37 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

### Chapter 37 Luochuan, Shaanxi Province. The streets of Luochuan, historically renowned for their vibrant nightlife, buzzed with an eclectic mix of characters engaged in animated conversations. Street vendors enticing passersby, women soliciting their services. Courtesans from the brothels seducing their prey. And the enthralled patrons, caught in the allure. Luochuan's nightlife outshone even the brightest days, unmatched in liveliness by any other town. “I’m thinking of visiting Xiang Yi today.” “Again with Xiang Yi? Come on, let’s head to Fenghua Tower instead.” “Fenghua Tower? Is it worth it?” “Do I need to convince you? Just follow me!” The faces of those in conversation were flushed with excitement. Originally, both should have already left Luochuan for their trades. Yet, the street's bewitching night held them captive, their feet firmly rooted. A fascinating, deadly allure. Was it inevitable for merchants like them to be so seduced? Thoroughly entranced and consumed by the nightlife. And they were not unique in their plight. Most who lingered in Luochuan found themselves similarly ensnared. “Nobleman, over here!” “We have delightful meals here!” Brothels and inns sparred for attention, effortlessly drawing newcomers into the night's embrace. The vibrant life and unyielding desires pierced the descending darkness. Luochuan thrived with energy. Yet, within this bustling street lay an odd, chilling silence. Right at the heart of it all. A grand castle, more imposing than any other structure, stood prominently in Luochuan. But despite its central location amidst the vibrant streets, the castle remained eerily quiet, devoid of even a flicker of light. A peculiar incongruity. But no one found the castle strange or dared to mention it. Rather, they pretended ignorance. Truth is, whether longtime residents or transient visitors, everyone knew of the castle’s significance. It housed the only martial sect in Luochuan. A sect that both crafted and ruled the Luochuan of today. Most currently dwelling in Luochuan would often say this: That within the castle resides Bai Gui, the emperor of Luochuan. * * * Inside a magnificently decorated room, gilded with golden pillars and walls. Tap. A man kneeled on one knee. This was Sima Banjeong, a military strategist of Bai Gui Castle, more popularly known in the martial world as the Bai Gui Advisor. He looked up at the resplendent throne towering above him. The throne, adorned with golden dragons, was majestic enough to rival those of the imperial family. Seated comfortably against the throne was a man. The man emanated a mystique. His hair, beard, and attire were all snow-white. His appearance alone was enough to earn him the moniker "Bai Gui". Sima Banjeong spoke. “My lord.” With those words, the man's identity was revealed. Sima Banjeong addressed a figure known solely within the realm as the Bai Gui Lord. This man, sitting regally upon the throne, was feared as the White Death God in the martial world. With a sideways glance, the White Death God spoke. “What is it, strategist?” His voice, contrary to his ghostly appearance, resonated deeply, like an echo from within a cavern, low and profound. “Sending the entire Assassination Unit to the Bi-Feng Merchant Group seems excessive, doesn't it?” “Excessive? In what way?” “The Assassination Unit is capable of obliterating a minor sect with ease. Granted, the Cool-Faced Ghost's plan failed, but it was just a merchant group.” “So you say the forces are excessive.” “Yes. Though I admit, they are guarded by the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, our scouts report they are mere novices.” Sima Banjeong paused, seemingly out of breath, before adding. “True, there’s concern about the beast who crushed the Tyrant Gate, but according to Silent Death, the beast is an expert from the demonic paths, unrelated to the Bi-Feng Merchant Group. Thus…” “Strategist.” The White Death God interrupted. “What have we endured? The might and reputation of our sect, once nearly equal to the Six Great Gates, plummeted after that day. We’ve silently remained in this Luochuan for years, as if under a vow of silence. Not only that, strategist.” Sima Banjeong lifted his chin upon realizing his master was prompting him to speak. “The other Great Gates have begun to disregard us, and the feeble ones we once couldn’t even make eye contact with, now covet our position.” “The plan to annihilate the despicable Mount Hua Sect and crush those who scorned us…” “The Destruction of Mount Hua.” Sima Banjeong chimed in. Satisfied, the White Death God revealed a gleaming smile. “You grasp the critical nature of the Destruction of Mount Hua plan.” Supporting his chin with one hand, the White Death God continued. “Originally, the plan wasn’t supposed to occur now, but circumstances have forced us to act sooner. You know why, strategist.” Sima Banjeong nodded heavily. The Destruction of Mount Hua strategy, painstakingly crafted for over a decade, was meant for execution next year or the one after. But recent events with the Bi-Feng Merchant Group necessitated an early shift. Their surprising acumen in forging trade with Beihai posed an unforeseen challenge. And not stopping there, they sought to connect with the government. Left unchecked, the plan would falter under governmental scrutiny before even being realized. The White Death God withdrew his scrutinizing gaze. “But it failed from the very start.” “However, sending the entire Assassination Unit could jeopardize our future plans…” “But?” Again, the White Death God interrupted Sima Banjeong. In a chilling tone, the White Death God leaned forward, moving away from the backrest. His burning eyes fixed on Sima Banjeong and seemed to waver. Thud— The atmosphere in the room suddenly grew heavy. “The cornerstone of the Destruction of Mount Hua has failed, and you dare say ‘however’?” “……” Sima Banjeong held his tongue. Not only was the pressure emanating toward him intense, but he also found no grounds for rebuttal. Silence hung in the air as the White Death God began to speak again. “Strategist, you seem to be under the illusion from my thirteen years of waiting…” His gaze turned frigid. “I’m not as patient as you think.” Sima Banjeong swallowed hard. He spoke cautiously. “If Bi-Feng Merchant Group is destroyed in the absence of the Tyrant Gate, it could reveal our involvement.” “It doesn’t matter if we’re found out now. Our identity was bound to be exposed sooner or later, so it’s no issue to expedite it.” The White Death God replied indifferently. Though it diverged slightly from the original Destruction of Mount Hua plan, the arrow had already been set loose. “…Understood. I will adjust the Destruction of Mount Hua accordingly.” Sima Banjeong stepped back. He was merely the advisor; the White Death God was the castle lord—with all the decision-making power resting in his hands. As Sima Banjeong turned to leave the room, the White Death God called out to him. “Strategist.” “Yes, my lord?” “I’ve told you many times, the Destruction of Mount Hua is just the beginning. The true objective lies beyond, in taking over Shaanxi after obliterating Mount Hua and Zhongnan. Don’t forget that.” “…I understand, Lord.” Sima Banjeong replied softly. Indeed, the real mission, the grand scheme, would commence after claiming Shaanxi. That was why he, the sole survivor of the Sima clan, had aligned himself under the White Death God. They had reached a dramatic compromise. Yet neither of them realized how complacent they were about the happenings in Hamyang Prefecture. The gravity of the situation only dawned on them days later. * * * “To withdraw your hand because it’s a matter of mutual destruction among evil factions… You don’t understand the gravity of the beast.” Hao Jin wore a perplexed expression as he read the reply from Zhongnan Sect. The traces of the beast that had toppled the Tyrant Gate felt too significant to ignore, but the Zhongnan Sect seemed oblivious to its threat. Though their stance was understandable. ‘It’s only natural since the beast vanished after that day….’ He forced a bitter smile. Indeed, if he hadn’t witnessed it himself, he might have thought the same. Who could believe it? Even if it was a newly rising sect, who could believe the Tyrant Gate, making a name for itself in Shaanxi, fell to a single individual? And without any evidence of martial arts. ‘The elders probably think I failed to recognize demonic martial arts traces.’ Hao Jin tucked the letter away. From the moment he read the reply, it was clear Zhongnan Sect had lost interest in the matter. ‘At least the Beggars' Sect is paying attention.’ He recalled the beggars from the Beggars' Sect discreetly moving about the Tyrant Gate, then hurried along his path, shaking his head. Knowing Zhongnan had not only withdrawn support but also interest meant he had to gather intelligence on his own now. Plod— Plod— His destination was tied to the beast. Bi-Feng Merchant Group. The place that the Tyrant Gate had attacked the night before its demise, it seemed most closely connected to the beast now. Especially considering Bi-Feng's sharp growth following the Tyrant Gate's fall, suspicions naturally arose. Though wounded and reeling from the Tyrant Gate's ambush, the Bi-Feng Merchant Group had rebounded spectacularly. ‘Some say they've nearly overtaken the top merchant group in Shaanxi.’ He mused over recent events. Hamyang Prefecture had been in chaos for days. The struggle over the Tyrant Gate’s influence led to constant conflicts, spreading unrest among the people. It was then that Bi-Feng Merchant Group made its move. Ordinarily, as a non-martial merchants’ group, they would have been disregarded. But as mentioned earlier, Plum Blossom Swordsmen had their backing. ‘Though the Mount Hua Sect has weakened, in Shaanxi, only our sect and Bai Gui Castle stand to rival them.’ The winner was clear. Bi-Feng expanded swiftly, absorbing market shares and splitting difficult matters with sect leaders through negotiations. Despite suspicions growing as fortune seemed to favor Bi-Feng exclusively. ‘It couldn’t be.’ He dismissed any connection to the beast. Bi-Feng was merely a merchant group, not a martial sect. An absolute expert capable of toppling the Tyrant Gate alone couldn’t possibly be beneath them. Furthermore, historically, Bi-Feng had operated under the protection of the Mount Hua Sect, making the presence of demonic experts implausible. Yet he had reasons to visit Bi-Feng. ‘There’s a chance the Tyrant Gate’s attack on Bi-Feng was related to the beast.’ It was an unlikely chance. But in the absence of any other clues, it was a lead worth investigating. Quickening his pace, he approached the entrance of Bi-Feng Merchant Group, where he heard a commotion. “So, you say you are a Daoist of Mount Hua?” “Yes, indeed.” The guards warily looked up at an imposing figure clad in a red and white Daoist robe, trembling slightly. The man’s appearance was rather fierce. Long hair left untamed, a faint scar across his cheek. With eyes sharply angled and fierce brows, even those who prided themselves on fearlessness found themselves bowing. ‘Is this what a Daoist looks like?’ The guards exchanged glances, shaking their heads in disbelief. Although wearing a Daoist robe, he resembled a bandit who had haphazardly adorned himself in one. “...How can you prove it?” A guard on the left cautiously asked the man. The man furrowed his brows in response. “Is proof necessary?” As the scar on his cheek twisted, the guard flinched and stammered, “S-sorry, we can't just let anyone in.” Only then did the man seem to realize the guards were frightened, and he relaxed his expression with a look of exasperation. But that was the man's mistake. The softened expression only made him appear more menacing, prompting the guards to hastily draw their swords. “A-are you trying to attack the Bi-Feng Merchant Group?” “No, didn’t I just say I’m a Daoist?” The man pounded his chest in frustration. Suddenly, as if something came to mind, he brightened and began to speak with enthusiasm. “Well then, is the head of the merchant group inside? Or could you call for the Plum Blossom Swordsmen or Cheon-hui? They would vouch for me…” He began to list those who could confirm his identity, but this only served to further alarm the guards. “You came knowing the Plum Blossom Swordsmen are here?!” “...My head hurts.” Feeling a headache coming on, the man touched his forehead. ‘That face…’ Watching the commotion from a distance, Hao Jin's eyes widened in recognition. The man's face was quite familiar. Though his hair had a few gray strands and his wrinkles had deepened, the scar on his cheek and his fierce demeanor remained unchanged from before. “Senior Hyun Do-ja…?”