The Heavenly Demon of the Blue Sky - Chapter 30

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

Heavenly Demon of the Cyan Heaven — Episode 030
A season when the Cutting Wind blew with such bite it seemed to flay the flesh.
Winter had descended upon Cheonju Mountain once more with its familiar severity, yet within the walls of the Namgung Clan compound, the air thrummed with warmth and vitality as never before.
Most of the reconstruction had been completed; the newly built halls stood in proud array, and the faces of the household servants, bundled in thick quilted robes, bloomed with an ease that spoke of better days.
“Hyeok, could you spare me a moment?”
While loosening up lightly in the training yard, Yuhwa approached bearing something cradled carefully in her arms.
With a soft rustle, she laid it on the ground and unfurled it with great care—a banner.
A vast banner of deep blue, its color layered with the patina of years.
At its center, two characters were embroidered in bold, resolute script.
Cyan Heaven.
And across the background, a blue dragon soared heavenward.
“That terrible day when the Blood Cult’s demons descended upon our main house….”
Yuhwa’s voice trembled faintly.
“Your father opened a path for our escape, and as I fled with your younger siblings, he placed this banner in my hands.”
The memory of that horror seemed to surface; Yuhwa’s eyes grew red at the rims.
“He told me that this Family Treasure, which holds the very spirit of Namgung, must be preserved—that I should guard it with my life until the day came when we could raise the Namgung banner once more. You were a child then, carried in the wagon, so you would not remember.”
Yuhwa lifted the Cheongtian Banner between both hands and extended it toward me.
“Hyeok. You alone are the one destined to raise the banner of Namgung again. Will you hang it once more?”
The honor of the Orthodox Sects, their spirit and legacy—such things had never concerned me.
Yet standing before this heavy banner, preserved more dearly than life itself even in that blood-soaked hell, my mouth went inexplicably dry.
“…Very well.”
I took the great banner from Yuhwa’s hands.
“I’ll hang it in the highest place, where all eyes will find it.”
Without hesitation, I threw open the study windows.
Firing a crossbow bolt to propel myself, I launched my body toward the roof—the highest point of the hall.
Thwack! The cutting winter wind howled as I reached the peak of the three-story structure.
I bound the banner firmly to the flagstaff positioned at the roof’s center.
Snap-snap! Snap-snap-snap! The banner unfurled as if it had been waiting, billowing powerfully against the snow-laden sky.
The blue deepened by time’s passage seemed to embody the rising spirit of the azure dragon itself.
Firm! I gripped the solid flagstaff with one hand, gazing down at the world spread beneath me.
The newly renovated Namgung, and beyond it the endless expanse of the Jianghu stretching to the horizon—all lay within my sight.
‘A clan of the Orthodox Sects, dwelling place of the Heavenly Demon.’
A confident smile deepened across my lips as I surveyed the world below.
The noble, ethereal Namgung the world once knew exists no longer.
From this day forward, a wholly new Cyan Heaven shall descend—honed more fiercely and ruthlessly than any force ever known.
As I looked out into the distance with sharpened eyes, a stir arose from below.
“Look, look there!”
“It’s the Clan Leader! The Clan Leader has raised the ancient Cyan Heaven banner anew!”
The servants sweeping the courtyard, the Hyomyeong Unit training in the martial ground, the craftsmen by the forge, the farmers tending the fields—all lifted their heads at once.
Countless gazes turned in unison, as if by covenant, toward the peak of the hall.
The blue banner surged powerfully through the winter wind that scattered snowflakes.
And there I stood upon the flagstaff, gazing down upon the world with arrogant bearing.
That upright form seemed to shine with such majestic solemnity, commanding and alone.
“Ahhh…!”
Even my sisters watching from below clasped their hands together in overwhelming emotion.
‘All this fuss over hanging a single banner.’
Unaccustomed to their upturned gazes, I rubbed my cheek awkwardly.
I was about to shout for them to return to their work and stop staring when—
“Clan Leader! Clan Leader-r!”
Dangsuk came bounding toward me from below the hall, calling out urgently in a frantic rush.
Using the Shadow Armor Thread, I dropped lightly from the roof.
“Ohhh!”
Like a spider suspended on silk, crossing heaven and earth, the gathered crowd gasped in wonder once again.
“What’s the matter?”
As I landed, Dangsuk respectfully extended a letter trimmed with gold leaf.
“A dispatch rider has arrived from the Jeol Clan with a letter, sir! It contains a formal invitation to you from the Dragon Phoenix Assembly being held this winter at the Jeol residence!”
“The Dragon Phoenix Assembly?”
“Yes, sir! It’s a grand and most prestigious gathering where the Successor Generation of the renowned clans of all under Heaven come together to make acquaintances and strengthen their bonds! It seems word of Namgung’s revival has spread far and wide!”
Dangsuk spoke with such fervent excitement that spittle flew from his lips.
Yet I merely snorted and folded the letter away.
“Don’t go.”
“Yes, yes? But why……!”
“The Dragon Phoenix Assembly sounds grand, but it’s just children’s games—a bunch of Orthodox Sect fledglings not yet dry behind the ears, gathering to boast about their meager family prestige. Why would I waste my time at such a tedious affair?”
My frivolous jest didn’t suit my temperament in the slightest.
“Won-ui, wouldn’t it be all right if we went?”
That’s when Yuhwa came scurrying over and gently tugged at my sleeve.
“Ever since we fled, I’ve been cooped up within the Namgung Clan’s walls. I’ve always wondered how the outside world turns, how bustling other cities are. I want to go out this time, meet others of the Successor Generation, see the world, and broaden my horizons.”
My sister’s pure yearning to glimpse the world beyond our gates.
Yeonhwa and Seolhwa, who appeared next, sided with Yuhwa as well.
“Father once said that sometimes we must willingly attend even unwelcome gatherings and show our smiles. He said that was the quality of a Clan Leader who commands influence.”
“Isn’t gathering to befriend people and strengthen ties with other clans—isn’t this something a Clan Leader should do?”
My sisters offered their counsel generously, yet I clicked my tongue inwardly.
‘If I simply dominated the peak with overwhelming martial prowess and crushed everyone thoroughly, the world would bow and press their foreheads to the ground beneath my feet of its own accord. Why bother with tiresome connections and politics?’
If I’d said that aloud, things would only get more complicated.
I cleared my throat and offered a more practical excuse instead.
“The clan has only just taken proper form. I need to stay and handle the mountain of internal affairs that require my attention.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that.”
Seolhwa shot back confidently, placing her hands on her hips.
“True, it would be difficult and worrying if the Clan Leader absented herself, but we’re already handling the estate’s management and the workshop operations ourselves, aren’t we?”
“That’s right—your absence will leave a gap, but we can fill it!”
They weren’t wrong. From what they’d accomplished, things would clearly run smoothly without me. And yet.
“But could you handle unexpected threats?”
We have the Hyomyeong Unit, but they’re still fledglings by my standards, barely taking their first steps.
I myself represented most of the Namgung Clan’s military strength.
If I left, there would inevitably be a gaping hole in our power.
With that thought, I glanced toward Yuhwa.
“If you’re so determined to go, let you attend alone. You’ve grown skilled enough to move quietly in the Jianghu, and I can assign the Hyomyeong Unit as your escort.”
I thought it was a reasonable proposal. But Yuhwa’s doe-like eyes filled with disappointment.
“I do want to go, but…… not just to represent the clan and display our prestige. I simply want to accompany and protect my beloved brother, and make joyful memories together out in the world…….”
Those doe-like eyes looked ready to spill tears at any moment.
Flustered by her pitiful expression, I scratched my cheek. That’s when it happened.
“Clan Leader! Please don’t worry about our security in your absence!”
Namgung Gyeong, who’d been listening from behind, suddenly thrust his head forward.
“The scouting unit I command monitors threats in the surrounding area day and night! And it’s not just Cheonju Mountain—the villages of Anhui Province, who’ve received your noble grace, have voluntarily raised the Namgung banner and stand as an excellent shield for us, have they not?”
…….
“The residents and administrators, as well as the small sects nearby, have all pledged to unite and support the Namgung Clan, so there’s no need to worry!”
With that, he clenched his fists and his eyes gleamed.
“More than anything, this Dragon Phoenix Assembly is the perfect opportunity to make the entire realm aware of our Clan Leader’s magnificent and noble presence and reputation! How could I, who admire and revere you more than anyone, fail to support this……!”
Ah, watching him charge ahead on his own like this, a sigh escaped me.
“You’re the real problem! You keep twisting words I haven’t even said!”
I glared at him with a furrowed brow, yet even that seemed to delight him.
“No matter what, I’m uneasy leaving without a master of my caliber here.”
The more I thought about it, the less right it seemed, so I tried to console Yuhwa.
“This doesn’t seem like the right time. If you really want to go, sit this one out and attend the next assembly when it’s held…….”
I was in the middle of saying this when the guard stationed at the mountain gate came rushing over urgently.
“C-Clan Leader! Some people claiming to be your close friends have arrived from outside!”
Confused by the guard’s words, I tilted my head.
“Close friends? I don’t have any friends……?”
Puzzled, I turned my gaze toward the gate.
Two figures were ambling toward us from the distance.
“Ahahaha! We’ve arrived! It’s been so long!”
One was a beggar clad in a grimy robe, with a large wine gourd hanging at his waist.
“Namo Amitabha Buddha. Namgung Clan Leader, how have you been?”
The other was a robust, bronze-muscled monk wearing a 108 Bead Rosary.
It was Jang Ho and Hyegwang, who’d fought alongside me when we destroyed the remnants of the Blood Cult.
“What brings you here?”
Asking coolly, Jang Ho burst into the good-natured laugh characteristic of Gaebang.
“What brings us? The Gaebang rewarded me with special leave for crushing that Crimson Wind Demon in our last campaign. This monk here also got time off from his duties at the Hangzhou branch, so a pair of wanderers with nowhere else to go thought we’d stop by the Namgung Clan!”
While Jang Ho grinned widely, Hyegwang gazed in wonder at the surroundings of the Namgung estate.
“Truly remarkable. A mere year ago this was nothing but ashes, yet now it’s graced with such magnificent halls and vitality. Every time news of the Namgung Clan reaches the Jianghu, I rejoice as though it were my own affair and offer prayers of gratitude at the Buddha hall.”
Hyegwang smiled warmly and continued.
“Ah, yes. While this is a personal visit, I’ve also brought an official message from the Martial Alliance.”
He then withdrew a heavy Iron Plaque from his robes and extended it.
“The Martial Alliance wishes to convey, through me, their sincere welcome and support for the Namgung Clan’s brilliant revival. And this Iron Plaque serves as proof that Namgung has officially rejoined the Martial Alliance.”
The Iron Plaque I received bore an intricately carved image of a hawk with wings spread. It was identical to the one I’d seen in my past life.
“Three hawks.”
“Indeed. The authority of a Martial Alliance Iron Plaque varies according to the number of hawks carved upon it.”
The more hawks, the greater the immediate assistance and substantial support one could receive from all branches of the Martial Alliance throughout the realm.
Moreover, one gained the right to stand as a candidate for major positions within the Alliance.
The maximum was five, and what Namgung received this time was three.
I turned the plaque over in my hands, my expression darkening with displeasure.
“This is absurd. I care nothing for the Martial Alliance’s petty authority, but the mathematics should at least be correct.”
“Pardon……?”
“Not only did the Namgung household hold back the Blood Cult at the front lines until near ruin, but I personally hunted down and executed the hidden elder Sadoum with my own hands. Do you truly believe three measly hawks constitute proper compensation?”
At this sharp reproach, Hyegwang lowered his gaze in embarrassment.
“That is… the decision of those above me…… Much time has passed, and there is an opinion among them that Sadoum, having suffered severe internal injuries and already severed from the Blood Cult’s headquarters, was merely a fallen villain…….”
Hyegwang fumbled through his explanation, beads of cold sweat forming on his brow.
“Still, the plaque in question ranks near the Nine Major Sects and One Alliance in authority, so please do not trouble yourself…….”
Slap-slap! Hyegwang suddenly raised both hands and struck his own cheeks hard.
“Ow! Why am I suddenly self-flagellating like this!”
Jang Ho cried out in surprise, but Hyegwang, his cheeks now flushed and swollen, fixed me with a direct gaze.
“Forgive me, Clan Leader. As a Buddhist, I am ashamed of myself for merely parroting the excuses of my superiors. To speak honestly, I too believe the Alliance’s treatment of a clan that has bled and fought as heroes is unjust.”
My boiling rage gradually subsided at his honesty.
I knew that venting my anger on this one man would solve nothing.
“There’s no point rejecting it outright. That would only put this monk in an awkward position.”
I clicked my tongue and slipped the plaque into my robes.
‘Namgung has only recently stood alone. It would be useful to exploit the Martial Alliance’s information network and resources.’
My mind worked through the calculations swiftly.
‘Any properly functioning Martial Alliance would publicly honor Namgung for eliminating Sadoum, using it to restore discipline and morale within their ranks. But to offer such an ambiguous commendation instead? There must be political factions within the Alliance, conspiring to check or ignore Namgung’s rise.’
I recalled memories from my past life—memories of dismantling a corrupted Martial Alliance.
Whether then or now, the Orthodox Sects’ ugly squabbles over rice bowls never change.
We would see about this in time.
As the atmosphere grew tense, Jang Ho cleared his throat in an attempt to lighten the mood.
“Now, now, let’s set aside talk of those old men in the Alliance! Weren’t we comrades-in-arms who fought back-to-back on blood-soaked battlefields? Why don’t we enjoy some good wine today and catch up on what we couldn’t before! And as it happens, I’ve nowhere to go this winter—would it trouble Namgung terribly if I imposed myself upon your hospitality?”
The beggar showed his characteristic bright, ingratiating smile.
I watched him for a moment, and a thought suddenly occurred to me.
“Does Namgung look like some wayside inn to you? It’s not a place where just anyone can wander in and sprawl about. If you want your keep, you’ll work for it.”
At my words, Jang Ho’s expression, which had been all laziness and appetite, hardened instantly.
Hyegwang too raised his brows, his face shifting to curiosity.
“What? No, we came on leave…… What kind of work are you talking about?”
I lifted one corner of my mouth and answered in a low voice.
“We’ll drink another time. Instead, help me guard our household. And while you’re at it, put the disciples through some grueling training.”
“Wh—what……!”
Ignoring the shocked protests of Hyegwang and Jang Ho, I turned my gaze toward Yuhwa, who watched me with doe-like eyes.
I gently waved the Jeol Clan’s invitation that I held in my hand and raised one eyebrow.
“Your sister and I have somewhere we need to go.”
“Hyuk……!”
Then a radiant, sun-bright smile spread across Yuhwa’s face.

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