Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 135

The sword came crashing down.

Moo-jin instinctively rolled to the side.

He performed a Lazy Donkey Roll.

This move was named after a lazy donkey rolling on the ground. Martial artists who cared about their honor usually found rolling on the ground shameful. But Moo-jin didn’t have time to worry about that now.

Boom!

A blast erupted where he had been standing, and the floor caved in.

Moo-jin’s face hardened as he saw the power of the attack.

‘If I had been hit?’

Instant death.

“Oh? You dodged?”

Cheong-myeong, who had made a hole in the floor with his sword, smirked and looked at Moo-jin.

Moo-jin bit his lip and quickly stood up.

He glared at Cheong-myeong, looking even more cautious.

‘He’s strong.’

The hairs on his body stood up, and his skin prickled.

One strike.

That one strike was enough to know his opponent’s strength.

This man was a powerful enemy, maybe the strongest Moo-jin had ever faced. Even though he seemed playful, his skill was real.

Moo-jin couldn’t understand why someone so skilled would wear a mask and act so strangely. But he knew he couldn’t underestimate his opponent just based on how he looked.

Moo-jin bit his lip tightly.

‘Am I still having such foolish thoughts?’

He couldn’t underestimate him.

Underestimating someone was what strong people did to weak people. But right now, he was clearly weaker than Cheong-myeong.

“Hooo…”

Moo-jin took a deep breath and focused his clear, calm eyes on Cheong-myeong.

“Why are you staring like that?”

“……”

He heard the unexpected question again, but this time, Moo-jin stayed calm.

“Oh?”

‘So, he really is a Taoist?’

Cheong-myeong chuckled and walked toward Moo-jin.

As he walked confidently, Moo-jin’s sword moved up and down lightly.

Whoosh!

With a sound like a clear waterfall, blue sword energy flowed from the tip of his sword.

Clear Stream Sword.

The sword energy matched his reputation perfectly.

“Taaah!”

Moo-jin shouted and swung his sword.

Unending Clear River.

It looked like dozens of blue silk ribbons were spreading out at once. Even the second-generation disciples of Mount Hua, who knew Moo-jin well and were familiar with the Taecheong Sword Style, stared in amazement at how amazing it looked.

Each one was a continuous stream of energy.

This sword energy was special to Mount Hua and never stopped. Unlike normal sword energy that comes in short bursts, this one used much more energy with each strike.

Soft.

Infinitely soft.

But inside that softness was hidden incredible strength. It was a gentle but powerful sword energy.

“Hoo?”

Cheong-myeong made a short exclamation, smiled, and jumped into the middle of the dozens of silk waves flying toward him.

Swish, swish.

He moved so fast that he became a blur, stepping through the air and soaring upwards.

Dark Fragrance Float.

Cheong-myeong moved with the special footwork of Mount Hua, swimming through the pouring blue sword energy like plum blossoms falling silently in the dark night.

He was like a red butterfly flying across a raging river.

Jin-hyun’s eyes widened.

The level was different.

Moo-jin’s skill was much greater than he thought. And Cheong-myeong’s skill in facing Moo-jin was beyond anything he could imagine.

‘This is a fight between masters.’

He tensed his entire body without thinking. He wasn’t thinking about winning or losing anymore. He just wanted to watch the battle without missing a single moment.

The other second-generation disciples seemed to feel the same way, as it was completely silent behind him.

Crack!

The wave of sword energy touched the ground and cut deeply into the earth.

Who would have thought that such power was hidden in those soft, silk-like waves?

Even a slight touch would tear flesh and break bones.

But what was even more amazing was not Moo-jin, who was creating such sword energy, but Cheong-myeong, who was casually flying through that huge wave of sword energy.

Whoosh.

The sword energy barely missed Cheong-myeong’s head.

Tap.

Cheong-myeong lightly touched his sword to the ground, floated into the air, and quickly moved towards Moo-jin, moving through the wave of sword energy.

His movements were free and light!

He even had a faint smile as he floated through the air towards Moo-jin.

‘He should have done this from the start!’

That was the familiar sword of Mount Hua that he knew.

It seemed that the name of the Mount Hua Three Swords wasn’t just for show.

But!

“That won’t be enough!”

At that moment.

Swoosh!

A new wave of sword energy stretched out towards Cheong-myeong, cutting through the wind. It was much faster than before.

But Cheong-myeong wasn’t worried at all. His smile only grew wider.

Cheong-myeong lightly stretched out his sword and gently cut through the incoming wave.

Slash!

The wave of sword energy was cut by Cheong-myeong’s sword energy and split to the left and right.

Cheong-myeong thrust his sword deep into the wave and used the force to lift his body into the air.

Whoosh!

The structure of the pouring wave and the one cutting through it collapsed. Cheong-myeong, who had lifted his body high into the air, fell downwards, lit by the moonlight.

Moo-jin’s face stiffened as he watched.

“Taaah!”

Unceasing Continuity.

It wasn’t easy to stop the sword energy that continued without end. Now that Cheong-myeong had escaped the sword energy, his sword would be wasted, heading in the wrong direction.

And because of that, an opening appeared.

Cheong-myeong flew towards Moo-jin with the moon behind him.

“Haat!”

Moo-jin shouted and stretched out his left hand towards Cheong-myeong. An energy that stretched out like taffy was sent towards Cheong-myeong.

‘Continuous Palm!’

The palm technique that represented Mount Hua!

A palm force that flowed softly like a stream of water! But the power inside was as strong as any palm force in the world.

Cheong-myeong, who was falling, kicked off the air and spun around. The power of the Continuous Palm brushed past his side and soared into the air.

It was at that moment.

Cheong-myeong’s face hardened slightly, and he twisted his body in the air. But the power that had brushed past changed direction again and flew towards his back.

‘Even the Revolving Palm?’

It was a technique that could only be used by someone with complete control over their power.

“Impressive!”

Cheong-myeong stretched out his leg towards the incoming power of the Continuous Palm.

And then he kicked the power of the Continuous Palm.

Wham!

A great explosion erupted in the space where only light sounds had been heard. Cheong-myeong, who had kicked the Continuous Palm, used the force to rush towards Moo-jin at an incredible speed.

“Chaaah!”

Moo-jin, who had gathered the sword energy of the Taecheong Sword Style, hardened his face and raised his sword.

And!

Moo-jin narrowed his eyes and began to draw a soft circle in the air with his sword.

White and black sword energy created a clear shape in the air.

“It’s the Wisdom Sword!”

Jin-hyun shouted without thinking.

Tai Chi Wisdom Sword.

The sword that symbolized Mount Hua and the highest-level sword technique of Mount Hua.

It was so difficult and complex that no one had ever completed it since the founder.

‘Did Martial Uncle already learn the Wisdom Sword?’

Jin-hyun clenched his fist tightly.

‘He’ll win!’

He had doubted before, but now the match was as good as over.

The Tai Chi Wisdom Sword was unbeatable.

No matter how talented Cheong-myeong was, he couldn’t stand against that sword…

It was at that moment!

“No, you son of a…!”

Cheong-myeong’s sword sent out sunset-colored sword energy and struck the Tai Chi shape in the air without stopping.

KABOOOOM!

The Tai Chi shattered.

“Ugh!”

Moo-jin spat out blood and fell backwards.

Plop.

He fell to the ground, grabbed his mouth, and spat out blood a few times. His energy had turned against him, causing internal injuries.

He looked at Cheong-myeong with trembling eyes, as if he couldn’t believe it.

“H-How?”

He had wanted to win.

His opponent was too strong, and if things continued like this, Mount Hua’s reputation would be ruined. That’s why he used the Tai Chi Wisdom Sword, even though he wasn’t supposed to yet.

He had only learned one move, but it was still the Wisdom Sword! He thought it would be enough to defeat Cheong-myeong.

But with one strike.

He had been defeated with just one strike.

Moo-jin couldn’t understand how it could happen.

Thud.

Cheong-myeong landed on the ground, his face twisted. His eyes, visible through the mask, were narrowed.

“What the hell are you doing when things are going so well!”

“…Huh?”

‘What is he talking about?’

“Tch. That’s why these days… Why are you using a sword you’re not good at? Are you trying to die!”

“……”

Moo-jin’s eyes widened.

“This idiot doesn’t even know the basics of being a Mount Hua disciple. Hey! Do you think using a better sword makes you stronger? Then why learn basic sword techniques at all! You could just learn the strongest one from the start!”

“Ah…”

“You should have fought with a sword you knew well. Why would you stupidly use a sword you’re not even used to? If this were a real battle, you’d be dead right now.”

Cheong-myeong clicked his tongue.

‘That’s why it’s a problem.’

Cheong-myeong had taught the Seven Plum Sword instead of the Plum Blossom Sword to Mount Hua for this reason.

There was a reason why all sects taught martial arts step by step. Those who hadn’t mastered the basic sword techniques would eventually show their weaknesses.

‘They can’t even master the Seven Plum Sword, and they’re learning the Plum Blossom Sword?’

‘They’ll be destroyed by the sword.’

Just like Moo-jin now.

A sword technique that was too advanced was like poison. If Moo-jin hadn’t used the Tai Chi Wisdom Sword, he would have lasted longer.

“A weak rock breaks even against a small pebble. A Wisdom Sword that’s only learned on the surface is no match for the Taecheong Sword Style!”

Moo-jin’s eyes wavered.

He finally understood his mistake.

‘What I have built up.’

Tai Chi Wisdom Sword.

He had been drawn to that impressive name. He used it without thinking, believing that if he mastered the Tai Chi Wisdom Sword, he could defeat anyone.

Martial arts was about building up skills.

He had forgotten that it wasn’t just about reaching the top.

Moo-jin struggled to stand up.

He made a fist with his trembling hand.

“Thank you for teaching me.”

He had been defeated.

But he had learned a valuable lesson that he would never have learned otherwise. So, he had no regrets, even after a crushing defeat.

Moo-jin showed Cheong-myeong his sincere thanks with a refreshed face.

Cheong-myeong smiled as he received the thanks.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Why are you acting like it’s finished?”

“……”

“Come here. You need a good beating.”

“……”

Moo-jin looked confused.

He raised his head and saw Cheong-myeong’s eyes gleaming with anger.

‘Huh?’

‘Why is this guy so angry?’

But Cheong-myeong didn’t answer. He gripped his sword and slowly began to approach, with a look of pure anger on his face.