Episode 158: Return to the Demonic Sect
Dragon Gate Inn.
Located across from the Communication Pavilion in the outer grounds of the Justice Alliance, this inn usually sees few visitors. Its remote location and mediocre food don’t help its popularity. As a result, it ranks at the bottom in terms of revenue among the inns in the outer grounds.
However, it is a favored spot for hosting guests from the Communication Pavilion or vice versa.
But today, the Dragon Gate Inn was bustling with unexpected guests.
Naturally, the innkeeper was grinning from ear to ear.
“Welcome, welcome!”
“I’d like a window seat on the second or third floor.”
“Apologies, but the third floor is fully booked, and the second floor requires a seating fee of three silver coins. Plus, you must order at least one dish.”
“Three silver coins just for a seat? Isn’t that a bit steep?”
“Sorry, but today is special. As you can see, we’re quite busy…”
The innkeeper shrugged, gesturing around.
The newly arrived guest sighed, resigned to the situation.
“How much for the fourth floor?”
“The fourth floor offers the best view, but it’s six silver coins, and it’s already full.”
“Alright, I’ll take the second floor.”
“Very well. Let me show you the way.”
The innkeeper quickly called over a server to guide the guest upstairs.
As the guest followed the server to the second floor, the innkeeper turned to greet more incoming patrons with open arms and a broad smile.
“Welcome, welcome!”
The sudden influx of people at the Dragon Gate Inn was due to the inspection process conducted by the Inspection Corps.
From the second, third, and fourth floors of the inn, one could get a decent view of both the lower and upper levels of the Communication Pavilion across the street.
Martial artists eager to witness the cadets’ evaluation process firsthand flocked to the inn.
‘Who would have thought the Inspection Corps cadets would boost business like this?’
The innkeeper wasn’t about to let this golden opportunity slip by.
He had a quick-witted server provide live commentary as soon as the cadets entered the Pavilion, offering a novel viewing experience.
However, since the interior of the Pavilion was out of sight, the server had little to report.
Even with a telescope the innkeeper had painstakingly acquired, it was of no use.
Yet, the server, skilled in the art of storytelling, kept the audience engaged with his lively narration.
“Ah, what’s happening inside? Since the cadets entered the Pavilion, there’s been no sign of activity. What could be going on in there? Is this the end for the cadets, or will they emerge victorious, dragging the Pavilion Master out? It’s a tense moment. Who will triumph, the Pavilion Master or the cadets?”
The patrons, listening intently, swallowed nervously and clenched their fists.
Even without seeing anything, the server’s seamless commentary had them on edge.
‘I should double his pay today. Heh.’
Just then—
Boom! Crash!
The windows of the Pavilion shattered, and martial artists in red uniforms were flung out.
“Ah! Martial artists in red uniforms are being thrown from the Pavilion! These are the resident guards! This suggests the cadets are holding their own against them, doesn’t it?”
Crash! Boom! Bang!
More windows on the third floor of the Pavilion shattered, and the red-clad martial artists screamed as they were hurled out, landing on the upper level’s floor.
Among those ejected from the Pavilion were a couple of cadets.
“Ah! Cadets! Two cadets have just been flung out of the Pavilion! Ah, the National Master Sabi Kang is approaching the fallen cadets! As you know, the National Master cannot use any force during this evaluation. Perhaps he’s going to heal them?”
As Sabi Kang stepped forward, the crowd’s anticipation turned to disappointment.
They had hoped to witness the legendary martial prowess of Sabi Kang firsthand.
But as the server had predicted, Sabi Kang merely tended to the cadets’ internal injuries.
“That’s the famous Instructor Sabi Kang.”
“You should call him National Master Sabi Kang. While the cadets are under evaluation, his appointment as National Master is confirmed.”
“Indeed. Still, it’s impressive. Those cadets managed to enter the Pavilion. How were they trained?”
“Exactly. When I heard that the Mighty Giant was defeated, I couldn’t believe my ears. And it was just one cadet who did it?”
“I couldn’t believe it either when I saw the cadet with the bow. Wasn’t the sniper supposed to be the next Heavenly Palace Leader?”
The crowd marveled at the cadets’ skills, shaking their heads in disbelief.
Just then, a guest descended the stairs.
The innkeeper quickly approached.
“If you need anything, just let me know…”
“No need.”
The man, wearing a deeply pulled-down bamboo hat, waved dismissively and continued on his way.
He was none other than Jeon Tae-soo, the leader of the Heavenly Destruction Group.
As he pushed through the crowd gathered at the entrance, he suddenly stopped and looked up at the upper level of the Communication Pavilion.
His eyes narrowed.
‘They didn’t intervene! Why?’
Something was amiss.
This was a matter that needed addressing.
Clenching his teeth, he strode purposefully forward.
**
Fourth Floor, Pavilion Master’s Room.
Thud, thud, thud!
The door burst open, and the cadets poured into the room.
They spread out in a fan shape, keeping a vigilant eye on their surroundings.
Yeon Woo-kyung, standing at the center, furrowed his brow slightly.
Silence.
The fourth floor was markedly different from the atmosphere on the lower floors.
As soon as they entered the Pavilion, they were ambushed by martial artists.
But the cadets had spent the past six years training intensively in close-quarters combat.
Due to the nature of the Inspection Corps, they often fought indoors or engaged in urban warfare.
As a result, most of the ambushes failed, and nineteen out of twenty-one cadets made it safely to the Pavilion Master’s room.
Yet, the room was eerily quiet.
Beyond the curtain, a shadow sat calmly, savoring tea.
“Impressive.”
Finally, the shadow beyond the curtain spoke.
Though the voice was low, it carried an undeniable authority.
“Truly remarkable. Now I see why that instructor, Sabi Kang, is so renowned.”
The shadow set down the teacup and looked up, causing the curtain to sway and rustle.
It was reacting to the aura emanating from the man.
Yeon Woo-kyung stepped forward, his brow furrowed.
“Are you the Pavilion Master?”
To be precise, the question should have been, “Are you the one playing the role of the Pavilion Master?”
The shadow beyond the curtain chuckled, amused by Yeon Woo-kyung’s response.
“And if I am?”
“You’ll have to come with us to the headquarters.”
“Hahaha! Such audacity. Truly impressive.”
“I asked if you are the Pavilion Master.”
“Indeed, I am Yang Ji-gang, the Pavilion Master of the Communication Pavilion. At least, that’s the role I’ve been given.”
“I suppose you’ll resist, as expected.”
“Heh heh heh. You know me well!”
In an instant—
Boom!
A tremendous aura exploded from the man’s body, radiating in all directions.
“Ugh!”
The cadets quickly assumed defensive stances, lowering their bodies against the powerful gust.
It was as if a hurricane strong enough to blow away the entire building was raging indoors.
Yeon Woo-kyung’s eyes widened.
‘A supreme master!’
This man was far beyond their level.
Until a moment ago, he had concealed his inner strength, making it impossible to gauge his true power.
They had only guessed he was formidable, given his role as the Pavilion Master.
But he was far stronger than they had anticipated.
In the next moment—
Crack!
The curtain was torn away, hurtling toward the cadets at terrifying speed.
Swish!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The cadets raised their weapons to block, but the force was so immense that two cadets were flung back, crashing into the wall.
Meanwhile, the cadets who either blocked or dodged the curtain charged at the man in unison.
Thud, thud, thud!
In an instant—
Boom!
Dark shadows descended from where the curtain had hung.
In their hands were enormous staffs, as if they had leaped down with the ceiling beams.
“Defend!”
They shouted in unison, thrusting the massive beams toward the cadets.
Thud, thud, thud!
“Ugh!”
“Ahh!”
Crash!
The cadets, pushed by the beams, crashed through the walls and were flung outside.
The guards wielding the beams also leaped from the fourth floor with the cadets.
In the blink of an eye, most of the cadets gathered on the fourth floor were thrown out of the Pavilion, leaving only Yeon Woo-kyung, Mok Dan-hwa, and three others in the room.
Two of them were unconscious from hitting the wall.
Yeon Woo-kyung gritted his teeth and faced his opponent.
A man with long, flowing white hair.
As he smirked—
“Hiyaah!”
Yeon Woo-kyung let out a battle cry, kicking off the ground and charging forward.
Two more cadets rushed in right behind them.
**
“Hmm. Seems like they’re having a tough time.”
Sabigang muttered to himself, gazing up at the fourth floor of the Gakju Hall with a detached air.
He glanced at the two cadets lying beside him. They had been thrown out from the third floor of the hall. After giving them a quick treatment for their internal injuries, he had laid them down to rest.
By now, the cadets should have reached the Gakju Chamber.
As he continued to stare up at the chamber, a loud crash echoed through the air.
With a thunderous noise, a group of cadets came tumbling down, followed by warriors leaping down with massive pillars in hand.
The pillars hit the ground with a resounding thud, but fortunately, the cadets managed to dodge in time, avoiding any injuries.
Swiftly, the cadets regrouped and took a defensive stance against their adversaries.
Sabigang’s eyes narrowed as he observed them.
“Are they the bodyguards?”
Of course, they weren’t the official bodyguards of the Tongmun Gakju. They must have been hired specifically for this test.
There were eleven of them in total, facing off against twelve cadets. Their individual skills were nearly on par with the cadets—each one a master in their own right.
However, the cadets had been training together for six years. In the martial world, it’s rare for warriors to work together for such an extended period. Even within an alliance, positions typically change every two or three years.
In contrast, the elite bodyguards had likely only recently started working together.
“Well, it shouldn’t be a big problem.”
Just then, another loud crash came from the Gakju Chamber.
Everyone turned their heads to look up at the chamber.
In that moment, Yeon Woo-gyeong and Mok Dan-hwa were flung out from a gaping hole in the wall, crashing to the ground.
The two cadets struggled to regain their footing, rolling across the floor.
“Ugh!”
“Argh!”
As Yeon Woo-gyeong and Mok Dan-hwa scrambled to their feet, a white-haired man emerged from the chamber.
His long white hair flowed down, and a powerful aura emanated from his entire being.
“An absolute master,” Sabigang thought, watching him intently.
The man leapt down effortlessly, landing lightly in front of Yeon Woo-gyeong and Mok Dan-hwa, despite having jumped from the fourth floor.
He glanced at Sabigang standing to the side and flashed a sly grin, exuding an air of unshakable confidence.
“If you find it too pitiful to watch, the Gakju is welcome to step in. Although the rules prohibit the Gakju from using force during this test, I’ll turn a blind eye just this once.”
Sabigang looked at him calmly.
Then, a small smile played on Sabigang’s lips.
“No need. Our cadets can handle someone of your level just fine. But I appreciate the offer. Haha.”
For the first time, the man’s expression faltered slightly.