Characters[]
- Jin Woonhwi (Sodamgeom) (Namcheomcheomgeom) (Blood Demon Sword)
- Sima Young
- Sima Chak
- Ha Seong-woon
- Jogu
Synopsis[]
Novel[]
I sat in front of the private room of the doctor’s office, waiting. My mind was restless, filled with confusing thoughts. How could I explain all of this to my maternal grandfather, Ha Sung-woon? He had already expressed curiosity about the origin of my martial arts after I defeated the infamous Black Sword Master with a single strike. At first, I thought about telling him that I learned it from Swordsman Namcheon, but I began to wonder if there was a reason to hide the truth. My grandfather, as the successor of the Biwol Yeongjong bloodline, might not look kindly on the Blood Sect. “You’ll find out anyway,” I muttered to myself. The Blood Demon Sword inside me always found a way to comment. “That sounds interesting. How will that old man react when he finds out that you’ve become a blood demon?” I tried to ignore the taunting and focused on persuading the doctor to take my grandfather’s pulse before anything else. But my worry did not diminish.
That was when a middle-aged congressman emerged from the bamboo grove. Through the gaps in the trees, I could see my maternal grandfather and Kang Bu, the one-armed man, lying on the bed, receiving moxibustion and acupuncture.
My heart sank. I asked the congressman,
“How are they?”
He shook his head in amazement.
“It’s amazing that they’ve survived this long without proper treatment.”
“Is the situation really that serious?” I asked, worried.
“Your grandfather has a weak heart, but with herbal medicine, he can get better.
The safflower oil really helped. If I hadn’t tried so hard, I would have been in trouble.”
“What about his eyes?”
“He hasn’t seen sunlight for a long time. If he covers his eyes with a medicated cloth and follows the treatment for a few days, he should recover.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. I was grateful to know that he could still see the future.
“What about Kang Bu?”
The congressman hesitated before answering:
“We can’t say whether he will live or die. The wound is very festering and the flesh has rotted. We can treat it, but his fate is in the hands of heaven.”
My expression darkened. This wasn’t what I expected to hear. I knew the wound was serious, but I hadn’t imagined that his recovery would be so uncertain. My grandfather would be devastated.
“Is there no way to save him?” I asked.
“We removed the most compromised parts, but the infection has already reached the internal organs. Everything will depend on the patient’s resistance.”
I wanted to do something more, but my hands were tied.
“Can I see them?”
“They’ve taken Mabisan and are sleeping. It’s best to let them rest.”
I nodded, frustrated.
Sima Ying, beside me, tried to comfort me. “Your Majesty, everything will be fine.” “I hope so,” I replied. I didn’t want to lose Kang Bu. He was loyal to my grandfather until the end. “You must be hungry. There’s a restaurant nearby that serves delicious noodles,” Sima Ying suggested. I hadn’t eaten all day. “Let’s go.” Sima Ying grabbed my wrist to pull me out of the hospital. Mi-yeom followed us with a sullen look. As we were leaving, a young man in academic robes came out of another private room and spotted me. He ran over to me anxiously. “Thank you, Grandmaster! How can I repay this favor?” He bowed repeatedly. I remembered that he had almost been denied entry to the hospital because of the Silverbackhori Gang, but thanks to me, he was able to get treatment. The Blood Demon Sword taunted in my mind:
“They’re calling you the ‘Great Swordsman.’ The corners of your mouth are turning up.”
I tried to ignore him.
“Don’t worry about it,” I told the young man. “I’m still too young to be called a great hero.”
He smiled.
“Age doesn’t matter. Confucius said that there are things to learn even from a three-year-old. Someone as talented as you deserves respect.”
I liked his sincere manner.
“Did you get the necessary treatment?” I asked.
He sighed.
“The congressman said there’s not much we can do. I have to wait for the substance where I was stung to dissolve.”
“Stung?” I frowned.
“Yes. If I fail the exam, I’ll be stuck in Musangseong for three years.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
He looked surprised.
— Didn’t Grandmaster come to become Wind God Wujeong’s successor?
I was confused.
“Successor?” I repeated.
The Blood Demon Sword laughed.
“Isn’t that your biological father’s nickname?”
Yes, Jin Seong-baek, one of the Eight Great Masters. But why were they saying I came to succeed him?
The young man explained that Musangseong had announced an open test to choose a successor for the Fengying Palryu Sect. Anyone who passed would learn the martial arts of the Eight Spirits of the Wind Elemental School and could become the next leader.
“No conditions?” Sima Ying asked.
The young man shook his head.
“There is one: whoever doesn’t pass will have to serve the sect for three years.”
“That’s quite a price,” I muttered.
The young man touched his acupuncture points.
“I was stabbed in eight places and won a gold medal. I heard it dissolves over time, but it’s uncomfortable.”
I took the lottery ticket he handed me.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
He gave me a plaque with his name on it: Zhu Ruibin.
“Little Prince?” I muttered in surprise.
Zhu Ruibin would become a rival of the brothers Song Ja-baek and Song Woo-hyeon. I never expected to meet him like this.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Great Swordsman!” he exclaimed.
“Is there some misunderstanding…” I began.
“Aren’t you the descendant of Swordsman Namcheon who reappeared in the martial arts competition, saw through the plot of the Blood Sect remnants, and saved countless martial artists?”
I was speechless.
The Blood Demon Sword laughed once more:
“What’s going on here?”
I wanted to know too.