Chapter 46: Master of the Sword (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 46: Master of the Sword (3)
“Waaaaaaaah!!!”
A thunderous roar erupted from the cultists behind me.
It was a result no one had anticipated. Who could have imagined that one of the legitimate successors of the Blood Cult, Baek Ryeonha, would be defeated in a single move?
“Blood Demon! Blood Demon! Blood Demon!”
As one cultist began the chant, the rest followed suit, their voices shaking the air.
In contrast, the faces of the cultists on Baek Ryeonha’s ship were the picture of gloom. Baek Ryeonha was their leader. Seeing her defeated so effortlessly in just one exchange naturally sent their morale plummeting.
“Whew.”
I saw the face of the Raging Demon Lord, Seo Galma, as he let out a heavy sigh. Having sworn his loyalty just a month ago—even going so far as to abandon Baek Hye-hyang—he looked deeply conflicted by this turn of events.
On the other hand, the Blood Hand Witch, Han Baek-ha, was as cold as ice. Having acted as Baek Ryeonha’s nanny since she was a child, her fury seemed even greater. It was likely directed at me.
“Heh heh, to think I’d live to see the Blood Net Sword Sky.”
Haeakcheon, recognizing the technique, stroked his beard with a satisfied tone. The Fourth Blood Star, Do Jang-ho, simply nodded in silence. He seemed to be restraining his reaction out of consideration for Baek Ryeonha’s side.
I looked at Baek Ryeonha. She took a deep breath and finally spoke.
“......I lost.”
The declaration of defeat fell from her lips. At those words, I sheathed my sword. She dropped to one knee and clasped her hands in a respectful salute.
“I recognize Young Master So Woon-hwi as the Blood Demon of our Cult.”
It was a clean admission. As their leader knelt, everyone under her command—including Han Baek-ha, Seo Galma, and the rest of the cultists on the ship—followed suit and knelt before me.
I looked at Baek Ryeonha’s face.
‘......’
I saw something unexpected there. Rather than a sense of futility or rage, her expression was closer to one of relief.
‘As I thought.’
The voice of the Blood Demon Sword rang in my ear.
‘......I know.’
As she was landing and trying to regain her balance, I had caught her eyes turning crimson for a split second. It was so brief I thought I might have misseen it, but it seemed I hadn't.
The true power of the Blood Heaven Great Achievement Art begins to manifest from the 5th stage. If she had drawn upon that power from the start, the duel wouldn't have ended in a single move. Of course, since her martial prowess didn't quite reach the level of her half-sister Baek Hye-hyang, let alone a Blood Star, I would have won regardless. But in the end, it was as if she had given up the moment the fight began.
The Lesser Conversation Sword asked, sounding puzzled.
‘......I think she gave up on purpose.’
I could tell just by the relieved look on her face. I had expected her to fight with everything she had, driven by the disappointment of my perceived betrayal. But this was unexpected. Why was she making that face?
The voice of the Namcheon Iron Sword echoed in my mind.
‘Helping me?’
‘Ah......’
The Namcheon Iron Sword was likely right. Baek Ryeonha, still wearing that relieved expression, gave me a faint smile. There wasn't a hint of resentment in her eyes.
Then, her throat trembled.
[Young Master—no, Blood Demon.]
[When we aren't in a formal setting, please just call me Young Master as usual.]
[You claimed the title of Blood Demon yourself and achieved it, so why bother distinguishing between public and private?]
She spoke to me with a bit of a pout. Though she didn't show it outwardly, it seemed she wasn't entirely without resentment. When I couldn't find an answer, she gave a bitter smile and sent another sound transmission.
[I’ll call you Young Master. Once things are settled, could we talk for a moment?]
[.......Understood.]
No bloodshed occurred.
Everyone under Baek Ryeonha’s command accepted her declaration of defeat. Even if they had complaints, they had no choice but to submit to the result. Thus, the two opposing groups were integrated into one.
The ships that had been anchored in the middle of the Yangtze River turned around. Instead of fighting the current, they began to sail downstream together.
Some hulls had been partially damaged when the ships were forced together. While the damage wasn't severe enough to hinder navigation, So Woon-hwi, Baek Ryeonha, and the other high-ranking officials moved to a different ship just in case.
Inside a cabin on that ship, Haeakcheon, Seo Galma, and Do Jang-ho were gathered.
Haeakcheon spoke with a nonchalant face.
“I asked to talk, but your face is hard to see. Are you still sulking?”
“If it were you, Brother Hae, would you find this easy to accept?”
Seo Galma clicked his tongue and rebuked him. Haeakcheon, perhaps feeling a bit sheepish, merely snorted.
Seo Galma continued in a somber voice.
“I accepted it for the sake of the Statutes and the greater cause of the Cult’s revival, but honestly, even this old man finds it hard to fully wrap his head around it.”
“What’s so hard about it?”
“He is fundamentally different from the two Young Ladies.”
“In what way?”
“The brat—no, the current Blood Demon—does not possess a single drop of the previous Cult Leader’s blood.”
Like Haeakcheon, Seo Galma had been fiercely loyal to the previous Cult Leader. To recognize So Woon-hwi as the Blood Demon based on the Statutes, rather than Baek Ryeonha, was difficult for him to accept deep in his heart.
“Brother Hae, do you not feel apologetic toward the Cult Leader?”
“Let’s be honest. Is there anyone in this room who doesn't feel apologetic toward him?”
The atmosphere turned solemn at those words. The death of the previous Cult Leader during the Great Orthodox-Evil War was a heavy burden on all their hearts. It was a shackle, a reminder that they had failed to protect their lord to the end.
Seo Galma let out a sigh.
“Even if we’ve crossed this hurdle for now, there will surely be others who think like me or the Blood Hand Witch. Brother Hae.”
“And what will those damn fools do if they don't accept it?”
“You’re as reckless as ever.”
Seo Galma clicked his tongue again.
“Your trust in your disciple is fine, but what if, as the Blood Hand Witch said, the Blood Demon isn't actually a direct descendant of the Flying Moon Hero Sect? If Lady Baek Hye-hyang or her faction uses that as an excuse, do you think they’ll step down as gracefully as Lady Baek Ryeonha did?”
Haeakcheon stared at him for a moment before speaking suggestively.
“What if there was a way to ease your worries?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Haeakcheon grinned.
“If the Blood Demon isn't a direct descendant, he can marry Lady Baek Ryeonha to solidify the bloodline.”
Seo Galma’s eyes widened.
“Solidify the bloodline?”
“Exactly. And there’s a justification for it, isn't there? If Lady Baek Ryeonha, who carries the legitimacy, and the Blood Demon, who was chosen by the Divine Object, are united, their offspring’s bloodline becomes even more indisputable.”
“.......Ho. Such a plan!”
An exclamation escaped Seo Galma’s lips. He had been so distracted by the immediate crisis that such a solution hadn't even crossed his mind. It made perfect sense.
‘Heh heh. You brat, I told you my method would work.’
Haeakcheon inwardly scolded So Woon-hwi while watching Seo Galma’s growing interest. However, Seo Galma then said something unexpected.
“Whether he’s a direct descendant or not, wouldn't it be necessary regardless?”
“What do you mean?”
“They say it’s one root, but the branches split hundreds of years ago anyway. So, even if it’s proven that the Blood Demon is a direct descendant of the Flying Moon Hero Sect, is there any reason he shouldn't be united with Lady Baek Ryeonha?”
‘!?’
Haeakcheon was dumbfounded by Seo Galma’s words. Come to think of it, Seo Galma was the kind of man who had previously gone a step further than him, wanting to see an heir for the Blood Cult through Baek Ryeonha.
“That plan you devised, Brother Hae, is a brilliant one.”
‘Ho... this is quite something.’
It looked like he was going to get an earful from So Woon-hwi later.
‘Hmm.’
I was supposed to meet Baek Ryeonha alone at the stern, but an unexpected person blocked my path on the way.
It was the Blood Hand Witch, Han Baek-ha. Her face, pale to the point of being ghostly, was incredibly cold. I knew her gaze hadn't been particularly friendly when she swore her loyalty, but I didn't expect her to confront me like this.
“What is it, Sixth Blood Star?”
“I’ll be blunt. I swore loyalty for the sake of the Young Lady, but I cannot trust you.”
Well. She certainly was blunt. I didn't expect her to pour out her inner thoughts right after swearing loyalty. I stared at her and spoke.
“And why is that?”
“I should have realized it back when you were boldly trying to get something out of the Young Lady. It was my mistake.”
“This is a bit disconcerting. You don't trust me?”
“The weight you carry is different from that of the Young Lady.”
“In what way?”
“Since the moment she lost all her kin, the Young Lady has endured countless hardships and put in every effort to revive the Blood Cult. But you are different.”
I could feel the anger in the voice of a woman who usually appeared so composed.
“I do not know why the Divine Object, the Blood Demon Sword, chose you. However, I cannot forgive you for taking everything from the Young Lady simply because you were chosen by a Divine Object.”
“.......”
I didn't know how to respond. Her anger had its own validity. I spoke cautiously.
“I fully understand your feelings, Sixth Blood Star. However, I am not trying to become the Blood Demon out of some lighthearted whim.”
“Not a lighthearted whim?”
“That’s right.”
Swish!
As soon as I finished speaking, she closed the distance. She lunged at me, her hand stained red with the Blood Jade Hand. In the past, I wouldn't have even dreamed of blocking her attack, but now, I could see her movements clearly.
Since she was aiming for my throat, I tilted my head back slightly to avoid it. A look of surprise flashed in her eyes.
“Truly unbelievable talent. In just one month....”
She let out a breath of admiration. But it was only for a moment.
“I see I’ll have to take this seriously!”
With those words, her hands moved in a blur as she targeted me again. I used my footwork to retreat, dodging Han Baek-ha’s hand techniques. But she pursued me relentlessly, and I was forced to block her final strike directly.
Thud!
I crossed my arms and caught her wrists. Touching the Blood Jade Hand with bare skin was dangerous.
Tremble!
‘She’s strong.’
A Blood Star was indeed a Blood Star. Without borrowing the power of the Heavenly Authority, her internal power from the middle Dantian alone was a level above mine. If things got worse, I might have to use the Heavenly Authority to trigger the Blood Demon transformation.
“What... is the meaning of this?”
“I must hear a promise from you here.”
“A promise?”
“Otherwise, I will stake my life to take you to the afterlife with me.”
Looking at her unwavering gaze, it was clear she had come to find me with grim determination. I asked her.
“What do you want me to promise?”
“That you will not cast the Young Lady aside and that you will protect her until the end.”
I was momentarily speechless. Was she afraid that I, having gained power as the Blood Demon, would discard her? It seemed that to Han Baek-ha, Baek Ryeonha was more than just a lord.
“I won't cast her aside. We are practically kin, connected by the same blood. Why would I cast her aside?”
“Since ancient times, those who pose a threat to power—be they kin or loyal subjects—are destined to be discarded once their usefulness is over. I do not trust mere words.”
“What?”
“I need a definitive promise.”
I had no idea what she wanted me to do. Was she asking for a blood oath or something? Just then, someone’s shout rang out.
“Sixth Blood Star!”
The owner of the voice was none other than Baek Ryeonha.
“Young Lady?”
Baek Ryeonha appeared from the stern of the ship, her face cold as she approached.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
At her icy question, Han Baek-ha bit her lip hard. Then, with a stiff face, she spoke.
“Young Lady. I cannot trust the Young Master. He betrayed my loyalty to you simply by being chosen by the Blood Demon Sword.”
“Sixth Blood Star! Are you trying to bring shame upon me?!”
“I will pay for this sin with my life. So please, trust me just this once.”
Baek Ryeonha frowned at Han Baek-ha’s stubborn attitude. It seemed even she was seeing this side of her for the first time. Han Baek-ha turned her head to look at me and spoke.
“Promise right here. That you will take the Young Lady as your spouse.”
‘!?’
At Han Baek-ha’s words, both Baek Ryeonha and I were stunned. I had wondered what kind of promise she wanted, but I never expected her to demand that I marry Baek Ryeonha.
“Are you serious?”
“I am. If you take the Young Lady as your spouse, I can believe that you won't cast her aside.”
Her internal power surged even higher. It seemed she was ready to start a bloody battle right here if I didn't give her a definitive answer. She looked prepared to face any consequences.
“Sixth Blood Star.”
“Answer me.”
“Does it make sense to take her as my spouse just to protect her? Are you going to ignore the Young Lady’s own wishes?”
At my words, Han Baek-ha hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“......The Young Lady likes you too.”
At Han Baek-ha’s words, my gaze instinctively drifted toward Baek Ryeonha. I saw her face turning as red as a ripe persimmon.
“Yo-Young Master. That’s....”
She was at a total loss. I knew she was friendly toward me, but could it be that she actually had feelings for me? As I stood there in bewilderment, another shout rang out.
“No way!”
Everyone’s gaze turned toward the source. There stood Sama Yeong, her face flushed with agitation.
That was exactly what I wanted to say.