Episode 518: The Return of the Demon Sect Master
As Sabikang suddenly appeared, Jonya frowned deeply.
Sabikang tilted his head slightly. “Ah, now that I think about it, taking my child back isn’t something to apologize for. So, I take back my apology.”
“Sabikang…”
“You know me, do you, little one? I suppose it’s natural to call out the name of someone famous. But when the person is right in front of you, you shouldn’t just blurt out their name, especially when you’re so young. At the very least, you should call me ‘Brother Sabikang,’ don’t you think?”
“Hmph! Just as arrogant as they say. But judging my age by appearances and speaking informally is something you do too. I’m older than you think.”
With that, Jonya signaled to the Black Knights.
Understanding the command, the Black Knights unleashed their magic and charged at Sabikang.
In an instant,
“Thunder Cross.”
Sabikang murmured softly.
Crackle! Sizzle!
Spheres of lightning formed around him and shot out in all directions.
Boom! Crackle! Sizzle!
The Black Knights swung their swords, deflecting the incoming spheres of lightning.
But the lightning, unleashed by Sabikang, who had reached the eighth circle, was a significant threat even to the demon knights.
“Ugh!”
The electrified demons staggered, struggling to regain their balance.
In the next moment,
Flash!
Sabikang vanished, only to reappear right in front of Jonya.
With a sly grin, Sabikang said, “Little one, I’m older than you think too.”
Swish!
His sword, Vertas, sliced through the air, aiming straight for Jonya’s neck.
“Not a chance!”
Jonya shouted, ducking low and thrusting her palm forward.
Boom!
Sabikang’s shield clashed violently with Jonya’s strike, creating a thunderous sound.
Swoosh!
Both were pushed back several meters simultaneously.
Sabikang chuckled, seemingly amused.
‘He’s laughing…?’
Jonya had expected Sabikang to be tense after their clash.
But was his laughter a sign of confidence? Or mere bravado?
Scratching his head with Vertas, Sabikang remarked, “You’re more…”
“Surprised by my strength?”
“No, I was going to say you’re smaller than I thought, making you hard to hit.”
“You brat!”
Jonya launched herself like a flash of light.
In the next moment,
“Stone Wall.”
Sabikang chanted again, and massive rocks erupted from the ground in a line.
Rumble!
Jonya swung her sword in a cross, shattering the barrier.
Boom!
As the wall crumbled, Jonya shot forward like a cannonball, thrusting her sword.
“Die!”
Thud!
Her blade tore through flesh.
But then she widened her eyes in shock at the figure before her.
“Jonya…! I’m sorry…!”
To her surprise, the one she had struck was Hwangno, who had been under a spell by Onggisung.
“Hwangno…!”
“Cough!”
Hwangno spat out blood, collapsing as Jonya withdrew her sword, leaving him motionless.
“Damn it!”
She scanned her surroundings with a fiery gaze.
Her very presence exuded a murderous aura, enough to kill with intent alone.
“Such a rude child. Swearing in front of an elder when you’re angry,” Sabikang teased with a grin.
Jonya spread her arms wide, letting out a battle cry.
“Haaaah!”
Rumble!
A powerful demonic energy surged from her, filling the area.
Chu Huiryong and the Blood Alliance warriors swallowed hard, quickly gathering their inner strength to counter.
“I’ll kill you!”
Jonya shouted, disappearing like a ghost, only to reappear behind Sabikang.
Swish!
Clang!
Vertas and Jonya’s sword clashed, sparks flying.
Sabikang stepped forward, and Jonya blocked with her shield.
Clang! Clang! Bang! Boom! Crash!
A rapid exchange of attacks and defenses ensued, too fast for the eye to follow.
Sparks flew continuously.
The onlookers were so captivated they forgot the situation, unable to intervene.
The speed and precision of the attacks and defenses were such that any interference could be more of a hindrance.
Moreover, the overwhelming energy radiating from the two was so intense that approaching them could cause internal injuries.
Even Chu Huiryong and the demon knights kept a cautious distance, merely watching the surroundings.
Finally, Jonya kicked off the ground, soaring into the air.
Sabikang was right behind her, not letting her escape.
Crackle! Clang!
With a sound like fireworks, sparks erupted as they ascended into the sky.
‘Unbelievable…!’
Chu Huiryong gaped, losing all composure.
How powerful were these two?
Even the Blood Alliance warriors were beyond shocked, feeling a sense of awe.
Could a life-and-death battle be so dazzling and beautiful?
The two were now fighting while floating in the air.
A battle beyond the realm of humans!
That was the duel between Sabikang and Jonya.
Finally, as their swords clashed fiercely,
Clang!
A deafening noise shook the heavens and earth, sending a powerful gust in all directions.
“Ugh!”
“Everyone, be careful!”
The Blood Alliance warriors quickly gathered their inner strength, using the Heavenly Weight technique to withstand the gust.
But some were swept away, and the tiles of the pavilion flew off as if struck by a typhoon.
The demon knights also unleashed their magic to endure.
Sabikang and Jonya remained locked in place, their swords pressed against each other.
“To clash swords in mid-air and test each other’s strength…!”
“Is it a blessing or a curse to witness such a battle…?”
The Blood Alliance warriors murmured in awe, while Chu Huiryong snapped back to reality and spoke to Jagwi.
“Hold them off! I have something to do inside!”
“Understood!”
Jagwi and the bodyguards turned their swords toward the demon knights.
The demon knights, no longer focused on Jonya, glared at Chu Huiryong.
The leader of the demon knights signaled, and they charged at the bodyguards.
“Hold them back!”
Jagwi shouted, and the archers on the roof released their arrows.
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
The arrows this time were stiff iron-tipped ones.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
‘It’s broken!’
Jagwi focused his gaze.
The shields surrounding the demon knights shattered.
But then…
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Flames erupted from the demon knights’ bodies, deflecting the iron-tipped arrows.
The arrows couldn’t penetrate their armor.
“Damn…! Attack!”
Jagwi and the bodyguards charged.
Blue sword energy and black aura clashed, creating metallic sounds.
But the demon knights’ skills were on par with top-tier masters.
“Argh!”
“Ugh!”
The bodyguards fell, spewing blood.
In an instant, seven top-tier masters were down, leaving only Jagwi and three others.
“Damn…!”
The ten demon knights were relentless.
Unable to watch any longer, Hyunmuryong discarded his bow and drew his sword, shouting.
“Let’s go!”
“Charge!”
The archers let out battle cries, leaping from the roof.
“Don’t get cocky!”
A demon knight’s voice boomed like a lion’s roar, causing some archers to collapse, coughing blood.
They couldn’t withstand the powerful magic.
But then,
“You dare come here!”
Another lion’s roar filled the air.
Looking up, another group of warriors had arrived.
It was the warriors led by Wolseomdangju So Cheonak.
“Erase them from this land!”
“Yes, sir!”
The warriors responded, pouring into the courtyard like a waterfall.
A fierce battle ensued.
Meanwhile, in the night sky, Sabikang and Jonya remained locked in their aerial duel.
Jonya gritted her teeth.
“Sabikang…! Why do you keep interfering?”
“I should be asking you. Why have you become a pawn of the demons?”
“It was you humans who made me this way. You turned me into a demon spirit.”
“Let’s be clear. It was the greed of the Demon Sect that did that.”
“Right. The Demon Sect. I almost forgot. It’s been so long… But do you know how your Righteous Alliance treated the young demon spirits after the Demon Sect fell?”
”…”
“They ordered us to be hunted down! We just wanted to live! But you saw our very existence as a sin!”
Sabikang smirked.
“So? You’ve decided to turn all of humanity against you?”
“Does it even matter?”
“Of course it does. You’re just as bad as those foolish humans.”
“Don’t make me laugh! At least… at least the Marquis of Baritan—”
“Don’t delude yourself.”
Savigang’s expression turned icy in an instant, so cold that even Jonya flinched.
“For someone who’s supposedly lived a long life, why are you acting like a child? Do you really think Baritan holds you in special regard? Surely you can’t be that naive.”
“Shut up!”
“No, I think I’ll keep talking. If you were just a little less stupid, maybe I’d stop. But you’re beyond belief.”
“I said shut up! What makes you think you’re so special?”
Clang!
As Jonya swung his sword, Savigang leapt back, putting distance between them.
Whoosh!
In the next moment, Jonya appeared behind Savigang.
“You think I wouldn’t see that coming?”
Savigang spun around, slashing his sword, but—
Swoosh!
A thick black mist enveloped the area, obscuring everything from view.
He was sure his blade had struck Jonya, yet it met nothing but air.
“Is this dark magic?”
Savigang furrowed his brow, scanning his surroundings.
Complete darkness.
It felt as if he had stepped into the abyss conjured by a dark spirit.
But Savigang knew better.
This darkness was an illusion.
The proof? His feet were firmly planted on the ground, though he hadn’t moved himself.
He didn’t believe for a second that Jonya had used a ninth-circle teleportation spell.
No, it had to be an illusion.
Nothing to be surprised about.
After all, dark magic often involved such tricks.
At its peak, it could even plant a demon in one’s mind.
Just then, footsteps echoed from behind.
Savigang couldn’t just stand there, so he quickly turned and sprinted toward the sound.
At first, the light was just a faint dot, but it grew larger and larger until it swallowed him whole.