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Chapter 142: Heading There
Mu Hwi stood at the mountain gate, looking down at the stone stairs carved into the cliff. As the head disciple, he was in charge of welcoming the visiting secular sects to Hwasan.
"Another guest is coming up," Mu Hwi remarked.
Upon hearing this, Musang and Mu-hwa, who were guarding the gate, quickly checked their appearances once more. Those who guarded the main gate of the sect were, in a way, the face of the sect itself.
"Seonhwa Sect Leader. It’s been a long time since we last met after the incident at Soohwasan."
As Mu Hwi greeted him warmly, Seonhwa Sect Leader clasped his fists and nodded.
"Disciple Mu Hwi. Your rising reputation is well-known even at Yeonhwa. Our disciples truly admire and respect you."
Seonhwa Sect Leader’s words didn’t seem exaggerated—the disciples who had accompanied him to Hwasan glanced at Mu Hwi with shining eyes. Among them, a few faces looked familiar, likely from previous visits to Seonhwa Sect.
"Since you’re here, you might as well take this chance to see Myeong San again after so long,"
Seonhwa Sect Leader said with a smile, "Myeong San... Even though the boy has now received his Taoist name, the name Im Sanha still sticks to my tongue. I’ll have to get used to it gradually."
After exchanging greetings, Seonhwa Sect Leader entered the mountain gate first. Watching him go, Mu-hwa turned to Mu Hwi and asked:
"Senior Disciple, have you decided to take Myeong San as your disciple for this trip?"
"Yes. You’ll be taking Myeong-yeong, and Musang—what about you?"
At Mu Hwi’s question, Musang slumped his shoulders as if he had been waiting for this and made a pitiful face.
"Well, Senior Disciple... I don’t see any third-generation disciples who want to go with me. Am I that scary? Even Mu-cheol, that brute, already found a third-generation disciple."
"Ah, I heard about that. They say a third-generation disciple went to Mu-cheol on his own, right? Myeong-am, was it?"
At Mu-hwa’s words, Mu Hwi recalled who Myeong-am was—the grandson of the lord of the Three Great Iron Workshop. He remembered the boy’s sparkling eyes whenever Mu-cheol demonstrated the Iron Plum Sword Technique.
‘The Iron Plum Sword Technique will have a smooth successor.’
Nodding to himself, Mu Hwi thought of Myeong-am, who, like Mu-cheol, was the largest among the third-generation disciples. If fate allowed, they would make a well-matched master-disciple pair.
"Disciple Mu-cheol said the third-generation disciples keep clinging to him and giving him headaches. Ugh. Hang in there, Disciple Musang."
At Mu-hwa’s consolation, Musang’s face twisted into an even more sour smile before he asked,
"So, what are you planning to do with your third-generation disciple?"
"How about just smashing a few black swords? Myeong-yeong would probably enjoy that."
"Is that really okay?"
Musang tilted his head and then looked at Mu Hwi.
"What about you, Senior Disciple?"
"Hmm. It’s not a long trip—just three or four days. Maybe we’ll just wander around nearby and come back."
"Ugh! I want to go down the mountain and relax for once, too!"
Musang stared enviously at Mu Hwi and Mu-hwa before letting out a sigh. But then he quickly covered his mouth, though it was too late, as the words had already slipped out.
"No wonder you were so eager to find a third-generation disciple. You had ulterior motives, didn’t you?"
Mu Hwi gave Musang a cold smile. He reached out and grabbed Musang’s head, squeezing it with his fingers. Musang let out a shriek.
"Ow! My head’s gonna split open, Senior Disciple!"
Musang flailed his arms helplessly, but there was no escaping Mu Hwi’s grip.
"You’ve been slacking off lately, you little rascal. Looks like the discipline’s worn off. Time to put you back to work."
"That’s right, Senior Disciple. At the Martial Alliance, Musang was so busy chasing after pretty women that he skipped training."
"Oh-ho."
At Mu-hwa’s tattling, Musang’s face turned pale, and Mu Hwi’s smile deepened. Musang slumped as if he had given up entirely.
"Just kill me, Senior Disciple."
"Musang, after all the training I’ve put you through, I can’t just kill you. Even if you die, you’ll die swinging your sword."
Seeing Mu Hwi’s bright smile, Musang knew one thing for certain based on his past experiences:
The next three months would be hell.
***
In the inner palace, Elder Baek Yu and the secular Sect Leaders from across the martial world had gathered. Baek Yu exchanged greetings with each leader, listening to their difficulties.
Stroking his beard, Baek Yu said,
"From what I hear, the secular sects in the southwestern part of Shaanxi are suffering because of the Paewangseong."
The lord of the Three Great Iron Workshop nodded.
"That’s correct, Sect Leader. Even our main sect has occasionally sent disciples to support the nearby secular sects."
While the Paewangseong’s main offensive was focused on the Jongnam Sect, it sometimes spilled over to the surrounding secular sects. As a result, Hwasan’s secular sects had to remain vigilant at all times.
"Lately, though, the Paewangseong has gone quiet."
"Whether they’re conserving strength or focusing entirely on Sacheon is still unclear."
Listening to the secular leaders, Baek Chun, spoke up,
"We checked with the Jongnam Sect, but they’re being cautious too. You all should stay on guard."
Baek Yu turned to the leader of Soohwasan.
"How about the movements in northern Shaanxi and the Guyu Sect? The reports say they’ve been quiet."
"That’s our impression as well. After the heavy losses at Soohwasan, they’ve been lying low, but the emergence of Hwasan’s Sword Saint must have had an impact too."
At the leader’s words, the secular sect leaders glanced at Mu Hwi, who was seated in the meeting.
As the head disciple and bearer of the title Hwasan’s Sword Saint, Mu Hwi was a vital figure who would lead the sect for decades. The secular leaders looked at him with unwavering confidence.
Those who had personally witnessed Mu Hwi’s abilities regarded him with immense trust.
"Now, the only one in the Guyu Sect who can face the Sword Saint is the Guyu Emperor. They’ll have to tread carefully."
"It’s been over fifteen years since the Guyu Emperor went into seclusion. He might already be dead... Wasn’t he of the same generation as the Sword Master?"
"True, he didn’t appear even during the Shaanxi Blood Incident."
Listening to the discussion, Mu Hwi asked Baek Yu,
"Why did the Nine Serenities Sword Emperor enter seclusion for so long?"
Even Mu Hwi knew little about the Nine Serenities Sword Emperor. Having been absent from the martial arts world for so long, his title was gradually being forgotten.
"The Nine Serenities Sword Emperor believed it was absurd that the Nine Serenities Sword Gate wasn’t counted among the Three Great Sword Sects. He challenged the Southern Palace Family’s Azure Sky Sword Emperor to prove himself. They were often compared as fellow Sword Emperors. But after his defeat, he entered seclusion to seek vengeance."
"But the Azure Sky Sword Emperor passed away a few years ago, didn’t he?"
"Indeed. I wonder if the Nine Serenities Sword Emperor even knows of his death."
Nodding, Mu Hwi addressed the secular leaders,
"Even if the Paewangseong and the Nine Serenities Sword Gate are quiet for now, we mustn’t let our guard down. There’s still the Black Night Palace."
"Hmm."
"That’s true."
At the mention of the Black Night Palace, the leaders grew uneasy. The memories of the Shaanxi Blood Incident were still fresh.
"While at the Martial Alliance, I heard that the Black Night Palace and the Sadocheon Sect clashed violently at the border of Guizhou and Guangxi. The Black Night Palace won overwhelmingly."
Some leaders nodded, having heard the same news.
"The Black Night Palace is also active, even if they haven’t expanded into Shaanxi yet."
"Enemies on all sides, it seems."
"That’s why each secular sect must prepare in advance to respond to any situation."
Mu Hwi’s firm words earned nods from the leaders. Though he didn’t say it outright, another incident like the Shaanxi Bloodshed Incident could happen at any time.
"In times like these, the sect’s finances must be strong to fully support our martial artists. Though it’s not a large sum, Hwasan intends to provide aid to each secular sect. We know many are struggling due to the chaos in the martial arts world."
At the words of Baek San, the elder in charge of finances, the leaders’ eyes widened.
"Wait, is that true, Elder Baek San?"
"Of course. The Sect Leader has already approved it."
The leaders all turned to Baek Yu.
"During the Shaanxi Bloodshed Incident, when the main sect was reeling, you all also faced hardships yet didn’t hesitate to support us. That aid, even if small, became the driving force that helped Hwasan endure that long, harsh winter. Now, it’s our turn to repay you."
Baek Yu took a sip of tea and spoke calmly. A few leaders let out quiet sighs.
"Ah..."
None of the secular sects that had helped Hwasan during the Shaanxi Bloodshed Incident had done so expecting future rewards.
At the time, Hwasan was on the verge of collapse, and no one could have predicted its swift and triumphant resurgence.
But now, having regained its stature as a major sect, Hwasan was extending a helping hand to its secular branches. The leaders were deeply moved.
"How could we accept Hwasan’s wealth? Just seeing the sect stand tall again is already a great help to us."
The leader of Hwahon Gate, with only one arm, clasped his fist and bowed to Baek Yu. The other leaders nodded in agreement.
"Is there a rule that secular branches must give to the main sect but not the other way around? Your sects are like the peaks of Hwasan—do not refuse."
"The Finance Hall has already finalized the budget, so let’s speak no more of it. Unless you mean to defy the Sect Leader’s orders?"
Elder Baek Soon of the Discipline Hall added with a jest, prompting laughter and nods from the others.
"With the return of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen from the Martial Alliance, the main sect has some leeway now. In emergencies, we’ll dispatch disciples immediately, so each secular sect should check their communication networks and prepare accordingly."
At Baek Yu’s words, the leaders bowed. They had come to Hwasan carrying countless worries and concerns.
But seeing the sect stand firm and ready to protect its secular branches, they felt as if all their burdens had been lifted. They would descend the mountain with lighter hearts than when they had climbed it.
Once again, the secular leaders felt pride in being part of Hwasan’s lineage. With pride replacing their worries, the Paewangseong and the Black Night Palace no longer seemed so fearsome.
"Thank you, Sect Leader."
"We also extend our gratitude to the elders."
The eldest among them, the lord of the Three Great Iron Workshop and the leader of Soohwasan, rose and bowed formally. The others followed suit, clasping their hands.
"We are grateful as well."
"Let’s continue to work together."
Baek Yu and the elders smiled in response.
***
Mu Hwi and Myeong San were descending Hwasan together. Myeong San, who hadn’t left the mountain in a while, was visibly excited. No matter the reason for training, being confined to the mountain at his age was no easy feat.
"Master, where are we going?"
Since it was just the two of them, Myeong San addressed Mu Hwi as his master.
"My master often visited a certain place when he descended the mountain. We’re heading there."
"Ooh. A place the Sword Saint frequented? I’m really curious."
During his days as the Sword Devil, ascending Hwasan was permitted, but not something he could do often.
So, Dokgo Hyeon and Hyeon Jo would meet at a designated spot near the mountain. Over time, it became a place Dokgo Hyeon often stayed.
In his past life, it was a place as meaningful to Dokgo Hyeon as his own home. Mu Hwi was visiting it again after a long time.
Once they had fully descended, Mu Hwi turned to Myeong San.
"Let’s see how your Nine Palace Step has improved."
Mu Hwi casually took a light step with his hands behind his back—but in an instant, he vanished into the distance. Myeong San’s eyes widened, and he immediately kicked off the ground, launching himself forward.
"Master!"
Seeing Myeong San keeping up well, Mu Hwi turned his gaze forward again.
Now that Hyeon Jo was gone, visiting that place not alone but with a new disciple gave Mu Hwi a strange, indescribable feeling.