Soul Summoning Sword

Chapter 34: Swallowed by the Spinning Wind (4)

As the red mist of the Poison Blood Forest cleared, silence settled in.

“Huff! Huff!”

Gugwi panted heavily, calming the lingering effects of the Spirit Flow Core. Yeon Sohye clutched her injured arm, while Yun Seoha held her fan, staying alert to their surroundings.

Then, under the moonlight, shadows emerged.

At a glance, twelve martial artists—clearly elites—silently surrounded the valley. The man in the lead, in particular, had eyes that were cold and ruthless. It was as if a wolf was walking toward them, not a man.

Yun Seoha quickly stepped forward.

Yeon Sohye pressed closer to Gugwi and whispered softly,

“Be careful! It’s the Blue Blood Unit.”

Her voice trembled faintly.

“The Captain came in person.”

Ssskt! Sssksskt!

The twelve men slowly encircled the three. It wasn’t a tense formation. Rather, it seemed loose, as if they weren’t trying to surround them but simply finding a comfortable position.

The wolf-like man, the Captain of the Blue Blood Unit, stepped forward and spoke.

“Who do we have here? Isn’t that the Gatekeeper’s bloodline of the Cold Wolf Sect? Huhu! Still as beautiful as ever. Stunning.”

“It’s been a while, Captain of the Blue Blood Unit.”

Yun Seoha deliberately revealed the man’s identity—as if to let Gugwi hear it.

“Oh! This. I picked it up on the way….”

He tossed something in front of the three.

What fell to the ground was Gugwi’s spear. A faint blue glow of the Spirit Flow Core lingered on the tip.

“Who does this spear belong to?”

The Captain of the Blue Blood Unit’s voice echoed through the valley.

Yeon Sohye immediately stepped forward.

“It’s mine. I threw it earlier during the fight.”

She picked up the spear from the ground and continued.

“I recently formed a Spirit Union with a new soul—he’s a master of spear techniques. You know this place, right? Silver Moon Valley. The Cold Wolf Sect’s training ground. I met the spirit I’ll be with for life here.”

The Captain narrowed his eyes.

“I know the soul union of the Captain of the Dark Blood Unit. Very well, in fact. Hmph! Seems like there’s been progress that wasn’t reported. Then, are you now at the third level of Initial Contact, or have you reached Resonance?”

“Resonance is still far off. I was planning to report back after returning to headquarters. I just recently formed the Spirit Union.”

“You handle a freshly bonded spirit quite well. I suppose Former Gatekeeper Yun helped you out? Huhu!”

The Captain laughed as he looked at Yun Seoha.

Yun Seoha stepped forward with a calm smile.

“I knew the Blue Blood Unit was coming, but I didn’t expect the Captain himself to show up.”

She offered a poised clasped hands greeting.

“Jin Hoon seems to have submitted an inaccurate report, but I’m sure that’s not the only reason you’re here.”

The Captain nodded as if impressed.

“Exactly! It’s about the Spirit Essence Mine incident. Even in the north, Spirit Essence has been piling up. So it’s odd that people are coming all the way here to mine more. It looks like the Heavenly Sound Cult is starting something new—something very dangerous.”

His gaze fixed on Gugwi.

“I also wanted to confirm Jin Hoon’s report. That spear—yours, right?”

The Captain gestured to the spear in Yeon Sohye’s hand.

Gugwi remained silent, standing politely as if he knew it wasn’t his place to speak.

The Captain smiled.

“So you’re that chatty Gugwi?”

“I am Gugwi, but chatty… well….”

“I want to see your Soul-Summoning Arts.”

The words came out abruptly, without warning.

Yun Seoha quickly interjected.

“Captain, Gugwi’s only just awakened his Spiritual Sensitivity. He’s still a novice….”

The Captain raised a hand to stop her. Yun Seoha fell silent. That single gesture was enough to silence even one of the Seven Cold Wolves. It showed the Captain’s authority.

“Who wants to go?”

He looked around at the Blue Blood Unit.

“I’ll do it.”

A man stepped forward. Am Ilho, heir of the Five-Form Sword Sect and Vice-Captain of the Blue Blood Unit.

Yeon Sohye silently held out the spear.

She seemed to realize there was no use hiding it anymore and obediently handed it over.

Whirr!

Gugwi unleashed the Cloud Flow Spear in midair.

Without having formed Spirit Contact, he used the spiritual energy passed down by the Nameless Martial Artist as his spiritual energy and swung the spear.

Tatata! Tatatatat!

Am Ilho charged at Gugwi with a glare.

Srrng!

Mid-run, a sword was drawn. The silver blade gleamed under the moonlight. In a flash, the first technique of the Five-Form Sword Technique flew forward. The tip of the blade fiercely aimed for Gugwi’s throat.

Gugwi spun the Cloud Flow Spear to block.

Clang! Clang!

Spear and sword clashed. Sparks flew.

Am Ilho twisted his body immediately. His sword curved like a willow branch and jabbed toward Gugwi’s side. Gugwi turned his body using Cloud Flow Step, and the blade barely brushed his clothes.

Swish!

Gugwi’s spear flashed. The tip darted toward Am Ilho’s shoulder.

Am Ilho leaned back and deflected the spear shaft with his sword. Clang! The metallic clang echoed through the valley.

He stomped forward to close the distance. His sword stabbed repeatedly. One, two, three. Gugwi spun his spear and blocked each strike. The final stab grazed his cheek, leaving a thin cut.

At that moment, Gugwi swung his spear wide. The tip drew a semicircle and pushed Am Ilho back.

Am Ilho stepped back, raising his sword. No—he charged in again.

A downward slash from above!

Gugwi blocked with his spear. The weapons collided, sending red sparks flying.

Whip!

Gugwi struck at Am Ilho’s wrist with the spear shaft.

Am Ilho withdrew his wrist and hooked the spear shaft with his sword. Gugwi’s spear was pushed to the side.

An opening formed.

Not missing the chance, Am Ilho’s sword aimed for Gugwi’s chest. Gugwi bent back. The blade passed right in front of his nose. Then Gugwi thrust his spear again. Am Ilho dodged to the side and twisted his sword. The blade coiled around the spear shaft in a bind.

Clash! Clang!

The two locked in a contest of strength. Sweat dripped down.

Then, Am Ilho suddenly withdrew his strength. Gugwi lurched forward—and at that moment, Am Ilho’s sword rose up.

A desperate moment—Gugwi quickly brought his spear down to block.

Clang!

It was a close call.

The fierce clash continued for over twenty seconds.

“You fight well.”

The Captain of the Blue Blood Unit observed with arms crossed.

“But what I want to see… is your Soul-Summoning Arts.”

Swish!

The Captain of the Blue Blood Unit suddenly charged. He bypassed Am Ilho and rushed toward Gugwi. In an instant, he snatched the spear from Gugwi’s hand and hurled it far away.

An astonishing display of internal strength!

The spear struck a boulder and fell.

Yun Seoha and Yeon Sohye tried to intervene, but once again, the Captain raised a hand to stop them.

“Stay back! Both of you. If you interfere, I can’t guarantee your lives.”

A perfect threat. The air froze.

“You’re Gugwi, right? I’m going to beat you up. Until you use your Soul-Summoning Arts.”

The Captain glared at Gugwi.

“Form Spirit Contact. My fists… are not something your body can withstand.”

He lunged.

Thud!

The first punch struck Gugwi’s abdomen. The sound of ribs breaking echoed.

Thump!

The second punch landed on his chest.

“Guh!”

Gugwi coughed up blood and collapsed.

Somehow… even with Cloud Flow Step, the punches followed like ghosts and landed. Each strike was powerful—every hit sent pain through his entire body like bones were breaking.

Wham! Wham! Wham!

A barrage of blows poured down. Stomach, chest, shoulder. Gugwi’s body shook like a doll.

“Arghhh!”

Gugwi dropped to his knees. Blood dripped from his mouth.

The Captain’s fist smashed down on his back. Gugwi collapsed to the ground.

Kicks followed. His side, back, legs. The pain of shattering bones swept through his body.

Gugwi rolled across the ground. His face was covered in dirt. Blood flowed from his nose. His clothes were torn, his body a mass of injuries. Still, the strikes showed no mercy.

Thud!

The final kick slammed his head into a rock. Darkness swallowed his vision.

Gugwi lay on the ground, broken and battered. Blood oozed from every part of his body. Especially from his head, where it streamed down into his eyes and nose.

Boom!

The Spirit Flow Core pulsed violently in his heart. The power of the Manifest Demon Emperor threatened to rampage. He could hear the whispers of the Original Spirits.

‘Unleash it!’

Gugwi gritted his teeth. Yun Seoha’s words echoed in his mind—never use the Spirit Flow Core, not even at the cost of his life. But then, another voice came. This one seemed to resonate from the Realm of the Threshold.

‘Do not hide.’

Whoever it was… there was no other choice in this moment.

“Un Serim!”

Half-mad, he activated the Illusory Name Command. Immediately, he formed Spirit Contact with Un Serim.

Boom!

Blue energy exploded from Gugwi’s body.

The spirit of Un Serim descended, and Gugwi stood up. On his blood-covered face, a new determination emerged.

The Cloud Flow Spirit Heart Fist Technique unfolded.

Gugwi’s fist flew toward the Captain’s chest. The Captain blocked with Overlord Fist.

Crash!

Their fists collided. The air split with sound.

The Captain instantly countered. His left hand aimed for Gugwi’s jaw, but Gugwi turned his head, barely avoiding it. At the same time, Gugwi’s right fist shot up. As it aimed for the Captain’s ribs, he blocked with his elbow. Bone struck bone.

Crack!

“Ugh!”

Gugwi groaned.

The Captain’s knee struck his abdomen. Gugwi lowered both arms to block. Thud! The force pushed his body backward. But he rushed forward again. His hands flew in rapid succession. Left, right, then left again. The Captain blocked each one.

The final punch slammed into the Captain’s shoulder.

“Guh!”

The Captain’s shoulder drooped as he stumbled back. Blood seeped from the wound.

“You dare!”

The Captain roared in fury. The essence of the Overlord Fist unfolded. His fists rained down like hail. Gugwi blocked with both arms. Crash! The impact made his arm bones creak. He was driven back, his back hitting a boulder.

“Pwah!”

Gugwi coughed up blood.

The Captain didn’t stop—his fists continued relentlessly.

Chest, stomach, side. Gugwi stood pressed against the boulder, taking the hits. His face was covered in blood. Even so, Gugwi lowered his head and charged. He rammed the Captain’s solar plexus.

“Urgh!”

The Captain seemed breathless.

Gugwi’s shoulder crushed his ribs. At the same time, his right hand shot upward toward the jaw. Thump! A clean hit. The Captain’s head snapped back, blood spilling from his mouth.

“You wretch!”

The Captain brought his elbow down on Gugwi’s back. Gugwi dropped to his knees. A series of knee strikes followed. Gugwi’s side was mercilessly pounded.

The two clung to each other, exchanging blow after blow.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Blood splattered everywhere. Both were covered in it.

No one had bloodied the Captain of the Blue Blood Unit like this in recent memory. If Gugwi had known what Overlord Fist truly was, he wouldn’t have dared to fight.

“Guhhh!”

The Blue Blood Unit members gasped.

“The Captain was hit!”

“Impossible!”

Meanwhile, the Captain gave a slight laugh.

“Now you look like a real Soul-Summoner.”

More ferocious attacks followed. Gugwi fought back with his broken body, borrowing the strength of Un Serim. The Spirit Flow Core went berserk—his Dantian felt like it would shatter. But he clenched his teeth and threw punches.

Yun Seoha secretly used telepathy to speak to Yeon Sohye.

“Secure an escape route just in case.”

Yeon Sohye understood immediately and quickly scanned the terrain.

But… the Captain of the Blue Blood Unit suddenly stepped back.

“Enough! That’s enough.”

He looked at Gugwi’s blood-covered face and muttered,

“You’re dangerous. But interesting. Most people I know hide their spirit union, but you’re still innocent. So it’s true—you awakened Spiritual Sensitivity in just half a year. I think… you’re already at the third level of Initial Contact. We’ll see. I’ll spare your life!”

The Captain turned away.