Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 155

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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 155
“Has it really been ten days already?”
Cheon Hui felt the weight of boredom settling in.
His days at Ilwol Moon had fallen into a rhythm of numbing simplicity.
Sleep, wake, eat.
And on occasion, deal with those foolish enough to spy on him—that was all.
Even that had stopped four days ago.
“Hmm. Perhaps it’s time to leave.”
Ilwol Moon was finding its footing once more.
The sect leader had recovered from his wounds, and the damaged pavilions were being repaired.
Most importantly, the matter of teaching martial arts—the greatest problem—was nearly resolved.
Cheon Hui gazed out the window.
There, under Seol Ran’s instruction, was Ju Go Ryul earnestly drilling his martial forms.
He had watched several times now, and the man simply lacked talent.
While Jeok Geom and Seol Ran had mastered the Seven Star Step in a mere dozen attempts, Ju Go Ryul could barely follow the footwork, wandering aimlessly instead.
‘Still, he works hard.’
What Ju Go Ryul lacked in talent, he made up for in sheer effort.
He trained his stamina twice daily—morning and evening—without waiting for Seol Ran’s instruction, and never missed his martial drills.
Each time Cheon Hui looked out the window, Ju Go Ryul was the first to catch his eye.
“Huff! Huff!”
Ju Go Ryul rolled up his sweat-soaked sleeves and quickened his footwork once more.
“Move faster!”
Seol Ran, herself running through the Seven Star Step, spurred the gasping Ju Go Ryul on without mercy.
“At this pace, you’ll be dead before a blind swordsman’s strike finds you.”
Despite her cutting words, she approached him and corrected his posture.
“Widen the gap with your left foot here, and when you move, expend your internal force all at once. That’s how you’ll go faster…….”
She wanted to help him so his efforts wouldn’t be wasted.
“Internal force isn’t expended recklessly to gain speed. You use it sparingly, instead relying on your ankles to…….”
Seol Ran paused mid-explanation, recalling how she herself had once performed the Seven Star Step.
“What’s wrong?”
When her instruction suddenly ceased, Ju Go Ryul stopped and tried to look at her.
“Nothing. Try again.”
Seol Ran quickly changed the subject.
‘Why did I know this and then forget it?’
All this time, she had unconsciously deployed her martial arts without ever thinking about how or in what manner she had deployed them.
‘Why is the Seven Star Step called the Seven Star Step……?’
As the question rose in her mind, she watched Ju Go Ryul perform the technique.
His Seven Star Step was distinctly different from hers.
Yet it was still the same Seven Star Step.
Then where did the difference lie?
As Seol Ran began her contemplation of martial arts, her pupils gradually dilated and her gaze grew distant.
‘Ah, looks like she’s had a realization.’
Seeing Seol Ran half-lost in that realm of enlightenment, Cheon Hui yawned and stood up.
‘I’ve roughly taught them what they needed to know about martial arts. I should start preparing to leave soon.’
He couldn’t stay at Ilwol Moon indefinitely.
Eventually, he would have to go.
And now he was considering when that should be.
Growl—
His stomach demanded food.
“Well. Let’s eat first.”
Cheon Hui changed into the grey martial robe hanging on the wall and stepped outside.
He crossed the Estate Grounds, heading away from the rear garden where Jeok Geom and Seol Ran were training.
“Master! Where are you headed?”
Jeok Geom, who had been overseeing the Ilwol Moon disciples practicing the Horse Stance, called out as Cheon Hui passed.
“To eat.”
Jeok Geom nodded in acknowledgment.
Meals at Ilwol Moon were currently impossible to obtain.
Not only had the kitchen collapsed, but there was no cook either.
“Travel safely, Master.”
The moment Jeok Geom finished his farewell, he turned his hawk-like gaze back upon the disciples.
“There, raise your arms higher. Look at Master Cheon there. After finishing the Horse Stance, doesn’t he immediately begin martial training? If you exhaust yourselves like this, your martial skills will suffer…….”
Jeok Geom recited exactly what he’d learned from Cheon Hui, spurring on the disciples of Ilwol Moon.
‘Hmm, it seems Jeok Geom has gained something from all this.’
He glanced at Jeok Geom, who now carried himself with considerably more ease, then stepped outside.
* * *
Shortly after, Cheon Hui arrived at the streets of Yanan and surveyed his surroundings.
‘There are finally more people about.’
The avenue that had felt desolate just four days ago was now beginning to stir with life as townspeople ventured out.
“Ah, it’s good to breathe freely again.”
“How wonderful it is without all those martial artists prowling about.”
“We have Ilwol Moon and So Heung Bo to thank for this.”
Praise echoed from every corner.
Particularly curious was the acclaim directed at So Heung Bo—despite being an unorthodox faction, the townspeople spoke well of them for showing concern for ordinary folk.
“Ha! Unlike Gwi Yu Moon and Heuk Ho Bang, So Heung Bo doesn’t even collect taxes from us.”
“Truly good people, those ones.”
Of course, conversations about Huashan Sect were never absent from the streets.
“But Huashan Sect, now—there’s the real power! The moment their affiliated sect asked for aid, they didn’t hesitate to root out the problem entirely.”
“That’s why we hear so much about the Nine Major Sects and Four Unorthodox Schools. With them helping like this, who would dare lay a hand on Ilwol Moon—or rather, Huashan’s affiliated sect?”
Cheon Hui let their words of praise for Huashan Sect pass through one ear as he entered the inn, now as familiar as an old haunt.
The beaded curtain rustled as he passed through.
He stepped inside.
“Welcome, sir…… Ah! The Great Master! You’ve come again today!”
The Inn Attendant greeted him warmly.
Cheon Hui was a big spender in his eyes.
Not only did he hand over generous sums whenever he ate, but the scraps of benefit that fell to the attendant were substantial as well.
The Inn Attendant promptly led him upstairs.
Having shown Cheon Hui to a prime table in the inn, the Inn Attendant wrung his hands as he asked.
“What might you care for today?”
“Bring whatever’s appropriate. I’m not particular.”
Cheon Hui spoke with evident disinterest.
“Right away, sir.”
The Inn Attendant withdrew at a brisk pace.
Watching him disappear, Cheon Hui poured tea from the pot beside him and took a sip.
‘Perhaps I should set aside some fine spirits for later.’
As he drifted into thoughts of wine—something he hadn’t touched at all recently.
‘Who’s that?’
Cheon Hui’s eyes narrowed.
He felt the aura of people approaching the inn.
The one leading the way carried a presence that seemed to have reached the level of Jeoljeong—stately and formidable.
‘Comparable to the elders of Huashan Sect.’
Just then, the beaded curtain swayed.
The curtain rustled as they entered.
Looking down at the newcomers who’d entered the inn, Cheon Hui’s brow creased.
“Why have the Jongnam Sect come all the way here?”
Cheon Hui observed five Daoists clad in the familiar robes—a figure he recognized.
Apart from the middle-aged Daoist at the head who appeared to be their leader, the rest were all quite young.
Three of them were in their twenties, but the boy Daoist trailing at the end looked remarkably young…….
In that instant, Cheon Hui’s brow furrowed as he beheld the young Daoist.
‘Jong Hyeon?’
At nearly the same moment, the boy Daoist—Jong Hyeon—noticed him, his eyes widening.
Soon after, Jong Hyeon broke into a brilliant smile and waved his hand broadly.
“Brother!”
Jong Hyeon cried out so loudly the inn trembled, then rushed up the stairs.
Upon reaching the table where Cheon Hui sat, his eyes sparkled as he spoke.
“I never expected to see you here!”
“Neither did I.”
Cheon Hui nodded in agreement as he spoke.
“Where are you rushing off to like that?”
The remaining Jongnam Sect Daoists also ascended the stairs.
‘Hmm? I feel like I’ve seen them somewhere before……,’
Cheon Hui’s eyes narrowed in an instant.
The middle-aged Daoist at the front looked familiar.
After staring for a while like that,
‘Ah! The Daoist I saw when I went to Jongnam Sect.’
He recognized who it was.
The senior brother of Ha U Jin, who had appeared leading young Daoists from Jongnam Sect.
‘Back then he was going around with his disciples, and it seems he’s doing the same here in the Kangho.’
As he was watching him this way,
“You are…….”
The middle-aged Daoist also spotted Cheon Hui and gave a bow with surprised eyes.
“Amitabha Buddha. I had visited your sect once as a guest of the master, fellow Daoist.”
“You remember me.”
“Hah, how could I forget?”
The middle-aged Daoist, who had recognized Cheon Hui at once, burst into a hearty laugh.
“Would it be too forward to ask if I might join your table?”
“To join us…….”
Cheon Hui started to refuse, then hesitated.
Jong Hyeon had already settled into the chair beside him, his eyes bright with excitement.
“Senior, let’s eat together!”
Jong Hyeon, reuniting with Cheon Hui after their sudden parting, clung to his side like a puppy, eyes gleaming.
‘Might as well. I’m curious anyway why Jongnam Sect came to Yanan.’
After deciding, he nodded his head and moved his lips.
“Please, make yourself comfortable.”
“Then I shall impose upon your kindness.”
As the middle-aged Daoist took his seat, the young Daoists from Jongnam Sect arrayed behind him sat down hesitantly one by one.
“Um, Senior.”
Just then, Jong Hyeon’s lips twitched with eagerness as he looked straight up at Cheon Hui and asked.
“Why did you suddenly leave our sect that day?”
“It was time to go.”
“I see!”
Jong Hyeon nodded his head up and down.
“Still, I wish you had said something to me before you left…….”
As Jong Hyeon recalled those days with a downcast expression,
“Hah, you must have had urgent business, no? Isn’t that right, fellow Daoist?”
The middle-aged Daoist smiled and turned the conversation.
“That’s true.”
“Ah, that’s right! I realize now we never properly exchanged names.”
His eyes curved like a crescent moon.
“I am called Bo Seong.”
The identity of the middle-aged Daoist was startling.
Bo Seong of the Lightning Sword!
An elder of Jongnam Sect and a master who had once made a great name for himself in the Kangho.
‘No wonder his presence was so overwhelming.’
Following this, the young Daoists also rose from their chairs and gave respectful bows.
“I am Su Ran.”
“I am Ho Young.”
“I am Se U Young.”
After they had all finished their introductions, Cheon Hui tossed out his own sect token casually.
“Cheon Hui.”
In that instant, three of the Daoists besides Bo Seong widened their eyes.
“Cheon Hui, you say…….”
“The one from before…….”
As they began muttering to each other,
“Is the fellow Daoist here in Yanan to help the Ilwol Moon?”
Bo Seong had opened the conversation.
“Well, something like that.”
“Our purpose is the same then.”
Cheon Hui looked at him with puzzlement.
Ilwol Moon was an affiliated sect of Huashan, and had nothing to do with Jongnam Sect.
Sensing Cheon Hui’s confusion, Bo Seong added an explanation.
“Merchants who’ve been frequenting our sect recently visited, mentioning that Sapa brigands are causing trouble in Yanan and requesting our assistance.”
Ah, so that’s what this was about?
Cheon Hui understood immediately.
Currently, the Jongnam Sect and Huashan Sect divided Shenxi between them.
So naturally, when word came that Sapa forces were massing in Yanan, it would be cause for concern.
Cheon Hui grasped the situation.
“And conveniently, the Huashan Sect has arrived as well.”
Bo Seong’s eyes met Cheon Hui’s.
“Since our aims align, what do you say? Why not join forces and tackle this together?”
“For what?”
“To crush the Sapa brigands, of course.”
Cheon Hui let out a laugh.
What was this belated suggestion?
“I’ve already taken care of it.”
“You’ve… already taken care of it?”
The eyes of the man speaking widened.
“You mean to say you’ve dealt with all of them?”
“That’s right.”
Bo Seong shook his head slowly.
Before arriving in Yanan, they had identified the skilled masters among the Sapa forces.
The leader of the Gwi Yu Moon, Blood Ghost Daoist.
The leader of the Heuk Ho Bang, the Black Tiger Fist Bear.
The leader of the So Heung Bo, Wind Count Sword Fiend.
These were men who had earned their reputation as Jeoljeong-level masters for years.
“The Huashan Sect has drawn their blades, then.”
No matter how much chaos the Sapa brigands had sown in Yanan, they couldn’t compare to the Huashan Sect.
“Still, to have dealt with those three factions so decisively, the Huashan Sect must have sent a formidable master… Could it be that Hyeon Yang, the Cloud-Drifting Swordsman, came to Yanan?”
Bo Seong mentioned the first master who came to mind among the Huashan Sect’s Daoists.
“No, that’s not it.”
“Then who came? The Huashan Divine Sword and Hyeon Jin are currently in the Murim Alliance, and the other Hyeon-level Daoists barely leave the Huashan Sect…”
As he was reciting the names of Huashan’s skilled masters that came to mind, an entirely unexpected answer reached his ears.
“I took care of it myself.”
At those words, Bo Seong and most of the Jongnam Sect’s Daoists were seized by shock.
“How could you possibly…”
“Is such a thing even possible?”
“In just a few days…”
As three Daoists muttered, fixing Cheon Hui with eyes full of doubt.
“Just as expected, Senior!”
Jong Hyeon cried out loudly.
“You punished them all!”
His eyes sparkled like stars.
It was different from the other Jongnam Sect’s Daoists.
Far from doubting him, he trusted Cheon Hui completely.
To him, Cheon Hui was like the heavens themselves, just as his master was.
At Jong Hyeon’s response, the Jongnam Sect’s Daoists fell into confusion.
This was the first time they had ever seen such a reaction from Jong Hyeon, who had always gone about his work in silence.
And for him to speak with such trust in his words…
“If a disciple speaks of him that way…”
“…could it actually be true?”
“Even so, to face those masters, someone of Instructor’s caliber would need to come…”
The three of them looked back and forth between Jong Hyeon and Cheon Hui.
Pour.
Meanwhile, Bo Seong poured tea.
With the fragrant wisps rising into the air, his mind grew more settled, and as he watched Cheon Hui, he opened his mouth.
“…In any case, it’s fortunate that the matter in Yanan has been resolved.”
What did it matter who had done it?
In the end, routing the Sapa brigands and driving them from Yanan was enough.
After observing Cheon Hui for a moment, he recalled future plans and asked.
“Then with all matters settled, you’ll be returning to the Huashan Sect soon.”
“That’s right.”
“When are you thinking of returning?”
“Why do you ask?”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Cheon Hui turned it back on him with a steady gaze.
“Ah, forgive me. I spoke without thinking.”
Bo Seong continued in an unhurried tone.
“We’re planning to visit the Huashan Sect next. I thought I’d ask while I had the chance.”
It was an unexpected thing to hear.
The Jongnam Sect, with whom there had been no prior exchange, was visiting Huashan.
“What’s the reason for the visit?”
When Cheon Hui asked, Bo Seong fell silent for a moment, then nodded and spoke.
“We have correspondence to deliver to the Huashan Sect.”

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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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