Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 70

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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 70
One of the Four Great Demon Families—the territory of the Baekryeon Demon Sect.
“Ancestor of the White Lotus! Gaze upon your descendants with mercy, that we might reclaim the glory of ages past!”
Though darkness had long shrouded the Realm, within the Heart of Baekryeon Demonic Sect, a ritual known as the Seven Blessings Ceremony was in full fervor.
“We beseech you. Reveal to all the common folk of the Realm that the Celestial Son of the White Lotus is the true heir, the most exalted of heavens!”
A priest clad in ochre vestments pressed his palms together, chanting the prayer with reverence.
“The Demon Heavens descend! The Ten Demons bless us!”
Fifty-odd disciples arranged in a circle around him bowed their heads in unison, their fervent cries rising as one—all yearning for the well-being of a single soul.
Their gazes turned upward toward the stone wall, where stone stairs ascended.
Fifth Prince Cheon Woo-shin sat in lotus position atop the stone wall. His shoulders heaved as he exhaled deeply.
‘…How exhausting.’
I wished these unnecessary ceremonies could be postponed, yet the family’s rituals never ceased.
As strange incantations grew louder and the disciples’ voices rose higher, I closed my eyes and turned the question over in my mind.
When had it begun? This practice of the family offering prayers centered upon me?
I pondered the mystery repeatedly, but no answer surfaced.
Even in my oldest memories, I lay upon this cold stone wall—it must have started before consciousness itself took root.
‘One would think I’d be accustomed to it by now.’
Yet the disciples’ yearnings that echoed in my ears only hardened into a knot within my heart, weighing down my entire body.
“Ah… the Celestial Son.”
“If it were him, he could ascend. No—he must.”
The moment the disciples’ whispers reached my ears with perfect clarity—
-So you’re Woo-shin. Good to see you.
I shed those burdens with practiced ease.
As I always had, dwelling on one of the few joys I possessed.
-You said you’d be training martial techniques today. Why are you here?
-Life demands such days now and then. Since everyone who works here keeps their lips sealed, you’re free to roam as you please. Pick anything you like. I’ll buy you whatever clothes you want.
-Don’t I have more money than you?
-But I’m older. Choose something. Don’t be so tactless about it.
I recalled those warm eyes gazing down with a smile.
Pure kindness untainted by any ulterior motive or desire. Those ordinary moments where I need not wear a burdensome mask—they were what brought me joy.
-You look rather listless, unbecoming of you. Your face is so grim—have we already reached the time for your funeral rites?
-Stop visiting me. I’ve been waiting to say this.
-Why?
-I’m tired of this pointless brother act.
-Then why?
-Because… we’re less than strangers to each other. That’s why we meet in secret like this. In a few years, we’ll be trying to kill each other—so why spend time together? Are you trying to uncover my weaknesses? Deceive people to climb higher? Leave. I refuse to live so weakly anymore.
-That’s uncharacteristically sharp. Did you hear more strange talk from the family?
-…It’s not entirely wrong, is it?
-It is. How pathetic to think that because the previous generation acted that way, we must too. The Divine Sect was founded by those who rejected the system and defied the natural order—why should later generations be any different? Such conventions are made to be broken.
His voice carried not a shred of doubt.
The certainty that the blood feud between brothers would end in his generation—it was a statement too weighty to utter carelessly, and precisely because of that, it shone with brilliant promise.
Which made the change all the more piercing and painful. It was not long after that I learned he had refused our meetings repeatedly and fallen into unconsciousness.
It was a strange season—white lotus blossoms bloomed in profusion, yet carried no fragrance.
It was then.
“Chief Administrator, there is something I must report….”
A small voice emerged from the adjoining chamber.
“The ritual is underway. Bring word after it concludes.”
“But this matter is of considerable importance….”
Heon Won-rim, Chief Administrator of the Baekryeon Demon Sect, turned his head. His gaze carried a palpable edge of irritation.
“Speak.”
“The Third Prince has arrived.”
“…The Third Prince?”
“Yes, I have directed him to the Guest Hall for now.”
“Did he come alone, or with the other Demon Masters?”
“He came alone. He said he wished to discuss the matter of the meeting request.”
Heon Won-rim’s brow furrowed.
‘I had thought it would take at least a fortnight.’
The response came faster than anticipated. He had believed it would only materialize after the Wuzhong Sect matter was resolved.
At that moment, Cheon Woo-shin’s eyelids trembled faintly before slowly opening. The previous emptiness had vanished entirely.
* * *
‘Absurdly spacious, this place.’
Cheon So-hyun surveyed the Guest Hall of the Baekryeon Demon Sect and let out a low whistle. Despite being a separate structure from the main residence, its scale was truly astonishing.
‘So there are three more families of this caliber within the Demonic Sect?’
The walls I had glimpsed upon entry, the densely arranged halls, the weighty aura of the disciples who passed by with vigilant bearing—
Though I had not examined every detail, the prestige of the Four Great Demon Families seemed readily comparable to that of the Five Great Righteous Families of the orthodox martial world.
No, it was certainly so. They were the most formidable clans in a sect that made strength its cardinal principle.
Suddenly, a clear voice drifted from beyond the door.
“May I enter?”
“Yes, please do.”
So he finally appears, having left the guest without even a cup of tea.
Cheon So-hyun’s eyes met those of the man entering through the door.
‘…Hm?’
He was a youth who did not yet appear to have reached twenty. The peculiar thing was an inexplicable sense of familiarity. Somewhere in his youthful features, I detected something reminiscent of the Cult Leader.
The youth smiled softly.
“Elder Brother, I apologize for being late—I was finishing the ritual. Have you been waiting long?”
Cheon So-hyun regarded him intently.
“Elder Brother?”
“…Yes?”
From the fact that this stranger addressed me as “Elder Brother,” I realized he was someone connected to the original Cheon So-hyun.
‘Then this must be the Fifth Prince?’
“-That is… I’m afraid I’m not entirely certain either. The Fifth Prince and I did meet from time to time, but what conversations passed between you two is something I could never presume to know.”
This was the answer Yeon Hong had given when I asked her about it after my confrontation with Cheon Mu-tan, wondering if such a situation might arise again.
‘It didn’t seem like they shared any particularly deep bond.’
Was the Cheon Family’s precious heir about to appear with some iron-clad excuse again?
Deciding to observe for now, I gestured toward the opposite seat.
“It’s fine. What’s a little waiting anyway? Don’t just stand there—sit down.”
Cheon Woo-shin hesitated for a moment before shuffling forward and taking the seat across from me. His eyes darted about uncertainly before he finally spoke with difficulty.
“I should have sought you out first, yet I’ve caused you the trouble of receiving me. If I’ve inconvenienced you in any way, I sincerely apologize. Please, I beg your forgiveness, Elder Brother.”
I waved my hand dismissively.
“I said it’s fine. I’m not the sort to hold grudges. There’s no inconvenience to speak of, so don’t concern yourself.”
Cheon Woo-shin’s pupils trembled violently.
‘So he didn’t come to see me after all.’
News of the heir’s completion of seclusion was a matter of grave importance to the family.
Though he knew such information could never leak to the outside world, he had harbored a faint hope nonetheless.
‘No, even if he knew, it wouldn’t change anything. Not after the foolish words I spoke…’
A dry laugh crossed Cheon Woo-shin’s lips.
“It seems I’ve greatly disappointed you. It’s all my fault. Not knowing the circumstances yet presuming to interfere, failing to visit you even once while you were bedridden… it’s all my doing. I fear I’ve been thinking only of myself. I’m truly sorry.”
I regarded him with a bewildered expression.
‘What is he going on about?’
Then Cheon Woo-shin withdrew a wooden box from his robes.
“I heard you were to converse with the family’s senior members. Before that meeting, your foolish younger brother has brought something to offer, and so I’ve shamelessly come to see you first.”
“Something to offer?”
As Cheon Woo-shin presented the gilded wooden box with both hands in utmost respect, I asked with puzzlement.
“What is it?”
“A hundred-year-old Polygonum multiflorum.”
I nearly let out a hollow laugh. In that instant, all my lingering doubts vanished completely.
What is a hundred-year-old Polygonum multiflorum?
Among the already extraordinarily expensive Polygonum multiflorum specimens, one that has accumulated a century of natural essence is a celestial treasure, worthy of being called a divine elixir without exaggeration.
In the current Jianghu, men would draw their blades merely to possess the soil infused with its spiritual energy, yet here he was offering such a treasure without hesitation?
‘This demon certainly knows how to act. Playing the innocent to deceive me, is he?’
I chuckled and asked.
“A hundred-year-old Polygonum multiflorum? Why would you give such a thing to me?”
“I thought it might aid your cultivation. Please, I beg you to accept this—it’s not some scheme to win back your favor.”
Cheon Woo-shin opened the box.
I tensed, half-expecting some hidden blade to spring forth…
‘Hmm?’
What lay inside was indeed a magnificent Polygonum multiflorum.
A fragrant herbal aroma wafted from the specimen, filling the chamber completely. The refreshing coolness that seemed to penetrate to my very bones caused my eyes to widen dramatically.
“…!!”
I alternated my gaze between the Polygonum multiflorum and Cheon Woo-shin before letting out a resounding exclamation.
“Brother! Why are you only showing up now?!”
He had only just realized that the Third Prince possessed a younger brother as well.
* * *
Heart of Baekryeon Demonic Sect.
Senior members had gathered in the Administrator’s Office to converse.
“With the Family Head away on business, our worries have been considerable, yet fortunately everything has concluded well.”
“Indeed, quite so. This old man felt as though his eyes had opened anew today. The Fifth Prince’s spiritual essence has become distinctly more refined.”
“Not merely his spiritual essence—his appearance grows more radiant with each passing day. It reads like something from ancient legends.”
Praise for Cheon Woo-shin flowed forth in warm harmony.
Within Baekryeon Demon Sect, the Fifth Prince’s wellbeing was unquestionably the most cherished concern.
Their earlier anxieties about potential calamities during his seclusion proved entirely unfounded. Now their hearts brimmed with anticipation.
As they continued their animated discussion, one elder cautiously spoke.
“By the way… I heard the Third Prince has come to visit our family. Is that correct?”
Chief Administrator Heon Won-rim nodded.
“Indeed. He is currently in private audience with the Fifth Prince.”
“Private audience, you say?”
The tone suggested displeasure at squandering such precious time.
Heon Won-rim answered calmly.
“Though their correspondence has been sparse, they are brothers bound by blood. Surely they have much to discuss. Moreover, there are rumors that the Third Prince has mastered martial techniques similar to our family’s secret arts—we must assess this directly.”
Elder Heon Won-seol, who had maintained silence throughout, inquired.
“You intend to examine him personally, Administrator?”
Heon Won-rim shook his head.
“What would a man who merely plays with numbers understand? I could offer nothing but conjecture.”
“Then…?”
“Baek Jeol is coming.”
The elders’ expressions shifted dramatically. This transcended mere verification.
Heon Won-rim turned to Heon Won-seol. “Is there something troubling you?”
“To speak frankly, I question whether such measures are truly necessary. Admitting the Third Prince to our family already seemed to invite complications…”
Another elder interjected with visible displeasure.
“Elder Won-seol, this concerns our family’s martial legacy. Surely you understand this matter demands thorough examination?”
Heon Won-seol stroked his chin, unconvinced.
“I see. Even rotten fish retains its form—he carries Cheon Family blood regardless. Learning a similar technique or two would hardly tax him. Rather, I’ve heard troubling rumors circulating about the Third Prince of late.”
His gaze turned toward Heon Won-rim.
“Might you harbor particular interest in his movements?”
A moment of silence fell over the chamber.
Rumors concerning Cheon So-hyun had spread widely throughout the sect.
Tales of his defiance against the Divine Sect’s Great Sect, his victory in the Tuyong Tournament, his recruitment of the Blade Emperor Sect and Yi Ma-je to build his own faction.
Most troubling of all were the reports concerning the Killing Register.
One elder spoke with a hardened expression.
One of the elders asked with a stern expression.
“Do you suspect there might be conspirators within the Main Family Residence as well? Is that why you’ve brought Baek Jeol along for verification…?”
Heon Won-rim smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the elders.
“Surely not. It would be unthinkable for such misconduct to occur under the name of White Lotus.”
Despite the measured tone of his words, his eyes had grown cold and distant.
Like an emissary sent by the King of Hell itself, his frigid gaze caused the elders to instinctively shrink back.
The Chief Administrator was the one who managed all matters of the family—great and small—with unwavering rationality.
Heon Won-rim, the Chief Administrator, was a man who would thrust his head into the Den of Demons for the family’s benefit, and would not hesitate to cut down even blood relatives if they became a liability. The air grew heavy in an instant.
“The Third Prince is the very one who has recently recruited Demon Masters and even entered the Palace, standing at the center of this turmoil. If we can manipulate him in any manner, it is clear he would become an invaluable asset to us.”
Heon Won-rim rose with a smile.
“Since he has come alone, I shall endeavor to persuade him well.”

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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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