Chapter 103. Ghost
***
Zhengzhou was in an uproar from early morning due to the ominous incident that had occurred yesterday.
The ghost incident that took place in the bustling streets at midnight.
Witnesses unanimously pointed to the murderer who had slaughtered around forty people as a ghost.
The reason was simple.
Appearing and vanishing like a ghost.
They said the murderer's unpredictable movements were like those of a ghost. Although there were many martial artists present at the scene, not a single one of them had clearly seen the murderer.
Such mysteriously appearing and eerily vanishing movement techniques were things that existed only in their imagination. From that perspective, it was only natural that they claimed to have seen a ghost.
Today was the day when registration for the All-Under-Heaven Youth Martial Arts Tournament was set to begin, but due to this murderous incident, not only the Martial Alliance but all of Zhengzhou was in turmoil.
"It's a ghost's curse," or "A great slaughter star appeared to disrupt the All-Under-Heaven Youth Martial Arts Tournament and killed people," and other groundless rumors spread rapidly.
Because of this, Eulji Tae, the squad leader of the Martial World Protection Unit responsible for maintaining order in Zhengzhou, began his day extremely busy from the very first day of his return to the Martial Alliance.
Even now, he had been summoned early in the morning to Heaven-Connecting Hall and was reporting the matter to True Immortal Hyeon-cheon.
"Is it the Heavenly Slaughter Star?"
True Immortal Hyeon-cheon asked bluntly the moment he saw Eulji Tae.
"I cannot be certain yet."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, Alliance Leader. At the scene, we could not find any trace whatsoever of Heavenly Slaughter Energy."
"Tsk, tsk. It is an Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Star. By now, Heavenly Slaughter Energy must be completely embedded within that dantian. There would be no reason for traces of Heavenly Slaughter Energy to remain. What I am referring to is the sheer brutality of the scene itself."
"That is... which is precisely why it is even harder to view this as the work of the Heavenly Slaughter Star. Because the one who appeared at the scene committed the murders selectively."
"Selectively murdered? What do you mean by that?"
"All of the dead at the scene were people dressed in black. We have not yet confirmed their identities precisely, but they appeared to be individuals belonging to the same group."
"Hm."
True Immortal Hyeon-cheon stroked his long white beard and continued listening to Eulji Tae's report.
"If that person's Heavenly Slaughter Energy had gone berserk, no one present there would have been able to escape the killing calamity."
"That would be so. If Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Energy had erupted there, the entire area should have been completely devastated. Then are you saying that yesterday's incident has nothing to do with the Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Star?"
At True Immortal Hyeon-cheon's words, Eulji Tae hesitated briefly before replying in an uncertain tone.
"That is... I am not sure myself, but I believe it may indeed have been the work of the Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Star."
True Immortal Hyeon-cheon's white eyebrows lifted slightly. It was rare to hear Eulji Tae say, "I'm not sure."
"Explain."
"Forty-three people were slaughtered, yet none of those at the scene properly saw the murderer."
"However, based on that alone, isn't it unreasonable to conclude that a chosen one of the Heavenly Slaughter Star has appeared?"
"That is true, but according to the witnesses' testimonies, they said the murderer was a 'ghost.'"
"A ghost?"
"Yes, they definitely said so. Not just one or two people, but the majority of witnesses identified the murderer as a ghost. Because of that, rumors that a ghost has appeared in Zhengzhou are spreading rapidly."
"Explain in more detail."
"...There isn't much to explain. According to the witnesses, the ghost appeared and disappeared, and passed straight through walls and rooftops."
"Appeared and disappeared... and passed freely through walls? Does that even make sense?"
"Yes, and so in my view, that was...."
"Are you saying it was a monstrous ability of Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Energy?"
As Eulji Tae paused, True Immortal Hyeon-cheon finished the sentence for him.
"Yes, Alliance Leader. That is correct."
"Hm."
True Immortal Hyeon-cheon once again stroked his beard and sank into thought.
In the past, several Heavenly Slaughter Stars had descended upon the martial world. However, most of them died before properly maturing. That was due to the nature of the Heavenly Slaughter Star itself. It would openly declare, "I have been born," and the wise ones of the martial world would never remain idle.
However, there were certainly those who could not be found even when attempts were made to deal with them in childhood, and they would later appear in the martial world and become great slaughter stars.
Among them, the Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Star had appeared in the world exactly twice.
According to what had been passed down, the Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Star was said to be very different from other Heavenly Slaughter Stars.
Monstrous ability.
Unlike other Heavenly Slaughter Stars, it was said to be born with a peculiar ability.
The one who first conveyed this fact to later generations was none other than the Heavenly Demon.
In truth, the one who killed the first Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Star was the Heavenly Demon himself.
A thousand years ago, when the martial world fell into a blood calamity due to the Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Star, the Heavenly Demon appeared, slew the Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Star, and seized the world into his own hands.
Even so, it was said that at the time many people followed the Heavenly Demon regardless of orthodox or demonic paths. The appearance of the Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Star had given the Heavenly Demon justification for his imperial king's path. Many believed that his merit in slaying the Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Star outweighed his tyranny.
That was how terrifying an existence the Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Star was.
And yet, the Heavenly Demon who eliminated it reportedly stated that the being possessed a peculiar ability called a monstrous ability. He said he had nearly died countless times because of it.
However, he did not provide any concrete description of that ability.
Whether he did not know the monstrous ability precisely, or whether he knew but deliberately chose not to pass it on, was unknown, and opinions among successors were divided.
What Eulji Tae was saying now was that this 'shinchul-gwimol movement technique' might be the monstrous ability of the Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Star.
True Immortal Hyeon-cheon pondered the legend of the Heavenly Demon for a moment longer, then shook his head and spoke.
"Hm. But would it be merely that level of ability?"
"Yes?"
"That monstrous ability. I hate to admit it, but the Heavenly Demon was the greatest master under heaven a thousand years ago. He may have been the strongest person in the history of the martial world."
"...…."
"For someone like that to call it a monstrous ability. Do you really think such a technique—one that seems little different from an outstanding movement technique—would be all there is?"
"But according to the witnesses, it was absolutely not a movement technique."
In Eulji Tae's view, a movement technique so extraordinary that it was called ghost-like would be sufficient to be considered a monstrous ability.
On the other hand, True Immortal Hyeon-cheon remained doubtful.
"That may be so. As you say, the Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Star may have revealed itself."
"If you leave it to me, I will thoroughly...."
"No need. Starting today, registration for the All-Under-Heaven Youth Martial Arts Tournament begins. You should focus on that matter, and leave the investigation of yesterday's incident to Biponggong. Wasn't the investigation of the Extreme Yin Heavenly Slaughter Star originally entrusted to him anyway?"
The Biponggong that True Immortal Hyeon-cheon referred to was none other than Byeonggwae.
As the Alliance Leader said, even in Eulji Tae's view, Byeonggwae—skilled enough to be called the Eight-Skill Weapon Maniac—was more suited for this matter than himself.
However.
"Yes, Alliance Leader. I will do so. However, it seems he will not be able to begin immediately."
"What is the matter?"
"I believe Lord Byeonggong will prioritize a promise he has with someone."
"That person? Who is that?"
"It is a man named Dong Gwang-cheon who entered the Martial Alliance with me yesterday. Lord Byeonggong has likely gone to meet him now."
"Dong Gwang-cheon? Ah! The very person Biponggong asked you to bring no matter what?"
"Yes."
"Hm. I am curious. What kind of young man is he, for someone like Biponggong to take such an interest? In your view, does he have the makings of a pillar of the martial world?"
Eulji Tae thought briefly about Dong Bong-su before speaking.
"He was a taciturn person."
In truth, there was not much about him that left a strong impression. The most notable thing was how extremely quiet he was.
"Even more so than you?"
"Yes."
"Anything else?"
After thinking a bit more, Eulji Tae continued carefully.
"He has not cultivated internal energy."
"Is that so?"
The interest vanished completely from True Immortal Hyeon-cheon's voice. What the Martial Alliance needed now were strong people—particularly those with exceptional martial arts. If he cultivated only external cultivation without internal energy, his limits would be obvious. Even if he practiced martial arts, his level would surely be insignificant.
If one's martial arts were weak, no matter how interesting they were, they would inevitably fall outside the scope of interest.
"However, he possessed good aptitude."
"Hm. If you say so, then that must be the case."
He said that, but in True Immortal Hyeon-cheon's mind, the name Dong Gwang-cheon was already fading away.
To him, someone with value was not a talented prodigy with good aptitude, but an already completed 'strong hero' like Zhong Zhihang. One could never become a pillar of the martial world merely by being taciturn.
Still, thinking that if he were clever, there might be some use for him, True Immortal Hyeon-cheon added casually.
"If he wishes, help him find work in an appropriate position."
"Yes, Alliance Leader. Understood."
***
Clatter, clatter.
The sound of tableware and chopsticks colliding echoed rhythmically through the room.
Dong Bong-su ate the breakfast brought by the maid while replaying the battle from the previous night. It was a continuation of everyday life, connecting yesterday's conclusion with today's beginning.
[Concealment Technique].
It was a more useful technique than he had expected. Especially when combined with [movement technique] and the Inventory Divine Art, it produced a very solid combination.
It was perfectly suited for confusing enemies.
Disappear, appear, then disappear again, appear again...….
Flashing here and there.
Taking advantage of the geographical benefits of a city, he could roam as he pleased. He could hide his body, albeit in a limited way, on rooftops, rafters, and even on stone-paved ground. Of course, it did not work on objects that were firmly bonded together with glue or the like.
In any case, yesterday's battle was enough to instill confidence in him.
That within a city, there were not many martial artists capable of catching him anymore.
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