Chương 344: The Deceased (6)

Wo-woong― Kim Yeon focuses her consciousness with her eyes shining.

In front of her are a shadow and a white bone undead.

Seeing the two at the Four-Axis stage, she assumes a stance.

She has just recently risen to the Heavenly Being stage.

Reaching the realm of Heavenly Being requires immersion in 'one single concept.'

So, what emotion is she immersed in?

If she had not heard the truth from Seo Eun-hyun, she might have vaguely felt that this emotion is love.

But after hearing the truth and reflecting on her feelings, Kim Yeon realized that the emotion is not love.

'Then what is this emotion?'

Kim Yeon ponders.

This emotion is directed towards Seo Eun-hyun.

But it isn't simply love.

Then just what is it?

'A name. This emotion needs... a name.'

Moreover, this emotion holds the heart of the Mad Lord.

And this emotion carries a longing for home.

It holds loyalty to her colleagues.

To organize her heart.

To decide her attitude towards her master.

To further solidify her longing and loyalty.

Kim Yeon wants to name this emotion.

"By the way, it's surprising. That infamous Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King turns out to be only at the Heavenly Being stage..."

Eum Wa and Baek Rin each take out their dharma treasures.

Kim Yeon remains silent and concentrates her consciousness.

She recalls the time when Seo Eun-hyun taught her martial arts in her dreams.

―Yeon-ah, your talent in cultivation is much higher than mine, but your talent in martial arts... is similar to or lower than mine.

―Heok! Then what should I do? I need to master martial arts to have a chance to escape...

―Don't worry. I was also a dullard, so I'm confident in teaching you. First...

At that time, Seo Eun-hyun told her.

―Let's endlessly repeat the Paired Wing Dance.

―Pardon?

―It might feel a bit tedious, but for those without talent, endless repetition is the shortest path to reach the realm. I know from experience.

Since that day, under Seo Eun-hyun's guidance, she endlessly practiced the martial art called the Paired Wing Dance.

Oddly enough, the Paired Wing Dance she learned is quite similar to the movements of the Mad Lord's [Her].

Simultaneously, it resonates somewhat with her Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, creating a phenomenon where mastering the Paired Wing Dance actually aids her cultivation of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.

At first, it was so boring she felt she was going crazy.

Holding a fan and endlessly repeating the same movements.

Of course, at that time, it was far better than being with the Mad Lord, so she gratefully followed the instructions despite not particularly liking the activity.

But even that boring activity, as she mastered the Paired Wing Dance and reached a certain 'realm,' began to fade from her memory.

The true essence of the Paired Wing Dance is not merely about dancing with a fan; it's about the movements 'connecting.'

As long as the beginning and end connect, the lost strength is somewhat restored. That is the true essence of the Paired Wing Dance.

As long as the beginning and the end connect, it doesn't matter if she holds a fan, a spear, stands on her head, or spins like a top.

'But Paired Wing Dance itself lacks offensive power.'

Therefore, she secretly learned a new martial art behind Seo Eun-hyun's back.

Surung― Kim Yeon lowers her hand.

At some point, four hidden weapons appeared in her hand.

Alongside the Paired Wing Dance created by Seo Eun-hyun, she learned a new martial art taught by Hong Fan.

She kept it a secret from Seo Eun-hyun.

―Lady Kim Yeon, this martial art is a combination of the Dragon Form Soaring Claw and the Fighting Monster Hidden Weapon Technique. While Paired Wing Dance is well-suited to train your Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, for direct combat, this martial art will likely enhance your power significantly.

―Ah, thank you.

―No need for formalities. I am younger than the Lady, after all.

―... Ah, yes... still, I will use formal speech. So, what is the name of this martial art?

―It doesn't have a name.

Hong Fan demonstrated numerous martial arts before Kim Yeon.

―Based on the martial arts taught by Master, I created, evolved, and combined various martial arts, including fist techniques, kicking techniques, spear techniques, sword techniques, fan techniques, claw techniques, and more. But... I haven't named any of them.

―Why is that?

―Hmm, why indeed. I think names are meaningless in martial arts. Maybe I'll name them after integrating all these martial arts.

―That's impressive. Does Eun-hyun Oppa know about these martial arts of yours, Hong Fan?

―Ah, it's a secret from Master. I want to surprise him later. Haha...

The demon beast of Seo Eun-hyun with fearsome talent, Hong Fan.

The Paired Wing Dance learned from a self-proclaimed dullard, and the martial art learned from a genius.

Wo-woong― Inside the formation, Kim Yeon's consciousness fills the entire space.

Under the pressure of her consciousness, Baek Rin and Eum Wa's faces darken.

"Th-this is the consciousness of a Heavenly Being...?"

"Unbelievable... could it be that the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King is a Four-Axis cultivator whose cultivation fell?"

Kim Yeon lightly smiles and raises her hand.

"It appears you have the leisure to speak."

Bo-ooong― The next moment.

Kim Yeon's fingertips sweep towards the two ghostly creatures.

Kwaaang!

The four hidden weapons fly like the claws of a huge beast, slashing through the air.

Kim Yeon's attack, possessing the consciousness of an Integration stage cultivator while at the Heavenly Being stage, amplifies wildly within the formation filled with her consciousness.

"Kugh, just what is...!?"

Baek Rin blocks her attack with a dharma treasure and takes a sharp breath.

Kim Yeon lowers her hand.

From her fingertips, threads of consciousness flow out, merging with the Qi and forming a somewhat substantial Qi Thread (氣絲).

The Qi Threads are connected to the four flying knives she has drawn out.

"Kugh! What is that sorcery!?"

Baek Rin exclaims with a terrified expression, and Kim Yeon lowers her other hand as well.

Chalang― From her other hand, four more flying knives connected by Qi Threads dangle down. She takes a step forward, swinging the knives connected by the threads.

"Well, let's call it a claw technique (爪法) for now."

Hu-woong― Kwagwagwagwang!

Like the swing of a gigantic claw, a total of eight slashes fly towards the two.

Then, Kim Yeon begins to dance.

Her dance, scattering countless slashes, appears more beautiful than anything else.

Kwagwagwagwang!

The formation begins to shake, unable to withstand the slashes.

A gap appears in the formation, creating a chance for Baek Rin and Eum Wa to escape, but they can't think of escaping.

Even though there's a gap in the formation, there's no gap in her domain.

Whenever Kim Yeon's flying knives―her [claws]―are swung, slashes scatter.

But the slashes also 'connect' again.

The slashes continue endlessly, without exhausting their power.

Originally, the martial art called Paired Wing Dance was just a technique similar to Seo Eun-hyun's Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains.

But when the capabilities of a Heavenly Being are added to such a Paired Wing Dance, another characteristic emerges.

Kuguguguk― Due to Kim Yeon's Celestial Energy Guidance, Heaven and Earth spiritual energy is drawn towards her.

While unfolding the Paired Wing Dance, her energy consumption is almost nil, and as more Heaven and Earth spiritual energy is drawn to her, her strength only increases.

The result is a monstrous technique that grows stronger the more it is performed.

The two ghostly creatures grit their teeth, unable to find a gap in the increasingly powerful storm of slashes.

"Kugh, we can't be defeated like this!"

"Behind us lies the will of countless ghostly creatures of the White Yin Domain! We can't lose to a devilish cultist who brainwashes and forcibly subdues the hearts of others!"

Kim Yeon chuckles at their words.

"What do you mean by brainwashing? That's nonsense. Our Wuji Religious Order adheres to an exemplary and progressive working schedule, not exceeding 40 hours of labor within 7 days, with fair wages paid monthly. We have gained the hearts of our followers through proper welfare and benefits, not by brainwashing."

"Kugh, I don't understand what language you're spouting."

"It's the words of a wicked devilish cultist. Do not be shaken, Sect Leader Baek!"

Kugugugugugu!

However, along with that, countless slashes merge into one, shooting towards the two Four-Axis stage cultivators.

"Kuuuuurghh! What monstrous power...!"

"What kind of output of power is this...!?"

Normally, when martial artists and cultivators fight, martial artists use superior techniques to break through the cultivators' spells, and cultivators crush martial artists' techniques with overwhelming power.

But now, A strange scene is unfolding.

Kim Yeon's martial arts, influenced by her Integration stage consciousness, are pushing the cultivators back with overwhelming power.

Baek Rin and Eum Wa use all kinds of techniques and spells, looking for an opening amidst Kim Yeon's slashes.

"Over there! There's a gap!"

"Quick, escape!"

Eum Wa and Baek Rin gather their strength.

The two ghostly creatures combine their power.

A massive white bone-shaped mass of energy forms, a dark shadow covering it from above.

The gigantic black bone-shaped energy flies towards a point in the formation.

Baek Rin recalls the white bone undead who enjoyed their labor with good-natured expressions.

Eum Wa remembers the innocent ghosts who always regarded obedience and submission as virtues.

The two ghostly creatures clasp hands, praying for the peace of the White Yin Domain as they draw out all their power.

"Taaah!"

"Haaaah!"

Flash!

Finally, the two ghostly creatures manage to escape from the realm of the malicious Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King before being swept away by her slash.

Kugugugu!

Watching the collapsing formation from behind, the two hurriedly run towards the center of the Wuji Religious Order.

The Devilish Cult Leader, Wuji Ghost King, is their target.

"Heugh, heo heok, heok..."

Baek Rin and Eum Wa run, panting heavily as if they are alive.

"That, that place over there..."

"The residence of the Wuji Ghost King...! The Wuji Religious Hall!"

The two arrive at a building covered entirely in a dark curses and gasp for breath.

"As expected of the Devilish Cult Leader, he wrapped the entire building in curses."

"Just by looking at it, one can tell it's a wicked curse. Break through it quickly!"

The two ghostly creatures summon forth their strength and hurl their dharma treasures at the building.

Kwagwagwang!

An explosion and a cloud of dust rises up.

But what they see next makes Baek Rin and Eum Wa shudder.

A large figure is blocking their two dharma treasures in front of the Wuji Religious Hall.

"Is that the Soul Extinguishing Ghost King...?"

"It's the Right Law Enforcer!"

And then, the dust cloud settles.

"Wait a moment...!"

"You, you are...!"

However, after the dust cloud settles.

The two ghostly creatures are shocked to discover the identity of the one blocking their dharma treasures.

The one who blocked their treasures is Wei Shi-hon.

"Death Corpse Sect Leader! What are you doing!?"

"Wei Shi-hon, could it be..."

Wei Shi-hon smirks and raised his arm.

Wiiiiing― A bizarre circuit on Wei Shi-hon's body begins to glow.

"Ah, sorry about this. I was originally going to leave this to the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King or the Six Extremes Ghost King, but the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King let you escape and the Six Extremes Ghost King has other matters to attend to."

Baek Rin and Eum Wa look at Wei Shi-hon in bewilderment.

"Haha, don't look at me like that. I needed to pretend to sacrifice myself and push you deeper into the order to ensure you can't escape."

The two ghostly creatures grind their teeth.

Come to think of it, this guy was the one who suggested attacking the Devilish Cult Leader.

"You... led us into a trap!"

"Hahaha! I received the Cult Master's grace. It was truly magnificent. Also, after looking around the Wuji Religious Order, I found their welfare to be better than ours. I simply made the right choice to provide a better quality of life for our sect's jiangshi."

Wo-oong― Wei Shi-hon shouts as his circuit glows.

"Here, look! Originally, I am only at the mid Four-Axis stage, but after receiving the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King's 'procedure' and the Cult Master's 'grace,' I've gained power comparable to the Grand Perfection of the Four-Axis stage! Hahaha!"

"Kugh, just what are you talking about, Wei Shi-hon! Weren't we supposed to establish justice in the White Yin Domain together!?"

"Justice? Justice is providing good bodies and advanced welfare to the frail ghostly creatures and jiangshi! The Wuji Religious Order is justice! You should join the Wuji Religious Order too. You've come this far anyway. There's no way for you to escape now."

Wo-oong― Boasting the glowing circuit on his body, Wei Shi-hon extends his hand to the two ghostly creatures.

"I'll make a proposal. Since you can't escape, as the one given the position of Guardian Ghost King of the Wuji Religious Order, I'll give you a chance. I'll allow you to tour the Wuji Religious Order and fully experience it. After the tour, decide whether to join. I'm serious. The future of the White Yin Domain is the Wuji Religious Order!"

Baek Rin and Eum Wa speak furiously.

"That's absurd! How can you expect us to trust the wicked devilish cult that brainwashes countless spirit creatures!"

"So, Sect Leader Wei, you've been brainwashed too."

"Tsk...! Foolish! Does not everyone say in unison? It's not brainwashing but positive change due to truly touching the heart!"

Baek Rin, burning with ghost fire, raises his voice.

"My friend! How deeply have you been brainwashed!"

"... We can't communicate. Fine. Then I'll personally make you kneel and understand the truth."

Wiiiing― The circuits on Wei Sho-hon's body burns brightly.

The three ghostly creatures lunge at each other.

Wo-oong― Kim Yeon lost track of the ghostly creatures, but she continues to form hand seals without a care.

"That's right, that's right. You're doing well."

Next to her, Yeon Wei is instructing Kim Yeon.

"Yes, that's how you unfold the formation. With your vast consciousness, you can fully bring out more than 120% of the formation's potential."

"Yes, I will do my best."

"As you're not a disciple of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, I can't teach you Lighting Path Methods. However, I can teach you my knowledge on formations. To think you're learning formations this well."

"You flatter me."

Wo-ooong― Consciousness threads from the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon extend around Kim Yeon, covering the void.

Her threads of consciousness cover the void, creating a cage that envelops the entire Wuji Religious Order.

'To prevent the intruders from escaping, if I firmly weave the void with consciousness and guide the flow of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to partition the space itself...'

Kiiing― Kim Yeon smiles as she completes the formation.

"Ah, it's finished. Yeon Wei-nim!"

"Excellent! Huhu, you're quite the impressive one."

Yeon Wei looks at her with satisfaction, then subtly asks a question.

"But there's something I'm curious about. Why do you keep following that Seo Clan kid?"

"Um, pardon?"

"Honestly, I don't get it. Sure, that Seo Clan kid has remarkable abilities, but he has 19 heads, bizarre hobbies, and mentally, isn't he a bit twisted? I heard you liked him since your hometown, but why do you like such a guy?"

Before Yeon Wei can finish speaking, a scene from inside the formation enters Kim Yeon's mind.

It's the moment when Baek Rin and Eum Wa defeat the 'brainwashed traitor' Wei Shi-hon and finally break the curse barrier of the Wuji Religious Hall.

The two ghostly creatures are entering the Wuji Religious Hall.

"Ah, they've gone inside. Oh dear. Now those two are..."

Yeon Wei clicks her tongue and shows a sympathetic expression towards the two ghostly creatures.

Taking advantage of Yeon Wei's distraction as she looks inside the formation, Kim Yeon ponders deeply.

'When did I start liking Eun-hyun Oppa?'

She naturally recalls her early days at the company.

Thinking back to when she first joined the company.

Kim Yeon didn't particularly like Seo Eun-hyun.

"Hello, I'm Jo Soo-hyun, the new intern starting today!"

"I'm, I'm Kim Yeon, also an intern starting today!"

"Starting today..."

Kim Yeon was a bit nervous as she entered the soap company as an intern.

'Sales Development Department intern...'

The Sales Development Department of this company had a notorious reputation.

Director Jeon Myeong-cheol would organize weekend hikes.

Deputy Director Kim Young-hoon didn't say much, but Section Chief Oh Hyun-seok was known for working people to the bone, and Deputy Manager Kang Min-hee and Jeon Myeong-hoon were, respectively, one gloomy and another "just the worst."

But the scariest one was yet to come.

"Hello, interns. Since it's your first day today, there's not much work to do, so just follow me around and learn. Ah, I'm Supervisor Seo Eun-hyun. You can call me Supervisor Seo. First, check your desks..."

Supervisor Seo Eun-hyun.

With dark circles under his eyes, living on coffee and energy drinks, and always seemingly in a bad mood due to acid reflux, he wasn't an easy person to approach.

On her first day, Kim Yeon was immediately targeted by Supervisor Seo.

"Miss Kim Yeon, can you please follow quickly? There aren't just one or two places we need to check. And it's us who have to manage the inventory as well."

"I-I'm sorry."

"Miss Kim Yeon, how can you drop that? Hurry, move aside."

"Miss Kim Yeon! Haaah... never mind. Just move aside."

Kim Yeon realized quickly.

She would be the first to be dropped when the internship ended.

Supervisor Seo... he's too scary.'

With a cup of coffee in hand, muttering 'Jeon Myeong-hoon, that bastard,' Seo Eun-hyun wasn't someone who seemed approachable at first glance.

However, other interns seemed to get along with him quite easily.

For the first three days, Kim Yeon struggled the most.

'Should I just leave without completing the internship?'

At that time, Seo Eun-hyun was known as the hardest worker in the department.

In other words, he worked intensely.

Assigned under such a person, Kim Yeon felt a deep sense of inadequacy about her own capabilities.

Seo Eun-hyun never rested at work." Supervisor Seo, it's lunchtime..."

"Ah, Miss Kim Yeon. Go have your lunch. I'll finish this paperwork and join later. Other interns, you can go have lunch too."

While others took his word and went for lunch, Kim Yeon couldn't.

'I have to make up for my earlier mistakes!'

While others left, she gritted her teeth and finished her tasks to make up for her mistakes.

Even when the skin of her stomach felt like it was touching her back, and she felt like dying from fatigue, she endured by drinking one cup of the poison-like coffee after another.

Seo Eun-hyun would only glance at her as he came and went, without saying much.

As the internship period reached halfway like that, the atmosphere had changed significantly.

"Hello everyone."

"Ah, yes, hello... Supervisor..."

"Haha, Supervisor. Hell... o."

Initially, everyone tried to get close to Seo Eun-hyun, but as the internship progressed, no one wanted to meet his eyes.

In the end, the only one still meeting Seo Eun-hyun's eyes was none other than Kim Yeon.

"Ah, hello, Supervisor!"

"Oh, Miss Kim Yeon."

Seo Eun-hyun spoke curtly as he looked at Kim Yeon.

"Good morning. Please deliver this document to the Section Chief and check the inventory in the warehouse. If you could bring some coffee from the break room on your way back, I'd really appreciate it."

"Yes, yep!"

It was because Seo Eun-hyun would give out crazy amounts of work whenever they made eye contact.

At first, the others happily took on the tasks given by Seo Eun-hyun, but as their stamina depleted, they began to avoid him. The only one to endure and continue to meet his gaze was Kim Yeon.

And eventually, as the internship period drew to a close, All the interns except for Kim Yeon and the one named Jo Soo-hyun had run away.

[Run! We have to run!] [Huaaaah! A great ghost!] The two ghostly creatures who entered the Wuji Religious Hall began screaming madly, fleeing from inside.

Kim Yeon activates the formation with her eyes gleaming.

"Where do you think you're going!?"

Kiiiing― As the formation activates, countless threads unravel and spew towards the ghostly creatures.

Chuaruruk!

The two ghostly creatures are bound by thousands of strands of white spider silk.

Kugugugugu― From within the Wuji Religious Hall, a giant hand made of curses emerges.

Cult Leader Seo Eun-hyun is exerting his power.

[Where are you going? Our honored guests should explore the Wuji Religious Order a bit more before leaving.] [Aaah! Save me!] [Huh, huaaaaauuh! Cul-cultivator Baek!] Eum Wa, writhing after being caught by Kim Yeon, ignites ghost fire in her eyes as if determined to make a final stand.

[Wait, Sect Leader Eum! What are you trying to do!] [At least you should escape!] Huarurururu!

Igniting ghost fire all over her entire body, Eum Wa burns away Kim Yeon's formation and lunges at Baek Rin, burning the threads that bind him.

She then pushes Baek Rin out of the formation and throws herself towards the hand of curses created by Seo Eun-hyun.

[I will... buy some time!] [Sect Leader Eum! Eum Wa! Eum Waaaaa!!] [Haaaaaaat!] The veil of shadows covering the Eum Wa blocks the curse hand.

Baek Rin, shedding tears of blood, breaks free from Kim Yeon's formation and shouts.

[I will come back to save you! I will save everyone!!] Clennnch!

The curse hand swallows Eum Wa, and beyond that hand, she senses the 'presence' emanating the curse. Losing her mind again, she screams.

[Huaaaaa! Kiaaaaaa! Kyaaaaaa! Kiyaaaaaaa!] The hand of curses slowly drags Eum Wa into the Wuji Religious Hall.

"Oh dear. One escaped."

Kim Yeon's eyes shine as she looks up at the sky.

"Shall I go capture him?"

Wo-oong― As she extends her consciousness, the puppets spread throughout the Wuji Religious Order rattle.

However, Yeon Wei shakes her head and points to the sky.

"No need. It seems Jeon Myeong-hoon has just returned."

Kurururung— Above, in the dark night sky.

A red lightning bolt flashes towards where Baek Rin has fled.

"We should head inside the Wuji Religious Hall. It looks like the cult leader is going to imprison the captive in a puppet. Your strength will be needed to assist with the procedure."

"Haha. Actually, Eun-hyun Oppa could probably handle it on his own."

Kim Yeon heads to Seo Eun-hyun's quarters with Yeon Wei.

Aside from the interns who couldn't endure Seo Eun-hyun's harsh workload and fled, only Kim Yeon and one other person successfully joined the soap company.

"Ah... I really ended up joining."

In fact, Kim Yeon agonized deeply over her decision.

Even if she persevered at this mid-sized company that felt more like a small business, it seemed pointless. Furthermore, Supervisor Seo Eun-hyun, known as the "labor devil," would continue to work her hard with his curt attitude.

"... No. Let's give it a try anyway."

But Kim Yeon gritted her teeth and entered the company.

In any case, she was gradually getting used to the work, and she was slowly getting closer to Kang Min-hee. Hence, she decided to stay a bit longer. And on her first day as an 'official employee':

"Ah, Miss Kim Yeon came?"

"Hello, Supervisor... Seo Eun... hyun..?"

For the first time, Kim Yeon saw Seo Eun-hyun greet her with a smile.

"Congratulations on joining the company. You've worked hard so far."

"Oh... Ah..."

"I'm saying this because the Director and Jeon Myeong-hoon aren't here, but to be honest, there are quite a few salary thieves who don't do their job, which causes our work to be a bit intense. That's why I always treat interns a bit harshly to filter them out. Thank you for enduring."

For some reason, Kim Yeon felt tears welling up as she looked at the hand Seo Eun-hyun extended.

"Congratulations on becoming an official employee, Colleague Kim. Welcome."

[Ah, come on in, Yeon-ah.] Heading to the basement of the Religious Hall, Kim Yeon, along with Yeon Wei, see the ghostly creature tightly bound in countless curse spells under Seo Eun-hyun.

[For now, let's start the 'procedure.' I need your help. Can you take out the puppet materials from the storage scroll?]

'Ah... I see.'

Reflecting on the past, Kim Yeon feels she somewhat understands when she fell for Seo Eun-hyun.

'Although I started truly liking him during our business trip to the arboretum, maybe I was swayed from the very first day I officially joined...'

It wasn't just because the previously harsh boss suddenly changed in attitude.

Being needed by someone.

Perhaps for Kim Yeon, it's that which makes her incredibly happy.

'Even more. Let's continue to grow even more from now on.'

She makes a resolve.

To continue growing.

To grow stronger, to rise to higher realms.

For Seo Eun-hyun, for her colleagues, and even for the Mad Lord.

As she reforms the captive with Seo Eun-hyun, she determines to become someone needed by everyone.

That is what she vows.

=== Author's Note: For parts that might be divisive, I'll push through with more content!

It might be a bit dull, but I'll try to wrap it up quickly, so please be understanding...!