Episode 338: Return to the Demon Sect

The night was dark.

Rain fell steadily, soaking the earth.

Heuk-hyo raced through the muddy forest path, his movements as swift and agile as a flying squirrel, executing his technique with precision.

Swish, swish, swish!

Grass and trees blurred past him as he sped along.

After running for quite some time, Heuk-hyo came to a halt in front of a massive boulder.

The rain had intensified, the drops now heavier than before.

The boulder was enormous, towering at least ten feet high.

Midway up the rock stood a man, his face marred by severe burns.

It was Jeok-myeon-in.

“You’ve arrived?” he said, his voice calm yet clear in the rain.

Heuk-hyo nodded in acknowledgment. “I’ve come to deliver a message from the Master. Wouldn’t it be better to come down and talk?”

Jeok-myeon-in twisted his lips into a wry smile. “As you can see, I’m not in the best shape. On rainy days like this, my whole body aches. It would be better if you came up.”

Heuk-hyo’s expression hardened. He could see through Jeok-myeon-in’s intentions—this was a test of his abilities.

Suppressing a smirk, Heuk-hyo leaped into the air.

With a few agile bounds off the rock face, he landed gracefully beside Jeok-myeon-in.

Jeok-myeon-in, impressed by Heuk-hyo’s skill, remarked, “Your technique is indeed impressive.”

“You’re too kind,” Heuk-hyo replied, though inwardly he was cursing. After all, Jeok-myeon-in represented the Demon Sect, and it was best not to provoke him.

Jeok-myeon-in continued with a mocking smile, “But you didn’t come all this way just to show off your skills, did you?”

Heuk-hyo bristled inwardly. ‘You’re the one who made me climb up here!’

But he kept his composure. “We have a situation. We need you to prolong the skirmish a bit longer.”

“It’s been four days already. How much longer do you intend to play this game?” Jeok-myeon-in’s voice carried a hint of irritation.

Heuk-hyo had expected this reaction. He had endured the disrespect so far for this very reason.

With a sigh, he replied, “There are minor issues, but they’ll be resolved soon. When the time comes, we’ll signal you. Then, together, we can finally eradicate the righteous alliance…”

“I believe I’ve heard this before, four days ago. Or am I mistaken?” Jeok-myeon-in interrupted.

“I apologize for the delay.”

“Apologies… Or is it that you’ve lost your nerve?”

“Watch your words.”

“That’s not something you should be saying to me,” Jeok-myeon-in retorted, his voice tinged with anger.

A menacing aura mixed with dark energy emanated from him, so intense that the rain evaporated before it could touch him.

Heuk-hyo couldn’t help but acknowledge the power of the Demon Sect’s followers. ‘Once we deal with the righteous alliance, we’ll have to keep an eye on the Demon Sect.’

Concealing his thoughts, Heuk-hyo spoke again. “As a token of gratitude for your cooperation, the Master has sent a gift.”

He placed a metal box on the ground.

Jeok-myeon-in glanced at it and chuckled. “Is it the head of the righteous alliance leader?”

“Not quite, but I think you’ll find it satisfactory.”

Heuk-hyo opened the latch on the side of the box, revealing a creature inside.

It was a rat, covered in blue fur, the size of a human head. Its eyes glowed golden, and its long, sharp front teeth exuded a menacing aura.

Jeok-myeon-in frowned. “Is it for eating?”

“It’s a Golden Blue Rat. Surely you’ve heard of it.”

Jeok-myeon-in’s expression shifted slightly. Though he had never seen one, he had heard of the Golden Blue Rat’s legendary ability to track scents over vast distances.

Jeok-myeon-in eyed Heuk-hyo, curiosity piqued. “So, what can this creature do for us?”

The answer would determine how much more the Demon Sect would cooperate with them.

Heuk-hyo, confident, lifted his chin slightly. “It can find the Celestial Demon Physique.”

Jeok-myeon-in’s expression twitched. He had painful memories associated with the Celestial Demon Physique, a power he had vowed to claim one day.

And now, this rat could lead them to it?

“The Master has already marked the Celestial Demon Physique with an undetectable scent. The target is unaware of it.”

“I see,” Jeok-myeon-in’s expression softened.

After a moment of contemplation, he spoke heavily. “Three days.”

”……?”

“I’ll wait three more days. If there’s no signal by then, we’ll take matters into our own hands.”

In three days, the Demon Sect would launch an attack on the righteous alliance.

Heuk-hyo narrowed his eyes at Jeok-myeon-in. “Do you have enough forces for that?”

It was a skeptical question, given that the Demon Sect had yet to show overwhelming strength in their skirmishes.

Jeok-myeon-in chuckled and leaped to the top of the boulder.

Heuk-hyo followed, using his technique to reach the summit.

And when he turned around,

”……!”

Heuk-hyo’s eyes widened.

Behind the rocky hill, a massive gathering of warriors—or were they even human?

They moved sluggishly, murmuring as if entranced, exuding a dark energy that tainted the air.

Heuk-hyo tensed, resolving inwardly, ‘Once this is over, the Demon Sect must be dealt with!’

Jeok-myeon-in smirked. “This should be enough, no matter who the opponent is.”

**

Drip… drip…

The sound of water droplets echoed occasionally from deep within the cave.

Jeok-mu-rin stirred and looked to his side.

Seorae-hyang lay beside him, asleep, her body uncovered.

Jeok-mu-rin gently brushed her hair aside.

The night before, they had shared a passionate night.

He could still feel her warm breath against his chest.

But now… it was over.

Soon, the poison within him would consume him entirely.

Once it did, the deadly toxin would spread through his body, leading to his demise.

Even with his internal energy protecting him, there was a limit.

It was time to let go.

Jeok-mu-rin stood up abruptly and dressed.

He picked up his robe, hesitated, then gently covered Seorae-hyang’s bare form.

At that moment,

“Ugh…!”

A burning sensation flared in his abdomen.

The pain coursed through his veins, chilling him to the core.

‘The poison has begun!’

Fortunately, he had prepared by fortifying his body with internal energy, so it wasn’t critical yet.

He needed to leave this place.

Sweating from the pain, he managed a faint smile.

The discomfort was a relief—it meant the poison had fully entered his body.

By now, the poison was likely writhing within him, dying.

And soon, he would follow.

‘Lady Hongmyo, may you find happiness.’

He bowed deeply to the sleeping Seorae-hyang.

As he turned to leave,

“Mmm…!”

A faint moan reached his ears.

Jeok-mu-rin paused, gritting his teeth, and took a step forward.

But a voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Mu-rin…?”

Seorae-hyang’s voice, groggy from sleep.

Jeok-mu-rin’s vision blurred for a moment.

He hadn’t expected her to call his name at this moment.

Seorae-hyang blinked awake, then realized the situation and looked flustered.

“Oh, how did this happen…?”

Jeok-mu-rin couldn’t bring himself to leave.

“Lady Hongmyo…”

He mumbled, head bowed.

Was it because he was facing death?

Or was it relief that she was safe?

He fought back tears, his expression twisted like a frightened child.

Seorae-hyang, surprised, stood up.

Holding her robe tightly to her chest, she blurted out something unexpected.

“Did I… did I attack you?”

”…What?”

“I’m so sorry. Why don’t I remember? I didn’t think I was capable of that. What happened? What on earth happened?”

Seeing her earnest confusion, Jeok-mu-rin felt foolish for his earlier guilt.

Yet, he found her flustered demeanor endearing.

‘Yes, that’s the kind of person Lady Hongmyo is.’

A faint smile of relief appeared on his face.

“Be happy.”

As Jeok Murin bowed his head once more, Seoraehyang tilted hers in curiosity and asked, “Why the sudden formality? You sound like someone about to embark on a long journey. Did I do something strange to you, Jeok Daeju? I mean… did I, uh, wield a whip or… tie you up with ropes or… use candle wax… or something…?”

Jeok Murin, listening with a blank expression, couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

Seoraehyang’s face flushed an even deeper shade of red. “Why are you laughing? Did I really do something weird?”

As she stepped closer, Jeok Murin instinctively retreated, quickly extending his hand.

Tap, tap, tap.

In an instant, Seoraehyang was immobilized, standing as still as a statue, unable to move a muscle. Her eyes widened in surprise, blinking rapidly.

“What… what’s happening?”

“I’m sorry, Hongmyo-nim. I really don’t have much time left… Ugh!”

Suddenly, blood spurted from Jeok Murin’s mouth.

Seoraehyang gasped in shock. “Murin! What’s happening? Are you okay?”

“The pressure points will release in two hours.”

“Wait! Hold on! You need to explain what’s going on!”

Seoraehyang shouted, trying to muster her inner strength, but it was futile. Normally, her internal energy was far superior to Jeok Murin’s, and she wouldn’t have been subdued so easily.

‘Why…?’

As if answering her unspoken question, Jeok Murin spoke. “The Sehonpokmyeol poison hasn’t completely destroyed your innate energy. Given time, your strength will return. Goodbye.”

With that, Jeok Murin turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing in the dim cave.

“Murin! Murin!”

Only Seoraehyang’s plaintive voice echoed through the dark cavern.