Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 160

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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 160
“That said…….”
Cheon Hui glanced back slightly and asked.
“Do you know those two?”
Jongnam Geom Seong, who had nodded in affirmation, spoke in a low voice infused with Internal Energy.
“Since you’ve already been discovered, come out.”
The moment those words left his mouth.
“We knew all along.”
“Tsk, we hid so well too.”
Tae Geuk Gun Ja and Cheon Yi Gae emerged.
The two, who had been grumbling, caught sight of Jongnam Geom Seong and then fixed their gaze on Cheon Hui.
“Binado represents the Wudang faction.”
“Just call me Cheon Yi Gae.”
Unlike Tae Geuk Gun Ja, who revealed his Sect Token, Cheon Yi Gae disclosed only his alias in a tone suggesting indifference.
Then he met eyes with Cheon Hui.
“Are you connected with those bastards?”
What nonsense is he talking about?
As Cheon Hui stared back as if to say, “What are you going on about?”, Cheon Yi Gae laughed.
“Tsk-tsk-tsk, right. If it’s this kid, he could land a good blow on those bastards.”
Watching Cheon Yi Gae smile sinisterly, Cheon Hui turned to Jongnam Geom Seong.
“You do know him, don’t you?”
Jongnam Geom Seong laughed awkwardly.
“Choose your friends well.”
Cheon Hui shook his head vigorously.
“What sort of nonsense is a young brat spouting now!”
“I was just talking about life.”
“That’s not advice about life—that’s an insult.”
“Ah, an insult, you say.”
Cheon Hui smiled faintly.
“Don’t you know how important it is to choose your companions? Pick the wrong ones and your whole life goes to ruin.”
Cheon Yi Gae’s fists trembled with rage.
“You brat! How long have you even lived to speak about life before me…….”
“Long enough to have lived a reasonable life.”
“You, you! This young whelp won’t stop talking back!”
“Must be nice, growing old like that.”
Cheon Yi Gae could no longer contain his fury and pounded his chest in exasperation.
Watching Cheon Hui play Cheon Yi Gae like a fiddle, Jongnam Geom Seong and Tae Geuk Gun Ja exchanged glances and murmured to each other.
“I’ve never seen Cheon Yi Gae lose ground like this.”
“Isn’t that a good thing! Finally that thunder-headed oaf has found a proper match.”
Just as Tae Geuk Gun Ja was about to cry out in delight.
“Enough. Who is your master?”
Cheon Yi Gae asked Cheon Hui, but the answer came from elsewhere.
“A disciple of the Maehwa Sword Masters.”
At Jongnam Geom Seong’s reply, not only Cheon Yi Gae but Tae Geuk Gun Ja also started in surprise.
“The Maehwa Sword Masters—you mean that blood expert’s……?”
“What manner of cruel jest is fate playing.”
At that moment, Jongnam Geom Seong posed a question to Cheon Hui.
Just as the two heaved sighs.
“Do you know about the joint operation between the Huashan Sect and the Jongnam Faction?”
“A joint operation? What’s that?”
Cheon Hui asked back, puzzled.
“It seems you haven’t been told yet.”
Jongnam Geom Seong explained swiftly.
The plan for the Jongnam Faction and the Huashan Sect to join forces and expel the Sapa from Shenxi.
Having finished his explanation, Jongnam Geom Seong looked at Cheon Hui and spoke softly in a tone of gentle persuasion.
“I would hope you would lend your assistance.”
“Me? That sounds tedious.”
Cheon Hui replied in a detached manner.
At that, Cheon Yi Gae furrowed his brow.
“Even if the Huashan Sect is in danger?”
“What’s there to fear? Whether it’s the O Huang Moon or bandits, whoever’s pulling the strings won’t show their hand directly.”
The logic silenced Cheon Yi Gae.
“That’s something we can’t know.”
Jongnam Geom Seong answered in his stead.
“Baek Gwi Seong’s destruction has already cracked the sturdy tower that is the Gujusanpae Force. And now those cracks have grown beyond anyone’s control.”
His expression turned grave.
“War could break out anywhere at any moment. We need look no further than our own Jongnam and Huashan Sect both standing against Sa Hyuk Ryeon.”
“And it’s not just talk—there are already places where it has begun.”
Cheon Yi Gae picked up the thread.
“Not long ago there was trouble between the Murim Alliance and officials, and recently I hear the Ilwol Moon and Shinchangyangga waged a bloody battle.”
Cheon Hui blinked. The Ilwol Moon and Shinchangyangga?
He’d glossed over that before—so they’d actually come to blows?
As Cheon Hui turned the two familiar sect names over in his mind, Cheon Yi Gae’s eyes gleamed.
“So hearing that some sect came under attack tomorrow wouldn’t be strange. Huashan or anywhere else.”
Jongnam Geom Seong added his weight to it.
“And the likelihood will only grow the larger those cracks in the Gujusanpae Force become.”
Cheon Hui’s brow furrowed.
‘We’re still a bit short on strength.’
Huashan had grown far stronger than it once was, yet it remained insufficient.
‘And I can’t exactly shoulder everything for Huashan alone.’
Having mulled it over, Cheon Hui spoke.
“All right, I understand. Let’s cooperate.”
“Much obliged.”
“Finally showing some sense…….”
As Cheon Yi Gae let out a snort of laughter—
“But not for nothing.”
Cheon Hui added his condition.
“If Huashan’s ever in even the slightest danger, I’d ask you to come help.”
Cheon Hui looked at them in turn.
Each one a master of the highest caliber.
‘Especially Jongnam Geom Seong—he’d be more than capable of handling things even without me.’
Jongnam Geom Seong nodded.
“That’s only natural, isn’t it?”
“Tsk, didn’t need saying. Gae Bang can’t sit idle watching Huashan in peril anymore.”
Cheon Yi Gae grumbled his acceptance—but
“I can’t give a definite answer.”
Only Tae Geuk Gun Ja remained cautious.
“Still, I’ll do what I can to help.”
Cheon Hui nodded.
“That’s enough. But when is this joint operation supposed to happen?”
Jongnam Geom Seong answered the question.
“After winter passes, I’d say.”
* * *
After the three departed, time continued its flow.
Huashan lay entirely blanketed in snow, as though dressed in pristine white robes.
And in such weather, Cheon Hui sat cross-legged as always atop Nagan Peak, practicing Un Gi Jo Sik breathing meditation.
Having reached the stage of Han Seo Bul Chim, he felt neither the cold nor anything else—his mind wandered instead through memories of the sparring match.
‘No wonder Jongnam Faction thrived.’
Once upon a time, Jongnam Faction had been so far beneath Huashan that comparison seemed crude.
But now the positions had reversed.
And the reason was simple.
‘They kept improving.’
The martial arts Jongnam Geom Seong had displayed bore little resemblance to what Cheon Hui had seen of Jongnam Faction’s techniques in his past life.
Most of their weaknesses had been refined away.
For instance, the Cheonha Thirty-Six Sword Techniques—the awkward transitions between form movements had been polished smooth, and the Footwork Technique had been adjusted to eliminate every hesitant step.
Bold choices, yet the right ones.
As a result, Jongnam’s martial arts no longer wavered between states but struck with a weighty, commanding force.
‘Though they still have room to grow, of course.’
Cheon Hui opened his closed eyes.
“Compared to Huashan, they’re still far behind.”
When Cheon Hui first witnessed the martial arts of Huashan Sect, he could scarcely contain his shock.
The transmission hadn’t merely been broken—it had fallen into ruin entirely, hadn’t it.
“Still, this will be troublesome for a few days.”
Cheon Hui descended from the peak.
Moving naturally into the Tap Seol Mu Heun footwork technique, he arrived at Mo Ok.
Jeok Geom and Seol Ran, who would normally be preparing errands, were absent, as was Dan Mok Lin.
The three of them had been selected the day before to enter the Maehwa Chilgwan.
All that remained was Shin Ui, clinging close to the embers of the fire to warm himself.
“You’re here at last?”
“If that’s how it is, why don’t we just go to the Yi Yak Dang? At least it’s warm there.”
“I won’t set foot there until I’ve taught you medical arts.”
Shin Ui burned with earnest fervor, but—
Thud, thud—
Cheon Hui ignored him and stepped outside.
“You wretch! Wait!”
Once outside, Cheon Hui descended the narrow mountain path, now covered in fresh snow.
Though snow had accumulated and the weather grown cold—
Hah! Hah!
The shouts of exertion remained undiminished.
Including, in between, the sounds of retching and flailing limbs.
‘Perhaps I should have a drink while I’m out.’
Cheon Hui hesitated at the thought of venturing forth.
‘Wait—’
The face of the person approaching from the opposite direction was strangely familiar.
The figure from the other direction also spotted Cheon Hui and rushed toward him in surprise.
“So it truly is the young master Cheon Hui.”
He was O Chief Manager of the Cheonha Trading Company.
“It’s been a long while.”
O Chief Manager, apparently not expecting to meet Cheon Hui at Huashan Sect, could not hide his confusion as he glanced at the sect robes.
“Are you a Daoist of Huashan Sect?”
“Indeed I am.”
O Chief Manager could not conceal his bewilderment. How could he have taken Cheon Hui for a Daoist of Huashan Sect back then?
“Then why didn’t you tell me during our last encounter…?”
“Information is something you must uncover yourself. To a merchant, information is worth more than gold.”
O Chief Manager’s words caught in his throat.
Just as Cheon Hui said, information was more precious to a merchant than gold itself.
At that moment—
“Where are you headed…? Master Cheon Hui?”
Jeok Jae, who had been guiding O Chief Manager, approached late and was startled to see Cheon Hui.
“Do you know this person?”
“Yes. We had a brief connection some time ago.”
“Ah, I see.”
Jeok Jae laughed awkwardly.
He wanted to ask how they knew each other, but his counterpart was Cheon Hui. He had no desire to discover what fate might befall him if he inquired carelessly.
“You’re the one guiding him?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
Cheon Hui fixed his gaze upon O Chief Manager. After a moment, he turned his eyes toward Jeok Jae and spoke.
“You go on. I’ll guide him instead.”
“Master, is that your wish?”
“Yes. It hardly matters.”
“If you say so, Master…”
Jeok Jae nodded.
Who would object to him relinquishing the guide’s role to Cheon Hui?
As O Chief Manager listened to the exchange between Cheon Hui and Jeok Jae, he worked carefully to maintain his composure.
‘If “Cheon” is prefixed to his name, then he must be of the First Generation disciples’ lineage. At such a young age…’
He quickly filed the information away in his mind.
Just as Cheon Hui had said, information was no different from currency to a merchant.
Then Jeok Jae approached.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
O Chief Manager quickly forced a smile like a mask and replied.
“Thank you for showing me the way.”
“It was nothing.”
Jeok Jae bowed and withdrew.
With only the two of them remaining,
“But you’ve arrived considerably later than I expected. You haven’t forgotten that you promised to double the profits within a year, have you?”
Cheon Hui pressed the matter at once.
“Of course I remember.”
O Chief Manager wore a bitter smile.
“However, things have become complicated now…….”
“What kind of things?”
“Several men have come to the inn claiming this land originally belonged to them. And that’s not enough—they’re threatening to cause trouble if I don’t pay them money……. Sigh.”
Recalling those events, O Chief Manager released a heavy breath.
“Did you report it to the authorities?”
“I paid bribes, but reporting it to the magistrate had no effect.”
O Chief Manager bit his lips hard.
“So I came to the Huashan Sect to arrange a transaction and request assistance.”
“Assistance…….”
Cheon Hui stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Then the inn is completely finished?”
“All that remains is moving in the furnishings, but those men are interfering with it…….”
“Hmm, then if we simply deal with those men, everything should work out well.”
“That’s true for now.”
Cheon Hui nodded.
“Are you going to speak with the Sect Master first?”
“That’s right.”
“Then let’s go at once.”
“What? I, I——?”
Cheon Hui suddenly lifted him up.
Draping him across his shoulder, he dashed forward.
“Eek, eeeek!”
O Chief Manager let out a scream.
The landscape whizzed past before his eyes, and a precipice yawned directly beneath him.
“S-save me…….”
As his complexion drained to ashen white,
“Keep quiet, will you,” Cheon Hui said.
O Chief Manager clamped his mouth shut at those words.
Then, moments later,
Tap.
O Chief Manager stared blankly at the pavilion.
Looking at the ornate plaque bearing the words “Ja Ha Pavilion,” he was scarcely in his right mind.
At that moment, Cheon Hui knocked on the door.
“A guest has arrived.”
“Come in…… A guest?”
The Sect Master’s words caught slightly.
“Where has this guest come from?”
Cheon Hui glanced sideways at O Chief Manager.
Seeing the silent signal to speak for himself, O Chief Manager startled and opened his mouth.
“I, I’ve come from the Cheonha Trading Company.”
“The Cheonha Trading Company?”
A surprised voice came from within.
“What business brings the Cheonha Trading Company here?”
“I am O Chief Manager of the Cheonha Trading Company, and I’ve come to conduct trade directly with the Huashan Sect.”
“Trade, you say……. Come in for now.”
As O Chief Manager entered, Cheon Hui naturally followed after him.
“Welcome……. Why are you coming in as well?”
“I’ve helped him before. Isn’t that right?”
With those words, he signaled O Chief Manager with a glance.
“That’s correct. Cheon Hui’s assistance was considerable, so this time I wished to hear his counsel as well.”
The Sect Master seemed uncertain about something, but seeing Cheon Hui’s face, he relented.
‘Looks like I did something else again.’
“……All right, I understand for now.”
The moment the Sect Master gave his permission, O Chief Manager produced a book as if he’d been waiting for this exact moment.
“If you read this first before I explain the details of our arrangement, it should be easier to grasp what sort of business proposition this is.”
A moment passed.
“Hmm, tourist souvenirs, I see…….”
The Sect Master flipped through the ledger O Chief Manager had handed him, his mind turning briefly.
‘It’s certainly a profitable venture.’
Money would flow in effortlessly.
Yet all the same, he felt uneasy.
“May I see what sort of goods you’re proposing?”
O Chief Manager, as if he’d anticipated the question, immediately untied a pouch hanging from his side and withdrew an Embroidered Pouch from within.
“For now, I intend to start with the Embroidered Pouches alone. And as more people begin to come, we can expand to garments and so forth…….”
O Chief Manager launched into an elaborate explanation of his carefully laid plan.
Cheon Hui picked up one of the pouches as well.
It differed only in color from the pouches the Maehwa Sword Masters carried.
“It’s different.”
Looking at the pouches, which bore patterns of blue plum blossoms or white plum blossoms rather than the crimson ones, the Sect Master nodded to himself.
“The quality of these pouches is quite remarkable.”
Even compared to those produced within the Huashan Sect, the craftsmanship was respectable.
“How do you intend to market them?”
The Sect Master and O Chief Manager began to discuss the matter in earnest.
Price, quality.
And whether it would tarnish or enhance the sect’s reputation—discussing these points thoroughly, the Sect Master pocketed the pouch.
“I’ll convey my decision to you later.”
“I shall await your response.”
O Chief Manager bowed his head.
“And might I impose upon you with one further request?”
“What sort of request?”
“Recently, I’ve been constructing an inn, but certain groups have been interfering with the work. Would it be possible for the Huashan Sect to station some of your Daoists there, even temporarily, to drive them away?”
In that instant, the Sect Master’s expression grew troubled.
The Huashan Sect currently lacked suitable Daoists to spare for an inn.
Normally, the Maehwa Sword Masters handled such tasks.
But they were now committed to joint operations or closed-door cultivation at the Maehwa Pavilion.
O Chief Manager seemed to read the hesitation written across the Sect Master’s face, and he asked with a note of anxiety.
“……Is it impossible, then?”
“It would be difficult to manage at this very moment. I’ll send word separately in a few days.”
“I see…….”
Just as O Chief Manager’s expression was darkening in response to the Sect Master’s answer, Cheon Hui, who had been quietly sipping his tea beside them, opened his mouth.
“I’ll go.”

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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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