Episode 283: Return of the Demon Instructor
As Sabigang had hoped, the old general, eager to save face, offered his full cooperation. He even entrusted Sabigang with the elite Ghost Squad, known for their exceptional stealth, alongside the Gale Brigade.
During the operation, both groups pledged unwavering loyalty to Sabigang’s commands. Sabigang stationed himself on a hill overlooking the Celestial Sect and sent the Ghost Squad ahead to scout.
After some time, the Ghost Squad returned with their report on the sect’s estate.
“There are twenty martial artists guarding each direction—north, south, east, and west. The ones at the southern gate seem to be the most skilled.”
Sabigang nodded at the report and asked, “What about the leader’s quarters?”
“We couldn’t confirm if there’s a building where the leader resides. However, the central structure seems to be the main building. One thing puzzles us…”
“What is it?”
“We found no trace of the kidnapped individuals.”
“Not a single one?”
“Correct. There’s no space that could accommodate that many people.”
“Hmm.”
Sabigang narrowed his eyes, deep in thought. The leader of the Ghost Squad hesitantly asked, “Are we certain about their involvement in human trafficking?”
It wasn’t that the Ghost Squad leader doubted Sabigang’s judgment. The absence of any evidence in the estate made him question if there had been a mistake.
But Sabigang was confident. He had no doubts about the intelligence from the Ghost Shadow Group.
“I’m certain. We’ll know for sure once we get inside.”
Sabigang addressed the gathered forces. “We’re launching a surprise attack on the estate. Given their shady dealings, they’ll be well-prepared. We’ll attack from three sides simultaneously, excluding the southern gate. The Gale Brigade will circle to the west, the Ghost Squad will enter from the north, and the Newborn Unit will take the east. Our goal is to eliminate them. No one should leave the estate alive.”
“Understood!”
The warriors responded firmly.
Sabigang continued, “Those assigned to arson will focus on finding the kidnapped individuals after the operation.”
“Yes, sir!”
The arson team members replied.
“Good. We’ll launch the attack in one hour. Until then, stay in position and await the signal. But first, there’s something we need to take care of.”
The warriors exchanged puzzled glances at Sabigang’s cryptic words.
In an instant,
Whoosh!
Sabigang vanished, reappearing thirty paces away in the bushes.
“Who are you?”
He placed a hand on the shoulder of a figure standing with their back to him, causing the person to whirl around in shock.
“Ahhh!”
“Spying on us, are you… hmm?”
Sabigang’s eyes widened.
“You are…?”
“Instructor!”
The startled figure, who had fallen back, exclaimed with joy. His expression, once ghostly pale, now beamed with relief.
“Montak?”
“Is it really you, Instructor? I’ve missed you so much!”
Jo Montak rushed forward and embraced Sabigang.
**
Gok Bo-ok poked a wooden pillar with his finger, muttering to himself.
“They’re late.”
“Let’s wait a bit longer.”
Dan Lijeong replied calmly, arms crossed.
The Heavenly Annihilation Squad was moving with extreme caution. They were still within the territory of the Silver Lion Group, who had deployed their forces to hunt them down. This made their progress slow.
They could have easily wiped out their pursuers, but if the enemy signaled for help, they might have to face the Celestial Sect as well.
While moving cautiously, they noticed movement in the distance, in the direction of the Blood Demon Alliance’s branch. The squad halted, observing the situation.
Even Dan Lijeong couldn’t identify who was there. The dense foliage and skilled concealment made it impossible to see clearly. Despite wearing a mask, he lacked the ability to see through obstacles.
Thus, Dan Lijeong had sent Jo Montak to scout. But it had been half an hour since Montak left, and he hadn’t returned.
The silence was broken by Yeom Jaryang.
“This isn’t good. He should have been back by now. Something must have happened.”
“Hmm.”
Dan Lijeong couldn’t deny it.
Just then,
Rustle!
A sound came from nearby.
“Who’s there?”
Yeon Woo-gyeong drew his sword and shouted.
Jo Montak emerged from the bushes.
“It’s me. Sorry for the delay.”
The Heavenly Annihilation Squad sighed in relief and asked, “What happened?”
“Why are you so late?”
Amidst the concerned and reproachful remarks, Jo Montak scratched his head.
“Sorry, sorry.”
“Did you find anything?”
Dan Lijeong asked, and Jo Montak shrugged with a grin.
“Find something? I brought someone.”
“Brought… someone?”
Dan Lijeong repeated, bewildered, as a shadow appeared behind Jo Montak.
The figure lightly tapped Montak on the back of the head and spoke.
“You should say ‘escorted’ instead.”
The Heavenly Annihilation Squad, including Dan Lijeong, stared wide-eyed at the suddenly appearing Sabigang.
Neung Soso was so shocked she hiccuped.
“Why so surprised? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Yeon Woo-gyeong was the first to speak, still in a daze.
“Instructor?”
“Yes, have you all been well?”
“Is it really… the Instructor?”
This time it was Mok Dan-hwa, her eyes glistening with tears.
Finally, the other students shouted in unison.
“Instructor!”
“Yes, yes. Just don’t rush at me like Montak here.”
Though no one rushed forward, their eyes were moist with emotion.
It had only been a few months, but it felt like a reunion after years apart.
“Damn, I didn’t realize how much I’d miss the Instructor.”
Gok Bo-ok wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, grumbling.
Several squad members chuckled at his words.
Sabigang turned to Dan Lijeong.
“I heard about it. The leader was taken down?”
“I’m sorry.”
Dan Lijeong replied, his eyes moist.
Sabigang chuckled and placed a hand on Dan Lijeong’s head.
“You did well. Now we just need to rescue him.”
**
Baek Gong-bo, the first fist of the Blood Demon Alliance’s Newborn Unit, flared his nostrils and glared at Gok Bo-ok, who stood with arms crossed, ready to charge.
The two burly men growled at each other like boars fighting over territory.
“Hmph!”
Baek Gong-bo scoffed, picking up a stone from the ground.
In the next moment,
Crack!
The stone crumbled to dust in his hand, which he let fall to the ground with a smirk aimed at Gok Bo-ok.
“Hmph!”
Gok Bo-ok scoffed back, walking over to a boulder.
Thunk!
He jabbed his finger into the rock, sinking it in as if it were tofu.
Baek Gong-bo’s eyes wavered slightly, but he scoffed again, cracking his knuckles before smashing the boulder.
Crash!
The rock shattered.
Baek Gong-bo dusted off his hands triumphantly.
Gok Bo-ok looked around for a larger rock, but Sabigang’s sarcastic comment stopped them.
“Why not just climb up and bring down the whole cliff? Bury the Celestial Sect while you’re at it.”
The two men ceased their contest, growling quietly at each other.
Choo Ryang sighed, shaking his head.
“Is this really okay?”
“It’ll be fine. They’ll make a great team.”
Sabigang assured confidently.
But Choo Ryang found it hard to agree.
After bringing the Heavenly Annihilation Squad, Sabigang reorganized the infiltration teams, mixing members from both the Newborn Unit and the Heavenly Annihilation Squad based on their skills and personalities.
For example, Gok Bo-ok and Baek Gong-bo were paired together.
Do Bi-cheon and Jo Montak formed another pair.
“Things are getting lively.”
Choo Ryang sighed, turning his gaze.
There, Do Bi-cheon and Jo Montak were locked in a silent battle of wills.
Do Bi-cheon repeatedly threw and caught a dagger, glaring at Jo Montak, who twirled a dagger with deft fingers.
Finally, Do Bi-cheon hurled three daggers at a wooden post.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The daggers struck precisely at the same spot.
Jo Montak chuckled, swiftly throwing his own dagger.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Thud! Thud! Boom!
The three daggers he threw effortlessly deflected all of Dobicheon’s blades, and the last one even pierced through the wooden pillar, flying off into the distance.
“Damn it…!”
Dobicheon gritted his teeth and pulled out ten more daggers from his coat.
Just then, Maeng Gasuk and Yeon Woo-kyung approached the two men, pointing in the same direction and speaking in unison.
“Hey, doesn’t that look a bit dangerous over there?”
Only then did Dobicheon and Jo Muntak turn their gaze to where the two were pointing.
There stood Mok Danhwa, exuding a menacing aura as she glared at a woman.
It was Seol Seorin, who was clinging to Sabi Kang, twisting her body playfully.
With a sly smile, Seol Seorin spoke up.
“Instructor, who are these riffraff?”
“They’re the ones I used to train.”
“Oh, really? Haha, they look so outdated.”
In an instant, Mok Danhwa’s temper flared, and her killing intent exploded, causing even the bystanders to swallow nervously.
Yet Seol Seorin seemed unfazed, her eyes crinkling with amusement as she looked at Mok Danhwa.
“You look like an angry cat. Hoho.”
Mok Danhwa clenched her teeth and forced a smile at Sabi Kang.
“Instructor, I see you’ve been frequenting the brothels after joining the rogue sect. Enjoying yourself, are you?”
“Brothels…?”
“Well, you must be having a great time if you’re keeping a courtesan by your side.”
At Mok Danhwa’s words, the expressions of the new recruits turned pale.
Even those who had been locked in a power struggle found themselves intimidated by the two women’s presence, swallowing hard and glancing over nervously.