Chapter 40: Sword Demon Hunts the Culprit

Murong Yul had a secret.

“When it comes to your mother? I don’t really know. She was a peculiar woman,” his father once said when Yul had asked about her as a child.

“She always said, ‘Lovers are happiest when they don’t know each other too well. A relationship with no secrets is already over.’ She was really strange.”

His father had laughed dismissively.

It was absurd. But still, she was his mother.

And perhaps it was in his blood, for Murong Yul had a natural talent for hiding secrets.

Thanks to that, not a single person in the clan knew that he was a “spirit user.”

“Also, kill that beast the fourth son treasures so much. Make sure he shows up to the meeting tomorrow with swollen eyes, looking pitiful.”

Through the eyes of a lone sparrow, Murong Yul had seen through Murong Cheol’s plot to kill Wolmyo, the beast.

“Are you… worried about me right now?”

“Not really.”

“Haha, got it. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Then I’ll see you later.”

“When the time comes, you’ll answer me, right? I’m looking forward to it.”

Through Wolmyo’s ears, he also eavesdropped on Namgung Hoyeon and Jegal Ahyeon’s tender conversation.

“Chirp! Chirp-chirp-chirp!”

And through the nose of Jeokseo the dog, he tracked Narine, the girl who had collapsed in the hidden cave of the Peach Blossom Stable.

Sugan Tongtong — the shared sense with animals. That’s what he called his ability.

Hoyeon sat across from Murong Yul, watching him with closed eyes, clearly concentrating.

There was no trace of spiritual energy, yet he was definitely using his powers.

‘He’s skilled at spiritual concealment.’

Even someone this close couldn’t detect any sign of energy — a perfect suppression technique.

Spiritual concealment was a type of spiritual technique that blocked others from reading your energy.

It sounded fancy, but in essence, it was simple:

To conceal one’s soul entirely through sheer will and mental focus.

‘Spiritual power is the strength of the soul. A supernatural force shaped by will and thought.’

Murong Yul, being alone in a clan that offered him no allies, must have practiced hiding everything about himself to survive.

On the other hand, Jegal Ahyeon stood out for the opposite reason — her energy was chaotic and uncontrolled.

‘She probably wanted someone to notice her state.’

If the Jegal Clan had a detection-type spirit user, they would have easily sensed her unstable powers.

‘Well, detection-type spirit users are rare. Even I rely on intuition and telekinesis to “guess” things.’

Telekinesis — a versatile ability that allowed one to manipulate the world with mere will and thoughts.

It lacked depth, but made up for it with unmatched adaptability.

So, when Murong Yul confessed his ability, Hoyeon had been taken aback.

“I’m a spirit user. My ability is called Sugan Tongtong — I can share senses with animals.”

It was a specialized information-gathering ability from the detection category.

‘And if it’s the ability I think it is…’

Hoyeon’s gaze sharpened. An unexpected gem had been lying in the rough.

“Hmm… Brother, I think this will take some more time.”

As Murong Yul opened one eye and spoke, Hoyeon gave a small nod and smile.

“Take your time. We still have time.”

“Yes, sir!”

As Murong Yul closed his eyes and clenched his fists again, Hoyeon thought:

‘I have a strong suspicion. Now all that remains is hard evidence.’

Hoyeon’s eyes gleamed sharply.

Six days passed.

The Grand Training Hall at Baekyak Manor.

Though it wasn’t a formal ceremony or celebration, the arena was crowded with over a hundred people.

“Did you hear? Things are tense with Salmak right now.”

“Could it really escalate to full-scale war? If Salmak gets involved, we could be looking at a major war between Baek Alliance and Gucheon City.”

“There’s still about eight days left, but this may be the end of the Baekga Sword Gathering.”

“Of course it is. I heard fifty children collapsed unconscious at the Medical Hall.”

“Monsters…! Let there be war, I say! Wipe out those evil sect bastards!”

“Calm down. This is out of our hands now. From here on, the Baek Alliance will have to form an official investigation team.”

Those gathered were post-recruit-level disciples of the Baekga Sword Corps.

Last night, the second team had arrived late, finally completing the assembly of all teams at Baekyak Manor.

‘Hoyeon, where are you?’

Jegal Ahyeon searched around the arena, but hadn’t seen Hoyeon since arriving.

‘Hmm? That boy…’

Instead, she noticed a messy-haired boy.

“…Excuse me?”

She approached and addressed Murong Yul.

He flinched and looked up at her. Their eyes met.

“…Do you need something?”

“You’re Murong Yul, right? Where’s Hoyeon?”

“….”

Yul turned his head abruptly without answering.

Jegal Ahyeon’s brow twitched.

Because he didn’t answer?

No — something else.

‘…What was that?’

When she said Hoyeon’s name, an emotion flowed into her through empathic resonance.

It felt like a child’s blind hostility at the thought of having a beloved toy taken away.

“You really don’t know where he is?”

“…Can’t say.”

He pouted as he replied.

Not don’t know, but can’t say?

“What do you mean by—”

“All team leaders, please step onto the platform immediately!”

Before she could finish, Murong Hu’s voice rang out from atop the arena.

“Hmph, I win.”

Yul glanced at her and then walked off.

Jegal Ahyeon blinked in confusion.

“…What’s with that kid?”

“Where’s the leader of Team 5?”

Seeing Yul approach alone, Murong Hu asked.

“I don’t know either.”

“No matter. Anyone who abandons his post has forfeited his rights.”

As Yul shook his head, Murong Cheol sneered.

Yul’s expression hardened.

Murong Hak shrugged beside him.

“Brothers, we can’t ignore Team 5’s accomplishments. Besides, he’s the master of the Thunder King Divine Art, a skill unseen in 300 years.”

“I heard. They call him Lightning Fang.”

Murong Hu smiled and nodded.

“I recognized his potential back at Sword Cloud Pavilion. He’s the next dragon.”

“Tch, people should wield martial arts, not be ruled by them.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

Cheol sneered at Hu’s praise. Yul glared at him and asked.

Cheol scoffed.

“Just because he showed off some flashy techniques, they give him a fancy title? Ridiculous.”

“You’re wrong! Hoyeon has real achievements! He took down the assassins of Peach Blossom Stable by himself!”

“Come on. Without Team 3, that wouldn’t have been possible.”

As Hak joined in, Cheol glared at both.

“Since when did a bastard and a bat start raising their voices at me? Have you both gone mad?”

“….”

“Hmph.”

Even with Cheol’s intimidating aura, Yul didn’t back down. Hak smirked.

“You little—!”

“Enough. No more disgraceful behavior.”

Boom!

As Cheol reached for his weapon, Hu stomped the ground.

“This isn’t about sibling rivalry. We’re here to discuss the future of the Baekga Sword Gathering.”

“Is that even possible now? We’re entangled with Salmak. The rescued children must come first.”

Hak responded calmly. Cheol narrowed his eyes.

“You knew, didn’t you? That Peach Blossom Stable was part of the Demonic Child Group. That Salmak was behind it. You’d benefit the most if this ends here.”

“Haha, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You leaked the intel too, didn’t you?”

“…Intel?”

“Information kept popping up from unknown sources — saying the group was here, then there.”

“…?”

Cheol stared hard, but Hak only looked confused.

‘That was Hoyeon, using the Hao Clan to spread it. Unlike you, he truly acts righteously.’

Yul smiled faintly at the brothers.

Then his blue eyes darkened.

‘He sees through everything. You disgusting traitor.’

As he clenched his fists—

A group arrived at the Grand Arena.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Men in gray martial robes, each with an iron sword at their side — swordsmen of the Namgung Clan.

With overwhelming presence, they marched toward the platform, drawing everyone’s gaze.

“Aren’t those the Iron Sword Corps of the Namgung Clan?”

“That’s Master Geuk Jiryang, the Iron-Willed Sword! He eliminated the Shanxi Five Demons solo six months ago!”

“And leading them — Team 4’s Namgung Hoyeon! Isn’t the Sword Gathering still ongoing?”

“Lightning Fang! So the genius who revived the Thunder King Divine Art really exists?”

All eyes turned to the man in blue robes confidently walking at the front.

Tap.

Hoyeon lightly stepped onto the arena.

Yul ran to him like a duckling finding its mother.

“Brother!”

“Yeah.”

Ruffle.

Hoyeon tousled Yul’s hair and strode to the center.

“Tch. The gathering hasn’t even ended officially, and you bring an army? Scared of Salmak much?”

“Well, since Team 5’s leader disqualified himself, I guess Team 3 will take the top honors.”

Cheol sneered. Hak chuckled opportunistically.

But Hoyeon just smiled.

“Sword Gathering? That childish game? You all can keep it.”

“…What?”

“He’s insane.”

“Namgung Hoyeon, that’s a bit much—”

Even Murong Hu, who had supported him, looked displeased.

But Hoyeon ignored all of them.

Step.

He stopped before the three Murong brothers and said calmly:

“I’ve got something much more interesting to do.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Namgung Hoyeon?”

“…Gasp!”

Slash!

Hoyeon suddenly attacked.

His hand, graceful and lethal, glowed with a chilling blue light.

It darted toward Murong Hak’s neck like a bolt of destruction.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

‘He’s going to kill me!’

Caught completely off guard, Hak’s instincts kicked in.

A red glow flickered in his eyes, and a flame burst into the air.

Boom—!

Hoyeon pierced the fireball, using the blast to leap back.

Hak, now armed with his sword, lunged through the flames.

“Hah!”

Swoosh!

He unleashed Blazing Fire Slash, the signature move of the Murong Clan’s Flameblood Sword Art.

‘What—?!’

But there was no impact.

Instead—

Grab. Twist.

Hoyeon caught the blade mid-thrust and twisted it out of Hak’s grip.

Clack!

Inspecting the sword, he muttered:

“Why are spirit users popping up everywhere lately? Is it me, or is the world broken?”

“You bastard! That was a sneak attack!”

“What the hell was that?!”

“That flame… was that a spirit technique?!”

The three brothers shouted in confusion.

But Hoyeon only stared at the sword he’d taken.

Then he murmured, in a voice low and grim:

“…A forbidden technique of Jiseon?”

“…!”

Hak’s eyes widened in shock.