Episode 109: Return to the Demonic Sect

Perched on a distant tree branch, Dan Lijeong had a clear view of the Sansu Inn. Standing tall, he nocked an arrow onto his bowstring.

The arrow he had just released had struck true, piercing the back of Jeomsoi’s head.

“I’ve definitely improved,” he thought, acknowledging the stark difference in his skills compared to the past.

He had grown to the point where he could shoot through three falling leaves in succession. The hellish training had elevated him, and the battles against rival organizations and the secret faction of the Blood Alliance had further honed his abilities.

Reflecting on the past few months, he realized he had become a completely different person. It was as if he had finally donned clothes that fit him, altering his actions and even his personality.

“Inhale… exhale…”

Dan Lijeong took a deep breath, pulling the bowstring taut. His mission was complete: eliminate Jeomsoi as he entered the guest room.

“Of course, even if you fail, it won’t endanger me. This is merely a test. If you pass, I’ll have a special gift for you,” Sabigang had told him before entering the inn.

It seemed he had passed the test. The drawn bowstring was merely a precaution, a safeguard against any potential threats approaching him.

“Still… close combat remains my weak point,” he mused.

Having protectors during the organizational battles had been reassuring. Yet, the thought of always relying on others for his safety was unsettling.

“If only I had time to dodge a single strike…”

If he could manage that, he could handle close-range threats with his bow.

“For now, I just need more training.”

Clearing his mind, Dan Lijeong focused on the inn, aiming his arrow. With summer in full swing, the inn’s windows were wide open, making it easy to observe inside.

He spotted a man sneaking into the kitchen—Jo Muntak.

“Come to think of it… I’m not the only one who’s improved.”

The cook, engrossed in his work, didn’t notice Jo Muntak’s entry. In a flash, Jo Muntak’s dagger sliced the cook’s throat.

The cook, who had been grilling meat, collapsed forward, blood spurting onto the hot griddle, smoke rising from his face pressed against the searing surface.

It was a gruesome sight, but Dan Lijeong watched without flinching.

Jo Muntak glanced over and flashed a grin.

**

After confirming the cook was down, Jo Muntak left the kitchen. Dan Lijeong had likely dealt with one Jeomsoi. That left one more, disguised as a Jeomsoi at the Sansu Inn.

With a “Closed for the Day” sign at the entrance, there was no worry of guests arriving. One Jeomsoi would be waiting on the second floor.

Why a Blood Alliance warrior was here was unknown. But Sabigang had given the order, and completing the mission promised a reward.

“Heh heh heh,” he chuckled, anticipating the promised reward.

Jo Muntak moved stealthily like a shadow, eyeing the stairs. The second floor was clear, but he spotted a Jeomsoi on the stairs to the third floor.

Fortunately, the Jeomsoi hadn’t noticed him, focused entirely on the third floor.

In an instant, Jo Muntak launched himself at the Jeomsoi.

“Whoosh!”

“What the—!”

The Jeomsoi turned in surprise.

“Swish! Swish!”

Two daggers flew from Jo Muntak’s hands like lightning.

“Clang! Clang!”

Amazingly, the Jeomsoi blocked them with a broom.

But Jo Muntak had anticipated this. The real attack came next.

“Thud!”

Jo Muntak closed the distance, drawing his dagger for a swift strike.

“It’s over!”

But then…

“Clang! Clang!”

“Ugh!”

The one sent flying back was Jo Muntak.

He crashed into the second-floor hallway, dropping his dagger.

“Damn it! That broom…!”

Indeed, the broom was no ordinary tool. When the Jeomsoi pulled on the end, a sword blade emerged.

“Who are you?” the Jeomsoi shouted, leaping forward with the sword poised to strike Jo Muntak.

But then…

“Whoosh!”

“Thud!”

“Crash!”

An arrow flew in from outside, piercing the Jeomsoi’s forehead and sending him tumbling down the stairs, lifeless.

Jo Muntak, narrowly escaping death, staggered to his feet and looked out the window.

In the distance, Dan Lijeong stood firm.

“Che, I owe you one,” Jo Muntak muttered, but he didn’t mind having a reliable ally. He grinned and gave a thumbs-up.

**

“Bring that bottle over here,” Sabigang gestured to a fallen bottle of liquor.

It had been dropped by a Jeomsoi, but fortunately, it hadn’t broken, and the cork was still in place, making it perfectly drinkable.

Despite the audacity of being ordered around in front of the deputy leader, Hongyeom was unfazed, having grown accustomed to it. He picked up the bottle and placed it on the table without a word.

“Don’t just stand there, sit down,” Sabigang said casually, uncorking the bottle with his teeth and taking a swig.

Wungpae and Hongyeom sat across from him.

Hongyeom spoke first. “How did you…?”

“Why? Am I an unwelcome guest?”

“That’s not it…”

It really wasn’t. In fact, they were almost glad to see him.

Sabigang had asked Gu Yoon, a strategist from the Justice Alliance, to keep an eye on the Blood Alliance’s contacts with the Guiyeongbu through the secret envoy team. The team, being elite, provided accurate information, allowing Sabigang to deal with Nak Ilrip in advance.

“Ah, this is good stuff. Want some?” Sabigang offered.

Wungpae declined, and Sabigang turned to Hongyeom, who also shook his head.

“Well, more for me then,” Sabigang said, taking another drink. Wungpae spoke up.

“You mentioned a negotiation earlier. What did you mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. A deal, if you will.”

“What kind of deal?”

“Similar to what the Blood Alliance offered you.”

“A monopoly contract?”

“Something like that, but different.”

“Specifically?”

Sabigang finished the bottle and set it down, his expression turning serious. Wungpae and Hongyeom swallowed nervously.

Sabigang spoke. “The Guiyeongbu will become the Guiyeongdan.”

“What?”

“In short, you’ll be my direct subordinates.”

“What are you saying…?”

“Your mission will change. Until now, you’ve done anything for money—murder, kidnapping, theft, information gathering. But now, you’ll focus solely on information gathering.”

“Hold on. What are you…?”

“As my direct subordinates, you’ll swear absolute loyalty to me. Betrayal means death.”

Wungpae and Hongyeom fell silent. Sabigang’s expression remained earnest.

The two exchanged glances. Hongyeom was confused. Was his judgment correct?

They say you avoid a drizzle only to be caught in a downpour, but this felt like a storm.

Wungpae sighed, looking troubled.

Then…

“Ha ha ha. Don’t be so tense. It’s not a demand.”

Sabigang’s unexpected words caught them off guard. As they looked at him, he grinned.

“I’m giving you a choice.”

“What kind…?”

“Whether to become my direct agency as I described, or to continue as the Guiyeongbu, cooperating with me.”

“Is this really our choice?”

“I said it is.”

“But then, why would we choose the former?”

“There’s a reason.”

“And that is…?”

Thud!

Sabigang placed a promissory note on the table. Wungpae and Hongyeom’s expressions wavered.

One hundred thousand nyang!

This was the money Sabigang had taken from Nak Ilrip.

“The Blood Alliance would have offered you a contract fee of one hundred thousand nyang, right? I’ll give you that.”

“But we…”

“And more.”

Thud!

Sabigang placed another note on the table. Wungpae and Hongyeom’s eyes widened.

“This… this is…”

“One million nyang!”

Sabigang smiled.

“Yes, the money you love so much. I’ll give you an additional one million nyang.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

But the shocking offer didn’t end there.

“Moreover, I’ll give you one million nyang every year. I’m generous with my subordinates.”

”…!”

Wungpae and Hongyeom stared at each other, stunned.

One million nyang was no small sum. Typically, a large commission for the Guiyeongbu would bring in a total of two hundred thousand nyang, including an advance and completion fee.

However, a commission of this magnitude was a rare occurrence, perhaps once a year, if that.

But to offer a million nyang every year?

It was an extraordinary proposal.

“So, what do you think? Are you interested? Just to be clear, there’s no pressure. I’m not particularly uncomfortable with things as they are now.”

Sabigang’s expression and tone conveyed genuine sincerity.

When Woongpa hesitated, Sabigang shrugged and tucked the contract back into his robe.

Woongpa and Hongyeom’s eyes followed the movement of the contract.

Sabigang rose from his seat.

“Well, it’s a sudden offer, so I understand if you’re a bit bewildered. It seems like you need some time to think it over, so I’ll leave it at that for today. Let me know when you’ve made a decision. Oh, and there’s one more thing I need you to find.”

“Something to find…?”

“Two belts and an item known as the ‘Dragon’s Eye.’ But we’ll discuss the details later. Your mind must be spinning right now.”

At that, Hongyeom quickly sent a mental message to Woongpa.

[Master, there’s no reason to refuse this offer. With terms like these, I’m worried he might change his mind.]

[But the Guiyeongbu could be erased from history.]

[It would exist under a different name. We came here for the money, didn’t we?]

Hongyeom spoke candidly.

He was one of the original founders of the Guiyeongbu alongside Woongpa.

And no one in the Guiyeongbu could deny what he said.

Yet, Woongpa couldn’t help but be cautious.

In the end, they informed Sabigang that they needed time to think, and he understood completely, leaving them alone.

That very understanding only made the two of them more anxious.

After much deliberation, the two left their room, only to find a servant collapsed on the stairs and a cook dead in the kitchen, the smell of burnt food lingering in the air.

“So, they’ve all ended up dead.”

In truth, they had known even before Sabigang mentioned it that these people were warriors of the Blood Shadow Sect.

The Guiyeongbu was second to none when it came to handling information.

And given their skills in stealth and light-footedness, they were confident they could escape if necessary.

The same was true when the fight with Nak Il-lip broke out.

If things turned unfavorable, they planned to slip away immediately.

Of course, once they discovered their opponent was Sabigang, that plan became unnecessary.

As Woongpa stepped out of the inn, he muttered to himself.

“It seems the answer is already decided this time.”

Yet his expression was noticeably brighter than when he had first entered.