The First Step
In a daze, I had resurrected the woman as a Blood Ghoul.
Unlike before, her eyes were stained a deep crimson, and faint red veins traced the skin around them.
After saving her, I hadn't known what to do, so I simply set off. Before I knew it, she was tagging along right behind me.
I turned around and asked.
"Why are you following me?"
At my words, she bowed her head and replied.
"To serve you, Lord Blood Demon... that is my final duty."
"Please do not follow me. Go and do whatever it is you wish to do."
"To watch over your journey is what I wish to do. Please, I beg of you, accept me."
With a desperate voice, the woman bowed deeply and pleaded.
"..."
I let out a heavy sigh and kept walking forward.
My plan was to head to a nearby village and live quietly anyway. If I kept doing absolutely nothing, she would eventually get bored and leave on her own.
Having made up my mind, I was about to set off when a sudden realization struck me.
Wait, I don't know the geography of this place.
I froze in my tracks and turned to the woman, asking awkwardly,
"Um... do you happen to know where the nearest village is?"
"This is the northwestern region of Jiangxi Province, so there are no villages in the immediate vicinity. It is entirely mountainous and hilly. To reach the nearest village, we must head slightly south."
"I must ask you to guide me, then."
She bowed her head in response.
"Of course. I shall serve as your escort to your destination."
"Mmh, if you insist."
I followed her lead.
But as we walked together, the absolute silence made things incredibly awkward.
"Might I ask what your name is?"
"I am Biwol. I am deeply moved that you would deign to ask for the name of one so humble."
"Ah, well, there is no need to go that far."
As we walked, Biwol asked me,
"May I ask you one thing?"
"What is it?"
"Once we arrive at the village, what do you plan to do?"
A faint glimmer of anticipation shone in her eyes.
This was it. My chance to disappoint her.
She went through all that trouble to summon the Blood God, a being destined to bring calamity upon the world. Imagine how let down she would be when she heard he just wanted to sightsee and people-watch in a village.
I replied in a confident voice.
"Nothing."
"...Pardon?"
"I shall do nothing. I merely intend to watch."
"To... watch?"
"Yes."
How's that? Disappointed, aren't you?
I flashed a triumphant smile. Biwol nodded, muttered something to herself, and then replied.
"I understand."
Disappointment Stack 1 acquired. Off to a great start.
"So, you intend to witness it firsthand."
"Hmm?"
"I see your resolve to personally witness the truth of this detestable world before passing judgment."
"No, it is nothing like that. I truly just intend to go and look at the scenery and the people."
"..."
Biwol merely bowed her head and did not say another word.
Seeing that, I felt certain she was thoroughly disappointed.
Perfect. Just leave me like this.
To put it bluntly, Unwol's assumption was wildly off-mark.
Biwol was not someone who would be so easily disillusioned by the culmination of the Blood Heaven Sect's decades-long prayers. In fact, she was harboring an entirely different train of thought.
The Lord Blood God has only just taken his first steps into the world. Though his vessel is that of a fully grown adult, this must be his first time experiencing this cruel world. Therefore, I must serve him faithfully by his side.
Biwol clenched her fists and thought,
Let our God witness with his own eyes how the wretched martial artists have defiled the Central Plains and dragged it into an abyss of evil, and the agony we have suffered. Then, he shall hand down his judgment.
Lacking the ability to read minds, Unwol remained blissfully unaware, deeply mired in his misunderstanding.
A few days passed, and we arrived in Wuyuan County, Jiujiang Prefecture, Jiangxi Province.
Perhaps because it was nestled between mountain ranges, the village boasted beautiful scenery where mountains and rivers harmonized. However, as we entered the village, the expressions of the locals did not seem particularly bright.
As we looked around, a shout echoed from somewhere.
Turning my head, I saw men clad in crimson martial robes kicking and harassing a merchant.
"You're saying you can't pay this month's protection fee?!"
"P-please, I beg of you! My daughter is sick, and the medicine costs this time..."
"Whether your brat croaks or not is none of my business! Huh?!"
A crowd seemed to gather, but when the martial artist barked a threat, everyone averted their eyes and hesitantly backed away.
Just then, a young girl rushed out of the shop and grabbed the martial artist's ankle.
"Don't beat my daddy!"
Her complexion was incredibly pale and haggard; just as the merchant had said, she truly seemed ill.
"Why, you little brat!"
The martial artist raised his hand high, about to strike the girl—
Grab.
A woman caught his arm, stopping him.
"She is only a child."
"Who the hell are you?"
The martial artist glared at the woman holding his arm.
Standing there was a woman with striking, long jet-black hair and sharp, piercing eyes.
"That is enough."
"You bitch, no matter who you think you are..."
She quickly pulled a purse from her robes and placed it in his hand.
"This is the money for the medicine I received from this merchant. I will pay in his stead, so let this be the end of it."
Receiving the money, the martial artist snorted loudly, opened the purse, and checked the amount.
"Hmph. Watch yourselves next time."
As the thugs retreated, the merchant bowed deeply to the woman, expressing his gratitude.
"Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!"
The woman waved her hands in dismissal.
"If the child was this sick, you should have told me sooner. I wouldn't have charged you for the medicine."
"No, I couldn't possibly... I would have no shame if I kept accepting your kindness like that..."
"It is fine. If anything like this happens again, please let me know beforehand, Elder."
The woman offered a polite bow and went on her way.
Watching her depart, the villagers showered her with praise.
"Where else could you find such a virtuous young lady?"
"My, she is truly an angel."
"That family is truly blessed to have such a daughter."
From what I could gather, despite her sharp, fierce appearance, she seemed to be the daughter of the local pharmacy owner, known for her good deeds in the village.
My eyes gleamed at the sight.
Found it. My good deed route.
I immediately began walking toward her.
Wuyuan County, a beautiful village nestled near green mountain ranges and a scenic river.
At first glance, it was easy to be captivated by its dazzling scenery, but beneath the surface, it was gradually rotting away.
Because Jiangxi Province lacked the headquarters of any renowned Orthodox sects, Unorthodox factions held sway. Wuyuan County, in particular, due to its isolated location, was heavily dominated by the Red Fang Gang, a local Unorthodox group.
Though not a first-class sect, the Red Fang Gang was a reasonably sized organization that exerted influence over all of Wuyuan County.
Recently, however, the Red Fang Gang had been locked in a turf war with a newly emerged Unorthodox gang, the Black Summit Sect, causing their extortion of the locals to grow more severe by the day.
The lives of the residents were festering, and the village's plight grew darker.
Yet, amidst the gloom of Wuyuan County, a single ray of hope remained.
It was Wuyuan Pharmacy.
Run by a middle-aged man and his two children, the family was famous for their benevolent influence, never hesitating for a single moment to help those in need.
However, their virtuous deeds were an eyesore to both the Red Fang Gang and the Black Summit Sect.
They only tolerated them because martial artists from both gangs had received treatment there when wounded.
At any moment, they were ready to bare their fangs at Wuyuan Pharmacy.
Wuyuan County, a village adorned with beautiful scenery and the crisp sounds of nature.
Stepping into this place for the first time, the Blood God let out a quiet sigh.
For despite such beautiful surroundings, humans still bared their fangs, oppressing the weak for their own greed and seeking only their own gain.
"What pitiful creatures they are."
How tragic it was that they could not see the countless flowers surrounding them, focusing instead only on the ugly filth hidden within that beauty.
In the eyes of the Blood God, one person stood out.
A woman who did not hesitate to face danger to help those in distress.
Beholding that beautiful sight, the Blood God thought to himself:
Ah. Perhaps the cruel power of this vessel will not be needed after all.
As if drawn by a spell, he moved his feet, wishing to observe the path of this virtuous human.
But in the end, all flowers must wither.