3 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 3 Early Morning. Hyun Ryeo, who had awakened at dawn, hastily ate her breakfast and promptly made her way to the medical quarters. "He should wake up today…" Her expression was filled with worry as she walked, entering the medical quarters with a purpose. Confidently proceeding towards where Cheon Hwi was, she suddenly sensed something off. An eerily silent interior. Not even a whisper of breath could be heard. Tap-tap-tap— Her steps quickened until she reached the room where Cheon Hwi should be lying. She slid the door open with a clatter. "…!" She rushed to the bed. The place where Cheon Hwi was supposed to be was empty, the bed greeting her with only emptiness. "...He’s awake." Her face lit up with relief, though it lasted only a moment. "But moving this early..." She frowned, urgently leaving the room. She began opening and inspecting the surrounding doors quickly. Just as she was about to finish checking every door— Whoosh— She found an open door at the back, where the wind blew in. And then, a small figure visible in the distance. Thud! Without a moment’s hesitation, she used her skill, Jade Ring’s Mystical Steps. Swoosh— "Cheon Hwi!" At her powerful call, the figure turned around, and soon Cheon Hwi’s face came into view. Her face, previously anxious over Cheon Hwi's disappearance, now showed growing relief. Swoosh! She embraced him with force. ‘What’s happening?’ Amidst the unexpected situation. "So you’re back to your senses." She hugged him tighter, trembling with emotion, as tears began to form. "C-can’t breathe!" What began as a comforting embrace turned painful, as if his head might split open. "Can't... breathe..." "Why is that?" "Can’t... breathe..." Hyun Ryeo hurriedly released him. Finally able to breathe, Cheon Hwi took a deep breath in and out. “Phew…” "My apologies." Hyun Ryeo wiped her tears as she spoke. ‘Huh?’ Recognizing the familiar voice, Cheon Hwi gazed at her. A middle-aged woman with beauty that belied her age. Her hair was neatly tied, and she wore a robe adorned with blooming plum blossoms. ‘Is this Hyun Ryeo?’ From the moment he regained consciousness, he had heard her voice every day without fail, making her identity clear to him. As he scrutinized her, she leaned in closer. Her eyes, still wet with unshed tears, captured his gaze. "Are you alright now?" "Of course I’m fi—...Ah." He caught himself mid-sentence. “I… I’m alright.” Swallowing his earlier words, he forced a smile. ‘Who would have thought I’d end up speaking so formally to such a witch?’ His skin crawled. Hyun Ryeo, observing him closely, asked with concern in her eyes. "Are you sure you’re alright?" Seeing her doubtful expression, Cheon Hwi widened his smile even further. "Yes… really… truly. I am… fine." Perhaps unused to such behavior, he felt his lips twitch. 'Damn it! This is torture!' As Hyun Ryeo listened to his awkward speech, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Let’s have the Jang Moon In verify just to be certain." The moment she finished speaking— Whisk! Suddenly, he was lifted off the ground. ‘This move is from that witch of a master? No, it’s different from what I remember.’ Just as he recalled the elegant motion for a split second, Hyun Ryeo took off from the ground. Swish— The scenery whipped past them in an instant. Cheon Hwi’s brows furrowed. ‘What is this? Isn’t this the same skill that the old hag with the witch demonstrated?’ The technique she used was intriguing. It moved gently like plum blossoms carried by the wind but left peculiar footprints in its wake. But he found it unsettling. ‘Why perform it like this?’ He was puzzled by the martial skills so different from what he knew and began analyzing the steps Hyun Ryeo was taking. Thud. The motion ceased, and his feet touched the ground once more. 'Tsk, is it over already?' He clicked his tongue in disappointment, just as— “Cheon Go Master.” 'Cheon Go? Ah! The head of the medical quarters who treated me?' Following her gaze, he saw a middle-aged man with a warm demeanor approaching. "Master, I heard a loud noise… Oh? Disciple!" As the man drew nearer, Cheon Hwi’s gaze followed upward. Cheon Go was quite bulky. His height exceeded six feet, with tanned skin. Despite his kind smile, his build visible under his robe was muscular. Is he really a physician? While Cheon Hwi scrutinized the middle-aged man with dubious eyes, Hyun Ryeo spoke up. “Can you check his condition?” “Of course, it’s my responsibility.” He knelt and placed a hand as broad as a cauldron lid on Cheon Hwi's wrist. ‘…Let’s see.’ If he had wanted to resist, he could have easily brushed off the hand, but he refrained. What could someone who failed to diagnose Yin-Yang’s Broken Meridian perceive? In that brief moment of deliberation— ‘Oh?’ Cheon Hwi's narrowed eyes widened. This was due to the unexpectedly skilled assessment. ‘He can check the body’s entire meridian system, far more proficient than I anticipated!’ He looked with slight surprise in his eyes. A bit underestimated due to appearances and preconceived notions of a master, yet the skill was indeed exceptional. Swoosh— Right then, Cheon Go calmly released his grip from Cheon Hwi’s wrist. He stroked his chin, lost in thought. “Hmm…” The sight worried Hyun Ryeo. “Has something happened?” “No, not at all.” Cheon Go hastily waved his hands, alternating his gaze between Hyun Ryeo and Cheon Hwi with a reassuring smile. “In fact, he’s healthier than anyone else in the sect.” “Are you certain?” “Yes, indeed.” Reassured by Cheon Go's confirmation, Hyun Ryeo tearfully bowed. "Oh, the Heavens have blessed us." "Indeed, it’s truly a blessing." Watching the two paying respects upward, Cheon Hwi felt a sense of disbelief. ‘Heavens, my foot. Heaven’s grace, Heaven’s blessing, what nonsense. It was solely my own effort.’ Cheon Hwi found it absurd that his efforts were being disregarded. As he watched Hyun Ryeo and Cheon Go bow, his expression filled with disbelief, Hyun Ryeo lifted her head. "I should inform Jang Moon In." Before finishing her sentence, she once again demonstrated Jade Ring's Mystical Steps. Cheon Hwi, observing her sudden disappearance, felt a strong hand grasp his shoulder. “Truly fortunate, disciple.” Looking up, Cheon Go was smiling. “Now you can roam freely.” Cheon Go felt immense relief. On cold days like this, his disciple always had to rely on the medical quarters. Each time, his heart ached, but no longer would that be necessary. Cheon Hwi’s bloodlines were robust, his muscles flexible and strong—a remarkable transformation from the frail state he used to be in. ‘Luckily, thanks to the Jasodan, my humble skills could be effective...’ Just as he was recalling the situation, an unresolved question tickled his mind. He placed his fingers on his chin. While deep in thought, he scrutinized Cheon Hwi’s body from head to toe. ‘But no matter how potent the Jasodan is, it shouldn’t show such effects, should it? Or perhaps, this change occurred because the disciple hadn’t learned martial arts yet? Or is there another effect of the Jasodan I’m unaware of...’ His eyes, gleaming with intrigue, swept over Cheon Hwi’s form. Despite the innocent intent, Cheon Hwi felt a chill run down his spine. ‘What’s with that sticky gaze? Could he be... a sodomite?’ He rapidly distanced himself, his face twisting with disgust. Goosebumps ran down his body. Having known the behavior of sodomites in the Heavenly Demon Cult, he shivered at the thought. As Cheon Hwi misinterpreted the curious gaze and acted defensively, Cheon Go tilted his head curiously and spoke. “Hmm? Disciple? What’s the matter?” Just as Cheon Go, sensing something amiss, tried approaching Cheon Hwi again— “Ha ha, truly recovered, I see.” An elderly man with silvery white hair appeared. Cheon Go halted his steps toward Cheon Hwi at the sight of the elder and swiftly showed his respects. “Greetings, Jang Moon In.” “Heheh, it’s been a while.” The elder chuckled softly, turning his gaze to Cheon Hwi with a warm smile. Watching the elder, Cheon Hwi’s eyebrows twitched. ‘Is this the current leader of the Mount Hua Sect?’ He tilted his head in puzzled disbelief. ‘Is he really Jang Moon In? Compared to that practitioner I met then, he seems incredibly weak.’ Memories of the tense rivalry between the Central Plains and the Heavenly Demon Cult surfaced, along with the embodiment of martial prowess from back then. Compared to the latter, who had reached the pinnacle state of martial might and was revered as the Plum Blossom Divine Sword, the present reality fell short. ‘Despite my defeat and vow of revenge, he was still revered even with his supposed disgraceful loss.’ Imagining the scornful words of being deemed inferior flashed through his mind. Swish— The elder took a step forward with a smile, his robe fluttering. His lush white hair, tightly bound with a piece of white cloth, swayed like a horse’s tail as he crossed the space between them in an instant. Standing before Cheon Hwi, the elder extended a wrinkled hand and patted his head. Swish— Swish— “Are you alright?” Being treated like a child riled him up inside, but he suppressed his irritation. ‘I am Cheon Hwi... I am Cheon Hwi. I am now Cheon Hwi of the Mount Hua Sect, damn it!’ With his insides roiling, he forced himself to calm down and lifted his head to meet the elder’s gaze. “I greet... Jang Moon In.” “It’s thanks to Senior Brother for granting that Jasodan.” Hyun Ryeo, having returned promptly, interjected, smiling warmly as she watched the elder ruffle Cheon Hwi’s hair. “If not for the Jasodan, he wouldn’t have recovered like this. Isn’t that so?” Seeking agreement, she glanced at Cheon Go, who clapped his hands and energetically affirmed. “Indeed, of course! Moreover, not only has he recovered, but by fortune’s grace, he won’t fall ill anymore.” “Haha, truly fortunate, indeed.” The elder’s broad smile beamed as Hyun Ryeo subtly signaled Cheon Hwi with her eyes. —Shouldn't you say thank you? Her gaze, soft but demanding, left him with no choice. Begrudgingly, he voiced his thanks since the Jasodan indeed played a part. “...Thank you.” “It’s nothing. Regardless of how precious the elixir might be, can it be more precious than the future of our sect?” As he spoke, the elder stroked his beard, which flowed down to his chest, lifting the hand from Cheon Hwi’s head. “So, don’t worry about it.” ‘Of course not. Why would I fret?’ He had no intention of doing so. ‘The Jasodan helped just a tiny bit, a very tiny bit. This recovery was thanks to my superior knowledge.’ After a brief moment, the elder resumed speaking. "Then is Cheon Hwi truly alright now?" “Yes, indeed.” Cheon Go nodded in agreement. “He’s fit enough to move at once.” “Haha, Heaven has bestowed assistance.” The elder looked down at Cheon Hwi. “What do you plan to do?” At that moment, Cheon Hwi’s eyes glittered. This was the question he had been waiting for. --- “Are you sure you’re alright?” ‘...Really, enough is enough.’ This marked the sixth time exactly. Throughout the journey here, Hyun Ryeo kept repeating the same question. Yet, he maintained an unbothered demeanor, offering a forced smile while meeting her concerned gaze. “Ha, ha ha. I’m fine.” “Understood.” Hyun Ryeo shook her head in resignation, gazing sympathetically at Cheon Hwi and the small building that stood behind him. "Still thinking of your disciple..." ‘What?’ She seemed to choke back her words, her misunderstanding apparent. "Well, I'll be off then." With that, she left. But as if reluctant, she glanced back several times until she finally disappeared after nearly five such hesitant actions. “Phew, she's finally gone.” He shook his head as he looked at the now-empty hill where even her shadow had vanished. “Why is she being so overprotective of a child?” Having spent his life in the Heavenly Demon Cult, he couldn't comprehend it at all. “She’ll stop soon enough.” He put aside the annoyance, focusing on more pressing matters. “There’s something more important right now.” Entering the pavilion, contrary to its shabby exterior, the interior greeted him with unexpected cleanliness. ‘I thought the inside would be a mess, but it’s surprisingly tidy.’ After a brief inspection, he sat down in the center of the pavilion. ‘Let's check the condition of my body.’ Taking a slow, deep breath, he allowed the air entering through his nose and mouth to diffuse throughout his meridians. As it coursed through, he could vividly sense every corner of his body. ‘Huh? What’s this?’ A wave of bewilderment hit him. His body had changed completely from how it was when he first regained consciousness at dawn. It was in a state far beyond what he had predicted.