122
Chapter 122
"Of course, in the Demonic Cult’s Way."
Cha-ang!
At the words of the old man, Mallyeongno, who spat out a sinister voice, all the Hwasan Sect disciples, except Baek Yu, roughly drew their Plum Blossom Swords.
The Plum Blossom Swords emitted a chilling light, and the eyes of the Hwasan disciples flickering above them were filled with hostility. Watching this, Mallyeongno bared his gums as if flaunting his yellowed teeth and chuckled darkly.
"The demonic warriors present here are those who failed to find their place to die during the Shaanxi Bloodshed and returned to the main palace in disgrace."
Mallyeongno took in the scenery of the Hwasan Sect, which exuded a serene atmosphere.
The pavilions, which had endured for ages, carried an elegant charm, and plum blossom trees could be seen everywhere one turned. Beyond the pavilions and plum trees rose bizarre, fortress-like white rocks.
Even without explanation, it was clear that this was the Hwasan Sect. And that was precisely why he wanted to trample it—so thoroughly that no one who arrived here would even recognize it as Hwasan.
"Burn the memorial tablets of the Sword Devil and desecrate the tomb of the Sword Saint to console their spirits. The blood and lives we spill here shall serve as the Palace Lord’s declaration to the martial arts world: the Black Night Palace has emerged!"
By the time Mallyeongno’s voice, infused with internal energy, resounded through the Hwasan Sect’s grounds, the demonic warriors lined up behind him shouted in response as if answering his call.
"Black Night Arrives! Black Night Fills the Sky!"
The expressions of the first-generation disciples and elders twisted slightly upon hearing those cries. During the Shaanxi Bloodshed, they had faced the Black Night Palace and heard those words so often that their ears nearly bled. Naturally, memories of the massacre surfaced, along with the disciples they had lost back then—how could their expressions remain unchanged?
"Today, we return to the Black Night."
At Mallyeongno’s low words, the demonic warriors lunged forward in unison. Watching the Black Night Palace’s demonic warriors charge forth while exuding suffocating demonic energy, Mallyeongno twisted his lips.
‘Hwasan Sect.’
The goal of Mallyeongno and the other demonic warriors was not merely to burn down Hwasan.
As he had said, they had come under the Palace Lord’s orders solely to find their place to die. Their deaths themselves would serve as a declaration that the Black Night Palace, which had briefly vanished, had returned to the martial arts world.
No matter the outcome of this battle, the demonic warriors standing here had already resolved to end their lives on Hwasan. Even so, Mallyeongno had no doubt that today, they would trample the Hwasan Sect beneath their feet.
‘Wasn’t this a sect already in decline?’
The Hwasan Sect, which had already been tilting toward decline, had lost much of its main force, including the Hwasan Sword Saint, during the Shaanxi Bloodshed. Hadn’t they suffered the humiliation of failing to properly repel the Black Night Palace’s surprise attack, even losing their pavilions to flames?
Not much time had passed since then.
Recently, the Hwasan Sect’s reputation had begun to shake the world again, but Mallyeongno knew this was solely due to the efforts of the Hwasan Sword Devil and the Hwasan Four Blossoms. Without them, all that remained was a Hwasan that had lost its elite masters and was tilting toward ruin.
‘But the very ones who’ve been making waves lately are absent now.’
In Mallyeongno’s eyes, the Hwasan Sect was just that insignificant.
With a leisurely gaze, Mallyeongno prepared to watch the first clash between the demonic warriors and the Hwasan disciples.
The moment the bodies of the Hwasan disciples and the Black Night Palace’s demonic warriors overlapped, Mallyeongno’s eyelids twitched slightly upward.
Chwaak!
With a crisp slicing sound, the heads of three demonic warriors who had been charging at the front line floated into the air. Blood droplets rained down from the necks of the airborne demonic warriors, and red-and-white sword qi scattered like petals.
Hyeon Baek, who had beheaded three demonic warriors with a single lightning-fast strike, fluttered his plum blossom-adorned robe violently and unleashed over a dozen sword shadows toward the upper and lower levels. Amidst the successive sounds of flesh being pierced, Hyeon Baek pulled out the Plum Blossom Sword embedded in a demon’s heart in one swift motion and shouted,
"Do not let these demonic warriors take another filthy step forward!"
"Yes, Senior Disciple!"
At Hyeon Baek’s roar, the Plum Blossom Swords of the first-generation disciples each emitted red and white sword light.
For a moment, the twelve plum blossom robes fluttered wildly.
Perhaps because they had swung their swords at the forefront during the Shaanxi Bloodshed, the robes of the first-generation disciples facing the demonic warriors seemed to flutter even more fiercely than usual.
Along with them, the plum blossoms blooming at the tips of their swords mercilessly cleaved through the bodies of the charging demonic warriors. The already crimson plum blossoms absorbed the demonic warriors’ blood and emitted an even more sinister glow.
"Kill them all!"
"Hwasan’s bastards!"
Even as dazzling sword strikes split into dozens of trajectories to block their path, and sword strikes like beams of light pierced their limbs with explosive force, the demonic warriors did not falter in the slightest. Instead, their eyes glowed with red killing intent as they roared and thrust their weapons forward with all their might.
Hyeon Gak deflected a demon’s sword aimed at his ankle by tilting his blade, then immediately spun his left hand. The rotating force of the Plum Blossom Scattering Hands drilled into the demon’s chest.
Puh-puh-puk!
As the concentrated force scattered and repeatedly struck the demon’s chest, several ribs shattered instantly. Meanwhile, Hyeon Baek stabbed five times in succession, piercing the vital points of demonic warriors attacking from the side.
"Hyeon Gak! Widen the gap by one more step."
"Five steps. Understood, Senior Disciple."
Standing side by side, Hyeon Baek and Hyeon Gak broke the demonic warriors’ momentum. The first-generation disciples, spread out in a twin-wing formation to the left and right, each displayed their martial prowess and firmly held their ground, drawing a clear battle line.
‘Black Night Palace! Did you really think you could trample Hwasan again as you pleased?’
‘This time, we will avenge Senior Disciple Hyeon Jo and Senior Disciple Hyeon Guk.’
Despite the demonic warriors’ relentless charge, exuding vicious killing intent, the first-generation disciples showed not a hint of hesitation. Rather, as if repaying the resentment of the senior disciples lost during the Shaanxi Bloodshed, they fiercely yet calmly scattered petals and bloomed plum blossoms.
With the first-generation disciples forming a solid frontline, the second-generation disciples behind them moved swiftly.
"Musang!"
"Yes! Senior Disciple Muryun!"
As Hyeon Baek and Hyeon Gak momentarily sheathed their swords after sweeping away demonic warriors, Muryun and Musang stepped forward to block the oncoming demonic warriors. When three layers of sword wind flew toward Muryun’s head as he pierced a demon’s chest, Musang stepped on Muryun’s shoulder and leaped into the air.
Musang stabbed in five directions, unleashing sword shadows and blooming a single, solid plum blossom.
Ka-ka-kang!
Musang’s Plum Blossom Sword, having unfolded the Plum Blossom Formation to protect Muryun, did not stop.
Following the swift sword that split the wind, sword qi condensed like petals trailed behind. As the slashing sword strikes crossed, petals fell upon the demonic warriors’ heads—petals of sword qi pouring down with the sword wind.
Every time Musang’s Plum Blossom Sword grazed the demonic warriors’ bodies, blood gushed forth. Though several demonic warriors lunged at Musang, who was suspended in mid-air with his body riddled with wounds, Musang deftly twisted his waist to evade their swords and unleashed his force.
There was no mercy in Musang’s hands as he shattered a demon’s skull like Muryun’s relentless sword. Watching this, Muryun unfolded the Dark Scent Flutter and slashed diagonally upward, clearing a safe landing space for Musang. As he split a demon’s force, Muryun spoke.
"Musang. You didn’t step on my shoulder on purpose, did you?"
"Haha. Of course not."
Though Musang laughed, his eyes were cold and focused as he deflected a sword thrust toward his waist and counterattacked.
Watching this, Mallyeongno’s head tilted slightly.
‘The ones guarding the gate earlier were like this too—how are these late-stage foundation level disciples moving so leisurely and calmly?’
Mallyeongno scanned the fierce battles unfolding everywhere. Though the demonic warriors charged forward, disregarding death, they could not break through the Hwasan Sect’s dazzling swords and merely fell, spraying blood.
‘The overall level of the first-generation disciples has risen. Is it because of the new martial arts they’re displaying?’
The first-generation disciples, unfolding the Dark Scent Flutter and weaving through the demonic warriors with dazzling swordplay, cut them down effortlessly, leaving the demonic warriors disoriented.
Having participated in the Shaanxi Bloodshed and slain many of Shaanxi’s masters, Mallyeongno was well aware of the average martial prowess of Hwasan’s first-generation disciples. Yet, the martial prowess they displayed now was entirely different from what he remembered.
He wasn’t the only one who noticed this change. The old demonic warrior elders watching the situation alongside him spoke up.
"The first-generation disciples’ swords have grown even sharper."
"I heard the Hwasan Sect created new martial arts."
When everyone’s gaze turned toward the first-generation disciples, an old demonic warrior head who had been looking elsewhere, spoke.
"It’s not just the first-generation disciples. Look at the second-generation ones too."
The other old demonic warrior heads nodded in agreement.
During the Shaanxi Bloodshed, the second-generation disciples had not been combat-ready. Even during the Hwasan Sect’s assault, they had been of no help. Yet now, the second-generation disciples were cutting down demonic warriors with sharpness rivaling the first-generation disciples.
More surprising than their martial arts was their composure in the face of the demonic warriors’ blatant killing intent and demonic energy, allowing them to display their full strength. This implied they were either brimming with real combat experience or had trained accordingly. Who could have molded these young second-generation disciples into such warriors?
‘Did the first-generation disciples teach them?’
Mallyeongno and the old demonic warrior heads were inwardly flustered as they watched the Hwasan Sect display strength beyond their expectations.
"Especially those ones—the ones in white robes embroidered with plum blossoms. Demonic warriors are just dying around them."
On this battlefield, the Hwasan Sect held a clear advantage. Much of this was due to the Plum Blossom Swordsmen at the forefront, establishing the battle lines and setting the momentum.
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen seized the initiative, and the ordinary disciples solidly backed them up.
"It seems we’ll have to step in soon."
"Agreed. Let’s go."
A few old demonic warriors who had been conversing among themselves lunged forward. But not long after, the waist of the leading old demonic warrior's head was cleanly split in half.
Baek Soon, who had slain the old demonic warrior head with a single horizontal slash, glared at the remaining ones with wide, furious eyes.
"If you’re old, shouldn’t you find opponents suited to your age?"
"Plum Blossom Sword Master…"
An old demonic warrior head who recognized Baek Soon uttered his epithet in a suppressed voice.
Baek Soon wasn’t alone. Behind him, the elders who had been waiting followed. Even Baek San, the head of the Finance Pavilion, who would usually be calculating abacus beads, and Baek Jin, the head of the Medical Pavilion, who would normally be holding herbs and acupuncture needles, now held Plum Blossom Swords.
"Thanks to you bastards burning our pavilions last time, the Hwasan Sect had to tighten its belt. Today, we’ll collect the debt with interest."
"How dare you try to harm our disciples again! If we kill all of you, the Medicine Pavilion won’t have to be busy!"
The Hwasan elders’ momentum, though composed, exuded a weight that pressed down on the atmosphere. Though managing and operating the sect left them feeling as though even twelve hours a day weren’t enough, not once had they neglected their sword training.
Chwaak!
Though their refined killing intent flowed freely, the Plum Blossom Swords they swung radiated profound mystery. Even though the elders were not displaying the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Techniques but the Three Great Plum Blossom Sword Techniques, they completely overwhelmed the old demonic warrior heads.
"Kuhuk!"
"Damn old bastards!"
While the first and second-generation disciples showcased the Hwasan Sect’s new potential with the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Techniques, the elders, wielding the Three Great Plum Blossom Sword Techniques—Three Tombs, Seven Severings, and Exquisite—displayed the deep-rooted strength the Hwasan Sect had accumulated over long years.
Kwaaang!
Amid the clash between the elders and the old demonic warrior heads, Baek Yu crossed the battlefield as if taking a stroll. His cold eyes locked onto Mallyeongno, who was also observing the battlefield and reading the flow of battle.
"You came to attack Hwasan while Mu Hwi is absent, but the situation seems quite different from what you expected."
Struck at the core, Mallyeongno merely stroked his beard for a moment.
"Did you think Hwasan only had the Sword Saint? Hwasan has countless plum blossoms—the Hwasan Sword Saint is merely one among them."
Even as the sounds of clashing metal, screams, and explosions filled the air, Baek Yu’s low voice rang out clearly.
As Baek Yu slowly gripped his sword, violet energy bloomed from his shoulders. He had been training in the Purple Sunset Divine Technique through the secret manual created by Mu Hwi. Though the violet energy did not extend as long as Mu Hwi’s robe-like aura, it distinctly manifested around his shoulders.
"You’ve greatly underestimated the Hwasan Sect."
The moment he spoke, Baek Yu closed the distance in an instant and thrust his sword. Mallyeongno blocked with his dual palms wrapped in demonic energy. The intense shock transmitted through his palms deepened the wrinkles on his face.
"Haha! Good! This level is needed to die enjoyably! It won’t be boring!"
"How laughable."
Mallyeongno burst into mad laughter, but his hands trembled as dozens of palm shadows materialized in a single breath, attempting to overwhelm Baek Yu. Yet Baek Yu’s sword was faster.
In an instant, he slashed high and low, then thrust seven times toward the midsection, shattering all of Mallyeongno’s palm shadows. Baek Yu’s sleeves did not stop moving even then.
A cluster of purple plum blossoms scattered, dispersing demonic energy and spreading the fragrance of plum blossoms. Before Baek Yu’s plum blossoms, Mallyeongno’s Demonic Reflection Palm Technique fell silent.
‘So easily!’
Was this the power of an orthodox sect’s leader?
Mallyeongno was shocked as his Demonic Reflection Palm Technique lost all momentum before Baek Yu’s sword.
Puhak!
After barely ten exchanges, Mallyeongno’s right arm fell uselessly to the ground. As blood gushed from his cleanly severed shoulder, he staggered but let out a furious roar.
"Activate the Exploding Demonic Technique and clear a path! The Sword Devil’s memorial tablets must be burned!"
Baek Yu’s eyebrows twitched at those words.
The Exploding Demonic Technique was a common demonic technique that any demonic warrior could learn.
By accelerating reverse-flowing demonic energy and stimulating the dantian, it detonated accumulated demonic energy in an instant, turning the body into a living bomb.
The released demonic energy became a storm that swept the surroundings, and the flesh and bones of the warrior became shrapnel-like fragments of dark energy.
During the Shaanxi Bloodshed, demonic warriors had frequently used this technique to take down powerful opponents through suicide attacks or compensate for their lack of martial prowess.
"Aim for the heart and dantian! Disciples, prioritize these two points to prevent them from even initiating the Exploding Demonic Technique!"
Hearing Mallyeongno’s order, Hyeon Baek immediately shouted to warn the second-generation disciples who were unaware of the countermeasures.
Just as the demonic warriors on the frontlines, locked in battle with the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, attempted to activate the Exploding Demonic Technique—
Sswaeaeak!
A sharp sound pierced the air as the head of a demonic warrior gathering demonic energy around its body exploded like a watermelon.
Kwaang!
Embedded in the ground after piercing the demon’s head was a single sword. Recognizing it, Hyeon Baek’s eyes narrowed.
"A Plum Blossom Sword?"
As Hyeon Baek muttered, the piercing sounds tearing through the air did not stop.
Sswaek!
Kwakakang!
One after another, Plum Blossom Swords pierced the hearts or dantians of demonic warriors attempting to activate the Exploding Demonic Technique, embedding themselves in the ground. The speed and internal energy infused in the swords were so immense that each piercing sound left gaping holes in the demonic warriors’ bodies.
The spectacle of Plum Blossom Swords raining down like javelins and killing the demonic warriors left not only the demonic warriors but even the Hwasan disciples in shock.
Kwaaang!
When the last Plum Blossom Sword killed a demonic warrior and embedded itself in the ground, a total of twenty-one swords formed a straight line, drawing a boundary between the demonic warriors and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
Then, My Hwi, who had thrown the swords from afar to shatter the demonic warriors, appeared atop the mountain gate.
"Plum Blossom Swordsmen, take up your swords."
At Mu Hwi’s words, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen on the frontlines realized that the thrown swords were newly forged Hancheol Plum Blossom Swords.
Hyeon Baek was the first to sheathe his bloodied sword and reach for one of the Hancheol swords embedded in the ground. The other swordsmen followed suit.
Even though they were sheathing their swords mid-battle with enemies before them, the demonic warriors could not exploit this opening.
Because the moment My Hwi’s voice resounded, the tranquil energy of the Purple Sunset Divine Technique enveloped the demonic warriors.
Since Mu Hwi’s appearance, the demonic warriors had felt the very air of Hwasan change.
Though they had ascended the mountain prepared to die, the demonic warriors now trembled and broke out in cold sweat under Mu Hwi’s pressure.
Sreung!
The Hancheol Plum Blossom Swords drawn by Hyeon Baek and the other swordsmen gleamed so brightly they appeared almost transparent, like ice. Had Mu Hwi’s Sim-myeong Sword not been made from the horn of the Horned Fire Python, it might have shone the same way.
The radiant sword light emitted by the twenty-one Hancheol Plum Blossom Swords momentarily thinned even the demonic energy swirling around them.
Sreung!
The Hwasan Three Flowers appeared behind the demonic warriors, having crossed the mountain gate. Mujin, Mu-cheol, and Mu-hwa each drew their own Hancheol Plum Blossom Swords, bringing the total to twenty-four.
As the Plum Blossom Swordsmen gathered in one place, Mu Hwi, as their leader, issued his command.
"Hwasan has no fear of demonic energy. Kill them all."
< Did you think Hwasan only had a Sword Saint? > End.
< Let us await the Sect Leader’s judgment.>