Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 87

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 87
“Master!”
“Already leaving? Wouldn’t it be better to wait a while longer?”
Cheon Hui, who had gathered his belongings, nodded as he watched Hyeon Do and Hyeon Jin rush over along with the Maehwa Sword Masters.
“The Sect Master summoned me. I have to go.”
“Still, wouldn’t it be better for your journey to make some preparations first?”
Hyeon Do spoke carefully.
“Strike while the iron’s hot, as they say.”
Though he spoke decisively, in truth Cheon Hui had been thinking this timing worked out well.
‘There’s nothing more to see here at the Murim Alliance.’
His reason for coming to the Murim Alliance had been to study the martial arts of the sects within it.
Yet instead of studying martial arts, he’d done nothing but handle troublesome matters.
‘If there had been no results, I’d have quit by now.’
He lifted his head slightly and gazed toward the main hall.
Though he’d only spent four days here, it had been more than satisfying.
‘I’ve laid the foundation for the Huashan Sect to become the Number One Sect Under Heaven. The rest they can handle on their own now.’
Cheon Hui nodded.
There were two things he desired in this life.
To study all the martial arts that existed under heaven.
And to make the current Huashan Sect into the Number One Sect Under Heaven.
‘After all, it’s the sect I’ve devoted myself to.’
It was then that the Maehwa Sword Masters approached.
“Take care of yourself.”
“Don’t stray from the path.”
He swept his gaze over those speaking.
Beneath their expressions of concern, a small smile flickered.
‘Ah, I see.’
“You’re not going to slack off training just because I’m gone, are you?”
“What are you talking about, Master!”
“Slack off? That’s ridiculous!”
“Impossible!”
The Maehwa Sword Masters cried out in startlement.
It was as if caught children were frantically trying to hide their lie.
‘They were definitely planning to go easy on it.’
Watching them move their lips awkwardly, Cheon Hui smirked.
“If you continue training like that and your skills haven’t improved by next time I see you, I’ll increase the training intensity a bit.”
The Maehwa Sword Masters broke into a cold sweat.
“What? Why do you all look so flustered?”
Cheon Hui spoke as though he didn’t know, though he clearly did.
“B-but how would we know whether our skills improve or not?”
“R-right. Training doesn’t automatically build strength.”
“Which is why we need to increase the training intensity.”
Cheon Hui spoke firmly.
“And if your skills still haven’t improved even with that, shouldn’t we train even more brutally?”
The Maehwa Sword Masters squeezed their eyes shut.
Even now the training was so grueling their minds went blank.
And he was talking about even greater intensity.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you like that? Then we can stop.”
“N-no!”
“We’ll train hard!”
The Maehwa Sword Masters answered urgently.
Given Cheon Hui’s nature, he might actually make them quit.
“Then if your skills are the same next time, be prepared.”
“Y-yes…….”
“W-we understand.”
As Cheon Hui finished speaking, the Maehwa Sword Masters went pale and hung their heads low.
“Will you be alright on your own?”
Hyeon Do approached Cheon Hui.
Ordinarily he too would have wanted to return with Cheon Hui, but that wasn’t possible.
‘We’ve joined hands with Gae Bang. I can’t just slip away like this…….’
The real power in the Alliance at present wasn’t the Sect Master—it was Hyeon Do. And now he was leaving?
The footing the Huashan Sect had barely reclaimed might crumble all over again.
“Am I being childish?”
“Heh heh.”
Hyeon Do laughed awkwardly.
In truth, his words had nothing to do with concern for Cheon Hui.
‘I just pray he doesn’t stir up trouble.’
Knowing Cheon Hui’s temperament and martial prowess as well as he did from years of observation, Hyeon Do couldn’t help but worry something might happen.
“Please don’t start anything.”
Only then did Cheon Hui, catching on to why Hyeon Do was so anxious, let out a soft laugh.
“Depends on the circumstances.”
* * *
Whoosh—
The beaded curtain at the entrance of a small inn in Yi County drew back with a sound.
The faded curtain swayed widely, and the figure it revealed was Cheon Hui in a gray Martial Robe.
‘Quite crowded.’
Perhaps because dusk was beginning to fall, the inn was packed with guests.
“Ha ha ha! So that’s why I…….”
Screech—
The inn was filled with voices, the clatter of dishes, and music drifting from somewhere.
The noise was sharp enough to hurt the ears, yet his mood wasn’t sour at all.
So many guests testified that this inn was quite a decent establishment.
Besides, the aroma of food wafting past his nose was stirring his appetite.
‘But is there even a seat?’
Standing at the noisy entrance, he turned his head to scan the entire interior.
Despite the inn being quite spacious, there wasn’t a single empty table in sight.
It was the only inn on the main road leading to Shenxi, so it was always crowded with travelers passing through.
‘I thought I’d rest at an inn for once.’
Cheon Hui’s brow furrowed involuntarily.
‘I’ll have to try somewhere else.’
Just as he was about to leave the inn.
“Welcome!”
A voice called out from behind him—the Inn Attendant’s.
He turned to see the clean-faced Inn Attendant smiling warmly at him.
“Will you be dining with company?”
“No.”
“The only remaining seat is on this floor—would you mind if I showed you there?”
He nodded.
Seeing the gesture, the Inn Attendant ushered him swiftly to a table on that floor with visible relief.
“Here we are.”
As he sat, the Inn Attendant looked back at him.
“What may I bring you?”
“Your finest food and drink.”
“It’s quite expensive… will that be alright?”
Asked with a hint of skepticism, Cheon Hui promptly pulled out his purse and casually handed over a silver coin.
“A—a silver coin?!”
The Inn Attendant’s eyes, which had been wearing nothing but a formal smile, widened sharply.
“I’ll prepare it at once!”
The Inn Attendant hurried away, anxious lest the customer cancel the order.
“Here is your tea.”
Another server appeared in the meantime and set down a warm teapot and cup.
He sipped the slightly bitter tea while waiting for the food to arrive, though it hardly felt like any time at all.
“Sorry for the wait!”
The Inn Attendant came bounding up the stairs and placed a dish on the table.
“This is the Steamed Wuchang Fish, famous throughout Hubei Province. It was caught just this morning, so it’s guaranteed to be fresh.”
Ah, this?
Cheon Hui’s eyes widened.
The Steamed Wuchang Fish was quite renowned, though it was food that required delicate preparation.
‘The aroma is pleasant.’
Over the neatly steamed fish, vegetables and a reddish sauce mingled together, tickling his nose.
But that wasn’t all.
The Inn Attendant set down a bottle of liquor next.
The bottle looked homemade and crude, yet pride gleamed in the Inn Attendant’s face.
“And this is Fruit Wine that our chef made herself.”
He uncorked the bottle at once.
With a pop, a fragrant aroma wafted from the bottle, and saliva gathered naturally in his mouth.
“That smells wonderful.”
“Doesn’t it?”
The Inn Attendant’s face broke into a broad smile.
“I’ll leave you be then. Just call if you need anything else!”
The Inn Attendant hurried away with quick steps.
Click—
Cheon Hui picked up his chopsticks immediately and took a bite of the fish resting on the dish.
“Delicious.”
A smile played at Cheon Hui’s lips.
He followed it immediately with a drink of the Fruit Wine.
‘Taking off the Sect Robe was the right call.’
Satisfaction bloomed across his face naturally.
The first thing he’d done after leaving the Murim Alliance was visit a cloth merchant to change into a fresh Martial Robe.
This was it.
All so he could avoid the world’s eyes labeling him a Taoist and do as he pleased.
“At this rate, I’m almost tempted to delay my return and wander Kangho longer.”
In the midst of such a satisfying journey, he was considering postponing his departure.
“Excuse me, guest.”
The Inn Attendant called to Cheon Hui uncertainly.
With a troubled expression, he glanced nervously back before asking carefully.
“Would it be any trouble if my companions and I shared your table?”
‘Share a table?’
Cheon Hui’s gaze shifted to the group standing behind the Inn Attendant.
There were three of them, all dressed with the refined elegance of nobility’s children.
“Do as you wish.”
“Thank you.”
The Inn Attendant bowed deeply.
He turned and grinned widely at his companions before gesturing.
“You can sit here.”
“We appreciate your kindness in allowing us to join you.”
The Cold Woman in the center sat down, her composed voice carrying gratitude.
In stark contrast to her splendid attire, her expression was glacial, emanating a chill that seemed almost palpable.
“Thank you.”
“Much obliged!”
The man and woman flanking her took their seats on either side.
“What would you like to order?”
“Well…”
While they placed their order with the Inn Attendant, Cheon Hui continued eating.
Once the Inn Attendant departed with their request,
Gulp.
All that could be heard was the sound of him eating the Qingzheng Wuchang Fish and drinking the Fruit Wine.
Click.
After finishing his meal, Cheon Hui rose to his feet.
As he strapped the sword that leaned against the chair’s side to his waist and left, the eyes of his tablemates shifted.
“So he was a warrior.”
The handsome youth spoke softly.
With his refined features, silk robes, and grave expression, the young man resembled a living portrait.
“What was your impression?”
At the Cold Woman’s question, the youth recalled the man who had shared their table moments before.
“I sensed nothing at all.”
Save for the single sword he carried, there was nothing to detect—he was an ordinary man.
“He seemed the type who carries a blade to protect against bandits on the road.”
“Then there’s no need to concern ourselves.”
The woman dismissed him from her mind at once.
“We’ll stay here tonight.”
At those words, the Young Girl—with an endearing face that made her look younger than her years—opened her eyes wide.
“We’re not sleeping under the stars tonight?”
“No.”
“Yes!”
“But miss, shouldn’t we hurry…….”
The Handsome Youth spoke urgently, but—
“No.”
The Cold Woman cut him off, her expression frigid.
“I know the danger, but we need rest if we’re to manage the journey ahead.”
Watching the Cold Woman’s unmovable resolve, the Handsome Youth let out a sigh.
“I’ll prepare rooms for you at once.”
* * *
Deep in the quiet of night, Cheon Hui—who had been seeking sleep—opened his eyes.
The moonlight was bright, and all around was still.
Through the window came the intermittent cries of insects, rendering the silence all the more desolate.
Cheon Hui rose slowly.
“Did I do something to warrant an attack?”
He thought it through carefully.
But there was nothing.
“No matter how I think about it, there’s nothing.”
His dark eyes pierced through the darkness.
“Why have you come?”
In that instant—
Whoosh!
A sharp wind rose, and several figures emerged from the shadows.
At the same moment, Hidden Blades rained down.
Though the ambush was sudden, Cheon Hui moved his hands as if he had known it was coming.
A gesture like the flutter of butterfly wings.
The Hidden Blades that had been raining down sharply were drawn into that motion.
“For such modest skill, you carry far too fine Hidden Blades.”
The blades bore the mark of a master craftsman—weapons of no small pedigree.
He tossed the Hidden Blades lightly, caught them for an instant—
Ting!
—then flicked his fingers, launching a blade technique.
The Flying Thunder Blade, precisely.
It shot forth like lightning, tearing through the attackers’ bodies and piercing the wall beyond.
“Hah!”
As one of the attackers staggered, gasping, Cheon Hui immediately sensed a murderous presence beside him and drew his sword fingers.
Thud!
An eerie sound rang out.
The attacker who had rushed forward collapsed, a hole now bored through his forehead.
Crash!
The remaining assassins stared at the carnage that had unfolded in barely a single breath, their faces twisted in disbelief, and swallowed hard.
“Was that Shen Wei-zhen?”
At one of the attackers’ muttered words, Cheon Hui’s brow furrowed slightly.
“What? Shen Wei-zhen? Who is that?”
“What?”
“Not Shen Wei-zhen?”
The assassins’ eyes wavered.
“But he was with them.”
“Could it be a different master instead of Shen Wei-zhen?”
With them?
As Cheon Hui listened to their hurried whispers, a flash of recognition struck him—those companions from last night’s shared table.
The party he had dined with yesterday.
‘Were they the real targets?’
He grasped the situation.
But even so, nothing changed.
‘What matters is that they attacked me.’
Cheon Hui fixed the attackers with a cold stare and delivered his warning.
“Whether you choose to misunderstand me or not, you’ll have to pay for attacking me.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————