Soul Summoning Sword

Chapter 37: Blood Poison Abyss (2)

“Gugwi, wait a moment!”

Yeon Sohye grabbed Gugwi’s arm. Tension was written all over her face.

“You must know about the Blood Demon Witch.”

Gugwi turned his head.

There was desperation in Yeon Sohye’s voice.

“Her name is Sa Hyeollin… she’s the Seventh Army of the Twelve True Armies of the Heavenly Sound Cult.”

Yeon Sohye spoke quickly. There was no time.

“She uses a toothed whip called the Bloodfang Whip. The leather surface is as sharp as snake scales, tearing flesh apart while injecting poison. It doesn’t slice—it rips whole chunks out.”

Gugwi’s expression hardened. Just hearing about her whip made it clear what kind of person the Blood Demon Witch was.

“That’s not all.”

Yeon Sohye steadied her breath and continued.

“She has four spirits in Spirit Union. All of them were masters of the Joint Techniques. Black Blood Sorcery, Dark Flame Binding, Blood Bone Binding, Poison Mist Binding… each one uses a different poison technique.”

Gugwi gripped his spear tightly.

“So, we’re not facing one opponent, but five?”

“The most dangerous part is….”

Yeon Sohye’s voice dropped lower.

“She doesn’t distinguish between friend and foe. Even her own subordinates—she kills them all. She’s completely insane.”

A chill ran down Gugwi’s spine. An enemy who would even kill her own allies.

“She wears a red jade called Blood Demon Jade around her neck. With it, she controls vengeful spirits. And on her left arm, she has a serpent tattoo that glows during battle. It’s very different from normal Soul-Summoning Arts.”

Yeon Sohye gave her final warning.

“Never try to face her alone. If the Bloodfang Whip coils around you even once….”

She couldn’t finish her words. The thought alone was horrifying.

“I understand.”

Gugwi nodded.

He fully grasped the danger of the Blood Demon Witch.

“The Blood Demon Witch… even if the three of us fight together, we won’t be able to withstand her. There’s a vast difference between having three spirits in Spirit Union and four. It’s like comparing sixty years of cultivated qi to ten. We must flee, no matter what.”

At Yun Seoha’s words, both Gugwi and Yeon Sohye nodded in unison. This was not an enemy to handle alone.

“Let’s go. There’s much to prepare.”

Gugwi inspected his spear inside the cave of Silver Moon Valley. He wiped the dust off the spearhead, checking the feel of his wrist.

“If we encounter the Bloodfang Whip, how should we deal with it?”

There was determination in Gugwi’s voice.

The thought struck him that the narrow terrain of Silver Moon Valley might restrict the long reach of the whip.

“You can’t deal with it. Don’t even think of fighting.”

Yun Seoha’s voice was cold and merciless.

Sweeekk!

Yeon Sohye returned after scouting the forest with Flowing Willow Storm. Her movement arts had clearly grown faster.

“In a narrow cave, wouldn’t the whip lose some of its power?”

Yeon Sohye looked around the cave as she spoke.

She must have overheard what Gugwi had said earlier. No matter how sharp the Bloodfang Whip’s teeth were, it would be hard to swing freely in such a cramped space. A cave was the grave of long weapons.

“I told you before… there’s a vast difference between having three spirits in Spirit Union and four. The Blood Demon Witch can use the Bloodfang Whip like a dagger. At the Spirit Essence Mine, Senior Brother Mok Sogang and Sasaha fought together, but… to face the Blood Demon Witch, one more person was needed.”

“What? Even that much….”

Gugwi’s eyes widened in shock.

Yun Seoha touched the Soul-Summoning symbols carved into the cave wall. From the cold stone, a warm energy flowed.

“Don’t worry too much. This is the Cold Wolf Sect’s sanctuary. The Soul-Summoning Energy will protect us.”

The energy of vengeful spirits enveloped all of Silver Moon Valley.

Just as Yun Seoha had said, this place was their territory.

Yeon Sohye picked several Blood Spirit Herbs and placed them into her bag. They were the only antidote against the Blood Poison.

“These will even resist the poisonous mist of the Bloodfang Whip. Keep some close to your chest.”

She tucked several of the Blood Spirit Herbs into Gugwi’s robes.

Silver Moon Valley was indeed the best place to stand against the Black Blood Unit.

Yun Seoha led Gugwi deep into the cave. Her expression was more serious than he had ever seen.

“Gugwi, listen carefully.”

Yun Seoha gripped Gugwi’s shoulders and looked him straight in the eyes. Her hand tightened.

“First, never use the Spirit Flow Core.”

Yun Seoha’s voice was as cold as ice. The darkness of the cave made her face even more grim.

Gugwi opened his mouth to speak, but Yun Seoha raised her hand to silence him.

“Second, if a situation arises where you must use the Spirit Flow Core….”

Her eyes sharpened like blades.

“Kill every single witness. Leave no one alive.”

Gugwi was horrified. Such absolute words. His mouth opened, but no sound came out.

“The rumor of the Spirit Flow Core must never spread within the Heavenly Sound Cult.”

Yun Seoha pointed at Gugwi’s chest. She was referring to the heart of the Manifest Demon Emperor hidden within.

“The same goes for the Blue Blood Unit and the Murim Alliance. If they learn of the Spirit Flow Core, you will die. Without question. The Captain of the Blue Blood Unit whom you met… they say he’s the Alliance Leader’s problem-solver. He’s skilled. But the Alliance Leader has many such problem-solvers.”

Yun Seoha shook her head, her expression one of dread.

“Even in front of the Cold Wolf Sect?”

Gugwi asked with a trembling voice.

He still had hope that he could trust at least the Cold Wolf Sect.

“The same. Don’t think everyone in the Cold Wolf Sect is your friend.”

Yun Seoha’s words shattered his hope.

“Let me ask in extreme terms. Should I not use it even before the Sect Leader?”

“For a Soul-Summoner, the Spirit Flow Core is a treasure of dreams. If they could kill you and eat your heart to obtain it, or if there were a way to extract it from your heart… you’d be as good as dead.”

Yun Seoha stirred the air with her Silver Spirit Fan. She was making sure no one was listening, even though she knew only Yeon Sohye was inside the cave.

“In front of the Spirit Flow Core, not even fellow disciples, not even your master, not even your own blood can be trusted.”

Her voice carried deep sorrow. It was the voice of one who had lived through bitter experience.

“Then… who should I trust?”

Gugwi asked, his face filled with despair.

“Yeon Sohye. Trust the Captain of the Shadow Moon Unit. To be honest, I envy the Spirit Flow Core. If I had it, I could rival the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Sound Cult right now… but Yeon Sohye has never even considered such a thing. Trust the Captain.”

Yun Seoha clasped Gugwi’s hand.

Her hand was cold, but warmth flowed from it.

“The only ones who must know the secret of the Spirit Flow Core are the three of us. Only then can you—and we—survive.”

Gugwi felt the pulse of the Spirit Flow Core within his chest.

It was powerful, but now it felt like a curse.

“If the fact that it’s the heart of the Manifest Demon Emperor is revealed… every sect will try to kill you to seize the Spirit Flow Core.”

Yun Seoha’s warning pressed heavily upon Gugwi’s chest.

“I understand.”

Gugwi nodded. The Spirit Flow Core was not a blessing, but a burden. A heavy one.

“Kehehehe… Gugwi, why don’t you show me your face?”

Suddenly, a chilling laugh echoed from outside the forest.

It was the Blood Demon Witch, Sa Hyeollin. As she appeared, a red mist began to spread over Silver Moon Valley.

Whiiik! Chwaak!

The teeth of the Bloodfang Whip shredded the bark of a tree. Poison clung to the teeth, spreading mist, and as it seeped through the wounds, the tree began to wither.

“Get inside!”

Yun Seoha urgently summoned Baek Soryeong, who had been stationed at the entrance.

Baek Soryeong, like a white crow, flapped his wings and pushed away the poisonous mist.

“Run! The Soul-Summoning Energy here will collapse in an instant.”

Yun Seoha pulled Gugwi and Yeon Sohye deeper into the cave. Desperation filled her voice.

Sa Hyeollin summoned the Spirit Union Soul, Black Spirit. The dark spirit wielded a Joint Weapon, unleashing Black Blood Sorcery. The Bloodfang Whip and the Joint Weapon struck the trees together.

Kwaang! Uruurung!

The trees were torn apart by the teeth and pierced by poison darts before crashing down. The poison mist consumed the forest completely.

Paaang!

The Spirit Flow Core reacted violently.

As soon as it sensed the poison of the Bloodfang Whip, a surge of Blue Energy erupted from Gugwi’s chest. It was the reaction of facing a true rival.

‘I want to use it….’

Gugwi clenched his teeth.

With the power of the Spirit Flow Core, he felt he could stop Sa Hyeollin. But Yun Seoha’s warning came back to him.

A witch who needed three of the Seven Cold Wolves to hold her back.

“Chiit!”

Gugwi leapt after Yun Seoha into the depths of the cave.

Yun Seoha used the maze formation within the secret cave to hide the group.

“This is a maze. Without knowing the path, you can’t enter. Of course, that only applies to ordinary people.”

She whispered quietly.

The cave had been constructed with a maze formation to repel intruders. Dozens of tunnels stretched in every direction. Anyone who entered without knowing the way would never leave, starving to death instead.

The maze formation was their only hope.

“I will pursue them.”

Outside the cave, Heuk Yeomjo lowered his head toward the crimson mist.

“Kikik! Even trash can be useful sometimes. Go after them.”

Papang!

The moment her words fell, Heuk Yeomjo’s Spirit Union Soul, Blood Poison Demon Spirit, appeared.

A black wind surged into the cave without hesitation. The tunnels split into dozens of paths, yet it pushed forward relentlessly. It chased the aura of the Soul-Summoners, unhindered.

“My turn.”

Yeon Sohye immediately summoned So Ryeonghwa. A silver mist spread, filling the cave thickly.

Papapapat!

She darted toward the Blood Poison Demon Spirit. Flowing Willow Storm turned her into a bird in flight.

Whiiik!

Even before her form was visible, the Silver Spirit Sword Technique flashed. Her blade pierced straight through the demon spirit’s forehead.

“Perish!”

Soul Annihilation Technique!

So Ryeonghwa’s silver light began to purify the spirit.

Had it been in Spirit Contact with Heuk Yeomjo, it would never have been so easy to purify. Striking its forehead with her sword would have been impossible. But separated, it had almost no strength to resist.

Moreover, her Soul-Summoning Arts had grown far beyond what they had been when she left the Cold Wolf Sect.

Kkiiaaaak!

The Blood Poison Demon Spirit shrieked and retreated.

Her Silver Spirit Sword Technique had struck its core, forcing the spirit to retreat, spewing black mist.

“So close!”

Yeon Sohye frowned with regret. A moment later, and she might have succeeded in annihilating it completely. This was no ordinary spirit. To almost destroy a spirit in Spirit Union with Heuk Yeomjo meant her realm was nearing Resonance.

“Resonance… I’m really close now.”

Yeon Sohye muttered as she withdrew her sword.

For a Soul-Summoner, to annihilate an opponent’s spirit in battle meant one had already reached the ranks of the top-class.

But now was no time for reflection.

Yeon Sohye immediately summoned the Gale Spirit Guest. The spirit of wind appeared, surrounding her with refreshing energy.

“Lend me your movement.”

She merged with the Gale Spirit Guest and unfolded Flowing Willow Storm. Her body grew as light as wind.

Whiiiing! Whiik!

She darted wildly through the maze-like terrain of the cave, from the eastern rocks to the western walls, from the southern entrance to the northern depths.

If the Blood Poison Demon Spirit followed the aura of Soul-Summoners, she would scatter her presence everywhere.

Silver traces of So Ryeonghwa’s light lingered where she passed.

“Ha! Now try to find me.”

Yeon Sohye caught her breath with a smile.

The mixture of true and false auras would confuse the Blood Poison Demon Spirit.

From afar, Heuk Yeomjo’s flustered voice rang out.

“Damn fox!”

Yeon Sohye’s strategy had worked. She had nullified the demon spirit’s tracking art. It was a trick only possible inside the cave.

“Useless. Completely worthless.”

Sa Hyeollin’s icy gaze fell on Heuk Yeomjo.

He hunched his shoulders. Before her, he always had to bow.

Ssshhht!

From Sa Hyeollin’s body, a dark crimson mist arose.

She was summoning the Spirit Union Soul, Dark Poison Smoke. The gray spirit seeped into the Bloodfang Whip, unleashing Dark Flame Binding.

Whiiik! Chwaak!

The whip’s teeth ensnared a rabbit in the forest. With just the faintest touch, the small creature was instantly bound and thrashed helplessly.

Ssshhheee!

The poisonous mist entered the rabbit’s throat.

The tiny life struggled in agony before going limp.

The birds in the sky met the same fate. The teeth of the whip tore wings, while poison mist consumed their bodies. Birds dropped from branches, convulsing on the ground.

“Filthy blood.”

Sa Hyeollin sneered coldly.

In the chaos, a warrior of the Black Blood Unit was caught by Dark Flame Binding. A single mistake… and the whip’s teeth coiled around his arm, tearing into flesh.

“Aaagh!”

The warrior screamed.

Poison insects crawled from between the teeth, burrowing into the wound. His flesh rotted, bones laid bare.

Sa Hyeollin then summoned the Spirit Union Soul, Deathly Tones. With Poison Mist Binding unleashed, the Bloodfang Whip vibrated violently.

Whiiing! Whiiing!

Sound waves erupted, disrupting the spirits in union with the Black Blood Unit Soul-Summoners.

The whip lashed out, mercilessly shredding the unbalanced warriors—both their bodies and the spirits they had merged with. Spirits wailed as they were annihilated.

“The weak—whether human or spirit—are useless.”

Sa Hyeollin laughed coldly.

Seeing this, Heuk Yeomjo screamed in terror.

“Everyone, fall back!”

But it was too late. Sa Hyeollin’s Black Blood Sorcery activated through the Bloodfang Whip. Poison darts erupted from the whip’s teeth, sweeping across the area. Warriors of the Black Blood Unit collapsed in droves.

Pusshhk! Pusshhhk!

The darts melted bone as they pierced. One by one, the warriors screamed and fell.

She had not specifically aimed at them. It was indiscriminate. She attacked the forest of Silver Moon Valley, and the Black Blood Unit was caught in the storm.

The poisonous mist and the screams of spirits filled the air.

The Blood Demon Jade around Sa Hyeollin’s neck glowed crimson, amplifying the terror of the slaughter.

The cave entrance shone open.

The oppressive mist that had veiled the cave vanished as though washed away.

“Gugwi. Kekeke! If you come out now, I’ll just take you. But if I have to come in, I’ll cut off your legs…. If you heard me, step out.”

Sa Hyeollin whispered, slowly swinging the Bloodfang Whip. Her smile grew ever more horrifying.