Chapter 65: Inauguration Ceremony (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 65: Inauguration Ceremony (3)
I have become a canvas.
A pure white canvas, currently being subjected to a flurry of brushstrokes.
Lesser Conversation Sword snickered.
The reason he was so amused was simple: two maidservants and Sama Yeong were currently swarming me, plastering powder all over my face.
"Please, stay still. Goodness."
"Ugh, it’s crooked now. Why do you keep moving your face like that?"
...Excuse me, ladies.
I am the Leader of the Blood Cult.
To think I’d be scolded like this for twitching my face during a makeup session.
Don't be snide.
Do you think I’m doing this because I want to?
Even in my past life, I never saw a Blood Cult Leader’s inauguration ceremony, so I had no idea such a tradition existed.
The Leaders ascending to the throne undergo makeup that looks like something a bride would receive.
White powder, reddened lips, and dark lines around the eyelids, just like now. Then, a long streak of red powder is painted between the eyebrows and the eyes.
I have no idea what I look like right now.
Does a man really need to wear makeup?
The Blood Demon Sword suddenly asked me.
To be honest, other than memories related to martial arts, everything else was very sparse and blurry. Perhaps because of that bone-chillingly intense resentment, the Blood Demon’s memories were like stirred-up water—impossible to see clearly.
Are you really going to frame it like that?
The Blood Demon Sword clicked its tongue and continued.
'What?'
The Ancestor who founded the Blood Cult never intended to be the Leader? What does that mean?
Red Manifestation Holy Cult?
Lesser Conversation Sword asked, sounding curious.
The Red Manifestation Holy Cult.
It was a group that appeared long before the Blood Cult. I had heard that, unlike the Blood Cult which prioritized martial arts, they were deeply religious.
They weren't originally from the Central Plains but had come from the Western Regions to spread their doctrines. At the time, their ideology was considered subversive and dangerous, leading to their rejection by the people of the Central Plains and their eventual downfall.
In fact, there were once rumors that the Red Manifestation Holy Cult was the predecessor of the Blood Cult.
But if what the Blood Demon Sword said was true, those weren't just rumors.
Ah...
So that’s why the inauguration attire consists of these flowing, ceremonial robes that look like a woman’s.
Looking at it this way, it seems every tradition or custom has its own story behind its creation.
Now that I know the origin, it’s hard to complain anymore.
This guy.
I thought he just hated me because he was being suppressed by the Blood Demon’s Spirit, but maybe that’s not entirely the case.
He truly is an enigma.
"We’re finished."
Before long, the maidservants stood up with satisfied expressions.
Sama Yeong looked at my face with a peculiar expression.
Is it that strange?
"Wow. Now that you’re all made up, you have a strangely sensual charm. You’re beautiful."
I wasn't sure if I should take that as a compliment.
"Lovely."
Sama Yeong smirked, then extended a hand toward me as I sat there, letting out a fake cough.
"Ahem. Lady Jin. Please, marry me."
I wondered why she was coughing, but then I realized she was deepening her voice to pretend to be a man. A chuckle escaped me.
I stood up abruptly and swept her into my arms in a surprise embrace.
"Whoa!"
"You’re so frail; I’m not sure if you’re fit to be a bride."
"Hmph. You could have at least played along."
Though her words were blunt, Sama Yeong’s face flushed red and she beamed, clearly enjoying being held.
Just then, someone poked their head through the open door.
"The preparations for the ceremony are all fin—"
It was Song Jwa-baek.
Seeing Sama Yeong in my arms, his face turned beet red, and he gritted his teeth as he forced out the rest of his sentence.
"—ished... so finish up and come out."
I thought he had given up on his feelings, but it seems that wasn't entirely true.
Seeing him like that, I felt like I should introduce him to a nice lady later on.
Sama Yeong glared at Song Jwa-baek and gave him a piece of her mind.
"You really have no sense of timing. Do you think women will like you acting like that?"
Song Jwa-baek’s face instantly slumped into a pout.
Stepping outside, the area was bustling with cult members gathered for the inauguration.
As soon as I appeared, the noisy chatter miraculously vanished into a heavy silence.
It felt as though the very atmosphere had become solemn.
—Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of drums echoed in all directions.
I began to walk down the path paved with red silk.
On either side of the red path, ornate lanterns were placed to light the way, and the entire area was decorated with fluttering red silk.
It felt quintessentially Blood Cult.
After a few steps, the sound of a huqin joined the rhythm of the drums.
The melody of the huqin spreading through the grounds wasn't so much grand as it was nostalgic and even mournful.
This, too, was to honor his wife.
Who would have thought that a man feared by all would possess such tenderness?
The melody of the huqin was quite pleasant to the ear.
Walking along the red silk path, I saw a wide platform and a stone throne in the square.
Beside the stone throne stood several priests holding the crown used by the Cult Leader on a pedestal, along with Baek Hye-hyang dressed in ceremonial robes. On either side of the platform, the Venerables and Blood Stars were seated.
"Kukuku."
My master, Haeakcheon, was laughing with his characteristic cackle as he watched me.
On the other hand, the other Venerables and Blood Stars had expressions of deep emotion as they looked at me.
It was likely because they were witnessing the inauguration of a Blood Demon for the first time in over twenty years, following the resurrection.
The only one looking grumpy was the First Blood Star, Thunder Blood Sword Jang Ryong.
I wondered if I should have.
The Guardian Great Leader, No Seong-gu, had said he would settle it by bowing in apology to his father’s memorial tablet, so I let it rest for now, but I would have to keep a close eye on him.
He had a vibe very similar to the Sixth Blood Star, Blood Hand Witch Han Baek-ha.
—Boom! Boom! Boom!
As I ascended the platform, nearly ten thousand cult members prostrated themselves on the ground simultaneously.
The sight was truly spectacular.
As I walked along the silk path on the platform, the Grand Leaders standing on either side prostrated themselves as I passed, just like the other members.
When I reached the front of the stone throne, the Venerables and Blood Stars took turns kneeling solemnly on one knee and bowing their heads.
Then, they shouted in unison.
"We greet the Master of the Blood Cult!"
As if in a refrain, every cult member in the square followed suit.
"WE GREET THE MASTER OF THE BLOOD CULT!!!"
The shout of ten thousand members shook the surroundings.
The drums and huqin continued to play, creating a strange sensation within me.
I suppose you could say it was finally sinking in.
Yes.
Holding this ceremony before these countless followers made it feel real.
The fact that I was becoming their leader.
It was a destiny completely opposite to the one I had before my regression.
That was true.
A day like this wouldn't come again.
—Step, step!
As I approached the stone throne, Baek Hye-hyang stared at me with a complicated expression.
Since I was sitting in the position she had desired so much, her feelings couldn't be very pleasant.
Normally, the High Priest, who oversees all cult events, would handle it, but that position had been vacant since the Great Orthodox-Evil War.
Consequently, the first in line qualified to conduct this were those of the previous Leader’s bloodline: Baek Hye-hyang and Baek Ryeonha. Since Baek Ryeonha was still not in a good state, Baek Hye-hyang naturally took the role.
Baek Hye-hyang’s voice echoed in my ears via Sound Transmission.
[I will be watching to see how you lead the Cult.]
[You won't be disappointed.]
At my response, she let out a small smirk.
Then, she shouted in a loud voice for everyone to hear.
"We shall now commence the inauguration ceremony!"
All the prostrating cult members stood up.
Conversely, I lowered myself onto one knee before Baek Hye-hyang.
The drums and huqin that had been filling the air fell silent.
Baek Hye-hyang unfurled a scroll wrapped in blue silk that she held in her right hand.
A long scripture was written on the scroll.
She began to chant the scripture in a solemn voice, and the cult members repeated it after her.
Since I had lived as a spy before my regression, this was the first time I had experienced the unique religious atmosphere of the Blood Cult.
The scripture itself was quite far removed from a 'doctrine of blood.'
Rather, like Buddhism or Taoism, it spoke of benefiting all living beings to achieve enlightenment.
Once the scripture was finished, she shouted.
"We shall proceed with the Blood Communion Rite!"
—Boom! Boom! Boom!
As the drums rolled, six cult members brought a large vat onto the platform.
The moment I saw the vat, a slight chill ran down my spine.
The vat was filled with a liquid that was a deep, dark crimson.
That was the sacrificial wine for the inauguration, and it contained drops of blood from ten thousand cult members.
...I have to, what choice do I have?
They said it was the most important event of the inauguration.
Blood signifies life.
The Blood Communion Rite was a sacred ritual where the one becoming the Cult Leader drank from a cup containing the blood of ten thousand people, symbolically taking their lives into his own.
Of course, whether this was actually 'sacred' was something I couldn't quite wrap my head around.
Baek Hye-hyang rolled up one sleeve and dipped a silver cup into the vat.
Then, she handed the overflowing cup to me with both hands.
"Whew."
Taking a deep breath, I received it with both hands, just as solemnly.
Holding my breath, I downed it in one go.
Because so much blood was mixed in, it tasted incredibly fishy.
'I feel like I'm going to throw up.'
I tried my best not to show it for the sake of my dignity, but my stomach was churning.
I can endure pain well enough, but I have a weak stomach for things like this.
Baek Hye-hyang took the empty cup, placed it on the pedestal, and received a silver knife wrapped in white cloth from one of the priests.
"Bloodletting!"
I sliced my left palm with the silver knife.
Then, I quickly let my blood drip into the wine vat.
Since my wounds healed rapidly, I had to hurry, or the blood might not make it in.
After dropping a few drops, I covered my palm with the white cloth and handed the silver knife back to Baek Hye-hyang.
"Distribution!"
At Baek Hye-hyang’s cry, the Revered Stars came forward, took the cups placed nearby, and scooped the blood-wine from the vat.
Once they had all filled their cups, the cult members took the vat down from the platform.
As if they had been waiting, all the cult members began filling their own cups with the blood-wine from the vat.
It took nearly an hour for everyone to fill their cups.
As I held my cup reverently with both hands, Baek Hye-hyang also raised a pre-filled cup and shouted.
"We shall become one through blood. Serve the new Blood Demon!"
As she drank the blood-wine from her cup with both hands, all the cult members, including the Revered Stars, followed suit and emptied their cups.
I agreed.
Baek Hye-hyang’s expression didn't change once, despite the nauseating taste.
In fact, she even licked the blood from her lips, drinking every last drop.
With everyone having finished their blood-wine, the Blood Communion Rite came to an end.
Finally, it was the last part of the inauguration.
"Let the current Blood Demon bow his head."
Baek Hye-hyang took the Cult Leader’s crown from the pedestal and stood before me.
As I bowed my head, she placed the crown upon it.
'Ah...!'
My heart began to race.
Baek Hye-hyang stepped aside and knelt beside the stone throne.
Starting with her, the priests, Venerables, Blood Stars, Grand Leaders, and all the cult members knelt on the ground once more.
I walked forward slowly, turned around, and took my seat on the stone throne.
Immediately, the cult members erupted in a thunderous roar.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!"
After the lingering excitement of the inauguration had subsided to some extent, the next event, the Appointment Ceremony, finally began.
It was a time to bestow new titles and positions.
It seemed this was the moment everyone had been waiting for even more than the inauguration itself.
The Venerables, Blood Stars, and all the cult members watched me as I sat on the stone throne, their eyes filled with equal parts anticipation and concern.
"Left Guardian."
"Loyalty!"
At my call, Left Guardian Ha Jong-il stepped forward.
In his hands was the announcement of appointments that I had agonized over the previous night.
He would be the one to read it.
"On behalf of the Blood Demon, we shall now conduct the Appointment Ceremony. We will first announce the positions that have changed."
Everyone fell silent, focusing intently.
"First, the Venerables."
At the mention of the Venerables, the eyes of the Blood Stars sparkled.
I could guess what they were hoping for.
Originally, the Blood Cult operated under a system of Six Lords and Twelve Blood Stars, but due to the death of the previous Leader and the defeat in the Great Orthodox-Evil War, it had been maintained for a long time by the surviving Venerables and Blood Stars.
In the midst of that, another vacancy had opened up in both the Venerable and Blood Star ranks during the recent General Assembly.
"I shall read. The position of the First Venerable remains unchanged."
Everyone seemed to have expected this, as there was no particular reaction.
It would have been absurd to change anything when the Cult’s strongest master held that position.
Left Guardian Ha Jong-il continued the announcement.
"The position of the Second Venerable also remains unchanged."
At that announcement, I saw Raging Demon Lord Seo Gal-ma let out a small sigh of relief.
In terms of martial prowess, my master, Bizarre Haeakcheon, could be seen as having surpassed him, but since no clear superiority had been established, I decided to keep things as they were to avoid any talk of favoritism.
"Haeakcheon, who was the Fourth Venerable, is promoted to the position of the Third Venerable."
"I am overwhelmed with gratitude! Kukuku."
Haeakcheon knelt on one knee and shouted at the top of his lungs.
Master never cared about being the Second Venerable or anything like that in the first place.
I was glad he wasn't disappointed.
Once Master returned to his spot, Left Guardian Ha Jong-il continued.
"The position of the Fourth Venerable..."
Everyone’s faces grew tense.
Some Blood Stars seemed to be dreaming of a promotion, while others turned their gaze toward Baek Hye-hyang.
It was only natural, as the highest rank among the positions was that of a Venerable.
If Baek Hye-hyang were to take that seat, Baek Ryeonha and her supporters would feel they were being pushed aside.
"...shall remain vacant."
"!?"
At the word 'vacant,' the expressions of the Blood Stars under Baek Hye-hyang’s command stiffened.
They seemed to have expected her to ascend to that position.
However, seeing as they weren't completely despaired yet, they were likely still considering the possibility of her becoming the Cult Leader’s wife.
On the other hand, the Revered Stars under Baek Ryeonha’s command looked visibly brightened.
They were satisfied that Baek Hye-hyang hadn't secured a Venerable position.
I stole a glance at Baek Hye-hyang.
'...Hmm.'
She was staring at me with eyes that had turned quite cold.
It seemed she, too, had been expecting a Venerable position, and my decision to leave it vacant had clearly displeased her.
Still, she wouldn't speak out openly in this setting...
[I see that in your eyes, my capacity doesn't even reach that of a Venerable.]
She was true to form.
She never beat around the bush.
With narrowed eyes, she sent me a message via Sound Transmission.
[If you’re ignoring my warning and planning to offer me the position of your wife...]
Just then, Ha Jong-il’s voice rang out across the square.
"Baek Ryeonha is appointed to the position of High Priest."
"!?"
The position of High Priest, which could be considered the only rank comparable to a Venerable.
Baek Ryeonha had been named for that role.
"Ha!"
Hearing this, Baek Hye-hyang let out a scoff of disbelief.
In contrast, the Revered Stars under Baek Ryeonha couldn't hide their joy.
Even though Baek Hye-hyang hadn't become a Venerable, they were relieved that Baek Ryeonha had been appointed to the pinnacle of honorable positions, the High Priest.
[My Lord. Are you perhaps planning to take both Sama Chak’s daughter and Lady Baek Hye-hyang as your wives?]
The First Venerable sent me a Sound Transmission, his brow furrowed.
I slowly shook my head in response.
[Then do you intend not to embrace Lady Baek Hye-hyang’s faction?]
He voiced his concern.
But how could that be?
I, too, had given this a great deal of thought.
Just as the atmosphere between the two factions was reaching a breaking point, Left Guardian Ha Jong-il made the final announcement.
"Considering the aftermath of the Great Orthodox-Evil War twenty years ago and the current situation of our Cult, the Leader has decreed a new position."
—Murmur, murmur!
"A new position?"
"What could it be?"
Everyone was filled with confusion.
Ignoring them, the Left Guardian announced the title.
"Baek Hye-hyang is appointed to the position of Vice Sect Leader."
"!!!"
In an instant, the expressions of both factions were completely reversed.
Baek Hye-hyang, too, seemed to have never expected this, as she stared at me with trembling eyes.