Chapter 602: Return to the Demon Sect
The Lord of the Demon-Slaying Palace, Sabigang, has fallen.
He fought valiantly to the very end.
The demons that attacked the palace were utterly annihilated.
Yet, misfortune struck.
The enemy commander, in a final desperate move, attempted a mutual destruction.
It was a counterattack, exploiting the moment when Sabigang’s strength waned.
Warriors of the martial world!
We have lost our hope.
The two pillars that upheld our world have crumbled.
But we cannot let everything fall apart.
Having set foot in this realm, did we not pursue righteousness with unwavering resolve?
What is justice, and what is evil?
We are all bound by the ties of this martial world.
But now, this world is entangled with the demons.
Isn’t that the first relationship we must sever?
Now is the time to protect our world. This is not about righteousness or justice.
It’s about preserving the world we stand upon.
To protect the spouse I love, the children I cherish, the parents I honor.
Though it may be a selfish reason, it unites us.
Together, we can stand against the demons.
If we let them consume our world, everything ends.
Having stepped into this blood-soaked realm, we cannot collapse without a fight!
Warriors of the martial world!
We must show those vile and cunning foes that this world will not fall so easily!
That our world was not held up by just two pillars!
Each of us is a pillar, supporting and maintaining this realm!
Now, we shall become thousands, tens of thousands of pillars to uphold our world.
Warriors of the martial world!
Let us gather to preserve our last shred of pride!
Let us rage!
This is not a matter of justice.
It is a matter of survival.
Let us fight and win!
**
There was no seal or signature.
No one knew who sent it.
But one thing was clear: these letters spreading through the martial world were stirring change.
“Hmm.”
Hoyo Beom, the leader of the Changcheon Sect, folded the letter with a sigh.
Beside him, Gang Neungcho, the leader of the Red Wolf Brigade, watched him closely.
“Sabigang… is dead.”
Gang Neungcho’s eyes wavered.
‘Could it be…!’
Doubt was his first instinct.
When he looked up, Hoyo Beom gave a slight nod.
“I know. He’s not someone who would die so easily. But… that’s what the letter says.”
Sabigang was dead.
The Demon-Slaying Palace made no official announcement.
Yet, this letter was causing a stir in the martial world.
Perhaps the truth of Sabigang’s survival didn’t matter to the warriors.
They just needed a spark to ignite their resolve.
And this letter provided it.
No one knew who sent it, but it spread to every major sect.
‘It’s been years since I last saw him.’
Hoyo Beom recalled his first meeting with Sabigang.
An unexpected encounter, indeed.
When the Explosive Palace’s Dan Gugi tried to annihilate all sects in Angang, it was Sabigang who stopped him.
Had Sabigang not intervened, Hoyo Beom might not be alive today.
At the time, Sabigang claimed he was merely passing through Angang with his students.
But in hindsight, it seemed as if Sabigang had foreseen Dan Gugi’s actions.
Isn’t that what they call destiny?
Hoyo Beom looked at the letter again.
Gang Neungcho asked cautiously.
“What do you plan to do?”
Hoyo Beom looked up at him.
“What else? We must protect the martial world.”
Gang Neungcho’s expression brightened.
He answered with determination.
“Of course.”
**
Sabigang walked down the corridor with Maeseollan.
Maeseollan spoke.
“Mu Rang has already gone to Mount Giryeon, and all the forces of the Demon-Slaying Palace have gathered near the Black Star of Mount Giryeon. Warriors from all over are converging there, numbering in the hundreds of thousands. The preparations for the final assault are complete.”
“And you?”
“I’ll head to Mount Giryeon soon.”
Maeseollan replied with a smile.
She planned to use a scroll with Gu Yoon for the final journey to Mount Giryeon.
Currently, Dang I-hyeop was leading the warriors of the Demon-Slaying Palace and the martial world.
Once she arrived, Maeseollan would lead the palace warriors, while Dang I-hyeop would command the others.
Gu Yoon, once the chief strategist of the Martial Alliance, would oversee everything.
“In the end, my death resonated with the warriors, didn’t it?”
Sabigang mused, and Maeseollan shrugged.
“Perhaps it didn’t matter.”
If scrutinized, the rumor was full of holes.
It wasn’t easy to keep so many mouths in the Demon-Slaying Palace shut.
Someone might tell a close friend that Sabigang was alive.
But people would believe in his death.
False news spreads faster, especially bad news.
The death of the Demon-Slaying Lord.
Whether true or not, it would spread faster through those trying to conceal the truth.
And people would come to believe the inflated rumors.
Then, their anger would erupt.
Gu Yoon had counted on that.
“People just wanted to hold onto hope. And when that hope vanished, they wanted to make a final stand. When all hope is lost, humans can become recklessly brave…”
As Maeseollan spoke, she noticed Sabigang’s intense gaze.
Her face flushed as she asked.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Just wanted to remember.”
“Don’t say ominous things. You sound like you’re going to die.”
“I am going to die.”
“But not really, right?”
Sabigang chuckled.
“Right. Not really.”
As they talked, they reached the office door.
Sabigang paused before opening it.
“We must never let go of hope. I have someone precious to protect too.”
“Yes… oh!”
Suddenly, Sabigang’s lips met Maeseollan’s.
Though surprised, she didn’t resist.
Instead, she closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Their passionate kiss lingered.
Sabigang looked at Maeseollan and said.
“Be careful.”
“You too.”
Sabigang nodded.
Finally, he opened the door and entered the office, where others awaited.
It was Neung Unpa and Gu Yoon.
Gu Yoon bowed respectfully.
“You’ve arrived?”
Sabigang nodded and looked at Neung Unpa.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Neung Unpa shrugged.
“It might be the last time, so it’s understandable.”
“Is that so? You’re more generous than I thought.”
“More like I don’t sweat the small stuff.”
“Either way, it doesn’t matter. Will you release Gu Yoon? We need someone to lead our forces.”
Neung Unpa smirked and nodded.
“Of course. I recall we did something similar years ago.”
Indeed, years ago, Neung Unpa and Sabigang had faked their deaths together.
Neung Unpa continued with amusement.
“This time, you die alone.”
There was a hint of irony in his words.
Sabigang remained unfazed.
“Not the first time I’ve ‘died.’ I always come back.”
“Must be nice.”
With that, Neung Unpa moved.
“Let’s go.”
Sabigang turned without a word.
As they were about to leave, Gu Yoon called out.
“Lord.”
Sabigang turned, seeing Gu Yoon clenching his fist.
“Please… win.”
Sabigang nodded silently.
He exchanged a glance with Maeseollan.
A silent understanding passed between them.
Sometimes, a look conveys more than words.
With that, Sabigang left the Demon-Slaying Palace.
**
The icy wind cut across Mu Rang’s cheek.
Frost clung to his long white beard.
The cold was intense.
But Mu Rang paid it no mind as he surveyed the surroundings.
Below lay a vast plain, and beside him, a sheer cliff rose.
Below the cliff was a cave.
He stood about halfway up the cliff.
If a battle broke out, it would likely be below, where demons and humans would clash.
He nodded to himself.
‘This will do.’
Mu Rang took something from his robe and began scattering it on the ground.
**
Near the Demon-Slaying Palace, at the summoning site.
Not long ago, Trajan had led his forces through here.
There were still demons lingering, but they fell swiftly to Sabigang and Neung Unpa.
As they advanced, leaving a trail of demon corpses, they finally reached a circular platform where three pillars writhed like living creatures.
The gate leading to the Black Star loomed before them.
Sabi Kang watched it pulsate and let out a cold, sardonic laugh.
“Looks like they don’t care at all about us attacking from this side, seeing as the gate’s still operational.”
“Or maybe they’re hoping for it.”
“True enough.”
If a battle were to happen, wouldn’t it be more convenient to fight on one’s own doorstep? No need to go through the trouble of terraforming.
Yet, the Demon Palace had to strike the Black Star. Sabi Kang needed to focus solely on the Demon King.
Neung Unpa glanced at Sabi Kang with a sly grin.
“Well then, shall we get on with dying?”
Sabi Kang pulled out a single pill from his pocket.
“Don’t make any mistakes.”
“Just shut up and die already.”
As Neung Unpa taunted him, Sabi Kang sat down cross-legged. He took a deep breath and swallowed the pill in one swift motion.
Moments later, Sabi Kang’s body went cold.
Neung Unpa approached him slowly and checked his pulse.
‘As expected.’
Amazingly, Sabi Kang was a perfect corpse. Though he sat upright, his pulse had stopped, and he no longer breathed. Yet, according to Sabi Kang, his consciousness remained intact.
Truly, it was a miraculous drug.
‘Those rogue alchemists come up with the most bizarre things.’
Neung Unpa chuckled softly, gazing down at Sabi Kang.
In a way, Sabi Kang was the one who had shaped him into who he was today, for better or worse. And at this moment, he was the one Neung Unpa most wanted to kill.
‘Now, if I…’
In this defenseless state, couldn’t he kill him with a single strike? An irresistible urge surged within him.
He could do it with just one move.
Neung Unpa’s hand slowly reached toward Sabi Kang.
And just as his fingers brushed against Sabi Kang’s neck,
“Don’t you make a mistake either.”
Murmuring coldly, Neung Unpa hoisted Sabi Kang over his shoulder.
They hadn’t come this far to lose everything over a moment’s folly.
A moment later, he stepped into the gate.
Shhhhhh!
A strange sound echoed, and soon Neung Unpa’s figure vanished completely from the summoning ground, taking Sabi Kang with him.
**
Whoooooosh!
A cold wind swept around the gate.
Moments later.
Crackle!
The gate writhed violently, electricity crackling through it, and someone emerged.
It was Neung Unpa, with Sabi Kang slung over his shoulder.
Step by step, he descended from the gate and lifted his gaze.
The Black Star pierced through the storm clouds, towering ominously above.
“Well then… shall we?”
With those words, Neung Unpa began to stride forward.