Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 6

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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 6
“Our school is famous for…….”
Hyeon Cheong continued speaking beside him, but not a single word reached Cheon Hwi’s ears.
Reincarnated as a disciple of the Huashan School?
He still couldn’t be certain it was right, but he was coming to accept it somewhat.
Reincarnation did align with the meaning of eternal immortality.
But this—this was something else.
‘What? Three hundred years later?’
His brow furrowed without his intention.
Until now, he’d believed that only his state had changed.
But suddenly, three hundred years had passed.
‘If I’m going to be reincarnated anyway, why not do it right away? What is this?’
Three hundred years was hardly a short span of time.
Since ancient times, people said that mountains and rivers change in ten years. Three hundred years meant they’d change thirty times over.
That was when it happened.
Tap.
A heavy pressure settled on his shoulder, and then a quiet voice reached him.
“……Are you all right?”
The question pierced through his distraction, and he came back to himself.
He looked up to see Hyeon Cheong shaking his shoulder, eyes full of concern.
The sight of him snapped his mind into focus.
He pushed away the turbulent thoughts muddying his head and forced his reluctant lips to move.
“I’m fine.”
Hyeon Cheong released his shoulder.
“Then……I’m relieved.”
Despite his words, Hyeon Cheong’s face was filled with concern as he gazed at Cheon Hwi.
But Cheon Hwi had no time to dwell on that.
Instead, he held Hyeon Cheong’s gaze and asked, his voice low.
“Is there perhaps a book in the Archive of Ten Thousand Scriptures containing records of the Martial World’s history?”
“……A record of the Martial World’s history, you say?”
At the abrupt question, Hyeon Cheong’s face showed he didn’t understand at all.
But soon he shook his head and spoke.
“We haven’t kept a separate record of the Martial World’s history.”
Cheon Hwi’s face hardened—but only for a moment, before Hyeon Cheong continued.
“However, we do have the Huashan Annals, which contains separate records of our school’s history.”
Cheon Hwi’s eyes narrowed.
That would be enough.
His thoughts concluded in a blink, and he looked up at Hyeon Cheong with a question.
“Do you know where these Huashan Annals are kept?”
“They should be in the western corner of this floor.”
“Thank you.”
Cheon Hwi hurried his thanks and strode past Hyeon Cheong down the stairs.
Perhaps his urgency drove him forward.
Tap-tap-tap—
The moment he reached this floor, he moved westward without even taking time to look around carefully.
Then, while quickly scanning the shelves—
‘Found it!’
He located it far more easily than expected.
His eyes gleamed as he fixed his gaze on the bookshelf brimming with Huashan Annals. At a glance, there were easily dozens of volumes arranged in neat order.
‘The most recent ones should be…….’
His gaze stopped at the right side of the shelf.
Could it be that one?
On the right side of the bookshelf, he quickly took down what appeared to be the most recently written Huashan Annals—pristine and bright white.
For a short while, he read through the book.
Snap.
A moment later, he closed it.
“Ha…….”
A sigh escaped between his lips.
Then, with a complicated expression, he scratched the back of his head and let out a curse.
“Damn it. Three hundred years really have passed.”
* * *
The next day.
Immortal Peak of Huashan School.
So high did it rise that clouds pure as snow—clouds that belonged in the heavens—clung precariously to its summit.
And within those billowing clouds,
a shrill wind whistled—
there stood an open pavilion, its walls transparent to all directions.
The Cloud-Middle Pavilion, where Huashan School held its grand councils, was filled with many.
“Everyone has gathered.”
Jang Mun In, who had been listening to Hyeon Il—the eldest senior brother of the Hyeon faction that had arrived first—swept his gaze across those seated around him.
Six figures sat at a circular table.
Most of the Daoist masters of the Hyeon faction, who now sustained Huashan School, had assembled.
Three alone were absent from this gathering.
Hyeon Jin, who had gone to the Martial Alliance a year ago leading promising junior swordsmen with bright futures ahead; Hyeon Cheong, who remained in the Archive of Ten Thousand Scriptures; and Hyeon Do, who was devoted to his training.
“As for Hyeon Cheong…”
“Ah well, the master remains as he is today.”
Hyeon Il laughed awkwardly, stroking his beard, and several others murmured in response.
“It would have been good had he spared even a little time. It is a shame.”
Hyeon Jin’s absence in the Martial Alliance was unavoidable, but the non-attendance of these two was lamentable.
At least Hyeon Do had attended several times.
But Hyeon Cheong had not.
They expressed their regret for Hyeon Cheong, who remained within Huashan School yet had not attended a single grand council.
“He ought to venture outside from time to time.”
“I fear he might collapse. I worry constantly.”
Eight years had passed since he confined himself in the Archive of Ten Thousand Scriptures.
After the death of his youngest disciple shattered him, he had not stepped one foot outside.
Just as the atmosphere began to sink lower,
“Then we shall begin the council.”
Jang Mun In shifted the mood.
“As all know, in two months’ time, this school shall host the Five Sacred Mountains Meeting.”
All faces hardened slightly.
The reason the Cloud-Middle Pavilion had held councils so frequently of late was because of this.
Western Peak—Huashan School.
Eastern Peak—Tai Mountain School.
Southern Peak—Heng Mountain School.
Northern Peak—Heng Mountain School North.
Central Peak—Song Mountain School.
These five schools, called the Five Sacred Mountains Sword Schools since ancient times, gathered in turn at each other’s territories once every four years to compare their martial arts.
This was the Five Sacred Mountains Meeting—a grand assembly boasting a long tradition and history, and this would be the fifty-sixth occasion.
“Senior Sister. Have all preparations been completed?”
All eyes focused on Hyeon Ryeo.
She was the Director of the Treasury Pavilion, which managed Huashan School’s finances, and bore responsibility for all arrangements of the Five Sacred Mountains Meeting.
“As mentioned at the previous council, we have renovated the Plum Fragrance Inn, which had fallen into disrepair, and ensured that all guests arriving will have lodging.”
At her words, everyone’s eyes widened.
“Already done?”
“That’s faster than expected.”
Hyeon Yang, the Director of the Martial Connection Pavilion, who had been listening quietly, asked carefully.
“Did you not say it would require more time?”
“It would have taken longer ordinarily, but fortunately the Feifeng Merchant Group came forward and offered their assistance a few days ago.”
“But they are the foremost merchant group in Shaanxi Province now. Why would they…”
“They are of Jeok Geom’s household.”
Jang Mun In added the words as if he had been waiting for this, and in that moment everyone’s expression shifted to understanding as they nodded their heads up and down.
Jeok Geom was a disciple who had distinguished himself among the second generation, and would be participating in the Five Sacred Mountains Meeting.
“…Thus all preparations mentioned in the previous council have been completed.”
After a moment, her words concluded.
“Good.”
Jang Mun In smiled with satisfaction.
“Hyeon Yang.”
The Director of the Martial Connection Pavilion bowed his head at the call.
“You called for me?”
“Have you decided which disciples will attend the Five Sacred Mountains Meeting?”
“Yes, all selections have been made.”
As I answered, I lifted my head.
“As I mentioned before, I have in mind Jeok Geom, along with Jeok Un and Jeok Jae, and finally Seol Ran.”
“Good.”
Jang Mun In smiled at how smoothly the preparations for the Five Sacred Mountains Meeting were progressing. But only for a moment—his expression hardened, and he turned to Hyeon Il, who had been quietly observing from the side.
“What of the surrounding situation?”
Hyeon Il, the Director of the Flying Pavilion who handled information across the Martial World, answered as if he’d been waiting for the question.
“Quiet as always.”
If things were quiet, it would ordinarily be good news in the current climate, yet the Director wore a dissatisfied expression as he continued.
“In the old days, the moment our school held the Five Sacred Mountains Meeting, even the Zhong Nan School would rage violently. Yet now they show no reaction whatsoever.”
“……Is that so?”
Jang Mun In’s voice had grown thin.
Everyone was startled by the change—his tone, ordinarily so warm and benevolent, had turned cold.
Then, one by one, they seemed to grasp the hidden meaning beneath the Director’s words, and their faces grew grave.
The Director of the Martial Connection Pavilion reacted first. Trembling with indignation, he raised his brows sharply.
“It is an act of contempt toward our school.”
Though his voice was carefully restrained, the anger it contained was felt by all.
“Heh heh…….”
As the Director of the Martial Connection Pavilion, suppressing his fury, let out a bitter laugh.
“What of the Overlord Gate?”
Jang Mun In hastily changed the subject.
“They too remain silent.”
“Will they cause no interference?”
“Would they stir up needless conflict?”
At the Director’s answer, Jang Mun In fell into thought. The Overlord Gate was a concern in a way other sects were not.
They had recently risen to prominence in Shaanxi Province, second only to the Huashan School, the Zhong Nan School, and the White Ghost Fortress, and they belonged to the Four Black Lotus Alliance, an opposing force.
“Still, do exercise vigilance.”
“You need not worry on that account.”
The Director nodded.
“Then regarding the senior disciples…….”
The meeting continued on.
After roughly two hours had passed, the sun above Immortal Peak gradually descended, and the evening glow bathed everything in amber light.
“We shall conclude this meeting now.”
At Jang Mun In’s words, all rose to their feet.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“I shall be going as well.”
After bowing to Jang Mun In, they dispersed one by one, leaving the Cloud-Middle Pavilion.
As Hyeon Ryeo was the last to bow and turn to leave, Jang Mun In called to her.
“Senior Sister.”
“Is there another problem? Senior Brother.”
Perhaps because the great meeting had ended, Hyeon Ryeo’s tone and voice were considerably more at ease.
“Heh heh heh, I know you are busy, and I hesitate to burden you further. But I wished to know how Cheon Hwi has been faring of late.”
Hyeon Ryeo smiled gently.
“Cheon Hwi has been visiting the Archive of Ten Thousand Scriptures every day recently.”
“The Archive of Ten Thousand Scriptures……, you say?”
Jang Mun In’s eyes widened.
The Cheon Hwi he had known all these years showed not the slightest interest in martial arts.
Yet the Archive of Ten Thousand Scriptures?
Lost in thought for a moment, Jang Mun In then spoke with an expression of understanding.
“Ah, so now that his body has healed, he has taken an interest in martial arts. Heh heh heh. Perhaps I should have him learn some of our school’s techniques…….”
“That won’t do!”
Hyeon Ryeo rejected his suggestion outright.
“But surely it would be good if, seeing his interest in martial arts, he were to learn…….”
“Senior Brother! Are you in your right mind? Until just days ago, that child was hovering between life and death. Cheon Hwi was. And you would have him learn martial arts?!”
At Hyeon Ryeo’s sharp, pointed voice, Jang Mun In flinched.
Hyeon Ryeo, who had always cherished and cared for Cheon Hwi, had become even more protective since that great collapse.
“Besides, Cheon Hwi is already fourteen years old. Learning now would only cause him harm.”
It was too late an age to begin martial training.
On top of that, he had been on death’s door days ago. And if he lacked talent as well…….
The future stretched before her like a thorny path.
For that reason, Hyeon Ryeo had tried desperately to prevent Cheon Hwi from learning Martial Arts.
She harbored only the wish that his life would not be filled with hardship.
“Senior Sister.”
Jang Mun In called to her in a measured voice.
Seeing the distress written across her face, he spoke quietly.
“As you say, Cheon Hwi is already fourteen. But how much longer do you intend for us to dictate his future? Surely you don’t wish to raise him into a child who cannot stand alone without depending on you?”
“That’s…….”
Hyeon Ryeo’s lips closed.
She knew it herself.
That simply blocking him was not the wisest path—yet since Cheon Hwi’s collapse not long ago, anxiety had taken root in her heart.
The fear that he might collapse again.
Jang Mun In spoke as he watched Hyeon Ryeo’s pained expression.
“So ask Cheon Hwi himself, would you? If he wishes to learn Martial Arts, then teach him. If he has no desire to learn, then leave matters as they are.”
Jang Mun In offered a gentle smile as he spoke.
“That, surely, is what we ought to do for Cheon Hwi’s sake, is it not?”
* * *
“It’s been a while, Senior Brother.”
The moment Hyeon Ryeo entered the Archive of Ten Thousand Scriptures and offered her greeting, Hyeon Cheong set down the Martial Arts Manual he held and looked up.
“Indeed, it has been.”
“Cheon Hwi is…….”
“On the third floor, I’d imagine.”
Watching Hyeon Cheong answer a beat faster than her question, Hyeon Ryeo smiled.
“Thank you.”
She turned toward the stairs beside her, then added softly.
“If you have a moment, perhaps show your face now and then. Your brothers are worried about you.”
“……There is still work to be done.”
Despite asking many times, Hyeon Ryeo had heard that same answer without variation. She gazed at him with a sorrowful expression, then made her way up the stairs.
Whoosh— whoosh—
‘The sound of wind being cut……? There should be no one else in the Archive of Ten Thousand Scriptures but Cheon Hwi?’
Drawn by a sound that had no place in the Archive, her footsteps quickened.
At last, reaching its source.
“……!”
Her mouth fell open.
There stood Cheon Hwi.
In his left hand, a Martial Arts Manual.
And with his right hand, he was executing a transcendent technique she knew well.
‘That—that’s the Orchid Flower Path Acupoint Strike?’
She gasped in shock.
What was the Orchid Flower Path Acupoint Strike?
It was a technique ranked among the highest in destructive power of all Martial Arts that existed within the Huashan School, yet it was a method whose crucial formulas had been lost long ago.
‘When it was recovered, so many of the crucial passages were missing that only oral tradition preserved how the true Orchid Flower Path Acupoint Strike was meant to unfold…….’
Hyeon Ryeo’s eyes widened.
Yet what was happening now?
Cheon Hwi was demonstrating the Orchid Flower Path Acupoint Strike.
Exactly as it had been passed down through oral tradition alone.

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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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