Episode 183: Return to the Demonic Sect
In the northeastern part of the Justice Alliance lay the Elder Council. Deep within its grounds, the rear garden of the Martial Blossom Pavilion was filled with the intoxicating scent of flowers. Amidst the vibrant blooms, a pavilion stood, and within it, an elderly man with a stern gaze surveyed his surroundings. This was Seol Baek, the master of the Martial Blossom Pavilion and head of the Elder Council.
With a long white beard reaching his chest, Seol Baek narrowed his eyes and spoke, “You’ve arrived?”
“I greet you, Master Seol,” replied Deung Wangpae, who had approached the pavilion but dared not step onto it, waiting instead for Seol Baek’s response.
Seol Baek remained silent for a long moment, a sign of his displeasure. Deung Wangpae furrowed his brow, suspecting the reason. Lately, everything he attempted seemed to fall apart or go awry. The recent failed insurrection by the Northern Alliance only added to his troubles, and he braced himself for the inevitable reprimand.
Yet, Deung Wangpae felt a sense of injustice. ‘How did those gold bars end up with the Northern Alliance?’ The news had shocked him to his core, and the fact that the Eastern Family’s elite forces had been bested by the Northern Alliance was unfathomable. It was as if the Northern Alliance had lost its mind.
The only explanation was that someone higher up had given the order. And if anyone could issue such a command, it had to be…
Deung Wangpae glanced at Seol Baek’s back, knowing that only the heads of the Northern Alliance and the Eastern Family were aware of Seol Baek’s influence over him.
Seol Baek finally spoke, his voice laced with a subtle anger despite the faint smile on his lips. “You’ve certainly stirred things up.”
“I’m sorry,” Deung Wangpae said, bowing his head.
Without turning, Seol Baek continued, “The Alliance Leader, who should be bedridden, is quite robust. He’s even planning a tour to stabilize the main alliance after this incident.”
”…I’m sorry.”
“The inspection bureau is included in the tour. They likely intend to root out any disloyal elements under the guise of maintaining order.”
”…”
“Juntae Su, who was entrusted with a critical mission, is dead. You were nearly in danger yourself.”
“I’m sorry…”
“That’s not like you. Since when did you start apologizing so much?”
“I’ll bring you good news soon.”
Seol Baek finally turned to look at Deung Wangpae, his eyes narrowing. “Given your recent track record, I find that hard to believe. You can’t even catch a small fry, let alone manage your subordinates properly. How do you expect to lead the alliance?”
“I’ll be more careful.”
“Do you see that building over there?” Seol Baek gestured toward the distant Alliance Leader’s Hall, only its roof visible from their vantage point. “I once promised to take you there, believing in your skills and acumen. But after the Great War debacle, the failure to prevent the establishment of the Inspection Bureau, and now this insurrection… Tsk, tsk.”
”…”
“I’m beginning to think I misjudged you. I’m not just disappointed; I’m angry.”
Seol Baek’s expression was impassive, but Deung Wangpae knew this was when he was truly furious. Yet, Deung Wangpae couldn’t help but feel aggrieved.
‘Could it be…?’ His suspicions, which had been swirling in his mind, grew stronger. ‘Perhaps Elder Seol is pruning the branches…’
With all his recent plans failing, Seol Baek might have felt the psychological burden and ordered the Northern Alliance to seize the gold without informing him, possibly to cut ties with him and the Eastern Family. After all, the Eastern Family was closer to him than the Northern Alliance.
‘No, it can’t be. That’s just paranoia.’ He had no evidence, and it was too soon to jump to conclusions. But the uneasy feeling lingered.
Seol Baek’s voice broke his thoughts. “What do you plan to do now?”
“I’ll find a way to salvage the Eastern Family and the Northern Alliance.”
“That’s easy to say.”
“They were sects that followed me. Their mistakes are mine to bear.”
His words carried a veiled message: unlike some, he wouldn’t easily abandon those who followed him. But Seol Baek merely sneered.
“The Alliance Leader is healthy, the Chief Strategist is planning a tour to eliminate our forces, and the Inspection Bureau Chief is causing a stir. You intend to carry those two sects through this? Your words grow more disappointing.”
“I’m exploring ways to neutralize all three. I’ll bring you good news soon.”
For the first time, Deung Wangpae interrupted Seol Baek, his suspicions unshaken and his frustration simmering. ‘Elder Seol, I’m not dead yet. I’m no longer the novice you once nurtured. You can’t push me this far now!’
Deung Wangpae pressed his lips into a thin line. After a moment, Seol Baek chuckled.
“It seems the Chief is quite riled up. Well, this side of you isn’t bad. But any more failures could be dangerous.”
Seol Baek’s expression turned icy, and Deung Wangpae’s face hardened. He understood this was not advice but a warning: one more failure, and he would be cut loose.
Deung Wangpae bowed deeply. “I won’t disappoint you again.”
“You’d better not. Remember, the one more important than any small fry is sitting in that building right now. Keep your eyes on the real target. Chase after small fry, and you’ll miss the chance to catch the big fish.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Deung Wangpae, still bowing, stared at Seol Baek’s feet before turning to leave. As he exited the garden, a voice echoed from the air.
It was Muyeong, Seol Baek’s trusted aide. “Are you sure about this? The Chief’s eyes were unsettling.”
“Training a dog or a man depends on how you handle them.”
“But if you let him loose too much…”
“Let’s just watch quietly for now.”
“Understood.”
With Muyeong’s response, Seol Baek’s eyes narrowed. ‘If the beast won’t be tamed…’
**
Swoosh!
A blade of energy sliced through the air, splitting the falling leaves into three precise parts before they landed on the ground. Anyone witnessing this would have been left speechless, as the pieces were as evenly cut as if measured with a ruler.
The sword in Sabi Kang’s hand, the Berthas, hummed with a rare resonance.
“Whoo…”
Sabi Kang exhaled deeply, adjusting his grip on Berthas. Sweat dripped from his chin, evidence of the intense training session that had left his clothes soaked.
‘I’m about eighty percent there,’ he thought, comparing his current combat prowess to before his regression. He was training to harmonize mana and internal energy, a method unimaginable to ordinary martial artists. He combined mana-infused aura with internal energy to create a unique blend.
In the demon realm, this method had elevated him to the rank of Grand Duke. But now…
‘My internal energy is lacking.’
Even after consuming a dragon heart, he was only at eighty percent of his pre-regression strength. The situation was different now. In the mana-rich demon realm, he only needed to mix a little internal energy with aura. Here, he had to base his power on internal energy and blend in mana, the opposite scenario.
The only way to adapt to this environment was through relentless training.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Berthas sliced through the air again, the former Demon King’s sword now well-adjusted to Sabi Kang’s hand.
How long had he been wielding the sword when he sensed a familiar presence? It was Maeseolran and Gu Yoon. But Sabi Kang didn’t stop. It didn’t matter if they saw; they couldn’t replicate his level of mastery.
Maeseolran watched, entranced by Sabi Kang’s swordplay. ‘He looks completely different when he’s like this.’
She rarely saw him so serious. His eyes, his breath, his movements—they all seemed like those of another person.
Gu Yoon, equally impressed, spoke up. “Incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Me neither,” Maeseolran agreed.
Sabi Kang moved with the grace of a butterfly and the speed of a bee, his swordplay a mesmerizing dance. After a while, he finally sheathed Berthas and approached the two.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“I’ve never seen you so serious,” Maeseolran remarked, with Gu Yoon nodding in agreement.
Sabi Kang grinned at Maeseolran. “Well, I know I’m quite impressive.”
“No, no. I didn’t say that much.”
“Some things don’t need to be said.”
Maeseolran looked at him, exasperated. Truly an unpredictable man. The sharp eyes and serious demeanor from moments ago had vanished without a trace.
Gu Yoon chuckled softly as he listened to the peculiar exchange between the two.
Sabi Kang turned to look at him.
“It doesn’t seem like you were just passing by. What brings you here, strategist?”
Maeseollan quickly interjected, “The Duke has finally met Elder Seolbaek.”
“So, the Duke is feeling the pressure, then?”
“Most likely.”
This time, Gu Yoon spoke up. “We’re planning to announce the date of the inspection tour soon. Knowing the Duke’s temperament, he’s probably feeling quite anxious by now. If we announce the date at this moment, he won’t be able to withstand the psychological pressure and will make the first move.”
Sabi Kang nodded in agreement. “Then it’s time for us to start moving our pieces. Strategist, please get Isahum to act first. I’ll make my preparations as well.”
“We need to act first.”
At Isahum’s words, the Duke furrowed his brow. What Isahum was suggesting was extremely serious. If anyone overheard, they would face not just criticism from the martial world, but might not even survive.
The Duke let out a heavy sigh before speaking. “Are you suggesting we… kill the leader?”
“Now is the perfect opportunity.”
“But if we fail again, the backlash will be even worse. It could bring a storm of bloodshed, strong enough to take my life.”
“Just as much as yours, mine too,” Isahum replied, exhaling deeply. But then he lifted his head with a determined expression, his face set with resolve.
“You asked if I had a masterstroke, didn’t you? This is the only one I can think of. The time has come. Assassinating the leader in the heart of the Alliance is practically impossible. But if he’s on tour, that’s a different story.”
“Hmm.”
“The person who planned this tour is the Chief Strategist. The Inspection Bureau is part of the tour group. You know what this means, don’t you? If we miss this chance, we’re in danger!”