Episode 627: Return to the Demon Sect

The room was filled with an array of vials containing the bodily fluids of a great demon, the claws of a lizardman, the blood of a werewolf, goblin saliva, and other rare substances like magic stones and the essence of demonic trees.

In addition to these, there were mushrooms that had grown parasitically on demonic trees, as well as weeds and fruits from regions tainted by demonic energy.

The table was laden with elixirs crafted from these exotic ingredients.

The old woman, Manyaksang, surveyed the collection with a satisfied smirk, nodding her head.

“Indeed, these are things you wouldn’t find in the Central Plains.”

“Is it to your satisfaction?” Sabigang inquired.

The old woman chuckled softly in response. “To be honest, it’s a bit less than I expected.”

“I’ve gathered only the finest. I assure you of their quality.”

“Well, if you put it that way…”

She clasped her hands together, a wide grin spreading across her face.

Though they might seem useless at first glance, these were precious materials. Depending on how they were combined with the herbs of the Central Plains, they could create the world’s most potent elixir—or the deadliest poison.

The old woman had spent her life dealing in rare medicinal ingredients. While she might not match Jinbaek in crafting superior elixirs, when it came to concocting the most lethal poisons, she was unmatched.

During the battle against the demons, she had only hoped to survive and return home. She had resolved to live the rest of her days without greed, serving in the Demon Sect if necessary.

After all, wasn’t she in her twilight years, with not much time left?

But as the days passed after the war, her resolve began to wane. Finally, she approached Sabigang today, ready to claim her reward for her loyalty.

Sabigang didn’t seem particularly displeased. He was willing to fulfill his promise.

“Thank you for keeping your word,” the old woman said, bowing her head.

Sabigang narrowed his eyes and asked, “What do you plan to do with all this?”

“I intend to make medicine. Or perhaps sell it to those who need it. After all, we now possess the finest ingredients from the demon realm.”

Sabigang stared intently into her eyes, seeing the ambition hidden within her wrinkled gaze.

If life had taught him anything, it was that age doesn’t erase desire. It merely offers more opportunities to learn restraint.

But those who never learn restraint, who only chase their desires, become monsters of greed.

Manyaksang was one such person. Her loyalty was merely a means to fulfill her ambitions.

Her path was clear: she would amass wealth by any means necessary, indifferent to how her products were used.

She would even deal with demons if it suited her.

The old woman bowed her head to Sabigang once more. “Thank you for keeping your promise. We’ll take these with us shortly.”

“As you wish.”

“You’re always so straightforward.”

As she turned to leave, Sabigang casually remarked, “Aren’t you curious?”

“About what…?”

“Why I keep my promises so readily, even knowing you might use these for ill purposes.”

The old woman rolled her eyes, then chuckled. “Perhaps it’s because you trust us…”

“Hardly. I trust the right people.”

Sabigang’s cold smile made the old woman tilt her head in confusion. “Then why…?”

“Because I can take them back anytime I want. Anywhere in the Central Plains, I can retrieve these. And not just these.”

The old woman swallowed hard, understanding the unspoken threat in Sabigang’s gaze: ‘I can take your lives too.’

In other words, she was to conduct herself properly. If she used these precious materials to disrupt the order of the martial world, there would be no forgiveness.

“I-I understand.”

The old woman broke into a cold sweat and bowed deeply.

Sabigang nodded, speaking softly, “You’d better.”

**

“Today, we’ve completed the distribution of rewards. The spoils have been fairly divided according to merit.”

Sabigang smiled faintly at Guyun’s report. “Fairly, you say. I’m sure not everyone will feel that way.”

Guyun didn’t argue, acknowledging the truth in Sabigang’s words.

The most challenging task for Guyun, both then and now, was the distribution of rewards. No matter how precise the criteria, someone would feel slighted, and someone else would feel overly rewarded.

But such was the nature of human affairs, and those receiving the rewards were human too.

“What should we do, then?”

“At the very least, those who sided with the demons and turned their blades on their comrades must be punished. We must ensure that those who risked their lives to protect the martial world don’t feel deprived.”

“I’ll see to it immediately.”

“This is a matter that must be handled decisively.”

“I understand.”

Guyun bowed deeply.

Rumors had already reached him about sects that had collaborated with the demons, now making suspicious moves.

Many sects had risked everything to support Sabigang, ensuring the safety of the martial world. Yet, their own sects and families were left vulnerable.

As a result, whispers spread that those who had cowardly hidden or acted as demon collaborators were now seizing regional power.

“We must support the sects weakened by this conflict and thoroughly investigate and punish those who turned against their fellow martial artists.”

“Yes, understood!”

Guyun replied with determination.

Sabigang approached the window, gazing at the peaceful landscape outside.

There would always be those who sought to exploit this peace.

No matter how much they tried to cleanse the world, there would be places beyond the reach of the Demon Sect.

But they had to do everything they could.

Perhaps this task would prove more challenging than defeating the demons.

He recalled the words of the Demon King, Tarant: “A Demon King is not born, but made…”

Sabigang’s eyes deepened as he looked out at the mountains meeting the sky.

**

Hundreds of lanterns floated into the night sky, filling it with light.

Each lantern bore a message of remembrance for the fallen.

Today was the day the Demon Sect held its memorial service.

Though they had achieved a great victory against the demons, tens of thousands had perished.

It was the greatest loss of martial artists in the history of the martial world.

The memorial was conducted in a solemn atmosphere.

Some bit their lips, while others wept openly.

Their sobs spread like a contagion.

Their tears held many meanings: relief at surviving, joy at victory, anger at the demons, and longing for the deceased…

“What are you thinking about?”

Mok Danhwa glanced at Seol Seorin, who was standing beside her, looking up at the lanterns.

She immediately regretted asking.

The answer was obvious.

And above all, the person Seorin missed most, Seol Sumin, had died protecting her.

‘I’m sorry…’

Danhwa silently apologized.

Then Seorin spoke, her voice unusually calm.

“Maybe… it’s time to let go?”

Hearing the sadness in her voice, Danhwa felt a lump in her throat.

Seorin turned to her with a gentle smile.

“Someone once said that sending off a lantern is truly letting someone go to the heavens. So maybe it’s time for you to let go too.”

Danhwa couldn’t hold back her tears.

‘Why are you making me cry all of a sudden…?’

But how could she?

Though she appreciated Seorin’s sentiment, she knew she would carry this burden for the rest of her life.

Seorin, with tears in her eyes, asked, “Can you do that?”

“I’ll try.”

“Don’t just try, let go.”

”…Huh?”

“Let go already. Please, just let go. Okay?”

Seorin’s expression had twisted into a mischievous grin.

Danhwa looked bewildered, and Seorin twisted her lips.

“Why are you pretending to be innocent? Let go of your husband already. He’s mine.”

‘Ah… this crazy girl… she’s at it again…’

“Didn’t you hear me? You sent off the lantern, so let him go already!”

“Ugh, I was a fool to get sentimental for a moment! Why are you talking about the Lord while sending off lanterns, you fool!”

“Why? Because I secretly wrote the Lord’s name on your lantern.”

Seorin smirked, and Danhwa shouted in disbelief.

“You crazy girl! Why would you mess with someone else’s lantern!”

“Does it look like I’m joking? I’m dead serious!”

Danhwa shook her head, looking up at the lanterns.

‘I’m sorry… I guess I can’t be best friends with her after all.’

**

“Those two have become quite the pair of friends.”

Sabigang remarked, watching from the palace window, as Maeseollan chuckled beside him.

“They do seem to get along well. Sometimes I’m even a bit envious.”

“Envious? Am I not enough for you?”

“Sometimes.”

“That’s disappointing.”

“You’re quite greedy, aren’t you, my lord?”

“Of course, I’m the embodiment of desire.”

Sabigang playfully pulled Maeseollan closer by the waist.

With a mischievous smile, Maeseollan asked, “Did the Demon King ever hold you like this?”

“Not quite like this,” Sabigang replied.

“No one would ever guess you hugged the Demon King.”

“That sounds so strange when you put it that way.”

Maeseollan laughed, clearly amused by Sabigang’s words.

Sabigang then recounted the tale of entering Tarrant’s posthumous realm, including the moment he embraced the boy Tarrant had once been.

Maeseollan gazed at Sabigang, gently tracing his jawline with her delicate fingers. “What if… you had killed the Demon King back then?”

“I did kill the Demon King.”

“I mean the boy in the afterlife.”

“If I had… well, who knows?”

There was no certainty. But he speculated that in that moment, he might have become Tarrant’s successor.

“Would I have become the Demon King?”

“Really?” Maeseollan’s eyes widened in surprise.

Sabigang nodded. “Probably.”

It was just a feeling. He hadn’t thought that deeply about it at the time. But looking back, it seemed Tarrant’s final trap was to make him the Demon King.

“So what made you decide to hug him?”

“Well… reaching the afterlife makes you a bit more innocent, I guess? You approach emotions more simply.”

“That makes sense… sort of.”

“Why? Are you shocked at the thought of me as the Demon King?”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Then what?”

“I think it wouldn’t have been so bad.”

“What?” Sabigang asked, eyes wide with surprise.

Maeseollan smiled softly. “It sounds kind of cool, you being the Demon King.”

“What? Hahaha!”

For the first time in a while, Sabigang burst into laughter, and the two of them laughed together for a long time.

Sabigang looked at Maeseollan thoughtfully. “It’s a shame, but… would you have a child with me?”

“Wow, that’s a terrible way to propose. Really lacking in style.”

“Sorry, I’m more of a man of action than words.”

With that, Sabigang kissed Maeseollan.

She slowly wrapped her arms around him.

Outside the window, a floating lantern cast a warm glow over them.

It was a night filled with tears and laughter, longing and love.

[The Return of the Demon Cult Master - Main Story Complete]