Episode 295: Return to the Demon Sect
“Failed, you say?”
“Yes, sir. Completely wiped out.”
“The Dark Ghosts were defeated so easily? That’s unexpected. Was it because of that man, Sabigang?”
“Actually… he didn’t even take an active role.”
The man bowing his head in response was the same one who had been posing as a beggar in the marketplace, spying on Sabigang and his group.
He continued his report in a low voice to the man whose lower half was barely visible in the shadows.
The man in the darkness turned to the beggar, surprised.
“He didn’t take an active role?”
“That’s right. It was his disciple and Ong Giseung who fought directly.”
“And yet, the Dark Ghosts, who had reached the peak, were all defeated?”
“I apologize.”
The beggar felt he should apologize, even though he wasn’t sure what for.
The Dark Ghosts were an organization the man in the shadows had cultivated with some effort. Not that he was particularly fond of them. They handled all the dirty work he found too bothersome to deal with himself. He was used to discarding them when they were no longer useful.
If he wanted, he could produce more Dark Ghosts at any time.
‘Still, I thought the ones I sent this time would be more capable.’
The man in the shadows clicked his tongue and asked, “Did they use the Self-Destruction Technique?”
“The last one tried, but it was ineffective. Sabigang stopped him.”
“I see. So, he has indeed grown stronger.”
Sabigang hadn’t taken an active role. That meant Churyang and Ong Giseung had dealt with most of the enemies. Should he be pleased about this or not?
The man in the shadows turned away.
“Good work. Be careful not to draw attention for a while.”
“Understood.”
The beggar bowed and withdrew.
Once outside, the beggar’s appearance was surprisingly clean, nothing like the beggar he had pretended to be in the marketplace. He glanced around and then walked off in a certain direction.
Meanwhile, a squirrel perched on a nearby rooftop watched the departing figure intently. After a moment, its eyes rolled back, and then it darted off as if it had regained its senses.
**
Sabigang’s eyes, which had been rolled back, returned to normal.
Churyang, who had been watching from the side, let out a small sigh.
“Master, it’s always a bit scary when you use that magic. Your eyes go all white, like a ghost.”
“Then you’ll be used to it if you ever see a real ghost. No need to thank me.”
“Ha…”
“Anyway, thanks to you, we’ve finally caught the tail this time. Or maybe we’ve found the head?”
Sabigang’s lips twisted into a smirk.
On the day of the ambush, Sabigang had immediately instructed Churyang to search the area thoroughly and use tracking magic. Churyang had started tracking from the spot where the beggar had lingered. The suspect turned out to be exactly who they thought.
Thanks to Churyang’s persistent tracking, they uncovered the beggar’s whereabouts, and Sabigang had used observer magic to follow him this time.
Churyang tilted his head and asked, “Did you find out anything?”
“Not the full details, but I know who’s behind it.”
“Really? Who is it? Who dares to mess with our new recruits?”
“Our new recruits? You seem quite attached.”
“Well, since you’re personally training them… Anyway, who is it?”
“You’ll find out in due time.”
“What? Are you saying you don’t trust me now?”
Churyang bristled, and Sabigang looked at him calmly.
“Did you think I trusted you?”
”…”
Churyang’s face went blank, and Sabigang chuckled.
“Let’s just wait and see. The best fruit is the one you let ripen before you pick it.”
“Then let me help you judge whether it’s a sweet fruit or a poisonous one.”
“Quiet. I’ll make that judgment myself.”
Churyang turned away, pulling out a small creature from his sleeve and stroking its fur as he muttered.
“Seems like Master doesn’t trust me after all.”
The creature licked Churyang’s palm with its rough tongue.
**
A day’s journey from the Heavenly Palace, in the Black Cloud Fortress.
The fortress lord, Gwak Il-do, took a bite of an apple and grinned widely.
“You want to stay here and lend us your strength?”
“Yes, my lord.”
The man with a lightning-shaped scar on his cheek, Gu Gang-ryong, replied with a sly smile.
Gwak Il-do laughed heartily as he looked at the box filled with silver ingots.
“Even if you came empty-handed, I’d welcome you with open arms. Why go to all this trouble?”
“I felt it would be rude to come empty-handed.”
“Hahaha! You’re as straightforward as ever. Suddenly offering your strength to our fortress—what’s the catch?”
Gwak Il-do took another bite of his apple and asked.
Who was Gu Gang-ryong?
He was once the leader of the Deadly Wind Squad, one of the most powerful groups in the Blood Alliance. Though he had fallen out of favor and slipped to the position of a new recruit, everyone in the Blood Alliance knew of his formidable martial skills.
For someone like Gu Gang-ryong to suddenly show up, offering a box of silver and asking for protection—it seemed like a windfall, but it wasn’t that simple.
He was a difficult figure even for the Blood Alliance to handle, which was why he had been demoted. Taking him in could cause unnecessary trouble.
Yet, there was one reason Gwak Il-do agreed to meet him.
‘You have to eat the fruit that’s right in front of you.’
Crunch!
Gwak Il-do took another bite of his apple and looked at the box of silver.
Meanwhile, Gu Gang-ryong, watching Gwak Il-do, smirked inwardly.
‘I know you well. Your greed for wealth is unmatched.’
He knew that offering a box of silver would ensure a meeting. After all, he was a member of the Blood Alliance. There was no reason for him to be turned away at the door.
But Gwak Il-do would likely come up with excuses to refuse him.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
Gu Gang-ryong, hiding his disdain, replied.
“I’m practically discarded by the Blood Alliance, which is why I’ve been demoted. You know I wouldn’t behave under an instructor from the Justice League.”
“True.”
“If you take me in, I won’t forget the favor. My friend here is also skilled with a sword.”
Gu Gang-ryong glanced at the man standing beside him, who had narrow eyes and a perpetual smile. He scratched the back of his head and gave a warm grin. He was the one who had brought the box of silver.
Gwak Il-do tossed the apple core into his mouth and chewed it up, speaking as he did.
“While it’s a generous offer, I need the Alliance Leader’s permission.”
“The Alliance Leader won’t approve. But if you take me in quietly, eventually…”
“That’s not how it works. There’s an order to things. No matter how much I value your skills…”
“So, you just want to pocket the silver?”
Suddenly, the tone changed. The cold voice made Gwak Il-do narrow his eyes.
“What did you just say?”
Gu Gang-ryong’s eyes had turned as cold as a snake’s.
Gwak Il-do couldn’t comprehend what was happening.
“Let me ask again. What did you…”
“Isn’t it obvious? You’re planning to take the money and throw me out.”
“What? You insolent…!”
“Shh. Quiet.”
“Ugh!”
Gu Gang-ryong’s sword was suddenly at Gwak Il-do’s throat.
The draw was so swift and clean that Gwak Il-do had no time to react.
‘As expected… the Deadly Wind Leader…!’
He couldn’t deny it, even if he wanted to.
Gu Gang-ryong, the leader of the Deadly Wind Squad, possessed martial skills on par with the head of a major sect.
He had been careless. But could this even be called carelessness? Carelessness was something you did with an enemy, not a fellow member of the Blood Alliance. Who would have thought Gu Gang-ryong would turn a blade on him?
“You… you’re insane. Even if you’re not in your right mind, to go this far… What are you doing?”
“I told you, let’s take the easy way.”
“Do you think the Blood Alliance will let this slide?”
“Who knows? I’m curious to see how they’ll react. I have a bit of an adventurous spirit.”
“Every thrilling adventure comes with a price.”
At that moment, the door burst open, and the chief officer rushed in.
“Lord! What’s going on…! You scoundrel! What are you doing?”
Clang!
The chief officer drew his sword and pointed it at Gu Gang-ryong.
Gu Gang-ryong’s blade pressed closer to Gwak Il-do’s neck.
“Don’t act rashly. Unless you want to see your lord’s head roll.”
“Ugh…! What are you thinking…!”
The chief officer glared at Gu Gang-ryong as if he could kill him with his eyes.
Gu Gang-ryong threatened Gwak Il-do with his gleaming blade.
If he wished, Gwak Il-do would no longer be among the living.
In front of the table, the subordinate who had come with Gu Gang-ryong still stood with a smile.
‘These crazy… bastards!’
Gu Gangryong flashed a sly grin.
“Alright, open the gates and send all the troops outside.”
“What are you talking about…!”
“Shh. If you’re not going to say what I want to hear, then keep quiet.”
“Ugh!”
Blood trickled from Gwak Ildo’s neck.
“My lord!”
In that moment, the commander exchanged a glance with Gwak Ildo.
It was brief, but they understood each other’s resolve perfectly.
‘Find the right moment and take him out!’
Contrary to his inner thoughts, Gwak Ildo spoke up.
“Do as he says. Open the gates and send all the warriors out.”
”…Understood.”
The commander hesitated, then turned away with a look of frustration.
Gu Gangryong chuckled and spoke to the subordinate who had brought the silver bars.
“Follow him and make sure it gets done.”
Just as the subordinate moved to follow the commander, the latter suddenly shouted, “Hiyah!” and spun around, swinging his sword with lightning speed.
The movement was so swift that the nearby subordinate couldn’t even raise his weapon in defense.
‘I’ve got him!’
The commander was certain his blade would cut through his opponent’s chest.
But then…
Clang!
”…!”
Instead of the sound of flesh being cut, there was a clear metallic ring, and the blade snapped, flying off.
‘What the… How is this possible?’
As the broken blade spun through the air, the commander stared in disbelief at his opponent.
He was sure he had struck the chest.
Yet the sword broke…?
He had put all his strength into that strike.
No matter how invincible the opponent’s body might be, this shouldn’t have happened.
But what on earth was this…!
The subordinate still wore a mocking smile as he turned to face him.
‘Damn it…!’
The commander bit his lip hard.
Meanwhile, something else was happening to Gu Gangryong.
A dark shadow descended behind him, aiming a sword at his neck.
It was none other than Gwak Ildo’s trusted aide.
But without even turning around, Gu Gangryong reached back and caught the aide’s wrist.
Snap!
At the same time,
Whoosh, thud!
The broken blade the commander had swung narrowly grazed Gu Gangryong’s cheek and embedded itself deep into a nearby pillar.
All of this happened in the blink of an eye.
Yet neither the commander nor the aide succeeded in their surprise attack.
Both could only stare at Gu Gangryong and his subordinate with eyes wide open in disbelief.
Gu Gangryong twisted his lips into a smirk.
“Pointless.”
Gwak Ildo’s face turned ashen.