The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 54

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Introverted Heavenly Demon Episode 054
The Shaolin Monk
As Hye Woon and I locked eyes, exchanging an awkward gaze, I could sense the merchants from Cheong Woon and Myeong Shin merchant groups observing us with keen interest.
‘So that bald monk is a disciple of the Shaolin Faction? And one of the Eight Divine Monks at that? This is absurd.’
The sheer ridiculousness of it nearly made me laugh aloud.
Shaolin Temple stood as the most powerful and prestigious faction among the Nine Great Sects and Eight Factions of the Orthodox Martial World, revered by all martial artists as the true orthodox school of all martial arts under heaven.
Yet here was a respected young monk from that very temple, disguised and secretly hiding in a tavern to indulge in wine and meat—a Buddhist who had broken his vows!
“Indeed. Minor Sect Leader. Why not come forward and exchange greetings with the Myeong Shin Merchant Master?”
Jang Yeon Hwi spoke while looking at me, apparently believing this was the opportune moment to introduce me.
“Minor Sect Leader? Then that young man, or rather, that person is…?”
“Yes, that is Baek Yeon, the Minor Sect Leader of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.”
Hye Woon seemed quite startled upon hearing that I, whom he had met at the tavern that day, was the Minor Sect Leader of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.
“Hmm.”
In any case, I could not afford to show surprise or confusion at such a revelation.
I approached them slowly, my expression now bearing the stern and majestic demeanor I had grown accustomed to displaying.
“I am Baek Yeon. I have heard much about the Myeong Shin Merchant Master Hwang from my Maternal Grandfather. I am delighted to make your acquaintance.”
“Please, do not speak so humbly. I am honored beyond measure to meet the Minor Sect Leader of the Great Sun and Moon Divine Sect in person.”
After exchanging courteous greetings with the Myeong Shin Merchant Master, I immediately turned my attention to Hye Woon.
Now that I thought about it, the circumstances of our meeting were remarkably coincidental.
Cheong Woon had drawn in the Minor Sect Leader of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, who was the merchant master’s grandson, while Myeong Shin had brought in a promising young disciple from Shaolin Temple, the faction of their merchant master’s teacher.
We had met as outsiders summoned by these two rival merchant groups of Kangho to display their power and influence.
Yet, having heard from Jang Yeon Hwi just yesterday that Myeong Shin was attempting to smuggle Bi Hwa Cheol into Kangho…
I found myself harboring little goodwill toward Shaolin Temple, which had dispatched a disciple to support Myeong Shin’s endeavors.
“It is an honor to meet a disciple of Shaolin Temple, the North Star of Kangho Murim. I am Baek Yeon.”
“This humble monk is Hye Woon. I have heard much of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect’s noble work in relieving the suffering of the common people of Kangho. It is a pleasure to meet you, Minor Sect Leader Baek Yeon.”
I concealed such feelings and exchanged greetings with Hye Woon once more.
Though Hye Woon spoke courteously, he seemed inwardly displeased that I had hidden my true identity when we first met.
To glare at me over a mere concealment of my name—did he truly have the right to do so?
“I have heard that the Venerable Hye Woon is counted among Shaolin’s Eight Divine Monks. Your cultivation appears truly profound, setting you apart from ordinary people at the very foundation.”
“This humble monk has merely begun to learn the teachings of the Buddha.”
“I have long admired Buddhist practitioners who sever all worldly desires and rigorously uphold the precepts.”
“….”
Despite my subtle mockery, Hye Woon appeared completely unmoved.
Truly, he possessed the spiritual depth befitting a renowned monk.
Without a flicker of change in his expression, he maintained a serene smile suffused with quiet virtue and spoke to me in a gentle voice.
“Is it not natural for a disciple of the Buddha? We must differ from laypeople who steal and eat others’ food.”
“….”
As he spoke, Hye Woon wore that tranquil, enlightened smile.
I nearly bristled without thinking and was about to fire back a retort…
But considering that from Hye Woon’s perspective that day, he could have easily mistaken me for someone stealing food, I decided to let it pass this time.
Continuing this confrontation would only harm both sides, with nothing to gain.
“Well then, the conference will begin shortly. We should take our seats.”
“Indeed. Hye Woon, please sit over here.”
The Cheong Yun Merchant Master and Myeongsin Merchant Master seemed to sense the unusual tension flowing between me and Hye Woon, so they redirected our attention and returned to their own seats.
And then.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to all the Merchant Guild Masters and members of the Southwest Merchant Alliance who have traveled far to attend despite your busy schedules. I hereby declare the opening of the Twelfth Southwest Merchant Alliance Conference!”
With the solemn declaration of the middle-aged merchant who had ascended the Training Platform, the Merchant Conference began.

* * *
The Merchant Conference began with the Alliance Leader ascending the Training Platform to explain all the matters to be discussed at this gathering.
There were several items on the agenda, but the most important one came last.
“The final agenda is the election of the new Alliance Leader who will guide the Southwest Merchant Alliance for the next decade. Only the Merchant Guild Masters of each merchant group are eligible to be candidates. We will confirm the candidates here today, and in five days, we will hold a vote in this same place to gather the will of all merchants.”
After that came a sequence where representatives from all merchant groups took turns publicly expressing their opinions on the given matters.
Among the merchant groups belonging to the Alliance, there existed a hierarchy determined by their power and reputation, and the representatives ascended the Training Platform in reverse order of this hierarchy.
Therefore, the merchants who ascended the Training Platform early were mostly Merchant Guild Masters of small and medium merchant groups.
Though the world of merchants differed from the world of Kangho Murim, the logic governing this world seemed remarkably similar.
Listening to what the small and medium merchant group masters had to say, one could not help but think this way.
“Our merchant group has decided to support all of the current agenda items in accordance with the will of Cheong Yun Merchant Group. Furthermore, we believe there is no one else but Jang Yeon Hwi, the Merchant Guild Master of Cheong Yun, who is fit to serve as the Alliance Leader.”
“Hwang Heum Gyeol, the Merchant Guild Master of Myeongsin Merchant Guild, is undoubtedly the most qualified person to lead the Southwest Merchant Alliance.”
All the small and medium merchant groups participating in the conference merely repeated such statements over and over.
Most of the merchants in the Alliance supported either Cheong Yun or Myeongsin, and they simply followed their opinions on all decisions made at the conference.
Needless to say, this applied to the agenda of selecting the new Alliance Leader.
Thus, one could well imagine how fierce the power struggle between Cheong Yun and Myeongsin must have been behind the scenes before the conference was held.
However.
“Members of the Southwest Merchant Alliance, have you all collectively forgotten what the Merchant Way truly is?”
While the Merchant Guild Masters’ speeches were in full swing, one merchant master who appeared to be ranked slightly higher than the middle in the hierarchy was an exception.
It was Wang Seok Ho, the Master of Seogang Trading Company.
“Master Wang, what on earth are you talking about?”
“Is it not so? Looking at the behavior of various merchant groups these days, the Merchant Way has vanished without a trace, and all I see is the conduct of bandits.”
“This man speaks utter nonsense!”
“How dare you say such things before your elders?”
As Wang Seok Ho began a provocative speech that deviated from convention, dissatisfied voices erupted from various parts of the conference hall.
However, Wang Seok Ho continued his speech without showing the slightest intimidation.
“The Merchant Way is to open the flow of water through Kangho, and through this flow of water, to ensure that all the common people of Kangho can live full and warm lives. We merchants, who lack learning and martial prowess, can only serve Kangho in this way. Is that not the true Merchant Way?”
As Wang Seok Ho’s stern rebuke continued, the dissatisfied voices gradually subsided.
“Yet these days, I hear that in Kangho, those who wield money are more fearsome than those who wield swords. Is it not because of those who seek to monopolize the flow of water rather than allow it to flow freely? They say that the river of money controlled by merchants flows not with water but with gold. But do they not see that this river of gold is made of the blood and tears of the common people?”
When Wang Seok Ho spoke these words, the expression on Jang Yeon Hwi’s face, who sat nearby, was worth observing.
Considering how the Merchant Conference had been proceeding thus far, it was as clear as day that those who sought to monopolize the flow of water he spoke of were referring to Cheong Yun and Myeongsin.
Jang Yeon Hwi’s complexion hardened as he repeatedly cleared his throat uncomfortably.
“A merchant should be the pulse that allows the world to live and breathe. Those who seek to monopolize the Merchant Way, which should exist for the sake of Kangho’s people, for their own profit—whether they be Cheong Yun or Myeongsin, they are all the same breed! I can never recognize anyone who would sever the pulse of Kangho through money and power as an Alliance Leader worthy of protecting the Merchant Way!”
When Wang Merchant Lord’s speech concluded, the Merchant Conference Hall fell into a silence so profound that one could hear the very breath of the gathered crowd.
The merchants’ reactions split into two distinct camps.
Half of them hung their heads in shame, unable to meet anyone’s gaze.
The rest appeared consumed by fury at Wang Merchant Lord’s audacious words, already plotting how to teach him a lesson.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Perhaps wary of watchful eyes, neither Cheong Yun nor Myeong Shin Merchant Group stepped forward.
Yet a faction of the smaller merchant groups—those who had shown the most fervent support for these two—now surrounded Wang Merchant Lord as he descended from the platform.
“You dare humiliate us before all these people? Did you truly believe we would stand idle?”
“To sow discord and chaos during a Merchant Conference speech—what exactly are you trying to accomplish?”
“Step aside! As a member of the Sangdo Alliance, I merely spoke what was necessary….”
Despite the chaos, Wang Merchant Lord maintained his composure and continued to assert his position, though alarm flickered visibly in his eyes.
The merchants surrounding him pressed their assault with fierce protests and mounting pressure.
The crowd grew increasingly agitated, their voices rising in a crescendo.
What began with pointed fingers escalated to shoving with open palms and some even seizing his sleeves to shake him violently.
Whether this was merely mob mentality or orchestrated by those in power above, I could not discern.
“Ahhh!”
As the clamor intensified, Wang Merchant Lord’s scream pierced through the chaos.
Those overseeing the Merchant Conference stood upon the platform, yet they made no move to intervene, merely watching with expressions of displeasure etched upon their faces.
I could no longer remain a passive observer and pushed forward through the throng.
The merchants surrounding Wang Merchant Lord were robust and vigorous men, but none possessed martial training.
A mere gentle push while channeling the Hyeon Ma Nae Hyang Sim Gong sent them stumbling backward with ease.
I shoved several aside as I carved a path through the crowd toward Wang Merchant Lord.
He lay crumpled on the ground, curled into a defensive ball, mere moments away from being trampled by the larger merchants closing in.
“Hm?”
In that instant.
From the opposite direction, a man arrived at nearly the same moment I did, lifting Wang Merchant Lord to his feet—and our eyes met.
“Minor Sect Leader….”
“Hye Woon.”
As Hye Woon and I simultaneously helped Wang Merchant Lord to his feet, the merchants who had been surrounding him with curses and blows froze in place as one.
In the sudden silence that fell over the hall, Hye Woon spoke.
“It appears our merchant friends have become somewhat overexcited. Shall we not return to our seats? It would be most unfortunate if such unseemly conduct continued in this distinguished venue, would it not?”
Though Hye Woon’s words were measured and courteous, the aura accompanying them was devastatingly sharp.
The crowd’s gaze naturally shifted toward me, standing opposite him.
“….”
I stood motionless, drawing forth the power of the Hyeon Ma Nae Hyang Sim Gong, and regarded each merchant’s face in turn.
With narrowed eyes and furrowed brow, I let my gaze sweep deliberately across those surrounding Wang Merchant Lord.
Within that gaze, words rose unbidden to my lips.
“Should any of you desire to see blood spilled, you need only seek me out.”
“Hic!”
Watching each merchant whose eyes met mine flinch and retreat, I knew my intent had been conveyed with perfect clarity.
However, I did not stop there. Instead, my gaze shifted to Hye Woon, who stood on the opposite side.
“The same applies to you.”
“…!”
Hye Woon regarded me in silence for a moment, and after our eyes met briefly, I let out a derisive snort and turned away.
With the atmosphere now frozen solid, the merchants could only grumble quietly as they began returning to their seats one by one.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————