Blood Flame Cult (3)
The Blood Flame Cult was a heretical sect as proclaimed by the imperial family.
They were individuals whose words and actions were unpredictable.
Given the size of their influence, one would expect their teachings to be common knowledge, yet even the imperial family had not fully unraveled their doctrines over many years.
Jeong Yeon-shin quietly asked, "Did you call for me?"
"Yes, Grand Master," replied the Blood Flame Sword Master, kneeling in submission.
"..."
The Jeong family was the foremost in Shinya County of Hunan.
To avoid appearing foolish while wielding power, one needed to possess culture and refinement.
Even their children could not neglect their studies.
Jeong Yeon-shin had learned the classics, albeit superficially.
It was said that in all matters of the world, cause and effect were clear.
The same applied to the events of the martial world.
If one traced back an incomprehensible outcome, there would be an unexplainable cause behind it.
The madmen of the Blood Flame Cult were said to be a congregation of the incomprehensible.
Ma Gwang-ik's talents were similar.
He created a martial art that had not been conceived since the time of the Great Master Dalma, one that countered the Blood Flame Cult's techniques.
He even founded the Sword Family, which caused widespread slaughter.
The Sword Family was particularly unprecedented.
It surpassed the limits of martial arts they possessed.
Thus, kidnapping was a natural occurrence.
Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo had once said that if the other sects learned of Jeong Yeon-shin's talents, they would either try to win him over or kill him.
The Blood Flame Cult simply chose the former.
"I have widely announced it in the sect," said the Seventh Apostle, raising her lips.
Her smile did not approach beauty, perhaps due to the madness that seemed to slice through the skin.
Her single red eye scanned Jeong Yeon-shin.
She whispered slowly, "Your remarkably swift achievements, your unparalleled creative talents, and your character that does not waver when cutting through the equator. What would happen if we instilled Blood Qi into your body? Our sect may witness the birth of a new sect leader after a hundred years."
Blood Qi was said to be a martial art within the realm of sorcery.
It was said that the moment one practiced it, the energy channels from the Baihui point to the brain would twist.
It created a state conducive to instilling the doctrines of the Blood Flame Cult.
The religion of madmen.
They repeated their extremes with the intention of brainwashing.
They did not hesitate to elevate the Grand Master to a position of authority.
It was incomprehensible in a rational sense.
It was typical of a heretical sect.
Jeong Yeon-shin calmly replied, "The idea of a new sect leader is laughable. I have severed many of your cultists' necks."
"The children who faithfully shed blood for the doctrine shed their physical bodies and go to the Land of Immortality. Our revenge is not merely vengeance. It is to burn the land with blood, hoping for abundance in the Land of Immortality."
"There has never been a history where the rulers who live long welcome their successors."
"That is merely a superstition. The seat of the sect leader will forever be occupied by him."
The Seventh Apostle smiled slyly.
"The term 'new sect leader' is quite literal. Be my little sect leader as the Grand Master."
"Grand Master!"
"Perfect the Blood Qi!"
Before long, many had gathered around.
Perhaps it was because the Blood Flame Sword Master had taken a bow in the middle of the street.
A circle of people filled with red eyes formed.
It was a bizarre sight.
As if pleased, her voice was infused with a strange energy.
"I spoke of your talents. Our sect has an ancient doctrine. It is the third phrase of the Flame Fire Festival."
"Overcome it strongly!" shouted the sword master who had called Jeong Yeon-shin Grand Master.
His expression was solemn.
As the Seventh Apostle slightly nodded, the sword master bowed his head as if in gratitude.
The Seventh Apostle gazed intently into Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes and said, "It is a verse regarding red hair. The moment you practice Blood Qi in the Central Plains, you will bear a heavenly punishment. All sorts of creatures that see your red hair will try to capture and kill the cultists."
"Do you not often capture and kill the common people?" Jeong Yeon-shin spoke amidst the one hundred and fifty Blood Flame cultists.
He wanted to gauge their reactions before deciding how to act.
Yet, no one responded.
Not even the Seventh Apostle.
Jeong Yeon-shin felt as if he had fallen into a different world.
The Seventh Apostle, with a thin smile, continued, "It would have been a natural occurrence. The glorious traces of Blood Qi turning into heavenly punishment are due to two groups. Those who boast of their righteousness and the imperial family that calls us a heretical sect."
"..."
"You will help them overcome it. You can easily change the Blood Qi's control method to suit your lineage. You have the talent to create martial arts. You can turn these children's red hair black."
It was a request to make it impossible to distinguish Blood Flame cultists by appearance.
It meant to commit acts akin to disaster.
As soon as the Seventh Apostle finished speaking, several people stood up.
"Overcome it strongly!"
"Perfect the divine Blood Qi!"
"Grand Master! Ahhh! Grand Master!"
Madmen, Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
They spoke of Blood Qi as divine while demanding the development of techniques.
They asked to overcome while requesting to change the color of their hair.
Wasn't it all contradictory? He had thought heretical sects would be more conservative.
But it was not so.
Their temperament was close to chaos.
They were satisfied with whatever was good.
They had appointed Jeong Yeon-shin as Grand Master to rampage in the Central Plains.
They were transparent individuals, yet the gazes directed at the island's master were already filled with admiration.
Amidst the frenzy, the Seventh Apostle laughed.
"Young Grand Master. You will pave the future of our sect."
Jeong Yeon-shin did not respond.
Lost in thought, he lowered his gaze and stood silently.
After a brief uproar, they dispersed.
Only then did the Seventh Apostle reach out again.
The long fingers felt the waves of energy that had formed as if it were a daily occurrence.
The density was immense.
It seemed to be a realm where the operation of internal energy bore no burden of thought.
She gently grasped the cuff of Jeong Yeon-shin's sleeve, as if he could never escape.
The Seventh Apostle's lips moved.
"Let us go, my little sect leader. Our Grand Master."
Jeong Yeon-shin followed silently.
A gust of wind brushing against his cheek felt unexpectedly pleasant.
Perhaps it was because he had long recognized his short life.
Or perhaps it was because his naturally strong heart was quite resilient.
The Blood Flame Cult was a completely different world.
Thoughts could not help but progress.
'Could the control technique also be unusual?' It was said to be a power of regeneration.
Perhaps, just perhaps, it could change fate not through the fruit of the world tree but through self-taught knowledge.
The young Grand Master walked silently.
As he passed several halls with the Seventh Apostle, a grand hall resembling a palace appeared.
Jeong Yeon-shin, who was engraving all the scenes of the red camp in his mind, quickly counted the wide steps.
Thirty-six.
It was a number that held much significance.
'Thirty-six Heavenly Stars of the Taoist Evil Star.
The thirty-six afflictions of Buddhism.' It was said that sects based on religion had many symbolic structures within.
There were many cases where they were used as clues to interpret martial arts.
He climbed the steps, trying not to let the Seventh Apostle catch him glancing.
As he reached the end, a large red door opened on its own.
"Come closer."
The voice was smooth.
A handsome man with white hair sat alone in a high seat, beckoning.
His white face and elegantly raised nose felt so noble that he resembled royalty, yet he lounged with one leg draped over the wide chair.
There was no particular aura emanating from him.
Despite being the leader of the Blood Flame Cult, one of the most powerful in the world.
'Could it be?' Jeong Yeon-shin recalled the image of the island's master, who was enjoying the breeze with a gentle smile.
It was just before the martial arts competition with Ma Se-in, the heir from her maternal family.
He had only just realized the existence of the treasured sword hanging at her waist.
"The sect leader has spoken. Did you not hear?" said one of those lined up beside the Blood Flame Cult leader.
His tone was oppressive.
He was a middle-aged man with jet-black hair.
Unlike the Blood Flame Cult leader, he exuded a powerful aura throughout his body, making it clear he was another Apostle.
"Is there an Apostle above the Grand Master?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked without changing his tone.
He referred to himself as the Grand Master.
The Seventh Apostle beside him burst into laughter.
The echoing laughter in the luxurious hall was filled with joy, resonating ominously.
Even before the sect leader, the laughter did not cease.
"Your question is valid. The ranks of Grand Master and Apostle are not different," she replied with a radiant face.
"It is disgusting for a commoner from the Central Plains to claim to be our sect's Grand Master when his position is not even established."
The middle-aged man said with a calm expression.
The Apostles displayed all sorts of behavior before the sect leader, unlike the cultists, including the Blood Flame Sword Master.
Their demeanor was unbelievably free-spirited.
He slowly continued, "I have already obtained permission from the sect leader. If what I have heard about your talents is true, even if Blood Qi is bestowed upon you, you will not be able to cleanse your mind and body with our sect's spirit. You will have to undergo countless trials in the future."
"Third Apostle, listen well."
The Seventh Apostle's expression vanished.
An aura that seemed ready to erupt spread from her entire body.
"Your child is not fit to be the little sect leader. Do not be envious."
"You speak of stale tales."
It was the voice of the Blood Flame Cult leader.
He waved his hand leisurely.
At the same time, his white hair swayed slightly.
It moved as if it were alive.
A cool breeze blew.
The energy that had filled the sect leader's hall was swept away in an instant.
The Seventh Apostle's uniquely sharp aura vanished without a trace.
It was a technique so refined that it was hard to guess its essence.
Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly felt a tightness in his wrist.
The grip of the Seventh Apostle on his cuff had tightened.
"First."
Under the protection of the sect leader, the Third Apostle spoke slowly.
"You must experience your self-taught knowledge. There is much gossip, and the Seventh Apostle is infatuated with you, so it is only right to report it. It is a very basic matter."
"Your affairs are complicated. Let us proceed quickly."
No one was angered by Jeong Yeon-shin's retort.
The leaders of the Blood Flame Cult remained as calm as a clear mirror.
Regardless of how twisted their direction was, they each had their own cultivation stacked high.
As people, they were frightening.
"There is no need for lengthy discussion. Come."
The Third Apostle extended an arm.
Woong! The energy of Blood Qi surged from his palm.
A faint red current began to layer and form a circle.
It was not the power of a breakthrough.
It was not a combination of martial arts and energy but solely a barrier created by internal energy.
'Unity of offense and defense.' Jeong Yeon-shin discerned the Third Apostle's technique.
A sharply piercing energy surged.
It was a storm of sharpness created by internal energy.
It would be far inferior to striking with both internal energy and hands.
Even so, it was an unrealistic marvel.
"The level of energy operation has reached a point where it can be discussed in the world."
"Isn't that a level one would expect to see from those dressed in black from the Central Plains?" The onlookers did not hide their admiration.
Jeong Yeon-shin gazed at the barrier of internal energy that appeared before him.
The Seventh Apostle whispered in his ear, "This is the trial that our sect's latecomers undergo when they are promoted to Blood Flame Sword Master. If you can endure even a single breath, you will be granted a potion."
"What happens if I tear it?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked calmly.
Woong.
He stepped forward while casting the Demonic Extermination Clear Water.
A clear energy spread in all directions from his right hand, raised to his chest.
He did not prolong it.
He created a barrier and struck down.
Whoosh! The moment he struck, a red whirlwind began to sweep in all directions from his hand.
The visible red current surged outward.
The barrier struck by the energy glowed with a chilling blue light.
The wall of internal energy, built to a high level, was unraveled piece by piece.
It took no time at all to reach annihilation.
As the red wind dispersed, a moment of silence followed.
"... If it is truly a self-forged martial art," the Third Apostle began.
"Truly a dangerous one..."
He took a step back.
The sharpness in his expression was different from his retreat.
Jeong Yeon-shin immediately sensed it.
It seemed that some sinister scheme was coiling within the heart of the Blood Flame Cult's Apostle.
At that moment, the Blood Flame Cult leader parted his lips.
"That power, the method of energy operation."
"...?"
"Indeed, it was something to not worry about."
As he began to speak, the atmosphere in the hall changed.
Even the Apostles bowed their heads as if they were now disciples listening to a sermon.
"To master a peerless martial art merely through techniques? The major sects would have no reason to pay attention to a disciple's talents."
"..."
"Your skills have increased. It feels as if an independent interpretation of the law of rectifying the world has melted into it. The reason internal energy takes on specific properties is not solely due to the diverse paths of energy. Thought is important. That is why a master is needed."
The Blood Flame Cult leader said with a smile, as if he were Jeong Yeon-shin's master.
'He speaks the truth.' Jeong Yeon-shin inwardly agreed.
When she had taken the Seventh Apostle's gaze, she had said that even a little bit of law power would make it difficult to enter the path.
One had to be born with exceptional talent to cultivate.
If it were easy to learn martial arts, the Blood Flame Cult would have been exterminated long ago.
That statement was true.
No one had been able to acquire it.
Jeong Yeon-shin was no fool.
Naturally, he had created a secret technique and handed it over to the island's master.
The Demonic Extermination Clear Water was a rare ascending martial art.
It had achieved great merit.
However, the last news he heard diminished that merit.
It was said that even the great masters had not been able to enter the path.
"You were the problem."
The Blood Flame Cult leader smiled faintly.
"You have entered our sect."
"..."
"You have unraveled the trial with your outstanding skills. There should be a reward for the Grand Master. Bring it."
As he clapped his hands, a person stepped forward.
With cautious steps, it seemed to be a servant.
He held a box covered in golden silk high above his head.
The antique box atop it was noticeable.
The Blood Flame Cult leader gestured slightly.
As the servant knelt and lifted the box, the leader opened it and took out a blood-red pill.
"What is this?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked calmly.
At the same time, a strange atmosphere surged from the Blood Flame Cult leader.
It was not normal.
The moment he slightly raised his exquisitely beautiful chin, an explosive charm of energy bloomed.
There were countless tales about the master of the Blood Flame Cult.
It was said that he would pierce the nape of the neck and absorb energy and blood.
Even so, many victims died smiling.
The Blood Flame Cult leader raised his lips.
"It is a poison that narrows the blood path. It is our sect's vision."
There was a demonic quality to his smile.
It was a smile that captivated people.