Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 72

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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 72
Heon Won-rim’s brow furrowed slowly.
“You make quite an unreasonable demand. Are you truly asking the Main Family to betray the Great Sect merely to verify martial prowess?”
It was preposterous. That utterly distasteful request had extinguished even the curiosity I’d harbored toward Cheon So-hyun.
“Surely that’s not all. Seeing the Chief Administrator arrive alongside the elders suggests you have far more questions about me than just my martial arts. Am I wrong?”
Do Je had informed me that the Baekryeon Demon Sect had freely disclosed information about the Wuzhong Sect’s elders for this meeting.
If it was such a grave matter for the Baekryeon Demon Sect, there was no reason to yield.
“Even so, nothing changes. Regardless of what information serves as compensation, an unreasonable demand remains unreasonable. For the Main Family to betray the Great Sect is….”
“I’m well aware it’s absurd. Still, consider it. From the Baekryeon Demon Sect’s perspective, expansion into the Central Plains doesn’t seem particularly appealing either.”
Heon Won-rim swallowed a hollow laugh, as if astounded.
“I never expected you to be more versed in White Lotus affairs than I, Young Master. Even with brief consideration, I cannot fathom a suitable reason. Would you enlighten this foolish one?”
“Well, there’s nothing foolish about it.”
Cheon So-hyun glanced sideways at Cheon Woo-shin as he spoke.
“The Fifth Prince seems to believe that expansion into the Central Plains is essential to achieving flawless martial mastery. Is that correct?”
“Indeed. To walk the complete path of ascension, embracing the way of the tyrant is a natural progression.”
“That’s why I’m proposing this exchange. The timing seems premature.”
“…What do you mean?”
As Heon Won-rim’s gaze sharpened, Cheon So-hyun answered quietly.
“I don’t intend to diminish the Baekryeon Demon Sect’s power. From the moment I set foot here, masters have been alert and vigilant, and the elders present represent merely one facet of your family. Your martial strength is undoubtedly formidable.”
“Then why do you say the timing is premature?”
“Because it seems entirely divorced from White Lotus’s true aspiration.”
A chill flickered across Heon Won-rim’s pupils.
Cheon So-hyun’s meaning was unmistakable.
The Baekryeon Demon Sect’s desire was not to march into the Central Plains with its followers, but for the Fifth Prince to mature and establish his tyrannical path—was it not?
It was a piercing observation, yet within the Main Family, this matter had already been settled.
“Expansion into the Central Plains and the Fifth Prince’s maturation cannot be viewed as separate issues. The Great Sect is an essential process for the future.”
“Through life-and-death duels, one recognizes and shatters one’s limits, achieving mastery of martial arts. Is that the idea?”
“Precisely.”
“I think that’s far too romantic a notion.”
“…Romantic, you say?”
“Indeed. While some warriors do grow through life-and-death duels, reality is far harsher—most meet pathetic, meaningless deaths.”
In the Jianghu, hidden weapons can rain down while one unfurls a technique, and assassins can strike when one lies down for brief rest.
No matter how exceptional Cheon Woo-shin was, his practical experience was woefully insufficient. Accounting for every variable was nearly impossible.
Heon Won-rim’s eyes grew progressively sharper.
“He is fundamentally different from the wretched rabble scattered about like scraps. The value of the years he has lived differs—comparison with ordinary people is meaningless.”
His voice turned glacial, betraying his displeasure.
“Should even the slightest danger arise, the masters of White Lotus will intervene. There is no cause for concern.”
His words, delivered with chilling finality, cast an even heavier pall over the atmosphere. Yet Cheon So-hyun didn’t so much as blink in response.
“Then isn’t it even more meaningless? If you’re certain you’ll emerge unscathed regardless of how the battle unfolds, how can such a farce be called a life-and-death duel?”
“….”
“Shouldn’t I at least put up a decent fight before we discuss the martial competition? And isn’t it contradictory to believe enlightenment will come to you in a situation where safety is guaranteed?”
As Heon Won-rim fell silent, Cheon So-hyun smiled faintly and clapped his hands together lightly.
“Very well, let’s do this. I’ll become a worthy opponent for the Fifth Prince to exchange techniques with in earnest combat. Since we share the same station, there’s no reason for hesitation. Through trading blows, we’ll naturally learn from each other.”
Heon Won-rim’s eyes deepened. Just as he’d anticipated beforehand, the Third Prince had transformed completely from his former self.
Before falling into demonic delusion, he would have rejected even this confrontation and failed to articulate his position so clearly.
Moreover, there was not the slightest wavering in his attitude toward pushing through his will. Yet separate from that astonishment, his proposal remained utterly without merit.
“I must decline. It seems our conversation has made us appear to be in a position of need. The Main Family Residence would….”
“How amusing.”
Suddenly Cheon Woo-shin interjected in a low voice.
Cheon So-hyun looked at him with puzzlement, and Heon Won-rim asked carefully.
“What do you find amusing, sir?”
“Isn’t it laughable that you come alone to the Main Family Residence without any contingency plan and make such a proposal? You were quite astute, yet it seems your recent accomplishments have clouded your vision. Before discussing any transaction, first prove whether you possess the martial prowess to be my opponent.”
Cheon So-hyun tilted his head and asked.
“You’re saying we should have a martial competition first?”
“Yes. Prove yourself whether you’re merely mocking the family elders with empty words, or whether you truly possess such martial strength.”
Heon Won-rim stepped forward with a flustered expression.
“Do you mean that Prince Woo-shin will personally face the Third Prince?”
“Of course. My brother, who bears the Cheon Family name, is trapped in delusion and shortening his lifespan. How could I stand by and do nothing? I’ll confirm with my own hands whether this is mere bluster or confidence born from genuine skill.”
A fierce competitive spirit gleamed in Cheon Woo-shin’s eyes.
“Since you’ve pledged to be my opponent, I trust I may choose the location?”
Through this exchange, Cheon So-hyun realized just how much goodwill Cheon Woo-shin harbored toward him. Even if he couldn’t openly agree, he was creating a stage to allow that possibility to continue forward.
“The location matters little to me. As for the timing….”
“That’s equally an unreasonable demand.”
Heon Won-rim cut him off with a firm tone. His concern was directed toward Cheon Woo-shin.
“Prince, everything has its procedures and customs. As you know, the Main Family values your safety above all else. You know that even meeting privately was pushing it—how can you now speak of a martial competition?”
Within the Baekryeon Demon Sect, nothing held greater importance than the Fifth Prince’s safety. He had expressed his refusal because there was no need to be swept up by an absurd demand and risk danger.
“That’s not quite right.”
Heon Won-cheong, who had remained silent until now, opened his mouth.
“Prince Woo-shin’s words aren’t without merit. It is indeed proper procedure to verify the opponent’s conditions before discussing any transaction. Moreover, the Third Prince’s opinion that premature entry into the Central Plains could prove poisonous is also reasonable. However….”
His gaze flickered with golden light—an intensity so overwhelming it chilled those who witnessed it.
“Third Prince, the price of recklessness is never light. If you fall short of expectations, you must be prepared to offer your bones. Will you still proceed?”
“I cannot ask now. I am prepared.”
“Still, Elder, this is….”
Just as Heon Won-rim was about to voice his concerns again, a weighty voice sealed his lips.
“Chief Administrator, what exactly have you been worrying about all this time?”
Cheon Woo-shin’s piercing gaze cut through Heon Won-rim’s entire being.
“…!”
Young though he was, he carried the blood of the Cult Leader—a dragon’s heir and successor to the Divine Sect. Before the pressure emanating from this young dragon, Heon Won-rim could utter nothing more.
Thump!
Cheon Woo-shin rose from his seat roughly.
“Please, follow me.”
* * *
A gentle breeze swept across the Training Ground of the Baekryeon Demon Sect, where the Third Prince and Cheon Woo-shin now stood facing each other in the center.
In a corner of the Training Ground, Heon Won-cheong and Heon Won-rim sat watching them intently.
“Shall we begin?”
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not yet. Wait a moment.”
I rotated my arms in circles, loosening my body.
To be honest, I still hadn’t grasped how to approach this duel.
Should I engage seriously, or should I hold back and merely gauge his abilities?
Having received such a precious gift, and with Cheon Woo-shin still not of age, I felt deeply reluctant to unleash my full strength.
Beyond the unavoidable deception, the thought of thoroughly beating him down gnawed at my conscience.
‘Is this even right?’
That was when it happened.
Whoooosh!
A dense, turbulent energy surged from Cheon Woo-shin’s entire body.
“Please focus. The courtesy I can extend ends here.”
“Understood.”
I let both my arms hang naturally at my sides.
‘My worries were unfounded.’
The weighty, solid force I felt against my skin was far from negligible. It was like facing a master whose cultivation was refined and complete. Treating this seriously would be the proper respect he deserved.
“Let’s begin.”
Boom!
Before the words even left my mouth, Cheon Woo-shin’s form shot forward with lethal sharpness.
Closing a distance of seven paces in a single stride, he brought down a palm strike with murderous intent—the Sect Thunder Hand, a technique capable of reducing even massive boulders to dust.
Thud!
I crossed my arms to block, but the unexpected force sent my body sliding backward.
‘What’s this?’
Crash!
The wooden floorboards shattered beneath the blow, splinters scattering in all directions. At that same instant, my eyes flickered with recognition.
The palm strike, descending again as if to split my skull, suddenly halted in mid-air.
Then, opening his hand wide as if deploying the Golden Finger Technique, he closed the distance. His transition between stances was seamless, and the footwork controlling his balance throughout was remarkably refined.
“I will be impolite. Brace yourself.”
Cheon Woo-shin’s hand seized my front collar. Simultaneously, golden light blazed forth from his entire body.
Sensing the ominous shift, I narrowed my brow.
‘The Four Soul True Seal, was it?’
This was certainly the supreme technique displayed by Maeng Sa-ryeon, the chief disciple of the Red Cloud Sect.
From what I could discern, it was a martial art that fortified and sharpened the protective energy enveloping one’s entire body…
Whoooosh!
The Soulbound True Seal manifesting from Cheon Woo-shin’s hands took on an entirely different form. The undulating energy surge condensed in an instant into his right fist, then extended outward like beams of light.
“…!”
As the fist energy flooded my vision with golden radiance, I swiftly countered with the Great Palm Technique.
Boom!
The palm force swept through the fist energy, shattering the golden aura into fragments, and with a deafening roar, a haze of dust rose up, momentarily obscuring my sight.
And then.
Thud!
Cheon Woo-shin’s strike shook my entire body. I had allowed a direct hit to my abdomen.
“Ugh!”
I gasped and was driven backward. My robe was torn open, and a dull pain was beginning to rise.
‘Quite heavy indeed.’
Cheon Woo-shin’s martial prowess was no trivial matter. Having gauged my abilities against the Fourth Demon during our previous clash, I found myself bewildered by this disparity.
Had Cheon Mu-tan fallen so far behind not only in character but in martial skill as well?
‘This won’t do.’
Whoooosh!
If I continued like this, I would face utter humiliation, so I surged my martial spirit upward with full force.
As three consecutive strikes of the Arhat Fist followed like lightning, Cheon Woo-shin drew in a breath and unleashed a flawless response.
He deflected the first strike with a palm technique, and the second and third strikes he dissipated smoothly by twisting his body and letting them slide off his shoulders.
Rotating to close the distance, he immediately unleashed a ferocious golden fist energy.
It was a fist technique without excess—the smooth balance, the strikes that found and pierced through every opening, were all exquisitely precise and devastatingly heavy.
That refined strike finally burrowed into my embrace.
Blood dripped from my lips as I was driven back.
‘…This is absurd.’
To think I would allow direct hits twice from a demon barely past infancy.
My eyes began to sharpen progressively.

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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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