Chapter 120
Chapter 120
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: Heavenly Tyrant Omen
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Cheon Paejo.
Leader of the Cheon Clan's Blazing Flame Demon Corps.
He had overcome countless hardships to rise to that position.
Originally not even a collateral branch member but a bastard from the sidelines, Cheon Paejo had shown exceptional talent in swordsmanship from a young age and claimed the role of corps leader through sheer skill alone.
And because of that background, people constantly tried to drag him down by grabbing at his ankles.
Yet in the end, he had firmly held the position of leader for over a decade.
The reason was simple.
Martial prowess.
The sole reason the main family acknowledged him, despite having no connections or wealth, was his overwhelmingly superior strength that stood out far above the rest.
So in a way, it was only natural that he had gained the upper hand against Hyeok An just moments ago.
'But...'
Facing Hyeok Mulin, he felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on his entire body.
It wasn't some strange sorcery; it was purely the immense pressure from the aura he exuded.
A crushing sense of intimidation, like a massive mountain pressing down from above.
And looking around, his bewilderment only grew.
Warriors who couldn't even keep up with his toes, and even ordinary cult members ignorant of martial arts—none of them were affected by the energy he emitted.
'He's concentrating the internal energy radiating from his entire body solely on me?'
A thought flashed through his mind, but at first, he couldn't believe it.
If it were that easy, everyone would do it.
But it was impossible for most, which was why they couldn't.
Recoiling dispersed internal energy and condensing it into a single point required profound enlightenment—a ghostly, elusive technique.
In this unbelievable situation, Cheon Paejo gritted his teeth against the pressure, but the force pressing down on him only intensified.
In the end, he suffered internal injuries, blood streaming from his nose as he lost control of his body.
Thud.
Finally, he dropped to both knees.
Not by his own will, but by the Cult Leader's.
The rumors had been child's play.
The Cult Leader he now faced was a powerhouse far beyond even those tales.
His achievements were awe-inspiring, even accounting for his age.
Cheon Paejo couldn't hide his shock at the level Hyeok Mulin had attained.
As he racked his brain for a warrior of similar realm, the first person to cross his mind was...
'...It's like facing the Clan Patriarch.'
It was less an evaluation of Hyeok Mulin and more a personal impression.
That was the extent of what Cheon Paejo could perceive.
Clearly a powerhouse comparable to the Patriarch, but what lay deeper within was beyond his ability to sense.
Kneeling, Cheon Paejo looked up at the Cult Leader and forced his mouth open.
"I pay my respects to Your Venerable Holiness, the Cult Leader."
"What is the meaning of this?"
Hyeok Mulin asked in a sunken tone, and Cheon Paejo hesitated before answering.
"It seems there was a misunderstanding..."
"Misunderstanding?"
Rumble―
At that moment, a terrifying aura shot toward Cheon Paejo.
Cough!
He spat blood, utterly dismayed.
Raising the pressure even more here? Did that mean his previous output wasn't even his full power?
Feeling stabbing pressure throughout his body, he sensed that even the slightest movement would bring a slicing intimidation, sharpening all his senses as if death loomed before him.
As chills ran down his spine, Hyeok Mulin spoke.
"Whether it was a misunderstanding or not, I will hold the Cheon Clan Patriarch accountable."
With eyes cold as a honed blade, Hyeok Mulin issued an expulsion order.
"Begone."
Biting his lip at the command, Cheon Paejo replied.
"...As you command."
He led his subordinates away, fleeing the street as if escaping.
Afterward, the Hyeok Clan warriors, with support from the Lone Valley Clan, moved the injured and repaired the damaged buildings, sorting out the aftermath.
After watching briefly, Hyeok Mulin approached Hyeok An.
"Are you alright?"
"Cult Leader...!"
Hyeok An, who had known him well since his days as Hyeok Clan Patriarch, greeted his arrival with overwhelming gratitude.
But only for a moment.
"I'm sorry I was late."
Hyeok Mulin's voice carried genuine remorse mingled with righteous anger.
Sensing those emotions, Hyeok An shook his head firmly.
Embarrassed at his own joy upon Hyeok Mulin's arrival, he realized his own shortcomings.
"No, how could we rely on you for everything? It's our lack of strength that has burdened you instead. I am deeply ashamed."
"I will ensure this never happens again."
"I have always believed in you."
With those words and a faint smile, Hyeok An left to wrap up the scene and report back to the main house.
Now only two remained.
Yagul Okryeon approached Hyeok Mulin and bowed respectfully.
Though they had met only once, she inexplicably felt a familiarity as if they had crossed paths many times.
"It's been a while, Cult Leader."
"Master of the Sound Flower Pavilion."
Hyeok Mulin nodded in greeting, then fixed his gaze on Yagul Okryeon.
From what he'd glimpsed earlier, she had blocked the attackers bare-handed, buying time that saved Hyeok An's life.
"Impressive courage."
"With you behind us, Cult Leader, what in the world is there to fear?"
Hyeok Mulin smirked at her words, his lips curling up.
"I'll take those words to heart."
She slowly turned her head, taking in the street beside Hyeok Mulin.
The Cheon Clan had been driven off successfully, but what remained was a scene of devastation.
Buildings were smashed, goods destroyed, and countless employees and warriors injured while defending the tavern.
All she had built day and night as the manager lay in ruins, and even her stoic nature couldn't prevent her emotions from stirring.
Absorbing every detail of the wreckage, she clenched her teeth to suppress the surge within.
But she couldn't stop her shoulders from trembling.
Hyeok Mulin glanced at her, then looked at the street and spoke.
"I will make them pay dearly for this."
"...Thank you."
Swallowing her tears at his words, Yagul Okryeon stared ahead.
She wouldn't give up just because it was broken once.
She would rebuild it bigger and more magnificent.
That would be the greatest way to repay the Cult Leader.
Hyeok Mulin crossed the inner fortress toward the Heavenly Demon Palace.
Upon entering, he headed straight for the Heavenly Demon Hall beyond.
Thud.
Arriving at the Heavenly Demon Hall, Hyeok Mulin made his way to the throne for the first time in ages.
He lounged lazily atop it, taking a brief rest.
"Hoo..."
He was finally back.
Returning lightly after passing through perilous trials, yet the situation here was no less a fierce battle.
'It's almost starting to look easier than the Demon God Realm.'
The conflict in the pleasure district he'd stumbled upon by chance on the way back.
Judging by that, the Cheon Clan had clearly begun full-scale maneuvers.
"Finally, huh."
In truth, he'd anticipated and prepared for this since the first day he'd returned to the past.
Having declared divorce to his former wife, it was inevitable that relations with the Cheon Clan would sour to the worst.
Whether it would end in catastrophe or they could somehow make peace again...
No one could predict that future yet.
Tak! Tak! Tak! Tak!
At that moment, urgent footsteps echoed through the Heavenly Demon Hall's corridor.
Soon, Sima Jin and Cho Sahyeon appeared before him, having heard the news.
Their faces lit with emotion upon seeing Hyeok Mulin, though subtly different.
"Cult Leader, you've finally returned...!"
Cho Sahyeon, confirming his return, sighed in relief, unable to hide her joy.
'Light has finally dawned on these days of hardship.'
Having witnessed his extraordinary strategies in Sacheon firsthand, she felt as if she'd gained a heavenly army just from his presence.
But Sima Jin, seeing him at the same time, let his gaze precede his words.
Pushing aside the recent difficulties, he first checked Hyeok Mulin's well-being above all.
Confirming no injuries or defects, he finally relaxed and bowed.
"The Heavenly Demon returns, ten thousand demons rejoice! Congratulations on your safe return, Cult Leader!"
"You've held down the fort in my absence once more. It surely wasn't easy. Thank you."
"No, forgive our shortcomings; we've barely kept things afloat with our meager abilities."
Sima Jin humbly declined the praise with a stern face.
But Hyeok Mulin wouldn't have it.
"It was because of you that we maintained even that thread of continuity."
Looking at both Sima Jin and Cho Sahyeon, he spoke with sincerity.
"You've worked hard."
Plain words, nothing special.
Yet to the two, that one phrase compensated for all their past ordeals.
Afterward, Sima Jin cautiously asked Hyeok Mulin.
"How fared you, Cult Leader? Did you obtain what you sought...?"
It was only natural to worry.
He'd returned far sooner than the records of past Cult Leaders' stays in the Demon God Realm.
But to that question laced with concern, Hyeok Mulin smiled instead.
"I got what I wanted—and more."
At those words, Cho Sahyeon and Sima Jin's eyes widened, their lips slowly curving into ear-to-ear grins.
"But what exactly happened here in my absence?"
To that question, Sima Jin reported in detail everything from when the Cheon Clan began their moves after Hyeok Mulin's departure.
The isolation of the Manri Merchant Group and severed dealings with affiliated traders.
Conflicts breaking out in various parts of the pleasure district.
Nerve wars within the cult between the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad and other units.
Not just the Hyeok Clan, but repeated sabotage of Yagul Clan and Lone Valley Clan businesses as well.
Hyeok Mulin listened quietly, not uttering a word until the long report concluded.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
When the exhaustive report finally ended, Hyeok Mulin drummed his fingers on the throne, lost in thought.
A long while later, as the sound ceased.
"Cult Leader, what will you do now?"
Sima Jin asked cautiously.
Hyeok Mulin slowly rose, pacing the Heavenly Demon Hall.
He opened the entrance doors, letting sunlight bathe his body, then spoke with a smile.
"Let's go. To the Cheon Clan."
To catch a tiger,
one must first enter its den.