Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 86

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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 86
‘At last, we meet.’
Cheon So-hyun’s pace quickened upon recognizing the familiar face.
“It is my first time meeting you. Are you the Dan Ju of the Yuhyeon Merchant Company?”
This was my first encounter with someone from my past life, and joy surged forward. Yet Yu Yang-deok’s appearance had changed considerably from what I remembered.
The face that had always radiated unwavering confidence now appeared darkened and hollow—bearing an overall impression of depletion.
Though I knew not the details, something grave had clearly transpired.
“That is correct, but… who might you be, young master?”
Cheon So-hyun offered a respectful greeting.
“I am Cheon Gang, affiliated with the Qinghua Sect.”
This was the identity I would use during this venture outside the sect.
The Demonic Sect operated various inns, intelligence agencies, and sects throughout the Central Plains to gather information on its movements—and the Qinghua Sect was one of them.
“During my travels through the Martial Arts World, I happened to hear news of the Yuhyeon Merchant Company, and I am delighted to meet you in person. Haha.”
“I see. I am Yu Yang-deok, master of the Yuhyeon Merchant Company.”
Yu Yang-deok wiped away his gloomy expression and offered a smile in greeting.
“My knowledge of the Martial Arts World is limited, so I am unfamiliar with the Qinghua Sect, but any sect that produces young masters of such caliber as yourself must surely be formidable. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Though he had not trained in martial arts, the discerning eye he had honed through years of commerce allowed him to recognize that this man was no ordinary master.
“But… might I inquire what has transpired here?”
The Gwi Jeong Bang visible behind the man called Cheon Gang was nothing short of chaos.
Though the atmosphere did not resemble that of Black Path warriors, something extraordinary had clearly occurred within, and caution was unavoidable.
“Ah, as you can see, Gwi Jeong Bang has fallen.”
“…Pardon?”
The Chief Administrator, who had remained silent until now, could not conceal his bewilderment at such a blunt and indifferent answer.
“W-what do you mean by fallen? Surely you do not mean to say that you destroyed the entire organization?”
“Ah, no, that is not it. How should I put it? Reaping what one has sown? Killing two birds with one stone? When you think about it, it was not entirely my doing. There was a pig of a man named Yong Gol behind it all…”
“Ahem!”
Yu Yang-deok hastily coughed and cut him off.
He did not know how this young man had learned of Yong Gol, but it was a name that should not be mentioned carelessly in such a place.
Just as he was about to redirect the conversation, Cheon So-hyun raised a hand lightly.
“There is no need for concern. Whether it is Gwi Jeong Bang or Yong Gol, they have both reaped the karmic consequences of their accumulated misdeeds and departed far from here. You are unlikely to see that spy again.”
“…!”
“…Pardon?!”
Yu Yang-deok and the Chief Administrator drew sharp breaths, their eyes fixed upon him.
The weight emanating from his composed demeanor made it abundantly clear that his words were no empty boast.
‘That… that demonic fiend was defeated by such a young man…?’
In truth, Gwi Jeong Bang itself had never posed a significant threat to the Yuhyeon Merchant Company.
The masters loyal to the company and the warriors hired from outside were more than sufficient to handle them.
Yet they had begun dealings with them—a decision that proved catastrophic.
For there existed someone behind Gwi Jeong Bang who had orchestrated matters with subtle control, making them believe the situation was manageable.
That someone was Yong Gol.
The image of him defeating the Yuhyeon Merchant Company’s greatest master and presenting the blood-stained contract remained vivid even now.
“Truly, you have accomplished a remarkable feat. To have toppled such a formidable adversary….”
“Ah, it was merely crushing a small-time thug. Nothing worthy of such praise. But more importantly, since your trading partner has disappeared, I trust this won’t disrupt your business operations?”
After a brief pause, Yu Yang-deok shook his head.
“We did establish ties with Gwi Jeong Bang, but we were never truly united in purpose. We merely continued the transaction out of unavoidable circumstances.”
As expected, they had been entangled through coercion.
Yu Yang-deok spoke with an uneasy expression.
“Young Master, I am truly sorry to ask, but would it be possible for us to examine the interior? The items we agreed to trade are quite precious, you see….”
Sensing his earnest plea, Cheon So-hyun gestured toward the entrance.
“I am not the owner, so there is no need for permission. Please, go ahead.”
A flicker of interest crossed Yu Yang-deok’s eyes.
“We are grateful for your kindness.”
* * *
Yu Yang-deok and the Chief Administrator entered the Gwi Jeong Bang Estate. Upon witnessing the scene before them, both men exhaled sharply in astonishment.
There was a vast difference between hearing of something and witnessing it with one’s own eyes.
Though no corpses were visible, blood stains marked various corners of the estate, and the metallic scent of blood pricked at their nostrils.
Among all they observed, their gaze lingered longest upon a single sword laid before a pit.
Though half-broken, it was a blade impossible to forget—they recognized its owner at once.
‘So Yong Gol truly is dead. Just who in the world is this man….’
As the Chief Administrator glanced back at Cheon So-hyun following behind, Yu Yang-deok quickened his pace.
“We have no time to waste. Let us hurry.”
“Yes.”
Since they had already mapped the interior’s layout, they proceeded directly toward the warehouse beyond the platform.
Cheon So-hyun, entering behind them, surveyed the space and let out a low whistle.
‘These bastards were truly vicious.’
The warehouse was packed with treasures piled like mountains.
Judging by how much they had plundered, chests lined the walls completely, with weapons and precious metals scattered throughout.
While examining these items, the Chief Administrator urgently called out to Yu Yang-deok.
“D-Dan Ju! Over here! Please come this way!”
“Have you found it already?”
“Yes, it appears so. But this….”
As the Chief Administrator trailed off, Yu Yang-deok approached with a puzzled expression. Upon inspecting the contents of the sack, a long sigh escaped his lips.
“…Ah.”
Cheon So-hyun approached and asked.
“What is it? Is the merchandise you agreed to trade not here?”
“No. It is quite the opposite. I never imagined they would have accumulated medicine in such quantities….”
The sack contained numerous small, brownish medicinal pills packed densely within.
“These are pills we paid double, even triple the price for, under the pretense of experiencing difficulties in sourcing medicinal materials.”
“They deceived you.”
Yu Yang-deok muttered in a voice devoid of spirit.
“In truth, the cost itself is not the issue. In any transaction, the desperate party naturally pays a premium, and I was prepared to offer even a fortune. However….”
Yu Yang-deok bit his lip as if swallowing his anger. Cheon So-hyun could discern the circumstances behind that silence.
‘Perhaps they refused because there was no cure.’
It seemed they had deliberately intensified his desperation and toyed with him mercilessly.
A memory surfaced—Yu Danju was renowned as a man devoted to his family. The intuition struck him that this was a matter concerning his loved ones’ safety.
Yu Yang-deok drew a deep breath and met Cheon So-hyun’s gaze.
“Young Master Cheon, would you be willing to sell me this pouch?”
“Pardon?”
“It is only natural that the victor claims the spoils of the defeated. The logic of survival of the fittest applies equally in commerce as it does in the martial world. I would not presume to ask for it freely—if there is something you desire, please name it.”
“Simply take it all with you.”
“…Without compensation?”
“It was never mine to begin with, so there is nothing to negotiate. Besides, I have no taste for haggling over human lives.”
Yu Yang-deok’s pupils trembled violently.
He had been battered by Black Path warriors and exploited by contemptible merchants until his body and spirit were utterly exhausted.
Confronted with genuine, unmalicious kindness, he found—to his dismay—that suspicion welled up far more readily than gratitude.
‘…I can no longer accept goodwill as goodwill.’
It was a moment of stark recognition that he had been profoundly corrupted. He who had once believed, as his teacher had taught, that kindness given would return as kindness received.
Yu Yang-deok bowed deeply.
“Thank you. Truly, thank you. I shall never forget the grace you have shown me, Young Master Cheon.”
“In exchange, tell me a few things. What manner of medicine is this, precisely whom did you conduct business with, and how much do you know of Yong Gol? I would like to hear the details as thoroughly as possible.”
“Of course, that is only right. However… time is pressing, so I fear a lengthy conversation may not be possible.”
Sensing his urgency to depart, Cheon So-hyun asked.
“Where are you headed?”
“I intend to travel north directly to the merchant company. The medicine is urgent… I apologize again for the discourtesy of accepting your kindness yet having to rush away. I am truly sorry.”
“If you’re heading north, that works well. Our paths align—let us travel together.”
Yu Yang-deok’s pupils shook.
“Is that… truly acceptable? Afterward, I would like to repay your kindness somehow….”
Since this was precisely what Cheon So-hyun had hoped for, he nodded readily.
“Yes. You seem pressed for time—let us depart at once.”
* * *
Clatter, clatter!
The escorts dispatched under the Third Prince’s command watched the carriage advancing along the mountain path.
“Dan Ju, should we continue pursuit as planned?”
It was a question born of concern for unforeseen complications. Ever since Gui Jeong Bang Master’s death and Yong Gol’s assumption of his position, circumstances had spiraled beyond their control.
Ryu Jeong-hak answered quietly.
“I will monitor the carriage alone. Half of you press ahead toward the Yuhyeon Merchant Company, and the rest maintain vigilance near Gwi Jeong Bang. Report immediately if anything develops.”
“Understood.”
As the escorts moved with perfect coordination, Ryu Jeong-hak traversed the mountain ridge in pursuit of the carriage.
Whoooosh!!
Ryu Jeong-hak’s eyes darkened to ash-gray. Though the distance was considerable, his qi-sensing was more than sufficient to penetrate the carriage’s interior and discern what transpired within.
Meanwhile, Cheon So-hyun, who had boarded the carriage, drew the curtain after surveying the outside.
Though he sensed no immediate presence, he was certain that his escort was following like a shadow.
‘They must have overheard every word of our conversation at Gwi Jeong Bang.’
They were meticulous enough to dispose of a corpse in that brief moment. The fact that they deliberately left only Yong Gol’s sword was likely to facilitate conversation.
He needed to investigate Yong Gol—only by revealing that Dan Ju possessed information worth using could he prevent them from committing murder and other foolish acts.
‘But not right now.’
There was a more pressing matter: discovering whether there was another reason behind Shaolin’s sealed gates.
‘Let me look into that first.’
Cheon So-hyun cut off Yu Yang-deok, who was about to speak, with a light cough.
“Ahem, might I catch my breath and speak in a moment?”
“Pardon? What’s the matter?”
“How should I put this… I actually exerted considerable strength subduing that pig of a man. Now that the tension has eased, I’m aching all over. My goodness, every muscle is sore.”
Yu Yang-deok and the Chief Administrator examined him with concern.
“Are you—are you alright?!”
“Having faced such a formidable adversary, it would be strange if you were unscathed. Surely you haven’t sustained internal injuries?”
“Mm, well. I should examine myself more carefully. Please wait a moment.”
“Of course. We shall remain silent—please, take your time.”
Cheon So-hyun closed his eyes and drew a deep breath, gathering his vital energy with his palms.
As he pressed his hands together silently, a faint warmth radiated outward, producing a wave of energy. The wave expanded in a circular form from him as its center, then suddenly halted.
‘This should suffice.’
A barrier of energy had formed precisely to the dimensions of the carriage’s interior.
“Phew. I feel much better now.”
“…Pardon?”
“You merely closed your eyes for a moment and opened them again—is it already finished?”
“Haha, I’m hardly at an age where I’d struggle with such things. Besides, it was never that serious to begin with. This is more than sufficient.”
Cheon So-hyun turned to Yu Yang-deok and broached the main topic.
“So then, how did you become entangled with those Black Path rabble? I hear the Yuhyeon Merchant Company is known for valuing integrity.”
Yu Yang-deok answered with a bitter smile.
“Integrity… Indeed, there was a time when we conducted our business with such principles. I was confident we would never abandon them, no matter how dire circumstances became.”
“….”
“Arrogantly so. I never imagined I would cast it aside like refuse before my family’s affliction. What was I so confident about… ?”
Yu Yang-deok continued, his tone heavy with deep regret.
Despite exhausting every method, he could not overcome the illness. The realm’s greatest physicians, the elders of the Sichuan Tang Family, even Daoist masters from Wudang had visited, yet they could neither improve the condition nor even identify its cause.
After losing his ailing wife first, when his daughter too faced the brink of death, he truly became unscrupulous. Knowing it was a wicked path, he had no choice but to join hands with Gwi Jeong Bang.
Throughout the account, the Chief Administrator, who had seemed uncomfortable, finally interjected abruptly.
“Dan Ju… forgive my interruption, but haven’t you yet exhausted all possible remedies?”
Yu Yang-deok shook his head.
“It’s already a closed matter. Say no more.”
Perhaps burdened by much frustration, the Chief Administrator did not relent despite the firm response.
“Please, reconsider. If those eminent monks who command the most majestic energy in the realm were consulted, surely they could offer something better than these incomplete remedies….”
Cheon So-hyun’s eyes gleamed with interest. This was precisely the topic he had been waiting to hear.
“Eminent monks? Are you perhaps referring to the monks of Shaolin?”
“Indeed. Our merchant guild has earned recognition for our integrity and trustworthiness, and we have maintained connections with Shaolin—regarded as the pinnacle of the Jianghu. It is a source of lifelong pride and honor for us. Yet for some reason, the Dan Ju has not sought their assistance. The Buddhist monks who preach compassion would surely not turn away….”
The Chief Administrator’s brow furrowed deeply.
“Ah, could it be because of Hye Gwang? Perhaps due to troublesome memories from the past….”
Cheon So-hyun interrupted with a bewildered expression.
“Wait, wait a moment.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“That… when you say Hye Gwang, you’re referring to Divine Fist, are you not? From what I understand, he is second to none in Buddhist devotion. What do you mean by causing trouble?”
“Well, certainly that is his public reputation.”
The Chief Administrator released a long sigh.
“However, those who suffered because of him have far greater reason to lament. Our merchant guild was no exception.”

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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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