Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 69

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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 69
Thump-thump.
Why was my breathing quickening, my heart pounding in my chest?
I hadn’t fallen into demonic delusion while entering the Red Palace Unobstructed Technique. If I had, I would have burned the secret manual and hurled it into the Cult Leader’s Hall.
My gaze remained fixed on the amber wine contained in the brown bottle.
“Phew, how delightful.”
To be honest, the surge of excitement rivaled what I felt upon obtaining the Demon Pill. It was like stumbling upon a treasure chest I’d hidden away in some forgotten corner.
Kang Hyun regarded me with a suspicious expression.
“Young Master… why have you been looking so frightening since earlier? You’re truly all right, aren’t you?”
“I’m fine, so stop worrying. Let’s eat, let’s eat. We can’t be stingy with such a feast before us. I’ll enjoy it well.”
“Yes, please enjoy your meal.”
I picked up several generous pieces of meat first, satisfying my hunger.
The spicy seasoning blended with my appetite like a condiment, making both the meat and even the water taste exquisite.
“Ah, now I feel alive again.”
Meeting the Cult Leader and entering a new cultivation method had drained considerable spiritual energy. As I filled my belly, the tension finally began to ease.
‘Good, now…’
Glug-glug.
I poured the wine into my cup with reverent care. I’d tried to avoid appearing miserly, but this was something I couldn’t compromise on.
“Oho.”
Whatever method had been used to preserve it, there was even a thin layer of ice, and the chill seeped through my fingers with penetrating cold.
“How is it? Refreshing, isn’t it? I’ve prepared this chilled wine myself.”
“Well, well. You do have your uses after all.”
Kang Hyun chuckled softly.
“No need to say more—that’s all there is to it. Please, enjoy.”
“Indeed.”
Originally, Shaolin Temple strictly forbade alcohol consumption through its precepts. Unlike meat-eating, which allowed exceptions for monks and novices, alcohol permitted no such leniency…
‘Amitabha Buddha.’
But that didn’t mean I had to follow such rigid precepts myself.
I believed one must directly experience what captivates sentient beings and what causes them suffering.
Without such experience, how could I truly empathize with their lives and guide them toward enlightenment?
If someone could do this from the beginning, they would deserve to be called Buddha without question.
‘Yes, exactly right.’
-You, you demon-like creature, spouting sophistry again!!
I seemed to hear a narrow-minded voice thundering in my ear, but I let it pass lightly.
Wasn’t this a good day?
I drained the chilled wine in one gulp.
Gulp.
In an instant, a crisp fragrance filled my mouth. Like flowers blooming and scattering seeds, warmth began in my throat and spread pleasantly down to my belly.
“Ahhh.”
Kang Hyun stared at me with wide eyes.
“My, aren’t you refreshed? You look like someone who’s just had an enlightenment.”
“You should try some too. This subtle mystery cannot be felt anywhere else.”
“Subtle mystery?”
“Yes—the liquor is so cold it frosts your throat, yet as it goes down, it warms you with a comforting heat, doesn’t it?”
This was an experience I could never have gained by cloistering myself in a temple, poring over scriptures.
Cheon So-hyun seized the bottle, savoring the profound sensation.
Gulp.
Accumulating experience meant broadening one’s perspective on all things.
Gulp. Gulp.
If I could use this expanded vision to shed even the narrowness that had not long ago constrained me, what might become of me?
Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.
Surely it would prove an immense aid to my cultivation.
“Why are you drinking so frantically by yourself? I’ll—ptooey! Ugh, it’s bitter!”
Kang Hyun, who had eagerly drained his cup, contorted his face and spat out the liquor.
“Bitterly awful, it is. I can’t taste the food properly. Why does everyone get so absorbed in this stuff?”
“Pathetic fool. What would you know? It’s a waste, so don’t drink it. Go fetch some water and drink that instead. Hand it over.”
“No, no. It’s just been so long since I’ve had any, haha… Let me drink until I’m intoxicated. I’ll show you I’m no novice when it comes to drinking.”
“You think you can?”
“Hehe, let’s see who prevails.”
Pop.
He immediately opened a fresh bottle and drained it, then another, frantically gulping down the fragrant liquor.
One bottle, two bottles, then three. As we exchanged various remarks and passed the time, the sound of a door opening reached us.
Creak.
Cheon So-hyun turned his head. Familiar faces were entering.
“Ah, you’ve arrived at last?”
Yi Ma-je silently surveyed the chamber, thick with the pungent aroma of strong spirits. Every face was flushed, and empty bottles rolled across the floor.
Cheon So-hyun flashed a knowing smile.
“Not knowing when you’d arrive, I started without you. As you know, I’m not usually so discourteous, but today I was feeling unusually spirited.”
“Ah… hic! You’ve come.”
Kang Hyun rose abruptly, exhaling hot breath, and bowed at the waist. He tried to appear composed, but his eyes had already lost their focus.
Cheon So-hyun chuckled and gestured to the opposite side.
“Come, sit here.”
Do Je, who entered next, regarded him intently.
“Are you drunk?”
Cheon So-hyun burst into laughter.
“Drunk? Surely not. This much doesn’t even reach my liver.”
Do Je smiled faintly and took his seat.
“How refreshing. Your face is quite flushed—it seems your business went well. So, how was it?”
Cheon So-hyun, understanding that he was asking about what had transpired at the Cult Leader’s Hall, answered at once.
“Hehe, I could barely breathe. My legs went numb the whole time.”
“That makes sense.”
At that moment, Yi Ma-je, seated at the table, extended his cup.
“Pour me a drink.”
Do Je looked at him with curiosity.
“Have you caught the late-life bug? You’ve been drinking quite often lately. Weren’t you the one always rejecting it, saying it would make your muscles disappear?”
“Haven’t we both had a grueling day? The Third Prince must have as well, so taking a moment to rest like this seems perfectly reasonable.”
Cheon So-hyun laughed heartily.
“Ha ha! Well said indeed. You must have traveled far, so let’s wet your whistle first.”
As Cheon So-hyun filled their cups, he observed the two men carefully. Their vital energies seemed distinctly different from usual—as if they had both been through quite an ordeal.
“Did your visit to the Wuzhong Sect go well?”
Do Je answered after emptying his cup.
“Went smoothly. Set up a convincing scarecrow as well. Planted some seeds while I was there, so now we wait and see what grows.”
*Glug glug.*
This time, Yi Ma-je filled Cheon So-hyun’s cup.
“And how did things go for you? I imagine it was even more eventful than ours.”
“Everything unfolded beautifully. Despite my various concerns, there were real accomplishments, and I gained a new martial technique as well.”
Do Je’s brow furrowed slightly.
“A new technique? Did the Cult Leader bestow a martial art upon you?”
“Indeed. It proved useful for concealing one’s vital energy. And…”
Cheon So-hyun recounted the events that had transpired in the Cult Leader’s Hall.
He spoke of having his martial prowess verified and the conversation regarding his departure from the Sect—carefully omitting any mention of the Wuling Divine Art. Yet for some reason, Do Je’s eyes grew progressively sharper.
“What troubles you? Does something seem amiss?”
“Amiss indeed. Everything has gone so smoothly that it’s become unsettling… So the Cult Leader granted you permission to leave the Sect?”
The Sect’s heir apparent had been permitted to depart?
While it was certainly what I desired, I had considered it practically impossible due to the high likelihood of causing internal strife.
Cheon So-hyun nodded.
“Yes. He said to return once I’ve reached the pinnacle of the newly acquired technique. The technique itself was designed to conceal one’s energy, after all.”
Do Je murmured, turning the matter over in his mind.
“So another opportunity to enter the Palace has been granted… He seems to show you unusually deep favor. Have you ever witnessed such a case before, senior?”
“…I’m not certain. I’ve heard several times that the Crown Prince received instruction and made progress, but I’ve never heard of him being given a martial technique like this.”
*Glug glug.*
Cheon So-hyun refilled the cups of both Demon Masters.
“Ha ha, what’s certain is that it benefits us. Let’s not exhaust ourselves pondering mysteries we can’t immediately solve. What matters is what comes next, after all.”
Yi Ma-je nodded silently in agreement.
After the Tuyong Tournament, talented individuals arrived at Baek Myeon Gok daily. They came either impressed by the Third Prince’s exploits or believing this was an opportunity that would never come again.
As diverse talents gathered, clear discipline and control became necessary, yet having only just begun organizing the force, there were many shortcomings.
“I already have someone in mind to lead them, but I think we should first settle on a name.”
“A name?”
“Instead of vague organizational titles like ‘Third Prince’s Faction,’ we need a name that establishes a clear identity.”
This was something we hadn’t yet discussed while I focused on improving my physical condition.
“You may use your own epithet as is, or perhaps the name Baek Myeon Gok would serve well. What do you think?”
“Hmm, I’m not so sure. Using an epithet as an organization’s name feels somewhat off, doesn’t it? The ring to it isn’t quite right. I think Baek Myeon Gok should establish itself as Baek Myeon Gok….”
After draining his cup several times over, Cheon So-hyun’s face had flushed crimson like a ripe persimmon, and his tongue had loosened noticeably. In my past life, I could have downed five buckets in succession without a care, but now a pleasant intoxication was creeping in.
One might call it an efficient body.
I could expel the drunkenness as I would toxins, but I had drunk precisely to become intoxicated. I decided to accept things as they were.
‘What would be fitting?’
Surrendering my thoughts to the haze, I realized that if all manner of Ma In were to gather, there could be only one answer.
“Demon….”
The words tumbled out thoughtlessly, and both Demon Masters’ eyes narrowed.
“…?”
“What did you just say?”
Seeing their expressions as if I’d spoken nonsense, Cheon So-hyun hastily continued.
“Demon… yes! Ma Gun—that’s what we should call it. That would be just right. Ha ha! Any organization must have an honest, sturdy character to it.”
Kang Hyun, whose focus had been drifting, suddenly brightened.
“Oho, Ma Gun! A splendid resonance!”
“Ma Gun—concise yet carrying weight. It seems most fitting for an organization’s name.”
Do Je met Cheon So-hyun’s gaze.
“Well, enough about names. The Red Cloud Sect has proposed a meeting with you in exchange for information. Will you see them?”
What was this now?
Cheon So-hyun tilted his head in confusion and asked back.
“What do you mean all of a sudden? I have no connection with them.”
“From what I gather, the Red Cloud Sect Master observed your match and judged your martial techniques similar to his clan’s. More precisely, it’s a meeting with the Baekryeon Demon Sect.”
Cheon So-hyun’s brow furrowed.
“From my martial techniques?”
Could they be referring to Shaolin’s Flame Perception Technique?
“Yes, that martial art you taught yourself. The one involving flame manipulation.”
“Hmm… are you suggesting I should meet them?”
Do Je drained his cup and nodded.
“We’re hardly in a position to be choosy, are we? A conversation might open new paths, and in our current situation, we can’t afford to play tricks anyway.”
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Very well!”
With the thought of striking while the iron was hot, Cheon So-hyun rose from his seat.
“You’re going now?”
“There’s much to attend to, so I’ll meet them at once. The intoxication will fade soon enough. What trouble could there be?”
Do Je chuckled softly.
“Refreshingly decisive.”
In truth, I was hardly in a position to deliberate. Even with two Demon Masters at my side, we lagged behind the Four Great Demon Families with their formidable power.
Cheon So-hyun exhaled a hot breath and headed for the door.
“Then I shall return shortly.”

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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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