Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 59

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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 59
Four days later.
“You’ve come without any notice. Has some urgent matter arisen?”
“It’s not so much urgent as it is troublesome. If you don’t mind, could you spare me a cup of tea?”
“Haha, you speak as though it were a question. The concerns of Tak Mu-won are a burden I share gladly. Come, let us step inside.”
Jin Ri-tae, an elder of the Iron Blood Demon Sect, guided Tak Mu-won into the reception room.
“First, let us soothe your throat.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Tak Mu-won sipped the tea. As he set down the steaming cup, wisps of vapor curling upward, he spoke with measured calm.
“Have you perhaps heard of the Tuyong Tournament?”
“Yes, I have. It’s been the talk of the town these days, after all.”
Tak Mu-won detected the displeasure woven through Jin Ri-tae’s tone and exhaled softly.
“Then we can dispense with preliminaries. Shamefully, my sect has suffered a humiliation at Baek Myun Valley.”
“A humiliation, you say?”
“Indeed. One of my disciples has ended his life as a warrior. He showed such promise, yet now he cannot even learn left-handed techniques…”
Jin Ri-tae started in shock.
“Left-handed techniques? You mean to say he lost an arm?”
As Tak Mu-won nodded wearily, Jin Ri-tae’s complexion darkened.
“But how…?”
He was already aware of the Tuyong Tournament’s circumstances. News of Third Prince’s exploits had been spreading with remarkable speed from Baek Myun Valley onward.
A martial competition hosted by the Blade Emperor Sect, with Third Prince as a contestant.
Yet no matter how much it was elevated or how much attention it drew, its true nature remained nothing more than a gambling den. The fact that a disciple of the Wuzhong Sect had lost an arm in such a den seemed difficult to accept.
“Your sorrow must be profound. I scarcely know what words of comfort to offer. That such calamity should befall one as distinguished as you, Tak Mu-won…”
Tak Mu-won smiled bitterly.
“I did not come to cloud your mind with complaints. My sect’s humiliation is a debt my disciple must repay himself. Rather, I have come because, as an old friend, I cannot overlook a certain truth I have learned.”
“Cannot overlook? What do you speak of?”
Tak Mu-won lowered his voice.
“It concerns Third Prince.”
…
Jin Ri-tae’s expression hardened instantly. Ripples formed in the teacup he gripped, then gradually subsided.
‘Cheon So-hyun.’
A name branded upon his heart like a scar. How could he remain unmoved?
Fourth Prince continued his seclusion, reliving the humiliation he had suffered in the main hall.
If one were to name the most forbidden subject within the Iron Blood Demon Sect, it would undoubtedly be Third Prince.
As Tak Mu-won continued, Jin Ri-tae’s expression grew even more rigid.
“Cheon So-hyun has mastered the Gwangak Gyeol. It seems Yi Ma-je has resolved to support him.”
“…Yi Ma-je, you say?”
“Indeed.”
Crunch.
Jin Ri-tae ground his teeth together.
Though the Third Prince was called the Divine Sect’s foremost martial talent, he was nonetheless regarded as inferior to his fellow successors—a consequence of lacking any supporting faction, unlike those who commanded powerful forces and received abundant backing.
“The situation has changed now. By proving his aptitude through the tournament, more will extend their hands to the Third Prince. Given the circumstances, it’s highly likely that the Blade Emperor Sect will also lend its strength.”
Jin Ri-tae’s pupils trembled.
‘Then… the reason the information spread so rapidly was because of the Blade Emperor Sect?’
For the Four Great Demon Families with their successors, and certainly for the Wuzhong Sect, which had maintained ties with the Iron Blood Demon Family, this was decidedly unwelcome news.
After a long silence, Jin Ri-tae spoke in a grave tone.
“There was no time to delay. I am grateful for this valuable information, Tak Mu-won. I scarcely know how to repay you…”
“How can friends speak of repayment? I merely fulfilled my duty. But… when you speak of delay, do you mean you already have a strategy in place?”
Jin Ri-tae nodded slowly.
“Indeed. We were already discussing the Third Prince’s treatment.”
“Treatment?”
“Yes. A man who bears the name of the Cheon Family’s third son, yet allows himself to be swept up by desire and frequents the Entertainment District—how can I, as a member of the sect, overlook this? The sect’s situation grows more chaotic than ever.”
The corners of Tak Mu-won’s mouth rose slightly.
“Indeed… it is a matter that cannot be ignored.”
“We have even obtained information that he is tarnishing the Cheon Family’s reputation. For a successor to become entangled with lowborn blood… tsk. Good news should arrive soon, so please wait a little longer.”
* * *
“Phew…”
Cheon So-hyun exhaled a long, heated breath while sitting in meditation. I was carefully repeating the breathing technique that slowly drew in external energy and guided it cautiously toward my dantian when it happened.
Zzzt!
A sharp, searing pain as if my meridians were being torn shot through me. I forcibly clung to my fading consciousness.
‘Damn it!’
Pushing forward recklessly would lead straight to death, so I hastily stopped the breathing technique.
“It’s still too soon.”
For a full seven weeks after my decisive battle with Yu Baek, I had consumed internal injury medicine while dedicating myself to cultivation. Yet the flow of my energy remained turbulent.
Toxins I had failed to expel had seeped into my meridians, and the internal injuries throughout my body were far from trivial.
One could say I was battered and broken, yet I paid it no mind.
“Heh heh, what does it matter.”
Rather, laughter kept bubbling up unbidden. Had I not, after all, navigated a gamble devoid of interest or amusement and secured the cooperation of the Blade Emperor Sect?
That alone was a great harvest, but it was far from everything.
‘They said today was the closing ceremony.’
-You’ve finally claimed the championship. Well done, Third Prince.
-What? The championship? Isn’t the final match still remaining?
-It will likely become the final match. At most, you’ll have one or two more matches before the closing ceremony. I’ll give you some internal injury medicine, so prepare yourself by then.
This was what the Blade Emperor Sect had told me after my match with the Unnamed Guest ended. That the closing ceremony would proceed instead of a final match.
The explanation was that fighters would withdraw—either surrendering upon sensing a wall or forfeiting to obstruct proceedings—and the tournament would ultimately peter out inconclusively.
It meant I need not exert myself further, a welcome prospect. Especially since the champion would receive a miraculous elixir as well.
My eyes gleamed.
‘They called it the Tuyong Elixir, didn’t they?’
Since the Blade Emperor Sect had affirmed it was a precious elixir, I could accelerate not only my injury recovery but also my progress in the Martial Spirit Divine Technique.
“Ahahaha!”
Is there any joy greater for a warrior than the ascension of martial prowess?
There is not. Even sifting through the memories of my past life, I found nothing that could compare.
The reason Jianghu practitioners endured three meals a day chewing through clay-like wall-breaking pills was ultimately for the sense of achievement that came with martial advancement.
“Ahahaha!”
It was then that I burst forth with an unbridled laugh without thinking.
“Young Master, are you in great discomfort? Why do you look so frightening?”
Turning around, I saw Kang Hyun staring at me with an expression of alarm.
“Discomfort? I’ve never been more comfortable. Hehe, why did you come out? Is it already time for a meal?”
“Mealtime passed long ago, sir. The sun is high in the sky. The Master says we should depart soon, so prepare yourself and we’ll set out.”
* * *
The Tuyong Tournament had been a resounding success.
An even greater crowd than anticipated had flooded the arena, and even after the matches concluded, all of Baek Myun Valley thrummed with vitality.
According to Baek Myun Valley’s plan, the finals should have provided the crowning touch, but an unforeseen variable had thrown everything into disarray.
“Huh? What are they doing?”
“Right? Are there no matches today?”
The spectators murmured in bewilderment.
In the center of the arena stood a wooden platform instead of the fighting stage. The craftsmanship was evident, yet it bore no resemblance to a stage meant for combat.
“You didn’t hear? After the Wuzhong Sect disciples withdrew, all the fighters forfeited their matches.”
“What? Forfeited?!”
As rumors about the Tuyong Tournament spread like wildfire, even larger crowds had gathered than before.
“They just went home?!”
“That’s what they say.”
“Damn these madmen…”
People who had come with great anticipation began voicing their grievances upon learning the matches had been cancelled.
“These bastards do nothing but eat and swing their swords all day, and now they abandon even that? What are the organizers doing?!”
And that discontent was transmitted directly to the platform above.
There stood the Blade Emperor Sect, Yi Ma-je, the Red Cloud Sect Master, and the Wuzhong Sect Master.
Tak Mu-won spoke carefully.
“My apologies, Blade Emperor. The shock my disciples received from the Unnamed Guest was so profound that we had no choice but to forfeit, shamefully as it may be.”
“…”
“You have invested considerable funds and effort, and I am truly sorry to have caused this disruption.”
Just as Heon Won-mok was about to add his words, the Blade Emperor responded calmly.
“Well, it matters not.”
The Blade Emperor tilted his head and continued with ease.
“There is nothing as tedious as watching a match whose outcome is already certain. This is far more intriguing, so it has worked out well. Do not concern yourselves.”
The sect masters exchanged uncertain glances at this unexpected response.
That was when it happened.
“Esteemed spectators!”
Chang Sun’s clear voice resonated throughout the arena.
“We ask for your understanding as the matches conclude earlier than originally scheduled due to the competitors’ forfeitures!”
After catching his breath for a moment, Chang Sun continued.
“Still, given that you’ve taken the time to honor us with your presence, I mustn’t disappoint you further. I shall proceed with the closing ceremony at once! First, let me present the champion of the Tuyong Tournament!”
“Roooaaarrr!”
The entire arena trembled with the roar of the crowd.
Those who had been voicing complaints moments before now erupted in fervent enthusiasm. After all, before being spectators, they were all disciples of the sect.
“The Third Prince of the Heavenly Demon Cult, Cheon So-hyun!”
Footsteps echoed across the stage.
Cheon So-hyun ascended the dais, having exchanged his usual light martial robes for an immaculate white ceremonial robe.
“Cheon So-hyun! Cheon So-hyun!!”
“The blessing for our champion shall be bestowed by the Sect Master himself!”
Do Je emerged from the opposite side of the dais. He approached with a gentle smile, standing face to face with Cheon So-hyun.
“Congratulations, Third Prince. When we first met, I thought myself fortunate if you’d merely serve as entertainment, yet here we are, unexpectedly sailing the same vessel.”
Cheon So-hyun chuckled softly in response.
“My feet are burning as I run, so I’d appreciate your counsel on how to proceed from here.”
“Well, what’s there to deliberate? Both you and I must push forward with what we’re confident in. First, let’s clear away the obstructions and begin.”
The moment Cheon So-hyun’s expression turned questioning, Do Je stepped forward. Infusing his inner power, he spoke toward the spectator stands.
“I offer my greetings to our esteemed guests. I am Wi Mu-ryeon, Master of Baek Myun Valley.”

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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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