Requiem of Subdued Souls

Chapter 88: Flute Of Foreboding (8)

However, even after pouring out so much spiritual power into the sword, the paper was still opaque.

It was because it was just a projection.

Even the best of those who could see through memories couldn’t see much beyond the memories of the dead. In other words, Hae Cheon didn’t see the contents of the paper even until his death.

Even so, there had to be a reason why the sword was showing it to him.

‘I shouldn’t forget this. That paper…’

Seol Young made sure to remember it and focused back on the memory. Hae Cheon looked at the two Hwarangs right then and shouted,

“Seo Jun-rang! It’s finished. We can leave now.”

But no answer came.

Hae Cheon mumbled,

“Did he sleep somewhere again?”

He left his colleagues and headed to a house. He passed by the house they had first discovered and hesitated a little.

He could see Seo Jun-rang’s back, who was standing.

Hae Cheon asked,

“What is it? Did you find anything?”

Seo Jun looked back and smiled like it was nothing.

“Just looking around. I was curious what a village house would be like.”

“Such carefree words. I do not wish to stay here any longer. They told me that we can leave now, so let’s go.”

The two got out of the house.

However, when they returned to where the party was, they saw something strange.

“Now, here.”

One of the Hwarangs was passing something to the other three. They couldn’t see what it was.

“What is it?”

Seo Jun approached them and asked, making all of the Hwarangs turn to him.

“How about we show it to Seo Jun-rang and Hae Cheon-rang? I’m not sure. It may or may not be true.”

“They both wouldn’t know either. They were late earlier and didn’t even get a good look.”

“Enough. It is all because we are on edge about all of this. Let’s head back fast.”

And they headed their way to the road.

Seo Jun no longer cared and walked away, but Hae Cheon couldn’t do that. He approached the Black Tortoise Hwarang and asked,

“But what is it? What happened?”

“It is nothing.”

The man shrugged.

“It was just that…”

His answer was so low.

Sounds of scratching could be heard, and at the same time, the vision began to fluctuate violently.

‘…?’

Seol Young frowned a little. It was strange.

The sword that he connected with was very cooperative with his touch, but strange things continued to happen. It meant that there was some other force at work.

‘I am sure I will be pushed out again soon.’

But he wanted to watch it a little longer.

Seol Young infused pure energy into the sword through his fingers. Since it was a skill used by the White Tigers, the energy didn’t collide but helped it instead.

‘Please hold on a little more.’

The blurred vision became clear.

…It was raining.

The ground began to become uneven as the rain continued to fall, and red eyes shone through the thick mist of water.

Demonic beings.

Various demonic beings sneaked up on them, but they brought them down with their swords.

Blood and rainwater splashed in all directions, and lightning flashed.

It was unreasonable for them to go further like this. Then someone pointed to one place.

“Isn’t that a hut?”

There was something resembling a small hut in the pouring rain, and the group hurriedly headed there. It was an abandoned hut with no one inside. It was old but strong enough to withstand the rain.

The group barely caught their breaths.

They took off their wet robes and lit a fire. They took out dry things to start a fire and cleaned the place.

“We can pass the time here.”

Since everyone was exhausted, they all either sat down or laid down.

Hae Cheon also laid down. At the same time, he glanced to the side, and Seo Jun was staring at a Hwarang from the Black Tortoise.

What was with him?

He wondered, but he was too tired to care about such things.

Hae Cheon fell asleep right then. How long was it?

He heard strange noises in the middle of his sleep.

It was the sound of something being stabbed and a groan.

….?

Hae Cheon got up, and in the dark, someone drew a sword and stabbed a Hwarang.

Hae Cheon was shocked.

“Seo Jun-rang!”

His shout woke up the others.

“What happened?”

“Turn on the lights!”

Someone hurriedly tried to turn on the flames, and after a clatter, the hut shone.

At that moment…

[Open your eyes!]

Came a loud roar.

A voice was shouting at Seol Young from beyond the space. And Seol Young opened his eyes in shock.

“…?”

Stone dust fell from the ceiling. The place was shaking like there had been an earthquake.

All the swords in the tomb were rattling. The lanterns also flickered as if they would go out at any moment.

“You said it would be fine!”

Seo Geom was angry and aimed his sword at Seol Young.

Seol Young pointed to the side.

It was supposed to mean, ‘It’s not because of me.’

Even if he was violent by nature, his eyes weren’t blocked. He looked up and recognized it right away.

The problem was outside.

There was this bloody feeling of death that was creeping into the passage from the stone chamber.

Seo Geom lowered his sword, the Half-Dragon Sword.

“What is that?”

“Well. Probably….”

Seol Young used talismans against the bloody mist that was flowing inside. The fog dissipated with a sound, but it soon gathered again.

“Something outside seems to have caused this…”

Numerous things appeared and swayed around the lanterns. Shadows began to rise. One, two, and then ten, which soon became twenty.

The stone walls were filled with shadows.

The next moment, a sword that was enshrined came out of its sheath by itself.

It began to move and…

Swish!

It cut through the wind and attacked them.

Chang!

Seo Geom blocked it.

At the same time, another sword came, and Seol Young hurriedly knocked it down, but his wrist felt numb from the collision.

“What? Why are the Sword Spirits attacking us suddenly?”

“There is a misunderstanding here.”

“Then…!”

Seo Geom put his hands on his sleeve, only to realize that he had left his flute to his uncle.

He raised his sword instead.

“I am the leader of the Blue Dragon True Troops!”

He showed it to display his authority. Immediately, the Sword Spirit took the form of a huge blue dragon. It pierced right through the mist and ran wild, spreading its energy everywhere.

The vibrations slowly subsided, and it became quiet.

“As expected….”

Seo Geom said.

All the swords in the tomb floated.

Clack, clack.

And they came out of their sheaths.

They all rained down on the two.

At that time, on one side of the library, the voices didn’t stop.

“Right. I wondered why the money pouch that I had given to Seol Young was with the High Governor. And that child gave it to you himself?”

“Right. Which means he gave it.”

“Eh, as if that can happen. That guy values what we give him far too much. Even if the emperor himself gave it to him, he wouldn’t care much about it. And giving such a valuable thing like that to the High Governor…”

“That is why you stopped me.”

“No. It means that at that time, he was already full of respect and admiration for the High Governor. Surely you get it.”

“At that time, did you see Seol Young-rang’s expression or hear his tone? Was it for me or for the three of you?”

“We have known Seol Young for ten years now. We are right.”

Song Ok and Hyo Wol took turns talking to him, while Baek Eon said nothing. However, his expression clearly showed that he agreed with what the two were saying.

“In the past, the opinions of the High Governor and ours were always at odds. Well, let’s get it over with. The next…”

“Next? You said there was only one thing.”

“There is something else I am really curious about. What if…”

“Enough.”

Zaha blocked their words.

“I really want to ask something. How the hell has everyone been? As far as I can remember, you people were the most decent ones of the troops, so why do you lose your temper when it comes to Seol Young?”

These three were stingy with their emotions.

“And then even coming all the way here too…”

“It wasn’t my order, so it doesn’t concern me. There. You know now.”

Zaha looked at the three and said,

“Baek Eon seems like he is kind to everyone, but you have clear boundaries in your heart, so you do not allow anyone to step in.”

“…”

“Song Ok judges a person very quickly.”

“….”

“Hyo Wol gets along with everyone, but in fact, you have better insight, and you will never allow anyone to get close to him unless you approve of them.”

“…”

All three of them couldn’t say anything. It was the right analysis, as if he had seen through their characters.

“I don’t understand how it has turned out like this. Apparently, it has been like this for the last eight to seven years, so isn’t this the right time for you to turn back to your original selves? If it is hard, I can help. Let’s see how many….”

When he said that, something wriggled in Zaha’s chest.

He paused and put his hand inside.

The necklace of the Tree Spirit God was trembling as if it wanted to say something.

“…”

Seeing Zaha’s face change, the three of them asked,

“What is it?”

“It seems like something happened to your youngest.”

“Uh?”

The three of them jumped up in surprise.