Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 144

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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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Episode 144
Cheon Hui slipped out of the Fortress Lord’s chamber and found himself face to face with So Hui.
“Did you handle everything with Gu Ryong Bang?”
“That’s right.”
“Then the disappearance of the Gu Ryong Bang Master and the martial traces left on the inspector’s body…?”
“I did that too.”
As Cheon Hui admitted this matter-of-factly, So Hui’s eyes grew deeper still.
The implications were considerable.
First, it meant he possessed the martial prowess to dispose of the Gu Ryong Bang Master with ease.
Second, it meant his skill had reached a level where he could replicate the Gu Ryong Bang Master’s martial arts immediately.
And at the same time, a question arose.
“Why commit such a reckless act? The whole thing caused the Murim Alliance and the Imperial Court to clash, creating complete chaos….”
She swallowed the rest of her words.
The Huashan Sect currently belonged to the Murim Alliance, yet he’d put them at odds with the Imperial Court—her mind couldn’t make sense of it.
Then Cheon Hui spoke.
“That’s exactly why I was able to come here so freely.”
“Well, that’s… Wait!”
Lightning struck through her mind.
“You deliberately drew everyone’s attention.”
“That way, they can’t move recklessly.”
It was a keen insight.
Even if they were former classmates, if the government and Murim clashed, it would be difficult for others to think of involving another sect.
To do so would risk exposure.
“But won’t this be a problem? The Murim Alliance has been in an uproar over this….”
“They can sort that out themselves.”
Cheon Hui spoke without concern.
What did it matter if the Murim Alliance was in chaos or anything else?
Let them handle it.
“Well, the mission is complete now….”
Cheon Hui began to rise from his seat.
“Where are you going…?”
So Hui grabbed him in alarm.
“Back to Huashan.”
“Already?”
Her eyes widened.
“You just arrived. Wouldn’t it be better to stay here a while longer…?”
Cheon Hui’s brow furrowed.
Stay in Cheonghasung, of all places.
He’d gone all the way to Gu Ryong Bang deliberately to avoid entanglement with the Imperial Court.
“Oh! Instead, what if I prepare provisions and we leave together?”
So Hui spoke with brightened eyes.
‘If only Cheon Hui were here….’
The presence or absence of such a master made all the difference.
And if he stayed, Shin Ui, Jeok Geom, and Seol Ran would follow as well.
She fixed him with an earnest gaze, but.
“I’d rather not.”
Cheon Hui refused bluntly.
Seeing that he showed no sign of wavering whatsoever, So Hui hung her head.
She understood that with an attitude like that, he would never listen to her.
In the end, she had no choice but to yield.
“…Very well. I’ll have a carriage prepared for you.”
“That’s acceptable.”
After parting with So Hui, who went to arrange the carriage, Cheon Hui stepped outside.
“Master!”
“You’re here!”
Already informed, Jeok Geom and Seol Ran were waiting outside.
‘Look at these two.’
Cheon Hui looked them over from head to toe.
Both had thrived in Cheonghasung—their complexions were healthy and their skin radiant.
“You’ve been doing quite well for yourselves.”
At Cheon Hui’s words, the two of them laughed awkwardly.
During their stay in Cheonghasung, they had never been happier.
Fine food and soft beds.
And most importantly, the absence of Cheon Hui, who had worked them to the bone.
Just then, Cheon Hui smiled knowingly.
“With me gone, it was nice and easy, wasn’t it?”
“What are you saying!”
“That’s not it at all!”
The two waved their hands in protest, denying it.
“We’ve been waiting every day, worried about when you would return, Master.”
“That’s right.”
“Somehow I doubt that.”
Meeting Cheon Hui’s piercing gaze, both of them broke into a cold sweat.
Because his words were true.
Worry about Cheon Hui?
They’d never done such a thing.
In fact, they’d been so absorbed in the pleasures of life in Cheonghasung that they’d forgotten about him more than once.
At that moment.
Clip-clop, clip-clop—
A sound reached their ears, as if rescue itself were approaching.
Spotting a carriage approaching from the distance, Jeok Geom deftly changed the subject.
“Master! A carriage has arrived.”
Just as Jeok Geom was making a show of excitement.
Bang!
The carriage door swung open.
“What are you doing? Get in already.”
Cheon Hui looked at Shin Ui, who was already inside the carriage, and smiled faintly.
“The Fortress Lord didn’t catch you?”
“Hmph! There’s no one in All Under Heaven who can stop me.”
Shin Ui snorted derisively as he spoke.
“Wait just a moment.”
A voice called from behind them.
Turning, they saw So Hui approaching, carrying two small boxes wrapped in crimson silk—the same So Hui they had seen enter the fortress earlier.
“My father said he couldn’t send you off empty-handed, and asked me to give these to you.”
“What are they?”
“Elixirs.”
Cheon Hui accepted the boxes and opened one.
Click.
A refreshing fragrance spread through the air.
Jeok Geom and Seol Ran, who had been entranced, snapped back to attention at the scent and gazed at the round elixir pills inside with widened eyes.
At that moment, Shin Ui spoke.
“White Gold Pills, I see.”
Cheon Hui approached Shin Ui, who seemed to know what they were, and asked.
“Do you know what they are?”
“They’re elixirs made by mixing century-old shou wu and ginseng.”
Shin Ui explained readily.
“One of the elixirs traditionally made by the Imperial Court, primarily used when one wishes to rapidly accumulate Internal Force.”
“What are their effects?”
“Aside from those made by the Great Medicine School, they’re still among the finest.”
Having heard the answer, Cheon Hui closed the box.
“Take them.”
Then he tossed one to Jeok Geom.
“Huh? Master!”
Jeok Geom was startled and barely caught the box as it flew toward him.
“You too.”
Cheon Hui tossed the other box to Seol Ran as well.
Seol Ran, like Jeok Geom, was surprised by the sudden throw, but caught it neatly.
So Hui, left empty-handed, laughed.
“You’re giving them both pills?”
“I have no need for them myself.”
At Cheon Hui’s words, So Hui smiled softly and offered him a parting bow.
“Travel safely, Cheon Hui.”
“You take care of yourself too.”
Cheon Hui climbed into the carriage with a casual wave, and Shin Ui leaned his head out the window.
“Take care on your journey, sir.”
So Hui offered her farewell.
“You’re the one who should be careful.”
Shin Ui, still grumbling, turned his gaze away from her and added, “If anything happens, send a carrier pigeon to Huashan. If I have time, I might look into it.”

So Hui’s eyes crinkled with amusement.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Don’t thank me. Just this once.”
Shin Ui emphasized the point, still muttering.
But So Hui knew it wouldn’t be just once.
Through their journey together, she had come to understand that beneath his gruff exterior, Shin Ui was a man of deep affection.
“I understand.”
“Good then.”
Shin Ui hastily withdrew his head and collapsed back into his seat.
So Hui watched the carriage depart.
“My lady.”
Jeok Geom approached and cupped his fist in salute.
“Should anything occur, please contact the Huashan Sect at any time.”
“Thank you for your concern, Jeok Geom.”
“It is nothing.”
Then Seol Ran drew near as well.
“Aren’t Shin Ui and So Ryeong coming to say goodbye?”
“They had other matters to attend to.”
“I see. It’s a shame we can’t exchange proper farewells.”
“I’ll pass along your regards.”
“Then I’m counting on you.”
The two gazed at each other.
After a moment, So Hui reached out and gently took both of Seol Ran’s hands.
“Take care of yourself.”
“You too, my lady.”
After all the farewells were exchanged.
Clop, clop—clop, clop—
The carriage set off with vigor.
Watching it disappear into the distance, the smile never left her lips.
‘It’s been so long since I’ve met people I could truly open my heart to.’
For a long time, those whom she could trust with her true self had been few and far between.
And with good reason—she was a member of the Imperial Court.
A place like the Demon Binding Palace, where a single moment’s guard left down could mean a blade through the ribs.
How could one live with an open heart in such a place?
But these people were different.
People of the Gangho, with no connection to the Imperial Court—it was only in their company that she could shed her title as So Hui the princess and simply be So Hui, the person.
‘But now…’
The smile faded from her lips.
It was time to return.
Back to being the princess she truly was.
* * *
Meanwhile, in the carriage, Cheon Hui watched as the others carefully held a box and said, “Aren’t you going to eat it? What are you waiting for?”

Jeok Geom and Seol Ran started in alarm.
“You want us to eat this? Surely you don’t mean—”
“Isn’t this your master’s?”
“Mine? Hardly.”
Cheon Hui chuckled.
“I don’t need spirit medicine right now.”
He had already absorbed all the Yin Qi obtained from Dan Mok Rin, and his Internal Force was now sufficient.
In fact, spirit medicine contaminated with such impurities was simply unnecessary.
Meanwhile, Jeok Geom and Seol Ran’s eyes gleamed.
They hadn’t paid much attention before, assuming the elixir belonged to Cheon Hui.
But now it was theirs.
Both their hearts began to race.
“Aren’t you going to take it?”
At Cheon Hui’s words, both of them froze.
“N-now, you mean?”
“I-isn’t it dangerous to practice Qi Circulation in a moving carriage?”
To absorb the elixir, one needed proper Qi Circulation posture and deep concentration.
But in a galloping carriage, even sitting cross-legged was difficult, let alone maintaining focus.
“Wouldn’t it be better to take the White Gold Pill after we arrive at Huashan Sect?”
“If Demonic Qi Deviation sets in…”
Both spoke their concerns, but—
“Demonic Qi Deviation? That won’t happen. I’m here, and the old master is too.”
At Cheon Hui’s rebuttal, they fell silent.
True enough—there was an Absolute Master in Cheon Hui, and a Renowned Physician in Shin Ui.
Yet both remained uneasy.
There was always the possibility of ‘what if.’
Watching the two hesitate, Cheon Hui narrowed his eyes and spoke in a commanding tone.
“If you won’t take it now, hand it over. I’ll give it to the others instead.”
“N-no, we’ll take it!”
“We’ll take it right now!”
Both of them jumped.
With Cheon Hui, he might actually do it.
The moment both swallowed the elixir simultaneously—
A warm surge bloomed.
Feeling the elixir’s energy gradually rising, both began their Qi Circulation Practice.
“Ungh—”
“Hngh—”
They couldn’t concentrate at all.
Their posture wasn’t proper Qi Circulation form, and the carriage rattled constantly, shaking their focus each time they tried to steady themselves.
Just as their concentration was about to break—
“Tsk. Can’t even manage this.”
A voice tinged with reproach sounded out.
And at the same instant, they felt a palm pressed against their backs.
A tremendous surge erupted.
Astonishing Internal Force flowed forth.
The energy from the White Gold Pill they’d ingested synchronized with it, coursing through their meridians.
It was the Grand Heavenly Circulation.
One cycle, two cycles, three cycles…
As the Grand Heavenly Circulation was performed at tremendous speed within the lurching carriage, the two focusing began to feel dizzy.
Their stomachs churned, and their complexions turned ashen.
Seeing this, Shin Ui cried out.
“S-stop!”
“Why?”
“Those two are about to vomit!”
Before the words even finished, Jeok Geom and Seol Ran shot up from their seats and thrust their heads out the window.
And then—
“Blrrrgh!”
“Hnnngh!”
After purging everything from their insides, both collapsed back into their chairs without even wiping their mouths.
“Tsk.”
Cheon Hui gazed at the prostrate pair with a drained expression, clicking his tongue in contempt.
‘Can’t even endure this much. How are they going to…’
Then a sudden thought crossed his mind.
‘They just emptied everything out, didn’t they? Then there’s nothing left for them to throw up.’
His lips curved upward.
Meanwhile, Jeok Geom and Seol Ran, lying there with vertigo, felt an inexplicable chill run through them the moment they saw the smile on Cheon Hui’s face.
Their eyes met at the same instant.
‘N-no way. That can’t be it, right?’
‘Brother, but surely if the master is human, he wouldn’t do something like that…….’
The two of them were conversing through glances.
“You’ve come to your senses?”
A voice cut through like a sudden thunderclap in clear skies.
“Then we’ll begin again.”

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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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