LD Vol.3 Chapter 2

“The Plum Blossom Swordsmanship, you see, is the unique martial art of the Huashan Sect. It is said to have been created by imitating the appearance of plum blossoms fluttering in the wind. The history of the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship is almost synonymous with the history of the Huashan Sect, that’s how famous and long-standing it is. It consists of a total of 36 stances, 72 sub-stances, and 864 variations, from which countless derivative martial arts have been created and researched. However, there has never been a story of anyone reaching the end of this Plum Blossom Swordsmanship. Throughout the history of the Huashan Sect, countless sword masters have been produced, but no one has confidently claimed to have reached the pinnacle of the Plum Blossom Sword. That’s how abstruse and profound this swordsmanship is said to be.

This is just my speculation, but I suspect that the Huashan Sect possesses another secret version of the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship, different from the generally known one in the martial arts world. With only the currently known Plum Blossom Swordsmanship, it would be utterly insufficient to break the pride of the Huashan Sect’s swordsmen throughout history. There are numerous advanced and modified sword and palm techniques derived from this Plum Blossom Swordsmanship in the Huashan Sect.

Those techniques are now the strength, pillar, and foundation that support the Huashan Sect. For example, the Plum Blossom Scattered Petals or the Falling Flower Palm. All of these are hand and palm techniques created based on the martial principles of the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship. That’s why everyone associates the Huashan Sect with the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it the origin of the Huashan Sect’s martial arts. Even a three-year-old snot-nosed kid passing by knows about the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship of the Huashan Sect, yet you don’t know it. You really have a talent for astonishing people in many ways. It’s simply amazing and marvelous. Truly astounding!”

“Haha, what’s so marvelous about it? It’s just because I’m inherently outstanding. Anyway, you really know a lot, which makes things incredibly convenient. Sometimes it’s quite surprising how much you know.”

“Well, what’s there to be surprised about? It’s all because I’m amazing, hahaha!”

At Bi Ryu-yeon’s words, Hyo-ryong awkwardly scratched the back of his head and brushed it off. Hyo-ryong truly knew a great deal. At times, he seemed like a seasoned martial artist or someone who had lived in Heavenly Martial Arts Academy for several years. That’s how well-versed he was in the academy’s affairs and the state of the martial arts world.

In any case, what did the development of a seemingly quite famous sect called the Huashan Sect have anything to do with Bi Ryu-yeon? Did they make him rice cakes or cook him meals? Did they even serve him? They hadn’t done a single thing for him, so there was nothing to be regretful about.

Yet these irrelevant matters were daring to disturb his sacred mealtime and, on top of that, committing the unforgivable act of significantly diminishing his appetite. A strong feeling of displeasure began to swell in a corner of Bi Ryu-yeon’s heart. His mind and head were telling him:

‘Displeasure level rapidly rising. Concern for a decrease in taste sensitivity. Urgent measures required to lower the displeasure level.’

The self that existed within Bi Ryu-yeon readily nodded in agreement to this request from his mind. Jong Rihak’s words seemed to have dealt a decisive psychological blow to Yoon Junho. It was a lethal poison that touched his most painful part. Yoon Junho could acutely feel with his entire body that his spirit was withering and his motivation was fading away. A deep pain began to spread from the depths of his heart.

‘These insolent bastards…’

Jang-hong’s eyes sparked with anger as he watched Yoon Junho shrinking infinitely. Jang-hong knew these types of people well. The arrogant ones who looked down on those with inferior skills and positions, the utterly insolent and disrespectful scoundrels. They were undoubtedly contemptible beings.

People are born with different talents and personalities. Some may lack skill or talent compared to others. If everyone were a genius, how monotonous and brutal would this world be? Yet, based on the mere arbitrary evaluation of having inferior skills, could they really treat their own junior from the same sect like trash? Jang-hong felt immense anger at their inconsiderate attitude.

On the other hand, unlike Jang-hong, who was gradually being consumed by anger, Bi Ryu-yeon began to seriously ponder how to deal with those fellows who were making a significant contribution to the rapid decline of his appetite in order to regain his taste. Was there any drastic method to lower his displeasure level? As Bi Ryu-yeon pondered back and forth, his gaze suddenly fell upon his dinner tray that was resting during the meal. In an instant, an idea flashed through his mind like lightning.

‘Should I just stab them with the edge of the tray?’

Bi Ryu-yeon didn’t think much of it. Of course, there was no change in his expression. Since hitting with the flat surface seemed to have less impact, he seriously considered stabbing the crown of their heads with the thin and sharp edge.

Certainly, the edge of the tray would inflict a much greater impact on the target than the flat surface. It was because the concentration of force was different. Thinking about it again, it seemed like a very appropriate and excellent idea, Bi Ryu-yeon praised himself as he quietly stroked the edge of his tray.

He was very honest and serious at the moment. He also had sufficient ability and willingness to do so. If only there was a request from those around him and a license issued by the academy—a simple(?) permission not to hold him accountable for the murder—he could have used the pair of wooden chopsticks in his hand to poke a kind and refreshing ventilation hole in their foreheads to cool down their low-capacity, defective brains. So, needless to say, a steel product like the tray was more than enough.

Tapping the tray lightly with his middle finger and hearing the clear ringing sound, it seemed there was no problem in terms of rigidity (剛度: the degree of resistance of a metallic material to breaking, not to be confused with strength 强度). As a skilled swordsman who had been overworked in a forge for nearly six years, Bi Ryu-yeon recognized at a glance that this tray was an excellent work of a craftsman with low wear and high rigidity.

The edges were slightly rounded, probably to prevent any potential danger(?), but that level of roundness posed no obstacle to Bi Ryu-yeon. The maker might have had the foresight to predict a situation like this. The prediction that his tray could turn into a weapon at any time, anywhere.

Having confirmed that the contents on the tray had sufficiently entered his stomach and successfully provided nourishment, Bi Ryu-yeon made the decision to throw the tray without hesitation. There was nothing to regret or hesitate about. With the mindset of ‘As long as I don’t kill them, it should be fine!’, Bi Ryu-yeon’s hand had already grabbed his tray. Just before the sturdy tray was about to fly and split the heads of the two people, his hand paused and had to stop for a moment.

“Stop it!”

It was a low but clear and powerful voice. The gazes of the two people, who had been raising their voices and targeting Yoon Junho with blame and ridicule, turned to where the voice had just come from. Unexpectedly, the owner of that voice was Moyong Hwee. Unable to endure their vulgar tone and reckless behavior any longer, Moyong Hwee had finally stepped forward.

Moyong Hwee despised people who overestimated their shallow skills despite their own insignificance and acted shamelessly without knowing their place. He was the embodiment of honesty, morality, and adherence to rules. As mentioned before, he was a patient suffering from the incurable disease of obsessive-compulsive disorder. That meant he had a personality that extremely hated evil and wrong deeds. His obsessive-compulsive disorder demanded the utmost cleanliness, both materially and spiritually.

As the embodiment of law and order and a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder, Moyong Hwee’s sharp but delicate nerves could not tolerate such frivolous fellows.

“Who are you?”

The gazes of the two people, filled with reproach as if asking who this insolent fellow was to dare interrupt the conversation of seniors, turned towards a man. A handsome face enough to make the hearts of numerous women flutter, refined energy reminiscent of a supreme master, and seven embroidered peony flowers on the right chest of his snow-white robe.

However, the peony flower was more famous as the symbol of a certain family than for its fragrance or grace. As martial artists, they were well aware of this fact. Among this year’s new students, there was only one person they could remember who possessed the seven peony flowers and exuded such a level of energy. Instantly, Jong Rihak’s complexion subtly changed.

“Are you the famous Seven Absolute Divine Swords, Moyong Hwee?”

Jong Rihak asked to confirm, even though he already knew the answer.

“That’s right. This humble one is none other than the insignificant person named Moyong Hwee.”

Having received confirmation as if authenticating a genuine item, Jong Rihak displayed a perplexed expression. It wasn’t an easy opponent to deal with casually without any countermeasures. He was a big shot that the Nine Orthodox Association they belonged to was most sensitive about and paying close attention to. With his authority, it wasn’t someone he could rashly judge and confront. Jong Rihak began to ponder how to resolve this situation. The sudden appearance and abrupt intervention of Seven Absolute Divine Swords Moyong Hwee were completely unexpected.

“As a senior, you not only fail to protect your junior but also look down on and mock him like that. Aren’t you ashamed?”

Moyong Hwee showed no hesitation. He possessed both the skills and qualifications to clearly express his opinions anytime, anywhere. Therefore, not a hint of hesitation could be found in his words and actions.

“That’s right, that’s right!”

Jang-hong and Hyo-ryong also nodded in unison, agreeing with his words. Their attitude contained not the slightest bit of respect for their seniors. And Bi Ryu-yeon, due to the unexpected appearance of Moyong Hwee, decided to postpone the execution of his tray attack plan and observe the situation for a while. However, he couldn’t stop the unconscious action of clicking his tongue, as if something was unsatisfactory.

Now the confrontation was condensed into a showdown between the Huashan bastard and Moyong Hwee. There was a clear sense of hostility in the eyes of Jong Rihak and Chu Gayeon as they fiercely glared at them. They seemed to think they had been humiliated.

“This is an internal matter of our sect, so it’s none of your business.”

Jong Rihak spoke, standing next to Chu Gayeon, who was shooting hostile glances at them. Usually, in the martial arts world, it was customary not to interfere in the internal affairs of other sects according to the unspoken rules. They were now reprimanding Moyong Hwee’s intervention as an overstepping act of meddling in another sect’s family matters. However, Moyong Hwee didn’t even twitch his finely arched eyebrows.

“But he is my fellow classmate, no matter what. And for a senior to only oppress his junior like that, wouldn’t it be a laughingstock for others to ridicule your narrow-mindedness?”

Jong Rihak’s face flushed red again. It was unbelievable how arrogant and presumptuous this dark-skinned junior was, relying on who knew what. For them, who had walked the smooth path of life without any obstacles, this was the first time they had encountered such a rough situation. The weak-hearted Yoon Junho could only fidget restlessly in the hostile atmosphere of the hall. It was impossible from the beginning for him to dispel this tense atmosphere with his timid nature.

“I don’t like being disturbed during my meal. No matter how much of a senior you are in the academy, I don’t think you have the right to commit such rudeness. How about you step aside now? I’d like to finish the meal that was interrupted by someone’s impoliteness.”

Although his words sounded polite, it implied that they were less important than Moyong Hwee’s unfinished meal. At the current moment, Moyong Hwee spoke with a furrowed brow, expressing his strong displeasure, but even with a frown, he still looked handsome.

It was truly unfair compared to how an ugly person’s frown made them look twice as ugly, Chu Gayeon foolishly thought. Her level was only this much. In the end, she was just an ordinary bad-tempered woman. Her instincts failed to deny the fact that Moyong Hwee was a dashing handsome man. With this, Chu Gayeon couldn’t muster any ill feelings towards Moyong Hwee. However, unaware of Chu Gayeon’s change of heart, Jong Rihak spat out his words in a threatening tone.

“We’ll see in the future. I’ll be watching how great you are. You’d better be careful.”

The two turned their bodies and disappeared out of the cafeteria. Then, the others who had been watching their confrontation with great interest turned their heads back to their trays and resumed the meal they hadn’t been able to continue. Naturally, all their food had gone cold.

On one side was a famous prodigy who had shaken the martial arts world even before entering Heavenly Martial Arts Academy, and the other two were second-year students of Heavenly Martial Arts Academy and members of the powerful Nine Orthodox Association. If their confrontation didn’t arouse interest, it would be strange. Of course, until now, Bi Ryu-yeon and his group (Hyo-ryong, Jang-hong, Yoon Junho) had not entered the gazes of those around them. The focus of everyone’s attention was solely on Moyong Hwee.

“Senior Brother, Senior Sister, have a pleasant evening.”

Even after being insulted, Yoon Junho politely bade them farewell like a good-natured person.

“Hey, Junho. I don’t think there’s any need to show courtesy to such rude people below the standard. Courtesy is a two-way street, not a one-way road.”

Jang-hong spoke, unable to bear Yoon Junho’s clumsy behavior. Just thinking about how such fellows had managed to enter Heavenly Martial Arts Academy and taint the sacred grounds of martial arts made him sigh involuntarily.

“I guess we’ll meet again soon.”

“I don’t have the slightest desire to see them again.”

“Why bother with such fellows? It’s better not to see them. If we happen to meet again, I guarantee there won’t be any further encounters. There will never be a third meeting. You can rest assured about that.”

Bi Ryu-yeon had no intention of seeing those rotten, unlucky bastards—or should I say, rotten, unlucky pricks?—ever again. No, if he were to bump into them again by chance, he planned to put them in a state where a reunion would be completely impossible. Bi Ryu-yeon’s heart wasn’t generous enough to allow a third encounter with them.

His friends shared the same thought. As the unpleasant faces disappeared from their sight, Bi Ryu-yeon could only stroke the sharp edge of his tray in front of him to soothe his regret.

‘Tsk, what a waste…’

Bi Ryu-yeon clicked his tongue, as if regretting not being able to stain the edge of his tray with blood in the end. The tray also seemed to be clearly disappointed that it had missed the perfect opportunity to change its outfit from a colorless one to a red-colored one and get a new makeover.

In the end, there was no room for him to intervene after Moyong Hwee suddenly got involved. Moreover, they retreated too easily, so in hindsight, it was nothing short of a heavenly blessing for Jong Rihak and Chu Gayeon. They should have bowed a thousand times to Moyong Hwee, their lifesaver. How could a mere thousand bows be an issue when he was their savior?

Thus, fortunately, the tragedy of a cafeteria tray in the dormitory nearly turning red did not occur, but if there had been even a slight gap in their conversation, Bi Ryu-yeon’s tray would have flown mercilessly towards their heads using the shortest distance.

For the man, with the edge; for the girl, with the flat surface since she’s a woman after all…

‘I should have just stabbed them without any mercy…’

As if regretting that his tray never got to see blood in the end, Bi Ryu-yeon clicked his tongue once again. It was because he had to postpone satisfying his curiosity as he couldn’t complete the verification of the efficiency and effectiveness of the two methods of impact. Resolving that he would definitely experiment if an opportunity arose next time, Bi Ryu-yeon looked forward to the future.

After finishing their meal at the Heavenly Martial Cafeteria and returning to their room, Bi Ryu-yeon and his companions, Jang-hong and Hyo-ryong, practically dragged Yoon Junho to their room and began to talk almost forcibly. Moyong Hwee did not join their conversation. He silently returned to his own room. However, since he had shown support for Yoon Junho in the cafeteria earlier, they didn’t hurl insults at him, such as being aloof or acting superior.

“A guy with no sociability and zero fun!”

The evaluation of Moyong Hwee ended at this level, but Bi Ryu-yeon had not the slightest intention of forgiving the guys who had narrowly escaped from his tray. So, Bi Ryu-yeon decided that he needed to come up with another plan to frustrate and drive them to despair.