Return of Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 625

”….”

There is no situation where the word ‘astonishment’ fits so well.

Wudang’s disciples, who were watching the sparring match, were at a loss for words. All eyes on Baek Cheon were dazed.

‘Did he mimic it?’

No, that situation cannot be simply described as an imitation.

That is literally ‘understanding’.

The ways of organization and operation may differ, but Wudang martial arts’s essence was undoubtedly in that move.

‘How the hell…….’

It was a shock in itself.

The three previous defeats were also a shock, but those defeats were akin to the miracles of Mount Hua. If they were to compete again, it could at least lead to an unknown situation of victory or defeat.

But not now. Baek Cheon is completely overwhelming Mu Ho.

And with a martial art that imitated Wudang’s essence, not even using his own martial art.

‘When….’

Heo Sanja’s eyelids twitched.

‘When did Mount Hua come this far?’

The sparring match up until now was sufficient to make them feel like Mount Hua was chasing after them. But he now sees a realization that Mount Hua is already standing behind their backs before he even knows it.

To add a bit of exaggeration, the sword Baek Cheon is holding now seems to touch Heo Sanja’s neck. ‘Genius.’

Can everything be expressed with that simple word?

Heo Sanja knows. The emptiness that the word genius brings.

How many people in this world are born with talent?

Countless people show their prowess before arriving at the age of 20. However, if they go beyond the age of 20, more than half of those who led the way become ordinary, and by the time they reach the age of 30, there is not even a handful left.

Ultimately, talent is not everything just because you were born with it. Even if one is born with immense talent, they will end up dying as a commoner if they do not meet the right environment to hone and shine that talent.

‘I’m sure this young man wasn’t to this extent.’

Despite their outstanding performance at the Murim Competition, only two people, Hye Yeon and Chung Myung made a name for themselves then. Now, he is outstanding, but in the end, Baek Cheon was just an ordinary talent enough to be overshadowed by the majesty of those two.

However, the talent that couldn’t shine fully is now in full bloom.

‘What the hell did he goes through?’

Common sense can’t explain how unremarkable talent suddenly shines like this. Something must have happened to the young man during that short period of time.

But Heo Sanja’s common sense and head couldn’t even guess the cause.

‘Can Mu Jin beat that kid?’

Deep down, he wondered if that could be the case, but he pulled Mu Jin back to avoid an accident that would happen even if it was just one out of a thousand chances. But now Heo Sanja was sweeping his chest, realizing his choice was right.

Chilhal. (Lit. Seven to one. One of Seven)

No matter how strong Mu Jin is, he won’t be able to guarantee more than Chilhal of a chance against that Baek Cheon. The probability of Chilhal’s victory means that he will lose once if they fight three times. But where is the guarantee that the one time is not now?

‘Mount Hua….’

Heo Sanja was acutely aware of this. Mount Hua is no longer a place to be treated as a mere thorn in the eye. Mu Ho’s face contained all kinds of emotions that could not be expressed in words.

Humiliations, anger, dismay, fear, frustration, and desperation.

In addition to this, if you closely observed his face, you would be able to read more emotions. He muttered lowly as if scratching his throat.

“…Not bad?”

Wudang’s sword?

He’s saying the world Wudang’s sword is evaluated as not bad?

Pudeudeuk.

His teeth gritted.

He could endure being ignored, but he couldn’t stand the sword of Wudang being evaluated like that.

“Arrogant bastard….”

Rude words that were unbecoming of Wudang’s Taoist flowed out of his mouth. But Baek Cheon just stared at him with calm eyes.

“I didn’t ignore Wudang’s sword.”

“And yet you say such careless words?”

“It’s just a pity.”

“….”

Looking at Mu Ho, who seemed to not believe what he heard, Baek Cheon said without hesitation.

“The sword is trying to become like water, but those who actually use the sword try to go against the norm, then how can that sword not be pitiful?”

“….”

Mu Ho could not answer and only shook his hand holding the sword.

‘… Elder-nim.’

This is why they should not choose a path that goes against the norm. In situations like this where the sword of Wudang is being ignored, and all the efforts made in a lifetime are undervalued, he cannot even make a single excuse. This is because it is obvious that Wudang went against the norm and tried to gain profit. It was proof that he was now standing face-to-face with this man.

“The sword of swords warrior is not just about the skill of using the sword.”

Baek Cheon inadvertently turned his head and looked at Chung Myung.

Despite watching the sparring match with the fate of the sect on stakes, he couldn’t help but laugh at the guy who was slouching and yawning as if he was bored.

“A sect’s sword symbolizes the sect itself. That’s why the sword of Shaolin is profound, the sword of Qingcheng is swift, and the sword of Wudang is soft, isn’t that right?”

“….”

“It is very obvious what will happen to the place where the true intention that runs through the center is disturbed.”

Baek Cheon now understands Chung Myung.

In the past, he did not understand Chung Myung’s behavior of subtly trying to help Isong Baek of the Southern Edge Sect. Southern Edge Sect is the enemy of Mount Hua, and Isong Baek is the disciple of Southern Edge Sect. Why would he help such a person?

But now that he’s looking at Mu Ho, he can tell.

The feeling of watching a sect that is dubbed as prestigious fail to keep what they have to protect and deviate.

Apart from the hatred for Wudang, this was the pity he felt as a martial artist.

“You’re talking pretty smugly.”

But Mu Ho clenched his teeth as if he was really angry at those words.

“You may be right. But you are arrogant. Even if your words are right, thinking that your words are always right is arrogance.”

“….”

“What’s the problem with following the decisions of Elders of a prestigious sect who have deliberated and experienced more?”

Baek Cheon couldn’t stand the frustration and let out a sigh.

It’s not entirely wrong. A disciple must trust their teacher. Even if it seems wrong, if the disciple does not believe in the teacher’s judgment, it will inevitably lead to discord.

But.

“If there’s anything different about Mount Hua and Wudang.” “….”

“It’s not afraid of disagreeing.”

Mount Hua is like that.

Even if one of the disciples complains and raises his voice saying it is wrong, it does not lead to catastrophe. Everyone listens to the small voice, and no one doubts the qualification of someone to speak.

Right, that’s Mount Hua.

Baek Cheon laughed softly.

‘It’s funny.’

When he first met Chung Myung, he also tried to suppress Chung Myung with his generation and authority. Even when it didn’t work out, he tried to condemn Chung Myung with his skills.

Compared to Baek Cheon, who had a narrow mind at the time, Mu Ho is rather a very open person.

However, if the place where you stand is different, the view will also change.

Now, Baek Cheon was feeling frustrated watching Mu Ho. Due to the man’s blind faith.

“In any case, it’s not something that can be solved by conversation.”

Baek Cheon lowered his sword.

“Come. Sword warriors must prove themselves by the sword. I’ll show you that I’m not wrong.”

Mu Ho’s face twisted in agony.

The distance between the stage and the audience wasn’t that far. Perhaps the audience heard the conversation that they had exchanged.

Mu Ho unintentionally stood in the position of proving that Wudang’s choice was not wrong. Even if it was not true, the audience watching now would all think so.

‘You cunning….’

Mu Ho bit his lips. It was already too late to try to do anything with words. It would do nothing but reveal his own weakness.

In the end, he had no choice but to prove that he was right with the sword in his hand. And this was the fate of anyone who wielded a sword and stepped into the Kangho.

“Huuu.”

Mu Ho, who took a long deep breath, grabbed his sword tightly.

‘It is impossible to get the upper hand at close range.’

He doesn’t know why, but Baek Cheon was oddly familiar with close-range combat. It was like he had experienced countless real battles where swords clashed against swords and blades met blades.

This means that the winning strategy he built has already collapsed.

What should he do then?

‘It’s obvious.’

If that was the case, he could only return to his martial art.

Mu Ho moved his sword slowly. Blue sword energy began to erupt violently from the edge of his sword.

‘If flowers bloom anywhere, I will sweep them all together.’

‘If you want to cut it, cut it.’

‘I will prove that even a cut-off sword skill is as strong as ever!’

Mu Ho’s determination was almost like a raging wave. Wudang’s sword style, like a haughty wave, seemed different. He was close to turbid rapids driven by a storm.

At first glance, the swordsmanship with formidable momentum seemed stronger and more explosive than Mu Yon showed.

But Baek Cheon sighed and hardened his complexion as he looked at the sword approaching him.

‘Is this it after all?’

No matter how much he spoke, it wouldn’t change anything. Wudang’s sword is based on haughtiness and calmness. To allow oneself to be immersed in momentary anger and pour out rough sword energy was ultimately a loss of the foundation.

It looks stronger on the outside but was filled only with rough and unrefined energy.

– Sasuk is a person who will spread the name of Mount Hua all over the world.

‘Right.’ ‘If that’s what you think my role is.’

‘I’ll do my best to make it happen.’

‘So that those damn backstabbing bastards who stab us in the back can see it clearly too!’

Hwaaak! Baek Cheon’s sword drew a huge circle in the air. Vivid plum blossoms began to bloom like waves along the soft, smooth line drawn by the sword’s edge.

The level differed from what Wudang’s disciples saw in the previous match. The flowers bloomed easily at every place where the sword brushed, and were colorful as if painted with paint.

It was a spectacular spectacle indeed.

The plum blossoms, which were red and even alluring, filled the sky with their grace.

Everyone watching was mesmerized.

Audiences and Wudang’s disciples have already seen the plum blossoms.

Even Mount Hua’s disciples, who saw Baek Cheon’s sword countless times, couldn’t take their eyes off the scene.

“Ah….”

Even Mu Ho, who was facing him, was momentarily taken aback.

‘The plum blossoms…’

The plum blossoms, which bloomed, wrapped themselves around the torrent of sword energy, turning and twisting around it as if to show off its beauty. It smashed and tore the sword energy as if to say that it was only sword energy and could never become water.

Paaat!

The plum blossom leaves that shattered the sword energy flew up into the sky as if riding the wind. The spreading petals gradually dyed the world red, redder, and redder.

Flower Garden. (화원(花園).)

The whole space, the whole world, seemed to be filled with red flowers in full bloom.

At least in the eyes of Mu Ho, who was watching this scene right before his eyes, everything in the world seemed to have turned into red petals. And after a while.

Hwaaaak! The magnificent plum blossoms, which had been decorating the air, were blown by the wind and rushed toward Mu Ho.

Sogok! The hem of his shoulder was cut.

Sogok! His pants were mercilessly cut apart as well.

The plum blossoms passed Mu Ho’s body, caressing him gently as he couldn’t even muster the courage to resist.

Sogok! Sogok! Sogok! Dozens and hundreds of petals grazed Wudang’s uniform.

Hwaaak! After the plum blossoms rushed in like a whirlwind and passed him all at once, Mu Ho’s clothes were literally rags.

“….”

But there is not a single scratch left in his body. Despite the many sword strikes.

“….”

Mu Ho and Baek Cheon’s gaze collided in the air.

Red blood dripped down from the bitten Mu Ho’s lower lip.

It’s not difficult to pierce a person with a sword.

But controlling so many swords at once, threatening a person without leaving a single wound, was much more difficult than inflicting a fatal blow. There couldn’t have been anything else Mu Ho could say in the face of this hopeless gap.

“I….”

His body trembled like a bamboo in the wind.

“…I lost.” Baek Cheon slowly pushed his sword into the scabbard at the sight of him shaking without even being able to use his sword.

Hwaaak.

Then he straightened his shoulders and brought his hands together in front of his chest.

“I learned well.”

It was an overwhelming victory that could not be discussed any further.