Episode 654: Return to the Demonic Sect

Chirp, chirp.

The sound of crickets filled the night air, tickling Dan Ri-hyuk’s ears as he sat on a rock, gazing absentmindedly at the starry sky.

In the distance, he could see the inn where the Baekhwadan group was staying. By tomorrow, they would reach Cheonsin Martial Hall.

“Once I get there… I’ll probably run into my father’s old comrades.”

No doubt they’d approach him, acting all familiar. They might even ask him to demonstrate his archery skills, expecting something extraordinary from the son of Dan Ri-jeong, the greatest archer in the martial world.

“Sigh…”

A deep sigh escaped from the depths of his chest. As he tilted his head back, the crescent moon seemed to gaze down at him, its gentle curve resembling a bow.

“Tch, how annoyingly similar,” he muttered, clicking his tongue as he lay back, hands clasped behind his head.

Just then, a shooting star streaked across the sky, reminiscent of an arrow loosed from a bowstring. It was as if the heavens were speaking to him.

“Look. You are destined to wield the bow. Do not resist.”

But Dan Ri-hyuk squeezed his eyes shut and turned his head away defiantly.

“No matter what, I won’t pick up the bow again!”

After lying there for a while, he slowly opened his eyes and stared at his right hand. The calluses on his index and middle fingers were still there, hard and unyielding, a testament to years of archery practice.

“It’s been a while… since I felt that.”

A few days ago, he had shot a bow for the first time in years. It was a strange feeling. Despite his long-standing aversion, the act itself wasn’t unpleasant.

“Put your soul into the arrow.”

His father had always said, tirelessly repeating that when the arrow flies, it should be as if he himself were soaring through the air, requiring precision and care.

Perhaps that’s why, in that fleeting moment when the arrow cut through the forest, he felt as if he were flying with it. And when Yeon Woo-gyeong and Seok Tan-gang caught the arrow, a shiver ran through his body. It was a peculiar sensation—part awe at their skill, part frustration at how easily they had caught it.

He chuckled softly, looking at his hand.

Well, what does it matter? He wasn’t planning on picking up the bow again anyway.

Gazing at the crescent moon, Dan Ri-hyuk spoke aloud, “No matter what, I won’t use it.”

“What won’t you use?”

Startled by the sudden voice, Dan Ri-hyuk turned quickly to see Sa Bi-ran emerging from behind a rock, and he let out a sigh of relief.

“What the—? You scared me.”

“Why? Afraid of ghosts?”

“Ghosts? No way…”

He brushed off her teasing with a shake of his head, though inwardly he wondered, ‘How does she move so silently?’

As an archer, one’s senses are usually sharp, honed to detect distant threats. Even though he hadn’t practiced in years, his senses were still sharper than most martial artists. Yet, he hadn’t noticed Sa Bi-ran’s approach at all.

Perhaps sensing his thoughts, Sa Bi-ran chided him, “That’s what happens when you neglect your archery. Especially with such a remarkable father.”

“It’s not polite to speak about others’ circumstances so freely.”

“I don’t think I was being impolite.”

“Ahem, well, thanks to me, those two reconciled, didn’t they?”

“Your contribution was rather minimal, though.”

“Wow, our Baekhwadan leader is quite different in private, huh?”

“Isn’t everyone?”

“Anyway, my archery did help, didn’t it?”

“Fine, I’ll give you that. Here, take this.”

She handed him something—a bow, larger than usual. As Dan Ri-hyuk looked at it questioningly, Sa Bi-ran explained nonchalantly, “I told you, I need a skilled archer. Like your father, who was a hero in the Demon War.”

“So you want me to use this?”

“Yes. It’s not as great as the Explosive Bow, but it’s decent for something I got on short notice.”

“Wow, the daughter of the Demon Slayer, indeed.”

“What do you mean by that?”

As Sa Bi-ran narrowed her eyes, Dan Ri-hyuk shrugged. “This bow… it’s the Blood Sky Thunder Bow, isn’t it?”

Anyone who heard that name would be left speechless. But Sa Bi-ran seemed unfazed, merely looking at him as if to say, “And?”

Dan Ri-hyuk shook his head. “Before the Demon War, the Blood Sky Thunder Bow was one of the Five Great Treasures of the martial world.”

“That’s right.”

“And yet you talk about it like you just picked it up on the way. I guess the rich really are different.”

“Is that a problem?”

Her words made Dan Ri-hyuk frown slightly. He tried to sound serious. “Still, one should be humble…”

“Have I ever acted arrogantly?”

“Well, no, but…”

“Of course, if I used my parents’ influence to look down on others, that would be wrong. But being grateful and making the most of it is different, isn’t it?”

“Well… that’s true, but…”

“Don’t get caught up in trivial things. Just because your father was the Great Demon Slayer doesn’t mean you have to live a stifled life. Complaining about expectations and acting out is just arrogance.”

“That’s not the only reason.”

Dan Ri-hyuk’s expression had grown serious. Sa Bi-ran looked at him intently before continuing, “Whatever the reason, you’re old enough to take responsibility for your life now. It’s time to stop blaming your circumstances. Here, take it. If you’re going to stay with Baekhwadan, you’ll need to use a bow.”

When he hesitated, Sa Bi-ran furrowed her brow slightly. “What are you waiting for? I’m busy, you know.”

Finally, Dan Ri-hyuk took the bow without a word. As Sa Bi-ran turned to leave, she said, “We’ll reach Cheonsin Martial Hall tomorrow. There, you’ll meet many who carry the weight of expectations yet live their own lives. It might be worth seeing how they do it.”

”…”

“If you’re feeling overwhelmed, maybe a cold bath in the valley will clear your head?”

With that, she walked away, leaving Dan Ri-hyuk standing alone in the chilly night breeze.

“Tch, what does she know…”

He muttered to himself, wandering aimlessly into the forest. He walked and walked, letting his feet guide him.

For a moment, he considered just walking all the way home. Everything suddenly felt pointless and tiresome.

The crisis in the martial world? Why should he care? Most people in the central plains wouldn’t even notice if a bloody storm swept through the martial world. Some didn’t even know the Demon War had happened.

Why not just live a normal life? When a crisis arises, someone will always step up to sacrifice or save the day.

“Why should I be the one to sacrifice? Why should I be the one to save anyone? What if something goes wrong? Wouldn’t it all be my responsibility?”

The more he thought about it, the more futile it seemed. Lost in thought, Dan Ri-hyuk wandered until he sensed something and stopped.

Beyond the bushes, he heard the sound of a stream and sensed a faint presence.

“Is someone really taking a bath?”

The thought of Sa Bi-ran crossed his mind, and he smirked mischievously as he moved closer.

Pushing through the underbrush, he saw a woman sitting by the stream. But it wasn’t Sa Bi-ran.

“Ong Su-ryeong…?”

Recognizing her, Dan Ri-hyuk chuckled softly. “Seems I’m not the only one who can’t sleep.”

As he moved to approach her, he suddenly froze and ducked back into the bushes. He had sensed something strange from the opposite thicket.

Ong Su-ryeong seemed unaware of the presence, still gazing at the flowing water, occasionally murmuring to herself.

To an outsider, she might have seemed mad, but Dan Ri-hyuk knew she was communing with the water spirits and could guess what was happening.

But…

“What are those?”

At first, he thought they were Baekhwadan members. But there was a faint hostility in the air.

Instinctively, Dan Ri-hyuk gripped the Blood Sky Thunder Bow with his left hand. As he reached over his shoulder for an arrow, he realized with a start that his quiver was missing.

“Tch…”

He clicked his tongue softly, keeping a close watch on the situation. The presence was drawing nearer.

Just as he was about to step out of the bushes, a voice whispered in his ear.

[Don’t move yet.]

It was Sa Bi-ran’s voice, carried on the wind. He flinched, looking around, but she was nowhere to be seen.

“Her stealth is ghostly,” he thought, impressed yet unsurprised. She had trained under many masters, including the legendary “Black Ghost,” known for his stealth. Even if he could no longer use martial arts, teaching was another matter entirely.

“Could it be…?”

As if reading his mind, Sabiran’s voice echoed in his thoughts.

[If you yank the line too soon when the float wobbles, the fish will get scared and swim away. We need to wait for the right moment.]

[So when you said you were busy earlier…]

[Yes, exactly. I sensed we were being tailed ever since we left Songbaekhyun. And I have a pretty good idea of what they’re after.]

[Then it’s about…]

[Yes, the magic stone that Ong Suryung possesses.]

[Wait a minute. So when you suggested I take a cold bath, was it all part of this plan…?]

[Shh. They’re coming!]

At Sabiran’s telepathic warning, Danrihyuk clamped his mouth shut and concealed his presence as best as he could.

Just as she had predicted, there was movement on the other side of the thicket.

Finally.

Thud, thud, thud!

A dozen masked figures burst out from the bushes all at once.

Sabiran shouted telepathically.

[Now!]

Though her message was abrupt, Danrihyuk instantly understood her intent.

Sabiran knew he had no arrows. And she also knew what to do when arrows were unavailable.

After all, she had learned archery from her father too.

Whoosh!

Danrihyuk instinctively leaped out from the bushes.

“Get down!”

At his shout, Ong Suryung threw herself to the ground, pressing herself flat.

The masked assailants, who had been about to pounce on Ong Suryung, were visibly startled by the sudden interference.

Seizing that fleeting moment, Danrihyuk drew the bowstring taut.

Whoosh…!

Though there was no arrow nocked, a swirling red energy gathered at the bow.

In the next instant.

Bang!

A piercing shriek tore through the air, as if to rend the eardrums, and gusts of wind shot forth in streams.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The surrounding trees and leaves swayed violently, as if they might be uprooted and swept away.

Gritting his teeth, Danrihyuk unleashed the Ghostly Wail Bloodlight Arrow, one of his family’s secret martial arts techniques.

“Aaargh!”

The masked figures’ screams echoed into the sky.

Simultaneously, Sabiran’s figure darted toward them like a streak of light.