Episode 570: Return to the Demon Sect
“But Baritan won’t just follow our lead. He’ll try to use the Demon Palace to his advantage. He’s not someone who can be easily swayed.”
As Tang Yi-hyeop spoke up, Gu Yun nodded in agreement.
“You’re right. He probably thinks the same way we do. But eventually, he’ll turn his blade. From his perspective, it’s easier to deal with humans, so attacking the Demon King first would be in his favor.”
“But so far, there’s been no movement from his side, has there?”
“He probably thinks his blade isn’t sharp enough yet to take down the Demon King with the Demon Palace.”
“Then what should we do…?”
“I have an idea. But first, I have a request for the Palace Lord.”
Gu Yun spoke respectfully, and Sa Bi-gang turned to him with curiosity.
“A request?”
“Yes, when the demons come to attack the Demon Palace, the leader of the Neung Un Sect will surely be among them.”
“And?”
“Please allow me to meet with the leader of the Neung Un Sect.”
Sa Bi-gang frowned, and the room buzzed with murmurs as everyone turned to look at Gu Yun.
Seo Rae-hyang spoke with disapproval.
“No matter how much sentiment remains, are you still attached to someone who’s become a demon? Are you planning to try and persuade him again?”
“If that’s the case, I oppose it. The leader of the Neung Un Sect betrayed the martial world. I tolerated you making him a hero, but I can’t agree to you trying to save him…”
“I’m not trying to save him.”
Gu Yun replied with a calm expression, looking around the room.
“It’s true I haven’t completely let go of the leader of the Neung Un Sect. He was that important to me. But my reason for wanting to meet him again is different.”
“What do you mean…?”
“As I said, it’s to turn the blade.”
“But isn’t meeting the leader who’s already become a demon too dangerous?”
Tang Yi-hyeop nodded in agreement with Jeok Mu-rin’s concern.
“Indeed. When the Palace Lord wanted to go to the Black Star, you didn’t stop her, did you?”
“At that time, there was someone to take her place. But this time, no one else can do it but me. So I must go. Unless… is there anyone here who can turn Baritan’s blade?”
No one answered. If they knew such a method, they wouldn’t be having this meeting.
Gu Yun looked directly at Sa Bi-gang and spoke.
“Please let me go. I will take responsibility and turn the blade.”
Sa Bi-gang pondered for a moment before nodding.
“Very well. But make sure you return alive.”
“I will!”
**
The inn near the Demon Palace was bustling with martial artists.
As rumors spread about the impending final battle with the demons, renowned martial artists from all over the martial world began to gather at the Demon Palace.
Some came purely out of a sense of justice, while others sought to claim valuable spoils from the demon realm.
In any case, this war was uniting the martial world like never before.
Especially at the Demon Inn, the closest to the Demon Palace, the martial artists were fervent in their determination to annihilate the demons.
“Let’s crush those damned demons!”
“Yes, we must! They killed our leader with their treachery, so we’ll kill the Demon King for revenge!”
“We’ll make them pay for underestimating humans!”
“Indeed! As long as Palace Lord Sa Bi-gang is with us, we martial artists will never lose!”
Amidst the lively chatter, a man wearing a bamboo hat quietly entered the inn.
The atmosphere momentarily cooled as everyone’s attention turned to the newcomer.
He seemed ordinary enough, yet people couldn’t understand why they were drawn to him.
After a brief pause, the conversations resumed with renewed vigor.
The innkeeper quickly approached the man with the bamboo hat.
“Welcome, sir. But we’re full, so you’ll have to share a table.”
“That’s fine.”
The man replied simply, and the innkeeper bowed.
“Thank you for understanding. This way, please.”
The innkeeper led him to a corner where a young man was drinking heavily, his face flushed with intoxication.
As the man sat down, the young drinker glanced at him and scoffed.
“Are you here to support the Demon Palace too?”
“I am.”
“Hmph! Everyone’s acting like Palace Lord Sa Bi-gang is something special.”
The young man grumbled in a rough voice and refilled his cup.
The man with the bamboo hat watched him with interest and asked.
“Do you have a problem with Palace Lord Sa Bi-gang?”
The young man stared at him and replied curtly.
“He’s the king of favoritism.”
“Favoritism?”
“Yes, he only takes care of his own. He didn’t give me a single elixir, despite all the humiliation I endured as an instructor! I was once a leader of the Righteous Alliance’s Thousand Tiger Hall!”
The young man trembled with anger and downed his drink.
He was none other than Muk Yang-je.
Back when the Righteous Alliance was thriving, he had tried to find any flaw in Sa Bi-gang to bring him down.
But with the fall of the Righteous Alliance, all his opportunities vanished.
So he decided to leave the Demon Palace.
The days of commanding subordinates and living in luxury were gone forever.
Since losing his position as a leader and becoming an instructor at the Demon Palace, he had harbored resentment towards Sa Bi-gang.
“That’s unfortunate.”
The man with the bamboo hat commented, and Muk Yang-je chuckled bitterly.
“So don’t expect too much from Palace Lord Sa Bi-gang. If you go to him with high hopes, you might end up like me.”
“Thanks for the advice.”
The man with the bamboo hat nodded slightly.
The two continued their conversation over their meal.
After finishing, the man with the bamboo hat stood up first.
“Perhaps we’ll meet again.”
“Do as you please.”
Muk Yang-je replied gruffly, and the man paused before turning back.
“About that elixir…”
”…?”
Muk Yang-je furrowed his brow and looked up.
At that moment, the eyes beneath the bamboo hat gleamed with a sharp light.
“I might be able to help you with that.”
**
After parting ways with Muk Yang-je, the man with the bamboo hat walked up a narrow path.
The sun was setting behind the western hills.
As he climbed the hill, an old house came into view.
He paused and glanced around.
No one was there.
But…
“Who’s there?”
He murmured quietly and resumed walking.
His movement technique was unique.
Though he seemed to walk slowly, he soon stood before the old house’s gate.
Entering the house, he found someone already waiting, who turned to look at him.
The man with the bamboo hat showed a moment of surprise.
The person was none other than Gu Yun, the chief strategist of the Demon Palace.
The man with the bamboo hat chuckled and walked over to place his hat on a shelf.
“What brings you here?”
“I came to see the leader.”
Gu Yun replied with a faint smile.
Indeed, the young-looking man with the bamboo hat was the leader of the Neung Un Sect.
Though his appearance had changed, Gu Yun recognized him immediately.
Partly because some of his original features remained, but more so because of an indescribable feeling.
To Gu Yun, the leader of the Neung Un Sect was a special figure.
The first person he swore loyalty to, the first he served with all his heart.
Gu Yun felt that even if the leader had a completely different appearance, he would still recognize him.
The leader walked over to a table by the window and sat down.
“It’s rare to have a friend visit, but I have nothing to offer.”
“That’s alright. I’m not here for a drink today.”
“Drinks… Now that you mention it, we last shared a drink on our final day.”
“Yes, it was a delightful occasion.”
The leader nodded.
“It was enjoyable. Back then.”
“Do you see it differently now?”
“Well, it makes me think how weak humans are, finding solace in such small comforts.”
“Is that so?”
Gu Yun smiled wryly.
“You’re still sharp, noticing I was here.”
“Information is the most crucial element in assessing any situation.”
“Right, and you didn’t come all this way just for idle chatter.”
Gu Yun’s gaze deepened as he looked at the leader.
“There’s still a chance to turn back. If you change your mind…”
“No.”
The leader shook his head, smiling wryly.
“It’s too late. Not because the situation is beyond repair, but because my heart is. I’ve already discovered what the right path is.”
“Are you sure you want to go down that path?”
“I am.”
Gu Yun silently studied the leader’s expression for a while.
A young, handsome face.
But if you looked closely, traces of the leader remained.
The leader twisted his lips into a smile.
“You made me a hero of the martial world.”
“I had to.”
“So, did you come to ask this hero to return to being an ordinary human?”
“That’s right. But since you declined, I have another proposal.”
“Another proposal?”
Gu Yoon paused for a moment, then looked directly at Neung Un-pa and continued.
“If you’ve decided to pursue your desires… then be the best at it.”
“What do you mean?”
Neung Un-pa furrowed his brow slightly.
“Now that you’ve become a demon, are you enjoying ruling over all humans? Or are you still bowing your head to the Demon King, watching your step?”
Neung Un-pa’s expression flickered for a moment.
Gu Yoon didn’t miss that reaction.
“I can help you. After all, I’m your strategist.”
“Are you serious?”
“I am.”
“I don’t understand. You’re not someone who changes allegiance so easily.”
“Of course not. That’s why there’s one condition.”
“What is it?”
“You want the ultimate power, don’t you? A throne no one can challenge.”
“And?”
“Once you claim that throne, leave the human realm alone and return to the demon world. That’s my only condition.”
“Hmm.”
Neung Un-pa narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.
Gu Yoon added, “If you decide, I’ll do everything I can to help. Not just me, but the entire Myolma Palace will support you. The best way to defeat the Demon King and protect the human realm is to place you on the Demon King’s throne.”
“Indeed. But… the Demon King won’t be easy to overthrow.”
“There are other options.”
Neung Un-pa frowned, signaling for him to continue.
“Baritan still dreams of rebellion. If you approach him and propose an alliance, things might get easier.”
“I see. But, strategist…”
“Yes?”
“Did you really think I would trust you?”
In the next instant,
Crackle…!
A dark energy gathered in Neung Un-pa’s palm, forming a sharp, straight blade.
The blade, forged from black magic, exuded a chilling aura.
Swish!
In a flash, the magical sword was poised at Gu Yoon’s throat, ready to strike at any moment.
Neung Un-pa’s expression turned icy.
“You’ve underestimated me. Out of old friendship, I’ll make it quick.”