Episode 31: Return of the Demonic Instructor
A mere fraction of a chance.
So slim that it wouldn’t even occur once in ten attempts.
Yet, for those who encounter this rare probability, it can bring about life-altering changes.
But what does this minuscule chance signify?
It refers to the possibility of a demonic barrier failing to form.
Or, if it does form, it remains incomplete.
In a secluded cave in Angang.
A barrier should have been established there.
However, due to insufficient yin energy, the unique terrain, and the natural aura, the barrier was left unfinished.
The first to discover this place was none other than Dan Gugi of the Blood Palace.
He seized the items that had crossed over from the demonic realm.
From then on, he became known as “Explosive Bow” Dan Gugi.
Dan Gugi, the man who annihilated three of the four great sects of Angang.
Afterwards, he left his hometown and wandered the martial world.
Naturally, the righteous alliance pursued him, but he was too elusive to be caught.
Years later, when the demonic army appeared, he showed remarkable prowess, but even he couldn’t escape death.
Why did he destroy the three great sects of Angang?
He was known for his chivalry and fairness.
How did he erase the three sects overnight?
At the time, it was a mystery no one could solve.
Of course, Sabigang later found the answer to the second question.
But he never discovered why Dan Gugi annihilated the three sects.
Even when he interrogated the head of the only surviving sect, Changcheon Gate, he found no answers.
Angang Baekga.
A sect that represented Angang, so much so that people prefixed it with “Angang.”
Yet, it was the first sect to vanish without a trace.
Though the exact date was unknown, it was around this time that the chain of annihilations began.
Thus, Sabigang visited Angang Baekga today.
But he was too late.
By just one day.
Explosive Bow had already erased Angang Baekga from existence.
Which meant tonight…
“The second sect will disappear.”
Sabigang parked his carriage on a hill and climbed onto the roof to survey the village.
The problem was, he didn’t know which sect would be next.
While many remembered Angang Baekga as the first to vanish, the order of the others wasn’t well-documented.
First impressions tend to linger the longest.
So Sabigang decided to camp on the hill tonight.
“Tonight, I must catch Explosive Bow.”
Among the remaining sects, two were destined to be erased from history.
Geumjeong Gate and Seungdo Jin Family.
“Which one will you strike first, Explosive Bow?”
Sabigang stood slowly.
Below, he could see Geumjeong Gate and Seungdo Jin Family.
He memorized their locations.
All events would unfold after midnight.
There was still time.
“Damn, I should have seen it myself!”
Right after confirming Angang Baekga’s destruction, he overheard Dan Lijeong muttering.
“Oh, even that senior didn’t know Angang Baekga ended up like this.”
When asked what he meant, he spoke of the person who had guided him.
“He looked like a senior from the martial world. Carrying a large bow…”
“A bow, you say!”
Sabigang grabbed Dan Lijeong’s shoulder and shouted.
“Yes… it was quite a large bow, but why…”
“Where did you see him?”
“Before entering the village, on the main road…”
Sabigang didn’t wait to hear the rest and dashed off.
But by then, Dan Gugi was long gone.
Unable to find him, Sabigang returned and led his students to the hill.
He considered sending them out to search, but it was too dangerous.
“Well, the plan’s a bit off, but it can’t be helped.”
**
Swish!
Thud! The arrow, imbued with energy, buried itself deep into the wooden post, quivering.
Dan Gugi lowered his bow and exhaled deeply.
“Yongcheon Pavilion, huh…”
He hadn’t expected the martial arts expedition from Yongcheon Pavilion to come this way.
They seemed to have planned to stay a day at Angang Baekga, but that was no longer possible.
He thought they might head to an inn in the village, but unexpectedly, they settled on the hill behind the village.
Perhaps they couldn’t find a room, or maybe it was part of their training.
Either way, it was an unforeseen obstacle.
But it didn’t matter.
If they became a hindrance, he would simply eliminate them all at once.
And then he would leave this wretched place forever.
He still had seventeen explosive orbs left.
Dan Gugi gazed at the red stone in his palm and smiled.
**
“Damn, I need to show him what I’m made of one day.”
Gok Bo-ok grumbled.
His backside still ached from the beating Sabigang had given him.
Next to him, Yeon Woo-gyeong muttered with a somber expression.
“There’s no rush. This martial arts expedition is our chance. A chance to bring down the instructor.”
His expression turned chilling.
Initially, it was just a prank to mess with an incompetent instructor.
But somewhere along the line, it had escalated into a vendetta.
Just then.
Shing!
A sharp sound of a sword being drawn echoed.
Turning his head, he saw a student repeatedly drawing and sheathing his sword.
Yeon Woo-gyeong’s eyes gleamed.
“Who is that…?”
“That’s Dan Lijeong. You know, the one who couldn’t pay the fees and ended up joining as a servant.”
“I know that.”
Yeon Woo-gyeong replied curtly.
But what kind of swordsmanship was he practicing to have such a clean draw?
The technique of drawing and immediately cutting something was top-notch.
Sensing his thoughts, Gok Bo-ok chuckled.
“He’s only half-baked.”
“Half-baked?”
“That guy, he’s the youngest of the head of a minor sect, Ilseong Sword Sect. He’s only good at drawing the sword. Just drawing.”
Which meant he couldn’t properly execute techniques after drawing.
Sure enough, his swordplay after the draw was clumsy.
Momentarily impressed, Yeon Woo-gyeong sneered and turned away.
Meanwhile, Dan Lijeong, seeing them leave from a distance, sighed in relief.
He had been tense, worried they might pick a fight.
He refocused and drew his sword again.
Shing!
The clean draw brought an undeniable thrill.
If he could cut a falling leaf like this, it would be a success.
But strangely, after drawing, he couldn’t cut the leaf.
So Dan Lijeong continued to practice just the draw.
In that moment, he felt like a master.
“Ho, you’re training hard.”
A voice interrupted his thoughts, and he turned to see Sabigang watching him with folded arms.
Dan Lijeong quickly straightened up.
“No, I’m still far from it.”
“Far from it? Your draw is quite impressive. Among the students, it’s the best.”
“But that’s all. I can’t do anything beyond the draw.”
“That’s just how it is.”
“I need to practice, but I keep focusing on the draw.”
“No, you’re doing well.”
“What?”
“Don’t do what you don’t want to. Hone what you love.”
“But… that won’t be useful in real combat…”
Sabigang shook his head and approached.
It was a seriousness Dan Lijeong hadn’t seen before.
“You have a talent for quick execution. You should continue to hone that. Have you ever tried archery?”
“Uh… no. Our sect focuses on swordsmanship…”
“That doesn’t matter. What’s important is your aptitude. Try archery from tomorrow. The focus required for drawing a sword and shooting an arrow is similar. It might suit you better than the sword.”
Not might.
“You must take up the bow.”
Even if Sabigang didn’t insist now, in the future, Dan Lijeong would inevitably turn to archery.
He would eventually realize his true talent.
Had he picked up the bow earlier, he might have become an even greater master.
“But my father would oppose…”
“Well, then don’t do it.”
“What?”
“If you want to live your father’s life to fulfill filial duty, I can’t stop you. But if you want to live your own life, think about it.”
With that, Sabigang turned and walked away without hesitation.
“A bow, huh…”
Of course, he had handled a bow during archery lessons.
But he had never approached it seriously.
“Indeed… I didn’t dislike it. That feeling.”
Suddenly, his heart raced.
When you approach something with a different mindset, it can feel entirely new.
That’s how Dan Lijeong felt now.
He called out quickly.
“Instructor!”
“What is it?”
“If I use a bow… could I… could I become a master?”
“That depends on you.”
“Oh… I guess so? Haha…”
“But with effort, there’s no reason you can’t surpass the pinnacle.”
Surpassing the pinnacle!
This wasn’t just a motivational speech.
It was a testament to his potential.
Most martial artists, no matter how hard they try, can’t reach the pinnacle.
So saying, “You could become a master if you try hard,” is reserved for those with true talent.
His heart swelled with hope.
Whether it was true or not.
The words, brimming with possibility, made Dan Lijeong’s heart race.
“Thank you, Instructor!”
Dan Lijeong bowed deeply toward the retreating figure of Sabigang.
The night was dark.
Midnight was approaching.
Sabigang sat atop the carriage, idly gazing at the village panorama.
Of course, his eyes lingered on two particular places.
Geumjeong Gate and Seungdojin’s house.
“Which one is it? The Explosive Palace!”
As he squinted into the distance, a voice as clear as a rolling jade bead reached his ears.
“Instructor? What are you doing?”
“Ah, Miss Mae. Just getting some fresh air.”
“I can’t seem to fall asleep tonight either.”
Maeseollan smiled gently and climbed up to the roof.
She sat down beside Sabigang.
“Wow, I never thought I’d see such a beautiful night view.”
“This view pales in comparison to your beauty, Miss Mae.”
At Sabigang’s words, Maeseollan blushed and smiled softly.
But inside, she was growing impatient.
‘What are you doing? Why aren’t you making a move?’
Tonight was supposed to be the night Sabigang would throw caution to the wind and come to her.
Was it because their plan to stay at Angangbaek’s house had gone awry?
Sabigang showed no sign of approaching her.
“Are you worried about Angangbaek’s house?”
“Why worry about the dead?”
His unexpectedly cold response made Maeseollan tilt her head in confusion, but she quickly composed herself.
“Is it because of the terrifying scene we witnessed today? My heart keeps racing, and I can’t sleep.”
She pressed her delicate hand against her chest, which was rising and falling with her breath.
‘Look at this, you fool!’
Yet Sabigang kept his gaze fixed on the village.
‘Ugh!’
She couldn’t understand him at all.
One moment he acted like a ravenous beast, and now he treated her like a mere stone beside him.
Maeseollan bit her lip and decided to be more provocative.
“Maybe I should wear something more comfortable since my chest feels so tight.”
She loosened her collar slightly, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her soft curves.
‘Can you really stay still after this?’
Finally, Sabigang sprang to his feet.
A smile formed on Maeseollan’s lips.
‘There we go.’
But then.
“There it is!”
Sabigang muttered something incomprehensible.
The next moment.
BOOM!
A tremendous explosion shook the ground.
A bright pillar of fire shot up from the village, lighting up the hill as if it were midday.
The sheer force of it.
The heat was palpable even from where they stood.
Startled, Maeseollan’s eyes widened.
“What on earth is that…?”
She turned to look at Sabigang, but stopped short.
He was gone.
“Where did that man go…?”
She frantically scanned the surroundings, but there was no trace of Sabigang.