The Heavenly Demon Wants a Quiet Life

Chapter 29: A Sword? What Sword?

────────────────────────────────────

Zhongli Seong-nak’s eyes burned with unbridled fury, pure rage radiating from his glare.

“What… Did you just say?”

A refined killing intent surged from Zhongli Seong-nak’s body, palpable and menacing.

Sensing this, Cheon Kyungwan subtly stepped in front of Byeok Taesan.

He knew Byeok Taesan wasn’t an ordinary person, but his illness had yet to be fully cured.

Exposing him to such intense hostility would do no good.

Moreover, their opponent was clearly a high-ranking martial artist from a renowned family—likely an elder. If such a figure launched a surprise attack with full intent, Cheon Kyungwan wasn’t certain Byeok Taesan could fend it off in his current state.

At the very least, if he could intercept even one attack, perhaps it would create an opening for Byeok Taesan to counter.

“Do you think someone like you can stand in my way?”

Zhongli Seong-nak’s fury now turned toward Cheon Kyungwan.

But Byeok Taesan let out a quiet chuckle.

“Weren’t you planning to kill me anyway? All you wanted was to abduct me, right? Am I wrong?”

Zhongli Seong-nak’s expression froze at the blunt remark, his anger subsiding momentarily.

“You’re the one who spoke of murder and eradication.”

“Words and actions stem from a person’s nature. All you think about is killing, so no matter what you hear, you always twist it in that direction.”

As Byeok Taesan spoke, he gave Zhongli Seong-nak a meaningful look, scanning him up and down.

“No wonder your soul is so filthy. You’ve really lived…disgustingly.”

Already enraged, Zhongli Seong-nak’s anger exploded at those cutting words.

“You insolent wretch!”

His voice, imbued with inner energy, roared with enough force to rupture unguarded eardrums.

Though crude in technique, it was a form of sound-based martial art.

Cheon Kyungwan grimaced as he resisted the blast with his own inner energy, though the shock reverberated through his body, leaving it tingling.

He worried about Byeok Taesan standing behind him.

Could Byeok Taesan endure such a thing?

As if reading his concern, Byeok Taesan spoke calmly.

“Are you struggling with something this crude? Truly…your training is lacking.”

Cheon Kyungwan involuntarily flinched at the pointed remark about his lack of discipline.

Zhongli Seong-nak’s cold resolve returned.

He realized that any further exchange of words would only lead to more frustration.

Communication was pointless now.

Better to kill one of them outright, capture the other, and take his time questioning them later.

Byeok Taesan noticed Zhongli Seong-nak’s shift in demeanor and turned to Cheon Kyungwan.

“How long do you think you can hold out?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure.”

“Then you’ll have to find out. Just make sure you’re injured only to the extent that the Heavenly Divine Healer can fix you.”

Cheon Kyungwan let out a wry smile.

As if injuries were ever under one’s control.

“I’ll do my best to put up a fight.”

Byeok Taesan nodded approvingly.

“Fighting stronger opponents is the best way to grow, after all.”

Cheon Kyungwan exhaled deeply and drew his sword.

Slash.

Zhongli Seong-nak smirked, his gaze dripping with disdain.

“I’ll sever your head in one strike.”

Zhongli Seong-nak’s body flickered, and before anyone could react, he was already in front of Cheon Kyungwan.

Remaining composed, Cheon Kyungwan raised his sword swiftly.

Clang!

He deflected Zhongli Seong-nak’s strike, a blow so fast it was almost invisible.

“You blocked that?”

Zhongli Seong-nak’s eyes widened.

That attack had been his best effort, even employing an element of surprise.

Yet, Cheon Kyungwan had deflected it.

Zhongli Seong-nak’s sword moved fluidly, unleashing a flurry of strikes.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The strikes were rapid and powerful, each imbued with killing intent. Blocking them inflicted immense shock on Cheon Kyungwan’s body.

But he managed to deflect them all.

He wasn’t distributing the force perfectly, so the impact was considerable.

Still, it was an achievement that he could hold on at all.

In the past, Cheon Kyungwan would have struggled to block even one strike like this.

Now, he was only managing because he had identified weaknesses in the Zhongli Clan’s martial arts. Without that knowledge, he’d already have lost his head.

‘I can do this!’

Confidence began to fill Cheon Kyungwan’s eyes.

This confidence enraged Zhongli Seongrak. He poured even more force into his strikes.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sound of their clashes grew louder and louder, turning into deafening explosions.

Cheon Kyungwan gritted his teeth, enduring the relentless blows.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth; he had internal injuries.

Yet his determination never wavered. If anything, it grew stronger.

Zhongli Seong-nak, observing this, couldn’t help but feel impressed.

After a few more exchanges, he pushed Cheon Kyungwan back and leapt away, creating distance.

“It’s a shame for talent like yours to remain with the Golden Wall Merchants. Why not join our clan instead? I’ll train you personally.”

As he spoke, Zhongli Seong-nak glanced at Byeok Taesan, standing behind Cheon Kyungwan.

Byeok Taesan’s lips curled into a mocking smirk.

Annoyed by the expression, Zhongli Seong-nak frowned and continued.

“I’ll personally guide your martial training. This is an opportunity that won’t come again. Betraying the boy behind you isn’t even necessary. He’s destined to die anyway. All you need to do is step back and pretend you’re already dead.”

Cheon Kyungwan’s expression remained unchanged.

Gripping his sword tighter, he launched himself at Zhongli Seong-nak without a word.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Their swords clashed again, bursts of energy scattering as blood spurted from Cheon Kyungwan’s body with each impact.

Yet his sword found an opening, slicing a shallow line across Zhongli Seong-nak’s cheek.

A flicker of rage ignited in Zhongli Seong-nak’s eyes.

“You dare!”

Zhongli Seong-nak’s blade gleamed white with energy.

Slash!

Cheon Kyungwan’s sword was severed in half.

Zhongli Seongrak’s sword followed through, piercing Cheon Kyungwan’s shoulder.

“Kuuaaagh!”

Cheon Kyungwan spat blood as he was flung back, rolling several times before regaining his footing. His arm dangled uselessly; his shoulder injury rendered it immobile.

Yet, gripping the broken blade, Cheon Kyungwan continued to face Zhongli Seong-nak, his fighting spirit unyielding.

Zhongli Seong-nak let out a dry laugh.

“Now I’ll end this.”

He advanced, his blade glowing white. Cheon Kyungwan poured all his energy into his broken sword, determined to take Zhongli Seong-nak down with him.

But then, a hand rested on his shoulder.

It was Byeok Taesan.

“That’s enough. If you keep going, you might lose that arm entirely.”

Unlike a regular blade, this wound was inflicted by sword energy.

It was likely far worse than it appeared.

At least it wasn’t a slash from a sword aura; otherwise, his arm would have been reduced to shredded flesh.

“Keep your eyes wide open. You might learn something.”

Byeok Taesan smiled faintly as he stepped forward.

Zhongli Seong-nak’s expression twisted with disbelief as he saw Byeok Taesan approach.

“You… dare face me without a sword?”

Byeok Taesan chuckled.

“A sword? Against you? Don’t be ridiculous.”

He cracked his neck and assessed his body.

Though not in peak condition, he could still fight without risking severe aftereffects.

And not long ago, he had absorbed the strength by slowly roasting the soul of Zhongli Woong.

That power had accumulated significantly.

Since it was strength taken from the Zhongli Clan, wouldn’t it be right to return it to them?

“Phew… One day, I’ll make sure to cut off that foul tongue of yours.”

Zhongli Seong-nak muttered as he thrust his sword toward Byeok Taesan’s thigh, stepping into the gap between them.

The moment he struck, he was certain—there was no way for this attack to be avoided.

Swish!

Zhongli Seong-nak’s eyes widened as though they would tear apart.

He was sure he had targeted the center of the thigh, but his sword ended up grazing past its side.

Before he could even comprehend what had just happened, Byeok Taesan was already upon him.

He had only taken a few calm steps forward, yet he was now right in front of him.

An alarm blared furiously in Zhongli Seong-nak’s mind.

He was a man who had been active within the Zhongli Clan long before the Heavenly Demon’s uprising. His vast experience honed his instincts, and those instincts were screaming danger.

When faced with a crisis, his body moved as it had been trained through years of rigorous practice and real combat.

He twisted the sword he had just thrust forward.

Crack!

Joints and muscles screamed in protest, but he had no time to concern himself with such pain.

The forcibly twisted arm swing the sword, aiming for the back of Byeok Taesan’s neck.

Thud!

In that instant, Byeok Taesan’s elbow lightly tapped Zhongli Seongrak’s arm.

The arm, which had been swinging inward, was sent flying upward.

The trajectory of the sword narrowly brushed past the top of Byeok Taesan’s head.

Byeok Taesan’s hand then shot upward.

His palm struck Zhongli Seongrak’s chin with precision.

Thunk!

Zhongli Seongrak’s vision briefly filled with the vivid blue of the sky, then everything spun before plunging into complete darkness.

Thud!

Zhongli Seongrak collapsed forward, his head hitting the ground.

At some point, Byeok Taesan had taken a step to the side, avoiding his falling body.

The entire sequence had taken no more than the blink of an eye.

Cheon Kyungwan had witnessed everything unfold in perfect clarity.

His stunned gaze fixed on Byeok Taesan’s back.

The smooth, flowing motions—his steps, the elbow strike, and the palm strike—all etched themselves into Cheon Kyungwan’s mind as though branded by fire.

It was utterly beautiful.

‘Can I… do that too?’

The focus returned to Cheon Kyungwan’s dazed eyes, and within them burned an intense yet pure desire.

* * *

“If it weren’t for me, you’d have lost that arm. You know that, right?”

The Heavenly Divine Healer spoke while making sure to take full credit.

Cheon Kyungwan nodded with a natural expression.

“I will never forget this favor.”

Who else but the Heavenly Divine Healer could have healed such an injury so perfectly?

“Good, good. That’s all I need to hear. Just make sure you repay the favor.”

By now, the Heavenly Divine Healer spoke to Cheon Kyungwan with complete ease.

Before arriving at Yeon Manor, he had spoken with the utmost courtesy. However, during the treatment process, his tone had become much more relaxed.

While this signaled growing comfort, it also conveyed a clear shift in hierarchy—Cheon Kyungwan was now clearly beneath him.

After all, the man had saved an arm that otherwise would have been lost.

Whenever he remembered this, the Heavenly Divine Healer took every opportunity to remind Cheon Kyungwan of his benevolence.

After thoroughly claiming credit, the Heavenly Divine Healer subtly shifted his gaze to Yoo Seoyeon, who was following at a slight distance.

Yoo Seoyeon also looked at him with gratitude in her eyes.

However, the Heavenly Divine Healer noticed that her gratitude had diminished compared to before.

‘It seems I should stop here.’

Any further boasting might backfire. While he could still press Cheon Kyungwan a few more times, Yoo Seoyeon had reached her limit.

‘I can handle her separately later.’

It’s best to fully claim credit while the opportunity arises. Otherwise, too many people fail to appreciate kindness.

The Heavenly Divine Healer quietly moved closer to Byeok Taesan.

“Young Master, you’ve heard how remarkable an offer I turned down to be here, haven’t you?”

Byeok Taesan didn’t reply, but the Heavenly Divine Healer wasn’t asking because he needed an answer.

“They offered me an absurd amount of money. Rare herbs and toxic plants? Promised unlimited supplies. Servants? Dozens, at my beck and call. And women, no less—a whole parade of them to keep me company every night.”

Byeok Taesan chuckled faintly and waved his hand dismissively.

“Not stopping you. Go.”

“Pardon?”

“I said, go. Back to the Zhongli Clan.”

“Oh, come now. How could you say something so harsh? How could I leave you, Young Master? I just wanted you to recognize how incredibly capable I am.”

“Be honest. You almost gave in, didn’t you? You changed your mind after realizing the Zhongli Clan’s current situation, didn’t you?”

“Perish the thought! How could you say such a thing? I swear, I had no idea the Zhongli Clan was on the brink of ruin until just moments ago.”

Byeok Taesan laughed lightly.

“Fine, we’ll say that’s the case.”

“This is unjust! I’m telling the truth!”

The Heavenly Divine Healer jumped up in protest, but Byeok Taesan merely chuckled in response.

The group was currently on their way back to Golden Wall Manor.