Episode 182: Return to the Demon Sect

“Greetings to the two esteemed leaders of the Black Wolf Brigade, Ham Cheon-seok. It seems I’ve entered the wrong room. My apologies.”

With a respectful bow, Ham Cheon-seok turned on his heel, ready to leave. Sa Bi-gang and Gu Yoon remained unfazed, as if they had anticipated this.

Instead, Chu Ryang quickly intercepted Ham Cheon-seok, speaking in a low voice.

“Sir! You’re being too rigid…”

[Shut up! Are you kidding me? You know the strings I’m pulling, yet you pull this stunt on me?]

Ham Cheon-seok’s eyes blazed as he sent a telepathic message.

Chu Ryang responded with his usual carefree smile.

[I know. That’s why I’m doing this. I told you, it’s for your own good. You have a family to think about.]

[Enough. I’ll deal with you later. No matter how reckless you are, I can’t forgive today’s actions.]

[Oh, come on. Why are you so stubborn? If it was bad for you, would I have brought you here?]

[There are limits to what you can do! Do you even realize what you’ve done?]

[I do! That’s why it’s important. You need to think about your family too!]

[You little…!]

Ham Cheon-seok’s eyes were bloodshot with anger.

But Chu Ryang didn’t flinch.

[You’re already here. Whether you stay for a moment or an hour, it won’t change anything. Just have a conversation.]

[I refuse.]

Chu Ryang sighed deeply before continuing.

[I didn’t want to use this, but I have no choice.]

[What are you talking about?]

[Remember when you brought me into the Black Wolf Brigade? You promised to grant me one favor, no questions asked.]

[…….]

[I’m calling in that favor now. Let’s go in and talk. You’re already here, after all.]

Ham Cheon-seok stared at Chu Ryang.

For once, Chu Ryang looked serious, a stark contrast to his usual playful demeanor.

“Fine, this counts as your favor.”

“Of course, sir.”

With that, Chu Ryang flashed his familiar smile and turned Ham Cheon-seok around.

As Ham Cheon-seok re-entered the room, Sa Bi-gang smiled.

“Have you two sorted things out?”

Ham Cheon-seok sat down without a word, with Chu Ryang taking a seat beside him.

Chu Ryang quickly filled Ham Cheon-seok’s glass.

Ham Cheon-seok downed the drink in one go and accepted another, repeating the process three times before finally setting the glass down and looking at Sa Bi-gang and Gu Yoon.

“I don’t know what you two are planning, but I’m just here to drink.”

Sa Bi-gang chuckled.

“Even so, it’s good you came back. Otherwise, you’d be a corpse by now.”

Ham Cheon-seok’s face twisted at Sa Bi-gang’s blunt words.

Gu Yoon and Chu Ryang also looked at Sa Bi-gang in shock.

But Sa Bi-gang continued nonchalantly.

“We all have our suspicions, so let’s not beat around the bush.”

“Go ahead.”

Ham Cheon-seok gritted his teeth.

Sa Bi-gang spoke directly.

“Join us.”

“What do you mean?”

Ham Cheon-seok feigned ignorance, furrowing his brow, but Sa Bi-gang just grinned.

“Let’s not play games. We know you’re a close aide to the leader of the Eastern King Faction. We also know you were sent to the Eastern Family and Northern News for the gold.”

Ham Cheon-seok’s eyes wavered.

He hadn’t expected such directness, nor that they knew so much.

He glared at Chu Ryang, but Chu Ryang was already looking elsewhere.

Gu Yoon spoke up.

“Even if he hadn’t told us, we already knew. I believe you’re someone who can see the situation clearly. You know you’re on a sinking ship.”

“Are you asking me to betray the master I’ve served?”

Gu Yoon smiled, but there was a hint of mockery in it, making Ham Cheon-seok frown.

‘Even a military strategist can smile like that.’

Gu Yoon’s next words were even more surprising.

“You’ve betrayed once before, haven’t you? A second time shouldn’t be difficult.”

“What nonsense!”

Bang!

Ham Cheon-seok slammed the table.

He wanted to stand up and point fingers, but this was as far as he could go.

After all, he was facing the chief strategist and the head of the inspection bureau.

Acting rashly wouldn’t help.

As Ham Cheon-seok trembled with anger, Gu Yoon continued coldly.

“You swore loyalty to the main sect. The leader of the main sect is the head of the Cloud Sect. But are you serving the leader or the Eastern King Faction?”

Ham Cheon-seok’s expression faltered.

Unable to answer, Gu Yoon pressed on.

“The situation is dire. The Black Wolf Brigade hasn’t caused significant harm to the main sect yet, so we’re offering you a chance.”

Gu Yoon signaled to Sa Bi-gang, who pulled out a luxurious box from under the table.

Gu Yoon opened the lid.

“This is the reward for making a difficult choice. I hear you need money.”

Ham Cheon-seok’s eyes widened.

The box was filled with gold bars.

Enough to live a life of luxury.

Gu Yoon continued.

“I hear you have a son.”

Ham Cheon-seok flinched, looking at Gu Yoon with displeasure.

“I hear he’s suffering from a terrible illness. Treating it must be costly. The sect will take responsibility for his treatment.”

Ham Cheon-seok’s eyes wavered.

His loyalty to the Eastern King Faction was driven by money.

His only son was suffering from an incurable disease, requiring enormous medical expenses.

The Eastern King Faction had exploited this, buying his loyalty with money.

But the offer from Gu Yoon was far more generous.

They promised gold and to cover all medical expenses for his son.

Chu Ryang nudged Ham Cheon-seok, signaling him to accept.

Chu Ryang likely knew about this too.

‘So this is what he meant by taking care of myself.’

Ham Cheon-seok sighed, looking between Sa Bi-gang and Gu Yoon.

The offer was tempting.

But…

‘I’m already receiving enough to care for my son.’

So, he wasn’t particularly interested in more money.

He asked with a firm expression.

“What if I refuse?”

“We’ll kill you.”

Sa Bi-gang’s voice was cold, and Ham Cheon-seok saw the truth in his eyes.

‘Of course. If I refuse now, they can’t let me live.’

Gu Yoon asked gently.

“Is our offer not to your liking?”

“I already have enough to care for my son.”

Sa Bi-gang withdrew his killing intent and chuckled.

“You misunderstand. We’re not just offering money for treatment.”

“Then what?”

“We’re offering to cure him. Completely.”

“What are you saying…!”

Ham Cheon-seok frowned deeply.

He was annoyed by their casual talk about his son’s condition.

But Sa Bi-gang’s next words were shocking.

“Your son has leprosy, doesn’t he?”

“How do you know…!”

Only his family and Chu Ryang knew about his son’s condition.

[You…!]

Ham Cheon-seok turned to Chu Ryang, but,

“Oh, we found out through our own investigation. We confirmed it with Chu Ryang, but we already knew.”

It was true.

When Tang Yi-hyeop first reported it, even Sa Bi-gang was surprised.

He had no recollection of Ham Cheon-seok’s son.

But as Tang Yi-hyeop had said, it was a stroke of fate.

His son’s illness wasn’t exactly leprosy, but the same condition Tang Yi-hyeop had suffered from, known as the “Wailing of the Cursed.”

Tang Yi-hyeop had confirmed it, so there was no doubt.

“Your son is afflicted by the ‘Cursed Poison.’ It’s an unfamiliar name, I know. We don’t know how he was poisoned, but the symptoms are very similar to leprosy.”

“So… what are you saying?”

“As I said, we’ll cure your son.”

“Are you joking? If you’re toying with me about my son…”

“What if we’ve already cured someone with the same condition?”

“Who…!”

A voice from behind startled Ham Cheon-seok.

There stood Tang Yi-hyeop.

“The chief’s words are true. I can cure your son. It looks like leprosy, but it’s a different kind. I had the same illness.”

Ham Cheon-seok was too shocked to speak.

“If this is a joke…”

“Why would we waste time joking with you? It’s decision time. Will you join us, or die here?”

Sa Bi-gang’s words were as direct as ever.

Ham Cheon-seok fell into a brief but deep contemplation.

The thought of curing his son seemed like a dream.

He had imagined it once or twice.

Seeing his son running around like other children.

But it had always been just that—a dream.

And now, to hear that dream could come true?

It felt unreal.

It seemed like a lie, something said just to placate him.

After a long pause, Ham Cheonseok lifted his head and looked at Sabi Kang.

“Can you really… cure my son? Is that truly possible?”

“Of course. Though it won’t be me, but the head of the clan who will do it.”

“If that happens, I will consider everyone here my benefactors. But if this is all a lie, a cruel joke, I swear on everything I have, I will make sure everyone here pays.”

Sabi Kang chuckled.

“That would be impossible. But you won’t need to attempt the impossible. Your son will be cured, and I will be your benefactor.”

Sabi Kang’s tone had shifted, but Ham Cheonseok paid it no mind.

“So, what do you want from me?”

This time, it was Gu Yoon who spoke up.

“One day, the head of the Tang clan will seek you out. For now, they’re holding back because it’s a sensitive time. When that day comes, you must follow our instructions. By then, you’ll likely need this.”

Gu Yoon slid a letter across the table.

Ham Cheonseok picked it up and read it.

His eyes widened.

“This is…!”

“Churyang’s skills are impressive. Even I thought it might have been written by Elder Seolbaek. The right moment will come for it to be used.”

Gu Yoon smiled knowingly.