65 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 65 Under the guidance of the gatekeeper warriors, Hyunjin led the way while Cheon Yu and three other Plum Blossom Sword Guards followed, carrying the coffin containing the corpse of Heuk Hyo-salma. "It's quite large," thought Chun-hui, who trailed at the end of the procession, his eyes darting around. "This place rivals the Five Great Families of the Divine Sect," he mused. In the grounds of the Namgung clan's estate, evidence of its long history was present in the expansive courtyard and the classical elegance of the surrounding pavilions. One could almost guess at the wealth and manpower lavished upon the estate, reflecting the clan's prosperity just by looking. As the group walked through the vast courtyard and corridors, they encountered the bustling household members of the Namgung clan, cheerfully going about their activities. "Are they guests?" "But those martial arts uniforms...?" In an instant, their laughter ceased. Their gazes sharpened, piercing the group like arrows. "Not exactly a welcoming atmosphere, is it?" Chun-hui's sudden remark drew startled looks from his companions. "Am I wrong?" "Hwi-ya," Cheon Yu approached quickly. Glancing at the gatekeeper warriors, he moved a finger to his lips, whispering softly. "You have to watch your words here." "Why is that? Because it's the Namgung clan?" "Exactly. Because it's the Namgung clan... Are you doing this on purpose?" "I just don't like the way they're staring," Chun-hui glared at those watching them. Their stares were too blatant. "It's as if we're some sort of spectacle... Mmhp." Feeling the gatekeepers' eyes on them, Cheon Yu clamped a hand over Chun-hui's mouth to silence him. "Shh. We have to keep quiet." Cheon Yu spoke with a wary glance around. He sensed the tense atmosphere too, and was sure the rest of their group felt the same. However, what could they do? This was the Namgung clan's territory. Saying the wrong thing might cause them trouble instead. Cheon Yu leaned close to Chun-hui’s ear and whispered, "Let's save that conversation for later." Observing Cheon Yu's earnest eyes, Chun-hui removed the hand covering his mouth. He was displeased. Never did he imagine he would be treated this way by the Namgung clan. But for now, he held his peace. The watchful eyes of their peers were upon him. Soon, the group was led to a separate wing. "Please wait here for a while." As soon as they entered the annex, the gatekeeper warrior left after these words. "Feels like we're being snubbed," Chun-hui commented dryly. "Indeed," Hyunjin replied with a resigned smile at the perceptiveness. He had anticipated such treatment upon visiting the Namgung clan. After all, the Wulin Alliance and the Plum Blossom Society were arch-nemeses. Yet the degree of hostility was greater than expected. "...For now, let’s unpack," Hyunjin suggested, deliberately changing the subject. Complaining wouldn’t help. They could only finish their mission swiftly and return to the Wulin Alliance. At that moment, the door to the annex creaked open, revealing a middle-aged man with a sharp presence accompanied by the scent of sandalwood. Spotting the group, he approached and offered a slight bow to Hyunjin. "I am Namgung Jin-soo, the chief steward." His disrespectful demeanor, not even acknowledging the formal martial salute, made the group frown. "I am Hyunjin from Huashan," Hyunjin responded with a martial salute. "The famous Plum Blossom Knight," Namgung Jin-soo's eyes gleamed briefly before returning to their usual inscrutability. "I've heard you brought the corpse of Heuk Hyo-salma. Is that true?" "Indeed. I also carry a separate letter from the Wulin Alliance," Hyunjin replied, pulling a missive from his robes and extending it to Namgung Jin-soo, who accepted it with a furrowed brow. "Sent by the strategiist of the Wulin Alliance," Namgung Jin-soo noted. "That is correct." Namgung Jin-soo's expression remained unsatisfied as he stowed the letter into his sleeve after reading it. "I have verified it," he nodded. "Then please, follow me." Hyunjin's eyebrows twitched at the abrupt command. "Follow you? What do you mean?" "The head of the house is waiting for you." Caught off guard, the group had no choice but to follow the chief steward without even unpacking. They walked for what seemed a considerable time, when suddenly it became obvious something was amiss. The once-bustling Namgung clan estate was now silent. Not a single soul moved through the corridors, giving off an eerie, deserted feeling. Sensing the quiet tension akin to the calm before a storm, Hyunjin and the Plum Blossom Sword Guards heightened their vigilance as they trailed the lead of the chief steward. "This is it," the chief steward halted. At the end of what seemed to be an endlessly long hallway stood an imposing, intricately carved wooden door. [The Azure Sky Great Hall (蒼天大殿)] As the Plum Blossom Sword Guards tensed at the sight of the great hall, the gatekeepers pushed open the closed doors. Crrrrack— The door opened slowly, a dim light spilling from inside. "Please enter." Hyunjin moved through the light first, with Chun-hui entering last. "Is that the body of Heuk Hyo-salma?" "The Plum Blossom Sword Guards made it all the way here." Voices echoed from all sides. "So they were all here." Half-closed eyes surveyed the great hall. Though they had only just arrived, the hall was already bustling with numerous individuals clad in opulent, azure martial robes. "Such antics were often done by those with not much to show," thought Chun-hui with a wry smile. Typically, a private meeting or a light conversation at a small table was customary. But why summon them to the great hall, packed full of clan members? "A show of power, surely." Chun-hui chuckled, observing the scrutinizing eyes that were anything but friendly. In fact, they were filled with wariness and hostility. "And yet, it’s quite a sight to see the once-tight-knit nine martial sects and the eight great families now opposing each other." It was an intriguing scene. "If the Demon Lord were alive, he’d be delighted." The Heavenly Demon Sect had previously exerted great effort to sow discord among the orthodox sects but never succeeded. Yet now, they had divided. And they had grown hostile to one another. "Sword brother, what's wrong?" whispered Gu Kyom-ui's voice, nudging his thoughts back to the present. Realizing he had fallen behind, Chun-hui quickened his pace to rejoin his companions, who had stopped ahead. "Hurry up," Gu Kyom-ui urged with a glance, prompting Cheon-hui to resume his halted steps. He took only a few steps before the group ahead of him came to a stop. "The head of the house, I have brought the guests," the chief steward announced. Almost immediately, a firm voice echoed from above, "Welcome." Looking up, Cheon-hui saw a man seated on a grand throne atop a staircase. His appearance was striking—adorned in splendid silk robes with an elegantly jeweled crown, and beside the throne, a sword encrusted with various gems rested. Showing off in all his majesty, the man stood up from the throne, straightening his posture. "I am Namgung In," he declared with an authoritative presence. Despite the man’s overbearing demeanor and penetrating gaze, Hyunjin showed no hesitation, offering a polite bow. "I am Hyunjin of Huashan." At that moment, the hall of the Azure Sky stirred with murmurs. "Il Hong Mae...?" "Il Hong Mae has come all the way here." Meanwhile, the chief steward climbed the stairs and cautiously handed a letter to Namgung In. "This is a letter from the Wulin Alliance." Namgung In's expression shifted subtly as he read, eventually settling into a hard look. "A deal, you say..." he mused before rising to his feet. "I wish to confirm if this is indeed the body of Heuk Hyo-salma." "The body is right here," Hyunjin replied, gesturing behind him. Thud— The Plum Blossom Sword Guards set the coffin down, and one of them opened the lid, releasing the scent of death into the air. "Is that really the body of Heuk Hyo-salma?" came voices laden with hostility from all around. "They must have been quite the enemies," Cheon-hui thought, feeling the intense malice directed at the corpse, far exceeding that aimed at their group. A curiosity about the relationship between Heuk Hyo-salma and the Namgung clan piqued his interest. "A martial practitioner of the Blood Sect with ties to the Namgung clan? Intriguing," he mused. At that moment, Namgung In stepped forward. Descending the stairs slowly, he bypassed Hyunjin, approaching the coffin and gazed down at it. "...It truly resembles him," he remarked, his voice laced with palpable animosity. He swiftly turned his head towards Hyunjin, asking, "Who killed this man?" "We did," Hyunjin replied calmly. "You mean, your group?" Namgung In questioned skeptically. "Yes." "That's hard to believe," he said condescendingly. Yet Hyunjin, unfazed, continued smoothly, "It doesn’t matter if you don’t believe us. But the man practiced Blood Energy Cultivation and confessed he was indeed Heuk Hyo-salma." "Honed in Blood Energy Cultivation, you say?" Namgung In contemplated the body for a moment. "Cheonpoong Captain." "You summoned me?" A middle-aged man with a stern presence swiftly appeared, kneeling on one knee. "Examine this body." "Understood." Without further ado, Cheonpoong Captain closed the coffin lid. Instantly, four men emerged seemingly from nowhere, hefting the coffin onto their shoulders before ascending into the air. Tap! They vanished in an instant, and Namgung In turned his gaze back to Hyunjin and his companions. "Then, you may return to the annex," he spoke as if issuing an order to leave. Hyunjin and the Plum Blossom Sword Guards felt a surge of anger at the dismissive words, but they restrained themselves, merely biting their lips in silence. Here, in the territory of the Namgung clan, they were inside the lion’s den. Resigned, Hyunjin turned to the Plum Blossom Sword Guards, saying, "Let’s go back." The Plum Blossom Sword Guards clenched their teeth. What infuriated them more than the utter disregard was their inability to respond. As Hyunjin and the others passed him, Cheon-hui muttered to himself, "This is why I hate dealing with those who are ungrateful." His voice was low, yet those nearby heard him clearly. "...!" Everyone froze like statues. Hoping against hope that Namgung In hadn't overheard, they nervously glanced his way, but he had already paused mid-step on the stairs. "Wait a moment." With a sudden, sharp gaze, Namgung In turned to Cheon-hui and stared icily. "What did you just say?" "You heard that?" Cheon-hui returned his stare, slowly turning with a twisted smile forming on his lips. "Sensitive ears for such a narrow mind." "Sword brother!" "...!" "Hwi-ya!" Hyunjin and the Plum Blossom Sword Guards were alarmed, eyes wide in disbelief. This was the head of the Namgung clan they faced. Here, he held their lives in his hands. And now Cheon-hui was provoking him. They hurried to intervene, but Cheon-hui was unyielding. "I’ll say it again, so open those big ears and listen carefully," he taunted, undeterred. "No, don’t say it—" "Sword brother, stop this!" "Please don’t!" In their panic, Hyunjin and the Plum Blossom Sword Guards desperately tried to curb him, but before they could, Cheon-hui’s lips had already parted. "This is why I hate dealing with those who are ungrateful."