Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 4

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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 4
In the past, his body had been extraordinary.
A Demon Spirit Body.
A frame born with Demonic Energy from birth could master any Demonic Sect Martial Art with ease and speed.
If he had not been born with the Demon Spirit Body, he would never have become the Tianma Divine Sect’s patriarch with the renown of Absolute Heavenly Demon without first mastering the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
That was how rare and singular the Demon Spirit Body was. Yet now, as he surveyed his current frame, this body brought the Demon Spirit Body to mind in a way that made him smile.
‘To be precise, it stands at the complete opposite pole.’
The Twelve Primary Meridians, once clogged tight as a drum, now flowed open and clear as a bell, and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, which had been in disarray, were now taut as ox sinew.
More than that, the natural Qi mingled with the essence of his Lower Dantian was circulating swiftly through his blood vessels, fortifying the channels with each pass.
Had it ended there, there would have been no reason to think of the Demon Spirit Body at all.
But.
‘This is where it truly begins.’
His Inner Eye, turning inward in meditation, descended without limit, and upon reaching his abdomen, it surveyed the Lower Dantian nestled deep within.
The Lower Dantian, once rigid and stagnant from the blockage of the Twelve Primary Meridians, had expanded like a boundless sea now that it had accepted all the flowing Qi, and it appeared spotless—pristine in a way he had never witnessed.
Like a newborn child.
Even achieving the realm of Bone Exchange and Fetus Replacement could not render it this pure.
This sensation was entirely new to him.
‘With cleanliness of this degree, I could accumulate any Qi that exists under heaven and achieve rapid progress.’
This was the greatest advantage of this body whose true nature he could not yet name.
The ability to accept all Qi.
The Demon Spirit Body, born with Demonic Energy yet bound by Mutual Restraint.
This current frame, empty yet capable of accepting all Qi, free and unbounded.
Presence and Void, Demon and Emptiness.
The two bodies began at complete opposites, yet their strengths were equally exceptional.
‘And right now, this suits me better.’
In his past as Dok Go Gu Yeon, the Demon Spirit Body would have been superior, but for who he was now, this frame was optimal.
And that was not all.
His mind now contained countless martial teachings beyond measure, and beyond that, the experience of learning and facing the supreme martial arts of this world.
And now, on top of all that, he had obtained such an exceptional body?
It was as though wings had been grafted onto a tiger.
The corners of his eyes lifted in a smile.
‘I was merely trying to mend the Yin-Yang Tai Ling Severed Meridian to save my life, yet fortune smiled upon me. And what fortune it was—the luckiest of coincidences.’
Every circumstance that had unfolded in merely a single day seemed to stand before him and laugh.
With a body of this caliber, he could reclaim his former martial prowess far faster than he had anticipated.
Thus, with satisfaction painted across his face, he conducted a thorough survey of his body multiple times over.
‘For now, this is sufficient.’
After having fully grasped the state of his body, he slowly opened his eyes, which had been gently closed in meditation.
Then he swept his gaze around the chamber.
The deep darkness that had settled over the room swallowed its interior like an abyss.
‘Time has flown faster than I thought.’
Upon opening the window, he realized far more time had passed in the outside world than he had perceived in his mind.
The full moon, sheepishly lifting its pale face from among the clouds above, hung perfectly round, and its descending blue light gradually dyed the Huashan Sect, which had been crimson beneath the day’s sun, in cool azure.
Entranced by the subtle yet captivating landscape, his mind was stolen away.
‘Moonlight…….’
Perhaps because he had seen only the Night-Illuminating Pearl in the cave for ten years, the blue moonlight he beheld for so long seemed dear to him, and it gently thawed the hardened corners of his heart.
Thump—
He lay down at once in a sprawl.
‘What remains now is martial arts. Which should I attempt first? The Heavenly Demon Divine Art, as before? Or the Nine Heavens Demon Art, which shows the fastest progress? First I would establish the framework of the Lower Dantian with the Nine Heavens Demon Art, then center on the Return to Heaven Demon Result, and from there I could move toward the Heavenly Demon Divine Art…….’
In the midst of such thoughts, he paused.
‘……Is there truly a need to limit myself to Demon Arts?’
He had already explored most of the Demon Arts available in the Tianma Divine Sect.
Why chew the same cud again?
It held no appeal.
Besides, I am no longer Dok Go Gu Yeon—I am Cheon Hui, a disciple of the Huashan Sect.
If someone should happen to detect Demonic Energy, there would be talk of spies and martial world enemies, and all manner of tedious complications would surely arise.
Thus, considering the consequences that lay ahead, he gathered his thoughts.
There was no pressing need to master Demon Arts.
Wouldn’t it be far more interesting to cultivate the martial arts of the Orthodox Sects?
At the thought of learning new martial arts, a smile bloomed across his face.
In the Tianma Library long ago, there had been many Orthodox Sect martial manuals seized long before, but he could only read them—never practice them.
Orthodox Sect martial arts were inherently opposed to Demonic Energy.
But now an opportunity had presented itself.
So for now, the Demonic Arts would naturally recede into the background.
He recalled the martial techniques of Huashan Sect with deliberate care.
Their arts were truly magnificent.
Each sweep of the sword bloomed with flowers, dispersing the scent of deep plum blossoms….
A laugh escaped him despite himself.
The mere thought of it struck him as absurd.
It was like broadcasting his location to enemies from all eight directions.
‘Still, there was something pleasant about watching it.’
The fist techniques of Buddhist monks, the club swinging of beggars, the bizarre circular sword-drawing of those Daoist charlatans from the Wudang Sect—all of it paled compared to the beauty of Huashan’s forms.
‘So I just need to learn it myself?’
With that thought, he began recalling one by one the Huashan martial arts manuals that had been gathering dust, wedged in the corner of the Tianma Library.
The Qianyuan Clear Heart Method, the Nine Palaces Reverse Heaven Sword, the Immortal Cloud Rest Lonely Peak, the Nine Palaces Step, and as he reflected on the Jade Ring Wonderful Step he’d witnessed firsthand, he suddenly stiffened.
‘Come to think of it, the Jade Ring Wonderful Step….’
The stepping technique Hyeon Ryeo had displayed that morning surfaced in his memory.
‘That’s the Jade Ring Wonderful Step, isn’t it?’
The Jade Ring Wonderful Step he knew was, true to its name, a stepping art that was steep as jade-carved peaks, producing mirages as it flowed.
But the version she’d demonstrated was merely fast—lacking the deceptive hollow steps that should have been woven throughout.
‘Then again, maybe not. It was similar, though.’
As his thoughts lingered on the Jade Ring Wonderful Step, his worries deepened in tandem with the darkening night sky.
* * *
The next morning.
He stretched slowly and rose.
The slight soreness from yesterday had completely vanished, leaving him feeling light.
“Well then….”
I murmured to myself as I slipped out of the worn bed.
“Time to look around.”
For four days I’d gathered intelligence through listening and compilation; now it was time to move on foot.
I donned the Sect Robe of intertwined crimson and black that I’d noted upon arrival yesterday.
Then I glanced at the sword resting nearby.
It must have belonged to whoever this “Master” was.
A long sword spanning nine feet and nine inches.
Not a blade for a young novice to wield.
I turned my body swiftly.
As I opened the door to the small cottage, the cool air of early dawn embraced my lungs.
“Ahh…. Refreshing.”
The cottage was situated on one of Huashan’s peaks—Nagan Peak.
Perhaps because it was among the highest points on Huashan.
The surrounding landscape spread before my eyes in a single sweeping vista.
First came the sight of peaks carved as if by a blade, their slopes so sheer they seemed to slice the air, with beautiful plum blossoms blooming in profusion around them.
‘Far more pleasant than the dreary Tianshan.’
Tianshan was higher and more vast than Huashan.
Yet it did not overflow with the kind of vitality that lifted one’s spirits merely by sight.
The eternal snow and the beasts were to blame.
Though those same beasts had allowed me to eat well in that barren landscape.
Perhaps I was remembering the chewy wolf and tiger meat I’d hunted and eaten before entering seclusion ten years prior—my mouth filled with saliva at the thought.
I’d need to hunt some fresh meat later.
Entertaining this extension of my plans, I quickened my steps.
Crunch— crunch—
I descended the narrow mountain path, slowly absorbing the surrounding landscape.
The scent of plum blossoms blooming abundantly around me tickled my nostrils, while the imposing pavilions scattered throughout seized my gaze.
After descending for some time.
The steep mountain path gradually flattened.
With it came a succession of grand pavilions.
The Zhuzhu Mei Pavilion where the Second-Rank Disciples resided, the Wuhua Pavilion for the Third-Rank Disciples, and the Wulian Pavilion for the First-Rank Disciples.
Yet contrary to the information I’d gathered, all these pavilions were silent.
Then came a faint sound.
“Hah! Hah!”
I sharpened my focus, perking up my ears to catch the shouts of exertion echoing from a distance.
So it would be either Taorin Field, the practice ground for Named Disciples, or Samong Field, the practice ground for True Mountain Disciples.
He reasoned it out based on the sound of the shout.
After a moment, a rough mental map of Huashan Sect’s interior began to take shape.
So if I head this way…….
He abruptly changed direction.
Walking for about an hour longer, he stopped before an aging pavilion.
Found it at last!
He gazed at the signboard hanging plainly at the entrance: Mangyeong Pavilion.
The library where Huashan Sect kept and organized all of its Martial Arts Secret Manuals consisted of three floors and rose to considerable height.
‘Well then, suppose I browse through some of Huashan’s martial arts.’
He approached Mangyeong Pavilion, which lay shrouded in silence, and grasped the closed door handle.
Creak——
The moment the door opened, what greeted him was not books or bookshelves, but a middle-aged Taoist.
“Oh, isn’t this Hui?”
The wrinkled-faced Taoist hurried over and patted his head.
‘Do people here pat heads as a greeting? Mine will be worn smooth.’
As Cheon Hui looked at the middle-aged Taoist—Hyeon Cheong, keeper of Mangyeong Pavilion—who patted his head following the Sect Leader, his own eyes widened.
“So you’ve safely overcome a great ordeal just as the Sect Leader said today. Well then, what brings you to Mangyeong Pavilion?”
“I’d like to read some Martial Arts Manuals…… if I may.”
His words came out halting, as if the formal speech still hadn’t quite settled on his tongue. Yet Hyeon Cheong’s eyes widened not at the unfamiliarity of his tone, but at what lay beneath the words.
“Martial Arts Manuals, you say?”
“Yes.”
“Haha, splendid. So now that your body has recovered, you’re taking an interest in martial arts.”
Hyeon Cheong laughed heartily, delighted by something. He stepped aside and spoke.
“Since this is your first visit, I’ll explain.”
Soon the interior of Mangyeong Pavilion came into view.
‘Ah, indeed.’
The corners of his mouth twitched upward.
Though smaller than Tianma Library, Mangyeong Pavilion was far grander than most pavilions.
And it was filled entirely with books, the air heavy with the distinctive scent of paper.
“The first floor holds miscellaneous texts and martial arts manuals widely known throughout Zhongyuan. This floor contains martial arts texts that Named Disciples may study. And on the very top floor, the third, are martial arts manuals describing the profound techniques that True Mountain Disciples of our sect may learn. If you were merely a Named Disciple without a Sect Token, this floor would be your limit—but as a True Mountain Disciple and Direct Disciple, you are free to peruse anywhere in this pavilion.”
His lips quirked upward.
‘How many volumes are there altogether?’
As he imagined the countless martial arts manuals he was about to see, a pleased laugh escaped him.
At the moment when he finally felt satisfied with the results of the Eternal Immortal Reign Supreme Law, which had always left him wanting.
“Heh-heh.”
Hyeon Cheong let out a laugh.
He watched the bright-eyed Cheon Hui, stroking his beard which had grown in sparse tufts from being left uncut for so long.
‘I thought he had no interest in martial arts, but he must have been hiding his true feelings all this time, worried about causing concern with his poor health.’
A pang of sympathy stirred within him.
The youngest disciple’s adopted child.
At first, everyone had thought he would inherit the youngest disciple’s position as the next First Sword of Huashan, but the moment they witnessed him directly, all came to realize without exception.
That the boy’s body was in terrible condition.
‘Heh, yet with Ja So-dan and Sa Jil’s medical skill, it’s resolved so completely—how I wish the youngest disciple could have seen this…….’
Tears blurred his vision.
The youngest disciple had been Huashan’s treasure.
Possessed of an Innate Talent that could restore the name of recently diminished Huashan Sect, it was thought he would reach the Heavenly Martial Realm at a remarkably young age.
But that had become nothing more than a dream.
Eight years ago, in battle with Baek Gwi Seong, he had fallen, and because of that, Cheon Hui had grown only more withdrawn.
‘At least his body has recovered.’
Misunderstanding begets misunderstanding, as they say.
Hyeon Cheong’s gaze grew warmer still.
But Cheon Hui, already captivated entirely by Mangyeong Pavilion, did not notice, and promptly stepped inside.
‘Pity, but let me start with the third floor first.’
Cheon Hui forced his reluctant feet to move, striding up the stairs in long steps.
Reaching the third floor, his eyes gleamed as he took in the bookshelves that filled his vision.
Heart Technique, Sword Technique, Fist Technique, Palm Technique, Finger Technique…….
As Cheon Hui scanned the labels on each shelf, he stopped at one place.
He gazed at the marker on the side of the bookshelf: “Lightness Skill”.
He immediately turned to the side and began scanning through the densely inscribed titles on the shelf.
The Ink Cloud Spitting Thunder, the Heavenly Dragon Emerging from Cloud, the Slaughter Hand One Step, and the Nine Palaces Step.
Every signature footwork technique of the Huashan Sect was gathered here.
A sharp intake of breath.
His eyes were drawn instinctively to several of the manuals, but he forced himself to resist, letting his gaze drift past them.
“Jade Ring Wonderful Step, Jade Ring Wonderful Step…”
Murmuring the name softly, he didn’t have to search long before—
“There it is!”
His hand shot out and pulled the manual free.
The Martial Arts Manual bearing “Jade Ring Wonderful Step” in clear characters made his body throb with anticipation.
A new manual. After all this time.
His eyes began to flush with excitement, and a twisted smile pulled at the corners of his mouth.
It was the look that had once earned him the name Martial Maniac Ghost among those who knew him.
Rustle.
The instant he flipped open the manual—
“Wait. This is the Jade Ring Wonderful Step?”
A voice thick with confusion escaped him.

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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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