The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 74

—————
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 074
Conversation
The man remained hidden in the darkness, his gaze fixed solely on the candlelight illuminating the woman’s face, showing no intention of revealing himself even to his conversation partner.
Both the woman and the man seemed accustomed to this manner of exchange.
“Yes. As you anticipated, he was indeed seeking information about the Five Great Families.”
“…Did he show any signs of suspicion?”
“I approached naturally, so there is no cause for concern.”
The man nodded upon hearing the woman’s words.
Though he did not know what method she had employed to approach the target, there were certain approaches that only a woman could effectively utilize in such matters.
Moreover, he was well aware that the woman before him possessed exceptional skill in such endeavors.
“As instructed, I have delivered all the materials from Ma Yeon Palace.”
“What do you think will happen?”
“His martial prowess is beyond question, and his intellect is remarkably sharp. He would have encountered no difficulties even without my assistance.”
“That is precisely the problem—young men brimming with vigor are unpredictable in their actions. I shall make arrangements, so you must accompany him to the meeting. We must minimize all risk factors.”
“Yes, I shall obey your command.”
The man fully shared the woman’s assessment of the Minor Sect Leader.
He could not imagine any circumstance in which the Minor Sect Leader would be swayed by the inexperienced youths he would encounter that day.
Rather, it struck him as curious how thoroughly the Minor Sect Leader was preparing for his meeting with the Five Great Families Young Master.
Yet such meticulous preparation was itself a hallmark of the Minor Sect Leader’s character.
“We have arranged to meet at his residence again tomorrow night. Is there anything else you wish to instruct me on?”
“Something else to instruct….”
Approximately ten days prior, the man had issued two directives to the woman along with this covert mission.
First, assist the Minor Sect Leader in every way possible so that he might pass the Five Great Families’ trial.
And second, discover the Minor Sect Leader’s weaknesses.
The woman before him was the most suitable person to entrust with this task.
At this moment, there was nothing particularly pressing to add, yet the man suddenly found himself curious about what the woman might have uncovered regarding the second directive.
Though it was somewhat premature, discovering the Minor Sect Leader’s weaknesses was the matter of greatest importance to him.
“The Minor Sect Leader is fourteen years old. He is reaching the age where he should begin to take notice of women. What have you found?”
“…What is it you wish to know?”
“Men in this world fall into two categories: those who would abandon anything to possess a woman, and those who would not. Which type is the Minor Sect Leader?”
The woman answered without hesitation, her expression remaining unchanged.
“The Minor Sect Leader is immune to seduction through beauty. No matter how beautiful a woman stood before him, he would not spare her a glance.”
Upon hearing this, the man recalled old memories and offered a bitter smile.
‘Like father, like son, they say. It seems he has inherited even this trait from the Sect Leader.’
Indeed, if it were so simple to bring down the Minor Sect Leader, there would be no value in his devoting such careful effort to his schemes.
“If that is your assessment, then so it must be. But as long as they are human, they cannot be without weaknesses. Continue to observe from close proximity and report to me.”
“Yes…, my lord.”
“If you accomplish this task properly, nothing will stand in the way of your advancement. Is that not why you devoted yourself to the Main Sect? Even casting aside your own family?”
“Yes…. That is so.”
The woman bowed her head in response, pushing away the candlelight that had been illuminating her face.
As if she didn’t want him to see her expression right now.

* * *
The Young Masters of the Five Great Families arrived on the predetermined date as scheduled.
The Family Heads of each clan were to visit Sect Headquarters ten days later.
Sending the Young Masters ahead to Sect Headquarters was meant to give them time to tour the grounds and become familiar with them.
“Dong Bang Heon didn’t arrive?”
“Yes, my lord. I cannot speak to the details, but it appears an unavoidable matter has arisen.”
Upon hearing Young Ho Bin’s report, I felt a secret joy bloom within me.
Without the Young Master of the Dong Bang Family—whom the Five Great Families were pushing as the Minor Sect Leader’s rival—the burden of dealing with the remaining Young Masters would be considerably lightened.
Yet as the Minor Sect Leader of the Divine Sect, I could hardly reveal such sentiments openly.
“Hmph. A tedious task grows even more dull without him.”
“You must be greatly disappointed, my lord.”
I barely restrained the urge to grin from ear to ear as I replied to Young Ho Bin.
With the burden so greatly reduced, I could face them with far greater confidence.
“We’ve arrived. This is the place. The Young Masters should be waiting inside already.”
“Very well. You may return now, Young Ho Bin.”
“Yes, my lord. I wish you success.”
The place I had arrived at was the largest tavern in Maehwa Village, situated near Sect Headquarters.
For today, Sect Headquarters had rented the entire establishment for the Young Masters of the Five Great Families—or rather, the Four Great Families.
The reasoning was to allow for freer conversation than would be possible within Sect Headquarters itself….
But the Four Great Families had surely calculated their advantage in this neutral ground as well, competing for dominance against me, the Minor Sect Leader.
Naturally, this neutral venue would feel more comfortable to them than Sect Headquarters, the Minor Sect Leader’s home ground.
Yet there was one thing they had failed to calculate.
“Minor Sect Leader.”
“Miss Jin.”
The person waiting for me in front of the tavern where I would meet the Young Masters was none other than Jin Seol.
It had been agreed beforehand that the Minor Sect Leader and each Young Master of the families would each bring an attendant to assist them.
Sect Headquarters had decided on Jin Seol as my attendant upon the recommendation of the Blood Cloud Palace Master, likely because Jin Seol had volunteered strongly for the role.
Though that was surely not the whole story.
The selection of an attendant to the Minor Sect Leader could not be determined by the candidate’s willingness alone.
Perhaps it meant that Jin Seol’s influence and standing within the Ma Yeon Palace were higher than I had imagined.
‘It’s unexpected, but having Jin Seol with me is nothing but advantageous.’
To be honest, it’s far more than merely not disadvantageous.
Over the past two days, preparing to receive the Young Masters of the Five Great Families alongside Jin Seol had made her presence invaluable—like having divine generals at my side.
“Let us enter.”
With newfound confidence, I stepped into the largest banquet hall of the tavern with Jin Seol at my side, where the Young Masters of the Four Great Families awaited.
Thump. Thump.
For an introvert like me, this moment might be even more terrifying than standing before an enemy with sword drawn.
Meeting multiple unfamiliar faces—people who would surely harbor hostile feelings toward me—and engaging them in conversation.
No—this situation demanded more than mere conversation. I had to establish my presence before them and command their loyalty.
My heart had been racing uncontrollably since moments ago, yet as always, I steeled myself and focused on the situation before me.
I recalled the objective given to me, and all those past moments spent striving to achieve it.
‘I can do this. I’ve prepared thoroughly.’
I understood well that for an introvert to survive in this harsh and brutal world, there was nothing else to rely upon but faith in myself.
Creak.
As the door opened and I stepped into the Banquet Hall, a simple arrangement of wine and dishes lay upon a spacious table.
Prepared specially for today’s gathering, the perfectly pentagonal table had the young masters of the Four Great Families seated at each corner, with an aide standing behind each of them.
And the empty seat at the head of the table was meant for me.
As I entered the Banquet Hall and made my way to my seat, the young masters of the Four Great Families sat in silence, their eyes fixed forward.
The moment I reached the chair at the head of the table, they rose in unison as if choreographed beforehand, standing and facing me.
The young masters of the Four Great Families offered me the respectful fist salute.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Minor Sect Leader Baek Yeon.”

* * *
Even as I accepted their salute and took my seat, they remained standing.
Then the young masters of the Four Great Families introduced themselves one by one, beginning from the left.
As I listened to their introductions, I recalled the information about them that Jin Seol had provided in advance.
“Im Yun Gyeom, eldest son of the Im Family who oversees the Soomun Gate, pays his respects to the Minor Sect Leader.”
Im Yun Gyeom of the Im Family, which governed the Soomun Gate, had turned twenty this year and possessed a muscular frame with eyes as sharp as a hawk’s.
His appearance matched his nature—strong and direct—and he wielded his family’s secret technique, the Wind Thunder Rigid Palm, with considerable skill.
With someone like this, it was crucial that I not appear underestimated from the start.
“Kang So Young, eldest daughter of the Kang Family of the Mungmun Gate. It is an unparalleled honor to meet you, Minor Sect Leader.”
Kang So Young of the Kang Family was a beautiful woman without flaw, yet her attire and neutral appearance were distinctly masculine. At merely seventeen, she had swiftly mastered her family’s Great Azure Inner Elixir Technique and had already reached the late second rank.
She embodied the typical character of soft exterior concealing inner strength—with such a type, authority could only be established through action rather than words.
“Gong Son Hui of the Gong Son Family of the Gold Gate. I humbly request your guidance and instruction, Minor Sect Leader.”
Gong Son Hui was the oldest among them at twenty-two. His cold impression matched his sharp yet cynical nature.
He was skilled at exploiting others’ weaknesses and possessed a relentless quality, making him the person I needed to watch most carefully in this gathering.
“Noh Jae Won of the Noh Family of the Earth Gate, at your service.”
Noh Jae Won was the youngest at sixteen and showed more interest in scholarly pursuits than martial arts.
Though Noh Sang Do, the Family Head of the Noh Family, was said to have little interest in power struggles, in this setting he could easily be swayed by the atmosphere of the other families.

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