The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 80

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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 080
Counterattack
At this moment, I was pouring all my concentration into observing my opponent’s movements and stance, searching for openings to exploit in an instant.
While defending against Do Gyo Du’s attacks, I wasn’t simply batting away the wooden sword—
Whoosh!
I visualized the follow-up movements in my mind and executed my defensive techniques with measured precision.
It was an exceptionally difficult maneuver that required me to simultaneously consider my opponent’s stance after the defense, the balance of their force, and the subsequent techniques that would follow.
“Ugh….”
However, had I been overthinking?
I had successfully blocked Do Gyo Du’s sword strike with my wooden blade, but because the tip didn’t rebound as far as I’d envisioned, all the follow-up movements I’d mapped out in my mind fell apart.
Before I could even attempt my counterattack, Do Gyo Du’s sword thrust into the opening I’d created, leaving my unguarded flank completely exposed.
Had this been real combat, that single mistake would have dealt me a fatal wound.
I’d gained some confidence after destroying the seventh-tier puppet last time, but clearly the path to mastery was not an easy one.
If a person’s flaws could be corrected simply by hearing a single word from someone else, there would be no such thing as a master in this world.
“Shall we try once more? Do Gyo Du?”
As I repositioned myself and prepared to continue, Do Gyo Du’s expression seemed unusual.
“Hmm….”
“Do Gyo Du, what is the matter?”
Do Gyo Du, who had been lost in serious contemplation for a moment, finally lifted his head.
As he looked at me and opened his mouth, his expression suggested he had realized something.
“Minor Sect Leader, forgive my presumption, but watching your movements just now, something came to mind.”
“Something came to mind? What do you mean?”
“I am not entirely certain, but perhaps… I may have glimpsed a way to elevate your martial prowess to the next level….”
Just as I was becoming intrigued by Do Gyo Du’s words, an unexpected voice called out.
“Minor Sect Leader!”
Turning my head, I saw people approaching from across the Training Grounds, calling out to me.
Leading the group at the front was a middle-aged man dressed in fine silk robes.
The face seemed familiar—it was Im Myeong Woon, whom I had seen about a year ago at a gathering of the Five Great Families.
Im Myeong Woon was the Family Head of the Im Clan, one of the Five Great Families, and had been the one who had actively raised concerns about the Sect Headquarters’ financial troubles during that meeting, putting both the Sect Leader and the Wol In Palace Master in a difficult position.
He was also the father of Im Yun Gyeom, who should have been undergoing physical training with Young Ho Bin at this very moment.
‘So he has finally arrived.’
I had already heard that the Family Heads of the Five Great Families would be arriving soon.
It appeared that Im Family Head had been the first to reach the Sect Headquarters, but his arrival before me was far sooner than I had anticipated.
Whatever Im Yun Gyeom had told him, it was clear that upon realizing the urgency of the situation, he had dropped everything and rushed to find me.
“Im Family Head, it has been quite some time.”
“Minor Sect Leader, I am overjoyed to see you in good health. Ah, I have heard that my inadequate son has been receiving your guidance. I trust he has not caused you any trouble?”
“The training? That is all being done for the future of the Main Sect, so there is no trouble to speak of.”
Shortly after, Im Family Head arrived before me and Do Gyo Du, offering a respectful bow with a smile on his face.
To put it kindly, it was “respectful,” but given Im Family Head’s status, it would not have been strange to describe his posture as servile.
I pretended not to notice his demeanor and asked him a question.
“Yes, what brings you here so early in the morning?”
“I heard you were in training, so I brought some refreshments. It’s quite warm today, isn’t it?”
The Im Family Head, now wearing the gentle demeanor of a docile lamb with a smile plastered across his face, bore no resemblance to the man who had glared at me before the Sect Leader merely a year ago.
It was inevitable, really.
Recalling the day I had wielded my “listening leadership,” and everything Im Yun Gyeom had confessed about his family’s vulnerabilities, I understood perfectly.
The Im Family Head, like the other heads of the Five Great Families, had been embezzling the Sect’s assets to line his own pockets.
Beyond that, he committed shameful acts every night—deeds so sordid that they defied description.
It was remarkable that Im Yun Gyeom even knew of his father’s such depravities.
After confessing these facts, Im Yun Gyeom had even voluntarily submitted evidence.
Word of this had surely reached the Im Family Head, so his complete reversal in attitude toward me was entirely natural.
“You’re right, the weather is indeed quite hot. I wonder if summer is arriving earlier this year.”
“Yes, it… What are you all doing? Hurry up!”
At the Im Family Head’s command, his attendants unloaded small folding chairs from the bundles they carried on their backs.
There were two chairs in total.
One near me, and one near the Im Family Head.
I sat in the chair placed near me and spoke to Do Gyo Du.
“Do Gyo Du, why don’t you sit and rest for a moment?”
“Pardon?”
“Sit there.”
I gestured toward the chair positioned near the Im Family Head.
Both the Im Family Head and Do Gyo Du were left bewildered.
There was only one remaining chair, which meant if Do Gyo Du sat, the Im Family Head would have to stand.
“What are you doing?”
“That is….”
“Do Gyo Du, sit down at once. Didn’t the Minor Sect Leader just say so!”
The quick-witted Im Family Head promptly urged Do Gyo Du to take the seat.
Do Gyo Du, flustered and uncertain, had no choice but to sit in the remaining chair.
I stood motionless, watching the Im Family Head—who was internally seething with frustration—with an unwavering gaze.
“Your family’s young master will work up quite a sweat on such a hot day.”
“Ah, that rascal was raised with such indulgence… I worry whether he can properly keep up with your training, Minor Sect Leader.”
“Do you have only one son?”
“Yes, Minor Sect Leader. Yun Gyeom is my only son.”
“How precious a son he must be. You must be worried he might get injured during training.”
“Hehehehe.”
“Didn’t you say you brought refreshments?”
“Oh my, where is my mind….”
The Im Family Head, perspiring profusely, quickly snatched a bottle of cold water and a cup from his attendant.
He offered the cup with both hands respectfully, then bowed his head as he poured water into it.
“Ah, this is refreshing.”
Cold water drunk after exertion tasted more invigorating than ever.
Is this what victory tastes like?
As I drained half my water cup, the Im Family Head began to stammer out his words.
“Um, Minor Sect Leader, sir, when will the training for the Four Great Families’ disciples end…?”
I had originally planned to conclude the training in about five days, but I changed my mind.
“The trainees’ progress has been sluggish. According to Young Ho, the instructor says we need at least ten more days.”
“Ah…”
“Let me see what I can do. Let’s wrap it up in about five days.”
“If you would do that for us, I would be truly grateful.”
As the Im Family Head made this request, beads of sweat dripped down his face, anxious not to offend me in any way.
I fixed my gaze on the folding fan he held in his hand and spoke.
“There’s not a breath of wind—it’s even hotter.”
“…?”
“I wonder if a breeze might come from somewhere…?”
The Im Family Head gritted his teeth and forced a smile, then snapped open his fan with a flourish.
He then began to wave the fan gently, holding it respectfully in both hands.
“Minor Sect Leader, sir, is this better?”
“I’ve perspired quite a bit. I wish the breeze were a little stronger.”
“Is, is it not acceptable now, sir?”
“No, perhaps a bit gentler. This is just right.”
“Yes, yes.”
The Im Family Head continued to force a smile, but inside, he must have wanted to weep.
Here stood one of the Five Great Families’ heads, who once wielded considerable influence within the Sect, now standing beside the Minor Sect Leader and fanning him.
Comparing how our circumstances had reversed 180 degrees in mere days, I felt an urge to laugh.
But I maintained a composed expression and spoke to Do Gyo Du, seated in the chair across from me.
“Do Gyo Du, what were you about to say earlier?”
“Ah, it was nothing of great importance.”
“If it’s not a secret matter, do share it.”
“Then, if I may be so bold, I would suggest that the Minor Sect Leader consider learning counter-attack techniques.”
“Counter-attack techniques?”
Recently, I had been absorbed in studying how to respond to an opponent’s attacks, but truthfully, I had never given much thought to counter-attack techniques.
To be precise, even while training in martial arts until now, I had not known well whether such counter-attack techniques even existed.
“Yes. From what I observe, the Minor Sect Leader possesses keen concentration and sensitivity in responding to an opponent’s attacks, but it seems you struggle to follow through with a counter due to insufficient practical experience. I believe that by mastering counter-attack techniques, you could ascend to an even higher level of martial prowess.”
“Hmm… what do you think, Im Family Head?”
“Indeed, there is no question about it. Unintentionally observing from a distance, I arrived at the same conclusion. Since most of the Main Sect’s martial techniques are purely offensive in nature, learning counter-attack techniques to supplement them would allow the Minor Sect Leader to fully unleash your formidable inner power. Yes, absolutely.”
Do Gyo Du’s suggestion sounded quite plausible even to my limited martial knowledge.
My weakness lies in failing to deliver flexible counters adapted to an opponent’s attacks in real combat.
But as Do Gyo Du said, my ability to observe an opponent’s attacks with concentration and respond sensitively is not lacking.
This is likely a result of my introverted nature subtly influencing my martial practice.
If I were to intensively learn counter-attack techniques, I could maximize my strengths while dramatically compensating for my weaknesses.
The question was whether the Sun and Moon Divine Sect possessed suitable counter-attack techniques for me to learn.
…Wait, look at that—the Im Family Head is trying to subtly stop fanning himself?

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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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