“I thought I’d toy with you a bit, but it seems you need to die right away.”

“How dare you!”

Mu-hui’s words were calm, but they ignited a furious response from Geuk Sa-mun, who unleashed a flurry of yellow sword energy.

The sword strikes were wild and chaotic, like a beast gone mad. In terms of sheer disorder, they rivaled even the sword techniques of the Hwasan sect.

This was the Yacha Sword Technique of the Hell Sect.

As a promising talent almost certain to become the head of the Gu-yu Sword Sect, Geuk Sa-mun’s swordsmanship was distinct.

‘He seems to have reached the peak of his abilities.’

Comparing the realms of the Dragon of the Heavenly River and the Dragon of Hell, it was clear that even among the six dragons, there were levels of mastery.

Approaching thirty, he was considered one of the most accomplished in the martial world, even among the older dragons.

Amidst the relentless and chaotic sword strikes, Mu-hui stepped forward without hesitation.

Pivoting on his right foot, his left foot traced a small circle, and Geuk Sa-mun’s sword momentum was completely disrupted.

The plum blossom sword energy scattered, forcibly breaking through Geuk Sa-mun’s attacks.

Mu-hui deflected four strikes aimed at his lower body and took a step forward. He parried the incoming strikes aimed at his upper and middle body and took another step.

Though Geuk Sa-mun was the one launching a wave of attacks, it was Mu-hui who moved freely, closing the distance.

‘Something’s off.’

Geuk Sa-mun’s frown deepened as he poured more internal energy into his sword.

The sword, now faster, sliced through the air, but Mu-hui’s steps did not falter. In fact, they quickened.

Watching Mu-hui steadily close the gap, Geuk Sa-mun felt a chill run down his spine.

Finally, within his desired range, Mu-hui’s plum blossom sword began to slash diagonally.

Seeing this, Geuk Sa-mun did not meet the attack head-on. Instead, he angled his sword and supported it with his left hand, preparing to execute the Yacha Reversal.

A counter-move of the Yacha Sword Technique, designed to deflect an opponent’s attack and launch a counterstrike.

As the plum blossom sword descended on Geuk Sa-mun’s trembling blade, it was expected to be violently repelled.

‘I’ll crush your chest.’

As the sword was supposed to soar upwards, leaving the chest exposed, the Yacha Reversal would strike directly.

Snap!

The smile on Geuk Sa-mun’s face twisted. The sound he anticipated did not come.

When he looked down, he saw his beloved sword, now in two pieces.

Watching Geuk Sa-mun’s eyes widen in real-time, Mu-hui let out a sly smile.

‘You didn’t expect it to break in one strike, did you? It was a decent sword, at least.’

The Hwasan sword was sharp and elegant, but not particularly heavy or strong. To maximize the power of the sword technique, the blade was long and thin.

Thus, Geuk Sa-mun could never have imagined that a single diagonal slash would break his prized sword.

A psychological gap created by the perception of the Hwasan sword.

‘Even mastering just the first move of the Iron Plum Sword Technique can be a lifesaver.’

As Mu-hui had just demonstrated, exploiting a psychological gap in a life-and-death struggle could not only save one’s life but also turn the tables.

“This is impossible!”

The first move of the Iron Plum Sword Technique, Iron Plum Crossing the River, had sent Geuk Sa-mun’s sword flying and was now tearing through the air again.

Perhaps the sight of Mu-hui’s earlier display was too overwhelming, as Geuk Sa-mun couldn’t muster the courage to face it and exploded his internal energy into his feet.

Boom!

Even as he retreated rapidly, Geuk Sa-mun’s left arm spun through the air, spraying blood.

Just as Mu-hui was about to pursue Geuk Sa-mun.

Thud! Thud!

Dust clouds erupted from the ground around Mu-hui and Geuk Sa-mun, who were locked in a life-and-death duel.

From within the dust, twelve swordsmen emerged.

Like assassins, they had hidden underground, concealing their presence and breath, waiting for a chance to avenge the fallen prince of the Hell Sect.

‘Finally showing themselves.’

Mu-hui had sensed the presence of the Hell Sect swordsmen the moment he first faced Geuk Sa-mun.

Yet he had feigned ignorance and engaged in the duel.

“Vermin.”

They posed no threat to Mu-hui.

With the essence of the Iron Plum Sword Technique, the internal energy of the Thousand Plum Heart Method, layered onto the plum blossom sword, was unleashed in an instant. A red aura surged up the blade.

As Mu-hui’s right sleeve fluttered violently, countless red and white sword paths erupted around him.

No matter what lay in the air, the sharp sword paths pierced forward relentlessly.

The plum blossom sword energy danced through the intricately interwoven sword paths, like branches of a tree.

Seven Plum Blossoms Severing Branches.

Splat!

In an instant, blood sprayed from all directions.

It was as if someone had poured red paint into the air.

Mu-hui’s complex sword paths became branches, and the plum blossom sword energy and the gushing blood became petals, revealing their vivid colors.

Geuk Sa-mun and the twelve Hell Sect swordsmen, caught within the range, stood silently, their bodies drenched in blood.

Having cut down thirteen in one fell swoop, Mu-hui scattered the plum blossom sword energy and charged into the ranks of the demonic sect.

“Drive out the demonic sect scum!”

Seeing the flag of the Dokgo Association fluttering in the south, the leader shouted as Mu-hui charged into the demonic sect’s ranks.

In response, the secular disciples, who had been on standby in case Mu-hui fell into a trap, immediately rushed forward.

Simultaneously, the Dokgo Association attacked the rear of the Zhanlong Association.

“Leader! Give the order!”

“Gu-yu Sword Sect, Zhanlong Association! Kill them all!”

It wasn’t just the Dokgo Association attacking the rear of the demonic sect. The first disciples of Hwasan and Zhongnan, who had joined forces along the way, were also present.

The sudden death of Geuk Sa-mun, who led the Gu-yu Sword Sect’s forces, and the surprise attack from the rear by the Dokgo Association and the first disciples of Hwasan and Zhongnan.

Assaulted from both front and back, the demonic sect warriors were thrown into disarray. The most unsettling factor for them was Mu-hui.

No one could stop him.

The red and white plum blossom sword energy, soaked in blood, poured down with a sinister crimson glow.

“Ugh!”

“The Sword Demon… He’s even worse than the rumors!”

An elder of the Gu-yu Sword Sect, who stepped forward to stop Mu-hui, was torn apart as soon as two plum blossoms bloomed before him.

The demonic sect warriors gaped in disbelief as the elder was ripped apart before their eyes.

“Damn it… What kind of monstrous prodigy is this!”

“Move! If you want to die, die on your own!”

Some turned their backs and tried to flee, but Mu-hui showed no mercy.

He cut down everyone in his path equally.

Swish!

As Mu-hui’s sword swung in all directions, dozens of plum blossoms bloomed, and blood sprayed into the air like scattered petals.

“Support the senior brother!”

“Senior brother, I’ll take the left side.”

Mu-cheol and Mu-jin caught up with Mu-hui, who was advancing without hesitation, and guarded his side.

“Senior brother! We’ll move in four groups like last time!”

The rest of the second disciples, led by Mu-hwa, joined in and cut down the demonic sect warriors.

Mu-hui paused for a moment and looked back. His junior brothers and sisters were covering his blind spots.

“Hmm…”

Though Mu-hui had already paved the way, it was no easy feat for the second disciples to break through the reformed ranks of the demonic sect and catch up to him so quickly.

Yet the second disciples were following Mu-hui’s lead with determination.

“Seems like force-feeding them paid off.”

“Ugh!”

Muttering to himself, Mu-hui skewered a Zhanlong Association warrior charging at him and slowed down to match his pace with the disciples.

Even as he did so, his eyes, filled with killing intent, scanned every corner of the demonic sect’s ranks.

‘I’ve dealt with the Gu-yu Sword Sect, now I need to handle the Zhanlong Association too.’

Boom! Boom! Boom!

At that moment, a series of explosive sounds echoed from the front, followed by a surge of golden sword energy.

Clearing away the demonic sect warriors blocking the path, two figures emerged.

“Brother Mu-hui!”

“So you’re the Hwasan Sword Demon!”

Sun-joo and Dokgo-yul appeared before Mu-hui.

“What’s this, even the second disciples of Zhongnan are here?”

“No, I’m the only one among the second disciples. I asked my masters to let me come along.”

Though a second disciple, Sun-joo was a formidable force. With skills worthy of standing in this battle, she would be a significant asset.

Mu-hui nodded at Sun-joo, who was looking at him with bright eyes, and then turned his gaze.

Watching the antics of the disciple who was sizing him up, Mu-hui sighed inwardly.

‘He doesn’t seem to have neglected his training, but carrying around a sword like that, no wonder it broke.’

Mu-hui frowned as he looked at the chipped heavy sword slung over Dokgo-yul’s shoulder.

“I am Arang Sword Dokgo-yul, the disciple of the Sword Demon. I’ve come to claim the title of Sword Demon!”

“Idiot.”

Dokgo-yul puffed out his chest and shouted confidently, but when Mu-hui scrunched up his face and muttered a single word, he looked flustered.

In that moment, the fierce glint in Muhui’s eyes reminded everyone of his master, Dokgoheon.

“What? You lost to the disciple of the Fist King? If Sword Demon had seen this, he’d have turned you into a pulp.”

“Huh?”

Dokgoyul shrank back, his confidence deflating under Muhui’s scolding.

While Dokgoyul stood there, dumbfounded, Muhui pushed him aside and moved forward.

“Move. Ugh, when will you ever become a proper fighter?”

Dokgoyul watched in a daze as Muhui disappeared into the throng of enemy warriors.

“What are you doing? Dokgo, snap out of it!”

It wasn’t until Seonju cut down an enemy trying to stab Dokgoyul that he slowly nodded, coming back to his senses.

“Who is that guy?”

He was still reeling from the shock of Muhui’s sharp words and the intimidating aura he exuded. It was the first time someone his age had treated him like this.

“Get it together and fight alongside the Mount Hua Sect.”

“Alright, I got it.”

As Dokgoyul hefted his heavy sword, he noticed Mucheol wielding a massive plum blossom sword, cutting down enemies with ease and creating space for the Mount Hua disciples.

The weight behind Mucheol’s strikes was evident, sending opponents flying backward.

“Wow!”

With a powerful swing, Dokgoyul’s sword cleaved through three enemies trying to flank Mucheol.

“There’s a swordsman in the Mount Hua Sect who uses a heavy sword too!”

Forgetting his earlier encounter with Muhui, Dokgoyul approached Mucheol with interest.

Mucheol glanced at Dokgoyul, who was wielding a sword similar in size to his own.

“I’m Dokgoyul, disciple of the Sword Demon.”

“I’m Mucheol of the Mount Hua Sect.”

After exchanging introductions, the two men charged at the enemies together, testing each other’s swordsmanship.

Boom!

With synchronized steps, they began cutting down foes as if in a friendly competition.

***

“Those useless bastards from the Gu Yu Sword Sect, always messing things up at crucial moments. This whole mess is your fault.”

Jeok Sa-hye was fleeing with her trusted aides. Muhui had decimated the elders of the Extreme Death Sect, and for some reason, two hundred warriors from the Dokgo Association, led by the Sword Demon’s disciple, had joined the fray.

The tide of battle had turned completely, leaving no escape route. Jeok Sa-hye quickly decided to slip away towards Gansu.

Just then, the head of the leading bodyguard flew into the air. Jeok Sa-hye’s eyes widened in shock.

“What the—!”

“You sly fox, trying to sneak away alone.”

Seeing Muhui suddenly appear before her, Jeok Sa-hye’s face turned pale.

“The Mount Hua Sword Demon!”

She knew that the twenty bodyguards with her couldn’t possibly stop Muhui.

There was no way to defeat the ghostly figure before her with sheer force. Jeok Sa-hye decided to try a different tactic.

“If you kill me, do you think the Zhanlong Association will just stand by? Let us go, and they won’t dare approach Mount Hua or its surroundings.”

Muhui looked at her pleading eyes and smiled.

“Lies.”

At that moment, the heads of the bodyguards began to fly.

Muhui’s swordplay was filled with a palpable, raw killing intent, unlike the techniques of the Mount Hua Sect.

Jeok Sa-hye was too stunned to even think of escaping, watching as the Mount Hua Sword Demon executed the Gu Yu Sword Sect’s techniques with ease.

In no time, Muhui had cut down the twenty guards and stood before Jeok Sa-hye.

As the scent of plum blossoms wafted from Muhui, Jeok Sa-hye gritted her teeth at his murderous gaze.

“Yacha, Am-yu, Pung-rak. Those are the Gu Yu Sword Sect techniques I just used. I wonder what the Zhanlong Association will think when they find this scene and examine the sword marks?”

Jeok Sa-hye was at a loss for words at Muhui’s taunting smile.

It was absurd that a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect could wield the Gu Yu Sword Sect’s techniques so freely.

“What kind of swordplay do you want? I’ll grant you the mercy of choosing.”

With a sharp clang, Jeok Sa-hye drew her soft sword and glared at Muhui, only to drop it and kneel.

Her earlier panic gave way to a confident, seductive smile.

“Surely, a disciple of a righteous sect wouldn’t kill a woman who has surrendered? If you know chivalry, you wouldn’t.”

Hearing this, Muhui lowered his plum blossom sword from her forehead. Jeok Sa-hye smiled triumphantly.

‘Of course.’

A rigid sect, and a young, inexperienced warrior—surely, he wouldn’t kill her after hearing such words.

As Jeok Sa-hye savored her victory, Muhui mirrored her smile.

“Why do you think I won’t kill you?”

The tip of the plum blossom sword, which had been pointing at the ground, began to rise toward Jeok Sa-hye’s neck.

As she opened her mouth to protest, Muhui’s sword sliced through the air.

After dispatching Jeok Sa-hye, Muhui surveyed the area and nodded.

“You all died at the hands of the Gu Yu Sword Sect. The details… aren’t my concern.”

Sheathing his sword, Muhui turned back toward Mount Hua.

“Why do you think I won’t kill you?” The End

“I will build a legacy.”