Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Six Paths Blood Demons (2)
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The air grew heavy in an instant.
-Saaaaa
From the lantern held by the Six Paths Blood Demon, red blood energy flowed out like smoke, covering the ground.
[That energy. It's no ordinary thing.]
The Soul-Severing Sword spoke in a tone far more serious than usual.
Unmyeong released his demonic energy, pushing back the red blood energy that was slowly creeping toward them.
Then, he spoke to his companions in a heavy voice.
"Stay sharp. Our opponent is one of the Six Paths Blood Demons."
Yuhwa didn't know the details about the Six Paths Blood Demons, but the ominous atmosphere alone was enough for her to instinctively realize that the masked woman in the distance was no ordinary threat.
And so, the dense demonic energy pouring from Unmyeong clashed with the blood energy flowing from the Six Paths Blood Demon, each fighting to claim the territory.
"Sword Demon, your struggles, are momentary. As long as I, 'Hell Path,' exist, it is, the end."
"Hell Path. So that's your name."
Each of the Six Paths Blood Demons has their own name.
Information on each individual was scarce, so their exact abilities were unknown, but according to the Heavenly Demon Cult's intelligence, Hell Path specialized in 'area control.'
This meant she was a different entity from the one that had ambushed Unmyeong before.
That one hadn't blanketed the entire area in blood energy like this.
'This must be the unique ability of this one called Hell Path.'
He didn't know what its effects were, but it was clear that touching it would be a bad idea.
Just then, the townspeople, their eyes turned crimson as they were consumed by the blood energy, charged toward Unmyeong and his party all at once.
"Kraaaaaaah!"
"Uwaaaaaah!"
"Grrrrr! Grr!"
"Krrrrrr!"
Having lost all reason, the townspeople snarled like beasts as they rushed forward.
[This doesn't look like temporary brainwashing. Their minds have already been corrupted and shattered. I doubt they can ever return to normal.]
He didn't particularly enjoy slaughtering civilians, but hearing the demonic sword's words eased Unmyeong's conscience, and he once again summoned his violet-black sword energy.
"A mistake. Numerical superiority means nothing against me."
-Kiiiiing
Having absorbed Unmyeong's demonic energy, the Soul-Severing Sword's red eye gleamed as it ignited a hellfire.
"Thanks for saving me the trouble of hunting you down. Blood Demon, this is where you die."
[My master, the time for our revenge has come.]
"Alright. Let's do this."
As he prepared a slash, just as he had demonstrated at the inn, Sohwal quickly took Yuhwa and fled the area.
-Woooooong
The blade of the Soul-Severing Sword vibrated, letting off streams of demonic energy.
Watching this, Hell Path shook her lantern, releasing even more blood energy.
-Fwoosh
An immense heat radiated from the superheated demonic sword.
[Unmyeong, I'm ready. Shatter them.]
At the Soul-Severing Sword's command, Unmyeong swung his blade in a crescent arc.
-Paaaaaaang!
The violet-black slash that spread out in all directions instantly cut to pieces the residents who had been consumed by blood energy and were charging toward him.
The sword energy continued onward, reaching Hell Path, who was holding the lantern and releasing blood energy.
However, she was already well-informed about the Sword Demon and immediately deployed a barrier of blood energy.
-Thwump
The sword energy failed to pierce Hell Path's barrier and was deflected, striking an empty spot.
-Craaaash!
But Unmyeong's attack was stronger than anticipated, and a large crack formed in the barrier.
"This level of power, was not reported. The information, was wrong."
Hell Path was puzzled; the power of Unmyeong's sword energy was far greater than the intelligence she had received.
But this was inevitable, as she had received no information whatsoever about the demonic sword he wielded.
"Information, you say. It seems you've planted a spy in our Cult."
"..."
"I'll question you in detail after I capture you alive."
Unmyeong summoned his energy once more, this time preparing a series of strikes aimed at a single target.
Just then, Hell Path made him an offer.
"Just in case, I will ask. Do you have any intention, of joining us?"
"Cut the crap."
"Eternal life and power. As a human, you can't be uninterested."
But Unmyeong was not one to be swayed by such persuasion. He immediately leaped forward and swung his demonic sword.
Seeing this, Hell Path replied coldly.
"Then, die."
-Swiiiiish
Someone dropped from the sky at high speed, landing in front of Hell Path and blocking Unmyeong's sword.
-Kaaang!
The two fierce energies collided violently, sending shockwaves in all directions.
"Keuk?!"
Unmyeong was slightly taken aback by the sudden intrusion.
To think someone could so easily block his full-powered strike.
And this was with the Soul-Severing Sword amplifying his energy.
'Who in the world...?'
Unmyeong paused his attack and stepped back to look at the interloper.
It was a woman wearing a robe over a crimson martial uniform, her face hidden by a bamboo hat with a veil, pulled down low.
And then, he couldn't help but be shocked.
"That... straight sword... It's the one who ambushed me."
Unmyeong remembered the moment his old sword broke as if it were yesterday.
There was no way he could mistake that unique straight sword, engraved with a crimson pattern.
'Damn it. She must be one of the Six Paths Blood Demons, too. Now I have to face two of them at once.'
The situation was not good.
He might have been able to handle one, but two was a different story.
As Unmyeong clicked his tongue and analyzed the situation, the other Six Paths Blood Demon, the one with the straight sword, spoke.
"Sword Demon, calm yourself. We have no intention of fighting you."
"What nonsense is this? Just moments ago, you were trying to... wait, that voice."
Unmyeong's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the woman with the straight sword.
She slowly removed her bamboo hat, revealing her identity.
A woman with long, beautiful hair fluttering in the wind, her sharp, red eyes gleaming.
The great demon lord considered the strongest of the Heavenly Demon Cult's Seven Demons.
One who held an overwhelming position within the cult, said to possess combat prowess on par with the Heavenly Demon himself.
"Gh-Ghost Demon...!"
The one known as the 'Rakshasa of the Ghostly Blade' or the 'Rakshasa Witch' was standing right there.
Unmyeong couldn't hide his bewilderment at this completely unexpected revelation.
"How... How could the Ghost Demon..."
Sohwal, who was watching from a distance, also stared with wide, unbelieving eyes.
But the Ghost Demon, having revealed her identity, faced Unmyeong with a calm demeanor.
"I won't apologize for the previous ambush. It was unavoidable, so don't take it to heart."
"..."
This was the worst-case scenario.
The Heavenly Demon Cult's greatest warrior was a spy for the Blood Cult.
As Unmyeong's mind reeled in confusion, Hell Path, who stood beside her, slowly spoke.
"Asura Path, revealing your identity, was not in the plan. Nor was your appearance. I can handle, this one alone."
A sharp, red glint shone from behind her mask, showing her considerable displeasure as she glared at the Ghost Demon—no, the Six Paths Blood Demon called Asura Path.
"In your current state, you cannot face the Sword Demon at full strength. This isn't your domain, is it?"
"..."
Observing the two, Unmyeong slowly opened his mouth.
"Ghost Demon, since when... Just when did you become a traitor?"
"Let's see. Perhaps it was from the moment the Heavenly Demon failed to grant my wish."
The Rakshasa of the Ghostly Blade was not born and raised in the Celestial Mountains—the domain of the Demonic Cult.
She had made a name for herself in the Central Plains as a master of the blade, and it was said that the Heavenly Demon himself had sought her out and extended an offer.
While most within the Cult were unaware, high-ranking officials like the Seven Demons knew that she had presented the Heavenly Demon with a single condition.
That was...
"The Cult could not save my son."
Her child.
"The Cult ultimately failed to cure my sick and ailing son. I joined the Cult solely on the promise that they would save him. But the moment they failed to save my child, I no longer had any reason to remain."
"...But your son is already dead, is he not?"
Unmyeong remembered it clearly.
The Ghost Demon had suddenly taken her child to the Central Plains without a word and returned after holding a funeral.
This was information known not only to him but also to the Heavenly Demon and the other Seven Demons.
'Wait, the reason she went to the Central Plains then... could it be that's when she made contact with the Blood Cult?'
The Ghost Demon spoke to Unmyeong, who was lost in deep thought.
"Although I couldn't bring my son back completely, I obtained what I wanted from the Blood Cult."
"...Then don't tell me, the one who killed the 'Old Demon' was... you?"
The Old Demon was the eldest of the Seven Demons, skilled in formations and stratagems.
He had died during a mission in the Central Plains, ambushed by the Blood Cult. It was still a mystery how the Blood Cult had tracked his movements.
But if the Ghost Demon was a spy, everything made sense.
"Sword Demon, you never cared about that old man's life anyway, did you? In the end, what you desire is power. The desire to become stronger than anyone else is your purest wish."
The Ghost Demon slowly extended her hand and spoke.
"Join us. You have more than proven your abilities. Enjoy eternal life with us and take whatever you desire."
"..."
Unmyeong offered no reply, merely staring silently at the Ghost Demon.
Taking this as a sign of acceptance, she took another step closer and said.
"If you wish to bring those companions of yours hiding behind you, just say the word. We will make them into Blood Demons, just like us."
Unmyeong, who had been listening in silence, let out a scoff and replied.
"I do not negotiate with Blood Demons. Stop trying to tempt me with your filthy words and come at me."
The respect he had shown her as a fellow Demon and a junior was gone.
"A pity."
Asura Path's face turned cold. She turned to Hell Path beside her and spoke.
"Can you turn him into your subordinate, leaving only his spirit dead?"
"It is, possible. But for a warrior of his level, it will, take some time."
"Then I'll tie him down. Do it now. His power is too great to simply kill."
Noticing they were about to attempt some strange trick, Unmyeong immediately unleashed his sword energy at full power and charged.
'A prolonged fight is to my disadvantage. I'll end this quickly.'
The Ghost Demon was overwhelmingly strong.
But with the Soul-Severing Sword, he thought, it might just be possible.
'It will be difficult to kill them both, but I will kill at least one.'
And so, the blades of the Sword Demon and the Ghost Demon clashed.