Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 18

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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 18
The Elder’s Hall of the Iron Blood Demon Family Estate.
“At the Tavern Outside the Inner City? What do you mean by that?”
The Stern-Faced Elder’s brow furrowed deeply.
The man delivering the report wore an expression of profound discomfort.
His mind was so tangled with confusion that he scarcely knew where to begin unraveling the sequence of events.
“You’re not asking?”
“Well, that is… there was a confrontation between the Third Prince and Cheon Mu-tan, and as a result, the Fourth Prince sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment and resting at his quarters.”
“Injuries? Explain in detail.”
“It appears he forcibly drew upon his cultivation reserves and damaged his internal organs in the process.”
“Is it a grave condition?”
“According to the Physician, if he devotes himself to breathing exercises, he should recover within days.”
Jin Ri-tae, the Elder of the Iron Blood Demon Family Estate, swallowed a sigh and shook his head.
“It doesn’t sound life-threatening, then. What of Cheon So-hyun’s condition?”
“That is… when we arrived at the Tavern Outside the Inner City, the Third Prince was not there. According to the workers’ accounts, he left without sustaining any serious injuries.”
“What?”
At this unexpected revelation, Jin Ri-tae’s face darkened with displeasure.
“Are you telling me the Fourth Prince was defeated by a man who was little more than a walking corpse?”
“Though it pains me to say… it would appear so.”
Crash!
The sound of the table being struck reverberated with lethal force.
“He must have coerced them into spreading false rumors! A prince would retain at least that much pride. Isn’t that right?!”
“We confirmed with the surrounding merchants, and their testimonies were entirely consistent. Moreover, Jin Gyu, who served as his escort, corroborated the same account.”
Whoosh.
In an instant, crimson demonic energy began flowing from the seat of power in the office.
Crack.
Originally, when word reached the family that Cheon So-hyun had awakened, they had devised countermeasures—merely precautions against unforeseen circumstances.
After prolonged recuperation, there existed the faint possibility that Cheon So-hyun, drawing upon his innate five-fold talent, might grow formidably and obstruct the Iron Blood family’s path forward.
‘Yet he’s already recovered his strength?’
It was impossible unless the density of his life differed so vastly that he could fragment the same span of years into countless moments. Recovering his martial prowess was unthinkable—merely managing his internal injuries should have consumed all his capacity.
Crack!
The armrest of the chair Jin Ri-tae gripped tore like parchment.
That this was possible meant only one thing: the anxiety that had taken root in his heart would become reality.
“Did you ensure absolute silence?”
“My apologies. While we were silencing them, the Dharma Protection Institute suddenly burst in…”
Jin Ri-tae hurled the shattered armrest aside, his voice erupting with fury.
“What are you doing?! You can’t even handle such a simple task properly!”
“I… I sincerely apologize.”
It was the worst possible scenario.
If news of Cheon Mu-tan’s defeat spread throughout the Cult, what would happen?
Not only would the prestige of the Iron Blood Demon Family crack, but it would leave an indelible mark of shame upon the Fourth Prince’s future dominion.
Boom!
Jin Ri-tae rose abruptly from his seat.
“Does the Family Head know of this?”
“Yes. Upon hearing the news, he departed for the Fourth Prince’s Residence.”
Whoosh!
Jin Ri-tae’s form blurred for an instant. Propelled by furious lightness of movement, he burst from the Elder’s Hall toward the Fourth Prince’s Residence.
As he strode without hesitation into the sleeping quarters, his vision fell upon the pallid figure of Cheon Mu-tan seated upon the bed and the Iron Blood Family Head looming above him.
“Family Head, we must act at once——”
“Wait. The conversation is not yet finished.”
Jin Mu-hui’s gaze, which had turned toward Jin Ri-tae, shifted once more to Cheon Mu-tan. Within those eyes lay a subtle emotion—whether concern or disappointment, none could say.
“Fourth Prince.”
Cheon Mu-tan, his voice hoarse, spoke with a metallic rasp.
“…Yes.”
“How do you feel?”
Cheon Mu-tan’s fingertips trembled slightly.
Was he being mocked?
The question flickered across his mind. It was a query that could never have been uttered had he known the identity of his opponent.
Had the physicians who had just departed spoken such words, he would not have rested until their heads rolled.
Yet these words came from his maternal grandfather, the master of the Iron Blood Demon Family, and so he had no choice but to answer.
“…I am furious.”
“Furious? Why so?”
“Throughout the entire exchange, I maintained the advantage. But my opponent resorted to petty tricks, disrupting the match and dragging it into a brawl——”
“Petty tricks? Be specific. Was there external interference?”
Cheon Mu-tan shook his head.
“Deeming himself unable to match me in direct combat, he repeatedly blocked and pushed with his fists, dragging the fight into something crude and base. Should we meet again with blades drawn, I shall surely——”
Jin Mu-hui burst into hollow laughter.
“Ha ha… ha ha ha ha ha.”
When Cheon Mu-tan lifted his head at the sudden sound,
‘…!’
He felt his heart plummet into an abyss of terror.
Jin Mu-hui’s expression had twisted into something grotesque and malevolent as he glared down at him.
Rumble!
Soon, a savage aura erupted from Jin Mu-hui, shaking the entire structure.
Faced with an aura that exceeded all bounds, Jin Ri-tae urgently stepped forward.
“F-Family Head! If you draw upon your power any further, the Fourth Prince will——”
Flash!
Crimson light blazed forth from Jin Mu-hui’s eyes.
“I believed you would become the future sky of this Sect. How can you be so foolish?”
“…Did you call me foolish?”
“Before you swear vengeance, shouldn’t you first understand the situation? Why do you think you’re still breathing? Because the physicians tended to your internal injuries? Because your family hastily procured medicine for you?”
Jin Mu-hui’s prayer grew increasingly sinister.
“If you truly believe that, tell me now. I’ll wring that neck of yours so you don’t cling to false hope.”
“…!”
Cheon Mu-tan’s complexion, which had remained silent, gradually flushed crimson. It wasn’t from the oppressive qi constricting his entire body or Jin Mu-hui’s coercive atmosphere.
Only now did he comprehend the reason his breath persisted.
‘…Because Cheon So-hyun let me live.’
Blood trickled from his bitten lips. Unbearable rage and humiliation intertwined, sweeping across his entire being.
Escaping death’s grasp and continuing to live should have been joyous.
After all, it meant he could plot for the future.
But within the Divine Sect, it was different.
In the demonic martial world where ruthlessness and the supremacy of the strong ran deep, allowing a defeated opponent to live unscathed was nothing short of humiliation.
Especially if it had been an opportunity to eliminate a rival in the succession struggle—there was nothing more to say.
Had sparing him stemmed from ignorance that failed to consider future complications, he wouldn’t have burned with such fury.
But curse it all, Cheon So-hyun was far from ignorant….
Crack!
In the end, it meant he hadn’t even been regarded as a rival.
Could there be greater humiliation than this? The fact that only he had concerned himself with Cheon So-hyun, only he had viewed him as a rival, kept his emotions churning relentlessly.
It was then.
Whoooosh!!
Cheon Mu-tan’s complexion began turning pale as parchment.
The vast surge of rage stimulated the Baihui acupoint, drawing movement from his dantian. The demonic qi violently erupting from his dantian shook through his meridians in a rampage.
His qi and blood tangled chaotically, placing him in a perilous state where he could plunge into demonic possession at any moment.
‘…!!’
Whoooosh!
The Iron Blood Family Head, observing him, gathered all his inner power to his fingertips and pressed multiple points across Cheon Mu-tan’s body.
Cough!
Cheon Mu-tan spewed a mouthful of blackened blood and collapsed.
Jin Ri-tae gasped in surprise at the movement reminiscent of a fatal strike, but quickly composed himself.
‘…Surely not in such a situation.’
Jin Mu-hui gathered his inner power and steadied his ragged breathing.
“It won’t be perfect, but the primary objective should be achieved.”
Jin Ri-tae checked Cheon Mu-tan’s pulse gate.
Thump! Thump!!
Rather than stopping or weakening, the qi pulsed even more violently.
‘The Red Emperor Qi has taken complete root.’
It was a realm that would require at least five more years of cultivation to even glimpse from the Fourth Prince’s achievements.
‘To accomplish cross-body energy transmission in such a brief moment…’
Cross-body energy transmission was a technique of transferring inner power through physical contact.
If the infused inner power exceeded the recipient’s capacity, it would instead become the internal heavy-handed method that ruptured organs—a technique not easily attempted.
‘Did you deliberately provoke such an emotional outburst?’
Cheon Mu-tan’s immature demonic energy spiraled out of control, sending shockwaves through his blood meridians, and in the process, he channeled true qi into his expanded energy channels.
The Iron Blood Family Head gazed at the Fourth Prince, his eyes gleaming with crimson light.
“Do not forget the emotions you feel now. Today’s defeat can be repaid whenever you wish.”
* * *
Pale moonlight illuminated the trembling cliff edge.
A man sat in lotus position amid the thick darkness, his eyes burning with an icy gaze.
With each exhaled breath, the air itself vibrated, and though his long robe was a deep crimson, the stains of blood were unmistakably visible.
He appeared to be exerting effort to suppress his turbulent emotions, yet no matter how carefully he regulated his breathing, the murderous aura emanating from him showed no signs of dissipating.
“Worthless vermin.”
Intruders occasionally breached the boundaries of the Heavenly Demon Cult—those who were not believers.
From ignorant fools who overestimated their martial prowess and sought to test the Cult’s reputation, to ruffians bearing the title of “martial world outlaws” who had committed unspeakable crimes and sought refuge in the Cult.
Rarely, there were also spies from the White Path and Black Path attempting to infiltrate and gather intelligence on the Cult’s movements.
Despite the fact that no unbeliever had ever left alive, the frequency of intrusions had increased of late.
The constant probing of the Cult’s circumstances seemed to herald some kind of omen.
War clouds were beginning to gather across the Realm.
‘It matters not.’
The man took another deep breath and steadied his mind, deciding that whatever events occurred outside the Cult were of no concern to him.
His only responsibility was to ensure that the ignorant masses’ actions did not displease the Cult Leader.
Then.
“Left Envoy, as you commanded, we have transferred the spy to the Demon Prison. He was on the verge of death, so it may take time to ascertain his identity.”
Even without a response, the subordinate with ash-gray hair continued his report.
“Furthermore, two hours ago, the Chief Military Commander sent someone to the Dharma Protection Institute.”
“Speak.”
A sharp edge colored the Gwangmyeong Left Envoy’s tone.
The fact that someone so notably busy had deliberately sent a messenger to the Dharma Protection Institute struck him as deeply unsettling.
“A report came from the Tavern Outside the Inner City claiming that the Fourth Prince had attempted to harm the Third Prince. Though the claim seemed preposterous, given its source, we sent members to investigate and confirmed that a confrontation had indeed occurred.”
The Gwangmyeong Left Envoy’s gaze turned toward the man.
“Are you saying the Iron-Blooded Demon Master defied orders?”
Within his clear eyes, a quiet killing intent circled.
“…!”
He had cautioned the Four Great Demon Families to avoid unnecessary disturbances. This was because extraordinary protection had been extended to the Third Prince.
In other words, this was tantamount to defying the Cult Leader’s command.
Kuguung.
The man answered in a trembling voice, crushed beneath the overwhelming pressure of the energy wave.
“There were no signs of family involvement. It appears they were merely testing their martial prowess against each other.”
“Testing their martial prowess?”
“Yes, all testimonies were consistent. The Fourth Prince sustained injuries and lost consciousness, while the Third Prince had already left the scene.”
“The Fourth Prince was defeated?”
“That is correct.”
The Gwangmyeong Left Envoy’s expression hardened.
The Third Prince’s condition when seen at the Cult Leader’s Hall was nowhere near a state where he could contend with anyone.
His inner and outer state had been in complete disarray—his stride itself lacked consistency.
Yet he had still managed to fell the Fourth Prince…
‘He has achieved a breakthrough.’
It meant the Third Prince had transcended merely setting foot upon the Heavenly Spirit Divine Art and had actually achieved a breakthrough.
It would have been impossible without refining one’s martial prowess through the breathing technique of the divine art itself.
This was no trivial matter. The Heavenly Spirit Divine Art was said to be so enigmatic and profound that even the greatest talents of the ages were denied entry—such was its fearsome reputation.
What was peculiar was that the Third Prince had achieved this breakthrough entirely alone, without any assistance.
The Gwangmyeong Left Envoy’s eyes flickered with a crimson light.
“Why did the Chief Military Commander send someone?”
“That is… he was confirmed to have been at the Main Building until the collision occurred.”
“The Chief Military Commander was at the Main Building?”
“Yes, it appears he had a meeting with the Third Prince.”
The Gwangmyeong Left Envoy narrowed his eyes in silence.
The Military Council was the organization wielding the greatest actual authority within the Divine Sect, based on the Cult Leader’s recognition.
Because of this, even newly inducted members would have the leadership scheming to arrange meetings with them to forge connections.
Yet the one standing at the apex of that organization had gone to the Main Building to meet the Third Prince?
“It seems the Iron-Blooded Demon Family will harbor resentment and seek retaliation. Please issue your command.”
The man’s head bowed even deeper. As the director of the Dharma Protection Institute, he had to prevent the misfortune of the successor’s death.
“How was the aftermath handled?”
“I ordered control measures to prevent news of the Fourth Prince’s defeat from spreading.”
“That will suffice. The Family Head of the Iron-Blooded Family will seize this as an opportunity to turn misfortune into fortune. Inform him of the control measures and convey that we shall let the matter rest.”
“Understood.”
Just as the subordinate was about to leave his post after completing his report, the Gwangmyeong Left Envoy called him back.
“Is the preparation of the Demon Restoration Pill complete?”
“We have entered the final procedures. Should I have it delivered directly to the Third Prince’s Residence?”
The Gwangmyeong Left Envoy fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“Bring it to me instead.”

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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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