When the Heavenly Demon Wi Ji-cheon appeared, the party was visibly intimidated.
Everyone silently held their breath, staring at Ji-cheon.
Well, that was only natural.
I sat down in the empty chair facing Ji-cheon, representing the group.
Even though she was just sitting by the campfire, she exuded an aura that made her feel like the owner of this campsite.
Then, Ji-cheon looked at me and spoke.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your sleep.”
“Well, that’s fine.”
The real issue was why Ji-cheon had come. If a Heavenly Demon personally showed up at this late hour, it surely wasn’t for anything trivial.
However, before diving into the main topic, I casually introduced the members of our party.
“Starting from this side: Hwang So-wol, Tang Do-yeon, Tang So-yeol, Yeo Il-ye, and Dokgo I-seol.”
Hyeok Gi-rin, Tang Do-yeon, Tang So-yeol, and Yeo Il-ye simply gave a light bow without saying anything special.
On the faces of these four, who could be considered the righteous faction, complex emotions were evident. After all, the righteous factions had been at odds with the Demon Sect for a long time, so it was only natural for various feelings to intertwine.
“To be able to meet the Supreme Being of the Demon Sect so closely is a glory of three lifetimes.”
On the other hand, Dokgo I-seol, who could be considered part of the outcast faction, had gleaming eyes.
“I’m glad to meet you. I’ve heard rumors of the ‘Best Beauty in Yunnan,’ but rumors never do justice to reality.”
“Oh my, thank you for the excessive praise.”
Ji-cheon and I-seol exchanged light pleasantries.
I was slightly surprised at the sight. Today, Ji-cheon was somewhat different from what I had seen so far.
It was as if she had completely relaxed her shoulders.
With the Heavenly Demon visiting at night, I thought something extraordinary must have happened, but maybe she just wanted to avoid attention during her visit.
Squeak?
Due to the nighttime commotion, Seo Gong peeked out as well.
“Hmm, an Entity?”
Whenever Wi Seoryeon appeared, Seo Gong, who had been hiding in the cart, would curiously lean toward Ji-cheon.
“That guy was so busy hiding when the Heavenly Demon came, it’s surprising.”
“Of course. That child hasn’t fully mastered the Black Dragon Qi yet. Qi reflects the essence of things. To this entity, Heavenly Demon Wi Seoryeon feels just like a Black Dragon.”
So, that meant Ji-cheon had mastered the Black Dragon Qi perfectly; hence, Seo Gong didn’t feel threatened.
Seo Gong, who had been circling around Ji-cheon, eventually lay down at my feet.
The introduction of the group was over, and it was now time to get to the main point.
“Why have you come to visit us? Is there some important matter?”
“It’s nothing major. I was just a bit worried since Seoryeon comes here frequently.”
Ji-cheon smiled wryly.
“I hope that child isn’t being bothersome?”
“That’s not a concern at all.”
“Seoryeon became a Heavenly Demon at a very young age. That means she only focused on becoming a Heavenly Demon. Because of that, she has missed out on a lot.”
“Hmm.”
“As a father and a Heavenly Demon, I am glad and proud of the achievements Seoryeon has made, but as another Heavenly Demon, I worry about what she has lost while becoming one.”
“Recently, Seoryeon seems to be full of energy, so I wanted to express my gratitude. I hope she’s not disheartened by coming here every day.”
“Would she be disheartened by such a thing?”
When Seoryeon first appeared, she stirred up the camp in a very provocative manner.
She created a whirlwind that even led to a gambling match with Hyeok Gi-rin, but that was all in the past now.
Even though it was just a few days ago, so much had happened during that time.
I was a bit concerned about her whispering with Tang So-yeol lately, but as long as I kept a distance from someone who could act as a bomb in the current situation, it was within acceptable limits.
“Is that so?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at Ji-cheon’s words.
It was my amusement at Ji-cheon’s attitude, worried that a leaking scoop inside would also leak outside.
Seoryeon wasn’t a leaking scoop to begin with. While her overindulgence in fun was questionable…
Anyway, aside from the fact that she had initially irritated Hyeok Gi-rin, Seoryeon seemed to be mixing well with the group.
Just because she was a Heavenly Demon didn’t mean she wouldn’t act like a parent.
Just when I had relaxed for a moment in this warm atmosphere.
“Earlier, didn’t you ask if there was an important matter?”
It was when I looked at Ji-cheon with a puzzled expression that she turned her head and gazed into the distance.
“It seems another guest has arrived.”
“Oh, so I’ve been found out.”
A figure emerged from the distance.
An uninvited guest’s arrival caught the party’s attention, and I also furrowed my brows as I stood up.
“I have no intention of being hostile. I came to deliver a message, but it seems you have a guest, so I was just observing the situation for a moment.”
A message, huh.
I wondered which sect they were trying to get in touch with.
Considering that Dokgo I-seol had come to find me, it was entirely plausible. Ultimately, the main reason Dokgo I-seol had come to me was that the Dark Dragon Sect wanted to resolve the grudge between us quickly.
Now that it was discovered I was with the Heavenly Demon, there would likely be quite a stir.
Although I was lightly worried, all my concerns vanished the moment the uninvited guest stepped into the light of the campfire.
Blood Person.
The identity of the uninvited guest was indeed a Blood Person.
“Greetings, Supreme Being of the Heavenly Demon Sect.”
“A greeting from the Blood Sect, I see.”
“Indeed. Today, I came here on behalf of Blood Ancestor to meet the Brain Knife Outcast.”
“So another guest has come; it would be courteous for the previous guest to leave, but I have my concerns.”
While the Blood Person showed no reaction to Ji-cheon’s words, I realized from Ji-cheon’s hint that there was an entity nearby.
If the Blood Sect had found evidence that I had interfered with the Shengsu Faction’s affairs, they would obviously be considering the possibility of a battle with me.
Even if they were a mere envoy, it wouldn’t do to only send one of them.
“I’m curious to hear what the Blood Sect has to say, so if you permit, I would like to listen as well.”
Ji-cheon expressed her desire for curiosity, but the underlying meaning was likely a promise to protect me.
Ji-cheon, possessing the Black Dragon Qi, wouldn’t be able to show her Heavenly Demon might in a battle with an entity, but she could handle the envoy without any issues.
I pondered for a moment but accepted Ji-cheon’s proposition.
Depending on the situation, my origin might become exposed, but Ji-cheon wouldn’t really care that I was entangled with the Blood Sect.
Our party members kept their distance from the campsite, leaving only me, Ji-cheon, and the Blood Person by the campfire.
“You’ve acquired the Iron Blood Rat.”
Thanks to Seo Gong’s presence, it seemed I was put on the defensive right from the start. No matter how much Seo Gong followed me, he was originally an entity of the Blood Sect, so arguing with him was pointless.
“Have you come to retrieve the Iron Blood Rat?”
The Blood Person shook their head.
“That is not the case. However, the very fact that you’ve retrieved the Iron Blood Rat is quite revealing, wouldn’t you agree?”
I kept my mouth shut as I couldn’t ascertain their intent.
“I’ll get straight to the point. The Brain Knife Outcast is not Blood Ancestor’s grandchild?”
“… I don’t know a person named Blood Ancestor.”
From the Blood Person’s tone, I felt they might suspect that Blood Ancestor was my maternal grandfather, but that was merely my assumption.
If the Blood Sect had discovered my true identity, they would naturally expect me to oppose them.
This conversation was essentially a battle, so I had no intention of simply accepting their words and handing over the initiative.
However, the envoy from the Blood Sect remained composed.
“There’s no need for speculation. It’s a fact known to the whole world that the Blood Sect’s magic hinges on blood. The fact that the Iron Blood Rat, which received the great law, follows the Brain Knife Outcast proves the very lineage of Blood Ancestor.”
I had confirmed something I had suspected for a while.
“So what exactly did you come here to say?”
“Join the Blood Sect.”
At those words, my expression hardened immediately.
They wanted to use me as a tool, all while my father, mother, and grandfather had passed away.
After all that, they were asking me to join forces with them?
Tsuzuzuzu!!
Recalling that day made my emotions flare up. As I unknowingly radiated my anger, the envoy’s expression, under the pressure of my Qi, displayed a somewhat annoying awe.
They were treating me like total ally material.
“The Blood Person said, ‘The door of ‘possibility’ has been closed for quite some time now, and I promise that such things will not happen again.’”
“That’s nonsense.”
“It’s not impossible. Blood Ancestor is extraordinary, but unfortunately, they cannot have eternal life, so they must seek their successor.”
The envoy from the Blood Sect continued speaking.
“I don’t know what that ‘possibility’ Blood Ancestor mentioned truly is, but I believe the Brain Knife Outcast understands what the Blood Sect is focused on.”
…It must be the entity.
Having gained the power to control that entity, did they mean to say there was no need to make a deal with someone whose ‘possibility’ had long since closed?
“I believe it’s not a bad proposal for the Brain Knife Outcast. You already have some idea of the Blood Sect’s strength, don’t you?”
Become the successor of a power that controls entities.
Of course, the issue was that the faction was the Blood Sect, but it could be considered fortunate to quickly become a successor of such a vast power.
“I have a question.”
“I will answer if I can.”
“Did Blood Ancestor… that is, my maternal grandfather have anything specific they wanted to convey?”
Maternal grandfather.
The one who tried to make me a tool and the root of all this chaos.
There was no sign of familial affection from someone who would casually manipulate their own child, let alone their grandchild. Still, he was my grandfather.
That fact complicated my feelings greatly.
Although my memories only showed a brief glimpse of my grandfather, that glimpse was enough for me to make a judgment about his nature.
He was an outright villain who could sacrifice even family for his own gain.
At the same time, he was someone who was blood-related to me.
Since reclaiming my memories, I had naturally pondered regarding the Blood Sect every time.
Is it permissible to wield a sword against family in the name of family revenge?
I knew it was a foolish dilemma.
Blood Ancestor would have no familial affection, and only I would cling to such thoughts.
But rather than making assumptions, I wanted to know for sure.
The Blood Person answered lightly, showing no signs of deliberation.
“There were no special words. After careful consideration, it doesn’t seem like there’s anything that wasn’t conveyed.”
Is that so?
I brushed off a thread of lingering attachment.
Blood Ancestor was indeed the same villain who exploited their children and grandchildren for their ambitions.
All while they shifted their interests from the pursuit of enlightenment to the manipulation of entities.
They simply needed someone to fill the position of a successor.
“Then I refuse that offer.”
“…Really?”
The Blood Person stared at me as if trying to peer into my heart.
“Already, the Brain Knife Outcast has acted against the Blood Sect, having seized the Iron Blood Rat and thwarted the Blood Sect’s dealings. The reason you don’t even mention such acts is that you thought the Brain Knife Outcast would become the successor of the Blood Sect.”
“Blood Ancestor was my enemy the moment we first met.”
“I am merely an envoy, and this is only my personal opinion, but if Blood Ancestor hears this, they will not stay silent. How about reconsidering?”
I was already prepared for Blood Ancestor to be my enemy.
As I fixed my gaze, the Blood Person, seemingly having no other means, offered me a light bow.
“It seems your intention is firm. Then I shall take my leave.”
Not long after the Blood Person faded into the darkness, something soared into the sky. Though I couldn’t see the form because it was hidden in the dark, it was clear that something large enough for a person to ride on took off.
Had they tamed an entity capable of flight?
If that were the case, it made sense why they came at this hour.
After all, a massive entity flying in broad daylight would certainly stir up trouble.
Both their ability to control entities and their seemingly casual attitude toward sacrificing the Iron Blood Rat spoke volumes about the Blood Sect’s true capabilities, weighing heavily on my heart.
Yet, it was something I eventually had to confront.
The situation had escalated to where I could no longer afford to avoid it, so I had no choice but to confront it now.
It seemed to finally be time for me to decide on our destination away from this campsite.
