Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 94

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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 94
Clang!
The sword struck the floor with a sharp metallic ring, slipping lifelessly from Namgung Myeong’s grip.
The sound echoed through the hall with unusual clarity, amplified by the heavy silence that had settled over the chamber.
‘Surely the Elder…’
‘How can this be?’
The retainers stood motionless, their expressions vacant with shock.
The Namgung Family’s Elder had been defeated by someone in the late stages of cultivation.
Those who had believed until the very end that he was merely toying with his opponent, holding back his true strength, felt as though they’d been struck in the back of the head with a hammer.
The other spectators shared the same sentiment.
‘They say the Realm is vast, yet I never expected to see another cultivator of such caliber in the late stages.’
‘All that talk of imperial bearing and arrogance, and now he’s utterly disgraced. How delicious.’
Those who had been intimidated by the Namgung Family’s prestige felt a secret satisfaction. This incident would surely spread beyond Hefei throughout all of Anhui Province.
As the retainers, their faces darkening with embarrassment, hurried to help Namgung Myeong to his feet and began ushering away the spectators—
“Cough!”
“Elder Myeong!”
Namgung Myeong regained consciousness with difficulty. His eyes, clouded with deep confusion, fixed upon Cheon So-hyun.
“You… how did you know about the Azure Sky Sword Technique? About the Main Family’s secret arts?”
Cheon So-hyun laughed as though it were absurd.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. How would a country bumpkin from the borderlands know such things? It’s not the sort of technique one picks up from the streets.”
Namgung Myeong clenched his teeth, his shoulders trembling. His posture suggested there was something he needed to say first.
Crack.
By his own assessment, Namgung Myeong was an inflexible man.
Admitting his error, accepting that his judgment fell short of Yu Yang-deok’s discernment, was something he despised more than death itself.
But.
“The Main Family bears no fault—I was the one who misjudged. I was disrespectful, relying on the authority of my position. I acknowledge all of it. I apologize sincerely.”
A greater question superseded his lifetime of stubbornness and the sting of defeat. As a warrior, as a swordmaster, he simply could not comprehend it.
“This is no mere apology in words. I shall provide adequate compensation for my shameful conduct. So please, tell me—how did you see through my final technique?”
Cheon So-hyun regarded him steadily.
The results of his guidance had manifested far more quickly than expected.
He had thought merely correcting the man’s arrogant nature would suffice, yet a properly respectful apology had come instead.
Since the White Path’s martial tradition involved exchanging blows before discussing matters as though nothing had happened, Cheon So-hyun spoke freely.
“To be honest, it was intuition.”
“…Intuition? You’re saying it was mere luck?”
“Luck played a part, but that wasn’t everything.”
“…”
“If it’s the Namgung Family’s renowned swordsmanship, each move must have purpose behind it. After transitioning from swift strikes to heavy strikes, your footwork, grip, and energy flow all changed in an instant—all directed toward maximizing your sword force. I had no choice but to exploit that.”
Namgung Myeong’s pupils dilated sharply.
“You… you observed all of that in a single moment?”
“One must observe. Otherwise, how would I win?”
Namgung Myeong found himself at a loss for words at such a straightforward answer. It was nearly impossible.
Given the intensity of emotion channeled into that initial strike, it would have been no surprise if something had been severed.
Yet instead of cowering before such a threat, he had perceived the shift and launched a counterattack?
‘Impossible. Utterly impossible. Unless he possessed talent on par with the Crown Prince himself, how could he possibly….’
Namgung Myeong shook his head, casting off his doubts. In truth, there was something else he needed to understand immediately.
“Intent gives rise to inner force… *cough*! And inner force naturally manifests in form. To perceive that form by flowing against it, to pierce through the intent itself and ultimately crush it—that is what it means to break martial technique.”
“….”
“Your martial arts excel at piercing such gaps. Tell me—do most of the Qinghua Sect’s techniques follow this pattern?”
“Pattern? What specifically do you mean by that, Elder?”
“The Main Family’s sword technique, reinforced with even greater force… you crushed it with relentless, overwhelming strikes, did you not? Had the difference in inner force not existed, you would surely have pressed the offensive without pause. Am I wrong?”
Cheon So-hyun nodded slowly.
Indeed, he was worthy of being an elder of a great family. I had thought his eyes had rolled back in frenzy, yet he was perceiving the ebb and flow of combat with remarkable acuity.
What was strange was how earnest his question seemed to be.
‘Has something happened to the family?’
Namgung Myeong voiced another question.
“Tell me. Do all of the Qinghua Sect’s techniques follow this pattern?”
Cheon So-hyun paused before answering.
“It’s not the sect itself, but rather my own temperament. I despise anything tedious or roundabout. Even if I wanted to explain in detail, there’s little more I can say.”
“…I see.”
In that answer, as if it were all there was to say, Namgung Myeong sensed sincerity. It was not the answer that resolved his concerns, yet his heart felt lighter nonetheless.
‘A prodigy. Simply a prodigy, nothing more.’
One might call it a blessing in disguise. He felt certain that unexpected fortune had rolled his way.
The martial principle the Crown Prince sought so desperately, risking countless dangers, bore remarkable similarity to this man’s techniques.
And in that same moment, the consciousness he had been forcing himself to maintain slowly began to scatter.
“E-Elder Myeong!”
“He has merely lost consciousness. If there is someone here versed in similar meditation techniques, it would be wise to aid his circulation. First….”
As Cheon So-hyun spoke, his gaze turned to the side.
Following his eyes, everyone’s heads turned in unison.
A young man was emerging from the inner hall.
The aura he emanated was extraordinary. Like a peak that touched the heavens, he carried an air of transcendence, with a clear and crystalline energy flowing through his entire being.
“The Azure Peak Sword!”
Namgung Seon-wi, the Crown Prince of the Namgung Family, cut through the retainers. With each unhurried step, an otherworldly composure radiated from him.
“I always knew trouble like this would come. Everyone, step aside.”
Namgung Seon-wi dispersed the retainers and placed his hand on Namgung Myeong’s vital point, infusing his inner force.
“Why did you have to grab an innocent person and exhaust yourself like this? For someone claiming to be an elder, you’ve brought shame upon yourself.”
As that warm inner force flowed into him, Namgung Myeong coughed up blood and slowly opened his eyes.
“Are you coming to your senses?”
“*Cough*! Quiet, you brat.”
“You seem fine. Your energy is quite good, actually.”
Namgung Seon-wi chuckled softly and entrusted Namgung Myeong to the retainers. Then he stood before Cheon So-hyun and offered a respectful fist salute.
“I am Namgung Seon-wi, Crown Prince of the Namgung Family. It seems the elders of our house have committed a grave discourtesy. Please allow me to apologize on their behalf.”
Cheon So-hyun regarded him intently. There was sincerity in the way he bowed his head, as if acknowledging his own share of responsibility.
That was unexpected.
‘So this one actually has his wits about him?’
Among the arrogant kinfolk who seemed incapable of distinguishing heaven from earth, there appeared to be a few specimens of genuine worth mixed in.
“It’s fine. Everything was wrapping up anyway.”
“Still, we’ve caused you unnecessary trouble. If you don’t mind, I’d like to offer you proper hospitality in our family’s Inner Hall. What do you say?”
“The Inner Hall?”
The Inner Hall referred to the living quarters of the Namgung Family’s direct bloodline.
Since the original purpose of this martial competition was to entangle himself with the Namgung Family’s direct descendants and obtain the golden token, Cheon So-hyun nodded without hesitation.
“Perfect timing—I was curious about it anyway. Let’s go right now.”
* * *
The Namgung Family’s Inner Hall rarely saw casual visitors.
Only the retainers and guards of the bloodline, or distinguished guests from the Nine Sects and One Faction and the Five Great Families, were permitted to stay there.
‘What’s this about?’
Cheon So-hyun stared blankly at Namgung Seon-wi walking ahead. He couldn’t tell whether the man enjoyed a good reputation within the family or was looked down upon.
The family elders greeted him with obvious displeasure, while the servants working in the household approached him freely and welcomed him warmly.
‘I heard the Crown Prince caused quite a commotion—is that why?’
As they passed through a grand main hall and entered a secluded back garden, Namgung Seon-wi finally spoke.
“Your face still seems flushed from the retainers’ rudeness. I’m truly sorry. They were just on edge, you understand—it’s not their true nature. I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive them.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m not the type to hold grudges anyway.”
Namgung Seon-wi laughed lightly.
“You certainly speak your mind freely. But… I wonder, does the Qinghua Sect have other masters of So Hyup’s caliber?”
At the sudden question, Cheon So-hyun studied him carefully. In Namgung Seon-wi’s clear eyes, something burned—whether ambition or something else, he couldn’t quite tell.
“Well, if you search hard enough, there might be one or two. I haven’t fought them with full strength, so I can’t say for certain. But why do you ask?”
“To be honest, I never expected to encounter a late-stage master of So Hyup’s level. Even the Sword Dragon of Wudang, who’s mentioned as the greatest late-stage master in the Realm, or the Poison Peak of the Tang Family—I doubt either could defeat our family’s elders.”
Cheon So-hyun tilted his head and asked again.
“It seems the Crown Prince isn’t mentioned among the greatest late-stage masters in the Realm?”
“Well, that’s how it is. There was a time when we stood shoulder to shoulder, but since I’ve always looked far ahead, the gap has widened.”
As he answered with an easy smile, Cheon So-hyun felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
‘So he really is that man’s son.’
Over that disagreeable face, the image of the Family Head in his youth overlapped.
His tone carried an unwavering confidence—as if he were far too advanced to compete with mere late-stage masters.
Could such delusional arrogance have driven him to fantasize about throwing himself into the domain of the Heavenly Demon Cult?
Cheon So-hyun asked directly.
“I hear the Crown Prince plans to leave the family and wander the Jiangxi region. Is that true?”
“Yes, it is. The family is doing everything in their power to stop me, even breaking their own traditions, but honestly, it’s all futile.”
Once he had decided on something, it would naturally come to pass—that was what his tone conveyed.
‘This one’s even more deranged than the Family Head.’
If such a bald-headed fool had spouted such nonsense at Shaolin, he would have had his skull split open without mercy. Yet the Namgung Family’s situation seemed to operate by different rules.
“Why trouble so many people? Why not simply accept defeat gracefully?”
At the shift in his tone, Namgung Seon-wi let out a subtle laugh. He too had been thinking it would be easier to drop the formalities, so the response came naturally.
“That would be difficult. Born as a man of ambition, how could I cower in fear?”
“….”
“In the past, our Main Family’s founder, known as Namgung Geom-je, achieved tremendous martial prowess and yet traveled the Realm in pursuit of greater heights. It would be laughable if his descendants merely settled for comfort. You too appear to have left your sect to walk the path of the Martial Arts World—surely you understand?”
“I’m not sure. I have no interest in jumping into a blazing inferno, so I wouldn’t know.”
“It is a goal worthy of such risk.”
His words revealed an ambition of towering heights. Watching his response, Cheon So-hyun finally became certain.
“Are you leaving to complete the Imperial Sword Form?”
Namgung Seon-wi stopped abruptly, his expression turning cold and rigid.
“I cannot tell if you’re perceptive or simply speaking nonsense. The Imperial Sword Form? What in the world are you talking about?”
The Imperial Sword Form.
It was the supreme secret technique counted among the greatest martial arts of the Namgung Family, regarded as the foremost sword sect in the Realm.
Only direct descendants whose succession as Family Head was confirmed upon becoming the Young Master could learn this martial art, making it a matter far too sensitive to discuss carelessly.
“It was merely a vague guess, but it seems I was right. So, have you made your decision?”
“What decision?”
“Whether I’m a suitable opponent or not—you’ve been assessing me all this time, haven’t you? Even watching the match from the sidelines.”
Namgung Seon-wi’s thick brows twitched for a moment.

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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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