Book 12 Chapter 18

Call me Plum Blossom Mask!

As the two escort agencies snarled and blocked the main road, the remaining side of the three-way intersection also became noisy again.

"It seems like a noisy day, with commotion everywhere."

The cause of the commotion was quickly apparent. Several villagers were shouting, "It's the Huashan Sect! The Huashan Sect is here!"

The Huashan Sect was so close you could almost touch it, so it wasn't rare to see their disciples every day. I wondered why there was such a fuss, but looking at the procession, I could see it was enough to cause a stir.

"What impressive power. It's like an entire sect is on the move."

Elder Huiyi voiced his honest thoughts. They had walked in a straight line from the northern main road. The Huashan Sect leader, along with twelve elders and about thirty escorts accompanying them, had walked along that path. The thirty-odd disciples of the Huashan Sect, dressed in martial arts uniforms embroidered with plum blossom patterns, all exuded a dignified aura like those of a renowned sect, carrying weapons like swords and spears. Among them were Yi Gyeong-yeong and So Yu-gyeong.

With the sect leader and twelve elders, it was essentially the entire Huashan Sect on the move. The wrinkles etched on the face of the white-haired old man at the forefront conveyed boundless wisdom, his back remained straight despite the weight of years, and an elegant demeanor like the scent of plum blossoms emanated from his entire being.

This old man, clad in purple martial arts robes like the twilight spread across the horizon in the evening, and carrying an ancient long sword at his jade belt, was the current leader of the Huashan Sect, Yang Yuzhong, the Wind Plum Sword.

Upon seeing his sect leader, Yun Junho, startled, rushed forward to greet him, but Bilu Yeon grabbed his shoulder, stopping him. It meant to wait and watch a bit longer. Yun Junho couldn't shake off Bilu Yeon's grip on his shoulder no matter how hard he tried, so he had no choice but to silently obey.

As if they had received word, the main gate of the Plum Blossom Inn opened, and the delegation from the Cheonmu Academy, including Bing Geom and Yeom Do, stepped out. Knowing that the leader of the Huashan Sect himself had arrived, the horse riders among the people from the Zhongyang and Zhongyuan escort agencies all dismounted. The leader of the Huashan Sect was not in a position to be greeted while sitting arrogantly on horseback. Everyone showed the utmost courtesy, performing a polite fist-and-palm salute and clearing the way.

The Huashan Sect procession stopped, and only the sect leader, Yang Yuzhong, stepped forward. Then, Bing Geom and Yeom Do also stepped forward.

"Ho ho ho, it's been a while, Master Guan!"

The first to greet with a light laugh was the Huashan Sect leader.

"It's been a while, Sect Leader Yang. Have you been well?"

After receiving the greeting, the sect leader's gaze turned to Yeom Do.

"This is truly a long time, Master Guo. About five years, isn't it?"

Yeom Do replied with a somewhat displeased expression.

"It has been a long time, Sect Leader. Have you been well?"

"Ho ho ho, what could possibly happen to an old man like me, holed up in the sect looking for things to do?"

Yang Yuzhong responded with a good-natured laugh. Then, Bing Geom spoke with a light chuckle.

"Hahaha, you are too humble. The responsibility of the leader of the Huashan Sect, one of the Nine Sects, is never small or light. How can the weight of upholding the Bai Dao martial arts world on your shoulders be considered insignificant? But why have you made such a difficult journey here?"

"I couldn't resist my curiosity when I heard that the pillars who will carry the future of the Bai Dao have arrived. So I took the liberty of coming."

He didn't immediately mention wanting to test Bing Geom's sword aura. That was a matter for private time.

"Hahaha, I see. You are most welcome. Please come inside."

Bing Geom, feeling it would be impolite to keep the Huashan Sect leader standing on the road any longer, invited him inside. Just as the sect leader was about to accept!

"Wait! I still want to see something."

With a sudden shout, a gust of wind swept through, stirring up dust and obscuring vision. As the dust cleared, a figure stood in the hall, his back to the Huashan Sect's formation. Naturally, everyone's attention was drawn to that spot.

Enraged by the appearance of this rude, uninvited guest who dared to block the path of the Huashan Sect leader, Yi Gyeong-yeong let out an angry cry.

"How rude! How dare you, the Great Huashan Sect…"

He was about to shout, "Block the sect leader's path! Atone with your life!" but he was silenced by the stern intervention of the Sword Association elder.

"Ugh, ugh…"

The twelve elders, including the Sword Association elder, were clearly flustered by this unexpected turn of events. However, it was less anger and more bewilderment, disbelief, and distress. Sect Leader Yang Yuzhong, upon seeing the masked figure, let out a groan and touched his forehead as if in pain, exclaiming, "Oh dear!"

This audacious (perhaps even insane) masked man, standing with his back completely blocking the Huashan Sect leader and his entourage, wore faded purple martial arts robes and an ancient-looking long sword at his waist. However, the mask itself looked hastily made.

Bing Geom and Yeom Do, who now shivered at the mere mention of a masked man, did not immediately draw their swords in front of the Huashan Sect leader. Moreover, the atmosphere within the Huashan Sect's formation was strangely unsettled.

"Who might you be? You appear to be alone and in a hurry?"

"My name is…"

The person paused, dragging out the answer.

"Is it?"

More gazes converged. As if contemplating or perhaps having forgotten his own name, the masked man paused for a moment before straightening his chest and proudly exclaimed.

"…I am called Plum Blossom Mask!"

"Cough!"

At that moment, the Huashan Sect leader, Yang Yuzhong, the Wind Plum Sword, clutched his stomach as if struck by an internal attack, letting out a sound that squeezed his lungs.

Plum Blossom Mask!

It was truly the worst naming sense, evident from its hastily made appearance.

"A master!"

"A master!"

Bilu Yeon and the old man spoke the same words simultaneously, looking at each other and grinning.

"Um, is he… a master?"

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

*Clang!*

"This has made the situation even more interesting, hasn't it!"

An expression of keen interest, as if watching a spectacle, appeared on Bilu Yeon's face. The gray-haired old man was not to be outdone.

"How dare you!"

Enraged by the unannounced and rude appearance of the masked intruder, Yeom Do strode forward, intending to approach the old man. He likely meant to teach him a lesson. However, contrary to his intention, his feet were as if nailed to the ground, refusing to budge.

'Huh?'

His seasoned and cold body, accustomed to martial arts life, refused to approach the old man, contrary to his will. It was then that Yeom Do realized that this masked man was a master with unimaginable sword aura. He was so powerful that his body sent danger signals, ordering him to stop. Looking to his side, Bing Geom seemed to be itching to draw his sword as well, being just a swordsman. As fellow swordsmen, they had already sensed the opponent's aura.

"So, what is your business?"

"I heard there was a strong swordsman here, and as a fellow swordsman, I came to test his sword aura!"

The voice seemed to resonate directly from his dantian, strong and powerful.

"Um, with such a forceful method…"

The sect leader's voice was somber.

"Shouldn't we stop him, now that it's not too late?"

"But this could also be a good opportunity."

"But even so, this is…"

Whispers and divided opinions arose among the twelve elders.

"Who is this strong swordsman you speak of? Depending on the circumstances, I might be willing to face you."

Bing Geom naturally assumed it was him. And he wasn't wrong. Moreover, Bing Geom himself wanted to exchange swords with this masked swordsman who had such a ridiculous name. His frozen swordsman's blood, stirred by the Thunder Flash Demonic Sword at Lightning Gorge, had begun to melt, and now, stimulated by this masked man, it was starting to boil again.

After facing the Thunder Flash Demonic Sword, Bing Geom felt the need for further improvement. He thought there was no one better than this masked man to be his opponent.

However, the masked man's answer shattered his expectations.

"I want to have a formal duel with that child."

The masked man pointed in one direction. It was where Bilu Yeon was standing.

"Huh? Me?"

Bilu Yeon pointed to himself with his finger. Then the Plum Blossom Mask shook his head.

"Then me?"

Namgung Sang pointed to himself next.

"No, not you, but the one next to you!"

"Me?"

Mo Yong-hwi inquired. Again, he shook his head.

"No, you are excellent, of course, but the one next to you. The one who is a bit short and has brown hair."

Yun Junho, hesitating, carefully pointed his finger at himself. He was convinced, no matter what, that he wasn't that famous swordsman. However, his conviction was mistaken. It was then that the masked man nodded his head vigorously.

"That's right. It's you. There is no one else I want to exchange swords with but you!"

"Hieeeek!"

A scream of astonishment erupted from Yun Junho's mouth.

'Since when did Yun Junho become a renowned strong swordsman?'

This was the first time they had ever heard of it! It was the unanimous thought in everyone's mind. Looking at Bing Geom's distressed expression, it was clear that this was very unexpected and humiliating for him.

"What are you waiting for? You've been called out, so you should go quickly."

Bilu Yeon casually said to Yun Junho, whose face was as pale as if all the blood had drained into the ground.

"Do I… have to go? I don't have to…"

Then Bilu Yeon shook his head strongly.

"When the opponent actively seeks you out like that, it's rude to keep them waiting. Go on, get out there!"

Saying so, he pushed Yun Junho's back. Yun Junho stepped out into the scene, breaking through the unconsciously formed human barrier. Looking back, Bilu Yeon gestured for him to hurry. He knew he would be pushed back again if he tried to return. Hundreds, if not thousands, of eyes were fixed on him. With no way back, his only path was forward.

Hesitantly and shyly, Yun Junho walked out, his face flushed like a bashful maiden. Murmurs arose among the Huashan Sect disciples upon seeing him. They knew all too well how much of a nuisance Yun Junho had been at Huashan. His plum blossom sensitivity and the incident of entering the Cheonmu Academy two years ago were too famous for anyone to not know. Among them, Yi Gyeong-yeong and So Yu-gyeong were particularly astonished.

Yi Gyeong-yeong, a disciple of the Huashan Sect, rubbed his eyes as if he had seen a ghost. Once, twice, thrice, four times.

He rubbed his eyes vigorously until they were red, but nothing changed in reality.

'This… this can't be! Such a foolish thing! How can that crybaby, stupid, idiotic fool be among them?'

He was beyond shocked, bordering on terrified. His eyes were still filled with disbelief. However, his stepping out from that group meant he had been selected as a representative for the Huashan Branch.

But soon, he completely denied his absurd leap in logic.

"Ah… no way! That's impossible. Yes, yes… he must have followed as an attendant for the delegation. Of course. Surely, the sky wouldn't fall, the earth wouldn't split, and stars wouldn't fall, so such a thing can't happen. Hahahaha…"

Although the Huashan Branch representatives had never had attendants since ancient times, Yi Gyeong-yeong didn't care about that, and it wasn't an important issue at all. So Yu-gyeong, seemingly lost in thought, didn't even glance at her Senior Brother Yi Gyeong-yeong and silently stared intently at Yun Junho. A ray of desire flashed like a shooting star in her clear, dark eyes.

Having been pushed out by others and with no escape route, Yun Junho, like a general who had burned his bridges, had no choice but to move forward.

'How! How! How!'

If the situation allowed, he wanted to run away right now. The vow he had made before the rising sun had already been washed away by the waves of oblivion in his mind. But escape was not permitted. Therefore, he had no choice but to stand before the unidentified masked man, albeit reluctantly.

'Huh?'

From afar, he had thought the person was very frightening, but up close, he felt surprisingly familiar. To the bewildered Yun Junho, the masked man asked in a gentle voice.

"Has your wavering heart hardened through the hammering of refinement?"

It was a question as if a master was addressing a disciple. The voice, which had sounded frightening from afar, now sounded very gentle upon thinking so.

"I don't know yet."

Yun Junho replied. It was not a very convincing answer.

"You don't know… If that's the case, we'll soon find out."

The masked man continued in a soft voice.

'It feels like I've heard this somewhere before?'

It was a faint but deeply nostalgic feeling. However, the overwhelming aura emanating from the person before him interfered with his attempt to retrace his memories.

"What on earth is his intention?"

Sect Leader Yang Yuzhong of the Huashan Sect shook his head, his expression one of utter disbelief.

"Then, please guide me."

Yun Junho held his sword in front of his chest with the tip pointing downwards, performed a fist-and-palm salute, and respectfully bowed with his sword.

"Hmm!"

The masked man, Plum Blossom Mask, replied briefly and nodded his head. Then, he explained the method of the match.

"Don't be so tense. I'm just curious about your skill. Anyone would think I'm going to eat you. As a senior, I'll give you ten seconds first. I will attack after that. If you manage to touch even the hem of my clothes with a single strike, you win. Otherwise…"

A sharp gleam flashed from the opening of the mask, on which a crude plum blossom pattern was imprinted on the forehead.

"You will have to stake your life!"

A piercing, sharp killing intent swept through Yun Junho's entire body. It was a terrifying killing intent that suggested he could truly kill him. While the conditions seemed entirely favorable to Yun Junho, it also implied that the masked man was confident in his own skill.

The sect leader, listening attentively, shook his head with a skeptical expression.

"That is absolutely impossible. With the child's current skill, he cannot possibly win."

And the duel began.