169
Chapter 169: Only Outdated Warriors Exist
The Defeat of the Narak Clan Leader.
“The Narak Clan Leader lost an arm to the late-stage foundation level disciple.”
“This is a significant blow to the Guyu Sect.”
The Guyu Sect was supported by three martial branches: the Jiok Clan, the Guchun Clan, and the Narak Clan. The leader of one of these branches had been defeated by a second-generation disciple of the Hwasan Sect.
For the swordsmen observing the duel, this outcome came as a fresh shock.
“The Guyu Sect is being pushed this far?”
At the muttered words of a startled swordsman, others around him also let out exclamations of amazement.
“If it weren’t for the Hwasan Sword Saint, Mu-hwa would have been the one to carry the future of Hwasan.”
“Not just Mu-hwa—Mujin, Mu-cheol, and the other second-generation disciples. How were they trained to achieve such skill at that age?”
“Even the first-generation disciples are formidable. Hwasan. It’s not that they recovered from decline—it’s more accurate to say they’ve entered a new golden age.”
The swordsmen couldn’t stop marveling at the martial prowess displayed by Hwasan.
While Hwasan continued their streak of victories with calm composure, the Guyu Sect could only endure their boiling rage.
Amidst this, the duels continued, and the results were brutal. The Eight Jade Sword Unit was completely defeated by Plum Blossom Swordsmen, the Jiok Clan Leader lost to Baek Sun, and the Guchun Clan Leader was defeated by Hyeon Baek.
Before the duel between the Hwasan Sword Saint and the Guyu Sword Emperor, the match between the Guyu Sect Leader and the Hwasan Sect Leader was taking place.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sharp metallic clashes pierced the ears.
In the blink of an eye, not only the observing swordsmen but even the disciples of the Hwasan Sect and the Guyu Sect stood like statues, completely absorbed in the duel.
“I’m the one feeling nervous now.”
“Don’t worry. The Sect Leader will surely win.”
As Muho gritted his teeth and spoke, Musan placed a hand on his shoulder. Even Musan’s grip was slightly tense.
Among the first-generation disciples and elders, many watched Baek Yu’s back with tense eyes as he scattered sword shadows.
“Sect Leader...”
This was a duel between the leaders representing their respective sects, carrying far greater significance than the previous matches.
The Guyu Sect Leader’s face was as ferocious as a demon’s as he unleashed waves of sword energy.
With each swing of his sword, parts of the dueling platform were densely filled with sword energy. His strikes were desperate.
‘Fools. Always bickering among themselves, yet when it matters, they lose together.’
Thinking of the three Clan leaders, the Sect Leader gnashed his teeth and swung his sword violently.
Baek Yu’s swift sword thrust toward his vitals. Pushing it aside, the Sect Leader took a deep breath and launched a relentless barrage of strikes.
Whoosh!
Endless swirling petals, like a swarm of insects, annoyed him greatly.
But with each slight tremor of the Sect Leader’s sword, the purple petals shattered and scattered into the air.
After deflecting the petals in one breath, the Sect Leader flicked his wrist strangely and simultaneously stabbed toward Baek Yu’s waist and shoulder.
Eight piercing strikes in an instant.
“Hup!”
With a short shout, Baek Yu drew a small arc, deflecting all the thrusts, then stepped forward and unleashed a storm of sword energy.
The Sect Leader split the surging sword energy and lightly retreated to dissipate the impact.
“Sect Leader. Why aren’t you using the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Technique? Are you looking down on me?”
“Not at all. After reaching a certain level, I’ve spent my life practicing Seven Supreme Plum Blossom Sword and Seven Deadly Sword Technique. I’m simply using the sword technique I’m most confident in.”
After a brief pause to steady their breathing, the two elders clashed violently once more.
Kreeeeng!
With a fierce metallic screech, their swords intertwined, and explosive energy swept through the grand arena. The hair and robes of the observing swordsmen fluttered wildly.
The Sect Leader chased Baek Yu, who was slowly retreating, and slashed horizontally.
“Sect Leader. Do you really think you can win with those sword techniques?”
Baek Yu lightly deflected the horizontal slash aimed at his throat, then rotated his ankle, summoning a single plum blossom.
The plum blossom dancing on Baek Yu’s sword flew toward the Sect Leader’s chest.
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Watching the earlier duels, I noticed Plum Blossom Swordsmen also uses the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Technique. Does that mean the original Three Great Plum Blossom Sword Technique are now outdated in Hwasan?”
For the first time during the duel, Baek Yu, who had remained expressionless, smiled at the Sect Leader’s question. As the Sect Leader tore through the plum blossoms, he asked,
“Why are you smiling?”
“Do you really think it’s outdated?”
“Of course. Aren’t you using your sect’s new sword technique to pressure me?”
Ghost Howling Sword Technique (鬼呀攦玲劍).
A newly created sword technique developed by the Guyu Emperor during his seclusion. The Sect Leader was the first to learn it directly from the Emperor.
The Eight Jade Sword Unit and the three Clan leaders had also trained in the Ghost Howling Sword Art under the Guyu Emperor’s guidance, using it alongside their existing techniques depending on their mastery.
But unlike the other disciples, the Sect Leader had reached a level where he could rely solely on the Ghost Howling Sword Technique.
Zing!
Every time the Sect Leader’s sword split the air, a unique sound like shattering jade erupted—likely due to the sword’s peculiar and intricate movements.
With each sound, the plum blossoms in the air were crushed or torn apart.
The eerie sound, infused with internal energy, disturbed Baek Yu’s calm while also preventing the petals from dominating the space.
Meanwhile, the ominous sword strokes relentlessly targeted vital points, pushing Baek Yu back.
Baek Yu alternated between Seven Deadly Sword Technique and Seven Supreme Plum Blossom Sword to counter.
Barely blocking a threatening slash aimed at his abdomen, he retreated to a safer position.
Throughout the duel, Baek Yu had been passive, focusing solely on defense. Watching him being gradually pushed to the edge of the platform, the Sect Leader sneered.
“How can the Hwasan Sect Leader face his disciples if he keeps running away like this?”
A strike from the Ghost Howling Sword Technique, rising from the lower left and bending three times in succession.
The strangely twisted sword aimed for Baek Yu’s chin with a difficult-to-block trajectory.
Clang!
The Sect Leader’s eyes narrowed. Before the technique could fully unfold, Baek Yu had already countered with a variation, blocking the strike.
“There’s no such thing as outdated martial arts. There are only the martial arts of the past and the present. The Three Great Plum Blossom Sword Technique have undeniably supported Hwasan’s history.”
Baek Yu’s right hand, gripping the plum blossom sword, slowly pushed the blade forward. The Sect Leader’s sword was gradually forced back.
Creak!
‘This guy… Still has this much strength?’
Veins bulged on the Sect Leader’s hand, but he couldn’t stop the pressure.
“The birth of the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Technique doesn’t mean the Three Great Plum Blossom Sword Technique will fade—they will continue to evolve endlessly. And that’s exactly what’s happening now.”
Twisting his blade to push aside the Sect Leader’s sword, Baek Yu swept the plum blossom sword upward, drawing a large arc.
Five plum blossoms bloomed along the sword’s path, like waves in the air.
Following Baek Yu’s narrowly drawn sword, the five blossoms clashed against each other as they flew forward.
‘Five Blossoms Competing in Speed (五梅爭速).’
The Sect Leader immediately recognized the technique.
Given the long history of conflict between their sects, the Guyu Sect was well-versed in Hwasan’s sword techniques.
The Sect Leader had already learned the counter for this move and executed it instinctively.
“Huh?”
His sword, meant to pierce the five connecting points and slash diagonally to split the blossoms, was blocked.
The movement of the five blossoms seemed similar to what he knew, yet entirely different.
“This technique…”
“How is it? I improved it myself. Adding the subtleties of stillness (靜) unexpectedly enhanced the illusions (幻) and variations (變). Such is the principle of the Way—it exists everywhere.”
The five blossoms exploded simultaneously, engulfing the Sect Leader’s upper body in petals. He barely dodged, but his left sleeve was torn to shreds.
Through the tattered fabric, Baek Yu’s figure passed like the wind. Closing the distance with the Dark Scent Flutter, he pressed the attack.
Unlike his earlier defensive retreats, his footwork was now aggressive and light. The plum blossom sword drew countless variations in the air, surpassing even his movements.
This was a side of Baek Yu never seen before, even after over a hundred exchanges.
“Was running away boring? My apologies. I needed time to adapt to your new sword art. I prefer to slowly understand my opponent before fighting seriously…”
As Baek Yu fully activated his Purple Sunset Divine Energy, a faint glow began to shimmer around his shoulders.
Unlike Mu Hwi’s elongated aura, Baek Yu’s purple sunset covered his back and shoulders.
“You’ve… Become talkative.”
Until now, Baek Yu had seemed precarious, responding slowly. But now, he was the one initiating conversation, speaking at length.
‘He was conserving his strength.’
The Sect Leader let out a cold laugh at Baek Yu’s relaxed demeanor and attacked even more fiercely.
The Ghost Howling Sword Technique’s terrifying strikes tore through the air, splitting the dueling platform’s floor.
Yet Baek Yu didn’t retreat. Instead, he exploited every opening in the Sect Leader’s techniques.
Dozens of sword shadows branched out like tree limbs through the chaotic sword energy of the Ghost Howling Sword Technique.
As the plum blossom sword slashed horizontally and vertically, the shadows trembled and shattered the Sect Leader’s techniques.
‘Is this Winter Plum Hiding Spring (冬梅潛春)? No, it’s completely different. Has this technique changed too?’
Every time Baek Yu executed a Seven Sword or Seven Deadly Technique, a modified version appeared.
The Sect Leader realized Baek Yu had deliberately used conventional techniques for the first hundred exchanges.
‘I thought he was a tame bear, but he’s a fox!’
Baek Yu smiled kindly at the Sect Leader’s wide-eyed expression.
“I don’t act rashly. I take my time to ensure I gain the upper hand. This temperament is why I became the Sect Leader. Ah, the unorthodox sects call this underhanded, don’t they?”
“Shut up!”
Hwasan’s disciples, especially the second-generation ones, were stunned by their Sect Leader’s demeanor.
“I had no idea the Sect Leader was like this.”
“Same. I never knew.”
Even Mu Hwi looked at Baek Yu in amazement. Though he had known him since his past life, he had never seen this side of him.
Only the elders and a few first-generation disciples nodded knowingly.
“With the Sect Leader showing his true colors, this duel is as good as won. He hides his true self until he’s confident of victory.”
“That’s why the second-generation disciples suffered under him back then.”
Baek Sun and Baek Jin chuckled, sitting down on prepared chairs and sipping tea.
“Hahp!”
The Sect Leader roared and slashed vertically, as if to split Baek Yu’s skull in half.
Baek Yu deflected it lightly with Plum Blossom Scattering Hand, tilting his body slightly and thrusting deeply.
A lightning-fast sword strike—Cold Plum Flash (冷梅閃開).
Recognizing it as a Seven Supreme Plum Blossom Sword technique, the Sect Leader hesitated, thinking it was another modified move.
In that brief moment, he realized:
‘Damn that sly old man!’
It wasn’t modified.
It was the original technique.
The Sect Leader had fallen for Baek Yu’s mind games.
He thrust his sword immediately, but in the world of masters, an instant is an eternity.
Thud!
A purple flash grazed the Sect Leader’s side, and the twisting blade reached his throat.
“Haah.”
The Sect Leader sighed deeply in lament, while Baek Yu grinned.
“There are no outdated martial arts. Only outdated warriors. We must strive endlessly, Sect Leader.”
“Haha! Damned Taoist...”
The Sect Leader let out a suppressed laugh.
In Baek Yu’s final words, he recognized the reasons for his defeat.
His trembling sword slowly lowered toward the ground.
***
The Guyu Sword Emperor, who had been silently observing the duel, finally rose from his seat.
The swordsmen who had been heatedly discussing the match between the Hwasan Sect Leader and the Guyu Sect Leader fell silent and turned their attention to him.
“Hwasan. Impressive.”
The Guyu Sword Emperor’s voice swept through the grand arena.
“A complete defeat. How devastating. Our sect’s dignity has been trampled. I should execute the disciples who lost immediately.”
The Eight Jade Sword Unit paled, and even the Guyu Sect Leader flinched.
“But it’s not that our disciples disgraced themselves—they fought well. I can’t blame them entirely.”
The Guyu Sword Emperor watched as Mu Hwi stepped onto the dueling platform and asked,
“You trained Plum Blossom Swordsmen, didn’t you? Is that correct?”
“It is.”
The Emperor shifted his gaze to the tense Plum Blossom Swordsmen, his eyes filled with interest.
“Creating martial arts and teaching them are entirely different fields. You engraved a newly created martial art into another’s body perfectly. I failed to do so—that was our downfall.”
The Emperor hadn’t expected Plum Blossom Swordsmen, trained in a new martial art, to achieve such heights.
Martial arts aren’t mastered just by memorizing techniques and formulas.
One must fully understand and embody the art’s essence, eventually making it their own and evolving it.
This process takes considerable time, so the Emperor had assumed they would use the Three Great Plum Blossom Sword Technique alongside the new techniques.
‘The Plum Blossom Swordsmen’s efforts played a part, but his teaching must have been extraordinary. Even at a glance, it was no ordinary sword art.’
As the Emperor spoke, Mu Hwi twisted his lips.
“All that’s irrelevant. Guyu Sect lost because they’re weak.”
The swordsmen gasped at Mu Hwi’s provocation, but the Emperor simply observed him, his robes fluttering.
His own martial arts, his ability to create and teach.
His fierce will and spirit.
Nothing was lacking.
Mu Hwi’s journey itself had become a turning point for Hwasan.
‘He deserves to be called a grandmaster.’
The Emperor’s eyebrows slowly rose as he stared at Mu Hwi.
“When I entered seclusion, I vowed not to emerge until I reached the absolute pinnacle.”
Two swords floated above the Emperor’s head as he smiled at Mu Hwi.
“I emerged only to hear of the Heavenly Sword Emperor’s demise. But the Hwasan Sword Saint is no lesser opponent.”
Zing!
The swords unsheathed themselves, emitting a sharp, grating sound.
The cry of the Ghost Howling Sword Technique.
Unlike the Sect Leader’s, this sound was even more sinister and piercing, like the wail of vengeful spirits.