Episode 90: The Return of the Demon Instructor
Eun Gi-ryung stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing out the window on the fifth floor of the Grand Hall. The setting sun painted the sky a deep crimson, like blood spreading across the heavens.
As he watched the scene unfold, a voice broke the silence behind him. It was Joo Yu-cheon.
“The instructors’ discontent is growing by the day.”
“Hmm.”
Eun Gi-ryung let out a quiet hum, showing little reaction. Joo Yu-cheon pressed on, undeterred by the lack of response.
“We’ve discovered the location where the two instructors and the cadets were taken. It’s been seven days already.”
“Has it been that long?”
Joo Yu-cheon’s brow furrowed at Eun Gi-ryung’s nonchalant reply.
“Master!”
“Now, now, don’t get worked up. I’m listening.”
“Are you just going to stand by and do nothing?”
“And what would you have me do?”
“If they won’t act, we should form our own rescue team from Yongcheon Hall and—”
“Are you suggesting we defy the will of the Justice Alliance?”
“But the Heavenly Wolf Brigade isn’t moving an inch!”
“Even so, we can’t go against the Justice Alliance, can we?”
Joo Yu-cheon clenched his fists, trembling with frustration. Eun Gi-ryung’s logic was sound, which only fueled his anger. Yongcheon Hall, rooted in the Justice Alliance, couldn’t simply ignore orders and act independently.
With a heavy sigh, Joo Yu-cheon muttered under his breath, “The rot runs deep.”
“Haha. The Alliance’s corruption is nothing new, is it?”
“If this continues, the lives of Instructor Sabi-gang and Instructor Sang Pil-ji could be in danger. Not to mention the cadets.”
“Indeed.”
Eun Gi-ryung’s gaze grew more intense. Sensing a glimmer of hope, Joo Yu-cheon spoke cautiously.
“Then perhaps we could send a rescue team without their knowledge….”
But Eun Gi-ryung slowly shook his head, his eyes fixed on Joo Yu-cheon.
“Could you take on such a task?”
”…….”
“Could you, who have always adhered strictly to principles, break the rules now?”
“That’s….”
Joo Yu-cheon hesitated, his brow furrowed. He didn’t know what was right anymore. He had lived by the book all his life, but ever since Instructor Sabi-gang had started making waves, even his own standards had begun to waver.
Eun Gi-ryung offered a gentle smile, but his next words were startling.
“If time passes and the kidnapped individuals’ lives are indeed at risk, then… if their deaths could help the Justice Alliance find its way, wouldn’t that be a meaningful sacrifice?”
“Master…!”
Joo Yu-cheon looked at Eun Gi-ryung with eyes full of turmoil. Eun Gi-ryung turned back to the window, hands clasped behind him once more.
‘What a terrifying man. To harbor such calculations behind that gentle demeanor.’
Eun Gi-ryung gazed out at the distant mountains.
‘For me, if the Justice Alliance can find its footing, then perhaps their deaths wouldn’t be in vain. However….’
He glanced back at Joo Yu-cheon and spoke.
“That one won’t die so easily.”
**
Bang!
Mae Seol-ran slammed her hand on the desk.
“What on earth is the problem? Why aren’t they doing anything?”
“Haha. Calm down, Miss Mae.”
“Don’t call me that! I’m an instructor now!”
Mae Seol-ran shouted, then paused, realizing something.
‘That’s what he used to say often.’
Across the desk, Seok Ji-pyeong responded with a faint smile.
“Matters of the Alliance aren’t so simple.”
“What exactly isn’t simple? Look, we’ve identified the location of the kidnapping. The leader should take the Heavenly Wolf Brigade, rescue them, and launch a counterattack. How is that complicated?”
“Haha, then let me ask you. Who provided that information?”
“Well….”
Mae Seol-ran stopped short, unable to answer.
‘Was it that?’
The Ghost Shadow Sect was part of the demonic factions. It was hard to believe they would help the Justice Alliance.
Seok Ji-pyeong raised his chin as if to say, ‘See?’
“Look, demonic riffraff claim to help us by providing information. If we take the bait and rush in, what do you think will happen?”
“But they owe Instructor Sabi-gang a debt….”
“With Instructor Sabi-gang gone, how can you trust their word? I’d sooner follow the barking of a stray dog than believe those demonic mongrels.”
“What is the Heavenly Eye Division doing? It’s been seven days! By now, they should have verified the information’s authenticity.”
“Of course. As you said, the Heavenly Eye Division has already confirmed the information’s authenticity.”
“What? Then, the information is….”
“Yes, it’s been verified as true.”
“Then why are we still sitting here?”
“Precisely because it’s true, we must be cautious.”
“Is that what you’re saying now?”
“Look, Miss Mae… I mean, Instructor Mae. Have you considered that since the information is genuine, it could be a trap set by the enemy? If it is, the Heavenly Wolf Brigade could be in grave danger, and if they are wiped out, the Justice Alliance would suffer a significant blow.”
Mae Seol-ran was seething with anger, unable to contain herself.
“Even with this delay, do you think the Baekri Family and the Taecheon Sect will remain idle?”
“Ah, don’t worry about that. The Justice Alliance has sent people to offer ample consolation. Both sects understand our position. In times like these, unity is more important than division, don’t you think?”
Mae Seol-ran trembled with rage.
‘This rotten…!’
She had heard rumors. The Justice Alliance had paid substantial compensation to the two sects. Of course, the Baekri Family, having lost a child, had initially clamored for revenge. But a lone voice is often weak. The Taecheon Sect, after receiving compensation, seemed to have decided not to escalate the matter.
She spat her words out like venom.
“If the kidnapped cadet were Yeon Woo-gyeong or Mok Dan-hwa, would you still be acting like this?”
“Who are they… Ah, you’re referring to the Sword Song Yeon and the Island Sword Mok. Well, to be honest, if it were them, those demonic scoundrels wouldn’t have had a chance to breathe. We would have already struck.”
“Is that what you’re saying now…!”
“Look, Miss… I mean, Instructor Mae. Why are you acting so naive? Let’s be reasonable. Let’s go with the flow of how the world works.”
Mae Seol-ran bit her lip hard. There was no point in arguing further with someone like him.
Seok Ji-pyeong stood up with a look of regret. He approached Mae Seol-ran, reaching subtly toward her waist.
“Don’t worry too much. If you really want, I can put in a little more effort….”
Mae Seol-ran grabbed his wrist with a swift motion.
“Hmm?”
Seok Ji-pyeong looked at her with a hopeful expression. Mae Seol-ran’s lips curled into a cold smile.
“Watch your hands if you want to keep them.”
“Ah… haha….”
Mae Seol-ran flung his hand away and turned to leave. Seok Ji-pyeong sighed and shook his head.
“Women… always so unpredictable.”
**
People called him the “Demon Hand Monster.”
A creature with the hands of a demon. Those who fell into his grasp rarely retained their sanity. They either went mad or died.
Anyone who had witnessed the horror even once avoided speaking with the Demon Hand Monster, except for the guards who had to deal with him regularly. They knew that outside of torture, he was as innocent as a child.
The head guard called out as the Demon Hand Monster waddled by, carrying a large brazier.
“Hey, how many times is it now? How many braziers have you brought in?”
“None of your business. It’s my choice.”
“Sure, it’s your choice, but take it easy. You’ll turn someone into charcoal at this rate.”
“Hmph!”
The Demon Hand Monster snorted and marched into the entrance of the Blood Prison Cave. He passed by rows of cells until he reached the deepest part and stopped.
Creak.
With an unpleasant screech, the cell door opened, revealing Sabi-gang, bound and hanging inside.
“Kekeke. You’ve come?”
Sabi-gang lifted his head and laughed. The Demon Hand Monster’s expression hardened noticeably. It was hard to tell who was the torturer just by looking at their faces.
The Demon Hand Monster trudged in and set the brazier on the ground. He added more charcoal and placed a fresh branding iron inside.
“This time, you can expect it. I’ll definitely hear your screams.”
“Kekeke! Foolish creature.”
“Who are you calling foolish?”
“Who else is here but you?”
“No, no! I’m not foolish! You’re the foolish one!”
Sabi-gang chuckled and mimicked the Demon Hand Monster’s stutter.
“You’re the foolish one.”
“Stop mimicking me!”
“Stop mimicking me!”
“Argh! Annoying brat!”
“Argh! Annoying brat!”
Finally, unable to contain his anger, the Demon Hand Monster grabbed the branding iron.
“Fine, fine. Let’s see how you like this!”
He pressed the iron against Sabi-gang’s chest.
At that moment.
“Aaaaargh!”
A scream tore from Sabi-gang’s lips. The Demon Hand Monster grinned with glee.
“Hehehe! It hurts, doesn’t it? Does it hurt a lot? Hehehe!”
“Aaaaargh! Ugh… ah… is that enough?”
Sabi-gang’s voice suddenly turned calm, as if nothing had happened.
The beastly torturer’s eyes widened in shock.
Sizzle.
The branding iron that had touched Sabigang’s skin was rapidly cooling.
“What, what the hell? Again with this!”
“Heh heh heh. But I did give you the scream you wanted to hear, didn’t I?”
Crack. Crackle!
The branding iron froze over.
Startled, the torturer quickly let go and kicked the iron away with his foot.
Clang!
“Ugh, it’s freezing!”
The torturer hugged his arms tightly, shivering uncontrollably.
In one corner of the torture chamber, six braziers lay scattered about.
All of them were frozen solid.
The brazier they had just brought in had also frozen over in no time.
The torturer, pale as a ghost, collapsed to the ground.
“I’m… I’m going to die.”
Tears streamed down his face.
If he accidentally killed the prisoner during torture, or if he failed to extract the desired information within two weeks, Baekto would invariably execute the torturer.
The beastly torturer was the only one who had survived such a blood-soaked environment.
But this one… this one was impossible to handle.
Even when he tried to pull out fingernails, there was no reaction. The whip never seemed to land on its target. The branding iron cooled as if by magic when pressed against the chest. What on earth was he supposed to do?
He had used a special restraint to block any internal energy flow, so it couldn’t be that. He was at a loss.
He considered reporting this to his superiors, but feared they would kill him for his incompetence, so he kept his mouth shut.
‘What am I supposed to do? At this rate, it’s like he’s not even tied up. Could he leave whenever he wants? If so, why hasn’t he?’
As this thought crossed his mind, a chill of fear ran through him.
Just then.
“Hey.”
“Ahhh! Wh-what is it?”
“Why are you freaking out like that?”
“Why did you call me?”
The torturer clenched his fists, ready to fight if necessary.
Sabigang chuckled softly and said, “I’m hungry. Bring me something to eat. I’ll let you live if you do. And while you’re at it, run an errand for me.”