Episode 388: Return to the Demon Sect

Crash!

Uk Cheong-pung slammed his fist onto the table with a force that sent splinters flying. His face was a mask of fury, his jaw clenched tight. The table was half-destroyed, but he paid it no mind, his fist trembling with barely contained rage.

“Appointing Seop Cheong as the head of the Inspection Bureau? What on earth is the leader thinking?” he spat, his cheek twitching with irritation.

Already humiliated by having fallen under Sa Bi-gang’s strange spell at the last assembly, Uk Cheong-pung was seething. He had been asleep while the crucial decision to establish the Myeolma-gwan was made, and the thought of it turned his stomach.

He had hoped to see his ally, Muk Yang-je, appointed to the now-vacant position of the Inspection Bureau head. But now…

“Seop Cheong from the Sword Shadow Pavilion? Unbelievable!” Uk Cheong-pung shook his head in disbelief, clicking his tongue.

Muk Yang-je, standing nearby, sighed softly. “It was indeed an unexpected appointment. No one could have predicted the Sword Shadow Pavilion’s leader would become the head of the Inspection Bureau.”

“This isn’t just unexpected; it’s a disaster waiting to happen! How can they not see the difference between public and private matters?”

“Surely the leader didn’t make this decision alone. The influence of the General Military Advisor must have played a part.”

“It’s frustrating. Aren’t you angry?” Uk Cheong-pung asked, frowning at Muk Yang-je’s calm demeanor.

Muk Yang-je smiled faintly. “Perhaps it was a position too grand for me.”

In truth, Muk Yang-je was just as frustrated. He had worked tirelessly behind the scenes to secure the position for himself. But with Seop Cheong’s appointment, he felt as if he’d been blindsided.

‘If the leader had already decided on Seop Cheong, there was nothing to be done,’ he thought, trying to remain rational. Though he wanted to confront the General Military Advisor, he knew the world didn’t work according to one’s whims.

Uk Cheong-pung exhaled deeply. “The Myeolma-gwan is growing into a new power, and the Inspection Bureau is now led by someone unexpected. It’s worrying how the alliance will hold together.”

Ambition, when unchecked, can masquerade as conviction. Uk Cheong-pung struggled to distinguish between his desires and true principles, genuinely believing he was acting in the alliance’s best interest.

Muk Yang-je offered a bittersweet smile. “If Sa Bi-gang truly has the capability, shouldn’t we acknowledge his presence for the peace of the martial world?”

“Hah!” Uk Cheong-pung scoffed, turning to Muk Yang-je. “Do you really think that man is exceptional? How can we trust someone who bewitches people with strange arts?”

“That’s why we must thoroughly verify him,” Muk Yang-je replied with a mysterious smile.

Uk Cheong-pung paused, considering the suggestion. “Verify…?”

Their eyes met, and Uk Cheong-pung’s lips curled into a faint smile as he grasped Muk Yang-je’s intent.

“Ah, I see what you mean.”

“We’ll conduct a special audit. With the Myeolma-gwan’s growing influence, a thorough investigation is warranted.”

“Indeed. You always speak sense. But what if the Inspection Bureau insists on conducting the investigation themselves?”

“That won’t do,” Muk Yang-je replied firmly. “The Inspection Bureau is already busy monitoring existing organizations and focusing on rooting out corruption. The Myeolma-gwan is new, so it makes sense to create a dedicated audit team. Besides, both Sa Bi-gang and Mae Seol-ran were former heads of the Inspection Bureau. It would be criticized as a mere formality if the Bureau investigated its former leaders.”

“You’re right, but there’s one concern.”

“What is it?”

“As you said, the Myeolma-gwan is newly established. Sending an audit team so soon might be seen as demoralizing.”

Muk Yang-je continued without hesitation, as if he had anticipated this. “Whether new or old, if there’s an issue, it should be audited.”

“What issue?”

“Reports say that serious injuries occur almost daily at the Myeolma-gwan.”

“Ah, that. I’ve heard,” Uk Cheong-pung nodded. Rumors of Sa Bi-gang’s harsh training methods causing frequent injuries were already widespread within the alliance.

Muk Yang-je continued, “Some students have even left and returned home voluntarily.”

“Hmm. If we want to make an issue of it, there’s certainly enough to go on.”

“Sa Bi-gang seems to be acting with impunity. He needs to be cautioned.”

“Indeed. You’re right. Someone like you would have been perfect for the Inspection Bureau head,” Uk Cheong-pung lamented, clicking his tongue.

Muk Yang-je smiled. “There are many positions besides the head of the Inspection Bureau.”

“Hahaha! True. There are plenty of roles, like ‘Myeolma-gwan leader,’ for instance.”

Muk Yang-je responded with a faint smile.

Uk Cheong-pung nodded decisively. “Let’s propose this at tonight’s meeting. This matter must be addressed with utmost seriousness.”

“With your support, it shouldn’t be difficult.”

“Of course! I must do my part for the alliance.”

Just then, Muk Yang-je hesitated for a moment. Noticing this, Uk Cheong-pung narrowed his eyes.

“What’s the matter?”

Muk Yang-je smiled slightly, looking at Uk Cheong-pung. “It seems the audit mission is destined by the heavens.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s been new information.”

“New information?”

“Sa Bi-gang has gone missing.”

“What?”

Uk Cheong-pung’s eyes widened in shock.

Muk Yang-je, listening intently, continued, “He apparently led a demon extermination squad to the Jiangxi region…”

“And he went missing there?”

“It seems so. There are reports of casualties and injuries.”

“Unbelievable! The Myeolma-gwan hasn’t been around long, and already the leader is missing with casualties? What kind of demon were they facing?”

“We need to find out,” Muk Yang-je said with a faint smile, and Uk Cheong-pung nodded with a grim expression.

“Yes, we must. This can’t be overlooked.”

**

Students of the Murang Hall were bustling about, carrying large wooden planks. Mae Seol-ran stopped one of them to ask, “What are you doing?”

“The leader instructed us to build an altar.”

“An altar?”

“He said it connects heaven and earth, and bridges spaces.”

“Connecting heaven and earth, bridging spaces?” Mae Seol-ran repeated, puzzled. The student shrugged, indicating he knew no more, and continued on his way.

Taking a deep breath, Mae Seol-ran looked up at the entrance of Murang Hall. It was her third visit, yet she hadn’t met Murang once. Each time she entered, she found herself back in her own room, ensnared by Murang’s sorcery.

Initially, she was angry, having come to confront him about his prediction that Sa Bi-gang would return safely. But after being turned away three times, her emotions had calmed. The storm of feelings had subsided, giving way to reason.

Now, she sought not confrontation but counsel.

‘If you understand my heart, don’t turn me away again. I might truly get angry,’ she thought, steeling herself as she stepped into Murang Hall.

‘Ah…!’

Finally, she could see the interior of Murang Hall. This time, Murang had accepted her visit. She went straight to the leader’s chamber, where Murang sat with his eyes closed in meditation.

“You’ve come?”

“It took four visits for you to see me.”

“I’ve been busy,” Murang replied nonchalantly.

Mae Seol-ran chuckled. “It’s fine. I’m not here to argue. I came to ask for your help.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Murang’s response came before she could even explain. Normally, such interruption might have been irritating, but Mae Seol-ran smiled gently.

“I know. You’re already trying to find him. But I wanted to ask once more. Please, find him.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you.”

With a slight bow, Mae Seol-ran turned to leave. Her business with Murang was concluded. He would do everything he could, and that was enough. Now, she needed to find her own path.

In the past, she might have left everything to Murang and simply prayed. But now, things were different.

Watching Sabigang fight against the formidable enemy known as the ‘Demon Realm’ had changed Maeseollan’s approach to life, making her more proactive.

“When times are tough, you have to stay sharp.”

With her resolve strengthened, Maeseollan was about to move when a voice called out to her.

“Come see me.”

“What?”

Startled, Maeseollan turned around.

“Weren’t you planning to send someone?”

“How did you know…?”

“I sensed a change in your energy. I figured you’d be up to something.”

Maeseollan stood there, momentarily stunned, then let out a small laugh.

This old man is truly something else.

Moorang continued, “If you come to me, I’ll give you two talismans. They’ll be of help.”

“May I ask what kind of talismans?”

“One will bring you luck, and the other will connect you to me.”

“Understood.”

Nodding, Maeseollan strode forward with determination.

“Yes, I will find you! And when you return, I’ll give you a piece of my mind! How dare you put a woman through such heartache!”

Even if the entire academy was steeped in gloom, as the head, she had to stay focused and devise a plan.

Back in her office, Maeseollan summoned Churyang and Heukgwi.

“You called for us, Chief?”

The two entered, bowing respectfully.

“I need you both to find the Lord immediately.”

“Understood!”

Churyang responded eagerly.

“Before that, stop by Moorang’s place. He’ll give you some talismans. Make sure to take them.”

“Got it!”

Churyang and Heukgwi quickly turned and left.

If anyone could handle this, it was those two. Especially Churyang, who was reputed to be a master of tracking.

Though Maeseollan wanted to join them, she held herself back. She had other responsibilities to attend to.

She had received word that the Justice League was sending an inspection team.

“Bring it on. I’ll overcome anything.”

Her expression was set with determination.