Chapter 32 …
The Five Ghost Shadow Killers
The Sword Spirit spoke nonchalantly, but the expressions on the other two’s faces darkened. A total of five demons had appeared.
“Those people…!”
Jeok Hwa-myeong said, as if he recognized them. Naeng Yeoseol’s gaze shifted from the Sword Spirit to Jeok Hwa-myeong.
“You know them?”
Nodding at Naeng Yeoseol’s question, Jeok Hwa-myeong replied,
“If my memory serves me correctly, they are the Five Ghost Shadow Killers (귀영오살, 鬼影五殺) of Heukmak (흑막, Black Curtain).”
Heukmak was a demonic sect active in Guangdong Province. Along with the Ming faction, it was one of the two groups representing the demonic path in the region.
“When you say Heukmak, you mean the assassin sect?”
“Yes.”
The thought that these assassins had mastered Amplified Demonic Arts (증폭마공) gave them a grim feeling that today would bring misfortune rather than fortune.
“Kehehehe!”
They seemed to have entered the Entry Demon (입마) stage, where their demonic instincts overpowered reason.
Schring!
Naeng Yeoseol drew her sword, and Jeok Hwa-myeong followed suit.
“Sword Spirit, take Jin Aseol and fall back.”
Obedient to Jeok Hwa-myeong’s words, the Sword Spirit retreated with Jin Aseol. As soon as they did, the Five Ghost Shadow Killers began to move.
They were assassins by trade.
Even though their rationality had been devoured by demonic nature, their instincts remained intact. They pressured the two using their greatest strength — assassination techniques.
“It seems their amplified demonic power has surpassed the Fifth Level. Be careful.”
Jeok Hwa-myeong warned Naeng Yeoseol.
“Understood.”
“Rather than fighting, focus on protecting the children.”
“Yes.”
Naeng Yeoseol had not earned her reputation as one of the Hundred Great Masters of the Martial World by relying on a partner.
As she released the internal energy that she had restrained within her dantian, her true presence emerged.
Even if the Five Ghost Shadow Killers used their assassination techniques and had their martial prowess enhanced by amplified demonic power, they were no match for Naeng Yeoseol.
The only disadvantage was their number—five against one.
“Kehehe! Four delicious hearts to devour.”
“One short.”
“You bastards are done for.”
Naeng Yeoseol questioned them.
“Kehehehe!”
“So Heukmak is working as the demons’ lackeys?”
“Keheh! If that’s what you want to think, sure.”
In truth, Heukmak had no connection with the demons, but they couldn’t be bothered to explain.
“Not that it matters. You’re all going to die anyway.”
Paaat!
The Five Ghost Shadow Killers moved.
Chasing opponents with your eyes was for novices. Masters read their opponents’ movements through their qi.
Shwish!
Parrying the sword thrust aimed at her left side, Naeng Yeoseol spun her body and deflected another strike coming from the opposite side, settling into a stance.
The five attacked her from all directions in a relentless onslaught. From the outside, it looked like she was struggling even just to defend.
“That’s the Perfect Five Element Formation.”
“The Perfect Five Element Formation? What’s that?”
Jin Aseol asked after hearing the Sword Spirit mutter.
“They occupy five positions—fire, water, wood, metal, earth—and support each other seamlessly to make it difficult for their opponent to attack or defend. It’s a kind of sword formation.”
Their conversation reached Naeng Yeoseol and Jeok Hwa-myeong’s ears clearly.
“Look carefully! The first to attack was that one—he’s in the fire position, the starting point.”
The Sword Spirit explained the formation.
If they moved in the order of fire → water → wood → metal → earth, it was the Clockwise Five Element Formation. Moving in reverse was the Counterclockwise Five Element Formation. The assassins were using the clockwise version.
As the Sword Spirit explained slowly, Jin Aseol nodded in understanding.
“I see. Then the next one to move will be him.”
At that moment, Naeng Yeoseol struck first.
Switching from defense to offense, she targeted the exact man Jin Aseol had pointed out.
Her sword qi rippled through the air as her blade flashed toward him. Startled, he hesitated, but it was already too late.
He twisted his body just in time to save his neck but lost his shoulder instead.
Naeng Yeoseol looked slightly disappointed, but she couldn’t afford to pause.
She knew well that when a formation breaks, you must attack to prevent the enemies from regrouping.
Paaat!
Her blade, now fully offensive, held neither hesitation nor retreat.
The Moon Shadow Immortal!
Her nickname sounded benevolent, but in truth, she was merciless toward the wicked.
To avoid her fierce attacks, the Five Ghost Shadow Killers scattered in all directions.
“Die!”
Three of the assassins suddenly changed direction and rushed toward the Sword Spirit and Jin Aseol, slashing wildly.
Chaaang!
Jeok Hwa-myeong blocked their swords.
“Kehehehe!”
Their laugh was grating.
At that moment, the Fourth Killer swung at Jin Aseol. It was too late to dodge.
As the blade approached, the Sword Spirit grabbed Jin Aseol’s hand and twisted their bodies slightly.
The blade changed direction midair and came for the Sword Spirit.
Chaaang!
The Moon Shadow Immortal appeared out of nowhere, blocking the Fourth Killer’s strike. Her left palm struck the killer’s chest.
Puuuong!
It was the Moon Shadow Sect’s secret technique, Moon Shadow Palm (월영수, 月影手).
Seeing this, Jeok Hwa-myeong relaxed and kicked the Third Killer in the stomach, following up with a sword slash.
It was one of the sword strokes of Seven Brilliant Sword Techniques, the foundation of his skill.
“Graaah!”
Even the usually pain-numb Five Ghost Shadow Killers let out a strangled cry.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I’ve figured out their acupoint weakness—when attacking, strike the Juque Acupoint (거궐혈, 巨闕穴).”
Even in the middle of danger, their conversation remained calm.
Naeng Yeoseol resumed her fight with the remaining killers while Jeok Hwa-myeong protected the Sword Spirit and Jin Aseol.
“Die!”
The killer with the severed shoulder lunged at her in a frenzy.
She ducked, moving her left hand instinctively. By coincidence, it struck exactly three inches below his solar plexus—the Juque Acupoint.
Puuuong!
The killer flew back, his body convulsing.
“Gyaaaah!”
With a terrible scream, he went limp.
Narrowing her eyes, Naeng Yeoseol looked at her hand, then at the Fourth Killer.
It was the same Moon Shadow Palm, but one survived and the other died.
‘Was what he said true? Come to think of it, he avoided the blade earlier too…’
Paat!
Her body moved before her thoughts finished. She appeared before the Third Killer, who had faltered briefly at his comrade’s death, and stabbed his Juque Acupoint with two fingers.
“Guuh!”
His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed on the spot.
Paaa!
Having defeated two, Naeng Yeoseol stepped back and spoke in a low voice to Jeok Hwa-myeong.
“It seems the Sword Spirit was right. You try next—aim for the Juque Acupoint.”
“Is that really true?”
“The two I defeated both went down from Juque strikes. Try it.”
Nodding, Jeok Hwa-myeong advanced to face the remaining assassins.
Naeng Yeoseol moved closer to the Sword Spirit and Jin Aseol.
“How did you know their weakness was the Juque point?”
“I could tell from the way they moved.”
“Just like that?”
This was new to Naeng Yeoseol.
“You can sense the flow of qi?”
“When you reach the Spirit Origin Stage (원령신), you can feel the flow of qi.”
She found it hard to accept something she hadn’t experienced herself.
But guessing their weak point on the first try was too accurate to dismiss as coincidence, and the fact that he’d sensed their arrival earlier was also suspicious.
‘Even if he trained in the womb…’
“Gyaaaah!”
A scream broke her thoughts. Jeok Hwa-myeong had defeated the remaining killers by striking their Juque Acupoints.
Knowing the opponent’s weakness made them easy prey.
After finishing, Jeok Hwa-myeong returned.
Setting her thoughts aside, Naeng Yeoseol commended him.
“Well done.”
“It was easy once I knew their weakness.”
“They’re not easy opponents… It seems people have underestimated you.”
“You flatter me.”
Naeng Yeoseol looked around, then at Jin Aseol.
“Weren’t you scared?”
“No! I believed Master would protect me.”
Naeng Yeoseol gently patted her head.
“Good. A martial artist must always live on the boundary between life and death. Remember this, Aseol, and train diligently. Understood?”
“I will remember Master’s words.”
She spoke so sweetly.
“Yes, that’s the way.”
While they spoke, the Sword Spirit approached the bodies of the Five Ghost Shadow Killers and searched them.
From the First Killer’s robes, he found a manual—an Amplified Demonic Arts manuscript.
He flipped through it briefly as they walked back. It looked more like he was casually turning pages than studying.
By the time they reached the others, he had closed the last page.
No one thought he could have memorized the entire manual in such a short time.
He handed the book to Naeng Yeoseol.
“It’s best to burn this. Keeping it will only bring misfortune.”
She nodded and used Samadhi True Fire. The manual turned to ash and scattered in the wind.
“I was right—it’s a hand-copied manuscript they carried.”
“That’s why you skimmed it?”
“I needed to check… My guess is that these manuals have already spread throughout the entire Central Plains.”
If that were true, it would be a grave matter.
“I think we should change our destination.”
Naeng Yeoseol agreed this couldn’t be taken lightly.
“Where to?”
“To Guangzhou, to inform the Shinchang Clan.”
At the mention of the Shinchang Clan, the Sword Spirit’s expression involuntarily twisted.
