170
Chapter 170: The Hwasan Sect Will Take It Instead
Guyu Sword Emperor held one sword in his right hand and the other floating in the air, using Yi-Gi Sword Control.
Zzzing!
The ominous hum of Guyu Sword Emperor’s sword twisted in the air, aiming at Mu Hwi.
“Where…”
As Guyu Sword Emperor muttered, the floating sword shot toward Mu Hwi like an arrow. Yet, Mu Hwi still hadn’t drawn the Sim-myeong Sword from his waist.
The moment Guyu Sword Emperor’s Yi-Gi Sword was about to pierce Mu Hwi’s forehead, a single Plum Blossom Sword erupted from behind Mu Hwi, tearing through the air.
Clang!
A deep resonance exploded in the air.
The two Yi-Gi Swords clashed, pushing against each other, trembling violently.
“Yi-Gi Sword Control… To witness two Yi-Gi Swords colliding like this…”
“It feels like a dream.”
“Coming to the World Sword Discourse Tournament was the right decision.”
The swordsmen watching the two entangled swords in the air gaped, unable to remove their gazes.
Yi-Gi Sword Control was the dream of any swordsman who practiced the sword.
Guyu Sword Emperor’s eyes gleamed as he watched Mu Hwi leisurely gripping Sim-myeong Sword’s hilt.
“Have you already reached the realm of Sword Peak? To progress this fast… You truly are a monster.”
Crash!
As the Yi-Gi Swords momentarily separated and clashed again, releasing a fierce shockwave, Guyu Sword Emperor also thrust his sword forward.
Mu Hwi pressed down on the sword aiming for his heart from above and pushed Sim-myeong Sword straight along the blade.
Sparks flew as the blades scraped past each other.
The sword energy of Sim-myeong Sword, slithering up like a snake along the blade, targeted Guyu Sword Emperor’s grip.
Kang!
Guyu Sword Emperor twisted his wrist, blocking with the flat guard of his sword and deflecting Sim-myeong Sword upward.
His follow-up motion, thrusting toward Mu Hwi’s throat, flowed as naturally as water.
Mu Hwi tilted his head back, shifting his center of gravity to rotate his body and slash the Sim-myeong Sword horizontally.
Guyu Sword Emperor, missing his strike, didn’t retract his sword but instead drew a circular motion, aiming for Mu Hwi’s waist.
The two swordsmen spun simultaneously, unleashing powerful strikes at each other.
Claaang!
The ground beneath their feet caved in from the force.
The shockwave from their clash swept through the arena like a storm. Many swordsmen coughed up blood, their faces paling.
“Kuhk!”
The spectators hastily retreated, raising their internal energy to defend themselves.
Watching a battle between absolute masters was a life-risking endeavor.
Zzzrrring!
While Mu Hwi and Guyu Sword Emperor clashed below, the two Yi-Gi Swords fought fiercely in the air.
The sky was filled with endless plum blossoms blooming atop waves of sword energy.
Dozens of sword rays crisscrossed like spiderwebs over the blossoms, glowing brilliantly.
Each time, a blazing crimson sword energy spread like flames, tearing through the plum blossoms.
Torn petals and blossoms were scattered like snow over the stage.
The layered strikes of the Plum Blossom Scattering Hand technique.
Guyu Sword Emperor flicked his sleeve, reinforced with internal energy, to disperse the technique, then pushed off with his toes.
‘How familiar.’
As Mu Hwi lunged forward, unleashing twenty sword strikes, Guyu Sword Emperor leveled his sword horizontally.
Using Yi-Gi Sword Control consumed significant mental and internal energy. Executing intricate techniques simultaneously was even more taxing.
Even absolute masters found it difficult to wield multiple techniques at once without mastery.
“The more I see, the more amazed I am. Even the Three Seats in their youth couldn’t match your growth speed.”
“You’re no different. Breaking through barriers at your age is no easy feat.”
“Hoho. This cheeky brat… Youth is truly enviable.”
Guyu Sword Emperor’s sword brimmed with more power than any other swordsman present.
Mu Hwi’s ever-shifting techniques surrounded all thirty-six directions.
Guyu Sword Emperor countered with relentless strikes, twisting sword rays outward while pressing inward—like endless waves of demons crawling from hell.
Swish!
Mu Hwi twisted his body, splitting the air with a slash. A few strands of his hair were severed and scattered.
As he leaned left, Mu Hwi unleashed Plum Blossom Scattering Hand, while Guyu Sword Emperor struck down at his wrist with a kick.
Thud!
The sound of tearing fabric echoed as the two masters were pushed apart.
But they closed the distance faster than they had been repelled, clashing again.
Purple energy surged around Mu Hwi, while Guyu Sword Emperor’s long hair floated wildly from the violent waves of energy.
“Truly… A spectacle.”
At Mu-hwa’s murmur, Mujin nodded.
The two Yi-Gi Swords in the sky clashed like fireworks, their sword energy exploding like dazzling flares.
“Watch closely. Even if you never reach the Senior Disciple’s level, strive endlessly toward it.”
The surrounding disciples nodded.
“Of course, Senior Mujin.”
“Only such heights make the chase worthwhile.”
“Ah, if I think I can’t catch up, I lose motivation…”
At Musang’s words, the disciples turned to glare at him.
Muryun, especially, shot him a deathly stare.
“J-Just kidding! Senior, no need to look so murderous…”
The disciples refocused on the duel.
Whoosh!
Crimson flames, like those from hell, surged across the stage. The blazing sword energy from Guyu Sword Emperor’s sword, infused with Extreme Yang energy, swept the ground and scorched the air.
His strike, Ghost Mouth Blazing Smoke, engulfed Mu Hwi, but the purple energy surrounding him blocked the heat.
Mu Hwi countered with Plum Blossom Endurance, a massive plum blossom deflecting the attack.
Suddenly, Guyu Sword Emperor burst through his own technique, splitting the blossom.
Boom!
Closing the distance, Guyu Sword Emperor slashed vertically—a sneak attack aimed at Mu Hwi’s weak point.
Mu Hwi had anticipated this.
He had observed how Guyu Sword Emperor’s techniques revolved around high and low strikes.
Guyu Sword Emperor likely obscured his vision with blazing sword energy before striking the open mid-section.
Mu Hwi’s sword, previously low, shot up diagonally, bending mid-air to deflect the strike aimed at his forehead.
Clang!
Guyu Sword Emperor’s wrinkles deepened as his sword was knocked aside.
Mu Hwi didn’t miss the moment Guyu Sword Emperor’s blade trembled, his sword energy scattering slightly.
As Sim-myeong Sword glowed a deeper purple, Mu Hwi bent his knees lower and leaned forward slightly.
He unleashed Sword-Breaking Pursuit, a strike so fierce it split even the mirage-like heat haze in the air.
‘What is this?!’
Seeing the thick violet sword light, Guyu Sword Emperor hastily twisted his sword away—instinct warning him it would shatter if blocked head-on.
Claaang!
Despite his quick reaction, his sword shattered. Instead of panicking, Guyu Sword Emperor struck like lightning with his palm.
Flame Prison Palm, infused with Extreme Yang energy, slammed into Mu Hwi’s left collarbone.
Crunch!
The sound of breaking bone and flesh echoed as both masters were flung back.
Mu Hwi glanced down—his plum-patterned robe now bore a blackened palm print.
‘This old man… His senses are sharp despite years in seclusion.’
He suppressed the invading Extreme Yang energy with Purple Sunset Divine Energy.
Guyu Sword Emperor discarded the broken sword without hesitation and recalled the Yi-Gi Sword he had been controlling.
“What was that technique just now?”
“No need for you to know.”
“Arrogant.”
Guyu Sword Emperor smirked, switching his grip.
“After crushing you, I’ll deal with Wudang and Namgung next.”
The heads of the Namgung Family and Wudang Seven Swords stiffened slightly.
“I’ll surpass the Three Great Sword Sects and make my school the number one in the world.”
“Save that talk for after you win.”
As Guyu Sword Emperor laughed, two more swords shot up from behind.
Having seen enough of Mu Hwi’s skills, Guyu Sword Emperor unleashed his reserved strength.
This time, the Yi-Gi Swords didn’t clash—they aimed straight for Mu Hwi.
Three blazing swords pointed at Mu Hwi, while he still wielded only two.
“Hm! Has the Hwasan Sword Saint reached his limit with one Yi-Gi Sword?”
“The match might be decided now.”
At the murmurs, Mu Hwi smirked.
‘Fools.’
Yi-Gi Sword Control wasn’t about quantity—it was about mastery.
Like dual-wielding in martial arts, simply having more weapons didn’t guarantee greater power.
It depended on internal energy, will, and how the swords were used.
For the Hwasan Sect’s fast, ever-changing techniques, multiple Yi-Gi Swords amplified their power.
But for a swordsman focusing all energy into a single blade, one was enough.
‘This will work.’
Mu Hwi could wield two Yi-Gi Swords like Guyu Sword Emperor but chose to fight with one.
With Sword-Breaking Pursuit, he didn’t need a second Plum Blossom Sword to win.
‘And I’ll take everything useful.’
The best way to steal techniques was to experience them firsthand in prolonged battle.
Over 150 exchanges in, the duel neared its climax.
The stage and surrounding area were ruins, forcing spectators to retreat further.
Clash! Clang!
Five swords danced wildly, leaving deep gashes in the air and ground.
Mu Hwi’s robe was singed and torn, while Guyu Sword Emperor’s front was split down to his chest.
‘To have my robes damaged… It’s been a while.’
Guyu Sword Emperor laughed as he charged head-on, while his two Yi-Gi Swords attacked from the sides and rear.
It felt like fighting three Guyu Sword Emperors at once.
Mu Hwi responded in kind.
Instead of matching each sword, he paired Sim-myeong Sword with his Yi-Gi Sword, fighting as if alongside an invisible ally.
Sim-myeong Sword trembled violently, drawing plum blossoms in the air—Plum Endures Snow’s Cold, blocking the surging flames.
The Plum Blossom Sword deflected Guyu Sword Emperor’s rear strike, then pierced through space with Plum Scent Becomes a Stream.
The Yi-Gi Sword shot like a meteor, its violet tail streaking across the sky.
Guyu Sword Emperor’s Yi-Gi Sword descended like a flaming waterfall.
Whoosh!
The collision sent a scorching gale through the arena.
As the two Yi-Gi Swords soared from the impact, Guyu Sword Emperor swept his sword low, carving deep gashes in the ground.
Sword energy rose like a wall—Flame Prison Wall.
But Sim-myeong Sword’s heavy slash split the wall vertically.
Mu Hwi stepped through the gap as Guyu Sword Emperor’s Seven Ghosts Stir Chaos—seven intertwined strikes—aimed for his forehead.
Mu Hwi twisted mid-air, dodging most, but a cut opened on his shoulder.
‘Disgusting smell.’
The burning flesh stung, but Mu Hwi ignored it and struck back.
Falling Plums Become Rain and Plum Blossom Butterfly Dance followed by Sword-Breaking Pursuit.
The relentless barrage of plum blossoms and petals, mixed with devastating slashes, overwhelmed Guyu Sword Emperor.
‘This sword force rivals even the Emperor Sword Form of the Azure Sky Sword Emperor. No—it might surpass it.’
Guyu Sword Emperor’s hands ached as he frantically countered with dozens of variations.
But the Hwasan Sect’s dizzying techniques, combined with Sword-Breaking Pursuit, gave him a headache.
Amid hundreds of mesmerizing blossoms hid deadly thorns.
Sim-myeong Sword, now glowing violet, tore through Guyu Sword Emperor’s defenses and shattered his sword.
Even as his blade broke, Guyu Sword Emperor’s eyes burned with resolve.
Screech!
The Yi-Gi Sword from behind broke through Plum Endures Snow’s Cold, aiming for Mu Hwi’s back.
Guyu Sword Emperor gripped a crimson intangible sword, striking simultaneously from the front.
Trapped between two attacks, Mu Hwi released the Sim-myeong Sword.
The freed sword deflected the rear strike, while Mu Hwi summoned a violet intangible sword of his own.
Guyu Sword Emperor’s eyes blazed at the sight.
“Senior. The honor of the world’s greatest sword sect you desired—the Hwasan Sect will take it instead.”
“Try it!”
The two intangible swords met at a single point.
Instead of a deafening crash, immense pressure swallowed all sound as shockwaves spread.
The Yi-Gi Swords fell to the ground as both masters focused entirely on their intangible blades.
Guyu Sword Emperor unleashed Ghost Return Soul Sword, while Mu Hwi countered with a technique inspired by the Sword Immortal’s teachings.
“Sword Intent Guides the Path. It Resides in One’s Heart.”
Mu Hwi’s strike—Break Energy, Seek the Path—embodied this realization.
His lifelong ambition to surpass the Azure Sky Sword Emperor.
His vow to make the Hwasan Sect supreme.
All condensed into a single sword strike aimed at breaking Guyu Sword Emperor’s will and reaching the pinnacle of sword mastery.
Mu Hwi’s violet energy split Guyu Sword Emperor’s blazing flames in half.
Guyu Sword Emperor slowly lowered his hand—his intangible sword dissipated into the haze.
“It’s broken. My seclusion was in vain.”
“Not in vain. My resolve was simply stronger.”
“I’ve spent my life pursuing this. How are you so strong?”
“A promise I must keep…”
Mu Hwi’s vow to Hyeon Jo.
Seeing Mu Hwi’s flawless intangible sword, Guyu Sword Emperor smiled bitterly.
******
Black Night Palace Lord
The Black Night Palace Lord stared into the swirling darkness before him.
“Master. You’ve arrived.”
As he bowed, Heukcheon, cloaked in darkness, stepped forward.
“Why have you summoned me, disciple?”