Episode 391: Return to the Demonic Sect
A gentle ripple spread across the lake’s surface, and from it emerged the shape of a face. It was none other than Murang.
Most people would have been startled by such an apparition, but the old man remained unfazed, speaking calmly.
“You always have a knack for making a dramatic entrance.”
Murang chuckled in response. “Haven’t you gotten used to it by now, Cheonghaeja?”
If any other martial artist had been present, they would have doubted their ears. Murang had just addressed the old man as “Cheonghaeja.”
Cheonghaeja’s real name was Ong Haein. The world believed he had died from illness after taking in Ong Giseung.
Yet here he was, alive and well, defying all expectations.
Ong Haein smiled faintly. “No matter how many times I see it, your appearances never cease to surprise me.”
“Perhaps it’s your patience that’s lacking,” Murang replied with a hearty laugh, though there was a subtle edge to his words.
Despite their long-standing friendship, Murang and Ong Haein were also rivals, each secretly measuring themselves against the other. This led to an unspoken tension between them.
Murang spoke with a hint of disappointment. “Your disciple managed to fool mine quite thoroughly.”
Murang’s disciple, Jeong Ryugwang, believed Ong Haein to be dead, as did Murang himself after hearing the tale. But here was Ong Haein, very much alive, meaning Jeong Ryugwang had been deceived by Ong Giseung’s false funeral.
Ong Haein laughed heartily. “Perhaps it’s your disciple who’s lacking in discernment.”
“I won’t deny it. He’s still got a lot to learn.”
“By the way, what brings you here? It seems I’ve become quite the important person, given that you even held a rain ritual.”
“There were circumstances. But it seems you have your own complexities, pretending to be dead and all.”
“Not so much complexities as just being weary of the world.”
“If it’s about the demonic spirit, there’s no need to worry. The world is full of things far worse now.”
Ong Haein had hidden himself away for this very reason. Releasing Ong Giseung, who harbored the demonic spirit, would have caused quite a stir.
Ong Haein chuckled. “So, the boy is with you now?”
“Yes, this is the Myolmagwan. He’s working here as an instructor.”
“Myolmagwan, you say… So, you’ve read the celestial signs too.”
Ong Haein nodded, continuing, “But this isn’t like you. I thought you weren’t one to get involved in such matters. To think you’d establish a place like Myolmagwan.”
Murang smirked. “I didn’t establish Myolmagwan.”
“Then who did?”
“The master of this place is someone named Sabi Kang.”
“Sabi Kang… Who is that?”
“The very person you have with you.”
Ong Haein’s eyes widened in surprise before nodding in understanding. “I see. That makes sense.”
“You’ve probably guessed by now, but he’s no ordinary person.”
“Indeed, he seems extraordinary.”
“Soon, people will come looking for him. I hope you’ll guide them to Sabi Kang, the master.”
“Why such enthusiasm?”
Murang paused before answering Ong Haein’s question. “I don’t know… I just felt like trying to save this world, even if just once. Watching someone’s passion can do that to you.”
“You’re quite the sentimental one.”
“Have you only just realized?”
“I’ve known for a while.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“But…”
“What is it now?”
Murang furrowed his brow as Ong Haein spoke with a serious expression. “It won’t be easy to hand over Sabi Kang to those who come.”
“Why not?”
“The spirit within Sabi Kang is different from the demonic spirit. And the fierce energy emanating from his sword is beyond imagination. It’s astonishing that someone can withstand such energy.”
“What state is he in?”
Ong Haein shook his head slowly. “It’s hard to say. But as you know, his sword alone holds immense demonic energy. Any ordinary martial artist would go mad just holding it. Yet now, another fierce energy has joined with it. It’s a miracle he’s standing with that sword. He’s constantly battling the evil energy within it, even unconsciously. I’ve never seen anyone like him.”
Ong Haein’s concerns were valid. The sword, now imbued with a powerful aura, was even affecting the dragon’s spirit within Sabi Kang, pushing it to the brink of chaos. It was nearly miraculous for one person to endure such overwhelming power.
Ong Haein continued softly, “To suppress that energy and awaken him fully… even for me, it would take at least three years.”
Murang was taken aback. “Three years?”
“If they insist on taking him before then, he’ll go berserk the moment he leaves this place. I guarantee it.”
“Hmm…”
“Tell them to take their time. Arriving early won’t do them any good.”
Murang pondered deeply before responding to Ong Haein. “Understood. For now, don’t turn them away. I’ll think of a solution in the meantime.”
“Very well.”
With that, the water pillar that had formed Ong Haein’s face slowly sank back into the lake.
Just then, the fishing rod twitched. Ong Haein lifted it, and a fish flopped into the air.
**
In the heart of the forest, Sabi Kang was hunched over, breathing heavily.
“Rrrr… Rrrr…”
A crimson aura flickered around him like flames.
As he slowly raised his sword, Vertas, a powerful energy gathered, resonating with a strange hum.
Just as the energy was about to explode,
Thud!
Sabi Kang lost consciousness and collapsed.
How much time passed before he stirred again?
With a furrowed brow, he groaned and managed to sit up.
Though his mind was not entirely his own, he had come to realize something.
In this place, he couldn’t unleash energy beyond a certain level.
Indeed, this was a formation crafted by Ong Haein himself, designed to prevent the accumulation of excessive energy. Exceeding that limit would result in immediate unconsciousness.
“Ugh…”
With a grimace, Sabi Kang focused his energy on Vertas once more.
A low hum filled the air.
In an instant,
Swish! Swish, swish, swish!
Dozens of sword auras shot out in all directions.
This time, he managed to stay conscious.
Crash!
The sound of trees being cut down echoed as they fell.
Amidst the rising dust, Sabi Kang stood with his head bowed.
He had found the threshold just before losing consciousness.
**
As dusk fell, Muk Yangje’s carriage reached a hill overlooking the city of Muhyeon.
Gazing out the window, Muk Yangje couldn’t contain his excitement.
“It’s vast indeed.”
He smiled, taking in the bustling cityscape.
Finally, he had arrived.
Now…
‘All that’s left is to seize it.’
His plan was to head straight to the Sinwolmun to gather all the information about Myolmagwan.
The next morning, he intended to conduct a thorough investigation of Myolmagwan.
‘Everything is going smoothly. But I mustn’t let my guard down. It’s not over until it’s over!’
Just as Muk Yangje was about to close the window,
“Whoa! Whoa!”
The coachman suddenly halted the carriage, causing Muk Yangje to steady himself.
An ordinary person might have fallen, but he deftly maintained his balance and stepped out.
“What happened?”
The coachman bowed his head apologetically. “I’m sorry, sir. An old man suddenly stepped in front of us.”
Muk Yangje turned to see an elderly man, wearing a straw hat, tapping the ground with a cane as he passed by.
‘A blind man?’
The old man bowed in the wrong direction, apologizing profusely.
“Oh dear, I’m terribly sorry. My eyes aren’t what they used to be…”
Muk Yangje clicked his tongue and looked away.
The old man emitted a foul odor, strong enough to reach Muk Yangje even from a distance.
“Old man! Move aside quickly!”
“Yes, yes! I’m going, I’m going.”
The old man replied hastily, but continued to walk down the middle of the road.
Then, he tripped over a stone and fell with a thud.
“Oh no!”
Startled, Muk Yangje rushed over to help the old man up.
‘What a stench.’
The odor was so overpowering it nearly made him gag.
For a moment, Muk Yangje couldn’t understand why he was bothering with the old man at all.
Normally, he wouldn’t have cared if a stranger fell or not.
In fact, he would have scolded them for not moving out of the way quickly enough.
In any case, he helped the old man to the side of the road, ensuring his safety.
The onlookers, other warriors, began to murmur among themselves.
“As expected, Master Muk is truly a righteous man.”
“To be so kind to an old man like that.”
“Indeed, he is a remarkable person.”
Hearing the whispers of admiration from his subordinates, Muk Yang-je felt a subtle sense of satisfaction and spoke to the old man.
“Sir, are you hurt anywhere?”
“Oh, thank you. I’m fine. I’m sorry for the trouble.”
“Not at all. Please take care.”
“Yes, yes. Thank you.”
Muk Yang-je offered a respectful gesture to the blind old man and returned to his carriage.
As the carriage set off, a sudden wave of irritation washed over him.
“What was I thinking? Why did I bother with unnecessary kindness to that old man…?”
He felt a belated nausea rising within him.
Quickly, he opened the window, letting the cool night air hit his face.
The bright lights of the bustling street helped to calm his churning stomach.
Well, at least he gained the admiration of his subordinates, so perhaps it wasn’t a total loss.
Having composed himself, Muk Yang-je sharply ordered the coachman.
“Don’t dawdle, head to the Shinwol Gate!”
“Understood!”
With a crack of the whip, the coachman urged the horses forward.
Meanwhile, the old man with the bamboo hat watched the carriage speed away.
Though he had seemed to fumble with a cane, he now lifted the brim of his hat with a finger, gazing intently at the retreating carriage.
**
Ong Hae-in stood frozen, mouth agape.
He stared at the mountain of firewood piled up in the backyard.
“How many trees did you cut down for this…?”
The firewood formed a small hill, leaving the once-forested backyard wide open.
With a look of disbelief, Ong Hae-in shook his head and turned to the sullen figure of Sabi-gang standing nearby.
“Well, good job. Now go catch something for dinner. Some fish would be nice.”
“Ugh…”
Sabi-gang growled lowly, as if displeased with the order.
Ong Hae-in tilted his head in confusion and asked, “What’s the matter? Aren’t you hungry?”
At that, Sabi-gang turned abruptly and trudged toward the lake.
Just as Ong Hae-in was about to head inside, he heard a crackling sound.
Sabi-gang stood by the lakeside, electricity crackling fiercely from his hands.
“Wait! Stop!”
Ong Hae-in shouted, rushing over.
Sabi-gang, who had been about to strike the lake with a bolt of lightning, hesitated and turned around.
Ong Hae-in sighed and scolded him.
“What are you doing? Are you trying to destroy the entire ecosystem here?”
If left unchecked, every living thing in the lake would have been electrocuted and wiped out.
But Sabi-gang only stared back with a dark expression, seemingly unaware of his wrongdoing.
Ong Hae-in shook his head.
“Never mind. I’ll catch the fish myself. You go start the fire.”
“Ugh…”
“What are you waiting for? Go on.”
Once again, Sabi-gang turned away with a disgruntled look.
Ong Hae-in clicked his tongue and approached the lake.
Just as he was about to cast his fishing line, a loud explosion erupted.
A pillar of fire shot up from the backyard.
Ong Hae-in stared at the fiery spectacle in disbelief and muttered to himself.
“Is this his way of rebelling against being given tasks?”