The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 100
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 100.
As Bu Eunseol gazed down at the fallen poison masters, a flicker of interest crossed her eyes.
“A rather unique shield.”
Examining the fractured shield’s cross-section, she could see it wasn’t mere iron but some mysterious alloy—a peculiar metal that shimmered with an otherworldly luster.
That was precisely why her silent sword, which could cleave steel like parchment, had struggled to cut through it.
“This shield appears to have been crafted specifically to counter masters wielding unconventional swordsmanship.”
At that moment, Sim Dok’s eyebrows shot upward. He offered no verbal response, yet his silence itself was an admission.
“Do you truly believe victory is yours simply because you’ve felled a few poison masters?”
Sim Dok, regaining his composure, roared as he channeled his full strength into drawing upon his poison technique.
“Don’t be absurd! Wretches like you—”
Flash!
Bu Eunseol swung her silent sword once more, unleashing two arcs of blade energy that shot toward Sim Dok’s left and right.
‘She’s definitely altering the trajectory to aim for my head!’
Having observed Bu Eunseol’s swordsmanship, Sim Dok hastily unfurled the Muk Hon Acupoint Technique to deflect the blade energy, but—
Whirrr!
The fierce blade energy didn’t descend; instead, it crossed and rotated left and right around his shoulders.
Splash!
Blood sprayed into the air as Sim Dok’s arms suddenly went limp. The sharp blade energy had severed all the meridian channels around his shoulders.
“Ugh.”
Sim Dok let out a groan.
The wound itself was trivial, but the two streams of inner energy embedded in the blade energy had partially dissolved his meridian channels.
This overwhelming superiority in inner energy cultivation naturally produced an effect equivalent to the Heavy Internal Strike Method.
“Ngh—”
As searing pain erupted around his shoulders, Sim Dok bit down hard, stifling his cries.
“You wretch!”
Sim Dok attempted once more to draw upon the Poison Demon Acupoint Technique, trying to spread toxic energy in all directions.
“—!”
But his eyes widened in shock.
His dantian had become completely blocked; his power wouldn’t manifest.
‘This… this is…’
Two strands of true energy that had penetrated the upper scapula had dissolved most of the meridian channels near the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming.
“What manner of swordsmanship is this?”
Fear gripped Sim Dok.
While countless sword techniques existed in Murim, none could dissolve meridian channels with a single blade strike.
“It is a technique I created myself.”
“You created a sword technique?”
“Indeed.”
Bu Eunseol regarded Sim Dok with a faint smile.
“You may take pride in this—since entering Murim, this is the first time I’ve unleashed it with such abundant true energy infused.”
Sim Dok swallowed hard.
Bu Eunseol’s radiant smile resembled a demon baring its white teeth in the darkness.
A sharp whistling sound pierced the air.
Dang Gon then unfurled the Poison Spirit Minor Skill, gradually purging the toxic qi from Sim Dok’s body.
“The finishing blow belongs to you.”
As Bu Eunseol pointed toward Sim Dok, Dang Gon’s brow furrowed.
“The man’s shoulder meridians have been severed—he’s already crippled. What is there to finish or dispose of?”
“Have you forgotten my words so quickly?”
“I haven’t forgotten. But is poisoning truly no different from slaughter? Our Main House employs toxins and hidden weapons, yet we walk the righteous path as a family of the Orthodox Sects….”
Bu Eunseol shook her head.
“My point is this: you, who show mercy even to those who have tormented the Dang Family, how could you possibly shed blood fighting your own kinsmen?”
“That is….”
“Do you wish to become a hero of the Murim? Or do you aspire to be the patriarch of the Dang Family?”
―Do you wish to become a hero of the Murim? Or do you aspire to be the patriarch of the Dang Family?
Bu Eunseol’s words echoed through Dang Gon’s mind like a reverberating bell.
To live as a hero of the Murim, one would first need to abandon the Sichuan Dang Family.
A family patriarch bears the grave responsibility of protecting his household from countless enemies.
“Your words ring true.”
Dang Gon withdrew the Blood Crimson Dart from his robes, his eyes gleaming with solemn resolve.
“Anyone who touches the Main House must die—that is the iron law of the Sichuan Dang Family.”
A sharp whistle cut through the silence.
He hurled the Blood Crimson Dart, severing Sim Dok’s throat in a single, decisive motion.
The dart whistled as it curved back through the air.
As Dang Gon reached to retrieve the returning dart, Bu Eunseol shook her head.
“Do not retrieve the hidden weapon.”
“Why not?”
“Because the world must know that a member of the Sichuan Dang Family killed Sim Dok.”
“You would have me claim all the credit for your work?”
“My contribution amounts to nothing more than a single blade strike against his body. Even that would have been impossible without your Poison Spirit Minor Skill.”
Yet in truth, Sim Dok’s death was as much Bu Eunseol’s doing as anyone’s.
Still, she sought to attribute all the credit to Dang Gon.
“I cannot accept this.”
When Dang Gon firmly refused, Bu Eunseol spoke with exasperation.
“Do you think I endured all this hardship merely to elevate my own reputation?”
“But….”
“I told you before. You have the potential to become an excellent successor to the Dang Family.”
―You have the potential to become an excellent successor to the Dang Family.
On the day I received the Flower Water Leaf, I spoke those words. And I have honored them ever since.
“Why do you help me so much…?”
At Dang Gon’s choked question, Bu Eunseol replied with a hint of irritation.
“That’s the question, isn’t it? It’s my own fault for befriending you.”
A friend. It is one of the most common words in the world.
Yet when it falls from the lips of a true man, that word becomes more precious than gold and weightier than mountains.
“You….”
Deeply moved, Dang Gon approached with open arms.
“Please, do not embrace me or speak words of gratitude.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with a look of disgust.
“Should you do such a thing, I shall immediately return the Flower Water Leaf to you.”
Then she turned and departed from Bul Gwi Dong first.
* * *
―The Blood Poison Valley, which had risen as a powerhouse in Sichuan, was attacked, and Valley Master Sim Dok was slain!
The Blood Poison Valley, which had rapidly expanded its poison techniques and influence to threaten the Dang Family, the hegemon of Sichuan, was suddenly assaulted.
As a result, the rare treasures and extreme poisons stored within the Blood Poison Valley were lost, and Valley Master Sim Dok was murdered.
Sim Dok—what manner of man was he?
He was a supreme master who had roamed the Murim for decades, and his poison techniques were so formidable that even masters who threatened the Dang Sect found them difficult to counter.
―The ones who killed Sim Dok and ambushed the Blood Poison Valley were Dang Gon, the third of the Sichuan Dang Family, and the masters of the Poison Arrow Party!
And an unbelievable rumor began to spread throughout the Murim once more.
Astonishingly, it was said that the one who killed Valley Master Sim Dok was Dang Gon and the Poison Arrow Party of the Dang Sect.
―How could such a thing be?
The Murim practitioners initially dismissed it as an absurd rumor.
But as various intelligence organizations confirmed this fact one after another, the Murim gradually began to boil with excitement.
* * *
Inside the Office of Seo Hwa Gak.
Creak!
The door to the Office burst open roughly, and a man with fierce, furrowed brows stormed in.
It was Dang Bi.
“Brother!”
Dang Bi, who had entered with heavy breathing, shouted toward Dang Ryeong, who sat before a sandalwood table writing characters.
“Why did you give the Poison Arrow Party to that wretch?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Are you pretending not to know?”
Dang Bi bared his fangs and stomped his feet.
“That bastard Dang Gon attacked the Blood Poison Valley together with the Poison Arrow Party!”
Dang Bi struck his own chest as if his fury would burst forth.
“The rumors have spread throughout Sichuan—no, throughout the entire Murim! They say the Dang Family has produced an exceptional talent!”
In truth, the rapid spread of rumors in this short time was because Heuk Pyo had disseminated them through intelligence networks on Bu Eunseol’s orders.
But Dang Bi, unaware of this fact, mistakenly believed that Dang Gon’s fame had spread beyond Sichuan to shake the entire Tianxia.
“Haha.”
Dang Ryeong let out a low chuckle.
“The third has merely resolved a troublesome thorn that had recently threatened the Main House’s influence, has he not?”
“Then have you heard this rumor?”
“What rumor?”
“They say the Young Master position of the Sichuan Dang Family has been decided as Dang Gon! Apparently because the other two sons were burying their heads like turtles!”
“Hmm.”
Dang Ryeong’s face hardened at Dang Bi’s blunt words.
“So one of those two turtle-headed fools came seeking out the other?”
“Brother. That’s not what I meant….”
“Enough.”
Dang Ryeong set down the brush he’d been holding, his tone glacial.
“The third son returned having accomplished great deeds. I supported the Poison Arrow Party to ensure the third son faced no danger.”
“Brother.”
“You are now reproaching the third son who has brought honor to the Main House’s name. And such behavior disrespects not only me, but the entire Main House itself.”
In that instant, Dang Bi’s complexion shifted.
He had only now realized that pressing Dang Gon, who had accomplished great deeds, would only further diminish his own standing and face.
“I had not considered that perspective….”
Dang Bi clasped his hands together and lowered his head.
“Thank you for enlightening me, Brother.”
“That is all. You may go.”
“Then I shall take my leave.”
As Dang Bi departed listlessly, a murderous gleam flickered across Dang Ryeong’s eyes—one that had not been there before.
“This is troublesome indeed.”
Dang Ryeong had known the truth for some time now.
That Dang Pae, the Family Head, had secretly marked Dang Gon as his successor.
Yet Dang Ryeong had been able to smile and dismiss it because Dang Gon possessed none of the qualifications necessary to become Young Master.
But now things were different.
The current Dang Gon possessed every qualification to become a legitimate successor.
“There is no choice then.”
A sinister smile played across Dang Ryeong’s lips. His gaze remained fixed on Dang Bi’s departing back.
* * *
When Dang Gon returned to the Sichuan Dang Family, he received an unprecedented welcome.
Upon entering the Main House, the elders of the Inner Quarters and blood relatives, including Dang Pyo, came to greet him, and Dang Pae bestowed great rewards upon Dang Gon and his entire entourage.
To Dang Gon, he gave the Silver Shell Armor, one of the Dang Family’s treasures; to Bu Eunseol, the Jade Shell Pearl.
And to the young members of the Poison Arrow Party, he granted fifty taels of gold each.
Dang Ryeong and Dang Bi likewise sent subordinates with congratulatory messages, though these were merely formalities. They did not visit Dang Gon in person.
Yet several days later, Dang Pae delivered extraordinary news.
―The next Young Master will be decided by the winner of the Combat Stage Tournament!
Upon hearing this, the blood relatives of the Dang Family fell into shock.
Until now, the selection of the Young Master who would become the next Family Head of the Sichuan Dang Family had been solely the Family Head’s prerogative.
Yet now, out of nowhere, he would select the Young Master based on the Combat Stage Tournament’s victor?
―The match pairings are Dang Ryeong against Dang Bi, and Dang Gon against Dang Cheong.
A tournament was one thing, but to raise Dang Cheong, who could never become Family Head, as a successor candidate?
The members of the Dang Family were bewildered.
―Dang Ryeong, Dang Bi, Dang Gon, and Dang Cheong all possessed equally formidable factions of support, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
In other words, all were qualified to become the Family Head, so their martial prowess would determine the matter!
But once the reasoning was conveyed, the family members nodded in agreement.
Dang Pae’s words were logical and fair, showing no favoritism toward any single candidate.
Moreover, how could they refuse the solemn command of the Family Head?
With four days remaining until the Young Master’s selection, tension permeated the Dang Family.
Inside the banquet hall of Cheong Yang So Chuk.
Dang Gon, having returned from Blood Poison Valley, was recovering from his journey and drinking alone with Bu Eunseol.
“It’s all so bewildering.”
Dang Gon drained a large cup of fine wine and shook his head with a wry smile.
“The affairs of the Main House, the rumors spreading through the Murim… it all feels like a dream.”
“It is no dream.”
At Bu Eunseol’s reply, Dang Gon chuckled softly.
“Not long ago, I thought myself utterly alone in this vast world, with nowhere to turn.”
He wiped his mouth and gazed at Bu Eunseol.
“But since you arrived… I’ve been formally recognized by Father, and I’ve gained support no less than my brothers.”
Dang Gon picked up his cup again and spoke with a bitter smile.
“Moreover, because I’m known to have slain Sim Dok, the Valley Master, I’ve even earned an epithet—something like ‘The Dang Family’s Soul Gatherer,’ they say.”
In a single moment, Dang Gon had obtained everything.
Yet none of it was truly his own achievement. Without Bu Eunseol, none of it would have been possible.
Perhaps because of this, Dang Gon’s expression as he drank was far from pleasant.
“But why such a gloomy face? Does the epithet displease you?”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Dang Gon laughed bitterly.
“It’s just that I keep thinking all of this is a dream.”
“What do you mean?”
“Father never wanted me to become the Young Master.”
Dang Gon set down his cup as he spoke.
“Setting everything else aside, in martial prowess I cannot match Dang Bi. By holding a martial tournament to select the successor, Father has essentially chosen that brutal Dang Bi.”
He sighed deeply and shook his head.
“I thought I had finally caught up with them, and I did harbor some hope. But a martial tournament… and I’m to face Dang Cheong? My heart feels utterly crushed.”
“You are mistaken about something.”
Bu Eunseol refilled her cup and spoke with a smile.
“The Family Head wishes for you to become the Young Master.”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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