Try Living Well Without Me

Blood Era Blood Era Blood-Blood Era.

In the Central Plains, it is a taboo phrase, one that invites the enmity of all martial artists merely by being spoken.

And yet, ironically, right now, in the very heart of the Central Plains, someone was uttering that forbidden word.

Of course, no one present dared to object to his words.

For before them stood a crimson-haired, crimson-eyed woman, none other than the leader of the Blood Cult, the Second Blood Demon.

There exists a creature known as the Jiangshi, a monstrous being created through sorcery and corpses. This strange fiend is the representative fighting force of the Blood Cult, one of the infamous heretical sects.

Through the use of Jiangshi, they kill martial artists and turn them into more Jiangshi, creating an inexhaustible army that replenishes itself from the ranks of its enemies.

Moreover, with no emotions or fear, their morale is always sky-high, rendering them an almost flawless army.

Save for one fatal flaw: they can sometimes be difficult to control.

In the past, during the Blood Cult’s zenith, Jiangshi were numerous. It was almost impossible to find someone who hadn’t encountered one. There were even instances of high-ranking officials transforming into Jiangshi, causing chaos throughout the land.

But then a Sword Sage emerged, a meteoric talent who extinguished the Jiangshi with his thunderous sword arts, leaving their kind nearly extinct.

Yet, what everyone thought to be their complete eradication…

In truth, they quietly occupied secluded caves scattered across the Central Plains, quietly surviving.

Most of them were not the weaker common Jiangshi seen in battles but rather advanced Iron Jiangshi or White Jiangshi.

The Blood Cult leader contemplated the odds of defeating the now-weakened martial world.

The result leaned 90% in their favor.

Above all else, the five great sects lacked a leader. The Divine Monk had gone into seclusion, the Sword Sage had fallen from power, and the Royal Envoy had been executed for corruption recently.

What a perfect set of circumstances.

The only concern was the presence of the Executioner, but, much like during the Last Blood War, the Executioner was unlikely to involve themselves in this conflict. To those who follow the path of the blade, the distinction between righteous sects and the Blood Cult held little meaning.

Perhaps even the chaos wrought by the Blood Cult would suit the Executioner better.

Moreover.

“Lord, how is the situation in the Central Plains?”

“It’s chaotic. The Martial Alliance has been decimated after the murder of its leader, and the Black Path continues its strife as always. The Path of Death shows no major changes, lurking in the shadows as always.”

“And the Sacred Path?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Since their suppression under the Royal Envoy, they’ve broken into factions like the Green Forest Bandits and the Yangtze River Pirates, barely clinging to survival.”

“To us, it’s a most favorable situation.”

“There could not be a better time.”

With the complete information provided by the man, the Blood Cult leader smiled slyly.

Once, she possessed martial arts skills comparable to the legendary Blood Demon, but after being sealed by his schemes, she had spent a long time trapped.

To have such immense power, enough to sway the world, yet remain confined, was a grueling experience beyond imagination.

However, it was said that after the shadow comes light.

After the previous Blood Demon was killed by the Sword Sage, her seal was broken, and she rose to become the supreme leader of the Blood Cult. Now, she was reorganizing the remnants of the Blood Cult, planning a second invasion of the Central Plains.

Even though the Blood Cult suffered heavy losses from the Last Blood War at the hands of the Sword Sage and the Divine Monk, ultimately, an endless army of Jiangshi was their greatest asset, able to propagate infinitely.

What mattered now was the number of high-level experts.

Experts from the righteous sects, the sacred path, the black path, and the path of death who could hold their own in direct combat. Common Jiangshi could not handle them, so similarly skilled warriors were needed.

During the Blood Cult’s previous downfall, many core experts like the Twelve Celestial Demon Lords perished, but…

“As long as I am here.”

She had achieved a transcendent level within the demonic arts, a realm also known as “Escaping Demonhood.”

At this peak level, even hundreds of top experts or thousands of martial artists attacking simultaneously would not phase her. Her confidence stemmed from the overwhelming internal energy that flowed endlessly from her fingertips.

“When do you think the appropriate time for the final battle would be?”

“Frankly, it could be now if you’d like.”

“Is that so?”

“Regardless, as long as you unleash our Jiangshi forces, our numbers will naturally increase. And as for experts… as you know, Blood Arts have a way of drawing others in, corrupting the martial artists of the Central Plains.”

“The last war was similar, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, the Central Plains martial world will descend into chaos, with disciples killing their seniors and students slaying their masters. Our Blood Arts are powerful enough to bring this about.”

With each passing word from her subordinate, the Blood Cult leader’s face blossomed with satisfaction.

“However…”

“?”

“Have we located that girl?”

“…”

Her frown deepened at the silence from her subordinate.

“Is it true that you still haven’t found that mysterious girl?”

“…For that, I apologize.”

“You wretch. Due to that girl’s injury, I was forced into recovery. If it weren’t for her, we could’ve even killed the Sword Sage. She may very well become our greatest adversary.”

“No trace of her. No identity. Even the Xiaomen Sect knows nothing. She’s like a phantom.”

“Impossible! That girl was an extraordinary expert! Capable of injuring me and then disappearing in the blink of an eye! At such a young age, she must’ve undergone ancient techniques like Youth Elixir or Reversing Age! How could such a powerful expert remain unknown?”

“…”

The subordinate bowed deeply, for what was unknown could not be known regardless of the fury.

“I wish we’d uncovered her whereabouts before proceeding.”

“Lord, forgive my insolence… but I propose we proceed with the war immediately.”

“Why?”

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity granted by heaven. Who in the current Central Plains could possibly oppose you? The two great pillars have retired from the front lines. Though that girl could pose a variable, we shouldn’t let this opportunity slip.”

“Hmph, if only it were as easy as you make it sound…”

“Hmm…”

“Lord, we must attack before the Central Plains martial world can recover from the last war’s scars.”

“Hmm…”

“Lord!”

Under the earnest gaze of her subordinate, the Blood Cult leader contemplated deeply. The words were undeniably correct, yet a flicker of hesitation remained.

But that hesitation didn’t last long. Long deprived of the taste of battle, she craved blood, driven by the essence of the Blood Arts.

Her subordinate’s words were true. The current state of the Central Plains martial world was unusually weak. Attacking when the enemy is weakened was a standard strategy in warfare.

“Alright, I agree.”

“Lord? Did you mean…!”

“Prepare for war.”

A single phrase that signaled the beginning of hostilities.

*

“Ma’am? Could you kindly explain how to prepare this pork dish?”

“Of course, if you wish. Would you like to wash your hands first?”

“Yes! I’ll wash right away! Mrs. Yu!”

“Hmm…”

Why was it?

Lately, Soeun Yu and Gayoung Jin appeared to have grown noticeably closer. Originally, their relationship was one where Gayoung was eager to devour Soeun, and Soeun was trying her best to avoid her.

Nowadays, the dynamic had shifted: Gayoung was the pursuer, and Soeun seemed to be reciprocating her advances. I wasn’t the only one who noticed this change.

“Sniff… those treacherous girls… they’ve formed an alliance without me…”

Next to me, Hong Ryun gnawed her nails, muttering bitterly to herself.

– Hmph, as expected of my descendant. Clearly understanding her position and excelling in social conduct. Excellent, Gayoung! Do transform this hypocritical lover into a robust lecher!

Even the Woo-yong Jin in my mind seemed to share similar thoughts. Indeed, they had grown closer recently.

Still, why?

It felt like just yesterday they were locked in competition over who would claim my side. When had they improved their relationship so much?

I couldn’t figure it out. Nor did I have much desire to understand. As far as I was concerned, their improved relationship was fine by me.

I have matters in the Namgung Family Manor to attend to. I must reclaim the Celestial Light Treasure Sword and settle accounts with the Blood Demon there.

There is only one concern, however.

“Teacher, what are you doing here?”

“… Hong Ryun.”

“You’re secluded in a distant place… almost like you’re seeking to relive the same event from last time…? Heehee…”

“I… I’ll take my leave. Be sure to arrive at mealtime.”

Since that forced kiss with Hong Ryun the other day, I couldn’t bring myself to look her in the eyes.

I kept recalling that day, and my face would heat up with a blush. In this state, it’s hard even to reject her, making for a truly troublesome situation.

Gulp.

And just like right now.

“Where are you going, Teacher?”

Hong Ryun grabbed my wrist, stopping me as I tried to leave the room.

“…Ryun.”

“Truly… your lips are just as captivating every time I see them…”

The atmosphere grew increasingly awkward.

This was getting troublesome indeed.

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