51 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 51 Cheonhui drew the sword that was embedded in the heart of the fallen White Death God. Drip— The blood began to seep from the gaping wound, staining the pure white garments as if plum blossoms were blooming upon them. Casting a cold glance away from the lifeless body of the White Death God, Cheonhui grumbled curtly. "Did I underestimate the martial world?" Despite having defeated the White Death God, his expression was far from that of a triumphant victor, instead giving way to evident dissatisfaction. 'I meant not to use dark arts.' Five years ago, having resolved to become a Taoist priest of the Hwasan Sect, he had vowed never again to employ the forbidden arts. And yet, circumstances had taken a turn. The inner strength of the Plum Blossom Art alone was insufficient to nullify the White Death God's Qi technique, forcing Cheonhui to draw upon the might of the Absolute Dominion Art. "It's maddening that I had no choice in the matter." His eyebrows knitted together as he frowned deeply. "By the way, did he mention something about the Eight Martial Gods? It seems familiar somehow..." As he pondered over the last words the White Death God had left as a dying testament, a voice thundered from behind. "Cheonhui!" He turned his head at the resounding call. "Are you alright? Where is the White Death God?" "I came to help!" Appearing at last, Hyundo and Haujin rushed forward with urgent questions. Without a word, Cheonhui motioned with his sword towards the now lifeless body of the White Death God. "......!" Both of their eyes widened simultaneously. They stood in slack-jawed disbelief, as though witnessing a scene beyond their comprehension. Paying no mind to the stunned expressions of his companions, Cheonhui deftly swung his sword, shaking off the dark, sticky blood that clung to the blade. Swish— The sound drew Hyundo's attention, and swallowing hard, he timidly asked. "Did you... was it you who did this?" "And what if it was?" Cheonhui responded brusquely, meeting Hyundo's stammering gaze. "The White Death God...?" As Hyundo was rendered speechless, his face blank with shock as he stared at Cheonhui. Rumble— The White Ghost Castle, unable to withstand the clash between Cheonhui and the White Death God, began to tremble. "More pressing than that is the imminent collapse. Let's head outside." No sooner had he finished speaking than the crevices widened, threatening an imminent downfall as dust cascaded down. Crack— With stones finally toppling over them, Hyundo and even the previously dazed Haujin snapped to their senses, shouting in unison. "Hurry, we must escape!" "We need to get out now!" * * * "What on earth happened here?" Outside, the area was teeming with people. The sounds of destruction from the White Ghost Castle had piqued the curiosity of even those indulged in revelry, drawing them to the castle's vicinity. "The White Ghost Castle..." "It's collapsing!" Those who arrived at the White Ghost Castle were filled with unprecedented shock. The grand gateway, once as formidable as an ironclad fortress, lay shattered, and within, the place was replete with corpses and the stench of blood. All of them belonging to the warriors of the White Ghost Castle. Crack— A foreboding sound echoed. As the earth shook beneath them, causing panic among the gathered crowd, as if an earthquake had struck. "Eek, ahhh!" "It's an earthquake!" Boom! The unexpected collapse of the White Ghost Castle, which had ruled the region of Nakcheonhyun, left the onlookers speechless. "This is why one must uproot evil entirely," Cheonhui remarked, standing apart from the crowd, a satisfied smile on his face. It was as though a long-standing burden had finally been lifted, leaving him feeling relieved. "Finally..." Hyundo, his voice trembling with emotion, found himself speechless with overwhelming joy. Is he really that glad? Cheonhui noted the flush of emotion overtaking Hyundo, causing him to shrug as he watched him struggle to contain his tears. "Master Cheon!" From an alley where he'd been hiding, Jingae spotted Cheonhui and his companions, sprinting over with great urgency. Fixing his gaze on them in disbelief, Jingae gulped visibly as if reconciling the impossible sight before him. "Did the three of you really bring down the White Ghost Castle?" As Cheonhui was about to respond, Hyundo lifted a hand to forestall him and answered in his stead. "Isn't it obvious?" Jingae’s mouth dropped open. Could this even be possible? The White Ghost Castle was one of the six strongholds supporting the evil sect known as the Black Lotus Lotus, comparable to the Nine Great Schools. To think it fell at the hands of just three individuals. Were it not for Hyundo’s affirmation, he would've balked at the claim as mere nonsense. "What became of the White Death God?" Jingae asked cautiously, glancing at Hyundo for confirmation. "That fiend is dead." Stunned, Jingae's mind went blank. 'They toppled the White Death God?' His thoughts whirred with complexity. The Hwasan Sect's reputation had fallen so low that it couldn't even compare to its former glory. Even the reputed best swordsman of Hwasan was only deemed comparable to a typical elder of the Nine Great Schools. Yet, now they had defeated the White Death God? New life sparked in Jingae’s eyes. 'This is an opportunity!' Jingae felt his mouth watering. In the competitive world of intelligence, this information was sure to be of great benefit to him. "Did you, the True Man, slay him?" When Hyundo nodded. "I’ll be right back." With a swift bow, Jingae dashed towards the ruins of the White Ghost Castle. Watching Jingae's receding back, Hyundo turned to Cheonhui and Haujin. "Let’s say I was the one who killed the White Death God." "What? But it wasn't you who..." Stopping himself, Haujin shot a glance at Cheonhui. Hyundo shook his head. "Do you wish for Cheonhui to follow in the footsteps of our late youngest disciple?" "......!" Haujin was quickly convinced. "But still, is it alright? If this matter becomes known, the Hwasan Sect could attain unprecedented fame..." The White Death God was a dominant force. Revealing that someone as young as Cheonhui had defeated such a formidable opponent would shake not only the martial world but the entire realm. "What does it matter? With Cheonhui here, we can gain fame anytime." Hyundo gazed at Cheonhui with a gentle look. To him, Cheonhui was more precious than anything in the world. "What matters most is Cheonhui's safety." "But someone who defeated the White Death God should..." Haujin hesitated mid-sentence. In the peaceful times of the Three Unifications, there were figures he had forgotten. 'Those individuals did exist, indeed.' Haujin resumed speaking after a brief pause. "…Understood." What are they on about? Cheonhui looked at the two men chattering away in front of him with a hint of disapproval before shaking his head. "More importantly, let's head back. There's nothing left to see here." "Indeed," Hyundo agreed. "I think I'll need to part ways here," Haujin said with a resolute expression. "Are you planning to head to Jongnam directly?" "I feel I've acted independently, so I should report to the main sect separately." As he spoke, he glanced at Cheonhui. "It'll also help prevent rumors about Cheonhui from spreading." Hyundo chuckled heartily, giving Haujin a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Thank you." "It's nothing. It's what I ought to do." Offering a soft smile, Haujin turned to leave, but something crossed his mind, stopping him. "By the way, senior, would it be alright if I visit the Hwasan Sect later on?" Hyundo nodded firmly. "Visit anytime. The relations between Hwasan and Jongnam may be strained, but everyone would welcome you." "Hahaha! Really?" With a relieved expression, Haujin bowed and took his leave. "Then, I'll see you in the future." * * * The world was restless. It all started with a rumor stemming from Shaanxi. 'The annihilation of the White Ghost Castle.' A rumor so shocking that it made ears perk up in disbelief. The White Ghost Castle was not just any sect. It was one of the six pillars of power within the continent, among the most renowned among the grand sects. Most dismissed it as chatter, but the origin of the rumor, the Beggars' Sect, claimed it was true. And added a startling fact: 'The Supreme Sword of Hwasan and the Flying Sword Lord killed the White Death God and brought down the White Ghost Castle!' Everyone was in shock. Not only did two people accomplish such a feat, but the identity of those involved was even more surprising. The Flying Sword Lord had grown well-known recently for his widespread activities in the martial world. He was the next top swordsman, succeeding the Sword Saint of Jongnam. In contrast, the Supreme Sword of Hwasan? No one knew anything about this person—not even their courtesy name or gender. With the decline of Hwasan, few paid it any attention, and it had been many years since anyone by that title had actively engaged in the martial world. But this event shifted perceptions. The various sects started to act, eager to uncover the mystery of who this Supreme Sword of Hwasan was. Hwasan was once again emerging in the martial world, like a pebble thrown into a still lake. Soon, the world started to stir. With it, all attention turned to Shaanxi, more precisely, the Hwasan Sect, Jongnam Sect, and the Black Lotus. Depending on how the Black Lotus reacted, a moral war could ignite—this was a matter of utmost importance. And Cheonhui, who had instigated these tangled events, arrived at the Bipungsang Group. "We've arrived." Seated on the coach box, Jinhae beamed at Cheonhui and Hyundo. He was now closer than ever to accomplishing his ambitions, thanks to the detailed information about the fall of the White Ghost Castle he had relayed to the Sect of Beggars. 'I need to cultivate this relationship!' Jinhae grinned broadly, locking his gaze on Hyundo with a sticky persistence. Oblivious to his thoughts, Cheonhui regarded Jinhae as if he were deranged. 'Well, he is a madman.' Recalling how Jinhae had smiled eerily at the sight of the White Death God's corpse, Cheonhui was sure of it. Turning his gaze away from Jinhae, Cheonhui opened the carriage door. The broken gate of the Bipungsang Group remained unrepaired, leaving the interior exposed. At that moment, Cheonhui's eyes narrowed. Beyond the shattered gate, a familiar middle-aged woman was conversing with Goh Keyoung. "…Your aid has been invaluable." "Is that so?" Suddenly, their eyes met. "Sunsa-nim?" Goh Keyoung called out, startled by the reaction, but she, as if entranced, stepped forward. In no time, she deployed the Jewel Circle Lightfoot and rushed to Cheonhui's side. "Huiya!" Her booming call caught the attention of those in the Bipungsang Group, all eyes turning to the gate. Cheonhui turned his head too. 'Hyunryeo Sago?' "Ha, I'm relieved you're safe." Showing relief, she placed a hand over her chest, having approached without notice. "Hahaha. Sa-mae only sees Cheonhui, it seems, ignoring me," Hyundo teased gently, a soft smile gracing his face despite her sharp words. "It's a joke. But you, who loathes venturing into the martial world so much, why have you come out now?" "I heard that you and Cheonhui were in danger..." Momentarily flustered, she quickly recalled something, adding urgently, "What happened?" "It went well." Her face shifted from doubt to realization, finally settling on elation. She turned her fervently animated expression to Hyundo and forced her quivering lips to speak. "That- that means..." "We avenged the youngest disciple." "Truly… is it true?" When Hyundo nodded vigorously, she bit her lip, tears flowing freely. "Huk, finally…" "This is no day for tears." Hyundo patted her shoulder kindly. "Don't cry, smile. Wouldn't the youngest disciple prefer that?" As Cheonhui subtly distanced himself from the sobbing Hyunryeo and the comforting Hyundo, "I'm relieved you returned safely," Goh Keyoung approached. "Seems like there've been no further attacks." "Thankfully not." "Is that so?" Just as Cheonhui was about to turn away, Goh Keyoung cautiously asked, "May I ask you something?" "What is it?" "How did things turn out?" His face etched with worry, Cheonhui replied with a faint smile. "There will be no more attacks." Goh Keyoung's eyes widened in response. No more attacks? That only meant one thing. Either negotiations were concluded, or the enemy was annihilated. But negotiating with their nemesis, the White Ghost Castle, seemed impossible. This meant... 'The White Ghost Castle is no more!' Realizing this, Goh Keyoung quickly bowed his head so swiftly his hair whipped around. "Thank you. How will we ever repay this kindness… Oh!" As Goh Keyoung was expressing his gratitude, something seemed to occur to him, and he urgently fished around in his robe. "It should be here..." After a moment, he carefully handed a brilliantly engraved gold medallion to Cheonhui. "Show this medallion at any reputable merchant group in the Central Plains, and though it won't be much, you should receive some funds." Cheonhui's eyes lit up with interest. 'Money? That's exactly what I needed.' Realizing the potential necessity of this medallion for his future activities in the martial world, Cheonhui accepted it eagerly. "Sounds good." "Hahaha, I'm relieved that you're pleased," Goh Keyoung beamed with satisfaction. The gold medallion was a cornerstone that had helped build the current Bipungsang Group, yet Goh Keyoung didn't hesitate in the least to give it away. 'Parting with the medallion is a significant loss, but forging a bond with someone as powerful as him, fear of anything would be out of the question.' In that brief moment, Goh Keyoung made a calculated decision in his mind. What is most essential for a merchant? Money and trust. Relationships. And for the sake of fostering connections, he was willing to accept a slight loss by giving Cheonhui the medallion. Perhaps this was a lifetime gamble for the future of the Bipungsang Group. Watching Cheonhui nonchalantly tucking the medallion into his sleeve, Goh Keyoung wetted his lips before speaking softly. "And now, what are your plans, benefactor?" "I still have the mission to protect the Bipungsang Group, so I'll stay and..." "No, that won't do," Hyunryeo interrupted firmly as she approached. "Cheonhui must return to the Hwasan Sect immediately."