Episode 148: Return to the Demonic Sect
Crack.
Mok Dan-hwa froze in place.
The sound of a branch snapping echoed louder than expected in the cavern.
The skeletal figures flinched and turned sharply, but soon resumed their aimless wandering, creaking as they went.
No matter how loud the noise, as long as they held their breath, the skeletons seemed oblivious to the presence of the two intruders.
With this realization, the pair grew bolder.
They had no choice.
There was only so long they could hold their breath, so they needed to act quickly.
Thud, thud. Thud-thud.
As they pushed through the throng of skeletons, their shoulders collided repeatedly, but the skeletons seemed to think nothing of it, as if they were bumping into each other.
They ventured deeper into the cavern, and as they rounded a corner, Mok Dan-hwa spotted two swords embedded in a jagged rock formation.
She tapped Yeon Woo-gyeong on the shoulder and pointed.
“Swords!”
“Great, let’s go!”
Yeon Woo-gyeong gave a thumbs-up and quickened his pace.
Thud! Clatter!
The two dashed through the skeletons, making their way to the rock formation in a single bound.
Finally, they leapt onto the rock, their eyes alight with excitement.
“At last…!”
The sight of the swords made their hatred for Sabi-gang melt away like snow.
Even at a glance, the two swords were no ordinary weapons.
Yeon Woo-gyeong reached for the hilt of the blue-bladed sword.
He tried to draw it… but it wouldn’t budge.
“Huh?”
The sword didn’t move an inch.
“Come on, seriously…?”
He gripped the hilt tighter, channeling his inner strength into it.
“Hrrgh!”
Still nothing.
Seeing this, Mok Dan-hwa felt a sense of foreboding and approached the sword meant for her.
She, too, grasped the hilt and pulled with all her might.
“Ugh!”
It wouldn’t come out!
Even with both hands and all her strength, the sword remained immovable.
“Ugh! Why won’t it come out?!”
Breathless, Yeon Woo-gyeong complained, gasping for air.
Mok Dan-hwa was in the same state, hands on her knees, panting heavily.
At that moment, the skeletons below the rock flinched and turned their heads toward the pair.
In an instant.
Thud-thud-thud!
Whoosh!
The skeletons launched themselves at the two.
Having caught their breath, the pair held it again and fended off the dozens of skeletons that flew at them.
Clang! Crash!
The skeletons that fell to the ground reassembled with a creak.
“These things are relentless!”
They couldn’t keep fighting like this forever.
Moreover, the skeletons seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment.
If this continued, they would eventually get hurt and bleed.
And once that happened, holding their breath would be useless.
“Damn it, how do we draw these swords? They said only the rightful owner could, but how do they know who that is…?”
Then, a thought flashed through his mind.
Yeon Woo-gyeong’s eyes widened, and Mok Dan-hwa turned to him, as if struck by the same idea.
Their gaze returned to the swords.
“Blood…!”
Yes.
Only the rightful owner could draw the sword.
The only way to mark the owner was with blood.
That must be why Sabi-gang brought them here.
And hadn’t Sabi-gang hinted at it?
He hoped they wouldn’t have to shed blood, but it seemed inevitable.
But if they fed the swords their blood…
“Those things will go berserk.”
If this method was wrong, they would be in a dire situation.
They wouldn’t be able to draw the swords, and they’d be surrounded by skeletons, fighting for their lives.
Or worse, they might die here.
“Just like Dan-hwa said, he’s a real piece of work.”
Yeon Woo-gyeong shook his head and looked at Mok Dan-hwa.
She seemed to have made up her mind, glancing between her hand and the sword.
Slowly, they reached for the blades.
Finally.
Slice!
Their palms were cut, and blood trickled down.
The swords absorbed the blood.
In the next moment, Yeon Woo-gyeong’s sword began to glow a brilliant blue.
Mok Dan-hwa’s sword shone with a dazzling white light.
Simultaneously.
Clatter!
The skeletons below the rock flinched and looked up at them.
Yeon Woo-gyeong and Mok Dan-hwa exchanged a glance and gripped the hilts of their swords.
At last.
Sliiide!
The swords, which seemed immovable, slid out of the rock.
At the same time, the skeletons on the ground launched themselves at them.
“Damn it! Bring it on!”
“Haah!”
Yeon Woo-gyeong and Mok Dan-hwa shouted as they charged to meet their foes.
**
Crackle. Snap.
The dry wood crackled as it burned.
Sabi-gang watched the rabbit roast over the fire, its juices dripping from the skewered legs.
“Ah, that looks delicious.”
He wiped the drool from his mouth and grabbed the skewer.
“Now, did I forget to mention that they needed to stain the blade with blood to draw the swords? I might have… It’s a bit hazy.”
Scratching the back of his head, he shrugged.
“Well, they’ll figure it out.”
Just as he was about to take a bite of the rabbit…
Sss…
‘What’s this ominous feeling…?’
A chill ran down his spine as a dark presence loomed.
A shadow fell over him.
Turning around, he saw Yeon Woo-gyeong and Mok Dan-hwa, covered in wounds, glaring at him with fierce expressions.
Yeon Woo-gyeong’s lips trembled with anger.
“You really… left us to struggle… while you leisurely feast on meat… you con artist…!”
“Thanks to you, we had quite the refreshing ordeal.”
Mok Dan-hwa smiled menacingly, her hand shaking with barely contained rage.
Sabi-gang forced an awkward smile.
“Haha… Congratulations.”
“Shut up! You fraud!”
In an instant, Sabi-gang stuffed the rabbit into his mouth and took off, using his light-footed skills to flee.
**
In the main hall of the Justice Alliance.
Leader Neung Un-pa narrowed his eyes and questioned Gu Yoon.
“You want to establish a new Inspection Bureau?”
“Yes, Leader.”
Gu Yoon’s unwavering response caused a stir among the senior members.
There had been rumors that once the current conflict was resolved, the military would reorganize the inspection team.
But an Inspection Bureau?
The unfamiliar term left many scratching their heads.
The leader voiced their curiosity.
“An Inspection Bureau, you say. How will it be structured?”
“As you might expect, it will oversee all inspection duties within the alliance. While the exact structure hasn’t been decided, the Bureau Chief will have full authority over its formation.”
At this, Deung Wang-pae frowned deeply and spoke up.
“Does that mean its size will surpass that of the current departments?”
“Possibly. Depending on the Bureau Chief’s approach, it could be larger than a division.”
“That’s absurd! How can a newly formed organization outrank established divisions…?”
“You misunderstand.”
“What?”
“The Inspection Bureau will be the most independent entity within the alliance. It will operate outside the usual hierarchy. While its size may grow, its rank will hold no significance.”
Gu Yoon replied calmly, almost relishing Deung Wang-pae’s frustration.
Just days ago, he couldn’t have imagined this scenario.
He had hoped that Sabi-gang might take charge of the inspection team.
But Sabi-gang’s unexpected success in the negotiations with the Blood Sect had emboldened him to push further.
‘The old inspection team was hardly a proper organization.’
Indeed.
The previous inspection team wasn’t proactive.
They only investigated when complaints were filed, and even then, corruption and personal interests often hindered proper investigations.
While it hadn’t always been this way, over time, the team’s influence had waned.
Now, it was a mere shadow of its intended purpose.
Gu Yoon intended to rectify this.
He planned to expand its scope significantly and rename it the Inspection Bureau.
Deung Wang-pae, still dissatisfied, voiced his concern.
“But won’t that give the Inspection Bureau unchecked power? People will be desperate to bribe the Bureau Chief.”
“That might happen, but that’s why oversight from the division and department heads will be crucial. Additionally, the leader has the authority to dismiss the Bureau Chief, ensuring checks and balances.”
Gu Yoon’s confident response left Deung Wang-pae at a loss for words.
Leader Neung Un-pa, who had been observing, finally spoke.
“So, the Inspection Bureau will conduct proactive investigations, unlike before?”
“Exactly. The newly formed Inspection Bureau will be essential for thoroughly investigating the alliance’s internal affairs.”
Gu Yoon addressed the assembly with a firm voice, looking each member in the eye.
“As you all know, our organization is rotting from the inside. There are those who cling like leeches, draining our lifeblood. You’re well aware of this. The reason the Blood Alliance dared to wage war against us was precisely because they exploited this weakness. Therefore, the establishment of the new Inspection Bureau is aimed at rooting out these parasites.”
“That’s a good idea. I fully support your decision, Commander.”
“I agree as well. It’s something I’ve been considering for a long time.”
The leader’s close aides voiced their unanimous support.
Then, Deng Wang-pae spoke up sharply.
“This isn’t something to be taken lightly. We’ve just concluded the Great War, and our organization is slowly regaining stability. Excessive surveillance at this time could lead to internal strife. I’m concerned that in trying to catch a few pests, we might end up burning down the whole house.”
Gu Yun smiled gently.
“But surely, we can’t live with the pests, can we?”
“What I’m saying is, we shouldn’t rush into this…”
“Do you really think our organization is as fragile as a straw hut, Master Deng?”
”…!”
“If that’s the case, perhaps it’s better to burn down the straw hut and rebuild it as a sturdy tile-roofed house, don’t you think?”
“Hmm…!”
As Deng Wang-pae’s confidence waned, Neung Un-pae asked cautiously.
“Do you have someone in mind to lead this new Inspection Bureau?”
“Of course.”
“Oh? And who might that be?”
“Sabikang, the instructor from Yongcheon Hall.”