Episode 180: Return to the Demonic Sect
On the roof of Bukmyeong Hall, with a clear view of the entire Bukmyeong Newspaper compound, Churyang lay flat, peering through a telescope into the courtyard of the Guest House. He couldn’t help but exclaim in awe.
“Wow! That’s incredible!”
He had thought that when Bok Il-ryong launched his decisive strike disguised as a sword dance, Sabi-gang would be done for. But to block it with chopsticks? And that wasn’t all. Hadn’t the sect leader deflected Won-sang’s sword attack with a mere wine cup? He had never witnessed such a spectacular scene in his life.
‘He’s even more extraordinary than I imagined!’
From the start, he had sensed something unusual about Sabi-gang. There was an indescribable aura surrounding him. Though he seemed about the same age as Churyang, he exuded the calm confidence of someone who had lived for decades. It was just a feeling, not something he could pinpoint. But now, he had seen that feeling confirmed with his own eyes.
Suddenly, a voice came from behind him.
“What are you doing here?”
A shadow loomed over him, and Churyang, frozen like ice, slowly turned around. Standing in the moonlight was an old man, with the character for “kill” emblazoned in black on his chest.
“Gasp! The… Slayer?”
The old man, known as Akcheon-gwe, grinned and snapped his fingers.
Thwack!
A gust of wind struck Churyang’s pressure point, and he collapsed helplessly.
**
Won-sang still wore a look of disbelief.
‘How could someone possess such martial prowess?’
Moreover, the Heavenly Destruction Squad had far exceeded his expectations. Weren’t they just students not long ago? Yet they had effortlessly fended off an attack from the elite Thunder Sword Squad, the pride of Bukmyeong Newspaper.
‘This can’t just be a coincidence…’
Suddenly,
Bang!
The main gate to the courtyard burst open, and a flood of martial artists poured in, easily numbering a hundred. Soon, more appeared on the surrounding walls, drawing their bows taut. Sabi-gang whistled at the sight.
“Wow, Bukmyeong Newspaper sure knows how to put on a show. At this rate, there won’t be anyone left after two sword dances.”
Won-sang’s face twisted in anger.
“Enough with the pointless jokes!”
Sabi-gang’s eyes deepened as he looked at Won-sang, who sneered coldly.
“The Lord must die here today!”
Clang!
The members of the Heavenly Destruction Squad, who had been observing the situation, drew their swords in unison. Their leader, Dan Li-jeong, aimed his bow at Won-sang and spoke in a chilling voice.
“Master Won, stop this madness and kneel before the Lord to beg for forgiveness.”
“You arrogant brat…”
Bok Il-ryong gritted his teeth, glaring at Dan Li-jeong. But Dan Li-jeong’s expression remained unshaken. The once gentle-looking man now exuded the commanding presence of a true leader.
Won-sang chuckled.
“A naive youngster, unaware of the world’s dangers. Do you even know the situation you’re in…?”
Whoosh!
Dan Li-jeong released the arrow. It flew like a streak of light. There was no second warning. Startled, Bok Il-ryong quickly stepped in front of Won-sang, swinging his sword.
Clang!
“Ugh!”
The arrow was deflected just in time, but the force pushed Bok Il-ryong back nearly three paces, leaving deep footprints on the stone floor.
‘What kind of arrow is this strong…?’
He furrowed his brow, ready to charge at Dan Li-jeong, but hesitated. Dan Li-jeong had already drawn another arrow, aiming at Won-sang.
‘Damn, how is he so fast?’
As his gaze wavered, Sabi-gang spoke with a cold expression.
“Judging by your actions, it seems you’ve done something terribly wrong.”
“And what if I have?”
Won-sang, regaining his composure, smirked. Despite Dan Li-jeong’s impressive skills, Sabi-gang and the Heavenly Destruction Squad were surrounded by 250 men. The outcome wouldn’t change.
Sabi-gang chuckled.
“Hmm. Then I suppose it’s time to stop the pointless jokes.”
Suddenly,
A suffocating killing intent filled the air, causing Won-sang to flinch and turn around. Not just him, but all the martial artists, including Bok Il-ryong, spun around in shock. To their amazement, the rooftops of the surrounding buildings were filled with dark figures.
‘How did so many get here unnoticed?’
They had concentrated their forces on the Guest House, leaving other areas relatively unguarded. But to have so many infiltrate without detection!
Even at a glance, there were twice as many as the elite forces Bok Il-ryong had prepared.
From the high eastern pavilion, a figure silhouetted against the moonlight shouted.
“Kang So-gun, leader of the Swift Wind Brigade of the Swordwood Clan, here to assist Lord Sabi-gang on the orders of the clan leader!”
From the southern pavilion, another voice rang out.
“Roh Dok-myeong, leader of the Black Martial Brigade of the Swordwood Clan, here to support Lord Sabi-gang on the orders of the clan leader!”
One by one, figures appeared on each pavilion, announcing their presence.
“Ho Yo-beom of the Changcheon Sect! Here to support Lord Sabi-gang!”
“Dan Li-chu of the Ilseong Sword Sect! Rushed here to aid Lord Sabi-gang!”
“Tang Go-ryun, leader of the Poison Dagger Brigade of the Sichuan Tang Clan, here to assist Lord Sabi-gang on the orders of the sect leader!”
As the resounding introductions concluded, Won-sang felt his strength drain away.
‘What is this…’
Why were they at Bukmyeong Newspaper? At this point, he even wondered if he had been deceived by Deung Wang-pae.
But it wasn’t over yet.
A gentle tremor began to resonate, growing more intense until,
Rumble!
The ground shook as if an earthquake had struck. Then,
Crash!
The gate to the courtyard was completely torn off its hinges, and a group of martial artists on black horses charged in. They quickly surrounded the area, brandishing long spears, and shouted in unison.
“The Iron Blood Brigade greets the Lord!”
Their presence was so overwhelming it seemed to shake the heavens.
At this point, the martial artists of Bukmyeong Newspaper lost their morale in an instant.
Whoosh!
A gust of wind, laden with killing intent, swept through the courtyard. Won-sang trembled, clutching his sword.
Sabi-gang smirked.
“Make your choice. Dance the sword dance here and die gloriously, or grovel and beg for your life.”
“Ugh…!”
Won-sang gritted his teeth, trembling. But wielding his sword in this situation would gain him nothing. He had lived his life pursuing only personal gain. There was no sudden surge of heroism at this moment.
Clang.
The sword fell from his hand. He bowed his head deeply.
“Spare me… please.”
Sabi-gang smiled coldly.
“Is that all? Show me more desperation.”
**
Chirp, chirp. Chirp.
The sound of birds chirping on the railing woke Ham Cheon-seok. Stretching, he walked over to the railing and looked down at the bustling street below. Despite the early hour, the street was unusually crowded.
‘A good night’s sleep for once.’
On nights like yesterday, when a major event took place, it was usually hard to fall asleep. But he was different. On such nights, he made sure to sleep soundly. It was the best way to ensure their involvement remained a secret.
‘Why are there so many people out this morning?’
Just then, the door burst open, and one of his subordinates rushed in, looking frantic.
“Master! There’s a big problem!”
Already suspecting the situation, Ham Cheon-seok spoke nonchalantly.
“Calm down and tell me.”
“It’s… the Heavenly Destruction Squad at Bukmyeong Newspaper…”
“They were wiped out, I assume. So now we must step in…”
“No, it’s the opposite.”
“Opposite? What do you mean?”
Finally sensing something amiss, Ham Cheon-seok tilted his head in confusion.
“Last night, the Bukmyeong Newspaper’s leader knelt before the Inspector General. Master Won-sang is currently imprisoned for treason. Bukmyeong Newspaper is in chaos.”
“How…! How could that happen? Bukmyeong Newspaper, defeated by just twenty-one members of the Heavenly Destruction Squad…?”
“It wasn’t just the Heavenly Destruction Squad.”
The subordinate quickly summarized the events of the previous night. Ham Cheon-seok was left speechless, shocked to his core. A chill ran down his spine.
If Sabi-gang had foreseen all of this…
‘We were almost caught up in it.’
He swallowed hard and hurriedly put on his outer robe.
“Where’s Churyang?”
“He’s been missing since last night.”
“Damn it! Where could that lunatic be at such a crucial time?”
He quickly left the room.
**
Bukmyeong Hall.
Chulyang collapsed in a heap before Sabigang, unconscious.
A sneer played on Akcheongoe’s lips as he looked down at the fallen man. “A little rat was hiding and watching us.”
Sabigang glanced at Chulyang and nodded. “Good work. You can leave now.”
Once Akcheongoe vanished, Sabigang approached Chulyang, who lay sprawled on the ground.
Slap! Slap!
Without hesitation, he struck Chulyang’s cheeks, the sharp sound echoing in the air.
Only after his face was red and swollen did Chulyang groggily open his eyes. “Ugh… Where am I? Who am I…?”
“Are you coming to your senses?”
“Huh? Who are you… Oh!”
Startled, Chulyang scrambled back, stammering as he recognized the figure before him. “S-Sabigang, the Lord of the Nation…!”
“Lord of the Nation?”
“Sir?”
“Yes, it’s me, Chulyang.”
Sabigang replied with a faint smile, and suddenly, Chulyang sprang to his feet, tears welling up in his eyes.
“You remembered my name.”
“How could I forget?”
“To such an extent…!”
“What were you doing on the roof of Bukmyeongjeon?”
Sabigang cut to the chase.
In an instant,
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud…!
Chulyang prostrated himself, banging his head against the ground with such force that it was a wonder he didn’t start bleeding.
Sabigang frowned deeply. “There’s no need for that. I don’t plan on killing you.”
“This isn’t begging for my life! It’s the Nine Bows of Reverence!”
The Nine Bows of Reverence—a ritual reserved for disciples honoring their masters.
As Sabigang watched with a furrowed brow, Chulyang’s eyes sparkled with determination. “Please accept me as your disciple, Master! I’ve been captivated by you at first sight!”