Episode 321: Return to the Demonic Sect

“Hmph! I don’t know how you managed it, but finding Ong Gi-seung won’t be easy. Do what you will—kill me or spare me.”

Seok Tan-gang spat out his words coldly before collapsing to the side with a shiver.

The entire scene was witnessed by the new recruits, including Baek Gong-bo.

‘Damn it. So they all saw me get taken down like that?’

Indeed, everything had been orchestrated by Sa Bi-gang, who had summoned Jeong Ryu-gwang to cast a spell.

When the new recruits entered Ho Mun Mountain and passed the Tiger Rock, Jeong Ryu-gwang had ensnared them all in his magic.

Of course, Jeong Ryu-gwang couldn’t have ensnared everyone perfectly on his own. But with the barrier Sa Bi-gang had set up, deceiving the recruits was no trouble.

Under the spell, the recruits wandered like sleepwalkers in front of the Tiger Rock, and Sa Bi-gang had knocked them out one by one, bringing them here.

Just like Baek Gong-bo, they were slapped awake and subjected to the same test.

The results were the same for everyone.

None revealed Ong Gi-seung’s whereabouts, and they all opposed the Renju.

Now, Seok Tan-gang was the last to be abducted and was just waking from the spell.

He looked bewildered, struggling to adjust to reality, but soon realized the situation and walked over to where the recruits were gathered.

“Looks like everyone passed the test,” Sa Bi-gang remarked.

Meng Ga-suk retorted in a gruff voice, “What exactly are you testing us for? Shouldn’t we at least know what we’re up against?”

“Exactly! Why drag the Renju into this test?”

“Even if you’re our instructor, this is just too much.”

Voices of discontent rose from all around.

Once the murmurs subsided, Sa Bi-gang surveyed the recruits with a gaze more serious than ever, causing them to tense up involuntarily.

Finally, Sa Bi-gang spoke heavily, “You will all join in the mission to kill the Blood Demon Lord, Heo Mu-geuk.”

”…!”

The recruits were left speechless by the sudden declaration.

After a long pause, Bang Gak let out a dry laugh and spoke up, “Ha… ha… Instructor, that’s a bit much. If someone overhears…”

“This is no joke. No one will overhear.”

Bang Gak swallowed hard.

‘Is he serious?’

Sa Bi-gang’s demeanor was too earnest to dismiss as a joke, leaving the recruits in a tense silence.

The next to speak was Seol Seo-rin, who smiled lazily and said, “If it’s what my lord desires, I’ll follow without question.”

“Are you insane? The instructor from the Justice Alliance wants to kill the Renju, and you’re going along with it?”

Meng Ga-suk shouted, veins bulging on his forehead.

The recruits began to murmur again, but Seol Seo-rin just laughed coldly.

“I never had any loyalty to the Renju. I’ll follow my lord’s wishes.”

“You crazy woman…”

“Has the old man gone senile after all those peaceful days? Did he forget what he did to me?”

“Fine, let’s see how this plays out. Do you think we’re still the same as before?”

As Meng Ga-suk growled and stood up, Sa Bi-gang’s voice cut through the tension.

“Quiet, all of you.”

His voice was low and resonant, imbued with power, and it silenced Meng Ga-suk and Seol Seo-rin, forcing them to look away from each other.

Sa Bi-gang continued, “I’m not the only one here who wants to kill the Renju.”

“What do you mean by that?” Meng Ga-suk asked, frowning.

At that moment, two people stood up among the recruits.

It was Gu Gang-ryong and Ong Gi-seung.

They walked over to Sa Bi-gang and addressed the recruits.

“We’ve already decided to kill the Renju.”

The recruits were once again left in shock, mouths agape.

Sa Bi-gang spoke again, “Now, I’ll tell you why these two want to kill the Renju, and why I intend to eliminate him.”

**

Chu Ryang sat in the pavilion, gazing aimlessly at the night sky.

‘I wonder how things are going by now.’

Sa Bi-gang had gone to Ho Mun Mountain to test the new recruits.

As a bodyguard, Chu Ryang should have accompanied him, but this time he had to leave the task to Heuk-gwi.

Someone might come looking for Sa Bi-gang, after all.

Normally, the instructor Jeok Mu-rin would handle such matters, but he was currently on a mission from the Renju, dispatched to the Justice Alliance.

‘Did they all pass the test?’

Chu Ryang had a rough idea of how the test would be conducted from what Sa Bi-gang had told him.

The reason for testing the recruits was simple.

It was to determine whether Sa Bi-gang could continue to lead them.

Moreover, it was an opportunity to assess the recruits’ cohesion.

If even one recruit failed the test, they would be excluded from future plans.

“But if they can defy orders and directives to uphold loyalty to their comrades, I’ll take them with me to the end.”

That’s what Sa Bi-gang had said.

Looking back, Sa Bi-gang had always emphasized humanity over blind obedience.

He once said that the reason the martial world could endure despite the storms of bloodshed, conspiracy, and betrayal was because there were still those who maintained their humanity.

‘By now, the results should be in.’

Chu Ryang estimated the recruits had a fifty-fifty chance of passing.

Given their rebellious nature, their loyalty to the Renju was likely not strong, accounting for half of his assessment.

But the other half was uncertainty, as they were unpredictable mavericks.

Moreover…

‘Will they really believe that outlandish story?’

Sa Bi-gang intended to tell them everything about the Demon Realm.

It had taken Chu Ryang a long time to believe that story himself. Would the recruits accept it so readily?

‘It’s a tough call.’

As Chu Ryang sighed again, a voice suddenly spoke from behind him.

“Where is Instructor Sa Bi-gang?”

Chu Ryang immediately recognized the voice.

‘Baek Ho-dangju, Chu Hee-ryong!’

Why was he looking for Sa Bi-gang at this hour?

Puzzled, Chu Ryang was about to turn around when,

“Don’t turn around. No need for formalities. I must see Instructor Sa Bi-gang urgently.”

Chu Ryang replied without moving.

“My master is not here.”

“What? Then where is he?”

“He’s currently conducting an outdoor class with the new recruits.”

“Of all times…!”

“Is there a problem?”

Chu Ryang asked cautiously, and Chu Hee-ryong hesitated before glancing around.

After confirming no one was nearby, he sent a message to Chu Ryang.

[Inform him that there’s been a setback in the plan.]

[What plan are you referring to…]

[The plan to capture the dragon.]

[Is that all I should say?]

[Yes. Tell him the plan to subdue the Demon Sect was never on the table.]

[What do you mean by that…]

[There’s no time to explain. I’ll provide details when we meet later.]

[Understood. When should…]

Chu Ryang began to ask, but realized there was no longer any presence behind him. He turned slowly.

There was no one there.

**

The recruits were at a loss for words.

They couldn’t easily believe the story Sa Bi-gang had told them.

“Damn… Did he just mash up some pulp fiction?”

Meng Ga-suk muttered, twitching his lips, but he knew deep down.

Sa Bi-gang’s story was true.

His expression was too earnest for it to be a lie.

“Ong Gi-seung. Is it true?”

Bang Gak asked, looking at Ong Gi-seung.

Ong Gi-seung nodded.

Bang Gak clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“Unbelievable. I trusted the Renju.”

The Renju had killed Ong Gi-seung’s father and tried to absorb the innate demonic energy within Ong Gi-seung.

Fine, let’s say we believe all that.

There’s no way to deny it when Gu Gang-ryong and Ong Gi-seung themselves are testifying.

But…

“Are we really supposed to believe that story about the Demon Realm?”

Meng Ga-suk asked again, suddenly.

Sa Bi-gang shrugged and replied, “Whether you believe it or not is up to you. But you all saw it with your own eyes—the strange creatures during the Heavenly God Sect operation. You must have been curious, even if you didn’t say it. And how I could use such unfamiliar martial arts. Even though I’m an instructor from the Justice Alliance, I used techniques very similar to those of the Demon Sect.”

“That’s true, but… to say it’s because you returned from the Demon Realm… and even traveled back in time? That’s just…”

“Again, I’m not forcing you to believe. I’m just stating the facts. What I need to know now is whether you’ll cooperate with me or not. That’s a separate issue from belief.”

“So, you’re saying we must kill Yeonju because she’ll become an agent of the demon realm in the future?”

“Exactly. These two have already agreed.”

“But if Yeonju dies, there will be serious repercussions. No one will believe your far-fetched story.”

“That’s why we’re going to use the upcoming operation against the Demon Cult. We’ll make it look like Yeonju was killed by them.”

“Is that even possible?”

“We have people skilled in forgery and manipulation.”

“Hmm.”

Maeng Ga-sook crossed his arms and let out a deep sigh.

This wasn’t a simple matter.

It was an act of treason.

A hasty decision could cost them their lives.

Yet, there were those who made this heavy decision with ease.

“I’ll follow you, my lord.”

“If Lina’s in, so am I.”

Seol Seorin and Seol Sumin, the siblings, were the first to express their agreement.

They didn’t seem to grasp the full implications of committing treason.

They had always acted according to their own standards rather than out of loyalty to the Blood Sect.

Next, Yoo Song-ryeong and Seok Tan-gang stepped forward.

“If what you say is true, then Yeonju deserves to die.”

“I’ll follow.”

Seok Tan-gang had already made up his mind the moment he heard Ong Gi-seung’s story.

Finally, Maeng Ga-sook grumbled and spoke up.

“Tch, so that’s why you pretended to be Yeonju, to test us.”

“I had to see if you had the guts to stand against Yeonju.”

Sabi-gang chuckled, and Maeng Ga-sook clicked his tongue in response.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I don’t believe that ridiculous story entirely. But… Ong Gi-seung’s tale was infuriating enough to make me join.”

Once Maeng Ga-sook declared his allegiance to Sabi-gang, the other members gradually followed suit.

When all the new recruits were united in their decision, Sabi-gang nodded and said, “Good. Now that we’re all in the same boat, let me tell you what happens next. Once Yeonju is dead, Baekho Dangju will temporarily take her place.”

“Baekho Dangju? So he’s…?”

“He’s already on board.”

“Wow, when did that happen…?”

Maeng Ga-sook shook his head in disbelief, and Sabi-gang chuckled.

“The world always moves faster in places you can’t see.”

Just then, Yoo Song-ryeong tilted his head and asked, “Um, Instructor?”

“What is it?”

“Aren’t we missing one of the new recruits?”

“Who?”

**

“Damn it! Where did everyone go?”

Eung Ja-gyeong shouted as he wandered aimlessly through the forest, looking around.

But there was no response.

“Is anyone there?” he called out again, his voice echoing back to him.

Sabi-gang had forgotten one person.

Eung Ja-gyeong continued to linger by the Tiger Rock, embarking on a seemingly endless trek through the mountains.