Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 178

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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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Chapter 178
Cheon Hui looked down from above.
Go Gye Young, the master of the Bi Poong Trading Company who had come through the curtain into the inn, was conversing warmly with O Chief Manager.
“It’s been too long, Chief Manager O.”
“Indeed it has, Manager Go. Ah, but now I should be calling you Master of the Bi Poong Trading Company.”
“Ha, being called Master by you, Chief Manager O—it’s a bit embarrassing, I must say.”
“How long has it been?”
“It was around the time you took the Tianxia Merchant Token, so it’s been nearly ten years since we’ve seen each other.”
“Has it truly been that long? No, looking at the lines around your eyes, it seems that much time has indeed passed.”
O Chief Manager spoke playfully, and Go Gye Young answered in kind, refusing to yield.
“And you, Chief Manager O, have gone half grey yourself.”
“Oh my, have I? Well, I suppose I need to do something about my hair then.”
O Chief Manager feigned surprise and stroked his hair, then burst into laughter.
“But your complexion looks well. Back when you were at the company, I recall you always looked half-dead.”
“Ha ha, even now it’s grueling. Trying to feed all the mouths under me—my back’s about to break from it.”
The Master of Bi Poong also pretended to rub his back before breaking into a soft laugh.
“And your expression looks brighter than before, Chief Manager O. It suits you better.”
“Hmm, does it?”
O Chief Manager glanced sideways.
“But didn’t you just say I’d gone half grey?”
“Are you taking that to heart?”
“You try living to my age and see. Such words do weigh on the mind.”
“I see. Growing old is terrifying.”
Go Gye Young, who had been speaking with a smile, casually swept his gaze across the inn’s interior and licked his lips.
“But why are you here? Have you left the Cheonha Trading Company?”
O Chief Manager waved his hand.
“How could that be?”
Upon hearing the answer, Go Gye Young’s eyes dimmed.
‘He’s not the type to run an inn.’
O Chief Manager was a man of ambition.
The kind who would stop at nothing to seize the position of company master.
For such a man to have left a branch and be here in this inn—it only raised questions.
“How much longer will you remain as a branch manager? When a man draws his blade, mustn’t he cut something with it?”
O Chief Manager spoke matter-of-factly.
Yet contrary to his tone, his eyes had grown dark and fathomless.
Upon meeting those eyes, Go Gye Young realized this inn was far from ordinary and quickly surveyed the surroundings.
Bustling crowds of people.
Those purchasing Embroidered Pouches and others dining at tables.
“Then this Blue Plum Blossom Embroidered Pouch that gained recognition from the Huashan Sect—could it be……?”
O Chief Manager smiled gently.
From that smile alone, Go Gye Young grasped the matter and let out an exclamation of admiration.
‘Whoever thought of this—I thought it was a remarkable venture…….’
When he had first heard of the Blue Plum Blossom Embroidered Pouch, he had marveled at it as a merchant.
Who would have conceived of such a thing?
Collaborating with the Nine Factions and One Gang, selling goods bearing their recognition!
Even he himself, who had deep ties to the Huashan Sect, had never thought of it.
And the very architect of this scheme was O Chief Manager.
Just as Go Gye Young was about to click his tongue in admiration,
‘Were they always so close?’
Cheon Hui gazed down at the two conversing so warmly and intimately.
When he first met O Chief Manager, he had known the man had some acquaintance with Go Gye Young, but the two seemed far more intimate than he had realized.
Their faces held smiles that never left them as they spoke.
Then Cheon Hui released a strand of Telepathic Sound.
‘What brings you here?’
Go Gye Young, who had been gossiping with O Chief Manager, started at the sudden Telepathic Sound and looked about bewilderedly.
Then his eyes met those of Cheon Hui looking down from this upper level.
“Silver Benefactor……!”
His eyes sparkled.
Immediately after, he forgot his conversation with O Chief Manager entirely and spun around.
Go Gye Young came rushing up to this level, his face beaming.
“It’s been a long time, honored friend!”
“Indeed it has.”
“I was actually headed to the Huashan Sect when I came across you here—I’d no idea we’d meet. You haven’t been around the sect much lately, so I haven’t had the chance to see you.”
Go Gye Young’s eyes met Cheon Hui’s.
“What a fortunate encounter.”
“You must visit the Huashan Sect quite often, then.”
“Whenever they request supplies, I come personally to deliver them.”
‘Ah. So the supplies have been arriving smoothly because the Bi Poong Trading Company has been handling them.’
Cheon Hui stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“So there were supplies requested this time as well?”
Go Gye Young shook his head.
“No, actually this time……”
Go Gye Young’s words trailed off mid-sentence.
He glanced swiftly around before leaning in with great care.
“I heard the Huashan Sect suffered a failed operation and took considerable losses, so I brought supplies hoping to be of some help.”
The Bi Poong Trading Company’s master gave a subtle eye gesture.
Beyond the curtain, at the end of that gaze, stood a large carriage that he had apparently ridden in on.
“Grain and some silver.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Cheon Hui let out a small laugh.
Though Go Gye Young had called it “some,” Cheon Hui had an inkling it was far more generous than that.
“That’s perfect timing. Hyeon Ryeo’s been troubled lately by money shortages.”
Cheon Hui recalled Hyeon Ryeo worrying over how three new military units had been hastily formed.
‘This solves the financial problem at least.’
A satisfied smile crossed his face.
The obstacles that had been hindering the formation of the military units were disappearing one by one.
‘Now only one thing remains.’
Cheon Hui turned to address Go Gye Young.
“I’d like to have iron spheres made—thirty pounds each—and solid iron swords up to fifty pounds. Do you know of anywhere reputable that could do this?”
Go Gye Young tilted his head in puzzlement.
He couldn’t fathom what purpose such items were meant to serve.
But he swallowed his question and offered an answer.
“Ordinary blacksmiths would struggle with such work. If you need someone truly skilled, the Cheol Ki Bang would be your best choice.”
“Cheol Ki Bang, you say?”
Cheon Hui stroked his chin again.
Even he, who retained only the broader strokes of knowledge, had heard of the Cheol Ki Bang.
‘It’s the place in Shandong where all the renowned blacksmiths receive training at least once. They’d certainly be capable, but it’s quite far.’
As if sensing Cheon Hui’s dilemma, Go Gye Young quickly spoke up.
“If this matter is urgent, I can dispatch a messenger to the Cheol Ki Bang on your behalf.”
“Excellent.”
Cheon Hui was nodding in acknowledgment when——
“Are you ignoring what I say?!”
Cheon Yi Gae bellowed as he approached.
Go Gye Young was startled by the sudden appearance of the old beggar, but his eyes widened at once.
“Cheon Yi Gae, the Great Hero……?”
“Eh? You know of me?”
As Cheon Yi Gae’s brow furrowed, Go Gye Young hastily performed the fist salute and spoke.
“I pay respects to Cheon Yi Gae, the Great Hero. I once saw you from a distance in Yunnan when you were pursuing the Lustful Fiend.”
“The Lustful Fiend? Ah! That vile creature who preyed only on nuns.”
Go Gye Young nodded.
“Indeed. I did exert myself that day. Had I not intervened, that beast would still be prowling about.”
Puffed with pride, Cheon Yi Gae glanced at Cheon Hui——
‘This shameless old fool.’
Cheon Hui appeared utterly indifferent.
Seeing this, Cheon Yi Gae’s brow crumpled and he opened his mouth.
“But who are you?”
“Ah!”
Go Gye Young let out a startled sound and bowed his head.
“This humble one is Go Gye Young, master of the Bi Poong Trading Company.”
“The Bi Poong Trading Company? That’s the one that was attacked by Baek Gwi Seong before, isn’t it? I heard recently you’d severed ties with the New Jade Sect as well.”
Cheon Yi Gae spoke smoothly.
“It seems you’ve come to repay a favor to the Huashan Sect that once helped you.”
Go Gye Young’s eyes widened slightly before quickly returning to their normal state.
“Ha, yes, that’s right.”
Cheon Yi Gae’s gaze grew sharper.
Though he pretended not to know and asked Go Gye Young about his identity, in truth he had overheard the entire conversation between the two men earlier.
Even that the owner of this Maehwa Inn was the O Chief Manager of the Cheonha Trading Company.
He glanced at Cheon Hui.
‘Connected to the Bi Poong Trading Company, which has risen in prominence lately, and now tangled with that O Chief Manager of the Cheonha Trading Company as well. I was right to pursue this one.’
A smile played at the corners of his mouth.
He had trusted his instincts alone, cast everything else aside, and pursued Cheon Hui.
A gamble, really.
But that gamble had paid off.
‘Now I need to draw him to our side…….’
Suddenly a headache gnawed at him.
‘Will that stubborn bastard listen to reason?’
Winning over someone so obstinate would surely be the most difficult task.
‘Perhaps instead…….’
Cheon Yi Gae’s eyes narrowed to slits.
In the next moment, he sidled up close beside Cheon Hui, who was still conversing with Go Gye Young.
“Wait. Let’s talk for a moment.”
“There’s nothing to discuss.”
Cheon Hui answered without even looking, and though Cheon Yi Gae’s brow furrowed, he forced a smile and pressed on.
“Don’t you need information about Kangho?”
Only then did Cheon Hui turn to look at him.
As soon as Cheon Hui showed interest, Cheon Yi Gae’s smile deepened and he opened his mouth to speak.
“I can help you. Despite my appearance, I’m known in Kangho as a man of information.”
……
Cheon Hui was staring at him intently.
“Ah, well then, I should head to the Huashan Sect first.”
Go Gye Young read the room and withdrew tactfully.
As he departed, Cheon Hui met Cheon Yi Gae’s eyes and spoke.
“What are you proposing?”
“Won’t you join hands with me?”
“You mean to combine our strength?”
“A very simple cooperation.”
Cheon Yi Gae explained briefly.
“I’ll feed you rumors and information about Kangho, and in return, if the Gae Bang or I ever find ourselves in danger, you need only help us once.”
It wasn’t a bad proposal, really.
After all, the current Huashan Sect and the Gae Bang were already allied.
They were the kind of partners who had no choice but to help each other when danger struck.
“Hmm. Very well.”
The smile that had been spreading across Cheon Yi Gae’s face slowly faded away.
“Good then. Whenever you need information, just tell me. I’ll gather it right away……”
“The Shin Ju Sa Pae.”
Cheon Hui opened his mouth before Cheon Yi Gae could even finish.
“Could you gather information on them for me?”
* * *
Having slipped out of the Maehwa Inn, Cheon Hui unfurled his Divine Method in a single breath and arrived at Nagan Peak.
Normally he would have gone to Samong Field first.
But there was someone he absolutely had to see beforehand.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The sound of wind being cut through the air rang out.
There stood Dan Mok Lin, wielding her sword with all her strength. Her Sect Robe was damp with sweat, and a faint trace of blood marked her hands—how long she had been at it, none could say.
It must have stung terribly.
Yet she did not stop.
Instead, she tightened her grip even further, focused her mind, and continued to swing her blade.
There was reverence in it, and gravity.
‘She has my approval.’
A smile was just beginning to form on Cheon Hui’s lips.
“Senior!”
Dan Mok Lin, who had been wielding her sword, hurried over, wiping the sweat from her brow with her sleeve.
“Where did you go?”
“Outside.”
“Is that so?”
Despite Cheon Hui’s indifferent reply, Dan Mok Lin continued speaking without losing her smile.
“Oh, that’s right! I finally bloomed the Sword Flower!”
“Yeah? Show me.”
“Yes!”
She answered vibrantly and raised her sword.
A cold light shone from her eyes as she took her stance—different from her usual demeanor.
As if in real combat.
In that moment.
Ssshhh—
Dan Mok Lin slowly drew her blade downward.
It was the foundational form of the Samson Sword Technique, which every disciple who entered the Huashan Sect learned first.
A movement from top to bottom, simple and lucid.
Yet the foundational form that Dan Mok Lin executed was flawless and perfect in its execution.
‘Her talent truly is exceptional,’ Cheon Hui thought to himself.
He nodded in acknowledgment.
Having overcome her Taiyin Qi Deficiency Constitution, her five-star aptitude was unparalleled, and her physique was second to none.
Moreover, she was the daughter of the Dan Mok Clan.
Talent, physical condition, experience—
everything smiled upon her.
And the convergence of all these elements was now beginning to manifest before his eyes.
Faint shimmer—
A delicate plum blossom bloomed into being.
That was not all.
A faint fragrance of plum blossoms brushed against his nose, emanating from her blade.
It was neither striking nor vivid.
One might say it approached transparency.
Yet even that was remarkable.
‘A Sword Flower bloomed in less than a year—others would be astounded if they knew,’ he mused.
The Sword Flower was the essence of the Huashan Sect.
Ordinarily, it took a minimum of five years of devoted practice in Huashan swordsmanship alone to bloom such a flower.
Yet Dan Mok Lin had achieved it in merely a year?
No—in an even shorter span of time.
In all of Huashan’s history, there had likely never been such a person.
‘Except for me,’ Cheon Hui added silently.
He watched her intently.
Her blade tip, descending steadily, touched the ground.
A soft sound rang out with a light ‘thud.’
Yet despite that lightness, Dan Mok Lin’s breathing had grown ragged.
A brief foundational form.
But she had poured everything into it.
Every scrap of Internal Force and mental will she possessed.
And her resolve as well.
Thanks to that, she had managed to bloom the Sword Flower—the essence of Huashan—though still incomplete.
“Hah, hah. What do you think?”
She asked with eyes full of hope.
“Not bad.”
“Really?”
Dan Mok Lin’s expression brightened.
Through sparring with Cheon Hui, she had recognized her shortcomings and devoted herself to training.
In the way he had taught her.
A thousand repetitions of the foundational form each day.
An hour spent in the Horse Stance.
Interspersed with occasional sparring matches against Cheon Hui.
All of it had accelerated her growth, blossoming her talents within a short span of time.
“But you’re still lacking.”
Cheon Hui slung the sword sheath across his shoulder.
She had to grow stronger.
Wasn’t that why he had arranged separate training for her instead of simply having her join the Military Unit?
Cheon Hui shifted the sheath and spoke.
“I’ll spar with you. Come on.”

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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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