The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 104

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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 104.
Bu Eunseol departed from the Sichuan Dang Family and traveled eastward without pause.
During the carriage ride, Bu Eunseol diligently studied the Secret Projectile Manual that Dang Pae had given her.
The concealment techniques recorded in this secret manual were not particularly extraordinary. However, it contained detailed information about the Concealment Blade Technique—the very foundation of all concealment arts.
‘Now I understand why the Concealment Blade Technique is considered the root of all concealment arts in Tianxia.’
According to the Secret Projectile Manual, the Concealment Blade Technique did not rely merely on speed and technique. Rather, it pursued the unwavering spiritual fortitude of the practitioner when unleashing the concealed blade.
This principle resonated with the Sword-Spirit Unity that master swordsmen achieved by aligning their blades with their inner spirit—a fundamental truth of martial arts.
‘Indeed, the Sichuan Dang Family.’
The great sects and renowned families that had been passed down through generations of the Murim all had their reasons for enduring.
Dang Pae, who had seemed merely fierce and cold, was in fact a grand master of concealment arts fully capable of leading the Sichuan Dang Sect.
Moreover, the techniques and methods of the Concealment Blade Technique shared striking parallels with fist arts.
That commonality was the stable distribution of force.
To deliver a powerful punch, one required a stable lower body and force flowing through the waist and fist. The concealed blade likewise demanded the same conditions to be launched with speed.
Ten Thousand Streams Return to One Source.
Though martial arts appeared to branch into countless paths, their underlying principles and essential methods all converged into a single truth.
‘However… they deliberately omitted the most crucial secrets of the Concealment Blade Technique.’
To reach the pinnacle of the Concealment Blade Technique, one required the Finger-Sight Perception Method—a technique that maximized sensitivity in the fingertips.
Masters of concealment arts were said to see, hear, and perceive all things through the tips of their fingers.
Yet those secrets were transmitted only through hidden teachings, and the Dang Family was no exception to this restriction.
‘Regrettable, but unavoidable.’
In the meantime, the carriage had reached Namgyeong. From there, it turned northwest, passing through treacherous mountain ranges and desolate roads before finally arriving at Seomseong.
Upon entering Seong Do, Bu Eunseol halted the carriage and lodged with Heuk Pyo in a private chamber of a nearby inn.
Heuk Pyo, who had silently followed Bu Eunseol all this while, could no longer contain his curiosity and finally spoke.
“Young Master. Are you searching for something?”
He asked again, watching Bu Eunseol, who sat upright gazing out the window.
“It seems you have a specific reason for coming to this place.”
After a moment of silence, Bu Eunseol slowly opened her mouth.
“I came to the Gangho this time to advance the Root Sect’s practical martial arts to the next level.”
“Beyond what you already possess?”
“Yes. But wandering aimlessly would only waste time.”
From her experience with the Sichuan Dang Family, Bu Eunseol had learned two crucial truths.
If she continued her journey through the Gangho in this manner, her identity and true nature might eventually be exposed.
And that opportunities to fight against true masters were far rarer than one might expect when wandering the Murim without direction.
“I’m not entirely certain I understand your meaning.”
“One cannot simply seek out the strong and provoke them to fight without cause.”
“Ah.”
Heuk Pyo let out a sound of realization.
He was well aware that Bu Eunseol thirsted for battles against the strong.
But there was a problem.
Bu Eunseol’s martial prowess was among the highest of her generation. This made it difficult to find masters capable of truly matching her blade.
“However, I understand there are no masters in Namgyeong capable of matching the young master’s skills.”
At this, Bu Eunseol smiled in an uncharacteristic manner.
“Is Jeok Cheon Mak Ji not here in this place?”
Jeok Cheon Mak Ji.
Seomseong’s largest mercenary market, its scale rivaled three to four times that of Donghyo Seorang in Guizhou.
Unlike Donghyo Seorang, which primarily received commissions from outside the law or merchant guilds, Jeok Cheon Mak Ji drew jobs from all corners of the Murim across Zhong Yuan.
“Are you saying you would become a mercenary, young master?”
“Not that I would become a mercenary, but rather that I could easily find strong opponents.”
“However, to become a mercenary, your identity would need to be completely transformed, would it not?”
Since my victory at the Donghyo Seorang sword tournament, I had built considerable renown throughout the Murim.
To suddenly abandon the reputation I had cultivated and live as a mercenary would be utterly absurd.
“I understand. I shall need to alter my appearance entirely.”
“So you have been studying the art of disguise, young master.”
Ignoring Heuk Pyo’s amazement, I drew upon the Bone-Shifting Facial Transformation technique.
My face became slightly distorted as my sharp jawline softened and broadened.
A dull crack echoed.
My greatly enhanced inner energy allowed me to reshape my facial structure with remarkable ease and precision.
As my bone structure widened, my large eyes narrowed slightly, and my nose bridge lowered.
Once I gathered my long hair into a rough knot, I had transformed into an ordinary mercenary one might see anywhere.
“Can you change your face so freely?”
As Heuk Pyo’s mouth fell open, I shook my head.
“I merely shifted my facial muscles and bones slightly.”
“Ah, I see.”
Heuk Pyo primarily handled information-gathering commissions as an intelligence mercenary.
Therefore, he had mastered techniques similar to the Bone-Shifting Facial Transformation I employed.
“Then I shall attempt to alter my own face.”
A soft crack sounded.
However, Heuk Pyo’s inner energy cultivation was not sufficiently advanced to dramatically reshape his bone structure.
Yet his altered eye shape and fuller cheeks made him appear like a different person entirely.
“How does it look, young master?”
“Your appearance has changed adequately, but overall there remains an awkwardness. Your sharp demeanor still lingers.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Disguise is not merely changing one’s face. You must become an entirely different person.”
“An entirely different person…”
“Indeed. To achieve this, you must change even the possessions you carry and your clothing. Most importantly, you must alter your voice, your gaze, and even your very thoughts.”
Heuk Pyo could not hide his astonishment as he spoke.
“I understand what you mean, but I am uncertain how to accomplish such a transformation.”
‘The Heavenly Gate Opening Technique is surely not exclusive to the Root Sect.’
After a moment of consideration, I transmitted the teachings of the Heavenly Gate Opening Technique to him.
Having heard the complete explanation of the technique’s principles, Heuk Pyo’s eyes widened in admiration.
“I see. That explains why your disguise technique was always skillful, yet something felt lacking and unnatural about it.”
Heuk Pyo possessed such keen intellect that teaching him one principle unlocked ten insights.
As soon as he grasped the profound secrets of the Gyemyeong Guido technique in one breath and began to change his face and eyes anew, Bu Eunseol felt oddly pleased.
‘So this is what that feeling was.’
Suddenly, the gaze of Sa Woo—that warm, affectionate look he had given her on Hell Island—surfaced in her memory.
Transmitting a superior secret technique to a superior individual.
It felt almost like creating another version of oneself—a sensation both wondrous and profound.
“But what do you intend to do about the Ink Sword?”
The Ink Sword was particularly conspicuous, for not only its blade but even its scabbard gleamed with an enigmatic dark luster.
“I’ve already prepared for that.”
Bu Eunseol retrieved various chemical compounds from the box and began applying them to the surface of the Ink Sword.
The blade, which had shimmered with dark radiance, gradually transformed into an ordinary, rust-covered longsword.
“Master, won’t that render the sword unusable?”
No matter how carefully applied, the coating could never be absorbed by a divine blade.
If true energy were channeled through it and it clashed with other weapons, the coating would undoubtedly flake away.
“I won’t be using it for the time being.”
Bu Eunseol gazed down at her own hands.
During her wandering years, she intended to employ the fist techniques of Gwon Ma rather than Musan Cheonryu.
“You mean to rely on fist techniques?”
“That’s correct.”
Heuk Pyo’s expression grew puzzled.
The Nangya Sect had produced countless masters across generations, yet all of them wielded swords. Not a single one had earned renown through fist techniques.
‘Did the Nangya Sect even have fist techniques?’
Heuk Pyo swallowed hard and spoke with caution.
“Shouldn’t you still carry some weapon?”
“I plan to use throwing blades to some extent.”
As Bu Eunseol rolled up her sleeve, a sharp throwing blade suddenly gleamed upon her fingertip.
During the journey to Namgyeong, Bu Eunseol had completely memorized the manual on throwing blades that Dang Pae had given her. Today, she had visited not only shops but also the Blacksmith Shop to purchase several throwing blades.
“Isn’t it extremely dangerous to seal away your true energy and cultivation level just to hide your identity?”
“Of course, if a situation arises where I must draw my sword, I will draw it.”
Bu Eunseol flexed her hands and offered a faint smile.
“That’s precisely why I’m going to the wanderer’s market.”
“…I see.”
Heuk Pyo swallowed once more.
Had anyone else spoken such words, Heuk Pyo would have inwardly scoffed.
In the battles of masters, a single moment of carelessness meant death. Fighting in actual combat while concealing one’s true energy and cultivation was tantamount to gambling with one’s life.
Yet when Bu Eunseol said it, there was nothing ridiculous or arrogant about it whatsoever.
‘Just how many supreme techniques has Master learned?’
Rather, the realization that Bu Eunseol had mastered not only sword techniques but also a diverse array of formidable secret arts sent a chill down his spine.
“Why are you staring so intently?”
“Pardon? Ah, no, that’s not it.”
Once Heuk Pyo regained his composure, he altered his gaze, tone of voice, and even his clothing.
The sharp, gleaming presence vanished, replaced by a duller atmosphere.
“How is this, Young Master?”
“Passable enough.”
“Ah, that reminds me. There is another concern.”
“What is it?”
“Jeok Cheon Mak Ji harbors not only ordinary wanderers, but also criminals hiding their identities and ruffians.”
Unlike Donghyo Seorang, which maintains strict order under Rang Ju’s command, Jeok Cheon Mak Ji is a place where anything can be arranged for the right price.
Consequently, it attracts many criminals concealing their true nature, and wanderers frequently engage in brutal combat within its walls.
“I worry that venturing there might expose you to unpleasant circumstances, Young Master.”
“All the better.”
Bu Eunseol smiled, baring her white teeth.
“I hope there are many formidable warriors there.”
The next day.
Bu Eunseol and Heuk Pyo, having traveled by carriage past Gwan Do, came to a halt before a massive structure on the outskirts of Namgyeong.
A great gate, resembling a fortress, was painted crimson, and a gleaming plaque hung above it.
Jeok Cheon Mak Ji.
A wanderer’s marketplace where mercenaries from Seomseong, Ho Nam, and Hubei alike sought employment. Its exterior was constructed to resemble a wealthy merchant’s estate.
“Young Master, this way.”
With so many wanderers coming and going, there was no gatekeeper, and the doors of Jeok Cheon Mak Ji stood wide open.
Upon entering, I spotted a hall bearing the name Su Gyeong Jeon, where numerous martial artists moved about.
As I stepped inside, the first thing that caught my eye was a large wooden board inscribed with “Free Commissions.”
Papers covered in dense writing were affixed to it, and wanderers gathered in small groups.
This was clearly the notice board where wanderers could receive assignments.
“Impressive.”
I marveled at the sight.
I had heard it was larger in scale than Donghyo Seorang in Guizhou, but I never expected it to be furnished with such refined elegance as a proper major sect.
Within the luxuriously appointed Su Gyeong Jeon, dozens of partitions were erected, with platforms positioned before them.
Wanderers conversed with the personnel stationed at these platforms and exchanged items or information.
It appeared to be where assignments were discreetly received or compensation for completed work was exchanged.
“I hope there are many assignments involving battles with formidable opponents.”
At my words, Heuk Pyo spoke in a low voice.
“Young Master, you must first register as a wanderer to receive assignments.”

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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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