Chapter 93: The Heavenly Demon Does Not Kill Children
The Heavenly Demon Does Not Kill Children
Chapter 93: The Heavenly Demon Does Not Kill Children
The Namgung Clan.
It was said that when the Blade Emperor, Namgung Woo, fell asleep, the entire Namgung Clan would grow silent—such was the influence of a man around whom everything revolved. Though he was often described as domineering, stubborn, and arrogant, none could deny his prowess.
Among the Emperors, he was known as the fiercest in temperament—a man who had once demanded the position of Murim Alliance Leader, only to earn the ire of Alliance Leader Yoo Jung-hong.
A white-haired master, he was also the teacher of the entire Namgung Clan.
But today, even the Blade Emperor felt a rare swell of emotion.
Today marked his official retirement as Clan Head, as well as his seventy-fifth birthday. Naturally, most of the Emperors' Council had gathered to honor his years of service and celebrate his birthday, filling the estate with guests. Some clan heads had come in person, while others had sent their second-in-command. With the exception of the Hwa Clan, to which Hwa Eun-wol belonged, the entire Emperors' Council was present.
Hwa Eun-wol was not one to attend such gatherings, and even if he had known of the Blade Emperor's birthday, he would have merely sent a few subordinates with gifts.
The crowd continued to pour in well into the afternoon.
Because of this, it was impossible to keep track of who was who.
Many had come bearing gifts, and the procession of merchants, escort bureaus, blacksmiths, and others who owed debts to the Namgung Clan made it difficult for the servants to verify and turn away guests.
Moreover, with so many masters of the Emperors' Council present, the atmosphere was hardly tense.
Amidst the crowd, Namgung Shin, the Blade Emperor's great-grandson, toddled about. Barely three years old and just learning to walk, he weaved through the guests, prompting Namgung Woo to frown from his seat of honor.
"Someone restrain Shin. It's discourteous to our guests."
"Yes, Father."
Namgung Woo had been about to scold him as usual, but upon seeing his son's expression, he closed his mouth. This was his eldest son, soon to inherit the position of Clan Head. He could not reprimand him in front of others—not when he was the face of the Namgung Clan.
Since it would be beneath the Clan Head's dignity to chase after a child himself, the task fell to Namgung Woo's grandson, Namgung Wi—the same Namgung Wi who had lost to Dan Woo-sung in the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.
Namgung Wi nodded and rose to approach his nephew.
"Shin."
At the same time, a man in violet robes suddenly scooped Namgung Shin into his arms and laughed.
"My, my, Shin. You've grown so much."
Namgung Wi approached the man cautiously.
"Haha, please hand him over. If you keep holding him like that, he'll fuss until you carry him the whole time."
"Understood."
The man in violet robes was none other than the Heavenly Demon.
How had he slipped in unnoticed? Even if he wore a disguise, no one here would have recognized him even if he had shown his true face.
As the Heavenly Demon cooed and soothed Namgung Shin, the child soon burst into laughter.
Smiling faintly, the Heavenly Demon glanced at Namgung Wi while still holding the boy.
Namgung Wi reached out.
"Shin, come here."
The Heavenly Demon extended Namgung Shin toward him.
"Go to your uncle now."
Just as Namgung Wi reached out to take him—
THUD!
The Heavenly Demon unleashed a surge of energy into Namgung Wi's chest—
—and in the same motion, he shot backward with Namgung Shin in his arms, kicking up a gust of wind as he fled the hall.
The Heavenly Demon laughed.
"Hahahaha—!"
Each burst of laughter carried him further away—proof of his extraordinary Lightfoot Technique.
Namgung Wi staggered, coughing up blood from the blow—
—and in an instant, Blade Emperor Namgung Woo, his eldest son Namgung Tae, and the assembled masters of the Emperors' Council burst into motion, chasing after the man in violet robes.
Even in their shock, they were baffled.
How had a lone intruder managed to strike Namgung Wi and kidnap the Blade Emperor's great-grandson? And on his birthday, no less.
Within moments, those with inferior movement skills began falling behind—the Heavenly Demon's speed was simply too great.
By the time half a gak (一刻, roughly 15 minutes) had passed, only Namgung Woo, Namgung Tae, Moo Yong-so, and Seomun Cheon remained in pursuit. The rest trailed behind, the gap widening with every second.
Namgung Woo spoke.
"Tae."
"Yes."
"Return to the estate and fortify its defenses. This could be a trap. And I cannot guarantee Shin's survival."
Namgung Tae steeled himself and obeyed.
"Understood."
Namgung Woo added curtly:
"You are the Clan Head now. Act accordingly."
Namgung Woo, Moo Yong-so, and Seomun Cheon continued their pursuit. As they ran, Namgung Woo infused his voice with internal energy.
"You there—you wouldn't go to such lengths just to kill my great-grandson."
The Heavenly Demon, still carrying Namgung Shin, suddenly halted. In an instant, Namgung Woo, Moo Yong-so, and Seomun Cheon surrounded him, weapons drawn.
A saber, a sword, and a fan gleamed in their hands.
The Heavenly Demon glanced at Namgung Shin in his arms and chuckled.
"You must be frightened. Ah, but you're not crying—truly a descendant of the Blade Emperor."
He smirked at his pursuers.
"Blade Emperor, Second Son of the Moo Yong Clan, Grand Prince Seomun—greetings."
Moo Yong-so growled.
"What the hell are you doing with that child, you piece of trash?"
The Heavenly Demon grinned.
"I haven't done anything you should worry about—yet."
Seomun Cheon flicked his fan open.
"How vile. Even without an answer, it's clear you're of the Demonic Path."
Still holding Namgung Shin, the Heavenly Demon replied:
"After the Five Peaks War, the Blade Emperor slaughtered the remnants of the Jungcheon Wei Clan. He annihilated the Fireburn Sect, which took no part in the war, and massacred the Daeeung Merchant Group for funding the Demonic Path, seizing all their wealth for the Emperors' Council. Consider this retribution for his deeds. Blade Emperor, this is why even Yoo Jung-hong despises you. Am I wrong?"
The Blade Emperor answered boldly.
"Who would deny it? If you hold a grudge, you need only challenge me. But kidnapping a three-year-old child—are you even human? Even beasts wouldn't stoop so low."
The Heavenly Demon shook his head.
"Don't spout nonsense. Since when were we ever treated as anything but beasts?"
He leaped into the air, shifting direction with a burst of energy, widening the distance once more.
The three men, unable to attack for fear of harming Namgung Shin, could only follow. After a moment, the Blade Emperor addressed his juniors.
"Listen, you two."
"Yes, Senior."
"This is my fault. Fall back—this is an obvious trap."
Moo Yong-so refused.
"How can we retreat now? Even if it costs our lives, we must press on."
Seomun Cheon agreed.
"Do not concern yourself with us."
Seeing their resolve, the Blade Emperor's frustration grew. He roared:
"Demon! If it's me you want, then release Shin! I'll follow—stop this pointless game!"
The Heavenly Demon leaped onto a tree branch, surveying the surroundings.
"How callously you treat your own blood. Pitiful."
The second wave of pursuers had been completely shaken off.
The Heavenly Demon looked at Namgung Shin.
"Very well. The Blade Emperor alone is my target. Moo Yong-so and Seomun Cheon—withdraw. I'll spare you today."
Moo Yong-so scoffed.
"Cut the bullshit. Call your lackeys if you must. Return the child to the Namgung Clan, and the three of us will face however many you bring—ten, a hundred, it makes no difference."
The Heavenly Demon gazed down at him.
"Ah, Moo Yong-so. I like you."
Moo Yong-so gritted his teeth. The fact that this stranger recognized not only him but even the reclusive Seomun Cheon sent chills down his spine.
The Heavenly Demon landed and gestured.
"Come take Shin."
As Moo Yong-so stepped forward, Seomun Cheon grabbed his arm.
"Brother Moo Yong, I'll go."
Seomun Cheon approached the Heavenly Demon.
"What do you want? Is it truly just the Blade Emperor? If the child dies, the entire Seomun Clan will mobilize."
"I couldn't care less about the Seomun Clan."
Seomun Cheon remembered how Namgung Wi had been ambushed while trying to take the child.
The Heavenly Demon handed Namgung Shin over, watching Seomun Cheon closely. Seomun Cheon quickly checked the boy's condition, then retreated seven paces in an instant, scanning the area warily.
"Shin is unharmed."
The Blade Emperor ordered:
"Seomun, return."
Seomun Cheon bowed.
"Understood. Take care, Senior."
As Seomun Cheon sprinted back toward the Namgung estate with Namgung Shin, the Blade Emperor turned to Moo Yong-so.
"So, fall back. This is a one-on-one affair. He wants me—there's no place for you here."
"I refuse."
When Moo Yong-so resisted, the Blade Emperor met his gaze.
"Junior, I beg you. You've already lost Moo Yong-chu. If you fall here as well, I'll bear the guilt before the Moo Yong Clan."
Moo Yong-so stared in shock. This was not the Blade Emperor he knew—the tyrannical, stubborn old man who commanded respect but never admiration.
The Blade Emperor pressed on.
"Seomun Cheon might be ambushed on his way back. Go assist him. Leave."
Moo Yong-so relented.
"...Understood. I'll go. Elder."
Once alone, the Heavenly Demon spoke.
"Let's move to a more open space."
"Lead the way."
The Heavenly Demon tilted his head.
"Blade Emperor, do I look like a fool? Do you think I can't see through you? Try running if you wish."
The Blade Emperor chuckled darkly.
"In all my years, through all my time in the martial world, never once have I fled."
Then, an unfamiliar voice cut in.
"Well said. Never once have you fled. Truly, the mighty Blade Emperor."
The Sword Demon emerged, blocking the Blade Emperor's retreat. His complexion had grown even darker since his last appearance.
Behind him, the five highest-ranked members of the Twelve Demon Blades appeared, each gripping their cursed swords.
The Blade Emperor tightened his grip on his saber.
"Only seven of you? How confident."
The Heavenly Demon and Sword Demon both laughed.
The Heavenly Demon remarked:
"You seem to be stalling, waiting for the Emperors' Council."
The Sword Demon nodded.
"They won't come. Our forces are blocking the way. Blade Emperor, today ends in one of two ways: your death, or our annihilation. Let's die together—here and now."
He drew his sword, twisting his wrist.
The Blade Emperor grinned.
"Grateful that you'd accompany this old man to hell. I won't be greedy—half of you will suffice. Now I see—you're the ones behind the Fist King, Moo Yong-chu..."
Before he could finish, the five Demon Blades unleashed sword energy and attacked. As the Blade Emperor swung his saber, the Sword Demon joined the fray—and unlike before, the Heavenly Demon flared his sleeves, cloaking himself in demonic energy as he charged.
Though six masters with Blade Immunity fought, the Blade Emperor was no ordinary opponent—even the Heavenly Demon could not afford to stand idle.
The Blade Emperor raised his saber, unleashing a shockwave that turned the blade blindingly white. Then, with a swing—
CLANG!
The five Demon Blades intercepted the strike, their swords ringing as they were flung back.
Yet the Sword Demon and Heavenly Demon weathered the force, barely retreating a step as they countered with sword and palm.
The Blade Emperor's face twisted.
"A life spent destroying demons is enough. I'll carry my sins to hell—I have no regrets."
As he spoke, the five Demon Blades recovered, rising unharmed despite having blocked his saber's energy.
The Sword Demon channeled his power, shrouding his blade in a dark haze.
"Is he mine?"
He was asking if he could absorb the Blade Emperor's essence.
The Heavenly Demon answered:
"He is. But we'll both need to give our all."
As his hands glowed blue and red, the Blade Emperor grinned through the chaos.
"So you're the successor of the Sun-Moon Heavenly Demon. How I regret yielding to the Three Gods."
The Heavenly Demon laughed in turn.
"You never had the right to stand among them."
The Blade Emperor shot into the sky, executing the Emperor's Three Forms—Single Blade Cleaving the World. A massive blade descended like an axe toward the Heavenly Demon's crown.
The Heavenly Demon crossed his palms, blocking the strike—but the force cratered the ground beneath him in a perfect circle.
Then, the five Demon Blades launched a simultaneous attack—Sword and Body as One—a suicidal charge that relied on their Blade Immunity. A crude tactic, but executed with such speed and coordination that it became an unstoppable force—five boulders hurtling forward with crushing momentum.