138
Chapter 138: I’ll Hang You the Same Way.
Unnoticed, Munyeong had followed Mu Hwi and his group, who remained at Okhwasan. Since the assassins of the Thousand Killer Chosen Sect had already spread stealthily across Jangsu, combining their intelligence with that of the Beggar Sect would allow for swift information gathering.
"Senior Disciple. It seems your prediction was correct."
"The Wind King passed away while tracking the Hui, and if the Hangnyong Tagubong suddenly reappears, it’s almost certainly their doing."
"The way the Hangnyong Tagubong passed through multiple hands also supports this. If you reverse-calculate the timeline and locations, it’s unnatural—likely the result of the Hui’s covert manipulations. All to escalate the situation as it is now."
At Munyeong’s words, Mu Hwi twisted the corner of his mouth.
"A perfect opportunity to simultaneously weaken the forces of the political sects."
"From what I can see, the Sacheon Alliance seems to have noticed some form of interference. Yet they’re still pushing to escalate things."
"From Sacheon Alliance’s perspective, whether it’s the orthodox sects or the Hui, they’re just enemies with different appearances. They probably see this as a chance to gain some advantage."
After joining forces with the Small Righteous Assembly Unit and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, they encountered no enemies on the way, allowing them to arrive quickly. Upon reaching the vicinity of Okhwasan, Mu Hwi understood why the usually bustling mercenaries and rogue martial artists had disappeared.
Three tattered flags fluttered atop long bamboo poles instead of proper banners. Though no words were written on them, the colorful rags immediately brought something to mind for those in the martial arts world.
Before them stood countless Beggar Sect beggars, each holding a Tagubong, staring at Mu Hwi.
"Hero Mu Hwi!"
Mu Hwi quickly recognized the middle-aged beggar running toward him from the Beggar Sect crowd.
"You’ve come all the way from the Alliance."
"The situation demanded it."
So Jin-gae forced a bitter smile. He was the beggar who had provided information about the Bloodshed Clan when Mu Hwi first ventured into the martial arts world with his disciples. So Jin-gae looked Mu Hwi up and down with an emotional expression.
"When we first met, you were a rising star, new to the martial arts world. Now you’re called the Hwasan Sword Saint. Truly remarkable. I’m grateful."
His voice trembled slightly as he spoke the last words, and his slightly reddened eyes performed a fist-and-palm salute toward Mu Hwi and the others. Mu Hwi returned the gesture.
Meanwhile, the Beggar Sect elders approached upon spotting Mu Hwi’s group. While Mu Hwi’s party had been dealing with the mercenaries eyeing the branch, the elders had gathered the scattered Beggar Sect beggars across Jangsu to secure the area around Okhwasan.
"Hwasan Sword Saint. You’ve arrived."
The beggars from the Namcheon branch greeted him and then turned their gaze to Okhwasan.
"Wolf King won’t reveal himself no matter how many of his mercenaries and rogue factions fall. In fact, he’d welcome such a situation—to force the Sword Saint to wield his sword and expend his energy even once more."
Mu Hwi nodded at the elder’s words. He had heard of Wolf King’s temperament. Even if all the mercenaries and rogue sects gathered at Okhwasan died, Wolf King would consider it a worthwhile trade if it meant cutting Mu Hwi down.
And that was indeed the case.
Exchanging hundreds of martial artists to kill one absolute master was a profitable deal.
"The beggars dispatched to Jangsu to recover the Hangnyong Tagubong and the Wind King’s body have gathered in one place. In numbers, we’re not inferior to the Langya League. You should head straight to the summit of Okhwasan."
The Beggar Sect elder, explaining the situation, raised his only remaining left arm in a fist-and-palm salute.
"Though we beggars of the Beggar Sect are lacking and cannot reclaim the Wind King’s body ourselves, we will pave the way. Hwasan Sword Saint. We leave the rest to you."
At this, the disorganized crowd of Beggar Sect beggars behind him saluted Mu Hwi and bowed their heads.
The sight of the beggars bowing in waves, like a tide rolling in, made the rising stars’ hearts tremble and their breath catch.
The desperation of the Beggar Sect beggars was palpable, and the weight of responsibility on Mu Hwi’s shoulders was felt indirectly. If all those people were to entrust themselves to him at once, the pressure would be overwhelming in its own way.
The Small Righteous Assembly Unit and the second-generation disciples watched Mu Hwi’s back, clad in the Plum Blossom Robe.
'Senior Disciple.'
'Leader of the Hui.'
But contrary to the rising stars’ and second-generation disciples’ worries, Mu Hwi responded firmly and without hesitation.
"No need to drag this out. Let’s finish it quickly."
The Beggar Sect beggars began to fill the path ahead of Mu Hwi’s group like an impenetrable wall. After moving toward Okhwasan for about 2 hours, the distant waves of people densely crowding the base of the mountain gradually came into view.
As expected from the intelligence of the Beggar Sect and Thousand Killer Chosen Sect, they had come on their own to reclaim the Hangnyong Tagubong, fully prepared and waiting for Mu Hwi’s group.
"Let’s go!"
"So many bastards to beat down ahead!"
The Beggar Sect beggars shouted as they picked up speed and charged forward. In response, the mercenaries and rogue martial artists surged forward like a swarm.
Just before the large-scale battle erupted, Mu Hwi called out to Seong Hwi, who was using mind conversation beside him.
"Hey, Leader of Small Righteous Assembly Unit."
"What is it?"
"A group battle like this is different from martial duels or clashes between armed forces. If you lose focus for even a moment, the entire Small Righteous Assembly Unit could be swept away by the tide of battle."
"You underestimate us too much. If we were just naive rising stars ignorant of the world, we wouldn’t have formed an armed force in the first place."
Mu Hwi smiled and nodded as he met Seong Hwi’s eyes. He had been worried they might be nervous before their first large-scale battle, but fortunately, Seong Hwi remained composed. Besides, with Zhuge Myung and the other disciples, as well as Woo Tae-gang, there wouldn’t be any major issues.
Seong Hwi hesitated for a moment as he watched Mu Hwi turn his head with a smile, then spoke in a slightly softer voice.
"Still, I’ll gratefully accept your advice. Watch us closely. I’ll make sure none of the sword sect lays a hand on you until you reach Wolf King."
Seong Hwi gathered his energy, as if preparing to unleash his inner strength immediately.
"Kill them!"
"Stinking beggars!"
"Then take a whiff of the Plum Blossom fragrance!"
As Mu-hwa reached for her Plum Blossom Sword, So Jin-gae beside her shook his head.
"Your temper hasn’t changed, Hero Mu-hwa. The Sword Saint aside, even the Plum Blossom Swordsmen should conserve their strength. There are seasoned old mercenaries with thick hides up the mountain."
So Jin-gae reassured Mu-hwa before charging toward the mercenaries.
"Clear the path for the Sword Saint!"
"Hold the line! If we stop these bastards, we can learn the Wind King’s martial arts!"
Finally, the two sides clashed at the base of Okhwasan.
The Langya League, mixed with rogue martial artists, boasted overwhelming numbers, but the Beggar Sect was never inferior in numbers to any sect in the world.
Though only a portion had come due to the chaotic state of the martial arts world, they weren’t outnumbered by much. Moreover, the Beggar Sect beggars’ eyes burned with even greater desperation than the greed-filled eyes of the mercenaries and rogue martial artists.
The despair and helplessness of being unable to reclaim their Sect Leader’s desecrated body, combined with their fury toward the Langya League and Wolf King, fueled their momentum like wildfire set to consume Okhwasan.
Thud!
Beggars skilled in the Flying Catkin Palm and Howling Dragon Strike charged bare-handed into the gaps between mercenaries, while those wielding Tagubong staffs launched themselves into the fray.
The simultaneous deployment of the Tagubong techniques from all directions was accompanied by the cacophony of skulls being shattered.
"Beat these dogs down without mercy!"
"Deploy the Tagubong Formation!"
"Show them what happens when you mess with the Beggar Sect!"
The Beggar Sect’s experts, with seven to five knots on their staffs, led the charge at the forefront. Among them was an elder who had lost an arm to Wolf King.
The Beggar Sect advanced unstoppably, breaking through like splitting bamboo, allowing the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, still surrounded by beggars, to keep their weapons sheathed.
"The Beggar Sect’s momentum is truly awe-inspiring."
"The Tagubong techniques deployed en masse are terrifying indeed."
Hyeon Baek and Hyeon Gak marveled as they watched the Beggar Sect’s fierce battle. Observing this, Mu Hwi quietly released a surge of energy.
Whoosh!
Like ripples in a pond, the energy waves of the Purple Sunset Divine Technique spread instantly across the battlefield, sweeping over the mercenaries and rogue martial artists.
The subtle yet pervasive energy of the Purple Sunset Divine Technique, like the Plum Blossom fragrance overpowering all other scents, disrupted the inner energy of the mercenaries and rogue martial artists.
"Guh!"
"Cough!"
Some mercenaries gasped roughly for air, while rogue martial artists, whose crude and reckless energy circulation was characteristic of their sect, coughed up blood as their energy reversed.
In that moment, the Beggar Sect beggars fighting at the front realized Mu Hwi had subtly aided them from behind.
"Hmph!"
"Pick up the pace!"
But the beggars didn’t look back at Mu Hwi. Instead, they urged each other forward, emboldened by his unseen presence, and swung their Tagubong staffs even more fiercely.
Crash!
The Beggar Sect elders defeated three Langya League officers blocking the path and secured the route up the mountainside.
"Hwasan Sword Saint!"
"We’ll hold the line to keep the others from interfering. We leave the rest to you."
"Understood. Then—"
The Small Righteous Assembly Unit and Beggar Sect beggars remained at the base, forming a long, encircling battle line with their Tagubong staffs raised. Behind them, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen raced up the mountain path.
The higher reaches of Okhwasan weren’t devoid of enemies.
In fact, as if expecting the lower path to be breached, various traps set by the mercenaries lay in wait.
Thud-thud-thud!
Arrows and hidden weapons rained down from between the trees. Mujin deflected them with his inner energy, swirling the sleeves of his Plum Blossom Robe, while Mu-cheol lightly fired palm strikes to knock them aside.
Ambushes targeting momentary lapses in focus were a given.
Suddenly, the ground collapsed, revealing pits with hidden weapons or boulders rolled down from the hills above.
But the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, as well as the Small Righteous Assembly Unit, were tempered by countless missions and training. While the terrain slowed them, mere traps couldn’t harm them.
Slash!
"Where do you think you’re going?"
Mercenaries who appeared intermittently were dismembered by Mu-hwa’s swift sword or Mu-cheol’s blade winds before they could even display their skills.
When they reached the midpoint of Okhwasan, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, who had been advancing under the cover of the Plum Blossom banners, finally halted.
Thirty-odd mercenaries guarded the path to the summit—handpicked elites of the Langya League. Among them, an elderly mercenary looked at the Plum Blossom Swordsmen and spoke.
"Wolf King ordered only the Sword Saint to ascend. The Plum Blossom Swordsmen will stay and play with us."
Ignoring the mercenary’s words, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen exuded fighting spirit.
"Plum Blossom Swordsmen Lord. What are your orders?"
At Hyeon Baek’s question, Mu Hwi nodded.
"I leave it to you."
As Hyeon Baek nodded and stepped back, the mercenaries parted to let Mu Hwi pass alone.
Once Mu Hwi disappeared up the path, the scattered mercenaries rose in unison.
"It’s an honor to cross blades with the famed Plum Blossom Swordsmen. Had we met under a Langya League commission, it would’ve been a top-tier request."
Hyeon Baek, scrutinizing the mercenaries, spoke.
"Are you the elders of the Saljinrang (Killing Wolves)?"
The Saljinrang—thirty mercenaries who survived countless battles alongside the Wolf King, representing the Langya League’s finest.
As the leader, the Great Wolf, nodded, Hyeon Baek quietly channeled sword energy into his Plum Blossom Sword.
"Today, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen will erase the name ‘Saljinrang’ from the martial arts world."
"Yes!"
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen answered in unison, drawing their swords. The Saljinrang’s eyes burned with violent killing intent.
***
Upon reaching the summit, Mu Hwi saw Wolf King, leaning against a rock, turn his head.
"You’ve come, brat. Wet your throat with this before we fight."
Wolf King, who had been waiting at the summit, tossed a liquor bottle toward Mu Hwi. But Mu Hwi lightly swatted it away with the back of his hand. Wolf King clicked his tongue.
"I was being considerate, letting you taste liquor before death. How petty."
"Petty? It’s obvious it was poisoned. You’re infamous for every underhanded trick in the book."
"Hoho. Most absolute masters are too proud to refuse such things. Ah, right. I mixed Hakjeonghong into the liquor. What a waste."
Wolf King naturally picked up the Hangnyong Tagubong, leaning against the rock, and stood. Then he walked toward a cloth-draped wooden structure.
"You came for the Hangnyong Tagubong and the old beggar’s corpse, didn’t you?"
Wolf King swung the Tagubong violently. The gust of wind it generated blew away the cloth covering the structure in an instant.
As the cloth flew off, revealing the wooden frame beneath, Mu Hwi’s brows sank.
Wind King’s corpse hung upside down from a thick tree trunk like a temple pillar. His tattered robes were shredded, revealing countless wounds.
Mu Hwi’s eyes naturally fell on the curved blade beneath the tree. Aside from the hollowed-out chest, the rest of the wounds seemed to have been inflicted by that blade.
"Old man. Did you do this?"
At Mu Hwi’s flat tone, Wolf King grinned and stroked his left eye.
"The Wind King took my eye. Since he died before paying the price, this is the least I could do."
Mu Hwi nodded.
"Even among rogue sects, there are men worthy of being called warriors. But far more are just dogs pretending to be human. Old man, you’re the latter."
Wolf King licked his lips and approached the tree, gazing at Wind King’s inverted corpse before gripping the curved blade embedded in the ground.
"I wanted to soak this blade in the Wind King’s blood, but since I couldn’t, I’ll have to settle for the Sword Saint’s."
As Wolf King licked the dark blood staining the blade, Mu Hwi’s lips curled.
"Old man. I’ve decided."
"Decided what?"
The Sim-myeong Sword at Mu Hwi’s waist gleamed with a dark light as it revealed itself.
"I’ll hang you the same way with that blade."
Wolf King’s wrinkles deepened as he realized Mu Hwi was referring to the Wind King.
Mu Hwi’s ominous aura swelled, causing his Plum Blossom Robe to flutter as it rose.