Episode 626: Return to the Demonic Sect
A line of carts stretched endlessly as they made their way into the Demonic Sect’s stronghold, reminiscent of the Great Wall of China in its sheer length.
At the main gate, Dam Woo-gi was meticulously inspecting and recording the contents of each cart with the disciples of Hyesu Pavilion.
Just then, someone approached him, shaking their head in disbelief.
“This is an incredible amount. I never imagined we’d gather so many spoils.”
Dam Woo-gi glanced at the speaker and nodded. “The Black Fortress itself is made of metals you can’t find anywhere in the Central Plains.”
“I heard that metal is actually a plant called ‘Demonic Tree’?”
“That’s what they say. I haven’t seen it myself, but those who witnessed the Demonic Tree growing said it was terrifying.”
“Indeed. Even when I saw the completed Black Fortress, I was speechless. To think such a massive structure grows as if it’s alive is both astonishing and frightening.”
“Well, it’s all over now, and it will become a tale of heroism in the future.”
“Of course. We owe it all to the Lord.”
Dam Woo-gi smiled warmly and nodded. Yes, it was all thanks to Sabikang. But Sabikang would surely say it was thanks to everyone. Yet, Dam Woo-gi couldn’t agree. It was Sabikang who had transformed everything, purifying the stagnant, rotten waters.
Who could have predicted such a day when the Special Forces were first established? It wasn’t that long ago in terms of years, but for the Heavenly Destruction Squad, who trained for three years in the twisted time of Toisan, it must have felt like an eternity.
“By the way… which sect are you from?” Dam Woo-gi asked cautiously, noting the youthfulness of the man before him.
The man laughed heartily, then replied with a sheepish grin, “Come to think of it, we haven’t properly met. I’m from the Newborn Division.”
“The Newborn Division…?”
“Yes. I’ve heard you’re from the Heavenly Destruction Squad. I wasn’t as brilliant as you, but I was quite the strategist in the Newborn Division.”
Dam Woo-gi furrowed his brow, tilting his head in confusion. He should have known everyone from the Newborn Division, yet this man was unfamiliar. He hadn’t personally greeted each member, but he had at least glanced over them when they gathered. Dam Woo-gi rarely forgot a face once he’d seen it.
Sensing Dam Woo-gi’s skepticism, the man quickly added, “Ah, I heard you worked with the Ghost Squad, even though you were part of the Heavenly Destruction Squad. So I didn’t know your face well. My name is Deung Ja-gyeong.”
“Deung Ja-gyeong…” Dam Woo-gi muttered, trying to recall. The name was unfamiliar too. Meanwhile, Deung Ja-gyeong grew increasingly anxious.
‘Does my name really have no presence at all? This is too much!’
Dam Woo-gi murmured with a serious expression, “Strange. I’ve already reviewed the Newborn Division’s roster. I shouldn’t have forgotten.”
‘See? This is really strange!’
Deung Ja-gyeong watched Dam Woo-gi nervously, feeling the sting of being overlooked during the battles where he risked his life.
Finally, Dam Woo-gi looked up. “This is odd. I don’t forget faces. Are you really from the Newborn Division?”
‘Is he doubting my existence over his memory?’ Deung Ja-gyeong sighed deeply.
“Yes, I may not be very noticeable, but I’m definitely from the Newborn Division. It’s quite unpleasant to be doubted like this.”
“Hmm. There must have been a mistake. Perhaps your name was left off the list.”
“That could be. Ah, there’s the Lord.”
Both men turned to greet Sabikang as he approached.
“Welcome, my Lord.”
“Yes, you’ve worked hard.”
“It’s nothing. Stacking the spoils of war is a task I could do tirelessly.”
Sabikang chuckled and asked, “Where’s the Deputy Commander?”
“He’s at the Healing Hall. He went to see Instructor Deung, who just woke up.”
“I see. I should go too.”
As Sabikang turned to leave, Deung Ja-gyeong bowed deeply.
“Please, go ahead.”
Sabikang paused and looked back at him.
Deung Ja-gyeong’s face lit up with hope. ‘The Lord recognizes me!’
Sabikang furrowed his brow and asked, “And who are you?”
”…”
”…”
Dam Woo-gi stepped in, “You don’t know him either, my Lord?”
“No, it’s my first time seeing him.”
“He claims to be from the Newborn Division.”
“Him?”
“Yes.”
Sabikang stroked his chin, scrutinizing Deung Ja-gyeong. After a long pause, he shook his head. “I don’t know. It’s definitely a new face.”
With that, Sabikang walked away, leaving Dam Woo-gi’s expression to turn cold.
“I knew something was off. Who are you, really?”
“I told you, I’m Deung Ja-gyeong from the Newborn Division…”
“You’re sticking to that story, huh? There are rumors of warriors who hid during the war with the demons, now coming out to claim the spoils. Are you one of them?”
“What are you talking about? I’m really from the Newborn Division…”
“Enough! Guards!”
At Dam Woo-gi’s call, the guards rushed over.
“Yes, Deputy Commander.”
Dam Woo-gi eyed Deung Ja-gyeong. “You’ll need to come with us for questioning.”
“Wait, no! I’m really from the Newborn Division! You can ask them!”
Deung Ja-gyeong shouted as he was dragged away by the guards.
**
Reclining on his sickbed, Deung Bu-hyeong gazed out the window, lost in thought. The sunlight streaming in was a welcome warmth. How long had it been since he enjoyed such a peaceful moment?
“Sabikang… he really did it.”
Reflecting on the past, he couldn’t fathom how he had crossed that river of molten lava. Could he do it again if he went back?
He chuckled to himself. What did it matter? He had done it. Whether anyone acknowledged it or not, he was proud of his achievement.
The sword hilt beside his bed hummed with resonance. Deung Bu-hyeong looked at it fondly. The Ghost Blade, a weapon that followed its master to the end. In the past, he might have danced with joy upon receiving such a sword. Not long ago, he would have been tormented by its presence. But now…
“It feels like a friend.”
No longer an object of possession, but a companion. Sabikang must have left it for him while he slept.
Just then, the door opened, and a young woman and an old man entered.
“Excuse me… is this where Deung Bu-hyeong is… oh?”
The woman, who had entered cautiously, was surprised to see him. Deung Bu-hyeong’s eyes widened in recognition.
“You are…”
“Ah… Deung Bu-hyeong?”
“Yoo Eun-seol…”
Deung Bu-hyeong murmured, astonished. How did her name come to him so easily? She was the one who had returned the Ghost Blade to him. Though their time together was brief, they had connected well, and he had hoped to meet her again. But he never imagined it would happen like this.
Yoo Eun-seol smiled brightly. “So it is you, Deung Bu-hyeong. I thought it might be a coincidence.”
“How did you end up here?”
“My father and I are working at the Demonic Sect now. When I heard of your heroic deeds, I had to come see you.”
“Heroic deeds, you say…”
Deung Bu-hyeong blushed, and Yoo Eun-seol laughed softly, finding his reaction amusing.
“You don’t seem like someone who accomplished such great feats.”
“Haha, it wasn’t that great. It just felt like something I had to do. I wouldn’t have the courage to do it again.”
“But you would, if it were you.”
Her words made Deung Bu-hyeong feel as if he were walking on clouds.
‘To be so uplifted by a single comment… I still have a long way to go in my self-discipline.’
Yet he couldn’t tell if it was her words or her presence that lifted his spirits.
The two continued their conversation for a long time. Even after her father left, Yoo Eun-seol stayed to chat with Deung Bu-hyeong. They connected effortlessly.
Finally, Deung Bu-hyeong spoke hesitantly to the ever-praising Yoo Eun-seol.
“Miss Yoo, I’m not as virtuous as I seem. I’ve made many mistakes in the past…”
“So have I.”
“What?”
“I’m the same. And I’m sure everyone else is too. No one is perfect. So don’t dwell too much on the past. What matters to me is the Deung Bu-hyeong I see now.”
”…”
Deung Bu-hyeong stared at her, speechless. He gazed so intently that Yoo Eun-seol blushed and asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“May I love you?”
“What?”
Yoo Eun-seol let out a startled cry, her voice echoing in the quiet room. She quickly clapped a hand over her mouth, glancing around nervously. Of course, there was no one else in the closed hospital room but the two of them.
As she spoke, Deung Bu-hyung’s face turned a deep shade of red, resembling a ripe persimmon.
“Oh no! What on earth am I saying? Out of nowhere like that!”
The words had slipped out before he even realized it, driven by the sheer beauty of her face as she spoke softly to him. It was an instinctive outburst.
Deung Bu-hyung waved his hands frantically. “Ah, I’m sorry. What I meant was just… uh!”
His eyes widened in surprise as Yoo Eun-seol suddenly leaned in and kissed him. It was a brief kiss, and when she pulled back, she gave him a faint smile.
“I guess I’m not quite what I seem, am I? Sorry, I just got carried away with happiness… eek!”
In that moment, Deung Bu-hyung wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her deeply. Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing them in a warm glow.
‘Wait, did I just hear something outside the door? Oh well, never mind.’
**
Jin-baek watched curiously as Sa Bi-gang stomped down the stairs, her footsteps echoing loudly. “Why are you coming down already? I thought you were here to see Instructor Deung. Isn’t he awake?”
“Hmph! He’s so lively, there’s no need to check on him! Honestly, men… the moment they wake up…”
“You seem upset about something.”
“Upset? Me? Why would I be?”
Sa Bi-gang’s voice was louder than necessary, and Jin-baek just shrugged. “So, where are you off to?”
“I’m going to see Seol-ran!”
“Chief Ma?”
“Yes, I’m going right now!”
As Sa Bi-gang stormed out, Jeok Mu-rin entered, raising an eyebrow at Jin-baek. “What’s going on?”
“Beats me. What brings you here?”
“Oh, I heard Instructor Deung woke up, so I came to visit.”
“Right, a little comfort is the best medicine for the injured.”
“Indeed.”
Jeok Mu-rin nodded politely and headed upstairs. Moments later, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed again as he descended the stairs, grumbling under his breath.
“Hmph! Comfort, my foot…!”
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing at all!”
“Really? You just came to visit, and now you’re rushing off somewhere?”
“I’m going to see Hong-myo!”
“Now?”
“Yes, right this minute!”
Jeok Mu-rin slammed the door behind him as he left, and Jin-baek chuckled to himself. “Ah, young love.”
Yes, it truly was a wonderful time. There couldn’t be a better moment than this.