Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: En Route to Aekmin
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Things proceeded quickly. After the First Demon nodded silently, the Heavenly Demon called for me directly.
There, at the place I visited, the Heavenly Demon was smiling. It wasn't a mere sneer-it was a smile brimming with immense satisfaction.
"You confessed it yourself? Not because the First Demon ordered you to?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I wanted to help."
I stated it plainly.
The Heavenly Demon smiled just as plainly.
"I won't pry into what kind of mutt you are, nor add any words to it. Since I pondered it a bit myself, I'm rather pleased. You're heading to Aekmin to find the Four Blood Squad members... and you've fully mastered the Blood Shadow Flower?"
"Yes."
"You won't die out there, then. You might even take down most of them. I heard you've etched a bit of intent into your fist strength. Show it to me."
I unfolded the Blood Shadow Flower right before her.
She was greatly pleased by the falling petals of sword energy. She pulled me into an embrace and rubbed her cheek against mine.
"My, my. Well done. Hmm. This is a feeling I never had even while raising disciples... it's quite novel. Mutt. Aren't you starting to see walls that were invisible before?"
"...Yes."
The massive, hopeless wall that had appeared when I broke through to the transcendent realm.
Now, having fully surpassed it, an even greater wall loomed before me-like a mountain.
"The gap between transcendent and flower realm. It's vast. Too high to breach. It'll be a daunting path. Will you still walk it?"
"I will."
"Kuhuhu. Such a cute one. Back when you first caught my eye, you were someone who'd topple at a flick, but now you've grown. Even if that momentum carries the Heavenly Tribulation, it's fast. I heard you even carved away at your own flesh to manifest the Blood Shadow Flower..."
The Heavenly Demon smiled with her eyes.
"I could do something similar to the Ghost Sword for you. Of course, it wouldn't be flesh you'd lose, but something else."
"...Pardon?"
"I'm kidding. Ah, where did such a cute thing roll in from?"
The Heavenly Demon whispered while holding me close.
"Aekmin is a total mess right now. With the Four Blood Squad pulled back, even discipline has vanished. Normally, sects would step in to restore order... but not this time. Three sects are inside hunting for the vanished Precious Black Night Squad-it's practically a war. Rank-and-file cultists are trying their best not to get involved, but casualties are still mounting, no doubt."
"......"
"Dead Sea of Corpses and Blood. That's the phrase that best fits Aekmin now. Casualties on a scale like nothing before. By rights, I should step in and sort it out, but here I remain. Quietly breathing, as if I don't exist. Do you know why?"
"To select the next Heavenly Demon, I believe."
"My term is ending. When I step down from the Heavenly Demon's seat, one of my worthless disciples will take it. I'm looking to the distant future. Even if blood flows heavily now, it's far less than what would spill if an unqualified one ascended. Our cult's doctrine has always been power. Only strength dictates everything. But as our scale grows beyond the past, mere power alone can't shape the future."
"......"
"Me? I have both power and intellect, so it doesn't apply. But my underlings are different. Inexperienced, immature. They strut as sect leaders, but few have real war experience. Handling people? They're clumsy at it too."
The Heavenly Demon stroked my head.
"This incident will teach the sect leaders many lessons. They'll gain the experience they lack. The futures they paint for our cult may differ, but the pigments they need are the same. They'll learn what's missing through this. Mutt. Just to be sure, I'll ask: if you got your hands on the Precious Black Night Squad, what would you do?"
"I've heard it's the cult's treasure. Since the Seven Star Gate were its owners, shouldn't it be returned to whoever holds it?"
"What if the Seven Star Gate are all dead?"
"Then to the Raksha Sect..."
"If so, the Black Snake Sect and Ten Thousand Demon Sect wouldn't let you off."
I thought about it.
And answered.
"Can we call someone a warrior if they fear drawing their sword because of who might come?"
"Hm..."
"I'm still lacking, but I consider myself a warrior..."
Half in her arms, I looked up at the Heavenly Demon.
"I'll draw my sword without hesitation for what I believe is right."
"Kuhuhu. Clear as a mountain stream. But those words carry weight. Probably because I know how you've lived. Good. Stubborn sword. If you're saying that much, it'd be weirder not to send you."
The Heavenly Demon toyed with my cheek.
"Go to Aekmin. Red Cloud. Amid that chaos, rescue the Four Blood Squad members. A lone warrior's journey-something like that. But remember this: your true goal isn't the Precious Black Night Squad, but saving those squad members. Succeed, and the First Demon will give you a kiss. I'll plant one right on top."
"......"
"Hm? Or should I suck somewhere else?"
"I'll be off."
"Such a cute mutt."
...
I packed my belongings. Time had already passed, and I didn't want to waste more.
Wolhyang had been missing for six months. Seasons had changed twice over. Such a long disappearance-if isolated, starvation was possible.
I packed thoroughly. Even stuffed in all the money the First Demon had given me so far.
"The Blood Shadow Flower might not suffice. I'd like to teach you the sixth form, but..."
"It's fine, First Demon. Don't you give me the manual? I've learned plenty, so I can master the sixth form alone. Of course, fully perfecting the Blood Shadow Flower comes first. Forced learning left some gaps."
The First Demon inspected my clothes, adjusting them here and there.
"Winter's approaching. It might get cold."
"I'm used to the cold. Got hit with enough chill from White Night."
"...Playing jokes, are you?"
The First Demon looked up at me. Then she placed a hand lightly on my mask.
"All the Heaven-Earth Eight Demons hide their faces. Do you know why?"
"No idea."
"By the Lord's command. The Heaven-Earth Eight Demons must kill each other for ambition. Familiar faces dull the sword's edge, so the Lord fitted the masks himself. Half of it was his playfulness, of course."
The First Demon gripped the mask firmly.
"But I chose to step down from the Heaven-Earth Eight Demons to become the current Lord's Grand Protector. I was sick of power struggles, had no ambitions. All I had was gratitude to the Lord who took me in. So I removed the mask he gave me long ago. Yet I still wore an unnecessary one. The reason... is this."
The First Demon removed her mask.
Plum blossom-like hair cascaded into the air. The face hidden beneath was revealed to the world for the first time.
I was speechless in that instant. I'd lost words seeing the Heavenly Demon, Baek Mae, and Silver Snow Orchid too, but this was utterly different.
Long eyelashes. Beneath a sharp nose, slightly firm lips. Eyes that seemed stern at a glance resembled flowers in themselves.
A fragrance wafted. The scent of the most beautifully bloomed flower falling to the ground. Yet it lingered, stretching on endlessly.
Fleeting petals at their most beautiful...
Beauty trapped in eternally repeating time.
She averted her gaze slightly, mumbling awkwardly.
"Hard for me to say it myself, but if I don't wear the mask, the servants freeze in place. Even yelling doesn't budge them. Everyone I met did it-men, women, old, young. The Lord said it too: better to cover your face when handling underlings. I'm... somewhat pretty... anyway, plus the demonic aura from my Mixed Origin Demon Art adds a seductive tint to my face. The talisman on the mask suppresses it."
"......"
"Are you listening?"
"Ah. Yes, I am."
A fairy?
No. Not that kind of beauty. Now I see why she calls it demonic aura.
Demoness.
She was truly a demoness.
A face that bewitches unwittingly, as if it were the natural order.
I understood her words. If I were a non-martial servant, I'd react the same.
Beauty an untrained body couldn't resist.
This... crossed the line.
Any flower beside her would lose its luster. Maintaining color alone deserved praise.
I examined her face closely, then snapped back to reality.
A fearsome visage. Melting time just by looking.
I carefully chose my words.
"First Demon."
"...What?"
"You're beautiful."
I said it sincerely. The First Demon blinked.
She covered her mouth, laughing.
"That's a bad move, you fool. Know how many have said that to me? I made them all limp away, breaking their legs one by one."
"...Sorry."
"But yours isn't bad. Hm. Not bad at all. Makes me feel a bit good, even."
The First Demon cleared her throat.
"Red Cloud. Aekmin is dangerous. Stay vigilant, always. The most perilous time is sleep. It might be uncomfortable, but don't sleep too soundly. Understood?"
"Catnaps? I got used to them climbing Sealed Demon Cave. No worries."
"Link up with the Blood Demon Squad I sent ahead. Rendezvous point and code are written on paper in your pack. Read it nearby, then burn it immediately. Follow Wolhyang's trail from their intel."
"I'll keep it in mind."
"Rescuing Wolhyang matters, of course. But more important-always remember your life comes first."
The First Demon beckoned with her hand. Unsure, I rolled my eyes.
"Lower your head a bit."
I bowed my head. A hand rested on my hair.
The now-familiar stroking. Silent for a while, she whispered.
"I don't want you to... die. Red Cloud."
"I won't."
"Avoid clashes with sects as much as possible. If you're in over your head, invoke my name. With the Soul-Hunting Pavilion plaque. I've spread the name subtly; quick ones will recognize it."
"...Understood."
"I can tell just by your words. You'd die before using it. Such a stubborn one."
The First Demon cupped my cheeks.
Her upturned eyes held conflict. Should she say it or not?
Her mouth opened, closed. After repeating, she stammered.
"Wh-when you return... when you return, I mean... so..."
"...Pardon?"
"Th-that... uh, no. Ahem! No! Nothing!"
Unable to say it, the First Demon stood me up. She spread her arms wide.
"Come."
"......?"
I gauged her mood, hesitantly extending arms to hug her.
She fidgeted inside, then thunked her forehead against my chest.
No words exchanged. Instead, a slight tremble passed through.
Her shoulders shook visibly. Her breaths seemed a touch heavy.
...No way...
Is she apologizing?
I raised a hand tentatively.
In that brief hesitation, I stroked her anxious head.
"I'll be off."
She flinched. Shoulders rose as if to snap, then dropped.
No resistance. I stroked her head for a while.
Slowly.
...
The road to Aekmin was very long. Far from the Heavenly Mountains, it took considerable travel.
Two paths: land or water. Factoring rest and terrain, water was far easier, but...
There was a problem.
"Waterway...? Sure, it's fast to Aekmin, but you could call it a gamble."
"Why?"
"The Ansa Water Ghosts control the great waterway to Aekmin midway. Infamous water bandits who levy tolls."
"Tolls...? Just pay them, right?"
"It doesn't always end there."
A man I bumped into at the port village tipped his drink.
"Ansa Water Ghosts' moods swing wildly. Good mood, low tolls. Bad mood, blood spills. They don't kill, but some end up half-crippled. They know the waterways inside out-no one in our cult can catch them. And with Aekmin's chaos... they're eyeing opportunities."
"What do you mean...?"
"Word is, they're watching every ship leaving Aekmin. Planning mid-river ambushes to snatch the Precious Black Night Squad. Months with no sign, so their foul tempers worsened. Canceled some upstream cargo runs."
"Shouldn't the cult handle it?"
"Right in theory, but the three pillars propping the cult are focused elsewhere. Four Blood Squad gone too... no one's managing the Water Ghosts. They're notoriously vicious. Their water arts are deadly- even experts shy away. Fighting river ghosts who've lived in water their whole lives from an unfamiliar deck? No thanks."
Makes sense. Water arts experts on water.
Even strong martial arts would falter. I asked the man.
"What about the land route to Aekmin?"
"Land's problematic too... Doubles the time versus water. Rugged mountains, easy to get lost. With Aekmin in turmoil, bandits are blocking roads. Heard Green Forest Iron Guards are active. Various fiends lurking on paths to Aekmin too..."
All eyeing groups trying to flee Aekmin with the Precious Black Night Squad.
Land or water, same issue. Faster path it is.
I thanked the man, paid his tab. Used the info to book a ship.
Luckily, a few vessels remained at the port. One leaving next day eyed me.
A man introducing himself as an escort from the Dragon Escort Agency asked.
"A martial artist? Mind if I ask affiliation...?"
"None."
"This ship's to Aekmin, but pricey. Covers Water Ghosts tolls too..."
The Dragon Escort man demanded a hefty fee. No pay, no ride.
Luckily, not much for me. Paid on the spot.
"Plenty of space-rest wherever."
A grueling twenty-day voyage.
Besides me, quite a few passengers aboard. Diverse folk drew the eye naturally.
But I didn't stare. Rude, and with a long journey, no need to expend energy here.
I pulled my conical hat low. Checked the human-skin mask from the First Demon stuck well, then bit into jerky.
Even if a fight broke out, drawing the Ghost Sword was out. Tamed or not, White Night would freeze me and surroundings.
Using another sword might tank built-up goodwill...
With Blood Shadow Flower mastered, most situations solvable barehanded. I gnawed the jerky.
Someone sat beside me.
"Give me some."
"......?"
I lifted my hat to check. A woman, face veiled in cloth like mine, beckoned.
By appearances, mutual suspicion. I eyed her outstretched hand.
Pulled jerky from my pack, placed it in her palm.
Surprised, she asked.
"Really giving it?"
"Didn't you ask?"
"Who shares jerky with a total stranger? Especially someone this shady?"
"Is jerky dearer than a hungry person? Need more? Plenty here."
"...Hmmm? Weird."
The woman whispered.
"Figured a mask like that meant hiding lots of secrets... why so nice?"