167
Chapter 167: A Clash Between Righteousness and Evil Paths
The Sword Immortal sat facing Mu Hwi and spoke.
“I met Heukcheon.”
Though the Sword Immortal spoke casually, the content was anything but casual. Mu Hwi couldn’t help but be startled.
“You mean Heukcheon?”
Noticing Mu Hwi’s gaze scanning his body, the Sword Immortal smiled kindly.
“It’s fine. We just talked and played a game of baduk.”
The Sword Immortal and Heukcheon were absolute masters who stood at the pinnacle of righteousness and demonic paths, respectively. That such beings had met yet only played baduk left Mu Hwi in awe.
“What did you talk about?”
The Sword Immortal took a slow sip of the tea Mu Hwi had prepared before answering.
“Heukcheon has lived far longer than this old man. Who would’ve thought I’d meet a senior at my age? It was amusing. Hahaha.”
Mu Hwi was slightly taken aback by the revelation that Heukcheon was older than the Sword Immortal, but nodded. Considering what Heukcheon had said before, it made sense.
“No, endured would be more fitting than lived. To this old man, he seemed a truly lonely man.”
“Endured…”
Seeing Mu Hwi mutter to himself, the Sword Immortal asked,
“Mu Hwi, you’ve met Heukcheon before, haven’t you?”
“Yes. You’ve heard.”
“I’m curious about what happened then.”
Mu Hwi calmly recounted the events at Geombong Mountain. Hearing this, the Sword Immortal sighed and set down his teacup.
“So the Sword Devil and the previous Hwasan Sword Saint died by Heukcheon’s hand. A hidden tragedy, indeed. To you, Heukcheon must be an irreconcilable enemy.”
“That’s correct.”
The fabric of Mu Hwi’s robe wrinkled slightly as his hands, resting on his knees, tightened.
“Heukcheon said there will come a time when the absolute masters of the martial arts world gather in one place. He urged this old man not to remain secluded on Mount Wudang but to guard that occasion.”
“He said the same to me. Does Heukcheon wish to determine the world’s strongest at that gathering…?”
“He’s certainly different from the evil path figures who’ve appeared in the martial arts world before. He seems uninterested in the usual ambitions—craving the title of Black Heaven, conquering the martial arts world, or bloodshed.”
Mu Hwi nodded. As expected, the Sword Immortal felt the same way. The only emotions Heukcheon had shown were boundless weariness and boredom.
“It seemed he was only searching for an opponent who could match the martial prowess he’d accumulated.”
“He may have begun as a demonic practitioner, but now he might simply be a martial artist. A lonely martial artist who never found a worthy rival in his lifetime. In a way, he’s like a child seeking a playmate.”
After a moment of silence, Mu Hwi cautiously asked,
“What do you think would happen if you fought Heukcheon?”
A gentle arc formed on the Sword Immortal’s lips.
“This old man doesn’t know. That’s why I tried to draw my sword, but Heukcheon refused. He said it wasn’t the time.”
Then, the Sword Immortal looked at Mu Hwi.
“But the opponent Heukcheon awaits isn’t this old man? It’s likely you, Mu Hwi.”
“Heukcheon said something similar. But this junior doesn’t understand why.”
Mu Hwi had a clear reason—the enmity from his past life. But Heukcheon had no such motive. Though Heukcheon had mentioned his disciple’s grudge, he didn’t seem to care at all.
The Sword Immortal gazed at Mu Hwi with calm eyes.
“It’s just intuition. You’ll understand.”
A martial artist’s intuition is special. As one’s realm rises and internal energy deepens, their senses sharpen. Once they begin communicating directly with the natural energies, those heightened senses approach foresight. The senses of an absolute master resonate with the principles of nature.
Thus, Heukcheon’s senses, honed over centuries of martial training, might have touched the heavens themselves.
“But honestly, I don’t believe my current skills are a match for Heukcheon.”
The Sword Immortal stroked his beard and looked out the window. The vast sky above the pavilion was dotted with leisurely drifting clouds.
“That’s likely true. Even within the same realm, the gap can be as endless as the martial arts world itself. Just as Kang Ho-baek was inferior to the Paewangseong Lord and Sima Gang despite being in the same realm. But Mu Hwi, your worries are pointless.”
At the Sword Immortal’s firm words, Mu Hwi blinked. If he were to face Heukcheon later, it was natural to think about it. But the Sword Immortal said it wasn’t necessary, which confused him.
“Even if Heukcheon considers you his rival, you don’t have to shoulder everything alone. You didn’t reach your current level relying solely on your own strength.”
Mu Hwi shook his head. Talent alone wouldn’t have brought him this far. It was the convergence of countless connections and fortuitous encounters that allowed him to reach this realm.
“Just as you’ve done so far, continue as you have. You don’t have to carry the burden alone. This old man and others will stand by your side.”
The Sword Immortal gently placed his hand over Mu Hwi’s clenched fist. Mu Hwi felt the warmth of the Sword Immortal’s touch.
“In a way, it won’t just be a contest for the title of the world’s strongest—it’ll be a clash between righteousness and the demonic path.”
Understanding the Sword Immortal’s words, Mu Hwi nodded. Though both had reached the absolute realm, the paths they’d walked to get there were entirely different. It wouldn’t be a simple comparison of martial prowess but a collision of their respective martial philosophies.
“I won’t lose.”
“You must not.”
Afterward, Mu Hwi and the Sword Immortal discussed martial arts. Their conversation revolved mainly around the Sword Intent Beyond Form that Mu Hwi had realized upon reaching the absolute realm and the deeper Mental Sword beyond it.
As he had done at Wudang and the Martial Alliance, the Sword Immortal generously shared his wisdom. Mu Hwi felt that even this discussion alone was a tremendous help in navigating the boundless absolute realm.
The Sword Immortal had given Mu Hwi so much—he was like the first master Mu Hwi had ever truly had.
After a long conversation, the Sword Immortal finally rose.
“It’s time for this old man to go. The Guyu Sect Emperor must already be quite irritated with me.”
“So the Guyu Sect Emperor knew you were here.”
“A guest should always pay respects to their host.”
With a meaningful glance at Mu Hwi, the Sword Immortal added,
“When the Guyu Sect Emperor challenged me, I refused, telling him to defeat the Hwasan Sword Saint first. Make sure he doesn’t come to Mount Wudang.”
As the Sword Immortal laughed, Mu Hwi joined in.
“That will certainly happen.”
“Hahaha. I trust you.”
Like a wisp of cloud, the Sword Immortal vanished as suddenly as he had arrived.
***
The Final Day of the World Sword Discourse Tournament.
The last day of the World Sword Discourse Tournament had arrived. At the Great Martial Arena, where a massive stage had been erected, swordsmen from across the martial arts world had gathered for the occasion.
“It’s finally starting. Watch closely. We never know when our clan might face such a challenge.”
“Yes, Father.”
As Namgung Heo and Namgung Gak focused on the arena, the Wudang Seven Swords approached.
“Clan Leader.”
“Ah, Yin Hu. You’ve come.”
Namgung Heo and Namgung Gak returned the greetings of the Wudang Seven Swords, led by Yin Hu.
“What are your thoughts, Yin Hu?”
“Hmm. This time, each sect has sent fifteen representatives, correct?”
“Indeed.”
The Hwasan Sect and the Guyu Sect had each selected their fifteen strongest members to face off in the martial contest. The victors could continue fighting until defeated, while losing all fifteen would decide the outcome of the World Sword Discourse Tournament.
“The martial prowess of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen has already been proven repeatedly. But the Eight Jade Swords, nurtured by the Guyu Sect Emperor, won’t be easy opponents either.”
Rumors said the Eight Jade Swords were talents handpicked and trained by the Guyu Sect Emperor from the gate’s martial forces. With his focused guidance, they were far from pushovers.
Over the past six days, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen had won most of his matches, but the same was true for the Eight Jade Swords.
“Moreover, the Guyu Sect’s leader and his three deputy leaders—Narak, Jiok, and Gucheon—are personally participating. This won’t be easy.”
“Of course, the duel between the Guyu Sect Emperor and the Hwasan Sword Saint will be the most critical.”
Following Yin Hu’s words, Namgung Heo looked up at the Guyu Sect Emperor seated atop the highest platform.
‘He hasn’t changed since his battle with Father. If anything, he looks younger.’
Having witnessed the clash between the Heaven’s Blade Emperor and the Guyu Sect Emperor firsthand, Namgung Heo was troubled by the latter’s unexpectedly robust appearance. It seemed the Hwasan Sword Saint would have a harder fight than anticipated.
Noticing Namgung Heo’s gaze, the Guyu Sect Emperor twisted his lips.
[The Heaven’s Blade Emperor died of old age, I hear. What a pity. Had you properly succeeded your father and inherited his title, I would’ve challenged the Namgung Clan instead of Hwasan. Tsk tsk.]
Namgung Heo merely furrowed his brows at the Guyu Sect Emperor’s sound transmission. The words were true—he lacked the achievements to transcend the transcendent realm, remaining stuck at the peak of supremacy.
Yet, despite the jab, Namgung Heo’s gaze remained steady.
‘It’s fine. The Namgung’s sword legacy continues. We’ll produce another absolute master in time.’
He placed a hand on Namgung Gak’s shoulder.
“Father?”
Unaware of his father’s thoughts, Namgung Gak was puzzled by the sudden shift in his expression.
“It’s nothing.”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As the Namgung father and son spoke, the drums signaling the start of the martial contest resounded.
The Guyu Sect ’s vanguard was a middle-aged man from the Eight Jade Swords, while Hwasan’s was Mu-hwa.
“The Mad Wind Plum Blossom Sword? Even as a disciple, she’s participating? She’s still young—will she be alright?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. You haven’t seen her fight. She’s fiercer and faster than most wandering swordsmen.”
Some swordsmen expressed concern over Muhwa’s youth, but her reputation as the Mad Wind Plum Blossom Sword was well-earned.
Her opponent, the middle-aged man, sneered.
“I’ll end this quickly. A little girl who doesn’t know fear.”
He unleashed a rough aura, coating his blade in crimson sword energy. His aura suggested he was nearing the pinnacle of mastery, approaching the extreme of the peak realm.
Mu-hwa smirked at his condescending look, pursing her red lips.
“Oh, really?”
A light step forward.
Her figure blurred.
A gust of wind and a flash of purple light exploded before the middle-aged man’s eyes.
‘What—?!’
The twenty-pace distance closed in less than a breath—Mu-hwa’s terrifying movement technique defied her age.
The man hastily swung his sword, but by then, Mu-hwa’s sleeve, embroidered with plum blossoms, was already fluttering in the wind.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Seven sword shadows struck his vital points. His hand twitched as he tried to block the attacks targeting his waist and left leg.
Before he could even react, plum blossom petals scattered from Mu-hwa’s sword above him.
The combination of Plum Blossoms in Flurry and Falling Plum Blossoms left him breathless and off-balance.
‘This is humiliating!’
The man, who had intended to toy with Mu-hwa using the Ghost Soul-Shattering Sword—a technique rivaling Hwasan’s illusions—found himself treated like a training dummy instead.
Jiok, one of the deputy leaders, frowned.
“That girl…”
Gucheon, beside him, nodded.
“It’s clear. She’s reached supremacy. At her age? Unbelievable. Does Hwasan teach evil technique in secret?”
“They must’ve hidden their true techniques.”
Narak, arms crossed, glared at Mu-hwa.
Over the past six days, the Guyu Sect had thoroughly analyzed the Plum Blossom Swordsmen’s abilities. Yet today, Mu-hwa moved unlike before.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The middle-aged man barely blocked Mu-hwa’s relentless strikes, his sword trembling precariously.
Her rapid slashes, layered with sword winds, poured down like a storm.
‘Damn it! The Mad Wind Plum Blossom Sword!’
Now he understood her epithet.
“Is this all you’ve got?”
The man couldn’t reply. His vision was filled with dazzling plum blossoms amidst the sword shadows.
Mu-hwa abruptly shifted her downward slash into an upward strike, breaking his stance, then followed with a left-handed Plum Blossom Scattering Hand strike through the opening.
Thud!
The spiraling force of the technique slammed into his chest.
“Guh—!”
Coughing blood, he tumbled several times.
As he scrambled up, Mu-hwa’s sword was already at his throat.
The crowd fell silent at the one-sided domination. Many were stunned that a junior—a girl still with baby fat on her cheeks—could fight like this.
“The Mad Wind Plum Blossom Sword! Incredible!”
“Her skill surpasses the rumors. Truly astonishing.”
“I knew it. Her swordsmanship these past days was extraordinary.”
Now that she’d shown such overwhelming power, she was finally being recognized as a true swordsman—one no one could underestimate.
Mu-hwa glanced leisurely at the spectators before calling out to the Guyu Sect’s side.
“Next.”