Episode 656: Return of the Demon Cult
The arrowhead trembled violently, as if caught in a shiver.
The one holding the taut bowstring was a young Dan Ri-hyuk.
He stood as still as a statue.
From a distance, he seemed frozen, unmoving.
But up close, it was clear he was trembling intensely.
His heart was unsteady.
“Hyuk, Hyuk-ah…!”
A young girl called out to him with a desperate expression, her hand reaching out.
Gulp…!
Dan Ri-hyuk swallowed hard, his nerves on edge.
The arrowhead still wavered, unable to find its target.
He hadn’t expected this.
Ok Ryu-hyang, captured by the Blood Tear Sword.
Of course, their opponent was a skilled adult martial artist, a notorious criminal with a bounty on his head.
But both he and Ok Ryu-hyang were the top disciples of the Ilseong Palace.
Though young, they were promising talents with bright futures.
In the marketplace, people praised them endlessly.
They said Dan Ri-hyuk would grow to be the greatest archer, like his father, and Ok Ryu-hyang, with her intelligence and sword skills, would become the finest swordswoman.
Perhaps it was all the praise that made the world seem easy to them.
At just sixteen, they were brimming with confidence.
Yes, they were fearless.
Dan Ri-hyuk had once told Ok Ryu-hyang, “If you’re ever in danger, I’ll save you.”
“Wow, that’s reassuring! Having the second-best archer in the world as my protector!”
She had laughed, her smile bright and charming.
The first-best archer, of course, referred to his father, Dan Ri-jeong.
Her sword skills were unmatched, at least in their region.
Ilseong Palace, thanks to the legacy of its previous master, focused on teaching archery and swordsmanship, and within the school, few could rival her swordplay.
In truth, after Dan Ri-chu lost his internal energy, swordsmanship was at risk of fading away, but Ok Ryu-hyang was the one keeping it alive.
Dan Ri-jeong cherished her for this reason, feeling regret at the thought of their family’s swordsmanship disappearing.
Dan Ri-hyuk and Ok Ryu-hyang held such positions within their school.
And in their region, everyone knew them.
They were the disciples of the hero who saved the martial world, the great Dan Ri-jeong.
Their reputation alone allowed them to walk with pride.
Then, by chance, they encountered the Blood Tear Sword at a remote inn.
The man, wearing a deep hat and ragged clothes, was unmistakably the Blood Tear Sword.
His wanted poster was plastered all over the region.
A criminal who assaulted women and brutally killed children.
Yet, others failed to recognize him due to his filthy appearance and shabby attire.
But Dan Ri-hyuk, with his keen eye, recognized him immediately.
From that moment, his heart was filled with ambition.
His father was a celebrated hero, and if he could capture this criminal, his own fame would soar.
His father would praise him, and people would shower him with accolades.
And Ok Ryu-hyang was with him.
In their region, they were known as the “Divine Dragon and Phoenix.”
The two of them, eating noodles at the inn, began to follow the Blood Tear Sword as he left.
They waited for him to enter a deserted area.
A bustling street would attract attention, but if innocent people got involved, his father wouldn’t approve.
Capturing him or even taking his head would earn them a bounty and spread their fame.
As they followed him to a secluded spot, they boldly confronted him.
There was no ambush.
As disciples of a prestigious school, they chose an honorable approach.
They were confident they could win.
Perhaps the Blood Tear Sword would surrender upon hearing their names.
They were the Divine Dragon and Phoenix, after all.
But all their predictions were wrong.
The Blood Tear Sword smiled wickedly, as if expecting them, and in that moment, Dan Ri-hyuk and Ok Ryu-hyang froze.
Before a fight, there’s always a “momentum.”
And in that momentum, they were overwhelmed.
It wasn’t a display of force.
It was a natural aura born from experience.
The Blood Tear Sword lunged at Ok Ryu-hyang with a swift, drawn-out sword strike, and Dan Ri-hyuk instinctively stepped back, drawing his bow.
Ok Ryu-hyang attempted her signature sword draw.
But.
Thud, clink!
In the blink of an eye, the Blood Tear Sword kicked her hand, preventing her from drawing her sword.
As she hesitated, unable to draw her weapon.
Slash!
“Aaah!”
Ok Ryu-hyang screamed, clutching her bleeding left arm.
Panicked, Dan Ri-hyuk released his arrow.
Whoosh!
The arrow grazed the Blood Tear Sword’s cheek, drawing blood, but he didn’t stop.
Instead, he flashed that chilling smile at Dan Ri-hyuk.
Tap, tap, tap!
He quickly struck Ok Ryu-hyang’s pressure points, spinning her like a top to face Dan Ri-hyuk.
Thud!
The Blood Tear Sword’s crimson blade hovered at her throat.
It all happened in an instant.
Dan Ri-hyuk stood frozen, bowstring drawn, while Ok Ryu-hyang, held hostage, looked terrified.
He had been arrogant.
With his parents’ fame behind him, the world seemed easy.
He had forgotten that his parents’ greatness was not his own.
The praise directed at him was truly meant for his parents.
Divine Dragon and Phoenix?
What a joke.
They couldn’t even handle a single criminal with a bounty.
Despair wrapped around him.
Thump, thump…!
His heart raced, his hands trembled.
The Blood Tear Sword licked Ok Ryu-hyang’s neck with a sinister grin.
“Girls aren’t my type, but when they offer themselves like this, how can I refuse? Heh heh.”
Ok Ryu-hyang shivered with humiliation.
It was the first time she’d faced such provocation.
Dan Ri-hyuk’s mind was in turmoil.
His father always said, “Archery is seventy percent mental, thirty percent energy.”
Mental seventy, energy thirty.
Yes, it’s not about technique.
It’s about momentum and energy.
But his momentum was broken, his energy shattered.
His mind was in disarray.
He couldn’t focus on the target.
Everything he’d practiced and trained for had vanished from his mind.
Whoosh…
Dan Ri-hyuk tightened his grip on the bowstring.
“Easy there, young one. You might have to meet her in the next life if you’re not careful. Unless you don’t care about her.”
Swoosh.
The sharp blade touched her neck, a thin line of blood trickling down Ok Ryu-hyang’s delicate skin.
Dan Ri-hyuk’s heart felt like it would burst.
‘I promised to protect her… I said I’d protect her…!’
He took deep breaths, recalling his father’s words.
“Hyuk, one of the most common situations for an archer is a hostage situation. Do you know why?”
“Why?”
“Because archers always fight from a distance. So when an ally is captured, they often face such situations.”
“Then, what should I do?”
“First, stay calm. Think one breath slower. Remember, the enemy won’t easily kill the hostage. Let go of your impatience. Then, don’t try to end everything in one shot. Think about creating an opportunity. Swordsmen have limited chances to save a hostage, but archers are different. They can create a single opportunity.”
“Should I aim for a vital point?”
“No. Aiming for a vital point with a hostage in front is very difficult. As I said, don’t try to win in one shot. Think about creating an opportunity.”
“How do I create that opportunity?”
“The best way is to aim for the enemy’s wrist. Most enemies expose their weapon-wielding hand.”
“They could hide their hand behind the hostage.”
“That’s possible, but usually, to restrain the hostage, they hold them from behind, exposing their hand. Like placing a sword at their neck. It’s the mindset of those taking hostages.”
“Oh…”
“So remember. Aim for the wrist and create an opportunity. It doesn’t have to hit. Make the enemy move unexpectedly. Then, finish it.”
“Then…”
“Then…”
Dan Ri-hyuk murmured softly, slowly opening his eyes.
He took a deep breath.
Mental seventy, energy thirty!
His mind was gradually calming.
His energy was slowly settling.
The swaying branch gradually came to a standstill.
At the end of that branch were Ong Su-ryeong, held hostage, and the masked man.
With a resolute expression, Ong Su-ryeong spoke up.
“Don’t worry about me. Just shoot.”
Her determination seemed to steady Dan Ri-hyuk’s wavering heart.
The masked man, Eom Cheol, glared sharply at Dan Ri-hyuk and sneered.
“So, you’re willing to gamble? You must think I’m an easy target.”
Once more, his blade pressed closer to Ong Su-ryeong’s neck.
Blood trickled down even more.
Baek Hwa-dan flinched but couldn’t move a muscle.
Sabi-ran watched the situation unfold in silence.
She glanced at Dan Ri-hyuk.
This was his moment to act.
No matter how fast she was, she couldn’t outrun an arrow.
She didn’t send a telepathic message.
All she could do now was trust.
The fear that had flickered in Dan Ri-hyuk’s eyes seemed to be subsiding.
The branch he picked up exuded a sharpness that rivaled any arrow.
It was imbued with the energy of a bow.
Eom Cheol furrowed his brow and shouted angrily.
“What are you hesitating for? Do you really want to see this woman die?”
At that moment, Dan Ri-hyuk’s lips parted slowly.
He murmured in a barely audible voice.
“I really… hate bows.”
Finally, as his gaze deepened and steadied.
Whoosh!
The branch, sharp as an arrow, was released from his grip.