Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 212

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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 212
It wasn’t long before word of the collision between the Sa Cheon Tang Family and Huashan Sect spread like wildfire throughout Taean.
It was entirely inevitable.
Taean was already crowded with members of the Bi Cheon Society, all gathered for the sixtieth birthday celebration of the Je Gal Clan’s patriarch. The sudden appearance of Huashan Sect Daoists in such circumstances was more than enough to capture everyone’s attention.
But then conflict arose between the Huashan Sect Daoists and the Sa Cheon Tang Family—and worse yet, Dang Jeok, one of the Sa Cheon Tang Family’s most distinguished Later Generation Masters, had actually deployed the Dok Gong.
It would have been stranger still if word hadn’t spread at all.
“I heard Dang Jeok was carried away by a palace guard?”
“So the two of them clashed?”
“Bloodshed on such an auspicious occasion? This has become quite a mess.”
Everyone worried about the fallout from the incident.
The Sa Cheon Tang Family, unlike other sects or clans, was notoriously tenacious—they repaid grudges tenfold and more.
Yet strangely, even the next day, there was no sign of movement from the Sa Cheon Tang Family.
Various rumors spawned in the void.
Dang Jeok had been drunk and collapsed.
Je Gal Seung Ho and others who had been present with the Huashan Sect Daoist had mediated between the two, and so forth.
Some even suggested that the clan was lying low so as not to disrupt the celebration, but such a theory bordered on absurdity.
After all, they had already deployed the Dok Gong at the Taean Inn.
And so people offered countless theories about what had actually happened, but no one could say for certain what had truly transpired that day, and time slipped away.
Then, finally, four days later.
The sixtieth birthday celebration of the Je Gal Clan’s patriarch—the event everyone in Taean had been anticipating—arrived at last.
* * *
Knock, knock.
At the sound of knocking on the door, Cheon Hui, who had been deep in meditation, opened his eyes.
“Elder, may I come in?”
Dan Mok Lin’s voice followed, and Cheon Hui rose from the bed as he spoke.
“Come in.”
A moment later, the door opened and Dan Mok Lin entered.
Perhaps because it was a celebration.
She wore light makeup.
Her appearance, dressed more elegantly than usual yet neither overdone nor lacking, embodied the image of a refined beauty the world admired.
Her cheeks tinted a rosy peach, she gazed at Cheon Hui with a look of subtle anticipation in her eyes—
But “Is it already that late?” Cheon Hui said, betraying no interest whatsoever.
Her expression dimmed at once.
She’d taken such care with her appearance, yet she failed as always to capture Cheon Hui’s attention.
Then, after a moment, she shook her head.
This wasn’t what mattered now.
Or rather, it wasn’t what mattered now.
“Elder, we need to hurry. The celebration will begin soon.”
She urged him forward.
No matter that they’d been invited by the Je Gal Clan—to the eyes of the countless guests who knew nothing of this, the two of them were nearly uninvited.
And if they arrived late on top of that?
It would only make their position more awkward.
But unlike the anxious Dan Mok Lin, Cheon Hui moved with unhurried ease.
“The gift the Sect Master told me to deliver to the patriarch of the Je Gal Clan—where did I put it?”
Watching Cheon Hui move about at his leisure, Dan Mok Lin spoke urgently.
“Elder, perhaps you could hurry a little—”
“Hurry for what? Let’s just take our time. It won’t matter in the end whether we arrive quickly or not.”
“But if we arrive late and draw the ire of others—”
“I’m already drawing plenty of ire as it is.”
Cheon Hui let out a quiet laugh.
He’d endured stares and cold glances aplenty these past four days while staying at the Je Gal Clan.
Dismissing her concerns, he continued moving at his own unhurried pace until, finally, about a quarter hour later—
“Well, I’ve got everything. Let’s go.”
The two of them then slipped out from the Separate Residence and made their way toward the celebration venue.
How long they walked, none could say.
“Ah, you’ve arrived. We’ve been expecting you.”
A middle-aged man greeted Cheon Hui and Dan Mok Lin warmly as they reached the Estate Grounds where the celebration was arranged.
It was a very familiar face.
Indeed, he was the Internal Manager, and had already sought out Cheon Hui and Dan Mok Lin several times before.
“Please, do come in.”
He stepped aside, clearing the path.
As the interior of the Estate Grounds came into view, Dan Mok Lin gazed at it with startled eyes.
“There are so many people.”
The banquet hall was dotted with countless tables, and most of the guests seemed absorbed in conversation, scattered among them.
“It’s been a while.”
“Ha, indeed it has. So, nothing eventful of late?”
“Good heavens! You’re still alive!”
“Are you trying to curse me to death?”
As Dan Mok Lin’s gaze swept across the banquet hall in brief moments, her expression hardened with tension.
‘They all belong to the Bi Cheon Society’s sects.’
Observing the Martial Robes of those seated at the tables, Dan Mok Lin was forming her assessment of their identities.
“Why aren’t you going in?”
Cheon Hui passed by the woman standing before him.
“Oh, so it really is the Je Gal Clan Head’s sixtieth birthday celebration—quite the turnout.”
Cheon Hui, observing the bustling banquet hall, stepped into the Estate Grounds.
And in that moment.
…
The rowdy banquet hall fell silent as if ice water had been poured over it.
Simultaneously, sharp gazes converged on Cheon Hui and Dan Mok Lin as they walked.
Gulp—
Feeling the piercing stares of the crowd, Dan Mok Lin’s mouth went dry.
Though she had been accustomed to drawing attention, this was different in nature.
Without kindness—sharp, wary looks.
The penetrating gazes, as if knives were piercing her, made her break into a cold sweat.
‘I expected to draw attention, but never imagined it would be like this.’
She turned her head slightly to one side.
Cheon Hui, who had seemed bored just moments before, now had his brow furrowed.
‘Even if he’s my senior brother, he’s still tense under such scrutiny.’
In that instant when she felt a kinship with Cheon Hui, he muttered under his breath.
“Tsk, it’s frustrating not to be able to eat such delicious food right in front of us.”
“I… beg your pardon?”
His grumbling was entirely different from what she had anticipated, and Dan Mok Lin inadvertently let out a deflated sound.
“Shame, really. The Fen Jiu and Xiang Xue Jiu look delicious, as do the other dishes. What a rare opportunity to enjoy such fine cuisine.”
Savoring the aroma of the food and the bouquet of the wine, Cheon Hui surveyed his surroundings before settling at an empty table in the corner.
“Still, I’ll have to ask them to set some aside for me later.”
The moment he took his seat, Cheon Hui began eating.
Paying no mind to whoever might be watching, he continued wielding his chopsticks, and all who observed him let out hollow laughs.
“…Quite bold.”
“Ha, is he truly shameless, or does he simply not care about us at all?”
People who had felt foolish for their own tension began to relax their guard.
Instead, whispers began to ripple through the hall.
“But it’s remarkable—that a Daoist from the Huashan Sect would actually attend the banquet.”
“It’s been ages since the Nine Factions and One Gang directly visited to celebrate the Eight Great Clans.”
“What could their purpose be?”
As they spoke among themselves while watching the table where Cheon Hui and Dan Mok Lin sat.
Tap—tap—
An elderly man and a youth with an expansive bearing approached the Huashan Daoists.
Those who glimpsed the faces of both men involuntarily gasped.
“What! The Great Master Cheol Shim Geom Ong?”
“And that youth—isn’t he the First Son of the Dan Mok Clan, the Moonlit Sword Master?”
At the arrival of the two, everyone held their breath.
And rightly so—Cheol Shim Geom Ong was a Great Master whose name had echoed through Kangho for ages, a rare sight at such gatherings.
And coupled with him was the Moonlit Sword Master, the First Son of the Dan Mok Clan, who was all but certain to be appointed as the Future Clan Head.
As everyone’s eyes gleamed while they regarded Cheol Shim Geom Ong and the Moonlit Sword Master, Dan Mok Lin’s pupils trembled at the sight of them both.
She had anticipated to some degree that she might encounter members of the Dan Mok Clan at the banquet.
Yet those she encountered were unexpected figures.
‘Why would Grandfather and my eldest brother come all the way here?’
The two she knew were not the type to frequent such gatherings.
As she stared at them with a bewildered expression, surprised that the two were moving together, the Moonlit Sword Master raised his fists in salute.
“It is a pleasure to be here.”
The man offered a polite greeting as though seeing Dan Mok Lin for the first time, and a smile flickered across his eyes.
“I am Dan Mok Chan. If it is not presumptuous, might I inquire after the Sect Tokens of you both?”
Dan Mok Lin was slightly taken aback by Dan Mok Chan’s behavior, but she quickly composed herself, rose from her seat, and made a Fist Salute.
“It’s Lin.”
In that instant, Dan Mok Chan’s eyes brightened.
“Ah, so you are the young lady Lin.”
He turned his gaze toward Cheon Hui, his voice carrying a curious note of relief.
At the same moment, his brow twitched.
This was because Cheon Hui remained occupied with his meal even as pleasantries were being exchanged.
“And the Sect Token of the young master would be…?”
Cheon Hui, still chewing, glanced up briefly to regard Dan Mok Chan.
“Well, well. Cheon Hui.”
He spoke the words curtly and returned his attention to the food before him with renewed focus.
“I see.”
A muscle tensed across Dan Mok Chan’s forehead.
Yet he maintained his smile as he turned back to Dan Mok Lin and lowered his voice.
“I shall call on you later.”
He spoke in a tone only she could hear, meeting her gaze directly.
To continue the conversation here would only draw further attention from the crowd.
Dan Mok Lin gave a slight nod.
At that, Dan Mok Chan turned to leave with a faint smile, but not before casting a sharp glance at Cheon Hui.
Feeling the weight of that stare, Cheon Hui—who had been sipping his tea—lifted his chin.
“What are you looking at?”
Dan Mok Chan’s anger flared at this continued lack of courtesy, but he forced it down.
“It is nothing whatsoever.”
As though he could no longer bear the sight, Dan Mok Chan spun on his heel and departed.
“Shall we go, grandfather?”
“Ah, very well.”
Cheol Shim Geom Ong, who had been watching from behind, moved his lips toward Dan Mok Lin.
‘I am rooting for you.’
Reading the movement of his lips, Dan Mok Lin’s eyes widened, and a bright smile bloomed across her face.
She moved her lips softly in turn.
‘Thank you.’
At her reply, Cheol Shim Geom Ong departed with a gentle smile alongside Dan Mok Chan.
Dan Mok Lin watched the two of them leave, her expression wistful.
“Aren’t you going after them?”
Cheon Hui set down his teacup and spoke.
“Chances to meet again will be rare. If you have something to say, better to do it now.”
Dan Mok Lin shook her head gently.
“We’ve made plans to see each other later. And besides, I am now a Daoist of the Huashan Sect. How could I attend to other concerns?”
Cheon Hui studied her carefully.
Her face, now radiant with a smile, betrayed not the slightest trace of regret.
“Mm, is that so? Then there is no issue.”
As Cheon Hui picked up his chopsticks again, Dan Mok Lin took her seat and began to eat.
Meanwhile, as the Dan Mok Clan departed after a brief greeting, the curiosity of several onlookers intensified considerably.
The younger folk in particular had their eyes alight.
To them, the members of the Nine Factions and One Gang were rarely seen.
Yet not only had they appeared here without warning, but the man and woman both possessed striking beauty.
How could their interest not be kindled?
“I never knew the Huashan Sect harbored such a beautiful female Daoist. At that level, rumors of her should have spread through the Kangho.”
“That youth cuts a fine figure as well. Are they selecting Daoists by appearance these days?”
“Perhaps I should attempt to strike up a conversation.”
As the young men and women, lacking courage to approach, lingered and loitered.
“Gasp!”
Someone cried out in alarm and stepped back hastily.
In response, those who had turned found themselves instinctively retreating as well.
“The—the Sichuan Tang Family?!”
Those who had withdrawn tensed immediately.
It was none other than the Sichuan Tang Family that had appeared.
Remembering the rumors that had swept through Taean mere days before, they hurriedly widened the distance.
The moment the two groups met, those who had anticipated an explosive confrontation held their breath, eyes fixed upon them.
Yet the others from the Eight Great Clans, positioned at a distance, watched with keen interest to see how the situation would unfold.
“Now this is getting interesting.”
“From the Dang clan’s reaction, we can guess what happened that day.”
As the distance between the Dang clan members and the table narrowed, the two groups finally faced each other.
That instant.
“……!”
Dang Jeok’s complexion drained of color the moment he spotted Cheon Hui. He hurriedly turned to leave, but upon seeing Eun Hyeong Bi Gaek standing before them, watching Cheon Hui, he urged him forward.
“Let’s go elsewhere, Uncle.”
Eun Hyeong Bi Gaek’s eyes narrowed sharply.
His gaze shifted as he observed Dang Jeok, who seemed to have taken fright at the mere sight of Cheon Hui.
‘……What a disappointment.’
For years, Eun Hyeong Bi Gaek had championed this Dang Jeok for the position of future clan head over the freewheeling crown prince.
Cold-blooded and sharp-witted.
That ruthlessness in seeing things through to the end seemed to suit the Dang clan well.
But now his thoughts had shifted.
‘Have I been reading him wrong all this time?’
He regarded Dang Jeok with contempt—trembling, paralyzed by fear.
He knew from the guards how Dang Jeok had fallen that day.
Defeated by that Daoist from Huashan.
And beaten repeatedly until he conceded defeat.
Certainly it was shameful, but Eun Hyeong Bi Gaek could understand to some degree.
The world abounded with skilled masters, and losing a confrontation was not unheard of.
But his response afterward had been disappointing.
When Eun Hyeong Bi Gaek had moved to pursue revenge upon Dang Jeok’s return, the boy had desperately stopped him, insisting the matter was already settled.
In other words, he was too frightened to touch it.
How could he not be disappointed?
‘That this son of the Dang clan should cower so utterly over a loss to a Later Generation Master from Huashan…….’
Eun Hyeong Bi Gaek made no attempt to hide his disappointment.
“If that is what you wish, so be it.”
“Thank you.”
Eun Hyeong Bi Gaek regarded Dang Jeok coldly as he clutched his chest, cast a brief glance toward Cheon Hui, then turned to leave.
“Then follow me.”
The Sa Cheon Tang Family’s unexpectedly quiet withdrawal astonished everyone present.
“They’re just leaving? What in the world happened at the Taean Inn?”
“Was it true that there was no incident between them and the Dang clan?”
“They looked like they were retreating…….”
Meanwhile, Cheon Hui, who had quietly observed the entire exchange, smiled with satisfaction.
‘Yes, this is indeed simpler.’
That day had been troublesome enough; Cheon Hui had awakened the Absolute Supremacy Art within Dang Jeok, suppressing his spirit.
So he would never dare challenge again.
‘Unless he reaches the Heavenly Martial Realm in the future, he’ll never escape it.’
That was when the banquet hall erupted in chatter.
Boom―
A drum suddenly thundered.
The sound, carried throughout the hall, instantly redirected all attention away from Cheon Hui and Dan Mok Lin.
As eyes turned toward the sound, a man holding a drumstick aloft struck the drum once more.
Boom!
The shockwave rippled outward.
Step― step―
Footsteps echoed forth.
Soft ones.
Yet somehow those steps made hearts quicken and race.
‘Oh, now watch this.’
Cheon Hui, who had set his chopsticks down on the table before him, narrowed his eyes.
‘Sound Technique layered over Speed Technique? That’s a troublesome martial art indeed.’
Then the footsteps ceased.
And a middle-aged man stood at the seat of honor.
The bearded middle-aged man was neither exceptionally tall nor powerfully built.
Yet his ramrod-straight posture and commanding presence made him appear as imposing as a giant.
His gaze swept across the banquet hall, and his lips parted slowly.
“I am grateful to you all for gracing my sixtieth birthday celebration.”
His voice was level, without inflection.
Yet those who heard it pricked up their ears, and every eye gleamed with interest.
The Young Dragon Je Gal Sin.
As the current clan head who sustained the Je Gal Clan took the stage, all present leaned in to listen.
A slow smile crept across his face—
Cheon Hui’s mouth curved upward slightly.
‘This is unexpected. I always thought the Je Gal Clan excelled only in strategy…….’
Cheon Hui, his expression brimming with intrigue, fixed his gaze on Je Gal Sin before him, his eyes sharpening.
‘His skill surpasses that of the clan heads of Shinchangyangga and the Namgung Clan.’

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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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