A single clash.

The heavy swords collided with a thunderous roar, sending a fierce wave of energy that made the robes of the onlookers flutter wildly.

Boom!

With the first impact, the ground beneath Mu-hwi and Dokgo Yul rose and cracked. The force of their swords meeting was so immense that they channeled it into the ground beneath them.

Crash!

Dokgo Yul kicked off the rising ground with the top of his foot, simultaneously stepping forward and slicing vertically with his sword. The fluidity of his movements drew admiration from Mu-jin, who was watching intently.

“He’s adept at using his surroundings in a fight.”

Having followed the Sword Demon from a young age and participated in the Xianxi Blood War, Dokgo Yul’s movements were practical and efficient, honed by real combat experience.

The ground of the training field flew towards Mu-hwi’s thigh, while Dokgo Yul’s strike descended from above.

“Now, what will you do?”

Mu-hwi had to choose between blocking the incoming ground and the overhead strike, or dealing with both simultaneously. Either way, he would have to distribute his strength, and the Dokgo Sword Technique was not forgiving when it came to dividing one’s focus.

“Hmph.”

Mu-hwi chose neither of the options Dokgo Yul anticipated. Instead, he lunged forward, shattering the incoming ground with his knee. The training field’s surface was sturdy, but Mu-hwi’s physical prowess made it unnecessary to use internal energy.

As he broke through the ground, Mu-hwi closed in on Dokgo Yul, his massive Plum Blossom Sword now held in reverse grip behind his back.

“He’s closing in? This close?”

Mu-hwi’s proximity was closer than that of a bare-handed martial artist. Dokgo Yul had never seen a warrior wielding a large weapon like a heavy sword close the distance so much.

Mu-hwi thrust the tip of his Plum Blossom Sword towards Dokgo Yul’s chest like a dagger. Dokgo Yul marveled at Mu-hwi’s ability to handle the massive sword with such ease, even as he swung his own sword.

Bang!

Dokgo Yul’s sword cut through empty air, tearing up the training field instead. But this was part of his plan. As his sword struck the ground, Dokgo Yul used the rebound to propel himself upward, narrowly avoiding Mu-hwi’s thrust.

The scene of Dokgo Yul using his sword as a lever to move to the opposite side drew gasps of admiration from the disciples.

“Wow.”

“Did he just do that?”

Most of the disciples thought that with the distance closed, Dokgo Yul’s attack would be unavoidable.

“So you can use a heavy sword like that.”

“I always thought heavy swords were slow and cumbersome, but it really depends on how you use them.”

“Remember when the senior brother used the flexibility of a thin Plum Blossom Sword to propel himself? It’s similar.”

Seon-ju, who was watching the sparring with the other disciples, added, “I’ve heard from the masters that the Sword Demon often displayed incredible agility with a massive sword. That’s the Dokgo Sword Technique.”

While the disciples were amazed by Dokgo Yul’s movements, Mu-cheol watched the sparring with his arms crossed. Dokgo Yul’s skill with the heavy sword was clearly at a higher level than his own.

Mu-cheol’s eyes were bloodshot as he tried to imprint every detail of the sparring into his memory. He saw Mu-hwi, who had somehow gotten behind Dokgo Yul.

But instead of turning around quickly, Mu-hwi simply placed his left hand on the blade of the Plum Blossom Sword.

Whoosh!

The sword sliced through the air with a fierce, sweeping motion. The massive strike, which seemed to sweep the ground, suddenly arced upward. Dokgo Yul quickly flipped his sword to block it.

Clang!

Dokgo Yul, who had been about to strike Mu-hwi’s back, was forced to retreat.

“To think a heavy sword could have such unpredictable swordplay… Is this the power of the Mount Hua Sword?”

The technique Mu-hwi had just displayed was terrifying. Rushing in recklessly after seeing his back would have been a quick way to get cut in half.

“Hmm.”

Even as Mu-hwi clashed swords with Dokgo Yul, he skillfully adjusted his grip on the sword, turning to face him.

Clang!

As he turned, a fierce barrage of sword strikes followed. The heavy Plum Blossom Sword tore through the air, its strikes growing faster as if riding the wind.

“Ugh.”

Dokgo Yul let out a small groan as he received the relentless assault of the Iron Plum Sword Technique. The variety of techniques was one thing, but the sheer force and weight behind the heavy sword were overwhelming.

Each time Dokgo Yul blocked Mu-hwi’s strikes, fine cracks appeared on the training field’s surface. Seeing the red glow of the Plum Blossom Sword, Dokgo Yul’s face turned pale.

“How many layers of energy are on that thing? It’s heavier than mine.”

Boom!

With each strike, a deafening roar echoed, and Dokgo Yul’s entire body shook.

Thud!

As Dokgo Yul twisted his body to absorb the impact, Mu-hwi’s knee struck his side with a sound like a drum being hit.

Despite the blow, Dokgo Yul gritted his teeth and tried to push Mu-hwi away with his sword held short.

Mu-hwi twisted his Plum Blossom Sword, blocking Dokgo Yul’s attempt to swing, and struck his chest with his palm.

“Ugh!”

Even after exchanging just a few moves, Mu-hwi had accurately gauged Dokgo Yul’s skill. He was at least half a step or a full step ahead of Woo Tae-gang, not lagging behind in any way.

‘When I sparred with that bull-like Woo Tae-gang, my sword suddenly broke after a hundred exchanges because he closed the distance.’

Initially, Dokgo Yul had the upper hand, but Woo Tae-gang must have closed the gap, grabbed the sword, and struck the blade to break it.

Breaking a sword with internal energy at a normal distance would be difficult even for the Iron Mountain Fist King, let alone Woo Tae-gang.

‘This fool. The Dokgo Sword Technique exists to prevent the distance from being closed.’

With a cold gaze, Mu-hwi began to teach his disciple in earnest.

Woo Tae-gang, a disciple of the Iron Mountain Fist King, would have been thoroughly trained to never let go of a seized distance.

‘And you let your sword get broken because you couldn’t shake him off?’

Mu-hwi’s hands began to channel the internal energy of the Thousand Heart Technique.

He relentlessly maintained the close distance, striking Dokgo Yul’s openings with the Plum Blossom Mountain Technique.

Crack!

Suddenly, Dokgo Yul’s vision was filled with a flurry of red hand shadows and palm shadows, followed by a pale fist wind.

A massive plum blossom bloomed before his eyes.

“Ugh!”

Every time Dokgo Yul tried to swing his sword, he seemed to get hit at least ten times. Even his defensive techniques were useless. As he tried to step back to create distance, Mu-hwi anticipated his footwork and preemptively occupied the spot.

Thud!

In that moment, Dokgo Yul had to endure three strikes to his shoulder and side.

“Damn it!”

As he leaped into the air and kicked Dokgo Yul’s chest, Dokgo Yul staggered back. Mu-hwi then hurled the Plum Blossom Sword like a spear behind him.

Boom!

The sword embedded itself vertically into the training field like a pillar, stopping Dokgo Yul’s retreat as if he had hit a wall.

‘What kind of situation is this?’

With his retreat blocked, Dokgo Yul had no time to groan from the pain in his ribs.

The Sword Saint’s disciple seemed to know every move of the Dokgo Sword Technique, constantly staying one step ahead and closing the distance to suppress the unique, unpredictable movements of the technique.

‘He’s even better at close combat than Woo Tae-gang?’

Smack!

Dokgo Yul’s chin was struck by the back of Mu-hwi’s hand, sending his mind reeling.

As he staggered back, Dokgo Yul realized something.

‘Why isn’t he finishing it?’

The moment he allowed the close distance, Dokgo Yul had been hit more than twenty times by Mu-hwi.

His whole body ached, and the internal injuries were worsening, causing him to cough up blood.

Despite having plenty of opportunities to end the sparring, Mu-hwi continued to unleash punches and palm strikes.

Barely managing to block Mu-hwi’s fist with his sword, Dokgo Yul saw a familiar figure in Mu-hwi.

‘Master.’

His master had initially taught him kindly with words, but after that, he had been made to learn through experience until he understood.

It felt like training with his master rather than sparring.

‘If I had been more adept at handling close distances back then, I wouldn’t have lost my sword so easily and had the match turned against me.’

Boom!

Dokgo Yul stepped forward, disrupting Mu-hwi’s offensive for a moment, and grabbed his sword with one hand, holding it in reverse grip.

The same stance Mu-hwi had shown at the beginning.

Dukgo Yul responded by maintaining his stance as the leader, and soon his right arm, which held the heavy sword, began to move with ease.

Whoosh!

He gripped the sword in reverse, using its blade like a dagger, mixing in his footwork to counter the attacks.

When he felt overwhelmed, he used the broad blade of his sword as a shield, just as Mu Hui had done moments before, to fend off the oncoming strikes.

Clang!

The heavy sword in Dukgo Yul’s hand trembled violently as it blocked Mu Hui’s relentless assault. It seemed as if it might snap at any moment.

At that instant, the veins on the back of Dukgo Yul’s right hand bulged as he gripped the sword.

‘Now!’

Reading Mu Hui’s movements, Dukgo Yul swung the sword in reverse with all his might.

“Hmm.”

Mu Hui leaned back, creating distance between them. He retreated lightly, a smirk playing on his lips. It seemed Dukgo Yul had learned something.

For the first time, Dukgo Yul had broken free from Mu Hui’s onslaught. He smiled faintly, revealing blood-stained teeth through his parted lips.

“Ah! I think I’m starting to get it.”

Bruised all over, Dukgo Yul staggered, wiping the blood from his nose, and chuckled to himself.

Perhaps he had gained some insight, as he suddenly sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes, abandoning the sparring match.

Seeing this, Mu Hui lowered his hand, which had been ready to strike.

As Mu Hui approached, the disciples eyed him warily.

“What’s with those looks?”

“Brother Mu Hui, do you have some grudge against Dukgo?”

“What are you talking about?”

Seonju, looking skeptical, pointed at Dukgo Yul, who was meditating.

“How could you leave someone in such a bloody mess during a spar?”

Mu Hui turned to look at Dukgo Yul, who was meditating. His training clothes were stained with blood, and his once vibrant face was now swollen and bruised.

“I almost thought I should intervene, seeing how enthusiastically you were beating him.”

“You must have hit him over thirty times. We should take him to the infirmary.”

As Musang and Musan chimed in, Mu Hui sighed.

“Well… as long as he’s alive, it’s fine.”

Considering he had lost to the disciple of the Fist King, Dukgo Yul should be grateful it ended there.

***

Swoosh!

The sword, imbued with the spirit of the plum blossom, sliced through the air.

In his past life, Mu Hui had devised nine nameless techniques while wagering with Hyeonjo.

He practiced these nine techniques tirelessly throughout the night.

They were incredibly heavy at times, and at others, they sparked countless variations.

Even though they were the same techniques, the path of the sword and the intent within often changed.

He mixed in insights gained from studying the techniques left by Hyeonjo and the sword marks of past masters of the Mount Hua Sect.

As Mu Hui’s body spun, the plum blossom sword traced a circle, causing the surrounding petals to swirl in a crimson whirlwind.

‘It’s not enough.’

The nine techniques he had left behind in his past life, and the Dukgo Swordsmanship he had witnessed during the spar, both felt lacking.

Flaws he hadn’t noticed in his past life were now glaringly obvious. Perhaps his perspective had shifted.

He was determined not only to create a new sword technique for the Mount Hua Sect with these nine forms but also to develop a technique surpassing the Dukgo Swordsmanship to pass on to Dukgo Yul.

Swish!

As Mu Hui thrust the plum blossom sword forward, the petals that had been swirling around formed a spiral, creating a vortex.

When the petals, converging on a single point, burst and scattered in all directions, Mu Hui sheathed his sword and turned his head.

“Training, I see?”

Dukgo Yul limped into the courtyard.

His bare skin, visible through his training clothes, was wrapped in bandages, and his face was still swollen and bruised.

“Elder Baekjin said you should rest for at least two more days.”

After the spar, Dukgo Yul had been taken to the infirmary with severe internal and external injuries, where Baekjin personally treated him.

“I’m used to injuries like these from countless battles.”

Dukgo Yul looked at Mu Hui and gave a wry smile.

“Having lost consecutively to the disciples of the Fist King and the Sword Saint, if my master were alive, he might have broken a few of my bones.”

Mu Hui chuckled at Dukgo Yul’s words.

‘You knew that, yet you still lost like that?’

Mu Hui suppressed the words that almost escaped his lips and sat down under the plum tree. Dukgo Yul joined him, opening a bottle of wine.

“Our masters were such close friends; it wouldn’t be bad for us to follow in their footsteps, would it?”

“Hah.”

Mu Hui made a peculiar face. If the person before him were not the Sword Saint’s disciple but his reincarnated master, how would he react?

But Mu Hui saw no reason to reveal that he was the Sword Demon.

Hadn’t he resolved to live as Mu Hui, not the Sword Demon, when he stood by the pond in front of the infirmary?

‘Even if I don’t reveal I’m the Sword Demon, I can still look out for him.’

Mu Hui took a swig from the bottle Dukgo Yul had brought.

“Do as you please.”

“Haha. It’s refreshing. Then you should call me Brother Dukgo.”

Crack!

The moment Dukgo Yul spoke, the bottle in Mu Hui’s hand cracked. Dukgo Yul looked at him in surprise.

“What, brother? Who do you think you are?”

“Well… I thought I was older.”

Mu Hui gave a cold smile. There was no way he would ever call his disciple “brother.”

“Age… You know there’s an order to coming, but none to going, right?”

Mu Hui laughed, his hand moving to his sword. There was a faint hint of menace in his demeanor. Dukgo Yul could only manage an awkward smile.

“Haha… then let’s just drop the formalities and be friends.”

“Hmm…”

Mu Hui let out a displeased sigh but figured it was the best compromise.

“Haha, come on, listen to my story.”

Dukgo Yul often shared tales of his experiences leading the Dukgo Association and taking on various requests, but his next words made Mu Hui’s expression harden.

“Recently, I’ve been tracking a demonic sect.”

“Demonic sect?”

Mu Hui, who had been listening with a relaxed expression, turned to look at his disciple.

“Don’t you know there’s an order to coming, but none to going?” End

“I want to invest.”