“Hmm.”

As Muhui finally tore himself away from the railing, still entranced by the sunset over the Yangtze River, Jegal Myung quietly approached him.

Jegal Myung was carrying a bottle of wine and a cup in each hand. The scent of alcohol wafted around him, suggesting he had already indulged quite a bit.

“Muhui, thank you for taking on the role of leader.”

He offered the cup to Muhui, but instead of accepting it, Muhui reached for the bottle in Jegal Myung’s other hand.

Tilting the bottle, Muhui filled his mouth with the wine.

“Ahh.”

The burning sensation in his throat made him wince slightly before he spoke.

“It seems like you set the stage perfectly for me to accept the position.”

Jegal Myung chuckled as Muhui narrowed his eyes.

“You figured it out, I see.”

Jegal Myung took a sip from the cup he had intended for Muhui and pulled out a metal fan from his robe, its coolness dispelling some of his intoxication.

“I can’t take all the credit. Most of it was thanks to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Originally, I intended to appoint three of the Six Dragons as leaders.”

The Sword Dragon of the Canal had outright refused Jegal Myung’s proposal, suggesting Muhui instead. Even the Cloud Dragon, who had little interest in leadership, was swayed by the Sword Dragon’s recommendation.

Though they hadn’t met yet, the Cloud Dragon admired Muhui for single-handedly defeating the formidable Sword of the Forward March, a feat that had eluded even the Wudang Sect.

Moreover, the Cloud Dragon’s fondness for Muhui grew after hearing about him from the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect and the Martial Alliance.

“Even Namgung and the other young talents at the gathering recommended you. They were impressed by your character at the Grand Assembly.”

“Hmm.”

Later, even the Golden River Sword Master and Woo Taegang, the disciple of the Fist King, expressed their support.

This piqued the curiosity of both Peng Ho-yeon and Jegal Myung.

Who was this Muhui that all the young talents of the righteous sects spoke so highly of?

“It was surprising that Peng Ho-yeon, who was eager to spar with you, ended up recommending you for the leadership without a fight.”

Muhui merely smirked.

He had recognized the competitive spirit and ambition in Peng Ho-yeon’s eyes the moment they met.

Yet, he appreciated Peng Ho-yeon’s quick assessment of the situation and his appropriate actions.

“I’ll make sure the Sojeong Association doesn’t bother you. Even Moojin gave a subtle warning, saying that if the senior brother makes a promise, he keeps it, and breaking it would be a grave mistake.”

Knowing that Moojin was working behind the scenes, Muhui chuckled.

“Do your best. I’d hate to have to dismantle the Sojeong Association myself.”

“Of course. With like-minded people gathered, we must make it worthwhile.”

The first meeting of the Sojeong Association continued late into the night.

* * *

Muhui was reading a letter when Muhwa came bounding in, prompting him to fold it and tuck it away.

“Senior brother, aren’t you going out today? The others want to explore the Martial Alliance.”

“I think I’ll stay in today.”

“Alright, we’ll go on our own then.”

With a nod from Muhui, Muhwa and the other disciples left the hall.

Thanks to the Mount Hua Sect’s early arrival at the Martial Alliance, there were still a few days left before the official opening ceremony.

The sects that had arrived early were using the time to strengthen their bonds.

The Martial Alliance’s main compound had everything one could need, so there was no reason to venture outside.

People were naturally forming connections as they explored the gardens and guesthouses within the compound.

The disciples, too, were enjoying meeting other martial artists and exploring the Martial Alliance.

Since training was their top priority, Muhui didn’t feel the need to hold them back.

“Aren’t you going to explore, senior brother?”

Mucheol, who had just finished training, stood with his shirt off, his upper body radiating heat.

His physique, like a roughly hewn stone, showed the progress of his external martial arts training, which was now complementing his Iron Hawk Sword Technique, making him shine even brighter.

“No, nothing particularly interesting out there.”

“Senior brother, I’m thinking of visiting the Namgung family after I wash up.”

Mucheol had been frequently sparring with Namgungak.

The Namgung family, known for their mastery of the heavy sword, was a constant draw for Mucheol.

“Go ahead.”

With Mucheol also leaving, the hall where the second disciples stayed became quiet, leaving only Muhui behind.

The sound of birds chirping reached Muhui’s ears.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve felt this.’

In his past life, most of his days were like this, but in this life, he was always surrounded by people.

Relishing the rare tranquility, Muhui slowly closed his eyes.

He had memorized every word of the Taihe Wuling Heart Method.

The Taihe Wuling Heart Method.

Its flow of internal energy was exceptional in both concentration and release, allowing for a natural exchange of energy within and without.

The unrestricted application of its principles was similar yet distinct from the Zihua Heart Method.

Moreover, its speed in gathering energy was unmatched, ensuring that no matter how much internal energy was drawn from the dantian, it would always replenish.

‘The quality of this internal energy is remarkable.’

The internal energy of the Taihe Wuling Heart Method was so pure it seemed to possess a spiritual quality, akin to a divine aura.

Such energy, with its purity, approached the natural energy of the world, imbued with the power to dispel evil and uphold righteousness.

‘It’s astonishing that a sect with such martial arts was destroyed.’

The Taihe Wuling Heart Method was a martial art with nothing to discard.

Muhui was meticulously deconstructing its principles, exploring their meanings and hidden insights.

‘Taihe represents the vast, immeasurable space, the void. It embodies the principles that form all things, appearing empty yet fully contained.’

If the Zihua Heart Method was ink, then Taihe was the paper.

Could the endless paper of Taihe be painted with the ink of Zihua?

Both Taihe and Zihua were boundless.

‘There’s no need to add something new to what’s already complete. Or is it new? The Six Harmonies and Taihe, after all…’

Muhui’s mind was tickled by vague, elusive thoughts and insights.

It was a familiar feeling, the sense of understanding slipping away just as it seemed within reach.

As he meditated, immersed in the Taihe Wuling Heart Method, Muhui’s eyes opened slightly.

Soon after, a maid responsible for the hall’s upkeep entered cautiously, bowing her head.

“Master, you have a visitor.”

“A visitor? Who is it this time?”

Muhui was one of the most popular figures among the young talents gathered at the Martial Alliance.

Even after the Sojeong Association’s meeting, the three of the Six Dragons had visited him, and both the Sword Master and Woo Taegang frequently came for sparring.

“They’re from the Peach Blossom Villa.”

“Peach Blossom? Peach Blossom Villa…”

Muhui furrowed his brow in thought before nodding.

“Let them in.”

With Muhui’s permission, a group soon appeared.

As men in various attire filed in, Muhui leaned forward, intrigued.

“What is this?”

Over fifteen men entered, forming a circle around Muhui, and finally, a woman walked in gracefully.

Her half-closed eyes were like crescent moons, her long lashes exuding a mysterious allure.

Her high nose and fruit-like lips harmonized with her eyes.

Her figure, accentuated by a vibrant red dress, was as graceful as a flower in bloom.

“I’m Hwa Yuin from the Peach Blossom Villa.”

Every gesture, expression, and word from Hwa Yuin elicited reactions from the men around her, their faces flushing.

‘Ugh.’

Rather than being captivated by Hwa Yuin’s beauty, Muhui found the men’s behavior amusing and struggled to suppress a laugh.

Accustomed to the gaze of men, Hwa Yuin quickly noticed Muhui’s indifferent look and raised an eyebrow ever so slightly.

“I’ve heard much about the Sword Ghost of Mount Hua. It’s humbling to be called the most beautiful in Hubei.”

Hwa Yuin covered her mouth with a light laugh.

Though she seemed to be complimenting Muhui, her true intent was to flaunt herself.

Seeing through her act, Muhui smirked and finally looked at her directly.

“Miss Hwa, what brings you here?”

“Would you be my partner for the Dragon and Phoenix Banquet at the end of the opening ceremony?”

Hwa Yuin tilted her head slightly, blinking at Muhui with a pleading look.

Most young talents would have agreed without thinking, but not Muhui.

With the same cold gaze as before, he shook his head.

“No.”

“What?”

Hwa Yuin’s eyes widened in surprise at Muhui’s firm refusal.

The men who had accompanied her exchanged glances, their expressions hardening.

Some glared, others seemed ready to draw their swords, and a few even exuded a faint killing intent.

Interestingly, Hwa Yuin, aware of the men’s reactions, feigned ignorance, as if this was exactly what she wanted.

Watching the scene unfold, Muhui’s lips curled into a grin.

“They say women are something to be wary of in the martial world. Seems they weren’t wrong, don’t you think?”

At that moment, when Hwa Yuin was still puzzled, the man standing right next to her suddenly collapsed, his eyes rolling back.

“Gah!”

“What the…”

Some clutched their throats as if they couldn’t breathe, while others, their legs giving out, simply crumpled to the ground.

Though their reactions varied, not a single one remained standing.

“You fools, are you so bewitched by a woman that you’ve lost all sense? Or are you just feeling safe because you’re inside the Martial Alliance’s headquarters?”

Mu Hui’s presence was overwhelming, a palpable force that filled the air.

Even with just a hint of killing intent, the late-stage disciples were suffering as if they were on the brink of death.

Hwa Yuin, unaffected, was nonetheless terrified as she looked at Mu Hui.

Mu Hui closed the distance between them, moving on his knees. Hwa Yuin, trembling, flinched at his approach.

“The Yongbong Grand Gathering, you say? I know you’re here because of the succession battle within the Cheonryu Trading Company.”

At the mention of the Cheonryu Trading Company, Hwa Yuin tried to move away, but found herself unable to.

“Cheonryu Trading Company… I had forgotten all about it.”

Before Hwa Yuin’s arrival, Mu Hui had been reading a letter from Im Suryun, the third daughter of the Cheonryu Trading Company.

Im Suryun had sent a letter warning him to be cautious, and it was as if Hwa Yuin had appeared right on cue.

Mu Hui gently caressed Hwa Yuin’s peach-like cheek.

“Ah!”

A thin red line appeared on Hwa Yuin’s cheek.

“My face… What have you done?!”

Gone was her previously pitiful and delicate expression, replaced by a fierce glare that could kill.

“You! Do you even know who my future husband is supposed to be?”

“Silence.”

Smack!

Mu Hui slapped Hwa Yuin’s cheek, then flexed his fingers.

“Perhaps I should draw a thicker line to help you come to your senses.”

At Mu Hui’s murmured threat, Hwa Yuin’s face turned pale, and she quickly bowed her head in a gesture of submission.

“Please, sir! Forgive me! I had no choice; it was my father’s orders…”

“I understand. You had no choice.”

At Mu Hui’s gentle voice, Hwa Yuin looked up, hopeful.

But the sharp, violet glint in Mu Hui’s eyes made her heart race with fear.

“If this happens again, I’ll have no choice but to visit Dohwa Manor. What happens after that, even I can’t predict.”

Hwa Yuin felt as if her heart might burst from its frantic beating.

In her mind, the man before her was no longer the Sword Demon of the Mount Hua Sect, but simply a demon.

***

Not long after Hwa Yuin and her group fled, Im Suryun arrived.

She exuded the same cold, elegant charm as when they had last met.

“I ran into Hwa Yuin on the way here. She was covering her face…”

“I had to teach her a lesson for relying too much on her looks.”

Even Im Suryun was momentarily taken aback by the admission that he had deliberately scarred a woman’s face.

“You are quite resolute, sir.”

“So, what brings you here in person?”

At Mu Hui’s question, Im Suryun nodded and continued.

“I heard you’re participating in the Cheonmu Tournament.”

“That’s right.”

“It seems you’ll be facing off against a master sponsored by my brother.”

Though Im Suryun spoke with a serious expression, Mu Hui regarded her with a blank look.

“Is that why you came all the way here?”

Surprised by Mu Hui’s unexpected reaction, Im Suryun blinked rapidly and hesitated.

“Yes.”

Her voice was slightly softer than before.