Episode 128: Return to the Demonic Sect
“It’s already too late.”
Mae Seol-ran shook her head in resignation, her gaze drifting to the distant tree branches.
Since arriving here, Sabi Kang had done nothing but sleep up there.
A sigh escaped her lips.
“How can he be so nonchalant?”
The deadline agreed upon with General Gu Yoon was fast approaching.
The great war between the righteous and the demonic factions was one thing, but how was she supposed to transform these students into top-tier warriors in such a short time?
Mae Seol-ran scanned the group of cadets gathered by the riverbank, laughing and chatting without a care in the world. Their youthful faces seemed far too innocent for the heavy responsibilities ahead, and their skills were still lacking.
Yet Sabi Kang acted as if none of this concerned him.
With a swift leap, Mae Seol-ran landed on the branch where Sabi Kang lay.
“Hmm?”
Sabi Kang opened one eye, sensing her presence.
“We need to talk.”
“About what? If it’s a confession, maybe later…”
“I’m not here to joke around. I’m serious.”
“All confessions are serious, you know.”
“What are you planning to do? Are you really thinking of forming an inspection team with these kids?”
“Yes.”
“But to do that, you need to turn them into top-tier warriors. And here you are, just sleeping.”
“Don’t worry. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. I have the will, so there will be a way.”
‘What nonsense is that?’
Mae Seol-ran bit back the words that rose to her lips and continued.
“You’re not planning to deceive the General, are you?”
“Hahaha! That would be interesting.”
“What did you say?”
“Besides, we don’t even know if I’ll be in charge of the inspection team.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Let’s take it one step at a time. It’s time to end this war. If we wrap this up properly, the General will entrust us with the inspection team. We’ll worry about the cadets’ skills then.”
Mae Seol-ran wanted to argue further, but the gap in their understanding of the situation was too wide for a productive conversation.
Just then, Dang Yi-hyeop arrived, having procured three boats from somewhere. They were large enough to carry all the cadets across the river.
Sabi Kang stood up, shaking off his lethargy.
“Alright, everyone gather around! We’ve got boats, so we’re crossing the river. Use your energy to push the boats as we go.”
Of course, the cadets, not yet at the peak of their skills, couldn’t possibly use such advanced techniques. But it was a challenge to spur them on.
The cadets nodded and boarded the three boats, with Mae Seol-ran and Dang Yi-hyeop each taking charge of one.
Once Sabi Kang boarded, the boats set off across the river.
Initially, the cadets strained to use their energy to propel the boats, but they were exhausted before reaching halfway. Despite their efforts, the boats barely moved, and they eventually resorted to rowing.
Mae Seol-ran’s worries deepened.
‘Even if they’ve improved, they’re still only at a basic level. How can we turn them into top-tier warriors in such a short time?’
She glanced at Sabi Kang, who seemed untroubled, even enjoying the situation.
‘I’ve never been so curious about what’s going on in someone else’s head.’
Mae Seol-ran sighed and shook her head. Ever since meeting Sabi Kang, life felt like a series of riddles.
As they neared the opposite bank, the sun had fully set, leaving only the sound of oars cutting through the water.
Just thirty yards from the shore, Dan Li-jung, who was on the same boat as Sabi Kang, furrowed his brow. He spotted something beneath the water’s surface.
In the dark depths, invisible to the average person, he could see it clearly thanks to his Dragon Eyes.
‘What is that?’
Something was rapidly approaching from below.
Sensing danger, Dan Li-jung called out to Sabi Kang.
“Instructor, something strange is coming our way.”
“Hmm?”
Sabi Kang turned his head, his brow furrowing.
Just as Dan Li-jung said, something was racing toward them.
Whatever it was, a collision seemed inevitable.
The cadet rowing the boat realized the situation too late and tried to steer away, but the mysterious object was much faster.
Sabi Kang shouted urgently.
“Hold on tight, everyone!”
Sensing the urgency, the cadets gripped the boat’s railing tightly.
In the next moment, Sabi Kang infused the boat with energy, causing it to spin sharply.
Splash!
The boat spun, sending up a spray of water.
“Whoa!”
“Ah!”
The sudden movement startled the cadets, who clung to the railing, screaming.
The mysterious object narrowly missed the boat and headed toward the shore.
Boom!
A massive explosion erupted, sending water shooting into the air.
The cadets stared at the shore in shock.
“Was that… an attack from underwater?”
“Why? Who would do that?”
The unexpected situation left the cadets in a state of fear and confusion.
But the underwater assault wasn’t over.
“Instructor! There’s another one!”
From a distance, barely visible to the naked eye, Dan Li-jung spotted another object speeding toward them beneath the water.
Sabi Kang shouted again.
“Yi-hyeop, Seol-ran! To the shore!”
“Understood!”
“Got it!”
Dang Yi-hyeop and Mae Seol-ran used their energy to propel the boats faster.
Splash!
Sabi Kang also used his energy to speed up the boat.
“Whoa!”
The sudden increase in speed made the cadets grip the railing and huddle down.
The boat moved so quickly that the front half lifted out of the water.
Splash!
Sabi Kang’s boat was the first to reach the shore. He quickly helped the cadets disembark and turned back.
As expected, Mae Seol-ran’s boat was lagging behind.
“Seol-ran! Hurry!”
“I know! But…!”
As Sabi Kang shouted, he leaped into the air, using his water-walking technique.
But the explosive device reached the boat first.
“Damn it!”
Mae Seol-ran clicked her tongue and tried to change direction, but the explosive hit the front of the boat.
Boom!
The front of the boat shattered with a spray of water.
“Ahhh!”
“Eeek!”
The cadets screamed as they were thrown into the air with the boat.
Mae Seol-ran kicked off the debris, launching herself into the air to catch the cadets.
Thud! Thud!
“Whoa!”
“Eek!”
Several cadets were pushed toward the shore by Mae Seol-ran’s hands.
Sabi Kang, using his water-walking technique, caught them gently.
Dang Yi-hyeop, the last to reach the shore, leaped to catch the cadets safely.
But they only managed to save four cadets.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
Three cadets fell helplessly into the river.
Standing on the debris of the shattered boat, Mae Seol-ran didn’t hesitate to dive into the water.
Splash!
Fortunately, she quickly found the three cadets who had fallen in.
Mae Seol-ran grabbed the two nearest cadets and surged to the surface.
“Haah!”
She gasped for air and shouted to Sabi Kang.
“Soso is still underwater!”
At her words, Sabi Kang immediately dove into the water.
Finding Neung Soso underwater wasn’t difficult. She was unconscious, sinking slowly.
‘Soso!’
Sabi Kang swam toward her, but suddenly, shadows enveloped Neung Soso, pulling her away rapidly.
Neung Soso, regaining consciousness, looked around in panic.
Bubbles escaped her mouth before she realized she was underwater and clamped her mouth shut.
A shadowy figure raised a dark blade to Neung Soso’s throat.
Pale with fear, Neung Soso could only stare at Sabi Kang.
Between them were five more shadowy figures.
Their black uniforms bore the character for “kill” embroidered in dark thread.
‘The Assassination Squad?’
Sabi Kang’s eyes narrowed.
It was his first time facing the assassins of the Assassination Squad, a notoriously secretive organization.
‘Their methods are as dirty as they come.’
As if to prove it, they had taken a cadet hostage.
He had a good idea who had hired them.
Seorae-hyang, no doubt.
He knew she had connections with the Assassination Squad.
That’s why he had let her go, suspecting she might hire them.
He himself had no way to contact the Assassination Squad.
But they had come sooner than expected, and at a bad time.
‘But this is an opportunity, too.’
A group that would stop at nothing.
He had always wanted to make contact with them.
This was the perfect opportunity to make a lasting impression.
To assert his presence.
Sabi Kang’s eyes gleamed with a sharp intensity.
There were six assassins in total.
One of them had taken Neung Soso hostage.
Judging by the look on his face, if he deemed the hostage useless, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill her.
Ultimately, the best solution was for Neung Soso to free herself from the captor’s grasp.
But…
“Can Soso really do it?”
As Sabi Kang furrowed his brow slightly, five men swiftly approached through the water.
In an instant, they drew hidden weapons and launched them.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Dozens of blades hurtled toward Sabi Kang.
Even with Neung Soso held hostage, he had no intention of going down without a fight.
Sabi Kang quickly raised a shield, deflecting the incoming projectiles effortlessly.
The assassin holding Neung Soso scowled deeply, ready to strike at any moment, his blade poised.
Neung Soso’s eyes met Sabi Kang’s.
He gestured with his hand.
In the water, a spray rose up, forming letters.
“Feel it!”
In the depths, it was nearly impossible to communicate through sound or telepathy.
All he could do was hope Neung Soso understood the message from the letters.
And the rest was up to trusting his disciple.
“Realize it. If you want to live.”