Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 24

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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 24
Deep in the night, thick fog settled over the land.
In the Ja Gwi Moon’s estate, roughly thirty warriors had gathered, and half of them were trembling on their knees.
“So then.”
The man who was the source of their fear spoke in a low voice.
“You left quietly, even taking supplies with you, yet you returned empty-handed. No—you returned stripped bare. This is what happened.”
His voice carried no oppressive weight whatsoever. Rather, “gentle” would have been the more fitting description.
“That is… well…”
Geum So broke into a cold sweat as if he had encountered death itself.
Moon Ju, the leader of Ja Gwi Moon, was looking down upon them.
Not only was the gap in standing immeasurable, but knowing his obsession with lining his own pockets, none dared speak carelessly.
“Geum So, you need to answer. Your ears are still attached, aren’t they?”
A dense killing intent emanated from Yang Bong. His anger at their reckless actions without a word had transformed into murderous aura.
Geum So trembled, gripped by a terror that seized his very heart.
‘What… what answer should I give…’
It sounded like the final question a reaper would pose. After wrestling with his thoughts, Geum So squeezed out an answer.
“I was blinded by the thought of earning great wealth and making a contribution. I am truly sorry!”
“Great wealth?”
“Yes! There was someone who had been irritating us for some time, and I saw him using Ice Palm. I thought capturing him would bring you great gain, but… I lacked the strength and failed. I am deeply sorry!”
Geum So swallowed hard.
It was a display of wit even he had to admire. After all, he had only learned that the man used Ice Palm today.
“Ice Palm, you say…”
Greed flickered in Yang Bong’s eyes.
“That does seem to have merit. Very well, I’ll overlook your reckless behavior. But how do you plan to make up for the losses?”
“If we capture the men we faced, we can more than compensate! The one who didn’t learn Ice Palm—the other one has such striking features that there will surely be great demand for him!”
The corners of Yang Bong’s eyes curved like a crescent moon as he looked down at him.
“Hmm, make them pay a price, earn money too. The numbers work out. The problem is how to capture them—surely you’ve thought that far ahead, haven’t you?”
“Yes! Though we suffered defeat, both of them were quite young. If you and Heuk Si step forward, we should be able to capture them without difficulty!”
“Ah, you mean me and Heuk Si?”
“Yes!”
“You’re certain?”
“I am!”
Yang Bong burst into laughter.
‘Detestable wretch.’
He was essentially admitting he couldn’t solve this with his own abilities, yet he held his head high as if that were sufficient. Every word that spilled from his mouth reeked of such stupidity it was nauseating, and yet…
‘That’s precisely why it’s good.’
Ignorance is best when abundant. It makes them easier to control through fear and prevents them from harboring second thoughts when being used for profit.
“Very well, I shall step forward myself.”
“Yes!”
With the conversation flowing smoothly, color returned to the faces of Geum So and the other disciples.
‘…I thought I was going to die.’
‘Phew, I just want to rest for a moment.’
‘Damn it.’
The Disreputable-Looking Man cast a sidelong glance at Geum So.
‘If that bastard hadn’t insisted on capturing them, I wouldn’t be in this mess.’
He should have fled instead of throwing poisoned needles with skills he didn’t possess. Had he done so, he wouldn’t have ended up in this state.
‘That wretch sitting in the position of Vice-Sect Leader….’
At that moment, Yang Bong’s eyes narrowed to slits.
“Well then, let me hear your side of the story.”
His gaze turned toward the man who had been glancing at Geum So.
“How will you compensate for the loss?”
“Pardon?!”
“I asked how you’ll compensate for it.”
“R-regarding the value of the poisoned needles, just as the Vice-Sect Leader said, if we capture those two… Yes, we will absolutely capture them and compensate….”
“Tsk. That’s not it.”
Yang Bong’s hand moved toward the man’s nape. His fingers, which had been gently brushing the skin, soon clenched around the throat.
“Your absence won’t be a great loss, but there will still be a vacancy, won’t there? You should fill it before you go.”
“…!”
Gripped by extreme terror, the man’s limbs trembled violently. The coldness of the palm against his neck was vivid enough to raise goosebumps.
“W-what do you mean by that….”
“How tedious.”
Yang Bong turned his head to the side.
“Bring Heuk Si.”
Creak.
As if he had been waiting, a man in a crimson martial robe emerged from between the pillars of the Main Hall. Yang Bong let out a hollow laugh as he looked at him.
“You’ve developed quite the habit of eavesdropping, haven’t you? Did I make you wait too long?”
“I became curious about what was happening and ended up listening. If I’ve offended you, I apologize.”
“Never mind the apology. Just set a price. How much can you value this?”
“Let me see.”
Heuk Si, with narrowed eyes, examined the Subordinate from head to toe.
“If I were to give a comprehensive assessment, I’d say he’s a complete wreck. His facial features look like pounded rice cakes, his complexion is poor, so there’s no commercial value. And it’s not as if he possesses any deep inner strength… Ah, and you said his dantian is completely shattered, didn’t you?”
Yang Bong frowned.
“Can’t you even value him at a single silver coin?”
“Not even a single copper coin, I’m afraid. I’d suggest throwing him out as dog food instead.”
“Tsk, I absolutely hate losing money on a deal.”
“Ugh!”
The moment the man, insulted by the conversation, convulsed and tried to wrench his hands free.
Crunch!
Yang Bong’s fingers dug indifferently into his throat. The blood that flowed stained Yang Bong’s fingernails red, and the man gasped for breath, his eyes darting frantically around.
He desperately sought help from the disciples who shared his meals with him.
“….”
Yet no one stepped forward. Instead, many gazed upon him with contempt in their eyes.
‘What a cripple.’
‘Why did he even bother thinking like that.’
At such a sight, Yang Bong let out a soft chuckle.
‘These fools still have more use in them.’
Those who harbored thoughts beyond earning money held no value in his sect. Naturally, from a long-term perspective, it was a path toward loss, but since Ja Gwi Moon was a faction founded upon the principle of honoring only oneself, he needed obedient pawns for now.
In that moment.
Crash!
Without warning, a deafening roar reverberated through the estate, as if it might split the very eardrums.
“…!”
The disciples’ gazes snapped toward the entrance in unison. The thick main gate trembled violently, swaying with tremendous force.
Crash! Bang!!
“What, what is that….”
Yang Bong hurled the man aside and laughed as if bewildered.
“Geum So, have you brought a tail along with you this time?”
“…Pardon?”
“Who else would know of this place? I took such pains to establish our foothold here.”
Geum So, grasping the situation, cried out in alarm.
“I, I apologize! It seems an uninvited guest has arrived. What are you all doing! Draw your blades!”
Shing!
The disciples drew their swords in unison and assumed defensive positions.
Crash—!
Soon the main gate, which had long protected the Disciples’ Quarters, shattered, and billowing dust rose into the air.
The gazes of all present naturally converged upon the one who had destroyed the gate. And as the man emerged through the settling dust, Yang Bong found himself naturally arriving at a certainty.
‘So it’s him.’
Features as distinct as if sculpted by a master craftsman—indeed, such a face would fetch a considerable sum.
The man, Cheon So-hyun, stepped inside, treading upon the scattered fragments of the gate beneath his feet.
One step, and then another.
As he moved forward, surveying his surroundings as leisurely as one taking a stroll, the disciples gripped their weapons with bewildered expressions.
Even though they had already closed the distance to striking range.
‘Why… why does he not issue the command?’
These were men who responded only to ingrained fear. They kept their eyes fixed upon Yang Bong, awaiting his order.
“Wait a moment longer.”
Yang Bong approached Cheon So-hyun with an expression of intrigue.
“Who are you? Judging by your bearing and timing, you must surely be one who has had a dispute with my disciples?”
“Well, calling it a dispute seems like too much. Merely a light friction.”
At the quiet response, Yang Bong’s face filled with questions.
Yang Bong’s gaze turned toward the ruins of the shattered gate. Beyond the swirling dust, the silhouette of a man wavered.
“Your reinforcement appears to be merely a fledgling gathering qi from over there, yet your confidence is remarkable. Could it be you’ve gauged my abilities by the martial prowess of my disciples?”
Yang Bong’s eyes filled with murderous intent.
“Then wouldn’t that be somewhat insulting?”
Regardless, Cheon So-hyun glanced around and locked eyes with Geum So.
“I clearly gave you a chance to repent, so why are you still acting like a dog? Was my teaching insufficient?”
“…?”
“Is it my mistake? Is it my fault?”
As scorching heat billowed from between his breaths, Geum So flinched.
“Y-yes? That’s not….”
Perhaps it was the pain that had burrowed into his very bones. The answer tumbled reflexively from Geum So’s lips. He realized his mistake and hastily tried to cover it up, but the water had already spilled.
“Tsk. Utterly ruined.”
Yang Bong clicked his tongue and swept his hand through the air.
Boom!
Geum So’s body crumpled and was crushed before being sent flying in the opposite direction. The demonic energy concentrated in that single strike demonstrated overwhelming mastery of internal cultivation.
Yang Bong turned his head, radiating an ominous aura.
“Whether it’s the disciples or that foolish deputy sect leader… before I settle accounts, I should first make you pay the price for your audacity.”
Crack!
Cheon So-hyun met the sudden onslaught of the palm strike head-on.
As their palms collided, the shockwave rippled outward, and the watching disciples staggered backward.
And their faces filled with astonishment.
“…!”
Just when it seemed the intruder would be pushed back by Moon Ju’s palm force, he maintained his balance and steadied his stance instead.
Moreover, he even smiled while glaring at Moon Ju.
“So that’s why you put on such airs, but it seems my assessment wasn’t far off?”
Yang Bong’s lips stretched wide in a grin.
“Fool, you don’t even realize you’ve fallen into a pit of fire.”
His hands moved like lightning. A strike aimed at vital points cut through the empty air in an instant, weaving a pattern of devastation.
Boom! Bang! Bang!!
What followed was a tempestuous exchange combining fists, palms, and footwork. With each parry, block, and evasion, the ground around them trembled from the impact.
Cheon So-hyun’s fingertips quivered slightly from the recoil.
‘This is no trivial opponent.’
So Yang Bong wasn’t merely some fool who gathered street thugs to engage in banditry.
Unexpectedly, Yang Bong’s movements contained no wasted motion.
The marks of systematic training and practice were evident throughout, and both his physical conditioning and internal cultivation were exceptional.
The gap in martial prowess was greater than anticipated, but not so overwhelming as to be insurmountable.
‘The effect was this significant.’
It was thanks to consuming the Demonic Transformation Pill.
That was sufficient. After all, the efficiency of qi ultimately varied greatly depending on one’s enlightenment and the perfection of one’s techniques.
‘Amitabha Buddha!’
Cheon So-hyun struck through the blocking palm technique, planted his feet firmly, and surged forward. He closed the distance in an instant and unleashed the Shadowless Fist, deploying his technique.
It was the Arhat Fist, spoken of as the root and essence of Shaolin.
An Arhat is a title referring to one who has attained enlightenment. That Martial Monk had achieved enlightenment meant he had been liberated from all afflictions and bondage, and his martial techniques followed this very principle.
A deafening roar erupted as the chain strikes unfolded, yet the mind and spirit of Cheon So-hyun at their center remained serene.
Stillness within motion, and motion within stillness. Tranquility births explosions, and within those explosions dwells quietude.
Craaaaaash!
At the tremendous force, Yang Bong’s brow furrowed.
As waves of fist energy erupted in succession, Yang Bong’s defense crumbled helplessly, and he began to suffer strikes across his body.
“Cough!”
Finally, Yang Bong spat blood. He wiped his mouth roughly and increased the distance between them.
“This bastard….”
He had been holding back his power, anxious that the precious cargo might be damaged. But faced with such reckless audacity that crossed the line, his resolve had changed.
“I suppose I need to draw some blood first.”
As Yang Bong placed his hand on his sword hilt, the air around him grew heavy. Just as he was about to draw his blade—
“We apologize for the wait!”
Craaaaaash!
White porcelain shattered the Stone Wall and poured into the Estate like an avalanche. The fragments scattered like pristine white petals, tearing across the ground toward Yang Bong.
“Pathetic thrashing.”
Yang Bong drew his blade lightly and scattered the porcelain to pieces.
However—
“What, what is this!”
“We cannot see anything!”
The Estate was engulfed in pale smoke as if clouds had descended. Kang Hyun’s technique had stolen the vision from everyone present.
“There is no need to panic. First, disperse the smoke…. Cough, clear it away.”

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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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