ISS 41

chapter 41

Morning had arrived.

―“It’s too obvious.”

The warriors of the Hyeonryong Corps behaved as usual, but the Sword Spirit could tell at a glance that they were tense.

―“When someone thinks they are being targeted, it’s natural to show such reactions.”

He exchanged telepathic messages with Uijeung. In the past, Uijeung had dismissed the Sword Spirit as an inexperienced youth, but after seeing him defend against Hyeontae-ryeong’s sword strikes, he recognized his martial prowess and no longer saw him as just a novice.

―“Still, it might look suspicious to the two of them, so it would be better to act slightly more natural.”
―“Understood.”

After exchanging messages with the Sword Spirit, Uijeung spoke to several members of the Hyeonryong Corps. The members quietly relayed instructions to the others, and soon, their demeanor had softened compared to earlier.

“What happened last night?”

Jeok Hwamyung asked. They were unaware that the Sword Spirit had protected them from assassins while they were practicing Qi to dispel the Immortal Lung Poison.

“I’m not sure. But why do you ask?”
“I didn’t notice last night since it was dark, but in the morning, I saw that the inn seemed heavily damaged.”

The Sword Spirit merely smiled.

Uijeung’s voice came from ahead.
“Alright, if everyone is ready, let’s depart.”

They resumed their journey toward Wuhuan in Hubei Province. The road to Wuhuan was exceedingly dull. They hurried along, but boredom and monotony were unavoidable.

Soon, they reached the foothills of Nokmyeong Mountain. Though not particularly tall, the mountain was dense with trees and teeming with wildlife.

Even though it wasn’t a high mountain, a normal person would need at least three hours to cross it.

“Hurry up. Otherwise, we’ll have to camp overnight on Nokmyeong Mountain.”

Having entered Hunan Province, they quickened their pace at the foot of the mountain.

The members of the Hyeonryong Corps increased their pace.

“Are there no farming or hunter villages in Nokmyeong Mountain?”

The Sword Spirit asked, sensing that if such villages existed, the monsters might not leave them alone.

“There probably are some.”

“Even if it takes a little longer, shouldn’t we stop by a village first?”

“That’s not the problem. The question is whether Elder Uijeung agrees.”

The Sword Spirit looked toward Uijeung.

“I’ll ask. The monsters probably wouldn’t leave this place alone.”

Jeok Hwamyung nodded and agreed. The Sword Spirit approached Uijeung, who initially hesitated but eventually agreed to check the village.

“The monsters may have also raided this farming village. We will verify it before heading to the Martial Alliance.”

With Uijeung’s orders, the Hyeonryong Corps set off for the farming village without hesitation.

“Good. The ronin should be resting in the village.”

Gon Manuk and Hyeontaeji, who had planned to kill the Sword Spirit, smiled faintly.

“I know where it is. Let’s go.”

Gon Manuk, who had traveled to many cities with the merchant group, claimed to know the location of the farming village and took the lead.

After roughly an hour of walking behind Gon Manuk, they reached the village.

Although it was a small village, there should have been signs of life, but it felt eerily lifeless.

“As you said, the feeling is bad…”

Jeok Hwamyung cautiously spread his internal energy through his dantian, channeling it to the Baihui point to lighten his body and prepare for an immediate counterattack.

Uijeung and Eudo-gi also prepared, sensing the ominous atmosphere.

“Go check it out.”

One Hyeonryong Corps member entered the nearest house and opened the door.

“Corpses.”

He ordered the others to check other houses, with the same results.

“Some bodies were so decomposed that bones were exposed, while others seemed to have died less than ten days ago.”

“I see.”

Uijeung examined the bodies. At that moment, the Sword Spirit’s expression relaxed slightly.

“Looks like there will be more trouble than obstacles on the road today.”

Jeok Hwamyung and Eudo-gi glanced at him, curious.

“Why do you say that?”
“This time, there seems to be quite a few opponents.”
“What?”

KWAANG!

Before the words finished, Uijeung was hurled backward, rolling on the ground.

“Uncle!”
Eudo-gi rushed over reflexively.

A figure emerged from a house, dressed more like a ronin than a martial artist. His face was lifeless, almost corpse-like.

“Jiangshi.”

The Sword Spirit immediately recognized him as a Jiangshi. Simultaneously, more dead figures appeared from all around.

They were the ronin hired by Gon Manuk. Waiting in the village to kill the Sword Spirit, they had become victims of the monsters.

Their number was fifty.

“If we’re not careful, we’ll be burying bones here.”

Jeok Hwamyung, tense, drew his sword. The Hyeonryong Corps formed a protective formation around Uijeung and Eudo-gi, targeting the Jiangshi.

The Jiangshi hadn’t attacked yet, seemingly waiting for someone’s command.

The Sword Spirit’s gaze shifted to the village entrance.

“Ha ha ha! More test subjects have arrived.”

The man’s age was unclear, with graying hair and a hunchback. Everyone turned toward him.

“Did you create them?”
Uijeung asked, his expression grim from previous injuries inflicted by the Jiangshi.

“Of course.”

As Uijeung conversed with the hunchbacked man, the Sword Spirit asked Jeok Hwamyung:

“Is there a magical skill that can turn someone into a Jiangshi?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Then we’ll have to kill him and check the manual.”
“If only it were that simple… the problem isn’t him, but those Jiangshi.”

Jeok Hwamyung gestured toward the undead.

“Cut off their legs. They won’t move.”
“Why?”
“Don’t you find it simple? Animals with legs can’t move without them.”
“They’ll crawl, won’t they?”
“Then cut off the arms too.”

The earlier tension vanished, replaced with a smile.

“I won’t struggle as much as I thought. We only need to capture him… though taking him alive might be difficult.”
“Not impossible.”

Jeok Hwamyung nudged the Sword Spirit toward the hunchbacked man, silently telling him to subdue him.

“Do I really need to step in?”
“If Elder Uijeung or Hyeontaeji can’t handle him, then yes.”
“You are stronger than me… I won’t interfere.”

The Sword Spirit frowned at the hunchbacked man.

“Let’s watch.”
“Don’t you know that those who master magic skills become enemies of the martial world?”
“As long as I can avenge myself, I don’t care. You all will serve as sacrifices for my revenge!”

At the hunchbacked man’s words, the Jiangshi reacted. Their movements were neither fast nor slow, but the aura they exuded was overwhelming, causing the Hyeonryong Corps to flinch.

“So this is the morale they call death aura,” Jeok Hwamyung murmured.

This was the first time he had experienced such energy, which only the dead could emit. The only living person to ever radiate such an aura was the Ghost Martial Lord, Gu Yeongcheol.

“Their actions are not fast nor slow, but this aura slows the opponent. Once you overcome it, Jiangshi will pose no difficulty.”

Easier said than done.

“This won’t go your way.”

Uijeung leaped into the air, flipped, and landed in front of the hunchbacked man, striking his chest with a powerful palm.

Everyone nodded in admiration, but the outcome was the opposite.

“Kuaak!”
“Uncle!”

Eudo-gi rushed to support Uijeung.

“Ha ha! That’s just your perception!”

Uijeung’s wrist was twisted.

“This one! He didn’t master Jiangshi Technique but Jiangshi Gong!”

While similar, Jiangshi Technique targeted others, while Jiangshi Gong targeted oneself.

“Ha ha! Whether I mastered Jiangshi Technique or Jiangshi Gong, it’s none of your concern. You all will die here!”

Clangs of swords rang out from all directions.

“What is happening?”
Hyeontaeji asked, startled.

“I’m not sure either. They must have been poisoned by the Immortal Lung… but this doesn’t make sense.”

Their plan expected the Hyeonryong Corps to temporarily lose their martial energy, but they had not.

“It seems our plan is exposed.”
“Exposed?”
“But they don’t know it was us, so we can feign ignorance.”

The Jiangshi advanced, briefly halting the conversation. They didn’t suspect the Sword Spirit was listening.

KAAANG!

Swords struck Jiangshi, but the sound of metal clashing was heard.

“These beings don’t feel pain or injury, so they can counterattack immediately.”

Hyeontaeji raised his sword but was forced to retreat under their relentless power.

“Damn it!”

The Sword Spirit, dodging Jiangshi attacks, kept an eye on Jeok Hwamyung battling the hunchbacked man.

“Though he doesn’t reach the top hundred martial masters, he’s well-known… though even the top hundred weren’t impressed by Hyeontae-ryeong’s skill.”

Compared to what he’d heard on the Dark Island, the martial level here was slightly lower. Thirty years ago, many martial artists died in the monster attacks, losing their skills or failing to fully master them, causing the current disparity.

“We need to capture him quickly to control the Jiangshi…”

Kyaaaak!

A Jiangshi attacked the Sword Spirit, screaming. Whether out of frustration or self-anger, its attacks intensified, yet the Sword Spirit evaded them effortlessly, monitoring the hunchbacked man.

―“Brother Jeok! Attack the acupoint!”

The Sword Spirit identified the hunchbacked man’s Xuanmen point and telepathically instructed Jeok Hwamyung, who skillfully struck it with his sword.

The hunchbacked man froze, eyes wide in disbelief.

“How… without knowing myself…”
“I don’t know either. I just followed instructions.”

Crack! Blood seeped from the split skin.

―“Brother Jeok! Evade!”