Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 176

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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 176
Samong Field had become a battlefield.
The disciples of Huashan Sect fought like fighting cocks, drawing swords at the slightest eye contact.
And among them stood the Maehwa Sword Masters, Huashan’s pride.
A few of the elders dripped with sweat.
“……Sect Master. Is this truly the right way?”
Bi Gak Master, who had endorsed the founding of Muryeok-dan, furrowed his brow.
He had thought that to break Huashan’s traditions and establish Muryeok-dan, they would select the Chief Commander and members through some refined method.
But what was this?
Simply announcing that whoever lasted until the end would be appointed Chief Commander, with no further criteria?
And that wasn’t even the worst of it.
Cheon Hui had thrown a stone in the middle of it, turning what had been a decent fight into a complete mess.
No matter how much they called it practical combat for Muryeok-dan, this was simply a dog fight.
“…….”
The Sect Master fell silent as well, clearly troubled.
He had expected that with such full authority, nothing ordinary would be done, but he had never imagined it would go like this.
“Shouldn’t we intervene?”
Hyeon Heo, who had been watching the current situation with furrowed brow alongside Bi Gak Master, spoke up.
“In such chaos, we cannot properly gauge their true abilities.”
“Mm.”
The Sect Master exhaled slowly.
His words were correct.
In such a chaotic fight, whoever emerged would, no matter how strong, be someone prone to losing control if their foundation was shallow or if they became careless.
But then.
“I believe this is the right approach.”
The Wulian Pavilion Master interjected.
His hair and clothes still damp with sweat from recent training, he could not take his eyes off Samong Field.
“Enemies do not face you one-on-one. Fighting multiple opponents is the rule, and sudden attacks are common. One must endure such things to survive.”
His gaze turned toward Cheon Hui.
Had this been his earlier self, he would certainly have frowned at such an unconventional method.
But after experiencing joint operations, he had changed his thinking.
“Of what use is being called a master if a stray blade can cut you down?”
The elders fell silent.
They all knew that the one speaking was referring to himself.
“That’s right.”
Then, the very instigator and architect of all this, Cheon Hui, appeared abruptly.
‘What? When?’
‘I didn’t sense a trace!’
The elders’ eyes widened.
Particularly among those who had only heard talk of Cheon Hui’s Martial Prowess and never truly witnessed it, alarm flickered across their faces.
“I have no intention of making someone Chief Commander simply because their martial arts are strong. Of course, strength is good, but what matters more is judgment in a situation.”
It was tedious to explain further, but he wanted to lay groundwork for the future.
“And if my method displeases you, I can stop right now.”
“No, there is no need. From where I stand, I believe your decision is correct.”
The Wulian Pavilion Master spoke with evident approval.
At that moment, he was giving Cheon Hui his wholehearted support and trust.
“By the way, who do you think will remain until the very end?”
At the Wulian Pavilion Master’s question, the Sect Master and the elders perked up their ears.
“Likely Cheon Hyang, Seol Ran, and Jeok Geom—these three will be the last ones standing.”
“Jeok Geom and Seol Ran?”
“But there are first-generation disciples among the Maehwa Sword Masters…….”
Several elders murmured their doubts.
No matter how much Jeok Geom and Seol Ran had recently distinguished themselves, there were still ten first-generation disciples among the Maehwa Sword Masters.
But Cheon Hui was resolute.
“Among the first-generation disciples currently in Huashan Sect, there is only one who surpasses Jeok Geom and Seol Ran—Cheon Hyang.”
Cheon Hui added one final remark.
“If we include judgment in a situation, they are nearly equal.”
“Is that so?”
At Cheon Hui’s words, the elders held their breath and focused entirely on Samong Field.
The fierce, raging battle was gradually subsiding as time passed.
His stamina had depleted faster than usual because he’d been forced to stay alert on all sides while fighting everyone at once.
About an hour passed like this.
“Ugh……”
Thud!
Most of the disciples now lay sprawled on the ground or were receiving treatment at the medical pavilion the Chief Commander had prepared.
Only three people remained standing on Samong Field.
Exactly the ones Cheon Hui had anticipated.
“Hah, hah.”
“You really are something, elder sister.”
“And you as well, younger sister.”
Cheon Hyang, Jeok Geom, and Seol Ran stood with swords raised toward one another, their eyes wary, not even glancing at the fallen disciples around them.
“I didn’t expect the junior disciples to be this strong. Must be the training they received from you, Cheon Hui?”
In that instant, both of them trembled.
The moment they heard the name “Cheon Hui” and the word “training,” all the accumulated experience and suffering from those sessions came crashing down upon their spirits and bodies.
“……That’s correct, elder sister.”
“……It’s all thanks to Master Cheon Hui.”
They forced the words out with difficulty.
Cheon Hyang tilted her head in bewilderment.
“What’s wrong?”
Though Jeok Geom and Seol Ran spoke quietly, Cheon Hyang felt certain that they were crying.
Then.
Tap.
Cheon Hui descended into their midst.
“Weaker than I thought. No wonder you got pushed around by those nameless sects.”
Cheon Hui spoke with cutting harshness.
The fallen first-generation disciples hadn’t lost consciousness, for they trembled at his words, though they couldn’t move at all.
He then turned his gaze toward the three of them.
“So these three should be appointed as Chief Commanders…….”
“But Master.”
Cheon Hyang cut off Cheon Hui mid-sentence and raised her sword high.
“If we’re choosing Chief Commanders this way, shouldn’t the overall commander be decided the same way?”
Her eyes gleamed with resolve.
Cheon Hui laughed softly.
Her intent was transparent.
“So you’re saying I should fight too?”
“That’s right.”
Cheon Hyang’s spirit blazed with fighting spirit.
Watching her, Cheon Hui turned to Jeok Geom and Seol Ran beside him and spoke.
“Well then, what do you two think?”
Jeok Geom and Seol Ran flinched at his gaze, but quickly recovered their composure.
“We believe elder sister’s words are correct.”
“I agree as well.”
“Oh ho, look at you two.”
Cheon Hui’s lips curved into a smile.
Under normal circumstances, they would have been desperate to avoid such a sparring match, but things were different now.
They were even provoking him.
“Have I become too soft?”
Cheon Hui picked up his scabbard whole.
He slung it over his shoulder and smiled.
“As it happens, I forgot to conduct your training session today—this works out perfectly.”
The moment his smile appeared, Jeok Geom and Seol Ran’s expressions hardened.
The smile itself was no different from usual.
Yet their years of experience and instinct were warning them—this time, it would not end easily.
“Before we proceed with proper training, I suppose I should settle your hierarchy once and for all.”
At Cheon Hui’s words, Jeok Geom and Seol Ran felt their vision blur.
Still, they steadied themselves.
‘Why did I say such a thing……!’
‘I got too caught up in the moment!’
As they regretted their words.
“I’ll go first!”
Cheon Hyang stepped forward as though she’d been waiting, taking her place across from Cheon Hui.
Despite his intense presence, she wore a radiant smile.
“At last, master and disciple face each other again….”
Thwack!
“What are you doing standing there gaping?”
“…I let my guard down for a moment. But it won’t work twice.”
Cheon Hyang glanced at her left forearm, now swollen and red, then threw herself at him.
Unfurling the Ink Cloud Spitting Thunder, she tore through the space between them in one breath and thrust her blade forward.
Not the Maehwa Swordplay—the Darae Swordplay?
She had secretly mastered the Darae Swordplay, the technique she’d learned in secret to exploit the openings in his defense, since he’d blocked her Maehwa Swordplay so easily before.
But that proved to be her mistake.
‘Ah, so she opened the Mangyeong Pavilion, but seeing her deploy it directly for the first time…’
For it was none other than Cheon Hui himself who had restored the Darae Swordplay.
Her blade, sheathed in sharp Sword Aura, came thrusting toward his shoulder.
As though master and disciple meant nothing to her!
Watching Cheon Hyang wielding even the Darae Swordplay just to defeat him, Cheon Hui’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.
“And yet you unfold it before me.”
Clang!
He batted the Darae blade aside.
Then, treading lightly through the Seven Star Step, he struck her entire body with the flat of his scabbard.
Thwack! Thwack!
“The pity is this—the Darae Swordplay isn’t about speed and weight, but lightness. If you pour that much force into it, you lose power instead.”
Cheon Hui continued his lecture even as he spoke.
His hand never ceased, pounding her body methodically with the scabbard.
“…I’m finished.”
“Should you surrender now?”
Jeok Geom and Seol Ran exchanged hollow laughs as they tossed light jests back and forth.
Cheon Hyang was displaying swordplay superior to their own. Yet before Cheon Hui, it amounted to nothing.
He wasn’t just evading her blade with ease—he was striking her down.
Then.
“Enough!”
Cheon Hyang, as though giving up all pretense, poured every last measure of her Inner Qi into a wild swing.
“Now let’s end this.”
Cheon Hui’s form blurred, then materialized before her very face.
Whish-whish-whish!
In an instant he unleashed dozens of rapid strikes, then passed through her and turned his head.
Looking directly at Jeok Geom and Seol Ran.
Thud.
A heartbeat later, Cheon Hyang collapsed to the ground.
Gulp.
Jeok Geom and Seol Ran swallowed hard.
“Well? Come on.”
At his words, both their eyes widened.
A brief moment passed.
“Senior brother, I’ll take the left.”
“Don’t worry.”
The moment he finished speaking, they both rushed forward.
Watching them, Cheon Hui smirked.
This was what he’d wanted.
To see these two unfold their martial arts with the resolve to die.
“Yes. Show me your true strength this time. Only then will those stubborn elders and disciples accept you as Chief Commanders.”
The instant his words ended.
Screech!
A razor-edged blade wind slashed through the air.
Cheon Hui moved his scabbard as he watched them deploy the Maehwa Swordplay.
Boom!
A deafening crash tore through the space.
* * *
“Haa…”
The elders watching Jeok Geom and Seol Ran clash with Cheon Hui caught their breath.
“I already knew Cheon Hui’s abilities, but I didn’t realize Jeok Geom and Seol Ran were so exceptional.”
The Bi Gak Master’s eyes wavered.
Cheon Hui’s skill was remarkable, certainly, but not quite so shocking.
He’d already heard accounts from the Sect Master, and rumors had given him some measure of expectation.
But Jeok Geom and Seol Ran were another matter entirely.
Their prowess was now on par with the First-generation Disciples—even surpassing many of them.
Then the Sect Master opened his mouth.
“There are those who find it distasteful that Cheon Hui has become Chief Commander. He moves in such unconventional ways, you see.”
Several elders shifted uncomfortably.
Their reluctance toward Cheon Hui stemmed from no other cause.
It was simply his unorthodox conduct—breaking with the Huashan Sect’s traditions—that made them wary of him.
The Sect Master smiled faintly, watching the discomfited elders.
“Yet thanks to Cheon Hui, look how the martial prowess of Jeok Geom and Seol Ran has flourished. If Cheon Hui were to lead the Muryeok-dan and cultivate such growth in all our disciples, what do you imagine might come to pass?”
The elders’ hearts quickened.
Other disciples growing as Jeok Geom and Seol Ran had grown?
For a moment, the words “First Under Heaven” flickered through their minds before vanishing.
The Sect Master smiled as he watched the elders’ eyes grow distant and unfocused.
‘Clever. He works faster than they say.’
This had all been Cheon Hui’s design.
To seize complete authority over the Muryeok-dan.
And it had succeeded beyond question.
Crack!
As if to celebrate that success, a sharp sound rang out.
Thump.
Jeok Geom and Seol Ran collapsed to the floor.
Cheon Hui, who had struck both their foreheads with his scabbard to knock them unconscious, twisted his lips into a smile.
“The Chief Commander has been decided, and now what remains is your training.”
Cheon Hui swept his gaze across the gathered disciples.
“This time, I’m going to teach you properly.”

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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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