Soul Summoning Sword

Chapter 26: Radiance in the Dark Night (1)

When Gugwi reached the entrance of the Cold Wolf Sect’s citadel, his face was drenched in sweat.

His ribs throbbed, making him stagger with each step.

The battle at the Spirit Essence Mine had left behind a pain that felt like his bones had been ground down. The impact from being hurled against a wall by Jin Mukran’s Black Wind Technique still shook his entire body. He leaned on his spear, gasping for breath.

Wounds inflicted by martial artists caused physical pain. But wounds delivered to the soul struck not only the flesh, but the mind as well. Even if the actual wound was just a shallow cut, the pain could feel as though one’s limbs were severed.

Gugwi was exactly in such a state.

Jin Mukran’s Black Wind Technique had carried the “strike to the soul.”

The resentment and fury of the Spirit Union spirits had ridden the black wind and clawed at Gugwi’s soul.

He floundered, as though half his side had been torn away. In reality, only a few of his ribs had fractured, but the spiritual wound amplified the pain severalfold.

“Ugh…”

He clenched his teeth to stifle his groans.

Each breath felt like a blade was still embedded in his side, twisting mercilessly.

From what he had learned so far… this wound could only be healed by his own spiritual power. He had to enter the Realm of the Threshold and personally stitch up the severed wound in his soul.

‘I have to… enter the Realm of the Threshold.’

With a trembling hand, Gugwi pressed down on his Dantian.

He had to draw on the power of the Spirit Flow Core to access the Realm of the Threshold. But while walking—especially in a place under public scrutiny—any form of treatment was impossible.

The stone gate of the citadel loomed imposingly in the darkness. Between the towering stone walls, torches cast light upon his pale face. The gatekeepers eyed him with suspicion.

Yeon Sohye stood by his side.

Fatigue was evident on her face as well. The wound left by Jin Mukran on her shoulder had yet to heal.

“Don’t just stand there like an idiot.”

Her voice was sharp.

The Silver Spirit Sword flashed in her hand. So Ryeonghwa’s Silver Spirit Technique. Silver mist poured out like a waterfall, enveloping Gugwi.

The guards stationed at the citadel entrance lost sight of them. She grabbed Gugwi’s arm and supported him. He was heavier than she expected. The injuries seemed severe.

“Walk straight. It’ll be trouble if we draw suspicion.”

Her eyes swept the surroundings with sharp precision.

Within the mist, her expression was set in stone. There could be enemies even within the Cold Wolf Sect.

Gugwi leaned on her shoulder, dragging his feet.

Sharp pain stabbed at the spot where his ribs had broken.

“Thanks.”

“Thanks? You’re the Captain.”

Her voice was low.

Without Yeon Sohye, even entering the citadel would’ve been difficult.

Inside the citadel, the office of Sect Leader Un Hojin was dimly lit. The flickering candlelight cast shadows across his face.

He sat at his desk, his gaze sharp as a blade.

“This is everything?”

Before him lay the battle report from the Spirit Essence Mine. Mok Sogang stood across from him.

“This is everything, Sect Leader.”

Mok Sogang bowed his head.

Un Hojin looked over the report again. His brow furrowed.

“I didn’t expect the Twelve True Armies to actually show up… let alone that Lord of the Twelve True Armies, Sasaha, would come in person.”

“That’s right. Just as the members of the Pursuit Moon Unit risked their lives to report.”

Tension underlined Mok Sogang’s voice.

Un Hojin tapped the desk with his fingers.

“We assumed, at most, a Captain under the Twelve True Armies would appear…”

He stood and walked toward the window.

The status of a Lord of the Twelve True Armies rivaled that of a Sect Leader. For someone of that rank to personally take action…

Un Hojin turned around.

“Is there some special power at the Spirit Essence Mine? There are Spirit Essences all over the Murim—why target that one specifically?”

Mok Sogang swallowed hard.

“Well… I’m not entirely sure, but the Spirit Essences at the mine were of a different purity. I only realized it when I was there… even standing outside the mine, the tremors were palpable.”

“Purity?”

“They seemed several times more potent than ordinary Spirit Essences.”

Un Hojin’s eyes gleamed.

“So we knew nothing while the enemy figured it out. Hah!”

He sat back down.

“In the end… it was Yeon Sohye and Gugwi who protected the Spirit Essences from Sasaha and Jin Mukran… Someone who’s only recently entered the stage of Spiritual Sensitivity blocked someone in the Resonance and fourth level of Sensitivity stage. Hah!”

Un Hojin looked at Mok Sogang.

“Summon those two.”

His command rang low and firm.

Shortly after, Gugwi entered the office supported by Yeon Sohye.

The candlelight illuminated his pale face. Un Hojin looked him up and down.

“The Spirit Essence Mine battle. Report.”

His voice was cold. Like a sheet of ice. Though he already had a rough idea of the events, he wanted to hear it directly from the two.

Gugwi swallowed hard.

Whether due to the Sect Leader’s Soul-Summoning Arts or something else, a faint tremble of blue light flickered from his Dantian. The Spirit Flow Core… He clenched his teeth and suppressed the power.

Un Hojin’s eyes pierced him. Then, all of a sudden, he asked,

“Guun of the Eight Generals—your father—was said to have stolen the Cult Leader’s Spirit Flow Core when he escaped from the Heavenly Sound Cult… do you know anything about that Core?”

Un Hojin asked.

Gugwi’s heart pounded.

The moment his father’s name was mentioned, his whole body froze. Guun of the Eight Generals. His father, who had been one of the Eight Generals until his escape from the Heavenly Sound Cult. And the fact they were now searching for that Core meant…

Gugwi quickly gathered his thoughts. He tried to compose his expression.

“I don’t know. I’ve never heard about it.”

“Really? Then… tell me how you fought Sasaha.”

“I couldn’t move… due to my injuries.”

Gugwi followed Yeon Sohye’s advice. His voice trembled.

“My ribs were… after fighting Jin Mukran…”

His words trailed off.

Un Hojin’s gaze grew even sharper.

“You couldn’t move? Then the Captain of the Shadow Moon Unit fended off both Jin Mukran and Sasaha alone?”

“It was luck. The Spirit Essences of the mine responded to my Soul-Summoning Arts. Thanks to that…”

Yeon Sohye quickly interjected.

“They say Jin Mukran barely managed to take any Spirit Essences—so it was the help of the Essences? Are you saying you truly did nothing?”

Un Hojin’s question turned to Gugwi.

“The Captain… did everything. As you can see…”

His voice was faint.

Yeon Sohye nodded beside him.

“Gugwi was seriously wounded early on and couldn’t move. I can confirm that.”

She spoke with confidence.

Un Hojin glared at Gugwi. His eyes were filled with suspicion. He sensed that something was being hidden, but lacked definitive proof. He didn't press any further.

“Stand down. Take care of your health.”

It was a cold command.

As Gugwi exited the office, Jin Hoon was waiting.

His lips twisted. He looked as if he was savoring Gugwi’s discomfort.

“Gugwi, you made it back alive?”

He sneered.

The meeting room door was open. Inside, other martial artists were discussing the post-battle measures.

As he brushed past Gugwi, Jin Hoon spoke.

“You do know the end is coming, right? The Murim Alliance probably won’t just let you be.”

“The Murim Alliance? Why them?”

“You're the son of one of the Eight Generals, aren’t you? That rumor has already reached them. Doesn’t it sound absurd that the son of a Twelve True Armies member from the Heavenly Sound Cult is in the Cold Wolf Sect? A special investigation unit will arrive soon.”

Gugwi’s blood ran cold at Jin Hoon’s words. If the Murim Alliance was on the move…

“What came to mind the moment I heard you’re the son of one of the Eight Generals? The things your father stole from the Heavenly Sound Cult… Where are they? They say he escaped with the Spirit Flow Core and a secret manual.”

Jin Hoon’s tone was mocking.

“You’re done for. Think you can survive in front of the Murim Alliance?”

With a smirk, Jin Hoon walked away.

Gugwi clenched his fists. His hands trembled.

Yeon Sohye grabbed his arm.

“Ignore him. You don’t have to listen to that bastard.”

Her eyes were firm. But a shadow of worry lingered in her gaze.

The involvement of the Murim Alliance was a more serious problem than expected. There was a high chance Jin Hoon had submitted a biased report… and once they got involved, things would get complicated.

The Murim Alliance had a tendency to eliminate Soul-Summoners they found troublesome. Especially anyone connected to the Heavenly Sound Cult.

“But judging by Jin Hoon’s tone…”

“We’ll think about it when the investigation unit arrives. Right now, recovery comes first.”

Yeon Sohye patted Gugwi on the shoulder. Still, her expression remained dark.

She took Gugwi to the underground training hall beneath the Soul Hall.

As they descended the stone steps, she stayed silent. Only the sound of their footsteps echoed through the darkness.

The training hall was dim. Torches lit the walls. Traces of old training were etched into the floor and walls.

She shut the door tightly.

“It’s safe here. No one comes down.”

She spoke.

Gugwi leaned against the wall to catch his breath. His fractured ribs still ached.

“Captain… why are you protecting me?”

His voice cracked. He truly wanted to know.

Yeon Sohye looked at him and hesitated briefly before answering.

“Your Spirit Flow Core. If that gets exposed, it’s over.”

She pulled out a dagger and nicked her palm. Blood flowed. A blood oath.

“I’ll take all the credit. Everything that happened at the Spirit Essence Mine—and everything that’s to come.”

Her voice was resolute. Gugwi’s eyes widened.

“Captain… why go this far?”

His voice trembled.

He didn’t care if she took the credit. He wasn’t acting for recognition. Right now, he needed to learn as much about the Soul-Summoning Arts as he could. But still—what reason did Yeon Sohye have to go this far for him?

Yeon Sohye smiled gently.

“First, it was curiosity about the Gatekeeper’s bloodline. Second, I was drawn by my Spirit Union martial artist, So Ryeonghwa. Back then, I didn’t even know you had the Spirit Flow Core—but So Ryeonghwa likes you. I thought it was because of the Gatekeeper’s bloodline, but now… I think it’s the Spirit Flow Core.”

“And?”

“I saw you. At the Spirit Essence Mine—how you comforted the spirits.”

Her voice softened.

“A Soul-Summoner usually tries to exploit spirits. But you… you tried to save them. Drawing more than half of the Spirit Essences into the Realm of the Threshold… someone like that… is worth protecting.”

Gugwi’s chest tightened. He was grateful that Yeon Sohye recognized his sincerity.

“No time for gratitude. Shut up and follow me. From now on, I’m taking all the credit… so work hard and make sure I get promoted. But for now, focus on healing.”

Yeon Sohye gave a playful smile.

Gugwi placed a hand on his Dantian. The blue glow pulsed.

A warm energy—Spirit Flow Core—wrapped around his ribs. The pain gradually subsided. It was a remarkable healing power.

“This… is an incredible force.”

He murmured to himself. A slight smile tugged at his lips. An artifact inherited from his father…

Yeon Sohye chuckled.

“Incredible, huh. That’s because you still don’t know what the Spirit Flow Core really is. I don’t know the full extent either, but… it’s much more than you think. But be careful. That power could cost you your life.”

Behind her joke lay a serious concern.

“Captain… I really thank you. I don’t know how to repay you…”

His eyes were earnest. Yeon Sohye turned her head.

“Shut it. Just focus on recovery.”

She walked toward the door.

“Stay here and heal. And don’t tell anyone about the Spirit Flow Core.”

The door shut. Gugwi was left alone.

He sat on the training hall floor and closed his eyes.

He planned to enter the Realm of the Threshold. To heal his wounds there… but then, the Spirit Flow Core in his Dantian pulsed violently. Far more active than usual. A fierce energy—the resentment of Un Serim—shook his Dantian.

“Revenge… the traitors…”

Un Serim’s voice pierced his ears. It, too, was far more intense than usual. Rage and resentment surged like crashing waves.

Gugwi’s eyes flew open.

His heart pounded.

“The Sect Leader… what’s going on? Why are you this enraged?”

There was no answer. Only a rising tide of fury and resentment. As if it were a warning—something urgent and dangerous was approaching.

“What… is this sense of dread?”

He gasped for breath.

Something in the darkness seemed to be targeting him. Was the shadow of the Murim Alliance already creeping over the Cold Wolf Sect?

He closed his eyes again.

Feeling the warmth of the Spirit Flow Core, he steadied himself. Yeon Sohye believed in him. That alone gave him the strength to endure.

‘Father, what did you hope for when you passed this power to me?’

Gugwi asked himself in silence.