Episode 110: Return to the Demonic Sect
Bang!
The usually stoic Suzaku Hall Master, Akcheon Goe, slammed his fist on the table, his face flushed with uncharacteristic anger.
“You still haven’t found him?”
The man delivering the report flinched at the outburst and could only bow his head in silence.
Whoosh!
His internal energy surged with the fury boiling inside him, causing his robes to billow out.
“What exactly is the Wan Tong Pavilion doing?”
He clenched his fists, trembling with rage.
It had been three months since the Blood Demon, Nak Il-rip, vanished. He had been dispatched to subjugate the Ghost Shadow Sect. It was also the day they were supposed to receive an update on the person Hong Myo had asked them to find through the Ghost Shadow Sect.
But on that day, he disappeared without a trace.
Shockingly, the meeting place, the Mountain Water Inn, was littered with three corpses. They were martial artists from the Blood Demon Alliance, disguised as a cook and a server.
Something had clearly gone wrong with the Blood Demon. The Ghost Shadow Sect was likely behind it, as he vanished after going to meet them.
Yet, all contact with the Ghost Shadow Sect had vanished from the martial world. They had captured former members of the sect and tortured them, but none knew anything.
Hong Myo, who had even offered her body, continued to pressure Akcheon Goe. In the end, they decided to enlist the help of the Wan Tong Pavilion.
The Wan Tong Pavilion was the intelligence arm of the Blood Demon Alliance. Although it wasn’t as quick at gathering information as the Heavenly Eye Pavilion of the Justice Alliance, it was recognized for its ability to uncover significant information. After the Blood Demon Alliance’s official launch, it was elevated from a group to a pavilion.
“Yet… they haven’t found a single clue!”
Akcheon Goe ground his teeth and stood abruptly.
“I’ll meet the head of the Wan Tong Pavilion myself and demand answers.”
Without giving his subordinates a chance to stop him, he strode out of the room, flinging the door open.
The oppressive heat had finally begun to wane. As he crossed the courtyard, he spotted a man admiring the autumn foliage in the distance.
The man was a middle-aged figure with a slender build and handsome features—none other than Ryu Yeo-jung, the head of the Wan Tong Pavilion.
Akcheon Goe’s expression twisted with irritation.
“You seem to have plenty of leisure time.”
“Ah, Master Suzaku.”
“This isn’t the time for leaf-watching. Have you forgotten we’re at war with the Justice Alliance? No wonder you let the prisoners escape recently!”
He was referring to the incident a few days ago when prisoners had escaped under Ryu Yeo-jung’s watch.
Ryu Yeo-jung chuckled awkwardly.
“Sometimes, clearing one’s mind leads to better strategies.”
“Hah! Yet you still haven’t found the Blood Demon? Have you let your mind wander too much?”
Despite the sharp tone, Ryu Yeo-jung merely smiled.
Akcheon Goe’s eyes blazed with anger.
“How dare you laugh?”
When the Blood Demon Alliance was officially launched, Ryu Yeo-jung was far beneath him. But as the war with the Justice Alliance dragged on, his influence grew.
Though the battle with the Justice Alliance was a back-and-forth struggle, the Blood Demon Alliance held the upper hand overall. Their influence in the martial world had grown to about 40%.
In just over half a year since their official launch, they had achieved nearly tenfold growth. It was a remarkable feat. In terms of territory alone, it was akin to gaining another city in the central plains.
As a result, the importance of the Wan Tong Pavilion, which oversaw war operations, increased. There were even whispers of appointing Ryu Yeo-jung as the chief strategist of the Blood Demon Alliance.
If that happened, Ryu Yeo-jung would officially outrank Akcheon Goe, the Suzaku Hall Master. A new power was rising.
Akcheon Goe couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Just when the influence of the moderate White Tiger Hall Master seemed to wane, now a young upstart was trying to rise above him?
His face flushed with frustration, but Ryu Yeo-jung maintained his usual smile.
“I apologize for not finding the Blood Demon. But with our current resources, we can’t focus solely on that. We can’t allocate all our manpower to finding him.”
This was a subtle hint that the Wan Tong Pavilion needed to expand.
Akcheon Goe, aware of the implication, feigned ignorance and continued.
“Hmph! Then why haven’t you found any trace of the Ghost Shadow Sect?”
“For the same reason. They’ve always operated in a highly compartmentalized manner. If they were easy to find, who would hire them? However…”
“However?”
“According to our information, the Ghost Shadow Sect hasn’t taken any new assignments since. It’s as if they’ve vanished from the martial world.”
“Could they have been wiped out?”
Ryu Yeo-jung shook his head.
“That’s unlikely. If such an event occurred, the Wan Tong Pavilion would know.”
“Then… have they joined the Justice Alliance?”
“Haha, that’s impossible. They’re part of the demonic sects. The Justice Alliance wouldn’t take them in.”
“Then what on earth is going on?”
“That’s what I don’t understand. One thing that bothers me is…”
“What is it?”
Ryu Yeo-jung narrowed his eyes before continuing.
“The young man using the alias ‘Gadeuk Sam.’”
“The one Hong Myo mentioned.”
“Yes. Strangely, whenever he’s involved, our plans go awry. Is it just coincidence?”
“So, the disappearance of the Blood Demon and the Ghost Shadow Sect is related to him?”
“He’s the only link we have.”
“Hmm.”
Akcheon Goe rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.
There were indeed some suspicious aspects. But how could Gadeuk Sam know such things? What was his connection to the Justice Alliance?
Ryu Yeo-jung spoke softly.
“I have a feeling he’s at the center of this conflict. The young man using the alias ‘Gadeuk Sam’ might be the key to turning the tide of this war.”
“Isn’t that a bit of an overinterpretation?”
“Perhaps. But my instincts are rarely wrong.”
Ryu Yeo-jung grinned.
“If we hadn’t paid attention to him, the Blood Demon Alliance might have already claimed half of the martial world.”
“Half of it?”
Akcheon Goe exclaimed in surprise.
Ryu Yeo-jung continued nonchalantly.
“Unfortunately, it’s not because I’m particularly brilliant. The chief strategist of the Justice Alliance isn’t performing at his best. Like stagnant water, the Justice Alliance is rotting from within.”
“But the reason we haven’t claimed half yet is…”
“Exactly. Because of that ‘Gadeuk Sam.’ We can’t predict where or how he’ll appear, so we’ve become unusually cautious. That’s why progress has been slow.”
“Hmm.”
“Do you understand? Finding the Blood Demon or the Ghost Shadow Sect isn’t our priority anymore. The most important task is locating ‘Gadeuk Sam,’ who is likely connected to them. And eliminating him. That’s where we should focus our efforts.”
Ryu Yeo-jung spoke calmly, then looked up.
The sky was high, and the season of fattening horses was upon them. A few clouds drifted lazily across the vast sky.
Just then, a man approached Ryu Yeo-jung to report. He was from the Wan Tong Pavilion.
“The Annihilation Squad Leader has taken control of Red Mist City.”
“Oh? Faster than expected.”
Ryu Yeo-jung’s face lit up with a bright smile.
The Annihilation Squad Leader was Cheok Gi-ryang, known by the moniker “Joyful Prince.” He earned the nickname because he always smiled brightly when killing.
Ryu Yeo-jung had tasked him with capturing Red Mist City, a mission he had pursued with particular dedication.
“Send the Yellow River Water Merchant immediately.”
“Understood.”
As the subordinate left, Ryu Yeo-jung turned to Akcheon Goe with a gentle smile.
“It seems I must return to my duties. Don’t worry too much, Master Suzaku.”
Akcheon Goe responded with a cold expression.
“So, that Gadeuk Sam is indeed the problem?”
**
Red Mist City was located on Mount Gwahyeon. This massive fortress, built on a mountain cliff, was known for its red brick walls.
Among martial artists, it was famous as an impregnable fortress. The rear of Red Mist City was a seemingly bottomless chasm, while the front was guarded by towering walls.
Entering the city without passing through the main gate was nearly impossible.
Yet today, Red Mist City had fallen.
Black smoke billowed from various parts of the city, and the air was filled with the sounds of desperate screams and groans.
On the southern wall, where the main gate was located, a human head was displayed on a long spear. It was the head of Wang Pae-ung, the lord of Red Mist City.
With eyes wide open, staring blankly at the sky, Wang Pae-ung’s head seemed to hold onto its fury even in death.
And there, in the highest chamber of the inner fortress, overlooking Wang Pae-ung’s head, stood a man with skin as clear as white jade. His long hair fluttered in the breeze as he stood tall and proud.
He was as finely sculpted as a statue, and despite the ominous atmosphere of the fortress, a faint smile played on his lips.
This was none other than Cheok Gi-ryang, the leader of the Destruction Sect.
Just then, the door swung open, and one of his subordinates dragged a woman inside.
“Master! I’ve brought her.”
The warrior shoved the woman roughly into the center of the room.
Her attire and neatly tied hair suggested a mature elegance, but her well-trained physique and striking features marked her as a considerable beauty.
Cheok Gi-ryang glanced over his shoulder.
“Good work. You may leave.”
The subordinate bowed and exited the room.
“You villain!”
Suddenly, the woman pulled a dagger from her clothing and lunged at Cheok Gi-ryang.
Yet, his smile never wavered.
In an instant, as she thrust the dagger toward his chest, a sharp sound rang out.
Shiiing!
Clang!
The dagger was deflected by an invisible barrier.
Simultaneously, the ornaments on Cheok Gi-ryang’s belt unlatched with a click, transforming into two hidden weapons that flew toward the woman.
Thwip! Thwip!
“Aaah!”
She screamed.
Though she was skilled enough to avoid instant death, the surprise attack left her gravely injured.
The two weapons that had struck her swiftly returned to their original form as belt ornaments.
Despite the shock of encountering such a mysterious weapon for the first time, the woman’s mind was too consumed with rage to process it fully.
Her only thought was the burning desire for revenge.
“Ugh!”
Cheok Gi-ryang approached and grabbed her by the hair, dragging her to the edge of the balcony.
“Let go…!”
“Look over there. Do you see your husband’s head?”
His voice was clear, yet the words were chilling.
“Ugh!”
The woman bit her lip, tears streaming down her face.
Indeed, she was Yang Hwa-rin, the wife of the fallen Lord of Jeokha Fortress.
In a flash, a streak of light grazed the back of her head, and her tightly bound hair came loose, cascading down to her waist.
Cheok Gi-ryang smirked.
“Much better. Now, undress.”