The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 144

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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 144.
―A Grand Master of the Gongdong Sect has been assassinated!
Suddenly, shocking rumors spread throughout the Murim.
Just one month after Yeo Hwan Jin, a Grand Master from the Jongnam Sect, had fallen, another Grand Master had been slain.
―The culprit must be an assassin!
The body of Pyeong Seo Woon, the Grand Master of the Gongdong Sect found dead in his quarters, bore thirty hidden weapons and eight varieties of deadly poison.
Additionally, five types of qi-draining powder that severely diminished internal energy were detected in his system.
However, the decisive cause of death was a wound near the neck—a puncture barely an inch deep. The carotid artery had been severed by a sharp, narrow blade.
This technique bore striking resemblance to the Geuk Sal Mil Gak’s assassination swordsmanship, the Demon-Subduing Blood Flash, and in many ways resembled the killing blade that had taken Yeo Hwan Jin’s life.
―We will capture the culprit without fail!
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Following the Jongnam Sect, the Gongdong Sect also began dispatching disciples en masse throughout the Gangho to hunt down the perpetrator.
A fine mist of rain, like sea foam, drenched the entire world.
Whether due to the drizzling rain or because all the patrons were martial artists, many customers had been ordering alcohol since morning.
Martial artists never skip alcohol when eating.
Having cultivated their inner energy, they were less susceptible to intoxication, and they used drink to ease the hardships of living by the sword.
Glug, glug.
A young scholar sitting by the window on the second floor of the inn was filling his cup alone.
With long, thin hair left unbound, his features were obscured. A long sword covered in rust hung from his back, giving off the air of a poor martial artist.
It was Bu Eunseol.
The mysterious radiance emanating from the Muk Sword was so conspicuous wherever I went that I had deliberately made it appear rusted.
Hum, hum, hum.
At that moment, a faint sword resonance rang out from the Muk Sword.
It was as if the blade was growing impatient with having something crudely plastered over its surface.
“Wait a little longer.”
Bu Eunseol drained a cup of alcohol and spoke in a low voice.
“Soon I’ll find you a worthy opponent.”
As if understanding those words, the faint sword cry gradually subsided.
Bu Eunseol, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips, refilled his cup.
“I’ve ended up here somehow.”
After disposing of Yeo Hwan Jin and leaving Jinyang, I had originally intended to return to the Nangya Sect.
But then, a sudden realization struck me, and I immediately changed course.
‘If I return to the Root Sect, Baek Yeon would certainly show me an easy path.’
I was the successor responsible for the Nangya Sect’s future, and because of that, Baek Yeon was excessively concerned with my safety.
If I were to return to the Nangya Sect? Baek Yeon would undoubtedly seek out ways to handle the Grand Masters with ease.
‘I don’t want to face Grand Masters that way.’
I am not an assassin.
I don’t want to study fighting from advantageous positions. Even if I were to lose, I wanted to face them head-on with confidence, pouring everything into the confrontation.
Of course, failure would mean death, but if I could survive… I would gain a foundation to grow stronger once more.
Glug, glug.
After finishing his thoughts, Bu Eunseol refilled his cup.
“Hmm.”
Yet something felt odd. He’d consumed barely a single bottle, yet heat flushed his cheeks and his body grew heavy.
Not long ago, he’d drained several bottles of potent spirits without the slightest effect. Now, having emptied merely one bottle of white liquor, intoxication was creeping through him.
‘Could this be the realm of Returning to Simplicity?’
Bu Eunseol has entered the eighteenth stage of the Banyeok Geuksim Method.
As a result, the phenomenon of Returning to Simplicity had manifested—where extraordinary power became so refined it appeared utterly ordinary.
The problem was that not only his spiritual energy, but even the true qi accumulating within his body settled into this deceptive normalcy.
If he deliberately refrained from channeling his inner power, no one would ever suspect he possessed such transcendent cultivation.
‘Being intoxicated is inconvenient, but…’
Just as Bu Eunseol was about to subtly channel his inner power to burn away the alcohol’s effects,
‘Wait—this means I’ll spend less on drinks.’
He shook his head with a soft snort.
A rumbling sound echoed.
Suddenly, a group dressed in dark blue martial robes burst through the inn’s entrance.
The swords hanging at their waists were short like assassin’s blades, and their robes carried the unmistakable aura of Daoism.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed as he studied them carefully.
‘Gongdong Sect.’
They were none other than Daoist priests of the Gongdong Sect.
A soft rustling filled the air.
The Gongdong Sect priests surveyed the inn’s interior, then divided into groups and surrounded the establishment.
“Forgive us for interrupting your meal. I am Kang Jung Ryang, a Dharma Protector of the Gongdong Sect. We seek a vicious killer who has harmed one of our disciples, and we request your cooperation.”
Bu Eunseol’s brow furrowed.
Even the Constabulary’s officials wouldn’t dare conduct such investigations—yet a single sect was interrogating martial artists?
In truth, this bordered on outrageous tyranny.
However, the Gongdong Sect belonged to the Nine Sects One Alliance. Combined with their formidable influence and the fact that Jenam was dominated by Orthodox Sect forces, such actions were possible.
‘Seok Woo Haeng. Was he staying in this area?’
The moment Bu Eunseol heard rumors of a master from the Gongdong Sect being slain by an assassin, he instinctively knew it was Seok Woo Haeng’s doing.
‘He must have gathered intelligence from Yu Woon Ryong’s defeat and used it to kill Pyeong Seo Woon.’
Seok Woo Haeng’s murder of Pyeong Seo Woon was hardly an act of revenge for Yu Woon Ryong.
He had surely witnessed their confrontation in secret and devised his plan to kill Pyeong Seo Woon based on what he observed.
‘The intelligence network of the Nine Sects One Alliance rivals that of the Guusal Unit.’
Seeing them investigate this area confirmed that Seok Woo Haeng had been nearby.
‘Yet something still seems strange.’
Bu Eunseol watched the Gongdong Sect disciples search through the inn, a puzzled expression crossing his face.
‘How exactly do they intend to identify the culprit?’
Seok Woo Haeng was a naturally gifted assassin chosen by the Geuk Sal Mil Gak.
When he killed Pyeong Seo Woon, he hadn’t employed the Geuk Sal Mil Gak’s secret assassination techniques, instead leaving traces of a common, ordinary assassin’s work.
There were hints suggesting he’d used the Kang Ma Hyeol Seom, but that was merely speculation.
So how could the Gongdong Sect possibly identify the killer?
“Pardon me for a moment.”
At that moment, two disciples of the Gongdong Sect approached a man seated in front of Bu Eunseol.
“I apologize for the impertinent request, but might you show us your palms?”
“My palms?”
The seated man furrowed his brow in confusion, yet complied and extended both hands.
The Gongdong disciples then scrutinized his palms intently for a considerable time.
After exchanging glances with one another, they clasped their hands together in unison.
“We appreciate your cooperation.”
‘Ah, so that’s what they’re doing.’
Only then did I grasp the method by which the Gongdong Sect’s masters intended to locate Seok Woo Haeng.
The hands of an assassin—as distinctive as a swordsman’s blade.
After prolonged cultivation of the Assassination Secret Art, unique traces remain upon the hands, marks that distinguish them from ordinary martial artists.
‘Yet it is a reckless approach.’
To identify the traces of refined martial prowess through the marks left upon the hands.
Such a feat lies beyond the capability of ordinary martial artists; only those who have reached the pinnacle—the very threshold of transcendence—could barely accomplish it.
Could these seemingly ordinary Gongdong disciples truly possess such ability?
“There were no traces on the index and thumb.”
Hearing the soft murmur of the Gongdong disciples from another table, I nodded in understanding.
‘I see. They have been trained systematically to identify the traces of assassination techniques.’
The depth of the Gudaemun Sect’s power became apparent once more.
Having taken root in the Murim for generations, the Nine Sects One Alliance had weathered countless crises and emerged victorious.
Even if it took years, they would pursue Seok Woo Haeng relentlessly to the bitter end.
“Pardon me for a moment.”
The Gongdong disciples then approached Bu Eunseol.
“….”
Yet upon observing my face, they shook their heads and clasped their hands together.
“No, forgive us.”
And without hesitation, they turned away.
Seeing my flushed cheeks—crimson from a bottle of baekju—they had concluded with certainty that I was no martial artist at all.
‘How convenient this proves to be.’
I could not help but laugh.
The phenomenon of Reverse Return Qi, which had seemed somewhat troublesome until now, was proving useful in such circumstances.
I shook my head and drained the last cup of wine.
And just as I was about to leave the inn,
“Have you heard? Seong Ryun, a master of the Gae Bang, is said to be attending the Jinmu Banquet being held this year.”
The conversation of two martial artists seated behind me halted my steps.
“What? Isn’t he a candidate to succeed the Bangju? Why would he attend the Jinmu Banquet?”
The Gae Bang had numerous branch leaders and made their living through begging.
Consequently, the transmission of martial arts to disciples lacked systematic organization and was often chaotic.
This had caused them to lose many talented individuals, which in turn weakened the Gae Bang’s influence.
After much deliberation, Gae Bang created an assembly called the Jinmu Gathering, which only disciples below the Third Knot could attend.
And each year, they were discovering exceptional disciples from various regions and adjusting their ranks according to their martial prowess.
“Well, of course it’s because of the Ten Demon Experts causing chaos lately! Haven’t they already killed two Masters of Great Righteousness?”
“But what does that have to do with the Jinmu Gathering?”
“It’s a provocation. Isn’t Gae Bang’s intelligence network counted among the finest in Tianxia? The fact that he, who has always remained hidden, is now making public appearances means… he’s showing the Ten Demon Experts that he’s ready for them.”
The martial artist paused briefly, then drained a cup of wine before continuing.
“As if to say, ‘Come at me if you dare.'”
‘I see.’
Staying long at an inn sometimes yielded premium intelligence through sheer fortune.
Just like now.
Bu Eunseol, who had been listening silently to the conversation, rose from her seat.
She intended to verify the truth of this information.
* * *
A certain distillery located in an alley of Market Street.
As Bu Eunseol looked up at the entrance and stepped inside, the front courtyard was covered with millet.
The distillery workers would steam the piled millet, mix it with koji, and let it ferment. Through this series of processes, it would become an exceptionally fine baijiu.
“This way, please.”
At that moment, a pleasant-faced middle-aged man guided Bu Eunseol to a liquor storage filled with enormous earthenware jars.
Thud.
As the door closed with a low sound, the middle-aged man spoke in a hushed voice.
“It’s all true.”
This distillery was actually a branch office of the Guusal Unit in the Yeon Ju region, and the middle-aged man was the branch director managing intelligence.
“Seong Ryun is currently passing through the Hanam region to participate in the Jinmu Gathering being held in Gaebong.”
The branch director paused briefly before speaking in a low voice.
“Whatever mission he’s been given, you should abandon it.”
After observing Bu Eunseol for a moment, the branch director continued.
“Gae Bang is itself the finest intelligence organization in Tianxia. To this day, no information or movements of those ranked Clan Lord or above have ever been exposed.”
Low, secretive voices echoed continuously from within the distillery’s hidden vault.
“He deliberately exposed his own movements. There must certainly be another purpose behind it.”
Bu Eunseol nodded. Her own thoughts aligned with the branch director’s assessment.
Yet at the end of it all, only one question remained: why?
He was destined to become a pillar of the Orthodox Sects’ Murim, a Master of Great Righteousness, and a candidate for the Sect Lord of Gae Bang, known as the finest organization in Tianxia. Why would he need to undertake such actions?
‘A candidate. Merely a candidate….’
As if something had occurred to her, Bu Eunseol asked.
“Is the Sect Lord of Gae Bang definitely decided to be him?”
“Not necessarily. He was selected as a Master of Great Righteousness due to his innate martial talent, but he was not originally a candidate for Sect Lord.”
The branch director spoke matter-of-factly.
“His status changed dramatically after becoming a Master of Great Righteousness. He, who was merely a Third Knot disciple, suddenly ascended to become a candidate for Sect Lord.”
‘So that was it.’
Only then could Bu Eunseol discern what Seong Ryun truly desired.
Seong Ryun had originally been a disciple of humble origins, possessing neither distinguished status nor exceptional martial prowess. It was solely through his remarkable talent for martial arts that he ascended to become a master of the Murim Alliance’s Artificial Cave and a great expert.
Thanks to his exceptional martial skill, he had managed to secure a position as a candidate for the Sect Leader, yet his foundation remained far from stable.
He sought to elevate his reputation further by slaying one of the Ten Demon Immortals, thereby solidifying his claim to the Sect Leader’s position.

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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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