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Chapter 9: Ghost Gokju)

Chapter 9: Ghost Gokju)

The ghost step was an upward step, but it was easier to learn than I thought..

It was thanks to the Five Elements and Plum Blossoms and the Shinhaengbyeonbyeon..

In particular, Shinhaengbaekbyeon was a great help in training because it was a sacred method and a walking method that belonged to the highest level, like ghost training..

‘And is this the corrosive method I only heard about?.’

Simbeop is essentially a breathing method done through the nose or mouth..

However, the assassins’ martial arts skills were extraordinary..

They could breathe through their skin rather than through their nose or mouth..

Since holding one's breath was not enough, this method was devised and completed to minimize the sound..

To be precise, it is not skin, but countless pores..

‘After only three days of training, I take on the challenge..’

He gave a vague explanation to Nak So-wol, saying that he could pass the Jinbeop due to the season of Ghost Valley, so he needed time to study..

If you think about it, it was the right season, so it wasn't a lie..

“execution?”

Three days later, Nak So-wol came carrying a water bag and tilted his head..

I looked around, but I couldn't see Ju Seocheon..

I couldn't even feel it.

‘That's amazing.’

And Joo Seocheon, who was practicing fortune telling near the rocky forest nearby, couldn't help but be amazed..

‘Not only breathing but also pulse is beating as if it has almost stopped..

Is it once every hour or two? There is no blood circulation and even the heat has disappeared from the body..’

Not only do you not die, but there is no problem with your body..

Even though it was like a corpse, the body was fine..

In fact, even the presence of a ghost itself is being erased..

Although ghost training is completely different from the martial arts of the righteous faction, it was still somehow possible to pull it off with Hwagyeong's enlightenment..

Thanks to Jungdo Mangong, I can only learn about half of it, but this is enough..

It wasn't a new skill for nothing..

“It's here.”

I had to raise my voice and wave my hand to be recognized..

‘They say you can't see it even if it's right in front of you. I wonder what it would be like if you did this..’

The more I learned about ghosts, the more I decided I had to appease them..

three days later.

“Okay, then let’s go quickly..”

Fog where you can't see an inch ahead.

I couldn't predict what was lurking ahead..

“Is it okay??”

He asks if Naksowol is worried..

“It's okay, just wait.”

For three days, I focused only on ghost ships..

At least I can stop making mistakes while walking like a ghost..

“It's a pity that we can't go together……”

“It's hard to take care of myself. I will come first, so please wait..”

After saying hello, I walked into the fog..

Instead of just walking blindly, I used the ghost mind method..

Breathing and pulse seem to slow down and then stop..

There isn't even a sound of footsteps..

There was no sound, so I was wondering if he was alive..

I walk while using my energy according to the rules in my head..

I was careful and careful not to make any mistakes..

I don't know how long I walked.

It was frustrating because I couldn't see anything and couldn't hear anything, but I persevered..

‘Could it be that it has already arrived??’

I guess it was about half an hour later, but my patience was running low and I started to wonder what might happen..

‘Well then, let’s take a break……’

I stopped walking for the first time.

Nothing much happened.

‘Is the path I'm taking really right??’

Did not enter the fog with normal steps.

They said you can't enter unless you're a ghost, so I put up a ghost poster..

‘slowly……’

It was my turn to take a step with my right foot, but I took a step with my left foot..

‘her.’

Something strange happens before you even step on the ground..

As the fog cleared where nothing could be seen, heat radiated out to the point where it went beyond just burns and burned the entire body, making it blazing..

I wondered if the path I had been walking down until now was really right..

I just tried to take one step differently, but the ground collapsed, lava came out, and a red sky unfolded..

‘Indeed, is this why it is impossible unless it is a ghost?!’

I managed to calm my startled mind..

The pulse that was about to beat violently was also prevented in advance..

‘I don't know what the strategy is, but is this what happens if you don't take the designated steps?.’

It was a guess, but it was still close to certainty..

In fact, when I stepped back on the place I had originally stepped on, the strange phenomenon disappeared and I returned to the original scenery..

I didn't know that I could feel so relieved in the fog that I couldn't see before my eyes..

‘I don't know if I'm going the right way, but if I try to check for no reason, I might not only get lost but end up on a path to the netherworld. Let's be careful.’

Although he possessed strong martial arts skills and endless internal strength, he was unable to let go of tension within the Gimunjin method..

I don't know anything else, but my biggest fear was that I might get lost and not be able to return..

‘It may be difficult, but don't give up and keep going.’

It was worthwhile to practice consistently for the past three days..

Move forward with your eyes fixed straight ahead..

It feels like half a day has passed, but the thick fog is finally clearing..

“here is……”

The first thing that caught my eye was the cliffs that filled the surrounding area..

The cliff, the end of which can only be seen when you raise your head at a right angle, covered the world and ate up the sunlight..

I could see a slight gap, but because it was so narrow, light didn't come in properly, so I was confused as to whether it was day or night..

Isn’t this the afterlife, not this world?.

While thinking about that, I lowered my head and saw a door without any pattern..

I pushed the door open for Joo Seocheon, who had been lingering in front of it for a while..

It was a move to prepare for an unexpected trap..

After confirming that the door was open but no trap had been activated, Joo Seocheon closed the door and retreated as if he had made up his mind..

‘Okay, this is the front. Then let’s bring Naksamae..’

* * *

This area is the ghost valley area..

If you leave Naksowol nearby, it may be attacked..

I thought it would be better if we were together, so I went back to my original place, picked up Samae, and headed back to the door..

This was the only way to take Nak So-wol, who did not know the ghost treasure, and fortunately, there was no change in the formation due to the increase in weight..

As long as you follow the prescribed steps, you will not be sucked into the Four Gates..

“Is this a ghost song?.”

“My cheeks aren't a little red?”

“……Well, it's my mood.”

Naksowol cleared his throat and froze..

“okay? Then let's go in.”

I opened the door and entered a place that might be a ghost valley..

Even Joo Seocheon doesn’t know what’s unfolding in front of him..

‘I know they won by attacking Ghost Valley on a large scale, but the process wasn't that detailed..’

There were features and locations such as martial arts in Ghost Valley, but I don't know much about how they fought and achieved victory..

“If it weren't for Ya Myeong-ju, I wouldn't have seen anything..”

It was a dark passage where nothing could be seen..

If it weren't for Ya Myeong-ju, I wouldn't have been able to see an inch ahead..

Looking around, it is clear that it was artificially created..

Of course, there was a door at the entrance..

“Samae.”

“yes, death penalty.”

“If you encounter ghosts, don't attack them and stay calm. Even if they attack, just defend or subdue them if possible. First of all, we are not enemies with them..”

“I will do that.”

“And if they attack, don't try to find them. You won't be able to feel your breathing, and your footsteps or presence will be faint..”

“It's just as it is said in Kangho. Would it be better to parry or block the incoming attack instead??”

In addition, when I said that I should maximize my five senses, I thought that it was indeed the month of Nakso..

As soon as I received the warning, I immediately chose the alternative and the correct answer..

Ghosts can hide their presence, footsteps, or breathing..

However, no matter how much I tried, I couldn't erase the sound of something being swung or thrown..

‘I would like to express my desire to talk first before fighting, but that would be impossible since assassins are inherently defeated if they do not succeed in a sneak attack. If they find us, they will attack us preemptively. Let's be careful.’

Isn’t this a ghost’s den?.

There may be some trap lurking.

Joo Seo-cheon and Nak So-wol remained alert and moved straight ahead..

And as less than half an hour passed, the boring passage ended and a cavity appeared..

“This is……”

Nak So-wol looked around and muttered..

What I saw before my eyes was a cavity that could only be described as huge..

The distance to the ceiling was easily over a few dozen pages, and the area was so vast that it would make your mouth drop open..

However, there were rock walls here and there like a forest, so I couldn't see the whole thing, and other than that, there was only moss..

What was surprising was that a light emanated from the moss, illuminating the cavity..

I can't say it was bright by any means, but it was clear that if it weren't for those moss, I wouldn't have been able to see an inch in front of me..

“execution.”

Naksowol’s eyes narrowed..

“okay. It's about five chapters away.”

A scream was heard from far away..

However, the scream was more animal-like than human..

“Try not to make any noise and try to avoid any traces. I don't know how much I can fool the ghosts, but it's better than nothing..”

Normally, I would go and discuss whether someone is in danger, but unfortunately, not now..

Be aware of your surroundings and raise your awareness..

Joo Seo-cheon took Nak So-wol with him, killing any sign of him as much as possible and acting as similar to a ghost as possible..

Did I move more than five chapters, about six chapters?.

I covered myself against the rock wall and stuck my head out to look to the side..

Chaeng!

Sparks flew as metal collided with metal..

A red light bounces, gradually illuminating the surroundings..

I saw about twenty people standing in front of me..

Half of them were screaming as if they had lost their senses, while the other half responded calmly and brandished their weapons..

What they had in common was their attire. Even though they were all black from head to toe, they were quite exposed..

Both men and women looked like they were wearing cloth rather than clothes, and they all clung to their bodies tightly..

What was also unusual was that every single one of them had their eyes covered with black cloth..

‘ghosts!’

In the era of war, after the all-out war with Ghost Valley, information about them was released..

Among them, the exterior was the most well-known, and if you look at that, you can't help but be famous..

‘Why are ghosts fighting among themselves? No, more than that, I doubt that half of them are ghosts..’

Half of the people look like ghosts, the other half don't..

They only look similar, but they all scream and fight desperately..

It was more like a wounded animal than a ghost..

‘Should I help or not??’

A moment of concern, but then a determined look on his face..

‘Since we have to join hands with Ghost Song anyway, we have to help. No matter how you look at it, those crazy things look like enemies.……”

The one who screamed was more humane, if not more humane..

Rather than panicking, the ghosts respond without blinking even if a colleague dies next to them..

Above all, it was still eerie for some reason because I couldn't even sense his presence..

However, since such people had to be welcomed as allies, there was no need to worry about who to help..

“helps!”

As Joo Seo-cheon launched himself, Nak So-wol followed him..

Two uninvited guests suddenly entered the battlefield where about 20 people were fighting against each other, but strangely, they did not panic..

One of the group of madmen with red-hot eyes is holding a small sword and charging towards them as if they had been waiting..

‘A sharp 'whisking' sound threatened me as it grazed my hair, but I easily avoided it by opening my head..

‘Ghost?’

The steps just now were like ghost steps..

‘

no.’

But for a ghost, his breathing was rough..

It was inappropriate to think of him as an assassin rather than an ordinary warrior..

“I'm dying!”

Moreover, he even shouted in a voice full of murderous intent..

This can no longer be considered an assassin..

It was an excited animal facing an enemy..

After completing his judgment, Joo Seocheon tilted his head to avoid the small sword swung by the madman and then counterattacked..

The sword glided across the air and stuck in the exact center of my chest..

“Hehehe!”

The madman died with his eyes wide open..

“The death penalty isn't usually annoying.!”

Unlike Ju Seo-cheon, Na So-wol failed in his surprise attack..

Ju Seo-cheon was familiar with Ghost Report, but he was not Nak So-wol..

Above all, the combination of faint traces and ghost reports was difficult..

Even though his breathing was rough for an assassin, it was generally low, so it was difficult to track his breathing..

No matter how genius Luo Xiaoyue was, it was difficult for him to deal with it because he had never experienced a confrontation with an assassin..

On the contrary, it was brave to hold out until this point..

“If it's hard, just focus on defense as much as possible.!”

Joo Seo-cheon repelled the attack and shouted to Nak So-wol..

And then I spoke to the ghost right next to me..

“We are here to help you, so please do not misunderstand. If it's okay, I'd like to talk slowly after the battle..”

The ghost turned its head instead of looking..

Even though his eyes were covered by a cloth, it was clear that he was looking at me..

I can't see your eyes, so I don't know what you're thinking..

I wish I could at least answer, but I kept my mouth shut..

I couldn't see even a twitch of the skin, so I couldn't figure out what kind of facial expression he was making..

nod.

The ghost shook its head up and down instead of answering..

‘thank god!’

It is said that in order to maintain secrecy, Ghost Song turns witnesses into corpses for questioning, but fortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case..

Ju Seo-cheon felt relieved and clung to Nak So-wol and dealt with the remaining nine madmen..

It was my first time seeing Luo Sowol fight in this era, but as expected from a genius and the next Maehwa Swordsman, he was amazing..

Although he was unable to inflict fatal wounds due to the ghost's unique movements, he was able to parry them all with his brilliant sword skills..

“I'm dying!”

Assassins, as I've said many times, specialize in surprise attacks and sneak attacks..

The same goes for the movement or attack..

Most of them are focused on one-hit killing, and if they fail and end up in a head-to-head match, their power is only half..

A top-level assassin can assassinate a top-level expert, but in a head-to-head match, he can be defeated by a top-notch warrior..

However, in the case of ghosts, this weakness was somewhat reduced thanks to their mysterious martial arts, but there were still limitations..

Above all, since Joo Seo-cheon was a master of Hwa-gyeong, it did not work at all..

Joo Seocheon dug into the side of the madman who was dealing with the ghost and swung his sword diagonally..

The sword cuts through the madman's chest with a 'book' sound..

I could see blood gushing out as the fabric and skin split..

Nine people reduced to eight.

But the fight is not over yet.

One person rushed from the right..

Joo Seo-cheon tried to counterattack, but before he could, Nak So-wol came forward and attacked with all his might..

I could see the tip of the sword piercing the back of my head and coming out through my forehead..

And after that, the madman was also caught in sight..

“Block the back!”

Luo Xiaoyue pulled out his sword and hurriedly tried to turn around..

But at that moment, something unexpected happened to both of them..

Puuk!

A male and female ghost flew in silently and cut off the arm of the madman who was attacking Luo Xiaoyue from behind..

He then stabbed them with the small sword he held in his other hand, attacking his neck and abdomen respectively, taking his life..

“Okay, thank you.……”

Nak So-wol expressed her gratitude with a bewildered expression, as if she had no idea that the ghosts would protect her..

The ghosts did not respond to the greeting, but backed away and turned back to the madmen..

‘what?’

Ju Seocheon was puzzled by the scene just now..

The assassins in Ghost Valley are not that kind..

Even if someone offers to help, they kill the witness saying they can't save him..

It was surprising that they weren't attacking them right now, and they were even actively helping..

He put his doubts aside and faced the rest of the madmen..

It was easy to kill them as there were only six left..

In particular, there were several madmen who died from Ju Seo-cheon's sword, and one Sikkyung was completely wiped out before he could even pass by..

All ten ghosts were safe..

However, some of them were injured and were seen being treated with Geumchang medicine..

Joo Seocheon waited for them to finish their treatment and then approached them to talk to them..

“nice to meet you My name is Joo Seo-cheon, one of the four major disciples of the Hwasan Sect..”

From the perspective of a political faction that pursues fairness, the view of assassins is not very positive..

They pointed fingers at him, calling him cowardly and shady, and above all, he was wary of the threat of assassination, so he became hostile..

Joo Seocheon was in a position to make Ghost Valley an ally, so he showed favor rather than hostility..

Most of all, I liked how he saved Luo Sowol from danger..

“Just in case, I'm asking, are you assassins from Ghost Valley??”

Among the ghosts, the tallest man shook his head..

For reference, the ten ghosts were all different..

Ages ranged from children to the elderly..

Gender was also a mix of men and women..

There were tall people and there were short people..

Most people are thin.

“You may be confused by the visit of an outsider. First of all, I would like to talk to a representative person among these people..”

Joo Seo-cheon showed his respect with his arms raised..

Nak So-wol, who was next to him, looked somewhat dissatisfied, as if he thought there was a need to do something like that to the assassin, but he did not say his thoughts out loud..

“doesn't exist.”

The short old man answered.

Age was inferred by looking at the wrinkles on exposed skin such as the face and stomach..

“does not exist……?”

Joo Seocheon made a face that said something..

“we are one.”

The mysterious woman continues speaking..

“and all.”

Another person continues talking.

The ten ghosts continued their conversation as if one person was speaking, interrupting each word..

‘Does this mean everyone is equal?……?’

In fact, it's like there is no hierarchy..

But I felt strange here.

‘No, it's different. I don't know about other ghosts, but one person is different. There is only one person who can represent.’

ghost wine!

The name has been around for a long time..

Ghost Gokju existed in the future too..

The ghost led everything..

Choosing a request is also a Ghost Gokju..

‘Are you hiding it??’

But I couldn't figure out why they were hiding it..

Everything was confusing, and only useless thoughts kept coming to my mind..

Joo Seo-cheon thought about it and said without saying anything directly..

“I think I said something wrong. Other than you, is there anyone who can represent this place??”

“there is.”

the little girl answered.

Like other ghosts, there was no emotion in his voice..

“Aren’t you answering too obediently?……?”

Nak So-wol muttered in a voice filled with doubt..

Ju Seocheon also agreed with that opinion in his heart..

If you ask a question, they answer right away..

It was comfortable, but I couldn't trust it..

However, even if he was suspicious, he could not threaten people who would become his allies..

Joo Seocheon said while hiding his true feelings..

“If you do, can you talk to him??”

This time all the ghosts nodded their heads..

Everyone nodded at the same time, and it was so good that it gave me goosebumps..

“Then please……”

Joo Seo-cheon tried to continue his conversation but closed his mouth..

The young ghost pointed his finger at Joo Seocheon..

“what……?”

Joo Seocheon looked back just in case, but there was no one there..

I opened up all my senses, but there wasn't a single ant around here other than the dozen..

I looked at them for an explanation, but no one responded..

Starting with the young man, everyone pointed to Ju Seocheon with their index fingers..

Joo Seocheon stepped aside with an expression of uncertainty..

Then the fingers moved along..

‘Well, that's a lie.?’

Nak So-wol looked at Joo Seo-cheon in astonishment..

“Huh……”

Joo Seo-cheon was also so shocked that he was speechless..

When I realized that what the ghosts were pointing at was me, all the questions I had up until now were automatically answered..

From the fact that he showed no hostility to the visit of outsiders, to the fact that he saved Samae when she shouted 'stop', and to the fact that he obediently answered any questions, all that passed by..

The possibility that came to mind just now cleared up all these questions..

In his previous life, Ghost Valley followed Amcheonhoe..

No, it was correct that he was following the Amcheonhoeju..

“What is the name of Ghost Valley?”

Just in case, I ask you the last question..

The ghosts all answered that question..

“Joo Seocheon”

Thunder struck in my head..

I felt like I got hit in the back of the head with a hammer..

What had been blocked for so long has been opened up..

The tangles like a skein of thread were unraveled and my head became clean..

“Uh, what happened??”

Luo Xiaoyue asked in confusion..

But this time no one answered.

“Please explain everything you know about ghost magic..”

“A great feat of ghost song.”

This time the answer came right away..

“It's not that much different from ghost work..”

The man answers first.

“They are similar in terms of difficulty and ability, such as Simbeop, Bobeop, and other cancer techniques..”

The woman continues speaking.

“There is only one difference..”

“It's the ability to control.”

“No ghost can escape its control.”

“Also, you cannot have murderous intent or hostility..”

As the ten people continued speaking, it was truly bizarre..

But now was not the time to express my feelings about the scene..

More important than that was the significance of the existence of the ghost god..

‘I now understand why Ghost Valley disappeared like a lie when Amcheonhoeju died in the past life..’

Ghost Song followed Gokju, not that group..

“Then who has led the ghost song so far??”

“The ghost singer of the previous generation left behind a code of conduct. I followed that.”

Maintaining also involves raising ghosts..

“How long have you been acting like this??”

“It's three hundred years.”

It was longer than I thought.

And it was surprising that it was maintained without a leader for such a long time..

“It's been 300 years since we lost the ghost ship.?”

“I didn't lose it.”

“It's not lost……?”

“The singer of the previous generation hid it for later generations..”

“Hidden? Does Ghost Gokju know Saman Shintu??”

The place where the ghost ship was discovered is the tombstone of the Saman Shintu..

Since it wasn't in book form, it couldn't have been floating around..

Above all, Vigo was not discovered for 300 years..

But the answer that came back was beyond imagination..

“no.”

“then?”

“Saman Shintu is a ghost wine..”

Joo Seo-cheon and Nak So-wol gaped at the ghost's answer..

“……!”

“Oh no, that's ridiculous!”

My breathing stopped and then a scream came out..

It was Nak So-wol’s voice..

It's the first time I've seen Luo Sowol so agitated..

What I just heard is surprising enough..

But if you think about it, it makes sense..

No one knows exactly when ghost songs came out..

I only knew that Ghost Gokju existed..

It was about 300 years ago that Ghost Valley was active without any new skills.!

And the Saman Shintu was active about 300 years ago.!