Chapter 15: Qi and Mana (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 15: Qi and Mana (4)
Rumors travel faster than feet.
The rumors that started in Lawrence spread all the way to Dmitry in just a single day.
"Have you heard the rumor?"
"The one about Young Master Roman subjugating Blood Fang? Does that even make sense? Young Master Roman is a half-wit who can't even swing a sword properly."
"...That's true, but the testimonies of those who saw it firsthand are too vivid."
"That's just how rumors are. In reality, even if someone of Young Master Roman's stature went to the hunting grounds and caught a wild boar, the rumors would blow it up as if he had slain a legendary dragon. From what I hear, it seems Young Master Roman did show them something in front of the people of Lawrence, but the Dmitry Knights probably set the stage for him. After all, they rushed out of the castle in a hurry that day."
"Is that so? Well, how could the Fool of Dmitry possibly do such a thing?"
Most people did not believe it.
Just like the boy who cried wolf, Roman's image in Dmitry was far from trustworthy.
An absurd rumor.
That was how people dismissed it.
Even when merchants coming from Lawrence spoke of it with spit flying from their mouths, the only response they received was ridicule.
While the men were busy gossiping, a boy packing up luggage nearby perked up his ears.
...Young Master Roman subjugated Blood Fang?
Thump.
It felt as if his heart had dropped.
The boy's name was Kevin.
Having received Roman's help, he had been making a living by doing odd jobs arranged by Hans. For him, the day he met Roman was unforgettable. At the very moment his life was spiraling into the abyss as he was beaten by the Blood Fang gang, Roman had appeared like an angel and delivered judgment upon the wicked.
The screams of the Blood Fang gang.
The sight of Roman shoving a dagger into a man's mouth and slicing off his tongue had left Kevin in absolute awe.
It was from that moment.
Kevin had a dream.
I will become a strong man like Young Master Roman. A strong person who can protect my people from any danger. In this harsh world where no one can be trusted, that is the only way for my family to survive.
He clenched his teeth.
He didn't know when or where the Blood Fang gang might storm in again, but with his father unable to act as the head of the household, he had to find the strength himself. Then came the rumor. While everyone in Dmitry dismissed it as nonsense, Kevin was certain it was true.
Thump, thump.
His heart pounded.
Roman Dmitry, who had defeated villains with a mere tree branch.
For someone like him, wiping out the Blood Fang gang alone would be no trouble at all.
His hero, who had promised to resolve the loan shark issue, had turned a miracle into reality in just a few days.
Ah, Young Master.
Emotion welled up inside him.
He didn't know if Young Master Roman had truly undertaken such a dangerous task for his sake, but the fact that he hadn't forgotten his promise to a mere commoner moved him deeply. He wiped away his tears. He had to work, but he couldn't focus because of the constant surge of emotion. When would he be able to see Young Master Roman again? If such a day ever came, Kevin wanted to make sure he never forgot his current feelings and expressed his gratitude.
He spent a busy day.
Just as he was about to finish his last task...
Thud.
"Y-Young Master...?!"
"It has been a while."
At the sight of Roman Dmitry, who had come to find him, Kevin unconsciously dropped his luggage onto the ground.
For a moment, he was dazed.
Doubting whether this was reality, Kevin snapped out of it and threw himself to the ground in a deep bow.
"Thank you, Young Master! Thanks to you, my family can live. Thank you so, so much!"
He choked up.
With a flushed face, Kevin poured out his heartfelt words.
Roman spoke.
"Kevin, have you been well?"
"Ah...!"
He was speechless.
Roman had remembered his name.
Others might think of it as a trivial detail, but Kevin could not take it lightly.
He was deeply moved.
With tears welling up in his eyes, Kevin spoke in a trembling voice.
"Thanks to you, we have been doing very well. The Blood Fang gang no longer oppresses us, and the job Mr. Hans found for me has resolved our urgent livelihood issues. I don't know how to express my gratitude."
"Gratitude, is it? I intend to make you a proposal."
"...What do you mean by that?"
"From now on, your family will not have to worry about making a living. You will live in a warm house that blocks the cold wind, eat three delicious meals a day, and enjoy hobbies instead of spending every single day in grueling labor. The way to live such a life is simple. I intend to make it happen."
Goosebumps broke out on his skin.
Though he didn't know what Roman was getting at, Kevin instinctively knew that a monumental opportunity had come his way.
"Therefore, live for me. If you swear your loyalty to me, I will gift you a new life."
Roman's words.
It felt like a bolt of lightning striking his head.
Kevin had never once in his life dreamed that he could follow someone as great as Young Master Roman. Yet, Roman had made the offer first—asking him to become his man. Although he felt dazed, wondering if this was all a dream, Kevin knew he must not let this offer slip away.
It was pure instinct.
Still prostrate, Kevin slammed his forehead hard against the ground.
Thud!
"From this day forth, I will live for you, Young Master Roman. If you tell me to die, I will die. If you tell me to kill someone, I will kill them. Your promise to look after my family—that alone is more than enough."
He raised his head.
Drops of blood trickled down his forehead.
Though the dripping blood ran into his eyes, Kevin looked up at Roman without even blinking.
He was a foolish boy.
Showing his loyalty through blood.
Even his foolishness resembles the Mad Demon.
The Mad Demon had been just like this.
At Roman's command to hold his ground, the Mad Demon was the one who had held his position against hundreds of Righteous Faction martial artists. Back then, when he was a mere nobody, he had earned the moniker "Mad Demon." Even when his entire body was covered in wounds from attacks raining down from all directions, and the blood flowing from his body formed a river, the Mad Demon had blocked the Righteous Faction without letting out a single groan.
The loyal subject of the Heavenly Demon.
Even when Roman had first taken the Mad Demon in, he had slammed his head on the ground and sworn loyalty at Roman's single word.
"My life belongs to you from now on, Young Master."
Kevin's voice.
It was more than just a resemblance.
Kevin was even more extreme than the Mad Demon.
Roman smiled.
A child with a different kind of charm.
In this new life, Roman was ready to accept new ties.
"Very well. From this moment on, you are mine."
In a time when no one paid attention to him yet, Roman had gained a follower.
*
Roman brought Kevin back with him.
After asking Hans to help Kevin adjust for the time being, he made his way to the location Hans had scouted.
A shabby workshop in the inner castle.
It was a place once used by Baron Romero.
Because of this, entry by outsiders was strictly forbidden, and it was completely isolated from the outside world, making it suitable as a training ground.
"I will be spending the next week in the workshop. I will not need anything, not even food, during this time, so do not let anyone inside under any circumstances. Keep this in mind: unless my people are in danger and absolutely need me, do not look for me."
He gave strict instructions.
Then, he stepped inside.
Inside the workshop...
There was nothing.
A cool breeze blew, and straw was spread widely across the floor, likely prepared in advance by Hans. It was a thoughtful detail, but unnecessary for the current Roman. Roman swept all the straw to one side and sat cross-legged so he could fully absorb the energy of the earth.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
He circulated his qi.
Instantly sinking into his own world, Roman slowly moved the mana accumulated in his Dantian.
First Stage of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Currently, Roman's body had not even taken its first steps in the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
He needed to lay a foundation in this weak body. Until now, he had been content with merely accumulating mana to enter the first stage, the Human Stage. Now, Roman had gathered the minimum amount of mana required. To perfectly execute the martial arts derived from the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, he had to enter the Human Stage.
The Human Stage begins with purging the turbid qi from the body.
Whoosh.
The mana moved.
The mana, moving heavily through his blood vessels, was blocked by a massive wall before long.
Thud.
It was turbid qi.
Roman was someone who had never lived a productive day in his life, despite being in his mid-twenties. His body had accumulated far more turbid qi than others of his age, and his face flushed red as he was blocked by it right from the start. However, he did not lose his composure. This was a situation he had anticipated from the beginning, which was why he had planned to enter the Human Stage only after gathering the minimum amount of mana.
His future life.
Roman had to become strong.
Having forged new relationships, he absolutely needed power to protect them and achieve his goals.
The Human Stage.
That was the beginning.
Preparing himself, Roman calmly contemplated his inner self.
I will purge all the turbid qi at once.
Thud.
Rumble.
The mana reacted.
The Heavenly Demon, Baek Joong-hyuk.
Having spent his entire life dedicated to martial arts, the turbid qi began to melt away under Roman's powerful will. The power of mana depended on one's will. While those who did not understand mana could only unleash a power of 10 even with a potential of 100, Roman was someone who could surpass his limits and unleash 150. The mana swirled violently according to Roman's will, and from the intense impact, a nosebleed began to trickle down his face.
Drip, drip.
It was a promising symptom.
It was not something like Qi Deviation; rather, pitch-black blood was flowing from his nose as the turbid qi was expelled from his body.
Time passed.
One day.
Two days.
...And then three days.
Roman was completely immersed in his cultivation method.
His face was drenched in sweat, and the blood that had been flowing from his nose was now seeping out through all his pores.
Calmly, step by step, Roman expelled the turbid qi.
To enter the Human Stage.
And to reclaim the power of the Heavenly Demon once more.
In a state of selflessness, Roman spent his time in a space isolated from the outside world.
*
Hans.
He hurried off somewhere.
Under normal circumstances, he would have waited until evening to greet Roman, but the situation at hand did not allow him the luxury of time.
"I wonder if the Young Master has come out."
One week ago, as soon as Roman entered his closed-door training, the Lawrence family expressed their intention to visit Dmitry.
The engagement cancellation.
It was an issue that had to be resolved in person at least once, but the meeting had been postponed after Hans reported Roman's situation to Baron Romero. And today, he received a report that Viscount Lawrence and his daughter had visited the Dmitry estate early in the morning. Naturally, he had no choice but to go find Roman.
The atmosphere is unusual.
The fact of the engagement cancellation had not yet been revealed to the world.
Of course, those in the know were already aware, but it was a mystery why the Lawrence family had not made it public yet.
In any case, Roman's presence was required.
Upon arriving at the workshop, Hans stood before the door and quietly waited for Roman, even though the situation demanded that he call him out immediately.
"Keep this in mind: unless my people are in danger and absolutely need me, do not look for me."
Roman's command.
Hans remembered it.
Many people in the castle were waiting for Roman.
Yet, for Hans, obeying the command of his master, Roman, was far more important. The Roman who had recently changed was not one to make empty promises. There was surely a clear reason why he had forbidden anyone from calling him, so Hans had told the others he would bring Roman right away, only to stand there quietly waiting for Roman to emerge on his own.
How much time had passed?
A few people came looking for Hans.
After sending them all back, Hans finally sensed a presence inside just as the sun, which had been high in the sky, began to set.
Creak.
The door opened.
And a familiar face stepped outside.
Hans, who was about to welcome Roman with a bright face, flinched in surprise the moment he saw his appearance.
"...Y-Young Master?"
Sharp eyes.
Milky-white skin.
And a manly, robust physique.
It was certain.
Roman's appearance had changed quite a bit.