Chapter v12c20

“Call me Plum Blossom Mask!”

As the two escort agencies were blocking the street, a commotion arose from the remaining side of the three-way intersection.

“It seems it’s a day for commotion.”

The source of the commotion was quickly identified. Several villagers were shouting, “It’s the Mount Hua Sect! The Mount Hua Sect has arrived!”

They thought it was strange to hear such a commotion over the arrival of Mount Hua disciples, considering they were practically neighbors and could be seen daily. But the procession was impressive enough to warrant the excitement.

“What a grand display. A whole sect is on the move.”

The old man with the silver beard expressed his honest opinion. They were walking in a straight line from the north. The Mount Hua Sect leader, along with twelve elders and thirty disciples, were walking down the street. The thirty Mount Hua disciples, clad in uniforms embroidered with plum blossoms, all exuded a powerful aura, befitting disciples of a prestigious sect. Among them were Yi Gyeong-yeong and So Yu-gyeong.

Twelve elders, including the sect leader, it was practically the entire Mount Hua Sect on the move. The wrinkles etched on the face of the white-haired old man at the front of the procession spoke of his vast experience. His back was straight, unyielding to the weight of time, and his entire body radiated a noble aura, like the fragrance of plum blossoms.

This old man, clad in a purple robe like the twilight on the horizon, with an ancient sword hanging from his jade belt, was none other than Yang Yu-jung, the current Mount Hua Sect leader, known as the Wind Plum Sword.

Yoon Jun-ho, upon seeing the sect leader, was about to rush forward to greet him, but Bi Ryu-yeon stopped him, placing a hand on his shoulder. He wanted to observe a little longer. Yoon Jun-ho couldn’t shake off Bi Ryu-yeon’s grip, so he had no choice but to obey.

As if alerted, the front door of the Plum Blossom Inn opened, and the Cheonmu Academy delegation, including Binggeom and Yeomdo, stepped out. The people from the Mount Zhongyang and Central Plains Escort Agencies, who were on horseback, dismounted upon seeing the Mount Hua Sect leader. He was a figure of such high standing that it would have been disrespectful to greet him while still on horseback. They all bowed respectfully, opening a path for him.

The Mount Hua Sect procession stopped, and only Sect Leader Yang Yu-jung stepped forward. Binggeom and Yeomdo followed suit.

“Hahaha, it’s been a while, Elder Binggeom!”

The Mount Hua Sect leader was the first to greet them with a smile.

“It’s been a while, Sect Leader Yang. How have you been?”

The sect leader’s gaze turned to Yeomdo.

“It’s been a long time, Elder Guo. Five years, perhaps?”

Yeomdo replied with a strained expression.

“It’s been a while, Sect Leader. How have you been?”

“Hahaha, what could possibly happen to an old man like me, stuck in the sect, looking for things to do?”

Yang Yu-jung responded with a friendly smile. Binggeom chuckled and said,

“Hahaha, you’re too modest. The responsibilities of a sect leader, especially one from a renowned sect like Mount Hua, are never small or insignificant. You shoulder the weight of the righteous martial world. How can you say it’s insignificant? But what brings you here, to this humble place?”

“Hahaha, I heard that the future pillars of the righteous martial world have arrived, and I couldn’t resist the curiosity. So, I came to pay my respects.”

He didn’t mention his desire to witness Binggeom’s swordsmanship. That was a conversation for another time.

“Hahaha, I see. Welcome. Please, come inside.”

Binggeom, realizing it was disrespectful to keep the Mount Hua Sect leader waiting outside, invited him in. Just as the sect leader was about to accept,

“Wait! I still have something I want to see.”

A sudden shout, accompanied by a gust of wind, sent dust swirling in the air, obscuring their vision. As the dust settled, a figure appeared, standing with his back to the Mount Hua Sect delegation. Everyone’s gaze naturally turned towards him.

Yi Gyeong-yeong, enraged by the audacity of this intruder who dared to block the Mount Hua Sect leader’s path, shouted,

“How rude! You dare to block the path of the Great Mount Hua…”

He was about to shout, “You will pay with your life for daring to block the sect leader’s path!” but he was forced to shut his mouth by Elder Geom-ryeon’s forceful intervention.

“Ugh… Ugh…”

Elder Geom-ryeon and the twelve elders were clearly flustered by this sudden turn of events. But it was more a mixture of bewilderment, disbelief, and annoyance than anger. Sect Leader Yang Yu-jung, upon seeing the masked figure, groaned and pressed his hand to his forehead, as if he had been struck by a sudden headache.

This audacious (some might even say insane) masked figure, who stood firmly in front of the Mount Hua Sect leader, was clad in a faded purple robe with an ancient-looking sword hanging from his waist. But his mask was clearly a makeshift affair.

Masked figures usually made Binggeom and Yeomdo shudder, but they didn’t immediately draw their swords in front of the Mount Hua Sect leader. And the atmosphere in the Mount Hua Sect camp was strange, to say the least.

“Who are you? You’re alone, so I assume you have urgent business?”

“My name is…”

The figure hesitated, drawing out his words.

“Is?”

More gazes converged on him. The masked figure, as if pondering, or perhaps forgetting his own name, paused for a moment before straightening his back and declaring confidently,

“…I am Plum Blossom Mask!”

“Cough!”

At that moment, Yang Yu-jung, the Wind Plum Sword, the Mount Hua Sect leader, clutched his stomach and let out a groan, as if he had been struck by a sudden attack.

Plum Blossom Mask!

It was a terrible name, clearly a last-minute improvisation.

“He’s a master!”

“He’s a master!”

Bi Ryu-yeon and the old man, having uttered the same words simultaneously, exchanged a knowing smile.

“H-He’s a… master?”

Namgung Sang asked cautiously, only to be met with divine punishment.

Slap!

“This just made things more interesting!”

A mischievous grin spread across Bi Ryu-yeon’s face, as if he were enjoying a good show. The old man with the gray hair wasn’t to be outdone.

“How dare you!”

Yeomdo, enraged by the masked intruder’s audacity, took a step towards the old man, ready to teach him a lesson. But contrary to his intentions, his feet remained rooted to the ground.

‘Huh?’

His body, seasoned in the ways of the martial world, refused to move towards the old man, despite his anger. Only then did Yeomdo realize that the masked figure was a master of unimaginable skill. He was a master strong enough to send a signal of danger to his body, stopping him in his tracks. He glanced to the side and saw that Binggeom, a fellow swordsman, was itching to draw his sword. As a swordsman, he had already sensed his opponent’s aura.

“So, what is your business?”

“I heard there was a strong swordsman here, and as a fellow swordsman, I came to witness his swordsmanship!”

His voice was strong and powerful, as if it resonated directly from his dantian.

“H-He’s using such a drastic method…”

The sect leader’s voice was filled with concern.

“Shouldn’t we stop him before it’s too late?”

“But this could be a good opportunity.”

“But even so, this is…”

A flurry of whispers and opinions erupted among the twelve elders.

“Who is this strong swordsman? Depending on the situation, I might be willing to face him.”

Binggeom assumed, naturally, that the masked figure was referring to him. He wasn’t wrong. And he was also eager to cross swords with this masked swordsman with the ridiculous name. The blood of the frozen swordsman had thawed after his encounter with the Lightning Flash Demon Sword at Thunderbolt Valley, and now it was boiling again, stirred by this masked figure.

Binggeom felt the need to improve his skills even further after facing the Lightning Flash Demon Sword. This masked figure seemed like the perfect opponent.

But the masked figure’s answer shattered his expectations.

“I’d like to have a formal duel with that boy.”

The masked figure pointed a finger. It was Bi Ryu-yeon.

“M-Me?”

Bi Ryu-yeon pointed a finger at his own face. The Plum Blossom Mask shook his head.

“Then me?”

Namgung Sang pointed at himself.

“No, not you. The one next to you!”

“You mean me?”

Mo Yong Hwi asked. He shook his head again.

“No, you’re excellent, but the one next to you. The one who’s a bit shorter, with brown hair.”

Yoon Jun-ho, hesitant, moved his finger to point at himself. He was certain that he couldn’t possibly be the renowned swordsman. But he was wrong. The masked figure nodded vigorously.

“That’s right. It’s you. I want to cross swords with you, and no one else!”

“Gasp!”

A gasp of shock escaped Yoon Jun-ho’s lips.

‘Since when did Yoon Jun-ho become a famous, powerful swordsman?’

It was a revelation! That was the thought that dominated everyone’s minds. Binggeom’s troubled expression made it clear that this was a surprise, and a blow to his pride.

“What are you waiting for? You’ve been called out. Go.”

Bi Ryu-yeon said nonchalantly to Yoon Jun-ho, whose face had drained of all color.

“B-But do I have to? I can…”

Bi Ryu-yeon shook his head firmly.

“It’s a terrible thing to turn down someone who’s so eager to fight you. Go on, go!”

He pushed Yoon Jun-ho forward. Yoon Jun-ho stepped out of the protective circle of his companions, entering the scene. He turned back and saw Bi Ryu-yeon gesturing for him to hurry. He knew he would be pushed again if he turned back. Hundreds of gazes were fixed on him. With his back against the wall, he had no choice but to move forward.

A murmur arose from the Mount Hua disciples as they watched Yoon Jun-ho walk forward, blushing like a shy girl, hesitant and awkward. They knew all too well how much of a burden he had been to Mount Hua. His plum blossom allergy and the incident two years ago during the Cheonmu Academy entrance exam were well-known. Yi Gyeong-yeong and So Yu-gyeong were particularly shocked.

Yi Gyeong-yeong rubbed his eyes vigorously, as if he had seen a ghost. Once, twice, three times, four times.

His eyes were red from rubbing them so hard, but nothing changed.

‘H-How is this possible! This is ridiculous! How could that crybaby, that fool, that idiot, be among them?’

He was beyond shocked. Disbelief still filled his eyes. But the fact that he had stepped out of that group meant he had been chosen for the Mount Hua Convention delegation.

But he quickly dismissed his absurd leap of logic.

“No… It can’t be! It’s impossible. Y-Yes… He must have come as a servant. Of course. It’s impossible for the sky to fall, the earth to split, and stars to fall without something happening. Hahahaha…”

The Mount Hua Convention delegation had never had servants, but that was none of Yi Gyeong-yeong’s business, and it didn’t matter to him. So Yu-gyeong didn’t even look at her bewildered senior brother, Yi Gyeong-yeong, and stared intently at Yoon Jun-ho. A flicker of longing shot through her clear, black eyes.

Forced to step forward, with his back against the wall, Yoon Jun-ho had no choice but to face the unknown masked figure.

‘What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?’

He wished he could run away if the situation allowed it. The vow he had made before the rising sun had already been washed away by the waves of forgetfulness. But escape was not an option. He had no choice but to face the masked figure.

‘Huh?’

From afar, he had thought the figure was terrifying, but up close, he felt a sense of familiarity. The masked figure asked him in a gentle voice,

“Has your weak heart been tempered by the hammer of refinement?”

It was a question a master might ask his disciple. The voice, which had sounded menacing from afar, now seemed kind.

“I’m not sure yet.”

Yoon Jun-ho replied. It wasn’t a very reassuring answer.

“Not sure… Well, you’ll find out soon enough.”

The masked figure spoke in the same gentle tone.

‘I feel like I’ve heard that voice before.’

It was a faint memory, but it filled him with a sense of longing. But the powerful aura emanating from the figure was blocking his attempt to recall the past.

“What is this game?”

Yang Yu-jung, the Mount Hua Sect leader, shook his head, completely baffled.

“Well, I’m ready.”

Yoon Jun-ho held his sword in front of him, the tip pointing downwards, and bowed respectfully.

“Hmm.”

Plum Blossom Mask nodded briefly. Then he explained the rules of the duel.

“Don’t be so tense. I’m just curious about your skill. I’m afraid people might think I’m going to eat you. As a senior, I’ll give you a ten-second head start. I won’t attack until then. If you can even touch my clothes with a single strike, you win. If you can’t…”

A sharp glint flashed from the eyeholes of the mask, where a crude plum blossom was etched.

“…You’ll have to pay with your life!”

A chilling aura, sharp as a knife, swept over Yoon Jun-ho’s body. It was a terrifying aura, a clear indication that he could actually kill him. It was a condition that was entirely in Yoon Jun-ho’s favor. But it also meant that the masked figure was confident in his own abilities.

The sect leader, listening intently, shook his head skeptically.

“That’s impossible. He can’t possibly win with his current skill.”

And the duel began.

**Yoon Jun-ho vs. Plum Blossom Mask**

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a refined sword technique.”

Binggeom exclaimed.

“Indeed!”

Yeomdo replied briefly.

Both of them had become even more obsessed with martial arts after their encounter with the Flying Thunder Twin Demons. They felt their current skills were lacking.

“What a shy old man. He’s hiding his face behind a mask and trying to woo him.”

Bi Ryu-yeon commented, his tone laced with amusement.

“You might be right. He’s always been like that.”

The old man with the silver beard said, as if he had known the masked figure for a long time.

“Is that so?”

“Indeed!”

Bi Ryu-yeon glanced at the old man for a moment and muttered, “Hmm…” before turning his attention back to the duel.

Yoon Jun-ho initially tried to win with his swift swordsmanship, but his opponent easily deflected his attacks. Realizing that his speed wasn’t enough, he switched to a more complex technique, attacking the masked figure with a variety of maneuvers. But the masked figure’s dense sword barrier left no room for his attacks to penetrate. Frustrated by the impenetrable defense, Yoon Jun-ho abandoned his complex maneuvers. He then tried to attack with brute force, but his internal energy was no match for his opponent’s.

Seven seconds had already passed. The masked figure effortlessly deflected each of Yoon Jun-ho’s attacks. The masked figure’s sword energy, deflecting Yoon Jun-ho’s attacks, was incredibly graceful.

No matter how many different ways Yoon Jun-ho attacked, the masked figure remained unmoved, as if Mount Tai stood firm. It was so natural that he seemed to be able to block Yoon Jun-ho’s attacks even with his eyes closed. Yoon Jun-ho gritted his teeth with each attack, but it was a losing battle.

The difference in their skills was clear.

“He’s at a disadvantage, isn’t he?”

“Indeed.”

The old man responded, tapping his staff lightly on the ground.

“He’s not attacking as aggressively as he usually does. He’s trying to win with complex maneuvers, combining honesty and timidity… Tsk, tsk!”

Yoon Jun-ho was trying his best, but he couldn’t penetrate the masked figure’s dense sword barrier. And he was attacking too haphazardly, lacking focus.

“He’s going to lose, isn’t he?”

This time, the old man asked. Bi Ryu-yeon shook his head.

“Not yet. He’s not giving it his all.”

“Oh? He’s not giving it his all?”

“That’s right.”

“But why? Is he underestimating him? He doesn’t seem like the type to underestimate his opponent…”

As the old man said, someone who underestimated their opponent wouldn’t be attacking with such ferocity. Bi Ryu-yeon replied nonchalantly,

“He’s not underestimating his opponent. He’s underestimating himself. He’s a master at self-deprecation.”

“Then why? The masked figure is not an opponent he can defeat without giving it his all. Of course, he might not actually win even if he does, but he could win this particular duel. Why isn’t he giving it his all?”

Bi Ryu-yeon answered confidently,

“He’s not not giving it his all cause He can’t.”