The Heavenly Demon Wants a Quiet Life

Chapter 125: < A Wall Made of Gold >

Byeok Taesan and his companions quickly returned to their daily routine after arriving back at the Golden Wall Pavilion.

Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon secluded themselves in the training hall, fully dedicating themselves to intense practice.

The two were utterly astonished by Yeon Harin's transformation.

They couldn’t shake the unease that, at this rate, they might fall far behind Yeon Harin.

Driven by this fear, Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon trained even more rigorously than before.

As a result, the atmosphere in the training hall grew significantly more intense than in the past.

The Heavenly Divine Healer, the Needle Master, and Cho Seoran concentrated on making medicines.

Using the materials diligently prepared in advance by the physicians of the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion, they produced the Heavenly Divine Pill as well as a substantial supply of medicine for internal injuries and Golden Wound Medicine.

The Heavenly Medicine Pavilion’s medicines were planned to be manufactured step by step after the move to Wuhan was complete.

Since they were now traveling together, the exchange of secret techniques became much more active.

Byeok Taesan’s attendants focused on attending to him. Of course, they didn’t neglect their martial arts training.

They were well aware that Byeok Taesan was not an ordinary person.

People like him often stood at the center of the flow of events, and the ripple effects on those around them could be immense.

To withstand those waves, they couldn’t afford to be weak.

Without even fully recovering from their journey, everyone immediately resumed their usual routines.

A day passed like this.

Byeok Taesan, as usual, began his day with the attendants' service, taking a moment to observe his subordinates, who lived fiercely dedicated lives.

He visited the Wanderers’ Market, the unorthodox path groups, and even the White Flower House to check on the overall situation.

Before he realized it, evening had already arrived.

As prearranged, Byeok Taesan headed to Byeok Taesoo’s office.

In front of the office, the manager was pacing back and forth. It seemed he had been waiting for Byeok Taesan.

“Young Master, you’ve arrived,” the manager said, quickly approaching Byeok Taesan and bowing his head.

Byeok Taesan quietly observed the manager.

“Young Master, I will guide you.”

Even though it was just a few steps to Byeok Taesoo’s office, the manager insisted on escorting him. It hinted that something unusual might be going on.

Of course, Byeok Taesan didn’t particularly care.

Dealing with the Nameless Sect or whatever they called themselves was already complicated enough; he had no intention of meddling in the internal affairs of the Golden Wall Merchants.

“This way, please.”

The manager led him to the reception room adjacent to Byeok Taesoo’s office.

It was a place Byeok Taesan had visited once before, and the sight of it stirred memories from that time.

Something about it felt particularly familiar.

“The Young Leader is also waiting for the Leader inside.”

Byeok Taesan nodded. It didn’t matter to him whether someone was waiting or not.

“He’s still immature. Please forgive him even if he offends you,” the manager pleaded urgently.

Byeok Taesan smirked.

“No.”

“Pardon? Y-Young Master!”

The manager froze in surprise, having not expected such a blunt refusal.

“Well, I won’t kill him.”

The manager’s face turned pale.

“Y-Young Master!”

Without responding, Byeok Taesan strode forward, opened the door to the reception room, and entered.

Inside, Byeok Jehyeok stared wide-eyed at Byeok Taesan.

The manager hurried in after him.

“Young Sect Leader, why are you just sitting there? Stand up!” the manager scolded urgently.

Byeok Jehyeok’s expression twisted, but he stood up and bowed to Byeok Taesan.

“I greet my uncle.”

Though there was only a year of age difference between them, Byeok Taesan was still his uncle.

Moreover, with the manager, Ga Mujin, present, Byeok Jehyeok couldn’t behave disrespectfully toward Byeok Taesan.

After all, Byeok Taesoo trusted Ga Mujin the most within the Golden Wall Merchants.

If Byeok Jehyeok wanted to take over the Golden Wall Merchants smoothly in the future, Ga Mujin’s support was indispensable.

Byeok Taesan nodded once to acknowledge Byeok Jehyeok’s greeting and took a seat.

Byeok Jehyeok stared blankly at him.

How could someone exude such confidence?

He recalled what Byeok Taesan used to be like.

Though they rarely encountered each other, Byeok Taesan had always appeared frail, as if he might collapse at any moment.

But now, he seemed far too healthy.

A sense of unease crept into Byeok Jehyeok’s mind.

He was well aware of how much his father, Byeok Taesoo, cherished Byeok Taesan.

When Byeok Taesan had been on the brink of death, Byeok Jehyeok’s position as the Young Leader was secure.

But now that Byeok Taesan was in such robust health, the situation could change.

Of course, this concern existed only in the minds of Byeok Jehyeok and his mother, Chae Miryeong.

No one else, not even Byeok Taesoo, entertained such thoughts.

Byeok Taesoo often expressed his opinions openly to ensure that Byeok Jehyeok and Chae Miryeong wouldn’t develop unnecessary concerns.

But mere words couldn’t completely erase their anxieties.

Byeok Jehyeok stared intently at Byeok Taesan, his lips pressed tightly together in a grave expression.

Byeok Taesan paid no attention to Byeok Jehyeok. What occupied his mind now was a familiar sensation he had experienced before.

Unlike back then, his body had fully recovered, and his Soul Augmenting Demonic Art had advanced significantly through several moments of enlightenment.

Naturally, his senses had sharpened and expanded.

He believed that he could discern more now, so he focused entirely on it.

Today, just like before, that familiar sensation was present.

He could roughly identify its source.

'Something seems to be underground.'

It wasn’t directly beneath this reception room but under Byeok Taesoo’s office.

However, a passage leading to this area made the sensation much stronger in the reception room.

Byeok Taesan realized why this sensation felt so familiar.

He tilted his head slightly.

'It's the Soul Augmenting Demonic Art, isn't it?'

This energy could only be produced through the Soul Augmenting Demonic Art.

It was buried deep beneath the Leader’s office.

A faint smile crept onto Byeok Taesan's lips.

'Interesting.'

His mind became a whirl of thoughts.

Why were traces of the Soul Augmenting Demonic Art here?

It must have been because one of the past Heavenly Demons had some connection with the Golden Wall Merchants.

'Does this mean that my arrival here wasn’t entirely coincidental?'

While Byeok Taesan was pondering this, the door to the reception room opened, and Byeok Taesoo entered.

"Have you been waiting long? I was held up by something that needed to be resolved today. My apologies."

Byeok Taesoo alternated his gaze between his son, Byeok Jehyeok, and his younger brother, Byeok Taesan, with a contented smile on his face.

As he entered, the manager bowed and withdrew.

Before leaving, the manager exchanged a meaningful glance with Byeok Taesoo, who then looked back at Byeok Taesan and Byeok Jehyeok with a bright smile.

"Now then, let’s have a meal first. I’ve been so busy today that I haven’t had a bite to eat, and I’m famished."

Soon, an array of dishes was brought in.

The three began their meal in a relaxed manner, engaging in light conversation.

The food was exquisite, and the conversation was quite ordinary.

They exchanged updates on their recent activities and occasionally brought up rumors circulating in Wuhan.

The meal was neither too long nor too short.

Once the reception room was cleared by the servants, the three of them continued their conversation over tea.

Byeok Taesoo took the lead in the discussion, subtly observing Byeok Taesan and Byeok Jehyeok.

It gave him a peculiar feeling.

In his view, Byeok Jehyeok was still very lacking. Perhaps it was due to his young age, but he was clumsy at hiding his emotions.

His thoughts and feelings were laid bare in his expressions and tone.

From the start of the meal to the tea afterward, which had only taken about an hour, Byeok Taesoo could gauge everything that was on Byeok Jehyeok's mind.

In contrast, Byeok Taesan was entirely different.

To be honest, Byeok Taesoo couldn’t read him at all. He could only see the image that Byeok Taesan deliberately allowed to surface.

He subtly conveyed that he had no interest in the Golden Wall Merchants and planned to leave soon.

That disappointed Byeok Taesoo deeply.

Truthfully, he had hoped that Byeok Taesan and Byeok Jehyeok could lead the family together.

But it now seemed impossible.

Out of the blue, Byeok Taesoo spoke.

"Taesan, you’re planning to leave the Golden Wall Merchants, aren’t you?"

When Byeok Taesan nodded, Byeok Jehyeok looked back and forth between the two in shock.

Byeok Jehyeok’s gaze lingered on Byeok Taesoo, filled with unease.

'Could it be... is he planning to split the sect in half?'

Byeok Taesoo turned to Byeok Taesan and said, "I plan to hand over all the inns owned by the Golden Wall Merchants to you."

At his words, Byeok Jehyeok’s eyes widened in astonishment. The inns owned by the Golden Wall Merchants were substantial in number. Handing them all over was no small decision.

Still, compared to the financial power of the Golden Wall Merchants, the inns were negligible.

But Byeok Jehyeok felt uneasy, suspecting this wasn’t the end of it.

And as expected, Byeok Taesoo continued.

"Frankly, I’d like to include the escort bureau as well, but I think I should hear your thoughts. If you don’t want it, I’ll compensate you with an equivalent sum of money."

Byeok Taesan looked at Byeok Taesoo calmly.

"I thought it was already set as one thousand silver coins, one manor, several inns, and taverns."

Byeok Taesoo gave a faint smile.

"That was Father’s arrangement. I don’t want to be the kind of brother who lets his sibling leave the family empty-handed."

Byeok Taesan nodded. Since it was being offered, he had no reason to refuse. It wasn’t worth arguing over this.

"Very well. Include the inns. I don’t need the escort bureau."

"Then, as for the money..."

"Save it. You might need it later."

Byeok Taesoo paused, studying Byeok Taesan. Something about his words felt peculiar.

"If you say so, I’ll respect your wishes."

Byeok Taesoo then turned to Byeok Jehyeok.

"What do you think? If you have any objections, now is the time to speak."

Byeok Jehyeok firmly shook his head.

“There isn’t.”

If Byeok Taesan was willing to leave the Golden Wall Merchants for just a brothel, it was more than a fair deal.

“Good. Then let’s settle it that way… Now, I’ll tell you the real reason I called you here.”

The mention of a “real reason” caused Byeok Jehyeok’s eyes to widen.

Byeok Taesan’s gaze deepened as he instinctively realized that this reason was related to the energy of the Soul Augmenting Demonic Art emanating from below.

“The reason I insisted on meeting you in the reception room is because the key to the entrance lies here,” Byeok Taesoo said as he stood.

He walked to the corner of the room and pressed his foot firmly onto the floor, causing a faint vibration.

Of everyone in the room, only Byeok Taesan could sense that vibration.

Byeok Taesan glanced toward Byeok Taesoo’s office.

The vibration had originated from that direction.

“Follow me.”

Byeok Taesoo led them to his office.

Once inside, he locked the door and moved the desk aside.

He pressed his palm firmly on a specific part of the floor, and the area sank inward.

Grasping a handle hidden within, he pulled, and a door embedded in the floor slowly opened upward.

The descent was astonishingly deep. The staircase spiraled downward, seemingly endless.

After descending for what felt like an eternity, they finally arrived at a spacious room.

To their surprise, the room wasn’t dark. The ceiling and walls were studded with luminous pearls, creating a softly lit environment.

But what truly captured their attention wasn’t the pearls.

At the far end of the room stood a colossal wall.

A wall made of gold.

Upon seeing the wall, Byeok Taesan immediately understood why the Golden Wall Merchants were named as such.

It was clear that the merchants were established to safeguard and preserve this golden wall.

Byeok Taesan slowly approached the wall.

As expected, the energy of the Soul Augmenting Demonic Art was concentrated within the golden wall.

Standing before it, Byeok Taesan scrutinized the wall closely.

On the surface, it appeared smooth and unassuming, but this was merely superficial.

The Soul Augmenting Demonic Art flowed throughout the interior of the golden wall.

The wall’s inner structure was likely designed in such a way as to prevent the loss of energy. Even if some energy were lost, the wall replenished it continually, maintaining a constant energy density.

It was extraordinary.

The purpose of creating such a wall was obvious.

This wall had been made for the Heavenly Demon.

“What do you think? Isn’t it magnificent? This is the origin of our family,” Byeok Taesoo said proudly.

Byeok Taesan nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Byeok Jehyeok, however, stared at the golden wall in a trance, as if enchanted.

“Our family’s role is to guard this wall and show it to any guest who comes seeking it,” Byeok Taesoo explained.

Byeok Jehyeok turned to him and asked, “How will we know if someone is the guest seeking the wall?”

“Look behind the wall,” Byeok Taesoo replied.

Behind the golden wall was an open space. Byeok Jehyeok quickly moved to inspect it, with Byeok Taesan following.

There, on the back of the wall, was an enormous engraving.

“A person with this engraving is the guest. However, even if someone possesses the engraving, we are not obligated to show them the wall unless they reveal their intent first.”

This was a rule passed down since the establishment of the Golden Wall Merchants.

Byeok Taesan looked at the engraving and chuckled softly.

Then, he turned to Byeok Taesoo, whose expression was grave.

As expected, there was no way Byeok Taesoo, the leader of the vast Golden Wall Merchants, wouldn’t recognize the engraving.

Byeok Jehyeok also seemed to realize its significance; his face turned pale.

“F-Father! That engraving… Is it what I think it is?”

“It is exactly what you think,” Byeok Taesoo replied.

Byeok Jehyeok’s pupils quivered violently.

The engraving on the back of the golden wall was none other than the symbol of the Heavenly Demon.

It was distinct from the emblem of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

This was a symbol that only the Heavenly Demon himself was allowed to use: a design that combined the character for “Heaven” (天) with the character for “Sword” (玄).

Byeok Jehyeok trembled uncontrollably. The weight of this terrible truth was too much to bear.

What would happen if this knowledge were to spread?

The Golden Wall Merchants would be finished.

Especially now, with the Heavenly Demon Cult sealed away by a mysterious array and cut off from worldly affairs.

Even if they sought aid, it was uncertain whether the cult would even help.

“I trust you will keep this a secret,” Byeok Taesoo said.

Byeok Jehyeok frantically nodded.

Byeok Taesoo’s sharp gaze bore into Byeok Jehyeok.

“Do not tell your mother either. I trust you understand what could happen if she finds out.”

“Y-Yes, of course.”

If Byeok Jehyeok’s mother, Chae Miryeong, were to learn of this, she would undoubtedly try to exploit it.

Such actions would only lead to ruin.

Byeok Jehyeok cast a nervous glance at Byeok Taesan.

Byeok Taesan observed both Byeok Taesoo and Byeok Jehyeok before striding toward the golden wall.

He placed his palm against it.

The other two watched him with puzzled expressions.

Byeok Taesan grinned and exerted force.

Craaaack!

The golden wall crumbled.

Both men’s jaws dropped in shock.