Episode 243: Return to the Demon Sect
The Blood Path Five froze in place.
The death of three of the Ten Steps Demons, their rivals, was not a cause for celebration. It only highlighted the unexpected strength of their opponent.
The ten million nyang bounty was not just a frivolous sum after all.
Rumors had circulated about Sabi Kang’s strange martial arts, but no one had expected him to be this formidable.
This wasn’t just about the type of martial arts.
No, Sabi Kang was simply strong.
If only they had been more cautious.
Originally, they had planned to observe a bit longer. But the sudden move by the Ten Steps Demons had thrown their plans into disarray.
The fear of losing the ten million nyang to those demons had led to rash decisions.
Had they known the demons would fall so easily, they would have taken their time and planned more thoroughly.
But what could they do now?
The die was cast.
“Deploy the Five Nets Formation!”
At the command, the Blood Path Five scattered, encircling Sabi Kang and Chulyang.
Though three of the Ten Steps Demons remained, expecting anything from them now was unrealistic. They seemed too shocked to act.
As long as they didn’t get in the way, it would be a relief.
The Blood Path Five drew their weapons, honing their energy with precision.
The first member wielded a massive sword, relying on overwhelming strength and weight to crush his opponents. Most couldn’t withstand more than a few moves against him.
The second member, despite being the youngest, was the most skilled in martial arts. He wielded a long, curved saber and specialized in creating illusions, moving with a fluid grace that bewildered his foes.
The third member was the fastest, using twin blades with dazzling speed and flair.
The fourth member carried over a hundred throwing knives, perfect for assassination missions.
Lastly, the fifth member wielded a crescent blade, not typically suited for stealth but effective in direct confrontations.
Sabi Kang glanced around and spoke calmly, “Watch closely. This is how I fight.”
“Yes, Master!”
In an instant, the Blood Path Five launched themselves at him.
The fastest was the fourth member, hurling knives with deadly precision.
In a flash, Sabi Kang cast a spell.
“Gravity!”
Suddenly, the Blood Path Five felt an immense weight pressing down on them, their movements slowing noticeably. The knives plummeted to the ground.
“What the…!”
The sudden increase in gravity left them bewildered.
Then, in a blink, Sabi Kang vanished and reappeared behind the first member.
“Don’t get cocky!”
The first member gritted his teeth, swinging his massive sword.
But Sabi Kang caught the blade with his hand, leaving the Blood Path Five in shock.
The first member, known for his strength, had his sword stopped effortlessly.
“Is this the best you can do?”
His arrogance was palpable, sending a chill down the first member’s spine.
He poured all his energy into his arms, but Sabi Kang didn’t budge.
“Is that all you’ve got?”
The first member’s face twisted in frustration, sweat pouring down his brow.
He should have been the one pushing his opponent back, not the other way around.
“Damn it! Am I being pushed back?”
He couldn’t believe it. Sabi Kang was holding him off with one hand.
Sabi Kang’s expression was relaxed, a slight smile playing on his lips.
“You look like you’re about to soil yourself.”
“Ugh!”
The first member ground his teeth.
Meanwhile, more knives flew from behind Sabi Kang.
In a swift motion, Sabi Kang grabbed the first member’s head and slammed him into the ground.
The impact was thunderous, and the knives embedded themselves into the first member’s body.
With wide eyes, he died in disbelief.
As the first member fell like a toppled tree, the remaining Blood Path Five cried out in despair.
“Big brother!”
The second member, filled with rage, charged at Sabi Kang.
“You bastard!”
In an instant, his body multiplied into nearly ten copies.
Sabi Kang chuckled, “Interesting.”
Then, his own body multiplied into dozens, using a mirror image spell.
The second member hesitated, overwhelmed by the sheer number of Sabi Kangs.
Sabi Kang advanced like a tidal wave, cutting down the second member with ease.
The second member, once ten strong, was no match for the overwhelming force.
As the last of the second member fell, the third member screamed in horror.
“Brother!”
The fastest of them, the third member, charged with his twin blades.
“I’ll cut you to pieces!”
But a flash of light sliced through his neck.
He never saw it coming.
He had always seen his opponents as slow, but this time, he couldn’t even track Sabi Kang’s movements.
Blood sprayed from his neck as he collapsed, not knowing how he had been defeated.
Strength, illusions, speed—none of it mattered against Sabi Kang.
The fourth and fifth members turned pale.
This wasn’t just a loss. It was proof that their best efforts were futile.
Could they even escape if they tried?
“Damn it! Die!”
The fourth member unleashed all his knives at once, using his energy to propel them.
A hundred blades flew toward Sabi Kang.
Taking advantage of the chaos, the remaining demon leaped into action.
Sabi Kang waved his hand, murmuring softly.
“Tornado.”
A massive whirlwind erupted in front of him, powerful enough to lift stones and debris into the air.
The hundred knives were caught in the storm, spiraling upward.
The demon hesitated, retreating in fear.
As the knives reached their peak, Sabi Kang shouted,
“Lightning Rain!”
Electricity crackled through the knives, sending them plummeting back to earth with terrifying speed.
The ground exploded in a shower of debris, and the fourth member and the demon, despite their best efforts, were struck down, their bodies pierced by the electrified blades.
Even after the storm subsided, the air crackled with residual energy.
“You’re the last one, aren’t you?”
Sabi Kang’s cold gaze fell on the fifth member.
“Uh… uh…”
The fifth member stumbled back, terrified.
“This… this guy is a monster!”
Even the fourth member’s knife skills had been turned against him.
In a flash, Sabi Kang used a blink spell to appear right in front of him.
The fifth member fell to his knees, pleading.
“Please, spare me. I have no special skills. Why do you think I’m the youngest of the Blood Path Five? I can’t do anything right.”
“Hmm. Maybe I’ll let you go, just this once.”
Sabi Kang shrugged and turned away.
The fifth member bowed his head to the ground.
“Thank you, thank you so much! But now, die!”
Suddenly, he sprang up, swinging his crescent blade.
Thunk!
“I did it! I… huh?”
The jubilant Ogaek suddenly sensed something amiss and glanced down at his stomach.
A sword was protruding from it.
“Damn it… you bastard…!”
As he slowly turned around, he saw Churyang, panting heavily.
Churyang smirked.
“Thought I’d remind you of my presence since you seemed to forget.”
“You… son of a…!”
With a swift motion, Churyang withdrew the sword, and Ogaek collapsed, never to move again.
“Phew, how was that?” Churyang asked.
“Well done,” Sabigang replied with a faint smile, surveying the scene.
Nine bodies lay scattered around them.
“Times like this, you just feel the urge to make it an even ten.”
“Uh, what do you mean by that?”
“Something like this.”
With that, Sabigang flicked Vertas into the air.
The blade sliced through the darkness, reaching the dense thicket.
Bang!
It ricocheted back with a sound like a drum exploding.
Yet, Vertas floated gently back into Sabigang’s hand.
From the shadows, a man emerged, his age evident in his features. It was none other than Gwidosa.
He had deflected the attack with his defensive technique.
“Quite the trick you’ve got there. Doesn’t seem like your usual swordplay,” Gwidosa remarked.
Sabigang grinned.
“Not quite. But if you want to see the real thing, I can oblige.”
“What?”
In an instant, Vertas flew towards Gwidosa with a speed unlike before.
Whoosh!
This time, it was like a bolt of lightning.