Episode 331: Return to the Demonic Sect
Swoosh!
Jeok Murin’s sword grazed Seoraehyang’s fingertips, aiming straight for her heart.
‘This time for sure!’
He was certain he had her.
But then…
Whoosh.
”…!”
Jeok Murin’s eyes widened in disbelief.
‘She vanished…?’
In the blink of an eye, Seoraehyang disappeared like a mirage, and a chilling voice whispered from behind him.
“Letting your guard down is dangerous.”
“Ugh!”
Jeok Murin spun around quickly, but Seoraehyang’s hand shot out, gripping his throat.
“Ugh!”
“If I used my poison technique here, you’d be dead, Murin.”
“But you shouldn’t let your guard down until the very end.”
“What?”
Swoosh!
Without hesitation, Jeok Murin swung his sword, targeting Seoraehyang’s wrist.
Startled, she released him and stepped back.
She frowned and shouted, “What are you doing? You almost took my hand off!”
“I was confident you could dodge it by now.”
“Oh, so you’re saying you’ve been holding back all this time?”
“Not exactly, but I did hesitate a bit.”
“Well, this just got more interesting!”
With a swift movement, Seoraehyang launched herself off the ground, pulling out a dagger and throwing it without hesitation.
Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew as the daggers clashed with Jeok Murin’s sword, some of them ricocheting back towards Seoraehyang.
Whoosh, whoosh!
She twisted her body to dodge the returning daggers, one of them narrowly grazing her arm.
Simultaneously, she spun in mid-air, soaring upwards.
Swish!
Jeok Murin also leapt forward, aiming directly at Seoraehyang with his sword.
But she deftly deflected his wrist with a quick flick of her hand.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
Jeok Murin grunted, trying to retreat, but Seoraehyang’s energy surged towards him.
Boom! Boom!
Jeok Murin quickly stepped back, unable to wield his sword any longer due to their close proximity, and blocked with his left hand.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The air crackled with the sound of their rapid exchanges, their hands and feet a blur between them.
Occasionally, Jeok Murin swung his sword, but each time, Seoraehyang closed the distance even more.
He couldn’t help but be impressed.
‘Amazing. She’s grown so much in such a short time!’
Seoraehyang, who usually relied on her poison techniques, was now fighting without them.
If she decided to unleash her poison, the outcome of this spar would be obvious.
Initially, Jeok Murin managed to hold his ground, but after about thirty exchanges, he found it increasingly difficult to keep up.
Finally, as he reached out with his left hand in desperation…
Swish, thud!
Seoraehyang’s right hand snaked around his wrist like a serpent, flipping him over her shoulder.
“Ah!”
With a cry, Jeok Murin found himself airborne, crashing to the ground with a thud.
“Ugh!”
Swish, thud!
Before he knew it, Seoraehyang was straddling his chest, pinning him down.
“Gah!”
Jeok Murin lay helpless beneath her, her knees pressing down on his arms.
Seoraehyang leaned forward, pressing a delicate finger against his throat.
“Blood Blossom Flame Poison. In less than a moment, red spots will bloom all over your body like flowers. You’ll feel your blood boil and burn, dying in agony.”
Her words were chilling, belying her beautiful appearance.
Jeok Murin tried to resist but soon gave up, sighing softly.
“I surrender. I can’t even move a finger, I’m so terrified.”
Seoraehyang chuckled softly.
Of course, if she had used the Blood Blossom Flame Poison, Jeok Murin would have suffered as she described.
But she hadn’t actually used it; she was merely illustrating what could have happened.
Yet, as time passed, Jeok Murin’s face grew redder.
The unfamiliar sensation of her presence on his chest was overwhelming.
“Um… could you please get off me now?”
He managed to say, his face flushed.
Seoraehyang looked surprised.
“Oh my, your face is as red as a ripe persimmon. Did I accidentally use the poison…?”
“No, it’s not that. But I think you should get off.”
“But I wasn’t pressing down hard enough to stop you from breathing.”
Seoraehyang shook her head, puzzled, and stood up.
Jeok Murin exhaled in relief, quickly getting to his feet.
The unfamiliar sensation lingered on his chest, making his face flush again.
If Sabikang had seen him like this, he would have been teased endlessly.
‘If it were him, he’d probably be begging to spar with Lady Hongmyo.’
Thinking it was entirely possible, Jeok Murin sheathed his sword.
Seoraehyang approached him with a smile.
“That was fun. Since I won, I’ll treat you.”
“Since I lost, I should be the one treating you.”
“No, if we keep doing that, you’ll always have to pay. Today, it’s on me.”
“You have a way with words.”
“Hoho, do I? Anyway, I know a great place. Follow me. You don’t have any particular cravings, do you?”
“It seems you’ve already decided.”
“Exactly. Let’s go. It’s past dinner time, so we shouldn’t have to wait in line.”
Seoraehyang took Jeok Murin’s arm and led the way.
As they passed through the gates of the inner courtyard and into the outer courtyard, the streets were bustling despite the late hour.
With the righteous alliance’s operation underway, those who hadn’t been dispatched to Tangyang were likely gathered in inns or taverns, discussing the situation.
“What will happen to the relationship between the righteous and the demonic sects once the demonic cult is defeated?”
Seoraehyang mused aloud.
When Jeok Murin didn’t respond, she turned to him.
“What do you think, Murin?”
“I don’t think much will change.”
“True. But that person won’t stay hidden forever.”
“Are you referring to the Lord?”
Seoraehyang nodded.
She knew him better than anyone.
‘When his ambition breaks free from its cage…’
At that moment, she felt a sharp sensation in her stomach.
Seoraehyang flinched and stopped walking.
Jeok Murin, walking beside her, furrowed his brow and turned to her.
“Lady Hongmyo?”
”…Huh?”
“Are you alright?”
“Oh, yes. I’m fine. Just felt something… Hmm. Never mind.”
What was that?
It was a strange sensation, but it quickly faded.
Seoraehyang circulated her internal energy to check, but found nothing amiss.
Dismissing it, she resumed walking.
“What do you like most, Murin?”
Jeok Murin looked at her, puzzled.
“Why do you ask?”
“Anything. Duck, pork, noodles, whatever.”
“Oh… I’m not picky.”
“That’s not good. It’s nice to have at least one thing you love. People find happiness in small things.”
“Do they?”
“Yes. It’s better to find small joys often than to wait for one big happiness. Like eating your favorite dish.”
“So, what are we going to eat?”
“Noodles. Right here.”
Seoraehyang stopped and looked up at the restaurant entrance.
The building was old and shabby.
Jeok Murin’s face showed a hint of disappointment, but Seoraehyang laughed and patted his back.
“Trust me. I’ll show you why it’s a small happiness.”
As she took a step forward…
”…!”
”…Lady Hongmyo?”
Jeok Murin tilted his head, calling out to her.
But Seoraehyang stood frozen, as if she hadn’t heard him.
Instead, she slowly turned, staring blankly into the distance.
Jeok Murin frowned and followed her gaze.
She was looking towards the inner courtyard of the righteous alliance.
“Are you alright?”
But Seoraehyang remained silent.
Like someone entranced, she began to walk.
“Lady Hongmyo? Where are you going, leaving behind our small happiness?”
Jeok Murin joked, trying to lighten the mood.
But again, Seoraehyang didn’t respond.
Her pace quickened, almost to a run.
“Lady Hongmyo? Lady Hongmyo!”
Realizing something was wrong, Jeok Murin called out, but aware of the attention they were attracting, he quickly followed her.
This was the righteous alliance’s territory.
Shouting “Lady Hongmyo” loudly wouldn’t do any good.
Seoraehyang’s steps were now almost a sprint.
Jeok Mulin quickly stepped in front of her and came to a sudden halt, asking, “Hongmyo, what’s going on all of a sudden?”
There was no response.
Hongmyo simply stared at Jeok Mulin, her gaze fixed on him, yet somehow distant, as if she were looking through him at something far beyond.
‘Is she even seeing me?’ he wondered, puzzled by her vacant expression.
Jeok Mulin furrowed his brow and approached Seoraehyang. “If something’s bothering you, please tell me—”
Whoosh! Thud!
“Ugh!”
In the blink of an eye, Seoraehyang moved with ghostly speed, delivering a powerful strike. Jeok Mulin barely had time to channel his inner energy to protect his core, but he couldn’t avoid internal injury. He staggered, eyes wide, and coughed up blood.
“What on earth—!”
Before he could finish, he fell to one knee, struggling to stay upright. Seoraehyang glanced at him indifferently before continuing on her way.
‘Damn it… What is happening here?’ Jeok Mulin gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand. He quickly circulated his energy to manage his injuries and hurried after Seoraehyang. But by then, she had already moved from the outer courtyard to the inner sanctum.
**
“Master! Hongmyo has started moving!” Mucheon reported urgently.
“What?” Tang Yi-hyeop spun around, alarmed.
“Any word from the main house?”
“Not yet.”
“Damn it!” Tang Yi-hyeop clenched his fist in frustration.
The Tang clan was in the midst of researching a way to counter the deadly parasite, the Sehonpokmyeolgo, that had taken hold of Hongmyo. If it had begun to act now…
‘We might be too late!’
But there was no alternative plan.
“What about the Shadow Guard?”
“All members, except those assigned to protect the former leader Sabigang, are guarding the path to the leader’s hall.”
Tang Yi-hyeop nodded. The leader would be safe, surrounded by layers of skilled warriors.
“If we end up killing her, it will lead to countless casualties.”
“What if we use the bow?”
“Even then, sacrifices are inevitable. At least one group must hold her off until the arrow is ready. But if the arrow hits and the Sehonpokmyeolgo explodes, that group will be obliterated. Not to mention, we’d have to be prepared to lose about half of our base. If the worst comes to pass, the leader will have to evacuate.”
“Then…?”
“She’ll seek out the next most powerful person nearby. For now, we have no choice but to stop her at all costs!”
“Understood!”
With that, Mucheon vanished, leaving Tang Yi-hyeop with a steely expression.
‘We must… we absolutely must stop this!’