Return of the Blossoming Blade

Return of the Blossoming Blade (Korean화산귀환; RRHwasangwihwan) is a South Korean web novel written by Biga. It was serialized in Webtoon's digital comic and fiction platform Naver beginning on April 25, 2019.

Return of the Blossoming Blade
First webtoon adaptation volume cover, featuring Cheongmyeong

AuthorBiga
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Genremartial arts
Publisher
  • Luff (Korean)
  • Webnovel (English)
PublishedApril 25, 2019 – present
Media typeweb novel
Return of the Blossoming Blade
화산귀환
Hwasangwihwan
AuthorBiga
PublisherStudio Lico
Webtoon
service
Original runMarch 23, 2021 – present
Volumes5
Return of the Blossoming Blade
Korean name
Hangul화산귀환
Transcriptions
Revised RomanizationHwasangwihwan

A webtoon adaptation of Return of the Blossoming Blade was first serialized in Webtoon on March 23, 2021, and the webtoon's first season concluded on August 16, 2022, followed by its second season, which was released from June 23, 2023. Return of the Blossoming Blade received official English translations by Line Webtoon beginning in June 2021. Its individual chapters have been collected and published in five volumes by Studio Lico, as of February 2024.[1]

A South Korean animated television series adaptation has been announced.[2]

A crossover role-playing video game titled Seven Knights Idle Adventure has been released as an update by Netmarble.[3]

Characters

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  • Cheongmyeong

Cheong Myeong is the main protagonist of *Return of the Blossoming Blade*. He was a master martial artist known as the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, one of the greatest swordsmen over 100 years ago. After dying in a battle against the Cheonma of the Demonic Cult, he is reincarnated a century later as a 15-year-old boy. Discovering the Mount Hua Sect in decline, he sets out to restore it to its former glory, training a new generation of disciples. Cheong Myeong is carefree but driven, intelligent, and provocative. He loves money, food, and enjoys teasing others. Though often violent and seen as a "mad dog" by his peers, he is revered in the martial world as the "Divine Dragon." He also grows more focused on helping others develop their abilities, having realized that true strength is not achieved alone. He was formerly the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, one of the top martial artists, and he retains mastery of Mount Hua's techniques, even creating his own version of the Twenty-Four Plum Blossoms Sword after reincarnation.

  • Yunjong

Yunjong is a third-class disciple of the Mount Hua Sect and the eldest of the Cheong generation. He has blue bunned hair, sharp eyes, and a slim, tall build. Known for his neat appearance, he typically wears his sect's uniform but opts for a black robe and red waist belt when not in formal attire. Yunjong is passive, reserved, and observant, often giving wise advice. As the oldest third-class disciple, he's respected as a leader and caretaker of the younger members. Despite his calm nature, he strives to improve and become stronger, inspired by Cheongmyeong's swordsmanship. His loyalty and sense of responsibility reflect a deep inner strength.

  • Jo Gul

Jo Gul is a third-class disciple of the Mount Hua Sect and the second son of a merchant family. He has black eyes, reddish-brown curly hair, a muscular build, and tan skin with scars across his body. His appearance gives off a mischievous, junior-like vibe. Over time, his hair grows longer and he loses weight, giving his face a more defined look. He has a headstrong and competitive nature, always putting in effort and hard work, though he tends to become shy around Cheongmyeong. He is loyal and deeply values his friendships. Despite being from a merchant family, he is skilled in martial arts, comparable to Lee Songbaek in talent.

  • Yoo Iseol

Yoo Iseol, known as the Ice Sword Plum Blossom, is a second-class disciple of the Mount Hua Sect. Renowned for her beauty, she has long black hair, pale violet eyes, and a tall, imposing figure. Despite her cold, expressionless demeanor, she is highly focused on mastering the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, following her father's legacy. Her swordsmanship is graceful yet powerful, with a style that reflects the old Mount Hua techniques. Quiet, determined, and persistent, she is one of the most skilled fighters in the sect, though she often appears mysterious and aloof.

  • Baek Cheon

Baek Cheon is a second-grade disciple of the Mount Hua Sect and leader of the Baek generation. Once seen as the sect's hope, he has long straight hair, sharp features, and a disciplined appearance. He is stern, eloquent, and driven by a hero's complex, feeling responsible for restoring the sect's glory. Initially content with his status, Baek Cheon later realizes his limitations and works to improve, aiming to surpass his older brother. Skilled in martial arts, he can use Sword Aura and the Seven Blossom Blades, and later becomes renowned for his strength and leadership.

Media

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Web novel

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Return of the Blossoming Blade was first serialized in Naver's digital comic and fiction platform Webtoon since April 25, 2019.[4] The novel was licensed in English by Webnovel under the title Return of the Mount Hua Sect.[5]

Webtoon

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A webtoon adaptation launched in Webtoon on March 23, 2021,[6] and concluded its first season on August 16, 2022; its second season began on June 23, 2023. Its first collected volume was released by Studio Lico on January 18, 2023.[7] The webtoon has been published Line Webtoon in English.[8]

Volumes

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No. Korean release date Korean ISBN
01 January 18, 2023[7]979-11-69630-43-6
02 January 18, 2023[9]979-11-69630-44-3
03 May 10, 2023[10]979-11-69631-40-2
04 August 29, 2023[11]979-11-69632-76-8
05 February 22, 2024[1]979-11-69635-58-5

Animation

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A South Korean animated television series adaptation has been announced.[2]

Game

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In March 2024, Netmarble announced that they were updating Seven Knights Idle Adventure, a role-playing video game.[3] The game was released on September 6, 2023.[12]

Reception

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The webtoon won the Presidential Award in the cartoon category at the 2022 Korea Contents Awards, and was praised as a monumental work that made a mark on traditional Korean martial arts.[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b 화산귀환 5 (in Korean). Naver Book Database. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  2. ^ a b '만화책' 살린 네이버웹툰, 국산 애니메이션 시장도 살릴까 [Naver Webtoon, which saved 'comic books', will it also save the domestic animation market]. FNTIMES (in Korean). July 24, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Seven Knights Idle Adventure Teams Up with Webtoon Return of Blossoming Blade in Epic Collaboration Update". Anime News Network. March 7, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  4. ^ Lee Si-jin (February 8, 2023). "Web novels follow webtoons' successful footsteps". Retrieved August 10, 2024 – via The Korea Herald.
  5. ^ "Return of the Mount Hua Sect (original)". Webnovel. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  6. ^ 화산귀환. Naver Webtoon (in Korean). Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  7. ^ a b 화산귀환 1 (in Korean). Naver Book Database. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  8. ^ "Return of the Blossoming Blade". Line Webtoon. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  9. ^ 화산귀환 2 (in Korean). Naver Book Database. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  10. ^ 화산귀환 3 (in Korean). Naver Book Database. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  11. ^ 화산귀환 4 (in Korean). Naver Book Database. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  12. ^ "Seven Knights Idle Adventure". App Store. September 6, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  13. ^ '집이없어'·'화산귀환' 등 대한민국콘텐츠대상 만화부문 수상. Yonhap News Agency. December 14, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
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