Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 319

Hye-yeon’s face hardened slightly.

‘Sharp.’

The sword?

No.

Every single thing—the steps he takes, the stance he assumes, even the look in his eyes—is sharp!

‘A swordsman!’

People know Shaolin monks can use many weapons. But their real strength is in using their bodies – fists, hands, fingers, and feet.

This means Shaolin focuses more on using the body than weapons.

Therefore, even for Hye-yeon, facing a swordsman who has reached this level is like the first time.

The energy coming from Yoo Iseol felt like icy wind, making Hye-yeon’s skin prickle. He involuntarily hardened his face at the feeling, as if needles were pricking his skin.

*Whoosh!*

The sound of Yoo Iseol’s sword was like a bird suddenly taking flight, cutting through the air. Her blade, filled with sharp energy that felt like icy needles, shot forward in a straight line.

Some people in the martial world give it a fancy name, ‘Immortal’s Guide.’ But it’s really just a basic straight stab with a sword.

Basic, yes.

But in Yoo Iseol’s hands, this simple move became something extraordinary, as powerful as the most complex techniques.

Thud!

Hye-yeon reflexively stepped forward.

And the fist that had been attached to his side shot out in a straight line, filled with power.

The technique he used was also a simple straight punch.

How many times had he thrown this punch?

Tens of thousands? Or hundreds of thousands?

Well, it couldn’t be counted.

The fist, repeated and repeated to the point of foolishness, becomes a form in itself.

Even old and famous fighting moves are useless if you don’t practice them a lot.

The straight punch, delivered with all one’s might each time, perfects itself.

Without thinking, his inner energy flowed, starting from his feet pushing off the ground, moving up his leg, and into his fist.

And release!

Hwaaa!

Golden energy exploded from Hye-yeon’s fist, like a roaring golden dragon.

Yoo Iseol, who was thrusting forward in a straight line, twisted her body slightly to the side upon seeing that.

One step to the right.

Hwaaaa!

The energy narrowly brushed past Yoo Iseol’s side.

But that was enough.

Having evaded the energy, she lowered her stance and entered Hye-yeon’s range.

Usually, a swordsman fighting someone who uses fists should stay far away.

But Yoo Iseol did the opposite. She moved in close, incredibly fast.

Swaaaa!

Lightly, but accurately, she flicked her wrist. The small movement that started at her fingertips passed through the sword hilt and, upon reaching the tip of the sword, transformed into a large movement aimed at Hye-yeon’s entire body.

The sword blurred, leaving silver streaks in the air, a whirlwind of steel aimed at Hye-yeon.

At that moment.

Fssst.

Hye-yeon’s body seemed to blur, then disappeared from that spot as if collapsing.

At the same time, Yoo Iseol also kicked off the ground and leaped to the side.

Swaaaa!

Soon, she swung her sword with all her might towards the empty air.

An action that seemed incomprehensible at first glance.

But at that moment, Hye-yeon’s figure appeared where Yoo Iseol swung her sword.

It looked like she knew exactly where he would be, like she was catching him in a trap.

Even Hye-yeon, the master, seemed flustered at this moment, hardening his expression as he twisted his body. But that alone was not enough to completely evade her sharp sword.

Slicing sound.

The sword grazed Hye-yeon’s shoulder.

At that moment, he spun his body around and instead charged forward. And he rammed his shoulder into Yoo Iseol’s stomach, which was open because she was swinging her sword.

Boom!

Yoo Iseol’s body was sent flying backward like a cannonball.

Yoo Iseol, who had been flying like a kite with a cut string, turned her body a couple of times in the air and landed lightly on the ground.

Drip.

A stream of red blood flowed from the corner of her mouth.

Hye-yeon was not in a much better situation either. The hem of the yellow robe on his shoulder, where the sword had cut, was gradually turning red.

Those who had been watching this confrontation finally took a breath they had been holding back.

The disciples of Mount Hua were the same.

Yoon Jong clenched his fist without realizing it.

‘Good heavens.’

When you think about it, it was a mere exchange that could be called a single move. But how much was contained in that short exchange?

Above all, what surprised Yoon Jong was the precise techniques and instantaneous judgment that the two had shown. Without the slightest hesitation, they only chose the best moves they could choose.

Belief in what they have built up.

It would be impossible without confidence in the path they are walking.

“…Was Sahyung that strong?”

Jo Gul let out a low groan.

He knew because he had fought Hye-yeon. How strong that red-faced monk was. When he unfolded his techniques in front of him, Jo Gul could only watch.

The natural operation as if water was flowing, and the movements that had been honed countless times without any unnecessary movements.

Hye-yeon’s martial prowess, which he had experienced directly, was truly shocking.

But Yoo Iseol was keeping pace with such Hye-yeon. Even if she couldn’t overwhelm him, she wasn’t being pushed back.

“While the other Sahyungs were lying down and sleeping, Sago was swinging her sword.”

“…”

“But don’t misunderstand. It doesn’t mean that effort solves everything. It’s just that Sago put everything into the sword except for eating and sleeping.”

Jo Gul lost his words and closed his mouth.

It’s easy to say.

But who is really able to put that into practice?

It is true that Chung Myung drove them like hell. But to be honest, while Chung Myung was away, no one here pushed themselves to the same level as when he was teaching.

The only one who did it was on the sparring stage right now.

“Watch.”

Chung Myung said, watching the sparring with sunken eyes.

“Keep your eyes open. This isn’t just about who’s stronger. Watch how they *think*.”

Yoo Iseol lightly touched her abdomen.

Her internal organs were shaken, but she was not deeply injured.

There were two things she felt from this short competition.

The first is…

‘Strong.’

Stronger than I thought.

It felt like swinging a sword against an iron wall. It didn’t seem like any attack could break through that person’s defense. The fact that she had injured his shoulder was only the result of drawing out the embarrassment of someone who lacked practical experience, not something she had done with skill.

And now the same trick won’t work.

And the second is…

‘I can never win if I face him head-on.’

The difference in internal strength is enormous.

Yoo Iseol had amazing inner power.

Even though Mount Hua school had lost its old ways of training inner power, Yoo Iseol was still very strong because she had taken special pills.

Nevertheless, there was a significant difference.

Hye-yeon’s one punch, the immense internal strength contained in each punch, felt like it would crush her body. If she allowed even one punch, she would no longer be able to fight.

So, she knew she had to be very careful and take risks.

Without allowing the opponent’s attack even once, she must break through the opponent’s iron wall and drive the sword in.

Can I do it?

Yoo Iseol’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Dust swirled around the worn bluestone training ground as a loud voice boomed, “You’ll never get stronger if you only do what you can already do! How will you find out what you are truly capable of? Are you just going to do the same things again and again? Young people today have no ambition, no ambition!”

Yoo Iseol shifted her weight, her toes pressing firmly into the ground. *Boomer*, she thought to herself, using the modern slang under her breath. But the old instructor’s words still held a truth she couldn’t ignore.

The instructor continued, his voice even louder, “You’ve found a strong opponent? Good! That means they can take whatever you give them. So, give them everything you have! Understand?”

“I understand,” Yoo Iseol replied, her voice clear and steady. *No need to tell me twice*, she thought, her eyes fixed on Hye-yeon across the training ground.

“That’s the plan!”

Crack!

As the bluestone floor cracked, Yoo Iseol dashed towards Hye-yeon with lightning speed.

Clang!

The sword, descending like a flash of lightning, was blocked by Hye-yeon’s palm. Despite stopping a sword filled with sword energy with his bare hand, not a scratch appeared. But that was already expected.

Yoo Iseol’s sword moved smoothly down Hye-yeon’s palm.

She was changing her attack, first using power, then becoming smooth and flowing.

The sword slid down his arm, aiming for Hye-yeon’s chest. But Hye-yeon would not let it hit him.

Thump!

His arm released a force that pushed the sword away. The sword, sliding down his forearm, was deflected by the energy, leaving Yoo Iseol’s front open.

Followed by a punch!

Thud!

The lightly extended fist smashed into Yoo Iseol’s left shoulder. The impact twisted her entire body.

But Yoo Iseol didn’t back down, even as she coughed up blood.

Crack!

Instead, Yoo Iseol stepped forward, stomping on Hye-yeon’s ankle as he braced himself. Hye-yeon’s foot broke the thick bluestone, sinking into the floor.

Tap!

And Yoo Iseol leaped backward. The sword trembled, then began to release streams of red plum blossoms.

This one move!

She restrained her opponent and created distance.

Of course, for Hye-yeon, having his foot stuck in the floor was just a short delay, but for her, that moment was enough.

‘More perfect.’

This isn’t enough.

More! Even more! More!

As if alive!

It couldn’t simply stop at precision. No matter how perfectly you draw a plum blossom, if you’re happy with that, you’re no different from Jongnam.

You must fill it with real feeling to truly make it a Hwasan plum blossom!

Yoo Iseol gradually forgot herself.

‘I am…’

A dark night.

And the crescent moon in the sky.

Beneath it, a man wielded a sword.

Incredibly beautiful. Incredibly desperate.

The sword, unable to continue and breaking off, fell to the ground. The sight of him collapsing and sobbing, unable to bear it, was vividly etched in her mind, unforgettable.

‘Here.’

It’s here.

The plum blossom that could not be bloomed. The plum blossom that could never bloom.

The plum blossom that the man tried to draw throughout his life was now unfolding in Yoo Iseol’s hands.

The plum blossom petals, swirling like they were alive, rode the wind flowing from the tip of the sword, covering Hye-yeon’s entire body.

Anyone could see that it was impossible for Hye-yeon to dodge all of these swords.

But, at that moment.

“Amitabha!”

Woooooo!

Hye-yeon’s entire body was covered in golden light.

His eyes were half-opened.

He made a half-palm stance.

Those who knew what that stance meant rose from their seats in shock.

“The Supreme Great Power!”

Someone’s shout pierced the crowd.

And.

Woooooooooooo!

Hye-yeon’s entire body was finally covered in gold, and soon, it began to send out red light in all directions.

It was magnificent and sacred.

The plum blossoms, which seemed ready to tear Hye-yeon apart, melted away like snow in the sun.

The Buddhist light pushed away bad things and destroyed all that was false. And, it began to push Yoo Iseol away.

Crack crack crack.

If she didn’t fight back, she would be pushed away.

But Yoo Iseol did not back down.

Crack crack crack.

The sound of her bones twisting echoed. Blood streamed from her nose and mouth as Yoo Iseol gritted her teeth and took one step, then another.

Hye-yeon’s eyes flickered.

‘Why?’

The match was already decided.

Yoo Iseol’s sword had not touched him, and it would not touch him in the future.

But why was she moving forward? She should know that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t even scratch him.

‘Foolish!’

Hye-yeon used even more inner strength.

If she didn’t fight back, she would simply be pushed out of the arena. But why stubbornly resist and hurt herself?

Crack crack crack.

With a terrible sound, Yoo Iseol’s ankle twisted.

Thud!

But Yoo Iseol planted that twisted ankle on the ground and took the next step forward again.

Blood streamed down, soaking her front, but her eyes didn’t flicker.

‘Why!’

Soon, Yoo Iseol raised her sword.

Her arm trembled like a child lifting a heavy sword, but she raised the sword to the very end.

And slowly brought it down.

It was more like losing strength and falling rather than bringing it down.

There was no spirit, and no inner strength.

Slicing sound.

But Hye-yeon could not avoid that sword.

His chest was cut open.

At best, it was a wound to his clothes.

But it was a wound that he shouldn’t have received.

“…Reached.”

Finally, Yoo Iseol lost strength and collapsed.

Plop!

The victory or defeat was clear.

But Yoo Iseol’s face was not that of someone who had lost, and Hye-yeon’s face was not that of someone who had won.

Hye-yeon looked down at his wound, his face pale.

‘How on earth…’

How could she not back down and give him a wound?

Hye-yeon turned his head.

Chung Myung was looking at him with a meaningful look.

“That must have given you a shock, monk.”

Hye-yeon’s palms were wet with cold sweat.