Chapter 55: Flame Sword Alliance (5)

Jang Unhyeok examined the traces of the Living Spirit that the Bloodscent Fiend had left behind.

He rubbed the mark where black energy had seeped in like ink with his finger and opened his mouth.

“This bastard belonged to the Heavenly Sound Cult’s Intelligence Division, but he was too cruel, so we drove him out.”

Gugwi and Yeon Sohye looked at him.

“But the fellow was a master at flattery. Somehow, he managed to worm his way under the Eleventh True Army, playing the role of a hound that hunted people down. Of course, he’s been using as many Living Spirits as he pleases.”

There was disgust mixed in Jang Unhyeok’s voice.

He recalled the scenes in the past, when the Bloodscent Fiend would torture captives with horrific methods to extract information in the Intelligence Division. The face that grinned while plucking out fingernails one by one, while skinning people alive.

“In the Intelligence Division… torture was his hobby. Even after he got the information, he kept tormenting them.”

“Isn’t that normal in the Heavenly Sound Cult? I’ve never heard that they treat prisoners like people.”

“Heh! The Heavenly Sound Cult is still a place where people live. If you listen to what those in the Central Plains say, they talk as if only devils and demons live there. As if there isn’t a single one who isn’t a fiend.”

“And isn’t that pretty much the truth?”

“Think what you want. The Bloodscent Fiend scattering Living Spirits was a trick to track your movements. He already figured out where you were going, and this was just a probe to confirm it.”

Jang Unhyeok pointed to the traces in the cracks of the rock.

“So he knows I’m going to Danhong Valley?”

Gugwi asked, his eyes wide in surprise.

“Not just knows, he’s probably set up traps there too.”

“He also has the purpose of diverting the attention of the Blue Blood Unit. The Bloodscent Fiend has already massacred several villages. The Blue Blood Unit won’t be able to stay uninvolved. And in that gap, he’ll target you. The traps at Danhong Valley are real.”

Yeon Sohye supplemented his explanation.

Gugwi recalled the cruel nature of the Bloodscent Fiend and felt his Spirit Flow Core tremble faintly.

From his dantian, a cold fury surged upward.

“What I hear is… he’s someone I must kill the next time we meet.”

Gugwi’s voice sank coldly.

Killing intent flashed in his eyes.

Jang Unhyeok and Yeon Sohye sat down on a rock to discuss what lay ahead.

“Gugwi isn’t ready yet.”

Yeon Sohye spoke coldly.

“Don’t expect too much from him. Don’t rush your revenge, and don’t even think of using him for it. The power of the Spirit Flow Core may be strong, but still…”

“Heh!”

Jang Unhyeok cut her words off with a laugh.

“I’m already at the fourth level of Spiritual Sensitivity. I can tell at a glance where Gugwi’s Soul-Summoning Arts stand.”

Jang Unhyeok replied with confidence.

“The reason I chose to follow Gugwi was because of the Spirit Flow Core’s potential. And the possibility of revenge. Alone, I’d never be able to get it. But right now… to be frank? Gugwi and I aren’t that different in strength. With the Spirit Flow Core, maybe Gugwi’s ahead.”

There was a desperate edge to his voice.

“The Heavenly Sound Cult’s Intelligence Division has already gathered a lot of information on Gugwi. Heh! His growth speed is abnormal? They said he reached Spiritual Sensitivity in just a few months at the Cold Wolf Sect? Normally that takes years.”

Jang Unhyeok added with admiration.

“Is that the power of the Spirit Flow Core?”

“That’s not all. He has talent, and more importantly, he has will.”

“That’s just dressing it up. It’s because of the Spirit Flow Core.”

The Flame Sword Swordsman chuckled faintly.

Yeon Sohye stared at Jang Unhyeok.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?”

Jang Unhyeok asked, embarrassed.

“The truth is, the Murim Alliance is chasing us too. We killed the Vice-Captain of the Blue Blood Unit and several of their members, so there’s no room for negotiation. If we’re caught, we die. So there’s no returning to the Cold Wolf Sect either.”

“I didn’t know that. I left the Heavenly Sound Cult only yesterday, and you’re saying all that happened in a single day?”

“If protection is your goal, then return to the Cold Wolf Sect even now. As the former head of the Intelligence Division, your surrender would easily be accepted.”

“Surrender. Heh! If I surrender, I may keep my life. But revenge… would only drift further away. Would I ever be able to achieve it in this lifetime? Most likely I’d spend my days under surveillance, until assassins executed me.”

“Will you keep following us?”

“I have no choice.”

“Then… what I want to say is that our purpose is the same. We protect Gugwi. Whether it’s against the Heavenly Sound Cult, the Cold Wolf Sect, or the Murim Alliance. Every single day will be hell.”

“Agreed.”

“Agreed?”

“Agreed. Like I said, I have no choice.”

Jang Unhyeok nodded.

“But you know, Gugwi… doesn’t he have a strange personality? Cold one moment, emotional the next, and sometimes downright prickly.”

“Did you forget he’s a Minor Mastery Body?”

“Sigh!”

The Flame Sword Swordsman exhaled deeply.

Those with a Spirit Flow Core were bound to be arrogant and domineering. Dictators, conquerors, victors—they all shared the same traits.

Into what kind of personality would Gugwi distort?

“Since we’re companions now, let me ask. Danhong Valley is where the old sect of the Dark Spirit Sect was located. We might be able to uncover something about the Spirit Flow Core there. What do you think about going?”

“You just said the Bloodscent Fiend is under the Eleventh True Army. If we go there… we won’t stand a chance. Even when I saw it from the Intelligence Division, Ma Ungyeol’s Spirit Command Arts were terrifying.”

Jang Unhyeok spoke with a grave expression.

“Though he’s called Eleventh True Army, he’s hiding many powers. If he reveals everything he’s got, he’s closer to the Fifth or Sixth True Armies. No matter how I think about it, we can’t take him on.”

“Ma Ungyeol is at the level of the Fifth True Army?”

Yeon Sohye was shocked.

“All Twelve True Armies are targeting the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Sound Cult. That means they all possess power to that degree.”

Jang Unhyeok sighed.

“So you’re saying we should postpone exploring Danhong Valley and first focus on keeping ourselves alive?”

“Of course. But why are you telling me all this? I don’t think you trust me yet. Honestly, we still don’t know each other’s real intentions, do we?”

Jang Unhyeok asked curiously.

“You were the Intelligence Division Head. That title isn’t something just anyone can hold. Your judgment and analysis must have been outstanding even in the Heavenly Sound Cult. Having someone like that by my side—why wouldn’t I use it?”

Yeon Sohye spoke frankly.

“And you know the Heavenly Sound Cult inside out. Who’s where, what strategies they’ll use…”

“Quite an honor. To hear such words from the Captain of the Shadow Moon Unit… I’d have soon had a bounty placed on my head.”

Jang Unhyeok let out a bitter laugh.

“It’s already there. Don’t say you didn’t know. Dead or alive. Whoever brings in your head gets two hundred gold taels.”

“Phew!”

The Flame Sword Swordsman whistled, raising both hands to cover his own neck.

“Two hundred taels? That’s quite the sum. Was I really that dangerous?”

“A defecting Intelligence Division Head is a catastrophe for the Heavenly Sound Cult. Do you know how many secrets you alone possess?”

Yeon Sohye said seriously.

“Honestly, to be frank, traveling with you might be poison for us.”

“Oh? Really?”

Jang Unhyeok smiled knowingly, as if he had already guessed it.

“Just the Spirit Flow Core alone is enough to make the entire murim target Gugwi. Now, if the former Head of the Heavenly Sound Cult’s Intelligence Division joins him? The pursuit will only intensify severalfold.”

Worry tinged Yeon Sohye’s voice.

“The Heavenly Sound Cult will invest more forces to capture both you and Gugwi, and the Murim Alliance won’t let the Intelligence Division Head slip away either. Catching you alone would be considered as big as capturing one of the Twelve True Armies.”

“That’s true… but aren’t you giving me too much credit? No matter how significant I am, I’m nothing compared to the Spirit Flow Core. Now that everyone has noticed it… heh!”

Jang Unhyeok smiled, as if he could see the future clearly.

“In this situation, I’m definitely useful. The information I know, the movements of the Twelve True Armies, the secret bases of the Heavenly Sound Cult, the taboos of the Soul-Summoning Arts—these are things money can’t buy. And besides, my martial ability is considerable.”

He tapped his sword lightly, praising himself.

“So, do we have somewhere to go right now? We don’t, do we?”

Jang Unhyeok asked Yeon Sohye.

“Do you have a place in mind?”

“Yes. When I left the Heavenly Sound Cult, I had a destination in mind. It’s where I met my Spirit Union martial artist, Wind Sword Wolf. It’s a place called Dol Mountain.”

He spoke while gazing toward the distant peaks.

“The scenery there is beautiful, and wild herbs and fruits are plentiful. But because the terrain is so rugged, no one sets foot there.”

“A harsh terrain… good for shaking off pursuit. We could also buy time to recover. Let’s head there first.”

Yeon Sohye agreed.

Soon, the three of them sat facing one another.

“Danhong Valley will have to wait.”

Yeon Sohye spoke first.

“It’s too dangerous right now. The Eleventh True Army will be waiting.”

“I agree. It’s better to retreat to Dol Mountain and recover. We can make new plans there.”

Jang Unhyeok also agreed.

Gugwi nodded.

“If that’s the decision of you two, then it’s fine.”

The two of them looked surprised. They hadn’t expected Gugwi to yield so easily.

“But before that, there’s something I need to say.”

Gugwi spoke.

He sat on a rock and clutched his chest with his hand. From between his fingers, the blue light of the Spirit Flow Core leaked out. It was a light of the soul invisible to ordinary eyes.

“First… I need to know this thing. To uncover its true strength, completely.”

His voice was resolute.

“Until now, I’ve only used it whenever I needed it. Without really knowing it.”

Determination shone in Gugwi’s eyes.

“After that, I’ll uncover all the secrets entwined with it.”

He declared to the Spirit Flow Core lodged inside his chest.

“What the Manifest Demon Emperor is, what the Dark Spirit Sect sought, why the Heavenly Sound Cult desires this… everything. And then…”

Gugwi paused.

“Whether I should kill myself as my father and the Cloud Flow Sect wished, or stand against the Manifest Demon Emperor.”

At his words, the two flinched.

“Gugwi…”

Yeon Sohye tried to call out to him with worry, but Gugwi raised his hand to stop her.

“If my father told me to kill myself, just imagine how desperate he must have been. When I thought about it, that’s what struck me. How desperate must he have been, to tell me to die.”

Gugwi smiled bitterly.

“He was the father who protected me all my life. And yet… for that father to tell me to die. At first, I only felt betrayed. But now, I think he must have had a reason.”

“But…”

Jang Unhyeok tried to speak, but Gugwi shook his head.

“I want to know that reason. Only then can I make the right choice.”

His voice carried a heavy weight of thought.

“What if… my death really is the only way the world can be saved? What if the Spirit Flow Core truly can resurrect the Manifest Demon Emperor? If the Manifest Demon Emperor really is a god of destruction…?”

Gugwi stared at the blue glow of the Spirit Flow Core.

“Then dying might also be one way.”

Boom!

Suddenly, the Spirit Flow Core reacted violently.

“Huh?”

Gugwi pressed his chest.

His heart pounded as if it would burst. From within the Realm of the Threshold, he sensed a faint vibration, as if something was calling to him.

‘What is this?’

He focused, following the energy of the Spirit Flow Core.

He entered the Realm of the Threshold, expanding his consciousness within the galaxy of souls. There, he sensed faint fragments of a soul.

‘What are you?’

Gugwi attempted to contact that energy.

It was too far to discern clearly, but it was undoubtedly a fragment of a soul.

“…The record… of the sect…”

A faint echo reached him.

“…Dark Spirit Sect…”

Gugwi’s eyes flashed. It seemed that the soul fragment of someone from the Dark Spirit Sect still lingered in the Realm of the Threshold. The soul of one who, filled with rage, had not passed on.

“Who are you?”

“…The scribe… of the sect…”

A faint voice replied.

“Of the Dark Spirit Sect?”

“…We sought… to destroy the Cloud Flow Sect… and revive the Manifest Demon Emperor…”

The soul fragment whispered.

“Why?”

“…Pure faith… we sought revival… but were betrayed… by the Heavenly Sound Cult and the Murim Alliance…”

Gugwi’s eyes gleamed.

“Betrayed?”

“…The altar… Danhong Valley… all truths…”

The soul fragment’s voice faded.

Puzzled, Gugwi withdrew from the Realm of the Threshold.

“What is this?”

New questions about the Dark Spirit Sect arose.

Part of him wanted to rush to Danhong Valley immediately. But the Eleventh True Army was lying in wait there.

‘Just when it spoke to me… Danhong Valley! The moment it was mentioned, the soul in the Realm of the Threshold reacted. It hadn’t spoken until Danhong Valley was brought up. Hm!’

The thought that something was hidden in Danhong Valley grew stronger.

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