Chapter 41:Dangerous Visit(4)
Everything appeared black.
Guard Go Chan felt no sensation in his body.
And he realized that everything around him was empty, and he couldn't feel any of his five senses.
'Am I dead after all?'
He thought his life was truly pathetic.
He was an orphan who didn't even know who his parents were, and he had lived half his life as an assassin after being taken in by an assassination organization.
Just when he finally retired and tried to live like a human being, everything became twisted because of one damn impostor.
Everything felt unjust, and he could only lament.
'Where am I going?'
He was curious at times.
About what happens when you die.
But then, a familiar voice reached his ears.
"...With meager words and numbers, success lies in the timing. Today's alcoholic offering enters the profound realm, communicating with and receiving the spirits I rely on, the spirits I seek. Weighing and pouring the ceremonial fruit, I bear the shadow of regret as I carry the sacred fragrance within me."
'Haa....'
Even in death, he could hear this voice.
It was the voice of that impostor.
'Am I suffering even in death?'
Having lived as an assassin, he never thought he would go to paradise.
But hearing this voice even after death made him depressed.
However, the voice continued.
"The third invocation: a leisurely return and surrender. Eight pecks and eight flavors, fresh and new. Choose wisely, devote yourself to the knowledge of the spirits' desires."
As soon as those words ended,
Go Chan felt himself being pulled by some strong unknown force, and the sensations that had disappeared were faintly replaced by something else.
Along with it, the blackness in his vision brightened.
'!?'
Go Chan blinked his eyes.
He saw Mok Gyeong-un forming some strange hand seal in front of him.
What was this? Wasn't he dead?
While he was puzzled, he noticed a captivating woman with a dumbfounded expression beside Mok Gyeong-un…
'Heuk!'
It was none other than Ha Chae-rin.
What is happened was this situation?
Why were the two of them looking at him like this?
As he was wondering, Ha Chae-rin opened her mouth.
"Did it work?"
"Yes. It seems to have succeeded. The Half-Six-Eight Spirit Summoning Technique."
'Half-Six-Eight Spirit Summoning Technique?'
What did that mean?
The Half-Six-Eight Spirit Summoning Technique.
It is a type of sorcery that utilizes the Eight-Person Talisman to control ghosts.
Not knowing this, Go Chan had no idea what the two were talking about.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un lowered his hands from the seal and said,
"Go Chan, let me apologize first."
-Huh? Wh-what?
Go Chan was momentarily startled.
His voice didn't sound like his own, but rather some strange, different form.
Then, Mok Gyeong-un shrugged and said,
"Reviving you was impossible from the start, so I tried to turn you into a corpse ghost using the Six-Person Spirit Summoning Technique, but it seems that failed because my death energy is still insufficient."
-Yo-Young Master? What in the world are you talking about? And why does my voice sound like this? Huh?
Go Chan was stunned for a moment as he looked at his body.
He looked at his palm, but why did it appear so hazy?
He could see through his palm to the other side.
He had no idea what this phenomenon was.
"Hey, you fool. Your soul's rank has fallen, so it appears even more hazy. Don't make a fuss."
Ha Chae-rin said to him.
-What?
At this, Go Chan frowned as he looked at her.
This bitch had tried to kill Mok Gyeong-un by piercing through his heart, and now she was acting as if they were acquainted?
As if sensing this thought, Mok Gyeong-un said,
"Ah, Guard Go Chan. This isn't the assassin from the Bi-Sal Sect that you knew."
-What? What do you mean by that?
"Cheong-ryeong has taken over her body."
-.....
Go Chan couldn't help but be confused by the incomprehensible words.
Why was his body like this, and what on earth was Mok Gyeong-un talking about?
To the bewildered Go Chan, Mok Gyeong-un scratched his head and said,
"Guard Go Chan, I think I need to tell you this."
-What is it, Young Master?
"You're dead."
-What?
"I'm saying Guard Go Chan is dead."
-…What do you mean by that? I am currently…!?
Suddenly, Go Chan's expression stiffened.
Come to think of it, it was strange that his voice sounded eerie and that he appeared translucent.
So he went to a place where there was a mirror to look around,
'!?'
Go Chan was at a loss for words.
His reflection did not appear in the mirror.
-…Young Master… Am I really dead?
"Yes."
-.....
Go Chan was speechless.
He felt a mixture of emotions and a sudden surge of grief.
He had held onto a faint hope.
The hope that he might not be dead.
Seeing him like this, Mok Gyeong-un offered condolences that were not quite comforting in a dry voice.
"May you rest in peace."
-…Are you mocking me right now? Are you playing with me?
Go Chan couldn't hold back his anger anymore, beyond the surge of emotions.
Now that he was dead anyway, he was sick and tired of being mindful of this fellow, and there was no reason to do so anymore.
-If you hadn't killed Master Gam, none of this would have happened, you damn bastard!
Curses poured out of him.
Seeing him like this, Cheong-ryeong, who had taken over Ha Chae-rin's body, laughed.
She had expected him to be this angry to some extent.
In fact, without considerable anger or obsession, souls usually ascend rather than becoming vengeful spirits.
But it was Mok Gyeong-un who had forcibly held onto him and turned him into this state.
'His rank has fallen too.'
In terms of rank, Go Chan was the lowest-grade spirit.
He was no more than a street-level spirit that could be seen only very rarely.
-Damn bastard. You son of a bitch. Bastard. Die! Die! I curse you even in death… No, I'm already dead. Anyway, I curse you. You impostor! From the fourth generation to the fifth generation, misfortune…
"Phew. Shut up."
Mok Gyeong-un said with a sigh.
At that moment, something strange happened.
-Mmph mmph mmph!
Go Chan couldn't open his mouth as Mok Gyeong-un commanded.
He wanted to curse, but the words wouldn't come out regardless of his will.
Why was this happening?
To the puzzled Go Chan, Mok Gyeong-un said with a smile,
"Although you're dead, Guard Go Chan has become my servant ghost through the Half-Six-Eight Spirit Summoning Technique."
-...?
What did that mean again?
"You're curious about what a servant ghost is, right? To put it simply, a slave ghost? Yes, you can think of it that way."
"A slave ghost?… Ha! Do you want to die, you fool?"
Cheong-ryeong glared at Mok Gyeong-un and raised her voice.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un waved his hand lightly and corrected himself,
"Let's just say he's a ghost who has to cooperate with me."
-.....
"Ah, you can't speak. If I let you, will you keep cursing?"
Go Chan shook his head vigorously.
"How obedient. Then you can speak again."
-Ah?
At Mok Gyeong-un's command, his voice returned.
At this, Go Chan was momentarily confused about how to accept this situation.
He had thought that now that he was dead, he wouldn't be swayed by this fellow anymore, so he had cursed to his heart's content.
But even in death, he had to follow this fellow's orders?
'…shit.'
Curses naturally came to his mind.
Of course, they didn't come out of his mouth.
Now that he knew Mok Gyeong-un could control him with a single word, he became afraid of this fellow.
'what the …. is he?'
He had witnessed strange scenes several times.
But he never imagined that he would possess such unbelievable abilities.
The power to make even the dead submit to him was absurd.
To such Go Chan, Mok Gyeong-un said,
"Anyway, Guard Go Chan, I'm glad we can continue to be together."
-.....
Glad?
Did he think he would be happy to be ordered around by him even in death?
It was not only disheartening but also distressing.
"Hmm. You don't like it?"
-...….
"It seems you don't like it. Then should I just let you go?"
At those words, Go Chan looked at him with a gleam in his eyes.
He thought he would be used even in death, but was he really going to let him go?
As he was feeling hopeful, Mok Gyeong-un glanced at Cheong-ryeong and said,
"I don't know the technique to release a servant ghost yet. Is there any other way to release him?"
"If I knew that, would I be in this state?"
"I see."
"Or if he desires it so much, you can forcibly exorcise him."
At those words, Go Chan asked in puzzlement,
-I… What is exorcism?
"It means forcibly banishing a spirit, you fool."
-…Banish? Then does that mean I'll die?
"That's right."
-I'm already dead though.
"If you die further from there, you'll be annihilated."
-…Does that mean I'll completely disappear?
"Yes. You'll completely vanish from this world. Who knows, there might be something else, but I don't know since I haven't experienced it myself."
At these words, Go Chan's face stiffened.
He thought if Mok Gyeong-un released him, he would go to a place like the afterlife.
But from what they were saying now, it sounded like they would kill his soul.
Suddenly, Go Chan became afraid.
Even now that he was dead and had become a spirit, it was terrifying, and the concept of completely disappearing evoked immense fear.
Was that why?
-Yo-Young Master!
Go Chan knelt down in front of Mok Gyeong-un.
Then, lowering his head, he pleaded,
-I… I misspoke. Having just died and being confused about what was happening, I was rude to you, Young Master.
"Hmm? Didn't you say you didn't want to be with me?"
-No! I absolutely want to be with you, Young Master. Not wanting to be with you? That's an absurd thing to say. Although I have died like this, now that I have another chance to be with you, I will serve you with utmost loyalty.
It was a quick change of attitude.
Even though he was dead, Go Chan feared further changes here.
Seeing his appearance, Cheong-ryeong clicked her tongue.
-Ttuk!
Then, Cheong-ryeong frowned.
Noticing her expression, Mok Gyeong-un asked,
"Is it as expected?"
At that question, Cheong-ryeong muttered in an irritated voice,
"This one can't endure it either. I thought it would be a bit better, but it's a useless wench."
At those words, Go Chan looked at her in puzzlement.
That expression and way of speaking were completely different from Ha Chae-rin's.
What was going on?
-Ttuk! Ttuk!
At that moment, black blood vessels bulged out from the neck of Ha Chae-rin, who was expressing anger.
Then, Cheong-ryeong, who was inside Ha Chae-rin's body, let out a deep sigh and,
-Sssss!
She emerged from that body.
-Thud!
Ha Chae-rin's body collapsed on the ground like a corpse.
At that moment, Go Chan froze like an ice sculpture.
He wondered what it was, but Cheong-ryeong, who had emerged from Ha Chae-rin's body, was truly a shock in itself.
'Wh-what is this?'
Among spirits, their ranks can be clearly distinguished.
Just as humans have five senses, spirits have their own alternative senses.
Those senses were warning Go Chan.
That this was a monster beyond imagination.
-Hwaaaaa!
It was as if the surroundings were dyed in blood, walls were collapsing, and even the ground was splitting apart in an illusion.
This was definitely not an ordinary spirit.
At that moment, Cheong-ryeong raised an eyebrow and said to Go Chan,
-Won't you lower your gaze?
At those words, Go Chan trembled and slowly lowered his head.
Then, Cheong-ryeong snorted and said,
-A newbie spirit whose body is still warm from just dying dares to stare at me?
-…I-I apologize.
Go Chan felt disheartened once again.
He thought that everyone would be the same in death, but that wasn't the case.
Even in death, there was still a gap in power in that world, and he was no different from the weak.
While this was happening, Mok Gyeong-un said,
"What a shame. I thought it was a quite suitable body."
-I didn't have high expectations.
"Is that so?"
He clearly remembered her being very pleased.
Where else could he find the body of a young woman who had reached the peak realm?
He thought this level would be able to handle Cheong-ryeong, but in just a few moments, the body couldn't endure it and cracked like the servant ghosts.
"I guess there's no choice. It's a pity, but this body…"
-What's there to pity? We can just use it.
"Pardon?"
-The rank has fallen anyway, so it won't be of much use in the spirit state. We can give it to this fellow.
At those words, Mok Gyeong-un looked at Go Chan with interest.
Go Chan tilted his head with an anxious expression, wondering what they were talking about.
-Why me all of a sudden?
Then, Cheong-ryeong suddenly approached Go Chan.
-Sssk!
Feeling fear from the overwhelming pressure, Go Chan instinctively tried to back away, but Cheong-ryeong grabbed his neck as if hooking him and pushed him somewhere.
-Wh-why are you doing this…
-Stop blabbering and go in. It's rare for a newbie to have this opportunity.
-Pak!
It was Ha Chae-rin's body, lying on the ground like a dead person.
-Uh-oh?
-Ssssssk!
At that moment, Go Chan's spirit was forcibly pushed into Ha Chae-rin's body by Cheong-ryeong against his will.
Ha Chae-rin's body, which was lying on the ground, squirmed and moved wildly.
Looking down at this with his arms crossed, Mok Gyeong-un said indifferently,
"Hmm. Is it alright?"
-Don't know. I've cleared out the ego, so even if the rank has fallen, it should be able to take control quickly.
"Is that so? But…"
He wondered if it was really alright.
While this was happening, Ha Chae-rin, who had been convulsing as if in agony by herself, suddenly sat up and spoke with a bewildered look in her eyes.
"Wh-why all of a sudden… Heuk! What is this?"
She couldn't hide her bewilderment at her own voice.
After being startled like that, she lowered her head to look at her chest and was even more shocked.
"Wh-what on earth is this?"
No matter how you looked at it, it was a woman's body.
Mok Gyeong-un shrugged and said to him as if there was no other choice,
"Yes. It seems you'll have to work with that body from now on."
Chapter 42:Manor Master(1)
We corrected the numbering of chapters from 250 to 270 (there are some errors in it, but the consistency of the chapters is correct, don't worry)
A man in navy blue martial arts robes, carrying a writing case on his back, paced back and forth not far from the Yeon Mok Sword Manor's clan residence, clutching a talisman in his hand.
-Flutter flutter!
Before long, a large flapping shadow appeared, centered around where he stood.
Gradually, as if descending, the shadow diminished in size.
"Go-jo. Have you found him?" the man asked.
In response, the shrunken eagle shadow shook its head.
Perplexed, the man's expression shifted to one of incomprehension. He then pointed his sword finger mudra towards a specific spot in the void.
Closing his eyes, he immersed himself in deep concentration.
After a while, he opened his eyes, furrowing his brow.
'What's this?'
Having received what Go-jo had witnessed, the man struggled to make sense of the situation.
The entire clan residence seemed shrouded in a hazy mist.
Such a phenomenon does not occur easily.
It can be considered a type of Ghostly Domain, manifested by the powerful intent of a high-level vengeful spirit.
'.....This is no ordinary matter.'
In terms of magical techniques, a Ghostly Domain is akin to a barrier.
Only vengeful spirits of at least the Green ghost level and above are capable of forming such a domain.
This was the reason for the man's grave concern.
'How do I deal with this?'
He had intended to observe the target from the outside, but that had become difficult.
Even diviner Sak, whose mastery of magical arts nearly rivaled his own, had fallen victim to it, making it impossible to recklessly approach using spells.
However, the Ghostly Spirit Pavilion had incurred the Madam's wrath, rendering the prospect of entering equally daunting.
"Hmm."
As he pondered, his gaze fell upon a tipsy youth, arm in arm with women who appeared to be courtesans, stumbling along the path.
The youth swayed and collapsed to the ground, vomiting, as the courtesans attempted to rouse him.
"Oh my!"
"Young Master Mok? Young Master Mok? You should go home and rest. Didn't you promise to show us around?"
"Mmm..."
The courtesans, referred to as Young Master Mok, shook him several times to wake him. When he failed to regain consciousness, they furtively glanced around.
Seeing that Young Master Mok remained unresponsive, they discreetly began rummaging through his pockets.
Observing this, the corners of the man's mouth curled up slightly.
***
The Basic Writings of the School of Yin and Yang state that the lowest rank of vengeful spirits, the Red Spirits are a type of earth-bound spirits that can cause the living to experience goosebumps or mild chills.
Go Chan had become a vengeful spirit due to his unwavering desire to live, his sense of injustice, and the death energy infused by Mok Gyeong-un.
Moreover, he was a Red Spirit, the lowest rank.
As a newly formed vengeful spirit, he knew nothing and had no clear understanding of possession or how to carry it out.
Thanks to Cheong-ryeong's advice, he managed to gradually take control of Ha Chae-rin's body.
As he suppressed her consciousness, fragments of memories seeped in.
A blood-stained room.
A heart filled with resentment.
[Grandfather? You can't be dead, right? Grandfather, you're one of the Four Great Assassins of the Central Plains, the Flying Killing Yama's Guest. Get up. You can't die. Get up!]
[The position of sect leader is vacant, and you want me to complete the Hundred Days and Nights? What kind of nonsense is that?]
[Just do it! Do it!]
[Grandfather.... I will definitely inherit your position and avenge you. No matter who it is.]
Through absorbing Ha Chae-rin's memories, Go Chan learned that the sect leader had been suddenly murdered, plunging the Flying Killing Sect into internal chaos.
Ha Chae-rin had been undergoing the Hundred Days and Nights ritual to become the next sect leader of the Flying Killing Sect.
'Was that so?'
It was a truly astonishing revelation.
The deceased sect leader, who had earned the title of one of the Four Great Assassins, was a supreme master who had reached the Peak of the Transcendent Realm and boasted an almost perfect success rate in assassinations, befitting his status at the pinnacle of the assassin world.
Yet, such an exceptional assassin had been unexpectedly killed.
Based on Ha Chae-rin's memories, even his granddaughter suspected that it might have been the work of one of the other Four Great Assassins.
If that were the case, it would pose significant challenges for the Flying Killing Sect's pursuit of revenge.
Of course, that was their problem.
Go Chan desperately wanted to resolve this issue.
"Sir...."
"Yes?"
"Please remove me from this body."
-Shudder!
Even as he spoke, goosebumps rose on his skin, and his arms tingled.
It was because of his own voice.
Anyone can imagine being the opposite sex, but when it actually happens, it becomes overwhelming for Go Chan.
"If I remove you, I'll have to deal with that woman immediately."
"....."
She was an assassin who had targeted Mok Gyeong-un's life.
He couldn't let her live.
"That woman is the granddaughter of the Flying Killing Sect's Manor Master, right? Didn't you say she's the next sect leader?"
"Well, yes, but..."
"I came here because of the now-dead Guard Gam, but if his granddaughter dies, things will get even more troublesome, don't you think?"
"..... That's... true."
Go Chan's voice trailed off.
He couldn't deny Mok Gyeong-un's words.
Although the disciples of the Flying Killing Sect found her temperament challenging, their loyalty and respect for the deceased Flying Killing Yama's Guest were exceptionally high.
Therefore, if his granddaughter Ha Chae-rin were to die, the entire Flying Killing Sect would resort to every means possible to kill Mok Gyeong-un.
In fact, he secretly hoped for it.
'I wish he would die.'
However, if Mok Gyeong-un died, Go Chan would also perish.
That was the fate of a spirit with a connected bond, as Cheong-ryeong had explained.
'shit.'
It was a cruel twist of fate.
He was essentially no different from a slave.
He couldn't allow Mok Gyeong-un to die, even if he wanted to.
Go Chan found himself in a conflicted state of mind.
-Sigh.
Cheong-ryeong, who had been smoking a long pipe and exhaling smoke, clicked her tongue and spoke to the troubled Go Chan.
-Why do you look like you're about to die? Newbie. You should be grateful just for possessing a living body.
Is this something to be grateful for?
If that's the case, couldn't she have put him in a male body?
However, fearing Cheong-ryeong, he uttered words that contradicted his true feelings.
"....Well, that's true, but."
-You were a weakling when you were alive, weren't you?
"....."
-To be merely second-rate at that age, even after retiring as an assassin, means there was almost no hope for you.
"....."
It was like a fatal blow, one might say.
Every word Cheong-ryeong spoke was like a sharp dagger, tormenting Go Chan.
It rendered him speechless in a different sense.
-Pak!
At that moment, Go Chan instinctively tilted his head back slightly.
"Yo- Young Master?"
Right in front of his nose, he saw the sole of Mok Gyeong-un's shoe.
If he had been a moment later, he would have been kicked in the chin.
Mok Gyeong-un then said to him,
"You're definitely fast. Even faster than when you were alive."
"What?"
Go Chan frowned at those words.
Upon reflection, he realized that this movement was not his own.
He had followed the lead of the body.
The body of Ha Chae-rin, who had reached the Peak of the Transcendent Realm, possessed a level of intuition that was incomparably more acute than Go Chan, who had merely been second-rate.
'Ah!'
Seeing his realization, Cheong-ryeong chuckled and spoke.
-Why are you so surprised? It's only natural since you've possessed a strong body.
"Is- is that so?"
-Still, it's best if you adapt to it. Newbie, given your low level, it will take more time for you to fully utilize that body.
Even among vengeful spirits, there exist different ranks.
Cheong-ryeong, who had ascended to the realm of the Two Demons and Two Spirits[1], could draw out power surpassing the original body when possessing someone.
However, Go Chan, who was merely at the lowest Red Spirit level, was incapable of such feats.
Nonetheless, possessing the body of a supreme master at the Peak of the Transcendent Realm meant he had become incomparably stronger than his original self.
'Peak.....'
Go Chan felt a strange sensation.
When he had been alive and cultivating martial arts, his goal had been to reach the first-rate level.
However, despite his ardent desire, his talent was lacking, and he ultimately failed to cross that threshold.
Now, he found himself in possession of a body that had reached the Peak of the Transcendent Realm.
Realizing this, his feelings took a distinct turn.
-You seem to be pleased now, I see.
At Cheong-ryeong's remark, Go Chan regained his senses and waved his hands in denial.
Although he was captivated by the prospect of being at the peak, the fact that it was a woman's body and not a man's continued to torment him.
-Being a newbie, your thinking is still mundane.
Cheong-ryeong clicked her tongue.
Once one accepts the reality of their own death and the concept of being a spirit, the physical body becomes nothing more than a shell.
Of course, there is a difference between a shell one likes and one that one doesn't, but still.
She found it incomprehensible that he would show such aversion simply because it was a woman's body.
-Tsk tsk. You should be satisfied that you've obtained a young and beautiful body.
"I- I am a man. Even if being young is good, a woman's body is simply..."
-If you dare to indulge in self-gratification while secretly admiring yourself in the mirror when no one's looking, I will kill you.
"No. Why would I do such a thing?"
He had no such inclinations.
If he had to possess a body, he would have preferred a male one.
Mok Gyeong-un then said to him,
"For now, please adapt to that body. When an opportunity arises later, I will arrange for you to transfer to another one."
He wanted to demand an immediate change, but recognizing the situation, Go Chan could say no more.
He could only nod his head in dejection.
It seemed he had no choice but to live as Ha Chae-rin for the time being.
But would this fellow really allow him to switch bodies so easily?
He felt a strange unease.
At that moment…
-Thump thump thump!
The sound of someone running down the corridor could be heard.
Then, someone knocked on the door.
-Knock knock!
"Who is it?"
-Young Master! It's Bokhyeon from the Inner Hall.
"Come in."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the door opened, and a man dressed in the attire of the Inner Hall entered.
The man named Bokhyeon slightly bowed his head in a simple greeting, then spoke in a voice filled with delight.
"Young Master. Rejoice."
"What?"
Why was he suddenly being told to rejoice?
As he wondered, the Inner Hall guard Bokhyeon said,
"The Manor Master has awakened!"
'!?'
Those words brought a glint to the eyes of both Mok Gyeong-un and Go Chan, who was possessing Ha Chae-rin's body.
At the time, the Manor Master had not been possessed but was on the verge of death due to the demonic master's kill (殺).
Although Mok Gyeong-un had left the body, the Manor Master had been significantly weakened, yet somehow, he seemed to have survived.
'Hmm.'
This was an unexpected development.
Mok Gyeong-un had been contemplating leaving this place once he had become somewhat familiar with the basic techniques before the Manor Master succumbed to his injuries.
Staying longer would only lead to unpleasant entanglements with the Madam or the Second Young Master.
But now, the Manor Master had awakened.
Does that mean he had fully recovered?
"Young Master?"
At the call of the Inner Hall guard Bokhyeon, Mok Gyeong-un changed his expression and placed his hand on his chest, speaking in a tone of relief.
"Ah, what a relief. To hear that Father has awakened."
Seeing his act, Go Chan inwardly clicked his tongue.
Of course, the Inner Hall guard Bokhyeon, unaware of Mok Gyeong-un's true nature, harbored no suspicions.
"It's a blessing for the Yeon Mok Sword Manor Clan."
"Indeed. Thank you for coming to inform me."
"Ah! That's not the only reason."
"What?"
"The Manor Master is looking for you, Young Master."
"For me?"
"Yes. He said to bring you immediately."
Mok Gyeong-un slightly tilted his head at those words.
The Manor Master had summoned him as soon as he woke up?
Why?
-Could it be because of that hidden place beneath the Medicinal Hall?
'Ah....'
At Cheong-ryeong's words, Mok Gyeong-un inwardly acknowledged the possibility.
Perhaps the Manor Master had already checked the place where the secret manuals were hidden after waking up.
If that were the case, Mok Gyeong-un would naturally be the object of suspicion.
-What will you do?
In response to that question, Mok Gyeong-un lightly shrugged his shoulders.
Currently, the Inner Hall guard had personally come to escort him, so he had no choice but to go.
Judging solely from the delighted reaction of the Inner Hall guard, it was still uncertain whether the Manor Master had summoned him for the reason Cheong-ryeong had speculated.
"I understand. I will head to the Main Hall shortly."
"No. He said to bring you immediately."
"Immediately?"
'Maybe not?'
Hearing it put this way, it became difficult to ascertain once again.
Regardless, it seemed the encounter with the Manor Master could not be delayed.
"Understood. Then, let us go."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Go Chan, who was possessing Ha Chae-rin's body, habitually prepared to follow.
However, Mok Gyeong-un shook his head and said,
"Guard Go... Chae-rin, don't you have some cleaning to do in the storage room?"
'....Go Chae-rin, he said.'
The names were mixed up.
Feeling somewhat cringed, Go Chan frowned.
Suddenly, he recalled what had happened in the storage room.
'!!!!!'
It was the place where he had lost his life.
Had they not disposed of his corpse yet?
"I'll be back soon. In the meantime, please take care of the cleaning."
"..... Understood."
As Go Chan responded, Mok Gyeong-un left the room, following the Inner Hall guard Bokhyeon.
Cheong-ryeong naturally accompanied Mok Gyeong-un.
After their departure, Go Chan felt a sense of unease.
He now found himself in a situation where he had to handle the disposal of his own corpse.
'shit.'
Go Chan shook his head in disbelief.
Nevertheless, he soon rose from his seat to head to the storage room.
'Mmm.'
For a moment, Go Chan blushed as he looked down at his chest.
The unfamiliar weight and sensation he had never experienced as a man left him feeling strange. Goosebumps rose involuntarily.
He gazed into the mirror but couldn't adapt.
Ha Chae-rin's alluring face and fluttering clothes remained unchanged, and she was undeniably beautiful.
Perhaps because she had grown so splendidly, 'It's more bothersome than I thought.'
His chest felt somewhat heavy.
Go Chan furtively glanced around to ensure no one was nearby, then, driven by curiosity, unknowingly brought both hands gently to his chest.
-Swish!
At that instant, Cheong-ryeong's face abruptly appeared, penetrating through the door screen.
"...…"
Go Chan instantly froze like ice.
-Tsk tsk.
Seeing this, Cheong-ryeong clicked her tongue as if finding it pathetic, then promptly withdrew her face.
-Swish!
He hastily opened the door and looked outside, but she had long vanished.
Go Chan felt the urge to dig a grave and bury himself right then and there.
'Hmm.'
A glint of interest flashed in Mok Gyeong-un's eyes as he headed towards the Main Hall.
It was because he wasn't the only one heading there. On a forked path, Mok Yu-cheon, whose complexion had turned somewhat dark red compared to four days ago, was walking under the guidance of another Inner Hall guard.
'Could it be unrelated to the Medicinal Hall incident?'
Should he consider it fortunate?
As he pondered, Mok Yu-cheon, who had spotted Mok Gyeong-un, approached with quick strides as if he had something to say.
Chapter 43:Manor Master(2)
Mok Yu-cheon approached with quick strides, as if he had something to say.
However, upon reaching Mok Gyeong-un, he seemed unable to speak his mind directly, perhaps due to the presence of the two Inner Hall guards who had come to escort them.
In response, Mok Gyeong-un smiled and spoke first.
"It's been four days."
"Don't make idle talk. You..."
"You?"
Mok Yu-cheon stammered, unable to complete his sentence.
What could be the reason for his behavior?
As Mok Gyeong-un wondered, Mok Yu-cheon gestured with his head, indicating that they should head to the Main Hall for now.
Thus, they walked towards the Main Hall.
When the Inner Hall guards took the lead, walking ahead with a sense of discretion, Mok Yu-cheon spoke in a quiet voice.
"You.... Have you tried that thing?"
"That thing?"
"Keep your voice down."
Mok Yu-cheon admonished softly.
Mok Gyeong-un chuckled and replied in a low voice.
"What are you talking about?"
"Are you really asking because you don't know?"
"Ah! Perhaps the Ignited Wood..."
"Shh."
Mok Yu-cheon cut off Mok Gyeong-un's words.
Glancing at the Inner Hall guards walking ahead of them, Mok Yu-cheon whispered even more quietly.
"Don't mention it directly. Just answer my question."
What Mok Yu-cheon was inquiring about was none other than the Manor Master's exclusive secret manual, the Ignited Wood Heart Transformation Method.
In fact, upon noticing that Mok Yu-cheon's complexion had turned significantly darker compared to four days ago, Mok Gyeong-un immediately understood what he was referring to.
However, he feigned ignorance.
-It's impressive that you haven't succumbed to delusion yet. Hoo.
Cheong-ryeong, who was beside them, remarked while puffing on her pipe.
She, too, was aware that Mok Yu-cheon had learned the wrong cultivation method.
Since Mok Gyeong-un had not provided the complete method and had arbitrarily changed some characters in the oral formula, side effects were inevitable.
"Is there a problem?"
Although it was intentional, Mok Gyeong-un spoke as if he knew nothing.
Mok Yu-cheon's brow furrowed fiercely.
"You're saying that even after looking at my face..."
His voice rose, but as he glanced ahead, Mok Yu-cheon cut off his words.
He seemed to be suppressing his anger.
After managing to compose himself, Mok Yu-cheon spoke quietly.
"Did you try it or not? Just tell me that."
In response to that question, Mok Gyeong-un answered nonchalantly.
"If it were you, wouldn't you have tried it?"
At those words, Mok Yu-cheon narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Mok Gyeong-un.
'.... Right. There's no way you wouldn't have tried it.'
Even if he had claimed not to covet the position of Manor Master, it was a secret manual of the Supreme Martial Arts.
Any martial artist would have been curious.
'But why are you unaffected?'
For the past four days, Mok Yu-cheon had practiced the breathing technique of the Ignited Wood Heart Transformation Method with overflowing enthusiasm.
However, the more he practiced, the more he felt the internal energy within his body transforming and becoming strangely different.
On the first day, he had dismissed it as a possible effect of the Supreme Martial Arts cultivation method, but after four days, his skin had turned dark red, and something felt amiss.
'.... Did he deceive me?'
Due to the changes occurring in his body, his suspicions wouldn't easily subside.
It was difficult to confront Mok Gyeong-un, as he had readily recited the oral formula nine times upon request, making it ambiguous to accuse him of providing a fake one.
'If that fellow taught me the genuine method, then it means I'm the problem.'
That, in itself, was hard for him to accept.
Even he, who had reached the Peak of the Transcendent Realm, was struggling to master the cultivation method, yet this fellow showed no signs of the same side effects as him.
If that were the case, it would imply that he might have misunderstood or incorrectly practiced the oral formula of the cultivation method.
-Clench!
Mok Yu-cheon's fist tightened.
No, that couldn't be.
How could this fellow, who was merely third-rate due to his lacking talent, surpass him, the one hailed as a genius, in his understanding of the Supreme Martial Arts?
He didn't know what the problem was, but he was determined to overcome it.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un said to Mok Yu-cheon,
"I'm not sure what the issue is, but now that the Manor Master has awakened, won't the situation change?"
This time, the corners of Mok Yu-cheon's mouth curled up slightly.
Indeed, the Manor Master's awakening was a stroke of fortune for him.
He had begun learning the Manor Master's exclusive martial arts through a deal, but many of the clan's vassals still viewed him, the son of a concubine, with distrust.
Thus, he had felt a great sense of unease.
However, now that the Manor Master, who cherished him, had awakened, the succession structure had once again turned in his favor.
'The heavens are on my side.'
Perhaps the Manor Master summoning his children immediately after waking up was related to this matter as well.
To clearly designate his successor.
Seeing Mok Yu-cheon's expectant demeanor, Mok Gyeong-un chuckled and turned his gaze away, as if disinterested.
-Hoho.
At that moment, Cheong-ryeong looked somewhere with intrigue.
Mok Gyeong-un glanced at her questioningly.
She then spoke.
-It seems they have entered.
'Entered?'
-They have quite the guts. To set foot inside my Ghostly Domain without fear, even after seeing it.
'Ah.'
At her words, Mok Gyeong-un nodded in understanding.
It seemed that what he had been waiting for had arrived.
Mok Gyeong-un had anticipated that diviner Sak's associates would undoubtedly come before long.
-I shall greet them first.
-Swish!
With those words, Cheong-ryeong, whose red eyes gleamed, vanished beyond the wall beside the path.
***
In front of the Main Hall.
Another bloodline of the Mok family had already arrived.
It was Mok Yeong-ho, the eldest young master.
Although he had circulated his internal energy to alleviate his hangover to some extent, he still reeked of alcohol, causing Lady Seok's expression to sour.
His debauchery was nothing new, so despite her frustration, she had grown somewhat accustomed to it.
However, today was different.
'Why now, of all times?'
She was already plagued with worries due to the variable named Mok Gyeong-un.
But this variable could be resolved by either eliminating Mok Gyeong-un or seizing the Manor Master's exclusive secret manual from him, so she was contemplating alternative solutions.
Yet, the Manor Master, whom she had assumed would surely breathe his last, had awakened.
Rather than joy at her husband's awakening, she was gripped by unease.
'..... Could it be?'
Why had he summoned his children first thing after waking up?
No matter how much she pondered, only one thought crossed her mind.
'Successor.'
Perhaps the Manor Master, having barely regained consciousness after a long coma, intended to designate his successor in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances.
If her speculation were correct, it would be disastrous.
It was a well-known fact that the Manor Master had favored the youngest, Mok Yu-cheon.
If Yeong-ho were to enter in such a state at this juncture…
-Grit!
Even though he was her own child, at times like this, he was truly a nuisance.
Just two years ago, he had been sensible enough to be called clever, if not a genius, but at some point, he had become immersed in wine and women.
All of this was because of that Mok Yu-cheon.
However, now was not the time to loathe or resent him.
"Yeong-ho."
"Yes, Mother."
"Refrain from making unnecessary remarks in front of the Manor Master. This mother will handle everything, so you just stay quiet."
Opening his mouth while reeking of alcohol would do no good.
Although this meeting was only for the children, she believed they wouldn't prevent her, as the wife, from entering.
If the Manor Master intended to confirm the succession immediately, she had to find a way to stop it.
As she pondered, she noticed Lady Jang and the second son of the Mok family, Mok Eun-pyeong, approaching from the entrance of the left pavilion.
'Hmph.'
They were also detestable.
Lady Jang, who hailed from the Huinan family, acted subserviently in front of her, addressing her as "sister-in-law," but behind her back, she resorted to all sorts of schemes to elevate her own son to the position of Manor Master, such as winning over the clan's vassals.
'Despicable creature.'
That Mok Eun-pyeong was no different.
Like mother, like son, he was a thief coveting the position of the eldest son, Mok Yeong-ho.
Although she wasn't certain what the Manor Master would say today, their desires would not come to fruition.
She would make sure of it.
As she ruminated, the last of the Mok family's young masters arrived at the entrance of the southern pavilion.
It was the third son, Mok Gyeong-un, and the youngest, Mok Yu-cheon.
Seeing this, the Inner Manor Master, Jang Myeong-in, ascended the wooden floor and announced through the door screen,
"All the young masters have gathered."
***
The four half-brothers of the Mok family stood side by side.
From left to right, there was the eldest young master Mok Yeong-ho, the second son Mok Eun-pyeong, the third son Mok Gyeong-un, and the youngest Mok Yu-cheon.
Only these four had entered the Manor Master's room.
Lady Seok, the first wife, and Lady Jang, the second wife, had insisted on entering as well, but they were unable to do so due to the Manor Master's adamance.
They were waiting outside, fidgeting anxiously.
'Hmm?'
Mok Gyeong-un was inwardly perplexed.
The reason was the reactions of the Mok family brothers.
He had expected them to show joy and warmth, welcoming the Manor Master who had narrowly escaped death's doorstep, as he was their father. However, surprisingly, they appeared utterly tense.
Even Mok Yu-cheon, who was said to be so cherished, was no exception.
As a result, the atmosphere was quite heavy.
'.... So that's why.'
Now he understood.
He realized why they had been so concerned about the Manor Master's life and death while he was bedridden.
It turned out they were gauging the Manor Master's mood.
How strict must he be for them to display such nervousness?
Mok Gyeong-un surreptitiously glanced at the face of the Manor Master, who was half-sitting on the bed.
Despite being unconscious for a long time due to the killing (sal) curse (殺), his eyes were so sharp that they felt alive.
'Wasn't it said that he's the strongest in the Yeon Mok Sword Manor?'
That was indeed written in the information note left by the real Mok Gyeong-un.
Manor Master Mok In-dan.
He was said to be the strongest swordsman in the Yeon Mok Sword Manor and one of the top ten swordsmen in the entire Anhui Province.
Out of curiosity, he had asked the deceased Guard Gam about this.
[What level does being in the top ten of a province equate to?]
[Do you think it's an easy feat to become one of the top ten swordsmen in an entire province, you fool?]
The Guard Gam had said that Manor Master Mok In-dan was a martial artist who had reached the Peak of the Transcendent Realm.
At the time, he hadn't fully grasped the magnificence of that level.
However, after experiencing the strength of the youngest Mok Yu-cheon, who had reached the early stage of the Transcendent Realm, he could now somewhat fathom how powerful a master of that caliber would be.
But that also raised a question.
'How did he fall victim to the killing curse?'
A supreme master at the Peak of the Transcendent Realm is said to manipulate energy as naturally as breathing.
It was incomprehensible how someone so formidable had succumbed to the kill, a type of curse.
As he was studying magical techniques, it puzzled him even more.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un's eyes met those of Manor Master Mok In-dan.
Unlike the other brothers, Mok Gyeong-un did not avert his gaze.
He saw no reason to do so, no matter how strict the father-son relationship was.
"...…"
This behavior caught the attention of Manor Master Mok In-dan.
The reason was simple.
This child, who had never properly made eye contact with him since his mother's passing, did not avoid his gaze.
However, his bewilderment ended there.
Mok In-dan spoke.
"Do you know why I summoned you all?"
"...…."
Everyone remained silent in response to this question.
Of course, they all had one thing in mind.
'Successor.'
However, they couldn't openly voice it.
They had to avoid appearing presumptuous here.
But someone broke the silence and spoke up.
"Could it be that you summoned us all immediately after waking from your long illness to discuss the matter of your successor?"
Everyone looked at the speaker with slightly startled eyes.
It was Mok Gyeong-un.
'You?'
'He's being straightforward?'
After glancing at Mok Gyeong-un, they cautiously gauged Manor Master Mok In-dan's reaction.
They wanted to check if his mood had turned unpleasant.
Surprisingly, Manor Master Mok In-dan showed no sign of discomfort.
Rather,
"Yes. It is to designate my successor."
He readily admitted it.
At this, everyone's expressions grew tense.
Until he had awakened from his sickbed, the Manor Master had never personally mentioned the matter of his successor.
Yet, he was bringing it up for the first time.
'Is he going to decide right here and now?'
'Could it be that he gathered us all to pass the successor position to that Mok Yu-cheon?'
'Is Father giving me a chance?'
Each of them became lost in thought.
Of course, Mok Gyeong-un had no attachment to the Manor Master's position, so he planned to simply go along with the atmosphere.
Perhaps because of this, he appeared the most relaxed among them.
However, this demeanor came as a surprise to the Manor Master.
'Does he have no expectations? Or has he changed?'
The reaction, which was quite different from the other children, piqued his interest.
Coincidentally, the Manor Master had already heard about recent events from the Inner Manor Master.
[That child, Mok Gyeong-un, saved me?]
[Yes. Initially, even this subordinate found it hard to believe, but the Third Young Master prevented the Fang Assassin who was possessed by an evil spirit and tried to harm the Lord.]
It was quite unexpected.
He would have believed it if it had been the youngest, Mok Yu-cheon.
But of all people, it was this child, whom he had considered the most timid and lacking in talent, with no prospects, who had saved him.
[But that is merely the Third Young Master's opinion, and the exact truth...]
[That's enough. That much is sufficient.]
[Pardon?]
[Summon all the children.]
[You mean the young masters?]
[That's right.]
The Manor Master had gathered all the young masters less than half a shichen after waking up.
For the first time, he thought that the time given to him might not be long.
Lying on his sickbed for an extended period, he had expended a significant amount of his true energy, and this incident had nearly caused him to close his eyes forever.
If that had happened, the Yeon Mok Sword Manor would have been plunged into chaos and war among his children.
Even without experiencing it, that future was clear to him.
Thus, he made a decision.
"I will determine who is qualified to be my successor through a test."
'!!!!!'
As he spoke those words, the Manor Master subtly glanced at Mok Gyeong-un.
'I shall grant even you a modicum of opportunity.'
Chapter 44:Manor Master(3)
A man in navy blue martial arts robes, with two talismans of the Six Armors Total Symbol[1] on his forehead, chest, and abdomen, and one talisman of the Thunder supreme-ruler's Seal Symbol (雷公印符), continuously chanted spells with a tense expression.
"公公...….公...公...….公...…..公!"
The spell he was reciting was a type of concealment technique called the Western Mantra.
The man in navy blue robes, his face drenched in cold sweat, incessantly scanned his surroundings, maintaining vigilance.
While chanting the spell, no one could detect his presence.
The drawback was that he couldn't move and had to continuously recite the spell without rest.
'shit.'
He was filled with regret.
He had thought that with his experience surpassing even Sak, and his ability to control the high-grade monster-level Two Demons and Two Spirits, he could thoroughly uncover the truth as long as he was cautious.
However, that had been his miscalculation.
'How could this happen...'
It wasn't at the Green ghost level.
There was absolutely no way that could be the case.
If it were a Green ghost, he could have somehow confronted it by combining his magical techniques with the power of his spirit servant, Go-jo.
Yet, in an instant, it had unraveled the binding technique he had cast and inflicted wounds upon him.
The man's back was soaked in blood.
'Go-jo.....'
The spirit servant, Go-jo, had lured that entity.
It was to buy time for him.
However, a problem had arisen.
Thanks to the admirable spirit servant, he thought he could escape this situation, but he couldn't understand what was happening.
-Rustle rustle!
Who were these masked individuals?
Thanks to the concealment technique, he could avoid their gazes, but they didn't seem to be the warriors of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor.
If they were, there would be no reason for them to enter wearing masks in the middle of the night.
"The dull and hidden form, leading the spirits and acting alone, moving swiftly without hindrance. The noble horse possesses majestic power, the heavenly soldiers march forward...."
It was a difficult situation.
Due to the blood loss from his back, his strength was gradually waning.
For some unknown reason, these masked individuals were thoroughly searching every corner of the surroundings, looking for something.
He had to endure until they disappeared, but it was extremely challenging.
'I must endure. Somehow.'
At that moment.
'What's that?'
A figure, distinctly different from the masked individuals searching the surroundings, revealed himself.
It was a man wearing an eye patch and holding a walking stick.
The moment he saw him, the man instinctively knew.
'A diviner?'
The extraordinary aura emanating from him.
This was one of the characteristics that manifested in those who had cultivated magical techniques for a long time.
Even if that weren't the case, the hand seal he had formed with his left hand alone was a fundamental of magical techniques.
'The Art of Pursuit?'
It was a spell used when one wanted to find a desired target.
The man furrowed his brow.
Seeing how the masked individuals naturally carried on with their task in the presence of the diviner, it was evident that they were all part of the same group.
However, there was a crucial rule among diviners.
They cultivated the principles of the Dao and practiced magical techniques, so they refrained from directly colluding with or joining any worldly organizations.
Until just ten years ago, this rule had been strictly adhered to.
However, it was broken by someone and a group of diviners.
'Could it be?'
These masked individuals...
-Swish!
'Gasp.'
The man's breathing grew ragged.
It was because the man with the eye patch was standing right in front of him.
He was using a concealment technique, so it should have been impossible to detect him, but he couldn't understand what was happening.
As he was perplexed, the diviner with the eye patch spoke.
"If you wanted to use a concealment technique, you should have completely erased your traces."
'Traces? Ah!'
The man finally realized.
The blood flowing from his back was dripping onto the ground.
At that moment, the man with the eye patch chanted a spell and forcefully struck the ground with his walking stick.
"The spiritual eyes perceive, each possessing clear understanding. Hurry, hurry, in accordance with the law and order! Release (解)!"
-Thud!
-Whoosh!
Instantly, the space around the walking stick distorted, and along with it, the man's figure, which had been completely hidden from sight, was revealed.
Startled, the man leaped backward, attempting to cast another magical technique.
However,
-Clap! Clap! Clap!
Lín (臨)! Bīng (兵)! Jiē (皆)! Zhèn (陳)!
As the hand seals of the Nine Character Activating Method were formed, the man's feet stuck to the ground.
At the same time, his body went limp, and strength drained from him.
The man's eyes widened.
'To perform a technique of this level with just hand seals?'
Magical techniques are completed through various combinations.
Mantra (呪), Talisman (符), Word (言), Seal (印), Instrument (器).
These five elements harmonize exquisitely to form a technique (術).
Diviners with low proficiency need to utilize all four methods to achieve a technique, but those with higher levels of mastery can reduce them.
'At least level-Moon[2] or above.'
Diviners receive six levels of titles based on their proficiency.
From top to bottom, they are Divine (神), Sun (日), Moon (月), Technique (技), Profound (杳), and Conveying (輸).
The man was certain.
This man with the eye patch was a diviner with an extraordinary level of mastery in magical techniques, at least at the Fang Yue level or above.
The man spoke with extreme tension.
"I am Mo Go, the Diviner Assassin of the Ghostly Spirit Pavilion. You are..."
-Grip!
"Urgh!"
Before he could finish his sentence, the man with the eye patch grasped the mouth of the Ghostly Spirit Pavilion's Diviner Assassin, who had identified himself as Mo Go, with one hand.
Then, curling the corners of his mouth in a sinister manner, he spoke.
"How dare you interfere with the actions of our Primal Killing Pavilion? You must have been prepared to die."
'Primal….. Primal Killing Pavilion?'
Unfortunately, his ominous assumption had been correct.
A group of diviners who, despite being members of the Sixty-Four Diviner Sects, had joined a massive martial arts organization.
That was none other than the Primal Killing Pavilion[3].
***
Meanwhile, at the same time.
-Clang clang clang!
The sound of clashing weapons filled the area in front of the Main Hall.
-Thud!
"Wh- What is this?"
The Mok family brothers, led by Manor Master Mok In-dan, emerged from the room, unable to hide their bewilderment.
The interior of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor, which had been peaceful just moments ago, had turned into a battlefield.
The warriors of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor and the unidentified masked individuals were entangled in combat, and it was difficult to fathom how this situation had unfolded.
"Madam. What in the world is going on?"
The Manor Master asked Lady Seok, the first wife, who was standing helplessly in front of the Main Hall.
The vassals and the Inner Manor Master, Jang Myeong-in, were engaged in battle with the masked individuals, so the only ones he could ask were her and the second wife, Lady Jang.
In response, Lady Seok spoke with a perplexed expression.
"I- I don't know. It hasn't been long since the outer courtyard guards suddenly shouted about an enemy attack, and in an instant, the masked individuals rushed in, resulting in this situation."
"Sister-in-law is right. It happened so abruptly that we, too, are at a loss."
At the wives' words, the Manor Master's expression darkened.
Even if it was a surprise attack in the middle of the night, for them to possess the strength to swiftly break through the defensive line of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor's outer courtyard and push their way in, they were no ordinary individuals.
-Shing!
Manor Master Mok In-dan drew his sword with his unfamiliar left hand.
Although he didn't know who these people were, it was too much for the vassals and warriors to handle alone.
The Manor Master unleashed a powerful roar, raising his sword energy
"Who dares to invade the Great Yeon Mok Sword Manor? You must be prepared to forfeit your lives!"
"Waaaaaaah!!!"
At the sight of the Manor Master, the warriors confronting the masked individuals let out a cheer.
With their lord, who had been bedridden for a long time, making an appearance, their morale couldn't help but soar.
"Let's go! Let's protect the Yeon Mok Sword Manor!"
-Swoosh!
As Manor Master Mok In-dan took the lead and leaped forward, the Mok family brothers and the two wives from martial arts backgrounds were also inspired and followed behind him, shouting.
"Protect the Yeon Mok Sword Manor!"
Of course, not everyone participated.
Mok Gyeong-un was the only one who didn't join the battlefield.
He naturally pretended to follow along, then slipped to the side and moved to a place with few watchful eyes.
'It's about time to leave.'
There was no need for him to defend this place.
He didn't care whether they fought the masked individuals and died or not.
Only one thing bothered him.
'The scar.'
The scar on the side of Manor Master Mok In-dan's body.
It resembled that mark.
He wanted to ask how he had acquired it, but coincidentally, an incident had occurred.
'Should I help?'
He was in a dilemma.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un felt a strange sense of fulfillment.
'This is….. Ah!'
It was none other than the energy of death.
Mok Gyeong-un closed his eyes, exhaled deeply, and savored the rapidly increasing energy of death.
'Excellent.'
It seemed that a considerable number of people had died in a short period.
Otherwise, there was no way the energy of death would be overflowing from all directions like this.
Thus, he couldn't possibly ignore it.
'I want to absorb it.'
Opportunities like this were extremely rare.
However, masked individuals were popping out from various places, so if he let his guard down even for a moment, it could be dangerous.
-Swish!
At that moment, someone appeared beside him.
It was a beautiful woman with an alluring appearance, the Protector Go Chan who had taken over Ha Chae-rin's body.
"Young Master. Are you alright?"
He had hurriedly searched for Mok Gyeong-un due to the sudden attack.
Finding him wasn't too difficult since their fates were connected.
In response, Mok Gyeong-un chuckled and said,
"This is perfect. Can you guard me for a moment?"
"Pardon?"
"Then, I'll leave it to you."
With those words, Mok Gyeong-un sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.
He then began absorbing the energy of death, which was continuously flowing from the surroundings, through the Reverse Breathing Technique.
'No. What is he doing?'
At this sight, Go Chan was momentarily dumbfounded.
Even if he had no attachment to this Yeon Mok Sword Manor, was he out of his mind, or was he truly this audacious?
To think of circulating energy in a place that was no different from a battlefield.
However, Go Chan had a sense of why Mok Gyeong-un was doing this.
'He's absorbing not energy but this?'
Although he had possessed Ha Chae-rin's body, Go Chan was a vengeful spirit.
Therefore, he possessed the Eyes of the Spirit and could see the energy of the deceased rapidly being absorbed by Mok Gyeong-un from all directions.
In the Eyes of the Spirit, the yang energy or life force of living humans appeared clear and warm.
However, Mok Gyeong-un's appearance as he absorbed the energy of death was nearly the opposite.
'Is he really human?'
To think he would discover this fellow's true nature only after dying.
For some reason, he became even more frightening.
At that moment.
-Swish!
'Huh?'
Suddenly, a hulking monk wearing a skull prayer bead necklace appeared from somewhere.
It was the Demonic Monk who had possessed the body of the Outer Manor Master.
But why had the Demonic Monk reappeared in the form of a vengeful spirit?
'Oh my.'
Momentarily startled by the sudden appearance, Go Chan recalled that Mok Gyeong-un had mentioned having another spirit servant besides Cheong-ryeong.
'I clearly heard that he had possessed the Outer Manor Master's body.'
Go Chan asked in bewilderment,
"Co- Could it be that you are senior Demonic Monk?"
-...…
The Demonic Monk nodded and said something.
It sounded a bit mumbled, but Go Chan understood what he was saying.
"You lost your body to a powerful opponent?"
Losing one's body meant that the possessed body had been defeated?
As far as Go Chan knew, the Outer Manor Master Sang Ung-baek was a supreme master at the early stage of the Transcendent Realm.
But if he had lost his body, just how powerful was the opponent...
-Crunch!
"Ugh!"
At that moment, along with the sound of something being crushed, a death cry rang out, and a large man with a thick sword of the Taoist sect slung over his shoulder and a body covered in scars jumped over the pavilion.
He exuded an ominous aura, and the Demonic Monk frowned and pointed at him with his finger.
-...…
"What? That man?"
Was he saying that man had killed the Demonic Monk's possessed body?
As they were conversing, the eyes of the scarred man and Go Chan met.
At that moment,
-Flinch!
'Wh- What?'
The keen senses of Ha Chae-rin, who had reached the Peak of the Transcendent Realm, were strongly warning him.
They were telling him that the man before his eyes was an extraordinary master.
If Ha Chae-rin's body was instinctively on extreme alert to this extent, just how high was his level of mastery?
It was impossible to gauge.
Chapter 45:Attack(1)
-Whoosh!
The amount was incomparable to the energy generated by the death of a single person.
The death energy created by the deaths of dozens of people was not only vast in quantity but also deep in purity.
This was because it contained all the negative emotions at the very moment of death.
'Excellent.'
While circulating energy using the Reverse Breathing Technique, it was far more than when he had absorbed the energy of the malevolent spirit, Gu Yeo of the Two Demons and Two Spirits.
This was unexpected.
The risk he had taken was worthwhile.
At this rate, he seemed likely to achieve his goal faster than originally anticipated.
'Twice….. No, perhaps even three times.'
It was about expanding the diameter of his danjeon.
He was concentrating the high-purity energy flowing in through energy circulation, and if done well, it might be possible to triple it.
Of course, he had no idea what level of internal energy this corresponded to.
As Mok Gyeong-un focused on circulating energy, Go Chan, who was tasked with guarding him, was extremely tense.
'....It's reckless.'
If Ha Chae-rin's body, which had reached the Peak of the Transcendent Realm, was on such high alert, there was no chance of victory.
Where did such a monster appear from?
At that moment, the scarred man shifted his gaze from Go Chan to Mok Gyeong-un, who was immersed in energy circulation.
Then, with an intrigued expression, he spoke.
"Engaging in energy circulation amidst the chaos of an unknown enemy's appearance and the spilling of blood. What an interesting child."
He then began to approach with long strides.
It looked like he was merely walking, but he swiftly closed the distance from the pavilion in just a few steps.
'Gasp!'
Startled, Go Chan felt it was futile and called out to Mok Gyeong-un.
"Young Master?"
He wanted to shake him and tell him to come to his senses, but if he accidentally disrupted him during energy circulation, it could lead to Qi Deviation.
"Young Master?"
Go Chan called out to Mok Gyeong-un once more.
However, there was no response.
Instead, he seemed to be in a state of self-transcendence, accelerating his energy circulation even further.
-Whoosh!
All the surrounding death energy was visibly being absorbed at a tremendous speed, making it difficult to interrupt the process midway.
In the end, Go Chan concluded that his only option was to buy time.
Come to think of it, he was already dead.
He couldn't let Mok Gyeong-un come to harm out of concern for the possessed body getting injured.
-Whoosh!
Go Chan sent energy to his feet acupoint and stomped his foot.
At that moment, Ha Chae-rin's possessed body shot forward at an incredible speed.
It was incomparably faster than his original body.
-Tap tap tap tap!
In an instant, he circled the scarred man's vicinity twice.
"Hoho. Quite fast indeed."
The scarred man muttered.
However, it didn't sound like praise at all, and he wasn't even assuming a defensive stance.
Go Chan bit his lower lip.
'He's looking down on me, isn't he? Flying Kill Martial Arts, 3rd Stance, Engraving Silent Performance!'
A martial arts technique naturally came to mind.
The unique martial art that Flying Killing Yama's Guest took pride in, the Flying Kill Martial Arts 3rd Stance, Engraving Silent Performance[1], instinctively unfolded from his body.
-Swoosh swoosh swoosh swoosh!
Go Chan somersaulted in the air and unleashed his leg techniques towards the scarred man.
Six windmill-like kicks accurately targeted the vital points along the center line.
He thought the man would dodge or block them in some way, but…
-Shudder!
Suddenly, startled by the sharp killing intent, Go Chan twisted his body to the side.
-Swish!
Severed strands of hair scattered in all directions.
'When?'
If he had been a moment later, that huge Taoist sword would have sliced his body in half.
As he twisted his body, Go Chan threw three Lustrous Jade Flying Needles, which he had drawn from his bracelet, towards the face of the scarred man.
-Swish swish swish!
-Clang clang clang!
However, the man easily deflected them with his Taoist sword.
Moreover, as if that wasn't enough…
-Thud!
"Ugh!"
With an invisible angle, he accurately struck Go Chan's abdomen with his left fist.
Go Chan let out a dying scream as he was sent flying backward, tumbling several times.
-Thud thud thud!
"Cough!"
Blood flowed from his mouth as he coughed.
The difference in skills was evident after just a single exchange.
However, Go Chan's eyes gleamed with surprise.
It wasn't because the scarred man was incredibly strong, but because the pain from that strike wasn't agonizing.
'What is this?'
Strangely, his stomach churned, and he felt nauseous.
Yet, the sensation of pain itself was still absent.
Because of this, Go Chan could recognize that he was possessing someone else's body.
'It feels strange.'
But now wasn't the time to dwell on this peculiar feeling.
Go Chan trembled as he raised his body.
Even if the sensation of pain itself was absent, the fact that his body had suffered an impact remained unchanged.
Thus, his legs wouldn't properly support his weight.
"Woman. If you try to stop me one more time, you'll die."
The scarred man warned in a low voice.
Those words made Go Chan feel somewhat offended.
"Who are you calling a woman..."
"Stop right there!"
-Swish swish swish!
At that moment, someone shouted and leaped forward.
He then blocked Go Chan's path and aimed his sword at the scarred man.
It was none other than Mok Yu-cheon.
"Young Master Mok?"
"Miss, are you alright?"
'Huh?'
At those words, Go Chan's expression turned blank.
Goosebumps were about to rise all over his body.
Glancing at the dumbfounded Go Chan, Mok Yu-cheon spoke with a forceful tone.
"Ahem. Miss, please step back as it's dangerous. I will handle this man."
"...…"
As a man, he could tell.
Mok Yu-cheon was putting on quite a show.
Because of that, Go Chan couldn't bear the cringe.
Regardless, Mok Yu-cheon politely bowed to the scarred man, perhaps to make a good impression, and said,
"I am Mok Yu-cheon, the fourth son of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor. May I ask for what reason you have entered our clan and caused this commotion?"
At Mok Yu-cheon's words, the scarred man chuckled.
Then, he looked Mok Yu-cheon up and down and spoke.
"Interesting. To think I would encounter two promising individuals in a place like this."
"What do you mean?"
"Young lad. You have no right to question me."
With those words, the scarred man exuded a strong oppressive aura.
He merely revealed his killing intent, but Mok Yu-cheon's heart raced.
'Strong.'
As a supreme master at the early stage of the Transcendent Realm, Mok Yu-cheon could gauge how powerful the man before him was.
Perhaps he was a master on par with his father before he lost his arm.
It had been a long time since he felt such trembling.
The scarred man then asked him,
"Mok family. Where is your father?"
"Do not address my father so casually."
Mok Yu-cheon raised his voice, seemingly angered by the scarred man's words.
Seeing his reaction, the scarred man smirked and said,
"Don't shout. Trying to conceal your fear only makes you appear weaker."
"What?"
Unable to restrain himself, Mok Yu-cheon leaped forward, intending to unleash his sword technique.
"So naive."
To be provoked by such a trivial taunt.
-Swish!
In an instant, as if the ground had pulled him, the scarred man's figure reached Mok Yu-cheon's front.
'What speed…..'
It was imperceptible.
The startled Mok Yu-cheon tried to twist his body to the left and change the trajectory of his sword technique.
At that moment, the man's hand moved as flexibly as a snake, reaching towards Mok Yu-cheon's face.
"Huh?"
Mok Yu-cheon hastily raised his left arm.
The man's palm lightly touched his wrist.
The instant it made contact, a majestic energy penetrated, and Mok Yu-cheon's body was sent flying as if it were a feather.
-Bam!
"Ugh!"
The force was so strong that he flew more than five zhang before coming to a stop.
Mok Yu-cheon tumbled several times on the ground and spat out blood.
"Cough."
Even though he had tried to circulate his body's protective energy upon contact, the opponent's internal energy had penetrated his viscera.
It was a high-level emission technique called Penetrating Force[2].
It exhibited exceptionally effective power against martial artists weaker than oneself, and Mok Yu-cheon was such an existence to the scarred man.
'To not even be treated as an opponent…..'
The Taoist sword he held in his right hand remained slung over his shoulder.
The gap was too overwhelming.
However, he couldn't give up here.
This situation wasn't a friendly spar or training.
'A real battle.'
This man was an enemy who had invaded the Yeon Mok Sword Manor.
If he yielded here, it would be the end.
Mok Yu-cheon regulated his breathing and raised his body.
Then, Go Chan approached his side, assuming a bow stance, and said,
"Young Master. We need to attack together."
"Miss?"
'This bastard!'
For a moment, Go Chan felt the urge to tell him not to call him "Miss," but he let it go.
It was only natural since he was possessing a woman's body, and now wasn't the time to quibble over forms of address.
As the two of them prepared to launch a joint attack, the scarred man grinned sinisterly.
"What foolish actions."
With that, he attempted to take a step towards them.
It was at that very moment.
"Haa!"
With a resounding shout, someone appeared and brought down a single strike on the scarred man.
The scarred man, who hadn't fully unleashed his abilities when facing the two of them, grabbed his Taoist sword and swung upward.
-Clang!
The clash of sword and blade reverberated in all directions.
The energy of the two supreme masters was so strong that fierce winds swirled around them.
However, even between them, there was a disparity.
-Bam!
The one who had delivered the downward strike was eventually sent flying backward, pushed back by about five steps.
"Fa- Father!"
That person was none other than the Manor Master of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor, Mok In-dan.
-Drip drip!
Black blood trickled from the corner of Mok In-dan's mouth.
Having risen from his sickbed not long ago, he had expended a significant amount of true energy, and being unaccustomed to using his left hand, he couldn't even muster half of his prime strength.
"Father!"
As Mok Yu-cheon tried to approach, Mok In-dan extended his hand and shook his head.
"Stand back. He's not your opponent."
"But..."
"Ah!"
With those words, Mok In-dan's eyes glanced at Mok Gyeong-un, who was sitting cross-legged and circulating energy.
Why was that child doing that?
Was he injured?
He appeared to be fine on the outside.
After a moment of puzzlement, Manor Master Mok In-dan shifted his gaze to the approaching scarred man and spoke.
"Who are you to invade our clan?"
"Invade? Hahahaha!"
At this question, the scarred man burst into laughter and took something out from his bosom.
Seeing it, Mok In-dan's expression instantly hardened.
It was none other than a seal.
'A seal?'
Mok Yu-cheon's eyes narrowed.
No matter how he looked at it, it seemed to be a seal, but why was his father so startled?
As they pondered, the scarred man tossed the seal upward and caught it repeatedly, then spoke.
"You should know well what this is, Manor Master Mok."
"....How did you obtain that?"
"How, you ask? Hahahahaha! Manor Master Mok, you're quite the actor. To say such a thing after arbitrarily seizing 'that,' which is no less than our society's treasure."
'Seize?'
Mok Yu-cheon looked at Mok In-dan with an expression of incomprehension.
At that moment, a shocking revelation emerged from Mok In-dan's mouth.
".....Are you from the Heaven and Earth Society?"
In response to this question, the scarred man grinned.
It was a sign of affirmation.
'!!!!!!'
At this, not only Mok Yu-cheon but also Go Chan's eyes widened.
The reason for their astonishment was simple.
The Heaven and Earth Society.
It was one of the colossal forces that currently divided the martial arts world of the Central Plains into three factions.
Revering only the existence of the strong, they had once plunged the martial arts world into chaos, claiming to unify it.
At that time, countless wandering warriors had lost their lives.
Thus, the martial arts world still couldn't help but tremble in fear upon hearing the name of the Heaven and Earth Society.
'The- The Heaven and Earth Society?'
Go Chan was dumbfounded.
No wonder there weren't many forces that would dare to commit such a brazen act against the Yeon Mok Sword Manor, a renowned martial arts family in Anhui Province.
But if it was truly the Heaven and Earth Society, it was a grave situation.
No matter how much the Yeon Mok Sword Manor had gained fame as a martial arts family, if they were determined to attack, they would have to be prepared for the annihilation of their clan.
"Ah…"
A sigh escaped from Manor Master Mok In-dan's mouth.
To think it would be the Heaven and Earth Society.
Mok In-dan's gaze turned to his youngest son Mok Yu-cheon, Mok Gyeong-un who was circulating energy, and the warriors of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor fighting nearby.
'Is this my karma?'
Why had he been greedy back then?
If only he hadn't brought that thing, such a situation wouldn't have occurred.
Mok In-dan spoke with difficulty.
"....If we hand that over, will you withdraw from our clan?"
'Father?'
At those words, Mok Yu-cheon looked at Manor Master Mok In-dan with surprised eyes.
Although the Manor Master's words were meant to save everyone, they were almost equivalent to surrender.
His heart ached at the sight of his father's weakened appearance, which he had never witnessed before.
"I shouldn't have revealed the identity of our society. I was hoping for a bit more resistance."
The scarred man muttered as if he was disappointed.
Seeing his attitude, Mok Yu-cheon couldn't hide his inner fury.
Unless they looked down on them to an extreme degree, they wouldn't display such an attitude.
Manor Master Mok In-dan sent a glance and shook his head.
It meant not to act rashly.
'Even if you're angry, endure it, my son. The opponent is the Heaven and Earth Society.'
In any case, the situation was extremely unfavorable from the moment such a monster had arrived.
Apart from being weakened, even if his body were intact, Manor Master Mok In-dan had no confidence in handling the scarred man.
The scarred man rested his Taoist sword on his shoulder and asked,
"Where is it? That thing."
"Let's make a promise, man
"Make a promise, man to man, first," Mok In-dan demanded.
The scarred man replied, "Manor Master Mok, you're not lacking in capacity as a leader. Very well. I, Son Yun, the Bright Blade King, one of the Five Kings of the Great Heaven and Earth Society, shall make a promise. If you hand that over, I will refrain from causing further harm to the Yeon Mok Sword Manor and withdraw."
'....One of the Five Kings.' Mok In-dan was inwardly astounded. To think that Son Yun, the Bright Blade King, one of the eight executives leading the Heaven and Earth Society, had made a move. If that were the case, there was no doubt he had come with the intention of annihilating the clan if things went awry. At this realization, cold sweat trickled down Mok In-dan's back.
The scarred man, or rather, Son Yun, the Bright Blade King, one of the Five Kings of the Heaven and Earth Society, asked, "Where is it?"
In response to that question, Mok In-dan pointed somewhere and said, "Over there lies our clan's Medicinal Hall. Among the herb containers in the Medicinal Hall, if you open the drawer marked with 'Five Elements,' an underground entrance will be revealed."
"Hoho."
"Inside, there is a stone door engraved with the character 'jeong' (丁). The passage contains mechanical traps, so you must either break through twenty steps at once using lightness skills or traverse by grasping the ceiling."
"Well hidden indeed."
"In that place, there should be a wooden box with talismans attached to it."
"Did you hear that?" Son Yun, the Bright Blade King, asked one of the masked individuals beside him.
"Yes," the masked individual replied.
"Bring it."
"Understood!"
The masked individual promptly vanished in the direction of the Medicinal Hall.
'....He said it's hidden in a secret space inside the Medicinal Hall?' Go Chan furrowed his brow with a perplexed expression, surreptitiously glancing at Mok Gyeong-un, who was still absorbing the death energy. He had a feeling that things were becoming thoroughly entangled.