116
Chapter 116
"A sword meant to be wielded by generations of Hwasan Sword Saints."
Upon hearing Mu Hwi’s words, Seong Ju-tae fell into deep thought. Arms crossed, he remained silent for a long while before finally speaking.
"Then what you seek is not just a famed sword, but a divine weapon—one that will symbolize the Hwasan Sect."
"Is it possible?"
Seong Ju-tae responded firmly to Mu Hwi’s question.
"No, it is not."
He drained his teacup in one gulp before continuing.
"A divine weapon is not born simply from rare materials or the skill of a master smith at their peak."
Mu-hwa, who had already devoured a plate of snacks, tilted her head curiously.
"Then how?"
"You’ve all heard the saying that martial artists must commune with their weapons, haven’t you? But in truth, weapons forged of steel are lifeless."
Dokgo Yul and the other disciples nodded. Mu Hwi remained silent, listening intently.
"A true master pours their will into their martial arts, communicates with their weapon, and breathes life into it through years of inner energy infusion. Only after enduring this long process can a weapon begin to radiate vitality and spiritual energy."
Seong Ju-tae locked eyes with Mu Hwi.
"When all these elements converge, a lifeless weapon awakens, transcending its limits to become a divine weapon."
Such weapons were exceedingly rare in the martial arts world.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Sword, said to have been wielded by the first Heavenly Demon who opened the path of demonic arts. The Green Jade Buddha Staff of Shaolin, the Songwen Ancient Sword of Wudang—only the great sects possessed such legendary treasures.
"The only one who could forge a divine weapon through hammering alone would be Ou Yezi, the divine ancestor of smiths."
Despite being regarded as the greatest smith of his era, Seong Ju-tae drew a clear line.
"However, it is possible to forge a famed sword—one that could one day become the foundation of a divine weapon. Wouldn’t you agree?"
"Indeed. Not just any sword can ascend to that level."
Seong Ju-tae rubbed his rough, scarred hands as he studied Mu Hwi’s resolute expression.
"Truthfully, forging a sword to be passed down through Hwasan—one that could become a divine weapon—has been a long-cherished dream of the Three Great Iron Workshop."
For generations, the forge had secretly gathered materials that might one day be used in the creation of such a weapon.
Among them were essence gold from beyond the central plains and purple gold sand, a rare material harvested from the southern barbarian lands—ingredients so precious their very names were scarcely known.
"With the Cheonryu Merchant Group’s Hancheol and the Sword Devil’s Black Iron Greatsword, we have nearly all the materials. We could proceed now, but... May I be greedy?"
"Speak freely."
"First, let us step outside."
Seong Ju-tae led Mu Hwi and his group out of the office toward the rear of the estate, where a modest garden had been arranged. At its center lay a small pond.
While Dokgo Yul and the disciples saw nothing unusual, Mu Hwi, attuned to the energy of nature, sensed something different.
"Hmm."
Seong Ju-tae’s eyes gleamed as he watched Mu Hwi examine the pond intently.
"Is it because you’ve reached the Transcendent Realm? Can you feel it too?"
"The water carries a faint spiritual energy. Like the Jade Maiden Pool of Shang Palace."
Though not as potent, the energy was undeniably present.
"This is why the Three Great Iron Workshop settled here. The water is also a key ingredient in the Plum Blossom elixir."
The three-hundred-year-old layered plum blossoms from Lotus Peak, the spiritual water of the Jade Maiden Pool, and this very pond’s water were all essential components.
"Normally, we would use this pond’s water, but for this sword, I wish to use something else."
"What would that be?"
Seong Ju-tae raised a hand, pointing toward the towering mountain behind the forge—Gaoyong Mountain.
"According to ancestral records, this pond is merely a tributary of a spring deep within Gaoyong Mountain’s cliffs. It is said that the spring’s spiritual energy far surpasses that of our pond."
"You intend to use that springwater for the sword?"
At Mujin’s words, Seong Ju-tae nodded. But his expression darkened slightly.
"However, the spring lies at the bottom of an extremely deep cliff. Even with exceptional lightness skills, descending or ascending would be nearly impossible. Moreover..."
He hesitated before continuing.
"A spirit beast guards it."
"A spirit beast? I’ve never seen one before!"
Mu-hwa’s eyes widened with curiosity. Though the others hid it better, they were equally intrigued.
Only Mu Hwi remained composed.
"Do you know what kind of spirit beast it is?"
"No. The records are unclear. Regardless, the forge has known of the spring’s existence but has never been able to retrieve its water."
The Three Great Iron Workshop lacked the martial prowess to reach it. But Seong Ju-tae believed that Mu Hwi, now in the Transcendent Realm, could descend the cliffs and reach the spring.
"Can you do it?"
"I will try."
Without a moment’s hesitation, Mu Hwi answered. Seong Ju-tae nodded, satisfied.
"I leave it to you."
***
The next day, Mu Hwi’s group ascended Gaoyong Mountain. Though not as towering as Hwasan, its terrain was treacherous and convoluted.
The peaks lean precariously, some twisted into bizarre shapes. The winding path alternated between steep ascents and sudden drops, with dense foliage obscuring landmarks and disorienting their senses.
"Without the map and markers, we’d have been lost."
Mujin muttered as he checked the map provided by the forge and the wooden stakes planted at intervals.
"Hmm... The higher we climb, the more suffocating it feels. Like stepping into a swamp."
At Dokgo Yul’s remark, Mu-hwa nodded and glanced around.
"It’s stuffy, but also... Eerie, don’t you think? Maybe because the sunlight doesn’t reach here?"
The towering peaks and cliffs blocked the sun, and the dense vegetation below left the area dim even in the early morning.
"This mountain is steeped in Yin energy. I wonder what kind of spirit beast dwells here."
The first thing that came to Mu Hwi’s mind was a snake. Spirit beasts of serpentine nature were often found in places thick with Yin energy.
Mu Hwi’s fingers brushed the hilt of the Plum Blossom Sword.
If the spirit beast was like the Dark Monkey—capable of communication—they might pass through peacefully. But he would cut it down without hesitation if it were a frenzied monster.
"You okay? Have some water."
"Thanks, Brother Dokgo."
Somehow, Dokgo Yul and Mu-hwa had grown close. Mu Hwi frowned slightly at the sight of Dokgo Yul fussing over her.
After three shichen of climbing, they finally reached the cliff Seong Ju-tae had described.
Standing before the sheer drop, they understood why the forge had never reached the spring.
"I can’t even see the bottom. How deep is it?"
Mu-hwa muttered as she peered over the edge. The abyss below was unfathomable.
Mujin drew his sword and lightly tapped the protruding rocks.
"The cliff’s stone is quite solid."
Listening to the metallic clinks, Mu Hwi nodded.
Embedding a sword into the unstable cliff face would be difficult, only possible by continuously channeling sword energy.
Even anchoring ropes would have their limits.
Whoooosh!
Moreover, powerful gusts occasionally surged from below, strong enough to whip hair wildly. Staying attached to the cliff would be perilous.
"Senior Disciple, what do we do?"
Mu-hwa pouted slightly, but Mu Hwi’s expression was firm.
"We descend."
He glared into the darkness below.
"I’ll jump first to gauge the depth. Once I signal, you’ll either leap down or climb—I’ll let you know."
"Huh? Jump?!"
Mu-hwa’s eyes widened as Mu Hwi, without hesitation, jumped off the cliff.
"Senior Disciple!"
Her shout faded as Mu Hwi vanished into the abyss.
The sleeves of his robe flapped violently, but the roaring winds drowned out the sound.
Whoooosh!
The crushing atmospheric pressure made it hard to stabilize, but Mu Hwi dissolved the force of the Dark Scent Flutter through his entire muscles.
Like a breeze slipping through gales, his movements flowed with the wind rather than against it.
Though there was no footing, Mu Hwi kicked off the air as if he were performing magic, adjusting his descent speed and posture.
As he fell, he studied the cliff, estimating its depth.
By the time he adapted to maneuvering midair, the darkness below began to lift, revealing the bottom.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Drawing the Plum Blossom Sword, Mu Hwi unleashed seven consecutive palm strikes downward, slowing his fall.
Now!
When he was about one floor’s height from the ground, he flipped midair and released a sword slash.
Kwaaang!
The force of his descent was expelled through his sword, allowing him to land lightly, unharmed.
"Damn, it’s deep."
He looked up at the towering cliff and shouted.
"Jump down!"
His voice, infused with inner energy, momentarily silenced the howling winds.
Faint voices echoed from above, but without Mu Hwi’s level of cultivation, they were indistinct.
"I’ll catch you! Jump now!"
His commanding voice shook the cliff once more.
"Kyaaaah!"
Soon after, Mu-hwa’s piercing scream echoed as she, Dokgo Yul, and the others leaped into the abyss.
Unlike Mu Hwi, they had no control over their descent. A direct fall would mean instant death.
At that moment, Mu Hwi’s Plum Blossom Sword traced a crescent, unleashing a blunt sword wind, devoid of killing intent, that spread like a net.
Struck by the energy, Mu-hwa’s screams ceased. The strange wind, unlike the cliff’s gales, slowed her fall without pain.
Peeking through her fingers, she saw Mu Hwi soaring upward.
As he swept his hands through the air, the turbulent winds dispersed, replaced by a gentle breeze.
Then, he lightly struck each descending disciple with a palm.
"Hmph!"
Mu-cheol’s eyes widened as the force weighing him down dissolved.
The moment Mu Hwi’s Plum Blossom Scattering Hands touched him, his body hovered midair.
Realizing Mu Hwi had dispersed the accumulated force, Mu-cheol immediately drew his sword.
Boom!
Using the Iron Plum Sword Technique, he struck the ground and landed safely. The others followed suit, each employing their techniques to cushion their fall.
"Senior Disciple!"
Despite her screaming, Mu-hwa’s voice remained intact as she shrieked at Mu Hwi.
"You can’t just tell us to jump off a cliff without warning! Look at Mujin!"
Though unharmed, Mujin had collapsed, his legs giving out.
"Ahem. I’m fine, Senior Disciple."
Embarrassed, he turned away, coughing awkwardly.
"I’ve never felt my heavy sword weigh so much before..."
Dokgo Yul muttered weakly. Only Mu-cheol stood firm, though his gaze was slightly dazed.
Having narrowly survived the deadly fall, none of them were in good shape.
Mu Hwi ignored Mu-hwa’s glare and turned away.
"Well, at least you’re all alive."
"Ah, seriously! Senior Disciple!"
After a brief rest, the group ventured deeper into the cliff’s base.
Like the Hwasan Sword Saint’s valley, the area was thick with spiritual energy. Mu Hwi followed the intensifying energy to a large spring, more like a small lake.
It was spacious enough to fit four or five buildings. At its center stood a tiny island with a single, leafless tree bearing a single golden fruit that glowed brilliantly even from afar.
"Wow, Senior Disciple! What’s that?"
"Not sure. Some kind of elixir."
As they approached, ripples spread across the water. A surge of immense spiritual energy prompted Mu Hwi to rest his hand on his sword.
"Ooooh..."
A low growl echoed as a massive golden turtle emerged from the lake.
Mu Hwi realized this was the spirit beast Seong Ju-tae’s ancestors had spoken of.
The turtle studied them with simple, innocent eyes before locking onto Mu Hwi and growling again.
Frowning, Mu Hwi sensed its intent—a vague impression, perhaps due to his Transcendent Realm attunement or his experience with the Dark Monkey.
"It’s telling us to... Flee?"
Why?
From what?
He soon had his answer.
A malignant energy, thick with poison, crept up behind them.
At its center was a gigantic black serpent, its maw large enough to swallow two or three grown men whole.
A blue horn protruded from its head, pulsing ominously.
The serpent flicked its tongue, exuding pure, unfiltered killing intent—a beast’s raw bloodlust.
Exposed to its oppressive aura, Dokgo Yul and the disciples trembled.
"Senior Disciple..."
While the others were overwhelmed, Mu Hwi was not.
Instead, he grinned.
"Kids. Let’s get some elixir."
At his words, the serpent’s horn flared with baleful light.
< Kids. Let’s get some elixir. > End.
< What kind of sword do you desire? >