novelraw Chapter 96 : Entry into the Tiger’s Den (1)
Chapter 96 : Entry into the Tiger’s Den (1)
Chapter 96: Entry into the Tiger’s Den (1)
- Entering the Tiger’s Den
Yeon Sohye and Jang Unhyeok stood facing each other at the stream’s edge.
Both had expressions tinged with excitement. It was their first duel as Spirit Summoners since reaching the Resonance stage.
Moonlight shattered upon the gentle ripples, scattering silver fragments that danced.
“Now! Shall we begin?”
Yeon Sohye spoke as she slowly rotated her wrist.
From her fingertips, a thread-thin strand of silver energy rose. It looked as if moonlight were slipping through her fingers.
So Ryeonghwa was the first to appear.
The image of the swordswoman, cloaked in silver mist, stood behind Yeon Sohye. Then, Gale Spirit Guest arrived with the wind, scattering blue energy. Lastly, Baek Seonnyeo stepped onto the water’s edge, radiating a subtle glow like moonlight.
The three spirits positioned themselves around Yeon Sohye, forming a perfect triangle.
Faint silver threads linked them, forming an invisible web.
Jang Unhyeok did not back down.
“Hooop!”
As he inhaled deeply, the Blazing Fire Warrior appeared, scattering red flames in every direction. The air grew hot, and a light mist began to bubble up from the stream.
Wind Sword Wolf stood to his left, summoning a blue breeze. As wind met flame, the blaze grew even more intense. The Iron-Flame Captain appeared with heavy steps, a massive hammer slung over his shoulder. A metallic gleam flashed across its surface.
“Triple Spirit Fusion!”
With Yeon Sohye’s cry, the power of the three spirits merged into one.
A silver vortex surged skyward, and within it, dozens of moonlight blades danced. The sound of their spinning was like the wind brushing through grass.
“Windfire Annihilation!”
Jang Unhyeok’s shout echoed.
The three spirits’ powers fused, forming a massive magma hammer.
Around the hammer, red flames and blue wind swirled together in a storm.
KWA-GWANG!
The two forces clashed head-on at the center of the stream.
A column of water soared into the sky. Hundreds of droplets scattered like jewels in every direction. The shockwave shook the surrounding trees, and the rocks trembled faintly.
Thududududuk!
The droplets fell to the ground like a sudden rain. The sandy bank had been dented from the impact.
“Oooh! So this is what it feels like!”
Yeon Sohye burst into laughter.
Her eyes gleamed brighter than the moonlight.
She felt the power of the Resonance stage coursing through her. It felt as if starlight were flowing through her veins.
The same was true for Jang Unhyeok. The corners of his mouth lifted into a smile.
He began testing new techniques, freely commanding the three spirits. He hid the Blazing Fire Warrior underground, made Wind Sword Wolf invisible, and merged the Iron-Flame Captain with rock—repeating the experiments.
The two gathered their strength once more. This time, their technique was more refined.
With a snap of her fingers, Yeon Sohye sent So Ryeonghwa behind a boulder, Gale Spirit Guest atop a tree, and Baek Seonnyeo into the water.
They vanished completely from sight.
Jang Unhyeok also positioned his three spirits in different locations.
The Blazing Fire Warrior buried deep underground, Wind Sword Wolf high in the sky, and the Iron-Flame Captain fused with stone.
A moment of silence passed.
“Now!”
They shouted simultaneously.
From six directions, attacks burst forth. Silver daggers and moonlight beams, blades of wind from one side; magma from the ground, lightning from above, and a steel hammer from the rocks on the other.
In the air, the six forces collided in a dazzling festival of light.
Meanwhile, Jin Geonmu, not a Spirit Summoner, was training in spear techniques by himself.
Alone on the sandy shore, he slowly spun his spear.
Wiiing! Wiing! Wiing! Wiing!
His spear drew crimson arcs in the air. Its movement was completely different from before. Though it looked smooth and flowing like water... it was as fast and precise as lightning.
As the spear tip cut the air, it made a sound of wind splitting.
Shiiik!
A soft yet sharp sound.
‘Strange... was this technique always ingrained in my body?’
Jin Geonmu tilted his head.
Since receiving the spiritual energy of the Nameless Martial Artist, new realizations kept bubbling up from within. It felt like long-sleeping memories were finally awakening.
Hwiriring!
He gave the spear a wide swing.
Air split, and crimson energy extended five steps ahead. The sand along the path of the strike was gouged in a straight line.
The Blood Spear Triple Strike had completely changed.
Attempting a Blood Point Breakthrough, the spear tip became as precise as a needle. When he thrust it toward a tree, it left a coin-sized hole in the bark. The hole’s edge was a perfect circle.
He performed Bloodstorm Barrage.
Tatata-tatak!
The spear moved like wind. Six consecutive thrusts were executed in the blink of an eye.
Six red dots appeared in a straight line across the sand.
Next, he cast Blood Wall Block. The spear turned as solid as iron. When he swung it, not even air could pass through. Not a single drop of water would have seeped in.
“I’m truly free now.”
Jin Geonmu murmured in satisfaction.
The weight of revenge that had crushed him for twenty years felt much lighter. As if a massive boulder had been lifted from his shoulders. He felt ready—ready to face Hwe Unjin.
The Sixth Elder of the Wudang Sect, Hwe Unjin.
He was a renowned master in Wudang. Known more for his martial arts than Taoist techniques.
Now, Jin Geonmu felt he could stand against him.
Sssht!
He raised his spear high. Moonlight reflected off the blade, sparkling in silver.
A new technique came to mind.
A combination sequence using the Blood Spear Triple Strike.
Collapse the opponent’s core with Blood Point Breakthrough, follow up with continuous strikes from Bloodstorm Barrage, and defend with Blood Wall Block—an impeccable flow.
“Blood-Crushing Chain…”
Jin Geonmu spoke the name of the new technique.
As he swung his spear, a crimson trail traced three concentric circles through the air.
Gu Gwi leaned against a tree, watching the three of them with satisfaction.
Seeing his comrades grow filled him with pride. A warm sensation welled up in his chest.
The combination attacks of Yeon Sohye and Jang Unhyeok were becoming more refined.
Jin Geonmu’s spear technique had become as smooth as flowing water. All were reaching a new realm.
Now... even facing the Dark Spirit Sect felt possible.
At that moment—
Suddenly, something cold twisted within his chest. The Spirit Flow Core! The Spirit Flow Core had begun to stir.
“Ugh!”
Gu Gwi clutched his chest, suppressing the groan that threatened to escape.
A searing pain surged through him, as if his heart were trapped in ice. His heartbeat turned abnormally rapid.
Thump-thump-thump-thump! Thump-thump-thump!
The Spirit Flow Core began flickering irregularly with blue light.
The light spread through his veins, permeating his entire body. His skin turned faintly bluish.
Gu Gwi’s body pitched forward. His knees struck the sand. He barely managed to support himself with his palms pressed to the ground.
He wanted to scream with all his might… but he didn’t want to interrupt his companions, who had only just begun awakening to their new martial powers. So he gritted his teeth and endured the pain even harder.
‘This is… the Manifest Demon Emperor!’
Gu Gwi clenched his jaw.
Through the Spirit Flow Core, he could sense a thread linking him to the Manifest Demon Emperor. He had never felt this before accepting the power of the altar… an invisible string was coiled around his heart.
That string was tightening.
A foreign voice echoed in his mind — deep and sinister.
‘Use the Spirit Flow Core. Then the pain will vanish. You will feel peace. I promise you.’
It was the whisper of the Manifest Demon Emperor.
Gu Gwi’s hands trembled.
It really felt as though the pain would subside if he used the Spirit Flow Core. But that would also hasten the Manifest Demon Emperor’s resurrection. He was pushing Gu Gwi to use the Core for that very reason.
‘Use your strength. Do as you wish.’
The voice continued to tempt him.
‘Grow stronger. Rule over all. This world is divided between those who rule and those who are ruled… Domination is not a sin. It is the natural right of the strong. Enjoy it. Claim your right.’
Gu Gwi shook his head.
Sweat streamed down his forehead.
‘Spirit Flow Core… I can’t use it.’
Gu Gwi made up his mind to endure without using the Core.
The Manifest Demon Emperor could never kill him. He could tighten his heart and inflict agony, but not death. If Gu Gwi died, the Manifest Demon Emperor’s resurrection would be impossible.
But the pain only intensified.
“Uuugh!”
It felt as if his heart were being crushed in someone’s grip… even breathing became difficult.
“Gu Gwi!”
Yeon Sohye was the first to run over.
Seeing his pale face, she gasped in shock. Her three spirits followed right behind her.
“What’s wrong?”
Jang Unhyeok also rushed over and supported Gu Gwi by the shoulder.
Gu Gwi’s body was growing cold.
Jin Geonmu held his spear and scanned the surroundings — wary of an ambush.
“I’m fine… just in a bit of pain, that’s all.”
Gu Gwi forced a smile.
But cold sweat poured from him. His lips had turned blue.
Yeon Sohye took his pulse.
The heartbeat was abnormally fast. And cold.
“This isn’t right. His pulse is too fast.”
“I said I’m fine.”
Gu Gwi tried to stand, but his legs had no strength. He dropped to his knees again.
Jang Unhyeok supported him from behind.
A chilling aura radiated from Gu Gwi’s back.
“Something’s wrong. This isn’t a simple condition. Did the Spirit Flow Core malfunction again because you overstrained yourself linking our spirits? This isn’t minor.”
Jin Geonmu circled the area once and returned.
“There are no signs of enemies. This is happening inside the Lord’s body. The most likely cause is a Spirit Flow Core anomaly.”
“Right? It does seem like the Core—”
As Jang Unhyeok spoke with a worried expression… the sound of galloping hooves echoed from afar.
At first faint, it quickly grew louder.
Tadadadak. Tadadadak.
Dozens of horses were racing toward them.
“Horses? Are they Assassins of Death?”
Jang Unhyeok frowned.
His expression hardened.
Within the Heavenly Sound Cult, only the Assassins under the command of the Sixth True Army rode warhorses in pursuit. Their arrival wasn’t frightening—but the possibility of the Sixth True Army himself being nearby was.
Sure enough… cavalry in black armor appeared on the ridge.
They rode with torches raised high. They were unmistakably Assassins of the Heavenly Sound Cult’s Sixth True Army. Their horses’ breath steamed white, proof of a long, hard ride.
“They must have tracked us after witnessing the Dark Spirit Sect’s cave collapse.”
Yeon Sohye bit her lip.
Those enemies didn’t frighten her. In fact, she was itching to test the new techniques she had just mastered. Her fingers unconsciously gripped the dagger’s hilt.
“Urgh!”
Gu Gwi staggered to his feet.
The pain was excruciating, but they had to flee. Yeon Sohye, Jang Unhyeok, and Jin Geonmu all looked eager to fight… yet if they clashed with the Heavenly Sound Cult here, it would turn into an endless pursuit.
The Assassins’ torches drew nearer. Their shouts echoed.
“There! Over there!”
“Surround them!”
“Don’t let a single one escape!”
“We have to run.”
Gu Gwi managed to speak. His voice trembled.
“We can’t fight them. If we do, it won’t stop. If the Sixth True Army himself has come, this could turn into a full-scale battle… and we can’t be sure Ma Ungyeol, Sasaha, or Sa Hyeollin aren’t with them.”
Yeon Sohye nodded.
“Alright. We’ll do as you say. But where does it hurt? Is it really the Spirit Flow Core? Is it because of us?”
“Of course not. It’s not because of the Core… you could call it the curse of the Gatekeeper’s Bloodline. Heh! I’ll explain later. For now, we have to get away.”
“Then rest easy. We’ll handle the movement!”
Yeon Sohye grasped Gu Gwi’s arm and shouted, her voice filled with resolve.