Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 202

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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 202
‘I thought I’d just hand over the letter and be done with it. I never imagined I’d end up face-to-face with the Sect Master of Huashan himself.’
Je Gal Song Young swallowed hard.
He kept his composure outwardly, but inwardly his nerves were fraying at the edges.
He’d come to Huashan at the Third Master’s request, but even climbing the Mountain Gate had filled him with no small amount of dread.
Though he’d heard directly that the Third Master had ties to Huashan, they were still technically on opposing sides.
After all, Huashan belonged to the Murim Alliance, while the Je Gal Clan belonged to the Bi Cheon Society.
Just as Je Gal Song Young’s tension reached its peak.
“You’re saying you wish to invite Cheon Hui to a banquet hosted by the Je Gal Clan?”
The Sect Master’s lips moved slightly.
Though he’d already heard it clearly from Je Gal Song Young’s own words, the Sect Master asked again.
Because he couldn’t fathom the intention behind it.
A banquet celebrating the sixtieth birthday of the Je Gal Clan Head, one of the Eight Great Clans’ pillars, would surely draw many attendees.
And it was certain that most of the invited guests would be figures from the Bi Cheon Society—yet they were inviting a Daoist from Huashan.
The Sect Master’s brow furrowed.
‘What could their purpose be?’
Suspicion was the first thing that came to mind.
The Je Gal Clan had long been known as a house of exceptional strategy, acclaimed throughout Kangho and All Under Heaven alike as the Divine Strategist Je Gal.
Precisely because of this, he couldn’t help but suspect they had some ulterior motive in inviting Cheon Hui.
Even as he was wrestling with this thought.
“Of course.”
Cheon Hui accepted readily.
“I’ve been wanting to see it anyway. This works out well.”
“Cheon Hui.”
The Sect Master called out to him urgently, his tone showing concern that Cheon Hui would accept the invitation without hesitation, and he gestured for him to reconsider.
“Think carefully before you speak.”
Part of him wanted to demand Cheon Hui retract his words immediately, but it was awkward to say so with Je Gal Song Young standing right there.
So he’d tried to circle around the point.
“What’s there to think about? They’ve invited me, so I’ll just go.”
Cheon Hui dismissed the Sect Master’s words with one ear, replying breezily.
And as if that weren’t enough, he turned to Je Gal Song Young, who looked flustered, and asked calmly.
“When is the banquet, anyway?”
“……A month from now.”
“That’s quite tight for traveling on foot.”
“It does seem so, but…….”
“Then you’ll have prepared a carriage, won’t you.”
“A, a carriage?”
Je Gal Song Young’s face became troubled.
Seeing his expression, Cheon Hui shook his head with a slight smile.
“Come now. Surely you haven’t invited me from such a distance only to tell me to walk there?”
“That is to say…….”
Just as Je Gal Song Young’s mouth opened and closed without producing a clear answer.
“There will be no such thing.”
Hyeon Ryeo, who had been sitting quietly, added her words.
“The Je Gal Clan currently enjoys such prosperity among the Eight Great Clans that surely they would have prepared everything necessary.”
Cheon Hui’s eyes met Hyeon Ryeo’s.
‘You understood right away.’
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Cheon Hui opened his mouth again, responding to Hyeon Ryeo’s words, which showed she grasped his intention.
“Exactly. Surely a clan of such standing wouldn’t invite someone without making proper arrangements.”
“Indeed. Moreover, who extended the invitation? None other than the Third Master of the Je Gal Clan himself. In person.”
Hyeon Ryeo emphasized the words “in person,” spacing them out deliberately, and continued to send pointed glances at Je Gal Song Young.
At this, Je Gal Song Young grew increasingly uncomfortable.
‘Is this what Huashan is like……?’
From what he’d heard, Huashan was a Daoist sect known for integrity and virtue, commanding great respect.
He’d heard they were revered by the common people of Shenxi and had built their reputation on that foundation.
But seeing it in person was somehow different.
Je Gal Song Young carefully wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve and opened his mouth.
“Haha. Of course we’ve made separate arrangements for a carriage befitting the Daoist Master Cheon Hui.”
Cheon Hui and Hyeon Ryeo laughed simultaneously.
“The Je Gal Clan certainly has deep pockets.”
“The Je Gal Clan is hardly so straitened as to be stingy about such things.”
Je Gal Song Young watched the two speak with satisfaction, but his heart sank.
‘An unexpected expense has materialized.’
But what could be done?
To say they had no carriage prepared would risk damaging the Je Gal Clan’s honor.
‘Still, if this outlay is the price of honoring Third Young Master’s request, it’s bearable enough.’
Je Gal Song Young soothed his aching heart.
Third Young Master Je Gal Seong Hyeon was a man who had long remained sealed within the family, never venturing into the wider world.
Yet over the past year or so, he’d begun stepping out somewhere—and when he returned, he was transformed.
‘Completely different.’
Je Gal Song Young recalled the first time he’d seen Third Young Master after that change.
He hadn’t recognized him at first.
The pale, slight Je Gal Seong Hyeon had vanished entirely, replaced by a figure whose whole body rippled with muscle beneath bronzed skin.
And that was merely the beginning.
The Third Young Master who once wouldn’t leave his chambers during family gatherings now participated eagerly in every event, and beyond that, he’d begun offering his opinions freely, as if flaunting that keen mind of his.
Of late, he’d earned the epithet “Sleeping Dragon,” and alongside the Eldest Young Master—called the “Heavenly Dragon”—he was now spoken of as one of the “Twin Dragons.”
Such a request from Third Young Master was something he could certainly accommodate, expenses and all.
“Then I shall have the carriage ready at the Mountain Gate by dawn tomorrow.”
Je Gal Song Young rose from his seat, his business concluded, and performed the fist salute.
“If that is all, I shall take my leave.”
The Sect Master smiled warmly and spoke.
“You’ve traveled far to Huashan. Your effort is much appreciated.”
“Ha, not at all.”
“Go safely, then.”
After exchanging farewells with the Sect Master, Je Gal Song Young departed the Ja Ha Pavilion with Hyeon Ryeo.
“Cheon Hui.”
The Sect Master called to Cheon Hui casually.
His soft smile faded as he watched Cheon Hui, his eyes narrowing to slits.
“That invitation came to you, not me, so I’ll say no more. But as I mentioned before, you must be careful in both word and deed. Especially this time, since everyone from the Bi Cheon Society will be gathered there.”
“Come on, don’t worry about it.”
Despite the concern woven through those words, Cheon Hui dismissed them lightly.
That response only deepened the Sect Master’s apprehension, his eyes widening with fresh unease.
But he soon shook his head.
In any case, the letter—no, the invitation—had come to Cheon Hui, and it was Cheon Hui himself who had accepted it.
‘Besides, haven’t I already resolved to release Cheon Hui from my grasp?’
As the Sect Master’s eyes closed slightly,
“Then I’ll go prepare.”
Cheon Hui rose in the same breath and vanished in an instant.
Opening his eyes too late, the Sect Master gazed at the empty space across from him and smiled bitterly.
“I worry whether he can manage alone.”
As he murmured this to himself,
“I think the same way.”
Hyeon Ryeo, who had departed with Je Gal Song Young, returned with her face clouded by discontent.
“How are you back so soon?”
“I entrusted the escort to Cheon Su, whom I met on the way.”
Hyeon Ryeo spoke matter-of-factly as she strode across and settled into the seat across from the Sect Master.
“But are you really all right sending Cheon Hui alone to the Je Gal Clan’s banquet?”
“What choice is there? It’s what Cheon Hui has decided.”
The Sect Master’s smile turned wry.
“At least it’s a direct invitation from the Je Gal Clan, so they’ll prevent anything truly catastrophic.”
“But is that really enough?”
Hyeon Ryeo asked carefully.
“With Cheon Hui’s temperament, he’ll hardly blend in at a Je Gal Clan gathering.”
“True enough.”
The Sect Master nodded in agreement.
He wasn’t truly worried about Cheon Hui himself.
But he feared that if they provoked him and he couldn’t endure it, Cheon Hui might cause trouble.
The Je Gal Clan was precisely their adversary.
And they would not let a Daoist of Huashan be left unmolested in their midst.
At that moment, Hyeon Ryeo spoke up.
“Then, Sect Master, wouldn’t it be better to send along someone who knows the Je Gal Clan’s banquet well, together with Cheon Hui?”
“That’s quite a reasonable idea, but our sect doesn’t have a disciple who knows much about the Je Gal Clan’s banquet…….”
The Sect Master trailed off mid-sentence.
A recently recruited female disciple had flashed through his mind.
“Ah yes, that girl. She exists.”
* * *
The next morning, at dawn.
When Cheon Hui arrived at the Mountain Gate, he found himself facing numerous familiar faces.
Shin Ui, Jeok Geom, Seol Ran, and Cheon Hyang.
The four of them, who had grown scarce in their visits due to recent treatment and training, had somehow heard the news and came running in the early dawn hours.
“I came to Huashan Sect because of you, and yet your face is harder to find than ever!”
Shin Ui approached with a grumble.
“Well, I suppose that’s possible.”
But Cheon Hui let it pass without much concern.
After more than a year of bickering with Shin Ui over this matter, he had grown quite adept at it.
“You heartless brute!”
“Anyway, you’ve been busy recently testing the Medical Texts in Mangyeong Pavilion, haven’t you?”
“H-how did you…….”
“It’s obvious at a glance. I’ve read those texts myself, after all.”
……
Shin Ui fell silent, his mouth pressed shut.
Just as he said—while helping disciples wounded in the fight against the New Master Faction, Hyeon Cheong had offered to help and brought him the Medical Texts that Huashan Sect had long kept in its collection.
At first, he’d looked at them dismissively.
Now he found himself completely absorbed in these medical texts composed around Daoist philosophy.
“Make sure you’re ready to learn medicine later.”
Shin Ui grumbled and turned away.
“See you then.”
Cheon Hui withdrew his gaze from Shin Ui and turned his attention toward Jeok Geom and Seol Ran.
“You two keep up your training properly. Don’t neglect the Hapgyeok Formation I taught you, and remember all the exercises, yes?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Understood!”
Hearing their loud affirmation, Cheon Hui regarded them with narrowed eyes and twisted his lips into a smile.
“When I return, whichever Martial Force Unit is weakest will train under me.”
The color drained from both their faces.
Just as they recoiled at the thought of training with Cheon Hui, Cheon Hyang tilted her head.
“Why are they like that, Master?”
When she asked curiously—never having trained with Cheon Hui before—he twisted his lips wide in a smile.
“Want to find out later?”
“I’d like to, but…….”
Cheon Hyang puffed out her chest.
“Losing just isn’t suited to my nature.”
As Cheon Hui met the fierce gleam in her competitive eyes, he let out a soft laugh.
“Cheon Hui.”
The Mountain Gate opened, and Hyeon Ryeo approached.
She handed him a Black-Red Taoist Robe and a small pouch from her bosom, smiling.
“Take this.”
“Perfect timing. I was just missing this robe.”
‘This robe doesn’t show blood well.’
As Cheon Hui recalled the white-and-red robe he’d worn recently and took the garment in hand,
“That’s fortunate then.”
Hyeon Ryeo smiled and embraced him.
Again.
Cheon Hui shook his head from side to side, worn out.
But only for a moment.
“Then take care of yourself and return safely.”
Hyeon Ryeo released him from the embrace and stepped back.
Then the Sect Master, who had emerged outside, stood before Cheon Hui and his eyes shone.
“Well then. Are you prepared?”
“Is there much to prepare? Just gathering these things should be enough.”
Cheon Hui held the Black-Red Taoist Robe in his hands, then touched the two swords at his waist and the small pouch hanging there.
For a long journey ahead, there was nothing else worth packing.
Sect Master smiled faintly.
“Always be cautious.”
“Yes.”
“Think carefully and stay alert.”
“Of course.”
“And if others deliberately provoke you, ignore them.”
“……That’s a bit much.”
As Cheon Hui spoke with obvious displeasure, Sect Master’s eyes hardened and his lips moved.
“Cheon Hui.”
At the weight in Sect Master’s voice, Cheon Hui scratched the back of his head and answered.
“Fine, fine. I’ll endure it.”
“That will do.”
Sect Master’s expression relaxed.
“Then I’ll be going.”
“Yes, go.”
After taking his leave of Sect Master, Cheon Hui made his way toward the carriage where Je Gal Song Young waited.
Tap—tap—
As Cheon Hui drew nearer, Je Gal Song Young smiled and spoke.
“You’re quite beloved.”
“Am I? I hadn’t noticed, but if it appears so to you, then perhaps it is.”
Cheon Hui replied without concern.
Yet Je Gal Song Young, observing this, thought he was merely embarrassed, and smiled softly as he gestured toward the driver’s seat.
“For this journey to the Je Gal Clan, Go Sam will guide us well.”
The driver, Go Sam, bowed deeply.
“I am Go Sam. It is my honor to escort the Young Master of Huashan Sect on this journey.”
“I’m Cheon Hui.”
The moment Cheon Hui finished his greeting with Go Sam, Je Gal Song Young opened the carriage door.
“Please, step inside.”
As Cheon Hui entered through the open door, he squinted.
There was a passenger already in the carriage.
And a very familiar one at that.
“What? Why are you here?”
“I’m traveling with you this time.”
Dan Mok Lin, sitting demurely with her hands folded on her lap, eyes bright, answered.
“So please take good care of me! Senior!”

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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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