Chapter 57: Father and Son (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 57: Father and Son (4)
"What in the world is this...?"
My father, Jin Seong-baek, was struck with horror at the sight of my Blood Demonization after I opened my Upper Dantian. He stood there with his mouth slightly agape, seemingly at a loss for words.
The Lesser Conversation Sword chuckled.
However, it would have been stranger not to be surprised in this situation. Just moments ago, my father had expressed how proud he was of my reputation as a rising star of the Orthodox Faction. Yet, in an instant, I had become the current Blood Demon of the Blood Cult—the very pinnacle of the Evil Faction.
The shock was written all over his face. Jin Seong-baek even let out a dry cough, as if the sight had taken his breath away.
Just then, I sensed someone approaching.
Knock, knock!
Along with the sound of knocking, a voice drifted through the door.
"Sect Leader. A messenger has arrived from the Mucheonjeong Sect."
The voice belonged to Seomun Geuk, the leader of the Flowing Wave Palm branch of the Literary Spear Style, who was guarding the eighth floor.
"Shall I let them in—"
Snapping back to his senses, my father spoke urgently.
"Do not let anyone in!"
"Pardon?"
"Tell them to wait."
"Understood."
I understood why he reacted that way. He was likely panicked at the thought of someone seeing me while I was still in my Blood Demon state. Once Seomun Geuk’s presence faded from the vicinity, Jin Seong-baek spoke.
"Just what happened to you?"
His voice had turned profoundly grave. I closed my Upper Dantian, returning to my original appearance.
"Did you not say you wouldn't be surprised?"
"......If you were in this father's shoes, could you help but be shocked?"
It was hard to argue with that.
"I cannot make heads or tails of this. That appearance just now... it was exactly like the Blood Demon..."
"It is a phenomenon that manifests in the body when one masters the Blood Heaven Great Achievement Art."
"Sigh..."
A long sigh escaped my father's lips. It seemed the shock hadn't quite worn off. My maternal grandfather had been horrified when he found out, and my father was no different. After several more sighs, Jin Seong-baek asked me:
"......Can you tell me how this came to be?"
"I'm not sure where to begin."
I proceeded to tell him everything that had happened since my regression, just as I had told my maternal grandfather. I started from the beginning of all the trouble—the moment my Dantian was destroyed.
As I recounted how my Dantian was shattered and how I was treated like a pariah before being kicked out of the Yikyang So Family, my father’s expression turned into that of a literal Yaksha. Unlike my grandfather, he didn't vent his rage in words, but he looked ready to annihilate the Yikyang So Family on the spot if they were before him.
"After leaving the So family..."
I continued the story in order. I told him about being kidnapped by the Blood Cult, entering the Six Blood Valley, becoming the disciple of Bizarre Hae Ak-cheon, and the events that followed.
My father sighed repeatedly at the tumultuous tale. Even though I was telling it for the second time after my grandfather, I found myself thinking it was a miracle I had survived at all. If I had told him about the events before my regression, he might have fainted from shock. But I couldn't bring myself to tell either my grandfather or my father about that. I doubted they would even believe me.
"To think you were chosen by the Blood Demon Sword... Sigh. How could such a fate..."
Jin Seong-baek, who had been listening in silence, spoke up for the first time when I mentioned being chosen by the Blood Demon Sword.
"Can one truly deny their blood?"
The Flying Moon Hero Sect was descended from the First Blood Demon. For that reason alone, they had suffered the blood purge by Peerless Fortress. Thinking about it, from the perspective of the Martial Alliance and Peerless Fortress, their decision to target the Flying Moon Hero Sect hadn't been wrong in its result. If they hadn't let my mother escape, I, the current Blood Demon, would never have been born.
The thought crossed my mind. The tragedies that had occurred simply because of a connection to the Blood Cult—as someone who had lived through them, my father might hate this even more than my grandfather did.
Then, Jin Seong-baek looked at me. He spoke in a heavy voice.
"......Since you have formed such a deep bond with the Blood Cult, I imagine you know more about that place than I do. I only wish to ask one thing."
"What is it?"
"Did circumstances force you into this? Or do you intend to become the Blood Demon of your own will?"
If I had been asked this when I was first chosen by the Blood Demon Sword, I wouldn't have been able to answer. But now was different. I had resolved to become the Blood Demon myself. It wasn't just because I was chosen, but to seize power.
"The latter."
"The latter, you say..."
"I didn't choose this to walk a path of slaughter. I intend to become the leader of the Blood Cult and walk my own path."
"Your own path?"
"They say even a butcher becomes a Buddha the moment he drops his knife. I believe the title of Blood Demon and the Blood Cult itself will change depending on what I do. No, I will make it so."
"Hoh."
At my words, filled with firm resolve, Jin Seong-baek closed his eyes with a low exclamation.
"Your stubbornness... your conviction... you resemble Haryeong so much."
Was he thinking of my mother? My father took a deep breath and exhaled. When he opened his eyes again, there was no longer any hesitation in them.
"If that is your resolve, then as your father, I have no choice but to respect it."
"Father..."
"I will not argue with you further on this matter. However, remember this one thing. You have this father now. I could not protect your mother, but I will protect you."
My heart felt heavy with emotion. Honestly, I thought he would try to persuade me—that he would ask how the future young lord of the Wind Shadow Eight Streams Sect could possibly become the head of the Blood Cult. But there was no opposition. Though he didn't say it, I could see the firm will in his eyes to do for me everything he couldn't do for my mother.
"......Thank you for believing in me."
At my words, Jin Seong-baek offered a faint smile. It wasn't a smile of genuine happiness, but one he forced for my sake.
"But will you be alright? Even if not now, if this is ever revealed, you might face trouble within Peerless Fortress..."
"Do not concern yourself with that."
"How can I not?"
"What parent would block the path their child chooses to walk?"
"A child causing trouble for their parent is also a failure of filial piety."
"For someone who knows that so well, you were quite bold in telling your father you've become the Blood Demon."
This stoic man was even making jokes to put his son at ease. For the first time in my life, I felt the bond between father and son.
"As long as I am here, nothing in Peerless Fortress will hold you back. No, I will make sure of it."
I felt a sense of determination in those words. It wasn't just empty talk. The events unfolding in Peerless Fortress were already completely different from before my regression. Now, how things changed seemed to depend on the hands of my father, the Merciless Wind God Jin Seong-baek.
"Ah!"
I hadn't finished my story because we were interrupted. I considered telling him about falling into Bongnim Valley with Sama Chak, but I decided to get straight to the point.
"There is one more thing I must tell you."
"There's more?"
Jin Seong-baek frowned, looking puzzled.
"I hope you won't be too surprised this time either."
"Could there be anything more shocking than you becoming the Blood Demon?"
"Maternal Grandfather is alive."
"What!"
The moment the words left my mouth, Jin Seong-baek jumped to his feet in shock. He seemed even more startled than when I told him I was the Blood Demon. Then again, what could be more surprising than finding out someone you thought was dead is actually alive?
Actually, I had considered telling him about the Golden Eye, thinking that someone of my father's fame and status might know something about it. But it seemed impossible for now.
"Is... is the Elder safe?"
"Yes. He is unwell, but he is currently receiving treatment at an infirmary."
"Ahhh."
Jin Seong-baek's eyes grew red once more. He looked up at the ceiling, whispering my mother's name repeatedly.
"Haryeong... Haryeong... Did you protect everyone even in death?"
A lump formed in my throat. Come to think of it, if only my mother were here, everything would have truly returned to how it should be. That thought made both father and son feel a wave of sorrow.
Once he regained his composure, my father asked:
"Where is your grandfather?"
"He is at an infirmary in Bokan County."
"I must go and bring the Elder here immediately."
My father now had the power to protect my grandfather. He was about to prepare to leave when someone rushed up and knocked on the door.
"Sect Leader!"
At the urgent call, my father and I remembered what we had forgotten. A guest had come from the Mucheonjeong Sect, and we had completely ignored them. But that wasn't the issue.
Seomun Geuk, the leader of the Flowing Wave Palm, opened the door and spoke with urgency.
"You must go to the Golden Prison within the fortress immediately."
"What has happened?"
"It seems there has been an intruder in the underground Golden Prison. The warriors guarding the prison and the prisoner, Mu Ak, are in critical condition."
"An intruder?"
That wasn't something to be taken lightly. It meant there was an accomplice within Peerless Fortress besides Mu Ak. After a moment of thought, Jin Seong-baek spoke to me.
"I must go to the Golden Prison first."
"Grandfather is being treated at the infirmary, so it would be best to handle the urgent matter first."
"I understand. Rest here."
With those words, Jin Seong-baek hurried out of the office. I thought he might ask me to come along, but since he didn't, it seemed he was worried it might be a dangerous situation. Was he worrying about me as his son, regardless of my martial prowess? I was experiencing many new things today.
I felt awkward staying in my father's office, so I stepped out. In the distance, I saw a warrior from the Mucheonjeong Sect standing there. He had been waiting all this time, only for his efforts to be wasted by the sudden incident. I approached him.
"My father is..."
"Young Lord."
Clap!
The Mucheonjeong warrior gave me a fist-and-palm salute. It was unexpected for someone who wasn't even from the Wind Shadow Eight Streams Sect to show me such respect. Moreover, in a sense, he was someone who had been an enemy fighting against us just a few hours ago.
As I stood there feeling awkward, he said something unexpected.
"Our Sect Leader requests a brief audience with the Young Lord."
"With me?"
Not my father, but me? As I looked at him in confusion, he smiled and said:
"The Young Lord is practically a savior to our sect. Our Sect Leader seems to regret that he was in no condition to express his gratitude properly at the time."
So that was it. I hadn't seen him since I handed him over to Wang Chuyi, the Sect Leader of the Sea King Fortress Sect. Since he had been imprisoned for so long and his body was weak, I had assumed he was naturally receiving treatment.
Riches, huh? I didn't really need them right now.
Regardless, since he was asking to see me without any ill intent, there was no reason to refuse. Besides, there was one thing I actually wanted to ask Tian Wuxing.
I spoke to the Mucheonjeong warrior.
"Lead the way."
*
A three-story building located in the southeast of Peerless Fortress. This was the infirmary operated by the fortress itself. I thought he would be in the Star Tower of the Mucheonjeong Sect, but it seemed he had been moved here for treatment. Then again, the entire Star Tower had been practically stained with blood. It would have been uncomfortable to recuperate in a place that hadn't even been cleaned yet.
The real Muchen Sword Emperor, Tian Wuxing, was on the third floor. He was waiting for me, his upper body slightly propped up on the bed. Since we had already met, I greeted him with a comfortable fist-and-palm salute.
"Greetings, Sect Leader."
"Welcome."
Perhaps because he had received treatment, he looked much more comfortable than he had earlier in the day. As I approached, Tian Wuxing signaled someone with his eyes. At that, the Mucheonjeong warriors guarding the third floor quietly descended to the floor below.
When I looked at him curiously, Tian Wuxing smiled and said:
"I've caused a misunderstanding. I sent them down because I wished to speak with you privately."
"I see. After being summoned by that man who shared your face and nearly meeting disaster, I find myself getting nervous without realizing it."
"Hahaha. Why would this old man do such a thing?"
The real Tian Wuxing seemed to have a personality completely opposite to the imposter, Mu Ak. He felt like a kind grandfather. As I reached the bedside, he moved his weakened body to give me a fist-and-palm salute.
"You do not need to do that."
"How could I not show gratitude to my savior? If not for you, this old man would never have escaped that prison until the day I died."
Tian Wuxing held the salute and slowly bowed his head. He seemed truly grateful. I followed suit, bowing my head in return.
Then, Tian Wuxing spoke with a bitter smile.
"To be honest, I am too ashamed to face you."
"Why is that?"
"I was also one of the Sect Leaders who supported the alliance with the Martial Alliance. I would have no right to complain even if you resented me."
The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy.
"......Resentment."
I couldn't give a pleasant answer to that. In truth, most of the people in Peerless Fortress were the culprits who had torn my maternal family apart. No matter what excuse was made, that fact remained unchanged.
"What face do I have to ask for your forgiveness?"
"Let's stop here. I do not wish to discuss this further with you, Sect Leader."
He had admitted his guilt, but remembering it didn't make me feel particularly good. At my cold tone, Tian Wuxing fell silent. I asked him a question.
"May I ask you one thing?"
"Go ahead."
"No matter how much I think about it, there is one thing I don't understand."
"What is it?"
"This whole situation... if the fake Tian Wuxing—no, the man named Mu Ak—hadn't kept you alive, this would never have been discovered."
At those words, Tian Wuxing's face darkened significantly. He probably didn't expect me to ask this so bluntly. It seemed there was a hidden story.
"But why would he keep you alive, even while taking such a risk?"
"......This old man does not know either."
Tian Wuxing brushed it off as if he knew nothing. Just what was he hiding? I didn't know what it was, but if Mu Ak had kept him alive to get it, then his accomplices might be after it as well. I decided to provoke him a bit.
Like this.
"Have you heard what happened at the Golden Prison?"
"The Golden Prison?"
He looked puzzled at my question. He really seemed to have no idea. Since he had been involved with the fake Tian Wuxing, it seemed this information hadn't reached the Mucheonjeong Sect yet. That was actually better. I continued nonchalantly.
"Oh dear... you must not have known. Someone infiltrated the Golden Prison and targeted the guards and Mu Ak."
"They targeted Mu Ak?"
Tian Wuxing's expression hardened. He must have thought everything had ended smoothly and let his guard down. Seeing him waver, I threw out a comment that was sure to stir his heart.
"If they were bold enough to target the Golden Prison even after today's chaos, it wouldn't be strange if something happened here as well."
"......Sigh."
A sigh escaped Tian Wuxing's lips. He likely understood better than anyone the implications of my words.
"Ahem."
Tian Wuxing groaned repeatedly as if lost in thought. He looked visibly anxious. And for good reason—his internal energy had been crippled, and after being imprisoned for so long, he had long since lost the capabilities of one of the Eight Great Masters. He was nothing more than a frail, powerless old man.
I said to him:
"If it is a secret you do not wish to tell, you do not have to. It seems I asked an unnecessary question. I shall take my leave then."
As I turned around...
"Wait!"
He took the bait. Without showing any sign of it, I turned back. Tian Wuxing opened his mouth with a bitter expression.
"You are right. This old man was foolish. To think I would try to hide this out of greed even after all that suffering..."
With those words, Tian Wuxing carefully pulled something from his robes. It was a piece of old paper, folded in half.
"What is that?"
"This is the reason Mu Ak kept me alive for so long."
"The reason he kept you alive?"
"Any swordsman who handles a blade would have no choice but to be interested in this."
Just what was that paper that he would make such a grand claim? As I wondered, Tian Wuxing spoke words that left me stunned.
"It is a spirit treasure left behind by the Sword Immortal, who was called the greatest of all swordsmen in the distant past."
'The Sword Immortal!?'