“Senior Brother, are you serious?”
Musang asked, disbelief etched across his face.
In Musang’s memory, Muhui’s martial skills were below average compared to the other second-generation disciples. In contrast, Musang himself was comfortably above that average.
Musang couldn’t fathom why Muhui would challenge him to a duel, knowing this disparity.
“For the record, I’ll only use the Six Harmonies Sword technique. That way, you’ll really feel the difference in our levels.”
“The Six Harmonies Sword?”
As Muhui casually rested his wooden sword on his shoulder, Musang’s brow twitched in irritation.
Muhui’s provocation erased any hesitation Musang had about the duel. Slowly, he reached for his waist.
“Don’t regret this, Senior Brother.”
“Come on, hurry up. As your senior, I’ll give you the first three moves.”
Muhui’s taunt, as he twirled his wooden sword, made Musang grit his teeth.
“Haah!”
The veins on Musang’s hand bulged as he gripped his wooden sword tightly. He swung with all his might, intending to crush Muhui’s confidence from the start.
With a swift step, Musang closed the seven-step gap, aiming his sword at Muhui’s chest.
Thwack.
The wooden swords clashed with a sharp sound. Muhui deftly parried and twisted his blade, causing Musang’s sword to slide off at an angle, leaving his chest exposed. Startled, Musang quickly pulled back, but no follow-up attack came.
Muhui simply watched Musang’s shocked expression with a sly smile.
“I said I’d give you three moves. Why so scared?”
“Ugh.”
Embarrassed, Musang retreated, his face flushed red all the way down to his neck.
Determined to make up for his mistake, Musang summoned his inner energy. As it coursed through his veins, his movements became lighter, and his sword strikes more powerful.
Musang’s primary sword technique was the Myriad Fragrance Sword.
While the Falling Plum Sword focused on the art of illusion, the Myriad Fragrance Sword emphasized transformation.
Its numerous variations made it a challenging technique for second-generation disciples who had just moved beyond the Six Harmonies Sword.
Swish.
Just as it seemed Musang’s sword would strike diagonally, he adjusted his stance in response to Muhui’s defense. The sword, initially aimed at Muhui’s side, suddenly targeted his ankle, but Muhui’s sword was already there to intercept it.
Thud.
The impact was heavier than their first clash.
‘How?’
It was astonishing that Muhui could react so swiftly to the Myriad Fragrance Sword’s changes, but even more baffling was that Musang’s enhanced inner energy couldn’t shake Muhui’s defense.
“One move left, junior.”
“Argh!”
As Muhui casually flicked Musang’s sword away, three prongs of Musang’s sword lunged forward.
Yet Muhui merely sliced downward with his sword, effortlessly deflecting Musang’s attack. Muhui’s eyes gleamed coldly.
The promised three moves were over.
As if waiting for this moment, Muhui’s feet finally left the ground.
With a light step, Muhui’s form shot forward. It was the same technique Musang had used at the start, but the difference in execution was stark.
‘Not bad.’
While dueling, Muhui was testing the improved internal energy flow of his newly refined Nine Steps Technique.
By channeling less energy to the Yongcheon point on his foot, he achieved more explosive movement than Musang’s initial attempt.
In an instant, Muhui closed in on Musang, his robe fluttering as he thrust his sword forward.
“Ugh.”
A light tap with the hilt to Musang’s chest made him wince in pain.
“Come on, you can’t back down from just this.”
As Musang staggered back, Muhui advanced, swinging his sword.
Simple horizontal, vertical, and thrusting strikes.
Each aimed at different angles.
Just the Six Harmonies Sword.
‘The Six Harmonies Sword is just a beginner’s technique!’
Despite creating multiple sword shadows with the Myriad Fragrance Sword, the straightforward strikes of the Six Harmonies Sword shattered them all, pressing forward relentlessly.
Thwack, thud, crack.
No matter the variation or the number of sword shadows, Muhui’s Six Harmonies Sword remained unyielding.
The reality of the Six Harmonies Sword overwhelming the Myriad Fragrance Sword was hard to believe. If this were a dream, the pain coursing through his body confirmed it was not.
Meanwhile, Muhui’s sword, having split the upper sword shadows, descended diagonally.
“Ugh.”
Struck almost simultaneously on the shoulder and thigh, Musang staggered.
Enduring the pain, Musang swung his sword with all his might, but Muhui’s sword was already positioned to intercept.
As if he could see through every move of the Myriad Fragrance Sword.
Naturally, Musang lost his rhythm, and Muhui mercilessly exploited every opening, pummeling him.
Thwack, thud, crack.
As the force behind the wooden sword increased, so did the weight of the impact. When the sword struck deep into his waist, Musang felt his consciousness waver.
“Ugh. Senior Brother, I concede…”
“Of course you lost, but today I’m going to fix that attitude of yours.”
Unable to endure any longer, Musang collapsed backward, but Muhui’s sword didn’t stop.
‘Senior Brother has become a complete monster.’
The sound of Muhui thrashing Musang didn’t cease, and as Muho trembled, he tried to sneak away.
Thud.
At that moment, Musang’s wooden sword flew and embedded itself at Muho’s feet.
“Muho, where do you think you’re going?”
“Ah… Senior Brother.”
“If you don’t want a beating, keep your head down.”
“Yes… Senior Brother.”
Sniffling, Muho obediently bowed his head, while Muhui continued to deal with Musang.
Leaning against a plum tree, Muhui looked at the disciples before him.
Musang, thoroughly beaten, knelt, while Muho still had his head buried in the ground.
“Muho, you seemed to have some complaints too. Want to duel?”
“No, not at all!”
At Muhui’s question, Muho’s body, which had been slumping, straightened with renewed tension.
“You miserable disciples, sit comfortably.”
When they didn’t move, Muhui’s eyebrow twitched.
“I said sit.”
Only then did the two disciples quickly sit cross-legged, bowing their heads to avoid Muhui’s gaze.
“Musang, are you in much pain?”
“I’m fine.”
“Oh, you’ve got some spirit.”
As Muhui reached for his wooden sword, Musang quickly stretched out and grabbed Muhui’s sleeve.
“Actually, it hurts a lot. I thought I was going to die.”
“Alright, let go.”
Muhui dusted off Muho’s dirt-covered head and asked, “In your opinion, who was stronger, me or Musang?”
“Of course, it’s you, Senior Brother.”
It was the truth. Honestly, Muho was beginning to doubt if the Muhui before him was the same person he remembered.
“Do you still think my martial skills are lacking?”
Muhui turned to Musang.
“No. After losing so completely, what more can I say?”
Seeing the docile Musang, Muhui realized the beating had been effective. But he knew that only using the stick wouldn’t be beneficial in the long run, so he decided to offer some advice.
“Musang, your sword technique and footwork aren’t in sync.”
Surprised by the sudden advice, Musang cautiously looked up at Muhui.
“You’re using your footwork merely for speed and evasion. If you continue like this, you’ll hit a wall soon.”
“Then what should I do?”
“Don’t rely solely on the Myriad Fragrance Sword’s techniques for change. If you integrate your footwork, you can create more diverse variations. Think of moving the sword with your whole body, not just your hands.”
Musang recalled the senior instructors who had casually mentioned focusing more on footwork during his training a few days ago.
At the time, he had interpreted it as a simple suggestion to improve his footwork and thought dedicating more time to it would suffice.
But now, with specific guidance, the direction of his training became clear.
“Ah… Thank you, Senior Brother.”
Having found a clue, Musang’s expression brightened slightly as he hesitantly expressed his gratitude.
His face flushed again, embarrassed that he had come to challenge his senior only to be beaten and then taught.
Muho felt the same.
Seeing their reactions, Muhui waved his hand dismissively.
“I’ll forget about today. Everyone makes mistakes.”
As he spoke, Muhui’s eyes narrowed, a chilling light emanating from them.
“But if something like this happens again, be prepared to lose a limb.”
This was a warning not just to the two disciples before him but to all the senior and junior disciples who would hear of today’s events.
It’s fine to confront him directly, but they shouldn’t cross the line.
Faced with Muhui’s piercing gaze, the two disciples swallowed hard and nodded.
“We understand.”
“Yes, Senior Brother.”
“There are probably others with complaints. Tell them they’re welcome to step forward. I’ll prove myself again, just like today.”
At Muhui’s declaration, Musang and Muho found themselves staring at him.
The confidence in his voice sounded truly powerful. Had the senior brother of the past ever spoken with such conviction?
He couldn’t even muster the courage to speak, and his gaze was always fixed on the ground, making it difficult to meet his eyes.
He was just a hapless senior disciple who happened to join first and held the title of “senior brother” by sheer luck.
Instead of embodying the qualities expected of a senior, he often served as a cautionary example.
“If our senior brother had been like this from the start, we wouldn’t have dared to cross the line. Please, remain just as you are now.”
Musang and Muho, feeling the profound change in Muhwi, bowed their heads in genuine reflection.
“Thank you for overlooking our grave mistakes.”
“We’re truly sorry, senior brother.”
“Alright. You may go.”
After sending the two disciples away, Muhwi quietly gazed up at the moon before speaking.
“How long do you plan to hide? Come out.”
At Muhwi’s words, a man emerged from the shadows of the plum tree.
“The senior brother has become a complete monster.”
“When did the essence of the Hwasan Sect become the plum blossom?”