Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 273

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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 273
Six days had slipped away since their departure when Myeoljeoldae entered Seorim, at the boundary between Hubei and Sichuan.
Had Cheon Hui deployed Sinbeop as he had when they raided Jeok Ho Chae, they could have arrived faster—but this time he chose to travel by horseback alone.
Deploying Sinbeop meant burning through Internal Force, so it was a deliberate choice, conserving strength for the battle ahead.
As they were pressing forward at a steady pace on horseback—
Neigh—
Cheon Hui, climbing a narrow mountain path whose name no one knew, suddenly pulled hard on the reins.
The moment Cheon Hui at the front halted, Myeoljeoldae following behind also seized their reins.
The clamor of hoofbeats stopped abruptly, and silence rippled slowly across the air.
In that silence, Cheon Hui fixed his gaze forward.
Snow that had begun falling two days prior had by now painted the world white.
Within that white expanse, Cheon Hui’s eyes found color—brilliant hues rising from the landscape.
Pavilions, their roofs trailing smoke, came into view beneath the pale winter sun.
Ancient pavilions and a sprawling estate grounds.
Woven together with the white snow around them, they breathed an air of refined elegance.
Traces of long history lay embedded throughout the pavilions and grounds.
It was Hyeolwuseonik-ga, the target of this mission.
‘Exactly as it was in the book I studied.’
Cheon Hui recalled the scrolls he had pored over several times before arriving here.
Countless details about Hyeolwuseonik-ga.
Mastering such intelligence beforehand proved remarkably efficient in combat.
After drinking in the sight of Hyeolwuseonik-ga for a time, Cheon Hui released the reins and dismounted smoothly.
His black leather boots pressed into the snow.
With a soft crunch, he turned to regard those behind him, standing on the pristine white field.
Perhaps it was from the relentless pace of their journey.
Despite not having deployed Sinbeop, the weariness showed on their faces.
Cheon Hui opened his mouth.
“Before we begin the mission, let’s rest for a moment.”
“Understood.”
As though they had been waiting for nothing else, the members of Myeoljeoldae answered and dismounted in seamless coordination, preparing rest without a wasted motion.
Mu Hong and several Myeoljeoldae members quickly leveled the ground, carving out a clearing.
Then Ho Gwang Gae and Dan Li Gwan Cheon, both possessed of superior Internal Force, kindled the Samadhi Fire Formation to dry the damp wood. Meanwhile, several other members withdrew Byeokgok Dan and jerky from the saddlebags tied to their horses.
Their movements were swift.
Refined by nights spent in the open, their coordination was flawless, without a single wasted gesture.
Moments later, smoke began to rise.
Crackle—
Myeoljeoldae cast Fire Spark Stones to kindle a campfire, warming themselves by its glow and banishing the cold.
An odd, heavy silence hung over them.
It could hardly be otherwise.
They would soon face no ordinary martial sect—Hyeolwuseonik-ga awaited them.
A clan that had held sway over Seorim for two centuries.
Compared to Jeok Ho Chae, their previous target, the power and prestige of this place were incomparable.
“Sigh…”
Im Ha Ryul, his body taut with tension, let out an involuntary breath as he paused mid-chew on his jerky, exhaling into the cold air.
“Well then, we’ve rested enough. Now let’s speak about this mission.”
Cheon Hui spoke at last.
“As you all know, this mission is to bring down Hyeolwuseonik-ga.”
All members of Myeoljeoldae held their breath.
They had already heard this—it was not new information.
Yet hearing it directly from their commander’s lips made the weight of it feel different.
“So we’ll divide our forces into two groups.”
Cheon Hui narrowed his eyes as he continued.
“One to assault Hyeolwuseonik-ga, the other to seal off their escape routes.”
Every member of Myeoljeoldae nodded in unison, understanding the logic.
Not a single person could be allowed to escape.
Blocking retreat was essential.
Then Dan Li Gwan Cheon, who had been listening intently to Cheon Hui’s words, spoke quietly.
“How do you plan to divide the forces?”
It was a crucial question.
All eyes of Myeoljeoldae turned to Cheon Hui’s mouth.
He was simply curious how the troops would be divided.
It wasn’t long before Cheon Hui spoke.
“I was thinking of appointing two Deputy Commanders as it is.”
“Deputy Commanders?”
In that instant, all the Myeoljeoldae members stirred.
It was no trivial matter — the position of Deputy Commander.
With the war ongoing, Myeoljeoldae would continue to play an active role, and such a position would surely bring them great renown throughout the Gangho.
Watching several Myeoljeoldae members bare their desire for the post, Cheon Hui moved his finger, scanning across them one by one.
And in the end, his finger came to rest upon Dan Li Gwan Cheon, who had been sitting there with indifferent composure, showing no interest in the matter.
“……Me, you say?”
Dan Li Gwan Cheon’s voice emerged stiffly.
Discontent flickered across his face.
He preferred to fight enemies alone according to missions as they came, rather than lead others.
“Commander. I cannot command men. Perhaps another would be better…….”
As he began to voice his refusal.
“It’s already decided.”
Cheon Hui cut him off cleanly.
“But…….”
“An ordinary member should obey when the Commander orders. Shouldn’t they?”
“…….”
Dan Li Gwan Cheon fell silent.
Cheon Hui then turned his gaze from the silent Dan Li Gwan Cheon and immediately pointed at someone else.
“And the second is you.”
Ho Gwang Gae, thus indicated, scratched his oily hair.
“Ha ha ha. Deputy Commander, is it…….”
For a moment he paused, then struck his chest with his fist.
“Good, excellent. Let’s give it our all.”
Ho Gwang Gae accepted heartily.
There was no reason to refuse.
Rather, it was cause for celebration.
‘Deputy Commander… I never imagined it, but this is fine. I’ll be able to build my reputation.’
As he smiled and pondered the position of Deputy Commander.
“Then I’ll divide the personnel between the two Deputy Commanders. For now…….”
Cheon Hui apportioned the Myeoljeoldae members.
‘Considering the compatibility of their martial arts, Dan Li Gwan Cheon should have this group and…….’
Recalling the martial prowess of each that he had discerned precisely through sparring matches, Cheon Hui distributed the personnel one by one.
And shortly after.
“All set?”
Cheon Hui surveyed the two divisions of troops and displayed a satisfied expression.
“Then everyone remember each other’s faces.”
As Myeoljeoldae members glanced at one another’s new comrades.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
Cheon Hui spoke while looking at Dan Li Gwan Cheon.
“You’ll be in charge of the assault.”
At those words, Dan Li Gwan Cheon’s eyes lit up.
He had been displeased at becoming Deputy Commander and leading troops, but an assault — that was a different matter entirely.
“Understood.”
While he burned with eagerness, the Myeoljeoldae members lined up behind him swallowed hard.
Being assigned the assault meant taking the front lines.
It meant they would clash directly with Hyeolwuseonik-ga first.
Then Ho Gwang Gae opened his mouth.
“So we’re sealing off their escape routes?”
Despite accepting the Deputy Commander’s position so cheerfully, even he could not hide his tension — his voice trembled slightly.
“That’s right.”
Cheon Hui smiled slightly.
“You know which escape routes need to be blocked?”
In response to the question, Ho Gwang Gae also smiled slightly back.
“Ha ha, Commander. Though I may look refined, I am still a member of Gae Bang. I’ve already committed the details to memory.”
At his words, several members laughed.
Contrary to his words, Ho Gwang Gae bore the authentic bearing of one of Gae Bang’s finest.
Cheon Hui let out a soft chuckle at the sight.
The tension that had hung in the air dissolved in an instant.
It was all thanks to Ho Gwang Gae’s wit.
‘Just as I expected.’
Cheon Hui studied Ho Gwang Gae with quiet intensity.
He was one of the men Cheon Hui had already marked as a candidate for deputy commander of Myeoljeoldae.
His temperament, his martial skill, his capacity for inclusion.
Everything fit perfectly.
And in that brief moment, he had shown Cheon Hui exactly why the choice was right.
‘The other one will show his true worth when he enters the actual mission properly….’
Cheon Hui glanced at Dan Li Gwan Cheon for a moment, then turned to address Myeoljeoldae.
“Then let’s move now.”
The moment Cheon Hui’s final command left his lips, everyone sprang into motion.
Crackle—
Myeoljeoldae, extinguishing the campfire by smothering the embers, drew a tense breath.
White vapor curled from between his lips.
As everyone fell silent and still,
Clap! Clap!
Ho Gwang Gae clapped his hands sharply.
“Come now! Relax, will you? If you tense up and can’t show your true abilities, the commander won’t let it slide.”
His bright smile faded as he darted a glance at Cheon Hui from the corner of his eye and gave him a conspiratorial wink.
Then he turned directly to Cheon Hui and asked,
“But Commander, how shall we attack? It’s still broad daylight.”
He stepped closer and added his words very carefully near Cheon Hui’s ear.
“Wouldn’t it be better to wait until dark before we go…?”
Cheon Hui waved a dismissive hand.
“Wait for dark? And how long would that take?”
“Then how…?”
“How? Simple—”
Cheon Hui’s lips curled upward as he spoke.
“We’ll strike straight through the front.”
* * *
The Hyeolwuseonik-ga was in considerable turmoil.
“The Murim Alliance has declared war on Sa Hyuk Ryeon…?”
So Un Bo, an elder of the Hyeolwuseonik-ga, furrowed his white brows at the rumors spreading through the streets.
“It can’t be false, can it?”
He fixed the old man beside him with a hard stare and posed the question.
Hyeol Gak Ju, who oversaw intelligence, shook his head slowly, his expression grave beyond measure.
“It is information confirmed by Hao Moon. Moreover, we have also learned that the Murim Alliance is organizing a special operations force with the intention of crushing all Sapa sects in Kangbuk.
Murmurs of alarm rippled through the assembly.
If Hao Moon had confirmed it, there was no reason to doubt the veracity of the information.
Then it was.
“So our clan is included in this, then.”
A weighty voice descended from above.
All eyes turned upward.
The voice came from the white-haired, fair-skinned middle-aged man seated on the jade throne at the head of the stairs.
Those watching swallowed hard.
He was the patriarch of the Hyeolwuseonik-ga of the present generation, the absolute ruler who held dominion over Seorim—So Gwang Pae, the Dominating Crimson Blade.
“Is what the seat says correct?”
So Gwang Pae asked, his gaze lowered.
His icy blue eyes caught the light filtering through the paper doors, gleaming coldly.
At that piercing stare, Hyeol Gak Ju flinched.
“…It would seem so, yes.”
At those words, everyone gathered in the great hall of the Hyeolwuseonik-ga stirred with dread.
“The Murim Alliance is attacking our clan?”
“This is madness!”
Curses and anguished cries erupted from the assembly.
Even if they were the Hyeolwuseonik-ga that ruled Seorim, their opponent was the Murim Alliance.
The gap in strength was far too great.
As the disorder threatened to grow,
Boom!
A heavy sound reverberated through the air.
So Gwang Pae brought his armrest crashing down, cutting short the commotion in one swift stroke, and asked again.
“Have you contacted Sa Hyuk Ryeon?”
Hyeol Gak Ju nodded and replied.
“We’ve already sent word to Sa Hyuk Ryeon. But I’m afraid the matter of time…….”
Hyeol Gak Ju trailed off.
Yet that alone was enough for everyone to understand what he left unsaid.
So Gwang Pae turned his gaze slightly.
His eyes shifted to the middle-aged man who had been standing beside the throne all this while.
“Is there a way to escape this?”
The middle-aged man, Myo Ryeon Gwang, the chief steward of the Hyeolwuseonik-ga, spoke with a slightly hardened expression.
“The best course would be to abandon the Hyeolwuseonik-ga and flee toward the Murim of Kangnam.”
Myo Ryeon Gwang’s words met with immediate objection.
“That’s absurd.”
“We cannot abandon our house.”
The elders in particular voiced fierce opposition.
This was the home that the founder of Hyeolwuseonik-ga, the Blood-Rain Sword Master, had established two hundred years ago when he was counted among the ten greatest swordsmen under heaven.
They had endured it through the threats of the Cheong Seong Sect in the west of Sichuan, and the threats of the Wudang Sect positioned in the east of Hubei.
To abandon it now was unthinkable.
It was something they could never accept.
And So Gwang Pae, the house master of Hyeolwuseonik-ga, shared the elders’ view.
“Is there no other way?”
“Then we have no choice but to wait until Sa Hyuk Ryeon’s aid arrives.”
So Gwang Pae’s brow twitched.
It was as much as saying that Hyeolwuseonik-ga itself had no means to turn the tide of battle.
At that moment, Hyeol Gak Ju spoke urgently.
“Still, Sa Hyuk Ryeon said they’ve sent Heuk Ya Cha and dharma protectors.”
“Heuk Ya Cha!”
Several people jumped to their feet.
Heuk Ya Cha was known to be the youngest disciple of the current leader of Sa Hyuk Ryeon, and it was said his realm surpassed that of the Later Generation Masters, making him a formidable expert even by the standards of Gangho.
“And if dharma protectors are being sent…….”
Everyone’s faces brightened with relief.
If they were dharma protectors assigned to guard Heuk Ya Cha, they could be no ordinary warriors.
Then So Gwang Pae’s lips moved slightly.
“When will they arrive?”
It was the most crucial question.
At that question, Hyeol Gak Ju swallowed hard, his throat moving visibly.
He answered carefully after a moment.
“The messenger hawk hasn’t arrived yet, but it should take at most five days.”
“Five days.”
So Gwang Pae murmured quietly to himself.
Under normal circumstances, it would have been a short span of time.
But in a situation as urgent as this, it felt desperately long.
“Do you think the Murim Alliance will make a move in the meantime?”
“I cannot say with certainty.”
Hyeol Gak Ju’s answer was evasive.
But it could hardly be otherwise.
The very survival of Hyeolwuseonik-ga hung in the balance.
One ill-considered certainty could only lead them into danger.
So Gwang Pae narrowed his eyes.
“……Then in the end, we have no choice but to endure these five days somehow.”
As his words hung in the silence that followed.
Crash!
An explosion thundered from outside.
“Surely not?!”
“The Murim Alliance already?!”
Those gathered leapt to their feet in alarm.
And the moment all of them instinctively rushed out of the great hall and threw open the outer doors.
“The, the main gate?!”
“Who in the blazes is this…!”
They burst with rage.
The main gate that had stood for two centuries, guarding the Hyeolwuseonik-ga, lay in ruins.
And perched atop those shattered remains was a young man with an arrogant expression, looking down upon them.
Cheon Hui swept his gaze across the martial masters of the Hyeolwuseonik-ga who came scrambling out, then slowly curled his lips into a smile.
“Is that all of you?”

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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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