Chapter 297 – Everyone Has a Plan (4)

It had been four days since they left the headquarters of the Thousand Demon Sect in the city of Infinite Time.

The mountains in the distance were finally within reach.

“We’re almost at the entrance of Mount Taesan. Everyone, stay alert,” said Hong Yeon-hwa, and everyone nodded in silence, adjusting their posture.

The atmosphere, which had relaxed slightly, suddenly became tense, emitting a rather sharp energy.

Well, no wonder. They were all highly skilled warriors who had gone through countless battles and martial arts competitions.

Until now, they had been acting like fools because of Hong Yeon-hwa, but this was probably the norm.

How long had they been walking, their nerves on edge?

As they gradually transitioned from the plains to the steep slopes, suddenly, the ground rose up before their eyes.

Bulging.

At first, they thought it was a small animal, like a mole, digging the ground.

But the lump, the size of a fist, grew bigger and soon became the size of a person.

No, it even took on a human form. It emitted an ominous aura and even spoke.

“I kept my promise… So, Thousand Demon… You should keep yours… Come this way…”

It spoke in a hoarse voice.

Was this the guy who called for Hong Yeon-hwa?

Although it seemed like the mastermind behind this incident was inside… the appearance was what caught their attention.

The figure that had been referred to as a ghost was too shocking, and they momentarily froze.

First of all, the entire body was made of clay, like a doll molded from earth.

The body, clothes, weapons, and even the voice exuded a dryness as if they were rubbing against the earth.

Yet, the natural facial features and movements, like those of a human, created an overwhelming sense of discomfort.

Well, if it had ended here, it might have been somewhat bearable.

As expected, the guy’s body was covered in gold, just like an ancient pottery, and some parts were completely shattered.

It must have been made just now, yet it was already broken.

And what about the flowing dark red blood between the cracks?

It looked like a gruesome wound, furrowing their brows and making their noses crinkle as if they were inhaling a foul stench.

Without realizing it, I took a step back… and only then could I see the whole picture of the guy.

…It looked like a corpse crawling out of a grave just now.

What the hell? Is this guy from a horror movie?

I understood perfectly why it was called a ghost.

Not only because it was a dead person who came back to life, but also because it simply looked like a ghost.

Damn, it’s terrifying.

As I muttered to myself, a problem arose.

Do you know what it is? Regardless of whether they are martial artists or not, all warriors share one habit.

Immediately, they were startled and instinctively launched an attack.

“Ah! Ahhh!”

Pyeong Soso, who was closest, let out a cute scream and swung her large sword without hesitation.

Boom!

With a loud noise that sounded like an explosion, the ghost burst into pieces.

This is not a metaphor. It actually exploded.

The clay body shattered into dust-like fragments, and the rotten blood that filled the inside created a violet mist that spread forward.

Pyeong Soso widened her eyes as she looked down at the ghost, which now only had its ankles left.

“Huh? Huh?”

It was because it broke so easily, despite its terrifying appearance and ominous energy.

As everyone wore similar expressions of disbelief, the remaining debris of the ghost collapsed and turned into a simple pile of dirt.

At the same time, the pile of dirt rose up again, forming a new body.

“What… is this… breaking a promise…?”

The ghost, with a different face from before, furrowed its brow as if it was displeased.

In response, Hong Yeon-hwa took a step forward and denied it.

“We were just surprised. Anyone would react the same way if you appeared like that.”

“….”

The guy, who had a bewildered expression for a moment, slowly nodded.

“I see… I guess… that’s fine… We have plenty of replacements anyway…”

Seeing the ghost’s appearance, which clearly didn’t resemble a human, an instinctive aversion arose.

Even though I wanted to smash it like Pyeong Soso did right now…

Not yet. I can’t destroy it just yet.

As I repeated this in my mind, I consciously extended my hand with force.

The ghost… or rather, the puppet that we call a ghost, controlled by someone behind the scenes, spoke.

“Follow me… my daughter…”

“Hah! Even in your testimony, you referred to her as ‘my daughter.’ Now, you’re saying the same thing when she’s right in front of you.”

“Because… it’s the truth…”

“Your daughter’s father died by her hand. Are you even worthy of being called the wretched author of her existence?”

“You can’t… I will explain everything… from the inside… so come with me…”

Hong Yeon-hwa glanced at me and nodded.

“Fine. Lead the way.”

“….”

Without a word, the ghost swiftly turned around and took the lead.

As we had discussed beforehand, we followed the ghost and crossed the entrance of Mount Taesan.

About half an hour passed like that.

Instead of going in circles, the ghost was walking in a straight line, ignoring the existing paths.

Once Hong Yeon-hwa confirmed this, she sent me a subtle glance.

Now, it begins.

In response, I met his gaze and cautiously placed my hand on the hilt of my sword. And then, a white semicircle appeared in front of me.

With a clean, precise strike that didn’t even stain with the sticky, putrid blood, my sword sliced through his neck.

Swoosh.

With a small sound of severing, his head rolled to the side.

Before I could even confirm this, a second strike swung and severed his remaining torso vertically.

According to Myeongwoljinin, this crimson blood is more toxic than any poison.

So, I better clean up before it splatters around unnecessarily.

Thud.

Before the blood flowing through his body could spurt out through the severed parts, it spilled onto the ground.

A simple pile of dirt that used to be his body, emitting a foul stench. And his eyeballs rolling around, perhaps still with some lingering consciousness.

The only thing left was his neck, twitching as if he wanted to say something… But how can he make a sound with just his neck remaining?

However, the absurdity emanating from his gaze was clearly conveyed.

Well, I don’t need to worry about that anymore.

“Commence the operation!”

With Hong Yeon-hwa’s shout as the signal, the surrounding air surged up abruptly.

It was a temporary phenomenon caused by the release of energy from the warriors gathered here.

Surrounding Hong Yeon-hwa, who had activated her celestial martial arts, we formed a defensive formation. Hong Yeon-hwa spread her hands wide, channeling her immense internal energy into her small palms. The massive internal energy gathered on her tiny hands rotated rapidly, expanding in size according to the principles of the Taiji that the Mu-dang faction had secretly passed down.

I didn’t realize it before, but now I can truly feel it.

Just how incredible the power is contained within that head-sized sphere of steel.

If I were to throw something like that recklessly, I could probably bring down a whole mountain.

The newly created ghost, who had made a new appearance, looked at us with a displeased expression.

“From the beginning… I had no intention of keeping my promise…”

“Isn’t that obvious? Not only did you attack people indiscriminately, but you even dared to interfere with my disciple’s techniques.”

“No one… has died…”

“That’s true. But even after my disciple landed a blow on you, did you really think she would just let it slide?”

“You fool…”

The moment he uttered those words.

Myeongwoljinin, who was right in front of him, swung his peach wood sword, interrupting his words.

This time, the ghost, as if determined not to be easily defeated, wielded the spear in his hand, facing Myeongwoljinin.

The yellowish glow enveloping the spear blade, with the crimson energy layered on top.

I wonder if that body was once at the pinnacle of its strength. It’s a relatively stable spear technique… but its power is lacking.

Although my internal energy is gathered, it feels like there’s no focal point.

It feels like an empty candy shell.

Various improvements have been added, but it seems to have become more difficult to deal with the weakened ghost compared to when he was alive.

So, what Surageomma said about becoming weaker than before must have meant this.

However, the crimson energy covering the spear blade looks quite dangerous.

That’s why I was a little worried when Myeongwoljinin swung his wooden sword without properly gathering his internal energy.

Crack!

Even though it was a bladeless wooden sword, and even though it only had a faint sword aura instead of a strong one, Myeongwoljinin’s sword effortlessly cut through the ghost’s energy.

A ghost with a severed arm and a broken body beyond the spear.

Just this alone would be a significant injury, but it didn’t end here.

Strangely, from the severed arm, the body crumbled, and the collapse spread throughout his entire being.

As I alternated my gaze between the crumbling body and Myeongwoljinin, the ghost nodded.

“The monk… was still here…”

“A monk exists everywhere. And anyone who follows the path can become a monk. Why did you think there would be no monk?”

“Hehe… that’s true… but… at least in this world… in this middle realm… all paths have been severed… I made it that way…”

Somehow, Myeongwoljinin furrowed his brow at the profound dialogue.

“To sever the path. That is impossible.”

“If all principles… fall to the ground… what is the difference between being severed and… being cut off…?”

“What do you mean…?”

Myeongwoljinin widened his eyes and tried to question him, but the ongoing collapse had already reached the ghost’s neck, and his third body turned into a pile of dirt.

Strangely, no putrid blood flowed from the remains of the ghost that Myeongwoljinin had brought down.

Somehow, the power contained in the sword seems weak. It seems like he used some kind of technique to bring him down.

But this is just the beginning.

Squirm. Squirm.

Dozens of bongbun simultaneously began to raise their heads.

Ghosts surrounding us in an instant. And the voice that could be heard in the midst of it.

“Well… it’s fine… no matter which side… the result will be the same… in the end, you will all be dragged… to where I am…”

“Ah, you talk too damn much.”

Kwaaaah!

Since I didn’t know exactly where it was, I swept the area where the sound of Hwangsogeom’s voice was coming from.

Whether it’s a rebellious entity or one that can’t even react, it doesn’t matter. Either way is fine.

Because they all shattered equally in front of the powerful Geompung.

Compared to the force they wield, their bodies are as fragile as pottery, making it possible.

Is he really just randomly striking?

Anyway, when the guy was forced into silence again, everyone took the opportunity to shout in a loud voice that everyone in this place could hear.

“Go, Hong Yeon-hwa! Bombard the celestial demons!”

“How many times does Lady Bonnyeo have to say that just because she’s facing a celestial demon doesn’t mean she’s a master of celestial demon martial arts!”

While saying that, Hong Yeon-hwa forcefully threw the completed Kanghwan with all her might.

Splat!

The Kanghwan flew like a black meteor and struck the presumed location of the mastermind behind all this.

Kwaaaaah!!

It was a signal flare announcing the start of a full-scale battle.

…Though it seems a bit too powerful for a signal flare!