Chapter 271: Heaven-Reversing Ghost Soul Great Technique-2
Chapter 271: Heaven-Reversing Ghost Soul Great Technique-2
Hae Cheong-yeon returned to her quarters once more.
It was because after Gu Yu-sang was resurrected, the Blood Demon, with a deeply moved expression, had dismissed everyone else.
He likely wanted to have a private conversation with him, just the two of them.
Unlike the Blood Demon, who seemed as though he had gained the entire world, Hae Cheong-yeon, upon returning to her quarters, could not settle her mind and had to pace restlessly around the training ground.
It was a sight she, who had always calmly carried out only her own tasks, rarely showed.
And in truth, she was currently in a very flustered and impatient state.
'So, bringing the dead back to life was actually possible. What do I do? What should I do?'
Although she was trapped in the heart of the Blood Cult, she had until now possessed some small measure of peace of mind.
It was because of her belief that the Blood Cult's legend of resurrecting the dead was nothing more than a legend.
The knowledge of her father Geomseong, whose insight was vast, and the countless books she had read.
Through them, she had heard of hidden eccentrics in every corner of the world as well as all manner of strange spirit beasts and spirit herbs, but never once had she ever heard a story of a dead person coming back to life.
Because it was an impossible tale.
But it was not so.
Resurrecting the dead was not impossible after all.
Which meant the legend of having resurrected the Yeokcheon Blood Demon was also true.
'The Yeokcheon Blood Demon, said to be the worst Blood Demon in history, is being brought back to life. And using my body to do it?'
It could not be anything other than a horrifying matter.
If such a thing truly came to pass, it might be wiser to simply take her own life now.
Hae Cheong-yeon seriously contemplated that.
'Should I end my life?'
But even so, she could not bring herself to do it.
It was not that she feared death, but rather because she felt it would be too hasty an act when hope still remained.
Hae Cheong-yeon's plan was to raise her martial prowess as quickly as possible and escape this place.
That was why she had devoted herself entirely to training until now.
Learning the Blood Cult's martial arts and even consuming human blood.
She herself knew better than anyone that her rate of growth was tremendous.
At this pace, it seemed that before too much time passed, she would be able to deceive Guyueumma's eyes and escape.
But....
'The problem is that it seems I won't be able to wait until then.'
The Blood Demon had said that Jegal Ji-gang would obtain the materials needed for the great ritual.
And knowing Jegal Ji-gang's influence as Hae Cheong-yeon did, it could not possibly take him very long to procure them.
Unless he himself chose not to act, if he rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward, there would be nothing in the world that the military advisor of the Murim Alliance could not obtain.
So... time would certainly not be plentiful.
When she pieced all those facts together, Hae Cheong-yeon's conclusion inevitably flowed in a single direction.
'I have to escape. As quickly as possible.'
That was the only way.
***
The moment Hae Cheong-yeon finally felt that an opportunity to escape had come was, surprisingly, only a few days after that horrific great ritual.
The watchful eyes that had always followed her around suddenly could no longer be felt.
It meant that it was not the subordinates of Guyueumma Ji Gi-eum but Ji Gi-eum himself who was nearby.
And Hae Cheong-yeon had already figured out when he was personally monitoring her.
'The Blood Demon has gone outside again.'
She could not know the reason.
It might have been because of the recently resurrected Gu Yu-sang, or perhaps because he needed to receive the 'materials' from Jegal Ji-gang.
And if it was the latter reason, then this time was certainly the final opportunity she would be given.
"Huuu."
Hae Cheong-yeon took a deep breath and tried to focus her mind once more.
But still, Ji Gi-eum's presence could not be detected by her senses.
It meant that with her current skill, she still could not pinpoint Ji Gi-eum.
Even though she already knew this, she could not help but be disappointed.
As expected, it seemed impossible to catch up to the achievements of one of the Thirty-Six Stars of the World in such a short time.
But Hae Cheong-yeon did not let any of those emotions show on the surface at all.
She simply picked up her sword and walked out to the training ground.
And then she unfurled the opening stance.
It was not the opening stance of the Stellar Net Sword Art, but that of the Blood Thunder Sword Technique.
Pajijijik!
Crimson lightning energy began crackling from her sword.
The lightning energy, far more intense than when she had slain the Three Demons of Chowung last time, made it possible to guess at the speed of her rapid development.
Hae Cheong-yeon stood still in that state for a moment.
Only her lightning energy crackled and continuously spread into the surrounding air.
Then came a single moment.
The corner of Hae Cheong-yeon's expressionless lips rose ever so slightly.
And she began to move.
"Huup!"
What she moved was not the sword in her right hand.
It was her empty left hand.
Hwaaak!
An ominous crimson energetic force enveloped Hae Cheong-yeon's left hand, and after concentrating her power for a moment, Hae Cheong-yeon suddenly whipped around and thrust it outward.
Then, dragon-shaped crimson energetic forces shot out in three directions.
It was the Nine Heavens Blood Dragon Demon Art.
Keura-rarararara!
The energetic forces that had shot out toward three directions at tremendous speed suddenly curved, changing direction in an instant to crash down upon a single location.
It was precisely where Guyueumma Ji Gi-eum had been hiding.
She had just managed to locate Ji Gi-eum's position.
Though she could not sense his presence, she had pinpointed his location through the lightning energy she had scattered into the surroundings.
It was a method she had devised after agonizing over it for a long time.
"!"
Ji Gi-eum was shocked.
For her to accurately pinpoint his location.
It was unbelievable.
But right now, dealing with the blood dragons crashing down toward him was the priority.
Since perfect concealment required suppressing nearly all physical capability, Ji Gi-eum knew full well that in his current concealed state, he could not perfectly block those attacks.
So he had no choice.
He had to dodge.
Pabak!
Ji Gi-eum released his concealment and frantically threw his body aside.
Then, as if they had expected that, the blood dragons instantly changed direction and followed after him.
As expected of the Blood Cult's strongest martial art, it was exceedingly troublesome.
Ji Gi-eum resolved not to dodge this time.
Since he had released his concealment and restored his body's condition, it seemed he could now block them.
'Heup!'
Letting out a spirited shout inwardly, Ji Gi-eum forcefully extended his hand forward.
Then, a massive barrier of crimson energetic force, like a giant shield, erupted from beyond his hand.
Hwaaak!
It was protective strong qi.
In the next instant, the three blood dragons roared and slammed into the protective strong qi.
Keura-rararararara!
Kwaaaaang!
"Keuk!"
It was a tremendous impact.
Ji Gi-eum was helplessly pushed backward and could not stop himself from letting out a groan.
He could not even remember how many decades it had been since he had last uttered a groan.
That was when it happened.
Hwaaaaak!
Suddenly, a brilliant cluster of light began filling Ji Gi-eum's vision.
It was a dazzling cluster of light, as if the Milky Way of the heavens had descended right before his eyes.
'That is?!'
Ji Gi-eum recalled that he had seen such a spectacle once before.
It was when Geomseong and the Blood Demon had fought.
The sword technique Hae Cheong-yeon had just unfurled was the eighteenth form of the Stellar Net Sword Art, Milky Way Heavenly Stream.
The ultimate technique, famed as the strongest of Geomseong's Stellar Net Sword Art, had been unfurled from the hands of his own daughter.
A cluster of blue sword qi light was pouring down toward Ji Gi-eum's body, which had failed to prepare any defense.
"......."
Having been unable to prepare for the next attack while blocking the Nine Heavens Blood Dragon Demon Art, Ji Gi-eum could only stare blankly at the Milky Way Heavenly Stream with a dazed look in his eyes.
Watching him, Hae Cheong-yeon felt certain of success.
She had combined the strongest techniques she knew and had truly captured Ji Gi-eum, one of the Thirty-Six Stars of the World.
'It worked!'
In truth, unfurling the Milky Way Heavenly Stream, the Stellar Net Sword Art's strongest ultimate technique, was beyond her current ability.
So the reason she had been able to execute this technique now was thanks to the Blood Cult's martial arts, which allowed her to explosively draw out her potential beyond her limits even at the cost of damaging her body.
Hae Cheong-yeon planned to deal with Ji Gi-eum and immediately slip out of Jeomchang Mountain.
It was because her physical condition would be extremely poor, but there would be no time to recover from it.
But it was in that moment, as her brilliant mind was envisioning the plan ahead.
Shuaaang!
From somewhere, a massive condensed sphere of energy flew in and collided with the Milky Way Heavenly Stream in front of Ji Gi-eum.
Kwaaaaang!
A great explosion erupted with a thunderous roar.
From that tremendous repulsive force, Hae Cheong-yeon had no choice but to be flung backward.
"Euk?!"
And as she barely landed on the ground and halted her backward slide, a voice reached Hae Cheong-yeon's ears.
"Magnificent. Truly remarkable talent, as expected."
In that instant, Hae Cheong-yeon froze on the spot.
The voice that gently praised her as if proud, the owner of that voice was none other than the Blood Demon.
From the empty air she stared at dazedly, the Blood Demon was slowly descending.
Gazing at him with a bewildered look, Hae Cheong-yeon's mind spun rapidly to grasp the situation.
And in an instant, she was able to reach a conclusion.
'...It was a trap.'
The Blood Demon had not gone out.
He had deliberately attached Ji Gi-eum to her in order to draw out her actions.
Which meant that from before, every time the Blood Demon went out, having Ji Gi-eum take charge of her had also been aimed at this very moment.
And showing her the great ritual a few days ago, demonstrating that it was possible to possess her with the Yeokcheon Blood Demon, must have been for the same purpose.
All of this had been a trap designed to make her impatient.
'To fall for such a simple trap....'
Hae Cheong-yeon reproached herself for failing to see through the Blood Demon's trap, and at the same time sensed something strange.
No matter how cornered she had been, for her to have become so impatient that she could not even notice such a trap.
It was far too strange.
'Could it be....'
A moment later, realizing the reason, Hae Cheong-yeon asked the Blood Demon as if sighing.
"...You placed a suggestion on me. To make me impatient."
Without that, the current situation could not be explained.
The Blood Demon must have shown her the great ritual at that time and simultaneously planted a suggestion to make her grow impatient.
At that, the Blood Demon wore a surprised expression at the conclusion she had instantly drawn, then soon smiled and nodded.
"That is correct. As expected, Lady Hae is wise."
Before those words had even ended.
Hae Cheong-yeon thrust her sword like lightning.
But the target was not the Blood Demon.
It was aimed directly at her own chest.
Hae Cheong-yeon resolved to die.
Now that all hope had vanished, ending her own life was the best choice.
If by any chance the Yeokcheon Blood Demon were to be resurrected by possessing her body, it would surely become a great calamity for the world.
But.
Even that could not succeed.
"!"
Hae Cheong-yeon stared at her sword, which would not budge as if held by something, and at the Blood Demon, who was simply extending his hand toward her with a relaxed expression.
The Blood Demon had merely stretched out his hand into the air, yet she could not move a single finger.
His formless energy had bound her entire body tightly.
It was an absurd difference in level.
Then the Blood Demon slowly approached and simply pressed the blood points of Hae Cheong-yeon, who was straining with all her might.
Tuduk!
Hae Cheong-yeon despaired.
Everything had come to an end.
She could not possibly believe that all of this had ended so futilely.
And watching herself unable to accept the present reality, she realized yet another fact.
'The suggestion... was not only placed on me this time.'
It had likely been from the very first time he met her.
Thinking back, the fact that he spared no support for her and allowed her to roam freely must have also been because of that.
And the suggestion he had placed on her back then must have been 'hope.'
'...I was completely had.'
It was despairing.
The Blood Demon spoke with a gentle smile.
"When Ji Gi-eum spoke of your growth, I honestly did not believe it. No matter what, I thought growing that much in such a short time would be impossible. Yet what Ji Gi-eum saw was you hiding even three-tenths of your true ability. Magnificent. Truly, you are qualified to become the vessel of the Yeokcheon Blood Demon."
The vessel of the Yeokcheon Blood Demon.
Hae Cheong-yeon shut tight the eyes hidden beneath her hair.
To the Blood Demon, she had only ever been such an existence from the very beginning.
The Blood Demon continued with a gentle smile.
"Now I have no choice but to restrain your freedom. All of this is because your growth has been far too swift, so please do not hold a grudge."
After saying that in a benevolent voice like a great hero of the orthodox faction, the Blood Demon suddenly reached out and swept up Hae Cheong-yeon's bangs.
It was because he had long wanted to see her eyes hidden beneath her bangs.
Then, following his hand, her sculpted nose, star-like pupils, and prominent forehead revealed themselves one after another.
And the moment he saw her jewel-like, brilliantly shining dark blue eyes, the Blood Demon could not help but freeze on the spot.
"!"
The fact that the color of both her eyes was different was something the Blood Demon had heard of and knew well.
But the feeling of seeing it directly was completely different from hearing it described in words.
She was beautiful.
No, she was mystical.
A powerful beauty so intense it felt bewitching was scattering an allure like magical power.
The Blood Demon unconsciously swallowed dryly.
Upon her bare face, which he had looked at merely wanting to confirm the madness settled in Hae Cheong-yeon's eyes, emotions he had thought he could sufficiently control were now surging up fiercely.
It was greed.
The Blood Demon gently caressed Hae Cheong-yeon's cheek with eyes burning with avarice.
At that horrifying sensation, Hae Cheong-yeon could not help but shudder in revulsion.