Chapter 1342

<Chapter 1342> 1342. Ghost Romance

“Excellent. This form is far superior to my physical body in reality.”

Sung Yoojin smirked while observing the surrounding ghosts.

Before regaining full control of his body, there was a slight unease—mainly the possibility of being unable to manipulate ghostly energy (鬼氣) as he wished.

However, ghostly energy was still energy. In fact, since it responded so fluidly to his will, one could argue it felt even more natural than mana.

Though lacking the innate abilities of the Raitenryu (雷天流), he still possessed its knowledge and instincts, allowing him to utilize ghostly energy to replicate its techniques.

“KIIIIEEEE!”

A bird-like ghost let out an ear-piercing screech and lunged at Sung Yoojin. Yoojin remained calm. His senses had expanded, detecting every single ghost present. Yet, despite sensing them, he felt no fear.

“Watch closely. This is what proper swordsmanship looks like.”

He flexed his arm, showing off for Na Chalgui Dojin, who was watching from within.

Raitenryu (雷天流): Rai-Kou (雷光).

In the blink of an eye, as blue lightning flashed, the ghost had already been bisected and killed.

– …This can’t be real! A human controlling ghostly energy this effortlessly?! No way… You’re not human, are you? Are you actually a ghost?!

“Heheh. Fool. Do I look like a ghost to you? Even if you haven’t said it, you should know by now that I’m human.”

While speaking, Sung Yoojin continued swinging his blade with precision, methodically slaughtering the ghosts using perfectly controlled ghostly energy.

Unlike Dojin, who relied on brute force, Sung Yoojin’s swordplay was clean—so clean it almost seemed artistic.

– …Impressive. I acknowledge your sword skills. It’s impossible not to after witnessing such a scene.

After cutting down thirty ghosts with his Demon-Slaying Blade, the remaining ghosts hesitated. They exchanged glances and even retreated when Sung Yoojin approached.

“You spirits have no business feeling fear. Why bother hesitating? You’ll all die by my hand anyway.”

“AAAAAAHHH! Don’t get cocky!!”

Gatpa, the bald ghost, charged forward. Among the random assortment of ghosts, his ghostly energy was particularly strong.

Sung Yoojin narrowed his eyes, focused his mind, and executed a footwork technique before brushing past Gatpa and slicing him.

Eitienryu (影天流): Heiki (碧溪).

Gatpa fell over, his wide eyes betraying confusion about how he’d been cut.

“It’s been a while since I’ve done this, but it’s going well.”

– What was that movement just now…? It was almost… ghost-like.

“Ghost-like… Hah. That’s funny coming from you, a ghost.”

Sung Yoojin grabbed the critically injured Gatpa by the neck, lifting him up.

“Dojin. How exactly do you absorb ghostly energy?”

-Are you trying to mimic my Ghost-Eating technique, human?

“My supply might run low because you recklessly waste ghostly energy without thought.”

-Forget it. You’re human. Fight like one.

“Should I eat it directly then? I’m somewhat of a gourmet, so I’d rather avoid that. Your so-called ‘Ghost-Eating’ seems more like an ability…”

Recalling the memories of Gwangmyeong Seoncheon-do, Sung Yoojin remembered certain martial arts techniques capable of absorbing an opponent’s energy. There was the Tenma Shinkou (天魔神功) Kokuetsu (黑暗穴) and the Sippsei Daebeop.

“The Tenma Shinkou would be risky. While technically usable, the consequences afterward could be problematic without Absolute Spirituality.”

That left the Sippsei Daebeop. Sung Yoojin manipulated his ghostly energy according to the incantation of the Sippsei Daebeop.

It worked.

Gatpa’s ghostly energy began to be absorbed. Ghost…


The ghost-seller’s body grows as thin as a mummy after having his energy drained.

Sung Yoojin was shocked. She hadn’t expected to succeed on her first try.

“…There’s no way I could be this talented… Ah, is that it? Did this world’s body have talent? They did say this wasn’t an ordinary family… There’s a high possibility it’s the bloodline bonus.”

Well, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I smirked.

-You disgusting worm…! Do you know where you’re slithering into?!

“Tch. Why you screaming like a bitch all of a sudden? You wanna fight?”

-Are you unaware that a wandering spirit has possessed the ghost-seller? Your exorcism technique isn’t perfect. If you had used it properly, no spirit could invade your mind.

“Ah, really? Well, you’re surprisingly useful. Take care of all the spirits invading my mind for me.”

-You bastard… Treating me like your subordinate… Fine, do as you please. I’ll watch your sword skills and fighting style.

Sung Yoojin grinned wickedly while repeatedly grabbing stray ghosts and absorbing their ghostly energy. During this time, Nurarihyon, master of the Hundred Ghost Night Parade, observed Sung Yoojin from above.

“Hmph… So a human has taken possession of a body… But what is this? Why does she seem stronger than when the water-demon took over? And she handles ghostly energy better than most spirits… This is absurd.”

“Boss, are you just going to keep watching? The lesser ghosts are dying!”

Daitengu spoke up.

Nurarihyon, intrigued by Sung Yoojin’s use of ghostly energy, looked around. The spirits were eager to kill Sung Yoojin immediately. Though he wanted to observe more, Nurarihyon decided to heed the spirits’ wishes and nodded in agreement.

First to move was Daitengu.

He flew like a gale, aiming to crush Sung Yoojin’s head with a single kick.

Raitenryu (Thunder Heaven Style) Shippu Shinrai (Swift Wind Rapid Thunder).

In an instant, Sung Yoojin disappeared. As Daitengu stopped, confused, he felt the world spinning around him. In this swirling world, he saw his own headless body.

“…What?! My head’s been cut off?! And I’m realizing this late…”

Sung Yoojin absorbed Daitengu’s ghostly energy. Daitengu could feel his very existence being sucked into Sung Yoojin.

“I won’t give up here! I’ll haunt you and devour your mind!”

Daitengu’s spirit entered Sung Yoojin’s mind, where he encountered a bald man holding a sword.

“Greetings, flat-nose. Welcome to my territory. I was getting bored playing with this bald head anyway.”

“KIIIIEEEEEEEE!”

A ghastly scream echoes as the ghost seller’s head, impaled by a sword, vanishes.

“Nurarihyon…!”

“I’ve never lost in one-on-one combat. Plus, this is my domain. My power only grows stronger here. It’ll be different this time.”

“I’ll kill you and destroy that human’s mind!”

“Idiot. If that were possible, would I be standing here now?”

While Daitengu’s spirit clashed with the bald man in the mental realm, Sung Yoojin swung the True Demon Sword with excitement.

Her body feels light.

Her limbs move exactly as she wills them.

The True Demon Sword is amazing, matching even the Flower Lotus Blade.

Moreover, her ghostly energy reservoir is full. When it runs low, she can simply capture and absorb a ghost.

With this overwhelming power, she slaughters incoming ghosts like a musou game.

“Damn, this is fun! All my built-up stress is melting away!”

“Don’t get cocky, human!”

The dog demon charges, swinging its sharp claws to tear apart Sung Yoojin’s body.

Raitenryu (Thunder Heaven Style) Rai Kojin (Thunder Strong Blade).

Lightning blades flash, shattering the dog demon’s claws. The lightning blade doesn’t stop there, slicing through the dog demon’s body.

“This can’t be… My claws, harder than steel…!”

“Aah, this is called a sword edge. It can cut through dragon scales, you know.”

KUAAAAAAAAANG!

A giant bony hand smashes down from above. Sung Yoojin narrowly avoids it by moving sideways, detecting Gashadokuro’s presence through her senses. Immediately afterward, she leaps upward, stepping on Gashadokuro’s arm. She plunges the True Demon Sword into the center of Gashadokuro’s skull.

“Heh heh… Foolish… A puny sword like that… can’t cut off my head…”

“Bastard’s fingernails…”


It’s definitely sturdier. I wonder how the inside will be?”

Pachi pachi pachi.

Through the Divine Dao, lightning entered into the skull. Sung Yoojin felt the lightning filling up the hollow skull.

“Useless… I am not… a weak creature like you…!”

Sung Yoojin pulled out the sword from Gashadokuro’s head and dropped straight to the ground.

“That’s enough. Die already.”

“Huh?”

Raitenryu (Thunder Heaven Style) Extreme Technique: Bakushin Rai (Explosion Thunder).

The lightning that had filled Gashadokuro’s skull exploded all at once. The skull shattered like a grenade, scattering in all directions.

Sung Yoojin landed on the ground, lips trembling as he looked up at the sky. Hundreds of ghosts floating in the darkened heavens shivered in unison.

“To think even Lord Daitengu and Lord Inugami fell… now Lord Gashadokuro too!”

“The prophecy was right! This human will be our calamity!”

“Nyachalgui Dojin is the worst traitor!”

“We must kill him here! For the ghosts!”

“How dare a mere human!”

The ghosts charged toward Sung Yoojin without hiding their fear, screaming curses.

Raitenryu (Thunder Heaven Style): Man Rai (卍 Thunder).

Lightning streaks shot out from Sung Yoojin. They spun around like tops, slicing through everything in all directions. Hundreds of ghosts caught in the lightning were electrocuted to death. A few survivors were instantly cut down by Sung Yoojin’s sword.

“Heh. Not bad.”

The area was saturated with ghostly energy. Using Sucking Palm Technique, Sung Yoojin slowly absorbed the ghost energy while gazing up at Nurarihyon. Lightning still crackled around him.

“There’s only you left. Did you really just sit there while your minions got wiped out? Was I that scary?”

“Do not misunderstand. I was merely studying you. Your method of using ghost energy… it was highly efficient. Thanks to you, I learned something valuable. Rebuilding the Hyakki Yakou will be simple.”

Nurarihyon pointed his finger at me. A bolt of blue lightning shot out directly at me. Startled, I barely dodged to the side.

“You little… did you copy Raitenryu just by watching?”

“Is this what you call Raitenryu? It doesn’t suit me. After killing you, I’ll rename it.”

“You won’t get another chance. You die here. I’m ready.”

“Ready…? Hmm?”

Nurarihyon looked up. The ghost energy accumulated in the air suddenly transformed into thunder energy, reacting with the sky. KOOOOOOONG! An ear-splitting thunderclap resounded.

“Are the lightnings resonating with each other?”

“Not quite Raimu, but since I don’t control the lightning… let’s call it something else. I’ve decided. This is the new ultimate technique of Raitenryu.”

KUZZZIIIII!

A colossal bolt of lightning appeared at the center of the sky, warping space with its roar.

Nurarihyon realized escape was impossible. Swallowing his sigh, he muttered.

“Unbelievable… for a human to possess such power…”

Raitenryu (Thunder Heaven Style) Ultimate Technique: Raitenmei (Thunder Heaven Decree).

A massive bolt of lightning descended from the heavens.

It was a waterfall. It was a tidal wave.

The moment it struck the ground, it devoured and swept away everything.

Sung Yoojin opened his eyes. Protected by his Defensive Aura, he endured Raitenmei without serious injury.

There was nothing before him.

Where there had been mountains, now stretched an empty plain. The earth was pitch black, scorched by the lightning. Truly, everything had been swept away by the tide of lightning.

Sung Yoojin took a step forward.

Incredibly, Nurarihyon survived. Only his head remained, half-melted.

Sung Yoojin held his Divine Dao in reverse grip, raising it upward to finish the job.

“…Heavens, why have you sent such a human to this world…?”

“Even if you lament all you want, Heaven does nothing. Now, die.”

Puck.

The blade pierced through Nurarihyon.

『†You have exorcised the Hyakki Yakou.』

『†Your power shocks the heavens and makes hell weep.』

『†Ghosts feel such intense fear of your existence they chant sutras and pray.』

『†Oh Buddha. Oh Jesus. Oh Buddha. Oh Jesus.』

『†The laments of ghosts fill hell to the brim.』

『†Ghost energy practitioners worldwide experience a drastic decline in power.』