The Eldest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Clan Protects Her Family

Chapter 36: The Blood Demon

 
Sohwa turned to see Hanwon standing there, his fists clenched, his face flushed.
He hesitated, then mumbled, “…Thank you for saving me.” He couldn’t even meet her gaze, his shame palpable. To be a guard, entrusted with protecting a direct descendant, yet owing his life to her… it was a disgrace. But despite his shame, he wanted to express his gratitude.

A guard wasn’t supposed to value his own life. Though self-preservation was a natural instinct, it was shameful to show it. A guard was supposed to be willing to sacrifice his life for the Clan Head, for the Tang Clan. It was considered an honor.
Whether or not such selflessness was truly attainable, it was the ideal, the image that the Four Guardian Units, including the Black Tiger Unit, were expected to uphold.
Thus, Tang Sohwa, raised in the heart of the Tang Clan, had never heard such words before.

Despite the awkward silence, Hanwon continued, “I always believed dying in the line of duty was an honor. But when faced with death, I… I wanted to live.” He closed his eyes, as if bracing himself. “I’m ashamed to admit it, but… I wanted to live. And when I woke up, I felt… relieved. I don’t understand why you used the precious Yeonjuhwan to save us. But I wanted to thank you.”
His words made her recall her return to Sichuan after the Demonic Cult’s attack, the mountain of corpses, the horrific scene. Hanwon would have been among them.
He would have wanted to live too. And perhaps, not only him…

Seeing her silence, he slowly raised his head. The shadows of the bamboo grove darkened her features, making her look… sad. He regretted his words, fearing he had overstepped.
Her voice, calm and soft, reached his ears. “Yeonjuhwan isn’t precious.” Her voice, carried by the gentle breeze, was devoid of any emotion. “Nothing is more precious than life. Don’t place so much value on mere objects.”
As he stared at her, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly, she turned and walked away.

He chuckled softly. “Not precious, Miss?” Did she know how much a low-ranking warrior like him would have to save to even acquire a similar medicine, let alone a true miracle elixir? Of course, she wouldn't. Raised in a world of privilege, she couldn't possibly understand the value of such things.
He scratched the back of his head as he descended the pavilion steps, then frowned. Her words lingered in his mind. ‘Nothing is more precious than life.’ She had placed his life, which he had unconsciously deemed less valuable than the Yeonjuhwan, above the miracle elixir.
He wasn't sure whether she didn't understand the value of the Yeonjuhwan or whether he didn't understand the value of a human life.

He pushed the thought aside and headed towards his quarters. He needed to prepare for Yoonjin's return, observe his surroundings, identify potential threats.
Everything was proceeding according to Tang Sohwa’s plan. For now.

* * *
 
The room, decorated with crimson tapestries and dark wood furniture, resembled a battlefield, its surfaces stained with the residue of a bloody conflict.

The red wallpaper was dyed with actual human blood.
Long ago, beyond the borders of the central plains, in the remote regions known as saeoe, were five palaces. The rulers of these palaces, known as Palace Lords, commanded vast territories, their power derived from unique and powerful martial arts techniques passed down through their lineages.
Some possessed unusual internal energies, like Yin or Fire Qi. Others wielded strange sorcery and powerful formations. Each Palace Lord controlled a territory as vast as Sichuan or Hubei, a testament to their power and influence.
The Yoohyeon Unit Leader, his body covered in wounds, knelt on the floor, his gaze fixed on the crimson walls. Walls stained with the blood of the five Palace Lords who had once ruled saeoe.

A wave of fear washed over him. If even those powerful individuals had met such an ignominious end, who could possibly stand against the Blood Demon?
His fear quickly transformed into reverence. He, like all members of the Blood Cult, worshipped the Blood Demon.
He waited in silence, holding his breath, until the Blood Demon emerged from his chambers. The wounds inflicted by Black Heaven Dark Ghost were deep, but he didn't seek treatment. To die before the Blood Demon would be the greatest honor.

Just days ago, the Lord of the Information Hall had been executed in this very room.
He didn’t expect to survive. He was simply grateful for the opportunity to be in the Blood Demon's presence, to answer his questions, to prove his usefulness one last time.
The room was dark, the only sound the quiet, steady breathing of the Blood Demon.

He had no idea how much time had passed. It felt like an eternity, yet it could have been just a moment.
A servant entered the room to refill the oil lamps.
“Impressive.” The Blood Demon’s low voice echoed through the room. “To survive an encounter with Black Heaven Dark Ghost and return alive.”

The Unit Leader pressed his forehead against the floor, his body trembling. He remained silent, awaiting the Blood Demon’s questions.
The Blood Demon sat up, his voice still thick with sleep. “I summoned you because I was curious. Has Black Heaven Dark Ghost grown old? Was the information provided by the Information Hall inaccurate? Or have you become stronger?”
All three were true. Black Heaven Dark Ghost had aged. The records on him were outdated. And the Unit Leader had grown stronger under the Blood Demon’s tutelage.

Hearing the Blood Demon state the obvious, he felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps… perhaps he would be spared.
“I was considering disbanding the Information Hall, but their records, compiled by the Yoohyeon Unit, are… valuable.”
The Unit Leader swallowed nervously. The Information Hall was the only group within the Blood Cult, aside from the three martial arts units, that was referred to as a “Hall,” a testament to the Blood Demon’s interest in the central plains. Though their martial arts skills were far inferior to the warriors of the three units, he had granted the Information Hall Leader considerable authority.

“Do you know why I taught you, the members of the Yoohyeon Unit, the Blood Arts?”
As the Yoohyeon Unit Leader wisely remained silent, the Blood Demon chuckled. “So you wouldn’t die.” His voice dripped with sarcasm, not concern. “Even if the Yoohyeon Unit’s records are destroyed, the knowledge remains within your minds. You can simply rewrite them.” His smile vanished. “And yet, you’re the only survivor.”
A heavy silence followed.

“I didn’t know you were alive. So, I brought the Information Hall Leader to the Yoohyeon Unit headquarters to test his knowledge. He made three mistakes, and I didn’t even ask him many questions.” He sighed wearily. “There’s no point in keeping someone who can’t even manage the information they’ve gathered. So, when I learned you were still alive, I executed him.”
The Blood Demon’s gaze slowly rose, meeting the Unit Leader’s. He smiled, his lips twisting into a cruel smirk. “From today onwards, you are the Lord of the Information Hall.”
The Unit Leader flinched. The Blood Demon, ignoring his reaction, continued. “However, the Moohyeon Unit will be separated from the Information Hall.”

The Moohyeon Unit operated within the central plains, gathering intelligence and relaying it to the Yoohyeon Unit, who then compiled the information and reported it to the Hall Leader. But without the Moohyeon Unit, there would be no new information to report. ‘So, I’ll be managing the existing records…’ The Unit Leader swallowed nervously. The Blood Demon wanted the Yoohyeon Unit members to survive, to preserve their knowledge. They weren't seen as people, but as… living records.
The thought of being confined to the pavilion indefinitely, a living archive, filled him with dread. It was a fate worse than death.
As his face paled, a voice called from outside the room. “The Lords of the Red Blood and Blue Blood Units have arrived.”

The Blood Demon waved his hand dismissively. The doors opened, and the two Unit Leaders, their hands clasped respectfully, entered the room. They approached the Blood Demon, carefully stepping over the still-kneeling Unit Leader, and waited for his command.
“Where is the Crimson Blood Unit Leader?” It seemed he had summoned all three. But one was missing.
The Red Blood Unit Leader’s face crumpled. “He sent his apologies, claiming his mission in the North Sea isn’t yet complete.”

“Apologies?” The Blood Demon chuckled. “He likely told you not to bother him with trivial matters until he was finished.”
The Red Blood Unit Leader remained silent. He had offered to retrieve him personally, but the Crimson Blood Unit Leader had sent a message, asking whether the Blood Demon wanted him to complete his mission or abandon it and return. Though the Red Blood Unit Leader had assumed the latter, the Crimson Blood Unit Leader had laughed and told him not to be ridiculous. And he had stayed in the North Sea.
He had expected the Blood Demon's wrath, but he had simply laughed. “That’s why I like Hae-rak. He doesn't do it for me, but he understands my intentions better than anyone.”

Though he had already made his decision, the Crimson Blood Unit Leader's defiance had only strengthened his resolve.
“I had initially planned to send the Red Blood Unit to Guangdong this year, the Blue Blood Unit to Sichuan next year, and the Crimson Blood Unit to Hubei in three years. But the situation has changed. The Yoohyeon Unit’s blunder has revealed our presence to the central plains.” His gaze, laced with amusement, fell upon the Yoohyeon Unit Leader. “The Martial Alliance is assembling a search party… I didn’t expect our carefully laid plans to unravel so quickly.”
The Unit Leader lowered his head, unable to meet his gaze.

The Blood Demon looked away. “We need to change our plans.” He addressed the two Unit Leaders before him. “We’ll send the Crimson Blood Unit to the central plains first.”
They both flinched, the Red Blood Unit Leader’s expression particularly grim. The Red Blood Unit had been promised the first foray into the central plains. He knew the importance of establishing an early presence, and he couldn't help but protest. “But… I’ve already deployed several Red Blood Unit members to Guangdong.”
The Blood Demon’s gaze sharpened.

He immediately fell silent.
Instead of reprimanding him, the Blood Demon smiled, his lips a dark crimson. “Don't be greedy, Pyowol-ah. We need to offer the Martial Alliance a few… distractions. It’s better for you to wait until things have settled down.”
He brushed his long hair back from his face. It was irritating, obscuring his vision, when his mind was already in turmoil.

The Red Blood Unit Leader, sensing his displeasure, tightened his lips, his face pale with anxiety. The Blue Blood Unit Leader, relieved not to be the target of his attention, remained silent, waiting patiently.
The Blood Demon spoke, his voice low and steady. “We’ll sever all contact with the main sect for now, let the Martial Alliance believe they’ve won. It will take a few years. And the only one I can trust to act independently, to follow my unspoken intentions, is Hae-rak.”
Ironically, the one he trusted the least was also the most predictable. He was driven by greed, not faith, and would thrive in the chaotic environment of the central plains. And he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate anyone who posed a threat, anyone who might expose them.

He looked at the two loyal Unit Leaders before him. Ironically, he couldn't trust their loyalty. Their unwavering devotion to the Blood Cult would cloud their judgment, and in a crisis, they might hesitate, or worse, try to contact the main sect.
He intended to completely sever all ties between the central plains and the main sect. Choosing the right pawns for this game… A wild, unpredictable stray was more reliable than a carefully bred, pampered pet.
He smiled at the anxious Red Blood Unit Leader. “Pyowol-ah.”

“Yes!”
He placed his hand on the bed, his voice softening. “You will take over the North Sea operation.”
“Yes. I won’t let a single one escape.”

Some of the Moohyeol Unit members, fleeing after the incident on Mount Emei, had been captured by the Martial Alliance. But most had escaped to the North Sea. One of them, having somehow mastered the Northern Sea Ice Palace’s techniques, had proven particularly difficult to track. They had been forced to send the Crimson Blood Unit Leader himself.
Having reassigned the mission, he turned to the Blue Blood Unit Leader.
“The Blue Blood Unit will focus on… educating the new Information Hall Leader.”

The Unit Leader, still prostrate on the floor, looked up.
However, the three of them continued their conversation as if he weren't even there. Or rather, the two Unit Leaders listened attentively as the Blood Demon spoke.
“I know the Tang Clan possesses some of the Divine Physician’s medical texts, but those are from when the Yeonjudan was still located in Qing-hae. There shouldn’t be any records from after they relocated to Mount Emei. How did the Tang Clan discover their new location?”

He traced the silk sheets with his finger, a thoughtful frown on his face. “I heard they deduced it from a coded message found on a carrier pigeon. But that’s also strange. How would a girl, who’s never left the Tang Clan estate, know how to decipher such a message?”
His dark eyes flickered downwards. “What do you think, Information Hall Leader? Is there something in the Yoohyeon Unit’s records that I’m unaware of?”