Episode 484: The Return to the Demonic Sect
Once known as the “Sword Shadow Pavilion” within the Justice Alliance, the halls now bore the sign “Demon Slayer Hall.”
The grand training ground on one side of the Demon Slayer Hall was exceptionally spacious, even by the standards of most training grounds. It was a place meticulously designed by Seopcheong, the former head of the Sword Shadow Pavilion.
Currently, the grand training ground was filled with martial artists from the Demon Slayer Hall, who had just consumed the elixirs and pills distributed by Sabigang.
Most of them were instructors or assistant instructors.
As Sabigang and Maeseollan appeared on the platform, the gathered martial artists looked up with eyes full of anticipation.
Of course, the elixirs and pills each person received varied.
Some had the fortune to consume the rare Millennium Snow Ginseng, while others received more modest pills.
Yet, no one complained.
Instead, they were grateful for the opportunity.
This was partly because even the simplest pill was valuable, but more so because of their unwavering trust in Sabigang.
Sabigang surveyed the crowd and asked in a voice resonating with inner strength, “Did everyone take their medicine properly?”
“Yes, Master!”
Their resounding response echoed through the air.
Soon after, someone shouted, “Thank you, Master!”
“Thank you, Master!” others joined in, their voices brimming with spirit.
Watching this with a satisfied smile, Maeseollan turned to Sabigang and said, “Thanks to you, my inner strength has increased significantly.”
“That’s great. I’m curious to see how much it’s grown.”
“When I checked this morning…”
But Sabigang raised a hand to stop her.
Maeseollan tilted her head in confusion, and Sabigang smiled faintly.
“No need to put it into words. We’ll find out soon enough.”
“What do you mean…?”
Instead of answering, Sabigang scanned the room with a chilling smile.
The martial artists from Yongcheon Hall and the new recruits felt an inexplicable chill.
Whenever Sabigang wore that expression, it was always followed by an outrageous proposal.
And sure enough, Sabigang spoke words they never expected.
“Your power must have increased. By now, your bodies must be itching to test it. I’ll give you that chance. From this moment, all of you attack me.”
The hall fell into a sudden silence.
Then, Maeng Gasook stepped forward and asked bluntly, “Are you serious? If everyone here attacks at once, even you, Master…”
“A true martial artist speaks with their body, not words, Maeng.”
“Hmm. You won’t regret this?”
“Of course not. Attack me with the intent to kill.”
Then Yeom Jaryang shouted, “You might really die.”
“Then it means you’ve won. But remember, you must also attack with the intent to die. I won’t hold back. But I won’t use a sword. Nor will I use magic.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“If you’re curious whether it’s a joke, find out for yourself.”
Sabigang’s lips twisted into a smirk once more.
Maeng Gasook chuckled heartily.
“This should be fun. Then… let’s begin!”
No sooner had he finished speaking,
Bang!
He launched himself forward with such speed that it was hard for the average person to follow with their eyes.
Clang, clang, clang…!
The spear in his hand assembled rapidly, snaking towards Sabigang.
Whoosh!
Sabigang moved.
In that moment, he became like flowing water.
There was no sense of speed.
Only an incredible smoothness, like watching a graceful dance.
Thud…!
The spear narrowly missed Sabigang, stabbing into the air.
In the next instant, Maeng Gasook saw Sabigang smiling slyly as he closed in.
A shiver ran down his spine,
Whap, whap, whap!
Sabigang’s hands darted towards Maeng Gasook’s body with blinding speed.
But it happened so fast that Maeng Gasook couldn’t comprehend what had hit him.
Then,
Boom!
An explosive force struck Maeng Gasook’s right chest.
Whoosh, crash!
He flew like a cannonball, crashing through a wall.
“Ugh…! Gah!”
Clutching his chest, Maeng Gasook staggered to his knees, coughing up blood.
Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t withstand even a single exchange.
His face pale, Maeng Gasook’s cheek twitched.
“Damn… it…!”
Thud!
He collapsed, utterly defeated.
The martial artists who witnessed this turned to Sabigang, mouths agape.
The same thought crossed all their minds.
‘What is this…? Is he really going to kill…?’
Those who had been about to follow Maeng Gasook’s lead froze, unable to move.
To think he would kill them after giving them elixirs!
What kind of twisted, sadistic person would do such a thing?
Then again, if it was Sabigang, perhaps it wasn’t so surprising.
As their minds tangled with confusion, Sabigang surveyed them with a cold expression and spoke.
“I warned you to attack with the intent to die.”
Gulp.
The martial artists exchanged glances.
‘Is this for real?’
Meanwhile, Bang Gak hurried over to Maeng Gasook to check his pulse.
Sabigang chuckled.
“Don’t worry. He’s not dead yet. Barely breathing, but if you meddle now, he might really die.”
Bang Gak quickly backed away, keeping his distance from Maeng Gasook.
Sabigang looked at the fallen Maeng Gasook and muttered indifferently.
“Even with the Millennium Snow Ginseng, only a twenty-year increase in inner strength… must be his age. Just barely made it.”
Everyone’s faces turned pale.
Did he really assess Maeng Gasook’s inner strength in a single exchange?
Isn’t that monstrous?
Moreover, knowing his level of achievement meant he had a precise understanding of Maeng Gasook’s skills all along.
Yeom Jaryang looked around the hall, dumbfounded.
‘Could it be that the Master remembers the inner strength of every martial artist here?’
Meanwhile, Sabigang continued in a calm voice.
“As you can see, if you haven’t achieved more than expected, you’ll die. If Maeng had gained only nineteen years’ worth of inner strength, he would have perished from that strike.”
Then Jo Muntak, his face ashen, asked, “W-what’s the standard? The standard for expectations!”
“That’s obviously….”
Sabigang grinned.
“Whatever I decide.”
“What do you mean…!”
“If you don’t meet the standard I’ve set, you’ll really die. So attack with caution and precision.”
The expressions of the Demon Slayer Hall martial artists changed.
Now, as they prepared to attack Sabigang, they seriously contemplated death.
While everyone was tense and frozen, there was one person with a different emotion.
“Ah! My husband is so amazing!”
With a sultry voice and an incongruous killing intent, Seol Seorin charged forward.
Whoosh!
Flames erupted from the tail of her whip, sending thorn-like tendrils in all directions.
As Sabigang deftly retreated, Maeseollan’s sharp voice rang out from behind him.
“Now! Everyone, attack!”
At her command, the martial artists in the hall surged towards Sabigang in waves.
Flying towards Sabigang, Maeseollan thought to herself.
‘Who would have thought the day would come when I’d shout to attack the one I love!’
In the next moment, Sabigang spun around, using his hand to deflect a chain sword.
Whirr!
The chain sword wobbled and flew off to the side.
Despite the sword bending like a bow, the impact traveled up to Maeseollan’s shoulder.
Taking advantage of her momentary loss of balance, Sabigang closed in on her.
‘It’s not enough. I told you to attack with the intent to kill.’
In the briefest of moments, Maeseollan read his intent in Sabigang’s eyes.
Her face turned white.
‘Could it be…! You really intend to kill me?’
‘If your power has increased enough, you won’t die.’
‘But still! What if I haven’t met your expectations!’
‘Then there’s nothing to be done.’
‘You terrible person…!’
In the fleeting moment their eyes met, countless thoughts passed between them.
And as Maeseollan braced herself against Sabigang’s force, raising her protective energy to its limit,
Bang!
Sabigang suddenly turned, striking the side of a black sword that flew in from the side.
“Argh!”
Yeom Jaryang couldn’t withstand the shock and was sent flying with a scream.
Then,
Clang, clang, clang!
The sound of chains echoed as a sickle flew diagonally through the air.
Sabigang stepped lightly onto the chain, rising effortlessly.
“Over here too!”
Yoo Songryeong, running along the chain, swung his massive sword like a wave.
Whoosh!
Sabigang kicked off the chain, leaping back gracefully.
The black blade’s energy sliced through the air, not towards Sabigang, but instead crashing into the other warriors charging at him.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
“Ugh!”
“Argh!”
Some managed to deflect the attack, but others weren’t so lucky, collapsing with serious injuries.
Sabigang let out a cold, mocking laugh. “In the chaos of battle, you need to be careful. You can’t just rely on brute strength and recklessness. That’s why you end up hurting your own.”
“And here’s why you should always watch your back!”
Suddenly, Banggak appeared behind Sabigang, swinging his twin blades.
Swish! Swish!
Two sharp arcs of energy flew towards Sabigang’s back.
‘Got him!’
Banggak felt a surge of triumph. Even if he couldn’t kill Sabigang, he was sure he could at least inflict a serious wound. Killing him could come later.
But then…
Whoosh…!
Sabigang’s figure vanished like a mirage.
“Exactly. Always watch your back. And unless there’s a massive skill gap, you should stay quiet back there.”
“What the—!”
Banggak’s spine tingled with fear as he spun around.
Tap, tap, tap!
In an instant, Sabigang struck his pressure points, leaving Banggak frozen in place like a statue.
Then,
Wham!
With a swift kick, Sabigang sent him flying, crashing through a wall.
Rustle… rustle…!
Banggak struggled to push the rubble off and barely managed to stand.
“Damn it…!”
With a final curse, he collapsed and didn’t get up again.
The other warriors stared at Sabigang, mouths agape, unable to move a muscle.
“Damn! He’s gotten even stronger?”
“How? How can someone that powerful become even stronger?”
“Unbelievable…!”
Sabigang spoke as if he had just remembered something. “Oh, right. I ate the Millennium Snow Ginseng.”
The warriors shouted in unison, “That’s cheating!”
“Did you expect your enemy to ask for permission to get stronger?”
Sabigang chuckled coldly.