Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 67

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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 67
Cheon So-hyun regarded him with a puzzled gaze.
What in the world was he talking about?
“Third-rate martial arts? But why would that be?”
“The conditions for entry are exacting. Because the technique demands one’s devotion to governing spiritual essence in defiance of heaven’s ordinance, paradoxically only those born bearing the Celestial Punishment can master it.”
The Cult Leader emptied his cup before continuing.
“With extraordinary effort, entry might become possible, but it would be wiser to devote such capability and labor to learning other martial arts instead.”
“….”
“That is precisely why it is merely third-rate martial arts.”
The Cult Leader, who had always been taciturn, proved surprisingly thorough in his explanations, and his ability to grasp the essence of matters was quite remarkable.
He was exceptional not only in martial prowess but in perception as well. Perhaps it was precisely such insight that had elevated him to the position of Cult Leader.
Cheon So-hyun nodded slowly.
“Ah… I see.”
Hearing those words, the despair regarding my constitution struck me with piercing clarity.
To resolve the defect in my dantian, elevating the achievement of the Wuling Divine Art was my best recourse, yet the Wuling Divine Art was so demanding that even I, who had thoroughly studied all of Shaolin’s martial disciplines, found it bewildering.
And yet I was expected to master the Wuling Divine Art as a mere late-stage cultivator?
‘It cannot be possible.’
It was like handing the Analects to a child who had not yet learned the Thousand Character Classic.
In other words, the conditions for entering the Wuling Divine Art were not merely the Celestial Punishment.
One required overwhelming martial talent and aptitude sufficient to achieve insight without first tempering countless experiences into one’s life.
Moreover, the achievement after entry was another matter entirely, so it was certainly a problematic martial art.
‘Is that why it was not transmitted to Cheon So-hyun earlier?’
Now I belatedly understood the circumstances of why the Wuling Divine Art had been given to me. I would have fallen into even deeper despair regardless of the manner.
Endless frustration and self-doubt, until finally confronting a wall I could not overcome.
‘Hmm?’
As I was nodding my head, I flinched upon seeing the Cult Leader.
His expression carried an air of indifference. One might say he was beginning to look bored. It seemed an expulsion order would be issued shortly.
“I understand. Then I shall ponder this matter carefully on my own. If I may, I have one final question.”
“What is it.”
“It is… I wish to venture beyond the Sect. Would that be possible?”
The Cult Leader’s dark eyes swept across Cheon So-hyun.
“It is not.”
His answer was resolute, as though expulsion from the Sect was not even a consideration. Yet because leaving the Sect was an absolutely necessary step to eliminate any possibility of advancing into the Central Plains, I could not easily abandon this pursuit.
‘I must not retreat.’
Only by escaping the Sect could I meet those bald-headed martial brothers, and only by meeting them could the gates of Shaolin open wide.
Cheon So-hyun pondered what story might capture the Cult Leader’s interest before speaking.
“I wish to directly witness what martial disciplines exist throughout the Realm. Only then can I properly establish my own martial path, and truly comprehend how vast the world is.”
“Absurd. If we speak of martial lineages, this Sect is overwhelmingly superior.”
Cheon So-hyun bit the inside of his cheek.
‘What should I do?’
Persuasion was not impossible. Based on the circumstances thus far, it was clear that the Cult Leader held some measure of goodwill toward me.
The feeling differed from when I faced Yi Ma-je or Do Je—there was a kinship born of shared blood.
Then, suddenly, the Abbot’s counsel from my childhood surfaced in my mind.
—You wish to guide conversation well? It seems you gained some enlightenment last night. How rare to hear sensible words from that mouth of yours.
—Well, wouldn’t it suffice to merely curb that habit of throwing punches first? Or perhaps weave in appropriate praise. Elevate your opponent skillfully. Transform even their flaws into virtues… A bald head gleaming with such radiance? You’re no different, you fool!
‘Indeed….’
The essence of worldly wisdom lay in skillfully praising what others perceived as shortcomings.
Extolling a sparse head as radiating promise for the future, or finding utility in a crude martial technique by claiming it drove away insects effectively.
If appearance seemed unfortunate, one simply highlighted their vibrant spirit. Through years of deep cultivation, I had accumulated sufficient mastery of such interpersonal arts….
‘Let me see.’
The problem was that the Cult Leader possessed virtually no flaws to criticize.
His martial prowess was beyond question, and his appearance bore such striking resemblance to Cheon So-hyun that words failed me.
Direct confrontation remained my only path.
“Having met my father, I have witnessed the Demonic Martial World itself. What intrigues me lies beyond the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. I wish to see with my own eyes what martial arts the absolute masters of the Central Plains have cultivated.”
The Cult Leader, who had been silently observing Cheon So-hyun, spoke.
“You wish to leave so desperately?”
“Yes. How could it be otherwise?”
“The desire for ascension is admirable. A warrior ought to live thus. However, do you know how many martial practitioners perish from sudden recklessness in this world?”
“Have you raised such a martial practitioner as your son?”
“….”
“As the saying goes, a capable father produces capable sons. I shall not lack the means to fend for myself.”
The Cult Leader’s dark eyes gleamed more brilliantly as he drained his cup. Then he swept his hand through the void.
“Even so, it is impossible. You would merely become an unnecessary spark of trouble.”
The gesture was languid, yet I felt the surrounding air ripple against my skin.
Cheon So-hyun’s brow furrowed.
It seemed persuasion had failed. Yet I did not despair.
‘Perhaps I must slip away in secret?’
As such thoughts occupied me, a sharp sound echoed.
“Hmm?”
Soon after, from the darkness behind the Pavilion, a book flew toward me at great speed. I caught the tome hovering before me.
“…The Endless Accumulation Scripture? What is this?”
“The Wuling Divine Art is vast. Regardless of your intent or aptitude, the threat of inner demons exists at every moment as you digest it. As your cultivation of extreme yang essence advances, the heat-yang qi will naturally expand outward.”
The Cult Leader’s gaze swept across my entire form.
“Should that heat-yang qi incinerate your true qi, the problem of your upper dantian will become far more severe than it is now.”
“Ah, so this is a martial art meant to prevent mental instability?”
Why would he give me such a thing?
The Cult Leader fell silent briefly before answering.
“The Endless Accumulation Scripture takes endless accumulation as its essence. Its core lies in concentrating the qi of your entire body into a single point to achieve the state of a furnace burning pure blue. It is a martial art that seeks harmony, and it will complement the Wuling Divine Art well.”
“…!”
A furnace burning pure blue. An expression favored by ancient Daoists, describing the state when a furnace’s flames glow with azure light.
In the Jianghu, when one’s cultivation reached its pinnacle with not a single impurity remaining, it signified a state of absolute perfection.
In other words, the Crimson Palace Flawless Scripture was a supreme martial art that aligned with the principle of Ten Thousand Streams Return to One Source.
Cheon So-hyun’s eyes gleamed with brilliance.
‘What fortune has befallen me.’
At a glance, this was no ordinary secret manual, so without hesitation, I tucked it into my robes.
As I carefully secured my garments, I finally grasped the significance behind the Cult Leader’s gesture.
“By entrusting this to me, you mean….”
The Cult Leader nodded.
“Your qi perception is serviceable, yet you cannot evade the scrutiny of countless masters. Dedicate yourself to concealing your aura.”
A flash of understanding crossed Cheon So-hyun’s eyes.
“Ah….”
To conceal one’s aura meant to perfectly suppress and contain demonic essence.
In truth, within the Demonic Sect, whether demonic essence leaked or erupted mattered little. Thus, the Crimson Palace Flawless Scripture was the Cult Leader’s thoughtful consideration for my eventual departure from the sect.
“Thank you profoundly!”
Psssh.
The Cult Leader tapped the jade cup lightly with his index finger, and the ornately decorated vessel scattered like dust.
I could not discern what technique this was, but it was undoubtedly the Cult Leader’s distinctive method of dismissing guests.
“Should you achieve Luminous Moon, return to me. By then, your damaged body shall be completely restored.”
‘But my body has already been restored?’
Though I could not fully comprehend his intentions, I had certainly benefited greatly in many ways.
Cheon So-hyun smiled broadly and bowed deeply.
“Yes, I have learned much. May you be well, Father!”
* * *
By the Lotus Pond, white lotus blossoms infused with moonlight bloomed in profusion.
This was the domain of the Baekryeon Demon Family, one of the Four Great Demon Families.
In an elegant pavilion, two men shared a cup of flower tea.
“Truly, that was an extended seclusion. You must have endured considerable hardship.”
A young man carefully set down his teacup and replied.
“Not at all. Rather, the Family Head exerted himself to accommodate my requests. Thanks to the clan’s support, I was able to complete it without incident.”
“Haha, is that so?”
Heon Won-gang, the Baekryeon Family Head, eyes curved like a crescent moon.
‘Excellent.’
Each time he beheld his grandson, he felt the profound satisfaction of admiring a masterpiece.
Nineteen years old this year. In the time since they last met, the softness had melted from his features, and he had grown even more refined.
His neatly bound hair, dark brows, skin as pure as white lotus petals, and eyes of deep amber harmonized to draw forth involuntary admiration.
‘Yet that is not all.’
Each day surpasses the last.
Today’s achievements differed markedly from yesterday’s.
With each encounter, his visible progress suggested that his very existence was devoted to the martial way.
Heon Won-gang’s smile deepened with profound contentment.
“Your achievements have deepened considerably. I expected you to emerge after a full year, yet you’ve completed your seclusion early. There must be a reason for this.”
“I’m grateful for your kind assessment. However, I realized there were limits to resolving my own shortcomings alone. I hastened my departure to seek guidance from the elders of my family.”
“Haha! How remarkably humble the successor of the Cheon Family is. Yet excessive modesty can appear as affectation. With such martial prowess at your age, greatness seems not far distant.”
Cheon Woo-shin, the Fifth Disciple of the Cheonma Divine Cult, smiled gently.
“It remains distant for now, but when the time comes, I shall reach it. I’ve resolved not to rush.”
Such skill without arrogance—what admirable character. Heon Won-gang nodded deeply, satisfied.
“That is sufficient.”
The conversation naturally shifted to family matters and the incidents that had unfolded during Cheon Woo-shin’s absence.
Cheon Woo-shin, maintaining proper decorum, posed a question.
“By the way… I received letters about this. Is it all true?”
“Ah, it is remarkable, but every word is fact.”
Recently, considerable turmoil had erupted centered around Cheon So-hyun.
From securing the support of two Demon Masters to receiving recognition for extraordinary merit and proceeding to the Cult Leader’s Hall—each development was too significant to overlook, which is why letters had been sent even to the Fifth Disciple during his seclusion.
Cheon Woo-shin voiced the questions that had accumulated during his isolation.
“What exactly is the Tuyong Tournament?”
Heon Won-gang explained in detail, his expression tinged with unease. As a direct participant in the succession dispute, it was proper to convey everything without omission.
As Cheon Woo-shin listened, his face gradually filled with astonishment.
He had maintained his seclusion for over half a year and had only just concluded it. The unfamiliar news from his grandfather felt as though he had fallen into an entirely different world.
“With such accomplishments… it seems he has indeed tamed the Demonic Heart considerably.”
“Indeed. Ah, and this is the hundred-year Fleece Flower Root you requested previously.”
Cheon Woo-shin, receiving the wooden box, broke into a warm smile.
“It must have been difficult to procure. I am grateful. I shall consume it at an opportune moment.”
As he bowed his head in sincere gratitude, Heon Won-gang waved his hand dismissively.
“You shall manage it well, I’m certain. Should you require a protector during cultivation, request assistance from the Chief Administrator.”
“Understood.”
After exchanging a few more courtesies, Heon Won-gang departed with reluctance, leaving Cheon Woo-shin alone in the pavilion.
Click.
As he opened the box, the fragrant scent of herbs emerged, and the hundred-year Fleece Flower Root revealed itself.
In the Jianghu, it was a treasure so rare that its asking price determined its value. A soft smile graced Cheon Woo-shin’s face as he examined the root.
“With this, I can at least show my face, Elder Brother.”
His gaze turned toward the brilliantly luminous full moon.

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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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