Chapter 531: The Return of the Demon Cult Leader
Helmut couldn’t believe what was happening. His eyes, hollow and weary, were fixed on Sabikang.
“How could you do this to me…?”
It was impossible. His opponent was just a human. Yet, he found himself powerless.
Sabikang approached, his footsteps echoing softly. Helmut flinched, watching him closely, feeling a growing sense of self-loathing for being so on edge over every little move Sabikang made.
Sabikang twisted his lips into a smirk. “What does it feel like, being a demon?”
”…”
“Does it feel like sitting on a throne so high above, only to watch ants rebel and bite your toes? You should know that feeling well by now.”
“What… who are you?”
“I told you, I was once your master.”
Helmut couldn’t even muster a bitter laugh. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion. How could this insignificant human corner him so completely?
But there was one possibility…
“If what he says is true…?”
Then it would make sense. If this was truly his master, whom he had served with all his heart, this situation wasn’t impossible.
“Damn it! What am I even thinking…!”
Helmut clenched his teeth hard. How could he entertain such absurd thoughts?
Sabikang approached with a sly grin. “You must be curious. How a mere human like me can render you powerless. If you want to hear the story, I can tell it. I’ve been wanting to have a chat with you for a while.”
“You madman… You think I’ll believe the lies of a pathetic human like you…?”
“Helmut, you’re not like other demons.”
”…!”
Helmut’s eyes widened in shock once more. The constant surprises were starting to irritate him.
“Why on earth is this guy…!”
Sabikang stopped walking, now close enough to touch. No human had ever dared come this close to him, especially with such an arrogant, disdainful smile, as if looking down on a subordinate.
“You…!”
Helmut roared and lunged with his sword.
Swish!
But once again, the result was the same.
Clack!
His blade was caught effortlessly between Sabikang’s fingers. Sabikang simply smiled.
“Take a nap for now. I have to deal with the ones causing trouble outside first.”
Helmut’s face twitched. The ones causing trouble outside were undoubtedly his knights.
“How dare you…!”
Thud!
Sabikang’s fist connected with Helmut’s face.
Whoosh, crash!
Helmut flew back like a bolt of lightning, crashing through a wall. He lay there, motionless, as if unconscious.
“Father Jeong, could you keep an eye on him?”
“What? Oh, yes…”
As Danlichu approached with a bewildered expression, Sabikang leaped into the sky. His movements were so fluid and graceful, it was hard to believe he was human.
“Can a person really move so freely?”
It was as if he was mocking the very laws of nature.
“But what if that guy wakes up?”
Danlichu cautiously approached the unconscious Helmut and tapped his cheek. Fortunately, Helmut seemed to be completely out cold, having taken a serious hit from Sabikang.
Meanwhile, Sabikang hovered above the battlefield in front of the Ilseong Sword Sect, observing the fierce battle below. Everyone was fighting desperately, but it was clear they couldn’t hold out much longer.
Sabikang extended his hand and shouted, “Blizzard!”
In an instant,
Whoosh!
A blizzard and strong winds erupted from the clear sky. But unlike before, it didn’t indiscriminately freeze everyone. Only the demons at the rear of the enemy ranks were turned to ice.
Having reached the eighth circle of magic, it wasn’t difficult for Sabikang to freeze them into ice sculptures.
The sudden blizzard left the demon knights in disarray, their ranks thrown into chaos.
Sabikang shouted, “Everyone, stop!”
His booming voice made the warriors cover their ears and crouch down, while the demon knights flinched and looked up.
“Listen, Helmut’s knights. If you don’t cease your attack immediately, your master will be destroyed forever.”
The demon knights halted their assault. But it wasn’t Sabikang’s threat that stopped them. It was something else entirely.
Sabikang had spoken in the demon language.
A human, speaking the demon language so fluently!
Regardless of the reason, Sabikang knew they wouldn’t heed his warning just because he said so.
Flash!
In an instant, he vanished from the sky.
Moments later,
Flash!
Sabikang reappeared, holding the unconscious Helmut by the ankle. Helmut, battered and bruised, was a pitiful sight.
The demon knights flinched again as Sabikang roused Helmut.
“Wake up.”
With a surge of energy, Helmut awoke with a scream.
“Aaargh!”
Realizing he was dangling upside down, held by Sabikang, he erupted in fury.
“You…! How dare you… Aaargh!”
But he screamed again as an overwhelming force coursed through his body, as if thousands of needles were piercing his veins.
After the wave of pain subsided, Helmut had no strength left to resist. He didn’t want to admit it, but his opponent had him completely subdued.
Sabikang suddenly asked, “Can you use Compello?”
Helmut’s eyes widened in shock.
“How do you know about that…?”
Compello was known only to demons. It wasn’t magic, but a technique to seize control of a group’s willpower, used by a leader to enforce absolute obedience in times of chaos.
When used, those who swore loyalty to the caster would obey without question.
Sabikang gestured towards the demon knights. “Use it.”
Knowing about Compello and asking him to use it meant Sabikang was ordering him to give an unpleasant command.
Sabikang looked down at the upside-down Helmut. “You’re curious, aren’t you? How a human like me can corner you so completely. Why I’m your master. I’ll show you now. If you want to know, use Compello. How long does it last?”
“Half a shichen in this realm.”
“That’s enough. Order them to retreat and stand by.”
“Why should I listen to you…?”
“And if you don’t?”
Sabikang’s gaze turned icy cold.
Helmut felt a chill deep in his bones. Sabikang was indeed infusing him with cold energy.
Helmut sighed in resignation. “Fine. I’ll use Compello.”
“Good choice.”
Only then did Sabikang release his ankle. Helmut wasn’t foolish enough to try anything in his weakened state.
He wasn’t that stupid.
And knowing Helmut’s nature, Sabikang was sure his words had piqued Helmut’s curiosity. He must be dying to know why he was so powerless against a human.
Standing upright in the air, Helmut commanded the demon knights in a low voice.
“Withdraw and stand by until further orders.”
“Understood!”
The demon knights began to retreat as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Moments ago, they had been like madmen, but now they were as docile as kittens.
Neither Helmut nor the demon knights showed any visible change. That’s how Compello worked. There were no outward signs, and no one but the caster knew it had been used.
“Impressive. You really used Compello.”
“Or maybe they’ll wake up soon and wipe this place out.”
Sabikang chuckled. “Then you’ll just end up getting beaten to death by me.”
Helmut’s expression hardened. “Now, explain yourself. Make me understand who you really are.”
“There’s a saying, ‘Seeing is believing.’ Experience it for yourself.”
“What do you mean?”
“Wait here. I’ll be back soon.”
“What are you…?”
Flash!
But before Helmut could finish, Sabikang tore a scroll and vanished from the air.
Helmut stared blankly at the empty space where Sabikang had been. It felt like a surreal dream. To be so thoroughly outmaneuvered by a human…
Helmut clenched his teeth, glancing at the warriors standing awkwardly nearby.
**
In the pavilion of the Demon Palace’s rear garden, Murang looked at Jaunryong with wide eyes.
“Why are you bowing to me?”
“Thanks to you, everything was resolved.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Murang turned his gaze to the distant mountains, while Jaunryong smiled gently.
“I know you already understand everything.”
“Haha, you should be the sage here.”
“If you hadn’t given me that chance that day, I would have walked a path of no return. Thank you once again.”
He was referring to the time at the Myeolma Hall when a spell had been cast on him.
What if Master Murang hadn’t cast that spell on him that day?
He probably wouldn’t be standing here safely now.
Whether Murang had done it to test his intentions or to offer him a moment of enlightenment didn’t matter.
In the end, he was indebted to him.
“Ahem, it was all the Lady’s will.”
“I know that too. But you must have shared her thoughts, or you wouldn’t have cast the spell on me, right?”
“Bringing up something from so long ago and suddenly expressing gratitude—something must be going on.”
Jaunryong smiled gently.
“It’s nothing major. It’s just… I told Yujeong the whole truth recently.”
“And how did that go?”
“We’ve become much closer.”
Murang’s face softened with a warm smile.
“Yes, that’s the power of truth. There are no eternal secrets, but truth is everlasting.”
“You’re absolutely right. Sometimes that truth comes with a pain that cuts to the bone.”
“But ignoring the truth will never lead to happiness.”
“I’ve come to understand that now.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
Murang gave his usual kind-hearted smile.
Just then—
“There’s someone else who needs to see the power of that truth.”
Murang and Jaunryong turned to see Sabigang approaching with determined steps.