The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 97

—————
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 097
Cheong Nan Guest Hall
“Are you truly certain about this?”
He still seemed unable to believe the conversation we had shared mere moments ago.
“It is already settled. There is nothing more to discuss.”
Upon hearing the name Yoon Dangjoo, I had harbored suspicions, but it turned out that Yun Jang Myeong was indeed Yun Tae Baek’s third son.
The expression on Yun Tae Baek’s face when I had seized Yoon Dangjoo and brought him to the Reception Hall remained vivid in my mind.
The renowned National Lord of the Ho Rim Escort Agency and his son had conspired to smuggle away the Black Sword Bandits that the Cheong Yun Merchant Group had captured.
Should this matter become known throughout Kangho, it would not merely result in disgrace—the consequences would be far more severe.
Had I wished, I could have easily leveraged this incident as leverage against the Ho Rim Escort Agency, using it to coerce continued dealings with the Cheong Yun Merchant Group.
“I shall regard today’s events as if they never occurred. Let us move past this matter.”
The moment those words left my lips, I could still vividly recall how their eyes had widened—men who had appeared as though death itself awaited them.
What must have been their thoughts when the Minor Sect Leader of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, known as a ruthless tyrant, held their weakness in his grasp yet chose to turn a blind eye?
Though it might seem as though I had suffered a loss, I harbored no regrets about my decision.
This was because I possessed absolute certainty that this choice would yield far greater returns in the future.
“It is simply….”
“…?”
“I had heard that the Ho Rim Shadowless Step of the Ho Rim Escort Agency was unparalleled throughout Kangho, yet it proved to be no mere rumor. Should the opportunity arise, I would very much like to witness it properly.”
“Hm….”
As we prepared to part ways, after exchanging farewells with the leadership of the merchant group, Yoon National Lord offered me a respectful fist salute and spoke.
“Minor Sect Leader. Though our meeting was brief, I have come to greatly admire you.”
“The sentiment is mutual, National Lord.”
“There is much more I wish to discuss. Before you return to the Sect Headquarters, I earnestly request that you visit our escort agency.”
“I shall do so.”
“Jang Myeong, what are you doing? Come and pay your respects to the Minor Sect Leader at once.”
“Yes… Father.”
Yun Jang Myeong’s face flushed crimson as he offered me a respectful fist salute, and then, as if that were insufficient, he bowed deeply in greeting.
I understood that his gesture contained both self-reproach for the grave mistake he had committed and gratitude toward me for allowing the matter to pass without consequence.
“Minor Sect Leader. Should you ever grant me the opportunity, I wish to repay this kindness.”
“Such a day shall surely come.”
The members of the Cheong Yun Merchant Group exchanged puzzled glances, but with that, our farewells were complete.
The dealings between the Ho Rim Escort Agency and the merchant group, which had continued unbroken since the company’s founding, had also come to an end.
Yet I understood something they did not.
“Gang Leader, you have labored greatly. It is unfortunate that matters did not proceed as hoped.”
“Do not despair excessively. This is far from over.”
I knew that this affair would absolutely not conclude at this juncture.
Soon enough, I would finish the conversation I had left incomplete with the Ho Rim Pyo Lord, just as he had suggested.
‘First, I must meet with him.’
As evening descended, I seized the moment when the Cheong Yun Merchant Group grew quiet and made my way to the tent erected in the center of the manor estate.
There, a man called Wang Martial Artist stood guard over the prisoners.
“Would you mind stepping aside for a moment?”
“Ah, yes… Of course, Minor Sect Leader.”
I approached one man among the many Black Sword Bandits.
The very person the Ho Rim Escort Agency’s lord had risked everything to extract.
If my intuition proved correct, this man held the crucial key to everything unfolding in Chengdu.
“What is your name?”
The man bore the marks of martial training, yet his face was gaunt from prolonged deprivation of food and rest.
“…I am called Seo Pil.”
Yet in the eyes that gazed up at me, I sensed an unmistakable aura—sharp, resolute, and unshakably composed.

* * *
Before the main gate of a dilapidated pavilion situated on the outskirts of Chengdu hung a wooden plaque bearing the name “Cheong Nan Guest Hall.”
With the map Jin Seol Vice Palace Master had sketched, finding this branch operated by Shaolin disciples proved effortless.
I stood at a distance, observing the man who guarded the entrance.
After standing there for some time, Baek So Cheong—who had insisted on following me despite my warnings—spoke up.
“Minor Sect Leader, what are you doing? You didn’t say we needed to meet anyone here, did you?”
“I am simply gathering my thoughts.”
In truth, I was deliberating how best to meet Hye Woon at the Cheong Nan Guest Hall.
The situation of a Minor Sect Leader from the Sun and Moon Divine Sect coming to meet a Shaolin disciple could easily appear highly suspicious to any observer.
Though I had been summoned here, I remained uncertain whether approaching Hye Woon directly was the wisest course.
“My lord, shall I go ahead and scout the situation?”
“No, there is no need. I shall go.”
Yet deliberation would yield no answers to this dilemma.
I could not turn back now.
Steeling myself, I walked toward the gate.
“How may we assist you?”
The man guarding the gate wore simple martial robes and a headwrap, yet his bearing unmistakably marked him as a Buddhist practitioner.
I cleared my throat before speaking.
“I have come to meet with Hye Woon.”
“!!”
The moment the man heard the name Hye Woon, his eyes widened in surprise.
Without responding, he turned his head toward the pavilion and gestured urgently.
Within mere seconds, several other men in similar attire came rushing out.
I exhaled slowly, muttering to myself.
“There is no need for such an elaborate reception…”
Yet the men offered no reply, instead scattering in all directions to encircle our party.
Their expressions and bearing radiated undisguised wariness and hostility.
Ill omens rarely proved mistaken.
“How do you know that name?”
“Reveal your identity.”
Among the seven men surrounding us, the most senior one questioned us in a threatening voice, while the man guarding the gate barked out orders as if issuing a warning.
The moment we were encircled by Shaolin monks, both Baek So Cheong and Young Ho Bin showed unmistakable signs of alarm.
In an atmosphere where a physical confrontation seemed imminent, I restrained the two of them and spoke.
“I am acquainted with Hye Woon. My identity is difficult to disclose.”
“Unwilling to reveal your identity? That makes this all the more suspicious. Jung Soon! Bind them.”
“Yes.”
Just how exalted was this Hye Woon’s status that merely mentioning his name warranted such restraint?
While it was absurd, it was equally unthinkable that the Minor Sect Leader of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect and his entourage would be captured by Shaolin disciples.
It was at the very moment I resolved to resort to force.
“Stand down, all of you.”
From beyond the main gate came a familiar voice—one that, even after so long, carried a clear and resonant depth.
The moment the men saw him walking slowly out, they froze in place like ice.
“S-Senior Brother! How do you come to be here yourself…?”
As he stepped beyond the main gate, all seven men visibly panicked, retreating several steps backward before respectfully clasping their fists together in front of them.
It was a perfect display of the position held by the young prodigy known as one of the Eight Divine Monks of Shaolin Temple.
Hye Woon, who soon reached me, appeared exactly as I remembered him.
A ruddy complexion, clear eyes and refined features, and beneath his headwrap, still that closely cropped hair….
“These two are my oldest friends. Everyone, please apologize for your rudeness and conduct yourselves with proper courtesy.”
These were Hye Woon’s words as he looked at me.
“Please forgive our rudeness.”
“Please forgive our rudeness.”
At his words, all seven men straightened their posture and bowed respectfully to our group.
Not in the Buddhist manner of palms pressed together, but in the martial tradition—fists clasped together in a martial salute.
My heart had already eased at that moment, but I deliberately gave Hye Woon a sidelong glance with a hint of sarcasm.
“Your method of receiving guests is quite refined. Truly befitting the patriarch of the martial world.”
“Ha ha. Our temple’s discipline is so strict that only those of confirmed identity are permitted entry to the guest hall, so regrettably we were forced to commit this rudeness.”
“Are you suggesting I should reveal my identity now?”
Without answering, Hye Woon suddenly stepped closer and abruptly pulled me into an embrace.
The eyes of the Shaolin disciples watching from the side grew wide as lanterns.
Baek So Cheong went even further, letting out a small gasp.
“You are my most honored guest, and that itself serves as proof of your identity.”
“…?”
“I invited you on short notice, and I am grateful you came so far.”
While I had not expected Hye Woon to turn me away, I certainly had not anticipated such a warm welcome, so I could not help but be taken aback.
Still, such physical contact felt burdensome, so I composed myself and pushed Hye Woon away.
“That’s enough. Please accept this instead.”
“What is this?”
I handed Hye Woon the small box that Young Ho Bin had been carrying.
Hye Woon received it and withdrew the gourd bottle from inside, tilting his head curiously.
“I brought some black tea made from tea leaves gathered near the Sect Headquarters. When I saw you last time, you seemed quite knowledgeable in the way of tea.”
“Tea?”
Hye Woon still wore a puzzled expression as he uncorked the gourd bottle.
At once, a fragrant and refreshing aroma wafted forth from within the vessel.
The disciples standing at a distance would not have detected it, but Hye Woon, holding the bottle, would have immediately discerned its true nature.
The pungent scent of Jiannanchun, the potent spirit renowned as Sichuan’s finest liquor.
“!!”
Hye Woon’s shoulders trembled slightly, and I could see his pupils quivering.
Yet he spoke with deliberately measured composure.
“Indeed… a most excellent tea. I shall savor it with care.”
“I knew you would appreciate it.”
“Heh heh.”
Hye Woon hastily recorked the bottle, either fearing the aroma might reach the other monks or reluctant to let such a precious fragrance escape, then placed it carefully behind him as though guarding it from theft.
Only then did he turn to regard my companions and me.
“Young Ho Martial Artist. It has been quite some time.”
“I trust you have been well, Venerable One?”
His gaze shifted to Baek So Cheong beyond Young Ho Bin, and his expression grew noticeably warmer.
“I am called Hye Woon. It appears the young lady is the beloved of Baek Young Master?”

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