166
Chapter 166: I Met Heukcheon.
The World Sword Discourse Tournament.
A festival only for swordsmen, with no fixed schedule.
Perhaps because it was the first tournament in a long time, the flow of swordsmen visiting the Guyu Sect showed no signs of stopping.
Despite being one of the Seven Great Sects and boasting a massive scale, the Guyu Sect was so overwhelmed by the influx of swordsmen that they had to rent out entire nearby inns and quickly set up temporary lodgings.
“I heard the Martial Sword Seven and the disciples of the Hwasan Sect have arrived as well. If the Sword Saint had come, it would’ve caused quite a stir. What a shame.”
“Still, the Martial Sword Seven are no pushovers. The Southern Palace Family’s patriarch, young master, and even the Ten Heroes of the Namgung Family have come. With the Three Great Sects gathered in one place, there’s no shortage of challenges.”
“Easy now. You know the Three Great Sects aren’t opponents to be taken lightly. The swordsmen of the martial arts world even pre-screen challengers among themselves to weed out the unworthy. It’s a message for mediocre fighters to step aside.”
While the World Sword Discourse Tournament featured duels between the two sects under the banner of the Three Great Sects, its greater significance lay in the gathering of countless swordsmen from the martial arts world in one place to compete.
Thus, the duel between the Hwasan Sect and the Guyu Sect was scheduled for the final day of the tournament, while the preceding six days were dedicated to exchanges and duels among the swordsmen of the martial arts world.
Endless duels unfolded as challengers and challenged clashes, and of course, the Hwasan Sect and the Guyu Sect were no exceptions.
Before engaging in duels under the name of the Three Great Sects, they had to prove their worth by facing the swords of the martial arts world’s finest, demonstrating they were worthy of bearing that prestigious title.
“Where do you plan to spectate today?”
“I’ll head to the Hwasan Sect today. Rumor has it someone with ties to the Sword Saint has arrived, and the Sword Saint himself might take part in a duel.”
“Oh ho. Let’s go together.”
The swordsmen who had been conversing immediately headed toward the pavilion where the Hwasan Sect was staying.
The Three Great Sects were treated as honored guests and assigned the finest lodgings. In front of their quarters, a grand martial arena was set up with multiple dueling platforms.
By the time the swordsmen arrived, duels were already in full swing.
On each platform, disciples of the Hwasan Sect, clad in plum blossom robes, stood ready to accept challenges from the swordsmen.
“Incredible. They’re said to represent the Hwasan Sect’s martial prowess, but even the younger disciples, likely late-stage foundation level disciples, are this strong.”
“I hear they’ve won every match so far.”
“It’s truly dazzling. If I faced them, I’d be cut down in an instant if I left even the slightest opening. Truly, the swords of Hwasan.”
Despite being challenged by swordsmen of considerable repute in the martial arts world, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen calmly secured victory after victory.
‘After all the real combat we’ve been through, consecutive duels are manageable.’
‘I can’t let my guard down. If I suffer even a single defeat, the Senior Disciple will kill me.’
‘I actually defeated the Azure Lake Swordsman. Hah. All that brutal training was worth it.’
The second-generation disciples remained composed during their duels, never allowing themselves to grow complacent despite their winning streaks.
Even mid-duel, they could feel the piercing gaze of the Senior Disciple sending chills down their spines.
Kwang!
A heavy sound reverberated across the grand arena, drawing the attention of all the surrounding swordsmen in an instant.
At that moment, a massive plum blossom sword, gleaming with sunlight, shot toward the sky, its blade radiating a violet glow.
Before it stood another sword, vertically poised, embodying both elegance and weight, its blade shimmering like the azure heavens.
“The Iron Plum Sword versus the Vast Sky Sword!”
“To think the late-stage foundation level disciple of the Three Great Sects has reached such heights at such a young age!”
“I heard the Namgung Gak went into seclusion to train. His achievements seem extraordinary.”
The swordsmen exclaimed the nicknames of Mu-cheol and Namgung Gak in succession, their attention fixed on the duel between the two men.
The Iron Plum Sword Technique’s devastating vertical strike cleaved through the air with immense force. Namgung Gak, unleashing the Boundless Sky Sword Technique, met it with a powerful upward slash.
Bang!
The two sword strikes collided mid-air, releasing a deafening metallic clang, but Mu-cheol and Namgung Gak showed no hesitation as they immediately pressed forward with another attack.
Despite the overwhelming might of the Iron Plum Sword Technique, Namgung Gak held his ground firmly. Twisting his waist, he slashed diagonally, aiming for Mu-cheol’s knee.
Namgung Gak’s sword, though seemingly heavy, extended fluidly, enveloping Mu-cheol’s plum blossom sword as if embracing it.
While the Boundless Sky Sword Technique lacked the sheer power of the Iron Plum Sword Technique, Namgung Gak compensated with its intricate variations, maintaining a stable stance.
‘Young Master Namgung has changed quite a bit.’
This was a far cry from the Namgung Gak of the Heavenly Martial Competition, who had focused solely on raw power, both internal and external, to match Mu-cheol’s sword strength.
Had he fought like before, the match would’ve ended long ago.
But after listening to Mu Hwi’s advice and earnestly meditating on the essence of the Boundless Sky Sword Technique, Namgung Gak’s sword had attained true freedom.
A sword both free and weighty.
Boundless Sky (蒼穹無涯).
The vast blue heavens stretch endlessly.
What fills the infinite sky is boundless freedom.
Namgung Gak’s horizontally poised sword traced successive arcs through the air. The overlapping azure sword energy coiled around the iron plum blossoms Mu-cheol had unleashed, lifting them effortlessly.
With a fluid motion, Namgung Gak deflected the iron plum blossoms blooming ahead and unleashed a heavy sword strike imbued with profound energy.
The soaring azure sword energy shifted his center of gravity forward dramatically, allowing Namgung Gak to pour his full strength into a single thrust.
The sword aimed at Mu-cheol’s solar plexus shot forward like an arrow piercing the heavens, its elongated sword energy swift and precise.
Blue Fang Ascending Line (蒼牙昇線).
Faced with Namgung Gak’s bold stance of initiating a decisive strike head-on, Mu-cheol also stepped into his true form, swinging his plum blossom sword vertically.
The inner energy of the Purple Sunset Divine Technique stacked endlessly, dyeing the plum blossom sword purple as it carved out a rough crescent moon.
Iron Plum Crossing the Moon (鐵梅渡月).
As the blue arrow pierced the purple crescent amidst the twilight, the shockwaves amplified by the clash of the two techniques surged beyond the dueling platform, sweeping across the entire grand arena.
Kwaaaa!
The spectating swordsmen had to muster their inner energy to dissipate the shockwaves.
Simultaneously, the two men distanced themselves.
“Hmph. Swordsman Mu-cheol, you’re as heavy as ever.”
“Young Master Namgung, you’ve changed a great deal.”
Namgung Gak smiled softly.
“During my seclusion, I constantly recalled Sword Saint Mu Hwi’s advice and my duel with you, dedicating myself to the sword. It seems my time wasn’t wasted.”
Namgung Gak casually wiped the blood trickling from his lips, then reversed his grip on his sword and clasped his fist in salute. His expression was one of deep satisfaction.
“Thanks to you, I found the right path. I’m grateful.”
Mu-cheol’s lips twitched ever so slightly.
“It was a good duel.”
From afar, Mu Hwi, who had been watching the duel between Mu-cheol and Namgung Gak, curled the corners of his lips.
‘He’s improved a lot. Back then, he barely lasted sixty exchanges while being dragged around.’
Unlike during the Heavenly Martial Competition, Namgung Gak now held his own against Mu-cheol for over a hundred exchanges, engaging in a fierce battle.
Having undergone his own period of tempering, Namgung Gak, whose martial prowess had once lagged behind the Six Dragons, had now grown to their level in the blink of an eye.
Mu Hwi nodded, recalling the advice he had given Namgung Gak after sharing a drink during the Heavenly Martial Competition.
“Still, it seems I properly repaid the favor of that drink.”
Namgung Gak had taken his advice to heart and fully integrated it into his swordsmanship.
His once one-dimensional sword had found balance and extended in the right direction, suggesting he had truly grasped the essence of the Boundless Sky Sword Technique.
Though Namgung Gak relaxed his body and sword, pursuing freedom, his posture and energy had instead grown more substantial.
To Mu Hwi, it seemed the Namgung Family would maintain its glory in the future as it did now.
‘Both have grown and gained something from this. The purpose of the duel has been fulfilled.’
After observing Mu-cheol and Namgung Gak, Mu Hwi turned his gaze to the man before him.
“Word has it that Young Master Namgung also received the Sword Saint’s guidance.”
“I merely offered a passing piece of advice.”
“That advice was a great help to me. It must’ve been the same for Young Master Namgung.”
The composed man, Baekri Sang, lowered his stance slightly and met Mu Hwi’s gaze.
“I’ll make the first move.”
“By all means.”
Baekri Sang bent his right knee slightly before darting forward in an instant. Simultaneously, his sword flashed, sending a crescent-shaped sword wind hurtling toward Mu Hwi.
Paaat!
As Mu Hwi registered the sword wind, it suddenly dispersed mid-air—he had subtly diverted its energy, shattering it.
Narrowing his eyes, Baekri Sang calmly continued his assault.
Slashing diagonally at both high and low angles, he twisted his waist and thrust his sword toward Mu Hwi’s abdomen.
Mu Hwi extended his sword-finger stance while standing upright, lightly deflecting Baekri Sang’s sword as if flicking a branch, then casually flicked his sleeve.
The sleeve, stiffened by inner energy, blocked Baekri Sang’s sword.
Unable to pierce through, Baekri Sang was instead forced back several steps by the rebound.
‘The gap is staggering.’
But Baekri Sang, already aware of the disparity, focused on fully displaying his swordsmanship.
Mu Hwi observed intently as Baekri Sang stomped the ground with all his might.
‘This isn’t the Sword King’s Cheonik Sword Technique, nor the Baekri Family’s White Crane Sword Technique. The flow of the techniques is clearly based on the Baekri Family’s martial studies, but…’
Mu Hwi adjusted his pressure to allow Baekri Sang to fully exhibit his sword art.
From Mu Hwi’s fingertips, sword shadows rippled, scattering petals in all directions.
Swooaaang!
A violet sword storm momentarily surged from Mu Hwi’s sword-finger stance before blooming like a flower, splitting into dozens of strands that cascaded downward.
As Baekri Sang blocked the sword winds in place, an even greater onslaught followed.
“Hup!”
Widening his eyes, Baekri Sang lightly leaped, spinning mid-air to deflect each sword wind. Between breaths, he meticulously counterattacked with precise thrusts.
‘It’s like unfolding swordsmanship against a mountain.’
Baekri Sang tightened his grip on the hilt to steady the trembling blade.
Though Mu Hwi’s fluttering sleeves effortlessly blocked his strikes, Baekri Sang refused to relent.
‘A well-balanced sword art between offense and defense.’
Like a roc soaring freely beneath the clouds, his movements were fleeting yet carried the tenacity of one ascending the vast skies.
“Hup!”
Baekri Sang barely managed to counter the plum blossoms and petals Mu Hwi casually unleashed, ensuring his sword art remained unbroken.
‘I’ll increase the pressure slightly.’
Seeing this, Mu Hwi quietly lowered his sword-finger stance. Suddenly, a plum blossom branch unfurled its petals before Baekri Sang’s face.
Plum Blossoms by the Road (梅花路傍).
It was truly dazzling.
Baekri Sang’s eyebrows shot up in belated realization.
He had been shifting his weight to leap forward again, leaving him vulnerable to an attack he might not even react to in time.
Mu Hwi had perfectly exploited the gap in his rhythm.
“Hup!”
Nevertheless, Baekri Sang quickly regulated his breathing, relaxed his entire body, and raised his sword to strike.
Thanks to his disciplined training, accumulated experience, and the flexibility of his newly displayed sword technique, he managed to respond.
Ssskak!
A faint white line cleanly bisected the plum blossom.
Having cleanly split the plum blossom conjured by Plum Blossoms by the Road, Baekri Sang exhaled in relief and lowered his sword.
Noticing his expression, Mu Hwi asked:
“This sword technique is unfamiliar. What is it called?”
Baekri Sang glanced at his sword and answered:
“My grandfather abandoned the Cheonik Sword Technique and reexamined the Baekri Family’s martial studies to compile this new sword art. But it remains unfinished.”
A tragic, incomplete sword art—created solely for the Baekri Family, forsaking all other purposes.
Left unfinished when the Sword King faced Heukcheon.
“My grandfather named it the Beneath the Clouds Sword Technique.”
Mu Hwi nodded. From firsthand experience, the name Beneath the Clouds Sword Technique (雲下劍法) fit well.
It occurred to Mu Hwi that the name might have been inspired not by the techniques’ characteristics but by his grandson’s nickname, Cloud River Sword Dragon (雲下劍龍).
The Sword King must have deeply regretted forcing his grandson to learn the Cheonik Sword Technique, born solely of his own greed.
“I heard my grandfather promised the Sword Saint he would show him the Baekri Family’s true sword.”
“That’s right.”
It seemed the Sword King, having regained his senses, had reconciled with his grandson, engaging in many conversations and mending their relationship.
“I will inherit my grandfather’s will and complete this Beneath the Clouds Sword Technique. And one day, I will visit Hwasan to show the Baekri Family’s sword in his stead. I came here today to make this vow.”
The surrounding swordsmen gasped at Baekri Sang’s words.
“Whoa.”
“The Sword King made such a promise…”
His resolve evident, Baekri Sang’s eyes shone with unwavering determination. Mu Hwi saw it clearly in their transparent gleam.
Though the Baekri Family had lost the Sword King, his will lived on—there was no need for concern.
Mu Hwi repeated the words he had once said to the Sword King to Baekri Sang:
“Hwasan will always be there.”
“Thank you.”
Finally, Baekri Sang, who had maintained a stern expression throughout the duel, allowed a hint of relief to show.
As Baekri Sang clasped his fist in salute, Mu Hwi reciprocated.
The surrounding swordsmen listened to their exchange with bated breath.
News of the Sword King’s death had spread throughout the martial arts world—everyone knew.
“Perhaps…”
Someone muttered, leaving the thought unfinished, but those nearby understood.
Though the Sword King died without fulfilling his ambition, his will had been passed on. One day, the martial arts world would witness a new Sword King.
The World Sword Discourse Tournament progressed smoothly.
Over six days, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen showcased their true prowess against countless martial artists.
By the fifth day, a few second-generation disciples had lost to renowned swordsmen, but they fought tenaciously, refusing to go down easily, and their reputations only grew.
Their martial prowess, far exceeding expectations for their age, earned them widespread acclaim.
Moreover, elite Plum Blossom Swordsmen like the Four Flowers, Hyeon Baek, and Hyeon Gak remained undefeated throughout the six days of duels.
Their names were constantly on the lips of the martial world’s swordsmen.
During these six days, many disciples gained invaluable combat experience, furthering their martial achievements.
For the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, it was a deeply meaningful time.
Mu Hwi, who had been meditating alone in his room, opened his eyes and looked toward the door.
“Please, come in.”
At his words, the door slowly opened, revealing an elderly man in gray robes, his frame thin as a crane’s.
The Sword Immortal’s ancient sword hung at his waist.
Mu Hwi rose and bowed respectfully.
“Elder Sword Sage. What brings you here? I heard you weren’t attending.”
The Sword Immortal smiled gently at him.
“I came to speak with you.”
Sitting across from Mu Hwi, the Sword Immortal spoke.
“I met Heukcheon.”