Chapter 62: The Blood Demon War (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 62: The Blood Demon War (2)
A sudden silence fell.
The eyes of nearly ten thousand cult members gathered in the square converged on a single point.
A young man with crimson hair, holding a sword stained as vividly as blood.
It was Jin Un-hwi.
This bastard was alive!
Song Jwa-baek had been certain he was dead.
Seeing him return like this, Song Jwa-baek couldn't hide his excitement, his face flushing despite himself.
He wasn't the only one.
Jo Seong-won, formerly of the Beggar’s Sect, was also so shocked he couldn't take his eyes off him.
Showing up at a moment like this and nearly giving me a heart attack.
Ever since Jin Un-hwi—the man who promised to fulfill his wish—had vanished, Jo Seong-won had been more discouraged than despondent. But at the sight of Jin Un-hwi’s appearance, his cold heart began to throb.
Fourth Blood Star Do Jang-ho didn't show much outward emotion, but his lips were twitching.
Of course, not everyone’s reaction was favorable.
Young Master So...
Baek Ryeonha’s mind was in a state of turmoil at the sight of the returned Jin Un-hwi.
Alongside her joy, an inexplicable sense of disappointment bloomed in a corner of her heart.
Perhaps it was because, during the two months he was gone, she had slowly begun to erase him from her mind and dream of becoming the Blood Demon herself once more.
—Grit!
On the other hand, the expression of the Blood Hand Witch Han Baek-ha, known for her icy composure, was distorted beyond description.
He actually came back alive.
She had hoped he had either died at the hands of Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak or would at least fail to return before the Blood Cult General Assembly concluded.
But who could have imagined he would appear at such a perfect, calculated moment?
If things continued like this, becoming the Blood Demon was the least of their worries; Baek Ryeonha’s entire standing would be in jeopardy.
The Blood Demon?
First Blood Star Jang Ryong couldn't understand the situation at all.
The hair turned blood-red, the single open eye with its crimson pupil.
And the Blood Demon Sword, dyed a brilliant scarlet.
He exuded an overbearing pressure that was reminiscent of the previous Cult Leader in his youth.
Did the Cult Leader have another child besides the two young ladies?
Never having seen Jin Un-hwi before, he couldn't help but be confused.
Looking left and right, he saw that the other cult members and the Blood Stars under Baek Hye-hyang were equally bewildered.
The First Venerable?
First Venerable Blood Breaking Sword Emperor Dan Wi-gang had a peculiar expression.
He couldn't take his eyes off the sword held by the man who had appeared so suddenly.
Rather than being shocked by the sight of someone who had mastered the Blood Heaven Great Achievement Art, he seemed more focused on the man's sheer martial prowess.
—Shere!
At that moment, around a hundred men surrounding Jin Un-hwi threw off their long robes. Beneath them, dark red martial uniforms were revealed.
Those uniforms?
It was the attire of the Blood Demon’s—the Cult Leader’s—direct guard unit.
The moment First Blood Star Jang Ryong saw the middle-aged man with an eyepatch standing majestically behind Jin Un-hwi, he recognized him instantly.
The Blood Wolf Great Leader?
It was undoubtedly Blood Wolf Great Leader No Seong-gu.
He had heard the man had vanished after tearing through the merchant group's branch, but he hadn't expected him to appear like this.
Those Blood Wolf bastards, who gave them permission to wear those clothes...
"Submission to the Blood Demon! Blood Rules the World!"
Just as the complaint was about to burst from Jang Ryong's lips, No Seong-gu shouted at the top of his lungs.
Immediately, the hundred guards roared in unison.
"Submission to the Blood Demon! Blood Rules the World!"
The thunderous sound overwhelmed the surroundings.
Even the regular cult members flinched, nearly shouting along instinctively.
Ah!
Someone caught Baek Ryeonha’s eye.
The handsome young man standing naturally beside Jin Un-hwi was Sama Yeong, wearing a human skin mask.
The moment she saw her, only one thought came to mind.
And that was...
He received the recognition of Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak?
The fact that the Moon Evil Sword’s daughter was by his side could only be interpreted in one way.
Seeing them standing so close, almost like lovers, Baek Ryeonha felt her heart turn cold.
Then, Jin Un-hwi began to walk toward the spot where the two successors were facing off.
It was as if he were stepping onto a stage.
*
[Keke. You brat. If you were alive, you should have shown up sooner, shouldn't you?]
I almost burst into a smile at the familiar sound of the secret transmission ringing in my ears.
Only moments ago, my master, Hae Ak-cheon, had been consumed by rage, but now he was grinning so wide his yellow teeth were showing.
[Is that eye injured? Why is it closed?]
[No, Master. There are circumstances, so I will tell you later.]
[Keke. Fine. Thank you for coming back alive.]
Hearing Hae Ak-cheon say "thank you" for the first time made my heart sting with emotion.
However, I deliberately suppressed my feelings.
This was a place where nearly ten thousand members of the Blood Cult and all the Revered Stars were gathered.
I had to maintain the dignity of the Blood Demon.
—Are you nervous?
The Lesser Conversation Sword asked me.
To be honest, it was more tension than nerves.
Before my regression, I was nothing more than a spy for the Blood Cult, yet here I was, standing at the very center of this massive power struggle.
It was a feeling difficult to put into words.
—Straighten your shoulders. Since you were chosen by this Great One, you, a mere human, are the absolute ruler of the Blood Cult.
The Blood Demon Sword was actually saying something decent for once.
Well, I wasn't exactly feeling intimidated.
I wasn't weak enough to be swayed by others anymore.
Then, another voice reached my ears via sound transmission.
[Young Master.]
It was the voice of the Blood Hand Witch, Han Baek-ha.
Since she had made her own arrangements to ensure I wouldn't return, it was only natural that her expression was so grim.
Even if it was for Baek Ryeonha’s sake, she had crossed the line.
As I continued to walk forward without answering, she sent another transmission.
[...The moment you intervened in this game, regardless of the Young Lady’s position, this whole thing becomes a farce. Even if you are the successor of the Blood Demon Sword, you should lend your strength to the Young Lady...]
Han Baek-ha couldn't finish her transmission.
It was because I shot her a piercing, sharp glare.
[Is that more important to you than the fact that I returned safely?]
A sigh escaped me.
[...]
Still, she didn't deny my words.
What incredible loyalty.
She could have said she was glad I was safe, yet she thought only of Baek Ryeonha’s standing.
My consideration for her ended here.
[Just wait. There are things we need to address one by one, aren't there? You’d best be prepared.]
!?
Her eyes wavered.
Given what she had done, she would understand exactly what I meant.
Whether she bit her lip or not was none of my concern.
This came first.
—Thud.
I finally arrived between the two opposing sides.
Baek Hye-hyang and Baek Ryeonha both stared at me with vastly different expressions.
"That eye..."
Baek Ryeonha started to say something upon seeing my closed eye, but—
"Keke."
Hae Ak-cheon let out his signature laugh and suddenly moved.
He took his place on my right side.
He had been scowling the moment he saw Sama Yeong, but when she smiled and bowed her head, he quickly let it go.
It seemed he was willing to overlook it for now since I had returned safely.
"Since the Blood Demon has returned, I suppose I should change my position as well."
Fourth Blood Star Do Jang-ho gave a thin smile and naturally moved to my left.
"Fourth Blood Star..."
Seeing this, Third Blood Star Blood Killing Demon Yang Jeon started to say something but quickly shut his mouth.
With Do Jang-ho joining my side, the confrontation shifted.
It took the shape of the character '丁' (T-shape).
It had turned into a three-way battle, with the three individuals who had undergone Blood Demon Transformation standing in front of their respective subordinates.
"Why aren't you moving?"
Hae Ak-cheon spoke as if scolding the Revered Stars standing behind Baek Ryeonha.
At this, they furrowed their brows, looking lost.
Raging Demon Lord Seo Gal-ma, in particular, looked extremely troubled.
He had looked like he would staunchly support Baek Ryeonha in front of Baek Hye-hyang, so suddenly changing positions seemed difficult for him.
"Now that the true successor of the Blood Demon Sword has appeared..."
Someone cut off Hae Ak-cheon’s words.
"You. What is the meaning of that appearance?"
It was Baek Hye-hyang.
Unlike Baek Ryeonha and the Revered Stars under her, she had been unaware of this until now.
Perhaps that was why her expression seemed to hold a complex mix of emotions.
Back at Peerless Fortress, we had relied on each other to survive a life-and-death crisis.
But now that I had suddenly appeared as another rival, she seemed more flabbergasted than surprised.
"Speak!"
"I apologize for not being able to tell you back then."
"What?"
—Clasp.
I performed a fist-and-palm salute toward Baek Hye-hyang and the Revered Stars under her and spoke.
"There are many here I am meeting for the first time. Allow me to introduce myself formally. I am the current Blood Demon who has inherited the Blood Demon Sword, Jin Un-hwi."
"Jin Un-hwi?"
At the name Jin Un-hwi, some of the Revered Stars, including Baek Ryeonha, looked puzzled.
It was a natural reaction, as they didn't know I had discarded the surname of the Yikyang So family.
On the other hand, the expressions of the Revered Stars under Baek Hye-hyang were much like hers.
"Did you just say 'Blood Demon'?"
A middle-aged man with a tall stature and sharp eyes spoke to me as if he found it absurd.
This was likely the famous First Blood Star Thunder Blood Sword Jang Ryong.
The man who acted as Baek Hye-hyang’s strategist.
"It is as you heard."
"Who are you to claim to be the Blood Demon..."
"My maternal line is the Flying Moon Hero Sect. Therefore, I too carry the blood of the Blood Demon Ancestor."
"The Flying Moon Hero Sect?"
First Blood Star Jang Ryong frowned.
The other Revered Stars did the same.
Judging by their reactions, they seemed to know that the Flying Moon Hero Sect was of the Blood Demon’s lineage.
I didn't think more explanation was necessary.
From here on, I would take a firm stance.
"My courtesy toward the various Revered Stars and the young ladies who share the same Blood Demon lineage ends here."
"What?"
—Thump!
I slammed the Blood Demon Sword into the ground of the square.
As the sword sank in, cracks spread around it, and a red haze began to shimmer and rise from the ground.
"By the laws of the cult, all of you, swear your fealty to me!"
!!!
Because I had opened my middle and upper dantians simultaneously and infused my voice with internal power, I spoke calmly, yet my voice echoed thunderously throughout the entire square.
Startled by the power in my voice, some of the Revered Stars flinched.
The cult members were also stirring.
[The Blood Demon is the law and the power itself. Show them an overwhelming presence.]
Those were the words Blood Wolf Great Leader—no, Guardian Great Leader No Seong-gu—had said to me.
I believed he was right.
If I didn't show overwhelming dignity here, I would only be giving them room to challenge me.
Seeing even my master, Hae Ak-cheon, staring at me with wide eyes, it seemed I had successfully shocked everyone.
"You... what happened to you?"
Baek Hye-hyang also wore an expression of disbelief.
It was only natural for her to be surprised, as I was radiating an aura comparable to the Eight Great Masters in the short time we had been apart.
I was about to press the advantage when First Blood Star Jang Ryong, who had been dazed by my shout, hurriedly stepped forward and yelled.
"How dare you speak of the law with an imitation Blood Demon Sword! The Blood Demon Sword held by the Young Lady is the real one!"
I didn't expect them to just accept it.
He was trying to push the narrative that Baek Hye-hyang’s sword was the genuine article.
—That sword turned red too?
Others might not know, but I thought I knew why.
It was likely made by the blacksmith Baek Hye-hyang had kidnapped from the Martial Alliance.
—Ah!
Back then, within the mental image of the Heavenly Secret I saw through the cracked imitation Ink Immortals in the incense burner, the Alliance Leader Baek Hyang-muk had been trying to forge an Ink Immortal that could withstand the energy of the Blood Heaven Great Achievement Art.
Come to think of it, I hadn't addressed it then, but could it be that Alliance Leader Baek Hyang-muk had mastered the Blood Heaven Great Achievement Art?
It was suspicious, but that wasn't what was important right now.
The key was determining the authenticity of the Blood Demon Sword.
I was about to say something, but Hae Ak-cheon beat me to it, rebuking Jang Ryong with a voice full of fury.
"Jang Ryong! You snake-eyed bastard! Do you not even recognize the true Blood Demon Sword?"
Hae Ak-cheon really had a way with insults.
He was quite reliable when he was on your side.
"Venerable... then how do you explain the Young Lady’s sword?"
At those words, Hae Ak-cheon frowned and fell silent.
He, too, seemed unable to understand the imitation Blood Demon Sword that responded to the Blood Heaven Great Achievement Art.
I had to prove that one was a fake.
Then, Jang Ryong pointed at someone and shouted.
"Wait. I’ve seen you somewhere before..."
Jang Ryong’s face hardened as he stared intently at Sama Yeong’s face.
He suddenly shouted as if he had realized something.
"You’re the one from Anmyeon Island!"
Anmyeon Island?
Then, Sama Yeong whispered to me.
"It seems that man is the one my father mentioned."
Ah!
Now I remembered.
Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak had told us the story of how he met Baek Hye-hyang and her subordinates before we returned to the Blood Cult.
So that person was First Blood Star Jang Ryong.
Then, as if he had thought of a good move, Jang Ryong gave a triumphant smile and pointed at Sama Yeong.
"That person is the one Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak of the Four Great Villains was hunting. To think you would keep such a dangerous person by your side..."
"He’s my father."
Sama Yeong cut Jang Ryong off mid-sentence.
"What?"
At those words, First Blood Star Jang Ryong frowned, looking like he couldn't comprehend what he just heard.
In response, Sama Yeong removed the human skin mask she was wearing.
"Ah..."
Gasps immediately rippled through the crowd.
Her face, revealed after removing the mask, was that of a peerless beauty.
Who wouldn't be shocked seeing such a beautiful face?
The reason she removed the mask was simple.
Her true face bore a subtle resemblance to Sama Chak.
"What... is the meaning of this..."
To the bewildered Jang Ryong, Sama Yeong gave a thin smile and said,
"You told my father our location and said I had been kidnapped and brainwashed by the members under Young Lady Baek Ryeonha, didn't you?"
The faces of Hae Ak-cheon, Raging Demon Lord Seo Gal-ma, and Fourth Blood Star Do Jang-ho twisted terrifyingly.
They had already harbored suspicions about why Sama Chak had suddenly appeared and caused a ruckus back at the Yangtze River.
"...What are you talking about?"
Baek Hye-hyang asked Jang Ryong in a voice that had gone cold.
Judging by her reaction, she hadn't known either.
Jang Ryong’s expression froze, and he couldn't hide his embarrassment.
"Young Lady. This is..."
As if mocking his predicament, Sama Yeong even stuck her tongue out and shouted,
"My father told me to tell you this: the price for deceiving him with lies will soon be paid with your life!"
!?
At the death threat from one of the Four Great Villains, Jang Ryong’s expression became indescribable.