Chapter 402
Chapter 402
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 402
Chapter Title: Dyed (1)
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At the name written at the end of the letter.
'Eon Yong-un?'
Blood Demon Jin Gworang once again scrutinized the letter.
It was to confirm once more if the handwriting truly belonged to the Demon Brain.
'...Gal Hyo-bong. It matches that old man's script.'
The moment that confirmation was complete.
Jin Gworang crooked a finger toward his subordinate Cult Protector Kings.
"Four Great Protectors, come here and take a look at this."
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit.
The Blood Cult's Cult Protector Kings, who symbolized the first four earthly branches of the twelve, stood before the dais at his command.
Jin Gworang held out the letter he had been gripping.
Among the four, Ox King read the first line and immediately raised his white eyebrows, his face flushing with rage as he spoke.
"How dare he demand the Blood Cloud Divine Art! That old fool has finally lost his mind!"
He knelt toward Jin Gworang and clasped his hands in salute.
"Cult Leader! If you permit it, I will personally lead the Flat Heaven Cloud Demon Army to where that old man is holed up and turn him into a puddle of blood!"
Jin Gworang pretended not to hear Ox King's words, rubbing his ear.
At that, Rat King patted Ox King's shoulder and spoke.
"This is more about the Demon Brain's claim that he's staying in the triangular delta. He's proposing to open an escape route there... It's infuriating since it assumes our cult will fall, but isn't this just the Demon Brain's typical scheme? We shouldn't take it too seriously. We'd only play into his hands."
Rat King continued.
"What bothers me more is what's written below. The talk of a monster dragon flying in along the Manap Mountain range."
At those words, Tiger King, with his tiger-like whiskers, crossed his arms and asked.
"Monster dragon... Isn't that the one the righteous faction brags about as the world's greatest prodigy or whatever?"
"Indeed."
"Then it means those traitor dogs from True Blood Group have joined hands with the righteous martial world?"
"...The Demon Brain seems to judge it that way."
"Then the whole letter is a scheme! underworld scum like bandits will wag their tails and beg anyone, even demons or righteous, so it's possible they'd stick together. But righteous folk allying with traitors? Even a stray dog would laugh."
As Tiger King's hollow laugh continued, Jin Gworang spoke.
"The Demon Brain has his own ulterior motives in sending this letter. But that old man has no reason to bother with such lies."
The Southern Wild Beast Palace's declaration of neutrality was beneficial to the righteous martial world rooted in the fertile central plains.
For the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, it meant losing a handle on the righteous world's head.
"They say when you lose your teeth, your gums ache."
That sentiment could be read even in the demand for the Blood Cloud Divine Art.
It was surely an attempt to save the Jin family, left with nothing but bluff.
It proved that while embracing Jin Gworang and his close aides was problematic, the Blood Demon Realm itself was still needed.
Reading the Demon Brain's true intentions from the letter, Jin Gworang gave a dry laugh and spoke again.
"Tiger King. That old man doesn't want us to completely fall. So he has no need to lie."
"...But even traitors look like demons to the righteous. Righteous allying with demons? Does that even make sense?"
"It doesn't. Yet, isn't that exactly what's happening now?"
He couldn't pinpoint the exact method used.
"...How those traitors dare bite their master. How those ragtag bunch move so nimbly. Why there's no word from Blood Wind Corps."
Assuming the righteous were aiding True Blood Group perfectly explained the Blood Cult's current predicament.
"If they've gained the righteous martial world as a new master, it all fits. And that monster dragon is the type who could ally even with demons."
Dismissing Tiger King's question, Jin Gworang turned his gaze to Rat King.
"Rat King."
"Yes, Cult Leader."
"You were with me in Yunnan when Do-ol Moon-ma's head flew in Szechuan. You saw how Eon Yong-un moved then, didn't you? Am I wrong?"
"...He was indeed bizarre beyond words—calling him a freak is the only fitting term. So, what is your plan for response, Cult Leader?"
"Where was the last report from regarding Blood Wind Corps?"
"Pannap and Hongwon branches."
"Then it's safe to assume Nogah has fallen into their hands too. Recall all forces south of those two branches to headquarters."
At Jin Gworang's ensuing command.
All four Great Protectors furrowed their brows, and Rat King spoke.
"...You're saying to open the path for them?"
"Now that we know they've allied with the monster dragon, we need to rethink. First, the report that True Blood Group's numbers reach thousands. That's likely some corpse-summoning sorcery."
"...No movement from the Martial Alliance or righteous forces. That makes sense."
"Sending divided forces against such foes will only let them whittle us down."
"...True, they might have laid traps, so no need for us to charge in. Fight on our terms, our chosen ground. That's what you mean."
"Exactly. Lure them to this Blood Heaven Asura Palace."
Seeing Rat King grasp his intent, Jin Gworang nodded.
"Whatever method they used, the alliance between demons and righteous won't hold firm."
Ox King and Tiger King also saluted with clasped hands and bowed heads.
"Once they witness the Cult Leader's majesty and the grandeur of Blood Heaven Asura Palace, those dreaming of True Blood Group will cower before headquarters' might."
"The righteous martial world will realize they chose the wrong ally. If either side wavers, the demon-righteous pact will creak naturally."
Jin Gworang grinned and continued.
"Strike at that gap. Capturing the righteous elites will more than repay recent humiliations—in prestige and profit."
Rat King bowed deeply.
"Then we'll prepare accordingly."
The other Cult Protector Kings chimed in unison.
"As you command!"
Jin Gworang turned to the red-eyed elder among the four, who had silently listened without a word.
"I need to prepare to welcome guests too... Rabbit King. Is the primal blood ready?"
"The thing is, the northern outposts sending orphans were seized by the traitors..."
"Then grab nearby natives. This isn't the time to be picky about cold or hot rice."
"I've already sent men. We'll have it ready soon."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ When he said the true path to a blood-flame world was built together.
Sa Gyeom nodded heavily.
"Built together... Indeed, that rings true."
An awkward silence flowed between us for a moment.
Suddenly, a part of Sa Gyeom's earlier words caught in my mind.
"But, Senior."
"...Now that we've both revealed our identities, speak comfortably. Regardless of connections, you're my benefactor and a seeker of the path. Your formality feels odd."
"That's not possible. You may accept me, Senior, but most cultists won't. Better to stay cautious."
"Hm."
"Instead, you should speak informally, Senior. Ghost Face Elder must become a symbol. I shouldn't stand out."
"...Understood. You look like you have something to ask?"
"Ah, nothing major. Earlier, you said if I were Ghost Face Elder, it would 'roughly' fit, right?"
"......"
"If you have questions, Senior, ask away. Now that identities are revealed, better to dispel needless suspicions."
"If you put it that way... Your blood clan arts still puzzle me."
Sa Gyeom's eyes gleamed as he continued.
"You're renowned as a martial prodigy, so your grandmaster aptitude is given. But raised in the Pearl Eon Family, how did you encounter our cult's Reverse Blood Great Law?"
Unlike Dokgo Cheol, who vaguely assumed another faction.
I inwardly admired Sa Gyeom's question probing the roots of my blood clan arts.
'As expected of one who's endured life's ups and downs.'
Such a Sa Gyeom could be told a bit about the foundation of my blood clan arts.
I spoke immediately.
"Too long a tale for all details, so the gist: During my exile from the family, I gained a fateful encounter."
"Fateful encounter?"
"Yes. I found the tomb of the one tracing back the Blood Cult's origins."
At my words, Sa Gyeom gasped.
"...Venerated Heavenly Demon?! You mean his tomb?"
"Yes."
"Heh. So the legend was true... I see, I see."
"You grasped it immediately?"
"I've searched for the true Taeho on cult orders. They said it might be a sea metaphor, so I looked everywhere."
"I see. But you won't ask where?"
"No need. So... your Ghost Face Elder guise wasn't pure acting. Inheriting his mantle elevates your status immensely."
At Sa Gyeom's words.
I sent my thoughts to Master.
'...He says that?'
- Strictly speaking, no. The blood clan arts you use, Yong-un, blend Heaven-Splitting internal energy with your sorcery, right? I've said it before: I don't know those guys.
As Master gave his curt reply.
Sa Gyeom posed another question.
"Your barrier arts, called monster dragon... You must have met his soul?"
"...Something like that."
I gave a dry laugh.
"For one like you to hold enmity toward the righteous martial world... means the current Blood Cult and Heavenly Demon Divine Cult are wrong. Thank you for the honesty. It gives me more conviction. And shame."
"Does my being his heir shame you, Senior?"
"I've used demonic arts' power only to vent rage. Yet you, far younger, found a way to break evil's chain. That shames me."
He closed his eyes briefly and concluded.
"Today, the blood stench clinging to my body feels thicker. If I survive this, I'll atone for my sins."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Once Red Army's reorganization finished.
We left Nogah lands and headed anew toward Blood Heaven Asura Palace deep in Manap Mountain.
- This place is empty too?
'Yeah?'
Blood Cult branches that should teem with demons stood eerily vacant.
Even Professor No Sam from White Army, arriving via another route at the rendezvous, said the same.
"We circled Manap's ridges, fought a couple skirmishes. But suddenly, the spots cultists pointed out were empty?"
Arriving with the professor, Green Forest King Do Jung-gwang outright glared at Sa Gyeom.
"You there, pirate scum! Didn't you feed us bad intel?"
"What?"
As Sa Gyeom's brow twisted.
I stepped between them.
"Senior, Do Senior's speech is rough by nature."
"...If you say so, I'll let it pass. You, bandit."
"What?"
"My speech is rough too. And the intel was accurate."
It was then Yin Xia Lian spoke.
"Moving branches... Not easy time- or cost-wise. Probably pulled out their forces."
I nodded, summarizing the situation.
"Pros and cons... Could be a scorched earth ploy to spread poison. Proceed cautiously."
We advanced again.
Days passed, nerves on edge.
We reached a point before Blood Heaven Asura Palace.
Thud thud thud—
A rat-faced elder in blood-red robes seemed to skim the ground approaching.
Exuding an unusual aura, he spoke.
"The Cult Leader awaits you."