The Demonic Supreme Sword Novel - Chapter 69

Chapter 69
## Chapter 69: Priceless Treasure (1)

The retreat of the Blood Demon Division signaled the conclusion of the crisis facing the Living Immortal Medical House.

With the danger past, Sima Geon and Cheol Woo made their way back to the Dragon Star Escort Agency, carrying the limp form of Noe Jeon.

The members of the Living Immortal Medical House, particularly Hwang Yeong, who had prior dealings with the duo, offered their deep appreciation and extended an invitation for them to lodge at the house. However, Sima Geon declined with courtesy.

Had Noe Jeon been at death’s door, he would have prioritized the medical facilities of the house. Yet, since the man’s life was not in immediate peril, Sima Geon felt it best not to impose further on an institution that had already suffered significantly due to Noe Jeon’s presence.

He did, however, accept Hwang Yeong’s proposal to oversee the treatment, recognizing the necessity of a professional physician’s touch.

“What is his status?”

Sima Geon inquired as Hwang Yeong finished her assessment and straightened up.

“I have dressed his external lacerations to prevent infection. His internal energy is severely disrupted, but owing to your timely and skilled internal stabilization, he has moved past the critical stage.”

Hwang Yeong deferred the credit to Sima Geon, who had repeatedly channeled his own energy into Noe Jeon to keep him stable. Sima Geon, however, was fully aware that it was her precise needlework that had truly turned the tide for the patient.

“My thanks. He survived because of your skill.”

“On the contrary, our entire establishment survived because of your intervention, Young Master Sima.”

Hwang Yeong reiterated her thanks with deep sincerity. Sima Geon watched her, a faint, fleeting smile crossing his face before his expression flattened.

Her manner of speaking and her general vibe had shifted since their previous encounter in Soheung.

She wasn’t the only one.

Yu Sa Ha and Gok Ja Yu, still serving as her shadows just as they had before, displayed a marked transition in their behavior. While not overtly aggressive, they held a palpable sense of caution. Sima Geon didn’t have to guess why.

‘In retrospect, it is quite something that they treated him at all after discovering his ties to the Demon Cult.’

The fact that they had risked the entire medical house for such a man was a choice he still found difficult to process.

“If I may ask, what brings you to this region? Has something occurred regarding the young Lady Sima?”

“No. I ventured out to secure a remedy for my sister’s ailment and was returning to Soheung. When news reached me that the Living Immortal Medical House was under siege by the Heavenly Demon Cult, I could not simply bypass the situation.”

Sima Geon turned his gaze toward Noe Jeon. Though still unconscious, the man’s breathing was rhythmic and his face had regained a healthy color.

“I never would have guessed this man was the prey. I had assumed he was the one doing the hunting.”

“It appears the internal politics of the Demon Cult are in a state of absolute chaos,” Yu Sa Ha interjected, his voice dripping with disdain.

Gok Ja Yu nudged him to be silent, but Yu Sa Ha didn’t seem to care.

When Cheol Woo’s expression darkened at the tone, Sima Geon simply shook his head and offered a small, dismissive laugh.

“I have been away for some time, so the specifics elude me, but it is clear things have taken a dark turn.”

Attempting to diffuse the growing tension, Hwang Yeong redirected the conversation.

“Were you successful in finding the medicine?”

“We were.”

“I am unaware of the specific nature of the cure you sought, but as you are aware, Lady Sima’s illness is…”

Hwang Yeong spoke with hesitation, fearing they might be clinging to a false hope, but Cheol Woo broke in.

“Gah ha ha! We managed to get the Great Reversion Pill.”

“Excuse me?”

Hwang Yeong stared at him, stunned.

“The Great Reversion Pill. We have it,” Cheol Woo repeated.

Hwang Yeong was speechless.

Looking at Cheol Woo’s boastful grin and Sima Geon’s steady confidence, it seemed to be the truth, yet she found it hard to fathom. The legendary medicine of the Shaolin Temple was not something one obtained through simple means.

Suddenly, the memories of the morning’s combat flooded back to her.

Sima Geon had displayed overwhelming power, dismantling the Black-Clothed Venerable—a man who had stood his ground against the likes of the Thunderclap Demon Emperor Noe Jeon Byok Su and South Heaven High Sword Namgung Gyeong—as if he were a mere amateur.

Cheol Woo had been just as formidable, tearing through the Blood Demon Division—warriors of first-class caliber—with the ease of a storm through dry leaves.

Her mind naturally jumped to a single conclusion.

“Did you… launch an assault on the Shaolin Temple to seize it?” Hwang Yeong asked, her voice tinged with unintended judgment.

“What’s that?”

Cheol Woo’s proud grin vanished, replaced by a look of indignation.

“How else could you possess it? I am well aware that Shaolin’s stores are nearly depleted. They wouldn’t simply part with it, regardless of the emergency.”

Hwang Yeong’s voice carried a heavy note of disappointment.

“To be perfectly honest, we arrived at Shaolin with exactly that desperation in mind. I was prepared to do anything for my sister. Fortunately, it did not come to a violent confrontation.”

Sima Geon’s words did little to soothe her doubts.

Seeing that Hwang Yeong remained unconvinced and judgmental, Sima Geon’s own demeanor grew cold.

“The Damo Abbot took pity on our plight and granted us their final Great Reversion Pill. However, it wasn’t a gift. We reached an agreement to provide compensation of equal value.”

Sima Geon alluded to a pact with the Damo Abbot, but this only deepened her skepticism.

“The Damo Abbot gave it to you personally? That is highly unusual. My family has deep connections with Shaolin. It is my understanding that the fate of a Great Reversion Pill is a collective decision made by the Abbot and the elders together. Furthermore, I have never heard of them bartering it for any price.”

“If you choose not to believe me, so be it. I cannot provide proof at this moment. And even if I could, would you truly take the word of someone affiliated with the Heavenly Demon Cult?”

Hwang Yeong recoiled slightly at Sima Geon’s biting self-reflection.

It wasn’t that he was projecting any threat.

Rather, she realized that knowing Sima Geon and Cheol Woo were part of the Demon Cult had colored her perceptions more than she had admitted to herself.

“I expected you to be pleased that we found a cure, regardless of the method.”

“I…”

“It doesn’t matter. I understand your position. But perhaps it is time for you to return to your house. You have many wounded to tend to today. We can handle things here.”

It was a polite but firm dismissal.

Hwang Yeong lingered, opening her mouth as if to explain herself, but eventually chose silence.

“I thank you once more on behalf of my family for your help today.”

“Don’t mention it. The trouble started because we were protecting this man. The gratitude should be mine.”

After a stiff parting, Hwang Yeong turned to leave but stopped in her tracks. They had spent the time arguing about the pill’s origin without discussing the actual medical protocol for Sima Jin.

Still, she did not turn back.

She could feel the chill in Sima Geon’s heart and knew he was genuinely offended. She decided it was better to let the air clear rather than force a conversation now.

Since Noe Jeon was in no condition to travel for a few days, there would be time to discuss Sima Jin’s treatment later and repair the rift caused by her accusations.

“That really rubbed me the wrong way,” Cheol Woo grumbled the moment the visitors were out of earshot.

“What did?”

“I know we aren’t the most popular folks, but come on. She’s got a pretty face, but she went straight to assuming the worst. It’s not like we walked in there and robbed the monks.”

Then, as if a thought struck him, Cheol Woo’s expression shifted to a mischievous smirk.

“Heh heh! Then again, she’s not entirely off the mark. It worked out, but things could’ve gotten a lot uglier than a robbery if that old monk hadn’t read the room. We were a hair’s breadth away from a bloodbath.”

“What’s the plan then? They don’t even believe we have it.”

“What if we can’t get the Clear Heart Clinic to help? We might need the Medical House to pull some strings.”

“They might hate the Demon Cult, but they won’t turn away a sick girl. Besides, this whole mess started while they were treating Noe Jeon. I don’t think the head of Clear Heart Clinic is the type to hold a grudge against a patient.”

“You never know… Hey, look who’s finally awake.”

Cheol Woo turned his massive frame toward Noe Jeon.

“Just woke up. I felt like I was in a deep fog for an eternity, but then the sound of thunder kept ringing in my ears until my eyes snapped open. Turns out it wasn’t thunder—it was just the division leader’s loud mouth.”

“You arrogant brat. Waking up and immediately talking trash? I guess you’re doing better than I thought.”

“That’s a hell of a way to talk to a wounded man.”

“You want me to give you a reason to be a ‘proper’ patient?”

Cheol Woo began rolling up his sleeves in mock aggression, but Noe Jeon paid him no mind, even leaning forward as if to welcome the challenge.

Sima Geon watched their banter for a moment before speaking seriously.

“Tell me what happened. I’ve heard bits and pieces of rumors, but I don’t have the full picture.”

Noe Jeon, who had been reclined, struggled to sit up. Sima Geon moved to stop him, but the man insisted on sitting upright.

“It was a coup.”

“A coup?”

“Yes.”

“Who led it?”

“Do you recall Gwan Ung, the Leader of the Blood Demon Division?”

Upon hearing that name, Sima Geon glanced at Cheol Woo, who gave a ‘here we go’ shrug.

“I know the name. Cheol Woo and I were just discussing him. When I mentioned him to the Black-Clothed Venerable earlier, the man looked like he’d seen a ghost.”

“He is the one behind the uprising.”

“I doubt the Blood Demon Division could pull that off alone. Who else joined the ranks?”

“The Wind Demon Division and the Forward Demon Division…”

“The Forward Demon Division? Those snakes turned on us?” Cheol Woo’s eyes bulged in shock.

“Yes. It’s not confirmed, but rumors say the Forward Demon Division Leader moved his forces into position early on.”

“Damn it! Blood Flame Do Cheol. I never trusted that bastard,” Cheol Woo spat, his eyes burning with fury.

“It wasn’t just them. Except for the Sky Guard Unit that serves the Cult Leader directly, almost every faction switched sides. Even the Military Affairs Department fell.”

“The Military Affairs Department as well?” Sima Geon was visibly shaken.

The betrayal of the Forward Demon Division—historically the most loyal to the leader—was shocking, but the fall of the Military Affairs Department was a devastating blow.

Sima Geon had always respected the brilliance of Military Officer Gwan Jong. He had even considered him the most logical candidate to lead the Heavenly Demon Cult, despite his physical frailty.

“If the Military Affairs Department was compromised from the start, there was no chance for a defense.”

“Exactly. By the time the Military Officer realized what was happening, the trap had already closed.”

“What about the elders? I can see the rank and file being swayed, but the Elder Council and the Elder Hall aren’t easily moved,” Cheol Woo noted, thinking back to the Black-Clothed Venerable.

“It seems they were the first to go. From what I gathered from the Black-Clothed Venerable, they view Gwan Ung as the legitimate heir to the Heavenly Demon Ancestor. If he felt that way, the others likely did too.”

“Makes sense. Most of them flipped. Those who stayed loyal were likely taken out before they could react. Oh, Division Leader, do you remember the North Heaven Sword Demon?”

“Of course. What about that old fossil?” Cheol Woo’s face twisted, recalling an old bitterness.

“He’s with Gwan Ung now.”

“He’s active again? That’s strange. The old boss broke him so bad he was supposed to be a cripple for life.”

“I don’t know the details of his health, but he wouldn’t be in the inner circle if he was still a shadow of his former self.”

“Good. I’ve been looking for an excuse to finish what was started years ago.” Cheol Woo cracked his neck, his battle lust rising.

“Realizing the end was near, the Military Officer gave the Divine Relic to the Divine Demon Division for safekeeping.”

Noe Jeon looked around the room, and Cheol Woo reached for a bundled-up set of robes nearby.

“Is this what you’re looking for?”

“Yes.”

Noe Jeon took the bundle and reached into a hidden pocket, withdrawing an item encased in thick silk. It was the same object he had desperately tried to give Sima Geon before losing consciousness.

“Please, Division Leader. The Military Officer—no, the Cult Leader himself—commanded that this be placed in your hands.”

Noe Jeon offered the item with both hands in a gesture of ultimate respect.

Sima Geon looked at the small pouch for a long time before letting out a heavy sigh and taking it.

As he unwound the silk, a solid iron sphere, roughly the size of a fist, was revealed.