SYM 18
by Emerlyn“Where are the Danmok people?”
“They’re at Chuihwa Pavilion.”
“At Chuihwa Pavilion?”
“It seems they’ve rented out an entire floor since early evening and have been partying without coming out.”
“Those family brats… they really live in luxury. Tsk.”
Ha Yeo-un moved his body lightly. With a series of soft popping sounds, his physique began to change.
Though not drastically different from his original form, the muscle and skeletal structure had changed to the point where he could no longer be considered the same person.
It was a perfectly balanced body, neither too large nor too small.
That wasn’t all. As he turned his head slightly, his face also seemed to shift little by little until a completely different face appeared.
The face that emerged was one that, once seen, could never be forgotten.
He had milky white skin without a single blemish, eyebrows that were moderately thick yet smooth, a straight nose above, and cleanly defined lips.
Overall, he gave the impression of a gentle and kind young nobleman who knew nothing of martial arts. However, the slightest movement of his facial muscles completely changed his expression. Just raising his eyebrows slightly was enough to emit an intimidating aura that could overwhelm many demonic cult members. Who would dare imagine this scholarly-looking man in white to be the Heavenly Demon?
However, the prominent sunken blood vessel on his forehead and his piercing gaze made it clear that he was no ordinary scholar.
“Heavenly Demon’s Return! Ten Thousand Demons Bow Before You! We greet the Cult Leader!”
Those in the room bowed themselves upon seeing Cheong-un’s face.
The young nobleman in white was no longer there. The figure with black pupils, as if absorbing all the light around him, looked down at the bowing men with an aura of absolute authority.
One of the black-robed cult members rose and carefully began to undress Cheong-un. The white clothes he had worn as Ha Yeo-un were removed one by one.
Eventually, a completely naked body was revealed. The difference between this and the form he had used as Ha Yeo-un was now even more pronounced.
It was the perfect body of a martial artist, as it had been when he was Ha Yeo-un. His muscles were attached efficiently, just right for moving the body. As Eun-hyeon had admired, it was a body of heavenly talent, ideal for learning martial arts. This was because when the Heavenly Demon created the persona of Ha Yeo-un, he designed a body to match the setting of a person with outstanding talent.
However, now that he had returned to his true form as the Heavenly Demon, his body was even more smooth and sleek than before.
At first glance, one might think he was an ordinary person who knew nothing of martial arts. But hidden beneath the silk-like skin were firm muscles. This body had already undergone two transformations. The fact that no firmness was visible on the outside indicated that the Heavenly Demon’ martial arts were no longer bound by physical limitations. His martial arts had reached a level of mental mastery, making the shape of the body irrelevant.
The cult member unfolded a new set of black clothes. It was a black outfit like mourning clothes, as dark as the night sky without a single pattern. The clothes didn’t cling to the skin but moved as if flowing down smoothly.
After tying the robe lightly, the Heavenly Demon draped a black coat over his shoulders. Though the attire was simple enough to suit the summer heat, it was sufficient.
“There’s no need to make such a fuss every time we catch and kill those guys.”
“Understood.”
Once the Heavenly Demon, now called Un, was dressed in black, one of the kneeling men raised his head.
“What is it?”
“Cult Leader. This time, allow me to go in your place.”
“You?”
“Is it really necessary for you to go in person for such insignificant beings?”
As Un smirked, both the one who spoke and those who bowed flinched.
“It seems you’re displeased that I’m personally dealing with these worthless insects.”
Cheong-un cast an emotionless gaze at his subordinates. The air in the room seemed to freeze, and the kneeling subordinate broke out in cold sweat.
“It’s my decision who I choose to face. Don’t overstep your bounds.”
“…I apologize. Your servant’s thinking was shallow. Please punish me!”
“Enough.”
Cheong-un turned his head, a faint smile lingering on his lips.
“This concerns my master, not just anyone.”
He picked up the antique sword sheath that his subordinate was holding and fastened it to his waist.
“Don’t ruin my good mood. Step aside. Follow if you wish.”
Cheong-un, the Heavenly Demon, opened the window instead of the door. A cold wind blew in, cooling his burning chest a little.
Since his master’s disappearance, Cheong-un’s heart had always been boiling like magma. It had been that way ever since he faced the ugly truths behind his master’s death.
For Cheong-un, his master’s death felt as if it had happened just yesterday.
The events of the day his master closed his eyes still replayed endlessly in his mind.
Cheong-un thought he was already out of his mind.
He hadn’t been in his right mind for a single moment since his master’s death.
He climbed onto the windowsill and lightly kicked off.
With just one push, his body shot out like an arrow. His jet-black clothing was soon soaked with falling snow. He could have easily shielded himself from the snow with his martial arts, but the Heavenly Demon chose not to.
As he watched the snow seep into his clothes while using his lightness skill, he suddenly recalled Eun-hyeon, whom he had seen earlier that day.
Eun-hyeon.
What drew his interest in Eun-hyeon was his name.
His master had been a fool. He didn’t know how to deceive people or look after his own interests. He prioritized righteousness over profit and revered justice. He became angry at injustice and never compromised. His foolish master was the most righteous orthodox sect member he had ever known. That master’s name was also Eun-hyeon.
Though the new Eun-hyun was entirely different from his master, there was something strangely similar about him. It was unsettling, yet he couldn’t stop thinking about him.
First, he boldly lied to his face, and today, in the presence of other righteous sect members, he smoothly matched wits without missing a beat.
Despite not knowing any martial arts, it was admirable how he talked back firmly to those annoying righteous sect members who acted superior as late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. He was like a small puppy barking fearlessly at a tiger.
That’s why he helped him. He kept drawing his attention.
“How strange indeed.”
Cheong-un moistened his lips with his tongue.
Although he had long since surpassed the limits of the physical body through cultivation, he strangely felt hungry whenever he thought of Eun-hyeon.
As he pondered these thoughts, Chuihwa Pavilion came into view. Chuihwa Pavilion, the largest pleasure house in Hefei, was full of guests despite the snowy weather.
Cheong-un stepped into the air as if climbing invisible stairs.
In pleasure houses, the wealthier clients were placed on higher floors. The two fools from the Danmok Family would surely be on the top floor of Chuihwa Pavilion.
Cheong-un lightly landed on the roof of Chuihwa Pavilion in one breath.
He listened for a moment, and voices conversing inside drifted out.
“Brother, how could you back down like that? You should have pushed it all the way to the end today!”
“Don’t be foolish. The Family Head told us to help Young Master Eung-wang, not to pick fights with the Namgung Family.”
“This is a matter of Danmok Family’s honor. What will others say? Won’t they say the Danmok Family tucked tail and ran away?”
To be so recklessly open near the Namgung family’s doorstep was absurd.
Even if it wasn’t him, Hefei must have been scattered with Namgung’s ears. These fools seemed unlikely to survive long even without his intervention. It appeared the incident at the banquet hall had taught them no lesson.
Seeing them yapping away like dogs, Cheong-un was certain these were the ones he was looking for.
The Heavenly Demon grinned. His shadow gradually faded until it disappeared completely.