The crisp black martial arts uniform was adorned with red plum blossoms embroidered on the sleeves. As the sleeves fluttered, the red tassels tied to the plum blossom sword swayed in unison.

The disciples of the Mount Hua Sect walked with straight backs and shoulders, exuding an aura that naturally drew the eyes of passersby.

“It’s the Mount Hua Sect!”

“I’ve heard the disciples of Mount Hua have plum blossoms embroidered on their sleeves. It’s true!”

The townsfolk watched the Mount Hua disciples pass through the marketplace with a sense of awe, as if they were witnessing something otherworldly.

Leading the group was Baek Yu, as they crossed from Shanxi into Hubei to attend the Martial Alliance’s founding ceremony. The local people, unaccustomed to seeing the Mount Hua Sect, couldn’t take their eyes off them.

“Did you hear? The Mount Hua Sect took down the Ma Cham Bandits on their way here. The Lin Feng Escort Agency witnessed it firsthand.”

“Those bandits? No one dared to touch them around here. The Mount Hua disciples are truly something else.”

The Ma Cham Bandits were a notorious group that extorted wealth from passing merchants and escort agencies. Their base was unknown, and their mobility on horseback made them a formidable presence in the area.

“I heard they even found the bandits’ hideout and wiped them out. And it was just the young disciples who did it. Incredible.”

“Even when the Zheng Ho Sect and the Xian Feng Sect joined forces, they couldn’t find them. The Mount Hua Sect is on a different level. How did they manage it?”

“I don’t know. I’ll have to buy someone a drink and find out.”

The townsfolk looked at the young Mount Hua disciples with admiration and gratitude, relieved to have one less worry thanks to their intervention.

The disciples, feeling the appreciative gazes, couldn’t help but sense the admiration directed at them, even as they focused on the road ahead.

Mu Hwa, who had been listening intently to the whispers around them, smiled contentedly. “This is why we do what we do.”

“Indeed. All that dust and chasing after horses was worth it,” Mu Sang replied, trying to suppress a grin as he overheard the chatter.

“First bandits, now horse thieves. What’s next, pirates?” Mu San muttered.

“Come on, senior brother. Surely not,” Mu Ho replied, shaking his head with a hint of exasperation.

“I think all that external training is paying off. I don’t get winded as easily, no matter how much we run,” Mu Hwi noted.

“Right? Those bandits were terrified by the end,” Mu Hwi added, recalling their journey from Shanxi to Hubei, where they had dismantled every bandit camp along the way.

In the past, when they first ventured into the martial world, the disciples had been sent to confront bandits to gain real-world experience. This not only helped them grow but also spread the Mount Hua Sect’s reputation, much to the elders’ delight.

“Senior brother, should we quiet down?” one of the disciples asked, noticing the growing smiles among their group as they listened to the townsfolk’s praise.

Mu Jin, who had been keeping a sharp eye on the disciples’ conduct since they left Mount Hua, immediately reacted to the chatter behind him.

“Let them be. It’s the first time we’re hearing such varied reactions from the townsfolk up close. Besides, we’ll be at the inn soon,” Mu Hwi replied.

“Yes, senior brother.”

The disciples breathed a silent sigh of relief, grateful for the reprieve.

The Mount Hua group headed to the inn that the advance party had secured. The inn was quiet, having been reserved entirely for them, but they weren’t the only ones waiting.

“Master, it’s been a while.”

“Thank you for understanding our sudden visit.”

The elders of the Wudang Sect, dressed in white robes with the Taiji symbol embroidered on their chests, greeted Baek Yu, who smiled warmly at the sight of them.

“It’s good to see the elders here.”

Baek Yu led the Wudang elders, Un Hyun and Un Baek, to a table, where Hyun Baek, who had arrived earlier, served tea in place of the innkeeper.

“Sipping this tea, I can feel we’ve truly entered Hubei.”

“Haha, indeed.”

After a sip, Baek Yu turned to the Wudang elders. “What brings you here?”

“The head of our sect sent us.”

“The head of the Wudang Sect? Is something amiss?”

Baek Yu’s eyebrows rose slightly, but Un Hyun waved a hand dismissively with a light laugh.

“Our sect is also preparing to depart for the Martial Alliance. The head thought it would be beneficial for our two sects to travel together to Wuchang, so he sent us to propose the idea.”

Baek Yu stroked his beard, his face brightening. “That sounds like a fine idea. Especially for the young disciples to get acquainted…”

“Yes, especially since Sun Woon is looking forward to meeting the Mount Hua disciples.”

“Sun Woon… the Young Dragon. You mean him.”

Baek Yu nodded, recalling the renowned Young Dragon of Wudang. Meeting and interacting with such a figure would surely inspire the second-generation disciples.

Traveling together would provide ample opportunities for sparring and conversation, enriching the experience for the young disciples.

“We have no reason to refuse. Let’s do it.”

“Thank you, Master. We have a meeting place arranged, so we’ll guide you there.”

“Very well.”

As Baek Yu and Un Hyun exchanged smiles, Un Baek, who had been listening, spoke up.

“Master, there’s something else.”

“What is it?”

Un Baek lowered his voice slightly. “Elder Yoo Il wishes to meet Mu Hwi.”

The mention of the name Yoo Il left Baek Yu momentarily speechless.

Yoo Il, known as the Sword Immortal, was a legendary figure. Despite having surpassed a hundred years of age, he remained one of the martial world’s greatest masters, even as many of his contemporaries had long since passed.

Though he hadn’t secluded himself, the Sword Immortal hadn’t appeared in the martial world for over twenty years. That he would suddenly express interest in Mu Hwi was surprising.

“Do you know why?”

“The head of our sect wasn’t sure. Elder Yoo Il simply mentioned that Mu Hwi has a connection to Wudang.”

After a moment of contemplation, Baek Yu nodded. “We’ll leave it to Mu Hwi to decide.”

Un Baek bowed his head. “Thank you, Master. We’ll ensure it doesn’t interfere with the ceremony.”

“I trust you will.”

***

In Jun County, Hubei Province, Mu Hwi gazed at the towering peaks of Wudang Mountain.

The mountain was as grand as Mount Hua, yet its contours were different. While Mount Hua’s peaks were sharp and piercing, Wudang’s were rounded and graceful, shrouded in clouds and mist, resembling a giant incense burner.

Watching Mu Hwi take in the sight, Un Baek spoke. “Is this your first time seeing Wudang Mountain?”

“Yes. It’s truly worthy of being one of the Five Great Mountains.”

“The sharp peaks of Mount Hua are impressive, but Wudang’s gentle slopes have their own charm.”

Unlike Un Hyun, who stayed at the inn with the Mount Hua group, Un Baek was guiding Mu Hwi to Wudang Mountain.

Observing Mu Hwi’s calm demeanor, Un Baek was impressed. “His breathing is steady, and there’s not a hint of fatigue.”

To avoid any delay in reaching the Martial Alliance ceremony, Un Baek had not taken his time. Once Mu Hwi agreed to visit Wudang, they had swiftly made their way to Jun County.

They had traveled at a brisk pace, yet Mu Hwi showed no signs of weariness.

“And that technique… the Hidden Fragrance Step, was it?”

Initially, Un Baek had tried to match Mu Hwi’s pace, but soon realized it wasn’t necessary. Though Un Baek’s speed was greater, Mu Hwi maintained a consistent distance, his mastery of the technique evident.

“To think he defeated the Sword Demon single-handedly… his swordsmanship must be unparalleled. But to also excel in movement techniques… truly remarkable.”

Even the Young Dragon of Wudang seemed small in comparison.

As they reached the base of Wudang Mountain, Un Baek asked, “Mu Hwi, do you still have energy left?”

“Of course.”

“Then how about we ascend Wudang Mountain using our movement techniques? I’d like to see more of your Hidden Fragrance Step. I’ll use the Cloud Ascension Technique.”

Mu Hwi nodded at Un Baek’s suggestion.

During their journey, they had exchanged a few words, mostly about movement techniques. It seemed Un Baek had a keen interest in them.

As they continued, it was only natural that their attention was drawn to the new martial art of the Mount Hua Sect, the “Amhyangpyo.”

Even the “Jeoyunjong,” a signature lightness skill of the Wudang Sect, was worth observing.

“Shall we match our pace and ascend together?”

“Let’s do that.”

Unbaek and Muhwi simultaneously stepped forward. The two masters adjusted their speed in harmony, their movements synchronized.

As Unbaek’s toes lightly trembled on the edge of a rock, his body began to rise slowly.

He moved from branch to branch, his form floating gracefully yet swiftly, like a cloud drifting through the sky, only to vanish when you turned your head for a moment.

Muhwi found this movement fascinating.

‘It’s as if he’s constantly shifting his center of gravity in real-time. It’s a more complex technique than it seems.’

The visible movements were slow and deliberate, yet the overall speed was astonishingly swift and elegant.

While Muhwi observed the Jeoyunjong, Unbaek didn’t miss a moment of Muhwi’s display of the Amhyangpyo.

Muhwi’s ascent up Wudang Mountain was as natural as water flowing. It was like watching a river follow its course simply because there was a path.

No matter what trees or rocks blocked his way, Muhwi seemed to glide past them effortlessly with each step.

‘No, even a river would stop if completely blocked. But his movement…’

It felt as if he could extend in all directions, like something other than water.

As Unbaek’s brow furrowed in concentration, he noticed the plum blossom pattern fluttering on Muhwi’s sleeve.

‘Plum blossom, Amhyang. I see.’

Unbaek realized that Muhwi’s movements embodied the essence of the plum blossom fragrance that permeated Mount Hua.

‘A new martial art to support the Mount Hua Sect has emerged.’

Previously, Mount Hua had techniques like the “Hwanhwanmijongbo” and “Ohaengmaehwabo,” but they never gained the renown of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

Unbaek had always considered the Jeoyunjong superior to those techniques.

But now, he couldn’t confidently say that the Amhyangpyo Muhwi demonstrated was beneath the Jeoyunjong.

‘Wudang must strive as well.’

Having witnessed Mount Hua’s progress, Unbaek’s eyes shone with determination.

“Ah, we’ve arrived already.”

Before they knew it, the two masters had reached the gates of the Wudang Sect.

Muhwi’s attention was drawn not to the gates themselves but to the pine tree beside them.

A pine tree so thick that even two grown men couldn’t wrap their arms around it.

Cloths were tied to its branches, and among them, weapons were occasionally bound.

“The Sword Releasing Ground.”

“Indeed, this is Wudang’s Sword Releasing Ground.”

The Sword Releasing Ground was a place where martial artists of the Jianghu left their weapons as a sign of respect for the Wudang Sect.

They would tie their weapons to the cloths on the pine tree before entering, and the Wudang disciples would guard these weapons.

Occasionally, some martial artists refused to leave their weapons and challenged the Sword Releasing Ground, eager to test Wudang’s martial prowess.

The moment someone challenged the Sword Releasing Ground, the renowned Seven Swords of Wudang would appear.

As Muhwi gazed at the Sword Releasing Ground in a daze, the Wudang disciples guarding the gate approached him.

“Young hero, may we ask you to leave your weapon?”

Muhwi turned to face the Wudang disciple who had spoken to him and declared firmly, “I challenge the Sword Releasing Ground.”

The Wudang disciples guarding the gate widened their eyes in surprise.

Unbaek, overhearing this, looked at Muhwi with intrigued eyes.

“I challenge the Sword Releasing Ground.” End

“I concede defeat.”