Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 33

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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 33
The Military Council Office, where documents towered like walls.
Well past midnight, Sa Ma-ryang continued sifting through various records, searching for clues about human trafficking.
‘Nothing here either. So it must be… stored separately.’
Creak.
The door slowly opened, and a man dressed in a neat scholar’s robe stepped inside.
“I thought you’d left early, yet here you are again.”
“Yes, I returned because something came to mind that I needed to look into.”
Sa Ma-ryang bowed his head with a sheepish expression.
Chief Military Commander Sa Ma-hyuk regarded him with an impassive gaze.
‘Tsk.’
Since Sa Ma-ryang had joined, the Military Council’s operations had begun flowing far more smoothly than previously anticipated.
While Sa Ma-hyuk found satisfaction in this, moments like the present left him unsettled.
Was the man still clinging to a foolish course of action with a predetermined outcome?
Sa Ma-ryang, reading Sa Ma-hyuk’s expression, ventured carefully to speak.
“Following your earlier counsel, the Third Prince met with Yi Ma-je and obtained a positive response. Moreover, I received his assurance that he would look into the Council of Elders, for which I am deeply grateful.”
Sa Ma-hyuk’s eyebrows twitched.
“Yi Ma-je himself expressed his intention to engage with the Council of Elders?”
“Indeed.”
…
Sa Ma-hyuk studied him intently.
This was unexpected news. Yi Ma-je was a swordmaster who walked his own martial path with a mind as clear as still water, unmoved by any obstacle that arose.
Born with a fiercely independent nature, he had never cultivated deep bonds with anyone, yet within the Council of Elders and the Cult’s combat organizations, countless masters existed who either owed him a debt or harbored admiration for him.
‘Lending a hand is understandable. But the Council of Elders?’
Even if nothing would change immediately, the fact that Cheon So-hyun had achieved some measure of success was undeniable.
Sa Ma-hyuk, setting aside his growing questions, asked: “If that’s the case, then he’s made a good first step. So what’s the problem that has you digging through records at this hour?”
“If I had done well on the first step, what’s the problem that I’m still digging through materials at this hour?”
“According to the information the Third Prince obtained, it appears human trafficking is occurring within the Cult. I searched the records to understand the situation, but found nothing of substance.”
“There are people buying and selling humans?”
“Yes.”
“How did the Third Prince discover this?”
Sa Ma-ryang paused to gather his thoughts.
Since any assistance would improve the situation even slightly, he relayed the entire account of what had transpired at Ja Gwi Moon.
“Ja Gwi Moon… Is there such a sect in the Unam Peak region?”
The unfamiliar name prompted the question.
“It was not a sect based at Unam Peak. It seems their purpose was to remain hidden, so they were located in a deep mountain valley, making them difficult to track. Naturally, they were not known to the outside world.”
“I see. More importantly, the sect leader’s name was Yang Bong, correct?”
“Yes? Yes, that was indeed his name.”
“Yang Bong, you say…”
Sa Ma-ryang keenly read his reaction.
“It seems you have some idea about this.”
“Yes. Do you happen to know any distinguishing features or characteristics?”
Sa Ma-ryang turned over their previous conversation in his mind.
In truth, regarding appearance, he had heard nothing beyond crude rumors that the person resembled a snake. Then something suddenly came to mind, and he spoke.
“Surely… you mentioned a swordsman wearing a protective breastplate and cloak like that.”
“A protective breastplate—so it must be Muk Rin Po.”
Sa Ma-ryang’s eyes gleamed with sharp intensity.
“Do you know something about Yang Bong?”
“I received a report. It stated that his vicious conduct was exposed and a decision was made to strip him of his position. After that, I heard his meridians were severed and he was even taken into custody…”
“If he was stripped of his position, then you’re saying the Jagui Sect Leader held an important post in the Cult?”
“Yes. He had even risen to the rank of Vice Commander of the Baek-gwi Squad. Muk Rin Po was his personal weapon. Yet not only did he survive and go into hiding, but he met his end at the Third Prince’s hand…”
“…!”
Sa Ma-ryang’s eyes trembled violently for a moment.
He understood well what the position of vice commander in a combat organization meant to those in the Cult.
‘Has he already elevated his martial prowess to that level?’
The Baek-gwi Squad was one of five combat organizations within the Heavenly Demon Cult.
It earned its name because their fighting style was so brutally demonic and vicious, and among them, a vice commander would be counted among the most skilled masters in the entire Cult.
‘Already to such an extent…’
Yet the Third Prince made no mention whatsoever of the Jagui Sect Leader’s martial prowess in their previous conversation. A life-and-death battle must have certainly occurred. Despite this, the fact that he showed no outward sign left Sa Ma-ryang in admiration.
‘But if the execution wasn’t properly carried out… could there really be something in the Law Enforcement Hall?’
Sa Ma-hyuk asked quietly.
“Did Yi Ma-je provide any assistance in the annihilation?”
“No. The Ja Gwi Moon was annihilated before I went to Cheon So-hyun’s Residence.”
Sa Ma-hyuk nodded and pressed his lips firmly together.
The fact that human trafficking had occurred within the Cult and that the Law Enforcement Hall’s report was incorrect were certainly matters that would disturb his composure.
Yet Sa Ma-hyuk maintained a mind as still as a lake.
A perfect organization does not exist. Only factions that aspire toward perfection and strive for it exist.
The larger a faction grows, the larger its flaws become, and thus the process of discovering and eliminating them becomes all the more important.
‘Still… this is unexpected.’
He had accepted the Third Prince’s request precisely to uncover such flaws, yet this was entirely beyond his anticipation.
Sa Ma-ryang asked carefully.
“Is there no record of human trafficking in the Military Council?”
“It is a matter that has not occurred since the Sealing. Generally, such are base and shameful secrets with nothing good to gain from exposure… we keep them stored separately. If you’re curious, would you like to examine them?”
Sa Ma-ryang’s eyes widened in surprise as he asked back.
“Pardon? You mean me?”
“You’ve brought us a clue, so you have sufficient qualification. Are you unwilling?”
“No, that’s not it at all. If possible, I would very much like to examine them.”
“Very well, follow me.”
The corners of Sa Ma-hyuk’s mouth lifted faintly as he left the office.
* * *
The Military Council’s Secret Archive was located deep underground.
One could only enter after descending for a considerable distance and solving the intricate mechanisms—it was the Military Council’s forbidden sanctum.
It housed not only various divine artifacts but also every report submitted to the Chief Military Commander.
“What do you make of it?”
Sa Ma-ryang, who had been examining records of human trafficking, answered with a hardened expression.
“It’s repugnant. Why do such atrocities continue to occur…?”
“It’s a problem that defies simple categorization. Some stem from greed, while many arose during the cultivation of twisted demonic arts.”
“Demonic arts?”
“Yes, there were once numerous sorceries that extracted human vitality. We controlled them thoroughly, but we couldn’t eradicate them entirely. Similar techniques kept emerging in different forms.”
Sa Ma-hyuk’s eyes flickered with ashen light.
“The greatest concern is… that these incidents occasionally involve the deeper echelons of the Cult itself.”
“…!”
“This will cause quite a stir. An investigation will be necessary.”
Sa Ma-ryang quickly read through the document he had been handed.
Report to the Chief Military Commander.
An anonymous tip was received regarding an individual exploiting his position to extort Cult members. Investigation revealed the perpetrator to be Yang Bong, vice-commander of the Baek-gwi Squad.
Yang Bong has deserted the Baek-gwi Squad. Circumstances suggest he has fled. He has been listed among wanted criminals. We are currently tracking his whereabouts.
Flipping the page.
The document continued.
Members apprehended Yang Bong. After severing his meridians, he was transported to the Demon Prison.
The report bore the official seal of the Law Enforcement Hall at the bottom.
* * *
The next day.
Cheon So-hyun was immersed in cultivation, drenched in sweat.
“Hnngh!”
Whether from Sa Ma-ryang or Yi Ma-je, I believed news would come that could serve as a breakthrough. For now, all I could do was elevate my martial prowess, and truthfully, that was the most crucial matter. I was pushing my body to its limits, carefully assessing what remained lacking.
Whoooooosh!!
As I stepped forward with precision, the ominous momentum of my inner energy and the power surging through my lower body intertwined, producing an even sharper force.
The abundant power trembled as though it might burst forth at any moment.
‘Not yet. Push further.’
Whoosh!
My inner and outer energies harmonized in perfect balance. This signified that it was time to advance to the next stage.
As I continued to raise and gather the inner energy of my dantian, amplifying its power.
Whoooooosh!
Finally, a sound like swarming bees erupted from within my body.
‘I’ve done it!’
Cheon So-hyun’s eyes gleamed with exhilaration.
Stepping forward, I unleashed a palm strike that traced a brilliant white arc through the air.
Boom!
With a thunderous roar, a force of an entirely different magnitude exploded forth—the Great Strength Palm, one of Shaolin’s supreme techniques that could lead to the seventy-two ultimate forms at its pinnacle.
“Hahahaha!”
It was no exaggeration to say that the martial arts accumulated by the Thousand Year Shaolin Temple began from this very point, and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment surged through me.
I also confirmed that no pain arose from my meridians. It was proof that the quality and quantity of my inner energy were sufficiently supported.
“Hehehehe, excellent!”
I still wondered how I could use Shaolin’s martial techniques with demonic energy, but I set that question aside for now.
“Let me try again.”
Cheon So-hyun steadied his breathing and adjusted his stance.
I’d barely managed to maintain balance, so now was the time to push forward at full speed. Whatever situation arose ahead, ultimately the only thing I could rely on was my own martial skill.
How much time had passed like this?
Gurrrgle!!
At the sound like thunder striking, Cheon So-hyun startled and stopped in his tracks.
“…!”
So enlightenment and hunger were indeed separate matters—my stomach lodged a crude protest demanding I put something in it immediately, and Cheon So-hyun hurried toward his dwelling.
* * *
Munch, munch.
Cheon So-hyun devoured his meal like a man who hadn’t eaten in days.
So eating too was part of one’s training.
It was a moment when I vividly realized that Yi Ma-je’s advice had been correct.
“How is it, Young Master? Does it suit your palate?”
“Excellent, truly excellent. I could sell this as is. I could even open an inn right here and never starve, Yeon Hong.”
Yeon Hong broke into a satisfied smile.
“I told you so, didn’t I? I’m not called the greatest servant in the world for nothing.”
“That’s true.”
The cheeky reply drew laughter from me. It was something I’d said in jest before, but she seemed quite pleased with the title.
“What about you?”
Sa Ma-ryang, who had arrived just in time, swallowed what was in his mouth and answered, apparently blessed with a good appetite.
“It’s delicious. I’ve only ever seen medicinal cuisine prepared before, so I didn’t realize your cooking skills were so exceptional.”
“No need for flattery. Stop talking and eat slowly.”
“Haha, understood.”
Then Cheon So-hyun, his expression turning serious, interjected.
“Well… but listen, Yeon Hong.”
“What is it?”
“I’m not sure how to explain it. It’s delicious, but perhaps too honest, or too virtuous? I see areas with room for improvement. I prefer something a bit more daring myself.”
“Daring? If you describe it more specifically, I’ll prepare it that way next time.”
“Hmm, load it with seasonings—pile them on until it feels dangerous, but make sure it isn’t. Sweet hits first, then salty comes from behind like a sucker punch. You understand?”
Yeon Hong nodded.
“You mean to season it more boldly, to continuously stimulate the palate.”
“Exactly! And if possible, focus mainly on meat dishes.”
“Understood. I’ll prepare it right away.”
“Huh? I didn’t mean for you to make it right now.”
“No, no. Since I’ve already shown my skills, let me do this properly. Please wait a moment!”
Yeon Hong’s eyes gleamed with enthusiasm before she vanished like the wind.
“Fast. Very fast.”
Cheon So-hyun, who had taken a refreshing drink of water, looked toward Sa Ma-ryang.
“By the way, did you conduct the investigation properly?”
“Yes? Yes. I obtained some unexpected information.”
“What is it?”
“First, regarding Ja Gwi Moon—it appears that Jagui Sect Leader Yang Bong was originally a vice-commander of the Baek-gwi Squad.”
“…?”
Sa Ma-ryang lowered his voice as if unveiling some dark conspiracy, but Cheon So-hyun merely tore into his meat with an expression that said ‘so what?’
At such a response, the tips of Sa Ma-ryang’s ears flushed red.
‘Ah… I made an error in judgment.’
He had assumed that since I had defeated a vice-commander of the Baek-gwi Squad, I would naturally be pleased. For one who walks the path of dominance, there is no greater achievement than crushing the strong.
‘How foolish of me to think that one who gazes toward the summit would rejoice merely at taking the first step.’
Cheon So-hyun set down the bone he had picked clean.
“So Yang Bong abandoned his position as vice-commander and has been doing petty administrative work in the Borderland. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Yes. However, it was not a voluntary resignation—he was dismissed after his past conduct was exposed. There was even a report that he was arrested after his limbs were severed.”
“That doesn’t make sense. His limbs were intact.”
“The Law Enforcement Hall submitted a false report. Since they received credit and were appointed as inspectors, I intend to investigate immediately.”
“So there was indeed something rotten about this. Then….”
It was at that moment.
“Young Master, Young Master!”
Yeon Hong rushed in, waving a letter frantically.
“A message has just arrived!”
“Already?”
Cheon So-hyun took the letter and read through it swiftly.
True to his nature as a man of decisive action, the news had arrived far sooner than expected.
“Baek Myun Valley… the name alone makes it sound like lunatics are crawling all over the place.”

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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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