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When the Wind Blows from Shandong (3)

“Danwol is dead, and the Blood Swords who went with him have been wiped out.”

Upon hearing the report from her subordinate, the Blood Merchant closed her eyes slowly. The ominous feeling that had been gnawing at her had finally materialized. It was as if she had been expecting this all along.

“Not a single one returned?”

“That’s correct.”

It wasn’t just a handful of people she had sent. Over fifty Blood Swords, along with the highly skilled Danwol, had been dispatched. They were a force capable of crushing any sect, yet they had all been defeated.

“So, he’s come here.”

“It seems that way.”

“How did he know?”

Their opponent was truly beyond comprehension.

“Did he do this alone?”

“No. According to follow-up reports, a significant number of martial artists, who appear to be highly skilled, have gathered at the Byeok Clan Sword School.”

“So, he has a powerful organization backing him?”

She had always thought of him as a lone wolf, so this revelation felt strangely alien.

She rose from her seat and walked to the window. Normally, anger would make her blood boil, but when it reached a certain point, it turned cold, just like now.

“When will the others arrive?”

“Jeokyo is expected in three days, Hyeollu in five, and Seobulpae in ten.”

“Send word for them to hurry. Recall all the Blood Swords as well.”

“Understood.”

“We’ll move once everyone is here.”

“Are you sure it’s wise to give them that much time?”

“He shut down the underground market in just two days. Sending Danwol and fifty Blood Swords was a rash move in hindsight. So, do you still worry about giving him time?”

“No, your judgment is sound. If we send them one by one, they’ll be picked off individually. I’ll send word for everyone to hurry.”

The man acknowledged his mistake and quickly left. The Blood Merchant walked to the window. Her eyes, filled with intense emotions, were not just about revenge or bloodlust.

The dawn was breaking in the distance, but her gaze, deep and unreadable, only grew more profound.

＊ ＊ ＊

The Byeok Clan Sword School was fortified with an impenetrable defense.

Though they had nearly been ambushed, the sword squad led by Seojung was highly skilled. In addition, there were the small sword squad led by Gwanhui, the Taeseong sword squad led by Gwangdu, and finally, the Black Panther squad led by Baekpyo.

A triple, even quadruple, layer of defense was established.

Only after that did I explain the recent events in detail to my father, mother, Song Woo-kyung, Seojung, and Song Hwa-rin.

I revealed everything honestly, except for my true identity. From my chance encounter with Baekpyo and Gal Saryang in Wuhuan and my efforts to make them my allies, to the enemies’ control over the underground world and their installation of Ma Bong-gi as the martial alliance leader.

Everyone was shocked, but with Gal Saryang and Baekpyo having joined us, they couldn’t deny the gravity of the conspiracy and events.

Finally, I spoke about my martial arts. I mentioned a fortuitous encounter, claiming I had been taught by the master of Cheon Hwa-jin, the former martial alliance leader.

“Ah, so that’s why you’ve changed.”

My parents accepted that as the reason for all my positive changes.

It was a relief. Being taught by such a great master would naturally bring life-changing lessons. They accepted my transformation without question.

As I had asked Gal Saryang and Baekpyo, I had no intention of revealing to my parents that I was Cheon Hwa-jin. I would live as their son, Byeok Lidan, until their last days.

I genuinely acknowledged them as my parents. They were the best parents anyone could ask for, and they were respectable people in the martial world, beyond blood ties.

When I finished my story, everyone fell silent. They realized this wasn’t just about dealing with a few villains.

“The enemies are strong and wicked. We must be extremely cautious from now on.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Gal Saryang took on the first task of dealing with the enemy here.

“I will now set up the Black Darkness Sea Formation. Once it’s complete, we won’t have to worry much about external intrusions.”

Having previously set up the formation on an island hideout, Gal Saryang could proceed more swiftly here.

Song Hwa-rin stepped forward cautiously.

“If it’s alright with you, may I assist?”

“Your help would be greatly appreciated, Miss Song.”

She had learned about formations from Gal Saryang before and wanted to learn more this time.

Song Woo-kyung asked in surprise.

“You know about formations?”

“I had the opportunity to learn from General Gal.”

Gal Saryang spoke to Song Woo-kyung.

“Your daughter is exceptionally bright and has a great talent for formations.”

“Haha, you’re too kind. She’s still lacking in many ways.”

Hearing Gal Saryang’s praise, Song Woo-kyung beamed with pride. My father spoke to Gal Saryang.

“My son is also lacking. Please take good care of him.”

Gal Saryang replied to my father.

“It seems there’s a misunderstanding, Master Byeok.”

“A misunderstanding?”

“Your son didn’t come under me. I pledged my loyalty to him.”

My father was taken aback. My mother, Song Woo-kyung, and Seojung were equally surprised. They thought I was helping Gal Saryang and Baekpyo, not that I had become their lord.

Baekpyo put an end to their doubts.

“I, too, have pledged my loyalty to Young Master Byeok. He is my one and only lord.”

All eyes turned to me.

“Is that true?”

My father asked, and I answered.

“Yes, it is.”

A moment of silence passed before my father spoke again.

“Do you remember what I told you before?”

“You told me to always consider the other person’s position when making decisions, especially if they are subordinates. I’ve never forgotten.”

My father nodded with a satisfied expression.

“That’s good.”

It was the first time since meeting my father that he looked so pleased. Of course, as a martial artist himself, how could he not be proud to have such excellent subordinates?

Everyone left the room, leaving just my mother and me.

She was moved in a different way.

“I’m so grateful you came back safely.”

She gently cupped my face with her hands.

“You must have been worried. I’m truly sorry for causing you concern.”

“No, I’m proud of you.”

Her touch was as warm as I remembered.

“Haha, of course. Whose son do you think I am?”

Her gentle caress turned into a firm pinch on my cheek.

“Don’t get cocky!”

“Ouch!”

From that day on, the Byeok Clan Sword School was at war.

Everyone took on their roles and moved busily, with the top priority being the installation of the formation.

Gal Saryang, Song Hwa-rin, and the Black Panther squad assisted. They worked tirelessly, sacrificing sleep to complete the formation. Materials were procured from the nearby Black Market, and anything lacking was sent by Gong Su-chan.

Song Woo-kyung relocated the elite members of the Song family to the Byeok Clan Sword School.

My father and Song Woo-kyung sent the family’s servants and retainers back to their hometowns, keeping only the essential people.

They were told not to return until further notice, and were given enough money to live comfortably in the meantime.

Those who remained were all martial artists. They were given the choice to leave, as a major battle was imminent.

About a fifth of the martial artists left the family. Those who stayed saw them off with good spirits. Loyalty was important, but so was each person’s life, as my father and Song Woo-kyung often said.

Amidst the busyness, I met with Cheonma through the Heavenly Spirit Mind Art in my room. I wanted to express my gratitude once more.

[It’s all thanks to you. Thank you.]

[Why the sudden gratitude?]

[If you hadn’t told me about the Blood Empress, I wouldn’t have known the Blood Merchant could use the Soul Sealing Technique.]

In the process, I also learned the Shadow Step from him.

[It’s nothing new.]

[Gratitude is gratitude.]

Saying thank you for what’s appreciated and sorry for what’s wrong is, in my opinion, one of the most important aspects of human relationships.

Especially when it comes to mistakes. Assuming the other person knows you’re sorry or understands is often a misconception. It must be expressed verbally. Apologize.

If those words aren’t heard, it leaves an indelible scar on the heart. People might say they’ve forgotten, but they’re just pretending to move on.

In youth, it’s easy to overlook. Things pass quickly, and new relationships form easily. But as you age, the small things start to feel much bigger.

He had something to ask of me in exchange for teaching me the Demonic Heart Technique. Similarly, I had something I wanted to say to him someday.

But will that day ever come? Even if it does, will I be able to say it?

[Don’t get too full of yourself just because you took down a mere underling.]

[Be honest.]

[About what?]

[There’s something you haven’t told me about the Blood Empress, isn’t there?]

Cheonma flinched. He wasn’t very good at hiding the truth.

[Let’s have a drink.]

[Sounds good.]

I had confirmed last time that we could drink together. Now, I could share a drink with him anytime within the Heavenly Spirit Mind Art.

I brought a few bottles and activated the Heavenly Spirit Mind Art again.

[Drinking in broad daylight isn’t so bad.]

[Indeed.]

After a few drinks, Cheonma finally revealed the hidden story he had kept to himself.

[Back then, the Blood Empress challenged us. The entire school was in an uproar. How dare a mere outsider, and a woman at that, confront us head-on?]

It must have been quite the scene. The unyielding pride of the Demon Sect was one of its most enduring traits.

[The Heavenly Demon at that time was my grandfather, the founder of the Celestial Crane Arts.]

[Ah, I see.]

[The first person he sent was the Sword Demon.]

The word “first” carried weight. It implied there was a second. Just as I had suspected.

[The Sword Demon, whom we were sure would win, returned defeated.]

[From what I know, demonic arts usually overpower orthodox techniques, don’t they?]

[That’s true. Yet he lost. The sorcery the Blood Empress used was said to be bizarre.]

[So what happened next? Surely it didn’t end there?]

[Of course not. My grandfather, enraged, went himself.]

I was inwardly surprised to hear that the Heavenly Demon had intervened personally.

Considering the Sword Demon was one of the top fighters of the Blood Heaven Sect, his defeat meant the Heavenly Demon had to step in.

The Heavenly Demon paused, silently emptying his cup. I didn’t rush him. I had a feeling what he was about to say was the crux of the story.

And indeed, a shocking truth emerged from his lips.

[My grandfather lost too.]

[What? The Heavenly Demon lost?]

[Well, to be precise, he let himself lose.]

[What do you mean?]

[He fell in love with the Blood Empress.]

I was genuinely taken aback. I never imagined such a story lay behind the conflict between the Demon Sect and the Blood Empress.

[I don’t know the full details of their relationship. But I believe my grandfather’s decision to abandon his position and leave the sect was related to her.]

At this point, a question nagged at me.

[When she was later killed by the orthodox sects, why didn’t the Demon Sect seek revenge?]

[Revenge? The whole affair with the Blood Empress is remembered as a disgrace to our sect.]

[You mentioned she had a daughter. Could she be your grandfather’s child?]

[No, she already had a daughter at the time. But who knows? The sect might have distorted the truth.]

Whatever the truth, it was indeed astonishing.

The writings left by the corpse in the cave, resembling those of a hermit who had renounced the world, and the way the Celestial Crane Arts were uncharacteristically gentle for demonic techniques—perhaps it was all because of his love for the Blood Empress.

[Thanks for being honest with me.]

[You’ve been saying ‘thanks’ a lot lately.]

[Have I? Well, thanks for letting me know.]

[Enough with the lame jokes. Let’s drink.]

We clinked our glasses.

Some might wonder, how could someone like the Heavenly Demon fall in love with such a woman? Surely, he could summon dozens of beautiful women at his whim.

Perhaps there were Heavenly Demons like that in the history of the Demon Sect—ones who truly deserved the title of the Lord of Evil.

But it seemed the Heavenly Demon of that time was different. You could tell just by the letters he left behind.

I believe he truly loved the Blood Empress. Somehow, it just felt that way.

Suddenly curious, I asked the Heavenly Demon.

[Have you ever loved someone?]