Episode 403: Return to the Demon Sect
As Sabikang’s gaze turned sharp, Jo Jeoksang flinched but quickly straightened his shoulders and retorted.
“What? What is it? Why?”
“Oh, nothing… I was just impressed by your confidence.”
“Hmph! If I can’t even handle a mere demon, how could I ever stand against the Demon Sect…!”
It was then.
Sabikang’s hand released the sword, Vertas, which sliced through the air.
Whoosh!
The event happened so swiftly that all anyone could do was let out a startled cry.
“Ah!”
“What!”
By the time Jo Jeoksang sensed the danger, Vertas was already inches from his face.
In a split second,
Swish! Thud!
Amazingly, Vertas, which had been hurtling toward him, suddenly veered vertically and embedded itself in the ground, quivering at his feet.
Jo Jeoksang furrowed his brow and shouted.
“What is the meaning of this!”
“Since you seemed so confident, I couldn’t help but test your formidable skills,” Sabikang replied with a mocking smile.
He wasn’t one to cater to others’ egos, but he figured provoking Jo Jeoksang would make him more aggressive.
And indeed, Jo Jeoksang exploded.
“Even so! Throwing a sword out of nowhere is…!”
“Oh, were you startled? Surely not? Afraid you couldn’t handle a sword thrown by someone like me, who went missing because I couldn’t deal with a mere demon?”
“Grr…!”
As Jo Jeoksang ground his teeth, Sabikang shrugged.
“Surely that’s not the case. If you were startled by this, how could you face a demon?”
“This is still an outrageous act!”
“When have I ever been one for formalities? Don’t be too harsh, and just pull out the sword.”
“Why should I? You can come and get it yourself!”
Sabikang’s eyes deepened as he looked at Jo Jeoksang.
“I went missing because of that very sword.”
“This sword…?”
“That sword absorbed a significant amount of demonic energy in the stone chamber that day. Some of it dissipated, but it’s why I’m here now.”
“So what are you trying to say…?”
“If you can wield that sword, I’ll follow your lead without question. But if you can’t, you’ll have to consider my alternative, as no one knows demons better than I do.”
“Are you testing me now?”
“Think of it as an opportunity to showcase your abilities, not a test.”
Sabikang’s lips curled into a smirk, and Jo Jeoksang glared at him, grinding his teeth.
Sabikang shrugged again.
“If you’re not confident, you don’t have to try.”
He deliberately used the word “challenge” to provoke Jo Jeoksang.
The tactic was working perfectly.
After all, how could a martial artist, who lived and died by their reputation, back down after boasting so loudly?
Jo Jeoksang clenched his teeth and glared at Vertas, stuck in the ground.
Was it because of Sabikang’s words?
What once seemed like an oddly shaped sword now appeared to be emanating a sinister aura.
If Sabikang was testing him, it wouldn’t be easy.
Gulp.
‘What kind of sword is this to test me…?’
At that moment, Nam Unpyeong, oblivious to the tension, chimed in.
“Master Jo, just pull out that sword. Master Sa, surely you don’t think Master Jo can’t handle a mere sword? This time, you’ve made a mistake.”
Jo Jeoksang frowned and glared at Nam Unpyeong.
He had already heard from Elder Shim about what happened in the Infinite Lands.
Nam Unpyeong had faced humiliation in a direct confrontation with Sabikang because of his children.
And now he was trying to pass off his own experience.
‘Is lack of awareness a family trait?’
Though annoyed, Nam Unpyeong’s words spread like wildfire among the other leaders.
“Indeed! Pull out that sword immediately. Master Sa, isn’t this too much? To think Master Jo can’t handle a mere sword!”
“Show them what you’re made of, Master Jo!”
Now, the leaders were openly supporting Jo Jeoksang.
Jo Jeoksang glanced at Vertas, then at Sabikang.
Sabikang shrugged as if urging him to go ahead.
As infuriating as it was, he couldn’t back down now.
“Ahem! If I manage to wield this sword, you’ll follow my lead without question?”
“Of course.”
“You must keep that promise.”
With that, Jo Jeoksang turned his attention back to Vertas.
‘It certainly seems ominous…’
But Sabikang had wielded it.
Hadn’t he said much of the demonic energy had dissipated?
Surely, he could handle it too.
Resolute, Jo Jeoksang slowly reached out.
His movements were so cautious that the other leaders held their breath, watching intently.
The room fell silent as a mouse.
Just as Jo Jeoksang’s hand touched Vertas!
Vroooom…!
The sword began to vibrate violently.
Startled, Jo Jeoksang withdrew his hand.
“Wow! Impressive! As expected of Master Jo!”
“Indeed, Master Jo! To resonate with the sword with just a touch!”
The leaders were thoroughly mistaken.
Once again, Nam Unpyeong, oblivious to the situation, exclaimed.
“Master Jo, you truly are remarkable! To wield the sword without even touching it, using such skill! Truly impressive!”
“Ahem, ahem!”
Caught off guard, Jo Jeoksang could only clear his throat and look at Vertas.
Vroom. Vrooom. Vroom.
Even now, Vertas emitted a faint vibration.
The energy was so subtle that others couldn’t feel it.
The faint aura was unsettling, making Jo Jeoksang tense.
‘A sword that resonates on its own… It’s no ordinary weapon. But even if it’s a demonic weapon, it can’t move on its own. I’ll pull it out with ease!’
Determined, Jo Jeoksang reached out without hesitation.
Clench!
He gripped Vertas’s hilt firmly.
Then,
Swoosh!
Vertas, deeply embedded in the ground, was pulled out by Jo Jeoksang’s hand.
The blade, glowing blue, seemed to envelop Jo Jeoksang in a purple aura.
“Wow! As expected of Master Jo!”
“He pulled it out effortlessly!”
“Impressive!”
Nam Unpyeong, emboldened, turned to Sabikang.
“Now, Master Sa, you must follow Master Jo’s lead.”
“It’s not over yet.”
“What do you mean? Surely you’re not going back on your word now…?”
It was then.
“Silence!”
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a thunderous shout erupted, and Jo Jeoksang swung Vertas at Nam Unpyeong.
Caught off guard, Nam Unpyeong stumbled back in shock.
“Gah! Master Jo! Why all of a sudden…”
“Shut up! You clueless fool!”
Jo Jeoksang leaped again, bringing Vertas down.
“Argh!”
Nam Unpyeong screamed, dodging just in time.
Crash!
A deafening sound echoed as a crack formed in the meeting room floor.
“Master, why are you doing this? Get a hold of yourself!”
“Grrr…!”
Jo Jeoksang could barely speak now.
The purple aura emanating from him was turning blood-red.
Sabikang murmured with a faint smile.
“I told you it wasn’t over. You have to be able to ‘wield’ the sword.”
“Raaaargh!”
Jo Jeoksang roared and charged at the leaders.
“Gah! Stop him!”
“Damn it!”
With no room to escape, the leaders combined their forces, unleashing their energy.
Boom!
With a loud explosion, Jo Jeoksang was sent flying, crashing into the wall.
His shirt was torn, revealing his muscular torso.
“Grr… Hahaha!”
Breathing heavily, Jo Jeoksang let out a sinister laugh as he staggered to his feet.
He licked the blood from his lips.
“Hahaha… I’ll kill you all… Kneel before me… Grrr…!”
He roared and lunged again.
“Damn it! Master Jo! Get a grip!”
Unable to watch any longer, Uk Cheongpung leaped in front of him.
But with Vertas in hand, Jo Jeoksang was unstoppable.
In that moment, he was intoxicated with a surge of competitiveness, confidence, and explosive energy.
Swoosh!
A blade of energy formed, rushing toward Uk Cheongpung.
“Go!”
Uk Cheong-pung roared, drawing his sword as he charged forward.
Clang!
The clash of blades echoed loudly as they met.
Neither man gave an inch, their swords locked in a fierce standoff.
Seizing the moment, Elder Shim Ji-hwang leaped into the fray, extending a powerful strike.
“Master Jo!”
But Jo Jeok-sang merely smirked, effortlessly deflecting Shim Ji-hwang’s attack with a casual flick of his left hand.
Boom!
“Agh!”
The force of the impact sent Shim Ji-hwang flying, feeling as if his arm might be torn off. He struggled to rise, only to cough up blood.
“Bow before me! I am supreme!” Jo Jeok-sang bellowed, his voice wild with power. In a sudden burst of energy, he knocked Uk Cheong-pung’s sword aside.
Taking advantage of Uk Cheong-pung’s stagger, Jo Jeok-sang delivered a powerful kick.
Crash!
“Ugh!”
Uk Cheong-pung, wounded internally, spat blood as he was hurled through the air.
Thud!
As he hit the ground, even the onlooking leader jumped up in shock.
“Master Sa, it’s time to end this.”
“Understood.”
Sa Bi-gang replied reluctantly, striding towards Jo Jeok-sang.
Jo Jeok-sang glanced at Sa Bi-gang, licking the blade of Veritas with a sneer.
“Heh… Who are you? Daring to look me in the eye… Bow down!”
In an instant, Jo Jeok-sang launched himself at Sa Bi-gang.
In a flash, Sa Bi-gang extended his hand, casting a spell.
“Fire Cannon.”
Whoosh!
Boom!
A blazing beam shot from Sa Bi-gang’s palm, exploding against Jo Jeok-sang with tremendous force.
Jo Jeok-sang was sent flying, crashing to the ground.
Veritas, momentarily airborne, flew into Sa Bi-gang’s grasp.
Hum.
The sword trembled, as if disappointed that its brief thrill had ended.