Episode 663: Return to the Demonic Sect
Crack!
Crash!
The ship was breaking apart.
A creature resembling an octopus was wrapping itself around the vessel, intent on tearing it to pieces.
Whoosh!
Sabiran swiftly leaped to the bow, her eyes fixed on the island ahead.
‘At this distance…!’
With her mind made up, she kicked the railing with force.
Smash!
The railing shattered, sending debris flying.
As Sabiran began to dismantle the ship, Seok Geomyeong rushed over, alarmed.
“What are you doing?”
“Isn’t this better than using water-walking techniques?”
“Oh…!”
Realizing Sabiran’s plan, Seok Geomyeong quickly joined in, breaking apart the ship and tossing the debris into the lake.
Sabiran turned to the members of the Baekhwadan and shouted, “Everyone, use your water-walking skills to reach the island!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The Baekhwadan members responded in unison and leaped into action.
At that moment.
Crack! Boom…!
The ship was completely split in two by the tentacled monster, shattering into pieces.
The Baekhwadan members, who had jumped into the lake, used their light-footed techniques to dash towards the island.
Fortunately, the island wasn’t far, and they could step on the floating debris, conserving their energy.
However, there were more people than there were floating pieces to step on.
Many martial artists began to sink as they attempted to use their water-walking skills, eventually having to swim.
Sabiran, too, alternated between stepping on debris and using her water-walking skills.
Then, suddenly.
Screeeeech!
With an ear-splitting roar, a thick, long tentacle from the creature descended towards Sabiran.
Whoosh!
Sabiran leaped into the air, drawing her sword.
It was a technique she had learned from Dan Lijeong.
Swish, clink!
A flash of light burst forth, slicing the tentacle cleanly and spraying green fluid everywhere.
Splash!
Water splashed in all directions as the severed tentacle sank.
“Take that! Die!”
“Aaargh!”
Screams and shouts erupted from all around.
Some Baekhwadan members couldn’t fend off the creature’s attacks and were dragged underwater.
Others were caught by the tentacles, their bodies twisted and torn apart.
It was clear that fighting the tentacled monster while using water-walking techniques was too much to handle.
The only silver lining was that those summoned for this mission were holding their ground well.
Even the youngest, Choo So-hye, managed to reach the island quickly, thanks to Banmyo’s help.
But the problem was Gok Mu-seong.
Though a competent martial artist, he wasn’t suited for light-footed techniques.
After stepping on a few pieces of debris, Gok Mu-seong began to sink.
“Ugh! Gurgle! Blub!”
Even as he struggled, he swung his fists at the approaching creature, proving his strength.
But no matter how strong he was, he couldn’t breathe underwater.
‘Damn it!’
As Gok Mu-seong started to sink, a mysterious force suddenly pushed him back to the surface.
Then, something incredible happened.
Gok Mu-seong and several others who were sinking were suddenly swept towards the shore by a powerful wave.
Screeeeech!
The creature, frustrated at losing its prey, thrashed its tentacles and let out a furious roar.
Splash, splash, splash!
As the tentacles came crashing down, a massive wall of water rose up, blocking their path.
Thud! Thud, thud, thud!
The tentacles slammed against the water wall, thrashing wildly.
Then.
Whoosh!
A water figure, shaped like a human, emerged and began to battle the giant creature.
The Baekhwadan members gaped in astonishment at the unfamiliar sight.
“What… what is that?”
At that moment, Sabiran shouted sharply, “No time to gawk! Get to the shore, now!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Taking advantage of the distraction, the Baekhwadan members sprinted towards the shore.
Whoosh!
They skipped across the water like stones, finally reaching the lakeside.
Once most of them were safely ashore, the water figure battling the creature vanished as if it had never been there.
Splash!
With one last spray of water, the creature slowly sank beneath the surface.
The last to reach the shore, Sabiran immediately searched for Ong Su-ryeong.
“Su-ryeong! Ong Su-ryeong!”
“Over here!”
Following the voice, she saw Gok Mu-seong carrying Ong Su-ryeong on his back.
As she rushed over, Gok Mu-seong gently laid Ong Su-ryeong on the ground.
“The situation isn’t good!”
“Su-ryeong! Stay with me!”
“Ha… Leader…”
Ong Su-ryeong’s lips were a chilling blue.
It was clear she had overexerted herself using the water spirit, causing her body to suffer.
“The magic stone! Where’s the magic stone?”
“In… in my pocket…”
Sabiran quickly retrieved the magic stone from Ong Su-ryeong’s pocket.
“Is this all?”
Ong Su-ryeong nodded weakly.
Only one magic stone left.
There was no time to hesitate.
Her life was hanging by a thread.
Sabiran placed the magic stone in Ong Su-ryeong’s hand.
Hum…!
A faint vibration emanated from the stone, followed by a bright light.
The light traveled from Ong Su-ryeong’s hand, spreading across her body.
Soon, color returned to Ong Su-ryeong’s face.
Relieved, Sabiran sank to the ground.
“Thank goodness.”
Meanwhile, Gok Mu-seong bowed deeply to Ong Su-ryeong, his face solemn.
“Thank you, Miss Ong! If it weren’t for you, I would have become a water ghost! I owe you my life!”
“It’s nothing. I just did what I could.”
“What you did saved my life. Thank you again!”
Gok Mu-seong expressed his gratitude sincerely.
Just then, Deung Gahui approached Sabiran.
“There are seventeen injured and twenty-two dead.”
“Tsk…”
Sabiran clicked her tongue, gazing out at the lake.
The losses were unexpected.
As much as she wanted revenge, diving back into the lake would be foolish.
“Let’s tend to the wounded first. Once we’re ready, we’ll move out again.”
“Understood.”
Deung Gahui nodded and left.
Meanwhile, Gok Mu-seong removed his outer robe and draped it over Ong Su-ryeong.
“I’ve heard a bit about your condition. The Jeongma Soul Vein…”
Ong Su-ryeong gave a wry smile.
“Yes, it’s a troublesome body.”
“Not at all. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here to see my parents again. Please don’t say such things.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Ah, well… it’s not me you should apologize to…”
A brief silence fell between them.
Ong Su-ryeong watched the Baekhwadan members tending to the injured and murmured, “Using spirit magic on such a scale requires a lot of mana. If I don’t replenish it, I become too weak to even walk.”
“So you need to use a magic stone every time you use spirit magic?”
“Not necessarily. It depends on the scale of the magic. But even without using magic, I need to replenish mana with a magic stone over time.”
“How many magic stones do you need?”
“Given my condition, I’ll need to absorb mana for the rest of my life… so the more, the better.”
“Sigh…”
Gok Mu-seong sighed heavily.
In the Central Plains, there’s no mana in the air.
One must convert internal energy to mana or absorb it from magic stones.
But Ong Su-ryeong has the Jeongma Soul Vein.
This means she can’t generate internal energy to convert to mana.
The internal energy and mana would clash.
So she must absorb pure mana, and magic stones are the only way.
The problem is, the magic stones in the Central Plains are nearly depleted.
Gok Mu-seong’s gaze fell on the now-dim magic stone.
Sensing his gaze, Ong Su-ryeong smiled.
“It’s okay. We’ll figure something out. There’s always a way, even when the sky falls.”
Meanwhile, Choo So-hye approached Sabiran, who had returned from checking on the injured.
“Leader, Banmyo isn’t guiding us anymore. I think it can’t pick up the scent.”
Indeed, Banmyo no longer led the way.
Sabiran replied nonchalantly, “It’s fine. We can just follow that red pillar of light now.”
As she said, the red pillar was visible from anywhere on the island, towering into the sky.
A sinister energy emanated from it.
“Ah… right.”
Choo So-hye nodded, stroking Banmyo’s now-shrunken head.
After a brief rest, Sabiran led the Baekhwadan forward once more.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the ground grew darker, and the trees and plants emitted a foul, decaying odor.
The forest was nothing like the view they had seen from across the lake. It was oppressively damp and shadowy.
The ground was soggy, emitting a musty odor, and the air was cool. Occasionally, the unsettling cries of unknown insects pierced the silence.
How long had they been trudging through this unsettling forest?
“Leader,” Eung Gahui called out to Sabiran, approaching her.
Sabiran nodded, acknowledging him. “I know. I’ve felt it too.”
“Could it be an illusion spell?” Eung Gahui asked.
“Well…” Sabiran trailed off, glancing around.
They had been circling the same spot for a while now. It wasn’t certain, but it felt that way. She had marked a tree trunk with her blade earlier, just in case, but the mark was nowhere to be seen. Yet, the strange sensation of returning to the same place lingered.
Sabiran stopped walking and let out a shallow sigh. “It doesn’t seem like an illusion spell… but I’ve never encountered anything like this before.”
Danrihyuk shrugged and chimed in, “That’s why a leader needs to be seasoned and experienced. Like me.”
Eung Gahui shot him a frosty glare. “Your age is more of a…”
“Oh, but I’ve got plenty of experience,” Danrihyuk retorted, dismissing Eung Gahui’s skepticism with a snort.
Sabiran called over Dam Jinwoo, the strategist of the Baekhwa Clan, someone she could rely on in situations like this.
“What do you think?” she asked.
Dam Jinwoo surveyed their surroundings with a serious expression before speaking. “According to the thirty-seventh chapter of the Demon Realm Compendium, areas where a demon tree has taken root turn dark and emit a foul stench. Flora and fauna undergo bizarre mutations, and the entire terrain can behave like a living entity. Even a straightforward path can become a labyrinth.”
Gok Museong, who had been listening quietly, interjected, “Are you suggesting there’s a demon tree on this island?”
Danrihyuk scoffed, “What nonsense is that? A demon tree in this day and age? That’s a tale from thirty years ago, before we were even born.”
Dam Jinwoo shrugged, “I’m just relaying what’s written in the compendium. The decision is up to the leader.”
All eyes turned to Sabiran. She pondered deeply, her expression grave, before finally speaking.
“Let’s assume we’ve entered a demon tree’s territory.”
“Seriously?”
“Are you sure about this?”
Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“There’s no harm in being cautious. Besides, everything around us matches the description too closely,” Sabiran reasoned.
Just then, Choo Sohae exclaimed, “Look over there!”