The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 55

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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 055
When We Meet Again
Outwardly, I betrayed nothing, yet cold sweat trickled down my back in the shadows.
‘You are no different.’
Why had I spoken such words to Hye Woon?
I couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason.
It seemed I’d felt a momentary sense of crisis watching Hye Woon command the merchants with a single utterance.
Having come to represent the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, I couldn’t afford to be overshadowed by a disciple of Shaolin Temple.
Though I felt some regret watching him regard my sudden provocation without anger, his gaze instead deep and penetrating.
But the water had already spilled.
No—from the day I resolved to live as Minor Sect Leader of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, the water had long since spilled and flowed with torrential force.
“Wang Merchant Lord, are you unharmed?”
After some time had passed, Hye Woon inquired of him.
Yet Wang Merchant Lord, rather than expressing gratitude, vented his displeasure instead.
“Hmph. Who asked for your help? I see through your schemes plainly enough.”
From his perspective, Hye Woon and I were no different from the other merchants who had submitted to Cheong Yun and Myeongsin.
Or perhaps—being martial artists rather than merchants, conscripted here to bolster the prestige of massive merchant groups—we were even more contemptible in his eyes.
After Wang Merchant Lord himself returned to his seat, only Hye Woon and I remained.
“Sigh.”
Hye Woon exhaled a sigh of indeterminate meaning before beginning to return to his place.
As it should be.
How could a renowned monk of the righteous Shaolin Temple fall for my provocation here?
It may have appeared impulsive, but it was all calculated.
In any case.
I too returned to my seat, and the Merchant Conference soon resumed as though nothing had transpired.
Yet Wang Merchant Lord’s words continued to circle through my mind.
‘Those who monopolize the merchant path—which should exist for the people of Kangho—for their own profit alone, whether Cheong Yun or Myeongsin, are all the same breed!’
I am not a merchant.
Yet through this Merchant Conference, I had come to understand one thing with certainty.
Whether Cheong Yun or Myeongsin, the great merchant groups operated without meaningful distinction.
Using vast wealth, they monopolized the distribution networks of Kangho and easily amassed fortunes by selling goods at inflated prices.
When smaller merchants attempted to compete, they wielded money, power, and even martial force to suppress them—a practice far from uncommon.
The Sun and Moon Divine Sect, and I myself, were merely tools to fatten the coffers of these great merchant groups.
“Next, Jang Yeon Hwi, Merchant Master of Cheong Yun, shall address us.”
The Merchant Conference had already progressed to its final speaker.
Upon being called, Jang Yeon Hwi rose with a solemn expression and walked toward the platform.
There, he stood in silence for a long moment, simply observing the merchants who filled the hall.
An inexplicable tension permeated the Conference Hall.
It came directly after a comprehensive criticism of the great merchant groups’ tyranny—though voiced by only a minority.
The Myeongsin Merchant Master who had spoken before made no mention of it whatsoever.
Everyone seemed to be watching intently to see how Jang Yeon Hwi would respond to this.
Finally, Jang Yeon Hwi’s lips parted slowly.
“You have all surely felt much upon hearing the words of Wang Seok Ho, Master of the Seogang Trading Company. I share that sentiment. In truth, as the Master leading the largest merchant guild in Kangho, I am deeply ashamed….”
At these unexpected words from Jang Yeon Hwi, gasps echoed throughout the Conference Hall.
I too was taken aback.
“For some time now, I have felt the conduct of merchant guilds carelessly trampling over the moral standards we hold dear in our hearts. We spare no means in pursuit of profit. Since when has our Sangdo Alliance fallen into such corruption?”
Indeed, it was difficult to believe that such morally reflective words were coming not from anyone else, but from Jang Yeon Hwi, Master of the Cheong Yun Merchant Group.
“I make this pledge before you all. The Cheong Yun Merchant Group shall be the first to change. Henceforth, we shall eliminate the practice of earning wealth through immoral means, exploiting financial power and distribution authority.”
It was a stunning declaration, and indeed thunderous cheers and applause erupted from all corners of the hall.
Yet not everyone believed his words.
From the rear of the Conference Hall came the voice of the Wang Merchant Lord.
“How can one believe such words? Are you not merely speaking honeyed phrases to be elected as Sangdo Alliance Master?”
At that challenge, supporters of the Cheong Yun Merchant Group erupted in protest, and the hall teetered on the brink of chaos once more.
As Jang Yeon Hwi slowly raised his hand and swept it once, the merchants fell silent as death.
Jang Yeon Hwi continued his address in a solemn and grave voice.
“I do not merely speak promises. The election for Sangdo Alliance Master shall commence here five days hence. Before that day arrives, the Cheong Yun Merchant Group shall demonstrate through action. You shall witness our guild taking the lead in reviving the merchant code that has fallen to ruin. And you shall come to know—who it is that shall rebuild the collapsed merchant way and rescue the common people languishing in hardship.”
Even after Jang Yeon Hwi’s address concluded, silence lingered in the hall for some time.
Yet soon, applause that erupted from one corner spread swiftly throughout the entire Conference Hall.
Jang Yeon Hwi’s words had been clear and brimming with audacity.
He declared that until five days hence, when the vote for Sangdo Alliance Master would commence, the Cheong Yun Merchant Group would take the lead in demonstrating action, and they should decide the Alliance Master based on those results.
All those in the hall could not help but anticipate what action the Cheong Yun Merchant Group would display.
All except me, that is.
‘He has turned crisis into opportunity. A remarkable man indeed.’
Through Jang Yeon Hwi’s address, I could discern his true intentions.
Within the next five days, Jang Yeon Hwi intended to publicly expose the Mingxin Merchant Guild’s secret plan to smuggle non-ferrous metals.
Should that occur, his rival Mingxin Merchant Guild would collapse at once, and he would receive overwhelming support to be elected Sangdo Alliance Master.
Until moments ago, the Cheong Yun Merchant Group had been in a position to be condemned for its immorality as one of the major merchant guilds.
Yet through the exposure of Mingxin Merchant Guild, it would transform in an instant into a righteous guild.
I did not know how much of this had been planned in advance.
However, Jang Yeon Hwi had cleverly redirected the current of criticism formed by the provocative address of the Seogang Trading Company Master, using it as momentum to topple his competitor.
It was a remarkable display of quick wit.
The Merchant Conference soon concluded.
The merchants promised to meet here again five days hence and departed sequentially.
Until then, they would deliberate carefully on the matters proposed that day, and five days hence, they would make decisions through sequential voting.
Among these, the decision that captured the merchants’ interest most was undoubtedly the next Sangdo Alliance Master.
Current support among the guilds was divided between the Cheong Yun Merchant Group and the Mingxin Merchant Guild, so no one could predict who would be elected.
Yet none doubted that one of these two would be elected Sangdo Alliance Master.
Few seemed particularly interested in the topic raised by the Seogang Trading Company Master either.
And then.
“Minor Sect Leader. Might we have a word?”
Someone grabbed me as I tried to slip out of the Conference Hall.
“Young Ho Bin, go on ahead.”
I sent Young Ho Bin and the others away first, then followed the man to a quiet, secluded spot where no one else lingered.
“Baek Yeon Young Master, I never expected to meet you here. Perhaps it is fate.”
“A tenacious and bitter fate, it seems.”
Hye Woon stood silent for a long moment, his eyes gleaming with profound meaning.
Yet I found myself subtly astonished by the dignity and aloofness befitting a true disciple of Shaolin Temple.
That the defrocked monk who once secretly ordered wine and meat at the inn could now carry himself with such composure and presence was nothing short of remarkable.
At last, as if having reached some resolve, Hye Woon’s lips parted slowly.
“I will not speak at length. Withdraw from this matter.”
His tone was resolute, brooking no disagreement.
“What do you mean?”
“Now that Shaolin has stepped into this affair, whether it is Cheong Yun or the Sun and Moon Divine Sect—whichever side you stand with—things will not proceed as you intend.”
Hye Woon’s intent was unmistakably clear.
He was not here merely to bring honor to the Myeongsin Merchant Guild at the Merchant Conference.
He was warning me that Shaolin Temple stood behind whatever schemes the Myeongsin Merchant Guild was orchestrating.
“Shaolin Temple… that it should involve itself in such matters is truly astonishing, given your sect’s standing as the very essence of Kangho Murim.”
“That is not the point, Baek Young Master. You are still young with a bright future ahead. There is no need to stake your life on trivial matters, is there?”
As if admonishing a younger brother, Hye Woon’s concerned demeanor and tone drew an involuntary sigh from me.
How I wished I could simply withdraw from this matter with a clear conscience, as he suggested.
It is not as though I chose to become entangled in this of my own volition.
But I too have circumstances of my own to consider.
“I will not ask how deeply you are involved. I do not wish to know. Only, it would be wise to forget all of this before it is too late. Please take my words to heart.”
Though the same could be said of your position, I suppose.
“I am grateful for your guidance, Reverend. However, I have already chosen the path I must walk.”
I pressed my palms together in the Buddhist manner and bowed deeply to Hye Woon.
Hye Woon’s expression hardened as he gazed upon me.
It is remarkable that Shaolin Temple—which throughout the history of Kangho Murim has been the exemplar of the Righteous Sects and a bastion of orthodox Buddhism—should sully its hands with such ignoble affairs.
Yet I understand all too well why Hye Woon, following his master’s directives, would take the lead in carrying out such work.
Thus, neither of us can afford to retreat now.
“Should we meet again, I would ask that you teach me properly.”
With those words, I turned and walked away from Hye Woon.
The thought that I would face him as an enemy next time filled me with regret.
Had we met elsewhere, under different circumstances, he might have become a true friend—and that made it all the more sorrowful.

* * *
Following the Merchant Conference, our group had been keeping a low profile at a modest inn in Chengdu.
The Cheong Yun Merchant Group had stationed Guard Unit martial artists at the inn where we were staying.
Ostensibly, it was to protect the Minor Sect Leader’s safety.
But whether they were truly guarding us or surveilling us was something only Jang Yeon Hwi would know.
“Minor Sect Leader, would you mind if this girl poured you a drink?”
A beautiful woman who appeared to be around twenty approached me with a seductive smile, her voice dripping with coquettish charm.
Without waiting for my permission, she leaned against my shoulder and thrust an expensive bottle of liquor toward me.
“Hmm….”
Goosebumps erupted across my skin, and my chest tightened with suffocating discomfort.
For an introvert, there exists a psychological boundary that strangers must not cross.
Yet this woman, whom I barely knew, had casually breached that line and drawn uncomfortably close.
I desperately wanted to abandon all pretense and flee.
“The Minor Sect Leader is currently cultivating demonic energy, so he doesn’t drink alcohol.”
Fortunately, just before my mental state collapsed entirely, Baek So Cheong, who had been sitting across from me, stepped in and created distance between myself and the woman.
“My, wasn’t it said that you are the Minor Sect Leader’s sister?”
“So what? Is there a problem?”
“It’s just strange because you’re acting exactly like the Minor Sect Leader’s betrothed.”
As the woman laughed, Baek So Cheong fixed her with a piercing glare.
‘Phew.’
This was the fourth night.
Every evening, the Cheong Yun Merchant Group held drinking gatherings for us staying at the inn.
They even arranged for suspicious women of unknown origin to attend.
Their intent was transparent—to keep my group and me from attempting anything questionable.
‘The second Merchant Conference, where the Sangdo Alliance Master vote will take place, is tomorrow.’
Whatever Jang Yeon Hwi was plotting, he would certainly execute his plan to destroy the Mingxin Merchant Guild tonight.
Which meant my own opportunity was also running out—tonight was my last chance.
‘Just a little longer. This nonsense won’t last much longer.’
I was determined to settle everything tonight, no matter what.

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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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