Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 632

Branches extended outwards from a thick, towering tree, blocking the harsh sunlight and creating a deep, cool shade. It was so dark under the leaves that the sunlight seemed far away.

It was a strange sight, unlike any plum blossoms of Mount Hua he had seen before.

Just because it was different, didn’t mean it was wrong.

The plum blossoms of Mount Hua showed the blossoming of flowers, the act of blooming. But this sword was creating the plum tree itself.

Surging forth was the Supreme Wisdom Sword of the Great Void. This was a famous sword style from Wudang, known for its balance and wisdom.

This technique of the Wudang Sect used the ideas of Taiji, which is based on the harmony of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang is the idea of balance between opposites, like light and dark.

Its power was so great that it was beyond words.

Crack!

The floor was made of strong bluestone. But it could not handle the power. It cracked open.

It seemed to push gently, yet struck fiercely; it wrapped warmly, yet pierced coldly.

This sword showed what Wudang wanted to achieve.

Crack! Crack!

The floor broke and pieces flew into the air. The sword energy wrapped around the broken stones, swirling as they flew toward Un-geom.

It was both gentle and strong.

The sword energy was so powerful. It almost seemed too much for someone already hurt.

But Un-geom felt grateful.

This showed that Mu-gak respected him. It showed that he wanted to use his best sword technique against an opponent he knew was strong.

Mu-gak, a disciple of Wudang, was now using all his power for him. As a martial artist, there could be no greater honor.

So, Un-geom also held nothing back.

“Extend.”

Chung-myung’s sword had bloomed with plum blossoms. Baek Cheon’s sword had also bloomed with plum blossoms.

But Un-geom’s sword had not been able to hold plum blossoms.

Even so, Un-geom did not feel sad. He was happy to see his students grow. He smiled, but inside, a sharp pain twisted his heart. He pushed it down, not wanting to show it.

Yes. Blooming is for those children.

He was like a bridge, connecting the old masters of Mount Hua to these new, young students. He was passing on their teachings.

Branches extended outwards, showing his strong will.

‘Elder Un-geom.’

Everyone starts somewhere.

He might be teaching now, but he used to be a student. Even when their group was failing and Mount Hua was getting weaker, Hyun Sang always looked at them with warm eyes.

‘Will I be able to convey it?’

Will I be able to pass on what I learned from you to the children completely?

I only realize now how you felt when you taught me. Will I be able to give that deep feeling to those children?

Un-geom gripped his sword tighter.

No. He would just believe.

Even if he didn’t say it, he would believe that people’s feelings would be understood.

New buds grew from the ends of the branches. Unlike the bright flowers of his students, the new buds from Un-geom’s sword were simply green.

Kuaaaaah!

The Taiji sword energy crashed into Un-geom’s sword energy. Un-geom’s energy bounced back and he stumbled.

“Cough!”

Blood gushed out of Un-geom’s mouth like a waterfall.

The great energy in the sword energy had hurt him badly.

‘It hurts.’

But this wasn’t really pain.

He could handle any pain to his body.

It was nothing compared to seeing his master’s sad face. It was nothing compared to the pain of not being able to give anything to his young students.

Crack!

His feet dug into the floor like roots of a tree.

The world is always cold and hard.

‘But, my disciples.’

Winter always ends.

Un-geom looked at his empty sleeve. He is missing an arm.

He remembered what he had lost.

Most people get stronger from their wounds. But sometimes, the wounds can’t be healed.

The feeling at his fingertips was still strange. But he still used his sword.

“Aaaaargh!”

Un-geom’s sword screamed as he swung it. A sword energy like fire burst from its tip. It glowed orange and red, and you could almost feel the heat from it.

The sword energy pushed back the Yin and Yang energy.

Bang!

The two energies crashed together, shaking the floor of the arena.

Wham!

Once more!

Kuaaaang!

Again and again!

With each crash, Un-geom’s body tilted. It looked like he would fall. But he never knelt or fell.

Even when the energy wounded him, Un-geom stood firm.

Baek Cheon watched. His eyes were bloodshot.

Blood dripped from his fist. But he never looked away from Un-geom.

‘Sasuk!’

He couldn’t explain how he felt. But he knew what Un-geom was trying to show them.

It was something you couldn’t say. You could only feel it.

Baek Cheon’s shoulders shook.

Everyone in Mount Hua watched with a deep respect. They knew they had to watch, even if it hurt.

Even Jo-geol, who was always happy, even Tang Soso, and even Yoo Iseol watched Un-geom with serious faces.

And…

Chung-myung clenched his fist.

‘Ah, child.’

You have lost too much.

Chung-myung understood Un-geom’s heart. He knew what it was like to lose something you believed in.

But Un-geom didn’t give up. He kept going.

He learned from his students. He knew he wasn’t as good as he used to be. He just kept walking.

Seeing him endure all of that, Chung-myung couldn’t hold back his feelings.

‘Sahyung.’

I was wrong.

It wasn’t me who led Mount Hua again.

It was here all along.

The soul of Mount Hua.

Chung-myung smiled.

“Excellent.”

It was the echo of the old masters, passing on the soul of Mount Hua.

‘Where is this?’

He felt his body being crushed. He couldn’t see properly.

Thud!

He felt a great shock, but he couldn’t wake up.

He couldn’t quite recall what he was doing.

But he kept swinging his sword.

He felt like he was losing his mind, his body was weak, and he wanted to give up.

The swordplay he had practiced his whole life stayed with him. He swung his sword without thinking, as if it was the most natural thing to do.

Boom!

Black and white energies slammed together with tremendous force, crashing directly into Un-geom.

More blood came from his mouth.

But, strangely, it cleared his head a little.

‘He’s strong.’

Despite all his effort, Wudang was still a towering mountain. He might never beat them, no matter how much he trained.

But none of that mattered now.

Whirrrrr!

The sword, which had been shaking like it would fall from his hand, became steady again.

‘My sword will show the way.’

Shouting and screaming wouldn’t make the impossible possible. If you really wanted something, you had to build it, not just shout about it.

‘Every day…’

And one day, you’d reach the top.

That was the path for a swordsman.

Whirrrrr!

As if answering his will, the sword made a clear humming sound.

‘Let’s begin.’

The sword flowed, riding the coming sword energy as if dancing in the wind.

The heavy weight on him was gone, and the loud noise became quiet.

All he felt was the sword in his hand.

What should he show?

The question had barely come to mind when Un-geom smiled.

‘I only need to show one thing.’

He widened his stance a little, putting his feet firmly on the ground.

His relaxed knees bent naturally. As if his right hand was still there, he pushed his shoulders forward, holding the sword in front of him.

The central stance.

The starting point of everything.

Now he could see clearly. The black and white sword energy coming toward him was easy to see.

It was an amazing sight, like two dragons, one black and one white, twisting and flying.

“The beginning is always one.”

He raised his sword calmly and slowly. He lifted it above his head and then brought it down toward his back.

The sword, raised high, was brought down with all his power.

A downward strike.

The first thing he had ever learned.

And the first thing he had ever taught.

The ends might be different for everyone, but the beginning is the same for all.

This was his origin, and the origin of Mount Hua.

Someday, Mount Hua would be famous in the world. But someday, it would also lose its fame and get weaker.

But as long as children shouted clearly as they held wooden swords in their small hands and swung them, Mount Hua would not disappear.

Whack!

The downward strike, full of sword energy, cut through the black and white energies.

“Haaah!”

“Taah!”

The two swordsmen shouted as they put all their power into their strikes. A huge storm of energy swept across the fighting area.

Kwaaaa!

The swirling energy spread everywhere, but the Mount Hua and Wudang disciples didn’t move back.

They stood firm against the rushing energy, wanting to remember this fight forever.

Kwaaaa!

Black, white, and blue energies flew into the sky, twisting together.

The wind became a strong gale, and then the gale became a gentle breeze.

Everything became silent. Even with so many people there, no one breathed.

In the very quiet space, only the soft breathing of the two men could be heard.

Un-geom. And Mu-gak.

The two men stood on the fighting area like statues, not moving. Then, Un-geom moved first.

Shhh.

He slowly put his sword back in its case and reached out his one hand.

His shaking hand showed how much effort it took to reach out.

His hand, which looked like it would fall, finally stretched forward.

“I… learned… well…”

Mu-gak quickly put his sword on the ground. He bowed respectfully with both hands.

“I really… really learned a lot, Dojang.”

Mu-gak’s voice was also shaking a little.

As soon as he finished speaking, Un-geom fell to the ground.

Thud!

“Dojang!”

“Sasuk!”

“Grandmaster!”

Mu-gak quickly ran to help him. At the same time, the Mount Hua disciples rushed into the fighting area.

“Cough.”

Un-geom coughed.

“Sasuk! Are you alright?”

“Head Disciple! Internal… internal injuries…”

As he saw the worried faces of his disciples, Un-geom smiled a little.

“Did I…”

“…”

“Did I look… pathetic?”

Baek Cheon held Un-geom’s hand tightly.

“…You were the best, Sasuk.”

Un-geom smiled faintly.

“That’s a relief…”

Then, he closed his eyes as if he was relieved. His hand fell to his side.

“G, Grandmaster!”

“Don’t worry.”

Baek Cheon bit his lip, stopping the worried disciples.

“He has just lost consciousness.”

“…”

He picked up Un-geom. Before leaving the fighting area, he nodded slightly to Mu-gak.

“Thank you for helping my Sasuk.”

“Amitabha.”

Mu-gak shook his head.

“Anyone would have done the same.”

“…”

“Anyone.”

Baek Cheon nodded and turned around.

Un-geom’s body was so light in his arms. That made Baek Cheon feel sad.

“Remember.”

“…”

“What you have seen.”

The Mount Hua disciples nodded with serious faces at his words. They followed Baek Cheon, who was carrying Un-geom, and left the fighting area. They all stood tall.

They were disciples of Mount Hua, and also disciples of Un-geom.

Cheong-myeong, who had been watching from below, nodded slowly.

“Sometimes, in this world…”

His smiling lips showed his pride.

“There are defeats more valuable than victories.”

This defeat would stay in the hearts of the Mount Hua disciples.

As a memory they would never forget.