The Heavenly Demon of the Blue Sky - Chapter 10

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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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Bright Heaven Demon 010
Namgung Main Residence on Cheonju Mountain.
A massive procession of carts passed through the collapsed front gate.
The twenty workers I had selected immediately rolled up their sleeves and began moving in perfect coordination.
“Heave! Clear away those rubble piles first!”
“Over here—set up posts and build temporary barracks!”
Their frames were lean and wiry, but hardened from years rolling through the Iron Mine, they possessed remarkable skill and endurance.
The debris from the collapsed walls was swept aside in the blink of an eye.
In one corner of the courtyard, sturdy barracks rose up quickly where the workers could lodge and eat.
“Master! We’ve leveled the ground exactly as you instructed! Now we’re ready to lay the foundations—how should we set the framework?”
I rested my chin in my hand, lost in thought at their question.
The ground was clean and ready, but the real question was what to build upon it and how.
‘In my past life, I wouldn’t have needed to think about this at all.’
I would simply have carved Black Obsidian and the bones of spirit beasts to raise a grand and sinister Demonic Palace.
But this place was different. The clear, boundless Bright Heaven Qi flowing from Cheonju Mountain and the ominous architecture of the Demonic Way would mix no better than oil and water.
If the Qi went awry, it would interfere with martial arts training.
What this place needed was a framework that harmonized with the true nature of the Namgung Clan.
‘The most ideal approach would be to replicate the form of the ancient Namgung Clan itself.’
Just then, Yeonhwa was sweeping the courtyard with a broom in hand.
“Do you happen to have any architectural drawings or landscape paintings showing the old Namgung Main Residence? I need reference materials for the framework before construction begins.”
At my question, Yeonhwa shook her head with a bitter expression.
“What can I do? When Hyeol-gyo invaded, all the precious books and paintings we had stored were reduced to ash. Nothing remains.”
I had expected as much, but it was disappointing nonetheless.
“It can’t be helped. I understand.”
I was turning to leave when—
“Wait. If you need drawings, I can make them for you.”
“You?”
“Yes. I have every detail of the Namgung residence perfectly preserved in my mind. If you’d like, I can draw it right now.”
Half-doubtful, I summoned an attendant to bring Writing Implements.
“Show me.”
“All right.”
Yeonhwa rolled up her sleeves and settled herself at the platform.
She took a long, steady breath—in, then out—and her brush began to move.
Swift, flowing strokes. Her hand moved without hesitation or constraint.
As ink spread across the Rice Paper, the grand main gate and towering halls of the old Namgung family took shape.
‘This isn’t… just a simple landscape painting, is it?’
At first, I thought it was merely a sketch drawn from memory.
But as more lines appeared, the drawing’s true value became unmistakable.
The placement and proportions of the buildings were flawless—not a fraction of error.
Even the roof angles and the seams of the eaves were calculated with precision, and the layout showed careful consideration of foot traffic and the function of each building.
It was a perfect architectural design—so detailed that carpenters could raise buildings on sight without modification.
‘What? She had this kind of talent?’
I raised my eyebrows, and Yuhwa wore an expression of obvious pride.
“Surprised? Your maternal grandfather was a renowned scholar of the highest caliber, after all. Your mother inherited his blood and had extraordinary dexterity herself—Yeonhwa inherited that talent completely.”
Yeonhwa set down her brush and wiped the sweat from her brow with a shy smile.
“That’s all. I just transferred the memories I kept from childhood… though I’m not sure if it’ll be useful for building.”
I picked up the Rice Paper and let out a breath of genuine admiration.
Useful? Even if we brought in a master builder renowned throughout Gangnam, he couldn’t produce such precision in a short time.
‘To think she possessed such genius talent.’
I had assumed that with the clan ruined, all the bloodline would be worthless—but cracking the shell, each was a pearl of uncommon value.
The thought of using this in the future sent satisfaction blooming up from the depths of my core.
“I’d like to add a few things to this.”
Drawing on Yeonhwa’s foundation, I layered in the experience of building the Iron Fortress in my past life.
“If we bend the angle in the middle of the walls to build a watchtower and narrow the path leading to the Inner Garden, we can eliminate blind spots. By creating a Bottleneck Formation so enemies can’t pour in all at once, we’ll be able to hold off far greater numbers with just a small force.”
At my advice, Yeonhwa’s eyes began to shine brightly.
“My goodness! Just by adding a few more lines as you said, the plain wall transformed into a solid fortress! You’re truly remarkable!”
“What you’ve already drawn is exceptional—I merely added a small refinement.”
I shrugged as though it were nothing. But to Yeonhwa, it apparently meant a great deal.
“Did you really think what I’d already drawn was exceptional?”
Her cheeks flushed red, and she pulled me close, embracing me.
“Waaah! I’m so happy I could help my little brother!”
With that, she rubbed his cheeks relentlessly, flustering him thoroughly.
“Ugh! I said you did well, and now you’re doing this again! Can’t you let go?”
As he pushed her face away and they scuffled, the workers watching had already begun to smile.
The affection between siblings was so touching that even the onlookers found themselves pleased.
‘These fools have no idea what’s going through my head. Every single moment is torture!’
He finally broke free and brandished the perfectly restored blueprints.
Shouting toward the workers waiting in the courtyard, his voice rang out clear and sharp.
“Now listen up! Lay out the framework according to these plans and begin the foundation work!”

* * *
From that day onward, the Namgung Main Residence thrummed with eager vitality.
Bang, bang! Saw, saw!
The ringing sound of hammers and the scrape of saws opened each morning on Cheonju Mountain.
“Goodness, young miss! That spot is dangerous!”
“It’s fine! I want to see directly how the pieces fit together!”
Yeonhwa was not content with merely drawing up the blueprints.
Saying she wanted to learn the work itself, she cast aside all pretense befitting a well-raised noblewoman, donned dust and grime, and wove freely among the laborers.
No one made any serious effort to stop her.
It was the principle of the Pacheon Mazun: talent was what mattered, not birth or station.
Thus the reconstruction proceeded methodically, with its framework slowly taking shape.
But a different problem was mounting—a tide of household staff flowing toward me.
“Master! We need to bring in the Blue Stone, but where should we store it?”
“Master, we’re short on the lumber quota for this afternoon’s work!”
“Master, two of the laborers have fallen ill. How should we reorganize the work teams today?”
“Aaagh! Enough noise!”
Petty matters chained themselves to me one after another, and my head was splitting.
My frail constitution demanded careful management, yet I couldn’t afford to neglect martial training.
Ten bodies wouldn’t have been enough.
‘In my past life, when I was at Shibman Great Mountain, a single gesture was all it took—capable retainers handled everything without needing to be told.…!’
Forced to shoulder everything alone, sighs escaped me like steam.
“You look busy, brother.”
It was then that Seolhwa, the youngest, approached with measured steps.
She carried several thick, bound volumes carefully in her arms.
“Can’t you see? Being clan head is disgustingly difficult.”
To his blunt reply, Seolhwa smiled warmly and unfolded the books on the table one by one.
“That’s why I thought I’d help a little.”
“What is this?”
I glanced at the books almost absently and my eyes widened involuntarily.
“This is……”
Nothing less than a ledger recording every detail of the household’s finances and affairs.
And it was no hasty record. Beginning with the total sums extracted from Uncle, continuing through the furnishings acquired since our return to the main residence, everything was meticulously organized with not a single discrepancy.
But that was not all.
“This one tracks the quantity and unit price of all materials my brother brought in, and this one is a roster of the twenty hired workers along with calculations of daily management expenses. I’ve been transcribing entries into the ledgers whenever I find spare time.”
The ledger Seolhwa indicated displayed hundreds of bundles’ worth of lumber and stone, classified neatly by type and at a glance.
Beside the list of workers, their specialties and work team assignments were organized with equal precision.
It was nothing short of perfect administrative work.
“You did all this alone?”
“Yes. I’m rather quick with numbers, after all.”
She spoke humbly, but this was no mere matter of a quick mind.
‘Now that I think of it……’
When Namgung Hyuk’s father and mother were to be married, it’s said there was heated opposition from many quarters—a prestigious martial clan taking on as its lady the daughter of a scholar-minister who didn’t know the first thing about martial arts.
But the reality was entirely different.
The rough warriors alone could fill the Namgung Clan, leaving gaps all through its operations—it was Mother’s overwhelming gift for internal support that sealed every crack and kept the clan’s vast administrative and logistical machinery running flawlessly.
Seolhwa had inherited that brilliant mind and administrative gift. If that were true……
“Listen to me carefully.”
“Yes, brother?”
“From now on, I want you to take charge of and manage all household affairs for the Namgung Clan.”
“Uh…… what? Me? This monumental responsibility?”
“You can’t shrink back forever, you know.”
Haven’t I already decided to rebuild the Namgung Clan without abandoning it?
“Use the talent you’ve inherited for me and for Namgung. It’s all right to make mistakes—that’s how you learn.”
Seolhwa lifted her delicate brows into sharp peaks as she answered my words.
“Yes! If I can be of help despite my shortcomings, I’ll do my very best for you!”
I nodded, satisfied, and offered her something more practical.
“Making the ledgers balance matters, but so does Reward the Good and Punish the Evil. When someone does well, give them a little extra beyond the promised wage—throw in the value of a pound of meat to buy their loyalty. But those who steal or slack off must be cast out on the spot without mercy, to establish order. That way, the underlings won’t see their master as a pushover.”
It was the most practical, bone-deep counsel I could offer—wisdom earned from commanding hundreds of thousands of followers.
Seolhwa’s lips formed a perfect circle as understanding dawned on her face.
“Ah, you’re absolutely right. I’ve learned something new thanks to you! I’ll remember it!”
Yet even when I gestured for her to leave, she stayed planted in her seat, her eyes narrowing with intent.
“What is it? Do you have more to say?”
“Yes. I want a little praise too. As much as my second sister got.”
Somehow she’d heard the news, and competitive spirit had kindled within her.
“How childish. I trust you because I know you’ll do well—that’s why I’m entrusting this to you.”
It was only natural to say what I meant, given the ability she’d already shown.
But those words—that I trusted her—struck far deeper than any praise could have.
“Ugh…! Hyuk!”
Seolhwa’s pure face flushed crimson as she asked again.
“Did you just say you trust me? That you knew I’d do well?”
Then, without warning, she pulled me into an embrace.
A fresh green orchid fragrance—different from Yeonhwa’s—wafted over me.
“My youngest brother trusts me so! How can my heart hold such pride!”
She buried my face against her chest and ruthlessly tousled my hair.
She found me so precious and beautiful that she simply couldn’t keep her hands to herself.
The hair I’d combed back so neatly became a bird’s nest in an instant.
“You people! I’m not some pet! Every chance you get, you want to pet me! Let go this instant!”
I shouted and tried to push her away, but to no avail.
Like the Great Sage Equal to Heaven wearing the golden crown around my head, my body had no strength in it.
‘…Damn it! Where did the iron will that once made ten thousand demons bow go?’
My subordinates from my past life would have spat blood at the sight of this.
But what could I do about it? I found this version of myself strange and distasteful too.
“Tch…”
In the end, I gave up and squeezed my eyes shut.

* * *
After that day, I could finally focus entirely on cultivation.
‘Good. My existing sword techniques have fully ripened.’
Now both body and mind were reaching for something beyond.
‘It’s time to awaken something new.’
I wiped away the sweat and made my way to the library nestled deep within the Inner Garden.
From the innermost shelf of an old, dust-covered cabinet, I pulled out two weathered secret manuals.
[Heavenly Wind Sword Technique]
[Heavenly Wind Body Technique]
A deep smile traced the corner of my mouth as I brushed across the characters of the manuals.
If martial arts were like painting, all I’d done until now was spread out the canvas and lay the foundation—nothing more.
The true beginning of the Namgung Clan’s martial arts, one that holds Bright Heaven within it.
It would let me add my own color and paint the picture I desired.
“Excellent.”
The tips of my fingers holding the manual trembled faintly.
It was not fear, but a deep curiosity driven by the instinct of my Martial Bone.

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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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