The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 77

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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 077
Ambush
In truth, I had suspected as much from the moment Namgung Eon informed me that Jin Seol hailed from the Jin Family, the most prestigious clan in Kangho.
The Jin Family maintained ties of kinship with the imperial household and held an influential position within the Martial Alliance.
Though she was called a concubine’s daughter subjected to discrimination and contempt within the clan, it could hardly have been an easy decision to abandon such a family and devote herself to the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.
“Besides, what truly matters is that the Minor Sect Leader handles this gathering well, does it not?”
“I appreciate you saying so.”
There must have been unspoken difficulties, and given the sorrow etched upon her face, undoubtedly a heart-wrenching tale lay beneath.
One thing was certain—she was a woman burdened by a tragic destiny.
“Haaah, ugh.”
From one corner of the Banquet Hall came Gong Son Hui’s deflated cry of exertion.
Having scraped the bottom of the third wine vessel and poured its dregs into his cup, he swallowed the final mouthful and released a sound of ecstatic triumph.
Gong Son Hui collapsed after uttering those last words.
“Tsk, tsk… Young masters from such esteemed families ought to relearn the proper way of drinking.”
“Haha.”
I clicked my tongue at the sight, while Jin Seol released a quiet laugh beside me.
It was precisely as I prepared to conclude the evening’s gathering.
Creak.
Remarkably, the entrance to the Banquet Hall opened silently, and five figures suddenly flew through the doorway.
They were martial artists clad entirely in black garments from head to toe, their faces concealed by masks.
“…?”
They lined up along one side of the Banquet Hall with such natural ease, as though they had been promised a place at this gathering, that even I found myself staring at them in bewilderment.
“Who are these bastards?”
The first to react to their appearance was Im Yun Gyeom, who had just drained three vessels of wine and was thoroughly intoxicated.
The tall, lean man standing foremost among the five Black-Clad Assassins surveyed the interior of the Banquet Hall, then glanced dismissively toward Im Yun Gyeom and let out a scoff.
His voice carried an undisguised killing intent.
“How convenient that you’re all too drunk to notice. This will make our work considerably easier.”
Though their entrance had been ominous enough to warrant some anticipation, these were clearly not inn servants come to tidy up after the gathering.
“Deal with those two first.”
The tall Black-Clad Assassin pointed in the direction where Jin Seol and I stood, issuing orders to his subordinates.
‘There should have been guards at the Banquet Hall entrance.’
I heard no sounds of combat from outside.
This meant they had approached from the tavern’s roof—they were skilled practitioners capable of wielding lightness techniques at an advanced level or beyond.
Though truthfully, now was not the time to concern myself with how they had reached this place.
Whoosh!
Four Black-Clad Assassins rushed forward with the sound of wind being cleaved.
From their perspective, selecting me as their first target was a sound tactical choice.
Im Yun Gyeom, who had just shouted at them, along with Gong Son Hui and Noh Jae Won, were all too intoxicated to fight, and those standing behind them were clearly ordinary people ignorant of martial arts.
If they could subdue only Jin Seol and myself within the Banquet Hall, dispatching the rest would be easier than turning over one’s palm.
I hastily gathered my inner energy and prepared for combat, watching their movements intently.
Whoosh!
These bastards must have come here with a plan today.
Two Black-Clad Assassins positioned at the rear hurled sharp throwing stars toward Jin Seol and me.
As we threw ourselves out of the way, a dozen throwing stars embedded themselves in the ground with sharp cracks.
The remaining two Black-Clad Assassins used that as a signal to charge toward us, moving with practiced precision.
Their well-trained movements suggested they were professional assassins, but…
I had already reached the first-rate realm, so they were hardly formidable opponents.
The trajectory of the Black-Clad Assassin’s short blade was crystal clear to my eyes.
His footwork was remarkably light and swift, and his stepping technique appeared more refined than I had anticipated.
Moreover, his short blade technique fully exploited the advantages of his rapid movements.
His combat style was to close the distance quickly before his opponent could draw a weapon, then unleash a barrage of swift attacks within short blade range.
With our side outnumbered, the longer the battle dragged on, the more disadvantageous it became for me.
After making that swift assessment, I immediately launched my counterattack.
Whoosh.
Rather than retreating from the Black-Clad Assassin’s strike, I pressed forward, closing the distance.
As his short blade whistled past my face, the sound of wind brushed against my ear.
Before the Black-Clad Assassin could even realize his attack had missed, my feet planted firmly on the ground as I pivoted my body.
Swish.
With my right hand channeling the power of the Hyeon Ma Nae Hyang Sim Gong, I struck a pressure point on the Black-Clad Assassin’s ribs, then spun away.
The moment the first Black-Clad Assassin I had struck staggered and lost consciousness, I was already launching myself toward the two assassins who had thrown the stars.
In the instant shock and terror flashed across their eyes, my hand reached for the hilt of the Cheon Sa Gwi Myeol Sword at my waist.
Screech!!
A brilliant white blade light flashed before my eyes, and two streams of sword energy erupted from the Cheon Sa Gwi Myeol Sword, blazing with power.
Crimson blood sprayed from the right arm of the Black-Clad Assassin on the left and the left arm of the one on the right.
“Gahhh.”
I had spared their lives only because I needed to extract information from them.
Who dared send assassins to the banquet of the Minor Sect Leader and the young masters of the Five Great Families?
Could they be assassins from the Tang Sect who harbored a grudge against me?
‘But for the Tang Sect… the assassins’ skills and methods both felt rather amateurish.’
“Gaaahhh.”
At that moment, hearing a scream from behind, I turned to see the body of another assassin who had been attacking Jin Seol slowly collapsing.
Jin Seol was slowly withdrawing a hidden blade from the assassin’s throat—one I had seen her use at an inn before.
As her blade was withdrawn, blood began gushing from the assassin’s neck, and by the volume, it was clear he would not last much longer.
I turned my gaze toward the last one—the tall assassin who had been directing his subordinates.
Then an unexpected scene caught my eye.
“Ahhhhh!”
The tall Black-Clad Assassin held a gleaming blade raised high, about to strike down at Noh Jae Won, who lay trembling on the ground with his legs shaking.
The long sword Noh Jae Won must have drawn had already slipped from his grasp during the struggle and lay some distance away, while his face had turned deathly pale.
“Young Master Noh, fall back!”
At that moment, Im Yun Gyeom rushed to help Noh Jae Won, charging in from behind the Black-Clad Assassin and unleashing a pair of palm strikes.
It was one of the martial techniques of the Im Clan, specifically the Wind and Thunder Overwhelming Palm that Im Yun Gyeom showcased as his signature move.
Despite his massive frame, his movements were swift and concise, appearing quite formidable—
Clang!!
The Black-Clad Assassin’s internal energy was equally formidable, and when he pivoted his body to unleash a fierce and powerful sword strike, Im Yun Gyeom’s palm force scattered instantly.
Im Yun Gyeom was sent flying backward with tremendous force, and from his perspective, it was fortunate that he had only sustained severe injuries rather than being cleaved in two by the Black-Clad Assassin’s blade.
Following him, Gong Son Hui also gripped a longsword firmly with both hands and attempted a fatal strike aimed at the Black-Clad Assassin’s flank.
Yet he too was sent flying backward, his attack rendered futile by the Black-Clad Assassin’s sword strike.
The Black-Clad Assassin stood with his sword raised, looking down at the three young masters sprawled on the ground.
Now I realized that as my subordinates were sent flying in an instant, he had shifted his target to the easier prey nearby, intending to finish them off first.
Or perhaps from the beginning, his plan had been to kill them while his subordinates kept me occupied.
It was the moment when the Black-Clad Assassin raised his sword to strike down and end the life of Gong Son Hui, who lay closest to him in agony.
Screeeech!
A saber flew from behind the Black-Clad Assassin with a terrifying momentum, piercing through his body.
It was the Heavenly Destruction Saber that I had unleashed toward the Black-Clad Assassin by drawing upon every ounce of my Hyeon Ma Nae Hyang Sim Gong’s power.
I had not yet reached the level where I could manifest a blade wind to cut distant enemies like Yu Gwan Ji had done.
“…?”
The Black-Clad Assassin froze mid-motion, his eyes widening in disbelief as he stared down at the blade tip protruding from his chest, having pierced through his back.
The sword he had been holding clattered to the ground.
Arriving at his back at that precise moment, I grasped the saber’s hilt and, sweeping my left foot against his body, retrieved the blade.
As blood fountained from the Black-Clad Assassin’s body, the three young masters, still rolling on the ground in a daze, struggled to lift their heads and look toward me.
Noh Jae Won’s lower garments were soaked as if he had lost control of his bladder.
“Are any of you injured?”
In their eyes as they gazed upon me, fear and relief, respect and dread mingled together, radiating an enigmatic light.

* * *
In the Ilwol Great Hall, the Sect Leader and the leadership of Chong Dan sat gathered with grave expressions.
The young masters of the Four Great Families sat across from them, their expressions vacant—still intoxicated, or rather, still unable to escape the terror of the previous night.
This venue was originally meant to be a place where the leadership of Chong Dan would welcome these guests, but the incident of last night had complicated matters considerably.
When assassins appeared in droves at the banquet where the Minor Sect Leader and the young masters of the Divine Sect’s prominent families had gathered, it would have been strange if the situation were not grave.
The Sect Leader spoke in a cold voice.
“Have the identities of the assassins still not been revealed?”
The Baek Ho Palace Master, who had been assigned to investigate this incident, bowed his head as he answered.
“All of those who still had life in them suffered seizures and died before a thorough investigation could begin at dawn….”
“Then have you at least determined the method of poisoning?”

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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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