The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 173

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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 173.
The Reed Field lay shrouded in desolation, with only a barren wind sweeping through the silence.
Hyuk So Jin, standing motionless, felt something far beyond absurdity—it bordered on the grotesque.
“I cannot comprehend this. You wish me to slay you?”
“Precisely as stated. I grant you ten days. Kill me.”
Bu Eunseol pointed to herself with perfect composure.
“Use any method you wish. Poison, blades, ambush—none of it matters.”
She continued speaking calmly, her gaze fixed upon Hyuk So Jin’s wide, astonished eyes.
“Exhaust every stratagem, every technique at your disposal. Should you inflict even the slightest wound upon me within these ten days….”
He paused briefly before speaking with commanding authority.
“I shall permit you to travel with me.”
“Are you sincere?”
“Of course.”
“If I truly disregard method and means, could I not genuinely kill you?”
In the Murim, victory is not always determined by martial prowess alone.
Hyuk So Jin was the cradle of ten thousand demons, the legitimate successor of Jeol Cheon Myul Ji.
Should he resolve to employ every conceivable tactic, none could predict what might transpire.
“That is precisely why I speak thus. If you can kill me, then by all means, take my head.”
In that instant, an intense brilliance flickered across Hyuk So Jin’s eyes.
“Not to boast, but my mind contains three hundred and thirty-one demonic cultivation texts, excluding the Divine Flame Demonic Technique.”
A genius who grasped practical methods merely from reading secret manuals—Hyuk So Jin.
Though he had never seriously studied martial arts, his childhood spent reading countless demonic texts in the Secret Library had granted him mastery of diverse demonic techniques.
“You ask such a person to attack without restraint? This seems far too arrogant, does it not?”
“Tedious. Will you do this or not?”
“Very well.”
Crack.
Hyuk So Jin flexed his knuckles lightly, nodding with leisurely confidence.
“Since you forbid restraint, I shall honor your request precisely!”
Tap.
Before his words had even finished, Hyuk So Jin’s foot touched the ground, and in an instant he closed the distance to Bu Eunseol.
Simultaneously, forming tiger claws, he unleashed twenty-four hand shadows in rapid succession.
It was the ultimate technique of the Dark Heaven Demonic Dragon Palm, one of the demonic arts preserved in Jeol Cheon Myul Ji.
“A fine palm technique.”
Bu Eunseol did not meet it head-on; instead, she deployed her footwork, evading each strike of the Dark Heaven Demonic Dragon Palm one by one.
Whoosh.
Yet Hyuk So Jin, as if predicting her evasion, unleashed three sharp wind blades with a dull thump.
It was the technique of the Mysterious Primordial Demonic Finger, called the supreme finger art of the Demonic Path.
Bang bang bang.
But as Bu Eunseol deployed the Ultimate Speed Shadowless Movement, the three wind currents passed harmlessly through empty air.
Boom.
At the same moment, Hyuk So Jin’s body, which had been closing the distance and attacking, bounced backward as if striking an invisible wall.
Bu Eunseol had unleashed the Fist Demon Initial Form in absolute silence.
“Damn it.”
Though the fist energy had merely grazed him, his chest burned as if scorched by flame.
As Hyuk So Jin stumbled backward, Bu Eunseol muttered as if to herself.
“Martial arts are not a means to pour out emotions.”
“What do you mean?”
“If you resolve to attack, you must unleash appropriate techniques in response to your opponent’s movements.”
Bu Eunseol looked down at Hyuk So Jin with cold eyes.
“Do not charge blindly like a wild boar fleeing a forest fire.”
“Ah, I see.”
Hyuk So Jin clasped his hands together and bowed his head as if in gratitude.
“Thank you for the instruction….”
His words never reached completion. While feigning a bow, he unleashed violet radiance from both hands.
It was the supreme technique of Jeol Cheon Myul Ji—the Divine Flame Demon Qi.
A thunderous boom erupted.
With the sound of lightning, formless currents of energy poured toward Bu Eunseol’s face.
Yet as if she had foreseen everything, Bu Eunseol moved to the left like lightning, unleashing another fist strike.
Startled, Hyuk So Jin attempted to deflect the attack with his raised Divine Flame Demon Qi.
But five strands of fist energy, descending with terrifying momentum, pierced through the adhesive Divine Flame Demon Qi and tore into his body.
The second form of the Fist Demon Seven Techniques—Extreme Heaven and Earth Resonance—had been unleashed.
‘It’s different from before!’
Hyuk So Jin’s eyes widened as he beheld the descending fist energy.
It was undoubtedly the same technique he had witnessed at Jeol Cheon Myul Ji, yet its precision and power had grown far more formidable.
Boom, boom, boom!
Hyuk So Jin barely deflected two strands of fist energy with his Divine Flame Demon Qi, but ultimately took three direct strikes to his shoulders.
‘She’s holding back. Then and now….’
Hyuk So Jin clenched his teeth, gripping his shoulder.
He realized that had Bu Eunseol unleashed her fist technique properly, she could have shattered his shoulders with that single strike.
“You have too many unnecessary movements.”
Bu Eunseol stared down at the staggering Hyuk So Jin.
“Henceforth, study how to execute your techniques with greater concision.”
And she spoke in a cold voice.
“If you wish to live.”
Hyuk So Jin glared at Bu Eunseol with blazing eyes.
Ordinarily, he should have felt negative emotions—anger, humiliation, shame, defeat.
But now, none of that existed.
A fierce and intense resolve he had never felt in his entire life now enveloped his entire being.
“I will. Gladly.”
….
“Within ten days, blood will flow freely from your neck.”
Despite the chilling threat, Bu Eunseol merely smiled with satisfaction.
“I look forward to it.”
Then she turned away without hesitation.
* * *
Around the third watch, when the entire world lay shrouded in silence.
In the Star Courtyard of Eun Hwa Ru, where even the chirping of insects had ceased, the moonlight itself seemed to hold its breath, shimmering softly and quietly.
Whissssh.
Was it a gentle breeze?
The leaves along the small path leading to Eun Hwa Ru trembled ever so faintly.
Swish.
The soft breeze that drifted in came to rest at the Star Courtyard behind Eun Hwa Ru.
And a grain or two of sand on the courtyard floor shifted with the subtlest of movements.
Beneath the Star Courtyard of Eun Hwa Ru, underground.
Hyuk So Jin, who had arrived near the Star Courtyard where Bu Eunseol was staying using earth-tunneling techniques, opened his eyes sharply from beneath the ground.
Electric Rat Earth Tunneling Technique.
The secret art of Black Ghost, who two centuries ago was both a great thief and a Killing Ghost—an earth-tunneling technique capable of traversing three zhang underground with a single breath.
The Electric Rat Earth Tunneling Technique was even more concealed than the actual movement of a mole.
Using this technique, Hyuk So Jin had deceived Bu Eunseol’s awareness and approached the Star Courtyard.
‘She could never have imagined this, could she?’
Initially, I had assumed the difference in martial prowess was not so great—merely a gap in practical experience.
But when we actually crossed hands, Bu Eunseol’s martial skill far exceeded my expectations.
And the gap between us had widened to a degree that could not be closed in a short time.
―Use any method you wish. Poison, hidden weapons, ambush—it matters not.
Bu Eunseol had spoken such bold words, saying any method was acceptable.
So Hyuk So Jin was employing every conceivable tactic to bring her down.
Shhhhk.
Carefully extending one arm above ground, he began discreetly placing something glimmering around the Star Courtyard.
And he gradually altered the positions and orientations of all the stones, trees, and other objects within and around the courtyard.
He was setting up the Four Calamities Ghost Formation, passed down from the Secret Library of Jeol Cheon Myul Ji.
‘With this formation, I can certainly block the perception of Beast Path.’
Beast Path, the supreme technique of Nangya Sect—it not only elevated human senses to their absolute limit but granted reflexes as swift as lightning.
Hyuk So Jin had deduced that Bu Eunseol was using Beast Path to perceive his movements and evade his attacks with ease.
‘Moreover, the Four Calamities Ghost Formation can completely conceal both my presence and my form.’
With only his head slightly above ground, gazing toward the Flower Garden, Hyuk So Jin wore a satisfied smile.
Ssshhhhk.
Hyuk So Jin continued setting up the formation while remaining buried underground, moving with utmost stealth.
But because he moved with his presence completely suppressed to avoid Bu Eunseol’s detection, the installation took an extraordinarily long time.
‘Phew.’
By the time the formation was fully installed, dawn was already breaking.
Hyuk So Jin, who had been surveying his surroundings, completely buried himself back into the earth and stilled his presence.
Creak.
Shortly after, the grand gates of the Star Courtyard swung open, and Bu Eunseol slowly emerged into view.
Having completed her cultivation session, she was heading to the Inn at Eun Hwa Ru to take breakfast.
Though she could have the servants at the Star Courtyard prepare meals, Bu Eunseol always made the trip to the Inn to gather information from the rumors circulating through the Murim.
‘She’s here.’
From beneath the earth, Hyuk So Jin slowly rose to the surface as Bu Eunseol walked toward the Flower Garden.
Thud, thud.
Even as Hyuk So Jin stood directly in her path at the end of the road leading to the Inn, Bu Eunseol continued walking forward without hesitation.
‘It’s working!’
Hyuk So Jin exulted inwardly.
The moment she entered the Flower Garden, the Four Directions Ghost-Form Array had already activated.
Despite Hyuk So Jin standing directly before her, Bu Eunseol showed no awareness and continued her steady approach.
‘I must proceed with caution.’
In the past, I would have unleashed a devastating strike without hesitation.
But remembering Bu Eunseol’s counsel, I maintained deliberation and composure with each technique I deployed.
‘Hah.’
Drawing upon his inner force, Hyuk So Jin unleashed a fierce strike toward the approaching Bu Eunseol.
Whoosh!
In that instant, violet flames tore toward Bu Eunseol’s face. I had unleashed the supreme fist technique of Jeol Cheon Myul Ji—the Demon Haze Underworld Fist.
The moment the jagged, quill-like fist force drove toward her visage,
Tap.
Bu Eunseol took a single step to the left, effortlessly evading the Demon Haze Underworld Fist.
‘What?’
Hyuk So Jin’s heart nearly leaped from his chest in shock.
Had she broken through the formation and perceived his attack in such a brief moment?
Thud, thud.
But something was strange.
Bu Eunseol’s gaze was fixed not on him, but on the doorway leading to the Inn.
Despite having her five senses dulled by the Four Directions Ghost-Form Array and being unable to detect even Hyuk So Jin’s presence, she had evaded every attack.
‘Unbelievable!’
Raising his cultivation to its peak, Hyuk So Jin deployed the Demon Lord’s Bloody Hand once more, ensnaring Bu Eunseol’s upper body.
Though the technique was violent enough to produce sharp cutting sounds in reality, the Four Directions Ghost-Form Array rendered all noise silent.
Whoosh.
Yet in that moment, Bu Eunseol, her hands clasped behind her back, began moving like a phantom once more.
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
Without sight or sound, Bu Eunseol was evading every strike of the Demon Lord’s Bloody Hand that Hyuk So Jin unleashed.
‘How is she dodging attacks within the Four Directions Ghost-Form Array?’
Bu Eunseol’s Beast Path had transcended the Void-Breaking Divine Eye and reached the Void-Heart Omniscient Perception.
Moreover, she had mastered the pinnacle of the Killing Intent Sensing Sword Method—the Wind and Cloud Harmony Seal—allowing her to not only suppress but also sense killing intent.
Even if it were not Hyuk So Jin, but Hwan Ma Hyuk Gong Baek himself who had set up the illusory formation, he could not completely deceive those keen eyes.
‘Is this person not human, but a ghost?’
However, Hyuk So Jin, who knew nothing of this truth, felt something far beyond mere surprise—a profound sense of unease.
“How disappointing.”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol stopped in her tracks and shook her head, muttering to herself.
“I told him to spare no means or methods… and all he does is deploy a formation technique.”
With a sigh, she gazed into the void and shook her head.
“I prepared a feast of delicacies, yet he merely drinks water.”
‘What does she mean by that?’
Hidden within the formation, Hyuk So Jin blinked as he watched Bu Eunseol.
‘A feast of delicacies? What could she possibly…’
As Hyuk So Jin pondered, his eyes suddenly gleamed with understanding.
In an instant, he drew upon his inner power.
Crack!
As he who possessed a century’s worth of cultivation unleashed his full strength, the silver-shadow stones beneath his feet shattered completely.
The peaceful landscape around him crumbled like paper, and Hyuk So Jin’s figure finally revealed itself before Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
“My apologies.”
With a slightly embarrassed expression, Hyuk So Jin clasped his hands together, his eyes flashing with radiance as he spoke.
“Allow me to do this properly.”
Hyuk So Jin had finally understood.
The meaning behind sparing no means or methods—to inflict harm without restraint.
It meant she would not kill him, so he should clash against her with every ounce of his power.
“Here I come!”
Flash!
Drawing the treasured blade from his waist, Hyuk So Jin’s eyes blazed with an intense killing intent.
‘I will kill her!’
Until now, he had never resolved to kill anyone, never even conjured such murderous intent.
But now, Hyuk So Jin unleashed that killing intent, exerting his full strength to sever Bu Eunseol’s life.
For he knew well that without such effort, he could not even touch a single strand of her hair.
Rumble!
Simultaneously, the demonic arts of Jeol Cheon Myul Ji poured forth endlessly from his hands.
From his blade came the killing strikes of the Ten Thousand Thunder Blood Sword, cascading like hail, while from his left palm erupted the Dark Blood Scorching Fire Palm, shooting forth like vicious arrows.
As Bu Eunseol evaded, his blade once more traced a semicircle through the air.
This time, the Severing Dragon Demonic Sword Style wreathed in divine heat and the Absolute Soul Annihilation Hand came crashing down like a tidal wave.
A prodigy.
Those blessed with exceptional talent and aptitude reach astonishing heights in extraordinarily brief spans of time.
From that perspective, Hyuk So Jin was undoubtedly a prodigy.
Realizing that no martial technique he possessed could match Bu Eunseol, he now unleashed all the demonic arts of Jeol Cheon Myul Ji he had acquired, pouring them forth as one.

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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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