121
Chapter 121
The assassination sect known as the strongest in the martial arts world—Cheonsalmun (Heavenly Killing Sect). Even the mask of the Cheonsalmun leader, which only the top ten assassins, the Ten Shadows, of this prestigious sect were permitted to wear, had been shattered without ceremony.
It was the first time the face of the Shadow Emperor, never before revealed in the martial arts world, had been exposed.
"Haha! So this is the face of the Shadow Emperor?"
"How noisy."
Before anyone realized, the Mountain Crusher had flown to the Shadow Emperor’s side, landing with a bizarre laugh. Ignoring the laughter, the Shadow Emperor turned his gaze to his twin blades, his beloved weapons.
The curved blade in his right hand had its tip broken off, turning it into a straight sword, while the straight blade in his left had been shortened into a dagger. During their final exchange of techniques, his twin blades had been utterly destroyed, unable to withstand Mu Hwi’s strange sword strikes.
‘His sword is extraordinary, but more than that, the technique itself…’
The sword technique Mu Hwi had used was completely different from what the Shadow Emperor had adapted to after dozens of exchanges. It was as if Mu Hwi had foreseen several moves ahead—his strikes were unwavering, devoid of the usual variability of the Hwasan Sect, simply straightforward and pure.
More painful than the destruction of his mask and blades was the fact that his secret technique, the Silver Moon’s Hidden Dance, had been dismantled.
"The losses outweigh the gains here. I’ll withdraw. This assassination has failed."
"What nonsense! I haven’t settled my fight with the Iron Mountain Fist King yet."
"Have you forgotten that the Palace Lord entrusted full authority for this mission to me? Don’t be troublesome. The Iron Mountain Fist King was just an extra, anyway."
At the mention of the Palace Lord, the Mountain Crusher, who had been about to charge at Ma Yeon-ho again, froze as if reined in. Mu Hwi’s eyebrows also twitched slightly at the Shadow Emperor’s words.
‘An extra?’
Ma Yeon-ho’s eyes flared like a tiger’s as he heard the Shadow Emperor’s words.
"Who sent you?" he demanded.
Despite Ma Yeon-ho’s aggressive tone, the Shadow Emperor only let out a faint laugh.
"Try chasing us if you dare. Just know, none of the evil warriors or assassins here will retreat. They’re the ones who missed their chance to die at Shaanxi’s Bloodshed."
The Shadow Emperor pointed past Mu Hwi and Ma Yeon-ho—his finger aimed straight at Woo Tae-gang. Realizing the implication, Ma Yeon-ho’s muscles tensed furiously.
To pursue the fleeing Shadow Emperor and Mountain Crusher, both Mu Hwi and Ma Yeon-ho would have to give chase simultaneously. But that would leave Woo Tae-gang to face all the remaining enemies alone—an impossible task.
The Shadow Emperor had given Ma Yeon-ho a choice: chase them or save his disciple. And he didn’t grant much time for deliberation. In an instant, the Shadow Emperor vanished into the rippling space, while the Mountain Crusher turned away without hesitation, stomping the ground.
"See you next time, Iron Mountain Fist King!"
Yet, neither Mu Hwi nor Ma Yeon-ho pursued. They judged that pushing further would bring more losses than gains.
Separately, Woo Tae-gang clenched his bloodstained fist. The Shadow Emperor’s pointing finger had made him acutely aware of his own helplessness—he had become nothing more than dead weight to Mu Hwi and Ma Yeon-ho.
"Tae-gang. It’s not over yet."
"Pull yourself together."
At the voices of Ma Yeon-ho and Mu Hwi, light returned to Woo Tae-gang’s large eyes.
Even though their commanders had withdrawn, the remaining evil warriors and assassins still surrounded Mu Hwi’s group, exuding killing intent.
As if their deaths were a foregone conclusion.
Demonic energy oozed thickly from all directions.
The demonic warriors, eyes gleaming with bloodlust, showed no signs of retreat.
Mu Hwi felt as if he had returned to the battlefield of that day. The energy and killing intent radiating from his entire body made his plum blossom robe flutter violently.
"I’ll tear you all apart."
Above the demonic energy of the enemies, the purple sunset began to spread. As if welcoming it, a black tide surged toward Mu Hwi.
With the retreat of the Shadow Emperor and the Mountain Crusher, the Heavenly Net collapsed. The demonic warriors and assassins who had surrounded Ma Yeon-ho and Woo Tae-gang at the center of the net had merely been sacrificial pawns to buy time.
"So many."
Ma Yeon-ho exhaled a short sigh as he looked at the piled corpses around them. Though they posed no real threat, the mental exhaustion of cutting down wave after wave of enemies who charged without hesitation, knowing they would die, was considerable.
He turned his head to look at Mu Hwi, who was shaking the blood off his sword.
‘He looks so accustomed to it.’
Mu Hwi had slaughtered the most demonic warriors and assassins here. His sword techniques, which felled multiple enemies with a single optimal strike, showed why he was called the Hwasan Sword Devil.
Being skilled in martial arts and being adept at killing were distinctly different. Ma Yeon-ho vaguely sensed something deeper and unpredictable within Mu Hwi’s sword.
After clearing the surroundings, Mu Hwi approached the Iron Mountain Fist King and his disciple.
"Senior. How did you end up under attack by demonic warriors?"
"Hmm. I was in Hubei when I heard rumors about you. They said you cut off the Sword King’s arm and were now called the Hwasan Sword Saint. So I thought I’d come to Hwasan to test your skills."
What greeted Ma Yeon-ho and Woo Tae-gang, however, was the Heavenly Net set up by the Shadow Emperor and the Mountain Crusher, as if they had been waiting.
"Since Shaanxi’s Bloodshed, the Demonic Cult hasn’t shown itself so openly. And now, a master of the Demonic Cult I’ve never heard of and the Shadow Emperor appear together…"
As Ma Yeon-ho trailed off, Mu Hwi’s expression hardened slightly. Even during the fierce Shaanxi Bloodshed, the Mountain Crusher had never appeared. There was no way Mu Hwi wouldn’t recognize a master capable of crossing hands with Ma Yeon-ho.
"It seems the Black Night Palace didn’t reveal its full strength during the Shaanxi Bloodshed."
"That must be it. They couldn’t have cultivated a master like the Mountain Crusher in such a short time. More concerning is that the Shadow Emperor is working with the Black Night Palace."
For most assassination sects, this wouldn’t be unusual, but Cheonsalmun was different. Unlike other sects that accepted any contract for money, Cheonsalmun refused targets who were ordinary civilians without martial arts.
They pursued their own Path of killing, so to speak.
For the leader of such a sect to join hands with demonic warriors was naturally hard to comprehend.
"Hmm."
With that, the conversation between Mu Hwi and Ma Yeon-ho ended.
The emergence of the Black Night Palace and the Shadow Emperor’s alliance with the Demonic Cult.
No one knew how things would unfold, but they could feel that the martial arts world’s landscape was about to change drastically once again.
"I originally wanted to test my junior’s growth in martial arts, but now doesn’t seem the time. We’ll have to postpone."
Yet, Ma Yeon-ho’s sharp gaze scrutinized Mu Hwi’s entire body as if dissecting him. Then, he firmly gripped Mu Hwi’s shoulders.
"You’ve trained well in external techniques, just as I taught! Your muscles must have played a big role in this miraculous growth!"
Though Ma Yeon-ho shook his shoulders lightly as if encouraging him, Mu Hwi’s body swayed roughly. Mu Hwi subtly slipped out of Ma Yeon-ho’s grasp and changed the subject.
"Are you heading to the Martial Alliance now?"
Ma Yeon-ho, arms crossed, flexed his muscles.
"The Alliance Leader will want to hear this directly from me. Are you returning to Hwasan?"
"Yes. Since the Demonic Cult has appeared, I must report to the Sect Leader. I’ve been away from the main sect for too long."
Ma Yeon-ho nodded, though his chest muscles twitched with regret.
"We’ll meet again. Return safely."
"Disciple Mu Hwi. Thank you for today. See you next time."
After exchanging brief farewells with Woo Tae-gang, Mu Hwi parted ways with the Iron Mountain Fist King and his disciple. He needed to reunite with his junior disciples waiting outside the Heavenly Net and return to Hwasan as quickly as possible.
***
"Hmm."
Musan glanced at Muho, who had let out a low sound beside him.
"What’s wrong?"
"Senior Disciple Musan. When we’re on guard duty at the mountain gate, don’t we usually slack off and let our minds wander?"
"Well, yeah."
If the elders of Hwasan heard this, they’d be furious—but since only Musan and Muho were at the gate, there was no one else to listen.
"But today, my nerves are oddly sharp, or should I say my senses are heightened? It’s strange."
Muho raised his head to look at the sky. The wind today felt stronger than usual.
"Hmm."
Since Muho wasn’t one to speak idly, Musan felt an inexplicable unease.
"Senior Disciple sent a letter two days ago saying they’d arrive soon at Huayin. That feeling will probably pass."
Understanding the implication, Muho grinned.
"Hehe. You mean the Hancheol Plum Blossom Sword, right? I’m really looking forward to it. I never thought I’d get to wield a sword made with Hancheol steel."
"The Plum Blossom Sword is a fine weapon, but it can’t compare to a Hancheol Plum Blossom Sword forged specifically for the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, right?"
"Now that I’ve grown attached to this one, I feel a little guilty about abandoning it."
Muho’s hand moved to the sword at his waist.
"Tch. You’ll toss it aside the moment the Hancheol sword arrives."
As Muho chuckled and stroked his scabbard, his hand suddenly froze. With his left hand, he tilted the scabbard slightly downward, while his right gripped the hilt.
Musan did the same. His right hand went to his sword while his left stretched forward, simultaneously assuming the opening stance of the Plum Blossom Scattering Hands, a technique he had only recently learned.
At the same time, seven daggers shot out from the bushes.
Clang clang clang!
Muho deflected the daggers with precise strikes, covering high and mid-level angles, while Musan used the flowing motions of Plum Blossom Scattering Hands to redirect them.
Around Musan and Muho, black shadows surged simultaneously. The hidden weapons had merely been a distraction.
Swish!
The plum blossom robes worn by Musan and Muho fluttered as they spun in different directions.
Musan extended his left hand backward, using Plum Blossom Scattering Hands to deflect an attack from behind while cutting down a demonic warrior aiming for his flank.
Muho unleashed five sword strikes in an instant, sending blood spraying from the vital points of the enemies.
Despite the sudden ambush, Musan and Muho showed not a hint of panic, moving like seasoned martial artists.
"Oh? For second-generation disciples, you’re quite skilled."
At the voice from above, Musan smirked.
"Hmph. After being trained by the Senior Disciple, this much is nothing."
As Musan stepped forward to block the center of the staircase, Muho retreated, grabbing a rope beside the gate and pulling it with all his strength.
Clang clang clang!
The alarm bell rang, signaling the arrival of the Hwasan disciples, including the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
"Gah!"
Distracted by the bell, Musan barely noticed the black hand blade aiming for his throat and swallowed a sharp breath.
Clang!
"Senior Disciple Musan!"
At the last moment, Musan pulled his sword to block the strike aimed at his throat, but the force sent him flying backward. Muho caught him.
"Ugh!"
Holding his sword reversed, Muho caught Musan’s back, but the recoil was so strong that both tumbled through the air.
They rolled several times on the ground after passing through the wide-open gate before finally stopping.
"Senior Disciple! Are you alright?"
"I’m fine. You?"
Their conversation was interrupted by a sinister voice.
"How touching, the bond between senior and junior."
The two disciples turned their heads toward the gate simultaneously.
Elderly men with their hands behind their backs stepped over the threshold, followed by a line of black-clad figures. More demonic warriors appeared atop the walls.
The expressions of Musan and Muho stiffened as they felt the dark energy emanating from the black-clad figures.
"Demonic energy!"
"Demonic Cult?!"
As Musan and Muho sprang up, assuming the opening stance of the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Technique, plum blossom robes fluttered down in front of them.
First-generation disciples stood firmly before Musan and Muho like a wall, while second-generation disciples in similar robes lined up beside them.
The first to arrive at the gate after hearing the alarm were, unsurprisingly, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
"How dare the Black Night Palace’s minions set foot on Hwasan’s mountain gate!"
"The demonic warriors have lost their minds!"
Hyeon Baek and the other first-generation disciples each spat a remark, glaring at the enemies.
"Familiar faces, some of you. It reminds me of Shaanxi’s Bloodshed. So many demonic warriors fell to Hwasan’s swords that day."
The elderly men at the forefront of the demonic warriors studied the faces of Hyeon Baek and the others before looking past them.
Baek Yu led the elders into view, followed by the remaining disciples. The Plum Blossom Swordsmen stepped back as Baek Yu and the elders approached.
Unlike the first-generation disciples, Baek Yu and the elders didn’t openly display anger, but their wrinkled eyes gleamed with a chilling light.
"Have you come from the Black Night Palace?"
At Baek Yu’s low voice, an elderly man from the Black Night Palace stepped forward to respond.
"We greet the Sect Leader. We should have come sooner, but our plans changed. And we had to avoid prying eyes."
The old man clasped his hands, but Baek Yu’s expression remained stern. The old man shrugged and gestured to the ranks behind him.
"Those behind me are all survivors of Shaanxi’s Bloodshed. We fought on the same battlefield as you. Myself included."
The Hwasan disciples’ aura grew even colder at his words. The demonic warriors, however, seemed to welcome it.
"So you’ve come to take revenge for Shaanxi’s Bloodshed?"
At Baek Yu’s question, the old man laughed and shook his head.
"We heard Hwasan now enshrines not only a Sword Saint but also a Sword Devil. How surprising that a noble orthodox sect would honor the title of the number one swordsman of the unorthodox path."
At the mention of the titles Sword Saint and Sword Devil, the hem of Baek Yu’s sleeve trembled slightly.
"The Palace Lord has ordered us to pay respects to the spirits of the Sword Saint and the Sword Devil."
"What?"
Baek Yu let out a disbelieving, angry laugh.
Clang!
At the old man’s words, the demonic warriors behind him drew their weapons in unison.
"Of course, in the manner of the evil path."
< The Demonic Cult’s Way. > End.
< Did you think Hwasan only had a Sword Saint? >