Episode 22: Return to the Demonic Sect
Gok Bo-ok wanted to scream.
What kind of guidance was this supposed to be?
This was outright abuse of a cadet!
But as he looked into the unfeeling eyes of Sabi-gang, not a single word escaped his lips.
A predator.
That’s exactly what Sabi-gang’s eyes resembled at that moment.
“Well, if you understand, lead the way.”
Gok Bo-ok awkwardly got up, glanced at Yeon Woo-gyeong, and descended the stairs.
Sabi-gang approached Yeon Woo-gyeong with heavy steps and gulped down the tea on the table.
“Ah, it tastes good.”
After casting a glance at Yeon Woo-gyeong, Sabi-gang descended the stairs.
Yeon Woo-gyeong watched his retreating figure with a cold smile.
‘Heh. Let’s see what you can do.’
Meanwhile, as Sabi-gang and Gok Bo-ok left the building, they paused while passing through the bustling street.
“Wait here for a moment.”
Sabi-gang left Gok Bo-ok standing to the side and approached a beggar on the street, tossing him a coin.
‘What is this? A good deed in the middle of all this?’
Gok Bo-ok scoffed and turned his head away.
Sabi-gang returned.
“Let’s go.”
“I must remind you, there’s nothing left there…”
“Shut up and just go.”
**
“Here it is.”
Gok Bo-ok stopped at the edge of the village, pointing to the right.
“They appeared from over there and fled into the forest.”
“How many were there?”
“Three.”
“What weapons did they use?”
“Swords and sabers. Two of them used sabers.”
Sabi-gang nodded.
The details matched what Yeom Ja-ryang had reported.
“After fleeing here, they scattered.”
“And you stayed behind to fetch Yeon Woo-gyeong?”
“Yes.”
“That’s quite strange.”
“What is?”
“Why did they let you escape?”
Gok Bo-ok furrowed his brow.
“Well, maybe because there was someone who didn’t run, so they didn’t bother chasing us.”
“No. Usually, in such situations, they would chase the ones who fled first. They wouldn’t want things to get complicated. Yet, they didn’t pursue any of you. It’s as if they only had business with Ja-ryang from the start.”
”……!”
“Isn’t it odd? It’s like they already knew Ja-ryang had something valuable.”
Sabi-gang’s gaze pierced through Gok Bo-ok, who instinctively stepped back.
“I-I wouldn’t know why they did that…!”
“Right. You wouldn’t know. Knowing would be dangerous.”
Sabi-gang shrugged and scanned the forest.
His eyes narrowed.
Footprints in the dirt, scattered branches, and fallen leaves bore the marks of a struggle.
There were traces of blood here and there.
“They put up a fight.”
Watching Sabi-gang mutter to himself as he moved around, Gok Bo-ok frowned.
‘What’s he mumbling about? What does any of this mean? Tch!’
He must be feeling the pressure.
If they don’t recover the funds within five days, the martial arts expedition will be canceled.
And losing the funds means severe punishment is inevitable.
Sabi-gang waved his hand dismissively without even looking at Gok Bo-ok.
“You’re no longer needed. Get lost.”
“Can I just leave?”
“Yes. Go.”
Gok Bo-ok hesitated for a moment before dashing away.
Even after he left, Sabi-gang lingered for a while, then suddenly his eyes gleamed as he bent down.
A torn piece of cloth.
Holding it in his hand, he straightened up and spoke.
“You’re here?”
Who was he talking to?
No sooner had he spoken than men in black uniforms descended around him like rain.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.
“We’ve gathered everyone, my lord.”
The man who had received the coin from Sabi-gang in the street was the one who spoke, bowing respectfully.
Sabi-gang tossed the piece of cloth.
The beggar caught it deftly and looked at Sabi-gang with a puzzled expression.
“What is this?”
“Find them. There are three. Over eight feet tall. One uses a sword, two use sabers. One of the saber users has a cut on his hand, the other has a long gash on his thigh. All from today.”
Sabi-gang relayed the information he had gathered from Yeom Ja-ryang, then paused to survey the surroundings again.
Footprints scuffed the ground, sword marks marred tree trunks, and bloodstains were scattered about.
All clues.
He furrowed his brow briefly before adding more.
“The one with the sword fights more like a sorcerer. He probably used to wield a saber. He’s the strongest of the three.”
“Is this cloth from one of them?”
“Yes. It’s from one of the three. Need more information?”
“No, this is enough.”
The beggar bowed deeply.
Sabi-gang chuckled.
“Good. Thieves should know thieves best.”
”…….”
“Find them and report back. You have three days.”
“I’ll handle it in two.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
Sabi-gang turned to leave but paused.
“You haven’t caused any more trouble since then, have you?”
“As you instructed, we’ve been keeping a low profile.”
“Good. I don’t trust people. So stay sharp and don’t get complacent.”
“Understood.”
“Then, take care. I’m off.”
Sabi-gang waved and walked away.
Only when he was almost out of sight did one of the men in black approach the beggar.
“Leader, do we really need to go this far? We could just quietly follow him…”
“Silence.”
The beggar’s voice was sharp.
The severity in his tone made the men in black flinch and straighten up.
The one who had spoken quickly shut his mouth and bowed his head.
The beggar who had received the coin from Sabi-gang was none other than Go Jeok-san, the head of the Ghost Clan.
And the men with him were all warriors of the Ghost Clan.
Go Jeok-san closed his eyes and spoke in a trembling voice.
“You… you haven’t experienced that day.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I saw it clearly. What happens when that man gets angry…”
Go Jeok-san’s eyebrows trembled.
That day, Sabi-gang had appeared out of nowhere at the Ghost Clan’s hideout.
The warriors tried to stop him, but it was futile.
He moved like a ghost, reaching the leader in an instant.
It was as if they were under a spell.
He had never seen or heard of such martial arts.
Sabi-gang told the leader, “I won’t ask you to kneel. Disband quietly, and I won’t hold your past crimes against you.”
Of course, the leader scoffed.
Sabi-gang said if he refused, he would kill the leader and take in all his subordinates.
It seemed like a madman had appeared out of nowhere, spouting nonsense.
Go Jeok-san, standing right next to the leader, was too dumbfounded to even be angry.
And the moment the leader sneered and refused, Sabi-gang vanished from sight.
A gust of wind brushed past, and when Go Jeok-san looked again, the leader and the guard beside him were both headless, blood gushing from their necks.
The guard’s head rolled on the ground, while the leader’s head dripped blood in Sabi-gang’s hand.
Go Jeok-san was speechless.
Sabi-gang lifted the leader’s head, speaking as if lamenting.
“You should have just surrendered. Now look at you, losing your precious head. Tsk, tsk.”
Sabi-gang’s gaze turned to Go Jeok-san.
“Are you the next in line here?”
Go Jeok-san couldn’t utter a word.
It was as if his throat was blocked.
Sabi-gang picked his ear, grumbling.
“When someone asks a question, you should answer. Unless you’re ready to die.”
Thud!
Go Jeok-san fell to his knees, forcing out his voice with all his might.
“P-please… spare me!”
“Then answer my question. Are you the highest-ranking one here?”
“Y-yes, I am.”
“What will you do? Will you stake your honor as a thief and offer your neck…”
“I-it would be an honor to serve you, my lord!”
Go Jeok-san bowed his head to the ground.
His forehead split open, blood trickling down.
‘Thinking about that day still gives me a headache.’
Go Jeok-san rubbed his forehead, pressing his temples.
After a moment, he looked around at his subordinates with burning eyes.
“Don’t even think about stabbing that man in the back. I won’t forgive it.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
There was no other choice.
That day, Sabi-gang had warned them.
If anyone betrayed him, he would annihilate the entire Ghost Clan.
His eyes had been sincere.
It was clear from his gaze that he had committed such ruthless acts without hesitation before.
Indeed, Sabi-gang had survived in the Demonic Sect that way.
The Demonic Sect was a place where one had to be ruthless to survive.
The odds of stabbing Sabi-gang in the back were far lower than the odds of the entire Ghost Clan being wiped out.
At least, that’s how Go Jeok-san saw it.
He trusted his instincts.
**
Two days passed.
Yeom Ja-ryang’s recovery was faster than expected.
He wasn’t fully healed yet, but he was well enough to travel between his lodging and the medical hall for treatment.
It was largely thanks to Sabigang’s guidance that he managed to keep himself in check, though Yeom Jaryang only had a vague sense of it.
“So, has everyone who can pay, paid up?”
“Yes, the last three holdouts finally paid today.”
Yeom Jaryang responded to Sabigang’s question.
“Who were those three?”
“Cadets Mok Danhwa, Min Yuhyang, and Baek Miryeong.”
“I see.”
The reason those three finally paid their dues was likely because they realized the funds had gone missing. They probably thought the trip would be canceled regardless of their payment.
“So, there are two who couldn’t pay due to financial difficulties?”
“Yes.”
Yeom Jaryang’s expression darkened. He was reminded of the dues that had been stolen two days ago.
But Sabigang just nodded slightly and moved on.
“Understood. You’ve done well. Focus on preparing for the trip with the time we have left.”
“But… we’ve lost dues that make up seventy percent of the total expenses. How are you planning to cover the shortfall…?”
“I’ll handle it. You don’t need to worry about that.”
“If only I hadn’t gone out that day…”
Yeom Jaryang bit his lip, feeling a mix of frustration and self-reproach for failing at such a simple task. He was on the verge of tears.
Sabigang looked at him with a serious expression.
“Getting discouraged over something like this won’t do you any good. It seems you’re lacking in yang energy.”
“What?”
“I’ll help you replenish that missing yang energy.”
“Missing yang energy…?”
“Come with me. I’ll show you some beautiful scenery and help you train.”
Sabigang stood up with a sly grin.