Chapter 45: The Source of Blood (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 45: The Source of Blood (1)
Monopolizing me?
Was Sama Yeong referring to the fact that I was now likely to be at odds with both Baek Ryeonha and Baek Hye-hyang?
A sigh escaped me at the Sodam Sword’s words.
Baek Ryeonha had been waiting heart and soul to seize the Blood Demon Sword. But instead of bringing the sword to her, I had essentially "consumed" it myself.
‘...Stop mocking me.’
My mind was already a mess because things had become so complicated. I wanted to cool my head alone, but Sama Yeong’s appearance made it impossible to organize my thoughts.
“Traveling down the Yangtze River like this by boat... it feels so atmospheric and lovely,” Sama Yeong said, beaming at me.
I couldn't see any "atmosphere" through the fog and darkness that obscured the flowing water. Only the sound of the current cutting against the hull tickled my ears.
I stole a glance at her.
Sama Yeong was smiling. She seemed to be genuinely enjoying this moment.
Just then, the voice of the Namcheon Iron Sword echoed in my mind.
‘......’
Sometimes, I really wanted to meet the Great Hero Hojongdae, the Namcheon Sword Guest. I wondered if there was anything in the world he didn't know.
“Vice Unit Leader—no, should I call you ‘Lord Blood Demon’ now?”
“...Anything but that is fine.”
“Anything?”
“Yes.”
“Then can I call you ‘Young Master’?”
“That would be better.”
It was already burdensome enough that the cult members on the boat kept calling me "Blood Demon" every time our eyes met. I could handle "Vice Unit Leader," but this was too much.
‘Moved up?’
Honor, my foot.
I was starting to get a headache because of the Blood Demon Sword, when Sama Yeong spoke to me again.
“Did you know?”
“Know what?”
“Your expression changes every second when you’re alone, Young Master.”
“!?”
I felt a jolt of alarm. My conversations with the swords must have been showing on my face. I thought I had kept a poker face, but this was embarrassing.
“One moment you look furious all by yourself, and the next you’re smirking... it’s quite entertaining to watch—”
“Young Lady! That’s just because I have a lot on my mind...”
I turned my head to make an excuse, only to find my face inches from hers. I hadn't realized she was leaning in toward me.
Even in the darkness, the features of her pale face—now free of the human skin mask—were strikingly clear. She truly was beautiful.
Sitting so close and meeting her gaze, I could hear her breathing. I saw the faint flush on her cheeks and her trembling eyes.
“Young Master.”
Hearing her voice made my heart race strangely. No matter how much a man tries to compose his emotions, he’s bound to be shaken when looked at like that.
I unconsciously swallowed hard.
At that, her lips twitched into a smile.
“You’re nervous right now, aren’t you?”
“N-Nervous? I’m not thinking about anything at all.”
“Pfft. Liar.”
“I’m not lying!”
“You even swallowed your spit. How can you say you’re not nervous?”
“Swallowing is just a physiological phenomenon. When saliva pools in your mouth, you swallow it...”
“And why is saliva pooling in your mouth? Am I some kind of food? Why would your mouth water while looking at me?”
Damn it.
I had walked right into that one. As I struggled to find a response, she let out a soft chuckle.
“I guess my father was lying.”
“...About what?”
“He told me that anyone who looked at me this closely would fall for me. But since you aren't nervous at aaaaall, Young Master, I guess he was wrong.”
She sounded slightly sarcastic.
Sigh.
Young Lady, your father was absolutely right. However, I think he forgot to mention one thing. He should have mentioned whether anyone could maintain such boldness while knowing his name and identity.
Ah, right.
From her perspective, I might seem peculiar. Even though she was openly expressing her interest, I was showing restraint.
-
Shut up, Sodam Sword. Did you have to hit the nail on the head like that?
The Blood Demon Sword asked, sounding curious. The Sodam Sword answered for me.
I think you should just shut up.
To use a term for legal debate like "tongue-tangling" in such a perverted way... this guy was even worse than the Sodam Sword.
“Young Master? Why do you look so flustered all of a sudden?”
I was startled by her question but replied without showing it.
“It’s nothing.”
Despite saying that, perhaps because I was unconsciously aware of the Blood Demon Sword’s words, my gaze drifted toward Sama Yeong’s pink, cherry-like lips.
The Blood Demon Sword’s voice echoed in my head.
I used my Mental Focus to block out his voice entirely. I should have done that sooner.
Just then, Sama Yeong stared at me intently and asked, “If it’s nothing, then why are you looking at my lips?”
“No, that’s not it...”
Swish!
Suddenly, she reached out and cupped the back of my neck.
“What are you doing, Young Lady?”
“It’s okay. I was looking at your lips too, Young Master.”
“What?”
Before I could even process her words, she pulled me toward her and pressed her lips against mine.
I felt the soft, moist touch of her lips. My mind went blank for a moment, and my face flushed hot.
She pulled away with a small mwah and let out a warm breath. With her face now a deep shade of crimson, she spoke.
“Haa... Will this make you fall for me, Young Master?”
I was speechless, staring at her blankly.
The voices of the swords were clamoring in my head, but I couldn't hear them. This was the first time I had ever been kissed so preemptively. I hadn't even experienced this before my regression.
“Young... Lady, this is...”
“Wah-wah-wah-wah-wah!”
She suddenly started making strange noises and covered her ears. I frowned, wondering what she was doing.
“I’m not listening! I won’t listen!”
She was trying to block out whatever I was going to say. Seeing her like that, a chuckle escaped me despite myself. She looked adorable.
Seeing my reaction, her face turned as red as a ripe persimmon, and she scrambled away.
So she was embarrassed, despite being the one who initiated it.
I couldn't answer the Sodam Sword’s question. Because I couldn't deny it.
But then, I sensed a presence and looked back to see Song Jwa-baek standing there, trembling. I must have really lost my senses from that surprise kiss, considering I hadn't noticed him until he was that close.
“...When did you get here?”
“Just now.”
I cleared my throat and asked him, “...How much did you see?”
“Everything! I saw everything, you bastard!”
He vented his frustration like a man possessed. Since he had seen it all, I found it hard to meet his eyes.
“Suddenly, out of nowhere, you’re being hailed as the Blood Demon because you have his blood. And then with Lady Sama, you—! Your lips! Like that! Argh!”
It seemed he was much more upset about the latter than the former. After all, he was the one who had fallen for Sama Yeong at first sight and had been showing her immense interest.
He muttered while trembling, “Hogging all the good stuff for yourself. You selfish prick.”
“Hey, Song Jwa-baek.”
“I hope you keep hogging everything until you get as fat as a pig and your stomach bursts.”
He was pouring out curses like a madman.
“You’re saying some pretty harsh things right to my face.”
“Fuck! If the girl you had your eyes on got snatched away right in front of you, would you be saying nice things?!”
“Even if I’m the Blood Demon, speaking to me like that...”
“Fuck, then give the order to kill me, you bastard! I’ll just die, then!”
He really must have liked Sama Yeong. To think he’d lash out like this even after his master, Haeakcheon, told him to treat me with respect.
Then again, he was someone who hated showing me respect more than anything. In a way, him acting the same as always made me feel more at ease.
After his outburst, he seemed to lose steam and let out a dejected sigh. I tried to console him.
“It’s not like I can control matters of the heart. Don’t be so down. And even if I become the Blood Demon, we have a bond. Do you think I’d ignore you? You can just help me as my right-hand man...”
“Dharma Protector.”
“What?”
“Make a position for a Dharma Protector.”
“...Are you serious?”
I didn't expect the word "Dharma Protector" to come out of his mouth. The Blood Cult didn't even have such a rank originally. He wanted to be a Guardian.
“I don’t even know if I’ll actually become the Blood Demon yet...”
“Hey. You said with your own mouth that you’re the Blood Demon from now on. Then what does that make the people who are stepping up to help you, starting with Master?”
“........”
I was genuinely surprised to hear such words from him. I looked at him intently and spoke my honest thoughts.
“To be honest, I don’t know what to do. This wasn't what I planned. I was just trying to overcome a crisis...”
“Are you going to neglect it just because it happened regardless of your intentions?”
“It’s not that...”
“Is it really something you need to think about so complicatedly?”
“Complicatedly?”
“If there’s something you don’t like, you can just become the Blood Demon and tear it all down and fix it however you want, can’t you?”
This guy made it sound so simple. Did he think being in a high position meant you could just do whatever you wanted?
“...Do you even know what it means for me to become the Blood Demon? I’ll have to clash with Lady Baek Ryeonha and...”
“Then you shouldn't have opened your mouth in the first place, even if it meant dying.”
He was right, so I had nothing to say. Song Jwa-baek let out a deep sigh and spoke to me seriously.
“Since it’s already happened, don’t show weakness. If it’s something you have to go through anyway, then face it head-on. Fuck. It’s not a problem you can solve by playing tricks with that little brain of yours.”
His words suddenly made the heavy feeling in my chest vanish. To think the day would come when I’d receive advice from this guy. Is this what it means to have a childhood friend?
“Are you really Song Jwa-baek?”
“Who else would I be? Woo-hyeon? I have hair, you know.”
He strode over and shoved his thick head of hair toward me. I pushed him away.
“...That wasn't funny at all.”
“Crazy bastard. Do you think I said that to make you laugh?”
He shook his head and said, “Master says he has something to tell you. He wants you to come to the cabin alone. Now that I’ve delivered the message from the Venerable One to the Lord Blood Demon, this humble servant shall take his leave.”
Song Jwa-baek bowed and turned around. I called out to him.
“Hey.”
When he stopped, I said, “With your current skills, you’re nowhere near qualified to be a Dharma Protector.”
Without looking back, he asked, “How much skill do I need?”
“If you’re going to protect the Cult Leader, shouldn't you at least be at the level of a Blood Star?”
“...Make sure you keep that promise.”
“Ho.”
He turned his head and made a declaration with a voice full of fighting spirit.
“The positions of Left and Right Dharma Protectors of the Blood Cult... Woo-hyeon and I are taking them.”
That was a bold declaration. The twins wanted to take both Guardian positions. I decided to fuel his motivation further.
“If you become a Dharma Protector, I’ll let you speak informally to me when we’re alone, just like now.”
“Really?”
I grinned at his sudden interest.
“Until then, make sure you use proper honorifics. And don’t get caught using informal speech by Master.”
Song Jwa-baek’s face contorted instantly.