Episode 258: Return to the Demonic Sect
“We can track them.”
Churyang’s voice was firm, his usual playful demeanor nowhere to be seen. Even Yusongryeong shared his resolve.
“These incidents are happening all over the martial world. In places like this, far from the authorities and with weak security, bloodshed is becoming disturbingly common. Something is definitely going on.”
Churyang nodded, adding, “The Justice Alliance is also concerned. If we pursue them, there’s a good chance we’ll uncover something. Didn’t Lord Mae specifically request this?”
“The journey is long. And Lord Mae only wants us to determine if these events are connected to the Blood Cult.”
“All the more reason to pursue them! We need to confirm that our sect isn’t involved!”
Yusongryeong’s voice was filled with frustration. Sabigang watched her intently.
“Then you’ll have to delay retrieving your sword.”
“I don’t care.”
Her immediate response made Sabigang chuckle.
“You sound just like those righteous warriors you despise. Do you want to save the villagers that badly? Or is it because of that child?”
Yusongryeong glanced briefly at Geumjayeon before turning back.
“It’s not about the villagers or that kid. I just don’t want our sect to be suspected.”
“That’s a convenient excuse.”
“Master, you always…!”
“Tanggang, what about you?”
“It doesn’t matter to me.”
Seok Tanggang replied indifferently. Sabigang then turned to Jeok Murin.
“And you, Murin?”
“I can’t forgive anyone who tarnishes our sect’s honor.”
“Heh. Does the Blood Cult even have honor?”
Jeok Murin frowned but didn’t argue further. Sabigang fell into thought. He didn’t need to ask Churyang; he was already determined to help Geumjayeon find her mother.
‘These incidents are like a spreading trend…’
It was troubling. It didn’t seem like the Blood Cult was involved, which made it even more concerning. If such a large-scale operation were underway, there would have been some movement within the cult. Yet, everything seemed normal.
If this isn’t connected to the Blood Cult…
‘It could be an organization as large as the Justice Alliance or the Blood Cult.’
Certain figures came to mind. The masked individuals who had saved Seolbaek. If they were behind the previous incident with the Hao Clan, they could certainly orchestrate something like this.
‘It’s worth investigating.’
Having made up his mind, Sabigang looked at Churyang.
“Well, this could be a good exercise. Churyang, follow them.”
“Understood!”
Churyang replied with determination.
Inwangchae was located halfway up the mountain, and the cave below the cliff was where they imprisoned the kidnapped victims. Meanwhile, Inwangchae’s leader, Yuk Hansu, was in his room, counting the bills on the table and nodding in satisfaction.
“Good. As you know, I’ll say it again: children are worth twice as much as women.”
The slaver nodded with a sly grin. “This isn’t my first time. I know the drill.”
Yuk Hansu chuckled. “Good, then choose according to the price. There’s plenty to pick from this time.”
At his signal, the deputy leader, Hwang Gyueok, glanced at the slaver and said, “Follow me.”
The iron cage was filled with muffled sobs and suppressed cries. No one dared to let their tears fall freely, biting their lips until they bled to stifle their cries. After witnessing someone being beheaded for wailing, they couldn’t cry openly.
Mothers clamped their hands over their children’s mouths, fearing they might cry out. In the midst of this, Juhwa Young stared blankly at the wall, haunted by the image of her husband dying before her eyes.
It all felt like a nightmare. Yet, when reality hit, it was a pain that cut through her entire being. Her chest felt like it would burst, and tears threatened to choke her.
When they hired bodyguards in the village, it was just a precaution. She never imagined such a disaster would befall them.
But the unthinkable had happened.
She noticed a mother nearby, covering her child’s mouth.
‘Jayeon…’
She thought of her daughter, who had crawled under the floorboards in fear.
‘Is Jayeon… is our Jayeon… still alive?’
They hadn’t brought her here. These people seemed to prefer kidnapping children rather than killing them. If Jayeon wasn’t here, she might still be alive.
‘Heavenly gods, please watch over her.’
Even as tears streamed down her face, her mind was consumed with thoughts of her daughter.
Just then, the sound of metal clanging echoed from the cave entrance. The women and children fell silent, burying their heads between their knees.
Someone would be taken away.
Occasionally, slavers would appear and randomly take women and children. The visitors changed daily. No one knew where they were being taken or if they would survive.
Finally, the deputy leader and a new slaver stopped outside the cage. The slaver’s snake-like eyes swept over the women and children. No one dared meet his gaze. Juhwa Young quickly looked away.
The slaver began pointing indiscriminately.
“That one, that one, that one. And this kid and that kid. Lastly… yes, that one will do.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the deputy leader swung the cage door open and stepped inside. Screams erupted from the women and children.
“They’re coming.”
Sabigang squinted and murmured. The others perched on the branches nodded in agreement. A cart was descending the slope from the enemy’s base.
Instead of attacking when the base was in sight, Churyang had suggested capturing the slavers as they emerged to extract information.
When asked how he knew the slavers would come, Churyang had explained, “The size and spacing of the wheel tracks indicate a large cart. But the tracks aren’t deep, meaning the cart is empty. An empty cart heading there means it’ll be filled on the way out. There are only tracks going in, none coming out yet. If a human trafficking group takes such a large, empty cart inside, what else could it be for? They’ll come out soon, with slaves in tow.”
And now, his prediction was spot on.
‘I thought he was just a fool, but he’s sharp when it counts.’
Yusongryeong watched Churyang with newfound respect as the slaver’s cart drew closer. One slaver sat in the driver’s seat, accompanied by five guards.
Finally, Sabigang leaped down.
The slaver, driving down the slope, was startled by Sabigang’s sudden appearance.
“Who… who are you?”
Sabigang cracked his neck and replied, “Well, should I say I’m your savior? Or maybe the Grim Reaper?”
“What… what?”
“No need for words. Get down.”
The slaver instinctively sensed danger. ‘These aren’t Inwangchae’s men!’
His best option was to signal Inwangchae for help. As he reached for his pocket,
Shiiing!
Thud!
“Aaagh!”
A dagger from Sabigang’s hand embedded itself in the slaver’s hand.
As the slaver screamed, the five guards charged at Sabigang.
In an instant,
Whoosh!
A gust of black wind swept through,
“Gah!”
“Ugh!”
“Argh!”
The guards fell one by one, their throats slashed, dead before they hit the ground.
The slaver’s eyes widened in shock.
“A… a master…!”
Unfazed, Sabigang glanced at the fallen guards and grumbled.
“Black Ghost, if you do everything, there’s nothing left for me.”
[…]
“Next time, only step in when I’m really in danger.”
[Understood.]
Sabigang walked over and grabbed the terrified slaver by the hair.
“Ugh!”
Meanwhile, Jeok Murin approached the cart and pulled off the black cloth. As expected, inside were women and children, just as Churyang had said, trembling in fear.
Sabigang, exuding a menacing aura, asked, “I won’t ask twice. Where are you taking them?”
“Screw… screw you!”
Thud!
“Aaagh!”
A dagger plunged into the slaver’s shoulder. Sabigang didn’t bother to remove it as he asked again.
“Where are you sending them?”
“I… I don’t… know…! Ugh! Aaaagh!”
Sabigang gripped the dagger embedded in the slaver’s shoulder and twisted it mercilessly.
The slaver was on the verge of passing out, frothing at the mouth.
Sabigang slapped him again and demanded, “You can’t get comfortable just yet. Where are you taking these people?”
“I-I don’t know. I just follow orders. I swear!”
Sabigang stared intently into the slaver’s eyes.
It seemed he was telling the truth.
“So, it’s a tightly run operation with no loose ends.”
The slaver trembled, pleading desperately, “Please, spare me…!”
“How many people have you spared when they begged like that?”
“Ah…”
Despair flickered across the slaver’s face.
In the next instant,
Splat!
“Gah!”
He clutched his throat, trying to stem the flow of blood gushing from the wound.
Blood spurted from his mouth and neck, and he collapsed from the driver’s seat.
“Liang, stay here and protect the women and children.”
“I want to come with you.”
“No, controlling your emotions is part of your training. You’re sitting this one out.”
Liang bit his lip but knew there was no choice.
Someone had to free and protect the women and children locked in the cage.
“Understood. Be careful.”
“You worry too much.”
Sabigang chuckled softly and walked away, followed by Jeokmurin, Seoktangang, and Yusongryeong.