128
Chapter 128
Kkaang!
With a sharp metallic clang, the iron chain shattered into dozens of pieces. Mu-hwa’s cold, refined gaze locked onto the Black Dragon, whose stance faltered as she closed in.
"How dare you?!"
The Black Dragon’s face flushed red as seven deadly sword strikes simultaneously targeted the vital points on his upper body, forcing him into helpless retreat. Kang Tae-hyeok, who had been quietly observing, shook his head lightly.
"Upon returning to the main palace, we will select a new Young Leader."
"Understood."
Paewangseong was not a place where one could comfortably hold a position once obtained. Kang Tae-hyeok had judged that the Black Dragon was unworthy of the title.
In any case, there were plenty of candidates vying for the position of Young Leader, so it wasn’t an issue.
‘The problem is that my standards have risen after seeing him.’
Kang Tae-hyeok glanced briefly at Mu Hwi before turning his gaze back to the chaotic battle unfolding before him.
Just as Mu-cheol had defeated the Poison Dragon, Mu-hwa had now crushed the Black Dragon.
In comparison, Mujin was only facing a group of lesser demonic warriors, but his martial prowess still stood out compared to the Baekri Sang and Xian Yun, who fought shoulder-to-shoulder with him.
"I thought the Hwasan Four Flowers were just side characters without the Sword Saint, but it seems I was wrong. The other orthodox late-stage foundation level disciples are the same—their martial arts are stronger than reported."
For the Emperor's Guard Commander to say this was an acknowledgment of the Hwasan Four Flowers’ skill. Yet, a faint killing intent seeped into his voice.
The Emperor Guard was the strongest of the Paewangseong’s Seven Great Units, having eliminated countless obstacles to the Paewangseong’s ambitions.
Seeing the orthodox late-stage foundation level disciples display such exceptional skill, it was only natural to consider uprooting them before they could stand in the Paewangseong’s way.
"Hmm."
Kang Tae-hyeok smirked faintly at the Emperor Guard Commander’s words, watching the orthodox late-stage foundation level disciples dominate even amidst the chaotic melee.
Kwaang!
Seong Hwi sword trembled violently as he deflected attacks from Black Night Palace demonic warriors targeting his shoulders, knees, and waist.
The South Sea Breaking Sword, writhing like a living thing from high to low, soon unleashed a massive wave of sword energy.
Swoosh!
Seong Hwi swept through the demonic warriors with unmatched skill, while the Poison Dragon and the Black Dragon, who had been attacking from the sides, were repelled by Mu-cheol and Mu-hwa, breaking the momentum of the Paewangseong and the Sacheon Alliance.
Yet, the Black Night Palace’s demonic warriors still brandished their weapons with ferocious eyes. Despite their relentless bloodlust, the orthodox late-stage foundation level disciples didn’t flinch.
"Everyone, be careful. The Black Night Palace’s aggression has intensified."
"Hmph. Even so, it’s nothing compared to our forces together."
At Xian Yun’s warning, Peng Ho-yeon swung his sword, infused with thunderous energy, with bold confidence.
The late-stage foundation level disciples of the Small Righteous Assembly had honed their skills together while also volunteering for Martial Alliance missions to accumulate real combat experience.
They were not delicate flowers raised under warm sunlight—they were saplings capable of weathering storms and growing into towering trees with deep roots.
‘They’re performing better than expected. Zhuge Myung’s leadership plays a part, but everyone is displaying their full potential. Their growth since the Heavenly Dragon Competition wasn’t an exaggeration.’
Mu Hwi, who had been quietly assessing the battle, uncrossed his arms in satisfaction.
The orthodox late-stage foundation level disciples stood out so much that they became the focal point of the three sects’ concentrated attacks. Yet, they still brimmed with energy. Even as targets, they fought relentlessly, showcasing their martial prowess.
Xian Yun, weaving through enemies with his Soaring Cloud Hidden Steps, fluttered his sleeves wildly.
His movements were fierce and unrestrained, yet between each strike, the soft touch unique to Wudang’s techniques could be felt.
Thus, the overall flow was a coexistence of gentleness and ferocity.
Pa-pa-bang!
With every move Xian Yun executed, multiple strikes overlapped—a sign of Wudang’s Tenfold Brocade Palm, a technique capable of unleashing ten strikes at once when mastered.
Kwa-reung!
Peng Ho-yeon exploited the opening Xian Yun created, unleashing the thunderous force of the Primordial Thunder Sword Technique to widen the gap. Through it, Mujin and the Baekri Sang charged forward.
"I heard your grandfather lost an arm to the Hwasan Sword Saint. Yet here you are, fighting alongside Hwasan disciples. How tolerant of you. Is this the magnanimity of the orthodox sects?"
At the Sacheon Alliance late-stage foundation level disciple’s taunt, the Baekri Sang responded with a cold smile.
The Sword King’s news had been met with silence from the Baekri Family.
Because the Sword King had wished for it, and the Baekri Family had accepted it.
The Baekri Sang recalled the words from his grandfather’s letter to the Martial Alliance:
—I’m sorry. This old man was foolish.
The letter contained only self-reproach, gratitude toward Mu Hwi, and regret toward himself.
"What do you know? Disgusting."
A gentle force flowed into the sword in Baekri Sang’s hand. Though the start was soft, the sword strike that followed was anything but.
Kkeo-eong!
The sword art he displayed was not the Sword King’s Heavenly Wing Sword Technique—it was the Baekri Family’s Hundred Selection Sword Technique.
A sword that proved he had found his path again, thanks to Mu Hwi’s advice, his own choice, and his grandfather’s letter.
Baekri Sang effortlessly defeated the mocking Sacheon Alliance late-stage foundation level disciple and chased after Mujin, who was advancing ahead.
"Now! Disciple Mujin! Hold the front!"
Responding swiftly to Zhuge Myung’s real-time commands, the late-stage foundation level disciples perfectly countered the enemies surging from all sides.
Chwa-ja-jak!
Blades rained down toward Mujin as he shot forward, but they only sliced through empty air.
None of the demonic warriors could match Mujin’s speed as he executed the Dark Scent Flutter. Like his movements, the Plum Blossom Sword extended freely through the void.
‘I’ll finish this in one go. I can’t lose to my juniors.’
A violet sword aura, infused with the Purple Sunset Mind Technique’s internal energy, cleanly erased the rising demonic energy. In the cleared space, a dense web of sword strikes crisscrossed like falling petals.
Falling Plum Blossoms in Profusion (落梅紛紛).
The fluttering sword-energy petals left sharp cuts on the demonic warriors’ bodies, their dazzling brilliance on full display.
"Guhk!"
"What kind of bastard has this many petals?!"
The thick plum blossom fragrance emanating from Mujin, Mu-cheol, and Mu-hwa’s swords subtly overpowered the valley’s bloody stench, claiming its place.
The Black Night Palace Lord’s eyes curved as he inhaled the plum blossom scent blooming in the heart of his domain.
"They make the other late-stage foundation level disciples seem insignificant."
Though the battle had turned into a three-way assault on the Martial Alliance, the orthodox late-stage foundation level disciples thoroughly crushed every offensive thrown at them.
"Keuk!"
A demonic warrior, struck in the solar plexus by Seong Hwi kick, collapsed with a short groan, bending at the waist.
Soon, only the orthodox late-stage foundation level disciples remained standing at the center of the valley. Though breathing heavily, they stood tall, meeting the gazes fixed upon them.
Amidst it all, Seong Hwi walked forward, picked up a wooden box lying on the ground, and silently raised his head to stare at the Black Night Palace Lord.
"As expected of the young, your vigor shines in battle. Yet, not a single life was lost. In such chaos, deaths are inevitable. Did you hold back even in this situation?"
The Palace Lord’s eyes lingered on the late-stage foundation level disciples writhing in pain on the ground.
"Were you that confident, or do you simply refuse unnecessary killing? The orthodox sects’ future is bright indeed. Isn’t that right, Paewangseong Lord? Sacheon Alliance Leader?"
No one answered, but the Palace Lord chuckled to himself.
Kang Ho-baek, watching the Palace Lord’s pointless provocations, fiddled with the tip of his bamboo hat.
‘This man is up to something.’
***
After the late-stage foundation level disciples’ chaotic battle, the bloodstains were scattered across the valley’s central platform. There were no deaths, but injuries overflowed.
Once the situation had settled, the Black Night Palace Lord called out to Mu Hwi, who had been sitting quietly.
"Hwasan Sword Saint, are you ready?"
When Mu Hwi nodded, the Palace Lord turned slightly and spoke toward the darkness shrouding the passage behind him.
"Who will step forward?"
"Palace Lord, with your permission, I will go."
At the heavy voice from the darkness, the Palace Lord nodded.
"Then let the Left Guardian take the stage."
"By your command."
A massive figure shot from the darkness, arcing through the air before landing heavily on the central platform.
Kwaaang!
The Left Guardian’s dramatic entrance. Given his skill, he could have landed silently, but he seemed to have done it on purpose.
Drawing the great sword from his back and slamming it into the ground, he roared.
"Come down! Hwasan Sword Saint! I’ll teach you some manners!"
At the challenge, Mu Hwi curled his lips and leaped forward. Unlike the Left Guardian’s rough, boulder-like descent, Mu Hwi’s movement through the air was as light as a butterfly.
Landing softly with the Dark Scent Flutter, Mu Hwi adjusted his fluttering plum blossom robes and stared at the Left Guardian.
"You think you can correct what no one else could?"
The Left Guardian bared a bloodthirsty grin at Mu Hwi’s sneer. Gripping his great sword tightly, he shouted,
"Palace Lord, may I kill this insolent bastard?"
"That won’t be necessary. This is, after all, a celebration of our palace’s founding. Hold back a little."
"By your command!"
Mu Hwi scoffed at the exchange, raising one corner of his mouth.
"Vermin."
At the same time, the Left Guardian’s aura surged toward Mu Hwi.
Zzzreok!
The auras of two Transcendent Realm masters collided.
The air trembled, and dust and pebbles shuddered under the force.
Materialized demonic energy surged in black currents, while the purple sunset behind Mu Hwi spread, devouring the encroaching darkness.
Each clash of their auras sent out concentric shockwaves, so intense that some onlookers coughed up blood just from the aftershocks.
The orthodox late-stage foundation level disciples, shielded by Kang Ho-baek’s dispersed energy, remained unharmed as they watched Mu Hwi’s back.
The two masters gauged each other’s strength through their auras.
‘So he’s also in the Transcendent Realm. That means the Right Guardian must be one too. Damn demonic bastards. Just how deep does their hidden strength go?’
Mu Hwi’s eyes cooled as he assessed the Left Guardian’s aura.
One thing was certain—the Black Night Palace’s combat power was not inferior to any of the three sects present.
Boom!
The Left Guardian struck first.
Planting his stance, he raised his great sword and brought it down vertically, aiming to split Mu Hwi in half. But by then, Mu Hwi’s sleeve was already fluttering.
A spinning Plum Blossom Scattering Hands brushed lightly against the blade’s side like lightning, redirecting its force. It wasn’t enough to dissipate the power entirely, but it was sufficient to alter its course.
The blade veered slightly left. The Left Guardian’s wrist twisted in response.
Sswaang!
The great sword flipped instantly, surging upward to target Mu Hwi’s waist—but the moment its trajectory changed, Mu Hwi flipped midair in the opposite direction.
As the blade and Mu Hwi spun simultaneously, Mu Hwi stepped onto the flat of the sword. Then, his figure shot forward.
The Sim-myeong Sword, now drawn, emitted violet light as it cleaved through the demonic energy in its path. The straight thrust trembled briefly before transforming into a flurry of plum blossoms.
The Left Guardian’s eyes widened as the sword strike rose to his face.
The step Mu Hwi had taken on the great sword carried explosive internal energy, erupting from his Yongcheon Point. The recoil violently shook the blade, forcing the Left Guardian to counter with a left fist instead of moving his sword.
‘I lost the first exchange.’
Sword and fist crossed in midair.
Like a flash of light, Mu Hwi brushed past the Left Guardian, his plum blossom robes fluttering behind him.
Zzzreok!
The Left Guardian instantly crushed the single blooming plum blossom—Plum Blossom by the Roadside (梅花路傍)—but his left hand was now drenched in blood.
In that brief, unconventional exchange, the Left Guardian realized he had been outmaneuvered.
‘To lose a hand so easily…’
Unlike Mu Hwi, who stood relaxed and unharmed, the Left Guardian’s left hand bore a deep gash, bone visible beneath.
Mu Hwi turned slowly, smiling at the Left Guardian.
"Are you sure you want me to hold back?"
< Are you sure you want me to hold back? > End
< It seems they have no intention of leaving peacefully. >