Episode 170: Return to the Demonic Sect
Sabigang, having left his disguise behind, ventured into a secluded path. As he walked deeper into the increasingly deserted forest, he expanded his senses once more.
“Ha, they’re following me well.”
Thirty-one in total. Members of the Sanggeomak and Jeokmudae. He had known for some time that they were keeping a close watch on him. And today, as soon as he stepped outside, they all tailed him.
Finally, Sabigang reached the heart of the deserted forest.
“Time for a little fun, perhaps?”
A mischievous grin spread across his face.
Meanwhile, the expression of the Sanggeomak member trailing him grew increasingly tense.
“Where on earth is he going at this hour?”
Could it be that he’s discovered a stash of gold? Is he heading to the strike team stationed on the village outskirts? His mind was a whirlwind of speculation.
Just then—
Thunk!
Sabigang dropped something on the ground. The sight of it nearly made the Sanggeomak member gasp.
“That, that’s…!”
A gold bar! Undoubtedly! It gleamed yellow under the moonlight.
“Why on earth…?”
Though he couldn’t comprehend it, the most plausible explanation was…
“Did he find the secret vault? But without the keyholder, he shouldn’t have been able to locate it!”
Meanwhile, Sabigang quickly scanned his surroundings and tucked the gold bar back into his coat.
At this point, the Sanggeomak member was certain.
“The secret vault has been compromised.”
If that’s the case, Sabigang might be heading to alert the strike team. If they attack the Eastern Family with an elite force while everyone is asleep, the damage would be catastrophic.
“I can’t let him go!”
With no other choice, he decided to act first and report later. The Sanggeomak member swiftly revealed himself in front of Sabigang.
Sabigang halted and looked at him.
“And you are…?”
“I am Sanggeomak, leader of the Jeokmudae. Greetings, Chief.”
“Ah, Sang Daejoo, I remember you. But what brings you here?”
“I should be the one asking. Where are you rushing off to at this late hour, Chief?”
“Were you spying on me?”
“Not spying, protecting.”
Sabigang chuckled.
“Protection, huh… Not necessary.”
“Where are you headed?”
“I have some business to attend to. So, if you could step aside.”
“I’m sorry, but… may I search your coat?”
“Are you out of your mind?”
Sabigang’s displeasure was evident.
“Yes, I am.”
“You’re insane. I refuse.”
“Then please return with us for now.”
“Hmm. Why is that?”
“Something has gone missing from the vault.”
“So you suspect me?”
“It’s just to clear up any misunderstandings.”
“Even so, this is quite unpleasant.”
“If you continue, we’ll have to use force.”
With a swift motion, Sanggeomak drew his sword.
Given the situation, there was no time for wordplay.
“Hahaha! The Eastern Family’s arrogance knows no bounds.”
“Think what you will. We’re in a state of emergency.”
“An emergency, you say… Is the missing item that important?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Perhaps… gold bars amassed through corruption and deceit?”
Sanggeomak’s eyes widened in realization.
“As expected…!”
In Sabigang’s hand was the unmistakable gleam of a gold bar.
Sanggeomak’s expression turned icy.
“To think the Chief of the Inspection Bureau would resort to theft. How unexpected.”
“It’s merely evidence collection.”
“This is your final warning. Return with us.”
“No.”
“If that’s the case!”
In an instant, Sanggeomak lunged at Sabigang with ghostly speed.
Clang!
With a loud crash, Sabigang was sent skidding backward.
Screech!
He came to a stop, leaving a long trail in the dirt.
Sanggeomak’s eyes widened slightly.
“He blocked it…?”
Unexpected. He had heard the rumors about Sabigang. But rumors tend to be exaggerated, with truth buried beneath layers of embellishment. Until he saw Sabigang with his own eyes yesterday, he hadn’t believed any of them.
And he had judged that the rumors were indeed unreliable.
It was only natural. Sabigang usually lived with half of his internal energy converted into mana. Even the most skilled martial artist would only see him as having average peak-level abilities.
Sanggeomak, who had reached the pinnacle, was confident in his assessment. That’s why he attacked without hesitation this time.
But…
“He blocked my attack?”
In that brief exchange, he felt two layers of resistance. Just before their swords clashed, he had broken through something very thin.
A protective barrier, perhaps? No, a barrier wouldn’t shatter so easily. In truth, it was a shield Sabigang had deployed, but Sanggeomak had no way of knowing that.
Regardless, their swords clashed, and Sabigang was pushed back.
Sabigang whistled.
“Quite the strength you have.”
Sanggeomak furrowed his brow.
“You hid your martial prowess.”
“Hey, let’s get it straight. I never said anything about my martial level. You just misjudged.”
“Then I’ll show my true self as well.”
With that, Sanggeomak launched himself forward.
Bang!
His speed was incomparable to his previous attack. Only after he appeared before Sabigang did the wind catch up to where Sanggeomak had been.
Clang!
With a clear metallic ring, both Sabigang and Sanggeomak were sent flying back.
“What on earth…!”
Sanggeomak was astonished once more. The first strike might have been due to his own carelessness. But the second attack was serious.
Yet Sabigang had blocked it. And with ease!
Sanggeomak gritted his teeth and charged again.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew between them.
Finally, a sharp aura formed on Sanggeomak’s sword.
Swoosh!
With a sound like tearing air, the blue aura sliced past Sabigang’s head.
Crash!
Thud, thud!
The large trees behind Sabigang were cut down in an instant, crashing to the ground with a heavy thud.
In a flash,
Swish!
Sabigang vanished from Sanggeomak’s sight.
”…!”
Feeling a chill down his spine, Sanggeomak quickly turned and swung his sword again.
Clang!
The aura deflected, slicing another tree nearby.
At the same time, Sabigang’s hand shot out.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
Sanggeomak, having instinctively raised his protective energy, staggered back, regaining his balance.
A dull pain radiated from his chest where Sabigang’s force had struck.
“He’s at the pinnacle!”
He had to admit his mistake. Sometimes, rumors are true. Or even more than true.
“Who is this man…?”
At that moment, Sabigang slowly assumed a stance.
Sanggeomak’s expression twisted.
“That stance…!”
He remembered it clearly. The stance Sabigang took was none other than the Northern Divine Sword technique. Not just the stance, but the aura, the breath, the entire atmosphere around Sabigang was identical.
Sanggeomak, at the pinnacle, was sure of his judgment.
“It’s definitely the Northern Divine Sword!”
But the Northern Divine Sword was supposed to be exclusive to the Northern Divine Sect. How could Sabigang know it?
As if reading his thoughts, Sabigang chuckled.
“I picked up quite a few skills during my time in the Demonic Realm.”
“What are you talking about…?”
Sanggeomak gritted his teeth, cutting himself off. There was no point in responding to such nonsense.
He quickly signaled with his hand. From the shadows, the Jeokmudae, clad in black, emerged.
Sabigang chuckled.
“So it’s not a fair one-on-one duel, then?”
“I’ve changed my mind.”
Sanggeomak replied coldly, glaring at him. He had already shown all his hidden strength. Yet he couldn’t overpower Sabigang. In fact, he had been pushed back.
What worried him more was that Sabigang’s breathing remained steady.
A one-on-one duel was meaningless now. But if the Jeokmudae attacked together?
“The odds are in our favor.”
No matter how strong the opponent, even a pinnacle master would struggle against the entire Jeokmudae. They were the elite of the Eastern Family, all thirty of them at the peak level.
Rustle!
The Jeokmudae formed a circle around Sabigang, their presence exuding a thick killing intent.
“If this is how it’s going to be…”
Sabigang shrugged.
“I won’t waste my strength alone.”
“What…?”
Sanggeomak couldn’t finish his sentence. A chilling presence was felt behind him.
“Could it be…?”
He quickly turned around. Not just him, but the entire Jeokmudae turned their backs on Sabigang.
Turning your back on a master of the highest caliber was practically a death wish, yet the murderous intent was so intense that it was impossible not to turn around.
Rustle, rustle, rustle!
Dark shadows emerged suddenly from the thicket.
There seemed to be at least a hundred of them.
Upon seeing the embroidered character for “kill” on their chests, Sang Geom-ak’s expression twisted in alarm.
“The Death Squad…!”
Just then, an old man stepped confidently out from among the shadows.
“Congratulations. You’ve become a target of our squad. Consider yourself a dead man.”
Ak Cheon-goe bared his teeth in a chilling smile.
‘What on earth… Who is this Sa Guk-ju really…?’
Sang Geom-ak turned stiffly to look at Sa Bi-gang, but the assassins of the Death Squad unleashed their killing intent and charged all at once.
**
Early in the morning, the chief inspector sought out the head of the family.
“Master Sang and the Red Martial Squad are nowhere to be found.”
“What do you mean they’re missing? Since when?”
“I’m not certain, but they haven’t been seen since dawn. I had a strange feeling this morning, so I ordered a thorough search, but they couldn’t be found anywhere in the compound or the village.”
“What?”
Only then did Ha Tae-sang leap to his feet.
This had never happened before.
Something was definitely amiss.
“What about the Guk-ju and the Heavenly Annihilation Squad?”
“They stayed at the guest house all night and are now preparing to leave after breakfast.”
‘I can’t make sense of this. Why would Sang Geom-ak and the Red Martial Squad… disappear?’
The Red Martial Squad, led by Sang Geom-ak, was tasked with monitoring Sa Bi-gang, the inspector general.
Yet the inspector general remained, while the Red Martial Squad vanished?
What could have happened overnight?
“Who was the last to see them?”
“The warriors of Biyungak.”
“Biyungak?”
Ha Tae-sang’s expression flickered with unease.
He rushed to his desk and opened a drawer.
Thankfully, the key to the secret chamber was still inside.
‘Why would Master Sang go to Biyungak…?’
He quickly donned his outer robe.
“I need to head to Biyungak immediately.”