The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 12

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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 012
What is the Minor Sect Leader’s Realm?
Crack!
It wasn’t until the fourth wooden figure that my wooden sword finally failed to shatter it.
Seeing this, Do Gyo Du shook his head and spoke to me.
“Minor Sect Leader. These wooden figures were jointly created by the Main Sect’s Blood Cloud Palace and Myeong Shin Palace to measure the martial prowess levels of martial artists. Though finished with ordinary wood on the surface, the joints and framework are made of metal refined using the Divine Sect’s special techniques, designed to shatter only under strikes exceeding a certain threshold.”
“…I see.”
“Since you shattered the third figure but were stopped at the fourth, you have surpassed the Third Stage and currently possess martial skills corresponding to the early stages of the Fourth Stage.”
Do Gyo Du’s explanation continued.
“Comparing to the martial artist levels commonly spoken of in Kangho, the Third Stage realm corresponds to Third-Rate martial artists, while the Fourth through Sixth Stages belong to Second-Rate.”
This meant my current martial realm corresponded to the early stages of Second-Rate.
I nodded, but hearing it explained purely in numbers didn’t quite sink in.
Perhaps because of how the terms “Third-Rate” and “Second-Rate” sounded, it felt like nothing particularly impressive.
Fortunately, Do Gyo Du’s continued explanation quickly resolved my confusion.
“Even as Third-Rate, it typically takes an ordinary person ten to thirty years of martial training to reach that stage. In Kangho, even reaching the late stages of Third-Rate makes it difficult to find worthy opponents.”
“Just reaching late Third-Rate?”
“Yes. You are only eleven years old, Minor Sect Leader, yet you have already surpassed this realm. Truly, you possess talent unmatched in this world.”
Hearing Do Gyo Du’s words, I couldn’t help but let a satisfied smile cross my face.
When he spoke of Third-Rate and Second-Rate, it hadn’t felt particularly impressive, but according to his explanation, it seemed like a realm worthy of being called a genius.
It was thanks to cultivating the Hyeon Ma Gyeong, which harmonized well with my introverted nature.
“The Second-Rate realm to which you belong, Minor Sect Leader, encompasses the stage beyond Third-Rate up to cultivation levels corresponding to sixty years—less than one full cycle. This generally covers a broad range from surpassing the introductory stages of inner power to reaching the mastery stage, comparable to the level of elders in small sects or second-generation disciples of renowned sects.”
“I understand.”
Then for now, my goal should be to train until I can shatter that fourth figure.
“What training must I undertake to advance further from my current realm?”
“When one wraps inner power around a blade to greatly enhance its might, this is called Sword Qi. Usually, once one can wield Sword Qi, they can surpass the Second-Rate realm. Therefore, Minor Sect Leader, you should aim to increase your inner power while learning to use Sword Qi.”
“I see.”
“It is not something achievable overnight, but with your talent, Minor Sect Leader, steady effort will allow you to achieve it soon.”
As I nodded, Do Gyo Du added carefully.
“However, as I mentioned, this is merely a rough classification, so it is best to treat it only as a reference. Naturally, in actual combat, the proficiency of swordplay, the strength of techniques and moves, and countless variables all apply, so it is not uncommon for a mid-stage Third-Rate martial artist to defeat an early-stage Second-Rate martial artist.”
But as I listened to Do Gyo Du’s explanation, a question arose.
“Do Gyo Du. When I broke your shoulder blade last time…”
“Ah, yes, Minor Sect Leader. You speak of when the red light of Cheon Ma’s eyes manifested.”
“What realm would you say that was?”
“Haha. Yes, since I experienced it directly, I know better than anyone.”
Do Gyo Du laughed heartily in the manner of a martial artist and spoke.
“At that time, your power had not yet reached Sword Qi, but with that formidable inner strength alone, I believe you were at least at the late stages of Second-Rate. To put it simply, if you were to manifest the power of Cheon Ma in that state, you would possess strength comparable to a first-generation disciple of a renowned sect, or at least the level of a sub-leader of the Omun within our Divine Sect.”
Hearing Do Gyo Du’s explanation made it easy to understand.
But even here, something felt insufficient about simply nodding in agreement.
“Then you mean to say you couldn’t even block an attack of merely late Second-Rate level and injured your shoulder?”
“Haha. That appears to be the case. My apologies.”
“Am I right to trust Do Gyo Du and receive training from him?”
“I have clearly underestimated your level, Minor Sect Leader. As you can see, you’ve now learned just how fatal carelessness can be, haven’t you? Haha.”
“What’s there to laugh about now?”
“Ahem. Ahem.”
I was pushing Do Gyo Du too hard in my role as Minor Sect Leader, so I decided to let it go at this point.
Do Gyo Du cleared his throat awkwardly a few times before returning to his serious expression.
“However, if the crimson gaze of Cheon Ma persists for too long, it can lead to madness, so you must be cautious. I’m not entirely knowledgeable about that aspect, I’m afraid.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
After hearing this explanation, I could vividly feel the reality that I had entered the Martial Arts World.
I could now understand how a master like Do Gyo Du had his bones broken by my wooden sword.
He must have been unprepared because he thought the Minor Sect Leader’s martial prowess was at most early second-rate level.
I also realized that my level was higher than expected, and considering my young age, I possessed truly remarkable talent.
Naturally, I felt my shoulders straighten with pride.
“Minor Sect Leader, everything I’ve explained so far is merely theory. As I mentioned, once you enter actual combat, all of this becomes meaningless. In the end, whoever defeats their opponent is simply the stronger one. I hope you’ll keep only this in mind.”
However, Do Gyo Du’s final words brought my soaring spirit back down to earth.
Whoever defeats their opponent is the stronger one—it was truly the right words.
No matter how powerful my inner energy was, in terms of practical combat experience, I was practically a novice.
While my introverted nature might be a natural gift for inner energy cultivation, I couldn’t ignore the possibility that it could work against me in actual combat.
“Do Gyo Du….”
“Yes, Minor Sect Leader.”
This time, I had intended to say, “Thank you for the wise words.”
But then… wasn’t a group of people walking toward us from over there?
“Spare me the obvious platitudes. I’m not someone with that much leisure time.”
“Haha. I was merely speaking out of concern. Please forgive me!”
So I decided to postpone my thanks for the sake of maintaining the Minor Sect Leader’s dignity and authority.

* * *
Crack!
A man of imposing stature brought his hand down in a knife-edge strike, cleaving a thick log cleanly in two.
It was the sound of Young Ho Bin chopping wood.
“Master, you’ve emerged!”
Ever since volunteering to become the Minor Sect Leader’s servant, he had been faithfully fulfilling his duties from the moment he woke until sleep claimed him.
It seemed he had deliberately procured servant’s garments instead of the martial robes he normally wore.
Though servants were hardly necessary in this place.
In truth, the wood-chopping Young Ho Bin was currently engaged in served little practical purpose.
‘Just do enough and come inside.’
That’s what I wanted to say.
But with the maidservants and guards watching from nearby, I had to play the role of a ruthless Minor Sect Leader.
“You fool! The logs are all different sizes—how can you stack them properly?”
“Ah, my apologies.”
“Will apologizing end your servitude?”
Yet the logs Young Ho Bin had chopped were of A-grade quality—uniform in both shape and size, as if measured with a ruler.
The man certainly knew how to work.
Despite his servant’s attire, Young Ho Bin’s imposing frame and bearing exuded the dignified presence of a true martial artist.
He stood motionless, waiting for my words to finish without so much as a blink.
Truly, the very model of an exemplary servant.
As I observed Young Ho Bin, my thoughts grew contemplative.
‘This fellow—they said there’s no one his age throughout the Omun who could match his skill.’
Young Ho Bin belonged to the Golden Gate, one of the five branches of the Omun, the military organization of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect spread throughout Kangho.
Curiosity suddenly seized me, and I asked.
“What level of martial prowess have you attained?”
“You speak of my level, Master?”
“Yes. Last time you collapsed from a single strike of my Finger Flick technique, so I didn’t get a proper look.”
“It shames me to say, but I have only cultivated martial arts to the late Second-Rate level.”
Hmm.
Recalling Do Gyo Du’s explanation, Young Ho Bin possessed the strength of a sub-leader within the Omun at merely twenty years of age—equivalent to a premier disciple of a major faction in Kangho.
Without the power of Sacred Fire, even with the manifestation of Cheon Ma, defeating him would have been exceedingly difficult.
Yet this young man, possessed not only of formidable skill but also unwavering loyalty to the sect, had committed the grave crime of murdering a believer?
I pressed further.
“So you killed your superior?”
“…Forgive me, but he was… he was assaulting an innocent woman…”
I had already learned the details of Young Ho Bin’s past through Woo Sa.
Young Ho Bin’s parents were wandering farmers who, despite their diligent labor, remained so impoverished they could scarcely afford three meals a day.
Because of this, Young Ho Bin had left home before coming of age, drifting through Kangho until he took refuge in the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.
Blessed with exceptional strength from childhood and a natural talent for martial arts, he was admitted to the Golden Gate, one of the Omun’s branches that operated throughout Kangho.
Though his martial skill was second to none, his humble origins meant he was perpetually assigned only menial tasks.
Then the incident occurred.
While Young Ho Bin’s strike team from the Golden Gate was conducting a mission outside, the Strike Team Leader infiltrated the sleeping quarters of women in a nearby village under cover of night.
As everyone turned a blind eye, Young Ho Bin stepped forward.
He confronted the Strike Team Leader, and a fierce battle erupted.
Not only the Strike Team Leader but five of his subordinates who usually followed him joined in, yet Young Ho Bin fought against six opponents without yielding in the slightest.
In the end, he struck down his direct superior with a single blade.
After the Chong Dan’s investigation revealed the Strike Team Leader’s crimes, Young Ho Bin’s act of killing his superior without proper procedure could not be overlooked.
And what followed was exactly as I experienced firsthand.
Young Ho Bin was transported to the Chong Dan and awaited his execution date, but by the Sect Leader’s command, he came before me and the Sacred Fire to face me in single combat.
Before Young Ho Bin could explain this matter further, I cut him off first.
“Hold your tongue. Regardless of your reasons, you have a history of violating the sect’s teachings. Then couldn’t you commit insubordination against me at any time? Isn’t that so?”
I pressed him for an answer, curious about Young Ho Bin’s thoughts.
“The teachings of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect are to save all people, and I have devoted my life to that. The Sect Leader and Minor Sect Leader are those who protect the Main Sect’s teachings, so I have no reason to commit sacrilege.”
“What if I were to do exactly what the superior you killed did?”
“Then….”
Young Ho Bin, his expression pained, thought for a long while before kneeling and pressing his forehead to the ground.
“Though it is presumptuous to say, if such a thing were to occur, I would stake my life to prevent it so that the Minor Sect Leader could uphold the teachings.”
“And after you stop it?”
“I would accept the punishment for my sacrilege against the Minor Sect Leader and take my own life.”
“Hmph.”
I let out a scoff and looked down at Young Ho Bin.
If anyone in the sect had heard what Young Ho Bin just said, it would have been a sacrilege worthy of beheading.
But hearing his words, I thought to myself.
“Stop spouting nonsense and simply guard your home well.”
“Yes, my lord!”
No matter how I looked at it, he was too fine a talent to waste as a slave.

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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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