The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 82

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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 082
The Hearing (2)
Not only that, but the entire Council Chamber, which had been filled with praise for the Minor Sect Leader, fell silent as if cold water had been poured over it.
Everyone stood dumbfounded with their mouths shut and eyes wide open, staring at the Minor Sect Leader.
The expressions of the Four Great Families’ Family Heads, who had been competing to show loyalty before the Minor Sect Leader, were particularly grave.
They looked anxious, wondering if they had made some mistake or what had displeased the Minor Sect Leader.
In this tense atmosphere, the Minor Sect Leader swept his authoritative gaze across the hall and spoke in a stern voice.
“I am greatly disappointed in the Family Heads of the Five Great Families. Not only you, but the Sect Leader himself and the leadership of our headquarters have taken precious time to gather here—and the only questions you have for me are these trivial matters?”
Throughout the hearing, only two people remained silent, with no one else daring to speak or raise objections.
Baek Mu Myeong, the Sect Leader, had been sitting with a displeased expression since the hearing began.
When the Minor Sect Leader spoke seriously and rebuked the Family Heads of the Four Great Families, he quietly raised the corners of his mouth.
Dongbang Cheon, on the other hand, had been gazing into empty space with a quiet smile until now, but at this very moment, he was observing the Minor Sect Leader with a very serious expression.
“I entered this hearing with the hope that I would not only reflect on the mistakes I have made thus far, but also identify my shortcomings and work to improve them. Yet you merely watch my expression and speak only pleasant words—as Family Heads of the Five Great Families who are to lead our Main Sect, you should be ashamed!”
The nature of the hearing was becoming increasingly strange.
I thought it was turning into a praise festival contrary to its original purpose, but now the Minor Sect Leader himself, the subject of this verification, was stepping forward and demanding that they do this properly.
However, no one could have known that this was exactly the picture the Minor Sect Leader had envisioned from the beginning.
“Im Family Head.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Starting with you, we shall begin again from the beginning.”
“Ah… Yes! I understand.”
“I hope you will not disappoint me this time.”
Im Myeong Woon, receiving the Minor Sect Leader’s cold gaze, rolled his eyes with a troubled expression.
The tension enveloping the hall reached its peak, and all eyes turned toward Im Myeong Woon.
Someone’s dry swallow echoed loudly through the chamber.
After a long moment, Im Myeong Woon finally opened his mouth with difficulty, and as if he had resolved himself, he suddenly shouted toward the Minor Sect Leader.
“Minor Sect Leader… your temperament is far too rough and violent—that is the problem!”
As if signaled by those words, the Council Chamber began to murmur once more.
“Frankly… one cannot find a shred of compassion or sympathy in you. Do you truly have warm blood flowing through your veins?”
The executives of the headquarters finally showed the expression of those who had been waiting for this moment.
The Minor Sect Leader’s cruel and savage nature was well-known, and while no one doubted his ability or talent, if he had a weakness, this was it.
By the Minor Sect Leader’s provocation, the hearing was finally beginning to resemble an actual hearing.
The question now was how the Minor Sect Leader, with such character flaws, would accept this situation and what explanation he would offer.
But at this very moment.
“Im Family Head….”
For Baek Yeon, whose greatest goal was to play the role of an introverted, kind-hearted yet cruel Minor Sect Leader,
Knowing full well that the Sect Leader, the absolute authority of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, favored such tendencies in the Minor Sect Leader,
“Are you saying that I am a tyrant without mercy?”
These words sounded sweeter than any praise in the world.
I lowered my voice and asked Im Family Head once more.
“Tell me, Im Family Head. Is that what you wish to say?”
Im Family Head swallowed dryly, his eyes darting about frantically.
I’d pressured him into speaking, but now that he faced my gaze directly, he had no idea how to respond.
I recalled the conversation I’d had with Im Family Head days ago when he’d sought me out.
What I’d asked of him regarding this hearing was simple enough.
‘You’re free to criticize me however you see fit. It is your right, after all. But one thing….’
‘Yes, please speak.’
‘I’ve been criticized many times for my cruel and merciless nature, and I’ve reflected deeply on this failing.’
‘That… surely that cannot be true?’
‘You may speak honestly. I wish to use this hearing as an opportunity to openly acknowledge this flaw and begin correcting it.’
‘Minor Sect Leader, are you truly certain about this?’
‘Of course.’
Even as I’d said this, Im Family Head likely hadn’t truly believed me.
He probably lacked the courage to actually criticize the Minor Sect Leader’s character in such a setting.
So when the hearing began, he’d likely been too embarrassed to do anything but heap praise upon me.
The other Family Heads had probably coordinated the same response.
But then.
“That’s… that’s not what I meant….”
“Kang Family Head!”
“Yes, yes!?”
“You answer. Do you also believe my cruel nature makes me unfit to lead the Sect?”
“That is… well….”
“Answer me honestly!”
This came right after I’d grown serious and expressed my anger at seeing the hearing devolve into a praise festival rather than serve its intended purpose.
When things reached this point, my earlier words inevitably echoed back.
“If I may be so bold, I, Kang So-and-so, have something to say.”
“Speak freely.”
“Is it not true that the Minor Sect Leader has become an object of terror to many disciples?”
Yes, well done. Very well done.
I watched Kang Family Head speak with great courage the very words I’d truly wanted to hear, and I struggled to hide my satisfaction behind a pleased expression.
“It’s widely known that wherever the Minor Sect Leader goes, blood follows. The disciples who serve at his side live in fear of accidentally meeting his gaze. And that’s not all.”
“….”
“As the Minor Sect Leader’s martial prowess grows, so does the disciples’ terror. Even Do Yul, the Minor Sect Leader’s martial arts instructor, has…. Do Yul!”
“Y-yes?”
Do Yul jumped to his feet, startled by Kang Family Head’s sudden call.
“I’ve heard that Do Yul broke bones while supervising the Minor Sect Leader’s training, and that the Minor Sect Leader manifested Cheon Ma and lunged at you. Is this true?”
“…Yes, it is.”
“There you have it. Can you deny it now?”
“But that was….”
Do Yul looked as though he was about to make excuses as I found myself cornered.
But when I met his gaze and shook my head, he swallowed his words and simply bowed.
As this unfolded, the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly suffused with the Minor Sect Leader’s terror.
It seemed that what had transpired between Do Yul Gyotdu and me was not widely known, save for a handful of the leadership who had witnessed that scene.
“Since we’re on the subject, I must speak to this as well!”
“Noh Family Head?”
“The disciples of our Noh Family, along with those of the Four Great Families, have become so terrified after meeting the Minor Sect Leader mere days ago that they’ve transformed into entirely different people. They’ve become wrecks! Minor Sect Leader, is this not excessive?”
“….”
As accusations against the disciples of the Four Great Families finally erupted, even the leadership of the Sect Headquarters, who had secretly favored the Minor Sect Leader, quietly shook their heads and clicked their tongues.
But I, the one directly involved, remained unmoved.
No—I was actually delighted.
With each condemnation of the Minor Sect Leader’s character, the Sect Leader’s satisfied smile deepened all the more.
After today, there would likely be no more unnecessary questions raised about the Minor Sect Leader’s disposition.
If anyone were to suggest in such circumstances that the Minor Sect Leader was actually a good person, or a timid introvert?
They would immediately be regarded as a fool.
I spoke with an air of genuine reflection, yet my heart swelled with profound satisfaction.
“I shall take your words to heart. I have come to reflect upon my past transgressions—the ruthlessness I displayed toward you disciples in pursuit of the Demonic Path’s dominion over Tianxia.”
From this day forward, I would continue to earn notoriety as the cruel successor of Cheon Ma, the merciless master of the Demonic Cult.
Until now, I had believed I had to become such a person merely to survive.
“However, I must make clear once more: when confronting those who obstruct the realization of our Main Sect’s grand ideals, or those immoral wretches who prey upon the lifeblood of the common people, I shall show not a shred of mercy.”
Yet without my realizing it, I had begun to contemplate why I—who had once died—had been granted life again in this world, and the greater purpose that lay before me.
It was a transformation so vast that even I found it difficult to believe.
“This shall remain true even after I ascend to the position of Sect Leader.”
With my words, the hearing began to draw toward its close.
Then, a man who had sat silently listening until that moment finally spoke.
“I have heard your words well, Minor Sect Leader. Through this hearing, I have come to understand something of your character. Yet a truly important matter remains.”
When Dongbang Cheon opened his mouth, the atmosphere in the hall shifted once more.
The practical leader of the Five Great Families, and the only master capable of standing against the Sect Leader Family who controls the Divine Sect—his turn had finally arrived.
“Minor Sect Leader, I am not fond of idle talk. I understand you share a similar disposition.”
“…That is correct.”
“What I wish to confirm from you is but one thing: whether your martial prowess possesses the qualifications to lead the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.”
Dongbang Cheon spoke as though he had been waiting for this very moment all along, his gaze piercing into mine.
“I wish to verify your abilities firsthand.”

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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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