Episode 318: Return to the Demonic Sect
Jeok Mu-rin stood at the foot of a massive gate perched atop a hill, gazing up at it.
“Is this the place…?”
The gate, reminiscent of a fortress, was flanked by an endless wall stretching from east to west.
“The Alliance is as vast as they say.”
Its sheer size was overwhelming, enough to leave anyone in awe.
Jeok Mu-rin tilted his head back to look at the sky.
It had been about two weeks since he left the Heavenly Palace.
He hadn’t rushed, savoring the snowy early winter landscape as he traveled leisurely.
Though he was eager to meet Hong Myo, he had a long-standing habit of maintaining composure in such situations.
And now, he had finally arrived at the main base of the Alliance.
As he approached the main gate, two guards with sharp features extended their hands to stop him.
“Halt. Who are you, and where do you come from?”
Their demeanor was as strict and courteous as one would expect from representatives of a prestigious sect.
Jeok Mu-rin clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and replied.
“I am Jeok Mu-rin from the Heavenly Palace.”
“The Heavenly Palace?”
The two guards exchanged glances, their brows furrowing slightly.
Then, one of them let out an “Ah” of realization and spoke up.
“Are you perhaps the head of the Blood Sect?”
“That’s correct.”
Jeok Mu-rin answered nonchalantly, but their expressions immediately soured.
It was clear to anyone that their faces were now marked with disdain and mockery.
One of the guards twisted his lips and asked, “What brings someone from the Blood Sect here?”
“I’m here on an errand for the Sect Leader, to meet with Hong Myo.”
As Jeok Mu-rin reached into his robe, the guards quickly brandished their weapons and shouted.
“Stop right there!”
“Don’t move!”
Jeok Mu-rin paused and looked at them.
“I was just going to show you the Sect Leader’s seal.”
“Shut up and don’t move.”
At this point, Jeok Mu-rin felt his temper rising.
He had always disliked the martial artists of the Alliance, having caused trouble and been reprimanded for it in the past.
Now, with them provoking him first, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger.
“How am I supposed to prove anything if I can’t move?”
Jeok Mu-rin shot them a cold glare, and one of the guards scoffed, stepping forward to reach into Jeok Mu-rin’s robe.
“You people are always ready to stab someone in the back, aren’t you?”
”…”
While Jeok Mu-rin suppressed his rising anger, the guard pulled out a letter from his robe.
“Hmm…? There are two letters?”
“One of them isn’t for you to see.”
“Then who is it for?”
“It’s from the Sect Leader to Hong Myo.”
“I’ll have to take a look.”
“I told you it’s not for you to see.”
Jeok Mu-rin gritted his teeth and spat out his words.
But the guard paid no heed.
Instead, he furrowed his brow and raised his voice.
“You people are always causing trouble, so we need to be thorough from the start, don’t we?”
“You people…? I clearly stated I was here on behalf of the Sect Leader and even showed you the seal, didn’t I?”
“So what? It seems you don’t know your place. Have you forgotten that your sect was defeated by the Alliance? You should be groveling.”
“Listen, hand it over while I’m still being polite.”
Jeok Mu-rin’s eyes turned icy cold.
Sensing the change in his demeanor, the guards hesitated and exchanged nervous glances.
But remembering they were at the heart of the Alliance, they lifted their chins defiantly and shouted.
“You dare glare at us?”
“You’re just gatekeepers, and yet you act so arrogantly when shown respect.”
With a swift movement, Jeok Mu-rin kicked off the ground and snatched the letter from the guard’s hand like the wind.
“What!”
The guard recoiled in shock, while the other readied his spear and shouted.
“You! Are you resorting to violence?”
“Violence? You were the ones who started this.”
“We were merely trying to conduct an inspection!”
“I showed you the Sect Leader’s seal. The rest should be verified by the appropriate person, not a mere gatekeeper.”
“You dare look down on us! How insolent!”
The guard lunged with his spear.
They instinctively knew their martial skills were no match for Jeok Mu-rin.
But this was the heart of the Alliance.
They couldn’t fathom that someone sent from the Blood Sect would dare use force against them.
Moreover, if he were of significant status, he would have had escorts.
But Jeok Mu-rin had come alone.
To them, he seemed like nothing more than a lowly errand boy.
Their assumption wasn’t entirely wrong.
Jeok Mu-rin had indeed been stripped of his rank within the Blood Sect and was now merely an instructor in the new division.
However, they were unaware of his notorious temper.
Thud! Thud!
Jeok Mu-rin didn’t even draw his sword.
Instead, with swift hand movements, he struck the guards’ necks and chests in quick succession.
“Ugh!”
“Argh!”
One guard’s face turned red as he gasped for air, while the other clutched his chest, coughing up blood.
Only then did fear appear in their eyes.
“Why don’t you listen when I speak?”
Jeok Mu-rin looked down at the fallen guards with eyes as cold as ice.
Just then, hearing the commotion outside, more martial artists rushed out from inside.
“What’s going on? You! Who are you to cause a disturbance in front of the Alliance’s main base?”
A burly man bellowed, drawing his sword and pointing it at Jeok Mu-rin.
The guards who followed him quickly surrounded Jeok Mu-rin.
Jeok Mu-rin glanced at the burly man and asked casually.
“Are you the gate captain?”
“That’s right! Who are you?”
“I’m from the Blood Sect. Here’s the Sect Leader’s seal.”
Jeok Mu-rin tossed the letter to the gate captain.
The captain caught it, quickly scanned it, and spoke again.
“It seems legitimate. But why is the Blood Sect causing trouble at the main base…?”
“I wasn’t the one who started the trouble. They took my letter without permission.”
The captain looked at the guards, and one of them quickly responded.
“We were just trying to verify it because it seemed suspicious. But he refused to show it, as if it were some secret message…”
The captain’s gaze returned to Jeok Mu-rin, offering him a chance to explain.
Jeok Mu-rin chuckled and said.
“Does the Alliance have no procedures or decorum? What if the Alliance Leader’s letter was inspected by our gatekeepers without permission?”
The captain, at a loss for words, cleared his throat and said.
“But according to the Alliance’s rules, we must inspect the contents of letters.”
“Then follow the proper procedures for inspection. Who would object to that? I only intervened because a mere gatekeeper was trying to read the Sect Leader’s letter.”
With no grounds to argue further, the captain sheathed his sword and offered a respectful gesture.
“It seems there was a minor misunderstanding. Please, follow me.”
Yet, the other guards remained on high alert.
Jeok Mu-rin smirked and began to walk.
**
“I’m terribly sorry about this.”
Won Gil, the head of the Seoyeon Pavilion, said with a regretful expression.
Hong Myo, also known as Seo Rae-hyang, gave a wry smile and waved it off.
“It’s not your fault, Pavilion Master.”
“Still… I’ll make sure to have them thoroughly check for any missing letters.”
“There’s no need. I’m fine.”
Seo Rae-hyang replied curtly and quickly left the Seoyeon Pavilion.
Yet, a part of her couldn’t help but hope that nothing had been overlooked.
The Seoyeon Pavilion, located in the outer grounds of the Alliance, was where residents of the Alliance communicated with the outside world.
Due to security concerns, individuals couldn’t freely send carrier pigeons from the main base.
Thus, all martial artists within the Alliance had to send and receive personal letters through the Seoyeon Pavilion.
Of course, some high-ranking officials could use carrier pigeons directly from the inner grounds, but as a hostage, Seo Rae-hyang had to use the Seoyeon Pavilion like any other martial artist.
Having recently sent a letter to the Blood Sect Leader through the Seoyeon Pavilion, she had returned, hoping for a reply.
Since the Seoyeon Pavilion didn’t deliver letters, she had to visit regularly to check.
Her frequent visits had made the Pavilion Master feel unnecessarily apologetic.
As Seo Rae-hyang turned to head back to the inner grounds, a self-deprecating smile played on her lips.
“Of course, he’s not one to form personal attachments.”
She lifted her head, and a particularly chilly wind blew past.
Her nose felt cold.
As she quickened her pace, she spotted a familiar figure in the distance.
At first, she thought she might be mistaken.
But it was indeed a face she knew.
“Master Jeok!”
A bright smile spread across her face.
A faint smile appeared on Jeok Mu-rin’s face as well.
It was a rare expression, one that was almost never seen.
She ran up to him and grabbed his hand.
“Master Jeok! You’ve really come! What brings you here?”
Seoraehyang’s face lit up as she spoke, and Jeok Mulin couldn’t help but chuckle.
“How have you been?”
“Still so formal, I see. Just speak comfortably.”
“It’s been so long… It’s not easy.”
Seoraehyang laughed softly at Jeok Mulin’s response and continued.
“I adapt well wherever I go. In fact, I’ve been so at ease that I feel like all the venom inside me has drained away. How is Lord Ryeon?”
“He’s doing well.”
Jeok Mulin replied with a wry smile.
‘The first thing she asks about is Lord Ryeon’s well-being…’
He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of bitterness, thinking she must miss him dearly.
Perhaps sensing Jeok Mulin’s feelings, Seoraehyang asked naturally.
“And of course, you’ve been well too, Master Jeok?”
“Yes. Though I’m no longer a master.”
“Oh, I heard. You’re assisting Sabigang now, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Any trouble when you arrived at the Alliance?”
Knowing Jeok Mulin’s usual temperament, Seoraehyang guessed as she asked.
Jeok Mulin gave a rueful smile.
“There were a few bumps, but thankfully, everything smoothed over.”
“I see. So, what brings you here?”
“I came on Lord Ryeon’s orders. I’m here to meet Lady Hongmyo and deliver a gift.”
Jeok Mulin presented a small box wrapped in fine silk.
Seoraehyang’s expression brightened at the sight.
Little did they know, this small gift would set off a tremendous upheaval.