Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Departing Ghost Sword Manor (2)
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Next up was tracking down traces of Demon-Eyed Thunderbolt Sima Hui.
'Sima Hui was direct Demonic Cult lineage, as well as the bloodline of the previous cult leader.'
As such, finding traces of him was an incredibly difficult and remote task.
That was why Sogang's help was needed more than anything.
"Oh right, Sogang. After I was sealed, what happened to Hui?"
The Heavenly Demon asked Sogang once more before departure.
For Sogang, the storyteller who knew everything about the Heavenly Demon and the Demonic Cult, this was a far too easy question.
"As far as I know, there was a saying in the Demonic Cult at the time: 'The world's most useless worry is worrying about Sima Hui.'"
"Yeah, that's right. That's why I never worried much about Sima Hui."
The Heavenly Demon had never worried much about Demon-Eyed Thunderbolt Sima Hui, even though stubbornly loyal Loyal Ghost Sword Yang U-ryang had fretted.
"In fact, Strategist Sima Hui showed unwavering brilliance throughout his life ruling the Demonic Cult and is said to have passed away after living a full lifespan."
While the First Heavenly Demon was sealed and Loyal Ghost Sword Yang U-ryang met his final days in retirement, Demon-Eyed Thunderbolt Sima Hui was the only one of the three key retainers known to have lived out his full lifespan without retiring or stepping down.
"Since the strategist came from Demonic Cult bloodline, many believe he died on Heavenly Mountain, but the truth is different."
"Really?"
The Heavenly Demon responded with interest to the insider info only Sogang could know.
"Yes. From what I know, the Sima surname is divided into two branches. One from Sima Guang, one of the five founders of the Demonic Cult... and the main house of the Sima Clan at the heart of Luoyang in Henan Province."
Sogang was right.
At present, the 'Sima' surname symbolized the Demonic Cult's direct line and pure blood, but even Sima Guang, who birthed the Demonic Cult, originally belonged to the Henan Sima Clan.
Thus, they were classified as the Demonic Cult Sima lineage and the Central Plains Sima Clan.
"So why?"
"There's a secretive rumor that in his later years, Strategist Sima Hui was ousted from internal Demonic Cult power struggles and quietly went to the Central Plains Sima Clan to prepare for his end."
"Is that true?"
The Heavenly Demon asked in surprise at the completely unexpected news.
'I thought Hui would spend his final days happily, tasting every sweetness life had to offer, and die with a bright smile.'
Yet to be chased from Heavenly Mountain in the Demonic Cult and head to the Central Plains Sima Clan?
The Central Plains Sima Clan nominally belonged to the orthodox sects and scorned the Demonic Cult Simas as a disgrace.
To go there of his own accord meant...
"That no other force would take Hui in?"
"Nothing's certain yet, so how about stopping by the Henan Sima Clan first?"
"Fine. Then to Henan Province."
The Heavenly Demon nodded, and their journey to Henan was set.
'Even going to the Sima Clan might not uncover Hui's traces.'
The Heavenly Demon thought so but planned to visit regardless.
It wasn't for his own comfort or peace of mind.
'Hui would surely have left something behind.'
The Heavenly Demon trusted Sima Hui.
No, he trusted his brilliance.
Just like with the previous secret vault, if Sima Hui intended to leave something, he definitely would have.
"Alright, let's head out."
The journey began toward the Sima Clan in Luoyang, Henan Province.
Even while traveling, the Heavenly Demon and Yang Hui-gun sparred daily as if in real combat, and each time, Yang Hui-gun achieved daily, nay, monthly progress.
Of course, he barely escaped death's door every time.
'Huff huff... almost died again.'
Having finished this morning's bout, Yang Hui-gun shuddered, realizing how close he'd come to losing his head.
Even more terrifying, the Heavenly Demon's attacks came at him with killing intent yet never actually killed, instilling a fear greater than death itself.
Heh!
"Alright, how about we grab some food now?"
The moment the spar ended, the Heavenly Demon switched to an endlessly carefree demeanor, as if nothing had happened.
Not just Yang Hui-gun, but even Sogang couldn't adapt to the gap and stood dumbfounded.
"We've been camping out and surviving on Fasting Pills, so let's eat something tasty today."
"Yes! I'll guide you to the best inn nearby!"
Sogang, who once wandered all the Central Plains inns selling stories for a living, stepped up.
True to his storyteller roots, he had the local inns locked down.
'The famous inn around here is definitely the Eight Kings Inn!'
The group had passed Liaoning and reached Hebei, so they headed to the Eight Kings Inn, known among insiders for its excellent chef in eastern Hebei.
Given the Heavenly Demon's dislike for crowded places, they chose the superb yet low-key Eight Kings Inn.
"This place's chicken soup is a work of art!"
Sogang boasted with his signature eloquence, spinning tales of dishes that whetted the appetites of the Heavenly Demon and Yang Hui-gun as they approached the inn.
Expectations grew with every word from Sogang.
Just as they reached the entrance of the Eight Kings Inn...
"Sorry about this. The inn's closed to outsiders right now."
A burly man with a friendly face blocked the entrance.
His beard was grown wild like a Romance of the Three Kingdoms general, his features large and rugged, smiling amiably in a way that inspired goodwill.
"Oh no!"
Sogang, hit with bad luck on a good day, started turning away, but the Heavenly Demon was different.
"Innkeeper?"
The Heavenly Demon asked without hesitation, eyeing the obviously strong, hulking warrior.
"Nope."
"Then head chef or waiter?"
"Can't you tell that's not it?"
The man shrugged as if it were ridiculous.
He hadn't been back in the Central Plains long, but this was the first person to speak so casually to him from the start.
"Then why?"
"Because..."
He explained the situation with a helpless shrug.
"Lady Shi Jin-yeong, whom I serve, is dining here."
The moment he finished, Sogang, versed in Central Plains common knowledge, cried out in shock.
"Sh-Shi Jin-yeong? The golden branch, jade leaf, youngest daughter of the Stone Clan Manor?"
"Oh! You get it, little brother. Yes, Lady Jin-yeong came out for a visit and stopped by because she loves the chef's cooking. It's for her safety, so please understand."
"Then you're Ha Jin, the Invincible Golden Sabre, one of the Stone Clan Manor's Three Great Guests and Lady Jin-yeong's bodyguard?"
"Hahaha! Right you are. I'm Ha Jin."
This affable giant was Ha Jin, the Invincible Golden Sabre, a peak transcendent realm expert.
Those at transcendent realm were usually top masters or leaders of the Nine Great Sects or Five Great Clans, but unusually, Ha Jin served the Stone Clan Manor.
True warriors of pride never sold their skills for mere gold, but Ha Jin's eyes were blinded by the Stone Clan Manor's astronomical pay, gladly selling his prowess.
Thus, Jianghu warriors mocked him as "Money-Grubbing Golden Sabre" rather than Invincible Golden Sabre—a warrior who sold his arts for coin.
"Since you know me, it's easier to explain. As you know, many forces target our Lady Jin-yeong. Bear with us."
Surprisingly, Ha Jin didn't blink at the mockery from Jianghu warriors.
He was known for his bold, good-natured personality; most just tsked that it was a shame he served the Stone Clan Manor.
"The internal successor struggle in the Stone Clan Manor is fierce, right? Ah! I spoke out of turn."
"No harm done."
True to his famously gentle and mild reputation, Ha Jin didn't mind Sogang the nobody's slip or the fancy-looking young master's casual speech.
It was water off a duck's back.
But the problem was...
"Step aside, giant."
The fancy-looking young man before him wasn't some pampered heir—he was none other than Gunryong, the First Heavenly Demon.
To Gunryong, neither Invincible Golden Sabre nor Stone Clan Manor mattered.
He was just hungry, desperately craving the chicken soup Sogang raved about.
"G-Gunryong! Sir!"
Sogang panicked at the Heavenly Demon's sudden advance, wedging between Ha Jin and him in confusion.
"Hahaha! Looks like our young master is quite upset. Here's some silver—go to another inn even if it's out of the way..."
Ha Jin pulled silver from his pouch to hand over, but the Heavenly Demon ignored it and stepped closer to the entrance.
"Step aside."
"......"
By now, even the paragon of patience Ha Jin was getting heated, his face flushing red.
Though he'd been rude first, he'd explained fully and offered to cover their meal.
'This bookish fool who's never even learned breathing exercises dares!'
Thinking he'd done his duty, Ha Jin bristled when the martial arts novice-looking Heavenly Demon picked a fight.
The Heavenly Demon appeared ordinary because he'd reached realms far beyond Ha Jin, perfectly concealing his aura.
If he wished, he could erupt his energy anytime—but he didn't.
"I've explained the situation fully..."
"That's your situation."
At those words, Ha Jin fully lost his temper, his hand unconsciously going to the hilt of his signature weapon, the gleaming golden sabre.
Ha Jin hated striking martial outsiders, but today he was unusually sensitive.
The instant Ha Jin's hand touched the golden sabre hilt,
Swish!
Something even more astonishing happened.
While the Heavenly Demon stood still, the one guarding his back—
Ghost Shadow Sword Yang Hui-gun—had silently drawn his sword, aiming it at Ha Jin.
'Impossible! He looks a dozen years younger... but he's no inferior!'
Ha Jin, focused only on Sogang and the Heavenly Demon, startled at Yang Hui-gun's aura hidden behind.
The energy Yang Hui-gun emitted rivaled his own transcendent realm.
'No, considering his age, he might even surpass me someday!'
Realizing this, Ha Jin couldn't draw his beloved sabre.
Because the moment he did, Yang Hui-gun's sword would rush at him.
"Jeez, you're huge."
As Ha Jin gripped the hilt and hesitated, the Heavenly Demon sidestepped him toward the entrance.
Ha Jin wanted to block, but Yang Hui-gun's energy was like a honed blade—he couldn't afford to look away.
Thus, a bizarre standoff unfolded.
"I'll order first, so come in slowly."
Leaving Yang Hui-gun in tense confrontation with Ha Jin, the Heavenly Demon took Sogang and entered the inn.
"G-Gunryong sir, what about Young Master Hui-gun..."
"Precious kids need raising tough. That's how they get strong."
With quintessentially Heavenly Demon logic, he strode into the Eight Kings Inn.
Inside were Lady Shi Jin-yeong, the Stone Clan Manor's youngest daughter and prime successor candidate, plus her escorts and attendants beyond Ha Jin. They froze in shock as outsiders Heavenly Demon and Sogang entered.
Sogang too stiffened at Shi Jin-yeong's beauty and the dozen-plus guards.
Ignoring their reactions, the Heavenly Demon spoke calmly.
"Bring every delicacy from land and sea! Oh... and chicken soup is a must."