Soul Summoning Sword

Chapter 73: Heavenly Slaughter Soul Strike (3)

‘You bastard!’

The Captain of the Blue Blood Unit’s face twisted.

His brows furrowed and deep wrinkles etched across his forehead. The muscles of his jaw twitched.

‘This bastard… he’s still holding on!’

The Captain of the Blue Blood Unit placed both hands against his chest and closed his eyes.

He drew in a deep breath, focusing on his dantian. The spiritual energy scattered throughout his body began to move according to his will.

From the tips of his limbs, a cold current surged backward. Spiritual energy starting at the tips of his toes and fingers slowly coursed upward along his veins, like ants marching in a line.

Through his waist, chest, and neck, all the energy gathered into his dantian.

The Captain of the Blue Blood Unit’s face flushed red, veins bulging.

His dantian grew hot. The spiritual energy condensed into grains, compressing together. One grain, two, three, each forming the size of a millet seed.

His hands trembled.

Gathering all of one’s power into a single point was an extremely dangerous act. If mishandled, his meridians could rupture. Yet, he did not stop. He continued to gather more.

Even more energy converged into his dantian.

His chest swelled tightly, like a balloon being filled to its limit.

The condensed grains grew denser. From rice-grain to bean-sized, then compressing further into bead-sized spheres. Thick drops of sweat formed on his forehead.

The preparations were complete.

The Captain of the Blue Blood Unit snapped his eyes open. He thrust his hands forward and detonated the compressed spiritual energy all at once.

Explode!

A massive blast erupted from his dantian.

Dozens of condensed spheres of energy burst simultaneously, creating a tremendous sonic wave.

His body jerked backward from the recoil.

“Gaaaah!”

Black Flame Shatter! The first explosion struck.

The compressed inner strength shot toward Gugwi like an arrow. The air tore apart with a deafening roar that numbed the ears. Wind scattered in every direction like blades.

Baaang!

Gugwi’s heart and dantian shook violently.

A sound of something shattering echoed from within his chest as his Spirit Flow Core trembled wildly.

Thud! Thud!

His heart beat irregularly. His ribs throbbed.

The damage accumulated. A pain as if his blood vessels were being ripped apart pierced through his body. His throat burned, and the metallic taste of blood welled up in his mouth. His knees weakened.

But the Captain of the Blue Blood Unit did not stop.

He was already compressing a second surge of energy. Stronger this time, more focused. His face turned red.

“Again!”

Gaaaaah!

The second Black Flame Shatter exploded. A fiercer sonic blast slammed into Gugwi’s body.

“Khugh!”

His body was pushed backward.

His heels dug trenches into the ground, scattering dirt and dust into a cloud.

His breathing grew ragged. His chest felt suffocated.

Then the third blast came rushing forth. Booom! Was it the sound of his heart bursting, or his dantian tearing apart? Gugwi felt his vision blur. Stars danced before his eyes. A ringing filled his ears.

Baaang! Baaaang!

The fourth Black Flame Shatter exploded in succession.

Gugwi staggered violently.

He jammed his spear into the ground, barely managing to keep himself upright. Without it, he would have already collapsed.

The spear shaft embedded deep into the earth.

If only he could form Spirit Contact with Namgung Hoyoung… but the moment the Black Flame Shatter erupted, not only Namgung Hoyoung but also Un Serim and General Madal were all dispersed. The sonic wave prevented their souls from existing.

Fortunately, the faint blue light of the Spirit Flow Core provided some recovery. A cold energy rose from his heart, soothing his wounds.

Gugwi did not fall.

The Captain of the Blue Blood Unit’s eyes widened.

‘Impossible…’

He was deeply shocked. To withstand not only the first strike, but also four successive Black Flame Shatters and still remain standing.

His hands trembled uncontrollably.

‘I must kill him today. If not, I’ll never get another chance!’

In truth, his inner strength had already reached its limit.

After unleashing four consecutive Black Flame Shatters, his dantian became like an empty jar. The energy that once surged hot through his chest shattered into fragments and dispersed.

“Huff… huff…”

His breathing grew ragged. His knees trembled as though all strength had been drained from his body.

With the detonation of his energy, only emptiness filled him. His fingertips chilled, the warmth in his veins evaporated as if it had never been.

The Black Flame Shatter was never meant to be used four or five times in succession. It was a technique to be used once and ended.

His sword hand trembled. His grip lacked strength. A sword he could normally wield with ease now felt as heavy as a thousand catties.

His chest felt hollow. His dantian ached with cold. An overwhelming sense of loss pressed upon him, as though he had lost something vital.

‘Damn…’

He muttered inwardly.

This was the price of Black Flame Shatter. To release such destructive force, the caster had to sacrifice their entire energy.

Yet he clenched his teeth and endured.

Ssshhk.

The Captain of the Blue Blood Unit adjusted his grip on the sword.

Moonlight reflected coldly along the blade, radiating a frosty aura.

Iron-Blood Sword Technique. One of the Five Great Sword Arts of the Murim Alliance. A pure swordsmanship unrelated to spirits. It was known for its steel-hard defense and relentless waves of attacks.

He raised the sword high above his head.

The tip pointed at the moon, casting a shadow that aimed directly at Gugwi’s chest.

Iron-Blooded Cleave. The sword descended like lightning.

Whiiish!

Scarlet sword qi surged from the blade. Like a river overflowing, it poured forth toward Gugwi.

The air split with a whistling cry.

Gugwi hurriedly lifted his spear to block.

Claaang!

Sparks erupted as spear and sword clashed. Flames scattered in all directions. But the weight of the sword was overwhelming.

“Khugh!”

The spear bent like a bow, forcing Gugwi’s arms backward. His shoulders throbbed with pain.

In that instant, the Captain of the Blue Blood Unit pulled back his sword and spun it swiftly.

Whoosh!

Blood-Cracking Combo. The blade swept in an arc, aiming at Gugwi’s leg, intending to cripple his movement. The sword whistled like a swarm of bees cutting through the air.

Gugwi subtly twisted the spear shaft.

Shooot!

Un Serim’s delicate spear technique unfolded.

The spear tip flowed smoothly, deflecting sword qi as though water was coursing.

Like a willow swaying in the wind.

At the same time, General Madal’s Flying Swallow Slash burst forth.

“Taahhh!”

A fierce power surged into the spear tip, repelling the sword head-on.

Claaang!

The Captain of the Blue Blood Unit stepped back.

In that instant, Gugwi’s spear thrust forward like a serpent. Predicting the trajectory of the Captain’s sword, the spear tip zigzagged, striking at the openings.

The Captain of the Blue Blood Unit turned his blade to block.

Taaang!

The sword blade knocked aside the spear tip. Immediately after, Blood-Binding Ensnarement.

The sword twisted, attempting to bind the spear shaft. A crimson energy stretched like threads, wrapping around the spear. A sticky aura clung to it.

But Gugwi spun the spear rapidly.

“Taahhh!”

The harmony of Twin Spirit Convergence shone brilliantly.

Un Serim’s delicacy and General Madal’s ferocity combined as one, unraveling the sword qi.

Shhhiiik!

The spinning spear tore apart the crimson energy.

The Captain of the Blue Blood Unit’s sword instantly shifted again—Blood-Sundering Annihilation.

Booom!

The sword qi erupted. Crimson energy exploded in all directions, pressing Gugwi back.

The compressed air rang painfully in the ears. Whirling winds surged around them.

Gugwi planted his feet firmly, enduring the qi force.

“Urghhh!”

The spear shaft trembled as though about to snap like a drawn bowstring, yet it did not break. Like a tree bending with the wind.

At that moment, the Captain closed in.

‘Close combat! Grappling Sword Technique!’

A spear was long. Compared to it, a sword was short.

The closer the distance, the greater the sword’s advantage. A spear could only be properly utilized at range. In such close quarters, where even fists and kicks could be exchanged… perhaps abandoning the spear for hand-to-hand combat would be better?

Swaaahk!

The Captain slashed downward from above.

The sword split the air with a sharp whistle.

Gugwi blocked diagonally with his spear. Metal clashed with a loud ring.

Taaang!

The Captain withdrew his blade and slashed sideways. A strike aimed at Gugwi’s waist.

Gugwi bent backward. The sword grazed past his abdomen, slicing his clothes.

The distance was so narrow it seemed impossible to swing a sword… and yet, somehow, the blade slipped through.

Shhhwik!

Gugwi retreated to widen the gap.

But the Captain allowed not a breath of space, relentlessly pressing forward. His blade drew red arcs through the air.

Gugwi had no room to swing his spear, forced instead to twist his body and evade.

Ten exchanges. Twenty.

The Captain’s Iron-Blood Sword Technique surged like an unending tide. Sword qi piled in waves, suppressing Gugwi.

Blood-Crushing Chain!

The sword circled, targeting Gugwi’s throat.

The Captain wielded his longsword as though it were a short blade. With sudden, twisting angles, the longsword acted like a dagger. Gugwi was driven back, unable to wield his spear.

Thirty exchanges. Fifty.

Both men were drenched in sweat. Their breaths ragged.

The Captain raised his sword high.

Iron-Blooded Thunder!

The blade fell like lightning. The air split with a roar, like thunder rolling.

Gugwi barely raised his spear in time. The combined strength of Un Serim and General Madal surged into the shaft.

Claaang!

The impact hurled them both backward. Their heels carved grooves into the ground.

The Captain charged again, refusing to give space. His sword slashed left and right in a flurry of consecutive strikes.

But now… Gugwi had learned to wield his spear even in close quarters. Thanks to the Captain himself.

Before the Captain could close in fully, Gugwi spun his spear in defense. The tip drew circles, batting away the blade. At the same time, his steps traced circles upon the ground.

Seventy exchanges. Ninety.

The Captain’s swordsmanship grew even sharper.

Blood Dragon’s Ascent!

The blade twisted upward like a dragon, striking toward Gugwi’s chin.

Gugwi tilted his head back. The sword grazed the tip of his nose. At the same time, his spear thrust upward from below, aiming at the Captain’s jaw. The Captain turned his head. The spear tip brushed past his ear.

Both men recoiled backward. Or so it seemed—yet the Captain suddenly closed the distance once more, slashing at Gugwi’s weapon. His goal: to entangle the spear.

Blood Blossom in Full Bloom!

Sword qi scattered like blooming petals, encircling the spear.

But Gugwi raised the shaft vertically, splitting the sword qi apart. General Madal’s ferocious strength shattered it into fragments.

The spear swept horizontally toward the Captain’s waist.

The Captain blocked with his sword—but the force pushed him sideways.

Over a hundred exchanges had passed.

Spear and sword collided endlessly. Sparks flew, metal clamor echoed through the valley. The rocks returned their resounding clash.

Both fighters were drenched in sweat.

Clothes clung to their backs.

The Captain’s Iron-Blood Sword Technique pressed with overwhelming force. His aim was to subdue Gugwi’s spear with sheer inner strength. Sword qi surged like tidal waves, attempting to coil around the weapon.

But Twin Spirit Convergence held firm.

Un Serim’s fluidity flowed the sword qi away like water, while General Madal’s ferocity repelled the blade like an iron hammer.

Their final strike clashed.

Claaang!

Both were pushed back at once. Each retreated several steps, widening the distance.

“Huff… huff…”

Gugwi gasped for breath.

From severe internal injury, blood dripped from his mouth. Red droplets trailed down his chin, falling onto the ground.

Scarlet dots stained the dirt.

The Captain of the Blue Blood Unit panted heavily as well. The drain on his spiritual energy weighed on his body like lead. His arms tingled, shoulders ached. His sword hand trembled. But his seasoned composure masked his fatigue.

The two glared at one another.

Fsshkk!

Sparks seemed to leap from their eyes. Killing intent thickened the air.

The fight had yet to be decided. But both sensed instinctively—they were nearing their limits.