Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 307

Peng Gyung’s blade crashed down towards Yoo Iseol’s head, now completely exposed because her sword was knocked away.

Yoo Iseol was in great danger. It looked like Peng Gyung’s blade would hit her head any second.

The disciples of Mount Hua screamed and jumped to their feet. But at that moment…

Wham!

Yoo Iseol’s sword whipped back, a silver flash in the air, and struck Peng Gyung’s blade.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Once. Twice. Three times. And again!

In an instant, twelve consecutive strikes fell upon Peng Gyung’s blade. The sound of metal hitting metal was deafening, echoing through the arena. Sparks flew as their blades clashed again and again.

One strike wasn’t enough to move Peng Gyung’s heavy blade. But many strikes together? That might just work.

Wham!

The moment the final, twelfth strike hit the blade, Peng Gyung’s shoulder was forced back. And the blade, weighing nearly a hundred pounds, was knocked away.

‘What?’

Before he could even be astonished, Yoo Iseol’s sword pierced towards Peng Gyung’s neck.

Chung Myung muttered lowly, “Speed.”

Speed is quickness.

“Kuh!”

Peng Gyung twisted his body to the side, dodging the incoming sword. But he couldn’t quite avoid it completely. His shoulder split open, spraying blood.

At that moment, Yoo Iseol’s sword, which had stopped in mid-air, twisted and struck Peng Gyung’s waist with great force.

Thud!

Peng Gyung, who barely managed to block Yoo Iseol’s sword with the flat of his blade, was sent sprawling across the floor, rolling like a discarded toy.

Chung Myung said, “Might is strength.”

“Damn it!”

Perhaps out of shame for having been knocked to the ground by a swordswoman’s powerful strike, Peng Gyung roared in anger and leaped to his feet.

But what he saw as he rose was Yoo Iseol’s sword flying towards him, drawing dozens of sword shadows.

Chung Myung said, “Change is transformation.”

Before he could even straighten his back, Peng Gyung had to roll back onto the floor.

He had to roll on the ground to avoid the attack, a move called ‘Lazy Donkey Rolls’ – something a proud fighter hates to do.

After rolling on the floor several times, Peng Gyung, finally out of Yoo Iseol’s range, gritted his teeth and stood up.

“This… This damn…”

He felt lost and confused.

Clearly, his opponent wasn’t stronger than him.

The internal energy carried in her sword didn’t match the internal energy in his blade, and her strength was less than half of his.

Even if she was faster, wasn’t it obvious which was superior—speed with power or speed without power?

Yet, strangely, he couldn’t gain the upper hand for even a moment.

‘Don’t get agitated.’ Peng Gyung’s pride was hurt. He was supposed to be stronger! He clenched his teeth, trying to calm down.

Peng Gyung bit down hard on his lower lip. His lip burst, and blood trickled down. But thanks to the stinging pain in his lip, his anger-filled mind felt a little clearer.

‘I have the advantage in strength. I need to use that.’

Continuing to receive the opponent’s attacks like this was disadvantageous. Yoo Iseol’s sword was so unpredictable that it was difficult to defend against perfectly.

Instead, attack. Yes, attack first.

Sszzt.

Peng Gyung’s feet brushed against the floor like a panther stalking its prey. A fluid and swift footwork that didn’t seem to fit his large frame.

Seizing an opportunity, he closed the distance in an instant and quickly swung his blade.

A blade that sacrificed power for speed.

He realized that trying to overwhelm her with brute force would only lead to defeat. He aimed for Yoo Iseol’s wrist with the fastest blade he could unleash.

Oho Danmun Blade.

Giho Churok (Hungry Tiger Chasing Deer).

Like a hungry tiger chasing a deer, Peng Gyung’s blade was incredibly fast and light.

In an instant, five blade strikes flew towards Yoo Iseol’s sword.

If he couldn’t chase her body, he would chase her sword.

The moment he broke that sword, the match would be as good as over.

But Yoo Iseol’s eyes remained calm, like still water, as she watched the incoming blade strikes.

Clang! Clang!

Her sword accurately blocked the incoming blades. Each time they collided, her sword was pushed back, but it never flew away.

But fundamental differences existed.

Each time the sword and blade clashed, Yoo Iseol’s body was pushed back slightly, and her sword also slowed down a bit.

‘This is it!’

Thinking he had seized an opportunity, Peng Gyung gritted his teeth and poured all his internal energy into his blade.

His ultimate technique, Oho Danmun Blade’s Oho Nanmu (Five Tigers Rampage), unfolded.

The red blade energy carried in the blade drew five streaks of meteors in the air.

It was as if one was watching five red tigers sprinting at full speed.

The five energies flew towards Yoo Iseol as if to shatter her at any moment.

But at that moment…

Sszrrt.

Yoo Iseol’s sword drew a fluid and soft curve. The gently extended sword touched the side of the incoming blade energy and softly pushed it aside.

Wham! Wham! Wham!

All five streaks of blade energy changed direction, narrowly passing by Yoo Iseol’s body.

Chung Myung said, “Suppleness is gentleness.”

Peng Gyung’s eyes widened.

He couldn’t hide his astonishment, as if he couldn’t accept the situation at all. Yoo Iseol, not giving him any time to recover, swung her sword at him.

‘I, I have to block it…!’

And then.

Peng Gyung saw it.

Red plum blossoms blooming from the tip of Yoo Iseol’s sword as it flew towards him. The plum blossom patterns created by the sword energy bloomed so brilliantly that it was impossible to distinguish what was a real sword and what was merely an illusion.

“Ah…”

The blade, swung reflexively, merely cut through the air.

Yoo Iseol’s sword, having passed by the blade along with the plum blossom shapes, stopped right in front of Peng Gyung’s neck.

“……”

A drop of blood flowed from Peng Gyung’s Adam’s apple along with a stinging pain.

Peng Gyung, staring at the sword aimed at his neck, sighed deeply.

“…I lost.”

“Good match.”

Yoo Iseol retrieved her sword, slid it into its scabbard, and bowed towards Peng Gyung.

Soon, an explosive roar erupted in the arena. The cheers of the crowd were deafening, shaking the very ground beneath their feet.

Chung Myung said quietly, watching Yoo Iseol bowing, “Illusion is to bewilder.”

Baek Cheon nodded.

Chung Myung was quite serious. Without his usual playfulness, he seemed like a different person.

Chung Myung explained, ‘Every sword style has a *sword intent*, a special focus or feeling behind it. It’s like the spirit of the sword. Speed Sword. Might Sword. Change Sword. Supple Sword. Illusion Sword. Heavy Sword. There are countless other sword intents. In the end, the sword depends on how well you understand that sword intent.’

Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung with heavy eyes.

Chung Myung had never told them such a story before. Until now, he had only said that it was enough to train the body and stick to the basics.

But what Chung Myung was saying now was literally the sword intent. Things that a swordsman needs to know to reach higher places.

Chung Myung said, looking at everyone, “Think. What kind of sword you are using. The sword of Mount Hua is based on speed, change, and illusion.”

“To quickly change and bewilder the opponent?”

“That’s right. That’s the sword of Mount Hua. Then what about Wudang?”

“It’s soft.”

“Yes. It’s a Supple Sword.”

Chung Myung said, looking at everyone, “The Sanyang Sword Formation of Mount Song pursues extreme speed, and the Thirty-Six Swords of the Universe of Jongnam are based on heaviness and change. It’s a Heavy Sword and a Change Sword.”

Yoo Iseol was already coming down from the martial arts stage.

Chung Myung turned his gaze to her.

Chung Myung said, “But a swordsman must be able to master not only the sword intent contained in his own sword but also all the sword intents in the world. If I mainly use a Speed Sword but can’t use a Heavy Sword, it means I’m only half a swordsman.”

“Then what about Junior Sister…”

“Yes. She is accumulating them. Slowly, over that long period of time. All those swords.”

Chung Myung curled up the corners of his lips.

Chung Myung said, “The sword is incredibly simple, yet infinitely difficult. Nevertheless, we challenge and understand it. We never stop pursuing higher realms.”

Chung Myung’s head nodded slowly.

“That’s what a swordsman is.”

“……”

A corner of Baek Cheon’s heart fluttered.

This was a different story from simple strength.

Anyone who holds a sword pursues the ultimate of the sword. But constantly walking that long and difficult path is by no means easy.

‘Is it Lee Songbaek?’

No.

If Lee Songbaek is an ‘enduring one’ who silently endures the work given to him, then Yoo Iseol is like a seeker of truth.

When the sword of Mount Hua is seen as a sword that pursues the Dao, Yoo Iseol’s sword can be said to be the true sword of Mount Hua.

‘I’m ashamed.’

Baek Cheon blushed slightly.

He had pride in unfolding the plum blossoms of Mount Hua. But while he was satisfied with his achievements, Yoo Iseol was just silently chasing the sword.

Baek Cheon felt that her appearance was too dazzling.

“…It’s so perfect that I can’t say anything.”

Chung Myung chuckled at Yoon Jong’s dazed muttering from the side.

Chung Myung said, “There is no perfect sword. There is only a sword that looks perfect. Even that sword becomes full of flaws the moment it meets a stronger person.”

“Hmm.”

Chung Myung said, “So there is no end. That’s what the sword is.”

Everyone nodded at Chung Myung’s words.

Good results.

Achievements that may never be achieved again and pouring cheers.

All those things subtly seeped in and created arrogance in the hearts of the Mount Hua disciples.

But Yoo Iseol’s sword and Chung Myung’s words were enough to blow away all the arrogance that had seeped into their hearts.

Chung Myung smiled inwardly as he watched his senior brothers and sisters fall into contemplation.

‘I did something unlike myself.’

Watching Yoo Iseol’s sword made him excited and led him to give an excessive explanation. Even though he knew it was a bit early for these chicks.

But.

Someday, these people will truly realize the meaning of what he said. Then, at that time, the sword of Mount Hua will deepen further.

That’s what a sect is.

There is a limit to the power of one or two people. Everyone looks at the same place, but everyone pursues a different sword. When those swords gather and fiercely compete and repeat development, that’s when a true sect is formed.

‘It’s still a long way off.’

Someday, it will be possible.

Just like the Mount Hua of the past.

Someday.

The first to greet Yoo Iseol when she returned to her seat was, of course, Tang Soso.

“Sago.”

Tang Soso looked at Yoo Iseol with a slightly tearful expression, holding a wet towel. She was experiencing a mix of emotions, but it was difficult to express those feelings in words.

“Did you watch well?”

“Yes, Sago. It was so… so wonderful.”

Yoo Iseol shook her head slightly.

“It was clumsy.”

“Yes?”

“The weight distribution is clumsy. It feels like my body is leaning back. My lower body training must be insufficient.”

“……”

“There’s excessive force in my fingertips. It’s still not soft enough. Even though I keep thinking about it, I keep making the same mistakes. This won’t do.”

The disciples of Mount Hua looked at her with weary eyes.

Watching her list her self-criticisms with a blank face made them feel suffocated.

Even Chung Myung closed his mouth as if he couldn’t handle this.

“B, but you won!”

“Victory or defeat is not important. I…”

Yoo Iseol’s gaze turned to the distant sky. Watching her, everyone felt something strange. A quiet sadness, a feeling of longing they couldn’t name.

After staring at the distant sky without a word for a while, she let out a low sigh.

“What I have to do is completion. Perfect plum blossoms,” she murmured, as if speaking to herself.

“……”

“It’s still far off. Too far.”

Before they could find the identity of that emotion, Yoo Iseol abruptly turned her gaze to Chung Myung.

“Sparring!”

“…Huh?”

“I’m unskilled. I’ll confirm it through sparring.”

“…Why me again?”

“You don’t die no matter how much I swing. I can use killing moves. To my heart’s content.”

“……”

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

“Sasuk, there’s one thing I didn’t tell you earlier.”

“…What?”

“Usually, humans who delve extremely into the sword all become insane.”

“……”

“Be careful, Sasuk.”

“……”

Baek Cheon was once again realizing the fact that there wasn’t a single normal person in this sect.