Episode 341: Return to the Demonic Sect
A group of figures dashed swiftly through the forest.
“Shhh. Shhh!”
Close behind them, warriors pursued relentlessly.
Before long, three warriors from the fleeing group turned back and shouted, “Master! Go on ahead! We’ll hold them off!”
Cheongpung Clan Leader Eun-hwi clenched his teeth and glanced back at them.
“I’m sorry!”
He wanted nothing more than to fight alongside them, but now was the time for rational decisions.
He bit his lip until it bled.
So much had gone wrong.
Despite anticipating the betrayal of the Blood Demon Alliance, they had suffered a crushing defeat.
“Why… why haven’t they come?”
According to the messenger, the Yi Sect and Nakseong Sect should have arrived by now.
Even if they had, the outcome against the demonic soldiers of the Ma-ryeong Sect was uncertain.
But it wouldn’t have been this disastrous.
“Something must have happened to the Yi and Nakseong Sects. Their hidden schemes run deeper than I thought!”
He had been careless.
He thought he was prepared, but he had underestimated the Blood Demon Alliance and the Ma-ryeong Sect.
“What will the Alliance Leader think of me…”
A sigh escaped him.
Having lost most of the righteous warriors, he had no face to show even if he survived.
Just then, a subordinate running ahead called out, “Master, this way!”
It was So Bi-gwang, the leader of the Cheongpung Clan’s reconnaissance unit, known for his exceptional agility.
Following him, Eun-hwi fell into deep thought.
“We can’t escape like this.”
The three who stayed behind to hold off the enemy were likely already dead, as the pursuers drew ever closer.
Resolving himself, he called out to So Bi-gwang, “I’ll hold them off. You must survive and report everything to the Alliance Leader.”
“Master!”
So Bi-gwang turned back in shock.
But Eun-hwi had already made up his mind.
“Don’t stop, just keep going!”
“Master, no! Let me—”
“You can’t stop them!”
”…!”
So Bi-gwang realized it was futile to argue.
His master never went back on a decision once made.
“I… understand.”
With difficulty, So Bi-gwang replied, and Eun-hwi nodded, coming to a sliding halt.
“You scoundrels! I’ll take you on!”
His roar echoed through the forest, sending birds fluttering into the sky.
So Bi-gwang continued running without pause.
“Please, be safe!”
Meanwhile, Eun-hwi launched himself at the three warriors hot on his heels.
“Shhh! Shhh!”
A flash of light as he unleashed his signature Whirlwind Sword technique.
“Argh!”
“Ahhh!”
The warriors, likely from the Blood Demon Alliance, fell, their bodies twisting in agony.
But the real problem was…
“Those ones.”
The group charging right behind them.
They were demonic soldiers from the Ma-ryeong Sect, twice the size of an average man, with vacant, entranced eyes.
“Shhh! Shhh!”
The demonic soldiers surrounded Eun-hwi, exuding a sinister aura mixed with murderous intent.
Eun-hwi narrowed his eyes, slowly drawing upon his inner strength.
“Whoooosh!”
The air trembled as his robe billowed, a clear, refreshing energy radiating outward, diluting the oppressive aura.
In the next moment,
“Roar!”
“Raaah!”
The demonic soldiers charged at Eun-hwi with a collective roar.
Eun-hwi spun, launching himself into the air.
“Die, you wretches!”
“Whirlwind Slash!”
The most energy-consuming move of the Cheongpung Sword Art, the Whirlwind Slash, erupted in a dazzling white light, tearing through the air like a tornado.
The demonic soldiers, caught in the storm, screamed as their bodies were shredded.
“Slash! Slash! Slash!”
The gruesome sound of flesh being torn apart filled the air, blood and gore splattering everywhere.
Landing with a spin, Eun-hwi staggered briefly but quickly regained his balance, surveying the scene.
Around twenty demonic soldiers lay in pieces, their bodies torn to shreds.
“Inhale, exhale.”
Eun-hwi took a deep breath.
He had expended a great deal of energy with that strike, but he had bought So Bi-gwang valuable time to escape.
Then,
Clap, clap, clap.
Suddenly, the sound of applause echoed.
Eun-hwi furrowed his brow and looked up to see a man standing confidently on a tree branch.
“When did he…?”
Eun-hwi, a master of the highest order, second only to the Alliance Leader in martial prowess, had not sensed the man’s approach.
The man descended slowly, as if stepping down invisible stairs, a testament to his profound inner strength.
“Who are you?” Eun-hwi asked, steadying his breath.
The man surveyed the surroundings before replying, “I am Heo Mu-geuk, leader of the Blood Demon Alliance.”
“Eun-hwi, leader of the Cheongpung Clan.”
“Hmm. You’re not surprised.”
“With such a display of skill, I suspected it might be you.”
“I’m honored you think so.”
“Why did you betray the Alliance?”
“Why, indeed…”
Heo Mu-geuk stroked his chin, tilting his head as he spoke.
“Is there a reason? The Blood Demon Alliance attacking the righteous sects… wouldn’t having a reason be stranger?”
Eun-hwi chuckled dryly.
“True. An alliance with the likes of you was never going to work.”
“Your words lack grace.”
“We’re past the point of exchanging pleasantries.”
“Indeed. Don’t hold too much of a grudge.”
“Enough with the chatter!”
Eun-hwi launched himself forward.
With little energy left, there was no reason to let the enemy strike first.
As he unleashed the Whirlwind Sword technique, a fierce wind surged toward Heo Mu-geuk.
In that fleeting moment, Heo Mu-geuk remained composed.
He sidestepped with a slight shift, murmuring, “You’re rough. It seems you’ve exhausted much of your strength.”
“Silence!”
“Shhh!”
Eun-hwi swung his sword horizontally, charging with speed.
“Slash! Slash! Slash!”
The Whirlwind Slash Sword, a technique that swiftly targets vital points, was unleashed.
But with his depleted energy, Eun-hwi’s strikes lacked their usual sharpness.
In a battle at this level, even the slightest difference could determine the outcome.
For Heo Mu-geuk, it was like a meal served on a platter.
“Too easy… but a shame. I should have arrived sooner.”
Suddenly behind Eun-hwi, Heo Mu-geuk thrust his hand forward, his voice low and menacing.
His fingers transformed into sharp spikes, piercing deep into Eun-hwi’s back.
“Thud!”
“Argh!”
Eun-hwi arched his back, screaming in agony.
He trembled, eyes wide with disbelief.
“What… what is this…!”
“Bon appétit.”
In the next moment, veins bulged on Heo Mu-geuk’s hand and wrist.
A powerful surge of energy coursed through Eun-hwi’s body.
“Crackle! Crackle!”
With a final scream, Eun-hwi’s body went limp, reduced to a charred husk.
Heo Mu-geuk tossed Eun-hwi aside, opening and closing his hand.
“Not much to gain. I sent too many demonic soldiers.”
He muttered, glancing at the scattered remains of the demonic soldiers with a bored expression.
**
Having reached a sizable village, So Bi-gwang walked with his head down, a wide-brimmed hat pulled low.
“I made it this far!”
His master had stayed behind to ensure his escape.
“Master… will you be safe?”
With a heavy heart, he walked along the main street.
He figured it was better to blend into the bustling crowd.
As he reached the center of the village,
“Move aside!”
“Check that guy’s face!”
A rough voice called out from behind.
Turning instinctively, he saw warriors from the Blood Demon Alliance inspecting passersby.
“They’ve already caught up!”
Relentless pursuers.
Were they determined not to let a single one escape?
Despite his fear, So Bi-gwang forced himself to stay calm and quickened his pace.
He ducked into a narrow alley.
How long had he been moving in a daze?
Thud.
He bumped into someone.
As he tried to slip past, keeping his head down,
“Hold on.”
A heavy voice accompanied a large hand gripping his shoulder.
Turning reflexively, So Bi-gwang felt his body freeze.
“This is… the White Tiger Leader of the Blood Demon Alliance!”
Of all people, he had run into someone he had no chance of defeating! His eyes filled with dread.
“Can I ask you something?”
To his surprise, it was Choo Hee-ryong who spoke first.
“W-what is it?”
“I heard that Instructor Sa Bi-gang is with the Jeongdo Alliance. Is that true?”
‘So he knows I’m part of the Jeongdo Alliance!’
Of course, given his rank, it was unlikely that the Blood Sect would overlook such information.
But why was he asking this question?
And why was he questioning him here instead of capturing him?
In this strange tension, So Bi-gwang sensed a glimmer of hope.
“Yes, it’s true.”
When he answered, a curious light flickered in Choo Hee-ryong’s eyes.
“Are you certain? Is he safe?”
So Bi-gwang hesitated for a moment.
He didn’t know the full details, only that Sa Bi-gang was in a precarious situation.
Yet, from Choo Hee-ryong’s reaction, So Bi-gwang sensed something akin to hope.
‘Does he… wish for the former leader Sa Bi-gang’s safety?’
As a master of stealth, he was exceptionally perceptive.
Such intuition was essential for covert operations.
Feigning confidence, So Bi-gwang lied.
“He’s safe. But why do you ask? Are you planning to capture me?”
His boldness seemed to catch Choo Hee-ryong off guard, and he let out a small chuckle.
“Is that so…”
Choo Hee-ryong fell silent for a long moment, as if weighing a significant decision.
In truth, he was.
‘This is a crossroads. The path I choose will change my life.’
But his mind was already made up.
If the Blood Sect succeeded in their grand scheme, his position would be compromised.
It was time to take a risk.
“Go. I never saw you, and you don’t know who I am.”
”…!”
“What are you waiting for?”
“Th-thank you!”
So Bi-gwang, unsure of what had just transpired, felt as if fortune had smiled upon him and quickly moved away.
Just as he turned the corner, Choo Hee-ryong’s subordinates approached.
“We’ve already checked this area. Search elsewhere.”
“Yes, sir!”
With that, the subordinates dispersed.
Choo Hee-ryong let out a shallow sigh.
‘What am I doing…?’
There was only one person who could make him not regret this decision.
‘Instructor Sa Bi-gang, I’m placing my fate in your hands.’