Episode 474: Return to the Demon Sect
Jeok Mu-rin’s face turned as white as a sheet.
Seo Rae-hyang raised her voice.
“That day, you know. The day Mu-rin and I were together! I want to know everything—how I was, how much I suffered, and… and… if you enjoyed it! I want to know it all in detail.”
”…”
Jeok Mu-rin stood frozen, his mouth agape, as if he had turned to stone.
After what felt like an eternity, he stiffly turned his neck to survey the room.
As expected, everyone in the tavern who had been enjoying their lunch had turned to stare at them.
A few martial artists covered their mouths, whispering among themselves.
“Isn’t that… assault?”
“My goodness… in this day and age? Even if the unorthodox sects have cleaned up their act, some things never change, do they?”
“So, that man attacked that woman? No matter how you look at it, enjoying himself while she was in distress…!”
“I can’t just stand by. I should step in and say something!”
“Hold on, the atmosphere’s already tense. Let’s not make it worse.”
The room buzzed with all sorts of comments.
Jeok Mu-rin’s face was now turning a deep shade of black with shame.
“Miss Hong, maybe you should lower your voice a bit…”
“Hmm? Was I loud? Anyway, that’s not the point.”
“No, it seems quite important.”
He was on the verge of being labeled a despicable man who took advantage of a helpless woman!
But Seo Rae-hyang gave him no respite.
“Stop dodging and tell me. How was it that day? Did you… enjoy it?”
“Why are you suddenly curious about that…?”
“Isn’t it obvious? When a man and a woman are intimate, I want to know how I was and how you felt.”
By now, some martial artists were casting disdainful glances and even leaving their seats.
Finally, Jeok Mu-rin let out a long sigh and spoke in a barely audible voice.
“That day, Miss Hong was…”
“I was…?”
Seo Rae-hyang looked at him with eyes that sparkled with curiosity.
Jeok Mu-rin felt a chill run down his spine.
What was he supposed to say in broad daylight, in a place like this?
Why was she suddenly so interested in that day?
Seo Rae-hyang had been acting strangely today, ever since she sought him out in the morning, asking repeatedly about the time she was affected by the Soul-Destroying Poison.
Was she troubled by something? He had brought her to this noodle shop in the outer district of the Justice Alliance, thinking it might cheer her up.
It was her favorite place, after all.
But…
‘Why is she so fixated on that day?’
And the nature of her questions…
‘It’s strange!’
To anyone listening, it sounded like he had assaulted her.
A man enjoying himself while a woman suffered!
“Stop stalling and just say it.”
Seo Rae-hyang’s voice was icy, a tone she used when issuing a warning.
Jeok Mu-rin swallowed hard and finally replied.
“Miss Hong was… Miss Hong was… very…”
‘Damn it. What should I say? That she was in heat? That she was full of desire?’
As Jeok Mu-rin struggled to find the words, Seo Rae-hyang interjected.
“So you were in distress.”
“No! Miss Hong was extremely excited at the time. Very passionate and intense. She was more… proactive in our… encounter. Of course, I also… did my best…”
‘Damn it! What am I even saying?’
Jeok Mu-rin caught himself mid-sentence, realizing the absurdity of his words.
Meanwhile, the martial artists who had been ready to leave in disgust now sat back down, their curiosity piqued.
Seo Rae-hyang asked again.
“Really? I was that excited?”
“Y-yes. But that was more due to the Soul-Destroying—”
“That’s enough. Just the outcome is fine.”
“Oh, yes… I’m sorry.”
“And then?”
“Excuse me?”
“What happened next? How did you feel?”
“It was… blissful.”
”…Really?”
Jeok Mu-rin nodded, resigned.
The noodles had arrived, and they were getting cold, but he didn’t care.
Instead, he continued, lost in the memory of that day.
“That day, Miss Hong was the most… beautiful in the world. Her body was soft… and smooth… her moans were sweet. It was our last time together, but in that moment, it was blissful and happy. It was like a dream.”
Jeok Mu-rin gazed out the window, lost in reminiscence.
Seo Rae-hyang’s voice faded into the background.
Suddenly, he felt a warm breath on his neck and turned in surprise.
The server, blushing and breathing heavily, asked eagerly,
“So, what happened next?”
“Yes, tell us more.”
“The details, please. Ahem!”
Somehow, a crowd had gathered around them, listening intently, their breaths hot with anticipation.
“This is insane…!”
Startled, Jeok Mu-rin jumped to his feet.
Seo Rae-hyang, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by the crowd, gazing out the window as she murmured to herself.
“So I really did reach the peak.”
“Yes, that’s right. But Miss Hong! Let’s go! You lot! Move aside!”
“It’s fine.”
“What?”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s okay.”
Seo Rae-hyang’s delicate hand grasped Jeok Mu-rin’s wrist, calming his agitation.
As he turned to look at her,
“Ah!”
His eyes widened in shock.
Seo Rae-hyang had risen and, like a bird, pressed her lips to his.
Soft, sweet, and fragrant.
Yes, it was just like that time… no, wait! Not now!
As Jeok Mu-rin tried to regain his composure and pull away,
Wham!
Seo Rae-hyang’s arms wrapped around his neck.
Unable to move, Jeok Mu-rin slowly closed his eyes.
‘Oh, to hell with it…’
And so, the two continued their passionate kiss, oblivious to the onlookers.
“Whoa!”
The martial artists erupted in cheers and applause.
After a long moment, Seo Rae-hyang pulled back slightly and said,
“I don’t think I’ll need to come here every day to find a small happiness anymore. I’ve found a greater happiness by my side.”
“Miss Hong…”
Seo Rae-hyang smiled and took Jeok Mu-rin’s hand.
“Let’s go. To find even greater happiness.”
As Jeok Mu-rin was led away, the remaining patrons in the tavern cheered and whistled.
**
The sun was setting.
Mae Seol-ran stood atop the watchtower in the outer district of the Justice Alliance, gazing into the distance.
She had received word that Sa Bi-gang was safe.
And that he, along with other survivors, was returning to the main base of the alliance.
After leaving the Demon Sect, Mae Seol-ran had led the martial artists straight here.
It was the only place that could accommodate so many people.
And here, she hoped to hear news of Sa Bi-gang.
Her decision had been sound.
The Justice Alliance was nearly empty, but fortunately, Seop Cheong, now the head of the Inspection Bureau, had remained.
He had offered the vacant building of the Sword Training Hall for the use of the Demon Sect martial artists.
Since that day, Mae Seol-ran had climbed the watchtower daily, waiting for Sa Bi-gang’s return.
Whether it was out of concern for him or a desire for his comfort, she wasn’t sure, but one thing was clear.
‘I miss you.’
She missed Sa Bi-gang terribly.
Mae Seol-ran sighed unconsciously, sensing a presence below.
Soon, a woman appeared at the top of the watchtower.
It was Seo Rae-hyang.
“You’re here again today.”
At her words, Mae Seol-ran offered a faint smile and nodded.
“I heard things have progressed with him.”
The story of Jeok Mu-rin and Seo Rae-hyang had been the talk of the remaining martial artists in the Justice Alliance all afternoon.
Seo Rae-hyang blushed slightly, feeling shy.
Though she was confident with men, hearing such words from another woman, especially Mae Seol-ran, made her feel bashful.
“Thanks to you, Chief.”
“Me?”
Mae Seol-ran asked, surprised, and Seo Rae-hyang nodded.
“I envied you. Being able to love someone so openly.”
“Did I?”
“Yes. At least, that’s how it seemed to me. I admired how you always did your best and worked hard for the one you love. And I realized something. Emotions aren’t meant to be suppressed and hidden; they’re meant to be expressed.”
Mae Seol-ran looked at Seo Rae-hyang with a dazed expression.
Had she really been like that?
In truth, she felt as if she was learning from Seo Rae-hyang.
“Don’t hold back, express yourself. That’s a good lesson.”
“Yes. I think the reason I struggled before was because I loved in a way that wasn’t true to myself.”
Mae Seol-ran quietly observed Seo Rae-hyang’s profile as she gazed into the distance.
The setting sun painted her face in warm hues.
Noticing that Seo Rae-hyang was focused on something, Mae Seol-ran followed her gaze and couldn’t help but smile brightly.
In the distance, a group of people was approaching.
Their flags bore the emblem of the Justice Alliance.
Mae Seol-ran turned to Seo Rae-hyang.
“Today, I’ve learned something.”
“Go to him.”
Seo Rae-hyang replied, and Mae Seol-ran nodded before leaping from the watchtower.
When she met Sa Bi-gang, she would embrace him like a child.
She would express herself freely.
That she missed him.
That she longed to see him.
And if tears came, she would let them flow.
Alright, just for today, she might indulge herself a little.
Her pace quickened as she moved with increasing agility.
**
Thud, thud.
The girl descended the long, winding staircase beneath the fortress.
Reaching the damp floor, she continued down the passageway.
Eventually, she came upon a massive iron door, which she pushed open with a gentle shove of her palm.
The room beyond was dimly lit.
A faint light seeped from deep within the interior.
The atmosphere inside was bizarre, as if the walls themselves were alive, pulsating intermittently.
It felt less like a room and more like being inside a colossal living creature.
Veins, dark and crimson, were faintly visible within the writhing walls.
Occasionally, a red glow would pulse through these veins, momentarily brightening the room before it plunged back into darkness.
It was as if blood was coursing through the walls.
Another notable feature was the overpowering stench that filled the air.
The smell emanated from a sticky substance smeared across the walls, ceiling, and floor.
Despite the strangeness of it all, the girl seemed unfazed as she surveyed her surroundings and moved further inside.
In the center of the room stood a massive pillar descending from the ceiling.
This pillar, too, seemed alive, constantly writhing and emitting a red glow that flickered on and off.
It resembled a grotesque heart.
As the girl stood before it, gazing intently, a gruff voice sounded from behind her.
“Ah, the Marquess of Baritan.”
“It’s been a while,” she replied, turning with a faint smile.
The figure behind her wore a deep red robe draped over his shoulders and a black hood pulled low over his face.
Yet, from the shadowy depths of the hood, his eyes shone a vivid yellow.
“Three hundred years, give or take.”
When he pulled back the hood, his face was a sight hard to behold.
His skin was thick and rough like a reptile’s, covered in small, white nodules.
But Baritan showed no surprise.
Instead, she twisted her lips into a smirk and said, “Still the same, Count Adler.”