“It’s over there.”
At his subordinate's words, Jin Ha-gun stared at a distant building.
It was an abandoned manor.
As the wind blew, the half-broken main gate creaked.
They had finally found the whereabouts of the Iron Workshop artisan Gwak Yeong’s younger brother and had come to rescue him.
This mission was special to Jin Ha-gun.
It was a task Geom Muyang had entrusted to him with faith.
That prideful man had given him the job, believing, ‘You’ll do better at this than I would,’ so it was a task he dearly wanted to succeed in.
“The manor is occupied by beggars, but judging by their movements, they are men who have learned martial arts.”
“How many are there in total?”
“There are about seven or eight of them outside. It seemed there was a similar number inside as well.”
They must be taking advantage of the fact that people avoid places crowded with beggars, disguising themselves as such.
“What are the positions of the men on watch?”
The martial artist who had gone out for reconnaissance unfolded a piece of paper.
On it was a rough sketch of the buildings inside the manor.
“There are men on guard in all four directions. Here, here, here, and here.”
The reconnaissance martial artist quickly pointed his finger at the locations of the guards.
As they were martial artists of the Demon Slaying Branch who had carried out numerous missions, they knew to divide themselves into teams and decide which enemies to handle.
“We have a hostage, so take them out quietly and enter.”
The Demon Slaying Branch martial artists carefully approached the manor from all sides.
Leading the way were Jin Ha-gun and those with the most outstanding lightness arts in the Demon Slaying Branch.
The moment the beggar watching the outside fell to a hidden weapon, the Demon Slaying Branch martial artists swiftly rushed in from four directions and simultaneously leaped over the wall.
As Jin Ha-gun lightly landed below the wall, the beggar guarding that spot tried to draw a dagger from his robes to attack.
Jin Ha-gun had known he was there when he landed, so the man had no chance to shout or attack.
Whoosh.
Slice!
With a single stroke from Jin Ha-gun’s sword, the martial artist disguised as a beggar was cut down.
The beggars guarding the other spots also fell in unison to the surprise attack of the Demon Slaying Branch.
They were quite skilled, but not skilled enough to handle a surprise attack from the Demon Slaying Branch.
Having crossed the walls from all four directions, the Demon Slaying Branch members began to sweep through the buildings one by one.
Based on their proficient experience, they silently eliminated all those who were inside as well.
The only building left was the largest one in the center.
Jin Ha-gun and the Demon Slaying Branch martial artists quietly infiltrated the place.
Daggers flew toward the necks of the beggars guarding the hallway.
The daggers struck their necks precisely, and before they could fall, Demon Slaying Branch members slid in to catch them.
Without a single scream or the sound of a falling body, they gradually made their way inside.
And they reached the final door.
When they cautiously opened the door and entered, they found themselves in a large great hall.
A space so vast that it made one wonder, ‘Is there such a large room inside this building?’
In the center of the great hall, a man was sitting in a chair.
His head was bowed low, and he seemed to be asleep, his vital points likely having been pressed.
The feeling was that he was undoubtedly the one they had to rescue.
But Jin Ha-gun was cautious.
Before sending a subordinate to check, he looked at one person.
He was the oldest-looking man among the Demon Slaying Branch members who had come along.
In truth, though he wore the uniform of the Demon Slaying Branch, he was not a member.
Hwa Song, the master of the Great Soul Reversal Technique.
The Great Soul Reversal Technique was a martial art created to counter the Soul-Devouring Art.
It was a technique originally based on the Buddhist sect’s Soul-Calming Radiance, specifically designed to counter the Soul-Devouring Art of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
The Martial Alliance had trained martial artists who could perform the Great Soul Reversal Technique, and Hwa Song was one of the two grand masters who taught them.
He was, in short, one of the two most skilled masters within the Martial Alliance at dispelling the Soul-Devouring Art.
The reason Jin Ha-gun was on a mission with Hwa Song was because of Geom Mugeuk.
Geom Mugeuk had sent word that there was a master of the Soul-Devouring Art among their enemies.
He had even added that the opponent's skill was not ordinary, so they had to be especially careful.
Since that message, the Demon Slaying Branch had been moving with Hwa Song at all times.
They had anticipated that the enemies might use the Soul-Devouring Art in this rescue mission, and indeed, that was the case.
Hwa Song looked around and immediately noticed the hidden secret technique.
“A Soul-Strengthening Art has been cast here.”
Hwa Song explained the Soul-Strengthening Art.
“In a space where the Soul-Strengthening Art is cast, the Soul-Devouring Art displays even greater power. It becomes difficult for even me to easily dispel it.”
Jin Ha-gun's expression hardened.
The person who cast the Soul-Strengthening Art would naturally be a master of the Soul-Devouring Art, which meant he could appear here at any moment.
The Demon Slaying Branch martial artists formed a protective circle around Hwa Song, on high alert.
The person they had to protect at all costs was Hwa Song.
Jin Ha-gun circulated his energy and scanned the surroundings, but fortunately, he felt no presence of anyone hiding.
Normally, the order would be to check the hostage first, but in a space where the Soul-Strengthening Art was active, they couldn't move carelessly.
“First, I will dispel the Soul-Strengthening Art.”
“Please be careful.”
With skilled hand movements, Hwa Song began to dispel the Soul-Strengthening Art.
He moved a vase from the decorative cabinet to the side.
Then he took down a scroll hanging on the wall and placed it on the floor.
He wasn't just carelessly moving things around.
Each and every object was moved with care.
He took out a powder from his robes and sprinkled it on the floor, and erased a line drawn on the wall.
He then drew a new line next to it.
All the while, Jin Ha-gun and the Demon Slaying Branch remained on guard, tense.
How much time passed?
Hwa Song succeeded in dispelling the Soul-Strengthening Art.
“It’s done.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
Even after the Soul-Strengthening Art was dispelled, Jin Ha-gun and the Demon Slaying Branch members felt no change.
Now, everyone's gaze turned to the sleeping man in the middle of the great hall.
A man sleeping alone in a space where a Soul-Strengthening Art had been cast.
Truly, if this mission hadn't been a rescue operation, they would have retreated first and foremost.
But since there was a high possibility that he was Gwak Yeong’s brother, they cautiously approached him.
Hwa Song, along with Jin Ha-gun, led the way toward the sleeping man.
The Demon Slaying Branch members flanked them as escorts.
Hwa Song placed his palm near the man's forehead.
A blue light seemed to flow from his hand, and then…
“This man is not under the Soul-Devouring Art.”
At that, a Demon Slaying Branch member went and lifted the man’s head.
After confirming his face, the martial artist turned to Jin Ha-gun and gave a single nod.
It meant the man's appearance matched the description of Gwak Yeong’s brother.
“Wake him.”
At Jin Ha-gun’s command, a martial artist pressed the man’s pressure points to wake him.
Although they were told he hadn't been subjected to the Soul-Devouring Art, they didn't know what kind of attack he might launch upon waking, so everyone remained tense, their inner energy raised.
The man, awakened from his sleep, looked at Jin Ha-gun and the Demon Slaying Branch members with a startled face.
The surprise and fear he showed were by no means an act.
“Please save me!”
The man squeezed his eyes shut.
Having just woken up, he did not believe the martial artists before him were there to rescue him.
It seemed he thought they were on the same side as his kidnappers.
A Demon Slaying Branch member asked him.
“What is your name?”
The man cautiously opened his eyes and looked around furtively.
“Your name!”
When prompted once more, the man answered quickly.
“It’s Gwak Ju.”
It was definitely Gwak Yeong’s brother.
Only then did Jin Ha-gun reveal his identity to him.
“We are the Martial Alliance’s Demon Slaying Branch. We came to rescue you at your sister’s request.”
He deliberately mentioned Gwak Yeong.
At those words, Gwak Ju’s eyes widened, and soon a bright smile spread across his face.
“Ah! Finally! Thank you, really, thank you.”
“Let’s leave quickly.”
It was at that moment, as they turned to lead him out.
Whoooosh.
Clang!
Jin Ha-gun instinctively parried the sword that flew at Gwak Ju.
He was truly startled.
The Demon Slaying Branch member standing right behind him had suddenly thrust his sword toward Gwak Ju.
“He’s been hit by the Soul-Devouring Art!”
Just as that martial artist was about to attack Gwak Ju again, a comrade next to him subdued him by striking his paralyzing point.
“Ugh!”
The subordinate's face contorted, and a pained scream escaped his lips.
The veins on his forehead began to bulge instantly.
“No!”
Jin Ha-gun cried out urgently, his heart sinking.
It was just as Geom Mugeuk had told him.
If you subdued someone under the Soul-Devouring Art by striking their pressure points, they would die a painful death.
Fortunately, they had Hwa Song.
He quickly placed his palm on the martial artist’s forehead and recited a formula.
As a blue glow emanated from his hand, the face of the martial artist, who had been struggling in pain, became calm.
The martial artist was bewildered as everyone stared at him.
“What’s going on?”
He didn't even realize he had been under the Soul-Devouring Art.
That was how incredible the skill of the person who cast it on him was.
Jin Ha-gun told him calmly.
“You were just under the Soul-Devouring Art.”
The subordinate was shocked.
If it hadn't been for Hwa Song, he would have died.
No, if Geom Mugeuk hadn't sent word in advance to be careful, they would have met with disaster here.
Jin Ha-gun released his energy and scanned the surroundings.
But there was no sign of anyone else hiding anywhere in the great hall.
“Let’s get out of here, quickly!”
The best course of action was to leave this place first.
Just as they were about to hurry out.
Whoosh.
Again, one of the Demon Slaying Branch members swung his sword.
Fwoosh!
The surprise attack was so sudden that the martial artist next to him couldn't avoid it.
Blood spurted from his arm.
Swish swish swish!
Clang clang clang!
He charged at his comrade like a madman.
Other martial artists subdued him.
“Arrrggghhh!”
The one who attacked was in a more urgent situation than the one who was injured.
With his pressure points subdued, his veins swelled as if they would burst, and he let out a scream.
Hwa Song once again placed his palm on his forehead and recited a formula.
There were no signs beforehand, making it seem all too natural to fall under the Soul-Devouring Art.
Hwa Song was inwardly astonished.
‘This shouldn’t be possible.’
It would be one thing if the Soul-Strengthening Art was still in effect, but it had already been dispelled.
Yet, to use the Soul-Devouring Art repeatedly in such a situation was by no means easy.
Moreover, the higher the martial arts mastery of the target, the more difficult it is to cast the Soul-Devouring Art.
For a member of the Demon Slaying Branch, it should be considered extremely difficult.
To use the Soul-Devouring Art repeatedly like this? Just who was their opponent?
Before he could even release the Soul-Devouring Art, another martial artist swung his sword, this time rushing toward Jin Ha-gun.
Jin Ha-gun did not subdue him and shouted.
Clang clang clang clang!
“Everyone, distance yourselves from the person next to you.”
The Demon Slaying Branch members created distance.
They kept enough space to block any sudden actions from the person next to them.
“We are getting out of this place now!”
“Yes!”
A martial artist at the back ran to open the door.
The moment he did, he flinched in shock.
Beyond the opened door, there was not a hallway but a space identical to this room.
It was a scene as if looking into a mirror.
Instinctively feeling that he should not enter, he closed the door and opened it again.
Fwoosh!
This time, flames shot up right before his eyes.
Startled by the intense heat, the martial artist hurriedly closed the door.
Jin Ha-gun watched this scene while dealing with his subordinate.
He knew they had completely fallen into the enemy’s domain.
“Master Hwa! Please hurry!”
Was he running out of inner energy?
The speed at which Hwa Song dispelled the Soul-Devouring Art began to slow down.
But the speed at which people fell under the Soul-Devouring Art, conversely, became faster.
Clang clang clang!
A fight broke out again among the Demon Slaying Branch members.
“Don’t subdue their inner energy, just fight!”
They had to hold out without subduing the inner energy while Hwa Song dispelled the art.
If the number of subordinates under the Soul-Devouring Art continued to increase like this, a truly perilous situation could unfold.
Jin Ha-gun could understand.
Why the Righteous Path considered the Soul-Devouring Demon Sovereign and the Poison King to be the most troublesome.
Any fight is difficult for a martial artist, but facing the Soul-Devouring Art was particularly tough.
Fighting one’s own comrades was a mentally exhausting battle.
Another Demon Slaying Branch member fell to the Soul-Devouring Art.
‘We have to get out of this space!’
Jin Ha-gun entrusted the subordinate he was fighting to another and ran towards the door himself.
Swwwoooosh!
Sword Qi swirled from his sword.
But the moment the Sword Qi touched the door, it vanished as if it were melting snow.
‘We can’t get out unless we find a way to dispel this!’
He shouted to Hwa Song.
“Master Hwa, we need to dispel this space.”
Hwa Song, as if he hadn't heard the shout, kept his back turned and did not look this way.
It was at that moment.
Someone called him from behind.
“Demon Slaying Branch Master Jin Ha-gun.”
Startled, he turned to see Gwak Ju.
It was not the same naive gaze he had seen before.
Instead of attacking him, he spoke calmly.
“Do you know why it has come to this?”
Jin Ha-gun could tell.
The master of the Soul-Devouring Art was speaking to him through Gwak Ju’s mouth.
“Why?”
To his calm question, the opponent delivered shocking news.
“While dispelling the Soul-Strengthening Art earlier, Hwa Song activated an even more powerful Soul-Strengthening Art.”
“...”
It was an unbelievable statement, but the unfolding situation proved his words right.
Otherwise, it made no sense for such a powerful Soul-Devouring Art to continue like this.
“How was that possible?”
“I embedded a new Soul-Strengthening Art within the method to dispel the old one. He himself cast the Blood Heaven Soul-Strengthening Art that I had arranged.”
Earlier, he had moved the vase, placed the scroll on the floor, sprinkled powder, erased a line, and drew a new one.
The man was saying that he had arranged for another Soul-Strengthening Art to be activated through the process Hwa Song had used to dispel the first one.
“If the Blood Heaven Soul-Strengthening Art had been in place from the start, Hwa Song would have sensed something was wrong. But in his relief at having dispelled the Soul-Strengthening Art, he didn't realize a new one had been cast. I know him well.”
At those words, Jin Ha-gun knew.
The one casting this Soul-Devouring Art, like So Jeong-rak or the Heavenly Wandering Hermit, had been plotting around the Martial Alliance for a long time.
He must have been laying the groundwork especially around the masters of the Great Soul Reversal Technique.
“Hwa Song had dispelled this exact same Soul-Strengthening Art before. Twice, in fact.”
Jin Ha-gun understood.
The person who had provided those opportunities to dispel it was the very person speaking now.
“So he used the dispelling method he used back then with confidence, without a shred of doubt.”
A hint of a smile flickered in Gwak Ju’s eyes.
“Sometimes, familiarity becomes the greatest trap for a human.”
Gwak Ju looked at Hwa Song.
Hwa Song stood there blankly with his back turned.
He wasn't even trying to dispel the Soul-Devouring Art.
The light had long since vanished from his hands, which had been busy emitting a blue glow.
Hwa Song slowly turned to face them.
The moment they saw the change in his eyes, not only Jin Ha-gun but all the members of the Demon Slaying Branch let out a sigh.
The only person who could get them out of here had fallen to the Soul-Devouring Art.
The few Demon Slaying Branch members who had been standing around to protect him also drew their swords and turned towards Jin Ha-gun.
Those who were not under the Soul-Devouring Art could not hide their bewilderment.
And on top of that, more shocking news.
“At this very moment, the Martial Alliance Leader is likely killing the Young Cult Master to save you.”
“...”
Jin Ha-gun could feel the opponent's killing intent in Gwak Ju’s eyes.
“The Young Cult Master will die by the Martial Alliance Leader’s hand, and you will die here.”
Even if the Martial Alliance Leader killed the Young Cult Master, he intended to kill Jin Ha-gun.
Their plan to kill Geom Mugeuk and Jin Ha-gun was proceeding to the very end.
Despite it being the worst possible news, Jin Ha-gun's expression brightened.
“Then they must know over there that we are in danger.”
Jin Ha-gun spoke to his subordinates.
“They will come to help us soon.”
Gwak Ju laughed out loud.
“You cling to false hope.”
But Jin Ha-gun’s hope contained an absolute faith in his grandfather and Geom Mugeuk.
His grandfather would never kill Geom Mugeuk, and Geom Mugeuk would never let such a situation happen.
“The two people I trust most in this world know of my crisis?”
Jin Ha-gun said softly to his subordinates.
“Hold on until the end. Today, none of us will die!”