Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Facing the Ancient Martial Venerable
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“......!”
Dang Hari n's pupils filled with shock as she listened to the conversation between Hyeok Mulin and Dang Ilgeuk.
The Heavenly Demon?
Was he talking about the leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult that she knew?
At those words, a memory flashed back of encountering him once before at an inn.
She had sensed something out of the ordinary about him even then, but she never dreamed he wielded the power to casually crush her clan's Third Elder and Black Tiger Squad—let alone that he was the Heavenly Demon.
'To think that guy is the current Heavenly Demon, Hyeok Mulin...'
Dang Hari n firmly imprinted his face in her eyes.
Unlike before, this time the shock made it unforgettable.
But while Dang Hari n reeled inwardly, Dang Ilgeuk surprisingly nodded in acceptance.
"I see. I've heard the rumors. The current Heavenly Demon is remarkably young."
He had heard that the head of the Hyeok Clan, barely past thirty, had been elevated as leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
It had even stirred some unrest among the righteous factions for a time.
To think it was the very man from those tales.
"Hmm. At that age, with such divine prowess, he deserves to be the Heavenly Demon."
Dang Ilgeuk gave a slight nod.
He had been baffled at how Jong Seo survived the Wandering White Bone Powder unscathed, but if it was the Heavenly Demon, it all made sense.
As Dang Ilgeuk affirmed it, Dang Hari n shook off her fluster and refocused on their exchange.
A meeting between the Ancient Martial Venerable and the Heavenly Demon.
A ferocious clash that could cleave the martial world in two wouldn't have been out of place.
As she swallowed hard in tense anticipation, Hyeok Mulin spoke first.
"Have you come for revenge?"
The Sacheon Dang Clan's Third Elder and Black Tiger Squad striking first on a civilian battlefield was undoubtedly cowardly.
But the jianghu never strictly prioritized chivalry.
With the Sacheon Dang Clan's standing—and that of an Ancient Martial Venerable—they could easily flip the narrative and pin the blame.
Yet Dang Ilgeuk denied Hyeok Mulin's question.
"No such intent. Even without dissecting alliances, my clan's fault is plain enough."
Fortunately, Dang Ilgeuk wasn't the type to shift blame.
He even went on to praise Hyeok Mulin.
"You tied up the loose ends impeccably. Nothing left for us to handle."
"Escalation wouldn't serve either side."
"True enough. Let's call this matter settled here."
The dispute between the Sacheon Dang Clan and Mangeum Battlefield.
Dang Ilgeuk declared an end to that bloody shadow war.
But his words weren't finished.
"Just one thing I'd like to ask."
His tone flowed evenly as ever, yet the edge sharpened like a barbed hook.
"The Demonic Cult reaching into Sichuan... Does that mean interest in the Central Plains?"
"......"
Hyeok Mulin fell silent briefly, letting the moments drift by at leisure.
As owls scattered with frantic wingbeats toward their nests, he finally replied.
"Not particularly."
A terse response, but as telling as any elaboration.
Dang Ilgeuk nodded at Hyeok Mulin.
"I see."
This back-and-forth had been his aim from the outset. With no regrets, he rose slowly from the boulder.
He had lingered here solely from curiosity over Mangeum Battlefield's backer. Knowing it was the Heavenly Demon on a mere whim left nothing more to say.
As he pushed off the ground, he glanced at Hyeok Mulin.
"By the way, those are some extraordinary eyes you have."
"......"
"If you're ever in Sichuan again, drop by."
With that farewell, Dang Ilgeuk turned and departed at an unhurried pace.
Dang Hari n offered Hyeok Mulin a light bow before following suit.
They receded gradually until they vanished entirely from Hyeok Mulin's sight.
"Huu......"
Hyeok Mulin exhaled the breath he'd held.
To any onlooker, it would seem a perfectly even conversation.
But the reality had been a tightrope over sword edges, tension unrelenting.
'As expected of an Ancient Martial Venerable.'
Including his past life, it had been ages since facing one.
He betrayed no presence whatsoever, yet pressure constricted from every direction, instinctive and suffocating.
His senses rebelled against control; only the Pure Soul Divine Demon Art had vigilantly braced on its own.
Even that tolled endless alarms in his presence.
'And he even spotted the fleeting Divine Demon Eyes.'
He might not grasp their nature fully, but detecting the activation alone was insight beyond measure.
Yet even peering through Divine Demon Eyes, Hyeok Mulin couldn't pierce Dang Ilgeuk's depths.
Veiled poison like thick fog shrouded him entirely, defying any scan of his frame.
Small wonder the title rang true.
"Dang Ilgeuk......"
Post-regression, he stood leagues beyond the other experts encountered thus far.
Perhaps the swift gains from new arts and relentless training had bred complacency.
Hyeok Mulin felt yanked back to harsh reality.
Tak tak!
With their departure, Ji Wolhon hurried over.
"Cult Leader, are you well?"
Hyeok Mulin shook his head and gazed skyward, lips curving faintly.
"The path ahead is still long."
Shin Gang Inner City.
A procession of carriages snaked through late at night.
No soul dared halt or hinder them.
At the Heavenly Demon Palace gates, the wheels ground to a halt.
Creak—
Hyeok Mulin alighted slowly and regarded the palace.
"I'm home."
In his previous life, it had been a bed of nails.
Now, no place felt more at ease.
A contented smile touched Hyeok Mulin's face.
"Heavenly Demon returns, myriad demons rejoice! Our heartfelt congratulations on the Cult Leader's homecoming!"
Cultists arrayed at the entrance bowed deeply, voices rising in unison.
From their midst, Sima Jin and Jang Wi emerged, faces alight with joy.
Spotting them, Hyeok Mulin spoke first.
"You've endured much. All quiet on your end?"
A reunion after months apart.
Central Plains dispatches had kept him informed, but direct inquiry and praise carried special weight.
"Yes. Nothing to trouble Your Excellency."
"Good to hear."
To Sima Jin's deferential reply, Hyeok Mulin continued with regret.
"Your labors these past months... I'd love to grant you leave."
...Love to?
Sima Jin latched onto the trailing note.
"Not possible...?"
"Can the pillars of our cult slip away so easily? Clear your tasks, and I'll grant half a day."
"Haha......"
Tears pricked at Sima Jin's eyes from the encouragement.
Half a day? Over before breaching the outer walls.
What kind of leave was that.
Back to work it was.
"I'll pass on the leave. Duties pending anyway—no time to wander."
Hyeok Mulin's lips quirked in satisfaction.
"As expected of my Deputy Strategist. I rest easy with you."
The smile drew a dopey grin from Sima Jin unbidden.
Glancing behind Hyeok Mulin, Sima Jin remarked.
"Those must be the Fengyang Divine Bow and Gwang Ui."
Pre-briefed by missive, the two additions stood out amid the group.
The bow-bearing figure was unique, and Gwang Ui's stitch-scarred features were infamous.
"Indeed. Our new companions going forward."
"Hm? Lord Ibi-ja aside, isn't Gwang Ui here just briefly for Dokgo Clan business?"
Hyeok Mulin replied with feigned nonchalance.
"What starts brief stretches to days, then a bit more... and suddenly it's forever."
"...You planned this from the outset."
"No coercion, mind you. But I won't let him slip away lightly."
"Understood. I'll make preparations."
Hyeok Mulin nodded, then turned to Jang Wi.
"Left Protector."
"Yes."
"Escort Lord Ibi-ja to suitable quarters. His arrangements to follow."
"At once."
Jang Wi whisked Ibi-ja away promptly.
At Hyeok Mulin's word, the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad dispersed naturally; Chosa Hyeon bowed curtly and withdrew.
Now only Hyeok Mulin, Gwang Ui, and Sima Jin remained.
Sima Jin moved to accompany the Cult Leader inside.
But as Hyeok Mulin and Gwang Ui lingered, he turned.
"...Cult Leader?"
Puzzlement flickered in Sima Jin's eyes; Hyeok Mulin shook his head.
"One stop first."
A detour before the palace, despite months away?
The question lingered briefly before Sima Jin pieced it together.
"......Ah."
Gwang Ui stood at the Cult Leader's side.
Fetching him had been the journey's true aim.
For worried parents, what news outranked word of their child?
A small gesture, yet profoundly touching.
Grasping the intent, Sima Jin bowed.
"Take your time."
"Will do."
Leaving the palace behind, Hyeok Mulin strolled the inner city with Gwang Ui.
Gwang Ui turned his head, taking in the sights.
"The Divine Cult lives up to its name. Streets aglow even at night."
"This is our heart. Venture out, and lights grow scarce."
Hyeok Mulin glanced at the sparsely lit outer city and the darkness beyond.
Yet his gaze held not pity, but hope.
'One day, they'll bask in the same glow.'
Resolve firm, he reached the Dokgo Clan manor.
The guards, forewarned, bowed and swung the gates wide.
"Let's head in."
"Hoo......"
Trailing Hyeok Mulin inside, Gwang Ui marveled openly, eyes roaming.
A grand compound from without, yet within lay pristine woods.
"No mere formation. Must've taken real effort."
Surveying further, Gwang Ui added.
"Defenses airtight. All Seven Great Demon Clans built like this?"
"No. Dokgo Clan aside, much like the Central Plains."
"Got it."
Gwang Ui sought directions.
"So where to now..."
"You've arrived."
Before he finished, a figure emerged ahead.
A man cloaked head to toe in black robes.
Dokgo Wi materialized from the mist.