The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 110

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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 110
Heaven Above Heaven
“However, do not worry too much. Though this matter has indeed created tension between the Righteous Martial World and the Martial Alliance, Chengdu is sufficiently garrisoned with Il-Wol Divine Sect forces, making this venture worthwhile. We have laid the groundwork to bring the Black Path factions of Kangho to our side, and the Sect Leader will surely….”
“Minor Sect Leader. That’s not why I’m concerned. No, I actually think you handled that matter well. Honestly….”
“Hmm?”
“It was impressive, even.”
“Was it?”
“What? What do you mean?”
“What exactly impressed you?”
“….”
The truth is, now that I’ve brought it up.
Yesterday’s declaration before all of Chengdu’s residents that I was placing the Black Path factions under Il-Wol Divine Sect still made my head spin when I thought about it.
I was amazed at how I managed to say everything I needed to say before so many people.
Subduing the Pal Cheon Am Bang and the Bang Hoe through sheer force was no difficult task.
The real question was how the residents would accept the Il-Wol Divine Sect’s Minor Sect Leader, who had appeared overnight and become the leader of the Black Path factions.
Fortunately, it went over well, and the residents’ reaction was not unfavorable.
No, it was far better than merely acceptable.
“King of the Black Path—I never expected the Black Path factions would chant such a slogan. And ‘a world of the common people,’ no less. That the residents would react so enthusiastically….”
“Yes. It was impressive. But could I continue what I was saying?”
“Ah, of course.”
What had Baek So Cheong been saying?
As I stared at her with a bewildered expression, she let out a sigh so deep it seemed the earth itself might collapse, and spoke.
“Did the Minor Sect Leader really have to step forward personally?”
“Hmm?”
Baek So Cheong paused there and gazed into empty space.
She seemed to be deliberately composing herself.
“What do you mean?”
“The Cheong Yun Merchant Group has a Guard Captain, and Il-Wol Divine Sect has so many martial artists. Why did you personally have to face the Qingcheng Sect?”
“Ah…, Sister. You knew?”
Now I understood—my decision to face the Qingcheng Sect had displeased my sister.
I myself had not been unaware of the great risk in stepping forward personally.
Had it come down to a one-on-one duel between the Il-Wol Divine Sect’s Minor Sect Leader and the Qingcheng Sect’s External Elder, I would almost certainly have lost.
And my one-on-one life-or-death match with the First Disciple Gyeong Yun offered no guarantee of victory.
Had I lost there, Il-Wol Divine Sect would have suffered a devastating blow.
Yet I felt inwardly frustrated that Baek So Cheong did not understand my heart.
It was not as though I had stepped forward in ignorance.
“Sister. If I, as the leader, had withdrawn, what would have become of Il-Wol Divine Sect? As the saying goes, to gain greatly, one must risk greatly.”
“Minor Sect Leader….”
“Think about it. Though there was some danger, because I won, no one was harmed and we drove back the Qingcheng Sect, and moreover….”
“I hate it.”
But before I could finish speaking, Baek So Cheong interjected, cutting my words short mid-sentence.
“I don’t care about the prestige of the Il-Wol Divine Sect, or the greater good of Kangho, or any of that.”
“Sister…?”
“You promised, didn’t you? That you’d resolve this through dialogue. That there would be no need to fight. And then you left me alone like that….”
“….”
“While the Minor Sect Leader stands before all those enemies, risking your life in battle, I’m sitting here leisurely sipping tea. Did you ever consider how this sister of yours feels?”
Baek So Cheong’s voice remained level.
Rather than the furious demeanor from moments before, she spoke with a calm and quiet composure, saying what needed to be said.
Because of this, I found myself unable to interject.
“Killing Ha Mun Sung—setting aside the fact that he kidnapped me, he was a villain who slaughtered countless innocent people, so even being generous, he deserved death. But this time too, you stood before them alone, didn’t you?”
“They were holding you captive. They demanded I come alone.”
“I know. That’s exactly why I hate it, Minor Sect Leader.”
A single tear rolled down Baek So Cheong’s cheek as she looked directly at me.
Even then, her voice carried not the slightest tremor.
“I won’t ask you to avoid danger. I won’t tell you not to bear the weight of the Il-Wol Divine Sect—or Kangho itself—alone. Because that is your role, your duty. But….”
I didn’t quite understand why.
“But then, let me be by your side too. I won’t ask to fight alongside you, just… let me watch you fight with my own eyes.”
I understand, and I’m sorry for all this time, sister.
These words, swelling up to my throat, I ultimately could not speak aloud.
“I’ll think about it. If necessary, I’ll do as you ask.”
I couldn’t tell whether these words from me were my true heart, or merely what I thought the Minor Sect Leader ought to say.
Perhaps it was both.
The more I felt Baek So Cheong’s affection for me, the more desperately I pushed it away.
I couldn’t tell whether my inability to accept her request to be by my side was the heart of Minor Sect Leader Baek Yeon, or my own will.
“….”
Baek So Cheong bit her lip.
Her head, which had been held up with difficulty as she looked directly at me, slowly lowered.
For a long moment, neither of us spoke.
She stood gazing down at my feet for some time before lifting her head again.
“Thank you, Minor Sect Leader.”
With only those words left behind, she clasped her fists in salute and turned to leave, walking away from me.

* * *
Not far from the heart of Chengdu’s streets, a tavern bustled with patrons.
Two young men, appearing to be in their early twenties, had arrived at the tavern moments before and now sat across from each other at an empty table.
One of them was a Taoist Priest dressed in stiff blue robes, wearing a Taoist temple crown on his head and a sword with a blue silk tassel at his waist.
Across from the Daoist Youth sat a bald man in plain clothes with a headwrap.
The Daoist Youth secretly admired the bald man’s calculation in choosing a tavern during meal hours as their meeting place.
‘I was worried about the crowds, but it actually makes us less conspicuous. This person truly has extensive experience in Kangho—even in small details, their strategy is evident.’
Both men were reasonably well-known figures in Kangho and had maintained prior connections, but their current meeting would attract unwanted attention.
The tavern saw constant foot traffic with many martial artists of similar age, so no one paid particular attention to the two of them.
“Your food is ready.”
The Shop Attendant emerged carrying a plate of vegetable dishes, two bowls of noodles, and a bottle of liquor.
“We didn’t order alcohol.”
As the Daoist Youth began to tell the Shop Attendant to take the bottle back, the Headwrap Youth was already pouring the liquor into a cup.
“Oh my. So this was alcohol.”
“So Cheong?”
“Since I’ve already poured it, there’s no point in returning it. I suppose I have no choice. I’ll cover the bill instead.”
“Ah, very well then.”
“Gentlemen, if you need anything else, please let me know.”
“Thank you.”
Watching the Shop Attendant withdraw, the Headwrap Youth licked his lips and gazed down at the cup of liquor before him.
The Daoist Youth asked him casually.
“By the way, it seems the Il-Wol Divine Sect has truly taken over Chengdu’s Black Path.”
“Senior, is there no need to lower your voice?”
“Everywhere in Chengdu, that’s all anyone talks about. At this point, there’s no reason to keep it quiet.”
“That’s true.”
“I thought the Il-Wol Divine Sect would suffer more losses than gains from this, but it doesn’t seem to be the case.”
“Why is that?”
The Daoist Youth twirled his noodles with chopsticks as he spoke.
“Already, rumors are spreading like wildfire among the Black Path factions across Sichuan. That the master of Chengdu’s Palcheon Secret Chamber has changed to the Il-Wol Divine Sect.”
“It must be causing quite a stir.”
“The interesting part begins now. Many of the Black Path members who have suffered under the Righteous Sects subordinate to the Martial Alliance are openly discussing how this is an opportunity to change their leadership and pledge allegiance to the Il-Wol Divine Sect instead.”
While the Daoist Youth was absorbed in his own narrative, the Headwrap Youth subtly switched the positions of the water cup and the liquor cup before him.
“It seems the Black Path members view the Il-Wol Divine Sect and the Martial Alliance as no different.”
The Daoist Youth shook his head.
“No, because the Minor Sect Leader of the Il-Wol Divine Sect promised to guarantee the survival rights and livelihoods of the Black Path factions as long as he doesn’t torment innocent commoners, more and more Black Path members are turning toward the Il-Wol Divine Sect. In some factions, armed conflicts have already erupted between the current leaders’ faction and the Il-Wol Divine Sect supporters.”
The Daoist Youth fixed his gaze on the Headwrap Youth and asked.
“You must have anticipated this from the beginning.”
“I apologize for not explaining everything in detail from the start. And thank you for honoring my request.”
Gyeong Yun, a leading disciple of the Qingcheng Sect, recalled that day when he had fought a life-or-death duel with the Minor Sect Leader of the Il-Wol Divine Sect who commanded the Black Path, and fell into contemplation.
‘If battle breaks out, please take care that the boy doesn’t get hurt.’
The Demonic Cult—the Martial Alliance’s sworn enemy—and from that dark place, a rising minor demon of infamy….
Had it not been for a request from a senior martial artist with whom I had maintained a cordial relationship, I would never have shown mercy in a life-or-death duel against the Minor Sect Leader of the Il-Wol Divine Sect.
And with that terrifying counterattack technique, my neck would have been severed.
The Daoist Youth shook his head with a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“Not at all. Rather, I should be the one offering thanks. Because of you, I’ve come to realize once again that there are always greater heights beyond what I thought was the peak.”
“So, having met him directly, what were your impressions?”
“So Cheong… ah, but now I suppose I should address him as Bunta.”
“That title is still premature. Please continue to call me as you always have.”
“Heh heh, very well then, So Cheong.”
Not long ago.
Following the Martial Alliance’s long-standing invitation, Shaolin Temple had finally joined as the twenty-eighth and most powerful allied faction of the Martial Alliance.
And as the Bunta of the newly established Chengdu branch in Sichuan, they appointed Hye Woon, one of Shaolin’s Eight Divine Monks and a prodigy of unparalleled brilliance.
“I think I understand now why So Cheong’s eyes sparkle so brightly whenever he speaks of that boy.”
In this vast city of Chengdu, only these two people yet knew this truth.

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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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