Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 97

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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 97
The Namgung Family Banquet Hall, which had been filled with boisterous laughter, fell silent as if doused with cold water.
‘What… what just happened?’
It had all unfolded in the blink of an eye.
Just as it seemed an argument might break out, Cheon Gang hurled his wine cup, and Jin Dam-ho collapsed without resistance.
The shock was all the greater because Jin Dam-ho was no ordinary warrior.
After all, the Jin Family Sect was prestigious enough to receive an invitation to the Namgung Family’s banquet.
Namgung Seon-ah was equally taken aback.
“…Pardon? What… what did you say?”
“I asked when that brother of yours would arrive. You summon someone and then they don’t even show their face. Tsk.”
Cheon So-hyun drained his cup without sparing a glance at the fallen Jin Dam-ho.
His audacious demeanor left Namgung Seon-ah bewildered. She had never encountered such a person before.
“Ugh… my… my jaw…”
Then a stifled groan escaped from the floor.
As Jin Dam-ho clutched his jaw and trembled, the later-stage martial artists connected to him shot to their feet.
“So Hyup!”
Some rushed to support Jin Dam-ho, while others turned furious glares toward Cheon So-hyun.
“What in blazes do you think you’re doing!”
Cheon So-hyun answered quietly.
“Hmm? Where were you? A dispute arose between warriors, and I’ve just settled it.”
A man raised his voice at the casual response.
“That makes no sense! This isn’t the Black Path—this is far too excessive!”
“The Black Path?”
Cheon So-hyun let out a soft laugh. As he gazed at the man while turning his cup, the man flinched and his shoulders trembled.
“Doesn’t a ruffian who barges uninvited into others’ conversations and demands to join their table look like a Black Path thug to you?”
“That is to say…”
“Warriors had a dispute, and he brought up my lineage to insult my sect. He drew his blade and charged at me with murderous intent—that alone warranted a harsher response. I’ve resolved this quite graciously, so what more do you want?”
The implication was clear: why do you dare question this so shamelessly?
Faced with such logical reasoning, the man’s words caught in his throat.
For those of the White Path who valued honor and reputation, an insult to one’s sect was the weightiest justification of all.
“Still, there was no need to humiliate him like this! A few words of persuasion would have sufficed—this was excessive…”
“That’s enough.”
Namgung Seon-ah rose from her seat with a cold expression. The bright and gentle demeanor from moments before had vanished entirely.
“…Pardon?”
“It is an undeniable fact that So Hyup was the first to commit rudeness. The Jin Family Sect, after all, earned its reputation through claw techniques. His attempt to seize another’s shoulder without permission was more than sufficient to suggest aggressive intent.”
Her voice was as clear and melodious as jade rolling across stone, yet the force behind it was sharp as frost.
“I understand So Hyup’s feelings well enough, but wouldn’t it be better to observe the situation more calmly?”
At Namgung Seon-ah’s firm stance, the man’s complexion turned ashen. He risked being thrown out entirely.
‘Damn it, why did I have to stick my neck out…’
He let out a nervous cough and hastily worked to lighten the atmosphere.
“Ahem! My apologies, Namgung Seon-ah. And… Cheon So Hyup. When a friend finds himself in such a state, I fear I allowed myself to become momentarily overexcited.”
Cheon So-hyun nodded graciously.
“Think nothing of it. When young warriors gather, a bit of spirited competition is only natural. A cup of wine will wash away such trifles, so please, don’t concern yourself.”
“Ahem! I shall take my leave now.”
As the man helped Jin Dam-ho to his feet and withdrew, Namgung Seon-ah swept her gaze across the hall with a smile.
“When discord mars a banquet and causes disruption, it becomes a loss for all, regardless of whose fault it may be. As Cheon So Hyup has said, such disturbances are hardly uncommon, so I do hope you’ll all continue to enjoy the celebration our Main Family Residence has prepared.”
With her words, the commotion settled, and the Banquet Hall quickly regained its vitality.
In fact, the name Cheon Gang only sparked greater interest, making the hall even more animated.
Namgung Seon-ah took her seat across from Cheon So-hyun.
“The way you asked when he would arrive suggests you intend to face my brother with genuine resolve?”
“When one sees a person about to hurl themselves off a cliff, the decent thing is to stop them first. Does that concern you?”
Namgung Seon-ah laughed softly.
“Concern? If anything, I’d like to cheer you on.”
“…?”
“My brother’s stubbornness has already exhausted our family’s patience entirely. Unless he awakens through his own realization, he will leave—perhaps even today itself…”
It was at that moment.
The Banquet Hall’s main doors swung open, and a man stepped inside.
Gasps of admiration erupted from all corners at the aura he radiated. The young master who emanated a clarity and freshness as if he had condensed the azure sky itself into his very being was none other than Namgung’s Crown Prince, Namgung Seon-wi.
“Quite the gathering we have here. Are you all enjoying yourselves?”
“The Crown Prince!”
“Namgung! It’s been so long!”
Among the Later-Stage Martial Artists, many harbored admiration for Namgung Seon-wi.
He was widely regarded as a future contender for the title of greatest master under heaven, should the generations shift.
People of both genders crowded around him, and Namgung Seon-wi accepted their greetings with practiced ease.
Meanwhile, the Elders of Namgung began appearing one by one on this floor and the third floor of the Banquet Hall.
“It is truly an honor to meet you!”
Reverence flickered in the eyes of the Later-Stage Martial Artists. He was the eldest of the Five Great Families and the true military backbone of Namgung, which dominated Anhui Province.
“Please, be at ease.”
As the Elders were taking their seats, Namgung Seon-wi spotted a familiar face and paused.
“My, how your complexion has brightened since we last met. I hadn’t realized you were such a remarkable figure. Have you been resting well?”
Cheon So-hyun answered briefly.
“As you can see, I’ve rested thoroughly. Why are you only arriving now?”
“There were many preparations to attend to. Since you’ve already waited this long, I ask you to wait just a bit longer.”
Namgung Seon-wi ignored Namgung Seon-ah’s gaze and made his way toward the Platform on the stage.
“I wish to first greet all the esteemed friends of Jianghu gathered here. I am Namgung Seon-wi, the eldest son of Namgung.”
“Roooaaarrr!”
Cheers filled the Banquet Hall.
“Today’s gathering is one I shamelessly petitioned our family’s elders to arrange, making it a rare event for our Main Family Residence. Who knows what the future holds, but for now, this is what we have. I would encourage you all to focus not on displaying who you are, but rather on savoring this present moment.”
Namgung Seon-wi’s gaze turned toward the guests below the VIP Platform.
“Is this not a rare gathering of uncommon talents?”
“Ha ha, that’s right!”
Namgung Seon-wi conversed freely with the guests without the slightest hesitation.
His demeanor carried no trace of authority or pretense. With a smile on his face, he engaged them with genuine warmth, and the late-stage martial artists responded in kind, laughing openly in his presence.
Cheon So-hyun observed him quietly from atop the platform.
‘Hmm, an outsider’s perspective?’
His personality seemed somewhat different from that of the Family Head.
Just then, Namgung Seon-ah abruptly interrupted my thoughts.
“It must be exhausting, don’t you think?”
“Hmm?”
“As if he had two bodies, his mind is consumed entirely by martial arts, yet he insists on fulfilling all the duties of an eldest son.”
Namgung Seon-ah continued, her gaze fixed on Namgung Seon-wi.
“The family often clicks their tongues at his peculiar temperament, saying he lacks the bearing of a true heir. Yet on the other hand, he possesses a profound depth of feeling. That’s why the family places such great hopes in So Hyup.”
“Are they asking you to stop him even if you have to break his legs?”
Namgung Seon-ah let out a small laugh.
“So Hyup certainly has a tendency to speak bluntly, doesn’t he?”
“No?”
“It’s similar. In fact, my brother declared outright that if there exists a warrior among his peers who can stand against him, he would abandon his ambitions.”
“Why must it specifically be someone of the same generation?”
“I couldn’t say. Perhaps only my brother knows the answer. He’s such an unusual person that I haven’t quite grasped that part myself.”
It was an ambiguous answer, yet she harbored a faint suspicion.
That her brother’s request held a clear purpose—that it was connected to some humiliation their father had endured in his youth.
“Is there perhaps another problem afflicting the family?”
At this unexpected question, Namgung Seon-ah tilted her head in confusion. She knew he was an inscrutable person, but she couldn’t discern the intent behind his question.
“What do you mean by that? Another problem?”
Cheon So-hyun answered while surveying those gathered in the Namgung Family Banquet Hall.
“You summoned peers of the same generation, yet I see no descendants from the Five Great Families or the Nine Sects. Not even a glimpse of those beggars from the Beggar Clan.”
“Ah, that’s because this event was prepared in such haste. My brother seemed ready to depart at any moment, so the preparation period was extremely short. The family was already troubled enough trying to find a suitable opponent for my brother among the late-stage martial artists, and there were many complications.”
Cheon So-hyun clicked his tongue inwardly.
‘These Namgung bastards are all the same, aren’t they?’
I wondered how they could be so consistently arrogant. Perhaps there truly are unchanging things in this world?
In fact, Namgung Seon-ah’s account largely fit the pieces together.
Since the Crown Prince had personally sought out Namgung Escort Station declaring his intention to leave the family, the family had no choice but to accede to his request.
The rigid elders had opposed it to the end, invoking family traditions, but when he seemed truly ready to depart, they scrambled frantically to arrange what was likely this very banquet.
‘In any case, something has clearly changed.’
Namgung Seon-wi didn’t appear foolish enough to drive his family to ruin for the sake of his martial pursuits.
The far sharper qi that permeated him today—evidence that he had spent the entire time honing and polishing his blade for this duel—made that abundantly clear.
The desperate yearning for victory was palpable enough to touch, yet despite this, he devoted all his attention to maintaining the smooth flow of the banquet.
His priorities were unmistakable. He was a man who valued his family’s honor above all else.
Then perhaps his desire to venture beyond and seek enlightenment was ultimately for the sake of the family?
“Is the gold medallion what So Hyup desires as the reward for this duel?”
Namgung Seon-ah asked with a note of certainty in her voice.
“How did you know that?”
At the suspicion in her gaze, Namgung Seon-ah waved her hand dismissively.
“I didn’t conduct any investigation. You made quite a stir when you arrived at the Family, so rumors about So Hyup have spread widely among the staff.”
“Ah, the Namgung Escort Station?”
“Yes. You inquired about a carriage, didn’t you? There’s somewhere you wish to go with a gold pass?”
“To be frank, that’s correct.”
“Then this works out perfectly.”
Namgung Seon-ah withdrew a fist-sized object from her bosom. Her name was engraved upon the golden nameplate.
“I’ll give you my gold pass.”
“May I ask your reason?”
“It may be an unreasonable request, but… I hope you’ll fight with your full strength in this martial exhibition.”
“Full strength?”
“Yes. I know you held back when facing Elder Myeong. You surely have far more hidden techniques. If you’re trying to conceal your martial prowess, you could defeat the others first and…”
Cheon So-hyun accepted the gold pass and replied.
“Well, that’s not a concern. The more eyes watching, the better.”
The blood relatives of the Namgung Clan tended to come to their senses only after suffering public humiliation.
Moreover, I needed to inform the demons beyond Anhui Province of my movements at the appropriate time, so attention was necessary.
“Well, I suppose introductions are sufficient now.”
At that moment, Namgung Seon-wi’s voice rang out from the platform.
“Shall we move to the main event? We didn’t gather here for warriors to exchange idle pleasantries, did we?”
“That’s right!”
Anticipation gleamed in the eyes of the crowd.
“Namgung Seon-wi! How will the martial exhibition proceed?”
To display the martial prowess they had honed in the heart of the Namgung Family. It was an opportunity for their fame to spread throughout the Realm—a moment no warrior wished to miss.
But Namgung Seon-wi’s answer brutally crushed their expectations.
“It will proceed in a consecutive victory format, with the winner continuing to face challengers on the arena stage. You might call it the trial of an emperor.”
“…Consecutive victories?”
The hall stirred. While repeated victories would bring great renown, it was practically impossible in reality.
Whoever stepped forward first would inevitably taste defeat.
“Set aside such needless concerns. I shall take the arena first.”
Namgung Seon-wi drew his blade. As the azure sword gleamed with a chilling light, a cold aura seemed to envelop the entire Banquet Hall.
“I ask only that you come forward with your full strength, without regard for the shame of the Chariot Wheel Tournament!”
The air grew frigid in an instant. The pressure of facing the man called the finest talent in the Realm weighed upon the hall.
Thud, thud.
What set the air trembling was the sound of steady footsteps. The crowd that had been murmuring like clouds scattered by wind parted smoothly, opening a path.
The eyes of the Later-Stage Martial Artists gleamed with anticipation.
‘Cheon Gang!’
As Cheon So-hyun leaped lightly onto the platform, Namgung Seon-wi twisted his lips into a smile as if he had been waiting.
“Why the rush? The banquet has only just begun.”
Black flames ignited in Cheon So-hyun’s eyes.
“Our objectives are clear to both sides—why drag this out?”

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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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