‘Master?’
What in the world was this? For a moment, the Grudge Killing Pavilion Master, In Seo-ok, was left utterly dumbfounded by the Green Spirit Gyu So-ha’s cry. He was the one who had used the Art of the Fated Spirit General's Bond, a secret art that forcibly turns a vengeful spirit into a Spirit Guardian.
Yet the Green Spirit, born from the Spirit God Gu Poison Art, was calling this boy, who looked to be about seventeen or eighteen, her master. What in heaven’s name was going on?
Just then.
“Gyeong-un!”
The Occultist Jo Ui-gong cried out as he saw Mok Gyeong-un. At his cry, “Gyeong-un?” Does he know that boy?
As In Seo-ok wondered, the Occultist Jo Ui-gong spoke in a voice filled with excitement.
“Master! Master! That child is the one I told you about.”
“What?”
The Grudge Killing Pavilion Master In Seo-ok’s eyes narrowed. That boy was the one his disciple, Jo Ui-gong, had accepted into his tutelage? Wait a moment.
But why was that child here? Shouldn’t he be undergoing the trials in the Corpse Blood Valley? And he could not understand why the Green Spirit was calling that boy master.
“That child...?”
Ssk!
The Occultist Jo Ui-gong was about to say something, but the Grudge Killing Pavilion Master In Seo-ok raised his hand as if to stop him.
“Master?”
“Wait and see. Are you the child named Mok Gyeong-un?”
At the Grudge Killing Pavilion Master In Seo-ok’s question, Mok Gyeong-un looked at the Occultist Jo Ui-gong. The Occultist Jo Ui-gong sent him a look and said quietly, “He is your Division Master, and the Master of the Grudge Killing Pavilion.”
‘!’
At those words, a strange light glinted in Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes. On the way to the Heaven and Earth Society, the Occultist Jo Ui-gong had briefly explained the Grudge Killing Pavilion, so he had a rough idea of the people within the pavilion. Was that old man, who looked to be in his seventies, the Grudge Killing Pavilion Master?
‘So this is a Pavilion Master-rank Occultist.’
Having opened his spirit eyes, Mok Gyeong-un possessed eyes that could visualize qi. Thus, he could see it clearly. The tremendous curse power that unconsciously emanated from the old man.
‘To think the difference is this great.’
It seemed to be almost three times greater than that of the Occultist Jo Ui-gong. It was not a level he could handle yet. Mok Gyeong-un cupped his hands in a show of respect and spoke.
“Ah. So you are an elder of my school. I am Mok Gyeong-un, who has entered the tutelage of Master Jo.”
“.........”
At Mok Gyeong-un’s greeting, the Occultist Jo Ui-gong simply stared at him without a word. On the other hand, the Green Spirit Gyu So-ha, whose face had brightened at the arrival of her master, saw her eyes go wide.
‘What is this?’
Her master is part of this old man’s school? Did that mean he was related to the ones who had trapped her in this hellish place? If so, this was all very confusing.
As she was thinking this, the Grudge Killing Pavilion Master In Seo-ok opened his mouth.
“Say that again.”
At his words, Mok Gyeong-un, who was holding his cupped hands, tilted his head, then smiled brightly and said, “Ah. So you are an elder of my school. Under Master Jo’s...”
Thump!
Before Mok Gyeong-un could finish his sentence, the Grudge Killing Pavilion Master In Seo-ok struck the end of his staff on the floor. Then, with a fearsome scowl, he said, “Are you jesting with this Pavilion Master right now?”
“No. Of course not.”
At his smooth words, it was the Occultist Jo Ui-gong who grew anxious. He knew this boy was bold and different from the rest, but his opponent was his own Master and the Master of the Grudge Killing Pavilion. What in the world was this attitude?
“Will you not apologize to the Pavilion Master at once!”
Jo Ui-gong raised his voice and chided him. At this, Mok Gyeong-un bowed his head with his hands still cupped and said, “I apologize to the Pavilion Master.” His voice lacked any inflection, so while it sounded respectful, something felt off.
But since he did as he was told, Jo Ui-gong could say no more and furtively glanced at his Master, In Seo-ok’s face.
‘Aaaah.’
As expected, his expression was not good. Just a moment ago, his reaction had been quite favorable, and Jo Ui-gong had hoped he might be able to get the boy out of the Corpse Blood Valley. But now, it was the complete opposite.
Just then, In Seo-ok snorted and said, “Did you say that you are the master of this vengeful spirit?” At that question, the Occultist Jo Ui-gong frowned and looked at Mok Gyeong-un. Come to think of it, the boy had certainly said so earlier.
[I am its master.]
What in the world did that mean? As he puzzled over this, Mok Gyeong-un, who had bowed his head, slowly raised it and said, “Yes. Is there a problem with that?”
“What?”
Jo Ui-gong’s expression hardened. Did this boy just affirm it, not deny it? Did he really turn that Green Spirit, created through Gu poison as vengeful spirits devoured each other, into his own Spirit Guardian?
‘How on earth?’
Hadn’t this boy been undergoing the trials in the Corpse Blood Valley until now? By what means could he have made this vengeful spirit his Spirit Guardian? And for a vengeful spirit to become a Spirit Guardian…
‘Ah!’
Come to think of it, this boy did have a Yellow Spirit-rank vengeful spirit as his Spirit Guardian. Hadn’t he said that it wasn't due to any special method, but that a spirit trying to possess his body had been accidentally captured and made into a Spirit Guardian?
Having confirmed the boy’s level of knowledge in the occult arts, he had thought he was just very lucky. But to make a Green Spirit-rank vengeful spirit, of all things, his own Spirit Guardian?
‘…How is this?’
That was not something that could be attributed to luck. Hadn’t even his Master, the Grudge Killing Pavilion Master In Seo-ok, attempted to make a vengeful spirit his Spirit Guardian using a lost forbidden art of the Mount Mao Sect?
“Is that really...”
“Give it a command.”
Before the Occultist Jo Ui-gong could say anything, the Grudge Killing Pavilion Master In Seo-ok spoke again.
“What kind of command?”
“Anything will do.”
‘Is he trying to confirm it?’
It seemed the Grudge Killing Pavilion Master In Seo-ok intended to see for himself. There were many ways to verify a Spirit Guardian, but the simplest was for its master to give a command. Mok Gyeong-un spoke casually.
“So-ha. Get up and come over here.”
“Yes. Master.”
As soon as Mok Gyeong-un’s command was given, the Green Spirit Gyu So-ha rose to her feet. And as if she had been waiting, she approached Mok Gyeong-un. Seeing this, the Occultist Jo Ui-gong clicked his tongue.
‘Ha!’
It was real. The Green Spirit was truly obeying his command. He had been quite surprised when it was a Yellow Spirit, but a Green Spirit was a vengeful spirit that most Occultists would struggle to handle, and this boy had made it his Spirit Guardian?
Jo Ui-gong couldn’t hold back and asked, “How on earth did you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Are you asking because you don’t know? You should have been in the Corpse Blood Valley for the trials. How could you have made that vengeful spirit, which was undergoing the Gu poison process, your Spirit Guardian?”
At Jo Ui-gong’s question, Mok Gyeong-un shrugged.
“Well. As I said last time, I never intended to do anything in particular.”
At Mok Gyeong-un’s answer, the Occultist Jo Ui-gong’s eyes narrowed. Last time, he had considered it might have been a coincidence, but with an answer like that, it seemed he was hiding something.
“Hoh. So you intend to mock this master. Let’s see if you still refuse to answer after this.”
Pak! Pak!
The Occultist Jo Ui-gong formed a hand seal. Along with it, he chanted a Curse.
“Yeohwanmuseok jehwan-yeogyeong muuiji-a…”
In that instant, Mok Gyeong-un watched where the Occultist Jo Ui-gong’s gaze was directed. It was the iron chain on Mok Gyeong-un’s wrist. Seeing this, Mok Gyeong-un instantly surmised that he was about to do something using the chain.
‘Just as I thought.’
[Wear this on your wrist and say these words. I, Mok Gyeong-un, will become a disciple of Jo Ui-gong and follow his will.]
[What happens if I make that vow?]
[A restriction will be placed on you.]
[A restriction?]
[Once you make that vow, you will be unable to harm me in any way. It is almost absolute.]
The Occultist Jo Ui-gong had said. But Mok Gyeong-un was certain there was another restriction he was hiding. And as if to prove his suspicion, he seemed ready to reveal that restriction now.
Pak!
“By my command, act with haste!”
The Occultist Jo Ui-gong pointed a Vajra Finger at Mok Gyeong-un and completed the Curse. Hearing the final "By my command, act with haste," Mok Gyeong-un realized. The phrase meant that the command must be executed with the urgency of law.
In other words, it was an expression of ordering obedience.
‘I see.’
The restriction was to control him. He saw the Occultist Jo Ui-gong’s gaze shift from the bracelet to his face. Mok Gyeong-un did not let it show, and instead put on a blank expression, like a man whose soul had left him.
Seeing this, the corners of Jo Ui-gong’s mouth lifted slightly.
“From now on, you will answer my questions accurately.”
“Yes.”
Mok Gyeong-un answered in a listless voice. Seeing this, the Grudge Killing Pavilion Master In Seo-ok looked at the iron chain on his wrist and said, “So it’s the Chain of Curse Words.”
“Yes, Master. I have just taken him as my disciple, and as you can see, he is still as uncontrollable as a wild colt, so I put it on him to tame him.”
At those words, In Seo-ok snorted. Among all the disciples he had taught, the most cunning one, just like himself, was Jo Ui-gong. As expected, he had taken appropriate measures.
The Chain of Curse Words bound a person through their own vow, creating a restriction that could compel their will.
“If you have anything to ask, please tell me.”
The Occultist Jo Ui-gong said, gesturing toward Mok Gyeong-un. Right now, whatever they asked, he would answer truthfully.
Clomp, clomp!
At these words, the Grudge Killing Pavilion Master In Seo-ok walked towards Mok Gyeong-un.
“Master?”
“One must always check if it is properly cast.”
And then, he swung the head of his staff and struck Mok Gyeong-un across the face.
Thwack!
Mok Gyeong-un’s head snapped to the side. No matter how much martial arts one had learned, taking a blow in a defenseless state without circulating qi would naturally cause pain. He should have shown some kind of reaction, but, ‘Hmm.’
Mok Gyeong-un’s expression didn't change, as if he felt no pain at all. To be like this even after being struck in the face with the head of a staff, it seemed his will was indeed bound. But the Grudge Killing Pavilion Master In Seo-ok was a very cautious man.
Thwack!
In Seo-ok struck the other side of his face with the staff. As if that wasn’t enough, he kicked him in the stomach, knocking him down.
Thud!
“Master. You don’t have to do that...”
“Wait.”
Pak!
The Grudge Killing Pavilion Master In Seo-ok climbed on top of Mok Gyeong-un’s chest and stomped on his neck with one foot.
Squeeeeze!
As he pressed down on his neck, veins popped out on his face and it turned red. But Mok Gyeong-un’s expression still remained unchanged. A little more pressure, and he would stop breathing.
Yet he remained still.
Squeeeeze!
The Grudge Killing Pavilion Master In Seo-ok, who had been staring intently, finally nodded as if he now believed it and stepped off Mok Gyeong-un’s chest. Then he spoke to the Occultist Jo Ui-gong.
“Now ask him if he entered the gorge.”
“Understood. Gyeong-un. Get up.”
Swish!
Mok Gyeong-un silently got up from the ground with a blank expression. Looking at his bruised and battered face, the Occultist Jo Ui-gong inwardly clicked his tongue. He was his Master, but he was not only overly cautious, but there was no mercy in his hands.
‘Well, he won’t remember any of this when he comes to his senses.’
That was the power of the Chain of Curse Words. Jo Ui-gong asked Mok Gyeong-un, “Did you enter the gorge where the Gu poison art was being performed?”
“Yes.”
At this question, Mok Gyeong-un immediately answered with a blank face. At this, In Seo-ok clicked his tongue.
“The culprit has been found.”
While the Spirit God Gu Poison Art was in effect, no one was supposed to enter. No, to be precise, one should not enter because it was dangerous. The Grudge Killing Pavilion Master In Seo-ok scowled as he looked at Mok Gyeong-un.
‘But how did he survive?’
That, in fact, was the question. At first, he had wondered how he made the Green Spirit his Spirit Guardian, but now he was more curious about that. And for good reason.
That gorge, where the vengeful spirits had lost their egos and were devouring each other, was literally like hell. Yet a boy who had only just begun to learn the occult arts not only survived but also made a Green Spirit his Spirit Guardian?
“Ask him what happened.”
“Yes. Tell us in detail what happened in there.”
What in the world had happened in that place? As the two of them focused their attention on Mok Gyeong-un, “The Lord...”
‘!’
In an instant, their expressions stiffened.
The Lord?
What did that mean? Surely he wasn’t referring to the Lord of the Heaven and Earth Society?
“The Lord...”
But after saying the word "Lord," Mok Gyeong-un whispered so softly that they couldn’t hear. The Occultist Jo Ui-gong raised his voice and said, “What did the Lord do? Speak up properly.”
“The... The Lord...”
Mok Gyeong-un mentioned the Lord and mumbled again in a barely audible voice. Frustrated by his mumbling about none other than the head of the Heaven and Earth Society, the Grudge Killing Pavilion Master In Seo-ok approached Mok Gyeong-un, grabbed him by the hair, pulled him close, and said, “Tell him to speak clearly again.”
“Mok Gyeong-un, speak properly.”
At that command, Mok Gyeong-un opened his mouth again.
“The Lord…”
“Yes. The Lord what?”
“...would never come to a place like this, would he?”
‘!?’
Kwaduk!
“Keuk!”
In that moment, In Seo-ok’s eyes widened as if they would tear. Somehow, Mok Gyeong-un’s hand had pierced through his chest. How could this be?
This boy was supposed to be bound by the Chain of Curse Words...
‘!!!!!!’
In In Seo-ok’s widening pupils, Mok Gyeong-un’s face was no longer blank, but a smirk was playing on his lips.