Episode 38: Return to the Demonic Sect
The water cascaded down her smooth legs, tracing a path over her delicate shoulders, curvaceous chest, slender waist, and softly rounded hips, before glistening like honey on her thighs and tapering down to her calves.
She was a living sculpture, flawless in every way.
Mae Seol-ran shook her wet hair and wrapped a large towel around her body. Her beauty was breathtaking, a face and figure that could stop hearts. She glanced at her reflection, gently caressing her chest, and smiled.
“Today is the day.”
After slipping into her undergarments, she donned a thin dress that accentuated her curves, leaving the front slightly open to highlight her ample bosom.
“Perfect,” she thought, brimming with confidence as she flung open the door.
“Sorry to keep you waiting! I’m done with my bath, so it’s your turn now, Instructor…”
Her voice trailed off as she realized the room was empty. Instead, a letter lay on the table.
Mae Seol-ran shivered slightly. He had left without a hint of tension, even as she bathed. She had never met anyone quite like him.
“Ugh! Sa Bi-gang!”
She threw the towel aside in frustration.
**
“Hmm. It’s one of those two.”
Sa Bi-gang stood on a swaying tree branch, gazing at the distant mountains. Named Rabbit Ear Mountain for its twin peaks, one was called Left Ear Peak, the other Right Ear Peak. His destination was Left Ear Peak, but from this angle, it was impossible to tell which was which.
“I’ll rest today and head out tomorrow.”
The item he sought at Left Ear Peak was of unparalleled importance, potentially a turning point in his life. The barrier protecting it would be intricate, but not insurmountable for someone like him.
“Still, caution never hurts.”
He needed to confirm which peak was Left Ear Peak and approach it in daylight when the barrier’s power would be weakest.
“Perhaps I should ask the innkeeper.”
As he pondered, he noticed a group of people in the distance. It was too dark to see clearly, but there seemed to be quite a few of them.
“Villagers, perhaps? Perfect. I can ask them.”
With a leap, Sa Bi-gang descended from the tree.
**
“Hey, are you deaf or something?”
The thug spat through the gap in his missing teeth, growling at the travelers who trembled before him.
“Please, sir, have mercy. If you take this, we’ll starve.”
“Do I look like a ‘sir’ to you?”
”…”
“You’re mistaken. If I were a ‘sir,’ why would I be robbing you? I’m a bandit, doing my job.”
His companions chuckled, one tapping his neck with the flat of his blade.
“Consider yourselves lucky. If there was a woman among you, she’d be coming with us.”
“So, hand over everything you’ve got. It’s getting dark, and we need to head back.”
The five travelers exchanged nervous glances. The bandits were armed and seemed skilled in martial arts. Outnumbered, they had no choice but to comply, sighing as they began to unload their belongings.
“Here… here it is.”
“Is that all?”
The thug inspected the bundles, questioning them.
“We’ve given you everything. Please, let us go.”
“If I find anything on you, you’re dead.”
“But that’s all we have…”
“I said, if I find anything, you’re dead.”
The travelers paled, their fear evident. The thug smirked, enjoying their reaction.
“I’ll give you one last chance. Hand over everything now, and…”
“Excuse me, can I ask you something?”
“Yeah, what is it… huh?”
The thug turned, surprised by the interruption. His fellow bandits followed suit, eyeing the newcomer.
A tall, handsome man approached, a uniquely shaped sword at his side—Sa Bi-gang.
“Who the hell is this? A martial artist?”
The thug frowned, his men whispering nervously.
“Boss, he looks like a martial artist. What should we do?”
“Relax. We’ve got the numbers. No need to worry.”
They had martial arts training too. If the stranger was only second or third-rate, they had the advantage.
Oblivious to the tension, Sa Bi-gang approached an elderly traveler.
“You seem to know the area well. Could you tell me which of those peaks is Left Ear Peak?”
The old man, bewildered, replied, “Left Ear Peak, you say?”
Sa Bi-gang smiled warmly. “Yes, it’s important. Do you know?”
“That one,” the old man pointed.
“Are you sure? It’s crucial I don’t make a mistake.”
“Of course.”
“And the quickest way to get there?”
The old man hesitated, glancing at the thug.
“Please, it’s very important.”
Sa Bi-gang clasped the old man’s hand, urging him.
“Follow this path to the fork…”
As the old man explained, the thug watched in disbelief.
“What the hell is this?”
Asking for directions during a robbery?
“Hey.”
The thug called out, but Sa Bi-gang was engrossed in the directions.
A vein throbbed on the thug’s forehead.
“Hey! Don’t you see us here?”
Sa Bi-gang finally turned, unfazed.
“Hmm? Do you need something? Just a moment, I’m almost done.”
“What the…?”
The thug’s face twisted in anger, but Sa Bi-gang paid him no mind, urging the old man to continue.
Once he had all the information, Sa Bi-gang bowed.
“Thank you, sir. You’ve been a great help.”
He then turned to the thug, smiling.
“Now, what was it you wanted?”
The thug’s face contorted with rage.
“Who the hell does he think he is?”
One of the bandits whispered to the thug.
“Boss, is he ignoring us or trying to appease us?”
The thug gritted his teeth, shouting.
“Hey, kid! Do you know where you are? Do you know who we are?”
“Of course.”
The thug flinched at the unexpected response.
“You do? Who are we?”
“It’s written all over your faces. ‘Bandits.’”
Sa Bi-gang’s expression turned cold, his aura shifting.
The travelers, realizing their chance, cried out.
“Hero! Please save us!”
“We’re being threatened by these men!”
The thug snapped.
“Shut up! Hey, you! Hand over that sword.”
He pointed at Sa Bi-gang’s weapon.
Sa Bi-gang chuckled.
“If I give you this, you’re dead.”
“What?”
“Seems I can’t just walk away. I owe these people for their help, and I don’t like being disrespected by trash.”
“You’re out of your mind.”
The bandits drew their weapons, surrounding Sa Bi-gang.
Sa Bi-gang, arms crossed, addressed the travelers.
“You should leave now.”
“Where do you think you’re going? Stay put. We’ll deal with you after him.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle this.”
“If you leave, you’re dead.”
Sa Bi-gang and the thug exchanged words, the travelers caught in the middle.
Sa Bi-gang spoke again.
“Consider it a thank you for the directions. Go now.”
“But…”
“Go!”
Sa Bi-gang’s shout echoed, leaving no room for argument.
A voice, rich with history, resonated through the night air, echoing powerfully.
Only then did the passersby hurriedly gather their belongings and scurry away in a rush.
Meanwhile, Akso and his band of thieves stood frozen, staring at Sabigang with expressions of shock.
“That voice just now…!”
It was a voice no second-rate martial artist could produce.
Even without engaging in combat, the depth of power in that voice was unmistakable.
“Damn it! A master?”
Akso finally realized he had underestimated his opponent.
And as always, his ominous premonitions were never wrong.
Sabigang muttered under his breath.
“If you lack skill, you should at least have some sense. But you lot have neither sense nor manners. No wonder life is so hard for you.”
With a sudden whoosh, flames began to gather in Sabigang’s hand.
“Gah!”
Akso and the thieves gasped, stepping back in fear.
“What is that? Fire, out of nowhere…!”
“I’ve never seen anything like it!”
The faces of the four turned pale.
Akso mustered the courage to speak, his voice trembling.
“W-we didn’t recognize you, sir…”
“Too late.”
With a cold retort, Sabigang unleashed a spear of flame from his hand.
Whoosh!
“Aaaargh!”
A chorus of agonized screams followed.
**
“What? Kidnapping? Cough!”
Gok Bo-ok choked on his tea, startled by the suggestion.
Once he regained his composure, he looked at Yeon Woo-kyung, who wore a faint smile.
“You’re joking, right?”
“Why would I joke about something so dull?”
“Are you seriously suggesting kidnapping?”
“Yes. Sabigang plans to stay here for two days. Whatever he’s up to, it’s likely personal.”
“True, there’s no other reason to linger in a remote village like this.”
“Which means we have plenty of opportunities. While the instructor is occupied, we can act without much scrutiny.”
“But kidnapping…?”
Gok Bo-ok murmured, still uneasy about the plan.
Yeon Woo-kyung took a leisurely sip of tea before continuing.
“You’ve heard the rumors, right? The Black Twin Demons have been causing trouble around here. What are they known for?”
“Kidnapping… You can’t mean…?”
“Exactly. We can easily pin our actions on them. Think about it. If a student is kidnapped during a training trip, who would be held responsible?”
A sly grin spread across Gok Bo-ok’s face.
“Heh heh. This could be interesting.”
“This is the perfect opportunity.”
“But who should we kidnap?”
“Someone close to the instructor, who spends a lot of time alone, would be ideal.”
Yeon Woo-kyung gestured out the window with a subtle nod.
Just then, they saw Neung So-so walking towards the stables below.
Gok Bo-ok’s expression twisted into a wicked smile.
“Heh heh. Perfect timing.”
Yeon Woo-kyung nodded faintly.
“I hadn’t planned to go this far, but after that day, I changed my mind.”
“Thinking about that day still makes my blood boil. My backside still aches just remembering it.”
They were referring to the incident at the Black Snake Hall.
Recalling the beating that left their backsides bruised and bleeding still filled them with rage.