Shwaaaaaa!
It was an amount of energy that couldn't be compared to that which arose from the death of a single person. The death energy born from the deaths of dozens of people was not only vast in quantity, but also profound in its purity. This was because it contained all the yin emotions from the very moment of death.
‘Good.’
As I circulated the energy with the Reverse Energy Circulation Technique, it was far more than when I absorbed the energy of the lesser beast Guyeo, one of the evil spirit monsters. This was unexpected. It was worth taking the risk in the midst of danger.
At this rate, it seemed I could reach my goal much faster than I originally anticipated.
‘Twice... no, perhaps even three times might be possible.’
It was about further expanding the diameter of my dantian. As I concentrated the incoming, highly pure energy through circulation, it seemed I might even be able to manage three times the size if I did it right. Of course, I had no way of knowing what level of internal energy this corresponded to.
While Mok Gyeong-un was focused on his energy circulation like this, Go Chan, who was in the position of protecting him, was tense.
‘... It's impossible.’
If Ha Chae-rin's body, which had reached the Peak Realm, was this wary, there was no chance of winning. Where did a monster like that come from? Just then, the scar-faced man turned his gaze from him to Mok Gyeong-un, who was circulating his energy.
Then, with an expression of interest, he opened his mouth.
“To be lost in the depths of energy circulation while an unknown enemy appears and blood flies everywhere. What an interesting child.”
And then he began to stride forward. It looked like he was just walking, but in only a few steps, he closed the distance from the pavilion in an instant.
‘Gasp!’
Flustered, Go Chan felt he couldn't let this happen and called out to Mok Gyeong-un.
“Young Master?”
In his heart, he wanted to shake him to his senses, but improperly interrupting someone during energy circulation could cause qi deviation.
“Young Master?”
Go Chan called out to Mok Gyeong-un once more. But there was no response. Rather, like someone lost in a state of selflessness, he was pushing his energy circulation even harder.
Shwaaaaaa!
Seeing all the surrounding death energy being sucked in at a tremendous speed, it was difficult to make him stop in the middle of it. In the end, Go Chan decided there was no other choice but to buy some time. When he thought about it, he himself was already dead.
He couldn't just stand by and let Mok Gyeong-un be harmed for fear that the body he was possessing might get hurt.
Phat!
Go Chan sent energy to his dragon spring point and kicked off the ground. In that moment, Ha Chae-rin's possessed body shot forward at an incredible speed. It was a swiftness that couldn't be compared to his own original body.
Tatatak!
In an instant, he circled the scar-faced man twice.
“Hoh. Quite fast.”
The scar-faced man muttered. But it didn't sound like praise at all, and he didn't even take a defensive stance. Go Chan bit his lower lip hard.
‘You're looking down on me, is that it? Third Form of the Flying Kill Arts: Soundless Engraved Dance!’
The move naturally surfaced in his mind. The Third Form of the Flying Kill Arts, Soundless Engraved Dance, the unique martial art that the Flying Kill Flame Assassin prided herself on, instinctively unfolded from his body.
Papapapapat!
Go Chan somersaulted in the air, unleashing a kicking art towards the scar-faced man. Six kicks, whirling like a pinwheel, precisely aimed for the vital points on his centerline. He expected the man to either dodge or block them in some way, but— Chill!
Startled by a sudden sharp premonition, Go Chan twisted his body to the side.
Chwak!
Severed hair scattered in all directions.
‘When?’
If he had been even a moment later, his body would have been split in two by that large blade. The moment he twisted his body, Go Chan flicked out three Flying Spirit Needles from his wrist guard, sending them flying towards the scar-faced man's face.
Shushushuk! Cha-cha-chaeng!
But the man easily blocked them with the body of his blade. And as if that weren't enough, Thwack!
“Ugh!”
He landed a left fist precisely on his abdomen from an unseen blind spot. Go Chan was sent flying back with a death-like scream, tumbling several times.
Kudang-tang-tang!
“Cough!”
Blood flowed from his mouth along with a cough. They had only exchanged a single move, but the difference in their skills was starkly revealed. But a peculiar light appeared in Go Chan's eyes.
It wasn't because the scar-faced man was too strong, but because the blow just now hadn't been painful.
‘What is this?’
Strangely, his stomach turned and he felt nauseous. But there was still no sensation of pain itself. Because of this, Go Chan was able to perceive it.
The fact that he was possessing someone else's body.
‘Something feels strange.’
But this was not the time to be dwelling on this strange feeling. Go Chan trembled as he pushed himself up. Even if there was no sensation of pain, the fact that the body had received a shock remained unchanged.
That's why his legs couldn't hold him up properly.
“Woman. Block me one more time, and you die.”
The scar-faced man warned in a low voice. Those words made Go Chan feel somewhat displeased.
“Who are you calling a woman...”
“Stop!”
Papak!
Just then, someone shouted and flew over. He then blocked Go Chan's path and aimed his sword at the scar-faced man. He was none other than Mok Yu-cheon.
“Young Master Mok?”
“Are you alright, Young Miss?”
'Eh?'
At those words, Go Chan's expression went blank. He felt goosebumps about to break out all over his body. Glancing at Go Chan, Mok Yu-cheon spoke with a forceful tone.
“Ahem. Young Miss. It is dangerous, so please step back. I shall handle this man.”
“.........”
Being a man, he could tell. That Mok Yu-cheon was putting on quite a bluff. Perhaps that was why Go Chan couldn't stand the cringe.
Regardless, perhaps to make a good impression, Mok Yu-cheon politely addressed the scar-faced man.
“I am Mok Yu-cheon, the fourth son of the Lotuswood Sword Manor. For what reason have you entered our manor and caused such a commotion?”
At Mok Yu-cheon's words, the scar-faced man snickered. Then, after looking Mok Yu-cheon up and down, he opened his mouth.
“Interesting. To see two youngsters with quite some potential in a place like this.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Brat. You don't have the right to ask questions.”
With those words, the scar-faced man emitted a powerful, intimidating pressure. He had merely revealed his killing intent, yet Mok Yu-cheon's heart pounded wildly.
'He's strong.'
Mok Yu-cheon was also a master at the initial Peak Realm, so he could guess how strong the man before him was. He might even be a master on par with his father before he lost his arm. It had been a long time since he felt such a tremor.
The scar-faced man asked him.
“Boy of the Mok family. Where is your father?”
“Do not speak of my father so carelessly.”
Angered by the scar-faced man's words, Mok Yu-cheon raised his voice. At this sight, the scar-faced man let out a sneer and said, “Don't shout. Acting to hide your fear only makes you look weaker.”
“What?”
Unable to bear it, Mok Yu-cheon flew forward, intending to unleash a sword move.
“You are indeed young.”
To fall for such a simple provocation.
Ssk.
In an instant, as if the ground itself had been pulled, the scar-faced man's figure arrived in front of Mok Yu-cheon. 'What kind of speed is...' He couldn't even see him.
Flustered, Mok Yu-cheon twisted his body to the left, trying to change the path of his sword move. In that moment, the man's hand, moving with the suppleness of a snake, was already reaching for his face.
“Hut?”
Mok Yu-cheon hastily raised his left arm. The man's palm lightly touched his wrist. At that moment, a profound energy penetrated him, and Mok Yu-cheon's body was sent flying as if it were a feather.
Paang!
“Keoheok!”
The force was so strong that he flew more than fifty feet before stopping. After rolling several times on the ground, Mok Yu-cheon coughed up blood.
“Gkweck.”
The moment of contact, he had tried to generate protective energy to deflect it, but the internal energy still penetrated his five viscera and six bowels. It was penetrating energy, a high-level state of energy release. It displayed highly effective power against martial artists weaker than oneself, and to the scar-faced man, Mok Yu-cheon was such a person.
'To not even be treated as an opponent...' The long blade held in his right hand was still slung over his shoulder. The gap was too overwhelming.
But he couldn't give up here. This situation wasn't a martial contest or training. 'A real battle.'
This man was an enemy who had invaded the Lotuswood Sword Manor. If he succumbed here, it would be the end. Mok Yu-cheon steadied his breathing and pushed himself to his feet.
Then, Go Chan came to his side, took a ready stance, and said, “Young Master. We must attack together.”
“Young Miss?”
'This bastard!'
Go Chan was about to flare up and tell him not to call him Young Miss, but he stopped himself. Being possessed in a woman's body made it a natural thing to say, and this wasn't the time to argue over titles. As the two were about to launch a joint attack, the scar-faced man smiled wryly.
“You do foolish things.”
With that, he was about to take a step towards them. It was at that very moment.
“Haap!”
With a thunderous shout, someone appeared and brought a sword down on the scar-faced man. The scar-faced man, who hadn't been using his full strength when dealing with the two of them, grasped his long blade and swung it upwards.
Chaaaaaeng!
As the sword and the blade clashed, a metallic sound echoed in all directions. The energy of the two masters was so strong that a powerful wind swept out in all directions. But even between them, there was a superior.
Paang!
The one who had struck with the sword was sent flying back, pushed back about five steps.
“F-Father!”
That person was none other than the Manor Lord of the Lotuswood Sword Manor, Mok In-dan.
Jureureuk!
Dark blood trickled from the corner of the pushed-back Mok In-dan's mouth. Having only recently risen from his sickbed, he had exhausted much of his true energy. On top of that, being unfamiliar with his left hand, he couldn't even draw out half of his prime strength.
“Father!”
As Mok Yu-cheon tried to approach, Mok In-dan held out a hand and shook his head.
“Stay back. He is not your opponent.”
“But...”
“Enough!”
With those words, Mok In-dan's eyes glanced over at Mok Gyeong-un, who was sitting cross-legged and circulating his energy. Why is that child doing that? Is he injured?
On the outside, he seemed perfectly fine. Briefly puzzled, Manor Lord Mok In-dan then turned his gaze to the approaching scar-faced man and spoke.
“Who are you to have invaded this manor?”
“Invaded? Hahahahat!”
At this question, the scar-faced man burst out laughing and then took something out from his robes. Seeing this, Mok In-dan's expression instantly stiffened. It was none other than a seal.
'A seal?'
Mok Yu-cheon's eyes narrowed. No matter how I look at it, it seems like a seal. Why is Father so flustered?
As he was thinking, the scar-faced man began tossing the seal up and catching it repeatedly as he spoke.
“I’m sure you know well what this is, Manor Lord Mok.”
“... How did you come to have that?”
“How? Hahahahahat. Manor Lord Mok. You're quite good at feigning ignorance. How can you say such things when you're the one who brazenly stole 'that,' which is as good as our society's treasure?”
'Stole?'
Mok Yu-cheon looked at Mok In-dan with a face of incomprehension. Just then, shocking words flowed from Mok In-dan's mouth.
“... Are you from the Heaven and Earth Society?”
To this question, the scar-faced man grinned. It was a sign of affirmation. '!!!!!!' At this, not only Mok Yu-cheon, but Go Chan's eyes also widened.
The reason for their shock was simple. The Heaven and Earth Society. One of the great powers that currently divided the Central Plains martial world into three.
They, who revered only the survival of the strongest, had once thrown the martial world into chaos by declaring they would unify it. At that time, countless righteous heroes of the martial world had lost their lives. Therefore, the martial world still couldn't help but feel fear upon hearing the name Heaven and Earth Society.
'Th-the Heaven and Earth Society?' Go Chan was dumbfounded. It made sense.
There weren't many powers that would dare to commit such a mad act against the Lotuswood Sword Manor, a prestigious martial family of Anhui Province. But if it was truly the Heaven and Earth Society, this was big trouble.
No matter how famous the Lotuswood Sword Manor was as a martial family, if they came at them with full intent, they would have to be prepared for the annihilation of their clan.
“Ahhh.”
A sigh escaped from Manor Lord Mok In-dan's mouth. To think it would be the Heaven and Earth Society. Mok In-dan's gaze turned to his youngest son Mok Yu-cheon, Mok Gyeong-un who was circulating energy, and the guards of the Lotuswood Sword Manor fighting nearby.
'Is this my karma?' Why was I so greedy back then? If only I hadn't brought that thing back, this would never have happened.
Mok In-dan opened his mouth with difficulty.
“... If I give it to you, will you withdraw from this manor?”
'Father?'
At those words, Mok Yu-cheon stared at Manor Lord Mok In-dan with surprised eyes. The Manor Lord's words were meant to save everyone, but they were no different from a surrender. His heart ached at the sight of his father's weakness, something he had never seen before.
“I revealed our society's identity for nothing. I was hoping you'd resist a bit more.”
The scar-faced man muttered as if disappointed. At that sight, Mok Yu-cheon couldn't hold back his inner fury. He wouldn't have shown such an attitude unless he looked down on them immensely.
At this, Manor Lord Mok In-dan sent him a look and shook his head. It was a signal not to act rashly. 'The opponent is the Heaven and Earth Society.
No matter how angry you are, endure it, my son.' In any case, with a monster of this level having arrived, the situation was utterly disadvantageous. Separate from being weakened, Manor Lord Mok In-dan was not confident he could handle the scar-faced man even if his body were perfectly fine.
The scar-faced man rested his long blade on his shoulder and asked.
“Where is it? That thing.”
“First, make a promise, man to man.”
“Manor Lord Mok. Your caliber as a leader is not lacking. Very well. I, Son Yun, the Underworld Blade King, one of the Five Kings of the great Heaven and Earth Society, will give you my word. If you hand it over, we will cause no further harm to the Lotuswood Sword Manor and withdraw.” '...
One of the Five Kings.' Mok In-dan was inwardly astonished. To think that Son Yun, the Underworld Blade King, one of the eight executives who lead the Heaven and Earth Society, would make a move himself.
That meant he had surely come with the intention of annihilating the manor if things went south. At this, a cold sweat ran down Mok In-dan's back. To him, the scar-faced man—no, Son Yun, the Underworld Blade King, one of the Five Kings of the Heaven and Earth Society—asked.
“Where is it?”
At that question, Mok In-dan pointed somewhere and said, “Over there is this manor's Medicine Hall. In the Medicine Hall, if you open the drawer labeled Five Suns among the medicinal herb containers, a passage to the underground will open.”
“Hoh.”
“There, you will find a stone door marked with 'Fourth.' There are traps in the passage, so you must either break through twenty paces at once with your light body technique or proceed by holding onto the ceiling.”
“You've hidden it well.”
“There will be a wooden box there with a talisman attached to it.”
“Did you hear that?”
At the Underworld Blade King Son Yun's question, one of the masked men beside him answered.
“Yes.”
“Bring it.”
“Loyalty!”
The masked man soon disappeared towards the Medicine Hall. '... He hid it in a secret space inside the Medicine Hall?' Go Chan furrowed his brow with a bewildered expression and secretly glanced at Mok Gyeong-un, who was still absorbing the death energy.
This feels like things are getting seriously twisted.