Divorced Heavenly Demon - Chapter 12

Inside the Cheonma Shinjiao lies Mushim Mountain and Manhwa Peak, where flowers bloom all four seasons despite being out of season, with hundreds of peaks soaring towards the sky. Among them, at the summit of the highest peak that seemed to touch the clouds, stood a man’s silhouette.

“… Am I the first one here?”
Heok Gong-woon, the uncle of Heok Mu-rin and the current head of the Heok family, muttered softly. No one else was in sight; only a long table and eight teacups were placed there. As Heok Gong-woon gazed at them, he briefly glanced around.

The breathtaking view where the mountain mingles with the purple stream at twilight was exquisite, but currently, he couldn’t fully enjoy the scenery before him. “I never expected to come to a place like this.” As the first to arrive for the regular elder meeting, Heok Gong-woon sighed lightly. He was just an interim family head, while the others were the great family heads sustaining the Seven Great Demon Families of the main sect. Despite being an elder, there was an invisible wall.

Having worked in Xinjiang for decades, Heok Gong-woon wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with the elders, but neither was he close with them. Furthermore, as the situation of the main family became more difficult, the burden on his shoulders had grown heavier. “Is that the main seat?” He looked at the seat and sat at the farthest end.

As the seventh elder, he had no choice. “It’s warm,” Heok Gong-woon marveled at the warmth from the teacup. Although it had been left unattended for at least half an hour, steam rose from the tea as if it had just been brewed. Having encountered equipment or formations before, he was fascinated as he touched the teacup.

While he was examining the cup. Footsteps were heard from somewhere. As Heok Gong-woon raised his head, he saw a man approaching from afar. With thick eyelashes and elegant limb movements, he could easily be mistaken as a woman, he spoke in a youthful voice, “Is there a guest?” It was Hua Yinyoma Yalu Hyun, the head of the Yalu family, renowned for his mastery in sonic arts. Rumor had it that he could play any instrument and produce different voices depending on the situation and location, and no one claimed to have heard his true voice.

“It’s just as I expected.” Heok Gong-woon had anticipated that he would be the second to arrive. The Yalu family belonged to the lower tier of the Seven Great Demon Families alongside the Heok family. Despite being incomparable to the Heok family, it was somewhat weak compared to the other great families. Due to the significant power disparity, Yalu Hyun had to arrive early to observe the situation.

“It’s been a while.”
“It’s been long indeed.”
Yalu Hyun, who gave a short reply, looked at the table and briefly glanced at the main seat before shifting his gaze and sitting in a seat without hesitation. He settled in a spot slightly more forward than Heok Gong-woon and savored the tea while gazing around at the scenery. Confirming Yalu Hyun’s lack of interest in conversation, Heok Gong-woon occasionally glanced around.

“This won’t be easy.”
Though he had little to say, he was taken aback when Yalu Hyun made it clear from the start that he wasn’t interested in conversation. Heok Gong-woon once again realized his position as the lowest of the Seven Great Demon Families’ elders.

A long silence ensued, and just when the silence became less awkward, a new voice was heard. “Already two here, I see.” As Sama Geuk, the giant of the Sama family and the master strategist of the main sect, appeared, Yalu Hyun turned his gaze. “It’s hard to see your face. Is this the first time since the coronation?” Sama Geuk said with a chuckle.

“There’s been no reason to meet face-to-face since then, has there? We’re all in similar situations, I imagine.” “Half a year… It’s only been half a year.” Sama Geuk mused as he stared blankly into space, then exchanged brief greetings with Yalu Hyun. “I heard your son has blossomed,” Yalu Hyun said, remembering something. “He’s still in the learning phase.”

“You must have had many concerns. To draw out the talent of the supposed dullard, the strategist’s skill is indeed marvelous…” “It wasn’t me.” Sama Geuk interrupted sharply. Yalu Hyun, slightly flustered, asked, “What do you mean?” After a brief silence, Sama Geuk diverted the conversation with a smile.

They briefly discussed the Yalu family, finished the conversation, and Sama Geuk took a seat at the table’s midpoint. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you too. I heard you became the head, but my congratulations are late.” “Thank you.” “So, how has the Heok family been faring lately?”

“It’s not all good, but it seems to be improving gradually,” Heok Gong-woon replied evasively, thinking there was no need to reveal weaknesses, even though they were struggling here and there. “That’s a relief. If it becomes too difficult, try seeking help from the main sect. We’re from the same root of the Seven Great Demon Families, so we should help each other out.”

Though Heok Gong-woon appreciated Sama Geuk’s words, he was perplexed. At his nephew’s coronation half a year ago, Sama Geuk’s gaze was icy, as if he wished to kill someone, but now he was inquiring about the Heok family’s status and extending a helping hand. Though it seemed there had been a change in mindset, they weren’t close enough to discuss such details. Heok Gong-woon was satisfied, just knowing the main family had a positive view of them.

As a few conversations passed between Heok Gong-woon and Sama Geuk, a middle-aged man appeared behind them with a fierce aura. “Gathering like mice, eh?!” Heok Gong-woon tensed at the rough voice that suddenly loomed, while Sama Geuk and Yalu Hyun, seemingly familiar, ignored him.

Thud, thud! The man with a massive build like an ox approached with heavy steps and plopped down in a spot from the front. “Hahaha! Why does everyone seem mute and not speak?” he bellowed, pouring the boiling tea down his throat without any hesitation.

“Goodness.” Sama Geuk shook his head at the absurd sight, choosing not to speak. It was Manho, the Hell’s Blade, the head of the Man family, the most prestigious family known for their combat skills in Xinjiang, and the third elder of the main sect. To describe him in one word would be unrestrained; he acted freely according to his will.

He paid no mind to whether his opponent was strong or weak or if it was appropriate to act in such a place. He simply said what he wanted to say and acted as he wished. The moniker “Hell’s Blade” implied another meaning: “The path he walks results in the descent into hell.” It was said that whenever Manho moved, all traces of life vanished from the places he passed, thus earning the nickname.

“Hmm?” Suddenly, Manho stared intently at Heok Gong-woon. Slapping his palm, he exclaimed, “Are you not Heok the Violent Sword?! When did you become the head?!” “… About half a year ago.” “Hahaha! Is that so?! Well, you’re well-qualified to be an elder!”

At his hearty words, Heok Gong-woon could only smile wryly, knowing better than anyone that it was merely a formality. If Manho truly considered him elder material, he would have drawn his blade, demanding a spar instead of offering congratulations.

“Things better lately? I’m sure the main family’s been through a lot, and the seventh elder’s taken on a heavy responsibility in times of difficulty!” Manho continued noisily inquiring and answering his own questions, while Heok Gong-woon listened with one ear and let it pass through the other. It was quite a ridiculous scene.

As the awkward exchanges continued, Manho suddenly turned at the aura sensed behind him. Elder Chenjung-ak appeared. Having glared at the main seat for a moment, he took a seat directly to its right. Unlike usual, he emitted sharp energy, prompting everyone to remain silent, except for one person.

“Feeling uneasy, are you?” Manho inquired, yet Chenjung-ak did not respond. “I suppose one would feel unsettled with a child’s divorce on their mind.” “………” It was a topic everyone knew but had deliberately left unspoken. The divorce between the cult leader and Cheon Seo-hee made the observers’ eyes go wide in astonishment.

“You babble things you can’t take back with your loose lips.” Chenjung-ak’s cold gaze swung towards Manho. Simultaneously, a lethal intent exuded tyrannical force.

“Hahaha! Can’t we, among elders, speak so freely?!” Despite the murderous intent, Manho burst into laughter as he emitted robust energy. As their auras clashed, the teacups rattled, and the table quivered. “If I rip your tongue out, maybe you’ll change your mind.” “Go ahead, if you can.”

As their aura confrontation escalated to the point the world seemed to tremble, Heok Gong-woon felt he could barely breathe due to the reaching tension. Finally, Sama Geuk clinked a teacup down to break the silence. “That’s enough. Do you plan on displaying such a disgrace before the meeting even starts?”

“………”
“………”
Chastened by Sama Geuk’s rebuke, both elders glared at each other before retracting their powers. Chenjung-ak diverted his gaze as if he no longer wished to see them, while Manho reluctantly scratched his neck.

Breaking the awkward silence, Manho glanced slyly at Heok Gong-woon. “If you ever need assistance, let me know.”

“Third elder!” Maneuvering subtly to provoke Chenjung-ak, Manho turned away only after Sama Geuk admonished him once more. “Tsk. Why are they so late?”

“The fifth elder already announced his absence, and it’s clear the first elder won’t attend.” Sama Geuk replied, nodding as Manho concurred. “That does make sense. So only one remains?” Manho sighed heavily as he eyed the main seat. “He’s rather unnecessarily late. If skills are lacking, at least minimize the trouble.”

“… I agree.” Even Yalu Hyun, who’d been mostly silent till now, voiced slight dissatisfaction. As the cult leader’s tardiness heightened the elders’ sensitivity, Heok Gong-woon remained silently observant. “Wouldn’t starting now make no difference if he’s already late…?”

Just as Manho’s patience threatened its limit and suggested starting regardless, everyone suddenly froze in place. It wasn’t that they felt an aura or detected force, yet their acute senses collectively sounded an alarm. Something was approaching.

Sss—Sss—Sss— The swaying tree branches abruptly stilled. The breeze fluttering over the high peaks ceased, and all the birds and animals in the vicinity vanished without a trace. The five elders present on this lofty peak were the only beings, along with… “Sorry, I’m a bit late.”

Heok Mu-rin emerged with a magnificent yet distinct presence. Every elder in attendance was struck speechless by the change in Him as Sama Geuk’s pupils dilated, and Yalu Hyun’s eyes stiffened. However, among them, the most astonished was Chenjung-ak. ‘Is he truly the same novice from then?’

Barely one or two months ago, he’d already shocked him when he evaded his lethality without a scratch in his office. But the energy emanating from him now couldn’t be compared to back then. ‘Is it possible to grow this significantly in such a short time?’ Based on his lifelong experiences, it was unquestionably impossible.

“Sect leader, have you learned some sorcery?” Manho abruptly asked with a voice tinged with wonderment. Half a year ago, he was just a fledgling. It seemed unreal, yet it was a clear reality indeed. Gazing at the somehow transformed sect leader, Manho’s eyes reflected a sulfurous glow.

Heok Mu-rin took a seat in the main position calmly and spoke. “It seems the third elder’s wit has improved after a long while.” Though something unlike ordinary demonic energy was sensed, it didn’t feel corrupt. As Manho hadn’t genuinely thought it to be sorcery, he left it at that.

In the silence filled with shock, amazement, skepticism, and disbelief, Heok Mu-rin spoke once more to break it. “Everyone expected is present. Let us commence the regular elder meeting now.”

As the meeting began under Heok Mu-rin’s leadership, the elders’ gazes shifted. Each had opinions prepared, likely for personal and family interests. As they readied themselves, waiting to see who would go first, Manho predictably jumped in to put forth his agenda. “If no one has something urgent, I’ll go first. I plan to incorporate the surplus congregation’s armed forces under my command….”

“The first agenda I’ll introduce,” Heok Mu-rin decisively interrupted. As this situation was novel to everyone, they exchanged puzzled glances towards him. Amidst the concentrated attention, Heok Mu-rin declared in a calm yet sinking voice. “I plan to dissolve this meeting from today onward.” For all eternity.