Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 45

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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 45
“A martial tournament?”
“I don’t know the details myself. It’s been the talk of the town, so I’ve only picked up bits and pieces. Apparently, all sorts of warriors are gathering for a martial arts competition, and I heard the Third Prince is participating as well.”
“Is this event being held in Baek Myun Valley?”
“That’s right. Since it’s a chance to see the Cheon Family directly, followers are flocking in from all directions. Word travels so fast that they say there’s barely room to stand anymore.”
“I see.”
Though the news was unexpected, understanding its cause proved simple enough.
The image of the Third Prince’s face came to mind—he who had said he would head straight to Baek Myun Valley once his training was complete.
‘He must be planning to persuade the Blade Emperor. A martial tournament—a bold decision indeed.’
Sa Ma-ryang organized his thoughts before asking.
“Much has transpired during my absence. Are there any other unusual matters regarding the Inspection Bureau?”
“The most important thing is left. Since you lost consciousness….”
At the ensuing news, Sa Ma-ryang’s eyes grew cold and sharp.
“They executed the criminal? What do you mean? Surely before I left, we agreed to bind and interrogate them?”
“There’s no need to be upset about it. It was the Chief Military Commander’s order.”
“The Chief Military Commander?”
“Yes. While you were unconscious, the Chief Military Commander handled matters swiftly. He personally came forward and publicly announced the crimes of the Changeung Trading Company. What’s shocking is the content. They weren’t just engaged in human trafficking.”
“There were additional charges?”
Sa Ma-chang nodded.
“The atmosphere seemed off, so I suspected there was more to it, and sure enough, they discovered that the organization had been preparing dark magic. A technique called the Formation of Ultimate Extinction and Death—a horrifying array that extracts the vital essence from people.”
“The Divine Sect shouldn’t possess such demonic arts.”
Sa Ma-ryang furrowed his brow as he spoke, recalling the sect’s policy of strictly forbidding and destroying any matters that would deplete the organization’s manpower since the decision to seal the gates.
Sa Ma-chang’s answer was clear.
“I said it was dark magic, didn’t I?”
“…It’s a technique from the Central Plains.”
“Exactly. It was smuggled out from a prisoner in the Demon Prison. An assassin from the Dark Lotus Society who stole the secret manual and fled, then defected to the sect. The Gwangmyeong Left Envoy discovered him, and his limbs were torn off, driving him mad. But when he regained consciousness during interrogation, information leaked out somehow.”
“So… they executed him and made the charges public?”
“That’s right. Even those who initially found it gruesome spat on his corpse once the charges were revealed, saying he deserved to die. Thanks to that, the atmosphere has become rather ominous.”
Sa Ma-ryang slowly stroked his chin.
Executing a criminal was an extreme and brutal method that naturally invited strong opposition, yet there were undeniable advantages that outweighed such resistance.
Through severe punishment, authority and control could be strengthened, and trust in the current system enhanced. Especially when the crime was heinous, the effect was maximized.
It was a method befitting the leadership of the Divine Sect, which had developed an insular atmosphere due to prolonged isolation.
Yet questions remained. By long tradition, the beginning and conclusion of an inspection were the Inspector Chief’s prerogative.
‘Is it because I was absent, or is there another intention behind this?’
Sa Ma-ryang pondered the question before speaking.
“I should investigate this more thoroughly. First, I’ll report my return, then head directly to the scene.”
“Do as you wish. I’m leaving first.”
* * *
“It is Sa Ma-ryang. May I enter?”
“Come in.”
Screech.
Sa Ma-hyuk, who had been inscribing characters at the desk in his office, halted his brush. His gaze swept across Sa Ma-ryang’s entire frame.
“I have just returned. My recovery proceeded more slowly than anticipated, requiring additional time. My apologies.”
“No matter. I suspected it would take several more days. Be seated.”
“Yes.”
Sa Ma-hyuk resumed moving his brush across the paper. The whisper of bristles grazing the surface filled the silence.
“This inspection was certainly impressive. Given your lineage, I harbored certain concerns, yet you acquitted yourself admirably.”
“It was only possible thanks to the assistance of my senior colleagues.”
“That cannot be the whole of it—nor should it be. Since you have delivered results, I intend to grant you a reward.”
Sa Ma-ryang asked with a bewildered expression.
“A reward?”
“Regardless of circumstance, one must dispense merit fairly to cultivate efficiency. There is no exception for officials. Is there anything you desire?”
“…!”
At Sa Ma-hyuk’s question, Sa Ma-ryang clenched his fist beneath the desk.
This was no trivial opportunity. He chose his response with deliberate care.
“I am grateful for your words, yet as Inspector Chief, I have merely fulfilled my duty. Like my senior colleagues before me, I devoted myself entirely to the responsibilities entrusted to me.”
“And therefore?”
“Following this inspection as I have others, I would be content merely to continue in their footsteps and fulfill my obligations. If merit must nonetheless be dispensed, might you consider bestowing a reward upon the Third Prince instead?”
Tap.
Sa Ma-hyuk set down his brush. A glimmer of ashen light flickered across his pupils.
“Upon the Third Prince?”
“As you know, this inspection originated from Jagwi Gate. The discovery that they were exploiting borderland believers and engaging in human trafficking was entirely the Third Prince’s achievement.”
“….”
“He eliminated Moon Ju, destroyed the sect, and secured decisive evidence. His merit far exceeds my own.”
Confronted with seemingly sound logic, the corners of Sa Ma-hyuk’s mouth curved upward.
‘He has grown cunning.’
It was a welcome change rather than an unsettling one. Concealing one’s blade beneath humility while securing tangible advantage—such was the bearing befitting any official.
This very transformation was what I had anticipated when bringing Sa Ma-ryang into the Military Council.
“Your desires are twofold, then: preservation of your Inspector Chief position and a reward for the Third Prince. Is that correct?”
Sa Ma-ryang’s eyes trembled slightly.
“…Yes.”
Sa Ma-hyuk stroked his chin.
“The former is impossible. Having entered as blood kin of the Sa Ma Family, you must undergo far stricter evaluation and scrutiny than others—which you did not. Your appointment as Inspector Chief was already unprecedented.”
“….”
“Your merit lies only in bringing forth evidence. I can do no more than maintain your position temporarily through the conclusion of this inspection.”
“…I understand.”
“As for the Third Prince’s reward, I shall settle it thus.”
Sa Ma-hyuk indicated a document resting upon the desk.
“What is that?”
“A dispatch to be sent to the Cult Leader’s Palace.”
“…!”
“I shall document the Third Prince’s merits and present them. Once the Cult Leader completes his seclusion, he will provide his answer. Of course, if nothing particularly interests him, he may disregard it entirely.”
Sa Ma-ryang’s eyes trembled violently.
Entry into the inner sanctum—it was a miracle and blessing that every follower of the Divine Sect yearned for. There could be no greater reward than the Third Prince’s advancement to the Cult Leader’s Hall.
“Thank you.”
“Yes, let us set aside talk of rewards for now…. I hear that after apprehending the criminal, you decided to conduct a separate interrogation yourself. Did you judge that the methods you used on Gwak Ji-ryang would yield more information?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
Sa Ma-hyuk’s brow furrowed.
“You made that judgment even after experiencing the side effects?”
“I believed it was necessary.”
“Tsk, how foolish. Seizing another’s dantian and granting them time defies the natural order—a reckless transgression. The price is far beyond what you can bear.”
Sa Ma-ryang asked with bewildered eyes.
“…You know of the methods I employed?”
“Do you truly believe nothing new exists between heaven and earth?”
“….”
“That you awakened it yourself is unexpected, but forbidden arts that pledge a strategist’s lifespan have existed since ancient times. This time, fortune favored you and it ended thus, but whether you will awaken next time cannot be guaranteed. This is why they are called forbidden arts.”
“….”
“You cannot escape heavenly punishment, so never use it again.”
At the stern warning, Sa Ma-ryang slowly nodded.
“…I shall remember this well.”
* * *
‘How fortunate.’
Sa Ma-ryang emerged from the Military Council with noticeably lighter steps.
Relief washed over me, having achieved my intended purpose.
‘Now I can continue the investigation.’
What I had feared all along was that the investigation would conclude prematurely during my absence.
I had always known I could not retain the position of Inspector Chief. But now that I had been granted an opportunity to complete the investigation, however temporary, it was time to move swiftly.
Sa Ma-ryang touched the paper concealed in my robes.
-So you’ll tell me everything you know?
The paper, written by Gwak Ji-ryang, contained a haphazard list of those with whom Heuk Si had dealt, the organizations involved, and individuals whose connections might extend to them.
Since the Changeung Trading Company conducted legitimate transactions as well, most would be unrelated to this incident, but there was ample value in investigating further.
‘If I utilize this….’
Even if I dismantled the Changeung Trading Company entirely, the human trafficking case would not be resolved. If there were organizers, there must also be participants.
Since only the Inspector Chief possessed the authority to determine investigation targets, methods, and dispositions, using that prerogative to dig deeper would make compiling a list no difficult task.
A cold gleam flickered in Sa Ma-ryang’s eyes.
‘What I must consider is how to utilize this.’
Mere involvement in such a matter would not escape capital punishment. The compiled list would possess power worthy of being called a death register, and since it remained undisclosed even to the inspectors, the scope of its application was vast.
Then, suddenly, Sa Ma-ryang’s footsteps halted. My gaze turned toward a wall in the darkened alley.
“Who are you?”
The air rippled once, and the figure of a woman materialized. The woman Hong Yi-gyeom’s face was grotesquely contorted, as though she had bitten down on an insect.
‘…Let me let go now. This is the right thing to do.’
It was the moment my lingering attachment shattered completely.
Of all people, to be discovered by Moon Ju?
She cleared her throat after carefully composing her expression and greeted him.
“Hello. You must be Sa Ma-ryang, correct?”
“….”
“Ahem, I should introduce myself first. I’m Hong Yi-gyeom, the information keeper of Baek Myun Valley and handle vital intelligence… well, that’s just my name. I have a proposal for you. Could you spare me a moment?”
* * *
Inside a cave reeking of blood.
Dim firelight barely illuminated the interior as Jeok Ui-in moved forward precariously, his eyes clouded entirely with tension and fear.
‘To be discovered all the way to the inner sanctum…’
Squelch. Squelch.
As he ventured deeper into the cave, treading through pooled blood on the floor, a sinister aura grew denser.
“You’re late.”
A heavy voice emanated from the depths of darkness.
Jeok Ui-in immediately dropped to his knees and bowed his head. He was Heuk Si, who had managed the Ja Gwi Moon’s distribution network.
“My apologies. Retrieving the Soul-Binding Pills caused delays due to those who followed in pursuit.”
“There were Soul-Binding Pills remaining?”
“Yes.”
Heuk Si withdrew a wooden box from his robes, and brilliant crimson pills floated up from within before being drawn into the thick darkness.
“Fortunate. I was deliberating whether to destroy them.”
Heuk Si’s expression twisted as he kept his head lowered.
“…How is your condition, sir?”
“I’m reaching my limit. Something wails so bitterly—these wandering spirits gnaw at my mind relentlessly. The backlash from corrupting the Grand Method is far worse than anticipated. At this rate, death is inevitable. Though I suspect I’ll face the Deputy Leader of the Law Enforcement Hall before that comes to pass.”
“I am truly sorry about the Ja Gwi Moon incident…”
Crack!
An invisible force seized Heuk Si’s throat in an instant. His face flushed crimson.
“Gack!”
“Did you think I waited to hear your pathetic apologies? Remember every moment why your neck remains attached despite being caught. If you prove useless, you won’t find peace even in death.”
“Hack, gack!”
“The solution?”
As the strangling pressure eased, Heuk Si gasped roughly and answered urgently.
“I-I’ve obtained it! I’ve acquired intelligence that the Inspector Chief, the true culprit behind this incident, serves the Third Prince. If we proceed with a transaction involving the Baek Family’s circumstances, escaping outside the Sect would be…”
“Still making bold claims despite such failure?”
Crack.
As his throat was seized again, Heuk Si cried out desperately.
“This time, this time I will absolutely succeed! If we divert the Sect’s attention and escape externally, there must be a way out…!”
Boom!
Heuk Si, hurled like a cannonball and embedded in the wall, barely managed to rise. He quickly dropped to his knees and bowed his head.
“This is your final chance to redeem your pathetic recklessness.”
“I shall keep your words close to heart.”
“Now is the time to devote myself fully. You are dismissed.”
Heuk Si endured the excruciating pain that screamed through his bones as he limped from the cave.
How had matters spiraled to such depths?
Had my reckless scheme to amass wealth become my poison?
Such doubts refused to leave my mind.
When I operated under the name Changeung Trading Company, everything had proceeded smoothly.
I drew manpower from the Demon Prison through the guild’s operations, and through the prisoners, I even obtained the coveted demonic techniques I desired.
Particularly, when I learned that the heir of the Baek Family and the Third Prince had joined forces, I was certain it would become my greatest trump card.
The intelligence was invaluable precisely because of that.
It was information capable of shattering Cheon So-hyun’s position as successor in an instant—I had deliberately delayed using it until after he consolidated his power, yet I was caught off guard in that very window of opportunity.
“Everything has fallen apart because of that obsolete wretch. I shall repay this humiliation without fail.”
Heuk Si muttered through gritted teeth.
His bloodshot eyes gleamed in the darkness.

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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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