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Ah, Dark Heaven Village. Once upon a time, it was known as Pyongyang Prefecture during the reign of King Gongmin. When it got snatched by the Yuan Dynasty, it went by Dongning Prefecture, but eventually returned to its roots. After the tumult of the Yuan and Ming transition, Goryeo managed to fortify its defenses and, with Kings U and Chang breathing life back into the nation, it reclaimed the name of Seogyeong.

King U was never keen on politics, but suddenly became a decisive ruler, rooting out rebels with newfound resolve. Rumor has it that the Twelve Joules had a hand in this transformation, though who knows for sure? Regardless, as Goryeo rose in power, even this once-dilapidated old town flourished once again.

Monk Ji-yul stood staring at the crumbling remnants of the old Dongning Prefecture structure.

“I’ve felt the energy of the Yin-Yang Master from right there.”

For over a hundred years, this place hadn’t seen even a cleanup crew. Geomancers claimed that the grudges of the dead from the Yuan era still lingered, flooding the area with malevolent energy, making it a perilous site for even the boldest. The gathered sorcerers and Taoist masters of Goryeo nodded in agreement.

“There’s potent sorcery at play.”

“Let’s dispel the barrier.”

Whirring forwards, those skilled in martial arts began to dismantle the barriers encasing the ruined building. Although there was no physical force impeding them, anyone stepping inside would be trapped in illusions and subjected to fierce curses. It was reckless to enter unprepared; thus, the barriers had to be neutralized first.

Boom!

Suddenly, a radiant light erupted out of nowhere, and a transparent veil lifted—it was the signal that the barrier was gone. The Yin-Yang Master’s subjugation squad ventured deeper, but just as everyone entered the main gate, a fearsome crash rang out from behind.

Ka-boom!

Ji-yul frowned at the dust cloud.

“Naseng Gate!”

A monstrous wooden door loomed tall and wide, blocking our escape route. Its entrance was inscribed with demonic figures, invoking an eerie dread. I turned to Ji-yul.

“What’s that?”

“It’s the barrier technique of the Yin-Yang sect. They clearly intend to trap us like rats in a cage.”

“Can’t we just jump over the wall and bail?”

“That gate itself harbors the strength of the barrier. To break through, we’d have to take out the sorcerer or employ the Fahe Technique.”

“Got it.”

I nodded.

“Looks like the enemy’s come to meet us.”

Sssssshh.

Before the crumbling old structure, a bizarre shape began to materialize. It was too artificial to be a true monster, resembling an oversized paper puppet, wobbling as it approached. Ji-yul grabbed the captain.

“Everyone, be careful! That’s a Spirit Puppet of the Yin-Yang sect! Don’t be fooled by its appearance; it’s fast, powerful, and tough to kill!”

Spirit Puppet?

I was taken aback, seeing something so extraordinary for the first time. I never realized sorcery could create such animated puppets out of paper! There were at least fifty of them, clearly outnumbering our subjugation squad.

Clang!

“Zha Ryun from the Twelve Joules National Defense Alliance, here I come!!”

Zha Ryun, a fierce fighter who had once sparred with me, roared as he unsheathed his sword and charged ahead. His sword technique was packed with powerful energy, and before long, he sliced two of the puppets to bits.

Thud!

Though made of paper, the puppets crashed down, making a heavy sound on impact. Those attacks surely held significant physical force.

“Whoa!!”

“Let’s wreck the invaders!!”

That was the cue, and everyone from the Twelve Joules subjugation squad leaped forward like they were in sync. Each of them was an expert from their respective sects; not one was below first-rate. Instantly, swords, spears, arrows, and spells filled the air as they engaged fiercely with the Spirit Puppets.

Whoosh!!

As one of the Twelve Joules sorcerers unleashed a fire-based spell to incinerate a puppet, his brows furrowed.

“More are being summoned! What impressive sorcery!”

Even though we had downed half the puppets in merely a short time, strange sounds came from the building’s rear, heralding the emergence of additional Spirit Puppets. They clearly aimed to exhaust our stamina and mental fortitude by sending waves of lower-tier puppets our way.

Just then, a Taoist master beside Ji-yul leaped forward dramatically and shouted.

“We can’t waste time here! Leave this to the sorcerer of Haedong Milcheon!!”

With a swish, his sword moved with unbelievable speed. It was a pace unattainable by regular techniques, hinting that he was employing some form of sorcery. Like an illusion, his shadow elongated, and in an instant, twelve unique seals illuminated the ground.

With hand gestures, the Taoist yelled in the center of the plaza.

“Quick as lightning, obey my command! Right foot, great decision!”

Snap!

Miraculously, as the Taoist stepped on the last seal, the hordes of Spirit Puppets paused in unison. His technique must’ve expanded its effect to immobilize the puppets’ movements. The warriors and sorcerers in the plaza cheered.

“Thank you!”

“Let’s smash it to pieces!”

Ka-boom!

Suddenly, amidst all the slashing, I couldn’t help but be amazed by what I saw. Each warrior had their strengths, but they worked together seamlessly, effectively dismantling a multitude of enemies.

‘This is the power of teamwork…!!’

While sorcery typically lacked direct offensive capability, it could significantly change the tide of battle when used for support. I saw that the subjugation squad was a balanced mix of fighters and sorcerers, and it made sense that the Twelve Joules had plenty of experience in battling formidable opponents. Moreover, the unity they shared, bonded through their fight against their enemies, fortified their resolve.

With the final explosion, all the Spirit Puppets in the plaza fell. At that moment, a sinister chuckle echoed from inside the crumbling structure of Dongning Prefecture.

[“Ahaha, Twelve Joules, you really did come to stir up trouble! Why are you bothering me?”]

With the captain gripped tight, Ji-yul stepped forward and clasped his hands together.

“You summoned monsters from the Classic of Mountains and Seas and wreaked havoc on this land. You shall receive the punishment that is due.”

[“Heh heh, you know those monsters are mostly just bumbling fools, right? They rarely cause harm to humans with their penchant for flesh.”]

“That may be true, but why are you causing a ruckus on Goryeo’s land? Do share your excuses.”

[“An excuse? Ahahaha.”]

Woosh!

“What the…?”

The entire subjugation squad gasped in shock as an alluring Yin-Yang sorceress materialized from thin air, grinning and far more beautiful than before, her curves drawing all eyes. But that wasn’t the real shock; Ji-yul frowned deeply.

“Transmission Technique?! How can one with your skill be so reckless?”

[“Heh heh… A powerful evil spirit filled with grievances is trapped within this land. I set up a barrier to absorb its strength, and it conveniently came with the talents of the Classic of Mountains and Seas.”]

“So you cast the sorcery using energy that leaked while the monsters from the Classic of Mountains and Seas were sealed?”

Giggling, the Yin-Yang sorceress continued, [“Oh… you seem quite knowledgeable for a little man. You’ve done me quite the service to come this far.”]

“You intended for the Twelve Joules to hunt down the forces, all for your own gain? Truly despicable!!”

Fuming, Ji-yul growled.

But since I didn’t grasp the intricacies of their exchange, I queried, “You speak of evil spirits—where exactly are they?”

Ji-yul responded, “There’s likely one around here. Only one being around Seogyeong could turn into an evil spirit.”

“Who is it?”

Ji-yul sealed his lips tightly, while the Yin-Yang sorceress covered her mouth with a fan, snickering.

[“I’m willing to help you deal with the evil spirit. What does it matter to you? Surely it would be beneficial to wait till I finish my work?”]

“Don’t be ridiculous. Just looking at the sinister energy radiating from you tells me you’re no friendly being. I shudder at the thought of the power you’ll wield after absorbing the evil spirit. We’re sealing you and the evil spirit right here!”

She laughed aloud. [“Ahahaha… do try if you can!”]

With that, the Yin-Yang sorceress vanished using her Transmission Technique again. She probably slipped inside that uneasy four-story ruin to wait us out. I glanced at the building, then said, “What if we just called in the archers to rain down fire arrows and collapse the place?”

Ji-yul shook his head. “No can do—her sorcery is likely strong enough to block arrows.”

“What’s the story about this evil spirit? Would you mind explaining a bit more?”

It seemed I wasn’t the only one curious; the members of the Twelve Joules around us were all focused on Ji-yul, who appeared to be the most knowledgeable sorcerer here. Letting out a long sigh of annoyance, Ji-yul finally spoke.

“This building of Dongning Prefecture is where Zen Master Jeongshim was killed by Zhao Kuang.”

“Zen Master Jeongshim?”

I tilted my head, utterly confused. But before I could dwell on it, the Daoist master who had unleashed that powerful right-foot technique earlier paled.

“Wait… are you telling me this is where Myo Cheong died?”

“Indeed. The reason for declaring this place a sacred site and leaving it in ruins is that his formidable spirit is likely transformed into a powerful evil entity. Over the years, efforts were made to weaken his powers and eventually disperse him…”

Ji-yul sighed again. “That sorceress intends to absorb his strength, which spells massive trouble…”

I still racked my brains wondering why everyone was so rattled. So, I pressed on with questions. “And who exactly is this Myo Cheong?”

Your guess is as good as mine. Myo Cheong is the monk who incited riots to shift Goryeo’s capital here to Seogyeong. Betrayed by Zhao Kuang, he met his end on this very land.”

“Ah… I see now. What’s our next plan?”

“What else can we do?”

I pointed towards the decrepit structure. “It’s clear the inside is a trap, but you intend to step in anyway? If we can, breaking down Naseng Gate and bringing in backup might be safer, don’t you think?”

The Twelve Joules squad murmured in agreement, clearly concerning themselves with tormented foes like the sorceress capable of wielding transmission techniques. Yet Ji-yul promptly shook his head, resolute.

“We can’t delay! If we take too long, that Yin-Yang sorceress will absorb Myo Cheong’s power, resulting in a colossally evil monster, and things will spiral out of control.”

“Umm…”

Ji-yul kept going. “We must muster courage! Though her powers are extraordinary, they undoubtedly have limits. She’s likely expended significant power summoning all those Spirit Puppets; if we remain calm, we can definitely bring her down.”

Once again, the Twelve Joules’ morale soared. I realized Ji-yul held higher regard than I had assumed within the Twelve Joules. It suddenly linked—this is why the urgent rally for the extermination of the Yin-Yang sect promised so many willing participants. With a begrudging acceptance, I thought to myself, ‘Ugh, guess there’s no backing out now.’

This time around, I simply hoped to avoid risks and stay safe, but now it felt more dangerous to retreat. If I didn’t join forces with the Twelve Joules to vanquish this threat, as Ji-yul warned, we’d only compound our troubles later. Plus, losing their trust would undoubtedly complicate things as I sought further intel about the Third Sea.

With the sound of dust falling, the subjugation squad advanced into the building’s first floor. A ray of light gleamed like a beam across the room, illuminating a solitary warrior waiting with a long saber in hand. Oddly, this warrior wore bulky armor that concealed most of his face.

Ji-yul addressed him, “By your garb, it appears you’re a Dongyoung martial artist. Step aside; alone, you can’t defeat us.”

In a sluggish tone, the Dongyoung warrior stammered, “I… I must receive strength from the… Heavenly Tiger.”

“Seems like a nuisance. You’re on the same side as them, so don’t blame me when I put you in your place!”

It was Zha Ryun who stepped up next. His soft appearance clashed with his fiery temperament. As he called forth his sword energy, the Dongyoung warrior jolted in surprise, raising his long saber defensively before they clashed violently.

Clang! Clang!

‘What the hell… this guy’s weak!’

My disappointment grew as I watched the battle unfold. The Dongyoung warrior wasn’t awful at fighting, being somewhat close to first-rate proficiency, but Zha Ryun’s prowess surpassed that, putting the latter at a significant disadvantage in every exchange. I couldn’t believe this weakling was meant to hinder us!

With a fast thrust, Zha Ryun’s sword stopped just shy of the Dongyoung warrior’s throat, having managed to subdue him in under fifty seconds.

“Let me ask again—are you stepping aside or not?”

The Dongyoung warrior swallowed hard. “I-I’ll step aside!”

“Good choice.”

As Zha Ryun sheathed his sword, the Dongyoung warrior—face clouded with defeat—bent his head in despair. The subjugation warriors, sensing the decline of his spirit, ignored him and made their way up to the second floor.

But just then, I felt something was amiss. Why would such a skilled sorceress leave a weakling as a guardian? It felt almost like a setup for failure. Out of instinct, I patted the Dongyoung warrior’s shoulder, trying to share some encouragement.

“Keep your chin up.”

Suddenly, the Dongyoung warrior jerked his head up and shouted, “Yes, YOU were the one here!!”

Swish!

He screamed, brandishing his sword imbued with vengeful energy, and charged at me. I barely managed to react in time, blocking his attack, but his sudden aggression left me speechless. How could someone so pitiful turn violent in an instant?

But regardless, I retaliated swiftly. “You brought this on yourself!”

Shick!

With a quick slice, I severed the Dongyoung warrior’s head, sending it tumbling into the dark, leaving him completely out of sight. Confused by what had just happened, I couldn’t help but curl my eyebrows as I made my way forward.

‘What’s with this? Did I unknowingly ignite some grudge against him? Or did he see me as an easy target?’

The Twelve Joules squad ascended to the second floor, where two creatures resembling goblins awaited us. One looked like a gaunt ghostly figure, while the other was a broader one peering from the shadows. They seemed weak at first glance, and I thought, “This is going to be a walk in the park.” But then Ji-yul spoke up, tense.

“Those are the Yin-Yang sect’s strongest guardians, Front Demon and Back Demon! They’ll be immensely powerful, so be on guard!”

Boom!

As predicted by Ji-yul, the scrawny Front Demon spat forth a beam of laser-like energy, sending several members of the subjugation squad reeling. At the same time, the hefty Back Demon swung a flail in our direction, showing immense strength and ferocity.

“Watch out!”

“Steady! Hold the line!”

“Stick together!”

In chaos, the warriors and sorcerers banded together, grouping around both demons. I headed towards the larger Back Demon, convinced that its massive body would be easier to hit.

‘This is no joke…’

As I gathered the troops for our assault, I felt a surge of relief wash over me. There was no way I could take on either of those alone; if I had shown up solo, I wouldn’t have made it out in one piece! Thanks to the others, we managed to keep our odds in half-decent territory.

[Krooooar!]

Ka-boom!

The Back Demon unleashed a roaring attack, lashing out wildly with its flail, forcing the warriors and sorcerers to dodge while targeting its defenses. But the demon’s skin was unnaturally tough, behaving as though it wore armor.

I weaved around with my Thunder Shadow Step, avoiding the Back Demon’s whirling flail as I closed in and struck. Thunder Blade!

Crack!

A massive arc of lightning appeared, cutting into the Back Demon’s sturdy back. Yet, despite the devastating blow, it merely stumbled momentarily before rising again. Not a fatal wound! I was left utterly flabbergasted.

‘What kind of beast can withstand such power?!’

The Thunder Blade had been swung with all my might, packing as much force as I could muster. A blow that would crush an average human into nothingness only fazed this brute.

“Stay strong! We can win!”

“Yes!”

Realizing my attack had at least hindered its movement, I teamed up with the Twelve Joules subjugation squad and relentlessly pressed the assault. After landing enough hits, the Back Demon finally crumpled.

Crash…

[Grrrrrooo…]

With a screech, the Back Demon exploded into paper fragments, proving the supposed beast was merely an illusion of sorcery! I wiped the sweat from my brow, turning my focus to the Front Demon.

“Ugh, this situation looks grim.”

Though smaller, the Front Demon spat out malicious beams, keeping the Twelve Joules squad at bay with deadly precision. Meanwhile, the pesky blue flames darted around, posing a significant threat. If the Back Demon exemplified raw strength, the Front Demon thrived on mischief and trickery.

“Haaah!”

Along with the others, I charged the Front Demon. It seemed as if it became startled as we swarmed, forcing it to unleash an even more chaotic storm of lasers.

Ka-boom!

“The building’s going to collapse!”

I pushed the panic aside, knowing that if we didn’t resolve the Front Demon soon, the entire venue might indeed crumble under its assault and take us all down. Since it was merely a puppet, our disadvantage would be disastrous.

I decided to risk it all, darting forward with conviction. Summoning the Thunderclap technique, I sped closer to the Front Demon. I was so fast that it remained oblivious until the thin blade of my sword hovered mere inches from its throat.

Shwoom!

[Kiieeek!]

The demon’s head promptly twisted off, rendering the beam attacks completely ineffective. The subjugation members emerged from their cover, finally able to breathe easy now that the immediate danger was neutralized.

“Phew, we’re alive!”

“Thank you, young hero!”

“We’d have been done for without you!”

“It’s nothing.”

I waved them off, my expression sour.

“Now I’m worried about what awaits us on the third floor.”

At that point, we had already sustained one casualty and four injuries. Facing whatever guardian resided on the third floor was intimidating, particularly given the grievous losses we’d faced.

Ji-yul turned to me, saying, “Would you mind leading the way?”

“Huh?”

“Something feels off. The Front and Back Demons suddenly showed up at the second floor—could it be that the sorceress is not what we think?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll get our injured back in shape. It won’t take long.”

I felt the stakes were rising. Something about the situation was off. Surely we weren’t just meant to charge in and ‘handle’ business like this? ‘Wait, he wants me to scout ahead, doesn’t he? I need to remain collected.’

But I couldn’t turn down Ji-yul’s request, especially not in this dire atmosphere. I thought: Surely he doesn’t expect me to wage war alone against a sorceress! Ultimately, I chose to nod in agreement.

“Alright.”

“If things go sideways, don’t hesitate to flee.”

“You don’t need to tell me.”

No way a more powerful force than what we had already tackled would strike us—if so, I’d hightail it without a second thought! I would put forth my best efforts, but my life was most certainly not on the line here.

After a temporary retreat, the squad moved outside the building while I headed up to the third floor. I observed the hushed surroundings for a lengthy moment before attracting attention on the fourth floor.

“This is unnecessary…”

Feeling slack, as I reached the fourth floor, its scene unfolded before me. The very Yin-Yang sorceress, who had laughed as we battled earlier, now lounged elegantly at a table, sipping from a cup. While her glimmering curves were hard to ignore, I forced myself to focus on her face instead.

She looked at me and chuckled softly. “So you’re the one he spoke of—it’s truly fascinating.”

“What are you on about? Who’s this ‘he’?”

“The warrior from the first floor that you dispatched.”

“Oh.”

I was puzzled, wondering what he had said about me. Yet the sorceress offered no further explanation, merely erupting into laughter.

[“Hahaha, humans are incredibly amusing! After living for so many years, I’ve never seen anything quite like this grudge before.”]

“What grudge are you talking about?”

[“Ah, never mind. Still, you’ve made it this far; your skills are no trivial matter. Therefore, I wish to extend an opportunity.”]

“An opportunity?”

Then, in the blink of an eye, her graceful form morphed, dark fur erupting as she transitioned into a beastly creature resembling a massive fox. Her features transformed, becoming more animalistic while her body grew larger. Bright luminescence emanated from her supple silver coat, and a fierce aura flickered in her eyes. But what struck me most were her tails—nine of them swishing proudly behind her.

Never had I encountered anyone or anything with nine tails, save for whispers of legends long lost to time.

In shock, I called out, “Heavenly Tiger, Nine-Tailed Fox…!!”

 

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