Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 157

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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 157
The Huashan Sect and the Jongnam Faction.
Though both were part of the Nine Major Sects and Four Unorthodox Schools, and both were Taoist sects in Shenxi, instances of them conducting joint operations were rare enough to count on one hand.
There were many reasons, of course.
Their Taoist philosophies differed.
Even within Shenxi, distance separated them.
But the principal reason was singular.
Pride.
The Jongnam Faction and the Huashan Sect both found it distasteful to receive aid from one another.
Tap.
The Sect Master set down the letter and inquired.
“What is the intention behind this?”
The Jongnam Faction’s current renown and pride reached heights that could pierce the heavens.
High enough to look down upon the Huashan Sect.
Yet they were requesting a joint operation first.
Bo Seong responded to the Sect Master’s suspicious question with an impassive expression.
“It is as written.”
The Sect Master’s eyebrows twitched.
“You mean to join forces in expelling the unorthodox sects within Shenxi to stabilize the increasingly troubled hearts of the common people?”
“That is correct.”
Bo Seong answered calmly.
“Shenxi is currently in a dire state. Unorthodox sects and factions coveting Baek Gwi Seong’s position are converging from all directions.”
“This sect is aware of that as well.”
The Sect Master wore a faint smile.
True to his words, Shenxi was a hellscape.
With Baek Gwi Seong, who had held the unorthodox sects in check, gone, the dark paths and unorthodox factions now ran rampant.
Clashes erupted daily as each faction attempted to subjugate the others by any means necessary.
The collapse of Baek Gwi Seong, that great unorthodox power, meant opportunity—if they played their cards right, they might seize everything for themselves.
“Yet would the Jongnam Faction not be entirely capable of handling this alone?”
The Sect Master narrowed his eyes.
Though he held the Jongnam Faction in low regard, he had to acknowledge what deserved acknowledgment.
The current Jongnam Faction ranked foremost among the Nine Major Sects and Four Unorthodox Schools—far superior to the Huashan Sect of today.
No matter how wild the unorthodox sects ran, the Jongnam Faction possessed sufficient military strength to handle them.
“The opposition is not insignificant.”
As Bo Seong’s expression grew grave, the Sect Master’s expression darkened in turn.
“Which factions are they?”
“We have confirmed intelligence that the Shipya Sect, the Blood Ghost Palace, and the Nok Rim have all moved, among unidentified sects and factions.”
The Sect Master’s expression hardened subtly.
“……Are they planning to wage war?”
The Shipya Sect, the Blood Ghost Palace, and the Nok Rim.
Each was a major sect that could rival even the Huashan Sect or the Jongnam Faction.
“That is precisely why we are requesting a joint operation with the Huashan Sect.”
“But is it even feasible?”
The Sect Master spoke, raising his eyebrows.
“Has not the Jongnam Faction allied with Mudag, and this sect with Gae Bang? Mudag and Gae Bang will not sit idle and watch.”
“There is no need for concern on that account.”
Bo Seong answered with a smile, as though he had anticipated the question.
“All preparations have been made.”
While the Sect Master and Bo Seong continued their conversation, Cheon Hui, arriving at the Mo House, sensed a presence within and furrowed his brow.
“Why are you in here?”
He threw the door to the Mo House open.
Flinch!
Dan Mok Lin inside startled like someone caught stealing, her eyes widening as she recognized Cheon Hui.
“Senior Brother?”
She then rushed toward him in a single bound.
“You’ve returned?”
She smiled brightly.
But Cheon Hui looked down at her indifferently and opened his mouth.
“Why are you here? You should be in your quarters, not this place.”
“I, I was just cleaning.”
“Cleaning? You?”
“Yes, it was getting rather messy…….”
Her voice trailed off as her fingers fidgeted nervously.
“Did I do something wrong?”
Cheon Hui glanced around the room.
The interior, which should have accumulated dust from sitting empty for so long, was remarkably clean.
Not that he minded — he’d been too lazy to do it himself anyway.
Recalling how the Mo House had looked when he’d returned from Cheonghae the last time, Cheon Hui set down his sword and spoke.
“No, it’s fine. If you’re going to do it, do more. A clean place is always better.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Dan Mok Lin’s head snapped up.
Her eyes brightened as she looked at Cheon Hui, and she gripped the small broom in her hand more tightly.
“Then I’ll keep doing it next time too.”
Dan Mok Lin spoke with energy, her eyes sparkling — but only for a moment.
Then she hesitated, opening her mouth again.
“Oh, that’s right. Senior Brother. Master Hyeon Yang said that when you arrived, he wanted you to visit him without fail.”
“Master Hyeon Yang?”
Cheon Hui, who had been about to lie down, froze mid-motion.
That wasn’t someone who called on a whim.
He rose to his feet and turned sharply toward her. “Where is he now? At the Plum Blossom Pavilion? Or Taorin Field?”
“Right now he’s at Taorin Field…….”
Before she could finish, Cheon Hui was already sprinting toward Taorin Field.
And as he drew nearer to his destination,
wild laughter pierced the air.
“Gwahahaha! Come on! Let’s see who’s stronger — me or you!”
“Hehehehe, my Internal Force is building! Building!”
Voices thick with madness rang out.
Second-generation disciples who looked drunk on something were greeting Cheon Hui as he arrived.
Watching them, Cheon Hui smiled.
“Finally, they’ve taken the first step.”
Just then, a voice came from beside him.
“What do you mean by that?”
Without turning his head, Cheon Hui explained.
“They’ve grown accustomed to the Dark Fragrance Pill. That’s why they’re like this.”
“The Dark Fragrance Pill……?”
Hearing the confused voice, Cheon Hui added further clarification.
“No matter how toxic a substance is, when you consume it frequently enough, you build tolerance. They took in more energy than their bodies can normally handle, which is why their minds are so intoxicated now.”
“Is that how it works.”
Hyeon Yang, the Master of Wulian Pavilion, spoke as if he’d only just understood, watching Cheon Hui intently with slightly parted lips.
“But even if they did absorb an excessive amount of energy, that appearance…….”
The Pavilion Master couldn’t bring himself to voice the rest.
But Cheon Hui was different.
“Honestly, it’s indistinguishable from a drunkard. Just leave a wine bottle nearby and no one would know the difference.”
He spoke with sharp candor and chuckled dryly.
It was entirely self-inflicted.
If they’d built their energy normally, there would have been no problem.
But once the pain from the poison had eased, thinking it was an opportunity, they’d absorbed far more energy than the prescribed amount and ended up like this.
“They should have stopped at a moderate level.”
“Is there a way to fix this?”
The Pavilion Master asked with a wry smile.
It was already the second day.
They’d tried every method imaginable, but they just kept staying intoxicated like this…….
It was truly troublesome.
“There is.”
The Pavilion Master’s expression brightened.
“What method?”
“Keep them using Martial Arts continuously.”
One corner of Cheon Hui’s mouth twisted.
“Until they collapse from exhaustion, with not a trace of energy left in their bodies.”
* * *
Meanwhile, not far from Taorin Field, the Daoists of the Jongnam Faction were being guided by Jeok Un to observe the Huashan Sect.
“And this is Taorin Field.”
Jeok Un pointed toward the field as he spoke.
“Where the Second Generation Disciples train…….”
As he was about to elaborate further.
Hah!
At the resonant shout that burst forth from Taorin Field, every head turned.
Countless Huashan Daoists stood upon the field in identical stances.
While everyone gazed in astonishment, their swords began to rise slowly.
The moment the blades pointed toward the sky.
Hah!
As the Huashan Daoists drew their swords in unison with a cry, the wind swept forth.
Whoooosh!
A wave of wind, churning like the sea itself, immediately engulfed them all.
Hair stood on end unmercifully, and it was nearly impossible to keep their eyes open.
Was there ever such a sight?
Their hearts raced wildly at the sheer intensity of it.
Yet it lasted only a moment.
The wind scattered and faded away.
…….
It had been the briefest of storms.
Shorter than a single breath.
Yet everyone who witnessed it was overwhelmed.
“Remarkable power…….”
…….
Gulp.
Especially the Jongnam Daoists, aside from Jong Hyeon, found it difficult to hide their shock.
Though they showed nothing outwardly, all of them had harbored contempt for the Huashan Sect in their hearts.
And with good reason—what was the Huashan Sect that they had heard of all this time?
A Taoist sect walking the path of decline.
So they had believed it barely clung to its seat among the Nine Major Sects and Four Unorthodox Schools by trading on its past reputation…….
But seeing it directly, it was nothing of the sort.
The pavilions were dilapidated and ancient?
What did that matter now?
The truly important thing was them!
Every single one of those Huashan Daoists wielding swords was exceptional.
Comparable even to themselves.
Tap!
Then Jong Hyeon suddenly struck the ground with his heel.
“Elder Brother!”
Upon spotting Cheon Hui in one corner of the field, he even deployed his Movement Technique.
Soon he approached Cheon Hui.
……!
“Wh-what is that?”
“The Master’s Second Generation Disciple?”
The Second Generation Disciples, intoxicated by the Dark Fragrance Pill’s energy as they wielded their Martial Arts, suddenly snapped to attention as though drenched with cold water.
Who was Cheon Hui?
A man of ice and stone, utterly merciless.
Yet a junior disciple under him?
It was hard to believe even in seeing.
Some of them rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
The Master of Wulian Pavilion also gazed down thoughtfully at Jong Hyeon, who called Cheon Hui elder brother.
‘Did Cheon Hui have a junior disciple……?’
When Jong Hyeon’s eyes met the Master’s, he brought his small hands together and bowed with respect.
“Infinite Buddha. I am Jong Hyeon of the Jongnam Faction.”
At the young boy’s courteous greeting, the Master of Wulian Pavilion smiled faintly and returned the bow.
“Infinite Buddha. This one is called Hyeon Yang.”
In that moment, Jong Hyeon’s eyes widened.
“The Wandering Cloud Sword Saint, the Great Hero……?”
“It’s been a while since I’ve heard that alias, old friend.”
“Wow! Master told us so much about you, the Great Hero!”
Jong Hyeon chattered away with excitement.
“Back then, you went alone to one of the Nok Rim hideouts and…….”
That was when it happened.
Bo Seong appeared, descending rapidly with an urgent expression as he deployed his Light Body Technique.
“Is everyone here?”
“We are all present.”
“What’s the matter?”
He counted the Jongnam Daoists with a hurried glance, then nodded and spoke.
“We must depart at once.”
After that, Bo Seong and the Jongnam Daoists exchanged brief farewells and hastily left the Huashan Sect.
* * *
More than two weeks had passed since the Jongnam Daoists who had visited the Huashan Sect departed.
The wind that had felt merely brisk back then now swept across Huashan with a biting cold that cut through flesh and bone.
“Achoo! B-brr, it’s freezing.”
Jeok Un, who guarded the mountain gate, trembled in the knife-like wind that cut through the gaps in his layered clothes despite his efforts to bundle up.
“I wish my shift would end soon…… Huff, huff.”
Just as he was breathing warm air onto his hands——
Crunch—crunch—
Three figures climbed the mountain path, their footsteps crushing the frost that had formed overnight on Huashan’s slopes.
The moment Jeok Un saw them, his body stiffened.
There were three of them, and none had the bearing of an ordinary traveler.
One wore a straw cloak, another had on a Sect Robe patched many times over.
And the last one…….
‘The Mudag Sect?’
His eyes widened.
The three then stood before Jeok Un.
“What business brings you to our sect?”
An elderly man with snowy hair and fair complexion, dressed in the patched Sect Robe, smiled gently.
“We’ve come to meet with the Sect Master.”
Jeok Un stiffened at once.
The fact that the man in the Mudag robes had not answered but rather this one had spoken meant he was the representative of the group.
“Might you be able to tell me the name of the Great Hero?”
At that question, the elderly man wrapped in the straw cloak burst into uproarious laughter.
“Ha ha ha! You’re truly behind the times, aren’t you?”
The old Mudag Daoist’s eyes narrowed.
“Noisy.”
“Hmph, I’ll speak what I please with my own mouth—why do you care?”
“Do you not consider the ears that must listen?”
“Look at this mule-headed fool, still drawing breath. Back then you kept your mouth shut tight.”
“Because you weren’t worth the trouble.”
“Then I suppose I am now?”
“No. But since we’re in front of others, do be quiet.”
As the two bickered, Jeok Un watched with considerable bewilderment on his face.
Then the old man laughed and spoke.
“My name is Go Hyeon.”
“Go Hyeon…… I’ve heard that name somewhere before…….”
Jeok Un repeated the name, puzzled, when suddenly lightning struck his mind.
“The—the Jongnam Sword Sage, the Great Hero?!”

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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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