Episode 333: Return to the Demonic Sect
Thud!
An enemy fell to the ground, eyes wide with disbelief. Meng Ga-suk, who had just driven a spear through the man’s chest, pulled it out with a nonchalant expression and muttered, “I told you, this is where you’d be buried.”
“Gah…!”
The man, his heart pierced, could only cough up blood, unable to utter another word. Meng Ga-suk wiped the blood from his forehead and surveyed the surroundings.
Two remaining enemies were charging at Churyang from a distance. However, with the boost from Banmyo, Churyang was moving with unprecedented speed and ferocity.
As one enemy attacked from the right, Churyang spun around, deflecting the blow with a mana shield.
Thud!
While the enemy staggered, Churyang lunged forward, slicing the neck of another enemy with his mana sword.
Slash!
Blood spurted as the enemy’s head flew into the air. Witnessing his comrade’s decapitation, the remaining enemy quickly turned around. He was the last one standing.
It had been a while since he had sent up a signal flare, yet no reinforcements had arrived. Just as he was about to make a move,
“Where do you think you’re going?”
A chilling voice came from behind. He spun around, swallowing hard, only to see Churyang’s mana sword slicing through the air without hesitation.
Slash!
“Gah! Ugh…!”
An attack unlike any he had seen before. Was this translucent energy growing from Churyang’s hand some form of qi? But could qi be as sharp as a blade?
With no knowledge of the Cartel’s secret techniques, the enemy’s thoughts ended there as he breathed his last.
Thud!
As the last enemy fell, Churyang let out a light sigh and turned around. The new recruits were all staring at him in awe.
“Wow, impressive!”
“I thought you were just a bodyguard, but you’re quite something!”
Churyang waved off their praise with a modest smile. “Oh, it’s nothing… really.”
Just then, one of the fallen enemies behind Meng Ga-suk suddenly sprang up and lunged at him. Everyone was focused on Churyang, so only he noticed.
“Watch out!”
Churyang shouted, darting forward like an arrow. Banmyo, sensing the danger, bristled, doubling Churyang’s speed.
Whoosh!
He flew like the wind, letting out a battle cry. “Hah!”
But the enemy’s blade was already swinging towards Meng Ga-suk’s neck!
‘Too short!’
If he had been just half a step faster, he could have stopped the attack on Meng Ga-suk!
In that moment, a mana sword shot out with a sharp sound, slicing through the air.
Slash!
The enemy, his neck half-severed, twisted in agony, blood gushing like a fountain from between his fingers. After a brief struggle, he collapsed, never to move again.
The new recruits, witnessing the scene, erupted in cheers for Churyang.
“Whoa!”
Breathing heavily, Churyang stood there, glancing between the fallen enemy and his mana sword in disbelief.
“Wow…”
Meng Ga-suk, standing nearby, frowned and asked, “Are you impressed with yourself?”
“Well… in a way.”
Churyang hadn’t expected his mana sword to shoot out like a blade of qi.
Banmyo let out a soft cry and nestled into Churyang’s arms.
‘Could this be thanks to him?’
Meng Ga-suk chuckled and addressed the recruits. “Let’s find a boat and cross over.”
“But where will we go? We’ve become enemies of the Blood Sect now,” Dong Ja-gyeong pointed out.
Meng Ga-suk pondered for a moment. Returning to the Heavenly Palace was not an option, nor was seeking out the branch.
Then Churyang stepped forward. “Let’s go to the Justice Alliance headquarters.”
“What?”
“You want us to go to the Justice Alliance?”
The recruits looked at Churyang incredulously. Despite their current conflict with the Blood Sect, their roots were still in the dark path. Moreover, the Blood Sect leader had plans to assassinate the Justice Alliance leader.
Meng Ga-suk furrowed his brow and murmured, “If we go to the Justice Alliance and the leader is already dead…”
“They’ll surely treat us as the worst criminals and try to kill us!” Bang Gak voiced everyone’s thoughts.
But Churyang shook his head. “I’ll vouch for you.”
“Are you that recognized in the Alliance?” Meng Ga-suk asked skeptically.
Churyang thought for a moment before nodding. “I haven’t lived my life recklessly. Trust me.”
“Hmm.”
Meng Ga-suk exchanged glances with the other recruits. Churyang pressed on.
“I’ll ensure your safety. Besides, you’re all disciples of my master, aren’t you? They won’t dare mistreat you, not because of me, but out of respect for him.”
“Hmm. That makes sense.”
Meng Ga-suk nodded. “Alright, let’s head to the Justice Alliance.”
The dawn was breaking.
**
Ryu Yeo-jung entered the tent. Heo Mu-geuk, who had been meditating, opened his eyes.
“How did it go?”
“I’m sorry, not yet.”
“Hmm. It’s taking longer than expected.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.”
Heo Mu-geuk spoke nonchalantly, but his expression was far from bright. By now, Hong Myo should have self-destructed with the leader. Yet, the color of the Soul Destruction Pill hadn’t changed, meaning Hong Myo was still alive, and so was the leader.
Hong Myo hadn’t died. This fact stirred something within Heo Mu-geuk—a mix of relief and anxiety. To calm his conflicting emotions, he closed his eyes again.
“What about the enemies?” Ryu Yeo-jung asked cautiously.
Heo Mu-geuk shook his head without opening his eyes. “No news.”
Ryu Yeo-jung nodded, his face expressionless. Heo Mu-geuk seemed indifferent as well. After all, he had sent the enemies hoping one side would be completely eliminated. It didn’t matter if the new recruits were wiped out or if the enemies were annihilated. The enemies were both a secret weapon and a liability for the Blood Sect leader. He had used them to suppress dissent within the sect. Now it was time to clean up.
‘Once everything is resolved…’
The Blood Sect leader murmured to himself as he opened his eyes.
“The guards protecting the leader are holding out well. What if Hong Myo self-destructs in the leader’s courtyard?”
“The power of the Soul Destruction Pill is not to be underestimated. Even if the leader doesn’t die instantly, he could suffer fatal injuries. It could destroy half the headquarters.”
“Understood. Let’s wait a bit longer.”
“Yes, I’ll inform you of any changes.”
Ryu Yeo-jung bowed respectfully and left. Heo Mu-geuk closed his eyes again, whispering softly.
“Hong Myo… prove your loyalty to me one last time.”
**
“Hong Myo is coming here? How is that possible?” Mae Seol-ran asked, shocked.
Dang Yi-hyeop replied with a grim expression. “It’s my mistake.”
“Explain. How did this happen?”
“The Soul Destruction Pill seeks out the person with the deepest internal energy within a ten-mile radius. I assumed the leader would be the target, but…”
“You mean someone with deeper internal energy than the leader…”
Mae Seol-ran’s gaze drifted to the rear garden. Dang Yi-hyeop nodded solemnly.
“I didn’t realize the master’s internal energy was so profound. He must have gained some fortuitous encounters after leaving for the Blood Sect.”
It was a reasonable assumption. In fact, Sa Bi-gang had experienced two such encounters. First, he gained power from the Aura Web after killing Seol Baek, and second, he consumed the Elixir of Purity after acquiring Bashuk’s Hammer.
Even so, Mae Seol-ran couldn’t understand. “But the former leader is on the brink of death. How could he have any internal energy left?”
“It’s a bit different.”
“What do you mean?”
“In the master’s case, his internal energy wasn’t depleted by poison. Instead, his profound energy has all turned into poison. In other words, his deep internal energy is causing the severe poisoning.”
“So the Soul Destruction Pill is detecting even that poisoned energy?”
“That’s exactly it. The Soul-Devouring Technique doesn’t care about the type of internal energy. Even if it’s a deadly poison technique, to it, it’s just a means to decorate its own end. Whether it’s dark arts, poison arts, or orthodox techniques, the Soul-Devouring Technique is indifferent.”
Maesellan’s face turned pale.
“Then, what do we do now?”
“The Heavenly Destruction Squad and the Shadow Squad are doing their best to hold them off, but we don’t know how long they can last.”
“Then we should immediately bring the Lord back…!”
“If we stop the antidote process now, the Lord won’t survive.”
Tang Yi-hyeop spoke with a grim expression.
It was truly a dilemma.
Tang Yi-hyeop continued, “So… although it’s unlikely… just in case, the Lord should escape from here first…”
“Don’t talk about things that won’t happen. I’m staying here. No, I’m going too! To stop that woman!”
Maesellan took a determined step forward.
Tang Yi-hyeop didn’t try to stop her any longer. It was clear she wouldn’t listen anyway, and they needed every bit of help they could get.
Tang Yi-hyeop shouted towards the rear, “Keep spreading the medicinal water!”
“Yes, sir!”
A cloud of steam rose, filling the courtyard.
**
With a sharp whistle, an arrow flew through the air and embedded itself deeply in Seoraehyang’s left shoulder.
The speed and force were so great that the moment it struck, Seoraehyang spun like a top and collapsed to the ground.
“Bind her!”
At Mucheon’s command, the Shadow Squad hurled their chain hooks.
With a smooth, metallic sound, the chains flew towards Seoraehyang.
But she didn’t allow even a moment’s opening.
As she fell, she sprang back up, swinging her sword.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The deflected chains changed direction, becoming a threat to the Shadow Squad instead.
As her sword shattered, the fragments flew towards them.
“Watch out!”
“Dodge!”
“Ugh!”
“Aaah!”
Screams and shouts erupted from all around.
In an instant,
Another arrow sliced through the air.
But this time, Seoraehyang was ready.
With a swift turn, she brought down the broken blade vertically.
A flash of light split the incoming arrow in half, and it whizzed past her on either side.
Thud! Thud!
“Argh!”
“Ugh…!”
The Shadow Squad members hit by the arrows in their shoulders and abdomens cried out and fell.
Mucheon watched, his eyes twitching with tension.
‘Incredible… At this rate, we might not be able to stop her…!’