Chapter 20 So I cannot even expect him to have grown old and weak.
It had already been decades since the infamy of the Eight Ghosts spread beyond the Black Path and shook the entire martial world.
Half of them had died during the height of Salmak's activity. The remaining half were so advanced in age that people assumed they would soon fade from memory…
Yet contrary to expectation, the Blood-Seeking Sword Ghost before them looked as vigorous as a young man.
"So you were being hunted by a big fish."
At Namgung Hui-myeong's mutter, Yulim bit her lip once more.
"That is why I told you to flee far away."
"It is already too late for that. How did you end up being harassed by that old monster?"
"…It is likely because of an item in my possession."
"An item?"
"Yes. I cannot speak of it in detail, but under my master's orders, I was escorting a certain spiritual treasure. Along the way, I was ambushed several times. In the end, even the Blood-Seeking Sword Ghost moved."
Several times?
That means the Blood-Seeking Sword Ghost belongs to a specific group?
The heterodox forces rampaging through the Black Path generally lacked cohesion.
There were a few centers of power, but rather than representing the heterodox world as a whole, they ruled through coercion and violence. Even that applied only to some. The majority of experts acted independently.
Compared to the orthodox factions united under the Nine Sects and One Alliance, or the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult that moved like a single imperial army, the heterodox world could be described—at best—as full of individuality, or—at worst—as a rabble.
For one of the Eight Ghosts, who always moved alone, to have settled somewhere…
The nature of the item Yulim carried was one matter, but it was difficult to guess who could command someone like one of the Eight Ghosts.
"Can't you simply hand over the item?"
"No. This item… my senior brothers entrusted it to me with their lives. I can never do that."
A resolute refusal.
At that, the Blood-Seeking Sword Ghost, who had been watching with his hands clasped behind his back, let out a low chuckle.
"Heh heh. Indeed… handing it over obediently would not do."
Dragging his sword loosely, the old man circled the five of them at a leisurely pace.
"If you behaved meekly, I would be obliged by propriety to kill you cleanly, would I not? That will not do. Absolutely not. Now then, young ones… chatter as you please, rack your brains as you please, and quickly seek a way to survive."
He cackled, shoulders shaking, baring blackened teeth—then drew his sword with lightning speed.
"Try to make this old Blood-Seeking Sword Ghost feel a bit more exhilarated."
Swoosh—
The wind from his blade grazed Seol-yeong's cheek and sliced clean through a tree trunk behind him. Wiping the blood from his cheek onto his shoulder, Seol-yeong growled,
"He's toying with us."
Namgung Hui-myeong replied coolly,
"Do not waver. Hold your ground. What that old monster is waiting for is panic—and the division that follows."
As though even their reproach amused him, the Blood-Seeking Sword Ghost grinned and occasionally flicked his sword in playful arcs.
Each time a sharp tearing sound split the air, Chang-a trembled and pressed closer. Yeo Il wrapped her arms firmly around the girl's head.
A heavy silence fell.
After swallowing dryly, Yulim spoke in an uncertain voice.
"…There is not no method at all. There is someone nearby we can ask for help."
At that, Seol-yeong asked urgently,
"The Mount Hua Sect?"
"N-no. In truth, it was someone I happened to travel with by chance. I do not even know their name…"
"Ha. A companion whose name you do not even know."
At Namgung Hui-myeong's incredulous mutter, Yulim coughed awkwardly.
"I understand how suspicious that sounds… but their skill is certain. It was thanks to them that I made it this far safely—and in the end, it was because of them that even the Blood-Seeking Sword Ghost moved."
"…"
"Truly. Please believe me. If that person helps us, we will surely have a chance."
The words sounded plausible enough. But how were they to bring this nameless companion here?
Opening her eyes slightly, Yeo Il met Seol-yeong's gaze.
From his expression alone, it was clear the words Forget it. I'll just knock them all out and you handle it, noona hovered at the edge of his throat.
However, before Yeo Il could shake her head, Namgung Hui-myeong spoke first.
"…We have no choice. I will hold him off as long as I can. Move quickly."
As he finished speaking, he matched the Blood-Seeking Sword Ghost's movements, stepping to face him each time the old man circled.
"Now you are finally going to do something."
While the old monster smacked his lips in anticipation, Yeo Il lowered her voice.
"Seol-yeong, assist Lady Yulim. She has difficulty moving."
"What? Me? That will not do. Even the Third Young Master is struggling—if I go—"
"If even Lord Hui-myeong cannot endure him, your presence will not change that. It would be better to assist Lady Yulim and bring that person here as quickly as possible."
Seol-yeong's pride was clearly wounded, but she did not retract her words.
After a brief hesitation, he slung Yulim onto his back and dashed in the opposite direction.
As if committing that retreating figure to memory, the old man's eyes followed Seol-yeong's back before he stilled.
"Heh heh. To wait patiently and watch prey struggle… for an old man who has lived long enough, it is a delightful pastime."
Eyes steeped in killing intent turned toward Namgung Hui-myeong.
"But when a life hangs by a thread, one never knows what betrayal might occur in an attempt to flee. I cannot afford to spend long playing with you. A pity."
The moment Namgung Hui-myeong tightened his grip on his sword and placed Yeo Il behind him—
The Blood-Seeking Sword Ghost shot forward like an arrow.
"Ugh!"
It was merely a single push off the ground, yet when their blades met, Namgung Hui-myeong's feet carved through the earth and he was driven back more than a full cheok.
Gritting his teeth, he endured, deflected the monstrous force pressing down on his blade to the side, and immediately countered toward the old man's rear.
From that instant, Namgung Hui-myeong's momentum blazed like a bursting flame.
It was not overwhelming speed nor uniquely supple technique.
His sword was heavy—each movement deliberate. Yet it was refined, without a single wasted strike.
For someone scarcely beyond a beginner's level in the martial world to emit such domineering momentum against a heterodox expert was rare.
Perhaps the Blood-Seeking Sword Ghost shared that impression. He smiled faintly, then seized the moment when Namgung Hui-myeong's breathing faltered and pressed blades with him once more.
"For one whose head I intend to take here, you are rather useful. From where do you hail?"
This blade carried weight on an entirely different level.
Veins bulged at Namgung Hui-myeong's temples as he poured every ounce of strength into his body and barely forced his opponent back.
"Namgung… Hui-myeong!"
"Oh ho. The son of Namgung Je. As expected. Blood does not lie. Then behind you must be—"
"Shut your mouth and focus on me!"
Eyes blazing, Namgung Hui-myeong's sword grew even more aggressive.
Yet fatigue was evident. One by one, sword wounds accumulated across his body. In pressing the Blood-Seeking Sword Ghost, he had poured out his strength without regard for stamina.
"Tsk tsk. Already tired? So much for the Sword King's son."
At the mention of his father, Namgung Hui-myeong's breathing grew harsher.
"Well then. It seems there is no more play to be had. Shall I allow you one final struggle?"
"That filthy mouth of yours—"
"When you die."
The tip of the Blood-Seeking Sword Ghost's blade shifted past him—to Yeo Il behind.
"That woman will die even more miserably."
Never had Namgung Hui-myeong's complexion darkened so completely.
Gripping his bleeding left shoulder, he whispered to Chang-a,
"…Listen carefully, maid."
"Y-Young Master."
"When I give the signal, turn and run with Soyo with all your strength. Go in the direction that insolent attendant ran. If you are fortunate, you will meet him."
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Read 197 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
https://noveldex.io/series/surviving-as-the-illegitimate-daughter-of-the-namgung-clan-while-living-in-a-frail-body
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━