Chapter 98
**
“Guqcheong.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Look.”
I looked down. Countless lights fallen beneath the tall buildings.
Bright. People move. The lights that I always had to look up to are beneath me now.
But that doesn’t bring me any comfort. Those twinkling lights could rise above my head at any moment.
It’s terrifying.
So is the person beside me.
So is the world.
It feels like it’s tightening around my neck with every moment.
“What are you thinking?”
“…My foolish disciple’s head is too dull to fathom what it means.”
“There was only one question. You have already provided the answer to that.”
“……”
“Yet the inability to respond stems from fear. I know this.”
He looked down below.
“Behold, the shining stars on the ground. This is what life is. Blood is the same. It lights a fire in the darkness. Once there were few, but now there are many. There will be even more in the future.”
“……”
“However, among those lights, ours is absent. Not even few can describe it. It’s better to say it’s completely gone. Why is that?”
“…Because the wicked Demon Cult has oppressed us.”
“Wrong.”
Guqcheong turned his head. He stole a glance at his Master.
Even though he was well past sixty, he still looked young.
The moment he transcended the Huaxing, aging came to a halt. He underwent a transformation and extended his lifespan.
A strange state of reclaiming his lost youth for the sake of martial arts.
That is the Huaxing. Yet, his Master has surpassed even that.
I couldn’t gauge where he stood. Nevertheless, those eyes remained calm.
“It’s because our intent was weak.”
Weak intent.
What does that mean?
Guqcheong gazed once more at the lights spread out underfoot.
“Are you saying that the intent of our sect is weak? If blood is weak, then what is strong?”
“I have seen it.”
“…That is…”
“The demon in the heavens. Even though it was daytime, the sun did not shine. When the crouching energy unfurled, the earth was cloaked in darkness.”
“…….”
“That is why we lost. Our intent was weak, so our hands grew weak. Our flesh guarded our minds, but our spirits were already defeated.”
“Does that mean… our sect can’t stand above the demons?”
“That was the case. At least, that is what I thought back then.”
His heavy hand, gripping the railing, trembled. As blood essence quietly erupted, the metal railing shattered.
“But now it’s different. Though deeply wounded, we have risen again, becoming stronger than before.”
“I can only admire your greatness, Master.”
“Now, I believe we can surpass it… I felt assured. I stand at the edge where I see. There can be no one in this world who dares to oppose me.”
Guqcheong thought so too. Is there truly someone in this world more fearsome than him?
Yet, the almost choking words didn’t end there.
“But above the heavens, there is another sky.”
“What?”
“A crimson sky. The Blood Sky. My intent is to extinguish all the lights in this world with blood. Though light may extinguish, it will rise again, but the light washed in blood will shine red. Yes. I want to become the noble crimson crane standing above that. But…”
The Master paused.
“I have seen it. Standing above the Blood Sky. Even that which surpasses the demon’s heavens is a power I cannot reject.”
“What… is that?”
“The hidden sect has quietly accumulated power. But recently, that power has suddenly grown stronger. Do you know where it came from?”
“Perhaps there’s a supporting force…”
“All those things are entwined like spider webs. At first glance, they seem ordinary, but behind it lies ‘that’—a being shaping the world from behind the scenes.”
“What exactly…”
“But even so, I dream. To suppress the world solely with the power of the Blood Sect.”
He turned his head, lowering his voice as he looked at me.
“I probably won’t be able to surpass it. Nevertheless, I will strive, though the prospects are slim. I knew it inevitably. That there are walls in this world that cannot be overcome by mere effort. I have already failed. My disciple. This flesh of the Blood Demon has dulled, and my spirit has long been defeated.”
“……”
“But you are different. You are the most talented among those I discovered, a pearl shining nobly from the mud that no one watched over.”
“……”
“If anyone can show me that which surpasses even the Blood Sky, it is you. You are my only remaining hope.”
“My disciple… how could I dare…”
“Do not doubt. Embrace ambition.”
In an instant, the prayer shifted. Guqcheong looked up at him, shivering with unease.
“Think of consuming. Don’t hesitate like before.”
“…….”
“Are you afraid of me? Are you trembling so much you can’t even put forth your own will before me? That’s a natural emotion. Who in the sect wouldn’t fear me? At a twitch of my finger, you could die. You would be crushed and broken.”
“Mas, Master.”
“But I will not do that. You are my sword. The name Blood Demon has once been overshadowed by the name Heavenly Demon. Yet, even the rising Blood Sky ultimately vanished behind another sky. What remains is merely the shell stripped of its own will.”
He muttered.
“If you are afraid, leave. Once you complete the Jin Blood formula, you will stand at a similar place to me. You will be able to shed all your fears. When that time comes, everyone will look up to you. You will live in a world without fear. Just like your long-cherished wish.”
“……”
“If you wish to break free from me, prove it. By becoming the Blood Demon.”
It was a bizarre connection.
Guqcheong reflected on his own life. A constant cycle of rejection and more rejection.
He was the pickpocket wandering the market with nowhere to go.
And there stood the very person who picked him up. But this wasn’t the path leading to happiness.
Dangerous events established themselves, more than before. To survive, he had to cut the throats of his friends.
…Death is terrifying.
He couldn’t imagine what would remain after death.
Guqcheong was always afraid. Even at this moment.
If he truly… if he truly completes the Jin Blood formula, will he no longer tremble with fear?
Can he stop the struggle to survive in a moment where he must leap over the person in front of him?
There’s only one thing left to do amidst the doubts.
For always, moving not by his own will, but by another’s.
From the start, he had no right of refusal. If he commands, he follows.
Even if it breaks the morality of mankind…
He has always done so, and will continue to do so.
Until he no longer fears him.
“…I will go to Eungmin. I will raise the great plan and gather the True Blood.”
“You must not mix in a single error in your work.”
“I will remember.”
“Go. Guqcheong. Bloom gloriously like the sub-sect leader of our sect.”
The hem of his Master’s robe fluttered in the wind.
“Make the myriad demons tremble in fear. If you do, you will gain what you have long desired. A you who does not fear.”
…
It strikes.
The Heavenly Blood Sword sticks to my fingertips.
How is my condition? Good. Excellent. The talent I had even before is now racing towards its peak.
The energy of my whole body sparkles like jewels. I can move towards the next moment at any time.
The crouched energy bursts forth. The sleeping mana of blood is overflowing.
Peak.
Beyond that, the ultimate peak.
But why, why couldn’t I?
Why can’t I catch this single fool in front of me?!
“How can a wretch like you…!”
—Boom!!!
It scatters. The martial energy.
I dash through within it. I clash swords. I pour everything I have into it.
Connecting. The weak intertwining with the strong. Adding death to the strong.
Collapse. Collapse. Collapse.
I shove it into the sword repeatedly. Whispering until my teeth are ground down and blood comes out.
Yet it doesn’t collapse.
It absolutely refuses to collapse.
Why…?
“I-I’M GONNA CRUSH YOU!!!!”
<B>Heavenly Blood Sword.
Bloodstream Sword Casting.
In an instant, the erupted blood-red martial energy strikes the enemy’s body. A single light splits into twelve, ruthlessly devouring the enemy.
Eight are blocked. Three are evaded. But one surely pierces through.
Bursting blood. Splintered flesh. The sound of squelching envelops the tip of the sword.
Yet…
It rises again.
“Ughhhhh?!”
—Kaaaaaang!!!
The sword cries. All of a sudden, the atmosphere shifts, and the familiar strikes change.
The strikes accelerate. Not only that, but cold air begins to flow from the tip of the sword.
My right arm that clashed is freezing. Instantly shaking off the ice shards, but the enemy is closing in.
Speed.
The speed is strange.
What kind of trick is this?!
—ClangClangClangClangClangClang!!!
Countless swords pour down.
The sword flow itself is simple. It isn’t complicated. But if the previous blow was merely heavy…
This one is light but fast. The moment I catch up to that speed, the next strike comes flying.
It collides. It collides.
Repeatedly clashing feet have begun to slip away.
The change in energy is ridiculously smooth. It’s like dealing with two swords at the same time.
Just when I’m about to get used to it, the sword flow shifts. The moment I adapt, the tip of the sword changes again.
“This… bastard…!”
It’s not impossible to win.
But…
If this drags on, more people will gather. If I can’t shake off this clingy bastard, things will get complicated.
In that case, I’d rather…!
“You bastard…!”
Amidst the crumbling patience, Guqcheong gasped.
A bug of a wretch dares. How dare you look down on me…!
Trying to surpass me!
A crimson sky shall be my fate!
“You wretch…!”
The exploding red light. Bursting with blood essence, Guqcheong’s fury erupted in the eyes of the opponent.
“To a third-rate scum like you…!”
Now is not the time to look back. Guqcheong poured all his strength into the blazing sword.
With all his might, he thrust the enemy away. Creating distance, he pulled out an item containing all that happened at Eungmin.
“To have to take this out in front of a wishy-washy bastard like you!!!”
Gathered into the Thousand Paths Easy Blood Death Formation, it is a mass of purified and refined blood.
Each drop of that blood contains a life of white.
True Blood.
I didn’t want to take it. I truly didn’t want to.
I wanted to consume it in a safe place. Given the coming events, it was only natural to do so.
But if I must do it…!
—Tap.
The thick scent of blood burst from the popped cap. Guqcheong gasped, shouting.
“Consider it a glory! What you see is the first appearance of the crimson sky on this land!”
He threw the empty bottle aside. Gripping the sword with both hands, he felt the boiling energy.
The breaking terrain. The crumbling structures. Amidst the falling rocks, blood sparkles.
Come forth. O crimson star.
Devour everything and draw forth the intent you embody.
Surpassing the Yi-hyeong Ki, constructing the Heart Status…
The stage of the Heart Sword.
“I will crush everything! EVERYTHING!!!”
“Go. Guqcheong. Bloom gloriously like the sub-sect leader of our sect.”
Guqcheong swallowed the blood. The will imbued into the energy formed its shape, soundly echoing red throughout his body.
Like a snake swallowing the heavens. Like the writhing dream of not becoming a dragon.
“Make the myriad demons tremble in fear. If you do, you will gain what you have long desired. A you who does not fear.”
He surpasses.
Even himself.
Heavenly Blood Sword, Extreme Intent.
Blood Sky Sword, Black Fang, Great Wings.
“I am…!”
The sword he grasped devours everything.
Swallowing the once-foe.
Even this vast space crumbles underfoot.
It is the Blood Demon!
The years spent coiled beneath Eungmin…
Now begins the snake that could not become a dragon, to peer at the heavens.
…
The Black Danhwa, now a wreck, spat hair from her mouth.
All the countless Yu fell. The formation shattered as well.
…But.
From that, a result was gained.
“How could I… against these rookies…?!”
Schemes and plots.
He shoved everything he could deceive into it.
Of course, the core of it was Ju Ryeongryeong. A master who surpassed Huaxing during the battle stages.
The woman who poured an incomparably terrifying martial energy brushed her hair back.
“I really thought I was gonna die… Hey. Are you any use?”
“I’ve already died… Ahhh… my honorary teacher… Did I lose all hundred strands…?! This is… this is nonsense… What the hell…?”
“Why is he like that?”
“That’s just how it is. Leave him be.”
Now, all that was left was to break the neck of the warrior in front of him. But just before he approached, the completely wrecked Right Scholar lifted his head.
He gazed at the heavens. In an instant, the burst of his voice shook the building.
“Blood Demon, Blood Sky, Blood Demon, Blessing! Long live!”
“What?”
“It’s coming! Behold! O world!”
In the midst of his gasps, Black Danhwa sensed madness.
“Look at that pouring red rain coming our way!!!”
Blood Aroma.
“Wh-?!”
—Kaaaahhhhhhh!!!
In the instant of the bursting storm, Black Danhwa was swept away. Only after a flurry did he manage to halt his body.
“What is this…?!”
The red light.
The blood-red glow that erupted from within Eungmin pierced the sky. Even the clouds were devoured, ascending and filling the entire world with crimson.
“What the… what is that…?”
The wind that surged in howled through the forest. Some structures began to collapse and scatter everywhere.
The scent of blood. Very rich, it is. Everything visible is drenched in Blood Aroma.
The world is turning red.
Everything in sight screams.
An absurd whirlpool of energy. Within it, a faint silhouette of a person is caught.
“What the hell… is happening…?!”
No.
Now is not the time to be distracted by that.
I gauge the position of the red light. In an instant, I analyze where it is.
Jeok-un. The place where Jeok-un was.
Where I left.
“Ah…”
No way.
No way…!
“Let’s go back! Right now!”
“What…? What’s going on?!”
“There’s no time for explanations! Hurry!”
From within the crumbling building, a question erupted.
“Go… back…?”
Breathing heavy, the half-dead Right Scholar stood up.
He touched his battered body. In an instant, the bursting red light enveloped him.
Black Danhwa was taken aback. That is…
A method so extreme it burns even the origin Qi itself.
“The Blood Sky… has arrived… where are you going…?!”
The blood-soaked Blood Sect member rose once again.
In madness, casting his body within it.
“I, the Right Scholar! Will serve the sub-sect leader until the end! O world! Remember this right arm of our sect, who lost even its name! I shall not stop my steps until this final flame extinguishes! A flower that bloomed amidst oppression! That is the Blood Sect!”
