Episode 201: Return to the Demon Sect
Thud! Thud! Thud!
“Aaaargh!”
“Ugh!”
The assassin regained his strength and began his deadly dance once more.
With each movement, screams and blood splattered into the air.
“Who the hell is this…?!”
A warrior charging from behind was instantly silenced as his throat was pierced.
The assassin moved like a serpent in the air, striking at any exposed weakness with lethal precision.
Sabi Kang held onto Mok Dan-hwa’s wrists, guiding her movements.
Mok Dan-hwa couldn’t help but be amazed.
‘This isn’t human.’
She was moving, but it was Sabi Kang’s will guiding her. He held her wrists, forcing her to move as he intended. Though he shared some of his energy with her, keeping her conscious and aware.
At some point, Sabi Kang whispered in her ear.
“Relax your body and trust me. Focus on the movement.”
”…Understood.”
The stubborn defiance she had clung to vanished. She obediently followed his instructions.
Sabi Kang maneuvered Mok Dan-hwa’s body as if it were his own.
Meanwhile, the enemies were stunned by Sabi Kang’s sudden appearance.
“Where did this guy come from…?!”
The one-eyed commander gritted his teeth in frustration.
Sabi Kang turned, still holding Mok Dan-hwa’s wrists. She looked at the enemies with a cold smirk.
“Where’s all that bravado from before…?”
“Shh.”
Surprisingly, it was Sabi Kang who stopped her. He spoke gently but firmly.
“Save your breath during a fight. Unless you’re overwhelmingly superior, there’s no need to waste energy on words.”
“Understood.”
“That guy’s already lost his mind. No need for psychological tactics. He’s beyond excited, bordering on madness.”
“Yes.”
The one-eyed commander was dumbfounded, watching the two converse so casually in front of him.
“What the hell are these bastards doing?!”
Furious, he charged with his sword.
Mok Dan-hwa instinctively tried to retreat,
”…!”
But she flinched. Sabi Kang, holding her, didn’t budge.
Instead,
“Don’t back away here.”
“Then…?”
“Charge forward!”
With a swift kick to her foot, Sabi Kang propelled Mok Dan-hwa forward, directly into the path of the one-eyed commander.
“Whoa!”
Seeing the enemy’s sword coming at her, Mok Dan-hwa reflexively closed her eyes.
“Open your eyes!”
Sabi Kang shouted.
“Yes!”
She snapped her eyes open.
In that instant,
Whoosh!
The blade narrowly missed her, soaring upward. Or rather, her body had instinctively tilted downward.
By relaxing and following Sabi Kang’s lead, she had naturally avoided the strike.
Instead, the assassin’s blade plunged into the enemy’s abdomen.
Thud!
The blade quivered as if in ecstasy.
Sabi Kang grinned.
“See? The best defense is a good offense. Your family’s swordsmanship should be learned this way. Even when it seems impossible, the path of the sword reveals itself. Quick judgment and speed are key. And with a light weapon like this, it’s entirely possible.”
With a swift motion, the blade was withdrawn.
The one-eyed commander, pierced through the abdomen, groaned and collapsed.
Mok Dan-hwa shivered with a thrill.
She had thought she was done for. The sword had come so close it made her eyes water.
But…
“In sword fights, it’s about cutting or being cut. Blocking or failing to block doesn’t decide the outcome. It’s about piercing and cutting. Keep that in mind.”
”…I understand.”
“That guy unconsciously aimed for your eyes earlier. It’s a psychological response to repay what was done to him. Use that to your advantage.”
Mok Dan-hwa was once again in awe.
Sometimes he seemed so thoughtless, yet at moments like this, his analysis was incredibly precise.
For the first time, she thought his fighting was an art form.
Meanwhile,
Whoosh!
A sharp sound cut through the air behind them.
Sabi Kang swiftly turned, extending Mok Dan-hwa’s hand.
This time, she didn’t try to block or retreat.
She charged forward.
Whoosh!
“Ha!”
Mok Dan-hwa’s straight-line movement was lightning fast.
The commander, falling in an arc, clicked his tongue and blocked her attack.
“Tch!”
Clang!
Swoosh!
He was pushed back significantly.
Meanwhile, warriors with spears rushed toward the pair.
“Spin!”
At Sabi Kang’s shout, he spun with Mok Dan-hwa, pulling her into a rapid rotation.
Whirl!
The two spun like a top, drilling deep into the enemy ranks.
Clang! Clang!
“Ugh!”
“Aaagh!”
As the long spears were deflected, the warriors lost their balance.
Sabi Kang, holding Mok Dan-hwa’s wrists, continued to thrust forward in a straight line.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The movements seemed rigid, but they were actually fluid and swift.
Amazingly, with a single thrust, the blade danced, striking dozens of times due to its unique properties.
‘This is…!’
The swordsmanship she was executing—or rather, Sabi Kang was executing through her—was something she recognized.
‘Chaos Thunder!’
The first form of the Lightning Sword Technique, Chaos Thunder!
The blade, which should have split into three or four, now appeared as dozens.
To think it could transform like this!
‘Incredible. It can change so much?’
Then,
“Focus! How long are you going to stand there in awe?”
“Oh, sorry.”
“Remember the movement and flow of energy in your body.”
“Yes!”
Even as they conversed, dozens of enemies fell helplessly.
The last remaining commander, watching from a distance, gaped in disbelief.
He trembled.
Screams echoed from the direction of the fortress gate.
‘Damn…! It’s over!’
The fortress had been breached.
Regardless of allegiance, all martial artists would blame them. How could they hold out now?
And that man before him.
The one who wielded a woman like a puppet yet displayed such martial prowess!
How could anyone fight like that and still show such skill?
The woman he held wasn’t a mere doll.
Yet, astonishingly, he was correcting her posture even as they fought.
As if they were training materials.
‘No… this battle is lost.’
With his will broken, his killing intent faded.
As the leader grew passive, the battle’s momentum slowed.
The warriors hesitated, unsure whether to attack, as Sabi Kang turned with Mok Dan-hwa in his grasp.
The commander’s eyes widened as he met their gaze.
Sabi Kang smirked and spoke to Mok Dan-hwa.
“Now, this is when you taunt. Go on.”
“What? Now?”
“Yes, to that guy over there.”
A sudden taunt?
Mok Dan-hwa, bewildered, looked at the commander and shouted.
“Scared, are you? Come on, then.”
Sabi Kang frowned slightly.
“Is that a taunt?”
“Then how should I do it?”
“Like when you told me to get lost.”
“That, that was…!”
“Come on, give it another go, something fiery.”
Mok Dan-hwa paused, thinking.
Meanwhile, the commander was at a loss.
These people… really…
Then, Mok Dan-hwa seemed to make up her mind and shouted.
“Hey, you idiot! If you’re a man, don’t chicken out. Come at me! Or did you steam your manhood in a pot?”
The room fell silent.
The commander’s face turned pale.
He had never been so insulted in his life.
Already upset by their dismissive attitude, this was the last straw.
He furrowed his brow and roared.
“You filthy wench! I’ll tear you apart!”
He charged at them, eyes wild.
Sabi Kang smiled coldly.
“Well done.”
In an instant, he clashed with the commander, still holding Mok Dan-hwa’s wrists.
**
In the lord’s chamber.
Clang! Clang!
The faint sound of weapons clashing echoed.
“Ugh…!”
The commander, barely conscious, struggled to his feet.
He had been struck directly by Mok Dan-hwa’s lightning bolt.
Regaining his senses, he approached the shattered window.
‘What is this…!’
The fortress was in chaos.
The situation was dire.
Just as he was about to leap into action,
“Ugh! Cough!”
A sound from behind made him turn abruptly.
To his surprise, Mak Chung was staggering, clutching a bleeding dagger in one hand and his bleeding chest with the other.
“Master!”
The commander rushed over, and Mak Chung, trembling, pointed to the desk.
“The drawer… bring it… quickly!”
“Y-yes, sir!”
Hoshinwi quickly rushed to his desk and yanked open a drawer.
Meanwhile, Makchung staggered over to the window, peering down below.
Whirr!
Swish!
The flying blade sliced cleanly through the enemy’s neck.
Thud!
The headless body toppled over, blood gushing like a fountain.
That was the last of them.
“It’s over…”
Mokdanhwa was in a daze.
It felt like waking from a dream.
“So strong. Incredibly strong. Far beyond what I ever imagined.”
Like a well with no bottom.
Who exactly is Sabigang, the leader of Sabigang?
I thought I knew him well, having seen him up close as both an instructor and a leader, but I still can’t fathom him.
Who in the world could master swordsmanship like this?
At first, I was just following his lead, but later, I focused intently, trying to memorize every move.
It paid off.
By the end, I was almost moving on my own.
Sabigang shadowed me, subtly correcting any missteps.
The blade was remarkable too.
The straight, lightning-fast strikes of the sword became fluid and adaptable in his hands, allowing for countless variations.
In just one real battle, my skills improved dramatically.
This was all thanks to pushing myself to the limit and the insights gained from it.
“You did well,” Sabigang said, almost casually.
When Mokdanhwa glanced up at him, he gave a gentle smile.
“Anyone who brushes against the edge of death gains some insight.”
”…”
Mokdanhwa couldn’t find the words.
Was that his plan all along?
Is that why he didn’t help right away?
To push me to my limits and force a breakthrough?
Ah, but this man…
“He can make that kind of expression too.”
With that thought, Mokdanhwa finally let go of consciousness completely.