The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 114
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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 114.
Speed and adaptability cannot coexist.
As the three Palace Lords forcibly extended the shadows of their spears to cut off Bu Eunseol’s escape route, the flaws in the Zamochang technique gradually began to reveal themselves.
‘That… that woman.’
Yak Ran, sensing the weakness, spoke in a low voice.
“Guard your heads. A counterattack is coming.”
The other two Palace Lords, startled by her warning, immediately narrowed the shadows of their spears to protect themselves.
But Bu Eunseol paid them no mind and drew upon her inner force.
‘I cannot use Gwonma Chohyeon.’
Though the technique of Gwonma Chohyeon appeared to be a simple extension of the fist, it was in fact a move that unleashed tremendous power.
Because of this, it could not subtly slip through the densely woven shadows of the long spear.
‘The advantage of Gwonma Chilsik lies not in the technique itself, but in freely controlling the force already released.’
The secret of controlling sword energy through weapons was not particularly rare in the Murim.
Bu Eunseol’s own creation, the Musang Cheonryu’s fourth form and the Nongjo Yeon-un, were examples of this.
But among all the martial arts in Murim history, Gwonma Chilsik was the only fist technique that could control power released from the six palms.
‘Let me try this.’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed as she slowly extended her fist.
Ordinary fist techniques are executed in alignment with the fist itself.
But the fist Bu Eunseol extended soared toward the heavens, and then, as if a colossal mountain were plummeting from the sky, her power descended downward.
‘There is no escape.’
The three, including Yak Ran, had no choice but to muster all their strength and thrust their spears forward to counter that force.
And that was their mistake.
“What?”
The power pouring down like Mount Tai was not suppressing the force of the spears—instead, it was pulling them forward?
It was like an enraged wild boar charging forward and tripping over a tree root.
Crash!
With a thunderous boom, the bodies of all three tumbled forward in an ungainly heap.
‘What fist technique is that?’
Yeon Ja Mi’s eyes widened as she witnessed the display.
To her knowledge, there was only one fist technique in the Murim that was both so domineering and so exquisite.
‘Was she a disciple of Gae Bang?’
The fist technique Bu Eunseol employed bore a striking resemblance to the Hangryong Sippalchang, known as the pinnacle of external martial arts.
‘No, it is not Hangryong Jang.’
Every move of Hangryong Jang unleashes an intense, overwhelming force as if pouring out one’s entire life force.
But the fist technique Bu Eunseol displayed was seven parts pushing and three parts pulling.
This was clearly not external martial arts, but rather the subtlety of internal fist technique, using inner force with profound mystery.
‘What sect could she possibly belong to?’
From the beginning, Yeon Ja Mi had been confident that this confrontation would reveal every detail of Bu Eunseol’s origins.
But she had not anticipated that the Zamochang technique would be broken at its foundation by an unknown fist technique.
As a result, this confrontation had only made Bu Eunseol’s identity all the more enigmatic.
“Well taught.”
As Bu Eunseol brought her hands together, the three Palace Lords corrected their stance and bowed in return.
However, having dropped the long spear and covered in dust, their appearance was rather pitiful.
“I won.”
As Yeon So Ha spoke, Namgung Sae-ah nodded with a smile.
“Indeed. Bu Eunseol has achieved victory.”
“Hmph.”
In that instant, Yeon Ja Mi rose abruptly with a cold sneer. Then she turned sharply and walked away in the opposite direction.
The banquet hall of Star Courtyard.
Nam Goong Woon, still wrapped in bandages, burst into raucous laughter.
“Hahahaha!”
After laughing while clutching his belly for some time, he looked at Bu Eunseol and exclaimed.
“You should have seen the expression on the Palace Lord’s face! Hehehehe!”
Laughing like a madman, he drained a bottle of wine and wiped his tears.
“When you won, the Palace Lord jumped up as if his backside had been burned. His cheeks even turned red as if he’d been slapped.”
Nam Goong Woon took another swig and shouted loudly.
“I couldn’t even laugh because my aunt was beside me, so I had to cover my mouth. As a result, I held in gas the entire time.”
At his joke, Heuk Pyo, who had been chewing shrimp dishes beside him, made a choking sound.
Nam Goong Woon’s manner of speech was not only witty but also uninhibited like a street commoner.
It was hard to believe that such a person could be born into the solemn and decorum-conscious Nangung Family.
“Anyway, congratulations, brother.”
Nam Goong Woon suddenly clasped his hands together and grinned widely.
“Now that you’ve become the son-in-law of Shin Nyeo Gung, all that’s left is to abandon your wandering life and live in a flower garden. Hahahaha!”
Bu Eunseol frowned at Nam Goong Woon’s incessant chatter.
“I will depart for Jeok Cheon Mak Ji soon.”
“What? What do you mean by that? Depart?”
Bu Eunseol emptied her cup and spoke calmly.
“Since I’ve obtained the Bowon Divine Pearl, there’s no need to remain.”
“How can you say that? If you do, the Palace Lord of Shin Nyeo Gung will chase you to the ends of hell and split your head in two!”
“I’ve already discussed this with the Palace Lord.”
“You’ve already discussed it?”
Nam Goong Woon’s eyes widened as if seeing a ghost, and Bu Eunseol offered a faint smile.
“Yes.”
And I recalled the conversation I had with Yeon Ja Mi in her office a few hours earlier.
* * *
“So… you truly intend to marry So Ha.”
Yeon Ja Mi unconsciously clenched her sleeves tightly.
If Bu Eunseol had said “Of course!” she feared she might strike his head without thinking.
But an entirely unexpected answer flowed out.
“How could I possibly become the consort of So Gung Ju?”
“What do you mean? What are you saying?”
“Exactly as I stated.”
Bu Eunseol unfurled her carefully prepared words with the fluidity of a practiced speaker.
“I merely challenged out of admiration for the Shin Nyeo Gung and So Gung Ju, whose names have set the Murim ablaze. I harbor no further desires.”
“Is that truly so?”
The Shin Nyeo Gung had accumulated vast treasures across generations, and So Gung Ju, Yeon So Ha, was counted among the Three Beauties of Tianxia.
Yet here was a madman refusing to become her consort? Yeon Ja Mi found herself unable to believe what she was hearing.
“Is this truly the case? I haven’t misheard you, have I?”
“You have not.”
Yeon So Ha’s lips curved upward at the corners, her eyes wide with astonishment.
If Bu Eunseol clung to me persistently, how would I resolve this? I had racked my brains through sleepless nights, yet…
This troublesome creature was simply stepping aside of her own accord?
“That you would think so… I can only express my gratitude. Ah, but….”
As if something had occurred to her, Yeon Ja Mi shook her head.
“Even if your intentions are as you say, the arrow has already left the bowstring.”
“What do you mean?”
Yeon Ja Mi spoke with a troubled expression.
“I have publicly declared that I shall choose So Gung Ju’s consort from among those who pierce through the Twenty-Four Heavenly Formations. This is known to all in the Murim.”
She rubbed her forehead with an anguished look.
“Should I fail to honor my spoken word and promise, I would tarnish the dignity and prestige of the Palace Lord.”
The words of the Shin Nyeo Gung Palace Lord, one of the Murim Seven Great Secret Palaces, are worth their weight in gold.
Should she alter her words, the Murim would mock her relentlessly.
“Have no concern.”
Yet Bu Eunseol smiled brightly and spoke.
“The Palace Lord need only honor her promise.”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“Your promise was to select one from among those who pass through the Twenty-Four Heavenly Formations as a consort. But surely more shall pass in the future, will they not?”
“But….”
“The Palace Lord promised only that. So Gung Ju merely gave me the Bowon Divine Orb.”
Yeon Ja Mi’s expression grew somewhat understanding, yet darkened at the same time.
“But is not the Bowon Divine Orb the betrothal gift of one who is to become a consort?”
“Indeed. The Palace Lord need only exchange it for another.”
“What do you mean?”
“A betrothal gift can be changed at any time, can it not?”
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
“I understand the Shin Nyeo Gung possesses many treasures beyond this. I believe no harm would come to the Palace Lord’s dignity merely by exchanging the betrothal gift.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Yeon Ja Mi slapped her knee.
“Such a method existed!”
She had told So Gung Ju to select whomever she preferred from among those who passed the Twenty-Four Heavenly Formations. And she had chosen the Bowon Divine Orb as the betrothal gift.
But if the betrothal gift were changed to something other than the Bowon Divine Orb that Bu Eunseol had received?
She had kept her word, and So Gung Ju had given her the Boowon Divine Pearl as compensation, so there was no need for her to marry Bu Eunseol.
Yeon Ja Mi was so delighted that she beamed with joy and wrapped her arms around Bu Eunseol’s shoulders.
“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”
“Please, think nothing of it.”
“But you risked your life to pass through the Twenty-Four Heavenly Formations, and yet you receive no reward. I feel terrible about that.”
Yeon Ja Mi spoke with a smile.
“Is there anything you need? I will give you whatever you wish.”
It was an extraordinarily generous offer.
The Shin Nyeo Gung possessed countless treasures and divine artifacts beyond measure. Obtaining even a single one would make someone fabulously wealthy or grant them a rare and wondrous martial technique.
Yet Bu Eunseol calmly shook her head.
“I have already obtained the treasure known as the Boowon Divine Pearl. That is sufficient.”
I could not fathom how she spoke with such grace and elegance.
Had her character and background been equally exceptional, I would have been tempted to keep her at my side.
‘She is indeed a talented individual, but she cannot be a suitable match for So Ha at this level.’
I smiled faintly and nodded.
“Thank you.”
* * *
Bu Eunseol, having recounted everything, spoke calmly.
“And so it came to pass.”
“Indeed, it seems the Palace Lord has not broken his promise. However.”
Nam Goong Woon shook his head with a look of regret.
“To settle the matter of becoming the Shin Nyeo Gung’s son-in-law by merely accepting the Boowon Divine Pearl? Surely that is a terrible loss for you?”
Bu Eunseol said nothing, only tilting her cup to drink.
“Young Master Seol.”
At that moment, Si Bi’s voice came from outside.
“A visitor has arrived.”
“A visitor? Could it be Aunt?”
Nam Goong Woon hastily rose to leave.
If Namgung Sae-ah discovered that his body had not yet fully recovered and that he was indulging in drinking, she would certainly not let the matter rest.
But then the door opened with a soft creak, and a dazzling beauty wearing a veil walked in.
It was Yeon So Ha.
“Young Master Seol.”
“So Gung Ju?”
As Bu Eunseol appeared somewhat surprised, she opened her mouth with an embarrassed expression.
“I was hoping we might have a brief conversation….”
She glanced around the drinking gathering and spoke carefully.
“Would you be able to step outside?”
“Of course.”
Bu Eunseol and Yeon So Ha walked through the Shin Nyeo Gung with their shoulders aligned.
When they arrived at the Pond bathed in moonlight, Yeon So Ha came to a stop.
Silence hung over the Pavilion for a long moment.
When a cool breeze brushed past her ear, Yeon So Ha opened her mouth softly.
“I heard you rejected me.”
Bu Eunseol said nothing.
It was a silent affirmation.
“So it’s true.”
Yeon So Ha nodded, then suddenly unwound the white silk veil that had been covering her face.
Whoosh.
As the white silk slipped away from her cheeks, the interior of the Pavilion seemed to brighten as if illuminated by her presence alone.
“…!”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
Until now, I had shown little interest in women, and I remained indifferent to matters of beauty and ugliness.
After years of life as a nun, I had believed that appearance was merely a useless shell.
But her exquisite beauty shattered that conviction entirely.
‘Now I understand the Palace Lord’s heart.’
Why the Shin Nyeo Gung Palace Lord had installed such a brutally vicious trial—the Twenty-Four Heavenly Positions.
Why she desired such an outstanding young hero as a consort for So Gung Ju.
Yeon So Ha’s beauty transcended personal taste and preference, radiating a flawless perfection that would captivate anyone.
“Am I not to your liking?”
Bu Eunseol gazed directly at Yeon So Ha’s face.
I would wager there was no man alive who could see her face and claim she displeased him.
“That’s not it.”
“Then will you accept me again?”
“I cannot.”
“Why not?”
“Because I lack the qualifications.”
“Don’t lie to me.”
Yeon So Ha spoke coldly.
“Fine. Then let me rephrase the question.”
After taking a few sharp breaths, she spoke in an icy tone.
“Why did you challenge the Twenty-Four Heavenly Positions?”
….
“Was it the Treasure of the Primordial Origin you were after from the beginning?”
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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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