Chapter 241
Chapter 241
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 241
Chapter Title: Reflections in the Blood Swamp
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Blood Lord Mountain's Heart Valley swamp.
A middle-aged man trudged along with slow steps.
The owner of those footsteps was crossing the swamp alone, without any of his subordinates in tow.
Upon reaching the swamp at the end, he stepped into it.
Unlike usual, this swamp held not a trace of red as he gradually sank his body into it, eventually leaning his upper body against a tree.
After gazing at the sky, he let out a relaxed breath.
"This isn't half bad."
The swamp was a place he had begun visiting after ascending to the position of Palace Lord and learning of the ritual's existence.
This was the first time he had simply soaked in it without performing the ritual.
Others might prefer immersing themselves in a lake over sinking into a swamp, but after conducting countless rituals over the years, he now found the swamp more familiar and comfortable than anything else.
I've crossed a great mountain. One that seemed utterly insurmountable.
The Blood Crimson Heavenly River Divine Art he had obtained was something he hadn't even dared to hope for.
It was a martial art he had long deemed impossible to decipher, to the point where he had abandoned even attempting to study it.
He had considered even grasping a mere clue a tremendous achievement. Yet not only had he acquired it without realizing how, but he had also confirmed it possessed performance far beyond his expectations.
'A great fortune for our palace.'
Though the Blood Heaven Divine Palace had claimed to inherit the Blood Cult, they had lacked the core Blood Art at its foundation.
Fortunately, they had obtained the Blood River Union Divine Art to fill that gap, but something irreplaceable still remained missing.
Now, with the Blood Crimson Heavenly River Divine Art, he had awakened to the essence of the Blood Art.
It was as good as reclaiming the Blood Cult's roots.
From the Palace Lord's perspective, it was only natural for smiles to bloom across the palace. Yet with that came a single problem.
The essence of that Blood Art had leaked to the outside.
'...And to the Heavenly Demon, no less.'
There was no way to bind him.
With any other martial artist, he would have detained them in the palace and sealed away the information tightly. But the opponent was none other than the Heavenly Demon.
Capturing Hyeok Mulin would invite the blades of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult straight to their doors—and even that was assuming they could capture him at all.
So, in the end...
'I have to let him go.'
With the Blood Heaven Divine Palace's forces, detaining him was impossible anyway.
Rather than clash pointlessly, he chose to release him cleanly.
From the scholarly demeanor he had observed so far, the man didn't seem the type to go around proclaiming the divine art.
And above all, the most fortunate part...
Was his favorable attitude toward the palace.
"Heavenly Demon Divine Cult..."
Ever since they rampaged into the martial world, they had always vied for the top spot among the strong.
Thus, forging ties with them wasn't a bad idea.
But there were the problems that came with it.
Growing closer to the Demonic Cult would inevitably distance them from the Martial Alliance and the Four Black Alliances.
Even if relations between the righteous and demonic factions were poor, they united in their wariness of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult beyond.
'A time for choice.'
At this very moment, as they sought to step beyond Guiju Castle, his decision was needed.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Martial Alliance and Four Black Alliances, and even the neutral grounds.
As he envisioned the chaotic state of the Central Plains in his mind, complex thoughts swirled within him.
And the conclusion he reached was clear.
"It seems we've already passed the crossroads."
He was already standing on one path, with no option to turn back.
And he was certain this path he walked was the right one.
Shhh—
Blood energy spread from Yeon Jeha's entire body as he manifested his Blood Art.
Then, the dark, withered tree behind him was instantly dyed a vivid crimson.
Compared to before, the redness was strikingly more pronounced.
Soon, Yeon Jeha withdrew his blood energy and steadied his breathing.
'This will do for now.'
Since receiving the Blood Crimson Heavenly River Divine Art from Hyeok Mulin, he had been in the process of internalizing it.
Its profundity meant he was assimilating it gradually to avoid straining his body, but even that was enough to feel its power.
This was something he couldn't disclose to the palace members.
Nor could he keep it solely for himself, given the palace's lacking forces.
Likely, only the Little Palace Lord would get the chance to learn it.
Yeon Jeha thought of his daughter, Yeon Jeokhwa.
Though she had inherited his blood, he hadn't placed her as Little Palace Lord solely for that.
After objectively and coldly comparing various aspects, he had judged her the most suitable to lead the Blood Heaven Divine Palace at the time.
However, he had been disappointed when, after becoming Little Palace Lord, she had overpaid at the auction to acquire the Blood River Union Divine Art.
"Now I can understand it."
Her opponent had been the Heavenly Demon; there was no way the child could have held her own.
Having learned the truth, Yeon Jeha retracted his harsh judgment of her.
As he pondered that situation, Yeon Jeha suddenly recalled that Yeon Jeokhwa and Hyeok Mulin had shared quarters together.
From a young age, she had been wary of those around her, keeping her heart closed off.
It was likely an instinctive caution born from experiencing endless flattery due to her position as the Palace Lord's daughter.
Yet that very child was associating with a man.
'From the looks of it, she still doesn't know his true identity.'
It wasn't strange.
Even he hadn't detected demonic energy from Hyeok Mulin, only speculating after ordering a thorough intelligence gathering.
There was no way the Little Palace Lord would know.
'She'll find out eventually.'
But Yeon Jeha had no intention of telling her first.
Their connection was for them to navigate themselves.
Hoo—
Yeon Jeha closed his eyes gently as he exhaled.
Though not immersed in the ritual, his mind felt refreshingly clear, his body floating in peaceful comfort.
"So serene."
A deep smile graced the lips of Yeon Jeha, who had drifted into slumber.
"It's about time to leave."
Having decided to depart the Blood Heaven Divine Palace, Hyeok Mulin informed Yeon Jeha of the fact.
He had already spent a month immersed in martial arts research. After grasping the essence of the Blood Art, he saw no further reason to stay.
On the path of his departure, as palace members assisted his procession, Yeon Jeha and Yeon Jeokhwa appeared.
Stepping forward among them, Yeon Jeha offered final words to Hyeok Mulin.
"Such a pity. Truly a pity."
"Pity about what?"
"Letting a talent like you leave this place."
"For someone who finds it such a pity, you're sending me off rather easily."
"Do you think you'd stay just because I asked? I'm not one to keep staring at sour grapes."
Yeon Jeha, who had cleanly given up, wore a faint smile.
Then, as if struck by a thought, he spoke to Hyeok Mulin.
"And regarding the reward I mentioned before."
Pausing, he continued the rest via transmission.
『I'll formally visit your Divine Cult soon and deliver it.』
"......"
Hyeok Mulin met his gaze at those words.
The point wasn't merely delivering a reward.
It meant the Blood Heaven Divine Palace's Palace Lord would visit the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
In other words, it proclaimed to the world their amicable relations.
From Hyeok Mulin's standpoint, there was no downside.
Having such an ally in the heart of the Central Plains brought countless benefits.
However.
"Can you handle the consequences?"
Conversely, for the Martial Alliance and Four Black Alliances, it meant a Heavenly Demon Divine Cult ally right under their noses—a thorn they would desperately want removed.
It would inevitably forge hostile relations with them.
For the palace, maintaining neutrality as before would have been best.
'Aiming not for the best, but for the greatest.'
Well, such ambition wasn't bad.
Since they had decided to expand beyond, they would have had to choose eventually.
"Understood. I'll await you."
Hyeok Mulin nodded in acceptance.
As he turned toward the carriage, Yeon Jeha, watching his back, spoke up.
"Little Palace Lord."
"Yes."
"See to it that he leaves Guiju Castle without any discomfort."
"Pardon? Ah, yes. Understood."
Though briefly flustered, Yeon Jeokhwa accepted it as escorting a guest and prepared the carriage and attendants alongside her.
After boarding the carriage departing Blood Lord Mountain, Yeon Jeokhwa glanced at Hyeok Mulin seated opposite.
'I can't understand it.'
In truth, she still couldn't fathom the Palace Lord's choice to let him leave unchecked.
How could they send out someone who had memorized their Blood Palace's divine art so defenselessly?
That wasn't all. Just before departure, when the Palace Lord had come to see him off, she had noticed their conversation cut short into brief transmission.
What could they have discussed to hide it from her?
As various doubts swirled in her mind, Hyeok Mulin spoke softly.
"Now you should be able to hold that position."
"Yes. It's time to start cleaning house bit by bit."
There had been countless challengers eyeing the Little Palace Lord seat, but now the balance had tipped.
By bringing in Hyeok Mulin, Yeon Jeokhwa had essentially proven her insight and qualities.
The Palace Lord would now back her fully, and with his support, she planned to eliminate rivals like the lord of Blood Blade Pavilion who had caused a scene in the streets earlier.
Known for her cold ruthlessness, she had no intention of showing mercy.
In the brief silence that followed, Yeon Jeokhwa realized her tangled thoughts had cleared away.
'What an extraordinary person.'
To shift the atmosphere so effortlessly with a single sentence.
Having shared quarters with him for what was short yet long enough, Yeon Jeokhwa had learned much about Hyeok Mulin.
Her conclusion, reluctant as it was, was that he was someone with much to teach.
Especially the overwhelming authority, dignity, and presence essential for a group's sovereign—though she couldn't pinpoint why.
'Just what is his true identity?'
The more she learned, the more curious he became.
Gazing at him briefly, Yeon Jeokhwa slowly turned her head to look out the window.
Turning her eyes to the world, she spoke at one point.
"Next time, I'd like to visit where you live."
The place I live.
Hyeok Mulin's lips curved lightly at her words.
"If you intend to, you'd best prepare in advance."
After all, it probably wouldn't be too far in the future.