Episode 432: Return to the Demon Sect

“As per the master’s orders, I’ve been instructed to cast a spell on you,” Murang said, his voice steady.

Jaunryong let out a bitter chuckle, murmuring to himself, “As expected, he’s no ordinary man. Sabigang, truly impressive.”

His admiration was genuine. It wasn’t that Sabigang had discovered his true identity. What amazed him was how Sabigang had devised such a flawless plan to corner him, even knowing who he was.

Normally, upon discovering a spy, one would capture and interrogate them immediately.

“Was I just a pawn in Sabigang’s game all along?” Jaunryong thought, a hollow laugh escaping his lips.

As he surveyed his surroundings, his eyes met those of Neung Soso, who was among the martial artists encircling him. She stepped forward, her expression a mix of disbelief and concern.

“Is it true? Is it really true that Instructor Jaunryong is a member of the Demon Sect?” she asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

Jaunryong couldn’t bring himself to meet her gaze, the memory of Yujeong’s final expression haunting him. “I’m sorry for deceiving you,” he said, his voice heavy with regret.

Murang watched him intently. “So, how do you feel now? Is your resolve unchanged? It’s time to make a decision.”

“As I’ve already said, my answer remains the same,” Jaunryong replied, his expression hardening.

At that moment, Maesellan, who had been observing from the side, nodded and approached. “Alright then, tell us. Where is the Jade Demon Squad now?”

Jaunryong looked at Maesellan with a steady gaze. “Do you have a plan?”

Maesellan turned to the side and gave an order. “Instructor Danli, bring it here.”

Danlijeong approached, carrying a messenger hawk. Jaunryong’s expression stiffened at the sight.

“A Demon Spirit Hawk!” he exclaimed, recognizing the bird used by the Demon Sect.

Seeing Jaunryong’s surprise, Maesellan smiled faintly. “As you know, Instructor Danli’s archery skills are unmatched.”

“But how did you manage to capture it without a scratch?” Jaunryong asked, still incredulous.

Danlijeong stepped forward to explain. “I blunted the arrowhead and aimed for a vital point to knock it out. Of course, now that the Chief Healer has treated it, there’s no trace left.”

Just as Danlijeong said, the hawk appeared perfectly normal.

Maesellan continued, “So, what do you think? It’s a solid plan, provided you cooperate.”

“Very well,” Jaunryong agreed, his expression resolute.

**

In the forest near the Exorcist Hall, four hundred members of the Jade Demon Squad stood in formation, exuding a menacing aura. On a large rock, Yogeon and the deputy leader stood, Yogeon looking particularly displeased.

“What on earth is Silver Face doing?” Yogeon grumbled, prompting the deputy to cautiously suggest, “Could it be… betrayal?”

“No way… even so, that’s too reckless,” Yogeon muttered, shaking his head after a moment of thought.

“Still, isn’t that why Gold Face sent the main squad instead of the Silver Demon Squad?” the deputy pressed.

“Hmm,” Yogeon conceded, unable to deny the point. Ever since Yujeong’s incident, there had been a subtle tension between the sect and Silver Face.

As Yogeon pondered, the deputy continued, “Perhaps Silver Face didn’t fail to kill Sabigang at the altar last time, but chose not to…”

“Watch your words,” Yogeon snapped.

“My apologies,” the deputy quickly bowed, though Yogeon couldn’t help but consider the possibility. Silver Face had indeed been fond of Yujeong, almost like a daughter.

“To think he let his emotions for a mere girl sway his judgment… pathetic,” Yogeon thought, finding himself increasingly convinced by the deputy’s words.

“Perhaps he couldn’t bring himself to leave Yujeong behind and chose not to die with Sabigang,” Yogeon mused, his thoughts deepening.

The deputy nudged him again, “Leader, you must decide. We can’t wait indefinitely.”

“Hmm.”

“By now, Sabigang’s side should be dealt with. Remember why Gold Face sent the main squad.”

Indeed, Gold Face had sent the main squad, not the Silver Demon Squad, granting Yogeon full authority to attack the Exorcist Hall. Even if Silver Face outranked him.

Resolute, Yogeon nodded. “Alright, no more waiting. We attack the Exorcist Hall immediately.”

“Understood!” the deputy responded, bowing.

“Who said you could attack?” a cold voice suddenly interrupted from behind.

Startled, they turned to see Jaunryong striding towards the rock.

Yogeon frowned openly. “Where have you been?”

“Do you think it’s easy to slip away from an organization like this?” Jaunryong retorted.

“Still, not even a moment to spare?” Yogeon pressed.

“There was a reason,” Jaunryong replied, leaping onto the rock with ease.

Yogeon scowled. “What reason?”

“There was an emergency meeting at the Exorcist Hall.”

“An emergency meeting? Why?”

Jaunryong’s response was unexpected. “You don’t know yet?”

“What are you talking about?”

Jaunryong’s next words were shocking. “Sabigang is dead.”

“What? Is that true?” Yogeon asked, stunned.

Jaunryong nodded solemnly. “It’s true. The Exorcist Hall is convening all instructors and trainers at the Demon Control Pavilion tonight to strategize.”

“Sabigang is dead… so Gold Face’s plan worked?”

“Apparently. Only the leader of the righteous alliance escaped. Gold Face’s target was Sabigang alone, so the leader managed to flee.”

“The infamous Sabigang is dead…” Yogeon found it hard to believe such sudden news.

Watching Yogeon’s reaction, Jaunryong added, “So, we strike when the instructors and trainers gather at the Demon Control Pavilion tonight. Until then, stay hidden.”

Yogeon, still skeptical, asked, “Is this information reliable?”

“What do you mean?” Jaunryong’s gaze sharpened.

“Nothing, just that Sabigang’s death is hard to believe. We haven’t received any word from the sect yet…”

At that moment, a hawk’s cry pierced the sky, and a Demon Spirit Hawk appeared, circling above before descending.

The deputy quickly retrieved the message tied to its leg, reading the coded words used by the Demon Sect. His eyes widened as he read.

“Sabigang was killed by the Soul Demon!”

Jaunryong’s expression flickered at the mention of the Soul Demon, a detail not lost on Yogeon, which only made the message seem more credible.

Yogeon smiled, satisfied. “So it’s true. When is the emergency meeting at the Demon Control Pavilion?”

“Tonight, after the patrol returns, the meeting starts at midnight.”

“Alright, we’ll strike at midnight.”

“Understood. It won’t be easy to slip away during the meeting, but I’ll open the outer gate and signal you. Try to infiltrate the Demon Control Pavilion without any conflict.”

“Got it,” Yogeon nodded.

**

On a hill overlooking the Exorcist Hall, Yogeon quietly asked the deputy, “Are we ready?”

“Yes, we’ve divided into eight groups to attack from all sides simultaneously.”

“No need to stir up the students. Once we take out the leaders, the rest will scatter.”

“Understood. We’ll prioritize reaching the Demon Control Pavilion.”

A shadowy figure in dark armor approached, kneeling as he reported, “The Exorcist Hall is in disarray. They’re keeping Sabigang’s death under wraps. Security is as usual, but Silver Face is expected to open the gate and signal us. We can infiltrate the Demon Control Pavilion without issue, and it should take about half an hour.”

It was practically a gift-wrapped opportunity. Within half an hour, the Jade Demon Squad could surround the Demon Control Pavilion and eliminate the Exorcist Hall’s leaders.

“Good. Infiltrate the Demon Control Pavilion without causing a stir.”

“Understood!” the deputy and subordinates replied, bowing.

As midnight approached, a torch flickered at the Exorcist Hall’s north gate, drawing a circle in the air.

“That’s Silver Face’s signal!” the deputy announced.

Yogeon nodded and shouted, “Alright, let’s go!”

The deputy quickly pulled something from his sleeve and tossed it into the night sky.

With a soft whoosh, the signal soared into the darkness.

Now, the Jade Demon Squad would begin their infiltration from all sides.

Yogeon and the deputy swiftly descended the hill, ready to execute their plan.

As the scout had reported, the defenses of the Myeolma Pavilion were laughably lax.

No doubt, Eumyeon had a hand in this.

Swish, swish, swish! Swish, swish!

Silhouettes in black darted swiftly through the darkness.

It was as if they could run freely without a care in the world.

“This is going to be a piece of cake!”

It was like having a feast laid out before you, just waiting for you to dig in.

“Well then, shall we head to the banquet?”

In a flash, Yeogon breached the outer perimeter, scaling the wall with agile movements to enter the inner courtyard.

From above, the scene at Okmadan looked like a black tide surging from all directions, pouring relentlessly toward the heart of the estate.

As they reached the open space of Jemagak, the black-clad members of Okmadan halted in unison, exuding a palpable menace.

Ssssh! Ssssh!

Having infiltrated this far, there was no need for concealment.

Now, it was better to unsettle the enemy, provoking them into making mistakes.

With a voice that seemed to shake the very heavens, Yeogon shouted, breaking the silence.

“Attack!”

“At your command!”

With a resounding reply, four hundred members of Okmadan tore off their black garb, revealing their jade-colored uniforms.

Simultaneously, they charged from all sides, smashing through Jemagak.

Crash! Boom! Bang!

But then…

Yeogon, who had been the first to enter Jemagak, froze at the sight of the empty meeting room.

“What is this…?”

In that fleeting moment,

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Arrows sliced through the air!

The deputy leader quickly turned, deflecting two arrows in rapid succession.

Thwack!

But the last arrow, he couldn’t stop.

Thud!

With a sickening thud, the arrow pierced his heart, sending him flying back to crash against the wall.

Pinned there, he coughed up a mouthful of blood and died on the spot.

It was only then that Yeogon snapped back to reality.

“Could it be… a trap?”

And then,

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

He watched in disbelief as hundreds of warriors surrounded Jemagak, sealing their fate.