Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 182

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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 182
‘Let me see if Cheon Yi Gae’s information was accurate.’
Cheon Hui turned over in his mind the details that Cheon Yi Gae had relayed during his visit days ago.
The advance of Shin Joo Sa Pae.
And how they were rapidly expanding their power across Shenxi, either destroying the smaller and mid-tier factions or bringing them under their heel.
It was truly extraordinary behavior.
Typically, such aggressive expansion required either a compelling justification or some underlying purpose.
But there was no reason whatsoever behind their current movements.
They were simply expanding their influence at breakneck speed, swelling their ranks like a ravenous beast devouring everything within reach without discernment.
That’s why Cheon Hui had let out a derisive chuckle the moment he heard the report from Cheon Yi Gae.
‘Don’t they understand that mere size doesn’t make a faction great?’
What good would it do if a faction simply grew larger?
It might expand and swell, but without a solid foundation at its core, it would crumble at any moment.
‘It’s no different from a tower built on sand.’
But that was Cheon Hui’s perspective.
Those attacked by Shin Joo Sa Pae couldn’t afford such leisurely thoughts.
A tower built on sand?
Before anyone could even debate philosophy, their factions had already been reduced to ruins.
Cheon Hui studied the face of the Sect Master sitting across the table, then swept his gaze over each of the visitors who had come to Huashan Sect.
Their expressions were uniformly grave.
Not just their expressions, either.
Their eyes, all fixed upon the Sect Master, carried a muted, sunken despair.
A faint glimmer of hope flickered somewhere within them, though it was so dim that one might easily overlook it without careful attention.
Meanwhile, the Sect Master, having read the anxiety in their eyes much as Cheon Hui had, closed his eyes once, then opened them and spoke.
“You’ve all endured much hardship.”
Everyone turned their gaze toward the Sect Master.
As they beheld the deep, contemplative eyes framed by his gentle features, the roiling anger within them seemed to subside.
“I can scarcely imagine the anguish you’ve suffered at the hands of the vicious Shin Joo Sa Pae. Should any of your disciples or family members sustain life-threatening wounds, bring them to our sect. While I may not be able to offer much, I can at least ensure proper treatment and protection.”
The eyes of those listening widened.
Their greatest concern at present was the safety of their disciples and families.
Yet the Sect Master spoke as though he had perceived this very worry.
The anxiety that had nested deep within their hearts seemed to wash away.
“Thank you.”
“…We are most grateful.”
As they bowed their heads deeply in gratitude, the Sect Master smiled warmly.
That smile seemed to soothe the wounded hearts of these men.
“But I heard you wished to join forces with our sect. Is that true?”
The expressions of all present stiffened ever so slightly.
Soon, they nodded one by one, their eyes brightening.
“It is.”
Jin Mu Gwan Ju spoke as their representative.
‘These people have some nerve.’
Cheon Hui, watching them, felt his patience wear thin.
‘Joining forces? They just want to borrow Huashan Sect’s strength.’
It was absurd.
Their combined military strength likely amounted to those present here—probably most of it, anyway.
Even being generous, there might be a handful of additional disciples elsewhere, but that was meaningless—like adding a single bucket of water to an ocean.
Their current strength would hardly be of great help to Huashan Sect.
Why they had come was obvious.
Revenge.
But too embarrassed to say so openly, they cloaked their request in the lofty rhetoric of protecting Shenxi, seeking to borrow the sect’s might.
‘The Sect Master likely sees through this more clearly than I do.’
He glanced sideways at the Sect Master.
Beneath the smile in his eyes lay a cold, piercing gaze that swept across them like a blade.
It was a look brimming with keen discernment.
Yet it vanished in an instant, replaced once more by that profound, enigmatic expression.
“Splendid.”
The Sect Master spoke in a gentle tone.
At those words, the faces of all those seated broke into bright, radiant smiles.
“With the might of the Great Huashan Sect behind us, even Shin Joo Sa Pae won’t dare move an inch.”
“That’s the Huashan Sect for you!”
They spoke with renewed energy, lavishing praise on Huashan.
“But what course of action shall we take?”
Silence fell over the gathering.
Everyone had rushed to seek out the Huashan Sect, yet none had truly conceived of a concrete strategy—and now, in that moment, beads of perspiration formed as their lips pressed shut.
“If you have not yet devised a plan, would it be acceptable for our sect to consider one?”
The Sect Master spoke quietly.
“Please do!”
“We shall defer to the judgment of Huashan.”
The Sect Master’s lips curved into a faint smile at these responses, which came as though he had been awaiting them.
Then he turned to Cheon Hui and asked him.
“What would you do in this situation?”
“If it were me, I’d attack them right now.”
“……Would that not be dangerous?”
“Doesn’t seem like it to me.”
Cheon Hui tilted his head as he spoke.
“From what I can see, those Shin Joo Sa Pae fellows or whatever they’re called—they’re spreading their forces thin, throwing themselves at everything in sight to expand their power. Isn’t that right?”
As Cheon Hui looked around the group while asking, most of them appeared flustered.
It wasn’t just his un-Daoist manner of speech—he was speaking of the Shin Joo Sa Pae as though they were beneath notice.
Jin Mu Gwan Ju was the first to collect himself, nodding as he replied.
“That is so. Currently, the Shin Joo Sa Pae are scattered in all directions, each moving independently as they work to expand their influence.”
Cheon Hui let out a soft laugh.
“Wouldn’t a scattered, divided force be easier to handle than one consolidated into a single formation?”
“Ha, but no matter how scattered they are, they are all formidable.”
Jin Mu Gwan Ju spoke, biting his lip.
He, too, had dismissed and underestimated them as merely a Sapa, despite their claim to the name Shin Joo Sa Pae.
Yet their skill was too strong and too organized to be called a mere Sapa.
It was almost miraculous that they had remained unknown until now.
The others echoed his sentiment.
“Jin Mu Gwan Ju is right. They are not opponents to be taken lightly.”
“They are no ordinary foes. Their strength cannot be called that of a mere Sapa.”
Cheon Hui snorted.
“In the end, they’re all the same. Besides, if we dither about it, they’ll only accelerate their offensive. By then, it’ll already be too late.”
“Hmm……”
As silence settled over the assembled group.
“Sect Master!”
A great shout echoed from afar.
All eyes turned in that direction.
From the edge of a ridge, Jeok Un came running, his face pale as ash.
Sensing from his pallor that something grave had occurred, the Sect Master opened his mouth.
“What is the matter?”
“The Shin Joo Sa Pae are attacking the affiliated sects!”
Cheon Hui laughed softly and spoke.
“See? I was right, wasn’t I?”
The Sect Master’s brow furrowed.
But that was brief—facing Cheon Hui, he let his voice drop to a murmur.
“What will you do?”
“We track down those Shin Joo Sa Pae fellows or whatever they’re called and strike them wherever they go.”
“Is such a thing possible?”
“Yes.”
At Cheon Hui’s reply, the Sect Master closed his eyes as if in thought, then opened them again.
“I entrust this task to you.”
As several sect leaders present reacted with surprise at this unprecedented pronouncement.
“That’s what I wanted to hear.”
Cheon Hui rose abruptly from his seat.
And moments later.
The disciples of Huashan assembled at the Mountain Gate.
Standing firm as bedrock, they watched the Sect Master before them with tense anticipation.
“Is everyone here?”
“Yes!”
A resonant cry echoed across Huashan.
The Sect Master gazed at his disciples, whose eyes blazed with resolve, and his expression grew grave.
“You will have heard the news by now.”
Tension settled thick and heavy.
“Not content with the Shin Joo Sa Pae running roughshod over us after their previous defeat of our sect, they’ve now turned their attention to our affiliated sects.”
The disciples’ eyes widened.
The words “defeat” and “Shin Joo Sa Pae” struck them like a blade.
The Sect Master continued.
“This will likely be our final confrontation with them—a struggle in which our sect’s very survival hangs in the balance.”
The weight of his words pressed down upon them.
They had anticipated this in their hearts, but hearing it spoken aloud from the Sect Master’s lips made it feel suddenly, terribly real.
A brief silence fell.
In that stillness, where even breath seemed to vanish, the Sect Master studied his disciples.
They held themselves perfectly still, yet their eyes betrayed an indomitable will that could not be hidden.
The Maehwa Sword Masters, in particular, burned with something different.
Perhaps they were remembering the day of their defeat—their gaze had turned cold as steel.
The Sect Master stepped back slightly.
“The rest you will hear from your commanding officer, the Chief Commander, who has been placed in charge of this matter.”
Cheon Hui stepped forward.
“The first mission of the Martial Force Units.”
His voice was entirely without inflection.
Yet the disciples who heard it—rather, all three units among them—tensed their eyes with focus.
All three Martial Force Units locked their gazes.
“We’ll split into two groups. The Bi Geom Dan and the Hwa Ryeong Dan move with me; the Mu Hwa Dan will hold Huashan.”
The disciples’ expressions grew solemn.
Cheon Hui spoke as he watched them.
“The two units moving with me—follow closely.”
Cheon Hui stamped the ground.
Tap!
Belying the lightness of the sound, his form exploded outward. The disciples watched as he tore across the earth like an arrow, his figure a streak of motion, and their eyes hardened.
And in that same instant, they moved.
Tap!
Dust erupted in all directions.
Within moments, a cloud of earth and debris billowed outward, and save for the Sect Master and the Mu Hwa Dan, all had vanished from the Mountain Gate.
The Sect Master, watching the forms of Cheon Hui and the disciples disappear even from sight, whispered softly.
“……Return safely.”
* * *
The Huayang Pavilion was a well-known escort agency in Shenxi, founded by Han Yu Seong, an affiliated disciple of the Huashan Sect.
Not only the agency’s master, Han Yu Seong, but also the escort captains and agents were largely drawn from the ranks of the Huashan Sect.
Because of this, it maintained close ties with the Huashan Sect, was treated almost as a true subsidiary organization, and had grown rapidly while earning great trust throughout the Kangho.
Yet now, a band of men had appeared at the gates of the Huayang Pavilion and begun their assault.
“Ugh!”
“M-Master……”
Watching escort agents and fighters crumple under the onslaught, Han Yu Seong clenched his teeth and cried out in a fierce voice.
“Who are you? What possible reason do you have for targeting my agency?”
Then.
“Because you refused our proposal.”
A voice rang out.
It was a voice so cold that hearing it made the spine turn to ice.
The gaze of Han Yu Seong and the escort agents of the Huayang Pavilion fixed upon its source.
There, a man with a gentle countenance walked forward, his hands clasped behind his back.
Han Yu Seong’s eyes narrowed.
“Refused? What do you mean?”
“Have you already forgotten?”
The man smiled thinly.
“We asked you to abandon Huashan and pledge your loyalty to our organization. Yet you refused. Tsk. How foolish.”
“Y-You can’t mean…… Sa Yu Gok?”
“Indeed.”
The man acknowledged it calmly.
“You’ve lost your mind. To perpetrate such an act against my agency. Do you truly believe the Huashan Sect will stand idle?”
“You state the obvious.”
The man’s smile deepened.
“After provoking us so openly, how could one still claim to be a sect of the Gangho if we simply let it pass?”
Han Yu Seong’s eyes trembled.
Not from fear.
Rather, it was a smile and expression of welcome, as if he had been waiting for this very moment.
“You planned this from the start?”
“It’s fortunate you’ve realized it now.”
The man’s smile vanished in an instant.
At the same moment, a killing intent so vicious it made the air itself recoil swept over them.
“Ugh!”
Han Yu Seong’s face went pale.
But he did not waver.
He could not waver.
He had to show the escort captain and agents fighting alongside him that he would not yield ground.
Han Yu Seong drew in a sharp breath.
Then, channeling the Inner Power of Maehwa Internal Cultivation into the blade gripped in his hand, his eyes blazed with intensity.
“I will not fall so easily.”
“Your mettle is admirable. But do you know this? In the Gangho, to possess such resolve, one must have the strength to match it.”
The man laughed sharply and drew the sabre from his waist.
Once revealed, the blade’s form was truly grotesque—the teeth at its edge were jagged and irregular, like the fangs of a beast.
‘A Jagged Sabre?!’
“But your strength hardly measures up to your courage.”
The killing intent surged forth with a keening shriek.
A far more naked, vicious Qi than before pierced through Han Yu Seong’s entire body.
“Meet your death with grace.”
The man’s face twisted as he charged forward.
His form blurred like lightning.
The man’s body technique, shot forth like a shaft of light, closed the distance between them in a single breath.
“……!”
Han Yu Seong’s eyes widened at the contorted visage that materialized before him in an instant, and he gritted his teeth as he raised his blade to meet it.
Metal rang out.
He barely managed to block.
“Gah!”
But the intense force and weight channeled through the Jagged Sabre seemed as though it would shatter his blade and carve through him in the very next moment.
The man pressed down with greater force.
A sickening grinding noise erupted.
The hideous sound tore through the air.
The Jagged Sabre bore down upon the blade, and its unique teeth gnawed away at Han Yu Seong’s sword inch by inch.
“Urgh!”
Driven back by the man’s overwhelming strength, the blade drew ever closer to his face, and a sharp, sinister killing intent pressed deeper and deeper into his consciousness.
“You endure better than I expected. But surely you don’t think this is all I have?”
“What…?!”
The man’s momentum exploded outward.
Everything displayed until now was nothing—a power and force beyond all comparison to before bore down upon the blade.
“……?!”
Han Yu Seong’s body lurched violently.
His feet sank three inches deep into the earth, and his face twisted into a countenance so grotesque it was painful to witness.
His knees buckled and gave way.
‘Is this how I die?’
In mere moments, Han Yu Seong experienced an overwhelming gulf in strength, and despair bloomed in his eyes.
All the while, the Jagged Sabre drew closer.
Just as the blade was about to split Han Yu Seong’s skull from crown to chin—
A dark shape cut through the air.
Something black appeared, swifter than light itself.
That dark object struck the man’s face with speed that defied perception.
A sharp crack split the silence.
The man shrieked no cry as he spun through the air several times before crashing to the ground, his body trembling uncontrollably.
“Hoo, quite the commotion you’ve stirred up.”
At the sudden voice, Han Yu Seong turned his head, and his eyes went wide.
The reason was that a handsome young man stood there in Huashan Sect robes, a scabbard slung across his shoulder.
His expression and bearing were arrogant for someone claiming to be a Daoist.
Yet Han Yu Seong found nothing strange about it. If anything, it seemed to suit him perfectly.
Then the handsome youth, Cheon Hui, opened his mouth.
“Well then, let’s begin the mission.”
Before the words had even finished leaving his lips.
Crack!
The Huashan Sect Daoists came vaulting over the wall, displaying extraordinary Light Body Movement.
“……?!”
“The, the Huashan Sect?”

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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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