Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 13

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 13
“…!”
Cheon So-hyun’s shoulders trembled violently.
‘This cursed situation.’
Divine Fist’s passing was the greatest catalyst for the Divine Sect’s expansion into the Central Plains. They had decided on the Great Calamity for such a reason?
“Y-you’re saying you’re expanding into the Central Plains based on confirming Divine Fist’s death?”
Cheon So-hyun desperately suppressed the trembling at his fingertips.
“That… what are you saying? No matter how exceptional a martial monk is, he’s merely one individual, isn’t he? You can’t seriously believe the balance was shattered simply because one person disappeared?”
“Your words hold merit, yet there are rare instances where such occurs. Divine Fist’s case is precisely one of them.”
“….”
“As the history of the Divine Sect proves, one of the greatest obstacles to the Demonic Path achieving dominion over the Realm is the martial monks of Shaolin. We judged that this impediment had grown even more formidable in the present age. Do you know why?”
“Isn’t it because the martial techniques of the Demon-Slaying Sect, represented by their exemplars, have progressively advanced? It doesn’t seem to stem solely from Divine Fist’s martial prowess.”
“Your words hold some truth, yet they are not entirely accurate.”
“Why is that?”
“Buddhist sects that inherit the true lineage are inherently insular by nature. With limited interaction with the secular world, information about them is scarce, and it is difficult to discern their vulnerabilities or even their true scale.”
“….”
“If one were to identify their weaknesses, it would be their tendency toward laxity when preaching compassion….”
“Shaolin is different, you’re saying?”
“Precisely. The Shaolin of this age has forgotten the very purpose of monks, meddling in secular affairs and even permitting the taking of life.”
Sa Ma-hyuk continued in an even tone.
“Weapons grip the hands that should hold the wooden fish, and battle cries pour from mouths that should speak of boundless compassion—they differ not at all from the various sects of Jianghu.”
What in the world was this demon trying to say?
Frustration rose to my throat. I could not restrain myself and spoke.
“Why are you telling me such things?”
Our gazes locked with the Chief Military Commander’s.
His ashen pupils rippled with a subtle inner force. It appeared to be the same eye technique as before, yet it seemed to be a martial art specialized in discerning the intentions of others.
“What opinion do you hold regarding Shaolin’s conduct, Young Master?”
I had no idea why he would suddenly ask such a question. Was he testing me?
Faced with this unexpected inquiry, I spoke my true thoughts.
“From their perspective, it doesn’t seem particularly wrong.”
“Elaborate, if you would.”
“They must have concluded that merely preaching boundless compassion is insufficient to save the sentient beings of the world, yes?”
“….”
“The reason they cultivate martial arts like warriors is ultimately to confront warriors themselves. One cannot prevent catastrophe through mere words and preaching of compassion alone.”
I continued, observing the Chief Military Commander’s expression.
“Even if they commit acts of killing, as long as they are monks, they would naturally cease if they believed it hindered their cultivation. And if the martial power accumulated through ascetic practice is directed toward the Demonic Path, they would see no issue with it, would they?”
The Chief Military Commander, who had maintained silence for a moment, nodded.
“You grasp this matter well indeed. Shaolin surely holds the same view. And their transformation into a stance that defers compassion and rejects the Demonic occurred precipitously in this age. The Cult concluded that Divine Fist’s influence was substantial.”
“…Divine Fist’s influence?”
“Yes. He possessed a temperament difficult to regard as that of a true Buddhist monk, awakening to the ultimate principles of demon-slaying and wielding his violence without restraint toward the Demonic Path. As a result, he exerted tremendous influence upon Jianghu, becoming a form of suppressive force against the Black Path sects of the region.”
Cheon So-hyun forced his gaping mouth shut with sheer willpower.
‘How in the world did these bastards….’
I never imagined the Demonic Sect possessed such detailed intelligence. While there was a grave misconception about my nature, the Chief Military Commander’s words contained virtually no falsehoods.
Had they planted spy networks throughout the Central Plains even during the temple’s closure?
Shaolin was known for its unusually tyrannical tendencies among Buddhist sects, yet there remained many frustrating aspects.
Particularly, the conduct of those Buddhist monks who spoke of compassion even toward villains and dispensed teachings under the guise of guidance. I harbored an extreme aversion to such behavior.
Why should we nurture and teach the degenerate masses who perpetually indulge in slaughter? There were sentient beings who genuinely required aid.
It was true that if one despised the temple, one should leave—yet that disposition didn’t suit me, so I had ceaselessly endeavored to reform the temple itself.
Sa Ma-hyuk’s words continued.
“In other words, with Divine Fist—who once reigned as the absolute sovereign of the White Path’s martial world—vanished, and Shaolin itself, standing at the apex of the demon-slaying forces, having withdrawn from the Realm, this presents an unparalleled opportunity.”
What nonsense was this now.
Cheon So-hyun swallowed hard.
“Withdrawn from the Realm? What do you mean by that? Did Shaolin enter a period of closure?”
“Yes, we obtained a notice that they are sealing their gates during the period of mourning for Divine Fist’s passing into nirvana.”
Cheon So-hyun’s eyes widened dramatically.
‘Damn it…!!’
The successive shocks made it difficult to maintain composure. Wasn’t this essentially saying that my reincarnation had triggered Shaolin’s closure, creating circumstances for the Demonic Sect to flourish?
As I contemplated the perils descending upon the Realm, a crushing pressure bore down upon my entire being.
Then, Sa Ma-ryang, who had remained silent, spoke with a grave expression.
“If that is the case, then the wars engulfing the Realm would commence even before our Sect’s emergence.”
“Precisely. The Black Path will have no choice but to vent the fury they’ve suppressed. Now is the time to monitor the situation with meticulous care.”
At this exchange, Cheon So-hyun’s pupils trembled as though an earthquake had struck. His gaze turned toward Sa Ma-ryang.
“What are you saying? Surely you’re not suggesting the Sect intends to employ the stratagem of borrowing another’s blade?”
“Yes, it appears to be precisely that.”
“…!”
Borrowing another’s blade—a stratagem of using someone else’s sword to strike one’s enemy. In other words, from the Demonic Sect’s perspective, it meant wielding the Black Path’s strength to destabilize the White Path.
The cultists would stop at nothing to achieve a Demonic Path world, invading the Central Plains without hesitation.
Utilizing every card in their hand, it was entirely feasible for conflicts to erupt across the Central Plains, perpetrated by those wearing the masks of either the White or Black Path.
What would transpire if the White and Black Paths engaged in protracted warfare across the Realm before the Demonic Sect’s emergence?
‘Curse it all!’
It was as clear as fire. The Demonic Path would consume the entire Realm.
Confusion flooded in, overwhelming my capacity to accept this information.
‘Is all of this… happening because of my reincarnation?’
The roiling chaos transformed into something akin to guilt. No matter how unintentional it was, I had influenced the Demonic Sect’s decisions.
“Young Master, are you well?”
Cheon So-hyun met Sa Ma-ryang’s gaze. Eyes brimming with concern. In those pupils, it was Cheon So-hyun, not Hye Gwang, who was reflected.
It was as though he were telling me that now was the time to do my utmost in Cheon So-hyun’s form, and my mind snapped into focus.
‘That’s right. It hasn’t happened yet.’
Cheon So-hyun grasped his resolve firmly.
‘Amitabha Buddha.’
If I could accomplish my goal of preventing the Great Calamity by any means necessary, all my worries would come to nothing. This was no time to despair.
“So that’s how it is. But regardless of the reason, as I said before, I wish to prevent the Cult’s expansion. There’s truly no way to call off the Great Calamity?”
“There is none.”
The Chief Military Commander answered with unwavering conviction.
“Were this any other matter, it would be possible to hear the opinions of the senior members and cancel or modify the plan. But regarding the Great Calamity, we have left no room for flexibility.”
“….”
“The Cult Leader’s command has already been issued, and though it may not be what the believers desire most, it is certainly a long-cherished aspiration we have harbored.”
“I see.”
Sa Ma-hyuk observed Cheon So-hyun’s expression carefully. Despite hearing a clear refusal, his eyes still burned with fervent intensity, like a blazing sun.
He appeared unwilling to bend his will. Watching those eyes, several possibilities suddenly occurred to Sa Ma-hyuk.
As the silence lengthened, Sa Ma-ryang’s complexion hardened. He looked toward Sa Ma-hyuk, then examined Cheon So-hyun.
“….”
Though he had quickly composed himself, that rare expression of bewilderment remained vividly etched on his face. Because he was always so confident, the contrast struck all the more forcefully.
‘So that’s how desperately he desires this.’
Sa Ma-ryang clenched his fist beneath the table. He knew painfully well what efforts had been expended all this time.
The image of him training until his clothes hung loosely, and after finishing his duties, poring over documents with hollow eyes—it remained vivid before me now.
To contribute even a single step to that journey, Sa Ma-ryang made his decision.
“If there are senior members who harbor doubts, would it not be possible to listen to their opinions?”
“You know as well as I do that it’s impossible. Yet you still raise the matter—what is your intention?”
“As you may have guessed, I too harbor doubts, just as you do.”
“And?”
Sa Ma-ryang bowed his head over the empty table.
“I understand what the Military Council desires. Please grant me the opportunity to join and assist the family’s affairs.”
“Do you speak with sincerity?”
“Yes.”
Sa Ma-hyuk furrowed his brow and spoke.
“Your attitude has suddenly changed. It was only days ago that you refused, speaking of heavenly mandate.”
“….”
“If your heart lies elsewhere, the Military Council cannot accept you. Are you not simply spouting words to achieve your goals more easily?”
“That is not so.”
“Ryang.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Everyone in the family knows your stubbornness. No matter how important preventing the Great Calamity is to you, changing your resolve would not have been easy. There must have been a clear catalyst—what was it?”
Sa Ma-ryang answered after a brief silence.
“I realized that I could continue my duties according to heavenly mandate within the Military Council as well.”
“If that were something you could have realized on your own, you would have done so long ago. Why speak of it now?”
“You showed me that medicine is not the only profession that saves lives.”
The Chief Military Commander’s lips curved faintly upward.
“You mean saving people through words rather than medicinal herbs?”
“Yes.”
Sa Ma-hyuk’s gaze turned toward Cheon So-hyun.
“Is that the truth?”
“Indeed. The Military Council’s duty is to command the faithful—we can harm lives, but we can also save them.”
It was something I had said to Sa Ma-ryang while discussing strategy. In truth, it was merely honeyed words, a common enough sentiment that it hardly would have been particularly impressive.
Yet the reason Sa Ma-ryang yielded his position was simple: he had decided to stand with me as a civil official to prevent the Great Calamity.
Sa Ma-hyuk gazed at me with deepening contemplation, then pursed his lips as though organizing his thoughts with careful deliberation.
“Hmm.”
The silence stretched long, his expression troubled.
‘Things are proceeding smoothly.’
In truth, I had already settled upon my answer beforehand. Even before meeting the Third Prince, I had anticipated this course of events and harbored such expectations.
‘An unexpected gain.’
Due to the prolonged closure and the extended period of peace it had brought, the Cult’s power now stood stronger than ever before.
Yet Sa Ma-hyuk judged even that insufficient. The various forces throughout the Central Plains had likewise preserved their full strength.
‘To seize complete victory, this must become a sacred war where every member of the Cult dedicates their entire heart.’
In other words, it must become a perfectly unified organization. Yet his philosophy held that no such organization could exist.
Just as the Cult Leader, approaching perfection, had sought absolute completeness and entered seclusion once more, the Divine Sect still possessed room for advancement.
There were certainly aspects that required sharper refinement or needed to be severed entirely.
This was why I had granted a reprieve—to ascertain whether any senior members harbored doubts, to understand their reasons, and to devise the means necessary to eliminate them.
Sa Ma-hyuk spoke in a measured tone.
“Before I reveal my position, there is something I must clarify with you, Prince.”
“What is that?”
“Simply listening to dissent does not guarantee the Military Council’s stance will change. Without proper justification, we would naturally disregard such voices. Moreover, even if doubters exist, they would not speak rashly.”
“Of course they wouldn’t.”
Cheon So-hyun nodded.
To oppose the Demonic Sect’s great plan was tantamount to defiance and treason—who would dare voice dissent so easily?
Yet obtaining the Chief Military Commander’s approval carried profound significance.
His recognition would mean the Military Council itself was certifying that opposing the great plan was not a crime.
Looking back now, the Chief Military Commander’s sudden appearance was an extraordinarily favorable circumstance for Sa Ma-ryang and myself.
“Are you certain you can accept this, then?”
“It matters not. One cannot be satisfied on the first course alone, and this much should suffice.”
“Then I shall listen to the senior members’ opinions as you wish, Prince. However, I believe there is virtually no possibility the great plan will be abandoned or postponed.”
Unexpected words flowed from Sa Ma-hyuk’s lips.
“But should Sa Ma-ryang participate, the Military Council’s affairs would certainly proceed more smoothly. This is owing to your virtue, Prince, so I shall offer you one piece of information in return.”
“Information, you say?”
“Seek out Yi Ma-je of the Elder Council.”
Cheon So-hyun repeated the name.
“Yi Ma-je?”
Who was this figure? The Elder Council suggested someone of considerable standing within the Demonic Sect.
“Though the reasons differ, he shares your view that advancing into the Central Plains is premature.”
“I see. My thanks to you.”
Meeting Sa Ma-hyuk’s gaze, Cheon So-hyun’s lips curved upward.
‘His heart is utterly dark and twisted.’
Certainly, the Chief Military Commander, as the head of the Military Council, would find actions contrary to the greater scheme distasteful. Should anything go awry, all the carefully laid plans would crumble to dust.
Yet his willingness to accept and even provide information suggested he didn’t deem it impossible—rather, it implied he harbored his own hidden agenda.
A flash of dark light gleamed in Cheon So-hyun’s eyes. The indomitable will of Divine Fist, who had achieved whatever heights he set as his target, materialized in his gaze.
‘Whatever it is, I’ll crush it all.’
Even if it meant overturning the Demonic Sect itself, Cheon So-hyun steeled his resolve.

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