Episode 330: Return of the Demon Instructor
The courtyard behind the National Pavilion was dug deep.
There, a coffin containing Sabi Kang was buried.
The unusual aspect was the metal pipe connected to the coffin’s lid.
The pipe, with its center open, was positioned where Sabi Kang’s face would be.
The pipe, about a foot long, had dozens of small holes along its sides.
These holes were sealed with a thin paper known as “breathing paper.”
Developed by the Sichuan Tang Clan, this paper was often used like a filter in the preparation of various medicines.
It was thinner and more transparent than rice paper, yet tougher than silk.
A thin layer of soil was spread over the coffin.
Surprisingly, red-hot charcoal was then added.
At that moment, Maesulan and the Heavenly Destruction Squad tried to stop Tang Yi-hyeop, alarmed by his actions.
But Tang Yi-hyeop insisted this was the only way, persuading Maesulan and the squad.
He then layered more soil, followed by a special arrangement of herbs and medicinal plants.
Soil, charcoal, soil, herbs, soil…
It was as if he was creating geological layers over the coffin.
In essence, Sabi Kang was buried beneath a mound of burning charcoal.
As the final layer of soil was being spread, Gu Yun arrived.
His face was pale.
“Is it true that the instructor has returned? I heard he’s in critical condition. Where is he now?”
The people present looked somberly at the ground.
Gu Yun’s gaze followed theirs.
He noticed the intense heat rising from the earth.
The ground was so hot that standing on it would burn one’s shoes.
“Could it be… he’s in there?”
Tang Yi-hyeop nodded.
“Yes, this is the only way.”
“Can he breathe in there?”
Tang Yi-hyeop pointed to the metal pipe protruding about a hand’s width above the soil.
The pipe’s opening was also sealed with breathing paper.
“He can breathe through that pipe. But his strength is so depleted, I don’t know if he can endure.”
Gu Yun’s shoulders slumped in defeat.
Even a healthy person would struggle to breathe with just a small pipe in such a hot environment.
How long could the weakened Sabi Kang possibly last?
Yet, when it came to poisons, Tang Yi-hyeop was unmatched, and if he said this was the only way, there was no arguing with him.
Beside him, Maesulan stared blankly at the mound of earth.
Just then, Mucheon approached Tang Yi-hyeop.
“Master, I’ve brought the medicinal water.”
Everyone turned to see the Shadow Squad carrying large wooden barrels.
The barrels, big enough to fit an adult, were filled with boiling water of various colors—red, yellow, and blue.
Following Tang Yi-hyeop’s instructions, the Shadow Squad lined up the barrels in order.
“Start pouring the medicinal water continuously. Do not stop midway.”
“Understood.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the Shadow Squad sprang into action.
Sssssss!
As they poured the water, steam rose from the ground with a hissing sound.
The air was already thick with the scent of herbs, and the addition of the medicinal water made the aroma even more pungent.
Tang Yi-hyeop turned to Maesulan.
“All we can do now is wait and watch, Your Grace.”
“You’ve done well.”
Maesulan replied in a subdued voice.
Everyone in the courtyard watched the steam rising from the ground with tense expressions.
**
At the foot of Mount Jaryeong.
Martial artists from the Justice Alliance and the Blood Sect were camped, preparing for an imminent battle against the Demon Sect.
Despite the looming conflict, they seemed confident of victory, showing little tension.
Yet, there were some who appeared lost and on the verge of tears.
“Where on earth has my husband gone?”
Seol Seorin lamented, gazing at the dark sky.
She clung to Bang Gak’s shoulder as he passed by, pleading.
“Do you know anything? Anything about where my husband might be?”
“Ugh…! Why are you asking me? How would I know?”
“Please… if you know anything, tell me. I might die of lovesickness at this rate…”
“I told you, I don’t know!”
Bang Gak shook off her hand and walked away briskly.
She soon found solace in Seol Sumin’s arms, sobbing bitterly.
Bang Gak glanced back at her and clicked his tongue.
“I just don’t get it. What does she see in the instructor to be so smitten?”
He muttered to himself, and Maeng Ga-suk, lounging against a rock, chimed in.
“It is strange, isn’t it?”
“What is?”
Bang Gak asked, his tone indifferent.
Maeng Ga-suk scratched his head with a dagger as he replied.
“The instructor. Why hasn’t he shown up yet? We’re about to face the Demon Sect.”
“He’s always been unpredictable, hasn’t he?”
“But he’s never disappeared so suddenly before.”
“Hmm.”
Bang Gak finally seemed a bit concerned, resting his chin in thought.
“Churyang seems to be hiding something too.”
“True.”
“And there’s something else odd.”
The unexpected speaker was Yoo Song-ryeong.
The others turned their attention to her.
Yoo Song-ryeong continued with a serious expression.
“Why would Instructor Jeok Mulin go to the Justice Alliance just to deliver a gift at such a critical time? Doesn’t that seem strange?”
“Hmm. Now that you mention it…”
“It doesn’t feel right.”
“Yes, it doesn’t feel right.”
Yoo Song-ryeong and Maeng Ga-suk’s words made the others nod in agreement.
These were the new recruits, known for their unruly behavior and impulsive actions.
They often relied more on their instincts and feelings than on any structured or logical reasoning.
And their instincts told them something big was about to happen, something they weren’t aware of.
Just then, Deung Ja-gyeong spoke up.
“Based on my logical deduction of the situation, it’s clear that…”
“I don’t like the feel of this. We should go see Churyang.”
Suddenly, Maeng Ga-suk stood up.
The other recruits followed suit.
“Yes, that’s the best way. If he doesn’t confess, we’ll hang him upside down until he does!”
“Alright, let’s go!”
With Maeng Ga-suk leading, the others followed in a rush.
Left alone, Deung Ja-gyeong watched them leave, muttering to himself.
“So, you’re not interested in my logical deduction, then?”
**
“What? Why are you only telling us this now?”
Maeng Ga-suk shouted, then quickly lowered his voice, aware of their surroundings.
“You should have informed us earlier!”
“Hmm. It was the master’s order to keep it as secret as possible.”
“Then why tell us now?”
“It seems something has gone wrong. The master should have returned by now.”
Churyang’s words made the recruits’ expressions turn serious.
Goo Gang-ryong, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke up.
“If that’s true, we need to act quickly. The leader I know never hesitates once he’s set his mind on something.”
Maeng Ga-suk nodded in agreement.
“Then it’s truly dangerous. With all the factions gathered at Mount Jaryeong…”
“Now would be the perfect time to make a move.”
Seok Tan-gang added the final nail.
Seol Seorin, who had been listening, gritted her teeth and muttered with a ghostly face.
“If anything happens to my husband… I won’t spare the leader or anyone else.”
‘But… who exactly is your husband…?’
Churyang swallowed his thoughts and spoke up.
“I was about to inform you because the situation seems dire.”
“If the leader really intends to kill the Alliance Leader… and used Instructor Jeok Mulin for that, we need to keep an eye on the troops.”
“I’ll personally inspect the troops’ barracks.”
At Yoo Song-ryeong’s words, Goo Gang-ryong stepped forward.
The other recruits also volunteered to go.
But Maeng Ga-suk calmed them down and spoke to Do Bi-cheon and Bang Gak.
“Only you two should go. You’re the best at stealth and speed among us.”
“Understood.”
Just then, a dark shadow descended beside them.
“I’ll go too.”
It was Heuk-gwi.
Maeng Ga-suk nodded.
“Alright. In case of anything, we should stay on the outskirts of the formation.”
Churyang nodded in agreement.
**
“We’re ready to begin.”
Ryu Yeo-jung spoke cautiously, and Heo Mu-geuk, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, slowly nodded.
He looked up at the ceiling, as if recalling something distant.
Ryu Yeo-jung glanced at Heuk-gyeon and nodded.
Heuk-gyeon walked over to a table set up in one corner of the tent.
On it was a small box, inside which a tiny creature squirmed like a caterpillar.
It was the female of the Se-hon-pok-myeol-go.
Heuk-gyeon picked up the small insect with his fingers and, without hesitation, applied pressure.
Pop!
With a faint sound, the Se-hon-pok-myeol-go burst, releasing a blue liquid.
Black Dog turned and reported, “The Soul-Devouring Parasite in Hongmyo’s body will start moving soon.”
Heomuguk nodded with a somber expression. Another one abandoned. How many things had he sacrificed to achieve his ambitions?
He recalled the words of his master who had taught him martial arts long ago: “The more you give up what is precious, the more you gain.”
Murmuring the words as if to console himself, he turned away. “Eliminate him.”
“What…?” Black Dog asked, bewildered. Suddenly, a dark shadow dropped behind him.
Swish!
In an instant, the shadow slit Black Dog’s throat with a dagger.
“Gah…!” Black Dog fell, eyes wide, staring at Heomuguk. His gaze was filled with the question, “Why?” Hadn’t he always followed orders faithfully? Was this punishment for failing to perfectly manipulate the memories of the Celestial Demon?
But only Ryu Yeo-jung knew the true reason for his death. ‘I just wanted to break the blade that made me lose something precious.’
He watched Heomuguk’s back as he walked away, wondering if one day the blade of the master would turn on him. But it didn’t matter. He had enjoyed the world through him, and he was willing to pay the price.
“Now, we just have to wait and see.”
“You said it would turn red?”
“Yes. If the fluid from the dead Soul-Devouring Parasite turns red, it means the male is dead too.”
That would mean a massive explosion was imminent. Heomuguk nodded, then suddenly furrowed his brow. He reached out sharply and shouted, “Who’s there?”
Shu-shu-shu-shu!
Weapons in the tent unsheathed themselves and flew at terrifying speed.