The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 63

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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 063
The Return Journey
While the Central Plains of Tianxia welcomed the verdant hues of spring, the Cheon San where the Il-Wol Divine Sect Headquarters stood remained shrouded in winter’s desolation.
The path ascending to Gwangmyeong Hall was particularly treacherous—steep and rocky, with ice coating the ground in countless places, making each step a laborious undertaking.
Yet five silhouettes moved through this perilous mountain path with the swiftness of wind.
Clad entirely in deep crimson night garments that blended with their surroundings, their movements were remarkably fluid, revealing not merely exceptional martial prowess but profound mastery of body technique.
When the man leading the group suddenly halted, the four others maintaining their distance behind him ceased their advance in perfect synchronization.
The leader spoke to his subordinates in a voice that was quiet yet carried an ominous killing intent.
“We execute the operation here. Each of you, take your positions.”
The man issuing orders in that unusually low, sinister voice was Tang Chi-ya, a martial artist of collateral descent from the Sichuan Poison Sect, renowned for his mastery of poison and assassination arts.
He served as the commander of the O Dok O Sal, the Assassination Squad that the Poison Sect took pride in.
While O Dok O Sal was among the Poison Sect’s greatest forces, few in the Kangho Murim knew of their existence.
For those whose role was to complete missions without leaving a trace and vanish without a trace, the fact that few knew of them was their greatest source of pride.
‘The target’s direction of movement is from southeast to northwest. Then the direction of shadows would be….’
After determining the operational position, Tang Chi-ya, as always, committed the surrounding terrain and positions of cover to memory.
The direction of the wind, wind speed, cardinal directions, position of the sun, weather, humidity—all of these had to be calculated with absolute precision.
After observing his surroundings and contemplating for some time, a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.
‘Optimal conditions.’
O Dok O Sal always designated their target and secured advantageous positions before proceeding with the assassination.
These conditions were fluid depending on circumstances and were not always favorable.
There were times when they had to install artificial cover in places that stood out against the surroundings because there was nowhere to hide, and there were occasions when the wind proved capricious, causing poisoned projectiles to miss their mark.
Yet today’s operational environment was flawless, lacking none of the dozens of factors to consider.
The towering conifers were sufficient to conceal the assassins’ forms, while the line of sight from the trees to the passage was completely unobstructed.
There was no wind, the humidity was appropriate, and the overcast weather prevented any interference from sunlight.
In optimal conditions, O Dok O Sal had never experienced a failed assassination, and this occasion would be no exception.
Now it was merely a matter of waiting for the target to arrive.
“What is the target’s estimated location?”
In response to Tang Chi-ya’s question, a man hidden perfectly within the towering coniferous forest answered.
“We estimate they will pass through this location within two to twelve hours at minimum, or within a full day at maximum.”
“Good. From now on, each of you will take turns resting for one hour at a time. Do not neglect vigilance in all four directions.”
“Yes, sir!”
“How many comprise the target group?”
Another man’s voice responded to the subsequent question.
“When last sighted, there were four, with no additional escort personnel.”
Tang Chi-ya recalled Dang Bang Sa and Dang Hae Dam, who had prepared poison at the Merchant Conference only to be poisoned themselves and barely escape with their lives.
They had thought the Minor Sect Leader would be unguarded, but were caught off guard by a master of the highest caliber who had concealed his identity and remained hidden.
“These are men who might attempt any manner of bizarre schemes at any moment. Do not be careless. Focus your primary attention on the main target. Excluding the woman and Jang Han, it is the taller of the two boys—the one with longer hair.”
“Yes, sir!”
O Dok O Sal’s sole objective was Baek Yeon, the Minor Sect Leader of the Il-Wol Divine Sect.
The Poison Sect to which they belonged had thus far maintained neutrality in the power struggle between the Martial Alliance and the Il-Wol Divine Sect.
There was no reason to support the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, but relations with the Martial Alliance were equally strained.
Yet there was no cause to antagonize either side, so I simply observed their conflict from a distance.
This balance shattered not long ago.
When Minor Sect Leader Baek Yeon interfered with the Tang Sect’s business operations and killed one of their disciples.
The Tang Sect accepted a covert proposal from the Cheong Yun Merchant Group to import rare iron from the Western Regions and monopolize its supply.
Had they been able to refine rare iron into explosive projectiles, the Tang Sect’s military strength would have increased dramatically.
Everything would have proceeded smoothly—destroying the Myeong Shin Trading Company, their competitor in rare iron distribution, and elevating the Cheong Yun Merchant Master to leadership of the Sangdo Alliance.
But the Sun and Moon Divine Sect’s Minor Sect Leader inserted himself into the matter, ruining everything.
The Tang Sect was not a faction magnanimous enough to let such humiliation pass without response.
‘Chengdu had too many watchful eyes, and it was difficult to pinpoint their location. But here….’
Any route from Chengdu to Gwangmyeong Hall necessarily passed through this place.
Few travelers ventured here, making it ideal for an ambush.
Moreover, with Gwangmyeong Hall so close to their destination, they would inevitably grow complacent and careless.
When the Minor Sect Leader’s party appeared, the projectiles wielded by O Dok O Sal would unleash their poison.
Today, instead of the Tang Sect’s secret projectiles, they had brought ordinary needles.
Of course, the venom coating them—the ruthless Three Steps to Death—was anything but ordinary.
A mere graze from the sharp needle would sever life before three steps could be taken.
The corpse would reveal nothing but a thin needle, and no evidence would connect the death to the Tang Sect.
And O Dok O Sal would vanish without a trace.
As they always had.
“Your role in the initial strike is crucial. Yun So! Signal immediately upon hitting the target.”
Tang Chi-ya waited for Yun So’s response, but none came.
“Yun So! Did you hear me?”
Something was wrong.
Yun So’s rest period had not yet arrived, and a seasoned assassin would never be distracted during operation preparations.
Not only Tang Chi-ya but the other squad members lifted their heads from their hiding positions, scanning for any sign of Yun So.
Then.
“Ahhh!”
Yun Cho cried out and pointed toward the spot where his brother lay.
The eyes of every squad member widened in unison.
Yun So, now drenched in blood, lay collapsed on the ground near the tree where he had been positioned.
From the volume of blood pouring forth, even if he still lived, his time was measured in moments.
“Combat positions!”
Tang Chi-ya shouted, sensing an enemy attack.
In that instant.
Thud.
Yun Cho tumbled from the tree, crashing to the ground below.
Tang Chi-ya’s head snapped toward the direction of the disturbance, and for the briefest moment, he glimpsed something pale streaking past.
Tang Chi-ya could not believe what his eyes had witnessed and found himself rubbing them involuntarily.
That impossibly swift speed, and that strange form entirely covered in pristine white fur—he could scarcely comprehend it.
The Kangho Realm harbored all manner of masters, so such a thing was certainly possible.
But what in the world was that absurdly massive body?
How could something with such a colossal frame move at such velocity? It defied all reason.
“Krraaaagh!”
At the scream that erupted from nearby, Tang Chi-ya’s gaze snapped toward the sound.
This time, he could see it with relative clarity.
A massive beast covered entirely in pristine white fur—or could such a thing even be called a beast?
A creature of impossible presence, a monster that defied belief, scaled a tree trunk at incomprehensible speed and descended upon one of the Assassination Squad members.
No matter how he reasoned it, such a creature could not exist in reality.
A body the size of a house, fur white as fresh snow, and most of all—a tiger that radiated a terrifying, overwhelming divine killing intent that transcended the mere ferocity of a wild beast.
A divine beast from legend itself, the White Tiger.
Grrrrowl.
The White Tiger released a low growl and hurled its lightning-swift form forward once more.
The Assassination Squad member who had turned to flee collapsed where he stood.
Tang Chi-ya needed not witness to know that he was the White Tiger’s next target.
The sound of wind rushed past his ears.
The White Tiger’s enormous jaws cast their ominous shadow over Tang Chi-ya.
That was the last sight he beheld in this world.
Half a day later.
The setting sun cast long shadows of three men and one woman climbing the mountain path.
They discovered the corpses of mysterious men in dark robes scattered carelessly along the roadside, nearly simultaneously.
“Minor Sect Leader, this is….”
“Hmm.”
They remained silent for some time.
“Does anything stand out to you, Young Ho Bin?”
“It appears to be an Assassination Squad from the Tang Sect, I believe.”
“I suspected as much, but how could they be here of all places….”
What shocked them more than the fact that the Tang Sect’s Assassination Squad had been waiting for them on the road to the Il-Wol Divine Sect Headquarters was that they had been slaughtered without mounting any meaningful resistance.
After examining the five corpses for some time, the woman spoke.
“Looking at the wounds, it doesn’t appear they were inflicted by a person.”
Indeed, the wounds—torn savagely from both above and below simultaneously—matched no weapon used by any martial artist in the Kangho Murim.
“Baek Young Lady, if not a person, then who could have done this?”
“A very large beast… judging by the bite marks, I would suspect a tiger.”
“A tiger?”
One young martial artist placed his palm near the massive fang marks that had torn into the corpse.
If a tiger had truly bitten these men to death, one could only fathom the creature’s staggering size from the scale of the wounds.
“I have never heard tell of a beast this large.”
No one could refute those words.
Should word spread that such an enormous tiger existed, it would surely cause an upheaval throughout the entire Kangho Realm.
“Minor Sect Leader, does something trouble you?”
The boy called the Minor Sect Leader had remained silent for some time now.
From the way he appeared to be lost in deep thought, it seemed he had grasped something.
Yet the boy simply remained immersed in contemplation.
The young man observing him carefully opened his mouth.
“You may think it absurd, but I have heard such a tale before.”
“What is it, Martial Artist Young Ho?”
“It concerns the White Tiger, one of the divine beasts that protects the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.”
“The White Tiger?”
“A divine beast?”
The woman spoke with an expression of deep contemplation.
“Indeed… but divine beasts and the White Tiger are merely tales spoken of in legend….”
“That is so. The legend speaks of it thus.”
“What is it, Gang Leader Young Ho?”
“The White Tiger is the guardian spirit of the Sect Headquarters, yet it does not reveal itself at any time. Only when the Divine Sect faces peril, and….”
“And?”
“Only when a true master whom the White Tiger itself acknowledges appears does it obey their commands, or so the tale goes….”
As he finished speaking, the eyes of the woman and the young martial artist turned in unison toward one place.
Toward the face of the boy, who now wore a solemn and stern expression.
The boy, who had been lost in thought, lifted his head straight.
And with an unbothered expression, he simply began walking forward.
“I had intended not to speak of it, but since you seem to have already grasped it, there is no need to conceal it.”
“?”
“Minor Sect Leader, that direction is dangerous. Another monster may appear….”
The boy paid no heed and continued walking toward the direction where Gwangmyeong Hall lay.
“Ah!”
The woman suddenly caught sight of it standing squarely in the boy’s path and let out a sharp cry.
The young man and the young martial artist likewise stared with gaping mouths, their shoulders trembling.
The White Tiger, which had appeared without warning, was slowly moving its massive form and walking directly toward the boy.
And then.
“You have come.”
At the boy’s single utterance, the White Tiger lowered its great front paws and bowed its head obediently.
The boy approached the White Tiger naturally and raised his right hand to gently stroke its head.
“Purrrr….”
The White Tiger, as if savoring its master’s touch like a beloved pet, let out a pleased rumble.

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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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