Chapter 657: Today, None of Us Die
Chapter 657: Today, None of Us Die
“That’s the place.”
At his subordinate's word, Jin Ha-gun fixed his gaze on a building in the distance.
It was an abandoned manor. As the wind swept through, the half-broken main gate let out a rhythmic, haunting creak.
He had finally tracked down the whereabouts of the blacksmith Gwak Yeong’s younger brother. Now, he was here to bring him home.
This mission held a special significance for Jin Ha-gun.
Geom Mu-yang had personally entrusted this task to him. Because that prideful man had handed it over with the belief that Jin Ha-gun would succeed where he might not, Jin Ha-gun was determined to see it through perfectly.
“The manor has been taken over by beggars, but judging by their movements, they are trained martial artists.”
“How many in total?”
“There are about seven or eight on the outside. It appears there’s a similar number inside as well.”
They were likely disguised as beggars, banking on the fact that most people avoid areas swarming with the destitute.
“The positions of the sentries?”
The warrior who had gone on reconnaissance unfolded a piece of paper, revealing a rough sketch of the manor’s layout.
“There are guards posted in all four directions. Here, here, here, and here.”
The scout quickly pointed out the guard posts.
As elite warriors of the Demon Extermination Squad who had carried out countless operations, they naturally divided into teams and assigned their targets without needing further instruction.
“There is a hostage involved. Eliminate them quietly and move inside.”
The Demon Extermination Squad approached the manor cautiously from all sides. Leading the charge were Jin Ha-gun and the members with the most exceptional Lightness Skills.
The moment a beggar monitoring the perimeter collapsed from a hidden weapon, the Demon Extermination Squad surged forward. They struck from four directions, leaping over the walls in perfect unison.
As Jin Ha-gun landed lightly beneath the wall, a beggar guarding the spot tried to draw a dagger from his robes.
However, because Jin Ha-gun had descended with full knowledge of the man’s position, the sentry never had a chance to shout or strike.
Swish.
Slash!
With a single, fluid stroke of Jin Ha-gun’s blade, the throat of the disguised warrior was slit. He collapsed in silence.
The beggars guarding the other sectors fell one after another to the Demon Extermination Squad’s precision ambush. Though they possessed decent skills, they were no match for a surprise attack by the squad’s elites.
Having cleared the perimeter, the squad members began to sweep through the buildings one by one. Drawing on their extensive experience, they systematically and silently eliminated everyone inside.
Finally, only the largest building in the center remained.
Jin Ha-gun and the Demon Extermination Squad slipped inside like shadows.
Daggers flew toward the throats of the beggars guarding the hallway. The blades found their marks with lethal accuracy. Before the bodies could even hit the floor, the squad members glided forward to catch them. Without a single scream or the sound of a falling corpse, they penetrated deeper into the interior.
Finally, they reached the last door.
When they cautiously pushed it open, they found themselves in a massive main hall—a space so vast it seemed impossible for it to exist within the building’s exterior.
In the center of the hall, a man sat in a chair. His head was slumped forward, appearing to be in a deep sleep, likely due to his acupoints being suppressed.
By instinct, Jin Ha-gun knew this was the person they were here to rescue.
However, he remained cautious. Before sending a subordinate to check, he looked toward one particular man.
He was the oldest-looking man among the Demon Extermination Squad members present. In truth, although he wore the squad's uniform, he was not an official member.
He was Hwa Song, a master of the Great Correction Soul-Returning Art.
The Great Correction Soul-Returning Art was a martial art created specifically to counter the Soul-Seizing Technique. Originally derived from the Buddhist martial art known as the Soul-Suppressing Light Heart Art, it was a technique developed primarily to oppose the Soul-Seizing Techniques of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
The Murim Alliance trained warriors capable of performing this art, and Hwa Song was one of the two Grand Masters who taught them. He was truly one of the two most skilled individuals in the Murim Alliance when it came to dispelling the Soul-Seizing Technique.
The reason Jin Ha-gun had brought Hwa Song on this mission was because of Geom Mu-geuk.
Geom Mu-geuk had sent word that there was a master of the Soul-Seizing Technique among the enemies this time. He had warned that the opponent’s skill was extraordinary and that they must exercise extreme caution.
Since receiving that message, the Demon Extermination Squad had been moving with Hwa Song. They had anticipated that the enemy might use the Soul-Seizing Technique during this rescue operation, and their suspicions were now being proven correct.
Hwa Song scanned the room and immediately recognized a hidden secret art.
“A Soul-Strengthening Art has been deployed here,” Hwa Song explained. “In a space where a Soul-Strengthening Art is active, the Soul-Seizing Technique exerts even greater power. It makes it difficult for even me to easily dispel the spell.”
Jin Ha-gun’s expression hardened. The person who deployed the Soul-Strengthening Art was undoubtedly a master of the Soul-Seizing Technique, which meant he could appear at any moment.
The Demon Extermination Squad took up defensive positions around Hwa Song. He was the one person they had to protect at all costs.
Jin Ha-gun circulated his qi to scan the surroundings, but fortunately, he sensed no one hiding. Normally, checking the hostage would be the first priority, but one could not move recklessly in a space where a Soul-Strengthening Art was active.
“I will dispel the Soul-Strengthening Art first.”
“Please be careful.”
Hwa Song began to dismantle the technique with practiced movements.
He moved a vase on a display stand to the side. Then, he took down a scroll hanging on the wall and placed it on the floor. He wasn't just clearing things away randomly; he moved each item with deliberate, calculated care.
He took powder from his robes and sprinkled it on the floor, then erased lines drawn on the walls, drawing new ones beside them. Meanwhile, Jin Ha-gun and the Demon Extermination Squad remained tense, guarding the perimeter.
After some time had passed, Hwa Song let out a breath.
“It is done.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
Jin Ha-gun and the squad members could not feel the change even after the art was dispelled, but they trusted the master's word.
Now, everyone’s eyes turned toward the sleeping man in the center of the hall. A man sleeping alone in a space where a Soul-Strengthening Art had been active—if this hadn't been a rescue mission, they would have retreated immediately.
However, since there was a high probability he was Gwak Yeong’s brother, they approached him cautiously. Hwa Song took the lead alongside Jin Ha-gun, while the squad members escorted them from the flanks.
Hwa Song placed his palm near the man’s forehead. A faint blue light emanated from his hand.
“This man is not under the influence of the Soul-Seizing Technique.”
At that, a squad member stepped forward and lifted the man’s head. After confirming the face, the warrior looked back at Jin Ha-gun and nodded. The man’s appearance matched the description of Gwak Yeong’s brother.
“Wake him.”
At Jin Ha-gun’s command, a warrior pressed an acupoint to wake the man.
Even though they were told he wasn't under a spell, everyone remained tense, internal energy circulating. They didn't know what kind of attack he might launch upon waking.
The man woke up and stared at Jin Ha-gun and the squad members with a look of pure shock. The terror radiating from him was certainly not an act.
“Please, spare me!”
The man squeezed his eyes shut. Having just woken up, he didn't realize the warriors before him were his rescuers. He likely assumed they were more of his kidnappers.
A squad member asked him, “What is your name?”
The man opened his eyes slightly, peeking at them warily.
“Your name!”
When pressed again, the man answered quickly. “It’s Gwak Ju.”
It was definitely Gwak Yeong’s brother. Only then did Jin Ha-gun reveal his identity.
“We are the Demon Extermination Squad of the Murim Alliance. We have come to rescue you at your sister’s request.”
He intentionally mentioned Gwak Yeong. At those words, Gwak Ju’s eyes widened, and a bright smile spread across his face.
“Ah! Finally! Thank you, thank you so much.”
“Let’s get out of here quickly.”
It was just as they were turning around to escort him out.
Swish!
Clang!
Jin Ha-gun instinctively parried a sword flying toward Gwak Ju.
He was genuinely startled. The squad member standing right behind him had suddenly lunged at Gwak Ju with his sword.
“He’s been hit by the Soul-Seizing Technique!”
Just as that warrior tried to attack Gwak Ju again, a fellow squad member beside him suppressed his demonic acupoints.
“Uuuugh!”
The subordinate’s expression contorted, and a painful scream escaped his lips. The veins on his forehead began to bulge instantly.
“No!” Jin Ha-gun shouted urgently, his heart sinking.
It was exactly as Geom Mu-geuk had warned. If one’s acupoints were suppressed while under the Soul-Seizing Technique, they would die a agonizing death.
Fortunately, they had Hwa Song. He quickly placed his palm on the warrior’s forehead and recited an oral formula. As a blue radiance flowed from his hand, the face of the warrior who had been struggling in agony grew peaceful.
The warrior looked bewildered as he realized everyone was staring at him.
“What... what happened?”
He didn't even realize he had been under the Soul-Seizing Technique. That was a testament to the incredible skill of the person who had cast it.
Jin Ha-gun spoke to him calmly. “You were just under the Soul-Seizing Technique.”
The subordinate was shocked. If not for Hwa Song, he would have died. If Geom Mu-geuk hadn't sent word in advance to be careful, they would have suffered a disaster.
Jin Ha-gun emitted his qi to scan the surroundings. But there was no sign of anyone else hiding in the hall.
“Let’s move out, now!”
The best course of action was to leave this place immediately. Just as they were hurrying to leave...
Swish!
Another Demon Extermination Squad member swung his sword.
Slash!
The surprise attack was so sudden that the warrior beside him couldn't dodge. Blood sprayed from his arm.
Swish, swish, swish!
Clang, clang, clang!
The attacker lunged at his comrades like a madman. The other warriors moved to restrain him.
“Aaaaagh!”
The attacker was in more urgent danger than the one he had wounded. His veins bulged as if they were about to burst from his suppressed acupoints, and he let out a guttural scream.
Hwa Song again placed his palm on the man's forehead and recited the formula. The way the spell took hold without any prior sign was terrifyingly natural.
Hwa Song was inwardly reeling. ‘This shouldn't be possible.’
It would be one thing if the Soul-Strengthening Art were still active, but it had already been dispelled. To exert the Soul-Seizing Technique so repeatedly in such a situation was no easy feat. Furthermore, the higher the target's martial realm, the harder it was to cast the spell. For a warrior of the Demon Extermination Squad, it should have been extremely difficult. Yet, to cast it so many times in succession? Just who was their opponent?
Before he could even finish dispelling the spell, another warrior swung his sword and charged toward Jin Ha-gun.
Clang, clang, clang, clang!
“Everyone, stay away from the person next to you!” Jin Ha-gun shouted.
The squad members created distance, ensuring they were far enough apart to react if someone beside them acted out.
“We’re getting out of here now!”
“Yes, sir!”
A warrior at the back ran to open the door. In an instant, he froze in shock.
Beyond the open door, instead of a hallway, there was a room identical to the one they were in. It was like looking into a mirror. Instinctively feeling that he shouldn't enter, he closed the door and opened it again.
Whoosh!
This time, a wall of flames surged up before his eyes. Startled by the intense heat, the warrior slammed the door shut.
Jin Ha-gun watched this while dealing with his subordinate. He realized they had fallen completely into the enemy’s domain.
“Master Hwa! Please, hurry!”
Was his internal energy running low? The speed at which Hwa Song dispelled the Soul-Seizing Technique was gradually slowing down. Conversely, the speed at which the men were falling under the spell was increasing.
Clang, clang, clang!
Fighting broke out again among the Demon Extermination Squad.
“Don't suppress their internal energy! Just fight them off!”
They had to hold out without suppressing their comrades' energy while Hwa Song worked. If the number of subordinates falling under the spell continued to grow, the situation would become truly perilous.
Jin Ha-gun finally understood why the Orthodox factions considered the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord and the Poison King to be the most troublesome enemies. Any battle was difficult for a warrior, but facing the Soul-Seizing Technique was especially grueling. Fighting one's own allies was a psychologically exhausting battle.
Yet another squad member fell under the spell.
‘We have to get out of this space!’
Jin Ha-gun handed off the subordinate he was fighting to another and ran toward the door.
Swoosh!
Sword qi swirled from his blade. But the moment the sword qi touched the door, it vanished like melting snow.
‘If I don't find the counter-dispelling method, we can't get out!’
He shouted to Hwa Song. “Master Hwa, you must break this space!”
Hwa Song didn't seem to hear his cry; he remained turned away, not looking back.
It was then. Someone called out to him from behind.
“Demon Extermination Squad Leader Jin Ha-gun.”
Startled, he turned to see Gwak Ju. The innocent look in his eyes from before was gone. Instead of attacking, he spoke calmly.
“Do you know why it turned out like this?”
Jin Ha-gun could tell. A master of the Soul-Seizing Technique was speaking to him through Gwak Ju’s mouth.
“Why?”
At the calm question, the opponent delivered shocking news.
“When Hwa Song dispelled the Soul-Strengthening Art earlier, he actually activated an even more powerful one.”
“...!”
It was unbelievable, but the unfolding situation proved his words true. Otherwise, it made no sense for such a powerful Soul-Seizing Technique to continue.
“How was that possible?”
“I planted a new Soul-Strengthening Art within the dispelling method of the old one. He unknowingly performed the Blood Heaven Soul-Strengthening Art that I had arranged.”
Earlier, Hwa Song had moved the vase, placed the scroll on the floor, sprinkled powder, and erased and redrew lines. The enemy was saying that those very steps Hwa Song took to dispel the art were rigged to activate a different one.
“If the Blood Heaven Soul-Strengthening Art had been active from the start, Hwa Song would have sensed something was wrong. But in his relief at having 'dispelled' the art, he failed to realize a new one had been deployed. I know him very well.”
At those words, Jin Ha-gun realized something. The person wielding this Soul-Seizing Technique had also been plotting around the Murim Alliance for a long time, just like So Jeong-rak or the Heaven’s End Recluse. He must have been working behind the scenes specifically around the masters of the Great Correction Soul-Returning Art.
“Hwa Song has dispelled this exact same Soul-Strengthening Art before. Twice, in fact.”
Jin Ha-gun could guess. The person who had provided those opportunities to "dispel" it was the very person speaking to him now.
“That is why he confidently used the same dispelling method he used back then, without a shred of doubt.” A hint of a smile flickered in Gwak Ju’s eyes. “Sometimes, familiarity is the greatest trap for a human.”
Gwak Ju looked at Hwa Song.
Hwa Song stood dazed, his back still turned. He wasn't even dispelling the Soul-Seizing Technique anymore. The blue light that had been busy in his hands had vanished.
Hwa Song slowly turned his body toward them.
The moment they saw the change in his eyes, not only Jin Ha-gun but all the remaining squad members let out a groan of despair.
The only person who could get them out of here had fallen to the Soul-Seizing Technique. The few squad members who had been standing around to protect him also drew their swords and turned toward Jin Ha-gun.
Those who hadn't been affected could not hide their bewilderment. And then came the final, crushing blow.
“At this very moment, the Murim Alliance Leader is likely killing the Young Cult Leader to save you.”
“!”
Jin Ha-gun could feel the opponent’s killing intent through Gwak Ju’s gaze.
“The Young Cult Leader dies by the Alliance Leader’s hand, and you die here.”
It meant that even if the Alliance Leader killed the Young Cult Leader, they still intended to kill Jin Ha-gun. Their plan to kill both Geom Mu-geuk and Jin Ha-gun was still in motion.
Despite the horrific news, Jin Ha-gun’s expression actually brightened.
“Then they must know over there that we are in danger.”
Jin Ha-gun spoke to his subordinates. “They will be coming to help us soon.”
Gwak Ju laughed loudly in mockery. “You harbor vain hopes.”
But Jin Ha-gun’s hope was rooted in absolute trust in his grandfather and Geom Mu-geuk. His grandfather would never kill Geom Mu-geuk, and Geom Mu-geuk would never let such a situation happen.
“The two people I trust most in this world know I'm in crisis?”
Jin Ha-gun spoke softly to his men.
“Hold out until the end. Today, none of us die!”