Episode 260: Return to the Demonic Sect
Not long after the incident at Inwangchae, the Ghost Shadow Group made contact with Sabigang. They had finally tracked down the whereabouts of the elusive Manseng Sword Killer, as Sabigang had previously instructed. Sabigang also ordered an investigation into the human trafficking linked to Inwangchae, suspecting that uncovering their regular trading partners might reveal connections to other ongoing incidents in the martial world.
Meanwhile, Sabigang, who had initially planned to head to Jeonggang Mountain in Jiangxi, abruptly changed course just before entering the region. Instead, he led his group towards the ominous Gwaehyeong Mountain. Upon reaching a village at the mountain’s base, they decided to stay at an inn for the night. The group settled by a window on the second floor and began their meal in silence, a stark contrast to their usual chatter.
The events at Inwangchae had left them all deep in thought. Chulyang had his own realizations, while Seoktan-gang and Yusong-ryeong were lost in their reflections. As for Jeokmurin, he was visibly displeased by the suspicion that these kidnappings might be linked to the Blood Demon Sect, a notion that angered him for reasons of his own.
As their ordered dishes arrived, the five of them ate in silence until Chulyang broke it. “Why did we come this way? Weren’t we supposed to head to Jeonggang Mountain? This isn’t even on the way.”
“Well, to catch a big fish, you need the right bait,” Sabigang replied cryptically.
“A big fish? Bait? Are we going fishing?” Chulyang asked, oblivious to the metaphor.
Jeokmurin, with a gruff voice, interjected, “Is this ‘big fish’ really that significant?”
“More than you can imagine,” Sabigang answered with a smirk.
Intrigued, Yusong-ryeong asked, “Can he really balance my sword technique?”
“He can,” Sabigang assured.
“It won’t be easy. The one who inscribed those words was no ordinary craftsman,” Yusong-ryeong noted.
“True, but it’s frustrating that someone with such skill would do something so foolish,” Sabigang retorted with a hint of sarcasm.
Yusong-ryeong, flustered, retorted, “I only wanted it so badly!”
“Then you’re a passionate fool,” Sabigang teased.
“What did you say?” Yusong-ryeong snapped, flinging his chopsticks in a fit of anger. It was a clear assassination attempt, but Sabigang effortlessly caught them mid-air with his own chopsticks.
“Even a dog knows not to disturb someone while they’re eating,” Sabigang quipped.
“Well, some people deserve to be disturbed,” Yusong-ryeong shot back.
“Good attitude,” Sabigang nodded, tossing the chopsticks back to Yusong-ryeong, who caught them and resumed eating.
Chulyang, finally understanding Sabigang’s plan, asked, “Where will you find this bait? I can fetch it for you.”
“It’s not something money can buy,” Sabigang replied with a sly grin. “It takes effort and dedication.”
Just then, a commotion erupted downstairs, and the diners began to rush outside. The innkeeper hurried over to Sabigang’s group, looking anxious.
“Excuse me, but it might be best if you leave for the day. I’ll bring your food to your rooms,” he suggested nervously.
“What’s going on?” Chulyang inquired.
“The Blood Demon Sect’s men are here again,” the innkeeper explained, visibly uneasy. “Their tyranny has been bad for business. But don’t worry, as long as you stay in your rooms, you’ll be safe. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. I’ll only charge you half for your stay.”
Jeokmurin shook his head with a fierce expression. “No need. We’ll continue our meal here.”
“But… those men are truly vicious…” the innkeeper stammered.
“Just bring more wine!” Jeokmurin commanded, leaving the innkeeper no choice but to comply.
Soon after, a group of five men ascended to the second floor, eyeing Sabigang’s party with interest. “Well, well, martial artists, are we?” one of them sneered, taking a seat at the next table without a care.
“Hey! Take our order!” they shouted, ignoring Sabigang’s group entirely. When the innkeeper returned, they ordered an excessive amount of food.
The innkeeper, bowing, said, “I’ll prepare your order. But could you settle your outstanding bill first?”
“What? You want me to pay?” one of the men scoffed.
“Of course, if you don’t have it now, I understand, but…” the innkeeper hesitated.
“Do you know why you can run a business here?” the man interrupted.
“Well, because you protect us…” the innkeeper replied cautiously.
“Exactly. And you want us to pay? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”
“Yes, of course, you’re right,” the innkeeper conceded.
“Then why are you asking for money? We keep this place safe, especially me, Lee Gangju, who frequents here. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, absolutely,” the innkeeper agreed hastily.
“Then should you be charging me or thanking me?” Lee Gangju taunted.
“I apologize for my mistake. Your order will be ready shortly,” the innkeeper promised, scurrying away as the men laughed.
Jeokmurin’s expression darkened further. He had confirmed that these men were indeed from the Blood Demon Sect, their uniforms unmistakable. Lee Gangju’s armband marked him as a squad leader, while the others bore the insignia of team leaders. They were genuine martial artists of the sect.
Sabigang, teasing Jeokmurin, remarked, “Isn’t there a branch of the Blood Demon Sect here? Quite a fearsome place, isn’t it?”
Jeokmurin clenched his teeth and asked Sabigang, “How long do you plan to stay here?”
“Maybe a day or two. Once I have the bait, we’ll leave,” Sabigang replied.
“Then we have some time,” Jeokmurin said, rising from his seat without further explanation.
As he moved, the innkeeper was serving Lee Gangju a bottle of liquor. “Here’s the sorghum wine you ordered.”
“What? When did we order this cheap stuff?” Lee Gangju sneered.
“But you did order it earlier…” the innkeeper stammered.
“Are you joking? You expect me to drink this swill?” Lee Gangju raised the bottle to throw it, but before he could, Jeokmurin snatched it from his hand, uncorked it, and drank it down in one go.
Bang!
Jeokmurin slammed the empty bottle on the table, his voice icy. “Tastes fine to me.”
The room fell silent, the tension palpable. The innkeeper, now pale, watched Jeokmurin nervously.
“Excuse me, sir…?” he ventured.
Lee Gangju suddenly burst into laughter. “Hahaha! What do we have here? Who are you?”
His laughter faded, replaced by a cold glare. How dare someone snatch a bottle from his hand? Was this person insane? To provoke him, the squad leader of the Blood Demon Sect’s Gwaehyeong branch?
Jeokmurin wiped his mouth and asked, “Which sect are you from?”
“What?” Lee Gangju replied, incredulous.
“I won’t ask again. Where are you from?” Jeokmurin demanded.
Lee Gangju, still in disbelief, glanced at his men, who chuckled at the absurdity. Rising slowly, he glared at Jeokmurin. “Do you even know where you are?”
In a flash,
Shing!
A blade of light sliced through the air. The speed was such that Lee Gangju didn’t even realize what had happened. He looked down to see his severed hand on the floor, followed by the stump of his left arm, blood gushing forth.
“Aaaagh! You bastard!” he screamed, writhing in agony as his men jumped to their feet, drawing their swords.
But as they did, they noticed Seoktan-gang and Yusong-ryeong silently flanking Jeokmurin, their presence exuding a formidable aura that made the men blanch.
“What… who are you?” one of them stammered, fear creeping into his voice.
One of the squad leaders stammered out a question, but Jeok Mulin cut him off with a curt voice.
“I’m the one asking questions here. Who do you work for?”
“You bastard! How dare you—!”
In an instant, as Lee Gang-ju sprang to his feet, shouting,
Whoosh!
Another flash of light sliced through the air, this time severing his arm up to the left shoulder.
“Aaaaargh!”
Lee Gang-ju twisted in agony, screaming at the top of his lungs.
The overwhelming display of martial prowess left the squad leaders utterly devoid of any will to resist.
As they stood there, trembling and unable to do anything but watch, Jeok Mulin spoke with a chilling expression.
“I need to have a word with your division leader.”
“We’ll… we’ll take you to him.”
Realizing the gravity of the situation, the squad leaders answered with a newfound caution.
Jeok Mulin turned his gaze away, and Sabi Kang shrugged.
“Well, until I find the bait, you’re free to do as you please. But once I’m back, we’re leaving immediately.”
Jeok Mulin nodded silently.
“Hey, Black Ghost.”
”…”
“Hey, Black Ghost!”
”…”
Churyang let out a deep sigh and spoke quietly.
“Black Hero. Could you at least respond?”
“What do you want?”
Finally, a voice echoed from the void.
Churyang shook his head in exasperation.
“Such a stubborn pride.”
He grumbled as he perched on the edge of the bed.
“The Blood Alliance guys are off to confront the division leader, and Master has gone off to find some bait or whatever. It’s just us here now, isn’t it?”
“So it seems.”
“With Master gone and no one else around, why don’t you show yourself? There’s no need to lurk in the shadows when there’s no sunlight anyway.”
“Hmm. If you insist…”
With a soft rustle, Black Ghost emerged from a corner of the room like a specter.
“Definitely an unsettling guy. But better than being invisible, I suppose.”
Churyang forced an awkward smile and picked up a bottle and some cups.
“Well, it’s a lonely night, and we’re in the same boat. How about a drink?”
“Hmm.”
“Come on, it’s fine. Join me for a drink. Master isn’t here, after all.”
“Well, if you say so…”
Black Ghost walked over and sat across the table.
And so, the two of them spent the deep night sharing drinks.
Much later,
“Hahaha! Now that I get to know you, you’re quite the interesting fellow! I really like you!”
Churyang laughed heartily, patting Black Ghost on the shoulder.
Black Ghost, too, seemed to find Churyang’s company not entirely unpleasant, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Churyang, his speech slurred, mumbled,
“By the way, where on earth did our Master go to find that bait… hiccup…?”
Meanwhile, Sabi Kang, the subject of Churyang’s curiosity, found himself in quite a predicament.