Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 65

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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 65
“There’s more than I expected.”
Do Je leaned back in his chair and drew deeply on his pipe, exhaling a thick plume of smoke as he rifled through the stack of documents before him.
“Those are the intelligence we’ve gathered so far, combined with what the Military Council provided, and finally, the documents that Red Cloud Sect recently sent over.”
At Hong Yi-gyeom’s explanation, Do Je tilted his head.
“Red Cloud Sect?”
It was a natural question—there had been no significant contact since the Tuyong Tournament.
“Yes. The Sect Master said it was only natural to help as a member of the Divine Sect, and he personally issued the directive. The intelligence appears to be quite valuable and should prove useful.”
Do Je began methodically examining the documents.
Most of the thick stack of papers contained strategies for seizing control of the Wuzhong Sect—documented corruptions and weaknesses they’d identified, additional charges, and detailed personal records of the elders, all meticulously recorded.
Do Je let out a low whistle of admiration.
“These aren’t the sort of things one hands over without compensation… Did they express what they want in return?”
Each piece of intelligence was the kind that would be difficult to obtain without maintaining close relations.
“Actually, they sent a letter saying they’d like to treat us as honored guests once everything is settled. It seems they’re hoping for a meeting with the Third Prince.”
“Honored guests? So it’s the Baekryeon Demon Sect, not Red Cloud Sect?”
“That appears to be the case from the circumstances.”
Do Je chuckled softly.
“They certainly seem eager.”
While the Baekryeon Demon Sect’s true intentions remained unclear, there were certain aspects he could dimly anticipate.
—The Baekryeon Blade…!
That had been the reaction the Red Cloud Sect Master displayed when Cheon So-hyun clashed with Yu Baek—he’d likely detected something connected to the family in Cheon So-hyun’s martial techniques.
After all, when he himself had faced the Third Prince, he’d suspected the source of those techniques might be the Demonic Path Library or Red Cloud Sect.
“In any case, we can put this to good use. What about the other major demon families?”
“The Huo Yue family remains silent. They seem to have completely shut themselves off from outside information.”
Do Je’s brow furrowed slightly.
“You mean to say the Crown Prince is on the verge of achieving something?”
“Yes. The way they summoned the Silver Scale Tyrant Blade to their family recently is suspicious, and their movements don’t seem normal at all. As for the Baekgeum family, they seem to be on high alert, as if they’re missing out on something.”
“Consistent as always. With the Third Prince heading toward the Cult Leader’s Hall, they have no choice but to remain vigilant. Keep watching them.”
At that moment, Do Je’s head turned toward the door. He’d sensed a presence beyond it.
The door creaked open.
As a giant of a man entered the chamber, Do Je’s lips curved upward.
“What brings you here? Isn’t this supposed to be your training time?”
“They say that missing the moment darkens one’s prospects. I came to lend a hand.”
“Perfect timing—I was about to seek you out. It bothered me that despite both being Demon Masters, my senior was getting away with doing nothing.”
Yi Ma-je chuckled.
“So when do we depart?”
His attire was notably different from usual. Instead of his casual martial robes, he wore a neat long coat and carried a pure white blade at his side.
“Why drag it out? Since we’ve mentioned it, let’s go immediately.”
Do Je rose from his seat.
“Whether we set up a convincing decoy or eliminate a few to make an example—let’s finish before sunset.”
* * *
I gazed intently at the Cult Leader seated upon the Throne Dais.
Discomfort was no excuse to abandon filial propriety. Since the years of discourtesy had been so rare, calling the Cult Leader father felt utterly natural now.
“I saw you shortly after awakening, and now we meet again. I trust you have been well in the interim.”
“You’ve been quite busy, I hear.”
His voice, infused with inner power, echoed through the Great Hall.
“Ah, yes. So word has reached you. I’ve been rather idle of late, so there’s been much to catch up on—many places to visit. Now I shall endeavor to live more industriously…”
“Does the Great Sect burden you?”
At his blunt question, my brow furrowed slightly. Sensing his aversion to circuitous speech, I answered honestly.
“Yes, it does weigh heavily upon me.”
“Your reasons.”
The Cult Leader’s gaze pierced through me like a honed blade, sharp and absolute. It was the pressure of one who would tolerate no falsehood whatsoever.
Under that oppressive weight, my expression hardened. I became certain that depending on my answer, everything I had accomplished thus far could crumble to dust.
Part of me wished to declare that since I hadn’t mounted the Heavenly Demon, I should simply remain secluded. But of course, such words were impossible.
“It is an extraordinary opportunity to establish renown. Since this is no trivial matter, I wish to participate only when I have achieved complete readiness.”
“Vague words will not suffice. Where have you set the standard for this readiness?”
“I’ve heard the Central Plains harbors many formidable masters. To face them with confidence, I believe reaching even a fraction of your level would be sufficient.”
In truth, reaching even a fraction of the Cult Leader’s level would place one among the realm’s absolute masters. It was an extraordinarily high standard, but I set it boldly—any hesitation would invite suspicion.
Thump, thump, thump.
As the Cult Leader tapped the armrest with his index finger, the air trembled and dispersed outward.
My eyes narrowed.
‘What in the world is that?’
What demonic art had he cultivated, and how profound was his mastery?
Demonic energy rippled outward like waves. Had it carried malice, my eardrums would have shattered completely.
A chill raced down my spine.
Though he wore a human form, I could not fathom what power he possessed or what thoughts occupied his mind.
Had I ever faced a warrior so perfectly refined?
In my past life, could I have been his equal?
Warrior’s instinct stirred within me, raising scattered questions that defied the moment’s logic. And amid it all, the fact that even such a Cult Leader had not yet earned the title of Heavenly Demon struck me with fresh shock.
Suddenly, the Cult Leader’s eyes flickered with darkness.
“Curious.”
“Pardon? What is curious?”
“You understand the boundlessness of the path ahead, yet you do not regard it as distant. Rather, you seem to harbor competitive spirit. Does this not strike you as vague?”
“There is nothing vague about it. No matter how vast the gap between myself and those who have advanced before me, I am certain that one day we shall test our strength against each other. That is my goal.”
“Idle fantasy. Pursuing ideals is commendable, but do not turn a blind eye to reality. Gazing only upward will cause you to lose your way—have you not felt this truth in your very bones?”
I answered calmly.
“I have fallen miserably enough to know the path. What fool would lose their way after such a fall, yet still gaze upward as they walk?”
The Cult Leader’s finger, which had been tapping the Throne Dais, stilled.
“Explain further.”
“I mean only to confirm where my destination lies, then focus entirely on the ground beneath my feet. Though the path seems uncertain now, if I think only of the next step with each moment, I can reach anywhere. That is how a warrior must live.”
“….”
“Is that not so?”
Silence descended upon the Cult Leader’s Hall. Cheon So-hyun rolled his eyes, studying the Cult Leader’s complexion.
‘Did that sound convincing enough?’
In truth, the words I had just spoken were insights gained while ascending and descending Songshan while bearing a boulder the size of a house.
The suffocation and pain of traversing Songshan for the trivial reason of indulging in carnivorous practices beyond the threshold of moderation….
‘Amitabha Buddha.’
They were truly things difficult to express in words.
When I focused only on the summit and pressed forward, even a Buddhist like myself would think it better to carve away the mountain itself.
After engaging in such ascetic practices and resolving instead to concentrate on the ground beneath my feet, my mind became considerably lighter, did it not?
This was an insight equally applicable not only to ascending and descending Songshan, but also to cultivating martial arts.
In other words, I had indulged in carnivorous practices and ultimately attained enlightenment.
It was also the reason I could not abandon—indeed, must not abandon—such practices.
‘Indeed, precisely so.’
Then the Cult Leader broke the silence.
“Your transformation intrigues me. Come closer.”
He meant to examine me more carefully, and since I had much to ask anyway, Cheon So-hyun answered readily.
“As you wish.”
Thud, thud.
The staircase leading to the Throne Dais was quite antiquated, as if crafted by a master artisan.
Whoooosh!!
The problem was that with each step upward, the oppressive force crushing my entire body intensified.
‘What is this?’
Cheon So-hyun furrowed his brow and lifted his gaze.
The Cult Leader still looked down with indifferent eyes.
A dragon robe woven from black silk draped casually upon him. The form of a dragon was inscribed with brilliant embroidery and golden thread, yet it did not feel excessive in the slightest.
The Cult Leader’s presence was far more striking.
That intense presence, combined with the demonic energy permeating the Cult Leader’s Hall, created an uncanny oppressive sensation.
‘This is absurd.’
Cheon So-hyun stifled a hollow laugh.
Thud!
The pressure transmitted through my skin mattered little. Even if burdensome, it was manageable enough to endure.
What was ridiculous was that during my previous visit to the Cult Leader’s Hall, he had also invited me to come closer.
He had demanded this of his son who had just risen from a sickbed?
‘A mad demon indeed.’
One could even say it was fitting for the Demon Master. Still, I had no intention of stopping, so Cheon So-hyun climbed the stairs in silence.
Thud!
One step, then another. As I focused on the ground beneath my feet and pressed forward, the stairs crumbled and fell away.
When I reached the midpoint.
Whoosh!
His knees buckled and folded beneath him. Though his entire body shook violently, his hair and robes clung to him without so much as a tremor.
Crack.
Cheon So-hyun clenched his teeth. As if undergoing a trial, heat began to creep through the qi that strangled his breath.
‘Fine… let’s give this a try.’
There was no point in retreating now—it went against his nature. With the resolve to push forward to the end, he drew upon his Spiritual Energy with all his might.
Whoooooosh!
He summoned the Spiritual Energy that wielded the Hundred Calamities into his dantian, layering rotation upon rotation before releasing it throughout his entire body once more.
With the added rotations, the qi accelerated through its circulation, soon unleashing explosive power.
This was a method he had mastered upon reaching the realm of Dark Brilliance.
It was a technique to draw forth power exceeding his inner strength, but it carried a fatal drawback proportional to its effectiveness.
One moment of instability could shatter not only his dantian but his entire meridian network. It was that vicious a method.
But.
‘It doesn’t matter.’
Cheon So-hyun circulated his Spiritual Energy without hesitation.
The qi flowing through his body connected seamlessly, forming a single current. He had experienced this method countless times before.
So familiar it was almost nostalgic—he added Gwangak Gyeol to the circulation, further fortifying his body.
Boom! Crash!
With each powerful stride, the stairs trembled. Stone fragments crumbled and fell, yet he continued ascending relentlessly.
And finally, reaching the summit, Cheon So-hyun encountered an unexpected sight.
‘What is this?’
The Cult Leader had risen from the Throne Dais and was now regarding him, his characteristic detachment diminished—his eyes now gleaming with unmistakable intrigue.

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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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