The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 158

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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 158.
Spring had returned to Nangya Sect once more.
On a certain day in the third month of spring when gentle breezes swept across the land, a martial artist clad in black robes arrived at Nangya Sect.
“I bring Ma Cheon Je’s command to admit Bu Eunseol, a disciple of Nangya Sect, into the Demon Palace.”
He did not reveal his affiliation.
This was because the sleeves of his garment bore the embroidered pattern of the Twin Dragons Contending for the Pearl—a symbol of the Demon Palace.
It was a mark that only those of the rank of Demon Palace Lord or higher, the most exalted figures, could bear.
“I understand.”
I bid farewell to Dan Cheong, Cheol Master, and the members of Changsin Squad.
Then I stepped outside without hesitation.
At the entrance of Nangya Sect stood a magnificent eight-horse carriage with a lustrous black sheen, surrounded by an honor guard mounted on black steeds.
‘How unexpected.’
Though I had entered the Demon Palace twice before, I had never received such treatment.
A candidate for the Demon Palace’s successor—only now, seeing the honor guard, could I truly grasp what such a position meant.
“Please board.”
The martial artist extended his hand respectfully toward the carriage.
Once I entered the Demon Palace now…
I would be formally recognized as a candidate for the Demon Palace’s successor.
Clatter, clatter.
The black eight-horse carriage bearing the Demon Palace’s banner raced beyond Geommi Mountain and across Gwan Do.
Martial artists mounted on black steeds led the way ahead, while masters of the Demon Palace discreetly escorted the carriage from all sides.
I sat within the carriage, my gaze hollow as I stared out the window.
‘A candidate for the Demon Palace’s successor.’
I drew a deep breath and shook my head lightly.
‘I would have preferred to remain simply a disciple of Nangya Sect.’
Rising to a position of great authority was not entirely a blessing.
To reign over countless others demanded a price paid in blood.
‘In the end, I have mounted the tiger’s back.’
Power, once grasped, is difficult to release.
Though the intoxicating sweetness of such tremendous strength tempts one to hold it, should I ever let it slip from my fingers, it would become a hidden blade that turns upon me.
‘Now that Ma Cheon Je knows of my existence, all the powers within the leadership and the Ten Demonic Gates will be watching me.’
I wore a bitter smile.
If I could not avoid ascending to the position of successor candidate, then I must hold that position with an iron grip until the very end.
Yet something was amiss.
The carriage, which should have been heading toward Seong Do, suddenly veered toward a desolate outer region.
The rapidly moving carriage arrived at the entrance of a massive abandoned manor where no one dwelt.
The carriage came to a halt, but no sound emerged from within.
Creak.
As I descended from the carriage, the honor guard that had surrounded me, even the carriage driver, had all vanished.
‘Is this another test from the Demon Palace? Or….’
Bu Eunseol gazed at the wide-open gates of the Abandoned Manor.
She showed no alarm whatsoever, stepping slowly inside.
While dust accumulated on the exterior, the interior had been meticulously cleaned—someone had taken great care to maintain it.
“Welcome, then.”
Upon entering, a clean curtain hung before her, and from within came the low voice of a man.
“You’ve become a true master of Gangho in the meantime.”
The voice from behind the curtain felt strangely familiar.
As Bu Eunseol maintained her silence, a tall silhouette gradually emerged from behind the curtain.
The figure that appeared was a man dressed in elaborate silk robes.
Though his face was obscured by a fan, the exposed eyes and physique alone allowed me to discern his identity instantly.
“…!”
“You recognize me, I see.”
The man spoke to Bu Eunseol in a very familiar tone.
“Though I don’t recall ever showing you my true face.”
“Your voice and eyes are the same.”
“Ah, impressive memory. Or rather, keen observation, I should say.”
The man who had exclaimed in admiration slowly lowered the fan concealing his face.
He was a handsome man with pale skin and a prominent nose. Yet his gaze carried a certain world-weary cynicism, a languid and decadent air.
“Allow me to introduce myself properly.”
The man spoke with a faint smile.
“I am Do Cheon Rin, the Young Lord of the Blood-Dyed Sword School.”
The masked man who had first invited Bu Eunseol to join the organization back on Hell Island.
He was none other than Do Cheon Rin, the legitimate successor of the Blood-Dyed Sword School.
“Curious. Can the Blood-Dyed Sword School command masters from the Demon Hall?”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, Do Cheon Rin chuckled softly.
“The Main House didn’t command a master from the Demon Hall—rather, the master from the Demon Hall was simply one of the Main House’s own.”
Do Cheon Rin regarded Bu Eunseol as one might observe an amusing plaything.
“Still the same, I see. You were quite taciturn even on Hell Island.”
He paused briefly, his eyes gleaming.
“You ask nothing. Aren’t you curious why I’ve brought you here?”
“You’ll tell me anyway.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Do Cheon Rin nodded with a faint smile.
“No need for lengthy explanations—you always strike at the heart of the matter. I like that.”
He spun the fan idly before suddenly adopting a solemn expression.
“Abandon your pursuit of the Demon Hall.”
Do Cheon Rin’s tone abruptly shifted to one of command, as if addressing a subordinate.
“….”
“The position of successor to the Demon Hall is not one a martial artist devoted to the Way of the Blade, like yourself, can bear.”
Bu Eunseol remained silent still.
Yet this silence carried a different meaning than before. It was a clear refusal.
“If you refuse, the moment you step toward Demon Hall, that path will become a river of blood.”
Do Cheon Rin sighed and shook his head.
“Because there are far too many who do not wish for you to be recognized as the successor.”
“One of them would surely be the Young Master of the Blood-Dyed Sword School.”
“Hahaha.”
Do Cheon Rin nodded honestly.
“That’s right. Truth be told, I myself do not wish for you to become a successor candidate for Demon Hall.”
Having spoken formally, Do Cheon Rin shifted his tone to something more familiar, as one would with an old friend.
“If you abandon the journey to Demon Hall, the Main House will take responsibility for your safety.”
“Safety?”
“Indeed. Regardless of other matters, it was a grave mistake for you to leave Nangya Sect alone, trusting in Demon Hall’s messenger.”
Do Cheon Rin spoke coldly.
“There are many masters from both the Orthodox Sects and the Demonic Path who seek your life. They will arrive here soon. When that time comes, you will not be able to return to Nangya Sect even if you wish to.”
“….”
“However, if you abandon your pursuit of becoming Demon Hall’s successor, the masters of the Main House will immediately begin escorting you. So that you may return to Nangya Sect safely.”
“That is strange.”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“The Ten Demonic Gates would obstruct a disciple of Nangya Sect who travels to Demon Hall under Ma Cheon Je’s orders.”
“Regardless of other matters, Ma Cheon Je pays no heed to the struggles among successor candidates. After all, Ma Cheon Je himself endured such trials to reach that position.”
Do Cheon Rin spoke with a gleam in his eyes.
“So, will you abandon the path to Demon Hall?”
“I refuse.”
At Bu Eunseol’s resolute answer, Do Cheon Rin released a deep sigh.
“You always refuse my proposals. It is truly lamentable.”
Shaking his head, he smiled and withdrew without resistance.
“It is unfortunate, but this may well be the last time I see you.”
“Perhaps.”
“I know well that you are by far the greatest among the Ten Demon Immortals… but this time, survival will be difficult.”
Do Cheon Rin, gazing toward the distant sky, bared his white teeth.
“It has already begun. Then, I pray you survive.”
Without hesitation, he turned and entered beyond the curtain.
Whoosh.
With the sound of the curtain scattering, Do Cheon Rin’s presence vanished without a trace into the interior.
Watching that figure, Bu Eunseol turned toward the exit of the Abandoned Manor.
Do Cheon Rin’s words about it having already begun were true.
The moment I stepped beyond the gate, seven Daoists with billowing robes blocked my path.
Though not advanced in years, their eyes gleamed sharply, and at their waists hung the Tai Chi blades favored by Wudang Sect.
They were none other than the Seven of Wudang.
If Shaolin possesses the One Hundred Eight Arhats Formation, then Wudang has the Seven Stars Sword Formation and the Heavenly River Big Dipper Formation—both legendary absolute formations of the ages.
The Seven Stars Sword Formation requires only the mastery of formation techniques, but the Heavenly River Big Dipper Formation demands seven masters who have perfected the Celestial Clarity Sword.
The Wudang Sect had, throughout generations, selected disciples capable of perfectly executing the essence of this formation—they were known as the Seven of Wudang.
“The Ten Demon Experts of Nangya Sect, then.”
Young Heo, the eldest among the Seven of Wudang, stepped forward.
As Bu Eunseol nodded, Young Heo spoke in a low voice.
“I see. Then prepare yourselves.”
The Seven of Wudang stood in the formation of the Big Dipper, drawing their blades in low stances.
They were about to deploy the Heaven’s River Big Dipper Formation immediately.
“Since I have no particular connection to Wudang… simply leave.”
At this moment, Bu Eunseol had no desire to face the Seven of Wudang.
They were not even masters of righteousness, and as martial artists who relied on formation power rather than sword technique, they simply did not interest me.
“Our sect has always valued righteous principles.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Young Heo opened his mouth with a solemn expression.
“It is said that the Ten Demon Experts dispatched from Demon Hall have not only slain masters of righteousness but have also brought calamity upon the Murim.”
“Calamity, you say.”
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
“Surely you are not calling duels with masters of righteousness acts of calamity.”
In truth, all the acts worthy of being called calamity had been committed by Seok Woo Haeng.
He had not fought with honor; instead, he had faced masters of righteousness and pursuers using assassination techniques, poison, and traps.
“What calamity have I myself committed?”
Bu Eunseol asked, looking directly at Young Heo.
“Or does your sect possess evidence that I have brought calamity upon the Murim?”
Young Heo had not expected Bu Eunseol to press so persistently, and he stammered with a bewildered expression.
“Of course… you cannot yet be said to have caused calamity. But when will you not face our sect’s masters of righteousness?”
“Is facing masters of righteousness an act of calamity?”
“You are also a Ten Demon Expert, so who knows when you might commit the same acts as your comrades?”
It was a forced argument.
Observing Young Heo’s shameless expression, Bu Eunseol narrowed my eyes.
‘These are people with whom reason cannot be discussed.’
Shaolin and Wudang were pillars of the Nine Sects One Alliance.
Now that Bu Eunseol had defeated masters of righteousness from the Nine Sects One Alliance in succession, they believed their honor had been tarnished.
There was no other reason why the prestigious Seven of Wudang would come to challenge Bu Eunseol.
‘This will be a tedious battle.’
The Seven of Wudang excelled more in deploying the Heaven’s River Big Dipper Formation than in sword skill.
A battle focused not on testing sword technique but on breaking through the unique functions of the formation was not an enjoyable fight for me.
“Be cautious. We shall now deploy our sect’s Heaven’s River Big Dipper Formation.”
Even at Young Heo’s words, Bu Eunseol stood silently and motionless.
“Draw your blade.”
“I shall draw it when the time comes. Do not concern yourself.”
“I do not face those who do not wield weapons.”
“How amusing.”
“What did you say?”
Bu Eunseol murmured as if speaking to herself, gazing toward the distant sky.
“Seven striking one is righteous, yet striking an opponent who has not drawn their weapon is unrighteous… How amusing.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes blazed with crimson light as she looked down upon Young Heo.
“Is it not laughable?”
Young Heo’s face flushed crimson as he cried out.
“The monks merely establish the righteousness of the Orthodox Sects! How can you speak of striking one with the strength of many!”
“I see. Then by all means, hasten to establish the righteousness of Murim.”
Bu Eunseol waved her hand coldly.
“There is no need to waste further time.”
“A demon who cannot be reasoned with. Begin!”
At Young Heo’s command, the remaining seven Wudang masters moved in chaotic patterns, their footwork beginning to shift.
Faint light emanated from their bodies, and a strange pressure materialized around Bu Eunseol.
Heavenly River Big Dipper Formation.
At last, the Wudang Sect’s supreme formation technique was unfolding.
Whoosh.
In that same instant, the air around Bu Eunseol’s body condensed, and a fierce wind erupted from her fists.
Seven Demon Fists. She would face the Heavenly River Big Dipper Formation with this ancient martial art.
Thud thud thud.
Then, from the distant sky came the sound of air-splitting, followed by dozens of footsteps striking the earth.
Soon after, some forty shadows arrived one by one before the Abandoned Manor.
‘Them!’
Bu Eunseol turned her head, and crimson aura blazed from her eyes.
They were masters clad in the robes of the Hell Blood Sect.

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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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