63 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 63 Cheon Yu glanced discreetly at Cheon Hui, who was following behind, and quietly inquired to Hyunjin. "Is it alright to bring the disciple along?" "Cheon Hui is now a Taoist of the Hwasan Sect. One day, he'll have to face such tasks, so the sooner he gains such experience, the better." "But where we're heading now is..." "It'll be fine." Hyunjin cut him off decisively. "We'll be there, won't we?" Meanwhile, Mae Hwa Sword Master approached Cheon Hui's side. Despite joining later in life, Koo Gyom-wi had earned his title as the Mae Hwa Sword Master through his exceptional skill. His teddy-bear-like countenance was both comforting and commanding. "Stay close beside me." His voice, directed towards Cheon Hui, was a blend of kindness and concern. 'He looks okay on the outside.' He stole a glance at Cheon Hui. The young man, now robust and handsome, was a far cry from the frail, thin figure who seemed on the brink of collapse — the image that had lingered in Koo Gyom-wi's memory. For that, he was grateful. 'He's finally healed,' he mused happily. Perhaps that was why. Koo Gyom-wi was uneasy about Cheon Hui tagging along on such a dangerous mission. Considering he had just recovered, the idea of him undertaking risky tasks was unfavored. Most of the sword masters felt the same. To them, Cheon Hui was a cherished junior disciple — a source of comfort and affection from olden times. "Does the disciple know about this mission?" "No, he doesn't." "…He doesn't? And yet he decided to come along?" "Yes." "And he still followed us here?" Perplexed, Koo Gyom-wi scratched his cheek. Then, he glanced sideways. The Mae Hwa sword masters, who had been secretly observing, stiffened and feigned coughs when they caught his eye. "Ahem. How about Koo Sa-hyung explains it to him?" "With Koo Sa-hyung's knack for explanation, it's probably best." Awkwardly, they averted their eyes, embarrassed by their covert attention. "Sigh." Koo Gyom-wi sighed deeply. "Disciple, listen carefully then." Cheon Hui paid careful attention. He had only heard basic information from Cheon Yu last night — that they were dealing with a demon residing in the mountains. 'We left to prepare before hearing any in-depth explanations.' Koo Gyom-wi bent his knees slightly to meet Cheon Hui's shorter stature eye-to-eye. "The one we've been ordered to eliminate is a demon recently discovered by the Gae Bang while investigating rumors of villagers disappearing. It's said this demon practices a vile martial art that absorbs the energy of the deceased villagers they've killed." Koo Gyom-wi recited the gathered information. The explanations continued for another quarter of an hour before Hyunjin halted their advance. "We've arrived." The location they reached was a mountain not far from Hubei Province. "He should be in there." Hyunjin's soft-spoken words instilled a subtle tension in the air. "Everyone, move out." The Mae Hwa sword masters spread out in all directions. "Cheon Hui, follow me." Hyunjin called out to him. Sword drawn, he radiated a gentle, vigilant energy. With those words, Hyunjin advanced. 'Simple.' Their intentions were plain. Encircle and gradually tighten in — a simple yet effective approach. 'Is this truly the skill of the Mae Hwa sword masters?' Cheon Hui recalled their departure. Though their advance was swift enough to instantly traverse the ground, he couldn’t help but feel it paled compared to the might of the former Mae Hwa masters. 'Still, for now, it's all one could ask for.' Shaking his head, he acknowledged the present Hwasan Sect was different from the past. 'Each one surpasses Red Blade and Seol Ran, at least.' Crunch— crunch— He trod over fallen leaves, moving along briefly. "…!" Hyunjin halted and turned his head. 'They've been found.' Cheon Hui turned as well. He could sense the clash of energies from the direction Hyunjin was focused on. "Do you know the way back?" Hyunjin asked urgently. "Yes." "Then return first." With those parting words, Hyunjin moved. Thud! As he struck the ground, the leaves beneath his feet burst upward. Through them, he could see Hyunjin departing. "He should handle it well enough." Cheon Hui lost interest and turned away. The energy exuded by the so-called demon was surprisingly weak. 'It’s not magical, yet feels familiar… where have I sensed this before?' As Cheon Hui began retracing his steps, the Mae Hwa sword masters were encircling an elderly man, maintaining caution. "What business do the Taoists of the Hwasan Sect have in these mountains?" The old man, with his white hair and brows, laughed heartily, stroking his beard. "You know well enough, don't you?" Though the elder appeared detached from worldly matters, the sword masters weren't fooled. "What do you mean?" "Did you think you'd get away with massacring villagers so easily?" The old man’s eyebrows twitched in a spasm. His face curled into a malicious sneer, emitting a sinister energy. "How did you find out?" The Mae Hwa sword masters didn't respond. Or couldn’t, given the overwhelming pressure of the old man’s sinister aura. At that moment. Flash! A streak of light cut through the oppressive aura. "…!" The old man swiftly turned his head. Hyunjin stood there, sword in hand. "How about surrendering quietly and paying for your crimes?" "Pay for crimes?" The old man smirked. "I have no crimes to answer for." "Even after massacring villagers?" "Heh, they served as sustenance for the Qi Blood Art I practice. Shouldn't they be grateful?" "Qi Blood Art!" Hyunjin’s eyes trembled momentarily. "…Black Fierce Killing Demon." The old man's twisted lips formed a grotesque smile. "Kekeke. So you know me." Looking back with concern, Hyunjin called out, "Everyone, retreat." The sword masters flinched. Hyunjin’s words indicated their opponent wasn’t to be trifled with. "You think that’ll save you?" The Black Fierce Killing Demon revealed his true, hidden nature. A chilling aura exuded from the Fierce Killing Demon engulfed the surroundings, robbing the sword masters of their senses. "…!" The Mae Hwa sword masters retreated in shock. In that brief moment, the Fierce Killing Demon acted, rushing forward and striking at Cheon Yu's abdomen with blinding speed. Thud! A dull sound echoed, and Cheon Yu's knees buckled. But it wasn't over. The demon's hand rose once more, ready to strike. Flash! A sword gleam burst upward. "You scoundrel!" The Fierce Killing Demon dodged to the side, startled. "…Ugh." The sword was now in Cheon Yu's right hand, pointed skyward, though moments prior he had been clutching his stomach. His bloodshot eyes locked with the demon's, who felt a chill and surged his inner power. "You mustn't be left alive!" His pupils glowed with a fierce red as he channeled his learned technique, the Blood Qi Hand. "Die!" The enraged demon launched a storm of red energy, tearing through space toward Cheon Yu. The crimson strands seemed ready to rip Cheon Yu apart. Yet, the demon had forgotten something: there was more than one opponent. Clang! A small sound resonated. Startled, the Fierce Killing Demon turned to see Hyunjin had appeared and swung his sword. The next moment, a thunderous sound erupted. Boom! The forces of the Fierce Killing Demon and Hyunjin sent them both flying. Skid— Recoiling from the impact, both fighters quickly stabilized themselves, executing a mid-air maneuver. At that moment, the Mae Hwa sword masters sprang into action. With unmatched footwork, they quickly encircled the disoriented Fierce Killing Demon and raised their swords. "A combined attack?" The demon cried out in surprise. But regardless of his protests, the sword masters pressed their assault. Slash! The demon lashed out with both hands, scattering his red energy sharply around. Clang! Clang! To deflect the incoming energy, the sword masters adjusted their sword trajectories temporarily. The demon seized that opening. Crunch! A sharp noise followed by the scream of Mae Hwa master Un-hyeon as his arm was shattered echoed. The demon grabbed Un-hyeon and hurled him towards the other sword masters. "Disciple!" "Senior Brother!" While they rushed to catch Un-hyeon. Thud! The Fierce Killing Demon made a run for it. "Everyone, halt!" Hyunjin grasped his chest and shouted. Blood trickled from his mouth, his internal energy disrupted from the recent clash. "Goo Gyom-wi, stay and tend to the fallen." "I should go with you—" "No, stay. The fiend could return and take someone hostage. With your footwork, you can evade him even if injured, so I trust you to handle things here." "Ah!" Goo Gyom-wi was struck with admiration. Hyunjin was thinking through even the worst-case scenarios. "Understood." Hyunjin bit his lip in determination. "The rest follow my lead." Thus began the chase anew, with Hyunjin urging them onward. "Damn…!" Meanwhile, the Fierce Killing Demon clutched his shoulder and fled, gnashing his teeth. "Just a few more years and I would've reached mastery!" Fury boiled within him. His goal had been the ultimate mastery of the Blood Qi technique. The misstep lay in his greed, annihilating an entire village, which had brought about this ruin. "Everything I've built is lost." His voice quivered with rage. For the power he had risked everything for, abducting and killing multiple people, was now gone. At that moment, his senses picked up something. "That one…." His gaze sharpened as he spotted a young Taoist clad in the attire of the Hwasan Sect along the downward trail. "Perfect. A lone disciple." A sly grin spread across his face. Amidst his animosity towards the Hwasan Sect, here stood a suitable target. Despite seeming weak, this one promised more energy than ordinary villagers. He quickened his pace. "Prepare to be my sustenance!" His hands spread wide, ready to tear the Taoist apart with his Blood Qi hand technique. Swoosh— At that moment, the young monk turned and met his gaze. "…!" The Fierce Killing Demon froze. Cold, detached eyes stared back at him. In that instant, long-forgotten terror gripped him. And then. Thud! His head burst apart. "So it was Blood Qi after all." Cheon Hui looked down at the headless, fallen Fierce Killing Demon. What he had sensed moments before was the malicious energy of the Blood Sect he once dismantled during their attempts to create Jiangshi using similar chaos. 'Does the Blood Sect still have remnants?' He pondered over the corpse. "If they're strutting about like this, the sect itself can't have revived. Perhaps he just stumbled upon their martial techniques." He ceased thinking about the body. The Blood Sect had long since been annihilated. Dwelling on it was unnecessary. "It'll just be troublesome if I stay here." Watching Hyunjin approach in the distance, Cheon Hui walked away. Moments later, Hyunjin and the Mae Hwa sword masters arrived. "…!" They gasped at the sight of the corpse. "Who defeated the Black Fierce Killing Demon?" Hyunjin was particularly shocked. The demon had once terrorized Anhui Province, evading even the renowned Namgung family. Yet here he lay, cold and lifeless, his head shattered. Hyunjin surveyed the surroundings. Nothing indicated who had slain the demon so effortlessly. "Who in the world could have…"