Episode 240: The Return of the Demon Sect Leader

So Cheon-ak’s eyebrow twitched.

How did this unwelcome guest manage to enter his private chamber?

Just as his anger was about to erupt like a volcano, the intruder spoke.

“Ah, don’t blame the ones who tried to stop me. No one could have, anyway.”

”…!”

“Please understand, I was just that eager to meet you, Master.”

“This… this is madness!”

So Cheon-ak’s cheek twitched repeatedly.

The fury that had been on the verge of exploding was now floundering aimlessly within him, overwhelmed by the absurdity of the situation.

Sa Bi-gang glanced at the servant cowering on the floor.

“What will you do with him?”

”…?”

“The servant, I mean. Even when slaughtering a chicken, it’s best to do it swiftly and without pain. He looks rather pitiful.”

Only then did So Cheon-ak’s gaze fall on the servant trembling beneath the blade.

The servant’s face was ashen, and he seemed on the verge of wetting himself.

So Cheon-ak furrowed his brow deeply and sheathed his sword.

“Get out of here.”

“E-excuse me?”

When the servant asked in confusion, So Cheon-ak’s irritation flared again, his brow furrowing sharply.

At that moment, Sa Bi-gang interjected.

“Didn’t you hear? Get out. The Master and I have matters to discuss.”

The servant looked at So Cheon-ak, trembling.

He feared that if he left on Sa Bi-gang’s word alone, he might face the master’s wrath later.

So Cheon-ak closed his eyes and gave a slight nod, signaling his permission.

“Thank you, Master! Thank you!”

The servant bowed repeatedly and hurried out of the room.

So Cheon-ak scoffed and sat at the table by the window.

Lately, his emotions had been swinging wildly.

Just moments ago, he had wanted to destroy everything in sight, but the absurdity of Sa Bi-gang’s presence had cooled his rage to icy calm.

He called out to the outside.

“Bring tea!”

A maid soon brought in the tea.

So Cheon-ak frowned at the sight of two cups.

“Who told you to bring two cups?”

“Since there’s a guest…”

“Guest? Who’s the guest here?”

“I-I’m sorry.”

The maid quickly moved to take one cup away, but Sa Bi-gang stepped forward and picked it up.

“Though I’m an uninvited guest, I’ll gratefully accept it now that I’m here.”

The maid’s face turned pale.

In contrast, So Cheon-ak couldn’t help but chuckle, glaring at Sa Bi-gang.

“Is that so?”

Everything Sa Bi-gang did seemed to defy his expectations, leaving him unable to even muster anger.

Instead, this unexpected encounter was a refreshing change from his usual days filled with irritation and rage.

As the maid discreetly withdrew, Sa Bi-gang sat down with a smile.

So Cheon-ak snapped coldly.

“I didn’t say you could sit.”

“Haha. But you didn’t say I had to stand, either.”

“Are you trying to play games with me?”

“Not at all. I’m here for a conversation.”

“Unbelievable.”

So Cheon-ak sipped his tea with a sardonic smile.

He had heard bits and pieces about Sa Bi-gang’s recent activities.

‘He’s been recruiting key figures from the Blood Sect, and today he even visited the White Tiger Hall…’

Now, it seemed, he had come to win him over.

But that was a futile effort.

So Cheon-ak muttered to himself.

“Rumor has it that an instructor from the Justice Alliance is running around, forgetting his place. So it’s true.”

“Were you disappointed I took so long to visit?”

“Not at all!”

So Cheon-ak shouted, glaring at Sa Bi-gang.

“I know what you’re up to. Trying to bribe people to win them over. But I’m not like them. Your cheap tricks won’t work on me, so leave.”

“If I’m being this bold, it means I’m confident.”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I’m letting you leave peacefully because of the relationship between our sects. If word got out that the Moon Island Master killed an instructor, it would be troublesome. At least if it were a mysterious death, it might be different.”

“Please, don’t be so harsh. I’m just trying to make my stay in the Blood Sect more comfortable.”

“Haha. Then you’ve come to the wrong person. My emotions have been unstable lately. I’m barely holding back my impulses, so leave.”

“Hear me out. It won’t harm you. I can offer you the gift you desire most…”

“Didn’t I tell you to get out?”

Finally, his anger erupted again.

The fresh stimulus Sa Bi-gang had provided seemed to have lost its effect.

So Cheon-ak clenched his teeth, looking as if he might rise and draw his sword at any moment.

His hands trembled slightly, as if he were struggling to suppress his impulses.

“No gift you bring will satisfy me. I don’t have the mental space to help you. So leave. If you test my patience any further, you’ll regret it.”

It was a stern warning.

He was impressed with himself for holding back his anger this long.

But Sa Bi-gang remained unfazed.

Instead, he spoke with a faint smile.

“Why are your emotions so unstable?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“So Yu-gang.”

”…!”

At the mention of the name, So Cheon-ak’s expression twisted.

He rose from his seat, unable to contain himself any longer.

His clenched fists and gritted teeth made it seem as if he might strike Sa Bi-gang down at any moment.

“Say that name again, and you’ll regret it.”

“It’s because of your son, isn’t it?”

With a sudden movement, So Cheon-ak grabbed Sa Bi-gang by the collar.

“You must have a death wish. How dare you speak my son’s name?”

A murderous intent emanated from So Cheon-ak, far more intense than before.

Sa Bi-gang, still smiling faintly, spoke.

“Let’s talk after you let go.”

“No. I can’t hold back any longer. You’re going to die here today.”

His patience had run out.

So Cheon-ak drew his sword from his waist.

Yet, even in this tense moment, Sa Bi-gang remained calm, his eyes steady as he looked at So Cheon-ak.

“Even if I can find your son?”

”…!”

So Cheon-ak flinched.

His expression twisted with a mix of despair, anger, hope, and disbelief.

But negativity dominated his heart.

Sa Bi-gang had crossed a line that should never have been crossed.

For seven years, since his son disappeared, no one had dared to mention So Yu-gang’s name in his presence.

Anyone who did was struck down immediately.

So Yu-gang had vanished without a trace during his travels.

His name was So Cheon-ak’s deepest wound.

Yet here was Sa Bi-gang, toying with that forbidden line.

A battle raged within So Cheon-ak between murderous intent and a sliver of hope.

Sa Bi-gang seemed to read his mind.

“A parent’s heart can’t let go of even a glimmer of hope, right?”

“Are you mocking me?”

“Not at all. I’m offering you hope.”

“Hope?”

“I’ll find So Yu-gang for you.”

“And how do you plan to do that?”

“Give me fifteen days. I’ll find him within that time.”

So Cheon-ak’s expression twitched again.

Fifteen days? Just fifteen days?

For seven years, he had used every means at his disposal to find his son, to no avail.

Even the Blood Sect’s leader had deployed search parties, but they had failed.

And now, Sa Bi-gang claimed he could find his son in just fifteen days?

Sa Bi-gang’s bold statement didn’t end there.

“If I don’t return with him in fifteen days, you can kill me.”

“How can you find my son in fifteen days… unless…!”

An uncomfortable thought crossed his mind.

Sa Bi-gang preempted him, as if reading his thoughts.

“Don’t misunderstand. The Justice Alliance hasn’t done anything to your son. I assure you.”

“Then how can you find him in fifteen days…?”

“My sources suggest a possible location. If we focus our efforts there, we’ll find him.”

Of course, it was a lie.

So Cheon-ak’s son, So Yu-gang, was currently trapped in a demonic realm.

He was supposed to be discovered about eight years from now, after the demonic invasion began.

He had survived in that realm for fifteen years.

But when he emerged, half the martial world was dead, and his father, So Cheon-ak, was gone.

So Yu-gang fought valiantly against the demons but eventually perished.

However…

‘This time, I’ll bring him back.’

Even so, for So Cheon-ak, who had failed to find his son for seven years, Sa Bi-gang’s promise seemed like an empty boast.

“How can I trust you’ll find my son…?”

“You don’t have to trust me. Just wait. But I have a condition.”

“A condition?”

“If I find So Yu-gang, I’ll incorporate him into the new organization. You must not oppose it.”

“Hahaha! What nonsense.”

So Cheon-ak released Sa Bi-gang’s collar with a dismissive gesture.

Suddenly, everything felt futile.

Would killing Sabigang bring back my missing son?

“I’d rather not stain my hands with blood today. Stop with the nonsense and get out of here.”

At So Cheonak’s words, Sabigang slowly turned away.

Sabigang understood.

Despite what he said, So Cheonak was letting him go, clinging to the hope of grasping at straws.

Just as Sabigang was about to leave the room, So Cheonak, gazing out the window, sighed and muttered to himself.

“If only I could find my son, what else would matter?”

Sabigang gave a sly smile and nodded.

“Then I’ll take that as a promise.”

**

That night, Hongyeom and Akcheongoe came to see Sabigang.

Akcheongoe glanced around the room, then went to the window and looked outside, clicking his tongue.

“Unbelievable. A hostage living in such luxury.”

“Someone once told me, to survive anywhere, you must quickly adapt to changing circumstances.”

Sabigang’s retort made Akcheongoe snort.

In fact, those were Akcheongoe’s own words from when he became the leader of Salmak.

Akcheongoe turned back and asked, “Why did you call me?”

“I wanted to know more about the Baekho leader.”

“You mean Leader Chu?”

Akcheongoe frowned slightly.

Sabigang nodded.

“Tell me what you know about him.”

“There’s not much to say. Leader Chu is the most enigmatic person I know.”

“The most enigmatic?”

“After dealing with people for so long, you usually get a sense of them. But with Leader Chu, I just can’t get a read. Oh, now that I think about it, there is one thing that bothers me.”

“And what’s that?”

A peculiar smile crept onto Akcheongoe’s face.