Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 2

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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 2
‘…The Heavenly Demon Cult?’
My mind went blank at words I never expected to hear.
The Heavenly Demon Cult.
Despite maintaining closed gates for over half a century, it reigned as an object of terror throughout the Central Plains—a den of demonic arts that had never lost its reputation as the worst demonic force in the long history of the martial world.
This religious sect, where fanatics gathered, was otherwise called the Demonic Sect, and throughout the ages it had never escaped the evaluation of being the most vile demonic power in the realm.
Rumors even circulated that they proclaimed the return of the Heavenly Demon and did not hesitate to perform human sacrifices….
But what?
The third son of the Heavenly Demon Cult?
I had become not merely a demon, but one of noble bloodline?
‘What nonsense is this?’
Though it is true that all things in the world change.
‘This is too much….’
I am Martial Monk, who gained the epithet Divine Fist by distinguishing myself early at Shaolin Temple, where countless talents from across the Realm have knocked upon its gates at least once.
‘That’s right, I am a martial monk.’
Even if I devoted myself to the martial arts, I am still a Buddhist monk in name.
I have saved countless sentient beings and vanquished numerous demons—what sin could I have committed to be reincarnated in such a place….
“Ah!”
In that instant, a single thought struck my mind like lightning.
The possibility that I had made an error, like a monkey falling from a tree.
A remote possibility, truly….
Is it not common knowledge that those who reach enlightenment often make mistakes in the most fundamental aspects?
‘That’s it!’
The suspicion that had surfaced swiftly transformed into certainty.
In the moment I believed I had achieved Nirvana, I must have fallen into demonic delusion, seduced by an exultant mind.
I must be dreaming a nightmare at the boundary between this world and paradise!
“Khat!!”
“Yes…?”
“…Young Master?”
Yet still only the high ceiling remained visible, with no other change occurring.
‘This won’t do….’
This has to be a dream.
It has to be a dream.
“Khaaaat!!”
“Are you telling me to leave? Just let me check your condition for a moment….”
Crack!
With all my strength, I struck my own cheek.
“Aaaagh!”
It hurt.
It really, truly hurt.
It was hard to believe that such a scrawny hand could deliver a blow that hurt so damnably.
“P-please, calm yourself! What are you doing? Examine him at once!”
“Y-yes!”
The Physician spoke to me urgently.
“I shall examine your condition.”
“….”
The throbbing in my cheek and the stinging sensation from my palms seemed to force me to accept this absurd reality.
‘Damn it, how could such a sacrilege occur….’
Suddenly, I could almost hear the Elder Monks’ nagging about not accumulating karmic transgressions through speech, but there was nothing I could do about it.
The situation I faced after rebirth was so shocking that my mind felt as though it might scatter entirely.
Feeling my steadfast cultivation cracking, my lips parted almost habitually.
“Amitabha….”
“M-master!”
The Physician cut me off urgently.
“Regaining composure is indeed pressing, but… ahem, I shall complete the pulse diagnosis shortly. Could you wait just a moment?”
Was his expression the same when I learned I had become the third son of the Demonic Sect? Both the Physician and the Woman’s eyes were trembling violently as though an earthquake had struck.
‘…Right, I mustn’t abandon my chanting even among demons.’
After a moment, the Physician finished his pulse diagnosis and spoke.
“To summarize, your vital energy channels are twisted and your true essence has suffered damage.”
“…?”
“Your muscles and connective tissues are also quite stiffened, so your mobility will be greatly restricted. Fortunately, it is not life-threatening. With proper recuperation, you should recover fully in about five years.”
“Recuperation? Five years?”
My head throbbed at this unexpected news.
Every time I leaned my body, my stomach churned as though I might retch, and my limbs felt weak—was this truly from internal injuries rather than confronting this cursed reality?
“Yes, first we must attend to the twelve primary meridians so that blood circulation flows smoothly. After administering acupuncture, I shall prepare medicinal decoctions to strengthen your vital channels.”
‘….’
What sin did I commit in my past life to deserve such torment….
“Krhkrhkrh.”
A bitter laugh escaped me at the sheer absurdity of the situation.
“May I proceed with the acupuncture now?”
“…Very well.”
The Physician started in alarm and bowed deeply.
“Forgive me, but I find it difficult to accept respectful speech. I would be more at ease if you addressed me informally.”
“…Proceed.”
Even in such a muddled state of mind, I could not ignore another’s discomfort—such was my nature as a Buddhist. But then why had I fallen into the Demonic Sect?
What karma had I accumulated?
“Then I shall begin.”
The Physician withdrew several thin needles from a wooden case and began inserting them throughout my body.
Along with a sharp sting, a refreshing sensation like a dam breaking flooded through me, yet I had no mind to dwell on it because of the questions swirling in my thoughts.
‘Sigh, this is utterly preposterous.’
By this point, I no longer regretted failing to attain Nirvana.
What infuriated me was the fact that I had fallen into the Demonic Cult.
Had I not shunned the Buddhist scriptures I once deemed tedious, would a different fate have unfolded before me?
Had I not neglected the Buddhist Dharma under the guise of cultivating martial prowess….
-Hye Gwang, the Buddhist Dharma is so profound and vast that awakening to it is utterly impossible. Only through accumulating merit ceaselessly across cycles of rebirth can one escape that karma and become a Buddha. Just because you claim to have achieved enlightenment now doesn’t mean it’s true… Are you even listening?
Suddenly, the Abbot’s nagging words echoed in my mind.
‘In the end, was my enlightenment truly insufficient?’
Since brooding would solve nothing, I chose to abandon the question entirely.
Regardless, I had to accept the situation with equanimity.
The Third Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Cult, bearing this wretched body—that was who I had become.
Yet the fact that I remained Hye Gwang would not change.
Had my cultivation been so shallow as to crumble under such trivial afflictions?
No.
Though there was injustice in this… it was certainly not so.
‘Yes, I must not forget my fundamental purpose.’
I was a Buddhist practitioner who always cherished affirmation and valued a mind more peaceful than anything else in the world.
Merely changing flesh could not alter that essence.
‘That’s right!’
I steeled my resolve and regained my composure.
Whether I returned to Shaolin or established my own Buddhist path, I could always resume my practice—that much was certain.
‘But first, I need to escape this place….’
Having become the Third Young Master of the Demonic Cult, this was surely the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, known as the demons’ lair.
It was a gathering place of malevolent spirits that had hindered enlightenment through countless schemes even when the Buddha himself was cultivating, so proper practice would be impossible here.
I glanced down and let out a hollow laugh.
‘What is this?’
My body was bristling with acupuncture needles like a porcupine.
“Do you normally insert this many?”
The Physician hesitated before answering.
“…This acupuncture technique is exceptionally effective at expelling impurities from the meridians, so we often place them in such abundance.”
In other words, because the body was in such terrible condition, there were many places to treat.
“If you find it uncomfortable, shall I postpone the treatment for a moment?”
“No, I’ll endure it. This cursed body demands it. Continue.”
“It seems you’ve been quite frustrated these days. I’ll proceed with haste.”
In truth, the frail body posed no real problem.
My mind was filled with Shaolin martial techniques that possessed remarkable efficacy in refining rigid muscles and bones.
The real issue was that this place was the Demonic Cult.
From my brief observation of the Woman and the Physician, there seemed to be little difference between those of the Central Plains and those of the Demonic Sect, yet there must be a clear reason why it was called the Demonic Cult.
What would happen if the members of the Demonic Sect discovered I was not truly the Third Young Master….
I swallowed hard.
In an instant, goosebumps erupted across my forearms.
‘I might become a living sacrifice. At the very least, I should gather some basic information.’
Pondering whom to ask, I turned my gaze toward the Physician.
“…!”
Tap-tap-tap!
Realizing I was signaling my displeasure at the lengthening acupuncture treatment, he withdrew the needles with swift, practiced movements as if executing martial techniques.
“Phew, you’ve endured well, Young Master. I shall prepare a medicinal decoction for you now, so please rest for a moment.”
“My thanks.”
“Pardon? Th-thanks? That is too much honor for me. I am truly sorry that I could not make full preparations, using the excuse of your sudden arrival… but I shall take your words as guidance to cultivate myself further.”
Genuine sincerity shone through in the way he bowed his head in embarrassment.
‘Is the position of Third Young Master in the Demonic Sect truly held in such high regard?’
“Then I shall take my leave for now.”
As the Physician opened the door and departed, the Woman approached me with utmost courtesy and asked.
“How are you feeling, Young Master? Is there anything you require?”
“I’m fine. You seem quite startled yourself—perhaps you should rest as well… eh?”
The Woman’s expression hardened like stone, as though she had heard something shocking.
‘What now….’
Thump!
And suddenly she prostrated herself before me, crying out.
“Forgive me, Young Master! I am woefully inadequate in serving the Heavenly Descendant. No matter how hard I rack my humble mind, nothing comes to me—please, tell me what fault I have committed!”
“Fault?”
“…Yes.”
Her trembling form suggested she believed she had made some grave mistake.
“Is it because of how I spoke?”
“Yes, that is it. Until now, you have always spoken to me, your servant, with ease, but suddenly you have changed—there must be a reason for this….”
I hastily waved my hand.
“No, no need for that. There is no particular reason—my head was throbbing, and I became momentarily confused. Ha, yes, merely confusion.”
“Ah… I see. You have been resting for so long that such a thing is only natural, yet I was too flustered to consider it. I apologize.”
“There is nothing to apologize for. There is no need—just wet your throat a little first.”
I handed her the bowl resting upon the small table.
“Thank you. If I may say so… earlier, your condition appeared quite grave.”
“Mm, understandably so.”
Just as I had fallen into the Demon’s Cave, she too must have been bewildered.
The person she served had suddenly awakened and cried out, slapped his own cheek—
‘—and chanted Buddhist sutras.’
The Woman smiled gently.
“They say that when vital energy becomes twisted, it can cause problems in the brain, which may explain your headache. You need not worry overmuch about it.”
“Indeed. It seems to be the case.”
Concern and worry gleamed in the servant’s eyes.
“And your body will recover quickly, so there is no need to worry.”
She answered with her eyes brightening.
“That’s fortunate indeed. You may not have met him before, but the Physician who just left is renowned for his competence. He’ll surely be of great help.”
“Hmm, but I’m not sure what to say….”
“Please speak freely.”
“There’s a problem I need to resolve before my body fully recovers.”
“A problem?”
Since it would be prudent to inquire about the Third Young Master from someone favorably disposed toward me, I decided to confide some of the truth to this woman alone.
“My mind feels clouded as if shrouded in mist—most of my memories seem to have vanished. I can’t recall much about you, nor about myself. I hope they’ll return as I recover, but I can’t guarantee it.”
“Your… your memories….”
The woman swallowed hard before continuing.
“It’s alright, Young Master. You’ll surely recover them. Then you don’t remember my name either?”
“That’s correct.”
“My name is Yeon Hong.”
“And what is my name?”
I had heard it from the Physician earlier, but everything had been so confusing that I asked to confirm.
“You are Cheon So-hyun, the Third Young Master of the noble Cheon Family.”
If I was of the Cheon Family bloodline, that meant I was the Cult Leader’s child?
‘Hah, the Demonic Cult Leader as my father?’
As I swallowed a bitter laugh, a sudden question occurred to me.
“Ah! What year is it now in the Martial Calendar?”
I posed the question to understand how much time had passed since I entered wall-facing meditation.
“It has been exactly thirty years. You were unconscious for approximately half a year, Young Master.”
The answer that came back was completely unexpected.
“What, what did you say? Thirty years?!”
I had entered meditation when over four hundred years had passed.
So not only had I fallen into the Demonic Cult, but time itself had reversed?
By more than three hundred years?!
“Yes, it has been thirty years since the Ninth Heavenly Demon passed away.”
‘This… this is insane!’
So the demons had been counting the Martial Calendar from the day the Heavenly Demon died?!
It made sense, of course, but it was something I had never known because the Demonic Sect maintained its sealed gates in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.
“Ah, I see. But… wouldn’t they count it differently in the Central Plains?”
“Pardon? The Central Plains? If we’re talking about their calendar, it should be slightly over four hundred years, so why….”
Yeon Hong asked cautiously, her tone tinged with concern.
“Should I call the Physician back?”
“Would you? Haha, I wonder why that suddenly came to mind. My head feels a bit dizzy.”
“I’ll call him right away. Please wait a moment.”
After Yeon Hong left, I exhaled a deep sigh.
‘So they’ve been maintaining their own separate calendar.’
In any case, it doesn’t seem much different from when I entered wall-facing meditation….
I shook my head and steadied my breathing.
‘First, let me compose myself and think this through.’

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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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