The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 22

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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 022
Treasure
Beside the naturally formed tunnel of the cave, I could see what appeared to be an artificially excavated passage.
Tools for digging earth—shovels and pickaxes—lay scattered about, and a cart positioned to one side seemed designed to haul away the soil displaced by the excavation.
Beyond that were torches, emergency rations, large sacks, and empty wooden crates.
Observing the tunnel opening on one side and the belongings carried by those ruffians who had attacked me, only one possibility came to mind.
‘Were they grave robbers?’
Now I recalled the conversation those men had been having among themselves before they discovered me.
Something about treasure the Demonic Cult had hidden away.
So they had tunneled in from outside to plunder the Demonic Cult’s treasure concealed within the Yeongseong Cave Innermost Chamber?
They had intended to venture deeper into the cave but taken a wrong turn, emerging backward, and thus encountered me?
If they believed they had been caught by a Demonic Cult member during their grave robbery attempt, it was hardly surprising they had immediately tried to kill me.
Yet I had never heard any mention of treasure being hidden in the Yeongseong Cave Innermost Chamber.
My mind brimmed with questions, though there was nothing I could do about them at present.
I wanted to question the unconscious man, but he showed no signs of waking anytime soon.
‘For now, I have no choice but to continue forward.’
With no other option, I pressed deeper into the cave, torch held aloft.
Having grown accustomed to expanding my perception through the Hyeon Ma Gyeong, darkness posed no difficulty, but there was no reason to close my eyes and stumble about when I possessed a torch.
‘Are these… puppets?’
Not far ahead, I encountered a peculiar sight: grotesquely adorned figurines.
Five or six puppets lined the narrow passage in orderly rows, similar yet distinctly different from the wooden dummies I had shattered during martial training with Gyo Du.
‘These must be the demons Woo Sa mentioned.’
Sharp blades were affixed to their hands and backs—dangerous enough to slice through careless flesh.
As I drew near, detecting some mechanical apparatus, one puppet suddenly swung the sword mounted on its hand.
Though it appeared threatening, I found it trivially easy to evade with torch in hand.
Observing how these obstacles had been arranged to escalate in difficulty, I sensed I was approaching the final stage of the trial.
After advancing perhaps another thirty minutes through the cave.
A brilliant, wavering light appeared in the distance.
A radiance far larger and brighter than any torch could produce.
In the center of a suddenly vast chamber stood an enormous bronze brazier, and without fuel or kindling, it burned with an ethereal blue and crimson flame, alternating between the two colors.
It was the Sacred Fire of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect—identical to what I had witnessed atop the Gwangmyeong Hall in the Seonghwa Hall.
‘So this is the Yeongseong Cave Innermost Chamber!’
This Sacred Fire also served as a signal confirming my passage through the trial that determined my qualification as Minor Sect Leader.
I stood transfixed, gazing at the Sacred Fire as it alternated between orange, yellow, and blue luminescence.
Then it happened.
-Minor Sect Leader! Have you arrived?
‘Myeong Joon!’
I responded warmly to the voice resonating within my mind.

* * *
Baek Mu Myeong, the Sect Leader, remained in his hall, awaiting the conclusion of the Minor Sect Leader’s trial.
A knock sounded at the door, and a man entered with urgent haste, offering his respects before the Sect Leader.
“Woo Sa, what is the matter?”
“A tunnel dug by grave robbers has been discovered in the Yeongseong Cave.”
“…Again? This grows tiresome.”
Rumors had long circulated that treasures lay dormant in the deepest recesses of the Demonic Cult’s underground Yeongseong Cave.
For ages now, renowned grave robbers throughout Kangho had periodically tunneled into the Yeongseong Cave, attempting to plunder its riches.
“Surely there exists some channel through which these grave robbers communicate with one another? What are your thoughts, Woo Sa?”
Unlike the urgent Woo Sa, the Sect Leader appeared remarkably composed.
So leisurely that he could speak idly of treasures….
“Sect Leader. Rather than that, the Minor Sect Leader currently undergoing his trial in the cave….”
“Is it not unfortunate? Since all who enter the cave perish, the grave robbers remain entirely ignorant of information they truly ought to know.”
Had even a single grave robber survived the traps of Yeongseong Cave.
Should rumors of those traps spread among the grave robbers, none would ever dare enter that place recklessly again.
This was the Sect Leader’s reasoning.
“Sect Leader, then you mean the trial shall proceed as planned?”
“The Minor Sect Leader need not worry. Rather, I pity those grave robbers. They shall meet their end by the blade before ever approaching the traps guarding the treasure.”
“Sect Leader, this old one’s concern is not for the grave robbers. Rather, I fear lest those intruders cause the Minor Sect Leader to develop interest in the treasure itself.”
“Hmm.”
“I have emphasized several times that he must not venture into the innermost depths of Yeongseong Cave….”
Upon hearing Woo Sa’s words, the Sect Leader found merit in them.
From the books and records regarding the Sun and Moon Divine Sect that the Minor Sect Leader could access, the Sect Leader had deliberately expunged all mention of the treasure hidden beneath Yeongseong Cave.
Had the treasure been merely gold and silver, there would have been no reason for such precaution.
Yet the ancient treasures of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect slumbering there—the so-called Three Sacred Relics—were extraordinarily perilous.
Objects possessing power so immense it defied explanation….
What if the Minor Sect Leader were to learn of them?
The Minor Sect Leader would hardly covet mere gold and silver, yet it was common knowledge that he pursued power above all else.
Considering the Minor Sect Leader’s tyrannical nature, should he discover the existence of the Three Sacred Relics, it would be unsurprising if he became consumed by desire far exceeding that of grave robbers flocking to treasure like moths to flame.
“The traps in that place seem to possess a force that draws people toward them, you see.”
The Sect Leader understood Woo Sa’s concern well enough.
Yet he merely shook his head.
“Have you forgotten, Woo Sa? The Minor Sect Leader is currently undergoing his trial.”
“…I have not forgotten, Sect Leader.”
The Minor Sect Leader possessed inborn ferocity, and beyond the Cheon Ma nature itself, an endless drive toward martial excellence—all the qualities befitting a Cheon Ma.
Yet blind pursuit of power might become a weakness.
Today, the Minor Sect Leader would face a trial concerning precisely that.
“Should he invite calamity by losing sight of power…. I have repeated this phrase often of late…, but if so, then Yeon’s qualifications end there.”
There was not a shred of falsehood in the Sect Leader’s cold words.
It was true that the Sect Leader’s expectations for the Minor Sect Leader had recently soared to great heights.
The tasks the Minor Sect Leader must accomplish would be far more difficult and treacherous than mere trials such as this.
If he cannot pass this test, then it was merely a misplaced expectation from the start.
“Still, one never knows. Perhaps the Minor Sect Leader will overcome even the trials of the Three Great Treasures and retrieve the artifact.”
“Haha. That may well be possible.”
The Sect Leader and Woo Sa laughed facing each other, yet both of them were well aware of the countless tales of previous sect leaders and members of the sect leader’s family who had challenged the Three Great Treasures and lost their lives in the attempt.
For this reason, neither of them truly believed such a feat was possible.

* * *
I stood before the massive stone wall positioned behind the Sacred Fire and asked Myeong Joon a question.
‘Myeong Joon, do you truly mean I must enter inside?’
-Of course. Did I not tell you that a treasure of immense power sleeps within?
‘But Grandfather Woo Sa warned me absolutely never to enter….’
-Do you trust the words of someone like Woo Sa over mine?
The moment I arrived at the Sacred Fire in the Yeongseong Cave Innermost Chamber, Myeong Joon spoke to me and began persuading me that I must enter beyond this stone wall.
It was not something I felt particularly inclined to do.
Immense power or not, it seemed dangerous.
‘Rather, Myeong Joon, I had something I was curious about.’
-What else do you wish to say?
‘When I was practicing swordplay earlier, I seemed to enter a state of complete absorption. Is this also related to my nature?’
-Your nature?
‘Yes, my introversion.’
-Ah, yes, indeed it is.
‘Somehow it feels like you’re glossing over this rather hastily?’
-Let us continue this conversation after you enter beyond the stone wall. Did I not say this was urgent?
I found Myeong Joon rather strange today, but his strangeness was hardly a new occurrence.
Since this place was the sacred ground of the Myeong Cult, it was not unusual that Myeong Joon would know it better than Woo Sa or the Sect Leader.
But was it truly alright to enter?
‘I’ve benefited greatly from Myeong Joon’s guidance all this time. It would be wrong to defy him now.’
After deliberating further, I steeled my resolve and placed my hand upon the stone wall as Myeong Joon instructed.
Then.
Grrrrk.
The sound of stone grinding filled my ears as the wall shifted rightward, revealing an entrance leading inward.
-There we go, there we go!
‘Myeong Joon? What should I do now?’
-Go on, enter at once!
‘Yes. And after that?’
I carefully stepped into the darkness beyond the stone wall.
A long, dim corridor stretched before me, carved into a cave that opened deeper within.
-From this point forward, I cannot aid you.
‘What? Myeong Joon, what do you mean by that?’
-Do not worry. You will be more than capable of accomplishing this….
Something felt off, but before I could dwell on it, the stone wall sealed shut behind me, trapping me with no way forward or back.
Moreover, from that moment on, no matter how many times I called out to Myeong Joon, there came no response.
Something felt decidedly wrong, but there was nothing I could do about it now.
I surveyed my surroundings.
‘Light?’
As my gaze traced along the dark, narrow passage, I noticed brilliant light seeping through from various points.
After taking a few steps forward, I could peer into the interior of the chamber from which that light was emanating.
‘What in the world is this?’
A space illuminated as brightly as midday.
Amid the strains of festive music, an expansive banquet table displayed an array of sumptuous delicacies, and surrounding it stood ten exquisitely beautiful women.
‘Are they inviting me in?’
The enchanting beauties—creatures one might see only in dreams—beckoned to me with seductive gestures, their hands waving gracefully.
Another beauty extended a wine cup toward me in offering.
‘How… utterly horrifying!’
I turned my head away, unable to bear the sight any longer.
Sumptuous feasts and all that—they wanted me to enter a place filled with complete strangers?
Weren’t they overestimating my capabilities as an introvert?
Unless my life depended on it, and with the Sect Leader not even watching, there was no reason for me to endure such an exhausting ordeal.
I kept my head turned and continued forward without sparing that place another glance.
Then, a second source of light came into view.
This time, what lay within was, surprisingly, a vast Training Grounds.
A middle-aged man knelt there, holding aloft a single sword that gleamed with dazzling brilliance, his gaze fixed upon me.
“Minor Sect Leader, take up this blade. Vanquish your enemies and seize glory and power!”
What was he saying? Was he mad?
Spouting nonsense about glory and power.
Fighting is the very thing I despise most, and he wanted me to draw a sword and battle for such trivial things?
I turned away without so much as a snort of derision.
After taking a few more steps, a chamber filled with treasures appeared before me.
Massive chests overflowed with gold ingots that radiated a blinding golden luster.
Beside them lay precious jewels and ornaments that were clearly of great value.
‘Sigh, is there nothing but this sort of thing in here?’
Utterly uninterested, I turned my head and continued walking forward.
Soon, the final source of light appeared.
Compared to the lights I had seen thus far, it was distinctly smaller—so small that one might pass by without noticing it if not paying close attention.
Peering inside, I found a chamber containing nothing but three small candles burning softly.
Beside the candles lay only a worn cushion; nothing else existed in that space.
No sound reached my ears, only the subtle fragrance of incense drifting through the air.
Upon witnessing the scene within that chamber, I moved forward as though entranced.
Needless to say, it was the serene silence and absence of any presence that captivated my heart.
‘Ah… at last, life feels worth living.’
I settled into a cross-legged position upon the cushion.
Since answers wouldn’t come immediately, I simply wanted to find a quiet place and organize my thoughts at leisure.
After recharging my mental batteries, of course.
But then….
An strange voice began to echo through the chamber.
-You were unmoved by longing for affection, unswayed by desire for power, untouched by wealth and glory. Human, I offer you congratulations and reverence. You have passed the trial….
‘Wait. What trial? What are you talking about?’
-You alone are worthy of becoming the master of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect’s three sacred treasures…!
With those words, the chamber’s landscape transformed before my eyes.
Where three candles had burned, three massive chests now stood.
My eyes widened involuntarily.
‘Three sacred treasures? What in the world are those?’
Astonishing as it was, I felt more disappointment than curiosity or anticipation.
Just when I thought I’d finally have a moment of peace and solitude, another complication had to emerge?

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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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