The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 103

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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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The Introverted Heavenly Demon Episode 103
Ho Rim Pyo Lord
“What did you just say…?”
“Therefore, let us conclude today’s meeting with this exchange of greetings face to face, and it would be far better for all involved if the Qingcheng Sect disciples were to return to Cheongseong Mountain now.”
Sighs erupted from among the Qingcheng Sect disciples, yet Yu Cheong Heo’s eyes burned with ever-intensifying competitive fervor.
He recalled the words the Sect Master had spoken to him after conversing for some time with the Deputy Commander of the Martial Alliance.
It was what the Sect Master had said when Yu Cheong Ha asked what significance there was in striking the Black Path faction at this juncture.
“Even if we strike down the leader of Palcheon Secret Chamber, before long identical men will fill that position, and the night streets of Chengdu will remain unchanged as before.”
“This matter is not about the Black Path faction itself. The true purpose of this journey to Chengdu is to uncover the connection between the Il-Wol Divine Sect and the Black Path faction that stands behind them.”
“Elder Brother, what do you mean by that…?”
“The Martial Alliance has concluded that it can no longer tolerate the Demonic Cult’s expansion of power that deceives the common people. Before the world, they pose as protectors of the people, yet behind closed doors they drain the blood of the masses and disorder the Martial World. A decisive confrontation with the Demonic Cult looms before us. This operation exists to provide the Martial Alliance with righteous cause to strike the Il-Wol Divine Sect.”
Yu Cheong Heo was somewhat taken aback by the situation unfolding before him, yet after thinking it through coldly, he concluded there was nothing particularly unfavorable about it.
Originally, exposing the connection between the Il-Wol Divine Sect and Palcheon Secret Chamber had been the purpose of today’s Kangho expedition.
Yet the so-called Minor Sect Leader of the Il-Wol Divine Sect had officially revealed before them that Palcheon Secret Chamber was a subordinate organization of the Il-Wol Divine Sect.
The young fool had made a reckless move and fallen into his own trap.
That was his assessment.
“So the Il-Wol Divine Sect and Palcheon Secret Chamber have joined hands. Regrettably, having heard such words, we can no longer afford to retreat.”
Yu Cheong Heo turned to Gyeong Yun, his senior disciple, and issued silent instructions through his gaze.
He revised his original objective of capturing the leaders of Palcheon Secret Chamber.
Though somewhat premature, in today’s confrontation he would seize the Minor Sect Leader of the Il-Wol Divine Sect and gain the initiative in the great war between the Martial Alliance and the Il-Wol Divine Sect.
No matter how high the Minor Sect Leader’s martial prowess, he was merely a boy in his teens.
With himself, a master of the highest caliber, and several other senior disciples joining forces, it would be no difficult task, and this would become a magnificent achievement that would elevate the Qingcheng Sect’s name.
At that moment, the Minor Sect Leader of the Il-Wol Divine Sect clicked his tongue and spoke.
“So you show your true colors after all.”
And he raised one hand toward the empty air.
As if in response to that signal, dozens of martial artists suddenly emerged from one side of the manor estate, and thunderous footsteps shook heaven and earth.
They were the martial artists of the Il-Wol Divine Sect’s Golden Gate, mobilized under the command of Minor Sect Leader Baek Yeon.
By the time the Qingcheng Sect disciples comprehended the situation, fifty Black Path members had already surrounded them from the front, and another fifty Il-Wol Divine Sect martial artists had encircled them from the right.
The Minor Sect Leader spoke in a low, cutting voice.
“It seems you did not understand my words. I am not asking you to withdraw.”
“…!”
“I am giving you the opportunity to avoid the complete annihilation of the Qingcheng Sect here today.”
The Qingcheng Sect disciples were confident they would not lose even in a fight at odds of fifty to fifteen or three to one.
However, the moment the Il-Wol Divine Sect’s hidden forces appeared, the tide of battle had already reversed.
No matter how high one’s individual martial skill, fighting at six-to-one odds was tantamount to suicide.
Yet Yu Cheong Ha did not retreat, for he had the pride of a righteous sect and confidence that justice lay on his side.
Yu Cheong Ha spoke toward the Minor Sect Leader with even greater conviction than before.
“So you resort to intimidation through sheer numbers. How laughable.”
“What is so amusing?”
“Looking at the current situation, it seems perfectly fitting to say that the Il-Wol Divine Sect has trampled upon the righteousness of Kangho and sided with the Black Path.”
“Righteousness is something only the strong can claim, after all.”
“There is no need for many to shed blood. Let you and I settle this matter, representing the Qingcheng Sect and the Il-Wol Divine Sect.”
Seeing Yu Cheong Ha propose a one-on-one duel, the Qingcheng Sect disciples felt relief wash over them.
The Il-Wol Divine Sect was, before anything else, a martial faction of the Kangho.
To refuse a one-on-one duel would be to admit defeat, and to acknowledge themselves as heretical forces no different from the Black Path.
In that case, there would be no shame in the Qingcheng Sect withdrawing as things stood.
Moreover, they would have achieved their purpose of providing the Martial Alliance with justification to strike against the Il-Wol Divine Sect.
“At fifty years of age, and you have no words you cannot speak to a junior, tsk.”
The Minor Sect Leader grumbled with displeasure, yet he too clearly understood there was no justification to avoid this one-on-one duel.
However.
“If it is a duel between commanders, there is no need for the Minor Sect Leader to step forward.”
At a voice that came from somewhere, Yu Cheong Ha’s gaze shifted sharply.
Three figures slowly walked forward from the opposite direction of where the Il-Wol Divine Sect martial artists had been standing.
“Who are you?”
Upon seeing the face of the middle-aged man at the front, Yu Cheong Ha’s words caught in his throat and his legs froze in place.
He had never imagined this man would appear in such a place.
Yet it seemed the Minor Sect Leader was equally startled by this man’s appearance.
“National Lord, what brings you to this place…?”
A man in his fifties now stood beside the Minor Sect Leader.
He was none other than Yun Tae Baek, the National Lord of Ho Rim Pyo Bureau, the greatest escort agency in Chengdu, and one of the renowned masters of Kangho Murim with deep connections to the Righteous Martial Arts factions, including the Qingcheng Sect.
His martial prowess had naturally reached the pinnacle of mastery.
“I am Ho Rim Pyo Lord Yun Tae Baek. It appears Elder Yu of the Qingcheng Sect is seeking an opponent for a duel…”
“…!”
“Would someone of my caliber be a suitable match?”
At his sudden appearance, the eyes of Yu Cheong Ha and the Qingcheng Sect disciples wavered intensely.
They could not fathom why or when Ho Rim Pyo Bureau had sided with the Il-Wol Divine Sect and the Black Path.

* * *
My heart thundered so violently it felt as though it might burst from my chest.
I never imagined the day would come when I, an introvert, would stand in confrontation against the Qingcheng Sect—who had rushed here with fifty rough and violent Black Blade Gang members to subjugate the Pal Cheon Am Bang.
Thanks to Hye Woon obtaining the Qingcheng Sect’s movements and advance warning of their attack through the Cheong Nan Guest House, I was able to meet them fully prepared.
Yet even so, standing before people did not erase my introverted nature’s tendency toward nervousness.
Especially when an elder of the Qingcheng Sect proposed a one-on-one duel with me—it felt as though the sky itself was collapsing.
And the effort to hide my fear and confusion only made the ordeal more unbearable.
But I never expected the Ho Rim Pyo Lord to appear like a savior.
“Lord Yun. Are you truly certain about this? You need not go to such lengths.”
I cupped my fist toward Ho Rim Pyo Lord Yun Tae Baek and asked.
The words I added were spoken with consideration for my dignity as Minor Sect Leader of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.
Of course, ever since Yun Tae Baek appeared, I had been silently cheering within myself.
A fight against Yu Cheong Heo, a master at the pinnacle of cultivation, offered no chance of victory, and I had been racking my brain over how to escape the situation—so it was only natural.
Yun Tae Baek smiled faintly, returned the salute, and answered.
“Since the Minor Sect Leader has saved my disciple twice, you—no, the Sun and Moon Divine Sect—are benefactors to my nation. As a martial artist who understands the Way, repaying such kindness is only natural.”
At his words, I felt Seo Pil, standing at a distance, flinch slightly.
I too was equally startled.
I had thought there must be some connection between the two when I saw Yun Tae Baek send his son to retrieve Seo Pil, but I never imagined Seo Pil was actually Yun Tae Baek’s disciple.
Yet if that were the case, it made perfect sense that Yun Tae Baek would offer to fight in my stead here.
As I struggled to suppress the relief welling up from deep within, Yun Tae Baek, having exchanged brief greetings with me, turned back toward Yu Cheong Heo, the elder of the Qingcheng Sect.
The elder’s face was flushed with confusion as he bit his lip.
“Yoon National Lord. Do you understand what you are saying right now?”
His confusion stemmed not merely from the fact that Yun Tae Baek, a master at the pinnacle, now stood against him.
From the beginning, this confrontation had been initiated by the Qingcheng Sect, representing the Righteous Martial World, with the purpose of subjugating the Black Blade Gang.
They must have been secretly overjoyed when I stepped forward in the name of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect before the Pal Cheon Am Bang.
Their goal was to expose the connection between the Black Path and the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, yet the Sun and Moon Divine Sect had openly declared its protection of the Black Path.
And now, in this situation, the Ho Rim Escort Agency—while not among the great righteous sects, certainly a faction of considerable renown in Chengdu’s upper circles—had taken the side of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.
Thus their justification for punishing evil could only become greatly obscured.
“Of course I understand. In fact, for the first time in my life, I believe I truly comprehend what I am doing.”
Yoon National Lord spoke quietly, yet his voice, infused with formidable inner power, carried far across the distance.
“I have always believed I was doing what I thought was right, but in truth, I was merely watching the world’s reaction out of fear. Even knowing my disciple was doing what was right, I thought I could never stand with the Black Blade Gang, whom the world condemned.”
“….”
“It is shameful to admit, but it was this boy here—a boy who has lived only one-third of our years—whose actions awakened me to this truth.”
At these words, I felt as though struck on the head, my mind going blank.
And only then could I truly understand Yoon National Lord’s actions.

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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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