117
Chapter 117
A massive black serpent with horns. Its size was more befitting of a mythical imoogi than an ordinary snake. Mu Hwi knew the name of this bizarre serpent.
"The Horned Fire Python (獨角火蟒)."
A troublesome creature that not only possessed deadly venom but could also spew flames. The Horned Fire Python's crimson eyes were fixed on the golden fruit at the center of the lake.
Its gaze burned with such greed that Mu Hwi and even the other disciples instantly understood its intentions.
Mu Hwi slightly turned his head, glancing sideways at the enormous tortoise floating in the lake. Its smooth golden skin was marred with old scars—likely left by the Horned Fire Python.
It seemed the golden fruit in the lake was being guarded by that massive tortoise, known as the Golden Tortoise or the Ten-Thousand-Year Golden Tortoise (萬年金龜).
‘To encounter two such rare spirits in one place—ones you’d be lucky to see even once in a hundred years.’
The Ten-Thousand-Year Golden Tortoise stared intently at Mu Hwi with its drooping, clear eyes.
"Are you telling me to flee from that serpent?"
As if in response, the tortoise let out a short cry. Golden mist rose from its shell like fog, likely intending to buy time for escape.
Instead of fleeing, Mu Hwi tightened his grip on the Plum Blossom Sword’s hilt.
"I’ll cut off that snake’s head. In exchange, I’ll take the lake’s water."
"Uoo."
At Mu Hwi’s words, the Ten-Thousand-Year Golden Tortoise let out another cry, and the golden mist surrounding it flowed across the lake, enveloping Mu Hwi.
"Hmm."
As Mu Hwi sensed the tortoise’s energy, Mujin spoke up.
"Senior Disciple. Should we stand by?"
Though they wanted to fight alongside him, Mujin instinctively knew they wouldn’t be of much help against the Horned Fire Python’s killing intent.
Even amidst the serpent’s overwhelming aura, Mujin remained calm and asked clearly. Mu Hwi smiled and nodded.
"Yes. It’s unfortunate, but your swords wouldn’t even pierce its hide."
"Senior Disciple. If things get dangerous, we’ll intervene immediately."
Mu-hwa chattered excitedly, resting her hands on her waist, but Mu-cheol shook his head firmly.
"There’s no need. Senior Disciple won’t be in danger."
After glancing at his fellow disciples, Mu Hwi lightly pushed off the ground with his foot. In an instant, as if folding space itself, he appeared before the Horned Fire Python.
Yet, the serpent seemed to perceive Mu Hwi’s terrifying speed perfectly. It slightly lowered its head and thrust forward its horn, which glowed like the night sky, deep indigo.
KREEEENG!
The Plum Blossom Sword and the horn collided at a single point, releasing a heavy shockwave that shook the cliffs. The sword trembled violently from the sheer force behind the python’s horn.
Mu Hwi used the recoil to his advantage, thrusting his sword diagonally. The trembling of his wrist, combined with the vibration of his internal energy, made the sword’s edge blur as countless sword petals scattered chaotically.
Within that blur, sword shadows and sword energy blossomed like flowers, creating hundreds of variations in an instant.
The sight was so vivid—branches sprouting and flowers blooming before the serpent’s eyes—that even the Horned Fire Python hesitated for a moment.
THUD-THUD-THUD!
Dozens of sword strikes rained down on the python’s head, but the dull thuds made it clear they hadn’t cut deep.
"Hah!"
"Its hide is absurdly tough."
The disciples were shocked, but Mu Hwi wasn’t surprised—he already knew the Horned Fire Python’s skin was as resilient as armor.
He was merely testing.
How much force would be needed to cut through it?
Having gauged the answer, Mu Hwi raised his sword high, his eyes erupting with violet light. The Plum Blossom Sword, now lifted, absorbed the fading purple twilight and shone brilliantly.
The moment the violet light reflected in the python’s pupils, the radiance stretched long, transforming into a flash.
SHIIIING!
Faced with the terrifying sword light streaking from left to right, the Horned Fire Python flinched and jerked its head back.
SHWAAAK!
The python’s hide split open, gushing dark red blood. Had it not instinctively dodged, its head would have been severed.
SHIIIK!
The serpent’s tongue flickered out, twice as fast as usual.
Since the small horn had sprouted on its head, the Horned Fire Python had never faced death. Tigers, the so-called kings of the mountain, were nothing more than a meal to it. The only creature that could rival it, the Ten-Thousand-Year Golden Tortoise, was docile and never left the lake.
Countless years had passed, and it had long forgotten the concept of death—until Mu Hwi reminded it.
"SKREEEEE!"
The python’s shriek made the canyon tremble, forcing Dokgo Yul and the disciples to crouch and cover their ears.
"Shut up."
Only Mu Hwi remained unfazed, launching himself toward the serpent—intent on silencing its screeching mouth with his sword.
But black poisonous mist erupted toward him. With every twitch of the Horned Fire Python’s body, toxic fumes spewed from its entire being.
Yet Mu Hwi didn’t retreat. The poison had no effect on him.
He had taken an antidote pill from the Six Harmonies Sword Assembly, but even that wouldn’t have been enough to withstand the Horned Fire Python’s venom.
‘The Ten-Thousand-Year Golden Tortoise’s power.’
Mu Hwi glanced at the golden mist still lingering around him. Though he didn’t fully understand, it seemed the tortoise’s energy was blocking the serpent’s poison.
Normally, he would’ve had to hold his breath and circulate his internal energy to the extreme to resist the venom. Thanks to the tortoise, Mu Hwi could fight the Horned Fire Python with far greater ease.
CRACK!
A Plum Wind Kick (梅風脚) slammed into the python’s head, making its body convulse violently. In that instant, Mu Hwi’s sword slashed through the air horizontally and vertically, scattering countless sword petals.
Plum Blossom Blood Rain (梅花血雨).
The fully bloomed petals rained down on the serpent, drawing blood wherever they landed.
"SKREEE!"
The Horned Fire Python thrashed to avoid them, but Mu Hwi’s sword strikes—hundreds of pinpoint slashes—were overwhelmingly fast.
As Mu Hwi’s long sleeves fluttered wildly, thin streaks of blood erupted all over the python’s body. Its hide was dyed red, as if drenched in a rain of blood.
The countless small wounds would heal within half a day.
But the pain—something it hadn’t felt in so long—made the serpent react with extreme agitation, baring its horn and venomous fangs.
BOOM!
The python’s tail swung down like a flail toward Mu Hwi’s head, but he lightly dodged by stepping off the nearby rock wall.
However, the Horned Fire Python seemed to have anticipated this. Its glossy pupils locked onto Mu Hwi, its killing intent thickening.
Just as Mu Hwi executed the Dark Scent Flutter and hovered momentarily in the air, the python seized the chance and gaped its maw wide.
WHOOSH!
A massive Azure Flame (靑炎) erupted from its mouth. The sheer size of the fire was enough to swallow four or five grown men whole in an instant.
Dokgo Yul and the disciples watching from afar gasped in horror.
"Senior Disciple!"
"It really breathes fire?!"
Feeling the heat instantly dry his skin and singe his hair, Mu Hwi grinned.
‘So it really does spew flames. How interesting.’
Mu Hwi spread the fingers of his left hand wide and swept it forward. His wrist, the back of his hand, and his fingers rotated in sequence, weaving layers of hand shadows (手影).
Dozens of overlapping hand shadows stacked densely, forming a massive, thick, petal-like force resembling an overlapping plum blossom.
A giant plum blossom bloomed at Mu Hwi’s fingertips.
"Immortal Flower Veil (仙花成幕)."
As the flower spun rapidly under the subtle movements of his five fingers, it transformed into a circular violet energy barrier, like a sword shield.
If the Plum Blossom Sword Formation withstood and shattered an enemy’s attack head-on, the Immortal Flower Veil dispersed and deflected it entirely.
With Mu Hwi’s gestures, the python’s azure flames split into dozens of strands, scattering uselessly into the air.
Then, as the bewildered serpent recoiled, Mu Hwi descended through the flames, his Plum Blossom Sword transforming into a violet lightning bolt that struck down.
KWA-BOOM!
A deafening crash, as if a boulder had split apart, echoed as the Horned Fire Python’s head fell to the ground.
"Huu."
Landing lightly, Mu Hwi exhaled and examined his left hand, which had formed the Immortal Flower Veil. Though it had deflected most of the heat, he still suffered minor burns.
Still, the injuries were negligible compared to what he had gained from slaying the Horned Fire Python. From a distance, Dokgo Yul and Mu-hwa rushed over.
"That last strike was incredible."
"Senior Disciple! That was amazing! My heart nearly stopped when you were engulfed in flames!"
Mujin and Mu-cheol followed, checking on Mu Hwi.
"Senior Disciple, are you alright?"
While Mujin asked, Mu-hwa was already rummaging through her sleeves for medicine.
After treating his burns with Mu-hwa’s salve, Mu Hwi tapped various parts of the python’s body before stopping.
"Here."
He plunged the Plum Blossom Sword deep, splitting the hide open. Then, rolling up his sleeve, he reached inside.
When his hand emerged, it held a dark red orb-like object.
"Ooh. Is that the Horned Fire Python’s inner elixir?"
As Dokgo Yul marveled, Mu Hwi nodded. Even at a glance, the elixir radiated potent toxicity. Consuming it raw was impossible.
‘I’ll have to entrust it to the Four Venoms Hall.’
Mu Hwi placed the elixir into a prepared container and instructed his disciples.
"Fill the separate flasks with the python’s blood. It’ll be useful."
"Yes, Senior Disciple!"
After giving orders, Mu Hwi walked toward the serpent’s head. His target was its horn.
Even in death, the horn still emitted a mysterious indigo glow.
‘This will also be useful.’
Sensing the condensed spiritual energy within the horn, Mu Hwi carefully harvested it. Watching him, Mu-hwa shouted.
"Senior Disciple! Shouldn’t we take the hide too?"
"We’ll come back another time. For now, let’s take only what we need. The lake’s water is our priority."
"Oooh. Every part of a spirit beast is valuable. Is that why they’re called spirit beasts?"
As they efficiently dismantled the Horned Fire Python, the Ten-Thousand-Year Golden Tortoise’s innocent eyes trembled slightly.
***
By the time they finished, the tortoise had vanished. While Mujin filled containers with the lake’s water, he asked about the golden fruit.
"Senior Disciple. What is that?"
"Not sure. Some kind of spirit herb, perhaps."
Seeing Mu Hwi’s indifferent reaction, Dokgo-yul asked.
"Aren’t you taking that spirit herb?"
"Greed isn’t a virtue."
The Horned Fire Python alone had provided ample rewards—its elixir, blood, and other materials. Moreover, when Mu Hwi saw the golden fruit, he instinctively felt it wasn’t meant for him.
A sudden thought crossed his mind—perhaps in the future, someone else would come here, destined to claim it.
"Senior Disciple, we’ve finished filling the containers."
Nodding at Mu-cheol’s words, Mu Hwi turned to leave.
Just then, ripples spread across the lake. The Ten-Thousand-Year Golden Tortoise reappeared, swimming closer.
"Uooo."
With a low cry, it opened its mouth and spat something out—a clump of seaweed.
"It’s beautiful."
Mu-hwa gasped in admiration as the seaweed shimmered with a greenish glow.
Unlike her, Mujin narrowed his eyes and asked Mu Hwi.
"What is this, Senior Disciple?"
Listening to the tortoise’s cry, Mu Hwi replied.
"Not sure, but it seems like the tortoise’s way of thanking us. Probably another type of spirit herb."
"Unlike that nasty snake, this one’s kind."
Poking the seaweed curiously, Mu-hwa waved at the tortoise, which silently sank back into the lake.
Watching it go, Mu Hwi turned away.
"Let’s head back."
As they walked, Dokgo Yul suddenly asked.
"How do we climb back up?"
"We climb the cliff, obviously."
Mu Hwi’s casual reply made Dokgo Yul and the disciples pale.
"You expect us to scale that height?!"
"You’ve all learned wall-treading techniques, haven’t you? I’ll use the Dark Scent Flutter, of course."
Among them, only Mu Hwi had mastered the level of lightness skill needed to ascend the sheer cliff as if climbing stairs.
The rest would have to painstakingly scale it using wall-treading techniques.
"I thought Senior Disciple would carry us up!"
Mu Hwi glared at Mu-hwa’s complaint.
"Don’t talk nonsense."
Seeing the dismayed faces of Dokgo Yul and the others, Mu Hwi smirked.
"You’ve gained spirit herbs. Treat this as training—strengthening your bodies will help absorb the herbs’ effects."
No one dared to argue.
When no one moved, Mu Hwi jerked his chin toward the cliff.
"What are you waiting for? We’re climbing today."
***
"Hoh. Truly astonishing. The Horned Fire Python’s horn!"
Seong Ju-tae marveled endlessly as he examined the items Mu Hwi’s group had brought back.
He had a feeling this sword would surpass even his grandest expectations.
"You’ve worked hard. Where are the others?"
"They’re exhausted from climbing the cliff."
"Ah. Understandable."
Chuckling, Seong Ju-tae set down the horn and turned to Mu Hwi.
"Before forging the sword, there are questions I must ask."
His expression grew solemn. Mu Hwi nodded.
"Go ahead."
"What kind of sword do you wish the Hwasan Sword Saint’s legacy blade to be?"
< What kind of sword do you desire? > End
< I will pour my entire life as a blacksmith into this sword. >