The Heavenly Demon of the Blue Sky - Chapter 59

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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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Cangten Heavenly Demon — Episode 059
By the time the rough current slapping against the bow of the vessel had begun to ease,
Dang So Yeon, the Minor Clan Head of the Sichuan Dang Clan, stood gripping the rail of the deck, unable to tear her gaze from the vast landscape before her.
“Heavens…… Is this really the ruined Namgung they spoke of?”
Astonishment dripped from her voice as it spilled past the silk veil.
She had heard mere days ago that this place had been reduced to ashes.
Yet the expanse of Cheonju Mountain that lay before her eyes was peaceful and thriving—words like “ruins” seemed utterly inadequate.
Across streets laid out in neat grids stood halls both large and small of every conceivable purpose, and beyond them stretched fertile fields and paddies arranged with meticulous care.
“Ha ha ha! Are you amazed? The Namgung that our most gracious Clan Head has rebuilt from the ground!”
Namgung Gyeong, standing at her side, shrugged his shoulders proudly and gestured with an outstretched hand.
“That’s not all, either. Look there—that is the temple where the warrior monks of Shaolin dwell, and that back alley is the hall of the Beggar Clan. The most magnificent pavilion there is the Grand Academy where the scholars of the Jegal Clan make their home. Ah, and that long stretch at the outer edge is the Horse Ranch led by the warriors of Taishan, and that tall tower is the Falconry Station managed by the Seomun Clan! It seems to have been raised anew this time!”
Wherever Namgung Gyeong’s fingertips pointed, the banners of each clan and sect flew in rows beside the Cangten Flag of Namgung.
“United with hearts bent on helping one another—that is Namgung as it stands today!”
The words he had cried out with such fervor in Sichuan had all been truth.
‘How can one gather so many diverse powers in a single place?’
A course of action rarely seen in all the history of the Martial World.
For the first time, she truly grasped how vast the vessel of the Namgung Clan Head was.
At the same time, a peculiar restlessness began to stir in one corner of her chest.
‘I fear I’ve come too late.’
A hunger to shine brighter than others, to forge a deeper bond—the hunger of ambition.
Dang So Yeon unknowingly bit her lower lip.
She found herself glancing over her own elaborate attire.
She was just checking whether her hair ornaments sat straight and whether her robes lacked anything, when—
Suddenly, a scene long buried in the depths of memory surfaced.
That day at the Jegal Clan’s pond, when she had deliberately started a quarrel with the Namgung Clan Head as he solved riddles, arms crossed defiantly.
[“If I’d known sooner, I’d have found the jade token already. Anyone can rattle off grand words—even a stray dog passing by.”]
At that moment, Namgung Hyeok had looked at Dang So Yeon with annoyance and asked,
[“Do you like me?”]
[“W-what!?”]
[“Why are you acting so insufferable?”]
[“Y-you’re insane!”]
And then came the decisive words that followed.
[“For the record, you’re not my type.”]
Then he had slowly raked his eyes down her body from head to toe and smirked coldly.
[“I prefer women with larger breasts.”]
“Ugh!”
Dang So Yeon suddenly clutched her head and let out a small cry.
At the time, her face had burned crimson as she’d called him a madman and hurried on, but now, with their arrival at the Namgung headquarters mere hours away, his words clung to her ears like a scab. It gnawed at her.
“Ahem, hem!”
She cleared her throat awkwardly, glancing around before lifting her hands slightly.
Then she tightened the front opening of her short-sleeved robe, drawing both edges snug and retying them.
At once, her pale breasts, already without flaw, swelled upward in breathless curves, displaying a sensuous contour.
‘N-not that I’m doing this for that reason…… It’s just that proper grooming requires tidy garments!’
She offered herself a transparent excuse and turned her gaze toward the dock.
“Oh! The Clan Head! You’ve come to meet us in person!”
Namgung Gyeong rushed to the ship’s rail, his cry ringing with joy.
Dang So Yeon’s eyes widened in surprise.
Before the vessel even touched the dock, the gathered crowd parted left and right.
Through the gap came a pure white destrier, displaying its magnificent bearing.
And then the face of a handsome young man holding the horse’s reins came into view.
A hawk perched on his shoulder, a Blue Long Robe billowing behind him. The picture of grace.
It was Namgung Hyeok of Cangten.
“Oh……”
Dang So Yeon found herself gasping before she could think, rapture escaping her lips. What had happened to him in the meantime?
The gaunt, frail shoulders that looked as though they might collapse at any moment had broadened distinctly, bearing a solid, confident carriage.
His face and eyes, once drawn, had grown more intense and unfathomable.
Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump!
The sound of her own heartbeat thundered in her ears with deafening force.
Her bold plan to step forward confidently simply vanished.
Uncharacteristically flustered and shy, she ended up crouching low behind the rail instead.
‘What’s wrong with me? I’m losing it!’
She buried her burning face in her knees, screaming silently at herself.
‘Get ahold of yourself, Dang So Yeon! You’re the Minor Clan Head representing the Sichuan Dang Clan! Not some woman who came running barefoot because she wanted to see him!’
But despite her stern remonstrations, a trembling smile kept betraying itself at the corners of her mouth.

* * *
The moment the boat moored, Namgung Gyeong bounded off with a powerful leap.
“Clan Head! I’ve returned safely, having completed the mission!”
“You’ve worked hard. The journey wasn’t too difficult?”
“Not at all! If anything, it was only missing your company, sir.”
“Nonsense.”
I narrowed my eyes and glared, but Namgung Gyeong simply laughed along with me, his expression bright and carefree.
Then I turned my gaze toward the procession descending from the boat, dressed in deep green robes.
Some thirty-odd figures approached in perfect formation, their ranks as sharp as a blade.
Moving with the silent footwork befitting the Dang Clan’s martial masters—not a sound disturbed the air.
‘She’s brought skilled ones.’
I addressed the figure at the fore.
“Are you the one responsible for leading the Dang Clan’s talents here?”
The older agent startled, shaking his head.
“No, sir. I’m merely the administrator. The one responsible for this dispatch is someone else—the Minor Clan Head.”
He stepped aside, gesturing toward the rear.
Then, from the shadowed corner of the boat where she’d been hidden behind the honor guard, a figure hesitantly emerged.
Dressed in luxurious green silk trimmed with silver brocade—it was Dang So Yeon.
The sight struck me as familiar, yet I found myself at a loss, my brow furrowing.
“What brings you here?”
I genuinely hadn’t anticipated this.
No matter how worthwhile the research into Corpse Demon toxins might be, it seemed reckless for the insular Sichuan Dang Clan to send their one pampered jewel into the dangers of Namgung.
Yet something was different about her now—she lacked her usual sharpness, standing with her hands clasped behind her back, shifting her weight nervously.
I was about to question it when Namgung Gyeong suddenly cut in.
“Oh! Clan Head, the lady has asked me about you constantly since we left the Dang Clan! I nearly told her the color of your underclothes! I didn’t realize the Minor Clan Head held Namgung in such genuine affection—but it turns out she admires you just as fervently as I do—”
“Mmph!!”
In that instant, Dang So Yeon shot forward like lightning and clamped her hand over Namgung Gyeong’s mouth.
“W-when did I ever—! Stop spouting nonsense!”
Her ears flushed crimson as she nearly shrieked the words.
“Th-the point is, I saw with my own eyes at the Yongbong Gathering how fiercely the Blood Cult commands those Corpse Demons! It poses a grave threat to the Sichuan Dang Clan as well!”
She lifted her chin sharply, speaking with bold conviction.
“Given how serious the matter is, I, as Minor Clan Head and an expert in toxins, stepped forward as our representative. I came purely for our clan’s benefit, so don’t even think of sidelining me!”
I nodded at her resolute declaration.
“Is that so? If you’re here out of such calculated self-interest, then I need not worry about formalities—I can simply put you to work. That’s a relief. You’re welcome.”
At my pragmatic welcome, Dang So Yeon’s lip jutted out slightly, though she exhaled a quiet sigh of relief.
It was then that word of the Sichuan Dang Clan’s arrival reached the talents gathered here, and they began drifting toward the dock.
“Well, well, the proud Minor Clan Head from Sichuan has graced us with her distant presence.”
Jegal Un snapped open his fan with a flourish. Ak Jin and Hwangbo Gang emerged as well.
The sight of other Minor Clan Heads encamped at the Namgung main residence seemed to catch Dang So Yeon by surprise.
“Why are the promising heirs of each clan here at Namgung?”
At my pointed question, Jegal Un swept his eyes over Dang So Yeon’s ornate attire, then narrowed them with a thin smile.
“Why should only the Dang Clan claim genuine interest in Namgung? Or did you imagine yourself the sole talented heir worthy of standing beside the Clan Head? We harbor the same ambitions, after all.”
There was something unsettling in his tone—a challenge directed at me through her.
Dang So Yeon, however, bristled visibly.
“What nonsense! Are you territorial because you arrived early? You sit in some corner, playing at importance—but I’m an honored guest, formally invited to Namgung from afar, you understand? The weight of my visit far exceeds your shallow maneuvering.”
“Your words seem excessive, madam.”
“Who are you to say such a thing?”
A brilliant flash of hostility ignited between Jegal Un and Dang So Yeon, sparks flying.
Hwangbo Gang and Ak Jin broke into nervous sweat at the savage contest of wills.
“Ha, well now. On such a fine day, there’s no need for such tension. Let’s all compose ourselves.”
It was Seomun Ho who diffused the chaos.
“To move the Minor Clan Head of Sichuan herself—the Namgung Clan Head’s influence truly knows no bounds.”
He then bowed to Dang So Yeon.
“I am Seomun Ho. Distance has kept Sichuan and Shanxi from such cordial exchange, yet here we meet under the Namgung roof—I am delighted.”
At the greeting from Seomun Ho, a master of my father’s generation, Dang So Yeon dropped her guard and clasped her hands respectfully.
“I am Dang So Yeon. It is an honor to meet the Clan Head of Seomun.”
As warm greetings were exchanged, two figures emerged at a leisurely pace.
“Ah, what a delight to receive such distinguished guests from afar!”
“Amitabha Buddha, we welcome the talents of the Dang Clan with open hearts.”
It was Jang Ho of the Beggar Clan and Venerable Hye Gwang of Shaolin.
Yet as Dang So Yeon’s gaze fell upon them, her eyes widened with a sudden jolt.
“Wait—just wait a moment! Why are you two wearing those?!”
What Jang Ho and Hye Gwang wore were the finest silk robes that the Dang Clan had sent as a gift mere weeks before.
At Dang So Yeon’s outcry, Jang Ho and Hye Gwang exchanged embarrassed glances, scratching their cheeks.
“Ahem! A beggar and a monk in such exquisite silken garments do look rather out of place, don’t we?”
“The Namgung Clan Head was kind enough to bestow this noble robe upon us, and we’ve kept it carefully to wear on occasions as momentous as welcoming such honored guests today.”
At their reply, Dang So Yeon’s eyelids trembled visibly.
She turned to me with resentment in her gaze, and I answered with an impassive face.
“I shared what I received with those close by. Is there some problem with that?”
“…!”
My curt rejoinder left Dang So Yeon looking as though she might weep at any moment.
“It’s not that, it’s just… I stitched every one of those seams with my own hands…”
Dang So Yeon murmured to herself in a voice so faint it seemed to crumble.
Then she tossed her head sharply, forcibly suppressing the hurt that glistened in her eyes.
“Never mind! I wasn’t expecting you to wear it anyway! Hmph! Now, shall we be on our way?”
She turned away with an affected brightness, mounting a horse she’d had readied beforehand.
She seemed unaware of how her shoulders trembled faintly with her hurt.
Just then, as I led Jeol Yeong forward, I moved closer to Dang So Yeon’s side.
“This way.”
I spoke briefly, then let my gaze drift downward, scanning her carefully.
Her collar was drawn tight, yet her fair skin beneath it swayed precariously with each breath.
The wind was still crisp, and she would surely suffer from the cold.
‘I’ve no wish for her to catch a chill before she’s even begun working.’
A calculating thought—one befitting a ruthless employer.
I unfastened the Blue Long Robe I’d been wearing and draped it across her shoulders.
“That garment looks uncomfortable. Wear this instead.”
“Wh—?”
“Keep it.”
I pressed my horse forward and cast a brief glance back.
Yet somehow Dang So Yeon’s eyes had grown glisteningly wet.
She drew the robe I’d given her tightly around herself with both hands, securing the gaping fabric against her vulnerable chest, and then—lowering her head slightly—buried her nose in the cloth and began to breathe in its scent with obvious pleasure.
‘What an odd thing to do. Is she checking it for hidden poison? Her suspicions run deep indeed.’
As I watched her behave in that peculiar manner so typical of the Sichuan Dang Clan, I found myself clicking my tongue inwardly—when she suddenly spoke.
“W-walk with me!”
Dang So Yeon approached my side with a brightness that belied her earlier distress, her face transformed.
Then, casting sidelong glances at my profile, she wore an enigmatic, gentle smile.

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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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