Chapter 182
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: Plum Blossom Sword Lord
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Plum Blossom Sword Lord.
It was the title for the leader of the twenty-four Plum Blossom Sword Guards.
A glint appeared in Seol Hwa-un's eyes.
"You must be the Lightning Sword."
Byok Yeon-san gave a faint smile.
"For the North Heaven Dragon to know my moniker so well—it's an honor."
Lightning Sword Byok Yeon-san.
He was the most renowned among Mount Hua's many sword guards and was known as the top candidate for the next sect leader.
"Weren't you the most promising prodigy before the Mount Hua Sword Eagle? Of course I would know you."
As Seol Hwa-un said, he had been a talent drawing attention since childhood, but he had unfortunately missed the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament due to timing.
Instead, after descending the mountain, he performed countless righteous deeds, not only elevating Mount Hua's name but also building tremendous fame for himself.
Lacking only the Dragon-Phoenix title, he had received even higher acclaim than the later-generation prodigies of that time—Byok Yeon-san.
"No matter how great my reputation, how could I compare to the North Heaven Dragon?"
"Enough with the flattery. So, what brings you here?"
"I heard the North Heaven Dragon was staying at the main sect, and I couldn't contain my curiosity."
"......"
Their gazes met.
In that instant, Byok Yeon-san moved.
He thrust his sword forward at terrifying speed.
Shuwaaak!
Seol Hwa-un sprang to his feet, throwing his fist toward the sword.
Kwaaaang!
An explosion rang out, shattering the floor and shaking the building.
"......!"
Seol Hwa-un had stepped back one pace, while Byok Yeon-san had retreated two.
'Ah.'
Byok Yeon-san blinked.
What had just happened was all in his imagination. He had exchanged one move in the world of his mind.
"......"
Byok Yeon-san opened his palm. It was drenched in sweat.
'As expected of the North Heaven Dragon.'
"To feel this level of tension—your Lord's age is almost suspect."
Seol Hwa-un's eyes sparkled. He had realized what Byok Yeon-san had just done.
'He's vaguely reading my realm.'
Byok Yeon-san's restrained aura was truly impressive, enough to make even Seol Hwa-un a bit tense.
'I thought the Stormwind Quick Sword was the best among this generation's disciples.'
He was indeed a master worthy of leading the Plum Blossom Sword Guards.
"My original intent was to compare martial arts with the Lord. But now that we're face-to-face, I lack confidence."
"Is that so?"
"Even so, my curiosity about the North Sea Ice Palace's swordsmanship remains insatiable. If possible, would you face me with your sword?"
Seol Hwa-un nodded readily.
"Very well."
As Seol Hwa-un and Byok Yeon-san stepped out of the guest hall, numerous Mount Hua disciples had already gathered there.
"......"
As the two moved, the disciples naturally followed behind.
The pair took their positions in a training ground a short distance from the guest hall. The Mount Hua disciples who had followed encircled the training ground.
Byok Yeon-san spoke.
"Upon second thought, clashing fists against sword might seem unfair. I apologize in advance."
Byok Yeon-san had specifically sought to see Seol Hwa-un's swordsmanship because opportunities to witness North Sea Ice Palace techniques were rare.
Most of the North Sea Ice Palace masters in the Central Plains were not swordsmen, and even the more skilled ones among them remained secluded at the North Heaven Hall.
"It's fine. I was curious about the Lightning Sword's blade myself."
"Thank you for understanding."
Byok Yeon-san drew the Plum Blossom Pure Sword from his waist.
Sring.
This sword, forged from hundred-times-refined pure steel, was issued only to Plum Blossom Sword Guards.
Seol Hwa-un also drew his soft sword from his waist.
As the two assumed their stances, the atmosphere turned icy cold.
"Gulp."
The surrounding Mount Hua disciples held their breaths, watching the pair silently.
Paat!
For once, Seol Hwa-un shot forward, taking the initiative. He unleashed the Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword from the start.
'Ice Flower Bee Formation!'
The soft sword, fully enveloped in sword energy, shot out like lightning.
Shuwaaak!
"......!"
Byok Yeon-san leaped back, parrying Seol Hwa-un's strike.
Kwaaaang!
A heavy explosion echoed, pushing Byok Yeon-san's form back once more.
It felt less like he couldn't withstand the power and more like he had retreated voluntarily to dissipate the impact.
Seol Hwa-un immediately closed the distance, swinging his sword again.
'Heavenly Flow Ice Breaker.'
A long stream of pure white sword energy extended from the soft sword.
Shuwaaak!
Byok Yeon-san's eyes widened at the sight. He pulled back, then thrust forward.
Kwaaang!
The sword energy burst with a massive explosion. The ground, unable to endure the energy's waves, cratered deeply.
Seol Hwa-un's relentless assault continued toward the retreating Byok Yeon-san.
Shuwaaak!
Dozens of clumps of pure white sword energy formed from Seol Hwa-un's sword and shot forth.
It was the third stance of the Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword: Snow Flower Late Frost.
"......!"
Byok Yeon-san thrust his sword. Its tip created countless afterimages in resistance.
Kwakwakwakwa-kwang!
Byok Yeon-san's form was pushed back greatly once more. Upon closer inspection, his uniform was sliced in places by the sword energy.
Seol Hwa-un halted his attack and spoke.
"This is our palace's Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword. What do you think? My skills may still be lacking, so it might not satisfy."
Byok Yeon-san nodded vigorously.
"Impressive. For a variant sword style to hold such power—you've broadened my perspective greatly."
"I'm glad."
On the surface, it looked like Byok Yeon-san had been overwhelmingly pushed back, but that wasn't the case. He had merely received Seol Hwa-un's swordsmanship.
Byok Yeon-san said calmly.
"Then allow me to show you my swordsmanship."
"Very well."
Byok Yeon-san's aura suddenly sharpened.
'It's become much keener.'
Seol Hwa-un watched him intently. Byok Yeon-san stood in a low stance, utterly still.
'But I can't let my guard down. Because......'
In that moment, Byok Yeon-san's sword flashed.
Pat!
Cclang!
Seol Hwa-un swiftly blocked the Plum Blossom Pure Sword aimed at his chest.
'The Lightning Sword's style is the pinnacle of quicksword.'
Byok Yeon-san didn't stop there. Countless sword gleams soon flew toward Seol Hwa-un.
Shushushushu!
Chaengchaengchaeng!
The fearsome quicksword overwhelmed Seol Hwa-un, forcing him to retreat while defending.
'It's fast, as expected!'
Unusually, Lightning Sword Byok Yeon-san did not specialize in the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship.
The art he had devoted his life to was Mount Hua's other sword style, the Meteor Chasing Moon Sword.
Thus, when Byok Yeon-san first became a Plum Blossom Sword Guard, there was much talk within Mount Hua. Doubts arose about whether a disciple who hadn't properly mastered the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship could serve as one.
But now, having risen to Plum Blossom Sword Lord.
No one raised objections.
Not only had Byok Yeon-san proven himself a perfect Plum Blossom Sword Guard, but the Meteor Chasing Moon Sword he had independently advanced surpassed even the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship in power.
At one side of the training ground, Yu Gong-seon and the North Dragon Brigade Leader watched the spar.
Yu Gong-seon asked.
"Can the Lord truly face the Lightning Sword with swordsmanship?"
"......"
"No matter how great the Lord is, his opponent is the Plum Blossom Sword Lord......"
"The Lightning Sword is a master even I can't guarantee victory against. Whether the Lord can suppress him with sword alone......"
The North Dragon Brigade Leader was somewhat pessimistic.
'That quicksword is dizzyingly fast even for me. There's a limit to blocking it with the Lord's swordsmanship.'
Yet as time passed, he sensed something odd.
'......He's blocking every single strike without allowing even one through?'
For over an incense stick's time, Byok Yeon-san unleashed indiscriminate sword gleams at terrifying speed, but they were all thwarted by Seol Hwa-un's sword.
By now, even Byok Yeon-san felt the strangeness.
Chaengchaengchaeng!
Seol Hwa-un hadn't found an opening to counterattack, focusing solely on defense—yet he was blocking too perfectly for that.
'This can't be!'
Byok Yeon-san gritted his teeth and increased his sword speed.
Shushushushushushu!
The onlookers couldn't help but exclaim in awe.
"Ah!"
Sword strikes too fast to follow with the eye poured toward Seol Hwa-un.
Chachachachachang!
Intense metallic clashes rang out in succession. Even then, Seol Hwa-un swiftly moved, blocking the entire onslaught.
"This can't be......"
Finally, Byok Yeon-san halted his attack. Seol Hwa-un then said calmly.
"As expected of the Lightning Sword. A quicksword so astonishing it left not even the tiniest gap for counterattack."
Despite the praise, Byok Yeon-san's expression darkened.
"You're wondering how someone lacking as a sword guard could block it so well."
"......Yes."
Seol Hwa-un gave a faint smile.
"Teaching it directly would spoil the fun. But let me ask one thing. It seems Hero Byok has elevated your swordsmanship to your own unique realm—is that right?"
As Byok Yeon-san nodded, Seol Hwa-un continued.
"In that process, a small issue arose. Reflect on today's spar and your past training. You'll naturally understand how I blocked Hero Byok's strikes."
During the spar, Seol Hwa-un had spotted one flaw in Byok Yeon-san's swordsmanship and used it for perfect defense.
It wasn't mere pettiness in refusing to teach directly.
Guiding him to think and judge for himself would yield far greater benefits in the future, so he offered a small clue.
"I guarantee you: fix that one thing, and Hero Byok will glimpse a new realm."
"......!"
Byok Yeon-san's expression shifted several times before he clasped his hands in a formal bow.
"My gratitude for the guidance."
"It was a good experience."
Byok Yeon-san, as if enlightened, left the training ground immediately, as if time were precious.
"......"
Seol Hwa-un remained, wearing a relaxed smile. Then, a Plum Blossom Sword Guard with a Plum Blossom Pure Sword at his waist approached.
"Pardon the intrusion, North Heaven Hall Lord."
"You wish to spar as well?"
"No. After seeing you face the Sword Lord, how could I not know I'm no match?"
"......"
"But retreating like this wounds the pride of the Plum Blossom Sword Guards. So, I have a proposal for the Lord."
"What proposal?"
"The Plum Blossom Sword Guards master a special sword formation. Have you heard of it?"
Something clicked in Seol Hwa-un's mind.
"You mean the Plum Blossom Sword Formation?"
"Exactly. It's a joint formation unleashed by twelve Plum Blossom Sword Guards."
Prestigious orthodox sects possess joint formations to face strong foes, with Shaolin's One Hundred Eight Arhats Formation being the most famous.
Most increase in power exponentially with the number of participants.
Mount Hua's such formation is the Plum Blossom Sword Formation.
With twenty-four Plum Blossom Sword Guards, Mount Hua could deploy two such formations.
"We challenge the North Heaven Hall Lord with this Plum Blossom Sword Formation. Will you accept?"
"......!"
By then, eleven more Plum Blossom Sword Guards stood behind him.