Soul Summoning Sword

Chapter 36: Blood Poison Abyss (1)

The deep darkness where blood and poison intertwined

Ssshh!

Gugwi aimed his spear. Celestial Cloud Spear!

The spear tip thrust toward the cave wall, stirring a cold breeze. It was a light thrust, as if loosening his body. It looked as though he had swung it playfully. His grip on the shaft was loose.

But the spear tip was different.

Like a living serpent, it writhed in the air. The blade traced its own trajectory, aiming precisely at a point on the wall. It moved as if independent of Gugwi’s will.

Boom!

The impact resounded throughout the cave.

The wall began to crack like a spiderweb. A fissure spread from the point of contact, splitting outward in all directions. First came thin cracks, then wider gaps followed.

Tak! Tak! Tok!

Chunks of stone began to fall.

From fist-sized to nail-sized fragments, the pieces varied.

A few even rolled to Gugwi’s feet.

Startled by the cave’s trembling, Gugwi paused. Dust fell from the ceiling.

“This isn’t just spear technique.”

Gugwi muttered as he withdrew the spear.

The mark gouged into the wall was deeper than expected. A finger joint could fit inside.

‘So this is the power of Celestial Cloud Strike…’

The power was far stronger than he had imagined. But it still wasn’t complete. It seemed lacking since it was martial arts unleashed with the help of the Nameless Martial Artist’s spirit energy, without Spirit Contact.

“Un Serim!”

This time, he called upon Un Serim.

Paaang!

From the Realm of the Threshold surged a chilling energy, Gugwi’s gaze turning blue. His pupils became clear as ice, and within the blackness of his eyes, a blue flame blazed.

Whoooosh!

Soul-Summoning Energy wrapped around the spear.

The black shaft turned blue in an instant. From the spear tip down to the butt, it spiraled upward like a coiling dragon. The entire cave lit up with a fantastical blue glow.

This spear was different.

Unlike before, Gugwi’s grip tightened firmly on the shaft. Un Serim’s will had completely taken hold of his arm. The spear tip no longer moved on its own.

‘Precise and razor-sharp trajectory!’

Fwoooosh! Shhhhk!

At the moment Celestial Cloud Strike unfolded, blue Soul-Summoning Energy shot along the blade like lightning.

This time, it wasn’t just a thrust. The spear art and the energy became one, amplifying the power exponentially. The sound slicing through the air was piercing, as if thunder rumbled.

Bang! Rumble!

The wall was pierced clean through.

It was nothing like the cracks from before. A hole the size of a fist blasted open, carving a deep gouge.

Stone dust cascaded like a waterfall.

Fragments sprayed in all directions, clattering against the ground.

But in that instant, Gugwi’s body trembled slightly. Cold sweat formed on his forehead, and his breath grew rough.

His body was not yet ready to withstand Un Serim’s Soul-Summoning Energy.

“It burdens my body.”

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Gugwi severed Spirit Contact with Un Serim.

At once, the blue light vanished, and the cave was swallowed in darkness again. The power of Soul-Summoning Arts was undeniable, but it bore the limitation of dependency on spirits.

Whish! Whish! Ssshhk! Whish! Whish! Shhhk!

Like before, he channeled the Nameless Martial Artist’s spirit energy to wield the spear.

From his Spirit Flow Core glowed a faint light, a warm energy spreading through his body. Without Soul-Summoning Arts, sharp energy still gathered at the spear tip.

Whooosh!

Celestial Cloud Strike unfolded once again. This time it was spear technique realized with Gugwi’s own inner arts, not a spirit’s power. The strength was clearly weaker, but his body felt no strain.

“Spirit energy isn’t borrowed power—it’s something to make my own.”

Gugwi murmured, as if realizing something.

Soul-Summoning Arts relied on spirits, but spirit energy strengthened one’s own inner arts.

“The essence of Soul-Summoning lies in balance between spirit and self.”

On the cave wall, engravings of Soul-Summoning Arts resonated with his spear, emitting a faint glow.

The mystical energy of Silver Moon Valley aided his training.

From one side of the cave, Yeon Sohye slowly opened her eyes. Color returned to her once-pale face.

“Gugwi.”

Yeon Sohye stood and smiled.

“You’re strong. Stronger than when you fought the Vice Captain of the Blue Blood Unit. You’re the most reliable comrade. Hmph!”

Gugwi awkwardly smiled as he set the spear upright.

“So, does this mean you officially acknowledge me as a member of the Shadow Moon Unit?”

“If I acknowledge that, you’ll have to speak formally to me. I’m the Captain, after all.”

“I don’t like that. I can’t willingly put myself under a friend.”

“Friend?”

“Am I wrong? I thought of us as friends…”

“You’re right, we are friends. Hohoho!”

Yeon Sohye laughed.

“Your arm?”

At that, Yeon Sohye touched her arm. The scar from the Black Blood Unit’s poison dart still remained.

“Those bastards of the Black Blood Unit, leaving a scar on a woman’s arm? That’s unforgivable, isn’t it?”

“Absolutely unforgivable.”

“Hohoho!”

For the first time in a while, Yeon Sohye laughed brightly.

“But… how much money did you get from my father?”

“What are you talking about?”

“For treating me so well. I thought about it a few times—there’s no reason you’d go this far. I’m just the daughter of a Watchman at best.”

“I’m not just any son. I have a Spirit Flow Core.”

“That was something you only learned later.”

“What’s certain is… you’re the only comrade I’ve ever paired with. Anyone else wouldn’t have stood a chance.”

“Pfft!”

Gugwi chuckled.

In truth… warmth stirred inside him. She was right. Yeon Sohye was the type to act alone. She had never formed a pair with anyone, yet she had given him a place at her side.

“You’re right. Why am I only treating you well? Either way, now that you know, you better serve me well.”

“I already repaid you. That blood poison—I was the one who healed it.”

“Are you bragging?”

“Just a little.”

“Hohoho!”

Yeon Sohye laughed brightly.

The damp air of the cave contrasted with the vitality returning to Yeon Sohye.

“Thank you, Captain. I know… there were many dangerous moments.”

Gugwi spoke with sincerity.

Yun Seoha began writing the carrier report. It was a report to be sent to the Cold Wolf Sect.

“Report on the clash with the Black Blood Unit and the Blue Blood Unit… hmm…”

With a cautious expression, Yun Seoha moved the brush tip.

By now, the main sect would have some idea of the outcome of the clash. The Blue Blood Unit should have arrived. More than anything, she had to accurately convey the Heavenly Sound Cult’s movements.

The Black Blood Unit was active in the Cold Wolf Sect’s territory.

“Eat plenty of delicious food when you get to the Cold Wolf Sect.”

Yun Seoha released the carrier pigeon. Then she began scanning the surroundings with the Silver Wind Fan Technique. Wind from her fan swept outward, sensing the aura flowing from Soul-Summoners.

“There’s no trace… it’s too quiet.”

She looked uneasy.

The forest of Silver Moon Valley was quieter than usual. No bird sounds, no insects. Between the fog-covered trees, no suspicious shadow could be seen.

Deep within the cave, Gugwi sat cross-legged. It was time to enter the Realm of the Threshold and train in Soul Resonance with Original Spirits.

Soul Resonance with Original Spirits—this was his unique Spirit Union technique.

He combined the Illusory Name Command with the Soul Resonance Technique of the Cold Wolf Sect to devise a new Soul-Summoning Art. If he could commune directly with Original Spirits through the Spirit Flow Core… perhaps he could resonate even without knowing their names.

It was on an entirely different level from existing Soul-Summoning Arts.

Gugwi slowly raised his spirit energy, awakening the power of the Spirit Flow Core. The core pulsed warmly inside his chest.

Paaang!

In that instant, blue light rippled outward from Gugwi in concentric waves.

Original Spirits drifting in the Realm of the Threshold began to appear one by one. Faint lights swam gently from all directions like flowing water. Normally, they would have rushed at him with hostility.

But this time was different.

As the blue light from the Spirit Flow Core touched them, the lights softened. Their twisted rage dissipated, replaced by serenity. It was the glow of relief, as though freed from long torment.

Some Original Spirits cautiously approached Gugwi.

They weren’t trying to attack. They only seemed to want to feel the warmth of the Spirit Flow Core.

Gugwi perceived their emotions.

Sadness, resentment, longing… regrets unresolved in life surged like waves. Yet the Spirit Flow Core purified those emotions. Malicious grudges transformed into pure yearning.

“This is… my power.”

Gugwi muttered in a voice filled with conviction.

Even without knowing their names, even without sitting before their graves… through the Spirit Flow Core, he could communicate directly with Original Spirits. He wasn’t forcing them—they resonated together in cooperation.

He had to trust the Spirit Flow Core.

He still hadn’t discovered all it could do.

What was the true power of this mysterious treasure, said to be the heart of the Manifest Demon Emperor?

The effect of the Spirit Flow Core was undeniable.

The once-furious Original Spirits now drifted peacefully beside him. No longer hostile, they even seemed to circle around as if to protect him.

Gugwi slowly opened his eyes.

The training of Soul Resonance with Original Spirits had ended successfully.

Meanwhile, Yeon Sohye attempted union with the Gale Spirit Guest.

Her footwork transformed into Flowing Willow Storm as she darted swiftly through the cave.

Whoooosh!

Her body brushed past like the wind itself. It was freer and faster than So Ryeonghwa.

“This footwork… it’s freer than So Ryeonghwa’s!”

Yeon Sohye spoke in delight. Full union with the Gale Spirit Guest had been easier than expected.

Then Yeon Sohye looked toward the blue light emanating from Gugwi’s Spirit Flow Core.

The Gale Spirit Guest absorbed that light thirstily, moving with even greater vitality. Unnoticed by anyone, the blue glow had been enhancing her Soul-Summoning Arts.

“It was thanks to you that I could accept the Gale Spirit Guest so easily, Gugwi. No wonder I felt faster.”

She murmured with gratitude.

Most Soul-Summoners could not reach Resonance. They could manage up to the level of Spiritual Sensitivity, but beyond that required innate genius. Perhaps one in ten thousand.

The Seven Cold Wolves and the Twelve True Armies were such people.

Yeon Sohye, upon her second attempt at Spirit Union, had instantly absorbed and utilized the spirit. This was possible because Gugwi’s Spirit Flow Core stabilized her Soul-Summoning Arts.

“Thanks to you… I’ll reach Resonance. Hmph! Maybe I’m the one who should be thanking you.”

Her voice carried conviction.

Union with the Gale Spirit Guest was a foundation for her leap toward Resonance.

At the outer edge of Silver Moon Valley, red mist began creeping in. It was Bloody Poison Mist. Wherever it touched, trees withered, and the cries of Original Spirits echoed.

Thump!

It was as if their hearts were being tightly gripped.

“Ugh!”

Gugwi sensed an ominous energy. Whenever his Spirit Flow Core pressed on his heart this strongly, it always heralded something ill.

“Someone again…”

Gugwi gripped his spear, adopting a defensive stance. The aura was clearly stronger than before.

Shhhk!

Yeon Sohye approached with Flowing Willow Storm.

Her expression was hard and grim.

“This isn’t ordinary mist.”

She spoke tensely.

The Bloody Poison Mist carried venom that nullified Soul-Summoning Arts. It was a vicious weapon devised from the Murim Alliance’s Nameless Sound Disruption.

Ssshh!

Yun Seoha, having approached unnoticed, drew her fan and took guard.

The three fixed their eyes on the direction from which the mist approached.

Then, a sharp laugh rang from within the haze.

“Kekekeke…”

It was a chilling woman’s laughter.

Gugwi felt a cold shiver down his spine. It was an eerie, sinister laugh.

Ssshhhk!

As the mist thinned, a crimson shadow emerged faintly.

Long black hair fluttered in the wind, and a red robe soaked in blood energy came into view.

“The Blood Demon Witch… it looks like she’s here.”

Yun Seoha spoke with a tense face.

Had the Seventh of the Twelve True Armies of the Heavenly Sound Cult appeared in Silver Moon Valley?