Chapter 82: Great Ghost (2)

Great Despair Ghost (大絶鬼) (2)

Sarak.

Sarak.

YaHyeoljeok read the letters BaeChong handed over one by one.

Knowing YaHyeoljeok’s personality, which dislikes reading, he probably summarized it on the last page.

Knowing that, YaHyeoljeok only pretended to read the front pages and focused his gaze on the very last one.

“So.”

Saying that, he tossed the letter towards BaeChong with a thud.

“A brat from the Gu family.”

“That’s right…”

“The Gu family, isn’t that his clan?”

“That’s correct, it’s the Gu family from Shanxi, where the chivalrous hero resides.”

“The chivalrous hero… Fuck.”

I wondered who the guy was that burned several of his subordinates to death a few days ago, but it turns out he’s a descendant of the Gu family. It was strange that he used fire attacks so unusually, but if it’s his bloodline, it makes perfect sense.

‘Gu Cheolwoon.’

YaHyeoljeok grinned, recalling the name. Gu Cheolwoon wasn’t just called the chivalrous hero in the orthodox sects; he had a different name in the demonic sects.

Flame Ghost (炎鬼), Flame Villain (炎惡).

A cruel martial artist who captures and burns people alive with blazing flames. If you gathered and piled up the demonic sect members who died burning by his hand, you could probably make a small mountain.

“Is it certain?”

“…Yes, we confirmed he is currently staying as a guest at the Hua San Sect.”

“The Hua San Sect, why would that Gu family guy come all the way here?”

It’s a long distance from Shanxi to get here, so why would Gu Cheolwoon’s child deliberately come here?

“Perhaps it’s because there’s a descendant of the Gu family among the Hua San disciples; I suspect that’s the reason.” I think I might have heard of it, but it wasn’t a particularly important matter, so it seemed I had erased it from my memory.

“So, do you have a way to capture him?”

“…”

BaeChong couldn’t answer YaHyeoljeok’s question. That’s because if it’s to the level of the Gu family’s direct lineage, it’s a position you can’t carelessly touch. Capturing the Hua San disciple had proceeded with a much more systematic and detailed plan than expected. As long as the young man was staying at Hua San, there was no way for now.

‘…Fuck, of all things, a prestigious family.’ Rather, because it was a prestigious family, it was easy to get information, but a problem arose in handling it. If something goes wrong after rashly taking action without a plan against the family head’s direct descendant, the only remaining male at that.

‘…Gu Cheolwoon might move himself.’ This was also the reason why full effort was put into capturing the disciple so that no loose ends would remain. This part couldn’t be helped due to the order from the main palace, but the matter concerning the Gu family was different.

‘What should I do…?’ He swallowed dryly, gulping down his saliva. He had to find a way somehow. Otherwise, he’d get his throat slit immediately by that pig bastard.

YaHyeoljeok looked at BaeChong like that and laughed, making the cave echo.

“Kiddo, it’s just a joke, so don’t look so glum.” He chuckled as he said that.

BaeChong clenched his fist tightly with his remaining arm in a position where YaHyeoljeok wouldn’t notice.

“Fucking bastard.”

“Right, let’s put the Gu family guy aside. What about Sin-ui?”

“…That’s…”

“What’s written on the paper lacks certainty, doesn’t it? The story that he’s inside that barrier is just an assumption, BaeChong.”

“From the information that Sin-ui arrived in Shanxi and analyzing the traces, I thought Hua San Sect’s involvement was confirmed.”

“So.”

“Based on the last identified location and the traces that seemed deliberately erased… I predicted that Sin-ui is currently inside the barrier set up by Maehwaseon.” The information sent from the main palace stated that Sin-ui is in Shanxi now, with instructions to capture him and imprison him underground. Based on the information BaeChong gathered from running around frantically, he concluded that the only place Sin-ui could possibly be was the barrier he encountered with the Gu family’s direct descendant.

“So that’s just an assumption, BaeChong.”

BaeChong fell silent at YaHyeoljeok’s words. It was because it wasn’t something he was certain of, just as YaHyeoljeok said.

“Are you sure that barrier was set up by Maehwaseon?”

“…I believe Maehwaseon is the only one in Shanxi capable of setting up a barrier of that level.”

“Even that’s just an assumption, you useless bastard.”

“…”

With only three days, the information was far too insufficient to find anything. However, the vicinity of the barrier was around the hut where the previous sect leader of Hua San resided after retirement. In such a place, could there possibly be anyone besides Maehwaseon who could carelessly set up a barrier of that level?

“BaeChong.”

“Yes, Branch Manager…”

“If this is also wrong, you’ll really die, understand?”

“…I understand.” He would have died anyway even if he hadn’t lasted three days. BaeChong knew YaHyeoljeok’s shitty personality well.

“Hmm… Sending the subordinates would be useless, so I’ll have to go myself, right?”

“…”

“I don’t understand… There are no watchers around?”

“At least, as far as I could figure out, they weren’t visible.” After setting up a barrier of that level, if Sin-ui were inside, it would be normal to have a few disciples stationed to watch. Was this Maehwaseon’s arrogance for setting up the barrier? That they can appear anytime if a problem arises…? Or is it the thought that it can never be broken? In fact, it wasn’t a barrier that could be broken even if several martial artists of BaeChong’s level attacked. Ultimately, the only one who could break the barrier was YaHyeoljeok.

YaHyeoljeok slowly stood up and gripped his greatsword. Immediately, a chilling killing intent emanated in all directions. Unlike the violent killing intent, YaHyeoljeok’s expression was indifferent. He didn’t like complicated things much. If he didn’t know what it was, he just had to break it. That was just YaHyeoljeok’s nature.

Seeing that, BaeChong carefully spoke up.

“As soon as the barrier is broken… Maehwaseon might make a move, Branch Manager.”

At those words, YaHyeoljeok’s expression crumpled.

“Bastard, why keep explaining? Break it, and if there’s an old man inside, bring him here. Do you think I’m too stupid to understand that? Or are you trying to order me around?”

“No…!”

YaHyeoljeok swallowed his remaining words and said to BaeChong.

“Have the subordinates keep a casual watch on that Gu family guy.”

“Yes…? What are you planning to do…?”

“If you’re going to get scared and back down just because of that Flame Villain guy, not even one of the Three Venerables, you can’t work here.”

Kkeuk-kkeuk! YaHyeoljeok stifled a laugh, as if imagining something amusing. YaHyeoljeok, who had been laughing while covering his face with his palm, suddenly turned serious and looked at BaeChong. At the deep shadow in his eyes, BaeChong shivered slightly.

“If I go all the way there and find nothing, BaeChong… you know what happens, right?”

“…Yes, Branch Manager.”

YaHyeoljeok patted BaeChong’s shoulder with his huge palm, then walked towards the cave entrance, dragging his greatsword. Watching him go, BaeChong’s strength gave out, and he finally slumped down. He had to think of a way to survive somehow.

Gu Linghua, who had fallen asleep after swinging his sword until dawn, opened his eyes in the sunlight. Seeing his tired body, it seemed he hadn’t slept much, but he got up without hesitation.

“…Ugh!”

From the pain felt in his palm as he braced himself on the ground to get up, Gu Linghua staggered. Perhaps because he had ignored the injury from last night and swung excessively, scabs had formed on his hand. He carefully washed it with water and changed the cloth. Although the process was quite painful, Gu Linghua clamped his lips shut and simply endured it. After changing the cloth, he changed his clothes. Fortunately, since it was the hut where his master stayed before going to Sin-ui, there were a few sets of clothes available. After washing his face clean and changing clothes, he stepped outside the door. Gu Linghua, who had been half-awaiting this day to come again, could set out on his way feeling good.

Coming down the mountain, he saw disciples training in groups. Gu Linghua watched them quietly for a moment, then veered off the path and passed by stealthily. He didn’t really want to run into them. They probably felt the same way.

Walking along the path, he saw the residence where Gu Yangcheon was staying. Thinking of Namgung Bi-ah, he considered visiting her briefly, but didn’t act on it. He was grateful for the help, but he didn’t think they were close enough for that. He just glanced briefly in that direction and moved on.

It didn’t take long to get down to the town. As he passed through the bustling streets, busy with preparations for the Je Hwa Jeon, the smell of food coming from everywhere kept making him stop. It was because he had barely eaten for days. Perhaps because he had kept skipping meals using training as an excuse, he couldn’t hold back anymore and stopped at a passing street stall to buy a few skewers to go. It reminded him of when he used to eat them with his master.

‘…Can he even eat this?’ He bought them because he couldn’t stand the hunger, but he only thought of it now. His master was only eating porridge, so he wondered if bringing this would be harmful to him. It would have been better if he had realized that before buying them. He was still too immature. Perhaps because various thoughts flashed through his mind at once, although he was hungry, his appetite completely vanished. He ended up just handing the skewers to a child passing by. The money he spent felt like a waste, but since he couldn’t eat them or throw them away, he thought this was better.

‘…It’s better to eat together.’ Rather than eating something delicious alone, he thought he’d be happier eating porridge together with his master. Thinking that, Gu Linghua ran for a long time. Although his body was tired, thinking he was going to see his master strangely made him feel not tired. His heart, which felt stuffy and constricted, felt like it was loosening up as he got closer.

‘Just a little faster!’ The things he wanted to tell his master had piled up in just a few days. Starting from the sparring match with Namgung Bi-ah, how he helped with the guided sparring, and even… when Gu Yangcheon appeared to rescue him. Gu Linghua thought that if he told him one by one, his master would surely have something to smile about.

After running for a long time, he finally saw the hut in the distance. Seeing a bit of smoke coming from the direction of the hut, it seemed Sin-ui’s grandson was cooking. Just as Gu Linghua, wearing a bright smile, was about to run up, someone grabbed his shoulder abruptly.

“Kyaak!”

As Gu Linghua screamed and staggered, something brushed past his fluttering hair.

Kwagagagak-!

Perhaps because it brushed past, Gu Linghua’s hair on one side was cut off. Next to Gu Linghua, who had fallen while staggering, sat the very person who had grabbed his shoulder.

“…Unni?”

The culprit was Namgung Bi-ah, who was staring straight ahead with a stiff expression.

“Why is Unni….”

“…Stay still.”

“Huh…?”

Seeing Namgung Bi-ah suddenly appear, Gu Linghua was taken aback. Following that, seeing Namgung Bi-ah’s trembling eyes and the beads of sweat flowing down her chin, Gu Linghua felt increasingly uneasy. What was she looking at? Namgung Bi-ah’s gaze was fixed on the dense forest. Gu Linghua, looking in the same direction, suddenly felt a chill and shivered violently.

-Ah, how did they dodge that?

A voice coming from beyond the forest. At the thick, dirty killing intent contained within the voice, Gu Linghua’s body trembled uncontrollably.

-…Hmm, this wasn’t expected.

The sound of rustling grass grew closer. He felt it becoming increasingly difficult to breathe due to the oppressive energy enveloping his entire body. Namgung Bi-ah, who had been holding his shoulder, suddenly drew her sword and swung it into the air.

Pa-ang-!

“…!”

The sound of air being ruptured exploded in the empty space. Could that possibly be the sound of sword energies colliding and exploding?

“Unni…!”

Gu Linghua stopped himself from calling out to Namgung Bi-ah. It was because he saw that Namgung Bi-ah’s hand holding the sword was trembling.

Geugeuk Kung…!

As if dragging something heavy, someone appeared, parting the grass with a grotesque sound. It was a giant, with a height seemingly over eight feet and a build to match. In one hand, he held a huge blade, something so large you could barely call it a sword. Gu Linghua’s complexion grew increasingly pale from the overwhelming pressure that seemed to crush everything around.

“Not only dodging, but blocking too? Wow, this is kinda fun.”

The man’s voice, speaking as if intrigued, and his gaze seemed filled with dirty desire.