Chapter 631: The Return of the Demonic Instructor
Even if he was a bit slow on the uptake, Dan Lijeong couldn’t possibly miss the dark intentions behind the offer.
Yet, he had no defense. His own mistakes were clear as day.
And it wasn’t as if he could magically conjure up ten thousand nyang from thin air.
Borrowing money was also against his nature.
“So, what do you say? Care to teach me and my disciples a thing or two?”
Dan Lijeong let out a shallow sigh.
Yes, perhaps it was best to swallow his pride for a moment and make things easier.
Just as he was about to speak—
“That’s a splendid idea. And why not add a little twist to it?”
Seol Seorin interjected, as if she’d been waiting for this moment.
Dan Lijeong glanced at her with a worried expression.
As if on cue, No Cheol appeared, just when tensions were about to boil over.
Given how furious she was, there was no telling what Seol Seorin might do.
Sure enough, she let out a disdainful snort and approached No Cheol.
No Cheol tilted his head, puzzled.
“A twist, you say? What do you mean?”
“Archers face all sorts of unexpected situations, don’t they?”
“Such as…?”
“Running out of arrows, for instance.”
“True, that can happen.”
“Exactly. So let’s have him spar as if he’s out of arrows. Teach him to adapt in a crisis.”
No Cheol looked at Seol Seorin and Dan Lijeong with a slightly dazed expression.
He had expected her to side with Dan Lijeong, yet here she was, suggesting an archer spar without arrows.
‘Come to think of it… haven’t these two been fighting a lot lately?’
No Cheol smirked inwardly.
This might make things easier.
But he couldn’t just accept the proposal outright.
“Ha ha, asking an archer to spar without arrows is a bit much, don’t you think?”
“Oh, but isn’t he known as the ‘Divine Archer’? I’m sure he can manage without arrows.”
“My dear…”
Unable to hold back, Dan Lijeong called out to her, furrowing his brow.
Clearly, she was picking apart his earlier words.
But Seol Seorin continued, unfazed.
“It’s also a chance to show your disciples that being a true warrior isn’t just about archery.”
“Well, even so…”
No Cheol feigned a troubled expression, though he found the situation amusing.
He had never heard of Dan Lijeong’s swordsmanship skills.
If they fought with swords, victory would surely be his.
And with this couple constantly at odds, there was no fear of retaliation.
Having made up his mind, No Cheol looked at Dan Lijeong with a sly gaze.
“Indeed, as Lady Seol says, an archer can’t always rely on having arrows. What do you say? Up for the challenge?”
His words were polite, but his eyes were insistent.
Dan Lijeong frowned, glanced at Seol Seorin, and sighed.
“Fine.”
‘Got him!’
No Cheol cheered inwardly.
No need to worry about rigging the match now.
If it came to swords, victory was assured.
Thus, the unexpected duel began.
The two moved to the outdoor training ground, facing each other and raising their energy.
This training ground had been built by the Demonic Sect, as the original space was too cramped.
Seol Seorin cheered brightly from the sidelines.
“Go, Master No!”
“Ha ha, with Lady Seol’s support, I feel invigorated!”
Meanwhile, Dan Lijeong’s expression grew stiffer.
Even if they had fought, seeing his wife cheer for another man was hard to swallow.
No Cheol took his stance, then tilted his head.
“Aren’t you going to grab a sword?”
Dan Lijeong stood there with just his bow, his expression icy.
Perhaps it was because of Seol Seorin’s earlier support for No Cheol.
Dan Lijeong spoke curtly.
“It doesn’t matter. Begin. I’ll show you how an archer fights without arrows.”
His tone had changed, a hint of anger in his voice.
‘Hmph, it’s all bravado! Who knows, maybe one day your wife will be mine!’
No Cheol sneered inwardly and suddenly lunged forward like a leopard.
“Standing there won’t do you any good…!”
Whizz!
It happened in an instant.
As No Cheol charged, Dan Lijeong drew his bow and released the string.
‘Without an arrow…?’
Just as the thought crossed his mind—
Whoosh!
A tremendous force enveloped No Cheol.
“Ugh!”
He crossed his arms, screaming as if his body were being torn apart.
Rip!
Caught in a fierce storm, the sound of his clothes tearing filled the air.
Whoosh!
As the gust subsided, silence fell over the training ground.
No Cheol, frozen like a statue, slowly raised his head.
His disciples, watching the duel, were wide-eyed and speechless.
Seol Seorin, arms crossed, muttered in disappointment.
“Pathetic.”
Only then did No Cheol look down at himself.
His robe was completely shredded, leaving him practically naked.
“Gah!”
He quickly covered himself, mortified.
Even his disciples struggled to suppress their laughter.
Dan Lijeong spoke in a calm voice.
“Care to continue?”
“This… this is…!”
“This is what you wanted, wasn’t it?”
Overwhelmed by shame and humiliation, No Cheol shouted.
“Master Dan! We need to reconsider the compensation…!”
At that moment—
Swoosh! Swoosh swoosh swoosh!
Dark figures descended around the training ground like a sudden downpour.
Dan Lijeong and Seol Seorin, seemingly expecting them, remained unfazed.
But No Cheol and his disciples looked around in confusion at the newcomers.
A woman, appearing to be their leader, stepped forward, kneeling on one knee.
“Leader of the Hundred Blossoms, Sabi Ran! Greetings to the former Heavenly Destruction Leader!”
“Greetings to the former Heavenly Destruction Leader!”
The training ground echoed with their powerful voices.
Dan Lijeong smiled gently.
“It’s been a long time, Ran.”
“Have you been well?”
Sabi Ran looked up, smiling.
Hearing the name “Hundred Blossoms,” No Cheol’s mind went blank.
The organization that succeeded the Heavenly Destruction.
If they targeted his sect, survival would be impossible.
No Cheol stood there, silent and exposed.
“But what was that about compensation? That exhibitionist was babbling about it earlier…”
“Oh, that. I made a bit of a mistake at the brothel.”
“The brothel? You don’t seem like the type to visit such places, Master Dan. What happened…?”
“Well, you see…”
“Ha ha ha! Master Dan! I was just joking! Don’t worry about it! Our sect merely helps maintain order at the brothel! Don’t read too much into my jest! Today’s duel was truly enjoyable! Farewell!”
With his face flushed, No Cheol turned and hurried away.
His bewildered disciples quickly wrapped a robe around him.
“Wait.”
No Cheol froze at Sabi Ran’s voice.
“W-what is it…?”
“You’re the leader of the Ja Yang Sect, correct? I’ve heard of your reputation. I wish your sect prosperity. We’re keeping an eye on you.”
“Th-thank you. I apologize for not being able to greet you properly today.”
With that, No Cheol made his escape.
He understood Sabi Ran’s words perfectly.
When the Hundred Blossoms say they’re watching, it’s not encouragement—it’s a warning.
If they didn’t clean up their act, an investigation would follow.
This should be enough to make the Ja Yang Sect straighten up.
Especially with the Demonic Sect nearby.
Dan Lijeong smiled warmly at Sabi Ran.
“Thanks to you, I’m out of trouble.”
“Don’t mention it. You could have handled it without me. By the way, that was impressive. You truly live up to the name ‘Divine Archer’!”
“Ha ha, you’re too kind.”
Sabi Ran had been watching the duel with great interest from the start.
“So, what brings you here?”
“Ah, I have a matter to discuss…”
Sabi Ran handed him a letter.
Dan Lijeong read it carefully, then sighed.
“I see. But I doubt that one will be of any help. More likely a burden. In fact, he probably won’t even want to come.”
“Why not?”
“He’s grown into quite the troublemaker.”
**
“Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!”
No Cheol cursed under his breath as he walked along the path.
He had planned to seize this opportunity to assert his dominance and solidify his power in the region.
But in an instant, everything went awry.
“Damn it! It’s all ruined!”
It was then that the disciples walking ahead suddenly halted.
“What’s going on?”
No-cheol, speaking irritably, looked up to see a woman blocking their path. He flinched but then managed a faint smile.
“Lady Seol.”
It was Seol Seorin.
She glanced over the disciples of Jayangmun and said, “You all can go.”
When the disciples looked back at No-cheol, he nodded, giving them permission to leave. Once they were gone, Seol Seorin walked gracefully toward No-cheol.
In that moment, a new wave of vengeful thoughts surged through No-cheol’s mind.
“Yes, perhaps I should take this chance to make his wife mine. Heh.”
“Are you alright? You’re not hurt, are you?”
“Ahem, I’m fine. I always hold back during sparring, but Danri’s master was so serious that it caught me off guard.”
“That’s a load of crap.”
“Right, a load of… huh? What did you say?”
Startled, No-cheol looked up at Seol Seorin, who approached with a face as cold as ice.
Swish!
“Ugh!”
In an instant, the tail of her whip coiled tightly around No-cheol’s body. The end of the whip moved like a snake’s head, ready to strike at his vital points.
“What… what is this?”
“You say you held back? That he was serious? Ha. If he had been truly serious, you wouldn’t be standing here now. Understand?”
”…!”
No-cheol froze, unable to utter a word.
“So this is what they mean by someone from the dark sect—no manners, no boundaries…!”
Seol Seorin leaned in close and said, “Listen carefully. Anyone who disrespects him in front of me will find themselves ground to dust. You’re only walking away today because he’s too kind-hearted.”
“What… what is this? I heard she couldn’t stand her own husband, but…!”
“You saw it too, didn’t you? How impressive he looks with his fingers on the bowstring. I’m letting you live today because you reminded me of that sight.”
As she finished speaking, Seol Seorin’s face flushed slightly, perhaps recalling Danri’s earlier stance.
Watching her lost in thought, No-cheol thought to himself, “She’s… she’s insane!”
Just then, Seol Seorin turned back to him with a chilling expression.
“If you understand, get lost.”
With a sharp crack, the whip unwound, shredding the robe that had been covering him.
Leaving him exposed, Seol Seorin walked away leisurely.
“Hurry up and find some clothes. It’s not like you have anything to brag about, is it? Haha!”
“Ah! That crazy woman!”