Chapter 45: Plum Blossom (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 45: Plum Blossom (3)
It happened in a flash.
Jong-in, an elder of the Mount Hua Sect, bolted upright as if he had witnessed the impossible. Before anyone could stop him, he lunged toward the martial arts arena.
“Elder!”
Un-jak watched him, paralyzed by confusion.
A lone warrior stood in the arena, his face completely concealed by a bamboo hat and a veil. He seemed to have captured Jong-in’s undivided attention.
Just who is that man...?
For the usually composed Elder Jong-in to storm out like that...
Un-jak held his breath and watched the scene unfold.
Jong-in reached out toward the warrior’s veil. Then— BOOM! An explosion rocked the arena.
Simultaneously, another figure moved faster than the eye could follow, intercepting the elder and snatching his wrist.
“Wait, that person is…”
Un-jak recognized him.
Once, when he had stopped someone from using their Lightness Skill on the rooftops, and again when that same person had broken up a fight at the inn.
Un-jak easily recalled the face currently hidden beneath that bamboo hat and veil.
He was definitely with that person…
But he only had a moment to think.
Suddenly, the air grew heavy and oppressive.
With his experience in the Murim, Un-jak recognized the sensation immediately.
Killing intent.
An overwhelming killing intent saturated the entire area, radiating from that single spot.
The martial artists held up relatively well, but the civilians began to show signs of distress, their breathing growing labored.
“Hey! First, get the civilians—!”
“You son of a bitch.”
Un-jak couldn't believe his ears.
“Get your hand off her.”
Then, he couldn't believe his eyes.
Plum blossoms bloomed before them.
Dull, dead plum blossoms, drifting in a lonely, somber hue.
* * *
The plum blossoms scattered.
Seo-jun swept his left hand through the blossoms.
The petals fluttered, riding the gale generated by his movement.
Creeeak!
His knuckles groaned as he clenched his fist with bone-crushing force. All the internal energy in his body surged into his right hand.
Violent energy sparked, and an endless stream of petals erupted from his fist.
Twisting his waist and pivoting on his lead foot, he unleashed a full-power punch.
Plum blossoms scattered in every direction along its devastating trajectory.
KABOOOOM────────!!!
Jong-in, who had hastily blocked the punch, waved his hand in flustered surprise.
Though he had reacted with force out of shock from the sudden approach, he had never intended to harm the man.
He had simply released his energy instinctively when his wrist was grabbed. No one could blame Jong-in—in the Murim, having your wrist seized was a direct threat.
“Wait…! There has been a misunderstanding…!”
But there was no response.
Golden eyes, shining with a brilliant light, glared at Jong-in with murderous intent. The man had already lost his reason.
Nothing said would reach his ears now.
“Hey…! Get a grip!”
The veiled woman shouted. Jong-in stepped in front of her, bracing for any further escalation.
That was his mistake.
Seo-jun's eyes rolled back, and he drew his sword.
Ching—!
The sound of the blade leaving its scabbard sent shivers down the spine.
Jong-in felt a chill at the formless killing intent.
Must I suppress him first?
This situation had started because of his own blunder.
Jong-in drew his own sword.
Srrrng—
As if the sound were a signal, Seo-jun lunged.
The energy gathered on his blade raged savagely. Before long, his Sword Qi turned a deep blue, freezing the surrounding air.
Riding the momentum of his charge, Seo-jun swung his sword.
CLANG—!
Jong-in raised his blade to block.
Their eyes met. Golden pupils. Jong-in felt a flicker of tension as he parried the strike away.
Whoosh—!
At that moment, plum blossoms bloomed from Seo-jun’s sword.
This time, they were tinted a frosty blue.
Snowy Plum.
The blossoms scattered like a blizzard, swarming toward Jong-in.
“How can this…!”
There was no time to regain his composure. Jong-in finally tapped into his true strength to weather the succession of bizarre events.
Fwoosh—!
Internal energy erupted from his body. The sheer pressure forced the approaching plum blossoms back.
Yet, even so, the edges of the Protective Energy Jong-in had manifested began to freeze.
Cr-crack—
Simultaneously, Seo-jun twisted his body. Using the momentum of being pushed back, he spun and lunged forward once more.
The color of his Sword Qi shifted again. It was golden—no, it was stained a burning red.
Every ounce of internal energy he had recovered in that brief moment poured into a single, devastating strike.
Flame Plum.
Plum blossoms, rising like scattering embers, swarmed over Jong-in.
But the elder didn't just stand there and take it. Having regained his footing, he raised his sword high.
Saaaaa────────
The distinct scent of plum blossoms began to spread.
It was one of the Mount Hua Sect’s techniques, designed to disorient the opponent.
However, he had overlooked one crucial detail: Seo-jun’s monstrous talent.
Ultimately, the scent was simply a manifestation of Qi. Seo-jun took a deep breath, and conversely, the scent of plum blossoms began to emanate from his own body.
“A marvel indeed…!”
Lamenting the situation, Jong-in finally swung his sword in earnest.
The embers approaching like a tidal wave were swept away, one by one, by Jong-in’s blade.
He is not an opponent I can afford to go easy on.
To suppress the boy, he would have to wound him.
Having made his decision, stars descended and dwelled within Jong-in’s sword.
FLASH────────!!
The sword, imbued with starlight, shone brilliantly. It was Astral Qi.
Jong-in took a step forward and swung his blade with grim determination.
CRUNCH────────!!
Everything shattered.
Seo-jun’s plum blossoms, his sword, and his Protective Energy were all broken in an instant, and blood sprayed into the air.
“Cough…!”
Seo-jun staggered. His knees buckled, and his head drooped.
Nevertheless, he propped himself up with his snapped sword, continuing to glare at Jong-in.
“Just what are you…?”
Meeting his gaze, Jong-in couldn't help but groan.
Though his cut had been shallow, he had sent a shockwave through the young man’s internal organs upon impact.
It made no sense for him to still be conscious.
“Listen! Your body can’t take any more…!”
Seo-jun didn't hear him.
A wind began to blow through Seo-jun's murky mental landscape.
Strength. Give me the strength to protect my sister.
FWOOOOOO────────!!
Jong-in was forced back by the sudden shockwave of Qi.
“What is it this time…?”
His eyes widened until they threatened to tear as he stared at Seo-jun.
A faint image began to manifest behind the hovering Seo-jun.
Three flower buds, horribly distorted and grotesque.
“Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown…!?”
But this state had not been achieved through normal means. At this rate, the boy would destroy himself. Yet, it was happening too fast to stop.
R-rip—
The three flower buds slowly began to open. Between the fleshy petals, three hidden eyeballs darted around frantically.
The murky energy flowing from Seo-jun’s half-closed eyes made even Jong-in hesitate to approach.
Then, Seo-jun’s mouth opened.
Incomprehensible words poured from his parted lips.
“─────────…….”
Just hearing the sound made one’s stomach churn.
Then, more bizarre things began to happen.
The wound on Seo-jun’s chest writhed, healing at an incredible speed.
An eerie energy, thick like smoke, billowed from the hideous blossoms blooming behind his back.
The nearby plants began to twist. They withered, turned a sickly purple, sprouted eyeballs, and grew jagged teeth.
The stones of the arena crumbled into dust. Civilians who hadn't managed to escape clutched their heads, letting out bizarre, agonizing screams.
It was as if the Demon Realm itself was manifesting. Jong-in gritted his teeth.
What was he supposed to do? Even as an Absolute Peak master, he didn't dare dive blindly into that chaos.
Just then, someone lunged forward.
“Oppa…!”
“No!”
Startled, Jong-in reached out. But because of his momentary hesitation, he was too late. His hand grasped only empty air.
“Come back! It’s dangerous! In that state, he wouldn't even recognize his own parents!”
To Jong-in, Seo-jun was currently a ticking time bomb.
To reach the Super Peak Realm, one had to perfectly balance Essence, Qi, and Spirit. But this... this was as if someone had mashed Essence, Qi, and Spirit together and crudely hacked them into three grotesque lumps.
Even demons wouldn't attempt such madness. Even if one reached a higher realm this way, the delicate balance of Essence, Qi, and Spirit would collapse within days, inevitably leading to death.
It was impressive that such a feat was even possible, but it didn't change the fact that it was a path with no future.
“Oppa…! Snap out of it! Stop this crazy shit and hurry up and…!”
Chun-bong screamed, her voice going hoarse.
This bastard. I called him so many times while he was fighting, and he didn't even pretend to hear me.
The eerie energy made her entire body creak under its pressure, but she didn't stop.
“You son of a bitch…!”
Chun-bong threw herself forward. She felt it instinctively.
If Lee Seo-jun crossed into the next realm here, he would surely die.
She refused to lose someone precious to her again.
As if sensing her desperate heart, the eerie energy no longer blocked her path.
Instead, it seemed to part, guiding her toward Seo-jun.
“Oppa… please….”
Finally, her hand reached him. Yet, there was no reaction.
She moved her heavy fingertips and pulled his hand toward her.
Flop—
His rough hand came to rest against her cheek.
“I told you to snap out of it… you idiot….”
Tears welled up and fell. The warm drops trailing down her cheek touched Seo-jun’s hand.
The hand flinched, then froze.
“…Morning.”
“Huh…? What? What did you say!?”
It was Seo-jun’s voice. Chun-bong looked up, her heart racing with hope.
“…If I can pinch… these cheeks in the morning…”
“W-what? What are you talking about?”
“…I can die happy in the evening….”
“You can’t die, you bastard!”
Chun-bong screamed at the top of her lungs. A faint chuckle escaped his lips, and then—
Thud—
Seo-jun collapsed backward.
The eerie energy and the hideous blossoms vanished without a trace.
Jong-in gasped in admiration.
To think he recognized his own sister even in that state. It was unbelievable.
“O-Oppa!? Oppa…!”
Chun-bong didn't have the luxury for such thoughts. Terrified by the sight of the fallen Seo-jun, she frantically shook his body, but Jong-in approached and stopped her.
“He’s just asleep. Shaking him might worsen his internal injuries, so please, calm down first.”
“Ugh…!”
Startled, Chun-bong pulled her hands away and stood in front of Seo-jun like a shield, baring her teeth.
“…I’m telling you this just in case, but he only did that to protect me. The plum blossoms were…”
“I know. I am truly sorry. I committed a grave discourtesy because I simply could not believe my eyes. I give you my word that no mention of this incident will leave this place.”
Jong-in bowed his head.
For an elder of one of the Nine Great Sects to bow his head—the weight of that gesture was immense.
Chun-bong’s eyes widened. She fumbled for words before shaking her head.
“Well, if you say so…”
“Under the circumstances, it would be rude to ask for your identities. You must have your reasons for hiding. But please know this: if you ever feel inclined, you are welcome to seek me out at any time. I shall be waiting.”
“…….”
When Chun-bong remained silent, Jong-in gave a faint smile and shouted to his nearby disciples.
“Clean up the area! You lot, move the patient, and the rest of you, check if any civilians were injured.”
“Yes, sir!”
Several disciples approached to move Seo-jun. However, Chun-bong furrowed her brow, refusing to budge from her spot in front of him.
“I’ll move him.”
“But…”
The disciples looked at Jong-in, who simply nodded.
“Let her do so.”
“Elder Jong-in.”
“What is it?”
“I want to make this clear so there are no misunderstandings.”
Chun-bong bit her lip before continuing.
“The plum blossoms he bloomed have absolutely nothing to do with the Mount Hua Sect.”
“Ah, that.”
Jong-in chuckled.
“I am aware. To begin with, the very foundation of his technique is different from Mount Hua’s plum blossoms, is it not? While there are similarities, Mount Hua does not own all the plum blossoms in the world.”
Mount Hua’s plum blossoms were certainly free and ever-changing, but their firmly grown trunks and roots never wavered.
This young man’s plum blossoms were different.
It was like seeing a plum tree whose roots moved and walked on their own.
It was bizarre, but that was exactly why Jong-in could be certain.
If anyone claimed they were the same martial art, the entire Murim would point fingers and laugh at Mount Hua.
“Hmm, actually…”
Suddenly, Jong-in’s expression turned peculiar.
“Now that I think about it, didn't he learn it the exact moment he experienced the scent of my plum blossoms?”
“That’s—!”
“Haha, I’m joking. No matter how talented, one cannot mimic the Plum Blossom Sword Technique after experiencing it just once. Anyway, hurry along. Your companion's condition doesn't look very good.”
“Ah…!”
Chun-bong glared at Jong-in for cracking jokes in such a situation, then hastily gathered Seo-jun into her arms.
As he watched her, Jong-in spoke.
“I will visit once his treatment is finished. Since this was my fault, I must provide compensation. Furthermore, it seems that young man needs to learn a bit more about himself.”
“Fine, then…”
Chun-bong turned and left quickly. The Mount Hua disciples followed behind her.
Watching their retreating figures, Jong-in stroked his beard with a strange expression.
The Divine Sword Geum Family…
He had been certain the moment he sensed the girl’s energy. And he was certain again after seeing the young man’s sword.
It was impressive how the boy had tried his best not to use the Yellow Cloud Divine Sword, even while losing his reason. But since his very foundation was based on the Yellow Cloud Divine Sword, there was no way Jong-in wouldn't recognize it.
Is this the work of Senior Sword God?
To think there could be such diverse plum blossoms. If the Sect Leader had seen this, he would have been shocked out of his wits.
But was there a son in the Geum Family? If so, the Divine Blood…
As Jong-in pondered, someone approached him.
“Elder.”
“Ah, it’s you.”
“The daughter of the Namgung Clan offers her greetings.”
“That’s enough. No need for formalities. Anyway, what is it? The situation is complicated, so if it isn't urgent, I’d like to postpone it.”
At those words, Namgung Su-ah nodded.
“I happen to have a slight connection with those people. I’ve come to offer what little help I can.”