The Moonlit Plum Blossom
It was a decision that might have come across as rude to my opponent. But I didn't care. Slowly, I raised the tip of my sword.
Thunder Sword DragonMu Yeong, who had been watching from a rather close distance, glared at me and spoke.
"You bastard... How utterly arrogant."
"......"
Mu Yeong seemed to be growling with open hostility toward me. Well, that made sense. From his perspective, a mere outer disciple who had only been in the Mount Hua Sect for about two years—even if I had become the direct disciple of the sect leader—would hardly inspire confidence. In fact, he was probably full of doubt about my martial prowess.
So there's a chance he'll get angry... but in the end, this method is simpler and faster.
To be blunt, what did it matter? No father wanted to see his beloved daughter fall for some random punk he'd never met before.
It's meaningless. And not even fun.
I barely managed to hold back the sigh rising in my chest. Honestly, the reason I was even bothering with this spar was to prevent future headaches. If I ignored him or backed down here, there was no telling what kind of backlash might come later. Besides... I didn't want anyone questioning the realm I had reached.
Truthfully, the latter reason is the bigger one.
I gave a slow nod. At that moment, Mu Yeong seemed to have finally made up his mind. His eyes widened as he gradually drew the sword hanging at his waist.
Srrrng—!
The blade came out with surprising roughness. It left quite an impression. Sensing that I was still acting relaxed, Mu Yeong continued glaring at me before spitting out his words.
"As your senior, I won't give you the first move. Don't expect any such courtesy from me."
"...As you wish."
When I answered quietly, Mu Yeong stepped forward and began unfolding his sword form. Whoosh— It wasn't a heavy gust, but I could faintly feel the sword pressure.
As expected, it's a type of illusion sword. In some ways, it feels somewhat similar to the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.
The forms Mu Yeong displayed swirled like the wind. Swish— There were moments when the tip of his blade flew straight toward my vital points. But—
"...Hmm."
"......!"
Swish— I lightly lowered my body and simultaneously slipped into his blind spot. The opponent's clear panic was palpable.
Well, maybe if it were someone like the elders at the level of the Thunder Sword Dragon or Mugyeong Gakju... but Mu Yeong isn't among the top elders of Mount Hua. There's no way he could immediately grasp the essence of this defensive technique.
The move I had just used would be difficult for him to understand. Deflecting an opponent's ultimate technique while simultaneously invading their blind spot—this had already become one of my main skills.
Paht—!
Mu Yeong grit his teeth and barely managed to block my charge as I closed the distance. Kang—! The clash of metal rang out sharply.
"...What the hell was that move just now?"
"I have no intention of answering that in this situation."
"You...!"
My indifferent reply must have sounded like mockery to him. Mu Yeong bit down hard on his lower lip before launching a counterattack.
Pang—!
He began pressing me with merciless strikes. I continued deflecting his fiery charges with relative ease while organizing my thoughts.
The forms are closer to elegant curves than straight lines, linked together in a continuous chain... And it seems like a sword art deliberately created with a female body in mind. A technique meant for a female master.
Suddenly, a glint appeared in my eyes. It was the exact moment Mu Yeong's attack slipped toward my shoulder. Even then, I was carefully analyzing and grasping the essence of the sword technique he was using. I moved my body like a shadow.
Swish— I dropped to the ground only to bounce back up again.
"What the...?!"
I think I can figure out the name of this sword art...
I had been maintaining a defensive posture, yet in the blink of an eye, I had retreated more than thirty feet away—far beyond arm's reach. I lightly tapped the tip of my sword against the ground a few times before slowly raising my gaze toward Mu Yeong.
"Huff... Huff...!"
Already tired?
Mu Yeong's complexion had gone deathly pale, drained of all color. At the same time, cold sweat was trickling down his face. I easily inferred the reason and smiled bitterly.
Of course. Unless he's an idiot, he must have realized that even while I was being pushed back, I had more than enough strength left to counterattack at any time—I just chose not to show it.
Mu Yeong's face was now practically rotting with frustration. Watching him from a distance, I slowly opened my mouth.
"It's the Moonlit Lady Sword Technique."
"......!"
"From what I've heard, there are very few in Mount Hua who practice the Moonlit Lady Sword Technique... So it was you, after all."
"How did you...!"
Mu Yeong shouted at me as if demanding an answer. Despite his urgent cry, I maintained my calm posture and continued speaking.
"...The characteristics of the Moonlit Lady Sword Technique that I'd only heard about in rumors were clearly visible. I learned about it when the Brilliant Dragon Sword elder taught me martial arts."
"This is..."
Mu Yeong trailed off, sounding utterly dejected. He seemed to be keenly aware of just how difficult it was to identify the technique with such certainty after seeing only a few forms.
In truth, Thunder Sword DragonMu Yeong was no ordinary martial artist. Becoming an elder of Mount Hua as a woman was already enough to call him a genius.
During his days as a junior disciple, Mu Yeong must have held one of the positions among the Seven Dragons and Five Phoenixes.
It was no different from Seol Ayeon. However, no matter how outstanding one's talent and comprehension were, there existed another level of difference beyond that.
If I had to compare it... it would be like the gap between a sparrow and an eagle.
At this point, Mu Yeong must have realized it too.
We haven't even revealed our signature techniques, yet the opponent instantly grasped the essence of the sword art after seeing just a few forms... That's something that could never happen under normal circumstances.
Mu Yeong was still trembling slightly at the corners of his mouth. Watching his reaction, I decided against delivering a finishing blow and chose a different path instead.
Even while observing the forms of the Moonlit Lady Sword Technique earlier, there were several moments where I could have easily ended it...
I didn't particularly want to say that out loud, but encountering the rare sect-exclusive technique known as the Moonlit Lady Sword Art had unexpectedly sparked my interest.
Therefore, the option of charging at Mu Yeong while he stood frozen in place no longer existed in my mind. Instead, I slowly began raising Nakseong, the sword still gripped in my hand.
"What...?"
"A good idea just occurred to me. I'd like to try it out right here."
"......?"
Mu Yeong kept his stiff expression but tilted his head in confusion. Ignoring his reaction, I drew a faint arc at the corner of my lips and raised Nakseong to eye level.
If I combine the Moonlit Lady Sword Technique with the Plum Blossom Sword Technique... the harmony might create something truly mystical.
I was almost certain of it. After examining the Moonlit Lady Sword Technique, one thought had come to mind.
I'm not sure if I should call it a weakness, but... since the technique was created with a female practitioner in mind, the power of its ultimate forms—specifically their destructive force—felt somewhat lacking. The elegance and speed of the forms were comparable to any top-tier sword art, though.
In that case, what if I combined it with forms from the Plum Blossom Sword Technique that emphasized raw power but lacked the characteristics of swift or illusion swords?
A genuinely interesting idea flashed through my mind.
Tap.
With Nakseong raised, I lightly sliced through the air in a zigzag pattern. Immediately, the condensed energy within the blade began sweeping in all directions like a fierce tiger.
Thankfully... there are no buildings nearby, and the area is filled with fairly large trees. The aftershock shouldn't reach too far.
Kwaaang—!
Of course, it only avoided waking up the sleeping disciples of the sect in the middle of the night. The combined technique of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique and Moonlit Lady Sword Technique that I had just unleashed possessed enough power to slice through every towering tree growing around us.
A massive roar shook the earth once before quickly subsiding.
"......"
"Hoo."
I let out a short sigh. Even then, Mu Yeong was staring blankly at the scene unfolding around me. It was practically a disaster. Wood fragments were scattered everywhere, even rolling across the once-pristine training ground. The entire area now felt wide open.
"Just what was that sword technique...?!"
Finally, Mu Yeong asked me in a voice thick with shock. His reaction somehow reminded me of his one and only daughter. So I let a faint smile slip and murmured.
"Its name is the Plum Blossom Sword Technique."