Chapter 594: Return of the Demon Sect Leader
The sun was setting behind the western hills.
Moorang stood, lost in thought, as he gazed at the lengthening shadows.
His expression seemed serene, almost meditative, but his mind was a tangled web of thoughts.
Countless incantations and spells twisted and turned in his head, forming a complex knot.
Every so often, he would shake his head or nod to himself, muttering under his breath.
“No, no, that’s not right. Yes, that’s it. I need to use the Fivefold Body Protection Technique there. And then… the Great Spirit Alert Method should follow. Right. And if there’s still a gap, maybe the Thousand Heart Convergence can fill it? It’s difficult… so difficult.”
He never imagined he’d find himself saying “difficult” so often in his life.
From a young age, he was hailed as a prodigy.
There was little he couldn’t understand.
Everything came easily to him.
Even when faced with challenges, they never felt truly difficult—just intriguing.
But now, he was surrounded by problems that seemed insurmountable.
There was so much to resolve.
Just helping Sabikang reach the state of Manhae was a monumental task.
It was the most challenging of all the issues he faced.
Was there even a chance of success?
In truth, it was a lie.
A chance? What chance?
Even if everything went perfectly, it was barely a slim possibility.
The state of Manhae was so advanced it wasn’t even recorded in the official martial history—a realm of the Martial God.
Even the state of Cheonhae was beyond the comprehension of most martial artists today.
And yet, Sabikang aimed for Manhae.
The odds were almost nonexistent.
It wasn’t just a nine out of ten chance of failure.
It was more like one in a hundred, if that.
Not even a sliver of a chance.
But he couldn’t bring himself to tell Sabikang that.
He had said it was just shy of a chance.
Technically, it wasn’t a lie.
A sliver and a chance were both equally unlikely.
“Ah.”
Moorang let out a rare, soft sigh.
It was last night, as he was sighing in the rear garden of Moorang Hall, that a strange ripple of energy appeared, and Guyun materialized like a mirage.
Startled, Moorang asked, “What brings you here?”
Guyun smiled warmly. “I’ve come to see the Lord. I must return quickly.”
“But why here, of all places?”
Moorang knew well that Guyun was currently with the Cloud Sect.
Yet, he had used a teleportation scroll to come to Moorang’s residence instead of Sabikang’s, which was odd.
Guyun glanced around briefly before asking, “How is the Lord?”
Moorang’s expression was not particularly bright. “He sustained some injuries from Baritan, but he’s fine. However…”
“The Lord feels he’s still lacking, doesn’t he?”
Moorang nodded. “I think so too. As things stand, he can’t win.”
“Is there a way?”
Moorang shook his head. “It’s difficult. If he reaches Manhae, he could win, but that realm is not easily attained.”
“What are the chances of achieving it in the remaining time?”
“Not even a sliver.”
Guyun’s face fell.
Moorang looked at him and asked, “How is the Sect Leader?”
“Waiting for the preparations to be complete.”
“It seems we’ll have to pray for a miracle.”
“I don’t believe in prayers.”
Guyun paused, lost in thought, then added, “I have an idea.”
“What is it?”
Guyun shared his thoughts with Moorang, who listened with a troubled expression.
When the conversation ended, Moorang asked, still looking concerned, “There are two issues. Will he accept it? And even if he does, the chances of success remain slim.”
“But… if there’s even a slightly better way, we must give it our all.”
“Understood. I’ll make the preparations.”
“Then I’ll see the Lord briefly and give instructions to the deputy.”
“Very well.”
With that, Guyun went to find Sabikang.
Recalling the events of the previous night, Moorang sighed once more.
In the past, he would have lived quietly, indifferent to the fate of the martial world.
But now, he couldn’t stand idly by.
Perhaps he had been influenced by Sabikang.
He was changing many people.
Just then, the main door opened, and Sabikang entered Moorang Hall.
Moorang rose to greet him.
“Are you ready?”
“I am.”
“How was it? Taking a look around.”
Sabikang thought for a moment, then smiled faintly. “It was good.”
Moorang nodded. “Good, that’s enough. The elixirs and devices are prepared, so let’s wait for the two of them. They need time to prepare themselves. Be patient.”
“Understood.”
Sabikang nodded.
**
Ong Giseung quietly looked down at his sword.
The setting sun streamed through the window, casting a red glow on the blade.
Reflecting on his life as a martial artist, it had been intense.
Every moment was a crisis.
Yet, he had navigated it well.
Sometimes with his honed skills, sometimes with sheer luck.
“Thank you for everything.”
He murmured softly, sheathing the sword and placing it on the table.
His room was neatly organized.
The martial robes he had worn were folded on the bed, and he was now dressed in casual clothes.
As he opened the door to leave, he stopped abruptly.
Standing there, as if waiting for him, was Gugangryong.
Gugangryong looked somewhat angry.
In a gruff voice, he asked, “Do you really have to do this?”
“You know, don’t you? This is the best option right now. And it’s not a decision I made alone.”
Ong Giseung replied gently.
“But if you do this…!”
“I’ll lose my martial arts. I’ll become an ordinary person.”
“And knowing that, you still…!”
“Brother. This wasn’t a decision made lightly. I hope you’ll respect my choice.”
“I can’t agree!”
Gugangryong finally shouted.
Ong Giseung smiled faintly.
“I’m sorry, brother. This isn’t something that requires your agreement, and I’ve already made my decision. To do everything I can. Perhaps being born with this bloodline was fate preparing me for this moment, to serve the martial world.”
“Seung-ah…”
“Don’t worry, brother. There are far more ordinary people in this world than martial artists, aren’t there?”
”…”
“Life will change a lot, but I’m somewhat looking forward to it. I’ve always thought about living quietly in a peaceful place, farming for the rest of my days. I want to leave this blood-soaked martial world behind. Maybe I just want to rest.”
As Ong Giseung’s voice continued softly, Gugangryong stood with a hardened expression, saying nothing.
After a long silence, Gugangryong finally spoke, his voice barely audible.
“If that’s truly your decision, I won’t stop you anymore.”
“Thank you. And thank you for everything. Without you, I might not be here today.”
Gugangryong looked at Ong Giseung with eyes full of emotion.
“Can you forgive this brother? I tried to kill you.”
“It was just a misunderstanding. It’s all in the past. What’s important is that we’re here now, talking face to face, isn’t it?”
Ong Giseung bowed deeply.
He then walked past Gugangryong.
How many steps had he taken?
“Seung-ah!”
A voice, thick with emotion, reached his back.
“You are my brother. My most cherished and beloved brother. My only brother. If you give up the life of a martial artist, I will be the one to protect you for life. This brother will always watch over you!”
A smile played on Ong Giseung’s lips.
As he turned to leave, he heard, “Don’t turn around! It’s… embarrassing.”
Ong Giseung chuckled and nodded.
He knew Gugangryong was probably crying his heart out.
Despite his gruff exterior, Gugangryong had a deep, caring heart, something Ong Giseung knew well.
Ong Giseung replied softly, “Thank you, brother.”
Leaving the tearful Gugangryong behind, Ong Giseung walked away.
**
On a large rock overlooking the Demon Palace, Heukgwi sat, lost in thought.
It had been years since he embarked on his journey, shrouded in darkness.
Miraculously, he had met Sabikang and found himself here today.
But now, he too was ready to lay everything down.
He had already made up his mind with Ong Giseung.
“Time to go.”
Just as Heukgwi was about to rise, a voice reached his ears.
“Kang-ah…”
Startled, he looked up to see his father, So Cheonak, standing there.
“Father…”
“I came as soon as I received your letter. Do you really have to do this?”
Heukgwi nodded.
“The Lord gave me a second chance at life. But I’m not throwing it away. I’m simply returning the power I shouldn’t have had to the Lord. I hope it helps, even a little.”
“But then you’ll never be able to practice martial arts again, won’t you?”
“That’s right. But I won’t regret it.”
So Cheonak quietly looked at his son, So Yugang.
When had time flown by so quickly?
It seemed like just yesterday he was watching him take his first steps.
And now, he was old enough to make such a decision.
Perhaps it was the years spent apart from his son, the years of loss, that made these thoughts weigh so heavily on him.
A son who still seemed to need his protection and care.
And now, that very son was standing at a crossroads in his life.
Yet, the helplessness of being unable to do anything for him gnawed at his heart.
Heuk-gwi bowed deeply.
“I’m sorry, Father. Forgive this unworthy son who couldn’t carry on your legacy.”
At this, So Cheon-ak shouted in a booming voice.
“Stand tall! You’ve made a noble decision to save the people of Kangho. I’m proud of you.”
“Father…”
“Do well, my son.”
“Thank you.”
Heuk-gwi offered a deep bow to So Cheon-ak before heading towards Murangjeon.
**
“What?”
Adler couldn’t believe his ears.
The Demon King Tarrant, still wearing a languid expression, addressed the demons.
“Half will remain at Black Castle, and the other half will attack Myeolma Palace immediately. Duke Trajan will lead the forces.”
The demons murmured among themselves.
Half the forces was no small number—it was a massive army.
Tarrant spoke again.
“Go and show them the terror of the demons. Count Adler, prepare to terraform the area around Myeolma Palace.”