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Chapter 1: The Chaos of Blood

“Damn it—!”

Bang—! Crash—!

Items come flying into the pristine white room.

A porcelain vase collides with the wall, shattering with a sharp crack.

Fragments scatter on the floor, and blood drips from the cheek of the woman who was grazed by a ricochet.

“Ahh…!”

The woman shrieked in surprise, while the young man, Cheongseon, who had thrown the object, grimaced.

“Can’t you be quiet?”

“I-I’m sorry….”

Even with blood flowing, the woman tenses up, as Cheongseon’s overwhelming presence was too strong.

“P-Please calm down…! You might reopen your wounds!”

A man urgently tries to stop Cheongseon, but he ignores the plea. He was too busy hurling everything within his reach.

Bang—! Crash!

Everything that could be thrown was smashed to pieces.

“Damn it!”

Even after a while of throwing, Cheongseon’s fury didn’t subside; he continued to rage furiously.

His head was bandaged, a reminder of wounds received just prior.

“Ugh!”

As he moved wildly, Cheongseon finally staggered.

His head spun, the unpleasant throbbing made him grimace.

“…What the hell are they doing now?”

Those worthless things that turned him into this mess.

What are they up to right now? The man answered in a hurry.

“…They’ve put the shackles on and locked you up in the prison.”

“…Is that so?”

Creak.

Cheongseon clenched his teeth harshly.

“I will never forgive them.”

How dare they disregard him and leave him like this?

Cheongseon had no intention of forgiving those two.

Especially.

‘That ugly, fierce-looking bastard.’

Not only had he interfered in his business, but—

‘Those eyes.’

The savage gaze that looked at him.

Cheongseon couldn’t help but feel anger bubble up again as he recalled it.

Just by looking, he could tell.

‘Do you think you can ignore me?’

The breath, the expression.

And even the gaze. That damned guy was definitely looking down on him.

No matter how polite the words were, he could not ignore the sarcasm embedded in the tone.

Was there even a hint of hiding their true feelings?

‘You think you can disrespect me, a noble of Yawol?’

Especially not by an outsider?

Crack—!

Cheongseon balled his hand into a fist.

‘Those disgusting Hwasan Sect scum.’

If it were somewhere else, it would be different, but ‘once again’ it’s those Hwasan Sect bastards.

The same place that had embarrassed him in the past.

‘This is ridiculous.’

Cheongseon smirked in rage. Could such a coincidence even happen?

‘That damned woman was from Hwasan too.’

The woman who had humiliated him long ago was also from Hwasan.

His brows furrowed at the thought. It truly was a wretched place.

If there was anything he could begrudgingly acknowledge:

‘The women there have remarkable beauty for such a miserable place.’

Recalling the nameless woman who had approached and slapped his cheek, Cheongseon pouted.

‘They’re certainly strong.’

Maybe strong enough to hurt him with a single blow, but—

‘Still, they’re locked up now.’

If they were already bound by Yosuk, it meant nothing.

So he thought.

‘I’ll kill that pathetic bastard.’

And take the beautiful woman for himself.

His enthusiasm surged as he gleamed with excitement.

‘And also…’

At this moment, he could ask the Great Leader to handle the Hwasan Sect too.

Thinking that made Cheongseon chuckle.

“Ha-ha….”

Yes, that could work.

Just in time to create a justification as well.

Just then, a sound came from outside the door.

Knock, knock.

“Who is it?”

-Excuse me. Young Master, the Great Leader is calling for you.

“…”

It was a message that his father was looking for him. That was convenient.

“I was just about to leave anyway.”

It seemed that the timing was just right. As he grasped the doorknob, Cheongseon spoke.

“Make sure to clean up the mess before I return.”

“…Y-Yes, understood.”

The terrified maid replied.

Hearing that, Cheongseon turned and gazed at her.

The blood trickling from her cheek and her trembling figure were all perfect.

Having selected her himself, her complexion was also excellent.

Not bad. Realizing that, Cheongseon said to her.

“And you will attend to me today, so don’t leave, just wait here.”

“…!”

At Cheongseon’s words, the woman shivered greatly.

Her already pale face seemed to turn even greener.

Seeing that, Cheongseon smirked as he opened the door.

Creeeak—!

As soon as he opened the door, he froze momentarily at the face that was so close.

It seemed to be someone who had come to deliver the message.

“…You startled me!”

Cheongseon shouted in surprise, but strangely, the man showed no reaction.

“…What’s wrong? Why are you standing still?”

In that moment.

Thud—!

“…!!”

Suddenly, the man collapsed.

Cheongseon widened his eyes in shock. What? Why did he suddenly fall? Just as he was processing this bizarre situation—

[Oh no. Not here as well.]

A voice pierced Cheongseon’s ear.

It was a deep, throaty voice. Upon hearing it, Cheongseon reacted instantly.

The direction came from where the man had fallen. Beyond that, someone was standing.

“Who…! Ugh!!!”

As he tried to shout, his mouth was suddenly covered.

A rough hand trapped his mouth, silencing him.

Crunch.

“Ugh…!!!”

With a strong pressure, Cheongseon emitted a painful groan. The servants behind him hurriedly attempted to respond, but—

[Shh.]

Hoooosh—!

A soft sound reverberated, freezing everyone in their tracks.

[I don’t like noise. So, keep quiet.]

An oppressive force engulfed the room.

“Gurk….”

“…Ugh…”

Thud! Thud!

Before long, all of the servants in the room collapsed, leaving only Cheongseon, who was caught in mid-air.

His body trembled violently. The pressure he felt moments ago was unmistakable.

This being was not something he could dare to defeat.

As he realized this, a wave of terror engulfed Cheongseon’s eyes.

And slowly, the masked figure turned its gaze towards him.

The hue of its deep purple eyes made Cheongseon’s body stop trembling completely.

Severe fear silenced even his shaking. In this moment, Cheongseon recognized the truth.

The figure spoke to Cheongseon.

[Now, I will release your mouth.]

Every word made his heart race wildly.

[Do you remember what I just said?]

“…”

-I don’t like noise.

Remembering that phrase, Cheongseon nodded repeatedly.

[Good. You’re clever.]

The figure spoke as it loosened its grip on him.

Finally, his mouth regained its freedom, but Cheongseon couldn’t utter a word.

All he could do was stare at the figure with trembling eyes, which was all he knew how to do.

Watching him quietly, the figure opened its mouth to Cheongseon again.

[You, descendant of the Blue Bloodline. What you must do now is simple.]

The voice sounded utterly delighted.

At the same time, its voice sank heavily into Cheongseon’s gut, gnawing at him slowly.

Who is this? Who has the audacity to seize him like this? If they called him a descendant of the blue bloodline, did they know who he was to act this way?

Countless questions raced through his mind, but—

[You will guide me to where your father is, or I will tear you limb from limb.]

The words that followed rendered Cheongseon utterly speechless.

In the heart of the Blue Mansion.

Among all the buildings that exist, it was the largest and most lavish.

Every material that composed the structure was of the highest quality, crafted by skilled artisans.

This was a space where the ruler of the Blue Family had resided for generations, and it had to be made thus.

Moreover, as each leader succeeded, this space continued to be renovated, making it increasingly grand and beautiful over time.

What about the interior?

Not only was the exterior beautiful, but the inside had also been constructed with great care, making it impeccably refined.

In such a space sat a large chair.

Normally, the leader would sit there, yet…

The one seated was a young man with light green hair, while the leader, Cheongirang, knelt on the floor facing him.

Cheongirang spoke without lifting his head.

“…I see the Great General.”

In response, the young man, Yusa, smirked.

“Have you been well?”

“…Thanks to the General’s grace, I’ve lived peacefully.”

“You certainly look it. This chair wasn’t here last time. Did you change it again?”

“…That is…”

“No need to worry; it’s good to change things up. The chair is soft, so I find it amusing.”

Not just his words, but genuinely enjoying himself, Yusa shifted slightly in the chair as he began to get to the point.

“Oh, the reason I came is nothing much. Cheongari, let’s go somewhere together.”

“…Pardon?”

Cheongirang was taken aback by Yusa’s words. Where were they going together?

“What do you mean…?”

“No, what do you mean? I heard someone is looking for you, so let’s go.”

“…”

Someone is looking for him?

Cheongirang’s mind raced at Yusa’s words.

Was the General here to take him somewhere?

Who could possibly be important enough to send someone of such caliber?

If they were someone at least of general rank.

‘…Why would they?’

They were people who could not care less about affairs outside their own country.

Yet, here they were, sending Yusa to fetch him.

“May I ask… what the situation is?”

At Cheongirang’s cautious question, Yusa tilted his head and replied.

“It’s nothing much, it’s just…”

Just as he was about to explain—

Swoooosh—!

“…Hmm?”

Yusa suddenly stopped speaking.

“General…?”

Cheongirang was about to ask why, but he too soon found himself holding his breath.

Both of them stared at the door. Something beyond it was approaching.

“What’s that?”

Feeling it close in, Yusa grinned.

“Looks like we have a guest?”

Someone unknown seemed to be visiting.

Creeeak.

Not long after, the door opened.

“Cough…”

The first figure to step out was a well-dressed young man with blue hair.

He was Cheongseon, the son of the leader.

He was rolling in on the floor, seemingly overwhelmed by his own strength.

Horrified, Cheongirang’s eyes widened, but Yusa seemed completely uninterested.

Yusa was only focused on the figure now entering.

“This is unexpected?”

The figure entering with his hands behind his back surprised Yusa.

He truly hadn’t anticipated this.

“With all the effort put into looking for you, you actually came here yourself.”

Dressed in pitch-black clothing, standing nearly eight feet tall, the figure wore a mask.

It matched the description of the criminal who had taken down Baek Wol.

To think that this figure would personally show up.

“Wow. Glad to see you.”

Yusa genuinely appeared pleased.

Moreover.

“You, who are you?”

With much curiosity, Yusa promptly initiated conversation, but the masked figure merely glanced at Yusa and muttered.

[Shut up, you insect.]

“…”

At those words, Yusa’s expression twisted in dismay.

 

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