Episode 241: Return to the Demonic Sect
“Always seemed too busy, didn’t he?”
“Busy? Doing what?”
“I have no idea, but Master Chu always looked like he had a lot on his plate. Beyond that, I can’t say.”
Sabikang stared intently into Akcheon Goe’s eyes.
It didn’t seem like Akcheon Goe was lying.
“You two were always at odds, yet you claim to know nothing? That’s surprisingly careless.”
“I’m not a mind reader. How could I know everything in someone’s heart? Not knowing means I’m not overconfident. It means I don’t presume to know someone completely.”
Though Akcheon Goe’s words were defensive, Sabikang found some truth in them.
Indeed, if Akcheon Goe had easily divulged information about Chu Heeryong, it would have been hard to trust.
Isn’t it human nature to be unable to fully understand even those we consider allies?
Betrayal by a trusted subordinate is not unheard of.
So, Akcheon Goe’s claim of ignorance about Chu Heeryong might just be a cautious and prudent stance.
“At least I’ve learned one thing.”
“And what’s that?”
“Chu Heeryong is someone who hides his true intentions. He’s a complex individual.”
“That, I won’t deny.”
Akcheon Goe nodded in agreement.
After asking a few more questions about Chu Heeryong, Sabikang let Akcheon Goe go.
From what he gathered, there was no evidence that Chu Heeryong had allied with external forces.
But that, too, couldn’t be taken as certain.
Chu Heeryong might just be that meticulous.
There wasn’t enough evidence to determine if he was in league with the masked figure who saved Seolbaek.
“I’ll have to see it with my own eyes.”
To uncover the truth, one must go where the truth lies.
Ultimately, Sabikang decided to visit the Baekho Hall once more.
This time, it would be best to go when Chu Heeryong wasn’t around.
The last visit to Baekho Hall revealed nothing unusual.
At least, there were no demonic artifacts in plain sight.
However, Chu Heeryong’s reaction suggested he knew something about them.
If Chu Heeryong possessed demonic artifacts, they would be well hidden.
“But he wouldn’t store them far away.”
The most suspicious place remains Baekho Hall.
It’s likely there’s some hidden mechanism within Baekho Hall.
To dismantle and access it…
“Yeom.”
“Yes, sir.”
At Sabikang’s call, Hongyeom responded.
“Do you know how to handle mechanical devices?”
“That’s what I and the Ghost Shadow Squad specialize in.”
Hongyeom replied with a faint smile, indicating confidence.
He added, “Among us, I’m the best. Few have more experience dismantling mechanisms than I do.”
“Good. I like that. You’ll get a chance to prove your skills.”
“When?”
“Not yet. I’ll let you know later.”
“Understood.”
“And we need to find someone in the Gangseo region.”
“Who?”
Hongyeom asked without hesitation.
Finding one person in the vast Gangseo region is no easy task.
It’s like finding a needle in a haystack.
But Sabikang’s limited information suggested there wasn’t much more to go on.
Sabikang replied, “Jo Shinryang. But it might be faster to look for him by his nickname, ‘The Alchemist’s Hand.’”
“The Alchemist’s Hand? Is he a martial artist?”
It was a nickname Hongyeom hadn’t heard before.
Sabikang shook his head. “No, he’s a civilian. He used to work as a blacksmith.”
“Ah, then we should be able to find him quickly.”
If it were just a name, it would be a daunting task.
But with a nickname and a profession, it shouldn’t be too difficult for the Ghost Shadow Squad to locate him.
However, Sabikang smiled faintly and said, “Well, it might not be as easy as you think.”
**
Two weeks later.
“I need to step out for a bit.”
At Sabikang’s words, Ryu Yeojoong frowned.
“Again?”
“Feel free to spread the red incense if you wish.”
‘Does this man think of the red incense as some kind of mind-control fragrance?’
Ryu Yeojoong hid his displeasure and asked, “Where are you going this time?”
“Well…”
“Let me guess, it’s a secret?”
Sabikang shrugged. “I have a personal life, you know.”
‘That personal life of his…!’
Though exasperated, Ryu Yeojoong didn’t press further.
Sabikang’s behavior was nothing new.
Instead, Ryu Yeojoong decided it was time to make a move.
He had let Sabikang go easily last time, anticipating this opportunity would arise again.
Given Sabikang’s restless nature, it was only a matter of time before he ventured outside the Blood Sect’s territory again.
Ryu Yeojoong spoke with a firm expression. “This can’t keep happening.”
“Hmm. That’s really unfortunate.”
“What do you mean?”
“I plan to do this quite often.”
As expected, Sabikang’s response was predictable.
Ryu Yeojoong saw this as the perfect moment to negotiate.
“In that case, I have a condition.”
“What is it?”
“It shouldn’t be difficult. Considering your position as an instructor in the Justice Alliance.”
“So, what’s the condition?”
“Free Lady Hongmyo under the same terms. She’s currently held by the Justice Alliance.”
Sabikang narrowed his eyes at the unexpected proposal and fell silent.
Ryu Yeojoong waited patiently for a response.
If Lady Hongmyo were granted the same freedom, it would be much easier to establish secret contact with the Blood Sect.
This would make it easier to spy on the Justice Alliance in the future.
Currently, the Blood Sect was providing a lot of information to the Justice Alliance.
Regularly, the Justice Alliance would send high-ranking officials to inspect various branches or boldly spy on the Blood Sect.
Having lost the war, they had no choice, but from a military standpoint, they couldn’t ignore the information imbalance.
Thus, they sought to use Lady Hongmyo to turn the situation around.
After a moment, Sabikang nodded and spoke. “Alright. I’ll formally propose it to the Justice Alliance after I return.”
‘It’s done!’
Ryu Yeojoong smiled inwardly with satisfaction.
He wanted to urge Sabikang to contact the Justice Alliance immediately, but he held back, knowing haste could ruin everything.
“I hope you won’t change your mind after you return.”
“Of course. I plan to travel frequently anyway.”
“Understood.”
With that, Ryu Yeojoong retrieved the red incense from somewhere and sprinkled it on Sabikang.
**
Leaving the Mantong Pavilion, Sabikang set off on a journey with Churyang.
Meanwhile, there were those watching from a distance…
“That fool doesn’t know his place. He acts like the Celestial Palace is his own home.”
The one grinding his teeth was none other than Joo Gihyeon, the sub-leader of the Black Cloud Faction.
He still harbored resentment from his previous encounter with Sabikang.
Standing beside him was Dokgo Jin, the leader of the Black Tortoise Hall.
Narrowing his eyes, Dokgo Jin spoke. “What is Commander Ryu thinking, letting him roam free like that? Tsk.”
“Perhaps this is an opportunity?”
Joo Gihyeon’s eyes gleamed with a sinister light.
Dokgo Jin caught the meaning and smiled faintly. “Indeed. It might be a blessing in disguise.”
If Sabikang were to be assassinated outside the Blood Sect, the Justice Alliance would find it difficult to hold anyone accountable.
It could be the perfect chance to eliminate Sabikang cleanly.
“By the way, are you sure about this? Ten million nyang is no small sum.”
At Dokgo Jin’s question, Joo Gihyeon gave a cold smile. “It’s fine. It’s his money, so it should be spent on him, don’t you think?”
“Hahaha! You have a point!”
Just then, a voice called out from behind them.
“They’ve arrived.”
“Let’s go.”
With a sly grin, Dokgo Jin turned around.
**
In a pitch-black room where it was hard to see even an inch ahead, a thick killing intent lingered.
Yet, Dokgo Jin and Joo Gihyeon seemed to relish the suffocating atmosphere, wearing satisfied smiles.
‘Impressive.’
In this line of work, one could gauge the skill of assassins by the aura they exuded.
Dokgo Jin had summoned ten assassins.
They weren’t from a single organization.
They were high-level martial artists from the dark sects, known for accepting assassination contracts.
“So, how much is the bounty on his head?”
The sharp voice belonged to Il-Gwi, the eldest of the Ten-Step Four Ghosts.
Their fearsome nickname implied they could kill anything within ten steps if they wished.
“Ten million nyang.”
The one who answered was Joo Gihyeon.
He had asked Dokgo Jin to gather assassins for this mission.
Dokgo Jin, who also saw Sabikang as a thorn in his side, readily agreed and summoned ten skilled assassins.
Not knowing when Sabikang might leave the Celestial Palace again, he had them stay nearby.
And today, upon hearing that Sabikang had visited Ryu Yeojoong, he called them in.
“Ten million nyang…!”
The youngest of the Ten-Step Four Ghosts, Sagwi, exclaimed in surprise.
Not only that, but everyone gathered in the dimly lit room seemed to flinch.
Ten million nyang was no small sum.
“The deadline?”
The question, asked in a gravelly voice, came from none other than the infamous Ghost Blade Killer. He had assassinated over a hundred people. He had kept count up to a hundred, but after that, he found it too tedious to bother.
Perhaps that was why his voice seemed to carry the scent of blood.
“Before he returns, that should be enough time,” Ju Ki-hyun replied once more.
“Then there’s nothing more to ask. We’ll leave immediately. Anyone who tries to stop us won’t be spared.”
The one who stood up abruptly and spoke with a sharp edge was the second of the Blood Blade Five, known as the Second Guest.
At this, the youngest of the Ten Steps Demons growled.
“Hmph! Those types are always the first to die.”
“Hey, are you itching to see your blood on my blade?”
As the atmosphere turned icy, Dok Go-jin, who had been silently listening, finally spoke up.
“Whatever you do to each other, remember this: it all starts after we take that man’s head. Keep that in mind.”
His voice was low, but it carried a clear dissatisfaction with their bickering before the mission had even begun.
After all, wasn’t he the leader of the Blood Shadow Alliance, the most feared in the underworld? Even the most skilled assassins couldn’t ignore his warning.
Ghost Blade Killer rose from his seat.
“Don’t worry, Master. We’ll have his head as a gift for you soon enough.”