Episode 275: Return of the Demon Sect Instructor

“The slave traders dealing with Inwangchae were dispatched from various regional merchant guilds and organizations.”

“So, you’re saying they aren’t connected?”

“At first glance, it seemed that way.”

“But you found out otherwise.”

“Yes. We investigated all the meeting points of the organizations these traders belonged to. And then…”

“Did you find any overlap?”

“Yes, there was.”

At Sabigang’s words, Hongyeom nodded thoughtfully.

It sounded simple enough when put into words, but confirming this required a significant amount of manpower and advanced tracking skills.

Sabigang, aware of this, couldn’t help but be impressed.

“Impressive. So, where is this place?”

“The overlapping meeting point for these organizations is an estate located in Uirang Village.”

“Uirang Village, you say. Where is that?”

“It’s on the border between the Jeongdomeng and the Blood Alliance. Technically, it’s within Jeongdomeng’s territory, but it’s closer to the Blood Alliance in terms of distance.”

“I see. Why would they be buying slaves from the estate?”

“We haven’t figured that out yet, but have you heard of the Cheonsingyo?”

“Cheonsingyo?”

Sabigang furrowed his brow.

It was the first he’d heard of it.

Hongyeom continued.

“Coincidentally, that estate is the base of Cheonsingyo.”

“What is Cheonsingyo?”

“We haven’t fully grasped it yet. However, it seems to be a new cult.”

“Cheonsingyo…”

Sabigang narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.

A new cult.

Had there been anything like this in his past life?

Even though he had done menial work at Yongcheongwan in his previous life, he had seen and heard a lot of information.

Sometimes, doing odd jobs meant overhearing more than one might expect.

But he couldn’t recall anything about this.

Perhaps it had vanished without a trace.

But what if he hadn’t discovered Cheonsingyo now?

Religions tend to have latent influence.

They were already gathering slave traders through various organizations.

That meant they were quite powerful, didn’t it?

If so, Jeongdomeng would have likely taken measures to counter them eventually.

Moreover, isn’t Uirang Village under Jeongdomeng’s jurisdiction?

“Has history… changed?”

If so, it was likely due to his actions.

Sabigang looked up and asked, “So, has Jeongdomeng identified Cheonsingyo?”

“They are aware of Cheonsingyo. However, we were the first to uncover their involvement in human trafficking.”

“So Jeongdomeng is keeping an eye on them?”

“That’s the current atmosphere. Interestingly, the Blood Alliance seems more concerned about Cheonsingyo.”

Sabigang’s eyes lit up as he asked, “Does that mean the Blood Alliance is connected to them?”

“No, quite the opposite. The Blood Alliance and Cheonsingyo have been in minor conflicts recently. As I mentioned, the Blood Alliance’s branch is much closer in terms of distance.”

“I see. Which branch of Jeongdomeng is near Uirang Village?”

“The Eunsi Branch in Eunsi County.”

“And the Blood Alliance’s branch?”

“The Eungcheon Branch in Eungcheon County to the south. There have already been several armed clashes.”

“And yet, it’s unresolved?”

“Yes. It seems Cheonsingyo has some skilled martial artists, and since it’s technically Jeongdomeng’s territory, they can’t respond aggressively and are just stewing.”

“Hmm.”

Sabigang pondered quietly.

Cheonsingyo buying slaves…

Were they planning some kind of human sacrifice?

The more he thought about it, the more repulsive it seemed, but given it involved a cult, it wasn’t entirely out of the question.

Yet, the authorities hadn’t intervened, which meant one of two things.

Either Cheonsingyo had martial artists even the authorities couldn’t handle, or they hadn’t yet noticed Cheonsingyo’s activities.

“Well, since we were the first to discover their human trafficking, thanks to the Ghost Shadow Unit.”

Sabigang narrowed his eyes and nodded.

“Understood. Inform the head of the Ghost Shadow Unit as well. We need to assess why the Eunsi Branch is overlooking this.”

“Understood.”

Hongyeom bowed and quietly disappeared.

Meanwhile, Churyang, who had been listening, asked, “Master, what do you plan to do?”

“Anything can be a weapon if used well.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You’ll see.”

As Sabigang answered, a commotion erupted from somewhere below the building.

After a loud crash, the new recruits were flung out of the building, screaming.

The recruits, sprawled across the training ground, shouted that they would definitely succeed in assassinating next time before retreating.

Sabigang chuckled at the sight, just as Churyang’s voice hit his back.

“Master, are you sure this thing will hatch?”

Turning around, he saw Churyang pouring mana into the egg of the Platan.

But the black, stone-like egg showed no reaction.

Sabigang casually replied, “Of course. Just keep at it.”

**

The incident between the new recruits and the Ghost Shadow Unit was brought before the disciplinary committee.

Afterward, the Blood Alliance leader summoned the new recruits and Sabigang to the main hall for a final decision.

Sabigang and the new recruits stood in the center, while the Blood Alliance leader sat on the dais, surrounded by the top officials of the Blood Alliance.

Dokgojin, who thought he finally had something on Sabigang, couldn’t suppress a smirk as he watched him.

“I knew you’d cause trouble eventually.”

Regardless, Sabigang stood tall, meeting the Blood Alliance leader’s gaze.

The one who had mastered the Thunder Devouring Art.

The one who had led the charge in hunting down the people of the Central Plains during the demonic invasion.

The more he thought about it, the more his anger simmered, but Sabigang maintained a calm demeanor to hide his true feelings.

Finally, the leader spoke.

“The disciplinary committee has decided on the punishment for you.”

Sabigang let out a small laugh.

To dare laugh in front of the Blood Alliance leader!

Dokgojin furrowed his brow, exuding a palpable killing intent.

What was he so smug about?

He wanted nothing more than to rush over and smack him upside the head.

Sabigang’s laughter didn’t just bother Dokgojin.

The leader, Heomugeuk, also tilted his head slightly at Sabigang’s expression.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because it doesn’t make sense.”

That insolent brat!

Dokgojin was on the verge of grabbing his neck, his eyes nearly rolling back.

On his first day in the Blood Alliance, he had held his head high and spoken in a formal tone.

Did he even understand the situation?

Meanwhile, Heomugeuk furrowed his brow slightly and asked, “What doesn’t make sense?”

“As far as I know, these guys have already been disciplined and assigned to this unit. So why impose another punishment? Can you imprison someone already in jail in another jail within the jail?”

“And?”

“Well, you could extend their term. Extend the time they have to spend in the new recruits’ unit, like extending a prison sentence.”

At this, the Blood Rain Hall Master, Shingwancheol, turned red and shouted.

“Shut up! Who are you trying to please with that nonsense? Are you really going to ignore the fact that those brats took the lives of many Ghost Shadow Unit members?”

The Ghost Shadow Unit was part of the Blood Rain Hall.

So, Shingwancheol couldn’t help but react to Sabigang’s words.

Sabigang shrugged and asked, “Then what do you suggest?”

“What else? They should be expelled! Those brats have no right to set foot in this alliance!”

It was a level of punishment they had anticipated.

So none of the new recruits were surprised.

But being expelled from the Blood Alliance, where they had spent so much time, was not a pleasant thought.

The new recruits’ faces darkened.

Especially Maenggasuk, who gritted his teeth and glared at Shingwancheol.

‘That bastard…!’

Looking back, he wasn’t sure if the attempts to keep him in check were the idea of the Ghost Shadow Unit leader or the Blood Rain Hall Master.

Sabigang propped his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

“Expulsion, huh…”

Seeing him ponder, Dokgojin smirked inwardly.

“Hmph, didn’t expect things to turn out like this, did you?”

But then Sabigang said something unexpected.

“Well, if that’s the case, so be it. Expel them.”

“What?”

“In that case, I’ll return to Jeongdomeng today.”

“What?”

The people gathered in the hall began to murmur.

Sabigang continued with a calm expression.

“Isn’t it obvious? I was brought here to guide the new recruits. As an instructor. But now that the new recruits are gone, I have no reason to stay in the Blood Alliance.”

His words were logical, leaving no room for argument.

But to mention ‘hostage’ in such a public setting would be tantamount to declaring war on Jeongdomeng.

After all, Sabigang had come here through a ‘legitimate transaction’ with Hongmyo.

At this, Ryuyojung, who had been listening, quietly stepped forward.

“The instructor seems to interpret things in a way that’s most convenient for him.”

Sabigang frowned and asked, “And what if we interpret it in a less convenient way?”

“In truth, the Newborn Division should undoubtedly be held accountable for this incident. If they kill a fellow member of the organization and face no consequences, wouldn’t the world laugh at us?”

“And so?”

“As you mentioned, the Newborn Division has already been disciplined once. Any further punishment would mean expulsion. And the instructor responsible for them also bears some responsibility.”

“Are you suggesting I should be held accountable as well?”

“Of course. However, since you’re a specially dispatched instructor from the Justice League, we can’t just discipline you recklessly. We plan to address your responsibility in a different manner.”

“And what manner would that be?”

“Even if all the members of the Newborn Division are expelled, you would remain here to oversee other trainees. This way, the terms of our agreement remain intact, and there won’t be any issues.”

There was no logical flaw in this reasoning.

Observing the situation, Dokgojin inwardly celebrated. ‘Ha! Trying to slip away like a slippery eel, but look at you now!’

Yet, Sabigang showed no sign of distress. Instead, he seemed to relish the situation, casting a peculiar smile as he glanced at the group of Blood Alliance instructors.

“Oh, really? Then which class should I take over?”

His sly smile made the Blood Alliance instructors’ faces harden. Sabigang’s eyes were like those of a snake eyeing its prey.