Episode 254: Return of the Demon Sect Leader
Thud!
Sabi Kang dropped a bundle of papers onto the table.
Chu Hui-ryong’s eyebrows twitched.
‘This is…!’
Wasn’t this the very artifact he had been secretly collecting all this time?
It was clear Sabi Kang had retrieved it from the underground vault.
“I’d like to know more about these.”
From the start, Sabi Kang had been searching the underground vault for magical artifacts.
Instead, he had stumbled upon the secrets of Chu Hui-ryong and the Blood Lotus Sect.
What Sabi Kang placed on the table was a magical scroll.
Chu Hui-ryong stared at it for a moment before speaking slowly.
“I only recently learned about these artifacts myself.”
He continued, recounting how he had heard a story about a traveling merchant who sold peculiar items at high prices. The merchant was so elusive that finding him was nearly impossible.
Driven by curiosity, Chu Hui-ryong tracked down some of the items the merchant was selling. They were indeed artifacts. Tearing the paper would momentarily increase one’s internal energy, plunge the surroundings into darkness, or cause sudden flames to appear—bizarre phenomena.
He decided to collect these items, thinking they would be invaluable for future endeavors.
“So, I was trying to find that merchant… and it seems you were pursuing them as well.”
“I was following Elder Seol Baek…”
“I know. Elder Seol Baek has been secretly dealing with them, along with the Hao Clan.”
Sabi Kang nodded. He had already confirmed that they were aware of this fact from the underground vault, so it was no surprise.
However, they had no inkling of Sabi Kang’s true identity.
That part was inevitable.
Feigning ignorance, Sabi Kang asked, “What do you think these items are?”
“I suspect they might be related to the Demon Sect.”
“The Demon Sect?”
“Yes.”
It was an unexpected answer, but understandable for someone from the Central Plains. Given the Demon Sect’s worship of demonic entities, it wasn’t far-fetched to think these items might be connected to them.
“Go on.”
Chu Hui-ryong was almost convinced to accept Sabi Kang’s proposal, so he continued without reservation.
“I believe these are a kind of talisman created using forbidden magic from the Demon Sect.”
“But weren’t the demonic practitioners wiped out after the Great War?”
“True. But just because the practitioners were eradicated doesn’t mean the items they created vanished as well. These artifacts still exist.”
Though his theory was completely off, Sabi Kang found the story intriguing. If he hadn’t known about the existence of the Demon Realm, he might have reached a similar conclusion.
“So, you intended to use these talismans to become the Blood Lotus Sect Leader?”
“Heh. These papers are just the beginning.”
“And?”
“The Hao Clan has been collecting Demon Sect artifacts scattered across the Central Plains for years. Some of them are said to possess extraordinary powers, including mystical weapons and other elixirs.”
“So that’s what you were after?”
“Yes. But my subordinate was killed by you at that location.”
He was referring to the incident at the Soha Pavilion in Bogang County not long ago, where a member of the White Tiger Hall was killed by Seol Baek.
Sabi Kang spoke nonchalantly, “I wasn’t the one who killed him.”
“Then who?”
“Elder Seol did.”
“Elder Seol? He was there?”
“Surprisingly, yes.”
“Why was Elder Seol there?”
Sabi Kang briefly recounted his last battle with Seol Baek when he was with the Justice Alliance.
After hearing the story, Chu Hui-ryong’s eyebrows furrowed.
“So, you’re saying those masked individuals saved Elder Seol?”
“Yes. I suspected they might be warriors from the White Tiger Hall.”
“Nonsense! We knew nothing of this.”
“I know. Now.”
Sabi Kang narrowed his eyes. Those masked individuals were certainly not from the White Tiger Hall. They had merely coincided with the White Tiger Hall’s pursuit of Demon Realm artifacts.
So who were those masked individuals?
At the very least, it meant there were others besides the White Tiger Hall who knew about the Demon Realm artifacts.
And they seemed to understand the artifacts’ uses far better than Chu Hui-ryong did.
Chu Hui-ryong walked over to the window and sat at the table, speaking with a newfound resolve.
“If they were acting in an organized manner, it suggests a third force is involved…”
“Just to be clear, it’s not the Justice Alliance.”
“How can you be so sure? Wasn’t Elder Seol a member of the Justice Alliance?”
“He was. At the pinnacle of corruption and deceit. But those masked individuals treated Elder Seol like a disposable tool.”
Sabi Kang recalled his last fight with Seol Baek. His body had been altered by some strange magic. His transformation into a monster wasn’t just a side effect of the scrolls.
Someone had clearly tampered with his body.
“If they treated Seol Baek as expendable, they must be formidable.”
“That’s why I’m offering to make you the Blood Lotus Sect Leader.”
“Why are you suggesting this?”
“I’ll help you become the leader, and in return, you help me eliminate them.”
“Is that all?”
“Not quite. If you become the leader, you must maintain a cooperative relationship with the Justice Alliance.”
“And why is that necessary?”
“To face a greater enemy.”
It sounded rather hollow, but the idea of enlisting external forces to win an internal conflict was tempting. Even nations often allied with external powers to achieve their goals.
Should he trust Sabi Kang or kill him on the spot?
The choices he had buried deep within his heart began to resurface.
Chu Hui-ryong quickly considered the possibilities.
If he trusted Sabi Kang and accepted his help?
He could become the Blood Lotus Sect Leader relatively safely. Moreover, Sabi Kang had promised to personally deal with the current leader, minimizing his own risk.
However, he might end up as a puppet of the Justice Alliance.
‘Well, I can deal with that when the time comes…’
The biggest concern was if Sabi Kang was deceiving him.
What if he went to the current leader and revealed everything?
Even if he destroyed the evidence and denied it, it would be a troublesome situation.
‘Should I just kill him?’
If he tried to kill him now, it wouldn’t be an easy fight.
Masters recognize other masters.
Sabi Kang was no pushover.
In fact, Chu Hui-ryong’s caution stemmed from Sabi Kang deliberately revealing his aura, ensuring Chu Hui-ryong wouldn’t make a rash move.
And this strategy was working to some extent.
‘Indeed, I can’t kill him easily.’
Chu Hui-ryong had always respected Sabi Kang to some degree, but facing his unhidden aura made him even more wary.
If he recklessly tried to kill him?
It would cause a huge commotion.
People would gather, and Sabi Kang would reveal his ambitions to them.
In the end…
‘Is my choice narrowing to one?’
It was time to gamble.
Sabi Kang added, “Think carefully. If I intended to inform the leader, I wouldn’t be making this offer to you. I’d be running to the leader right now. Wouldn’t I?”
Sabi Kang smiled gently.
“Hmm.”
It was undeniable.
Even if they fought, Sabi Kang would be a difficult opponent.
If he decided to flee, catching him would be nearly impossible.
Finally, Chu Hui-ryong’s expression showed his decision.
“Alright. I’ll trust you.”
“You’ve made the right choice. It’s time to worry about the future of the martial world, not just the sect.”
Chu Hui-ryong didn’t fully grasp Sabi Kang’s words, but he didn’t press for details.
**
A mystical energy slowly emanated from Churyang, who sat cross-legged in meditation.
The bluish aura swirled around him like smoke before being absorbed into his body.
When he finally opened his eyes, a jade-like glow flickered in his pupils before fading away.
His expression was slightly flushed.
“Master… is it over?”
“Yes, you’ve adapted better than expected.”
“What exactly did I take?”
“It’s called the Akan Potion. It doesn’t just replenish mana; it increases your body’s mana capacity.”
“So… in other words, my internal energy has increased!”
“That’s right. Now you can convert mana into internal energy.”
“Oh! Thank you, Master!”
“From now on, you should focus more on handling mana than internal energy.”
“Understood.”
“And remember, your mana has a yin attribute.”
“Yin, as in…?”
“It means it has a cold attribute.”
“But Master, you wield both ice and fire effortlessly.”
“That’s because I’m exceptionally skilled.”
“Oh, I see…”
“When you’ve fully absorbed the Akan Potion, I’ll give you a gift.”
“A gift?”
“It’ll be something you’ve never seen or heard of before.”
“Oh, so it’s an extraordinary artifact!”
“Indeed, it is.”
“Where did something like that suddenly come from?”
“I brought it from the Baekho Hall. Don’t worry, I got permission from Master Chu. I’ll give it to you when the time is right.”
“Master! I pledge my loyalty to you!”
Chulyang sprang to his feet and saluted with a fist to his palm.
Sabikang chuckled softly, just as a presence quietly emerged near the entrance.
“My lord, we’ve located the alchemist, Jo Shinryang.”
“Oh? Where is he?”
“We’ve confirmed he’s living quietly near Jinggang Mountain in the Jiangxi region, as you mentioned.”
“And what about his blacksmith work?”
“It seems he’s not doing that anymore.”
“Is that so? Understood. Good work.”
“Ah, and Lord Mae has asked us to look into something.”
“Seollan?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“Recently, there have been frequent kidnappings of women and children across the central plains. The Justice Alliance is currently investigating.”
“And?”
“The leaders, including the Alliance Chief, suspect the Blood Sect’s involvement. Lord Mae seeks your assistance in this matter.”
“I see. I’ll look into it. By the way, there’s someone we need to find.”
“Who is it?”
“Manseong Geomsal. That’s his alias. I don’t know his real name.”
“That’s enough information.”
“Even if I’m traveling, let me know if you find anything.”
“Understood.”
The Guiyeong Group had eyes and ears all over the central plains, so unless Sabikang moved in complete secrecy, they would have no trouble finding him.
Once Hongyeom concealed his presence and left, Sabikang turned to Chulyang.
“Liang, go fetch Tangang and Songryeong.”
Chulyang glanced at the air and said, “You heard him, right? Go get those two.”
”…”
Sabikang narrowed his eyes and stared at Chulyang.
“What are you doing?”
“I gave an order.”
“To whom?”
“Who else? To Heukgwi.”
“Who said you could?”
“Master, even cold water has a hierarchy, and so do chores. As your only prized disciple and top bodyguard, shouldn’t Heukgwi handle such tasks instead of me…?”
Smack!
“Ouch!”
Chulyang clutched his head, groaning in pain.
Sabikang spoke coldly, “Do you want another hit, or will you go now?”
“Master! You’re so unfair!”
Chulyang shouted and hurried off, almost running away.
Watching him go, Sabikang couldn’t help but chuckle. Despite the looming dark future, perhaps he could still find moments of laughter thanks to someone like him.