Soul Summoning Sword

Chapter 64: Spear Spirit Pressure (4)

Gugwi rose to his feet.

Even after the fierce battle with Sasaha, the blue energy of the Spirit Flow Core circulated steadily. There was no sign of rampaging anywhere.

‘I can’t just sit here and wait for the enemies’ attacks any longer.’

“I’m moving.”

His voice carried firm determination.

“Once we start moving, they’ll chase us immediately. We won’t be able to stop halfway. Will you be alright?”

Yeon Sohye asked with concern.

Gugwi thumped his chest.

“My Spirit Union physician is really fine. I need to find out what kind of person this man used to be. His acupuncture is nothing short of mysterious.”

“Pfft! You said there are as many souls as the Milky Way? And out of all those, you happened to find someone like that?”

Yeon Sohye chuckled faintly.

‘By chance?’

For a moment, Gugwi trembled as if struck by lightning. Of course, such trembling was only within himself, so the two did not notice it.

By chance… was it really by chance? Could it be that this soul had appeared before him because it had business with him? Or perhaps it was related to the Spirit Flow Core. Either way, it was not something found without reason.

‘Later. I’ll think about it later.’

Gugwi lifted his spear and stood.

He moved toward the cave’s entrance.

As he stepped outside, the lush forest of Sambong Valley stretched before his eyes. Though mist covered the ravine, the northern sky had cleared brightly.

“That’s north, isn’t it?”

Gugwi pointed in that direction. That was where the Heavenly Sound Cult’s stronghold lay—a dangerous region.

Yeon Sohye’s eyes widened.

“I was the one who suggested it, but… are we really heading north? If we go to the Heavenly Sound Cult, we might be attacked all at once.”

“I know it’s dangerous. But that’s why it could be safer, isn’t it?”

“That’s true.”

“Then let’s go.”

Gugwi began to move lightly with Cloud Flow Step. His movements were as natural as the wind.

Jang Unhyeok stepped ahead.

“I’ll guide the way.”

A complicated expression passed across his face.

“This is the path I used when escaping the Heavenly Sound Cult, so it can be considered relatively safe.”

Jang Unhyeok grumbled.

“I thought going south would be safer, but here I am retracing this road again.”

Yet his steps already carried him forward.

Though the mountain path was rugged, yesterday’s memory guided him.

Once they passed out of Sambong Valley, Jang Unhyeok firmly took the lead. His steps carried confidence.

“This way.”

He pointed to a hidden trail between rocks.

“This is the road we used when heading south… even the Cold Wolf Sect doesn’t patrol this path. So we often used it to send our men in. Why don’t they patrol here, though?”

He glanced at Yeon Sohye.

“If all paths are left open except this one, the reason is obvious. The Intelligence Division must be aware of that too, which is why they use this road. Isn’t it just a game of deceiving each other knowingly?”

“Hehehe! Maybe so.”

“The Chief’s retreat through this path was probably his way of letting the Cold Wolf Sect notice quickly and come running to pull him out.”

“But no one came. Guess I’m not that popular.”

The road through the mountain range was filled with jagged rocks and deep ravines. But thanks to Jang Unhyeok’s guidance, they avoided dangerous cliffs and moved safely.

“Un Serim.”

Gugwi summoned the Sect Leader of Cloud Flow Sect.

Blue energy surged from his heart, wrapping around his dantian. A faint figure flickered.

“Any ambushes?”

“None…”

Relief crossed Gugwi’s face.

Yeon Sohye was spreading silver mist, blocking the pursuers’ sight.

Her Spirit Union martial artist, So Ryeonghwa, seemed empowered by the Spirit Flow Core’s influence. Using the same strength, her mist grew denser and lasted longer. The spirit contact time had also extended.

“Let’s move a little faster here.”

Jang Unhyeok went ahead, adjusting their pace.

His eyes constantly scanned the surroundings. It would not be strange if disciples of the Heavenly Sound Cult or the Cold Wolf Sect appeared from anywhere. Thus, he had to be ready to fight at any time.

When they reached the mountaintop, a vast plain came into view.

What had changed was that in every village, the black flags of the Heavenly Sound Cult fluttered in the wind—something they hadn’t seen until now.

“Beyond there lies our destination.”

Gugwi’s eyes shone coldly.

Deep within Sambong Valley, beneath an old stone pagoda, two people faced each other.

Sasaha and Ma Ungyeol.

“You’re late.”

Sasaha spoke with irritation.

Her black armor still bore traces of her battle with Gugwi.

“You said you had much to say, so I came. But I wasn’t the one who chose this meeting place. And from the looks of it, there’s no benefit for me. Why should I rush over?”

Ma Ungyeol twirled his Red Blood Spear.

“Sounds like your words carry some thorns?”

Sasaha’s face was heavy with discontent.

“Because of the General’s arbitrary actions, I couldn’t move. I had already set the attack plan, but you struck first. Couldn’t even capture him. In the end, you let him slip away.”

“You shouldn’t call it arbitrary when it comes to the affairs of the Cult.”

Sasaha sneered.

“The Cult? Heh! Of course, the Lord of the Twelve True Armies isn’t like that. But lately, there are too many hiding behind the excuse of the Cult. Even going to the latrine is called Cult business nowadays.”

“You’ve grown a lot, haven’t you, General?”

“Kiya, I’m much taller indeed. But what’s the point of a woman being envious of my height? Being too tall isn’t attractive either.”

“Eleventh True Army.”

“You suddenly turned serious… ah! Trying to suppress me with rank?”

“What’s gotten you so riled up? Today you’re unusually talkative, not like yourself.”

“Do you know that the Seventh Army, Sa Hyeollin, has gone missing?”

Sasaha’s expression stiffened.

“The Sev… Seventh Army, Sa Hyeollin?”

“She disappeared after meeting Gugwi. Most likely, she was defeated. But even her body hasn’t been found.”

“Heh! You don’t mean to say that the Seventh Army was defeated. Is that why you’re so upset?”

Sasaha lowered her voice.

“Gugwi possesses the Spirit Flow Core. Did you know that?”

Ma Ungyeol spoke with an angry expression.

“I know. I was about to tell the General that…”

“And yet those who knew it!”

Ma Ungyeol raised his voice furiously.

“The Seventh Army, the Lord of the Twelve True Armies—all of them! They knew it and still attacked Gugwi recklessly!”

“What are you trying to say? Just get to the point.”

“The Spirit Flow Core is like a chunk of iron heated in fire—it only grows stronger the more you strike it! If you want to kill him, sever his breath in one blow!”

“Ugh!”

Sasaha’s eyes flashed dangerously.

That was exactly what she had intended to tell Ma Ungyeol: if he fought that man, he must not exchange words but kill him instantly. If time was given, there would be no countermeasure. Kill him on the spot and take out his heart first.

It was the method she had learned while fighting Gugwi.

Now Gugwi had discovered her Spirit Union spirit. Because of that, she could no longer kill him alone. That was why she had sought out Ma Ungyeol—to attack together.

But Ma Ungyeol already knew all this.

He sighed and continued speaking.

“Haa… sorry for getting angry. But if the Sect entrusted such a mission to three of the Twelve True Armies, then it should’ve been obvious how dangerous it was. Everyone just judged by appearances…”

“Did you make a plan to capture Gugwi?”

“I did, but the Tenth Army ruined it. How could he strike before we attacked?”

“If you knew I was fighting, you could have joined in—”

“No. That guy… at that moment, his heat was rising. No matter who came then, he would’ve seen through it. Once he gains momentum, it’s best not to interfere. Now we can only wait until he cools down.”

Ma Ungyeol clicked his tongue, his anger not fading.

“But… how do you know so much about the Spirit Flow Core? I’ve never heard half of this.”

“I only learned while investigating the Manifest Demon Emperor. Go! Today’s attack is over.”

Ma Ungyeol turned his back sharply.

“Bloodscent Fiend!”

Ma Ungyeol called out.

From within the forest, Bloodscent Fiend appeared. In his hand was a Blood Orb, and around him hovered recently dead Living Spirits.

“Begin the pursuit.”

Ma Ungyeol commanded.

“Yes!”

Bloodscent Fiend began to roll the Blood Orb.

From the bead, Living Spirits leapt out, sweeping the ground as they chased Gugwi’s lingering energy.

Bloodscent Fiend watched them closely.

The Living Spirits scattered in all directions, sniffing for traces. Wolf-shaped spirits searched through rocky crevices, while bird-shaped spirits scouted wide areas from the sky.

“Kkiaaaak!”

A strange shriek rang out.

“This way!”

Bloodscent Fiend immediately pointed north.

“His trail leads north!”

Sasaha and Ma Ungyeol exchanged looks.

“North? You’re saying they turned north? Just twenty li from here is Heavenly Sound Cult territory…”

Ma Ungyeol’s face was filled with doubt.

Only twenty li ahead lay the border between the Heavenly Sound Cult and the Cold Wolf Sect. For twenty li north and south of that border, both sects’ martial artists were stationed in great numbers. The empty spaces were searched dozens of times a day.

In Gugwi’s position, being hunted by even the Murim Alliance, it was not a place he could possibly go.

“Where is he going?”

“Don’t tell me…”

Sasaha’s face went pale.

“You’re not thinking he’s heading toward our Cult’s Sect itself, are you?”

“Of course that can’t be… but still.”

“Then it’s even better. That’s certain death for him. We won’t have to lift a finger.”

The Spirit Flow Core and the Heavenly Sound Cult Leader were drawn to each other. Not as magnets pull, but faintly, they sensed one another’s existence.

And the Cult Leader had already surpassed Resonance, stepping into Dark Control—he was a powerful Soul-Summoner.

‘Dark Control must kneel at the feet of the Manifest Demon Emperor.’

So the saying went.

From such traditions, Dark Control was considered akin to the Manifest Demon Emperor’s vassal—like a high minister serving a queen.

This was the relationship between the Spirit Flow Core and the Cult Leader, not between Gugwi and the Cult Leader. If Gugwi was following the guidance of the Spirit Flow Core to seek out the Cult Leader… then that place would be his death ground.

“Whistleee!”

Bloodscent Fiend blew a whistle.

The Living Spirits rushed faster and farther. Soon they confirmed the signs.

“North, for certain!”

Bloodscent Fiend spoke with confidence.

“Pursue!”

Ma Ungyeol shouted.

The Heavenly Sound Cult martial artists moved all at once.

They dashed across rugged mountain paths as if they were flat ground. Bloodscent Fiend’s Blood Orb flared with multicolored light at intervals, and each time it did, the Living Spirits quivered.

The pale afterimages churned through the surroundings, trying to capture the faint traces of the Spirit Flow Core.

The pursuers had clearly locked on to Gugwi’s northern movement.

Though it puzzled them, they thought he would not actually step into the Heavenly Sound Cult’s territory. Instead, he would vanish somewhere between their current position and the border.

“Faster!”

Ma Ungyeol shouted.

Sssht!

Gugwi suddenly halted.

“Why?”

Yeon Sohye turned and asked.

With his hand over his chest, Gugwi quietly traced the flow of blue light. His dantian vibrated, and the Spirit Flow Core detached from his heart, blending with his spiritual energy. A clear warning!

“Something’s coming.”

Jang Unhyeok looked back at the road they had taken.

“Pursuers?”

“Seems so.”

As soon as Gugwi spoke, Yeon Sohye strengthened the Silver Spirit Technique. Silver mist thickened, completely concealing their presence.

“What should we do?”

Jang Unhyeok asked Gugwi.

Since they had turned north, Jang Unhyeok had stopped voicing his own opinions, instead asking Gugwi everything—while providing information faithfully.

“Let’s hurry. If it’s the Heavenly Sound Cult’s Living Spirits I sense, there’s no need to fight. Fighting here would be like declaring war on the Murim Alliance.”

Gugwi said as he scanned the surroundings.