Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Tang Clan Branch (2)
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Cheongun was a possessed soul.
As was typical for possessors, Cheongun could see something resembling a status window.
To be precise, it wasn't a status window but a skill list viewer.
It was a near-heavenly gift, allowing him to search through the formulas of every heart method in the murim world.
The sensation of viewing them was truly peculiar.
It always felt so real, yet the semi-transparent blue window floating in the air was utterly surreal.
This privilege of accessing every cultivation method, including the formulas, was nothing short of a once-in-a-millennium stroke of fortune.
Among them was a heart method Cheongun needed right away.
Its name was Unified Demon Soul Mastery Art.
Unified Demon Soul Mastery Art
[Detailed View]
Click.
Cheongun meticulously transcribed everything visible before his eyes into a notebook without missing a single detail.
Then he handed it to Jeok Hwa-ryeon.
"What's this?"
"A secret manual."
"Pardon?"
"It's a heart method called the Unified Demon Soul Mastery Art. Learn it first, then pass it on to the others."
Jeok Hwa-ryeon blinked.
A secret manual out of nowhere.
And the name alone sounded ominous.
What? A heart method that controls demonic qi?
She'd seen ones that suppressed it, but controlling it? Unheard of.
She quickly flipped through the notebook.
As a martial artist herself, she had some expertise in heart methods.
She could tell at a glance.
The qi circulation route.
The path for circulating demonic qi.
The storage method for accumulation.
It accepted demonic qi but let the impure parts settle into the lower dantian for storage, raising only the vital yang energy, opening the Hundred Convergences, and rotating the qi with breathing techniques.
This was no fake.
It was the real deal.
Which made her have to ask.
"...Did you steal it?"
"I made it."
Jeok Hwa-ryeon asked again.
"You made a heart method? How?"
"Something like that."
"Are you some grandmaster or what, Leader?"
"Grandmaster? Not a bad idea."
Cheongun answered casually.
There was no point explaining in detail anyway.
Who would believe he just copied what was floating in front of him?
Far easier to say he was a goddamn genius who whipped one up.
"But the latter part seems cut off?"
"On purpose."
"Why?"
"Why? You think I'd hand over the full thing from the start just because? Your subordinates have to prove their loyalty bit by bit."
Favors weren't something to dump all at once.
Too many shameless types treated them as a given right.
Cheongun cherished his demonic cultivators, but he could still discern that much.
"But why give it to me? Can't you teach them yourself, Leader?"
"Too bothersome. Learn it and teach them."
Jeok Hwa-ryeon blinked again.
Handing her such a manual without hesitation, and having her teach it directly to others—it was a clear sign of trust.
Cheongun genuinely trusted Jeok Hwa-ryeon.
He'd avenged her, she'd drunk the solitude wine, and even in the original story, she never turned cunning despite being consumed by her demons.
"Leader."
Jeok Hwa-ryeon parted her lips.
"You like me, don't you?"
"What?"
"You do. You avenged me, gave me this manual—what is this? Are you seducing me?"
Jeok Hwa-ryeon was convinced.
There were no favors without reason in this world.
Especially from this madman of a leader.
For him to raid the Darkwood Sect's headquarters for her revenge—no matter how bizarre the method—and ensure she could finish it with her own hands.
It had been off since he tricked her into fishing.
Kept asking her name.
Saved a mere errand girl, even using that pricey solitude wine.
Now she got it.
The leader saw her as a woman!
"Hm."
Jeok Hwa-ryeon glanced at Cheongun's face.
Sharp eyes, firm jawline—a boy's face still, but one brimming with promise.
Her ears flushed red.
She'd spent her life wary of men, but for the first time, her heart tickled at the sight of one.
Confidently, she thrust out her chest.
Ears red, with a seductive expression, she arched her back.
And.
"Someone like you is fine."
She said primly, flashing a smile.
At her smile, Cheongun—uncharacteristically—smiled kindly.
Then he pulled out the wooden fish mallet he'd gotten from Bangjongdae.
Moments later.
—Pak!
"Ughak!"
Jeok Hwa-ryeon's scream burst short.
And.
"I'm too precious for that."
...Cheongun had high self-esteem.
The Sichuan Tang Clan was a renowned family representing Sichuan province.
One of the Five Great Clans of the murim world, commonly called the Tang Clan.
Fortunately, the journey wasn't far.
Chengdu to Sichuan wasn't a great distance.
But for some reason, the road to the Tang Clan was quite uncomfortable.
Sichuan was surrounded by treacherous natural terrain.
But it was fine.
He'd left Bloodline Pavilion to Jin Cheon-u, and Darkwood Sect to the reliable duo of Lian, Hong So-yeon, and Baek Seol—no major issues there.
Best of all, his pockets were flush.
The golden plum he'd auctioned off had finally sold for its true value.
Being so pricey, it had taken quite some time.
Thus, Cheongun walked more leisurely than usual.
The warm spring sun caressed his face.
The spring breeze carried scents that made his whole body languid.
It felt wonderful.
The only pity was how utterly peaceful it was.
So Cheongun deliberately walked flashily.
With each step, the gold in his pouch clinked clearly.
Jangling.
Jangling.
Jangling.
And moments later.
As expected.
"Hey, you there. Hold up a sec."
Thugs drawn by the sound swarmed, surrounding Cheongun.
A man in black robes walked.
He was a member of the Heavenly Demon God Cult.
Specifically, from the Inner Hall's Shadow Demon Squad.
The Shadow Demon Squad was the cult's shadow itself—a spy unit that followed only the cult leader's direct orders.
His reason for lingering near Sichuan was none other than to surveil a boy named Cheongun.
'...He's awfully young.'
Darkwood Sect and Bloodline Pavilion had been raided.
From the cult's perspective—slowly consolidating black path forces—two key branches suddenly hit meant Cheongun should be deemed an enemy.
Yet he observed from afar due to a single report.
'He spared all the demons?'
'Yes. He even claims to cherish them more than anyone.'
'Isn't he a disciple of a Sword Sovereign?'
'Yes, but he says he's not affiliated with any righteous sect.'
...Verification required.
It happened sometimes.
Those causing a ruckus to catch the cult's eye, to join it.
The cult's law of absolute might-worship.
Irresistible to the strong.
He was just about to confirm.
The boy's intentions.
If he fit the cult's ideal recruit.
Report back, then decide his fate.
Quick elimination.
Or recruit at any cost for the grand plan.
'...Trouble?'
And right then, Cheongun got accosted.
Opponents looked like thugs or bandits.
Quite a crowd surrounding him—the situation was obvious.
They talked briefly, then the thugs suddenly drew weapons on Cheongun.
In response, Cheongun drew the fishing rod slung over his shoulder.
He whipped it.
"!!!"
Shrieeeek!
The sword-qi infused fishing line stiffened straight, slicing the air with a sonic boom in an instant.
The razor-thin line spiraled like it had a mind of its own, piercing five men's foreheads like beads on a string.
Simultaneously, electric current crackled along the line, branching out before erupting in a thunderous pzzt—! flash.
In the blink of an eye.
One clash, and five electrocuted thugs frothed and collapsed.
One barely dodged the flying line, fleeing in panic.
Cheongun bent down, plucked a few hairs from a fallen thug's head.
Infused them with sword qi, hurling them like darts.
The escapee had decent skill, dodging nimbly.
Of course, Cheongun didn't relent.
He kept flinging hairs, then drew a hidden weapon.
A silver needle.
No ordinary one—the Shadow Flight Gate's signature.
'Shadow Needle Dart?!'
It whistled through the air.
He tried parrying with his sword, but it shattered like ice on contact.
The accelerated dart buried into his forehead.
Naturally, a clean hole dead center meant instant death.
Cheongun efficiently looted their pouches for valuables and left.
"......"
The watching man blankly blinked.