Episode 215: Return to the Demonic Sect
To someone like Dokgo Jin, who had mastered martial arts, the workers bustling around were as insignificant as ants. So, when he heard a voice behind him, he didn’t even bother to turn around.
But then…
He noticed a line of people on the stairs leading up to the Celestial Palace. Each person was carrying a large log or a bundle of various construction materials. The seemingly endless procession made Dokgo Jin raise an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Who are you people? Do you even know where you are?” he asked.
“We know this is the Celestial Palace,” one of the men replied, looking slightly amused.
“Then why are you here?”
The man responded with a hint of incredulity, “Isn’t it obvious? We’re here to work. Didn’t the Celestial Palace summon us?”
“The Celestial Palace? Who did?”
“We don’t know who exactly. We’re just following orders to deliver materials and start construction.”
“Construction? What kind of construction?”
Dokgo Jin turned to Banjo, who shook his head, equally puzzled.
“As you can see, it’s a construction project. So please, step aside. If we delay here, it’ll be even worse for those behind us.”
“Uh, right.”
Reluctantly, Dokgo Jin moved aside, allowing the workers carrying massive logs to pass by.
‘What on earth is going on here?’ he wondered, watching them go before deciding to follow.
**
The sound of construction filled the forest, with hammers pounding and workers shouting. Dokgo Jin stood there, dumbfounded by the scene.
Just then, a familiar voice called out to him.
“Ah, isn’t it the esteemed Dokgo leader? What brings you here?”
Turning around, he saw Sabi Kang approaching with a broad smile. Dokgo Jin snapped out of his daze and demanded, “Instructor Sa! What is the meaning of this?”
“As you can see, we’re in the middle of construction.”
“That’s not what I’m asking! Who authorized this?”
“Well, I thought the accommodations and training hall were a bit shabby, so I decided to rebuild them.”
“How could you just…!”
“Don’t worry. I don’t plan to charge for the construction. It’s a good deal for the Blood Sect, isn’t it? Once I’m gone, you’ll have a brand-new building for free. Two, if you count the training hall.”
“Who gave you the right to…!”
“Hahaha! No need to thank me. I’m doing this for myself, so no need to refuse.”
Dokgo Jin could only gape at Sabi Kang’s audacity. Where did this shamelessness come from? How could he even begin to argue with someone like this?
And to think he was building such large accommodations and a training hall. Was the Orthodox Alliance funding this? Impossible. They wouldn’t be crazy enough to build for the Blood Sect’s Celestial Palace.
‘Could it be… he’s using his own money? With all these workers?’
Sabi Kang did indeed have a lot of money. The gold he had taken from the Eastern Family was enough to last a lifetime. So, this reconstruction was no big deal for him.
The sound of construction continued to echo through the forest.
**
“Did you see what that Sabi Kang is up to?” Dokgo Jin shouted, slamming his hand on the table.
Ryu Yeo-jung sat in silence, deep in thought.
“General! Say something!”
“Hmm. It is indeed an unexpected situation.”
“It’s more than that! The building is as tall as the Black Dragon Hall! No, since the ground is higher, it’s even taller! This is a challenge to the Celestial Palace!”
“Hahaha. Isn’t that a bit of a stretch?”
“A stretch? Do you think I suggested giving him such accommodations to see this happen?”
“Didn’t I suggest from the start that we provide proper accommodations?”
Ryu Yeo-jung’s words made Dokgo Jin’s voice soften. After all, he had been the one who insisted on giving Sabi Kang a shabby place to stay.
He slumped into a chair, muttering in frustration, “If the late leader saw this, he’d be rolling in his grave.”
Of course, Ak Cheon-gwi was very much alive and well aware of Sabi Kang’s actions, though Dokgo Jin had no idea.
Ryu Yeo-jung offered a faint smile to console him. “Since he’s using his own money, there’s no need to stop him. As he said, it’s beneficial for us. If he ever leaves, the building will be ours.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“Still, Sabi Kang is quite something. I never expected him to act this way.”
“Don’t even get me started. They’re even paving a road to his place. What was once overgrown with thorns and weeds is now a neat garden. And the number of workers… At this rate, the construction will be done in a few days.”
“If it bothers you that much, we could always make the building ours sooner.”
“And how would we do that…?”
Dokgo Jin paused, a thought crossing his mind. He looked at Ryu Yeo-jung, who gave him a knowing smile.
“As I said, if he doesn’t stay here…”
Dokgo Jin’s lips curled into a grin.
‘Heh heh. As expected of the General.’
He realized Ryu Yeo-jung was subtly suggesting assassination.
Nodding, Dokgo Jin stood up. “Haha. I understand your point now. I suppose there’s no need to see this negatively.”
“Exactly. After all, this is the Blood Sect.”
“Indeed. Hahaha!”
Dokgo Jin laughed heartily.
**
“The Meng Ga-sook group has caused trouble.”
Jeok Mu-rin reported bluntly.
Sabi Kang turned to him. “Meng Ga-sook? Who’s that?”
“An old man who volunteered to join us here. Known for his Nine-Section Whip.”
“Ah… the Nine-Section Whip.”
Sabi Kang nodded in recognition. “What kind of trouble?”
“They kidnapped a village woman.”
“Why?”
“It seems to be a ploy to pressure you.”
Jeok Mu-rin shared his honest opinion. At that moment, Bang Gak interjected.
“Meng Ga-sook is different from us. If you underestimate him, you might get hurt.”
“I think I’ve heard that before.”
“This time, it’s true! That old man is really despicable!”
Bang Gak exclaimed, and Sabi Kang chuckled.
“Are you worried about me?”
“N-no! Just giving you a heads-up.”
“Well, where are they now?”
“I have an idea.”
“Good. Go tell them I’ll be visiting tonight. Tell them to be ready.”
“Are you serious?”
Both Bang Gak and Jeok Mu-rin looked at Sabi Kang in surprise. The kidnapping was clearly a trap to lure him in. Yet, he was willingly walking into it.
“Guiding wayward students is part of an instructor’s duty.”
Sabi Kang grinned.
**
“Do you think he’ll really come?”
Do Bi-cheon muttered, tossing and catching a dagger as he sat on a rock.
Meng Ga-sook chuckled beside him. “We’ll see. But it’s surprising he sent Bang Gak to inform us.”
“Yeah, it is.”
Normally, a righteous martial artist would have stormed in, outraged by their wrongdoing. But Sabi Kang was different. He had sent a message, almost like a declaration of war.
Despite the kidnapping, he remained calm.
“He must be scared out of his wits. Heh.”
Do Bi-cheon smirked, flinging the dagger. It flew swiftly, embedding itself deep into a tree trunk. From that branch, a woman hung in a sack, swaying gently.
“Please, save me…!”
She pleaded, her voice trembling with fear. Hearing her, another woman hanging from a nearby branch began to sob.
They had kidnapped two women.
“Just wait. A hero of justice is supposed to come and save you,” Meng Ga-sook taunted.
Just then,
“The hero of justice has arrived.”
A voice suddenly cut through the air. The seven gathered men turned their heads sharply.
Meng Ga-sook frowned, slowly rising to his feet. In the distance, Sabi Kang stood tall.
“Instructor?”
“Yes, I’m the instructor assigned to you. What are you doing here?”
“As you can see, just having some fun. Heh.”
Meng Ga-sook chuckled, walking over with a sly grin. Sabi Kang’s expression turned icy.
“Typical scum of the demonic path, playing dirty.”
“Heh heh heh. Isn’t that a bit harsh, Instructor?”
“Your attitude towards your instructor is disgraceful.”
“Still, I’m probably older than you.”
“Are you really bragging about how many meals you’ve had? Well, what can I say? Even by that measure, I’ve eaten more than you.”
“Heh, sounds like you overeat every day.”
“Enough with the small talk. Let’s get to the point.”
“Fine by me.”
As Maeng Ga-sook spoke, he adjusted his grip on his weapon. The other warriors, too, began to exude a menacing aura, slowly taking their stances.
Two of the fighters crouched low on the branches, ready to strike down the women hanging there at a moment’s notice.
Maeng Ga-sook let out a sly chuckle. “Heh heh heh. Let me lay out our plan. We’re going to kill those two women we kidnapped. Then we’ll pin the blame on you, saying you mistook them for high-ranking enemies and killed them. That’s the story we’ll spread. Ha!”
“What a pathetically stupid plan.”
“Ha ha, but you’ll fall for this stupid plan. I hear you have some strange technique, something about teleporting? We’ve accounted for that by hanging the women far apart. No matter how fast you are, by the time you save one, the other will be gone.”
“Keep talking.”
“Gladly. There’s only one way to change this plan. If you agree, we’ll follow you back to the Heavenly Palace and take your lessons. Curious what it is?”
“Not particularly, but since you seem eager to talk, go on.”
“Hahaha! Just as entertaining as they say. Alright, the way is for you to kneel before us and beg, ‘Please, join my class!’ Do that, and we’ll release the women and follow you. How about it? Surely, for the sake of those two, you can endure a little humiliation. Isn’t it true that a righteous warrior would risk their life for honor? Hahaha!”
“Are you done babbling?”
“Well… yes, I suppose.”
“Then let me tell you my plan.”