The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 131

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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 131.
A startling word escaped from Bu Eunseol’s lips.
The Dark King.
Among the Four Divine Kings, the one known as the “Sovereign of Darkness.”
It was said that if even a single thread of shadow existed, he could conceal himself perfectly, and within darkness, none could stand against him—an absolute master beyond compare.
“The Dark King, you say?”
The old man asked with an expressionless face.
“Why do you believe I am the Dark King?”
Bu Eunseol clasped her hands respectfully in response to his question.
“The Root Sect possesses a secret technique to expand perception through sound and vibration. Yet a master capable of concealing their presence without being detected while producing only the faintest of sounds… I believed only the Dark King existed in all of Tianxia.”
Bu Eunseol’s answer was exquisite—she praised the martial prowess of the Root Sect while simultaneously acknowledging the Dark King’s superiority.
“Hahaha. Your eloquence has made this old man laugh twice now.”
The old man nodded and lightly brushed his sleeve.
“Indeed. I am Yeop Hyo Cheon, who holds the position of Grand Commandant of the Root Sect.”
The Dark King, Yeop Hyo Cheon.
He had originally been the Night Sky Lord, following Ma Cheon Je like a shadow.
However, to fill the vacant position of Deputy Sect Leader that had been empty for twenty years, Ma Cheon Je granted him the title of Grand Commandant five years ago.
While Ma Cheon Je remained in seclusion, he maintained the balance between the Elder Council and the Ten Demonic Gates—making him arguably the second-in-command of the Demon Hall.
Bu Eunseol immediately bowed deeply.
“Bu Eunseol of the Nangya Sect pays respects to the Grand Commandant.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon, observing Bu Eunseol, sighed and spoke.
“To be honest, I opposed the plan for the Ten Demon Experts.”
He shook his head briefly before continuing in a low voice.
“But having produced someone like you, I would say the plan is half a success.”
It was a murmur laden with some deeper story.
As Bu Eunseol maintained her respectful posture with bowed head, Yeop Hyo Cheon’s stern expression faded, and he smiled gently.
“Yes. As you said, I summoned the Ten Demon Experts here to see you all with my own eyes.”
“I see.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon gazed upward at the ceiling of the Great Hall with penetrating eyes as he spoke.
“To be more precise, there was a request from the Ten Demonic Gates. They asked me to assess the temperament and martial prowess of the Ten Demon Experts, and to designate Orthodox Sect masters whose techniques would be their natural counters.”
For once, even Bu Eunseol could not hide her expression of shock.
She had believed they would designate opponents based on martial techniques and personality traits to increase the probability of victory—but instead, the intention was to ensure their defeat?
“However, I refused. Your potential is far too precious to waste, and frankly, the probability of defeat is far too high even in a fair fight.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression darkened.
If even Yeop Hyo Cheon, who could be called the second-in-command of the Demon Hall, had made such an assessment, it was undeniably the truth.
“In any case, since you recognized me, I should offer you a suitable reward.”
Yeop Hyo Cheon narrowed his eyes as he spoke.
“To capture Orthodox Sect masters, you must know where and how they are positioned. I will inform the Bi Young Gak, so gather the intelligence from them.”
The Nangya Sect also possessed the Fengyun Corps, an outstanding intelligence organization.
However, gathering information about Orthodox Sect masters would require considerable time. In contrast, the Demon Hall, which kept its antennae sharp regarding the movements of the Orthodox sects and Murim, would acquire such knowledge swiftly.
‘There is no reason to refuse such an offer.’
Having made her decision, I clasped my hands together.
“Thank you.”
“Then, go.”
At Yeop Hyo Cheon’s words, I bowed respectfully and turned to leave.
Watching my departing figure, Yeop Hyo Cheon shook his head with a somber expression.
“Remarkable. The world is indeed vast, and exceptional individuals are as countless as grains of sand.”
He spoke in a low voice, gazing at my receding back.
“To think there exists another who bears such identical talent and temperament….”
* * *
I departed from Demon Palace and rode the carriage back toward Nangya Sect.
Clatter, clatter.
As we entered the mountain path, the carriage swayed like a ship caught in turbulent waves.
Sitting upright inside the carriage with my eyes closed, I was turning over the information I had obtained from Bi Young Gak.
‘Jongnam’s Grand Master.’
Bi Young Gak had provided me with various information regarding Yeo Hwan Jin, the Grand Master of Jongnam Sect.
Since becoming a Grand Master, he had remained hidden like a divine dragon within the clouds, never revealing himself.
Yet Demon Palace had already thoroughly grasped his movements.
He was staying in Jangsan Gorge in Dangsan and frequently visited the Martial Arts Training Hall of Jongnam Sect in Dangsan to instruct his disciples.
‘This is troublesome. Dangsan, you say…’
The Dangsan region was essentially the sphere of influence of Jongnam Sect.
Having operated the Martial Arts Training Hall there for a long time, all the martial halls in the area, as well as the merchant guilds, local administrators, and martial artists, were filled with disciples from Jongnam Sect.
‘This is indeed troublesome.’
If I were to fight Yeo Hwan Jin in such a place, even if I emerged victorious, there would be no way to escape unscathed.
‘Then….’
I pondered deeply.
This matter could not be resolved in a short time.
Moreover, he was evaluated as possessing the strength of a top-tier master, so I would need to make various preparations to face him.
‘Jongnam, the Jongnam Sect….’
Though I had mastered exceptional Demonic Path martial arts, I actually knew little about Orthodox Sect techniques.
However, with the assistance of Bi Young Gak, I was able to grasp not only the history of Jongnam Sect but also general information about their martial techniques.
‘The three great sword techniques of Jongnam Sect: Floating Wind, Emerald Rain, and Flowing Cloud.’
Jongnam Sect, despite being Daoist martial arts, possessed fierce and heavy power. Consequently, it was said that swords frequently broke and bent during the cultivation of their sword techniques.
‘Could it be like my Infinite Heavenly Stream, blending various techniques to amplify power?’
Having learned the practical martial arts of Nangya Sect, I could discern an opponent’s techniques even during combat.
But attempting such a thing against a formidable enemy above my level would result in my neck being severed before I could even demonstrate my true abilities.
‘Then there is truly no other method.’
During the four days of carriage travel, I had continuously contemplated this and had already devised a plan of sorts.
“We have arrived.”
In the meantime, the carriage that had departed from Demon Palace had reached the vicinity of Geommi Mountain.
“Thank you.”
Bu Eunseol descended from the carriage and immediately ascended Geommi Mountain.
Entering the Nangya Pavilion swiftly, I sought out Cheol Master Wang Gyeol, who stood in the Blacksmith Shop without delay.
“You’ve returned already?”
Wang Gyeol, who had been in the workshop, regarded me with a hidden blade in hand.
It appeared he was examining a blade he had just completed, turning it over thoughtfully.
“I heard you must face a master of the great way soon enough….”
“That is correct.”
“A troubling matter indeed.”
I gazed intently at Wang Gyeol, who continued to examine the blade with an impassive expression, before speaking.
“Teach me.”
“What?”
Wang Gyeol turned his gaze toward me, his brow furrowing deeply.
“The Root Sect has many skilled martial artists. Go elsewhere to learn.”
“That is not what I meant. Teach me metallurgy.”
Metallurgy—the collective term for all techniques a blacksmith employs in working with metal.
“Metallurgy?”
“Yes. To be precise, the methods of repairing blades.”
“Methods of repairing blades?”
“Yes. I wish to focus my studies on learning how to repair blades.”
Wang Gyeol’s eyes narrowed as he studied me intently.
“What scheme is this?”
“I have heard that the Jongnam Sect’s swordsmanship is fierce and overwhelming, causing blades to shatter frequently during training.”
“And?”
“It happens that the location where Jongnam’s master of the great way resides is near the Dangsan Iron Family.”
“Hmm.”
Wang Gyeol nodded, having grasped my plan.
“It is indeed a sound approach, but learning blade repair will require considerable time. You risk squandering what little remains.”
“You are aware that the Demon Hall has imposed a time limit?”
Wang Gyeol spoke with an unbothered expression.
“The Ten Demonic Gates, eager to arrange a confrontation with a master of the great way, would surely impose such constraints.”
“I see.”
“Simply find another path.”
Wang Gyeol shook his head.
“It would be better to refine your martial arts during the remaining time.”
“No. Teach me metallurgy.”
I regarded Wang Gyeol with unwavering resolve in my eyes.
“I believe this method is the finest course.”
“What if you merely waste time?”
“I will simply do my utmost.”
Wang Gyeol stared intently at Bu Eunseol.
After a prolonged silence, he gestured toward the interior of the Blacksmith Shop.
“Then let us begin at once.”
* * *
Hanam, Dangsan Iron Family.
The largest blacksmith workshop in Dangsan, with over thirty master blacksmiths working within its walls.
Renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship, the Dangsan Iron Family had virtually monopolized the region’s metalwork trade, making it a destination where aspiring blacksmiths often came to apprentice.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
Each day at the blacksmith workshop began with kindling the forge fire.
Next came the careful regulation of temperature using the bellows to heat the metal to the proper degree.
Then the endless cycle of shaping with hammer blows and tempering in water.
The work of striking, stretching, and honing metal appeared simple, yet it was grueling and painful.
When working the bellows, sparks constantly erupted, leaving burns across the skin.
Whoosh. Whoosh.
A young man stood before the roaring forge, continuously feeding charcoal into the flames.
Though tall enough, his face was utterly unremarkable—the sort one might see anywhere.
Yet what set him apart was the emotionless mask-like expression frozen upon his features. His movements were so mechanical and precise that from a distance, he resembled nothing so much as an automaton performing its prescribed motions.
“He works well.”
Yuk Man Ho, an elderly master observing the young man’s diligent bellows work, nodded approvingly.
He was the chief blacksmith of the Dangsan Iron Family, overseeing all the craftsmen under its employ.
“His name was Bu Eunseol, was it not?”
At Yuk Man Ho’s murmur, Lee Bok, the overseer standing behind him, nodded in confirmation.
“Yes, sir. He was introduced by the Third Master of the Huang Family Iron Works.”
“I heard he had some prior experience with metalwork.”
“Indeed. He performed menial labor in blacksmith workshops since childhood, or so he claimed.”
“Hmm.”
The heat radiating from each stroke of the bellows seemed to devour the workshop itself.
Even in the mild spring season, seasoned blacksmiths would collapse from exhaustion while working the bellows.
Moreover, sparks constantly erupted from the forge, leaving burn scars across the arms of all who worked there.
Yet Bu Eunseol performed every grueling task without complaint, his expression never wavering.
His unwavering diligence and sincerity had finally caught the attention of Yuk Man Ho.
“Perhaps it would be worth giving him actual work to do.”
“Already, sir? He has only been here for a month.”
Becoming a true blacksmith required years of menial labor first.
Those without natural talent or quick hands often spent an entire year merely stoking the forge or performing drudgery, never even permitted to touch a hammer.
“But he did work in a blacksmith shop before, did he not? There is no harm in letting him try.”
At Yuk Man Ho’s words, Lee Bok scratched his head uncertainly.
“In truth, sir, there is considerable discontent among the blacksmiths.”
“Discontent?”
“Yes, sir. He is taciturn and lacks any charm, and though introduced by the Third Master, he is but a rootless wanderer with no family standing in the craft.”
“Tsk.”
Yuk Man Ho clicked his tongue and spoke.
“Since when did a blacksmith need fundamental principles? Why would affability matter?”
“The Blacksmith Shop is still a place where people work, is it not? Moreover, we of the Dangsan Iron Family….”
“Now listen here, you steward.”
Yuk Man Ho rebuked him sternly, his expression darkening.
“When craftsmen approach their work with such rotten attitudes… that’s precisely why everything produced lately has been declining in quality.”
Then he spoke again, his voice grave and commanding.
“Starting tomorrow, send that boy to the Minong Workshop.”

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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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