Swordless Demonic Path

Chapter 19 : Spill (4)

"Right now, the Slaughter Ghosts in Ghost Spirit Valley are mostly fifth-rank or lower. They are just people we can raise anew. Those of the fourth rank and above are outside, so if you join hands with them, Ghost Spirit Valley will soon rise again."

At those words, Hyung-wook stroked his beard and nodded. While he agreed, he was disappointed in Na Jin-seong for seeing the Slaughter Ghosts as his pawns. It was not easy to hide that.

The mainstay of Ghost Spirit Valley was the Slaughter Ghosts of the fourth rank and above, and preserving that force seemed not bad as a deal.

But to Hyung-wook, the Slaughter Ghosts were like his entire life.

"No matter what the family head's will is, we must receive the price for the Slaughter Ghosts who died at the hands of the Cheon family. That price must be collected not with money, but with lives."

At Hyung-wook's indifferent voice, Na Jin-seong smiled. His eyes narrowed, and he showed a hint of killing intent before hiding it.

"It seems you have many complaints about my will."

"I am a Slaughter Ghost."

At Hyung-wook's answer, Na Jin-seong stroked his beard and nodded.

"A life must be taken for a life. I also have no intention of just letting this matter pass. But right now, the power of the Cheon family is strong, so I have only temporarily retreated. When the power of our family surpasses the Cheon family, that will be hell for the Cheon family bastards."

Na Jin-seong clenched his fist and his shoulders trembled.

He soon stood up from his seat, went to the window, and grabbed the railing. He saw a pond. It was as if the head of the Cheon family was in it.

The strong killing intent created by Na Jin-seong lingered in the room.

"How do you think I felt when I had to accept the Cheon family bastard's proposal?"

At his words, Hyung-wook shook his head with a bitter expression.

He felt he knew without being told. If he was in a position where he had no choice but to give up his own arm when asked, it would be extremely humiliating.

Na Jin-seong was furious right now. Hyung-wook was also feeling it.

Hyung-wook said.

"The Cheon family will also kill the Slaughter Ghosts who are outside. And there is also Na Hyungi."

"If he's a guy who's going to die, there's nothing we can do. Can a Slaughter Ghost who can't even overcome a crisis of this level really be called a Slaughter Ghost?"

At the words that it was fine even if his son died, Hyung-wook stroked his beard and asked.

"Who are you thinking of for the Valley Lord of Ghost Spirit Valley?"

"Steward Soo said he wanted to do it. I'm thinking of entrusting it to him."

At the mention of Steward Soo, Hyung-wook's expression hardened. Hyung-wook frowned at the fact that Steward Soo Seon-wi had stepped forward himself to become the Valley Lord of Ghost Spirit Valley. Na Jin-seong, who was looking around the pond, could not see Hyung-wook's face.

'It's Lady Soo.'

Only then did Hyung-wook seem to know who was moving this matter. It seemed that Na Jin-seong's wife, Soo Yang-yeong, was the one behind it.

'The two Soos are the main culprits who have ruined Ghost Spirit Valley.'

Hyung-wook cast a cold gaze and picked up his teacup.

"The Cheon family bastards will be looking for the Slaughter Ghosts for a while, so stay hidden. I'll send word soon."

"Yes, Family Head."

Hyung-wook answered and then quietly stood up.

* * *

In the forest, about ten zhang away from the house where Hyung-wook and Na Jin-seong were staying, a black beast was crouching.

If you looked closely, it was not a beast but a person dressed in black.

Jin Sawoon was pressed tightly against the ground, unfolding his ground-listening technique. It was to listen to the conversation of the people far away, but the conversation between Na Jin-seong and Hyung-wook was not clearly audible.

The distance was far, and the two's voices were small, but the sound of the wind passing through the bamboo forest was also distracting.

It was around the time the sun was slowly setting over the western mountains that Hyung-wook came out of the house.

When the evening glow covered the world, Hyung-wook, who had left the house, soon disappeared.

It was immediately after that that Jin Sawoon also disappeared.

Jin Sawoon was very confused. Although he showed a calm expression, the situation did not leave him alone.

His comrades had died at the hands of Cheon Woo-rin, and Ghost Spirit Valley, where he had to return, was also full of death.

He was in a state of having lost his way.

In the midst of that, he had seen Hyung-wook, so he had no choice but to naturally follow him.

The place Hyung-wook went to was a small village located not far from the Na family. He entered a shabby house there and did not come out.

Jin Sawoon, who was observing the area around the house, quietly entered the house when it was completely dark.

When he appeared in front of the table, he saw Hyung-wook sitting on the edge of the bed.

"It's Number Ninety-nine."

"Yes."

Jin Sawoon, who answered in a low voice, saw that Hyung-wook was holding a sword in his hand but ignored it.

Hyung-wook quietly placed the sword he was holding under his pillow.

"What about Kang Yu?"

"He's dead."

At the news of his death, Hyung-wook let out a deep sigh. It was too regrettable and sad that a good talent had died.

"Seo Woon-gang betrayed us. That bastard killed the team leader."

At Jin Sawoon's dry voice, Hyung-wook picked up the hot kettle on the stove and prepared tea.

Jjoreureureuk!

As the tea water fell into the teacup, a clear sound lingered in the room. Hearing that sound, Jin Sawoon felt his mind become clear.

Swish!

Hyung-wook quietly offered the tea in front of Jin Sawoon and said.

"There are many traitors."

At his words, Jin Sawoon did not open his mouth. Instead, he quietly drank the tea and calmed his mind.

"The reason the Cheon family attacked Ghost Spirit Valley is because of some kind of deal. The family head was trying to pressure the Cheon family based on the information you brought, but the Cheon family acted first."

Although he heard Hyung-wook's story, Jin Sawoon's expression did not change. It was difficult for Hyung-wook to know what he was thinking.

Hyung-wook, with a dark complexion, relayed his conversation with the Na family head to Jin Sawoon.

Jin Sawoon was surprised that the Na family head had used Ghost Spirit Valley as a deal, but that was all.

"If the head of the Cheon family becomes the Cult Leader, Ghost Spirit Valley will be rebuilt."

"Do you believe that promise?"

"I don't know."

Hyung-wook shook his head and answered. Jin Sawoon doubted whether the Cheon family would keep their promise.

"We just have to hide for a while. Right now, the Cult is in a state of chaos, so we have to wait."

"Where is Seo Woon-gang?"

Jin Sawoon asked as if he was not interested in Hyung-wook's story.

"The Cheon family manor, I suppose."

Hyung-wook spoke again to the silent Jin Sawoon.

"It seems there are Soo family bastards behind this incident. They seem to be the traitors who are in league with the Cheon family."

"Is there evidence?"

"We have to gather it from now on. There's something you have to do."

"I'll do my job first."

At Jin Sawoon's answer, Hyung-wook let out a short breath. He knew he couldn't stop him, so he didn't. When Jin Sawoon finished his tea, he stood up from his seat.

"I'll see you next time."

"You must come within three days at least. If you don't come, I'll think you're dead."

"Yes."

Rustle!

As Jin Sawoon's figure disappeared with the black smoke, Hyung-wook's figure also soon vanished from the room.

* * *

Seo Woon-gang, who had flown to Ghost Spirit Valley, shook his head when he saw the valley full of corpses.

The warriors of the Cheon family who had attacked Ghost Spirit Valley were still not leaving. They had a plan to wait for the Slaughter Ghosts who were returning after hearing the news of Ghost Spirit Valley and kill them.

Of course, the Slaughter Ghosts who were outside would not come here. Still, they were waiting just in case.

Seo Woon-gang, knowing through their mouths that no Slaughter Ghost had returned here, frowned and went outside. He had missed Jin Sawoon.

Annoyance welled up, but he couldn't help it. It was by no means easy to find an opponent he had missed once.

The place Seo Woon-gang went to was the main family of the Na family, located about thirty li from Ghost Spirit Valley.

In a dark room, a beautiful middle-aged woman who appeared to be in her early forties was sitting under an oil lamp, embroidering.

She was drawing an eagle, moving the needle with delicate hand movements.

"It's Seo Woon-gang."

At the low voice from behind, she stopped the hand that was embroidering and stood up to sit in front of a tea table.

"Speak."

As her voice echoed, Seo Woon-gang, who was hiding in the darkness, opened his mouth.

"I missed Number Ninety-nine."

"Idiot."

At the single word that came out of her mouth, Seo Woon-gang fell silent.

Soo Yang-yeong frowned and drank wine. As the fragrance of wine spread in the room, she spoke again.

"What can you do with that skill? Wouldn't it be better to die?"

"I'm sorry. I will definitely find him and kill him."

"Just leave that matter. I'll entrust it to someone else. More importantly, what happened to Cheon Woo-rin?"

"For now, I was able to save my life by catching his eye. It will be fine for the time being."

"That bastard is simple, so he doesn't harm his own dogs."

Soo Yang-yeong smiled and then nodded.

"Forget about Number Ninety-nine and focus on the Cheon family."

"Understood."

"Go."

As her voice echoed, Seo Woon-gang's presence disappeared from the room.

A short while later, Song Ha-sang quietly entered the room.

"Steward Hyung has disappeared. He came out of Ghost Spirit Valley with me, but I haven't seen him since."

"There's no good news at all."

"I'm sorry. He easily eluded my surveillance."

"That can happen. He was once the best Slaughter Ghost."

Soo Yang-yeong muttered and then drank wine again.

"I also missed Number Ninety-nine."

"Number Ninety-nine is also being chased by the Cheon family and the Seomun family, so he will be caught soon."

At Song Ha-sang's answer, Soo Yang-yeong smiled. But it was just a light smile, and she soon returned to an indifferent face.

"Find Hyung-wook. The old monster of the past must be killed."

"Yes."

As Song Ha-sang answered and retreated, Soo Yang-yeong, who had stood up from her seat, began to embroider again. The night was getting deeper, and the oil lamp lit in her room showed no sign of going out.

* * *

Around noon, Jin Sawoon, wearing plain common clothes, a beard, and his hair roughly tied back with a common cloth, looked like an ordinary person to anyone.

Jin Sawoon was heading for the poor village of Cheonsu City when he saw many people and Heavenly Divine Cult warriors gathered and turned his steps there.

"A woman is dead."

"Oh my."

"It looks like she was stabbed with a knife."

Jin Sawoon, who approached while listening to the people's talk, frowned when he saw the body of a young woman through the Heavenly Divine Cult members.

'Eun Soo-soo.'

The dead woman was Eun Soo-soo. It seemed that she, Dokgo Hye's handmaiden, had been thrown into the stream as a corpse, and the people who had discovered it had informed the Heavenly Divine Cult.

Jin Sawoon frowned when he discovered a sword wound on Eun Soo-soo's neck.

'Cheon Woo-rin.'

There was no evidence that he had killed her, but Eun Soo-soo had been investigating Cheon Woo-rin. And she was a comrade who had been looking for evidence that Cheon Woo-rin had betrayed the Cult with him.

She was also the one who had informed the Inspection Pavilion. As she appeared as a cold corpse, Jin Sawoon's heart grew cold.

He had come here today to meet Eun Soo-soo, but he was flustered that she had died like that.

Rumble!

With the sound of many footsteps, a large number of warriors from the Cheon family manor appeared. As they appeared, Jin Sawoon observed the warriors of the Cheon family manor from among the crowd of onlookers.

Among them, he saw the figure of Jang Do, who had deceived him.

He was the one who had cut the necks of Jang Muryong and Kang Yu.

Jin Sawoon did not know his name, but he knew well that he was a bodyguard who followed Cheon Woo-rin by his side.

He was showing his back, sitting in front of Eun Soo-soo and examining the sword wound. The distance was about three zhang, a considerable distance.

His neck was visible through the crowd of onlookers.

Swish!

Jin Sawoon took out a small gourd bottle containing poison from his sleeve. Then he took out a common needle from his belt, dipped it in the poison in the bottle, and threw it.

Pfft!

"Keuk!"

Jang Do groaned and grabbed the Tianyou acupoint behind his ear. As he felt a needle at his fingertips, Jang Do's eyes widened.

"Who is it?!"

He quickly stood up and turned his head, but he could only see many people. There were no people who were suspected of being assassins.

But he also knew well that it was a trap.

"Heup! Keuuuk!"

As he mulled over a few thoughts, Jang Do's face began to turn red. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in a short moment, but the whole world turned black.

The startled subordinates shouted urgently.

"Poison! Seize all the people here! Block the surroundings!"

They shouted, blocked the road, and made all the onlookers kneel down. It was to find the assassin.

(End of Chapter)