Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 43

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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 43
Footsteps echoed softly against the stone.
Do Je walked alone at a measured pace, lost in thought. I needed time to untangle the confusion swirling through my mind.
‘Self-taught, then….’
I gazed down at my soot-blackened hands. Though the match had ended some time ago, the lingering heat still radiated from my palms.
‘How absurd.’
Yeol Yang-ji had finally pierced through my Self-Preservation Technique. I couldn’t discern the source of his martial prowess, but there was no doubt that the Third Prince had mastered a divine technique.
‘He said he had no proper connections, so the divine technique must ultimately come from the Cult Leader’s Hall… Does that mean the Cult Leader bestowed not only the Demonic Pill but a divine technique as well?’
The more I pondered the Third Prince, the more questions multiplied rather than answers.
‘Not the Crown Prince, but the Third Prince? Could it be connected to his recent seclusion?’
But what troubled me most was this.
-Gambling? Still seems easier than tangling with that snake. I’ll give it a try.
The Third Prince had uttered those cryptic words and readily agreed to a request that should have been uncomfortable.
A member of the Cheon Family frequenting a gambling house—could any sight be more incongruous?
In solving one mystery, I had gained a dozen more.
It was then that Do Je stepped onto the Main Street.
“Huh?!”
“What’s wrong?”
“Isn’t that Gok Ju?”
All eyes turned in unison toward one direction.
“It really is him?!”
“Gok Ju! Gok Ju!”
The moment Do Je appeared on the streets of Baek Myun Valley, passersby rushed toward me in a flurry. Their eyes gleamed with anticipation and excitement.
“Where have you been, sir!”
“It’s been so long! Have you eaten!”
Surveying the gathering crowd, I drew upon my inner strength and waved my hand smoothly, having already cleansed away the soot marks.
“Would a leader of my stature go hungry? I’ve already taken care of it.”
“Then please visit our inn later. We’ll treat you generously. We’ve recently hired a new cook, and his skills are extraordinary. If you’re willing, even now….”
“Not now, but I’ll stop by once I’ve worked up an appetite.”
“You promised! Don’t forget!”
“I won’t.”
The passersby began competing to speak with me, their faces all radiant with admiration.
“Gok Ju, Gok Ju! Who do you think will win this tournament? Give us just a hint.”
“Oh, that’s right! Please give us a hint! Last time, one of my friends bet according to your advice, and he bragged so much about it that I nearly died of envy.”
“Hey! You fool. That was just a competition, wasn’t it? It’s been ages since a tournament was held, and you’re talking nonsense.”
“Oh, right. It was a competition.”
“And I heard the scale is on a completely different level this time. Could you tell us about it? I’ve heard that just selling the prizes the champion receives could buy several houses!”
“But there’s also talk that the tournament might not be held this time? Something went wrong, they say….”
It was an anxious concern that the tournament, already postponed once, might be delayed again.
Do Je smiled smoothly and draped an arm across the man’s shoulder.
“It won’t fall through. Who would spout such nonsense? I guarantee it’ll be the greatest spectacle in history. I’ll stake the Cult Leader’s name on it, so come with your pockets stuffed full.”
“Really?!”
“Then give us just a hint! Even an intuition or feeling!”
“An intuition? There’s no harm in sharing that much.”
Do Je stroked his chin with an uncertain expression as he met their eager gazes.
“Hmm… yes, put everything on the most handsome one among them. My instinct tells me that the more striking his appearance, the harder he’ll push himself to avoid getting scarred.”
“Hahahaha! Is that so?”
Laughter erupted from all corners. His overwhelming presence and striking features, coupled with his approachable demeanor, were more than enough to captivate the crowd.
After all, the position of The Demon Master in the Divine Sect was a supreme rank that ordinary members could scarcely hope to encounter once in a lifetime.
Do Je called out to a man in the crowd with a familiar tone.
“Cheol Ho! I heard you were heading to the Inner Fortress—what are you doing lurking around here? Weren’t you looking for work?”
“Sigh, it’s not that easy. I haven’t found work or even a place to stay, so I’m freeloading off my younger brother.”
“Your younger brother? The one who works at Hyun Yu Won?”
“Oh, you remember! He handles all the work himself, and these days he’s being called out day and night. Since it feels wrong for me to just sit at home, I came out to get some air. And to scrape together some money while I’m at it.”
“Your eyes look bloodshot for someone who just came out. When did you arrive?”
“Not long ago. I rushed here at dawn… wait? Why is it already night?”
“Puhaha! Isn’t this guy crazy?”
Do Je chuckled softly.
“Anyway, he’s hopeless. I’ll have the Daegeui arrange it, so stay at Yunryong Pavilion. Rest up a bit.”
“Oh! Thank you so much!”
After exchanging pleasantries with the gathered passersby, Do Je entered the office of Yunryong Pavilion. The moment the door closed, he roughly cast off his robe and spoke.
“What about the investigation I asked you to conduct?”
“…”
“Have you gone deaf?”
The air shimmered, and Hong Yi-gyeom materialized before him.
“Should I really disappear… you noticed again this time. Do you perhaps have a habit of muttering like that? I’ve heard some people do it when entering their homes.”
“Give me your report.”
His tone was distinctly different from usual—something had displeased him. Sensing this, Hong Yi-gyeom dropped the jest and delivered her findings immediately.
“Yes. When I investigated the whereabouts of Changeung Trading Company, they hadn’t merely withdrawn—they’d vanished entirely. It seems to be connected to the commotion that’s been stirring in the Outer City.”
“Commotion?”
“Intelligence reports that members of the Law Enforcement Hall, centered around the Deputy Leader, are actively operating.”
At this unexpected news, Do Je’s brow furrowed.
“Surely Turyong hasn’t returned? Has some merit arisen?”
Hong Yi-gyeom shook her head.
“It doesn’t seem to be because of the Leader or any merit. From what I’ve learned, an inspection was conducted, and about five or six people, including a squad leader, were arrested.”
“…”
“From the circumstances, it appears the Deputy Leader stepped in after uncovering something.”
“So the Military Council has made them their tools.”
“That seems to be the case. Information is being controlled, so I haven’t been able to determine the investigation target. Should I spend money to deploy more people?”
Do Je deliberated briefly before responding.
“Enough. We’re more likely to come up empty-handed. Don’t go stirring up trouble for nothing—first, find out what Hyun Yu Won is up to.”
“Hyun Yu Won, sir?”
“Yes. He’s been bustling about lately, so he’s definitely involved in this.”
“Understood.”
“Have you identified the personnel from the Inspection Bureau?”
“Of course. As you predicted, Hyung Baek continues his activities, and there are four in total: Sa Ma-chang, Seo Rin, and Sa Ma-ryang.”
Do Je’s eyes narrowed.
“Sa Ma-ryang? I feel like I’ve heard that name before.”
“He’s the exceptional one from the Sa Ma Family—the one who ranked first in the guild examination and transferred to the Medical Authority. He kicked away his golden path and somehow returned to the Military Council. It seems he’s the Inspector Chief this time as well.”
Do Je nodded with visible displeasure.
“So the Law Enforcement Hall’s failure was this prodigy’s doing. Regardless of the reason… Changeung Trading Company’s disappearance and the collapse of my operations—”
Hong Yi-gyeom continued carefully, reading his expression.
“It appears to be connected to the Third Prince as well, sir.”
“…What?”
“The Physician who cared for the Third Prince while he was unconscious is Sa Ma-ryang. The timing when the Third Prince awakened and rushed about to obstruct the Sect’s grand plan coincides exactly with when Sa Ma-ryang transferred his allegiance to the Military Council. They’re definitely working together.”
Do Je’s gaze flickered with a sickly greenish-blue light.
“There are rumors circulating outside about the gambling tournament.”
Hong Yi-gyeom quickly bowed her head at his irritated glare.
“My apologies. I had emphasized secrecy, but some participants complained that the roster still isn’t full.”
Do Je let out a hollow laugh.
“Loose tongues will ruin everything. This won’t do. Summon them all.”
“Yes? What do you intend to do?”
Do Je retrieved a deep crimson robe and draped it over himself.
A greenish aura flowed between his breaths—the Extreme Sovereign Demonic Qi that only manifested when murderous intent awakened.
“The signs are inauspicious, so I must overturn the board. Now that I have the pieces, I’ll reshape the game entirely.”
* * *
The next day.
Crunch, crunch.
Cheon So-hyun, who had returned and collapsed into sleep after his sparring match with Do Je the previous day, had risen late and was devouring meat with ravenous intensity.
Kang Hyun, watching him, asked.
“Young Master, are you really going to gamble now?”
“Yes. He said to try earning some money.”
“Money? How much?”
“One thousand silver taels.”
“What?!”
Kang Hyun was startled and dropped his chopsticks as if flinging them away.
One thousand silver taels was no small sum.
Ruju, who operated the inn, earned roughly three silver taels a month, didn’t he?
“How could you possibly… no, wait. You must have plenty of money, Young Master, so it shouldn’t matter.”
“That’s not quite right. He said to earn it within Baek Myun Valley.”
Yi Ma-je, who had been listening from the side, spoke softly.
“So he’s telling you not to rely on your position, but to earn it through the methods of this place.”
“That’s right.”
“Can you guess why Do Je made such a proposal?”
“Well, isn’t it to draw him into a field where he’s confident and observe him? I’ve heard he’s enjoyed gambling since his younger days.”
To be precise, I’d heard he was a demon obsessed with gambling.
“That would be it. He’s the type who believes there’s nothing better for drawing out a person’s true nature. However, for Do Je, gambling means the very act of a contest where victory cannot be assured. If it were merely about bringing in a certain sum, he wouldn’t have imposed such conditions on you.”
At those meaningful words, Cheon So-hyun stared at him intently. There seemed to be something that struck a chord, given their acquaintance.
“Is there something you suspect, sir?”
Yi Ma-je nodded.
“It seems he intends to enter you into the Turyong Tournament.”
“The Turyong Tournament?”
Kang Hyun interjected with a startled expression.
“Y-you mean the Turyong Tournament, sir?”
At his sudden outburst, Cheon So-hyun glanced at him.
“What is that? Do you know what it is?”
“How could I not know! I went down to buy groceries earlier, and everyone—merchants and passersby alike—was talking about nothing but that.”
“So what is it? Stop making a fuss and tell me.”
“The Turyong Tournament—they gather people together for a massive brawl. It’s more akin to a slaughter than a martial contest. And I heard the victor receives an elixir.”
“Hmm, so it’s truly a hellscape unto itself.”
Kang Hyun nodded vigorously.
“Yes. That’s why few volunteered, so they postponed it, saying they’d make the scale much larger. Besides the victor, those with good performances will receive divine pills or secret manuals, and people are buzzing with anticipation that the victor might receive an elixir comparable to the Demon Ring Altar.”
A glimmer of interest flashed across Cheon So-hyun’s eyes.
“…The Demon Ring Altar?”
Kang Hyun’s excited voice grew louder.
“Yes! It’s likely nonsense—ninety-nine times out of a hundred—but they directly stated this tournament would be the greatest ever. They said they’d spend more than half of all the wealth they’ve accumulated so far, so I was thinking of trying my hand at it too….”
Cheon So-hyun exhaled a long, heated breath.
“So when is this tournament held?”
While it was likely boasting from gamblers, since Do Je had stated it himself, a precious elixir would surely be awarded.
‘Excellent, excellent.’
In essence, by guiding these demons obsessed with gambling, I could persuade Do Je and obtain an elixir as well.
“Ah… are you going to leave?”
At Cheon So-hyun’s words, Kang Hyun’s expression crumpled pitifully.

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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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