Chapter 638: Return of the Demon Sect Leader
“This is a lovely place.”
Sabiran gazed down at the village with a fresh, bright smile.
The lively sounds from below still echoed up to them.
“Oh, Master.”
Ong Suryong stood up and greeted her respectfully.
“Master? Just call me sister.”
“Yes, sister.”
Ong Suryong was unreserved. Not being a martial artist and having lived in a remote area with her parents, she had rarely encountered people from the martial world. As a result, she wasn’t bound by its formalities.
Sabiran found this refreshing and comforting.
“It’s my first time seeing it.”
”…?”
“Spirit magic, I mean.”
“Oh….”
“It’s truly impressive. I think it’s an amazing ability. To control water so freely. Of course, we can manipulate energy to some extent, but at most, we can only twist a stream of water.”
“Thank you, sister.”
“No need to thank me. I’m the one who’s grateful. You’re joining me on this mission.”
“No, I really want to go.”
“By the way, I think your name is beautiful. It suits you well.”
“Do you think so?”
“Of course. It means ‘to control water,’ doesn’t it? Look at me. My name was just cobbled together from a character each from my mom and dad’s names. They didn’t put much thought into it.”
“No, sister, your name is beautiful too.”
“It’s the thought that counts. At least I’m not named ‘Magang.’ If they had combined the characters differently, I could have ended up with that.”
Ong Suryong, who had been staring blankly, burst into laughter.
The two of them laughed heartily together.
“This is your first time in the martial world, right?”
“Yes. I’m curious about what it’s like. I’m also a bit worried….”
In response to Sabiran’s question, Ong Suryong answered.
Sabiran looked at her and said, “It’ll probably be much more dangerous and challenging than you think. But I promise, it’ll also be much more… magnificent than you imagine.”
“Oh…!”
“So let’s soar brilliantly together.”
Watching Sabiran’s radiant smile, Ong Suryong felt her heart swell with excitement. She responded with determination.
“Yes!”
**
After the festivities ended and everyone was asleep in the deep of night, Neung Soso stood alone by the riverbank, where the dark waters flowed.
Suddenly, she spoke in a voice as cold as ice.
“Come out.”
Who was she speaking to?
There was no movement, only the steady flow of the river.
As the silence stretched on, she spoke again.
“Come out. I may not control you, but I can communicate.”
Neung Soso’s voice was cold, so unlike her usual demeanor.
Moments later, a massive column of water surged up from the middle of the river, swirling like a waterspout.
An ordinary person would have been terrified by such a phenomenon, but Neung Soso remained calm, as if she had been expecting it.
And she saw something that others could not.
A woman of blue light appeared before her—the supreme water spirit, Elestera.
Elestera glared at Neung Soso with a displeased expression.
[Did you summon me?]
“Yes.”
Neung Soso didn’t engage in spiritual communication. Instead, she answered firmly aloud.
[What do you want?]
Elestera frowned, annoyed. How dare a mere human summon her at will?
“I heard you made a contract with my daughter.”
[And?]
“Protect her, no matter what.”
[How amusing. You, who are not even the contractor, have no right to make such a request….]
“It’s not a request. It’s a demand. Consider it a command or a threat if you like.”
[What?]
Elestera scoffed, finding it ridiculous. Then, with a voice tinged with anger, she said, [Human, know your place. Just because you can communicate with me doesn’t mean you can speak so freely without consequence.]
“I won’t say it again. Wherever my daughter is, you must protect her.”
Her voice was so firm it bordered on audacious.
Elestera, still glaring, asked, [And if I refuse?]
“I’ll destroy you.”
Her expression and tone were fierce, a side of Neung Soso that seemed unimaginable.
Could this really be the same person?
Neung Soso continued in a cold voice, “I can always know where she is.”
[Even if that’s true, how do you plan to destroy me?]
“While I may not be able to, another spirit could.”
[What?]
At that moment, Neung Soso waved her hand through the air.
Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind blew between Neung Soso and Elestera, and a majestic presence appeared.
It was the Wind Spirit King, Sylphid, towering over Elestera.
Though of a different element, Sylphid was not someone Elestera could easily dismiss.
Upon seeing him, Elestera quickly knelt on one knee, showing respect.
[King of the Winds.]
Sylphid didn’t respond, merely gazing at Elestera with a haughty demeanor.
If it had been the Water Spirit King, the situation might have been different.
But there was a clear hierarchy here.
Neung Soso spoke again.
“This is the last time I’ll say it. Protect my daughter.”
[…….]
Elestera glared at Neung Soso with a hardened expression.
She was already bound by a mutual contract to protect Ong Suryong, but it stung her pride to be ordered by a mere human.
Yet now was not the time for pride.
The Wind Spirit King was watching her intently.
Sylphid was notoriously difficult among spirits.
There was no need to provoke him unnecessarily.
Finally, she answered compliantly.
[I will do my best. After all, she is my contractor.]
“If anything happens to her… I won’t forgive you.”
Elestera glared, her temper flaring, but then she felt Sylphid’s intimidating gaze and sighed lightly.
[Understood.]
“Good, then I’ll trust you.”
As Neung Soso finished speaking, Elestera vanished in a spray of water.
She was likely somewhere deep underwater, fuming in solitude.
With the situation resolved, Sylphid turned to Neung Soso.
[You make difficult demands.]
“Why? Are you scared? Afraid Elquines might intervene?”
Elquines was the Water Spirit King.
Sylphid, whose pride was second to none, furrowed his brow.
[What nonsense.]
“Then there’s no problem. While it may be a difficult demand for you, it’s the most serious matter in the world for me. I’ll do anything for my daughter. Anything.”
Neung Soso’s eyes burned with intensity as she spoke.
Even Sylphid seemed taken aback.
[I’ve never seen this side of you before.]
Neung Soso smirked.
“That’s what it means to be a ‘mother.’”
Of course, Sylphid couldn’t possibly understand what that meant.
**
“Where to next?”
At Gu Gangryong’s question, Sabiran smiled.
“I’m planning to visit Master Mok.”
Gu Gangryong looked a bit taken aback and glanced at Ong Kisung and Neung Soso, who shared his expression.
“Are you sure about that?”
“I have to visit eventually, don’t I?”
“True, but… wouldn’t it be easier to issue a summons? By the order of the Lord, of course.”
“I wanted to, but my parents insisted I visit each one personally.”
“I see….”
Gu Gangryong trailed off, but he had an inkling of the reason.
Sabigang likely intended it this way.
He probably thought that having his daughter visit each person would be a much more valuable learning experience than simply issuing a summons.
Seeing the diverse ways people live would teach her something.
In the martial world, true skill isn’t just about martial arts.
It’s about experiences money can’t buy.
You have to see and feel a lot.
Martial arts often develop in unexpected places, like achieving enlightenment after years of washing dishes.
Perhaps this was more the will of Maesellan than Sabigang.
‘Yes, diverse experiences are crucial.’
Even so….
“That place… is still concerning.”
Sabiran nodded in understanding.
“Yes, so I’ll be extra careful. With every word and action.”
“Yes, I hope nothing happens. And….”
Gu Gangryong’s gaze shifted to Ong Suryong.
The child still seemed so fragile.
Ong Suryong had just said her goodbyes to her parents.
“Ahem, ahem! Ryoung-ah.”
“Yes, uncle.”
Ong Suryong approached Gu Gangryong.
His eyes were already red with emotion.
What should he say?
He had spent the entire night pondering his final farewell.
She was a niece he loved as dearly as life itself.
More precious than gold and jewels.
The thought of her venturing into the perilous martial world filled him with worry.
He had thought of dozens of things she must remember in the martial world.
But looking at Ong Suryong’s bright, innocent face, he found himself at a loss.
‘Damn it… my mind’s gone blank.’
He couldn’t remember a thing.
In the end, all he managed to say was….
“Make sure you eat your meals.”
“Yes, don’t worry.”
“Never push yourself too hard. If you ever want to come back home, just let me know. I’ll come get you myself.”
Gu Gangryong spoke as if he were gently advising a child.
Ong Suryong nodded with a bright smile. “I understand.”
Meanwhile, Ong Giseung was having a word with Sabiran.
“Even though my brother already warned you, be careful over there. I hear things aren’t going well these days. You might have a tough time.”
“I’m prepared for it.”
“Good. Even if you see things you don’t like, try to be understanding. Life can be unpredictable, can’t it? I never imagined they’d end up like that. But everyone has their reasons, so I won’t judge.”
“Yes, I understand. Don’t worry too much.”
“Alright, just be careful.”
Ong Giseung and Gu Gangryong walked with her to the edge of the village, seeing her off.
Leaving the three behind, Sabiran set off briskly toward her next destination.
Just then, Dan Rihyuk appeared beside her.
“I’ve got a question.”
“What is it?”
“We’re headed to the Changcheonyeon family, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Then why all the fuss? What’s so special about going there?”
“Hmm…”
Sabiran paused, lost in thought, before beginning to explain the long and complicated story behind it all.