Chapter 486: Return of the Demon Instructor

“Are you… really okay?”

“Hmm? Oh, yes. I’m fine.”

“You’re not hurt anywhere…?”

“Nope. In fact, I feel surprisingly light.”

“Oh… that’s a relief.”

“Wait, Mu-rin, are you crying?”

Seoraehyang asked, looking flustered at Jeok Mu-rin.

Jeok Mu-rin quickly wiped her eyes with her sleeve and spoke in a shaky voice.

“I really thought Hongmyo was going to die…”

“Haha, I’m not that easy to kill.”

Though she said that, she had indeed been on the brink of death.

Seoraehyang felt a chill run through her chest.

When Sabigang had swiftly struck her pressure points, it had felt like her breath was being stolen away.

She had lost consciousness from the excruciating pain.

Jeok Mu-rin had been equally shocked.

She had thought Seoraehyang was dead.

After all, there had been no pulse.

When Seoraehyang regained consciousness, Jeok Mu-rin had clung to her, sobbing.

Begging her to wake up.

Pleading not to leave her forever.

And then, Seoraehyang had suddenly opened her eyes.

As if waking from a deep slumber.

Jeok Mu-rin had been utterly bewildered.

How could someone rise from the dead just because you asked them to?

Once she calmed down and looked around, she saw that not only Seoraehyang but also other warriors she thought dead were waking up one by one.

Checking Seoraehyang’s pulse, it was strong and steady.

Moreover, the flow of her energy felt much improved.

‘What on earth happened?’

Jeok Mu-rin had fainted and come to as well.

But she didn’t feel any different.

In any case…

“I’m so glad.”

Jeok Mu-rin sighed in relief once more.

If she had had to say a final goodbye to Seoraehyang, she wouldn’t have been able to bear it.

Meanwhile, someone else was looking around with a similarly bewildered expression.

It was Mok Dan-hwa.

She tilted her head and tried circulating her internal energy again.

‘Strange. Surely…’

Her internal energy had increased.

Her body felt much lighter.

‘Could it be…’

She recalled the moment Sabigang had reached out to her.

He had struck several pressure points, causing her energy flow to seize up and knocking her out with the pain.

But now…

‘My energy flow is much better than before!’

Sabigang hadn’t just attacked her.

He had unblocked her clogged meridians.

She had felt a lingering regret that she hadn’t fully absorbed the effects of the Millennium Snow Ginseng, but now she felt its full potency.

Looking around, it seemed many others were experiencing something similar.

Some were amazed at their increased internal energy, while others felt no change.

But those who felt no change were mostly those who had already absorbed the maximum benefits of the elixir.

Maeseollan, who had collapsed on one side of the training ground and barely regained consciousness, was the same.

She had consumed the Millennium Snow Ginseng and gained twenty years’ worth of internal energy.

She had thought that was impressive enough.

But after Sabigang had struck her pressure points and she had fainted, she awoke to find her internal energy had increased by another ten years’ worth.

Of course, given the amount of energy she already had, an increase of ten years’ worth might not feel like much.

But it was different.

Qualitatively different.

The energy flowing through her meridians was now much more vigorous and dense.

In short, her entire body felt healthier.

‘So this was your intention all along.’

This was the true meaning of the duel.

Not everyone who participated in the duel had their internal energy increased.

Sabigang had set a standard.

Those below that standard had their meridians unblocked to aid in their energy growth.

This process caused a temporary cessation of breath and heartbeat.

So if you touched someone who had collapsed at that moment, you might mistakenly think they were dead.

That’s why Jeok Mu-rin had misunderstood.

How strong must one be to reach such a level?

To assess an opponent’s energy in a single exchange and unblock their meridians to enhance their energy in that brief moment.

Of course, it was a special situation, given that they had just consumed an elixir.

Even so, it was an incredible feat.

However, those who had already surpassed the standard set by Sabigang didn’t see an increase in their energy.

Instead, they noticed a change in the quality of their energy.

The flow of their energy became smoother or rougher, depending on their constitution.

‘Honestly, at times like this, he doesn’t seem human.’

Maeseollan felt her tension release.

A man whose depths she could never fathom.

A man who always exceeded her expectations.

How could she not fall for him?

At that moment, Jeok Mu-rin, who had been by Seoraehyang’s side, suddenly stood up and walked determinedly towards Sabigang, her jaw set.

Maeseollan watched with a sense of unease.

Was he angry about being deceived?

After all, he had truly believed his beloved was dead, so it was understandable if he was upset.

Jeok Mu-rin marched towards Sabigang, clenching her fists tightly.

Sabigang simply watched her approach in silence.

Then, suddenly,

Thud! Bang!

Jeok Mu-rin dropped to her knees and bowed her head to the ground.

In a booming voice, she declared,

“Thank you, my lord!”

For the first time, the word “lord” escaped her lips.

Even when she had left the Justice Alliance with Seoraehyang to seek out the Demon Instructor, she had only referred to him as “Master.”

But now, she truly acknowledged Sabigang as her master.

The warriors who had been watching began to rise one by one.

And then, in unison, they knelt and bowed.

“Thank you, my lord!”

Their resounding voices echoed to the heavens.

**

“An elixir, huh…”

Deung Bu-hyeong rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

‘Yes, let’s go! After all, we have history together!’

Resolving himself, he strode forward.

But as he reached the door, he quickly turned back, retracing his steps.

‘No, I have my pride… I can’t do this!’

‘But pride doesn’t fill your stomach, does it?’

‘Still, I should remember how many of my swords he broke!’

‘But the last sword was broken by someone else…’

‘And that guy got a Millennium Snow Ginseng!’

Deung Bu-hyeong lingered at the door, torn.

What was troubling him so much was one thing.

Many of the instructors and assistant instructors from the Demon Instructor’s faction had received elixirs or pills.

But he hadn’t received anything.

Surely, they must have something left over for him?

He figured they must have simply forgotten.

That’s why he had come to see Sabigang in person.

But his last shred of pride held him back.

Just then,

“What are you doing here?”

“Ah!”

Startled by the voice behind him, Deung Bu-hyeong jumped back.

Sabigang was watching him with a friendly smile.

“Master…!”

Using such a formal title for Sabigang still felt awkward, but Deung Bu-hyeong bowed deeply.

Thinking back to when Sabigang had been just an assistant instructor, it felt like a lifetime ago.

“Haha, no need to be so formal. You’re my senior, after all. Speak comfortably.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

“So, what brings you here?”

“Ah, well…”

Deung Bu-hyeong hesitated, offering a sheepish smile.

Sabigang tilted his head, waiting, as Deung Bu-hyeong finally spoke indirectly.

“I heard you distributed elixirs and pills to many of the Demon Instructor’s warriors recently. It was a commendable act. I was truly impressed.”

“Well, it was only natural for the safety of the Central Plains. I couldn’t use it all myself anyway.”

“Still, it’s not easy for people to think that way. People tend to want more once they have something. It was truly admirable.”

“Thank you. Is that why you came?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“But?”

“The… elixirs. Did you give them all away?”

“Mostly. Is there a problem?”

“Ahem, no, nothing. I was just curious about what the leftover ones looked like. Haha!”

Finally, Sabigang seemed to catch on, slapping his knee.

“Ah, I didn’t give you anything, did I?”

Deung Bu-hyeong’s face lit up.

“Haha! You make it sound like I came just to get something from you.”

“Of course not. I know you’re not someone who would stoop so low.”

“Ahem. Is that so?”

“But I can’t let you leave empty-handed. Here, take this. It’s good for you, and I hope it helps.”

“There’s no need to go that far. If it’s a health pill, I have plenty…”

“It’s not a health pill. Do you think I’d give you something like that?”

‘I’ve heard you’ve caused quite a stir with those.’

Of course, he didn’t say that out loud.

Meanwhile, Sabigang pulled a small bottle from his pocket.

Deung Bu-hyeong swallowed hard.

“What is this?”

“It’s Baekcho Qi Hwan Tang.”

“My goodness! Baekcho Qi Hwan Tang! Are you really giving this to me?”

“Of course. We have history, don’t we?”

“If I take this properly…”

“Indeed. You should be able to enhance your inner strength by at least half a level.”

“Just as I thought…!”

Deung Bu-hyeong accepted the small flask containing the Baekcho Giwhan Elixir with trembling hands.

He carefully opened the stopper and took a cautious sniff.

A sharp, yet strangely unique scent hit his nose.

“It’s real…! This is unmistakably the scent of Baekcho Giwhan Elixir!”

Overcome with emotion, Deung Bu-hyeong looked at Sabi-gang with tearful eyes and grasped his hands tightly.

“Thank you, truly! I can’t thank you enough!”

“There’s no need for thanks. We’ve known each other for so long.”

“I misunderstood you. I thought you held a grudge against me.”

“Why would I ever resent you? Don’t think such things. Take this elixir, use it well, and may your inner strength grow.”

“I will! I’ll live up to your expectations. Thank you, truly!”

“Ah, you know how to take it, right…?”

“Of course. I drink five sips at a time, three times over the course of an hour, correct?”

“Exactly. The method is a bit meticulous, but once you follow it, you’ll immediately feel your enhanced strength. That’s the beauty of Baekcho Giwhan Elixir—no side effects.”

“Indeed. Your generosity has truly moved me.”

Deung Bu-hyeong was so touched that tears welled up in his eyes.

The wariness he had felt towards Sabi-gang melted away like snow in the sun.

He felt foolish for having once conspired with Muk Yang-je to plot against such a person.

Sabi-gang reminded him, “Since there are no side effects, it’s crucial to follow the instructions precisely.”

“Of course. No matter how potent an elixir, if you don’t follow the directions, it’s as good as wasted.”

“Then, take care.”

“Thank you, thank you!”

Deung Bu-hyeong expressed his gratitude repeatedly as he turned to leave.

The sky seemed especially blue today.

He looked up at the vast expanse and thought of Cheon Sae-myung, who had sent him here.

He felt grateful to Cheon Sae-myung.

‘Captain Cheon, he was a good man after all.’

With a warm smile, Deung Bu-hyeong walked away, feeling lighter than ever.