Chapter 21
The Purpose of the Blood Demon
After Ihwan and Cheol Muok departed, the meeting soon concluded.
The generals returned to their posts, but Jeongcheon remained by Hwangho’s side.
Jeongcheon spoke.
“Even after seeing it with my own eyes, I still can’t believe it. How can someone change that much overnight?”
“You mean the Grand Prince?”
“Yes.”
“You’re still the same. It’s been a while now—shouldn’t you be over the shock?”
“Considering the Grand Prince of the past, it’s hard not to be surprised.”
Hwangho nodded silently and continued.
“It’s not that he changed, but that his true nature has been revealed. I assume he’s been hiding his abilities all this time.”
“So, you view the Grand Prince’s transformation positively, General?”
“Even if he’s not the legitimate heir, he is still a prince of this nation. If his change is for the better, shouldn’t we welcome it?”
Jeongcheon brought up another matter.
“I haven’t had a chance to report this yet, but lately, the Grand Prince has met with the Left General multiple times—at his own quarters, no less.”
“Is that so?”
“Isn’t it strange? He refused visits from anyone else while in the barracks, yet he summoned the Left General multiple times.”
Hwangho’s eyes narrowed at that.
Once might be dismissed as a courtesy, but multiple meetings? That was certainly suspicious, given Ihwan’s usual behavior.
“If the Left General is scheming something using the Grand Prince, we cannot overlook it.”
“Have you assigned someone to watch over the Grand Prince?”
“Yes. I’ve placed highly skilled individuals for this kind of work, so there’s little risk of discovery.”
“Pull them out. Immediately.”
“…Sir?”
“You know what it means to monitor the Grand Prince. If the Left General even suspects something, he could turn it into a weapon against us.”
“…”
Hwangho spoke with force.
“If it’s just our necks on the line, so be it. But if His Highness the Crown Prince suffers because of it, I won’t be able to rest even in death. Now pull them out.”
“I hadn’t considered that. I’ll remove them at once.”
Jeongcheon bowed his head and exited.
Hwangho drained a cup of cold water and threw open the window of his quarters.
‘His Highness the Crown Prince entrusted me with watching over the Grand Prince… But what if Ihwan sides with the second prince…?’
Deep in Hwangho’s narrowed eyes, a flicker of torment appeared—and then vanished.
Back at his quarters, Paeng Muwi frowned as he recalled Cheol Muok.
‘That face… I know I’ve seen it before…’
The moment he saw Cheol Muok, he had a strong feeling it wasn’t their first meeting. Yet no matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn’t place him.
He even tried recalling similar faces, but came up empty.
“Commander!”
“Yes.”
His lieutenant entered.
“That man earlier.”
“Which man?”
“The one the Grand Prince is sending on reconnaissance into the enemy camp.”
“Ah, him.”
“Have you seen him somewhere before?”
“He seemed unfamiliar. Why do you ask…?”
“He feels unfamiliar to me too, and yet… it keeps nagging at me. Like I’ve seen him somewhere.”
“Really?”
Gulping down cold water, Paeng Muwi continued.
“There’s something strange about him. I want you to dig into his background. Every detail.”
“Understood.”
Once the lieutenant left, Paeng Muwi slumped deep into his chair, his eyes darkening.
‘His eyes… they’re too familiar.’
“You’re going to scout the Jo Nation’s camp? Alone?”
“That’s the order, so I must obey.”
Gongsontae looked incredulous.
“Even if you’re bound by fate to serve him, this is too much! How can they send our commander alone into such danger?”
“Watch your mouth!”
“How can I, at a time like this? Dangerous enemies have suddenly appeared in the Jo camp. If something happens to you while you’re out there alone—”
“Are you worried about me? Or do you not trust me?”
“Of course I’m worried! That’s why I’m saying this!”
“Don’t worry. I’ve survived worse.”
“Then at least let me go with you.”
“No. I’m better off alone.”
“Commander!”
Just then—
“May I come in?”
It was Ihwan’s voice from outside. Gongsontae quickly composed himself and opened the door.
“…Please come in.”
“Some tea, if you would.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ihwan took Gongsontae’s seat.
“Let’s talk in more depth about the corpse. I couldn’t say everything earlier with the other warriors around. You couldn’t either, I’m sure.”
“Did you see it?”
“I did. I saw traces of extremely powerful demonic energy.”
‘That shouldn’t be visible so easily…’
Cheol Muok grew suspicious.
‘Did he hold back during the fight with the Jo general? If he’d truly gone all out, it wouldn’t make sense that he could detect traces of magic on the corpse…’
The doubt soon turned into confusion.
“What are you thinking?”
“Ah, nothing.”
As Gongsontae brought the tea, the conversation paused. Ihwan savored the aroma and took a sip before speaking again.
“Tonight, I’m coming with you.”
“I can handle it on my own.”
“I refuse to be the kind of master who sends his subordinate into danger alone.”
“Cough!”
Gongsontae suddenly burst into a violent cough.
Cheol Muok sighed.
“His mouth is reckless, but he’s a valuable comrade. Please forgive him.”
“…I apologize.”
“It’s fine. May I see your sword?”
Cheol Muok handed his sword over. Ihwan examined it curiously.
“If enough energy is infused, this sword transforms into a broadsword, correct?”
“Yes.”
As soon as Cheol Muok confirmed, the sword emitted a metallic hum and widened.
“Doesn’t that reduce durability?”
“No. The gaps actually absorb impact and make it stronger.”
“Do all your clan members use swords like this?”
“Yes. We disguised them as swords to avoid revealing our identities.”
“I see. But from now on, there’s no need to hide. Seeing this might even draw out the descendants of the Sword King or Poison King.”
“Couldn’t it also draw enemies?”
“That’s a risk we’ll have to take.”
“Understood.”
Ihwan returned the sword and drank more tea.
Cheol Muok cautiously asked:
“Shouldn’t we find the Wandering One as soon as possible?”
“There’s something I must deal with first.”
“If you tell us, we can help.”
“I believe I’ve already answered that question.”
“…”
Ihwan looked at Gongsontae.
“I have a mission for you.”
“Command me.”
“Keep a close eye on Paeng Muwi—who he meets, who he’s close with, and any unexpected visitors. Report anything to me immediately.”
“Understood. May I ask why?”
“Don’t.”
“…Yes.”
Ihwan emptied his cup and stood. As he reached for the doorknob, he turned around.
“You two.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you—for being alive.”
After Ihwan left, Gongsontae pressed his hand to his chest.
“My heart feels weird.”
“Sounds like you were moved by the lord’s words.”
“I was. It felt like he had been watching over our whole lives. All suspicion vanished, and now I feel overwhelming loyalty rising in my chest. Don’t you feel anything, Commander?”
Cheol Muok didn’t answer. He simply raised the now-cold tea to his lips.
‘He’s impossible to read. Sometimes so lighthearted… sometimes so overwhelming that I can’t even meet his gaze. Which one is the real him?’
Whooosh!
Ihwan climbed onto the roof of the barracks and stared out at the crimson sunset.
There, he reflected on his brief time since reincarnation.
‘I must separate the past, present, and future.’
Until now, Ihwan had focused solely on uncovering the truth behind the fall of Daeyaseong and locating the descendants of the Three Kings.
Those were steps firmly rooted in the past.
But now, a shift was beginning inside him.
‘Is it right to chase only the past, ignoring the bonds of this new life?’
His growing attachment to Songhoe and Song Cheonmu marked the start of that change.
He still sought the truth behind Daeyaseong’s downfall and would correct any wrongs—but not at the expense of the present.
‘If I can’t return to the past…’
Then he must live this life to its fullest.
He was no longer Lee Hwan, the Wuje of Daeyaseong—but Lee Hwan, the Fourth Prince of Yeon.
Whooosh.
The wind brushed across his face.
Cheol Muok climbed up beside him, pulling Ihwan from his thoughts.
“What’s weighing so heavily on your mind?”
“I was searching for an answer about myself.”
“Did you find it?”
“Not yet.”
“Whatever it is, I hope you find it soon.”
Ihwan stared at Cheol Muok. His gaze felt different than usual, and Cheol Muok sensed it.
“Have you ever wished to be free from the fate of carrying your ancestor’s will?”
“Probably thousands of times. But not anymore—not after meeting you. Now, I just hope we find others like us, still wandering the world under this same fate. Though… I do have one question.”
Cheol Muok paused, then asked:
“Once the descendants of the Three Kings are gathered—what happens next?”
“I’ll tell you when the time comes.”
Once again, Ihwan evaded the question. Cheol Muok sighed softly.
‘He always avoids direct answers.’
Whooosh.
As the wind gently swept over them, the sun set—and darkness fell.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Just then—
“My lord!”
Songhoe appeared, face grim.
“A messenger just arrived from the capital. His Highness the Crown Prince has suddenly collapsed!”
Ihwan sat face to face with Hwangho.
The mood was darker than ever.
“What happened?”
“According to the messenger, His Highness collapsed without warning. The cause remains unknown.”
“Is his life in danger?”
“At this point, no one can say for sure.”
Hwangho looked ten years older.
“Do I really need to go?”
“Of course you must! It’s the Crown Prince we’re talking about!”
Hwangho raised his voice—gone was the calm commander, replaced by raw emotion.
‘This is going to be a pain.’
Ihwan hadn’t planned on leaving just yet. But the royal summons was clear—he had no choice.
He had no intention of making waves before he was fully prepared. And when it came to the palace, even a small ripple could explode into a crisis.
“Fine. I understand.”
Ihwan headed back to the barracks.
As he walked, he pondered the situation… and suddenly, something clicked.
‘Before going to the palace… I should check there first.’
Soon after arriving at the barracks, Ihwan called for Cheol Muok.
“We’re going to the Jo camp, as planned.”
“But I heard from General Song—you’re supposed to head to the capital?”
“There’s something I need to do first.”
