Clang!

In the center of the arena, Seonghoe and Seonju’s swords clashed, one striking vertically and the other diagonally.

Seonghoe deftly flipped his sword, deflecting Seonju’s attack, and then launched a series of precise thrusts and slashes aimed at Seonju’s vital points.

The Namhae Parang Sword, as its name suggests, was characterized by techniques as wild and relentless as the ocean waves. Just as the South Sea’s waves, driven by typhoons, never ceased, Seonghoe’s sword showed no sign of stopping. In fact, the longer the exchange continued, the more powerful his strikes seemed to become.

Seonghoe’s feet and sword moved with dazzling speed, while Seonju stood firm, his sword following the path of the renowned Thirty-Six Swords of the World.

“The distance feels different… Is it because he’s using his left hand?”

Seonju’s swordplay was unusually calm. The Namhae Parang Sword, when wielded with the left hand, had subtle differences in distance and direction compared to the right, and its style was completely distinct from the typical martial arts of the central plains.

Seonju held his ground, parrying Seonghoe’s strange and probing attacks.

“You’re quite solid,” Seonghoe remarked, seemingly unwilling to let Seonju’s defense stand. His sword danced up and down like waves, creating a torrent of sword energy that surged toward Seonju.

“Haap!”

Despite the onslaught, Seonju thrust his sword forward, cutting through the Namhae Parang Sword’s energy like a small boat navigating through a storm. The golden hue of his blade split the waves of sword energy apart.

Yet, where Seonju stepped, cracks began to form on the ground.

“We’ve exchanged eight moves now, and it seems even,” thought Muhwi, observing the fight. But he could already foresee the outcome dozens of moves ahead. Not only he, but the elders seated in the highest seats knew who the winner of this Heavenly Dragon Tournament would be.

Seonju had defeated Muhwa to reach the finals, but his opponent was Seonghoe of the Namhae Parang Sword.

“Why are there so many talented ones?” Muhwi mused. Among the younger generation he had seen, Seonghoe was the strongest. Even the Hell Sword Dragon, who was closest to the pinnacle, paled in comparison to Seonghoe.

“This is why the martial world is such an interesting place. Keep it up, my disciple,” Muhwi sighed, thinking of Dokgoyul, who was likely leading the Dokgo Society on a mission somewhere.

“If I weren’t here, Haenam Sword School might have produced the world’s greatest swordsman again.”

The Heavenly Dragon Tournament was filled with brilliant talents, but Seonghoe’s was the only one that seemed to touch the pinnacle of the world.

As Muhwi watched the duel, Mujin appeared, his arm bandaged.

“Senior Brother, I’m sorry.”

Mujin, who had just returned from treating his injuries from his match with Seonghoe, bowed his head. Muhwi shook his head.

“It’s fine. You fought well against him.”

Mujin, recognizing that Muhwi’s words were not mere consolation, silently watched Seonghoe. The layers of Seonghoe’s sword energy were gradually breaking through the Thirty-Six Swords of the World.

“Ah…”

Muhwa, who had been cheering for Seonju with flushed cheeks, as if forgetting his own recent defeat, asked, “Is that guy from Haenam Sword School really that strong?”

Muhwi, still focused on Seonghoe’s sword, replied, “He’s hiding his true strength, but he’s definitely at the pinnacle.”

Mujin and Muhwa were left speechless by Muhwi’s firm statement. The pinnacle was a realm touching the extreme of human capability, a domain only those chosen from countless talents in the martial world could reach. Those known as pinnacle masters in the martial world were often leaders or elders of major sects, or individuals whose fame and influence spanned the entire martial world.

“A pinnacle master from the Namhae Parang Sword…” Mujin murmured, mixing his words with a sigh. As someone racing toward the peak himself, Mujin understood the vastness of the wall that was the pinnacle.

“He hasn’t been at the pinnacle for long, but it’s remarkable,” Muhwi observed. Among the younger generation, the ones closest to the Namhae Parang Sword were Dokgoyul, Utaegang, Seonju, and Mujin, all of whom were nearing the peak. These four had the potential to grow into masters rivaling the current kings, but the Namhae Parang Sword was a step above.

Boom!

The two swordsmen unleashed their ultimate techniques. Seonju’s golden sword energy seemed to hold its ground, but it was soon overwhelmed by the relentless blue energy of Seonghoe’s sword.

Emerging from the clash, Seonju appeared pale, as if he had suffered significant internal injuries. Though he raised his sword again, he saw Seonghoe’s unwavering stance and sheathed his sword.

“I’ve lost,” Seonju admitted, and the referee declared Seonghoe the victor.

With the winner of the Heavenly Dragon Tournament decided, the audience erupted in cheers.

“Namhae Parang Sword!”

“The disciple of Haenam Sword School has defeated all the prestigious schools and won!”

“What a day to remember!”

The spectators, who had expected a disciple from the Nine Great Schools or the Three Great Families to win, were thrilled by the unexpected victor.

Amidst the cheers, Seonghoe remained expressionless, merely lifting his head. He looked toward the highest seat in the grand plaza, where Ganghobek sat.

Ganghobek, meeting Seonghoe’s calm yet stormy gaze, spoke, “Seonghoe of the Namhae Parang Sword, congratulations on winning the Heavenly Dragon Tournament.”

Ganghobek’s voice quieted the crowd, and Seonghoe bowed in acknowledgment.

After a brief bow, Seonghoe’s eyes sparkled with determination as he asked, “Leader, I heard that one of the prizes for the tournament winner is the opportunity to challenge one of the masters seated here.”

“Indeed. You may choose any master to receive guidance from. Do you have someone in mind? You may even choose me.”

The opportunity for the tournament winner to challenge a master was merely an option, not a requirement. However, no one would pass up the chance to learn from a master.

The masters seated in the highest seats watched with interest, wondering whom Seonghoe would choose.

“Then I…”

Seonghoe scanned the seats, then suddenly lowered his gaze. His eyes settled on the tent of the Mount Hua Sect beside the arena, specifically on Muhwi.

The masters observed this shift in Seonghoe’s gaze with intrigue.

“Is he trying to confirm something?”

Muhwi, meeting Seonghoe’s direct gaze, unfolded his arms and smiled.

“I wish to challenge Muhwi, the Sword Demon of Mount Hua.”

Seonghoe’s declaration brought a moment of silence to the grand plaza. Then, Jegal Jin, the head of the Jegal family, spoke up.

“As you know, Muhwi is a member of the younger generation. Why choose him over the renowned masters seated here?”

Jegal Jin’s calm voice prompted Seonghoe to respond as if he had been waiting for the question.

“I heard that Muhwi is participating in the upcoming Celestial Martial Tournament. I thought his martial arts might have surpassed the level of the younger generation.”

Seonghoe then addressed the leaders of the Nine Great Schools seated in the highest seats.

“Moreover, I am undertaking the Nine Schools Challenge. I’ve defeated representatives from all the other schools, but not from Mount Hua. Although I defeated Jeonghwa Sword, the true representative of Mount Hua is the Sword Demon.”

Seonghoe’s composed explanation satisfied both the audience and the masters, who nodded in understanding. His bold declaration to complete the Nine Schools Challenge in front of the leaders of the Nine Great Schools drew admiration from some of the martial world’s renowned figures.

“Truly a disciple of Haenam Sword School. How audacious.”

“This has become quite interesting. I was curious about the Sword Demon’s martial arts as well.”

Ganghobek, who had been pondering Seonghoe’s words, turned to Baekyu, the leader of the Mount Hua Sect.

“What do you think, Leader?”

“Mount Hua has never shied away from a challenge. I see no issue. Witnessing the conclusion of the Nine Schools Challenge here isn’t a bad thing, especially with all the schools gathered.”

Baekyu replied without a moment’s hesitation. Hearing this, Muhwi stood up and walked onto the arena.

“The Sword Demon! It’s the Sword Demon of Mount Hua!”

“We’ll finally see his true skills.”

“The truth behind the rumors of him defeating the Sword of the Forward Charge alone will be revealed.”

The nickname “Sword Demon of Mount Hua” was already well-known in the martial world, and Muhwi’s appearance reignited the excitement in the grand plaza.

Muhwi, meeting Seonghoe’s gaze, twisted his lips into a smile.

“You’ve got the guts to challenge me.”

Seonghoe narrowed his eyes. Just facing Muhwi made his shoulders itch, a reminder of where Muhwi had struck him in the past.

To calm his suddenly tense nerves, Seonghoe recited the incantation of the Namhae Heart Method, steadying his breath.

“I just wanted to properly conclude the Nine Schools Challenge. You’re the strongest of the younger generation in Mount Hua.”

Muhwi nodded at Seonghoe’s resolute expression and extended his right hand to lightly grasp the hilt of his Plum Blossom Sword.

In response, Seonghoe reached out with his left hand, ready to draw his Golden Thread Sword once more.

As the two young masters faced off, Ganghobek laughed heartily.

“This has turned out to be more entertaining than expected. It’s not just a lesson, but the decisive moment of the Nine Schools Challenge.”

“The leader and I might find it amusing, but the other school leaders might not,” remarked Dang Giho of the Sichuan Tang Clan with a mischievous grin, prompting a wry smile from Gohun, the leader of the Cheongseong Sect.

“Well… to be honest, I’m more interested in Muhwi than Seonghoe,” Gohun admitted.

At Go-hoon’s candid remark, the other sect leaders couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

As the laughter subsided, Gong-hyeon looked at the two young disciples facing each other on the martial arts stage with a gentle smile.

“The outcome doesn’t really matter. Just thinking about how these two will grow into pillars of our sect in the future fills me with pride. I’m sure the other disciples will be inspired to train even harder by watching them.”

The other sect leaders nodded in agreement with Gong-hyeon’s words.

In many ways, the Southern Sea Sword Assembly was a blessing for the old sects.

No matter how clear a lake is, it can’t remain calm forever.

Stagnant water eventually turns foul, so sometimes a storm must come to stir the waters and refresh the lake.

“By the way, I’ve been curious. How did that young lad, Mu-hwi, manage to defeat the formidable Jeonjin Sword Demon on his own?”

When Kang-ho Myung-sook, seated at the head, spoke up, others around him nodded in agreement.

The rumor that Mu-hwi had single-handedly taken down the Jeonjin Sword Demon implied that his martial prowess surpassed even that of the seasoned warriors at the head table.

No one could easily believe such a tale.

Listening quietly to the conversation, Baek-yu simply smiled and offered a single remark.

“Watch closely, everyone. That child will become the new plum blossom representing Mount Hua.”

As Baek-yu’s voice, full of pride, resonated through the hall, the Plum Blossom Sword and the Golden Thread Sword clashed fiercely.

***

“Hmm?”

The eyes of the martial artist standing guard at the main gate of the Martial Alliance narrowed.

A long line of carriages was approaching, stretching wide on either side of the main road leading to the gate.

“Hmm…”

Even at a glance, there were more than twenty carriages, their line seemingly endless.

Many prominent merchant groups had sent gifts to celebrate the founding of the Martial Alliance, but nothing on this scale.

Sensing something amiss, the martial artist quickly reported to his superiors.

As the head of the carriage procession reached the gate, the Outer Hall Chief, responsible for the outer defenses of the Martial Alliance, stepped out to scrutinize the carriages.

“Where do you come from?” he asked the coachman, his hand already gripping the hilt of his sword.

‘The coachman and the guards are all skilled fighters. And they’re openly exuding a sinister aura.’

The coachman, with an expressionless face, replied to the Outer Hall Chief.

“We come from the Sadocheon.”

Clang!

At the coachman’s words, the Outer Hall Chief and the warriors waiting at the gate simultaneously drew their weapons.

A heavy, oppressive aura suddenly enveloped the area from atop the carriage.

‘Ugh.’

The Outer Hall Chief felt as if he were sinking into a swamp, his body refusing to obey his commands.

“We haven’t come to fight. Haven’t we shown proper courtesy? The Martial Alliance should do the same.”

The voice of a man reclining on the carriage’s cargo echoed softly around the gate.

“The Martial Alliance should show proper courtesy.”

“A new sea is emerging in the Central Plains.”