Chapter 56
Chapter 56
Translator: Penny
Chapter 56
The method to cure a disciple whose demonic power had run wild was simple:
Just sever his neck.
These beings were insensitive to pain, capable of moving even with severed limbs, but they could not survive decapitation.
Yet, they kidnapped innocent people, trained them, fed them elixirs, raised them, taught them demonic arts, and armed them...
How many years did it take to raise them, and how much money did it cost?
The Heavenly Demon had once concluded that it was a waste to let such talent go to waste.
This was how the Bongshimgong (Heart-Sealing Art) was created.
A blood-sealing technique that forcibly blocked the six meridians through which energy flowed, suppressing rampant demonic power.
But it was not a panacea.
Once a disciple had entered a state of true demonic possession, he could never be healed. To prevent further damage, he had to be destroyed.
Furthermore, once demonic energy had invaded the brain, recovery was difficult. Even if the demonic energy was sealed, those with completely destroyed minds were likely to become imbeciles and lose their reason.
Fortunately, Mujin hadn't missed his chance. The attack Zhuge Munhyeon had used on Mujin after being struck and rolling was none other than the Bongshimgong.
"Ugh..."
Mujin's movements froze as the flow of demonic power was blocked.
Consumed by the devil, he could no longer move, having drawn out and consumed even part of his source.
Now, the last one...
Zhuge Munhyeon rose wearily and slowly approached Mujin.
"Ugh..."
Mujin looked up at him, his shoulders slumped and his bloodshot eyes fading.
I hope his mind is sound.
That couldn't be confirmed yet.
The demonic power had been suppressed, but not completely eliminated.
Only after the Wudang Sect healed his body through cultivation would it be possible to confirm.
Phew!
"Ugh."
As the final meridian was blocked, Mujin collapsed helplessly, his eyes closed.
"Ha..."
Zhuge Munhyeon, having exhausted all his strength, collapsed beside him.
This is tough. I feel like my whole body is going to break apart.
It felt as if all the internal pain he had been suppressing by gritting his teeth was now flooding back at once.
"Munhyeon-ah!"
Zhuge Munho was the first to rush over.
He supported and embraced Zhuge Munhyeon's body, his expression radiating pride.
"Well done. Good work."
"..."
He wanted to speak to him as he patted his back while hugging him.
This dog... Because of whom... And I couldn't even get any help... Do you even know what hardship is?
But all he could hear was a groan.
Just wait and see. I will definitely get revenge.
Meanwhile, the Wudang elders and Yeonghwa arrived and examined Mujin's body.
They took his pulse and checked, but merely tilted their heads with a bewildered expression.
Look at it for a hundred days. Can you find the seal containing the essence of the demonic art?
Judging by the way Yeonghwa looked at him, he could tell he had a lot to ask, but he quickly sorted things out.
"Let's move them to the main building first."
"Okay."
Mujin was carried by the elders, and Zhuge Munhyeon was carried on Zhuge Munho's back.
His steps were light, as if he were saying, "Oh my, how could I leave my younger brother to a Wudang disciple's back?" But what Zhuge Munhyeon wanted to say to him remained the same as always.
This dog...
Jinbu Hermitage.
The bitter scent of grass roots brushed his nose, seeping deep into his lungs. Somewhere nearby, the earthy aroma mingled with the harsh scent of tree bark, causing him to grimace.
But the Hyeoncheonbirok remained clutched in his arms.
He struggled to stay conscious, fearing that if he lost consciousness, they would search his body for medicine or something.
"It's called Hoshimtang (Heart-Protecting Soup)."
"..."
"I asked, and they said it contained all sorts of herbs. They said it was the essence of the Wudang Sect."
Zhuge Munho, who was always smiling brightly, carefully placed a spoonful of the herbal medicine into Munhyeon's mouth.
How sincere... But who knows how to forgive? See you next training. I'll keep rolling him until he makes a really loud noise.
... With that determination, Zhuge Munhyeon devoured the Hoshimtang with great gusto.
Isn't it good for my body? They say it's the essence of the Wudang Sect... Well, they said it contained good herbs, and indeed, it makes me feel very strong.
"Are they outside?"
"Huh."
"Who's here?"
"That's... they're all here."
"All?"
"Yes. From the Sect Leader to the elders. The courtyard is packed."
"Huh, you must be really tired."
He felt like he had been wandering around for a while.
"Daoist Mujin hasn't come to his senses yet, so everyone is worried."
"That's right. His core has been damaged."
"But how on earth did you do it?"
"What?"
"I'm talking about Daoist Mujin. It seems the Sect Leader had been watching him the whole time, but they just shook their heads."
"Okay?"
"Huh."
That's worth it. The Bongshimgong was a martial art treated as a top secret even within the Demonic Cult. If that crazy disciple were to escape to the Central Plains and get captured, various secrets might be revealed, causing trouble. The Wudang Sect probably wouldn't even guess. It's not exactly a demonic art, but rather a blood-suppression technique, so there's nothing to find fault with. No matter how skilled the doctor is, they'll never be able to figure out what it is. It's useless to try and see the flow by pushing energy in for a hundred days. Because before you can even try to move with the flow, you'll be stuck and have nowhere to go. They might be worried about their disciple, but they're also likely curious about how he subdued his body.
"Hey, Munhyeon. I hope you've recovered somewhat..."
"You called?"
"Yeah. Everyone's curious. I don't think it's polite to keep them waiting so long."
After pondering Zhuge Munho's words for a moment, Zhuge Munhyeon rose to his feet.
It's heavy.
This was because his wound had not yet fully healed.
Zhuge Munhyeon sat propped against the wall, wrapped in a blanket, and addressed him.
"Tell them to come in—only the Sect Leader and the Master of Yuzhen Palace."
"Just the two of them?"
"Yes."
"Understood."
After a while, Zhuge Munho took the empty medicine bowl and went outside.
"I'll go in now," Yu Gilcheon, the Wudang Sect Leader, said with dignified permission. He opened the door and entered.
"I haven't fully recovered yet... Please forgive my rudeness."
"Isn't there a saying that 'the sick bear no fault'? It's alright, so don't push yourself too hard."
"Thank you."
"We should be the ones thanking you, Young Master. Isn't that right?"
Yeonghwa, who had arrived according to Yu Gilcheon's instructions, nodded.
"Yes, Sect Leader. I've received more than a little help from Munhyeon."
"Yes."
Yu Gilcheon, with a gentle smile, looked at Zhuge Munhyeon with kind eyes.
"First of all, thank you for finding the Clear Yang Sword of the Virtuous Celestial Grand Ancestor. And providing the remains makes me even more grateful. On behalf of all of Wudang, I offer my thanks."
"Don't worry about it. It was something I had to do."
"No, no. Not everyone can show such meticulousness."
"..."
"Perhaps the remains of the patriarch?"
"You're right. He was upright."
"I see. What do you think?"
"He looked so comfortable and without any worries."
"I see. I'm so glad he had someone like you to be with him until the end."
Yu Gilcheon looked genuinely grateful, and Yeonghwa couldn't help but feel proud.
He burst out laughing out of embarrassment.
I am the very same Heavenly Demon you call the Evil Fiend...
"I heard you have a connection to Yeongmun."
"Yes. Thanks to my uncle's blessings, I am growing up healthy."
"Huh, huh. I'm truly grateful you said that. I was too immoral to see to the Zhuge Clan's plight, but to be of such great help simply through a personal connection..."
Zhuge Munhyeon, who had been pondering those words for a moment, replied with a smile.
"There is no such thing as big or small in fate, and the Zhuge Clan cherishes them all."
"I see."
A look of shame appeared on Yu Gilcheon's face as he nodded.
It was self-reproach.
Even though they shouted that they belonged to the same Orthodox Faction, they kept their distance, calling each other worldly fools. Though physically close, they isolated themselves from the Zhuge Clan and allowed it to crumble.
As expected... I did well to think deeply before speaking. That was a pretty cool statement. So now.
"Do you have any questions?"
"Huh?"
"Weren't you curious about Mujin's condition and how he was subdued?"
"Hmm..."
When he pointed it out, Yu Gilcheon's face hardened slightly before relaxing.
"That's right. I should sincerely repay you for what you've done for the Wudang Sect, but before that, I'd like to ask: What method did you use? I'm so lacking that I couldn't figure it out."
"..."
He pondered for a moment.
He couldn't explain the Bongshimgong.
No matter how much he swore he wouldn't live as a Demonic Cultist anymore, he had to keep the secret.
That's right.
"I planted a formation in his body."
"...huh?"
Yu Gilcheon's and Yeonghwa's eyes widened simultaneously.
They probably never expected such an answer.
Actually, I just thought of it. I really had nothing to say in response. And because I keep lying, it's over. If this continues, I might not become the best person in the world, but the best conman in the world.
"W-What do you mean by formation? What does that mean? Can formations be applied to a human body?"
"That is the greatness of the Zhuge Clan's formations."
"Ah..."
He seemed impressed, but he didn't quite understand.
If these words hadn't come from Zhuge Munhyeon's mouth, they would have been dismissed as laughable and unheard of.
But!
"Ultimately, formations are formed around an axis. Even the human body can activate formations by properly aligning its axes."
"Huh! How could that happen...?"
He might want to say it's impossible.
But what could they do if the elders, including Yeonghwa, saw it with their own eyes and it was the person involved who said it?
Do you know the rules? If I do that, then it's definitely like that.
"Can you explain in detail?"
"That won't work?"
"What?"
"I consider the Wudang Sect to be family, but I cannot reveal the secrets of my family."
"Hmm..."
There was no rebuttal.
Why was it called a secret art?
It was a secret, and even the Wudang Sect didn't teach it to outsiders. No, even if they were disciples of the main temple, they only taught it to those who had permission.
"However, I can explain that I planted an axis within Daoist Mujin's body and activated a formation to confine the rampaging demonic power."
"I see..."
The two could only nod.
"By any chance, are there any side effects to the method you used?"
"..."
At Yu Gilcheon's words, Zhuge Munhyeon opened his eyes and glared at him with a sullen expression.
"Side... ef... fects... is that right?"
As he emphasized each character, Yu Gilcheon wore an embarrassed expression.
It's like he saved me from drowning and now he's asking me to hand over my bundle? That's how it must have sounded. There's no way a virtuous person of the highest rank could have failed to notice this. He'll think I've become a shameless person.
"Wow, I never thought the Sect Leader of the Wudang family, whom I considered family, would say something like that."
"Hey, hey. That's... That's not what I meant..."
"Side effects... Oh, really."
He pouted in annoyance, while the other man looked embarrassed and glanced at Yeonghwa.
Help me.
Immeasurable Life Buddha...
Hey!
'Immeasurable Life Buddha...'
'Priest, is this really going to happen?'
'Immeasurable Life Buddha...'
Judging by their expressions, it seemed they were exchanging some kind of inner thoughts.
Let's leave it at this for now. Pushing too hard would only backfire.
"Ha. Well, I guess it's understandable to be worried."
"Oh, that's right. Please understand that I had no intention of blaming you."
"Yes, yes. I understand."
"Thank you. I really mean it."
The Sect Leader, the leader of the martial arts school representing Hubei, was sweating bullets.
This is how to behave when you have the upper hand. It's skill.
"Anyway, since you asked, I'll answer. Mujin was on the brink of a demonic trance. He was fortunate enough to control his demonic energy, but if that energy had already flowed to his brain... even if he were to awaken, he wouldn't be able to maintain his full consciousness."
"Then?"
"He'd become an imbecile."
"Ah..."
Yu Gilcheon, unable to conceal his despair, muttered as if sighing, "That evil spirit of the Heavenly Demon... even in death, he continues to torment the Wudang Sect."
"..."
Hey, why is the story going this way? This is really it. I was prepared to die and saved him.
"Sect Leader."
"Speak."
"Is that the Heavenly Demon's fault?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't dismiss the Daoist's fault in failing to control his greed. How long will you continue to blame others?"
"..."
The Sect Leader's expression darkened at the stinging words.
How rude. Since I was being scolded by the head of the family, I deserved it. But now, I'm in a position where I can do anything because I brought him the Clear Yang Sword and even saved his disciple!
Now that we're on the subject, let's talk about this, you guys. What did I do so wrong?! No one died because of me, but you're making me out to be a bad person just by recording it. Even if it's not a Buddhist sect but a Taoist one, why are those who eat the same vegetables and rice so lacking in understanding and consideration?
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny