Chapter 18

Chapter 18

At the foot of Mount Kongtong.

The Iron Soul Unit arrived at a rugged entrance where sheer cliffs and dense forest tangled together.

Thick mist in the darkness obscured their vision, and unfortunately, two diverging paths appeared before them.

One was a cliff path that climbed along a steep ridge, and the other was a forest path leading into a deep, dark valley.

Yeom Baek furrowed his brow.

‘This is troublesome.’

While moving, they had continued receiving information through the Heavenly Secrets Hall’s messenger hawks, so they knew that Grand Elder Yong’s granddaughter, “Yong Chae-rin,” had gone up Mount Kongtong while avoiding pursuit.

After they arrived near Mount Kongtong, they had followed her traces.

However, once the snowfield appeared and snow piled up, it became difficult to find any more traces.

Yu Seol-ah also could not hide her troubled expression as she asked,

“Captain, what should we do?”

Time continued to pass, and Yong Chae-rin’s life or death was a matter of moments.

They had no leisure to hesitate here and delay.

Yeom Baek’s eyes flashed.

“We have no time. We split the force.”

At his decisive order, the unit members grew tense.

Scattering their forces in the territory of Kunlun Demon Palace, which was no different from enemy ground, was a dangerous choice, but in the current situation, there was no helping it.

“I, the Third Squad, and half of the Fourth Squad will take the left ridge path.”

Yeom Baek looked at Yu Seol-ah and continued.

“Vice-Captain, you will lead the First Squad and the remaining Fourth Squad members to search the right valley path. The forest is thick there and visibility is narrow, so be careful of any possible ambush.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“If you find Yong Chae-rin, don't wait. Return immediately. That is better than trying to regroup and encountering the enemy for no reason.”

“Understood.”

The Iron Soul Unit swiftly split into two groups.

The main force led by Yeom Baek climbed the rough cliff toward the ridge, while the detached force led by Yu Seol-ah headed toward the dark valley forest.

As a member of the First Squad, Dokgo Jin naturally followed behind Yu Seol-ah. While doing so, he turned his thoughts.

‘Come to think of it, I heard Grand Elder Yong’s granddaughter had something unusual about her…….’

He remembered seeing it in the materials Wi Geum-seong had prepared. However, he could not easily recall what it had been.

“We depart! don't fall behind!”

At Yu Seol-ah’s signal, the unit members, including Dokgo Jin, launched themselves toward the dark valley forest.

***

More than half a double-hour had already passed since they separated from Yeom Baek and moved out.

After passing through the long valley and climbing a steep mountain path, the detached force’s steps had grown noticeably heavier.

Even in the cold night air, white steam formed by cooling sweat poured from the unit members’ bodies.

“Huff, huff…….”

“Phew…….”

Rough breathing could be heard from every direction.

It was no wonder.

A forced march through two sleepless days with minimal rest, followed immediately by a harsh mountain climb.

No matter how much the Iron Soul Unit members boasted iron-like stamina, they had reached their limit.

‘It is too much in this state.’

After checking the unit members’ pale complexions, Yu Seol-ah decisively raised her hand.

If she forced them farther, they might not be able to swing their blades properly when they actually met the enemy.

“Everyone, halt! We rest for one quarter-hour. Use Qi Circulation and Breath Regulation to settle your scattered inner arts.”

“As you command…….”

Only then did the unit members let out sighs of relief and sit down where they were or lean their backs against trees.

When everyone closed their eyes to recover their drained strength, only one person stood upright.

It was Dokgo Jin.

Yu Seol-ah looked at him as if she were dumbfounded.

“Oh, you still have room to spare?”

“I can endure it.”

“Huh, your breathing has not changed at all. As expected, the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder is different.”

Instead of answering the praise, Dokgo Jin called her in a low, sunken voice.

“Vice-Captain.”

“Hm?”

“The situation is not good enough to simply wait for the unit members to recover. What if I go up first and narrow the search range?”

“What?”

Yu Seol-ah’s eyes widened.

“You want to go alone? This is no different from the enemy’s front yard.”

“I know. But is this not a situation where every moment counts?”

“…….”

Yu Seol-ah fell into thought for a moment.

Acting alone during a mission was forbidden. However, just as Dokgo Jin said, time was not on their side.

Moreover, had his skill not already been proven enough?

She herself, who had fought him, could guarantee it.

Yu Seol-ah let out a short sigh and nodded.

“Normally, I would never allow it…… but I will trust the worth of the Dragon-Tiger Tablet Holder’s name and permit it.”

“Thank you.”

“But remember this. If you discover the target, don't overdo it. Wait for us.”

“I will remember.”

Flash!

No sooner had he finished speaking than Dokgo Jin’s form blurred, and in an instant, he disappeared above the mist-filled forest.

It was a swift movement without the slightest sign of exhaustion. Watching his back, the unit members resting there clicked their tongues.

“Waaah…… He still has stamina like that left?”

“A real monster is a monster after all.”

At the unit members’ grumbling mixed with admiration, Yu Seol-ah glared.

“If you have time to say useless things, steady your breathing! The bastards are right in front of us!”

“Ah, yes! As you command!”

The unit members hurriedly closed their mouths and focused on Qi Circulation and Breath Regulation again.

Meanwhile, Dokgo Jin’s form cut through the forest without stirring even a breeze.

Throughout his movement, he raised his qi perception to its peak and searched all directions, but the forest was strangely quiet.

‘I cannot feel even a single rat.’

A mere woman and an injured escort warrior had disappeared without a trace.

By ordinary common sense, it was impossible. It would not have been strange if they had already been caught by the pursuers.

Dokgo Jin belatedly recalled the information about Yong Chae-rin.

‘Yong Chae-rin. She is blind, but she has eyes that see what ordinary people cannot.’

Only then did he understand.

She had sensed the pursuers’ killing intent in advance and was choosing only paths where they were absent to evade them.

‘She must have changed routes several times, so finding her will not be easy.’

Rather, it was fortunate that he had not run into the pursuers.

Dokgo Jin’s eyes narrowed.

‘If I cannot find her, I will make her come to me on her own feet.’

Dokgo Jin immediately slowed his steps and drew up the energy of the Nine Nether Dark Heaven Scripture from deep within his qi center.

Tssss.

Black, heavy Black Flame Qi rose like a haze.

Instead of condensing that energy for attack, he scattered it as thinly and widely as possible into the air of the forest.

Fwooooo—

‘I am setting up a signpost.’

It was reverse thinking.

Rather than hiding his position, he would instead reveal the clearest and most massive presence.

However, he thoroughly excluded hostility and killing intent. He put only “power” and “silence” into it.

‘Right now, she is no different from a small boat avoiding the rainstorm of killing intent in pitch-black darkness.’

She must be feeling desperate enough to clutch at even a straw.

At that moment, if she felt a massive, heavy energy that seemed like the only thing that would not harm her among the red killing intents closing in from all sides?

‘To her, this energy will appear as hope.’

It could also draw the enemy in, but that was rather what he wanted.

‘I only need to eliminate them.’

Especially because he was moving alone like this, there was no need to mind anyone else’s gaze.

As Dokgo Jin moved, he periodically sent out waves of Black Flame Qi.

Like a rescue signal in the darkness.

‘Come to me, Yong Chae-rin.’

How much time had passed like that?

Dokgo Jin’s prediction proved correct.

Rustle.

At the far edge of the waves of energy he had spread, a faint human presence was caught.

Dokgo Jin stopped walking and turned his head, and someone appeared through the rough thicket.

A woman covered in blood and gasping roughly, Han Seo-ryeong.

And on her back, with a deathly pale face as she stared in this direction, was Yong Chae-rin.

***

Han Seo-ryeong aimed the tip of her sword and shouted again.

“I asked who you are!”

Dokgo Jin took out the identity tablet engraved with the Iron Soul Unit’s symbol from within his robes and showed it to her.

“I am Dokgo Jin of the Northern Heaven Alliance’s Iron Soul Unit. I came to save Lady Yong, so be at ease.”

“Ah……!”

After confirming the name of the Iron Soul Unit, the elite force of the Northern Heaven Alliance, the venom finally drained from Han Seo-ryeong’s face.

Soon after, relief powerful enough to make strength leave her legs surged over her.

“Haa…… We are saved. My lady, did you hear? It seems the Northern Heaven Alliance sent a rescue team.”

“…….”

However, instead of answering, Yong Chae-rin whipped her head toward the empty air she could not see.

Her senses were screaming.

“My lady?”

“Danger!”

Her cry had not even fully burst out yet.

Behind Han Seo-ryeong, a chilling white flash rushed toward the nape of her long neck. Dokgo Jin’s wave of qi had also summoned the pursuers.

Saaaaang!

A perfect ambush.

With her exhaustion, Han Seo-ryeong could not possibly react to its speed.

‘I am going to die……!’

Just as the cold blade was about to touch her skin, Han Seo-ryeong’s eyes squeezed shut as she sensed death.

However, it was not yet time for her to die.

THWACK—!

With a dull impact, the dagger aimed at Han Seo-ryeong’s neck flew into the air.

CRASH!

“……!”

When Han Seo-ryeong opened her eyes, she witnessed an unbelievable sight.

The black-clad man who had been targeting her had been sent flying backward and slammed into the ground far away.

A hole the size of a bean had been pierced through his brow, and dark red blood flowed from it.

Instant death.

‘Ah!’

Han Seo-ryeong reflexively turned her head and looked at Dokgo Jin. Dokgo Jin was standing in place, lowering the posture with his index and middle fingers extended.

‘Not bad.’

The technique Dokgo Jin had just used was the secret art of the Nether Soul Style that he had learned for his false identity, “Returning Seal Finger.”

It was his first time using it in real combat, but its power exceeded his expectations.

In particular, when the destructive power of Black Flame Qi met the stealthy penetrating force unique to the Nether Soul Style, it was sublimated into an exquisite method that silently destroyed the enemy’s interior.

However, Dokgo Jin was not satisfied.

‘If it were complete, even the hole in his brow should not exist.’

At that moment, killing intent from the forest on both sides came crashing down. This time, Dokgo Jin was the target.

However, Dokgo Jin did not move at all and lightly flicked both hands, unfolding Returning Seal Finger again.

THWACK! THUD!

“Kuh!”

“Keurgh!”

Two shadows flying through the air crashed into the snowfield with death cries. This time as well, it was a one-strike kill that accurately pierced the brow.

Amazingly, the holes in their brows were even smaller this time. He had improved despite using it only once more.

“…….”

Dokgo Jin briefly expanded his qi perception and swept the surroundings. There was no more killing intent to be felt.

“There are no more, so you may be at ease.”

Seeing this, Han Seo-ryeong’s eyes grew as wide as lanterns.

‘With finger wind alone…… those monsters?’

They were masters who had defeated the elite escort warriors under her command without even letting them exchange swords properly.

“Astonishing! Judging by your identity tablet, you are an ordinary unit member, not even a Captain or squad leader. How can you possess such divine might……?”

“The other unit members will join us here soon.”

Dokgo Jin avoided answering and approached.

“That truly is fortunate. Truly…….”

Perhaps because her tension had left her.

Han Seo-ryeong, who had been speaking, staggered and collapsed to the ground.

Her body, which had surpassed its limits, crumbled as soon as her willpower loosened.

“Sister!”

A startled Yong Chae-rin fumbled around to find her.

“…….”

Dokgo Jin quickly approached and examined Han Seo-ryeong’s condition. Her bleeding was severe and her internal injuries were deep, but fortunately, her life was not in danger.

Han Seo-ryeong took Yong Chae-rin’s hand and reassured her.

“I am fine, my lady. It is only because my tension relaxed for a moment.”

“Treatment first.”

Dokgo Jin took out bandages for stopping blood and Golden Wound Salve from within his robes.

“…….”

As a woman, Han Seo-ryeong hesitated to entrust her body to an outsider, but this was not the time to pick and choose.

Dokgo Jin quickly applied the Golden Wound Salve and wrapped the bandages.

His eyes showed no ulterior motive whatsoever, enough to make Han Seo-ryeong feel awkward for having hesitated for a moment.

‘He truly is a cool-headed man.’

All the treatment was finished in less than half a quarter-hour.

Han Seo-ryeong adjusted her clothes and held out her hand.

“It is shameless of me, but may I borrow some Golden Wound Salve? My lady is also injured……”

Yong Chae-rin shook her head.

“I am fine.”

Compared to Han Seo-ryeong’s wounds, hers were merely wounds of flesh and skin, but that was not important.

“My mission is to be responsible for your safety, my lady.”

At Han Seo-ryeong’s firm words, Yong Chae-rin said nothing. It was because she knew that once Han Seo-ryeong became stubborn, she could never be bent.

While Han Seo-ryeong personally treated Yong Chae-rin, Dokgo Jin stared in the direction he had climbed from.

‘They are coming.’

Sure enough, before long, Yu Seol-ah’s group arrived.

“Oh! You found her?”

Yu Seol-ah’s gaze fixed on Han Seo-ryeong collapsed on the ground, then on the woman guarding beside her.

“Lady Yong?”

“Yes.”

“Ah!”

Yu Seol-ah let out a sigh of relief and said,

“Good to meet you. I am Yu Seol-ah, the Vice-Captain of the Iron Soul Unit. We will protect you now, so be at ease.”

Without even waiting for Yong Chae-rin’s answer, she shouted to the unit members.

“Everyone, form a guard formation! Protect Lady Yong and the wounded in the center!”

“As you command!”

The Iron Soul Unit members moved in perfect order and formed a round formation around Yong Chae-rin.

Yu Seol-ah approached Dokgo Jin and patted his shoulder.

“To think you found Lady Yong. You really worked hard. This place is dangerous, so we will immediately move……”

Dokgo Jin spoke with a hardened expression.

“I think that will be difficult.”

“……?”

No sooner had his words ended than the forest air instantly sank heavily.

The sound of birds chirping cut off, and even the wind seemed to hold its breath in an eerie silence.

Sssss.

The sound of leaves brushing against one another could be heard from every direction.

It was not just one or two. Dozens of sounds interlocked like cogwheels and tightened the encirclement.

A startled Yu Seol-ah drew her sword and shouted.

“Everyone, prepare for battle!”

Papapapapat!

At that moment, black shadows poured down like rain from the trees and thickets in every direction.

It looked like a flock of crows descending from the sky.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

With heavy landing sounds, some fifty martial artists completely surrounded the Iron Soul Unit.

Every one of them wore pitch-black martial arts uniforms with red belts, and emotionless masks covered their faces.

“……!”

Yu Seol-ah’s expression hardened. The energy emitted by each one of the people surrounding them was extraordinary.

‘They are no weaker than our unit members.’

Among the enemies closing the encirclement, the one who seemed to be the leader slowly walked out.

“This is disappointing. For people who came to save the granddaughter of the Grand Elder, your numbers are far too modest, are they not?”

As Yu Seol-ah carefully observed him, her pupils shook as if an earthquake had struck them.

‘T-That man is…… surely not!’

Before she knew it, she had spoken one epithet.

“……Corpse-Blood Demon?”

Corpse-Blood Demon Gu Yang-hu.

He was the Unit Leader of the “Blood Mist Corps,” Kunlun Demon Palace’s elite unit, and his martial prowess had already surpassed the Unit Leader level, making him a monster comparable to the elders of the Demon Palace.