106 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 106 For a moment, Master Jang lost his words. “The best martial arts sect under heaven?” It was utterly absurd. Throughout the long history of the Mount Hua Sect, it was something that had never been achieved. Even Hyuncheong, seemingly shocked, had drawn close, forgetting to watch the sparring. “Are you saying our sect could become the best under heaven?” Had someone else spoken such nonsense, they might have simply laughed it off, but since it was Chunhui speaking, the two became tense. Chunhui twisted one corner of his mouth as eyes focused on him. “It's not impossible.” Master Jang felt his heart race momentarily at Chunhui’s words. 'Could it be that if it's Chunhui...' Suppressing the excitement that rose to his head, he asked with restraint. “How do you mean?” “First, we need to make the title of the Plum Blossom Swordsman so appealing that everyone wants to achieve it.” “...The Plum Blossom Swordsman is something all disciples of Mount Hua desire.” “From my perspective, it didn't seem like they wanted it that much.” Chunhui met Master Jang’s eyes. “If they truly wished to be the Plum Blossom Swordsman, wouldn't they risk their lives to continue sparring no matter what?” “Well…” Master Jang swallowed his words. “You’re right. The number of disciples who desire the title of Plum Blossom Swordsman has significantly decreased.” In the end, he admitted it. “Then what would you do?” Chunhui grinned broadly. “I’d provide exclusive benefits to those who become Plum Blossom Swordsmen.” “Benefits?” “Yes. For instance, allowing them to travel freely or showing leniency in certain rules.” Master Jang's eyes narrowed. “What nonsense. How could you give privileges only to a select few?” “But isn’t that why it would be more effective?” Before Master Jang could say anything, Chunhui continued pouring out his envisioned strategies like a waterfall. “Even when only honor is given, people strive to become Plum Blossom Swordsmen. Add benefits, who wouldn’t be tempted?” Hyuncheong nodded in agreement. “Certainly an attractive proposal. Recently, there have been disciples expressing the desire to return home.” Though Hyuncheong's words tempted him momentarily, Master Jang regained his composure and said, “But that can’t be. What would other sects think if we adopted such tactics? They’d scorn us for coveting benefits instead of striving for martial excellence.” “What business is it of ours to worry about other sects? Did they come to our aid when our sect faced hardships?” Chunhui snorted disdainfully. “Besides, isn't that why we need strength even more? They only started reaching out to us after we toppled the Baigoo Stronghold.” Hearing this, Master Jang felt as if hammered in the head, dazed by realization. It was true. Wasn't it only recently that the Nine Prestigious Sects ignored the plight of Mount Hua? “I think Chunhui’s suggestion is good. If we hold tradition so dear and yet the sect falls, what tradition will there be left to uphold?” With Hyuncheong supporting Chunhui’s argument, Master Jang sank into deeper contemplation. He stood at a crossroads. Should he continue upholding the traditions of Mount Hua as they were? Or should he embrace Chunhui’s words and attempt to restore Mount Hua’s glory anew? The deliberation was surprisingly brief. “Very well. I shall consider it.” Chunhui, having coaxed a positive response from Master Jang, smiled inwardly. ‘Though it’s good, stopping here would be disappointing.’ Thus, he proceeded with his further thoughts. “And I’ve thought of something else.” “Something else?” A complicated expression appeared on Master Jang’s face, a mix of anticipation and concern. What sort of suggestion would it be? “Go on.” “Let’s open the Man-Gyeong-Gak so that unregistered disciples or secular disciples from outside can access some of the content.” “That’s not possible.” Master Jang stated firmly. Naturally, the martial arts secrets of Mount Hua couldn’t be casually leaked. “If martial arts bearing ancient history get exposed, our ancestors' spirits would never forgive us.” “Then the new martial arts are fine, aren’t they?” “New martial arts?” Chunhui glanced toward Hyuncheong. “The ones I’ve inscribed recently?” Realizing Chunhui’s intention, Hyuncheong’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “Hehehe, they have been stored aside.” “How many volumes are there?” “Roughly forty or fifty volumes.” Hearing this, Master Jang was astonished. “F-Fifty volumes?!” “Is that enough?” “Would it be alright? If it’s your creation, leaving them in the Man-Gyeong-Gak...” “No. Let's just let everyone read them.” Why keep them in the Man-Gyeong-Gak? ‘If they’re just going to gather dust, better that anyone gets a chance to read them.’ No matter how precious a martial text is, if cherished and forgotten, it’s as good as lost. “Doing so could also gather the secular disciples to our sect and further solidify unity, making it a win-win, don’t you think?” With this persuasive argument, Master Jang's eyes widened. “...You’ve thought this far?” “Though we’ve newly accepted disciples, aren’t we still lacking?” Master Jang couldn't hide his admiration. ‘Heh, Chunhui was thinking so deeply about Mount Hua.’ His expression brightened. “Alright. I will make every effort to persuade them.” As Master Jang spoke with resolute determination. “Oh, by the way.” Chunhui recalled something important. “I almost forgot something crucial.” Both of them perked their ears to hear what new proposal he’d present. “Let’s maintain the current number of Plum Blossom Swordsmen. And beneath them, establish a rank called Flat Swordsmen, who will challenge the Plum Blossom Swordsmen to vie for their position annually.” Chunhui’s idea was simple. Why did the Heavenly Demon Cult become powerful? Competition. The competitive framework derived from the doctrine of survival of the strongest was what had made the Heavenly Demon Cult the strongest sect under heaven, so he intended to adopt that process. However, upon hearing this, Master Jang and Hyuncheong flinched. Isn’t that more suitable for an unorthodox sect than for a righteous one? “Hm…” “A competition for the position, that’s…” Chunhui’s proposal had been unconventional, inducing raised eyebrows from the duo. However, they also found it surprisingly appealing. Fixing the number of Plum Blossom Swordsmen and introducing an annual competition for their positions would make the title far from easy to achieve. As the duo began weighing the pros and cons of this unique approach, an unexpected voice chimed in. “What kind of nonsense are you babbling now?” Chunhyang had approached unnoticed. “A competition for the title, really?” Chunhui, aware of Chunhyang’s arrival, replied calmly, “Exactly as it sounds.” Chunhyang burst into laughter. “Oh, come on! That’s ridiculous. The title of Plum Blossom Swordsman already holds enough prestige.” “It seems lacking to me,” Chunhui interrupted with a mischievous smile. “Ah! Could it be that you're not confident? With fewer positions, your own place might be at risk.” Chunhyang’s expression hardened slightly. “Is that a challenge, little brother?” she asked, raising her chin. “Alright then. How about we settle this with a spar? You seem confident enough.” Chunhyang smirked, fully expecting Chunhui to decline the challenge. But then— “Sure,” Chunhui replied, standing up. “Really?” Chunhyang's eyes widened in surprise. “Chunhui,” “Brother Hui,” Both Hyuncheong and Master Jang tried to dissuade him, alarmed by his willingness, yet Chunhui was already in motion. “Let’s go.” With a light tap of his foot, Chunhui bridged the distance of ten paces in an instant, his footwork astonishing Chunhyang. “Chunhui Master?” “Chunhui Elder?” “What? The Master Chunhui?” Both the Plum Blossom Swordsmen and second disciples were struck dumb by Chunhui’s sudden appearance. “Ugh!” “Oh no, why is Master Chunhui...?” Tears pricked their eyes. A few even seemed to tremble uncontrollably. The reactions, especially from those among the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, were far more intense compared to the second-tier disciples. “He’s the one who taught the Head of Martial Arts that impossibly refined technique.” “The nightmare of the Three Talents Sword Art... ugh!” “All the hell we’ve been through...” Dark, ominous auras began to emanate from the muttering figures. Watching this, Chunhyang was taken aback. ‘Why are they acting like this?’ To Mount Hua, Chunhui was like a precious gem. Yet, at this moment, most of the disciples were having adverse reactions, almost as if faced with someone to be feared or avoided. While she was trying to make sense of it, “Are you seriously going to spar?” Master Jang approached Chunhyang to ask. “Yes.” “Are you sure about that?” “Worried?” Chunhyang looked at Master Jang, who seemed a bit concerned, and rolled up her sleeves, displaying her arm muscles. “Relax. I’ll go easy on him.” “No, I was worried about something else entirely...” Just as Master Jang was about to explain further, “Aren’t you coming over?” Chunhui’s voice reached them, prompting a move from Chunhyang. “I’m heading there first.” With a single leap, Chunhyang landed in the training ground, addressing Chunhui. “I heard you learned martial arts from grandmaster Hyundo. Quite an impressive footwork you displayed.” “Really? It's nothing special,” Chunhui shrugged, undeterred. To Chunhyang, who had never seen Chunhui’s martial prowess, his unshaken demeanor might have come off as insolent. “Well then, I’ll let you make the first move,” she offered, placing her hands on her waist. At this, “No, my master!” “Elder! Going first is...” Both Jeokgeom and Seollan, who had been watching from afar, hurried to intervene, but— “That sounds good to me.” Chunhui responded first, a sly smile playing at his lips, and began gathering his martial energy. Crackling with light! A surge of immense energy radiated from him, exploding into a brilliant display. “...What?!” Realizing something was amiss, Chunhyang quickly harnessed her internal power. “Gasp!” Momentarily forgetting her offer to yield the first strike, she swung her sword with full force. Plum Blossom Fall! Executing the swiftest attack of the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Techniques, but— Clang! Chunhui's sword, drawn silently, shattered her attack and sent the blade flying skyward. Chunhyang, stunned, could only watch the arc of her sword in the air. The weapon had left her hand, soaring above. Briefly mesmerized, Thud. It landed, embedded in the ground before her. Chunhyang, her eyes quivering, looked alternately at the sword and her empty hand. ‘He countered my full-force Plum Blossom Fall...’ Her hand trembled uncontrollably, perhaps from shock. “H-How...?” Chunhui faced her disbelief with a broad grin. “Looks like I win, don’t I?”