Episode 16: Return to the Demon Sect

“Ugh…”

The masked man could only manage a faint groan, unable to speak further.

Whether it was due to his injuries or a desire to keep his identity hidden, the situation was unclear.

For Yeon Jin, it was an incredibly awkward predicament. The incident had escalated far beyond his expectations, and being humiliated in front of so many people left him at a loss for how to handle the aftermath.

Watching the scene unfold, Cheon Sae-myung and his group couldn’t help but feel anxious. If Yeon Jin’s identity were exposed, they could face severe repercussions without gaining anything in return. Of course, if Yeon Jin took the fall for everything, it would be a relief, but for now, the only silver lining was that his identity remained a secret.

Deung Bu-hyung whispered into Cheon Sae-myung’s ear, “Things have gotten complicated. What should we do?”

“Hmm,” Cheon Sae-myung murmured, his expression grim.

Meanwhile, Joo Yoo-chun shouted again, “You there! I’m asking you a question! Who are you to dare attack an instructor of this academy? Remove your mask at once!”

“Ugh…”

Yeon Jin remained silent.

At that moment, Cheon Sae-myung cautiously suggested, “It seems he’s too injured to speak. Perhaps we should move him to the infirmary for treatment first…”

But Sa Bi-gang interjected angrily, “Treatment? This is the man who tried to attack me!”

“But he can’t speak in his current state. Even if we remove his mask, we won’t recognize him just by his face,” Cheon Sae-myung reasoned, though inwardly he was nervous. His plan was to use the treatment as an excuse to get Yeon Jin out of there and help him escape. It was the best option they had.

However, Sa Bi-gang was not easily swayed. “If he had the will, he could do anything. His silence means he lacks the will to speak.”

He grabbed the masked man’s hair and demanded, “Speak! Who sent you to do this?”

“Ugh…!”

“Who is behind you?”

Yeon Jin glanced at Cheon Sae-myung, his eyes pleading for help.

Sa Bi-gang raised his fist. “Looks like you need more persuasion. But first, let’s see your face.”

“Wait! Wait!” Yeon Jin finally shouted, reaching out his hand.

Sa Bi-gang smirked. “Oh, so now you’re ready to talk?”

Yeon Jin glared at Sa Bi-gang and suddenly stood up. Gathering the last of his strength, he rushed toward Joo Yoo-chun.

The captain of the guards quickly stepped in front of Joo Yoo-chun, drawing his sword. “What are you doing?”

But just before reaching him, Yeon Jin fell to his knees and slammed his head onto the ground. Blood trickled down from his forehead.

The sudden act left the students, instructors, and even Joo Yoo-chun in shock and confusion.

Yeon Jin slammed his head down again. Bang!

“What is the meaning of this…?” Joo Yoo-chun began, bewildered.

“Dean, please forgive me! I… I did this for justice!” Yeon Jin struggled to speak, his voice no longer hoarse but still unclear due to missing teeth.

Joo Yoo-chun, still stunned, asked, “Justice? What are you talking about? Who are you?”

Finally, with trembling hands, Yeon Jin removed his mask.

The crowd gasped in shock.

“What? He’s an instructor!”

“Oh my! It’s Instructor Yeon Jin! The first-year martial arts instructor!”

“Wow! He’s our homeroom instructor!”

“My goodness, why is our instructor doing this? What on earth is happening?”

The scene was a whirlwind of disbelief. Who could have imagined that the attacker would be another instructor?

For the onlookers, the more incomprehensible the situation, the more entertaining it became. The students watched with eager anticipation, knowing this was the biggest event since they had joined the academy.

Meanwhile, Cheon Sae-myung and his group looked as if they had bitten into something bitter. They could only hope that Yeon Jin had a plan.

Joo Yoo-chun stammered, “You… you are…”

“Yes, it’s me. Yeon Jin,” he replied, his voice strained.

“Why would you…?”

As Joo Yoo-chun struggled to find words, the students’ murmurs grew louder, filling the hall with noise.

Unable to bear it any longer, Deung Bu-hyung shouted, “You lot! Get back to your dorms! What are you gawking at?”

But Sa Bi-gang intervened, “No. All the students here are witnesses. If they leave now, rumors will spread. Let them stay and see this through. It could be an educational experience.”

Deung Bu-hyung gritted his teeth, glaring at Sa Bi-gang.

Hearing this, Yeon Jin smirked inwardly. ‘Foolish man. You’re digging your own grave! I’m doing this to bury you completely! It’s perfect. I’ll expose your true nature in front of everyone!’

As the students quieted down, Joo Yoo-chun turned to Yeon Jin with a cold gaze. “What happened, Instructor Yeon? Did you really attempt an ambush?”

“Yes, I did. It was my doing.”

“Why would you do such a thing?”

“Dean, please listen carefully to what I have to say. It’s of utmost importance. Everyone here needs to know the truth!”

Though his pronunciation was flawed, Yeon Jin’s expression was more determined than ever.

Cheon Sae-myung and his group nodded slightly. ‘He’s decided to make it public. Given the circumstances, it’s not a bad move.’

Joo Yoo-chun, still puzzled, asked, “What is it that you need to say?”

“Dean, Sa Bi-gang is…”

Yeon Jin staggered to his feet, pointing directly at Sa Bi-gang.

After a brief pause, he continued, “He’s a practitioner of demonic arts!”

“What?”

Joo Yoo-chun’s eyes widened in shock.

The entire hall erupted in chaos.

“Sa Instructor practices demonic arts?”

“Come to think of it, hasn’t he gotten much stronger recently?”

“My goodness. A demon practitioner as an instructor at the righteous sect’s academy?”

“What on earth is going on? Is this true?”

Yeon Jin listened to the murmurs, a smile playing on his lips. ‘Heh, Sa Bi-gang! Your demonic arts were indeed stronger than I anticipated. But now you’re finished! Justice always prevails!’

Joo Yoo-chun composed himself and looked directly at Sa Bi-gang. “Instructor Sa, is what Instructor Yeon says true? Have you really practiced demonic arts?”

“I have never practiced demonic arts,” Sa Bi-gang replied without a hint of hesitation.

Yeon Jin quickly interjected, “Dean, don’t believe him! I tried to place a demonic seal on his forehead! I intended to provoke him into using his demonic arts, but my skills were insufficient. Still, I saw it with my own eyes! He used sinister techniques against me!”

All eyes turned to Sa Bi-gang.

Sa Bi-gang sighed deeply. “Instructor Yeon, why are you lying? I fought honorably with orthodox techniques. This is truly unfair.”

“Lies! Nonsense! I saw it all! You vanished before my eyes with strange techniques! I saw the dark energy explode in front of me! I saw the fiery spears flying! I saw the evil aura protecting you!”

“Even if you want to frame me, you can’t just make up such elaborate stories. I’m not some ghost.”

“You… Dean! Don’t be swayed by his silver tongue! I saw it with my own eyes! Trust me! You even admitted it, didn’t you? That you practiced demonic arts!”

“Demonic arts? Me? What nonsense. Even if someone practiced demonic arts, who would openly admit it? Unless they’re a demon living openly.”

“You scoundrel! Denying it to the end! Cough, cough!”

Yeon Jin’s violent coughing fit ended with him spitting out a mouthful of blood.

“It seems the female instructor might have hit her head. I never expected her to spout such nonsense. I regret not recognizing her and holding back my hand,” Sabigang said with a look of genuine pity.

Yeonjin was practically foaming at the mouth in frustration. It wasn’t the physical pain that was killing him, but the sheer injustice of it all.

“That… that scoundrel is shamelessly lying! Headmaster, please, you must believe me!”

“Hmm,” Juyucheon murmured, closing his eyes in thought.

At that moment, Cheon Saemyung stepped forward. “There is a way to uncover the truth.”

“Speak,” Juyucheon replied.

Cheon Saemyung glanced briefly at Sabigang before answering, “We can use the Taekma Seal on the instructor’s forehead.”

The crowd buzzed with renewed interest.

Yeonjin’s eyes gleamed with a fierce determination as he shouted, “Yes! That’s it! Use the Taekma Seal! Do it! That scoundrel was using dark arts just moments ago, so the moment the seal is applied, a red mark will appear!”

“Silence! What makes you think you can shout like that?” Juyucheon suddenly reprimanded, his voice tinged with anger, causing Yeonjin’s expression to falter.

“But, Headmaster… that man… he definitely used dark arts…”

“Regardless, attempting an ambush without clear evidence is not the conduct befitting an instructor. Whatever the outcome, I will hold you accountable for this.”

Juyucheon glanced at the Taekma Seal Yeonjin held out, then turned his gaze to Sabigang. In this situation, there was no specific rule to apply to Sabigang. Even if there were, there was no way to force an instructor to submit to the seal.

“Even as headmaster, I cannot easily compel someone to use the Taekma Seal. Besides, we lack concrete evidence.”

Yeonjin and Cheon Saemyung’s faces twisted in frustration at Juyucheon’s firm stance.

However…

“I can, however, suggest it. What do you say? Would you be willing to use the Taekma Seal to prove your innocence?”

All eyes turned to Sabigang once more. He furrowed his brow deeply.

“Headmaster, I feel deeply insulted. My only crime is diligently honing my martial skills and sincerely guiding the students. And now, to be accused of practicing dark arts out of envy and jealousy… If you were in my position, would you willingly use the Taekma Seal?”

“I understand your feelings. But if it were truly a false accusation… I would swallow my pride and use the seal.”

“And if someone falsely accused you of being a demon and hunted you down, would you forgive them?”

“I could not forgive them. Yet, I would still use the seal here and now. That is my honest answer.”

Sabigang met Juyucheon’s gaze steadily. “Let me think about it for a moment.”

Internally, Yeonjin cheered. ‘He’s finally cornered. You’re finished!’

Even if he had to answer for his ambush later, it would be a small price to pay if Sabigang was indeed a demon.

After a brief pause, Sabigang raised his head. “Very well. I will use the Taekma Seal.”

The room buzzed with excitement once more. The situation had become even more intriguing.

Juyucheon let out a sigh of relief. If Sabigang had refused, things would have become truly complicated.

“But I have a few conditions.”

“Conditions?” Juyucheon asked, as Sabigang’s expression grew more serious than ever.