Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 110

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 110
Before leaving the guest chamber, Cheon So-hyun first examined the state of his body.
‘Interesting.’
The martial energy that had reached the third barrier surged through his dantian like molten lava. The destructive power contained within that scorching heat was incomparably greater than before.
Combined with the more refined bones and muscles honed through the rebirth of flesh and bone, he could feel the transformation coursing through his entire being.
Though fatigue and soreness had not yet fully dissipated, the overall elevation of his cultivation realm was unmistakably apparent throughout his body.
Given that his already steep growth trajectory had gained explosive momentum, a satisfied smile naturally spread across his face.
‘Heh, but that’s not all.’
As he observed the energy within his body, he felt his dantian trembling. On the opposite side of the demonic energy, a new force stirred as if welcoming its master.
‘Finally…!’
The dharmic power that radiated brilliance like the sun and filled his dantian completely—the profound energy within it stirred a joy in the depths of his chest that he had never experienced before.
‘Now I can truly take my first steps!’
Since this energy was forged from the Prajna Great Power, Shaolin’s supreme heart technique, he felt certain that with only an increase in accumulated reserves, he could accomplish virtually anything.
‘Good, very good. First, I need to learn to harmonize and operate them together.’
The fire energy inscribed in his meridians had been driven into his dantian, overwhelmed by the dharmic power of the 108 Arhat Formation and Sari.
The problem was that it still hindered the operation of his dharmic power.
Perhaps because his body had been tempered by demonic energy, the circulation of his forces was not smooth at all. He would need to find a solution before returning to the Demonic Sect.
Creak.
As he opened the door and stepped out of the guest hall, bright sunlight dazzled Cheon So-hyun’s eyes.
“Cheon, benefactor!”
“You’ve finally awakened!”
And as if competing with his emergence, the martial monks gathered around him, shining even more brilliantly.
“How is your body? You’ve been lying down for quite a while, so your muscles must be quite stiff.”
Perhaps because they no longer expended spiritual power on the 108 Arhat Formation, the martial monks all wore faces free of worry and fatigue, greeting him warmly with smiles.
Cheon So-hyun smiled back. Seeing that Hyeja’s group, as well as the disciples under Gongja’s and Myeongja’s groups, were all safe, laughter came naturally.
“It’s better than it looks. Fatigue like this—a few nights of sleep and it’ll just heal on its own.”
“Ha, thank goodness! Still, don’t push yourself too hard.”
“Thank you for your efforts.”
Cheon So-hyun exchanged greetings with each of the martial monks, meeting their eyes one by one.
“It’s good to see all your faces. Where is the Abbot?”
“He’s inside the cave over there. He’s been waiting for you, so go see him quickly.”
“Come this way.”
Jin Gong-han, who had been walking ahead, pointed toward the cave—the very place where Hye Gwang’s complete body relic had been.
Shortly after, as Cheon So-hyun entered the interior of the cave, he tilted his head in confusion.
“Hmm?”
The bald senior brothers were busily organizing the chamber.
The hands setting up pillars and clearing away scattered stone piles worked with considerable care. It seemed too meticulous to be merely repair work to prevent collapse.
“Are you trying to preserve it? The dharmic power must have already dispersed, so is there really a need to do all this?”
“We must. The traces your master left behind still fill this place.”
“Traces?”
“Yes. Beyond the Buddhist Order, it’s a space of historical significance to the Martial Arts World itself. It’s become important for Shaolin’s practical interests, so we must maintain it properly to prevent its collapse.”
Cheon So-hyun looked at him with questioning eyes, but Jin Gong-han walked ahead as if he would understand soon enough.
As we moved through the space, now much brighter thanks to the torchlight, I saw Hyegong approaching with a smile on his face.
“Benefactor Cheon! You’ve awakened?”
“Yes, I just woke up.”
“I was worried, but I’m relieved to see you looking so well. Jin Gong-han must have had quite the time caring for you.”
“I merely spent time at your side—there’s no hardship to speak of. Abbot, you were the one who exerted yourself. Please, continue your conversation at ease.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Jin Gong-han bowed respectfully to Hyegong before turning to address me.
“I’ll be waiting. Let’s speak again before I depart.”
“Of course. I have many questions to ask you as well.”
After Jin Gong-han left, as I moved deeper into the chamber with Hyegong, I suddenly noticed the quality of the air had changed.
‘Hmm? What is this?’
A pleasant, refreshing sensation washed over me. With each breath, the air seemed to wrap around my entire body like a warm embrace.
“This cave is sealed and completely enclosed, yet why is the air so pure?”
“The vital energy that dwelt within Hye Gwang’s whole-body Sari has mixed into the atmosphere.”
“…Pardon? It still remained?”
“It did. The aftermath of the tempest caused by the Sari has permeated throughout the entire chamber. Thanks to that, this place has become a sacred and spiritual ground unmatched anywhere in the Realm.”
“A spiritual ground?”
Hyegong nodded.
“It shows remarkable effects in accumulating dharmic power. After repeated verification, I discovered this space is like a fortuitous opportunity for those who cultivate martial arts of the same lineage.”
My eyes widened as if they might split open.
Dharmic power is as difficult to accumulate as it is useful, and cultivation of it is an arduous pursuit. If gathering vital energy became easier, it would certainly provide clear benefits to my senior brothers’ advancement.
‘Not just my senior brothers, either.’
For Gongja’s Group and Myeongja’s Group, and even for the generations that follow, there could be no more solid foundation than this.
Unable to hide my joy, I broke into a bright smile.
“This is wonderful. Truly wonderful!”
“It’s thanks to you, Benefactor Cheon, for enduring with all your strength. Had we merely suppressed it with the 108 Arhat Formation, Hye Gwang’s energy would have dissipated meaninglessly. I am genuinely grateful.”
“It was a necessary process for me as well. Please don’t concern yourself too much.”
As I scratched the back of my head awkwardly, Hyegong pointed ahead with a benevolent expression.
“Now that we’ve come this far, let’s examine the whole-body Sari once more.”
“Yes.”
I approached the Sari slowly.
It no longer radiated golden light as it had before. It simply stood there, quiet and majestic, maintaining its place.
“It’s still remarkably solid. It seems even ordinary weapons couldn’t leave a scratch on it. Does that mean so much dharmic power remains?”
“After causing such a disturbance, there’s still much hidden away. The dharmic power that has seeped into the meridians remains unchanged.”
My brow furrowed.
“Then the timing for unsealing it will be delayed even further.”
“Well, wouldn’t you say we’ve significantly shortened the timeline?”
“Pardon?”
Hyegong glanced around the cave and answered.
“It shouldn’t take more than half a year for Sari’s spiritual essence to dissipate entirely. We’ll be pressed for time just cleaning up the cave and repairing Shaolin’s mountain gate. We’ll need to bring in workers soon, so we’ll likely open our doors even sooner than that.”
“I see.”
Only then did Cheon So-hyun nod and smile with satisfaction.
‘This actually works out better.’
I thought it would be advantageous in many ways to delay the closure of the gates.
Just as the Abbot Senior Brother said, Shaolin would need time to recover from the situation, and for me as an expelled disciple, this arrangement was far more favorable.
What would happen if news that Shaolin’s gates had reopened reached the Demonic Sect while I was wandering the Central Plains, evading my escort?
‘Those demon bastards would come charging with eyes blazing.’
Whether there was a direct connection or not didn’t matter.
To those who opposed the Great Sect and resented my expulsion, it would be like throwing them fresh meat.
Given the nature of the situation, they would likely assume it had nothing to do with the Third Prince, yet they would certainly employ all manner of schemes and threats.
‘Excellent.’
Cheon So-hyun clenched his fist.
I felt certain that the worries I’d harbored were unfolding smoothly.
“The place is in disarray, so I should take my leave now.”
“Very well.”
After exiting the cave, Hyegong guided me out of the abandoned temple.
“It seems I failed to properly greet a visitor who has come after so long. I apologize.”
“Given the circumstances, please don’t concern yourself. Besides, I was the one who barged in unannounced.”
“Had it not been for that recklessness, Shaolin would have suffered from delusion for a long time to come.”
“The delusion would have been dispelled quickly regardless of whether I came or not.”
“That’s not so. We would have carried it with us for the rest of our lives.”
Cheon So-hyun observed Hyegong carefully.
The Abbot Senior Brother’s expression appeared far more at ease.
Seeing his brightened countenance, as though he had shed all his worries, I felt that all his hardships had not been in vain.
As we walked a bit further, thick mist blocked our path ahead.
‘A formation?’
Even the senior brothers who busied themselves running about didn’t dare set foot here carelessly, and a solemn atmosphere hung over the surroundings.
“There’s an unusual spiritual force emanating from this place… Is it really acceptable to let outsiders pass through here so freely?”
“As I’ve said before, you are not an outsider. It’s not because you’re Hye Gwang’s successor. Shaolin owes you a debt of gratitude, and if you’re willing, I could even bestow a dharma name upon you.”
“…A dharma name?”
Cheon So-hyun’s brow furrowed slightly. It was an extraordinary offer, but I felt more unease than joy.
“Are you saying you’d take me into Gongja’s Group?”
“Since you’re Hye Gwang’s successor, it would naturally be so, wouldn’t it?”
Cheon So-hyun briefly imagined himself respectfully addressing senior brothers like Hyemyung and Hye Gak as teachers.
The mere thought made the back of my neck stiffen.
‘Those bald-headed monks?’
Every time I called them that, wouldn’t the surging emotions overwhelm me, causing me to lose control and cause a scene?
“Surely I wouldn’t have to shave my head too, would I?”
“That’s the way it should be. From the beginning, a Buddhist practitioner must first establish an environment free from all delusions and temptations….”
“That’s enough for me. I’m satisfied with things as they are. It’s perfect.”
“Haha, I thought you might say that.”
Hyegong continued speaking with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Shaolin never takes lightly the debts we owe. That’s why I’ve given considerable thought to how best to repay you.”
“Have you reached a decision?”
Hyegong nodded. As he waved his hand gently through the swirling mist that parted before us, a massive hall materialized from the fog.
“This place.”
Upon reading the plaque, Cheon So-hyun gasped in awe.
“The Janggyeong Pavilion…!”
It was the archive where the entire history of the Thousand-Year Shaolin lay dormant. Though similar to the Janggyeong Pavilion located within Shaolin’s grounds, it was distinctly different.
It housed not only martial arts texts but also countless treasures that Shaolin had acquired throughout the Jianghu—a place accessible only to the Abbot and the Keeper of the Janggyeong Pavilion.
In my previous life, I had only glimpsed it two or three times, and because the formation’s structure was periodically reorganized, it was so secret that one could never find it again without being guided by those who maintained it.
“Had Patron Cheon not visited, I would not have been able to bid Hye Gwang a final farewell. In comparison, this is a modest repayment, so please accept it.”
“Does that mean….”
“Choose whatever you wish. You may take two items with you.”
“…!”
Hyegong’s offer to grant him a dharma name was no empty promise.
If he desired it, Hyegong would gladly endure all the procedures and complications to bring him into Shaolin and keep him there for a long time.
‘But that cannot be.’
I had seen countless warriors like Patron Cheon.
Those with a clear path ahead. Not those who choose not to stay, but those whose lives demand they must not remain.
“I hope this has provided some solace during your arduous journey.”
Cheon So-hyun swallowed hard.
I understood this was a decision made after deep deliberation. Each item stored here must be a treasure capable of shaking the entire Martial Arts World. It would be improper to refuse outright, so I answered with a broad smile.
“Yes, I’ll search thoroughly and take the most precious treasures.”
“Good, that’s how it should be. I’ll be waiting, so take your time.”
“Yes!”
Cheon So-hyun headed toward the Janggyeong Pavilion without hesitation.
Creak, creak.
He pushed open the heavy doors and stepped inside, his nostrils flaring as he took in the atmosphere.
‘Hehe, what’s gotten into that stingy old man.’
The Janggyeong Pavilion was a place I had never been able to explore freely even in my previous life, so my heart naturally quickened with anticipation.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————