Chapter 44: Blood (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 44: Blood (5)
Confusion flickered in the eyes of the masked men who remained standing.
It was a natural reaction. To say he would "eliminate the source of trouble" was a declaration of intent to kill them. Just moments ago, they had seen him as a reliable ally, only for him to turn into an enemy in an instant. The absurdity of the situation was likely overwhelming.
However, I found the situation just as uncomfortable.
‘...To hand me the power over their life and death.’
There were over forty masked men still standing. With a single word of permission, they would all die.
The Blood Demon Sword spoke to me in a mocking tone.
Listen here.
I’m not the type of person who enjoys playing with lives. I’ve killed because the situation left me no choice or out of necessity, but I’ve never killed indiscriminately without reason.
‘They rejected me, so I should kill them all?’
Give it a rest.
Even that has to be done according to the situation. These men were simply staying true to their loyalty—even if it meant violating the statutes of the Blood Cult for the sake of the master they originally served. I didn’t view such loyalty in a negative light.
The Namcheon Iron Sword, which had been silent until now, spoke up in my defense. It was a response befitting the sword of the Namcheon Sword Guest, a man who valued righteousness.
“Please, give the order!”
The Fourth Blood Star, Do Jang-ho, remained kneeling with his hands clasped in a fist-and-palm salute. His gaze was fixed intently on me.
That look in his eyes...
His expression was profoundly meaningful. It was as if he were testing my qualifications to be the leader of the Blood Cult. Was he giving me only one choice, hoping I would show the decisiveness to order their execution with my own lips?
‘...So that’s how it’s going to be, huh?’
I let out a short, dry laugh. Then, I walked past Do Jang-ho, who was still awaiting my permission.
“Blood Demon?”
Leaving the bewildered man behind, I spoke loudly to the masked men who had refused to kneel.
“I truly respect your loyalty.”
“!?”
Their eyes wavered at my unexpected words. Judging by their reactions alone, I could guess what kind of person Baek Hye-hyang had been as a successor of the Blood Cult until now.
“I hold your loyalty in high regard. Therefore, I wish to give you a chance.”
A stir went through the crowd—not just among those who had remained standing, but also among those who had already submitted.
“What are you...?”
I heard Do Jang-ho’s perplexed voice from behind me. I’m sorry if this isn’t what you expected, but I’m not Baek Hye-hyang. And I’m not Baek Ryeonha, either.
“I have a question for you.”
I pointed to one of the masked men standing in the group.
“Are you a member of this Cult? Or are you a personal henchman of Lady Baek Hye-hyang?”
The man’s pupils trembled at my question. I had intentionally singled out someone at the Great Leader level. The intermediate warriors were likely being dragged along by the influence of the Blood Drum, but the leaders were different.
After a moment of hesitation, the masked man forced himself to speak.
“...I am a member of the Cult.”
“And within this Cult, you serve the Lady.”
“...That is correct.”
“Then why do you prioritize personal loyalty over the collective?”
“That is...”
“It is because you wish to see the one you serve become the Cult Leader. Is that not so?”
The man did not deny it. The other masked men seemed to agree as well.
“Then, what is the Blood Demon?”
“T-that is...”
“According to the statutes, is the Blood Demon not the Blood Cult itself?”
“...It is.”
“The divine object has come into my hands, and since I have been chosen by it, I am the Blood Demon. According to the statutes, I am the Blood Cult itself. Does this mean you are all choosing to give up being members of the Blood Cult?”
“How could you say such a thing!”
He reacted exactly like a Great Leader should. Having lived his entire life for the Blood Cult, how insulted must he feel to have that identity denied? Men of their rank possessed immense pride as members of the Cult.
‘What else? I’m doing exactly what I planned.’
I met the eyes of each masked man who hadn't knelt and spoke.
“Are you going to give up being members of the Cult and die?”
I could see about half of them wavering. It meant there were many whose loyalty to the Blood Cult itself was that high. I continued.
“If we cast aside our fellow members every time our opinions differ, who will be left? You would end your lives to protect your loyalty to the Lady? I do not wish for that. Each and every one of you gathered here—that is what makes the Blood Cult.”
“We... gathered together... are the Blood Cult?”
Murmurs began to spread through the crowd. No leader of the Blood Cult had ever spoken to them like this before. That was because everything usually started with coercion or threats. To those at the top, ordinary members were nothing more than pawns to be sacrificed at any time.
I knew the anxiety of those at the bottom better than anyone. The pressure of knowing you could be sacrificed at any moment—it was a constant weight.
“I started from the bottom, just like you. To me, you are the Blood Cult itself.”
The Blood Demon Sword was dumbfounded.
What do you mean, specialized talent? This is just the only thing I’ve improved at after years of living as a spy.
The crowd was wavering; now was the perfect time. I had to drive the point home.
“I do not care who you served in the past. The Blood Cult can only rise again if you help. Let us do this together!”
I intentionally put strength into my final words, projecting the aura of a hero. Not long after the words left my mouth, the Great Leader I had pointed out dropped to his knees.
“To the Blood Demon... I swear my loyalty to the Blood Demon!”
Atmosphere is a difficult thing to ignore.
Thud! Thud!
Starting from him, the masked men began to kneel one after another, like a ripple spreading across water.
“I swear my loyalty.”
“My loyalty...”
In the end, only seven men remained standing.
“I will give you the chance to preserve your honor.”
I suggested they take their own lives. I couldn't let them live. If I let them go, information would reach Baek Hye-hyang, and they would become a future threat.
“...We thank you for your consideration.”
Without another word, they ended their own lives on the spot. It seemed Baek Hye-hyang was indeed a born leader. Even with her cruel and capricious nature, there were those willing to throw away their lives to follow her.
“Though their paths differed, they were members of our Cult. Please see to it that their bodies are properly recovered.”
“Understood!”
The way the masked men looked at me had completely changed. Their eyes were now filled with goodwill. I turned around and approached the Fourth Blood Star, Do Jang-ho.
“This is my way,” I told him.
Do Jang-ho gave a faint, mysterious smile. Even that annoyed me. I gave him a warning.
“If you truly intend to serve me as the Blood Demon, do not test me again.”
With those final words, I headed toward the other side of the An Family residence to check if Sama Yeong was safe.
*
“Leave no trace behind.”
“Understood!”
The Fourth Blood Star, Do Jang-ho, ordered the masked men to clean up the area. As they moved busily, Hae Ak-cheon approached him.
“Hey. Do Jang-ho.”
“Elder. It has been a long time—”
Before he could finish his sentence, Hae Ak-cheon’s fist slammed into Do Jang-ho’s face. Do Jang-ho tumbled across the ground as if he’d been hit by a sledgehammer.
Touching his rapidly swelling face, Do Jang-ho spoke.
“Your fists still move faster than your words. Even for me, taking a direct hit from you while defenseless is dangerous.”
“Shut your mouth! Before he is the Blood Demon, he is my disciple. Who told you that you could test the boy as you pleased?”
Do Jang-ho smiled at Hae Ak-cheon’s words. He stood up, brushing the dirt off his clothes.
“I apologize if I have offended you.”
“Do not test my patience.”
“Of course. However, if he is to become the Blood Demon by simply being swept up in the atmosphere, shouldn't his qualities be verified?”
Hae Ak-cheon scowled.
“Did you think I wouldn't notice? If he truly had the ambition to be the Blood Demon, he would have revealed his identity from the start. The look of surprise on your faces made it clear you hadn't coordinated your stories.”
“You’re as black-hearted as ever.”
“Call it deep insight.”
“Hmph!”
Hae Ak-cheon snorted in disapproval. Then he asked, “So, what was the result of your test?”
Do Jang-ho looked toward the back of the residence.
“It was unexpected. I tried to measure him by whether he would do what was expected, but I never imagined he would actually persuade them.”
“He’s reached the realm of the gods when it comes to petty tricks and his silver tongue. Heh heh.”
Hae Ak-cheon chuckled. He, too, had been curious about how So Woon-hwi would act. In truth, whether it had been Baek Hye-hyang or Baek Ryeonha, they would have reached the same conclusion. Internal division ends in a purge. They would have slaughtered every single person who refused to submit.
“I had no choice but to acknowledge him.”
If he had left a potential threat behind, Do Jang-ho would have thought he was just a smooth talker. But So Woon-hwi used his tongue to make those who would have been a threat take their own lives, and in doing so, he won the favor of the other members. Whether that came from his natural disposition or was a calculated move, Do Jang-ho didn't know.
‘If it was intentional...’
He thought that a type of Blood Demon entirely different from those of the past might have been born.
‘...A Blood Demon who possesses even strategic depth.’
However, Do Jang-ho did not voice this thought. It was still necessary to watch him a little longer.
*
I was sitting on the stern of the boat, staring blankly at the fog. Between the pitch-black darkness and the thick mist, I couldn't see a thing.
“.......”
I didn't even have the energy to respond to the Lesser Conversation Sword’s playful voice.
“Sigh...”
A heavy sigh escaped me. They say life doesn't always go as planned, but this was too much. I couldn't even guess what lay an inch ahead of me.
Irritation flared at the Blood Demon Sword’s words. Did I ever ask you to choose me?
What gratitude? Thanks to you, I’ve drifted completely away from my original plan.
‘You don’t need to know.’
The Lesser Conversation Sword took my side.
Here they go again. Is it a crime for them to go a single moment without fighting?
In any case, my original plan—making Baek Ryeonha the Cult Leader and gaining the power I wanted under her protection to become independent—was gone. I had obtained a pardon token from Baek Ryeonha for that very purpose, but it had all been in vain. At this rate, I was likely to end up at odds not just with Baek Hye-hyang, but with Baek Ryeonha as well.
‘I must be crazy.’
My attempt to use my wits to survive had come back to haunt me. Just as I was worrying about the future, someone came and sat down beside me.
“Lady Sama?”
The person sitting next to me was Sama Yeong. Unlike me, she seemed to be in a good mood, her expression brighter than expected.
“...You seem to be in high spirits, My Lady.”
At my question, she gave a wide smile.
“Yes. Hehe. It feels like I’ve unexpectedly monopolized something I’ve always wanted.”
‘...!?’