The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 125

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 125.
After Nam Goong Woon departed for the Sega Sect, Heuk Pyo’s expression grew noticeably subdued.
The absence of someone who filled each day with boisterous chatter left a void that felt surprisingly vast.
“Young Master, where do you intend to go now?”
Heuk Pyo posed the question to Bu Eunseol, who sat at the table composing something with brush and ink.
“Where to….”
As I set down my brush, I gazed out through the open window.
Nearly a year had passed since I embarked on this journey through the Gangho.
I had fought countless masters, yet I could not measure how much stronger I had become. I had simply done my utmost.
As I stood lost in thought, Heuk Pyo ventured carefully, “Shall we first arrange for a carriage?”
“Yes, let us do that.”
Leaving the Inn, I headed toward the station to secure a carriage.
Since haggling over carriage prices had always fallen to Heuk Pyo, I led the way with confidence.
Yet as we approached the station, a man drew near and gestured respectfully toward a carriage before him.
“Please take this carriage, Young Master.”
The man’s features were unremarkable, but his frame was sturdy and his gaze piercing.
He leaned close and whispered in a voice barely audible.
“The Patriarch commands that you return to the Root Sect with all haste.”
My eyes brightened.
Now I recognized him—this man was one of the Nangya Sect’s intelligence division, a member of the Fengyun Corps.
‘The Patriarch has been tracking my movements all along.’
In that instant, the face of Baek Yeon, the Fengyun Corps Master, flashed through my mind—his expression eternally cold, yet always burdened with concern for me.
“Must I depart immediately?”
At my question, the man murmured softly, “Indeed. A driver has already been arranged.”
Hearing this, I fell into deep contemplation.
“Heuk Pyo.”
“Yes?”
“For some time, I shall attend to matters at the Root Sect.”
I withdrew a small manuscript from my sleeve and handed it to him.
“In the meantime, return to Donghyo Seorang and study this.”
As Heuk Pyo accepted the secret manual, he saw characters inscribed on its cover: “Essentials of Short Blade Technique.”
“This is….”
“Besides assassination techniques, I noticed you favor the short blade.”
Knowing that Heuk Pyo preferred the short blade, I had compiled the essential principles of short blade mastery based on the martial arts I had cultivated.
“You wrote a secret manual…for me?”
“It was for myself.”
That was only half true.
Researching and revisiting what I had learned deepened my own martial understanding immeasurably.
Half of it was true.
Studying what he had learned and reflecting on it again was an act that deepened his understanding even further.
“Understood. I will dedicate myself to mastering it.”
Heuk Pyo carefully tucked the secret manual into his robes.
He offered no words of gratitude or pledges of loyalty. After all, every ability gained from the secret manual would be devoted to aiding Bu Eunseol.
“Until we meet again, take care of yourself, Master.”
Bu Eunseol nodded and climbed into the carriage, whereupon the driver skillfully urged the horses forward.
As the carriage departed with the sound of hoofbeats, Heuk Pyo’s gaze deepened.
A premonition settled over him that considerable time would pass before he saw Bu Eunseol again.
“I must grow stronger.”
Heuk Pyo gripped the secret manual in his robes.
All he could do now was diligently cultivate his martial arts so that when he reunited with Bu Eunseol, he would be worthy of standing beside her.
* * *
Clop, clop.
The carriage’s rapid pace gradually slowed to a measured trot.
The journey from Anho to Geommi Mountain stretched fourteen days. Throughout the voyage, I maintained an unbroken cultivation of inner energy within the carriage.
Whoooosh.
As my cultivation neared completion, faint crimson light points began to shimmer around my body.
As the Fanji Heart Method approached the threshold of the third stage, the crimson radiance that had gathered in my eyes gradually began to settle within my physical form.
‘My inner strength has deepened.’
Not only had the internal injuries sustained in my battle with the Masked Assassin completely healed, but my inner energy had grown considerably more profound.
‘This is peculiar.’
Growing deeper in inner strength with each recovery from internal injuries was nearly impossible according to martial theory.
While bones and muscles grow stronger with repeated treatment and recovery, internal organs lose elasticity with each wound and easily shift from their proper positions.
This is precisely why martial artists sometimes fail to recover from severe internal injuries.
‘Could I have already entered the fourth stage?’
Upon reaching the fourth stage of the Fanji Heart Method, inner energy flows endlessly.
This allows one to condense protective qi and recover instantly even from internal injuries.
Yet my current level remains the third stage. So why is this happening?
Chirp, chirp, chirp.
The sound of birds singing drifted through the carriage window. We had arrived near Geommi Mountain.
“We have arrived.”
At the driver’s voice from the coachman’s seat, I descended from the carriage slowly.
Despite driving the carriage relentlessly for fourteen days, save for the horses’ rest periods, the driver’s eyes remained clear and sharp.
He was no ordinary coachman—likely a martial artist of considerable inner strength.
“I am grateful for the comfortable journey.”
I withdrew a banknote from my robes and offered it, but the driver waved both hands in refusal.
“I have already received full payment.”
“This is from me personally.”
As I extended the banknote again, the driver bowed his head.
“Thank you.”
Clop. Clop.
As the carriage turned around, Bu Eunseol gazed up at Geommi Mountain with fresh eyes, her heart stirring with emotion.
‘A year has passed.’
After lingering in contemplation for a moment, she unfurled her lightness technique and began ascending Geommi Mountain.
Whoooosh.
Bu Eunseol’s silhouette, now a faint shadow, ascended in a single breath to the midpoint where Nangya Pavilion stood.
Passing through the wide-open gate, a landscape resembling a miniature Seong Do came into view. Beyond Market Street, as she entered the alley, the small house she had personally repaired appeared before her.
Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath.
‘I’m home.’
It felt like returning to a cozy nest after a long absence.
In truth, Nangya Pavilion was her home.
Here lay a comfortable refuge where she could rest. No one harbored hostility toward her, and there were elders who became her shelter in times of hardship and difficulty.
“You’ve arrived.”
A low voice reached Bu Eunseol from behind as she stood before the house.
An elderly man with a stern, weathered countenance now stood in what had been an empty blacksmith shop.
It was Cheol Master, Wang Gyeol.
“I trust you have been well, Cheol Master.”
As Bu Eunseol respectfully clasped her hands together, Cheol Master gazed at her intently before nodding.
“It seems you conducted your journey through Gangho properly.”
Though his tone was somewhat gruff, his eyes gleamed with genuine interest.
At that moment, from the opposite alley came cheerful voices and the sound of over a dozen figures emerging in a rush.
“Cheol Master! Haven’t you finished maintaining the weapons yet?”
Leading the group were two men standing side by side—one with a robust, imposing frame and another lean and wiry. They were So Jeon, commander of Changsin Squad, and Je Woon, vice commander.
“Oh?”
Je Woon spotted Bu Eunseol and, with a delighted expression, patted her shoulder.
“Bu Eunseol, you’re back.”
“Vice Commander.”
Bu Eunseol bowed, and Je Woon nodded in acknowledgment.
“Have you completed your journey through Gangho?”
“Yes, I have.”
With that, all the members of Changsin Squad surrounded Bu Eunseol and offered their greetings one by one.
“My, your martial prowess has changed remarkably!”
“Now you’re truly worthy of being a full-fledged member of Changsin Squad.”
Because they had risked their lives together performing missions in Fenglei Valley in the past, they treated Bu Eunseol with great familiarity.
“Thank you.”
After bowing respectfully to the members, Bu Eunseol also greeted So Jeon beside her.
“Bu Eunseol pays respects to the Commander.”
In the past, it would have been difficult to directly face So Jeon’s formidable aura.
But now, Bu Eunseol calmly and effortlessly received So Jeon’s cool yet piercing martial presence.
“Hmm.”
So Jeon let out an admiring sound, his gaze sweeping over Bu Eunseol from head to toe as he clicked his tongue.
His expression resembled a drunkard gazing upon a fine bottle of wine, lips curling with anticipation.
“You’ve made several journeys through Gangho, and it shows—you’ve certainly changed.”
He spoke with admiration, tapping the great sword slung across his shoulder.
“What say you? Shall we finally have a proper sparring match between you and me? A real one, of course.”
Before Bu Eunseol could respond, Je Woon interjected with a rebuke.
“Master, is that what you say to someone returning after a year?”
“What’s wrong with sparring?”
“Perhaps offer them a warm meal first, then speak such words. And whenever you propose sparring to the disciples, you invariably unleash your true power, leaving perfectly good members injured.”
“Hmph, that’s how we learn martial arts in the Root Sect—through injury.”
“That’s not injury, that’s assault.”
“Ah, I see the order is wrong. I should start by striking you—your mouth seems perfectly intact.”
While So Jeon and Je Woon bickered pointlessly, Wang Gyeol spoke.
“Pay them no mind. Go to Cheong Pung Jae. The Sect Leader is looking for you.”
“Understood.”
Bu Eunseol bowed her head and offered her respects to So Jeon and Je Woon as well.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“Bu Eunseol! Don’t forget—next time, you’ll spar with me!”
“I told you not to suggest sparring!”
As Bu Eunseol watched the two bicker endlessly, a faint smile graced her lips, and she slowly made her way toward Cheong Pung Jae.
Along the path to Cheong Pung Jae, she encountered countless members of the Nangya Sect.
Their eyes held surprise, and some burned with curiosity.
‘Something feels different.’
When she first arrived at the Nangya Sect, whether their eyes met or she simply passed by, they had always maintained an indifferent demeanor.
But now their gazes seemed to say, ‘A new disciple has come to the Nangya Sect?’
In truth, this was because Bu Eunseol’s martial prowess and technique had not only earned recognition as a true disciple of the Nangya Sect, but had grown remarkably formidable.
Yet Bu Eunseol remained unaware of this, her expression merely puzzled.
“What brings you here?”
As she finally arrived before Cheong Pung Jae, Si Bi, who happened to be passing, addressed her.
“I am Bu Eunseol, a disciple. I’ve come to see the Sect Leader.”
“Please follow me.”
Following Si Bi’s guidance into the Palace Hall, she found herself in a Flower Garden where exotic blooms flourished, and a classical Pavilion stood erected.
After passing through the garden and being led to the office where Dan Cheong resided, Si Bi spoke in a hushed voice.
“Sect Leader, the young lady Bu has come to visit.”
“Show her in.”
As the door opened, she saw Dan Cheong surrounded by stacks of documents, his brush moving ceaselessly across the pages.
Being the leader of a martial sect entailed numerous administrative duties.
Though modest in scale, the Nangya Sect was one of the Ten Demonic Gates, and the daily influx of work was beyond imagination.
“Sect Leader.”
“You’ve returned.”
As Bu Eunseol offered a respectful bow, Dan Cheong smiled brightly and nodded in acknowledgment.
“You’ve truly become a remarkable hero. I’ve heard of all your exploits through the Fengyun Corps.”
Bu Eunseol wasn’t particularly surprised by those words.
If her every action hadn’t been meticulously reported, the Fengyun Corps wouldn’t have been stationed at the relay post at precisely the moment she needed to secure a carriage.
“Sit for a moment.”
Dan Cheong smiled and gestured to the seat across from him.
“I only need to write a few letters. Bring another cup of tea here.”
“Understood.”
Si Bi brought a steaming cup of tea to the table where Bu Eunseol sat, wisps of vapor rising from its surface.
After sipping the tea a few times, she had little else to do. As Bu Eunseol glanced around the room, her gaze settled on Dan Cheong attending to his work.
Whoosh. Swish.
Dan Cheong turned pages with his left hand while writing with his right.
He was naturally employing the principle of divided focus not only in martial arts but in everyday life as well.
His speed in turning pages and writing was several times faster than that of ordinary people.
Yet his handwriting remained neat and precise, and the pace of his page-turning remained perfectly consistent.
‘This is only possible because of the Deputy Pavilion Master’s exceptional martial prowess.’
Dan Cheong’s reflexes and senses were several times superior to those of ordinary Murim practitioners. Because of this, he could divide the same span of time into multiple segments and use each one.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting.”
Dan Cheong rose from his seat, apparently finished with his work.
A faint smile played on his lips when he suddenly scanned her from head to toe and opened his mouth.
“What on earth happened to you?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————