The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 57

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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 057
The Secret Warehouse
The moment my foot touched the underground level, all I could see before me was still nothing but pitch-black darkness.
Yet after taking a few more steps, I realized the underground was completely different from the upper floors.
‘So this is indeed a warehouse.’
The underground level had pathways just wide enough for one or two people to walk through, but everywhere else was packed with rectangular wooden crates stacked neatly without a single gap to spare.
The wooden crates were roughly the width and length of an adult’s arm span, and about two feet in height—the same size as those that had filled the cargo cart that arrived here moments ago.
This was undoubtedly a secret warehouse operated covertly by the Cheong Yun Merchant Group.
I reached up and effortlessly lifted one of the topmost crates.
However, the crate was surprisingly light, as if it contained nothing at all.
I immediately lifted a second crate.
This one was half-filled with something heavy, requiring considerable strength to hoist.
I drew the sword at my waist and pried open the wooden lid covering the crate.
Though the darkness made it difficult to see clearly, when I reached inside, my fingers brushed against something cold and smooth, about the size of a fist.
It felt like some kind of mineral ore, but the texture was different.
‘This is…!’
As I touched the sharp edge of the mineral, I felt the ominous premonition that had been lingering in my mind materializing into reality.
And that was precisely the moment.
Whoosh.
From the far end of the pitch-black warehouse came the crackling sound of flames, and torches suddenly blazed to life.
One after another, then another…
In an instant, more than a dozen torches were burning brightly throughout the warehouse.
Only then could I properly see the interior—dozens upon hundreds of wooden crates stacked neatly to human height, filling the entire warehouse.
‘So that’s what it was.’
And from all directions along the pathways between those wooden crates, slightly more than ten shadowy figures were becoming faintly visible.
In truth, ever since I descended into this warehouse, I had sensed that I was not alone.
I simply hadn’t expected their numbers to be this great.
It meant my opponents were stronger than I had anticipated.
“Minor Sect Leader. Thank you for coming all this way.”
Soon a sinister voice echoed through the warehouse, though I couldn’t identify its source.
Perhaps because the flickering torchlight was casting the shadows about chaotically.
I could only vaguely sense the direction from which the voice came, but among the dozen or so figures standing here, I couldn’t determine who was speaking.
“What’s stacked all around here is that famous Heavenly Iron Ore.”
“Ha… So it was as I thought.”
A hollow laugh escaped me as I confirmed the truth with my own eyes.
Jang Yeon Hwi had told me that the Cheong Yun Merchant Group was tracking the Heavenly Iron Ore of the Myeong Shin Merchant Group.
At first I believed his words, but as time passed, I gradually came to understand the truth.
‘The Myeong Shin Merchant Group, my ass…’
The one who had been secretly hoarding the Heavenly Iron Ore was none other than Jang Yeon Hwi himself.
“You lit torches in a place with such dangerous materials?”
“Do not worry. Bi-hwa-cheol does not react to fire. Unless clean water is poured upon it….”
Overlapping voices from different directions created a disorienting cacophony throughout the warehouse.
The mysterious men hidden throughout the warehouse were taking turns speaking.
“Your entry into this place was entirely orchestrated by our scheme.”
It was difficult to understand why they would mock me with such words.
Yet thanks to their boasting, I could clearly discern Jang Yeon Hwi’s plan.
Jang Yeon Hwi had intended from the beginning to lure me to this place where the bi-hwa-cheol was stockpiled and kill me.
“And just moments ago, the Cheong Yun Merchant Group Guard Unit launched their assault on the Myeong Shin Merchant Group.”
“…Do you understand the reason?”
Of course I did.
The Cheong Yun Merchant Group’s attack on Myeong Shin was to fabricate evidence.
Why else would the renowned master Poong Cheong Jin and countless members of the Cheong Yun Merchant Group Guard Unit be nowhere to be seen in this place?
“Let me guess. After tonight passes, the Myeong Shin Merchant Group will be blamed for both secretly hoarding the forbidden bi-hwa-cheol and for my death, correct?”
“Indeed, your perception is sharp.”
Tomorrow, at the merchant conference, Jang Yeon Hwi would criticize the Myeong Shin Merchant Group’s unethical smuggling operations, become the leader of the Sangdo Alliance, and escape responsibility for the death of the Minor Sect Leader to the Il-Wol Divine Sect.
I had to admit it was not a poorly conceived plan.
Though I have no right to say so, having walked straight into this place and been played for a fool.
“So then, what is your method?”
“…I just explained everything. Is there still something you do not understand?”
It seemed their pre-scripted dialogue ended here.
The thirteen assassins hired by the Cheong Yun Merchant Group fell silent after those words.
But now I could see they possessed a rather foolish aspect.
The most crucial part of their plan was missing.
“I am asking how you intend to kill me.”
“…!!”
In a sense, I had already anticipated this from the moment I arrived alone at a place that should naturally be filled with enemies.
That a great battle determining life and death would unfold here tonight.
-Are you not afraid?
Someone within my heart asked me once more.
Of course, the possibility of losing my life was not something I could be unafraid of.
But even if this were not this particular battle….
From the moment I resolved to live as a Minor Sect Leader of the Demonic Cult, I had already thrown myself into a desperate struggle where life and death hung in the balance.
Therefore, there was no reason to retreat now.
-Good.
.
.
“Attack!!!”
At the cry of what appeared to be their commander, the thirteen assassins’ forms scattered simultaneously in all directions.
Though my escape route was blocked, I had never intended to flee without fighting.
The fortunate aspect was that given the terrain of this warehouse filled with wooden crates, my opponents could not fully utilize their numerical advantage of thirteen against one.
Among the thirteen assassins that appeared here, none seemed to be first-rate masters, but honestly, I wasn’t confident about a thirteen-versus-one fight.
However, if it were a battle where I repeated one-on-one duels thirteen times, it would be worth attempting.
Yes, so then….
-Kyuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!
Since my opponents numbered exactly thirteen, why not try the same approach I used before the Sect Leader?
Tap tap tap.
The assassins began moving in unison with quick, measured footsteps.
Their direction of movement pointed toward the exit of the underground warehouse.
Simultaneously, I lowered my body and began moving as well.
My footsteps carried me in the opposite direction from the assassins—toward the deepest recesses of the warehouse.
‘Hyeonwol Thirteen Forms, First Form: Transcendent Flash.’
-The taste of blood!!
Before the first assassin could even perceive my approach, the Heavenly Demon Slaying Blade had already been drawn from its sheath, descending in a brilliant flash that pierced through his defenses.
‘Second Form: Silver Moon Guardian.’
-Plunge deep into the heart!!
The second assassin rushed forward with blinding speed.
The moment I received his attack with the guardian sword technique, a counter-flash of my blade erupted with blood.
The Hyeonmu Inward Heart technique unleashed explosive internal energy, yet my hand holding the blade remained perfectly calm.
‘Third Form: Bright Moon Reflected Blade.’
-Sever the arm and drench the entire body in blood!!
Whoosh!
Though it seemed entirely different from the sword paths I had practiced with Do Gyo Du, this approach felt superior.
The previous form seemed to work reasonably well.
‘Fourth Form: Remnant Moon Flying Dance.’
-Blood!
The scattering moonlight began to envelop my sword dance—no, the dance that my blade was unleashing.
‘Fifth Form: Cold Moon Heart Shattering.’
-Do you hear the sound of bones breaking? Doesn’t it feel good?
The blue blade, radiating cold moonlight, made no attempt to conceal its murderous intent.
I had never wielded a sword so freely before.
‘Sixth Form: Flowing Moon Lotus. Seventh Form: Mad Moon Heavenly Dance.’
-They’re still breathing! Cut it off for certain!!
Within the flickering torchlight, breath continued to be severed, one after another.
How much time had actually passed?
The flowing moonlight bloomed like lotus flowers, and my consciousness grew distant and hazy within the magnificent sword dance spreading in all directions.
‘Eighth Form: Blood Moon Tragedy.’
‘Ninth Form: Silent Moon Sunken Heart.’
-What a wonderful expression! You seem to be enjoying yourself too?
…And from the tenth form onward through the twelfth form, I have no memory.
Looking at the corpses of the assassins lying beneath my feet, it seems I continued to wield my blade regardless.
‘The Thirteenth Form, Moonless Severing Heart.’
-Hahahaha!
And finally, even the moonlight that seemed to fill the entire sky was completely erased from my mind.
My right hand, gripping the blade, turned ever so slightly.
“Damn it….”
The last of the thirteen assassins, still clinging to life, spat out a curse along with their final breath.
Then came complete silence.
Thump. Thump.
Riiiiing.
All I could hear was the pounding of my heart against my chest and a ringing in my ears whose origin I couldn’t explain.
Everything I could see was drenched in crimson.
Though whether this was from Cheon Ma or from the blood that covered my entire body and surroundings, I couldn’t say.
Now, nothing moved in this underground warehouse above except my swaying form.
Since the blood soaking my body couldn’t be mine, all my enemies must have fallen.
That was enough….
Now I just needed to escape this place quickly.
-Blood!! Hot blood!!!!!
It turned out this wasn’t tinnitus at all, but Cheon Ma’s loud voice screaming.
You should be quiet now.
I have to go.
My sister is waiting for me, after all.
Squelch.
Just as I was barely managing to take a step, I felt something soft pierce into my left chest.
Without thinking, I brought my hand to it, and instead of something soft, I felt a sharp needle-like object embedded two finger joints deep.
It didn’t hurt.
But this flying needle… I felt like I’d seen it somewhere before….
Could my eyes and hands be deceiving me?
I’d already killed all the assassins, so who could have thrown this at me?
Now that I think about it, I remember meeting a Sichuan Poison Sect Needle Master not long ago.
What…?
I couldn’t hear Cheon Ma’s voice anymore.
My vision, which had been red, had already returned to normal some time ago.
A metallic, nauseating smell rose from my mouth, and soon black blood flowed out past my lips.
My legs moved of their own accord, and both my knees touched the ground.
My arms hung limp, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t lift them, as if someone had bound them with rope.
“Did I not make myself clear? I told you to stay out of this matter.”
And then, someone’s figure approached me.
“Truly, you live up to being one of the Demonic Path—your stubbornness knows no bounds….”
A familiar voice. A familiar bald head.
“Hye….”
The man I never wished to see again….
Hye Woon, the fallen monk of Shaolin Temple’s Eight Divine Monks, was slowly approaching me.
As he gazed at me with what appeared to be a gentle smile, my vision went completely dark.
All I felt was something wet suddenly pressing against my face.
My left cheek had struck the blood-soaked floor, though whose blood it was, I could not tell.

* * *
Boom! Crash! Boom!
Ear-splitting explosions erupted in rapid succession across the quiet night sky.
At the location where the tavern that once graced this street had stood.
Flames erupted from the abandoned building that now remained unused.
Towering inferno licked at the pale night sky like a ravenous tongue, and scorching heat radiated outward in all directions.
Some screamed while others fled to escape the blast.
The structure collapsed in an instant, leaving only rubble, with shattered bricks and wooden fragments scattering across the ground.
And soon after, people began to gather.
“No, this cannot be….”
A group of people was breaking free from the restraining arms of Cheong Yun Merchant Group’s martial artists, continuing to rush toward the flames.
“Release me!”
“Please calm yourself, Prince!”
Namgung Eon was rushing toward the ruined building, heedless of the acrid smoke and searing heat.
Had Young Ho Bin not barely managed to restrain him, he would have thrown himself into the inferno immediately.
Tears were streaming down Young Ho Bin’s flushed face.
They could not fathom the surreal situation unfolding before their eyes.
Less than two hours had passed since the Minor Sect Leader had entered the building, claiming to investigate the Cheong Yun Merchant Group.
The explosion caused by the fire-breaking iron possessed catastrophic power.
If anyone had remained in that location when the explosion occurred, even the Minor Sect Leader would have….
“Please compose yourselves, Namgung Prince and Martial Artist Young Ho.”
The flickering flames cast dancing shadows across pale faces.
“The Minor Sect Leader will be safe. He will return shortly.”
Yet Baek So Cheong’s expression remained composed, and not the slightest tremor could be detected in her voice.

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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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