Episode 659: Return of the Demon Instructor

In a dimly lit chamber, Eom Cheol sat bound to a metal chair, his breath ragged and labored. His appearance, illuminated by the flickering torchlight, was nothing short of a disaster. It seemed a miracle that he was still alive, still breathing.

His hair was matted and soaked with blood, his eyes swollen shut, his nose crushed, and his lips split. Cuts and burns marred his body in countless places.

Before him stood a torturer, shaking his head in disbelief as he held a red-hot iron.

“This one’s tough as nails. I’ve never seen anyone so stubborn. My apologies.”

Beside him, Hong Yeom casually stroked his beard.

“Sometimes, you need someone with a bit of backbone. You’ve done well. You can leave now.”

“Are you going to handle this personally, sir?”

“No. The Lord wants to see him personally.”

“Ah…”

The torturer flinched and glanced at Eom Cheol, who, despite his swollen eyes, managed a crooked grin. His teeth were missing in places, but the smirk was unmistakably mocking.

In a voice hoarse from strain, Eom Cheol taunted, “Heh… I told you… it’s pointless… you’re just wasting your time… heh heh.”

His confidence stemmed from a martial art that dulled his sense of pain. Yet, the torturer’s expression had shifted from frustration to something more akin to pity, as if he were looking at a doomed sacrifice.

With a sigh, the torturer clicked his tongue. “You should’ve cooperated from the start.”

Despite a creeping sense of unease, Eom Cheol clung to his defiance. “Hmph! No matter who comes… you won’t get a word from me…”

“Keep that attitude,” Hong Yeom interjected, stepping forward. He crouched in front of Eom Cheol. “I hope you maintain that spirit. I’d love to see someone withstand the Lord’s torture up to the tenth level.”

“What nonsense are you spouting…!”

“Remember the Ma-ryeong Sect? There was a guy back then who boasted the Lord’s torture was nothing. He didn’t last past the third level. I had high hopes for him. So, you better hold out. Got it? Stay strong!”

“What kind of madness is this…?”

Just then, the grating sound of a door opening filled the room, and a man entered. Eom Cheol knew immediately, from the sheer presence alone, that this was none other than Sa Bi-gang, the Lord of the Demonic Palace.

Hong Yeom turned and bowed deeply. “Welcome, my Lord.”

“Is this the one?” Sa Bi-gang asked, gesturing towards Eom Cheol.

“Yes, he led the attack.”

“He dared to raise a blade against my daughter?”

“Yes, though he didn’t even graze her.”

“As he shouldn’t. But the fact remains, he aimed a weapon at her.”

A chill emanated from Sa Bi-gang, sending a shiver down Eom Cheol’s spine. Sensing the tension, Hong Yeom bowed his head. “Please, take your time.”

“Take my time? You make me sound like a demon. Heh heh.”

‘You look exactly like one right now,’ Hong Yeom thought, though he kept the comment to himself. Instead, he bowed and exited through the iron door.

For some reason, as Hong Yeom left, Eom Cheol wanted to call out, to beg him not to go. But the overwhelming presence of Sa Bi-gang kept him frozen in place.

The man before him was a well-groomed middle-aged figure, seemingly at odds with the notion of torture. Yet, an indescribable fear gripped Eom Cheol.

‘Who is this man…’

Sa Bi-gang approached with a sly smile. “Seventy-two levels.”

“What? What do you mean?”

Caught off guard, Eom Cheol slipped into formal speech before correcting himself. Sa Bi-gang continued with a grin, “It’s been a while since I explained this. It’s a technique used in the Demon Realm for torture, consisting of seventy-two levels. Humans, they say, can endure up to ten.”

“Hmph! You think I’ll be scared by such nonsense…”

“That’s the spirit. It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a reaction. Anyway, to continue, lower demons can withstand up to twenty levels, mid-level demons thirty, high-level demons forty, and top-tier demons fifty.”

“Enough with the nonsense…”

“Good, good. With that attitude, I have high hopes. Even the Demon King hasn’t endured all seventy-two levels. The truth remains unknown. So, hang in there. I want to see someone surpass human limits. Since you’re so tough, at least make it to the tenth level.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! I’ve mastered a martial art that makes me immune to pain…”

“Then let’s begin.”

Sa Bi-gang’s eyes turned icy. ‘What kind of eyes…!’ Eom Cheol held his breath, an inexplicable terror washing over him.

Finally, Sa Bi-gang placed a hand on his knee. “Let’s start with the first level.”

“Wait, wait…!”

“Why?”

“Alright, alright! Bring it on!”

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, bring it on!”

Eom Cheol clenched his teeth and nodded. He was sure he wouldn’t feel pain, yet an intense anxiety gripped him.

“This is a first for me too. Then…”

Moments later, a harrowing scream filled the chamber.

**

Deng Deng Deng wiped the sweat from his brow as he watched Dan Ri-hyeok scrutinize him closely, his expression one of discomfort.

“How long are you going to keep staring? It’s quite unsettling.”

Dan Ri-hyeok scratched his cheek with a finger. “Ah, sorry, sorry. It’s just fascinating. You’re wearing makeup, right? Your face is as pale as the full moon. Why would a man wear makeup? You even drew on your eyebrows. Look at this, the mole on your cheek is fake too. Amazing! I’m genuinely curious, why do you dress like this? I’m not teasing, just really curious. So don’t take it the wrong way.”

But Deng Deng Deng already seemed quite displeased. His appearance was indeed enough to pique anyone’s curiosity, not just Dan Ri-hyeok’s.

He wore a robe of vibrant colors, his face heavily made up, and a flamboyant helmet adorned his head. The spear he carried gleamed gold, with dragons and phoenixes entwined in a dance, a white tiger’s maw open wide, the spearhead extending from it.

Dan Ri-hyeok’s first thought upon seeing the spear was, ‘Is it meant to distract before a surprise attack?’

“Did you make this outfit? Or did you buy it? Is there even a place that sells clothes like this? If you made it, did you do the embroidery yourself?”

As the questions poured out, Deng Deng Deng closed his eyes and clenched his teeth, trying to suppress the anger boiling within him. If not for the master’s orders to welcome guests warmly, he might have already lashed out with his spear.

Such attention was something he could never get used to, no matter how often it happened.

Unable to bear it any longer, Sa Bi-ran intervened. “That’s enough. It’s rude.”

“Is it? But if he’s dressed like this, wouldn’t he expect this kind of reaction? He must be an attention seeker.”

Deng Deng Deng glanced at Dan Ri-hyeok. “Attention seeker…? What’s that?”

“Someone desperate for attention.”

“What, what? I’m not that kind of person!”

Deng Deng Deng finally exploded, shouting in frustration. “Do you think… do you think I enjoy this? Do you know how much I’ve endured this humiliation…!”

He was on the verge of tears, his voice trembling with emotion. Just as he was about to continue, a calm voice interrupted from behind him.

“That’s enough. It’s rude to behave like this on a first meeting.”

All eyes turned to a young man in a crisp black outfit, his expression composed.

‘Ah, that man…’

Sa Bi-ran recognized him immediately. She had met him long ago.

He was Jeok Bi, the son of Jeok Mu-rin and Seo Rae-hyang. A man who had inherited his parents’ talents, mastering both poison and swordsmanship.

He already had a nickname: the Divine Poison Sword.

Jeok Bi glared at Dan Ri-hyeok. “Didn’t your parents teach you manners? You lack basic decency.”

“Hmm.”

Dan Ri-hyeok hummed, glancing between Deng Deng Deng and Jeok Bi. “Are you friends? At least your friend seems normal.”

“Enough! I’m only dressed like this because of my father… it’s not by choice! I’m just fulfilling his wishes…”

Deng Deng Deng sighed deeply. What was the point of explaining? Would anyone understand?

Humans, by nature, tend to think in self-centered ways.

They rarely concern themselves with the intricacies of others’ lives.

Just then, Gahui, who had been silently observing, stepped in to intervene.

“Alright, that’s enough. You’ve gone too far.”

But Lihyuk tilted his head, murmuring in confusion.

“Because of your father? I have no idea what you’re talking about. Are you saying your father wants you to act like this?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

“Why?”

Dengdeng let out another sigh.

“I’d rather not discuss it.”

“Well, if that’s the case, there’s nothing more to say. Ah…!”

Suddenly, Lihyuk glanced meaningfully between Gahui and Dengdeng.

And then, he said something he really shouldn’t have.

“Come to think of it, you’re both from the Deng family. Seems like all Deng fathers have their quirks.”

That was the last straw. Both Dengdeng and Gahui erupted simultaneously.

“How dare you insult our father! I can’t stand this any longer!”

“You’re dead, you scoundrel!”

Swish! Slash!

Dengdeng’s spear sliced through the air, while Gahui’s sword cut through Lihyuk’s shadow.

“Whoa! Let’s all calm down!”

Lihyuk deftly dodged the spear and sword, using his agility to evade their attacks.

Sabilan shook her head and sighed.

“Ugh, I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologize to me,” Jukbi replied in a flat tone.