“A branch of the Zhongnan Sect was annihilated by the Sword of the Forward Path.”

Baek Yu, who had just delivered the grim news, took a long sip of tea, as if trying to quell the anger rising within him.

“The Zhongnan Sect has already taken action, and we must do the same. The Huashan Sect could be next.”

Mu Hui nodded in agreement. “I’ve heard he’s a lone wanderer, but his martial skills are exceptional.”

“According to the information, not only is his level high, but many believe he has inherited the martial arts of the Forward Path Sect.”

“If that’s true, he’s no ordinary opponent.”

“Indeed. The Forward Path Sect once commanded great respect. It’s hard to imagine how he came to possess their martial arts.”

In the past, the Forward Path Sect’s influence was unmatched. Alongside Shaolin, it was one of the most revered sects, forming the triad of the martial world with Wudang.

North: Revered Shaolin (北崇少林)
South: Honored Wudang (南尊武當)
West: Respected Forward Path (西敬全眞)

These three sects were the pillars of the martial world. The Forward Path Sect’s supreme technique, the Taihe Wuling Heart Method, was considered on par with Shaolin’s Yijin Jing and Dasheng Fantian Divine Skill.

Yet, the Forward Path Sect was destroyed by the demonic forces of the Demon Dragon Forest. Since then, their martial arts had vanished, until now, with the emergence of the Sword of the Forward Path.

“It seems the elders will need to get involved.”

Baek Yu planned to send not just one elder, but a team of three. He had heard that even two Wudang elders had been severely injured by the Sword of the Forward Path, and he was wary.

“The second-generation disciples won’t be involved this time. Mu Hui, you’ll accompany the elders.”

Baek Yu’s decision was sound. Although the second-generation disciples had been improving rapidly, they were not yet ready to face the Sword of the Forward Path.

‘I’ve heard he has a strong sense of pride in the Forward Path Sect.’

After a moment of contemplation, Mu Hui spoke up. “Master, I wish to act alone. I have a different plan to capture the Sword of the Forward Path.”

Baek Yu raised an eyebrow. “What do you have in mind?”

Mu Hui explained his plan, and Baek Yu listened intently.

“Hmm. I’m not sure if it will work. Are you confident?”

“Yes. Even if my plan fails, there’s nothing to lose.”

***

A sizable group descended from Huashan.

Elders, first-generation disciples to assist them, and Mu Hui.

“Mu Hui, be careful.”

“I’m still worried. I know your skills, but going alone…”

The elders, aware of Mu Hui’s separate mission, couldn’t help but worry. Despite his prowess, he was still seen as a young second-generation disciple.

“Mu Hui, if things go south, run. Use the signal flare. Staying alive is what’s important.”

Chunmae Pavilion’s master, Baek Chun, added his advice.

“Understood, Elder.”

Mu Hui nodded, but Baek Chun still looked at him with concern.

The group stopped as they reached the southern part of Huashan.

“This should be far enough. Let’s split up.”

“Yes, Baek Chun. Everyone, be careful.”

At Baek Chun’s words, the Huashan disciples divided into three groups, each consisting of three elders and two first-generation disciples, to cover more ground in their search for the elusive Sword of the Forward Path.

Left alone, Mu Hui unfurled his secret technique and dashed forward. His movements were so swift that it seemed as if an invisible brush was painting the air.

Focusing solely on speed, Mu Hui’s form became a blur, leaving the wind trailing behind him.

As he advanced, he noticed a small cliff ahead. It seemed he would have to detour, but instead, he increased his speed.

With a slight bend of his knees, Mu Hui launched himself into the air, his feet skimming the ground before propelling him upward.

Tap!

He landed on the cliff, using the momentum to leap from one protruding rock to another. After repeating this five times, he easily reached the top.

Compared to the daunting cliffs of the Huashan Sword Valley, this was child’s play.

The Huashan Sect required mastery of the Wall Climbing Technique due to the rugged terrain, but Mu Hui had long since surpassed it.

His current technique was more than sufficient. Looking down, the cliff seemed insignificant.

“The mountains of Huashan are truly formidable.”

The challenging terrain naturally enhanced one’s skills. After taking in the view, Mu Hui continued his journey.

After a day’s travel south, he arrived at Sanyang.

Sanyang was located in southern Shaanxi, near the border with Hubei Province. The Zhongnan Sect’s branch, recently destroyed by the Sword of the Forward Path, was in Shunyang, south of Sanyang.

Mu Hui chose Sanyang, believing the Sword of the Forward Path was moving north.

Central Shaanxi, unlike the south, was filled with sects like Huashan and Zhongnan, and was home to the provincial capital, Xi’an.

With so many potential targets, the Sword of the Forward Path was likely heading there.

Mu Hui entered Sanyang and sought out the local Beggars’ Sect branch. The branch leader, recognizing the plum blossom emblem on Mu Hui’s sword, nodded in acknowledgment.

“You’re from the Huashan Sect… No, four blossoms? The Huashan Sword Ghost!”

Only elders bore the four-blossom emblem, but the young man before him could only be Mu Hui, the Huashan Sect’s head disciple.

“What brings you here, Mu Hui?”

Though Mu Hui was younger, the branch leader treated him with respect.

– If the Huashan Sect, especially the Huashan Sword Ghost, seeks help, prioritize it.

His status as head disciple and his reputation as the Huashan Sword Ghost, along with direct orders from the sect leader, ensured this.

“I’m here about the Sword of the Forward Path.”

“The Huashan Sect moves swiftly. But we haven’t located the Sword of the Forward Path yet.”

The branch leader explained that the Sword of the Forward Path frequently changed his appearance, making him difficult to track.

Even when found, his martial prowess was so formidable that the Beggars’ Sect members couldn’t approach him.

Listening to the branch leader, Mu Hui smiled.

“Did he leave any traces at the Zhongnan Sect’s branch?”

“Ah, yes. This time, he left this.”

The branch leader handed Mu Hui a folded piece of paper. Mu Hui unfolded it and read:

– The Forward Path has vanished, yet Huashan and Zhongnan thrive on its remnants. The ancestors of the Forward Path would lament. I will set things right.

The Sword of the Forward Path often left such taunting messages at the scenes of his massacres.

“Utter nonsense.”

As expected, the Sword of the Forward Path seemed to have a twisted pride and affection for the Forward Path Sect.

Perhaps it was because he alone had inherited their martial arts. Whatever the reason, it was clear.

Seeing Mu Hui’s smile, the branch leader felt a chill.

‘What is he planning?’

Most would be enraged by such words, but Mu Hui was smiling. He returned the paper to the branch leader and made a request.

“Branch leader, I need a favor from you and all the Beggars’ Sect branches in Shaanxi.”

“Anything you need.”

Mu Hui handed over a neatly folded letter.

“Copy the contents of this letter and distribute it throughout Shaanxi. Make sure the Sword of the Forward Path sees it, wherever he is.”

Reading the letter, the branch leader’s eyes widened.

“Mu Hui, are you sure about this?”

“Yes.”

“Ahem. I understand your intent, but the content is quite provocative. It could tarnish your reputation.”

Despite the branch leader’s concern, Mu Hui chuckled.

“Reputation? It doesn’t matter. If finding the Sword of the Forward Path is so difficult, this might be more effective than wandering aimlessly.”

He added, “If it prevents another massacre, it’s worth it.”

“Sigh. Very well.”

As Mu Hui left the tent, the branch leader shook his head, exhausted.

“The Huashan Sword Ghost… truly extraordinary.”

Sitting down, the branch leader reread the letter.

– To the Sword of the Forward Path:

Despite bearing the name of the Forward Path, you continue these senseless killings. How shameless.

All he inherited was martial arts, not the noble spirit of the Jeonjin Sect, once known as the Seogyeong Jeonjin. He was nothing more than a half-baked successor.

And you dare call yourself the last heir of the Jeonjin Sect?

I’ll personally sever the only martial lineage of the Jeonjin Sect that you so proudly boast of. Meet me at Hanya Mountain, east of Sanyang.

I will face you alone, staking the honor of the Hwasan Sect and swearing on the Plum Blossom Sword.

If you’re afraid it might be a trap, feel free not to come. Half-baked Jeonjin.

I won’t blame you; it’s just the limit of your capabilities.

Hwasan Sword Demon, Mu Hui –

If this letter were to be spread throughout Shaanxi, what chaos would ensue?

Perhaps the Jeonjin Mad Sword, in a fit of rage, would go on a rampage.

The branch leader, who had been racking his brain over this, grabbed his brush with irritation.

“Ah, to hell with it.”

He copied Mu Hui’s letter and sent it to each branch in Shaanxi via carrier pigeon.

Instead of begging with bowls, every beggar in Shaanxi scattered papers with Mu Hui’s words, and as more people read them, the rumor spread quickly.

One of the letters distributed by the Beggars’ Sect ended up in the hands of the Jeonjin Mad Sword, who was spying on the Hwasan Sect’s secular branch, planning to annihilate it that very night.

“Hwasan Sword Demon? An upstart dares to claim he’ll sever our sect’s lineage!”

He could dismiss the provocation against himself with a snort.

But allowing a mere disciple of Hwasan to flaunt in the name of Jeonjin was unacceptable.

He had to be dealt with.

The Jeonjin Mad Sword erased the secular sect from his mind and immediately changed course.

Thanks to this, the secular sect narrowly escaped annihilation.

***

At the peak of Hanya Mountain, Mu Hui, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, watched as an elderly man with graying hair approached. The man’s hair and beard were a mix of black and white, suggesting he was transitioning from middle age to old age.

Even as he climbed, the old man exuded a palpable killing intent.

Mu Hui didn’t need confirmation to know the man before him was the Jeonjin Mad Sword.

“To show up six days after the letters were spread… it seems they were effective.”

“Hmph. I arrived earlier. I spent the last three days scouting the area to ensure there were no ambushes.”

The Jeonjin Mad Sword clearly hadn’t trusted the letter and had thoroughly inspected Hanya Mountain.

Watching him, Mu Hui realized that if he had tried to predict the Jeonjin Mad Sword’s movements and searched Shaanxi for the past six days, their meeting would have been unlikely.

The Jeonjin Mad Sword stopped and spoke with a voice laced with malice.

“Why did you spread such words?”

“To summon you, of course. Why should I run around Shaanxi trying to catch you? That’s too much hassle.”

As Mu Hui smirked, the Jeonjin Mad Sword’s killing intent intensified.

“You defiled the honor of the Jeonjin Sect and me for such a trivial reason?”

“Honor? You foolish old man. The moment you started killing without cause under the name of Jeonjin, honor vanished. Did you finally feel some shame?”

Mu Hui slowly rose to his feet.

Whoosh!

A wave of killing intent surged from Mu Hui, pushing back against the Jeonjin Mad Sword’s own.

Wrinkles formed on the Jeonjin Mad Sword’s brow.

‘How does such a young man possess such killing intent?’

Despite having killed countless descendants of sects saved by the Jeonjin Sect, his own killing intent paled in comparison to this young man’s.

“How many decades have passed since the Jeonjin Sect vanished from the martial world with the Marong Forest? What right do you have to kill in the name of the Jeonjin Sect?”

“I am the last head of the Jeonjin Sect. The entire martial world will pay for using the Jeonjin name as a shield!”

“You’re just a mad old man. Tsk.”

Mu Hui had already drawn his Plum Blossom Sword.

“What do you know of my heart? According to the Jeonjin Sect’s head’s writings that came with the secret manual…”

Mu Hui didn’t bother listening and slashed the air with his sword.

Five sharp sword winds flew toward the Jeonjin Mad Sword’s neck and limbs, but he deflected them with a sweep of his sleeve.

Enraged, the Jeonjin Mad Sword shouted.

“How dare you! You have no manners or sense!”

“Mad Sword. Who in this martial world doesn’t have a story?”

The Jeonjin Mad Sword, who had been shouting, fell silent at Mu Hui’s low voice.

Mu Hui never believed the Jeonjin Mad Sword’s words. Even if there were hidden secrets of the Jeonjin Sect, they wouldn’t change the current situation.

The moment the Jeonjin Mad Sword set foot on Hanya Mountain, only two outcomes remained for these men: life or death.

The Plum Blossom Sword rose slowly from low to high, its blade shimmering with a purple sunset glow.

“Stop babbling and prove it with your sword.”

The End