Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 115

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 115
“Cheon Hui……?”
Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s brow furrowed.
He rifled through the information in his mind, but the name “Cheon Hui” did not exist.
‘……An alias, then.’
Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s eyes grew cold and sharp.
The man before him was an intruder who had slipped into the Nine Dragons Gang undetected.
And yet, even if he asked, why would such a person so readily reveal his true name?
His gaze, which had been sweeping across Cheon Hui, shifted slightly to one side, taking in the figure kneeling before him—An Chal Sa.
‘No sane man would create a situation like this and then volunteer his identity…….’
It was remarkable enough that An Chal Sa, who habitually stood ramrod straight with his hands clasped behind his back, was now on his knees—but his appearance was far worse.
Hair disheveled like a beggar’s.
And between the strands, faintly visible: tear tracks staining his cheeks.
‘He’s endured something quite brutal.’
As Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s gaze swept coldly over An Chal Sa, it drifted toward the source of the foul odor that had been hanging in the room all this time.
It settled on the man’s groin.
The yellowed stain spreading across the white cloth of his lower garments suggested he had lost control of his bladder entirely.
Just then, their eyes met.
An Chal Sa’s eyes bulged wide, and his mouth opened and closed like a carp’s, yet no sound escaped his lips.
‘Even the Baihui Point……?’
At the sight, Gu Ryong Bang Ju clicked his tongue.
But only for a moment.
『Please hold on just a little longer. I will rescue you shortly.』
Gu Ryong Bang Ju, his brow still furrowed, sent a transmission to An Chal Sa, whose eyes pleaded for salvation.
Upon hearing the transmission, An Chal Sa’s eyes widened, and he nodded his head rapidly.
His expression eased, and when Gu Ryong Bang Ju saw trust kindle in those eyes, he felt a silent laugh rising in his chest.
‘Perfect timing. Just when I was wondering if his trust was wavering.’
He swallowed hard.
An Chal Sa was arrogant and dismissive of others, yes—but he kept public and private matters firmly separate.
‘If I save his life here, I can expect his full support.’
The corner of his mouth rose slightly.
‘But to do that…….’
Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s gaze turned toward Cheon Hui.
The youth sat with arrogant ease.
He seemed no ordinary person, yet he was barely past twenty.
‘Stealth arts appear to be his specialty.’
As Gu Ryong Bang Ju surveyed Cheon Hui, who radiated no outward momentum, he suppressed the laugh threatening to escape and pursed his lips.
“Do you know what you’ve done? This man is An Chal Sa, the head of the Provincial Inspectorate, which oversees all law and surveillance in Qinghai.”
At the question, Cheon Hui let out a soft laugh.
‘Wondering why I was taking my time thinking.’
He already knew it all.
He knew Gu Ryong Bang Ju had sent a transmission to An Chal Sa. He even knew what the man was thinking.
“I know that already.”
As he spoke, he tilted his head, regarding An Chal Sa—now visibly more at ease—and asked a question.
“Isn’t that right?”
“……!”
An Chal Sa’s entire body jolted in shock, and he nodded his head frantically up and down.
It was a gesture born purely of instinct.
Watching this display, Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s brow twitched slightly.
‘He knew who An Chal Sa was and still did this? Then what in the world…….’
As he pondered the matter carefully, his eyes widened, and he spoke with utmost caution, choosing each word with deliberation.
“Do you fear the Imperial Household?”
“Not particularly?”
Cheon Hui gave a small shrug.
Fear the Imperial Household? No.
They were merely an inconvenience.
Yes. Exactly like mosquitoes.
Upon hearing Cheon Hui’s answer, conviction crystallized in Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s eyes.
‘If this man knew who An Chal Sa was and still dared to do such a thing……!’
Who else would treat the Imperial Household with such contempt and reduce An Chal Sa to this state?
One possibility, and one alone.
Someone connected to the Imperial Household.
And if someone from the Imperial Household were to come here now….
“So the Governor of Qinghai sent you.”
“What?”
Cheon Hui stared at Gu Ryong Bang Ju with an expression of utter disbelief.
Never had anyone fumbled so badly at reading a situation.
Gu Ryong Bang Ju was clearly under the impression that because Cheon Hui was continuing their conversation rather than attacking outright, he’d somehow gotten it right.
“Playing dumb won’t help you.”
Gu Ryong Bang Ju, now convinced of his deduction, pressed on with confidence.
“Bringing no one but an inspector before me—it’s about the Princess Xiao-hui matter, isn’t it?”
“Well, that part’s true, but—”
As if he’d been waiting for those words, Gu Ryong Bang Ju suddenly raised his hand and shouted.
“Damn!”
He yanked his hand up and slashed it sideways through the air like lightning.
Crash!
The edge of the bed shattered.
Splinters scattered into the air, then rained down like dust.
“When did you figure it out? I prepared this plan with such care!”
Cheon Hui rested his chin on his palm and chuckled softly.
“Are you finished?”
“…What do you mean?”
“No one’s coming anyway.”
“…!”
“I’ve already deployed a Qi Barrier.”
“Nonsense! A Qi Barrier requires at least ten years of Internal Force and attainment of the Limitless Realm….”
“Figure it out yourself.”
As the words left his lips, Cheon Hui drew upon the Internal Force of the Plum Blossom Divine Art and deployed the Divine Movement Hundred Changes.
“…!”
Seeing Cheon Hui unfold such an extraordinary movement technique, Gu Ryong Bang Ju urgently untied the leather belt cinched at his waist.
He then drew the Nine Dragon Advancing Qi Technique to its limit, releasing his Internal Force.
Snap!
The leather belt in Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s hand didn’t bend—it stiffened like a blade and began to emit a sharp aura.
Gu Ryong Bang Ju swung the Soft Sword toward the chilling killing intent he felt from behind.
Clang!
The air split with a crack.
“Impressive.”
At that very moment, Cheon Hui appeared from empty space, standing lightly before Gu Ryong Bang Ju.
“It’s been ages since I’ve seen a Soft Sword.”
Cheon Hui smiled as he regarded the blade.
To wield it properly required precise control of Internal Force, technique, and the corresponding martial arts—a finicky weapon that demanded all three in perfect harmony.
“H-how did you….”
Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s eyes wavered.
‘Not only did he parry the Soft Sword—he sent it back to me.’
A chill ran down his spine.
Just one collision.
Yet that single exchange was enough for Gu Ryong Bang Ju to sense that Cheon Hui possessed power comparable to his own—no great disparity between them.
‘At minimum, we’re evenly matched. Or perhaps….’
Then Cheon Hui spoke.
“Stop wasting effort on that sloppy martial art. What was it called—the Nine Dragon Opening Sky Palm? Show me that instead. Who knows? Maybe then you’ll stand a chance of winning.”
“……”
At the provocation, Gu Ryong Bang Ju clenched his teeth.
His skill was remarkable for his age, but he couldn’t claim to surpass his opponent.
“If you want to see it, I’ll show you clearly!”
He swung the Soft Sword in his hand in a broad arc.
The blade, charged with Sword Qi, undulated gracefully and produced a deafening wail, its sharp aura tightening around Cheon Hui bit by bit.
An attack designed to confuse the mind with noise while the Soft Sword tangled the field of vision!
But his opponent was formidable.
‘Ah! The False-True Deception?’
Cheon Hui’s gaze wasn’t fixed on the ornately moving Soft Sword, but rather on Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s left hand, which was concealed and brimming with considerable power.
‘Is the Soft Sword meant to dazzle? Hmm, I’ll know once I test it directly.’
Cheon Hui raised his left hand and let it clash against the Soft Sword exactly as Gu Ryong Bang Ju wished.
Screeeee!
Sharp sparks erupted.
The impact of the Soft Sword meeting his palm was so unbelievable that surprise flickered across Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s face—but only for a moment.
Ssssch—
His lips curved into a crescent smile.
“Caught you!”
In that instant.
Slink!
The rigid Soft Sword writhed like a serpent and coiled around Cheon Hui’s wrist.
“That’s the real trick!”
At the same moment, Gu Ryong Bang Ju snapped it tight.
Just as Gu Ryong Bang Ju was about to drive his left hand—into which he’d secretly poured his internal force—straight into the man’s abdomen.
Clap!
Cheon Hui caught his left hand.
It might have thrown him off, but Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s smile lingered and grew only more unsettling.
‘Fool! You’re hastening your own end!’
The Nine Dragon Opening Sky Palm was a Fist Technique using the Internal Force Layering Method!
The moment the fist connected, the compressed internal force would tear through the blood meridians and eventually race through the Baihui Point to shake the brain—a devastating strike combining the ultimate martial arts of the Internal Force Layering Method.
And yet.
“Is that all?”
The one who should have been writhing in agony was gazing at him with unhurried calm.
“Then let me give it a try.”
Cheon Hui, his face serene, slowly clenched his fist and drove it forward with power.
“Like this, right?”
In that instant, Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s eyes went so wide they seemed ready to burst from his skull.
The Fist Technique his opponent was displaying.
It was far too familiar a stance.
‘The Nine Dragon Opening Sky Palm?!’
Cheon Hui’s fist plunged into Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s abdomen with tremendous force, shattering everything inside.
“How… how is this possible?”
“Simple.”
“A monster… you’re a monster……”
Gush!
Blood poured from Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s mouth.
His complexion darkened sickly, and his body crumpled lifelessly.
Thud!
Cheon Hui, gazing down at the sprawled form of Gu Ryong Bang Ju, dusted off his knuckles and muttered to himself.
“Hmm, I should’ve held back a bit.”
Cheon Hui nodded to himself, then casually rummaged through his sleeve.
“I put it here somewhere… where was it? Ah! Found it.”
After a moment, he produced a small vial.
The tiny bottle, filled with a clear, shimmering liquid, glowed with a luminous radiance.
Pop!
Without hesitation, Cheon Hui uncorked the vial and poured the liquid over Gu Ryong Bang Ju.
The moment the liquid touched Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s body.
Sizzzzz!
With a putrid stench, Gu Ryong Bang Ju’s body began to rot and dissolved in moments.
The clear liquid in the bottle—it was Bone Melting Acid, the substance commonly used by assassins.
“Look at it dissolve. Dissolves nicely.”
Witnessing the remarkable efficacy of the Bone Melting Acid, Cheon Hui smiled and hummed softly to himself.
‘Glad I bought two bottles.’
The Bone Melting Acid he had purchased from the branch chief for this operation had proven its worth splendidly.
Crackle—
Once Cheon Hui confirmed that the corpse had vanished without a trace, leaving only the stench behind, he turned and headed toward An Chal Sa.
‘That… that can’t be a work of Heaven and Earth….’
An Chal Sa, watching the corpse dissolve with a face drained of all color, suddenly panicked as Cheon Hui approached him, shaking his head frantically left and right.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
His complexion had gone deathly pale, and his face was smeared with tears and snot.
Cheon Hui squatted down to look at him.
Thump! Thump!
An Chal Sa prostrated himself as if begging for his life, his forehead striking the ground again and again with dull impacts.
Cheon Hui watched him pound his forehead hard enough to crack it open, then asked quietly.
“You want to live?”
An Chal Sa’s face brightened as though he’d found a single drop of rain in the drought. He nodded his head frantically, his neck nearly dislocating from the force.
Cheon Hui regarded him with emotionless eyes and smiled slightly.
“The problem is, you have to die.”
An Chal Sa’s face contorted.
‘You bastard! How do you dare call yourself human! May you be torn to shreds and die!’
Reading the shape of An Chal Sa’s lips, Cheon Hui let out a soft chuckle.
“But I’ll make it painless.”
With that, Cheon Hui stepped forward without hesitation and drove his fist into An Chal Sa’s chest.
Thud.
His fist connected with the man’s chest.
Blood vessels burst in his eyes, and immediately he collapsed, spitting blood from his mouth.
“You certainly cultivated your Martial Arts well.”
Cheon Hui gazed at An Chal Sa’s neck.
The Blood Meridian extended from his neck in a long line, traced as vividly as if a dragon had been drawn upon it, reaching upward toward the sky.
“Then shall I finish this?”
Without hesitation, Cheon Hui lifted An Chal Sa’s corpse and moved.
Toward the still-open underground passage.
Arriving at Bi Dong at lightning speed, Cheon Hui hurled An Chal Sa’s body without ceremony.
Whoosh—Crash!
“Now it will look as though An Chal Sa died trying to steal something from Bi Dong, won’t it?”
Cheon Hui’s gaze fixed on the numerous jewels and gold scattered throughout Bi Dong.
“Then I need only claim these, and we’re done.”
Cheon Hui casually picked up a luxurious length of silk hanging in one corner of Bi Dong.
Then he swept up every jewel and coin without exception in a single breath.
“Perfect.”
Shortly after, Cheon Hui slung the now-heavy silk over his shoulder and slipped out of Bi Dong.
‘It went exactly as planned.’
A satisfied smile crossed his face.
Cheon Hui’s scheme, though it appeared complex, was remarkably simple.
An Chal Sa’s corpse bearing the marks of Nine Dragon Opening Sky Palm.
And the discovery of Bi Dong, the missing valuables, and Gu Ryong Bang Ju.
Anyone who saw these traces would certainly conclude that Gu Ryong Bang Ju had seized the contents of Bi Dong and fled.
“So now, the only thing left is…”
Cheon Hui looked at the wooden floor melted by Bone Melting Acid and raised his finger.
Then he ignited Samadhi True Fire.
Whoosh!
* * *
The Tianxia Trading Company!
The trading company bearing the impossibly grand name of All Under Heaven was, true to its name, a vast enterprise that spanned the realm.
It had twelve branch offices alone.
Each single branch was enormous enough to rival an ordinary trading company.
And the Shenxi branch of Tianxia Trading Company lived up to that reputation.
“Yawn…”
The Gate Keeper guarding the main gate of Tianxia Trading Company looked toward the ridge where the sun was just beginning to rise, and yawned before rubbing his eyes sleepily.
“Hmm?”
There was something protruding on the horizon.
“What is that?”
As he continued staring intently.
“What? What?”
The small protruding dot gradually grew larger, and soon took the shape of a person.
The figure that appeared was a handsome young man.
The youth, whose sharp features possessed an undeniable charm, carried an enormous bundle on his back.
Easily twice the size of his own frame.
Then the youth called out to him.
“Is this the Tianxia Trading Company?”
“Y-yes, of course.”
The Gate Keeper stammered his response.
Though only briefly.
“What brings you to our establishment?”
He collected himself and asked the purpose of their visit.
“I’m looking to sell something.”
“Sell something…?”
The Gate Keeper’s eyes flicked toward the enormous bundle strapped to the Handsome Youth’s back.
Then he shook his head and replied.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible at the moment. If you wish to conduct business with our company, you must make a reservation at least three days in advance.”
“A reservation? That’s rather strict.”
The Handsome Youth’s brow furrowed.
Then suddenly.
“Ah! Wait a moment.”
The youth rummaged through his garments.
‘What’s he doing?’
The Gate Keeper’s confusion deepened at this abrupt action.
“I was told that if you show this token, you can use any trading company immediately.”
The youth withdrew a token as he spoke.
“That’s preposterous—!”
The Gate Keeper stared at the token and went rigid.
Then he bowed hurriedly.
“Please, wait just a moment!”
“Pardon?”
The youth asked for clarification, but the Gate Keeper had already yanked open the door and rushed inside.
And moments later.
Crash!
A gaunt, middle-aged man with a kindly face burst through the main entrance in haste.
“Is—is it you who carries the Tianxia Trading Pass?!”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————