Episode 666: Return of the Demon Instructor
A high-pitched whirring filled the air.
The Ghost Blade resonated with a haunting melody.
Eung Gahui moved with a grace that was almost like dancing.
The blade had begun its mournful song as they neared the Demon Tree.
This was a first.
Never before had it reacted so intensely.
As the resonance grew stronger, Eung Gahui felt a surge of energy rising from his core.
For the first time, wielding a sword felt exhilarating.
He had never experienced anything like this before.
Sure, there was satisfaction in punishing the wicked.
But mostly, it was just exhausting.
He always sought a way to resolve conflicts without drawing his sword.
Not that he disliked martial arts training.
He enjoyed the practice itself.
But real combat was always a struggle.
The world, especially the martial world, was unforgiving.
You couldn’t just do what you liked.
More often than not, he had no choice but to draw his sword.
But now…
“Something’s different!”
Excitement coursed through his veins.
A thrilling sensation traveled from the tip of the Ghost Blade to the top of his head.
The closer they got to the Demon Tree, the more the blade resonated, drawing out the demonic energy as the enemy’s aura grew stronger.
And in that moment, the Ghost Blade resonated with Eung Gahui’s own inner power.
Slash!
With each arc of light, blood and screams followed.
He was in a trance.
In the past, he would have been exhausted by now.
Facing so many foes would have worn him out.
But now, it was pure joy.
Dancing with the Ghost Blade was electrifying.
Seeing the endless wave of enemies only fueled his excitement.
Slash! Slash!
With each spray of blood, the Ghost Blade trembled violently, and Eung Gahui’s heart pounded as if it would burst.
His energy spun rapidly, his limbs moving with speed.
It was as if the Ghost Blade was leading him, and he didn’t mind at all.
It was exhilarating!
Thrilling!
Finally, a cry of ecstasy escaped his lips.
“Kiyaaah!”
Slash!
“Aaaargh!”
The arc of light from his blade was followed by the enemy’s screams and a spray of blood.
A wave of pleasure enveloped him, as if his entire body was melting.
“Heh heh heh!”
Eung Gahui let out a chilling laugh, his lips curling into a sly grin as he leapt back into the fray.
Swish! Swish swish swish!
His sword danced wildly.
He wasn’t executing perfect swordsmanship.
His attacks were more aggressive than usual, but his movements were somewhat excessive.
Yet he didn’t tire.
Blades grazed his body, leaving small cuts.
His larger movements naturally left openings.
But he felt no pain from the minor wounds.
In fact, he wasn’t even aware he was being cut.
He was simply lost in the moment.
Another sword aimed for his neck.
“Too slow! Too slow! Ha ha!”
Eung Gahui swayed back, watching the blade narrowly miss his nose.
He dodged with precision, knowing it was just enough.
As the sword passed, he rose and slashed diagonally with the Ghost Blade.
Swoosh!
With a chilling sound, the enemy’s upper body was severed diagonally.
Splat!
Blood gushed like a fountain, drenching Eung Gahui.
Covered in warm blood, he licked his lips, tasting the metallic tang.
Another enemy swung a large sword at him.
Whoosh!
Eung Gahui pounced like a leopard, closing the distance in an instant.
“Ugh!”
The enemy let out a cry, swinging the sword down vertically.
But it only grazed Eung Gahui, embedding itself in the ground.
Instead, the Ghost Blade plunged into the enemy’s heart.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
The enemy’s eyes bulged, as if they would pop out.
He saw the grinning demon before him.
That demon was Eung Gahui.
Eung Gahui grabbed the man’s face with his left hand and slammed him into the ground.
Crash!
The man, heart pierced, died instantly as his head shattered.
“Hah!”
Eung Gahui panted heavily, turning around.
“Eung, we need to cover you!”
Sabiran appeared, calling out.
But lost in the resonance with the Ghost Blade, Eung Gahui didn’t hear his superior’s voice.
He panted, ready to charge at another target.
“Eung!”
Sabiran rushed over, grabbing his shoulder.
In a flash.
Swish!
Eung Gahui turned, slashing horizontally with the Ghost Blade.
Clang!
The clash of metal rang out, piercing the ears.
The enemy’s sword wavered under the force.
Eung Gahui frowned, glaring at Sabiran for interrupting him.
In that moment.
Smack!
His cheek turned sharply.
The slap was so strong, it felt like his jaw might come off.
Sabiran had infused her palm with energy.
It seemed like a simple slap, but she had delivered a powerful strike.
Eung Gahui’s eyes widened.
He snapped back to reality.
“What… what was I…?”
The Ghost Blade continued to hum in his hand.
With each resonance, his heart raced.
Finally, Eung Gahui realized he had been intoxicated by the Ghost Blade and regained his composure.
He took a deep breath and bowed to Sabiran.
“I’m sorry!”
“No, it’s a relief it wasn’t worse.”
Sabiran sighed in relief.
From a distance, she had sensed Eung Gahui’s frenzy.
But she wasn’t sure.
She hadn’t come to stop his rampage, but to provide cover.
Yet he had been in a frenzy.
His eyes were bloodshot, his lips twisted.
The aura around him was intense.
She realized he was in danger.
She had learned from past experiences with the demonic artifacts from the Demon Realm.
They weren’t always beneficial.
One could easily lose themselves to madness, just like Eung Gahui had.
In any case, it was a relief it hadn’t been worse.
“If we keep fighting like this, it’ll never end. We need to take out the leader.”
Sabiran looked up at the cliff, where a man in a black hat and an old man watched.
The only way to shake so many enemies at once was to strike the head.
The White Flower Sect was holding its own for now.
But there were too many enemies.
One against a hundred might be possible.
But one against a thousand?
Even if the ratio was the same, it was a much harder fight.
“I’ll cover you.”
Eung Gahui swiftly cut down an approaching enemy.
Sabiran nodded, scanning the surroundings.
They needed one more person to cover them.
But who?
If Danrihyuk were outside the battlefield, she could have asked him.
But he was already in the thick of it.
He needed cover himself.
It was a matter of experience.
He hadn’t faced such a large-scale battle before.
He hadn’t encountered such unfamiliar situations.
If she had been more cautious, she would have kept Danrihyuk and some warriors in reserve.
“Well, we learn as we go.”
The deed was done.
Instead of regret, she focused on reflection.
And planning for the future.
Her gaze landed on Jeokbi.
He was fighting as well as Eung Gahui.
His movements were clean and efficient.
With his poison techniques, he handled multiple enemies with ease.
Enemies, aware of his poison, hesitated to approach recklessly.
Eung Gahui seemed to have the same thought, glancing at Jeokbi.
“He’ll do.”
Sabiran nodded.
“Alright, I’ll use my lightness skill to reach the cliff. Just cover me while I run.”
“Can you reach it with lightness skill alone?”
The cliff wasn’t impossibly high.
But it seemed a bit much for a single leap.
Sabiran nodded confidently.
“I can. I’ve already spoken to Gokmuseong and Chusohye.”
“Ah, the buff.”
“Yes. I’ll use Banmyo’s power.”
The term “buff” wasn’t common in the martial world, but she understood its meaning from Sabigang.
It meant to enhance one’s strength.
Banmyo’s true power as a spiritual creature.
Gokmuseong would assist by boosting Sabiran at the right moment.
His strength would surely help.
“Then it’s just up to Jeokbi and me.”
With their plan set, Sabiran and Eung Gahui fought their way to Jeokbi.
After explaining the plan, Jeokbi nodded in agreement.
“Understood. I’ll cover you.”
“Good, let’s go now!”
Sabiran focused on the cliff and leapt.
Whoosh!
Swish swish!
As Sabiran charged forward, Dong Gahui and Jeokbi flanked her, cutting a path through the chaos.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Their swords flashed brilliantly, slicing through the air.
Cries of pain and the spray of blood erupted around them.
“Gok Museong, get ready!”
At her command, Gok Museong, who had just crushed an enemy’s skull, dropped to one knee and cupped his hands together.
“Step up!”
With a swift motion, Sabiran planted her foot in his hands.
“Here we go!”
Gok Museong let out a fierce shout, using all his strength to launch Sabiran into the air.
Thanks to the boost from Banmyo, his power surged to more than double its usual strength.
Whoosh!
Sabiran soared through the sky with terrifying speed.
Swish! Swish!
She executed a series of aerial steps, seamlessly blending in a flight spell.
Had she relied solely on martial arts, scaling the cliff would have been impossible.
But with magic, her body felt as light as a feather.
‘Just wait!’
Gritting her teeth, Sabiran propelled herself upward.
In that instant, her eyes widened.
A black-clad figure, who had been watching from the cliff’s edge, suddenly leaped down towards her.
“Tch!”
Clicking her tongue in annoyance, Sabiran summoned her protective energy and swung her sword upward.
Simultaneously, the descending figure used their momentum to strike down with their blade.
Clang!
A shockwave exploded in midair, sending ripples in all directions.
Whoosh, crash!
Sabiran was knocked back, plummeting like a comet.