Chapter 376: Return to the Demonic Sect
Jinbaek found himself staring intently at two unfamiliar objects, their appearance unlike anything he had ever seen before.
A liquid, shimmering in hues of red and blue.
Inside, tiny particles of light floated, mesmerizing in their brilliance.
The sight was so captivating that it held his gaze for a long time.
Finally, Jinbaek looked up and asked, “What… is this?”
“It’s a potion from the Demon Realm,” came the reply.
“A potion? From the Demon Realm, no less?”
He had heard the general story from Eunki Ryung. This place, the Myolmagwan, was not just a counter to the Demonic Cult, but a facility to oppose the Demon Realm itself.
Yet, Jinbaek still found it hard to grasp. The idea of the Demon Realm invading the world? It was not something easily believed.
Though he couldn’t fully comprehend it, he wasn’t skeptical either.
After another long look at the potion, Jinbaek spoke with difficulty. “It’s quite different from the potions of the Central Plains.”
“Indeed. The red one is a healing potion, used for treating injuries and restoring stamina.”
“A panacea, then?”
Sabikang shook his head. “It’s excellent for healing wounds and injuries, but curing diseases is beyond its capability.”
“I see. And this one?”
“This is a mana potion. It temporarily restores the mana within one’s body. Think of it as a temporary boost to one’s internal energy.”
“Does the Demon Realm have internal energy as well?”
“Internal energy techniques are unique to the Central Plains. In the Demon Realm, they manage mana similarly.”
“Truly fascinating.”
“It may seem unfamiliar now, but you’ll get used to it quickly. Especially someone like you.”
“Don’t try to flatter me. Just get to the point. What do you want from me?”
Sabikang grinned. “We’d like you to improve these potions.”
“Improve them?”
“It’s simple. Make them more suitable for the people of the Central Plains. And if possible, increase their quantity significantly.”
“Well, that’s incredibly simple, isn’t it? Do you really think I can do that?”
“I believe you can.”
“You’ve got the wrong person. I’m just a humble physician teaching medical students. Look for someone else.”
“If even the Celestial Illusion Doctor can’t do it, then no one in the Central Plains can.”
Jinbaek flinched at Sabikang’s words, a look of surprise crossing his face.
“How do you… know that?”
The Celestial Illusion Doctor was a title from Jinbaek’s past, known to very few.
Sabikang chuckled softly. “I was once the head of the Inspection Bureau. I know at least that much.”
“Then you must also know why I’m teaching medical students now.”
Jinbaek’s expression grew heavier than ever.
Sabikang nodded calmly. “I do. That’s why we ask you to teach the medical students here as well. And if you could also work on the research I mentioned, it would be greatly appreciated.”
“And if I refuse?”
“The cost would be the lives of the people of the Central Plains.”
“People dying…”
“Not just a few. We’re talking about annihilation.”
Jinbaek shuddered, then waved his hand dismissively. “What nonsense…”
“You always said that if there’s even the slightest chance of danger, it’s the duty of those who practice medicine to prevent it and ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
“Hmm.”
“The incident caused by the Demonic Cult in the Central Plains has more than a slight chance of recurring. It’s almost certain.”
Jinbaek fell silent, staring at Sabikang as if trying to uncover the truth.
Their gazes locked in the air for a long time.
Finally, Jinbaek let out a deep sigh, stood up, and walked to the window.
“It’s hard to believe. The world seems so peaceful.”
Soon, spring would come, the snow would melt, flowers would bloom, and butterflies would flutter lazily.
Yet the annihilation of the Central Plains…
Jinbaek sighed again and spoke. “How much time do I have?”
“The sooner, the better.”
“I’ll need many things.”
Sabikang grinned. “Just say the word. I’ll get you whatever you need.”
“And there’s one more thing.”
Jinbaek turned to face Sabikang directly.
Sabikang furrowed his brow slightly and asked, “What is it?”
“If the day comes when we fight those demonic creatures again… you must take me with you at least once.”
Sabikang looked at him, waiting for an explanation, and Jinbaek continued.
“I need to see what kind of disease it is with my own eyes to develop a cure.”
Sabikang thought for a moment, then nodded. “Understood. If that’s necessary, I’ll accommodate it.”
At that moment, neither of them knew that the day would come much sooner than expected.
**
About a month passed, and the cold began to ease.
The students at Myolmagwan were gradually adapting to the atmosphere of the academy.
“Huff, huff, huff…!”
The students, panting heavily, surrounded Seoraehyang.
Seoraehyang scanned her surroundings sharply and spoke. “Are you all not focused? Do you think you can handle demonic creatures like this?”
“Haaah!”
One student let out a battle cry, lunging at Seoraehyang from behind.
Thud!
Seoraehyang gracefully sidestepped, avoiding the student’s sword, and swiftly executed a technique, slamming the attacker to the ground.
Crash!
“Ugh!”
“Pathetic. Who taught you to shout a battle cry during a sneak attack?”
At Seoraehyang’s scolding, the other students bit their lips and charged at her all at once.
Whoosh!
As they revealed their intent from all directions, Seoraehyang quickly raised her protective energy and spun around.
Clang, clang, clang!
Weapons clashed against her barrier and bounced off, while she struck at the students’ pressure points with her wooden sword.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
“Ugh!”
“Aaah!”
The students screamed in agony, rolling on the ground.
As the skirmish ended, Seoraehyang gracefully landed and caught her breath.
She had improved beyond imagination compared to just a few days ago.
Training against the students like this was, in fact, a more rigorous practice for her.
Seoraehyang shouted sharply. “Get up! How do you expect to fight demonic creatures if you fall so easily? Is this all you’ve got?”
“Damn it…”
The students cursed under their breath, struggling to their feet.
The sun had long set, and their stomachs growled with hunger.
Yet Seoraehyang did not stop the training.
One student whispered to another beside him.
[Damn it! Why did we have to get stuck with that instructor today?]
[We would have had to face her eventually. The instructors rotate between classes.]
[Still, she’s famous. The Red Witch.]
[It’s like we’re bearing the brunt of an old maid’s temper.]
As they exchanged whispers, one exhausted student spoke up.
“Instructor, can’t we stop now? The other classes have been back in their dorms for ages.”
“I’m in charge of your class today. It has nothing to do with the others. Come at me. Or I’ll come to you.”
Reluctantly, the students readied their weapons and faced Seoraehyang again.
Thud!
“Haaah!”
This time, Seoraehyang moved first, darting towards them like a flash of light.
The students charged at her with battle cries, but it was a one-sided massacre.
They tried various techniques, but nothing worked against Seoraehyang.
Even when they managed to graze her shoulder, she retaliated without hesitation.
As if she were in a real battle.
How much time had passed?
The moon had shifted significantly in the sky.
“Huff, huff, huff…!”
“Pant, pant, pant…!”
The students lay scattered, utterly exhausted, unable to move.
They seemed to have expended all their energy.
Standing among them, Seoraehyang surveyed the scene with cold eyes, then sighed softly.
“Pathetic. You can go.”
Despite the insult, the students felt a sense of relief that the session was over.
They quickly bowed and left, while Seoraehyang staggered, barely maintaining her balance.
Though she didn’t show it, she too had been pushing herself to the limit.
If not for the recent intense training, she wouldn’t have lasted this long.
Finally, her legs gave out, and Seoraehyang collapsed onto the ground, lying spread-eagle.
Her body was drenched in sweat.
“Huff, huff, huff…!”
Her heart pounded, her chest rising and falling with each breath.
Just then, she sensed someone approaching.
Turning, she saw Jeokmurin smiling faintly.
“You’ve overdone it again today.”
“I need to… to sleep well.”
“Are you still… unable to forget?”
Seoraehyang understood the meaning behind Jeokmurin’s words.
She looked up at the star-filled night sky and replied as if talking to herself.
“I thought I would, but… strangely, it’s starting to fade.”
“That’s good news. Is it the result of your efforts?”
“Perhaps. At least when I push my body to the limit, my mind feels at ease.”
Hongmyo chuckled softly in response.
Jeok Murin nodded faintly and spoke.
“I have some more good news.”
“What is it?”
“I finally found it.”
“Found what?”
Seoraehyang asked, looking puzzled. Jeok Murin replied with a soft smile.
“A little happiness in life. I discovered an amazing noodle shop.”
Seoraehyang stared at Jeok Murin in disbelief.
Finally, she burst into a light laugh, her voice ringing with amusement.
“You really are something, Murin.”
“Is that… a compliment?”
“Of course. A very good one. Let’s go. Let’s find that little happiness. It’s on me today.”
Seoraehyang stood up, feeling cheerful.
“Strange rumors?”
Sabigang asked, and Hongyeom lowered his head as he answered.
“Yes, the source is a place called Jeongheung in Gangseo. It’s about a cave that appeared in Haboksan.”
He shared the gist of the rumors.
Sabigang stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“A cave formed after an earthquake. There’s definitely something there.”
“The Guiyeongdan wanted to investigate on their own, but the lord instructed us to report first…”
“You did well. It’s not a place for you to venture into.”
“Could the Mareonggyo be hiding there?”
Sabigang shook his head.
“No, there are likely greater dangers. We should start preparing. Station people to ensure no one approaches that cave.”
“Understood.”