The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 15

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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 15
“Hmm.”
Dan Cheon Yang’s brow furrowed deeply.
It seemed as though he were restraining his anger, yet simultaneously appeared lost in profound contemplation.
Hyuk Ryeon Eung, capable of intercepting sudden and piercing enemy strikes, was considered the most solemn and meticulous sword technique within the Demonic Path.
Yet Bu Eunseol’s techniques were utterly unpredictable and relentless, each movement suffused with razor-sharp killing intent.
“You may return to your position.”
Dan Cheon Yang did not offer his assessment of Bu Eunseol’s swordsmanship.
Instead, he spoke while gazing toward one of the trainees.
“Seo Jin Ha.”
At that, a figure bearing a sword across their back stepped forward from among the trainees toward the center of the Training Grounds.
Their hair fell in two neat sections without a turn of the head, and between them gleamed large, elongated eyes.
With a slender frame and delicate facial features, even thin eyebrows, their appearance was so androgynous that one could scarcely discern whether they were male or female.
“You called for me.”
Their voice was crystalline and refreshing, like a spring breeze, yet their eyes blazed with the intensity of a hundred needles cascading forth.
‘They have cultivated martial arts systematically since childhood.’
The profession of a blade dancer could be described as endlessly donning and removing garments.
Though the youth’s frame appeared lean and their lines delicate, Bu Eunseol immediately discerned that they possessed resilient, well-balanced musculature.
“Unfurl your blade.”
At Dan Cheon Yang’s command, Seo Jin Ha clasped both hands, then drew their sword.
Ching.
From a rusted scabbard emerged an old iron blade, yet it sang with the crystalline clarity of a treasured sword.
Seo Jin Ha had infused the blade with formidable inner energy as they drew it.
Whoosh!
As the sword technique unfurled, a sickening sound—like a viper’s hiss—reverberated from the ground.
Simultaneously, a piercing blade technique radiated outward in concentric circles from Seo Jin Ha’s feet in all directions.
Flap, flap, flap, flap!
With a sound like flags billowing in a tempest, sword shadows cast by the iron blade erupted skyward.
Clang.
The sword shadows scattered into the void as if washed away, and Seo Jin Ha had already sheathed their blade.
“Hmm.”
Another utterance escaped Dan Cheon Yang’s lips.
Just moments before, the single strike Seo Jin Ha had unleashed was a technique that countered the Hyuk Ryeon Eung that Bu Eunseol had displayed.
‘So they have already caught the scent of blood.’
Bu Eunseol and Seo Jin Ha.
As if by agreement, both had concealed their true strength and improvised entirely new sword techniques.
As though anticipating the bloodstorm that would soon unfold.
‘Indeed, such talents would not fail to foresee such matters.’
Dan Cheon Yang, a rueful smile playing at his lips, gazed into the eyes of the trainees, which burned with discipline and vitality.
And he could not help but acknowledge it.
It meant that all the trainees in this Advanced Hall had already mastered the essence of the Hyuk Ryeon Eung technique.
And it meant they possessed the superior intellect to anticipate the situations that would soon unfold on Hell Island.
* * *
When training ended at the Martial Hall, most trainees would return to their quarters to rest or cultivate their inner energy.
But Bu Eunseol, once training concluded, wandered through Hell Island like a traveling vagabond, drifting aimlessly from place to place.
After passing through a deep forest, a pond with a musty stench came into view, and before it stood a massive Martial Hall.
Bu Eunseol nodded, recalling the map inscribed on parchment before the cave entrance.
‘So that must be the Hell Blood Sect Training Ground.’
Though Hell Island was a remote isle far removed from the mainland, it was far from small.
Not only were the ten Martial Halls of the Ten Demonic Gates stationed throughout, but vast stone mountains, forests, and buildings of unknown purpose were scattered across the island.
“You cannot enter this place.”
From time to time, when wandering through unremarkable forests or the island’s perimeter, figures would materialize like phantoms.
Their martial prowess was too formidable to be mere regional guards, yet their demeanor and gaze were far too extraordinary to be ordinary instructors.
Each time, Bu Eunseol would survey her surroundings and turn back without hesitation.
‘As expected… there’s definitely something here.’
“So you’re only now beginning to explore the island.”
At that moment, a low voice emerged from behind a massive tree standing to her left.
Turning her head, she saw a boy with long hair cascading down, smiling at her. It was Seo Jin Ha.
“Familiarizing yourself with the terrain should have been done from the day you first arrived on this island.”
A sharp, sword-like brilliance flickered in Seo Jin Ha’s eyes.
“Surely you’re not unaware that wandering about the island in this manner would only draw the attention of others.”
From Seo Jin Ha’s voice, Bu Eunseol detected both a razor-sharp hostility and the scent of overwhelming momentum.
“There was something I needed to do before surveying the island.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with perfect composure.
“From the moment I set foot on this island, I had no leisure to observe others like you do.”
“Interesting—so you’ve been sensing my presence all along? That hardly seems possible.”
“Those who pride themselves on their intelligence often fall prey to a particular delusion.”
Bu Eunseol fixed her gaze upon Seo Jin Ha’s eyes as she spoke with unwavering calm.
“That they alone are the only ones performing a certain action.”
After mastering the Beast Path, I had detected multiple gazes watching me.
Among them were masters who concealed their presence almost entirely, as well as those who appeared to be trainees.
“I thought you were taciturn, but you seem to have a rather entertaining way with words.”
Though he called it entertaining, Seo Jin Ha’s eyes and mouth showed no trace of amusement.
Rather, the sharp momentum I had sensed from the beginning seemed to be steadily intensifying.
“Let me ask you directly. Bu Eunseol—which side are you on?”
“Which side?”
“Don’t play ignorant.”
“It seems you never learned proper conversation at your age.”
Bu Eunseol turned away with an expression of complete indifference.
“If you wish to converse with others, you cannot simply speak only what you desire, like an infant.”
Seo Jin Ha then spoke in a low voice.
“Do you truly not know?”
“Know what?”
“Hmph, do you believe everyone gathered here wishes to become one of the Ten Demon Experts?”
It was a loaded statement.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed with sudden understanding.
“So that’s what it was.”
In truth, she had found something odd since the moment she entered the Ten Demon Experts tournament.
The Ten Demon Experts tournament.
A competition to select masters who would learn the martial arts of the Ten Demonic Gates without reservation—perhaps a tournament upon which the very fate of the Demonic Path rested.
Yet in a place like the Demon Hall, where masters and geniuses of legendary caliber gathered, they accepted applicants with nothing more than a single entry in a guest register?
‘I myself passed through without issue despite claiming to be from the Chanyang Sect, a fabrication.’
Bu Eunseol could not fathom the Demon Hall’s attitude—they had prioritized a terrifying oath over conducting thorough investigations into the applicants’ identities.
“So there are spies among us.”
At Bu Eunseol’s murmur, tinged with resignation, a flicker of interest crossed Seo Jin Ha’s eyes.
‘That expression and tone are not false.’
“You are not one of them.”
Seo Jin Ha, having instinctively discerned that Bu Eunseol was no spy, muttered as if deflated.
“Tch, I was hoping for some entertainment.”
The sharp killing intent that had emanated from Seo Jin Ha’s form vanished as irritation crossed his face.
“From now on, do not cause a stir in the Martial Hall. Keep yourself in check, or I will cut you down if you continue to grate on my nerves.”
With that, as if his business was concluded, he turned and departed.
“….”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed as she watched Seo Jin Ha’s retreating figure.
‘There were many things I did not know.’
While she had devoted herself to mastering the martial arts of the Nangya Sect and the Hwawoo Sword Sect, much had transpired on Hell Island.
Judging by Seo Jin Ha’s words, among the trainees were not only those aspiring to become Ten Demon Experts, but also spies, and something had occurred between them.
‘The shadow that visited my cave does not seem to be him.’
In fact, Bu Eunseol had suspected there was a high probability that Seo Jin Ha was the shadow that had come to her cave.
But now it was clear he was merely a fighter obsessed with rooting out spies.
“It matters not.”
Bu Eunseol, gazing toward the distant sky, clenched both fists tightly.
“It will begin soon enough.”
Bu Eunseol, who had thoroughly explored Hell Island all this time.
She already felt it.
This island had already become a hell.
And soon, countless more would lose their lives.
* * *
“With today, all training has concluded.”
Dan Cheon Yang, closing the book he held, slowly walked forward to the Platform.
“Because of your exceptional talent, I found myself focusing primarily on interpreting the principles of ascending sword techniques rather than sword mastery itself.”
He smiled contentedly, his expression warm.
The First Moment of Hwawoo Sword—a technique that would take three years for someone of ordinary talent to master.
The Hwawoo Sword Sect had anticipated it would require at least two full months for trainees to grasp the fundamentals of the sword.
Yet contrary to his expectations, the trainees in the Advanced Hall had mastered both sword intent and sword form within ten days.
And within a month, they had reached a level where they could modify the sword form to suit their individual characteristics.
“I suspect many of you find the study of principles tedious.”
Dan Cheon Yang, smiling silently, swept his gaze gently across the trainees.
“However, even masters who have experienced countless real battles set aside time to study the principles of ascending martial arts. This is because martial arts cannot be performed simply by knowing them, nor can one know them simply by performing them.”
Then he looked toward Bu Eunseol, who sat in the back, and asked a question.
“Can you explain this principle?”
Bu Eunseol pondered for a moment before answering.
“Even if one creates an exceptional sword form through a moment of enlightenment, without studying the principles and fundamentals of martial arts, a situation could arise where one cannot execute it a second time.”
“Precisely.”
Dan Cheon Yang, wearing a satisfied smile, nodded and spoke.
“I believe my interpretation of these principles will prove invaluable to all of you as you continue your martial journey ahead.”
Dan Cheon Yang, who had been surveying the trainees seated at the tables, spoke with conviction.
“I wish you martial fortune.”
Martial fortune—a common blessing offered to the younger generation.
Yet for some reason, it carried an ominous feeling, as though reaching the final destination of life.
And indeed, that premonition was not unfounded.
Zing.
Suddenly, a massive gong rang out across the island.
“What is that sound?”
Several trainees wore expressions of great alarm.
The gong’s resonance echoed not merely near the Martial Hall, but across all of Hell Island.
‘So it begins now.’
Bu Eunseol and several other trainees showed little surprise.
Having thoroughly explored Hell Island, they had observed large gongs installed throughout various locations on the island.
‘They struck the gongs simultaneously in response to a coordinated signal.’
Bu Eunseol immediately grasped the reason the gong’s sound could resonate across the entire island.
It meant that at someone’s signal, numerous people had struck the gongs positioned throughout the island in perfect synchronization.
“It seems the time has come.”
Upon hearing the gong, Dan Cheon Yang addressed the trainees.
“From now on, you are to proceed to Stone Mountain at the center of the island.”
Bu Eunseol and the other trainees moved slowly toward Stone Mountain with grave expressions.
Since the Hwawoo Sword Sect’s Martial Hall was located at the far eastern edge of the island, the path to Stone Mountain was the longest compared to any other hall.
“…!”
Upon arriving near Stone Mountain, trainees from the other halls had already gathered, standing in solemn formation.
Upon arriving near Stone Mountain, trainees from other Martial Halls were already lined up with solemn expressions.
And standing side by side atop the elevated platform before them were an elderly man with a muscular frame and a mane of hair like a lion’s, alongside a refined middle-aged figure.
They were Hyuk Ryeon Eung, the Sect Master, and Baek Jeon Cheon, the Master of Man Bak Dang.
“Everyone has assembled.”
At Baek Jeon Cheon’s words, Hyuk Ryeon Eung nodded and spoke in a commanding voice.
“We shall now commence the Third Trial!”

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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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