107
Chapter 107
As Mu Hwi steadied his breathing, the shimmering purple sunset that had cascaded from his shoulders to his toes gradually faded, melting into the darkness.
When he opened his eyes, his senses were flooded with an overwhelming torrent of information—the subtle flow of the air, the finest scratches on the stone walls, even the distant rustling of grass in a flower field far beyond the cave.
The heightened senses of a Transcendent Peak master were astonishing, but a master of the Transcendent Realm went beyond mere perception—they became one with nature itself, sensing the world with unparalleled breadth and sensitivity.
Mu Hwi adjusted the density of his perception, and the flood of information slowly receded.
With his senses fully refined, he slowly clenched his fist. Even this simple motion carried a wealth of sensation.
"Everything has changed."
His bones and muscles had transformed, expelling impurities from his body—bone reformation.
The realm beyond Transcendent Peak—the Transcendent Realm.
Direct communion with nature.
Mu Hwi observed his internal state while circulating the Purple Sunset Divine Technique.
His muscles, tempered by the Iron Mountain Fist King’s external techniques and the martial arts of Hwasan, had now taken their optimal form. His meridians, now twice as wide and resilient, seemed unbreakable.
‘So this is bone reformation.’
Even in his past life, he had never experienced this.
Bone reformation was not something that simply happened upon reaching a new realm or gaining enlightenment. It was a rare phenomenon, requiring multiple conditions to align—another stroke of fate.
Feeling his completely transformed body, Mu Hwi stood up. The cave was now dark, suggesting considerable time had passed since he consumed the pill.
He approached the wall where the Six Harmonies Sword God had left his verses and bowed deeply.
"Great Founder, this disciple has inherited your enlightenment. I shall ensure it is passed down fully within Hwasan."
After paying his respects, Mu Hwi drew his Plum Blossom Sword and pointed it at the wall. Though he merely pushed the blade lightly, the tip sank into the stone as if it were mud.
The sword curved smoothly, its edge extending like a blooming flower under the shifting sunlight filtering through the cave’s crevices.
With meticulous care, Mu Hwi carved each character into the stone, inscribing the verses he had derived from his mindscape.
The verses of Heavenly Containment and Six Harmonies.
For the first time in over a century, a disciple of Hwasan had left his mark in the basin of the Sword Saint.
Hwasan, which had failed to produce a Sword Saint for generations—even Hyeon Jo, who had miraculously ascended later, had left no trace here.
Now, at last, the stagnant lineage of Hwasan’s Sword Saints has been reconnected.
***
'Could it really have been seven days?'
The disciples and Eldest Disciples, who had been training in Meihui Pavilion, were startled when Mu Hwi suddenly appeared and rushed over in surprise. He had vanished without a word for a full seven days.
After hearing from Hyeon Baek that the elders, including Baek Yu, were worried, Mu Hwi immediately headed to the palace.
Though the elders were in the middle of a meeting, the doors opened the moment news of Mu Hwi’s arrival reached them.
"I greet the Sect Leader and the Elders."
As Mu Hwi bowed, several elders spoke up at once.
"Are you unharmed?"
"We were worried when you disappeared so suddenly."
Though they couldn’t pinpoint why, Baek Yu and the others instinctively sensed that Mu Hwi had changed.
"You have something to say."
"I do."
At Baek Yu’s prompting, Mu Hwi nodded.
Baek Yu gestured for him to take a seat, and Mu Hwi sat at the edge of the elders’ meeting. He looked at them and spoke.
"I have created a new heart method, based on the Purple Sunset Heart Method."
Baek Yu’s breath hitched. The elders’ eyes widened as they stared at Mu Hwi. Silence filled the hall—had they misheard?
"A new… Heart method?"
Baek Soon, the Scripture Pavilion Master, uttered in a trembling voice.
Mu Hwi recounted the process—from the Sword Saint’s basin to the verses left by the Six Harmonies Sword God—explaining how the Purple Sunset Divine Technique had been created.
The elders leaned forward like children listening to an ancient legend, not wanting to miss a single word.
"The enlightenment of the Great Founder…"
"The pill Mu Hwi consumed must have been no ordinary treasure."
"A heart method born at the brink of life and death, where all realizations converged…"
The elders frequently gasped in amazement. For martial artists, there was no tale more thrilling than one where fate intertwined to open new horizons of martial understanding.
When Mu Hwi finished, he stood and activated the Purple Sunset Divine Technique. As his internal energy circulated, a purple sunset surged behind him.
"Ooh!"
The shimmering mist deepened, cascading down to his feet.
Though the outward display was breathtakingly beautiful, the elders focused on the essence of the Purple Sunset Divine Energy resonating through the air.
Baek Yu, in particular, raised his right hand, summoning his own Purple Sunset Energy for comparison.
While Baek Yu’s energy was a deep indigo-violet, Mu Hwi’s Purple Sunset Divine Energy radiated a softer violet glow, infused with multiple hues like the colors of twilight.
Yet it did not feel chaotic—instead, it carried an ethereal purity, as if plucked straight from the sky.
Even in terms of sheer power, the Purple Sunset Energy paled in comparison to the Purple Sunset Divine Energy.
"Hahaha…"
Baek Yu could only laugh as Hwasan’s supreme internal energy was overshadowed.
With the purple sunset draped over his shoulders like a robe, Mu Hwi spoke confidently.
"I have named this martial art the Purple Sunset Divine Technique."
The elders repeated the name, unable to hide their excitement.
"Purple Sunset Divine Technique!"
"Since it surpasses the Purple Sunset Heart Method, it is more than worthy of being called a divine technique!"
"To witness the birth of a divine technique in our sect in my lifetime!"
Mu Hwi watched them discuss among themselves before speaking again.
"Sect Leader."
"Yes."
When the elders fell silent and turned to him, Mu Hwi spoke calmly.
"Please allow the other disciples to learn the Purple Sunset Divine Technique."
The elders all looked at Baek Yu this time. The old man stared at Mu Hwi without moving before asking,
"Now that the Purple Sunset Divine Technique has been created, do you intend to replace the Purple Sunset Heart Method with it?"
Mu Hwi nodded.
The Purple Sunset Heart Method had been an oral tradition, passed down only to the Sect Leader and their direct disciple.
But now that the Purple Sunset Divine Technique existed—a higher art—there was no need to restrict the Purple Sunset Heart Method to just two people.
"Explain your thoughts in detail."
"Very well. I assume you’ve given this much consideration."
Though it was a young disciple proposing to overturn centuries of tradition, the elders of Hwasan listened attentively.
"The Purple Sunset Divine Technique will be taught only to the Sect Leader, their direct disciple, and the current Hwasan’s Swordsmen. It is only natural for the sect’s strongest to master its supreme martial art."
This had been Mu Hwi’s first thought upon creating the Purple Sunset Divine Technique—because he remembered Hyeon Jo from his past life.
Hyeon Jo had been called the Sword Saint of Hwasan, yet he had never learned the Purple Sunset Mind Technique. He only knew the Heavenly Containment Heart Technique.
Why? Because of the ancient tradition that restricted the Purple Sunset Heart Method to only the Sect Leader and their successor.
‘Had Hyeon Jo learned the Purple Sunset Heart Method, his realm would have soared even higher.’
Having experienced the difference between the Heavenly Containment Heart Technique and the Purple Sunset Heart Method firsthand, Mu Hwi was certain of this.
"As for the Purple Sunset Heart Method, I propose that it be taught to the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Swordsmen."
The Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Technique had never been exclusive—any disciple with sufficient martial achievement could learn it.
Mu Hwi intended to make the Purple Sunset Heart Method a martial art exclusive to the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
Not only would this elevate the status of the Heavenly Silkworm Robe and the Iron Plum Blossom Sword, but it would also create the strongest motivation for disciples to strive to become Swordsmen.
A Plum Blossom Swordman who mastered the Purple Sunset Heart Method and manifested the Purple Plum Blossom would become a true representative of Hwasan.
"If this is done, Hwasan’s martial strength will rise dramatically."
The elders did not immediately voice their opinions, carefully considering the proposal. Mu Hwi added,
"Tradition and customs are important, but they must adapt to the times and circumstances."
To Mu Hwi, this was simply lifting restrictions on martial arts. But to the elders, it was a revolution—overturning centuries of tradition.
Understanding this difference, Mu Hwi waited patiently for Baek Yu and the elders to speak.
A heavy silence filled the hall, as if the elders had all entered a vow of silence. Finally, after a long pause, Baek Soon spoke.
"I agree. With the Purple Sunset Divine Technique in place, there’s no need to restrict the Purple Sunset Heart Method. Besides, limiting it to the Plum Blossom Swordsmen is reasonable."
Baek Jin, the Medical Pavilion Master, nodded as well.
"Didn’t our late Sect Leader also lament that Hyeon Jo never learned the Purple Sunset Heart Method?"
"Martial arts evolve with each generation, and so must Hwasan."
Baek San, the Treasurer, also voiced his agreement. Though some elders remained silent, none opposed.
Baek Yu, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke.
"We will soon return to the earth, and the consequences of this change will be known by future disciples. All we can do is decide whether to open the floodgates or not."
He fixed his gaze on Mu Hwi.
"For old men like us, trusting the younger generation is the greatest virtue. As Mu Hwi has said, we shall change the sect’s traditions."
"Thank you, Sect Leader."
As Mu Hwi rose and clasped his hands, Baek Yu shook his head.
"No, it is I who should thank you. How many gifts have you given Hwasan? We are so proud of you. Now, when I meet our ancestors in death, I can hold my head high."
The elders, including Baek Yu, smiled proudly at Mu Hwi, who could only bow his head in response.
***
Meihui Pavilion’s Training Ground
Twenty-four disciples sat cross-legged in unison.
After the elders’ meeting approved the proposal regarding the Purple Sunset Heart Method, the twenty-four selected Plum Blossom Swordsmen were permitted to begin learning it.
Under Mu Hwi’s guidance, they circulated their energy through the Purple Sunset Heart Method.
‘Even though they’ve only just begun, some are already showing progress.’
Mu Hwi smiled as he observed the Swordsmen, clad in black training robes with pristine white outer coats.
The Heavenly Silkworm Robes he had entrusted to Im Su-ryeon had finally arrived at Hwasan—crafted with such exquisite skill that they could be called treasures.
Like Hwasan’s uniforms, the sleeves of the robes were embroidered with plum blossoms. Though the Iron Plum Blossom Sword was still being forged, it was no issue.
Mu Hwi also wore a Heavenly Silkworm Robe, but his was different.
While the Swordsmens’ robes bore red plum blossoms, his was adorned with a single purple plum blossom in full bloom.
If the red blossom symbolized a Plum Blossom Swordsmen, the purple blossom represented their leader—the Plum Blossom Sword Lord.
The position of Plum Blossom Sword Lord was to be held by the current Hwasan’s Supreme Sword. Since Baek Soon had passed the title to Mu Hwi, he now stood as their leader.
Without needing to check their pulses, Mu Hwi could sense the Swordsmens’ energy circulation through his heightened perception.
‘Smooth progress.’
Given that they were the elite, none seemed to struggle with the Purple Sunset Heart Method.
"Senior Disciple!"
Mu Hwi turned sharply toward the disciple who had shouted, disrupting the training session.
"What is it that you’re making such a fuss about?"
The disciple flinched under Mu Hwi’s gaze but still urged him urgently.
"Senior Disciple! A hidden cave has been discovered in Shaanxi! Martial artists from all over are gathering there!"
"A hidden cave?"
Mu Hwi scoffed.
Occasionally, hidden caves—where past supreme masters trained or were buried—were discovered, or maps leading to them surfaced.
Whenever that happened, regardless of authenticity, the martial arts world would be swept up in a storm of blood.
"Pay it no mind. No matter what martial arts are there, we need only remain true to Hwasan’s teachings."
"But the problem is that the cave might contain Hwasan’s martial arts!"
At the disciple’s shout, Mu Hwi, who had been monitoring the Swordsmens, furrowed his brow and turned fully.
"What nonsense is that?"
"They say the cave’s owner was Sword Saint Hyeon Jo and the Sword Devil!"
Mu Hwi was speechless.
A hidden cave?
Hyeon Jo and I left a hidden cave?
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
< What kind of nonsense is that? > End.
< There’s no way Master would’ve made a hidden cave. >