Episode 49: Return to the Forbidden Grounds
“Heading to the Forbidden Grounds? That’s insane.”
“Aren’t you afraid of the gods’ curse?”
“Everyone must be out of their minds.”
The murmurs and sideways glances of the people around him were still vivid in Yeom Jaryang’s mind.
With a determined expression, Yeom Jaryang looked at Dan Lijeong.
“What could possibly be there? What’s hidden in that place?”
“I have no idea… I can’t even begin to guess.”
Dan Lijeong, holding the reins, glanced around nervously. At times like this, he seemed so innocent, it was hard to believe he was the same person who had come to rescue him.
“Honestly, when I think of the sharp aura I felt back then, it feels like I must have been dreaming.”
Despite his thoughts, Yeom Jaryang could empathize with Dan Lijeong’s unease. The path they were on was nothing short of eerie.
The road, just wide enough for a carriage, was rough and uneven, making travel difficult. Dense trees lined both sides, their branches shivering in the occasional gusts of wind, creating a haunting sound.
Somewhere in the distance, a night bird cried out.
Every nearby rock was etched with chilling graffiti.
“Die!”
“It’s the gods’ curse!”
“Disappear from this land!”
“Those who enter here will see hell.”
Yeom Jaryang swallowed hard.
“This place is intense.”
As they ventured further, they came upon a row of sharp wooden stakes, reminiscent of those used in siege warfare. It was unclear whether they were meant to keep outsiders from entering or to prevent something from escaping.
“Is there really something here? It feels like a bandit hideout…”
Yeom Jaryang shivered at the thought and turned to Dan Lijeong.
“Could this be a den of rogue martial artists?”
“A den of rogues?”
Dan Lijeong looked back, startled.
Yeom Jaryang nodded.
“Look at all the curses carved into the rocks. Maybe they were left by people who suffered at the hands of these rogues!”
“Then, are we…?”
“Yes. We might be on a mission to take down these rogues! They’ve been causing trouble lately, haven’t they?”
Dan Lijeong’s face turned pale.
“Then this isn’t just any mission, is it?”
“Think about it. We’ve faced many challenges, but we’ve never really dealt with the bad guys properly, have we?”
“That’s true.”
“Now, finally, we have the chance. A chance to take down the rogues.”
While Yeom Jaryang spoke with excitement, Dan Lijeong’s face was filled with worry. Yeom Jaryang clapped him on the back to encourage him.
“You’ll be a great help to the cadets. Don’t worry too much.”
“Do you think so?”
“Of course. You’re the one who saved me, after all.”
The mention of being a savior brought a faint smile to Dan Lijeong’s face.
Yeom Jaryang’s speculation quickly spread among the cadets.
“We’re going to fight the rogues.”
“Finally, a chance to show our skills!”
“But what if they’re as terrifying as the Black Twin Demons?”
“Don’t worry. The instructors are with us this time.”
“We’ll finally gain some real combat experience.”
The cadets buzzed with excitement.
As they passed a large boulder, the entrance to a narrow gorge appeared. The gorge was so foreboding that it made one hesitate to enter. The wind seemed to carry the scent of blood.
Everyone swallowed nervously.
“Stop.”
Instructor Sabi Kang stepped down from the carriage and called the cadets to a halt.
“Finally…!”
Yeom Jaryang and the cadets looked up at Sabi Kang with determined expressions.
This was it. The moment they’d been preparing for with all their rigorous training.
But then…
“You’ve done well to come this far. Now, you’ll wait here.”
“What?”
The cadets looked confused.
“Is there a problem?”
“Uh, is that it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you camping here too, Instructor?”
“No. I have somewhere to go.”
Sabi Kang’s gaze turned toward the inside of the gorge.
Of course!
The same thought crossed all the cadets’ minds.
Yeom Jaryang stepped forward and asked, “Instructor, what’s in there?”
“You don’t need to know.”
“No, we need to know.”
This time, Yeom Jaryang was adamant. The other cadets looked at Sabi Kang with the same determination.
Even Mae Seolran approached and asked, “I’m curious too. Why leave the cadets here? It’s too dangerous…”
“Mae Instructor, please stay and look after the cadets.”
“What? Why is this place so…?”
“It’s better if you don’t know until we leave.”
Sabi Kang’s firm stance left Mae Seolran silent and deep in thought.
Then Yeom Jaryang suddenly shouted, “We’ll go with you! We want to fight too!”
“Yes! Instructor, please take us with you! Isn’t this training trip supposed to be about real combat practice?”
The cadets began to shout one after another.
Sabi Kang chuckled.
“Real combat practice? Is that a new term? Real combat is real combat, and practice is practice. Just from that phrase, I can tell how lightly you take the martial world.”
“But we’re already prepared…!”
“Enough. When the time comes, you’ll face real combat whether you like it or not. But not now.”
Sabi Kang’s expression was so resolute that the cadets couldn’t argue further.
Mae Seolran spoke quietly, “But leaving the kids here…”
“Don’t worry. It’s safe here. As long as they stay put, there’s nothing to fear.”
Mae Seolran seemed about to say more, but Sabi Kang addressed the cadets first.
“Now, if you understand, why aren’t you preparing to camp?”
In the end, the cadets grumbled but complied with his instructions.
**
Beyond the narrow gorge lay a small village.
People called this place “Jigwi,” meaning the realm of ghosts bound to the earth.
A place no living human should enter.
A village cursed by the world.
Yet Sabi Kang walked through it without hesitation.
Half-collapsed walls, doors hanging off their hinges, roofs that looked ready to cave in at any moment.
Occasionally, rats scurried through the alleys in packs.
But there was no sign of human life.
It truly felt like a place where ghosts might appear.
A chilling wind blew through.
Finally, Sabi Kang stopped.
In front of him stood the largest house in the village, imposing despite its dilapidated state.
The crooked signboard and broken doors added to the eerie atmosphere.
Suddenly, Sabi Kang shouted.
“I’d like to ask a question!”
His voice echoed loudly in the silence.
But there was no response.
Taking a deep breath, Sabi Kang shouted again.
“Can anyone answer me?”
His voice, imbued with power, made the roof tiles tremble and the windows shake.
The trees shivered, shedding their leaves.
Sabi Kang smiled faintly.
He had sensed the faint presences surrounding him since entering the village.
And when he unleashed his powerful shout, he felt those presences waver.
But that was all.
No one stepped forward.
Sabi Kang scratched his ear.
“Maybe they didn’t hear me. It must be quite loud.”
He wasn’t joking.
If he unleashed more power, someone among those secretly surrounding him would surely suffer internal injuries.
As he took another deep breath, a voice as rough as a demon’s growl came from the front.
“Who are you?”
The broken door creaked open, revealing a man.
He wore a black robe and a wide-brimmed hat pulled low over his face.
At that moment, figures in black robes began to appear from the alleys and rooftops.
Each wore their hat low, and there were dozens of them.
A complete encirclement.
The air was thick with the murderous intent emanating from the robed figures.
“Finally, some company. It’s been so quiet here.”
“I asked who you are.”
“I’m an instructor from Yongcheon Academy. The name’s Sabi Kang.”
“Yongcheon Academy?”
The man in front tilted his head.
“What brings you here from Yongcheon Academy?”
“I’m looking for someone.”
“Leave.”
“Hmm. But I must find this person…”
“Whoever it is, they’re not here.”
“That can’t be. I know they’re here.”
The man in front let out a roar.
“You fool! You’ve entered forbidden territory. If you’ve lost your way, I’ll give you a chance. Leave, and I’ll spare your life.”
“I assure you, I’m on the right path.”
”… Foolish man.”
As the man in front spoke coldly.
Shwip! Shwip! Shwip!
Suddenly, projectiles flew from all directions.
In the next moment.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The man in front flinched.
“A barrier…?”
A bluish aura surrounded Sabi Kang, deflecting the dozens of projectiles.
But that wasn’t the end of it.
Sabikang deftly caught the last flying dagger with a swift motion and hurled it back at the man standing directly in front of him.
Whoosh!
“Whoa!”
Clang!
The man quickly drew his sword and deflected the incoming dagger.
This time, the men in black visibly wavered.
The man in front furrowed his brow deeply.
“You’re no ordinary fellow, are you? Just who are you, and what brings you here?”
“I told you, I’m an instructor from Yongcheon Hall, looking for someone.”
“Who exactly are you searching for?”
“Gu Woo-jung.”
At the mention of the name, the men in black flinched again.
“How do you know that name?”
“That’s not the only name I know.”
”…!”
The man tightened his grip on his sword, ready to spring into action.
Just as he was about to launch himself forward—
A hand landed on his shoulder.
Startled, he turned to see a man in a red cloak, his face obscured by a deeply pulled hat, murmuring softly.
“Mucheon, this one is not your opponent.”
The man called Mucheon stepped aside, and the man in the red cloak addressed Sabikang.
“You were looking for me?”
“If you are Gu Woo-jung, then yes.”
“What do you want?”
“Become my sword.”
Gu Woo-jung flinched at the unexpected request.
Simultaneously, the men in black surrounding them drew their weapons, exuding a menacing aura.
“Heh, it seems you’ve lost your way.”
He slowly unsheathed his blade from his waist.
Sabikang responded with a sly grin.
“I assure you, I haven’t.”