Episode 314: Return of the Demon Instructor
The soft rustle of falling snow.
The first snow of the season gently blankets the rooftops, creating a pristine white cover.
The world seems to have swallowed all sound, leaving only a profound silence.
Perched at the edge of the eaves, Seoraehyang tilts her head back, feeling the delicate touch of snowflakes on her face.
Cold.
Yet, the first snow always stirs a sense of excitement deep within.
“It was snowing that day too.”
The day she first met Heomugeuk.
While crossing the mountains with her parents, they were ambushed by bandits.
Her father died on the spot, and her mother lost her life trying to protect her.
The bandits planned to sell her into slavery after violating her.
She resisted fiercely, but the strength of adults was impossible to overcome.
Just as she was about to face disgrace, he appeared.
He approached the bandits with a calm, stern expression, stepping silently on the snow.
No words were needed.
The bandits, who had threatened with swords, lost their heads to his swift strikes, becoming cold corpses.
Heomugeuk passed by her with the same indifferent look, as if he had merely swatted a fly.
She clung to him.
Heomugeuk looked back at her with cold eyes.
She knew that if she were left in the mountains, she would freeze or starve to death.
So she asked to follow him.
Heomugeuk studied her for a long moment before speaking in his usual detached manner.
“If you follow me, you’ll walk a path of blood.”
She said it didn’t matter.
There was no hope left anyway.
All she felt at that moment was a desire to follow this man.
“Much has happened since then.”
Was it the snow?
Memories flashed by like a lantern show.
The days of relentlessly learning martial arts from Heomugeuk.
The moments of resolve to fulfill his ambitions, the times spent striving for great achievements together, the days of fighting alongside him.
And… the first time she was held in his arms.
Through countless days, she had arrived at today.
“But now… you’re not by my side.”
Seoraehyang brushed the snow off the seat next to her with a slightly wistful gaze.
After a moment, she pulled out a jet-black obsidian from her pocket.
During her time at the Heavenly Palace, she had lined her garden with these stones.
This particular piece had been given to her by Maeseollan, who had recently returned from subduing the Celestial Sect.
“Perhaps it’s from Murin.”
A small smile crept onto her face.
Sometimes, he could be surprisingly thoughtful, despite his nature.
Feeling a bit uplifted, she stood up.
“Since it’s the first snow, maybe I should send a letter to the Lord.”
She leapt down and began walking through the snow.
The thought of writing a letter after so long made her heart flutter.
**
“The first snow.”
Heomugeuk murmured as he gazed out the window.
His mind was a tangled web of thoughts.
Onggiseung and Gugangryong.
Those two were with Sabigang, who was unpredictable at best.
He needed to put an end to this uneasy situation.
Across the table, Ryuyojung smiled quietly.
“Does the first snow hold a special story for you?”
“Nothing of the sort.”
“You seemed lost in thought, so I was curious.”
“Is that so? Your eyes are hard to deceive, strategist.”
“You aren’t trying very hard to hide it.”
Heomugeuk chuckled and took a sip of tea.
The warm liquid flowed smoothly down his throat.
“The first time I met that child, it was snowing.”
“Was it?”
Ryuyojung nodded quietly.
He didn’t ask who the child was.
He already knew.
There weren’t many people Heomugeuk spoke of so fondly.
Heomugeuk watched Ryuyojung’s reaction and smirked.
“You truly are a cold strategist.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You listen as if it’s a completely separate story. Emotions are usually contagious, but you seem to be sitting in a different space entirely.”
“That’s the nature of a strategist.”
Though it might have sounded arrogant, Ryuyojung replied calmly.
He saw no need to hide what he believed to be true.
Heomugeuk’s eyes glinted with curiosity.
“Do you think I’m overly sentimental?”
“Not usually. But…”
“When it comes to that child, I am?”
“Yes.”
Ryuyojung smiled again.
But Heomugeuk knew well.
Ryuyojung was a man of cold logic.
The smile he wore was merely a formality, a gesture of respect for his master, devoid of any real emotion.
“Sometimes, you make me uncomfortable.”
“I apologize.”
“But that’s why I find you comforting.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re always consistent.”
”…”
“I’ve thought a lot about your suggestion.”
Ryuyojung paused with his teacup and looked at Heomugeuk.
Heomugeuk continued to gaze out the window.
A long silence settled between them like falling snow.
Finally, Heomugeuk spoke in a heavy voice.
“Something happened a few days ago.”
“Did it?”
“It did.”
Heomugeuk nodded.
“But it didn’t go well. I didn’t tell you about it.”
“I see.”
“You’re not upset, are you?”
“Of course not. I never question the Lord’s judgment.”
Heomugeuk chuckled and continued.
“I wanted to do something after succeeding… but.”
“Did you fail?”
Heomugeuk nodded and took another sip of tea.
He looked out the window again, speaking as if to himself.
“So now, I’m going to listen to you.”
Ryuyojung offered his usual formal smile at what sounded like a jest.
“As you suggested, for that child…”
”…”
“I’ll send a gift.”
Ryuyojung paused again, setting down his teacup.
He looked up at Heomugeuk.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. I’ve always been sincere with that child.”
”…I believe it’s the right decision.”
“Thank you.”
Heomugeuk turned back to the window.
The snow continued to fall, just like that day.
“Like the day I first saw that child.”
**
The chain sickle sliced through the air.
Clang!
It clashed with Onggiseung’s sword, sending sparks flying.
The long chain wrapped around Onggiseung, binding him.
Then,
With a swift leap, Yusongryeong dashed forward.
Onggiseung spun his body, launching himself into the air like a top.
Yusongryeong kicked off the chain, soaring into the sky.
“Ha!”
“Take this!”
Clang! Clang!
The clear sound of metal rang out as the two clashed in mid-air.
Sparks flew.
White snow fell, and red sparks scattered.
Boom!
The two exchanged blows and retreated.
With a flurry of snow, they distanced themselves.
Seoktan-gang quickly supported Yusongryeong, preventing her from sliding further.
Onggiseung spoke with genuine admiration.
“Impressive. I didn’t expect your combined skills to reach this level. If we continue, I might be the one to lose.”
He wasn’t just being polite.
Onggiseung was genuinely impressed.
After fully absorbing the energy of the Black Demon, his martial skills had improved dramatically.
But even so, he could barely fend off Seoktan-gang and Yusongryeong’s combined techniques.
Their teamwork was now capable of challenging even the highest-level masters.
In the past, Seoktan-gang might have felt his pride wounded by such an assessment.
He had always wanted to face Onggiseung with his own strength.
But now, he didn’t mind.
Now…
“I have no intention of being apart from you, no matter where we go.”
Seoktan-gang gripped Yusongryeong’s shoulder tightly.
“Ouch, what are you doing?”
Yusongryeong frowned, and Seoktan-gang quickly let go, flustered.
“Ah, sorry.”
“Anyway, it’s good that we’re getting in sync.”
“Yeah.”
“Shall we create our own special move?”
“A special move?”
“Like a secret technique. Something hidden.”
“Hmm… a hidden technique…”
“Of course, it has to be powerful. We’ll need to train tirelessly. We’ll be together all day.”
“Let’s do it.”
Seoktan-gang nodded without hesitation.
Meanwhile, someone watched them from a distance…
“Those kids. They’re in their prime.”
Sabigang muttered with a hint of envy, sitting on a rock.
Beside him, Deungjagyeong approached silently, smiling.
“You created that beautiful picture, didn’t you, Instructor?”
“Me?”
“You encouraged them to work together. And Seoktan-gang’s chain sickle is thanks to you.”
“Well, I suppose that’s true.”
“Many things have changed since you arrived.”
“They should. That’s why I’m here.”
“Why are you trying to change us?”
“To prepare for what’s to come.”
“For what’s to come…”
In a split second,
Shhh!
Deungjagyeong drew a dagger from his sleeve and thrust it toward Sabigang’s chest.
Thud.
Deung Ja-gyeong’s eyes widened like saucers.
“With his hand…?”
Had Sabi-gang really stopped the dagger with just his palm? It was as if he had casually caught a flying chopstick.
Sabi-gang furrowed his brows and glared at Deung Ja-gyeong.
“You little…”
“Haha… I just thought you might have let your guard down…”
Sabi-gang’s expression twisted ominously.
“Damn, is he angry?” A cold sweat trickled down Deung Ja-gyeong’s back.
Finally, Sabi-gang spoke.
“Who sent you to assassinate me?”
”…What?”
“Who are you to try and kill me? I sensed your intent. Don’t even think about denying it.”
Deung Ja-gyeong stared at Sabi-gang, dumbfounded. Then, with tears welling up in his eyes, he cried out.
“This is too much! I’m Deung Ja-gyeong!”
“Deung Ja-gyeong?”
“You might not remember, but I once plotted an assassination, and just recently, I even asked you a question during class! Isn’t it a bit too indifferent of you?”
“Hmm.”
Sabi-gang snatched the dagger and scratched the back of his head with its tip.
“Doesn’t ring a bell.”
“Ugh. This is really too much!”
“Well, sorry about that. Maybe you should work on making yourself more memorable.”
“Damn it! Just you wait! I’ll be the one to take your head someday!”
Deung Ja-gyeong grumbled as he turned to leave.
Sabi-gang shrugged and tilted his head back. Snow was falling gently.
“Seeing the snow… makes me miss Seollan.”
Is it snowing like this at the Jeongdo Alliance too?
Through the white flurry, a pavilion came into view. And at the edge of its eaves sat someone.
“That guy…”
It was Jeok Mu-rin. He gazed into the distance with a look of longing, a small dagger in his hand.
Just then, Churyang approached Sabi-gang.
“What are you doing, Master?”
“Shh. Follow me.”
A mischievous smile played on Sabi-gang’s lips.