Chapter 186: Everyone Has Gathered
The war where four colossal forces nearly clashed.
The grand martial arts battle that was supposed to take place in the Yuelu Plains ultimately never happened.
Though no formal treaty was signed, as if by unspoken agreement, the major sects of the martial arts world withdrew not only from the Yuelu Plains but also from the Hunan region.
Meanwhile, word of the Hwasan Sword Debate spread rapidly throughout the martial arts world.
“An assembly of supreme masters to determine the Greatest Under Heaven? I wonder if we can watch?”
“You should consider yourself lucky if you don’t get caught in the crossfire and die just by watching.”
“The Spring Tournament… So next year, the Greatest Under Heaven will finally be decided?”
“With the disappearance of the Three Seats, an era has truly come to an end.”
A middle-aged man, who had been listening to the gossip while buying drinks, asked:
“But why Hwasan, of all places? There are plenty of other scenic mountains.”
“Apparently, the one who proposed this to the supreme masters was the Hwasan Sword Saint. That’s why they’re gathering at Hwasan.”
“So, has the Hwasan Sword Saint returned to Hwasan?”
“That’s right. By now, he’s probably in seclusion, preparing for the Hwasan Sword Debate. The other supreme masters are likely doing the same.”
Contrary to the expectations of the gossipers and ordinary martial artists, Mu Hwi was leisurely admiring the scenery of Hwasan.
Though he continued his training, it was no longer as desperate and fierce as before, as if someone were chasing him.
The training he had undergone with the Sword Immortal at Dongting Lake.
While training, he had learned much, but the greatest realizations came not during practice but during moments of rest and leisure.
Swinging his sword frantically like a cornered beast didn’t mean it was the right time for his martial arts to advance.
He realized that while charging forward was important, on an endless, long journey, there were times to walk and times to sit and rest.
“Hyeon Jo. This is truly the end. I don’t know how it will turn out.”
Mu Hwi gazed at the scenery of Hwasan and poured wine over Hyeon Jo’s grave beside him.
From between the sharp peaks, like the towering swords of Xinjiang, the half-veiled sun cast its rays through the clouds.
The snow-covered Hwasan absorbed the scattered sunlight, radiating the glow of winter.
‘What is Heukcheon looking at now?’
Heukcheon, who had declared he would reshape the martial arts world to his liking without a shred of emotion.
Mu Hwi wondered anew what kind of gaze Heukcheon cast upon the world.
“Since it’s happening at Hwasan, you’ll be able to see it too. Watch closely.”
The answer came not from Hyeon Jo’s grave but from elsewhere.
“Kkiiik!”
Dark Monkey, who had appeared beside him unnoticed, stretched out both hands as if asking for the wine bottle.
With a faint smile, Mu Hwi tossed the bottle. Dark Monkey tilted it vertically, emptying it in one gulp, then sat cross-legged on the spot.
“Kkik.”
Letting out a calm cry, Dark Monkey closed his eyes and regulated his breathing, almost as if performing energy circulation.
“Now you’re almost identical.”
Dark Monkey mimicking the breathing techniques of the Purple Sunset Divine Technique was nothing new, so Mu Hwi naturally sat cross-legged beside him.
Side by side with Dark Monkey, Mu Hwi gazed at the scenery of Hwasan before slowly entering energy circulation.
Oong!
The Purple Sunset Divine Energy) dyed his entire meridian system purple. The purple sunset rising from Mu Hwi’s shoulders shielded him from the winter’s biting winds.
Mu Hwi slowly observed the inside of his body.
A small, insignificant flesh vessel compared to the vast universe. But the deeper he delved, the more infinite its potential seemed. It was no accident that the human body was called a microcosm.
The realm of Mind, Energy, Body, changing day by day as it communicated directly with the energy of nature.
Though he was advancing endlessly toward the pinnacle, he couldn’t claim to have reached the apex. There was still room for growth, and shortcomings remained visible.
‘What kind of state is the pinnacle, the Mugeuk (Limitless)? Does it even exist, and is it attainable?’
Mu Hwi’s breathing grew longer and deeper.
Closing his eyes, darkness naturally enveloped him.
In that darkness, light appeared.
Throughout the darkness, clusters of light, like stars in the night sky, began flickering.
The clusters stretched like shooting stars, bending unpredictably, or shone brightly in all directions like starlight. Mu Hwi immediately discerned the nature of these light trails weaving chaotically through the darkness.
‘From the Six Harmonies Sword Technique to the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Technique.’
The trajectories of all the sword techniques Mu Hwi had learned connected and expanded like constellations, illuminating his vision.
Next, a purple sunset dyed the darkness, climbing along the ridgeline.
The purple sunset rising from below naturally blended into the darkness, dyeing the entire world visible to Mu Hwi in purple.
Watching the spectacle unfolding in his mind’s eye, Mu Hwi retraced all the martial arts he had learned.
Rather than blindly charging forward, he was retracing the path he had sprinted so far.
The purple sunset and clusters of light in his mind expanded endlessly, making Mu Hwi’s existence seem small. It was wondrous and vast.
Mu Hwi couldn’t tear his eyes away from the ever-changing purple sunset sky.
Meanwhile, the intersecting clusters of light had, at some point, formed a distinct shape.
Exquisitely intricate yet as natural as the transformations of the universe.
Plum blossoms.
Luxuriant plum blossoms blooming upon the purple sunset branches.
Thousands of plum blossoms stretched endlessly toward the sky like stars.
Spring had arrived in his mind’s eye.
“How beautiful.”
Though the countless plum blossoms spread endlessly across the purple sunset , Mu Hwi felt he could grasp them all in one hand.
When Mu Hwi reached out without hesitation toward the scene before him, the spring day in his mind compressed as if being drawn into his palm.
It was as if the world was pouring itself into his hand.
The condensed vision in his mind resembled a sword. Without hesitation, Mu Hwi gripped the sword of spring, infused with purple sunset and plum blossoms.
“Hmm!”
Finishing his energy circulation, Mu Hwi opened his eyes.
Before him was not the scene he had just witnessed but the peaks of Hwasan. Carefully, he lowered his outstretched hand.
Naturally, there was nothing in his grasp, yet it felt as if he held something weighty.
As he concluded his energy circulation and inhaled the fresh mountain air, Mu Hwi realized.
The moment before and after energy circulation were different once again.
Watching the dissipating breath at his lips, Mu Hwi smiled.
“Stepping back has somehow allowed me to stride forward. The direction of one’s steps matters more than their speed.”
Lightly meditating, Mu Hwi internalized his newfound realization. Not only had his realm elevated, but his martial achievements had also progressed.
If he had to quantify his progress, the Purple Sunset Divine Technique was on the verge of reaching its peak, and the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Technique could now be said to have reached its zenith without exaggeration.
Mu Hwi recalled the moment he had reached out toward the vision in his mind.
Now, he felt he could execute the final form of the Twenty-Four Hands Plum Blossom Sword Technique without difficulty.
“Seems this guy has disappeared again.”
Dark Monkey, who had been sitting cross-legged beside him, had vanished somewhere, leaving only Hyeon Jo’s grave keeping Mu Hwi company.
Given that Dark Monkey usually stayed by his side even after days of energy circulation, his absence suggested a considerable amount of time had passed.
Gazing at the rugged terrain of Hwasan, Mu Hwi turned his head.
To the east stood the majestic Joyang Peak, piercing the clouds.
The venue for the Hwasan Sword Debate.
“At least it’s clearly visible from here. Watch closely.”
After a brief glance at Hyeon Jo’s grave, Mu Hwi turned away.
As he stood, the grass on Hyeon Jo’s grave trembled under the weight of the snow.
***
The sun rose, heralding a new year.
The winter this year was exceptionally harsh.
A bitter wind, sharper than any sword’s edge, cut through clothing and grazed skin.
To make matters worse, snow fell heavily. A short walk outside would leave one’s head and shoulders dusted white.
Yet, at the gates of the Hwasan Sect, every disciple had gathered without exception. Misty breaths clouded the air here and there, but no one paid it any mind.
The disciples’ gazes were fixed on one place.
“Have you eaten your fill?”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
Baek Yu struggled to find words as he looked at Mu Hwi. His mustache trembled slightly. What could he possibly say?
‘Hyeon Jo during the Shaanxi Bloodshed Incident overlaps with him in my mind.’
With a sigh, Baek Yu tightly grasped Mu Hwi’s hand. Feeling the cold touch, Mu Hwi opened his palm. On it rested a bracelet made of red jade.
Its design was familiar.
“What is this?”
“Mu Hwi. You’ve seen it before. The Plum Blossom Spirit Jade lost during the Shaanxi Bloodshed Incident.”
Mu Hwi nodded.
How could he forget?
“The Plum Blossom Spirit Jade was a sacred relic said to aid the Hwasan Sect in times of crisis. But since it’s no longer with us, the elders and I crafted a new one.”
Examining the new Plum Blossom Spirit Jade, Mu Hwi noticed intricate engravings on each of the red jade beads.
“Each of us inscribed a verse from a scripture we favored. Mu Hwi, we hope it gives you even the slightest strength.”
Baek Soon, the Scripture Pavilion Master, spoke while looking at the new bracelet.
“Relics are just objects. If you return safely wearing this, then at that moment, it will become the new Plum Blossom Spirit Jade.”
“Exactly. Over time, as stories and history accumulate, it will become a new sacred artifact,” added Baek Jin, the Medical Pavilion Master.
Mu Hwi fastened the Plum Blossom Spirit Jade around his wrist. Baek San, the Financial Pavilion Master, scrutinized it carefully.
“Does it feel uncomfortable? Will it hinder your swordplay?”
“It’s fine, Elder.”
As Mu Hwi nodded, Hyeon Baek gripped his shoulders. A slight tremble was palpable in Hyeon Baek’s hands.
“To think it’s come to you stepping forward. Forgive this inadequate master.”
“I’ll wield the sword with the strength of my master’s share and return.”
At Mu Hwi’s mention of Hyeon Jo, the other first-generation disciples nodded.
“Thank you.”
Bowing to Hyeon Gak, whose eyes were reddening beside Hyeon Baek, Mu Hwi turned to the second-generation disciples.
“Senior Disciple, you’ll defeat them all and return, right?”
“Of course.”
As Mu-hwa clenched her fist, Mu-cheol nodded. Mujin, who had been smiling faintly, adopted a solemn expression.
“Senior Disciple. Return safely!”
As Mujin clasped his fists in salute, the second-generation disciples behind him followed suit in unison.
“Senior Disciple. Return safely!”
Mu Hwi nodded at the sight.
“I’ll be back after having some fun, so train hard in the meantime.”
Leaving his usual remark, Mu Hwi soared toward Joyang Peak.
Though Joyang Peak was towering and steep, Mu Hwi, having mastered the Dark Scent Flutter to its peak, ascended as lightly as if on a stroll.
In less than a single breath, Mu Hwi reached the summit of Joyang Peak. The peak, one of the highest on Hwasan, felt close enough to touch the sky.
“Hmm.”
The summit was vast, more spacious than the grand training grounds of major sects, making it perfectly suited for the supreme masters’ duel.
The supreme masters who had ascended for the Hwasan Sword Debate each sat cross-legged atop rocks or smaller peaks.
Mu Hwi’s gaze settled on Heukcheon, sitting alone and loftily atop a peak. Around him alone, the snow had melted away.
As Mu Hwi observed Heukcheon, he turned his head at a presence felt from the sky.
As if sensing the Sword Immortal’s approach via Sword Flight, the supreme masters, who had been meditating with closed eyes, opened them simultaneously.
From the distant skies above Nak-an Peak, a single sword flew swiftly toward Joyang Peak. Upon it rode the Sword Immortal.
The sword descended slowly onto Joyang Peak, and the Sword Immortal, his robes fluttering, surveyed the assembled supreme masters.
Heukcheon, the last to open his eyes, took in the gathering with a nod.
“Everyone has gathered.”
The Hwasan Sword Debate had begun.,
