Blood Dragon Room's Secret (2)
“Come now, Ga Daehyeop. Have you given it more thought?”
In the dead of night, deep within the Blood Dragon Room's massive underground temple right above the prison cells, two figures stood.
A man of compact build and sturdy frame in his mid-forties was none other than Cha Gyun-ak, the current Thousand Calamity Blood Ghost leading the Blood Dragon Room.
“Hmmm.”
Across from him stood a tall, gaunt man with a deep scar across his cheek—Jin Gwangma Geom Ga Jinuk, the eldest disciple of the Demon Sword Ghost Elder.
“It's already been two full years since you took up residence in our room. How long do you intend to cling to this inhuman existence locked away in the underground prison?”
Unlike his rough-hewn features, Cha Gyun-ak possessed a sly tongue.
He had long coveted Ga Jinuk and the full might of the Flash Demon Sword Unit under his command.
'If I tried to take them by force, Ga Jinuk and his Flash Demon Sword Unit would all choose death over submission.'
Every member of the Flash Demon Sword Unit was a peak realm expert, each one having sworn unwavering loyalty to the Demon Sword Ghost Elder and Jin Gwangma Geom Ga Jinuk.
They were masters who saw only the Demon Sword Sect, which was why they had endured over two years surviving on nothing but stream water and moss.
Without Ga Jinuk occasionally lending his skills to procure provisions like barrier rice or food from the Blood Dragon Room, they would have starved to death long ago.
“Soon, our Jin-ak will return victorious from the Black Heaven Tournament. That means the era of the Blood Dragon Room is at hand.”
Cha Gyun-ak repeated his earnest plea.
This was before Gu Jin-ak's elimination, so Cha Gyun-ak's faith in his son's victory remained unshaken.
“Jin-ak...”
At the mention of Jin-ak, Ga Jinuk's pupils trembled.
In this hopeless confinement within the Blood Dragon Room, he had one small joy: witnessing Gu Jin-ak's growth with his own eyes.
“If you formally join the Blood Dragon Room as a member, I'll help make you that child's master. And I promise the Flash Demon Sword Unit will be treated without discrimination—better than anyone else, even.”
Cha Gyun-ak pressed his advantage, sensing Ga Jinuk's resolve weakening.
“Just a little more time. Please, grant us just a bit longer.”
But Ga Jinuk closed his eyes and shut his ears, as he always had.
Cut off from the world, he knew nothing of the new sect leader of the Demon Sword Sect or news of Hyeon Yucheon.
His world was limited to the forcibly occupied underground prison and this vast temple.
“Asking for more time again. Time is finite, you know. Frankly...”
How many years had he waited already?
Cha Gyun-ak's brutal temper was reaching its breaking point.
“If I had decided to slaughter you and the entire Flash Demon Sword Unit, it would have been done ages ago.”
His threat was no bluff. Cha Gyun-ak was ambitious and desired the Flash Demon Sword Unit and Ga Jinuk, which was why he had shown restraint. Otherwise, true to his nature, he would have butchered them all to eliminate any seeds of discord.
“Ahem.”
Realizing he had grown too heated, Cha Gyun-ak cleared his throat.
“In any case, this year is the last. This ridiculous companionship ends when winter closes. So...”
The super peak master known as the Thousand Calamity Blood Ghost unleashed a blood-red glint from his eyes in the dark night, subtly radiating killing intent.
“It would be wise to surrender to me.”
“The sect leader has returned!”
“Winner of the Black Heaven Tournament!”
“He even defeated the Great Dark Valley Lord!”
“Word is he's now not just the strongest late-stage talent in the unorthodox sects but on track to enter the Ten Great Masters of Sapa!”
When Hyeon Yucheon returned to the Demon Sword Sect alongside One Sword Cheonu, the entire sect buzzed like a festival.
Everyone celebrated the Black Heaven Tournament victory as one.
And it didn't end there.
“Young Master Hyeon!”
Even Jeong Se-in, the hidden owner of Haeha Guest House, appeared to welcome him back.
She had aided the Demon Sword Sect both openly and covertly, a fact well-known to its disciples and even Eum Ji-myeong, who had served as acting sect leader in his absence. She was no longer an outsider.
“Thank you, everyone.”
Hyeon Yucheon bowed deeply to the excessive welcome.
He was especially grateful for Jeong Se-in's effort to rush here in a single bound.
“Heavens! To think he'd defeat the Great Dark Valley Lord!”
Elder Jeong Inheon was already beaming with delight.
He had his sights set on the Elder Hall, which had abandoned the Demon Sword Sect for the secular world.
As the sole point of contact with the Elder Hall, if Hyeon Yucheon continued his ascent, he might reabsorb those retired elders—ancient monsters each one, forming an immense force.
“Sect Leader! An official letter has arrived from the Great Dark Valley Lord. He vows to share our fate and offer any aid we need.”
His senior brother, Eum Ji-myeong—who had brilliantly led the sect in his absence—presented the sealed missive bearing the Great Dark Valley Lord's stamp.
Perhaps because of that.
Eum Ji-myeong was already prancing about like he might break into a dance.
And the good news kept coming.
“Sect Leader! People are lining up to join our sect!”
Gyeon Jong-o let out a joyful shriek.
Indeed, many spectators who had witnessed Hyeon Yucheon's brilliant display had immediately sought admission to the Demon Sword Sect.
Some were martial arts novices, but most were wandering ronin or unorthodox warriors without affiliation—each a tremendous addition to their forces.
“Excellent. Jong-o, you're in charge. Guide them to become proper Demon Sword Sect disciples.”
At Hyeon Yucheon's command, Gyeon Jong-o clasped his fists in salute and dropped to one knee.
“Of course. And if any spies or ill-intentioned sorts slip in, I'll watch them like a hawk.”
Gyeon Jong-o's relentless tracking skills were renowned, so his assurance brought immediate relief.
Good fortune comes in waves, Jeong Se-in chimed in.
“The shops and merchants in the back alleys are seeking out only the Demon Sword Sect. Our protection fees are far cheaper than other sects', and our management is thorough... No other sect in Hebei Province can rival us now.”
She was right.
While Hebei had other orthodox powers like the Beggars' Sect, Hebei Pang Family, and Jinju Eon Family, the Beggars' Sect didn't charge fees—instead begging or self-sustaining like the beggar horde they were.
The Hebei Pang and Jinju Eon Families were similar: ancient clans with vast inherited wealth, essentially local hegemons who aided the imperial military without needing protection money.
In short, the Demon Sword Sect had the market to itself.
“I see. This is all thanks to you, Sister.”
Hyeon Yucheon spoke from the heart.
Rumors swirled in Hebei's merchant circles that heeding the Haeha Guest House owner's word brought great profit.
When she boldly urged investment in the Demon Sword Sect, it sparked a veritable whirlwind.
Amid the joyous time, Jeong Se-in suddenly spoke up.
“Young Master Hyeon, there's a problem, isn't there?”
Her gentle, motherly gaze soothed him like a lullaby.
Her warm tone melted his worries before he could even voice them.
“As expected of you, Sister.”
Setting aside the celebrations, Hyeon Yucheon gathered the sect's leadership, including Jeong Se-in.
The leaders now saw her not as an outsider but a survivor of the Mangeum Clan and Hyeon Yucheon's sole remaining family—no one objected.
“What happened was...”
Hyeon Yucheon recounted everything he and One Sword Cheonu had learned from Blood Dragon Ghost Sword Gu Jin-ak.
“Unbelievable!”
“Such vile scum!”
“Those donkey-fucking bastards deserve to be torn apart!”
The shocking truth drew curses even from the usually composed Elder Jeong Inheon and the Black Wolf Three Swords.
They were the restrained ones.
Tremble!
Flash Light Flying Gentleman Eum Ji-myeong shook with barely contained rage, unable to speak.
“Senior Brother...”
Hyeon Yucheon's heart ached at the sight.
He understood Eum Ji-myeong, if only a little.
'For him to suddenly lead the Flash Demon Sword Unit and vanish—how much must he resent that? How desperately must he have longed to lean on him, to see him?'
Through his master's memories, Hyeon Yucheon knew the bond between Ga Jinuk and Eum Ji-myeong well.
They were rivals and brothers alike.
For such a figure to take the Flash Demon Sword Unit and defect to the enemy Blood Dragon Room—how much hatred and curses must that have bred?
“I... I had no idea...”
The kind-hearted Eum Ji-myeong shed tears once more.
He had once felt he alone suffered among the three disciples.
While his spirited senior brother defected to the thriving Blood Dragon Room and his junior fled with the sect's coffers in the night, how despairing and resentful he had been toward the world.
“Senior Brother, forgive me. I'm truly sorry.”
Eum Ji-myeong collapsed to the floor, murmuring.
His heartbroken form moved Hyeon Yucheon, Jeong Se-in, and many others to tears.
“Senior Brother Eum, I understand, but this isn't the time to falter.”
After watching for a long moment, Hyeon Yucheon spoke up and helped him to his feet.
As sect leader, it was his duty to lift his disciples from despair.
“I know. But... they're trapped inside the Blood Dragon Room. What can we even do?”
Eum Ji-myeong wiped his tears and asked his junior.
Every Demon Sword Sect disciple dreamed of vengeance against the Blood Dragon Room, but obstacles abounded.
The Blood Dragon Room was a top-tier unorthodox power, one of the most thriving Sapa sects lately.
Breaching their defenses to rescue Ga Jinuk and the Flash Demon Sword Unit would be exceedingly difficult.
“Fortunately, we have an ally inside the Blood Dragon Room, so revenge will be much simpler.”
But who was Hyeon Yucheon?
He possessed one of the world's top martial skills, backed by many allies.
And moreover.
“One of our guest house's trading partners supplies fresh vegetables to the Blood Dragon Room every morning. Couldn't we use that?”
There was Jeong Se-in, the eight-directions beauty with vast connections and ingenious methods.
“Perfect. I see a path forward.”
Hyeon Yucheon clapped his knee at her words.
Infiltrate the Blood Dragon Room disguised via Jeong Se-in's network.
It wouldn't be easy, but with insider help from the influential Blood Dragon Ghost Sword Gu Jin-ak, success was assured.
'Once inside, first rescue Eldest Senior Brother and the Flash Demon Sword Unit.'
What if Jin Gwangma Geom Ga Jinuk and the Flash Demon Sword Unit joined forces with the entering divinity realm Hyeon Yucheon, the Black Wolf Three Swords, and Eum Ji-myeong?
Could the Blood Dragon Room withstand such an ambush?
The answer was obvious without deep thought.
“Then let's execute the plan to rescue Eldest Senior Brother and the Flash Demon Sword Unit—starting now!”
The Demon Sword Sect never forgets favors.
The Demon Sword Sect never forgets grudges.
True to the ancient adage, the sect leader and disciples dreamed of vengeance.