Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 116

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

Chapter 116
Baekmiongok Training Ground.
Shwiiing! Shwiiing!
The sound of blades cleaving through air resonated with weighty precision. It was a dual-sword technique both brisk and endlessly variable.
‘Still lacking, still not enough.’
Kang Hyun was absorbed in his training, reviewing his previous exchanges.
He recalled the impressive martial techniques from the demons he had faced, mulled them over carefully, and unfolded them flawlessly.
Shwiiing!
More ferocious, more razor-sharp. At times he deliberately slowed his pace to regulate his breathing.
Even that alone expanded the range of possibilities he could employ.
Whoooosh!
The glacial essence of the White Snow Unparalleled Art resonated and vibrated in harmony.
Unparalleled—or perhaps the flow of the martial way.
It signified the incomparable current of martial learning.
This ice technique, which grew stronger the more of others’ martial methods I absorbed, was both the legacy of my grandfather, the Previous Left Envoy, and a martial art stained with countless infamies.
Yet I was certain of it.
‘There is no martial art in the Realm to rival this!’
Perhaps that was not truth.
But I believed it so. Even if false, I would make it true through conviction, continuing my training. For one who had even abandoned his surname, the White Snow Unparalleled Art was the last thread connecting me to my family.
“That will suffice.”
Kang Hyun flinched and turned his head.
Do Je stood in a corner of the training ground, arms crossed, observing him.
“Ah, when did you arrive?”
Do Je examined him in silence.
‘At least he’s reached a level worth acknowledging.’
His entire body was drenched in sweat, his limbs trembling with fatigue.
Though it was natural to be exhausted after a full day of actual combat followed immediately by personal training, the boy’s eyes still gleamed with fierce brilliance.
“I was concerned about how much longer I’d need to clean up after this brat, but it seems that time is drawing near.”
“Haha… is that so?”
Kang Hyun laughed awkwardly.
Do Je’s demeanor was markedly different from before. His gaze had been disapproving, as though suggesting much time remained, yet even his exasperation now felt like a positive change to Kang Hyun. After all, this was the man who had harbored subtle hostility due to his resentment toward the family.
That had become a great comfort to me.
He was none other than the Demon Master of the Divine Sect.
If Do Je’s attitude could shift, might not others do the same?
Could I not ease, even slightly, the resentment pouring down upon my family?
Cleansing the infamy of the Baek Family—that was the driving force that allowed me to endure the grueling training.
Do Je’s eyes grew distant and profound.
“You will find joy as your achievements grow day by day, but henceforth exercise greater caution. Mindlessly swinging a blade a hundred times is mere labor, not training. From now on, pour all your focus into each technique, each step.”
“All my focus?”
“Yes. Imitating third-rate martial arts will only yield third-rate results. Through inspiration, forge endless variations in your changes. The faster you internalize them, the greater your achievements will become. From today onward, concentrate on mental imagery training.”
“Ah… I see. I will keep that in mind.”
Each word from him became the blood and flesh of instruction.
Do Je observed Kang Hyun’s resolute expression before asking casually.
“You’re continuing your external cultivation training?”
“Yes? Of course. I train with my Master once every four days.”
“When was the last time you saw him?”
Kang Hyun’s expression grew puzzled.
What an odd question to ask out of nowhere.
“Are you asking about my Master?”
“Yes.”
“I saw him this morning when I paid my respects. He was absorbed in wooden sword training, so I greeted him quietly without disturbing him and left.”
“Did you notice anything unusual?”
“Unusual? Not particularly… Has something happened to him? Why are you suddenly asking—”
“Just answer the question.”
Kang Hyun searched his memory under that piercing gaze.
“He seemed no different than usual. He was training, eating, and asked me to procure some metal… Oh!”
He continued as if something had come to mind.
“Now that I think about it, a stranger came looking for my Master a few days ago.”
“A stranger?”
“Yes. He was dressed entirely in crimson martial robes from head to toe. He spoke respectfully with my Master, gave him a letter, and left. After that, my Master continued as usual, so it didn’t seem like anything serious…”
“Did he happen to be wearing a sword with golden thread embroidered on it?”
“Ah, yes! That’s right. It looked like flames, or perhaps like a bird.”
A deep furrow carved itself between Do Je’s brows. In that instant, the air around them grew cold and heavy.
Since Yi Ma-je had departed from Baek Myun Valley, an invisible hand seemed to squeeze his heart—an unsettling premonition he could not shake.
‘The Brocade Flower Bird.’
And he realized this was no mere groundless worry.
“Why… why are you like this? Has something truly happened to my Master? He said nothing about it this morning, could it be—”
“Stop worrying about it.”
“But—”
“If you wish to be of help, then fix that pathetic martial foundation of yours first. If you think to crawl along the ground after receiving instruction from two Demon Masters, I’ll slit your throat myself.”
Do Je spoke those words and turned away. Before Kang Hyun could respond, he vanished swiftly into the darkness.
* * *
“What of the investigation I asked you to conduct?”
Do Je asked without breaking his stride.
Hong Yi-gyeom emerged from the darkness where she had been waiting. Her complexion was equally grim.
“Nothing unusual to report. The Four Great Demon Masters are still accumulating their strength, and there’s been no significant news from the Demon Extreme Three Gates.”
“Then why does your expression look so troubled?”
“It may be unfounded concern, but the movements from the Military Council side have been somewhat strange.”
Do Je’s eyes sharpened in an instant.
“The Military Council?”
“Yes. The Chief Military Commander has been away frequently of late, and it appears people have been coming and going from the Council of Elders. It’s natural they would issue directives while preparing for the Great Sect, but….”
“The timing seems suspicious?”
Hong Yi-gyeom nodded.
“It does feel odd, coming right after news of the Third Prince arrived. And what troubles me most is Sa Ma-ryang’s side.”
Do Je’s footsteps halted abruptly. He turned his head to regard Hong Yi-gyeom.
“Why there?”
“Contact has suddenly ceased.”
“….”
“It hasn’t even been a full day, but this person understands how vital it is to maintain our communication network. Until now, even trivial news came through messenger birds or letters, yet today there is nothing at all.”
Do Je laughed hollowly.
“So that’s how it is.”
“Sir?”
“I was wondering why things had been proceeding so smoothly. It seems he’s finally drawn his blade.”
Hong Yi-gyeom’s brow furrowed.
“What should we do then?”
“Respond as we’ve prepared. Summon the Daegeui members.”
“…Will that be wise? If something truly has happened, wouldn’t that be the Military Council’s concern?”
“We’ll make it wise. Wait for my word. If no word comes, move independently.”
With those words spoken, Do Je’s form scattered like the wind.
* * *
The Desolate Windy Valley.
Yi Ma-je traversed the sparsely populated mountain path before halting before a grand main hall. The brilliantly painted structure was the Geumhwa Pavilion.
“Open it.”
Those guarding the entrance bowed respectfully.
“They await you within.”
Creak.
Sword Masters clad in crimson martial robes watched as he entered the inner courtyard. Their eyes held vigilance, hostility, and a faint hint of admiration.
Hwa Do-myung—one who had ascended to the Demon Master’s seat with a single blade, having reached that position primarily through external martial arts. Many had taken interest in him.
“This way, if you please.”
Hwa Do-myung passed through the inner courtyard and opened the door to the Annex Chamber.
“You’ve come. It’s been difficult to see your face. Was it not since we last met at the Council of Elders?”
He looked up at the Warrior seated in the place of honor.
“Since you’ve kept your distance, it must be over half a year now.”
A man with pallid skin and a slender frame, his blood-red martial robes striking in appearance.
Though his features were refined, a ferocious demonic aura clung to him, instilling instinctive revulsion in all who beheld him.
The Sword Demon. Or as some called him, the Blood Sword Demon Hand.
Myung Un-chul—the Divine Sect’s Third Demon Master, a monster counted among the four greatest masters of the Council of Elders.
“Still, it gladdens me to see you thus. Please, be at ease.”
The Third Demon Master Myung Un-chul moved toward the table. Wine and food had been prepared, seemingly to receive his guest.
Myung Un-chul filled a cup and asked.
“It seems your body has grown more robust since we last met. You must have made progress in your external cultivation.”
“I’ve been putting in the effort, in my own way.”
Hwa Do-myung drained the cup in one swift gulp.
Myung Un-chul raised an eyebrow at his casual, uninhibited manner—as if he were in his own home.
“What if poison were mixed in? Why drink so recklessly?”
“Then things would become simpler.”
“Simpler?”
“Why trouble myself over trivial information? A single life-or-death duel would settle everything, wouldn’t it?”
A flicker of something cold passed through Hwa Do-myung’s eyes.
“Both you and I are more accustomed to such matters, are we not?”
Myung Un-chul let out a low chuckle, recognizing the anger beneath the youthful facade. He had caught the fury in the letter’s contents.
“Your disciple must be quite precious to you. I never imagined you would find the Baek Family’s shameful secrets so distasteful.”
“The letter was nothing but lies, wasn’t it? Whatever they call the Previous Left Envoy a heretic, he was no mere slave to carnal desire.”
“That’s merely trivial amusement. Does it truly matter how a heretic lived?”
Glug, glug.
Myung Un-chul refilled his cup and continued.
“Don’t rush the conversation. You’re so warm with gamblers, yet so cold with old friends. Isn’t this a long-awaited reunion?”
Hwa Do-myung’s expression hardened like ice. His tone shifted, as if he could no longer contain himself.
“Do you still have more jabs left?”
Myung Un-chul clicked his tongue regretfully as killing intent filled the air.
“Tsk. How did someone so rigid fall out of favor with the Sect? Have you heard anything about the Silver Scale Tyrant Blade?”
Hyung Baek, the Silver Scale Tyrant Blade, was an inspector of the Military Council and counted among the finest swordmasters in the association—a warrior who had reversed his retirement.
“Blades overflow and spill over in these times. The Chief Military Commander made his decision accordingly. He’s discarding half-broken blades and sharpening new ones to fill their place. It’s merely a temporary reprieve for certain reasons.”
Hwa Do-myung’s gaze grew glacial.
“The Sect’s logic is painfully simple—the strong stand above. If you challenged for the position of Demon Master, there would be no reason to refuse.”
“That would be reckless bravado when your limbs were still intact, wouldn’t it?”
A crimson gleam flickered in Myung Un-chul’s eyes.
“Your Dantian—you still haven’t resolved it?”
Myung Un-chul laughed with a clicking sound.
“Since you’ve fallen from grace, you act as though you’re cutting all ties. Opposing the Third Prince and the Great Sect, harboring a heretic—you certainly have a knack for choosing what irritates everyone.”
“And?”
“Given our history, I wanted to offer you a final farewell. It also displeases me that another is called Yi Ma-je.”
“So that was your true intention.”
Hwa Do-myung laughed hollowly.
“Still clinging to such worthless things? Step back and see—it’s all meaningless. If you desire it, I’ll yield the position to you.”
Myung Un-chul’s expression hardened. At the serene offer to take the Yi Ma-je seat as though bestowing charity, his fists turned white with tension.
“Worthless? It is only natural in the Demonic Path for the strong to stand above. Though it has become nominal in recent times, many—far too many—still regard the Demon Master’s rank as a measure of true martial power.”
Myung Un-chul, possessed of a cunning heart, had always viewed Hwa Do-myung—respected by countless warriors—as a thorn in his side.
Thus, he had resolved to eliminate him while this opportunity presented itself.
Hwa Do-myung met his gaze.
‘Even that is merely an excuse. This is not my will alone.’
Such disputes were typically mediated by the Military Council.
But seeing him act so boldly made me wonder if the Chief Military Commander had actually pushed him forward from behind.
Of course, that wasn’t reason enough to back down.
“Draw your blade.”
“…Oh?”
Myung Un-chul’s eyes gleamed with peculiar light. He had acquiesced far more readily than anticipated.
“How refreshingly direct. Yes, given how chaotic things have become, the sooner we settle this….”
Crack.
In that instant, accompanied by a grotesque splintering sound, the door handle shattered and the door exploded inward, wooden shards scattering in all directions.
A man strode through the torn doorway, and behind him lay Myung Un-chul’s subordinates scattered about in disarray.
Myung Un-chul’s eyes narrowed.
“So you have no restraint. Have you lost your mind?”
The man let out a low chuckle.
“When you’ve swept away everything that gets in your way, it’s only natural, isn’t it?”
His features were striking.
Hair carelessly swept back, a sharply defined nose bridge and jawline. Across his back hung a heavy, peculiar blade he did not normally carry.
“Tell me that again.”
Do Je Wi Mu-ryeon settled into a chair, his gaze turning cold and piercing.
“What is The Demon Master’s turn?”

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