Episode 252: Return to the Demonic Sect
The secret vault of the Baekho Hall was buried deep underground.
It was a space that only revealed itself after descending an endless flight of stairs.
Anyone lacking patience or with a hasty temperament might have turned back halfway, so long was the descent.
At the bottom, the space that emerged was far larger than expected.
It seemed at least three times the size of Chu Hui-ryong’s room.
The first thing that caught the eye was the array of scrolls.
There were manuals on martial arts and books filled with various kinds of information.
From trivial details to matters of significant importance.
There was even a record of the recent debt the Northern Heavenly Sect’s leader owed to the Black Cloud Faction’s branch leader.
Past the shelves crammed with books, there was a display of weapons.
From weapons he’d never seen before to those with well-known names, and even experimental weapons that looked bizarre at first glance.
Next, surprisingly, there was a stash of gold bars and other vast sums of money.
“Books, weapons, and funds…”
It was an odd combination, to say the least.
But it signified the importance of this place.
In fact, no one but Chu Hui-ryong could enter this space.
“Is this all slush funds?”
The amount of gold was considerable.
He wondered if the Blood Sect’s leader knew about this stash.
“Well, it’s none of my business.”
Sabi-gang shrugged and ventured deeper.
Finding the magical artifact now would be a piece of cake.
A search spell would locate it in no time.
But right now, it was crucial to find any clues about Chu Hui-ryong as well.
“Wait a minute. What’s that…?”
Sabi-gang’s eyes were drawn to something intriguing on a shelf.
**
Chu Hui-ryong’s eyebrows furrowed deeply.
“That guy…”
Yes, wasn’t that the one Sabi-gang had introduced as his disciple?
But why was he loitering in front of Baekho Hall?
A sense of foreboding washed over him.
It wasn’t specific, but something felt off.
Just as Chu Hui-ryong was about to enter the Baekho Hall’s main gate, a voice called out.
“Oh! Who do we have here? Isn’t it the Baekho Hall Master?”
Choo-ryang approached Chu Hui-ryong with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Chu Hui-ryong’s brow creased slightly.
“And you are…?”
“Hahaha! It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Choo-ryang, the one and only disciple and, ahem, bodyguard of Instructor Sabi-gang!”
Choo-ryang quickly covered his slip.
He didn’t want to be questioned about why a bodyguard was here alone without his master.
“Well, nice to meet you.”
Chu Hui-ryong replied with a reluctant expression, and Choo-ryang grinned widely.
“What should I say next?”
He had started the conversation to buy time, but now he was at a loss for words.
While he excelled at tracking someone, he was hopeless at deceiving others with smooth talk.
As Chu Hui-ryong moved to leave, Choo-ryang hurriedly spoke up.
“So, what brings you here, Hall Master?”
As soon as he asked, he cursed himself internally.
“What a stupid question!”
Sure enough, Chu Hui-ryong’s expression soured as he replied.
“What do you mean, what brings me here? Do I need a reason to enter Baekho Hall as its master?”
“Hahaha! Of course not. No reason needed! I just… um… wanted to get to know you better… hahaha!”
“Did Instructor Sabi-gang send you?”
“Pardon?”
“If he did, tell him there’s no need for this. I hold no ill will towards him. I hear he’s busy trying to win over the Blood Sect’s warriors these days?”
There was a subtle edge to Chu Hui-ryong’s tone.
Perhaps it was the perceived slight against his master that made Choo-ryang’s expression harden.
“My master isn’t someone to be taken lightly. I’m sure he just wants to build a strong friendship with you, Hall Master, with no other intentions.”
“Oh? Then there’s even less reason to visit. While I may be lenient towards the righteous sects, I don’t particularly favor their warriors. That’s all. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
“It seems you misunderstand. I wasn’t sent by my master.”
“Then why?”
“Well…”
“Why are you here, talking to me?”
Chu Hui-ryong’s sharp question left Choo-ryang flustered.
“Uh, well… I just wanted to get to know you better… hahaha. It’s purely personal.”
“You? Why with me?”
“That’s… um…”
Choo-ryang’s eyes darted around, searching for an escape.
“Damn it. Why can’t I think of anything? Master! Please, hurry up and come out!”
But it was clear Sabi-gang hadn’t left Baekho Hall yet.
If he had, he would have sent a signal for Choo-ryang to retreat.
As Chu Hui-ryong clicked his tongue and moved to enter, Choo-ryang quickly interjected.
“I have valuable information for you, Hall Master.”
He tried to look as serious as possible.
Chu Hui-ryong paused, intrigued.
“Well, that changes things. What information?”
“It’s sensitive to discuss here. Perhaps we could move somewhere more private?”
Choo-ryang was grasping at straws, hoping to delay until Sabi-gang emerged.
If they could move far enough away, it would be ideal…
“Very well. Let’s go to my room.”
“Pardon?”
“If it’s a private matter, we can discuss it there.”
“Ah… but perhaps somewhere more secure…”
Chu Hui-ryong chuckled.
“There’s no place more secure than my room. Don’t worry.”
“Ah, right. But maybe over a cup of tea…”
“I’ll provide the tea. But your information better be worth it.”
“Ah… of course. I’m sure it’ll be quite the surprise for you.”
“Hmm. Now I’m curious. Let’s go.”
“Wait. Just a moment!”
“What now?”
“Perhaps it’s better to discuss elsewhere…”
“Hmm. What’s the issue?”
“Pardon?”
“Is there a problem with discussing it in my quarters?”
Chu Hui-ryong’s sharp question made Choo-ryang flinch.
He quickly waved his hands.
“Haha. Of course not. I just didn’t want to impose…”
“Nonsense. If you keep stalling with such excuses, I’ll think you’re toying with me.”
“Haha… I wouldn’t dare toy with you, Hall Master.”
“Then let’s go.”
Finally, Chu Hui-ryong entered through the main gate.
Choo-ryang had no choice but to follow.
“Damn, I can’t stall any longer! Why isn’t he coming out?”
Choo-ryang watched Chu Hui-ryong’s every move like a nervous puppy.
They walked for a while before entering the main hall.
“If he goes through that door, it’s all over!”
Desperate to prevent it, Choo-ryang spoke up again.
“Hall Master!”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Now that I think about it, you also have the surname Choo!”
“Indeed.”
“Hahaha! What a deep connection we have! I’m also from the Choo family!”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, indeed! I use the character for ‘autumn’ (秋)!”
“So do I.”
“Ah, then we must both descend from the same Choo family, honoring Choo Yeop (秋饁) as our ancestor!”
“Hmm. It seems so.”
“What an incredible connection! Perhaps we’re distant relatives!”
Listening to Choo-ryang’s chatter, Chu Hui-ryong’s expression hardened.
“You.”
“Yes?”
“Are we going in or not? Is your information so valuable that you’re stalling?”
“Ah, no, not at all. I was just excited…”
Chu Hui-ryong sneered and stared at Choo-ryang.
Unable to meet his snake-like gaze, Choo-ryang looked away.
“Let’s go in.”
Finally, Chu Hui-ryong entered the main building.
Choo-ryang swallowed hard and followed.
Inside, Chu Hui-ryong narrowed his eyes, scanning the surroundings.
Choo-ryang didn’t notice, but for a brief moment, Chu Hui-ryong’s gaze lingered on the Four Guardian Gods on the wall and the Four Perils figurine on the shelf.
It wasn’t out of suspicion, just a habit of his.
Satisfied there was nothing amiss, he took a seat by the window and instructed a maid to bring tea.
“Now, speak.”
Chu Hui-ryong’s expression was stern as he pressed Choo-ryang.
Choo-ryang looked like he was about to wet himself.
“Um. This is very important.”
“So, what is it?”
“Well, actually…”
As Choo-ryang hesitated, the maid arrived with tea.
He took a moment to collect himself, but then,
“Leave us.”
Chu Hui-ryong’s cold command cut through the air.
The maid, flustered, glanced at him, but Chu Hui-ryong spoke without even looking her way.
“Leave. I don’t need any tea.”
As the maid turned to go, Chu-ryang quickly interjected.
“Oh, but I would like some tea…”
In the next instant,
Swish.
A chilling sound echoed as a sword slid from Chu Hui-ryong’s waist.
The blade, exuding a menacing aura, appeared right in front of Chu-ryang’s throat.
“What are you playing at?”
“W-what do you mean?”
“If you keep up this nonsense, I won’t hold back. Why did you approach me?”
The moment of reckoning had arrived.
Chu-ryang’s mind went completely blank.
The item that had piqued Sabigang’s interest was now tucked away in Ragel’s pocket.
There were a few other things that caught his eye as well.
After hastily gathering them, Sabigang began to sift through various ledgers and documents.
Then, he stumbled upon something unexpected, freezing in place.
His brows furrowed deeply, refusing to relax as time passed.
How long had he been standing there, forgetting even the urgency to leave?
Jingle, jingle.
A bell rang somewhere in the underground room.
It was a signal that someone had entered the main room upstairs.
It seemed to be an alert system set up for when Chu Hui-ryong was in the basement.
‘Could the master have returned already?’
Sabigang set down the ledger he was holding and hurriedly started up the stairs.
“Speak up already!”
Chu Hui-ryong barked.
Chu-ryang was on the verge of tears.
This was the worst possible moment for Sabigang to appear.
He had to find a way to lure Chu Hui-ryong outside.
But surviving this encounter seemed nearly impossible.
“Are you mocking me? I won’t tolerate it any longer!”
“No! I have crucial information… Information that will shock you, Master!”
“And what is it? This is your last chance!”
“Well…”
As Chu-ryang stammered, his eyes darting around, Chu Hui-ryong raised his sword, unable to contain his impatience.
“At this point, even Instructor Sabigang wouldn’t blame me for killing you.”
“Wait! The information is…!”
In that split second, as Chu Hui-ryong’s sword sliced through the air toward Chu-ryang’s neck,
Clank, swish!
A strange sound echoed, and a section of the wall slid smoothly aside.
Chu Hui-ryong’s sword halted just before Chu-ryang’s throat.
It was a moment of life and death.
From the newly opened wall emerged none other than Sabigang.
Chu Hui-ryong’s eyes widened in shock.
Chu-ryang, his voice barely a whisper, said, “The information was… that my master would appear from there.”