141
Chapter 141: As Desired
The Martial Alliance’s training grounds.
Though only two men stood in the vast training arena, the sheer presence they exuded filled the entire space.
A crimson blade, as if forged from living flame, and a black sword, sharp as if carved from the violet dusk of the night sky, clashed fiercely, their auras unrestrained.
KWAANG!
In an instant, the Sim-myeong Sword and the Red Demon Blade crossed over thirty times before simultaneously unleashing a powerful shockwave. Sparks flew as both men were forced back.
Mu Hwi, pushed back a step by the impact, adjusted his grip on the Sim-myeong Sword and slashed upward violently. Similarly retreating, the Sword Master flexed his still-youthful muscles and brought the Red Demon Blade down with all his might.
When the two weapons collided mid-air, a violent shockwave rippled through the training grounds, cracking the ground beneath them.
From a distance, the Iron Mountain Fist King watched the duel between Mu Hwi and the Sword Master, not missing a single moment of their movements—every subtle shift of their muscles—with deep satisfaction.
"Heh. A splendid sight indeed. The way the muscles of absolute masters move is truly a feast for the eyes."
Despite using only the bare minimum of internal energy to execute their techniques, the aftermath of the clash between the Sword Saint and the Sword Master was anything but ordinary. The Iron Mountain Fist King had to suppress the shockwaves from spreading further, lest they disrupt the surroundings.
SWISH—SHAAK!
The Sword Master’s Red Demon Blade shifted unpredictably, slicing through the air with sharp, piercing sounds. Mu Hwi’s pupils darted rapidly, struggling to keep up with the dizzying barrage of strikes.
'His blade transformations are no less than those of Hwasan.'
The Sword Master’s strikes were like lightning splitting the sky—unpredictable, branching in multiple directions, yet each carrying terrifying force. It was a stark contrast to the straightforward, overwhelming power of the Heaven-Splitting Thunder Blade.
In contrast, Mu Hwi’s swordsmanship was almost devoid of variation—steadfast, heavy, and simple. He countered the Sword Master’s strikes with solid, unyielding blows, as if trying to tame the storm with sheer force.
Strangely, the two masters’ movements were entirely different from their usual styles. The reason was simple: neither was using their signature techniques.
Instead of the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Technique, Mu Hwi wielded the Sword Devil’s techniques, particularly the Wave-Cutting Blade-Seeking Strike. Meanwhile, the Sword Master employed an incomplete martial art he had developed in his later years.
This was not a clash of their true skills but an exchange of newly devised techniques, each seeking to refine their flaws.
"Mu Hwi. Let’s pick up the pace."
"Understood."
As the two masters adjusted their breathing, the flow of their internal energy shifted. Their meridians glowed—Mu Hwi’s with the violet radiance of the Purple Sunset Divine Technique, the Sword Master’s with the crimson light of the Heaven-Splitting Thunder Divine Technique.
The red lightning coursing through the Sword Master’s body intensified, while the violet energy that had been swirling around Mu Hwi’s shoulders now extended down to his feet.
BOOM!
The moment the Sword Master stepped forward, an invisible net of energy pressed down on Mu Hwi, as if an unseen boulder had been placed on his shoulders—a crushing force strong enough to shatter bones.
'This is the Mountain King’s Dominance Stance of the Hebei Peng Clan.'
Simultaneously, five blade strikes, each aimed from a different angle, descended upon Mu Hwi.
Mu Hwi straightened his shoulders and bent his knees slightly deeper. His breathing grew long and steady as the Purple Sunset Divine Technique circulated through him. His muscles tensed, channeling power into the Sim-myeong Sword.
PAANG!
With a single vertical slash, the air itself split. The Sword Devil’s technique tore through the oppressive energy of the Mountain King’s Dominance Stance in one stroke.
Mu Hwi followed up with the Wave-Cutting Blade-Seeking Strike, deflecting the Sword Master’s attacks aimed at his collarbone, shoulder, dantian, flank, and knee before pressing forward. The Sword Master tried to initiate another move, but Mu Hwi preempted him, disrupting his rhythm.
As the Red Demon Blade dipped low, Mu Hwi stepped half a pace forward and angled the Sim-myeong Sword to block its swing.
CRACK!
Pushing the blade aside, Mu Hwi twisted his wrist to slash upward—only for the deflected Red Demon Blade to instantly return, knocking aside his strike and aiming for his knee instead.
'His blade flow is like a raging tide—push it back, and it returns with even greater force.'
Mu Hwi read the Sword Master’s patterns, exploiting gaps in his technique to press an unrelenting offense. Yet the Sword Master’s temperament and martial arts were not the kind to retreat. The two masters stepped forward in unison, exchanging a furious flurry of blows.
As Mu Hwi faced the Sword Master’s techniques, he absorbed every detail, refining his Wave-Cutting Blade-Seeking Strike with each encounter.
'The rough edges of my technique are gradually being polished.'
Sweat dripped from the Sword Master’s forehead as he swung the Red Demon Blade relentlessly. Despite parrying Mu Hwi’s strikes, he never relaxed—even a single mistake would cost him the momentum against Mu Hwi’s razor-sharp sword.
Yet the Sword Master grinned beneath his beard, swinging his blade with joy. Watching Mu Hwi’s techniques evolve in real-time was thrilling, and his own newly devised blade art was advancing just as rapidly.
KKAANG!
The Sim-myeong Sword and the Red Demon Blade clashed once more, sending out a metallic screech before both were flung back. After over three hundred exchanges, Mu Hwi and the Sword Master finally halted.
"Sword Master, you’ve worked hard."
"You as well."
Mu Hwi sheathed his sword and clasped his hands in respect, which the Sword Master returned with a nod.
The two made their way to where the Iron Mountain Fist King sat, wiping their sweat and quenching their thirst with wine.
"Well? Did this prove anything?"
"Yes. After witnessing countless blade techniques from the Martial Alliance’s swordsmen, experiencing yours has been invaluable."
Since settling matters in Jiangxi, Mu Hwi had engaged in endless sparring sessions with the Martial Alliance’s members—swordsmen, blademasters, spearmen, bare-handed fighters, and even those wielding exotic weapons. The opportunity to spar with the Sword Saint drew massive crowds daily, and even late into the night, the numbers never dwindled. This allowed Mu Hwi to experience a vast array of orthodox martial arts.
Combined with his past life’s exposure to unorthodox techniques, Mu Hwi had knowledge beyond the conventional eighteen weapons—sickles, fishing rods, soft swords, flexible blades, serrated knives, and narrow-edged swords. Few in the martial arts world could rival his breadth of experience.
Now, Mu Hwi sought to compile these insights into a new sword art, expanding the Sword Devil’s techniques with counters for every weapon. Though his new sword art differed in form, its essence remained the same—offense-oriented, relentless, forcing opponents into defense by exploiting every opening.
However, mastering such a style from the outset was unrealistic. Thus, Mu Hwi intended to embed weapon-specific counters into each technique, making it easier for future practitioners to learn.
To achieve this, sparring endlessly with the Martial Alliance’s members—and especially its absolute masters—was essential. These past few days had provided Mu Hwi with a solid foundation for his new sword technique.
"When my junior created the Plum Blossom Scattering Hands technique,I was there. Now, to think I’ve helped him again in crafting new techniques—it’s deeply satisfying."
The Iron Mountain Fist King laughed, his bulging muscles twitching excitedly.
Mu Hwi nodded in agreement.
Today’s bout with the Sword Master wasn’t their first—nor was it his fifth with the Iron Mountain Fist King. The Iron Mountain Fist King had demonstrated nearly every bare-handed technique imaginable.
"The Palm-Breaking Strike isn’t complete yet, but thanks to you, its foundation is solid. In time, it’ll take form."
"Hah! When that day comes, let’s spar again. I’ll smash your technique to pieces!"
"That sounds entertaining."
As the two bantered, the Sword Master turned to Mu Hwi.
"Mu Hwi, what did you think of my blade technique this time?"
"Quite different from the Peng Clan’s techniques. Ferocious, yet branching into five strikes—each with its own variations. It was like facing five tigers at once."
"Five tigers… Not a bad analogy. Perhaps I’ll name it Five Tiger Cave."
The Sword Master fell into thought before nodding in approval.
"Senior Sword Master, it’s a fitting name."
The Iron Mountain Fist King rose from his seat, cracking his knuckles.
"Junior, you’ve rested enough. Let’s spar."
"Gladly."
"You’ll be returning to Hwasan soon, right? I’ll be bored once you’re gone. Might as well make the most of it now."
Mu Hwi chuckled at the Iron Mountain Fist King’s words.
"As you wish."
***
Clouds draped the sharp, towering peaks of Hwasan like a ribbon, their edges as jagged as countless swords.
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen brightened at the sight of their home. After a long journey, they had finally returned.
"Took longer than expected."
"The Martial Alliance was fine, but nothing beats Hwasan."
The disciples’ fatigue from their travels through Hubei to Shaanxi seemed to vanish as their steps lightened.
"Hmm. Though I doubt we’ll get much rest."
"Probably not. The subordinate sects will be arriving soon."
Hyeon Baek’s blunt remark drew a sigh from Hyeon Gak.
Hwasan regularly summoned its subordinate sects to discuss their affairs and offer mutual support. The return of Mu Hwi and the others coincided with this gathering—partly because the recent conflicts had calmed, but also because their presence was essential.
"Ah, I’m looking forward to it."
"To what?"
Mu Hwi raised an eyebrow as Mu-hwa grinned.
"Thinking about going out into the world with the third-generation disciples. Exciting, isn’t it? Right, Mujin?"
Mujin, caught off guard, nodded absently.
"Hmm. Now that you mention it, that was announced. Leading the third-generation disciples will feel awkward."
"Why? They’re adorable."
Traditionally, third-generation disciples rarely left Hwasan until becoming second-generation disciples. But after witnessing the growth of the second-generation disciples during their travels with Mu Hwi, the elders had revised the curriculum.
Now, second-generation disciples would accompany third-generation disciples on short excursions, broadening their horizons earlier.
"The third-generation disciples…"
Mu Hwi gazed at the approaching mountain, thinking of Myeongsan training diligently in the Spring Plum Pavilion.
With lightened steps, Mu Hwi and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen began their ascent.