104
Chapter 104
Six Plum Blossom Swords descended toward Mu Hwi’s crown.
Clang!
The six swords were stacked atop Mu Hwi’s raised blade, their combined force pressing down on him. Yet his thick arms and thighs remained unshaken.
Bending his knees slightly before straightening, Mu Hwi used the rebound to send the swords flying.
The moment he repelled the six strikes—
A seamless chain of sword strikes surged like a gale through Hwasan. Three sword winds attacked from different angles, high and low. Six more targeted his shoulders and ankles, aiming to restrict his movement.
The real killing strike came half a breath later—a thrust from all directions.
Mu Hwi spun in place, his robes fluttering as he traced a small circle with his foot.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Though the swords were deflected, the disciples relentlessly repositioned, refusing to let go.
Mu Hwi was surrounded by the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Formation.
He alone was serving as the training target.
Formations were typically deployed against multiple foes, but they could also be used to suppress a single master.
True to its Hwasan origins, the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Formation dazzled with intricate, relentless sequences, pushing its target to the limit.
‘Not bad.’
Following the formation’s flow, the swordsmen synchronized their strikes from all directions, creating shifting patterns that would dizzy any trapped opponent.
If Wudang’s Seven Stars Sword Formation was like dense clouds pressing down, the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Formation was an intoxicating, ever-spreading plum blossom fragrance.
When Mu Hwi tried to exploit a gap in the formation, two first-generation disciples crossed swords to block his counter.
In that brief pause, sword winds and strikes tore through the air toward his back. Mu Hwi swept his left hand, deflecting them with Plum Blossom Scattering Hands.
‘Their coordination is solid. The pressure doesn’t let up.’
Boom!
First-generation disciples surged forward, their swords unleashing waves of plum blossom sword energy.
Their unified momentum pressed down on Mu Hwi’s shoulders as the sword energy coiled around him.
He steadily pushed back the encroaching petals while observing the formation.
At the Martial Alliance, he had only the second-generation disciples to form the formation. Now, it was different.
Twelve first-generation disciples and twelve second-generation disciples—this was the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Formation Mu Hwi had envisioned.
‘Their synergy is better than expected.’
The second-generation disciples had no trouble synchronizing, but Mu Hwi had worried that mixing generations might disrupt the flow. Yet the first-generation disciples adjusted seamlessly, subtly guiding their juniors.
"Now! Strike!"
Led by Hyeon Baek, the first-generation disciples displayed their experience and martial prowess. Even the Four Flowers of Hwasan, who would normally lead, were learning much while supporting them.
‘Good. This is better than selecting all Plum Blossom Swordsmen from a single generation.’
Twelve first-generation, twelve second-generation.
With this ratio, the first-generation would naturally pass down their knowledge, while the second-generation would learn at their side. Over time, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen would smoothly transition between generations.
Both generations were already formidable enough to represent Hwasan in the martial arts world.
The Four Flowers of Hwasan, having reached a certain level in the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Techniques, had begun training in Plum Blossom Scattering Hands like the first-generation. Others focused solely on the sword techniques.
Even if the second-generation had shortcomings, the first-generation could compensate.
Thus, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen would embody both Hwasan’s martial might and its promising future.
"Wow… He’s holding out alone like that!"
"Incredible!"
Today, the third-generation disciples of Spring Plum Hall had come to observe.
"As expected of Uncle Mu Hwi! Right, Myeongy-yeong, Myeong-am?"
Myeong San (formerly Im Sanha) turned to the girl and boy beside him.
Myeong-yeong and Myeong-am.
Young-young had taken the Taoist name Myeong-yeong (明英), and Seong Soo-am had become Myeong-am (明巖).
"If we work hard, can we train here too?"
"I’m definitely joining Meihui Pavilion! I’ll learn the Iron Plum Sword Technique!"
Myeong-yeong and Myeong-am watched Mu-hwa and Mu-cheol, their resolve firm. Their goals had already shifted to emulating the two.
‘As expected of Master!’
Fists clenched, Myeong San stared at Mu Hwi, who was single-handedly enduring the formation. Though he still couldn’t call him Master aloud, his eyes shone as brightly as ever.
The third-generation disciples remained at Spring Plum Hall, training diligently, but they heard every rumor from the martial arts world—especially about Mu Hwi.
Each time, Myeong San rejoiced but never stopped striving to prove himself worthy of being Mu Hwi’s disciple.
Thanks to his efforts, he led Spring Plum Hall in progress.
Behind the observing third-generation disciples stood Baek Chun, Spring Plum Hall’s master, and Baek Soon, Scripture Pavilion’s master. The two elders watched with pride.
Baek Chun had brought the disciples to observe, while Baek Soon was there to assess the formation’s execution.
"The first and second-generation disciples work surprisingly well together."
"Our choice was right. Old men like us should play our part."
Baek Soon nodded in satisfaction.
Those who walked ahead must pave the way for those who follow.
Though only three months had passed since the elders’ decision to prioritize the first-generation’s training, Hyeon Baek and others were already showing remarkable progress.
This allowed the elders to focus on sect affairs with contentment.
Baek Chun studied the formation pressuring Mu Hwi and nodded.
"It doesn’t fall behind Wudang’s Seven Stars Sword Formation or Shaolin’s Eighteen Arhat Formation."
"Hmm."
While Baek Chun marveled, Baek Soon’s brush never stopped moving as he scrutinized the formation.
"What do you think, Elder Baek Soon?"
"He sought the Jongnam Sect’s help at the Martial Alliance. Their expertise in formations and mystic arts is evident."
As the one who had aided Mu Hwi most in refining the formation, Baek Soon immediately noticed the improvements.
"Mu Hwi… He’s truly Hwasan’s treasure."
"A mere ‘treasure’? His contributions surpass most elders."
The two elders sighed as Mu Hwi began pressuring the formation.
When his violet plum blossoms unfurled, the formation visibly shuddered.
"His growth is unbelievable. Even Hyeon Jo wasn’t this fast."
"The Frost Sound Demon King, the Extreme Heaven Sect Leader—none of it feels like the work of a junior."
Baek Soon smiled as he watched Mu Hwi’s movements and blossoming sword energy.
"It seems I’m no longer Hwasan’s number one swordsman."
He didn’t need to spar to know.
Mu Hwi had already surpassed him.
After Hyeon Jo’s death, Baek Soon had reluctantly shouldered the title. He never felt he deserved it—Hwasan’s number one swordsman should be a Sword Saint.
He had only held the title for the next generation. Now, he sensed it was time to pass it on.
"I’m glad I can hand it to a worthy successor, not just in death."
"Elder, why say such things?"
"Mu Hwi will reach Sword Saint soon. I believe it."
Though he had no proof, his decades of experience as a peak master told him so.
"The Three Great Iron Workshop has begun forging new Plum Blossom Swords for the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, correct?"
"Yes. The letter arrived two months ago—they must be busy."
The new swords, blended with Hancheol steel, would soon arrive.
"I look forward to the day the Plum Blossom Swordsmen are born."
Baek Soon set down his brush, watching the disciples with satisfaction.
When the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Techniques and Formation reached maturity, and the new robes and swords arrived—
Hwasan’s Plum Blossom Swordsmen would be born.
***
After months of refining Meihui Pavilion’s structure, Mu Hwi finally returned to Hyeon Jo’s cottage.
As usual, he wasn’t alone. Myeong San stood beside him.
"Show me."
"Yes, Master!"
Myeong San raised his wooden sword and slowly executed the Six Harmonies Sword. Though he had only learned this and the Nine Palace Steps at Spring Plum Hall, it was enough to gauge his progress.
Even a basic sword art could reveal mastery.
Swish!
His wooden sword carried surprising weight, slicing the air with a faint sonic crack.
His footwork and posture were solid—proof he had taken Mu Hwi’s advice to heart.
Mu Hwi, who had planned to scold him if he slacked, could only nod at his unexpected skill.
‘His foundation is strong. I can see his effort.’
Though not prodigious, his diligence shone through. Any shortcomings could be remedied by his master.
"Loosen your shoulders when cutting downward. Relax."
A master’s duty is to make even mediocrity shine.
Recalling Hyeon Jo’s words, Mu Hwi adjusted Myeong San’s stance with his scabbard.
The training lasted until the sun dipped behind the mountains.
Yet Myeong San showed no fatigue and was wholly absorbed. Mu Hwi smirked, impressed by his endurance and focus.
"That’s enough for today. Let’s eat."
"Huh? It’s already dark. Are we going to the dining hall?"
Mu Hwi shook his head and placed a hand on Myeong San’s head.
"Rest and wait."
Not long after Myeong San leaned against a plum tree, Mu Hwi returned with two rabbits.
"Wow!"
Myeong San’s eyes sparkled as he jumped up.
Without being asked, he gathered dry branches for a fire. Watching his disciple, Mu Hwi began preparing the rabbits.
No longer just stocking jerky, Mu Hwi now kept spices and even hidden wine bottles in the cottage—perks of being the Senior Disciple.
He seasoned the meat generously, roasting it over the fire.
Myeong San watched eagerly, swallowing hard.
"Ready to eat."
"Ooh! It smells amazing!"
Mu Hwi’s cooking skills, honed in his past life, shone through.
"This is better than the dining hall!"
"Obviously. It’s the taste of the secular world."
Myeong San was too busy eating to reply. Mu Hwi sipped wine, savoring the juicy meat.
"How’s Spring Plum Hall?"
"It’s fun! Everyone’s nice."
As Myeong San chattered about his days, Mu Hwi listened, drinking.
When Mu Hwi reached for a second bottle, a black shadow shot from the trees toward it.
"Where do you think you’re going?"
Mu Hwi flipped his hand, slapping the shadow away.
"Screech!"
The Dark Monkey tumbled back, flailing its long arms. Mu Hwi chuckled as it screeched in protest.
Startled, Myeong San hiccuped, staring wide-eyed.
Mu Hwi tossed the Dark Monkey a wine bottle.
"What brings you here, Dark Monkey?"
Only then did it calm down.
"Screech..."
< What brings you here, Dark Monkey? > End.
< I might really die from this. >