Episode 513: Return to the Demon Sect
A grand carriage sped down the main road, flanked by warriors bearing flags and guards clad in black. The flags bore the bold red characters for “Demon Slayer,” a clear indication that someone of importance from the Demon Slayer Palace was inside.
Indeed, the palace lord, Sabi Kang, was riding in the carriage, accompanied by Maeseolran, who had recently been appointed as the chief overseer of the palace. Some whispered that she had used her connections to secure the position, but anyone who knew her skills would disagree. Her martial prowess was among the best in the palace, and her keen intuition was invaluable for handling delicate matters that required a woman’s touch.
As the carriage rolled on, Sabi Kang reviewed the deployment of their forces. “I’ve sent the Celestial Annihilation Squad and the Newborn Division to Shaanxi. The Secret Assassination Squad and the Black Sword Division are heading to Hunan, while the Demon Sword Division and the Red Annihilation Division are off to Guangzhou.”
“Hmm,” Sabi Kang mused, his expression serious. Maeseolran, sensing his mood, continued, “The rest are guarding the palace.”
“Hmm.”
“Is something wrong?” Maeseolran asked, noticing his furrowed brow.
“Yes,” Sabi Kang replied, making her tense. She quickly reviewed her plans but found no flaws. The forces were well-distributed to respond swiftly to any demonic movements, and the teams were composed of members who worked well together.
“What is it? Tell me, and I’ll fix it right away,” she offered, ready to adapt for the good of the palace.
“It’s the names,” Sabi Kang said, surprising her. “The organization names just don’t sit right with me.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, a sense of foreboding creeping in.
“Like the Secret Assassination Squad… it should be something like ‘The Unmatched Invincible Secret Death Squad’…”
“Stop. I don’t need to hear more. So, there’s no issue with the deployment itself?”
“That’s not the main concern,” Sabi Kang shrugged.
“That’s the most important part!” Maeseolran finally snapped, unable to hold back her frustration. Sabi Kang just shrugged, a playful smile on his lips.
Maeseolran shook her head, looking out at the passing scenery. “Sometimes, he doesn’t seem like someone who spent decades in the demon realm,” she thought. “They say your mental age follows your body, and even those who regain their youth start acting younger after a year.”
But still, his sense of naming was unforgivable.
“So, any movements from the demons?” Sabi Kang asked, bringing her back to the present.
“Fortunately, nothing significant in Shaanxi. They might be hesitant to attack the main base. But in Guangxi, they’ve already reached Nanning and seem to be heading for Guizhou next.”
“Isn’t the One Star Sword Sect in Guizhou?”
“Yes,” Maeseolran nodded, her expression grim. It was the hometown of Dan Lijeong, leader of the Celestial Annihilation Squad.
“They won’t move easily for now. It’s risky to act in areas not yet terraformed.”
“Shouldn’t we send our forces to Guizhou in advance?”
“No, if the demons move faster than expected, we’ll be caught off guard. It’s better to stick to the original plan.”
“Understood,” Maeseolran agreed, though she was concerned for Dan Lijeong. Personal feelings couldn’t dictate their strategy.
“What about the Alliance?”
“Leader Neung plans to meet the leader of the Demon Pursuit Society in two weeks.”
“Meeting them directly?”
Maeseolran nodded. The Demon Pursuit Society was a new group formed by those who followed the demons, and its leader was Mo Saseong, a former member of the Righteous Alliance who had fought in the Battle of Kanglim.
“Leader Neung hopes to persuade him. Following the demons is unforgivable, but perhaps he made a rash decision under pressure.”
“And the military’s response?”
“They oppose it, but Leader Neung is determined to find a solution through dialogue.”
“Dialogue, huh…”
Just then, the carriage jolted to a stop, throwing Maeseolran forward into Sabi Kang’s arms. He looked down at her with a teasing smile.
“Making a move so suddenly?”
“What are you talking about?” she blushed, flustered by the unexpected intimacy. She quickly tried to pull away, but Sabi Kang held her close.
“Let’s stay like this a bit longer. It’s nice.”
“We need to find out what’s happening,” she insisted, extricating herself and stepping out of the carriage.
Ahead, the sound of clashing weapons and cries of pain filled the air. Several guards were thrown aside, their bodies torn apart by a powerful explosion.
“Self-destructing attack! Subdue him quickly!” one of the guards shouted.
A lone warrior blocking the road spread his arms wide, shouting, “The Demon Slayer Palace should not resist the flow of time, but follow the natural order… Ugh!”
A black wind sliced through him, leaving a bloody line across his neck. The Black Ghost had struck, and the man’s face turned pale as he collapsed, blood pouring from his wound.
Maeseolran swiftly moved forward, her lightness skill carrying her to the front lines. She landed beside Churyang, who greeted her with a nod.
“Chief Overseer.”
“What happened?” she asked, surveying the fallen warriors.
“It seems to be a group supporting the demons. We’re investigating the area.”
A soldier ran up to Churyang, reporting his findings. Churyang frowned and turned to Maeseolran.
“They call themselves the ‘New Heaven Sect.’ It seems they attacked a village ahead.”
“New Heaven Sect?”
“They’re based in Hunan.”
“Are they from the unorthodox sects?”
Hunan was home to the Blood Demon Alliance, so it was likely they were from the unorthodox side. But the answer surprised her.
“No, most were from the orthodox sects.”
“Could they have been influenced by the Battle of Kanglim?”
“No, none of them participated in that battle.”
“Then why…?” Maeseolran murmured, puzzled. Behind her, Sabi Kang’s cold voice cut through the air.
“They have no pride.”
“What?”
“When faced with an overwhelmingly strong enemy, unorthodox warriors fight to the death with defiance, but orthodox warriors look for reasons to grovel.”
“Surely not…”
Maeseolran looked at him, thinking he was exaggerating. Sabi Kang smiled.
“Of course, it’s an exaggeration. There are many who don’t fit that mold.”
“Of course. Surely.”
But Sabi Kang privately disagreed. In his past life, when the demons invaded, the first to betray were orthodox warriors, and the longest to resist were also orthodox warriors.
If one were to compare who betrayed more between the orthodox and unorthodox?
Well… one thing was certain: the orthodox were not fewer.
Churyang, sensing the tension, asked cautiously, “Should we take a detour?”
Time was of the essence. The New Heaven Sect had attacked the village some time ago, and whatever atrocities they committed were likely already done. It might be wiser to avoid unnecessary conflict and take a longer route.
However, Sabigang shook his head.
“No. It’s been a while since I’ve had to discipline some troublemakers as a former instructor.”
His eyes were colder than ever.
“Pass through the village.”
“Wow! This drink is amazing!” one of the warriors exclaimed, taking a swig from the bottle and marveling at its taste.
Beside him, another warrior was preoccupied with assaulting a woman, showing no signs of stopping.
The woman’s hair was disheveled, and her eyes were vacant, as if this wasn’t the first time she’d been subjected to such horror. Dried tear stains marked her cheeks.
The screams and shouts that had once filled the village had faded into silence. Occasionally, the sound of sobbing could be heard, mingling with faint moans, the beastly cries of men lost in pleasure, and the raucous laughter and chatter.
One of the warriors, swaying as he stood, picked up a bronze mirror from the table and examined his reflection. Then, he turned the mirror towards the assaulted woman and chuckled.
“Ha! Aren’t you afraid of the heavens?”
It was the last thing the woman had shouted before being overpowered, that the heavens would not forgive them.
“But you know,” he continued, “a judge has already descended from the heavens. Humanity’s end is near. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts, right, ma’am? Besides, they say to embrace your desires. It’s the law of nature.”
At that moment, there was a sudden thud.
“Aaah!”
The woman, who had been lying there in a daze, screamed in terror.
Through the mirror, the warrior saw the face of his comrade, a sword embedded in it.
Startled, he spun around.
“W-what is this?”
“What do you think? It’s the judge you mentioned,” Sabigang said bluntly as he stepped into the house.