Chapter 80: Half-Corpse (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 80: Half-Corpse (4)
Wicked Heart Granny Cheol Su-ryeon could not hide her bewilderment as she watched the monsters slip from her control.
My father-in-law, Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak, who had been cutting them down one by one as they attacked, also looked at me with a questioning gaze, seemingly puzzled by how they were now following my orders.
-How did this happen? Why are they listening to you?
Lesser Conversation Sword asked, sounding curious.
‘...Cheol Su-ryeon’s Spirit Fragment was absorbed into Heavenly Authority.’
-Heavenly Authority?
In the past, the Spirit Fragment of the Blood Demon within the Blood Demon Sword and the Spirit Fragment of Zhu Sarlen within the Evil Connection Sword had also been absorbed by Heavenly Authority.
Heavenly Authority controls Mental Focus. Since a Spirit Fragment is the manifestation of a powerful lifelong desire—in other words, spirit and will—the power of Heavenly Authority is capable of absorbing it.
-But that old crone is still alive, isn't she?
I wasn't entirely sure of the exact reason myself.
Cheol Su-ryeon was a living person.
However, she had attempted to use an evil art to transfer her soul and spirit into me to seize my body.
In that process, her Spirit Fragment was absorbed by Heavenly Authority.
‘Ah!’
Suddenly, various pieces of knowledge flooded my mind.
Even though I had never studied occult arts or evil arts, these concepts surfaced naturally, suggesting they were memories harvested from Cheol Su-ryeon’s Spirit Fragment.
-What is it?
‘I think I understand now.’
-Understand what?
‘Unlike the Spirit Fragment, the Soul is bound to the physical body. When a person dies, they undergo "Ascension"—returning to the spiritual realm. This is because the Soul is spiritual in nature and belongs to a higher dimension than the mortal world.’
-So?
‘But Cheol Su-ryeon is still alive. As long as the physical body lives, the Soul remains bound to it, and by the laws of nature, it is destined to return to its original place.’
-Why does it have to be so complicated?
‘To put it simply, Cheol Su-ryeon’s soul and spirit entered my body. Her Spirit Fragment was absorbed by Heavenly Authority, which governs Mental Focus, but the Soul cannot be forcibly restrained. Thus, it followed the natural order and returned to her own body.’
Crunch!
Cheol Su-ryeon’s nails dug into the flesh of my neck.
She spoke to me in a voice thick with agitation.
“You brat, what did you do? Why are my children obeying your commands?!”
“...Are you really asking because you don't know?”
“Are you trying to play word games with me?! Inside your body, that... uh... er...”
Cheol Su-ryeon trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.
I didn't know why she was struggling, but in that split second, I snatched the wrist that was gripping my throat.
“How dare you!”
Cheol Su-ryeon surged her internal power into her hand to resist.
However, to her shock, her hand began to tremble violently before being forced away from my neck.
“What?!”
When I showed superiority in internal energy, her panic became palpable.
She didn't seem to realize at all that a significant portion of her internal energy had been drained into me.
Snap, snap!
Finding herself outmatched in raw power, Cheol Su-ryeon used the Golden Snake Hand Technique, attempting to seize and snap my wrist.
Strangely, the movements of her Golden Snake Hand were already being mapped out in my mind.
I exploited the opening, countered her technique with its own logic, grabbed her wrist, and threw her over my shoulder—slamming the woman who had been clinging to my back onto the ground.
Thud!
She grimaced in pain as she hit the floor, but she immediately bounced back up, assuming the Qi Control Stance of a palm technique.
“To think your internal power would increase so suddenly in such a short time...”
Cheol Su-ryeon muttered as if she couldn't comprehend it.
I replied nonchalantly.
“Indeed. Or perhaps you’ve simply grown weaker.”
“What?”
Only then did Cheol Su-ryeon examine her own internal energy.
As she checked her reserves, a look of utter confusion crossed her face, realizing a substantial amount had been lost.
“How on earth did this...”
-Is she pretending not to know? Or does she really not know?
‘It seems she genuinely doesn't know.’
Even her memory of trying to possess my body just moments ago seemed fragmented.
The loss of her Spirit Fragment had clearly caused an abnormality within her.
Cheol Su-ryeon turned her head toward me, glaring as if she could see me despite her blindness, and screamed.
“What did you do to me?!”
“I didn't do anything.”
“Bullshit! If you did nothing, then why is my internal energy like this, and why are my memories...!”
As she spoke, she pressed a hand to her head.
She contorted her face in agony, as if suffering from a splitting headache.
“What is this? Why can't I remember? I am...”
Cheol Su-ryeon was in a state of extreme confusion.
The Spirit Fragment among the soul and spirit represents the powerful Mental Focus a person held during their life.
Judging by her reaction, it seemed she had lost a significant portion of those memories when her Spirit Fragment was absorbed.
“...Why... why can't I remember? Why?!”
As Cheol Su-ryeon clutched her head in pain, my father-in-law, Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak, did not miss the opportunity.
Swish!
The iron beads fired by Sama Chak struck Cheol Su-ryeon near both her ankles.
With the sound of bones snapping, Cheol Su-ryeon was forced to her knees on the ground.
“Ugh!”
She was definitely being overwhelmed now that her internal energy had been depleted.
She had easily dodged Sama Chak’s Flicking Finger Divine Power before, but now her weakness was glaringly obvious.
Having confirmed that her martial arts had weakened, Sama Chak spoke to me.
“You’ve stumbled upon a stroke of fortune.”
“I was lucky.”
“Du Gong said your physiognomy was so bizarre that the Heavenly Secret could not be read... It seems you were born with incredible luck.”
‘Du Gong?’
I’d heard that name somewhere... Ah!
-What is it?
‘Man Bak-ja Du Gong!’
He was one of the Central Plains Eight Great Masters and was known as a sage.
He was called "Man Bak-ja" because his vast knowledge and versatility meant there was nothing he didn't know.
Did my father-in-law have a connection with Du Gong?
More importantly, when did Du Gong ever see me to judge my physiognomy?
-Is that something to be surprised about?
‘Of course. I heard Du Gong is also proficient in feng shui and the Heavenly Secret. They say he can read a person’s destiny just by looking at their face. If he said my physiognomy makes it impossible to read the Heavenly Secret, it’s only natural to be curious.’
Sama Chak snorted and said to me, “Kill that old crone.”
“Pardon?”
“She targeted you, so it is only right that you handle her with your own hands, is it not?”
With those words, Sama Chak sheathed his sword and placed his hands behind his back.
Given his personality, I expected him to finish the job himself. It was quite unusual for him to step aside for me.
“The head of that old hag will be of some use to that meager reputation of yours.”
“Ah...”
So that’s why he told me to deliver the final blow.
I wondered why he was doing this, but it turned out my father-in-law was being considerate, letting me take the credit for the kill to boost my fame.
Even though he spoke as if he were displeased, I could feel his thoughtfulness.
He likely believed that my success would ultimately benefit Sama Yeong.
-He acts like he doesn't care, but he’s secretly looking out for you.
Lesser Conversation Sword chuckled.
I looked down at Wicked Heart Granny Cheol Su-ryeon, who was unable to properly pull herself up.
Although some of her memories had entered me when her Spirit Fragment was absorbed by Heavenly Authority, the specific information I wanted—the weakness of the Jonju—did not surface.
It was just like how I hadn't gained every single memory even after obtaining the Spirit Fragments of the Blood Demon and Zhu Sarlen.
“Cheol Su-ryeon, I will give you one last chance. If you tell me why the Jonju is searching for the swords, I will guarantee your life.”
“You!”
Sama Chak started to say something to me but then closed his mouth.
It seemed he decided to watch for now.
I gave a slight nod of gratitude toward him.
Then, I looked back at her.
Cheol Su-ryeon looked up at me with her sightless white eyes and spoke.
“I don't know what kind of trickery you’ve pulled, but do you really think I would tell you that?”
I expected she wouldn't open her mouth easily.
In that case, I wouldn't hesitate to use any means necessary.
After all, I possessed a portion of the memories absorbed from her.
I whispered to her, “Even if your internal energy has decreased, surely those ears of yours can pick up the presence of those approaching?”
At my words, a furrow appeared between Cheol Su-ryeon’s brows.
Distinct energies could be felt nearby.
My father-in-law had also noticed, which was why he was currently rolling iron beads in his palm.
-Who is it? Should I go check?
‘No, there’s no need. I know who they are.’
I slowly scanned the surroundings and spoke.
“Your foster sons have arrived. You raised them well, but do you think your children can handle my father-in-law and me?”
Five presences were felt in the vicinity.
One of them had reached the Supreme Peak Realm, while the other four were first-rate masters.
If the memories I absorbed from Cheol Su-ryeon were correct, they were undoubtedly the foster children she had kidnapped and raised since they were young.
They were the atrocious criminals who had helped her kidnap young women and turn living people into these Half-Corpses.
-Half-Corpse?
‘That’s the term for these things. They are alive yet no different from the dead, so it’s a fitting name.’
Sama Chak, fiddling with his iron beads, asked, “What will you do? Shall I drag them all out for you?”
He looked ready to fire his Flicking Finger Divine Power at the hidden figures at any moment.
I shook my head and said, “I’ll do it.”
At that, Sama Chak snorted and tucked the iron beads back into his sleeve.
It seemed he truly intended not to interfere.
He even crossed his arms, adopting a stance to see exactly how I would handle this.
I shouted toward the surroundings.
“Are you just going to let your mother die?”
As soon as those words left my mouth, a rustling sound came from the bushes.
Then, five figures leaped down from the trees and revealed themselves.
There were three middle-aged men who looked to be in their fifties, one man in his early thirties, and finally, an old man with salt-and-pepper hair who looked to be in his sixties.
Every one of them had a handsome appearance, but anxiety was written all over their faces.
The strongest among them, the man in his sixties, spoke to me.
“So you are the current Blood Demon. I have heard much of your fame.”
“And you must be Cheol Eum-yu, the eldest of the Four Lewd Demons.”
“!?”
At my words, the old man’s expression hardened.
He clearly hadn't expected me to know his title.
I had learned their identities while reading Cheol Su-ryeon’s memories; they were the four brothers known as the Four Lewd Demons who had spread infamy thirty years ago.
-What about the other one?
‘That man in his thirties, the one named Yeong Jeong who died caught in the crossfire between Sama Chak and Cheol Su-ryeon, and the three who died while being controlled by the Evil Connection Sword... they were foster children that old crone took in later.’
They had once vanished after being defeated by the Alliance Leader and First Sword of Wuhan, Baek Hyang-muk, back when he was at the height of his fame.
No one knew that they were the ones raised by Wicked Heart Granny.
One of the men in his fifties shouted at me.
“Release our mother. If you do, we will simply leave.”
“And what if I don't let you simply leave?”
In response to my question, the man in his thirties shook something that looked like a bell in his hand.
Jingle, jingle!
The bells rang, but nothing happened.
The man muttered in bewilderment, “What? Why aren't the Half-Corpses...?”
“You said those words relying on nothing but these things.”
Snap!
I lightly flicked my fingers.
Immediately, the Half-Corpses that had been kneeling stood up and swiftly surrounded Cheol Su-ryeon’s foster sons, trapping them.
When the creatures followed my command, the brothers were even more dumbfounded.
Cheol Su-ryeon screamed at them.
“Go! These are not opponents you can handle!”
“Mother!”
It was a truly bizarre sight.
Men who looked to be in their fifties and sixties calling a child who looked no older than four or five "Mother."
But was this mother-son relationship truly built on affection?
“Cheol Eum-yu. You have served Cheol Su-ryeon for a long time, so surely you know where the Extreme Ice Coffin containing her real body is located?”
At my question, Cheol Eum-yu’s white eyebrows quivered.
-What’s an Extreme Ice Coffin?
‘It’s an ice coffin holding Cheol Su-ryeon’s true physical body. Her creation of so many Half-Corpses was a byproduct of her honing the techniques and arts required to preserve her own corpse.’
“...How on earth do you know that?”
Cheol Eum-yu was shaken that I knew something that should have been a top secret.
Who could have imagined that I possessed a portion of Cheol Su-ryeon’s memories?
Even Cheol Su-ryeon herself showed signs of severe agitation when the words "Extreme Ice Coffin" escaped my lips.
“You... what are you? How do you know that?!”
I gave her a smirk and said, “I know more about you than you think. Including the fact that the body you’re currently inhabiting is a child you actually gave birth to.”
“!!!”
At those words, her white eyes trembled violently.
Even if she couldn't see, it seemed emotional turmoil still affected her eyes.
I approached her, crouched down to meet her gaze, and said, “Your body became unable to bear children, yet you tried to force yourself to conceive using the bodies of other women. Is this not the divine punishment you received?”
At my words, Cheol Su-ryeon’s expression went blank.
She muttered as if she couldn't understand a thing.
“I... why had I forgotten that until just now?”
‘That’s because I absorbed your Spirit Fragment.’
Losing the Spirit Fragment from one's soul and spirit was certainly a terrifying thing.
Cheol Su-ryeon was in a state of profound confusion.
I said to her, “You know as well as I do that if even your physical body in the Extreme Ice Coffin is burned, there will be no way left for you to live. Speak.”
“You brat!”
It was her final secret.
She was using the body of her biological child as her own through her arts, but if her true body died, even that would become impossible.
Without turning my gaze, I spoke toward Cheol Eum-yu.
“If you tell me where the Extreme Ice Coffin is, I will release the Restriction Seal placed upon you, Cheol Eum-yu.”
“What?”
Cheol Eum-yu’s voice trembled as he questioned me.
These foster children were all under a Restriction Seal placed by Cheol Su-ryeon.
That was why they followed her so faithfully despite having been kidnapped and raised by her.
Cheol Su-ryeon shouted, “My children, do not be deceived! No one can break this mother’s art!”
She seemed terrified that Cheol Eum-yu might reveal the location of the Extreme Ice Coffin.
“Mother is right. This is just a trick to shake us.”
“He’s right, Brother.”
The other brothers besides Cheol Eum-yu seemed momentarily shaken, but they regained their composure, believing her words were more credible.
I snorted and flicked my fingers.
Snap!
At that moment, one of the men in his fifties suddenly clutched his head and screamed in agony.
“Aaaaaaaagh!”
The veins from his forehead to his neck bulged as if they were about to burst.
The remaining brothers could not hide their horror, knowing exactly what this symptom meant.
“Ja-saeng!”
“Aaaaaagh!”
Cheol Eum-yu shouted desperately, “Mother! Please stop it! Ja-saeng is going to die!”
Cheol Su-ryeon hurriedly let out a bizarre, screeching sound.
“Kagagagagak!”
It seemed to be her way of activating her arts.
However, the pain of the man called Ja-saeng showed no signs of stopping.
Instead, his veins began to rupture, and his entire face became covered in blood.
“W-why isn't the art working?”
Cheol Su-ryeon was struck with despair when her art failed to respond.
“It seems it hasn't hit home yet. Shall I add one more?”
Snap!
As I flicked my fingers again, the man in his thirties standing next to Cheol Eum-yu clutched his head and collapsed on the spot.
The veins on his forehead also bulged severely.
“Jong-man!”
“Aaaaaaaagh.”
Faced with this result, the brothers, including Cheol Eum-yu, looked at me in shock.
“H-how... how can you, the Blood Demon, use Mother’s art?”
They couldn't believe it.
Wicked Heart Granny Cheol Su-ryeon’s art was being performed exactly as it should be, but from my hands.
I smiled brightly and said, “Because it’s mine now.”