Episode 425: Return of the Demon Instructor
“Did Lee Young really get hit?”
Sabi Kang furrowed his brow, seeking confirmation. Hong Yeom lowered his head and replied, “Yes, it was severe. He barely made it back alive.”
“And now?”
“Fortunately, he’s recovering. But all the shadows who went with him were wiped out.”
Maeseolran and Churyang, who were listening, widened their eyes in shock.
“Wiped out?”
“Yes.”
Sabi Kang let out a heavy sigh before asking, “Are we sure it was the Demon Cult?”
“That’s what it seems. Judging by the scale of their ritual, it looks like…”
“A summoning ceremony?”
“Exactly.”
Maeseolran and Churyang exchanged worried glances. The very thing Sabi Kang feared was unfolding.
“A summoning ceremony means the demons could cross over soon, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, and much sooner than we anticipated.”
They had expected seven more years. But something had accelerated the timeline drastically.
Churyang muttered with a worried expression, “It’s already hard enough dealing with the monsters… and now demons? What will become of the Central Plains?”
“We knew this was coming. We need a plan.”
The Ghost Brigade officially managed summoning sites across the Central Plains, but unofficially, they were hunting for the Demon Cult’s hideouts. More precisely, they were searching for the sites of the summoning ceremonies.
The real threat wasn’t the cult itself, but the demons they intended to summon.
Neither Hong Yeom nor Sabi Kang had ever witnessed a summoning ceremony. They could only speculate that it would be a grand affair, given its purpose of facilitating the demons’ dimensional travel.
But now, Lee Young’s Ghost Brigade had stumbled upon what appeared to be such a ceremony.
“Where is it?”
“In the Hengshan region of Shanxi.”
“Shanxi…?”
It was unexpected. They thought the cult would choose a more isolated location, far from the imperial palace. But Shanxi’s Hengshan seemed too conspicuous.
“Did they choose it to catch us off guard?”
In the past, demons had appeared in the unlikely region of Yunnan. Instead of descending with a cold northern wind, they had emerged from the hot southern lands, advancing northward with destruction.
Hong Yeom relayed what Lee Young had reported. The cult was conducting a massive ritual in a vast basin, capturing and slaughtering countless people in a frenzied ceremony.
“It wasn’t something that could be completed overnight.”
“Of course not. It’s not just about moving monsters across dimensions.”
“There were even buildings that looked like accommodations, suggesting the ceremony could last days or even months.”
“Hmm.”
“The martial skills of the guards were also formidable.”
That was to be expected. The fact that Lee Young, second only to Hong Yeom in stealth and agility, returned in such a battered state spoke volumes.
“We need to see it for ourselves.”
Maeseolran, determined, said, “I’ll organize a large-scale raid.”
“No need for that.”
“Why not?”
Maeseolran looked at Sabi Kang in surprise.
“The Demon Extermination Division is already stretched thin managing the summoning sites. We can’t spare the manpower.”
“But…”
“Only Churyang, Black Ghost, and I will go.”
“What?”
Churyang was taken aback. He stammered, “Ha… ha… Master, you’re joking, right? Even if I’m reliable and strong… Black Ghost is hardly any help… and just the two of us with you…”
Sabi Kang ignored Churyang’s protests and asked Hong Yeom, “How many cultists are at the summoning site?”
“About three thousand.”
“Haha… haha…”
Churyang laughed hollowly, his face blank with disbelief. Three thousand against three? It seemed impossible.
“Master… you’re not seriously suggesting we fight a thousand to one, are you?”
Maeseolran, equally concerned, said, “That’s too many. I know you’re strong, but three people against that many is reckless. If we can’t spare students, we should at least take some instructors or assistants…”
“Don’t worry. We’re not going alone.”
“Then?”
“It’s time to call in some favors.”
“Oh…”
Maeseolran and Churyang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“But what if it’s not the real summoning site? It could be a trap…”
“It might be. I’ve considered that.”
“And you’re still going?”
Sabi Kang nodded. “If they’re sending an invitation like this, we have to respond.”
“When will you leave?”
“Immediately. If it’s a real ceremony, we can’t afford any delay.”
Maeseolran looked at Sabi Kang with gentle eyes. “Be careful.”
Sabi Kang nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll leave things in your capable hands while I’m gone.”
“Of course.”
**
In the darkness of the basin, scattered lights twinkled like stars on the ground.
On a hill in the center stood a pavilion. A man with a white mask murmured softly, “Will he come?”
“He will.”
“He might realize it’s a trap.”
“That’s possible.”
“Then he might not come.”
“No. That’s why he will.”
The man with the golden mask narrowed his eyes, gazing at the lights below. “Based on his past actions, even if he knows it’s a trap, he’ll come. He knows he’s strong, and he won’t rest until he sees it with his own eyes.”
“You speak as if you know him well.”
“An arch-enemy can be closer than a friend. That’s the nature of a love-hate relationship.”
“Indeed, this place is remarkably similar.”
The man with the white mask looked around the basin. It was almost indistinguishable from the actual summoning site.
“It has to be convincing enough to catch his attention. According to the master, Sabi Kang seems to know a lot about the demon realm.”
The golden-masked man’s eyes deepened.
**
On the edge of the hill overlooking the basin.
“Isn’t it impressive?”
Yin Hwa-seong, a six-year member of the Demon Cult, casually asked his junior, Lee Wook, who had only joined six months ago. Lee Wook nodded, “Yes, it’s magnificent.”
“This is the power of our cult. Be proud.”
“I will.”
Lee Wook bowed respectfully, and Yin Hwa-seong patted his shoulder approvingly. “What brought you to our cult?”
“My mother was killed by a rogue martial artist.”
“And what did you do?”
“I sought help from the righteous alliance, but no one cared.”
Lee Wook’s face twisted with bitterness at the memory. Yin Hwa-seong understood. Most who joined the cult had similar stories.
“The righteous alliance is just a facade. What’s your dream?”
“To become strong and crush the martial world.”
Lee Wook’s eyes burned with determination, as if he wanted to realize his dream immediately.
Yin Hwa-seong nodded, “It will happen. The master will help.”
“Thank you!”
Lee Wook bowed deeply, and Yin Hwa-seong smiled. “I feel a connection with you. Let’s have a drink after our shift.”
“That might be difficult.”
“Hmm? Why…?”
Thunk!
In an instant, Yin Hwa-seong couldn’t comprehend what had happened. Or rather, he understood but couldn’t believe it. Why was Lee Wook stabbing a dagger into his neck? How did he have the skill?
As the dagger pierced his throat, he was powerless to react.
“Let’s save the drink for the next life.”
With those cold words from Lee Wook, Yin Hwa-seong fell lifelessly to the ground.
Thud!
As Yin Hwa-seong collapsed, two shadows descended upon the scene. Lee Wook removed his disguise and bowed respectfully.
“You’re here?”
The shadows were none other than Sabi Kang and the leader of the Assassination Division, Ak Cheon-gwi. Ak Cheon-gwi nodded at Lee Wook.
“Well done, Six Kill.”
Lee Wook was, in fact, Six Kill of the Assassination Division. He had arrived two days earlier, killed the real Lee Wook, and assumed his identity with a disguise. No one in the Demon Cult suspected a thing.
Soon, another figure joined them.
“Incredible.”
Churyang, looking down at the basin, murmured in awe. “It looks more like a village than a large-scale ritual.”
Ak Cheon-gwi cracked his neck and said, “It’s good to stretch my muscles, but did we really need to come knowing it’s a fake?”
“They made it resemble the real summoning ceremony to lure me in. By studying this place, we can find the real one more easily. And while we’re here, we might as well clean up.”
“If that’s the plan, I’m in.”
Ak Cheon-gwi cracked his knuckles, exuding a sharp aura from each finger.
Churyang glanced at Sabi Kang and asked, “Shall we begin?”
Sabi Kang nodded. “Send the signal.”
“Understood.”
Churyang turned around, pulling something from his coat and hurling it into the dark sky.
A sharp whistle followed by a loud bang!
Fireworks exploded across the night sky, lighting it up with vibrant colors.
In the next moment, torches flared to life on every hill surrounding the valley.
Then came the booming voice of the leader of the Justice Alliance, Neung Un-pa, echoing across the land.
“In the name of the Justice Alliance, eradicate evil!”
A thunderous roar erupted as the warriors of the Justice Alliance surged into the valley like a tidal wave.
There were two reasons why the Justice Alliance could execute such a flawless ambush.
First, this wasn’t the real stronghold, so the defenses were relatively lax.
Second, they had already taken out the guards on patrol.
Watching the warriors flood in like a rising tide, Akcheon-gwe twisted his lips into a smirk.
“Jackpot. Let’s take out the leaders first.”
“Understood!”
The assassins responded in unison, scattering swiftly into the fray.
Sabigang gazed down at the valley, murmuring to himself.
“Well, we’ve accepted the invitation. Let’s see what cards they have up their sleeve.”