64 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

**Chapter 64** "...So you're saying the Black Ears Demon was found dead on the road?" "Hard to believe, but yes," Hyun-jin replied, prompting Seol-geum, the young man sitting across from him, to rub his throbbing forehead. Their mission was to eliminate a demon who had massacred a village. However, the situation had taken an unexpected turn. The demon they thought to be of lower rank turned out to be the formidable Demon Lord who had once brought a bloodbath upon the Namgung Clan and Anhui Province. "Are you certain the body is that of the Black Ears Demon?" "It definitely showed signs of using Blood Energy Gong." "Then, it must be him," Seol-geum conceded. The Blood Energy Gong was an art unknown to the martial world. Only those directly involved, like the Black Ears Demon, the Namgung Clan, and a few members of the Martial Alliance, knew of it. "Absolutely no one else was around?" Hyun-jin nodded affirmatively. After discovering the demon's corpse, they thoroughly searched the surroundings but found no one aside from themselves. "This is quite the predicament." Seol-geum, speaking with a troubled expression, picked up a brush and began to elegantly document the report on the paper before him. "While it’s beneficial to our alliance that the notorious Demon Lord is dead, not knowing who killed him..." He suddenly halted his writing and set the brush down. "For now, you've done well." "What will you report concerning the mission?" "I'll report it as the doing of a grandmaster hero." "...But isn’t that a lie?" "We have no other choice," Seol-geum responded with a cold gaze. "If we say an unknown person dealt with it, what will others think?" "That’s..." “People are already wary of the True Man and Huashan Sect, right? Better to use this as a stepping stone.” Hyun-jin bit his lip. His conscience pained him at the thought of lying, but as Seol-geum suggested, it was an advantageous opportunity. Gaining renown for defeating the Demon Lord, known as the Black Ears Demon, wasn’t an easy feat. "It will yield good results for the grandmaster and the Huashan. The rising fame of the Huashan Sect will just get more wings." "…I understand." After Hyun-jin left, Seol-geum, now alone, picked up the brush again and began writing on a fresh piece of paper: ―Superior martial artist sighted in [location]. Need information. Having prepared the letter to send to the League Chief, Seol-geum slipped it into his sleeve and rose. "The unexpected death of the Black Ears Demon." Seol-geum tapped the table with his index finger, pondering aloud. "Since we have the corpse, should we negotiate with the Namgung Clan? It might be best to entrust the dispatched mission to Hyun-jin if that's the case." As a new mission directive was set to unfold at the Huashan Sect courtesy of Seol-geum: 'I didn’t expect to see Blood Church martial arts.' Having completed his meditation, Cheon-hwi recalled an elder adept in the Blood Church's techniques. ‘And to do so with such audacity.’ He clicked his tongue in disbelief. What was the Blood Church? A secretive, reclusive religious sect. Only a few knew of their existence, primarily the Heavenly Demon Sect and the Great Thunder Temple (大雷音寺), long-standing adversaries of the Blood Church. 'Maybe I should learn Blood Church martial arts,' one might whimsically think. But that would be a grave misunderstanding. The presence of the Great Thunder Temple was the reason. Should Blood Church techniques emerge, the temple's warrior monks would immediately react, historically pouncing like rabid dogs whenever the Blood Church stirred. ‘It made things convenient.’ Cheon-hwi recalled the frenzied monks from the Great Thunder Temple who rampaged alongside him when they quelled the Blood Church that once provoked their sect. Their martial arts, unique due to their esoteric mystique, were indeed distinct. Their techniques resembled expanding and coiling yogic arts or martial skills nearly bordering on demonic arts. Remarkably, they were unperturbed by the distinctive aura of the Blood Church, presumably familiar with it for ages. Strange, though. How could that person have not revealed themselves until a nickname was attached to the one who learned Blood Energy Gong? That someone mastered Blood Energy Gong should have prompted them to take action. An inquiry naturally arose within him. ‘Perhaps the Great Thunder Temple has changed?’ That was the most rational thought he could muster. Three hundred years had passed since the Blood Church was annihilated, and while their enmity was ancient, perhaps time had erased those memories. ’Not that it matters either way.’ Cheon-hwi shrugged off his thoughts. Why bother with the Blood Church or the Great Thunder Temple? Being far from the martial world's central plains meant it was unnecessary to invest attention in their affairs. ‘Besides, I'm no longer the leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect.’ Just then, the door burst open, and Cheon-yu appeared, calling out to the seated Cheon-hwi. "Sage! We've got a new mission. Want to come along?" * * * After an interval, as Cheon-hwi stepped out into the courtyard, carriages awaited him. Cheon-yu waved energetically. "Over here, Sage." Panting slightly from the dash, Cheon-yu glanced at Cheon-hwi's sparse belongings and chuckled sheepishly. "I hoped we could relax and have a good drink together..." Whispering, he subtly gestured backward, indicating the lack of opportunity. "Next time," he added. At that moment, Hyun-jin approached. "What are you doing? Hurry and get on." "Yes, understood." Nodding, Cheon-yu led Cheon-hwi to the last carriage. Inside, a passenger was already seated. "Big brother! Brother Hwi is here too!" Gu Gyeom-ui greeted with an amiable smile. Despite his bulk, which dwarfed most men, and the cramped space, his face radiated brightness. That's when the curtain at the front was drawn aside. "We're off now," the coachman announced, prompting Cheon-yu and Cheon-hwi to settle into their seats. The whip cracked, the horses whinnied, and the carriage set off. "Where exactly are we headed?" Cheon-hwi inquired, finally acknowledging the situation. Gu Gyeom-ui and Cheon-yu exchanged startled glances. "Elder brother?” "Didn't I mention it?" Cheon-yu seemed to have remembered a forgotten detail. "We're heading to the Namgung Clan." "The Namgung Clan...?" Cheon-hwi tilted his head in puzzlement. The Namgung Clan was well-known. Recognized as the leading family among the Eight Great Clans and the cornerstone supporting the Bi-chun Assembly, their history and prestige were celebrated throughout the martial world. And Cheon-hwi was intimately acquainted with the Namgung Clan. ‘In my past life, the Namgung Clan was the de facto leader among the so-called Five Great Clans.’ Of course, things were different now than they were back then. However, the essence remained the same. 'History has only deepened,' Cheon-hwi thought. The history of the Namgung Clan was profound. With a legacy exceeding eight hundred years, it was comparable to the renowned Shaolin and Wudang. Yet something puzzled him. In the present, the Namgung Clan belonged to the Bicheon Assembly, which was at odds with the Martial Alliance. It was also a key pillar of the Eight Great Clans. "Aren't we currently at odds with the Namgung Clan?" Cheon-hwi asked. "We're here to deliver the Black Ears Demon's corpse," Gu Gyeom-ui replied, and Cheon-yu added, "There’s deep enmity between the Namgung Clan and the Black Ears Demon." * * * It took two weeks after leaving the Martial Alliance for the group to arrive in Anhui Province. "Elder brother, we've reached Anhui," Gu Gyeom-ui announced, pressing his face against the carriage window, wide-eyed with curiosity about the streets outside. Cheon-hwi also directed his gaze out the window, specifically to the impressive walls and the signboard visible even from a distance. 'Righteous and Noble Through Time?' He carefully observed the sign engraved with 'Namgung Clan of Righteous and Noble Through Time.' Despite its rugged script, it was evident that whoever had written it possessed significant skill, likely a martial artist at the very least at the Heavenly Martial level. 'Hmm. It’s quite impressive. It must have been penned by a swordsman of considerable standing.' As he contemplated the fierce will tied to the hastily scrawled script, the carriage door suddenly swung open. "Come out," Hyun-jin instructed. Exiting the carriage, Cheon-hwi joined the others from the Plum Blossom Swordsman Sect already waiting outside. “…What brings the illustrious Huashan Sect here?” asked a gate guard of the Namgung Clan, his voice rigid and tinged with menace. "We have something to deliver," Hyun-jin replied. "What is it?" the guard inquired, standing firm and unmoved despite being surrounded by so many. "The corpse of the Black Ears Demon." "…!" The gate guard's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Hyun-jin. "Are you sure?" Hyun-jin nodded. "Yes." Seeing this, the guard knitted his brows and respectfully bowed his head. "Please wait a moment." "Very well." As the guard hurried inside, the group found themselves awkwardly standing at the Namgung Clan's gate. "…Looks like we'll have to wait," one of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen remarked, clearly uncomfortable. Creeeeak— The door, previously closed, opened again. "The master has granted permission for your visit." The gate guard reappeared. "Thank you," Hyun-jin said, stepping forward, and the rest of the group prepared to follow him in. Step— The guard barred their path. "The master only permitted one person." At this steely pronouncement, Hyun-jin’s expression turned slightly troubled. "We can't enter together?" "That is correct." “But we need to transport the body.” “We will handle that within the clan…” "Do you plan to leave our guests standing outside?" A deep, authoritative voice resonated from afar. An elderly man, sweeping the yard with a kindly face, was the source. "E-Elder?" The guard was visibly alarmed at the sight of the man, quickly bowing his head. “I trust you have been well…” "The greeting will suffice," the elder interrupted, ceasing his sweeping. Casting a glance at the awkwardly standing visitors, the elder spoke, "Instead of standing there, why not welcome the Taoists inside?" "The master's orders are very specific," the guard replied hesitantly. "Did he now?" Wrinkles appeared on the elder’s forehead. "Yes." The guard's voice, once assertive, dwindled to a murmur. The elder shook his head in disappointment. "Let them in." "But that would mean…" "I will take responsibility for this." "You, Elder?" As the guard flinched, the elder’s resolve firmed. "Let them in." “...Understood.” The gate guard turned sharply. "Please, all of you, come inside." Cheon-hwi cast a subtle glance at the elder. 'Who could this be? In most clans, the master’s authority is nearly absolute.' This was no ordinary individual. 'And his martial prowess is remarkable as well.' As the elder approached, he apologized, "My apologies for keeping you waiting." With courteous respect, he folded his hands together, meeting the gaze of each Taoist, one by one. His eyes radiated warmth, but Cheon-hwi perceived the formidable and intense thunder concealed within their depths. 'He's quite powerful,' Cheon-hwi noted. Their eyes met for an extended moment before the elder gently stepped back. "Namo Amitabha," Hyun-jin murmured a Buddhist blessing. "Thank you." The departing elder offered a silent smile—a fleeting, ephemeral gesture. As the elder withdrew, hands clasped behind him, the gate guard watched him go with a complex expression before turning back to the group. "Please follow me."