Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 165

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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 165
The Huashan Sect was in turmoil.
It began that morning when the Sect Master suddenly announced a joint operation.
A combined campaign with the Jongnam Faction!
Everyone rose in protest at first.
The elders especially were vociferous.
“Do you not know what shame the Jongnam Faction has brought upon our sect?”
“Have you forgotten what happened in the Murim Alliance recently, Sect Master?”
The Sect Master watched the elders as they came all the way to Ja Ha Pavilion, pouring out their fervent objections.
“I’m aware.”
“Then why proceed knowing full well?”
The elders could not contain their fury.
As the Huashan Sect had walked the path of decline, what had the Jongnam Faction done?
They had seized the Huashan Sect’s place as if waiting for exactly this moment, swelling their own power all the more.
From their perspective, the Jongnam Faction was contemptible, a sight they could not bear to look upon.
Yet despite this pressure, the Sect Master remained utterly unmoved.
“The common folk of Shenxi suffer now—will you turn a blind eye to their pain for the sake of petty grievance?”
He struck back at the rising elders with such a sharp rebuke that they fell silent.
“The Jongnam Faction lowered their head to our sect and asked for aid on behalf of the common people. What do you think will happen if we refuse?”
The Sect Master spoke words he had been turning over in his mind for some time, marshaling his persuasion.
“The Jongnam Faction bowed their heads for Shenxi, yet the Huashan Sect refused out of pride—is that not what they will say of us?”
The elders caught their breath sharply.
Now, at last, the Huashan Sect was clawing its way back to its former glory. If such a rumor spread, however…
Seeing the gravity settle onto their faces, the Sect Master drove the final wedge home.
“Besides, we are not to maintain an endless alliance—merely to join strength until we’ve driven every unorthodox force from Shenxi. Surely there is no cause for such anger.”
Under the weight of his continued persuasion, one by one the elders’ hearts turned, and soon all came to understand.
Then Bi Pavilion Master spoke up.
“But who do you intend to send for this joint operation?”
“Given the nature of the task, I plan to move with a small force.”
The Sect Master replied to Bi Pavilion Master with measured calm.
There were two things of importance in this combined campaign with the Jongnam Faction.
Swift mobility and secrecy.
Therefore, the key lay in completing the task as quickly as possible with the smallest number of people.
“The Wulian Pavilion Master, Hyeon Heo, and Hyeon Hae will lead the Maehwa Sword Masters. And…”
The Sect Master paused, recalling the letter that had arrived early that morning.
“Cheon Hui will move separately.”
* * *
Cheon Hui, who was returning to the Huashan Sect while listening to Jeok Geom’s explanation, opened his mouth.
“So the three groups will be operating separately?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Who are you going with?”
“I’ve been assigned to go with the Wulian Pavilion Master. I wished to go with Master, but since this is the Sect Master’s command…”
“Don’t say things you don’t mean. Is Seol Ran going with you?”
“No. Seol Ran and I will be operating separately this time.”
“Hmm, is that so? Then this mission must be quite important.”
Jeok Geom and Seol Ran possessed exceptional skill even among the second-generation disciples.
‘Splitting them apart must be to distribute our strength evenly across the three groups.’
“So who am I going with?”
“That is… the Sect Master said he would tell you separately.”
“Hmm, I see.”
“More than that, we should hurry. It’s almost time to depart…”
A short while later, the two arrived at the Mountain Gate.
The Maehwa Sword Masters were already lined up there, divided into three groups.
And the Sect Master was encouraging them one by one.
“I know some of you are wary of this joint operation with the Jongnam Faction.”
Several disciples flinched.
They had not openly resisted as the elders had, but discontent burned within them nonetheless.
The Sect Master looked at his disciples with gentle eyes and added his words.
“But I would have you understand that this operation is necessary for the sake of the common folk dwelling in Shenxi.”
At the Sect Master’s sincere words, the disciples cried out together with one voice, loud and clear.
“Understood.”
“Then allow me to reveal what we shall do now.”
The Sect Master, wearing a satisfied expression, at last unveiled the strategy he had kept so carefully concealed.
The plan was simple and clear.
Moving in unison on a single day and hour, we would join forces with the Orthodox Sects against the Unorthodox Schools.
“That’s quite straightforward.”
Jeok Geom muttered in disappointment.
He had expected something more ingenious and subtle.
After all, was this not the union of two of the Nine Major Sects and Four Unorthodox Schools?
Yet what the Sect Master had described was decidedly orthodox in its approach.
Disappointment welled up in his chest.
Several of the Maehwa Sword Masters could not hide their own letdown, their expressions betraying the same sentiment as Jeok Geom’s.
But Cheon Hui was different.
“That’s excellent.”
He genuinely approved.
A needlessly complex plan with too many moving parts meant that one slip would force them to scrap everything and start from scratch.
Then the Sect Master, having finished his explanation, turned his gaze to the elders standing before the Maehwa Sword Masters.
“Now, the elders who will lead the Maehwa Sword Masters—step forward.”
Three figures stood before the Sect Master.
Cheon Hui’s eyes widened at the sight of them.
One was the familiar Wulian Pavilion Master.
But the other two…
“I’ve never seen those two come forward before. Were we short on numbers?”
Cheon Hui regarded Hyeon Heo and Hyeon Hae—who had shut themselves away in their quarters for years and rarely ventured out—with newfound curiosity.
Their physical appearances stood in stark contrast.
While Hyeon Heo possessed such a robust, imposing frame that his Sect Robe could barely contain it, Hyeon Hae was lean and frail as a scholar.
Standing together, the contrast between them was all the more striking.
“I entrust this to you. Should you find yourselves in mortal danger, do not hesitate to flee. Above all else, survival is paramount.”
The Sect Master impressed this upon the three with solemn gravity.
While cooperation was important, the safety of his disciples came first.
The three nodded in acknowledgment.
They understood perfectly well.
“Survival shall be our highest priority.”
“Fear not.”
“We shall not endure such bloodshed again.”
At their responses, the Sect Master offered a relieved smile as he gazed upon his disciples.
Eighteen in total—a modest number.
Yet they possessed more than enough skill to carry out this operation successfully.
The Sect Master opened his mouth as he regarded them.
“Think of it not as striking them down, but as driving them back. And above all, never forget the importance of safety.”
“Yes, understood!”
With that resounding affirmation, the three who commanded the unit turned to address the Maehwa Sword Masters.
“Then follow us.”
“Is everyone prepared?”
“We depart at once.”
As they were about to leave, Jeok Geom suddenly startled and called out to Cheon Hui.
“Ah! Then I shall go as well.”
With that farewell, Jeok Geom approached the Wulian Pavilion Master and exchanged a bow.
And shortly after.
Whoosh!
Led by the three, the Maehwa Sword Masters deployed their Divine Movement and descended the mountain with speed.
Soon, only the Sect Master and Cheon Hui remained at the Mountain Gate.
Cheon Hui approached the Sect Master.
“Have you come?”
“Where do I go?”
Seeing Cheon Hui get straight to the point without preamble, the Sect Master smiled.
“The Changwu Gate in Pingliangxian in Shenxi is where you shall go.”
* * *
In the southernmost reaches of Shenxi, Pingliangxian.
Until mere weeks ago peaceful, Pingliangxian now bristled with sharp tension in every corner of its streets.
The reason was simple: Changwu Gate, which had long dominated Pingliangxian, could no longer compete with Xueloong Gate, which had suddenly begun expanding its power in recent days.
“……Is this truly the case?”
The Changwu Gate Master stared at the document before him, hardly believing what he saw.
The paper bore the Sect Master of Huashan’s pledge of support, sealed with his official stamp.
“All the Orthodox Sects in Shenxi joining forces together……. Then you’re saying Jongnam and Huashan are also uniting?”
Cheon Hui watched the astonished Changwu Gate Master and nodded slowly.
“That’s right.”
His expression brightened.
With nearly half of Changwu Gate’s disciples lying in the Medical Hall due to Xueloong Gate’s assault, Huashan’s cooperation was like rain in a drought.
“Of course I’ll cooperate.”
He bit his finger, drew blood, and pressed his seal firmly onto the paper.
Cheon Hui gathered the document and asked, “You mentioned Xueloong Gate was the problem?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s go deal with them.”
At that moment, Cheon Hui rose from his seat.
“Wait, you’re going to Xueloong Gate alone?”
“Where else would I go?”
The Changwu Gate Master jumped up in alarm at Cheon Hui’s words.
“No, it’s dangerous to go alone. They’re not people who can be reasoned with. Let me summon our disciples…….”
The Changwu Gate Master spoke urgently.
Now that they’d joined hands with Huashan, what if something went wrong?
He reached out to stop him.
Whoosh—
But his hand vanished in an instant before it could even touch Cheon Hui.
“What…….”
The Changwu Gate Master stared, bewildered.
His eyes never left Cheon Hui, yet the man had simply vanished. It was as if a ghost had spirited him away.
“Am I……dreaming?”
The Changwu Gate Master couldn’t tell whether he was awake or asleep.
“Is this the place?”
Cheon Hui, who had deployed the Flying Celestial Steps and slipped outside, had arrived at Xueloong Gate.
“New construction, I suppose. It’s quite tidy.”
Compared to Changwu Gate, the main entrance was remarkably clean.
“H-Huashan…….”
The gate guard, startled by Cheon Hui’s sudden appearance, stammered.
“Is your Gate Master inside?”
“Y-yes, sir.”
“Then tell him someone from Huashan has come.”
The moment Cheon Hui finished speaking, the gate guard scrambled inside.
Shortly after.
“Welcome.”
A middle-aged man emerged with a smile.
‘Xueloong Gate, indeed. The name suits them.’
He wore an ornate Martial Robe embroidered with a crimson dragon, blood-red and vivid.
“You’re the Gate Master?”
The man’s eyebrows twitched.
A Daoist from Huashan, yet speaking with no respect whatsoever.
Still, he swallowed his irritation and forced a smile. “Haha, yes. And you are a Daoist of Huashan?”
“That’s right.”
Cheon Hui answered flatly.
At such an attitude, a vein bulged sharply across the Xueloong Gate Master’s forehead.
He forced down the rising anger.
“What brings you here?”
“To tell you that Huashan has decided to support Changwu Gate.”
The Xueloong Gate Master’s face went cold and hard.
“Are you declaring war?”
Cheon Hui let out a low chuckle.
“At least you’re not completely brainless.”

“You thought I’d surrender just because you heard the name Huashan Sect, did you?”
The Xueloong Gate Master surged his Internal Force forward.
‘At best the Meridian Stage. And no tassel—so not even from the Maehwa Sword School.’
The moment he laid eyes on Cheon Hui, he’d sized him up quickly, and confidence flooded through him.
No matter what sect they belonged to, not every Daoist was a master.
Besides, he too had powerful backing.
“This is a matter between our Gate and Changwu Gate. Stay out of it.”
“So that’s a no, then?”
“Obviously.”
A smile played at the corners of Cheon Hui’s mouth.
“Good. I didn’t feel like wasting more breath talking anyway.”
“What—Gack!”
Thud!
Cheon Hui’s boot caught the Xueloong Gate Master square in the chest.
In that instant.
Crack!
The gate shattered as he flew backward.
“Guess I should deal with the rest.”
Cheon Hui stepped inside with a cold smirk.
“What’s happening!”
“The Gate Master—!”
The Xueloong Gate disciples poured out.
‘At least forty of them, I’d wager.’
“Ugh… ahhh…”
The Xueloong Gate Master was curling up, clutching his winded belly as he pushed himself up.
“Ki-kill that bastard!”
The disciples drew their weapons.
Cheon Hui reached for his sword, then let his hand drop.
‘He said not to kill anyone.’
Cheon Hui recalled the Sect Master’s words about restraint and began to move.
“Let’s start with you.”
In one fluid motion, Cheon Hui closed the distance to the Gate Master and raised his foot toward the man’s abdomen.
Then he brought it down hard.
Thud!
“Gack!”
A dull, sickening crack split the air.
At the same moment, blood erupted from the Gate Master’s mouth, spraying skyward.
Cheon Hui watched the man retch up blood, then withdrew his foot and turned away.
“Well? Come on.”
Cheon Hui flexed his hands loosely.
Crack-crack, crack-crack-crack—
The bone-chilling sound echoed through the courtyard, and the disciples froze in terror.
“If you won’t come, I’ll come to you.”
Sensing their hesitation, Cheon Hui let out a low chuckle and deployed the An Hyang Pyo.
His form vanished in an instant.
Thud! Thud!
“Aaaah!”
“Cough!”
“P-please… hck!”
Dull impacts and screams erupted everywhere.
Moments later, Cheon Hui withdrew his hands and feet.
He was the only one left standing in the hall.
“Hmm, are they dead?”
He’d held back, tried to show restraint.
But they were so weak.
“If they’re dead, that’ll be a headache.”
Cheon Hui looked down at the crumpled forms for a moment, then gave one a nudge with his boot.
“Ugh!”
“Cough!”
When gasps and groans spilled out, he nodded in satisfaction.
“Still breathing, at least.”
Cheon Hui withdrew his gaze from the fallen figures and fixed his eyes on the space where the shadow stirred.
“I suppose that counts as restraint—I didn’t kill them.”
The shadow rippled, and a blunt voice cut through the air.
“When did you notice?”
“The moment I arrived.”
“……You monster.”
With those words, Cheon Yi Gae emerged from the darkness.
“What are you doing here?”
“What kind of question is that? I had the Sect Master call you here because I—”
Before Cheon Yi Gae could finish,
Whoosh—
Cheon Hui’s head snapped around.
Rustle—
At the edge of his vision, the Xueloong Gate Master and his disciples were stirring, pushing themselves upright.
But something was wrong with them.
Their eyes burned crimson, and saliva dripped from the corners of their mouths.
Cheon Hui’s eyes narrowed.
‘What is this?
It wasn’t just their appearance that troubled him—there was something else, something that grated against his senses far more.
It was the strange, unfamiliar aura radiating from them in all directions.
“Can such a grotesque force exist in this world?”

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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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