artists, such a height was nothing.

Swoosh!

Mu-hui launched himself from the hill, his sword cutting through the air as he descended upon the Janryong Society warriors.

In one swift motion, he cut down four enemies, landing with a crouch and sweeping his sword in a wide arc, slicing through the ankles of those within reach.

“Aaargh!”

“My leg!”

As Mu-hui carved out a space, the second-generation disciples, led by the Huashan disciples, landed in the opening.

“What the…?”

“The plum blossoms on their sleeves! They’re the second-generation disciples of Huashan!”

The sudden and dramatic entrance of the second-generation disciples drew the attention of the Janryong Society warriors.

“Kill them all!”

At Mu-hui’s fierce command, the second-generation disciples charged at the Janryong Society warriors.

Clang!

A sudden strike from a sword.

Mu-cheol’s massive Plum Blossom Sword shattered three incoming blades in an instant.

Having successfully layered five levels of power onto his sword, Mu-cheol began to display overwhelming destructive force.

“Ugh!”

“Cough!”

The Janryong Society warriors couldn’t withstand even two exchanges against the massive Plum Blossom Sword, coughing up blood as they fell.

Swoosh!

Amidst the chaos, five Janryong Society warriors fell forward, blood spraying from their wounds.

“The Plum Blossom Sword… it feels like it’s wrapping around my feet!”

Mu-hwa retrieved his sword faster than he had thrust it, unleashing a crimson flash once more.

The enemies fell before they could even react.

While Mu-cheol crushed his opponents like a rolling boulder, Mu-hwa, with his swift swordplay, was like a tempest.

Swoosh!

Between Mu-hwa and Mu-cheol, Mu-jin thrust his sword with steady precision. Though he couldn’t fill the air with Plum Blossom Sword Qi like Mu-hui, his control over the sword’s energy was unmatched among the second-generation disciples.

If Mu-cheol and Mu-hwa infused their swords with their unique styles, Mu-jin executed the Huashan martial arts with textbook precision.

The elegant trajectory of Mu-jin’s sword sent Plum Blossom Sword Qi rippling through the Janryong Society warriors, cutting and tearing them apart.

Even with his straightforward execution of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, Mu-jin’s presence was as commanding as Mu-cheol and Mu-hwa’s.

“Now’s the time. Mu-sang! Mu-ryun! Move in from the sides!”

“Yes, Mu-jin!”

Following Mu-jin’s command, the disciples widened the gap he had created.

There were twenty-four second-generation disciples in total.

Mu-hui, at the center of the Huashan disciples, organized them into four groups.

With Mu-hui and the Huashan disciples leading the charge, each group moved in unison, widening the path and pushing forward.

Though they hadn’t formed a formal sword formation, the second-generation disciples coordinated their movements, decimating the Janryong Society warriors.

[Mu-hwa, fall back a bit. Your group is getting ahead.]

Despite the chaotic battlefield, Mu-hui’s message reached Mu-hwa with precision.

His eyes darted across the battlefield, never missing a detail.

The praise from the leader of the Flower Soul Sect about Mu-hui’s keen perception was no exaggeration. He kept track of every disciple’s situation.

Thud!

Even as he maintained his awareness, Mu-hui’s sword never lost its edge, leaving no room for anyone to block his path.

From above, the second-generation disciples’ advance looked like a black plum blossom blooming in all directions.

“Huff, huff. Hyun-baek, are those really the second-generation disciples fighting back there?”

“How are these young ones fighting so well?”

The disciples of the Soha Mountain Villa, who had been fighting alongside the first-generation disciples, asked between ragged breaths.

Thanks to the second-generation disciples’ surprise attack on the Janryong Society’s rear, the first-generation disciples and the Soha Mountain Villa fighters found some breathing room.

Normally, they wouldn’t have had the luxury to ask such questions.

“Those are indeed the second-generation disciples of Huashan.”

Hyun-baek replied with a proud smile, cutting down another Janryong Society warrior.

‘The front is holding.’

Mu-hui confirmed that the first-generation disciples and the secular fighters were holding their ground and turned his attention back to the second-generation disciples.

Following Mu-hui’s lead, the second-generation disciples slowed their advance once they had secured a position.

The goal of this battle wasn’t to annihilate the Janryong Society but to give the second-generation disciples real combat experience.

Reducing the enemy’s numbers was something Mu-hui could handle on his own.

“Mu-ho, watch out!”

“I know!”

Mu-ho, having just cut down a Janryong Society warrior, quickly dodged to the side at Mu-sang’s warning.

A gust of wind passed through the spot where Mu-ho had been standing.

“These kids only know how to dodge!”

“Shut up, you scoundrel!”

Mu-sang shouted irritably, launching himself at the enemy.

Having already experienced real combat in the Six Harmonies Sword Tournament, the second-generation disciples fought skillfully, while those facing their first battle quickly adapted with the help of their senior brothers.

‘They’re all holding their own.’

Mu-hui’s sword arced like a crescent moon, piercing through the chests of three enemies in an instant.

“Gah!”

The Janryong Society warriors fell, staring in disbelief at the blood spurting from their chests.

Mu-hui read the intentions of the Janryong Society warriors, preemptively eliminating those who posed a threat to his disciples.

“How many has that madman killed on his own?”

Around Mu-hui, the blood continued to flow, painting the ground red.

With the Plum Blossom Sword Qi swirling around him, the area seemed perpetually stained crimson.

Swoosh!

As Mu-hui’s sword twitched, the gathered Plum Blossom Sword Qi dispersed once more.

“The Sword Demon… it’s the Huashan Sword Demon!”

Even those who had never seen Mu-hui before recognized him as the Huashan Sword Demon.

Yet, the Janryong Society warriors didn’t easily succumb to fear.

“You brat!”

“Die!”

The warriors of the Zanryong Society, driven by rage, charged at Muhui with their swords, shouting furiously.

Blades of wind sliced through the air, and from the side, a crescent-shaped energy attack flew toward him.

But the desperate attacks of the Zanryong warriors were effortlessly silenced by the dense, wall-like formation of Muhui’s Plum Blossom Sword technique.

Swish!

“There’s no one here worth my time. How boring.”

Muhui’s sword, reading the intentions of the Zanryong warriors, emitted a cold, white light.

The swirling Plum Blossom Sword technique rained down on the Zanryong warriors, following the diagonal slashes of Muhui’s blade.

Hanmaecheonggo (Cold Plum, Pure and Lofty)

Whoosh!

The fierce, chaotic sword wind was enhanced by the Plum Blossom Sword technique. The eyes of the Zanryong warriors watching trembled with fear.

“Damn it…”

Caught in the blizzard-like onslaught of Hanmaecheonggo, the Zanryong warriors froze in place.

Slash!

The uniforms of the Zanryong Society split open, and blood blossomed from within.

The warriors, who had been immobilized, collapsed, blood gushing from their bodies.

Splash!

Muhui stepped forcefully into a pool of blood that had formed on the ground, staining the hem of his robe.

“Is that guy really a disciple of the orthodox sect?”

“He’s more ruthless than us!”

Reading the fear in the eyes of the remaining Zanryong warriors, Muhui raised his sword once more.

“Why did you come all the way to Shaanxi to cause this chaos? If you made me come here, you should be prepared to die.”

The sword of the Volcano Sword Demon began to glow with a bloody hue once again.

***

“We greet the seniors.”

After repelling the Zanryong Society, Muhui bowed respectfully, and the second-generation disciples behind him followed suit.

“The situation must be dire for the headmaster to send you.”

Hyunbaek and the first-generation disciples looked at the second-generation disciples with pride.

Though many were injured, none were seriously hurt, and they all stood with composure.

‘Even during the last ceremony, I felt it. We can’t treat them like children anymore.’

The second-generation disciples had each become formidable warriors. Hyunbaek realized it was time to stop coddling them as mere juniors.

Moreover, with their martial skills improving at a frightening pace, the first-generation disciples would need to focus on their own training to avoid embarrassment.

‘With Muhui here, we can breathe a sigh of relief.’

Though not widely known in the martial world, the elders of the Volcano Sect were well aware that Muhui had single-handedly defeated Hwang Jin-gun.

The fact that the second-generation disciples had ventured into the martial world together today was largely due to Muhui’s influence.

“The second-generation disciples are better than us.”

“The reputation of the Volcano Sect is well-deserved, but to see the other second-generation disciples at such a high level, ha ha!”

“They made a name for themselves at the Six Harmonies Sword Gathering, too. It’s reassuring. The likes of the Zanryong Society or the Gu Yu Sword Sect…”

The warriors of the Small Volcano Manor looked proudly at the second-generation disciples standing in formation.

‘Heh, not bad for a first outing.’

‘The cut on my thigh doesn’t even hurt anymore.’

Despite trying to appear indifferent, the second-generation disciples couldn’t help but smile at the praise from the secular warriors.

The unexpectedly high skill level of the second-generation disciples boosted the morale of the secular warriors as a bonus.

“The ones we faced were just low-level warriors.”

At Muhui’s words, Hyunbaek nodded.

“It seems they were just a scouting party to assess the situation. The main forces are still moving slowly.”

The main forces of the Zanryong Society and the Gu Yu Sword Sect were advancing from the north and west toward the Small Volcano.

Their primary goal appeared to be to burn down the Small Volcano Manor and seize control of the Small Volcano.

“Senior Brother Hyunbaek, let’s discuss the details back at the manor.”

At Hyunsu’s suggestion, Hyunbaek nodded.

The warriors, having tidied up the battlefield, headed straight for the Small Volcano. As Muhui entered the Small Volcano, he noticed the flags fluttering in the wind and smiled.

“Familiar names.”

Below the Small Volcano, the flags of the secular sects that had come to support the Small Volcano were displayed.

Among them were the flags of the Hwahun Sect and the Seonhwa Sect, which he had encountered before.

End