Chapter 192 - Witness of the Blood Prison
Jeokhon, the lord of the Blood Family, couldn't tear his eyes away from the stunningly beautiful woman entering with his subordinates.
A female witness...
The woman was the supposed eyewitness who had seen the one who broke through the Blood Prison, the thousand-year gateway. Of course, he couldn't be absolutely certain that the person she saw was indeed the breaker of the Blood Prison, but in a situation shrouded in total darkness, her testimony was like a single ray of light.
"My lord, we've brought the witness."
"You've done well. Withdraw."
"Yes, sir."
Jeokhon watched his retreating subordinates for a moment before turning his gaze to the woman. His eyes gleamed with interest.
Impressive. A woman who doesn't even seem to practice martial arts, yet she's this composed.
This was the grand hall of the Blood Family. Even though he and the hidden guards in the shadows could perfectly suppress their auras, a normal woman should at least show some tension.
"Thank you for coming all this way, miss."
Jeokhon spoke as gently as possible. The woman merely gazed at him with a calm expression.
Once more, a flicker of surprise crossed Jeokhon's face at her utterly indifferent demeanor. He continued.
"You must know why we've summoned you here."
"What do I need to do?"
"I need to hear everything: the man's appearance, when and where you saw him, and how."
>
"Can you do that?"
"Of course."
"Thank you."
Jeokhon turned and called out.
"Prepare tea."
"No, I'm in a bit of a hurry, so I'll pass on the tea. Shall we get started?"
Bold, even brazen.
Jeokhon nodded silently.
"Very well. Speak."
"I was passing near Manghon Valley on some business and spotted a man walking out from the valley side. Deep in the mountains, I hid in the woods just in case, and that's when I caught a thick stench of blood from him."
Manghon Valley referred to the great ravine where the Blood Prison was located.
"Do you remember his face?"
"Vividly."
Jeokhon turned again.
"Call the portrait artist."
"No need. I'll draw the portrait myself."
"Even if you're skilled in painting, a suspect portrait must be extremely realistic and precise—unlike ordinary drawings. Can you manage that?"
"You can trust me."
Jeokhon stared at her for a moment, then nodded and murmured lowly.
"Bring paper, brush, and ink."
Soon, a Black Cloak arrived with the supplies. The woman spread the paper on the floor and began drawing immediately.
Jeokhon watched with keen interest as the face took shape under her brush.
Ah, so she's the artist.
Her brushstrokes were no amateur's. Simple sweeps rapidly outlined the facial contours. After some time, as she filled in the eyes—previously left white with black pupils—Jeokhon's gaze trembled.
That face...
It was familiar. He'd definitely seen it before. But he wasn't certain yet.
Moments later, as shadows and details refined the features and the hair was meticulously finished, Jeokhon widened his eyes.
That bastard...
He doubted his own eyes. The portrait, drawn with such precision it was as if the face had been cut from a living person and pasted onto the paper, belonged to none other than Yeon-hoo—his face.
This can't be.
As Jeokhon gaped in shock, the woman set down her brush and rose slowly.
"Is this sufficient?"
Jeokhon stared at her without answering, then asked in a slightly subdued voice.
"Do you know a man named Yeon-hoo, lord of the Northern Murim?"
For an instant, the woman's eyes flickered. But with her head slightly bowed, Jeokhon missed the change.
She replied calmly.
"I've heard the name, but never seen him. Why do you ask?"
"...No reason. You've done well."
Snap!
Jeokhon flicked his fingers, and two Black Cloaks entered the hall.
"Escort her out."
"You'll keep your promise, right?"
"Of course. That's why I called them."
He instructed the Black Cloaks.
"See her out and pay the promised sum."
"Yes, sir."
"Farewell, miss."
"Goodbye."
[We can't spill blood in the hall. Take her outside and kill her.]
[Yes, my lord.]
Jeokhon watched the woman leave with the Black Cloaks, then carefully picked up the portrait she'd drawn.
Tremble...
His eyes shook violently once more.
Did this bastard truly break the thousand-year gateway? If so...
Jeokhon's head turned toward the back.
"Tell Garak that I wish to see him."
"Yes, my lord!"
Soon, Garak entered the hall. Jeokhon issued orders immediately.
"Go find Hwangtae at once and convey my will. There's something to confirm—do not kill Yeon-hoo under any circumstances."
"..."
Garak looked puzzled, unable to fathom the sudden command. Jeokhon held up the portrait.
"Isn't that... Yeon-hoo?"
"It seems he's the one who broke the thousand-year gateway."
"...!"
Garak's eyes widened in shock. Jeokhon's orders continued.
"Send children to the Iron Blood Family and Wall Thunder Family. If he hasn't been killed yet, he's likely biding his time in one of those places. Make haste!"
"Understood!"
As Garak rushed out, Jeokhon sank deeply into his throne, calming his gaze.
If that bastard truly broke the Blood Prison and obtained the demonic weapons and arts... I must capture him at any cost to confirm their existence. If he hasn't seen them, then through him, uncover the way into the Blood Prison.
Jeokhon's heart raced. He prayed fervently.
Hwangtae must have failed...
Then—
Boom!
The hall's doors burst open as a Black Cloak dashed in.
"My lord! Th-the woman escaped!"
"What?"
"She's no ordinary woman—she practices the Barehand Demon Art. We couldn't stop her!"
Barehand Demon Art.
The ancient demonic art, known as the devil's technique, spilled from the Black Cloak's lips.
At that moment—
"I never knew the mighty Blood Family stooped to such petty tricks."
Jeokhon whipped around at the cold voice drifting through the window, flinging it open.
The woman stood atop the opposite building's roof. Blood Family experts were swarming in from all directions like clouds.
"Stand down!"
Jeokhon stepped out through the window, shouting with infused inner energy. The approaching experts halted. He fixed his gaze on the woman. She met his eyes.
"Any martial artist knows what Manghon Valley is. I understand completely. To protect a secret, even I'd try to kill the witness."
"You came here on purpose?"
"Yes. I sought you out deliberately. You're the one who'd lament the Blood Prison's breach more than anyone."
"...!"
Jeokhon was inwardly stunned.
Does she know our family's history with the Blood Prison? No, impossible. It's a supreme secret known only to the family lord. That woman couldn't possibly know.
Suppressing his turmoil, he asked again.
"So, what's your purpose in coming to me?"
"I needed to learn his identity."
"The portrait?"
"Yes. Thanks to you, I confirmed he's the lord of the North. I'm grateful for that."
"That he emerged from Manghon Valley... that's no lie, is it?"
"Now that things have come to this, I'll be precise. I saw him at the Blood Prison's entrance. He must have killed the guarding Blood Family experts—and those from other families."
Tremble...
Jeokhon's eyes shook again.
"Who are you?"
"Call me someone who emerged into the world to slay a demon. We'll meet again, so let's end it here. Farewell."
Boom!
Tiles exploded upward from where she stood. Like a crane taking flight, the woman soared and vanished as a black dot in Jeokhon's sight.
"My lord!"
"Too late. Don't pursue."
Jeokhon stared at her vanishing point, furrowing his brow. Her final words echoed relentlessly in his mind.
Someone who emerged into the world to slay a demon.
* * *
"Damn it all!"
Boom!
Hwangtae's rage-filled kick shattered a massive boulder to pieces.
He'd chased the westward group for half a day, only to come up empty. It was only after another half day that he realized they'd gone to the quarry for stone.
Fuming from repeated failures, Hwangtae plunged into the water to cool his boiling temper, lying back and letting the buoyancy carry him. Absorbing the water's chill, he soothed his fury.
Then—
Screech!
A lone eagle appeared overhead. It circled above Hwangtae's head with sharp cries before perching silently at the tip of a nearby great tree.
Hwangtae eyed the eagle, his anger somewhat subsided.
"I'm envious of you. If I had wings, I could catch that bastard in no time..."
At that moment, Ga Hoe spotted several lights flashing in the sky and narrowed his eyes.
What the—?
The lights plummeted toward him at tremendous speed. Simultaneously, Hwangtae's body erupted from the water in a spray.
Splash!
A small waterspout shot up from where he'd lain. As it fell, Hwangtae had already landed on the riverbank.
But he never touched solid ground.
Flash!
A streak of light erupted from the forest beyond the bank, targeting his legs.
Even a Heavenly Expert would struggle to evade a sudden ambush mid-air, especially while descending to land.
Hwangtae's sword cleaved the air.
Boom!
Whoosh!
Dust billowed from the sandy riverbank. Two more flashes pierced the cloud, and as Hwangtae blocked them, the impact hurled him back toward the river.
Thud!
He slammed his left foot into the ground, barely regaining balance. He hurled sword energy toward the flashes' origin.
Boom boom boom!
Lightning-fast, Hwangtae charged into the flying severed branches and bushes.
In that instant, he glimpsed a dark shadow vanishing beyond the foliage.
"You dare..."
Boom!
Kicking off the ground, Hwangtae pursued the shadow. Another flash flew at him; he swatted it aside and leaped into the woods, but the shadow was gone.
Who the hell is targeting me?
Suddenly, Hwangtae recalled the Black Cloaks of Hwangha Suryeon he'd warned earlier. In that split second, the shadow had clearly worn a black cloak.
If you need to see the coffin to shed tears, I'll make it so.