Episode 111: Return to the Demonic Sect
The escapees from the Blood Lotus Sect arrived just before the seventh night.
Reaching the gates of Jeokha Fortress, they cried out for their lives to be spared.
Their story was as follows:
They were warriors from the Mengho Unit of the Justice Alliance, captured after losing a battle against the Blood Lotus Sect. Enduring endless torture, they seized a chance to escape that living hell and, in their frantic flight, found themselves at Jeokha Fortress.
The warriors of Jeokha Fortress were not entirely surprised, as they were aware of the nearby skirmishes.
The lord of Jeokha Fortress, known for his compassion and strong sense of justice, was ready to open the gates and welcome them.
However, Yang Hwarin opposed the idea.
“We must be cautious. These are sensitive times. If we trust too easily, we could be putting ourselves in danger.”
“But what if they are genuine? Would we turn away warriors of the Justice Alliance in their time of need?”
“Think of the alternative. What if they are from the Blood Lotus Sect? We would be making a grave mistake.”
As the couple argued, the subordinates sided with Yang Hwarin, advocating for caution given the circumstances.
Ultimately, Wang Paeung allowed the escapees to rest outside the gates. Meanwhile, he recorded their descriptions and names, sending a message to the Justice Alliance to verify their identities.
A full day passed before a response arrived from the Justice Alliance. Based on the names and descriptions provided, they confirmed the escapees were indeed from the Mengho Unit and had recently escaped the Blood Lotus Sect.
With this confirmation, there was no longer a reason to keep the gates closed.
Yet, Yang Hwarin remained opposed.
When Wang Paeung asked, “Why are you still against it?” she could only reply, “It’s a woman’s intuition.”
And her intuition was not wrong.
The morning after the gates were opened, the escapees turned into demons.
It was later discovered that they had killed the real Mengho Unit warriors, skinned their faces, and wore them as masks.
“If only we hadn’t been deceived by such a vile trick…!”
Yang Hwarin bit her lip in frustration.
Even as she faced her husband’s murderer, Cheok Gilyang, she didn’t flinch.
Instead, he spoke with a lazy expression.
“What are you waiting for? Strip. Return to the way you were born.”
“You monster!”
Yang Hwarin lunged at him with her bare hands once more, only to be repelled by an invisible barrier.
Thud!
“Ah!”
Already gravely injured, she collapsed weakly.
She glared up at Cheok Gilyang, her teeth grinding in anger.
Not only had he forced her to witness her husband’s severed head, but now he demanded she strip in its presence.
“You’ll pay for this!”
“Hahaha!”
Cheok Gilyang burst into a loud, mocking laugh.
He tilted his head back, laughing for a long time before looking at Yang Hwarin with amusement.
“Pay? What kind of punishment are we talking about? Having my head displayed in my own courtyard? Or stripping while staring at my wife’s severed head? Heh heh heh.”
“Are you even human?”
Smack!
With a flick of his hand, Cheok Gilyang sent Yang Hwarin’s cheek spinning.
A trickle of blood ran down from the corner of her mouth.
“Shut up and strip. Spread your legs before me.”
“Ha! I’d rather die!”
Just as she was about to bite her tongue.
Whoosh!
Cheok Gilyang waved his hand, and the curtain over a bed in the corner of the room was pulled back.
Yang Hwarin’s eyes widened in horror.
“Rim… Rim-ah!”
She screamed as if in agony.
A young boy, no older than ten, knelt on the bed.
It was her only son, Wang Yirim.
Covered in bruises, Yirim wept silently, unable to move, likely subdued by pressure points.
“You vile creature! You demon! Aaaah!”
Yang Hwarin clawed at her chest, screaming.
Cheok Gilyang smiled serenely and spoke.
“Now, strip. Become naked and spread your legs. If you don’t, your young son will die the most painful death by my hands. Will you choose disgrace or your son’s suffering? Hahahaha.”
**
A group was making its way toward Jeokha Fortress.
Several carts, including a carriage, moved along, bearing a yellow flag with the character for “river” flowing like water.
Indeed, they were from the Yellow River Trading Company.
Known as one of the top ten trading groups in the martial world, the Yellow River Trading Company had a notorious reputation for ruthlessness, having grown from moneylending to its current size.
They were known to kidnap and sell people into slavery if debts weren’t repaid.
They would do anything for profit.
Naturally, the Blood Lotus Sect found the Yellow River Trading Company appealing.
Unjust means often brought in more money than just ones.
The Yellow River Trading Company had allied with the Blood Lotus Sect because they both pursued unjust gains.
Today, their purpose in heading to Jeokha Fortress was clear.
To handle the spoils of war.
They were there to transport and sell the gold, silver, rare weapons, elixirs, and martial arts manuals obtained from the destruction of Jeokha Fortress.
The Yellow River Trading Company discreetly transported these valuable spoils, selling them at high prices.
Particularly, Bok Lichu, known for his discerning eye, was reputed to distinguish genuine items from fakes better than anyone in the martial world.
He was so renowned that he earned the nickname “The All-Seeing Eye.”
Thus, despite having no martial skills, no one complained about him riding comfortably in a luxurious carriage.
Clatter.
The carriage jolted slightly as it hit a bump.
Bok Lichu, who had been dozing off, awoke with a start.
He opened the carriage window with an annoyed expression and shouted.
“Yuk Daeju!”
Yuk Giju, riding alongside the carriage, quickly approached.
He was the warrior responsible for Bok Lichu’s protection, accompanying him wherever he went.
“You called, sir?”
“At this rate, my backside won’t survive the journey to Jeokha Fortress!”
“The mountain path is rough, sir. I’ll instruct the driver to be more careful.”
Bok Lichu clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction and gazed into the distance.
Beyond the forest, the red fortress began to appear intermittently.
‘We’re almost there.’
The thought of the journey ending soon lifted his spirits slightly, prompting him to ask Yuk Giju.
“Any issues?”
“No, nothing so far.”
“Good, keep it that way.”
Bok Lichu leaned out the window, checking the five warriors ahead and the five following behind.
In addition to these, ten more warriors were hidden, following discreetly.
A total of twenty-one guards.
A personal escort for Bok Lichu.
Typically, when a sect is destroyed, about a hundred guards accompany the transport of spoils.
This is because such events yield a large amount of gold, silver, and valuable items.
However, the lord of Jeokha Fortress was known for his frugality.
Thus, only twenty-one guards were deemed necessary for his protection.
Though it might seem like a small number, the escort was led by Yuk Giju, a master of the highest order, along with three other top-tier warriors and seventeen first-rate fighters.
“Still… we need to make a profit…”
Even the most frugal sects often revealed hidden treasures upon closer inspection.
Most sects pretended to be frugal outwardly while secretly amassing wealth.
‘But… something tells me the lord of Jeokha Fortress is genuinely frugal.’
If that were the case, the cost of the journey might outweigh the gains.
‘Well, if all else fails, we could always sell Lady Yang.’
The beauty of Yang Hwarin, the lady of Jeokha Fortress, was renowned throughout the martial world.
If they could market her well, she would fetch a good price.
“Heh heh heh. It would be even better if I could have a taste first.”
As he chuckled to himself.
Screech. Clatter.
The carriage suddenly stopped, causing him to lose his balance and fall.
‘Damn it! I’ll have to deal with that driver!’
Furious, Bok Lichu flung open the window and shouted.
“Yuk Daeju! What on earth…!”
His sharp voice trailed off as he sensed something amiss and looked at Yuk Giju.
Yuk Giju was staring intently ahead, speaking without turning.
“Stay inside.”
“What’s going on?”
Bok Lichu leaned out the window, spotting a man standing boldly in the middle of the mountain path.
‘Who is that?’
The man stood with arms crossed, exuding confidence.
It was none other than Sabi Kang.
‘Did Jeokha Fortress send someone to greet us?’
Bok Lichu was about to step out of the carriage when.
“Stay inside.”
Yuk Giju warned again.
His eyes were fixed on Sabi Kang, filled with tension.
His instincts were screaming danger.
Despite his mastery, Yuk Giju couldn’t gauge the stranger’s strength, which only heightened his unease.
The implication was clear: the opponent might be far stronger than he was.
Unfortunately, Bok Riju ignored Yuk Giju’s advice.
He stepped down from the carriage, marched forward, and shouted, “Who goes there?”
Sabi Kang chuckled softly and replied, “Mind if I borrow your face for a moment?”
“What did you say?”
In an instant—
Whoosh!
An arrow sliced through the air with deadly speed.
Thwack!
In the blink of an eye, Yuk Giju leaped forward and deflected the arrow aimed at Bok Riju.
Only then did Bok Riju, startled, stumble backward.
“You, you scoundrel! Do you even know who I am…?”
“Such a chatterbox.”
Sabi Kang smirked coldly and smoothly drew Berthas from his waist.
Yuk Giju narrowed his eyes.
Rustle! Rustle!
Shadows began to form around him.
It was Bok Riju’s twenty-man guard.
Unfazed, Sabi Kang continued to stride forward.
“The Yellow River Merchants. You’re nothing but trash. When the demonic invasion began, you sold out your own people. Especially you, Bok Riju, the worst of the worst. Today, I’ll put an end to you.”
“What nonsense are you spouting…? What are you all waiting for? Kill him!”
No sooner had Bok Riju finished speaking than Yuk Giju launched himself off the ground.
Sabi Kang’s eyes deepened.
“Just by protecting that villain, you’re already guilty.”
In an instant—
Thud!
Sabi Kang vanished from sight.