Episode 636: Return of the Demon Sect
A thunderous roar echoed as a massive water dragon twisted and turned in the sky, spraying water everywhere. It was as if a dragon, long asleep at the riverbed, had finally awakened to ascend to the heavens.
One of the startled villagers stammered, “Wh-what is that? A dragon?”
“It’s a dragon! A water dragon! The dragon god is angry!”
“Ahhh!”
While the villagers were in a state of panic, a woman named Ong Su-ryeong raised her hands and shouted, “Don’t be afraid! It’s not a dragon. It’s just water.”
As she spread her arms wide, the water dragon began to move in sync with her gestures. The villagers, forgetting their fear, could only watch in awe at the mystical sight.
“My goodness… how is this possible?”
“Look closely, it’s just water…”
“Could it be that Su-ryeong can control water?”
“That’s impossible!”
“But look! The water moves with her hands!”
The crowd buzzed with disbelief, but Ong Su-ryeong remained focused. She couldn’t afford to lose concentration, not when a child’s life was at stake. Though she told the villagers it was just water, she could see something else entirely.
A woman with a graceful upper body and a lower body covered in shimmering scales stood proudly, holding a trident. She was Eleestra, the highest-ranking water spirit. Ong Su-ryeong had miraculously formed a contract with her just moments ago. She had summoned high-ranking spirits before, but never Eleestra. Her desperate determination to save the child had unlocked a new level of focus and power.
[Eleestra, please save the child who fell into the water. I beg you!]
Her plea reached the spirit.
With a mighty splash, the water that had soared into the sky crashed back into the riverbed.
“Ahhh!”
The villagers jumped back in shock as a whirlpool formed in the river, swallowing everything in its path—leaves, branches, nothing could escape its pull.
Moments later, the water surged upward again.
“Ah!”
“What is that?”
The villagers gasped and retreated as the water shot up once more.
Then, someone shouted, “Look! Is that…?”
“My son! It’s my son!”
A villager cried out and rushed forward.
The water formed a giant hand, gently placing the child on the riverbank before disappearing as if it had never been there.
“My son! My son!”
The child’s parents ran to him, tears streaming down their faces.
Ong Su-ryeong finally exhaled in relief and tried to move, but the world spun around her.
“Su-ryeong!”
Someone caught her as she collapsed. It was Gu Gang-ryong.
“Uncle…?”
“What were you thinking, you fool?”
“I’m sorry… but I couldn’t just stand by…”
“Enough. Save your strength.”
Gu Gang-ryong quickly checked her pulse.
‘Damn it!’
Her energy channels were in chaos. He helped her sit and began channeling his energy to stabilize her.
Meanwhile, the child’s parents rushed over to Gu Gang-ryong.
“Master Gu! Our son isn’t breathing! Please help…!”
“Don’t touch him!”
A sharp voice stopped them in their tracks. A woman with an air of authority approached. It was Sa Bi-ran.
The parents, taken aback, asked, “Then what should we do…?”
“Step back, all of you.”
At her command, the villagers moved away from the child. Sa Bi-ran knelt beside him and checked his pulse.
‘He’s still alive.’
She placed her hand on his chest and began channeling energy, using a technique to stimulate his heart.
Time seemed to stretch unbearably.
The parents, anxious and helpless, could only watch.
Finally, the child coughed and gasped for air.
The villagers erupted in cheers and applause.
“My son! You’re alive! Thank the heavens!”
“You scared us so much, you little rascal!”
The parents hugged their child tightly, tears of relief flowing freely.
Nearby, Dan Ri-hyuk approached Sa Bi-ran, grumbling.
“Some people just don’t know how to be grateful. Who saved their precious child, anyway?”
“That’s just how parents are. Right now, their son is all that matters. We can accept their thanks later. We didn’t do it for gratitude, after all.”
“Ah, as expected, Miss Sa, your heart is as beautiful as your face. So, are we on a first-name basis now?”
“You started it, so I followed. Don’t get the wrong idea.”
With that, she walked away, leaving Dan Ri-hyuk to admire her retreating figure.
“Wow, she’s amazing.”
**
The atmosphere in the room was somber.
“So that’s what happened.”
Ong Gi-seung sighed heavily. He and his wife had been in the mountains gathering herbs for their daughter when it all happened. In their absence, Ong Su-ryeong had nearly faced disaster. Fortunately, Gu Gang-ryong had been there to provide emergency treatment, preventing a severe disruption of her energy channels.
“I’m sorry, Father, Mother.”
Ong Su-ryeong hung her head, her voice filled with remorse.
Ong Gi-seung looked at her with a steady gaze.
“And the child? Was he saved?”
His question brought a smile to her face. She was grateful he cared about the child’s safety, fearing he might scold her for risking herself.
“Yes! He’s safe now.”
“That’s good. And you?”
“Uncle treated me, so I’m fine.”
“But you’re not fully recovered. You must be careful from now on.”
“Yes, Father.”
She nodded earnestly.
Ong Gi-seung turned to his wife.
“Do you have anything to say?”
The woman beside him, Ong Su-ryeong’s mother, was Neung So-so. Her heart was heavy. She felt responsible for her daughter’s condition, a mix of her husband’s innate energy disorder and her own affinity with spirits. This combination caused the conflicting energies within Su-ryeong to disrupt her energy channels.
The only solution was to infuse her with a large amount of internal energy or have her continuously absorb mana from a magic stone. That’s why Gu Gang-ryong had spent a fortune on a magic stone.
After a long silence, Neung So-so smiled gently.
“Summoning Eleestra is quite an achievement. Congratulations.”
Her unexpected praise surprised Ong Su-ryeong, who had braced herself for a scolding. The last time she summoned Endairon, her mother had been furious. But perhaps saving the child had softened her.
“Thank you, Mother.”
“But remember, you must protect yourself. No one else can do it for you. Today, neither your father nor I could help you. Not even your uncle.”
“I understand.”
“Helping others is noble, but you must first know how to protect yourself. Those who don’t value their own lives can’t save others.”
Her words were calm but carried weight. Ong Su-ryeong nodded solemnly, taking them to heart.
Gu Gang-ryong seemed dissatisfied with the mild reprimand and was about to speak when Ong Gi-seung turned to Sa Bi-ran with a smile.
“It’s been a while, Bi-ran.”
“Yes, it’s been a while, Master.”
“I’ve heard the story. Let’s get to the point. You need Su-ryeong for a mission?”
“No, I won’t force her.”
Her firm response surprised Ong Gi-seung. He glanced at Neung So-so and Gu Gang-ryong, who explained the situation.
After listening, Ong Gi-seung nodded and looked at his daughter.
“That’s a good idea. What do you think?”
“If you agree, I have no objections.”
Neung So-so replied calmly.
Ong Gi-seung nodded and turned to Ong Su-ryeong.
“Su-ryeong, what do you think? Will you go with them?”
All eyes turned to Ong Su-ryeong.
Caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, Su-ryeong could only stand there, bewildered.
“Are you sure… I’m the one who should decide this?”
“Yes, you’re old enough now,” Ong Gi-seung replied, prompting Su-ryeong to take a deep breath, clearly feeling awkward in the moment.
Meanwhile, as the atmosphere shifted unexpectedly, Gu Gang-ryong grew anxious.
“Ahem! Ahem! Ryeong, the world out there is harsh. Flesh gets torn, blood splatters everywhere, necks get twisted, bones break and jut out…!”
“I want to go. I really do!”
“Your insides could… What?”
“Please, let me go.”
“Ryeong!”
This time, Gu Gang-ryong shot up from his seat.
Everyone turned to look at him.
Ignoring their stares, he shouted, “You need to think this through! The world is not kind. It’s full of deceitful people and treacherous groups…”
“I know, Uncle.”
“Ryeong… are you really…?”
Gu Gang-ryong was on the verge of tears.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.
A bird in a cage should hesitate even when given freedom.
Why are you so eager to leave?
‘Could it be…’
His gaze shifted to Sa Bi-ran.
‘…because you have friends to fly with?’
He never imagined it would be this easy for her to decide to leave.
Yet, Gu Gang-ryong wasn’t ready to give up.
“Ryeong, your health isn’t the best.”
“I know. I’ll be as careful as I can.”
“Being careful isn’t always enough…”
“Don’t worry too much, Uncle. I need to stand on my own someday, don’t I? This is a great opportunity for me to train. I’m actually glad to have this chance.”
Gu Gang-ryong was left speechless, his mouth agape, while Ong Gi-seung nodded in understanding.
“I understand your decision. Go safely.”
“Thank you, Father!”
“Seung! Are you really going to let her go like this…?”
“Brother. When I chose this path, it was my decision. Now, Su-ryeong is old enough to take responsibility for her own life.”
“But she’s still so young and fragile… how can you…?”
In the end, Gu Gang-ryong couldn’t hold back his tears.
Meanwhile, Sa Bi-ran spoke with a bright expression.
“Then it’s settled. Baekhwadan will accompany Ong Su-ryeong on this mission.”
Neung So-so nodded with a gentle smile.
“Yes, but it’s late today, so why don’t you stay the night? The villagers want to express their gratitude.”
“Thank you, Mother!”
“Thank you, ma’am!”
Sa Bi-ran and Ong Su-ryeong replied in unison.