Blood Scent
A man stood there.
Before him, a subordinate trembled in fear as he delivered his report.
The man’s face twisted at the words.
“Blood Hand Poison Emperor is dead?”
“Yes, Lord Sal-je. The Black Blood Unit, Red Hand Unit, and Black Water Unit he led have all… been annihilated, according to the report.”
At the subordinate’s words, the man ground his teeth.
“Who did it?”
Sal-je Do-gon could not easily comprehend the situation.
Though Blood Hand Poison Emperor’s martial prowess was inferior to the other Demon Emperors, he was not someone who could be defeated so easily.
When Do-gon asked, the subordinate answered while shaking.
“The Ju family’s Jeokryongdae is said to have moved.”
“Jeokryongdae? You’re saying the mere Jeokryongdae killed my brother? Does that make any sense?”
Do-gon asked again and again in disbelief.
But the only answer that came back was the Ju family’s Jeokryongdae.
“Not the Namgung, not the Paeng… The Ju family dared?”
What made it even more absurd was that it was the Jeokryongdae.
It was not the Sword Sovereign himself, nor even the Sword Dragon’s doing.
The conclusion was simply the Jeokryongdae’s work.
“No matter how many times we investigate, the judgment remains the Jeokryongdae…”
“Grind.”
Do-gon finally rose, consumed by rage.
“Then what about my medicine? I won’t be able to obtain it ever again?”
“W-well…”
The subordinate did not know what to do with himself.
He was at a loss for words, to the point where his breath caught in his throat.
Do-gon had been receiving medicine regularly from Blood Hand Poison Emperor.
What truly enraged him was the fact that he would never obtain that medicine again.
“Enough.”
Do-gon suppressed his anger and stood up.
His body had felt sluggish lately anyway; this seemed like a good opportunity.
“Jeokryongdae.”
For once, a spark of life returned to Do-gon’s eyes.
* * *
Empty Blue Stone Flow.
It was undoubtedly one of the greatest elixirs of all time.
Known as an elixir that could revive even a dying life force with a single drop, it formed only on clear nights when moonlight shone upon rock crevices. The blue droplets had to accumulate for at least ten thousand years before a single mouthful could be collected.
‘I cannot take this.’
I knew of several locations where Empty Blue Stone Flow was said to appear.
But I could not obtain it, whether those rumors were true or not.
Because Empty Blue Stone Flow not only purified killing intent but even refined demonic qi, making it potentially antithetical to someone like me who carried demonic energy within.
It was the same reason I had not been greedy even when I possessed the Great Return Pill.
Because I carried demonic qi, the types of elixirs I could take had decreased exponentially.
Among them, there was one that was the most dangerous yet most extraordinary.
‘Thousand-Year Dragon Saliva Essence.’
A legendary elixir unknown to most martial artists, and one perfectly suited for me.
As the name suggests, it was the essence spat out by a dragon that had lived a thousand years, further condensed over several hundred years into the crystallized form of an elixir.
At the very least, for a demonic practitioner, it would produce an effect greater than Empty Blue Stone Flow.
This Dragon Saliva was an elixir that could complete the final stage of forming a Heavenly Demon Body or Immortal Body. I knew this fact because of my memories from my previous life.
‘Even Cheonma took this.’
It was the catalyst for awakening as a true Heavenly Demon.
Naturally, I also remembered the location of this Dragon Saliva.
“I must move immediately.”
There was not much time.
In at most a month, the great festival hosted by the Ju family would be held.
Since I had to return before then, I needed to depart right away.
Having organized my thoughts, I rose from my seat and headed toward Geomhonjeon.
* * *
The Ju family’s main hall, Geomhonjeon.
I went straight to see my father.
“You wish to leave the house for a while? And you won’t even tell me the reason?”
“I simply wish to gain some experience.”
My father let out a hollow laugh.
“No parent sends their child into danger at an age that has not even reached twenty. If you said you were going to your maternal family, I would allow it, but since it is not that, I absolutely cannot permit it.”
Ju Tae-sung was unyielding.
I had to persuade him.
“As someone born into the direct line of a martial family, I do not wish to become a sheltered child who only receives protection at home, even if I cannot achieve great ambitions.”
“Hah, so you mean to say you intend to undertake a martial journey?”
“Well… if possible.”
A martial journey.
It was like an initiation rite for the younger generation held by martial families or sects.
It was about making one’s name known in the martial world, building reputation, and further elevating the family’s achievements.
It could be said that my eldest brother had obtained the title Sword Dragon thanks to his martial journey.
“Impossible.”
Ju Tae-sung shook his head at once.
The reason was simply that I was too young.
“Regardless of your level, you wish to undertake a martial journey at only fifteen years of age? How preposterous.”
“Even my eldest brother chose to travel the martial world before reaching twenty and accumulated countless experiences. He earned the title of Sword Dragon by single-handedly slaying twenty-two experts of the demonic path at Blood Ball Mountain. Do you think I cannot do the same?”
“……”
At those words, Ju Tae-sung’s eyebrows twitched.
To his ears, my words must have been quite intriguing in many ways.
“Do you even understand what you are implying with those words?”
“Yes. I am no longer just the young and immature youngest son. Therefore, I wish to see a wider world, so please help me.”
At my words, a mischievous smile appeared at the corner of Ju Tae-sung’s lips.
“Ambition, is it?”
Ambition.
Since I had used my eldest brother as an excuse, he was asking whether I intended to aim for his position as well.
I had no desire to become entangled in the family’s political intrigues.
I simply needed a pretext.
“Do you truly wish for me to harbor ambition?”
“……”
I questioned my father in an even more provocative tone.
For a while, he could not continue speaking.
He merely stared at me in shock.
“Hahaha!”
Then he suddenly burst into hearty laughter and stood up.
“Very well.”
My father had finally given his permission.
“What does it matter if someone born of the Ju family’s blood harbors great ambition? I permit it. However, I must assign additional guards.”
Of course.
I had already anticipated this much.
That my father would definitely assign guards.
‘Seungryongdae. They will be the ones assigned.’
The Seungryongdae, one of the family’s hidden forces.
It was obvious that they would report everything I did to my father.
“Jeokryongdae Lord.”
However, a name different from my expectation came out.
At my father’s quiet call, the door opened and Jeokryongdae Lord Yu-ran walked in.
“Yes, my lord.”
She winked at me with one eye.
“Hand over your assigned duties to the vice-lord and escort the youngest young master.”
“As you command, my lord. Hehe.”
It was as if everything had been scripted in advance.
My father gave the order, and Yu-ran nodded as if it were only natural.
Since when had Yu-ran followed my father’s orders so faithfully?
“Go now.”
With those words, my father dismissed me.
The moment I left Geomhonjeon, I turned to Yu-ran.
“Don’t you have a lot of work to do, Jeokryongdae Lord?”
“Of course I do, but… the lord said he would settle the punishment for my arbitrary actions this way.”
“You already discussed this? Did he know I would leave?”
My mind was in turmoil.
I did not recall having a long conversation with my father.
Yet how had he known?
Moreover, I was only moving to obtain an elixir.
‘Ambition.’
Ah, was that it?
He thought I had finally begun to move?
He seemed to believe I had developed the desire to push aside my brother and take the position of young lord.
‘Well, at least that’s fortunate.’
I let out a sigh of relief as I looked at Yu-ran.
Yu-ran was already a target of Do-gon.
Keeping her by my side would be safer.
‘I know best how to deal with Do-gon.’
The problem was that danger would come for me as well.
But I already had countless countermeasures.
Besides, she did not seem like the type to easily reveal what I had done.
“What are you thinking so deeply about, young master?”
Yu-ran leaned her head closer with a meaningful expression.
“It’s nothing. Pack your things first. We depart at dawn tomorrow.”
“You won’t tell me where we’re going?”
“We’ll talk about that tomorrow.”
The place I was going was extremely dangerous.
Yu-ran might actually enjoy it, but there was still the risk of it being reported to my father.
I cut the conversation short and returned to my quarters.
There was nothing to prepare.
I only needed to pack a few sets of martial robes and some emergency rations, just in case.
For sleep, I could camp in an uninhabited area or stay at an inn in a village if one was available.
What worried me, however, was Do-gon.
His unpredictable personality was notorious even among the other Demon Emperors.
He often defied Cheonma’s orders and was destined to die by falling out of favor with Cheonma, even if it was not because of me.
He was someone who could not tolerate having anything of his taken away.
“With Yu-ran and Muyoung, we should be able to buy some time and escape.”
I had to consider even the variables among variables.
The place I needed to go now was right in front of the Demonic Cult’s territory, in Qinghai Province.
Even if I could handle someone like Do-gon, if I encountered the Four Calamities… that would truly be certain death.
The Four Calamities were beings so cruel and vicious that they could not even be compared to the Twelve Demon Emperors.
“If I consider even the worst-case scenario, it would be encountering the Four Calamities.”
I could not afford to move carelessly this time.
I had to be fully prepared.
After a moment of contemplation, I rose from my seat and headed toward the Iron Armory on the west side of the inner compound.
The Iron Armory was where the Ju family’s weapons were handled, stored, and crafted. It was also where my father’s beloved weapon and the symbol of the Ju family, the Tiger White Pointed Sword, had been born.
It seemed there would be quite a few things I needed to obtain from the Iron Armory.
* * *
The next day.
Muyoung and Yu-ran had gathered in front of my quarters before the rooster even crowed.
After briefly greeting Dan-hee and Dan-ah, I set out on the road.
“Is it all right not to see the lady?”
“Mother would only worry unnecessarily. I don’t want to cause her concern.”
At my words, Muyoung nodded lightly.
Mother would definitely try to stop me.
“By the way, young master. Why do you have so much luggage?”
Yu-ran tilted her head as she looked at the massive pack on my back.
“I thought we might need it. You never know.”
“I’ll carry it for you.”
“It’s fine.”
I stopped Muyoung from trying to take my luggage.
Though heavy, it would also help build my strength, so I was rather satisfied.
“Now, please tell us. Where are we going?”
Yu-ran asked subtly.
She seemed extremely curious about our destination.
I smiled faintly at her and answered.
“Qinghai.”
“……”
The moment my words ended, silence fell.
A moment later, Yu-ran grinned widely in delight while Muyoung cried out in shock.
“Y-young master? That place is…”
“I know it’s dangerous. But it’s a place I must go.”
I looked Muyoung straight in the eyes and spoke quietly.
“You said you believed in me. You said you would follow me no matter what.”
“……”
At those words, Muyoung’s expression changed.
A guard’s duty was to protect their master by any means necessary.
Muyoung nodded with a resolute expression.
‘He will probably be grateful to me.’
If this martial journey succeeded, I had no doubt that both Yu-ran and Muyoung would grow another level.
That was how dangerous Qinghai was.
Promising to return within a month, our group left the Ju family behind.