Chapter 86: Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion (2)
Spirit God Parasitic Poisoning Technique[1].
It was a technique referred to as a forbidden secret art.
More than 60% of the current magical techniques were derived from Taoism, and there once existed a Taoist sect that popularized and brought prosperity to these techniques.
That was none other than the Mosan Sect[2].
In Seo-ok, the Primal Killing Pavilion Master, was no exception. When he reached the age of Gapja, 60 years old[3], he discovered various secret techniques engraved inside a deep cave in the valley.
One of them was none other than this Spirit God Parasitic Poisoning Technique.
[The gods of heaven and earth have aided this Master.]
Upon discovering this, the Primal Killing Pavilion Master could not hide his joy.
However, that joy did not last long.
It was because more than 80% of the secret techniques he discovered were prohibited by the Sixty-Four Diviner Sects.
That was understandable, as most of the sacrifices for the techniques were living beings.
'This cannot be.'
At this, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing pondered deeply.
The world of the forbidden, which had been barren until now, was on the verge of opening, but as a diviner pursuing the ultimate heights of magic, it was unacceptable to let it go to waste due to the rules.
Therefore, he left the Sixty-Four Diviner Sects and joined the Heaven and Earth Society.
He made this decision with the conviction that only the Heaven and Earth Society could fulfill his aspirations.
-Screeech!
"Aaaargh!"
On the cart, agent Neung Hwa-yang, or rather Gyu Soha, who was possessing Neung Hwa-yang's body, could not endure the pain.
That was understandable, as it was difficult to maintain the possessed state due to the immense spiritual pressure.
'Damn it...'
Moreover, the timing was not favorable either.
Thanks to the dense undergrowth, the sunlight was somewhat shielded, but during the day, when the energy of Yang was abundant, the ghost was inevitably weakened.
This was true even for those of high ranks.
-Bulging!
The black bulging of blood vessels was a symptom of weakening possession.
'I need to escape.'
Gyu Soha instinctively reached a conclusion.
The two humans before her eyes were completely different from ordinary individuals.
Especially that old man holding a staff was a true monster.
The spiritual force emanating from the man's entire body was overwhelming the surroundings.
-Pat!
Enduring the pain, Gyu Soha jumped off the cart and leaped backward.
However, there was another problem here.
The two meridians in the legs of this body were severed, and its danjeon had already been destroyed.
"Damn it!"
If it were not a weakened state or daytime, she could have controlled the body and restored it to some extent, but now it was impossible.
After a moment of contemplation, Gyu Soha decided to abandon the body.
In the current situation, this body was nothing more than an obstacle hindering her escape.
-Swish! Thud!
Neung Hwa-yang's body collapsed to the ground.
Simultaneously, Gyu Soha, who had emerged from the body, tried to soar into the sky.
However,
-Whoooosh!
'!?'
A gray membrane covering the sky and extending to a radius of 15 jang.
Seeing this, she was at a loss for words.
'What kind of human...'
Could they create something like a Ghost's Domain that only the high-ranking ghosts could form?
The spiritual pressure created by their spiritual force was also absurd.
Having been trapped alone in the cliff, she did not know much, but this was not a monster she could handle even at night.
'Tsk!'
However, she could not just stand still.
-Swish!
Gyu Soha reached out her hand toward the sky.
Then, numerous iron chains erupted from the ground, converging toward a single point.
She then concentrated her power, trying to break through the membrane in any way possible to escape.
However,
"Hohoho. Who said I'm letting you go?"
-Pak! Pak! Pak!
Pavilion Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion formed hand seals with his left hand.
He wielded his staff, sweeping it across the Geumgangji (Vajra Mudra), Doji, and then Geomgyeolji[4] seals.
Then, strangely,
-Whoooosh!
The tree trunks in the undergrowth elongated, and they flew like whips, grasping the iron chains created by Gyu Soha.
'Ah!'
Gyu Soha hurriedly waved her hand downward.
Then, some of the iron chains changed direction, targeting Pavilion Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion.
At that moment, someone blocked the way.
It was Diviner Jo Ui-gong.
-Pak! Pak! Pak! Pak!
Im (臨)! Tu (鬪)! Gae (皆)! Jae (在)!
They were the hand seals of the Nine Character Technique.
Overlapping the index and thumb fingers of both hands, he aimed at the charging iron chains.
-Clang!
-Crash!
The iron chains bounced off and flew back toward Gyu Soha.
It was the Reversal Technique among the Nine Character Techniques.
In an instant, the iron chains that flew back pierced through the thigh of Gyu Soha, who was trying to dodge by twisting her body.
-Aaaaargh!
With the weakened spiritual body, it was naturally painful when the chains pierced through.
However, if she made the iron chains disappear, they would be crushed by the tree trunks, and it would be futile to gather them at a single point to break the membrane.
'I must endure.'
-Whoooosh!
The iron chains collided with the gray membrane, and blue and red sparks simultaneously flashed like lightning.
It was a phenomenon caused by the clash of spiritual force and spiritual energy.
"Where are you trying to escape to!"
Diviner Jo Ui-gong took out a talisman from his bosom and tried to chant a spell.
But before that, Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion took out a talisman first and threw it toward the Green Spirit Gyu Soha.
"The Demonic Fire Burns and the Strong Spirit Transforms, Hurry Up!"
As soon as the spell ended,
-Whoooosh!
The flames took the form of a bird and flew toward Gyu Soha.
With the iron chains stuck in her thigh, Gyu Soha could not move and was directly hit by it.
-Boom!
-Aaaargh!
With a scream, the iron chains that were shaped by spiritual energy disappeared.
Then, Gyu Soha fell to the ground.
Gyu Soha, whose entire body was charred black by the flames created with spiritual force.
Her condition was far from ideal.
-Damn Diviner!
"Hohoho. Your mouth is foul. This Valley Master is like a parent to you."
-Swish!
Pavilion Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion waved his staff, and the sound of clinking coins accompanied the golden glow emitted by the red letters engraved on the surface of the staff.
Along with it, an earthen hand erupted from the ground, simultaneously grasping Gyu Soha's arms and legs.
-Grab! Grab!
-Let go!
"Do you think you can escape?"
-Screech!
Gyu Soha tried to generate spiritual energy and create iron chains.
However, when her arms and legs were grabbed, it became strangely difficult to exert strength.
"It's useless. No matter how high your rank is, when caught by this Spirit Trap Hand, your spiritual energy disperses, and you cannot exert strength."
-Ugh.
It was difficult to deny as she felt her own strength gradually draining away.
It was to the extent that she could even feel her spiritual body going limp.
Meanwhile, Pavilion Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion approached Gyu Soha, leaning on his staff.
Then, he lifted Gyu Soha's chin with the end of the staff.
-Swish!
"Ho. It has matured better than expected."
-Roar!
Gyu Soha opened her mouth like a beast, trying to appear threatening to In Seo-ok.
However, it had no effect.
Rather, In Seo-ok clicked his tongue and said,
"Since it hasn't been tamed yet, it bares its fangs like a wild beast. But don't worry. This Valley Master will refine you to be quite useful."
-Don't make me laugh. Human!
"Hohoho. You have completely forgotten the fact that you were once human. Well, it is a sign that your rank has increased, so it's not a bad phenomenon."
Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion seemed rather satisfied.
To him, his disciple, Diviner Jo Ui-gong, approached and said,
"Master, is this it?"
"That's right. If it had matured a little more, we could have created a Blue Spirit in a short period, which is truly regrettable."
"Even so, it's really remarkable, Master."
Jo Ui-gong spoke with a genuinely astonished expression.
That was understandable, as a ghost with this level of rank was artificially born in just 15 years.
It was an achievement that no diviner had ever accomplished.
Of course, there would be no one who would welcome such an achievement.
"Shall we ripen it further in solitude?"
"No. It's too risky."
"Risky, you say?"
"Once the technique is broken, it becomes difficult to continue the solitude technique. Although it's regrettable that the rank is somewhat lower than expected, it's sufficient to make use of it to this extent, so we should create a new jar."
-Grr!
At these words from the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, Gyu Soha gritted her teeth.
She didn't understand what they were talking about, but from what he heard, were these people the ones who created that hellish cliff?
Upon learning the truth, anger surged within her.
-Damn old man. You!
-Whoooosh!
"Hohoho. As expected of a ghost, your anger alone is enough to try to recover your spiritual energy. But….."
-Clink clink!
-Aaaargh!
When In Seo-ok shook the coins on his staff, Gyu Soha covered her ears and writhed in pain.
The sound generated by the coins engraved with incantations caused pain that stimulated the spiritual body of ghosts.
"If you don't want to become a servant spirit, it's best to stay still."
-Ugh.
Perhaps feeling fear at the mention of becoming a servant spirit, Gyu Soha flinched.
No matter how much of a ghost one was, it was natural to feel fear at the mention of becoming a servant spirit.
Seeing such Gyu Soha, Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion stroked his beard and said,
"But I'm truly curious."
"About what, Master?"
"This Master's Spirit God Parasitic Poisoning Technique is perfect. But I don't understand how it managed to escape."
There was not the slightest flaw in the technique.
Yet it was broken.
If this Green Spirit before his eyes had been completed to the level of a Blue Spirit, it would have been understandable.
But that wasn't the case either, so it was incomprehensible.
"Could it be that Taoist Yun neglected the management of the cliff?"
"That's impossible. This Valley Master also periodically checked on it."
At the master's firm words, Diviner Jo Ui-gong scratched his head, looking embarrassed.
Then, Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion shook his head and took out a talisman from his bosom.
"Well, it doesn't matter either way. If it wasn't due to negligence, we can investigate and find out gradually."
With that, he brought the talisman to Gyu Soha's forehead.
Sensing an ominous feeling, Gyu Soha tried to turn her head to avoid it.
"I told you it's useless."
-Pak!
In Seo-ok forcibly attached the talisman to her forehead.
The talisman had the following written in red ink:
[Fated Connection (命緣)]
Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion spoke as if he wanted his disciple, Diviner Jo Ui-gong, to listen.
"Watch carefully. I will show you how to turn a ghost born from the Spirit God Parasitic Poisoning Technique into a servant spirit."
Anticipation appeared on In Seo-ok's face.
That was understandable, as it was nearly impossible to use a ghost as a servant spirit under normal circumstances.
However, this technique, which was connected to the Spirit God Parasitic Poisoning Technique, could make the impossible possible, surpassing all existing magical systems.
"Servant Spirit Creation Technique."
With those words, In Seo-ok chanted a spell.
"The Heaven and Earth, Yin and Yang, Bless this Day, The Divine and Wondrous Spirit, Obey My Command, Gather the Water and Soil, Fulfill My Wish, On this Day, I Enter the Tomb, Communicate with the Spirit, Receive My Wish, Depart from Evil, Return to Good, The Spirit Faces Upward, Hurry Up!"
-Whoooosh!
As soon as the spell ended, the talisman burst into blue flames.
Then, the ashes glowed faintly and scattered over Gyu Soha's entire body.
Watching this, the corners of Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion's mouth curled up.
It was finally the moment he had been waiting for.
'If a high-ranking ghost can be used as a servant spirit...'
It might even be possible to use 'that' as a servant spirit, which was called a calamity.
In Seo-ok smiled and spoke to the Green Spirit Gyu Soha.
"Who is this Master?"
Now, he expected the word "Master" to come out of Gyu Soha's mouth.
However, just as he was watching with anticipation,
-Shitty old man.
'!?'
Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion frowned.
What?
Gyu Soha should have become his servant spirit through the servant spirit Creation Technique.
But why wasn't this spirit calling him master?
Was it because its rank was high and its self-awareness was strong?
Then,
"Call this Master your lord."
-Get lost!
"...…"
The eyes of Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion narrowed.
Something was wrong.
There was clearly no problem with the technique, so why wasn't it serving him as its master?
In Seo-ok spoke in a voice filled with anger.
"This Master is your lord. Obey this Master's command at once."
-Who says you're my lord? Fucking old man. If you want to act like a master, bark like a dog in front of me.
"You bastard!"
Finally, the enraged In Seo-ok struck Gyu Soha's head with his staff.
-Thwack!
Gyu Soha, hit by the staff engraved with incantations, let out a scream of agony.
-Argh!
"This Master is your lord…"
At that moment, someone's voice was heard.
"Old man. Why are you beating someone else's dog like that?"
"What?"
At the sound of the voice, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, frowned and looked in that direction.
There stood an exceptionally handsome boy, who had approached unnoticed.
It was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.
"I am its owner."
At this voice, the Green Spirit Gyu Soha shouted with a face filled with delight.
-Master!
'Master?'
The expression of In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, distorted frighteningly.
88: Chapter 87: Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion (3)
'Master?'
What in the world did that mean?
In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, was momentarily dumbfounded by the Green Spirit Gyu Soha's exclamation.
It was none other than himself who had used the servant spirit Creation Technique, a secret art that forcibly turned ghosts into servant spirits.
Yet the Green Spirit, born through the Spirit God Parasitic Poisoning Technique, suddenly called a boy who appeared to be around 17 or 18 years old his master.
What on earth was going on?
As he was thinking this,
"Gyeong-un!"
Diviner Jo Ui-gong shouted upon seeing Mok Gyeong-un.
At that shout,
"Gyeong-un?"
Did his disciple know that guy?
While he was puzzled, Diviner Jo Ui-gong spoke in an excited voice.
"Master! Master! That child is the one I told you about."
"What?"
The eyes of In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, narrowed.
That guy was the child his disciple Jo Ui-gong said he had accepted into his sect?
Wait a moment.
But why was that child here?
Shouldn't he be undergoing the trials at Corpse Blood Valley?
Moreover, he couldn't understand why the Green Spirit called that guy master upon seeing him.
"That child….?"
-Swish!
Diviner Jo Ui-gong was about to say something, but In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, raised his hand as if to stop him.
"Master?"
"Let's see. Are you the child named Mok Gyeong-un?"
At this question from In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, Mok Gyeong-un looked at Diviner Jo Ui-gong.
Then, Diviner Jo Ui-gong sent a glance and spoke softly.
"He is your Grand Master and the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing."
'!?'
At those words, Mok Gyeong-un's eyes sparkled with interest.
On the way to Heaven and Earth Society, Diviner Jo Ui-gong had briefly explained about the Primal Killing Pavilion, so he roughly knew what kind of people were in the valley.
Was that old man, who appeared to be in his seventies, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing?
'This is a diviner of a Master rank.'
Mok Gyeong-un, who had opened his Ghost Eye, possessed eyes that could concretize energy.
Therefore, he could clearly see.
The immense spiritual power that unconsciously emanated from the old man.
'The difference is this vast.'
It seemed to be nearly three times more than Diviner Jo Ui-gong.
It was not yet at a level he could handle.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un put his hands together and bowed respectfully, saying,
"Ah. You were the elder of our sect. I am Mok Gyeong-un, who has been accepted under Master Jo's tutelage."
"...…"
At this greeting from Mok Gyeong-un, Diviner Jo Ui-gong silently stared at him.
On the other hand, the Green Spirit Gyu Soha, whose face had brightened at the arrival of her master, had her eyes wide open.
'What does this mean?'
This spirit's master was a member of this old man's sect?
Then did that mean he was related to those who had trapped her in this hellish place?
If that was the case, it would be quite confusing.
As she was thinking this, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, opened his mouth.
"Repeat what you just said."
At those words, Mok Gyeong-un, who had his hands together, tilted his head, then smiled brightly and said,
"Ah. You are an elder of our sect. Master Jo's…."
-Thud!
Before Mok Gyeong-un could finish his sentence, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, stamped the end of his staff on the ground.
Then, with a frightening expression, he said,
"Are you trying to fool this Pavilion Master?"
"No. How could that be?"
At that brazen remark, Diviner Jo Ui-gong became even more anxious.
He knew this guy was bold and different from ordinary people, but the other party was his master and the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing.
But what was with this attitude?
"Apologize to Pavilion Master at once!"
Jo Ui-gong raised his voice and urged.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un lowered his head with his hands together and said,
"I apologize to the Pavilion Master."
Although it sounded polite with no rise in his voice, something felt off.
However, since he did as he was told, there was nothing more he could say, so Jo Ui-gong glanced at the face of his master, In Seo-ok.
'Alas.'
As expected, his expression was not good.
Just a moment ago, he had shown a quite favorable reaction, so he had hoped that he could somehow get him out of Corpse Blood Valley.
But now it was the complete opposite.
At that moment, In Seo-ok snorted and said,
"Did you say you were the master of this ghost?"
At that question, Diviner Jo Ui-gong frowned and looked at Mok Gyeong-un.
Come to think of it, this guy had definitely said that earlier.
[I am its owner.]
What did that even mean?
While he was puzzled, Mok Gyeong-un slowly raised his lowered head and said,
"Yes. Is there a problem with that?"
"What?"
Jo Ui-gong's expression stiffened.
Did this guy not deny it but affirm it just now?
Then did he really make that Green Spirit, created through solitude by ghosts devouring each other, his servant spirit?
'How in the world?'
Wasn't this guy undergoing the trials at Corpse Blood Valley all this time?
But by what means did he make this ghost his servant spirit?
Moreover, a ghost as a servant spirit...
'Ah!'
Come to think of it, this guy had a ghost with a rank reaching Yellow Spirit as his servant spirit.
According to him, there was no special method, but the one who tried to possess his body was coincidentally captured and made into a servant spirit, didn't he say that?
Having confirmed the extent of the guy's magical knowledge, he had thought he was really lucky.
But not only that, he said he made a ghost with a rank reaching Green Spirit his servant spirit?
'....How is this possible?'
That was not something that could be attributed to luck.
Even his master, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, had tried to use the forbidden secret art of the extinct Mosan Sect to turn ghosts into servant spirits, hadn't he?
"Is that really….."
"Command it once."
Before Diviner Jo Ui-gong could say anything, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, spoke again.
"What do you mean?"
"Anything is fine."
'Is he trying to confirm it?'
In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, seemed to want to directly confirm it.
There were several ways to verify a servant spirit, but the simplest was for the master to give a command.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un casually said,
"Soha. Get up and come over here."
"Yes. Master."
As soon as Mok Gyeong-un's command was given, the Green Spirit Gyu Soha got up.
And as if he had been waiting, he approached Mok Gyeong-un.
Seeing this, Diviner Jo Ui-gong clicked his tongue.
'Ha!'
It was true.
The Green Spirit was really following the command.
He had been quite surprised when it was a Yellow Spirit, but a Green Spirit was a ghost that even decent diviners found difficult to handle, yet he made it his servant spirit?
Jo Ui-gong couldn't help but ask.
"How in the world did you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Are you pretending not to know now? You should have been undergoing the trials at Corpse Blood Valley, so how could you make that ghost, which was undergoing solitude, your servant spirit?"
At this question from Jo Ui-gong, Mok Gyeong-un shrugged his shoulders.
"Who knows? As I told you last time, I never really intended to do anything."
At this answer from Mok Gyeong-un, Diviner Jo Ui-gong's eyes narrowed.
Last time, he had thought it could really be a coincidence, but answering like that made it seem like he was hiding something.
"Oh, my. You're trying to make a fool of this master now, aren't you? Then let's see if you still won't answer even like this."
-Pak! -Pak!
Diviner Jo Ui-gong formed hand seals.
And he chanted a spell.
"The Wheel Turns and the Stone Breaks, All Returns to the Mirror, The Meaningless Child...."
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un focused on where Diviner Jo Ui-gong's gaze was directed.
It was the iron shackle on Mok Gyeong-un's wrist.
Seeing this, Mok Gyeong-un could guess in an instant that he was trying to do something through this iron shackle.
'As I thought?'
[Wear that on your wrist and say this. I, Mok Gyeong-un, will become Jo Ui-gong's disciple and follow his will.]
[What happens if I make that oath?]
[A restriction is placed.]
[Restriction?]
[If you make that oath, you will not be able to harm me in any way. It is almost absolute.]
That was what Diviner Jo Ui-gong had said.
However, Mok Gyeong-un believed that there was definitely another hidden restriction here.
And as he guessed, it seemed like he was about to reveal that restriction now.
-Pak!
"Hurry up!"
Diviner Jo Ui-gong pointed the Geumgangji seal at Mok Gyeong-un and cast a spell.
Upon hearing the final "Hurry up!" Mok Gyeong-un realized.
"Hurry up!" meant that it had to be urgently executed like a command of the law.
In other words, it was an expression to follow the order.
'So that's how it was.'
The restriction was to control him.
He saw Diviner Jo Ui-gong's gaze shift from the bracelet to his face.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un, without showing any signs, put on a dazed expression as if his soul had left his body.
Seeing this, the corners of Jo Ui-gong's mouth slightly curled up.
"From now on, you must answer my questions accurately."
"Yes."
Mok Gyeong-un answered in a powerless voice.
Seeing this, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, looked at the iron shackle on his wrist and said,
"It's an iron shackle with an incantation."
"Yes. Master. As you can see, he has just become a disciple and is not yet controlled like a young colt, so I put it on him to tame him."
At those words, In Seo-ok snorted and scoffed.
Among the disciples he had taught, the most cunning one who resembled him the most was Jo Ui-gong.
As expected, he had taken appropriate measures.
The iron shackle with an incantation could force one's will through self-restraint by making an oath.
"If you have any questions, please ask."
Diviner Jo Ui-gong pointed at Mok Gyeong-un and said.
Now, no matter what he asked, he would answer truthfully.
-Step step!
At these words, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, approached Mok Gyeong-un.
"Master?"
"One must always verify if it's properly set."
Then, he swung the head of his staff and struck Mok Gyeong-un's face.
-Thwack!
Mok Gyeong-un's head turned to the side.
No matter how much martial arts he had learned, if he was hit while not circulating energy and in a defenseless state, he would naturally feel pain.
He should have reacted in some way, but,
'Hmm.'
Mok Gyeong-un showed no change in expression as if he felt no pain at all.
Even after being struck on the face with the head of the staff, if he was like this, it seemed his will was indeed restrained.
However, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, was cautious.
-Thwack!
In Seo-ok struck the opposite side of the face with his staff.
As if that wasn't enough, he kicked Mok Gyeong-un's abdomen with his foot and knocked him down.
-Thud!
"Master. There's no need to go that far…."
"Wait."
-Pak!
In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, climbed on top of Mok Gyeong-un's chest and stepped hard on his neck with one foot.
-Kkkkk!
As his neck was pressed down, blood vessels bulged on his face, and his face turned red.
However, there was still no change in Mok Gyeong-un's expression.
If he pressed down a little more, his windpipe would be cut off.
Yet he remained still.
-Gasp!
After staring at this, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, nodded as if he finally believed it and climbed down from Mok Gyeong-un's chest.
Then he said to Diviner Jo Ui-gong,
"Now ask the boy if he had entered the cliff valley."
"Understood. Gyeong-un. Get up."
-Swish!
Mok Gyeong-un silently got up from his spot with a dazed expression.
Seeing his face covered in wounds, Diviner Jo Ui-gong clicked his tongue inwardly.
Although he was his master, he was so cautious that he had no mercy in his hands.
'Well, he won't remember it when he comes to his senses.'
That was the power of the incantation shackle.
Jo Ui-gong asked Mok Gyeong-un,
"Did you enter the cliff valley where the solitude technique was being performed?"
"Yes."
At this question, Mok Gyeong-un answered straightforwardly with a dazed face.
At this, In Seo-ok clicked his tongue.
"The culprit has been revealed."
During the Spirit God Parasitic Poisoning Technique, no one should have entered there.
No, to be precise, one should not enter because it was dangerous.
In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, frowned and looked at Mok Gyeong-un.
'But how did he survive?'
Rather, that was the question.
At first, it was a mystery how he made the Green Spirit his servant spirit, but now that was even more curious.
That was because the cliff valley where ghosts lost their sense of self and devoured each other was literally like hell.
Yet not only did a guy who hadn't learned magic for long survive, but he also made a Green Spirit his servant spirit?
"Ask him how it happened."
"Yes. Tell us in detail what happened in there."
What on earth could have happened there?
As the two focused their attention on Mok Gyeong-un,
"The Society Leader....."
'!?'
Their expressions suddenly stiffened.
Society Leader? What did he mean by that now?
Could he be referring to the Society Leader of Heaven and Earth Society?
"The Society Leader...."
However, after mentioning the Society Leader, Mok Gyeong-un whispered softly as if muttering, making it inaudible.
Diviner Jo Ui-gong raised his voice and said,
"What did the Society Leader do? Speak properly and loudly."
"The Sect…Society Leader..."
Mok Gyeong-un muttered again in a trailing voice, mentioning the Society Leader.
At this, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, grew impatient with Mok Gyeong-un mentioning and muttering about the Society Leader, who could be considered the head of Heaven and Earth Society.
He approached Mok Gyeong-un, grabbed his hair, pulled him close to his ear, and said, "Tell him to say it properly again."
"Mok Gyeong-un, speak properly."
At that command, Mok Gyeong-un opened his mouth again.
"The Society Leader..."
"Yes. What about the Society Leader?"
"Is there any reason for him to come?"
'!?'
-Squelch!
"Ugh!"
At that moment, In Seo-ok's eyes widened as if they would tear apart.
Somehow, Mok Gyeong-un's hand had pierced through his chest.
What on earth was happening?
Clearly, this bastard was bound by the incantation shackle….
'!!!!!!'
In In Seo-ok's widened pupils, Mok Gyeong-un was not wearing a dazed expression, but had the corners of his mouth raised in a grim smile.
89: Chapter 88: Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion (4)
It was something no one had anticipated.
The incantation shackle was originally designed to restrain one's will through self-oath, so like a servant spirit bound by a contract, it was absolutely impossible to disobey an order.
Therefore, neither In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, nor Diviner Jo Ui-gong, who had received the incantation oath, could have imagined such a thing would happen.
"Ugh!"
In Seo-ok's eyes widened as if they would tear apart.
Somehow, Mok Gyeong-un's hand had pierced through his chest.
'!!!!!!'
In In Seo-ok's widened pupils, Mok Gyeong-un was not wearing a dazed expression, but had the corners of his mouth raised in a grim smile.
'This, this bastard, how did he…?'
No matter how you looked at it, it wasn't the face of someone pressured by the incantation shackle.
At that moment, the startled Diviner Jo Ui-gong hurriedly chanted a binding spell.
-Pak! -Pak!
"The Wheel Turns and the Stone Breaks, All Returns to the Mirror, The Meaningless Child...."
With the shackle on, if a binding spell was chanted, he would be unable to move.
"Cough….."
-Swish!
Enduring the pain of his pierced chest, In Seo-ok tried to move his fingers to form a hand seal.
Among the forbidden secret arts he knew, there was a technique that could rapidly increase healing power by exhausting one's vital energy.
However,
"Ah, that won't do."
-Crack!
"Aaaaargh!"
A scream burst from In Seo-ok's mouth.
As he tried to form a hand seal, Mok Gyeong-un had bent all his fingers backward.
Due to his pierced chest, he couldn't even scream properly.
The pain was agonizing, but with the thought that he might really die like this, he desperately tried to chant a spell with his mouth.
"Bi-gyeong….."
"Mouth!"
-Pak!
"Kuh!"
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un struck In Seo-ok's uvula with the blade of his hand between his thumb and index finger.
In Seo-ok, hit in the uvula, coughed up blood and writhed in agony.
He had to somehow cast a spell, but Mok Gyeong-un didn't give him a chance to do so.
'This, this bastard…..'
Seeing him in agony, Mok Gyeong-un smirked and said,
"As expected, a diviner who can't use spells is worse than an ordinary person."
These mocking words from Mok Gyeong-un did not reach In Seo-ok's ears.
He had already completely lost consciousness.
The pain was so severe that he was on the verge of dying.
At that sight, Jo Ui-gong shouted with a distorted face,
"What? Weren't you being restrained?"
At his shout, Mok Gyeong-un smiled brightly and said,
"Who knows? Why could that be?"
There was no need to explain it one by one.
Of course, the reason it didn't work was that the name Mok Gyeong-un was not his real name in the first place, so the incantation oath was meaningless.
Diviner Jo Ui-gong glared at Mok Gyeong-un with a fierce expression.
'This bastaaaaaard!'
He didn't know what was going on, but the incantation shackle didn't work on Mok Gyeong-un.
Naturally, there was no way he would reveal the reason it didn't work.
At this, Jo Ui-gong quickly made a decision.
-Pat!
He had to distance himself from Mok Gyeong-un.
Since the guy was from a martial arts background, if the distance was close, it would be dangerous for himself.
'I apologize.'
His master, In Seo-ok, was already as good as dead.
Since he didn't teach the forbidden secret art of resurrection even to some of his disciples, there was no way to save him.
Jo Ui-gong took something out of the pouch at his waist while distancing himself.
They were wooden figurines with talismans attached.
[Wooden Figurine Spell]
He threw three wooden figurines with that written on them in front of In Seo-ok.
And he quickly formed hand seals and chanted a spell.
"Ghost wolf, ghost wolf, the yellow bridge is alive and well, the five prohibited acts are the gods' will, the face of the bridge is the wind and the beast, the four seasons and eight festivals are the sacrifices, the fragrant incense is offered daily, the fierce and the bright, the sun rises in the east, the god's talisman is unparalleled, the kitchen is in the north, the five peaks, the great old lord, hurry up!"
As soon as the chant ended,
-Tremble!
The wooden figurines trembled like crazy, and then the soil on the ground stuck to them.
Then, the soil that stuck to them transformed into giant figures whose height was at least two heads taller than ordinary adult males.
'Hoo.'
The transformed wooden figurines held swords in both hands and took a stance.
Seeing this, Mok Gyeong-un's eyes sparkled with interest.
This was a technique that Diviner Jo Ui-gong had not taught him.
"What kind of technique is this?"
"Do you think I'll tell you, bastard?"
Jo Ui-gong shouted.
Of course, he had no intention of telling him.
This was a technique he hadn't even taught his master, In Seo-ok.
They were Willow Spirit Generals[1] created by carving a willow tree over a hundred years old, placing it in a shrine, and infusing it with spiritual energy for a long time to deal with martial artists.
It took a tremendous amount of effort to create just one, and it took ten years to create three of them.
For Diviner Jo Ui-gong, it could be considered his secret technique.
"You stubborn bastard, release the master at once."
-Chak!
Jo Ui-gong formed the Geomgyeolji hand seal and pointed at Mok Gyeong-un.
-Pa pa pa pa pak!
Then, the Willow Spirit Generals surrounded Mok Gyeong-un with remarkably fast movements.
Each one of them was stronger than a Fierce Beast-level when it came to skill.
Of course, they were not as strong as a Monstrous Beast level.
Nevertheless, three Willow Spirit Generals stronger than Fierce Beasts were enough to take pride in being able to face even the Peak Realm masters spoken of by martial artists.
'The guy still lacks experience.'
On the other hand, he had sparred dozens of times in preparation for battles with martial artists due to his friendship with the Underworld King.
His master, In Seo-ok, had told him to spend that time refining his spiritual power instead, but Jo Ui-gong believed that he should prepare to some extent for battles with martial artists as well.
The result was the Willow Spirit Generals.
'...It was a mistake.'
Jo Ui-gong clicked his tongue inwardly.
Blinded by the guy's innate talent, he had accepted him, but that bastard was nothing more than a mongrel who could not be controlled by anyone.
To him, Mok Gyeong-un said with a smile,
"You still have a lot to learn, Master."
"Shut up! Who's your master?"
"Wasn't it said that once a master, always a master?"
-Grr!
Thinking that Mok Gyeong-un's words were mocking him, Diviner Jo Ui-gong gritted his teeth, feeling absurd.
A disciple accepted into the sect had killed the Grand Master.
Such cases were absolutely rare.
"I was foolish to think I could control you, bastard."
-Pak! Pak!
Diviner Jo Ui-gong formed hand seals and shouted, pointing at Mok Gyeong-un,
"Kill the..."
"Ah. It would be better not to do that. If you keep doing that, the Grand Master here might pass away soon. Are you okay with that?"
At those words, Jo Ui-gong was dumbfounded.
Once his hand had pierced through the chest, it was already a lost life.
Rather, it was strange that he was still breathing. How could he save him?
"You're deliberately stalling for time, but it's useless….."
"Master. You're too quick to throw away the opportunity I'm offering you."
"What?"
What nonsense was this bastard spouting now?
As he was thinking that, Mok Gyeong-un spoke in a meaningful voice,
"You want to become the next Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, don't you?"
'!?'
At those words, Diviner Jo Ui-gong hesitated for a moment before giving the order to kill the guy.
What was he saying now?
Jo Ui-gong spoke in a chilling voice,
"Are you crazy, bastard?"
"What do you mean?"
"Are you saying that since the master will die, an opportunity has arisen for me to become the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing?"
It was so absurd that he let out a dry cough.
Even if one coveted a higher position and killed the person above, did he think that position would become his?
Moreover, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, had three disciples.
Among them, the closest to being the successor was naturally the eldest brother disciple, Jo Tae-cheong of Bangwon.
Therefore, if the master died, the opportunity would become even more distant.
"I guess you don't have much attachment to the position."
"Kill him!"
It seemed he shouldn't listen to the guy's words any longer.
He kept trying to deceive him with words, but he had now become certain of one thing.
This guy had to be killed no matter what.
He wasn't someone he could control.
-Pa pa pa pa pak!
As soon as the order was given, the three Willow Spirit Generals surrounding Mok Gyeong-un simultaneously charged at him.
At that very moment,
-Whoosh!
Iron chains erupted from the ground and restrained the bodies of the Willow Spirit Generals all at once.
-Kkkkkk!
"What?"
The one who did this was none other than the Green Spirit Gyu Soha.
-You damn diviner. You think I'll let you touch my master?
'What the?'
Diviner Jo Ui-gong frowned.
That Green Spirit had clearly exhausted a lot of spiritual energy and was in a state where he couldn't exert such strength.
But somehow, his appearance had almost returned to normal.
'What kind of trick did he use?'
It wasn't night, and there was no situation to obtain energy to recover spiritual power.
As he couldn't understand, Mok Gyeong-un suddenly grabbed the head of the dying In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing.
And then,
-Pak!
'!!!!!!!!!'
He ripped out the heart that was inside the chest.
It was truly shocking.
After becoming a diviner, he had seen all sorts of gruesome things and countless corpses, but seeing his master who had taught him magic having his heart ripped out while alive, his feelings were beyond words.
'This, this guy is really...'
To the dumbfounded Jo Ui-gong, Mok Gyeong-un said, twitching his lips,
"I'll give you one last chance."
"What?"
"If you take my hand even now, you won't lose anything, Master."
"...No matter how you try to deceive me with your words, I won't believe..."
-Squish!
At that moment, the heart in Mok Gyeong-un's hand was crushed.
Soon, Mok Gyeong-un shoved that crushed heart into the mouth of In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, whose breath had stopped.
Seeing this, Diviner Jo Ui-gong's eyes trembled.
Because the moment he saw this, he could guess what Mok Gyeong-un was trying to do.
'Six-Person Spirit Summoning Technique?'
Six-Person Spirit Summoning Technique.
It was a forbidden secret art for creating Living Corpse Ghosts.
If one fed the blood of one's own heart, which could be considered the source of oneself, to someone who had just died, and gathered the negative energy of those who had not been dead for long in one place and performed the technique, this would be born.
A living corpse ghost.
It would transform into a being befitting that name.
However, Living Corpse Ghosts were even more difficult to create than ordinary Corpse Ghosts or Jiangshi.
'The effectiveness is too low.'
That was because in order to create a single Living Corpse Ghost, nearly thirty people had to be killed and their energy gathered in one place, and Living Corpse Ghosts had too many weaknesses.
If they couldn't periodically kill people and fill themselves with the negative energy of the dead, their bodies would rot, so their effectiveness was extremely low.
Endless sacrifices were required for a living corpse without its own will, so it became a technique banned by the Thirty-Six Valleys of Bangwon.
Of course, this wasn't a problem for the diviners of the Primal Killing Pavilion, who originally practiced forbidden techniques, but,
"Ha!"
Diviner Jo Ui-gong clicked his tongue.
By what means was he going to turn the Valley Master into a Living Corpse Ghost now?
Thirty people had to be killed, and their corpse energy had to be filled in the body to replace the heart, but even if he killed all the collapsed people here, there were only ten of them.
-Pak! Pak! Pak!
Mok Gyeong-un formed incantation hand seals with his hands instead of talismans.
And he began to chant a spell.
"Purify the Earth and Nurture the Golden Corpse, The Weak Enters the Fairy Realm, One Transforms into Ten Thousand..."
'It's a foolish act. Unless you bury the newly dead around and gather their negative energy, a Living Corpse Ghost absolutely cannot…..'
-Twitch!
It was at that moment.
The body of In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, whose head was being held by Mok Gyeong-un's hand, moved.
Seeing this, Diviner Jo Ui-gong's eyes widened.
What on earth was happening?
"Uhhh….."
Then, he even made a sound from his mouth.
Those symptoms of blinking his rolled-back white eyes were the signs of turning into a living Corpse Ghost.
At that sight, Jo Ui-gong was at a loss for words.
'Impossible.'
The negative energy of the dead was not sufficient, so how could this happen?
As he was thinking that, at some point, the pupils in In Seo-ok's eyes came back to life.
Then, Mok Gyeong-un released his hand from the head.
-Thud!
The staggering In Seo-ok soon stood up straight with his own strength.
"Ma, Master!"
Diviner Jo Ui-gong called out to In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, like that.
At that call, In Seo-ok slightly turned his head, then shifted his gaze toward Mok Gyeong-un with a dazed expression.
Then, he staggered over and knelt on both knees.
'!!!!!'
Seeing this, Diviner Jo Ui-gong was truly shocked beyond words.
Without fulfilling the condition of the negative energy of the dead, he had really succeeded in the Six-Person Spirit Summoning Technique.
'This guy is...'
As he was bewildered, Mok Gyeong-un turned his head, smiled at Diviner Jo Ui-gong, and said,
"Do you still not want to take the opportunity?"
The moment he heard this, chills ran down his entire body.
90: Chapter 89: Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion (5)
"Do you still not want to take the opportunity?"
The moment he heard this, chills ran down his entire body.
That smile reaching up to his ears looked so full of malice.
'....I took this guy too lightly.'
He had thought of him as a novice with outstanding talent but still had much to learn.
But now that he looked at him, that wasn't the case.
This guy was no different from a beast that would tear into you the moment you showed the slightest weakness.
Jo Ui-gong's eyes darted back and forth.
-Kkkkkk!
The three Willow Spirit Generals still bound by the iron chains and unable to break free.
In Seo-ok, his master and the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, who had become a Living Corpse Ghost through the Six-Person Spirit Summoning Technique and lost his own will.
The strength gradually drained from Diviner Jo Ui-gong's clenched fists.
He did have a hidden trump card.
But strangely, he felt it wouldn't work on that guy.
'I had a disturbing dream.'
Something like today's events must have been the reason.
A turning point in life, so to speak.
It seemed to have occurred.
After briefly looking up at the sky and letting out a long sigh, Diviner Jo Ui-gong lowered his head and parted his lips.
".....If I accept the opportunity, what do I gain?"
"You've made a good choice."
At his words, Mok Gyeong-un nodded as if it was natural and tried to approach,
"Don't come closer. I haven't made a decision yet. Answer my question."
"Didn't I tell you earlier? I said I would help you become the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing."
Mok Gyeong-un pointed at In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, with a nod.
At this, Diviner Jo Ui-gong's eyes narrowed.
It seemed to imply that he would control the master and make him hand over that position to him.
But there was a problem here.
"Do you think my senior brother won't notice that our master has become a Living Corpse Ghost?"
"Will he notice?"
"With just his spiritual power and magical skills, senior brother is already on par with my master. If they meet in person, he will definitely notice."
Senior brother Jo Tae-cheong.
It was said that In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, accepted him as a disciple thirty years ago.
His talent was so outstanding that it was no exaggeration to say he was already selected as the next Pavilion Master of Primal Killing due to his excellent spiritual power.
It wasn't easy to deceive the eyes and senses of such a senior brother.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un said with a smile,
"Shouldn't you make sure they don't meet in person until the Grand Master hands over the position, Master?"
"What?"
"I've set the table for you, do I need to spoon-feed you too? I think you should naturally be able to do that much."
At these words from Mok Gyeong-un, Diviner Jo Ui-gong silently stared at him.
Was he saying to be prepared for this level of risk?
Jo Ui-gong silently clicked his tongue inwardly.
Then he said,
"I understand. If you transfer part of the control over the Living Corpse Ghost to me as well, I'll somehow manage that."
"Is that all?"
"No. There are two more things."
"Two things?"
"Yes. Cooperating with you means I also have to be prepared to lose everything I've built up until now."
"So you need more compensation for that?"
Mok Gyeong-un's voice became somewhat softer.
It signified that he was becoming emotionally uncomfortable.
But Diviner Jo Ui-gong had no intention of backing down either.
He thought that if he didn't firmly establish it here, he would end up being dragged around by the guy in an ambiguous manner.
"So what do you want?"
"The Six-Person Spirit Summoning Technique."
"The Six-Person Spirit Summoning Technique?"
"I want the secret you possess."
Mok Gyeong-un's Six-Person Spirit Summoning Technique that succeeded without fulfilling the condition of the negative energy of the dead.
Seeing this, Diviner Jo Ui-gong was inwardly shocked beyond words.
What kind of trick did he use to make this possible?
This purely stimulated a strong curiosity as a diviner.
'I want to know.'
Mok Gyeong-un's Six-Person Spirit Summoning Technique could be said to have compensated for the existing weaknesses, to put it mildly.
If the numerous sacrifices required to create a single Living Corpse Ghost could be omitted, there was no technique with higher effectiveness.
'Will he really teach me?'
To be honest, he was half in doubt.
If it were himself or his master In Seo-ok, they wouldn't share this secret with anyone.
However,
"If that's what you want, I'll teach you."
"What?"
For a moment, Jo Ui-gong stared at Mok Gyeong-un with a blank expression.
He would teach this?
He had just blurted it out, thinking it was worth a try.
His real goal was what came next.
But he never thought Mok Gyeong-un would really say he would teach the secret of the Six-Person Spirit Summoning Technique.
At this, Jo Ui-gong asked with a somewhat excited, trembling gaze,
"....Is that true?"
"Didn't you say you wanted that as compensation?"
"Yes!"
Seeing the strength in his voice, Mok Gyeong-un smiled with a snort.
It seemed he really wanted the secret.
Of course, teaching that wasn't a difficult task.
However,
'Will he be able to do it just by knowing?'
Only he himself, with a unique constitution capable of absorbing the negative energy (死氣) of the dead, could do it.
If what the Blue Spirit said was true, living beings couldn't accept negative energy into their bodies.
Therefore, even if he knew, it would be utterly useless.
"What is the last third compensation?"
At this question from Mok Gyeong-un, Diviner Jo Ui-gong, who couldn't hide his excitement, composed himself and said,
"Since we've agreed to work together, make an oath to me."
"An oath? What do you mean?"
"If you swear not to harm me or seek my life, I will sincerely help you."
This was more important than the other compensations.
Seeing this guy, he had no hesitation in killing someone if necessary.
Therefore, he wanted to firmly establish it here.
Of course, even if he made that oath here, he would never believe it.
It was just that if he made the oath, he would try to maintain it for a while according to his needs, so he was just trying to buy time.
'And since I've demanded this much compensation, he'll believe I'll faithfully follow him.'
His real goal was here.
He would devise a plan after making the guy trust him.
By what means could he trust and follow a guy who nonchalantly killed even the Grand Master?
Diviner Jo Ui-gong said, hiding his true intentions,
"What will you do?"
"If you're uneasy, of course I should do it for you."
"...…."
Somehow, this guy's words sounded polite, but there was something that subtly grated on his nerves.
But since it was a situation where he had to lower himself, he didn't show it.
It was truly coincidental how the situation had reversed in just half a month.
As he was thinking that,
"There's a way to make you feel most at ease, Master."
"A way to feel at ease?"
What was he trying to say?
As he was puzzled, Mok Gyeong-un took off the incantation shackle on his wrist, shook it, and said,
"If you wear this and make an oath to me, it should be fine."
"What?"
For a moment, Jo Ui-gong was dumbfounded.
Was he telling him to wear that and make an incantation oath now?
"You bastard, are you seriously saying that….."
"Bind him."
-Whoosh!
As soon as he finished speaking, the iron chains of the Green Spirit Gyu Soha erupted from the ground and restrained his body.
'Damn it!'
At this, Jo Ui-gong tried to move his fingers to quickly form a hand seal,
-Tap!
But it was at that very moment.
"Huh?"
What the? As he was thinking that, Mok Gyeong-un had already reached him.
The distance was about ten steps, but he arrived in the blink of an eye, startling Jo Ui-gong, who hurriedly tried to complete the hand seal.
However, before that, Mok Gyeong-un grabbed his wrist first.
-Grip!
"Ugh!"
He gripped it so tightly that he was seized by pain as if his wrist would break.
Unable to breathe properly due to the agony, Mok Gyeong-un said,
"I'm telling you this because you seem to have some misunderstanding, but I'm giving you the opportunity so that you can be a more voluntarily loyal dog."
"Let, let go of this..."
-Clank!
Mok Gyeong-un put the incantation shackle on the wrist of the agonized Jo Ui-gong.
Then he smiled brightly and said,
"If you trust and follow me, Master, why would I need to harm you? So make the oath like I did last time."
-Kkkkkk!
Jo Ui-gong, whose wrist was grabbed, writhed in pain.
It really felt like it would break.
"Or you can keep enduring. It would be fun to break them one by one."
'This, this bastard…..'
He looked at Mok Gyeong-un in agony, but he was smirking at him as if enjoying this.
Seeing that, Jo Ui-gong realized he had no choice.
This guy was enjoying this situation.
If he didn't make the oath, he would really do as he said.
At this, Jo Ui-gong barely endured the pain and said,
"I…..I, Jo Ui-gong, will follow the will of Mok Gyeong-un..."
"Ah. Don't say Mok Gyeong-un, but Jeong, will do."
"What!?"
Jo Ui-gong's eyes trembled.
'Ha!'
Now the question was solved.
The incantation contract could only restrain one's will if it was made with one's real name.
Naturally, since he was the son of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor and they all called him Mok Gyeong-un, he had never doubted it.
But he had lied about his name?
'To fall for such an absurd trick...'
It was utterly disheartening.
"Now, stop being surprised and do it properly, shall we?"
-Kkkkkk!
Mok Gyeong-un applied more strength to his hand.
At this, Jo Ui-gong hurriedly said,
"Kkkkk. I…..I, Jo Ui-gong, will follow the will of Jeong."
As soon as he finished speaking, the shackle rattled and trembled.
Then, Mok Gyeong-un released the wrist he was holding.
"Gasp….Gasp….."
Jo Ui-gong, whose face had turned bright red and was drenched in sweat from the pain, gripped his wrist and gritted his teeth.
To even make an incantation oath to the guy he had accepted as a disciple.
How did it come to this?
As he was agonizing, Mok Gyeong-un placed his hand on his shoulder and said with a smile,
"I'm so grateful that you're helping your disciple like this, Master."
'...…What have I done?'
It seemed he had accepted a demon as a disciple.
***
This place was Honghyebang, a brothel located on the outskirts of the outer city of Heaven and Earth Society.
There, a seductive and beautiful woman was squinting her eyes and trying to look at the distant mountains.
She was Ha Chae-rin, a candidate for the sect leader of Flying Killing Sect, one of the three major assassination groups, or rather Go Chan, who was possessing her body.
'Damn it. Where should I set my eyes?'
Go Chan was truly distressed.
With the help of a makeup artist, he had successfully applied makeup.
When the skills of the brothel's makeup artist, who could be considered a master, touched Ha Chae-rin's face, which was quite beautiful even without makeup, it transformed into an even more radiant flower.
'It's driving me crazy.'
But there was only one reason why Go Chan was so distressed.
There was nowhere to look.
The place he was in now was the common room where the courtesans of the brothel waited, and their clothes were all so thin that the inside was completely visible if you stared a little.
"Oh my. Sister. Aren't you putting too much effort there?"
"You fool. If you don't put in effort on a day like today, what will you do? You're also fully prepared, with your skin showing through."
"Hehehe. You're right. How could I miss an opportunity like today?"
At the conversation of the courtesans who were overflowing with enthusiasm, Go Chan only pricked up his ears and turned his head toward the ceiling.
According to what he heard, a tremendous guest had made a reservation today.
He had asked to prepare the courtesans who were the most skilled in entertaining and had the best looks, so this was the situation.
[I heard someone with a quite high position in Heaven and Earth Society is coming.]
At the makeup artist's words, he thought it made sense and asked to be included, but this was truly a difficult situation.
Out of the forty or so courtesans here, only six could go inside.
So, they were checking each other while calling each other "sister," and it was no joke.
They were smiling and engaging in a battle of energy, and it was exhausting.
Even the thought of having to go this far and infiltrate Heaven and Earth Society for the sake of his master, Mok Gyeong-un, crossed his mind.
As he was thinking that, someone approached Go Chan.
"Hey, you."
"...…"
"Newbie. I'm talking to you."
At that call, Go Chan pointed at himself with his hand.
Then, the mature-looking courtesan who appeared to be in her mid-20s snorted and said,
"You're not even answering when your sister is talking to you. What an amazing newbie. Who told you to come into this room?"
"Uh…..um….."
What should I say about this?
For a courtesan, mid-20s was quite old, but his actual age was different from this body.
So, he couldn't readily say anything.
He definitely had to act, but his male pride wouldn't allow him to say "sister."
'Damn it.'
At this, Go Chan bowed his head to avoid unnecessary trouble.
"You're not answering until the end?"
As soon as he did that, the courtesan in her 20s suddenly tried to slap Go Chan's cheek.
There was no way Go Chan, possessing the body of a Peak Realm master, could be slapped.
-Swish!
He lightly dodged the courtesan's flying wrist.
At this, the courtesan raised her eyebrows and raised her voice.
"Oh my. You dodged your sister's hand?"
Go Chan, who thought it would be tiresome to deal with her further, waved his hands and said,
"Look here, young lady. I have no intention of fighting with you. So let's stop here."
At these words from Go Chan, the courtesan's expression turned blank.
"What's with....that uncle-like way of speaking?"
"...…"
At the courtesan's words, Go Chan realized his mistake.
He should have tried to imitate the way young women spoke to some extent, but he had made a mistake in trying to avoid trouble.
Then, the courtesan said,
"If you dodge your sister's hand again this time, you better be prepared."
The courtesan seemed to need to slap him somehow to feel satisfied.
At this, Go Chan said with a serious expression,
"You keep calling me sister, sister, but young lady…..no, I'm probably older than you."
"What?"
"Even though I look like this, I'm twenty-seven."
Go Chan spoke an age that seemed older than her.
Seeing how she kept calling him "sister" and asserting hierarchy, he thought that if he mentioned an older age, she might let it go.
He couldn't ruin the plan by unnecessarily causing a dispute here.
Then, the courtesan snorted and said, "Aha. Is that so? You're a newbie, but you're quite old despite your appearance."
"Ahem. So let's stop this pointless battle of energy here….."
-Swish!
The courtesan rolled up both her sleeves and spoke as if she wanted everyone to hear, "Watch closely.
This is a fight between sisters."
"...…"
Go Chan seriously contemplated whether he should change this plan.
91: Chapter 90: Goal (1)
On the way back to the inner castle of Heaven and Earth Society, Diviner Jo Ui-gong had a complicated expression as he looked at the back of the old man walking ahead of him.
The old man silently walking was his master and the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, In Seo-ok.
"Sigh."
How did it come to this?
That fearsome master now moved according to his commands.
The reason was because he had received partial control from Mok Gyeong-un.
[I'll let you command him as agreed.]
It was the only compensation Mok Gyeong-un kept.
None of the other conditions were kept.
The second proposal, the secret of the Six-Person Spirit Summoning Technique, was not taught, saying it would be impossible to do even if taught, and the third turned out like this, as you can see.
-Clank!
The incantation shackle on his wrist had turned him into a slave instead.
Now he had to follow the guy regardless of his will.
[I'll stay at Corpse Blood Valley, so Master, please go back and become the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing.]
'Damn it.'
He casually gave such an order to him.
Although he received control over his master In Seo-ok, who had become a Living Corpse Ghost, he couldn't recklessly take over the position.
There were procedures, and he needed a proper justification.
'What should I do?'
As expected, the biggest problem was senior brother Jo Tae-cheong.
Primal Killing Pavilion had been skilled in hand seal-based magic and Corpse Ghost techniques using dead bodies for generations.
However, senior brother Jo Tae-cheong was not only skilled in hand seal-based magic but also in servant spirit techniques, so he had even subjugated a Monstrous Beast level creature that even his master couldn't handle.
'....It's not for nothing that he's called the next Pavilion Master of Primal Killing.'
If his senior brother found out that their master had become a Living Corpse Ghost, a big problem would arise.
No, his limbs could be torn apart by the Monstrous Beast in an instant.
He had to find a way to naturally deceive senior brother.
'It's giving me a headache. But...'
Something had been strange for a while.
There was something he couldn't remember, but he didn't know what it was.
What order did Mok Gyeong-un give him with the incantation that made him lose part of his memory?
'It's unsettling.'
What could it be?
***
'So it can be used that way too.'
Mok Gyeong-un thought the order he had given to Diviner Jo Ui-gong earlier was quite useful.
The order Mok Gyeong-un gave was simple.
[Forget that you heard my real name when making the incantation oath. Keep remembering me as the third son of the Yeon Mok Sword Manor.]
He wasn't sure if this would really work, but it actually did.
It was possible because the principle was to restrain one's own will.
He wanted to obtain a few more of these incantation shackles.
[Can I get more?]
[I want to, but it's difficult.]
According to Diviner Jo Ui-gong, the incantation shackle was a magic tool created by Great Monk Myeong-ryul, one of the Six Directions Gods, and was one of the four that his master In Seo-ok had received as a gift while attending the general meeting of the Sixty-Four Diviner Sects.
Even his master In Seo-ok had tried to uncover this secret and conducted research for over ten years, but failed to recreate this principle.
'What a pity.'
But there were three more besides the one he put on Jo Ui-gong, so he wanted to obtain them if he had the chance.
Anyway, thanks to that, he erased the memory of mentioning his real name from Diviner Jo Ui-gong's mind.
It wouldn't be a problem.
"Then shall we continue the conversation from earlier?"
Mok Gyeong-un said to Lee Ji-yeom, the Master of Corpse Blood Valley.
This was Lee Ji-yeom's office.
Having returned here immediately, Mok Gyeong-un was about to finish the conversation and ask what he was curious about.
What could be the secret of the Blue Spirit?
At that moment, the Blue Spirit's voice echoed in Mok Gyeong-un's ears.
-Hey. Mortal.
'I'm sorry, but it seems difficult to answer right now.'
He couldn't respond because Lee Ji-yeom, the Master of Corpse Blood Valley, was sitting across from him.
But then she spoke in a serious voice.
-I sincerely ask you. Don't ask now.
'...….'
Why?
Didn't she become a ghost for revenge and accept him as a disciple despite disliking him?
But why didn't she want to hear this? He didn't understand.
As he was puzzled, the Blue Spirit said,
-Even if not now, you will eventually find out when the time comes. Instead, if you do as I say, I will teach you one of the Eight Forms of Thought Destruction.
At her words, Mok Gyeong-un's eyes narrowed.
She was someone who didn't give any clues about the forms, saying that one had to realize them on their own.
But now she was saying she would teach him one of the forms she had realized.
It was a slightly tempting offer.
-If you agree to my words, make a circle with your index finger and thumb.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un moved the fingers he had placed on his thigh.
Then,
-...…
The Blue Spirit snorted as if dumbfounded.
It was because Mok Gyeong-un hadn't drawn a circle with his fingers, but stretched out his index and middle fingers.
It meant he wanted her to teach him not one, but two.
'....You never settle for a loss, do you?'
Even knowing one of the Eight Forms of Thought Destruction was infinitely useful and valuable.
However, she thought the forms she had realized could be more harmful than helpful even if Mok Gyeong-un knew them now, so she hadn't taught him.
So she was trying to teach him one form that was relatively safe, but,
-Fine, you greedy bastard.
In the end, she agreed to teach him.
She wasn't sure if he could embody what she had realized, but she didn't want Mok Gyeong-un to know about this matter right now.
No, she herself didn't want to hear how it was revealed either.
She had a guess anyway.
'When you're ready...'
It wouldn't be too late to hear it then.
With their agreement reached, Mok Gyeong-un said to Lee Ji-yeom, the Master of Corpse Blood Valley, who was about to speak to continue the conversation,
"That day….."
"Please wait a moment."
"Yes?"
"Can we hear that story later?"
"Hear it later…..? But don't you need to know what really happened back then to understand the situation of the sect..."
"Let's have this conversation after my position is a bit more established."
"After your position is established?"
To the puzzled Lee Ji-yeom, Mok Gyeong-un pointed at himself and said,
"In your eyes, Valley Master, what level do I seem to be at now?"
"Level?"
"In martial arts."
"Martial arts. Hmm."
At this, Lee Ji-yeom slightly frowned, then looked Mok Gyeong-un up and down.
Then, in a voice that didn't seem fully confident, he said,
"Is it alright if I speak honestly?"
"Yes."
"Just based on the energy I sense, you feel like a first-rate martial artist."
'First-rate?'
At his words, Mok Gyeong-un tilted his head slightly.
He still had almost no clear realization of the energy corresponding to the Peak Realm.
However, the amount of death energy he possessed had reached the Pinnacle of Peak Realm.
Moreover, his opened middle danjeon was also filled with condensed energy reaching the Pinnacle of Peak Realm, so he could be said to have twice as much energy as a master of the same level.
'Can he not feel the energy?'
As he was puzzled, the Blue Spirit's voice was heard.
-Perhaps that could be the case.
'Huh?'
-In the first place, humans cannot accumulate or feel the energy of death in their bodies. At most, they would feel a chill or coldness.
'...….'
-Moreover, even if such death energy is gathered in the danjeon, it would be strange for ordinary people to accurately sense it.
'Is that so?'
As the Blue Spirit said, death energy was completely different from ordinary energy, so even a great master like Lee Ji-yeom, the Valley Master of Corpse Blood Valley, might have difficulty grasping it?
No, come to think of it, this could be a good thing.
'If the opponent doesn't know my level, I can deceive them.'
This alone had considerable value.
After all, letting one's guard down was useful for creating the opponent's weakness.
Then, Lee Ji-yeom carefully asked,
"Could it be that you are deliberately concealing your energy, my liege?"
The strength of 'that person' that Lee Ji-yeom had heard from his grandfather was no exaggeration to say that she was among the top three even among the strongest people in the history of Heaven and Earth Society.
Therefore, he thought this couldn't be all.
However,
"No. What you see is what it is."
".....Is that true?"
"Yes."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Lee Ji-yeom let out a sigh mixed with some disappointment.
That was understandable, as Lee Ji-yeom thought 'that person' had possessed this boy's body as a ghost to take revenge and regain her past glory and honor.
He naturally thought she would be prepared.
But if that wasn't the case, what was his liege going to do in this situation?
"You seem quite disappointed."
"That's...."
He couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.
To him, Mok Gyeong-un said with a smile,
"Of course you would think that. But it's only been half a month since I possessed this body, and at that time, this body wasn't even third-rate."
'!?'
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Lee Ji-yeom's eyes sparkled with interest.
It was reasonable, as this meant his liege had reached the first-rate realm in just half a month.
If this was true, it could be considered a tremendous rate of progress.
"Is that…..true?"
"Yes. You don't believe me?"
"No. How could that be? I'm just surprised..."
Even with outstanding martial talent, this speed was beyond common sense.
Lee Ji-yeom's reaction was natural.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un said,
"I know you have expectations, but even if my past self that you know is different, I'm also in a position where I have to start from the beginning again."
"Ah….."
At those words, Lee Ji-yeom nodded as if he understood.
Then he carefully asked,
".....Then how long do you think it will take for you to recover to your original level, my liege?"
That was the key point.
Lee Ji-yeom was in a highly excited state after making the loyalty oath.
He wanted to leave this Corpse Blood Valley immediately and regain honor together as the right-hand man of his liege.
To his question, Mok Gyeong-un pondered for a moment.
'Original level?'
Actually, come to think of it, Mok Gyeong-un had never heard about the level of martial arts Cheong-ryeong possessed when she was alive.
She herself always talked about how strong she was, but the standard for that was vague.
However, seeing even the strong Lee Ji-yeom having reverence, it seemed she was definitely stronger than he thought.
'Then....'
It seemed good to set a target period to some extent.
A gentleman's revenge is not late even after ten years.
It meant that a gentleman's revenge, even if it takes ten years, is not too late, and to be patient, build up strength, and wait for the right time.
Of course, it was natural to cultivate patience for revenge, but ten years was too long.
So, the period Mok Gyeong-un had in mind was,
-Swish!
'!?'
Lee Ji-yeom's expression stiffened at the fingers Mok Gyeong-un held up.
-You...are you crazy?
The Blue Spirit's voice was heard in Mok Gyeong-un's ears.
Why were they reacting like this?
As he was puzzled, Mok Gyeong-un was only holding up two fingers.
-Ha!
The Blue Spirit clicked her tongue as if dumbfounded.
Meanwhile, Lee Ji-yeom, the Master of Corpse Blood Valley, spoke in a slightly trembling voice,
"Could it be twenty years….."
"No. That's too long."
At those words, Lee Ji-yeom gulped and continued speaking as if he couldn't believe it.
"Is that really...possible for you?"
"Is there anything I can't do?"
An answer without a moment's hesitation.
At this,
"Ha....."
Lee Ji-yeom let out an exclamation with eyes full of genuine reverence.
He was trying to set the target period as short as possible and aim for it, but was this level of reaction necessary?
Then the Blue Spirit clicked her tongue and said,
-A guy who hasn't even gained proper realization of the Peak Realm is boasting that he will surpass the barrier and reach the realm of Transformation (化境) within 2 years.
Transformation Realm (化境).
It was the supreme martial arts realm that could only be reached by surpassing the barrier and attaining the states of Three Flowers Gathered at the Crown[1] and Five Energies Paying Homage to the Origin[2].
It was said that only the Six Heavens and Eight Stars[3], known as the greatest masters in the current martial arts world, had reached that realm.
Yet Mok Gyeong-un had declared that he would reach the same level as them in 2 years.
'Is it difficult?'
As if reading Mok Gyeong-un's thoughts, the Blue Spirit said,
-Die and wake up a hundred times. See if that's possible. No, if that happens, I will call you Lord for the rest of my life and attend to you.