Chapter 10 – English Translation
To prevent the conflict from spreading between the Sun–Moon Divine Sect and the Podalap Palace, Wi Yeon-ji had no choice but to intervene.
If the two men had fought to the end, one or both of them would have been seriously injured—perhaps even killed.
She darted through the narrow, winding alleys, desperately trying to recall the way.
I have to cross the Qinghai border.
Once she crossed into Qinghai Province, even Ji Se-jun, the Sun–Moon Sect’s leader, wouldn’t be able to pursue her easily.
Unlike her, he was a well-known figure among the Central Plains martial artists. The fact that the monk Il-o hadn’t recognized him was strange.
The Central Plains’ orthodox sects constantly kept watch on the major figures of the Sun–Moon Divine Sect, just as the Sun–Moon Sect tracked the Nine Great Sects and Five Noble Clans in return.
Both sides were always wary of another Great Demonic War, so they devoted immense effort to gathering information on the top experts.
Ji Se-jun, as one of her father’s disciple candidates, was inevitably a figure of great interest to the orthodox sects.
If someone like him crossed the Qinghai border, the Kunlun Sect—based there—would immediately raise the alarm.
Wi Yeon-ji didn’t stop running.
“Commander!”
She heard Ji Se-jun’s voice echo from behind. Her legs tensed as she ran even faster. Already? He’s caught up?
Then came a thunderous sound, as though the earth itself had split apart.
KWA-A-A-ANG!
“You damned monk!”
“Stop! Let her go! That young lady will return to the Central Plains and live under the light of the orthodox sects!”
No, that’s not what I— Yeon-ji cut off her thought. For now, Il-o’s interference worked in her favor.
Whatever the truth was, escaping this place took priority.
Even if the misunderstanding deepened the conflict between the Sun–Moon Sect and Podalap Palace, there was nothing she could do now.
She couldn’t stop and try to reason with them.
Thank you. I’ll repay you if I ever get the chance.
Yeon-ji glanced once toward Il-o, then ran with all her strength.
“You damned monk!”
Having lost Yeon-ji, Ji Se-jun was consumed by fury—so much that he felt he’d go insane if he didn’t rip Il-o apart.
His palm turned white from how tightly he gripped his sword as he approached the monk step by slow step.
“I’ll kill you.”
Under his sect leader’s command, Ji Se-jun had been searching along the border between Xizang and Qinghai for Yeon-ji, together with other sect members.
He had finally found her—only to have everything ruined by this idiotic monk from Podalap Palace.
Il-o panted, his voice rising.
“To oppress an innocent person is an unforgivable sin! Why does a servant of the Demonic Sect chase a blameless young lady day and night?”
Ji Se-jun didn’t bother replying. Whatever misunderstandings the monk had no longer mattered—he would be dead soon anyway.
“Do your best, monk. If you fall, I’ll make sure you don’t die easily.”
Il-o fell silent. Ji Se-jun raised his sword, eyes glinting coldly.
Just as the two prepared to clash with full power—
—an overwhelming force pressed down upon them both.
Ji Se-jun staggered, and Il-o coughed blood from his nose.
Was there… a staircase in the sky?
A man was descending, step by step, as though walking on air. Both men trembled.
Ji Se-jun started to kneel and bow, but the man raised a hand.
“Master.”
At that word, Il-o’s eyes went wide.
“How’s Hye-gwang these days?”
The man—smiling as if teasing them—walked closer. Il-o’s legs buckled, and he dropped heavily to the ground.
The man who had been called “Sect Leader” didn’t seem much older than Il-o himself, yet his very presence was suffocating.
The Sect Leader… then he’s the Heavenly Demon?
As the disciple of the Great Monk Hye-gwang, Il-o could never bow to the master of the Demonic Sect. He frantically gathered his inner strength, trying to stand.
“Ah, so you’re Hye-gwang’s youngest disciple? Quite spirited. Relax and sit.”
With just a light downward motion of his finger, Wi Yeon-gang forced Il-o’s knees to buckle again. The invisible pressure made even a top-class master kneel.
Il-o’s pupils quivered.
He recalled his teacher’s grave words:
“The Sect Leader is a genius. Under heaven, none can rival his talent. In all of history, there may never be another like him.
It is only his heart that keeps this world in peace—whether he is a blessing or a curse to mankind, I do not know.”
Back then, Il-o hadn’t understood the faint unease on his master’s face.
Now, meeting Wi Yeon-gang in person, he finally realized it had been fear.
“…The Heavenly Demon.”
“Stop chasing my people and return to your temple. You still have much to learn from Hye-gwang.”
Wi Yeon-gang turned to Ji Se-jun and gestured lightly. Ji Se-jun rose immediately and followed behind him.
When the two disappeared, Il-o finally managed to breathe again.
What had just happened?
The Heavenly Demon had left Mount Tian Shan himself—that alone was monumental. He had to send word to his senior brother, the abbot, and to his master immediately.
Il-o steadied his breath, calming the inner energy that had been shattered by Wi Yeon-gang’s aura.
Sweat soaked his robes, and yet an image of that young lady’s mesmerizing eyes flashed before him.
A strange peace washed over his heart. His reason returned, and he understood that she must be someone of great importance.
This was something not just Podalap Palace—but the entire orthodox alliance—had to know.
The Heavenly Demon has moved personally!
He could almost hear her voice again, whispering: “I’m going to the Central Plains.”
He had to find her. That thought filled his entire being.
Wi Yeon-gang scratched his head.
After hearing about Yeon-ji’s escape, he and his disciples had tried to come up with a way to retrieve her without revealing her true identity—but there was no legitimate excuse to mobilize sect members without doing so.
So, together with Ji Se-jun, the leader of the First Unit, and the Sun–Moon Sect’s members, he fabricated a plausible story.
He declared that “the First Unit’s commander has committed a grave offense and fled,” and that he himself, the Sect Leader, would personally punish her.
It wasn’t even a complete lie—Yeon-ji had run off with a secret manual.
His disciples were also dispatched, but since there were too many routes leading into Qinghai, most focused on areas where Ji Se-jun’s unit had previously operated.
Ji Se-jun and Wi Yeon-gang themselves took charge of the area near the Qinghai–Xizang border.
When Ji Se-jun spotted Yeon-ji, he immediately chased her and fired a blue signal, meaning “target located.”
Wi Yeon-gang had seen the blue smoke and followed Ji Se-jun’s energy signature straight to this place—only to find him fighting some fledgling monk reeking of Hye-gwang’s aura.
“Sect Leader.”
“She’s gone to the Central Plains. There was an important item in my office—she stole it and fled.”
At Wi Yeon-gang’s words, Ji Se-jun froze, unable to believe what he’d heard. But his master’s tone was calm, unbothered.
“Withdraw the rest of the members.”
“I’ll find her.”
Wi Yeon-gang hesitated briefly. That monk would undoubtedly spread word about him. The orthodox sects would react sharply, sending more spies to snoop around the Demonic Sect.
“Very well. Go to the Central Plains and bring back Commander Il-jo.”
It was a spontaneous decision, but Wi Yeon-gang thought it the best course.
He didn’t like that Ji Se-jun seemed to have feelings for Yeon-ji—but that very attachment would make him try harder.
Besides, if the disciples alone took action, it would stir chaos across the martial world.
As long as he stayed within Tian Shan, peace could be maintained.
The orthodox sects wouldn’t dare provoke the Demonic Sect while the Heavenly Demon remained, and the sect itself had no need to step into the Central Plains.
“But, Sect Leader… did she really steal your belongings?”
“She did.”
It was the only excuse he could think of for now.
Wi Yeon-gang gave a crooked smile.
