172. Blood Explosion Jade
Blood Explosion Jade.
It was a name that perfectly matched its function—straightforward and intuitive.
'It makes the user's blood explode.'
With its sinister energy and the ability to detonate blood, it was the epitome of a Blood Cult specialty.
'Is this the First Heavenly Demon's arrangement?'
It felt too coincidental.
The jade guarded by Ungmyo—the spirit panda who had learned speech and martial arts from the First Heavenly Demon herself—possessed a function optimized for the Blood Cult, a group named after her epithet.
'No way the First Heavenly Demon could create jades herself.'
In the setting of Murim Return, jades were lumps of this world's mysteries, naturally formed and impossible to craft artificially. That's why they were classified as "relics." If they could be made by hand, they'd be called "treasure artifacts."
Because of that nature, jades held unfathomably profound abilities, but those powers were wildly random. You never knew what you'd get.
Yet here was a jade perfectly suited to my needs, appearing right on time. It was coincidental to the point of suspicion.
That was why Pa Cheon let out a groan too.
'Well, when you think about it, maybe it's not so strange.'
She was the First Heavenly Demon, after all.
She'd possessed a body from the modern world like me and possessed terrifying talent, earning the title Blood Demon in just four years.
Plus, she was a corrupted graduate student. Even if she could create jades, it wouldn't be that shocking.
By that logic, the Heavenly Demon Divine Art she'd created was an absurd martial art in itself.
It was the art of the lord of ten thousand demons, superior to all demonic arts, and utterly unaffected by demonic energy.
In any case.
There was no reason not to absorb the Blood Explosion Jade's power. I removed it from the Pa Cheon Sword and slotted the Time Wheel Jade back in.
Then I swallowed the Blood Explosion Jade whole.
The instant I did, its name and function flooded into my mind—exactly as Pa Cheon had described.
"Young master!"
"That's dangerous!"
Sa Wol and Tak Horak, unaware of the Pa Cheon Sword's functions, looked shocked.
"No need for the fuss. Even a jade is just a relic at heart."
After letting them relax for a few days, it was a cult disciple's virtue to reassert my dignity and keep them in line.
I strolled casually to the riverbank, turning my back to hide what I was doing, and extended my hand.
'I can control the bleeding too.'
Its secondary function allowed precise control over bleeding. No more need to painstakingly cut myself with a knife like before. I could draw blood whenever I wanted, even from my right arm strengthened by the Diamond Needle.
'Having to injure only my left hand was a subtle hassle.'
Not just inconvenient—it could be too slow in emergencies. But with the Blood Explosion Jade, that worry was gone.
I caused a drop of blood to well up at my fingertip.
And flicked it into the river.
'Explode.'
It felt like flipping a switch on some imaginary detonator in my mind.
I waited with anticipation.
A jade left by the First Heavenly Demon, with the massive word "explosion" in its name.
I subtly circulated the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, ready to act unfazed even by a massive blast.
Soon.
Pop~!
"……."
[…….]
A tiny explosion rippled on the water's surface.
About the size of a child splashing in a puddle.
That was its power level.
[Quite a dainty blast for such a grandiose name.]
I could picture Sa Wol and Tak Horak behind me, eyes full of question marks.
"What're you doing, Kim Dong Yun? That's what happens when you fart in the water!"
Even Ungjin tilted his head. A fart? The Blood Explosion Jade producing a water fart?
[Try channeling more Heavenly Demon Divine Art energy. The blood might not have enough infused power.]
But the guardian jade reacted just fine.
[The guardian jade has Cloud Demon Iron—a reactive material. Jades, on the other hand, exert force without any medium.]
'You a science nerd or something?'
[What nonsense is this?]
Reality might deserve a lament.
If Pa Cheon were a real-world figure from the Murim Return universe, humanity might colonize Mars as a forward base and conquer the stars in no time.
What a mad genius.
Anyway, following Pa Cheon's advice, I poured more Heavenly Demon Divine Art into my fingertip—like focusing for a Bong Kwon strike.
Then I flicked blood again and detonated it.
Boom~!
This time, a massive splash erupted—waves about ten feet high. Fish shot into the air from below the surface.
"Fishies!"
Ungjin snatched one mid-leap with agile grace and returned.
Pandas eating bamboo gave the impression they were herbivores, but they were actually omnivores. And having learned human ways, it wasn't odd for Ungjin to like fish.
[That's first-rate power at least.]
'Such a waste.'
A Bong Kwon from a peak expert had ultimate technique-level power. Getting only first-rate results from the same energy investment was inefficient.
'The secondary function might be more useful. Why use the Blood Explosion Jade when I could just Bong Kwon? Plus, using blood for martial arts screams Blood Cult.'
[Idiot.]
'What?'
[Spirit beast.]
Pa Cheon's tone carried a scolding edge.
[It's good to have a warrior's mindset. But spirit beast, isn't your real strength those sneaky tricks? You think that's all the Blood Explosion Jade can do?]
'……Hmm.'
Pa Cheon's words struck a chord.
Yeah.
Lately, I'd been playing it too safe, like my options were overflowing.
What if the Blood Explosion Jade was my only ability?
I'd squeeze every drop of use from it.
For instance, smear blood on an enemy's throat or heart—a fatal point—and detonate?
'Right. First-rate power? So what. Unless they've got protective gang qi at super peak, a direct hit packs the same punch.'
And that wasn't all. Considering how Cloud Demon Iron reacted to my blood, I could craft hidden weapons from it and use them like traps.
The explosion didn't trigger automatically—I had to will it like flipping a switch.
'The drawback is setting up in advance, but that's minor.'
I wasn't the type to rush into fights anyway.
Plus, it shone in my weak spot: one against many.
Best of all, it used my blood, so no drain on Pa Cheon's stored energy.
'Overuse might cause anemia, though.'
It had limitations, but its potential was endless depending on creativity.
[See? Just as I said, spirit beast.]
'You're right. Thanks.'
Yeah, I'd resolved to adopt a warrior's mindset, but I was still a possessor.
Possessors survived by schemes only they could dream up.
"Ooh!"
As I sorted my thoughts, Tak Horak exclaimed from behind.
"You've already mastered the jade's use! You held back so this secret realm wouldn't shatter, right?"
"Isn't it just that creepy stone's power?"
Ungjin tilted his head again, prompting Tak Horak to bellow as if hearing blasphemy.
"A spirit beast, my ass—you're a total fool! Channeling that power without a trace—that subtle, precise qi control is the young master's specialty!"
"Aha! Amazing, Kim Dong Yun!"
……And exploiting fools like him to reinforce misconceptions was another tool in my arsenal.
[An unexpected gain, but the real issue remains.]
'Yeah.'
Even a normal spirit panda would be top prize.
One that spoke and used martial arts? Instant murim legend.
'As long as I keep quiet, no one finds the habitat.'
The problem was Ungjin's will.
"Ungjin."
"Yeah, Kim Dong Yun?"
"Care to see the outside world with me?"
"Nah. I like it here. Bamboo every day. Fish sometimes."
"What do you want?"
"Whatcha got?"
I was stumped. What I could offer was useful to humans, not spirit beasts.
This spirit beast pulling a "make an offer" skill on me.
Then Tak Horak spoke up.
"Hey, spirit bear. Love bamboo that much?"
"Yeah. Tasty."
"How about this?"
He rummaged in his bag and pulled out a bamboo flask.
The strong liquor we'd shared last night while camping.
"Hm?"
"This here's booze."
I was floored.
[When we get back to the cult, toss that Tak Horak straight into Punishment Cave forever. Giving booze to a spirit beast won't even—]
But Ungjin sniffed it curiously, showing interest.
[—interest it. Never mind.]
I was baffled too.
I'd kept it just in case, but who'd have thought it'd work.
"Tasty?"
"Mind-blowing. Three drink, two die—still worth it."
"Can I try?"
"Nah, it's poisoned."
"Aw, pass."
Ungjin's interest waned. I beckoned Tak Horak over with the flask.
And used the Avoid Poison Jade to neutralize the liquor.
"Try it now."
Alcohol counted as poison, so it'd be neutralized somewhat, but enough should remain.
'Can spirit pandas even drink?'
Who knew? They talked and fought—who cared about booze?
In reality.
Gulp, gulp.
Ungjin buried his nose in the flask and chugged.
'……Drunken Fist next would be a sight.'
Soon, he lifted his head with a satisfied "Kya~!"
"Delicious! Spicy water! Best thing I've tasted!"
"It's called liquor."
"Liquor! More liquor!"
"Follow the young master, and you'll get it. There's Zhuyeqing—stronger bamboo scent."
"Let's go now! Hurry up, ugly human!"
"I'm not ugly!"
My head throbbed a bit.
What if the world's first alcoholic panda was born?
"Still, thanks to Division Leader Tak, it worked out."
Sa Wol murmured quietly, looking pleased at bringing home a cute spirit panda.
Was I the only one truly worried for its future?
[It is what it is.]
Even Pa Cheon defended Tak Horak—for once.
Of course, a few days later, his attitude flipped.
.
.
.
[Throw that bastard in Punishment Cave right now—seal him away forever!]
It was inevitable.
"S-sorry, young master."
Tak Horak's ear dangled a bright red earring, sparkling accusingly as he grimaced.