Episode 324: Return to the Demon Sect
Transforming into Wu Guang was indeed a brilliant move.
As Sa Bi-gang strolled through the corridors, those he encountered barely cast a suspicious glance his way. Instead, they bowed deeply, offering respectful greetings.
Sa Bi-gang wandered the halls, entering each room to receive greetings and meticulously inspecting for any unusual materials. If something caught his eye, he would casually pick it up for a closer look. The warriors of the Mingli Pavilion seemed to assume he was merely checking the quality of the medicinal herbs.
He discreetly pocketed a few items as he thoroughly searched every room on the first floor. However, finding the specific herbs he sought proved more challenging than anticipated. Most rooms appeared to be laboratories or manufacturing spaces.
‘With all these experiments and manufacturing processes, there must be a separate storage room for materials… Ah!’
Recalling the blueprint he received from Chu Hui-ryong, Sa Bi-gang realized the storage room was located underground. At the end of a slightly curved corridor, a wall concealed a mechanical device—a lift leading to the basement.
The blueprint had labeled the underground space as the “Jin-gak Room,” but it hadn’t occurred to him that it was a storage area for materials.
With this realization, Sa Bi-gang headed straight for the end of the corridor. Just then, the wall in front of him slid open, revealing two people carrying various herbs.
‘Just as I thought!’
Sa Bi-gang accepted their greetings naturally and quickly slipped through the gap in the wall. The space behind the wall was large enough to fit about ten people, and as soon as he entered, the wall rotated shut.
A sound like chains sliding echoed as the space began to descend.
‘A lift, just as I suspected. I’ve seen many magical lifts in the Demon Realm, but to create such a mechanical device… Who exactly built the Mingli Pavilion? They might be useful.’
As he pondered this, the lift came to a stop, and the wall rotated open again. Sa Bi-gang, about to step out, paused when he noticed someone about to board the lift.
“Oh, Deputy Pavilion Master. What brings you here?”
“I have something to inspect.”
Using a voice modulation technique, Sa Bi-gang replied calmly. The key to this mission was to remain undetected by anyone.
To ensure everything went smoothly, he needed to take only what was necessary without anyone noticing. The problem was, he wasn’t entirely sure what he needed.
The three of them boarded the lift, each carrying herbs in both hands. Fortunately, they were the last to leave the basement, leaving it empty.
After confirming there was no one else around, Sa Bi-gang relaxed and surveyed his surroundings. The basement, studded with luminous pearls, was even brighter than the first floor. Shelves lined the walls like a library, filled with all sorts of herbs and medicinal plants. In one corner, even mystical creatures were caged.
Sa Bi-gang marveled at the thoroughness of the Mingli Pavilion’s storage room.
‘One thing is certain.’
In terms of manufacturing elixirs or poisons, the Blood Sect surpasses the Orthodox Alliance. In fact, this might be the only place in the world with such a comprehensive collection of materials.
This was inevitable. While the Sichuan Tang Clan of the Orthodox Alliance is known for its expertise in poisons, few martial artists view poison techniques positively. Many dismiss them as the tactics of the weak.
Moreover, the Orthodox Alliance’s elixirs are not as developed as those of the Blood Sect. The Orthodox martial arts emphasize pure energy, and using elixirs to rapidly increase internal power can compromise that purity. Thus, the Orthodox martial arts naturally lean towards traditional methods over shortcuts, hindering the development of elixirs.
Of course, the Shaolin Temple’s Great Elixir is an excellent elixir, but rumors in the martial world suggest its recent versions are less effective than before.
Regardless, the Blood Sect’s focus on this field is a new discovery.
‘If they hadn’t, they wouldn’t have been able to challenge the Orthodox Alliance in the first place.’
They were the ones who shattered the long-standing peace. If he hadn’t returned, the war between the Orthodox and the Unorthodox would still be raging.
Lost in these thoughts, a sudden commotion erupted behind him.
Bark! Growl!
Bark! Bark!
Startled by the unexpected noise, Sa Bi-gang turned to see a black dog behind bars. Its fangs were unusually long and sharp, and its eyes glowed a blood-red hue.
‘A Bloodthirsty Hound!’
One of the fiercest mystical creatures, second to none in ferocity. As the hound barked as if ready to leap out of its cage, Sa Bi-gang quickly extended his hand and chanted a spell.
“Sleep.”
Bark… Growl… Snore…
The agitated Bloodthirsty Hound succumbed to the spell, its eyes drooping as it fell asleep.
‘Now, are there any more obstacles?’
Sa Bi-gang scanned the mystical creatures, casting a sleep spell on any that seemed likely to make noise. Then, he took out Ragel’s pouch and began examining the storage room.
“Time to start collecting samples.”
He needed to take samples, searching for anything that might have been added to the Asura Great Elixir. He had to take only minute amounts to avoid detection by the Mingli Pavilion. Once he had the samples, Dang Yi-hyeop would determine which ones were problematic.
Sa Bi-gang carefully placed suspicious herbs into Ragel’s pouch.
**
Step by step.
The Demon Sect Leader ascended the dark, winding staircase of the cave. Unlike a few days ago, his long hair was now neatly tied back.
He climbed the steep stairs for quite some time. An ordinary person would have needed to rest several times, but his breathing remained steady.
As he continued his silent ascent, a sliver of light appeared in the distance. Finally, stepping into the light, the Demon Sect Leader squinted against the sudden brightness.
The fresh air was invigorating after so long.
He opened his eyes to take in the breathtaking view before him. It was a place so stunning it left him speechless.
This crater-like area was inaccessible except by the stairs he had just climbed. Surrounded by sheer cliffs, it was a stark contrast to the place where he had once created demonic soldiers with the lunar eclipse.
The most peculiar aspect was the weather. Despite the outside world being in the depths of winter, this place was as warm as a spring day.
It was a fantastical, otherworldly place.
The crater was filled with vibrant, colorful flowers, and butterflies fluttered lazily about. In the center of the basin stood a small, picturesque house.
A place that seemed entirely out of place for the Demon Sect Leader.
He walked along the flower path, his steps causing the butterflies resting on the grass to take flight.
Reaching the small house, he followed the presence he sensed in the backyard.
There, crouched among the flowers, was a young girl observing a butterfly.
The Demon Sect Leader stood silently, watching her.
The girl was so engrossed in her observation that she didn’t blink, her eyes fixed on the butterfly.
What was remarkable was that the butterfly remained still, even as she watched it closely. As she slowly extended her hand, another butterfly landed on her delicate fingertip.
Soon, a ladybug joined them.
The girl gazed at the ladybug with fascination, as if trying to feel its breath.
An entire hour passed like this.
Yet the Demon Sect Leader remained silent, watching the girl.
The girl, too, focused solely on the butterfly and the ladybug.
Another hour passed.
The sun was now setting in the west.
Finally, the girl spoke.
“The butterfly is so beautiful.”
The Demon Sect Leader responded at last.
“Yes, it is.”
But the girl shook her head.
“No. You don’t understand its beauty.”
“I apologize.”
He didn’t offer any excuses. He had merely agreed with her.
After all, a butterfly was just an insignificant insect, wasn’t it?
Yet, anyone overhearing their conversation would have doubted their ears.
The Demon Sect Leader, feared throughout the world, seemed so uneasy before this young girl. And the girl, speaking so casually to him, even pointing out his ignorance!
Despite this, the Demon Sect Leader appeared contrite, bowing his head.
As the girl stood, the butterfly and ladybug on her finger fluttered away.
She turned, her deep eyes meeting his.
The Demon Sect Leader dared not even breathe too loudly.
“Freedom is essential. Whether in action or thought. But freedom doesn’t mean recklessness. It means flexibility.”
“I will remember your words, Master.”
Indeed, the young girl who had been observing the butterflies and flowers…
She was Sonya, the leader of the Mareong Sect.
The young girl shook her head again.
“That’s not something you should take to heart. The more you engrave it in your mind, the more likely you are to go astray. Listen with one ear and let it out the other. But make sure you hear it.”
“I’ll remember that.”
The girl let out a small laugh and shook her head, clearly dissatisfied with the leader’s response.
“Well, it’s not easy, is it? Understanding the truth is never a simple task.”
Sonya muttered to herself and turned her head.
“How is the preparation for ‘Sura Bulgoe’ coming along?”
“Well… to complete Sura Bulgoe, we need a master of the highest level to volunteer, but finding someone willing is proving difficult.”
“Indeed, it’s a challenging experiment.”
A moment later, the leader sensed something and turned around.
Sure enough, a subordinate from the Mareong Sect was swiftly approaching, using light-footed martial arts to reach the backyard.
‘That fool…!’
The leader frowned deeply, but the subordinate, oblivious, knelt before her and reported.
“Leader, Hwangmyeon has returned from contacting the Blood Lotus.”
“Leave.”
“What…?”
The subordinate looked up, bewildered, only to be met with a glare that could kill.
Confused, he began to rise awkwardly.
“It’s too late. Your recklessness has cost a life.”
Sonya spoke in a calm, yet heavy voice.
In the next instant, she clenched her fist, and with a sickening ‘thud,’ the subordinate’s head burst like a watermelon.
He died without ever understanding why.
Meanwhile, Sonya gently lifted a crushed butterfly from beneath the body, cradling it in her hands.
Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke softly.
“Poor thing… I’m sorry…”
“I’m… sorry.”
The leader bowed her head deeply, and the girl took a long moment to compose herself before speaking again.
“Pyojeop Mahwanjin.”
”…?”
“Today, these little ones have taught me a perfect formation. Summon someone to write it down.”
“Understood!”
The leader bowed deeply.