Episode 526: Return to the Demonic Sect
“Master! Over here!”
Amidst the groans of the injured, Churyang raised his hand and shouted.
Sabigang glided over to Churyang like a ghost, using his unparalleled martial arts.
Churyang quickly briefed him beside the wounded.
“I just gave him a healing potion, so the wounds have closed, but his body is still freezing.”
“Healing potions can’t cure the cold. Step aside.”
“Yes, Master.”
As Churyang stepped back, Sabigang knelt beside the injured man and checked his pulse.
Indeed, a chilling cold was raging unchecked within his body.
With each exhale, the injured man’s breath came out in white puffs.
Despite his pale complexion, he managed a faint smile at Sabigang.
“It’s… an honor… huff, huff… I’ve always wanted to meet you.”
Though he was a rogue martial artist, he held a deep admiration for Sabigang.
In fact, many rogue martial artists took a peculiar pride in Sabigang’s reputation.
They often boasted about the time he served as an instructor at the Blood Sect.
In a way, Sabigang’s very existence was a symbol that blurred the lines between right and wrong.
“Take deep breaths and focus your energy.”
“Understood! Th-thank you!”
Sabigang gently infused warmth into the man’s body.
It required precise control.
If too much warmth was introduced too quickly, it could overwhelm the body, causing all the meridians to burst.
It’s like heating a frozen object too rapidly, causing it to shatter.
After some time, the man’s once pale face began to regain its color.
His body, which had been trembling like a leaf, relaxed as he closed his eyes, a serene expression settling over him.
After circulating his internal energy, he drifted into a peaceful sleep.
“He’s stable now.”
As Sabigang stood up, Churyang approached.
“With this, I think we’ve treated all the critical injuries.”
Sabigang nodded and called over Maesellan and Heukgwi.
“The Blood Sect is in chaos without its leader. You’ll need to manage things here. Lord So Cheonak will assist you.”
“Got it. Leave it to me.”
Maesellan replied confidently.
Though this was the heart of the rogue sect, she had experience managing rogue martial artists before.
Both at the Demonic Pavilion and the Demonic Palace, rogue martial artists were present.
Moreover, with So Cheonak, Heukgwi’s father, aiding her, it wouldn’t be too difficult.
She added with a grin, “If they don’t listen, I can just beat them up, right?”
“Whoa! You sounded just like Master there!”
Churyang’s jest made Maesellan and Sabigang chuckle lightly.
“Heukgwi, you stay here for now and wrap things up.”
“Yes, my lord!”
“Then let’s go.”
“Yes, Master!”
As the two began to walk away, Maesellan called out.
“Be careful!”
It might not have been necessary to say, but still.
That’s how much you mean to this world.
And to me.
**
The basic principle of tracking is quite simple.
You must abandon the thought of pursuing someone.
Instead, you must become the one being pursued.
It’s not as easy as it sounds, though…
“This is too easy! This way.”
Churyang said confidently, leaping forward.
Indeed, he moved as swiftly and surely as a squirrel in the forest.
Sabigang, following behind with a skeptical look, said,
“Are you sure you’re going the right way? If you later say, ‘Sorry, the trail’s gone cold. I think we lost them,’ I’ll kill you.”
But Churyang’s eyes were more serious than ever.
As he moved without hesitation, he explained,
“It seems they ran without even thinking about being followed. Even after a whole day, the trail is clear.”
‘What trail is he talking about?’
Sabigang wondered as he followed Churyang, who was unmatched in martial arts but couldn’t match Churyang’s keen observation skills.
Meanwhile, Churyang was thrilled to showcase his expertise in his field.
“True tracking requires forgetting oneself. It starts with erasing the ego and observing the surroundings with instinct. A broken branch? A sword’s mark? The way leaves are scattered? These are mere tricks of tracking. At the highest level, you delve into human psychology, erasing your ego to become a perfect stranger. That’s the essence of tracking, the pinnacle of its art!”
“Who are you talking to?”
“Huh? Oh, haha. Just reminding myself. Anyway.”
Churyang’s expression turned serious again.
“Tracking is a profound, complex, and mysterious exploration of the human psyche…”
“Shut up and just keep tracking.”
“Oh, yes.”
Churyang scanned the surroundings once more and leaped forward.
“This way!”
**
“Leader… you’re persistent.”
One of the Blood Sect’s Four Demons shook his head.
He sighed and lifted a leather pouch.
“Is this really that important?”
“You dare lay hands on my belongings…”
Energy surged from Chu Heeryong’s body, causing his robe to billow.
Thanks to the energy he absorbed from Churyang, he had recovered significantly.
The mocking smile vanished from the Blood Sect Demon’s face.
Though he was alone, Chu Heeryong was the leader of the Blood Sect.
A martial artist representing the rogue sect.
Even injured, if he decided to fight, they couldn’t afford to be careless.
The demon’s expression hardened as he opened the leather pouch.
“What could be inside that makes it so…”
He trailed off, startled, as he pulled out a scroll.
“What’s this? Just a piece of paper?”
“What? That can’t be right. There must be something else.”
“There’s nothing.”
The second demon asked, and the first demon shook his head.
The third demon approached, took the leather pouch, and rummaged through it.
“It’s true.”
Seeing this, Chu Heeryong spoke with a calm expression.
“As you can see, it’s just a piece of paper. It’s precious to me, but it’s nothing to you. So hand it over, and I won’t hold your transgressions against you.”
“Hmm… I don’t think so.”
The first demon shook his head, and Chu Heeryong shouted in frustration.
“Why not?!”
“Because if it’s precious to you, it could be a weapon for us. We might regret handing it over based on your word alone.”
“Fools…!”
“Enough talk. Let’s do this.”
“What do you mean?”
“Half and half.”
“Half and half?”
“Yes. Let’s split it evenly. Fairly.”
‘Fair? How is splitting my own thing fair?!’
Chu Heeryong fumed internally but held his anger in check.
After all, they didn’t know how to use the scrolls.
If he could get even half back, he could always take the rest from them later.
He just needed to know their location.
Meanwhile, the Blood Sect Demons were also wary of a direct confrontation with Chu Heeryong.
They wouldn’t lose, but at least one or two of them would have to be prepared to die.
So they planned to give up half and use the rest as leverage.
Moreover, seeing how much Chu Heeryong valued these scrolls, they were sure they weren’t ordinary.
They must be something incredibly valuable.
It was a shame to give up half, but it was a chance to gain something without bloodshed.
Finally, Chu Heeryong nodded.
“Fine. But wait until I verify the items are intact.”
“Now you’re making sense.”
The first demon counted the scrolls in the leather pouch and frowned.
“This is a problem.”
“What now?”
“There are fifteen scrolls. To split them evenly, we’ll have to tear one in half.”
“No! I’ll take seven.”
The first demon inwardly chuckled at Chu Heeryong’s insistence.
‘These must be no ordinary items. He’s so anxious. I’ll find a way to take them all eventually.’
Hiding his thoughts, the first demon spoke.
“Alright. If you’re willing to compromise. Junior, hand them over.”
“Yes, senior.”
The fourth demon took seven scrolls and approached Chu Heeryong.
“Here you go.”
As he handed over the scrolls, Chu Heeryong inspected them carefully.
They seemed undamaged.
The fourth demon frowned and asked bluntly.
“Is it good? Then let’s part ways.”
“Wait.”
As the fourth demon turned, Chu Heeryong pointed to a part of the scroll.
“There’s a problem here.”
“What?”
“Right here.”
“What could…”
As the fourth demon approached Chu Heeryong, the first demon sensed something was off and shouted.
“Junior! Be careful…!”
But Chu Heeryong was a step ahead.
Tap, swoosh!
He used his martial arts to swiftly reach the fourth demon and grabbed his neck.
“Ugh!”
“You scoundrel!”
As Chu Heeryong shouted,
Crackle! Sizzle!
“Aaaah!”
A fierce lightning bolt enveloped them, resonating with a sharp crackle.
The Blood Sect Demons, who were about to attack Chu Heeryong, were forced back, unable to withstand the electric shock.
“Gah!”
“Oh no! The youngest…!”
Meanwhile, Sa-gwe, caught in Chu Hui-ryong’s grip, let out a scream of agony, his eyes rolling back.
As Sa-gwe went limp, blood trickling from his mouth, Chu Hui-ryong tossed him aside like a spent log.
Thud!
“You scoundrel!”
Clang!
The remaining Blood Demon followers couldn’t contain their rage and drew their swords in unison.
A suffocating aura of murderous intent emanated from their bodies.
Yet, Chu Hui-ryong, having absorbed Sa-gwe’s energy in an instant, remained unfazed.
Instead, he clenched his fist and examined his body.
“Thunderbolt Absorption Technique… I quite like it.”
This technique was once used by the former master, Heo Mu-geuk. Chu Hui-ryong, upon becoming the new master, had stumbled upon the hidden manual while exploring the master’s chamber.
Finding it compatible with his own skills, he quickly mastered the Thunderbolt Absorption Technique.
This was only the second time he had used it in battle, the first being against Chu Ryang.
Crackle… Sizzle…
Residual electricity still coursed through his body.
He glared at the Blood Demon followers, taunting them.
“Come on, you brats.”
“I’ll rip your guts out!”
“I’ll skin you alive!”
The Blood Demon followers charged with chilling cries.
Chu Hui-ryong swiftly raised his sword to block their attacks.
Clang! Clang!
With determination, he fought them to a standstill.
Had Sa-gwe been there, the Blood Demon followers might have had the upper hand, but now it was a razor-thin contest.
However, Chu Hui-ryong overlooked one crucial detail.
The energy gained from the Thunderbolt Absorption Technique would gradually dissipate over time.
He could fully absorb it by sitting in meditation, but he had no such luxury now.
As time passed, the Blood Demon followers inevitably gained the upper hand.
‘Damn it! These guys are tougher than I thought!’
If he hadn’t been injured, he wouldn’t be struggling so much against them.
The situation grew increasingly perilous.
He regretted not fleeing immediately after killing Sa-gwe.
Just then—
“What a mess.”
A familiar voice.
Both the Blood Demon followers and Chu Hui-ryong froze, turning their heads.
Chu Ryang stood on a tree branch, with Sa Bi-gang perched beside him, shrugging.
“Oh, don’t mind me. I’ll just watch. It’s more entertaining than I expected.”