Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 297

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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 297
The Changjiang River, which divides Zhongyuan north and south, had long been the lifeblood of commerce and trade.
Naturally, those wishing to cross it were numerous, and so vessels perpetually lined the harbors in readiness.
Of late, this bustle had grown even more pronounced.
And in such circumstances, those aboard the northbound vessels whistled merrily, their spirits light.
Smiles bloomed especially bright on the faces of merchants and the sailors who worked the ships.
“Since the river bandits haven’t shown their faces, how fortunate can one be?”
“Who would have imagined that strife in Kangho could prove so beneficial?”
Each time they crossed the Changjiang, river bandits posed the gravest threat to their livelihoods.
Among them, the Changjiang Water Bandits who ruled the river were their cruelest adversary.
Yet when war erupted between the Murim Alliance and Sa Hyuk Ryeon across the waters of the Changjiang, the bandits vanished without a trace, fearful of sustaining collateral damage.
For this reason, the sailors and merchants had regained their zest for life.
“When I think of the gold those vermin plundered from us, my blood still boils.”
“Ah, with them gone, my heart is at ease—truly at ease. I do hope this war drags on awhile longer.”
As those aboard the moving vessel continued their leisurely conversation, contentment marking their ease,
“Hmm?”
Their eyes narrowed at the sight of vast shadows appearing in the distance.
There was not just one.
Ten shadows in total.
In an instant, their faces went pale.
It was rare for so many vessels to move in unison upon the Changjiang.
“Could it be……?”
“The river bandits returning……?”
As they tensed, the shadows took form, and once they confirmed the identity of the ships, they relaxed.
Each of the ten vessels bore identical characters on the flags that fluttered above.
Cheonha Trading Company
Those aboard pressed their hands to their chests and smiled with relief.
“Ah, it’s not them.”
“Whew, I was needlessly alarmed.”
Yet their relief was short-lived; observing the leading vessels, they grew puzzled.
“But what is this about?”
“Exactly. Ten such enormous ships moving in concert—it’s most unusual.”
Beneath the cold winter wind, the ten vessels bearing the banner of the Cheonha Trading Company, the greatest trading house under heaven, raced southward at a terrifying speed. Surely it was no ordinary occurrence.
The merchants’ vessel swerved sharply to avoid collision with the massive oncoming ship.
Splash!
The boat rocked gently with the swell of water.
The ten vessels crossed paths and swept past, and the merchants stole glances as they went.
Whether those riding aboard or those who crewed the ships—all shared the same curiosity.
What cargo could possibly warrant such a spectacle?
The moment they caught sight of the vessels,
Whoa!
Confronted with the unexpected sight, they gasped and hurriedly averted their eyes.
‘What in the world……!’
‘What manner of affair is unfolding?’
The vessels were not laden with goods.
They were filled with people.
Martial experts, every one of them, radiating a fierce and piercing aura.
Shortly after, the ships passed one another.
As the ten vessels receded into the distance, the merchants exhaled the breath they had been holding and wiped their brows.
“Why would so many martial masters be aboard the Cheonha Trading Company’s ships? Could it be true, as the rumors whisper, that the Cheonha Trading Company has allied itself with the Murim Alliance to oppose the Dae Eun Trading Company, which backs Sa Hyuk Ryeon?”
They murmured these recent rumors from the merchant circles, their voices rising again.
“We have drawn sufficient attention,” Hyeop Wi Dae Ju remarked quietly, glancing at the fourth vessel they had now passed.
“Merchants’ talk spreads faster than anything; word will soon reach the Immortal Heaven Sect.”
Pama Dae Ju nodded in response and added softly,
“That we have crossed the Changjiang.”
As he finished speaking, his eyes narrowed to slits.
They had revealed themselves deliberately.
To let the world know—or rather, to serve as bait.

“We are nearly there.”
Pama Dae Ju gazed ahead and spoke.
The Changjiang, which had seemed to stretch endlessly, was finally revealing its end.
The harbor where the ships were anchored came into view.
“There are quite a few people.”
Hyeop Wi Dae Ju spoke, his eyes narrowing with focus.
In the distant harbor, countless figures clustered together, either boarding vessels or shifting cargo.
Then his gaze sharpened.
His pupils, flashing with a light like azure lightning, moved with practiced precision.
A faint beam of light drew across the scene.
And where his sight finally settled, figures radiating killing intent came into focus.
“Roughly a hundred men, hiding and watching.”
He spoke, having identified the harsh auras radiating from those concealed around the harbor.
“What shall we do now?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Pama Dae Ju promptly grasped the Purple Robe he’d set beside him and draped it across his shoulders.
The yellow characters reading “Pama” emblazoned across the back of the robe gleamed distinctly.
To seize the Demon.
He stepped to the bow, the robe billowing behind him like a banner inscribed with the founding purpose of the Pama Division.
A cold wind brushed against his skin.
Yet with an impassive gaze fixed on the harbor, he drew up his Internal Force.
“All we need do is capture their attention.”
As he spoke, an aura rose from his form.
Hyeop Wi Dae Ju watched him, rippling Purple Robe and wavering aura alike, and smiled before positioning himself at his side.
“This operation promises to be quite taxing.”
He too drew up his Internal Force as he muttered.
His azure robe fluttered dramatically.
The characters “Hyeop Wi” inscribed on the back of his robe billowed in harmony with the great waves of the Changjiang below, shimmering with unusual intensity.
Just as the two finished their preparations.
Splash.
The ships came to rest at the harbor.
“The Cheonha Trading Company?”
“What cargo requires the operation of so many vessels?”
“Are they conducting some major transaction?”
All eyes turned toward the newly arrived ships.
Even for an operation as large as the Cheonha Trading Company, running ten ships at once was clearly a matter of considerable significance.
Just as everyone was absorbed in observing the vessels.
Thud—thud—
The sound of footsteps echoed.
Immediately, people descended from the ship, and the moment they were recognized, those watching froze where they stood.
An extraordinary procession of martial artists continued to pour from the vessel.
Even the untrained, ignorant of martial arts, caught their breath beneath the overwhelming aura and watched cautiously.
…….
Silence descended upon the harbor.
Not a soul spoke.
Rather, none could speak.
The once-bustling harbor sank into profound stillness.
Thud, thud.
The only sound was the footsteps of the martial artists disembarking.
As soon as they fully descended onto the dock, those gathered there instinctively stepped back, clearing a path.
A corridor opened as if by magic.
Pama Dae Ju and Hyeop Wi Dae Ju, first to descend from the ship, led the way forward, followed by the ranks of the Pama Division, the Hyeop Wi Division, and the Myeoljol Dae.
All eyes fixed upon the imposing spectacle.
Merchants, sailors, and common folk alike, as well as the hidden martial artists of Sa Hyuk Ryeon, held their breath and could only stare at the magnificent display.
And in the midst of this pageantry.
Whoosh—
Several figures from the ship vanished in an instant, undetected and without a sound.
Most discreetly and quietly.
* * *
An age of chaos had arrived.
As news of the Ami Fortress Battle spread swiftly throughout All Under Heaven during these turbulent times, another rumor raced outward just as fast.
The southward advance of Hyeop Wi Division and Pama Division.
Their movements, made without concealment, were already public knowledge, and their pace was remarkably swift.
“They’ve already crossed Junui? At this rate, they’ll arrive today or tomorrow.”
“Huh, what speed is that…….”
“Aren’t they pushing hard to repay the debt from the Ami Fortress Battle?”
“Likely so, given how openly they’ve revealed their movements.”
“But the Immortal Heaven Sect and Pama Division, Hyeop Wi Division…… I can’t get a sense of which side will prevail.”
“Still, it’s the Immortal Heaven Sect. They don’t have an overwhelming master either, so Pama Division and Hyeop Wi Division alone shouldn’t be enough, should they?”
“Who knows how the world turns. Look at the Ami Fortress Battle not long ago. Who would have predicted the Ami Sect would win?”
“That’s true enough.”
Chunpung Inn.
The inn in Guiyang, the provincial capital of Guizhou, was alive with noise as guests chattered endlessly about the rumors circulating.
It was only natural.
The headquarters of the Immortal Heaven Sect stood in the very center of Guiyang, nowhere else.
All of them voiced their anxieties openly.
None could predict what damage they might suffer from the clash of these two powers.
While Chunpung Inn remained abuzz with such talk, five figures seated at the most secluded table were eating quietly, ears pricked, listening carefully to the surrounding conversations.
They were Cheon Hui and his companions, who had separated from the Murim Alliance forces to face the Immortal Heaven Sect Master alone.
“The rumors have spread so widely, yet the Immortal Heaven Sect makes no move.”
Yuk Won, a disciple of Cheon Force, murmured as he listened to the distant conversations.
His appearance had changed greatly since he first met Cheon Hui.
He had discarded his neat Martial Robe and now wore a shabby yellow one, and his neatly groomed beard had grown wild and unkempt.
He was not alone in this.
All of them had transformed themselves.
Gi Jung Hak, Bearer of the Endless Spear, wore a pristine white hero’s cloth, and Eun Seol Seol, Shadow of Mountains and Waters, wore archery garb instead of a Martial Robe.
Go Yeong Nak was dressed as a scholar, and Cheon Hui wore an entirely black Martial Robe with a Bamboo Hat pulled low.
“They may be holding their breath,” ventured Gi Jung Hak.
He spoke carefully.
“Or perhaps they’re preparing a defense,” added Eun Seol Seol.
She continued his thought.
“Tch, what a bother.”
Go Yeong Nak grumbled in frustration.
He was thoroughly displeased.
The Immortal Heaven Sect stood right before them, and yet they could do nothing.
He turned his head then toward the figure seated beside him, and asked a question.
“How far has the main force come?”
“If they move as planned, they should arrive just before dawn tomorrow.”
“Before dawn, then.”
Go Yeong Nak’s eyes half-closed.
“Then we’ll need to spend the night here.”
Go Yeong Nak clicked his tongue with a disapproving sound and shook his head, when suddenly his expression turned bewildered.
“Mmm, slurp. It’s been a while since I’ve had something truly decent.”
Cheon Hui was eating Five-Spice Braised Pork.
And with obvious relish at that.
It was not only he who noticed—all of them stared at Cheon Hui in astonishment.
No matter that he’d removed his Sect Robes and concealed his identity, he was still a Daoist.
And yet he was eating meat…….
“This is delicious…… uh?”
Cheon Hui swallowed the meat in his mouth and looked up, sensing the concentrated gazes upon him.
“What are you all staring at?”
His answer was so bold and natural that all of them who had been watching him fell into confusion instead, and it was Yuk Won who carefully ventured a question.
“Can you eat meat?”
“You all said I needed to hide my identity, didn’t you?”
Cheon Hui spoke without concern.
“If I eat meat like this, who would think I’m a Daoist of the Huashan Sect?”
Yuk Won, about to nod in agreement with the logic, hesitated and opened his mouth.
“That may be true, but even so, you are a Daoist. Breaking the Daoist Precepts…….”
“I’m sad to break the Daoist Precepts too, but it’s all for the Alliance. Slurp.”
On the surface, his words spoke of sacrifice, yet contrary to them, Cheon Hui showed no hesitation whatsoever, steadily and without pause popping the meat before him into his mouth and swallowing it.
All the while wearing a faint smile at the corners of his lips.
“You have to properly conceal your identity, or they’ll catch on, won’t they?”
As everyone fell silent like men with honey in their mouths, Cheon Hui swallowed his meat and opened his mouth again.
“Gulp. So, everyone stay calm and act natural, yes?”
“How are we supposed to act natural when—”
Go Yeong Nak had barely started speaking when—
Whoosh!
Cheon Hui suddenly raised his chopsticks and pointed them directly at him with perfect precision.
“What are you doing?”
Go Yeong Nak stopped mid-sentence at that rather rude gesture, his brow furrowing when—
“Because of what you just did, those people at the table over there are stealing glances at us and listening in. Everyone act natural, naturally. Unless you’re planning to kill everyone here.”
Cheon Hui spoke in a cool, measured tone.
They were in Guiyang now.
Which meant they were in the palm of the Immortal Heaven Sect’s hand.
Their eyes and ears were everywhere.
The slightest opening would invite their suspicion, and they would close in like vultures.
“Or are you trying to get us to the Immortal Heaven Sect right now?”
As Cheon Hui spoke, his eyes grew colder.
It was the kind of question that, had anyone else asked it, would have seemed like a jest.
But Yuk Won could sense it.
He meant every word.
“…No, not now.”
Yuk Won replied urgently.
“We’ll wait until tomorrow, when the two of them clash as planned.”
“Hmm, is that so? That’s somewhat disappointing. I’d prefer to finish this quickly.”
Cheon Hui said it as if he genuinely regretted the delay, then placed another piece of meat in his mouth, chewed, and swallowed it down with a sip of Bamboo Leaf Green Tea.
“Ahh, that was good.”
He then picked up the long cloth he’d laid on the table and rose from his seat.
“Well, I don’t think there’s anything else to discuss, so I’ll head upstairs now.”
Without waiting for a reply, Cheon Hui climbed to the upper floor of the inn, and those who had been watching him all wore conflicted expressions.
“Is this what the Maehwa Divine Cooperation member is truly like?”
“He carries himself with extraordinary confidence.”
“A peculiar person indeed.”
“…Impossible to read.”
Each reflecting on the Cheon Hui they’d just witnessed, they shook their heads and resumed their meal.
Meanwhile, upon arriving in his room on the upper floor, Cheon Hui unrolled the cloth and removed two swords from it.
With practiced ease, he buckled them to his waist.
“This really does feel right.”
Smiling faintly at the weight he felt along his side, Cheon Hui turned his gaze toward the window.
The sunset spread softly across the sky in all directions.
A beautiful sight.
But Cheon Hui’s eyes were not on that landscape—they fixed on something distant.
A single pavilion rising higher than the heavens themselves.
The main temple of the Immortal Heaven Sect.
In that moment, Cheon Hui’s lips parted, revealing teeth white as snow, and a sinister smile spread across his face.
“A sect of Zhongyuan similar to the Shin Gyo…I wonder how it will be.”

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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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