Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: The Blood Cult's Web
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Shim Yul's mouth opened. His hazy pupils whispered.
"...Blood Reign Eternal..."
"Where is Execution Blood Squad member Wolhyang?"
"I don't... know..."
"...What about Yeon Mireung?"
"I don't... know..."
The Blaze Heaven Fist Demon exploded in anger.
"Did that hypnosis or soul enchantment of yours really take hold properly on this bastard?"
"It did, so calm down. He really doesn't know... Let's switch directions. Is Yeon Mireung alive? What about Execution Blood Squad member Wolhyang?"
"......."
Shim Yul spoke.
"They're... alive."
"......!"
For a fleeting moment, the First Demon's face flashed through my mind.
Unable to contain the overwhelming surge in my chest, I asked.
"Then why say you don't know?"
"The information I know... has limits..."
"Explain precisely."
"What I know... is just one branch of the Blood Cult..."
Shim Yul droned on in a dazed tone. His words were lengthy, but the core was simple.
"...A point organization?"
A structure where small-scale groups formed like points coalesced into one massive organization.
The Blood Cult members Shim Yul knew numbered only three. And even two of them were practically ordinary civilians.
"They've made it tricky to tail them. Managing a point organization must be incredibly tough... These Blood Cult bastards have been sharpening their fangs for a long time."
"So you only know one branch of the Blood Cult?"
"Yes..."
"Tell me whatever details you have. As a Blood Cult spy, you must know something. How many branches are there total?"
"In Yeommin... just the ones I know... 72... the rest..."
"Their locations?"
"I don't... know..."
The Blaze Heaven Fist Demon growled.
"Don't hold back-spit out everything you know! Where's Mireung?! You're the ones hiding her, aren't you?!"
"I don't... kugh...!"
"Blaze Heaven Fist Demon! Calm down! Shaking him like that won't make him talk!"
I gathered my thoughts. In the end, there was only one thing we could do.
The Blood Cult branch hiding in Yeommin. We had to comb through every single one.
Even if it was a point organization, it was still an organization. There had to be at least minimal links connecting them.
Raiding one small branch should reveal the location of the connected ones.
...But.
We had to do it fast enough that the enemy wouldn't notice, or make sure they never knew about the raids at all. The moment they sensed the pursuit, they could sever those links.
"...Black Peony. Can you help a bit more?"
Black Peony caught my implication and lightly tapped my sleeve.
"Don't worry. I'll stick with you to the end."
"Thank you."
"Thanks? Save it. I'll collect it later-with interest. In the flesh."
"Pardon?"
"Just kidding."
The Nine Heavens Jade Girl, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.
"How many Blood Cult spies are mixed into the Ghost Demon Unit?"
"I don't... know..."
"So you might not be the only one."
The Nine Heavens Jade Girl turned her gaze to me.
"What's your name?"
"Nameless."
"I won't pry too much. Seems urgent. But answer this one thing straight. I want their roster. Hand it over when this is done."
"...And what do we get in return?"
"I'm no fool. From what you've done, I can roughly guess your tracking method. You're using that soul enchantment or whatever to dig up branch locations without leaving traces, right? Killing Blood Cult spies would tip them off... so you're extracting info without touching them much. Simple deduction."
The Nine Heavens Jade Girl rested her chin on her hand and tilted her head.
"Even if you map out the entire Blood Cult herd, their numbers will be substantial. Even if you pinpoint the ones you're rescuing, you won't overcome their numerical advantage alone. You can't save that Execution Blood Squad member and Yeon Mireung with just your group. So on the day of reckoning, the Ghost Demon Unit will back you up directly."
".......!"
"The Blood Cult isn't just some inter-sect squabble. It's a dire threat within our own cult. As cultists, we must weed them out. We'll cooperate to the fullest. But that's not all. Compile that roster and hand it over, and we'll coordinate with other sects for a simultaneous purge on that decisive day. You move separately then to rescue the Execution Blood Squad member and Yeon Mireung."
The Nine Heavens Jade Girl licked her lips.
"It'll be a bloodbath. With the Blood Cult's vile lot, their martial arts will be top-tier too. A thrilling hunt. Just to ask-what if we find the Shadow Night Unit?"
"...We'll hand them to the Rakshasa Sect."
"Why?"
"They're their original owners, aren't they? If Yeon Mireung's alive, we'll let her decide."
"You won't claim them for yourself?"
"I'm not after someone else's prize. I have plenty of inner energy already, so honing the body comes first. No matter how great the spirit medicine, it won't chart my path."
"...Oh?"
The Nine Heavens Jade Girl placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Your name?"
"Nameless..."
"Your real name."
"I can't say."
"Fine. I'll respect that. Normally I'd pry it out with blood... but not from you. Your swordplay was impressive-straightforward and true. But in fights like ours, that yields little gain. Look at the Blaze Heaven Fist Demon. Do I look like I'm bleeding from our clash?"
"Just scratches, you punk!"
"Phantom arts matter in swordplay too. Add a touch to yours, and you'd gain much."
The Nine Heavens Jade Girl traced my face.
"Not a human skin mask... Hm. If that face were one, it'd be a shame."
"Pardon?"
"I told you. My tastes. Your sword stance appeals too... And your view on the Shadow Night Unit matches mine. Spirit medicine's great, but it doesn't pave the way. Tempting to devour, but not worth greed over. Sparing the Ghost Demon Unit grunts the Blaze Heaven Fist Demon would've slaughtered? Excellent. Mercy toward the weak is key-they might grow to cross blades later."
".......?"
"I've decided. When this ends, you're mine. I'll hear your real name then."
"Cut the crap, Nine Heavens Jade Girl!"
"Blaze Heaven Fist Demon, your fists were fierce. A real bout after so long. But futile against me. I'm certain-if you'd swung then, I'd have taken your head."
"Bullshit!"
"I'd spar again normally... but not today. We move toward a common goal."
The Nine Heavens Jade Girl caressed my cheek. Shorter by a head, she stood on tiptoes.
"Your height's a plus. Next time, carry me on your back."
"Pardon?"
"I love high views. Remember that."
The Nine Heavens Jade Girl rallied her Ghost Demon Unit and tossed me a token.
"Come find me when you have all the info. Until then, we're strangers. Today's patrol was just a minor incident-the Ghost Demon Unit handled it. That nameless woman. What happens to him after the soul enchantment ends?"
"For a short span like an hour, I can alter memories. The finer the tweak, the higher the chance of detection."
"Make it a brothel visit that got him caught by me. Routine enough not to suspect deeply. Shim Yul resumes spying as always. No worries for you. Nameless."
The Nine Heavens Jade Girl glanced back one last time.
"But long tails get caught. More with muddled memories, and the Blood Cult will sense something's off. Track fast-before they go to ground."
"...Yes. Thank you, Ghost Demon Unit Leader."
"Call me Master."
"You crazy bitch!"
The Nine Heavens Jade Girl departed. The Ghost Demon Unit took the memory-altered Shim Yul away.
Black Peony organized the info extracted from Shim Yul.
"We have the branch locations. What's the plan?"
"We pursue immediately. Rest? Probably none. Black Peony, as I said earlier..."
"I said it's fine. I'll help. She's your friend, right?"
"You really gonna learn sword from the Nine Heavens Jade Girl? Better learn my Blaze Heaven Explosive Sword-suits you more."
"Not the time for that, elder."
"No... This seat's just bitter... Tsk. Later. Time to move. We learned Mireung's alive too."
The Blaze Heaven Fist Demon rose.
"Can't kill them, right?"
"No. Absolutely not. We operate from the shadows without them noticing. All we do is uncover their names. Kidnap, enchant, extract info, release. Repeat to map the structure, then grab the final piece..."
Black Peony unfurled her fan.
"Join the Ghost Demon Unit and sweep the remnants at once. Hit multiple branches simultaneously to shake their morale-our target will slack on defenses. Then force the snatch. Simple, right?"
"How many do we stir up for this 'simple' plan?"
"Don't like it? Bail."
"...Why are all the women in this cult so rude... Tsk."
I rose from the collapsed ruins.
"Enough chatter. Better move."
......
The shadow flickered. The man pulled his blood-red robe tighter.
Around him, nothing but crackling flames. The sentries neither chatted nor blinked-staring ahead like the dead.
A silence bone-deep. How could one not love this silence?
It birthed our present.
And the flower blooming from this silence-that alone is truly red.
Long years prepared this. Now, at last, it bore fruit.
In the darkest depths, even the flames' roar faded.
The man opened the sealed door. The chained woman looked up.
"Gok Cheong? Hm? Mealtime? What's today's side dish?"
"......"
Chained yet asking casually. Even with her inner energy near-sealed, she kept her composure.
Not acting. Truly at ease.
The man, Gok Cheong, smirked. He beckoned, and his follower brought out the lidded bowl.
"Didn't you want pork? Here it is."
"For real? You're the only one here I can talk to, Gok Cheong."
"Naturally. Why not listen to family-to-be?"
"Eh. I told you before-you're not my type. I like 'em more... blood-soaked, y'know? Ahaha! That vibe!"
"By blood-soaked standards, I'm no slouch."
"Not that kind of blood. Not that flavor... Smells good though. Let me see..."
The chains rattled.
"Loosen my hands for easy eating. Family'd do that much, right?"
"I've said it a thousand times, same today. No."
"Scared of a fragile girl like me?"
"Terrified. The cult's elites-over seven squad leaders-fell to you alone."
"I said it before-they weren't squad leaders. Just scrubs."
How many in the cult could say that?
Gok Cheong picked meat from the bowl with chopsticks and shoved it into her mouth.
"Mmph! Mmph!"
"Chew. Isn't this the pork you wanted? How's the taste? Hm? Ah, struggling... Let me help you chew."
Not content with jabbing her mouth with chopsticks, he thrust in his hand.
Twisted it. Her trained nails split her palate-blood oozed.
"Oops. Sorry. Hands got rough. Thinking of our dead cultists boils my blood-bear with it."
"Kuhk!"
Gok Cheong wiped the smile from his face.
"Time's short. Choose, Execution Blood Squad member Wolhyang. For a wench like you, living achieves more than honorable death. You don't even seem loyal to demonic doctrine. One word of joining, and it's all yours. Why refuse?"
Wolhyang spat blood-mixed saliva and grinned.
"Nah? I love it totally? I really do. In this cult, power's everything, right? Best doctrine! Kill freely, and if you're strong, forgiveness is yours!"
"The Blood Cult's the same."
"Hmmm. True. You crazies stick together. But still hate it. You lack an Execution Blood Squad Leader."
"Execution Blood Squad Leader?"
"One of Heaven and Earth Eight Demons. Top seat. See, I'm bound to her sword alone. Can't help it. No matter how strong you are, you can't follow in her footsteps."
"Heaven and Earth Eight Demons is empty fame. Our Blood Cult holds greater power."
"You really think that? Compared to our cult, your Blood Cult's scraps. Not worth a thought."
"......."
Gok Cheong sighed.
"Don't brag. Heaven and Earth Eight Demons won't come save you. Blind loyalty's the height of folly."
"Not loyalty. Fascination. I've met few who captivate me. Only two I couldn't kill. One was a different species, the other the Heaven Blood Demon. Hey, Gok Cheong. Kind, cute guy who bought me meat."
Wolhyang whispered.
"You're captivating too. But. But no. Absolutely not. Your blood scent? Don't care. Blood taste? Meh. Hah... Not. Even. Aroused. With trash like you at the core, your leaders must be similar."
"......."
"Calling yourselves Blood Cult yet no alluring blood scent. Weird, right? So weeeird..."
---Clang-clang!!
"Answer meee... Gok Cheeeong...!"
The chains shook harder. Several strained to snap.
Even sealed, this much. The world-renowned Eternal Forbidden Chains rattled like that.
How much venomous blood lurked beneath that flower-like beauty?
Gok Cheong retreated. Wiped his suddenly slick nape. His usual poise crumbled before her.
Couldn't fake it face-to-face.
This woman's a true mad bitch.
Without the Blood Cult's treasure binding her, he'd have buried with Seven Stars Gate that day.
Madness beyond his grasp. He wanted to end her with a finger flick...
But she had the Hierophant's eye. Ordered to persuade if possible. No choice.
Master's word was absolute.
Obeying the Hierophant was the Vice Hierophant's duty.
"Feed her more."
"Leaving already? C'mon, let's talk. My mouth's gonna grow mold."
"Want talk? Join the cult."
"Don't wanna."
Gok Cheong left her and ascended. In a brighter spot sat a demure woman.
Beyond the bars, she silently faced the wall. Gok Cheong spoke.
"Yeon Mireung."
"......."
A glance flicked over. Gok Cheong offered the food.
"Eat. Or I'll force it."
"......"
"Still silent? Not a word since arrival. But that's ending soon. We're leaving Yeommin. All we need is gathered-adorn the finale, then depart. You'll come too."
Yes. Withdrawal nears.
This all had purpose.
Rakshasa Sect weakening? Sect wars?
Mere bonuses. The true goal was secured long ago.
Lingering only to claim every bonus.
Yeommin would be a sea of blood on his exit.
"The Blood Reign comes."
Gok Cheong looked down at Seven Stars Gate's last heir.
"Your talent will greatly aid the cult. You'll serve it lifelong. Take it as honor, Yeon Mireung."
"......"
"Don't rage. Hate aiding your clan's butcher?"
Gok Cheong grinned.
"But when Blood Reign descends, all tales lose weight. You'll thank my choice then. You're aboard a surefire winner."
"......"
"Necessary blood, necessary deed. We've prepared this plan long. Built axial structures everywhere, mingled with civilians since Yeommin boomed. Planned far before my Vice Hierophant post."
A vast span of time.
Now, harvest time.
"Shadow Night Unit, Seven Stars Gate. The blood spilled there paves my True Blood Forbidden Emperor completion."
Gok Cheong rose.
"All will tremble. At the Blood Demon's advent."