The Lightning Sword's Lesson
That night.
After the Four Gods Assembly concluded, the renowned masters of the Murim and the key leaders of the Murim Alliance all made their way to the banquet hall.
The hall was filled with the rich aroma of Qinghai lamb, while the sharp, spicy scent of Sichuan mapo tofu wafted from beside it.
Today, the banquet featured not only Qinghai cuisine but also the signature dishes of Sichuan, Gansu, and Anhui.
The reason was simple.
It was all because of the Murim masters gathered here tonight.
Presenting the representative dishes of their respective regions was a way of showing them respect.
In some ways, the banquet was even more heated than the martial contests held earlier that day.
That was only natural. The outcomes of the duels had nothing to do with them, but every conversation at the banquet was directly tied to their interests.
They exchanged cups of liquor without pause.
Wang Jimak was no exception.
He was so busy receiving congratulations that he could barely keep up.
“I had no idea the Murim Alliance in Qinghai had such talents.”
“You flatter me.”
“Not at all. This has been an eye-opening experience. In just a few years, the talents of Qinghai will shake the entire Central Plains.”
“I’ve heard that Guizhou also has many outstanding individuals. I hope we can use this meeting as an opportunity for frequent exchanges.”
“That’s exactly what I was hoping to hear. Haha.”
As the master from Guizhou departed, Wang Jimak’s close friend, Gudo Mosang, who had been standing beside him, let out a chuckle.
“This is the first time I’ve seen you look so flustered.”
“Haha. It’s a first for me too, in all my years.”
After speaking, Wang Jimak quietly looked up at the sky.
He was trying to hide his excited expression from his friend.
Wang Jimak’s elation wasn’t simply because Jang Muhwi, whom he had trusted, had won.
If Jang Muhwi had merely defeated a weak opponent, the Four Gods Assembly would have lost its luster.
But the Heavenly Lightning Sword that Hyeon-gok had displayed was on a truly earth-shaking level.
He had even worried about Jang Muhwi’s safety.
At first, Wang Jimak had debated whether he should stop the match.
Yet the result was the complete opposite.
Jang Muhwi had displayed overwhelming martial prowess and defeated Hyeon-gok.
Not only Wang Jimak, but everyone else who watched Jang Muhwi felt a shiver run down their spines.
And that wasn’t all.
The behavior Jang Muhwi showed afterward was something that would serve as a model for all the young talents of the current generation.
Any ordinary rising star would have arrogantly called the next opponent forward while basking in their victory.
But Jang Muhwi had done no such thing.
At that moment, everyone present was once again filled with admiration.
Who could possibly display such humility?
That was what they all thought.
There was an old saying in the Murim: a peerless martial artist appears once every ten years, and a person of exceptional character appears once every hundred years.
Then what about someone who possessed both?
Wasn’t that precisely what people meant when they spoke of a once-in-a-millennium genius?
That was how Wang Jimak saw it.
It was the same even now.
Any other young martial artist would have been itching to show off their achievement.
But Jang Muhwi was different.
At that moment, Gudo Mosang, who was standing beside him, asked a question.
“Where did Senior Namgung go? I haven’t seen him since earlier.”
“Now that you mention it…”
Only then did Wang Jimak recall the Lightning Force Sword.
Come to think of it, the fact that so many Murim masters had flocked to him was also related to the absence of the Lightning Force Sword.
Gudo Mosang spoke cautiously.
“Could it be that he was so shocked by his grandson’s defeat? If so, things might become awkward between Anhui and Qinghai…”
“Considering what happened during the day, that’s just needless worry. Didn’t you see the special interest Senior Lightning Force Sword showed toward Jang Muhwi?”
“You’re right about that. Still, it’s all rather puzzling. And that friend over there who hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol is the same.”
Gudo Mosang pointed somewhere.
There stood Jang Muhwi.
When Wang Jimak looked in that direction, his eyes widened.
Jang Muhwi was sitting in a corner of the banquet hall, drinking tea.
Even after the fierce duel, he clearly hadn’t let his guard down for even a moment.
“Heh heh.”
Wang Jimak stroked his beard, unable to contain his delight.
Just as he had observed, Jang Muhwi hadn’t touched any alcohol.
Seeing this, Ma Uiryong asked,
“Big Brother, does the food not suit your taste? I can run to the market and bring back some dishes and liquor.”
“It’s fine.”
When Jang Muhwi shook his head, Galmu-ryang asked next, his face full of concern.
“Are you perhaps injured from the duel earlier today?”
“No. Stop worrying over nothing.”
When Jang Muhwi shook his head again, Ma Uiryong cut in.
“Galmu-ryang, do you really think Big Brother would get hurt by some small fry?”
“That’s not the point. The Leader’s health is as important as our own lives, so we must always keep a close eye on him.”
As the argument began to flare up once more, Jang Muhwi spoke.
“That’s enough for today.”
It was then.
Jang Muhwi slowly rose from his seat.
Seeing this, Ma Uiryong asked,
“What’s the matter?”
“An awaited guest has arrived. Naturally, I must show proper courtesy, don’t you think?”
“A guest? What do you mean by…”
Ma Uiryong abruptly cut himself off.
Because from afar, someone was approaching, their white robes fluttering in the wind.
It was the Lightning Force Sword he had seen earlier that day.
Ma Uiryong and Galmu-ryang hurriedly stood up as well.
Jang Muhwi bowed respectfully toward the Lightning Force Sword.
“You’ve come, Senior.”
“I hope I’m not intruding.”
“Not at all, Senior.”
Jang Muhwi smiled faintly.
After learning the second form of the Mumyeonggeomgyeol, Destruction of Form, he had become even more adept at detecting presences.
Thanks to that, he had instantly recognized the Lightning Force Sword’s approach from a distance.
Seeing Jang Muhwi already standing and waiting for him, the Lightning Force Sword’s eyes gleamed.
“Your senses are truly exceptional as well.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“You haven’t touched any alcohol.”
“I was taught that it is improper to greet a guest while intoxicated.”
“So I am a guest, am I?”
“You came all the way from Anhui to Qinghai. It would be more accurate to call you an honored guest. Would you care for some tea first, Senior?”
“Good, good. Haha.”
The Lightning Force Sword stroked his beard and laughed heartily.
From that moment on.
The conversation between Jang Muhwi and the Lightning Force Sword continued without pause.
Listening to them, Galmu-ryang tilted his head in confusion.
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t understand what they were talking about.
They hadn’t spoken a single word about martial arts.
This was the same Lightning Force Sword who had personally sought out Jang Muhwi after the daytime duel to ask about his sword technique.
Yet now they were only exchanging trivial chatter without mentioning martial arts at all!
Galmu-ryang could only tilt his head as he eavesdropped on their conversation.
No matter how he listened, everything they discussed had absolutely nothing to do with martial arts.
They talked about different types of tea, the weather, and even the local cuisine of Qinghai.
Jang Muhwi was the same.
He simply asked questions about Anhui.
What on earth are they talking about?
Galmu-ryang simply couldn’t understand.
What he didn’t know was that although their conversation appeared ordinary on the surface, beneath it, they were actually exchanging insights about the sword.
A martial artist’s sword path is influenced by all the culture surrounding them.
Just as the spicy seasonings of Sichuan influenced the martial arts of the Sichuan Tang Clan, and the harsh weather of the northern regions affected inner energy cultivation.
They were exchanging information about what influences had shaped each other’s swords.
How much time had passed?
When their conversation briefly paused, the Lightning Force Sword set down his teacup.
He then quietly looked at Jang Muhwi.
Seeing this, Jang Muhwi gave a subtle smile.
“Shall we change locations? I sense that you have something else you wish to tell me, Senior.”
“As expected, you read my mind. A man should speak with his sword if he wishes to see the truth. Haha.”
Having finished speaking, the Lightning Force Sword quietly rose from his seat.
Jang Muhwi followed suit and naturally took the lead.
“This way, Senior.”
“Then lead on.”
Jang Muhwi and the Lightning Force Sword suddenly disappeared.
Galmu-ryang and Ma Uiryong stared at each other like two sacks of barley left in the corner.
But only for a moment. They quickly began tailing Jang Muhwi.
This was the instinct of a martial artist.
If they missed this moment, they would regret it for the rest of their lives!
For once, Galmu-ryang and Ma Uiryong were perfectly in sync.
The usually boisterous Ma Uiryong held his breath, while the normally stoic Galmu-ryang openly showed his curiosity.
Swish.
They followed the pair so quietly that only the faint rustle of their clothes could be heard.
Galmu-ryang, who had been leading the way, suddenly stopped in his tracks.
His eyes widened in shock.
Seeing his expression, Ma Uiryong quickly stepped forward.
His eyes widened as well.
The place where Jang Muhwi and the Lightning Force Sword stood was the training ground of the Hyeonmudae.
They were facing each other with swords drawn.
Something impossible was happening.
Galmu-ryang flinched, unable to decide what to do.
He was wondering if he should stop them.
At that moment, someone grabbed Galmu-ryang’s shoulder.
When he turned his head, he saw Wang Jimak.
Wang Jimak was smiling brightly.
Seeing this, Galmu-ryang tilted his head in confusion.
“Branch Leader, we should stop that duel…”
“That isn’t a duel. It’s a lesson. So we should simply watch quietly.”
At Wang Jimak’s bright smile, Galmu-ryang finally let out a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile.
Jang Muhwi had no time to worry about the gazes of others.
The great tree of the current generation, the Lightning Force Sword Namgung Cheon, had personally requested to examine Jang Muhwi’s sword in detail.
Jang Muhwi raised his sword with not a single trace of negligence.
Of course, he couldn’t afford to be merely polite. From now on, Jang Muhwi had to be fully focused.
The aura emanating from the Lightning Force Sword as he held his blade was so intense that it pricked his entire body!
This was not the Lightning Force Sword who, in his previous life, had carried his sword sheath like a walking cane.
Come to think of it, Jang Muhwi had never witnessed the Lightning Force Sword in his prime.
Jang Muhwi let a faint smile bloom on his lips.
He knew that the Lightning Force Sword was revealing his true martial arts now in order to teach him.
However, he couldn’t quite understand why the senior was willing to give him this lesson.
When a senior offers a gift, it would be rude for a junior to refuse!
In a way, being able to cross swords with him like this was the greatest reward of the entire Four Gods Assembly.
Jang Muhwi answered with a bright expression.
“I’m ready, Senior.”
“Then I shall begin.”
Having spoken, the Lightning Force Sword thrust his sword forward.
Swish.
Like a gust of wind, the Lightning Force Sword’s aura swept over Jang Muhwi.
At the same time, Jang Muhwi’s sword moved as well.
The second form of the Mumyeonggeomgyeol—Destruction of Form.
As he extended his sword, Jang Muhwi searched for a gap in the Lightning Force Sword’s defense.
The sword technique the Lightning Force Sword was currently using was none other than Hyeon-gok’s Heavenly Lightning Sword.
Jang Muhwi thought he understood why he had chosen to use it.
There was no way the Heavenly Lightning Sword performed by Hyeon-gok could be the same as the one performed by the Lightning Force Sword himself.
Suddenly, Jang Muhwi’s eyes widened.
It wasn’t just the difference in the practitioner.
There was a subtle difference from the Heavenly Lightning Sword that Hyeon-gok had displayed earlier that day.
Wasn’t it the subtle differences that decided victory or defeat?
In that sense, it could be considered an entirely different technique.
Clang!
Jang Muhwi barely managed to block the Lightning Force Sword’s strike.
The Lightning Force Sword smiled faintly.
Jang Muhwi felt like he understood what that smile meant.
The Heavenly Lightning Sword that the Lightning Force Sword was using had already been refined to cover its previous weaknesses.
If he had responded thinking it was the same as before, he would have suffered a painful defeat.
The Lightning Force Sword nodded.
“Your comprehension is quick. Then I shall test you as well.”
“I will gratefully receive your guidance.”
When Jang Muhwi nodded, the Lightning Force Sword raised his sword once more.
Whoosh!
The wind blew again.
It was as gentle as a spring breeze, yet behind that wind lurked a power as massive as Mount Tai.
The Lightning Force Sword’s blade, which had been approaching, changed slightly.
He had switched from the Heavenly Lightning Sword to his own exclusive technique, the Thunderbolt Divine Sword.
Jang Muhwi took half a step to the left, blocking the path of the blade.
Clang!
But it wasn’t perfect.
In that instant, the Lightning Force Sword’s blade drew a half-circle and aimed for Jang Muhwi’s waist.
Yet Jang Muhwi blocked not his waist, but his upper section.
At the same time, the Lightning Force Sword’s sword struck down Jang Muhwi’s blade.
Clang.
The waist strike had been a feint, instantly transforming into a real attack aimed at his head in the blink of an eye.
This was the characteristic of his exclusive sword art, the Thunderbolt Divine Sword.
By hiding the sword within lightning, it could deceive all things in the world. That was the essence of the Thunderbolt Divine Sword.
Suddenly, the Lightning Force Sword stopped his blade.
He then sheathed his sword in the blink of an eye and looked at Jang Muhwi with a gaze full of wonder.
“How did you know the path of my sword?”