151
Chapter 151: Can Even an Absolute Master Dodge This?
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Thud!
Amidst the crackling sounds of steel echoing through the burning forests of Jongnam, the sound of a deep stomp resonated.
The feet of the Jongnam Sect disciples, unfolding their sword formation, moved relentlessly, kicking up dust. Meanwhile, the feet of the Paewangseong warriors, trying to break the formation, left rough imprints on the ground.
The Heavenly Star Sword Formation deployed by the Jongnam disciples was unyielding, but the ones assaulting it were the Six Kings Unit, one of the elite forces of Paewangseong participating in the Shaanxi campaign.
The Six Kings Unit flung themselves into the heart of the formation, each unleashing tyrannical martial arts, attempting to shatter the Heavenly Star Sword Formation through sheer force.
Dozens of swords crossed, and amid the clashes, sword winds and sword energies flew in all directions, colliding repeatedly.
After dozens of exchanges, the eyes of the Paewangseong warriors gleamed like beasts searching for prey. The Six Kings Unit primarily targeted the visibly exhausted second-generation disciples of the Jongnam Sect.
“Disciples of Kun, Gen, and Qian—fall back one step!”
At the shout of Il Chan, the first-generation disciple commanding the Heavenly Star Sword Formation, the second-generation disciples guarding those positions hastily retreated.
However, the Six Kings Unit’s charge, tearing through gaps with wild energy waves, was far faster.
“Ugh!”
Xian Jun, the second-generation disciple guarding the generation position, groaned as a sword pierced his waist.
“Xian Jun! Fall back!”
Nearby Jongnam disciples rushed to cover him, but the rotation of the Heavenly Star Sword Formation began to falter.
Clang! Clang!
Xian Mei, guarding the Kun position, barely blocked the relentless blade strikes raining down on her, but she could only grit her teeth.
Her sword, which had parried the curved blade of a Paewangseong warrior, had snapped and was now flying through the air.
Until now, they had endured through the power of the sword formation and techniques, but the second-generation disciples, lacking the martial prowess and stamina of the first-generation, were gradually reaching their limits. Xian Mei was no exception.
That was why she had lost her sword so helplessly.
‘Damn it.’
Xian Mei clenched her bleeding, torn palm and threw a desperate punch, but the upward-slashing blade from below was much faster.
The other disciples nearby were also tied up fighting Paewangseong warriors, making it hard to expect help. Seeing the inevitable outcome of this exchange, Xian Mei’s eyelids trembled.
Yet, as she had been trained, she refused to close her eyes. Then, a pristine white sword suddenly flashed into her vision.
The blade, as if carved from ice, bore an engraving of a plum blossom.
‘Plum Blossom!’
As the sudden fragrance of plum blossoms filled her senses, the Winter Plum Blossom Sword that had appeared before her vanished just as quickly.
“Guhk!”
When the sword reappeared, splitting into four purple sword beams, the Paewangseong warrior who was about to strike Xian Mei collapsed, blood spraying from his chest and arm.
“It’s been a while since the Six Harmonies Sword Assembly. Long time no see.”
An unfamiliar yet familiar voice.
When Xian Mei saw the man’s profile, she couldn’t help but gasp.
“Disciple Mujin!”
And it wasn’t just Mujin. Among those clad in the same plum blossom-embroidered robes were many familiar faces.
The second-generation disciples of the Hwasan Sect—those who had sparred in the Six Harmonies Sword Assembly and fought together against Paewangseong’s ambush. They were here now.
“Plum Blossom Swordsmen!”
The appearance of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen shocked not just the second-generation disciples. Xian Bai, cutting down two Paewangseong warriors at once, shouted, “Il Chan, Il Wen! Are you alright?”
“Xian Bai! Xian Jue is here too!”
Recognizing the first-generation disciples among the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, the Jongnam first-generation disciples responded with grateful expressions.
Given the urgency, Xian Bai exchanged a brief glance as a greeting before shouting to the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, “Push back the enemies!”
At his command, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen fluttered their robes in unison and confronted the Six Kings Unit.
The fragrance of plum blossoms, blooming from the Winter Plum Blossom Swords, began to fill Jongnam, overpowering the acrid scent of smoke.
Though the Six Kings Unit was one of the Seven Great Units of Paewangseong, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen showed no fear. Instead, it was the Six Kings Unit that wavered.
“Plum Blossom Swordsmen!”
“Hold formation—don’t rush out recklessly!”
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen unleashed their techniques in unison.
Xian Mei, watching the Hwasan second-generation disciples, couldn’t help but marvel. The other Jongnam second-generation disciples felt the same.
‘They’ve already grown so much.’
‘We’ve trained hard too, but the gap seems even wider now.’
The Jongnam second-generation disciples had been deeply motivated by the results of the last Six Harmonies Sword Assembly. They had accepted their defeat, but their pride as martial artists had been bruised.
So, they had voluntarily doubled their training intensity, preparing for the next Assembly.
With clear goals and relentless effort, many had achieved visible progress, boosting their confidence.
But seeing the Plum Blossom Swordsmen now, they realized that while they had just started running, the Hwasan disciples were already soaring with wings.
‘Back then, we were evenly matched.’
Xian Mei shook her head as she watched Mujin leading the charge, crushing the Six Kings Unit.
During the Six Harmonies Sword Assembly, they had been rivals. But now, Mujin stood in a place she couldn’t even reach. Yet, she couldn’t just stand still.
“Let’s go.”
Xian Mei snapped the dazed Jongnam disciples out of their stupor as they watched the Plum Blossom Swordsmen relentlessly push back the Six Kings Unit.
“Yes.”
“We can’t just watch.”
Led by Xian Mei, the Jongnam second-generation disciples also leaped into action.
Though their martial skills might be inferior to Hwasan’s disciples, they had trained their hardest and had no reason to feel ashamed.
“Haaah!”
As if to show off their accumulated skills to the Hwasan disciples, the Jongnam disciples roared and swung their swords.
“Xian Bai! The situation above is more urgent—the Pavilion of Towering Views Unit is up there with other Paewangseong elites and the Ghost Whip King!”
At Il Chan’s urgent words, Xian Bai smiled.
“Don’t worry. We just arrived, but the Plum Blossom Sword Saint went ahead to deal with the Ghost Whip King. Since you didn’t see him, he must’ve headed straight for the Pavilion of Towering Views.”
Il Chan, who knew the Plum Blossom Sword Saint was Mu Hwi, blankly looked up toward the Pavilion of Towering Views Unit.
“Now that you mention it...”
Just moments ago, deafening roars and shockwaves had erupted from the Pavilion of Towering Views, drawing the attention of all fighters on Jongnam.
From afar, it had looked like a natural disaster—the Pavilion of Towering Views had trembled violently.
But now, it was eerily silent.
“Leave the upper area to the Plum Blossom Sword Saint.”
“Mm!”
“Other Hwasan disciples are also arriving as reinforcements. The Beggar’s Sect and other allied factions will be here soon. We just need to hold out a little longer.”
“Thank you.”
Xian Bai and Il Chan stood side by side and rejoined the battle.
Disciples of Hwasan and Jongnam stood together, proudly displaying the swords of the Six Harmonies against the charging enemies.
***
Despite the arrival of reinforcements from Hwasan, the Beggar’s Sect, and Hwasan’s affiliate families, Paewangseong refused to retreat easily. Their forces were vast, and they matched the allied strength.
Even after news of the Ghost Whip King’s death spread, Paewangseong didn’t withdraw.
Instead of morale breaking, they burned with vengeance, charging up Jongnam fiercely. Only after Mu Hwi personally cut down a hundred warriors in an instant did they finally retreat.
Though the reinforcements barely managed to repel Paewangseong, Jongnam’s losses were heavy. Fires had ravaged the mountain, severely damaging its spiritual energy, and the sect’s material and human resources had suffered greatly.
Some of the reinforcements stayed behind to help Jongnam recover. The Plum Blossom Swordsmen also remained, assisting with patrols.
“This area’s completely burned down. It was a great place for lightness training at dawn. I used to run into deer sometimes.”
Xian Zhu sighed as she looked around.
The familiar scenery of Jongnam was now unrecognizable. Though the fires were out, the fresh grassy scent had been replaced by the stench of smoke, and everything was bleak.
Mu Hwi listened quietly as he walked beside her.
“Brother Mu Hwi, how’s your condition? You fought two Absolute Masters at once.”
“I’m fine. I barely took any internal injuries. It was a clean win.”
How many in the martial arts world could call fighting the Ghost Whip King and the Shadow Emperor clean?
Xian Zhu smiled at Mu Hwi’s indifferent tone.
“As expected of the Hwasan Sword Saint. You’re so reliable.”
Walking behind him with her hands clasped, Xian Zhu suddenly linked arms and asked,
“By the way, Brother, were you serious about me having the talent to become a Sword Empress?”
Her eyes sparkled with a mix of playfulness and sincerity. Mu Hwi nodded.
“Yes.”
“Really? Unlike you, I’m still only at the Peak Mastery level.”
“Don’t compare yourself to me. It’s important to gauge your level against others, but if you let that shake your foundation, everything will crumble. You must solidify your mindset.”
Comparing herself to Mu Hwi, who lived a second life with memories of his past, was absurd.
The Peak Mastery realm Xian Zhu had reached was already remarkable—few in the martial arts world achieved it. For a young disciple like her to reach this level was astounding.
Xian Zhu was already shining with her innate talent.
She had clearly grown since their last meeting. If she continued like this, time would naturally crown her as a Sword Empress.
“You’re doing well. Keep it up.”
At Mu Hwi’s casual praise, Xian Zhu’s eyes widened. She grinned and playfully punched his arm.
“Then I have to become a Sword Empress. Otherwise, your reputation as my endorser will suffer.”
Tilting her head with a laugh, Xian Zhu made Mu Hwi smirk.
“You better.”
Mu Hwi watched Xian Zhu record the damage across the mountain before asking,
“How are the Sect Leader and elders?”
Thanks to Mu Hwi’s timely arrival at the Pavilion of Towering Views, casualties were minimized, but elders like Hong Xian had suffered severe internal and external injuries.
Despite their conditions, they were working tirelessly to rebuild the sect, worrying their disciples.
“Most are seriously injured, but none are in life-threatening danger. Thanks to you, Brother.”
“Their martial arts and sword formations also played a part. If they were mediocre absolute masters, the formation would’ve been torn apart instantly.”
Truly worthy of the veteran masters of the Nine Sects.
Nodding along, Xian Zhu spotted a flat rock beyond the trees and tugged Mu Hwi’s arm.
“Let’s sit and rest there. We’ve been walking around Jongnam for hours already.”
Mu Hwi and Xian Zhu sat side by side on the rock, enjoying the gentle breeze.
Noticing something, Mu Hwi asked,
“You didn’t braid your hair today. You always do.”
“Oh, right. I’ve been too busy lately...”
Trailing off, Xian Zhu stared at Mu Hwi before pulling out the long ribbon she usually used for braiding.
“Braid it for me.”
“I’ve never done it before.”
“I know. I’ll teach you.”
Mu Hwi narrowed his eyes, and Xian Zhu mimicked him. Eventually, Mu Hwi chuckled and nodded.
After Xian Zhu demonstrated on her own hair, Mu Hwi replicated it perfectly. She gasped.
“What? You’re a natural.”
“It’s talent.”
Covering her mouth with a laugh, Xian Zhu suddenly buried herself in Mu Hwi’s chest.
“Can even an Absolute Master dodge this?”
Wrapping her arms around his waist, she looked up at him.
Mu Hwi ignored her question until her repeated pestering forced him to speak.
“I’m focusing on braiding. Be quiet.”
Xian Zhu laughed and hugged him tighter.
“Thank you, Brother.”
“For what?”
Burying her face in his chest, Xian Zhu whispered softly.
“For helping my senior brothers and sisters, the elders, the Sect Leader, Jongnam Sect… For everything.”
“Yeah.”
The braiding had long been finished, but Mu Hwi and Xian Zhu remained still for a long time.
***
Whoosh!
A heavy sword wind scattered the gray poisonous mist surging toward them. Still unsatisfied, Dokgo Yul unleashed a series of Dokgo Sword Techniques, sweeping the area clean.
“Leader!”
Despite the call from behind, Dokgo Yul kept cutting down Paewangseong warriors as he replied.
“Elder Yun Xian, how’s the situation?”
“Chengseong and the others have escaped. We can withdraw now.”
“Understood.”
Hearing their conversation, the Dokgo Association warriors prepared to retreat.
Yun Xian stood beside Dokgo Yul, swinging his sword as he spoke.
“I’m endlessly grateful the Dokgo Association is covering our rear.”
“The Tang Family and Cheongseong are exhausted from holding the frontlines. It’s only right for us, still fresh, to guard the rear.”
“You honor us with your words. But the road ahead is tough. With Paewangseong fully controlling Yunnan, their full force will come for us.”
“The Poison Dragon of Sacheon is the problem. We’ll have to hope the Martial Alliance’s reinforcements arrive quickly.”
At the mention of the Poison Dragon, Yun Xian’s face hardened as he nodded.
“Let’s hold out as long as we can.”
Dokgo Yul and Yun Xian tightened their grips on their swords as they gazed at the distant banners of Paewangseong.