Episode 225: Return to the Demonic Sect
“You two, here you are.”
It was Banggak.
Yoo Song-ryeong looked at him and asked, “What’s going on?”
“Heh, Deung Ja-gyeong has come up with a good plan.”
“Deung Ja-gyeong?”
Deung Ja-gyeong was a member of the Newborn Division, more skilled in the dark arts than martial prowess. However, his methods were often too underhanded or brutal to be officially adopted.
Banggak shrugged. “Who knows? This might be our chance to finally get rid of him.”
“So, what’s the plan?”
“Let’s go together. Everyone’s gathered. It’s a bit complicated, so you should hear it directly.”
Suddenly, Seok Tan-gang spoke up. “Let’s go.”
Yoo Song-ryeong flinched and turned to look at him. Seok Tan-gang was usually a quiet, passive man. Seeing him take the initiative was a rare sight, likely driven by his competitive spirit—a desire to defeat Sabi-gang at least once, and a determination not to let anyone else seize the opportunity.
Yoo Song-ryeong chuckled. “Alright, let’s hear this assassination plan.”
“Everyone’s waiting at the inn,” Banggak said, leading the way.
**
Thud!
Deung Ja-gyeong set down his brush and looked around at the team members.
“So, what do you think of my plan?”
The team members, gathered around the table, maintained serious expressions. The plan was flawless, but…
“It’s decent, though a bit underhanded,” Yoo Song-ryeong commented.
Deung Ja-gyeong smirked. “In the martial world, only the strong survive. You can’t call a lion cowardly for hunting in stealth, can you?”
“True, but can you live with yourself after killing the instructor like that?”
Banggak scoffed. “What? Did saving your life once make you lose your mind?”
“What did you just say?”
Yoo Song-ryeong’s expression turned icy.
Banggak grinned. “I wondered if you had a thing for him. Honestly, if we’re talking about underhandedness, the so-called righteous sects are worse. They hide behind their noble facades while doing all sorts of dirty deeds.”
Baek Gong-bo, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up. “It’s a dirty plan, but the dirtier, the better.”
The others nodded in agreement, their eyes turning to Yoo Song-ryeong.
She glared at Banggak. “I’m in. But if you spew any more filth from that mouth, I’ll rip your tongue out.”
“Heh, if you can, go ahead.”
Yoo Song-ryeong stared him down before turning away. “Kang, what do you think?”
”…”
Seok Tan-gang stood with his arms crossed, staring intently at one spot. Yoo Song-ryeong’s gaze followed his.
There, Ong Gi-seung was dozing off, arms crossed.
Seok Tan-gang muttered to himself, “He’s improved a lot.”
“Alright, it’s settled then,” Deung Ja-gyeong said.
“Wait! Kang didn’t mean it like that…” Yoo Song-ryeong protested, but the team had already decided to proceed with the plan.
“Kang, you really need to focus at times like this,” she grumbled, turning to Seok Tan-gang.
“Hold on.”
Seok Tan-gang spoke abruptly and walked over to Ong Gi-seung, who was still asleep. He practically hoisted him up and started walking away.
“Hey, hey!”
Yoo Song-ryeong moved to follow, but Deung Ja-gyeong’s voice stopped her.
“Song-ryeong! This is the final briefing, so pay attention! Your role is crucial.”
“Damn it.”
Reluctantly, Yoo Song-ryeong turned back as Deung Ja-gyeong continued.
“Listen carefully. Banggak will move first. So, from here, you enter like this…”
Just then, an eerie laugh interrupted them.
“Heh heh heh!”
Deung Ja-gyeong looked up, startled. “You, you are…?”
The team members turned, their expressions freezing.
At the inn’s entrance stood two familiar figures, a man and a woman with hair as white as snow.
It was Seol Su-min and Seol Seo-rin.
The team members’ faces turned rigid at the sight of them.
Seol Seo-rin, seemingly oblivious to the tense atmosphere, smiled brightly and approached.
“What is it? Why did you stop talking? Hmm? Tell us too.”
“Ah, it’s nothing,” Deung Ja-gyeong said, setting his brush down and shaking his head.
Seol Seo-rin’s face fell, looking as if she might cry. “Are you leaving us out again?”
“N-no! That’s not it at all!”
“Oh, brother. They’re leaving us out again,” Seol Seo-rin said, moving closer to Seol Su-min with a sad expression.
The team members’ faces turned pale.
Seol Su-min embraced his sister, gently stroking her hair. “My poor sister. I guess I’ll have to teach them a lesson.”
His gaze turned to the team, who swallowed nervously.
**
Srrrng.
Seok Tan-gang drew his sword, its blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight. He spoke quietly to Ong Gi-seung, who stood before him.
“Let’s fight.”
”…”
Ong Gi-seung remained silent.
He was… asleep.
Seok Tan-gang spoke again. “Wake up. Let’s fight.”
”…Snore…”
“I want to fight you.”
”…Snore…”
With no response, Seok Tan-gang sighed lightly. He reluctantly pulled a dagger from his sleeve.
In an instant,
Swish!
The dagger flew from Seok Tan-gang’s hand, aimed straight for Ong Gi-seung’s heart.
Swish, clang!
As if in a dream, Ong Gi-seung drew his sword and deflected the dagger.
Seok Tan-gang’s brow furrowed.
‘Annoying.’
Even as Ong Gi-seung continued to doze, cradling his sword, Seok Tan-gang sheathed his blade and walked over to him.
“Wake up.”
He reached out to tap Ong Gi-seung’s cheek, but—
Whoosh!
Ong Gi-seung leaned back, dodging the hand.
Seok Tan-gang gritted his teeth and swung his left hand.
Whap!
But again, Ong Gi-seung stepped back, avoiding the punch.
Seok Tan-gang’s expression darkened.
Whap, whap, whap!
He began throwing punches faster and faster.
At this point, it no longer looked like he was trying to wake someone up.
To an untrained eye, it would seem like an attempt to kill.
Yet Ong Gi-seung continued to evade, stepping lightly out of the way.
Finally,
Clang!
Seok Tan-gang drew his sword and began swinging it wildly at Ong Gi-seung.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Ong Gi-seung, eyes still closed, continued to dodge with ease.
‘He’s definitely improved!’
While pleased by Ong Gi-seung’s progress, Seok Tan-gang was also irritated.
Ong Gi-seung was clearly still in a state of sleep.
Yet he managed to evade Seok Tan-gang’s attacks for so long, indicating he too had reached a new level of understanding.
There was no need to hold back any longer.
Swoosh!
Seok Tan-gang unleashed a sword aura, slashing diagonally.
A simple move, but one that was much faster than before, putting Ong Gi-seung at risk of injury.
In that moment,
Clang!
A clear metallic sound rang out as their swords clashed.
Finally, Ong Gi-seung’s sword emerged from its sheath.
The two were pushed back, and Ong Gi-seung blinked awake.
“Huh? Where am I? Why am I here with you?”
”…”
“What are you doing here?”
‘Annoying guy.’
Seok Tan-gang sighed and replied, “This is where I often come to train alone.”
“Then why am I here?”
“We were fighting.”
“Fighting? Why? Did I do something wrong?”
“No.”
“Then… huh!”
Ong Gi-seung couldn’t finish his sentence.
Seok Tan-gang had already charged at him, cutting off any further conversation.
Swish!
Seok Tan-gang became a whirlwind of steel.
Clang!
Sparks flew as their swords clashed once more.
Ong Gi-seung felt it clearly.
‘He’s improved!’
He wasn’t the only one who had grown.
The members of the Newborn Division were all exceptional.
Though they seemed like a bunch of troublemakers, each was a hidden talent.
Sabi-gang was honing these sharp tools even further.
A faint smile appeared on Ong Gi-seung’s lips.
Seok Tan-gang spoke nonchalantly, “Looks like you’re finally ready to fight seriously.”
With a shout,
Swish!
The two clashed again, charging at each other with renewed vigor.
**
Thud!
Seok Tan-gang and Ong Gi-seung collapsed onto the grass, lying flat on their backs.
“Huff, huff, huff!”
Their heavy breathing filled the air.
In the end, there was no clear winner.
Seok Tan-gang chuckled softly.
Despite being out of breath, he felt incredibly refreshed.
It had been a long time.
Since he had felt this invigorated.
Sure, the sparring match with Yu Song-ryeong earlier in the day had been enjoyable.
But this duel was different.
Truth be told, if he had really put his mind to it, he could have easily defeated Yu Song-ryeong. They both knew that.
But Ong Gi-seung was a different story.
He always wanted to win, but never could.
And the same went for Ong Gi-seung—he had never beaten him either.
The difference was that he was always eager to defeat Ong Gi-seung, while Ong Gi-seung seemed indifferent to him.
And that was infuriating.
‘Maybe…’
Was he just pretending not to care?
It didn’t matter anymore.
At least not today.
Today, they had clashed without holding back.
“So many stars tonight.”
Seok Tan-gang murmured, uncharacteristically lost in thought.
Suddenly, the image of Sabi-gang’s face came to mind, with that mischievous grin of hers.
Seok Tan-gang chuckled softly.
“That person… I can’t help but acknowledge him.”
”…Snore… Snore…”
Ong Gi-seung snored quietly beside him.
Normally, he would have snapped awake and drawn his sword, but not this time. He just thought of him as an annoying guy.
Then it happened.
A rustle.
A presence!
Something moved in the dense underbrush.
And then…
‘Blood!’
The scent of blood wafted through the air, reaching his nose.
Of all times… now!
Seok Tan-gang slowly rose to his feet.
And in the next instant,
Whoosh!
He darted toward the source of the presence, his sword slicing through the air.
Swish!
The blade stopped just short of the figure’s neck.
“Ryeong-ah!”
Seok Tan-gang quickly reached out to catch the collapsing Yu Song-ryeong.
She was drenched in blood, barely clinging to consciousness.
Yu Song-ryeong looked up at Seok Tan-gang and managed a relieved smile.
“So… you were here…”
“This is…!”
“The whole team… they’re gone.”
“Who did this?”
“The Seol siblings… they’re back…”
With those words, she lost consciousness, her head drooping forward.
“Ryeong-ah!”
Seok Tan-gang shook her shoulders, a surge of uncontrollable anger welling up from deep within.
Just then, a steady voice came from behind him.
“Let’s go.”
Ong Gi-seung, now awake, spoke with a cold, determined expression.