novelraw Chapter 111 : Turning Point Through Clash (1)
Chapter 111 : Turning Point Through Clash (1)
Chapter 111: Turning Point Through Clash (1)
– A fierce collision brings about a new opportunity
Moonlight seeped between the rocks, casting a silver shadow.
Gugwi lay on a rock between water plants. A cold wind brushed against his cheek, tousling his hair.
Roughly, the tasks ahead began forming in his mind.
First, the remaining altars of the Dark Spirit Sect must be found and destroyed. One of the four had been dealt with already, so it seemed like the rest could be left alone... but the uncertainty of who might use them and how made him uneasy.
Second, he had to help Jin Geonmu’s wife ascend.
And after that, what should he do?
The Spirit Flow Core would continue to grow. The Manifest Demon Emperor would attempt resurrection… Should there really be anyone by his side? Perhaps there shouldn’t be anyone. It was too dangerous.
While lost in such thoughts… footsteps echoed from the distance.
Sasat! Sasasasat!
They were rhythmic, light footsteps.
Occasionally, the sound of tumbling stones mingled in. About… a dozen?
Taang! Tang!
A faint vibration emanated from the Spirit Flow Core within his heart.
A cold energy tightened his heart and spread through his veins. It was a warning signal.
“You actually managed to find me.”
Gugwi said with a soft chuckle.
As his calm voice flowed out, Yeon Sohye, Jang Unhyeok, and Jin Geonmu simultaneously lifted their heads.
Their gazes sharpened at once.
“Who is it?”
“Who else would come here but the Heavenly Sound Cult?”
Gugwi said as he stretched.
Sseuuuuk!
From her fingertips, Yeon Sohye summoned a silver energy.
The air began to shimmer faintly. The Silver Spirit Illusion slowly spread through the water plants, veiling the riverside in a pale mist.
Jin Geonmu gripped his spear shaft tightly.
“Red Spearman, take it easy. What do you plan to do in that condition?”
Jang Unhyeok scolded.
Just then, a red spearhead gleamed under the moonlight.
‘That’s—!’
Jang Unhyeok, who had been ready to face the enemy with confidence, opened his eyes wide in shock.
Among those approaching… was Ma Ungyeol of the Eleventh True Army. Even from afar, his spear was unmistakable. The cold metallic light sliced through the night, exuding killing intent.
A relentless murderous intent directed at Gugwi glimmered in Ma Ungyeol’s eyes.
A cold smile crept across his face, revealing his teeth, white in the moonlight.
The wind stopped. As if even nature itself was holding its breath.
‘This isn’t someone I can handle…’
Abandoning his intent to strike first, Jang Unhyeok reconsidered. Though Yeon Sohye’s mist was a great help… it wasn’t enough to take down Ma Ungyeol.
Gugwi kept his focus on the Spirit Flow Core. A blue light leaked from his dantian and scattered around.
The aura of the pursuing unit drew closer.
His heartbeat quickened. It was so intense it felt like his ears were thumping.
“To think Ma Ungyeol came himself…”
His voice dropped low.
A faster response than expected… The fact that the Eleventh True Army moved personally showed just how important he was to the Heavenly Sound Cult.
“What should we do?”
Yeon Sohye asked.
Gugwi couldn’t answer immediately.
Cold sweat formed on his forehead. But it wasn’t fear. An inexplicable excitement surged within him.
“Ma Ungyeol and… how many others?”
“The rest are about ten or so… and they’re all exceptional. Looks like they brought the elites of the Black Blood Unit.”
“Think we can handle three each?”
“Are you saying we should fight?”
Yeon Sohye looked at Gugwi in surprise.
“If we have to fight the Twelve True Armies anyway… shouldn’t we fight while we’re still in a position to do so?”
“Fine by me!”
Chaang!
Jang Unhyeok drew his twin blades.
Red energy surged from the blades. The flames of the Blazing Fire Warrior wrapped around the sword edges. A sizzling sound echoed as the metal heated up. The flames created dancing shadows upon the water’s surface.
Jang Unhyeok’s revenge-filled face glowed red.
Jin Geonmu rested his spear on his shoulder and said,
“Three each. That means three for me too. I’m ready.”
“With that body?”
“More than enough. This kind of wound is nothing.”
Jin Geonmu pounded his chest. Though an ordinary person wouldn’t even be able to stand from such injuries.
Whiiiiing!
The wind blowing from outside carried the enemy’s scent. Leaves rustled, heralding the approach of the pursuers. The sound of falling stones followed closely with nearing footsteps.
Gugwi drew a deep breath.
Cold air filled his lungs.
Ma Ungyeol halted at a distance of a hundred steps.
About a dozen from the detached unit gathered around him. All wore black martial uniforms. Their eyes were calm and serene. Yet their indifferent killing intent was palpable.
Each held a different weapon.
Ma Ungyeol raised his spear into the air.
Sshweeeng!
The spear tip sliced the air with a sharp sound. Wind coiled around the spear blade.
“Kill.”
The cold order split the night air.
His voice bore no emotion. Calm, as if stepping on an insect. The breath from his mouth turned into white vapor and disappeared.
The detachment scattered instantly.
They were forming an encirclement. In perfect coordination… a well-honed group of experts.
Paaang!
The Spirit Flow Core pulsed even more strongly.
The intensity of the warning had risen. A signal of imminent danger—his chest tightened.
Yeon Sohye further strengthened the Silver Spirit Illusion.
Mist completely enveloped the area around the water plants. Her face turned pale as she manipulated the Spirit Bloom. She seemed to be consuming far too much inner energy.
“This alone won’t stop Ma Ungyeol.”
Gugwi nodded knowingly. Yet his gaze didn’t leave the core within.
“What are you waiting for? At this range, we should be confronting them already.”
Jang Unhyeok looked at Gugwi and said.
Gugwi didn’t respond. He focused solely on the Spirit Flow Core.
The blue light began to glow brighter. The presence of the pursuers—no, the spirits—was being sensed one by one.
The aura of the Eleventh True Army was overwhelming. It was on a completely different level compared to the other martial artists. Like the difference between the sun and a candle? A scorching, immense energy overflowed.
“Ma Ungyeol… truly strong.”
Gugwi’s hand trembled slightly.
Through the Spirit Flow Core, the energy of Ma Ungyeol felt terrifying. But it wasn’t like before. Now, he had the strength to face it. The spear in his hand felt weighty.
Gugwi placed a hand over his chest and delved deeper within.
The Spirit Flow Core radiated even stronger power from deep within his heart. Blue light surged and spread outward.
Taang!
A cold vibration spread through his veins, flowing throughout his entire body.
The world began to look different. Even in darkness, everything appeared vividly clear.
Around Ma Ungyeol, four massive shadows loomed.
From the first shadow, the stench of blood assaulted his nose. The smell of the battlefield. The faint image of a general clad in red armor appeared. The spear in his hand emitted a crimson energy like blood.
‘Samaun… Red Blood Spear King.’
A spirit of the general who once conquered the world 190 years ago.
The second shadow was agile. The remnant of a woman danced like a flicker. Her short spear split into dozens in the air, creating illusions. Her ever-changing spear technique was dizzying to watch.
‘Sam Sohwa… Mad Spear Demon.’
A spirit of a female martial artist who lived by assassination 150 years ago.
From the third shadow came overwhelming power. A martial artist of massive build stood holding a spear. The aura exuding from the spear tip alone made the air feel heavy.
‘Mukjeong… Overlord Spear General.’
A spirit of a martial artist who swept across battlefields a hundred years ago.
The last shadow was the most sinister. In the darkness, a short spear gleamed, aiming for vital points. The killing intent was so cold it seemed to slice through bone.
‘Gu Joomyeong… Dark Spirit Spear Horseman.’
An assassination master who operated eighty years ago.
Cold sweat beaded on Gugwi’s forehead. The spirits Ma Ungyeol had fused with through Spirit Union were all formidable.
They would have to be handled by Un Serim and General Madal.
Ma Ungyeol had two generals on his side—Samaun and Mukjeong. Let General Madal take them. Sam Sohwa would go to Un Serim, and Gu Joomyeong… should that be left to the Spirit Union’s Muksoe this time?
‘Can General Madal handle two of them?’
Paaang!
The power of the Spirit Flow Core spread wider.
There were exactly twelve members in the detached unit. Their energy began to reveal itself one by one.
Each was fused with two or three spirits. All were experts ranging from the fourth level of Spiritual Sensitivity to Resonance.
From behind the rock on the right, three shadows could be seen around a swordsman. All were sword-wielding spirits. Their sword qi glimmered under the moonlight.
In the tree to the left, a martial artist hid with two spirits—one an archer with a bow, the other an assassin holding a dagger. On the hill to the rear, a spearman was positioned with three spear spirits. Each spear emitted a different energy: one flame, one lightning, one ice.
Gugwi’s mind raced with calculations.
With Ma Ungyeol’s four spirits and each of the twelve members bearing two to three… more than thirty spirits surrounded them.
“This is… too many…”
Gugwi’s voice trembled slightly.
Outwardly, it was only thirteen people—but the reality was far more severe than expected. Not just Ma Ungyeol, but the entire detachment were elite. Twelve experts of Spiritual Sensitivity (Level 4) to Resonance.
Paang! Pangpang!
The Spirit Flow Core pulsed more strongly. A signal of warning. It meant the danger level was extreme.
Gugwi opened his eyes. Reality came crashing down even more hopelessly.
Yeon Sohye looked at his pale face and asked,
“What did you see?”
“Too many.”
Gugwi’s voice came out hoarse.
“I’ll take Ma Ungyeol… but he has four spear spirits. And all twelve in the detachment are top-tier.”
Jang Unhyeok’s face stiffened.
Jin Geonmu gripped his spear tighter.
“How many?”
“Two to three each. From Spiritual Sensitivity Level 4 to Resonance. Over thirty.”
At Gugwi’s answer, everyone’s face turned pale.
Jin Geonmu wasn’t even in a condition to move… and Yeon Sohye and Jang Unhyeok would have to face nearly thirty opponents. They were strong, yes—but so were the enemies.
This wouldn’t be an easy fight.
“Then what do we do?”
Tension crept into Yeon Sohye’s voice.
Gugwi tightened his grip on his spear. There was no choice but to fight.
“We fight.”
But a part of him couldn’t help but feel… too much blood would be spilled.
Jang Unhyeok stepped forward.
“If we must fight… then I’ll lead the charge.”
Fwoosh!
Flames flared higher around him.
Fueled by the fire of vengeance, his qi surged. It was as if fire was sparking in his eyes.
Jin Geonmu lowered his spear from his shoulder and planted it on the ground. The spear tip struck the stone floor, sparking a tiny flame. The clear sound of metal meeting stone rang out.
“I can’t move fiercely… but I can still use spear techniques. I’ll do my part.”
“Phew… is this the right thing to do?”
Gugwi exhaled deeply.
By now, Ma Ungyeol’s detachment had completely encircled the area near the water plants.
Twelve martial artists blocked off every path. They no longer bothered to silence their steps.
Swords, sabers, spears, daggers… every kind of weapon gleamed menacingly.
All bore eyes soaked in killing intent… In the darkness, only their eyes gleamed sharply.
Ma Ungyeol planted his spear into the ground and crossed his arms. He appeared relaxed—like a hunter who had cornered his prey.
The smile at the corner of his lips deepened.
Red energy began to writhe from his spear.
The aura of the Red Blood Spear King was slowly seeping in. The blade of the spear turned crimson.
He spoke.
“You don’t flee… admirable courage. Come out—I shall fight you!”