Heavenly Demon of Mount Hua

Chapter 15

—–CROW—– 

The Plum Blossom Sword Technique was a good sword technique, but it wasn’t quite a supreme sword art.

To be precise, in Cheon-hwi’s eyes, it was a truly lacking sword technique.

Twelve forms in the first half, twelve forms in the second half.

A total of twenty-four forms comprised the sword technique, famous for contributing to the Plum Blossom Swordsmen of Mount Hua Sect’s victories in countless battles.

Moreover, the Sword Flower and Sword Fragrance, said to emanate from the sword when one reached a certain level of mastery, further captivated people and spread its fame throughout the Jianghu.

Even he, the former Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult located in the Tianshan Mountains, knew of it.

‘No, now I know the Plum Blossom Sword Technique better than anyone.’

Cheon-hwi’s eyes gleamed.

He was confident that he knew the strengths and weaknesses of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique better than anyone in the current Mount Hua Sect.

‘I’ve experienced the Plum Blossom Sword Technique against that loud-mouthed Taoist, the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, and now I’ve even mastered it.’

He recalled the details of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

A gentle yet sharp sword technique.

It possessed the principles and intricacies befitting its reputation as the pinnacle of illusionary swordsmanship.

However.

‘Even back then, its limitations were clear.’

It fell short of being a supreme sword art.

Of course, it was an excellent sword technique, but to call the Plum Blossom Sword Technique a supreme sword art?

It was absurd.

Compared to supreme sword arts like the Heavenly Demon Supreme Sword or the Heaven-Sent Blood Dragon Sword Technique of the Heavenly Demon Cult, or the Tai Chi Wisdom Sword of Wudang, or the Purple Cloud Sword訣 wielded by the loud-mouthed Taoist.

The Plum Blossom Sword Technique was lacking, just short of reaching that level.

That was his assessment, as the former Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult and the Absolute Heavenly Demon.

‘That’s why I changed it.’

Cheon-hwi recalled a month ago.

The time when he danced with the sword.

The moment he grasped the principles of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique and danced with the sword, he understood it completely.

And its shortcomings.

The gentle illusionary swordsmanship of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique was indeed sharp and keen.

But that was all. There was a clear reason why it couldn’t become a supreme sword art.

The moment he realized that, he dedicated most of his time to transforming the Plum Blossom Sword Technique into a sword art that could rival a supreme sword art.

At least it had to be on par with a supreme sword art to be worthy of being wielded by him.

‘It took some time, but…’

Cheon-hwi’s eyes narrowed.

As he transformed the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, the original twenty-four forms were gradually reduced to seven.

He infused these seven forms with the essence of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique and added his own domineering style, creating a new sword technique.

The Seven Severing Plum Blossom Sword.

Whoosh—

A sudden gust of wind swept across the Do-rim Plain, accompanied by the strong fragrance of plum blossoms.

“…!”

“What?!”

Kang-un, directly hit by the fierce wind, and the crowd were momentarily disoriented.

Kang-un, unable to withstand the wind pushing him back, was thrown off his feet.

Roll—

He tumbled across the ground for about three steps before quickly bracing himself with his hands and getting up.

“Ugh!”

However, unable to fully absorb the impact, he let out a short groan and gasped for breath.

“Gasp, gasp.”

He caught his breath and stared at Cheon-hwi with a pounding heart.

‘W-What just happened?’

Cheon-hwi looked at Kang-un, who had been blown away by his energy-infused aura, with a disappointed expression.

‘He couldn’t even withstand this and ended up rolling on the ground like he was hit by the Supreme Heavenly Demon Power.’

Since he was forced into this match,

He intended to properly vent his frustration.

In the way Kang-un had wanted.

But his opponent was too weak.

‘Tsk, I’ll just end this.’

Sweep—

Cheon-hwi raised his sword and pointed it directly at Kang-un, who was frozen stiff.

It was a simple gesture, but.

‘W-What is this?!’

Kang-un struggled to regain his composure.

The moment the sword pointed at him, Cheon-hwi, who had seemed small, now appeared gigantic.

As Kang-un’s face paled under the pressure of Cheon-hwi’s overwhelming presence.

Sweep—

The sword in Cheon-hwi’s hand moved.

Whoosh!

Countless flowers bloomed from the sword.

Beautiful plum blossoms, imbued with the color of the setting sun.

“…!”

The crowd gasped at the sight of the plum blossoms blooming from Cheon-hwi’s sword.

What was the Sword Flower?

It was said to manifest only when one truly mastered the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

It was only natural for them to be astonished that Cheon-hwi, only fourteen years old, was able to produce the Sword Flower.

“A-At such a young age…”

“He’s already producing the Sword Flower!”

As everyone expressed their astonishment.

Suddenly!

The Sect Leader and the elders of Mount Hua Sect jumped to their feet as they saw the sword technique Cheon-hwi was executing.

“…!”

“Just now, that was!”

They too were surprised by the Sword Flower.

But what shocked them even more was Cheon-hwi’s sword technique.

“W-What kind of sword form is that?”

“How can he produce the Sword Flower with such a sword form…”

“Plum Blossom Descent? No, it’s too sharp for Plum Blossom Descent. Then is it Plum Blossom Shadow Creates a River…?”

They were bewildered.

The forms of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique Cheon-hwi was displaying were completely new to them.

They listed the forms they knew, but one by one, they shook their heads and muttered,

“It’s not a form of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.”

“B-But it is the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.”

“What in the world is this strange…”

Their eyes trembled.

Judging by the Sword Flower, it was definitely their sect’s Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

But it wasn’t the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

A contradictory statement.

But there was no other way to describe the sword technique Cheon-hwi was executing.

As they were flustered.

‘Haha, to think he would modify the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.’

Hyeon-do looked at Cheon-hwi, producing the Sword Flower on the training ground, with a pleased expression.

Unlike the other Mount Hua elders, he understood the situation.

Of course, he was surprised as well.

That Cheon-hwi had changed the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

Moreover, it was simpler and more powerful than the original Plum Blossom Sword Technique, in his opinion.

If it had been the old him, he would have vehemently denied it as nonsense, but now he readily accepted it.

‘Because it’s Cheon-hwi.’

After all, how many times had he witnessed unbelievable things during his month of training with Cheon-hwi?

As he was recalling the extraordinary things Cheon-hwi had done in the past month.

『Did you know about this?』

A voice transmission, laced with surprise, reached him.

He turned towards the head seat and saw the Sect Leader looking at him.

Although he appeared calm, Hyeon-do, having known him for a long time, knew.

That he was quite surprised.

He immediately replied via voice transmission.

『I didn’t know either.』

『Haha.  Amazing, truly amazing.』

The Sect Leader exclaimed in admiration.

He too was bewildered, but his joy far outweighed his surprise.

He looked at Cheon-hwi with gleaming eyes. Cheon-hwi’s overwhelming talent was a blessing for the current Mount Hua Sect.

‘The Heavenly Lord is watching over our sect.’

The corners of his mouth curved upwards uncontrollably.

Although he was slightly annoyed that Cheon-hwi hadn’t told him about modifying the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, his joy was far greater.

As everyone was looking at Cheon-hwi with a mixture of admiration and astonishment.

Whoosh—

Cheon-hwi’s aura suddenly shifted.

Cheon-hwi’s sword, which had been producing the Sword Flower, now pointed towards the sky instead of Kang-un, and a powerful surge of internal energy began to engulf the training ground.

The wind on the Do-rim Plain suddenly died down.

On the training ground, which had become as still as if time had stopped, Kang-un gritted his teeth, shuddering under the immense pressure.

‘I can’t lose!’

His eyes hardened.

How much arduous training and practice had he endured for this day?

He gripped his sword with both hands.

Then he poured all his Clear Mind Art’s internal energy into the sword.

A faint energy gathered on the blade.

A faint yet distinct Sword Qi.

Kang-un, having barely managed to produce Sword Qi by expending all his internal energy, glared at Cheon-hwi.

Overcoming the pressure, he took a large step forward with his left foot.

“Haa!”

With a loud shout, he raised his sword high and swung it towards Cheon-hwi.

The final move of the Wind Cloud Sword Technique.

The sword form that summoned wind and clouds.

The manifestation of Wind Cloud Summoning Manifestation.

‘Sword Qi.’

Cheon-hwi was unimpressed as he saw Kang-un’s Wind Cloud Summoning Manifestation, executed with all his might.

Sword Qi was proof of reaching the first-rate level, but to him, it was a trivial thing he had seen countless times.

Sweep—

Cheon-hwi, with an indifferent expression, channeled his internal energy into his sword hand.

Thread-like strands of energy emanated from the blade, transforming into plum blossoms and blooming.

Cheon-hwi, watching the Sword Flowers bloom around him, raised his sword high.

Whirr—

The moment his sword pointed towards the sky, the wind, which had stopped, started blowing again.

The plum blossoms blooming from Cheon-hwi’s sword danced in the gentle breeze.

Swish!

The sword swung downwards.

The first form of the Seven Severing Plum Blossom Sword.

Wind Heaven Plum Blossom Dance.

Plum blossoms filled the sky.

The moment a single plum blossom clashed with Kang-un’s Wind Cloud Summoning Manifestation, executed with all his might.

Flash!

A brilliant light exploded, and the plum blossoms filling the training ground vanished instantly.

As if the match that had just taken place was all an illusion.

“…”

Silence fell over the Do-rim Plain.

There was no sound, no aftershock.

Kang-un and Cheon-hwi were standing on the training ground, facing each other.

The tip of Kang-un’s sword was pointed at Cheon-hwi’s throat.

In contrast, Cheon-hwi had already sheathed his sword.

At first glance, it looked like Kang-un’s victory.

But then.

Crack—

A crack appeared on Kang-un’s sword.

The ominous sound grew louder, and then the sword shattered into pieces.

Clatter—

Sword fragments fell to the ground.

Kang-un stared at his broken sword, his face blank with despair.

It was just a single plum blossom.

Just one.  Yet, his Wind Cloud Summoning Manifestation, executed with all his might, crumbled effortlessly, and his sword was completely shattered.

Flick—

Cheon-hwi glanced at the dumbfounded Kang-un and turned around without hesitation.

He slowly descended from the training ground.

Step— Step—

His footsteps echoed in the silence.

Red plum blossoms fell like rain, gently landing around him as he left the training ground.

As if heralding the beginning of a new Mount Hua.

—–CROW—–