Chapter 133

"But is it okay to do such a thing? Even if it's Young Master Dang, wouldn't you become a public enemy of the martial arts world for doing something like that?"

The Phoenix-Qilin-Iris-Orchid Contest was a good opportunity for both the Blood Cult and Dang Ran-yeong, as it gathered potential sacrifices in one place. However, one difference was that Dang Ran-yeong was, at least outwardly, part of the righteous faction. Although to Cheong-ra, he seemed to be precariously close to crossing the line into the criminal underworld.

"Of course, poisoning hundreds of people at once would make me a public enemy of the martial arts world. But fortunately, there happened to be a dead giant centipede there."

This meant that he had used the centipede, which Hwan-hong had cherished like a friend or family member, as an excuse. However, someone might still recognize the Tang Clan's handiwork in this. Sighing at this truly audacious and bold action, Cheong-ra stroked Yong-rin, who was flicking its tongue, and then looked up.

"By the way, I've been thinking about something. Young Master Dang, do you know how to use tracking incense?"

Dang Ran-yeong, who had been staring blankly at Yong-rin, tilted his head slightly. A look of surprise appeared on his face.

"You want me to use tracking incense on Beauty?"

"We don't know when or how things might happen, right?"

Although Dang Ran-yeong had promised to stop him if the Demon Soul Insects awakened, Cheong-ra was always anxious. He remembered Yeon Jeok-san trying to take out something that looked like a flute from his bosom. That flute might have been a tool to awaken the mind-controlling insects. Thinking that the insects might have awakened that day made him even more anxious. Sound waves were particularly difficult to block.

Dang Ran-yeong, who had been looking at Cheong-ra with a mysterious expression, raised his hand to lightly rub his chin before speaking.

"The Tang Clan has developed a tracking incense. Once applied, it can be traced for at least a few years. There's no way to erase the scent, no matter how thoroughly you wash."

"Good. That would be good. From now on, if I ever get far away from Young Master Dang, consider that the mind-controlling insects have awakened and deal with me."

Cheong-ra nodded firmly without hesitation. At this, the corners of Dang Ran-yeong's mouth curved. Cheong-ra flinched when he looked up and met his intense gaze. The other was smiling seductively, like a poisonous flower.

"As Beauty wishes, I'll chase you to the ends of the earth and bring you back. Even if your escape ends in hell."

The words flowing from those red lips sounded strangely sinister. Cheong-ra became a little uneasy. When had he made such a request? He had only asked to be prevented from approaching the sect if the worst-case scenario happened...

Even if it was because of the mind-controlling insects, hadn't he just committed an irreversible foolish act? Was it really wise to allow someone like Dang Ran-yeong to track him for years?

Just as Cheong-ra was considering whether to retract the use of tracking incense, Dang Ran-yeong spoke in a secretive voice, distracting him.

"Now that we seem to be firmly in the same boat, let me tell you some more intimate details."

***

Cheong-ra came out to the front yard to bask in the sunlight. In front of him, pieces of his broken sword were neatly arranged on a white cloth. His face was so sorrowful as he caressed the shattered beloved sword that even the servants of the mansion unconsciously approached to offer words of comfort.

Even Nam Gang-ryong, who didn't use weapons, offered words of consolation, and Hwan-hong brought medicinal tea that was said to be good for the body. Oddly, only Wi Je-ho didn't show his face, but being such a secretive person, Cheong-ra thought nothing of it. He sighed deeply, lost in thought.

His heart ached seeing the sword that had shattered while forcibly cutting down the Ink-scaled Centipede. It was a real sword gifted by his uncle after he finished his wooden sword training. He had been with it since he was young and never expected it to break like this.

At the same time, he recalled cutting through the Ink-scaled Centipede's carapace, which hadn't even been scratched no matter how much he attacked it. Having attacked in such a desperate situation, he still didn't know how he had managed it. Only a faint sensation of that dizzying moment of transcending his limits remained.

'The feeling at the tip of the sword was almost nonexistent...?'

But when he tried to recall it, the image of the centipede monster came with it, making him shudder. After all, even a cornered mouse will bite a cat, so perhaps it had been something similar for him.

Looking at the sword fragments gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight, Cheong-ra recalled his recent conversation with Dang Ran-yeong.

Last time, he had finally shared with Cheong-ra various information that he had been sharing with Nam Gang-ryong, Hwan-hong, and Wi Je-ho. Those identified as potential sacrifices for the Blood Cult, those believed to have eaten Demon Soul Insects, and even the characteristics of Blood Cult members.

First, when Demon Soul Insects enter the body, the host temporarily loses consciousness, and during that time, a brand meaning "sacrifice" is engraved, blurring the memory so that the host forgets having eaten the Demon Soul Insects. That's why people don't know they've eaten Demon Soul Insects even after doing so.

Cheong-ra also didn't know when his mother had fed him Demon Soul Insects. There had been so many instances of her trying to feed him insects, and in many cases, he had fainted from fear.

He also told him that the Golden Flower Merchant Group was an important source of funds for the Blood Cult, and Dang Ran-yeong had created the White Jade Merchant Group to keep them in check. It wasn't simply for the pursuit of wealth and glory. Although he did seem to really enjoy indulging in luxury.

Among the stories he heard, the most shocking was the condition for becoming a Blood Cult member.

'Those with red eyes are recognized as true disciples in the Blood Cult. They're the ones who have killed sacrifices through special rituals and consumed human flesh.'

'Consumed... human flesh?'

Cheong-ra asked back in shock. And the answer that came back was even more shocking. Blood Cult members were those who could become stronger through human sacrifices. Although there was a drawback that everything about spirit beasts became fatally effective as they repeated the rituals, this didn't seem to be a big problem for Blood Cult members.

Even martial artists would do anything to become stronger, but human sacrifices? Weren't they people who had abandoned their humanity and betrayed morality? Cheong-ra especially had an intuition that many from the criminal underworld would be tempted by the Blood Cult's power.

Hadn't even Yeon Jeok-san, who was from the righteous faction, joined the Blood Cult? If he had become an executive, how many lives must he have sacrificed?

There was other information as well, and as he listened, it became quite overwhelming. Various groups of the Blood Cult, including the Golden Flower Merchant Group, were spread throughout the Central Plains. He wondered what the Martial Arts Alliance was doing and if they even knew about this. He wanted to meet and talk with Mo Yong-hyeon, the Sword Saint who was the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance.

But it was like a clay bodhisattva trying to cross a river. (The Korean equivalent of "the pot calling the kettle black.") For now, Cheong-ra was in a hurry just to take care of himself. Aside from the mind-controlling insects, his internal injuries hadn't fully healed yet.

As he closed his eyes tightly to check the state of his energy channels, he suddenly lifted his sleeve and took a deep breath. A faint sweet scent was emanating from his skin. It was because his body odor had changed after taking the pill form of tracking incense given by Dang Ran-yeong.

'Of all the many scents, why did he make it a sweet smell?'

'Because people are instinctively drawn to sweet things.'

Saying that, Dang Ran-yeong had pretended to smell him and bit his gaunt cheek, making Cheong-ra jump. His face was full of satisfaction, as if someone might think he had picked up gold on the street. Cheong-ra couldn't guess the reason for this at all.

Cheong-ra sighed deeply again, looking down at his shattered beloved sword. Although he had somehow managed to overcome the heart demon, the feelings of depression and frustration hadn't disappeared. The broken sword pained his heart, and the insects that might be somewhere in his body were too terrifying. As he was dejectedly basking in the sun, someone came limping out to the front yard.

"...Young Master Wi?"

Cheong-ra called out to the other in a surprised voice. Wi Je-ho had splints on each of his limbs, and his complexion was so pale that he looked like a seriously ill patient, no less than Cheong-ra. Wi Je-ho approached Cheong-ra with a pleased expression, limping.

"Young Master Baek, how are you feeling?"

"...I'm fine. No, what happened to you, Young Master Wi? Did you get injured fighting the Blood Cult?"

"Young Master Baek, what do you take me for! I'm not so weak as to suffer such humiliation from Blood Cult bastards."

If not them, then who... Soon, Dang Ran-yeong came to mind. Come to think of it, it was natural that he wouldn't have left Wi Je-ho alone after he dared to break through his formation and take Cheong-ra away.

"I knew he was strong, but it was to an absurd degree. I was beaten without even being able to lift a finger."

Although he was muttering as if dejected, there was a flicker of something like admiration in Wi Je-ho's eyes. It was a longing for an absolute strong person, in a different sense from Cheong-ra. He quickly hid his truly martial artist-like competitive spirit and laughed heartily, pretending to be carefree.

"He said if this happens again, he'll cut off my limbs completely!"

Both Cheong-ra and Wi Je-ho knew well that Dang Ran-yeong was someone who could certainly do such a thing. In fact, Cheong-ra was a bit surprised that Dang Ran-yeong was still allowing Wi Je-ho to stay at the mansion despite this. Wi Je-ho seemed to be an even more important collaborator than expected.

"Oh my, I was just trying to get some sun... but the tiger has appeared. Well then, I'll be going..."

Wi Je-ho flinched and quickly disappeared with his limping gait. When Cheong-ra turned around, he saw Dang Ran-yeong approaching leisurely.