Chapter 63: Blood Demon (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 63: Blood Demon (4)
"Heh."
A middle-aged man with a well-groomed mustache smiled as he watched the government army’s procession filling the plains while he moved at a steady pace using his lightness art.
There were nearly four thousand soldiers in total.
Three thousand infantry and a thousand cavalry.
"I thought they would send more troops. That’s a bit disappointing," said a man in navy-blue battle garb running beside him, clicking his tongue.
The middle-aged man shook his head.
"This is enough."
"I suppose so. Combined with our forces, it makes for a decent showing."
Behind the two men, martial artists in blue battle garb ran in disciplined rows. They were warriors from the Guangxi Province Branch of the Martial Alliance. Even on their own, they were a formidable force of nearly two thousand.
However, it was undeniable that they were still outmatched when compared to the nearly ten thousand members of the Blood Cult gathered with Spirit Mountain at their backs.
"Still, it’s a relief that the various sects and clans provided this much support. Justice is still alive and well."
The two thousand warriors belonged to the various sects and clans under the Guangxi Branch of the Martial Alliance. While they might lack the raw power of the Alliance’s main headquarters, they prided themselves on having a sense of justice and chivalry that was second to none.
"Deputy Branch Leader Gwak. How do you think they will react?"
The middle-aged man addressed as Deputy Branch Leader Gwak was Gwak Cheol, the second-in-command of the Guangxi Province Branch of the Martial Alliance. The man running alongside him was Woo Jiksu, the Chamber Leader of the Lesser Conversation Sword.
"They’ll either fight or retreat. It’ll be one of the two."
"It feels wrong to say this after coming all this way, but a part of me hopes they just retreat."
Gwak Cheol smirked at Woo Jiksu’s remark.
"We’re only human; how could you not feel that way? I feel the same. However, the current state of the martial world is at stake here."
"True. If they are resurrected, the entire martial world will fall into chaos."
It was no exaggeration to say that the current Central Plains was a world ruled by the Orthodox Faction. If the Blood Cult were to rise again now, the martial world would return to the turbulent era of the Great Orthodox-Evil War from twenty years ago.
Gwak Cheol spoke as he gazed at the looming Spirit Mountain.
"It won’t be like back then. No matter how much the remnants of the Blood Cult gather their strength, they won’t be the same as before. Both the Alliance and the Orthodox Faction are currently enjoying their golden age."
"You’re right."
As they said, the Orthodox Martial Alliance had expanded its influence significantly more than it had twenty years ago. Even excluding the Alliance’s main headquarters, the combined forces of the provincial branches alone reached fifty thousand. If one included the common members who didn't know martial arts—such as the followers of the Beggar's Sect or members of Taoist sects—the number would be even greater. It far exceeded the strength of the Blood Cult gathered at Spirit Mountain.
"But we must pull them out by the roots now. Otherwise, they will rally the Evil Faction and expand even further."
That was their primary concern: a situation where the Evil Faction unified around the Blood Cult. If that happened, they might hold the advantage for now, but the long-term situation would become unpredictable. The Martial Alliance had no choice but to conduct a lightning war before the Blood Cult could properly establish itself.
Woo Jiksu, the Chamber Leader of the Lesser Conversation Sword, looked toward the government troops.
"It’s a relief that the other two strategists of the main Alliance are still going strong. If this plan works, the Blood Cult will never be able to assemble again."
"If they cross the government because of this, that will be the end of them."
The move to mobilize the government had come from the three strategists of the Martial Alliance. It was a scheme to prevent the Blood Cult from gathering. The government and the martial world had established several protocols following the persecution of the martial world by the Golden Emperor in the past. If the Blood Cult violated these for the sake of their pride, the government would take active measures to restrain them.
"I’m glad Governor Jo moved according to our wishes."
"With the amount of wealth we handed over, he’d better do at least this much."
The Guangxi Branch had offered vast amounts of wealth to the Governors who headed each prefecture. Thanks to that, they were able to move the government smoothly. Of course, the government only responded because there was a plausible justification.
"I do feel a bit sorry for those poor soldiers."
"If the Blood Cult runs rampant, it won’t just be our problem anyway. Even martial artists are subjects of the Emperor. This country punishes rebels who try to delude the masses with severe penalties."
"That’s true, but if the remnants of the Blood Cult don't hesitate to fight the government, everyone here will die."
Startling words came from Woo Jiksu’s mouth. They hadn't marched out here expecting to win.
"And that is why we are prepared to die with them, is it not? If we can eradicate those Blood Cult remnants from the Central Plains through the sacrifice of the government and ourselves, I am more than willing to throw my life away."
This was their true objective. If the soldiers died, the government would be forced to take action.
At Gwak Cheol’s words, Woo Jiksu spoke with a voice full of resolve.
"I feel the same way, Deputy Branch Leader!"
"If it comes to a fight, let’s kill as many of those Blood Cult bastards as possible for the sake of our comrades before we go."
"That is exactly what I hope for. Hahahaha!"
*
Clop! Clop!
Several men were leading the army's vanguard on horseback. All were clad in armor, except for one man wearing a blue silk official’s robe.
This middle-aged official with a neatly grown beard was Lee Seok, the Judge in charge of the prefecture's practical affairs. Beside him was Ja Maenggwang, a Five Thousand Commander under the prefecture's jurisdiction, wearing armor embossed with a tiger.
"You didn't have to come personally, Judge. Are you sure you'll be alright?"
At Five Thousand Commander Ja Maenggwang’s question, Judge Lee Seok replied with a stoic face.
"What choice do I have? It is the Governor’s order, so I must follow. He told me to send at least one official along."
In truth, Lee Seok knew exactly how dangerous this mission was. If things went wrong, a war could break out. It was no place for a civil official like himself.
"I’ve made arrangements for the unit commanders to retreat if necessary, so you can withdraw at any time."
"Thank you."
Lee Seok smiled bitterly at Ja Maenggwang’s words. He appreciated the consideration, but his mission wasn't to survive. He recalled what Governor Jo had said to him before he left.
[Judge Lee. If you perform well on this mission, I might be able to advance to the central government. If that happens, I will ensure your family is taken care of for generations.]
Governor Jo had long desired to enter the central government. Even with connections, it was difficult to enter the capital without a significant achievement. However, if this incident provided a justification for the government to control the ever-growing martial world, that achievement would be highly valued.
I’m just doing someone else’s dirty work.
To be honest, he didn't want to volunteer for sacrifice. But the Governor had called him out by name. If he refused, his future would be blocked anyway.
[You’re already fifty-five. Isn't it about time your son entered the civil service? I heard he failed the provincial examinations again.]
His son, who was already over thirty, weighed on his mind. There was no way a boy who had spent his whole life reading books could survive in business, and Lee Seok was constantly worried that his son would squander the family fortune on wine and women as the days went by.
...Fine. Only this old body needs to die.
If he died, everything would be resolved. His pathetic son’s path would open up, and his family would be able to live comfortably for generations. And the Governor would advance to the central government to fulfill his ambitions.
Let’s just die. Let’s die.
*
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Blood Cultists marched in disciplined rows to the beat of the drums. With every step they took, the earth seemed to tremble. With ten thousand cultists following behind me, my heart pounded for some reason.
—You’re faint of heart.
It’s not like that.
The Blood Demon Sword is surprisingly talkative. Sometimes he’s even worse than the Lesser Conversation Sword.
—Get used to it, Un-hwi. From now on, you have to lead this many people.
Only the Namcheon Iron Sword offers any comfort. As he said, I was no longer just one person. I held the lives of all these cultists in my hands. Their fate would be decided by what I said and what I did.
—There are a lot of people over there, too.
Just as the Lesser Conversation Sword said, a massive crowd was visible ahead. Between the Martial Alliance warriors, who were even more disciplined than the Blood Cult, and the government soldiers, there seemed to be at least six or seven thousand people.
"Wow! There are so many. I don't think I've seen this many people gathered since I went to the Martial Alliance."
I agreed with Sama-yeong’s exclamation. If two forces of this scale collided, how many casualties would there be? The plains near Spirit Mountain would be stained red with blood.
Hmm.
I glanced back. The reactions were split. The younger cultists were visibly tense, while the older, more experienced ones were burning with fighting spirit, perhaps due to the shame and humiliation of the past.
I wondered what kind of expressions the Martial Alliance and government soldiers were wearing. I pulled something out from my robe.
—You’re putting that to good use.
Indeed. Sama-yeong had bought it because she thought it was a funny mask she found on the street, but I never expected it to be used like this. It was a mask with the face of a Yaksha or an evil ghost.
Currently, to the Martial Alliance and the Orthodox Faction, I was known as one of the Twin Heroes of the Orthodox world. For the sake of the future, there was no reason to reveal my identity.
—Shouldn't you send them out now? They’re quite close.
The distance between us and the Martial Alliance and government forces was only about a hundred and fifty yards. The government soldiers were drawing their bows, and the Martial Alliance warriors had their weapons drawn, looking ready to charge at any moment.
"Great Leader No, Deputy Great Leader Gi."
"Loyalty!"
At my call, Guardian Great Leader No Seong-gu and Deputy Great Leader Gi Jo-yang answered simultaneously and stepped forward. They split to the left and right, carrying flags emblazoned with the character for 'Blood' (血), and headed toward the leaders of the Guangxi Martial Alliance Branch and the government army.
—Do you think they’ll actually want to talk?
They will.
Even if they try to pull something, our cult has the upper hand. We are far superior in terms of strength, and even trained soldiers are no different from ordinary people compared to martial artists. Unless a miracle happens, they are at a disadvantage ten times out of ten. They’ll be curious about our intentions anyway, so they’ll accept the contact.
—Murmur, murmur!
I could see both sides stirring. They seemed taken aback that we were requesting a dialogue. Before long, Great Leader No Seong-gu and Deputy Great Leader Gi Jo-yang raised yellow flags.
"They accepted."
It was the signal that they had agreed. Deputy Great Leader Gi Jo-yang returned, while Great Leader No Seong-gu took a position exactly in the middle of the two forces. That was the meeting point.
From the government side, an official in blue robes and a general in tiger-embossed armor approached on horseback. From the Martial Alliance branch, two men who appeared to be the leaders also approached. I, too, headed toward the meeting point.
Thud!
Using the Wind Shadow Step, I arrived in an instant. At the sight of me, the eyes of the Martial Alliance leaders filled with wariness. Intentionally showing off my lightness art had worked.
—I think the mask is working too.
It seems so. Neither of them could take their eyes off my evil ghost mask. The middle-aged man with the mustache, who appeared to be their leader, spoke first.
"We aren't in a position to exchange pleasantries, so I’ll skip the introductions. I am Gwak Cheol, the Deputy Branch Leader of the Guangxi Martial Alliance Branch."
"I am Woo Jiksu, the Chamber Leader of the Lesser Conversation Sword."
True to their Orthodox roots, they at least identified themselves despite their hostility. The official in his mid-fifties with a neatly groomed beard dismounted and spoke.
"I am Lee Seok, the Judge of the prefecture."
A Judge? Someone quite high-ranking had come. I expected that for an army of this size, someone at the provincial level would be involved, but to move the prefecture itself...
They must have bribed him heavily.
Otherwise, why would a sixth-rank official like a Judge move? Since such a high-ranking official was involved, the government would have been in an uproar and pressured the Blood Cult before my regression. It was the perfect justification.
I politely cupped my fists and greeted them.
"I am Unit Leader Jin, appearing as a proxy for the current Blood Demon."
"What?"
"Blood Demon?"
At the mention of the Blood Demon, the expressions of Deputy Branch Leader Gwak Cheol and Chamber Leader Woo Jiksu grew even more serious. They thought everyone with the Blood Demon's bloodline had been killed after the Great Orthodox-Evil War, so they must be bewildered to hear him mentioned. However, Gwak Cheol quickly regained his composure and spoke.
"If that cursed lineage is still alive, why didn't he come out himself?"
Since I hid my identity and called myself a mere Unit Leader, he’s naturally speaking down to me. I smiled thinly behind the mask and replied.
"By that logic, at the very least, your Branch Leader should have come out personally for our ranks to match."
When I struck a nerve while speaking politely, Gwak Cheol’s brow furrowed. He spoke with a voice laced with force.
"You brat, you take us for fools. No one has forgotten the blood-red hair and eyes of the Blood Demon’s lineage. Which of those many people back there is such a person?"
I ignored his comment and continued.
"What you believe is up to you. More importantly, the Blood Demon is curious as to why the Judge has appeared leading an army alongside the Martial Alliance."
At my question, Woo Jiksu snorted.
"The wicked Blood Cult is trying to assemble again. Did you think we would just leave it be?"
"The wicked Blood Cult?"
"Tell your leader immediately. Tell them to disarm and surrender at once. If not, we will consider this an act of hostility against the government and the Alliance."
He was coming on strong, clearly trying not to be intimidated. Mentioning the government first seemed like a deliberate provocation.
—Is he saying, 'Try touching the government, you'll regret it'?
Exactly. He’s implicitly stating that. Understanding the intent, Judge Lee Seok also spoke up.
"Since you say you are the leader of that group, I will deliver the Governor’s order. Are you the same Blood Cult that deluded the masses twenty years ago?"
Hok-se-mu-min (Deluding the masses). Literally, it means disturbing the world and deceiving the people. It was a term the government used to collectively refer to heterodox religious groups, and as expected, they were using it as their justification.
Gwak Cheol chimed in.
"Judge. How can we leave such rebels who delude the masses alone? We must immediately punish those who have violated the solemn laws of the land—"
"Who exactly are the rebels deluding the masses?"
When I cut him off, Woo Jiksu raised his voice.
"If the Blood Cult isn't a group that deludes the masses, then what is!"
I chuckled at that. My laughter seemed to anger Deputy Branch Leader Gwak Cheol, as his hand went to his saber. In response, Guardian Great Leader No Seong-gu also gripped his saber and warned him.
"If you don't take your hand off that saber right now, I won't stand idly by."
"That’s exactly what I want."
As Gwak Cheol was about to draw his blade, I spoke in a low voice.
"I haven't even been able to answer the Judge’s question, yet the representatives of the Martial Alliance are itching for a fight. Is this the way of the Orthodox Faction?"
My words made Gwak Cheol’s expression crumple. On the other hand, a look of interest appeared in Judge Lee Seok’s eyes. He probably expected the Blood Cult to be like the wild men of the Evil Faction who loved blood, so my continued adherence to etiquette might have surprised him.
Lee Seok gave a small smile and said to me, "You are right. I have yet to hear anything from you."
His form of address shifted from 'you' to 'sir.'
"Judge!"
When Gwak Cheol tried to say something, Judge Lee Seok held up a hand, signaling him not to interfere. I politely cupped my fists and said to him.
"I will say that we are, and yet we are not."
"You are, and yet you are not? What kind of sophistry is that?"
"If 'deluding the masses' refers to a heterodox religion, then both then and now, we are a group of martial artists who pursue martial arts, unlike Taoist or Buddhist sects."
"A group of martial artists?"
I said to the puzzled official.
"The second protocol established between the government and the martial world states: 'If there are those who delude the masses and deceive the people, they shall be severely punished as rebels.' I fail to see how we fall under the category of deluding the masses."
At those words, Woo Jiksu grew angry and shouted.
"What nonsense are you spouting, you who claim a doctrine of washing the world in blood!"
"Ah! Are you talking about that?"
"If that isn't deluding the masses, then what—"
"It seems we caused a misunderstanding by not making our goals clear."
"What?"
"When we speak of washing in blood, it is strictly limited to the Orthodox Martial Alliance. The exaggerated expressions used to boost morale have caused misunderstandings until now, so we wish to make it clear."
"Do you expect us to believe—"
"How can one who has mastered martial arts recklessly swing a blade at innocent civilians? Regardless of Orthodox or Evil ideologies, isn't that just common sense?"
When I mocked him by tapping my finger against my head, Woo Jiksu’s face turned bright red. He looked ready to throw a punch at me any second. Ignoring him, I spoke to Judge Lee Seok with politeness and conviction.
"Our cult has not forgotten the agreement between the government and the martial world from the time of the Golden Emperor. Now that the current Blood Demon has taken power, we will never involve the common people in the affairs of the martial world."
At my words, Judge Lee Seok’s eyes wavered slightly. Anyone with a bit of education would realize it would be difficult to use 'deluding the masses' as a justification here.
Then, Gwak Cheol, the Deputy Branch Leader of the Guangxi Martial Alliance, cut in.
"You seem to have forgotten the fourth protocol between the government and the martial world."
"The fourth protocol?"
"The fact that one must obtain permission if they rally a force large enough to threaten the government."
The corners of Gwak Cheol’s mouth curled up into a sneer. It was as if he were asking how I would respond to that. In truth, this protocol was the most meaningless of the five. A single master who had 'broken the wall' could be a threat; how could one possibly define the line where the government felt threatened?
"Judge. Over ten thousand wicked martial artists have gathered. This man claims they won't delude the masses with his trivial wordplay, but how can you trust him? If that is the case, order their leader and high-ranking officials to surrender for interrogation and command the group to disband."
...As I thought.
They were trying everything to force a clash between the government and our cult. Their continued use of provocative language was for that very purpose. However, there’s something you don't know.
Slide.
When I reached out my hand, Guardian Great Leader No Seong-gu pulled something out from his back. When he unwrapped the red silk covering it, an official document was revealed.
I smiled thinly and said, "What should we do? I thought that might be an issue, so I’ve already obtained a permit."
"What?"
Gwak Cheol stared at the document, unable to believe it. The document contained a statement officially approving the Blood Cult as a martial organization, stamped with a red seal that appeared to be from the government.
Woo Jiksu pointed at the document and shouted, "It’s a lie! A fake made to escape the situation—"
Just then, Judge Lee Seok spoke with a trembling voice.
"It is not a fake document."
"What do you mean?"
"...It bears the seal of the Regional Military Commander."
"The Regional Military Commander!"
Gwak Cheol and Woo Jiksu were struck with shock. The reason for their surprise was simple. The Regional Military Commander belonged to the Right Army Commander's Office, which oversaw Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, and southern Shaanxi. To put it simply, he was a third-rank official, higher in rank than the Governor they had brought onto their side.
"H-how did you get this document?"
How else? If you bastards bribed the Governor, I stopped by the Right Army Commander's Office and bribed the Regional Military Commander with an amount of wealth that would make his eyes pop out. I felt bad about taking the money from the Peerless Fortress branch for this purpose, but I’m glad I obtained the permit in advance, fearing something like this might happen just as it did before my regression.
Then, a laugh burst out from Judge Lee Seok.
"Hahahaha!"
Everyone was confused by his reaction. After laughing for a long time, Judge Lee Seok looked at me and said something cryptic.
"I believe I owe you a debt, sir."
A debt?
“Lord Judge, what are you saying? At least verify if that document is a forgery or not...”
To the flustered Gwak Cheol, Judge Lee Seok replied, “How could the local office dare disregard a permit issued by the Right Army Commander’s Office? This matter has exceeded our jurisdiction. General Ja, let us withdraw.”
“As you wish.”
The military officer addressed as General Ja brought his horse forward. Judge Lee Seok looked at me with a smile.
“I had assumed the Blood Cult was a gathering of wicked thugs, as the rumors suggested, but it seems I was mistaken. I hope we might meet again when the opportunity arises.”
With those favorable words, Judge Lee Seok mounted his horse. Then, along with General Ja, he returned to his soldiers.
Gwak Cheol, the Deputy Branch Leader of the Guangxi Martial Alliance, and Woo Jiksu, the Chamber Leader of Sword Sinking Sea, watched the scene in stunned silence, utterly despondent.
The withdrawal of the government troops was remarkably swift. As soon as the Judge joined them, they began their march back.
I spoke to the leaders of the Martial Alliance branch with a mocking tone.
“What a pity. You tried so hard to use the authorities against us, only for it to blow up in your face.”
Grit!
Woo Jiksu, the Chamber Leader of Sword Sinking Sea, gnashed his teeth and reached for his sword.
At that moment, I opened my Upper Dantian and circulated the seventh stage of the Blood Heaven Great Achievement Art.
Whoooooosh!
A red haze shimmered from my body as my aura surged forth. Gwak Cheol, Woo Jiksu, and the others stiffened, their expressions freezing in shock.
“T-that hair...”
“His eyes?”
They couldn't hide their consternation at the crimson glow emanating from behind the evil ghost mask.
“Why the long face? Weren't you dying to see the Blood Demon in the flesh, Deputy Branch Leader?”
Swish!
Thump! Thump! Thump!
As I raised my hand, the members of the Blood Cult began to march forward, beating their drums as if they had been waiting for the signal. As the ten thousand cultists surged into motion once more, the Martial Alliance warriors—already visibly outnumbered after the withdrawal of the government troops—began to waver.
Gwak Cheol bit his lip hard and spoke. “Do not mistake this for the full strength of our branch.”
I curled the corner of my mouth into a smirk. “And do you think this is our full strength?”
At the main headquarters of the Guangxi Martial Alliance branch, some twenty li from Spirit Mountain.
Ten extraordinary figures appeared atop the gate pavilion of the headquarters. A woman with hair as red as blood licked her lips and spoke to the nine behind her.
“It’s time for a bloody Sect Opening Ceremony, Revered Stars.”
Three Venerable Ones and six Blood Stars.
They were the ultimate martial force of the Blood Cult.