Episode 528: The Return of the Demonic Sect

The grand martial arts arena of Ilseong Sword Sect was filled with warriors.

Though the total number barely reached three hundred, a mere fraction compared to the larger sects, each face was set with unwavering determination. The pure energy they exuded was honed to a razor’s edge.

Yang Mun-su approached Dan Ri-chu, who stood on the platform.

“I’ve selected thirty warriors to escort the women and children away from the main sect.”

“Well done.”

Yang Mun-su bowed respectfully and descended from the platform. Dan Ri-chu surveyed the assembly with a stern gaze.

“As you all know, our sect is in grave danger. The demon legion is within ten li, and a great battle is imminent. Every sect that has stood against them has been annihilated. Our chances of victory are slim. In fact, we will likely perish here!”

He paused, taking a deep breath as he scanned the crowd.

“Are you afraid?”

“No!”

“Are you scared?”

“No!”

“If anyone is afraid, it’s not too late to leave the sect now! No one will blame you for valuing your life. Those with families to protect, dreams to fulfill, or elderly parents to care for, you may leave at any time.”

At this, Lee Cha-myung, the leader of the Thunder Sword Division, stepped forward and shouted with a fist salute.

“Sect Leader! We are prepared to lay our bones here! We have chosen to fight for justice over our lives! To protect our families! To achieve our dreams! To ensure the safety of our elders! We stand here with resolve!”

“That’s right!”

The warriors shouted in unison, their voices echoing like thunder.

Dan Ri-chu looked at them with eyes glistening with emotion. He took a deep breath before speaking again.

“Thank you. I am proud of you all. In the next life, be my disciples once more.”

“Of course! It was an honor to serve you, Sect Leader!”

“Then let us protect the lives of our loved ones with our deaths!”

“Yes, sir!”

Their resounding answer filled the air. As they began to disperse to their assigned positions, a group of people entered the arena, shouting.

“The Twelve Blades of Guizhou have come to aid the Ilseong Sword Sect!”

The warriors turned to see twelve fierce-looking men, each holding a unique sword hilt, grinning widely.

The Twelve Blades of Guizhou. Once notorious rogue warriors from the Guizhou region, their misdeeds had quieted after the Great War of Righteousness and Evil. Recently, rumors spread of them targeting various summoning sites.

A few years ago, their presence would have incited Dan Ri-chu and his disciples to draw their swords immediately. But now, a sense of relief washed over the crowd.

“We couldn’t just run away and feel ashamed. We decided to help any sect that stood against the demons, and Ilseong Sword Sect was the last one standing in Guiyang.”

When the leader of the Twelve Blades spoke, Dan Ri-chu responded with a broad smile.

“Thank you! Welcome!”

“Thank us? We’re not fighting for Ilseong Sword Sect. Even when raiding summoning sites, we find plenty of treasures. Imagine how much more we’ll get from attacking a demon legion. That’s all we’re after.”

“Hahaha! Whatever the reason, it’s good!”

Dan Ri-chu laughed heartily. Just then, an old man entered, his voice ringing out.

“I heard there were no warriors left in Guiyang, so I came to rob an empty house. But why is it so crowded here? Tsk! Since I’m here, I might as well stretch my legs!”

One of the disciples recognized him and shouted.

“Hey! That’s Phantom Thief Wuying!”

“Wow, it’s true. They said he was as short as a dwarf, and he really is. Is that why he’s such a good thief?”

“Shh! He might hear you! Still, I’m surprised. Who would’ve thought Phantom Thief Wuying would show up to help us?”

Listening to the murmurs, Dan Ri-chu approached with a bright expression.

“Welcome! I’ve heard much of your reputation, Senior! Welcome to our sect!”

“Hmph! All you’ve heard of my reputation must be bad!”

“Hahaha! Perhaps in the past, but not from today. You’ll be known as the one who defended Guiyang.”

“Who said I came to defend Guiyang? I just came to rob an empty house. But seeing so many people, I gave up.”

“Very well! When this war is over, feel free to take whatever you want from our sect! Hahaha!”

Dan Ri-chu laughed heartily, and Phantom Thief Wuying chuckled.

“You’re quite amusing. I thought you’d be a stick in the mud from the rumors.”

“Thank you for seeing me that way!”

Dan Ri-chu was genuinely impressed. Phantom Thief Wuying was not only famous in Guizhou but also the most renowned thief in the martial world. Known for stealing only from prestigious sects, he never touched the possessions of rogue sects, a testament to his rogue origins.

Having such a master thief on their side would undoubtedly be a great asset.

Just then, another group of people entered. This time, there were many warriors among them. A large, muscular man walked forward with a confident stride, his presence exuding power.

It was Yang Bi-woong, the leader of the Black Hand Gang.

Dan Ri-chu was genuinely surprised.

“Well, if it isn’t…?”

“It’s been a while.”

Yang Bi-woong spoke curtly. Three years ago, Dan Ri-chu had a major conflict with him. The Black Hand Gang had been exploiting merchants in Guiyang, and Dan Ri-chu, angered by their extortion, challenged Yang Bi-woong to a duel, which Dan Ri-chu won.

It wasn’t an easy fight. The duel left Dan Ri-chu with a large cross-shaped scar on his back, and Yang Bi-woong lost his right hand, becoming left-handed. Fortunately, Yang Bi-woong’s martial arts focused on hand-to-hand combat rather than swordplay, so he adapted quickly.

Still, losing a limb overnight left Yang Bi-woong with no fondness for Dan Ri-chu.

“I never expected you to come, Leader Yang. Perhaps I’ve misunderstood you.”

Yang Bi-woong replied with a cold smile.

“Don’t misunderstand. If you die here to those demon bastards, I can’t get my revenge. I will challenge you to a duel and take your right hand.”

“Very well! If you challenge me, I will accept, but only after this battle.”

“Hmph, survive first!”

“Of course!”

Dan Ri-chu replied loudly, nodding vigorously. Yang Bi-woong instructed his men to distribute the supplies they had brought.

“What are these?”

Dan Ri-chu asked, and Yang Bi-woong replied without looking back.

“These are items we’ve gathered from raiding summoning sites. There are medicines that heal any wound quickly and explosives that can devastate a three-zhang radius. They’ll be useful in battle.”

“Oh! Thank you!”

Yang Bi-woong cleared his throat and looked off into the distance.

More warriors continued to arrive at Ilseong Sword Sect. Though it seemed there were no warriors left in Guiyang, many had come to their aid.

Dan Ri-chu couldn’t hide his satisfaction as he watched the bustling warriors. The unexpected reinforcements filled him with a sense of security.

All those who came to Ilseong Sword Sect were rogue warriors. It wasn’t that the righteous warriors were cowards. Most had already been conscripted or volunteered for the Alliance of Righteousness or the Palace of Demon Extermination. Some, like the Guiyang Sect or the Gui Family, had vanished without a trace, but Dan Ri-chu didn’t mind.

“Thank you all!”

Who would have thought that he would one day receive help from rogue warriors? Their words might be gruff, but Dan Ri-chu knew the truth. The Twelve Blades of Guizhou weren’t here for treasures, and Phantom Thief Wuying wasn’t here to rob an empty house.

They had changed. The line between righteousness and evil in the martial world had blurred. All thanks to that mysterious Sa Bi-gang.

To think he had once mistaken such a noble figure for a mere dandy instructor. What a grave error!

“Sa Bi-gang, are you watching? It’s your influence that has changed them! The power of positivity reaches far and wide!”

Just then, a subordinate shouted.

“Sect Leader! The enemy is positioned about three li away!”

Upon receiving the report, Dan Ri-chu rushed to the main gate. He leaped onto the wall and raised his telescope.

Indeed, a massive force of demons was arrayed in the distance, exuding a menacing aura. Armored demon knights and various monstrous creatures filled the landscape.

“About a thousand demon knights alone…?”

At the forefront of the battlefield, a figure stood out, radiating a golden aura that commanded attention. This was none other than Helmut de Zailin, the leader of the Helmut Knights.

Clad in golden armor, even his steed was adorned with a golden mane and horn.

“Prepare for battle!” he commanded.

“Prepare for battle!” echoed the warriors, their voices rising in unison as they took their positions and summoned their fighting spirit.

Dan Lichu gritted his teeth. ‘Come on, you demons!’

In the next moment, a distant horn blared, its sound echoing across the field.

Soon after, the ground trembled with the thunderous approach of about a hundred knights from the Helmut order, accompanied by various monstrous creatures, kicking up clouds of dust as they charged.

‘Hmph! Testing the waters, are they? Even if they all come at once, we won’t be easily defeated!’ Dan Lichu thought, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.

“Today, a new chapter of justice will be written here!” he shouted.

“Uwaaaaaa!” The warriors roared in response.

**

Dan Lijeong gazed quietly at the southern sky. Here, all was still peaceful. With the main stronghold of the Justice Alliance standing firm, the demons would find it difficult to launch a reckless attack.

Sensing a presence, Dan Lijeong turned to see Huayang Jin-in, the master of the Xianshu Society, approaching.

Dan Lijeong bowed respectfully, and Huayang Jin-in smiled gently as he stood beside him.

“Is that direction towards Guizhou?” Huayang Jin-in asked.

”…Yes.”

“If you’re worried, you should go,” he suggested unexpectedly.

Surprised, Dan Lijeong looked at him. Huayang Jin-in continued with a faint smile.

“It’s only natural for a child to worry about their parents, isn’t it? You seem distracted here, so why not head to Guizhou? If you’re lucky, you might be able to help your father.”

His sincerity was evident. He understood Dan Lijeong’s concerns completely.

“Leave this place to us. The deputy leader of the Celestial Extermination Squad will handle things well,” Huayang Jin-in assured.

The deputy leader was Yeon Woo-gyeong, someone who could easily be considered the leader now.

Dan Lijeong nodded silently, agreeing with the assessment. Yeon Woo-gyeong was more than capable.

But then, Dan Lijeong shook his head slowly. “There’s no need.”

“What do you mean?” Huayang Jin-in asked, puzzled.

Dan Lijeong smiled faintly. “It would be a lie to say I’m not worried about my father. But my faith in the Lord is far greater.”

“Didn’t the Lord of Sabigang leave for the Blood Alliance?”

“Yes, but… if it’s him, he’ll find a way. He’s that kind of person.”

Dan Lijeong’s smile was filled with unmistakable trust.

‘How does one come to have such unwavering faith? It’s almost like a belief that transcends nature itself. Sabigang is truly an enigma. My understanding is still lacking,’ Huayang Jin-in thought, looking towards the southern sky.

Somewhere out there was the Ilseong Sword Sect, and further still, Sabigang.

Dan Lijeong’s voice broke the silence. “So, I’ll do my best with the duties I’ve been given here.”