The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 64

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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 064
Return
Our party dragged our weary bodies through the gates of Sect Headquarters just past noon.
Perhaps it was due to all the ordeals we had endured.
The time away from Sect Headquarters felt subjectively far longer than the actual duration of our journey.
The Maidservants of Jeokwol Palace hurried to greet us, receiving and carrying away our luggage.
Baek So Cheong bid farewell to the group and headed straight to her residence, while Namgung Eon returned to Myeong Shin Palace with light steps.
“Young Ho Bin, you should go rest as well.”
“I am fine, my lord.”
“You reek. Go wash up. That’s an order.”
“Yes, sir.”
I quickly dismissed Young Ho Bin, who had shadowed me like a phantom throughout the journey, ordering him to bathe and recover from the travel.
There was no need for an escort to follow me around now that we had arrived at Sect Headquarters.
More than anything else….
‘My bed!’
I had been away from home for far too long, and I had endured so much in Chengdu.
My introvert’s battery was not merely depleted—it had withered to the point where a single touch from someone nearby would shatter me into dust.
“I will now enter demonic cultivation training. Ensure no one enters.”
“Yes, Minor Sect Leader.”
After dismissing all my subordinates with the rarely-used term “demonic cultivation,” I bathed thoroughly in the water the Maidservants had prepared, then made a beeline for my bed.
My body had grown sturdy from years of martial training, so physical fatigue was not my concern, but mental exhaustion was not something that could be resolved through cultivation.
‘Ah, this is bliss. Pure bliss….’
I savored this rare solitude with unhurried leisure.
There was nothing particularly special about being alone.
I simply sprawled across my bed, gazing at the ceiling, lifting my legs and swinging them idly this way and that, nibbling on snacks while lying down….
Drowsiness would creep in gradually.
‘I cannot fall asleep!’
How could I waste this precious free time by succumbing to sleep so easily?
Every moment of sleep felt precious to me, so I splashed my face with cold water to fight off drowsiness and simply did my best to idle away the time, doing absolutely nothing.
There is nothing complicated about recharging an introvert’s battery.
It simply requires spending time in my own space, in this sanctuary where I am absolutely certain no one else is present, doing nothing at all.
For how long?
Until I felt confident I would not collapse even if I had to meet someone.
How much time had passed in this manner?
‘I suppose I should report my return to the Sect Leader?’
The moment my battery felt fully charged, I began to grow curious about the affairs of Sect Headquarters.
I summoned Gwak Sam Chong Gwan and inquired about the current state of Sect Headquarters.
He was the successor to the previous Sam Chong Gwan Song Mu Gyeong, and like the other officials of Sect Headquarters, he remained one of those who feared facing me.
“Have you completed your demonic cultivation training successfully?”
“Demonic cultivation? Ah… yes, that’s right. I completed it well. More importantly, I was thinking of paying my respects to the Sect Leader. I wonder if he is available now.”
“The Sect Leader is likely occupied at the moment.”
“With what?”
“The Family Alliance Meeting is currently underway in the Ilwol Great Hall.”
“The Family Alliance Meeting?”
Upon hearing the term “Family Alliance Meeting,” my expression darkened, and Sam Chong Gwan tensed visibly, drawing a sharp breath.
‘So that’s why the Sect Grounds seemed unsettled. Everything makes sense now.’
It was the same reason Woo Sa, who would normally come rushing at the mere news of my arrival, was nowhere to be seen.
“What troubles does the Sect Leader face this time?”
“I, I would have no words to offer, sir.”
“I suppose not. Very well.”
“H, however, from what I have heard….”
I watched Sam Chong Gwan intently as he mustered the courage to continue our conversation.
Just as my impatience began to mount, he spoke carefully.
“I understand the Alliance convened to hear the Headquarters’ position regarding the Main Sect’s financial matters.”
“I see.”
Upon hearing Sam Chong Gwan’s words, my expression darkened involuntarily.
Stop. This man will weep.
“Thank you for informing me, Commander. Prepare my attire at once.”
Gwak Sam Chong Gwan, receiving my gratitude, replied with a somewhat brightened expression.
“Yes, Minor Sect Leader. Shall I prepare a meal as well?”
“No. I shall proceed directly to the Ilwol Great Hall.”
“Ah…?”

* * *
I combed my hair neatly and donned a clean robe before heading straight to the Ilwol Great Hall.
‘So all the patriarchs of the Five Great Families have gathered in there.’
Even as I walked toward the Great Hall, I felt the weight of my introverted nature pressing against my chest.
Yet simultaneously, I could feel the burning blood of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect’s Minor Sect Leader coursing through my veins.
Lost in quiet admiration of my own growth, I arrived before the Great Hall, where the Wol Young Wei martial artists guarding the entrance bowed respectfully upon seeing me.
“Would you mind waiting a moment?”
“What is the meaning of asking me to wait?”
Before I could receive an answer, the Great Hall’s doors creaked open and a familiar bearded middle-aged man poked his head out cautiously.
It appeared that Woo Sa Baek Ryung Hou had rushed out upon hearing that I had arrived and would be attending the Family Alliance Meeting.
“Minor Sect Leader….”
“Spare the formalities. What is the situation inside?”
Woo Sa shook his head side to side and released a sigh so heavy it seemed the earth might collapse beneath him.
“Minor Sect Leader. It appears they came prepared today. The atmosphere is poor—it would be wise to postpone reporting this to the Sect Leader for now.”
Without needing further explanation, I understood exactly whom Woo Sa meant by “they.”
He was referring to the Five Great Families that formed the current Sun and Moon Divine Sect’s alliance.
The fact that these families, who rarely showed their faces otherwise, had rushed all the way to this distant Sect Headquarters made it clear that whatever was happening was no trivial matter.
I recalled the details Woo Sa had once shared with me about the Family Alliance Meeting and the Five Great Families.
‘If the Sect Leader, the Left and Right Luminaries, and the Five Demon Palaces’ masters form the Eight Luminaries that support the Il-Wol Divine Sect Headquarters, then the Family Alliance Meeting represents the true foundation of the entire Sun and Moon Divine Sect spread throughout Kangho, including the Headquarters. This is because most of the Main Sect’s military strength is divided between the Sect Leader Family and the remaining Five Great Families.’
‘To be more specific, aside from our Baek Clan, which currently holds the position of Sect Leader in the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, the Five Great Families are the five competing families vying for the position of next or next-next Sect Leader.’
For reference, Woo Sa Baek Ryung Hou is the uncle of Baek Mu Myeong, the current Sect Leader, and one of the members comprising the Baek Clan.
According to that explanation, while Baek Mu Myeong’s Baek Clan currently holds the Sect Leader position, the traditional method was not to pass it to one’s son, but rather to have it selected through competition among the five families.
The fact that Baek Mu Myeong had appointed me as Minor Sect Leader early on, and that the Five Great Families had not mounted any serious challenges until now, could be considered quite extraordinary.
‘This became possible because the Sect Leader was selected as Sect Leader backed by overwhelming martial achievement and tremendous support from the disciples, and further strengthened the Sect Leader’s authority by declaring war against the Martial Alliance.’
The reason I had rushed here upon hearing the words “Family Alliance Meeting” lay precisely in this concern.
The more the Five Great Families raised their heads within the Divine Sect, the more my position as Minor Sect Leader could be endangered.
I pulled myself from my thoughts and asked Woo Sa.
“First, let me ask one thing—how dire is the financial situation of the Sect Headquarters?”
“Sigh…. I regret having to discuss such matters with you, Minor Sect Leader, but the situation is quite serious indeed.”
“I see.”
I was already aware that financial expenditures had increased significantly since the Baek Sect Leader took power and intensified the struggle against the Martial Alliance.
Given the Sect Leader’s temperament, he had not discussed such matters with me, so I had paid them little mind until now.
Yet observing the current state of affairs, it seemed this was no longer a situation I could ignore.
Moreover.
“We can discuss the details later. The atmosphere is poor today, so please withdraw for now. Once matters are settled, I will ensure you can meet with the Sect Leader.”
“No, I really must go in.”
No matter how I considered it, there was no reason for me to avoid this.
After all, the very matter I had been wanting to discuss was precisely this question of finances.
“Ah, Minor Sect Leader!”
I gave Woo Sa no chance to respond, passed by his side, and boldly pushed the Great Hall doors open.
CRASH!!!
Ah….
I hadn’t anticipated this.
In my exuberance, I’d flung the door open with such force that it slammed against the wall far louder than I’d expected.
“…?”
The sound caused every conversation in the Ilwol Great Hall to cease abruptly, and all eyes turned toward the source of the disturbance.
A large rectangular table dominated the center of the hall, with two long rows of people facing each other across it.
On one side sat the Sect Leader flanked by the Eight Luminaries of the Sect Headquarters, while the opposite side was occupied by unfamiliar faces—evidently the Family Heads or representatives of the Five Great Families.
Naturally, all twenty-odd pairs of eyes converged upon me.
“Hmm.”
As an introvert, I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my spine the moment I became the center of attention for so many people.
The old me would have frozen solid, utterly paralyzed.
But who am I now?
My experience as Minor Sect Leader for over two years hadn’t vanished—I could conceal my inner tension completely beneath an impassive exterior.
A sharp tingle.
Simply narrowing my eyes and sweeping my gaze across the hall was enough to project the commanding, charismatic presence of a Minor Sect Leader.
As I surveyed the assembly, my eyes met those of the Sect Leader seated at the head of the table.
“Minor Sect Leader. You’ve returned safely.”
The Sect Leader’s expressionless voice resonated through the hall.
“Father. I have completed my mission and returned.”
Hearing the confidence in my voice, the corners of the Sect Leader’s mouth rose slightly.
“Sit for now. The Wol In Palace Master was just in the midst of his explanation.”
“Yes.”
Now I could see that Yeom Ryeo Woon, the Wol In Palace Master, stood alone with beads of sweat dripping profusely from his brow.
The Wol In Gung was responsible for the Sect Headquarters’ finances and household affairs.
It was evident that Yeom Ryeo Woon, as its director, was being intensely interrogated by the Five Great Families regarding the Sect Headquarters’ financial issues.
Still maintaining my fierce gaze, I walked to one end of the table and took my seat.
Yeom Ryeo Woon, appearing embarrassed and tense, cleared his throat before continuing his explanation.
“Ahem, to continue—by expanding our intelligence-gathering personnel and operations centered on Henan, where the Martial Alliance’s main headquarters is located, our expenditures have increased somewhat. Furthermore….”
“Yeom Palace Master.”
At that moment, a middle-aged man dressed in ornate green silk robes and sporting a beard interrupted Yeom Palace Master’s words.
His expression was stern, his voice deliberately lowered in an intimidating manner.
“You’ve been repeating the same excuse about increased expenditures since the beginning, have you not? Of course costs rise when you expand operations.”
“That is correct, Family Head Im.”
“What we wish to hear is where you are procuring the funds to cover these expenses. Do you have a solution?”
“….”
Im Myeong Woon, the man in green robes addressed as Family Head Im, glared with piercing eyes as he awaited Yeom Palace Master’s response.
The Im Clan, one of the Five Great Families, had supported the Divine Sect since its inception three hundred years ago, when it was known as the Myeong Cult.
Yeom Palace Master’s face flushed crimson as he lowered his head, unable to utter a single word.
Family Head Im exhaled a deep sigh, then shifted his gaze toward the Sect Leader.
“Will the Sect Leader provide an answer?”
The Sect Leader stared blankly ahead before slowly turning only his eyes toward the Family Head, his expression unreadable as he posed a counter-question.
“What do you mean?”
“If there is no source of income sufficient to cover these increased expenditures, do you have a plan to secure such a source of income in the future?”
“….”
“So there is none. Then you intend to seek investment from the Five Great Families once again?”
The Sect Leader remained silent, yet I could sense the quiet fury building within him, barely contained beneath the surface.
Regardless, the Family Head continued his relentless assault.
“When the Sect Leader declared all-out war against the Martial Alliance, what did you say when such concerns were raised? Did you not express confidence in securing sufficient capital? Yet thirteen years have passed since then, and you have done nothing but spend money without earning a single coin, squandering the wealth of the Five Great Families, have you not?”
This was the first time I had witnessed the Sect Leader, who held absolute authority within the Sect Headquarters, being interrogated in such a manner.
The rumors that the Five Great Families had come with firm resolve appeared to be true.
“Is this not like pouring water into a bottomless vessel? How much longer must we wait?”
As the Family Head’s questioning continued, I was calculating the precise moment to intervene, and now that moment had arrived.
Crash!!!
I drew upon my inner energy and struck the table downward, and the entire surface trembled violently with a sound that seemed to split the eardrums.
‘Ah, I didn’t intend to strike it that hard….’
Crack.
A moment later, a fissure split down the center of the table.
‘That wasn’t supposed to happen….’
Pop.
With a sharp sound, the table split in two and teetered precariously as though it might collapse at any moment.

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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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