Chapter 163 - Hunt the White Ghosts (2)
The White Ghosts were a fearsome assassin squad that Wi Yeon Gwang had cultivated with vast sums of gold. Unlike the Blood Ghosts, specialized in group battles, the White Ghosts had shouldered the mission of assassinating enemy leaders.
Since the era of Sword Lord Yi Yeom, the number of northern key figures they had slain was beyond counting, and it was common knowledge throughout the world that this had shattered the balance between the two powers.
Thus, their pride ran high, and Wi Yeon Gwang had granted them privileges while placing infinite trust in them.
It was after hearing rumors related to Hwaryeong Village that the White Ghosts began moving to assassinate Yeon-hoo.
Guyang-gi, the leader of the White Ghosts, verified the rumors' truth and, seizing the moment they proved real, led all his White Ghosts into Hwaryeong Village today.
"Ho ho ho!"
"Uh ha ha!"
A woman's seductive moans and a man's hearty laughter.
Guyang-gi advanced silently toward the scene of debauchery with his elite White Ghosts. Their movements were flawless.
This was only natural, for they knew Hwaryeong Village's layout better than anyone.
Guyang-gi, leading the vanguard, raised his hand at a certain point. The White Ghosts following halted, then split into two groups at his gesture, slipping into the building.
Guyang-gi, lingering last to watch his subordinates infiltrate, had a faint murderous glint in his eyes.
'I can't turn everything back, but killing you, Yeon-hoo, will at least soothe my lord's restless spirit a little.'
Two green-robed figures remained beside Guyang-gi. Their forms shimmered like mirages, eerie and chilling.
Guyang-gi glanced back and signaled with his eyes—it was time to enter.
As Guyang-gi stepped inside first, the green-robes followed.
Brilliant lights greeted them within, but no people were in sight. From beyond a massive, ornate door at the lights' edge came the woman's moans and man's laughter.
"For our Northwest to fall to a mere whelp like that..."
Guyang-gi muttered aloud for the first time. The green-robes shot him sharp glances, but he only smirked coldly.
"No need to worry. Once the mechanisms activate, not even a hundred thousand troops could enter."
"Then activate them now."
"It's already done."
Just then, a White Ghost approached quietly.
"The mechanisms are activated."
Murderous light exploded in Guyang-gi's eyes.
"I'll kill you the most brutally, Yeon-hoo."
Shing.
Guyang-gi drew his sword and advanced slowly toward the door.
Thud, thud!
Each step echoed through the room, yet no one emerged.
Soon, White Ghosts hidden throughout revealed themselves, openly stomping as they followed Guyang-gi. There was no longer any need to conceal their presence.
The two green-robes trailed at the rear.
Moments later, Guyang-gi reached the door and steadied his breath. Sword energy sparked like flames from his blade's tip.
Screech.
"Open it."
Two White Ghosts seized the handles and flung the doors wide.
As the doors parted, the room's interior lay fully exposed.
Guyang-gi, smirking coldly as he entered, flinched upon meeting Yeon-hoo's indifferent gaze.
"You arrived sooner than expected."
"...!"
Guyang-gi sensed something was wrong.
Then—
Shing.
The scrape of metal on floor came from behind.
Whirling reflexively, Guyang-gi's eyes widened in shock.
Figures were entering—warriors who, moments ago, had been drunkenly carousing outside, ignoring all vigilance.
They grinned like beasts closing on prey, though they should have been stupefied by alcohol.
And that wasn't all. Walls thought solid split left and right, revealing more figures within.
'The mechanisms are active—how...'
"This one designed it himself, they say."
Guyang-gi's head snapped back to Yeon-hoo. His eyes bulged again.
There, beside Yeon-hoo, sat a haggard man: Strategist Yang So.
Seeing Guyang-gi, Yang So shook his head slowly, then bowed.
"I'm curious what mere assassins can do in a place with nowhere to hide. Heh heh heh."
"Agreed."
With a clear voice, Sinhwi and Gwan Baek emerged from behind lavish curtains covering the windows.
Sinhwi stared at Guyang-gi and grinned.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm the Blood King, and this is..."
"The Gwan Baek you've been so desperate to kill."
Tremble...
Guyang-gi's eyes shook violently once more. He finally grasped the situation.
They had walked into a trap.
'They... were waiting for us.'
* * *
Yeon-hoo drained his cup, staring down Guyang-gi, then rose slowly.
"These mechanisms here are quite useful."
Clank!
Clank!
Thud thud thud!
Suddenly, iron pillars dropped from the ceiling, trapping Guyang-gi and the White Ghosts in a confined space.
In the chaos, the two green-robes swiftly retreated, but Cheol-u and others had already blocked the rear.
Thud thud thud!
More pillars fell, fully separating the green-robes from Guyang-gi and the rest.
They could see each other through the gaps, but aiding one another was impossible.
Surrounded by walls, with no room for stealth, infiltration, ambushes, or surprise attacks—the White Ghosts' specialties—their agitation was inevitable.
Guyang-gi was no different. His only choices now: surrender or fight to the death.
Yeon-hoo met Guyang-gi's wavering eyes impassively.
"You seem conflicted. Allow me to resolve that for you."
Clank!
Clank!
The demon blades Moon Fang bared their fangs. The narrow space filled instantly with terrifying demonic energy.
"They say you White Ghosts were involved in my brother's death. The answer's decided, then."
Hummm!
Moon Fang hummed to life.
Sinhwi and Gwan Baek slowly drew their swords.
Shing!
"I'll send you all to hell like your master."
That moment—
Guyang-gi lunged at Yeon-hoo like lightning. His blade, laden with lethal intent, pierced toward Yeon-hoo's heart in the blink of an eye.
A suicidal mutual destruction technique, his fastest ambush ever.
'Got him!'
Guyang-gi's eyes gleamed with ecstasy. The feedback from his sword tip assured him—even a Martial God couldn't evade now.
But it was a delusion.
The Yeon-hoo he pierced was an afterimage, an illusion.
As Guyang-gi moved, Yeon-hoo had already reacted, his speed leaving a residual shadow.
Crunch!
"...Guhk!"
Moon Fang impaled Guyang-gi's throat, emerging from his crown.
"Krrgh..."
Blood frothed from his mouth as Guyang-gi expired.
Yeon-hoo withdrew Moon Fang, steadying his breath.
Crack!
"Kyaak!"
"Uwaak!"
Sinhwi and Gwan Baek's swords were equally merciless. Bereft of assassin skills, the White Ghosts were no match; it was a slaughter.
Feeling no need to intervene, Yeon-hoo flicked a palm wind at a button-like protrusion on the wall.
Clank clank!
The pillars retracted into the ceiling, opening the space where the green-robes were trapped.
As Yeon-hoo entered, pillars descended again, sealing it off.
Thud thud thud!
"My lord!"
Cheol-u cried out in alarm. The pillars had blocked off even their area, isolating Yeon-hoo with the green-robes.
Undeterred, Yeon-hoo advanced. Moon Fang, fangs sheathed, gleamed ominously once more.
As he approached, the green-robes changed. No—their eyes had shifted the moment Yeon-hoo entered.
Trapped without acting, Yeon-hoo had handed them an opportunity.
Ching ching!
The green-robes drew swords. Though limited as assassins, they believed a joint attack could kill him.
"From the Blood Clan?"
Ignoring the question, the green-robes spread left and right—but in the cramped space, barely three zhang apart.
Such confines hindered joint attack potency. Yet they thanked the heavens for the chance.
Whoosh!
They struck simultaneously. Twin blades flashed toward Yeon-hoo's throat and waist, flawless trajectories leaving no escape.
Yeon-hoo didn't dodge. Instead, he charged straight between them like thunder.
In that instant, their eyes wavered. He'd targeted their sole vulnerability.
"Without ambushes, you're nothing."
His voice thundered in their ears—not mere sound, but a sonic art disrupting their minds.
Screee!
A needle-piercing shock dulled their movements faintly.
That fleeting lapse was death—against Yeon-hoo, inevitable doom even for gods.
Thud!
"Guhk!"
Moon Fang's fang pierced one green-robe's throat.
Simultaneously, the other's sword impaled Yeon-hoo's chest.
Ecstasy flashed in the green-robe's eyes. Life and joy intertwined in death.
"My lord!"
"No!"
Shouts erupted outside the pillars.
Boom boom boom!
Cheol-u slashed repeatedly at the pillars, sparks flying, but they held firm.
Bu Cha and Demon Corps members charged, to no avail.
Bang bang bang!
"My lord!"
All stared blankly at the green-robe's sword protruding from Yeon-hoo's back.
"I'll kill you, then join you in hell, Yeon-hoo."
"That won't do."
"...!"
Thud!
Yeon-hoo's left fist slammed into the green-robe's gut. His mouth gaped as he curled like a shrimp, then toppled backward.
Thud!
Clang.
The green-robe's sword fell from Yeon-hoo's body, ringing metallically.
But Yeon-hoo was unscathed. Instead, his underarm robe hung in tatters, fluttering.
In that split second, he'd clamped the blade under his arm.
Clank clank!
Thud thud thud!
Pillars retracted; Cheol-u rushed in first.
"Gag him before he bites his tongue."
"...Are you alright, my lord?"
"I'm fine."
Yeon-hoo looked truly unharmed to Cheol-u. Yet Cheol-u couldn't suppress his anger.
"Was there any need to take such a risk?"
"They came to kill me. Trapped without acting, what would you do?"
"..."
"Choose suicide to guard secrets?"
Cheol-u nodded in agreement. Unable to fight to death, he'd opt for self-termination.
"Then... you deliberately gave them the chance to kill you?"
Yeon-hoo nodded silently.
"A chance to kill me for them; my only way to capture them alive. Fortunately, blinded by killing intent, they never considered capture."
Understanding at last, Cheol-u inwardly marveled at Yeon-hoo's resolve—though the risk remained too great.
"Still, you should have trusted us."
"How could you stop men resolved to die? The outcome's as I wanted. Leave it there."
"..."
Silencing Cheol-u, Yeon-hoo turned. Most White Ghosts lay bleeding on the floor; a few stiffened like logs, gasping—acupoints sealed.
Sinhwi grinned at Yeon-hoo.
"This counts as a perfect operation success, right?"
"Sufficiently."
"With these headaches gone, no itching at the back of my neck for a while. Heh heh heh."