Episode 548: Return to the Demonic Sect
Gu Yoon paused, brush hovering above the paper, lost in thought. He scanned the words he had just written, dissatisfaction etched on his face. With a shake of his head, he let out a deep sigh and tore the paper to shreds. Picking up his brush again, he began to write anew on a fresh sheet.
The moment had come when the fractured martial world would unite against the demonic forces. The leader would deliver a speech, one that would inspire and galvanize the gathered warriors. And it was Gu Yoon’s task to craft those very words.
As he wrote with swift strokes, he stopped abruptly, exhaling heavily. “This isn’t right. It’s lacking. It needs something more to truly move the heart.”
Just as he tore the paper again, a voice interrupted from behind. “You’ve been working hard.”
In an instant, a shadow moved like the wind, launching a fierce attack at the voice’s owner. But the figure deftly sidestepped, deflecting the blade and countering with a swift strike.
The shadow retreated, spinning gracefully to regain its stance. It was Bi-ryeong, Gu Yoon’s bodyguard. The intruder, who had appeared without warning, was none other than Akcheon Goe, the notorious leader of the assassination squad.
Akcheon Goe grumbled with irritation, “Even a cat shows its claws to its own kind now.”
Bi-ryeong, unfazed, retorted, “Why sneak up from behind if you’re an ally?”
Akcheon Goe chuckled dryly. “Feisty, aren’t you?”
“Watch your mouth.”
“Ah, so you also think of me as just another rogue.”
“I’m simply doing my duty.”
“Stubborn as ever,” Akcheon Goe muttered, shaking his head. Gu Yoon chuckled softly and asked, “What brings you here? Bi-ryeong has a point. Appearing suddenly like that could provoke a harsh response.”
Though he spoke calmly, Gu Yoon had been startled. He trusted Bi-ryeong, but hearing a voice suddenly behind him had sent a chill down his spine. It was no wonder Bi-ryeong was on edge.
Akcheon Goe snorted. “If I had planned to announce my arrival, I wouldn’t have shown up like this.”
“Then why are you here? What’s the matter?”
“I have a bad feeling.”
“A bad feeling about what?”
“Just a hunch. Call it the instinct of an old survivor or the intuition of a seasoned assassin.”
“What are you trying to say?” Gu Yoon frowned, puzzled.
Akcheon Goe sighed, meeting his gaze. “Don’t you feel something’s off about all this?”
“Off? In what way?”
“Think about it. Just yesterday, they were worshipping the demonic cult. And now, after meeting the leader for just half a day, they’ve changed their minds? Something’s…”
“Half a day is not a short time.”
“But it’s too short to change the identity of such a large organization.”
“Are you suggesting the cult has set a trap?”
“Perhaps…”
“Surely the leader would have seen through that.”
“Exactly. The leader isn’t someone who would miss such a thing. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be the leader.”
“Besides, Mosaseong once fought alongside the leader in the battle against the demonic forces.”
“Which makes it even more concerning. He might have been influenced.”
“What are you really trying to say?” Gu Yoon’s expression turned openly displeased. He couldn’t understand why he felt so irritated. He didn’t want to hear a word of what Akcheon Goe was saying.
They had just managed to bring the cult back to its senses. Why undermine the leader’s efforts and abilities now?
“Anxiety…,” Gu Yoon thought, pausing. Was he anxious? Why? Everything was going well, so what was there to be anxious about?
Indeed, he had struggled to write the speech today. His brush refused to flow as it should. Was it truly due to some unknown unease?
Sensing a shift in Gu Yoon’s demeanor, Akcheon Goe pressed on with a firmer tone. “You feel it too, don’t you?”
“No. I trust the leader.”
“Even the leader can’t…”
“Mosaseong was once a hero who fought against the demonic forces. It’s more surprising that he revered them. The leader merely guided him back to the right path.”
“Do you truly believe that?”
Akcheon Goe studied Gu Yoon intently, as if deciding whether to continue. Gu Yoon hesitated, unable to answer easily.
Akcheon Goe sighed softly, turning to walk away. “You’re exhausted. After all you’ve been through—defeating internal enemies, the rogue sect, the demonic cult—and now the demonic forces. You’re only human. It’s hard to see the leader in a different light when he’s been your pillar.”
“What are you saying…?”
“You’ve uncovered much information, devised many strategies. The martial world may not know how much you’ve done behind the scenes. But you can’t let your guard down now.”
”…….”
“If you truly care for this world.”
Gu Yoon watched Akcheon Goe with a heavy gaze, then let out a small laugh. “Hearing this from you is quite something.”
“I never thought I’d be saying this to the chief strategist of the righteous alliance.”
“Did you… follow the leader?”
“Hardly. Even for an assassin, it takes extensive preparation to move. No matter how skilled in stealth, infiltrating the enemy’s heart without preparation is nearly impossible. But… I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off. That’s why I came to you. If things are indeed twisted, you’re the only one who can set them right.”
”…….”
As Gu Yoon stood silently, Akcheon Goe slowly turned to leave. “You might not be able to fix it, but at least you won’t have regrets.”
With that, Akcheon Goe tossed something to Gu Yoon, who caught it reflexively. It was two talismans.
“The palace lord gave them, just in case. One for you and one for your shadow. The leader won’t use them anyway.”
“What are these?”
“Anti-demon talismans. Made by that sorcerer, Muwang. They should be quite effective.”
“But why two…?”
“Really, you don’t even think of that shadow of yours? I don’t need such tricks. I’m strong enough without them.”
“But…!”
Gu Yoon called out, but Akcheon Goe had already vanished. He clenched his jaw, staring at the talismans.
“Bi-ryeong.”
“Yes, strategist.”
“Keep them both.”
“But one is for you….”
“That’s an order.”
”…Understood.”
“I suppose… I should go see the leader.”
“Yes.”
Bi-ryeong’s form faded away.
**
Sitting quietly on his bed, Neung Un-pa opened his eyes. A flicker of light danced in his gaze before settling. He looked down at his hands.
What had these hands achieved? What would they accomplish in the future?
Memories of past events, shaped by these hands, surfaced. The calluses on his palms spoke of the life he had led.
Neung Un-pa inhaled deeply, exhaling slowly. His fingertips trembled slightly.
Tomorrow. At noon.
It would be a historic moment.
The events of tomorrow would be unlike anything before.
Was this truly the right path?
His hands seemed to question him.
Was it right to lay down the sword he had always wielded and take up another?
The hands trembled violently, as if in rebellion.
Cold sweat trickled down.
He clenched his teeth, trying to steady his shaking hands.
But they only trembled more fiercely, defying their master.
“Argh!”
Neung Un-pa gritted his teeth, groaning.
The tremors grew so intense that even the bed shook.
His hands reached for the necklace around his neck, as if to tear it off.
Veins bulged across his body.
“Haah!”
With a burst of energy, a gust of wind swept through the tent, scattering and breaking the objects within.
The necklace that had been hanging around his neck snapped and fell to one side of the bed.
“Huff, huff, huff…!”
Neung Un-pa was drenched in cold sweat, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
His hands no longer trembled.
They hung limply, as if they had given up resisting.
Suddenly, a wave of sorrow surged within him.
His chest felt heavy and soaked with emotion.
What on earth was he doing here?
“Cheonmu.”
Neung Un-pa’s voice was heavy with gravity.
But there was no response.
Only then did he remember that it had been quite some time since Cheonmu had been by his side.
When had it started?
Ah, yes, the day after returning from the mission to subdue the summoning grounds.
As soon as he returned to the main base that day, he had dismissed Cheonmu.
Cheonmu was like a shadow, always following him.
He only appeared when Neung Un-pa’s life was truly in danger.
He probably knew Neung Un-pa better than anyone.
He would know what Neung Un-pa had done to Uk Cheong-pung at the summoning grounds.
So, he had given Cheonmu a generous sum and told him to leave.
And then…
“I killed him…”
Neung Un-pa raised his hands to cover his face.
‘What on earth have I done…!’
He had ordered Ija-jun to kill Cheonmu.
To eliminate him and his entire family.
Ija-jun had carried out the orders faithfully.
Not a single member of Cheonmu’s family survived.
If it had been a fair fight, even Ija-jun would have struggled to defeat Cheonmu.
But Ija-jun had launched a surprise attack.
He had eliminated the loyal bodyguard who had dedicated his life to the leader.
Why on earth!
Neung Un-pa looked at the necklace lying on the bed.
A chilling aura emanated from it.
Yes, it was all because of that.
Because of that cursed object…!
Because of it, he had killed Cheonmu and his family, and even Uk Cheong-pung, the guild leader.
‘I must destroy it.’
Resolute, Neung Un-pa rose from the bed.
It was then that he heard a voice from outside.
“Leader, it’s Gu-yun.”
Neung Un-pa stood up and discreetly covered the necklace with a pillow.
He spoke up.
“Come in.”
A moment later, Gu-yun entered.
He scanned the tent with wide eyes, clearly taken aback.
“What on earth…?”
“It’s nothing,” Neung Un-pa said, his expression weary. “There’s no place to sit here, so let’s step outside.”