Chapter 571: Return to the Demon Sect

Gu Yoon’s eyes turned cold, a steely resolve evident in his gaze. He was ready to face death if necessary.

Just then, a voice interrupted the tense silence.

“That’s enough. He doesn’t know I followed him here.”

A figure emerged from the shadows in the corner of the room. It was none other than Sabi Kang.

A cold smile played on the lips of Neung Unpa as he watched Gu Yoon. In contrast, Gu Yoon’s face showed genuine surprise at Sabi Kang’s sudden appearance.

“Why are you here, my lord?” he asked, truly taken aback.

Sabi Kang approached slowly, answering, “I was worried. Unlike some, I value my people.”

Neung Unpa let out a derisive chuckle. “And yet, the one you value has driven countless warriors to their deaths.”

“At least I didn’t turn my people into raving monsters.”

“Why do you think I did that? If even one of the hundred thousand soldiers hadn’t craved power, they wouldn’t have changed. I merely helped them achieve their desires. It was their choice.”

Sabi Kang regarded Neung Unpa with a faint smile. “Seems like becoming a demon taught you how to run your mouth.”

Neung Unpa’s brow furrowed slightly, a subtle aura of dark energy beginning to emanate from him.

“Not just that. I also learned how to crush pests.”

In an instant, the air crackled with energy, and a sharp blade of dark power shot towards Sabi Kang.

With lightning speed, Sabi Kang drew his sword, Veritas, and slashed diagonally.

A thunderous sound echoed as the energy blade disintegrated mid-air.

Sabi Kang’s expression remained icy. “Seems you didn’t quite master that lesson.”

“Isn’t it more fun to tear off a pest’s limbs one by one?” Neung Unpa sneered.

He stood, spreading his arms wide. Dark energy coalesced into five swords around him.

In a flash, the swords flew towards Sabi Kang with terrifying speed.

Sabi Kang swung Veritas swiftly, and once again, the energy swords dissipated into nothingness.

Gu Yoon suppressed a groan, mustering what little inner strength he had left. The air was charged with electricity, making his hair stand on end.

If he were an ordinary person, he might have fainted from the sheer intensity of the energy in the room.

Then, with a swift motion, Sabi Kang sent Veritas flying towards Neung Unpa.

“Futile!” Neung Unpa shouted, slamming the table with his palm. The table shattered, its pieces forming a massive shield in mid-air, reinforced with dark energy.

Veritas struck the shield and ricocheted off. Sabi Kang caught the sword effortlessly.

“The offer from Gu’s strategist is genuine,” Sabi Kang said. “If you became a demon out of a desire for power, you wouldn’t be satisfied with just being a lackey. Surely you didn’t become a demon just to be a dragon’s tail.”

“Annoying pest,” Neung Unpa muttered.

“Will you live as the Demon King’s pawn forever, or seize the opportunity to turn the tables? If your ambition is so limited, I won’t force you.”

Neung Unpa chuckled. “Turning the tables, you say? First, I need to see if you have the ability to back up such claims.”

With that, Neung Unpa spread his arms again. The entire decrepit house began to shatter, pieces flying into the air.

He felt a thrill of power, a rush of youth and strength. As a human, Sabi Kang had seemed an insurmountable wall, a distant figure he could never reach.

But now…

“I might just be stronger,” he thought, a shiver of excitement running through him.

The debris filled the air, forming a breathtaking spectacle around Neung Unpa. Each shard was imbued with dark energy, exuding a menacing aura.

Neung Unpa extended his hands forward, and the debris rained down on Sabi Kang.

“My lord!” Gu Yoon shouted instinctively at the overwhelming assault.

Yet Sabi Kang remained calm, swinging Veritas with force.

Hundreds of sword beams shot out, intercepting the falling debris.

A cloud of dust formed as the wooden fragments shattered above Sabi Kang’s head, crackling like a thunderstorm.

Gu Yoon swallowed hard, instinctively understanding the true intensity of the battle. If even one shard had struck Sabi Kang fatally, it could have been the end.

He trusted in Sabi Kang’s prowess but couldn’t help but feel the weight of Neung Unpa’s power.

Neung Unpa, too, watched the dust cloud with wild eyes, his gaze fixed on where Sabi Kang stood.

Suddenly, Sabi Kang’s figure shot through the cloud, Veritas aimed at Neung Unpa’s throat.

“Ah, you never disappoint, Sabi Kang!” Neung Unpa exclaimed, genuinely impressed.

He had thought the bombardment would require the combined efforts of twenty top warriors to withstand. Yet Sabi Kang had not only defended but counterattacked, shattering each shard with skill.

As Sabi Kang closed in, Neung Unpa drew his sword, meeting Sabi Kang’s strike head-on.

The clash of their swords sent shockwaves through the air, creating a crater around them.

Gu Yoon crossed his arms, trying to gather his remaining strength, but it was futile. He was thrown back, landing on the ground.

Sabi Kang and Neung Unpa stood locked in a tense standoff, their swords barely an inch apart, both wearing cold smiles.

“Is that enough proof?” Sabi Kang asked. “Lately, it seems everyone wants to test me. Demons must enjoy exams.”

“I acknowledge your skill,” Neung Unpa replied. “But why should I trust you? How do I know you’re not using me to take down the Demon King?”

Sabi Kang chuckled. “Does it matter?”

“What?”

“Whether we use you or not, you can seize the throne once the Demon King is gone. Then you can lead the demons back to the demon realm.”

“Hmm.”

“And if you want, I can arrange a meeting with Baritan. Would that satisfy you?”

Neung Unpa narrowed his eyes, then smiled. “So you’ve managed to recruit Baritan, have you?”

“Think what you like.”

Finally, Neung Unpa relaxed, sheathing his sword and stepping back.

“Very well, I’ll accept your offer. But!”

He extended his left hand, and a sharp ring of dark energy formed around Gu Yoon’s neck, threatening to tighten at any moment.

“I’ll be taking Gu Yoon with me.”

Sabi Kang glanced at Gu Yoon, recalling the words they had exchanged before coming here.

“Perhaps the leader of Neungunpa will try to take me first.”

“Because he still has feelings for you?”

“Possibly. But it’s more likely he intends to use me as a hostage.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“This is the most certain way. To manage everything, it has to be done. Don’t worry too much. If it happens, it will actually make it easier for me to stay close to the Neungunpa leader.”

As it turned out, Neungunpa was acting just as Guyun had anticipated.

His lingering attachment to Guyun, along with his newfound ruthlessness as a demon, was all too transparent to Guyun.

Sabigang frowned slightly and asked, “If Baritan joins our cause, will you release Guyun?”

“Well, we’ll see about that. And by the way,” Neungunpa glanced at Guyun, “you seem to have forgotten, but Guyun was originally mine.”

“You seem to have forgotten, you were the one who abandoned him.”

“I didn’t abandon him; he just didn’t follow his master.”

“There must have been a reason for that.”

“Yes, humans weigh their reasons and pledge loyalty. But demons are different.”

Sabigang quietly observed Neungunpa before turning to Guyun.

Guyun nodded slowly. This situation had been inevitable.

In a calm voice, he said, “I’m fine. I was prepared for this. Don’t worry too much.”

Sabigang nodded. “Take care of yourself.”

“I will.”

Guyun gave a faint smile and bowed his head.

In an instant, Neungunpa’s figure vanished and reappeared beside Guyun.

With swift, precise movements, he struck Guyun’s pressure points, causing him to lose consciousness and collapse.

Hoisting Guyun over his shoulder, Neungunpa looked back at Sabigang.

“Well, I’ll be taking my leave. Oh, and you might want to hurry.”

“What do you mean?” Sabigang asked, frowning.

Neungunpa began to walk away, saying, “Before I came here, I sent a little gift to Myeolmagung. It should be arriving about now. Gifts are best opened on the spot, aren’t they? If you delay, the surprise will be spoiled, so you’d better hurry.”

With those words, Neungunpa’s figure vanished once more.