Episode 670: Return to the Demonic Sect
It was a triumphant homecoming.
The Demonic Sect welcomed back the Baekhwa Group and the warriors who had gone to support them with great fanfare after their mission was completed.
Even the sect leader, Sabi Kang, hadn’t anticipated the mission would grow to such proportions.
Thus, he had sent word ahead to prepare a grand feast at the Demonic Sect.
It was a gesture of appreciation for his daughter and his subordinates who had worked hard.
Moreover, the sect had invited renowned figures from the martial world, making the banquet hall buzz with people from early evening.
The busiest and most frazzled person was Jo Mun-tak, who was chasing after his rambunctious twins.
Yoo Jeong, who had helped prepare the banquet, warmly greeted her husband, Ja Un-ryong, upon his safe return.
And then…
“Hyuk! Hyuk! Where’s my son?” Seol Seorin called out as soon as she entered the banquet hall, searching for Dan Ri-hyuk.
“Ryeong! Ryeong!” Gu Gang-ryong was frantically looking for Ong Soo-ryeong, his eyes wide with urgency.
“Deung! Where are you? Why did you wipe off your makeup? What if no one recognizes you?” Deng Ja-gyeong scolded as soon as she saw him, ready to reapply his face paint.
The heroes who once protected the martial world alongside Sabi Kang were all gathered in one place.
Even So Cheon-ak, the Blood Demon Lord, and his son, Heuk-gwi, were invited.
At least within the Demonic Sect, the distinction between righteous and demonic had long lost its meaning.
Especially after this incident, the martial world would have realized once again that unity, not the division between right and wrong, was what truly mattered.
Gu Gang-ryong, seeing Ong Soo-ryeong’s transformation, couldn’t believe his eyes and was moved to tears.
“You… you did it. I’m so proud of you, my nephew!”
Who would have thought that the stubborn and strong-willed Gu Gang-ryong would be so emotional over his nephew?
Meanwhile, in a corner of the banquet hall, Seok Geom-yeong and Yeon Seol-yeon held hands, gazing at each other with deep affection.
Their hearts ached at the thought of having to pretend not to know each other once they met their parents again.
“Miss Yeon, it’s been a pleasure.”
“I was happy to practice martial arts freely with you, Mr. Seok.”
“Please, take care of yourself.”
“Yes, you too, Mr. Seok.”
Just as Yeon Seol-yeon was about to say something more, a voice interrupted.
“Geom-yeong! There you are!”
Startled, Yeon Seol-yeon quickly withdrew her hand as Seok Tan-gang approached, followed by Yeon Woo-gyeong and Mok Dan-hwa.
“Yeon, what are you doing in such a secluded spot?” Yeon Woo-gyeong asked with a disapproving look.
Naturally, the expressions of Seok Geom-yeong and Yeon Seol-yeon darkened.
With Seok Tan-gang and Yoo Song-ryeong, Yeon Woo-gyeong and Mok Dan-hwa all in one place, Seok Geom-yeong and Yeon Seol-yeon felt awkward.
“We were just about to leave.”
“Yes, we were just saying our goodbyes.”
Mok Dan-hwa’s eyes widened in surprise. “Goodbyes? Where are you going?”
“Well, I mean… if I’m seen with Mr. Seok…”
“Enough with the small talk. Let’s get to the point,” Yoo Song-ryeong interjected suddenly, leaving Yeon Seol-yeon puzzled.
“The point?”
“When do you want to have your wedding?”
“What?”
“What?”
Seok Geom-yeong and Yeon Seol-yeon were taken aback, questioning what they had just heard.
A wedding? Out of nowhere?
Mok Dan-hwa chimed in, “We thought about it, and you two really suit each other. You’re a perfect match, aren’t you?”
Seok Geom-yeong and Yeon Seol-yeon were left speechless, their minds racing.
Even Seok Tan-gang and Yeon Woo-gyeong, who should have been stopping this, nodded in agreement, looking pleased.
‘What on earth happened while we were away?’ they both wondered.
“Let’s think about the wedding date. They say to strike while the iron is hot, so how about within three months?” Yeon Woo-gyeong suggested.
“Three months? That’s too long. Let’s do it within a month. Or even right after the banquet,” Seok Tan-gang countered.
“That sounds good too.”
“What do you two think? You agree, right? Come on, answer us.”
Suddenly put on the spot, Seok Geom-yeong panicked. “Wait! Why are you doing this? Did we do something wrong? Just punish us instead.”
Yeon Woo-gyeong tilted his head. “What are you talking about? Why would I punish my beloved daughter and precious son-in-law?”
“Exactly. I have no intention of punishing my son and daughter-in-law,” Yoo Song-ryeong added.
Seok Geom-yeong and Yeon Seol-yeon were left bewildered.
“Let’s discuss the wedding in detail,” Seok Tan-gang said, ushering them along.
The two walked in a daze, as if under a spell.
As they passed by, Dan Ri-jeong appeared, frowning as he looked around.
“Where on earth has my son gone?”
**
While the banquet hall was filled with lively chatter, Dan Ri-hyuk lingered near the entrance of a secluded annex.
It was where Ok Ryu-hyang was staying, receiving treatment from Jin Baek.
Unlike the bustling banquet, this place was quiet.
After hesitating for a while, he took a deep breath.
‘Face it head-on.’
Just as he was about to step forward, the door opened, and someone emerged.
“Ah…!”
“Ah!”
Both exclaimed upon seeing each other.
Dan Ri-hyuk recognized her immediately.
Standing in the moonlight was Ok Ryu-hyang.
Their eyes met, filled with emotion.
“Ryu-hyang…”
Dan Ri-hyuk’s voice trembled.
Ok Ryu-hyang, who had been standing in a daze, soon smiled gently.
“Hyuk… is it really you?”
“Ah… yes. Were you heading out?”
“Yes…”
“Where to…?”
Their conversation was awkward.
It had been so long.
They had both grown, and their changed appearances felt unfamiliar.
Perhaps it was because they had always longed for each other, clinging to memories of the past.
”…To the banquet.”
“Oh…”
Dan Ri-hyuk nodded, falling silent.
He couldn’t think of what to say next.
The awkwardness was palpable.
It was Ok Ryu-hyang who broke the silence.
“Where were you going…?”
“Oh, just for a walk. I felt a bit cooped up.”
“Ah… I see.”
Why did he lie?
Why couldn’t he say he came to see her?
Was he still lacking courage?
Dan Ri-hyuk berated himself, yet his mouth spoke nonsense.
“Well… go ahead.”
“Hmm?”
“To the banquet…”
“Oh… I don’t need to go anymore. It’s fine.”
“Why…?”
“Because… the person I wanted to see… I’ve seen now.”
Ok Ryu-hyang replied with a soft smile, her cheeks slightly flushed.
In that moment, Dan Ri-hyuk’s heart sank.
His legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! Because of me… you suffered because of me…!”
Dan Ri-hyuk couldn’t hold back his tears any longer.
Had he not cried enough in his mother’s arms that day?
The emotions from back then came rushing back.
Tears welled up, choking his voice.
He couldn’t tell if he was crying out of guilt or sadness.
“If only I had… done better that day…!”
His words were incoherent through his sobs.
Then, suddenly, he stopped.
A gentle hand rested on his shoulder.
Looking up, he saw Ok Ryu-hyang kneeling beside him, her expression soft.
“Hyuk… thank you. For coming to find me.”
“Sniff…!”
Dan Ri-hyuk broke down again, crying like a child.
In a voice thick with tears, he said, “I’m sorry… for not coming sooner… I’m… so sorry… so very sorry…”
“It’s okay. And thank you, Hyuk. I missed you.”
“I missed you too!”
They embraced each other tightly.
Tears welled in Ok Ryu-hyang’s eyes, soon spilling over.
She thought to herself, these tears must be sweet.
Meanwhile, on the roof above them, Sabi Ran discreetly wiped her eyes, muttering to herself.
“Tch, that rascal made me cry.”
Just then.
“Are you crying?”
A voice startled her.
“Ah!”
Sabi Ran turned to see Sabi Kang standing beside her, and she glared at him.
“Dad! Can’t you make some noise when you approach?”
“I did make noise.”
“Liar.”
“It’s true.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“That’s sad. I’m the only man in the world you can trust.”
“Pfft. Someday, I’ll find someone I can trust more than you.”
Sabi Kang flinched and turned to her.
“You don’t mean…?”
“What? Why?”
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
“What are you talking about? I don’t have one yet.”
“Right? You don’t have one yet?”
Sabi Kang asked, visibly relieved, and Sabi Ran shook her head.
“You’re too much. Are you going to stop me from getting married too?”
“If I have to, I will.”
“Wow, Dad, that’s a bit creepy.”
“Isn’t it?”
Sabigang chuckled, prompting Sabiran to pout.
“You look silly with that expression.”
“Watch your tone with your father, young lady.”
Sabigang furrowed his brow, and Sabiran couldn’t help but giggle.
Finally, Sabigang allowed a faint smile to cross his face.
Sabiran gazed up at the night sky and asked, “So, how did you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Get the Seomgeom family and the Heukcheon clan to reconcile.”
“That was your doing.”
“But it wasn’t enough to bring up marriage talks. You must have intervened afterward.”
“Oh, my daughter is so clever.”
“How did you manage it?”
“I just… promised them an incredible martial art technique if they got along.”
“Is there really such a technique?”
“Of course not. They just need to work hard.”
“Wow. You might end up being disliked for that.”
“It’s fine. When there’s a common enemy, people tend to unite. I’ll gladly be the sacrifice.”
“No, it’s more like… you enjoy messing with people.”
“Ah! You caught on?”
“Dad, honestly.”
Once again, Sabigang and Sabiran burst into laughter together.
After a while, Sabigang watched Danrihyuk and Okryuhyang walking in the distance and asked, “Did you learn anything from this mission?”
“Yeah, I learned a lot.”
“Well, care to share your thoughts?”
“That I should find a man soon to fill this empty space beside me.”
“Daughter…”
Sabigang looked at Sabiran, almost on the verge of tears.
Sabiran laughed heartily. “Just kidding, just kidding.”
“I thought so.”
“But… there’s something I’m curious about.”
“What is it?”
Sabiran turned to Sabigang. “Why did you try so hard to protect the martial world? If you look closely, it’s a mess. So many bad things happen, and it’s full of villains.”
“Why should I care about that?”
“Huh?”
“If I worried about all that, what could I possibly do?”
“Then…”
“I just wanted to protect the things that are precious to me. To protect the people I love and who are important to me. That’s all there was to it.”
Sabiran silently watched Sabigang’s profile.
Why was it?
For the first time, she thought her father was truly admirable.
“Dad.”
“Yes?”
“I think I’d like to marry someone like you.”
“Oh, really? Wait… should I be happy about that? Or not? Someone like me… that’s a bit tricky.”
“What? Dad!”
“Hahaha!”
Sabigang’s laughter was infectious, and Sabiran couldn’t help but join in.
The joyous atmosphere of the banquet hall reached them.
Sabigang murmured softly, “My daughter, someday you’ll meet someone who cherishes and loves you far more than I do. Someone like me wouldn’t be enough.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing.”
Sabigang flashed that silly grin of his.
Just then, lanterns began to rise above their laughter.
Just like that day thirty years ago.
Lanterns carrying everyone’s wishes soared high into the sky.
[Return of the Demon Cultivator] (Epilogue) The End