Episode 592: Return of the Demon Sect Leader
Clang! Crash!
The metallic clash echoed as the Heavenly Destruction Squad members were thrown back, screaming in pain.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
“Aaah!”
Seizing the moment, an arrow sliced through the air, aimed with deadly precision.
Whoosh!
In an instant, Sabikang spun around, snatching the arrow mid-flight and sending it back with equal speed.
Whoosh!
“Gasp!”
Dan Lijeong, who had been lurking on the rooftop, targeting Sabikang from behind, swallowed hard and retreated. Min Yuhyang and Baek Miryeong quickly stepped in.
Bang!
Crash!
“Ugh!”
As Min Yuhyang’s foot shattered the roof tiles, she was pushed back. Baek Miryeong swiftly moved behind her, placing a supportive hand on her back, channeling her inner strength.
The two barely managed to stop, and the arrow lost its momentum, falling harmlessly to the ground.
Dan Lijeong let out a sigh of relief.
“Phew.”
Meanwhile, as all attacks from the Heavenly Destruction Squad proved futile, the Newborn Troop launched a fierce assault, unleashing a barrage of energy and sword strikes.
Sabikang weaved through the Newborn Troop like the wind, his hands moving with lightning speed.
Tap, tap, tap! Tatatatap!
His movements were so fast, they were nearly impossible to follow with the naked eye.
“Ugh!”
“Ah!”
The Newborn Troop members fell like puppets, not even realizing how they were defeated.
After incapacitating the last of them, Sabikang paused, taking a deep breath.
He opened his eyes slowly, surveying the scene. The Heavenly Destruction Squad and the Newborn Troop lay scattered around, groaning in pain.
At that moment.
“Stay alert!”
A thunderous shout rang out.
Whoosh!
Chulyang charged in like a storm.
Sabikang quickly turned, deflecting the mana sword aimed at his chest with his bare hand.
Clang!
Despite the clash between hand and mana sword, the sound of metal reverberated loudly.
Taking advantage of Chulyang’s stagger, Sabikang advanced swiftly.
Just as he was about to strike,
With a fierce growl, Banmyo suddenly intervened.
Yet Sabikang remained unfazed, spinning gracefully and extending his hand.
Thud!
In an instant, he struck a pressure point, causing Banmyo to collapse with a whimper.
“Banmyo!”
Chulyang cried out in shock, but Sabikang was already behind him, reaching out.
Tap, tap, tap.
“Ugh!”
Chulyang froze, unable to move.
Sabikang spoke coldly.
“Focusing on your allies’ injuries during battle will cost you your life. Concentrate solely on the enemy.”
Just then.
“Haaah!”
A sharp battle cry came from behind, and two curved swords flew towards him.
In that moment, Sabikang seemed to split into multiple forms.
Swish!
Utilizing his Heavenly Heart Technique, he dodged the thousand blades, extending his hands.
Whoosh!
“Aaah!”
Maesellan closed her eyes tightly, screaming, and Sabikang instinctively withdrew his hand.
He thought she could handle it, but Maesellan’s vulnerability was greater than expected.
Then.
Flash!
Maesellan, who had been standing before him, vanished as if it were a lie.
Soon after.
Clink!
Sabikang felt the cold blade against the back of his neck.
Maesellan’s voice whispered in his ear.
“Show mercy to your enemy in battle, and you’ll lose your life. Focus only on the enemy.”
Her voice was deliberately deep, mimicking Sabikang’s earlier tone.
Sabikang chuckled, turning to face her.
“Unfortunately, that won’t work on the demons. No matter how beautiful you are, they won’t fall for you.”
“Ha, I don’t expect them to. I just wanted to remind you not to let your guard down.”
“Thanks.”
Maesellan smiled, lowering her sword.
She glanced at the groaning warriors around them and asked.
“How was it?”
“Still lacking.”
“Are you serious?”
Maesellan asked, genuinely surprised.
After all, Sabikang had just faced some of the finest warriors of the Demon Extermination Palace.
Yet he hadn’t faltered.
Sabikang had reached a level that no martial artist in the Central Plains could surpass.
And yet, he claimed it wasn’t enough.
“Isn’t that a bit greedy?”
But Sabikang shook his head solemnly.
On his way back from facing Baritan, he had encountered the Demon King.
Even as he passed by, he hadn’t realized it was the Demon King.
The mere fact was shocking.
He had believed he would recognize the Demon King instantly.
Hadn’t he observed him closely for years in the Demon Realm?
Yet, with a slight change in appearance, he hadn’t known.
The Demon King had hidden his aura so thoroughly.
And failing to detect it proved he was a step below.
No, perhaps two or three steps below.
“Everyone, get up. Attack again. Prepare to die.”
“Please, have mercy. This is the seventh time. The sun is setting.”
“Yes, we’re all battered and bruised. We need to apply some healing ointment.”
Groans echoed from all around.
Even Gok Bo-ok, who prided himself on his stamina, was at his limit.
“We’ve been training for a full day since yesterday afternoon. Please, give us a break.”
Maesellan gently suggested.
“Yes, let’s rest a bit. We won’t let you fight the Demon King alone. Together, we’ll be stronger.”
But Sabikang’s expression remained stern.
Maesellan was wrong.
Even if the Demon Extermination Palace doubled in number, they couldn’t defeat the Demon King.
In war, one great general is worth more than a thousand soldiers.
Though anxious, he couldn’t push the Heavenly Destruction Squad and the Newborn Troop too hard.
‘There’s only one way to defeat the Demon King.’
He must reach the realm of the Infinite Sea.
Beyond the Heavenly Sea, to the Infinite Sea.
A realm of absolute mastery not even recorded in martial history.
But there’s no way to reach the Infinite Sea.
Sabikang estimated he was at the third level of the Heavenly Sea.
He needed to break through seven more levels to reach the Infinite Sea.
But the final battle with the Demon King was imminent.
‘There’s no time. Damn it.’
Sabikang clenched his fist, and Berthas hummed in response.
At least the Demon King hadn’t taken Berthas that day.
He still couldn’t fathom the Demon King’s intentions.
With a light sigh, Sabikang looked around, his voice weary.
“Let’s call it a day.”
Finally, the warriors sighed in relief, collapsing to the ground.
Sabikang left silently.
Maesellan watched him go with a tender gaze.
‘Just know this. You’re not fighting alone. I hope you don’t feel too lonely.’
**
Thud!
“Ugh!”
A chilling sound of flesh tearing was followed by a scream caught in the throat.
Yet, for some reason, no sound escaped.
The excruciating pain felt like his body was being torn apart.
Sabikang glared at the Demon King, Tarant.
Finally, he managed to speak.
“Tarant!”
“Shubitz, why did you try to betray me?”
“I never pledged loyalty to you!”
“Tsk tsk… Why are humans so reckless? Your betrayal and return led to all these deaths. You’ve killed them twice.”
With a wave of the Demon King’s hand, the surrounding mist cleared instantly.
Scattered around were the bodies of the Demon Extermination Palace warriors.
A true sea of blood and corpses.
The Heavenly Destruction Squad, the Newborn Troop, Tang Yihyeop, Jeok Murin, Seo Laehyang—all those he had bonded with—lay as tragic corpses.
Among them was Maesellan’s body.
“Maesellan!”
Sabikang cried out, his voice tearing through the air.
But Maesellan, eyes wide open, did not respond.
“Tarant! I’ll kill you!”
“Tsk… Why are you angry with me? Don’t you see you’re the cause of this?”
“Shut up!”
Sabikang summoned his last reserves of strength, swinging Berthas with all his might.
Crash!
The demon knights surrounding him fell, screaming.
Yet Sabikang’s body remained pierced by swords and spears.
Undeterred, he charged at Tarant.
“Die!”
He roared, hurling Berthas.
But then.
Whirr!
Berthas halted abruptly before the Demon King, as if it were a lie.
In the next moment, Berthas changed direction, rushing back at Sabikang.
“What the…!”
Sabikang hastily summoned his protective energy, but it was too late.
Slice!
With a chilling sound, Sabikang’s head flew into the air.
**
“Gasp! Huff, huff, huff!”
Sabikang bolted upright, gasping for breath.
“Ugh.”
A headache throbbed.
“Tarant…!”
Sabikang gritted his teeth, staring intently into the void.
I had a lucid dream.
In the dream, I vaguely realized I was dreaming.
Yet, the feeling was unsettling.
A nightmare I never want to experience again.
Taking a deep breath, Sabigang got up, opened the door, and stepped out of the room.
The chilly night breeze brushed against his cheek.
It seemed to clear his mind a bit.
He climbed up to the pavilion in the garden and looked down the hill.
From there, he could see the Myolmagung Palace.
A few places still had their lights on.
Especially the Chohwandang, where Jinbaek stayed, had not gone dark recently.
They were tirelessly researching and working to develop an elixir to strengthen the palace warriors.
They had seen some success, with Maesollan noticeably stronger, and other warriors also benefiting from the elixir to enhance their bodies.
“Tomorrow, you should make a round of the palace and offer some encouragement. It would lift everyone’s spirits. Battles aren’t only fought outside.”
Sabigang wasn’t startled by the sudden voice.
He had sensed the presence long before.
Without turning his head, he asked, “Aren’t you sleeping?”
“I had a feeling you wouldn’t be.”
Sabigang chuckled softly and turned around.
Moorang approached and stood beside him.
Gazing into the distance like Sabigang, he spoke.
“There is one way to reach Manhaegyeong.”
Sabigang flinched at the mention.
Sensing his reaction, Moorang added, “But it’s not a guaranteed method. With any gain comes risk. If you fail, it could cost you your life.”
“What are the chances of success?”
“Less than one in ten.”
Less than one in ten.
In other words, it’s almost certain to fail.
Yet, Sabigang smirked.
“That’s enough for me.”