187
Chapter 187
The streets of Huayin were overflowing with people, most of them martial artists carrying weapons.
“Tsk. We can’t even go up.”
“What can we do? All the major sects have united to block the entrance.”
Most of the martial artists gathered in Huayin were those interested in the Hwasan Sword Debate, yet none could ascend the mountain.
The entrance to Hwasan was occupied by elite martial forces from prestigious sects like the Sacheon Alliance, the Martial Alliance, and the Paewangseong. Because of this, ordinary martial artists didn’t even dare to attempt the climb.
So, the martial artists idled their time away, scattered throughout Huayin. Despite this, there were no disturbances, not even minor quarrels. They all knew the reason.
This Hwasan Sword Debate would determine the future of the martial arts world—a pivotal event.
Though they weren’t participating or spectating directly, the martial artists were each lost in deep thought.
“It’s about to begin.”
“The sun has finally risen today.”
At Seong Hwi’s muttering, the junior disciples of the Small Righteous Assembly sipped on warmed liquor. Though they all held cups, the atmosphere was subdued.
“To think we have to just sit here and wait.”
“Let’s trust the Assembly Leader and wait.”
The voices of the junior disciples carried both worry for Mu Hwi and the helplessness of watching from afar.
Present in the room were Dokgo Yul and Xian Zhu.
Their hearts yearned to climb Hwasan and see Mu Hwi’s face, but the Hwasan Sect had closed its doors to outsiders during the Sword Debate, making it impossible.
“The Assembly Leader must be preparing by now.”
“The Sword Saint will handle it well. That’s the kind of man he is.”
Listening to the conversation between Zhuge Myung and Baekri Sang, Xian Zhu turned her gaze to the window in the wall. Through it, she could see the scenery of Hwasan.
‘Brother…’
Her grip on the sword hilt tightened. The frustration of not being able to climb the mountain weighed on her.
Dokgo Yul, standing with arms crossed and a hardened expression, felt the same.
‘Master. I’ll be waiting.’
Though he had reached the Transcendent Realm, he lacked the qualifications to participate in the Sword Debate, leaving him even more disheartened.
All they could do was pray for Mu Hwi’s victory.
Xian Zhu and Dokgo Yul stared at the distant, snow-covered peak of Hwasan.
Despite their worries, the snowy summit stood proudly, exuding the serene beauty of winter.
***
The supreme masters gathered at Chaoyang Peak steadied their minds and observed one another.
Kang Ho-baek brushed snow off his bamboo hat, while the Black Night Palace Lord kept his eyes fixed on Heukcheon, who stood with his eyes closed.
Though snow piled high around them, the air at Chaoyang Peak was not cold. The sheer presence of the gathered masters heated the surroundings—so much so that the warmth was palpable.
Without even releasing their energy, the supreme masters subtly influenced the world around them just by breathing.
“So, how do we fight?”
Unable to stay still, the Sacheon Alliance Leader twirled his spear and spoke up.
Heukcheon turned to Mu Hwi.
“Since the Sword Saint proposed the Hwasan Sword Debate, you must have thought of the method as well.”
“There’s no need for detailed rules like in a martial tournament.”
Mu Hwi looked at the assembled supreme masters.
“If one claims to be the best in the world, they must be able to defeat any opponent. Only then can they truly be called the best. Let each choose their opponent, and through duels, only one will remain.”
Kang Ho-baek adjusted his bamboo hat and spoke.
“Mu Hwi, then will it be a non-lethal duel or a fight to the death?”
“That is not for me to decide. Even in a non-lethal duel, the clash of supreme masters could result in lost limbs or crippled martial arts. It depends on the participants’ intentions.”
“Clear enough. So, we do as we please.”
The Black Night Palace Lord, who had been listening quietly, smirked. He glanced at Heukcheon, who stared back before turning to Mu Hwi.
“I accept the proposal. But can you truly fight without knowing whether you’ll kill or spare your opponent?”
Heukcheon addressed the supreme masters.
“If I become the best in the world through this Sword Debate, I will immediately reshape the martial arts world. Surely none of you made empty boasts lightly.”
His voice carried an overwhelming force, beyond mere severity—like a demon’s whisper.
But the supreme masters here were not so weak as to be shaken by mere words.
“I spoke lightly.”
The Paewangseong Lord’s gaze clashed with Heukcheon’s.
“To believe you can reshape the martial arts world with personal strength—are you arrogant or insane?”
“A difference in vision. You seek to embrace the martial arts world, to achieve greatness by uniting it. But I don’t need to embrace it. To me, it’s nothing more than a plaything I can crush at will.”
“The martial arts world… A plaything?”
The Paewangseong Lord’s eyes burned with fury.
For him, who had lived his life dreaming of and striving for the martial arts world, this was an unforgivable insult.
The Sacheon Alliance Leader, who had been spinning his spear like a windmill, stopped and planted it into the ground, laughing.
“This martial world is such a fun place. Maybe you just don’t know how to enjoy it?”
“Come to think of it, I wonder… How would my master find joy in this? Or if he even feels joy at all.”
Despite the exchange between the Sacheon Alliance Leader and the Black Night Palace Lord, Heukcheon remained silent. Watching him, Mu Hwi spoke.
“Do you think I proposed this Sword Debate with half-hearted intentions?”
Heukcheon stared at Mu Hwi without answering.
“Once, the Sword Immortal told me this: A duel with Heukcheon would not merely decide the best in the world—it would be a clash of righteousness and demonic path. Indeed, the stage you prepared at the Evil Plains was a realm of malice and slaughter.”
Heukcheon glanced at the Sword Immortal, who sat quietly on a rock and nodded.
“That’s why I proposed the Hwasan Sword Debate. To exclude overt malice and slaughter, and focus purely on martial skill. This is the stage of righteousness I’ve prepared. It won’t be easy for you to recreate the spectacle of demonic evil here.”
Heukcheon’s facial muscles twitched.
He bared his teeth in a smile—a bizarre expression that seemed more like suppressed rage than amusement.
“A stage of righteousness… Sword Saint, do you know? It’s precisely because of that righteousness that the Heukcheon lineage has survived to this day.”
“What do you mean?”
“At Hwasan’s Yeonhwa Peak, there is the Jade Maiden Pool. The legend tied to it is well-known—everyone here must have heard of it.”
The Jade Maiden Pool, located before the grand hall where the Sect Leader resides.
Legend says that the founder of the Purple Sunset Sect, upon seeing a jade maiden descend on purple twilight at this pond, attained enlightenment and created the Purple Sunset Heart Technique.
Recalling the legend, Mu Hwi frowned and looked at Heukcheon.
“That jade maiden was the founder of Heukcheon.”
At this unexpected revelation, the supreme masters widened their eyes. The Sacheon Alliance Leader muttered in amusement, but no one paid him heed.
“There was once a pair of siblings who created martial arts based on the concept of harmony. But their pursuits differed. The brother took twilight—the harmony of day and night—as his foundation. The sister took the night sky—dying the world in her own color—as hers.”
“Jaha and Heukcheon.”
Mu Hwi murmured to himself.
“The siblings, unable to reconcile their differences, eventually clashed. The brother did not kill the sister, and she fled. Later, the brother became known as the Six Harmonies Sword God, and the sister as the Heukcheon Demon Empress.”
The supreme masters listened with fascination to this secret history linking Hwasan and Heukcheon.
‘So that’s why he said those things.’
Mu Hwi recalled Heukcheon’s words at the Evil Plains about beginnings and endings at Hwasan.
“The Sword God walked the path of righteousness. It was out of righteousness that he spared the Demon Empress. And now? Heukcheon, descended from her, threatens not just Hwasan but the entire martial arts world.”
Heukcheon locked eyes with Mu Hwi.
“One last question. Is this Sword Debate truly enough? Can righteousness bring about a perfect conclusion?”
At this question, the Paewangseong Lord, the Sacheon Alliance Leader, and the other supreme masters awaited Mu Hwi’s answer.
Gazing into Heukcheon’s emotionless, demonic eyes, Mu Hwi replied:
“You misunderstand. Righteousness is not merely abstaining from slaughter.”
Though the exact details were unclear, Mu Hwi doubted the Six Harmonies Sword God spared the Demon Empress out of mere sentiment or aversion to killing.
There must have been a reason.
Even if it was just his personal intuition.
Mu Hwi turned to Kang Ho-baek.
“Those who walk the path of righteousness each hold their own principles in their hearts. Their blades do not waver based on external circumstances or gains—they extend straight according to their principles. Walking the path of their heart’s conviction—that is true righteousness.”
Through countless encounters with orthodox martial artists.
From his days as the Sword Devil of the Evil Path to his rebirth as the Hwasan Sect’s Sword Saint.
This was the answer Mu Hwi had arrived at.
And it was how he lived even now.
Kang Ho-baek, recalling their first meeting when they spoke of principles, opened his mouth.
“If this martial arts world were a simple place where killing solved everything, why would principled warriors exist? Why would righteous and evil sects exist? Each would simply act as they pleased. They would only clash and conflict.”
Mu Hwi gripped the hilt of Sim-myeong Sword.
“Don’t worry, Heukcheon. My righteousness will surely reach your neck.”
Heukcheon slowly nodded after a long pause.
“I cannot understand, but I acknowledge it. The remaining gap will be filled by our martial arts. It depends on the paths we’ve walked.”
Heukcheon looked around at the supreme masters. They all knew why.
The air around Chaoyang Peak grew sharper—so much so that even breathing felt like being cut. The time had come.
“Who will open the Hwasan Sword Debate?”
As soon as Heukcheon spoke, the Paewangseong Lord stood.
“I’d prefer to face you immediately, but…”
He turned to Mu Hwi.
“Shouldn’t we conclude the duel left unfinished in Sacheon? I want to rid myself of this lingering frustration.”
The Paewangseong Lord revealed a long scar running across his thick forearm—a wound left by Mu Hwi.
“I agree.”
At the Paewangseong Lord’s challenge, Mu Hwi also rose.
The Sword Saint and the Paewangseong Lord naturally stepped toward each other. The other supreme masters held their positions. The peak of Chaoyang was vast enough that no additional space was needed.
Thud!
Without even stepping forcefully, the Paewangseong Lord’s movement made the mountain tremble.
His crimson robe fluttered wildly, briefly revealing his iron-like physique. He resembled not a man but an approaching fortress wall.
The aura of dominance radiating from his entire body.
With each step, the snow around him scattered as if fleeing.
The Paewangseong Lord’s energy surged rapidly, pressing toward Mu Hwi like an avalanche sweeping down a mountain.
Facing this calamitous force, Mu Hwi smirked. The purple sunset energy around his shoulders began to stir.
‘Even in Sacheon, he wasn’t going all out.’
Crack!
The space between them warped, releasing a suppressed roar.
Mu Hwi’s energy clashed against the Paewangseong Lord’s.
Unlike the Paewangseong Lord’s violent energy, Mu Hwi’s was refreshing yet dignified—like the gentle spread of plum blossom fragrance, rich and elegant.
His energy quietly expanded, establishing its own domain and pushing back the Paewangseong Lord’s relentless force.
Despite the collision, neither hesitated in their advance.
Mu Hwi slowly drew Sim-myeong Sword.
The Paewangseong Lord rolled up his sleeves, revealing his massive forearms.
Ten steps.
When the distance closed, the Paewangseong Lord thrust out his palm. A massive palm-shaped force surged toward Mu Hwi—a sensation of tearing and crushing.
Mu Hwi raised Sim-myeong Sword in a vertical slash—a motion as natural as flowing water. The Paewangseong Lord’s hand intercepted it.
Screech!
The Paewangseong Lord’s left hand clawed at the air like a beast, only to be blocked by Sim-myeong Sword.
“It started at the Bloodshed Clan… That trivial matter has led to this Sword Debate.”
As the Paewangseong Lord pushed against the blade and laughed, Mu Hwi also smirked.
Just like in this life, it had been the same in his past one.
Even as the Sword Devil, his feud with the Paewangseong Castle had begun with minor clashes. Over time, it escalated until the fortress deployed the Heaven’s Net against him.
It was simply that their paths and actions clashed.
Some enmities were born of deep grudges, but others were like this—not driven by grand conspiracies or relentless vendettas.
The martial arts world was a place where people lived.
Nothing more, nothing less.
“Isn’t that how this martial arts world is?”
As Sim-myeong Sword struck the five fingers gripping it, the Paewangseong Lord’s other palm surged forward.
Mu Hwi met it with a diagonal slash.
The Sword Saint and the Paewangseong Lord began unleashing their martial arts without reservation.