Episode 61: Return to the Demonic Sect
Yeoyoung’s hands trembled as she tried to lift the teacup. The tea inside sloshed around, spilling more than half onto the floor.
“Ugh…!”
A frustrated sound escaped through her clenched teeth.
Eun Giryung chuckled softly. “You shouldn’t make such noises during a tea ceremony.”
“S-sorry…!”
Yeoyoung’s arm shook uncontrollably. She managed to lift the cup, but bringing it to her lips seemed impossible. Her arm quivered wildly, and the tea had nearly all spilled out.
Just as she was struggling…
Whoosh!
Her arm shot up unexpectedly.
“Ah!”
Startled, Yeoyoung jerked her head back, narrowly avoiding hitting herself in the face with the cup. She quickly adjusted her posture, embarrassed.
She almost let go of the cup, which would have sent it crashing into the ceiling.
“Huff, huff, huff.”
As she panted heavily, Eun Giryung refilled her cup with a gentle smile.
“Try again.”
Yeoyoung grasped the cup with a determined expression. ‘This time for sure!’
But it was the same story. She had no way to counter the immense pressure.
Rumble…
Her face contorted, and her arm trembled once more.
“You don’t understand the art of tea, do you, Yeoyoung?”
“But… this is…!”
“Why is that? Instructor Sa managed to drink even under greater pressure.”
‘Greater pressure…? That’s a lie!’
“He didn’t tremble, shout, or frown. Didn’t he chat happily?”
“Th-that…!”
“Isn’t having tea with me enjoyable for you, Yeoyoung?”
“Of course not…!”
Frustrated by Eun Giryung’s words, Yeoyoung summoned all her strength.
In that moment…
Crash!
The teacup shattered in her grip with a sharp sound.
“Huff, huff, huff!”
Yeoyoung clutched her knees, gasping for breath. She had overexerted herself.
And yet, Sa Bigang had calmly sipped tea under even greater pressure?
It wasn’t just about enduring pressure. One had to adjust to the varying intensity of the force, or the hand holding the cup would dance uncontrollably.
Just like hers had moments ago.
Yet Sa Bigang remained serene throughout.
Who exactly was that man?
Eun Giryung’s voice reached her ears.
“Tsk, tsk, breaking a teacup. Did you dislike having tea with me that much?”
“Master, you’re too much.”
Yeoyoung muttered, almost in tears, and Eun Giryung gave her a warm smile.
“Do you understand now? He has surpassed me.”
”…Yes.”
Yeoyoung replied, her head bowed low.
“The world is full of the unexpected, making it diverse and worth living, don’t you think?”
Eun Giryung’s words, murmured as he gazed at the sky, seeped into Yeoyoung’s heart.
**
‘You’re wrong, old man. The world is so full of the unexpected that life becomes burdensome.’
Sa Bigang muttered to himself as he walked. He had eavesdropped on Eun Giryung and Yeoyoung’s conversation from afar using a spell called “Steal Sound,” hoping to glean some unexpected information.
But there was nothing of note.
He needed information about the altered future, but it seemed even the academy had little to go on.
‘The unexpected…’
Nothing was more frustrating than that.
In that sense, the ones targeting this year’s Spring Festival must be quite vexed.
Their plans, aligned with the martial arts journey, would have been disrupted, forcing them to advance their schedule by a month.
‘They might be having a secret meeting somewhere right now.’
And indeed, as Sa Bigang suspected, a clandestine gathering was taking place in a distant forest.
**
Deep within a forest, in an abandoned shrine.
The place, long neglected, was covered in cobwebs, and the once-decorative items lay scattered on the floor.
Inside the closed shrine were two figures, both clad in black robes and wearing deep-brimmed hats.
What stood out was that both wore masks—one a rabbit, the other a black tiger.
The one in the tiger mask murmured quietly.
“Green Ox is a bit late.”
“Let’s wait a little longer.”
The one in the white rabbit mask, White Rabbit, replied curtly.
The one in the tiger mask, Black Tiger, fell silent.
A long pause ensued.
Finally, White Rabbit slowly lifted his head.
“He’s here.”
As soon as he spoke, the shrine door opened, and a figure wearing a green ox mask entered.
“Huff, huff, huff.”
His breathing was still heavy, suggesting he had hurried.
Black Tiger approached and asked, “You’re finally here. Did you meet Red Snake?”
The one in the ox mask, Green Ox, nodded.
“It’s true that the Spring Festival has been moved up by a month.”
“Could they have caught on to something…?”
“I don’t think so. It seems there were various issues within Yongcheon Hall.”
“Issues?”
“Nothing major, but it seems a new instructor has joined, one who is unpredictable.”
“Hmm. To think such chaos over a single instructor. I knew Yongcheon Hall had lost its former glory, but this is excessive.”
As Black Tiger muttered, Green Ox asked, “Are the preparations complete?”
“Of course. We have exactly twenty people on standby.”
“Good. According to Red Snake, the organizational battle during the Spring Festival will take place in the forest, so that seems like the right time.”
“Understood, we’ll be ready.”
As Black Tiger nodded, White Rabbit interjected.
“But… was there a problem?”
“What do you mean?”
Green Ox tilted his head in confusion.
White Rabbit’s gaze fell on his sleeve.
The end of the sleeve was slightly frayed, as if cut by something.
Noticing White Rabbit’s gaze, Green Ox spoke nonchalantly.
“Oh, it’s nothing. I ran into a minor member of the Justice Alliance on the way, but I handled it.”
“That’s a relief.”
As White Rabbit finished speaking, Black Tiger asked again, “When exactly is the organizational battle?”
“It’s not confirmed, but given its scale, it will likely be on the last day.”
“I see.”
Black Tiger smiled faintly at Green Ox’s answer.
White Rabbit stepped forward and extended his hand.
“Thank you for your efforts, Green Ox!”
“Don’t mention it.”
Just as Green Ox reached to shake his hand…
Swish!
Thud!
“Ugh! Ugh!”
It happened in a flash!
Blood splattered on the white rabbit mask.
The dagger in White Rabbit’s hand was suddenly embedded in Green Ox’s neck.
Caught off guard, Black Tiger stepped back in shock.
“W-what is this…?”
Though his face was hidden, his voice betrayed his surprise.
Thud!
Green Ox collapsed without a sound.
White Rabbit tilted his head and turned to Black Tiger.
“Didn’t you see? The frayed sleeve.”
“But that was nothing…”
“Small cracks can lead to big problems. If you don’t patch them up, trouble will follow.”
“Ugh.”
Black Tiger groaned.
White Rabbit wiped the blood from his dagger and looked at Black Tiger.
“Please take care of the body and clean up here.”
“Y-yes.”
Black Tiger replied, trying to calm his racing heart.
White Rabbit clasped his hands behind his back and walked away.
“Then, I’ll be off.”
As he exited the shrine, Black Tiger took out a packet of Bone Dissolving Powder and sprinkled it over the body.
Sizzle.
The body began to dissolve with a hissing sound.
**
Swish! Swish!
Jo Muntak moved like a shadow, silent and swift.
‘This time for sure.’
He gripped the brush tightly in his hand.
Today, he vowed, he would finally mark Neung Sosu.
He had changed his strategy.
During the martial arts journey, he had failed to mark Neung Sosu even once.
But Sa Bigang continued to assign him the same task.
The rules were simple.
If Neung Sosu noticed before he made the mark, it was over.
Forcing it was against the rules.
‘How can I approach Neung Sosu without her noticing?’
He tried various methods and realized one thing.
Stealth didn’t work on Neung Sosu!
So what was the solution?
Speed.
He needed to rely on agility rather than stealth.
And he had to make the mark before she could react.
In that case…?
‘It’s all about ambush!’
Instead of approaching her, he would wait for her to come to him.
At that moment, Jo Muntak was unaware.
Unknowingly, he was developing the skills of a top assassin.
Regardless, Jo Muntak perched on a tree branch, remaining perfectly still.
He spent half a day like that.
He didn’t eat despite his hunger, nor did he relieve himself despite the urge.
He acted like a master assassin.
Of course, he was completely unaware of this.
And finally, the opportunity arrived.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Neung Soso approached the tree where he was hiding.
How many times had he studied her movements, memorizing her every step?
He recalled what Sabigang had once told him.
“Preparation is more important than execution.”
Everything was ready.
Jo Muntak focused on suppressing his energy, erasing his presence.
He became one with the air.
No, not the air.
Neung Soso had a knack for sensing even the slightest breeze, hadn’t she?
Better to become a tree.
It might seem the same, but the subtle difference in mindset could change the outcome of concealment.
And as one’s martial arts skills improved, those subtle differences could lead to vastly different results.
Crunch, crunch.
Neung Soso walked on, unsuspecting.
She always did.
She never paid special attention to her surroundings.
Yet, she had an uncanny ability to sense things.
But this time, he wouldn’t move.
He was a tree.
And just as Neung Soso passed beneath him—
Whoosh!
Jo Muntak descended through the air.
As expected, Neung Soso sensed it.
Startled, she quickly glanced around.
But she didn’t think to look up.
Or perhaps she did, but it was too late.
Jo Muntak was already upon her.
‘Got her!’
He swiftly thrust his brush forward.
But then…
Whoosh!
“What?”
A strong gust of wind suddenly blew through.
Jo Muntak found himself flipped over, landing right beside Neung Soso with a thud.
Crash!
“Ouch!”
“Muntak?”
Jo Muntak rubbed his sore backside, frowning deeply.
‘Damn it! I missed her right in front of me! What was that wind all about?’