Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 68
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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 68
The Main Hall of the Wuzhong Sect, one of the Three Demon Sects.
Crash!
“Pointless resistance. Tsk.”
Do Je clicked his tongue and sheathed his blade.
“That should be enough to settle things here. You’ve done well.”
“Is that all?”
“Now the real work begins. Let’s go inside.”
Yi Ma-je and Do Je sheathed their weapons and stepped forward.
Creak.
Those watching them filled every corner of the hall—disciples and elders of the Wuzhong Sect.
Every one of them burned with hostility as if their eyes blazed with fire. This was the moment when the very foundation of their pride, sworn to be buried in bone, was being desecrated by another’s hand.
Blood rushed backward in their veins and their fists trembled violently, yet not a single soul dared to step forward.
‘…Damn it.’
‘It really is over.’
The elders who had stood firm in their defiance had already breathed their last at The Demon Master’s hand.
They were those who, even after their corruption was exposed, had refused to submit and fought back. Even with those summoned by Do Je joining their ranks and unleashing a combined assault, the result was this brutal.
Perhaps it was inevitable. Their opponent was, after all, The Demon Master of the Divine Sect.
Boom!
Each footstep carried towering pride and weight. A powerful presence as if a great mountain itself were moving filled the Main Hall.
The qi that flowed out subtly alone was enough to grip one’s heart, making even the slightest movement impossible.
That was when it happened.
“Quite spacious. And many people too.”
Do Je suddenly asked a disciple standing nearby.
“Where is the Sect Leader’s Quarters?”
“…!”
As the disciple flinched and hesitated, a relatively young elder raised his hand.
“If it pleases you, might I guide you there myself?”
The disciples’ gazes all fixed upon him at once. Their eyes mixed confusion, displeasure, and anger.
‘…Why is he?’
He was someone who had been so absorbed in his own cultivation that he hadn’t even shown his face at sect events. His sudden appearance now, after remaining silent throughout the bloodshed, seemed contemptible.
It looked as though he were trying to ride the tide of inevitability.
Do Je chuckled softly.
“That works for me. Lead the way.”
As they passed through the great hall and headed toward the back courtyard.
“Your name was Gong Mu-ja, wasn’t it?”
“You knew already. Yes, that’s correct.”
“The journey feels rather dull. You seem to have much on your mind—why don’t you share it?”
Gong Mu-ja hesitated for a moment before carefully opening his mouth.
“There’s nothing grand enough to call it a purpose. I simply judged that assisting the Demon Masters would benefit the sect.”
“Well, I suppose that’s understandable.”
The Wuzhong Sect was counted among the Three Demon Sects and boasted considerable influence.
Its reputation had been so renowned that aspirants knocked on its doors daily, yet recently that very reputation had been in free fall.
With the Sect Master executed in disgrace and the disciples who participated in the tournament harboring murderous intent and vanishing without a trace, the organization had been branded as one deserving universal condemnation.
“Rather than live under such infamy, it would be better to enter under The Demon Master’s command. Is that what you’re saying?”
Gong Mu-ja nodded.
“Yes, I have heard that Do Je does not tolerate any blemish upon his forces. We have excised all the rot today, so I humbly beseech you to take in those who are innocent. If you would….”
“Revolting.”
At the cold voice, Gong Mu-ja’s eyes wavered. Yi Ma-je, who had remained silent until now, interjected with visible displeasure.
“Pardon? What do you mean by that….”
“You labor under a grave misconception. Do you truly believe the Wuzhong Sect’s crimes stemmed solely from one Sect Master’s transgression?”
“…!”
“You saw the elders who fell in the Main Hall. Every one of them either condoned or collaborated in Tak Mu-won’s misdeeds. Because there existed those who remained silent and turned a blind eye, Tak Mu-won felt emboldened to commit such atrocities without hesitation.”
Yi Ma-je’s voice grew colder still. His piercing gaze transfixed Gong Mu-ja.
“Are you any different?”
Gong Mu-ja’s pupils trembled violently.
“I, I….”
“I hear you devoted yourself entirely to your cultivation and neglected the sect’s affairs. Even so, it changes nothing. Regardless of the reason, the outcome remains unchanged. No one can escape culpability for the sect’s sins. Least of all one who has risen to the rank of elder.”
A gray gleam flickered in Yi Ma-je’s eyes. Under that gaze, Gong Mu-ja’s face flushed increasingly crimson.
It was not from the suffocating pressure. He was a warrior who found profound joy in pursuing the martial way, in dedicating himself to it and achieving mastery. Having felt pride throughout his practice of the Wuzhong Sect’s techniques, Yi Ma-je’s words struck him as shameful.
“I understand that I too cannot claim innocence. I turned a blind eye to the sect’s corruption while chasing personal achievement. On that point, I have no words of defense even if I had ten mouths… but surely the disciples are not without innocence.”
Thud!
Gong Mu-ja dropped to his knees and bowed his head.
“Many disciples knew nothing. I beseech you, grant them a chance. I will atone and contribute my strength. Please, I implore you.”
Gong Mu-ja’s entire body trembled.
His face flushed crimson with shame and humiliation intertwined, yet his voice carried fierce resolve. It was the determination of one who would stand idle no longer.
Do Je, looking down at him, drew up the corners of his mouth.
“Well, we’ll see soon enough. Since we’re busy, show us around first.”
* * *
Wuzhong Sect, the Sect Leader’s Quarters.
Creak.
“He seemed to have some backbone about him. Do you think he’ll manage if we leave it to him?”
“He should. He’ll at least earn his keep, won’t he?”
In truth, Gong Mu-ja had been marked as a candidate for Sect Master even before Do Je set out for the Wuzhong Sect. Unlike other senior figures tainted by various corruptions, there was nothing about him that could be called filth.
Do Je spoke.
“It is a flaw that an elder of his standing abandoned his duties and devoted himself solely to martial arts, but given that he was born as Ma In, it is difficult to call it a grave defect. Let us entrust him with it.”
In truth, direct management would have been ideal, but ever since word of the tournament spread, talented individuals had been flocking to Baek Myun Valley like clouds.
The situation had become one where even one hand was insufficient, leaving no capacity to govern the Wuzhong Sect as well.
Yi Ma-je asked.
“By the way, what have you been searching for so intently since earlier?”
Upon entering his quarters, Do Je had been spreading his perception throughout the space, rifling through various corners and crevices.
“If I’m to use someone beneath me, I need to hold onto a proper leash. Just wait—it should be around here somewhere.”
Crack!
Do Je thrust his hand into the empty space beneath the desk, tore away a wooden panel, and let out a satisfied chuckle.
Within lay three spirit pills suffused with azure energy, two secret manuals, and a faded scroll.
“There it is, just as I thought.”
The scroll was a sacred object symbolizing the authority and legitimacy of the Mu Jong Sect Master. Passed down through generations exclusively to the sect leaders, it served as the credential marking the true master of the faction.
Do Je secured the scroll and brushed dust from his robes.
“That completes it. The young master of the Cheon Family should be returning soon—let’s depart now.”
* * *
Baek Myun Valley, Yi Ma-je’s Dwelling.
“The Red Palace Unobstructed Technique…”
Cheon So-hyun sat in formal meditation upon a wooden platform, studying the secret manual before me.
‘So parents truly are parents, after all?’
The concerns I had harbored when heading toward the Cult Leader’s Hall proved entirely unfounded—the situation had resolved smoothly.
In truth, it wasn’t merely a smooth resolution; I had obtained far more than I had anticipated.
I had achieved mastery of the Wuling Divine Art, uncovered clues regarding my constitution, and acquired this secret manual as well.
“Hehehehe.”
Was the karmic merit from my previous life finally bearing fruit?
Laughter spilled forth naturally.
‘He said to return once I reach the Bright Moon stage, so naturally this must be the path to the Red Palace Unobstructed Technique?’
Since I had already secured the opportunity to leave the sect, I immediately turned to the cover of the manual.
Successor, before entering the path, first establish the nature of intent to be infused into your vital energy. When circulating energy, imprint infinite accumulation upon your visualization—envision a vast ocean. Thus it is called Red Palace and Unobstructed.
Reverse the principle by which a single raindrop becomes the ocean. Should you compress the ocean into a raindrop, you shall possess the power to subjugate the Realm itself.
Cheon So-hyun’s face twisted in displeasure.
“What utter nonsense.”
The matter of intent was one thing, but the passage about subjugating the Realm unsettled me deeply.
Subjugation meant violent suppression, rendering one powerless. I could not fathom why these demons viewed the Realm only through such a lens.
Had the manual for the Wuling Divine Art not stated that the Samadhi Transformation would not destroy the Realm?
Cheon So-hyun began scanning through the manual with a grumble.
The Red Palace Unobstructed Technique was classified into three major stages.
Dawning Moon.
Bright Moon.
Solitary Moon.
Contrary to the lengthy preamble, the explanations of the stages were surprisingly concise.
The first stage, Dawning Moon, was the realm of mastering the vital energy within one’s body to achieve harmony.
The goal was to draw in a portion of external energy through circulation and integrate it with one’s original energy within the Dantian.
Through continuous cultivation reaching the Bright Moon stage, the application of energy becomes far more fluid, allowing it to be woven into techniques and mental methods—do not limit your thinking, it said…
‘Interesting.’
More captivated than expected, I read with greater focus.
I felt certain that this technique would be perfectly suited to my current state.
Assessing my present condition, my Wuling Foundation had fully stabilized, and my external cultivation level had risen—I could finally say that my physical vessel had achieved the proper grade.
Though the path ahead stretched ten thousand miles, there was no denying that I had entered the proper trajectory as a Warrior.
Which meant now was the time to accelerate and break through explosively.
The problem, as always, was my Dantian.
While it had quieted somewhat as the quality of my Wuling Foundation improved, I still needed to find a solution—there was no telling when the inflammation might flare up again during cultivation.
‘If endless accumulation is the key… could this be the answer?’
Of course, I couldn’t be certain until I actually attempted it.
Filled with anticipation, I turned to the next page.
The final stage, Gao Yue, was so bizarre that I questioned whether such a realm could even exist.
If one could achieve Lao Hua Shun Qing by defying the natural order, then the laws of all things would become meaningless. Compress even the passing air and return it to emptiness.
Reading the passage claiming that throughout all of history, only those who reached Gao Yue would stand alone, Cheon So-hyun became certain of one thing: the author was an insufferably arrogant person.
In any case, the Red Palace Unobstructed Technique appeared to be a supreme art that pursued lofty realms.
Moreover, since it was a martial technique that discussed harmony, the danger of demonic possession would only arise when pursuing Gao Yue.
‘Refine qi to gather the blade. Accumulate without limit. Break the flow and return to source. Formless yet transforming….’
I immediately began reciting the incantation, envisioning an endless sea spreading before me.
Hmm—
I drew a deep breath, inhaling the qi of heaven and earth.
As I guided the external qi that had climbed to the Baihui Acupoint down toward my lower abdomen, new energy forced its way into the crevices of my Dantian.
After accumulating qi for some time and stimulating it according to the secret manual’s instructions, I felt the demonic energy around me being drawn inward.
‘Ah, so this is how it works?’
I understood that the essence of Xiao Yue was achieving unity through repeated circulation of qi.
‘Excellent.’
Since this was not a stage to rush, I abandoned greed and completed the circulation.
‘What?’
I opened my eyes without encountering any particular difficulty, only to find that the bright daylight landscape had been swallowed by pitch-black darkness.
Feeling warmth below, I looked down to see a bonfire burning fiercely.
“Young Master, have you finished?”
Kang Hyun, standing beneath the eaves, spoke.
“Yes, just now. I thought it wouldn’t take long, but it’s already night.”
“The weather is cold—please come inside. I’ve prepared a meal.”
“What I asked you for?”
“Ah, I’ve also prepared the Xiao Xing wine.”
Cheon So-hyun nodded with satisfaction.
“Good, excellent. You’re proving useful indeed. Let’s go inside at once.”
In truth, what I gained from the Cult Leader’s Hall was not merely martial technique.
Thanks to the Cult Leader’s unprecedented wine, I had come to realize that I had completely forgotten alcohol’s existence during all this time.
‘The Masters would be astonished if they knew.’
Having been busy running about here and there, I had inadvertently set a new record for abstinence.
‘Wall-facing meditation, you say? So you’re giving up alcohol… Ah! You’ll drink freely and return! Truly, you are the senior brother. How does your mind work so brilliantly… Ugh!’
The face of the Priest who had treated me like an addict flashed through my mind.
The memory of striking that shiny back of his head surfaced as well, and I couldn’t help but burst into laughter, chuckling to myself.
Kang Hyun looked at me as though I’d seen a ghost, his eyes wide with concern.
“Young Master, are you truly alright? You’ve seemed a bit strange ever since you coughed up blood last time… Should I call the Physician?”
“Never mind. It’s nothing serious. Something just struck me as funny.”
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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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