Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 60

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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 60
When Cheon Hui arrived at the entrance of the Wulin Alliance a short while later, he looked up with astonished eyes.
‘It’s enormous.’
Even compared to the Tianma Divine Sect, the Wulin Alliance was far more immense.
It was as though there existed another fortress within an infinite citadel.
‘No wonder the elders were making such a fuss about conquering Zhongyuan. Even the Sect Master himself never indulged in such extravagance.’
The buildings of the Wulin Alliance gleamed with unmistakable opulence, as if to vindicate the Tianma Divine Sect’s ancient hunger for Zhongyuan.
‘But none of that concerns me anymore.’
He let the thought slip away.
Zhongyuan. The Tianma Divine Sect.
These were no longer his concern—not now that he was a Cultivator of the Huashan Sect.
‘I’ve got my hands full with just Huashan matters. The Tianma Divine Sect is someone else’s problem.’
Hyeon Do found himself smiling at the awestruck manner with which Cheon Hui regarded the Wulin Alliance.
‘It’s only natural to be amazed on first sight.’
Anyone encountering the Wulin Alliance for the first time would be overwhelmed.
He himself had been no exception.
“The Alliance remains unchanged, as always.”
The two of them muttered to themselves for a moment, and as they drew near the massive gate—
Clang!
The two gate sentries of the Wulin Alliance crossed their long spears before them.
“You are from the Huashan Sect, I see.”
“What brings you to the Alliance?”
“The Commander summoned us.”
Hyeon Do handed over a letter as he spoke.
The gate sentry examined the letter carefully, his eyes trembling slightly.
“This bear the Commander’s seal……”
“It’s authentic.”
The two sentries promptly lowered their spears with solemn expressions, standing them upright as they pushed the gate open.
Groan—groan—groan—
The massive gate swung wide with a deep sound, revealing the interior of the Wulin Alliance.
‘It’s practically a small fortress in itself.’
Cheon Hui marveled at what lay before him.
There truly was a citadel within a citadel.
Countless pavilions rose up, connected by narrow thoroughfares that wound in all directions.
And everywhere—people.
“What? The Huashan Divine Sword?”
“The Huashan Divine Sword, you say?”
Those nearby turned their attention toward the gate.
Figures in motley martial garb and sect robes, who had been walking as naturally as roots planted in earth, suddenly froze like statues.
‘A complete spectacle.’
Feeling the weight of their stares, Cheon Hui tilted his head slightly sideways to glance at Hyeon Do.
Hyeon Do was already showing signs of discomfort at being the focus of such attention.
‘He’s losing his composure. What to do about this.’
As Cheon Hui was considering how to navigate the situation, the crowd suddenly parted.
“You’ve arrived.”
A moment later, a group emerged from the throng.
From among them, a refined young man stepped forward toward Hyeon Do and unfurled his folding fan with a flourish.
“We’ve been expecting you.”
Cheon Hui studied the young man’s eyes, which were hidden behind the open fan covering his nose and mouth.
‘A cunning schemer lurking beneath the surface.’
His gaze alone betrayed ulterior motives.
Something unsettling about it.
In that moment, the young man’s eyes curved like a crescent moon, and a smile played at their corners.
Yet soon enough he turned his gaze back to Hyeon Do.
Snap!
He then closed his fan with a hearty gesture and executed a formal cupped-fist salute.
“I am Seol Geom, Deputy Commander of the Wulin Alliance.”
“Deputy Commander, then?”
Hyeon Do’s question drew a laugh from Seol Geom.
“Indeed.”
“…the Huashan Sect’s Hyeon Do.”
“It’s an honor to meet you.”
Cheon Hui watched Seol Geom intently.
The way his pupils writhed like serpents as he gazed back did not sit well with him at all.
‘A man like this needs to be suppressed by force.’
Seol Geom’s eyes crinkled in a smile, as if he’d felt the weight of that stare.
“If you don’t mind, might I know the name of this humble young master?”
“I’m Cheon Hui.”
“A pleasure, Cheon Hui.”
Just then.
“Commander.”
One of the men who had arrived with him called out to Seol Geom.
“What is it?”
“As we mentioned earlier, we’ll be the ones guiding Daoist Hyeon Do.”
“…I understand.”
Seol Geom’s expression soured, but he nodded as though there was no choice in the matter.
He then turned to Hyeon Do and spoke.
“You need only travel with these gentlemen.”
Hyeon Do’s brow furrowed.
“Weren’t you going to guide me?”
“I’d prefer to, but…”
Seol Geom pointed with his index finger to the towering pavilion behind him and shrugged.
“The great ones up there have given their orders, so what can I do? As a mere underling, I must comply without complaint.”
He spoke with a sharp edge, clearly stung by having this task taken from him.
“Oh, and Cheon Hui — you’re to follow me.”
Hyeon Do’s face darkened at once.
“Why are you separating us?”
Seol Geom flinched slightly at the rumbling tone but pressed on, keeping his composure.
“The Alliance Lord and the strategist wish to meet with you, Daoist — not with Cheon Hui.”
Hyeon Do’s expression twisted.
“Then why summon Cheon Hui at all?”
“Not by the Alliance Lord’s order, but there is someone who called for Cheon Hui.”
“Who?”
Seol Geom glanced at Cheon Hui, who had just spoken, then held his folding fan to his cheek and lowered his voice.
“Gae Bang.”
“Gae Bang?”
Cheon Hui’s eyes narrowed.
There was only one connection between him and Gae Bang.
‘Did Jin Gae reveal my identity?’
Hyeon Do seemed to harbor the same thought — his brow creased with twin lines of concern.
“Why would Gae Bang call for him?”
“I don’t know the details myself.”
“You don’t know, yet you’re taking Cheon Hui…”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
Seol Geom spoke while looking at Cheon Hui.
As Hyeon Do fixed a sharp gaze on Seol Geom.
“We must leave at once.”
The men spoke with urgency.
“The Alliance Lord is waiting.”
“Understood. Just give me a moment.”
Hyeon Do spoke firmly to the impatient men, then moved close to Cheon Hui and whispered.
“Be especially careful that Gae Bang does not discover what you’ve done.”
“I will.”
Hyeon Do exhaled slowly.
The boy had no conception of what would unfold if his identity came to light, nor of just how merciless a place Gae Bang truly was.
“Remember this well.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Truly. Remember it.”
Hyeon Do repeated his warning one final time before walking off with his group into the distance.
As they vanished from sight, Seol Geom muttered to himself with a satisfied expression.
“This is frustrating. I need to secure a proper military post soon. Here I am running errands instead.”
He turned his head and flashed a smile at Cheon Hui.
“Shall we head over there as well?”
* * *
“This is the place.”
“So Gae Bang really is a beggar’s den, just as they say.”
Cheon Hui regarded the building ahead with a look of distaste.
The place Seol Geom had guided them to was a ramshackle hall.
It looked so ancient that touching the cracked walls or doors might bring the whole structure tumbling down.
“Haha, that’s right.”
He laughed awkwardly and rapped his knuckles on the weathered wooden door.
“Is anyone there?”
“Who goes there!”
In that instant, a harsh, rasping voice erupted from within, piercing the ear.
‘…… Sound Technique.’
Cheon Hui transformed the ear-splitting sound into Internal Energy with practiced ease, then immediately shifted his gaze.
A sharp presence ten paces beyond the door was creeping closer, quiet and deliberate.
As the presence drew steadily nearer—
“It is I.”
Seol Geom frowned and cupped his ears with both hands as he shouted back.
“How would we know who you are if you announce yourself like that?”
“I am Seol Geom.”
“What? So it was you?”
The next instant, an old man burst up from the floor.
“Ah, what brings you—wait?”
The old man’s eyes fell on Cheon Hui standing beside Seol Geom, and he tilted his head in confusion.
“Who is this boy?”
“This is Cheon Hui, a junior member of the Huashan Sect, as you mentioned before.”
“Cheon Hui? I mentioned him?”
The old man scratched his greasy hair with nails blackened by grime, and seemed to recall something belated, clapping his hands together.
Clap!
“Ah! You’re that little runt who was with them when the Huashan Divine Sword and Bi Yeon Geom Gun brought down Baek Gwi Seong.”
The old man fixed an unwavering gaze upon Cheon Hui.
Cheon Hui returned the stare.
‘Filthy.’
His assessment was simple.
The old man was the very embodiment of filth.
‘I don’t even want to stand close to him.’
His eyes narrowed involuntarily.
His greasy hair was matted like dirt and plastered against his face, and the rags he wore were so disgustingly soiled it was shameful to even call them clothes.
Shuffle—
The old man stepped closer.
A wave of putrid stench rolled forth, and Cheon Hui covered his nose, his face twisting in revulsion.
“The stench is rather overwhelming. Would you mind standing a bit further back?”
“What was that?”
At Cheon Hui’s words, the old man’s eyes widened, and then he burst into raucous laughter.
“Puhaha! Seol Geom, did you hear what this punk just said?”
“And perhaps you might close your mouth as well while you’re at it.”
Cheon Hui’s brow furrowed deeper.
The moment the laughter erupted from the old man’s mouth, a stench of rotten breath pierced through Cheon Hui’s cupped nose and made his head throb.
“…… Hmph.”
The old man, noticing Seol Geom standing in stunned silence, patted his shoulder and said—
“Hey, did you hear that? This brat just told me to shut my mouth and get away. Puhaha!”
The old man doubled over, clutching his belly.
After a moment, his laughter subsided, and he dabbed away the tears trickling from his eyes.
Watching it all unfold, Cheon Hui squeezed his eyes shut in disgust.
‘Damn it! I shouldn’t have seen that!’
The liquid that had streamed from his eyes had undoubtedly been tears, yet on the finger that wiped them away, those tears had already transformed into filth.
“So this is that strange cultivator your disciple mentioned, eh? He certainly is an odd one, I’ll grant you that.”
The old man’s expression hardened instantly.
The old man stared at Cheon Hui with piercing intensity, his mouth opening as if to shed the madness that had gripped his laughter only moments before.
“……Hmm. So it’s truly the Huashan Sect after all.”
“What do you mean by that, sir?”
Seol Geom, recovering his wits belatedly, posed the question—and the old man’s hand moved with sudden speed.
Smack!
“Ow!”
Seol Geom clutched his head in pain.
“What are you doing?”
“How dare you try to extract information from someone of the Gae Bang? You deserve that blow and more.”
The old man clucked his tongue.
“But come now—we have a guest.”
In an instant, the old man turned and kicked at the decrepit door behind him.
Bang!
Despite its worn appearance, the door swung open with surprising strength, revealing a passage.
“Follow me.”
The old man ventured inside, and Seol Geom trailed after him.
Cheon Hui watched them disappear, his brow furrowing slightly.
He was far from pleased.
The old man who’d appeared reeked enough—what stench awaited within?
“I suspect the smell will be…”
“Don’t worry. It won’t.”
A voice called back from inside.
The old man turned with a laugh, as if he’d heard the whispered remark from that distance.
When Cheon Hui’s expression turned skeptical at the sight of yellowed teeth visible through the gaps in the old man’s sparse smile, the elder jabbed Seol Geom’s side with his elbow.
“Cough. Ah, I understand.”
Seol Geom quickly added his own words.
“Despite appearances, there is surprisingly little odor. Moreover, if we don’t follow, this venerable elder—rather, this great person—will pursue our humble sect without end.”
Cheon Hui’s face darkened.
‘This is precisely why I’ve detested these wretched beggars from the start.’
The mere thought of this malodorous old man dogging his steps brought a throb to his head.
‘And yet I can’t simply kill him as I once might have.’
With a sigh, he resigned himself.
“We’ll only speak briefly before leaving.”
“Very well.”
The old man grinned and nodded.
Cheon Hui mistrusted the gesture, yet he had little choice but to step inside.
Thud—thud—
Despite its shabby exterior, the interior of the pavilion seemed surprisingly recent in origin.
They walked for some distance.
“We’ve arrived.”
A staircase appeared.
As Cheon Hui looked down at the stairs descending into the darkness, his expression grew curious.
“Surprised?”
The old man chuckled.
“This is the Gae Bang’s branch headquarters of the Wulin Alliance.”
Following the old man and Seol Geom down the stairs, Cheon Hui descended after them.
The underground landscape was astonishing.
A deliberately constructed underground chamber of considerable breadth spread before them, and at the far end of its walls stood three crimson cushions arranged in a line.
The old man dropped heavily onto one of the cushions.
“Don’t keep standing there like that—sit here.”
Both of them settled onto the cushions.
The moment Cheon Hui sat, he asked directly.
“So why did you summon me?”
“Curiosity, naturally.”
“About what?”
“You.”
The old man grinned with obvious amusement.
“When I heard tales of my wretched disciple, I found myself far more curious about you than about the Huashan Divine Sword.”
Seol Geom looked utterly exasperated.
“You summoned a disciple of the Huashan Sect all the way to the Wulin Alliance headquarters for merely that reason?”
“You call that ‘merely’?”
The old man’s voice sank to a chill.
“Do you know how Gae Bang came to be such a vast power? Because everyone was curious. Who are the masters of the Jianghu? What manner of man is he? What are his martial arts? By gathering all that information, Gae Bang became the enormous faction it is today.”
“…….”
Seol Geom fell silent.
He was right—before Gae Bang joined the Nine Great Sects and Eight Great Factions, it had made its name as an information guild.
“And yet I told you not to speak so lightly of such things. How long will it take before you’re ready to succeed that fool?… Tsk, tsk.”
The old man, who had been regarding Seol Geom with pity, turned his gaze to Cheon Hui.
“But here you are, following along without even knowing who I am. Truly bold. If I were an enemy intent on your harm, what would you have done?”
“Were you one?”
“Well, no.”
“Then it doesn’t matter.”
“……You’ve got composure.”
“I have reason to.”
“Is that so?”
In an instant, the old man’s aura shifted.
The elder, who had been doing nothing but laughing with casual lightness, suddenly consumed the entire underground chamber with his presence.
“Hah!”
Seol Geom urgently drew up his Internal Energy.
Yet he could not break free from the old man’s overwhelming pressure—not until his eyes began to fill with blood.
“Tsk, so it wasn’t mere talk.”
The Lord of Gae Bang withdrew the aura he had released, his expression turning bored.
“Wasn’t that a bit much? He may be young, but he’s a disciple of the Huashan Sect.”
“Too much? Nonsense.”
The old man snorted.
“Look at him—perfectly fine.”
“Pardon?”
Seol Geom’s head snapped around.
“……!”
Then shock seized him.
A massive fissure had opened in the earth beside where Cheon Hui sat.
It was such a vast crack—one that had formed right beside them, yet he had sensed nothing—it was almost beyond belief.
Gulp—
Seol Geom’s throat moved hard.
“What are you doing?”
“Do you know who I am?”
“An old beggar.”
Cheon Hui abandoned courtesy. Once the old man had directed his pressure at him, there was no need for pretense.
“Ha ha ha! An old beggar! That’s true enough, but for some reason the Jianghu calls me by another name.”
The old man laughed at his attitude.
The youthful confidence and directness—almost childlike in their candor—only delighted him.
Soon he revealed his identity.
“Yong Ju Gae.”
In that moment, Cheon Hui’s eyes narrowed.
The name Yong Ju Gae was something even he knew. Rather, he could not help but know it.
Master of eight hundred thousand beggars.
The Lord of Gae Bang himself.

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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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