Chapter 632: Return of the Demon Sect

In the quaint pavilion of the Ilseong Palace’s rear garden, two people sat across from each other, sipping tea.

“Is the Palace Lord well?” Dan Lijeong inquired, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

Sabiran nodded with a warm smile. “Father is always in good health.”

“That’s good to hear. I miss those days.”

“Weren’t those the most chaotic times in the martial world?”

“True, you have a point. So much happened in less than a decade—first the Great War of Righteousness and Evil, then the War of Demons. It was indeed a stormy period.”

“I can’t even imagine it. Those demons…”

Sabiran shrugged, and Dan Lijeong smiled softly.

“There’s no need to imagine. It was simply horrific.”

“What I find even harder to believe is that Uncle Helmut was a demon.”

“Haha, speaking of which, how is he doing?”

“Well, when I took over the Baekhwadan, Uncle Helmut went on a journey. He wanted to visit the Western lands where people look like him. I suppose he’s there now.”

“The West, huh… He must be having quite an adventure.”

Sabiran chuckled gently. “Are you serious? He crossed dimensions to get here and has lived for centuries.”

“Your father is the same.”

“But I’ve heard Uncle Helmut has lived even longer.”

“That’s true. It’s hard to believe, even for me. But when the Palace Lord defeated the Demon King Tarant, his blessing vanished, and now he’s just human.”

The two shared a knowing smile and lifted their teacups again.

A fresh spring breeze blew through.

Spring had arrived.

Spring had come to the martial world, a time of languor and ease after a harsh winter.

But the world doesn’t turn so easily.

Just as spring leads to summer, and autumn to winter, good times are inevitably followed by difficult ones.

As they say, welcome guests never come alone.

But one can prepare.

Even if a harsh season is inevitable, with preparation, one can endure winter warmly.

That’s why Sabiran had come here.

Following the orders of the Demon Extermination Palace, she was here to protect this spring of the martial world with Dan Lijeong’s son.

However…

“That rascal is taking too long.”

Dan Lijeong grumbled, his dissatisfaction evident in his expression and tone.

“I still can’t believe it. That the son of the Danli Clan’s leader would be so…”

Sabiran trailed off, and Dan Lijeong shook his head as if to say no more needed to be said.

“Don’t even start. I never imagined my son would turn out to be such a scoundrel. But it seems everyone else saw it coming.”

“Is it because of Master Seol…?”

“Ahem. Well, it’s not for me to say.”

Dan Lijeong cleared his throat, tacitly confirming her suspicion, and Sabiran couldn’t help but laugh.

She considered both Seol Seorin and Dan Lijeong as her masters.

Though her parents, Sabigang and Maeseollan, taught her the most martial arts, she had learned from many others as well.

Especially the Celestial Annihilation Squad and the Newborn Division, who each vied to be her official master, teaching her with fervor.

As a result, she ended up calling them all her masters.

Given the complex situation, she applied some flexibility and didn’t strictly adhere to titles or ranks.

She found the term “master” comfortable, so she used it.

Thus, she called Dan Lijeong “Clan Leader” and Seol Seorin “Master” for convenience.

Just then, Seol Seorin walked into the garden, frowning slightly.

“What are you blaming on me now?”

“Oh, nothing, Master Seol.”

Sabiran replied, stifling a laugh, and Seol Seorin pouted.

“I told you to stop calling me ‘Master.’”

“Then what should I call you…?”

“I’ve told you many times, call me ‘Sister.’”

Sabiran gave an awkward smile, and Dan Lijeong interjected.

“Where have you been?”

“I had some errands to run.”

“Hyuk is late.”

“He must be busy.”

“What could that fool possibly be busy with…?”

“Don’t say that. He’s a wonderful and smart child.”

Seol Seorin raised her voice slightly, and Dan Lijeong sighed, saying no more.

“Anyway, he won’t want to go.”

Sabiran turned to look at Seol Seorin, who had a different opinion.

“He’ll want to go with you.”

“Don’t listen to that. Every mother is blind to her child’s faults.”

“What do you know? I know Hyuk better than you.”

“No, I know him more objectively. He won’t take on a troublesome mission. It’s better this way. He’d just get in the way.”

“Tsk, tsk… A father who doesn’t trust his child. Don’t be mistaken. I know Hyuk better than you. He’ll want to take on this mission. He’ll go with you, so don’t worry, Ranha.”

Seol Seorin’s words made Sabiran smile awkwardly again.

Now she was curious.

What kind of person was Danli Hyuk?

And would he really refuse the mission?

**

“No way! Why should I go?”

Seongcheol, the guardian of the Ilseong Palace, was practically dragging Danli Hyuk along, speaking bluntly.

“It’s the order of the Demon Extermination Palace Lord.”

“The Demon Extermination Palace Lord? Why should I listen to someone I don’t even remember? I don’t even listen to the old man growling at home!”

“Young Master! Please, grow up!”

Unable to hold back, Seongcheol shouted, and Danli Hyuk flinched, pouting.

“Geez! No need to yell.”

Though he was reckless, Danli Hyuk would back down when Seongcheol got serious.

Seongcheol had shown him the most affection and given him the most scoldings since he was young.

Finally, they entered the garden.

His father, mother, and a woman were in conversation.

“Well, if it comes to this, I’ll tell them to their faces. I’m not interested in your mission!”

“Young Master!”

Seongcheol shouted, but Danli Hyuk was already striding forward.

He climbed the steps without hesitation.

Dan Lijeong frowned as he recognized him.

“Where have you been?”

But Danli Hyuk ignored his father and shouted at the woman with her back to him.

“Are you the famous Baekhwadan leader from the Demon Extermination Palace?”

“Yes, I am.”

Sabiran turned slowly.

“Let me be clear, I have no interest in this mission! I have no intention of taking on any mission with you…!”

In that instant, his eyes met Sabiran’s clear gaze.

A jolt ran through Danli Hyuk’s body.

Could such a beautiful person exist in this world?

Until now, he thought the most beautiful woman was Hyangnan from the brothel.

But the woman before him seemed otherworldly.

The perfect woman tilted her head and asked, “Your thoughts…?”

“I have so many! I’ll dedicate myself to any mission!”

Dan Lijeong looked bewildered.

Meanwhile, Seol Seorin gave Dan Lijeong a knowing smile.

Sabiran smiled.

“That’s great. It’s an honor to work with you.”

“What are you saying? The honor is mine, my lady!”

Danli Hyuk eagerly grabbed Sabiran’s hand.

At that moment.

Whoosh!

A gentle breeze seemed to blow.

Swoosh!

Danli Hyuk instinctively stepped back.

A shadow stood beside Sabiran, drawing a sword with a fierce aura, speaking coldly.

“Show respect to the Baekhwadan leader.”

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

The shadow was none other than Deputy Leader Deung Gahui.

Dan Lijeong and Seol Seorin had sensed his presence but chose not to intervene.

In that brief moment, Sabiran’s eyes sparkled with interest as she looked at Danli Hyuk.

“As expected of their son, he has natural talent. At least he’s not just a scoundrel.”

Danli Hyuk had instinctively stepped back with a natural footwork.

Though Dan Lijeong called him a scoundrel, his martial skills were not shallow.

Danli Hyuk frowned slightly and asked, “Who are you…?”

“I’m Deputy Leader Deung Gahui.”

Deung Gahui spoke sharply, and Danli Hyuk scratched his head, lost in thought.

“Deung Gahui… Deung Gahui… Sounds familiar… Hmm…”

Deung Gahui narrowed his eyes.

“Ah! I remember!”

Danli Hyuk clapped his hands and exclaimed.

“You’re the son of the martial hero Deung Buhyeong! I heard we’re the same age!”

At the mention of Deung Buhyeong, Deung Gahui’s face reddened slightly.

Indeed, Deung Buhyeong was known as a martial hero.

He had gone to the lava zone to fight the Demon King, carrying the hopes of everyone.

When Deung Gahui fell silent, Dan Rihyuk nodded vigorously and shouted, “That’s right! Wow, I’ve heard that Instructor Deung is not exactly a looker, but you must take after your mother. Lucky you!”

“Ahem! Rihyuk,” Dan Lijeong called out with a slightly troubled expression, but Rihyuk, oblivious to the tension, continued.

“Isn’t that right, Father? You used to say Instructor Deung wasn’t much to look at. And he was obsessed with that sword, but the lord kept breaking it, which drove him crazy. Oh! So that must be the famous ‘Guihondo’ sword!”

By this point, Deung Gahui was glaring at Rihyuk as if he could chew him up and spit him out.

Dan Lijeong kept clearing his throat and waving his hand. “Ahem, ahem! Rihyuk, let’s save the personal stories for later….”

“Wow, seeing it in person, it’s an impressive sword. I’ve heard so much about Instructor Deung, the hero of the martial world! Of course, thanks to my parents, I know a bit more of the backstory. Haha! Life really is about that one big moment, right? Your father, who was so obsessed with that sword, turned over a new leaf and became a hero. Life’s all about waiting for that one big break.”

Finally, Deung Gahui exploded. “You little—!”

“Hold on, Deung,” Sabiran quickly grabbed his wrist, sensing the impending crisis.

But Deung Gahui, sword drawn, shouted furiously, “Let me go! If I don’t teach that fool a lesson today, I’ll change my name!”

Dan Rihyuk, still clueless, widened his eyes and said, “Gosh! Even if you’re embarrassed by your dad, changing your name is a bit much, isn’t it?”

“You little—!”

“Whoa!”

Deung Gahui lunged forward, and Dan Rihyuk instinctively backed away, the two of them quickly getting tangled in a chaotic scuffle.

Sabiran sighed and apologized, “I’m sorry, you two.”

“No, it’s my fault. I’m ashamed I couldn’t raise my child better. I wish he could have grown up as well as you did.”

Seol Seorin spoke with a bright expression, “Don’t say that. Look how lively they are! Watching them play reminds me of our younger days. You were quite dashing back then.”

“My dear….”

Dan Lijeong looked at her warmly, and Seol Seorin returned his gaze with a tender look.

“You were wonderful today, too.”

“My dear….”

The two of them held hands, their faces flushed as they gazed at each other.

‘What an amusing couple,’ Sabiran thought, smiling faintly as she turned her gaze away, not unfamiliar with their antics.

Meanwhile, Deung Gahui and Dan Rihyuk’s playful sparring was escalating beyond mere play.