Chapter 293: The Blood Demon’s Might (2)

All the elders, including Hae Akcheon, Hyeolseong, and the Blood Sect disciples, stared tensely ahead, where red energy and dust fragments swirled.

Within that storm, the Blood Demon and the leader of the Murim Alliance, Jeong Cheon of Musangdo, were clashing.

'You…'

Unlike the other elders, the eerie Hae Akcheon had closely observed the growth of Jin Unhwi, the current Blood Demon, as his master.

The Jin Unhwi he had seen possessed an almost transcendent martial talent—so much so that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him peerless.

He had never seen anyone grow this fast.

But the opponent was none other than the strongest swordsman of the era, a monster who had surpassed the limits of humanity.

Though the recent exchange suggested the Blood Demon's skills wouldn't be easily overpowered by Jeong Cheon, a top master of the time, the outcome of a full-blown battle was still uncertain.

Just as everyone's vision was blocked and they strained their ears to catch the sound—

—KWAKWAKWAKWANG! RUMBLEEE!

"The, the cliff!"

"It's splitting!"

"Everyone, fall back!"

As the cliff cracked and collapsed, Blood Sect disciples hastily retreated.

So did the members of the Murim Alliance's orthodox sects.

With their backs to the cliff, the orthodox warriors instinctively leapt toward the Blood Sect's side to escape the collapse.

"Block those orthodox bastards from climbing up!"

Sahyeolseong Do Jangho shouted to the disciples.

This was an opportunity not to be missed.

"Charge!"

"Wipe out the orthodox scum!"

"Waaahhhh!!!"

With their morale at its peak, the Blood Sect disciples lunged at the orthodox warriors scrambling up the crumbling cliff to survive.

The orthodox warriors, not backing down, fought back against the charging Blood Sect disciples.

"Damn Blood Sect!"

"Wipe out all the heretics!"

—Clang! Clang!

In an instant, the mountain peak turned into a battlefield.

As blades clashed and the intensity rose, the elder Nam Madoje Seogalma hurried toward Baek Hyehyang.

She was barely standing, using her sword's sheath like a cane.

"Vice Leader!"

Her hand trembled as it gripped the sheath.

Her pale face looked like she might collapse at any moment, but her eyes were fixed solely on the edge of the collapsing cliff.

"This place is dangerous. Allow me to escort you."

Seogalma tried to lift her urgently.

But Baek Hyehyang extended her shaking hand to refuse.

"Vice Leader!"

"Haa… haa… No. I'll… watch from here."

'Such stubbornness…'

Seogalma was troubled.

He knew her personality well, but who would have thought she'd insist on staying even with life-threatening injuries?

"I… said I'd stay…"

'...Ah!'

Seogalma's expression darkened.

He had seen her back.

Her entire robe was soaked in blood, as if it had been that way from the start.

She could no longer control the bleeding even with the Jin Hyeolgumche breathing technique.

Seogalma clenched his fist as he tried to channel inner energy into her.

It was already too late.

Her condition had been critical for over a month due to ongoing bleeding.

To make matters worse, Jeong Cheon's internal energy had invaded her body, leaving no room for recovery.

Even the Divine Doctor couldn't save her now.

—Grit!

Grinding his teeth, Seogalma drew his personal weapon—a deadly long blade.

"If that's your will, then I, this old man, will protect you."

There was no other choice but to respect her wish.

Even Seogalma's voice gradually faded from Baek Hyehyang's ears.

Her eyes were open, but everything began to grow hazy and dark, as if shrouded in mist.

She bit her lip hard.

'I must see it.'

She needed to see it before closing her eyes.

She instinctively knew—if she closed her eyes now, she might never open them again.

She had to witness it one last time:

The moment the bloodied history of the Blood Sect was overturned.

At that moment, someone shouted:

"L-look over there!"

Everyone's gaze turned to the spot.

Through the dust of the collapsing cliff, a dark figure flew in and lightly landed on the ledge.

'!!!'

Baek Hyehyang's crimson pupils trembled.

Just moments ago, the peak had been engulfed in a fierce clash—now it fell into complete silence.

Gasps escaped from the orthodox warriors of the Murim Alliance.

"No way!"

"H-how could this happen…?"

"T-the Leader!"

They couldn't believe what they were seeing.

Blood dripped down.

In the Blood Demon's hand was a severed head.

It was none other than the head of Jeong Cheon, leader of the Murim Alliance.

In that instant, a thunderous roar erupted from the mountaintop.

"WAAAHHHHH!!!"

"The Blood Demon has beheaded the Murim Alliance Leader!"

"Jeong Cheon has fallen!"

The man who stood at the pinnacle of the martial world.

One of the top five superhuman masters.

The foundation of the Murim Alliance, a man of countless titles—Jeong Cheon had been defeated.

It was a shock that left everyone speechless.

This was a critical battle for both sides.

That the leader had fallen in such a decisive confrontation meant the worst had happened.

"Kuhahahaha!!"

Hae Akcheon laughed heartily, baring his yellow teeth in joy.

The Blood Sect had waited and endured for over twenty years.

Who would've imagined that the one to fulfill that long-held dream would be the very disciple he had taken in?

'You, that brat…'

Fate truly was unpredictable.

He had accepted Jin Unhwi as a disciple on a whim back then.

His thirst for revenge against the Southern Swordsman and his desire to preserve the man's sword—who knew it would lead to this?

"Seems the Three Elders were right after all."

Sahyeolseong Do Jangho, now standing beside him, let out an admiring sigh.

Hae Akcheon shrugged proudly.

His usual self would've shouted, "That's my disciple!" and made a fuss—but now, he was the sect leader.

'...Are you watching, former leader?'

If the former sect leader were still alive, this would've been a day to share drinks.

Do Jangho smirked.

He too was overwhelmed with emotion.

'That boy back then has now become a master who reigns over the world.'

He had once spared that boy on a whim.

He now wondered—if he had killed Jin Unhwi back then and not sent him to Yukhyeolgok, would any of this have happened?

'Truly, fate is unknowable.'

The young boy of the past was no more.

Like the other disciples, Do Jangho raised his hand in solemn respect.

While the Blood Sect rejoiced, the orthodox warriors were in utter despair.

Still reeling from Jeong Cheon's death, they were now forced to face reality.

"Damn it!"

"We can't stay here!"

The top masters of each branch had been wiped out in an instant by the Blood Demon.

The tide had completely turned.

'No chance of winning.'

Half their forces were decimated in a single strike.

There was no hope, not even in numbers.

If they didn't retreat now, they too would be slaughtered.

"All warriors of the Alliance—retreat!"

"Retreat immediately!"

As the branch leaders shouted, the orthodox warriors echoed the call to retreat.

They had already given up on victory—now it was about surviving.

Of course, the Blood Sect wasn't about to let them go.

"Kuhahaha! Did you think we'd let you escape?!"

Hae Akcheon shouted triumphantly.

Do Jangho agreed.

"Well said."

"Disciples of the Blood Sect! The time has come to wash our grudge in blood! Kill them all!"

"WAAAHHHHH!!!"

Responding to Hae Akcheon's cry, the disciples chased after the fleeing orthodox warriors.

Fueled by the thought of avenging the humiliation of twenty years ago, their morale soared.

This was no longer a battle.

After witnessing their leader's brutal death and the Blood Demon's terrifying might, the orthodox warriors had lost the will to fight.

"What a spectacle."

With the fleeing warriors like a receding tide, Seogalma, standing guard over Baek Hyehyang, was overcome with emotion.

This victory was unlike any before.

The very symbol of the Murim Alliance—their leader—had fallen.

Elated, Seogalma turned to Baek Hyehyang.

"Vice Leader, did you see? The sect leader…!?"

His eyes widened.

In his trembling vision, he saw Baek Hyehyang, head bowed.

She wore a peaceful smile, eyes gently closed.

"Vice Leader!"

Seogalma rushed to her.

He brought his finger under her nose—no breath.

"No... Vice Leader."

His heart sank.

He checked the pulse on her neck. It barely beat—fading with each moment.

He immediately sat her down, placing his palms on her back to protect her heart veins.

He would pour all his inner energy into saving her.

He couldn't let the former sect leader's bloodline die like this.

But her body was growing cold.

"Vice Leader! You must hold on! Vice Leadeeeer!"

"Vice Patriarch Uuuuuuu!"

Amid the countless shouts, the voice of Seo Galma, disciple of Lee Jon Nanma, rang out clearly.

'!?'

Through the crowd, Baek Hyeyang came into view.

Without a moment to think, I rushed toward her location.

I wasn't the only one who heard the cry. My master Hae Akcheon, along with Sa Hyeolseong Do Jangho, Chilhyeolseong Hyeoleummaso Seom Maehyang, and others gathered as well.

My master looked down at the slumped Baek Hyeyang with a shocked expression and asked:

"What happened here?"

To this, Seo Galma choked up and struggled to speak.

"The young lady… the young lady…"

He couldn't finish his sentence.

But everyone already seemed to have a sense of what had happened—their expressions turned grim.

My master harshly pressed Seo Galma.

"Step aside, Brother Seo. I will connect her meridian to mine and try to regulate her blood flow."

Seo Galma stepped aside.

My master placed his hand on her back and began channeling energy with Jinhyeol Geumche.

I couldn't understand why he was trying to regulate her blood flow, so I asked Sa Hyeolseong Do Jangho:

"This wound on her back—who did this?"

There were no tears in her clothing.

Yet, her clothes were soaked in blood. It was strange.

This meant it wasn't the wound she received during the battle with Mu Sangdo Jeongcheon.

Do Jangho didn't answer. Instead, Hyeoleummaso Seom Maehyang bit her lip hard and responded:

"She was cut by the Gyeobsal Sword of Salhyeong Jeolsim."

'Gyeobsal Sword?'

At that moment, the voice of the Blood Demon Sword rang out in my head.

—His twisted tastes haven't changed.

'What do you mean?'

—When you're struck by him, the bleeding doesn't stop. He enjoys watching people slowly die. That's why the demonic energy manifests in such a way.

The Blood Demon Sword clicked its tongue.

Even this guy reacting that way… Was the Gyeobsal Sword really that powerful?

Though my master connected the meridians and channeled energy, Baek Hyeyang showed no signs of life—like she was already dead.

'...'

So that's why she said it was her last moment.

How could a dying woman smile like that?

It was the face of someone who had accepted everything.

—Clack!

My master's face stiffened.

It seemed he had already concluded there was no way to save her.

Then it happened.

—…Human. Attach me to her body.

'What?'

—Do you really think just stopping the bleeding will save that girl?

'Can I trust you?'

—You think I'd let my master's bloodline die like this?

At the sword's words, I said to my master:

"Master, please step aside."

"Patriarch?"

"Quickly!"

At my firm tone, my master Hae Akcheon, who had been channeling energy, stepped back.

I laid Baek Hyeyang down and placed the Blood Demon Sword on top of her.

No one understood my actions.

"Patriarch, what on earth are you…?"

"Just watch quietly."

My master stopped Seom Maehyang from interfering.

Then, the veins in Baek Hyeyang's pale face began to bulge.

The Blood Demon Sword's power was being unleashed—it could manipulate the blood vessels freely.

Normally, such a surge would cause the vessels to burst.

"Aah!"

"This is unbelievable…"

The bulging veins sank back down, and color began to return to Baek Hyeyang's lifeless face.

As if blood had started circulating through her body again.

—It's forcefully pumping the heart to squeeze out blood. But this alone isn't enough. She's already drained most of her life energy, and the wound still holds demonic energy. There's no hope at this rate.

'Life energy and demonic energy…'

I looked down at Baek Hyeyang.

The human body holds wonki—the vital energy that is the core of life.

The moment it's completely exhausted, death follows.

I pulled a wooden box from my pocket—a pouch that could hold anything.

Opening it revealed a large, round pill.

Seo Galma looked puzzled and asked,

"Patriarch, what is that?"

"It's Shaolin's Great Elixir Pill."

Everyone was astonished—not just Seo Galma.

They probably expected a regular internal injury remedy, but who would've imagined it was Shaolin Temple's treasured Great Elixir Pill?

Even my master Hae Akcheon widened his eyes and asked,

"The Great Elixir Pill? How did you get that?"

"I destroyed the Shaolin's 108 Arhat Formation and received it."

"What?!"

My master was speechless.

The others were the same.

"You destroyed the 108 Arhat Formation?"

"Could it be… the Patriarch fought the Wolar Sword…?"

"I'll explain later."

I placed the Great Elixir Pill into my mouth.

Since Baek Hyeyang was unconscious and couldn't take the pill herself, I would chew it and transfer it to her.

[This temple's Great Elixir Pill is not only a powerful energy booster—it's said to have the miraculous power to bring back the dead. I hope it will serve a meaningful purpose.]

I hoped the words of Shaolin's abbot, Master Jingak, would prove true.

I chewed the pill into small pieces, supported her neck, and brought my lips to hers.

Then, I gently pushed the crushed pill into her mouth with my tongue.

Her cold lips made me feel the shadow of death.

'I will save her. No matter what.'

I touched her lips with my fingers.

Then, I used Heogong Seobmul, a technique that manipulates matter, to help the crushed pill pass down her throat.

As it slid down her esophagus—

—Human. Leave it to me. I'll spread the medicine's effect.

The Blood Demon Sword stepped up.

If it's him, it could be possible.

While the elixir revived her energy, I knew what I had to do.

—Chrrrip!

I sat her up and tore open the back of her clothes.

There was a deep gash on her back, the surrounding area darkened ominously.

The Blood Demon Sword was controlling the blood flow perfectly, but just the sight of it was gruesome.

"Huu…"

I placed my hand on her back and began channeling Seonwon Ungibeop.

This divine energy technique formed by Daoists was the purest of energies—perfect to combat the demonic force.

—Whoooooosh!

"This is…"

Everyone was shocked by the pure energy emanating from me.

Regardless, I focused on protecting her meridians and driving out the demonic energy from the Gyeobsal Sword embedded in her wound.

'Get out. From her body.'

Then, something amazing happened.

—Sssrrrrr…!

Black mist began to rise from Baek Hyeyang's wound.

Her discolored skin gradually returned to normal.

And then—

"Cough!"

Baek Hyeyang, who had seemed dead, coughed up black blood.

"Vice Patriarch!"

Everyone gasped in shock.

She, whom they had thought beyond saving, slowly began to breathe again.

Sa Hyeolseong Do Jangho muttered in disbelief, clicking his tongue.

"Ha… Just how many more times are you going to shock us?"