Episode 145: Return to the Demonic Sect

“So, the rumors were true. This place is vast.”

Ryu Yeo-jung couldn’t help but be impressed as he entered the outer grounds of the Justice Alliance. The estate was so expansive that even after walking for quite some time, the entrance to the inner grounds was nowhere in sight. It was easy to imagine getting lost within its confines.

Yet, such a grand estate was also a testament to the deep-seated corruption within. Despite this, they had managed to fend off the full-scale assault from the Blood Sect.

“That Gu Yoon… quite the character.”

Curiosity piqued his interest. What kind of person was he? He had heard that Gu Yoon was quite young.

“This way, please.”

The guide stopped in front of a building, gesturing for them to follow. Ryu Yeo-jung, along with Baekho Clan Leader Chu Hee-ryong, Hyeonmu Clan Leader Dokgo Jin, and Hongmyeo Seorae-hyang, halted and looked up at the structure. Accompanying them was Yosin, who was not part of the negotiation team but was there for protection and miscellaneous tasks.

Their destination was a rather ordinary guesthouse, albeit slightly larger than the others. Dokgo Jin’s displeasure was evident as he scowled openly.

“This is it? Are you saying the Alliance Leader is waiting for us here?”

“No, this is your accommodation. It’s also where the negotiations will take place.”

“Hah! Is this how the Justice Alliance treats its guests? The host doesn’t even bother to show up!”

The guide’s expression briefly flickered with disdain. “The Alliance’s attitude varies depending on the guest.”

“What did you say? How dare you…!”

Dokgo Jin’s robe billowed as he instinctively gathered his internal energy. But Ryu Yeo-jung calmly intervened, stopping him.

“I understand. The Justice Alliance is cautious, as expected. It’s interesting that they’ve chosen to keep us in the outer grounds to prevent any potential espionage. A wise decision indeed. As the saying goes, ‘It’s better to be overly cautious than to boast.’”

His tone was peculiar. It seemed like a compliment on their prudence, but the underlying message was that they were simply fearful.

“Is there such a saying in the martial world?” The guide frowned, puzzled, before turning away. Ryu Yeo-jung and the others followed him into the guesthouse.

**

The Alliance Leader, Neung Un-pa, never made an appearance. Since the Blood Sect’s leader hadn’t come personally, it was subtly implied that there was no need for him to show up either. The Blood Sect’s negotiation team found this treatment somewhat irksome, but they didn’t let it show. After all, the terms of the negotiation were clearly unfavorable to them. If it weren’t, they wouldn’t have ventured into enemy territory with just four people.

In the guesthouse’s meeting room, eight people sat across a long table. Representing the Justice Alliance were Chief Strategist Gu Yoon, Thunder Clan Leader Deung Wang-pae, Sword Shadow Pavilion Master Seop Cheong, and Sa Bi-gang.

Ryu Yeo-jung, having been introduced to everyone, focused his gaze on Sa Bi-gang, seated at the far end. “So that’s Sa Bi-gang,” he thought, before shifting his attention to the youthful Gu Yoon. “And this is the Chief Strategist, Gu Yoon! He certainly looks young for someone in such a position.”

Meanwhile, two individuals were particularly fixated on Sa Bi-gang. One was Hongmyeo Seorae-hyang. “To see this man again…!” Sa Bi-gang, seemingly amused, kept glancing at her with a cheerful smile. “How annoying…!”

The other was Deung Wang-pae. “Why is someone like him here?” He was visibly displeased with Sa Bi-gang’s presence. Gu Yoon, observing Deung Wang-pae’s reaction, found it amusing. In truth, including Sa Bi-gang in the negotiation team hadn’t been Gu Yoon’s idea. It was Sa Bi-gang’s own request.

On the day he visited Yongcheon Pavilion, Sa Bi-gang had approached him. “If a negotiation takes place, include me.”

“In the Justice Alliance’s negotiation team?”

“Yes. I have demands for the Blood Sect.”

“May I ask what they are?”

“No, I’d like to tell them myself. Rest assured, it won’t harm the Justice Alliance.”

After a moment’s thought, Gu Yoon had agreed.

As Gu Yoon reminisced, Ryu Yeo-jung began the discussion. “Our leader wishes to resolve past grievances and unite for a new future.”

“Hmph! Grievances? We’ve received no favors from your side. It was you who first sowed enmity, and now you want to resolve it on your terms?” Deung Wang-pae retorted sharply.

Hyeonmu Clan Leader Dokgo Jin, incensed, shouted back. “And hasn’t the Justice Alliance always oppressed and scorned the unorthodox sects? Simply for practicing different martial arts!”

“Different martial arts? That’s a crime in itself!”

“What? There are plenty who practice orthodox arts yet are worse than those who don’t!”

“Oh, so the Blood Sect came here not to negotiate but to start a fight?”

“Enough…! I can’t…!”

Ryu Yeo-jung gently interrupted. “Clan Leader, please restrain yourself.”

“Restrain myself? Aren’t you angry, Chief Strategist…?”

“It’s the Black Dragon’s command.”

”…Fine!”

Dokgo Jin, though visibly frustrated, turned his head away. Deung Wang-pae smirked coldly.

Ryu Yeo-jung continued in a calm tone. “Our leader has sent a small gift.”

Yosin placed a large box on the table and opened it, revealing a gleaming golden object. At Gu Yoon’s nod, a nearby warrior stepped forward to take the box away.

“We’ll ensure the Alliance Leader receives it.”

“Thank you. And here is the proposed treaty from our side.”

Ryu Yeo-jung handed over a document. The Justice Alliance representatives took it and began reading. In essence, it proposed a ten-year non-aggression pact between the orthodox and unorthodox sects. Any conflicts during this period would be considered personal matters and not escalate. It also included a clause for fair arbitration of grievances and the exchange of captured prisoners.

“They’ve certainly conceded a lot,” thought Gu Yoon. Given the Blood Sect’s nature, the proposal was surprisingly humble. Accepting it wouldn’t pose any issues.

But Deung Wang-pae disagreed. “As expected, they’re acting on their own whims. Do they think we’ll just accept this?”

“Do you have a counter-proposal?”

“We can’t release the captured Blood Sect warriors. Most of them have committed heinous acts against even ordinary people. They must be held accountable.”

Ryu Yeo-jung’s expression darkened. He had anticipated this to some extent. Deung Wang-pae glanced at Gu Yoon, as if to demonstrate how negotiations should be handled. He intended to use this opportunity to restore his tarnished reputation.

However, Ryu Yeo-jung responded smoothly. “That’s unfortunate. To be honest, this is just between us… the Blood Sect isn’t particularly attached to those captured warriors.”

“What? Then why include such a clause?”

“For appearances and honor. As our organization grows, we need to maintain a certain image.”

“What are you saying…?”

“In short, we don’t really care about that clause. It’s more for show. Those prisoners, having brought shame upon us, wouldn’t be welcomed back warmly anyway. So, whether you choose to execute or release them is up to you.”

“But then we can’t even pretend…”

“True, but the martial world will hear that the Blood Sect did its best to retrieve its people, only for the Justice Alliance to refuse.”

“And our captured warriors…?”

“Since the clause is void, we won’t release them either. If you want your people back, you’ll have to accept our proposal.”

“What nonsense!”

Bang!

Deung Wang-pae slammed the table and stood up, a fierce aura emanating from him.

“Are you threatening to spread rumors that we rejected a fair proposal?”

“Threatening? You call this a negotiation? You’re just here to grovel after losing the war!”

“What? Just because you won a few battles, you’re acting all high and mighty! You should be grateful we’re offering to stop the bloodshed here!”

“What did you say?”

That’s enough. Ryu Yeo-jung slammed his palm on the table, causing Dokgo Jin to flinch and turn to him.

Ryu Yeo-jung spoke with a chilling calm.

“Master Dok, we’re here for a civil discussion. Please lower your voice.”

Though his words seemed directed at Dok Go-jin, Ryu Yeo-jung’s gaze was fixed on Deung Wang-pae.

Inwardly, he chuckled.

The righteous sect lives and dies by its principles. No matter how much Dok Go-jin rages, the righteous sect can’t harm him. If they were to kill—or even injure—a member of the Blood Alliance who came for negotiations, word would spread across the martial world.

The righteous sect’s treachery would be the talk of the town.

Could they really endure such criticism?

‘Heh, those who practice orthodox martial arts can never escape their own pretentiousness.’

Rumors were already circulating in the martial world. The Blood Alliance was humbling itself to seek a truce with the righteous sect, aiming to reduce further meaningless sacrifices. That’s the story the Blood Alliance had spread.

But what if the righteous sect rejected the truce?

Of course, many in the orthodox faction would welcome such a move, eager to punish evil under the guise of righteousness. But in doing so, the righteous sect would shoulder a heavy burden. If they were to lose the subsequent battles after such a rejection, they would face relentless criticism.

Meanwhile, the warriors of the Blood Alliance, having swallowed their pride to propose a truce, would harbor immense anger and resentment towards the righteous sect for spurning their offer.

‘In other words, you can accept this negotiation or not. We’ve made our position clear. If you reject this proposal, you’ll bear the burden, while we gain justification and resolve. Perhaps then, we can tip the scales of this uneven balance.’

Unlike Deung Wang-pae, Gu Yoon finally grasped Ryu Yeo-jung’s intentions and fell into deep thought.

‘So that’s what he’s aiming for? Perhaps he’s hoping we’ll reject the truce. Maybe he’s waiting for us to make unreasonable demands, which would naturally lead to a breakdown in negotiations. Such rumors would hardly be favorable to our sect.’

Gu Yoon stared intently at Ryu Yeo-jung.

‘So, the Blood Alliance has someone like this.’

Even though he had stepped back from power, he now understood why the righteous sect had suffered repeated defeats.

By this point, even Deung Wang-pae was at a loss. Despite his bold words, if the other side didn’t accept the proposal, there would be no way to retrieve the captured members of the righteous sect.

A single difference had become a stumbling block. They treated their captives as prisoners, while the other side saw them as hostages.

It’s always harder to live righteously.

‘Damn it.’

Just then, a voice broke the tension.

“Phew, I can’t stand this any longer. Mind if I say something?”

The unexpected speaker at the end of the table was Sa Bi-gang.

Deung Wang-pae’s eyebrow twitched.

‘What nonsense is that lunatic going to spout now?’