The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 187

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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 187.
Seeing Jegal Seowoon’s resolute expression, Mo Yong Gyeong nodded with a helpless look.
“I see. Very well.”
Then he turned to Bu Eunseol and Hyuk So Jin, forcing a smile.
“I’ve prepared a banquet, so please come inside, both of you.”
The banquet table was laden with luxurious dishes that seemed impossible to have been prepared in such a dilapidated manor.
Mo Yong Gyeong had paid a considerable sum to bring skilled cooks from nearby villages and had them prepare the meal himself.
After several rounds of wine, the Jegal siblings, the Hwang Bo Brothers, and Mo Yong Gyeong engaged in pleasant conversation, catching up on old times.
But Bu Eunseol and Hyuk So Jin merely listened absently, quietly consuming their food.
‘There’s nothing suspicious about them.’
In truth, Bu Eunseol was regarding Jegal Seowoon’s group with a suspicious gaze.
Despite the pursuit teams of the Jegal, Mo Yong, and Hwangbo families joining forces, they were still mounting a separate pursuit operation?
Of course, it could be the recklessness of youth.
But the timing was far too convenient. Moreover, upon encountering the Masked Assassins who appeared on the ship, I had not completely dispelled my suspicions.
Mo Yong Gyeong harbored similar thoughts.
‘The Cheon Ui Scholar broke his promise and departed for Yunnan, and conveniently, young martial masters appeared…’
Of course, matters in the Murim rarely unfold as planned, and unexpected events always occur.
But Mo Yong Gyeong was regarding the suddenly appeared Bu Eunseol and Hyuk So Jin with eyes of suspicion.
‘Fortunately, they haven’t overstepped their bounds.’
Had the two of them stepped forward claiming to be part of the group, Mo Yong Gyeong would have been deeply displeased.
But as they merely ate quietly without joining the conversation, he nodded with a resigned expression.
‘I should observe them for now.’
After satisfying themselves with wine and food, Mo Yong Gyeong broached the subject of future plans with a serious expression.
“Yi Hun Gwang Ja has killed five young martial artists even while fleeing. Currently, three full squads, including the Yang Sak Team from the Main House, are pursuing his trail closely.”
He paused briefly before continuing with a grave tone.
“According to intelligence from the Yang Sak Team, he intends to enter Dae Myeong Mountain to shake off his pursuers. Thus, three divisions are stationed at the mountain passes.”
Hwangbo Cheongyeong, who had been listening silently with his arms crossed, picked up the thread.
“Dae Myeong Mountain… So he means to escape toward Yunnan.”
“Likely so.”
Mo Yong Gyeong paused and turned his gaze toward Jegal Seowoon.
“But your opinion still differs, does it not?”
Jegal Seowoon nodded.
“Indeed. I believe he will come to Woo Jung Mountain in Sa Myeong District, the opposite direction from Dae Myeong Mountain.”
Jegal Seowoon swept his gaze across those present and continued.
“Yi Hun Gwang Ja has been pursued countless times by Jeongsayang-do in the past. Yet he has remained hidden without revealing his whereabouts until now.”
Jegal Seowoon spoke with conviction.
“That elusive assassin would never leave traces for his pursuers to follow.”
“Then he’s not heading to Yunnan?”
To Hwangbo Cheongyeong’s question, Jegal Seowoon shook his head.
“No, he will head to Yunnan. However….”
And he pointed to the map.
“Once we shake off the pursuers at Woo Jung Mountain and the encirclement breaks, we’ll head toward Yunnan.”
Mo Yong Gyeong, who had been listening silently, spoke.
“But I cannot comprehend this. If your reasoning is sound, surely Je Gal Yeon, the commander of the Bi Dam Team, would not have failed to anticipate such a move?”
Jegal Seorin answered instead.
“We believe the reason Yi Hun Gwang Ja managed to evade the Righteous Path’s pursuit was precisely because such exceptional masters of tracking techniques took the lead.”
“I don’t follow your meaning.”
“Specialists in a single discipline are often ensnared by their own rigid knowledge.”
“That seems rather unconvincing.”
“Of course, there’s a second reason as well.”
Jegal Seorin continued her explanation with measured calm.
“There is an accomplice.”
“An accomplice?”
As Mo Yong Gyeong blinked, Jegal Seorin’s large eyes gleamed.
“Each time Yi Hun Gwang Ja is pursued, this accomplice aids him by erasing or obscuring his traces.”
This time, Hwangbo Jegyeong shook his head.
“Sister Lin. Surely even a madman and public enemy of Murim wouldn’t have an accomplice?”
“Even madmen have money. Among assassins, there are many fools who will do anything for coin.”
“Hmm.”
Mo Yong Gyeong, who had been listening quietly, nodded his head.
“I suppose that’s possible.”
Indeed, the Je Gal Family was the Je Gal Family.
Their insight that an expert’s abundant knowledge and skill could become a liability was remarkable, and their perspective on the broader situation differed from that of ordinary martial artists.
“So what do you intend to do?”
In response to Mo Yong Gyeong’s question, Jegal Seowoon answered again.
“To pass through Woo Jung Mountain, we must necessarily go through this point.”
Jegal Seowoon, who had unfolded the map, wore a solemn expression.
“This villain is known to possess exceptional lightness technique. The moment he arrives here, we must encircle him in one swift motion.”
Jegal Seowoon took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with intensity as he spoke.
“Mo Yong and Bu, along with Hyuk, will block the escape routes and defend. I, the Hwang Bo brothers, and my younger brother Jegyeong will handle the assault and execute a wheel formation. Victory is assured.”
At Jegal Seowoon’s confident words, those gathered nodded their heads.
His plan was flawless by any measure, without a single flaw to criticize.
But they did not know.
The talented strategists of Gangho generally possessed plausible plans, yet unforeseen circumstances often arose in actual combat.
* * *
Dozens of masters raced across the darkened mountain.
Tss, tss, tss, tss.
Though they brushed past trees and undergrowth, scarcely a sound could be heard.
The martial artists, divided into three units, maintained a triangular formation as they ran at a steady pace.
Crack.
The leader at the front halted his movement technique and raised his hand. Immediately, those following behind held their breath and came to a stop.
“Indeed, he is heading in that direction.”
The man at the front, who had been crouching down to examine the ground for some time, nodded his head.
With a long, oddly-shaped sword strapped to his back like a skewer, had he been wearing night clothes, one might easily mistake him for an assassin.
However, the fine martial robes embroidered with navy blue and the unwavering clarity of his gaze left no room for such confusion.
It was Mo Yong Cheong Woon, the leader of the Yang Sak Team of the Mo Yong Family.
“Now we can finally capture that madman.”
A man with a sturdy build and iron claw gloves on both hands approached Mo Yong Cheong Woon’s side, his voice low.
It was Hwang Bo Gwang Woon, the leader of the Jin Cheon Team of the Hwangbo Family.
“Something feels amiss.”
A middle-aged man dressed as a scholar, with a judge’s brush tucked at his waist, opened his mouth while examining the traces left on the ground.
“The traces of flight appear concealed, yet they are far too standardized.”
It was Je Gal Yeon, the leader of the Bi Dam Team of the Jegal Family.
“As if he deliberately left traces so subtle that only professionals like ourselves could barely detect them.”
“Heh heh. You certainly say interesting things. So you’re suggesting that madman anticipated all our pursuit routes and left traces beforehand? That makes no sense, does it?”
“Of course not.”
Je Gal Yeon shook his head quietly.
“But perhaps… someone is assisting him, someone who anticipated our pursuit and deliberately obscured his trail.”
“Heh heh heh. As expected of a Jegal Family member.”
This time Mo Yong Cheong Woon spoke with a smile.
“We already anticipated that he might have helpers. That’s why the three families combined to organize this massive pursuit.”
“No, what I mean is… I suspect those helpers might be from an organization that operates an intelligence network.”
“That’s impossible. What insane faction would systematically aid the enemies of Jeongsayang-do?”
Hwang Bo Gwang Woon nodded in agreement.
“Yeon. Sometimes simplicity is necessary. Didn’t that madman’s whereabouts suddenly become traceable after more than a decade of leaving no trace?”
“But…”
Hwang Bo Gwang Woon waved his hand dismissively.
“That simply means the killer’s luck has run out. That’s why we can capture him now.”
He tapped the iron claw gloves on his hands and spoke with a smile.
“Don’t worry. Even if we lose his trail, the members we stationed ahead will cut off his escape route.”
“Understood.”
Though he answered, something felt unsettling about it all.
Whoosh.
Mo Yong Cheong Woon and Hwang Bo Gwang Woon began deploying their movement techniques again, leading their teams forward.
“Hmm.”
Based on the traces left behind, capturing Yi Hun Gwang Ja was merely a matter of time. Yet why did this feel so strange?
‘Unnecessary thoughts.’
Je Gal Yeon took a deep breath and shook his head as if trying to dispel the doubts lingering in his mind.
Then he led his team and followed in their wake.
* * *
Woo Jung Mountain.
Though not particularly tall, the mountain boasted dense forests and treacherous terrain. The main ridge, composed of jagged rock formations, created a spectacular gorge with breathtaking vistas.
On the mid-slope of Woo Jung Mountain, darkness had settled.
A small shadow climbed the mountainside, accompanied by labored breathing.
“Huff… huff…”
It was a young scholar in tattered clothes, a bamboo basket strapped across his shoulders.
The steep mountain path proved arduous for him, and beads of perspiration dotted his forehead.
“Sigh…”
When a level stretch of the mountainside finally came into view, the young scholar exhaled deeply and paused his ascent.
His eyes, gazing up at the star-strewn sky, were clear and bright, gleaming even in the darkness.
“Gulp, gulp…”
He withdrew a waterskin from the bamboo container and drank deeply, wiping the sweat from his forehead before resuming his pace.
「He resembles a traveling merchant passing through villages,」Jegal Seowoon transmitted his thoughts to his companions from within the dense forest.
「He should pass by shortly. Let us remain vigilant but undisturbed.」
Hwangbo Jegyeong then furrowed his brow and sent his own transmission.
「A full day has passed. When do you expect this Yi Hun Gwang Ja to arrive?」
「He is likely taking a circuitous route to evade his pursuers. Perhaps by tomorrow…」
Whoosh.
At that moment, Bu Eunseol, who had been concealed in the trees, suddenly descended to the ground.
She walked calmly toward the young scholar.
「Bu Eunseol!」
Jegal Seowoon cried out in alarm through his transmission, but Bu Eunseol, as if deaf to his warning, approached from behind the young scholar.
“Goodness!”
The young scholar, who had been catching his breath against a massive tree, started in fright at Bu Eunseol’s sudden appearance and stumbled backward.
“Who are you?”
Bu Eunseol did not answer. Instead, her cold gaze swept across the young scholar’s entire frame.
Then, as if understanding something, she nodded slightly.
“So that is what it was.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Reveal your true identity now.”
“W-what do you mean?”
“Yi Hun Gwang Ja.”
In that instant, a flash of light pierced through the young scholar’s eyes.
But it was merely a fleeting moment, and his gaze returned to its innocent appearance.
“Yi Hun Gwang Ja? What on earth are you talking about?”
Bu Eunseol did not answer. Instead, she twisted her fist tightly.
It was no mere gesture of threat. Wind rippled around her body, and a blade-like killing intent surged forth.
“Bu Eunseol.”
Unable to bear the sight, Jegal Seowoon burst from the forest and positioned himself before her.
Unable to bear the sight, Jegal Seowoon rushed out from the forest and blocked Bu Eunseol’s path.
“Bu Eunseol. What are you doing? Why suddenly….”
“That man is Yi Hun Gwang Ja.”
“What do you mean? This young scholar is Yi Hun Gwang Ja?”
Bu Eunseol muttered something—whether a response or mere musing, it was unclear.
“Wearing the skin of such a young man so skillfully… that’s why we couldn’t catch him.”
Kwaaaa!
Bu Eunseol, who had been gazing down at the young scholar, suddenly threw a punch.
Though the strike was delivered lightly, a tremendous gale accompanied a terrifying force that poured toward the young scholar’s face.
Crash!
Yet the force struck not the young scholar’s face, but the massive tree behind him.
The young scholar, leaning against the tree, had moved like lightning to evade the force.
“Fascinating creature.”
The young scholar’s voice, which had been clear and refreshing, changed completely.
More than that, the young scholar’s transparent, luminous eyes were now split vertically like a bat’s.
This was the true face of Gong Sun Gu Ryung—the deranged murderer who dissected people alive.
“Gong Sun Gu Ryung!”
At that, the Hwang Bo Brothers and Mo Yong Gyeong, who had been in mid-air, descended with thunderous cries and surrounded him.
“So you were Yi Hun Gwang Ja!”
Even as the Hwang Bo Brothers and Mo Yong Gyeong surrounded him, Gong Sun Gu Ryung’s expression remained unchanged.
Rather, his gaze remained fixed on Bu Eunseol.
“You shouldn’t have been able to see through the real skin of young men I wear?”
“Perhaps.”
“How did you find out?”
Gong Sun Gu Ryung pressed the question relentlessly.
If he couldn’t hear the answer from Bu Eunseol, there remained a chance his disguise would be exposed again in the future.
This cunning murderer desperately wanted to find that answer, even if it meant engaging in conversation.
“I didn’t know. I almost fell for it myself, truthfully.”
Gong Sun Gu Ryung was both a merit of the Jeongsayang-do and a murderer.
Since there was no need to observe propriety or courtesy, Bu Eunseol spoke to him as one would to an inferior.
“You look like you’re dying of curiosity.”
“Then tell me before you die.”
As Gong Sun Gu Ryung pressed further, Bu Eunseol’s lips curved upward.
“The bamboo box.”

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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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