Myst, Might, Mayhem (Novel)

A man in navy blue martial arts robes, carrying a writing case on his back, paced back and forth not far from the Yeon Mok Sword Manor's clan residence, clutching a talisman in his hand.

*Flutter*

*Flutter*

Before long, a large flapping shadow appeared, centred around where he stood. Gradually, as if descending, the shadow diminished in size.

"Go-jo. Have you found him?" the man asked.

In response, the shrunken eagle shadow shook its head.

Perplexed, the man's expression shifted to one of incomprehension. He then pointed his sword finger mudra towards a specific spot in the void. Closing his eyes, he immersed himself in deep concentration.

After a while, he opened his eyes, furrowing his brow, 'What's this?'

Having received what Go-jo had witnessed, the man struggled to make sense of the situation. The entire clan residence seemed shrouded in a hazy mist. Such a phenomenon does not occur easily. It can be considered a type of Ghostly Domain, manifested by the powerful intent of a high-level vengeful spirit.

'…This is no ordinary matter.'

In terms of magical techniques, a Ghostly Domain is akin to a barrier. Only vengeful spirits of at least the Green Spirit level and above are capable of forming such a domain. This was the reason for the man's grave concern.

'How do I deal with this?'

He had intended to observe the target from the outside, but that had become difficult. Even Shaman Sak, whose mastery of magical arts nearly rivalled his own, had fallen victim to it, making it impossible to recklessly approach using spells.

However, the Ghostly Spirit Pavilion had incurred the Madam's wrath, rendering the prospect of entering equally daunting.

"Hmm."

As he pondered, his gaze fell upon a tipsy youth, arm in arm with women who appeared to be courtesans, stumbling along the path.

The youth swayed and collapsed to the ground, vomiting, as the courtesans attempted to rouse him.

"Oh my!"

"Young Master Mok? Young Master Mok? You should go home and rest. Didn't you promise to show us around?"

"Mmm..."

The courtesans, referred to as Young Master Mok, shook him several times to wake him. When he failed to regain consciousness, they furtively glanced around.

Seeing that Young Master Mok remained unresponsive, they discreetly began rummaging through his pockets.

Observing this, the corners of the man's mouth curled up slightly.

…

The Basic Writings of the School of Yin and Yang state that the lowest rank of vengeful spirits, the Red Spirits are a type of earth-bound spirits that can cause the living to experience goosebumps or mild chills.

Go Chan had become a vengeful spirit due to his unwavering desire to live, his sense of injustice, and the death energy infused by Mok Gyeongwoon. Moreover, he was a Red Spirit, the lowest rank.

As a newly formed vengeful spirit, he knew nothing and had no clear understanding of possession or how to carry it out. Thanks to Cheongryeong's advice, he managed to gradually take control of Ha Chae-rin's body.

As he suppressed her consciousness, fragments of memories seeped in.

A blood-stained room.

A heart filled with resentment.

…

"Grandfather? You can't be dead, right? Grandfather, you're one of the Four Great Assassins of the Central Plains, the Flying Killing Yama's Guest. Get up. You can't die. Get up!"

"The position of sect leader is vacant, and you want me to complete the Hundred Days and Nights? What kind of nonsense is that?"

"Just do it! Do it!"

"Grandfather.... I will definitely inherit your position and avenge you. No matter who it is."

…

Through absorbing Ha Chae-rin's memories, Go Chan learned that the sect leader had been suddenly murdered, plunging the Flying Killing Sect into internal chaos. Ha Chae-rin had been undergoing the Hundred Days and Nights ritual to become the next sect leader of the Flying Killing Sect.

'Was that so?'

It was a truly astonishing revelation. The deceased sect leader, who had earned the title of one of the Four Great Assassins, was a supreme master who had reached the Pinnacle of the Transformation Realm and boasted an almost perfect success rate in assassinations, befitting his status at the pinnacle of the assassin world.

Yet, such an exceptional assassin had been unexpectedly killed.

Based on Ha Chae-rin's memories, even his granddaughter suspected that it might have been the work of one of the other Four Great Assassins. If that were the case, it would pose significant challenges for the Flying Killing Sect's pursuit of revenge.

Of course, that was their problem.

Go Chan desperately wanted to resolve this issue.

"Sir...."

"Yes?"

"Please remove me from this body."

*Shudder*

Even as he spoke, goosebumps rose on his skin, and his arms tingled. It was because of his own voice. Anyone can imagine being the opposite sex, but when it actually happens, it becomes overwhelming for Go Chan.

"If I remove you, I'll have to deal with that woman immediately."

"…"

She was an assassin who had targeted Mok Gyeongwoon's life. He couldn't let her live.

"That woman is the granddaughter of the Flying Killing Sect's Manor Master, right? Didn't you say she's the next sect leader?"

"Well, yes, but…"

"I came here because of the now-dead Guard Gam, but if his granddaughter dies, things will get even more troublesome, don't you think?"

"… That's… true." Go Chan's voice trailed off.

He couldn't deny Mok Gyeongwoon's words. Although the disciples of the Flying Killing Sect found her temperament challenging, their loyalty and respect for the deceased Flying Killing Yama's Guest were exceptionally high.

Therefore, if his granddaughter Ha Chae-rin were to die, the entire Flying Killing Sect would resort to every means possible to kill Mok Gyeongwoon. In fact, he secretly hoped for it.

'I wish he would die.'

However, if Mok Gyeongwoon died, Go Chan would also perish. That was the fate of a spirit with a connected bond, as Cheongryeong had explained.

'Damn it.'

It was a cruel twist of fate. He was essentially no different from a slave. He couldn't allow Mok Gyeongwoon to die, even if he wanted to.

Go Chan found himself in a conflicted state of mind.

"Sigh," Cheongryeong, who had been smoking a long pipe and exhaling smoke, clicked her tongue and spoke to the troubled Go Chan.

"Why do you look like you're about to die? Newbie. You should be grateful just for possessing a living body."

Is this something to be grateful for? If that's the case, couldn't she have put him in a male body?

However, fearing Cheongryeong, he uttered words that contradicted his true feelings, "…Well, that's true, but."

"You were a weakling when you were alive, weren't you?"

"…"

"To be merely second-rate at that age, even after retiring as an assassin, means there was almost no hope for you."

"…"

It was like a fatal blow, one might say. Every word Cheongryeong spoke was like a sharp dagger, tormenting Go Chan. It rendered him speechless in a different sense.

*Pak*

At that moment, Go Chan instinctively tilted his head back slightly, "Yo- Young Master?"

Right in front of his nose, he saw the sole of Mok Gyeongwoon's shoe. If he had been a moment later, he would have been kicked in the chin.

Mok Gyeongwoon then said to him, "You're definitely fast. Even faster than when you were alive."

"What?"

Go Chan frowned at those words. Upon reflection, he realized that this movement was not his own. He had followed the lead of the body.

The body of Ha Chae-rin, who had reached the Pinnacle of the Transcendent Realm, possessed a level of intuition that was incomparably more acute than Go Chan, who had merely been second-rate.

'Ah!'

Seeing his realization, Cheongryeong chuckled and spoke, "Why are you so surprised? It's only natural since you've possessed a strong body."

"Is- is that so?"

"Still, it's best if you adapt to it. Newbie, given your low level, it will take more time for you to fully utilize that body."

Even among vengeful spirits, there exist different ranks. Cheongryeong, who had ascended to the realm of the Two Demons and Two Spirits, could draw out power surpassing the original body when possessing someone.

However, Go Chan, who was merely at the lowest Red Spirit level, was incapable of such feats.

Nonetheless, possessing the body of a supreme master at the Pinnacle of the Transcendent Realm meant he had become incomparably stronger than his original self.

'Transcendent Realm... ' Go Chan felt a strange sensation.

When he had been alive and cultivating martial arts, his goal had been to reach the first-rate level. However, despite his ardent desire, his talent was lacking, and he ultimately failed to cross that threshold. Now, he found himself in possession of a body that had reached the Pinnacle of the Transcendent Realm.

Realizing this, his feelings took a distinct turn.

"You seem to be pleased now, I see."

At Cheongryeong's remark, Go Chan regained his senses and waved his hands in denial. Although he was captivated by the prospect of being at the Transcendent Realm, the fact that it was a woman's body and not a man's continued to torment him.

"Being a newbie, you're thinking is still mundane," Cheongryeong clicked her tongue.

Once one accepts the reality of their own death and the concept of being a spirit, the physical body becomes nothing more than a shell. Of course, there is a difference between a shell one likes and one that one doesn't, but still.

She found it incomprehensible that he would show such aversion simply because it was a woman's body.

"Tsk, Tsk. You should be satisfied that you've obtained a young and beautiful body."

"I- I am a man. Even if being young is good, a woman's body is simply…"

"If you dare to indulge in self-gratification while secretly admiring yourself in the mirror when no one's looking, I will kill you."

"No. Why would I do such a thing?"

He had no such inclinations. If he had to possess a body, he would have preferred a male one.

Mok Gyeongwoon then said to him, "For now, please adapt to that body. When an opportunity arises later, I will arrange for you to transfer to another one."

He wanted to demand an immediate change, but recognizing the situation, Go Chan could say no more. He could only nod his head in dejection. It seemed he had no choice but to live as Ha Chae-rin for the time being.

But would this fellow really allow him to switch bodies so easily? He felt a strange unease.

*Thump*

*Thump*

*Thump*

The sound of someone running down the corridor could be heard.

Then, someone knocked on the door.

*Knock*

*Knock*

"Who is it?"

"Young Master! It's Bokhyeon from the Inner Hall."

"Come in."

At Mok Gyeongwoon's words, the door opened, and a man dressed in the attire of the Inner Hall entered. The man named Bokhyeon slightly bowed his head in a simple greeting, then spoke in a voice filled with delight.

"Young Master. Rejoice."

"What?"

Why was he suddenly being told to rejoice?

As he wondered, the Inner Hall guard Bokhyeon said, "The Manor Master has awakened!"

'!?'

Those words brought a glint to the eyes of both Mok Gyeongwoon and Go Chan, who was possessing Ha Chae-rin's body. At the time, the Manor Master had not been possessed but was on the verge of death due to the demonic master's kill (殺).

Although Mok Gyeongwoon had left the body, the Manor Master had been significantly weakened, yet somehow, he seemed to have survived.

'Hmm.'

This was an unexpected development. Mok Gyeongwoon had been contemplating leaving this place once he had become somewhat familiar with the basic techniques before the Manor Master succumbed to his injuries.

Staying longer would only lead to unpleasant entanglements with the Madam or the Second Young Master. But now, the Manor Master had awakened. Does that mean he had fully recovered?

"Young Master?"

At the call of the Inner Hall guard Bokhyeon, Mok Gyeongwoon changed his expression and placed his hand on his chest, speaking in a tone of relief, "Ah, what a relief. To hear that Father has awakened."

Seeing his act, Go Chan inwardly clicked his tongue. Of course, the Inner Hall guard Bokhyeon, unaware of Mok Gyeongwoon's true nature, harboured no suspicions.

"It's a blessing for the Yeon Mok Sword Manor Clan."

"Indeed. Thank you for coming to inform me."

"Ah! That's not the only reason."

"What?"

"The Manor Master is looking for you, Young Master."

"For me?"

"Yes. He said to bring you immediately."

Mok Gyeongwoon slightly tilted his head at those words. The Manor Master had summoned him as soon as he woke up? Why?

"Could it be because of that hidden place beneath the Medicinal Hall?"

'Ah…' At Cheongryeong's words, Mok Gyeongwoon inwardly acknowledged the possibility.

Perhaps the Manor Master had already checked the place where the secret manuals were hidden after waking up. If that were the case, Mok Gyeongwoon would naturally be the object of suspicion.

"What will you do?"

In response to that question, Mok Gyeongwoon lightly shrugged his shoulders. Currently, the Inner Hall guard had personally come to escort him, so he had no choice but to go. Judging solely from the delighted reaction of the Inner Hall guard, it was still uncertain whether the Manor Master had summoned him for the reason Cheongryeong had speculated.

"I understand. I will head to the Main Hall shortly."

"No. He said to bring you immediately."

"Immediately?"

'Maybe not?'

Hearing it put this way, it became difficult to ascertain once again. Regardless, it seemed the encounter with the Manor Master could not be delayed.

"Understood. Then, let us go."

At Mok Gyeongwoon's words, Go Chan, who was possessing Ha Chae-rin's body, habitually prepared to follow.

However, Mok Gyeongwoon shook his head and said, "Guard Go... Chae-rin, don't you have some cleaning to do in the storage room?"

'…Go Chae-rin, he said.'

The names were mixed up. Feeling somewhat cringed, Go Chan frowned. Suddenly, he recalled what had happened in the storage room.

'!!!!!'

It was the place where he had lost his life. Had they not disposed of his corpse yet?

"I'll be back soon. In the meantime, please take care of the cleaning."

"…Understood."

As Go Chan responded, Mok Gyeongwoon left the room, following the Inner Hall guard Bokhyeon. Cheongryeong naturally accompanied Mok Gyeongwoon.

After their departure, Go Chan felt a sense of unease. He now found himself in a situation where he had to handle the disposal of his own corpse.

'Damn it.'

Go Chan shook his head in disbelief. Nevertheless, he soon rose from his seat to head to the storage room.

'Mmm.'

For a moment, Go Chan blushed as he looked down at his chest. The unfamiliar weight and sensation he had never experienced as a man left him feeling strange. Goosebumps rose involuntarily.

He gazed into the mirror but couldn't adapt. Ha Chae-rin's alluring face and fluttering clothes remained unchanged, and she was undeniably beautiful.

Perhaps because she had grown so splendidly, 'It's more bothersome than I thought.'

His chest felt somewhat heavy. Go Chan furtively glanced around to ensure no one was nearby, then, driven by curiosity, unknowingly brought both hands gently to his chest.

*Swish*

At that instant, Cheongryeong's face abruptly appeared, penetrating through the door screen.

"…"

Go Chan instantly froze like ice.

"Tsk, Tsk," Seeing this, Cheongryeong clicked her tongue as if finding it pathetic, then promptly withdrew her face.

*Swish*

He hastily opened the door and looked outside, but she had long vanished. Go Chan felt the urge to dig a grave and bury himself right then and there.

'Hmm.'

A glint of interest flashed in Mok Gyeongwoon's eyes as he headed towards the Main Hall.

It was because he wasn't the only one heading there. On a forked path, Mok Yucheon, whose complexion had turned somewhat dark red compared to four days ago, was walking under the guidance of another Inner Hall guard.

'Could it be unrelated to the Medicinal Hall incident?'

Should he consider it fortunate? As he pondered, Mok Yucheon, who had spotted Mok Gyeongwoon, approached with quick strides as if he had something to say.