The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 183

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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 183.
“Brother Bu, why… did you not even permit him to take his own life?”
As Hyuk So Jin spoke with a tone of regret, Bu Eunseol replied with a cold expression.
“Had the remaining members of the Yeom Hoon Dae witnessed him taking his own life, they would have fought to the death without hesitation.”
Only then did Hyuk So Jin let out a sound of understanding.
If Yo Bul Beom had laughed heartily and displayed a defiant spirit while taking his own life?
The Yeom Hoon Dae would have been filled with morale and would have attempted resistance with desperate fervor.
“I am grateful.”
At that moment, Geuk Hye Ryeong walked out from among the disciples of Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong who stood in formation.
“Supporting you was a choice I shall never regret.”
When a formidable enemy had come to attack, Bu Eunseol had willingly stepped forward alone to protect Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong.
That was equivalent to displaying trust as precious as life itself.
“Whether you become the successor to the Demon Hall or not… Mu Ha Soo Yu Jeong shall forever stand by your side.”
Bu Eunseol responded with a light bow instead of words.
Through that confident and dignified bearing alone, deeper trust was conveyed than a hundred oaths could express. And it displayed the authority of the next Grand Master of Martial Arts.
Standing tall and surveying the surroundings, Bu Eunseol slowly turned his body.
Having completed all the commands that Ma Cheon Je had given, he intended to return to the Demon Hall.
* * *
After departing Gyerim, Bu Eunseol rested at a nearby inn, then boarded a boat.
He had decided to travel northward along the banks of the Samgang River toward the Changsha Region where the Demon Hall was located.
In truth, Bu Eunseol and Hyuk So Jin had sustained considerable wounds in their battle against the Yeom Hoon Dae.
Particularly, Hyuk So Jin had suffered not insignificant internal injuries from fighting at full strength while continuously unleashing the Divine Flame Demonic Energy throughout the battle.
After remaining at the inn for four days with Bu Eunseol and slowly recuperating, his martial power gradually recovered.
However, rather than hastening toward perfect recovery, he chose to travel leisurely by boat.
The murmur of voices filled the air.
The village near the harbor where boats came and went was bustling with people gathered from all directions.
Upon entering the Market Street, Bu Eunseol used the Illusory Face Bone Technique to subtly alter his appearance.
Not only was his appearance far too striking to go unnoticed, but most of the martial artists carrying weapons throughout the Market Street were members of the Orthodox Sects.
A light cracking sound followed.
Bu Eunseol’s face transformed into that of an ordinary, mature-looking man.
“I shall not change mine.”
Hyuk So Jin, observing this transformation, spoke with distaste.
“I have not engaged in Gangho activities and have been confined with the elders all along. There should be no one who would recognize me.”
“Do as you wish.”
Bu Eunseol and Hyuk So Jin wandered about searching for an inn with vacant rooms.
However, what was visible beyond the windows were only guests filling the inns to capacity.
“There are no available rooms.”
Just as Hyuk So Jin, having surveyed the surroundings, was releasing a quiet sigh,
“Let us go there instead.”
Bu Eunseol pointed toward an alley slightly removed from the Market Street.
A small tavern stood in that location. At first glance, it appeared shabby and cramped, the sort of place that served cheap fare, but this was hardly the moment to be choosy.
“Hmm.”
Hyuk So Jin, who had been gazing at the empty window seat, let out a contemplative sound.
He was not merely particular about taste; he placed great importance on the atmosphere of any dining establishment.
In times past, he would have spared no effort to seek out a fine Inn, but now he simply shrugged his shoulders in resignation.
“Indeed.”
Upon entering the single-story tavern, they found themselves amid a mixture of merchants bearing bundles and martial artists bearing weapons.
The moment Hyuk So Jin took his seat, he summoned the Tavern Servant and spoke.
“Bring us your finest spirits and every dish you can prepare.”
It was a request far too ambitious for such a humble establishment.
The young Tavern Servant, bowing his head, soon returned with a tray and set dishes and wine before the table where Bu Eunseol and Hyuk So Jin sat.
“What’s this?”
Yet from a nearby table, an irritated voice rang out.
“Excuse me, but didn’t we place our order first?”
Hyuk So Jin turned to look and saw two Twin Youths seated there, along with a young scholar of sickly and haggard appearance and a Mysterious Woman.
Though none of them possessed exceptional beauty, their features were well-proportioned and their eyes gleamed with vitality.
From their attire and bearing, they appeared to be scions of noble families.
“Looking at the dishes, it seems these must be what we ordered?”
As the Twin Youths furrowed their brows and spoke again, the Tavern Servant glanced around the table and scratched his head before speaking carefully.
“My apologies. You did arrive first, but this guest here placed their order before you.”
Bu Eunseol’s party had arrived late, but Hyuk So Jin had ordered immediately upon sitting.
The other group, after considerable deliberation, had also ordered “every dish and spirit available here,” which had led to this misunderstanding.
“Ah, I see.”
Only then did the young scholar understand the situation and licked his lips.
He had not even considered that the delay was due to the Inn being crowded.
Since many other guests still awaited their food, it would likely be quite some time before their order arrived.
‘They must have traveled far.’
Bu Eunseol perceived that the young group was utterly exhausted and quite hungry.
“We are in no hurry. Please serve them first.”
Bu Eunseol had come to the Inn not to satisfy hunger, but to gather rumors from the Gangho.
At his concession, both the Tavern Servant and the young scholars at the table waved their hands in surprise.
“No, there is no need to go so far.”
“It is fine. We are not pressed for time.”
As Bu Eunseol waved his hand calmly, the youths all bowed lightly in gratitude.
“Thank you.”
Bu Eunseol nodded impassively and turned his gaze back toward the window.
It was then that the conversation of martial artists seated at a distant table reached his ears.
―Have you heard that rumor?
―What rumor?
―The Medical Soul Madman, Gong Sun Gu Ryung. That lunatic has appeared in the Murim once more.
The Mad Soul Dissector. Gong Sun Gu Ryung.
He dresses like Haeng Rim, yet he is a deranged murderer who dissects living people alive.
The number of innocent civilians who have died by his hand exceeds three hundred.
Moreover, as time went on, he crossed all bounds and began attacking young martial artists, committing massacres. At this point, not only the Orthodox Sects but also several factions of the Demonic Path issued execution orders against him.
Yet he eluded the pursuit of multiple sects with ease and continued to ravage the Murim.
Finally, when even the Demon Hall and the Murim Alliance showed signs of taking action, he suddenly vanished ten years ago.
And now this deranged murderer has reappeared in the Murim?
‘The Mad Soul Dissector.’
Bu Eunseol recalled the roster of martial artists from previous generations that she had seen at the Guusal Unit branch, her eyes narrowing.
The Mad Soul Dissector was known to have flayed and dissected healthy young people alive without any reason.
‘But they said he was obsessed with martial arts, not with slaughter.’
However, the reality was different.
According to the Guusal Unit’s intelligence, the Mad Soul Dissector’s dissection of human bodies while alive was not driven by a thirst for bloodlust.
Rather, he dissected people alive to research the principles of martial arts and the vulnerabilities of the human body.
Much like how Bu Chanyang and Bu Eunseol studied the causes of death by examining the wounds on corpses.
“We should be cautious as well.”
Hyuk So Jin chuckled upon hearing the martial artists’ talk.
“Is it not said that the madman is most fond of dissecting the bodies of young masters of the Murim?”
The decisive reason Gong Sun Gu Ryung became a public enemy of the Murim was because he captured young disciples of the Jeongsayang-do and dissected them alive.
Perhaps examining the bodies of martial artists proved far more useful for researching martial arts.
“I see.”
Bu Eunseol nodded and listened silently to the stories being relayed.
But aside from the appearance of the Mad Soul Dissector, there were no other notable rumors.
‘The Mad Soul Dissector. The Mad Soul Dissector, indeed….’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed.
A deranged murderer who dissects young people alive to enhance his martial arts.
Though his power was said not to reach the Transcendent Realm, according to the Guusal Unit’s intelligence, he was a formidable master who had entered the Transcendent Realm long ago.
Moreover, with his elusive movement techniques and methods of concealing his traces….
He could be called a master who had achieved mastery not only in martial arts but also in escape.
‘Why is she smiling?’
Hyuk So Jin tilted his head as Bu Eunseol wore a faint smile while lost in deep thought.
‘What is she planning now?’
By now, he could be considered an expert on Bu Eunseol.
He knew well that whenever the usually taciturn Bu Eunseol smiled, something unexpected was about to unfold.
After finishing their meal, Bu Eunseol and Hyuk So Jin arrived at the Dock and boarded a ship.
The cargo-passenger vessel, built as a merchant ship, was large enough to accommodate over a hundred passengers with room to spare.
Due to the fair weather, most of the passengers were on deck enjoying the scenery.
“….”
Bu Eunseol gazed endlessly at the flowing river waters.
The blood duel with the leader of the Yeom Hoon Dae had granted her immense insights. And whenever time permitted, she would replay that encounter in her mind.
‘The Saryeong School was not bound by the constraints of the spear as a weapon.’
Yo Bul Beom of the Saryeong School, much like my Formless Heavenly Stream, was unrestricted by weapon limitations or technique frameworks.
And this very aspect presented a grave danger I had never sensed from any opponent I had faced thus far.
‘Perhaps I have been underestimating the martial arts of the Ten Demonic Gates far too lightly.’
The White Horse Sect and Hell Blood Sect possessed distinctive characteristics in their heterodox methods and solitary cultivation.
As I fought and sought out my enemies’ weaknesses, such traits became optimal prey for me.
But witnessing the spear techniques of the Saryeong School, I now realized I had fundamentally misjudged the martial arts of the Ten Demonic Gates.
‘Had our inner energy been equal, victory would not have come so easily.’
Yo Bul Beom possessed far greater experience in the Gangho and was a master who had refined the terrifying absolute technique of the Saryeong Spear for over twenty years.
His seasoned expertise and combat application were a gap I, having barely crossed into adulthood, could not quickly bridge.
Night had fallen without my notice.
A thick mist now draped itself over the river where the wind had grown still.
The mist rising high on all sides transformed the entire world into something like a distant dream.
“Brother Bu.”
Hyuk So Jin, standing beside me, opened his mouth.
“The river flows endlessly, and its current never ceases, so why can people not develop without end?”
It was an utterly unexpected question.
Had an ordinary person heard it, they would have laughed or been left speechless.
But I fell into serious contemplation.
Hyuk So Jin’s question touched upon the profound mysteries of martial philosophy.
“If one could develop infinitely, one would no longer be human, but rather a part of nature itself.”
Having finished my thought, I spoke in a lowered voice.
“Humans are born in an imperfect state—both spirit and body. Therefore, we strive to overcome that imperfection.”
As I spoke, my gaze followed the flow of water beneath the railing.
“Of course, the river cannot become human. But humans can transform into not only the river, but all things.”
Hyuk So Jin furrowed his brow as if deep in thought, then shook his head.
“I cannot comprehend it. How can a person transform all things into something else?”
“Everything you see passes through your spirit before appearing before you.”
I explained calmly.
“If you are obsessed with martial arts, the river will appear in the form of martial techniques. If you are obsessed with a beautiful woman, the river might even appear as a woman’s body.”
Each word I spoke carried profound meaning.
“Do you know why those who have learned superior martial arts sometimes fall into frustration, despair, or fear?”
When Hyuk So Jin shook his head, I answered.
“Because while the body may have reached its limits, the spirit has not yet attained such a realm.”
My voice was utterly calm.
Yet my gaze upon Hyuk So Jin was so piercing it seemed to penetrate even the depths of his being.
“You have consistently learned superior martial arts and elevated your body’s perfection. But your spirit’s fortitude has not kept pace.”
“…!”
“Your martial arts have only just entered the initial stage of the Transcendent Realm. To reach a stable state, you must temper not only your techniques but also your mind with unwavering discipline.”
In that instant, Hyuk So Jin trembled as if he had grasped something profound.
Bu Eunseol is strong.
This strength stems not merely from superior martial prowess, but from a spiritual fortitude that none can rival.
‘Brother Bu has tempered not only his martial arts but also his spirit with relentless discipline.’
Without such cultivation, the body might grow formidable, yet it could never achieve such rapid advancement in martial enlightenment.
“Thank you, Brother Bu.”
Hyuk So Jin bowed deeply.
Though he had exceptional martial masters, including Hwan Ma, he had only learned the fundamentals and doctrines of martial arts.
He had yet to receive the profound mysteries of martial wisdom.
But as Bu Eunseol traveled through Gangho, he was imparting to Hyuk So Jin the method of perceiving all phenomena beyond material objects through the principles of martial arts.
This process would eventually enable Hyuk So Jin to awaken to the ultimate truths of martial arts through his own enlightenment.
“Ah?”
At that moment, the young scholars who had emerged from the cabin noticed Bu Eunseol and Hyuk So Jin, approaching with warm smiles.
“We meet again here.”

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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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