Book 20 Chapter 18

The Wings of the Bloody Wind

- The Thirteen Bloods Appear

"Nearly all the combat power of the Joongyang Express Agency's Namchang Branch is still inside… Will these numbers be enough, my Lord?"

Yun Yi-jeong asked for a final confirmation.

"Don't worry! This time, we definitely have allies. If it weren't for that pair, annihilating a small express agency like this would be a piece of cake for them."

The fact that one could choke on a piece of cake and suffer indigestion didn't cross his mind at the moment.

"You mean 'them.' Where exactly are they now…"

All that could be seen around was darkness, and all that could be felt was the presence of his subordinates hiding in the shadows.

"Do you want to know?"

Yi Si-geon wore a faint smile.

"They are always present where blood calls. Right here, right now!"

As Yi Si-geon raised his arm as a signal, a single crimson shadow appeared behind him, standing as if on guard. Without a sound, without any precursor, it materialized like heat haze rising from the ground. It was red heat haze.

'The Thirteen Bloods, and only one?'

Just as Yun Yi-jeong pondered this with curiosity, one shadow split into thirteen. Six on each side, precisely thirteen. In an instant, with their blood-red robes flapping, thirteen men lined up behind Yi Si-geon. Their appearance resembled ominous wings that summoned blood.

"Let me introduce them. Our reliable comrades for this endeavor, my crimson wings that will bring the red bloody wind, 'The Thirteen Bloods'!"

Yi Si-geon's lips curved into a cruel smile as he imagined the 'bloody carnage' his wings would bring.

'So they are the ones! I've heard rumors. Madmen who summon blood, precursors to the bloody wind, their only reason for loyalty to the organization is one! They go around saying they can kill and kill and kill again, murderers! It was said that where they appear, the blood never stops…'

Although Yun Yi-jeong led a unit within the organization, he couldn't help but feel tense.

'To bring even these scoundrels along. My Lord's resolve is no ordinary one today!'

At that moment, Yi Si-geon commanded the Thirteen Bloods lined up behind him.

"Three remain to protect me. The rest will split in half; one group will secure the key, and the other will eliminate Jang Woo-yang, the head of the Joongyang Express Agency, and the other higher-ups. According to the intel, the brat is in a thatched hut deep within the agency. You know where the agency head resides without me telling you."

"Yes, sir!"

As their blood-dyed red robes fluttered, their figures vanished from behind Yi Si-geon.

"When we receive the signal that Jang Woo-yang is dead, we will attack. Until then, we wait."

"How should they be dealt with?"

To Yun Yi-jeong's question about the disposal method, Yi Si-geon clutched his wound.

"Is there any need to ask that?"

The wound, as if pierced, still burned and tormented him.

"Kill them all!"

A cruel smile formed on his lips.

"Ugh, did I drink too much yesterday…"

Sudden urgency to use the restroom, the old man let out a weak groan and rose from his seat. It seemed he had drunk more than usual since all the alcohol and snacks were provided freely and indefinitely.

"Now, where was the privy…? Such a hassle… I can't even burn it away with my internal energy…"

It wasn't that he couldn't, but that he wouldn't.

"Come to think of it, there was one guy who, finding going to the privy too bothersome, tried to evaporate his urine by generating sam-mae-jin-hwa within his body…"

Everyone expected failure, but he broke that expectation and succeeded. And then he died.

"That guy, I think he died of uremia."

It seemed that the toxins, which did not dissolve in water, could not be expelled and accumulated in his kidneys, rotting away. A while later, he died spitting bloody urine. Since then, no one dared to attempt it.

"Ahhh~ It's really such a hassle."

The old master yawned and ambled towards the privy. But there were those watching him from hiding.

"What should we do, leader?"

O-hyeol, the fifth of the Thirteen Bloods, asked Il-hyeol.

"Why are you asking? Just kill him."

Murder, murder, murder!

It was their only talent and specialty.

"Yes, but we must follow procedure."

"Why ask about such trivialities? Since when do we go through such procedures to kill someone?"

"Then I'll be right back."

"Finish it quietly."

"Don't worry, leader."

"Heh, seems like he's already thirsty for blood."

This old man will soon bid farewell to this world too. Il-hyeol was certain. However, he would soon have to overturn that certainty.

'Huh?'

Suddenly, Il-hyeol's eyes widened.

O-hyeol, who had stealthily approached to catch up to the old man, suddenly collapsed to the ground with a thud. The old man, unaware of this, continued to walk slowly forward.

"Chil-je, what happened?"

Il-hyeol, flustered, asked.

"Ah, it seems O-hyeong is dead, leader."

"Dead? How did he die? Did that old man do something? Sam-je, did you see?"

"I didn't see anything, leader."

Sam-hyeol also shook his head in bewilderment.

"Gu-je (Ninth Brother), what about you?"

"I didn't see anything either. Did you see something, leader?"

Gu-hyeol asked back.

"No, I didn't see anything either. What is going on? Did O-je suddenly collapse due to a chronic illness?"

"Something like a heart attack? Surely not. He was full of vigor the last time we went to kill. He was fine even after taking down dozens of people? Wasn't he the one who boasted that he would live his life killing?"

Chil-hyeol shook his head.

"Could it be that old man?"

Il-hyeol muttered, watching the old man's back as he walked as if nothing had happened.

"Surely not?"

Chil-hyeol denied it.

"That's right. If he had done something, we would have noticed it."

Gu-hyeol also denied it.

"Indeed…"

With Chil-hyeol and Gu-hyeol's emphatic denials, Il-hyeol agreed.

"According to the intel, Jin Ga-ryeon and Yoo Ga-nom were lured out of the agency. Then who is this old man?"

"Since he's not recorded in the intel on key figures, perhaps he's just an ordinary old man, leader?"

"Hmm… I don't know. This time, Sam-je, Chil-je, and Gu-je, you three go together."

Il-hyeol instructed.

"Do we need three of the great Thirteen Bloods to deal with such a frail old man? The three of us can annihilate a mid-to-small sized sect of one to two hundred people in half a day."

Sam-hyeol said with a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Better safe than sorry. Stop your complaints and get ready. Whether one person kills or three people kill, it's still murder. Eliminate this old man, then find Agency Head Jang Woo-yang and eliminate him along with Deputy Head Jang Woo-gyeong as the top priority. Of course, the rest must also be killed. We are busy today. We cannot delay here any longer."

"What about those Qing Dragon Emblem brats?"

"That will be handled by I-je and the other younger brothers. So don't worry about that, Sam-je."

"Heh heh, a large-scale massacre after a long time. My blood is already getting hot. I'll go quickly with Chil-je and Gu-je."

Sam-hyeol sent a telepathic message with a ferocious smile.

"I'll hold on until then. Go, Sam-je."

At this time, the old man had just opened the privy door and entered.

"Oh no! I've gone into a stinky place? It would be quite undignified to die in a place like that?"

Sam-hyeol clicked his tongue sympathetically.

"Indeed. If we fall into the cesspool, will anyone even retrieve the body, Sam-hyeong?"

"Chil-hyeong is right. Let's just stab him from outside and be done with it."

"That's a good idea. One, two, three, let's stab simultaneously."

"Sounds good."

As soon as the agreement was made, the three positioned themselves behind and to the left and right of the privy. Of course, they made no sound.

"Is everyone ready? One… Two…"

"Three!"

As agreed, the three simultaneously thrust their blades.

*Swoosh!*

The sharp blades pierced the wooden planks without a sound.

'Success!'

Il-hyeol, watching from a nearby tree, smiled in his heart.

'Was it just unnecessary worry?'

It seemed the cause of O-je's death was elsewhere. He would need to check later.

'Of course! How could a martial artist of my caliber not notice any movement! No, the body didn't move, I'm sure of it! It's not like he's reached the legendary realm of killing with one's mind…'

The realm of killing with one's mind. That was just a fanciful tale from stories.

'Huh?'

But something was strange.

'Why is it so quiet?'

Not only was there no scream from inside the privy, but the three younger brothers who had thrust their swords also remained motionless, as if frozen.

"Sam-je, Chil-je, Gu-je, what are you doing? Are you enjoying the smell of sewage? Come back quickly."

Then, a faint telepathic message from Sam-hyeol was heard.

"L-leader, s-something is strange…"

But Sam-hyeol's voice abruptly cut off, as if it had vanished into thin air.

"Hey, Sam-je! Sam-je!"

Despite calling out repeatedly via telepathy, there was no response from Sam-hyeol, or even Chil-hyeol and Gu-hyeol. For a martial artist of his caliber, a distance like this was no obstacle for telepathy. It was the same for his younger brothers. The sudden cutoff of telepathy meant something had happened to his brothers.

*Screeeech!*

The privy door, which had been tightly shut, creaked open with an unpleasant friction sound at that very moment. Although there was no way to see, Il-hyeol subconsciously tensed his body.

"Ahhh~"

An old man with still-sleepy eyes stretched with a yawn and walked out.

'N-no way! How? He avoided the door and couldn't have seen anything!'

Despite the three younger brothers thrusting their swords simultaneously just moments ago, the old man in white was completely unharmed.

"Ughhhaaaaam! Shall I go back to sleep then…"

The old man yawned widely and headed towards his room without looking back.

*Screeeech!*

From behind the departing old man, the privy door closed with an unpleasant sound. Simultaneously, the three men who had thrust their swords stiffly to the side collapsed to the ground like dried straw.

"A-ah, brothers!"

Il-hyeol cried out in urgent shock and flew towards his brothers, with whom he had sworn brotherhood with blood wine, vowing to kill together for life. He quickly checked their pulses, but the pulses of all three brothers were cold and silent. Only a slight residual warmth mixed with a cold aura of death seeped into his fingertips. All four had the same cause of death. However, no wounds were found on any of them.

"Ughhhhh!!"

Il-hyeol's emotions overwhelmed him. His eyes went red as he watched his four brothers die absurdly before his eyes.

"This old man!"

Losing his rational judgment, he charged towards the old master, like a puppy not fearing a tiger. All that occupied his mind was vengeance. The old man's steps, still drowsy from sleep, were slow, so he could catch up quickly. It seemed enough to leap just one step and strike down with his sword. His strongest, secret technique, Il-chyo, could kill any human. The old man's back was completely unguarded.

'Take this!'

Blood King Kill (Hyeolwangsal)!

Il-hyeol unleashed his ultimate secret technique, honed for efficient, large-scale killings, with all his might. And then it happened.

'Huh? W-what is this?'

It happened when Il-hyeol unleashed all his killing intent towards the old man's empty back. It felt like the gates of hell had opened. Something erupted from the depths of the abyss and rushed towards him. It was so terrifying, so full of killing intent, and so cruel. All the people he had killed were rushing to kill him. Their numbers were countless, like a vast army advancing. Leading this army of sacrifices were his own parents and siblings whom he had killed. His body was frozen as if paralyzed, and he could only watch blankly as the vast army sliced him to pieces. With every blade that grazed him, he was struck with the pain of a fatal blow.

It no longer mattered if it was an illusion. It was the essence of horrific pain and fear. And finally, the one he feared most rushed towards him. Unable to overcome his fear, he lost his mind. What Il-hyeol saw last, trembling with fear, was 'himself.' Unable to withstand the shock that struck his soul, he died on the spot. And the old master placed down the foot he had just lifted.

What felt like eons happened in the blink of an eye.

"Huh? Did something happen?"

The old master paused for a moment, looked around, and muttered to himself.

"What, was it something trivial?"

With a philosophy of not caring about trivial matters, the old man opened his door, went inside, put on a pillow, covered himself with a blanket, and tried to sleep again.

"Mmmph mmmph, the kids will handle it."

Deep sleep was much more important than such trivial matters.

"According to the intel, the brats are staying in the annex on the west end."

Il-hyeol pointed to a two-story building with his finger. While Il-hyeol and his four younger brothers were responsible for Jang Woo-yang and Jang Woo-gyeong, their mission was to secure the brats and find the key. Of course, that mission included mass murder.

"Yuk-je, first go and check if there are any guards."

But there was no response.

"Yuk-je, why aren't you answering?"

Il-hyeol said again in a slightly annoyed tone.

"Over here, Il-hyeong, Yuk-hyeong is not here."

Pal-hyeol replied.

"What? Why isn't he here? Just a moment ago, surely…"

He wasn't. Turning his head, only his other younger brothers were there, but Yuk-hyeol was gone.

"That's strange. You were following me just a moment ago, weren't you?"

"Yes, I clearly saw Yuk-hyeong with us."

Ship-hyeol replied.

"Maybe he went to see the prostitutes?"

Pal-hyeol offered an opinion, but the reaction was cold.

"Or perhaps he found other delectable prey… especially women…"

It was Yuk-hyeol's hobby to assault and brutally murder women.

Il-hyeol roared in anger.

"I've emphasized time and again not to stray during missions! Do you think I don't want to kill? To leave your brothers behind and have fun by yourself. I'll give you a good scolding when you return."

"That sounds like a good idea. Yuk-je is too indiscriminate when it comes to enjoying his hobbies. We need to establish discipline."

The man who said this, Sa-hyeol, was a perverted murderer obsessed with killing only young girls.

"Tch, can't be helped. Ship-je, you go."

Again, no answer.

"Ship-je, why are you… Huh?"

He was gone. He was gone again. This time, he had vanished as if he had disappeared without a trace, even though he had been speaking right in front of him just moments ago.

"Where did this one wander off to now?"

It happened in the brief moment he turned his head.

'What is going on? Are these guys… perhaps colluding to play a trick on me?'

It was always common for them to confuse duty with pleasure, so that was understandable. Considering the loyalty among them, it was entirely possible. In times like these, it was necessary to show composure as the second-in-command of the Thirteen Bloods rather than panic.

"This one and that one, they all stray. Can't be helped! Sa-je, you go. We'll discipline the kids later."

"Understood, Il-hyeong. I think the same."

There were no particular signs, and no sounds, so Sa-hyeol also dismissed it as a simple prank. Pranking during missions was common among them. Even if they did, no one would reprimand them for lacking tension. Their missions were mostly extermination battles, and they had completed most of those missions perfectly—while occasionally enjoying their hobbies.

Following Il-hyeol's order, Sa-hyeol silently leaped into the darkness towards the annex. The key to this operation was to secure the key before the chaotic battle and mass slaughter began. Once the key was in hand, the rest would be the bloody festival they desired. If so, the thirteen blades, which had been thirsty for blood for a while, would quench their thirst a little.

However, a moment later,

"Huh? Why is Sa-hyeol still not reporting back?"

There was also no news from Sa-hyeol, who had gone to scout the annex. By now, he should have returned and completed his situational report. Only then did Il-hyeol realize that the situation was serious. The chilling thought that it might not be a prank suddenly surfaced.

"Pal-je, be careful! Pal-je…?"

With a dreadfully ominous premonition, Il-hyeol whipped his head back. He was gone. He had disappeared again.

'P-even Pal-je…'

Now, only Il-hyeol himself remained.

He approached the annex cautiously, his senses heightened with intense tension. He was ready to swing his sword at any sign of movement.

*Thud!*

At that moment, something fell from a tree to his right with a *thud*. Startled, Il-hyeol drew his sword in a panic.

'W-what is it?'

As Il-hyeol cautiously approached it, his eyes widened. His heart, numbed by hundreds of murders, pounded fiercely.

"Yuk-je…"

It was the corpse of Yuk-je, who had disappeared first. Moreover, it was a horrific sight, with his neck more than two-thirds severed. His sixth brother could no longer enjoy the pleasure of raping and killing women.

'What is this…!'

However, his thoughts did not last long.

*Thud!*

This time, it was from the right tree. Still on guard, Il-hyeol approached the base of the tree.

"Ship-je…"

This time, the neck was completely torn off.

'It looks like a wound inflicted by a giant beast.'

This was a wound that could never be inflicted by a weapon.

'But what kind of beast is so large? And how can such a massive beast move so quietly, like a dead rat, without revealing its presence?'

Rather than weighing the possibilities, he dismissed it as impossible, something that could not happen.

Therefore, he did not notice the two golden suns, like tiger eyes, glinting from the darkness at the top of the tree.

The senses of wild animals, living in a world of survival of the fittest, are naturally more developed than those of humans. Unlike humans, who neglect their senses after gaining language, wild animals are still very sensitive to detecting killing intent. Therefore, an excellent wild hunter must be able to suppress their killing intent to avoid being detected by their prey. And Baekmuhu was one of the most outstanding hunters. It would be difficult to find a wild hunter superior to her in the entire world.

Compared to pathetic humans, her experience was different. It was disrespectful to even compare her, who had survived for over two hundred years in the harsh natural world and its laws, to humans.

Even the Thirteen Bloods, known as madmen drenched in blood, were as helpless as rabbits before the immense power of nature.

'A ghost, perhaps…'

To Il-hyeol, such events could only be explained by supernatural occurrences, as they were inexplicable by any other means.

*Flash!*

At that moment, two suns flashed brightly above his head, behind him. A chilling sensation made his steps stop. Suppressing his trembling body, he turned around.

And then, 'it' was there.

And he saw 'it.'

"Why isn't there any signal?"

Yi Si-geon, tapping his opposite forearm with his finger and pacing restlessly, spoke with deep anxiety. His earlier confidence was long gone.

The ten men who had scaled the wall as if swallowed by a mansion were nowhere to be seen. Nor were there any screams, sounds of fighting, or alarms. It was as quiet as if they had sunk into a swamp of silence.

"It is indeed strange. There should be some signal by now. Could it be that they failed…"

To Yun Yi-jeong's words, Ship-il-hyeol stepped forward to object.

"That's impossible. Our Thirteen Bloods have never failed a mission."

"That's right. Just like Ship-il-hyeong. We are invincible."

"Still, there's always a possibility. I'm just suggesting we be cautious."

Yun Yi-jeong said, suppressing his displeasure.

"Who dares to eliminate ten of our Thirteen Bloods without a sound? If anyone thinks so, they are insane."

The youngest of the Thirteen Bloods sneered.

'Look at this arrogant brat. The way he talks! I really hope something happens. That way, I can see their faces contorted with dismay.'

Yun Yi-jeong was suddenly seized by a desire to see that exact expression.

"What should we do, my Lord? I don't think we'll gain anything by waiting any longer. Even the Thirteen Bloods, who are said to summon the bloody wind, seem to be just a gentle breeze tonight. A breeze that might or might not have blown."

At those words, Yi Si-geon almost exploded with anger.

"I will check myself. Follow me."

Finally, Yi Si-geon made his decision.