The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 37

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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 037
Kunlun Mountain Sacred Site
Having sought out the Sacred Site and climbed the mountain, we found ourselves spending yet another considerable stretch of time upon its slopes.
“If you ascend this peak to its summit, you shall arrive at the Sacred Site. I will remain in the surrounding area to devise methods of countering the Kunlun Sect. Then, Minor Sect Leader, I shall see you again shortly.”
The entrance to the Sacred Site was concealed far more meticulously than I had anticipated.
Had I not heard from Yu Gwan Ji that this was the Sacred Site’s entrance, and had I not received detailed instructions from the Sect Leader regarding its location, I would never have discovered it.
“It appears to be this way!”
All four of us set forth, and only after nearly an hour of thorough searching did Young Ho Bin call us over.
Where Young Ho Bin pointed, a small cave entrance hidden among dense bushes came into view.
Entering one by one and walking further down into the depths of the cave, we discovered a vast underground chamber.
Like the Spirit Saint Cave, it was a natural cavern that had been modified and repurposed.
In the center of the expansive chamber, the blue and crimson flames of the Sacred Fire flickered and danced with an otherworldly mystery.
“To think the Sacred Site lies hidden in such a secretive place—it is no wonder the Kunlun Sect has failed to find it.”
Young Ho Bin’s words rang true.
Had the Kunlun Sect known the location of the Sacred Site, it would have been natural for them to set an ambush at its entrance.
But because they did not know its whereabouts, they had been waiting for me near the foot of Kunlun Mountain instead.
“Baek Young Lady, is that madman truly the Protective Dharma King?”
“He must be. Now that I think about it, I recall seeing someone like that in my childhood.”
Even after arriving at the Sacred Site, our group continued to exchange various opinions about Yu Gwan Ji.
“At the very least, thanks to him we need not worry about the Kunlun Sect matter—is that not fortunate?”
“That may be true, but…”
Namgung Eon set down the bundle he had been carrying on his shoulder and offered his optimistic view, and I too agreed with him in broad strokes.
Befitting his title as Protective Dharma King, there was no doubt whatsoever regarding his martial prowess.
Yet whether the Kunlun Sect or Yu Gwan Ji posed the more serious threat was difficult to determine.
Though he was on our side for now, Yu Gwan Ji seemed to be no ordinary madman.
However.
“I have a plan in mind, so do not worry yourselves overmuch.”
Upon my declaration, all three nodded once more with solemn expressions.
Shortly thereafter, Young Ho Bin and Namgung Eon departed from the cave to hunt beasts for provisions, while Baek So Cheong took up position in another chamber located near the cave entrance.
She would stand guard at the entrance and provide protective dharma while I contemplated alone before the Sacred Fire.
A moment of solitude, something I had not enjoyed in some time.
Under ordinary circumstances, I would have sprawled out and rested without exertion.
But now I could not afford to squander such time.

* * *
I sat in lotus position before the Sacred Fire at the Kunlun Mountain Sacred Site, spending the entire day cultivating the Profound Inner Heart Method of the Dark Warrior.
Sunlight never penetrated the depths of the cave, making it impossible to gauge how much time had passed.
I could only estimate the passage of hours through the faint presence of my companions.
Baek So Cheong, Young Ho Bin, and Namgung Eon made no sound to disturb my cultivation, taking turns resting while remaining motionless as they guarded the cave entrance.
Young Ho Bin and Namgung Eon carefully ventured outside the cave to hunt beasts for provisions.
With the Sacred Fire burning perpetually for twenty-four hours, we had no need to worry about kindling flames.
Thanks to those who steadfastly protected me, and thanks to Myeong Joon who had assisted my cultivation after so long, my training yielded remarkable progress.
By the fifth day, I had successfully repositioned approximately eighty percent of the acupoints along the Conception Vessel from the Chengjiang point near my lower lip down to the Huiyin Acupoint at the perineum.
The speed far exceeded my expectations.
It was worth the effort to seek out a location where I could receive the Sacred Fire’s essence from such a distance.
Then, two more days passed….
-You have completely repositioned the Conception Vessel.
‘Yes, it is thanks to you, Myeong Joon.’
As I concluded my cultivation, Baek So Cheong, who had been standing guard throughout my training, approached me.
“You have now reached the late stages of the Second Rank. It is remarkable progress.”
“I still have far to go.”
My cultivation level, which had remained in the early-to-middle stages of the Second Rank, now stood on the threshold of entering the First Rank.
If I continued my training as I had been, completing the repositioning of the Governing Vessel after the Conception Vessel, I would likely achieve that realm.
Once I could wield sword energy freely without relying on Cheon Ma’s assistance, my martial prowess would become sufficient to protect myself.
Perhaps even Yu Gwan Ji, who had spoken of reassessing me, would have no choice but to acknowledge my growth.
But what was that man doing now?
During my cultivation, I had deliberately avoided thinking of him, yet the thought of Yu Gwan Ji left my chest heavy with unease.
“Are you thinking of the Dharma King Yu?”
Baek So Cheong asked upon seeing my troubled expression.
“Sister, how much do you know of Yu Gwan Ji—that is, the Dharma King of Heavenly Rotation?”
“I know little beyond the fact that he is a man of many secrets. Considering the identity known to the secular world as Gwangheosan, he is certainly no ordinary person. However….”
She shook her head as she answered.
“If Father entrusted him with a protective mission, there should be no great cause for concern.”
How I wished it were so simple.
Yet I believed the real problem lay in the fact that the Sect Leader had entrusted him with this task.
I knew that the Sect Leader was a man who would cast aside even his own son without hesitation if he possessed the conviction that it served the revival of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.
If he harbored any trust in me now, it was solely because I was performing the role of Minor Sect Leader adequately.
Should I become useless to him, both the Sect Leader and Yu Gwan Ji would be equally capable of eliminating me.
“Minor Sect Leader. Might this sister presume to offer you a word of counsel?”
Baek So Cheong spoke carefully, meeting my gaze.
I regarded her silently and nodded.
“It was the same when dealing with Father, and it has continued since the Dharma King appeared. You strive toward an idealized image of what a Minor Sect Leader should be, but….”
Baek So Cheong spoke with her characteristic warm and radiant smile.
“This sister believes that you are already sufficient just as you are. This recent matter alone proves it.”
“Hmm….”
Her words were as gentle as a soothing balm to my restless heart, and I too genuinely wished to believe them.
But….
“You still speak only in leisurely platitudes.”
Yet I had no choice but to push away her kindness in this manner.
Because my sister could only say such things without knowing my true self.
If she knew what sort of person I truly was, she would undoubtedly find me contemptible.
So I had to continue transforming myself into the ideal Minor Sect Leader.
“Tch….”
Baek So Cheong turned away in a huff, and seeing her like that, I couldn’t help but let out a quiet laugh.
It was conduct unbecoming of a Minor Sect Leader, lacking in dignity.
But this once should be acceptable.
“In any case, I’m grateful for your words, sister.”
“I don’t care. I went through all that trouble to tell you….”
“Are you upset?”
And then.
“Minor Sect Leader.”
From outside the cave came the sound of footsteps and a voice calling out to me….
“This humble disciple has completed his mission and returned.”
Yu Gwan Ji strode into the Sacred Site with long steps.
On his shoulder, he carried what appeared to be a large, heavy burlap sack.
“You’re late. It seems you had much to attend to?”
I suppressed the pounding of my heart and asked with feigned composure.
During Yu Gwan Ji’s absence, I had trained at the Sacred Site and made sufficient preparations for his return.
So that I could respond to whatever scheme this man might be plotting.
“Ah, yes.”
So I was confident that no matter what this fellow said next, I would not be caught off guard….
“I infiltrated the Kunlun Sect and brought something back.”
But the moment Yu Gwan Ji lowered the sack and pulled out what was inside—or rather, who was inside.
“Behold. The Kunlun Sect Leader’s Daughter.”
A girl my age, lying unconscious with her vital points sealed, her hair cut short, wearing only the simple undergarments and skirt one might wear to bed, as though she had been kidnapped from her chamber.
The instant I saw her face, I understood once more.
‘This madman….’
This man was far more unhinged than I could ever hope to be.

* * *
“She’s alive.”
I first checked the pulse at the Young Girl’s wrist as she lay unconscious, assessing whether she was unharmed.
It was said that masters who had trained in martial arts for decades could discern a person’s cultivation level merely by feeling their pulse, and if they were injured, could even determine where and how the damage had been inflicted—but such skill remained beyond my current reach.
Still, I could at least confirm that her pulse was beating normally.
As I released her wrist, Yu Gwan Ji spoke.
“She still has her uses, after all.”
Yu Gwan Ji’s expression remained blank and his eyes hollow, yet there was an unmistakable glimmer of quiet satisfaction radiating from him regarding the deed he had orchestrated.
“So you’re telling me this girl is the daughter of Ha Seung Ji, the Sect Master of the Kunlun Sect?”
“Indeed. I infiltrated the Kunlun Sect’s main stronghold and spirited away this child while she slept. It took some time to approach her while concealing my identity through a disguise technique.”
As he spoke, Yu Gwan Ji withdrew a wrinkled human-skin mask from his robes and showed it to me.
Clearly, he could not have infiltrated the Kunlun Sect while maintaining his public identity as Gwangheosan, so he had used the mask to assume a different guise.
“What exactly do you intend to do?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
When Baek So Cheong asked, Yu Gwan Ji let out a cold laugh before answering.
“Those fools dared to plot the abduction of our Minor Sect Leader. If we let this pass without consequence, the Main Sect will become a laughingstock throughout Kangho, unable to hold our heads high. We must exact our vengeance.”
“Vengeance, you say?”
“Since they targeted our Minor Sect Leader, it’s only natural that we kill this child in return….”
“And?”
“Using this girl as bait, we’ll claim the life of Ha Seung Ji himself.”
“How?”
Yu Gwan Ji explained his plan with unwavering confidence.
“At first light, I’ll send a letter to Ha Seung Ji of the Kunlun Sect. We have his daughter, and he must come alone to the designated location. I’ll make it clear that if any of his disciples appear, his daughter dies. And when he arrives alone, the three of us—myself, the Minor Sect Leader, and Baek Young Lady—will strike him down together.”
“Hmm….”
I realized I was still far from being worthy of leading the Demonic Cult.
Watching Yu Gwan Ji speak of such heinous schemes without the slightest tremor of emotion left me feeling profoundly inadequate.
But Yu Gwan Ji’s words did not end there.
“When the girl awakens, I’ll have her write the letter herself. After all, a father would recognize his daughter’s handwriting. And then…, well, keeping her alive would only burden us with unnecessary baggage. So….”
Yu Gwan Ji turned to look at me, and for the first time in a while, a smile crossed his face.
I had suspected as much, but it seemed he was truly the type to take pleasure in such discourse.
“You should handle it yourself, Minor Sect Leader. You are the one with a grievance against the Kunlun Sect.”
“Sigh….”
After hearing Yu Gwan Ji’s plan, I exhaled a sigh so heavy it seemed the earth itself might collapse.
Naturally, Yu Gwan Ji could not have been pleased by my reaction.
“Why do you respond thus?”
“Because I can no longer bear to listen to your mad ravings.”
“Minor Sect Leader?”
Yu Gwan Ji’s voice rose at the end, his brow furrowing deeply.
“I suspected as much. Is this truly your nature? Are you afraid to stain your hands with blood for the greater cause of the Demonic Path’s dominion over Tianxia?”
It was a decisive moment—for him no less than for me.
He probably continued to harbor doubts about me.
From the moment I chose to flee rather than kill the Kunlun Sect Disciple, from when I was willing to sacrifice myself to protect Baek So Cheong’s life—he must have found me lacking.
A Minor Sect Leader without blood or tears, ruthlessly cutting away everything for the sake of the Demonic Path’s dominion over Tianxia.
That was the kind of Minor Sect Leader he desired….
Perhaps when he saw me refuse to kill this Young Girl, he concluded he could not acknowledge me.
So what was I supposed to do?
“What has this madman been ranting about all this time?”
I had already sketched out my own path along the Demonic Way in my own manner, and that path differed somewhat from the one he had drawn.
“Minor Sect Leader!!”
In the moment Yu Gwan Ji unleashed the fury he had been suppressing beneath his hollow expression.
I scooped the Young Girl from the ground into my arms and widened the distance between myself and Yu Gwan Ji.
And before he could even move, I cried out toward the people waiting outside the Cave.
“Do come in, Sect Master.”

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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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