Clash with the Lightning Fox Yokai
"Here it is."
Tracking the scent of the feathered rakshasas had led us to a brutally rugged mountain. Towering rocky peaks jutted up everywhere, lush green foliage sprouting from their summits. A place straight out of an immortal's paradise. The Central Plains were so vast that these stunning vistas just appeared out of nowhere.
"The scenery’s killer. Spread out a mat, grab some grub, and it’d be perfect."
"It does look that way, sir. Climbing higher might enhance the ambiance even more."
"You go up there, and you’ll probably run into old geezers playing go, right?"
"What, the Hokuto and Nanto legend? Kid knows all the Western tales and now Central Plains myths too?"
"What’s the Hokuto and Nanto legend?"
It was a tale about a boy fated to die young who offered tribute to the North Star and South Star Lords to extend his lifespan.
"These two old dudes playing go on a mountaintop couldn’t resist the booze and meat the kid brought. They scarfed it all down and granted him extra years."
"You’re quite the expert on legends and myths, sir. Time with you is never dull."
"That’s me, the man himself."
Anyway. I could faintly detect the feathered rakshasas’ scent. They’d definitely holed up somewhere around here.
"Picnic later. Let’s hunt these feathered rakshasas first. We’ll stumble on ’em eventually."
"Understood."
"Haa. Just hope we don’t have to climb that peak."
"Hayoung, you know it’s hopeless. Give up."
"Ugh!"
If she really couldn’t make it, I could always carry her on my back. We pressed on, pursuing the feathered rakshasas. But as we moved, other smells wafted in—ones that didn’t fit this jagged terrain at all.
"No way that’s the bounty scent?"
This had to be the smell of the stolen goods. If my nose was right, jackpot. Following it would lead straight to the feathered rakshasas’ base. They’d stashed the loot in their nest, and the odor was leaking out.
"Geunhyeop, did you just pick up the bounty’s scent?"
"Feels like it."
"Heavens. How sharp has your sense of smell gotten?"
"Beats me. Could my internal energy be boosting it too?"
Maybe it strengthened alongside my neigong. At this rate, I’d end up with a nose better than a dog’s.
"...Suddenly hate that you’re sniffing around so much."
"Hey! Why?!"
Sticking my nose in her tits and ass was pure bliss!
"Shut it! Just find it quick!"
"Grr."
Hayoung scolded me, but I had Serin. So why was she blushing and avoiding my eyes? Being the boss was tough.
"Over there."
After a thorough search, we zeroed in on one peak. That’s where the feathered rakshasas had to be—the scent was thick up top.
"Aigoo, I’m beat... Wait, is that blood? Feathered rakshasa blood?"
"Blood, you say? Ah, if a wounded one returned, the smell could linger. Looks like we nailed it."
"Guess so. But where are they?"
We’d pinpointed the spot by scent—a solid win—but no flying feathered rakshasas in sight. Maybe they’d gone out raiding again? Hard to say.
"Let’s climb."
"Yes."
We scaled the peak at once. Steep enough for flying yokai to nest, but we were Murim folk. This incline was nothing.
"Yup, yup!"
Hayoung bounded up with her stone staff, hopping like a pro. No real climbing needed—just kicking off rocks on the sheer face.
How far did we go? Finally, a flat ledge appeared.
"Grab my hand!"
"Pfft. Pretending to help at the last second?"
"Be grateful I’m doing this much."
"Whatever."
I hauled Hayoung up by the hand. But then.
"A feathered rakshasa nest... Hmm, not sure about this."
"Ah."
The vibe was off. Flat spot atop a high peak, cave right ahead. Screamed feathered rakshasa lair. But no live ones in sight. Dozens lay dead in gruesome states.
"What the...?"
Bodies sliced into chunks everywhere.
"What martial art does this? Corpses hacked to bits. And these black scorch marks—wait, burned?"
Eerily bizarre corpses. Severed edges charred black. Why were feathered rakshasas dying like this? High peak, flyers—they shouldn’t croak so weirdly at their own doorstep.
"Wi Hayoung. This isn’t human martial arts. Looks like yokai work. Any idea?"
"This."
Hayoung examined a corpse gravely, then looked up.
"Looks like a fox showed up."
"A fox?"
"Byeokryeok Yoho."
"Byeokryeok Yoho!"
I’d heard the name but yelled it anyway.
"What’s that?"
"Fox yokai wielding lightning. See the burns. Plus... yellow fur here. Fox fur."
"So a fox yokai wiped out the feathered rakshasas?"
"Yeah. That’s my take."
"Crazy!"
Fox yokai! Even foxes rule mountains without tigers. Fierce beasts with strong yokai power, shapeshifting into humans—tricky as hell. One with lightning? Insanely strong. The carnage proved it.
"No clue why, but yokai turf war, probably. Bodies look fresh—not long ago."
"Killed right as they got home."
"Yes. Best to search no more and retreat. Dodging a Byeokryeok Yoho nearby is wise."
Wonder what its yodan would taste like? Tempting thought, but nah. Too risky against an unknown powerhouse.
"Yeah, agreed. Smart to pull back. Heard Byeokryeok Yoho serve the Heavenly Ten Yokai’s Gu-miho. Better steer clear."
The absolute worst yokai was the Horse Demon King battling World Marshal Sang U-chun to the death up top. Right below: the Ten Great Yokai, including Gu-miho. Only top masters could handle them. Time to bolt.
That’s when it hit.
"Hmm? What’re these?"
A chilling voice echoed from above.
"Fox yokai!"
Serin screamed, and we instantly formed a protective formation around Hayoung, swords drawn.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Instinctual roar. As I shouted, I sized up the fox yokai. Striking blonde—almost yellow—hair. Yellow fox ears atop her head. A beauty with actual fox ears. But those slit pupils and yellow irises screamed inhuman. Her vibe oozed eerie menace... fangs peeking sharp and wicked. Modest outfit, but the yellow tail exposed her thighs.
I glared up at the fox yokai and bellowed again.
"What’s your game showing yourself?! If you value your life, spit out your purpose now!"
"Haha, funny talk. Value your life? That’s what you humans should say."
—Hop.
The fox landed lightly at the cave mouth.
"A Taoist and two swordsmen? Tracking feathered rakshasas, huh?"
This bitch. How’d she know?
"What’s your deal with the feathered rakshasas?"
"Master and slave, maybe?"
"Slave?"
"They paid me tribute. But some Murim punks crashed their loot raids. That you guys?"
No way. The feathered rakshasas’ sudden raids—because of this fox? Bad vibes. Just one visible, but her tone said she’d commanded the flock solo. When things went south, she massacred them.
Strong enough to solo a flock? Could we take this monster?
—Sneer.
The fox grinned ominously.
"Ooh, on guard? Humans with that look get me thrilled. Stomach’s rumbling. Drooling already."
Cynical tone. Mocking us.
"Perfect timing—I’m starving! I’ll rip out your livers!"
"Son of a bitch!"
This cannibal fox bitch eyeing our livers!
"Guys!"
"Can’t avoid a fight, sir! Geunhyeop!"
"Got it!"
No need for chit-chat. We’d drilled teamwork countless times, trained formations for scenarios like this. Strong or not, this Byeokryeok Yoho was done if we ganged up!
—Whoosh!
Serin kicked off first, circling to flank and encircle.
"Think you three can take me?!"
The yokai spread her palm. Long claws extended—claw-like.
She slashed the air wide.
—Crackle-zap!
Bright yellow lightning surged from her claws, firing five bolts!
Insane!
—Slash!
Serin gonna eat that? My body moved on autopilot. I unleashed Gui-hon-il-seom explosively, tip clashing the bolts.
"Gwi Hon Gyeok Ryu Pa."
—Boom!
Gui energy blasted, scattering the yokai-powered lightning.
"Geunhyeop...!"
Couldn’t let her take a hit like that. Neigong drain, but fine.
"What...? Nullifying my Lightning Claw? You! What’s that power?!"
The yokai freaked, claws extended, charging me. Simultaneously, Hayoung’s talismans lit up the world like business cards from a night demon.