Chapter 45: The Source of Blood (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 45: The Source of Blood (4)
“...Master.”
I let out a deep sigh as I called out to Haeakcheon.
That single word carried a multitude of meanings.
“Heh heh. Why? Do you dislike the idea?”
Was he really asking that?
“If I have even a drop of his blood in me, doesn't that make us relatives?”
“What does that matter?”
“It matters a lot. Distant relatives, distant brothers and sisters...”
“The lineage split into two branches generations ago. You’re separated by dozens of generations; what could possibly be the problem?”
“But the origin is the same...”
“You brat. Since ancient times, unions between distant branches of the same lineage have been common to strengthen the family’s bloodline.”
“.......”
“The Imperial family does it, and even the Tang Family or the Moyong Family of the Orthodox Faction form villages of their own kin to marry within the direct and collateral lines to preserve their blood. Why are you getting so worked up over something so trivial?”
He wasn't wrong, technically speaking.
However, I had no intention of entering a political marriage just to 'strengthen the bloodline.'
Furthermore, did he really think Baek Ryeonha or Baek Hye-hyang would just accept this?
The Lesser Conversation Sword chuckled.
This is a serious situation, and you find it funny?
I figured it would be better to bring up the specific problems this would cause to Haeakcheon.
“Master.”
“What? Do you have more to say?”
“Before we even discuss strengthening the bloodline, aren't the two young ladies the bigger issue?”
“The young ladies?”
“I don’t know if they will readily accept this just because I obtained the Blood Demon Sword.”
“Brat, do you think the Statutes exist for nothing?”
“Their perspective is different.”
From the beginning, their goal was to become the Leader of the Blood Cult—the Blood Demon.
If they were suddenly told they couldn't be the Leader and should instead become the Leader’s spouse for the sake of the bloodline, how would they react?
“Can you be certain they won't become our enemies?”
Setting aside the naturally bellicose Baek Hye-hyang, the probability of Baek Ryeonha becoming an enemy was extremely high. To her, this would be nothing short of a betrayal by those she trusted.
“Ahem.”
As if finally understanding my point, Haeakcheon stroked his beard and frowned.
Had he finally realized the gravity of the situation?
Then, Haeakcheon looked at me with a serious expression.
“Do you think this old man would have chosen you without that level of resolve?”
“You’ve made your resolve?”
“Yes, you brat. Your master has publicly declared that his disciple will walk the path of the Blood Demon. Did you expect me to cast you aside just for the sake of the Young Lady?”
“!?”
I was momentarily speechless at Haeakcheon’s true feelings.
I had assumed he made this choice solely because he prioritized the revival of the Blood Cult.
But it turned out he was prepared to make enemies for my sake.
I didn't respond to the sword’s comment.
I could feel it too.
And that was why I felt conflicted.
Damn it...
It wasn't out of loyalty to the Blood Cult, but because he was treating me with such sincerity, I felt the urge to repay him. I wanted to live up to Haeakcheon’s expectations.
As I remained silent, Haeakcheon spoke again.
“Hmph. Such a picky fellow. If you were still just a mere disciple, I’d give you a good thrashing, but since I can no longer ignore your words, let’s both take a step back.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Do you think this old man brought up marriage simply to solidify the bloodline? As you said, it’s to resolve the issues with the two young ladies.”
“To resolve them?”
“You are bound to clash with them eventually. However, the best outcome is for the Blood Cult to unify around you without shedding a single drop of blood.”
He was right about that.
If the cult split into three factions instead of two and fell into internal strife, it would ultimately deplete the Blood Cult’s overall strength.
If that happened, rebuilding the cult would become nearly impossible.
This was something both Baek Hye-hyang and Baek Ryeonha’s sides likely recognized as well.
“Even with the Statutes, as you said, people like the Blood Hand Witch by Lady Baek Ryeonha’s side or Jang Ryong by Lady Baek Hye-hyang’s side have served them for a long time. Variables could arise.”
“A clash is possible.”
“If that happens, you are currently in the most disadvantageous position.”
Haeakcheon was referring to the power structure of each faction.
Currently, the First Venerable, the First Blood Star, the Fifth Blood Star, and the Seventh Blood Star followed Baek Hye-hyang.
Under Lady Baek Ryeonha, there were the Second Venerable, the Third Blood Star, and the Sixth Blood Star.
For now, yes.
I had my Master and the Fourth Blood Star, Do Jang-ho, but we were significantly outnumbered.
Since most of the forces we had trained were with Baek Ryeonha, we couldn't compare to either faction in terms of numbers.
In such a situation, if we relied solely on the Statutes and acted complacently, we could face a counterattack. For instance, they might try to seize the Blood Demon Sword to turn the tables.
“We need to balance the power structure.”
“Exactly. In the current situation, we must bring that fellow Gu Je-yang and Yu Baek under your command to even the playing field.”
The Third Venerable Blood King Gu Je-yang and the Second Blood Star, Asura Sword Yu Baek.
These two Revered Stars had not yet aligned themselves with anyone.
“Since they’ve publicly stated they will follow whoever obtains the Blood Demon Sword, you must contact them and bring them into your fold.”
“...I understand. But what did you mean by both of us taking a step back?”
I was curious about what he wanted to bargain for.
Haeakcheon held out the Flying Crane Moon Token toward me.
“I will find out whether you are of the direct line or not. If you are, I won't bring up the matter of unifying through marriage with the young ladies again.”
“...And if I'm not?”
“If your mother was from the Flying Moon Hero Sect, then you must take a step back as well.”
“Does taking a step back mean I have to go through with a marriage?”
“Yes.”
Ha!
Does he think I’m an idiot?
This was nothing more than a 'three in the morning, four in the evening' trick.
“Master. If I’m of the direct line, I wouldn't have to marry the young ladies anyway. How exactly are you the one taking a step back?”
At my words, Haeakcheon muttered with a nonchalant expression.
“Hmph. This is why I hate quick-witted brats.”
“!?”
I almost got played.
Haeakcheon muttered regretfully before speaking to me again.
“Fine. Then I won't ask for both of them. Let’s just try with one.”
“Try?”
“Yes. I’m not saying you have to force it, but at least make contact.”
“...And who is that one person?”
“Lady Baek Ryeonha.”
Ah...
Why is he so predictable?
“Lady Baek Ryeonha is the remaining blood of the previous Cult Leader. She possesses legitimacy. And in the current situation, she is the most favorable toward you.”
“...In what way is she favorable?”
“Do you think this old man is blind? I can tell just by the way she treats you and the look in her eyes.”
I wondered how someone so observant had remained single all this time.
But there was a problem here too.
“Master. I took the Blood Demon Sword that she was supposed to get. Do you really think Lady Baek Ryeonha will look upon me kindly?”
I had already said this earlier.
But Haeakcheon spoke decisively.
“If the Young Lady refuses, I won't mention it again.”
His will was incredibly firm; he wasn't going to concede any further.
It was a situation that made me want to sigh.
If, by some miracle, Lady Baek Ryeonha accepted Haeakcheon’s proposal, I would be stuck having to marry her.
At the sword’s words, a good idea suddenly occurred to me.
A way to make Haeakcheon stop bringing up marriage altogether.
“Master.”
“Will you accept or not? Just give me an answer.”
“May I say just one thing?”
“Hmph! You brat. It’s no use trying to use your petty tricks.”
“It would be in your best interest to listen.”
Intrigued by my words, Haeakcheon frowned and asked.
“What is it?”
“Young Lady Sama likes me.”
“Young Lady Sama? You mean Sama Yeong? Why would she like... what?”
Haeakcheon was startled.
Understandably so, as only he and I knew her true identity.
Knowing she was the daughter of Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak, one of the Four Great Villains, Haeakcheon had always treated her with caution.
Haeakcheon shouted in disbelief.
“Have you lost your mind?”
“Master, your voice is too loud.”
At my warning, Haeakcheon became conscious of the area outside the cabin and pressed me in a whisper.
“You brat! She’s the daughter of one of the Four Great Villains! Do you realize what that means?”
“...I know.”
“Do you know why they don't belong to any organization?”
Of course I knew.
The title of 'Villain' wasn't given for nothing.
They were people who thought nothing of killing if things didn't go their way.
Because they were uncontrollable and did as they pleased, everyone in the Central Plains, not just martial artists, feared the Four Great Villains.
“What did you do to make that girl like you?”
“...I didn't do anything.”
At my answer, Haeakcheon clicked his tongue.
“That girl is the daughter of a Great Villain. If you mess with her carelessly, there’s no telling what disaster will strike. Keep your distance so she doesn't grow more attached.”
“I’ve been keeping my distance.”
“Then why does she like you?!”
“How should I know what’s in her heart?”
“Fine. If you haven't actually started seeing each other or anything, don't give her any more openings...”
“Master.”
“...What are you trying to say now?”
“Young Lady Sama kissed me earlier.”
“!?”
The moment he heard that bombshell, Haeakcheon’s face took on an expression that was impossible to describe.
He clutched his forehead as if he had a sudden migraine.
I felt a bit sorry for using Sama Yeong as a shield, but I had to use such drastic measures to stop Haeakcheon from mentioning marriage again.
Haeakcheon shook his head and spoke.
“You... what kind of fellow are you...”
Before he could even finish his sentence, the sound of many people running could be heard from outside.
Soon, someone approached the cabin and knocked on the door.
“You’ll have to postpone your conversation.”
The voice belonged to none other than the Fourth Blood Star, Do Jang-ho.
When we opened the door and stepped out, the cult members on the ship were all heading toward the deck.
Haeakcheon asked in confusion.
“What’s going on?”
“Three large ships are approaching from ahead.”
“Could it be a Waterway Stronghold?”
The Waterway Stronghold Haeakcheon mentioned likely referred to the Eighteen Waterway Strongholds of the Yangtze River.
They were pirates known as the rulers of the Yangtze.
Composed of martial artists, they were a Black Path group that, along with the Green Forest, boasted the largest scale among the Evil Faction outside of the Blood Cult.
Since we were traveling on the Yangtze, encountering them was somewhat expected.
“The fog has cleared a lot, but visibility is still poor. It could be a Waterway Stronghold, so we must be prepared for anything.”
“Let’s finish our talk later.”
“Understood.”
Haeakcheon, Do Jang-ho, and I hurried out onto the deck.
The cult members were already armed and waiting.
Sama Yeong was also there, but...
Dash!
The moment she saw me, her face turned bright red, and she ran far away.
Even though she was the one who did it, it was understandable that she’d react that way after a kiss.
I tried not to pay it any mind, but her reaction made me feel awkward as well, making it hard to look at her.
Haeakcheon clicked his tongue at the sight of me.
“Come this way.”
Heading toward the stern, I could indeed see shadows and lights of what appeared to be ships in the distance.
“Can you see the flags?”
“It’s too dark to see the top of the masts.”
If we could see the masts, we could identify if they were from a Waterway Stronghold by their flags.
However, it was still the dark of early morning, and the fog hadn't completely lifted, making it difficult to tell for sure.
Do Jang-ho shouted to the cult members.
“Beat the drums and stand ready!”
“Understood!”
At his command, some of the cult members began beating the drums installed on the ship.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
It’s a signal to merchant ships or unrelated transport vessels to avoid a collision. It’s a communication method used at night or in thick fog. Otherwise, ships might crash into each other.
Everyone watched the approaching ships with tense faces.
It was then.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of drums being beaten came from the other ships as well.
At this, Do Jang-ho smiled and said.
“That’s a relief. It seems they aren't from a Waterway Stronghold.”
If it were a Waterway Stronghold, they wouldn't have beaten drums; they would have blown horns and signaled for battle. Or they would have approached silently to ram us.
“Hmph! As if we have anything to fear from those pirate scum.”
Despite his words, Haeakcheon looked much brighter, seemingly glad to have avoided a nuisance.
The captain directing the ship shouted to the cult members.
“Move the ship to starboard!”
“Understood!”
Under the captain’s direction, the cult members moved in perfect unison to change the direction of the sails.
Before long, the ship began to veer slowly to the right.
The ships approaching from the opposite side likewise moved to their left, creating distance to avoid a collision.
It seemed the ships would pass each other and continue on their respective ways.
Just as the ships drew close and were about to pass side-by-side...
“Venerable One!”
A shout rang out.
The voice was all too familiar.
“Eh?”
Haeakcheon frowned and strode toward the side of the deck.
I followed him.
Looking over at the deck of the passing ship where the shout had come from, I saw women in white light armor wearing white veils, and in front of them, a woman dressed entirely in black.
Ah!
The woman was none other than the Blood Hand Witch, Han Baek-ha.
Then, a woman standing next to Han Baek-ha lifted her veil.
Oh, no...
It was Baek Ryeonha.