Characters[]
- Jin Woonhwi (Sodamgeom)
- Hae Ak Cheon
- Twice Brothres
- Lee Gyu
- Ha Moon-Chan
- Jo Seong-Won
- Gong Hye-Ryeo
- Jang Moon-woong
Synopsis[]
Novel[]
Jo Seong-won and I were climbing a steep mountain cliff. I was using the Open Renewal Method, a technique superior to the traditional Blood Cult method, allowing me to use my hands and feet to move quickly and accurately. Seong-won, observing my climbing style, compared me to a dog climbing a cliff, but he could not deny my speed.
As we climbed, I reflected on Seong-won’s precarious position. He had been sent as a spy, but his intelligence made him question the circumstances. His main concern was that he would be exposed by the leader of the Open Sect, which could mean his death. To ensure his safety, he asked for my help and promised loyalty if I could resolve the situation.
Before I accepted him completely, I asked him a few questions. I asked if he had infiltrated the area willingly or if others in the Open Sect knew about his mission. He hesitated before admitting that a beggar named Yuk Gyeol, who was in charge of the Honam branch, had been collecting records of villages and missing people for years. This indicated that the open cult might know his identity, making him a possible “drop card” for his own group.
Upon arriving at Hae-ak-cheon’s cave, where the candidates were loading goods, we met Song Ja-baek. He looked at Seong-won suspiciously due to his bruised face, but instead of punishing him, he commented that he had done a good job, surprising everyone. In the Blood Cult, this kind of brutality was seen as part of the training.
After finishing the task, I took Seong-won to the guest room where Hae-ak-cheon and Jang Moon-woong were talking. Before entering, I warned him not to react to anything and just follow my instructions. When we entered, Hae-ak-cheon immediately noticed his bruised face and asked what had happened. I replied that I had interrogated him to see if he was hiding something.
When I revealed that Seong-won was from the Open Sect, the two leaders reacted with hostility. Hae-ak-cheon quickly grabbed his neck, nearly choking him, while asking if he was a spy. To calm the situation, I explained that he had actually fled the Open Sect after being betrayed. I twisted the facts, suggesting that Seong-won had been competing with the Open Ark’s grandson for succession, but had ended up being discarded and had joined the Blood Cult out of revenge.
Jang Moon-woong was still suspicious and asked how I could be sure of his loyalty. I replied that I had seen Seong-won years ago in Yulang County and that he had tried to join the Ilhyeolseong Sect, but had backed out when he realized I recognized him.
To cement his acceptance, I played my final card: I revealed that the alliance between the Martial Arts Federation and Musangseong was about to break down. This information shocked Hae-ak-cheon and Jang Moon-woong, as it signified a significant shift in the balance of power. Of course, Seong-won was unaware of this information, but by saying it, I assured him of his usefulness to the Blood Cult.
As we left the room, Seong-won looked at me incomprehensibly. He realized that being exposed as a spy did not guarantee his safety—on the contrary, he was now a traitor to both the open sect and the Jeongpa Cult. This required him to fully commit himself to the Blood Cult. Realizing that he had been manipulated, he finally accepted his fate and sent a message to me:
[I pledge my loyalty to the Lord.]
Later that night, I sneaked out to a vacant lot near the main hall. It was time to receive payment for a bet made with the Blood Witch.
Manhwa[]
Gallery[]
