Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 67

The Plum Blossom Sword

“So, are you saying that the Plum Blossom Sword of the Mount Hua Sect can be countered with the Three Talents Swordplay?”

At this question, Hwajin Jin-in, one of the elders of the Mount Hua Sect, replied,

“When martial artists of similar skill levels compete, the Three Talents Swordplay can indeed block the Plum Blossom Sword. Many people have doubts and conduct numerous tests to find answers to these doubts. However, I believe that the martial arts that have survived from ancient times to the present-day Murim [martial arts world] were the supreme martial arts of their time.”

Hwarin greatly agreed with Elder Hwajin’s words.

“Over generations, martial arts may become obsolete, lost, or forgotten. Alternatively, disciples may fail to fully grasp and pass on the true essence. Or, due to the simplicity and convenience of certain techniques, the forms of martial arts may gradually change through variations in connecting moves, eventually reaching today’s Murim. This is why martial arts are ranked as first-rate, second-rate, or third-rate, leading to the perception of the Three Talents Swordplay as a third-rate skill. However, I believe that the Three Talents Swordplay was once powerful enough to contend with other superior martial arts.”

“Then, are you teaching the Three Talents Swordplay to the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect?”

“Not exactly. The Mount Hua Sect has its own martial arts. However, we teach the Six Harmonies Sword, the Tae-eul Sword, and the Qiankun Sword—which can be considered the basic martial arts of our Taoist tradition—to our disciples as foundational skills. Only after mastering these basic skills are they allowed to learn the next level of martial arts.”

“That’s the right answer.”

Nangong Yeona asked, hearing Hwarin’s mutter.

“Brother, do you really think so?”

“Of course. There’s no inherent superiority in martial arts. The difference lies in the talent of the person who masters it.”

“Grandfather doesn’t think that way.”

Hwarin was told what Nangong So-gun, the Supreme Elder of the Nangong Family and the greatest swordsman in the Central Plains, known as the Sword Emperor in the current Murim, had told her.

“Yes. Our grandfather said that martial arts were created from the beginning to kill people.”

“That’s also true.”

“The techniques of killing people evolved into the form of martial arts, and with the development and creation of various weapons, their lethality increased even further.”

“Hmm…”

“Unlike weapons like bows, knives, and spears, which were created out of necessity for hunting or preparing food, the sword was created solely to kill people.”

This was also the reason why the sword, unlike the knife, had two edges.

“So?”

“He said that it’s more helpful to learn new things that have been developed and improved over time rather than dwelling on old things.”

Hwarin nodded, thinking that there was some truth in that.

“Now that I hear it, Grandfather’s words also seem right.”

“You were just saying that the Elder’s words were right?”

“If there were a definitive answer to martial arts, everyone in the world would be a master. You have to think of it as a journey of asking questions and finding answers to those questions. A dichotomous way of thinking, saying that one side is right and the other is wrong, is very dangerous.”

“Tch, look at you making excuses.”

Hwarin chuckled at Nangong Yeona’s words and focused on the Mount Hua Sect elders and younger disciples’ discussion on swordplay.

However, this focus didn’t last long. He sensed an energy that disturbed his senses lingering nearby.

‘Is it Munso, the leader of the Black Tortoise Hall?’

Hwarin had heard from Yidomun that Munso was at the Mount Hua Sect, so he was certain that the one disturbing his senses was Munso.

‘Then, I wonder what his skills are like… Ah, Yihopbeom said he could take his head right away.’

Hwarin smiled, recalling Yidomun’s words.

‘Still, I should have some expectations.’

Hwarin pretended to be engrossed in the swordplay discussion.

As time passed, Head of Maesan said,

“Then, shall we begin the real swordplay?”

“Real swordplay?”

“Yes. Use the sword techniques and stances you know to spar with me.”

Everyone showed interest at the mention of real swordplay.

“Please understand that honorifics will be omitted during the swordplay.”

Everyone agreed in unison, and the swordplay began.

“I will first attack Nangongjin, aiming for the chest with the first stance of the Mount Hua Swordplay, Plum Blossom Fragrance.”

“Then, I will use the second stance of the Heavenly Wind Swordplay, Heavenly Wind Pressure, to deflect the Head’s sword, and then use the third stance of the Heavenly Wind Swordplay, Heavenly Wind Falling Petals, to aim for the left waist.”

“Excellent judgment. I will evade the sword by turning to the right using the Drifting Wind Effect, and then attack your chest with the first stance of the Plum Blossom Sword.”

In this way, Head of Maesan facilitated a discussion to enhance the younger disciples’ ability to respond through swordplay. Hwarin found this refreshing as well.

It was interesting how the responses differed depending on the learned martial arts, even when receiving the same stance attack.

The swordplay proceeded, and it was Hwarin’s turn.

“I will attack Hwarin Hall Lord, aiming for the right shoulder with the third stance of the Plum Blossom Sword, Plum Blossom Sunset.”

“I will evade the Head’s attack with the Empty Shadow Footwork and then aim for the sword in the Head’s hand using the Butterfly Heavenly Flower Hand.”

“A very dangerous technique. I will change my swordplay to the Thousand Stream Sword to create many variations and shatter the Hall Lord’s Butterfly Heavenly Flower Hand.”

“I will step back and counter the Thousand Stream Sword’s variations with the Thousand Flowers Myriad Fragrances, then penetrate the Head’s defenses and use Lightning Current to target the arm holding the sword.”

As Hwarin responded, Head of Maesan trembled slightly. Not only that, but the elders also looked at Hwarin with disbelief.

—Everyone, please remain silent.

Head of Maesan sent a telepathic message to the elders and then opened his mouth towards Hwarin.

“I’m not sure if I can counter the Hall Lord’s sword with the Twenty-Four Plum Blossoms.”

“You may be able to counter it, but if you do, I will give up my shoulder and aim for the Head’s waist, which would put the Head’s life in danger.”

The younger disciples showed various reactions to Hwarin’s arrogance, but Head of Maesan and the elders seemed to acknowledge Hwarin’s words.

“As expected, the Hall Lord’s martial arts are truly remarkable. I can see why Elder Songcheol of the Jongnam Sect praised the Hall Lord so highly.”

At the mention of Elder Songcheol of the Jongnam Sect, the gathered younger disciples gave glances that seemed to say, ‘Who is this person?’

—Hey, do you really know the Lightning Current?

Sadojun’s telepathic message pierced Hwarin’s ear.

—Of course. We agreed to only use martial arts that we know.

—Hmm… then the problem of being friends with you is getting a little serious.

Since he was an assassin, Sadojun would know the origins of the Lightning Current, so he was saying this. Hwarin pretended not to know and asked.

—Why?

—It’s just something.

—How boring.

“I underestimated the Hall Lord’s martial arts. As a result, it is my defeat.”

As Head of Maesan acknowledged his defeat in the swordplay, the gathered younger disciples buzzed with excitement.

Head of Maesan spoke to those younger disciples as if giving advice.

“It was fortunate that it was just swordplay. If it were a real battle, I might have lost not only my right hand but also my life.”

“That’s true, but doesn’t the Head know even more powerful martial arts?”

“Yes, but as I said before, I underestimated Hall Lord Gu Ryong and used common stances, so I was immediately put on the defensive. If my martial arts were overwhelmingly stronger than Hall Lord Gu Ryong’s, I might have been able to avoid that defensive position somehow, but if we were at a similar level, I probably wouldn’t have been able to overcome it.”

The younger disciples were lost in their own thoughts as they listened to Head of Maesan’s words.

“Since we assumed that we were at a similar level when we started the swordplay, I would be the one who lost in the swordplay with the Hall Lord.”

“Then, are you saying that you could overcome it in a real battle?”

“I can’t know that. Real battles don’t happen in this quiet environment. There are often times when we face more diverse and worse situations, so if we consider all those variables…”

“I would have lost.”

Hwarin interrupted Head of Maesan’s words.

“As the Head said, real battles require considering various situations.”

“Hall Lord Hwarin seems to have a lot of experience in real battles. That’s what it sounds like when you say that.”

‘That guy said he was Ajin from the Jeomchang Sect [a martial arts sect].’

“I’m speaking based on my experiences in the military rather than real battles.”

“The military?”

“I’m someone who was discharged from the military less than a year ago. So, rather than being a Murim person, I still have many military habits. That’s why I often make choices that allow me to win, even if they are reckless.”

“Ah, I see.”

He sensed a bit of sarcasm in his answer, but he judged that it wasn’t worth responding to and ended the situation with an awkward smile.

“I personally like Hall Lord Hwarin’s answer.”

Head of Maesan spoke.

“Subduing an opponent is only possible when I have an overwhelming advantage. If we are at a similar level or if I have a slight advantage, it will be difficult to just subdue them.”

“Why is that when I’m stronger?”

A disciple from the Common Faction asked.

“That’s because the opponent is prepared to die. Cutting them down in one go is an easy choice because it doesn’t consider the opponent’s position, but subduing an enemy who is desperately attacking is not an easy task.”

The younger disciples of the Demonic and Evil Sects understood Head of Maesan’s words, but there were quite a few among the younger disciples of the Righteous Sect who didn’t understand.

“Okay, shall we continue? Who is Lee Seowon?”

One person raised his hand. He was a member of the Evil Sect, from the Cheonryangsa Family, one of the Twelve Families that form the foundation of the Evil Sect.

“I will attack, aiming for the right shoulder with the Mount Hua Swordplay, Seven Fragrance Sword.”

“I will take a step and twist my body to the left to evade, then aim for the Head’s waist with the Three Talents Swordplay’s Horizontal Sweep.”

“Oho, a good technique. Then, I will use my wrist to use a variation of the Seven Fragrance Sword to block that attack, push away your chest, and then unleash the Seven Fragrance Sword’s third stance, Hundred Mile Fragrance, to aim for your heart.”

Lee Seowon pictured the situation in his head, thinking about how to evade and then counterattack, but he couldn’t counterattack, so he focused on blocking.

“I will deflect the Head’s sword with the Six Harmonies Sword and then use the recoil to create distance between me and the Head.”

“I will immediately rush in and once again aim for your heart with the Seven Fragrance Sword’s fourth stance, Flower Shadow Branding.”

In the picture that Lee Seowon drew in his head, the Seven Fragrance Sword’s fourth stance, Flower Shadow Branding, could not be blocked with ordinary swordplay.

‘I have to break the sword.’

Having made that decision, Lee Seowon had to unleash the Cheonryangsa Family’s martial arts.

“I will shatter the Head’s sword with the first stance of the Dragon Demon Blood Sword, Dragon Head Posture, and then pressure him with the variation that connects to the second stance, and then aim for the Head’s chest with the second stance, Dragon Head Heavenly Posture.”

“Heot!”

Head of Maesan took a breath and thought for a moment, then smiled.

“Hehe, it seems I’ve lost again this time. The Murim world knows that the Cheonryangsa Family’s Dragon Demon Blood Sword is a wonderful martial art with no equal in the world, so that’s really amazing. But, Young Master Lee Seowon.”

“Please speak.”

“It was a good decision to respond with the Three Talents Swordplay and the Six Harmonies Sword at first, but if you used your family’s swordsmanship because you judged that you couldn’t block my sword, then you should have been a little more careful.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“The Seven Fragrance Sword’s fourth stance, Flower Shadow Branding, can be blocked with the Three Talents Swordplay’s Mount Tai Press.”

“How…?”

“When we started the swordplay, we assumed that we were at a similar level, and if we were at a similar level, we could have suppressed Flower Shadow Branding with the pressing force of Mount Tai Press. But because your subconscious recognized that I was stronger than you, you chose a domineering martial art that could suppress it with even greater force.”

Lee Seowon wanted to refute, but he bowed his head to Head of Maesan, thinking that his subconscious might have made him do so.

“Thank you for the teaching.”

“No, your father will probably think of you as reliable. Is your father well?”

“My father is very healthy. I’m even afraid that he’s so healthy that we might see a new sibling.”

“Haha, hoho…”

As everyone laughed at his joke, Hwarin liked the man named Lee Seowon.

‘I should go and ask him to be friends when I have time.’