novelraw Chapter 302 : The Appearance of the Blood Demon Castle (2)
Chapter 302 : The Appearance of the Blood Demon Castle (2)
Chapter 302: The Appearance of the Blood Demon Castle (2)
Only now did Jo Gyeongmae have the leisure to examine her own emotions.
Until then, she had become even colder by avoiding looking at such emotions out of fear.
It was then she realized that those who flee from themselves become cold.
And perhaps her three daughters becoming chivalrous warriors and journeying through the murim was clearly an expression of their desire to fulfill the affection she had failed to give them, through the life of a warrior.
Neglecting one’s own life was a trait of those unloved by others—and by themselves.
“Why do you all stake your lives on righteousness like that?”
Jo Gyeongmae asked as she looked at her two daughters supporting her shoulders on either side.
“We... we...”
Jeong Suji couldn’t finish her words.
Though she understood in her head why they had staked their lives to uphold righteousness, she couldn’t understand it with her heart.
Jo Gyeongmae quietly gazed at her two daughters.
‘You must have decided to die because you had nothing to protect. If you were to die anyway, you must have thought it better to die while upholding righteousness. Hearing that you fought many enemies, this mother thought not that you were commendable, but that you were resolved to die. That must mean you had no regrets. Perhaps that very feeling was what manifested as righteousness.’
Jo Gyeongmae felt a pang in her heart.
She had never felt this way toward her daughters before.
“From now on, you must treasure your bodies.”
At their mother’s words, the two daughters bowed their heads.
Their bodies bore countless scars, and through their torn shoulders and sleeves, sword wounds could be seen.
“With all those scars on a woman's body, what man would ever fancy you?”
Strangely, her words sounded warm to Jeong Suji and Jeong Daji, and they looked at Jo Gyeongmae.
Perhaps feeling awkward, Jo Gyeongmae turned to Yong Hwarin and said,
“Young Master Yong.”
“Yes, Manor Head.”
“Where is my eldest daughter?”
“We are currently searching. And I will find her soon. I apologize.”
“There’s nothing for you to apologize for, Young Master Yong. It’s all due to my lack of virtue.”
Wearing a self-mocking smile, Jo Gyeongmae firmed her voice.
“Young Master Yong.”
“Yes, please speak.”
“You clearly said my daughter is your woman. Is that correct?”
Yong Hwarin met her gaze and replied.
“I did say so, and that is the truth.”
“Then bring my daughter, your woman, to me without a single scratch. Let me see how desperate you truly are.”
At those words, Yong Hwarin smiled.
“I promise. Min Mae will come to greet Mother by tomorrow.”
Jo Gyeongmae stared at Yong Hwarin for a long moment before turning away.
“I believe you. And I have one request.”
“Please speak.”
“I would like to hold a proper funeral for Manor Head Geum. And I’d be grateful if you could look into the whereabouts of Gongja Geum as well.”
“I’ve already made arrangements.”
Jo Gyeongmae looked at Yong Hwarin for a moment, then said in a quiet voice,
“Well done.”
Jeong Suji and Jeong Daji smiled softly at Yong Hwarin.
They were relieved that their mother, Jo Gyeongmae, seemed to acknowledge Yong Hwarin to some extent.
Jo Gyeongmae entered the Sky Ocean Merchant Union with her daughters, but Yong Hwarin disappeared somewhere.
Since the ones who had first kidnapped Jeong Minji were from the Heavenly Demon Sect, he meant to ask Myeong Gujeong.
The path to Uhak Bookstore was approached with caution.
It was possible that Yang Gwak’s group might be there.
Fortunately, before entering Uhak Bookstore, he encountered Myeong Gujeong.
To reach Uhak Bookstore, one had to pass through an alley that sold writing tools and paper.
As he passed through, Yong Hwarin saw Myeong Gujeong selecting inkstones at a stall.
Approaching the opposite stall that sold brushes, Yong Hwarin picked up a brush and sent a telepathic message to Myeong Gujeong.
– Shopkeeper, I have something I wish to ask.
– What is it?
Myeong Gujeong already sensed Yong Hwarin’s presence nearby.
– Are you holding Miss Jeong Minji?
– We had her at the safehouse, but they escaped.
– I’m aware. I want to know if they were recaptured.
– First Young Master returned recently. He’s furious after losing all the people from Jeong Family Manor and Geum Family Manor.
– Then Miss Jeong isn’t with the Heavenly Demon Sect.
– Correct. Haven’t you found her either, Young Master Yong?
– I haven’t.
– I’ve received reports that martial artists from the Blood Demon Castle have gathered in this region, capturing those headed to the Shaolin Temple. It might be their doing, so look into it.
– Thank you for the help.
Myeong Gujeong didn’t reply. After buying an inkstone, he disappeared.
Yong Hwarin considered the possibility that Jeong Minji might be mistaken for someone from Samjeongcheon heading to Shaolin Temple, and that the Blood Demon Castle might attempt to capture her.
Having returned to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, Yong Hwarin urgently sought out Dang Cheolgi.
Dang Cheolgi was absolutely essential to Yong Hwarin’s plan.
“Young Master Dang is currently out with Young Mistress Hoi.”
“Find him immediately.”
He summoned the people from the escort agency and ordered them to locate him.
“Orabeoni, are you alright?”
Bukri Sehee became worried when she saw how visibly anxious Yong Hwarin was.
“I’m fine. It’s just that I couldn’t find Min Mae. I’m going out to search again. And I have a favor to ask. Could you help me get the clothing I’ll describe?”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“Could you get me a plain martial arts uniform? Nothing fancy. Something commonly seen. Can you get it now?”
“Yes, understood.”
After Bukri Sehee left, Yong Hwarin sat down with the intent to meditate for a bit, but then he heard Baekseom’s voice from outside.
“Master Yong.”
“What is it?”
“I have something to report.”
Yong Hwarin uncrossed his legs and sat back on the chair.
“Come in.”
Baekseom entered the room, his hands full of rolled-up letters.
“Information has been gathered from several places. It’s said that the Blood Demon Castle is attacking people from minor sects heading toward Shaolin Temple, either killing or kidnapping them.”
“I figured they would.”
“But it seems they are avoiding sects where an attack is unlikely to succeed.”
“Cunning bastards. They’re trying to intimidate the minor sects so they won’t attend the Shaolin Temple Gathering.”
“Blocking minor sects won’t stop the Shaolin Temple Gathering. I don’t understand the Blood Demon Castle’s intent.”
“For Samacheon to unify as one, consensus from the minor sects is also essential, not just the major sects. When an actual war breaks out, it’s the martial artists of the minor sects who will be fighting more than those of the major sects. That’s why Samacheon is trying to prevent the minor sects from joining.”
Baekseom nodded.
“Now that I hear it, that makes sense. Combined, the warriors from the minor sects far outnumber those from the Nine Great Sects or the Twelve Clans.”
“Exactly. If war breaks out and is limited to the Nine Great Sects or the Twelve Clans, then Samacheon might think it’s worth trying. That’s why they’re so desperate to stop the minor sects from heading to Shaolin Temple.”
After a moment of thought, Baekseom asked,
“But how do you plan to find Young Mistress Jeong? Please let me know if there’s anything I can assist with.”
Yong Hwarin, who already had a favor in mind, spoke to Baekseom.
“The Blood Demon Castle is capturing people from minor sects heading to Shaolin Temple. If they kill them, it would only provoke the minor sects, so they are probably capturing them to negotiate. I intend to use that.”
“I will disguise myself as someone from a minor sect and head to Shaolin Temple.”
“Is that why you summoned Young Master Dang?”
“Yes, that’s right. I’ll disguise myself as his friend. But I think just the two of us wouldn’t be enough to provoke a response from the Blood Demon Castle, so I’m planning to travel with a group. Please find out if there are people from minor sects currently inside Jeongju who are planning to head to Shaolin Temple. I will join them. The Blood Demon Castle will definitely appear to stop us.”
“A clever plan indeed. You’re planning to become a hostage to reach the place where Young Mistress Jeong is held.”
“Yes. There must be places in each region where the hostages are being kept. If we follow the same route that Jeong Family Manor and the Geum Clan took, we’ll likely encounter the ones who captured them.”
“Understood. Please wait a moment. I’ll gather the information and return.”
Once Baekseom left, Yong Hwarin let out a breath.
He had been moving non-stop and hadn’t had time to organize his thoughts.
While organizing them now, his father Yong Biyang, who had headed for Shaolin Temple, came to mind.
“Is Father alright?”
It had been more than ten days since Yong Hwarin received word that Yong Biyang was heading toward Shaolin Temple, accompanied by Mo Biyoung, the Violent Dragon Twin Swords, and Jong Seok and Deung Ae, who had just emerged from isolated training.
At the time of receiving that message, Yong Hwarin had not been concerned.
His sworn brother Jong Seok had mastered the Black Death God Light Poison Technique to such a degree that he could nullify the Self-Revolving Inner Qi of Jong Munhye.
There weren’t many who could stand against him, and both Mo Biyoung and the Violent Dragon Twin Swords were said to have reached their peak.
On top of that, Deung Ae was an exceptional expert, so there was no need for serious worry.
Yong Hwarin assumed that his father was taking them along to demonstrate the Heavenly Central Sect’s power at Shaolin Temple.
Otherwise, there would be no reason to bring along such elite warriors.
That force alone would be enough not to fall to the warriors of the Blood Demon Castle.
“Still, I hope he arrived at Shaolin Temple without incident.”
But Yong Hwarin’s hope did not come true.
At that moment, Yong Biyang was engaged in an intense battle against the warriors of the Blood Demon Castle.
Each time the blade lights clashed, someone’s arm flew into the air.
“If we can’t capture them, kill them!”
At the shout of one of the Blood Demon Castle warriors, they all attacked at once. But the opponents were too strong to carry out that command.
“We picked the wrong opponent. We should’ve just let them go.”
One of the Blood Demon Castle squad leaders muttered bitterly to himself.
Their mistake had been underestimating the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Central Sect.
Among the six, there wasn’t a single weak one.
All of them were top-tier masters.
Moreover, more than ten subordinates had already been poisoned to death by the one wielding poison arts.
That had been the cause of defeat.
If he had known his opponent in advance and launched the attack, his subordinates wouldn't have died so absurdly.
He hadn’t imagined that among the enemy, there would be a master of demonic poison arts.
‘Even without a master of demonic poison arts, we wouldn’t have been able to deal with them.’
The squad leader had no choice but to shout in order to minimize further casualties.
“All forces, retreat!”
Leaving behind only corpses, the Blood Demon Castle warriors withdrew with grim expressions.
“Hey, you bastards! Where do you think you're going? Come on, all of you! Come at us!”
Namwook, one of the Violent Dragon Twin Swords, shouted.
The Violent Dragon Twin Swords, having finally engaged in real combat after a long time, were thrilled.
“Compose yourself.”
At Yong Biyang’s words, Namwook bowed his head.
“My apologies, Sect Leader. I got too worked up.”
“Is anyone hurt?”
“The enemies were so weak, we didn’t even get the chance to be injured.”
When Jungwook replied, Yong Biyang smiled.
Since when had the disciples of the Heavenly Central Sect been able to speak of Blood Demon Castle warriors as weak?
Not long ago, just hearing of the Blood Demon Castle warriors would have led them to think of escape first. But now, they had become a Heavenly Central Sect that no longer feared the warriors of Blood Demon Castle.
And that felt good.
He was proud of his disciples who could fight without fear, even when facing strong opponents.
And the same was true for himself.
Had his son not opened the Gate of Life and Death for him, he might have died struggling against just a single warrior of the Blood Demon Castle.
But now, even if ten warriors charged him, he felt no fear.
Rather, he felt a thrill seeing them flustered, unable to withstand his Heavenly Soaring Dragon Sword.
Among those whose martial prowess had improved the most within the Heavenly Central Sect, one of them was none other than the Sect Leader, Yong Biyang.