Episode 581: Return to the Demonic Sect
As Sabigang and Churyang walked back to the Demonic Palace after parting ways with Baritan, they chatted about various things.
“It feels like we’re finally nearing the end. It hasn’t been that long, but each event was so challenging that it feels like we’ve been fighting forever,” Churyang remarked.
Sabigang gave a faint smile. “But once it’s over, it’ll feel like it passed in the blink of an eye.”
Churyang nodded in agreement. “I shudder to think what would have happened if Master hadn’t returned.”
“It’s not about whether I returned or not. The real issue is the mindset of people, then and now.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“What’s the point if only you keep it in mind?”
“Well, someone has to start somewhere, right? Even if it’s just a small step.”
“Not bad,” Sabigang chuckled.
“Hehe, after all, I’m your top disciple, Churyang.”
“I don’t recall ever acknowledging you as my top disciple.”
“What? Then who…?”
“Well, there’s Danrijung, Yeonwookyung, Yeomjaryang, Maenggasook, Seolserin… too many to choose from.”
“Wow, the competition is fierce. But I’ll make sure to become your top disciple!”
Sabigang laughed at Churyang’s playful banter. Conversations like these with Churyang often brought a sense of peace, even when nothing had changed.
Sometimes, it’s good to laugh and chat without overthinking. When all this is over, I want to go somewhere quiet, just with Maesellan. Maybe have a son and a daughter and live a happy life.
‘Would she mind that I’m old?’
But then again, considering we’ve already shared a bed, what does it matter?
Churyang, walking beside him, asked casually, “You seem to be in a good mood, imagining something nice?”
“Yes.”
“Mind sharing what it is?”
“I was picturing you sacrificing yourself to protect the martial world. Quite heroic.”
“Oh, then you’ll have to imagine something else. I’m not that selfless. If anything, the martial world should sacrifice for me.”
“That’s why you can’t be my top disciple.”
“Fine, I give up on that.”
Sabigang couldn’t help but laugh at Churyang’s antics.
Churyang, grinning, asked, “By the way, Baritan looked really beautiful. Is that because of the evil god’s power?”
“Could be.”
“Or maybe not?”
“Possibly not.”
“But didn’t you show Jonya Baritan’s true form, a terrifying monster?”
“That was just a glimpse of his inner self, not his exterior. What you consider Baritan’s true identity is up to personal interpretation.”
“So what does Baritan really look like?”
“I don’t know. No one has seen his true form, not even the Demon King.”
“Interesting, a mystery wrapped in an enigma.”
Sabigang stopped and glanced at Churyang. “What’s bothering you?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You’re unusually chatty today.”
Churyang hesitated under Sabigang’s serious gaze before speaking. “I’m always chatty, aren’t I?”
“Not this much.”
“Honestly… I’m anxious.”
Churyang looked up at the darkening sky, a wry smile on his face. The stars seemed ready to spill from the heavens.
“Everything seems peaceful, but my body knows. The day of reckoning isn’t far off. When that day comes…”
“Afraid of dying?”
“I haven’t really thought about my own death.”
“Then what?”
“I’m worried about you, Master.”
Churyang’s expression darkened. It was true. Ultimately, it would be Sabigang who faced the Demon King. No one else in the martial world could stand against him. And the Demon King was the strongest foe they’d ever encountered.
Of course, Sabigang was an unparalleled master in history. But could he defeat the Demon King? Sabigang was the last hope and pride of the martial world. If he fell…
Churyang didn’t want to think about it, but the worry was unavoidable.
Sabigang patted Churyang’s shoulder. “When you don’t know what to believe, believe in hope. It’s one of humanity’s unique abilities.”
Churyang looked at him for a moment, then nodded vigorously. “Understood!”
Yet, deep down, he feared the moment that hope might crumble. But that was a worry for another time. For now, he would trust in Sabigang.
“Relying on you so much must be a heavy burden on your shoulders, Master.”
Sabigang grinned. “Silly. It’s not a burden; it’s strength.”
**
After parting with Sabigang, Baritan walked up a hill along a narrow path. Two children were playing and running towards him. One of them, not watching where he was going, bumped into Baritan’s leg and fell.
Baritan had no intention of avoiding the child, nor did he plan to help him up. He simply watched the crying child with an indifferent gaze. The older child, presumably the brother, hesitantly approached to comfort his sibling.
Hount instinctively stepped forward, ready to swat away the nuisance. Wasn’t it natural to crush a bug that dared to collide with him?
But Baritan raised a hand to stop him and asked the child, “Are you alright?”
Anyone who knew Baritan would have been shocked to witness this. Though his voice was devoid of emotion, the mere act of inquiring about the child’s well-being was surprising.
When the child didn’t respond and continued to cry, Baritan crouched down and gently touched the scraped knee.
“Let’s see.”
A soft light emanated from Baritan’s palm, and the child’s tears stopped as he looked at his knee in wonder. The wound had healed as if by magic.
“Wow…”
Both siblings gasped in amazement.
“Are you okay now?”
“Yes!”
The younger child nodded energetically, and the older one playfully scolded him, “You should say ‘Yes, sir.’”
“Yes! Sir!”
“Good. Off you go.”
As Baritan stood up, the children awkwardly bowed and ran down the hill. Hount watched the entire scene with curiosity. In all his time serving Baritan, he had never seen anything like it.
Just as he was about to speak, a voice called out, “Excuse me!”
Both demons turned to see the older child approaching hesitantly. He pulled out an ear of corn from his pocket, broke it in half, and offered it to Baritan and Hount.
“Here, have some. It’s delicious.”
Hount chuckled, ready to turn the child to ashes, but Baritan surprised him by accepting the offering.
Hount reluctantly took his share, and the child beamed.
“My brother says you’re really pretty, miss.”
With that, the child turned and ran back to his sibling. Baritan watched them for a moment before tossing the corn aside. Hount did the same, wiping his hands on his pants.
Hount glanced at Baritan. “To that child’s eyes, you must have appeared as a beautiful woman.”
“Perhaps.”
Baritan’s gaze lingered on the children with a curious glint. Even after they disappeared from view, he remained still, looking down at the village below.
Hount asked cautiously, “Aren’t we going?”
“Where would we go?”
“Excuse me?”
Hount was puzzled, eyes wide with confusion. Baritan turned to look at him, and for a moment, Hount saw something unfamiliar in Baritan’s eyes. It wasn’t quite an emotion, but rather a void. Yes, ‘emptiness’ was the right word.
Hount had always seen Baritan’s eyes filled with intense desire, so this new expression caught him off guard. And Baritan’s question wasn’t just about their current destination.
Hount bowed his head and replied, “It’s hard for someone like me to grasp your profound intentions.”
“Where do you think I’m headed? What do you think I’m striving for?”
Only then did Hount begin to grasp the meaning behind Baritan’s question.
“You are destined to become the Demon King. That is your path.”
“And once I become the Demon King?”
“You will bring order to the demon realm.”
“And after that?”
“Whatever you desire, whatever you wish, will come to pass.”
“What do I desire, and what do I wish for?”
“How could someone like me possibly fathom your grand ambitions?”
Baritan chuckled softly. “Is that so? Let’s go.”
Baritan turned away, and the two continued walking up the hill in silence. After walking for a while, Baritan suddenly stopped.
Hount, still unsure of what was happening, was about to speak when Baritan’s cold voice cut through the air.
“Why don’t you come out now?”
Hount drew his sword, ready to defend, as figures emerged from the forest on either side. Eight demons appeared, each shrouded in a dark aura that billowed like smoke.
Baritan immediately recognized who they were.
“The Beheaders.”
The elite assassination squad directly under the Demon King.
Even without the blessing of the evil god, their combat prowess surpassed that of most nobles.
“Where have you been, Baritan?” asked a demon with skin as pale as ice, his voice rough and raspy.
He was Drakan, the leader of the Beheaders.
“Well, where do you think I’ve been?” Baritan replied with a faint smile.
Just then.
“You must have been meeting with Sabigang.”
A voice suddenly cut through the air.
Hount spun around in surprise to see Neung Unpa slowly emerging.
“You…! Are you planning to betray us?” Hount shouted, his voice filled with accusation.
Neung Unpa chuckled softly. “As expected, you didn’t disappoint. I figured you’d try to drag me into this. Weren’t you the traitors from the start?”
“What?”
“I anticipated your reaction and tipped them off. I knew you’d try to involve me and turn me into an enemy. While the Beheaders are distracted by me, you planned to make your escape.”
“You…!”
Hount ground his teeth in frustration.
Clang!
Neung Unpa drew his sword.
Baritan’s expression turned icy cold.
Facing four Beheaders at once was already a daunting task.
And now, with Neung Unpa joining the fray.
Though they had intended to eliminate Neung Unpa eventually, this wasn’t how Baritan had hoped to fight.
‘This won’t be an easy battle.’
With a slow, deliberate motion, Baritan unsheathed his sword and spoke.
“Stay sharp, Hount.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Hount gathered his magical energy, gripping his sword with both hands.
One of the Beheaders spoke up.
“So, you’re determined to see this through to the end.”
“Did you really think I’d just roll over and die?”
“Very well, then.”
As the four Beheaders simultaneously unleashed their power, the surroundings transformed into a land of death in an instant.