81 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

**Chapter 81** Hyun-Do walked purposefully through the tense standoff between the Jongnam Sect and the Hwasan Sect. “Senior Brother. What is happening here?” “Senior!” Hyeonjin’s heart lifted at the sight of Hyun-Do. In this situation, his presence was as reassuring as a thousand soldiers. “This time, our sect has gained a little recognition and struck a deal with the martial alliance to move back to our old lodging. However, the Jongnam Sect refused vehemently, leading to this mess.” Hyeonjin emphasized the word ‘little’ while looking at Cheongwujja, who remained stiff. “Moving back to the old lodging?” Hyun-Do’s eyes widened. “When did our lodging change?” Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Hyeonjin forced an awkward smile. He recalled that during his senior brother’s travels in the martial world, he had secluded himself at Mount Hwasan and forgotten about recent developments. “The Jongnam Sect has been using our former pavilion as their accommodation.” “Why would the Jongnam Sect use our pavilion?” Hyun-Do’s voice dropped, as if the idea of this particular sect using the Hwasan Sect’s old quarters deeply unsettled him. He then respectfully addressed Cheongwujja. “Pleasure to meet you. I am Hyun-Do.” “…I am Cheongwu.” “Ah, the legendary Sword of Wind and Clouds.” Hyun-Do nodded, acknowledging the considerable prowess associated with Cheongwujja’s reputation in the Jongnam Sect. “I never imagined we’d meet in such circumstances.” “Nor did I expect to encounter you in this way.” A peculiar tension rippled between them momentarily before Hyun-Do spoke again. “Could you explain why you’re refusing to relocate?” “How could we agree to move our quarters abruptly?” Cheongwujja replied calmly, his previous arrogance replaced with a cautious demeanor. It was only natural, given the man before him was the famed Hwasan Divine Sword, who had shaken the martial world by slaying Baek Sa-shin. “Hmm. That's a reasonable point.” Hyun-Do nodded. He, too, would likely refuse if faced with such a sudden demand. “Senior!” Hyeonjin, unable to contain himself, interjected. “But isn't it true that the pavilion currently occupied by the Jongnam Sect originally belongs to us?” Hyun-Do’s dry tone belied the force it carried, enough to leave Cheongwujja shaken. “Then, isn’t it possible for you to make concessions?” “That’s ancient history. If we start nitpicking the past, this whole world doesn’t belong to us, but to nature.” “The present is what matters now.” “Indeed.” Hyun-Do rubbed his chin thoughtfully before turning to his junior. “There’s something I’m curious about.” Hyeonjin blinked in surprise but listened attentively to Hyun-Do’s forthcoming question. “Did the sect ever request permission when they moved into our pavilion?” “No, they didn’t.” Hyeonjin answered firmly, causing the faces of the Jongnam Sect’s elders to darken. They had forgotten that they too had moved into the Hwasan Sect’s quarters without any formal consent in the past. “What do you think of this?” “….” Cheongwujja bit his lip. “…That was also a thing of the past.” “Was it? Might I inquire about something else?” A sudden chill ran down Cheongwujja’s spine, but he cautiously responded. “…What is it?” “Why, of all places, did you choose to move into our pavilion?” “That was decided by the alliance.” “The alliance, you say?” “Yes.” “Dear friend.” Hyun-Do called out softly, his eyes narrowing at Cheongwujja. “My eyes are not mere holes.” Hyun-Do’s voice resonated deeply, akin to a whisper drawn from the ocean’s depths. “How long did you think the Hwasan Sect would ignore the Jongnam Sect’s actions?” “Gasp!” Overpowered, Cheongwujja gulped audibly, the amassed aura weighing down upon him entirely. “Master?” “What is it?” Seeing his juniors and seniors looking at him in bewilderment, he was taken aback. ‘Am I the only one feeling this pressure…?’ Directing such an immense force at a single individual was an art achievable only through remarkable mastery of internal energy. “I overheard you asking whether my junior had any qualms standing against the Jongnam Sect.” “Senior?” Hyeonjin’s eyes widened. “May I answer on his behalf?” Hyun-Do slowly caressed his chin and, in a commanding stance, addressed the Jongnam Sect. “We wouldn’t mind being at odds with the Jongnam Sect.” --- The unending echo of astonishment rippled through the martial alliance. The Hwasan Sect had clashed with the Jongnam Sect! The Hwasan Divine Sword himself declared a challenge against the Jongnam Sect! Even the mere clash between the two members of the Nine Great Sects and Schools, such as the Hwasan Sect and the Jongnam Sect, would have become the talk of martial enthusiasts. But with the legendary master who recently created waves in the martial world, the Hwasan Divine Sword, entangled in it, the news spread through the martial alliance like wildfire. Amidst this whirlwind of rumors, the Hwasan Divine Sword, Hyun-Do, wore a bright smile. “Cheonhui, it’s been a while.” “It has.” Despite Cheonhui’s indifferent response, Hyun-Do continued to approach closely. “Has anything happened?” “If anything happened, it just did.” “Just now? Ah!” Hyun-Do chuckled lightly. “It was bound to happen eventually.” “I suppose so.” It made sense when you thought about it. The enmity between them and the Jongnam Sect in Shaanxi was inevitable. At that moment, Hyeonjin, who had been watching the interaction between Hyun-Do and Cheonhui with a surprised expression, spoke up. “It’s been a while, Senior.” “Indeed, it’s been some time.” “You seem to have mellowed.” “And you seem to have grown more resolute.” Hyun-Do and Hyeonjin exchanged smiles. Initially, their relationship was lukewarm, but now, having been through such events, there was a clear trust between them. “Where have you been all this time?” Cheonhui asked Hyun-Do, curious about his sudden disappearance after announcing he’d meet the martial alliance’s leader on his first day. “I wandered here and there.” Hyun-Do answered with a chuckle. “For a whole month?” “Haha. Yes.” With a hearty laugh, Hyun-Do recalled the time before resting his cup on the table. “The other sects from the Nine Great Sects and Schools came seeking an alliance with us.” Hyeonjin’s eyes widened in surprise. "Other sects, you say…" "Shaolin, Qingcheng, and Beggar’s Sect." Hyeonjin was taken aback. He understood Shaolin and Qingcheng. They were among the three factions currently vying for power in the martial alliance. It made sense they would move quickly to forge an alliance with the Hwasan Sect, which recently rose to prominence thanks to the Hwasan Divine Sword. But then— "The Beggar’s Sect?" "Yes." "The Beggar’s Sect has long maintained neutrality. Why would they suddenly want to collaborate with us?" "The leader of the Beggar’s Sect personally approached me. He spoke of joining forces to build strength." "Strength?" Hyeonjin’s curiosity was piqued. The Beggar’s Sect had always remained neutral, unaffected by any turmoil in the martial alliance. Yet now they were talking about forming a power? "The current strife within the alliance is so intense that it seems on the verge of destabilizing. They said they need power to maintain balance." "But why would the Beggar’s Sect, of all groups, suddenly…" "They probably see it as an opportunity to maintain the current order," Cheonhui interjected. Hyeonjin, only now realizing Cheonhui's presence, flushed slightly. "This might be too complex to discuss in front of Cheonhui. Perhaps later…" "No, Cheonhui is quite capable." "Excuse me?" Hyun-Do continued with a gentle smile. "I agree with your sentiment. The Beggar’s Sect leader seemed dissatisfied with the current state of the martial alliance and shared some insights." His gaze shifted to Hyeonjin. "The leader mentioned there's constant bickering and skirmishes among the factions within the martial alliance. Is this true?" "Yes, it is true." Hyeonjin answered softly. "Currently, the martial alliance is divided into four main factions: Shaolin, Emei, Wudang, and Jongnam; Qingcheng and Kunlun; and an alliance of smaller sects under the martial alliance leader. These groups not only check each other's power but actively engage in conflicts across different areas." "And is Gymkak and Jeomchang neutral?" "I hear they are preoccupied with their own succession issues." "It’s just as the leader informed me." Hyun-Do brushed his growing stubble thoughtfully. "Ah, it's quite a complex situation." After a heavy sigh, Hyun-Do drank his tea in one swift motion before speaking again. "Let me explain why I arrived so late." Hyeonjin attentively leaned in as Hyun-Do began to unravel his story with a serious expression. "Everyone except Wudang and Jongnam wants to ally with us." "Of course!" Elation flickered in Hyeonjin's eyes. In the past, the Hwasan Sect was overlooked by both the Nine Great Sects and even smaller factions. Now, to become a sought-after ally was a cause for deep gratitude. "And what happened?" Cheonhui, however, seemed indifferent. 'There’s nothing particularly surprising about that.' He had already pieced together such a conclusion from the previous conversation. "So, I met with them and heard what they wanted." "And what was it?" With a cold voice, Hyun-Do answered as he watched the eager Hyeonjin. "The position of the martial alliance leader." The room froze for an instant. "The alliance leader’s position…?" "They want to overthrow him." "But when the Eight Great Families withdrew from the alliance, the Nine Great Sects and Schools agreed not to take the leader's position…" "So, they plan to set up a puppet for the leader's role." Cheonhui inwardly marveled. 'Wow, they’re resorting to such tactics.' It was a shrewd and cunning scheme. Since they couldn’t directly assume the role of martial alliance leader, they intended to appoint a figurehead. Neither the demonic factions nor the Heavenly Demon Cult considered such an underhanded tactic. And yet, here it was, devised by the so-called virtuous Nine Great Sects and Schools. "The scales have already tipped. The Nine Great Sects are united in their effort to depose the current leader while each building their own power. Our sect is inevitably drawn into this fierce conflict." Hyun-Do closed his eyes gently. Recalling those who approached him—Nahanseung, the elders of the Qingcheng Sect, and the Beggar’s Sect leader—he shook his head. "For the past month, I wandered about, meeting with them to hear their proposals." Hyun-Do’s eyes dimmed, laden with contemplation. "To decide with whom to join hands."