“This is the place.”
At his subordinate’s words, Jin Hagun gazed at a building in the distance.
It was an abandoned manor. When the wind blew, a creaking sound came from the half-broken main gate.
They had finally found the whereabouts of Gwak Yeong’s younger brother, the ironworks craftsman, and had come to rescue him.
This mission was special to Jin Hagun.
It was a task Geom Muyang had entrusted to him in trust. Because that prideful man had given it to him with the belief that he would do it better than himself, Jin Hagun wanted all the more to accomplish it.
“The manor is occupied by beggars, but judging by their movements, they are people who have learned martial arts.”
“How many in all?”
“There are about seven or eight outside. It looked as though there were about that many inside as well.”
They were likely disguised as beggars, counting on the fact that people avoided places swarming with beggars.
“Where are the sentries positioned?”
The martial artist who had gone out scouting unfolded a sheet of paper. On it, the buildings inside the manor had been roughly drawn.
“There are men standing guard in all four directions. Here and here, and here and here.”
The scouting martial artist quickly pointed with his finger to the places where the guards were.
As the martial artists of the Demon Extermination Squad had carried out countless operations, they divided into groups on their own and decided which enemies to deal with.
“There is a hostage, so take them down quietly and enter.”
The Demon Extermination Squad martial artists cautiously approached the manor from all sides. Those in the lead were Jin Hagun and the men with the best lightness skill in the squad.
The instant the beggar watching the outside collapsed from a hidden weapon, the Demon Extermination Squad martial artists surged in swiftly from four directions and vaulted over the walls at the same time.
The moment Jin Hagun lightly descended below the wall, the beggar guarding that spot tried to draw a dagger from his bosom and attack.
But Jin Hagun had come down knowing he was there, so the man had no chance to shout or attack.
Sweeik.
Slash!
With a single stroke from Jin Hagun, the neck of the martial artist disguised as a beggar was severed, and he collapsed.
The beggars guarding the other places also fell all at once to the surprise attacks of the Demon Extermination Squad. They possessed fairly decent skills, but they were not skilled enough to withstand an ambush from the Demon Extermination Squad.
Thus, the Demon Extermination Squad martial artists who had crossed the walls from all sides began searching the buildings one by one.
Drawing on their practiced experience, they silently eliminated even those inside.
Now only the largest building at the center remained.
Jin Hagun and the Demon Extermination Squad martial artists quietly infiltrated that place.
Daggers flew toward the necks of the beggars guarding the corridor. The daggers lodged precisely in their throats, and before they could fall, the Demon Extermination Squad martial artists glided forward and caught them. Without a single scream or the sound of a body falling, they gradually advanced inward.
And then they reached the final door.
When they carefully opened it and entered, they found a large main hall. It was so vast that the thought naturally arose: There was such a large space inside this building?
At the center of the hall, a man sat in a chair. Seated with his head bowed deeply, he seemed to have fallen asleep, perhaps because his sleep acupoint had been pressed.
By all appearances, he had to be the one they had come to rescue.
But Jin Hagun was cautious.
Before sending a subordinate to check, he looked at one person.
He was the man who appeared the oldest among the Demon Extermination Squad martial artists who had come with them.
In truth, although he wore the uniform of the Demon Extermination Squad, he was not a martial artist belonging to it.
Hwasong, a master of the Great Righteous Soul-Reversal Art.
The Great Righteous Soul-Reversal Art was a martial art created to counter the Soul-Subjugating Art. Originally devised based on the Buddhist martial art, Calming Soul Radiant Mind Art, it was made especially to oppose the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s Soul-Subjugating Art.
The Murim Alliance had trained martial artists capable of using the Great Righteous Soul-Reversal Art, and Hwasong was one of the two grand masters who taught them.
In other words, among the experts belonging to the Murim Alliance, he was one of the two most skilled at breaking the Soul-Subjugating Art.
The reason Jin Hagun had come on this operation with Hwasong was because of Geom Mugeuk.
Geom Mugeuk had sent word that among the enemies this time was a master of the Soul-Subjugating Art. He had even warned them to be especially careful, as the opponent’s skill was no ordinary matter.
After receiving that message, the Demon Extermination Squad had been moving with Hwasong all along. They had expected that the enemies might use the Soul-Subjugating Art in this rescue operation as well, and indeed, that proved to be the case.
Hwasong looked around and immediately recognized the hidden secret art.
“The Soul-Strengthening Art has been deployed here.”
Hwasong explained the Soul-Strengthening Art.
“In a space where the Soul-Strengthening Art has been deployed, the Soul-Subjugating Art manifests with far greater power. Even I would not be able to break the Soul-Subjugating Art easily.”
Jin Hagun’s expression hardened. The person who had deployed the Soul-Strengthening Art was naturally a master of the Soul-Subjugating Art, which meant that he might appear here.
The Demon Extermination Squad martial artists guarded all directions with Hwasong at the center. The person they absolutely had to protect was Hwasong.
Jin Hagun raised his qi and examined the surroundings, but fortunately, he sensed no sign of anyone hiding.
Ordinarily, the first step would be to check the hostage, but in a space where the Soul-Strengthening Art had been deployed, they could not move rashly.
“First, I will break the Soul-Strengthening Art.”
“Please be careful.”
With practiced hand movements, Hwasong began breaking the Soul-Strengthening Art.
He moved a vase standing on a decorative cabinet to the side. Then he removed a hanging scroll from the wall and placed it on the floor. He was not simply tossing things aside at random. He moved each item carefully, one by one.
He also took powder from his bosom and scattered it on the floor, and erased lines drawn on the wall. Beside them, he drew new lines as well.
While he did so, Jin Hagun and the Demon Extermination Squad remained tense as they guarded the surroundings.
How much time had passed like that?
Hwasong succeeded in breaking the Soul-Strengthening Art.
“It is done.”
“You have worked hard.”
Even after the Soul-Strengthening Art was broken, Jin Hagun and the Demon Extermination Squad martial artists could not feel the change.
Now everyone’s gaze turned to the sleeping man in the middle of the hall.
A man sleeping alone in a space where the Soul-Strengthening Art had been deployed. Truly, if this operation had not been a rescue mission, they would have retreated first and foremost.
But because there was a high chance he was Gwak Yeong’s younger brother, they cautiously approached him.
Hwasong took the lead with Jin Hagun and approached the sleeping man. The Demon Extermination Squad martial artists escorted him on the left and right.
Hwasong brought his palm near the man’s forehead. A blue light seemed to flow from his hand.
“The Soul-Subjugating Art has not been cast on this man.”
At that, a Demon Extermination Squad martial artist approached and lifted the man’s head. After confirming his face, the martial artist looked back at Jin Hagun and nodded once. It meant his appearance matched Gwak Yeong’s younger brother.
“Wake him.”
At Jin Hagun’s command, one martial artist pressed an acupoint and woke the man.
Although they had been told he had not been subjected to the Soul-Subjugating Art, they did not know what kind of attack he might launch once he opened his eyes, so everyone remained tense with their internal energy raised.
The man who woke from sleep looked at Jin Hagun and the Demon Extermination Squad martial artists with a startled face. The shock and fear that could be felt from him were by no means an act.
“Please spare me!”
The man squeezed his eyes shut. Having just awakened, he did not think the martial artists before him had come to rescue him. He seemed to think they were on the same side as those who had kidnapped him.
A Demon Extermination Squad martial artist asked him.
“What is your name?”
At that, the man cautiously opened his eyes and tried to read the situation.
“Your name!”
When pressed once more, the man quickly answered.
“I am Gwak Ju.”
It was certainly Gwak Yeong’s younger brother.
Only then did Jin Hagun reveal his identity to him.
“We are the Murim Alliance’s Demon Extermination Squad. At your sister’s request, we have come to rescue you.”
He deliberately mentioned Gwak Yeong.
At those words, Gwak Ju’s eyes widened, and soon he broke into a bright smile.
“Ah! Finally! Thank you, truly, thank you.”
“Let us get out of here.”
It was then, just as they turned around to take him out.
Sweeiiik.
Clang!
Jin Hagun instinctively knocked away the sword that had flown toward Gwak Ju.
He was truly startled. A Demon Extermination Squad martial artist standing right behind him had suddenly thrust his sword at Gwak Ju.
“He’s been hit by the Soul-Subjugating Art!”
Just as that martial artist tried to attack Gwak Ju again, a comrade beside him sealed his immobilizing point.
“Uuugh!”
The subordinate’s expression twisted, and a pained groan escaped his mouth. The veins on his forehead began swelling in an instant.
“No!”
Jin Hagun’s heart dropped at his urgent shout. It was just as Geom Mugeuk had told them. He had said that if one’s acupoints were sealed while under the Soul-Subjugating Art, one would die in agony.
Fortunately, they had Hwasong.
He quickly placed his palm on the martial artist’s forehead and recited an incantation. As a blue radiance flowed from his hand, the face of the martial artist who had been struggling in pain became peaceful.
When everyone was staring at him, the martial artist was flustered.
“What happened?”
He had not even realized he had been caught in the Soul-Subjugating Art. That meant the person who had cast it on him possessed tremendous skill.
Jin Hagun spoke to him calmly.
“You were just under the Soul-Subjugating Art.”
The subordinate was shocked.
If not for Hwasong, he would have died. No, if Geom Mugeuk had not sent word in advance warning them to be careful, they would have suffered a disaster here.
Jin Hagun emitted qi and examined the surroundings. But nowhere in the hall was there any sign of someone else hiding.
“Let’s get out of here at once!”
For now, leaving this place was the best course.
Just as they were about to hurry out.
Sweeik.
Once again, one of the Demon Extermination Squad martial artists swung his sword.
Paaat!
Because the ambush was too sudden, the martial artist beside him could not avoid the attack.
Blood sprayed from his arm.
Swish, swish, swish!
Clang, clang, clang!
He lunged madly at his comrade. The other martial artists subdued him.
“Kkuaaaak!”
The one who had attacked was in more urgent danger than the one who had been injured. With his acupoints sealed, his veins bulged as though they would burst, and he screamed.
Hwasong again placed his palm on his forehead and recited an incantation. There had been no sign beforehand at all; being caught in the Soul-Subjugating Art was far too natural.
Inwardly, Hwasong was shocked.
‘This should not be possible.’
If the Soul-Strengthening Art were still deployed, perhaps, but the Soul-Strengthening Art had already been broken.
Yet in such a situation, using the Soul-Subjugating Art repeatedly like this was by no means easy. Moreover, the higher the opponent’s martial realm, the harder it was to cast the Soul-Subjugating Art on them.
If the targets were martial artists of the Demon Extermination Squad, it should be an extreme difficulty. And yet he was using the Soul-Subjugating Art in succession like this? Just who was the opponent?
Before he could even release that man from the Soul-Subjugating Art, another martial artist swung his sword and this time charged toward Jin Hagun. Jin Hagun shouted without subduing him.
Clang, clang, clang, clang!
“Everyone, keep away from the person beside you.”
The Demon Extermination Squad martial artists put distance between themselves. It was enough distance to block any sudden action from beside them.
“We’re leaving this place at once!”
“Yes!”
A martial artist at the rear ran over and opened the door. In that instant, the martial artist flinched in surprise.
Beyond the opened door, instead of a corridor, there was a space identical to this room. It was a sight like looking into a mirror.
Instinctively feeling that he must not enter that place, he closed the door and opened it again.
Whoosh!
This time, flames suddenly flared up before his eyes.
Startled by the scorching heat, the martial artist hurriedly closed the door.
Jin Hagun watched it happen while dealing with his subordinate. He could tell that they had completely fallen into the enemy’s space.
“Master Hwa! Please hurry!”
Was his internal energy insufficient?
The speed at which Hwasong released the Soul-Subjugating Art began to gradually slow.
But the speed at which they were being caught in it, on the contrary, became even faster.
Clang, clang, clang!
Another fight broke out among the Demon Extermination Squad martial artists.
“Fight without sealing their internal energy!”
They had to endure without sealing their internal energy while Hwasong released the Soul-Subjugating Art. If the number of subordinates caught by the Soul-Subjugating Art continued to increase like this, an extremely dangerous situation could unfold.
Jin Hagun could understand why the righteous murim regarded the Soul-Subjugating Demon Venerable and the Poison King as the most troublesome.
Any fight was difficult for a martial artist, but facing the Soul-Subjugating Art was especially hard. Fighting one’s own allies was too mentally grueling a battle.
Another Demon Extermination Squad martial artist was caught by the Soul-Subjugating Art.
‘We have to get out of this space!’
Jin Hagun entrusted the subordinate he had been facing to another subordinate and charged toward the door himself.
Shwaaaak!
Sword qi surged from his blade.
But the moment the sword qi touched the door, it vanished like melting snow.
*If I can’t find the dispelling method, I can’t get out!*
He shouted to Hwasong.
“Master Hwa, we must dispel this space.”
Hwasong, as if unable to hear his cry, had turned his back and was not looking this way.
It was at that very moment. Someone called out to him from behind.
“Jin Hagun, leader of the Demon Annihilation Corps.”
Startled, he turned around to see Gwakju. It was not the simple, honest gaze he had seen before.
Instead of attacking him, the man spoke calmly.
“Do you know why it has come to this?”
Jin Hagun could tell. That a master of the Soul Subjugation Art was speaking to him through his mouth.
“Why?”
To that calm question, the opponent delivered startling news.
“Earlier, while dispelling the Soul Strengthening Art, Hwasong activated an even more powerful Soul Strengthening Art.”
“!”
It was an unbelievable statement, but the unfolding situation proved his words correct. Because otherwise, it made no sense for such a powerful Soul Subjugation Art to continue unbroken.
“How was that possible?”
“I embedded a new Soul Strengthening Art within the dispelling method of the Soul Strengthening Art. He himself unleashed the Blood Heaven Soul Strengthening Art that I had arranged.”
Earlier, the man had moved the flower vase, placed the scroll on the floor, sprinkled powder, erased lines, and redrawn them.
It meant that another Soul Strengthening Art had been arranged to activate within the process he had carried out to dispel the Soul Strengthening Art.
“If the Blood Heaven Soul Strengthening Art had been activated from the start, Hwasong would have sensed something strange. But in the relief of having dispelled the Soul Strengthening Art, he failed to realize a new one had been activated. I know him well.”
At those words, Jin Hagun realized. That the one unleashing this Soul Subjugation Art, just like So Jeongnak or Cheonae Geosa, had been scheming around the Murim Alliance for a long time.
Without a doubt, he had been working in the shadows around the masters of the Great True Soul-Returning Art.
“Hwasong had once dispelled this exact same Soul Strengthening Art. Twice, even.”
Jin Hagun could tell. That the one who had provided the opportunities to dispel it was none other than the one speaking to him now.
“So without a shred of doubt, he confidently used the dispelling method he had used then.”
A hint of laughter flashed across Gwakju’s eyes.
“At times, familiarity becomes the greatest trap for a human.”
Gwakju looked at Hwasong.
Hwasong stood blankly with his back turned. He was not undoing the Soul Subjugation Art. The blue light that had continuously shone from his busy hands had vanished.
Hwasong slowly turned his body toward them.
The moment they saw his changed gaze, not only Jin Hagun but all the Demon Annihilation Corps martial artists let out groans.
The only person who could help them escape this place had fallen victim to the Soul Subjugation Art. Several Demon Annihilation Corps martial artists who had been standing around to protect him also drew their swords and turned toward Jin Hagun.
Those who had not fallen to the Soul Subjugation Art could not hide their confusion.
On top of that came shocking news.
“At this very moment, the Murim Alliance Leader is likely killing the Young Leader to save you.”
“!”
Killing intent from the opponent could be felt in Gwakju’s eyes.
“The Young Leader dies by the Murim Alliance Leader’s hand, and you die here.”
It meant they would kill Jin Hagun even if the Murim Alliance Leader killed the Young Leader. Their plan to kill both Geom Mugik and Jin Hagun was proceeding to the very end.
Even though it was the worst possible news, Jin Hagun’s expression brightened instead.
“Then they must know on the other side that we’re in danger.”
Jin Hagun said to his subordinates.
“They’ll come to help us soon.”
Gwakju laughed loudly.
“You cling to vain hope.”
But Jin Hagun’s hope held absolute faith in his grandfather and Geom Mugik. His grandfather would never kill Geom Mugik, and Geom Mugik would never allow such a situation to come to pass.
“The two people I trust most in the world know I’m in crisis?”
Jin Hagun said softly to his subordinates.
“Hold out until the end. Today, none of us die!”
Absolute Regression, Chapter 658