The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 106

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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 106
Waiting
“I have lost this match. It was an honor to witness the Minor Sect Leader’s extraordinary martial prowess.”
Yu Elder of the Qingcheng Sect wore a complicated expression as he observed this.
He likely never expected a Qingcheng disciple who staked his pride on everything to admit defeat.
Yet I did not miss the relief that ultimately bloomed across his face.
“All Qingcheng disciples shall return to the Main Headquarters immediately.”
At Yu Elder’s command, Gyeong Yun and then all the disciples of Qingcheng Sect clasped their fists in unison and cried out loudly.
“We shall obey the command!”
The Black Sword Members belonging to Palcheon Secret Chamber erupted in cheers and celebration the moment Qingcheng Sect declared defeat and began their complete withdrawal.
The sound of dark-clad men shouting curses at the top of their lungs and weapons clashing roughly in the air echoed loudly through the air.
When they had heard the news that Qingcheng Sect was launching a surprise attack to lay waste to Palcheon Secret Chamber, they could never have imagined they would repel them so effortlessly.
Moreover, now that Qingcheng Sect had completely accepted defeat and withdrawn, they would surely believe they could guarantee their safety at least until some other pretext arose.
“Minor Sect Leader. You have endured much hardship. And congratulations.”
“My thanks.”
Chok Do Master Ha Mun Sung, the leader of Palcheon Secret Chamber, approached me and clasped his fist as he spoke.
“What should we do going forward?”
I, who appeared like a cudgel in the dead of night days ago and took over Palcheon Secret Chamber in a single night.
Of course, Qingcheng Sect would launch a surprise attack within days, and the only way for them to survive was through my semi-coercive suggestion that the Sun and Moon Divine Sect come to the forefront.
Even so, the light in the eyes and attitudes of the Black Sword Members toward me were utterly disrespectful.
Even this much now was a considerable improvement.
It was only natural, since I had defeated the Qingcheng Sect disciples as promised and made Qingcheng Sect withdraw.
“Return to your respective positions and reorganize each faction. Do not forget what I have told you.”
“We shall do so.”
What I had told them was that if the Black Path factions saved their lives this time, they should restructure their business operations and cease their harassment of the common people.
Ha Mun Sung Bangjoo, regardless of his true feelings, bowed respectfully on the surface and led the subordinates of the eight factions away.
The Deputy Commander who had led the forces of the Ilwol Divine Cult Golden Gate also hastily disbanded after exchanging hopes to meet again next time.
Not long after, the only ones remaining before the Manor Estate where the battle had taken place were myself, Young Ho Bin, Poong Cheong Jin and Baek Hyeon, the Ho Rim Pyo Lord and his entourage, and Seo Pil.
Among them, Baek Hyeon in particular seemed to have much to say.
“Lord. May I ask something that puzzles me?”
“Please speak, Guild Master.”
“I understand that your disciple is the Sea Master. But if you had only told me, I would have released him without severing our trading relationship. What was the reason you wished to hide it so?”
Baek Hyeon had remained hidden among the crowd, observing everything unfold, including the appearance of the Ho Rim Pyo Lord.
Had I been in Baek Hyeon’s position, it would have been a question I would naturally have asked.
In truth, I was curious as well.
“I was just about to explain that.”
Yoon National Lord spoke with a faint smile at the corners of his mouth.
“I believed that the Sun and Moon Divine Sect standing behind Cheong Yun Merchant Group’s hostility toward the Black Sword Members would be a cornerstone for bringing peace to the Kangho Murim. However, as a mere escort agency lord, I could not allow my private connection with my disciple to ruin that greater cause.”
“Is that truly the only reason?”
“Yes. It is something I wished to convey not only to you, Guild Master, but also to the Minor Sect Leader. However, there are many in Kangho who hope, as I do, that the Sun and Moon Divine Sect will rise up and drive out those hypocrites calling themselves the Orthodox Sects. Of course, for various reasons they have not become disciples, but please know that many figures in the Murim support this cause in their hearts.”
I tried not to show my surprise, but it was an astonishing and difficult story to believe.
I never expected someone of the Ho Rim Pyo Lord’s stature to care so deeply about the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.
Baek Hyeon, who was both a Merchant Guild Master and a member of the Divine Sect Sect Leader’s family, also spoke with a face that seemed deeply moved.
“I actually thought the National Lord’s decision might be related to the previous Merchant Guild Master—that is, my maternal grandfather.”
“You mean Jang Yeon Hwi? But what connection could there be…?”
“Yes. I know that the two of you are close.”
“Haha. That’s also true, but that’s precisely where you’re mistaken, Guild Master.”
“Pardon?”
“Right after I severed my relationship with the Qingyun Trading Company, Jang came to find me and made a request. He asked me not to cut off dealings with the escort agency.”
“…!”
“With a young Guild Master taking over, there were already many suspicious glances, and he said that if Ho Rim—the representative of the escort agency industry—stopped trading with them, the company would be severely shaken. He pleaded with me so earnestly, asking me to reconsider for the sake of our connection….”
Blood runs thicker than water, it seems.
In any case, I never expected Jang Yeon Hwi, who had his company forcibly taken from him because of me, to care so much about the company and Hyeon Yi.
Baek Hyeon’s face also showed deep contemplation.
“National Lord, then…, now that the Divine Sect has decided to lead the Black Path factions, would it be acceptable to ask that we continue our dealings?”
After a moment, Baek Hyeon asked this, and the Yoon National Lord shook his head.
“That doesn’t seem to align with reason.”
But before Baek Hyeon could show disappointment, the Yoon National Lord’s words continued immediately.
“Rather, we should be the ones making the request. Truth be told, since our dealings with the Qingyun Trading Company—our largest client—were cut off, we’ve been in considerable difficulty. Guild Master, though we’ve caused you trouble in many ways….”
“Ah…!”
“Would you entrust the Ho Rim Pyo Bureau with your escort services once more? Though we may be lacking, we will do our utmost.”
As the Yoon National Lord said this, he performed a respectful bow to Baek Hyeon, who was practically his grandson.
Baek Hyeon’s face returned to that of a thirteen-year-old boy for the first time in ages, and he answered with a bright smile.
“Of course, National Lord! We have a large shipment of tea that needs to be sent to Henan next month.”
“I’ll need to organize an escort team as soon as we return. Chong Pyo Du! Will that be possible?”
“Naturally. The Yoon Dangjoo’s schedule happens to be open.”
“Father. I will take charge of the escort team. I’ll bring along all our most skilled escorts.”

* * *
Baek So Cheong sat alone by the window of a tea house in Chengdu.
On the table, jasmine tea—a specialty of Chengdu—released its distinctive fragrant aroma, yet she hadn’t even brought the cup to her lips.
‘The Qingcheng Sect should have arrived quite some time ago.’
The Qingcheng Sect, one of the ten major Orthodox sects of the Kangho Murim, had apparently mobilized all its disciples to suppress the Black Path.
Until recently, this was the sort of news one would dismiss without a second thought.
Yet the Minor Sect Leader had not only brought the Black Path under the Sun and Moon Divine Sect’s dominion overnight, but now intended to stand against the Qingcheng Sect on behalf of the Pal Cheon Am Bang.
No matter how much I pondered it, I could scarcely comprehend why the Minor Sect Leader would go to such lengths for the Black Path.
‘No, not for the Black Path—for the common people.’
With this thought, I recalled the faces of the impoverished I had encountered in Huam Valley.
The Baek So Cheong of merely days past would have regarded them as nothing more than criminals condemned by the Righteous Martial World and the government.
Yet viewed from another perspective, they were common folk struggling merely to survive against the tyranny of corrupt officials.
The Pal Cheon Am Bang had been a shield protecting them, regardless of all else.
When that shield faced destruction, the Minor Sect Leader chose to become a shield in their stead.
To protect innocent common people, bearing even the ignominy of taking the Black Path’s hand, and fighting for them while risking his own life.
It was the image of the Minor Sect Leader I knew, and a choice utterly befitting him.
I recalled the expression on his face as he smiled while gazing at the children he had met in Huam Valley, at their innocent laughter and the faces of their mothers and fathers watching them.
The way he had hastily erased that smile, as if fearful of being discovered, and reverted to his usual fierce countenance.
‘A smile like that—he needn’t have hidden it from those who were present.’
So I could understand the Minor Sect Leader’s actions in standing against the Qingcheng Sect.
What I found difficult to accept was the Minor Sect Leader’s decision to keep me from being there alongside him.
‘Minor Sect Leader, I can fight too.’
‘Of course you can fight, sister. However, that place must be resolved not through combat, but through dialogue.’
‘Then that’s why I should be there with you, isn’t it?’
‘No, it would be dangerous for you to be present there.’
‘Why?’
‘Because you stand out far too much. Should fighting break out by any chance, you could become the first target, and there is also the risk that conflict which might not otherwise occur could erupt because of you.’
Even now, it seemed like a forced argument.
Yet I could not fail to understand the Minor Sect Leader’s heart, which wished above all to keep me from danger.
I could not defy a decision the Minor Sect Leader had made before his subordinates.
And so I waited in a safe place while the Minor Sect Leader faced the Qingcheng Sect alone, simply hoping for the situation to end.
I was anxious.
My mind believed that with the Minor Sect Leader’s martial prowess and cunning, he would surely return safely, but my heart could not share that conviction.
The Minor Sect Leader—that child who appeared strong on the surface but possessed a gentler heart than anyone else….
Could he lead the rough and reckless Black Path and drive back the Qingcheng Sect?
No, whether he preserved the Black Path’s power or drove back the Qingcheng Sect was entirely unimportant.
I simply yearned desperately for the Minor Sect Leader to return here unharmed.

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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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