Episode 247: Return to the Demon Sect
Boom! Crash!
The ground shook violently as a deafening noise echoed through the air.
Churyang spun around, startled.
“Ma-Master?”
The sound had definitely come from deep within the cave.
Dust and small stones crumbled from the ceiling.
“What… what’s happening in there?”
Churyang swallowed nervously, staring into the dark depths of the cave.
“Should I go check it out?”
He took a hesitant step forward but then stopped abruptly.
‘No, I was told to stay put. There’s no need to go in…’
If the cave were to collapse, someone would need to be outside to coordinate a rescue.
Yes, that’s it. It’s not because he’s afraid of being buried alive.
He’s just being cautious, in case there’s something he needs to do from outside.
As he wrestled with his thoughts, he heard a rustling sound from within the cave.
‘Master? Or could it be… the Black Ghost?’
Sweat trickled down Churyang’s face as he drew his sword.
“Who… who goes there? Reveal yourself, or I’ll cut you down!”
“Calm down, it’s me.”
The voice from the cave was none other than Sabigang’s.
“Master!”
Churyang’s face lit up as he rushed forward.
Just as he was about to enter the cave, a dark gust of wind brushed past him, sending chills down his spine. He froze awkwardly in place as Sabigang emerged from the entrance.
“Why are you just standing there?”
“Oh, Master! You’re safe! Did you meet Soyugang? He hasn’t turned into a ghost, has he?”
“The ghost is right behind you.”
“What?”
Churyang turned around, laughing nervously.
“Haha… Master, you have quite the sense of humor…”
Just then,
Tap, tap.
Something tapped Churyang on the shoulder.
He turned stiffly, his spine tingling with fear.
“Ahhh! Wh-who are you? Come on, fight me! So you’re the Black Ghost, huh? I’ll take you down!”
Churyang swung his sword wildly, shouting at the top of his lungs.
The figure watching him calmly was none other than Soyugang.
With his red eyes, pale skin, and long, flowing black hair, he looked every bit the ghost.
The strange tattoos covering his body, a result of a pact with a dark spirit, only added to his eerie appearance.
Soyugang tilted his head, and Sabigang spoke casually.
“He’s my disciple. I keep him around as a sort of bodyguard.”
Soyugang glanced at Churyang and asked,
“But why call me the Black Ghost?”
His tone had completely changed.
“While you were here, people started calling you that.”
“The Black Ghost…”
Soyugang murmured, then looked up with a smile.
“I like it.”
“Well, it suits you. From now on, we’ll call you ‘Black Ghost.’”
Soyugang, now the Black Ghost, nodded.
Sabigang reached into his pocket and tossed something to Churyang.
“Here, a gift.”
Churyang caught it, bewildered. It was a wrist guard.
“What is this, Master?”
“A Cartel Guardian.”
“A Cartel… what?”
“Wear one on each wrist. One acts as a shield, the other as a sword.”
Sabigang demonstrated by putting on the Cartel Guardian and instructed the Black Ghost.
“Attack me.”
The Black Ghost nodded and,
Whoosh!
He thrust a short sword with lightning speed.
In an instant,
Whoom! Clang!
A bluish energy burst from Sabigang’s wrist guard, forming a translucent barrier.
The Black Ghost staggered back.
“Watch closely, Churyang. This is the mana shield created by the Cartel Guardian. And this…”
Sabigang thrust his other hand at the Black Ghost.
Swoosh!
The mana shield vanished, and the energy from his wrist extended sharply, transforming into a spear-like point.
“Gah!”
The retreating Black Ghost froze.
The sharp mana point touched his throat.
“This is what it looks like when it turns into a sword.”
The sharp mana retracted back into the Cartel Guardian, disappearing completely.
Churyang watched in awe, his eyes wide with admiration.
“That’s amazing!”
“It’s not easy to master. Get used to it and make it your own.”
Sabigang removed the Cartel Guardian and handed it to Churyang.
Churyang accepted it gratefully, bowing deeply.
“Thank you, Master!”
As dawn broke, Churyang admired the Cartel Guardian, gleaming in the morning light, with a satisfied smile.
Then…
“Sniff, sniff. Do you smell something?”
“Smell what?”
“Like something burning…”
Churyang and Sabigang turned their gaze to the source of the smell.
The Black Ghost stood there, the tattoos on his body smoldering and emitting black smoke.
Churyang shouted in alarm.
“Hey! You’re on fire!”
“Hmm?”
The Black Ghost looked at himself, eyes widening.
Sabigang reached into his pocket again.
“Even though the spirit you made a pact with is a low-level demon, a curse is still a curse. Sunlight will burn you, so wear this.”
Sabigang tossed a black cloth to the Black Ghost, who quickly wrapped it around himself.
It was like a hooded cloak, known as a ‘cape’ in the demon realm.
“Think of it as a sunshade. You’ll need to wear it during the day from now on.”
“Understood.”
“The curse won’t cause you pain, but be careful.”
The Black Ghost nodded and vanished without a trace.
Churyang watched in awe, clicking his tongue in admiration.
“Wow, he’s really like a ghost. Can’t go out in the day, just like one.”
Sabigang chuckled.
“You’re in the same boat, so get along.”
“What? Same boat?”
“He’ll be guarding me too.”
“What? Am I not enough? Is that it?”
Churyang looked at Sabigang, devastated.
Sabigang gazed at Churyang, his eyes saying,
‘Do I really need to spell it out?’
Finally, Sabigang turned and began to walk away.
[Looking forward to working with you.]
A gruff voice echoed from somewhere.
Churyang clenched his fists, determined.
‘Hmph! I won’t lose! I’m the true bodyguard of my master!’
**
Socheonak, who had thought his son was dead, was overjoyed to reunite with Soyugang.
Though he was saddened to learn of Soyugang’s curse, he was grateful to see him alive.
That night, Socheonak hosted a grand banquet, inviting the leaders of the Celestial Palace and local dignitaries.
Wolseomdang, being one of the most prestigious places in the Celestial Palace, attracted many guests.
Even the chief military officer, Ryu Yeojoong, attended to congratulate Socheonak.
Socheonak treated Sabigang with utmost respect.
His previous cold demeanor was nowhere to be seen.
The banquet was essentially a gesture of gratitude towards Sabigang.
“Hahaha! Master Sa! I didn’t understand your intentions before. If I offended you, I hope you’ll forgive me here and now.”
“It’s all in the past. I don’t mind. But there are people here who helped me on my journey, and I’d like to thank them.”
“Oh, really? Who are they? I’d like to thank them on your behalf!”
“Actually, I prepared a special dish for them. May I serve it?”
“Of course. Did you make it yourself?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
Sabigang signaled to Churyang, who nodded and returned with two covered trays.
“Serve them.”
To everyone’s surprise, Churyang headed towards the seats of Dokgojin, the head of the Hyunmu Hall, and Joo Gihyeon, the sub-leader of the Black Cloud Gang.
Both men were already displeased with Sabigang’s return.
Hearing that he had prepared a dish himself, they suspected it might be poisoned.
They glared at Churyang with suspicion.
“What is this?”
“A token of appreciation from my master. Please, enjoy.”
Dokgo Jin and Joo Ki-hyun exchanged a derisive snort before lifting the cover.
In the next instant,
“Aaah!”
“What the—!”
The maids nearby screamed, and the other warriors, including the two men, recoiled in shock.
On the tray lay a human head.
Dokgo Jin slammed the table and shot to his feet, shouting, “What the hell is this madness?”
“Are you seriously expecting us to eat a human head?” Joo Ki-hyun echoed, rising in outrage.
Sabi Kang’s expression turned icy. “Don’t you recognize it? I made sure it was preserved as best as possible. It would be quite troublesome if you couldn’t identify it now.”
“What on earth…!”
“The head I presented to Master Dokgo is Gui Dosal. For Master Joo, it’s Il-gwi from the Ten Ghosts. There were also the Blood Five Guests, but carrying around three heads was cumbersome, so I only brought two.”
“What, what are you saying?”
“You both sent me gifts first, so I thought it only polite to reciprocate. I hope you find them to your liking.”
Sabi Kang’s words were as cold as ice, leaving the two men speechless, as if their tongues had been tied.
Most of those gathered here held Sabi Kang in high regard. After all, the purpose of this gathering was to honor him. Naturally, many of the attendees were those who had been persuaded by the Northern Sky Pavilion’s master.
But as the atmosphere took a strange turn, the accusatory glances inevitably shifted to Dokgo Jin and Joo Ki-hyun.
Wolseom’s master, So Cheon-ak, spoke with a hardened expression. “Did you two really commission a murder against the hero who saved my son?”
A murderous aura emanated from him. Though his rank was technically below that of the Xuanwu master, this was no time for such considerations.
Hadn’t he just been reunited with the son he thought lost for seven years? The thought that the one who had made that reunion possible had nearly been killed by these men filled him with uncontrollable rage.
As the tension in the room escalated, it was unexpectedly General Ryu Yeo-jung who stepped forward.
“It seems there have been some misunderstandings. Perhaps we should address this matter later. There’s no need to let such a fine occasion turn hostile, is there?”
With the general’s intervention, So Cheon-ak could no longer press the issue. The others, too, refrained from casting further accusatory glances at Dokgo Jin and Joo Ki-hyun.
Meanwhile, Ryu Yeo-jung sighed inwardly. ‘We’ve been outmaneuvered. Truly a cunning individual. He’s solidified his power with this move.’
The psychology of a crowd is a curious thing. What one might doubt alone becomes a certainty when many are swayed, and they find themselves swept up in the tide.
Remarkably, Sabi Kang had deftly exploited this psychology. At this moment, he had drawn many of the attendees to his side.
Ryu Yeo-jung turned to Dokgo Jin and Joo Ki-hyun.
[You two, come with me!]
His voice was angrier than it had ever been before.