Soul Summoning Sword

Chapter 76: The Spearman Who Gained Strength (1)

- Gaining a spearman who lends his strength

Tsssss!

Yeon Sohye exhaled a dense mist.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Gugwi rose to his feet. Suddenly, as if struck by lightning… his heart trembled irregularly. It pounded with a dual rhythm, shaking his entire body as if he had two hearts.

A cold vibration surged like a wave.

It was the aftermath of the three-way battle in the Valley of Heavenly Slaughter. The duel with the Captain of the Blue Blood Unit, the ambush by Jinhwa Seong, and the overload of the Spirit Flow Core… his body ached all over, and his heart sank with heavy thuds.

“Pursuers are coming.”

Even in that state, Gugwi sensed the presence of intruders. His voice was hoarse.

Yeon Sohye quickly turned her head.

“How far?”

“Twenty li. No… closer.”

Gugwi closed his eyes and focused all his senses on the vibrations of the Spirit Flow Core. A blue light pulsed deep within his heart. That light spread outward, scanning the surrounding energies.

A chill of killing intent drifted on the wind.

Faint sounds of footsteps charging across the ground reached them. And it wasn’t just one or two.

Jang Unhyeok spat and stood up.

“Damn it, are those bastards from Yeongbi Pavilion? Still not giving up?”

“No.”

Gugwi slowly shook his head.

The vibration of the Spirit Flow Core grew more intense. It was a familiar aura. A sinister presence mixed with the stench of decay.

“It’s the Heavenly Sound Cult. Looks like the Bloodscent Fiend has unleashed Living Spirits again.”

Yeon Sohye’s face turned pale.

“Again?”

“That bastard is persistent.”

Jang Unhyeok fiddled with the hilt of his twin blades.

“He probably slaughtered another village to create more Living Spirits. How many times can he even do that? Is Soul Transformation endless?”

Gugwi’s fists clenched on their own.

Rage boiled from within his chest. The Spirit Flow Core responded to that emotion, emitting an even stronger blue light. Innocent people had died again. Just to hunt him. The thought alone made his skin crawl.

“As long as he has Blood Orbs, he can keep going. He has to discard one each time he uses it… but he must be almost out by now.”

Jang Unhyeok let out a bitter laugh.

“Captain of the Shadow Moon Unit.”

“Hmm?”

“Use the Silver Spirit Illusion. Right now.”

Yeon Sohye nodded. Her eyes turned serious.

“So Ryeonghwa.”

A soft call escaped her lips.

In an instant, a cold breeze rose. A silver spirit appeared at Yeon Sohye’s side.

From her fingertips, silver mist began to unfurl.

Whoooosh.

The mist spread in all directions. In a flash, the surrounding visibility was cut off. A thick silver curtain enveloped the entire streamside. Even the moonlight faded into a blur.

But that wasn’t all. The stench of blood that had stabbed their noses vanished. The cold scent of the creek water and the musty smell of rotting leaves were all erased. Even the scent of the three people was completely blocked.

“I’ve perfectly sealed off our scent. Even the Blood Orbs won’t be able to track us now.”

Yeon Sohye said, sweeping her gaze around.

This was a newly discovered ability. Originally, So Ryeonghwa couldn’t block scent completely. Influenced by the Spirit Flow Core, it had evolved into a more advanced form.

Gugwi grabbed his spear and stood up.

There was no strength in his legs. It was the aftereffect of the Spirit Flow Core overload. His whole body felt heavy, like it was made of lead.

Even so, he had to move.

“Thirty li to Black Blood Fortress.”

Jang Unhyeok murmured.

“We need to get there before dawn. Once daylight breaks, it’ll be hard to enter.”

“Will you be alright?”

Yeon Sohye looked at Gugwi with concern.

Gugwi’s face was pale. Cold sweat dotted his forehead.

“I’m fine.”

Gugwi forced a smile. But inside, he was uneasy. The Spirit Flow Core continued to tremble unstably. Another overload could strike at any moment.

“I can go. We’ve rested enough. Let’s move.”

Gugwi said, taking a slow, deep breath.

And then—

In the distance, torchlight flickered. One, two, three… the number of flames grew. The sound of approaching footsteps grew clearer. Harsh shouts rode on the wind.

Jang Unhyeok crouched low and spoke.

“They’re moving twice as fast as expected. Why so quick?”

“Does that mean it’s not the Sixth True Army?”

“No. The Sixth True Army doesn’t move this urgently. This speed… it’s the Eleventh True Army—Ma Ungyeol!”

“How many are on us?”

Yeon Sohye looked at Gugwi and asked.

“Over thirty. More than we expected.”

Gugwi answered with a furrowed brow.

“Is the Bloodscent Fiend with them?”

Gugwi didn’t reply—he simply nodded.

Jang Unhyeok’s expression darkened.

“That bastard is relentless. He’s never missed a target before. And after losing his Living Spirits multiple times… he’ll be more desperate than ever. That’s the kind of monster he is.”

Paaang!

Gugwi focused more intensely on the vibration of the Spirit Flow Core.

The presence of the pursuers was growing clearer. What he sensed now… fifteen cavalrymen on horseback. Among them, one carried a familiar killing intent.

“It’s definitely the Bloodscent Fiend.”

He muttered.

“And he brought new Living Spirits.”

“How many?”

“Thirty… no, more.”

Yeon Sohye’s face turned even paler.

Thirty Living Spirits—that was equivalent to the massacre of an entire small village.

“The Bloodscent Fiend… he’s already killed over a hundred people through Soul Transformation. That one must not be left alive.”

Murderous light gleamed in Yeon Sohye’s eyes.

“The Bloodscent Fiend’s Living Spirits are special. Soul Transformation forcibly traps the soul of someone freshly dead, but his spirits are imbued with tracking techniques from the moment they’re born. They’re more persistent and cruel.”

“Living Spirits can be handled.”

Gugwi placed a hand on his chest.

Just then, Jang Unhyeok spoke hastily.

“No. Let them pass this time. Our goal is to infiltrate Black Blood Fortress. If we purify the Living Spirits here, our location will be exposed. If we can let them pass, then we should.”

“Mm! I can’t do it alone…”

Gugwi looked at Yeon Sohye.

The torchlight drew closer and closer.

The sound of galloping hooves grew louder. The coarse voices of the Heavenly Sound Cult martial artists mixed with the wind.

“The Living Spirits are pointing this way!”

“Yeah? Then search every inch of the creekside! If we miss them, it’s our heads on the line!”

From within the mist of the Silver Spirit Illusion, Gugwi gently released the light of the Spirit Flow Core. Even their breathing was buried in the fog. Without threatening the Living Spirits, they maintained a state of concealment.

Paaang!

The blue light of the Spirit Flow Core blinded the eyes of the Living Spirits.

Cavalrymen bearing torches swarmed the creekside. The clatter of armor and the rough snorting of horses came ever closer.

“They’re here! The spiritual energy is strong!”

The voice belonged to the Bloodscent Fiend. A savage, beastly tone tainted his words.

“Then that means they’re nearby!”

Gugwi focused more intently on the Spirit Flow Core. He subtly released the darkness of the Realm of the Threshold. The Living Spirits instinctively avoided it. They never approached the threshold’s domain.

“That’s strange.”

The Bloodscent Fiend’s voice came again.

“The Living Spirits clearly pointed this way.”

“Could they have run off?”

“No. They’re definitely nearby.”

Footsteps echoed. It seemed the Bloodscent Fiend had dismounted and was searching the creekside himself.

Gugwi’s heart pounded faster.

The Bloodscent Fiend was a master tracker. Not only did he use Living Spirits, but his own tracking skills were exceptional. Even with the Silver Spirit Illusion concealing their presence and blocking their scent, it wouldn’t be perfect.

At that moment, Yeon Sohye gripped Gugwi’s arm tightly.

“It’s okay.”

She mouthed the words without making a sound.

“Trust my Silver Spirit Illusion.”

Gugwi nodded.

Her warm touch soothed his anxiety.

So Ryeonghwa’s Silver Spirit Technique was different from ordinary concealment. It didn’t simply hide appearances—it blurred the very existence. Not just sight, but scent and even spiritual energy were blocked.

Moreover, the power of the Spirit Flow Core was enhancing the mist. Gugwi’s blue light harmonized with So Ryeonghwa’s silver, creating an even more perfect concealment.

“Damn it!”

The Bloodscent Fiend growled with frustration.

“The trail ends at the creek!”

“Are you sure we’re in the right place? That makes no sense!”

“It shouldn’t be possible, but… how could this happen?”

A moment of silence followed. The Bloodscent Fiend held his chin in thought.

“Could it be… that the Soul-Summoner erased even his own spiritual energy?”

“It’s possible. Especially that Gugwi bastard—he’s of the Gatekeeper’s bloodline. He even possesses the Spirit Flow Core. There’s nothing he can’t do.”

“Mm! I’ll just release more Living Spirits for now. They’re definitely hiding nearby. If they’re not, I’ll cut off my own hand.”

Krrrrrr…

A chilling sound echoed. The noise of the Living Spirits being unleashed. The screams of newly dead souls forcibly anchored to this world.

Gugwi’s chest ached. The Spirit Flow Core was reacting to the Living Spirits’ suffering. He wanted to free them—but he couldn’t move now. All he had to do was call them into the Realm of the Threshold.

The Living Spirits scattered, searching the creekside. But the Silver Spirit Illusion’s mist blocked them. They couldn’t find the three. When they neared the darkness of the threshold, they retreated quietly.

“There’s nothing here!”

One martial artist shouted.

“Same on this side!”

“The Living Spirits keep coming up empty! Are we even sure they’re here?”

“This is absurd! They definitely came this way!”

Frustration seeped from the voices. The Bloodscent Fiend’s rage was palpable.

Then another martial artist spoke up.

“Maybe they took another path? If we stay here fumbling around, we might lose them forever!”

After a brief thought, the Bloodscent Fiend made his decision.

“Half of you, search beyond the valley. The rest, head downstream! They might have followed the water’s path!”

“Got it!”

The sound of hooves slowly faded into the distance. The Heavenly Sound Cult martial artists split into two groups and moved on.

But the Bloodscent Fiend remained.

“This is strange.”

His muttering was audible.

“They’re definitely here…”

Gugwi held his breath. The Bloodscent Fiend’s senses were sharper than expected.

A long silence passed.

At last, the Bloodscent Fiend mounted his horse.

“Damn it. That’s enough for today.”

His voice drifted away. The sound of hooves disappeared with him.

The three remained hidden for quite a while longer. Just in case.

Only after enough time had passed did Yeon Sohye release the Silver Spirit Illusion. The silver mist slowly receded.

The moonlight once again shone upon them.

“Whew.”

Jang Unhyeok let out a deep sigh.

“That was close. If not for the Silver Spirit Illusion, we’d have been found.”

Gugwi expressed his gratitude to Yeon Sohye.

“It’s thanks to you.”

“Oh please, we’re comrades.”

Yeon Sohye smiled. But worry lingered behind her smile.

“I’m more worried about your condition. Are you alright?”

Gugwi examined his body.

The overload of the Spirit Flow Core had somewhat calmed. But it remained unstable. Another eruption could come at any moment.

“I’m fine for now.”

He replied.

“But I’ll have to be careful. I can’t push myself too far.”

“Then let’s move quickly. Once we get inside Black Blood Fortress, there’s a place to rest.”

“Is it safe? Inside the fortress?”

Yeon Sohye asked with doubt.

“That’s exactly why it’s safe.”

Jang Unhyeok chuckled.

“The most dangerous place is the safest. The Heavenly Sound Cult would never expect us to hide inside their own stronghold.”

Gugwi nodded. It made sense.

“Let’s go, then.”

The three crossed the creek. Cold water soaked their ankles. But tension outweighed any sense of refreshment.

They were entering the territory of the Heavenly Sound Cult. Once they stepped in, there might be no return. But… to dig into the depths of the Dark Spirit Sect, it was a path they had to take.