Episode 185: Return to the Demonic Sect
Seol Baek sat cross-legged in the pavilion of the Mu Hwa Hall’s garden, eyes closed as usual.
A voice broke the silence, seemingly from nowhere. It was Mu Yeong.
“The military has announced the date for the inspection tour.”
”…”
“It seems the Thunderbolt Hall Master plans to make a move.”
“Of course.”
Seol Baek murmured softly, opening his eyes. Yet, even with his eyes open, he seemed to be gazing beyond the visible world.
“They’ll likely strike during the tour.”
”…”
“If they succeed, the leader’s position will be vacant.”
”…”
“Master…?”
Mu Yeong called out cautiously, but Seol Baek remained silent, still staring into the distance, unmoving.
Mu Yeong waited. He knew better than to disturb Seol Baek at times like this.
After what felt like an eternity, Seol Baek finally spoke, his voice heavy.
“Something’s off.”
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t make sense of it.”
“Perhaps the Thunderbolt Hall Master feels pressured by the tour and is rushing his plans…”
“I’m talking about the North Star News Chief.”
“Ah…”
Only then did Mu Yeong realize his master was on a different train of thought.
He waited in silence for Seol Baek to continue.
Seol Baek shook his head, muttering to himself.
“Why were those gold bars found at the North Star News?”
”…”
Mu Yeong found that odd as well. The rumor was that the Eastern Family and the North Star News were at odds over illicitly acquired gold bars. But something didn’t add up.
Seol Baek narrowed his eyes. The North Star News Chief he knew wasn’t foolish. Opportunistic and money-driven, perhaps, but not reckless.
Moreover, the amount of gold found at the North Star News was only half of what the Eastern Family possessed. Where did the other half go?
‘It feels like someone is orchestrating this…’
The unfamiliar sensation left him with a strange sense of foreboding. He had never felt this way before.
He needed to be cautious. The more complex the situation, the more he needed to focus on the certainties.
The most certain fact was that the gold was found at the North Star News. That was where he needed to start unraveling the mystery.
“Hmm.”
Seol Baek sighed deeply and stood up, speaking to the air.
“I need to meet with the North Star News Chief.”
“He’s currently under the supervision of the Inspection Bureau, imprisoned…”
“Send a message to the Bureau Chief. Tell him I wish to see him.”
“Understood.”
“And don’t rush it. We don’t want to raise any unnecessary suspicions. Arrange it without causing a stir.”
“Yes, I will.”
**
Seoraehyang was drinking at a tavern. It was one affiliated with the Justice Alliance.
Leaving the outer grounds of the Alliance was a complicated affair for her. She had to submit paperwork and wait for the leader’s approval, and even then, she needed an escort of ten martial artists to step outside.
Since being held as a hostage by the Alliance, she had only ventured out once. She had no intention of leaving again.
The full moon shone brightly in the night sky.
‘They must see the same moon in Ryeon.’
Perhaps it was the alcohol, but she felt sentimental. She didn’t expel the intoxication from her body. Tonight, she wanted to be drunk, to forget her pitiful situation, even if just for a moment.
“Another bottle here!”
As she called out, emptying her glass, people around her glanced over.
‘Hmph! Those disdainful looks. Disgusting.’
Most of the patrons were martial artists from the Justice Alliance, and they had been eyeing her since she arrived. Their gazes were a mix of contempt for her “Sapa” label and lecherous admiration for her appearance.
‘Hypocrites!’
A martial artist from a nearby table approached her.
“Isn’t this Miss Seo of the Blood Lotus? I’m Lee Joo-gul from the Wind God Squad of the Golden Hand Pavilion. A pleasure to meet you.”
He was one of the men who had been eyeing her lecherously. Normally, she would have dismissed him with a sharp retort, but tonight, she felt like playing along. It seemed like a good way to stave off boredom.
“Nice to meet you. You’re from Honam, I see.”
“Hahaha! You’re too kind! May I buy you a drink? Perhaps we could move to a more private room…”
“Sure.”
Seoraehyang agreed without hesitation, surprising Lee Joo-gul with how smoothly things were progressing.
He eagerly led her to a room on the third floor. Once the server set up the drinks and left, Lee Joo-gul picked up a bottle.
“Miss, let me pour you a drink… huh!”
He gasped. Seoraehyang had already shed her clothes, wearing only a sheer undergarment. She was a vision of beauty, a true enchantress.
Clang.
The bottle slipped from his hand.
“Oh dear, you’re spilling the drink.”
As Seoraehyang approached, Lee Joo-gul grabbed her wrist.
“It doesn’t matter. For you, I’d buy endless drinks.”
“Dear hero…”
“Miss…”
“Mmm. Ah!”
Lee Joo-gul’s lips hungrily sought her neck, his hands roaming over her soft, rising chest, down her slender waist, and over her curvaceous hips.
The foreplay was brief. His desire was so intense, he felt he might burst if he didn’t release it soon.
He discarded his lower garments and pressed his body against hers.
“Aaah!”
Her moans tickled his ears.
“Miss! Miss! Huff, huff, huff!”
“Ah, hero…! Ah!”
“Do you like it? Do you?”
“I love it. It’s wonderful!”
“I love it too! I feel like I’m on fire!”
Lee Joo-gul moved his hips vigorously, nearing the peak of ecstasy.
“Is it really that good?”
A cold male voice cut through the moment. Annoyed at the interruption, Lee Joo-gul turned his head, ready to shout.
“Who dares—”
“Enough. Get out. You’re disgusting.”
“Master!”
Lee Joo-gul’s face turned pale. He tried to pull away, but…
‘Why can’t I move?’
Panicked, he looked down at his lower body. His eyes widened in shock.
“W-what is this…!”
Seoraehyang was gone, replaced by a large wine bottle lodged in his groin.
Regaining his senses, he saw Seoraehyang still seated at the table, holding a drink. He was the only one exposed in the room.
‘How… how did this happen…!’
A thought struck him.
“You… you used sorcery on me…!”
He shouted, but quickly shut his mouth. The situation was humiliating. A leader of the Justice Alliance, ensnared by a Sapa woman’s sorcery, making a fool of himself.
He was stuck, unable to act.
“Get out. I’ll erase this from your memory.”
“I’m sorry, Master!”
“Disappear from my sight.”
“Y-yes!”
Lee Joo-gul tried to remove the bottle, but his arousal, perhaps due to the sorcery, wouldn’t subside. The bottle wouldn’t budge, and he was in a panic.
“What are you doing?”
Sa Bi-gang glared at him, and Lee Joo-gul fidgeted nervously.
“Well, it’s just that…!”
“Get out!”
“I’m sorry!”
In the end, Lee Joo-gul fled the room with the bottle still in place. Breaking it would have been simple, but he was too flustered to think straight.
Seoraehyang laughed, clutching her stomach.
Sa Bi-gang sat across from her.
“Quite the amusing prank you pulled.”
“He started it.”
“Perhaps it was a show of affection.”
“Affection that makes me uncomfortable is just trouble.”
“True. If it were me, I’d have made him dance outside. Hahaha.”
Seoraehyang chuckled and asked, “Are you here to buy me a drink?”
“I am.”
“The most expensive one.”
“As you wish.”
“It’s not free, is it?”
A moment later, the server brought the most expensive drink. Sa Bi-gang filled her glass.
Seoraehyang sniffed the aroma and smiled.
“If this is how the Inspection Bureau interrogates, I could get used to it.”
“But I’m too busy for that. I postponed a meeting with the Elder Council today.”
“You’re a busy man.”
“How are you holding up?”
“As you can see. If I had the chance, I’d put you in the same position as me.”
Seoraehyang shrugged, downing her drink and staring at Sa Bi-gang.
“Don’t tell me you just happened to see me.”
Sa Bi-gang smirked.
“You’re sharp.”
“What’s going on?”
Seoraehyang had already expelled the intoxication from her body. Sa Bi-gang had come to her for a reason, and it seemed important.
Sa Bi-gang grinned.
“It’s time to see if you’ve truly taken the bait I offered.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m playing a game of strategy.”
“A game of strategy?”
“Playing a game of chess against two opponents at once, you see. One is manageable, but the other is a bit more sensitive. He’s been responding to our moves recently.”
“It must be related to the postponed meeting, then.”
They were speaking of the council leader.
Sure enough, Seoraehyang was quick to catch on.
Sabigang nodded slightly, continuing the conversation.
“It’s our turn to make a move. But the best person to move the piece is…”
“You mean me, don’t you?”
“I must admit, your intuition is impressively sharp.”
It was both reassuring and, in a way, a little unsettling.
“Ha ha. So, what’s the price for this expensive drink?”
Sabigang grinned slyly.
“You’ll need to meet someone.”
“I’m the piece you’re moving, then.”
“Exactly.”
**
Once a renowned figure in the martial world, Won Sang, the leader of the Northern Light News, was now in a pitiful state.
His skin was peeling in places from the torture he had endured, and he was bound by energy chains, his body limp like a soaked rag.
Creeeeak.
The unpleasant sound of the door scraping open was followed by a shadow entering the cell.
It was Sabigang.
Won Sang squinted his eyes open and spoke in a weary voice.
“I… know nothing.”
“Persistent, aren’t you?”
“I truly… don’t know… why the gold was there…”
Sabigang smiled, baring his teeth.
The smile was so chilling that Won Sang shivered.
Sabigang patted his shoulder.
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
“What do you mean…?”
“I’ve brought someone you might want to see.”
“Someone I want to see…?”
Creeeak.
The iron door opened again, and a woman stepped inside.
It was Seoraehyang.
But Won Sang’s reaction to seeing her was peculiar.
His eyes widened in shock, and then,
“Darling!”
He cried out, tears streaming down his face.