Chapter 254
Chapter 254
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 254
Chapter Title: The Retired Patriarch Emerges
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At the moment Cheon Jungak fell to Hyeok Mulin, they had no choice but to accept massive internal and external shocks and changes.
And under Cheon Seohee's leadership, the Cheon Clan began to transform.
The resources and manpower that had been aimed at targeting Hyeok Mulin and his forces were redirected into external investments for the Cheon Clan itself. In the time since, they were reaping the fruits of those efforts.
"Place matters related to the sect on the left, clan-related items on the right, and everything else at the bottom center."
Cheon Seohee gave clear instructions to the family retainers who entered her office clutching documents.
The sheer volume of papers they carried was clearly enough to keep her reviewing for days, but she welcomed the situation.
Compared to the idle days when work was scarce and the clan's forces were wasted pointlessly on the Cult Leader, seeing the clan grow amid this busyness was far more rewarding.
And just as she hoped, the Cheon Clan's businesses were regaining their former discipline and prestige, achieving remarkable growth.
Once the retainers finished sorting the documents and left the office, she remained alone and murmured to herself with a faint smile.
"It's truly a blessing that Father has changed his ways."
Since that day, Cheon Jungak had changed as well.
Unlike the past, when he wielded the sword merely as a tool for power, now he gripped it purely to hone his martial prowess, sweating through his training.
As if he'd returned to the pure beginner’s mind of his first days holding a sword.
Thus, the Cheon Clan's business affairs were mostly handled under her control, while Cheon Jungak devoted his time to cultivating his martial arts.
And she had no doubt that her father would rise again.
'In a way, I suppose I owe him thanks.'
Thinking of Hyeok Mulin, she continued her musings.
It was true that he had dealt a crushing defeat to her father and the Cheon Clan at the Demon Path Martial God Tournament, but thanks to that, they had escaped sinking even deeper into the quagmire.
'Especially that battle...'
Recalling the fierce clash between Hyeok Mulin and Cheon Jungak, her gaze turned steely.
Won by luck?
No.
It was unmistakable skill.
There was a clear gap in martial prowess between Hyeok Mulin and her father.
Whether it was as thin as a sheet of paper or as thick as a wall, she didn't know—but Hyeok Mulin had claimed victory fairly through his own power.
She never imagined he'd grow this much.
The more she thought of Hyeok Mulin, the more doubts filled her heart.
How could someone his age achieve such prowess?
She'd heard that recently, he'd even subdued the Wandering Sword Saint and erased one of the Three Stars United positions.
And when exactly had he stepped beyond divine power to deal with him?
She simply couldn't keep track of Hyeok Mulin's elusive movements.
As she shook her head in bewilderment...
Tak tak tak tak!
The sound of retainers' footsteps climbing the stairs outside reached her ears.
Moments later, as expected, a knock echoed at the door.
"Eldest Young Lady! Y-You need to come out right now!"
Puzzled by the unusually urgent voice, Cheon Seohee slowly made her way over.
She opened the door and asked the retainer,
"What's so urgent?"
"W-Well, it's..."
Just as the retainer opened his mouth to speak...
"Seohee, have you been well?"
Her eyes flashed at the figure and voice coming from the base of the stairs.
And with that...
Tatadak!
Cheon Seohee descended the stairs in an instant and cried out loudly toward him.
"Grandfather!"
Even as the word left her lips, she could hardly believe her eyes.
Cheon Sumyeong, who had entered secluded cultivation, was standing right below her office.
The moment she spotted him, her face broke into a radiant smile.
More than even Cheon Jungak, it was Cheon Sumyeong who had shown her granddaughter the warmest affection.
When she was young and her father, Cheon Jungak, was consumed by the weight of his patriarch duties, Cheon Sumyeong had taken her on outings through nature, caring for her.
Thus, to her, he was far more than just a grandfather.
And Cheon Sumyeong cherished her just as much.
He had come straight to her upon returning to the main house, without even seeing the patriarch first.
His footsteps revealed the depth of his love for his direct-line granddaughter, his one and only.
"You must be exhausted. There's shadows under your eyes."
"No, Grandfather. Your hands look even rougher than before."
With an emotional expression, Cheon Seohee took both of his hands in hers and spoke.
Looking up at him, she asked,
"We didn't hear any word, but when did you emerge from seclusion? If I'd had even a hint, I would've come out to greet you..."
"No need. Seclusion is no big deal. Don't worry about it."
"Grandfather..."
Gazing at him with concern, Cheon Seohee cautiously broached the subject again.
"Then... how did the seclusion go?"
"......"
Cheon Sumyeong fell silent for a moment before shaking his head.
"The time wasn't right this time."
"...I see."
Regret colored her face at the news of no gains.
Another failed seclusion.
Knowing his efforts and patience all too well, she felt deep disappointment.
Seeing this, Cheon Sumyeong stroked her head and said,
"No need to worry. Opportunity comes whether you're in seclusion or not, anytime, anywhere."
"Yes, I understand."
She responded to his comforting words with a smile.
Yes, no point moping here.
The grandfather she knew would surely grasp enlightenment anytime, anywhere, just as he said.
Smiling, she asked Cheon Sumyeong,
"Grandfather, have you seen the patriarch yet?"
"Not yet. I came straight here upon returning to the main house."
"Then how about we go see him together? Father will be overjoyed at your return."
The old Cheon Jungak had placed little weight on Cheon Sumyeong's presence.
After becoming patriarch, he shouldered everything alone, while Cheon Sumyeong, as retired patriarch, had stepped back from clan affairs.
But now, things were different.
With his growing desire to advance his swordsmanship and realm, he would surely value the advice of Cheon Sumyeong, who had reached the lofty heights of an ancient martial sovereign.
She had no doubt the two could bond more deeply over the sword.
"That doesn't sound bad."
Agreeing with her, Cheon Sumyeong rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.
Then he continued,
"But first, there's someone I must meet."
"Pardon? Before seeing the patriarch?"
For the retired patriarch returning to the main house after long seclusion, was there something more important than meeting the current patriarch?
Unable to fathom it, she tilted her head and asked,
"What could that be...?"
"I've seen my granddaughter."
Gazing intently toward the Heavenly Demon Palace beyond the clan lands, he added,
"Now it's time to see my grandson-in-law, isn't it?"
Thump!
At those words, Cheon Seohee felt her heart drop, as if it had stopped.
In her joy at seeing her grandfather after so long, she'd forgotten one crucial thing.
He didn't know she and Hyeok Mulin were divorced.
She couldn't even imagine the storm this would bring to the main house and the Divine Cult.
Drip.
As her face paled and cold sweat trickled down her ear, Cheon Sumyeong looked down at her.
"Your face has gone completely white all of a sudden."
With a somewhat dry tone, he parted his lips toward her.
"Is something wrong?"
"W-Well..."
Gulp.
In her confusion and fear, her pupils trembled wildly.
"So it has finally come."
In his residence at the Myeonggeum Battlefield, Hyeok Mulin nodded after reading Sima Jin's letter.
He understood its meaning the instant he saw it.
The ancient martial sovereign supporting the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the pillar of the Cheon Clan, Cheon Sumyeong, had ended his seclusion and reentered the world.
"The timing isn't bad. In fact, it could be seen as perfectly timed."
Having shattered the Murim Alliance's new Three Stars United scheme from the start, they wouldn't move easily for a while.
Moreover, the Gu Clan remained hidden beneath the surface, so he could focus solely on the Cheon Clan now.
To be precise, it was dealing with Cheon Sumyeong himself—which would be at least twice as difficult as facing the entire Cheon Clan.
It was like a towering mountain blocking the path ahead.
Yet Hyeok Mulin felt neither fear nor hesitation.
It was a mountain he had to climb someday anyway.
And it had appeared at just the right moment.
'Time to head back.'
Hyeok Mulin immediately ordered Jeok Mu-gun and Jeok I-gyeom to prepare for a return to Singang.
He usually made others wait, leveraging the superior-inferior dynamic in meetings.
But the situation was different now.
Neither was superior or inferior; they stood as equals.
And even if he were the superior, the Cheon Sumyeong he knew wasn't one to be kept waiting by such tactics.
"My lord, please remain invincible until we meet again."
Geum Hyeonmong swiftly prepared everything to ensure Hyeok Mulin's journey wasn't delayed.
Leaving Geum Hyeonmong's farewell behind, Hyeok Mulin set off straight for Singang.
Before moving in earnest, he gave the order.
"We'll use lightness skill to move swiftly until we reach Singang."
For a martial artist of their level, two legs outpaced any horse.
At least until fatigue built up, they decided to travel via lightness skill.
Jeok Mu-gun and Jeok I-gyeom followed suit, prioritizing speed for swift progress.
Thud.
However, contrary to plan, Hyeok Mulin halted shortly after leaving the Sacheon Province castle town.
Jeok Mu-gun and Jeok I-gyeom stopped as well.
As they exchanged puzzled looks...
The two men turned their heads, wariness flashing in their eyes.
Noticing this, Hyeok Mulin said quietly,
"You felt it too."
"Yes."
The two nodded firmly.
Gazing steadily rearward, Hyeok Mulin spoke in a chilling voice.
"Someone is tailing us."