Chapter 220: Blood Cult (9)
“Ilmajon.”
Sammajon scowled as he spoke.
“How long are you going to keep that up?”
Ever since Dong Yun had opened the Muhonjibyeok and entered, Ilmajon had been kneeling nonstop.
Not once had he rested, eaten, or drunk.
“Blood taxes the world, Blood God descends.”
Chanting in worship.
“It’s already been ten days. At this point, something must have gone wrong in there—”
Sammajon, about to continue, unwittingly stepped back.
It was because of Ilmajon’s piercing gaze.
Tch.
Sammajon bit his lip, his pride wounded.
Though their titles bore the numbers one, two, and three, the majons were equals in rank.
Yet he’d been overpowered by sheer presence alone.
“The Lord said,”
Was it because he’d chanted the true incantations without pause?
“If he returns and hears no chants of worship, he won’t let it slide.”
Ilmajon’s voice was hoarse and ragged.
“That’s why I’m saying the Lord has no chance! Look at the state of things!”
Sammajon pointed toward the gorge.
Thousands lay collapsed in exhaustion. Some, like Ilmajon, still chanted and bowed, but most were losing consciousness.
“Sammajon is right.”
Imajon, standing nearby, chimed in.
“The blood spilled by the faithful is far too precious.”
Of course, it wasn’t out of regard for their lives.
“It’s such a hassle procuring test subjects in secret from outside. The Murim Alliance is sniffing around even more now.”
“Imajon’s correct. They’re resources meant to dye the world in blood.”
To rise to majon in the fanatical Blood Cult, one needed fanaticism beyond the rest.
Just as Imajon and Sammajon were now.
But Ilmajon added,
“Do you not know that one Lord outweighs those fools? His life is greater and more vital.”
Sammajon clicked his tongue inwardly.
Overzealous loyalty to that extent.
Shaking his head, he stared at the sealed Muhonjibyeok.
He’d only just learned it was a door at all.
So what?
Whatever lay inside was unknown, but ten days without emergence meant trouble had erupted.
—Imajon.
Sammajon sent a covert transmission.
—Let’s call it quits now.
—Agreed. What a shame. I had high hopes thanks to Gwang-yeon. Next experiment: crack open that door?
—Then instruct the Blood Law Envoys...
But Sammajon’s words halted.
Rumble rumble rumble—!
“!?”
The Muhonjibyeok shifted, parting to both sides.
“Blood taxes the world! Blood God descends!”
Imajon dropped to her knees in worship that instant.
Only Sammajon stood dumbfounded.
And in that moment.
Crunch—!
Sammajon saw it.
Dong Yun, face twisted like he’d crawled from hell.
And his throat gripped in that man’s hand.
When did he—?!
Dong Yun scowled fiercely as he growled,
“Who told you to stop worshiping?”
Sammajon glanced sideways with a wronged expression.
Imajon was now chanting fervently, as if she’d never stopped.
Pretending to be a madman is the most convenient thing in the world.
Sammajon, who’d been surly toward me the whole time, now averted his eyes.
[More like because you’re choking him.]
Ah.
Only then did I realize I still had Sammajon’s throat in my grasp.
Unknowingly.
[Don’t loosen your grip. If you’ve subdued him, do it thoroughly.]
I tightened my hold as Pa Cheon advised.
What’s going on? How?
[Your senses sharpened from fighting me. You instinctively locked onto the immediate threat.]
Thinking it over after Pa Cheon’s words, my senses—or perception—did feel keener.
No.
More simply put.
I can tell if this guy’s about to attack.
Before, I couldn’t predict attacks.
Especially from Super Peak experts—they struck before I registered.
That’s why Pa Cheon always reacted late, using the Time Wheel Jade’s power.
[What you’re feeling is the ‘interval.’ Your domain has formed, letting you sense attack intent. How far?]
Roughly... three jang?
[Short range. Makes sense without extending qi sense.]
Still, this is huge. Pure physical sense covering three jang.
All that grueling training paid off.
[Anyway, if you’re not killing him, let go.]
Ah.
I’d forgotten amid chatting with Pa Cheon.
Releasing my grip, Sammajon collapsed gasping.
“For... give...”
I ignored him and stepped forward slowly.
The fanatics still screamed at the top of their lungs.
I’d seen it all.
Excluding Ilmajon, Jin So-cheong, and a few lay believers, no one worshiped sincerely.
Even Imajon had slacked off moments ago.
I needed a way to control them.
“Enough. My ears are falling off.”
At my words, Ilmajon raised a clenched fist.
Instant silence, as if holding breath—no sound even of breathing.
“How much time has passed?”
“Ten days, my Lord.”
“I see.”
Time had flowed differently, as expected.
I’d awakened after landing one on Pa Cheon—
Come to think of it, why’d you hide taking a hit from me?
[......]
Embarrassed to death?
[......Focus on the situation at hand.]
Focus on the situation at hand.
[......Don’t mimic me.]
Chwi chwi heu heu~.
[......]
Pa Cheon went silent. Time to stop teasing—he might snap and say, “Next time in spirit form, I’ll kill you for sure.”
Back to the point.
I’d come to sprawled before the Muhonjibyeok passage.
No wounds or torn clothes—nothing had happened in reality.
Pa Cheon had returned to the sword, and the consumed Pa Cheon Sword energy was intact. A relief.
Predictably, no wooden doll or anything.
Checking the passage again led to a dead end quickly.
Not a spirit realm, but an illusion array I’d escaped.
“Your divine presence shines even brighter, my Lord.”
Ilmajon continued hoarsely.
“What lay beyond that door, my Lord?”
I scowled.
“Jin So-cheong.”
“Yes!”
At my call, Jin So-cheong approached with a radiant smile.
After over ten days bowing, her robes’ knees and sleeves were frayed.
Don’t be fooled. Peel back her facade, and madness fills her.
Same for the majons.
Sammajon catching his breath, Imajon gauging me, Ilmajon questioning inwardly.
All three majons were twisted souls I’d eventually eliminate.
Unlike the Divine Cult.
So I said,
“What did I say I’d do if you overstepped?”
“Th-that is...”
“Making me ask twice?”
Jin So-cheong squeezed her eyes shut.
“You’d rip out my tongue, my Lord.”
“Hear that, old man?”
Ilmajon bowed deeply.
“My apologies.”
“First offense, so I’ll spare you.”
I smiled brightly at them all.
“But anyone who doubts me dies.”
“Blood taxes the world! Blood God descends!”
“Instead, I’ll give you something good. Jin So-cheong, pour wine into cups. Three will do.”
Cups appeared before me instantly, filled with clear liquid like water.
I released a drop of blood refined by the Blood Explosion Jade into each.
With a wave, Pa Cheon swiftly sent them flying to each majon via Domination intent.
Yet the wine didn’t slosh.
Pa Cheon compressed it with Domination, but it looked like exquisite telekinesis.
Intentional.
His personality’s a mess, unpredictable, but his martial precision sells the act.
Makes them think I’m unfathomable, deterring schemes.
Sammajon’s face lit with ecstasy, sensing the blood’s aura.
“Beyond that door lingered the Blood God’s will.”
“!?”
“The Blood God has prepared for revival over centuries. He deemed you too weak, commanding me to share my power.”
All lies, but the Heavenly Demon Divine Art-infused blood was too alluring to doubt.
“Drink. Claim the power.”
Sammajon couldn’t resist, guzzling like a beast.
Soon.
“Urk—blegh!”
He vomited blood.
“......”
“......”
Familiar scene.
Like Jin Yeong Ryeong back at the Divine Cult, craving and drinking my blood, suffering backlash.
No way.
Hers was from overly potent Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
I’d adjusted concentration with the Blood Explosion Jade.
Unless...
I drew up the Heavenly Demon Divine Art energy.
It’s the sa—
Not quite.
Total amount matched, but its nature had changed.
Fiercer, wilder.
Same concentration, but far stronger now.
Staying calm, I scowled.
“Can’t endure this much? Disappointing.”
Ilmajon drank without hesitation.
His body shuddered visibly.
But he endured.
[Highest realm, as expected.]
Imajon remained.
Under my stare, she gulped, then pretended to drink—holding it in her mouth.
Who am I?
Ex-salesman from Goodso Corp. No faking drinks on my watch.
Left alone, she’d research my blood.
No risks.
I snapped my fingers.
The blood in her mouth slid down her throat.
Too late for panic.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Art energy invaded her meridians.
I felt it clearly.
The energy flowing through the majons’ channels, settling in their dantians.
Even with Blood Arts regeneration, dantian is the foundation.
Now I could burst the Blood Cult majons at will.
With this.
The Blood Cult is mine.
life.
All planned foundations complete.
Pretending to be the Heavenly Demon