Episode 30: Return to the Demonic Sect
The scenery outside the window drifted by leisurely.
It had been nine days since they set out on their martial arts journey.
Just a few days had passed, yet the scent of spring was already in the air.
Maeseollan closed the window and smiled warmly.
“We should reach Angang by this evening.”
“Indeed,” Sabigang replied, matching her smile as he refilled her glass with wine.
“Oh my, if you keep offering me drinks like this, I might just get tipsy.”
“Heh, what’s the harm in that? We’re in a carriage, after all. You can rest as much as you need.”
“True, having you here with me makes me feel so secure.”
“Of course. Just trust me. Only me.”
Sabigang nodded emphatically, raising his glass.
Maeseollan took a sip, her smile soft and content.
Just then—
The carriage jolted, causing Maeseollan to lose her balance and fall against Sabigang.
“Oh dear, are you alright?” Sabigang quickly steadied her.
The soft touch.
How long had it been since he felt such a sensation?
Maeseollan leaned slightly against his shoulder, her expression languid.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I think I might be a bit drunk. Everything’s spinning.”
“Heh, isn’t that the charm of drinking? If a martial artist always expelled their intoxication, what joy would there be in life?”
“Thank you for understanding. Sometimes, you just want to let go, don’t you?”
“Absolutely! Feel free to let go as much as you like, with me here.”
“Oh, Instructor, you’re too much.”
Maeseollan giggled, playfully twisting her body.
Her movement caused her neckline to part slightly, revealing a glimpse of her soft, full cleavage. As she crossed her legs, her alabaster skin peeked out from her inner thigh.
Sabigang’s desire stirred.
‘Truly, her reputation precedes her.’
He had heard endless tales about Maeseollan, the legendary beauty known as ‘the unparalleled beauty of the ages.’
Yet, he had never seen her in person.
She had perished shortly after the demonic invasion began, her enchanting arts ineffective against the demons. She had become their plaything, meeting a tragic end.
‘She was a woman I always wanted to meet, at least once.’
And now, here she was, leaning against him.
Life was indeed unpredictable.
“Lady Mae…” Sabigang gazed at her intently.
But Maeseollan gently pulled away, straightening herself.
“I’m sorry for my momentary lapse…”
“Lapse? Nonsense.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
She winked playfully, but inside, she was smirking.
‘Heh, he’s almost mine.’
The art of giving and withholding, wearing down the opponent’s patience.
‘Just wait a little longer. Tonight, I’ll drain you dry.’
She licked her lips, and Sabigang felt a surge of anticipation.
The fruit was ripening.
But he knew not to rush.
An unripe fruit is always bitter.
He just needed to wait a little longer.
‘Tonight. Just wait until tonight. I’ll savor the ripe fruit then.’
It was easier than expected.
The fact that Sabigang wasn’t averse to women made things all the more convenient.
A result achieved in just ten days.
It felt almost anticlimactic.
Maeseollan asked with a captivating smile, “Where will you go once we reach Angang? I’d like to give the students a chance to rest after all this travel.”
“I plan to visit the Angang Baek family. Their estate is said to be spacious, so if possible, we might stay there with the students.”
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.
There was something crucial he needed to acquire from the Angang Baek family.
‘Including the Arkan Potion and other important items.’
Maeseollan blushed slightly, lowering her gaze.
“I see. If there aren’t enough rooms, I wouldn’t mind sharing with you, Instructor…”
Sabigang grasped her hand firmly.
“Your consideration for the students is truly admirable, Lady Mae. I’ll ensure we get the best room as soon as we arrive at the Angang Baek estate.”
He grinned slyly.
‘This vixen is heating up!’
‘This dog has quite the dreams!’
With similar yet different thoughts, they exchanged smiles.
**
“Boom!”
“Oh my, what a fright!”
“Haha, why so startled? Anyway, there was this sudden explosion, and the whole building just vanished.”
The patrons at the tavern gestured animatedly as they recounted the event.
They weren’t the only ones.
Everyone gathered in small groups was discussing the same topic.
“After that, there were screams. Terrible, blood-curdling screams.”
“Who would have thought? That the Angang Baek family would be wiped out overnight.”
“But how did such a massive explosion occur?”
“That’s the mystery. Surely someone orchestrated it?”
“Even so, who could cause such a powerful explosion? It wasn’t something that could be done artificially.”
“Well, you never know. Maybe some rogue martial artists used dark arts.”
“True, there are rumors of rogue martial artists stirring lately.”
“What a tragedy. Such a respected family, gone just like that.”
Bang!
A man slammed the table, causing the chatter to halt as everyone turned to look at him.
With a stern face, he stood abruptly, pulling his hat low over his eyes.
He slung a large bow over his shoulder and hefted a heavy pack.
Only then did the patrons recognize him, lowering their voices.
“Shh. Be careful what you say. It’s Dan Gugi, the Blood Hand Bow.”
“Oh, it really is him. He was close to the Baek family, so he must be devastated.”
“Not just the Baek family. He was on good terms with all the major sect leaders in Angang.”
“Let’s not bring up the Baek family and upset him further.”
But they didn’t realize.
Their cautious whispers were already reaching Dan Gugi’s ears.
Dan Gugi clenched his fists, trembling, before turning sharply and walking out.
Once outside, he headed towards the ruins of the Angang Baek estate.
The wind carried the scent of ashes to his nose.
Once a proud stronghold of the Angang Baek family.
Now, not a single pillar stood.
Only charred remains filled the space.
A land of death.
Not a single body was found; the fire had consumed everything.
Dan Gugi stared silently at a corner of the ashen ground.
A place where he often shared drinks with the Baek family head and other sect leaders.
“The people of Angang miss you.”
His voice was barely a whisper.
“They say you were a man of great virtue.”
Dan Gugi’s fists clenched tightly.
After a moment, his grip loosened, and his shoulders shook slightly.
Was he crying?
But beneath his hat, his expression was…
“Heh heh.”
A ghostly grin spread across his face.
“They said you were a man of great virtue. Heh heh.”
His quiet laughter faded as he continued with a chilling expression.
“Wait for me. I’ll send the rest of them to join you soon.”
Dan Gugi moved on.
He found a secluded forest and climbed the mountain, entering a cave hidden by foliage.
There, he unpacked his belongings and retrieved something.
A small, transparent vial.
Inside was a jade-colored liquid.
Taking a deep breath, he downed it in one gulp.
“Ugh!”
A fiery sensation pulsed near his heart.
His chest ached fiercely.
He quickly sat cross-legged, channeling his energy with the secret technique, Soha Jin Qi.
Only after a long while did Dan Gugi open his eyes.
A blue aura flickered in his pupils before fading.
Sweat beaded on his forehead.
“Whoo.”
Exhaling deeply, his body felt light and relaxed.
He reached into his pack again, pulling out a transparent stone.
It was the size of a thumb.
Inside, a brilliant red energy shimmered continuously.
When he first discovered these, he had no idea what they were for.
Especially this stone with the red energy.
But he found out by chance.
He thought it would look beautiful if he tied it to an arrow and shot it at night.
So he climbed to the mountain peak and shot it into the sky.
Hoping it might reach the heavens.
But…
Incredibly, where the arrow landed, a massive explosion occurred.
The ground shook as if an earthquake had struck.
A radius of thirty yards was scorched.
That’s when he realized.
‘With this… I can destroy them!’
Dan Gugi grinned widely.
“Heh heh heh! This is truly a remarkable thing. With this, I can bring divine retribution upon them! Not a single one will be left! Not even a stray dog from their household! Ha ha ha!”
**
The sun was setting over the western mountains.
As Dan Gugi descended the mountain and walked along the road, he noticed two carriages approaching in the distance.
Young men dressed in travel-worn attire walked silently around the area. Their appearance and expressions suggested they had been on the road for quite some time.
Upon spotting the flag on the carriage, Dangugi quickly deduced who they were.
“Is this a martial arts journey from Yongcheon Academy?”
But something seemed off—the group was smaller than expected. And that extravagant carriage…
Dangugi let out a cold, mocking laugh.
“Corrupt, corrupt. I’ve heard the rumors, but this is truly rotten. Is there any righteousness left in this land?”
As he walked ahead with a frosty demeanor, a horse-drawn carriage sped up and stopped right behind him.
Dangugi lifted his bamboo hat slightly and turned to look.
A young man sitting in the driver’s seat scratched the back of his head and asked, “Excuse me, sir. Sorry to bother you, but could you help us with directions? We’re students from Yongcheon Academy, currently on a martial arts journey under our instructor’s guidance. Do you happen to know the way to the An Gangbaek family estate?”
At the mention of “An Gangbaek,” Dangugi flinched and glanced at the young man. But it was so brief that the young driver, Dan Lijeong, didn’t notice.
“Pass through the village entrance and turn right. After you pass a large oak tree, you’ll see a tall building. That’s the An Gangbaek estate.”
“Thank you for your valuable guidance.”
Dan Lijeong offered a respectful bow.
“But you won’t see any tall buildings. There’s nothing left but death there. Heh.”
Dangugi swallowed his thoughts and returned the gesture politely. “Think nothing of it.”
**
The students, along with Maeseollan, widened their eyes in shock at the sight of the charred ruins.
Yeom Jaryang muttered in disbelief, “Is this really the An Gangbaek estate?”
“There’s nothing but ashes. What happened here?”
“I overheard some locals talking earlier. It happened just yesterday.”
“Could it be… the entire family was wiped out?”
“My God. I can’t believe it.”
The students murmured anxiously among themselves.
Maeseollan was visibly unsettled as well. She had never imagined that the place they planned to stay for the night would be in such a state.
However, there was one person in the group who remained unfazed.
Sabi Kang.
His expression was rigid, but it wasn’t from shock.
“Damn it. We were too late. The Explosive Bow has already been here!”