Chapter 330
Chapter 330
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 330
Chapter Title: Next Stage (5)
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As I recited the Blood Cult's slogan emblazoned on their banner,
The attitudes of the Blood Cultists bowing their heads grew even more deferential.
“!”
“!!”
It was only natural.
Unlike the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, who boldly shouted slogans like "Heavenly Demon Reborn" and "Divine Cult Invincible" wherever they went, these people never uttered their slogans lightly.
The Blood Cult is a secret society, after all.
Yet here I was, having displayed bizarre martial prowess and overwhelming blood arts, chanting "Blood Soaks the World" in front of them alone.
Excluding Dokgo Cheol, who knows my true identity...
The ones bowing their heads must have become convinced that I was a high-ranking Blood Cult executive.
I chuckled behind my mask and continued mimicking the aged voice.
"You sought power and submitted to our cult. Once you became cultists, you were captivated by the strength of our divine arts and ultimate techniques. And you were moved by our cult's magnanimity, which offers anyone—regardless of status—the chance to learn them upon passing the selection process."
After saying that much, I paused briefly.
Then, infusing my raspy voice with power, I continued.
"But look back! There must have been a trigger that made you crave power in the first place, and a driving force that helped you endure the hellish selection process!"
In truth, I'd already cross-verified how these low-level organization members had joined the Blood Cult by comparing the original story with Dokgo Cheol's accounts.
"...You must have suffered injustice and cruelty. The officials turned a deaf ear to your pleas. Even those who call themselves righteous factions ignored you."
As I voiced that truth, the bowed heads began to lift one by one.
"Naturally, a thirst for revenge welled up within you. But revenge requires power. You must have despaired at your own powerlessness, matching the intensity of that vengeful fury."
Sensing the gazes now pouring toward me, I pressed on.
"Teetering on the brink of despair, you found a sliver of strength through submission to our cult, allowing you to dream of revenge. But that dream still feels distant, doesn't it?"
I hadn't phrased it as a question.
Yet at that moment, Song Ho-gyeom—the leader among the knee-bent group—spoke up.
"...Lord Blood Demon said the day when Blood Soaks the World would surely come. Alone, it feels distant, but with him and his brothers, that day is not far off."
"Heh heh heh. Indeed. When our cult's grand cause is fulfilled and the blood of unbelievers flows across all lands under heaven, your revenge will naturally be achieved. But can you truly live to savor that moment?"
At that, bewilderment filled the eyes of the Blood Cultists, excluding Dokgo Cheol.
Song Ho-gyeom spoke again.
"...What are you trying to say?"
This was the crucial part.
No few words could uproot their loyalty to the Blood Cult.
They had come to revere the cult that extended a hand amid repeated despair.
"...The world drowning in blood, as Lord Blood Demon proclaimed—it will surely come. His will is unwavering."
Thus, I couldn't defile the Blood Demon himself or the cult's grand cause.
"However, our cult's structure, made of countless splinter cells, inevitably cannot reach Lord Blood Demon's eyes and ears directly. A few old-timers with royal titles compile the information."
I pinpointed the inevitable grievances in the cult's organization while designating targets for their resentment.
"Due to the stubbornness of those timid elders, our brothers crawl along like turtles. This delays the day Blood Soaks the World with each passing day. Meanwhile, your enemies live in luxury."
“……”
"Those old fools might even pass peacefully in their soft beds from the start."
I paused again.
First, to stir their emotions.
Second, to await the preparation I'd made when displaying my prowess earlier.
It should be time for the outburst soon.
The Reverse Blood Asura Great Law they practiced had completely different meridian flows from ordinary martial artists, but I knew the key acupoints.
The Jingmen and Yisha acupoints act like major crossroads on a map.
When subduing the Blood Cultists by force, I'd struck those spots with Heaven-Splitting internal energy via palm strikes. Those whose attainment hadn't reached a certain level would suffer backlash from practicing demonic arts.
And sure enough.
"Kuhk!"
"Grrk! Grrrrk!!"
Two of the eleven—the lowest in rank—flipped their eyes back and began foaming at the mouth.
Fudududuk—
I swept my robe and rushed to them.
"Will you live until Blood Soaks the World? Will your enemies wait?"
Gathering Heaven-Splitting energy at my fingertips, I swiftly struck their energy flows with acupoint seals.
Pak! Pak! Pak! Pak! Pak!
Pak! Pak! Pak! Pak! Pak!
Chin hands behind my back, I spoke.
"...Our cult's divine arts and ultimate techniques come with the risk of madness. These two are already teetering on that edge. Surely you've all felt signs, great or small. Some of your motivations for training must have gone mad during the selection process and met grim ends, right?"
“……”
"I can help you."
Then Song Ho-gyeom spoke once more.
"Why say this to us?! What are you trying to do... No, who are you?!"
"Heh heh. No need to reveal who I am at this stage. Just know me as one who truly dreams of Blood Soaking the World."
"...One who truly dreams of Blood Soaking the World?"
"Yes. The True Blood Squad suits the name. I will form a secret society within the cult. As I said, our current structure cannot reach Lord Blood Demon's eyes and ears directly. I am gathering those who share the will to eliminate the timid old fools who've only learned fear from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and properly serve Lord Blood Demon."
Song Ho-gyeom and the other Blood Cultists wore complicated expressions at my words.
I tossed them the pouches of medicine, prepared according to the prescription the Medicine King had written when I visited the Murim Alliance recently.
Flick! Flick! Flick! Flick! Flick!
"This scattered medicine suppresses mania and alleviates side effects. The choice is yours. Report upward if you wish. But if you join the True Blood Squad, be prepared to prove your resolve."
With that, I executed Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Step and left Dokgo Stronghold.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Dokgo Stronghold, after Eon Yong-un's departure.
Dokgo Cheol rose from his bow.
Kuk.
He'd first been flustered by Eon Yong-un's bizarre attire and mad wanderer act.
Then pain had overwhelmed his mind.
My five viscera and six bowels feel rearranged.
His limbs and torso, struck by Eon Yong-un's hands, still throbbed with pain.
...I knew he'd entered the Hua realm, but with sorcery added, it's monstrously bizarre strength.
In truth, myriad thoughts had flashed through his mind as Eon Yong-un's strikes rained down.
One was, Do you not trust me?
But now, with reason restored, it was the opposite.
By getting beaten alongside them, no one will suspect my closeness to you.
It was an act that protected Dokgo Cheol.
And it created an opportunity to build trust with his new subordinates.
Sharing the bewildering experience and a secret, no less.
Thus, Dokgo Cheol marveled once more at Eon Yong-un.
With such power, yet so thorough... The cult's high executives might surpass the Chairman in prowess or position for now, but they couldn't match this meticulousness.
As Dokgo Cheol pondered this,
The other Blood Cultists were equally stunned.
"What was that Ghost-Faced Elder just now?"
"He called himself one who truly dreams of Blood Soaking the World."
“……”
However, since everyone gathered here was from different splinter cells, trust was lacking.
Thus, the atmosphere was one of cautious reticence.
"...Is this scattered medicine safe to take?"
The one commonality: all swallowed dryly while fiddling with the pouches Eon Yong-un had tossed.
Confirming this, Dokgo Cheol voluntarily unfolded a pouch.
Cheok.
And dumped it straight into his mouth first.
Song Ho-gyeom, who had tried to stop him,
"Branch Lord... You've already taken it."
As Dokgo Cheol swallowed the medicine, Song Ho-gyeom hesitated briefly before dumping his own into his mouth.
Then, the squad members, watching, began unfolding their pouches one by one.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Half a day after escaping Dokgo Stronghold and returning to the academy to report on duties.
Dokgo Cheol returned and knocked on the door of my private chamber.
"Chairman. It's Cheol."
"Yeah. Come in."
"Yes."
"How are the bruises?"
"...They're fine."
I inquired about his well-being, but Master clicked his tongue at me.
- Tsk tsk. The ones who give poison and then medicine are all gentlemen... Our disciple beats them down and then asks after their health. Poor Geol, that one. So pitiful.
"Ahem."
Pretending not to hear Master, I transmitted the main topic via internal energy.
[Did you wrap things up well?]
[Yes. I confirmed the other family members returned before coming. I used the excuse of testing the escorts' skills among themselves.]
[How's the mood among the brothers?]
[They hesitated to take the medicine at first, distrusting each other. But they all took it eventually. No atmosphere for reporting upward.]
[Good?]
[Yes. Your words struck deep. The squad members felt it as much or more... Once the outburst cycle passes smoothly after taking the medicine, their attitudes will clarify.]
[Got it. For now, you're exempt from other duties. After classes, focus on monitoring those guys' movements in Dokgo Stronghold and disciplining the family members.]
[Yes!]
Finishing my instructions and about to send Dokgo Cheol off, Senior Ye Hae-su visited my chamber.
"Both of you are here. Perfect timing. I drafted headlines for the newsletter about Dokgo Family's revival. What do you think?"
Looking at the draft Senior handed me, I was speechless.
『Dokgo Family Revives Like a Dog』
As I said nothing, Ye Hae-su awkwardly explained.
"Junior Jeon Gal-seol still dreams about hearing 'beaten like a dog' from back then... Doesn't it grab attention?"
"It would, but too much attention isn't good. Cheol's skills and Dokgo Family's potential are still modest. It might attract fly-like scum unnecessarily."
"Then what?"
"Emphasize Jeon Gal Family's merits and official aid in the title. Place Dokgo Family's story plainly and clearly in the content."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Two weeks had passed since completing and distributing the newsletter announcing Dokgo Family's revival across the land.
Horu ruk!
"Let's see. Even the Alliance Lord will attend, Cheol-ah?"
"...Even the Alliance Lord. Thank you, Chairman."
With the Alliance Lord and various luminaries confirming attendance, the plaque-unveiling ceremony day approached.
[How are the subordinates?]
[The awkward mood is completely gone. Sharing the secret bonds us.]
[Good?]
[Yes. As reported three days ago, no word from above. No news is good news—ironically solidifying my subordinates' intent to join True Blood Squad.]
[Then. Tonight, summon them again.]
At my words, Dokgo Cheol flinched.
[...Summon. As Ghost-Faced Elder again?]
[No need to expose myself. True Blood Squad matters proceed strictly as Ghost-Faced Elder. But why scratch your belly while talking?]
[...Ah. Habit.]
[Won't hit you tonight. Probably.]
[...Probably?]
- Pitiful. So pitiful.
[Anyway. I'll grab some things and head over. You go to Dokgo Stronghold now and tell them Ghost-Faced Elder sent a letter summoning them tonight. Prepare paper and charcoal pencils for the headcount.]
[Yes.]
Sending Dokgo Cheol to the stronghold first, I stopped by Takga Iron Forge.
Once I started operating True Blood Squad in earnest, an incident with the Blood Cult's main branch could erupt anytime.
In such a situation, I couldn't carry Regret openly, so I'd ordered a sheath to conceal it.
Upon arriving at the forge, Forge Master Tak greeted me brightly.
"Young Lord! You've come!"
"Yes. Is Geun-un growing well?"
"Perhaps because he bears your name, he's thriving without the usual childhood illnesses. Ah, what you ordered is here."
Opening the rectangular wooden box Tak Forge Master presented revealed a blood-red sheath embossed with skulls and demons.
I referenced the demonic gear from my past life for the design, but damn, the craftsmanship is spot-on. Identical.
As I admired it,
Tak Forge Master cleared his throat and spoke.
"...That ghost mask last time, and now this taste?"
"It's not like that. Necessity demands it... No, what do you mean 'this taste'? I'm curious about your implication."
"Ah, no other meaning. I just asked to reflect your tastes in commissions."
"...Ahem. I'll specify as needed each time."
Securing the sheath, I donned the ghost mask and robe, then headed to Dokgo Stronghold.
Upon arrival, confirming no ambushes nearby,
I leaped lightly onto the rooftops.
Cheok.
Dokgo Cheol and the ten squad members awaited me in the training ground.
Fudududuk—
I landed lightly among them and recited the Blood Cult banner.
"...Blood Soaks the World."
Unlike last time, all eleven softly echoed.
"Blood Soaks the World."
Suppressing a leaking smile, I spoke.
"...How is it? Ready to become True Blood Squad members?"
"Yes."
"Heh heh heh. Then prove it. Dokgo Family Head, distribute what this old man prepared to the members."
At my words, Dokgo Cheol handed out paper and charcoal pencils.
Watching, I spoke again.
"Write your life stories there. Everything. How you drifted into the cult. Who motivated your training. Missions performed so far, contact points with superiors and inferiors."
At my words, the Blood Cultists receiving paper swallowed dryly.
It was inevitable.
Writing all that would expose the cult and hand over their weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
To aid their resolve, I wrapped my left hand in blood arts and Heaven-Splitting energy, saying,
"...You didn't pledge to join True Blood Squad with half-hearted resolve, did you? Do so, and you'll pay for insulting this old man."
Then Dokgo Cheol began writing first.
Followed by Song Ho-gyeom and the others filling their papers.
Jeobuk jeobuk.
I paced among them, supervising.
"Write faster if you don't want to die..."
- You rascal, your voice sounds old, but not your speech! Tone! Tone!
"...This old man has little patience. Why do your hands stop when it's just writing honestly? Anyone whose hand stops will be deemed to mock True Blood Squad's cause."