Episode 665: Return to the Demon Sect
A lone boat drifted across the lake.
On its deck stood Sabigang, facing the wind.
His eyes were fixed on a crimson pillar rising from the center of the island.
Approaching him quietly, General Gu Yun spoke in a low voice.
“As that man said, the Dark Heaven Sect began to stir about twenty-five years ago. It wasn’t until five years later that they truly became active. The sect leader, Cheol Gun-ak, was once the head of the prestigious Seungilmun. When the demons invaded, he fought valiantly. But as time passed and his sect weakened, he shifted to a pro-demon stance. This allowed him to regain power, and even after the Demon War ended, he enjoyed a period of influence. However…”
“When our palace began its purge of the past, he must have felt the pressure.”
Gu Yun nodded at Sabigang’s words.
“Indeed. Around twenty years ago, he secretly organized the Dark Heaven Sect. Pro-demon forces, scattered and in hiding, gradually gathered at Seungilmun, expanding their influence.”
“When did they start collecting the Demon Stones?”
“About ten years ago. It seems they prepared for a long time, avoiding detection.”
“Hmm. Cheol Gun-ak…”
Sabigang’s gaze returned to the distant crimson pillar.
Just then, a woman emerged from the cabin.
Even in the darkness, she seemed to radiate light—Maesellan.
“Do you know him?” she asked, tilting her head.
Sabigang, having returned from the future, was familiar with many figures in the martial world.
Even if the name was unfamiliar to her, he might know it.
But Sabigang shook his head.
“No, not at all. It’s just…”
“Just?”
“I wonder if Cheol Gun-ak decided to do this on his own.”
“By ‘this,’ you mean…”
“Opening the dimensional gate. Using Demon Stones to open such a gate isn’t easy. And it requires one specific condition.”
“What condition?”
“The Demon Tree must be alive.”
“The Demon Tree… you mean that black star-shaped tree?”
“Yes. And it’s managed by Adler.”
“But… he’s supposed to be dead.”
Maesellan murmured, furrowing her brow.
When she and Churyang descended into the depths of the black star, she had killed Adler.
His heart was pierced, and his head severed.
Yet she remembered.
No matter how many times he was killed, he kept coming back to life.
It haunted her dreams for a while.
Dreams where Adler, thought dead, would wrap his tendrils around her.
In those moments of paralysis, Sabigang would come to her aid.
It might seem odd for a martial artist to experience sleep paralysis, but once their energy flow is disrupted, it can be more dangerous than for an ordinary person.
‘Something feels ominous…’
Maesellan looked up at the crimson pillar with a hint of worry.
Sabigang turned to Gu Yun and asked, “Was there anything unusual about Cheol Gun-ak’s activities?”
“Nothing significant. In his daily life, he played the role of a typical sect leader. He did make some efforts to hide his pro-demon past, but nothing that couldn’t be overlooked. His influence had waned enough to avoid the White Flower Society’s surveillance.”
“I see.”
“Oh, there is one thing, though it might not mean much…”
“What is it?”
“About ten years ago, Cheol Gun-ak went on a journey through the martial world. He headed towards Gansu Province, and there’s a rumor he visited Mount Giryeon.”
“Mount Giryeon…”
Sabigang narrowed his eyes.
This wasn’t information to be taken lightly.
Mount Giryeon was where the demons’ black star once stood.
If Cheol Gun-ak found something there…
Of course, after the Demon War, the Demon Palace searched Mount Giryeon countless times.
They searched as if to ensure no embers remained.
Nothing was found then.
But Mount Giryeon is vast.
A mountain range stretching like a folding screen.
The Demon Palace couldn’t have examined every inch thoroughly.
‘If Adler is alive… it would explain everything.’
For now, it’s best to think that way.
Gu Yun bowed his head deeply.
“I’m sorry. We should have investigated more thoroughly at Hyesugak.”
Though Damugi was the head of Hyesugak, as the General, Gu Yun was essentially his superior.
Thus, the responsibility of Hyesugak was also his.
But Sabigang wasn’t one to dwell on such matters.
“Hyesugak can’t know everything. It just means they’ve been preparing secretly and thoroughly. Let’s hope we’re not too late.”
At that moment, Murang furrowed his brow and stared at the water below.
“It seems this water is contaminated.”
Sabigang nodded.
“I felt it too. Everyone, be cautious.”
“What…?”
Gu Yun tilted his head in confusion.
Suddenly, a massive spray of water erupted, and a gigantic tentacled monster emerged.
“Whoa!”
“What is that?”
The martial artists on the deck were startled, quickly gathering their inner strength.
The creature let out a bizarre roar, swinging its massive tentacles.
Crash!
But the ship remained intact.
In a flash, the Silver Armor Captain, Yeom Jaryang, leaped up, deflecting the tentacle with his black-bladed sword.
Clad in silver armor, he shone except for his dark blade.
Just then, the Flame Wave Leader, Ja Unryong, and the Black Dragon Captain, Wi Geomjong, rushed out of the cabin, issuing commands.
“Don’t panic! Focus on the incoming tentacles!”
“Understood!”
The martial artists responded, countering the relentless tentacles with precision.
They were seasoned warriors, having faced demons before, and handled the situation with calm.
Whenever a martial artist seemed about to be ensnared, Maesellan would swiftly sever the tentacle with a single stroke.
Some martial artists even set the flailing, green-fluid-leaking tentacles ablaze with fireballs.
Watching the scene, Sabigang climbed onto the railing, a hint of boredom in his voice.
“Quite the underwhelming welcome.”
With that, he tossed Berthas into the air.
In an instant, Berthas sliced through the air, targeting the dozens of tentacles.
Slash, slash, slash!
Dozens of beams of light crisscrossed the sky like a web.
Simultaneously, green fluid rained down.
“Beware of the poison!”
Yeom Jaryang shouted, prompting the martial artists to shield themselves with protective barriers.
Sizzle…! Sizzle!
The tentacled monster roared once more.
Sabigang frowned deeply.
“Enough noise.”
With a flick of his hand, Berthas shot down into the water.
Trailing a wave, Berthas pierced the monster’s vital point.
Thud!
The creature’s body convulsed above the water, spewing green fluid before sinking into the depths.
Splash!
Berthas soared back into the air, returning to Sabigang’s hand.
Swish!
Sabigang swung the sword once to shake off the water before sheathing it.
The brief commotion was resolved almost anticlimactically.
The martial artists were visibly impressed by Sabigang’s skill, which they hadn’t seen in a while.
Beside him, Murang chuckled wryly.
“Who knows what’s happening over there… but it seems Ran will have her hands full.”
Maesellan, standing nearby, replied brightly.
“For our Ran, this is nothing. She’s probably fighting with a smile right now.”
**
“Damn it! This is insane.”
Sabiran clicked her tongue, swinging her thin sword.
Swish, swish, swish!
The blade danced like a wave, cutting down enemies mercilessly.
With each swing, screams and blood filled the air.
But the enemies seemed endless.
Their own casualties were mounting, with over thirty already fallen.
Meanwhile, the cultists were too numerous to count.
As they crested the hill, they finally saw the bizarre tree emitting the crimson pillar.
Sabiran guessed it was the Demon Tree.
She didn’t know exactly what was happening, but she knew they couldn’t let the tree continue to emit light.
The dark hole in the sky was growing darker and wider.
It seemed like it would tear open any moment, unleashing something terrible.
And whatever came through wouldn’t be welcome.
But there were too many martial artists surrounding the Demon Tree.
Even if she reached it, she had no idea how to stop it.
Yet she couldn’t just stand by and watch.
“Ugh, this is so frustrating!”
Swish! Thud!
“Aaargh!”
“Ahhh!”
With a graceful sweep of Sabiran’s sword dance, another handful of foes fell, their screams echoing as they hit the ground.
Meanwhile, Dan Rihyuk was so absorbed in pulling his bowstring that his fingers began to bleed.
Thwack! Thwack-thwack-thwack!
The arrows flew with unerring precision, cutting through the air in all directions.
“These guys are worse than a pack of wild beasts,” someone muttered.
“They don’t even seem to feel pain!” another voice chimed in, as Dung Dung Dung swung his spear with relentless force.
Dan Rihyuk, retreating as he fired his bow, found himself back-to-back with Dung Dung Dung.
“When did you start talking so casually to me?” Dan asked.
“You dropped the formalities first,” Dung replied.
They both turned simultaneously, Dung sweeping his spear horizontally while Dan fired another arrow, his body twisting to the side.
Thwip-thwip-thwip!
Whoosh!
The golden spear sent a dozen warriors flying, helpless against its might, while Dan’s crimson arrows scattered those charging at Dung, their screams piercing the air.
As they regained their stances, they exchanged a quick glance and asked in unison, “You were aiming for me, weren’t you?”
They both chuckled softly.
Dan shrugged. “I guess we’re starting to make a pretty good team.”
“Seems like it. Though not quite as good as those two,” Dung said, nodding towards Seok Geomyeong and Yeon Seolyeon, who were cutting through the enemy ranks with seamless coordination.
The two of them were the epitome of perfect teamwork, their combined skills in chain-sickle and swordplay creating a fluid, almost singular martial art.
Meanwhile, Sabiran, who had been cutting down enemies with relentless focus, glanced up at the cliff where an old man and a figure in a black hat watched from above.
‘This will never end like this. I need to take them out first!’ she thought, determination hardening her resolve.