The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 33

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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 033
A Wish
After floating that remark, the Sect Leader turned his gaze toward me and spoke.
“Minor Sect Leader, as I mentioned, I intend to bestow a reward for your recent achievements. Tell me if there is anything you desire.”
It seemed my recent exploits had been quite remarkable.
The fact that the Sect Leader himself declared he would grant me a reward was surprising in itself.
‘Not long ago, this same Sect Leader was pressuring me to prove my qualifications as Minor Sect Leader.’
Reflecting on my precarious position as Minor Sect Leader back then, the contrast was striking.
If I continued as I was now, no one would dare challenge my position as Minor Sect Leader.
“Anything will do. Money? Treasures? Or perhaps….”
The Sect Leader seemed to think I was hesitating in my response and asked me again.
But there was no reason for me to hesitate.
“Father, I have no particular desires, but….”
There was only one thing I had wished for all this time.
“If you would permit it, I wish to personally visit the Holy Site of our Main Sect located on Kunlun Mountain.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly as I stated, Father.”
“Your wish is merely to make a pilgrimage to our Main Sect’s Holy Site?”
What else could the wish of an introverted powerhouse like me be, other than spending leisurely time alone?
In truth, meditating in the Hall of No Mind would suffice, but recently I could no longer feel the power of the Sacred Fire there, which was the problem.
The shrine near Chong Dan had become difficult to visit due to recent events.
So I wanted to leisurely visit the distant Holy Site instead.
“Yes, Father. I wish to offer prayers to Myeong Joon while making the pilgrimage, and to deepen my cultivation of the Hyeon Ma Gyeong to reach greater heights.”
But it was natural that the Sect Leader would be surprised by such an unexpected answer.
He had likely expected me to reveal desires for possessions I had long wished to own in response to such a question.
“Heheheh….”
The Sect Leader now burst into hearty laughter as if bewildered.
He offered a reward for great merit, yet the reward I desired was merely a ‘pilgrimage to the Holy Site’!
He seemed to be thinking: how did such a model student come from me?
Woo Sa, one of the executives of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect and particularly favorable toward me, also seemed impressed by my words.
The Sect Leader and Woo Sa exchanged glances briefly as if conferring, but the Sect Leader soon nodded and indicated his approval.
There was no particular reason to refuse, so it was only natural.
However….
“But it would be difficult to let the Minor Sect Leader travel such a distance alone. We must assemble an escort unit.”
If I were to embark on a journey only to have inconvenient people accompany me, my satisfaction would inevitably plummet.
It was an anticipated problem, and I already had a solution.
“Yes. I will take Young Ho Bin, my personal guard, and if you permit, I also wish to bring Namgung Eon along.”
With these two, the journey to the Holy Site would not be particularly inconvenient.
Moreover, it was not unfavorable in terms of feasibility.
A group of young travelers would draw less attention than bringing along burly martial artists, making it actually safer by calculation.
However, the Sect Leader did not seem satisfied with that alone.
“No, they alone would not be sufficient if an unexpected crisis arose. At minimum, we should bring along at least one first-rate Martial Artist. Hmm….”
After pondering for a while, the Sect Leader spoke an unexpected name.

* * *
An official excursion with the Sect Leader’s permission.
Early in the morning, I stood before the Main Gate of the Sect Headquarters, the designated gathering place, alongside Young Ho Bin and Namgung Eon.
“Kangho travel has been my lifelong dream since childhood. Thanks to the Minor Sect Leader, I’ve finally achieved that dream.”
Listening to Namgung Eon speak to Young Ho Bin, I learned that in Orthodox Martial Sects like the Namgung Family, disciples are strictly forbidden from undertaking external missions until they reach a certain level of proficiency.
Thus, Kangho travel meant that Namgung Eon’s abilities had gained some recognition.
Just from looking at Namgung Eon’s expression, one could sense how much he anticipated this journey.
“Namgung Prince. We are departing to assist and protect the Minor Sect Leader’s pilgrimage to the Holy Site. This is not a pleasure trip, so conduct yourself with restraint.”
Young Ho Bin said this, then examined the bundle Namgung Eon carried on his back with a puzzled expression.
Compared to Young Ho Bin’s sparse luggage—containing only essentials like a leather coat, dried meat, a couple of water containers, and a fire-starting kit—Namgung Eon’s bundle appeared roughly twice as large.
Young Ho Bin pointed to one of the items and asked.
“What is this?”
“Ah, I prepared some moon cakes. The Minor Sect Leader might grow hungry on the road….”
“And this?”
“A bottle of strong liquor….”
“Tsk, tsk.”
Young Ho Bin shook his head, clicking his tongue at the explanation.
“I said this is not a pleasure trip. Packing only dried meat on a journey is meant to keep luggage as light as possible and maximize mobility….”
Just then, someone in the distance approached rapidly in our direction.
‘There she comes.’
The person the Sect Leader had additionally assigned to this pilgrimage for my protection.
That person was none other than Baek So Cheong.
“Minor Sect Leader. Have you been waiting long?”
“I only just arrived.”
The Sect Leader’s position was that someone with first-rate Martial Artist level strength or higher must be included.
While other renowned first-rate masters could have accompanied us, they each held positions at the Sect Headquarters, so it would have been burdensome for them to leave for an extended period.
Since she was both his daughter and my sister, she would be more trustworthy than anyone else.
For reasons I didn’t fully understand, the Sect Leader seemed to place exceptional trust in Baek So Cheong among all his children.
It seemed he believed that having Baek So Cheong accompany me could also aid my cultivation.
“I greet you, Miss Baek.”
“Namgung Prince. It has been a while. Or is this the first time since the banquet a year ago?”
“At that time, I was preoccupied and failed to offer proper greetings. Please forgive me.”
“Think nothing of it. But my, how impressive you’ve become in just a year. Truly befitting the prince of the great Namgung Family.”
“Miss Baek has also grown even more beautiful. It would not be an exaggeration to call you not merely the Divine Sect’s most beautiful, but the most beautiful under Heaven itself.”
I watched Baek So Cheong and Namgung Eon exchange greetings with an air of practiced sociability, feeling somewhat displeased.
‘This doesn’t seem particularly favorable….’
It wasn’t merely because Baek So Cheong was a woman that made things difficult.
It was her recent attitude toward me.
Maintaining the heartless character of the Minor Sect Leader in her presence was far from easy.
No matter how benevolent a half-sister she might be, I could not reveal my true nature.
I examined the bundle Baek So Cheong carried, turning it this way and that, before speaking.
“What do you have in that bundle?”
“Oh, this….”
Baek So Cheong, thinking I had taken an interest, brightened and withdrew the contents from her bundle.
“Candied fruit skewers. We can eat them at a scenic spot along the way.”
“Good heavens, this is absurd.”
“Why is that?”
“Do you think we’re going on a pleasure outing? We have a long journey ahead, and we should minimize our luggage as much as possible. Tsk!”
I applied Young Ho Bin’s earlier rebuke to Namgung Eon and scolded Baek So Cheong in kind.
“How can you be so thoughtless!”
The warm atmosphere cooled rapidly, and Namgung Eon, hearing my words and feeling the sting himself, quietly set down the cloth wrapping his moon cakes.
Though Baek So Cheong had never shown displeasure despite my harsh treatment of her until now, this time she seemed genuinely hurt.
She puffed out her cheeks and pouted her lips, then set down the cloth wrapping and defiantly grabbed a handful of candied fruit skewers.
Then she stuffed a large mouthful into her mouth and began crunching away loudly.
“What are you doing?”
“Didn’t you tell me to minimize the luggage? So I’m going to eat all of it before we depart.”
“….”
The candied fruit skewers had been prepared in generous quantities—enough for four people.
Even so, it would be difficult to finish them all at once….
“Enough. Stop that.”
“Stop what?”
“On second thought, I was too harsh. How heavy could such a thing be? Just bring it along.”
“Hmm. Now that you see it, you’re tempted, aren’t you?”
“I said no such thing.”
“Then you won’t eat any?”
“I will not.”
Baek So Cheong spoke with her mouth still full of candied fruit skewers, her words slurring.
She glared at me in that state, then wrapped the remaining skewers back in the cloth and slung it over her shoulder.
“Don’t ask for any later. I’m only sharing with Young Ho and Namgung Prince.”
“Do as you wish.”
“Young Ho, Namgung Prince! You both heard that, didn’t you? The Minor Sect Leader clearly said he won’t eat any, so you mustn’t give him any later, understood? A word spoken is worth more than gold.”
“Yes…. Miss.”
“Well then, let’s depart at once. The sun will set before we even begin our journey.”
“Yes, let’s go!”
Baek So Cheong’s smile had returned, and she set off toward the Main Gate of the Sect Headquarters with her modest travel luggage and bundle of candied fruit skewers.
In high spirits, she walked with a light step, even humming a tune as she went.
Namgung Eon glanced at me cautiously, then shouldered the bundle containing the moon cakes again and followed after me.
Now that I thought about it, I had been rather cold about that candied fruit stick.
“Master. If you do not eat, then I shall not eat either.”
“There is no need for that. Enjoy it yourself.”
“Yes…!”
Even if I was the Minor Sect Leader of the Demonic Cult….
On a day like today, it would not be unreasonable to indulge in a lighter mood.

* * *
The Shipman Mountain Range, where the Sect Headquarters of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect stood, connected with the Kunlun Mountain Range that sprawled widely across the western reaches of Kangho.
Our party walked straight toward Kunlun Mountain, following the mountain range.
There was no path wide enough for horses to traverse, but since travelers occasionally journeyed to and from Kunlun Mountain, a narrow trail had been worn into existence.
‘The scenery truly is magnificent.’
The vista of the Kunlun Mountain Range visible from the ridge was nothing short of overwhelming.
Even in my original world, I had enjoyed hiking in the mountains.
Climbing mountains and gazing upon the landscape below was one of the few active hobbies I possessed as an introvert.
Whenever I hiked without a particular thought in mind, my stress would dissolve and my energy would overflow.
Of course, I generally preferred hiking alone, but today, a mountain excursion with others was not entirely unpleasant.
“So you have five brothers?”
“I am the youngest of five brothers, and I also have three older sisters and one younger sister.”
“It must be wonderful to have so many siblings.”
“My father believes that having many children is also a source of family strength. My father had no brothers, only one younger sister….”
Baek So Cheong and Namgung Eon exchanged occasional casual remarks, but no one addressed me directly.
By this measure, the party composition could be considered quite well-balanced.
“Master. Would it not be a good time to take a meal here?”
Young Ho Bin, who was leading the way, stopped at a place where a single peak loomed overhead and made the suggestion.
Beneath a large tree lay a broad rock—an ideal spot to sit and rest.
“Very well.”
The party settled down and sat.
After climbing for hours, a single sip of water made the vista below seem even more breathtaking.
Gazing upon the endless succession of peaks rolling like waves, my chest opened wide, my mind grew clear, and a surge of courage welled up within me—as if I could accomplish anything.
Was this what they called the vastness of spirit?
Our destination was an ancient holy site of the Myeong Cult on Kunlun Mountain.
Though many days of travel still lay ahead, it already felt as though the purpose of the journey had been fulfilled.
After eating the dried meat Young Ho Bin had brought and filling my belly, there was nothing to want for.
Well, there was precisely one thing.
“Sister….”
“?”
“Give me one of those candied fruit sticks.”
“Pardon?”
“Candied fruit skewers. The large ones.”
“Ah, haha, hahaha!”
At my words, Baek So Cheong burst into laughter so vivid she seemed to float away, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes.
Namgung Eon, who had been carefully observing the pride-driven skirmish (?) between the Sect Leader’s sons, brightened with delight and retrieved moon cakes from his belongings, setting them atop the rock.
Even Young Ho Bin refrained from signaling his displeasure at Namgung Eon this time.
“See? What did I tell you? That you’d want to eat them, right?”
“Silence! Enough chatter—bring them here at once!”
“Yes, I shall obey your command immediately, Minor Sect Leader!”
That day, three people surrounded me, yet not a single one knew my true nature.
The battery of my heart was gradually depleting, though the sensation was not entirely unpleasant.

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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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