136
Chapter 136: I'll give you a stern lesson.
The Sword Immortal's sword fingers, formed by joining the middle and index fingers, and raised upright.
From those sword fingers, instead of taking the clear shape of a weapon like Sima Gang's, only a gentle swirl of black and white light arose. As if breaking the preconception that it must manifest as a tangible weapon.
"Just like last time, you’ll gain as much as you can perceive."
Mu Hwi, observing the intertwining trails of black and white light swirling around the Sword Immortal's sword fingers, was reminded of the Taiji.
'Did he embed the principles of the Taiji Sword Wisdom into his Formless Sword? Or perhaps the Sword Immortal's will to embody the Taiji itself was reflected.'
As Mu Hwi took in the Sword Immortal's Formless Sword, he raised Sim-myeong Sword upright in a middle stance.
Since the Sword Immortal had presented a move, Mu Hwi naturally responded with his best opening technique, Fragrant Blossoms Unmoved by Wind. The final technique of the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Technique was still beyond his current ability to execute perfectly.
The junior disciples witnessing Fragrant Blossoms Unmoved by Wind for the first time were startled. Sim-myeong Sword, held in the middle stance, remained utterly still, yet countless purple streaks suddenly traced through the air around it.
Centered on the unmoving sword, a forest of plum blossoms seemed to sprout in abundance.
Dozens of sword shadows branched out like tree limbs in all directions, scattering petals of violet sword energy in their wake. Where the sword shadows and petals gathered, plum blossoms with five petals bloomed, releasing a sword-scented fragrance.
Hundreds of transformations in a single breath.
All the martial principles and techniques of the Hwasan Sect were condensed into that single moment.
To the eyes of the lower-skilled junior disciples, the Sim-myeong Sword appeared completely motionless. Only a few, like Seong Hwi or Mujin, with higher cultivation, could barely perceive the minute vibrations of the sword.
"It’s like compressing an entire spring into a single moment."
Only the Sword Immortal could fully comprehend Fragrant Blossoms Unmoved by Wind. Enjoying the plum blossom fragrance now filling the Small Righteous Assembly training grounds, he observed the blooming purple blossoms around him.
The plum blossoms were vivid, as if freshly plucked from Hwasan. Their vitality was so palpable, it was hard to believe they were conjured by a sword.
"You’ve already awakened something within yourself."
No matter how refined and delicate sword techniques may be, could a sword-summoned plum blossom truly contain such vitality?
The blossoms brimming with life before him were proof that Mu Hwi had begun to faintly imbue his sword with his will.
With a pleased expression, the Sword Immortal slowly raised his right hand, still in sword-finger form.
As the black and white light at the tip of his fingers flickered brightly, Mu Hwi’s eyes widened mid-execution of Fragrant Blossoms Unmoved by Wind.
A massive Taiji symbol had silently formed in the air.
Even Mu Hwi’s Fragrant Blossoms Unmoved by Wind was now divided into Yin and Yang by the Taiji’s flow, rotating in harmony.
Plum blossoms bloom only to wither someday.
Under the slow rotation of the Taiji, the blossoms one by one faded, and the scattered petals dissolved into the symbol.
No violent shockwaves or explosions typical of clashes between masters occurred. Fragrant Blossoms Unmoved by Wind simply intertwined with the Sword Immortal’s Formless Sword and vanished, as if following nature’s course.
Only a spring breeze drifted gently by.
"To refine a blunt will into sharpness, intense contemplation is necessary. But at the end of that process, even that contemplation must dissolve into the will it forged, achieving a pure and complete form—No-Self, Total Devotion. Only then can one reach the Heart Sword."
As the Sword Immortal relaxed his fingers and lowered his hand, the Taiji in the air dispersed like snow melting in sunlight.
Mu Hwi, feeling the spring breeze rustle his bangs, watched as Fragrant Blossoms Unmoved by Wind and the Taiji merged and faded together.
The Sword Immortal had shown him a path beyond the Formless Sword—toward the Heart Sword. Initially, he had only intended to demonstrate the Formless Sword, but seeing the Fragrant Blossoms Unmoved by Wind changed his mind.
He was certain that even this brief insight would one day be fully grasped by Mu Hwi.
Mu Hwi placed the Sim-myeong Sword across his crossed knees and sank into meditation. The Sword Immortal watched him warmly, hands clasped behind his back.
The other junior disciples could only swallow hard at the serene scene. They had expected a clash between two renowned masters to shake heaven and earth, and had even prepared their internal energy in anticipation.
Yet this peaceful conclusion left them with much to ponder.
'Can what we just witnessed even be called martial arts?'
'So this is what they mean by transcendent mastery, the absolute pinnacle.'
The harmony displayed by the Sword Immortal and Sword Saint seemed impossible to replicate, even with a lifetime of training.
"A bit disappointing. I thought we’d finally see the Senior Disciple take a beating. At this rate, I might never see it in my lifetime."
At Mu-hwa’s whisper, the other disciples didn’t respond, but they all nodded slightly.
The Small Righteous Assembly juniors felt the same.
During Mu Hwi’s stay, he had put them through far harsher training than they’d ever experienced on Hwasan. He showed no leniency to juniors from other sects, and resentment had begun to simmer even in their eyes.
'It really is a shame. I thought the Association Leader would finally get his comeuppance this time.'
'Seeing him always with that demonic expression makes me wonder—can the Sword Saint even make a pained face?'
After being relentlessly drilled by Mu Hwi, one couldn’t help but wonder: what expression and words would he make if he were the one being overwhelmed by a stronger master?
"Hahaha!"
The Sword Immortal burst into laughter upon hearing Mu-hwa’s whisper. Realizing she’d been overheard, Mu-hwa’s face flushed slightly.
"So Mu Hwi’s been rough with the juniors, has he? I’ll give him a stern lesson."
"No, Elder Sword Immortal. Not too stern, please."
Mujin, listening nearby, quietly bowed his head and massaged his temples.
"Mu-hwa..."
The Sword Immortal chuckled again at Mu-hwa’s boldness, then turned his gaze to the assembled Small Righteous Assembly juniors.
'Small Righteous Assembly. A gathering for chivalry, was it?'
Junior-led associations were common, many claiming lofty goals of justice and cooperation. But most were hollow, their ideals tarnished by discrimination between major and minor sects.
Yet according to Kang Ho-baek, the Small Righteous Assembly’s juniors truly acted as one, aligned with their purpose. To the Sword Immortal, they were admirable.
"I’ll help ensure Mu Hwi torments you less. Step forward, child. Others may follow in turn."
With that, the Sword Immortal channeled his internal energy to erect a barrier around Mu Hwi, ensuring his meditation remained undisturbed.
The juniors brightened at the prospect of direct instruction. Meanwhile, Mu-hwa immediately took a stance before the Sword Immortal, who marveled at her footwork.
"Quite swift. Let’s see what you’ve got."
"Yes! Please guide me, Elder Sword Immortal."
The Sword Immortal smiled at Mu-hwa’s fearless advance and gently flicked his sleeve.
For juniors walking the righteous path, he would impart all he could.
Like the Yangtze’s waves, each surge pushing the next forward—such was the natural flow, the Taiji itself.
***
Nanchang, Jiangxi Province
A region of distinct seasons, where warm spring days often brought heavy rain.
Even now, thick raindrops poured as the group headed toward the Martial Alliance’s Nanchang branch. Mu Hwi and his companions tightened their rain cloaks.
Behind Mu Hwi trailed not only the Plum Blossom Swordsmen but also Small Righteous Assembly’s juniors, led by Seong Hwi as captain and Zhuge Myung as vice-captain—the newly formed Small Righteous Unit.
This trip marked the unit’s first official deployment. The Martial Alliance had deemed them ready, having balanced training and missions to build their strength.
"Your arrival is most welcome. We’ve received word. Please, come inside."
The branch leader personally guided the Plum Blossom Swordsmen and Small Righteous Unit through the downpour.
"With the Plum Blossom Swordsmen and Small Righteous Unit here, we can breathe easier. Given the circumstances, reinforcements are hard to come by. The situation elsewhere is too dire—the Martial Alliance is stretched thin."
Mu Hwi nodded. "On our way here, three other units were dispatched to Guizhou."
Hunan remained embroiled in clashes between three sects, and the Black Night Palace was far from idle.
Reports of the palace’s forces moving north toward Guizhou’s borders had prompted the Martial Alliance to deploy troops preemptively. With the palace’s movements unpredictable, readiness was key.
Though full-scale war hadn’t erupted, the martial arts world teetered on a knife’s edge.
"They’re waiting inside."
As soon as Mu Hwi entered the meeting hall, a pungent odor struck his nose. A dozen beggars sat inside, each with multiple knots on their waist sashes—the lowest-ranking among them bore five.
These were no ordinary beggars but branch leaders and elders of the Beggar Sect. They rose in unison to greet Mu Hwi.
"We greet the Hwasan Sword Saint."
Though Mu Hwi’s seniority paled next to theirs, they treated him not as a Hwasan disciple but as the sect’s foremost swordsman—a peerless master of the orthodox path.
"I am Mu Hwi, the Hwasan Sword Saint. I greet the heroes of the Beggar Sect."
The beggars’ faces were grim, whether branch leaders or elders. Having heard the situation en route, Mu Hwi addressed a seven-knot elder.
"What of the Kanglong Tagou Bang (Overbearing Dragon Beating Stick)?"
The Overbearing Dragon Beating Stick was no ordinary staff. While the Beating Stick symbolized the Beggar Sect, the Overbearing Dragon variant was the Sect Leader’s emblem. Plain in appearance, it concealed the secrets of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms and Eight Dog Beating Techniques—a martial manual in itself.
"Three days ago, a fourth-knot disciple reported recovering it. But contact was lost within hours."
"I see."
"Since then, its location keeps changing. Bloody battles erupt wherever it surfaces."
The elder sighed weakly.
"The Sect Leader’s body remains missing. His last message pointed to Okhwasan, but we can’t approach it."
Another elder, his right arm severed below the elbow and bandaged, spoke grimly, "We clashed with the Wolf King of the Langya League. Five elders died, and I lost my arm."
The Langya League, a sect of rogues and the largest of the Seven Evil Heavens, had ventured north to Okhwasan amid the chaos.
"The Wolf King holds a grudge against our late leader. He’ll stop at nothing to claim the staff—or the body."
The branch leader added wearily, "The league’s rogues, along with unorthodox warriors seeking the staff, are gathering uncontrollably."
"We must recover both swiftly."
"We’re ashamed to burden the Martial Alliance during this turmoil."
Mu Hwi shook his head. "Wind King died tracking the league. Assisting is only right. The Beggar Sect, too, prioritizes the martial arts world’s stability—hence your limited presence here."
The beggars’ expressions softened slightly. "Your words ease our hearts."
"Thank you, Hwasan Sword Saint."
Just then, the door opened silently.
A masked man—Munyeong.
Though lighthearted among Hwasan disciples, his aura turned icy around outsiders.
Given the relationship of the Martial Alliance with the Thousand Killer Chosen Sect, none barred his entry. He addressed Mu Hwi,
"The Overbearing Dragon Beating Stick’s location has been confirmed."