69 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 69 Three days later, as usual, Cheonhui arrived at the lakeside, where Namgung Jingyeong was watching the lake from a pavilion. He raised his hand enthusiastically. "Cheonhui Head Disciple!" He shouted and ran over in one swift motion. Standing in front of Cheonhui, his face still bore the bruises and bumps from wounds that hadn't healed since their last encounter, but it was full of smiles. "I've been waiting for you." "You seem more energetic than yesterday." "Hahaha. Sorry about that. I had some revelations after our sparring session yesterday..." Namgung Jingyeong laughed awkwardly. He had lost everything in their sparring match. Yet, as the saying goes, a setback can be a stepping stone to new beginnings. Thanks to that, he was able to build camaraderie with Cheonhui and set himself new goals. "So, shall we get started right away?" Cheonhui met his eyes, brimming with excitement as Namgung Jingyeong eagerly drew his sword. He was looking forward to the duel. After all, such guidance from a skilled master was a rarity. It might seem like he was at a disadvantage, but that wasn’t entirely the case. 'I'm also broadening my horizons with Namgung Clan's martial arts, so it's a fair exchange.' There were eight martial arts techniques he had shown. Most were ones he was already familiar with, but that was still a considerable gain. 'Indeed, they aren't called the family blessed by the Celestial Sky for nothing.' The techniques he learned were all interconnected. The Celestial Sky! Thunder! Flashing Thunder! At first glance, they seemed different, but they all embraced the sky in the same way. Much like how the Mount Hua Sect embraces plum blossoms and the Heavenly Demon Sect embraces rebellion. As Cheonhui organized the martial arts he had observed, he locked eyes with Namgung Jingyeong, who was watching him quietly. "What martial art will you show today?" Immediately, Namgung Jingyeong’s eyes sparkled. "The Cheonpung Sword Technique!" 'Oh, the Cheonpung Sword Technique? It's been a while since I've seen it.' "It's more powerful than the Daecheon Sword Style I showed yesterday!" Cheonhui couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the now-familiar boast. 'His image has changed quite a bit.' The countless sparring sessions over the past three days had drastically altered his impression of him. Despite experiencing humiliating defeats day after day, Namgung Jingyeong never let it bring him down. Instead, each defeat motivated him to refine his skills and exhibit new martial arts the following day, reigniting his fighting spirit with a fierce determination. 'I find it rather endearing.' Cheonhui was secretly impressed. His earnestness toward martial arts and unyielding resolve even when faced with a formidable opponent. He then beckoned him with a playful gesture. "Come on, then." "I've been waiting for you to say that!" With that familiar gesture seen countless times, Namgung Jingyeong drew his sword, ready. "Today, I shall make you draw your sword, Head Disciple." Although it seemed like a minor goal, Namgung Jingyeong knew it was as grand as a mountain, given his opponent was Cheonhui. At that moment, Cheonhui inspired Namgung Jingyeong’s burgeoning competitive spirit. "It would be nice if you could." Tightly! Provoked, Namgung Jingyeong steadied his gaze and gripped his sword tightly. "Then, here I come!" Having realized the vast skill gap between him and Cheonhui, Namgung Jingyeong initiated the attack. Cheonhui sidestepped, evading Namgung Jingyeong’s sword, and casually remarked. "Is that all?" "It's just getting started!" Namgung Jingyeong channeled his inner energy. In an instant, a crackle of thunderous energy arced, and his sword was swung mightily. 'It's not much different from what I know... oh?' Cheonhui’s eyes narrowed in realization. It wasn't just a little different; it was significantly so. With each successive strike, Namgung Jingyeong's sword became more potent. 'Even with ample inner energy, maintaining such an offensive should be impossible, right?' Yet, Namgung Jingyeong was doing just that. Was it due to the unique Cheonpung Sword Technique, or his razor-sharp focus? The barrage continued to storm forth like an unrelenting tempest. 'Attacking continuously without pause, he'll exhaust his inner energy long before mine is depleted.' Cheonhui’s eyes gleamed with interest. The Cheonpung Sword Technique he remembered centered around free-flowing transformations. Yet here he was, extending it into a chain attack. 'Has this changed too?' His luminous gaze briefly examined Namgung Jingyeong, as he wielded his sword. Swoosh— Cheonhui’s hand moved. He effortlessly deflected a Cheonpung Sword Technique strike, launching a counterattack, to which Namgung Jingyeong instinctively reacted. Thud! In a heartbeat, he shifted his footwork, evading and twisting his sword to guard against the counterattack. Having always been defenselessly overwhelmed before, Cheonhui took note of his first successful reaction and murmured quietly. "You can dodge now." It wasn't much of a statement, but it made Namgung Jingyeong’s lips twitch as if convulsing with contained laughter. "I wouldn't be much if I didn't learn after seeing your technique a few times!" Namgung Jingyeong barely restrained the laughter bubbling up as he spoke again. "Doesn't this make it worthy enough for you to draw your sword?" Cheonhui responded, observing his excitement. "No." "What do you mean... Gah!" Namgung Jingyeong’s eyes widened in shock as Cheonhui suddenly appeared right in front of him, palm wide open. The white palm filled his entire field of vision, growing larger and larger. Bang! A pitch-black darkness enveloped him as his forehead took the brunt of a massive impact, sending his consciousness spiraling away. 'Still, I’d like to be acknowledged...' Ultimately losing consciousness, Namgung Jingyeong fell straight to the ground with a thud, his body sprawled out in a "大" shape. Blood trickled from his nose, yet his face wore a huge grin, creating an eerie sight. "I’ve always felt this about him, disregarding other techniques, his chain attack execution is generally impressive." Rubbing his chin, Cheonhui briefly reminisced about the martial arts Namgung Jingyeong had just displayed. Swoosh— He tilted his head back, speaking into the open air. "Won't you come out now?" Immediately, a roaring gust appeared before him, revealing an elder with a dignified presence, hands clasped behind his back. ‘That face…?’ He studied the elder, recognizing a strangely familiar visage as the elder spoke softly. "This is our second meeting." "Oh! From three days ago." Now he recognized the voice. It was the man who, three days prior, had convinced the gatekeepers to allow him entry into the Namgung clan's compound. "So you decided to show yourself instead of staying hidden." The elder, slightly embarrassed, stroked his beard. "You noticed?" "You were glaring so intently; it was hard not to." The elder cleared his throat awkwardly and turned his head aside. "In truth, I intended to emerge halfway through. Yet, observing a member of my family sparring with a master from Mount Hua was so intriguing that I found myself lost in watching... and well, I simply forgot." "You forgot?" "Indeed." He just forgot? Though it sounded suspicious, his frequent embarrassed coughs indicated that it wasn’t a lie. "But having masters from Mount Hua staying with us... it's truly a novel experience." The elder quickly shifted the topic. "I never thought figures from the Nine Great Sects would reside here again... But perhaps because we share the same righteous path, relations have improved?" "Huh?" "Haha. I'm glad you remember. I mentioned that there's nothing good about being at odds with Murim Alliance..." It was puzzling. During their three-day stay at the Namgung household, the predominant feeling was one of hostility and caution. And yet, here he was talking about improved relations. "That can't be right." "The real foes are the wicked martial sects... What did you say?" The elder glared with widened eyes. "You say it can't be right? Then why are you staying with us?" Cheonhui watched him curiously. Their reasons for visiting were already well-known throughout Namgung household. Otherwise, why would so many family members gather at the Great Summit? Looking at the elder who leaned in closer, Cheonhui finally spoke. "It's because of a deal." "A deal?" "It’s something everyone already knows." Cheonhui watched the elder intently. "Hah, hah." Caught under that gaze, the elder coughed awkwardly, attempting to laugh it off. "Haha. Lately, I've been confined here, so I'm not well-versed in the affairs of my family." 'Even though it was a matter significant enough to involve the family head, he claims ignorance?' The elder wore an awkward smile. ‘He must be hiding something, but...’ Though suspicious, Cheonhui didn't pry further. It wasn't a major issue; after all, the details of the deal had already been revealed. "They said they would hand over the body of Heuk Hyo Salma in exchange for something, but I don't know what we'll receive." "Heuk Hyo Salma?" The elder's expression changed instantly. The awkward grin vanished like a mirage, and his eyes glinted with a sharp coldness. "You mean you killed the wretched Heuk Hyo Salma and brought back the body?" Cheonhui's eyes narrowed to slits. The elder had shown his aura briefly; it was powerful and fierce. ‘He seems stronger than the clan leader...’ "So, Mount Hua took care of him?" "Huh?" Cheonhui tilted his head again at the elder's next statement. "It's surprising, isn't it? Normally, no one would think Mount Hua dealt with someone of that caliber." The elder's eyebrows twitched wildly. "What? What do you mean by that?" "It's hard to believe Mount Hua could subdue a master of that level." "Haha, to say Mount Hua couldn't handle Heuk Hyo Salma is nonsense." "Huh?" "Eh?" Both were left tilting their heads, puzzled by each other's response. For a moment, they gazed at one another, unable to understand the situation. ‘Could it be he doesn’t know the state of Mount Hua?’ An idea flashed in Cheonhui's mind. In the past five years, he had never heard anyone speak favorably of Mount Hua. Most dismissed it as a declining sect, charitably acknowledging its history, but unable to hide their true feelings. ‘But this elder seems different.’ He genuinely believed it. The elder had spoken with genuine respect and admiration in his words. ‘Could it really be he doesn’t know?’ It was common knowledge that Mount Hua was nearing collapse. Living right there in the Namgung household, it seemed unlikely for him to be unaware unless he was utterly secluded. ‘Better to be sure.’ After all, surprises can always happen. Cheonhui asked the elder. "Do you know about Mount Hua's decline?" "What? Mount Hua in decline? Hahaha. Are Mount Hua disciples learning to joke these days?" The elder laughed, waving dismissively. "The idea that Mount Hua could collapse? That can't be true." Wow, he really doesn’t know. Upon confirming that their previous conversation had been mismatched because of this misunderstanding: Oh! Could it be... The realization struck Cheonhui, and he clicked his tongue. ‘So, he was an elder locked away from information.’ The mysteries that had been nagging at him now made sense. ‘How pitiful.’ What good is advanced martial prowess when your own kin keep your ears and eyes sealed? "The current Mount Hua has become the lowest among the Nine Great Sects." Cheonhui decided to enlighten the elder about the truth of his situation. His tone was more compassionate than usual. Pitying the elder’s plight, Cheonhui opted for gentleness, seeing no harm in kindness. "What? The lowest among the Nine Great Sects...?" The elder stared at Cheonhui, his face a picture of shock. "Is that really true?!" "What reason would I have to lie?" "This is ridiculous..." "We will climb back up, of course." Cheonhui added those last words, but the elder, captivated by Mount Hua’s current status, seemed not to hear them. "How could Mount Hua... Their sword blooms once covered the world, and their sword's aura swallowed everything..." Seeing the elder struggling to come to terms, Cheonhui began to feel a pang of sympathy. "Huh!" It was then that Namgung Jingyeong regained consciousness and shot up. "H-H-Head Disciple!" As soon as he stood, he searched for Cheonhui and, upon noticing the elder, flinched. "G-Grand Elder?!"