“Woahhh!!”
Loud shouts sounded from the members of the sect as this was an unexpected result for everyone.
Who would have thought that their legitimate heir Baek Ryeon-ha would be defeated in just one hit?
“Blood Demon! Blood Demon!”
A member of the sect shouted and then everyone followed along.
On the other hand, the people from the side of Baek Ryeon-ha looked like they had been abandoned by the world. Well, it was a natural reaction since their leader was defeated in a matter of a few seconds.
“Phew.”
I gazed at Seo Kalma’s face, who sighed. It seemed like this was a complicated situation for him. He had just sworn his loyalty to Baek Ryeon-ha a couple months before.
And Han Baek-ha was as cold as ever. She seemed more angry too, since she was like the nanny to Baek Ryeon-ha.
Maybe her anger was directed towards me.
“Hehe, I never thought I would witness the Blood Guard Sword Sky in person again.”
Hae Ack-chun, who had recognized the technique, touched his beard feeling happy and Do Jang-ho just nodded his head.
Perhaps he was being considerate of Baek Ryeon-ha. And then, I turned to her as she took a deep breath.
“…I lost.”
She herself declared her defeat and I withdrew my sword.
She went down on one knee with hands clasped.
“Young master So Wonhwi, I recognize you as the Blood Demon of the sect.”
A clean acknowledgment.
When she, a person running for the position, knelt down, the other members all had to kneel down.
I looked at her face
‘…’
But it felt strange, rather than anger or hatred I could only feel a sense of relief.
‘As I thought.’
And with that, I heard Blood Demon Sword’s voice.
-That child has given up.
‘I know.’
-You knew?
Just as she had landed, she tried to balance herself. I noticed her eyes turning red at that moment. At that time, I wondered if maybe I was being too presumptuous.
-You got it right. That child too has reached the fifth level of Blood Heavenly Great Arts.
The true value of this technique was only displayed when one reached the 5th level. And if she had displayed that level, then the fight wouldn’t have ended in just one hit.
She wasn’t as skilled as Baek Hye-hyang but she was still good and despite losing, this battle wouldn’t have been this overwhelming.
-Why do you think so?
Short sword asked.
‘She gave up on purpose.’
I could tell just by looking at her face.
I assumed she would do her best despite the outcome, because my actions could be taken as me backstabbing her.
But this was unexpected.
Why was she making that face?
-Wonhwi, to help you maybe?
Iron sword added.
‘Help?’
-If one is a warrior then the difference between two people fighting can be understood to some extent. She must have known that she wasn’t your opponent in the first place. To me, it was like she acknowledged your position.
‘Ah…’
Iron sword might be right.
Baek Ryeon-ha smiled lightly at me, not a hint of regret on her face. And her throat trembled–
[Young master, no, Blood Demon.]
[In absence of any foreign presence, do continue to call me young master.]
[You referred to yourself as Blood Demon and now you want to be called something else?]
She told me, but I still couldn’t feel any resentment or anger from her and sensing my silence, she smiled.
[I will call you young master. And if the situation is sorted can I talk to you for a moment?]
[Yes.]
No bloodshed
With what Baek Ryeon-ha had declared, the position was naturally changed and everyone was now under me.
Even if they didn’t like it, the result couldn’t be changed. Two sides had been merged into one.
All the ships anchored were pulled out as they headed back.
As the ship was rammed at one point, its hull was partially damaged.
But it wasn’t a problem where we had to abandon the ship, but even so, most leaders moved over to the better ship.
Within a cabin inside were Hae Ack-chun, Seo Kalma and a few more people.
Hae Ack-chun was the first to open his mouth.
“You asked to talk and now we are here. Why do you still have a frowning face?”
“Hae hyung, take it easy for now.”
Seo Kalma clicked his tongue. Hae Ack-chun snorted at it and Seo Kalma continued.
“I accepted the situation for the revival of the sect, but frankly it is difficult for me to understand.”
“What is so difficult?”
“He is essentially different from the two ladies.”
“What do you mean?”
“Sorry, since he is the Blood Demon now. Yet he didn’t inherit any blood from the previous sect leader.”
Hae Ack-chun was the same, but Seol Kalma was loyal to the former sect leader.
And recognizing So Wonhwi was something which seemed difficult to him.
“Isn’t Hae hyung feeling bad for the former sect leader?”
“Let’s get it straight. Is there anyone who wouldn’t feel bad for him?”
The atmosphere turned somber.
The death of their former sect leader had been such a shocking thing for them all. It was also a black mark on them for failing to protect their sect leader when the time had come.
Seol Kalma sighed.
“Even if we get over one hurdle right away, there will be people who think like me or Bloody Hand Witch.”
“So what?”
“You are being stubborn.”
Seo Kalma clicked his tongue, and added.
“Trusting your disciple is good but as Bloody Hand Witch said, what if the blood Demon ends up not being a direct descendant? Do you think that Lady Baek Hye-hyang or her men will not use such an excuse?”
Hae Ack-chun stared at him.
“What if there is a way to ease those worries?”
“What do you mean?”
Hae Ack-chun smiled.
“If Blood Demon isn’t the direct descendant then marry him to lady Baek Ryeon-ha to solidify his bloodline.”
At those words Seo Kalma’s eyes widened.
“Marriage?”
“Right. Isn’t there a reason? Lady Baek Ryeon-ha has legitimacy on her side and Blood Demon was chosen by the sword, and their heir would become the most rightful person.”
“Huh, this!”
Seo Kalma exclaimed as he didn’t get to think of such a thing, though it was understandable.
‘Hehe. This old bastard was too focused on the lady alone.’
Hae Ack-chun looked at Seo Kalma who displayed more interest than So Wonhwi.
But the words which arrived were–
“Is there a need for that?”
“What do you mean?”
“They are of one root, and even if there is a hundred years of back story, and even if the child is the descendant to the other family, what can be a reason that we push them into marriage?”
‘…?!’
At Seo kalma’s words Hae Ack-chun was shocked.
This man was someone who tried to bring up the topic of the heir by calling in Baek Ryeon-ha a long while back.
“But the plan Hae hyung is suggesting is quite a brilliant one.”
‘Huh. This is seriously–’’
So Wonhwi could not comprehend the thinking of these people.
‘Well.’
I was going to see Baek Ryeon-ha alone, but then I met an unexpected person on the way. The one with a pale face and cold expression.
I did know that this would happen, since from the time of alliance she was glaring at me.
“What is this? Sixth Blood Star?”
“I will speak straightforwardly. I did swear my allegiance to you but I do not trust you.”
‘Hmm.’
She was quite honest. I didn’t know that she would be this upfront. And looking at her, I opened my mouth.
“What do you mean?”
“I should have known from the time you boldly tried to get something from me, it was my mistake.”
“I am quite shocked. You do not believe me?”
“The lady and you have different importance in my heart.”
“What do you mean?”
“Since the loss of her family, the lady had put everything on the line to revive the Blood Sect but you are different.”
Anger was evident in her voice which was clear to me.
“I don’t know why the Blood Demon Sword chose you but I do not forgive you for snatching everything away from my lady just because the weapon chose you.”
“…”
I wasn’t sure what to answer as she had a reason to be angry with me.
I opened my mouth.
“I do understand your thoughts. However, I also do not think that this position was given to me as lightly.”
“You don’t take it lightly?”
“Yes”
Pat!
As soon as I said it, she got close to me and her hand stained in red reached for me.
In the past she wouldn’t have done this, but now she was and it was aimed for my throat, so I just titled my head to avoid it.
A spark in her eye.
“Such talent in just a month…”
She looked shocked, but that was only for a moment.
“It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t do my best!”
With that, she moved her hand again. I just walked back avoiding her attempts and she continued to attack.
Pak!
I crossed my arms to block and grabbed her hand.
It was dangerous to touch her red arms with bare hands
Grrrr!
‘Strong.’
As expected of a Blood Star.
Without having to borrow the power of the dot on the back of my hand, this seemed tough. And I wasn’t sure that I would be able to corner her even if I transformed into Blood Demon.
“This… What is this?”
“I am making sure you keep your words.”
“Words?”
“I will risk my life and go to the underworld with you.”
Looking at her eyes, it looked like she was ready to die. And I asked–
“What words?”
“It is because you promised to never abandon her and protect her till the end.”
Her words rendered me speechless.
Was she scared of me turning into a Blood Demon? She would even make sure that Baek Ryeon-ha was kicked out of the sect?
“I didn’t stray from my promise. Why would I throw her away when we are of the same blood?”
“Since long ago those who pose a threat to power, be it family or subordinates, have killed each other. Believing your words is not going to be easy.”
“Uh?”
“I need a firm promise.”
I wasn’t sure what to do? Is she asking me to promise her?
But then I heard something
“Sixth Blood Star!”
The one who shouted was none other than Baek Ryeon-ha.
“Miss?”
Baek Ryeon-ha appeared from the ship cabin and approached us with a cold face.
“What are you doing?”
Han Baek-ha bit her lip at this and she spoke with a stiff face.
“My lady. I cannot trust him. He betrayed his oath to you just because he got chosen by the Blood Demon Sword.”
“So! You want to tarnish my name!”
“I will pay for the sin with my life so trust me this once.”
Baek Ryeon-ha frowned at her words.
It was as if she had never seen this woman act this way, and she turned to me and continued.
“Make a promise to me. You will take the lady as your wife.”
‘…?!’
At her words both of us were left speechless.
I was wondering what she wanted me to promise but she was like the old men.
“Are you being serious?”
“I am serious. If you take my lady as your wife then I will trust that you will not abandon her.”
She was raising her qi, it was as if, if I didn’t answer her then this was going to be an all out war.
“Sixth Blood Star.”
“Answer me.”
“Does it make sense to accept her as my wife just to protect her? Are you going to ignore the wishes of the lady you serve?”
At my question, Han Baek-ha looked agitated as she added.
“The lady likes you.”
At her words, I turned to baek Ryeon-ha.
Her face was already red enough to explode.
“Y-Young master. That…”
She didn’t expect this to happen.
Even I was shocked, was this woman really crushing on me? I was shocked as I heard someone yell
“NO!”
And everyone’s eyes turned to the location, Sima Young was standing there with an angry face–
-This is one problem over another.
Short Sword chided in with a troubled tone.
That was what I should be saying!
