Episode 561: Return to the Demon Sect

“I’ll say it again…”

As Murang began to speak, Ilsal raised a hand to stop him.

A cold smile played on Ilsal’s lips.

“I’ve heard it enough to make my ears bleed. Once the ritual is performed, I’ll die. But as I’ve said before, it doesn’t matter to me.”

“Hmm. If that’s truly your decision…”

Murang didn’t repeat himself any further.

In the room, Sabigang, Murang, Guyun, and Ilsal were gathered.

Ilsal lowered his gaze and muttered as if talking to himself.

“I’ve lived with these hands stained in blood. I’ve killed countless people without knowing why. And it wasn’t just warriors. Sometimes, I shortened the life of an old man bedridden with illness, and other times, I ended the life of a newborn. I’ve never felt guilt. Just… a constant sense of emptiness.”

He paused, looking around at the others before continuing.

“I don’t think my sacrifice now will erase the sins I’ve committed. To be honest, I don’t even see them as sins. I was just following orders. The real villains are those who ordered the killings, aren’t they? Maybe I’m wrong. But as someone raised to be a killing machine from childhood, that’s how I see it. It’s brainwashing. It’s pointless to suddenly feel guilty and try to become a better person now.”

“Then why are you accepting my command so willingly?” Guyun asked, his expression somber.

Ilsal chuckled softly before replying.

“Who knows? I don’t really understand it myself. But at least this time, there’s a clear reason. And what I’m doing has significant meaning. If killing someone without understanding why was my past, then saving countless lives now gives me a thrill I’ve never felt before.”

His words left the room in a solemn silence.

Though he was a killer deserving of divine punishment, at this moment, he showed the spirit of a hero.

Ilsal looked at Guyun and said, “If you’re going to use me as a disposable tool, make sure you use me well.”

“You’ll be the best tool.”

Ilsal nodded with a wry smile. “Good.”

With the situation roughly outlined, Murang stepped forward and spoke.

“Once the ritual begins, you won’t be aware of yourself. Sabigang will take control of your body.”

A true tool.

Ilsal spoke bluntly. “You’ve told me this many times. Let’s get started.”

He was fearless.

After all, he had lived his life with his neck on the line.

Whether he died today or tomorrow, it made no difference.

If he could leave some meaning behind in his final moments, it wouldn’t be a pointless death, would it?

He looked at Murang and said, “But failure is not an option.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Murang nodded and began preparing for the ritual.

The apprentices in Murang’s hall brought and arranged the necessary items for the ritual: candles, incense, cinnabar, and brushes.

Once everything was ready, Murang moved everyone aside and began drawing a large pattern on the floor in the center of the room.

When the pattern was complete, he instructed Sabigang and Ilsal to stand in the middle.

“Now, both of you sit cross-legged and circulate your energy as I instructed.”

“Do I have to do it too?” Ilsal asked.

Murang nodded. “Yes. Normally, you could just stay still, but doing it together increases the chances of synchronization.”

“Understood.”

Finally, the two sat cross-legged.

They began circulating their energy as Murang guided them.

How much time passed like that?

After Murang recited the final incantation, he fell silent.

Now, it was just a matter of repeating the process.

His part was done.

How much more time passed?

The two sitting within the pattern remained as still as stone.

It seemed at least two hours had passed.

Growing impatient, Guyun cautiously spoke up.

“Could it have failed…?”

“Let’s wait a bit longer.”

Murang replied without a change in expression.

Guyun felt somewhat reassured and continued to watch the two.

At least Murang’s face showed no signs of anxiety.

Murang spoke in a low voice.

“The original ritual of the Demon Soul Transfer is performed directly by the caster on the target. But now, as a third party, I’m performing it on those two. Naturally, some modifications were necessary, and it will take more time for the ritual to succeed.”

“How long will it take?”

“I can’t say for sure. It could be as quick as an hour or as long as a year.”

“What?”

Guyun asked, genuinely surprised.

But Murang’s expression remained unchanged.

Instead, he turned to Guyun and asked, “What do you think the chances of success are for this operation?”

“Honestly, about thirty percent. But I attempted it because I believe I can be part of that thirty percent.”

“That’s a good answer. I’ll give you the same answer.”

“Ah…”

“I attempted it because I was confident it would take about an hour. Now, we leave the rest to fate.”

“I see.”

Guyun nodded and looked back at Sabigang and Ilsal.

The two seemed as if they had fainted, not moving at all.

Another two hours passed.

Half a day had gone by.

Then, suddenly, Ilsal’s body twitched.

It was a subtle reaction, but the first sign of change.

And shortly after,

“Huuuuuu.”

Ilsal let out a long breath and slowly opened his eyes.

Meanwhile, Sabigang, sitting beside him, remained unchanged.

Guyun looked at Ilsal and asked, “Why did you stop circulating your energy?”

Ilsal smiled gently and replied, “It’s me.”

“Ah…”

Guyun immediately understood.

Sabigang had finally possessed Ilsal’s body.

His eyes and tone were different.

Ilsal stood up and cracked his neck.

“Feels a bit stiff.”

Murang approached and said, “Remember, you’re merely borrowing Ilsal’s body. Its physical limits are clear. If you try to use it as if it’s your own, it won’t hold up.”

“I understand.”

Ilsal nodded and approached the seated Sabigang, rummaging through his belongings.

It was a strange sight.

A killer rummaging through Sabigang’s possessions at will.

Ilsal pulled out two scrolls from Sabigang’s robes.

Teleportation scrolls.

Sabigang shrugged and said, “It’s a strange feeling to see myself like this.”

“How does it feel to see yourself from a third person’s perspective?”

Ilsal shrugged and said, “More attractive and handsome than I thought.”

Murang chuckled at Sabigang’s characteristic response.

“Are you leaving right away?”

“No need to delay. I only have this body for a day. It’s a valuable body, isn’t it?”

“Indeed, the most valuable body in the world.”

“Then, I’ll be off.”

Guyun looked at Sabigang and said, “Don’t forget the final plan I reported last night.”

“I know. Not to execute it too perfectly.”

Guyun nodded with a faint smile.

“Exactly. Leaving some gaps is crucial. It’s the key to this operation.”

“I remember. Then.”

“Good luck.”

Guyun bowed his head.

Sabigang took a deep breath and tore the scroll.

His figure vanished as if it had never been there.

**

At the main gate of the Black Fortress, located halfway up Mount Giryeon.

Sssssss…!

Sabigang, in Ilsal’s form, appeared like a mirage right in front of the gate.

The demon guards on duty, startled by Sabigang’s sudden appearance, raised their spears and shouted.

“Who goes there…!”

But before they could finish,

Thud!

Swoosh, thud! Thud thud!

Sabigang’s figure darted forward, swiftly taking down the two demon guards.

It was a movement as quick as lightning.

With the guards’ vital points struck, they died instantly, and Sabigang quickly scanned the surroundings.

Fortunately, there were no witnesses.

In truth, the presence of guards at the Black Fortress, where the Demon King resided, was almost laughable.

No matter how brave a warrior, who would willingly come to such a place?

If this were the demon realm, it might be different.

The demons, who saw humans as prey, wouldn’t find it strange if there were no guards at all.

In any case, the area around the gate was deserted.

Thanks to that, no one saw the guards fall.

A small mercy.

However, Sabigang felt the weight of his borrowed body.

Having been able to freely use his supreme martial arts, he now found himself limited to Ilsal’s highest level of martial arts, which was frustrating.

Though the martial arts were still fast, they fell short by Sabigang’s standards.

Moreover, having to consciously control his strength to prevent the body from collapsing was quite tiring.

Sabigang first moved the two guard corpses to a hidden spot.

Even though the security was lax, if two bodies were found at the gate, it wouldn’t be long before they were discovered.

Hiding the bodies was the best way to buy time.

After concealing the body, Sabigang took another careful look around.

“The structure of the Black Fortress is just the same,” he thought, his eyes gleaming as he began to move.

---

“Are you suggesting we help the humans?” Baritan asked, furrowing his brow. Haunt responded with a faint smile and a nod.

“Yes. Surprisingly, the humans are holding their ground better than expected. If we use them wisely, they could become a significant burden for the Demon King.”

“Humans, you say… But they will soon crumble. Hasn’t the leader of the righteous alliance become a demon? And the hundred thousand warriors who followed him have all turned into demon soldiers. The humans are trying to manage the situation, but they will soon fall.”

“Yet it was to those very humans that Helmut surrendered.”

“Ah, that half-breed demon.”

“Yes, and the leader of the alliance is also a half-breed demon.”

“Hmm.”

“The leader becoming a demon is undoubtedly a severe blow to the humans. However, the alliance’s strategist has cleverly managed to rally the martial artists. It means they won’t be easily defeated just yet.”

“If we offer our help now…”

“They won’t refuse, at least. They might even welcome us with open arms.”

But Baritan slowly shook his head.

“You still don’t understand humans. They are inherently suspicious, especially of those who appear when needed.”

“I don’t get it. If someone shows up when needed, shouldn’t they be used to their advantage?”

“True, but among humans, there are those who exploit such situations. They may seem simple on the surface, but they are a complex species.”

“Is there no way to make them trust our goodwill?”

“Haha. You underestimate humans. They’re not as foolish as you think. They will never trust us.”

“What if the Marquis reveals his true intentions? After all, the Marquis also wants to…”

“Overthrow the Demon King?”

“Exactly. We could let them know about the past attempts at rebellion.”

Baritan shook his head again.

“No matter what, humans won’t trust us. If word gets out and reaches the Demon King’s ears, our grand plan could fail.”

“Hmm. I didn’t think it through,” Haunt admitted, bowing his head.

Baritan narrowed his eyes, tapping his fingers on the table.

“There is only one condition under which your plan could succeed.”

“And what is that?”

“The humans must come to us first. We can’t make the offer; they have to.”

“Ah…”

“But there’s no way they would do that.”

Just then, a voice emerged from the air, and a figure materialized in the room like smoke.

It was an impressive concealment technique. Had there been any intent to attack, it would have been impossible. But for the sole purpose of hiding, even Haunt was taken aback by its perfection.

The figure that appeared was none other than Sabigang, disguised as Ilsal.

“Who are you?” Haunt asked, his expression hardening.

Sabigang twisted his lips into a smirk. “I’ve been sent by the Lord of the Demon Palace.”