Chapter 267
Chapter 267
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 267
Chapter Title: The Sword Lord's Retreat
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Lately, the atmosphere within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had been terribly chaotic.
It was only natural.
The one who led the cult wielded the greatest power. Their fates hung by a single person's hand.
Yet that Cult Leader had come into direct opposition with the Sword Lord, the cult's greatest asset.
This fact stirred conflicting emotions among the demon cultists.
The clash between Hyeok Mulin and Cheon Sumyeong—two figures who could never join hands—ignited massive excitement and confusion in equal measure.
Even so, people had a vague sense of how it would end.
The Cult Leader's growth had been dazzling thus far, but his opponent was ill-fated.
Gu Mujon.
One of the nine supreme beings who held the martial world under their feet, and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's ultimate guardian—the Sword Lord himself.
Hyeok Mulin's divine prowess advanced daily, his fame spreading far and wide, but the Sword Lord belonged to another realm entirely.
He was already a living legend.
Thus, the demon cultists could guess the outcome to some degree. But at one point, things began to deviate from their expectations.
The Seven Great Demon Clans.
The seven pillars supporting the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Five of those clans had continued their support for Hyeok Mulin.
They stood against the Cheon Clan, resolved that if he fell, they would fall with him.
The demon cultists were astonished by their decision and loyalty to Hyeok Mulin, but gradually, worry crept in.
The scope of the conflict had expanded far too much.
They had thought it was just a fight between Hyeok Mulin and Cheon Sumyeong, or Hyeok Mulin and the Cheon Clan.
But now, all Seven Great Demon Clans except the Gu Clan had joined in. The situation had escalated far beyond expectations, reaching an extreme pitch.
Now, no one among the demon cultists could easily predict how this standoff would resolve.
In the midst of this turbulent atmosphere in the Demon Army, only one place carried on with life as usual.
And paradoxically, that place was the Heavenly Demon Army, which served at the center of the current conflict—supporting Hyeok Mulin.
The Heavenly Demon Army gathered in the training grounds as always for drills, ready to move at a moment's notice should Hyeok Mulin issue orders.
"Good work. That's enough for today."
The Divine Demon Blood Death Squad members, drenched in sweat from group training, plopped down on the spot at Han Baek's words.
They caught their breath during the break.
As Han Baek watched them, Danri Hyang approached and spoke.
"Training ended a bit early today."
"Just in case, I wanted to preserve the squad's stamina a little more."
The reason the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad continued training in their usual manner was simple.
They trusted their Cult Leader, Hyeok Mulin.
Having served him closest all this time, they were convinced that no matter the opponent, Hyeok Mulin would seize victory in the end.
Their unwavering faith in him allowed them to maintain their daily routine.
And Han Baek's reason for conserving the squad's stamina today was clear.
"Because of what happened yesterday?"
"Yeah."
Han Baek nodded gravely and continued in a subdued tone.
"A black lightning bolt struck the Heavenly Demon Palace yesterday. From the direction of the Heavenly Martial Hall, no less."
The Heavenly Martial Hall was protected by advanced formations that prevented internal energies from leaking outward.
Yet something powerful enough to pierce them had occurred inside.
"...So it was that, after all."
"What else could it be?"
As they conversed without voicing their shared suspicions outright, Man Hyobom suddenly butted in.
"Why beat around the bush? Anyone could see the Cult Leader clashed with the Sword Lord."
"Hey! Keep it down!"
While Han Baek shouted, Danri Hyang shot him a glare as if wanting to clamp his mouth shut, glancing at the squad members.
Man Hyobom shrugged and replied.
"The other demon cultists have probably guessed it too. That thunder shaking Heavenly Mountain yesterday carried the Cult Leader's aura clearly. There's only one reason he'd unleash such a technique."
He glanced indifferently at the two and continued.
"More than that, I'm curious about the fight's outcome. You two must be as well, right?"
Danri Hyang and Han Baek had no choice but to fall silent.
It was the truth.
A duel between the Heavenly Demon and the Sword Lord.
p>If they could witness it, countless martial artists would gladly offer their entire fortunes.
The higher-ranking demon cultists, sensing their clash, had focused all attention on the result.
That battle would decide the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's future.
If Hyeok Mulin won, the status quo would hold. If the Sword Lord prevailed, everything in the cult would be upended.
The Divine Demon Blood Death Squad and the Heavenly Demon Army name might end today.
As Han Baek and Danri Hyang wore complicated expressions at Man Hyobom's words, a demon cultist from the Demon Army entered the training grounds.
"That's..."
"A member of the Demon Army."
His face was vaguely familiar from passing by; he hailed from a prominent clan, as far as they recalled.
He headed straight to a squad member he knew, who was resting, and whispered urgently into his ear with a flushed face.
The listener's eyes widened instantly, and he shot to his feet.
"Is that true?!"
"Yes. I just heard it, so I can't confirm, but..."
His voice echoed suddenly across the training grounds, drawing everyone's gaze.
The squad leaders turned their attention as well when another figure entered the grounds.
He made straight for Man Hyobom.
"What is it?"
A familiar face. He was a servant from the Man Clan.
"Well..."
The servant glanced at Danri Hyang and Han Baek, but Man Hyobom spoke up.
"Doesn't matter. Just say it."
"Understood."
The servant nodded and focused on Man Hyobom before speaking.
"Amid our cult's escalating conflict, our clan has been monitoring the Cheon Clan's movements..."
"Get to the point."
Man Hyobom cut him off, and the servant dove right in.
They could offer no reaction to what he said next.
"At the forefront of the Cheon Clan."
The content was.
"It seems the Sword Lord has withdrawn."
This signaled the end of the current conflict in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
"...!"
All three men's pupils dilated without exception at the report.
Man Hyobom grabbed the servant's shoulder.
"Is this confirmed?"
"Yes. Based on our clan's intelligence network and observations of the Cheon Clan's situation, it's certain. As of today, the Sword Lord has cut off all external contact."
"Then."
"That means...!"
Exchanging looks, their lips slowly curved upward, joy blooming across their faces.
At that moment.
Thud.
Ji Wolhon, captain of the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad, appeared at the front of the squad.
"Attention!"
The brief commotion died down at his arrival.
Ji Wolhon eyed the outsiders who had entered the training grounds.
They quickly exited and vanished.
With only squad members left, Ji Wolhon spoke again.
"Tonight, there will be a banquet at the Yin Flower Pavilion. All squad members are to attend without fail."
"A banquet...!"
The squad members' eyes bulged.
They knew Ji Wolhon better than anyone.
He never held drinking parties during critical times.
So what that meant was.
"The standoff between the Cult Leader and the Sword Lord..."
"Has concluded...!"
His declaration of a banquet let them infer the outcome.
"Furthermore, at tonight's banquet."
Ji Wolhon's follow-up confirmed it.
"The Cult Leader himself will attend."
Today, the doors of the Yin Flower Pavilion were firmly shut.
Yet inside, the energy was more lively than ever.
Hyeok Mulin had rented out the entire building for the Heavenly Demon Army's banquet.
He had offered generous payment, but the pavilion refused every coin.
Yagul Sohwa—and the Yagul Clan—had prepared it as a blessing.
"My thanks."
Hyeok Mulin sat on the second floor, watching his squad members eat and drink with warm satisfaction.
Given the tense atmosphere in the cult, they had abstained from alcohol for a while, focusing their nerves.
This was their first relaxed drinking session in ages, and since Hyeok Mulin had ordered them to enjoy themselves from the start, the squad could truly revel.
Beside Hyeok Mulin, watching them, sat the squad captains and vice-captains.
And it wasn't just the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad.
The Heavenly Demon Army consisted of two units, after all.
The Heavenly Division Storm Squad joined the banquet too, with Yibi-ja at his side.
Truth be told, before this conflict with Hyeok Mulin and the Cheon Clan arose, the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad and Heavenly Division Storm Squad had shared a subtle air of rivalry.
Though both part of the Heavenly Demon Army, one had a long history, the other was a brand-new unit—a stark difference.
From the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad's view, they were no longer the sole Heavenly Demon Army protecting Hyeok Mulin.
They understood it was inevitable as the Heavenly Demon Army grew, but complex feelings were unavoidable.
A lukewarm, ambiguous tension had flowed between the units. But before long, they became one.
When Hyeok Mulin confronted the Sword Lord and the Cheon Clan, they set aside petty emotions and united their strength.
The Heavenly Demon Army needed no other sentiment.
Protecting their Cult Leader, Hyeok Mulin.
That alone unified their thoughts.
"Take your cups."
Hyeok Mulin personally poured drinks for the captains and vice-captains, who accepted them with utmost humility.
They carefully brought the cups to their lips, following his lead.
The long-awaited alcohol tasted sweeter than ever.
And not just because it was premium liquor.
The flavor of drink varied immensely by mood and company.
As cups passed several more times, tension eased from their faces.
Hyeok Mulin addressed them.
"Much has happened lately. You've all worked hard."
They had merely trained quietly, while the real hardships fell on the Cult Leader.
His encouragement left them feeling guilty yet grateful.
In the ensuing quiet silence, Man Hyobom—uncharacteristically hesitant—spoke up.
"...Cult Leader. May I ask one thing?"
'This guy, even here!'
Han Baek and Danri Hyang glared at him wide-eyed as he blurted it out.
"Speak."
Undeterred by their stares, Man Hyobom pressed on at Hyeok Mulin's permission.
"Then, is the matter with the Sword Lord completely resolved now?"
The entire pavilion fell silent the moment he finished.
Even the boisterous first floor hushed instantly.
It was the question everyone wondered but dared not voice.
All eyes in the Yin Flower Pavilion fixed on Hyeok Mulin's lips.
After a pause, he spoke calmly.
"Yes. It's over."
"...!"
"My confrontation with the Sword Lord ended yesterday."
A brief silence fell over the squad members at his words.
No—shivers ran through them.
They exchanged glances, and soon cheers filled the pavilion to the brim.
"Waaaaah—!"
Hyeok Mulin sipped his drink, savoring their joyous roars like an appetizer.
'The Yin Flower Pavilion's liquor never disappoints.'
Yet none of them—not even Hyeok Mulin—could have foreseen it.
That the Sword Lord would reappear less than a day after their duel.