Episode 410: Return to the Demonic Sect
“Why won’t you even give us a chance? What’s the problem here?”
A man as large as a house bellowed, his voice echoing through the air. He was one of the infamous “Eight Eccentrics of Guangdong,” known as the Third Eccentric.
His massive frame towered over most people, as if he could easily stack two more heads on his shoulders. Yet, standing before him, Ok Mu-gyeol of the Ghost Shadow Sect didn’t budge an inch.
“As I mentioned, the entry level has been raised,” Ok Mu-gyeol repeated, his expression as unyielding as ever.
The Third Eccentric’s face flushed a deep red. “Damn it! We weren’t told anything about that!”
“That’s your problem,” Ok Mu-gyeol replied, his tone unwavering.
“Curse it! We came all the way from Guangdong for nothing. Who’s going to compensate us for this?”
As the Third Eccentric’s complaints grew more desperate, Ok Mu-gyeol merely furrowed his brow slightly, repeating the same line. “You can’t enter, so accept it.”
“Ugh…!” The Third Eccentric glared at Ok Mu-gyeol, as if ready to devour him.
Unable to watch any longer, the Second Eccentric patted the Third Eccentric’s shoulder. “Let it go. If the level’s been raised, there’s nothing we can do.”
“Damn it! The summoning site is right there, and we can’t even get in!”
The more you’re told not to do something, the more you want to do it. When they first set out for Mount Chi-ong, they were ready to risk everything for the hunt. But now, with access barred, it felt like they were drooling over a treasure they couldn’t reach.
They didn’t think it was too dangerous to enter. Instead, they wondered, “What on earth is inside that the righteous sects are so keen to keep it to themselves?”
The Third Eccentric spat on the ground and glanced around. Many other martial artists, like the Eight Eccentrics, had gathered near the summoning site, having made the trip in vain.
The Ghost Shadow Sect had twenty members guarding the entrance, up from the original five after the site’s level was adjusted. Some were explaining the situation to the disgruntled martial artists.
“Damn it! Why do we need permission for this?” the Third Eccentric grumbled loudly, catching the attention of a young man standing nearby, who chuckled to himself.
“There’s a system in place, and yet they throw a tantrum. Tsk tsk,” the young man muttered. He was neatly dressed, with a long sword at his side, and was none other than Jeong Hyeon-ung, the young master of the Northern Wind Jeong family from Shaanxi.
Beside him, Bi Cheon-woon, the leader of the Northern Wind Squad, smirked. “What do you expect from those without proper upbringing?”
“True. They act out because they don’t know any better,” Jeong Hyeon-ung replied with a cold smile, his words reaching the Third Eccentric’s ears.
Naturally, the Third Eccentric wasn’t one to let it slide. Known for his fiery temper even among the Eight Eccentrics, he snorted and marched over to Jeong Hyeon-ung, pointing a finger at him.
“Hey, kid. What did you just say?”
Bi Cheon-woon narrowed his eyes, ready to intervene, but Jeong Hyeon-ung raised a hand to stop him. With a calm demeanor, he answered, “I merely commented on how unsightly it is to throw a fit when there’s a clear system in place.”
“You little brat…!” The Third Eccentric’s anger flared, but the Second Eccentric stepped in first.
“Hmph! It’s not like you have room to talk, begging and bribing to get in,” the Second Eccentric sneered.
“What? When did we ever beg?” Jeong Hyeon-ung’s face twisted in confusion.
The Second Eccentric smirked. “You think I didn’t see you trying to bribe the Ghost Shadow Sect members?”
Laughter erupted from the surrounding martial artists, and Jeong Hyeon-ung’s face turned beet red.
“Wh-what nonsense! I never did such a thing!”
“Oh, really?”
“Stop slandering me!”
“Shall we ask? I saw the Ghost Shadow Sect member refuse you. If you’re so innocent, go ask them.”
“I’ve had enough! You’re slandering me!” Jeong Hyeon-ung couldn’t hold back any longer and drew his sword, shouting for all to hear.
“These scoundrels are insulting the righteous sects!”
His words were a deliberate attempt to draw in other righteous martial artists. As expected, the commotion caught their attention, and they began to take notice.
“What’s going on here?” A man in proper martial attire approached, clearly a member of the righteous sects.
Jeong Hyeon-ung, still fuming, replied, “These scoundrels are insulting the righteous sects!”
“Is that true?” the man asked, and the Eight Eccentrics scoffed.
The Second Eccentric, ever the smooth talker, mocked, “True? I only spoke of what I saw. I witnessed him trying to bribe the Ghost Shadow Sect to gain entry.”
“Stop spouting nonsense!” Jeong Hyeon-ung snapped, swinging his sword in frustration. There was no point in prolonging the argument, especially since he had indeed attempted to bribe the Ghost Shadow Sect.
In the past, such tactics might have worked with the righteous alliance. But the Ghost Shadow Sect was now directly under the command of Sa Bi-gang, and such tricks wouldn’t fly.
As Jeong Hyeon-ung lunged with his sword, the Second Eccentric eagerly countered with a double palm strike, shouting, “Now you’re resorting to force! And you’re not even good at it!”
Boom!
The clash of energy and sword created a loud noise, and both men stepped back. A Ghost Shadow Sect member rushed over.
“Stop! Fighting is prohibited near the summoning site!”
The Second Eccentric seized the opportunity to address the Ghost Shadow Sect member. “Let’s ask. Did he try to bribe you or not?”
The Ghost Shadow Sect member glanced at Jeong Hyeon-ung, who silently pleaded, ‘Deny it!’
But the member quickly confirmed, “He did.”
“What? It’s true?”
“Really? He tried to bribe them?”
Even the other righteous martial artists began to click their tongues at Jeong Hyeon-ung, whose face turned an even deeper shade of red.
The Ghost Shadow Sect member continued, “But I didn’t accept it.”
”…So he says,” the Second Eccentric concluded with a grin.
Jeong Hyeon-ung was at a loss for words, flustered and embarrassed.
“What’s all this noise about?” A sharp, elderly voice cut through the air.
Everyone turned to see about twenty martial artists exuding a powerful aura approaching. One of them carried a banner emblazoned with the words “Heavenly Blade.”
“It’s the Heavenly Blade Sect!”
“They’ve come all the way here!”
“They’re the ones sweeping through the summoning sites lately!”
The crowd buzzed with excitement. As the Heavenly Blade Sect reached the front, Jang Gi-tak, their leader, frowned at the Second Eccentric blocking the way.
“Move aside.”
”…Ahem.”
Though the Eight Eccentrics were notorious in Guangdong, they couldn’t compare to the rising fame of the Heavenly Blade Sect. Instinctively, they sensed the strength of the sect, especially the formidable aura emanating from the elderly man among them.
The Second Eccentric wrinkled his nose but stepped aside, and Jang Gi-tak’s gaze shifted to Jeong Hyeon-ung.
“Why are you still standing there?”
Jeong Hyeon-ung quickly put on a bright smile and approached, bowing respectfully. “Greetings, Heavenly Blade Sect Leader. I’m Jeong Hyeon-ung, young master of the Northern Wind Jeong family. It’s an honor to meet you!”
“So, what do you want?”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. What do you want?”
“Ah, well…”
As Jeong Hyeon-ung stammered, Cha Jae-gang, who had been frowning, spoke coldly. “If you have no business, step aside.”
The fierce aura radiating from Cha Jae-gang made Jeong Hyeon-ung involuntarily step back.
With the path clear, the Heavenly Blade Sect resumed their march. As they reached Ok Mu-gyeol at the entrance, Jang Gi-tak spoke bluntly.
“We’re here to enter the summoning site.”
Before Ok Mu-gyeol could respond, another voice interjected.
“Ah, Heavenly Blade Sect Leader. The site’s level has been raised, and entry is currently restricted. It was mid-level until recently, but now it’s high-level…”
“Did I ask for your opinion?”
The chilling voice from beneath the bamboo hat silenced everyone.
Gulp.
Overwhelmed by the sharp aura, Jeong Hyeon-ung swallowed hard and retreated.
‘Damn it! Why are they so prickly? We’re on the same side!’
Jeong Hyeon-ung ground his teeth in frustration as he stepped back.
Ok Mu-gyeol finally replied, “As he said, entry is not allowed.”
Cha Jae-gang frowned. “I heard it was mid-level.”
“It was recently raised.”
“So, the level can be changed once set?”
“Yes.”
“Then that’s convenient. Lower it temporarily for us to enter, and then you can raise it again as you see fit.”
Ok Mu-gyeol looked momentarily taken aback before responding.
“Do you really think that’s possible?”
“Why not? Didn’t you say that even a set rank can be adjusted?”
“That’s just absurd!”
“The text is the Cheondo Scripture.”
In an instant, an overwhelming aura emanated from Cha Jae-gang’s entire being.
The pressure was so intense that Ok Mu-gyeol had to hold his breath for a moment.
“You’ve tackled many summoning grounds with the scripture. Surely, you’ve heard the rumors.”
Cha Jae-gang’s gaze turned icy cold.
Ok Mu-gyeol swallowed hard, managing to reply with difficulty.
“Still, what’s impossible is… impossible.”
“I must go in.”
“But…”
“I hope you’ll grant me permission.”
Cha Jae-gang continued speaking calmly.
Yet, the more he spoke, the more Ok Mu-gyeol felt his resolve slipping away.
He knew he should firmly refuse…
‘Damn it… What is this…!’
The pressure was unbearable.
It wasn’t some soul-manipulating technique from the dark arts.
It was simply an overwhelming aura focused on one person, crushing their spirit.
Like a prey animal frozen before a predator, unable to act.
In simple terms, Cha Jae-gang was honing his inner strength into a sharp force, silently pressuring Ok Mu-gyeol.
“Ugh…!”
“Is it truly impossible?”
Cha Jae-gang asked again, his voice still calm.
Finally, a suppressed voice escaped Ok Mu-gyeol’s lips.
“You… you may… enter…”
“Thank you.”
In that moment, Cha Jae-gang withdrew his fierce aura and flashed a grin.
Just as he was about to step forward—
“Hold it right there.”
A stranger’s voice halted him in his tracks.
Cha Jae-gang furrowed his brow and stopped abruptly.
As he slowly turned around,
“Oh! Master, Master!”
Ok Mu-gyeol exclaimed with relief.
‘Master…? The Master of the Myeolma Hall, Sa Bi-gang…?’
Cha Jae-gang looked up to see a young, handsome man approaching with steady steps.
It was Sa Bi-gang.
‘Is this him? He’s much younger than I expected.’
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Sa Bi-gang, now standing before him, smiled broadly and asked,
“Where are you headed? It seems age has led you astray. That place is… quite dangerous.”