Chapter 18

Yang Kwae and Yang Jeong shouted that they should fall back, but in reality, they were preparing to charge forward.

Namgung Woo protected them from the Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom and even demonstrated how to handle Thunder Qi.

Though not their master, he was someone they could call a benefactor. The Yang Brothers felt they had to repay the favor.

Watching Namgung Woo confront the Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom, the brothers were calculating when they could lend their strength.

It was obvious that retreating was more dangerous than advancing. Even Namgung Woo might reveal a weakness when trying to escape.

So, the brothers thought they should create an opening to help Namgung Woo safely withdraw.

But the swords they held couldn’t find a gap to intervene, only trembling at the tips.

Too intense?

No.

Too overwhelming.

The Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom, which nullified even the Sword Aura of a Peak Master, seemed like a mere toy to him.

The young man, effortlessly scattering Sword Aura and leaving marks on the Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom, was in a realm far beyond the brothers, who were still struggling at the threshold of the Peak.

When the Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom finally unleashed a ferocious attack, the brothers were sure their chance to help had come.

Until Namgung Woo gripped his sword with both hands and took a mid-stance.

A halo of light began from his hands, enveloping the blade, and the luminous threads intertwined like weaving a fabric, forming a radiant surface.

Watching this, the brothers realized what it was.

“Aura… Energy?”

“No… it’s Sword Aura! Sword Aura!”

A realm beyond Sword Aura that could injure, a realm where Sword Aura becomes a tangible force.

A pinnacle martial art symbolizing the highest level of martial prowess.

An unbelievable achievement.

A miraculous talent.

The sight of a young man, barely past his youth, naturally manifesting Sword Aura was surreal, even in a world where the unreal had become real.

But that surreal feeling soon vanished with a vertical slash.

It was a beautiful sword.

And at the same time, an incredibly powerful sword.

A line of light, carrying a platinum thunderbolt, vertically slashed through the Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom.

Following its trajectory, the massive spectral form of the Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom split apart.

The Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom, known for chaotically altering its form, now twisted grotesquely, not by its own will.

The dazzling platinum Sword Aura burned away the incomprehensible spectral body of the Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom.

[Grrk, grrrk, ghaaa…!]

A scream of pain, not mockery, erupted from the twisted mouth of the Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom.

The spectral body began to collapse, emitting an eerie scream that seemed impossible for any living creature.

“Young hero! Fall back!”

“If you stay there, you’ll die!”

Yang Jeong and Yang Kwae shouted in panic.

There’s a saying that the Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom doesn’t die alone. It’s like a vengeful spirit.

An extremely malevolent demon.

Not only does it remain unharmed by attacks without Sword Aura due to its spectral form, but its greater infamy comes from enveloping the area with its Demonic Energy when it dies, dragging others to the underworld.

Even a Peak Master who has achieved Sword Aura might not die from the Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom’s self-destruction, but they could suffer internal injuries or, worse, be corrupted by the Demonic Energy, losing their martial prowess and falling into madness.

Paeng Mu-ho and Paeng Ha-ryeong were left battered after capturing just one Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom due to the aftermath of its explosion.

“Damn it, it’s too late!”

Yang Kwae shouted in frustration, watching the Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom’s spectral body swell as if about to burst.

At the same time, the twin brothers leaped into action.

Though they were in more danger than the mysterious master, they chose to repay their debt.

Even if he had reached the Transcendent Peak, given his age, his Internal Energy couldn’t be vast.

Though his control over Aura Energy was exceptional due to his innate talent, the absolute amount of Internal Energy, which relies on time, must have its limits.

Judging by the Sword Aura he had shown so far, his Internal Energy far surpassed his peers, but after using so much Sword Aura and now manifesting Sword Aura, he must be nearing his limit.

The reason he stood still after bisecting the Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom with a miraculous sword strike must be due to exhaustion from depleted Internal Energy.

Without a word, the brothers divided their roles with a glance.

‘I’ll grab the young hero and retreat.’

‘Then I’ll disrupt the Demonic Energy with a full-power sword strike.’

But once again, Namgung Woo far exceeded the Yang Brothers’ expectations.

Swish—

His sleeves fluttered.

Boom—!

The ground shook.

Infinite Steps, One Step Shakes the Heavens.

By maximizing the power of his footwork, he released a shockwave forward, blocking the wave of Evil Energy.

The shockwave, imbued with Thunder Qi, halted the Evil Energy like a massive cliff. The collision of the two energies sparked violently.

With just one step.

The depth of his Internal Energy and the mastery of his footwork were beyond comprehension.

Even Paeng Mu-ho, standing close behind the Yang Brothers, gasped in awe.

The clash of platinum Thunder Qi and grayish Demonic Energy felt like a scene from a myth.

True masters are different even in their footwork.

It was a scene that truly embodied the famous martial saying.

“His footwork is really on another level…”

Yang Kwae’s muttered words seemed to express the feelings of all three present.

Namgung Woo, who created this spectacle, paid no attention to their reactions. Instead, he was immersed in his own achievement.

‘I perfectly controlled the flow of energy.’

Just enough to halt the wave of Demonic Energy.

Exactly as planned.

Using Azure Tranquility Eyes to observe, calculating in his mind, and rolling his feet to generate energy—all three steps were flawlessly executed without any loss or delay.

Now, he could confidently say he controlled his Internal Energy like his own limbs.

As the clash of the two energy waves subsided and the energies created by humans and demons dispersed back into nature.

Namgung Woo turned around and pointed at the Ghost Gate.

“Should we close that now?”

Unlike the Yang Brothers, still in shock, the experienced Paeng Mu-ho quickly regained his composure and answered.

“The sooner, the better. The Ghost Gate widens over time, and stronger demons will emerge.”

“Do you know how to close it?”

“Just destroy it. Before it opens, the Ghost Gate is just a mass of energy, helpless against martial artists. But once it opens, it materializes. A Sword Aura strike would be enough to destroy it.”

“Then I’ll handle it myself.”

“…I’ll leave it to you.”

Namgung Woo had already grasped the general method through Azure Tranquility Eyes, but after confirming with Paeng Mu-ho, he began to move.

This was his first time seeing it. And since he had crossed dimensions, Namgung Woo’s actions were meticulous.

The Ghost Gate’s form was surprisingly ordinary, resembling an Eastern-style gate. Only the energy flowing from it was unnaturally malevolent.

Just approaching it made his skin feel sticky.

“What’s this?”

Then, Namgung Woo noticed something strange and muttered to himself.

The strange energy covering the Ghost Gate.

It felt different from the Evil Energy emanating from it.

‘Is this how Ghost Gates normally are?’

If Namgung Woo had seen other Ghost Gates before, he would have noticed the anomaly immediately, but this was his first time.

However, Namgung Woo had a near-cheat-like ability. Enhancing Azure Tranquility Eyes, his eyes turned blue-white.

‘Right. Someone tampered with it.’

The artificial traces on the Ghost Gate.

What did this mean? Namgung Woo gathered Heavenly Thunder Divine Energy in his hand and dispelled the faint energy membrane covering the Ghost Gate.

“This is…”

Namgung Woo frowned as he uncovered the true nature of the Ghost Gate.

‘There’s no way the world beyond is where I came from.’

Namgung Woo was certain the moment he glimpsed beyond the Ghost Gate.

It was a bizarre world. A collection of grotesque entities that couldn’t possibly exist in Earth’s ecosystem.

Namgung Woo closed his eyes, blocking the visual information.

And as fatigue rapidly set in, he covered his eyes with his hand, using Heavenly Thunder Divine Energy to calm his churning head and stomach.

“Phew…”

Destroying it is the right choice.

This Ghost Gate might be special, so it’s necessary to observe Ghost Gates in the future. But there’s no reason to keep this one open now.

Namgung Woo channeled Heavenly Thunder Divine Energy into his sword.

Thirteen Lightning Flash Swords, Eighth Form: Thunderous Annihilation. A supreme strike embodying the principles of strength and destruction shattered the Ghost Gate.

That was the end.

Unlike the Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom’s explosive death, the Ghost Gate vanished without a trace, suppressed by the natural energy of the world.

The Ghost Gate was never part of this world.

The moment Namgung Woo broke the framework deceiving the world, the world expelled it.

“The last thing…”

The Ghost Gate was closed.

The battle was over.

But one task remained.

Namgung Woo walked toward Paeng Mu-ho, who was tending to the only injured person.

Specifically, toward Paeng Ha-ryeong, who was breathing heavily.

And when Namgung Woo was five steps away from Paeng Ha-ryeong.

“Stop right there.”

“Hold it.”

“Keep your distance from the lady.”

Three martial artists surrounded Namgung Woo.